Merry Christmas.

I am a little late in my wishes, but I pray you had a wonderful Christmas. And let's pray for a the Lord's blessings on the new year.

Masquerade Marriage--Follow up

When I posted the review of Anne's book, I'd hoped to follow up with an interview with her. Unfortunately, her computer crashed and she wasn't able to get back to me. She's up and running, so I'd like to do the interview.

1.Why did you set your book after the Battle of Culloden? Did the characters occur to your first or the situation?
I set the book after the Battle of Culloden because that battle changed the Highlands way of life forever. The Highland warrior, the Clan way of life, the families living in the Highlands , the use of the tartan and the bagpipe were all eliminated at that time. Later, some of the traditions were revived, but never did the clans return to live in the Highlands. I usually get the inspiration for my historicals by discovering a momentous event, researching it, and then the characters emerge from the situation.

2. How did you start writing? How long have you been writing?
From the time I began to read, I’ve wanted to write books. In my formative years books were my escape from a stress-filled life. I began to write when my youngest son was in diapers and took an afternoon nap. As a writer, I want to provide new worlds and create new characters for readers to enjoy. I want to touch readers with happiness and hope to deepen their spiritual lives. I delight in giving readers new facts about history they can digest in a painless way. My prayer is that readers will return time and again to my books as one of their favorites.
3. What is the spiritual truth you wanted to share in this book?
The spiritual truth I like to share from Masquerade Marriage rose from the characters as they lived these particular difficult chapters of their lives. Unlike his father and his four older brothers, Brody, my protagonist, survived the battle of Culloden. Losing all the male members of his family dealt a terrific blow to his faith in Christ. Throughout the book he struggles to find God’s will in allowing the tragedy. His faith slowly heals as he sees God’s hand shaping him, and giving him a new life, and adding a love he never expected to experience.
4.Since the blog is Critter Chronicles, tell a story about your pet? Or it could be about an interesting encounter you had with an animal.
I was experiencing a difficult chapter in my life as I wrote Masquerade Marriage. My husband was serving our country as a Special Forces Colonel in Iraq , and I was alone for a year. I did have one loving companion. My Lhasa Apso dog. He is beautiful, and probably the biggest little Lhasa ever. He’s white with a few caramel spots on his back and paws. His name is McKenzie and he was born on Halloween. But he’s no trick or treat dog. He’s purely a treat. He has a beautiful white face with large black eyes. My MIL says his eyes look human. And she’s right. McKenzie sat at my feet during those long, lonely days and nights and took me out for long walks to keep me in physical shape. Since I talked with him so much, he understands a very large vocabulary. He tuned into my moods and cheered me when I needed it. He’s funny and loves to play. He’s very gentle. Once when he caught a baby bunny, he carried it gently in his mouth until I told him to let the bunny go. He put the baby unhurt on the ground and the bunny hopped away. He loves other dogs and never barks, but he does have a stubborn streak. Lhasas are revered in Tibet as lion dogs, and treated as royalty. The only time McKenzie barks is to alert us of visitors. He thinks all visitors come to see him and welcomes them. But he knows the difference between friends and people who threaten. He’s more than a dog to me, he’s my companion.

ANNE GREENE delights in writing historical and suspense novels about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. She and her hero husband, Army Special Forces Colonel Larry Greene, visited Scotland, resulting in her newest book release, Masquerade Marriage, published by White Rose Publishing. When she’s not deployed with her husband, Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord, and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. Her highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus. Anne’s website is AnneGreeneAuthor.com.

the Original

I want this blog to be a fun stop in your day. We'll be talking about writing, pets and those moments in life that make us laugh, cry, inspire.

I want to welcome my first guest--Patricia PacJac Carroll

How did you start writing? How long have you been writing?
I started writing because of a column in the newspaper.
I didn’t agree with what they said and wrote a letter to the editor and the paper published it. And a star in waiting was born. LOL Suddenly I was in love with words and there power. I dabbled in articles and stories, but in 2006 I became serious when I decided to finish writing a book. And I did.

