Seasons Change – Fall Into Love with Erica Vetsch

by | Nov 2, 2010 | Christian authors | 42 comments

Well, she started off the year with a bang and it’s only gotten better. Pumping out books at the speed of a locomotive. Seriously.

Erica Vetsch started the journey with Bartered Bride and moved on have her newest book, Maggie and the Maverick out soon. Oh, it sounds SOOOOOO good, too. I think Erica is even going to give us a sneak peek today.

What is it, Erica. 5 or 6 books within a year? Year and a half? It’s some crazy amount – and they’re all through Heartsong Presents. You can find out more about her books at www.ericavetsch.com

Today – she’s giving away a copy of her newest book to some lucky commenter. Maggie and the Maverick. Woohoo!!!

So, Erica,  we got to meet and hang with Seekers in September. I enjoyed meeting you so much. From what I understand, your humor comes out in your books too 🙂

Erica is in the red blouse in the pic above , with me on the far left and Mary Connealy in the center. What a blessing – two fabulous writers and two great senses of humor too. What a night!

Okay, so let’s get to the good stuff here. What are some elements that are present when a hero and heroine first realize they are falling in love with each other? What are some beautiful, interesting, unique ways of showing that realization

I have a quote from Emily Bronte that I love, and I think it answers the first part of the question.

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.

I think when a man and woman fall in love, that it is a recognition of similarity of soul more than anything. They may be wildly different on the outside, but inside, where it counts, they are the same. This recognition is something they’ve never felt before for another person, and it tends to scare at least one of the pair.

 (Pepper Here) Erica, I am copying and pasting that quote for my desktop. Oh My GOODNESS!! – was that from Wuthering Heights? Okay – sorry- distracted by the beauty in that thought. Whew….  Erica – you have an excerpt for us today?

Here’s an excerpt from my new release, Maggie and the Maverick.

Then Cal stood before her. “May I have the honor?”

She stopped clapping. “You?”

He nodded, the dimple creasing his cheek. “Seb and I were declared the co-winners of the wild horse breaking. He’s decided to sit this one out with Georgia. What do you say?”

It’s not fair, Lord. You know what I have to do. Why do You make it so hard?

“Maggie?” He held out his hand.

A girl could sink deep into those blue eyes and never surface. Her hand went out to his, and she shivered when their fingers touched.

He tugged, and she followed him up onto the platform. Though others moved around them, they were only vague images on the edge of her vision. Cal’s face drew her complete attention, and he fitted her into his arms with ease.

His strong hand spread-eagled on her back, guiding her, and her fingers rested lightly on his broad shoulder. He winked at her and tilted his head as if summing her up and liking what he saw.

She couldn’t look away. The power he had over her frightened her into stiffening.

“Relax.” He leaned in and whispered against her temple, his breath tangling in her hair. “I’m not going to bite you.”

You could do far worse than that, Cal McConnell. You could break my heart.

 And from later in the same book:

“I didn’t come here to talk about that though.”

The direct look in his blue eyes made Maggie’s breath stumble. “You didn’t?”

“Nope. I came to talk about us.”

Her breath didn’t stumble this time. It fell flat and refused to get up. Her heart, in contrast, squeezed hard then raced around her chest. “Us?” She strangled on the word and it came out weaker than she wanted.

“Maggie, I have some powerful feelings for you, and I think you have some for me, too.” He reached out and took her hand, searing her palm by brushing his thumb across her skin. “I can sense that you’re holding something back from me, that you’re afraid. I can understand that. We haven’t known each other long, but I want to know everything about you. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. I watched my brothers fall in love and get married, and I see how happy they are, how much they love their wives. I promised myself that unless or until I found someone to love like that, I wouldn’t ever get married.”

Her hand spasmed within his, and she jerked.

