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A long time coming. 

Last fall I received the proofed copy of Love with Honor, Cherished Romance #14, from a good friend who edits for me. Chills and fever on Veterans Day brought work to a screeching halt. After three months in hospitals and rehabilitation, I came home. God continues to restore me a day at a time. It felt good to finally have enough energy to complete the manuscript.

How binding is a war-time promise?

Honor Brooks becomes a nanny after World War I claims her beloved soldier brother. Concerned for Honor, her employer insists that she accompany him, his wife, and daughter Christy on a trip to the Grand Canyon.

Honor is reunited with the soldier who once captured her heart, secured her promise to wait for him, then vanished. She falls in love with him all over again.

Phillip Travis is co-owner of Casa del Sol, north of Flagstaff. Honor’s dream of living on a cattle ranch is coming true. But why is Phillip acting so strangely when she arrives?

Colleen L. Reece, 180 “Books You Can Trust to Inspire and Entertain,” 6 million+ copies sold, uses her love for northern Arizona as a setting for this touching story.

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Nutshell Know-How

When authors are asked, “What is your book about?” the temptation to give TMI (too much information) should be ignored.

Well-chosen “sentence summaries” do the job without giving away too much of the content or overwhelming the questioner.

The same applies to short pieces. Many won praise from readers attracted by succinct titles, such as “Tips for Trips with Older Travelers.” Lessons learned from road trips with my 95-year-old mother.

Here are examples from some of my most popular books.

After feeling compelled to write my only Biblical novel, I gave notice on my government job and at age 43 went into full-time free- lancing.

A valiant nurse and wounded pilot serve under seemingly impossible conditions while stranded on a South Pacific Island during World War 2.

The greatest gift is the one given away.

Bellingham, Washington’s answer to Nancy Drew. YA series. Trouble on Tuesday, Wednesday Witness, Thursday Trials. Friday Flight, Saturday Scare, Sunday Suspicion follow.

Can Lexi, a shy, small-town Canadian girl,   find happiness by moving to Washington State?

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Five dedicated nurses battle sickness and dark forces determined to destroy their beloved Seattle Shepherd of Love hospital. 

Four full-length western romances. Each complete in itself, but the set reads like a continued story.

Note. It is worth taking whatever time needed to create sentence summaries.

Good luck.

Colleen

Palm Sunday, 4-1-23, Auburn, Washington. I look forward to Easter Sunday. Lyrics from well-loved hymns ring down through the years and echo in my heart and mind. I smile. Memories of friends, neighbors, and family from Darrington, Washington’s many churches joyously rise to the skies from the Ski Bowl, celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord. Magnificent White Horse Mountain towering above the worshippers, like a benevolent watchman intent on guarding the little mountain town. 

Each Easter Sunday, at 6 a.m., ministers from the various denominations took turns giving a short message. Talented singers offered special music, designed to warm hearts on cold mornings. If it rained or snowed, we met in the Community Center.

Following the service, we went home for breakfast and to replace warm clothes with our “Sunday best,” to attend Sunday School and church at our respective houses of worship. Some had family get-togethers.

We had a Treasure Hunt

Dad and Mom believed that anything worth having, is worth working for. No just handing us a basket with boiled eggs, perhaps oranges, and some candy. While my brothers and I were sequestered in the house under strict orders not to look out the windows. Mom hid clues.

The hideout. The big stump. The downed tree, whose branches made a green room. The pussy willow and birch tree. The woodshed. And more. Each clue led to another, and finally, the basket. Tired but victorious, we settled in with our prize.

Mom did this year after year. We never got tired of our hunt. Sometimes friends or relatives joined us. Years later, my younger brother’s family carried on the tradition.

Dad, Mom, and my brothers have all passed on. I am now 87. Voices raised in song, and laughter over simple things, still shine brighter in my memory than the eggs we once dyed. I give thanks to my Heavenly Father for His loving care and continuing provision.

“I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today, I know that He is living, Whatever men may say.

“I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

“He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

“He lives. He lives salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart.”

May each of you find the peace and comfort He gives to those who seek Him.

Love and Happy Easter,

Colleen

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Sunday, March 19th 

Hello, everyone.

It is good to be back after weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation center. At times I feel like an inch worm but–hey, with every tiny movement forward, he/she eventually reaches the desired goal. Me, too, to be ungrammatical.