>Why do you write?
I write because there are stories inside me that are begging to come out. I love it. The process is so alive. And in these hard times I want my readers to come away with a refreshed realization that God does care and will see them through whatever problems they encounter.

What spiritual truths do you want to share in your writing?
I love stories of hope. No matter what the circumstances, God is bigger. He may not answer the way we would think He should, but we can count on Him. So all my stories center on hope.

Since the blog is Critter Chronicles, tell a story about your pet? Or it could be about an interesting encounter you had with an animal.
We have a papillon that is twice the normal size of his breed. He rules the house. Jacs is a bit snarky and can come up with such a snarly face. One day I decided to remind him of all the good things. Like scripture says – think on things that are good. So I came up with Jacs happy list. Mocha – the chocolate lab next store. And she is his puppy love, Petsmart, biscuits, pizza, toys. All the things he likes. The result is instant. He goes from a snarling junk yard dog look to the sweetest puppy face you’ve ever seen. And of course as I thought up this plan and I could feel the Lord tap me on the shoulder. So whenever I get a snarly face, I try and think up my happy list.

Patricia PacJac Carroll

Masquerade Marriage

From the moment I started this book, I was captivated by the hero waking on the battlefield of Culloden and how he would escape the brutal aftermath. Masquerade Marriage was a wonderful story of two people who survived the aftermath's of the Scots defeat at Culloden and how the hero and heroine dealt with their situation. Ms. Greene put voice to the terrible aftermath and creates two wonderful characters who find their faith and love in the midst of such turmoil. It is a wonderful read.

A new direction

In the coming weeks, I hope to take this blog in a new directions and have guest bloggers and book reviews. I obviously have not been good to blog. Now I am excited about my other blog at leannharris.com. There the characters of my new book, which will be out in Jan '11, will give the inside story of what happened behind the scene.

Haven't you ever wondered what happened after the book ends? Or what other things were happening during the book that didn't make it in the final manuscript. That's what I will do for Second Chance Ranch.

Tomorrow, I'll do my first review of a wonderful book MASQUERADE MARRIAGE by Anne Greene. Please tune in.

Summer in Hawaii

In the middle of a miserable summer--100 degree days, we flew to Hawaii. 10 days in a beautiful paradise, that is if you weren't driving. But when we were not driving, it was perfect. The picture is my husband and I at the edge of a mountain. It was high enough to be cold, and the wind--well I couldn't walk against it. My hostess explained she used to drive this road carved into the mountain and it was so narrow that if there was a wreck, you got to spend your night on the side of the island you were on.

It was a wonderful time with friends and family.

Things are bigger in Texas

I ran to the store the other day and in the parking lot leading to the store stood the two longhorns in my pictures. I drove closer and thought how funny. I took the pictures and showed them to my husband. He laughed and said, Chia pets are bigger in Texas.

I never thought of that, but looking at the longhorns, I guess he's right.

Remembering D-Day

This is the 66th anniversary of D-Day. For my parents, it is a day they will not forget. I am amazed when I see documentaries about the invasion and the courage each of those men displayed. To see the military cemetery there in Normandy makes your heart ache for all the young lives given.

The people of Normandy have a reverence for those men. We should too.

People may think I'm flag waving. No. I'm simply saying a heartfelt thank you.

Memorial Day

As I was driving into town the other day, I choose to take a side street that lead me by the large cemetery in town. There were flags up and down the edge of the street. When I stopped at the light was a hill filled with flags--US and Texas to represent the war dead. I was humbled. Both my parents and husband were Army, not career Army but were in the Army. My parents Korea and my husband Vietnam. For each and every one of them they loved the Army. My mom said it was the time in her life when she felt the safest. She always knew she had three squares a day and a bed.

I was fortunately that all my loved ones returned.

Several years ago my husband and I took my children to Gettysburg. As we walked among the grave, you could feel the sadness of this place. Each of the Union soldiers had a headstone. The confederates were in a field, unidentified. I understood why, but it saddened me.