“I know, it’s a little soon to be talking about marriage, but I want to be honest with you. I love you, Maggie Davis, and I want to marry you, when you’re ready, when you think you know me well enough, and when you’re ready to trust me. I think I fell in love with you the minute I dumped all that girly stuff out of your suitcase. The way you glared up at me, and later you bawled me out for messing with Georgia’s affections. When I held you on the dance floor, well, I just knew I’d never be the same again.” He grinned, and a lightheaded vapor swirled through her head. “I look at you, and I start thinking forever kind of thoughts.”

She didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to throw herself into his arms and accept the love he offered her. Part of her wanted to run. Far. And fast. Then he reached out and caressed her cheek. Her heart tumbled. He deserved to know the truth. At least as much of the truth as she could tell him. Because in a blinding flash, she admitted what she had been refusing to acknowledge. She loved him. She was in love with Cal McConnell.

On the heels of this admission came soul-wracking fear. Lord, is this wise? Can I risk handing my heart over to someone again? She’d prayed the prayer a hundred times since the Fourth of July, and each time she felt His nudging her to trust, not only Cal but Him. A verse she’d been holding onto came to her mind. “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”

 

Cal has recognized in Maggie the soul-mate he’s been looking for, the kind of love his brothers have found, that he’s not willing to miss out by settling for less. And their growing closeness is scaring Maggie to death!

I know that my husband and I are a mismatched couple to many. On the outside we seem very different. He’s quiet, brainy, kind, and disciplined. I’m a ‘gregarious introvert’ who can talk to just about anyone, loves to be in charge, and tends to leap before she looks, quite often.

But inside, where it counts, we think alike. Our faith is the same, our views on politics, parenting, finances, and more are the same. Our views on marriage and respect line up. That’s so very freeing. Because he can be a computer guru and coin collector, and I can be a novelist and Jayhawks fan, and we’re good. He takes a long time to write an email, and I sing all the time around the house. He likes to sleep in, and I have a hard time staying in bed once my eyes open in the morning. Those differences don’t matter, and we can work with each other and allow each other to be our unique selves, and we can live in harmony, because inside, we recognize that whatever our souls are made of, his and mine, they are the same.

Erica,

That is simply beautiful. And inspiring. I feel ready to go write something with lots of romance in it 😉 Oh, how lovely. Thank you for being here today.

And for those of you visiting – check out her books. They’re the perfect combination of sweet romance, humor, well-written, and inexpensive. You can’t beat that!! (Unless you win a free copy) J 

Inspirational Moment:

Erica’s words inspired my choice of this verse from Song of Solomon 8:6-7

6 Place me like a seal over your heart,
   like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
   its jealousy[a] unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
   like a mighty flame.[b]
7 Many waters cannot quench love;
   rivers cannot sweep it away.

If human love can bind us soul-to-soul, how much more can God’s love capture us? How much more can we depend and fully trust in the strength of his self-sacrificial and abundant love.

The God of all eternity, who possessed everything he could ever want, wrapped himself in human flesh and gave his life- for the one thing he didn’t possess.

You

Me

Why?

Because of love.

Oh what a Savior!

 

(Stop back in Friday for a visit from author, Siri Mitchell)

42 Comments

  1. T. Anne

    What a great interview! Erica you write like poetry! I really enjoyed the excerpt. What a treat!!!!

    Reply
  2. Edwina Cowgill

    Erica,
    What a delightful sounding book! I would love to read it.

    Pepper, You chose one of my favorite verses from the Song of Solomon. Did you know that the word “seal” in verse 6 translates into a word that means “tattoo?” And tattoos are done with indelible ink. So what Solomon is saying here, “Place me like a tattoo, done with indelible ink, on your heart.” I love that – that God has us tattooed on his heart! OK – that’s my Sunday School lesson for today!!

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Edwina,
      WOW – Love the visual picture of a tatoo on the heart. A ‘forever emblem’ of God’s love.
      Whew.
      Nobody writes it like HE does!

      Reply
      • Erica Vetsch

        Edwina, the word tattoo puts a whole different depth to that phrase! Thank you!

        I hope you get a chance to read Maggie and the Maverick!

        Reply
  3. Wendy

    So cool to see Erica over here! And hello, Pepper.

    That was how it was w/ my husband. We couldn’t be more different on the outside, but I did see something of a reflection of my soul in him…

    thinking on that one.
    ~ Wendy

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Hi Wendy!!! (waving)
      Wasn’t Erica’s descrip lovely? Now I’m going back through my ms to make sure that soul-spark is in place for my hero/heroine

      Reply
  4. Audra

    Excellent excerpt, Erica! I love how Cal just declares his feelings with really no encouragement from Maggie. Don’t you just love those emotionally honest cowboys?

    Absolutely love it!!

    and, love the cover of your book!! WooHoo!

    AND the trio of beautiful ladies at very top of the post!

    thanks Pepper and Erica!

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Okay – Audra just pushed me over the edge. I have GOT to write a cowboy hero someday.
      Oh my…from the cover of Erica’s book to Audra’s….well, there’s just not much help for it.

      Reply
      • Erica Vetsch

        That is the truth about Audra’s book cover…that cowboy is SWOONY!

        Reply
  5. Erica Vetsch

    First, Pepper, I do believe that quote is from Wuthering Heights. (I’ll confess, I found it in a book of quotes specifically for scrapbook pages.)

    T.Anne, what a wonderful comment. I’m going to pack that one away and take it out to look at when my courage while writing is failing.

    Reply
  6. Erica Vetsch

    Wendy! I think it works with friends too, because there’s something about your soul and POV that I just feel like I ‘get.’ 🙂

    Audra, I love that cover too! And Cal was the easiest hero I have written so far, because he was so honest and out there with what he wanted. He’d been waiting awhile for a girl like Maggie to come along, and when she did, he grabbed her up like a flapjack. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Linda

    What a great interview and excerpt! I can not wait to read this book!

    Reply
  8. Erica Vetsch

    Hi, Linda! I hope you enjoy Maggie and Cal as much as I do. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Jessica

    Erica, your words about you and your husband are so romantic!
    I love the excerpts! Please enter me, Pepper! Thanks for the interview.

    Reply
  10. Erica Vetsch

    Jessica, when I told my husband last night that I’d talked about him in an interview, he just smiled and nodded.

    When I read the interview to him, he smiled and nodded some more. “Yep, that’s us.”

    I love that man!

    Reply
    • Pepper

      Oh Erica,
      what a perfect response from your hubby.
      So great!
      I guess you guys just ‘get’ each other?

      Reply
      • Erica Vetsch

        Pepper, we’ve been married more than 20 years now, and he’s my best friend. I know not everyone is as blessed as I am with their spouse, and that makes me more thankful than ever that God put us together.

        Reply
  11. Renee Ann

    Erica, thanks for sharing excerpts from your sweet books and the lovely words describing your relationship with your husband!

    “Many waters cannot quench love.” Great reminder! Thanks, Pepper!

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Renee Ann, Thank you so much for coming by and commenting. 🙂 I’m glad if anything you read here today was a blessing to you.

      Reply
  12. Julie Lessman

    Erica!!! Soooo fun to read those scenes, girl, and Maggie and Maverick sounds wonderful!! You and Mary, girl, writing books so fast that I go from hers to yours, hers to yours, and so on. Sigh … writing that fast that well is SUCH a gift!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Aw, Julie! You are so nice! Meeting you was one of the highlights of my conference! Love you, girl!

      Reply
  13. Nancye Davis

    This sounds like a wonderful book! I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance and for such a great blog. This is my first visit here. I will definitely be back!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Nancye, thank you so much for stopping by and for commenting. Pepper runs a great blog here, and I know you’re in for a treat with future visits.

      Reply
  14. Charity L.

    OO!! I already have this one on my wish list:) Got the postcard announcing its release the other day. Would love to win it! Please enter me. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Charity, this was my first time ordering post cards for a new release, and I was thrilled at how they turned out. I hope you get a chance to read Maggie and the Maverick soon!

      Reply
  15. Cindy R. Wilson

    Oooh, Pepper, I love those verses from Song of Solomon. And Erica, great to see you here! I loved The Bartered Bride so it was a treat to read an excerpt from Maggie and the Maverick. You have such a talent for making readers fall in love with your characters–and that was just from a short excerpt 😀 The book sounds wonderful!

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Cindy! Thank you! What a wonderful compliment. I’m so glad you enjoyed The Bartered Bride. A debut novel always holds a special place in an author’s heart, and I’m so glad to know that the story is remembered.

      Reply
  16. Charlotte

    Thanks for the opportunity to be entered for this giveaway! I LOVE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Charlotte, you’re in like-minded company here! I love books! As my bookshelves attest! My husband will occasionally ask if it isn’t time to give some books a new home…but I just smile and say all we need is more bookshelves. 😀

      Reply
  17. Merry

    I loved Erica’s book The Bartered Bride and would love to win her newest, it sounds so good!

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Merry, thank you for stopping by and commenting. And thank you for remembering The Bartered Bride. That makes my heart happy! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Julia

    I love the quote and the excerpt. And Pepper I always enjoy the verses that you share. Especially today from Song of Solomon. It is so neat how God matches us up with our “reflections.”

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Julie, I agree! Pepper chose wonderful verses that enriched and expanded the idea I was trying to get across. I love the idea of being a reflection of my husband and vice versa. And what a beautiful picture of how we, as the Bride of Christ, are to be a reflection of Him.

      Reply
  19. Casey

    Ohhh, I loved this excerpt! It pulled me right in. I read The Bartered Bride and LOVED it!!!!!! It was great and one of the best Heartsongs I have read. I am a true fan of Erica’s!

    Thanks for sharing that verse Pepper, I love this part of it:

    Many waters cannot quench love;
    rivers cannot sweep it away.

    So beautiful and true! God’s word is our love letter. Can’t type, so I better skidaddle.

    Please enter me!! Thanks. 🙂

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Casey!!! What a wonderful thing to say! You’ve brightened my day, and I’ll take your kind words with me to remember as I’m delving into my current novel-in-progress. You will help me banish doubts and forge ahead!

      Reply
      • Casey

        Oooh, how exciting to know, thanks Erica!! 🙂

        Reply
  20. barbjan10

    Erika’s interview was interesting and I saw a woman of wisdom in her. I enjoy her insight about love…the joining of souls, alike or not. Beautiful description and I liked the excerpt from the book. I think this book will be entertaining to read and I love humor in stories because I like laughing. It is so healthy and healing. Thank you for the giveaway and for the chance to win this darling story. I hope I do win.

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Barb, thank you for your kind comments. I hope you get a chance to read Maggie and the Maverick. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Pepper

    Erica,
    It’s been so great to have you visit here. And what a wonderful treat to get an excerpt of your up and coming book.
    Could you tell us again when does Maggie and the Maverick come out?

    Reply
    • Erica Vetsch

      Thank you for having me, Pepper. I’ve really enjoyed being here. I learned yesterday that Maggie and the Maverick is now available at http://www.heartsongpresents.com/ It is supposed to be shipping to readers of the Heartsong book club over the next few weeks.

      Thank you again for the warm welcome and to everyone who took the time to comment.

      Reply
  22. seo thai

    hello Words Seasoned With Salt , i comment your blog , this a nice blog and useful. Good for me. bulk swans and Siri Mitchell content. i will plan to read and comment your blog.

    Reply
  23. รับทำ seo

    hello Words Seasoned With Salt , i look your blog , this a nice blog and useful. Great for me. bulk Chatsworth and Seasons Change content. i will often to read and review your blog.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Pepper

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This