Tag: christfic

Posted in Wedding Wednesday

Wedding Wednesday: St. Patty’s Day!

Posted on by Mikal

I know St. Patrick’s Day isn’t until next week, but Wedding Wednesday fell a week early, so…why not celebrate a week early? Right? Riiiight???

Wedding Wednesday (1)

So, I’m not Irish. (I’m actually Scottish, Norman, and German-Dutch.) But I love St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe because I can wear Kiss me, I’m Irish shirts and no one questions it. 😉

The dress:

Oh goodness. Do you ever watch those wedding dress shows? And you just can’t understand how a bride can spend so much money on two dresses because they can’t decide between the two?

I now understand.

So today, there are two dresses. Just consider the second one to be a reception change.

Humor me.

Dress
From Wedding Inspirasi.
Dress1
From Myday.

Isn’t this second dress cute?? And look at the gold sparkles. Perfect for the gold accents that show up a little later in this post! 🙂

The shoes:

Shoes
From Party Simplicity.

The hair:

So, apparently this week I’m indecisive. Because now I have two hairstyles. Ugh. The dresses call for an up-do, but really? Who can deny this half-up do?

Hair
From Liberty Hairstyles.

You can’t have a St. Patty’s Day wedding without some Celtic knots! And isn’t this the cutest place for them?!

So for the up-do for the dresses, though, here’s what I found. Braids. Too sweet!

Hair1
From Tutu & Fru.

The Bridesmaid dress:

You guys. I’m dying over this one. Dying. I need it.

Bridesmaid
From Storyboard Weddings.

The cake:

Cake1
From Wedding Chicks.

The one thing that you need to be careful of in themed weddings is going overboard. So nixing the green on the cake helps to up the elegance. (But I have to admit, I’d probably remove that shimmery gold clover.)

The flowers:

Flowers1
From Ruffled.

I looooove the gold as an accent color with an emerald green wedding. So pretty!

Bonus! The ring:

When I spotted this, I had to include it. Because. Bling.

Ring
From Wedding Party App.

So what do you think? Would you want a St. Patrick’s Day wedding? What’s your favorite from today’s post?

Signature

 

Posted in Wedding Wednesday

Wedding Wednesday: Beachside

Posted on by Mikal

Wedding Wednesday (1)

(Sorry I’m about 12 hours later than I wanted to be! Life.)

It’s everyone’s favorite day again! Woohoo!

I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath, and it’s finally here!

Last week, one of the sweet commenters (mki52, I’m looking at you!) mentioned beach weddings, so I thought I’d have fun with it, especially in the midst of winter. While I love winter and the cold, I know pretty much all but one of you are down in the dumps about it. Ha!

So, welcome to our beach wedding. ❤

The dress:

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From ModWedding

 

The shoes:

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From ZKKoo

How fun are these?! With a dress as simple as the one above, a little pearls and bling on the shoes are perfect! So cute for walking down the aisle in the sand.

The venue:

Town and Country Mag
From Town and Country Magazine

The ring:

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From Topazery

I love these types of wedding bands. Subtle glitz and glam with intricate and pretty design.

The cake:

 

summer-wedding-cakes-09_detail
From Colin Cowie Weddings

I love the turquoise on this cake! It’s pretty, simple, elegant, yet beach-worthy!

The flowers:

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From Weddingomania

Look at that sweet bouquet!! And love that the ribbon matches the cake. 😉

The fun photo:

Pinterest pin from beau-coupDOTcom
Pinned from Pinterest courtesy of beau-coup.com

Honestly, I think this is the best photo. I love it!!

What do you think? Would you do a beach wedding?

Signature

Posted in Forever Friday

Forever Friday: 1 Corinthians 13

Posted on by Mikal

FOREVER FRIDAY (1)

Last week, I started a new feature called Wedding Wednesday (see my first post here). However, we all know that while weddings are super stressful fun, it’s the marriage that truly counts.

I’m by no means a marriage expert, so this in no way, shape, or…anything…should be considered advice. It’s more of a “let’s learn together” feature.

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Every time I think of marriage, I hear this in my head from The Princess Bride:

The Impressive Clergyman: Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam… And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva… So tweasure your wuv.

I. love. that. movie. But I digress.

“Tweasure your wuv.” (Just in case you need help translating, that’d be “treasure your love.”)

What does it mean to treasure something? Dictionary.com defines the verb treasure as “to retain carefully or keep in store, as in the mind; to regard or treat as precious; cherish.”

holding-hands-1149411_640Society has changed the way a lot of people thing about marriage. You’re not happy? Divorce. You’re interested in someone else? Divorce. You’ve grown apart? Divorce. All these boil down to one thing: you don’t feel in love with your spouse anymore. (A quick note here: I do believe there are circumstances in which divorce is the best thing to do, such as abuse, infidelity, etc.  Here are some verses you can look up.) What society forgets, though, is that love isn’t a feeling. Feelings can lie to us. Love is, however, a choice.

We can choose, on a daily basis–sometimes a minute-by-minute basis if it’s that hard–to truly love someone. But how do we do that?