As we were walking back to our car, some parents we standing on the path and letting their small children run over all the grave, playing chase and laughing. How sad that their parents allowed that disrespect.

This weekend it my hope that you will pause that think of all those brave souls who died for this great nation. May God bless them.

My Latest Signing.

This weekend I'll be signing my last book, GUARDED SECRETS, at the Barns & Noble in Higland Village. If you're anywhere in the neighborhood, I hope you'll drop by and see me. This signing will be a multi-author event. The complete address is:

Barnes and Noble Booksellers
4100 Deer Creek Suite 100
Highland Village, Texas 75077
Phone (972) 966-0099

A new Day

It's still nice enough to work outside in the garden. And with all those beautiful flowers has come growth on all plants. It's like the all my plants have taken growth hormones. Weeds have also enjoyed this time of plenty. My problem is I want to play in the garden, but what I really need to do is write.

I make myself a promise, if I write first, then I can play. Rats.

More about Mom's

I asked my local writing group for stories about their moms.
A friend wrote she had a wonderful story about her mother-in-law, Cotton Gaulden. When she felt sad, she used to grab a dust cloth and sing hymns while dusting something related to the sadness, like pictures of deceased love ones. She never complained.
Another is from a friend of mine who was adopted and always said a prayer to her birth mother, thanking her for not aborting her. My son said this to me a couple of times while in college and began to realize abortion was not about making decisions for ones own body.
Georgeanne (Gigi)

Tribute to Moms

I'd like to spend a little more time thanking moms. One day just doesn't seem like enough. I also going to ask several friends for their tributes.

As I said yesterday, my mother was a nurse. An army nurse. She was and is amazing. I love listening to her stories about when she was in the Army. When she joined, it wasn't a common occurrence. She tells a tale of when she was on the ward and bathing her patients, if she got a 'suggestive' comment from her patients, she'd stop, look them in the eye and say, "Would you say that to your mother? Your sister? Then don't say it to me." Now, once the guys knew they had to respect her, mother would walk across hot coals for her patients.

Mom had a heart as big as Texas. When she did public health nursing, at Christmas time she'd bake breads and take them to her patients. It might be the only gift they got.

She is someone I admire, like, and love.

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day. Life changes dramatically when you become a mother. It's no longer just you and your hubby. There's another little life depending on you. My husband likes to tease me that I just got over my postpartum depression when the kids went to high school. I ask you what does he know?

I will say that I was overwhelmed with baby one. Suddenly, I was to know how to do this thing of being a mother. How? When my husband brought me home from the hospital his family was gathered at the house. I wanted to hide in the bedroom and cry. It is the on the job training. I was successful in some area and in others, I needed a lot of prayer.

My mom is a amazing woman. She could battle an army and not be tired. Well, she was an Army nurse for a brief time and has the gift of nursing. If you were sick, she was the nurse you wanted on the case. She knew when something was going wrong with her patient and she'd fight tooth and nail for that patient. Many a doctor thought she was a pain in the rear, but they wanted her for their patients and their families.

I didn't get that gift of nursing, but I always knew when my babies were sick. How? They smelled different. I could smell the change in their body chemistry. You may doubt me, but when I took them to the doctor, they were sick.

I want to thank my mother for all her care and wish her a wonderful day. And to all the other mothers, have a blessed day.

My favor color

Purple is my favorite color and I have so many varieties of purple Irises. Walking out in the morning, I love cutting off a fresh flower and bring them inside. Once the Iris start blooming, I have fresh flowers every day.

When I was teaching, I brought in fresh flowers everyday and gave them to the school secretary so everyone could enjoy them.

One of the guilty

Here's a picture of one of the guilty squirrels in my yard. Over the winter, mom and dad had babies. At breakfast this morning, my husband and I saw 4 baby squirrels running up and down my neighbor's tree having fun. This guys steal bulbs and chew bark. If I still have my dog--a sweet Boston Terrier, he'd keep them out of the yard. Maila needs to come and chase those stinkers out of my yard.

