Dear Reader,

Belles of Timber Creek has been one of my favorite series to write. The characters have remained in my head and my heart as I hope they have yours. As a Missourian who dealt with a great deal of rain this year, I sympathize with Thunder Ridge and its citizens. It is my hope that the theme of trust resonated with you throughout the stories. Trust—to step out blindly when there isn’t a safety net. To expect with assurance. Tuck those words in your heart and carry them with you.

The year is flying by and I’m busy writing a new Christmas novella, The Christmas Lamp, to be published by Zondervan in 2009. It’s a story about traditions, and how important they are in our lives. And watch for the final book of Belles of Timber Creek—Copper’s story—in 2010. Also, I love to hear from readers through Avon Inspire or Zondervan Author Tracker found on my Web site, www.loricopeland.com. I love feedback, and if there’s a particular subject you would like to read about, let me know.

Meanwhile, may God bless and keep you, and I leave you with the Scripture found in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (The Message):

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

In His Name,
Lori