We’ve likely all heard 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter of the Bible that describes tru wuv…a-hem, true love. The nitty-gritty description is verses 4 through 7. But let’s break it down. Love:

Where you see the words underlined, those are links to Dictionary.com so you can read the definitions (make sure you read the “adjective” or “verb” definition for that word!). Hey, sometimes you gotta do your own research to really learn. 😉

The list seems overwhelming. But Jesus is all these things…and more. And He created old-people-545232_640marriage, so I’m confident (I believe) that He has given us the capacity to achieve this list in our marriages.

And for you singles out there, use this passage as a measure for anyone you’re dating! Replace “love” with their name. If they don’t fill these things (or at least most of them since we’re all a work in progress), consider ending that relationship. Not because they aren’t worth it, but because you are worth it.

Until next time.

Posted in Book Review

Book Review: The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan

Posted on by Mikal

Ohhhhh, have I got a fun one for you today!! The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder by Rachel McMillan is so….well, read my review!

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

Release date: March 1, 2016

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Author’s Web Site: http://www.rkmcmillan.com/

Order it: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com

From the publisher:

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

My thoughts:

Jem, Merinda, Jasper, and Ray. Four characters who personify independence, joy, love, wit, and charisma.

This book, on the surface, is a rollicking good time. Lots of smirks, laughs, intelligence, and a bit of romance. What’s under the surface, however, is what makes this book so fascinating. You have two independent women who are “past an age” for proper society. These are women you’d love to know in real life and have on your side. They’re not trying to fit in with society—they’re trying to find out who they are, and in Jem’s case, come to terms with it.

Jasper and Ray are charmers. Ray was more the focus in this story, and may be a new crush. He is sweet, caring, loyal, compassionate, and has just enough flaws to make you love him that much more. Including his bad poetry. 😉

Rachel McMillan has done a phenomenal job giving us lovable characters in the tempestuous setting of 1910 Toronto.  She’s crafted a fun murder mystery with wit and charm while not shying away from the plight of women and immigrants in Toronto during that time.

This is a book I highly recommend!

*I was given this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

 

Posted in Wedding Wednesday

Wedding Wednesday: Over the Top Glam

Posted on by Mikal

Wedding Wednesday (1)

Welcome to my very first Wedding Wednesday!! This is where we bat around fun wedding ideas, themes, drool over dresses, and even rings. So let’s get this party started!

In each of my stories, there’s going to be a wedding. I can’t help it. I just can’t! I blame Pinterest. For real.

So, I’m all about the glam in my little dream world. But that’s not practical. Or cheap. So for our first Wedding Wednesday, I thought about keeping it simple.

I know. I laughed hard at that thought, too.

Glam it is!

Because, in my mind, the wedding revolves around the dress, let’s start there!

The dress:

 

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Ralph Russo Couture Fall/Winter 2014-15

Look at that detail!

The reception venue:

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Article from MODwedding uploaded to Pinterest: http://www.modwedding.com/2015/09/how-to-design-a-glamorous-wedding-reception/

Um…I drool.

The ring:

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Uploaded to Pinterest from Skinner Auctions: https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2586B/lots/620

Because a dress that royal neeeeeeeds a ring this royal.

The cake:

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Made by Liz Gater Sheridan of Fantasy Cakes Fantastic Tastes in Westport, Ireland. Uploaded to Pinterest.

Uh, yes. That is a cake. Shocked me too! It’s gorgeous.

And finally, the flowers:

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Article from MODwedding uploaded to Pinterest: http://www.modwedding.com/2016/01/top-5-glamorous-wedding-trends-2016/

Believe it or not, I had the hardest time choosing flowers! There are so many beautiful bouquets out there, and I was tempted to go with a floral and jeweled bouquet, but with all the other over-the-top glamour, I thought a straight floral cascading bouquet would be elegant.

I admit that this wedding would be a little too much for my personal tastes, but I couldn’t help going glam. I’m a sucker for fairy tales, and this reminds me so much of a fairy tale wedding. I hope you enjoyed!

Posted in Book Review

Review: Always Watching by Lynette Eason

Posted on by Mikal

Always Watching

Release date: February 2016

Publisher: Revell Publishing (http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/always-watching/349531)

Author’s Web Site: http://www.lynetteeason.com/

From the publisher:

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity.
The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap.

Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him–including Olivia. But in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart.

My thoughts:

Lynette Eason has always been one of my go-to authors when it comes to romantic suspense. And with Always Watching, she has proven to me (again) just why she is.

Wade and Oliva, the main characters, are normal, everyday people with flaws and issues. One of them loves Jesus. The other is mad at Him. Both characters are very well developed, have a great and fulfilling journey, and the romance, while it’s there, is actually minimal. It’s more of an underlying tension than a romance, which, in the situation the characters are in, I really appreciate.

The suspense of the story sticks with you all the way through. I had about four suspects in the back of my mind the entire story, and one-by-one they were being eliminated close to the end. So while I had my guesses, I didn’t find out too soon or figure it out too easily—the mark of a great book, in my opinion.

I always recommend Lynette’s books, but you definitely need to pick up this first book in the Elite Guardians series! It’s off to a great start! And with the preview of the second book in the back of this one, the next book is also going to be great.

*I was given this book for free from Revell. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Posted in Forever Friday, Wedding Wednesday

New Weekly Features

Posted on by Mikal

Since my novels are clearly romance, and my “brand” is about bringing you faith, fun, and forever, I thought it would be tons of fun to bring you two special blog days each week!

Wedding Wednesday (1)
I don’t think it’s going to be any secret that I. love. weddings. For the longest time, I wanted to be a wedding planner. Only I don’t think I could politely handle a bridezilla. So I created a Pinterest board to fulfill my wedding planner self. But that just wasn’t good enough. 😉 So I started writing books that will include weddings.

That still isn’t quite enough for me. Ha! So here’s hoping Wedding Wednesday will do the trick! Twice a month (and it could increase in frequency because ❤ Pinterest ❤ ), I’ll post some of my favorite wedding themes, reception ideas, dresses, flowers, jewelry…whatever I can find that I adore! Because we all love to drool. At least, I do.

FOREVER FRIDAY (1)

Weddings are awesome, but marriage is forever. Hence, Forever Friday.

Often in books, we don’t get to follow the characters throughout their marriage. I’m by no means an expert on marriage, but I pray God will give me the words (again, twice a month) to write to encourage you in your own marriages–whether you’re currently married, currently engaged, currently dating, or currently single–and to share what I’ve learned in my life. I hope to even bring in a guest now and then to discuss marriage and/or their books about marriage.

So I hope you join me in this new venture! Because I love weddings, and I love marriage. But I love Jesus the most, and pray to be used to strengthen relationships, including my own.

Posted in Blog

Keep an eye on her!

Posted on by Mikal

Hi all!

I just wanted to write a quick note to let you all know of an up and coming author! Teresa Tysinger is a sweet friend and one of my critique partners. She’s finished her first novel and is querying it right now.

In the meantime, I’d love for you to visit her site, follow it, and sign up for her newsletter! Believe me, you won’t regret it!! ❤

Visit her here!

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Posted in Blog

Faith. Fun. Forever.

Posted on by Mikal

Hi all!

I’m actually writing on a deadline at the moment, but took a time-out for some dinner and was thinking of you.

You may have noticed the design change. If you haven’t read my Books page, I’ll fill you in. 🙂 (So I’m lazy. The next few paragraphs are copied right from my Books page. Not even gonna.)

I’ve always been drawn to humorous love stories. I love the deep, meaningful books full of gorgeous prose and imagery, but each time I try to write in that vein, I get stuck. Kind of like God is trying to tell me that He has other plans for me. Instead, I play the comparing game and think that if I don’t write the deep prose, I’m not as talented or hard-working as those other authors.

Lies, my friends.

I was at a coffee shop, brainstorming with three other authors yesterday morning and mentioned this to them. One of them, a very dear friend, said that there is a place for humorous love stories, especially in the lives of those going through some very difficult bible-896220_640times. (End of copying! The rest is fresh from my heart tonight.)

Obviously, my faith makes me who I am. I’m a work-in-progress. A messy, imperfect woman who loves Jesus and wants to share the joy of loving Him with others. So it’s just naturally going to come into play in my novels. I can’t help it. And I don’t think He wants me to. 🙂 (And that picture there includes coffee because it’s one of my favorite loves.)

The “fun” part? Well…I love humor! I love to laugh. Who doesn’t? And quite honestly, I’m terribly hilarious. 😉 At least, that’s what I tell everyone. Whether it’s true or not…. But bridal-636018_640really, I hope to get others to laugh, or at least smile, while reading my books. I want that woman who is sitting through a chemo appointment to smile and have her mind taken off what’s being put into her veins to help her be healed. I want that young woman hoping for a love story of her own to see that God loves and pursues her passionately–more passionately than any earthly man ever could–and does so with joy and laughter. I want that mum who’s so worn out from work or being at home with her kids all day to have a few minutes at night to just let go.

Forever. Oh, who doesn’t dream of forever? The romance of a new relationship, the stress ring-441783_640of planning a wedding, the joy in the ceremony and reception…then the forever. I want you, my readers, to fall in love with the characters. To join them in their celebration of “forever,” and dream of not just their wedding, but their “ever after.” I also want my readers to see the romance and joy of an “ever after” with their Creator! Jesus on the cross is the most stunning picture of love. A commitment to Him–and His to us–will make all the difference in our lives. Will it make our lives easier? Nope. He doesn’t promise that. What He does promise is that He’ll be there with us, through it all (Matthew 28:20).

Obviously, I’m a romantic at heart. And I make no apologies for it. So, expect it from me. 🙂 But also expect characters who are real, flawed, messy. Because those characters will also be redeemed through Christ’s death, resurrection, grace, and mercy.

Just like us.

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