“Colleen Loraine, the looper,” continues to make progress. Milestones include the first time being able to stand at the sink and do dishes, and (with my walker), journeying down the driveway to the mailbox. I finally was able to tackle and deal with a mountain of paperwork.  Funny, how small accomplishments can be so encouraging.

I didn’t feel ready to come home when released from Wesley Rehab, and wondered how I would make it “on my own.” My hard-working niece researched the availability of help so seniors can stay in their homes. I now have a caption phone. Meals are delivered (supplemented by Safeway deliveries). I have had several weeks of physical and occupational therapy and nurse visits. My bathtub has been replaced with a walk-in shower. Other help is in the works. Friends and neighbors have been diligent in looking out for me.

God is good. Decades ago, my dear friend Marjorie Gordon, gave me an Old Testament blessing. “. . .may your strength match the length of your days!” Deuteronomy 33:25 (TLB). Never has it been more appreciated.

Dad taught me to always concentrate on how far I have come, not how far I have to go. I am.

May God bless you all, as He has, is, and will continue to care and provide for me.

Love,

Colleen

 

Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” was right. There really is no place like home, especially after almost 3 months of hospital and rehab stays.

As Dad taught me, I am not concentrating on how far I have to go to restore energy, but how far I have come. I have home physical therapy, etc. using a walker for now.

I appreciate all the wonderful messages and responses to my notice of being home and I apologize for not answering individually. Between workmen coming to see about replacing tub with a walk-in shower, the installation of a captioned phone, and numerous visits by professionals, time gets filled. Big job now is accomplishing what needs to be done between naps and according to energy level.

Next job is reducing the mountain of paperwork cluttering my desk.

God has been with me every step of the way and continues to bless. Thanks to my niece Julie and two close friends who spent hours researching programs and helpers (professional and caring friends and neighbors) I am well looked after. Working on developing patience. GRIN.

Writing? This is the most I have done.  I have a revised book in the computer that was edited by a friend last November. Not yet ready to finish it.

Thanks again, everyone.

Love,

Colleen

Good news and thanks for your prayers. Colleen is home again and appears to be feeling well. She seems sharp, and hopefully a few “techy” things will be added to help her out, emergency call buttons and voice to text, etc. A bathroom remodel to a walk-in shower to make things easier is in the works (pray these all are completed in good time). Hopefully, those who are looking out for her will be successful in their queries about some kind of in-home care/visits. She’s eating well! As always, she has a wonderful support group from her neighbors, family, and her writing friends. I would love to be a part, but I am in California for the winter.

Keep praying! The Lord is good!

Susan Marlow, blog administrator

After such grand news last week, I would ask that you pray for Colleen. She had a fall and is back at the Auburn hospital, being well cared for and as far as I know, in good spirits. I don’t know every detail, just that she is not at home any longer. I’m sure she would appreciate your prayers.

Susan Marlow, Blog Administrator

It was good to see all your comments, good wishes, and prayers for Colleen. I passed your names along to her contacts at the rehab place to share with her. I just learned some super good news. Colleen is home! Hopefully, she’ll be back on her Colleen’s Creations blog in no time.

This email below comes from a local author friend, Sandy N., with a happy update!

Hi, Susan,

Colleen is at home as of yesterday. Several of us from her writing group dropped by this afternoon and found her sitting in her recliner by the front window. She was in good spirits and looked more “like herself” than she has recently.

When Colleen’s niece Julie brought her home, she left a big box of food that Colleen can easily eat — bananas, tangerines, protein drinks, as well as ready-to-eat food that’s in her freezer and refrigerator. She also has cans of soup that she can heat in the microwave. Colleen says she has no trouble getting in and out of her chair, in and out of bed, and down the hallway and back from the bathroom. 

Although Colleen is still frail, I could see quite a lot of improvement. ~ Sandy

Susan Marlow, Blog Administrator

I’m not sure how many of you know that Colleen has been ill. This last November, she caught the flu or a cold and thought she could just hibernate and sleep it off. Unfortunately, her illness escalated, and she was eventually hospitalized. Right now, she is regaining her strength at Wesley rehab. I’m sure she would appreciate your prayers for a speedy recover. I miss her so much and I’m sure her blog followers miss her entertaining and insightful blog posts.

Susan Marlow, blog admin.

 

I’ve never before had two titles come out within days of each other. Very different stories, and totally different hero and heroine from Candleshine’s High Calling.

 

Elizabeth’s Bold Escape: Cherished Romance #13

“East is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet.” (Rudyard Kipling, 1889) 

Spoiled, headstrong Elizabeth Courtland, who delights in shocking early 1900s society in Grand Rapids, Michigan, thinks otherwise. Will following a dedicated minister to a tiny Washington State frontier town bring “Madcap Betty” happiness or heartbreak?

Daniel Spencer is deeply committed to serving Pioneer.  Can Elizabeth’s untimely arrival hamper the work to which he has been called?

My fictional hero Daniel is much like my great-grandfather Pastor A. B. Towne, who went to Darrington, Washington (basis for Pioneer) shortly after the turn of the century. Elizabeth is nothing like my petite, devout great-grandmother!

Chapter 1  Opening

“Miss Betty, your mama says for you to come down right now!” The freckled face of the serving maid in a neat gray uniform looked worried. “The carriages are coming, and Mr. Prescott’s glarin’ at his watch and watchin’ the stairs. All the people are—” she broke off sharply. “Miss Betty, whatever is the matter?”’

Elizabeth Courtland whirled, white skirts billowing around her. “Abbie, have you ever been in love?”

The maid’s eyes reflected her shock. “In love! Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“Of course not, Miss Betty. Who’d look at the likes of me?”

Elizabeth cocked her head to one side. “Oh, I don’t know. You are well put together and have shiny hair and blue eyes. A man could do worse.”

Abbie just stared, then roused herself. “You’d better come. All those folks waitin’ for your engagement to be announced. Your papa’s goin’ to be up here after you if you don’t get downstairs.”

“Let them wait.” The imperious head crowned with sweeping dark hair was in sharp contrast to the creamy white shoulders and snowy lace dress. “It’s my engagement party, isn’t it? I’ll go down if and when I feel like it. I may not go at all.”

“Miss Betty!”

“What’s wrong, Abbie? Shocked because I’m in no hurry? Why should I be? I’ve been practically engaged ever since I was born.” She waved a haughty hand toward the newspaper clipping on the dressing table, mocking its contents.

HOUSES OF COURTLAND AND WETHERELL TO BE JOINED

In the most lavish ball of its kind ever to be held in the fair city of Grand Rapids, Miss Elizabeth Courtland’s engagement will be announced to Mr. Prescott Wetherell.

Betty dropped to the bed, appraising the Wetherell’s best guest room. “Hah! What choice did I ever have in the matter?”

Concern for her mistress replaced Abbie’s anxiety over getting her downstairs. “But Mr. Prescott just about worships you, Miss Betty! He’ll give you everything you want and let you do just as you please. He’s even letting me go with you to your new home just because I’ve always been your maid. Aren’t you happy?”

At the risk of crushing her gown, Elizabeth sprang from the bed defiantly. “Why should I be? Prescott is—Prescott. As for having my own way, haven’t I always?” She did not wait for a reply. “Too bad I didn’t have a passel of brothers and sisters to look after. I’ve never had anything but my own way.”

“You’ll have children of your own to look after.”

“Children? You must be out of your mind. Having children ruins your figure and makes you unfit for dancing.”

“Yes, ma’am. But children have a way of comin’ when you ‘re married.”

“Then I just won’t get married!”

“Miss Betty!”

“I mean it, Abbie. I won’t be tied down with children, even if nurses do look after them. It’s bad enough marrying Prescott, who’s dull as dishwater, but at least we can travel. He says he’ll take me anywhere I want to go.”

Abbie’s freckles stood out at her own daring as she asked, “Miss Betty, don’t you love Mr. Prescott?”

“Love Prescott Wetherell?” There was honest surprise in Elizabeth’s voice. “Why should I? We’ve grown up together, and I’m fond of him. He’s the most suitable match. Why should he want more than that?” She turned back to Abbie. “What do you know about it, anyway? You said you’d never been in love.”

Abbie’s face was sober. “Before my mother died she taught me never to marry a man I didn’t love with all my heart. She said it was a sin to marry without love.”

“Sin!” Betty broke into peals of laughter. “The only sin in this world is not doing as you please.”

Both titles available at

https://www.amazon.com/Colleen-L.-Reece/e/B001H9PAYY