Author Spotlight week -Excerpt from Light of the Heart

Enjoy this excerpt from LIght of the Heart by Regina Andrews. Post a comment and Regina will pick one lucky winner to win a copy of the novel. Smiles
Steph




The afternoon class at Tanglewood Women's Prison was a spectrum of tension, as separated and splintered as a beam of light refracted through a prism. Cascade Preston held her student's template assignment up to the light overhead, and spoke carefully on the quality of the stained glass project.

"With two lights, or openings, Brenda, I would say your idea of a church window for this one would be correct."

Sighing, the student replied, "So you think I'm making progress?"

"Of course." She tossed her honey-colored curls behind her shoulders. "Don't you?"

Brenda snorted. "Heck, no. I'm in here for domestic assault. What do I know about progress? My life is over."

This stopped Cascade in her tracks. "Look, we all make mistakes. God has told us that sinners should flock to him. What do you think? "

Brenda shrugged. "God has his own agenda. We'll see what the parole board says about mine in two weeks."

"For now, let's focus on next week's class. Bring me a flower for that one.”

"Where are we supposed to get a flower?" someone muttered.
"Draw one, stupid," Brenda answered.

"Bye, ladies. Take care."

"See you." Sad-eyed, Brenda gave her a high-five as Cascade walked past her.

Cascade's heels clicked efficiently with her every crisp step, and she made sure to shuttle as closely as possible alongside the beefy guard who escorted her from the holding room. Getting into her Corolla, she whispered a prayer. "I don't think I'm doing any good here, Lord, but I feel you telling me to stick with it. So I will. Maybe this is the kind of thing that saved my mother." She tried to block the images of her mother's bruises from her mind, but they wouldn't go away. They never did.

The drive back into Boston passed by quickly, without too much traffic. "Lean on Me" blasted from her audio system, and she sang along with all her heart. At twenty-seven, she knew it was technically an oldie, but to her, it was fresh and filled with meaning. Cascade wondered as she sang what it would feel like to have someone to lean on, because she had always been alone.

"There's only one thing that could make tonight perfect," she mused as she pulled into the parking area for her condo complex, "and that's not going to happen, for sure."

Images of her long-gone fiancé, Kevin, came into her mind and heart. Where was he this fine June evening? More importantly, why were things so much better for him without her in his life?

A form crossing her path brought her back to reality. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed someone walking towards her car. A guy -- a big guy she did not recognize.

She shaded her eyes from the late day sun. Dark hair and outdoorsy looks. Work boots. "Nope,” she murmured to herself, “I don't know him."

Hopping from her car, she said, "Can I help you?"

"If you're Cascade Preston, you sure can."

He folded his arms across his chest. With all those muscles moving, Cascade could only imagine the stress put on the seams of his light blue cotton shirt.

"And you are..."

"Dan McQuay." He extended his arm towards her. "From the site."

"Hi." Cascade pumped his strong hand, lost in his sky blue eyes. "What site?"

He tilted his head. "The construction site."

"I'm not following you."

He looked at her steadily. "I'm project manager for the retrofit on the church in Sterling Lakes. The one that you're doing the windows for."

Cascade’s heartbeat quickened. Just hearing the name of the town where she grew up made her anxious and tense. "It seems there's been a misunderstanding. No way am I working on anything in Sterling Lakes." She started to bustle past him. "Now if you'll excuse me?"

"Don't run away, Ms. Preston. There's a problem here."

His tone of voice got her attention. He sounded like he cared... about her. That was crazy. She was a total stranger to him.
She nodded. "Apparently there is a problem, you're right. I don't know what you're talking about. Like I said, I'm not doing any work in Sterling Lakes, and I never will. That's the last place in the world I ever would go."

He gave a slow whistle. "Well, that's a loaded speech if I ever heard one."

In spite of herself, she smiled. "I didn't mean to get all hot and huffy, but it is how I feel, and I have my good reasons."