Sunlight

We have sunlight! It is a rare event to have a sunny day. And of course, we have baby squirrels and missing caladium bulbs. My husband been out chasing the squirrels. The baby squirrel can be spooked, but the old man just glares at us. And enjoys eating my bulbs.

Saturday

I spoke at the ACFW group in Shreveport. I had a wonderful time. The ladies were great and my hostess was a gem. I will tell you if you haven't visited Louisiana and eaten Cajun, you haven't lived. It is a joy. They know how to eat and enjoy life.

Thursday--Iris Heaven

A sunny day.

This weekend I'll be speaking to the ACFW chapter in Shreveport. If you in the neighborhood, come and visit. I'll be talking about discovering your writing style.

What's this?

This is a bush called weigela. It blooms in the early spring.

Monday--Start a good week.

These two Irises are among my favorite.

Raining again.

It's cloudy and raining, but I've taken a picture. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it.

Picture of the Day

In addition to having the adventures of Maila the 'wonder dog' and the nasty squirrels, I want to add a picture of the day.

This year it has rained and rained and snowed in Texas giving us a explosion of Spring flowers. Everything is going wild, including the squirrels and dog. But for today, let me show you the prime roses. They are going up around my crepe myrtle. And I'll include my Iris. They seem ten feet tall.

Maila's Adventure

Do I need to say more? A picture's worth a thousand words, right? So what's the story behind the photo.

My daughter called me in a panic one day, asking if her father was still at home. No. Why? Because her dog had jumped on the sofa intent on eating her lunch. She landed on the back of the arm that came down and the couch swallowed her. When I got to my daughter's house, the dog had slipped further down into the couch and I could only see her nose. She wasn't struggling, but simply gave me a pleading look. Help.

I laughed so hard I wasn't any help. Animal control came out and helped us pull the dog out. She was okay, didn't break any bones.

You'd think she learned her lesson, but you'd be wrong.

Do you see this hole? There was a yellow tulip bulb in it before 'Jaws' dug it up and made off with my bulb. Who is Jaws? It's the squirrel that runs around my yard, digging in my planters and gnawing the bark off my trees.

Last year, we lost three major branches off our 25 year old trees. A certain squirrel had been chewing the bark off the limbs.

We've tried fox urine to scare away the little critter, but the thing with fox urine is that you have to change the plastic bottle once a month. Of course when I went to the hardware store and asked what I could put out to discouraged the squirrels, she showed me the bottle of fox urine. Who would've thought?

The rest of my spring bulbs are planted in the garden. Jaws doesn't bother those bulbs. He's too lazy to do that much work.

The Queen

When my daughter came over to for dinner one night, she brought Ms. Maile. Well, Maile is used to sitting on the sofa and bed at her home. The rules are different at grandma's house.

My daughter and I worked on some things for my webpage and the husbands were watching the dog. You know how men are when watching the kids or pets. They are oblivious to anything. So, when they were ready to leave, I walked into my bedroom and saw where the dog was.

I had to walk out of the bedroom because I was laughing so hard. Cesar Milan wouldn't be happy with me. My daughter took pictures of the crime.

Early Morning Wake up

This morning I had to wake up VERY early in order to be at a meeting at 7 am. So when my alarm went off at 5:00 my dog didn't move. Normally on a regular day with a regular wake up time. Maile jumps, barks, her tail starts wagging and she is ready for the day. Today, NOTHING. I hit the snooze one time and when it went off 9 minutes later. My dog STILL just laid there. I didn't know there was a time too early for my girl, but apparently it's 5 am. My faithful companion slept away with my husband. Traitor.

Oh to be a dog!

Stories from the Front

These are going to be stories about critters. My granddog, the miserable squirrel in the backyard that torments us and the other animals in my life. There will be more than one of us blogging. My daughter will chat about her one-year old Labrador retriever, Maile. And sometimes I'll be sharing stories about our Boston Terrier. And there is the squirrel.

Hopefully these will be funny stories about how life is enriched or aggravated by these wonderful animals.

I hope you'll enjoy.