It's October! Where did the time go?

This tree had every color of fall.
Photo by Loree Huebner



Greetings from Indiana!
I can't believe it's October already.
The trees here in the Great Lakes have already begun their change. The colors started about 2 or 3 weeks ago - much sooner than previous years. I think the peak will be much earlier than normal. I just hope that doesn't mean another long and cold winter.

I am about ready to come back to the blogging world again.
My online hiatus has left me refreshed. I got tons of writing done. Yay!

I will be returning sometime near the end of this month...after Fall Break. I've missed everyone, and I've really missed visiting around the bloggy neighborhood.

I hope everyone had a lovely summer. I've been catching up on so much writing news. I see many great new novels out there from awesome authors. Wow! One of my favorite authors, Jody Hedlund, is going to do a series based on Michigan Lighthouses & the women keepers - Beacons of Hope Series. Out of the Storm, a novella, has just been released to kick off the series. Unexpected Love will be released in December. I can't wait!

There are so many other friends with new contracts and debut novels coming out, and some authors going the self-publishing route having a lot of success. I'm happy dancing with all of you!

I am so excited for a few writer friends.

In July, Jill Kemerer signed a contract with Harlequin Love Inspired. Her debut novel, Small-Town Bachelor will available in April 2015. Congratulations, Jill! Hugs to you!

Keli Gwyn also has a Love Inspired novel coming out in 2015! It will be her second novel. Woo Hoo, Keli!

     Terri Tiffany's debut novel, The Mulligan will be available very soon. So happy for you, Terri! Awesome!


Gabrielle Meyer landed two novella contracts from Barbour Publishing. Gabrielle's first novella will be part of a lovely book titled The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection. The book releases in May 2015. The book also features other wonderful authors - Erica Vetsch, Cynthia Hickey, Kathleen Y'Barbo, and others. Congrats, Gabe!

And for those who are looking for a delightful Christmas storybook for that special child in your life, Victoria Lindstrom's debut children's book - The Scandinavian Santa - was released last month! This book is unique in the fact that Victoria's husband did the artwork. His paintings are magnificent! I hope to have them on my blog very soon. Congratulations, Victoria and Michael! Well done!   

I put in links to these ladies blogs. Please stop over and visit with them!

I am so happy for all of you, and many others!

Well, I will see you all in a few weeks!

Enjoy the weekend. Autumn is in the air.

Between you, me and the gatepost,
Ah, I've missed saying that...

Loree

I love pumpkins!
Photo by Loree Huebner

I've kept the comments section close on this post. See you in a few weeks!

Spring Tagged!

Purple Crocus - March 11, 2012 - Photo by Loree Huebner

The weather has warmed up, and signs of spring are everywhere. Two days ago, I spied several crocuses blooming in my yard. Those daffodils that were coming up last month—bloomed this week…yes, this week! The honey bees and hornets are busy looking for open flowers, and the robins are in every yard. I've got to say that I don't remember such a windy March. Forget doing your hair! Anyway, spring is nearly upon us here in Indiana.

Yellow Crocus - March 11, 2012 - Photo by Loree Huebner

Apparently, spring is also the season of tagging. This past weekend I was tagged by Marji Laine. Marji is a beautiful and talent writer. She is also a woman of many talents! You can stop by her blog anytime and always feel welcome. Go on over and visit her at Marji Laine – Faith-Driven Fiction. 

I'm always feel awkward about things like this, but I will give it a whirl. The rules of being tagged are to answer the questions that Marji has left for us. I’ll give it a go.

1 Book or movie and why?

Book—hands down—there is no why.

2 Real book or e-book?

Real book. I still love the real deal. I spend a great amount of time staring at computer screens. I don’t want my personal reading time to be done on a screen if I can help it. I still love the smell of a book, the pages, the pictures. I love to hold it in my hands.

3 Funniest thing you’ve done in the past 5 years?

I do funny things all the time. Maybe this question should be directed at Hubz. Eric would probably tell you about the time that I was fishing on the shore of Lake Erie, right by the Marblehead Lighthouse in Ohio, and fell in the water. What happened next is written in the Huebner History book. It’s much too long of a story for an answer to a question. Maybe a future blog post? Yeah, maybe…AND there are pictures. It all involves hysterical laughter, crying, pain, more hysterical laughter, and a fish. heh heh…

4 How would your best friend describe you?

My best friend and I have been friends for over thirty years. Nancy would describe me as her “sister” even though we’re not related. At this point, we are sisters. We even send each other “sister” cards for special occasions. It’s an honor that I’ve earned and wear proudly.

5 How do you put yourself into the books you read/write or the movies you watch?

Hubz and I love to watch old movies. There are a lot of great stories out there in between the pages, or on film…it’s easy to get lost in them. As far as putting myself there, I love the Civil War era. This is the time period that I love to write about the most. I can put myself into the bubble…and I’m there.

6 Favorite kind of car and why?

Corvette – Always loved them. Don’t own one…yet.

7 Would your choice party be a catered meal or a BBQ out back?

Definitely a BBQ out back. When Eric and I were in Brussels visiting his brother and family, we were invited to a party at a friend’s home. When we got there, it was a BBQ out in their back yard. We had the greatest time! Our host was from Scotland, and his wife was an American. He cooked for all of us! Good food and good company, and the evening weather was just perfect! We had been to some great restaurants on that vacation, but Eric and I remember that night as one of the best nights from that trip to Europe.

 

8 What’s your favorite season and why?

Fall. I’m not sure exactly why, but maybe it’s because I was born in the fall. I love the changing leaves, the beauty of the land, and the refreshing cool weather after a warm summer…and the smell of the first campfire.