He eyed her intently before he finally spoke. "Understood. The thing is, your name is on the plans that I have, and my crew is ready to get going. We haven't heard from you, and we need to have a job meeting. Mostly, we need your specs."

Cascade noticed the strong line of his jaw when he spoke, and oh, those bluer than blue eyes of his were so easy to get lost in. She swallowed.

"I don't know what to tell you. I'm not contracted for that job. Your project executive should be able to answer your questions."

She toyed with the zipper on her oversized leather shoulder bag as she watched thunderclouds roll across his handsome face.

"Look, why don't you give me his name? I'll check things out at my studio in the morning and get in touch with him. Maybe I can get to the bottom of this."

"Yup." He took his hands out of his pockets. "Here's my business card, and here's his. Try and remember, every day is money to me."

"Okay, I know. I'm in business, too, so I get it. I know every job I'm on, and this one is not on my list. Let me see if I can find out why I'm on the list of subcontractors... if I really am."

"You are."

"I shouldn't be, so there's a mistake. I never even sent in a bid."

"At least we found out something tonight," he said with a shrug. "Other than you being a whole lot prettier in person than in the pictures all those magazine articles and newspaper stories print about you."

Cascade’s face warmed up at his compliment. "Now you're trying to butter me up."

"Just stating the truth, plain and simple like I always do, Ms. Preston. That's my way. Thank you for your time."

"You're welcome."

He started walking over to his truck. "Talk to you tomorrow."

"Right. And there's one more thing."
He questioned her with a wondering look.

"Please call me Cascade." Her smile lingered as she watched him drive off into the Boston twilight. Too bad this job was in Sterling Lakes. It might not be that bad to do a job with Dan McQuay. Not bad at all.

Author Spotlight Week -Regina Andrews shares her favorite book

What a great question, thank you for asking! But to answer that question is a real paradox. I would have to say the era of Nathaniel Hawthorne, in the 1850’s is my real fave! This was a time of great artistic and literary enlightenment in the US, particularly in the Northeast. In fact my heroine in “In Good Faith” (2009 Awe-Struck http://bit.ly/pLV5w is named Haley Hawthorne.

But above it all for naming my favorite author, I have to go back to the Bible. Now I know that’s not one author, - we are listening to many voices, all of one heart. And that’s what I love!

I have a Bible, it was my father's, not, mine, and I treasure it more than anything. I remember him on his knees every night before we went to sleep, deep in prayer, and this Bible was always by his side. There was never a question I had that he couldn't address, relating it somehow to the Bible in a kind and loving way. He was always understanding. It was always a message of love, and happiness and acceptance.

And believe me, his life was not easy. But he gloried in God's love, and loved his family and my mother and us (kids) more than anything. To think that he found solace in the Word of God makes me live every day with this same awareness and humility – in His service.

As an author, it’s important to me that the context of our work is as understood as the words we are conveying. So the ‘authorship’ question is really interesting! To me, it’s a real source of glory that not just one voice could ever convey the human experience: just like a choir needs bass, tenor, alto and soprano to make the music whole, God included more than one voice for us all to be able to hear His message in this wonderful work of Literature.

Author Spotlight Week -Regina Andrews shares her favorite movie

I love the movies so much! I'm always looking for the ones with happy endings, though
:-) That being said, 'Sound of Music', over and over.

First of all, in 1930's Austria, how romantic (!), a young woman named Maria is failing miserably in her attempts to become a nun.

Okay, what “IW” aspirant would not identify with her? ☺

Then, Navy captain (yikes, hunk!) Georg Von Trapp writes to the convent asking for a governess that can handle his seven mischievous children, Maria is given the job.

The Von Trapp children, resentful over the loss of their mother, have managed to run each of the prospective governesses off, one by one. When Maria arrives, she is initially met with the same hostility, but her kindness, understanding, and sense of fun soon draws them to her and brings some much-needed joy into all their lives -- including the Captain's.

