Steeple Hill Cafe: Life, Faith, and Getting it Right

Oooh, that's a good one. I'd love to see some sort of girlfriends/sisterhood type book. I love those stories. My girlfriends are amazing, and I love celebrating those friendships.

Hi everyone,

It took me a couple of tries to figure out the new site, but here I am!

Janet, you're writing historicals now!  I'm always amazed at the wonderful variety of story types offered in romance and Steeple Hill authors seem very adept at trying their hands at different subgenres.  I'm especially amazed at all who've added to the suspense line, when as far as I know they haven't written in that genre before. 

Mystery and suspense is one genre that I don't think I could do.  For one thing, I'm not sneaky enough.  At this stage of my life I've finally learned how to keep a secret though - or does it not count if you're just so busy you forget about it!

Kara 

I think the wonderful thing about hip lit is that it doesn't have to be confined to one age group.  One of the first "hip" cozy mysteries we read (from another house) is about a rabbi's widow, written in first person present tense, and very much like chick lit, except for the corpses.    It took us a while to adjust to present tense, being very much grounded in the past (and past pluperfect, and past participle, and...well, you get the picture!), but I'm glad we persevered,  Now I love the sense of immediacy.  While I'll never give up past tense entirely (even in my own hip lit wip, where it crops up from time to time), I'm hoping the category continues for a long time! 

Janet, your characters are always wonderful, no matter which genre they occupy.  We'll just pray with you as you seek the Lord's will for your next Café series! 

You're welcome for the prayers!  I'm sure the characters will have ideas on whether they should be written straight or in their own unique voices (and that, of course, comes straight from our Source of Inspiration, the Lord!). 

Hugs from Hope & Mom

Kara -- I've noticed the same thing.  And it's not like it is last-minute with Kathryn's book as it is a re-issue.  I would think you should have more information.

Janet 

February is just around the corner, and that means Valentine's day will soon be here.  I'm planning on doing a big romance book display for my library. 

 I've also posted a free short story on my website.  I invite everyone to stop and take a look.

Kara 

My address is karalynnrussell.googlepages.com.  Sorry I forgot to add that.

Kara 

Thanks Janet.  It means a lot to me that you liked it! 

Kara 

Hi everyone!

 Kara I read your story too and loved it.  I like that you've worked out an entire series.  I'm wondering if the matchmakers will wind up fixing each other up somewhere along the way, even though their names are not in the book titles.

Kristen -- Glad you posted here.  I can't believe it's been this long since anyone has chatted here.  I think the SH cafes are lots of fun.  There are also some cafe titles in the Love Inspired line (You can identify them by the pink coffee cup on the front).

Janet

I check periodically (when I'm here, that is).  I'm glad there is more discussion here again! 

Since finishing my LI target book, I started working on my LISHC, and it's amazing how the heroine has started talking to me again.  Not only that, but her annoying ex-fiance showed up at her door, determined not to let her go.  (He has his reasons, but love has nothing to do with it!)  I love the Cafe books.  Can't wait for Janet's next Sisterhood book!

No, I hadn't noticed.  That's exciting!  I'll go check into it!

Kristen, I hope you will.  I'd love it if someone won that I 'know'.

Janet