The Homestead Heart: We have a winner for a copy of DiAnn Mills new book

Love's Gamble ~ Update

The meter above is to show the progress on finishing the chapter goal of 2,300 words ~ chapter 7.

Molly's been wondering what kept you all so long (don't tell her it was me), Jeff's eager to figure out what's going on with that sassy girl with the sweet face, and Eddie, well, just pray for that poor fella...LOL!

PS ~~ Please share Love's Gamble with any friends who might enjoy it ~ just ask them to drop by The Homestead Heart to read the chapters. Thanks, friends, for spreading the word! I so appreciate you!

More with Silas Harden...

Silas, would you finish this sentence? There's nothing better than...having a home of my own. I grew up rough, running wild on the streets while my ma worked in a saloon. I hated that life and swore I'd make a real home for myself. And even though I've lost two ranches, I'm planning to try again someday.

What's the most important thing you own? I came into Montana with nothing. I left my last home on the run and didn't stop to get so much as a change of clothes. So I had my horse, my fire iron and a few dollars in my pocket. I reckon I don't own a thing. But I've got a strong back and a good mind and I can always find a way to get along.

What's the prettiest place you've ever seen? I owned a ranch in New Mexico sweeter'n anything you've ever seen. There was desert and rugged mountains all around. People thought I was a fool to claim that land but I knew something no one else did. I found a high mountain meadow full of lush grass and running water up there. I spent two years combing strays out of the hills to get the beginning of a herd. It was a beautiful place and it hurt bad to give it up. But being tricked into marrying Lula Mae Tool was too high a price to pay for any ranch. So I lit out and I kept drifting until I met Belle.

What's your favorite indulgence? When a man lives and works alone it's mighty pleasant to hear another voice, even more so to eat food not cooked over an open fire. Better still if that food is cooked by the soft hand of a woman who'll talk while you're eating. I don't ask for much.

More fun with DiAnn

What is your favorite movie? That's a tough one! Gone with the Wind for my whimsical moments . . . Lord of the Rings for my truth in symbolism moments and High Crimes for my suspenseful moments.

What was the best gift you'd ever received? The gift of life from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Money and schedule not being a factor, what would be your dream vacation?

Ireland

at Christmas. We've been there twice, but not at Christmas. Right beside that is a trip to Israel.

Other than the Bible, what book made the greatest impact in your life? Little Women

Where can we sign up for your newsletter? www.diannmills.com And I invite your readers to find me on Facebook

Just so you know...

Disclosure of Material Connection: I receive books free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger program/BookSneeze. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express are my own. This is true of any book I review for any publisher or author; I will not review books where a positive review is required and I will always express my own opinions of each book received and read. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

More about Terry Burns...

Terry Burns is an inspirational author and literary agent. He’s listed as number four on the Publisher’s Marketplace list of agents helping debut authors to publish. Before coming with the agency, he represented businesses as a chamber of commerce executive for more than twenty-five years, making deals and doing promotion. He came from a writing background where he has over 30 books in print, including work in a dozen short story collections and four non-fiction books plus numerous articles and short stories.

More with Jennifer AlLee

Q: If you weren’t a writer, what else would you be doing?

A: My deepest desire, even as I write, is to get back on the stage. One of my dearest memories is of the year I spent doing community theatre in my early twenties. I did just about everything you could do: assistant director, lighting person, sound gal, prop mistress, bit part, supporting actor, lead… it was amazing! The only reason I stopped is because our theatre was torn down to expand the parking lot of the police station next door. Over the years I've been involved in church drama ministry, but right now, I am without dramatic prospects. I’d love to do a musical one day, like Godspell, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (although I’m now too old to play the narrator) or Sunset Boulevard (even though I’m not quite old enough to play Norma Desmond... but there's always makeup!)

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: I’m a little nervous about going any place where the natives don’t speak English, so my travel aspirations are humble. I’d love to go to Hawaii. I’d also like to visit Australia and New Zealand. And right now, I’d be willing to give Greece a try because I have good friends who moved there and they could guide me around.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I’m a TV/movie junkie. My tastes cross genres, but I tend to like weird stuff. My favorite current TV shows are LOST, Flash Forward, Lie to Me, and Bones. Recent favorite movies are the new Star Trek, UP, and The Blind Side. Of course, live theatre is the best, but it’s so expensive that I rarely go. A few months ago my son had to do a review of a live production for his drama class, which was the perfect excuse to see Phantom of the Opera. Man, that first blast of music in the overture gave me chills. I wanted to jump right out of my balcony seat and onto the stage to join them.

Your favorite season of the year and why?

autumn. i love the air getting cooler with less humidity. it feels arty and inspiring. seems more laidback and relaxed. colors are less vivid and eyepopping. makes me feel like life isn't working as hard at trying to impress...and, therefore, is doing just that. to me, summer has always felt like life is laughing at it's own joke. autumn moves away from that.

An instrument you'd love to learn to play one day?

easy, piano. all music stems from piano. i should have stuck with the lessons my parents put me through when i was 10.

If you could have lunch & spend an afternoon with anyone, historical or present day, who would it be and why?

very hard. there are so many. rich, again. tom waits. richard rohr. bob dylan in '66. tom osborne. my dad when he was 22. me when i was 10.

Quality or characteristic you first noticed about your wife AFTER you realized you loved her, but before you let her know how exactly you felt?

her love of tom hanks movies

More with Ethan Chapman

Describe yourself (tall, blond, etc)
Fairly tall, dark hair, brown eyes. I ride a paint gelding, Scout. That’s about it.

What type of gun do you carry?
I’ve got a Remington rifle, and lately I’ve been wearing a Colt revolver. Nothing fancy, just enough to do the job.

What's your favorite food Gert makes?
Oh, that’s got to be pie. Apple, blueberry, blackberry, rhubarb, I don’t care.

Who is the most peculiar person in your town?
Maybe Augie Moore. He’s the bartender at the Spur & Saddle. He’s bald as a billiard ball and big and tough. But he has a Bible, and they say he cooks the chicken dinner they serve every Sunday at the saloon.

Where is your town located?
We’re in the Owyhee Valley in southwest Idaho. (They say that name comes from “Hawaii,” after some men who came from there to work in the mines). We’re up in the mountains, though not as high up as Silver City or Ruby City. We’re into the mining country, but there are a lot of ranches around here, too.

What's another book by Mrs. Davis that you think you'd enjoy reading if you could?
I heard she’s got some good shoot-em-up tales in her Wyoming Brides book. Cavalry troopers and scouts and wagon trains and such. I wouldn’t mind reading those.