Eventually he and Maria find themselves falling in love, even though Georg is already engaged to a Baroness and Maria is still a postulant. The romance makes them both start questioning the decisions they have made.

This is the best conflict, the best test of faith, the greatest story of moral character! Add to this story the backdrop of Nazi Germany and their urgent need to escape…as well as the incredible score…sigh!

Honestly, this is one to watch over and over again!

Author Spotlight Week - Regina Andrews shares her passion for writing Inspirationals

Writing inspirationals, is, I think, an outgrowth of my wonderful childhood and background. In that context, we always found a ‘happy ending’ together as a family unit with a heart filled with faith.

That being said, most of what I address is based, somehow, in personal experience. I do believe in ‘write what you know.' It would be hard to write about something that I'm not passionate about; so any of my themes - poverty, Alzheimer's, greeting cards, nurses -would have to mean something to me.

I have a manuscript about families dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's disease. I was honored and blessed to stay home with my mother for over six years when she had dementia, and I know what caregivers go through. I would like to do that. Also, I would like to write about my experience with breast cancer. But that's two topics, and only a tangent to your question about being an inspirational writer.

Thank you for asking about being an inspirational writer, because I have always wanted to be able to share a mission of God's love through writing uplifting, inspiring books in His honor. It's so basic, to me -- to gladden people through reading, and to bring the Word of God to their lives in another way, and to reinforce the love of God in their hearts. How come there's so much unhappiness? It seems like there's a vast expanse waiting to be brightened!

Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of being an “IW” is that you never know where the path will take you – as a writer or as someone who, as a writer, might have brightened someone else’s world. We might never know, but wow, how fabulous is that to contemplate? ;-)

Author Spotlight Week - Q&A with Regina Andrews

STEPH: Tell us a little about you. Where do you live? How long have you been writing?

REGINA: Hi Stephanie, thank you for having me today on your fabulous blog! A resident of Providence, RI, now, I grew up in nearby Barrington. The Ocean State has a lot of appeal for me!

My wonderful mother read to me as far back as I can remember and I am sure that’s why I love reading so much. Loving reading, and being a natural talker, I think writing became the next logical step. It came in handy when I didn’t have an audience to tell my stories to, I could just keep going, and write everything down. That began early on, and I just never stopped. The publishing came later.

STEPH: I don't know much about "Light of the Heart." What's it about?

REGINA: “Light of the Heart” deals with the effects of a difficult childhood on the heroine, Cascade Preston, now a very successful stained-glass artist. As a child she knew her father was abusing her mother but was powerless to stop it. She was aware as a child that the town knew of the trouble in her house, yet did nothing to stop it. Her anger and resentment are so intense that she refuses to return to Sterling Lakes. However, circumstances take a turn and the project to redo the stained-glass windows in the town church becomes hers. As she is challenged to let the light of God’s love shine into her heart, she also meets the hero, Dan McQuay.

STEPH: What was the inspiration behind the story.

REGINA: That's an interesting question. I have always written pretty 'safe' Inspirationals, and I searched in my heart to hear a story that might needed to be told. Many years ago, I knew the hero and heroine of this story (in my mind) but Cascade's back story only came to me recently. I was not sure about it when I stopped and thought about the theme, it seemed so edgy...so I didn't stop, I just kept writing what was in my heart. After all, I had waited a long time for Cascade to tell me her story! I'm so glad the story incubated and now has the depth and substance her story really deserves. Sometimes, a writer has to be patient, and wait for the story to get to them. I'm not patient, at all! But I am so glad I waited!

STEPH: How important was the setting to the story?

REGINA: Oh, setting is always critical to my stories. Here, it is an absolute 'must'! Sterling Lakes, with all the problems the town has had in the past, and all the natural gifts they enjoy, typifies the dichotomy of the human experience: it's beautiful and ugly, good and evil all at the same time...just like the human soul.

STEPH: If you could cast the movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?

REGINA: OOOH! Okay, Cascade Preston: Amy Adams and Dan McQuay: Let me get back to you, Steph!!

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

REGINA: Well, it's funny, I really ruminate...and I've been 'hatching' this one since way back when lol! The real work for me is thinking, plotting and envisioning the book. Once I sit down, it does not take too long. This was done in a few months, then delivered to a great editor who I must say really seemed to 'get it' quicker than I did, sometimes! Bless her!

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

REGINA: Yes, I have a Kindle that I love love love!!

STEPH: Do you belong to any writing groups or writing afflilations? How helpful have they been to you?
REGINA: In the past I belonged to RWA and was in the NE chap of RWA, in fact, I was the librarian for a while. I can't tell you how wonderful that was! What a great group! I am still friends with lots of the writers and count their encouragement as one reason I ever had the confidence to send my work out to publishers!

STEPH: Can you tell us a little about the state you live in?

REGINA: Shakespeare asked "What's in a name?" in Romeo and Juliette and Little Rhody is a good example of a really powerful answer to that query! Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country, but nestled into a section of ocean, mountains and forest, it has incomparable natural beauty. On top of that, we are the nucleus of several world-renowned Universities and Colleges, so our intellectual community is vibrant and ever-evolving. An outgrowth of that is the Arts community, with museums, theaters and -yay - restaurants. Plus, we are a real cultural crossroads, with folks of all nations finding their homes here and propelling the life of the entire community into ever-enriched levels of shared experiences.

STEPH: If you could visit one country, what country would be on your bucket list?

REGINA: In a heartbeat, I'd go back to Greece. I had a trip to Egypt booked for May...I will get there some day!

Featured March 2011 Release - Light of the Heavens by Regina Andrews

BLURB:
A stained-glass artist based in Boston, Cascade Preston’s world is a kaleidoscope of color and beauty. She has overcome a dark childhood, deeply shadowed by domestic violence, in the town of Sterling Lakes. When she is approached to design new windows for a refurbished church in Sterling Lakes, she ignores the request. But when the no-nonsense Project Manager Dan McQuay appears looking for the window plans, the project takes on a whole new light. Will Cascade be able to keep the dark, protective cocoon she has built around herself intact, or will McQuay break through and shine new light into her heart? Is it possible that God’s plan for Cascade will lead her to forgive the town that ignored the situation her family?

EXCERPT:
Cascade Preston held her student's template assignment up to the light overhead, and spoke carefully on the quality of the stained glass project.

"With two lights, or openings, Brenda, I would say your idea of a church window for this one would be correct."

Sighing, the student replied, "So you think I'm making progress?"

"Of course." She tossed her honey-colored curls behind her shoulders. "Don't you?"

Brenda snorted. "Heck, no. I'm in here for domestic assault. What do I know about progress? My life is over."

This stopped Cascade in her tracks. "Look, we all make mistakes. God has told us that sinners should flock to him. What do you think? "

Brenda shrugged. "God has his own agenda. We'll see what the parole board says about mine in two weeks."

"For now, let's focus on next week's class. Bring me a flower for that one.”

"Where are we supposed to get a flower?" someone muttered.

"Draw one, stupid," Brenda answered.

"Bye, ladies. Take care."

"See you." Sad-eyed, Brenda gave her a high-five as Cascade walked past her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A resident of Providence, Rhode Island --- Regina grew up in nearby Barrington and still belongs to her church family in that town. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master's Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by the seashore and the song of the birds... anything to do with nature. She and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod.

Regina's hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening.

One Writer's Journey to Inspirational Writing, Part 2, by Regina Andrews

The Light of Tomorrow

After the flurry of activity, the quiet set in. These were the days when I would write in my journal, pouring out my heart to God. One day I tried to slip my notebook into a
drawer at my desk, but I hit a roadblock. Something in the drawer was in the way. Frustrated, I yanked it out. Turns out it was the full manuscript of my first attempt at a romance novel from years earlier.

I remembered the tears when the big, yellow envelope had come back to me in the mail. And I remembered my father's words of consolation and encouragement. "Keep at it," he'd say. "Never give up on your dreams."

If only I could speak with him now! I couldn't. But, I realized I could listen to him by remembering what he had said to me.
So I began writing my happy romance stories once again, except now they were coming out different. This time, they had the added dimension of faith. I couldn't help it. The faith that was such a part of me now, so prominent and at the forefront my mindset, was a perspective that was just as real to me as a writer as the other parts of the story I was writing.

It struck me as quirky, since I hadn't really read romance novels like that before. But I kept it up. Writing, right from the heart without constraint. I joined my local chapter of RWA. And then I took a night class.

Our assignment was to read the class the first three pages of a book we would like to publish. This was my moment of truth. I loved my book…but to go public it? I cringed. What would they think? What if they thought my writing rotted? What if they ridiculed a story that was faith-centered? What if they sneered at my faith? You can imagine the doubts. But I did it. "Never give up on your dreams."

When I looked up after I finished reading, I saw smiles. Sincere smiles. Something opened up in my heart. It felt like a shining new life path was before me, and I was taking my first steps on this path. Then the instructor said he thought my work could get published.

It wasn't easy. It took years. But it eventually did happen.
Looking back now, I can only be grateful for the shelter of God’s grace and love at this crossroads in my life. His gifts carried me on my journey, although I didn't understand any of it at first. Through Him, I've met so many wonderful friends and colleagues along the way; I never could have done it alone, ever. My prayer is that each of you, in your own ways and on your own personal journeys, will experience the fullness and joy of His loving grace.

I'd also recommend listening to that little voice inside that's telling you: "Don't throw it out! Not yet!" or "Get rid of it! Start a new one!"

We might not know why our inner voice is urging us towards something. I didn't. But I trusted it. And I believe that trusting our hearts is the path to take so you "never give up on your dreams."

One Writer's Journey to Inspirational Writing by Regina Andrews

When I look back at the moments that have formed me – as an individual, as a woman and as a writer – I would have to say the summer when I lost my father was a complete turning point in my life.

That might sound like a grim beginning to a posting, but really, it’s completely the opposite. It is a joy-filled journey, filled with happiness and the gratitude of having a family life that gave me the perspective I needed to succeed.

Getting back to my journey, my father used to take me to his office occasionally when I was little, and boy, was that a big thrill. I loved to meet his co-workers and see the place where he did all his Big Important Things. But what did I love most of all? Sitting at his typewriter, writing.

So I began writing, early on and it continued through high school, where I was Editor of the Literary Magazine, through Graduate School where I discovered Barbara Cartland.

Living in a world of royalty, civility and romance, where happily-ever-after was assured, seemed like a really nice destination, to me. So I set out to write romances, and to be legit, applied to Law School. The week before I started law school, we lost him.

When I lost him, so unexpectedly, that day in late summer, I turned again to writing. Only this time, it was diaries. It was letters to physicians and insurance companies. It was thank-you letters to nurse and staff and priests and organists and funeral home guys and relatives and friends who had helped us through it all. It wasn’t romantic. It was as real-life as I ever could have imagined.

Then one night, I just started writing to God. That was the beginning of a new phase in my writer’s consciousness. As the phrase goes, when God closes one door, He opens another.


To be continued tomorrow.

DB Author Regina Andrews guest blogs - "The Seeds of Inspiration"

“The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness.” Henry David Thoreau

I don’t know about you, but there’s something about this time of year that motivates me to get back to my connection with the Earth. The first sunny day, and my sleeves are rolled up. Time to cultivate my own garden, as Voltaire put it.

Out I run to the Garden Shoppe to find the seeds of new life. Home I run to my window box, ready to plant my wildflower mixture and my forget-me-knots.



