Name That Book!!!!!!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Weekend Edition to bring you this breaking news story...

This just in from 233 Broadway, Suite 1001....

Waiting for satellite feed....

And it's a go!!! Gretchen, we're over to you, you're live in Seekerville.




"Walter, thank you, happy to be here in front of 233 Broadway, the historic Woolworth Building in the heart of the world's biggest financial district where we have word that Steeple Hill Publishers has just offered a new contract to none other than Ruth Logan Herne, one of their hot new authors."

"Gretchen, isn't she the author of that 4 1/2 Star book she's been bragging on for months?"

"Well, Walter, actually it's been weeks... But, yes, she has been talking about it. A lot. Although I'm told that's what authors are supposed to do, the new ones especially. Talk it up. Create an Internet presence."


"Internet?"

(Gretchen smiles) "Never mind, Walter, let's see if the news reports hold true. Someone's coming out of 233 Broadway. Why, it's Melissa Endlich, the illustrious senior editor of Steeple Hill Books. Melissa, good morning!"



"Gretchen Carlson? Of Fox News?"

(Gretchen smiles. Gosh, she's got the greatest smile. And really good hair. But then that Endlich gal is no slouch, you know what I mean???)Melissa, forgive me for interrupting your weekend, but we just heard that Ruth Logan Herne has been offered a brand new contract with Steeple Hill. Is this true?"

(Melissa beams, which is waaaaay better than cringing) "It is. I just got off the phone with her wonderful agent, Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary (shameless plug, I know, but hey, who's writing this gig??? HUH????) and we're delighted to be tucking Ruthy's first Joy in Jamison novel into our April Love Inspired line-up."

(Gretchen smiles) "I can't wait to read it! I just finished her debut novel, what was that called again???? Spring's Beginning? Springing Forth? Spring has Sprung?"

(Melissa's smile thins slightly) "Winter's End. Her debut novel is titled Winter's End."

(Gretchen smiles) "Oh, of course! That's it. I loved it from beginning to end, couldn't put it down. That Marc DeHollander... He was a hottie! And with Derek Jeter eyes, too!"


(This gratuitous picture of Derek Jeter contributed by author)

(Melissa nods) "Well, since your husband is Jeter's agent, you're probably way more familiar with his eyes than I am. But Ruthy seems to have a Mom-mance going on with him."

(Gretchen smiles) "He's a sweetie! So, tell me, Melissa." (Gretchen leans in) "What's this new book called?"

(Melissa shakes her head sadly). "We don't know."

(Gretchen's smile dims) "You... WHAT?"

(Melissa shrugs, discomfitted) (fyi, discomfitted is the word of the day, try to use it in a sentence, starting....NOW!!!) "It's as yet untitled."

(Gretchen hesitates, looking for some good in this situation, then just plain gives up) "Why, Melissa? Why?"

(Melissa sighs) "We need help. We have all the earmarks of a great romance novel. We have a secret baby, a Gift of the Magi type sacrificial love, mistakes made, a West Point graduate, military hero... Gretchen, this book has it all. A great son who wants the best for his mother, a darling, Shirley Temple-type daughter..."

"And no title?"

"No." Melissa draws a deep breath. "But that's where the friends of Seekerville come in."

(Gretchen turns) "Where?"

(Melissa sighs, a little heavier this time) "Euphemistically. I mean we need their help to name this novel."

(Gretchen's smile perks up) "Really? You'd let them help?"

(Melissa nods sagely) "They do, after all, put up with Ruthy and her particular brand of nonsense each and every day. And they're salt-of-the-earth good people, of the race that knows Joseph, if you get my drift."

(Gretchen nods in return) "The backbone of America, motherhood and apple pie."

(Melissa agrees wholeheartedly) "You nailed it. The people of Seekerville know a good book when they see it. So we're enlisting their aid to come up with title possibilities for Ruthy's first 2011 release. Some key words they might want to consider are 'hearts', 'edge', Alyssa, Trent, soldier, military, Jamison. And this story evokes feelings of redemption. Forgiveness. Second chances."


"I just know I'm going to love it, Melissa!!!!"

Melissa smiles full agreement as she opens her umbrella in the face of a brisk April rain. "So do we, Gretchen. So do we."


Ruthy here, pleased to have brought you that late-breaking news flash!!!! It's another party in Seekerville!!!! YAY!!!!!





So yes, today you get to help Name That Book.... Alyssa and Trent's incredibly beautiful romance has just been officially contracted by my BFF editor, Melissa Endlich of Steeple Hill.

So jump in everyone. Run the gamut. Here's a mini-synop to help you along...


Four-year-old Trent Michaels was dumped by his parents alongside a busy interstate in Western New York. The town of Jamison took the boy to heart and raised him with pride and hope, going the distance for a little boy lost, a child of hope and promise, a pre-schooler who'd been left for dead on a bitter cold, snowswept November day.

Alyssa Langley never meant to fall in love with Trent Michaels, Jamison’s pauper to prince icon. Trent’s rocky beginnings should have spelled trouble, but Trent’s intellect and football skills made him an ideal West Point candidate, his boyhood dream fulfilled. When Alyssa discovers she’s carrying his child after high school graduation, she keeps the secret to herself, knowing Trent’s integrity and faith will push him to do the right thing, marry her and declare the child. Cadets cannot be married or responsible for a child.

Alyssa breaks things off with Trent, moves west and maintains her silence through years of bad choices until family circumstances force her to move back to Jamison with her eleven-year-old son and three-year-old daughter.

When Alyssa comes face-to-face with a now successful Trent in her family-run restaurant, she realizes the time of reckoning has come. Old feelings resurge as proximity and strengthening faith push Trent and Alyssa together, but when Alyssa’s little daughter becomes gravely ill, Alyssa’s re-found faith is shaken to the core. Can she hang on long enough to become the family Trent never had?


And hey, be sure to leave your e-mail addy for me if you'd like a chance to be entered in a drawing for either Winter's End (NOT SPRING HAS SPRUNG, DAGNABBIT!!) or my upcoming release Waiting Out the Storm...

Breakfast today is courtesy of The Edge, the Langley family's beautiful hillside restaurant, set along a ridge overlooking the sweet town of Jamison, New York, nestled below. Try Susan's homemade strudels, Rocco's egg-n-bacon sandwiches on thick, homemade bread and a lovely selection of buckwheat pancakes and real maple syrup from The Maple Tree Inn.

And feel free to party-hearty. It's celebrating time in Seekerville once again!!!

Now let's Name That Book!!!!! (Oh, hint: We can't use the words family, small, daddy or hometown... Now that I've said that, that's all you'll think about, LOL!!! And I'm tippin' me cap in thanks to ye', I am!) We'll announce the title (picked by the esteemed and illustrious and all-too-cute Melissa Endlich of Steeple Hill Books) and the winner in NEXT SATURDAY'S Weekend Edition!

Ruthy