My Author Crush: Becky Wade!!

Last September I picked up a book I'd been hearing about, My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade. Well, I got sucked in--I'm talking Dyson vacuum suction levels--and couldn't put it down! To say I loved it would be a massive understatement. When I finished, I clasped it to my chest, and thought I want to meet this author.

Little did I know, God was listening!

A few weeks later, I perched on my chair in the first-timer's orientation at the 2012 ACFW conference in Dallas. Yeah, I chatted with the fabulous Jon and Tom Hopkins (twins!) a bit, oogled Cara Putman's adorable outfit, and then I drifted off to my own thoughts.

How cool would it be if Becky Wade--the Becky Wade--was here? But what are the odds that I would run into her even if she did show up? I mean, there are like 700 people here. Still...

Cara divided us into groups by genre. I kind of wanted to sprint out of the room, but I figured that would be immature, so I gamely headed to the "contemporary romance" section where one person stood.

And that's when I heard it.
My name.
Southern accent.
It was--Becky Wade!! In the flesh!!

What happened next? I hugged her. Practically jumped up and down. Okay, I did jump up and down. I hugged her again. Maybe once more. I'm sure she felt molested. But I was riding high! I couldn't control myself!!

The best part? She was cool! She didn't give me the weird look or the am-I-dealing-with-a-stalker?  step backward. We chatted. I gushed. And I said a thank you prayer to God for making one of my dreams come true.

Since we've met, Becky has become a huge influence in my life--she answered God's call to a prayer I hadn't been brave enough to utter. I hope I can be half as generous to others as she's been to me.

Becky's second inspirational romance, Undeniably Yours, released this week. I was blessed to receive an advanced reader copy, and her amazing talent did it again. What a superb book! I hope you buy it and like it as much as I did!

***

 Undeniably Yours

 

 

When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted -- more interested in art than in oil -- she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

 

Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them -- her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage -- and earn the right to love her.

 

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love, and their belief that God can work through every circumstance, survive?

***

My Review--5 Stars!!!

Becky Wade delivers another compelling inspirational contemporary romance. She writes such rich, memorable, relatable characters. Meg, the heroine, was sympathetic, funny, and with believable thoughts to contrast her play-by-the rules actions. I could spend a day shopping with Meg, no problem!

The hero, Bo, made me swoon multiple times. I love a rugged cowboy with a protective streak and oozing with integrity. He was fabulous, and he provided Meg with the calm security her money had never been able to give her.

Meg’s spiritual journey tugged at my heart. Even strong Christians underestimate God’s plans for our lives. I really related to the fears, prayers, and decisions the characters had to make.

Fantastic book! I hope we’ll be reading future books based on other characters—I would love to see Jake get his happily-ever-after!

**I received an advanced reader copy of this book with no obligation to review it. All opinions are my own.**

***

 

My Favorite Lines (This book is full of them! I have many, many more!) 

"She wanted to drop-kick her Cole Oil job..."

"She didn't personally care for the 'I can kill deer!' decorating style..."

(Meg imagining a horse, Silver Leaf, thinking,) "I have benevolence on you, small human."

 ***

About Becky Wade

 

 

 

Becky's a California native who attended Baylor University, met a Texas boy, and settled in Dallas. She published historical romances for the ABA, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her three children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. She loves the kind of books she's writing now! Her CBA debut, My Stubborn Heart, has been named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award. Her new contemporary romance, Undeniably Yours, is available now.

Undeniably Yours is available for purchase now! Head to Becky Wade's Books for links!

It's the first Friday of the month, so my latest 2 Minute Resolution Webisode is up on YouTube! Click here for My Hall Closet: 2 Minute Resolution!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by! What author do YOU have a crush on?

Have a wonderful weekend!

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My Reactions to This Week's Headlines

I've brushed off several intriguing headlines from my online homepage this week, but on a whim, I read some of the stories. Today, I'm going to share with you my reactions to two gems.


First headline...

"Fan explains why he threw a hot dog at Tiger Woods"
(Story via The Associated Press. Article is linked.)

My reaction:

1. Love the headline! Hot dogs? Tiger Woods? I'm immediately wondering why anyone would throw a hot dog at a golfer. Surely not to injure him? Not a great weapon. I click on the story.

2. Opening paragraph: "A California man arrested for throwing a hot dog at Tiger Woods during a tournament said he wanted to do something 'courageous and epic.'"

Oo-ka-a-ay. I'm not sure anything involving a hot dog would be described as courageous and epic, unless it involved feeding someone trapped in a cave for twenty-three days. I mean, really, how is throwing a hot dog at a champion golfer courageous or epic? I'm actually taking a few moments right now to ponder this.

Nope. Got nothing.

But I did laugh throughout the article, so maybe the hot dog thrower did do something epic? It's not easy to make people laugh.

Second headline...

"Family lost in Mass. corn maze calls 911 for help"
(Story via The Associated Press. Article is linked.)

My reaction:

1. Again, classic headline. Those corn mazes freak me out. I could easily see myself getting lost in one for days--except I have a good sense of direction, and I would probably walk through the corn until I found civilization. Hmm...

2. Oh boy, I've got two goodies here for you.

     a. 911 call: "'Hi I just called, I'm still stuck at Connor's Farms, I don't see anybody I'm really scared, it's really dark and we've got a three-week-old baby with us,' the woman is heard on police tapes telling the dispatcher."
     b. Info about maze: "The maze has several guide posts with clues and posters instructing visitors to send text messages to receive additional guidance to help them make their way out."

After reading the entire article--it seems there were street lights, the sounds of cars nearby, and the above-mentioned guide posts and posters with text messaging instructions--I can only assume the family panicked. Maybe we get so set on following the rules (in their case staying on the actual maze path) we sometimes forget to use common sense. If street lights and the sounds of cars were nearby, maybe the first option would be to walk toward the lights even if it meant weaving through corn stalks. I can't judge. Just a suggestion.

What headlines grabbed your attention this week? Are you giggling at the "courageous and epic" hot dog throw too?

Enjoy your weekend!

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