I prep the box. I dig and clear and drain and trowel, then sprinkle the seeds into their new environment. As I’m patting them in, I can’t help but imagine what the window box will look like before long. It’s filled with rich, wet dirt now, but it won’t stay this way. Soon it will be loaded in a riot of green sprouts, then buds, and then colored with a sea of fresh flowers.

Just like the seeds newly planted this spring, the ideas of this writer’s imagination will be given a loving start. Each day, I will tend them carefully, respectfully, joyously, coaxing them to develop into the most beautiful story possible.




Not all of them will make it. Just like the window box flowers, some ideas will be eclipsed by other factors: shadows, weak roots, or too much water. Some flowers, some stories are not meant to be. Yet, as Thoreau pointed out, each seed has a purpose and helps me along the way to creating a garden, or a story.

What a blessing as a writer to have that feeling of newness and potential every time I start a new project. And blessing upon blessing, this potential, this new start carries through all year long.

This time of year we in New England go from barren to beautiful, in about two weeks. Life is abuzz all around us. Everything is stirring. Bees are buzzing and lawn mowers are mowing. Ideas are taking root. Stories are sprouting. Inspiration is celebrated everywhere!

I wonder: what are your seeds of inspiration this spring?

The Mansions of Newport, RI - Marble House by Regina Andrews

My life isn't a fairy tale, and I'm no princess, but sometimes I enjoy pretending that I live in a palace. After all, I am a romance writer. Lucky for me, Newport, Rhode Island is in my own backyard and I have my choice of castles to visit. Today, I'd like to talk about my very favorite - Marble House.

Marble House is located on Bellevue Avenue in Newport. This is the main residential boulevard in the seaside resort town which is about 30 minutes south of my home in Providence.

I am in love with the French influence in Newport. "Bellevue" is French for "beautiful view", and this street along the Atlantic Ocean sure gives me a great view. It's lined with ten magnificent mansions, breathtaking private residences and lots of beautiful trees. I never get tired of it.




Beauty Inside and Out

I find it hard to know what to look at first when I visit Marble House. The cobblestone approach is so grand that it always takes my breath away. (Sometimes I think it looks like the White House). Then I go through the front door into the huge and elegant foyer, gleaming with cool, smooth marble, and gilded with gold and opulent antiques everywhere I look. But what I love the most are the vast windows that open to the beautiful vista outside. The ocean, the cliffs, the gardens call to me. In fact, Marble House was the inspiration for the mansion which is the setting of my newest book, Destiny's Designs.

History of Marble House




The magnificent "summer cottage" of Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, Marble House was completed in 1892. It was styled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles – more French influence. What I find amazing is that it's made of 500,000 cubic feet of marble. That must have helped keep the mansion cool in the heat of the summer. The Vanderbilt's divorced three years after Marble House was finished. Alva Vanderbilt came back to Marble House many years later, and built a Chinese Tea House on sprawling back lawn overlooking the cliffs. She sold Marble House in 1932.
Marble House is now run by the Preservation Society of Newport County. It is a vital part of the cultural landscape of American history, and hosts weddings, charity galas and festivals year-round. I can tell you from my heart it is beautiful every season of the year.

Interesting Note
Filming for the 1974 movie The Great Gatsby starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford took place at Marble House.
Information for this blog entry was taken from:http://meetings.newportmansions.org/pdfs/SS_MarbleHouse.pdf and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marble_House

The mansions of Newport, Rhode Island

THE GREAT HALL, BREAKERS


**NOTE: Photos in this blog are of "The Breakers."

This month Desert Breeze released "Destiny's Designs" by Regina Andrews and while I haven't read the book, the description really resonated with me. The main character, Lisa Machon, runs an interior design firm in Newport, Rhode Island. And Newport, Rhode Island has held a special place in my heart since high school.

