Christian Fiction: True Hidden Treasures--Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Intrigue

Encouraging Email from a National Editor

2009-11-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

I received an encouraging email from a national publisher who said she's overstocked, but asked to hold my article for possible publication. She said it's a lovely piece, and they don't get many about mechanics, but it may take up to a year, if she can fit it in. This article really means a lot to me, because it's written about my youngest son. She said she feels the men in the audience would relate to it as well as the women. With today's economy, her email was insipring, and she said I could still feel free to market it elsewhere, since few magazines consider them competition. I haven't actively marketed it though since a few earlier attempts. Since, I've graduated from the Christian Writer's Guild, I polished it. It is an article I wrote when I took my first class with the Guild, the Apprentice course. Since then, I've also completed the Journeyman Level, two Long Ridge courses, and a dialogue class. I'm always honing my skills. I prayed for God to open a door, and I received the email. It was much-needed inspiration. Now, I'm ready to write and looking forward to a writing weekend. I feel my writing has been validated. If my author wants it published, He'll open those doors, and it'll find a home. Thank God for placing the desire and passion to write in my heart. I love both reading and writing.

Completed all Writing Lessons

2009-10-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

I've completed my last writing lesson for the Christian Writers Guild, and I've finished the Apprentice and Journeymen Levels. In addition, I've completed two classes through Long Ridge Writers Group and a class on dialogue with Tracy Ruckman. Eva Marie Everson was my writing mentor through the Guild and through the class with Tracy Ruckman.

I'm looking forward to being able to spend my time working on short articles,short stories, and novels instead of writing lessons. At this time, I'm reworking and revising some of my material I wrote during the three years of course work with the Guild. I didn't have time with my normal job and keeping up with my writing classes and lessons to devote to do so before, but now I can totally focus. I'll begin submitting and pray God opens a door.

Sandhill Cranes

2009-09-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

I have two new wild/tame pets who've claimed me, two sandhill cranes. They're like kids and come running/flying to me when they see me. They wait for me to come and are glad to see me each day. Thank God for such beautiful, elegant creatures. I love watching them. They're so funny. I never knew what a sandhill crane was until I moved to Florida. They're graceful, tall birds. Peacocks are proud and strut their stuff, but sandhill cranes are elegant and refined, holding their heads high as they delicately waltz across the yard. They glide in for landings like airplanes.

Touching Spirit Bear

2009-08-23T04:07:00.001-07:00

Touching Spirit Bear
By Ben Mikaelsen

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is 240 pages of action and adventure published by Scholastic, a great book for young adults, especially boys. Cole Matthews, the main character, is banished to an island in Alaska for Circle Justice when he injuries another teen. He hopes to avoid jail by spending a year on the island. Once there, he plans to escape and burns the cabin that was built for him. Incoming tide and icy waters foul his escape attempt, and he’s injured by a spirit bear. Near death, he realizes he wants to live. He’s found and nursed back to health, but he’ll never be the same physically, emotionally, or spiritually. When he’s healed enough, he’s sent back to the island, but this time, he has to build his own cabin and fend totally for himself. Meanwhile, the boy he injured will also never be the same physically and becomes so depressed he attempts suicide. Cole knows what helped and changed him, and he desires to help Peter before it’s too late, but how will he convince the boy’s parents to allow him to live on an island with the person who physically attacked him and altered his life? Cole learns life’s lessons from the animals on the deserted island, and he wants to help Peter as he’s been helped, but will he be allowed to before it’s too late? And will Peter ever accept his help?

Dogwood by Chris Fabry

2009-08-15T03:19:00.000-07:00

Dogwood by Chris Fabry is a book that emotionally tugs at the reader's heart strings, one of my favorite summer reads. Will Hatfield was my favorite character, a man who takes the blame for crimes he didn't commit, taking the burdens of others on his shoulders,like Jesus.

After spending years in prison,an innocent man whom his hometown condemns,Will returns to Dogwood, West Virginia, and refuses to give up on the woman he loves, Karin, even though the people in the town hate him. While the town harshly judges him and tries to entice him to leave, he struggles to build his dream home, even though the woman he desires to share it with has settled and buried any dreams she's ever had. In a desperate fight for his life, dreams, and the woman he loves, the character Will demonstrates true love in action. This was my first time reading a book by Fabry, but it won't be my last. He writes with a passion for life and love, and I didn't want to put the book down until I finished it. I couldn't wait to see what happened to Will and Karin. While she was unlikable at times, I couldn't help liking Will throughout the entire novel and wanting to see him overcome the many obstacles life threw in his face.

All She Ever Wanted by Lynn Austin

2009-08-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

All She Ever Wanted by Lynn Austin is generational women's fiction,just the type of book I love to devour. The title speaks for what all women truly want and just as the female characters in the novel only want love, women desire true love. The main character, Kathleen Seymoure, discovers hiding the past of how she lived and grew up from her daughter, Joelle, puts an emotional barrier between them. When Kathleen opens up, it enables her daughter to understand her, just as when Kathleen hears her own mother's story, she's able to understand her mother's life.

You might say the females in this novel were unlucky in love, but the truth is they loved and made poor choices because of it. These women have something in common--they left home at an early age and never looked back until Kathleen found the courage to return. Kathleen came through a generation of women who'd made poor decisions strong enough to make right choices and ended up with a good man, while the men in the other characters lives were not so nice--that's putting it mildly. The story is so realistic to life and could be an important book for young girls, since it's thought-provoking and provides great life lessons and much insight.

Once I started reading the novel, I couldn't put it down. It's 35 chapters and 400 pages of life staring you in the face, published by Bethany House and available at bookstores or online through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

First Line of Novel in Progress

2009-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

From the wooded lot beside the small country church, Fred Blunt waited and constantly checked his watch.

That's the first line in my novel True Hidden Treasures. Hope it makes you want to read more!

If you look closely at the picture of my Cocker Spaniel, Sunflower, and look behind the blue chair, you'll see a picture of my deceased mother, Alice Myrtle Threeton Russell, and I'm the young lady in pink :).

A quote to inspire writers: The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.
Frank Dane

I love animals, especially dogs and cats, and I put my dog in my novel, but the book is fiction. I loved Because of Winn Dixie and thought the dog made the novel, so I thought mine would add a special touch for dog lovers :)

My Youngest Son

2009-07-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

I've written a story about Rodney, too, but I haven't posted it here, since it's a full story I hope to publish one day. We're at Wendy's for Christmas in this picture, taken a couple of years ago. Rodney loved to tinker with old bikes and cars growing up, and he grew up to become an auto mechanic until he switched to AC repairman. He should be getting the business as hot as it is. My oldest son says he's been fixing them right and left. Both boys know how to work on vehicles and ACs. Scotty, the oldest son, also puts down flooring,tile or carpet. I love to write family memories and write about my family. Could use those boys if they lived nearer. Need some remodeling help, and they'd be perfect for the job, but they can't make it until Thanksgiving or Christmas, and it won't wait until then. Besides, they're coming to relax, not work. I can't wait to see them. Miss seeing my family this summer. I usually get to see them twice a year, summer and winter, but I'm not able to this year, since my husband has a new job and no vacation time. I can smell those crawfish boils and backyard barbecues. Miss you guys.

Colored Jeans on the Clothesline: Such Precious Days Don't Last

2009-06-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

Up early every morning, cleaning house and taking care of the family duties with the spirit, vitality, and energy of youth, far too busy to treasure the day, with a son in the first grade. She took pride in the fact that she kept a spotless house and had dinner on the table when her husband returned from work. She hung her son’s jeans out in the sunshine and fresh air, glad he had a pair of each color for school. They hung neatly, all in a row, jeans of brown, black, green, navy, maroon, and blue.

Where did those days go? Before she knew it, her son was grown and gone, with kids of his own. Those precious family days were a treasure that didn’t last. All too soon, spring turns to summer, and kids grow up too fast, leave home, and are gone. Summer turns to fall. Fall turns to winter. What you wouldn’t give to hang those precious little jeans of every color on the clothesline and watch them blow in the wind! Such precious days don’t last.

Those were the days, the best days in life. Such precious days fly by with the speed of lightening. Suddenly, she wonders where did the time go? How did she get to be this old? She no longer cleans her house with the spirit, energy, and vitality of her youth. What she once took pride in, is dull, boring, and humdrum, just another ordinary, routine day. Now, there are no little jeans blowing in the wind. No first grader will come home to excitedly tell her about his school day. Those are all things of the past, things she didn’t treasure when she had them, because she was always in such a hurry, things that didn’t last.

Now, her little grandson’s mother throws his bluejeans in the dryer as she rushes to get ready for work each morning. The hands of time slip by like a silent thief. Off to work. Off to school. School years fly. No little colored jeans blow in the wind, days of the past, treasured days that just don’t last.

First published at USA.DeepSouth.com
Author retains copyright
(I have an idea for revising again and making this into a full story)

Raining on the River

2009-06-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

I look at the picture from last June and remember how it rained when we were camping, but the river was still beautiful. I know why I've always loved natural water like the river and the ocean so much. It flows freely. I've been reading Beth Moore again. I loved her book Believing God. Now, I'm reading Breaking Free. God makes Himself known through the glory He created. I understand why I love looking at water and sky. They both declare God's glory. Mountains, beautiful woods, streams, lakes, have all made me feel free and closer to God. I enjoy God's presence in all He created. It's no wonder I love nature.

My idea of resting, relaxing, being restored, and renewed has always been through enjoying peaceful scenes and nature. I realize this has brought me peace and renewal because I took my quiet time with God and enjoyed HIS presence. I drew closer to God and felt closer to Him.

I look at this picture of a rainy day last summer and miss being able to gaze out upon that river with the raindrops dotting its surface. Instead, I have to settle for the raindrops dotting the surface of our swimming pool this summer, and it's not the same. But, I thank God for the blessed rainy summer day of 2008 when I captured this picture and a memory in my heart of Summer 2008. I thank Him for all the blessings in my life. Most of all, I thank Him for His unconditional love and for sending His only son to save me.

I have a personal relationship with God, so I know Him, love Him, and believe Him. God has made Himself known to me through his glory. I look all around me and see Him everywhere. I find satisfaction in God and in His Word, the Bible. I know His Word is our instruction manual for an abundant, productive, blessed life. I have experienced God's peace many times throughout my life when the storms of life have tried to wash me away. Like a rock, I held on to God and His Word, and I've enjoyed God's presence so many times. I've felt the gift of the Holy Spirit wash over me, and I realized though my earthly father died when I was four years old on Christmas Day, I've always had my Heavenly Father. He never leaves or forsakes me. Thank you God for always being there for me. Jesus is my best friend, and I'm glad to have a friend I can always believe in and count on.

May God bless you and yours. My heartfelt wish for you is to have a close,loving relationship with your creator. Such a relationship brings so many benefits. Peace of mind is only one. Beth Moore talks about five in Breaking Free, and she also discusses five obstacles that can keep you from obtaining those five benefits. I love reading her books and have gained so much understanding from them.

Remember, even if it is a rainy summer day, God is showing Himself to you through His glory. My eyes only have to look at the picture to realize the beauty and treasure the memory of the peace and content that fell with each raindrop. Be blessed.

Publishing on Demand? What's to Gain?

2009-06-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the March 2009 edition of Christian Fiction Online if you're considering Publishing on Demand (POD) or self publishing your own book. My article Publishing on Demand? What's to Gain? features the views of Eva Marie Everson, recently published author of a new Southern novel, THINGS LEFT UNSPOKEN, publihsed by Revell, and Janet Perez Eckles, who published TRIALS OF TODAY, TREASURES FOR TOMORROW with Xulon. Click on the picture of the magazine or this link to take you to my article. http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/mar-09-biz_pod.html. I've read Everson's novel and if you scroll below, you'll find the picture of it with a book review I've posted. It's well worth reading. If you like Southern fiction, you won't want to miss this one. If you scroll down, you'll also find a review I've written of Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow, a nonfiction book about how Mrs. Eckles overcame the loss of her sight and was gifted with pure insight. She has the ability to see more than most sighted people and continues to write inspirational stories with the help of special computer software. She is also able to critique my work with the same software. We have shared critiquing one another's work, and I've found her to be an inspring treasure herself. You will need to click on older posts and scroll and scan to find the book review, but the pictures of both books are still showing on this page. Mrs. Everson's review still shows as well, but it's been quite some time since I did the one for Mrs. Eckles, so it's in the older posts. Enjoy!

I greatly admire both of these wonderful, talented Christian authors and speakers. Mrs. Everson is my mentor with the Christian Writers Guild, and Mrs. Eckles is a dear friend I met through my critique group with American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). I owe by blossoming talent to God, Mrs. Everson, Mrs. Eckles, and my ACFW critique group. I've completed the Apprentice Class and have only nine assignments to wrap up the Journeyman Level with the Christian Writers Guild. Long Ridge classes have also aided in honing my craft. I learned so much through hands-on, trial-and-error with the ACFW critique group that I highly recommend networking and joining a critique group if you're serious about honing your skills.

A Hershey Sweet Summer

2009-06-12T02:25:00.000-07:00

We visited Hershey’s Chocolate World Visitor Center, Hershey Park, and Zoo America one June and took a simulated tour of the Chocolate Factory on the Chocolate Ride. We walked through a tropical jungle where the cocoa beans were harvested and viewed the chocolate-making process during the ride. At the end, we received a free sample. We explored the gift shops and restaurants and had ice cream Hershey style.

The Really Big 3D Show provided a glimpse of the history of Hershey’s chocolate. The show was designed and produced by Landmark Entertainment, the group who designed Universal Studios “Terminator 2/3D”. Free candy samples made the show even sweeter.

We took in 11 acres of wildlife, Zoo America, with park admission, but the most amazing adventure for my husband and stepdaughter was Storm Runner in Hershey Park. It was the first hydraulic launch coaster with inversions. It sped off at 72 miles per hour. I rode a lot of coasters, but I waited on the ground for this one. However, I joined my husband and stepdaughter for the thrills of Great Bear, an inverted coaster. The four inversions, vertical loop, camelback twist, and wing over gave us the sensation of flying through the air as our feet dangled.

I got lots of great pictures, even some of Hershey Kiss traffic lights. The streets are named after Hershey candy. I even found out where my favorite Jolly Rancher candy is made. It, too, is a Hershey product though it is not chocolate. My husband had to stock up on his favorite white chocolate Hershey bars with almonds and white Kit Kat bars which are so hard to find, but delicious. Hershey, Pennsylvania, is the sweetest place on earth, just as they say. My husband, Scott, thought Storm Runner and his candy bars made it so. As for my stepdaughter and I, we found Great Bear and Jolly Ranchers sweeter. She and I shared the same taste in coasters back then, but she's gone on to ride the swiftest, tallest, and longest with her father since our Hershey sweet summer.

God's Love is Grander

2009-06-02T00:34:00.000-07:00

Below is a short poem I wrote after our Summer 2007 vacation to Las Vegas to visit Paula and to the Grand Canyon. Enjoy.

God’s Love is Grander than the Grand Canyon!!
**********************************************
God’s love is as wide and deep and great as the Grand Canyon He made.
His love flows like a Niagara Falls waterfall.
His light shines like a Key West sunrise.
His love sparkles more than all the lights in Las Vegas.
But His love is true and steady, instead of glittering and flickering false hope.
Nothing is grander than our own Lord, not even the Grand Canyon He personally created!
Like an expansive-canyon view, or an ocean-front view, His love spreads and expands throughout all eternity with no end in sight.
All you have to do is invite Him in as your personal Lord and savior, trust Him, and He will be your guiding light, outshining the glitter of Hollywood and Vegas.

©Barbara Robinson, July 19, 2007

The Birds Still Sing

2009-05-27T01:25:00.000-07:00

THE BIRDS STILL SING
by Barbara Robinson

The birds still sing wtih the morning sun.

Life has a way of going on, even when your world is coming undone.

Daddy was buried on a cold, winter day.

I was four years old when he died that Christmas Day.

Buried a husband one bright, sunny day.

Wondered how the world could be so bright and shiny on my sad day.

Buried a mother, and the sun smiled down.

Buried a baby sister, and life went on.

How could the world still be so beautiful with my own personal clouds raining down?

The birds still sing; time moves on.

Death nor lost love, the world still turns.

The birds still sing because they know life goes on.

Time won't stop, and the world will still turn, even when you're dead and gone.

So, don't waste your life spending it all alone.

Love someone and be loved in return.

Make someone's day as you make your own.

To make this old world a better place, we all have to do our parts.

We all have to have a heart.

Make someone's day; be special in your own sweet way.

The birds will still sing; the sun will still shine.

Difference is you can make your own heart rhyme before you run out of time!

1 Thessalonians verses 4:16-18 is one of my favorite Bible verses, because it helped me when Mom and my youngest sister passed: 1 Thessalonians 4: 6-18, NIV

. . . and the dead in Christ will rise first: After that, we who are still alive and left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

This verse tells us we'll see our loved ones again. Life goes on eternally. No wonder the birds still sing. I'm not a poet and usually write poems to write out my heart and soul and express my feelings. Writing and Bible verses, faith in God, and His Word, got me through the earthly loss of my loved ones. I hope you'll let this verse speak to your heart and comfort you as it has me. God bless.

The Power of Prayer

2009-05-25T05:19:00.000-07:00

I strongly believe in God and the power of prayer, because He always answers my prayers. My little sister was sick a few years ago. Something she ate made her have problems with her liver. She was weak, felt as though she had no energy, and the doctor told her he did not know if her liver would ever be normal again. I told her I would pray for her and for her to pray, too. She said she was. Gradually, over a period of a few weeks, her liver began to get better and better. She went to the doctor, and he said the tests showed her liver was back to normal. I prayed to God to give my sister back her spirit, strength, and beauty of her youth and for her liver to heal and for her to be back to her normal self. Thank God, He once again answered my prayers, and she is back to normal and so is her liver!

There have been many times in my life when I have had no one to turn to but God, and I have found He is the most important one to turn to. He is the only one you can truly depend on, but you must have faith! When I pray, I pray with faith that He will hear and answer my prayers, and I go about my daily routine as normal and expect Him to answer them because he always does, but you must ask. I've found myself in bad situations, and I have had to call upon God numerous times. He has never failed me, and He has always answered me. Once, my husband slung me from a boat when he took off, and I slid out of the boat and into the river in water way over my head. I had been riding in the back of the boat near the motor, and I was afraid of the motor hitting me. When I felt myself slipping from the boat, I put everything into the Lord's hands and began praying that the motor would not hit me, and I would not drown. As the water closed over my head, I felt at peace and knew I'd be rescued. I could feel God there with me. There have been many times and many situations in my life I know if not for prayers and God, I would not be here today, or be where I am today, literally, and in life. God has always seen me through. Put your faith and trust in God, and He will always be there for you!I've traveled a long way through life with Him.

I have a writing devotional in the book Words to Write By. The book is full of devotionals for writers, and I've found it very inspiring. It motivates me to continue my writing journey for the Lord.

Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson

2009-05-19T02:26:00.000-07:00

Things Left Unspoken
Author: Eva Marie Everson
Reviewer: Barbara J. Robinson
http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com/
Five Stars
To Purchase: Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble (See reviews there also)

Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson is three hundred and eighty-one pages of pure Southern delight. The novel allows the reader to adventure through life, romance, true love, wisdom gained with age and life experiences, dealing with life’s curve balls, conflicts of love and life, heartaches that make us stronger, and God’s fingerprints on our lives to make us the people He wants us to become. If you enjoy Southern fiction, you’ll love this novel. I devoured it in a couple of days.

Jo Lynn Hunter and her Aunt Stella make it women’s fiction. Jo Lynn deals with current marriage problems and feels she’s not at home in the life her husband has chosen for them. Something is missing and leaves her feeling empty inside. At life’s crossroads, she takes on a project to rebuild an old Southern family home and finds herself restored in the process. Family secrets reveal their ugly challenges and place Jo Lynn in extreme danger. She rises to the challenge and refuses to be chased from her project of love.

Aunt Stella illustrates true love and the wisdom of ripe old age. Valentine, her teenage love, grows into a wise elderly man, who declares if the foundation is strong, anything can be rebuilt. Jo Lynn learns the secrets of the past and the treasures for a happy future, even as she learns some things are best left unspoken.

My Heart's Desire

2009-05-17T03:41:00.000-07:00

My heart’s desire for my inner spiritual life is a closer walk with Jesus, a life of peace, love, joy, and hope, in which Jesus constantly renews my spirit, as I soak up God’s words through reading and allowing myself to draw closer to God. I want to continue to feel the loving Holy Spirit at work in my life. There is no one in life as capable of encouraging and motivating one’s soul as the blessed feel of the Holy Spirit, like a hand on my shoulder reassuring me. I have never felt closer to God than when I feel the touch of the Holy Spirit in times of need. That slight touch lets me know that I do not walk through this world alone. I have a heavenly Father who meets my every need. That heavenly touch makes all the difference in my life. I highly recommend Beth Moore's book BELIEVING GOD. Reading it made a difference in my life and for our family vacation during the summer of 2005. I've written about this journey of "Godstops" in hopes of seeing the story published in an upcoming book about prayers. May my words shine to glorify God. If it be God's will, not mine, the story will make publication.

Roses for Momma

2009-05-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

I received my first dozen assorted colored roses from oldest son today for Mother's Day. He had them ground delivered by UPS, and it was a wonderful, unexpected surprise. I was looking for a card. I've never received roses from one of my children before. They're beautiful, and they smell sooo good. Thank you, Scotty and Melissa, for making my day and brightening my Mother's Day with a vareity of roses, a rainbow of roses.

My youngest daughter and her two children sent me a beautiful Mother's Day card with pictures of my two grands, Dylan and Serena. Beautiful pictures, I love them. My youngest son phoned to say he's sending me a Mother's Day card. My husband gave me a prayer cross with The Lord's Prayer in it. He knew I'd love it. I've been blessed. Thanks to all of you for remembering me on Mother's Day. May God bless all the moms out there and bless my daughters as mothers.

Beach Boys Concert Last Night

2009-05-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

We saw the Beach Boys in concert last night. Two of the original ones are still playing, and they gave us our money's worth. They sang for two hours. We really enjoyed them and took lots of pictures.

I looked back through old pictures/old family memories and treasures today. Some pictures were from a Christmas at my daughter's house, and some were from last summer when we went together to visit Rosedown Plantation in Louisiana. We had such fun. It was a happy day spent with my children and grandchildren. Making memories to turn the pages of time is important. One day those old pictures and old memories will be all they have. Sometimes I find myself looking at old pictures of my mother and sister. Making memories makes pictures in the mind without film or camera, the kind nothing can take away.

Even in these hard economic times, it's important to make those kinds of memories.

Spring Break Spent with Family

2009-04-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to enjoy the company of my family during spring break, to be able to spend quality time with them. Since my children live in another state, I see them only a few times each year, so it's a true blessing when I do. Highlights of our time together included a crawfish boil, grilling hamburgers, an Easter egg hunt for my grandchildren, and a golf-cart Easter parade led by the Pony Express train. Since this parade was at the campground, it was great for the young children. They stood in front of each campsite, and the golf carts stopped and threw candy, beads, and even stuffed animals. Bethany caught two teddy bears, a pile of beads, and a purse and bag full of candy, more than she'd gotten at a hustling,bustling parade where crowds fight and tromp one another. She had a great time and was full of energy.

The grands went swimming in the muddy river and the pool at the campground Saturday. We walked to the beach, and we walked our two dogs. It was a relaxing time much needed and deeply enjoyed. I thank God for our time together and pray we have many more such blessed days. Time flies, so take time from your busy schedule for those important in your life. Treasured days won't last, but the memories are everlasting.

Thursday, my husband and I went to tour Oakley Plantation and The Myrtles. We toured Rosedown with the family last summer. The children had to work, so we took a drive and enjoyed the old plantation homes. We didn't see any ghosts, but we took pictures we haven't had time to download.

We spent Easter Sunday on the road traveling back home. God saw us safely through the road trip and blessed the entire visit.

A Gift for a World in Crisis

2009-04-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

There is no one in life as capable of encouraging and motivating one’s soul as the blessed feel of the Holy Spirit, like a hand on my shoulder reassuring me. I have never felt closer to God than when I feel the touch of the Holy Spirit in times of need. That slight touch lets me know that I do not walk through this world alone. I have a heavenly Father who meets my every need. That heavenly touch makes all the difference in my life. I thank Him for being my best friend. How do I find comfort when I face problems? I speak with God in prayer. How does my garden grow? With God. When you need help, ask God through prayer.

Reading and Reflecting

2009-03-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

I've been working sick for a couple of days. Today and Wednesday were the days I felt the worse. I've been doing some reading and reflecting, something to keep my mind busy while my body rests. Talked to my daughter and my son today. My daughter informed me her ex's mother died Friday morning. She said she'd been bed ridden for the last year, but she'd been walking again since October.

The years fly by so quickly. I found a 1997 picture of me with Momma Cat, and she was full grown in the picture. I was wearing Christmas red and smiling with the cat cuddled in my arms. Now, she's gone. Funny, she died the same day as my daughter's ex-mother-in-law. I've had cats for pets all of my life, but I'd had this cat longer than any other one. She was about 14. My son gave her to me, and I transplanted her in Florida when I moved here. She traveled in a camper trailer in 2004 during Hurricane Frances. We parked the camper in my son's yard to ride out the storm. I found myself pulling out photo albums and looking at pictures through a mist of tears and memories. Where did the time go? I raised her from a kitten. She was my company when no one else was around, and she loved to sleep on top of the couch. Finding her brought memories of when I was a little girl and found my cat dead on the way to school. I felt like that little lost girl again for a few minutes, and I let the tears cleanse my soul and thanked God for the company of the cat for the past 14 years. He's blessed me with a golden Cocker Spaniel, a German Shepherd, and another part Siamese cat, so I still have pets to keep me company. Momma Cat was special because Rodney gave her to me when someone threw her out as a tiny kitten. He picked her up and brought her to me, knowing I'd give her a good home and raise her because I loved cats. She was a beautiful cat with blue eyes. God has blessed my life with beautiful pets, and I thank Him for their unconditional love and company. Animals taught me what true unconditional love is. They don't care what you look like, what you wear, or what kind of car you drive. They love you for you and to them, you're the greatest person in the world. Thank you God for pets, especially my grandfather-clock-chewing Cocker Spaniel. Rodney, thank you for the cat that brought your mom many years of company, love, and companionship. She never bothered anyone, not even in the end, and she was never any trouble. Having her all these years enriched my life.

Article on POD Publishing

2009-03-03T01:32:00.000-08:00

I have an article about POD publishing in Christian Fiction Online Magazine. Check out my article as well as all the wonderful articles by Christian writers by clicking on the magazine cover. I interviewed my writing mentor, Eva Marie Everson, and a former critique partner from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Janet Perez Eckles, and wrote of their POD publihsing experiences as well as my own. Visit http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/ and my writing mentor's site at http://www.evamarieeverson.com/ Enjoy! Janet's site is http://www.janetperezeckles.com/index.html.

Before I Was Old Enough to Read: The Way My Life Began

2009-02-20T00:56:00.000-08:00

Before I was old enough to read, Mom hooked me on fairy tales. She bought a new one for me each month out of the small social security check she received after my father’s death. I was only four years old when my father died one cold Christmas Day in a charity hospital. Four years earlier, I’d been born in a charity hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. We never had much, but I hadn’t realized it. To me, before Daddy died, we had everything. We lived on South Third Street, in a rambling, white apartment house. We only rented, but I didn’t realize what that meant. I was rich, living in my make-believe world of fairy tales, rich in sunshine and fresh air, swinging in my board-and-rope swing underneath the giant pecan tree in our front yard. I was a happy little girl, who had everything I could possibly want. I had a doting dad and a loving mom. Daddy would rock me and sing me to sleep, singing about my beautiful blue eyes. Mother would read and rock me to sleep with fairy tales. My world was rich, happy, and content. I wanted for nothing.

This was only the beginning. Books and reading were important for me early on, and I've come full circle, from having them read to me, to reading them myself, and finally, to writing them. Stay tuned for more. The first few paragraphs are only the beginning.

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading,
to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs,
is good for him.
~ Richard McKenna ~

The greatest gift is the passion for reading.
It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites,
it gives you knowledge of the world and experience of a wide kind.
It is a moral illumination.
~ Elizabeth Hardwick ~

This is What the Lord, the God of Israel Says:

2009-02-09T00:57:00.000-08:00

This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “Write it in a book all the words I have spoken to you.” Jeremiah 30:2, NIV

And that book is the Bible. Jesus speaks to use through its pages, His Word. He speaks to my heart and tells me to use my writing for Him. My novel True Hidden Treasures is in the revision stage, and I've nearly completed it. I plan to have two sequels.I loved and devoured family sagas growing up, so it's natural for me to want to write them. I also grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries, and I find myself spicing up the romance with a bit of mystery and intrigue, suspense. It keeps the pages flowing.

I'll have an article published in Christian Fiction Online Magazine in March at
http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/home.html. If you've ever considered Published on Demand (POD) publishing, you will want to read it. I've interviewed Janet Eckles, a gifted Christian Author/Speaker, who writes and publishes using special software, though she is blind. She chose Xylon Publishing for her POD book: Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow. Read the column and find out why. I also interviewed Eva Marie Everson, a talented writer, speaker, and my mentor at Christian Writers Guild. My own POD publishing experience as well as that of these two talented authors will help you decide whether POD publishing is for you.

Stay tuned . . .