My brother, knowing what a coffee junkie I am, sent me an email with these photos from coffee shops in Vancouver.
     

  FROM TERRI:
What I’d like to tell you about the featured book, THE RENOVATION: CARTER MANSION (Book 1 in the Project Restoration Series):

You may be, like me, HGTV fans who watch the many shows about fixing up old houses. You find yourself glued to the glimpses of contractors and owners engaged in the process. You live vicariously through the rehabbing, renovating, and restoring.I can relate. The idea of renovation is in my family’s blood. I’m an interior design professional. My brothers are rehabbers.

My husband, Jim, and I have survived the renovation of three houses.So writing a novel set in the world of the restoration of old buildings has always been a dream of mine.I love the metaphor of restoration, which is why I came up with the idea for the Project Restoration series-stories that would follow both the physical restoration of a building and emotional/spiritual restoration of a character. The Renovation has forgiveness as its theme.  Ethan, Cameron, and Chase, whom you will meet in the book, are just the beginning.

Perhaps in one of the three books in the series, you’ll find a character who mirrors your own life, defining an area where you struggle, and points you toward the kind of restoration you long for.

After all, we all are in need of healing.  God is in the business of restoring lives-reclaiming, repairing, renewing what was broken and bringing beauty from ashes. The light of his love shines on all those dark places deep within us, exposing what needs his healing touch. This is the type of restoration I’ve become passionate about too.   

Other books I’ve published: The Treasures of the Caribbean Series–Tyndale (Pirates of the Heart, Passages of Gold, Journey to the Crimson Sea) The Circle of Destiny Series–Tyndale (The Price, The Promise, The Treasure, The QuestStories from MacKenzie Street -Barbour (The Unfolding, The Choosing); Scattered Stones-Capstone (Coming in 2008)   

Favorite Food:  Anything Italian-especially risotto, lasagna and pizza (ricotta and sausage).  

Quirkiest thing I’ve ever done: Hmmm…probably marry my husband.  He’s pretty quirky-but in a good way.    

Kinds of books I read: I belong to an amazing book club with 13 other Christian women, and we read widely…all secular books, intentionally.  Of particular interest are those about women in other cultures, but we also read biographies, meaty classics (like Les Miserables and The Brothers Karamazov), historical fiction and non-fiction.     Favorite books:  A Prayer for Owen Meany (Irving), Alias Grace (Atwood), Peace Like a River (Enger),  A Thousand Splendid Suns (Husseini), Atonement (McEwan), Jane Austen’s books.    

Music I listen to: Josh Groban, Andrea Boccelli, Michael Buble, James Taylor, Shania Twain, Elton John, U-2, Eagles, Classical (Mozart, Bach), Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman    

Favorite Movies:Casablanca, Rear Window, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Life is Beautiful, Being There, Cars   

Hobbies:I am hooked on travel.  If I am not planning the trip that’s on the calendar, I’m researching the next one, or one for “someday.”  I’ve always been the type who’s curious about what lies just over the next hill-thus, my husband’s nickname for me: “The Shark.” (If they aren’t moving, they die.)  And because of my passion for restoration, the trip will almost always involve visiting an historic building at some point along the way.

I’ve always been captivated by old buildings. Poring over books about art, architectural styles, and decoration from all over the world has always been one of my favorite pastimes. As I’ve traveled internationally and visited many of the places I’ve studied independently and in the course of my education in design, I’ve become even more passionate about restoration. (I’m the woman you might see sitting on a bench along the wall of the Sistine Chapel, silently weeping as I take in Michelangelo’s magnificent masterpiece in the simplicity of that sacred space.)      

 I can talk forever about the importance of preserving buildings that are testaments to the creative impulse, the hours of painstaking effort, the motivation and dedication of artists, designers, craftsmen and artisans from previous eras. All were, no doubt, imperfect people-but people used as instruments in God’s hands to create perfectly rendered works of art that endure and can stir our hearts so many, many years later.

Along with being passionate about interior design and historic building restoration, I’m passionate about cooking.  I like to joke about having “worked” with the best chefs in America…while I’m making a meal, I watch the Food Network on my kitchen TV, and cook alongside them!  I love to experiment with tweaking existing recipes and creating new ones.

Being 100% Italian, I’m mainly interested in the cuisine of Italy, varying greatly from province to province.  I learned from two amazing northern Italian cooks-my mother and grandmother.  I particularly enjoy finding new combinations of flavors for pasta dishes that work together and enhance each other-a little of this and a lot of that (which is usually garlic).

I delight in seeing how my resident guinea pigs-my husband and son-rate my creations.It’s a lot like writing a book.  You start with a basic idea, composed of a few novel structural elements (the simple sauce made with the freshest ingredients), then flesh it out with some spunky characters (like you add just the right amounts of seasonings and spices), around which you design plot surprises (the new twists in the recipe), and bathe it all in romance (find the perfect blending of flavors) to tantalize your readers. It’s a lot like adding layers of flavors to a dish to wow the taste buds.  

I love to write historical fiction-books set in the framework of a past era. Likewise, it’s fun to use family recipes from Mom and Nonna when I cook as the springboard for a new culinary delight. The joy comes when the reader, like the diner, digs into my work and-hopefully -come away not just satisfied, but having had a sumptuously memorable experience.       

How I keep my sanity:   I’m getting better at creating boundaries and exercising my “NO” muscle. I’m learning the spiritual disciplines of contemplation and silence. Also hobbies-travel, reading, photography, knitting and quilting-are relaxing and renewing.     

If I was an animal, which one would I be and why? A horse.  I admire their beauty and strength-the image of one running free, with the wind in the mane, snorting with pleasure, the sun glistening off the magnificent coat with each exquisite movement, inspires me.    

When I first discovered that I was a writer:As soon as I began to read, I began to write, so I was very young. I would invent intricate stories walking back and forth to school.  My first big endeavor was a neighborhood “newspaper” when I was 8 years old.  In high school, I had an awesome English Literature teacher who really inspired and mentored me.  Thanks, Miss Fina.  

VISIT TERRI AT: www.terrikraus.com You can download Chapter One of her new book while you’re there!  

GOLDENEYES

Publisher:  Vintage Romance Publishing

 Release Date:  March 30, 2008

 Delia Latham is a former newspaper Staff Writer and a frequent contributor to her hometown’s regional publication, Bakersfield Magazine. She also writes greeting card verse, short stories, articles, and songs. Her editing and proofing skills have been utilized by numerous authors, including Dr. Chuck Wall, founder of the Random Acts of Kindness movement.

A debut novel, Almost Like a Song, was released in June 2006; Goldeneyes will be released in March 2008 by Vintage Romance Publishing. Delia’s work is included in an upcoming short story anthology, The Shortstack: 20 Stories to Fill You Up. 

The author lives in Bakersfield, California with her husband, Johnny, a Pentecostal minister. Her four adult children and four “beautiful, absolutely perfect” grandchildren daily light up her life. She loves to hear from her readers.  Contact her through her website (www.delialatham.com) or her blog (http://themelodywithin.blogspot.com.)

 Synopsis:

 A man’s eyes are the windows to his soul … if he has one.

 Deep in the darkness of a Depression-era night, a man addicted to alcohol sells something precious to obtain it. His vile action impacts the lives of two entire families, and it will be over two decades before the horrible wrong begins to be made right again.

 Two young women – strangers to each other – unknowingly enmeshed in a Pandora’s Box of secrets that could prevent them from finding happiness with the men they love. Two adoring mothers who know more than they are willing to say. A newsman with a story he cannot tell. What is their connection, and who is the golden-eyed stranger who moves in the shadows of their broken lives?

 Excerpt:

The old cuckoo clock on the shelf in the front room struck midnight. It’s persistent chirping irritated Jack Kelly’s already frayed nerves as he paced back and forth across the small room.

“Shut up! Shut up!” he growled beneath his breath, casting an anxious look at the crib in the next room. When no signs of disturbed sleep were forthcoming, he breathed a grateful sigh of relief. The last thing he needed right now was a squalling infant to further vex the burning demon within him. He had promised his wife he would not spend a cent on liquor. New babies meant new expenses, and those things must come first.

So far he had kept his promise; he’d had no choice. Every penny he earned with his hoe, day after blistering day in the cotton fields, was swallowed up in scratching out a meager existence. There never seemed to be a penny extra, to say nothing of the few dollars a bottle of whiskey would cost. With the addition of this new offspring, who knew when he would be able to quench the gnawing demon of thirst that drove him insane? He had to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. The arrival of more children would only make that job harder, and it was obvious Annie did not intend to stop at one pregnancy.

Another glance into the small bedroom revealed no unwelcome stirrings from the crib. A bright moonbeam, however, lay across the bed, and Kelly’s tormented gaze fell on the lovely face of the woman he had married. He had considered himself a lucky man when she said yes to his proposal, despite her goody-two-shoes, Bible-thumping parents. If he loved anything on this poor excuse of an earth, he loved Annie. She was a perfect wife.

Their home might be barely more than a shack, but it sparkled, and she was a real wonder in the kitchen. He could not remember her voice ever raised in anger, even when he had fallen through the front door, dog drunk, a week after she married him.

Kelly’s fevered mind wandered to his conversation with the poor fish in the cotton field. Had it only been eight or nine hours ago? It seemed an eon; every moment without the drink he craved was an eternity.