I grew up in Manchester, NH and one of the most challenging classes I ever took was called "American Studies" as a Junior. It was a two period class that combined American Literature and History. It was not for the faint of heart. Mrs. Hussey and Mr. Lord where very demanding and at the time, I was challenged academiclly (sp?) like I never had been before.



In April of 1986 (I hate to date myself!) when we entered 20th Century America, and the Gilded Age, they took us on a trip to Newport, Rhode Island. It was an experience that still resonates with me today.

Newport is the home to many of the vacation homes built by the turn of the century millionares like the Vanderbuilts, The Astors, and the Whartons just to name a few. One of the mansions we went to was Rosecliff where the 1974 movie, "The Great Gatsby" was filmed. We also visited the Breakers, my favorite manision. It is a five story mansion that overlooks the sea. It has a great hall, and a working elevator. Can you believe it? A working elevator! At the turn of the century. It had plumbing, a modern kitchen, and central heating!




The Breakers belonged to the Vanderbilt family and was a symbol of their social and financial preeminence at turn of the century. Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) established the family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Central Railroad. The Commodore's grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, became Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system in 1885, and purchased a wooden house called The Breakers in Newport during that same year. In 1893, he commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a villa to replace the earlier wood-framed house which was destroyed by fire the previous year. Hunt directed an international team of craftsmen and artisans to create a 70 room Italian Renaissance- style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. Allard and Sons of Paris assisted Hunt with furnishings and fixtures, Austro-American sculptor Karl Bitter designed relief sculpture, and Boston architect Ogden Codman decorated the family quarters.

The Vanderbilts had seven children. Their youngest daughter, Gladys, who married Count Laszlo Szechenyi of Hungary, inherited the house on her mother's death in 1934. An ardent supporter of The Preservation Society of Newport County, she opened The Breakers in 1948 to raise funds for the Society. In 1972, the Preservation Society purchased the house from her heirs. Today, the house is designated a National Historic Landmark.


Most of the mansions are owned by the Newport Preservation Society, but they capture a photograph of life of what life was like for the rich at the turn of the 20th Century.

THE BREAKERS KITCHEN


Since my initial visit, I went back often in the 1990's. I took my husband there shortly after we were married. It was a very romantic time for me.

The Breakers is just one manision in Newport and throughout the month, I'll sharing tidbits of the other mansions on Saturdays. Hope you enjoy!

Smiles,
Steph

Reference for this blog: http://tickets.newportmansions.org/mansion.aspx?id=1000

Featured March Release - Destiny's Designs by Regina Andrews

THE BLURB:
From the chintz window treatments to the plush carpeting, Lisa Machon has carefully designed every detail of Innovations, her Newport, Rhode Island interior design firm. Control has been the objective in her personal life, too. Until she meets the dashing, carefree sailor Neil Lamont, a man who doesn't seem to have a care in the world.

Little does she know that he is not as fancy-free as he appears. They are united only by their mutual affection for Countess Lamont, Neil's mother, and destined to go to great lengths to bring her happiness. Through faith, will they see that Lord is really in control of our lives? And will faith open their hearts to their love for each other?


****
THE EXCERPT:

Silence. Once again, the answer she hoped to hear from God did not arrive.

She sighed, starting to print copies of her lecture notes for her students. She gasped and jumped up when Neil burst into her office.

He held the door wide open and knocked on the frame, shaking the clapboard shop. "Anybody home?"

Lisa shook her head. "You'll huff and you'll puff... but you can just come in. Good morning."

"You tell me what's good about it."

He closed the door behind him, then ran his hands through his tousled hair. Lisa noticed his broad his palms and strong fingers. His ringless finger...

Oh, Lord! I do not need a distraction named Neil Lamont!


*****
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A resident of Providence, Rhode Island --- Regina grew up in nearby Barrington and still belongs to her church family in that town. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master's Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by the seashore and the song of the birds... anything to do with nature. She and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod.