Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over 100 books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books, and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh.
Janice was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She currently serves as president of her local ACFW chapter (Writers on the Storm), where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing.
Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. Her tagline, “Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever Afters!” sums up her take on life.
She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. When she’s not busy writing or playing with her eight grandchildren, Janice can be found in the kitchen, baking specialty cakes and cookies for friends and loved ones. No matter what she’s cooking up—books, cakes, cookies or mischief—she does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com.
To my husband and three children for their patience, prayers, and making sure at deadline time my iced tea glass is full, there’s a bag of M&Ms in the house, and Peanut Buster Parfaits show up at just the right time.
Oh, no. Jenna Harrison stared at the clock hanging on the wall of her photography studio—aka a converted bedroom. Only fifteen minutes until her clients arrived for their engagement photo session.
The tick-tock of the second hand pounded in her brain like a marching band bass drum. She tightened her grip on the sparkly tiara cutout attached to a long stick.
With a flurry of June weddings to shoot, her business, Picture Perfect Photography of Sweetwater, Washington, had been crazy busy since the month began. She hadn’t planned on a new save-the-date photo idea striking her at lunch today. But she recognized the potential, so she’d been making new signs to go with the photo booth props—mustaches, lips, glasses, hats, and dialogue bubbles.
She placed the tiara with the other items on a nearby table, then printed out the couple’s photo requests, including shots with the new puppy they’d rescued from a local animal shelter. They wanted fun and fabulous engagement pictures. As if Jenna took any other kind. And her calendar stayed full with proposals, weddings, and engagement sessions.
Her cell phone rang. The generic ring tone didn’t belong to her parents or her brother, Colton. With no time to talk, she glanced at caller ID. Kerri Williams, a friend from church and one half of the couple Jenna was expecting for the photo shoot. Better take this call.
“Picture Perfect Photography. This is Jenna.”
“Hey, it’s Kerri.” The October bride’s breath sounded ragged and uneven, as if she’d been exercising. “We’re running late.”
“No problem. We’ve got all afternoon.” A half-howl, half-whimper filled Jenna’s ear. More animal than human. “Is everything okay?”
“Now, yes. Ten minutes ago, no. When Michael arrived at my house, we realized Peaches had escaped from the backyard. The shelter told us she was a digger, but we hadn’t seen her do that yet. We found her splashing in a puddle a block away. I’d taken her to the dog groomer this morning, and she looked so pretty. Michael has her in the bathtub and is washing off the dirt.”
Michael was Kerri’s high school sweetheart and fiancé. A nice guy who cracked jokes and treated his bride-to-be like a princess.
“I’m sorry. We can reschedule the session if that would be easier.”
“Today is fine,” Kerri said. “Peaches would rather be dirty than clean, so this might happen again if we reschedule. Who am I kidding? I’m sure she would get herself into some kind of mess or trouble.”
Kerri’s exasperation brought a smile to Jenna’s lips. “Don’t worry. There’s no rush.” By the time Kerri and Michael arrived with Peaches, Jenna would be ready. She added two veil cutouts and three different bow tie selections to the other props on the table. Now to select frames. “You’re my only appointment today.”
Having a few extra minutes to prepare for the session meant no more rushing around. Not that Jenna’s clients would know she was behind schedule. She’d built her reputation being calm and cool under pressure, especially on wedding days when stress levels could skyrocket into the stratosphere over a loose thread or scuffed shoes.