9 What specific lesson have you learned – Spiritual, educational, occupational?

Spiritual – “Do not be afraid” ~ Educational – “Fear not” ~ Occupational – “Do not let your heart be troubled” ~

 

10 Besides writing, what’s your favorite thing to do when you get some extra time?

I love to fish for largemouth bass, crappie, perch, and bluegills. Fishing is so relaxing. Eric and I, and all of our kids love to fish. We all get together at least once a year to go on a fishing outing together. Last year it was at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis. I love being out in nature and on the water. My other favorite thing to do is Civil War reenacting. I also love to garden, bird watch, hike, and star gaze. 

11 What’s one place you can be found at least one time every week?

I’ll give you several once a week places—church, grocery store, the post office, sunset watching, our favorite park with the dogs, and a nearby small book store.

Now I’m supposed to tag 11 awesome bloggers. I wish I could tag everyone. I just picked some awesome bloggers at random, whose blogs I visit, and who I hoped hadn’t been tagged before. If you see your name below, you are tagged. (I provided the links to their blogs, so head on over for a visit). 


Awesome Bloggers: Answer the same 11 questions that I did. No pressure to play along – all in good fun.

In no particular order:

Sarah Forgrave 

Jill Kemerer 

Gwendolyn Gage 

Brandi Boddie

Julie Musil 

Jessica Patch

Melissa Tagg 

Cynthia Herron
Sandra Orchard
Keli Gwyn
Cindy R.Wilson 

Is the change of seasons in full swing where you live? Tell me what changes you’re seeing around your house this week.

And to my Irish friends - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

Loree's Daffs - March 11, 2012 - Photo by Loree Huebner

Don't forget to visit my Facebook page, and click "like" -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Loree-Huebner-Author/280057565382672
~Thanks a bunch!

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Blog Birthday and Giveaway!

I'm over at Jill Kemerer's blog today for her Wednesday segment - 5 Easy Questions. Stop in and say hello!

http://jillkemerer.blogspot.com/2012/02/5-easy-questions-with-loree-huebner.html



This month, my blog turns one year old! I think this is my sixtieth blog post. It’s hard to believe it’s already been one year since I posted my very first post, A Blog is Born. I remember it was so scary to put myself out there that first time.

During the past year, I’ve become acquainted with some really great people—YOU!—writers, readers, and history buffs. I want to personally thank everyone who has visited my blog, or is a follower. I hold you dear to my heart.

One of the things I love about blogging is visiting other blogs. Since November, I’ve been on a hot streak in the giveaways! I wanted to show you a few of these awesome things that I’ve won by just leaving a comment on someone else’s blog.

Check out this apron!

From Sarah Sundin’s blog – Under His Wings – I won a homemade apron featuring, Blue Skies Tomorrow, the third novel released last August in Sarah’s Wings of Glory series. Sarah writes historical/World War II fiction. I was thrilled to receive this special gift. Her books are on my TBR list. I haven’t decided what to do with the apron yet. I’m thinking of having it framed.

I have won four wonderful novels from other blogs that I visit.

From Sarah Forgrave’s blog - Sarah Forgrave ~ Author & Speaker - I won a signed copy of - A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas – by Erica Vetsch. Sarah’s blog is one of my favorites to visit. I look forward to reading her books in the future.

From Sandra Orchard’s blog – Conversations About Characters – I won the a personally signed copy of – Shades of the Orient – by Stephanie Guerrero. It’s what I’m reading now. Sandra Orchard writes Love Inspired Suspense. I’ve read her first novel – Deep Cover. I look forward to her second novel – Shades of Truth – it will be out next month!

From Lynda Lee Schab’s blog – On the Write Track – I won a signed copy of – Thyme for Love – by Pamela S. Meyers. Lynda is the author of – Mind Over Madi. I read Madi and loved the book! I was supposed to be part of her blog tour for Mind Over Madi at the beginning of last December, but things got hectic before the holidays, and I didn’t get a chance to read her book until later on. I recommend the read.

And just last week, I won a copy of An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis. I’ve started reading Mary’s blog because she is also repped by Mary Sue Seymour. She directed her readers to a giveaway of her book on Jo Huddleston’s blog – Scattering Hope With a Smile. I found Jo’s blog to be a wonderfully inspirational stop in the blogosphere. Jo is the author of four non-fiction books, and more than 200 of her articles and short stories have appeared in over fifty different Christian and general publications.

I just wanted to mention this very special gift. If you take another look and see that small plaque with books – the one that says – The world is waiting to hear your story – I received that from Keli Gwyn. She sent me a card and the plaque—personally congratulating me in acquiring agent representation. I was so touched by her gesture. I’m a regular visitor to Keli’s blog – Keli Gwyn’s Blog. Keli writes historical fiction, and her debut novel – A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California – will be released July 1, 2012.     

Since it’s my blog’s birthday, and it is Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I’m going to have a giveaway this week!

There will be ONE top prize winner drawn at random. The prize will be a $25 gift card! The winner can choose from a Starbucks, Dunkin Donut, or Barnes and Noble $25 gift card.

I’m also giving away my favorite sweet treat to 5 “sweet” runner up comments selected at random.

Yes, I love these JELLY BELLY CHOCOLATE DIPS! They're awesome! They come in several flavors. Orange is my favorite!

Anyway, all you have to do is leave a comment HERE on this post, or on my Facebook author page any time this week – you can link to my fb author page on my sidebar. The contest will go until Sunday, February 19^th, 10 pm CDT. I will announce the winners on next Monday’s blog post. If you comment on both, that will give you two chances to win.


Happy Valentine's Day to all you romantic souls out there!

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Anyone doing anything special for Valentine’s Day? What’s your favorite candy? Reading any good romances this week?

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree