LAUNCH OF TRULY YOURS

With the sale of the Heartsong book club line to Harlequin, Barbour is proceeding with plans to release old titles in e-book format.

Last Friday, the first 25 books were launched on Amazon (other book outlets coming soon).

Check the Truly Yours collection at Amazon, including my book, Bridge to Love. (historical Vermont)

MEMORABLE QUOTES

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."

Thank you, Aibeleen.

NEXT STEP

What is striking me as I read the Bible this year is the timing. Hints about the passage of time that I have overlooked before. Most recently it struck me in the account the flood.

After Noah had finished building the ark, God told him, "Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth." Seven days to gather the most complete zoo ever assembled in the history of mankind.

Noah continued obeying God, as he had for a century. Without any further word from God, "the heavens opened" at the end of that week.

For some reason that detail struck me. Maybe because it shows a God who is involved in the nitty-gritty details of our lives. When we need a nudge in the right direction, He gives one to us.

I could use one of those nudges now. I'm at one of those What next? moments. Floundering a bit. Then again, God didn't provide more information than Noah needed either.

I know what's next: write Calico Brides. Trust God will provide a contract when I need it.

Hmm. Maybe I am like Noah. I haven't spent 100 years building a boat, but maybe more like 100 days working on a book? I can see t he end. Okay, I've finished this project. Where's the rain?

Noah couldn't see into the future any more than I can. H e didn't know that tomorrow, God was going to give him the go-ahead signal. Gather the animals, get in the ark.

Does this blog sound confused? I know. That's because I am confused.

But God isn't. All I need to do is to follow His directions as He reveals the next step.

**Leave a comment for a chance to win Knight Music, my third Contemporary Colorado romance.**

THE NEW BABY

No, my daughter-in-law isn't pregnant. I'm talking about my latest book release, A Ranger's Trail.

River North Fiction (Moody) has done ana amazing job promoting the book. This week I've seen several things that made me smile.

Biggest news: The Christian Retailing magazine featured the Texas Trail series in an article on historical fiction. There was my book cover, with one by the Thoenes! There was a quote from co-author Susan Page Davis together with one from Tracie Peterson! We're hoping it will catch the eyes of bookstores and renew interest in carrying all six books.

Reviews of A Ranger's Trail are starting to come in. I had to love the down-home feel from this review: "Ah shucks being a native of that area makes me real proud of Darlene Franklin for being such a great author. Get this book, you will be a better person for doing so." And other, longer reviews that pointed out so many things I built into the story.

This is the fun part of being an author (provided the book isn't panned by everyone, LOL.) Come party with me!

Congrats to KAMEKO, last week's winner of Love's Raid. Leave comments again this week for a chance to win Plainsong, a contemporary Colorado romance that takes places in my beloved Denver.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

I'm the guest at Petticoats and Pistols (http://petticoatsandpistols.com) today. Stop by for more information on the Hoo Doo War and a chance to a win a copy of my most recent release, A Ranger's Trail.

SIN IS CROACHING AT YOUR DOOR

I realize that Tuesday is Valentine's Day. But without a significant other, I place no importance on the day. Today would have been my mother's 80th birthday . . . but I refuse to wallow in grief for the next month (until the anniversary of Jolene's death a month from tomorrow). That's my excuse (if one is needed) for not writing on a holiday theme.

In reading the account of Cain and Abel for the umpteenth time, the sequence of events struck me anew.

1. Cain and Abel brought offerings to God.
2. God didn't look at Cain's offering with favor.
3. Cain got angry.
4. God confronted Cain the first time.
5. Cain killed Abel.
6. God confronted Cain the second time.

God saw what was going to happen, and He warned Cain to resist the temptation. Kind of like the apostle Peter, who denied the Lord three times in spite of Jesus's warning.

I'd like to think that I would obey God if He warned me ahead of time like that. But I suspect I wouldn't. In fact, I'm pretty sure I haven't. I've ignored that small voice that says stop! now! before it's too late!

Lord, teach me to listen. . .and obey.

***A reminder to leave a comment each week for a chance to win one of my books. Check out the weekly giveaway in the right hand column.***

WAITING GAME

I am in that marvelous state of euphoria that comes upon a writer after they have turned in a manuscript (two, actually). I'm enjoying the freedom, the relief from having to work. God added an extra measure of grace, that my book that was supposed to be due on March 1st has been pushed back to August.

Eventually, I will return to earth and panic will set in. After two years of contracts lined up back to back, I have none after this next contract. It's time for another contract . . . or two or three.

So pray with me as I wait for word on the two proposals I have in . . . and as I brainstorm, develop ideas, and write sample chapters.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

Thanks to all four of you who left a message last week! Unfortunately, I set a five-comment minimum (excluding my own).

Feel free to leave a comment on both posts this week, and tell your friends to stop on by. Available this week is Bridge to Love, a Vermont historical romance.

Reviews for my latest book, A Ranger's Trail, are popping up. For a chance to win a copy, go to the two blogs listed in my sidebar.