Calling All Teen Writers

If you're under 25 years old and want to have a ton of fun with your writing, Stephanie Morrill at Go Teen Writers is running a contest this year. Every other week you get a writing prompt to get you started and can submit up to 100 words. The judges rotate with each round of competition. Yours truly will be judging this round, and I'm looking forward to reading your submissions.

Complete rules here -

This week's prompt here. I'm so excited that I will be judging for Valentine's week. Hurry on over and get writing.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope your day is filled with all the things you love!

Valentine Winner and A Special Announcement

CONGRATULATIONS ! !

Erica Vetsch is the winner of Myra Johnson's new book, Romance by the Book, and . . . drumroll, please . . . a box of Godiva chocolates.
Thanks to all who left comments about your favorite romantic movie. I didn't chime in, but one of my favorites is HELLO DOLLY! Why, you ask? It's the movie Max and I saw on our very first date - Valentine's Day in 1970! Ah, the memories.

I'd also like to direct you to a new blog that my friend, Elizabeth Ludwig, has just started. Here's what she has to say:

Looking for just the right book but not sure where to look? Check out The Borrowed Book, a website designed specifically for readers and writers of fine books and devotionals! On Mondays, meet the finest debut authors Christian fiction has to offer. Wednesdays and Thursdays, read interviews with your favorite authors or browse excerpts from many of the latest books. Not into fiction? Then stop by on Tuesdays when writers of non-fiction and devotionals will be the featured guests.

Created by award-winning author and speaker, Elizabeth Ludwig, The Borrowed Book offers readers the chance to meet some of their favorite authors, catch up on the latest books, and sign up for weekly drawings and prizes. Rest assured, this isn’t your average writer’s blog. The Borrowed Book was designed with the book-lover in mind…you.

Sounds fun, doesn't it? She has debut author, Christa Allan, on today talking about her book, Walking on Broken Glass. Hope you'll check it out.

Happy President's Day!

CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK - Turkish Delight

The special this week at the Cafe will satisfy the chocolate lovers in the group and was a family favorite when our boys were still at home. As a matter of fact, our son, Scott, named them. I called it Erma's Yummy Brownies since I got the recipe from my good friend Erma. But as Scott ate one square, then another, and another, he said, "This should be called Turkish Delight."

"How did you come up with that?" I asked.

"You know, like in Narnia when Edmund met the White Witch, she gave him a round box tied with a green silk ribbon. Inside was Turkish Delight. It was so good he couldn’t stop eating it. Just like these, they’re so good, I can’t stop.”

So, although this recipe is nothing like the "real" Turkish delight, you'll be tempted to reach for another serving before the first has melted in your mouth. Perfect for the special Valentine in your life.

TURKISH DELIGHT

(Formerly known as Erma’s Yummy Brownies)

1 German Chocolate cake mix (with pudding in the mix)

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 cup pecans

1 stick margarine, melted

Mix the four ingredients together. Press half into the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan. Bake eight minutes at 350 degrees.

Sprinkle one cup chocolate chips over crust.

Melt together one bag caramels and one-third cup evaporated milk. Pour over chocolate chips.

Dob remaining cake mixture on top and bake 15 – 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Cut into squares when cooled and serve.

Q4U: What are your Valentine's plans? Do you have a chocolate lover in your family?

ROMANCE, A NEW BOOK, and A SWEET GIVEAWAY

Some great news today. I've invited my friend, critique partner, and romance aficionado, Myra Johnson, to visit the cafe and tell us about her new book. Hint: It's very timely and if you read all the way to the end, we also have a very sweet deal for you.

Welcome, Myra.

Hi, Carla! Thanks for inviting me to join you today and talk a little about my latest release, Romance by the Book (Heartsong Presents, February 2010).

What woman doesn’t long to feel beautiful, cherished, special? I’m sure that’s a big reason romances are so popular, and it doesn’t seem to matter whether we’re single, married, young, or . . . not-so-young. Imagining for a few sweet hours that we are the object of the handsome hero’s desires carries us away from the tedium of everyday life and into a world where the dishes are always done, our jeans always make us look skinny, and there is always a happy ending.

In Romance by the Book, my heroine, Sailor Kern, is so quiet, shy, and plain that she can’t believe anyone would ever be interested in her. Instead, she has centered her romantic yearnings on her favorite romance author, Chandler Michaels. Anyone who writes such heart-tugging love stories, she reasons, must certainly be the most romantic man alive.

But then Sailor has the chance to meet Chandler in person, and he surprises her in more ways than one. By the end of the story she discovers her true hero has been right there all along, and that real life is so much more wonderful than anything she imagined.

The thing about fantasies is that they usually disappoint. The grass only looks greener on the other side of the fence, but that’s only because of all the manure—excuse me, fertilizer—it’s been laced with!

So, while I both read and write romances, I always prefer little doses of realism. A heroine who’d never be a cover girl. A hero who doesn’t quite fit the macho mold. Real-life problems that don’t have easy answers. In the end, it’s always about keeping the faith that somehow, someday, love will conquer all.

About Romance by the Book: In reality, Sailor Kern is a swimming instructor at her local YMCA in Birkenstock, Missouri. But in her dreams, she shares a life with famous romance writer Chandler Michaels. And now she's about to meet him in person! And not only meet him, she gets to be his assistant the whole time he's visiting Birkenstock. But romance and reality don't always mix, and Sailor is in for some big surprises. Will Sailor follow her dream man, or will she see the true hero God has placed before her, right in her own hometown?

About Myra: Myra Johnson’s roots go deep into Texas soil, but she’s proud to be a new Oklahoman. Empty-nesters now, she and her husband share their home with two loveable dogs and a snobby parakeet. Her debut novel, One Imperfect Christmas, released in September 2009 from Abingdon Press. She also writes for Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line. Autumn Rains, winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart for Best Inspirational Romance Manuscript, was a November 2009 Heartsong Presents book club release. Romance by the Book is part of Heartsong’s February 2010 collection, and Where the Dogwoods Bloom is expected later this spring. Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. The Johnsons, married since 1972, have two gorgeous daughters, two terrific sons-in-law, and five amazing grandchildren.

Thanks bunches, Myra. I'm anxious to meet Sailor and Chandler. NOW, for you readers. You, too, can be romanced by Myra's new book. She's offered to give one reader here a signed copy of Romance by the Book. And to sweeten the deal, I'm throwing in a box of chocolates. Not sure which brand they'll be yet, but they'll be good ones. Creamy and yummy. Maybe nutty. So here's what you need to do. Leave a comment. Tell us your all-time favorite romantic movie AND (this is important), leave your contact information. Don't delay. I'll be drawing for a winner on Valentine's Day either right before or twenty minutes after my hubby and I exchange our Valentines.

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. US and Canadian residents only (unless prohibited in your area). Book provided by the author.

To My Valentine

Today is the 38th anniversary of my first date with my incredible husband, Max. So, to you honey, I love you. You're my best friend, the one who makes me laugh and love and cry, the one who believes in me, and who I choose to grow old with. Thank you for all the memories and mostly, for putting up with me. You are a treasure.