Poor fella don’t know how lucky he is. Only has to worry ‘bout that pretty little gal and hisself. I bet he could buy a bottle of whiskey if he wanted one!

With the thought, an idea was born, full-blown and itching for action. He actually stopped pacing for a moment, shocked to the core by the undiluted vileness of the seed taking root in his mind. He stood staring at the crib against the far wall and shook his head as if to toss out the evil thought.

“You?
??re crazy,” he whispered. His heart pounded painfully against his chest; little beads of sweat dotted his forehead and chin. “You’ve done gone stark, starin’ mad!”

And perhaps he had, for suddenly he found himself across the room, gazing down into the hand-me-down crib. He was horrified at the darkness within his imagination, yet knew full well he hadn’t the strength of mind or will to resist its powerful pull.

One more almost desperate glance at his wife’s face … if she would only wake up he would have to forsake this notion, and perhaps he could rid himself of the unforgivable intent. Indeed, Annie did stir a little and drew a deep sigh, almost as though she heard his desperate mental cry. But hers was the sleep of utter exhaustion and she slumbered on.

            A few moments later, Kelly slipped silently out the back door of the little shack, clutching a tiny pink bundle in his arms and blinking back the tears of shame and self-loathing that sprang unbidden to his eyes           Q. Who is Delia Latham?

A:            I’m a Christian wife, married to a Pentecostal minister. My husband is the assistant pastor at our church, and I’m involved in the music ministry. I play piano and sing. I have four grown children and four beautiful, absolutely perfect granchildren – no, really, they are! We all live in Bakersfield, California. I was born here and have resided in or around this desert town my entire life.

Q:            What books are on your nightstand right now?

A:            Too many.  I write reviews, so there’s always plenty of reading material in my room.  Right now, I’m looking at Rainbow’s End by Irene Hannon, Veil of Fire by Marlo Schalesky, Abandoned Identity by Tamara Tilley – that’s just a few of the unread books.  I just finished Loving Liza Jane by Sharlene MacLaren and – a little detour from the usual – The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz.

Q:              What inspired you to write Goldeneyes?

A:              I grew up in Weedpatch, the little farming community where Part One of Goldeneyes is set.  I’ve always wanted to write something using that location as a backdrop. This story has been brewing in my mind for several years, but it was hard for me to get past the reality of Weedpatch in my own life and get on with turning it into a fictional tale. I prayed a lot! Once God gave me the go-ahead, He also gave me the inspiration, and I’m very pleased with the completed product.

Q:            Where do you get your ideas?

A:            Ahhh … the question every writer gets asked most often – and for me, quite possibly the hardest, because I’m not always sure. Sometimes I get ideas from little snippets of history; a few of my stories are major exaggerations of tiny occurrences in my own life or the lives of people I know; and sometimes I sit down to write with absolutely no idea what I’m going to write about. Oddly enough, those are the times I usually wind up being happiest with the results, maybe because I’m most open for God to take my writing wherever He wants to.

Q:            So you don’t always plot or outline your book before you write?

A:            How’d you guess?  No, I write like I do most other things in my life – totally off the cuff. I’m what the writing community refers to as a SOTP: Seat-of-the-pants writer.

Q:             Which authors have most influenced your own writing?

A:            Too many to possibly mention here! As a child, I devoured just about every book I could get my hands on: Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, the Bobbsey Twins – even the Hardy Boys; I wasn’t gender specific as to reading material. As I got older, I graduated to romance and found Grace Livingston Hill, Barbara Cartland, Emilie Loring, and oh, yes – I discovered Harlequin Romance (oh, my!). Now some of my favorite writers are Joy Fielding, Lori Wick, Lori Copeland … the list goes on for miles.  My favorite book of all time is Swan Song, by Robert McCammon – rather surprising for an inspirational author, I know, but it’s a beautifully written epic account of good vs. evil. Unforgettable!        

Q:              What other projects are you currently working on?

A:            My current work-in-progress is surprising me by actually creating a connection between my debut novel and Goldeneyes, which I wasn’t expecting at all. I’ve also just completed so
mething completely new  - at least for me. While it’s still Christian romance, it will fit more easily into the Chick Lit genre, bringing in a touch more humor and lightheartedness than is in my other works.

 The blog tour continues! 

 Mar. 31 – Gina Conroy - http://writermominterrupted.blogspot.com/

 April 20 – Marian Merritt – http://www.marianmerritt.com

 April 27 – Margaret Daley – www.margaretdaley.blogspot.com

Life, Death, Resurrection of Jesus – This Man byJeremy Camp
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg0DUcEH1jA]

On My Cross – Christian Easter Music Video
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