Fire and Ash by Anne Patrick published in July 2010 by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. is an award-winning inspirational with a message of faith along with suspense that weaves research about fires realistically. Sadie McGregor teams up with Police Chief Quinn Harrington to investigate a fire that took the life of a local college student in her hometown, Emerald Point, Missouri.
Sadie lost her own family to a fire when she was only seven and has lived with the guilt of causing it. Now, she sifts through the ashes of her own life and tries to make sense of it, since she believes in God, but she doesn't feel she deserves His love and forgiveness. Quinn hopes his own belief and faith message will help her change her mind, because he knows only God can heal her heart and fill that void, but will it happen in time to save their relationship? From politicians to judges, the community is rocked when Sadie puts her own life on the line to find who murdered the girl and tried to cover it up with a fire.
Several young men were interested in Sadie. Can Quinn compete? Can he control his jealousy when it comes to her former boyfriends, especially when one is a rich, handsome politician and one owns a mansion. How can he, a small-town police chief, even compete? Learn about how fires are investigated while you enjoy the twists and turns of this novel and see if you can figure out who the killer is. You might find yourself holding your own breath, but not from smoke and fire. And, if you're a classic car lover, there's a yellow bug and a mustang. The author intermingles a fine tale woven with educational fire research so it doesn't jerk the reader from the story. You'll fall in love with Sadie and Quinn.
Grab yours before the smoke clears at http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/Categories.bok or Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. Available for all e-readers at a price that won't burn your pockets.
Deep reads that Touch the Heart. Characters come alive on the page.
Amazon Best-selling Historical Romance
Escape to a romantic period where love endured, grew, and flourished despite a Civil War.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
LAST RESORT COMING SOON--JULY 15
Two desperate people--one last resort, Faith Grace Roussell is stalked by her ex-fiance and forced to search her conflicted heart. The men in her family used guns, but only for hunting. The women never touched them. In a battle of love, loss, and raging jealousy, she strives to build a new life with peace and contentment, but Matt Allen has eyes like magnets she could get as lost in as unknown woods. Will he prove to be a helpmate or just another strawberry cull?
COMING SOON by B. J. ROBINSON RELEASE DATE JULY 15, 2011, AVAILABLE ON ALL EBOOK READERS!
COMING SOON by B. J. ROBINSON RELEASE DATE JULY 15, 2011, AVAILABLE ON ALL EBOOK READERS!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
False Pretenses by Kathy Herman: Grace and Forgiveness on the Bayou
False Pretenses by Kathy Herman is the first Christian suspense novel in a new series Secrets of Roux River Bayou set in Louisiana, published March 2011 by David C. Cook Publisher in both paperback and ebook formats, available on Kindle and Nook among other ereaders. Over forty chapters of suspense that will keep you riveted once you become entwined in the lives of realistic characters who'll touch your heart and soul. Zoe and Pierce Broussard open a Cajun eatery, Zoe B's, and they're happily married for five years before a drug dealer threatens not only their happy union, but also their very lives. Boarders Vanessa and Ethan Langely and their young son, Carter, become involved in the danger when they attempt to help the Broussard family. Five years of deception on Zoe's part sets off a series of events that include a hanging from an oak tree on the Vincent farm that neighbors the Langely Manor to a fight for their very lives.
Someone is getting inside the manor despite the fact that all new locks have been installed on the doors and windows. Carter says he found a candy man in the closet in an upstairs bedroom. Is the intruding stranger real or only a figment of an active four-year old imagination? Sugarcane fields separate the manor from the farm and secret tunnels add to a vivid tale of forgiveness and grace. When a young newspaper boy is murdered, racial tension threatens the entire community. Vanessa and Ethan are renovating the manor as a bed and breakfast unaware of its unique history that will only add to its personal charm, which they discover from an unexpected source.
Vivid description aids readers in visualizing what a Louisiana Cajun community is like by allowing travel through the pages of a good book. Can Zoe and Pierce's lives be saved? And, if so, what about their marriage? He's a proud Cajun? Will pride get in the way of forgiveness and grace? This beautifully told story is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com as well as other online bookstores. While it has a few word omissions and mistakes, I was able to overlook them for the story told and loved the themes and ending as well as the twists and turns. If you like Southern novels, I'd say this is one you won't want to miss. I'm glad I discovered it and can't wait for the others in the series. There was one spot where an error jumped off the page when Pierce and his father are talking toward the end of the book. They were sitting on the porch in a glider, then on a couch, then the father was pushing the glider. I noticed it because I'm a writer learning to hone my craft. As a reader, perhaps I wouldn't have paid it much attention. It's hard to produce a perfect book. My own novel has been through different reviewers and sets of eyes, and such an error was caught by the copy editor in a scene about a truck. I've corrected it, and I'm so glad I have an editor with this novel, because it amazes me at how many sets of eyes have read over my manuscript, including my critique group and others, and it sneaked past them. I was born and raised in Louisiana though, and I don't think I could change my name and pull off being a Cajun. The author did a great job of making what would seem impossible believable though.
I think of the author as the bird lady due to all the beautiful pictures she captures and shares on Facebook. After reading her novel, I feel I have a better picture of who she really is, a beautiful and gracious lady who wrote a beautiful and gracious story of suspense. There were times I didn't want to put the novel down because I wanted to see what happened next. I'd rate the novel four-and-half only because of the few errors, but I promise you the story spun is a five, and anyone who has a love for the South will enjoy this Southern homespun tale of majestic oaks and a plantation called a manor for all the right reasons. I can just see those sugarcane fields waving in the wind and picture that bayou in my mind. Visit Kathy Herman on Facebook and see for yourself her unique talent for bird photography as well as writing.
Someone is getting inside the manor despite the fact that all new locks have been installed on the doors and windows. Carter says he found a candy man in the closet in an upstairs bedroom. Is the intruding stranger real or only a figment of an active four-year old imagination? Sugarcane fields separate the manor from the farm and secret tunnels add to a vivid tale of forgiveness and grace. When a young newspaper boy is murdered, racial tension threatens the entire community. Vanessa and Ethan are renovating the manor as a bed and breakfast unaware of its unique history that will only add to its personal charm, which they discover from an unexpected source.
Vivid description aids readers in visualizing what a Louisiana Cajun community is like by allowing travel through the pages of a good book. Can Zoe and Pierce's lives be saved? And, if so, what about their marriage? He's a proud Cajun? Will pride get in the way of forgiveness and grace? This beautifully told story is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com as well as other online bookstores. While it has a few word omissions and mistakes, I was able to overlook them for the story told and loved the themes and ending as well as the twists and turns. If you like Southern novels, I'd say this is one you won't want to miss. I'm glad I discovered it and can't wait for the others in the series. There was one spot where an error jumped off the page when Pierce and his father are talking toward the end of the book. They were sitting on the porch in a glider, then on a couch, then the father was pushing the glider. I noticed it because I'm a writer learning to hone my craft. As a reader, perhaps I wouldn't have paid it much attention. It's hard to produce a perfect book. My own novel has been through different reviewers and sets of eyes, and such an error was caught by the copy editor in a scene about a truck. I've corrected it, and I'm so glad I have an editor with this novel, because it amazes me at how many sets of eyes have read over my manuscript, including my critique group and others, and it sneaked past them. I was born and raised in Louisiana though, and I don't think I could change my name and pull off being a Cajun. The author did a great job of making what would seem impossible believable though.
I think of the author as the bird lady due to all the beautiful pictures she captures and shares on Facebook. After reading her novel, I feel I have a better picture of who she really is, a beautiful and gracious lady who wrote a beautiful and gracious story of suspense. There were times I didn't want to put the novel down because I wanted to see what happened next. I'd rate the novel four-and-half only because of the few errors, but I promise you the story spun is a five, and anyone who has a love for the South will enjoy this Southern homespun tale of majestic oaks and a plantation called a manor for all the right reasons. I can just see those sugarcane fields waving in the wind and picture that bayou in my mind. Visit Kathy Herman on Facebook and see for yourself her unique talent for bird photography as well as writing.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Empire in Pine Book One: The Green Veil by Naomi Musch
Empire in Pine Book One: The Green Veil by Naomi Musch is forty chapters of layered Christian Fiction published January 1, 2011, by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. and all I can say to begin with is--what a book! I absolutely loved it.
Colette Palmer and Manason Kade grew up together as childhood friends in Michigan, and Colette always hoped he'd be the one. He's her first true love, but when her family relocates to Wisconsin they lose track of one another. She waits years in hopes he'll became a lumber cruiser in Wisconsin, so they'll be reunited. Year after year unravels, and she has to build a new life. She meets Joseph, and he gives her a yellow dog she names Dandy, a beautiful, fancy blue shawl, and proposes, but she holds him at arm's length and says he's her best friend.
She finds herself proposed to by two different men and finally says yes to the second proposal out of compassion. When this man makes a difficult husband and tells her she can't keep her dog, she turns to Joseph for help. Her first love reappears, and she's faced with a difficult decision when he offers refuge. Will she honor her marriage vows? Her heart is torn. Problems surmount and obstacles larger than the woods of Wisconsin rear their ugly heads.
This Christian Fiction novel is layered with rich details realistic to life, and the author provides rich description of beautiful wood scenes, but in a way that enrich the story without detracting from it. I find the plot original, the theme worthy, and I didn't want to put this novel down until I found out what happened to Colette and Manason. Boggs, a lumberman hired by Collette's husband, is a mean man who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Collette has a face-off with him. I loved the part the dog played in it. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, Musch throws in a spin and twist that'll take your breath away. The novel is full of twists that'll make your head spin and keep you on the edge of your seat.
This is the first book in the series of three, and I can't wait to read the other two. The Green Veil is available as an ebook at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and at Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. I know I want to read more by this author, without a doubt, and I rate THE GREEN VEIL a five-star novel!
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok. Click on the orange Desert Breeze Square to the right and go see what a beautiful book it is for yourself. Also, read more about the book and the author at the site.
Colette Palmer and Manason Kade grew up together as childhood friends in Michigan, and Colette always hoped he'd be the one. He's her first true love, but when her family relocates to Wisconsin they lose track of one another. She waits years in hopes he'll became a lumber cruiser in Wisconsin, so they'll be reunited. Year after year unravels, and she has to build a new life. She meets Joseph, and he gives her a yellow dog she names Dandy, a beautiful, fancy blue shawl, and proposes, but she holds him at arm's length and says he's her best friend.
She finds herself proposed to by two different men and finally says yes to the second proposal out of compassion. When this man makes a difficult husband and tells her she can't keep her dog, she turns to Joseph for help. Her first love reappears, and she's faced with a difficult decision when he offers refuge. Will she honor her marriage vows? Her heart is torn. Problems surmount and obstacles larger than the woods of Wisconsin rear their ugly heads.
This Christian Fiction novel is layered with rich details realistic to life, and the author provides rich description of beautiful wood scenes, but in a way that enrich the story without detracting from it. I find the plot original, the theme worthy, and I didn't want to put this novel down until I found out what happened to Colette and Manason. Boggs, a lumberman hired by Collette's husband, is a mean man who'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, and Collette has a face-off with him. I loved the part the dog played in it. Just when you think you know what's going to happen next, Musch throws in a spin and twist that'll take your breath away. The novel is full of twists that'll make your head spin and keep you on the edge of your seat.
This is the first book in the series of three, and I can't wait to read the other two. The Green Veil is available as an ebook at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and at Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. I know I want to read more by this author, without a doubt, and I rate THE GREEN VEIL a five-star novel!
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok. Click on the orange Desert Breeze Square to the right and go see what a beautiful book it is for yourself. Also, read more about the book and the author at the site.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Light of the Heart by Regina Andrews
Light of the Heart by Regina Andrews is a beautiful book inside and out, published by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. March 1, 2011. It's Sterling Lakes Book One, and I look forward to the other novels in the series.
Cascade Preston is a stained-glass artist who struggles to overcome an awful childhood and trust in men. She doesn't want anything to do with the town she grew up in when she's sought to complete the stained-glass project to remodel an old church in Sterling Lakes. Cascade encounters the project manager, Dan McQuay, and though she's attracted and single, she turns down the job and makes up her mind to forget his blue eyes until the ladies at the prison where she volunteers make her think twice. They throw a guilt trip on her, and she ends up wanting to do the windows for the church when she visits the site and thinks they've gotten another artist.
The beauty of this book is in the method the author uses to convey God's light in the heart and entwine it with the light that filters through stained glass windows in a church. Dan McQuay makes it his business to not get involved until he's entwined in the rays of light Cascade throws his way and he opens his heart to God's light. When they both open their hearts to the stained-glass window project, God works in both.
At first Cascade has to face her fear of Dan's leaving like usual when he completes a job. Then, she's offered a big contract and must go to New York if she wants to follow her dreams. Will she marry Dan or follow her dreams and be the one who does the leaving? She feels like she's sold her soul when she flies to New York and signs that big contract. She must search her conflicted heart, and she's so confused she doesn't know what is the right thing to do. Can she face living in Sterling Lakes again, the town she grew up in and hates? Is it possible for God to change her heart about Sterling Lakes and the people who live there, if she lets the light filter in through those stained glass windows? Can she trust Dan not to leave her?
I bought this book and read it on my Nook and loved it. It's available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com for only $4.79, or from the publisher at http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok. Click on the orange Desert Breeze Square to the right and go see what a beautiful book it is for yourself. Also, read more about the book and the author at the site.
If you want to read a beautiful book with a filtered-light story, this is the one. And you won't want to miss what happens when Cascade must face her fear of the water when the canoe tips over during a sudden storm.
Cascade Preston is a stained-glass artist who struggles to overcome an awful childhood and trust in men. She doesn't want anything to do with the town she grew up in when she's sought to complete the stained-glass project to remodel an old church in Sterling Lakes. Cascade encounters the project manager, Dan McQuay, and though she's attracted and single, she turns down the job and makes up her mind to forget his blue eyes until the ladies at the prison where she volunteers make her think twice. They throw a guilt trip on her, and she ends up wanting to do the windows for the church when she visits the site and thinks they've gotten another artist.
The beauty of this book is in the method the author uses to convey God's light in the heart and entwine it with the light that filters through stained glass windows in a church. Dan McQuay makes it his business to not get involved until he's entwined in the rays of light Cascade throws his way and he opens his heart to God's light. When they both open their hearts to the stained-glass window project, God works in both.
At first Cascade has to face her fear of Dan's leaving like usual when he completes a job. Then, she's offered a big contract and must go to New York if she wants to follow her dreams. Will she marry Dan or follow her dreams and be the one who does the leaving? She feels like she's sold her soul when she flies to New York and signs that big contract. She must search her conflicted heart, and she's so confused she doesn't know what is the right thing to do. Can she face living in Sterling Lakes again, the town she grew up in and hates? Is it possible for God to change her heart about Sterling Lakes and the people who live there, if she lets the light filter in through those stained glass windows? Can she trust Dan not to leave her?
I bought this book and read it on my Nook and loved it. It's available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com for only $4.79, or from the publisher at http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok. Click on the orange Desert Breeze Square to the right and go see what a beautiful book it is for yourself. Also, read more about the book and the author at the site.
If you want to read a beautiful book with a filtered-light story, this is the one. And you won't want to miss what happens when Cascade must face her fear of the water when the canoe tips over during a sudden storm.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Is Heartbreak Necessary? By Michael J. Sullivan
Necessary Heartbreak by Michael J. Sullivan published by Gallery Books, copyright 2010 is a novel you can't miss. I couldn't put it down once I started reading, since I was hooked from the first chapter. The main characters are a single dad and his daughter, Michael and Elizabeth. Journey with them through life's obstacle course in the world, as we know it today, as well as through first-century Jerusalem. Michael losses two important women in his life, loves of his life, his mother and his wife. Left with his daughter to raise, he strives to do the best he can and vows never to leave her or allow anyone to hurt her. But, in Jerusalem, Roman soldiers threaten to overpower him, and one wants Elizabeth for his wife. She's only 14, not even allowed to kiss, so Michael is determined not to let this solider have his way with his daughter, but can he save her?
While helping the local church with food pantry items, Elizabeth finds a trap door and explores while Michael goes back upstairs for more items. He returns and follows his daughter through the hole in the basement floor to a world that's only existed in the pages of the Bible. After the loss of his mother and living on New York streets homeless, his faith is shaken, but he soon discovers Jesus is real when Jesus looks at him and says, "Heartbreak is necessary for one to understand how great God's gift of time truly is." He asks Michael if he's there to lift his burden, or to help Jesus with his. Then, Jesus informs him that he shouldn't look too far, since his daughter can lift his burden.
Without the help of a beautiful green-eyed lady in Jerusalem, Leah, Michael and his daughter would have been easy prey for the Roman soldiers, but will her help be enough to save Elizabeth from marrying an unknown Roman soldier, or will she be forced to become his wife to save herself and her father?
A novel that truly mixes life's problems of today and blends them with history, this book will enrich your life and soul. It's a pleasurable read I started late on a Friday evening and completed on the following Sunday. And, it deciphers today's teens well, always in a hurry with earbuds tucked in their ears. Parents of today compete with Ipods, cell phones, and electronics for attention. But, Michael and Elizabeth are whisked back in time and history where no electronic gadgets can aid their rescue, and Liz, as she's called by her friends, has to learn to deal with life on a very humble level without her cell phone. She's grateful for her father and never wants him to leave her side. Will their world ever return to normal? If it does, will Leah be a part of it, or will they be forced to leave her to the Roman soldiers? Will heartbreak be necessary for all of them to survive?
Back Cover Material: An extraordinary journey back in time shows a struggling single dad that the faith he's lost is still alive--and stronger than ever . . . . Michael Stewart has weathered his share of hardships: a troubled childhood, the loss of his mother, even the degradation of living on the city streets. Now, he's raising his teenaged daughter, Elizabeth, on his own and doing the best he can at work and at home. But he's turned his back on his faith--that is, until the morning Michael and Elizabeth volunteer for a food pantry at their local church. While storing boxes in the basement, they step through a mysterious door. . . and find themselves in first-century Jerusalem during the tumultuous last week of Jesus Christ's life. It is a dangerous and violent place, where doing what your heart tells you is right can get you imprisoned--or worse--and they are thankful to take refuge with a kind widow. But when they come face-to-face with Judas Iscariot and the condemned Christ himself, Michael realizes that before they can escape Jerusalem, he must experience history's most necessary and shattering heartbreak--and that pain and loss must happen if Michael is to be set free: to live, love, and reclaim the blessings he has in the present day.
About the Author, Michael J. Sullivan: Michael, a sports journalist and author of sports-themed books for children, started the novel decades ago and some of the flashbacks came from that time period. In May 2007, he began to earnestly work to complete Necessary Heartbreak. After the first draft was completed, he acquired an editor. He says he believes there are people who walk the earth who step into your life for reasons, and he had the help of such people in completing his novel, which is based upon his life experiences.
While on vacation in Orlando, Florida, he received a phone call from Simon & Schuster. Their interest was in publishing a revised edition. He found the perfect fit and the support he needed for the trilogy, was placed in the hands of a capable editor, and took a year to write, re-write, revise, and re-write the novel. He thanks his wife for her help and support as well as all others who played a hand in the outcome of its publication. The appendix contains a Reading Group Guide.
Michael lives in New York City and hosts several sports radio shows. He's worked with ESPN and Sporting News. He's a graduate of St. John's University. Visit him at www.whentimeforgets.com. There's also an ebook edition available.
In my humble and honest opinion, this is one of the best books I've read since last summer when I read Lynn Austin's All She Ever Wanted and Chris Fabry's Dogwood. I urge you to grab Necessary Heartbreak for a read you won't soon forget. It's available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com and hit local bookstores last March 31! If you haven't read it yet, don't miss it on its anniversary!
While helping the local church with food pantry items, Elizabeth finds a trap door and explores while Michael goes back upstairs for more items. He returns and follows his daughter through the hole in the basement floor to a world that's only existed in the pages of the Bible. After the loss of his mother and living on New York streets homeless, his faith is shaken, but he soon discovers Jesus is real when Jesus looks at him and says, "Heartbreak is necessary for one to understand how great God's gift of time truly is." He asks Michael if he's there to lift his burden, or to help Jesus with his. Then, Jesus informs him that he shouldn't look too far, since his daughter can lift his burden.
Without the help of a beautiful green-eyed lady in Jerusalem, Leah, Michael and his daughter would have been easy prey for the Roman soldiers, but will her help be enough to save Elizabeth from marrying an unknown Roman soldier, or will she be forced to become his wife to save herself and her father?
A novel that truly mixes life's problems of today and blends them with history, this book will enrich your life and soul. It's a pleasurable read I started late on a Friday evening and completed on the following Sunday. And, it deciphers today's teens well, always in a hurry with earbuds tucked in their ears. Parents of today compete with Ipods, cell phones, and electronics for attention. But, Michael and Elizabeth are whisked back in time and history where no electronic gadgets can aid their rescue, and Liz, as she's called by her friends, has to learn to deal with life on a very humble level without her cell phone. She's grateful for her father and never wants him to leave her side. Will their world ever return to normal? If it does, will Leah be a part of it, or will they be forced to leave her to the Roman soldiers? Will heartbreak be necessary for all of them to survive?
Back Cover Material: An extraordinary journey back in time shows a struggling single dad that the faith he's lost is still alive--and stronger than ever . . . . Michael Stewart has weathered his share of hardships: a troubled childhood, the loss of his mother, even the degradation of living on the city streets. Now, he's raising his teenaged daughter, Elizabeth, on his own and doing the best he can at work and at home. But he's turned his back on his faith--that is, until the morning Michael and Elizabeth volunteer for a food pantry at their local church. While storing boxes in the basement, they step through a mysterious door. . . and find themselves in first-century Jerusalem during the tumultuous last week of Jesus Christ's life. It is a dangerous and violent place, where doing what your heart tells you is right can get you imprisoned--or worse--and they are thankful to take refuge with a kind widow. But when they come face-to-face with Judas Iscariot and the condemned Christ himself, Michael realizes that before they can escape Jerusalem, he must experience history's most necessary and shattering heartbreak--and that pain and loss must happen if Michael is to be set free: to live, love, and reclaim the blessings he has in the present day.
About the Author, Michael J. Sullivan: Michael, a sports journalist and author of sports-themed books for children, started the novel decades ago and some of the flashbacks came from that time period. In May 2007, he began to earnestly work to complete Necessary Heartbreak. After the first draft was completed, he acquired an editor. He says he believes there are people who walk the earth who step into your life for reasons, and he had the help of such people in completing his novel, which is based upon his life experiences.
While on vacation in Orlando, Florida, he received a phone call from Simon & Schuster. Their interest was in publishing a revised edition. He found the perfect fit and the support he needed for the trilogy, was placed in the hands of a capable editor, and took a year to write, re-write, revise, and re-write the novel. He thanks his wife for her help and support as well as all others who played a hand in the outcome of its publication. The appendix contains a Reading Group Guide.
Michael lives in New York City and hosts several sports radio shows. He's worked with ESPN and Sporting News. He's a graduate of St. John's University. Visit him at www.whentimeforgets.com. There's also an ebook edition available.
In my humble and honest opinion, this is one of the best books I've read since last summer when I read Lynn Austin's All She Ever Wanted and Chris Fabry's Dogwood. I urge you to grab Necessary Heartbreak for a read you won't soon forget. It's available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com and hit local bookstores last March 31! If you haven't read it yet, don't miss it on its anniversary!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Blurb for Last Resort Novel to be Released July 15!
Two desperate people--one last resort, Faith Grace Roussell is stalked by her ex-fiance and forced to search her conflicted heart. In a battle of love, loss, and raging jealousy, she strives to build a new life with peace and contentment, but Matt Allen has eyes like magnets she could get as lost in as unknown woods. Will he prove to be a helpmate or just another strawberry cull?
Faith is pursued by an ex, shattered dreams, an awesome God, and a cowboy farmer. There's only one place she can turn . . .
What Readers Are Saying About B. J. Robinson's Last Resort
"B. J. Robinson's Last Resort is an inspirational romantic suspense story that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat -- both to see if the villain is overcome and to see if Matt and Faith end up together. You don't want to miss this one with its twists; it's a great read!"
Deb Haggerty, Author and Speaker
"The warm, sweet romance, yet insightful story, will touch your heart with its simplicity and charm."
Janet Perez Eckles, Author and Speaker
Faith is pursued by an ex, shattered dreams, an awesome God, and a cowboy farmer. There's only one place she can turn . . .
What Readers Are Saying About B. J. Robinson's Last Resort
"B. J. Robinson's Last Resort is an inspirational romantic suspense story that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat -- both to see if the villain is overcome and to see if Matt and Faith end up together. You don't want to miss this one with its twists; it's a great read!"
Deb Haggerty, Author and Speaker
"The warm, sweet romance, yet insightful story, will touch your heart with its simplicity and charm."
Janet Perez Eckles, Author and Speaker
What Readers Are Saying About B. J. Robinson's Last Resort
What Readers Are Saying About B. J. Robinson's Last Resort
"B. J. Robinson's Last Resort is an inspirational romantic suspense story that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat -- both to see if the villain is overcome and to see if Matt and Faith end up together. You don't want to miss this one with its twists; it's a great read!"
Deb Haggerty, Author and Speaker
"The warm, sweet romance, yet insightful story, will touch your heart with its simplicity and charm."
Janet Perez Eckles, Author and Speaker
"B. J. Robinson's Last Resort is an inspirational romantic suspense story that keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat -- both to see if the villain is overcome and to see if Matt and Faith end up together. You don't want to miss this one with its twists; it's a great read!"
Deb Haggerty, Author and Speaker
"The warm, sweet romance, yet insightful story, will touch your heart with its simplicity and charm."
Janet Perez Eckles, Author and Speaker
Blog Tour Karen Kingsbury's LEAVING
TODAY'S THE DAY--DRAWING FOR A FREE COPY OF KAREN KINGSBURY'S LEAVING IN CELEBRATION OF HER BLOG TOUR!
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury is twenty-six chapters of a coming-of-age love story between Bailey Flangian and Cody Coleman published by Zondervan, copyright 2011. After confessing his love for Bailey, Cody disappears from her life with no phone calls or texts, no explanation. She's left to wonder why and while her heart aches for him, her true love, she's tempted by two other very eligible men. She's chasing a dream of dancing on Broadway, but has to face leaving her family and friends for the adventure and lifetime opportunity. Can her heart forget Cody? He seems to have forgotten her and moved on with his life. Even with the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood wooing her, she still can't get Cody out of her mind.
The author keeps you turning the pages with hope and just when you think there's a possibility Bailey and Cody will get together, new friends complicate the situation until they're driven apart again. Will Cody ever be honest with Bailey and confess his true reason for distancing himself, or will he leave her to wonder and yearn? The Baxter family is featured, and this book is suppose to complete the Bailey/Cody story, but it leaves room for more, and readers, like myself, may desire to read more about Bailey and Cody.
Don't miss this best-selling author's new novel. Visit her at www.KarenKingsbury.com. I've read Sunrise and Unlocked, and her books won't disappoint.
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury is twenty-six chapters of a coming-of-age love story between Bailey Flangian and Cody Coleman published by Zondervan, copyright 2011. After confessing his love for Bailey, Cody disappears from her life with no phone calls or texts, no explanation. She's left to wonder why and while her heart aches for him, her true love, she's tempted by two other very eligible men. She's chasing a dream of dancing on Broadway, but has to face leaving her family and friends for the adventure and lifetime opportunity. Can her heart forget Cody? He seems to have forgotten her and moved on with his life. Even with the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood wooing her, she still can't get Cody out of her mind.
The author keeps you turning the pages with hope and just when you think there's a possibility Bailey and Cody will get together, new friends complicate the situation until they're driven apart again. Will Cody ever be honest with Bailey and confess his true reason for distancing himself, or will he leave her to wonder and yearn? The Baxter family is featured, and this book is suppose to complete the Bailey/Cody story, but it leaves room for more, and readers, like myself, may desire to read more about Bailey and Cody.
Don't miss this best-selling author's new novel. Visit her at www.KarenKingsbury.com. I've read Sunrise and Unlocked, and her books won't disappoint.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Catch a Great Read with Danielle Thorne's Turtle Soup
Turtle Soup by Danielle Thorne is 21 Chapters of romance set in Georgia with a Caribbean visit, published by the author, Smashwords Edition, Copyright 2010. Sara Hart and Jack Brandon collide, and she ends up with his planner, his little black book. When she discovers he's a marine biologist who works at the Georgia Aquarium and researches sea turltes, she decides to name her deli Turtle Soup. From their first encounter, they conflict instead of click. Sara takes a scuba class and Jack turns out to be a diving-instructor hero in more ways than one. They can't see eye-to-eye on land, but underneath the beautiful water through their diving masks, their vision becomes clear.
Add Jack's eighty-year old secretary and a jealous redhead to the mix. Will Sara and Jack ever reconcile their differences? Sara's deli struggles. Will she be able to survive and save it? What will become of the homeless man who sleeps against the wall of the deli's backdoor? And can Sara overcome her fear of water, after losing both her parents to a drowning accident, long enough to become a certified diver? Worse, when Jack gives up on Sara and leaves Georgia to return home to his boat in the Caribbean, will Sara's Caribbean vacation cost her niece her life? Will Jack give up on Sara for good, or can an underwater world and an old sea turtle friend change their conflicting views?
Once I started this novel, I didn't want to put it down. It's creative and original with a different type of hero. I found the Georgia Aquarium and sea-turtle research interesting, and the author's underwater descriptions allow the reader to experience diving with vivid detail. It's not just another romance, but it's a sea-turtle one I thoroughly enjoyed.
This novel is available at Barnes and Noble as a Nook book for only $4.99, which is the way I enjoyed it. Don't miss the author's beautiful blog at http://www.daniellethorne.com/turtle-soup/, and if you don't have an ereader, you can download the novel as a PDF file and read it on your computer. You may visit Danielle Thorne on Facebook. A free Nook app is available for download on your iphone from Barnes and Noble. The book has a beautiful cover that will make you want to dive right in and discover the Caribbean treasure in a wonderland of underwater diving. Catch Turtle Soup and a free recipe at the end of the novel for Turtle Soup's cherry whip.
Add Jack's eighty-year old secretary and a jealous redhead to the mix. Will Sara and Jack ever reconcile their differences? Sara's deli struggles. Will she be able to survive and save it? What will become of the homeless man who sleeps against the wall of the deli's backdoor? And can Sara overcome her fear of water, after losing both her parents to a drowning accident, long enough to become a certified diver? Worse, when Jack gives up on Sara and leaves Georgia to return home to his boat in the Caribbean, will Sara's Caribbean vacation cost her niece her life? Will Jack give up on Sara for good, or can an underwater world and an old sea turtle friend change their conflicting views?
Once I started this novel, I didn't want to put it down. It's creative and original with a different type of hero. I found the Georgia Aquarium and sea-turtle research interesting, and the author's underwater descriptions allow the reader to experience diving with vivid detail. It's not just another romance, but it's a sea-turtle one I thoroughly enjoyed.
This novel is available at Barnes and Noble as a Nook book for only $4.99, which is the way I enjoyed it. Don't miss the author's beautiful blog at http://www.daniellethorne.com/turtle-soup/, and if you don't have an ereader, you can download the novel as a PDF file and read it on your computer. You may visit Danielle Thorne on Facebook. A free Nook app is available for download on your iphone from Barnes and Noble. The book has a beautiful cover that will make you want to dive right in and discover the Caribbean treasure in a wonderland of underwater diving. Catch Turtle Soup and a free recipe at the end of the novel for Turtle Soup's cherry whip.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
LAST RESORT RELEASE DATE JULY 15, 2011
Two desperate people--one last resort, Faith Grace Roussell is stalked by her ex-fiance and forced to search her conflicted heart. The men in her family used guns, but only for hunting. The women never touched them. In a battle of love, loss, and raging jealousy, she strives to build a new life with peace and contentment, but Matt Allen has eyes like magnets she could get as lost in as unknown woods. Will he prove to be a helpmate or just another strawberry cull?
COMING SOON by B. J. ROBINSON RELEASE DATE JULY 15, 2011, AVAILABLE ON ALL EBOOK READERS!
COMING SOON by B. J. ROBINSON RELEASE DATE JULY 15, 2011, AVAILABLE ON ALL EBOOK READERS!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury
Leaving by Karen Kingsbury is twenty-six chapters of a coming-of-age love story between Bailey Flangian and Cody Coleman published by Zondervan, copyright 2011. After confessing his love for Bailey, Cody disappears from her life with no phone calls or texts, no explanation. She's left to wonder why and while her heart aches for him, her true love, she's tempted by two other very eligible men. She's chasing a dream of dancing on Broadway, but has to face leaving her family and friends for the adventure and lifetime opportunity. Can her heart forget Cody? He seems to have forgotten her and moved on with his life. Even with the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood wooing her, she still can't get Cody out of her mind.
The author keeps you turning the pages with hope and just when you think there's a possibility Bailey and Cody will get together, new friends complicate the situation until they're driven apart again. Will Cody ever be honest with Bailey and confess his true reason for distancing himself, or will he leave her to wonder and yearn? The Baxter family is featured, and this book is suppose to complete the Bailey/Cody story, but it leaves room for more, and readers, like myself, may desire to read more about Bailey and Cody.
Don't miss this best-selling author's new novel. Visit her at www.KarenKingsbury.com. I've read Sunrise and Unlocked, and her books won't disappoint.
The author keeps you turning the pages with hope and just when you think there's a possibility Bailey and Cody will get together, new friends complicate the situation until they're driven apart again. Will Cody ever be honest with Bailey and confess his true reason for distancing himself, or will he leave her to wonder and yearn? The Baxter family is featured, and this book is suppose to complete the Bailey/Cody story, but it leaves room for more, and readers, like myself, may desire to read more about Bailey and Cody.
Don't miss this best-selling author's new novel. Visit her at www.KarenKingsbury.com. I've read Sunrise and Unlocked, and her books won't disappoint.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Bound by Guilt by C. J. Darlington
Bound by Guilt by C. J. Darlington is forty-one chapters of page-turning fiction published by Tyndale House Publishers February 21, 201l. I enjoyed it on my Nook. Roxi Gold is a sixteen-year-old who has been shuttled amongst foster parents since she was taken at eight from her mother. Always on the move, she's never known anything lasting. Her heart yearns for a real family and parents who love her, but each new family disappoints her and proves that no one could love her, or so she thinks, especially after tracking her own mother down and finding she's still not wanted.
When she's taken in by a relative, she strives to please no matter what. She's taught to steal books for a living and travels around the country in an RV. One night, they hit the wrong place--Dawson's Book Barn, and their lives slowly begin to unravel when Hunter Dawson, the manager who lives in an attached apartment wakes and catches them red-handed. Roxi can't take the guilt and wishes she could turn back the clock, but the past can't be erased. She runs away one time too many in the end. Will this be her last mistake?
Darlington has woven a Christian tale about a young teen whose life falls apart, one who eventually has to face police woman, Abby Dawson, Hunter's sister. Is it too late to save Roxi, in more ways than one? Will Roxi ever find someone who will truly love and care about her as a person? She's used to fighting her battles alone, determined and independent, but this time, she faces one she can't win alone. I loved the special touch of including the story line about an unwanted dog who was also abused. I didn't want to put this novel down until I found out what happened to Roxi in the end.
BOUND BY GUILT is available in paperback or ebook form from Amazon or Barnes and Noble among other online publishers. I snagged my copy from Barnes and Noble, and I'm so glad I did. This is C. J.'s second novel, and I've read, reviewed, and loved both. Her first, THICKER THAN BLOOD won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Contest and $20,000, so C. J. is truly an award-winning author. Don't miss either of her inspirational books. Let your fingers race to the nearest online store and let them fly off the shelf to your ereader today! No waiting. No trips to the store. In just a few minutes, you can read this wonderful tale you won't want to put down.
When she's taken in by a relative, she strives to please no matter what. She's taught to steal books for a living and travels around the country in an RV. One night, they hit the wrong place--Dawson's Book Barn, and their lives slowly begin to unravel when Hunter Dawson, the manager who lives in an attached apartment wakes and catches them red-handed. Roxi can't take the guilt and wishes she could turn back the clock, but the past can't be erased. She runs away one time too many in the end. Will this be her last mistake?
Darlington has woven a Christian tale about a young teen whose life falls apart, one who eventually has to face police woman, Abby Dawson, Hunter's sister. Is it too late to save Roxi, in more ways than one? Will Roxi ever find someone who will truly love and care about her as a person? She's used to fighting her battles alone, determined and independent, but this time, she faces one she can't win alone. I loved the special touch of including the story line about an unwanted dog who was also abused. I didn't want to put this novel down until I found out what happened to Roxi in the end.
BOUND BY GUILT is available in paperback or ebook form from Amazon or Barnes and Noble among other online publishers. I snagged my copy from Barnes and Noble, and I'm so glad I did. This is C. J.'s second novel, and I've read, reviewed, and loved both. Her first, THICKER THAN BLOOD won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Contest and $20,000, so C. J. is truly an award-winning author. Don't miss either of her inspirational books. Let your fingers race to the nearest online store and let them fly off the shelf to your ereader today! No waiting. No trips to the store. In just a few minutes, you can read this wonderful tale you won't want to put down.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A Promise of Hope by Amy Clipston: A Promise of Hope for Sarah & Luke's Love Story
A Promise of Hope by Amy Clipston, copyright 2010, published by Zondervan, is twenty-seven chapters of promise with an epilogue and discussion questions. Hope for Luke and Sarah will keep you turning the pages. Sara's lost her husband Peter in a fire at the furniture store, and she's having twins. Secrets from the past reveal their ugly heads and make her wonder if her marriage was a sham, but she loved her husband. Luke sets out to discover what happened to his brother, Peter, and entwines himself in the Kauffman family and the Amish furniture store. He longs for a real family and can't help envying how his brother fell into such a large, caring family and ended up with Sarah, a beautiful, sweet wife.
An old friend, Norman, who also lost his wife and has children to raise on his own, hopes to win Sarah's hand in marriage. Sarah is faced with tough decisions when Norman proposes to her, but she can't get Luke out of her mind. It doesn't help matters that her brother, Timothy, encourages Norman and discourages Luke. Will she listen to her brother and what makes logical sense or her heart? Can she marry a man she doesn’t love for the sake of her twins? She doesn't want to face raising them alone. I became so involved in Luke and Sarah's story that I didn't want to put the novel down until finished. While Amish fiction is not my usual dose, since I love romantic suspense, this book is a worthy read, and I found it engaging.
It's an excellent read and may be purchased online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. It's available as a paperback, hardcover, or ebook for the Kindle or Nook. The author is an American Christian Fiction Writer (ACFW) and lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons.
An old friend, Norman, who also lost his wife and has children to raise on his own, hopes to win Sarah's hand in marriage. Sarah is faced with tough decisions when Norman proposes to her, but she can't get Luke out of her mind. It doesn't help matters that her brother, Timothy, encourages Norman and discourages Luke. Will she listen to her brother and what makes logical sense or her heart? Can she marry a man she doesn’t love for the sake of her twins? She doesn't want to face raising them alone. I became so involved in Luke and Sarah's story that I didn't want to put the novel down until finished. While Amish fiction is not my usual dose, since I love romantic suspense, this book is a worthy read, and I found it engaging.
It's an excellent read and may be purchased online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. It's available as a paperback, hardcover, or ebook for the Kindle or Nook. The author is an American Christian Fiction Writer (ACFW) and lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Last Resort
My publisher, Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. has moved up the publication date for my novel Last Resort. It releases July 2011 instead of March 1, 2012, and will be available on all ereaders.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tina Pinson's Writing Journey
Clash of the Titles (www.clashofthetitles.com) conqueror, Tina Pinson (www.tinapinson.com), shares her long journey to publication and how to stay true to the Writer Within—the one God made you to be.
I started writing in elementary school. I felt like God gave me a love for words and a grand imagination so I should put them to use.I would write my stories and people would see the unique writer God made me. Editors would read my stories and be astounded. (more true than not when they saw how horrible my editing was).
I won awards for poetry and songs. Published short stories, took writer's courses, finalled in the Noble Theme Contest (Genesis), and had an agent ask to manage me.
Years passed… no contract. Was I a horrible writer? No. It just wasn’t my time. Still, it stung. God never said it would be easy. He said to persevere.
People told me that Christian Fiction was a waste. They said if I really wanted to use my writing for the Lord, I'd write devotionals, or do a biography about someone who had done great things for the Lord. I wondered if they were right. I wasn't getting published, maybe writing novels was stupid. So I tried to write like everyone else thought I should. It turned out bea-u-ti-ful-y. NOT.
God gave me my words and my imagination. When I didn't use it in the way he ordained, I felt listless. Why? Because I needed to write God's will. There are people I was created to touch. If I'm not true to the writer God made me, I may not reach them. I settled on the fact that I should write Christian Fiction. Now that I had that settled before myself and God, the editors would come calling. I would have a contract soon.
More time passed. It hit me, while God had promised to meet my needs and give me a most awesome future, he never promised I'd be published. (Never said I wouldn't, either.)That was tough to wrap my head around, I couldn't believe God would give me these stories and not let me publish them. So, I took matters into my own hands and self-published my own books, and God saw that they were good and blessed me immensely. Yeah… and I never color my hair either. I learned volumes, spent volumes and shed a few tears. Does self-pubbing work for some people? Yes, but not for me.
I ended up in a funk. My brain was all over the place. Words failed me. I thought God was so upset with me he took my gift of writing away.
Shallow thoughts, but they plagued me. I had to go right back and lay my writing, my pride, at God's feet. He filled my imagination and life with promise again. A promise that I'd never lost, I just didn't see it because my own desires made the truth so murky. God promised to use my words—me –even if I never became published. I also learned I could use some preparation. I had some work to do, some things to learn.
I worked on my quality of writing. Rewrites. Editing. But I had to work on more than the written word. I needed to tend to the quality of the writer within.
Toward the end of 2009, God answered, and Desert Breeze Publishing contracted two stories. I just needed to be the writer God wanted me to be and stop bouncing from one plan to the next--to continue forward, and keep my focus on God's plan. I had to stop pushing, stop trying to be like other writers and remember to be myself. To not do so was to lose sight of the unique qualities God formed in me. Now, before I let my emotions and thoughts get the best of me, I remind myself to go to God and rejuvenate my mind and spirit. To reach that place… I rely on one of a writer's greatest assets…Prayer. That's where every story begins.
I started writing in elementary school. I felt like God gave me a love for words and a grand imagination so I should put them to use.I would write my stories and people would see the unique writer God made me. Editors would read my stories and be astounded. (more true than not when they saw how horrible my editing was).
I won awards for poetry and songs. Published short stories, took writer's courses, finalled in the Noble Theme Contest (Genesis), and had an agent ask to manage me.
Years passed… no contract. Was I a horrible writer? No. It just wasn’t my time. Still, it stung. God never said it would be easy. He said to persevere.
People told me that Christian Fiction was a waste. They said if I really wanted to use my writing for the Lord, I'd write devotionals, or do a biography about someone who had done great things for the Lord. I wondered if they were right. I wasn't getting published, maybe writing novels was stupid. So I tried to write like everyone else thought I should. It turned out bea-u-ti-ful-y. NOT.
God gave me my words and my imagination. When I didn't use it in the way he ordained, I felt listless. Why? Because I needed to write God's will. There are people I was created to touch. If I'm not true to the writer God made me, I may not reach them. I settled on the fact that I should write Christian Fiction. Now that I had that settled before myself and God, the editors would come calling. I would have a contract soon.
More time passed. It hit me, while God had promised to meet my needs and give me a most awesome future, he never promised I'd be published. (Never said I wouldn't, either.)That was tough to wrap my head around, I couldn't believe God would give me these stories and not let me publish them. So, I took matters into my own hands and self-published my own books, and God saw that they were good and blessed me immensely. Yeah… and I never color my hair either. I learned volumes, spent volumes and shed a few tears. Does self-pubbing work for some people? Yes, but not for me.
I ended up in a funk. My brain was all over the place. Words failed me. I thought God was so upset with me he took my gift of writing away.
Shallow thoughts, but they plagued me. I had to go right back and lay my writing, my pride, at God's feet. He filled my imagination and life with promise again. A promise that I'd never lost, I just didn't see it because my own desires made the truth so murky. God promised to use my words—me –even if I never became published. I also learned I could use some preparation. I had some work to do, some things to learn.
I worked on my quality of writing. Rewrites. Editing. But I had to work on more than the written word. I needed to tend to the quality of the writer within.
Toward the end of 2009, God answered, and Desert Breeze Publishing contracted two stories. I just needed to be the writer God wanted me to be and stop bouncing from one plan to the next--to continue forward, and keep my focus on God's plan. I had to stop pushing, stop trying to be like other writers and remember to be myself. To not do so was to lose sight of the unique qualities God formed in me. Now, before I let my emotions and thoughts get the best of me, I remind myself to go to God and rejuvenate my mind and spirit. To reach that place… I rely on one of a writer's greatest assets…Prayer. That's where every story begins.
Friday, February 18, 2011
It's Not About Me by Michelle Sutton
Michelle Sutton has done it again! She's written It's Not About Me, another novel you won't be able to put down. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a roller coaster ride in a triangle of love. Annie is in love with Tony and plans to spend the rest of her life with him after college, but Tony doesn't want to wait that long for their life together to begin. He produces his grandmother's wedding ring and asks Annie to marry him. His unwillingness to be patient and wait and Annie's wearing the valuable ring starts a chain reaction of events that totally change both of their lives. Tony pays dearly for his lack of patience, but the cost to Annie is even higher. Then, there's Tony's older brother Dan, who is more mature and has his faith in place. He's in love with Annie, too. Annie must fight for her life after a vicious attack. Tony's guilt keeps him from visiting, but big brother steps in. Which brother will she choose, the one who is there for her and stands by her, or the one who turns to the bottle and has his own demons to fight?
This novel showcases realistically how teens are faced with temptation and peer pressure. It also shows the difference between puppy love and a deeper, more mature love, the type of love that survives no matter what. This 27-chapter novel is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com as an ebook available for the Kindle or Nook, or a paperback. It may also be purchased from the publisher's site, Sheaf House Publishers, LLC. It's A Second Glances Novel # 1 in the series, and it won't disappoint. The author is becoming well known for her edgy, heart-healing fiction with elements of faith, and this book could prove to be life-changing.
This novel showcases realistically how teens are faced with temptation and peer pressure. It also shows the difference between puppy love and a deeper, more mature love, the type of love that survives no matter what. This 27-chapter novel is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com as an ebook available for the Kindle or Nook, or a paperback. It may also be purchased from the publisher's site, Sheaf House Publishers, LLC. It's A Second Glances Novel # 1 in the series, and it won't disappoint. The author is becoming well known for her edgy, heart-healing fiction with elements of faith, and this book could prove to be life-changing.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
My Novel Last Resort Releases March 1, 2012
I just signed a contract with Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. and Last Resort, my inspirational romantic suspense novel will release March 1, 2012, and be available on all ereaders. I'll read my own novel on my Nook, a Christmas present from hubby this year.
Those of you who've kept up with my writing know that I've worked long and hard on this novel, three years in fact. Praise God it's going to see the light of day. You'll be able to purchase it through Desert Breeze by clicking on the link above, or through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Christianbook.com, and many other online vendors. The great news is it will sell for $5.99, and it's a 79,000 word novel. You'll get your money's worth.
Please sign to follow my blog if you haven't, so you can keep abreast of my other writing and publishing and news about Last Resort. A blurb and a sample chapter will be available nearer to the release date, maybe even a glimpse of the book cover.
"Honoring God's Calling," a story wrote during my first Christian Writers Guild Apprentice class has been published in Together, Fall 2010, and I received a $40 check. This is a church bulletin for a church outreach program in Harrisonburg, VA. I wish to thank my CWG writing mentor, Eva Marie Everson, for encouraging me not to give up on this story. I'd revised it and titled it "The Mechanic," but the revised editions were not selected for publication. Go figure. One of my early drafts made it.
My nonfiction story "Flat Tires: Where's God When You Need Him?" was accepted for publication by Hurray God! It will be publihsed in Hurray God! Hope, Dream, Pray, Believe near the end of 2011. President of Hurray God, Jeanette Sharp bought the story for the anthology, and I signed the contract. These stories were submitted years ago when I took my first Apprentice course with the Christian Writers Guild, so don't give up; keep penning. With this one, the revised edition made it.
I have an author devotional, "Why Write When You Keep Getting Rejections?" in the beautiful book Words to Write By compiled by Robin Bayne. This book is pure inspiration for writers, and I hope my journey shows other writers why they should keep writing. Publishing wheels slowly turn.
Thanks to all of my FB friends and family and my blog guests and followers for taking this journey with me.
Those of you who've kept up with my writing know that I've worked long and hard on this novel, three years in fact. Praise God it's going to see the light of day. You'll be able to purchase it through Desert Breeze by clicking on the link above, or through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Christianbook.com, and many other online vendors. The great news is it will sell for $5.99, and it's a 79,000 word novel. You'll get your money's worth.
Please sign to follow my blog if you haven't, so you can keep abreast of my other writing and publishing and news about Last Resort. A blurb and a sample chapter will be available nearer to the release date, maybe even a glimpse of the book cover.
"Honoring God's Calling," a story wrote during my first Christian Writers Guild Apprentice class has been published in Together, Fall 2010, and I received a $40 check. This is a church bulletin for a church outreach program in Harrisonburg, VA. I wish to thank my CWG writing mentor, Eva Marie Everson, for encouraging me not to give up on this story. I'd revised it and titled it "The Mechanic," but the revised editions were not selected for publication. Go figure. One of my early drafts made it.
My nonfiction story "Flat Tires: Where's God When You Need Him?" was accepted for publication by Hurray God! It will be publihsed in Hurray God! Hope, Dream, Pray, Believe near the end of 2011. President of Hurray God, Jeanette Sharp bought the story for the anthology, and I signed the contract. These stories were submitted years ago when I took my first Apprentice course with the Christian Writers Guild, so don't give up; keep penning. With this one, the revised edition made it.
I have an author devotional, "Why Write When You Keep Getting Rejections?" in the beautiful book Words to Write By compiled by Robin Bayne. This book is pure inspiration for writers, and I hope my journey shows other writers why they should keep writing. Publishing wheels slowly turn.
Thanks to all of my FB friends and family and my blog guests and followers for taking this journey with me.
Monday, January 17, 2011
In Plain Sight by Michelle Sutton
In Plain Sight by Michelle Sutton is a Christian inspirational suspense novel published by Desert Breeze Publishing. Twenty chapters lure you into a well-developed plot where the main character Jovana struggles to overcome her past. Abused and abandoned by a former boyfriend, who left her on the street to die, she loses her unborn child.
Jovana relocates to Arizona where she works in a diner and meets two handsome men. Roadblocks of learning the English language and being confused with idioms are minor setbacks compared to inner struggles with her faith as a new, "baby" Christian and learning to accept the love of a good man.
Will she choose Kurt, a flirting customer, or Randy, the diner's manager? She feels more comfortable with Kurt, because she doesn't feel she's worthy of Randy, her boss. When Laney and Bojan, her brother, (from previous novel Danger at the Door) go to Paris for their wedding, Jovana and Randy are thrown together. Bojan asks Randy to stay with Jovana while they're out of the country. Kurt keeps phoning her and has his own plans for Jovana. Will she ever see through him, or will she rebel against her brother's protection as she did as a teen?
This novel's characters come alive for the reader. Both outer and inner conflicts provide a light suspense, and the short book packs a powerful punch when Jovana's ultimate decision and choice of men determine her future on earth and in heaven. The author spins a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. It's powerful story unlocks keys as to why people act certain ways and can be an instrument to aid understanding that will enable others to reach out and lend that helping hand that is so desperately needed, or at least be able to understand.
With In Plain Sight, the author weaves a tale of romance and redemption. I loved Danger at the Door, the first book, but this novel was even better. I highly recommend both being read one after the other for the most impact. You get to know and love the characters from the first book and continue to read about them in the second for a powerful experience.
Both books are available on Kindle at Amazon.com or Nook at Barnes and Noble.com, where I purchased mine for only $4 something each, and they're well worth it. They may also be purchased through the publisher Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. These novels are fast-paced, hook you within the first chapter, and make you want to finish the story. I found it hard to put them down once I started reading and wanted to continue straight through. Discover another world, another culture, and live other characters' lives through the pages of these excellent five-star novels.
Visit Michelle Sutton on Facebook or at http://www.michellesutton.net. She's an avid reader and writer and has a "Healing Hearts" book review blog at http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com. Let her powerful books heal your heart!
Jovana relocates to Arizona where she works in a diner and meets two handsome men. Roadblocks of learning the English language and being confused with idioms are minor setbacks compared to inner struggles with her faith as a new, "baby" Christian and learning to accept the love of a good man.
Will she choose Kurt, a flirting customer, or Randy, the diner's manager? She feels more comfortable with Kurt, because she doesn't feel she's worthy of Randy, her boss. When Laney and Bojan, her brother, (from previous novel Danger at the Door) go to Paris for their wedding, Jovana and Randy are thrown together. Bojan asks Randy to stay with Jovana while they're out of the country. Kurt keeps phoning her and has his own plans for Jovana. Will she ever see through him, or will she rebel against her brother's protection as she did as a teen?
This novel's characters come alive for the reader. Both outer and inner conflicts provide a light suspense, and the short book packs a powerful punch when Jovana's ultimate decision and choice of men determine her future on earth and in heaven. The author spins a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. It's powerful story unlocks keys as to why people act certain ways and can be an instrument to aid understanding that will enable others to reach out and lend that helping hand that is so desperately needed, or at least be able to understand.
With In Plain Sight, the author weaves a tale of romance and redemption. I loved Danger at the Door, the first book, but this novel was even better. I highly recommend both being read one after the other for the most impact. You get to know and love the characters from the first book and continue to read about them in the second for a powerful experience.
Both books are available on Kindle at Amazon.com or Nook at Barnes and Noble.com, where I purchased mine for only $4 something each, and they're well worth it. They may also be purchased through the publisher Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. These novels are fast-paced, hook you within the first chapter, and make you want to finish the story. I found it hard to put them down once I started reading and wanted to continue straight through. Discover another world, another culture, and live other characters' lives through the pages of these excellent five-star novels.
Visit Michelle Sutton on Facebook or at http://www.michellesutton.net. She's an avid reader and writer and has a "Healing Hearts" book review blog at http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com. Let her powerful books heal your heart!
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton is a Christian inspirational suspense novel published by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. and released August 1, 2009. Laney Cooper captures your heart from the beginning. She's lost everyone she's ever loved in car accidents and fear has caused her to become a recluse. She's afraid of riding in a vehicle, driving one, and of loving and losing again.
Thirty-two chapters keep you turning the pages as you experience the healing of Laney's heart as she discovers a new interest in the least likely of places and jobs--Bojan, a pizza delivery man who turns out to be much more. Danger at Laney's door appears in more than one way. There's the danger of falling in love again as well as true physical danger when it comes knocking on her door multiple times.
Hooked early, I nearly read the novel straight through and didn't want to put it down. It's the first one I've read on my new Christmas present, a Nook, and I didn't want to put it or the Nook down until finished. I enjoyed the author's writing style and laughed out loud as well as shed a few tears. This book touched me emotionally, and I enjoyed reading about a different culture than my own. Laney and her new interest have a difficult time communicating, since he's learning the English language and idioms cause misunderstandings between them and afford the reader great laughs.
Bojan is an unusual hero--he's strong through Christ and says he could not love a woman who was not a Christian. Yet, he's compassionate and even sheds a few tears. He turns to prayers to seek God's help in times of need. The author weaves scripture, prayer, and romantic suspense to spin a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. I eagerly devoured the novel, because I truly loved it. This novel shares more than one Christian message, and I'd classify it as a Christian novel. It's a quick, easy, fast-paced read. A special touch is the use of Chihuahuas who add to the story in their own unique way.
The ISBN number is 978-1-936000-32-6, and you may purchase this riveting novel at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com, where I bought my copy, or through Desert Breeze. It's available on Kindle or Nook, and an inexpensive read. I've also purchased a sequel, In Plain Sight, so look for the review of it soon. Danger at the Door stands alone, but the next book picks up on another character's story. I rate this novel as a five-star review!
Thirty-two chapters keep you turning the pages as you experience the healing of Laney's heart as she discovers a new interest in the least likely of places and jobs--Bojan, a pizza delivery man who turns out to be much more. Danger at Laney's door appears in more than one way. There's the danger of falling in love again as well as true physical danger when it comes knocking on her door multiple times.
Hooked early, I nearly read the novel straight through and didn't want to put it down. It's the first one I've read on my new Christmas present, a Nook, and I didn't want to put it or the Nook down until finished. I enjoyed the author's writing style and laughed out loud as well as shed a few tears. This book touched me emotionally, and I enjoyed reading about a different culture than my own. Laney and her new interest have a difficult time communicating, since he's learning the English language and idioms cause misunderstandings between them and afford the reader great laughs.
Bojan is an unusual hero--he's strong through Christ and says he could not love a woman who was not a Christian. Yet, he's compassionate and even sheds a few tears. He turns to prayers to seek God's help in times of need. The author weaves scripture, prayer, and romantic suspense to spin a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. I eagerly devoured the novel, because I truly loved it. This novel shares more than one Christian message, and I'd classify it as a Christian novel. It's a quick, easy, fast-paced read. A special touch is the use of Chihuahuas who add to the story in their own unique way.
The ISBN number is 978-1-936000-32-6, and you may purchase this riveting novel at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com, where I bought my copy, or through Desert Breeze. It's available on Kindle or Nook, and an inexpensive read. I've also purchased a sequel, In Plain Sight, so look for the review of it soon. Danger at the Door stands alone, but the next book picks up on another character's story. I rate this novel as a five-star review!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Clash of the Titles: What Do You Think?
http://www.clashofthetitles.com)
This week's post was written by Lisa Lickel, COTT Advertising Executive and author of Meander Scar. When you're considering new books, I highly recommend Lisa's, as well as the two that competed in COTT.
Clash of the Titles
by Lisa Lickel
Clash of the Titles recent participants Eleanor Gustafson and Gail Palotta (www.gailpalotta.com) share about their experiences.
Ellie Gustafson
Ellie: Some blog hosts have really good ideas, and Clash of the Titles is one of them. The approach is fresh and intriguing for the participants, as well as for the site visitors. Some of my friends who participated really enjoyed the process.
Gail: I was thrilled to have my excerpt chosen for Clash of the Titles. It offered exposure for Love Turns the Tide in such a unique way. Even though putting one’s work up for voting is difficult, I liked the idea of letting the readers decide.
How did you both learn about Clash of the Titles?
Gail: I saw an announcement about it on the ACFW loop.
Ellie: I learned about COTT through the ACFW Loop—a fountain of information and opportunity!
Gail Palotta
What motivated you to participate in their literary challenge?
Ellie: As I am always willing to take advantage of such things, I was quick to respond.
Gail: Exposure for Love Turns the Tide and letting the readers decide.
What did you find most enjoyable, or perhaps surprising, during your week?
Gail: Winning.
Ellie: I was surprised—mostly by the tie vote, but also by the comments—to which I am paying attention! Some found my weather selection good but challenging to read. I could blame it on the necessity of disguising character names, but the David story is complex. It deals with ugliness but also glows with grace. AND The Stones makes the Bible version of David’s life come alive for most readers. Try it, and let me know—thumbs up or down. Check the Amazon comments—all of them five star.
What do you think are the three top essentials to a great story?
Ellie: In defense of a challenging read, I would say that the top essentials to a great story would be:
The story must have substance and be worth telling. Les Miserable is heavy going but a powerful read.
Characters must be authentic and complex, supported by dialogue that drives the plot.
Assuming we’re talking about Christian fiction, the “message” must grow out of the plot and not be simply pasted on. My fear of sounding hokey drives me to dig deep through both good and evil to the spiritual bedrock of our redemptive God. I doubt that anyone ever accused Victor Hugo of being hokey in Les Miserable!
Gail: Interesting characters with problems to solve, a plot with twists and turns and a setting that allows readers to escape to an intriguing place.
Tell us about your books.
Gail: In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O’Shea suffers through a broken engagement and relocates to Destin, Florida to take a new job. Struggling to get over her heartache and loneliness, she tries to renew her faith in the midst of petty crimes committed at her condo. When Vic Deleona comes to her rescue, she grows fond of him. But she gets an offer to return home. Amid fear and confusion she must make difficult decisions.
Ellie: The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David is hot-blooded drama —a biblical novel that takes in the sweep of King David’s life from his encounter with Goliath to the devastating consequences of counting his fighting men. He is a man of titanic proportions, at once commanding, poetic, earthy, in touch with God. In the story, stones themselves serve as a metaphor that fits well with the contours of David’s life: stones of learning, of victory, of stumbling, of humbling, of hardship, of grief, of sacrifice.
The authors share a fun fact:
Gail: Since publishing Love Turns the Tide, I’ve been amazed at how a person’s personality can come across over the internet. Visiting sites, such as Clash of the Titles, and finding friends is a great experience.
Ellie: And for fun, here’s how NOT to start a novel. I came across an old computer file labeled, “Worst Novels.” I don’t think I wrote the excerpts myself; I probably found them and felt they were worth keeping. Here’s one.
Where to start in the telling of a hypochondriac's awesome battle with the L-germ over 32,940.25 long days [that, dear reader, translates to 89 and 364/365 years], on nineteen continents and thirty-five dorkshires?
The other is even funnier, so email me if you’d like to laugh over that one, too. egus@me.com
Jennifer Slattery
http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com
http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
http://www.clashofthetitles.com
This week's post was written by Lisa Lickel, COTT Advertising Executive and author of Meander Scar. When you're considering new books, I highly recommend Lisa's, as well as the two that competed in COTT.
Clash of the Titles
by Lisa Lickel
Clash of the Titles recent participants Eleanor Gustafson and Gail Palotta (www.gailpalotta.com) share about their experiences.
Ellie Gustafson
Ellie: Some blog hosts have really good ideas, and Clash of the Titles is one of them. The approach is fresh and intriguing for the participants, as well as for the site visitors. Some of my friends who participated really enjoyed the process.
Gail: I was thrilled to have my excerpt chosen for Clash of the Titles. It offered exposure for Love Turns the Tide in such a unique way. Even though putting one’s work up for voting is difficult, I liked the idea of letting the readers decide.
How did you both learn about Clash of the Titles?
Gail: I saw an announcement about it on the ACFW loop.
Ellie: I learned about COTT through the ACFW Loop—a fountain of information and opportunity!
Gail Palotta
What motivated you to participate in their literary challenge?
Ellie: As I am always willing to take advantage of such things, I was quick to respond.
Gail: Exposure for Love Turns the Tide and letting the readers decide.
What did you find most enjoyable, or perhaps surprising, during your week?
Gail: Winning.
Ellie: I was surprised—mostly by the tie vote, but also by the comments—to which I am paying attention! Some found my weather selection good but challenging to read. I could blame it on the necessity of disguising character names, but the David story is complex. It deals with ugliness but also glows with grace. AND The Stones makes the Bible version of David’s life come alive for most readers. Try it, and let me know—thumbs up or down. Check the Amazon comments—all of them five star.
What do you think are the three top essentials to a great story?
Ellie: In defense of a challenging read, I would say that the top essentials to a great story would be:
The story must have substance and be worth telling. Les Miserable is heavy going but a powerful read.
Characters must be authentic and complex, supported by dialogue that drives the plot.
Assuming we’re talking about Christian fiction, the “message” must grow out of the plot and not be simply pasted on. My fear of sounding hokey drives me to dig deep through both good and evil to the spiritual bedrock of our redemptive God. I doubt that anyone ever accused Victor Hugo of being hokey in Les Miserable!
Gail: Interesting characters with problems to solve, a plot with twists and turns and a setting that allows readers to escape to an intriguing place.
Tell us about your books.
Gail: In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O’Shea suffers through a broken engagement and relocates to Destin, Florida to take a new job. Struggling to get over her heartache and loneliness, she tries to renew her faith in the midst of petty crimes committed at her condo. When Vic Deleona comes to her rescue, she grows fond of him. But she gets an offer to return home. Amid fear and confusion she must make difficult decisions.
Ellie: The Stones: A Novel of the Life of King David is hot-blooded drama —a biblical novel that takes in the sweep of King David’s life from his encounter with Goliath to the devastating consequences of counting his fighting men. He is a man of titanic proportions, at once commanding, poetic, earthy, in touch with God. In the story, stones themselves serve as a metaphor that fits well with the contours of David’s life: stones of learning, of victory, of stumbling, of humbling, of hardship, of grief, of sacrifice.
The authors share a fun fact:
Gail: Since publishing Love Turns the Tide, I’ve been amazed at how a person’s personality can come across over the internet. Visiting sites, such as Clash of the Titles, and finding friends is a great experience.
Ellie: And for fun, here’s how NOT to start a novel. I came across an old computer file labeled, “Worst Novels.” I don’t think I wrote the excerpts myself; I probably found them and felt they were worth keeping. Here’s one.
Where to start in the telling of a hypochondriac's awesome battle with the L-germ over 32,940.25 long days [that, dear reader, translates to 89 and 364/365 years], on nineteen continents and thirty-five dorkshires?
The other is even funnier, so email me if you’d like to laugh over that one, too. egus@me.com
Jennifer Slattery
http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com
http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
http://www.clashofthetitles.com
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Word to Write By: Author Devotionals Compiled by Robin Bayne
I have a writing devotional in the book Words to Write By: Author Devotionals, complied by Robin Bayne. 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.
Five chapters and 168 pages of inspiration encourage writers and include Encouragement and Motivation, Persistence and Rejections, Publishing and Networking, Success and Sustenance, and Write for Him. I read this nonfiction book while I waited for my husband at the hospital on October 22, 2008. He had to have tests, and I read and prayed. God answered my prayers, and He was fine.
The book includes a variety of well-known authors, and they share favorite scriptures and quotations they find inspiring for writing. My devotional is titled "Why Write When You Keep Getting Rejections?"It describes my experience of receiving the best rejection letter ever. Despite the fact that my writing and characters were praised, the novel was still rejected. It didn't fit in with their line.
I'm still writing for Him, and in His perfect timing, His will, not mine, my work will find a home and an audience. I am the daughter of the King. My Prince has come, and He is not fiction.
Five chapters and 168 pages of inspiration encourage writers and include Encouragement and Motivation, Persistence and Rejections, Publishing and Networking, Success and Sustenance, and Write for Him. I read this nonfiction book while I waited for my husband at the hospital on October 22, 2008. He had to have tests, and I read and prayed. God answered my prayers, and He was fine.
The book includes a variety of well-known authors, and they share favorite scriptures and quotations they find inspiring for writing. My devotional is titled "Why Write When You Keep Getting Rejections?"It describes my experience of receiving the best rejection letter ever. Despite the fact that my writing and characters were praised, the novel was still rejected. It didn't fit in with their line.
I'm still writing for Him, and in His perfect timing, His will, not mine, my work will find a home and an audience. I am the daughter of the King. My Prince has come, and He is not fiction.
Clash of the Titles: Readers, You Be the Judge!!!!
Clash of the Titles, Where Authors Compete and Readers Judge
The literary website, Clash of the Titles, launched with a bang, and has increased in momentum ever since. They’ve had phenomenal authors, from historical romance writer, Lena Nelson Dooley to fantasy writer extraordinaire, Janalyn Voigt. Today Jennifer Slattery, Marketing Representative for Clash of the Titles, will highlight six COTT participants.
Shannon Taylor Vannatter was one of our first competitors and all of us at COTT applaud her support and courage. Her novel, White Doves, competed in the Best Opening Hook category on October 18th-22nd.
“I enjoyed being on COTT because I think it’s a unique way of introducing readers to new authors,” Shannon said. “And I love unique, focused blogs. I loved getting reader feedback and the experience made me pay even more attention to the opening of my books.”
Her opening was unique. “I had fun writing the opening of White Doves,” she said, “because it was a role reversal of the heroine checking out the hero for a change.”
Readers loved Shannon, and her competing novel, White Doves, as well! “I already want to see if anything develops between Laken and Hayden,” said one intrigued reader.
As did we! Laken Kroft, the heroine of White Doves, left home eight years ago and never looked back. Who knew when she applied for the promotion to postmaster that she’d end up in Romance, Arkansas, and move closer to her parents and the local gossip maven? But then she meets the dashing Hayden Winters who has his hands full raising his paraplegic nephew, Brady, and wrestling guilt over having caused the child’s injury. When the boy’s father, Laken’s brother, turns up, and starts talking custody, Laken’s influence is Hayden’s only hope. But who’s side is she really on? Will there mutual bond with the seven year old boy be enough to draw them closer or rip them apart?
I’m not telling! You’re going to have to read the book for yourself! Find out more about White Doves, Shannon, and read a few real life romance stories at http://www.shannonvannatter.com.
Lena Nelson Dooley, author of Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico competed in our Best Opening Hook Historical.
“I took part in the COTT because I felt it gave the author and readers another way to connect,” Lena said. “And it got our words in front of readers. I was pleased with the outcome and pray for its continued success. I was glad to have Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, featured. This Heroine-in-Peril, Mail-Order-Bride-gone-awry story was a good fit. Readers have fallen in love with the secondary characters as well as the main characters in this historical.”
In Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico, Lena takes us back to an 1890, Golden New Mexico, mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride--despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip--and Jeremiah himself--the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her reputation beyond redemption.
You’re dying to know what happens next, aren’t you? Now you have two must have’s for your winter reading list! Visit Lena’s website and blog to find out more about her and her plethora of novels! www.lenanelsondooley.com
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Gail Pallotta competed in our best Weather/Nature category with her sweet e-book, Love Turns the Tide. “I was thrilled to have my excerpt chosen for Clash of the Titles,” Gail said. “It offered exposure for Love Turns the Tide in such a unique way. Even though putting one’s work up for voting is difficult, I liked the idea of letting the readers decide.”
In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O’Shea suffers through a broken engagement and relocates to Destin, Florida to take a new job. Struggling to get over her heartache and loneliness, she tries to renew her faith in the midst of petty crimes committed at her condo. When Vic Deleona comes to her rescue, she grows fond of him. But she gets an offer to return home. Amid fear and confusion she must make difficult decisions.
Does her fear paralyze her? Cloud her judgment? Guess you’ve got another book to add to that rapidly growing list, don’t you? Find out more about Gail and her novel at her personal website, http://www.gailpallotta.com and her blog, http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
Janalyn Voigt likely had one of the most unique entries with her fantasy novel, DawnSinger. She was excited to participate in COTT because she saw it as an excellent way to promote her upcoming release.
“With my book still awaiting its release date in Fall, 2011, participation in COTT helped me gear up for promotion,” Janalyn said. “I enjoyed having the COTT crew's help in getting the word out about Dawn Singer, my epic fantasy adventure. My website received a surge of traffic the week of my clash, and I still get visitors from Clash of the Titles.”
We, at COTT, were very pleased to learn about Janalyn’s positive experience, which led to a special friendship between her and her competitor.
“I enjoyed the friendly rivalry between JoAnn Durgin, my competitor, and myself,” Janalyn said. “We've kept in touch. I worried I'd stress about competing but participating in Clash of the Titles was fun. I appreciated that we both lived with our stories for more than a decade before writing and placing them for publication. I believe that together we modeled perseverance for the readers of COTT.”
That is a great story, and a great reminder to us all. Perseverance pays off. We enjoy celebrating the finished product with our authors, and have been very pleased with the family atmosphere our site has created.
DawnSinger is the story of Nalyn, a young maiden who answers a summons to Torindan, High Hold of her people. Her companion, Spreil, must choose whether to reign and rule in his homeland or serve in Torindan. Ancient Prophecy requires Nalyn to release the Dawn King, and salvation, into Elderland by an impossible task. But first she must overcome her own wayward heart. Will she learn in time that sometimes victory only comes through surrender?
Save your pennies, because it looks like DawnSinger is another one of those “must reads”! Find out more about Janalyn and this captivating story at http://janalynvoigt.com, http://authorhaven.blogspot.com/ and her blog, http://bookreaderscentral.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Gustafson, author of The Stones: A Novel of King David, had a unique COTT experience. (lol) She said, “The whole COTT concept is dull and dreary…NOT!! This was a fresh approach, and some of my friends who participated really enjoyed the process. Hey, it looked like fun—which for me is one of the essentials of life—air, water, and fun (not necessarily in that order).”
But what surprised her most? “The tie vote! Was this an historic first—two clashers actually clashing on the number of votes?”
She goes on to say, “Some found my weather selection good but challenging to read. I could blame it on the necessity of disguising character names, but the David story is complex. It deals with ugliness but yes, glows with grace. AND The Stones makes the Bible version of David’s life come alive for most readers. Try it, and let me know—thumbs up or down. If you don’t believe me, check out the Amazon comments—all five star.”
The Stones is a retelling of King David s life from his teenaged anointing to his death as seen through the eyes of Asaph, a Levite historian. Fictional in scope, yet with amazing scriptural accuracy, The Stones provides a revealing, behind-the-scenes glimpse into biblical history with all the twists, turns, thrills, and romance of the world s great drama.
As you can see, we’ve had a great fall at Clash of the Titles and we are looking forward to an even better winter. Come join the fun at Clash of the Titles, where authors compete and readers judge!
Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com.
--------------------------------------------
The literary website, Clash of the Titles, launched with a bang, and has increased in momentum ever since. They’ve had phenomenal authors, from historical romance writer, Lena Nelson Dooley to fantasy writer extraordinaire, Janalyn Voigt. Today Jennifer Slattery, Marketing Representative for Clash of the Titles, will highlight six COTT participants.
Shannon Taylor Vannatter was one of our first competitors and all of us at COTT applaud her support and courage. Her novel, White Doves, competed in the Best Opening Hook category on October 18th-22nd.
“I enjoyed being on COTT because I think it’s a unique way of introducing readers to new authors,” Shannon said. “And I love unique, focused blogs. I loved getting reader feedback and the experience made me pay even more attention to the opening of my books.”
Her opening was unique. “I had fun writing the opening of White Doves,” she said, “because it was a role reversal of the heroine checking out the hero for a change.”
Readers loved Shannon, and her competing novel, White Doves, as well! “I already want to see if anything develops between Laken and Hayden,” said one intrigued reader.
As did we! Laken Kroft, the heroine of White Doves, left home eight years ago and never looked back. Who knew when she applied for the promotion to postmaster that she’d end up in Romance, Arkansas, and move closer to her parents and the local gossip maven? But then she meets the dashing Hayden Winters who has his hands full raising his paraplegic nephew, Brady, and wrestling guilt over having caused the child’s injury. When the boy’s father, Laken’s brother, turns up, and starts talking custody, Laken’s influence is Hayden’s only hope. But who’s side is she really on? Will there mutual bond with the seven year old boy be enough to draw them closer or rip them apart?
I’m not telling! You’re going to have to read the book for yourself! Find out more about White Doves, Shannon, and read a few real life romance stories at http://www.shannonvannatter.com.
Lena Nelson Dooley, author of Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico competed in our Best Opening Hook Historical.
“I took part in the COTT because I felt it gave the author and readers another way to connect,” Lena said. “And it got our words in front of readers. I was pleased with the outcome and pray for its continued success. I was glad to have Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, featured. This Heroine-in-Peril, Mail-Order-Bride-gone-awry story was a good fit. Readers have fallen in love with the secondary characters as well as the main characters in this historical.”
In Love Finds You in Golden New Mexico, Lena takes us back to an 1890, Golden New Mexico, mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride--despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah. Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip--and Jeremiah himself--the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her reputation beyond redemption.
You’re dying to know what happens next, aren’t you? Now you have two must have’s for your winter reading list! Visit Lena’s website and blog to find out more about her and her plethora of novels! www.lenanelsondooley.com
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
Gail Pallotta competed in our best Weather/Nature category with her sweet e-book, Love Turns the Tide. “I was thrilled to have my excerpt chosen for Clash of the Titles,” Gail said. “It offered exposure for Love Turns the Tide in such a unique way. Even though putting one’s work up for voting is difficult, I liked the idea of letting the readers decide.”
In Love Turns the Tide Cammie O’Shea suffers through a broken engagement and relocates to Destin, Florida to take a new job. Struggling to get over her heartache and loneliness, she tries to renew her faith in the midst of petty crimes committed at her condo. When Vic Deleona comes to her rescue, she grows fond of him. But she gets an offer to return home. Amid fear and confusion she must make difficult decisions.
Does her fear paralyze her? Cloud her judgment? Guess you’ve got another book to add to that rapidly growing list, don’t you? Find out more about Gail and her novel at her personal website, http://www.gailpallotta.com and her blog, http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com
Janalyn Voigt likely had one of the most unique entries with her fantasy novel, DawnSinger. She was excited to participate in COTT because she saw it as an excellent way to promote her upcoming release.
“With my book still awaiting its release date in Fall, 2011, participation in COTT helped me gear up for promotion,” Janalyn said. “I enjoyed having the COTT crew's help in getting the word out about Dawn Singer, my epic fantasy adventure. My website received a surge of traffic the week of my clash, and I still get visitors from Clash of the Titles.”
We, at COTT, were very pleased to learn about Janalyn’s positive experience, which led to a special friendship between her and her competitor.
“I enjoyed the friendly rivalry between JoAnn Durgin, my competitor, and myself,” Janalyn said. “We've kept in touch. I worried I'd stress about competing but participating in Clash of the Titles was fun. I appreciated that we both lived with our stories for more than a decade before writing and placing them for publication. I believe that together we modeled perseverance for the readers of COTT.”
That is a great story, and a great reminder to us all. Perseverance pays off. We enjoy celebrating the finished product with our authors, and have been very pleased with the family atmosphere our site has created.
DawnSinger is the story of Nalyn, a young maiden who answers a summons to Torindan, High Hold of her people. Her companion, Spreil, must choose whether to reign and rule in his homeland or serve in Torindan. Ancient Prophecy requires Nalyn to release the Dawn King, and salvation, into Elderland by an impossible task. But first she must overcome her own wayward heart. Will she learn in time that sometimes victory only comes through surrender?
Save your pennies, because it looks like DawnSinger is another one of those “must reads”! Find out more about Janalyn and this captivating story at http://janalynvoigt.com, http://authorhaven.blogspot.com/ and her blog, http://bookreaderscentral.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Gustafson, author of The Stones: A Novel of King David, had a unique COTT experience. (lol) She said, “The whole COTT concept is dull and dreary…NOT!! This was a fresh approach, and some of my friends who participated really enjoyed the process. Hey, it looked like fun—which for me is one of the essentials of life—air, water, and fun (not necessarily in that order).”
But what surprised her most? “The tie vote! Was this an historic first—two clashers actually clashing on the number of votes?”
She goes on to say, “Some found my weather selection good but challenging to read. I could blame it on the necessity of disguising character names, but the David story is complex. It deals with ugliness but yes, glows with grace. AND The Stones makes the Bible version of David’s life come alive for most readers. Try it, and let me know—thumbs up or down. If you don’t believe me, check out the Amazon comments—all five star.”
The Stones is a retelling of King David s life from his teenaged anointing to his death as seen through the eyes of Asaph, a Levite historian. Fictional in scope, yet with amazing scriptural accuracy, The Stones provides a revealing, behind-the-scenes glimpse into biblical history with all the twists, turns, thrills, and romance of the world s great drama.
As you can see, we’ve had a great fall at Clash of the Titles and we are looking forward to an even better winter. Come join the fun at Clash of the Titles, where authors compete and readers judge!
Jennifer Slattery is a freelance writer, columnist, novelist and the marketing representative for Clash of the Titles. In 2009 she won first place in the HAWCN writing contest, book category and in 2010 she placed second in the Dixie Kane and fourth in the Golden Pen, Inspirational category for both. She has a weekly marriage column on the Reflections in Hindsight website and has been published in numerous other publications. You can find out more about her and her writing at http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com.
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Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Years!
On this day of reflection with 2010 ending, may you have a wonderous, blessed, and safe New Years! Just a short post to pray for this for all my Facebook friends and family. I've added a few new pictures to my blog. One is of three of my children who are Saints fans, in more ways than one I might add. Another picture shows all four of my children one Easter when they were young, the way we were then, sweet, precious memories. Thank God for those days and memories.
As we ring in another year, I hope yours will be filled with such sweet, precious memories. Spend it making them and thanking God for them. For us writers in the group, life provides experiences. And, for the readers, more to read about.
I've had a few Facebook friends inquire and ask advice about writing. Thus, my shared posts and one on an article I wrote some time ago. Let God guide your hearts, minds, and writing.
May God bless us all and the new year!
Blessings,
Barb
As we ring in another year, I hope yours will be filled with such sweet, precious memories. Spend it making them and thanking God for them. For us writers in the group, life provides experiences. And, for the readers, more to read about.
I've had a few Facebook friends inquire and ask advice about writing. Thus, my shared posts and one on an article I wrote some time ago. Let God guide your hearts, minds, and writing.
May God bless us all and the new year!
Blessings,
Barb
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Introducing New Literary Website
Hightlights of a new literary website "Clash of the Titles" COTT, where authors submit short excerpts of their novels and readers vote on their favorites. Here’s a quick look back at Clash of the Title's first two months of life.
On October 18th, COTT launched it's first Clash featuring Susanne Lakin's Someone To Blame and Shannon Vannater's White Doves, with Susanne's excerpt taking the crown for Best Hook, Contemporary. And our first two drawing winners were Katie Johnson and Beth Farley.
Reader Quote of the Week: "Both are well written excerpts! I'd love to read both books. I can see that I'm going to be hitting Amazon a LOT because of COTT"
Queen of Hearts by K Dawn Byrd, and The Stones by Eleanor K. Gustafson sparred in round 2 of Best Weather Description during week 4. One for the memory books, COTT had it's first TIE with both books declared victorious! Our drawing winners were Mary T Williams and Joanne Sher.
November 15th ushered in a special double-feature week of Blurb Battles. Janalyn Voigt and JoAnn Durgin went head-to-head, with JoAnne's Awakening crowned the conqueror. Margaret Brownley and Jody Hedlund also climbed into the ring with Margaret's A Suitor For Jenny declared victorious. Readers Edwina Cowgill, Deb Haggerty, Jill Fortner, and Dan Smith all won free books!
Thanksgiving week gave us the chance to highlight a couple of honorable mentions. Erin Rainwater's The Arrow that Flieth by Day went up against Deb Kinnard's Seasons in the Mist and won. Ashley Mott was also a winner- she won the drawing for a copy of Deb's book.
December turned our thoughts toward the holidays and we went looking for the Most Touching Christmas/Winter Scene. Rachael Phillips' Ride Me into Christmas, and Shawna K. Williams' Orphaned Hearts gave us the warm fuzzies. Orphaned Hearts won the match, and Clare Revell and Linda won the drawing this week.
In all, we featured 20 authors and gave away 19 free books! Wow!
We’ll feature two Conversion Scenes that will touch your heart.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of our exciting Clashes!
On October 18th, COTT launched it's first Clash featuring Susanne Lakin's Someone To Blame and Shannon Vannater's White Doves, with Susanne's excerpt taking the crown for Best Hook, Contemporary. And our first two drawing winners were Katie Johnson and Beth Farley.
Reader Quote of the Week: "Both are well written excerpts! I'd love to read both books. I can see that I'm going to be hitting Amazon a LOT because of COTT"
Queen of Hearts by K Dawn Byrd, and The Stones by Eleanor K. Gustafson sparred in round 2 of Best Weather Description during week 4. One for the memory books, COTT had it's first TIE with both books declared victorious! Our drawing winners were Mary T Williams and Joanne Sher.
November 15th ushered in a special double-feature week of Blurb Battles. Janalyn Voigt and JoAnn Durgin went head-to-head, with JoAnne's Awakening crowned the conqueror. Margaret Brownley and Jody Hedlund also climbed into the ring with Margaret's A Suitor For Jenny declared victorious. Readers Edwina Cowgill, Deb Haggerty, Jill Fortner, and Dan Smith all won free books!
Thanksgiving week gave us the chance to highlight a couple of honorable mentions. Erin Rainwater's The Arrow that Flieth by Day went up against Deb Kinnard's Seasons in the Mist and won. Ashley Mott was also a winner- she won the drawing for a copy of Deb's book.
December turned our thoughts toward the holidays and we went looking for the Most Touching Christmas/Winter Scene. Rachael Phillips' Ride Me into Christmas, and Shawna K. Williams' Orphaned Hearts gave us the warm fuzzies. Orphaned Hearts won the match, and Clare Revell and Linda won the drawing this week.
In all, we featured 20 authors and gave away 19 free books! Wow!
We’ll feature two Conversion Scenes that will touch your heart.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of our exciting Clashes!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Win Two Free Books by Michelle Sutton!
http://continuousdelights.blogspot.com/2010/12/end-of-year-celebration-day-4.html
Go to the above link to enter a contest to win two free books by Michelle Sutton, but hurry the contest ends today!
Other authors are also giving away free books!
Read an article I wrote on Michelle Sutton's blog about healing hearts at:
http://healingheartsseries.blogspot.com/2010/12/barbara-johnson-talks-about-healing.html?spref=fb
Go to the above link to enter a contest to win two free books by Michelle Sutton, but hurry the contest ends today!
Other authors are also giving away free books!
Read an article I wrote on Michelle Sutton's blog about healing hearts at:
http://healingheartsseries.blogspot.com/2010/12/barbara-johnson-talks-about-healing.html?spref=fb
The Girl Who Could Fly: Can you fit the Mold?
The Girl Who Could Fly by Virginia Forester, copyright 2008, ISBN 1429986360, published by Feiwel and Friends features Piper McCloud, a girl who has the exceptional ability to fly. She is born to an old-fashioned country couple who believe in doing everything the traditional way, so she's flown by helicopter to a government facility where she is supposed to get the help she needs to become normal. Dr. Hellion, the beautiful and soft spoken administrator of the institute I.N.S.A. N. E., claims to be the only one who can help such exceptional children. And, this special place is supposed to be the only place these children can live in comfort. She tells them they have no place else to go. The best of food is lavished on them for ulterior motives. But, the worse punishment torments them when they don't follow code. There's even a machine to mold them when all else fails. It doesn't take Piper long to realize that punishment and consequences at the Institute are far worse than any she would have ever received back on the farm.
Piper and Conrad Harrington, another student at the facility Piper thinks is just a spoiled rich kid, team up to plan an escape when Piper discovers Dr. Hellion's true colors. Piper has a heart of gold and nearly loses her own life when she refuses to leave the others behind and fly away with Conrad.
The writing style is similar to my own regarding a particular book I wrote over a decade ago. Some of the phrases and language and the way Ma talks remind me of my own novel, and the way my mother spoke using certain phrases. One of the characters has the name of one of my main characters in my novel, but the story told here is its own.
I laughed and cried my way through the story that illustrates how we shouldn't judge the book by the cover, no pun intended. Dr. Hellion was beautiful and well dressed on the outside, but showed no true feelings or emotion. The reason why is discovered at the end of the tale. On the other hand, Piper wasn't what people expected her to be, and she was institutionalized to try to conform her and make her become what others thought she should be. But, Piper had feelings and emotions and others mattered to her. If you've ever felt out of place or had others not want to have anything to do with you because you were different, weird by their standards, you'll identify with Piper McCloud and root for her. If you feel God made us all as unique human beings and that we shouldn't be carbon copies of one another and be expected to be cookie-cutter models, you'll love this novel. Your heart will go out to each child with his or her own special God-given talent or gift, the ones they were not supposed to use.
It will rip your heart out when a cricket Piper helps saves his only song just for her. You know when an author can make you cry over a cricket, she can write. This book showcases the problem of conformity in society and illustrates the fact that if we were all carbon copies, it'd be a pretty dull, boring world. The ending has a surprise that makes sense and allows us to see how and why Dr. Hellion became a robot of a person.
I give the book 4 stars. It's available in ebook format for the Kindle or Nook at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. It's also available in paperback and hardcover.
Piper and Conrad Harrington, another student at the facility Piper thinks is just a spoiled rich kid, team up to plan an escape when Piper discovers Dr. Hellion's true colors. Piper has a heart of gold and nearly loses her own life when she refuses to leave the others behind and fly away with Conrad.
The writing style is similar to my own regarding a particular book I wrote over a decade ago. Some of the phrases and language and the way Ma talks remind me of my own novel, and the way my mother spoke using certain phrases. One of the characters has the name of one of my main characters in my novel, but the story told here is its own.
I laughed and cried my way through the story that illustrates how we shouldn't judge the book by the cover, no pun intended. Dr. Hellion was beautiful and well dressed on the outside, but showed no true feelings or emotion. The reason why is discovered at the end of the tale. On the other hand, Piper wasn't what people expected her to be, and she was institutionalized to try to conform her and make her become what others thought she should be. But, Piper had feelings and emotions and others mattered to her. If you've ever felt out of place or had others not want to have anything to do with you because you were different, weird by their standards, you'll identify with Piper McCloud and root for her. If you feel God made us all as unique human beings and that we shouldn't be carbon copies of one another and be expected to be cookie-cutter models, you'll love this novel. Your heart will go out to each child with his or her own special God-given talent or gift, the ones they were not supposed to use.
It will rip your heart out when a cricket Piper helps saves his only song just for her. You know when an author can make you cry over a cricket, she can write. This book showcases the problem of conformity in society and illustrates the fact that if we were all carbon copies, it'd be a pretty dull, boring world. The ending has a surprise that makes sense and allows us to see how and why Dr. Hellion became a robot of a person.
I give the book 4 stars. It's available in ebook format for the Kindle or Nook at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com. It's also available in paperback and hardcover.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Heal Your Heart with In Plain Sight by Michelle Sutton
In Plain Sight by Michelle Sutton is a Christian inspirational suspense novel published by Desert Breeze Publishing. Twenty chapters lure you into a well-developed plot where the main character Jovana struggles to overcome her past. Abused and abandoned by a former boyfriend, who left her on the street to die, she loses her unborn child.
Jovana relocates to Arizona where she works in a diner and meets two handsome men. Roadblocks of learning the English language and being confused with idioms are minor setbacks compared to inner struggles with her faith as a new, "baby" Christian and learning to accept the love of a good man.
Will she choose Kurt, a flirting customer, or Randy, the diner's manager? She feels more comfortable with Kurt, because she doesn't feel she's worthy of Randy, her boss. When Laney and Bojan, her brother, (from previous novel Danger at the Door) go to Paris for their wedding, Jovana and Randy are thrown together. Bojan asks Randy to stay with Jovana while they're out of the country. Kurt keeps phoning her and has his own plans for Jovana. Will she ever see through him, or will she rebel against her brother's protection as she did as a teen?
This novel's characters come alive for the reader. Both outer and inner conflicts provide a light suspense, and the short book packs a powerful punch when Jovana's ultimate decision and choice of men determine her future on earth and in heaven. The author spins a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. It's powerful story unlocks keys as to why people act certain ways and can be an instrument to aid understanding that will enable others to reach out and lend that helping hand that is so desperately needed, or at least be able to understand.
With In Plain Sight, the author weaves a tale of romance and redemption. I loved Danger at the Door, the first book, but this novel was even better. I highly recommend both being read one after the other for the most impact. You get to know and love the characters from the first book and continue to read about them in the second for a powerful experience.
Both books are available on Kindle at Amazon.com or Nook at Barnes and Noble.com, where I purchased mine for only $4 something each, and they're well worth it. They may also be purchased through the publisher Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. These novels are fast-paced, hook you within the first chapter, and make you want to finish the story. I found it hard to put them down once I started reading and wanted to continue straight through. Discover another world, another culture, and live other characters' lives through the pages of these excellent five-star novels.
Visit Michelle Sutton on Facebook or at http://www.michellesutton.net. She's an avid reader and writer and has a "Healing Hearts" book review blog at http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com. Let her powerful books heal your heart!
Jovana relocates to Arizona where she works in a diner and meets two handsome men. Roadblocks of learning the English language and being confused with idioms are minor setbacks compared to inner struggles with her faith as a new, "baby" Christian and learning to accept the love of a good man.
Will she choose Kurt, a flirting customer, or Randy, the diner's manager? She feels more comfortable with Kurt, because she doesn't feel she's worthy of Randy, her boss. When Laney and Bojan, her brother, (from previous novel Danger at the Door) go to Paris for their wedding, Jovana and Randy are thrown together. Bojan asks Randy to stay with Jovana while they're out of the country. Kurt keeps phoning her and has his own plans for Jovana. Will she ever see through him, or will she rebel against her brother's protection as she did as a teen?
This novel's characters come alive for the reader. Both outer and inner conflicts provide a light suspense, and the short book packs a powerful punch when Jovana's ultimate decision and choice of men determine her future on earth and in heaven. The author spins a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. It's powerful story unlocks keys as to why people act certain ways and can be an instrument to aid understanding that will enable others to reach out and lend that helping hand that is so desperately needed, or at least be able to understand.
With In Plain Sight, the author weaves a tale of romance and redemption. I loved Danger at the Door, the first book, but this novel was even better. I highly recommend both being read one after the other for the most impact. You get to know and love the characters from the first book and continue to read about them in the second for a powerful experience.
Both books are available on Kindle at Amazon.com or Nook at Barnes and Noble.com, where I purchased mine for only $4 something each, and they're well worth it. They may also be purchased through the publisher Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. These novels are fast-paced, hook you within the first chapter, and make you want to finish the story. I found it hard to put them down once I started reading and wanted to continue straight through. Discover another world, another culture, and live other characters' lives through the pages of these excellent five-star novels.
Visit Michelle Sutton on Facebook or at http://www.michellesutton.net. She's an avid reader and writer and has a "Healing Hearts" book review blog at http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com. Let her powerful books heal your heart!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton is a Christian inspirational suspense novel published by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc. and released August 1, 2009. Laney Cooper captures your heart from the beginning. She's lost everyone she's ever loved in car accidents and fear has caused her to become a recluse. She's afraid of riding in a vehicle, driving one, and of loving and losing again.
Thirty-two chapters keep you turning the pages as you experience the healing of Laney's heart as she discovers a new interest in the least likely of places and jobs--Bojan, a pizza delivery man who turns out to be much more. Danger at Laney's door appears in more than one way. There's the danger of falling in love again as well as true physical danger when it comes knocking on her door multiple times.
Hooked early, I nearly read the novel straight through and didn't want to put it down. It's the first one I've read on my new Christmas present, a Nook, and I didn't want to put it or the Nook down until finished. I enjoyed the author's writing style and laughed out loud as well as shed a few tears. This book touched me emotionally, and I enjoyed reading about a different culture than my own. Laney and her new interest have a difficult time communicating, since he's learning the English language and idioms cause misunderstandings between them and afford the reader great laughs.
Bojan is an unusual hero--he's strong through Christ and says he could not love a woman who was not a Christian. Yet, he's compassionate and even sheds a few tears. He turns to prayers to seek God's help in times of need. The author weaves scripture, prayer, and romantic suspense to spin a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. I eagerly devoured the novel, because I truly loved it. This novel shares more than one Christian message, and I'd classify it as a Christian novel. It's a quick, easy, fast-paced read. A special touch is the use of Chihuahuas who add to the story in their own unique way.
The ISBN number is 978-1-936000-32-6, and you may purchase this riveting novel at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com, where I bought my copy, or through Desert Breeze. It's available on Kindle or Nook, and an inexpensive read. I've also purchased a sequel, In Plain Sight, so look for the review of it soon. Danger at the Door stands alone, but the next book picks up on another character's story. I rate this novel as a five-star review!
Thirty-two chapters keep you turning the pages as you experience the healing of Laney's heart as she discovers a new interest in the least likely of places and jobs--Bojan, a pizza delivery man who turns out to be much more. Danger at Laney's door appears in more than one way. There's the danger of falling in love again as well as true physical danger when it comes knocking on her door multiple times.
Hooked early, I nearly read the novel straight through and didn't want to put it down. It's the first one I've read on my new Christmas present, a Nook, and I didn't want to put it or the Nook down until finished. I enjoyed the author's writing style and laughed out loud as well as shed a few tears. This book touched me emotionally, and I enjoyed reading about a different culture than my own. Laney and her new interest have a difficult time communicating, since he's learning the English language and idioms cause misunderstandings between them and afford the reader great laughs.
Bojan is an unusual hero--he's strong through Christ and says he could not love a woman who was not a Christian. Yet, he's compassionate and even sheds a few tears. He turns to prayers to seek God's help in times of need. The author weaves scripture, prayer, and romantic suspense to spin a tale that has the potential to be life-changing. I eagerly devoured the novel, because I truly loved it. This novel shares more than one Christian message, and I'd classify it as a Christian novel. It's a quick, easy, fast-paced read. A special touch is the use of Chihuahuas who add to the story in their own unique way.
The ISBN number is 978-1-936000-32-6, and you may purchase this riveting novel at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com, where I bought my copy, or through Desert Breeze. It's available on Kindle or Nook, and an inexpensive read. I've also purchased a sequel, In Plain Sight, so look for the review of it soon. Danger at the Door stands alone, but the next book picks up on another character's story. I rate this novel as a five-star review!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Trials of Today: Treasures for Tomorrow by Janet Perz Eckles
Book Review
by Barbara Robinson
Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life
by Janet Perz Eckles
Truly amazing Janet Eckles, completely blind, but with more insight than most sighted people, has written a true jewel within the pages of Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. With more personal crosses to bear than most, like the loss of her sight and her son, Janet’s book is inspiring, encouraging, and courageous, like her. She has taken her trials and turned them to treasures for the glory of the Lord. Janet is bubbly and full of joy, a spectacular speaker and gifted writer.
Her nonfiction book takes you on a journey of discovery, as she learns to put her faith and trust in God. When she put Jesus first, He blessed her and turned her life around. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, don’t miss how she deals with her loss. Discover the good news and blessings she has to share. Find out why good people suffer and discover how God uses the bad things that happen to good people for good. Though blind, you'd never know it to meet her. Her book describes how she puts on her own makeup and does her own nails without sight, but even more awe-inspiring is the fact that she never worked when she was sighted, but found the position she was meant to serve in once she lost her sight.
Just as she does in person, her book will evoke strong reader emotions and make you laugh and cry. While sad, it resounds with the joy that overflows from Janet upon meeting her and turns her cross into triumph to truly serve and glorify God while helping others. Don’t miss the journey of a lifetime, Janet’s lifetime, as you turn the pages of a book you won’t want to put down.
Her book makes a wonderful Bible study group guide and Part III of the book actually contains such a guide with thought-provoking questions designed to enhance the spiritual journey.
Published by Xulon Press in 2004, the book may be purchased through Amazon, Xulon, and other book stores. It is a beautiful paperback well worth the reasonable price of $12.47 at Amazon. ISBN number ISBN1-594674-36-1. Visit www.amazon.com and get your own copy while it’s on sale! This book will make a wonderful gift for people in your life who are dealing with the loss of loved ones or other obstacles in life.
by Barbara Robinson
Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life
by Janet Perz Eckles
Truly amazing Janet Eckles, completely blind, but with more insight than most sighted people, has written a true jewel within the pages of Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. With more personal crosses to bear than most, like the loss of her sight and her son, Janet’s book is inspiring, encouraging, and courageous, like her. She has taken her trials and turned them to treasures for the glory of the Lord. Janet is bubbly and full of joy, a spectacular speaker and gifted writer.
Her nonfiction book takes you on a journey of discovery, as she learns to put her faith and trust in God. When she put Jesus first, He blessed her and turned her life around. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, don’t miss how she deals with her loss. Discover the good news and blessings she has to share. Find out why good people suffer and discover how God uses the bad things that happen to good people for good. Though blind, you'd never know it to meet her. Her book describes how she puts on her own makeup and does her own nails without sight, but even more awe-inspiring is the fact that she never worked when she was sighted, but found the position she was meant to serve in once she lost her sight.
Just as she does in person, her book will evoke strong reader emotions and make you laugh and cry. While sad, it resounds with the joy that overflows from Janet upon meeting her and turns her cross into triumph to truly serve and glorify God while helping others. Don’t miss the journey of a lifetime, Janet’s lifetime, as you turn the pages of a book you won’t want to put down.
Her book makes a wonderful Bible study group guide and Part III of the book actually contains such a guide with thought-provoking questions designed to enhance the spiritual journey.
Published by Xulon Press in 2004, the book may be purchased through Amazon, Xulon, and other book stores. It is a beautiful paperback well worth the reasonable price of $12.47 at Amazon. ISBN number ISBN1-594674-36-1. Visit www.amazon.com and get your own copy while it’s on sale! This book will make a wonderful gift for people in your life who are dealing with the loss of loved ones or other obstacles in life.
A Rag Doll Christmas
"Just what do you think you're doing? That doll was meant to be your Christmas present." Mom stood in the door, and her eyes shot sparks. It was a couple of days before Christmas. She'd been busy with company, and I'd decided I couldn't wait.
I was caught red-handed standing on a chair pulled up to the closet, but I quickly shoved the doll back into the bag and placed the blankets on the top shelf over her. "Sorry, Mom."
"And you should be. You know I can't afford anything else, and now you know what you're getting for Christmas." She turned and stalked from the room. I climbed down and placed the chair back by the bed. Disappointed, I'd planned to slip the doll back into the closet and not let Mom know I knew what I was getting. I hadn't meant to ruin her surprise. And, it was just like her to get some sort of doll. I should've known without even having to look.
Mom's voice rang from the adjoining room. "Now, it won't be a surprise."
"At least sissy will still have one." It was my turn to stand in the door and eye her "I love her. I'll still be happy on Christmas morning. I can't wait to get her."
Mom glared for a second. "Seems you can't wait for anything." Then, her face softened. "It's just that I wanted our first Christmas without your dad to be special." Dad died when I was only four years old on Christmas Day. It's only been a year. The way I looked at it, this one had to be better no matter what. It couldn't get any worse than the last one, could it?
"Curiosity kills the cat, you know."
"What?" I glanced at Mom, but she laughed. "Forget it."
"I guess it killed the Christmas surprise this year." I hung my head.
Christmas morn I found a stocking with fruit and candy, the rag doll stuck in the top. When I look back upon that morning, I call it my rag-doll Christmas, because that was all I got that year.
It wasn't until I grew up and had children of my own that it dawned on me just how much I'd spoiled the holiday for Mom. She only received a small social-security check once a month after my father's death. As I look back with an adult's eyes, I realize how hard it must have been for my mother who always tried her best to make ends meet and make our Christmas special. But, she had me for a daughter, a curious little tomboy of a girl who always managed to find some way to spoil every surprise she planned. I blame it on my love for mystery, of course, but I now realize how disappointed she had to have been. She wanted to watch her young daughter open her Christmas gift with wide-eyed surprise and wonder. I just never had the knack for being surprised, since I couldn't wait long enough to let anything be one.
Now, I realize I missed a lot of fun that way, and you really do remember surprises more, but that's one rag-doll Christmas I'll never forget. Like memories, good surprises are to be cherished, and they're so much more fun. But the greatest Christmas gift of all is sweet Jesus, and He's one surprise I didn't find too soon.
I was caught red-handed standing on a chair pulled up to the closet, but I quickly shoved the doll back into the bag and placed the blankets on the top shelf over her. "Sorry, Mom."
"And you should be. You know I can't afford anything else, and now you know what you're getting for Christmas." She turned and stalked from the room. I climbed down and placed the chair back by the bed. Disappointed, I'd planned to slip the doll back into the closet and not let Mom know I knew what I was getting. I hadn't meant to ruin her surprise. And, it was just like her to get some sort of doll. I should've known without even having to look.
Mom's voice rang from the adjoining room. "Now, it won't be a surprise."
"At least sissy will still have one." It was my turn to stand in the door and eye her "I love her. I'll still be happy on Christmas morning. I can't wait to get her."
Mom glared for a second. "Seems you can't wait for anything." Then, her face softened. "It's just that I wanted our first Christmas without your dad to be special." Dad died when I was only four years old on Christmas Day. It's only been a year. The way I looked at it, this one had to be better no matter what. It couldn't get any worse than the last one, could it?
"Curiosity kills the cat, you know."
"What?" I glanced at Mom, but she laughed. "Forget it."
"I guess it killed the Christmas surprise this year." I hung my head.
Christmas morn I found a stocking with fruit and candy, the rag doll stuck in the top. When I look back upon that morning, I call it my rag-doll Christmas, because that was all I got that year.
It wasn't until I grew up and had children of my own that it dawned on me just how much I'd spoiled the holiday for Mom. She only received a small social-security check once a month after my father's death. As I look back with an adult's eyes, I realize how hard it must have been for my mother who always tried her best to make ends meet and make our Christmas special. But, she had me for a daughter, a curious little tomboy of a girl who always managed to find some way to spoil every surprise she planned. I blame it on my love for mystery, of course, but I now realize how disappointed she had to have been. She wanted to watch her young daughter open her Christmas gift with wide-eyed surprise and wonder. I just never had the knack for being surprised, since I couldn't wait long enough to let anything be one.
Now, I realize I missed a lot of fun that way, and you really do remember surprises more, but that's one rag-doll Christmas I'll never forget. Like memories, good surprises are to be cherished, and they're so much more fun. But the greatest Christmas gift of all is sweet Jesus, and He's one surprise I didn't find too soon.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher
The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher, copyright 2008, published by Thomas Nelson, is 298 pages of inspiration for couples whose daily lives are interrupted with roadblocks that threaten to derail a marriage right off the tracks. Katherine Clarkson is living her dream life, married to a well-respected handsome man with two grown daughters preparing to make her a grandmother. She has great friends, a good life, and a wonderful ministry. She has it all--until a reporter and a former coworker of her husband's spread rumors and gossip.
Her husband, Brad, has been a loving husband and great father and well respected in the church and community. He started as a construction worker and put his heart and soul into his own ministry to help people who couldn't afford to own their own homes. After selling his construction business, he poured his money and spirit into In Step until accusations of an affair with a former employee and financial impropriety shatter his world and his marriage.
Katherine has spent her life reassuring other women, but now her own words are of little comfort to her. Her perfect life has turned to chaos, and it consumes her until she takes a few days for herself in the mountains. She strives to survive her loss of what she thought was the perfect life and to regain her ability to trust her God and her husband again. One daughter thinks she should divorce her cheating husband; the other stands by her father and thinks he's innocent. What will Katherine decide? The thought runs through her head that if he cheated, the Bible gives her a pass. Her future seems to hinge on that little two-letter word IF, such a big word for one so small.
How can she rebuild her life? She been a homemaker and has no resume history to find a job.
Robin Lee Hatcher has authored over 50 novels and won awards including the Christy for Whispers from Yesterday, a novel I'd love to read. Library Journal named Catching Katie one of the best books of 2004.
I really enjoyed this novel and give it five stars. It reminded me of a time I went to the mountains in Tennesse, a rental cabin, and felt closer to God while I was there, after the death of my youngest sister. It's available at Amazon.com where I've also posted a review. The Perfect Life is available at Barnes and Noble.com as well, and it may be purchased in paperback or ebook format. I found my copy at a local Dollar Store and jumped on it.
Her husband, Brad, has been a loving husband and great father and well respected in the church and community. He started as a construction worker and put his heart and soul into his own ministry to help people who couldn't afford to own their own homes. After selling his construction business, he poured his money and spirit into In Step until accusations of an affair with a former employee and financial impropriety shatter his world and his marriage.
Katherine has spent her life reassuring other women, but now her own words are of little comfort to her. Her perfect life has turned to chaos, and it consumes her until she takes a few days for herself in the mountains. She strives to survive her loss of what she thought was the perfect life and to regain her ability to trust her God and her husband again. One daughter thinks she should divorce her cheating husband; the other stands by her father and thinks he's innocent. What will Katherine decide? The thought runs through her head that if he cheated, the Bible gives her a pass. Her future seems to hinge on that little two-letter word IF, such a big word for one so small.
How can she rebuild her life? She been a homemaker and has no resume history to find a job.
Robin Lee Hatcher has authored over 50 novels and won awards including the Christy for Whispers from Yesterday, a novel I'd love to read. Library Journal named Catching Katie one of the best books of 2004.
I really enjoyed this novel and give it five stars. It reminded me of a time I went to the mountains in Tennesse, a rental cabin, and felt closer to God while I was there, after the death of my youngest sister. It's available at Amazon.com where I've also posted a review. The Perfect Life is available at Barnes and Noble.com as well, and it may be purchased in paperback or ebook format. I found my copy at a local Dollar Store and jumped on it.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The boy who came back from heaven: A remarkable account of miracles, angels, and life beyond this world
The boy who came back from heaven: A remarkable account of miracles, angels, and life beyond this world by Kevin and Alex Malarkey is a true story, nonfiction, published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, copyright 2010. A horrific automobile accident in 2004 impacted the lives of Kevin and his six-year old son, Alex, and changed their lives forever, both physically and spiritually. Alex's survival seemed impossible, and he was thought to be dead on the scene. By a God-given miracle, he survived, but remained locked in a coma for two months. Prayer warriors battled for him, and he awoke with an awe-inspiring story to tell.
He was just a kid, as he himself says in the book, an ordinary one, who went on an extraordinary journey. This book is inspiring, encouraging, thought-provoking and insightful. Alex says he's not amazing, God is. Kevin admitted, "My son couldn't function in the physical world, but it was difficult for me to function in the spiritual world. Who had the greater disability?" This is an eye-opening, insightful quote and my favorite in the book. Hope and faith see this family through their struggles when Alex ends up a quadriplegic and becomes the first child to receive the "Christopher Reeve Surgery." The license plate on their van reads "Wil Walk," as they continue to pray and hope for Alex's complete healing, but Kevin says his faith is not shaken. He understands it's God's choice to heal Alex completely on earth or in heaven.
We've all read stories we've been skeptical about, but one part of this book reminds me of a personal story I wrote years ago, as well as an experience I had, and I've shared with close relatives and friends. I've never been through the agony Alex has, but we do share a very similar experience, so I'm not skeptical, but intrigued, and I know exactly what he is talking about in one of his descriptions. For, I had a similar one in an emergency room years ago. As Alex advises, check skepticism against scripture. Alex and his father say they are not trying to force anyone to believe anything. That is not their job. He and his father are simply sharing their story, and it's your choice to embrace it or not. Don't miss this awesome, life-changing story that eternally impacted their lives in so many ways.
This book is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com in hardback and on ereaders. It's a New York Times Bestseller.
He was just a kid, as he himself says in the book, an ordinary one, who went on an extraordinary journey. This book is inspiring, encouraging, thought-provoking and insightful. Alex says he's not amazing, God is. Kevin admitted, "My son couldn't function in the physical world, but it was difficult for me to function in the spiritual world. Who had the greater disability?" This is an eye-opening, insightful quote and my favorite in the book. Hope and faith see this family through their struggles when Alex ends up a quadriplegic and becomes the first child to receive the "Christopher Reeve Surgery." The license plate on their van reads "Wil Walk," as they continue to pray and hope for Alex's complete healing, but Kevin says his faith is not shaken. He understands it's God's choice to heal Alex completely on earth or in heaven.
We've all read stories we've been skeptical about, but one part of this book reminds me of a personal story I wrote years ago, as well as an experience I had, and I've shared with close relatives and friends. I've never been through the agony Alex has, but we do share a very similar experience, so I'm not skeptical, but intrigued, and I know exactly what he is talking about in one of his descriptions. For, I had a similar one in an emergency room years ago. As Alex advises, check skepticism against scripture. Alex and his father say they are not trying to force anyone to believe anything. That is not their job. He and his father are simply sharing their story, and it's your choice to embrace it or not. Don't miss this awesome, life-changing story that eternally impacted their lives in so many ways.
This book is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com in hardback and on ereaders. It's a New York Times Bestseller.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Embracing Change by Debbie Roome
Embracing Change by Debbie Roome is the winner of the Rose & Crown New Novels Competition 2009, copyright 2010, 36 chapters and 234 pages clearly illustrating God's hand in our lives and how we can embrace change with His help. It's a beautifully written story of love and loss, regained hope and faith, the courage to not only accept change, but to also embrace it, and one woman's ability to do so when she discovers Jesus has been with her through it all.
Sarah, the main character, is engaged to Luke and looking forward to her wedding. They plan to move from South Africa to New Zealand. Luke wanted to make a home in New Zealand, so when she loses him, she brings his ashes and scatters them on the mountains and waterfalls he loved. As she descends the mountain, she meets Joel, a stranger she is afraid of at first. Biblical principles are applied in this moving story that demonstrates how Sarah finds the strength, hope, and courage to move on with her life without her beloved Luke and learns to love and trust again.
The author uses vivid description to allow the reader to travel through South Africa and New Zealand and visualize the landscapes and flowers. She demonstrates through the power of story how forgiveness is necessary to move forward with one's life and provides two sides of a perspective on violence when Sarah comes face to face with Luke's killer, his mother, and his brother. Sarah learns to open her eyes and heart, forgive, and find a future full of hope and promise. This novel is a quick read that evokes readers' emotions. Come learn how to embrace change with Debbie and Sarah, and ponder what you'd do if you had to move half a world away from all family and friends with nothing left of the love of your life but ashes in an urn.
About the Author: Debbie Roome spent 15 years in South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 2006 with her husband and five children. Her writing has won numerous awards, and you may visit her at www.debbieroome.com.
Sarah, the main character, is engaged to Luke and looking forward to her wedding. They plan to move from South Africa to New Zealand. Luke wanted to make a home in New Zealand, so when she loses him, she brings his ashes and scatters them on the mountains and waterfalls he loved. As she descends the mountain, she meets Joel, a stranger she is afraid of at first. Biblical principles are applied in this moving story that demonstrates how Sarah finds the strength, hope, and courage to move on with her life without her beloved Luke and learns to love and trust again.
The author uses vivid description to allow the reader to travel through South Africa and New Zealand and visualize the landscapes and flowers. She demonstrates through the power of story how forgiveness is necessary to move forward with one's life and provides two sides of a perspective on violence when Sarah comes face to face with Luke's killer, his mother, and his brother. Sarah learns to open her eyes and heart, forgive, and find a future full of hope and promise. This novel is a quick read that evokes readers' emotions. Come learn how to embrace change with Debbie and Sarah, and ponder what you'd do if you had to move half a world away from all family and friends with nothing left of the love of your life but ashes in an urn.
About the Author: Debbie Roome spent 15 years in South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 2006 with her husband and five children. Her writing has won numerous awards, and you may visit her at www.debbieroome.com.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Thanksgiving the Garbage Disposal Ate the Eggs
My sunny Florida kitchen looks out upon sunlight sparkling on the turquoise-blue water of our swimming pool. I watched a squirrel run up the palm tree that cornered the pool while I waited for boiled eggs to cool. A few minutes later, I went to peel the eggs, but they’d vanished.
“Where did my eggs go?” I yelled loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
My son, Rodney, grinned. “I don’t know.”
“I put them in the sink to cool.” I looked down the drain. “That thing ate my eggs.”
Rodney came up beside me and asked, “What thing?”
I pointed to the sink’s drain. “The new garbage disposal Scott insisted on.”
The family laughed like I was a comedian.
“When I first met her, she didn’t even know how to work a dishwasher," my husband said. "Now she doesn’t know how to use the new garbage disposal. Do I have to teach you everything?” His brown eyes twinkled. He patted my shoulder, and his grin lit up his face. Teaser that he was, it was easy for him to amuse the family and for them to enjoy the playfulness of his comments. “Reach your hand down there and get them.”
“I’m not putting my hand in that thing.”
The family’s laughter filled the kitchen. “I can’t make potato salad.
Those were my last three.”
“I’ll run to the store,” someone offered.
Rod said, “It’s a wonder you didn’t accuse me of eating them.”
“The garbage disposal did the job for you. I can’t believe I did that. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without potato salad.”
“Don’t you mean without turkey?” Rod rubbed his stomach.
I smiled. “No, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the thanks and the giving. Having you visit makes it blessed. We can thank God for a good laugh and a joyful day. We’ll remember this for many Thanksgivings to come.”
“Yeah, Mom, Scott will never let you live that one down.”
"I’ll remember how I lost my eggs every year.” I diced the pickles and green onions. “When you were small, I cooked huge family meals. I’ve always enjoyed cooking and decorating for the holidays. Another Thanksgiving is etched in the pages of my memories. Unexpected guests arrived with the family, and the ten-foot wide trailer couldn’t hold them. The cramped kitchen only held a small table.”
Rod took a pickle from the jar. “What happened?”
"I had plenty of food cooked, so I borrowed silverware and plates from your grandmother.”
“Who would show up uninvited?”
“Your grandmother and aunts asked friends from church.” I dumped pickles and green onions into a bowl and continued. “By the time the turkey was served, the trailer burst with people trying to find plates and utensils for eating. People packed into it like sardines in a tin can. Since God smiled on us with beautiful Louisiana weather, most of them took their plates and sat outside to eat. The air was crisp, cool, and refreshing after baking in the hot kitchen. I took my plate and joined them on the steps of the tiny porch.”
Rod’s blue eyes twinkled as he listened to me reminiscing. “I can just see you
balancing a plate of turkey and cornbread dressing on your lap.”
“It tasted every bit as good outside.” I playfully tapped his chest. “I had one more chair than Henry David Thoreau, who wrote in his book Walden that he had only three chairs.”
“Thoreau thought houses were “extravagantly large”. My trailer was extravagantly small for all the Thanksgiving dinner guests. We enjoyed the brisk air and sunshine and thanked God for our family and friends, delicious food, and a lovely day. You know son, that Thanksgiving and this one will always be etched in my heart, mind, and soul.”
“When the guests left, they thanked me for a great home-cooked meal, not an impressive dinner. One man with electric blue eyes said, “It didn’t matter if the dinnerware didn’t match. We didn’t come here for you to impress us.”
A lot has changed over the years. My four children are grown and have made me a grandmother multiple times. I’ve lost family members. My first husband, mother, father, and youngest sister all live in their heavenly home. Though some of the most loved people in my life are not here to share the holidays, I still have a traditional turkey each Thanksgiving, celebrate, and thank God for our food. Some things never change. I know my lost loved ones are feasting in heaven and waiting for me.
I thank God for the family who now shares my holidays. Last year, I did not bake turkey. Rod fried a turkey for us the Christmas before, and it was so juicy it melted in our mouths. So, Scott bought a turkey fryer and experimented. Ever since he cooked his first fried turkey, he said we wouldn’t have another baked one. so I’ve been relieved of one of my Thanksgiving duties.
We are a close-knit family group. Fancy plates and utensils don’t matter, nor does a fancy setting. What makes holidays special has nothing to do with materialistic things. The warmth and friendliness of our family and friends make up for whatever trivial items are lacking.
Times change, people change, places change, but the heart of the family and thanking God for His blessings and your family remain the same. I thank God for the Thanksgiving the garbage disposal ate the eggs and the year uninvited guests overfilled my tiny trailer. Those blessed Thanksgiving days will be eternally etched in the pages of my family’s hearts and minds.
Bio
Barbara Robinson makes her home in Florida with her husband, a cat, and two dogs. She is a graduate of Christian Writers Guild’s, a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and a graduate from the Long Ridge Writers Group. This story appeared in St. Cloud in the News last Thanksgiving. Many years ago a much simpler version appeared in The Ponchatoula Times, minus the Florida part of the story.
“Where did my eggs go?” I yelled loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear.
My son, Rodney, grinned. “I don’t know.”
“I put them in the sink to cool.” I looked down the drain. “That thing ate my eggs.”
Rodney came up beside me and asked, “What thing?”
I pointed to the sink’s drain. “The new garbage disposal Scott insisted on.”
The family laughed like I was a comedian.
“When I first met her, she didn’t even know how to work a dishwasher," my husband said. "Now she doesn’t know how to use the new garbage disposal. Do I have to teach you everything?” His brown eyes twinkled. He patted my shoulder, and his grin lit up his face. Teaser that he was, it was easy for him to amuse the family and for them to enjoy the playfulness of his comments. “Reach your hand down there and get them.”
“I’m not putting my hand in that thing.”
The family’s laughter filled the kitchen. “I can’t make potato salad.
Those were my last three.”
“I’ll run to the store,” someone offered.
Rod said, “It’s a wonder you didn’t accuse me of eating them.”
“The garbage disposal did the job for you. I can’t believe I did that. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without potato salad.”
“Don’t you mean without turkey?” Rod rubbed his stomach.
I smiled. “No, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the thanks and the giving. Having you visit makes it blessed. We can thank God for a good laugh and a joyful day. We’ll remember this for many Thanksgivings to come.”
“Yeah, Mom, Scott will never let you live that one down.”
"I’ll remember how I lost my eggs every year.” I diced the pickles and green onions. “When you were small, I cooked huge family meals. I’ve always enjoyed cooking and decorating for the holidays. Another Thanksgiving is etched in the pages of my memories. Unexpected guests arrived with the family, and the ten-foot wide trailer couldn’t hold them. The cramped kitchen only held a small table.”
Rod took a pickle from the jar. “What happened?”
"I had plenty of food cooked, so I borrowed silverware and plates from your grandmother.”
“Who would show up uninvited?”
“Your grandmother and aunts asked friends from church.” I dumped pickles and green onions into a bowl and continued. “By the time the turkey was served, the trailer burst with people trying to find plates and utensils for eating. People packed into it like sardines in a tin can. Since God smiled on us with beautiful Louisiana weather, most of them took their plates and sat outside to eat. The air was crisp, cool, and refreshing after baking in the hot kitchen. I took my plate and joined them on the steps of the tiny porch.”
Rod’s blue eyes twinkled as he listened to me reminiscing. “I can just see you
balancing a plate of turkey and cornbread dressing on your lap.”
“It tasted every bit as good outside.” I playfully tapped his chest. “I had one more chair than Henry David Thoreau, who wrote in his book Walden that he had only three chairs.”
“Thoreau thought houses were “extravagantly large”. My trailer was extravagantly small for all the Thanksgiving dinner guests. We enjoyed the brisk air and sunshine and thanked God for our family and friends, delicious food, and a lovely day. You know son, that Thanksgiving and this one will always be etched in my heart, mind, and soul.”
“When the guests left, they thanked me for a great home-cooked meal, not an impressive dinner. One man with electric blue eyes said, “It didn’t matter if the dinnerware didn’t match. We didn’t come here for you to impress us.”
A lot has changed over the years. My four children are grown and have made me a grandmother multiple times. I’ve lost family members. My first husband, mother, father, and youngest sister all live in their heavenly home. Though some of the most loved people in my life are not here to share the holidays, I still have a traditional turkey each Thanksgiving, celebrate, and thank God for our food. Some things never change. I know my lost loved ones are feasting in heaven and waiting for me.
I thank God for the family who now shares my holidays. Last year, I did not bake turkey. Rod fried a turkey for us the Christmas before, and it was so juicy it melted in our mouths. So, Scott bought a turkey fryer and experimented. Ever since he cooked his first fried turkey, he said we wouldn’t have another baked one. so I’ve been relieved of one of my Thanksgiving duties.
We are a close-knit family group. Fancy plates and utensils don’t matter, nor does a fancy setting. What makes holidays special has nothing to do with materialistic things. The warmth and friendliness of our family and friends make up for whatever trivial items are lacking.
Times change, people change, places change, but the heart of the family and thanking God for His blessings and your family remain the same. I thank God for the Thanksgiving the garbage disposal ate the eggs and the year uninvited guests overfilled my tiny trailer. Those blessed Thanksgiving days will be eternally etched in the pages of my family’s hearts and minds.
Bio
Barbara Robinson makes her home in Florida with her husband, a cat, and two dogs. She is a graduate of Christian Writers Guild’s, a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and a graduate from the Long Ridge Writers Group. This story appeared in St. Cloud in the News last Thanksgiving. Many years ago a much simpler version appeared in The Ponchatoula Times, minus the Florida part of the story.
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins
The Brotherhood by Jerry B. Jenkins is a moving novel to say the least. It's 371 pages and 24 chapters with an epilogue, copyright 2011, published by Tyndale House Publishers. Jenkins is a New York Times best-selling author well known for The Left Behind series. His new book showcases his talent in a police thriller with Boone Drake as the main character, a young officer blessed with success in his career and personal life. He has a beautiful wife, Nikki, who taught school until they were blessed with Josh, his son.
Boone is living the American Dream and knows it when the unthinkable, unspeakable takes him by surprise and spirals him from a life of sunshine and happiness to a dreary world with storm clouds raging inside. In the blink of an eye his entire world is changed. He wanted a home for his young family with a yard ". . . with enough grass to mow." God provided his heart's desire, but little did he know the price he'd pay.
When tragedy strikes, Nikki's parents are miles away, and Boone must face reality immersed in bittersweet memories. He doesn't understand how a loving God can allow such good, sweet, innocent people like Nikki and Josh to come to such violent harm. His partner, Jack Keller, is a rock who stands beside him, and his pastor texts Bible quotes to comfort and keep him in God's Word.
If it isn't enough with his personal life demolished, his career is on the line, and it's all he has left until he meets Haeley, the new secretary that he's been warned about, and her young son, Max, who reminds him of his own loss, Josh. The most vicious Chicago gang leader in decades teaches him that God allows second chances. This is a book you won't want to put down until completed. It'll wrench your heart out early.
I could say so much more, but then I'd give too much away and ruin a great novel like ruining a wonderful movie. So, grab your copy and get ready for an impact you won't soon forget! It's available in hardcover or paperback at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com as well as through brick and mortar stores. Visit Jerry on Facebook and check out https://www.christianwritersguild.com.
Sign to follow this blog for an opportunity to win The Brotherhood. I will draw for a winner very soon, so don't hesitate!
Boone is living the American Dream and knows it when the unthinkable, unspeakable takes him by surprise and spirals him from a life of sunshine and happiness to a dreary world with storm clouds raging inside. In the blink of an eye his entire world is changed. He wanted a home for his young family with a yard ". . . with enough grass to mow." God provided his heart's desire, but little did he know the price he'd pay.
When tragedy strikes, Nikki's parents are miles away, and Boone must face reality immersed in bittersweet memories. He doesn't understand how a loving God can allow such good, sweet, innocent people like Nikki and Josh to come to such violent harm. His partner, Jack Keller, is a rock who stands beside him, and his pastor texts Bible quotes to comfort and keep him in God's Word.
If it isn't enough with his personal life demolished, his career is on the line, and it's all he has left until he meets Haeley, the new secretary that he's been warned about, and her young son, Max, who reminds him of his own loss, Josh. The most vicious Chicago gang leader in decades teaches him that God allows second chances. This is a book you won't want to put down until completed. It'll wrench your heart out early.
I could say so much more, but then I'd give too much away and ruin a great novel like ruining a wonderful movie. So, grab your copy and get ready for an impact you won't soon forget! It's available in hardcover or paperback at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com as well as through brick and mortar stores. Visit Jerry on Facebook and check out https://www.christianwritersguild.com.
Sign to follow this blog for an opportunity to win The Brotherhood. I will draw for a winner very soon, so don't hesitate!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Scotty's Jeans
This story was written about my oldest son, Scotty Edbert, who gave me the roses in the picture for Mother's Day. He was named after the song "Watching Scotty Grow," by Bobby Goldsboro and my father, Edbert Russell, who died when I was four years old on Christmas Day.
I jumped out of bed early every morning with the spirit, energy, and vitality of youth, cleaned house, and took care of the family duties. Far too busy to treasure the day with a son in the first grade, I took pride in the fact that I kept a spotless home and had dinner on the table when my husband returned from work.
I hung Scotty's small jeans outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I can still see them blowing in the wind, hung neatly, all in a row, jeans of every color: brown, black, green, navy, maroon, and blue. I took pride in the fact that he had a pair of jeans in each color for school.
Before I knew it, my son grew, left home, married, had children of his own, and made me a grandmother multiple times. Those precious family days were a treasure that didn't last. All too soon, spring turned to summer, summer to fall, and fall is turning to winter. What I wouldn't give to hang those precious little jeans on the line and watch them blow.
I no longer clean house like it's the most important thing in my life. What I once took pride in is dull, boring, and humdrum--just another ordinary, routine day. Now, there are no small jeans blowing in the wind. No first grader rushes home to excitedly tell me about his school day. Those are all things of the past, things that didn't last.
Now, my little grandson's mother throws his jeans in the dryer as she rushes to get ready for work. The hands of time slip by like a silent thief in the night, as precious days fly with the speed of lightning. Off to work. Off to school. Years fly. Days of the past, treasured days, just don't last.
First printed in USADeepSouth.com as Colored Jeans on the Clothesline: Such Precious Days Don't Last. Permission given to reprint revised edition. B. J. Russell-Robinson lives in Florida with her husband, cocker spaniel, Sunflower, and an adopted shelter cat named Frankie.
I jumped out of bed early every morning with the spirit, energy, and vitality of youth, cleaned house, and took care of the family duties. Far too busy to treasure the day with a son in the first grade, I took pride in the fact that I kept a spotless home and had dinner on the table when my husband returned from work.
I hung Scotty's small jeans outside in the sunshine and fresh air. I can still see them blowing in the wind, hung neatly, all in a row, jeans of every color: brown, black, green, navy, maroon, and blue. I took pride in the fact that he had a pair of jeans in each color for school.
Before I knew it, my son grew, left home, married, had children of his own, and made me a grandmother multiple times. Those precious family days were a treasure that didn't last. All too soon, spring turned to summer, summer to fall, and fall is turning to winter. What I wouldn't give to hang those precious little jeans on the line and watch them blow.
I no longer clean house like it's the most important thing in my life. What I once took pride in is dull, boring, and humdrum--just another ordinary, routine day. Now, there are no small jeans blowing in the wind. No first grader rushes home to excitedly tell me about his school day. Those are all things of the past, things that didn't last.
Now, my little grandson's mother throws his jeans in the dryer as she rushes to get ready for work. The hands of time slip by like a silent thief in the night, as precious days fly with the speed of lightning. Off to work. Off to school. Years fly. Days of the past, treasured days, just don't last.
First printed in USADeepSouth.com as Colored Jeans on the Clothesline: Such Precious Days Don't Last. Permission given to reprint revised edition. B. J. Russell-Robinson lives in Florida with her husband, cocker spaniel, Sunflower, and an adopted shelter cat named Frankie.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Hot Glazed Donuts
The following is written in loving memory of my mother. It was published in an earlier version, but I've revised it, and it was published again online yesterday in a second printing in A Woman's Voice published by Dolores Ayotte at http://networkedblogs.com/ahAlQ I hope you enjoy!
Hot glazed donuts . . .
I was a young girl in elementary school when I learned how to make Mom happy. She sent me down the street to Gene’s Bakery for orders of toast and butter for breakfast, to the drugstore on Main Street for ice cream, or to the local donut shop for hot glazed donuts.
Funny thing, we never owned a toaster, and Mom loved toast with her morning coffee. She loved hot glazed donuts on a cold winter morning with a steaming cup of Community coffee, or perhaps I should say some coffee with her sugar and cream. Hot summer evenings, it was ice cream.
We lived in a small town, and Mom could trust me to run errands. She used to brag, “Why, I could send Jane across the main highway with a $20 bill at five years old, and she’d bring back my correct change.
I was Mom’s little errand runner and lady. There wasn’t much time for being a little girl. I was the oldest of three girls, and it was up to me to set the example. I set some, that’s for sure. I made good grades in school, never got into trouble, and was Mom’s little lady, but I was also a curious tomboy of a girl. That part didn’t always set so well with Mom.
When I played in the Mississippi red clay at my Grandmother Russell’s with doodle bugs Mom would say, “You should stay neat and clean like your sister. Girls should be girls. She plays with dolls and tea sets like a little lady.”
I held out my palm and showed her my find. “I love playing with these bugs because they look like Volkswagen cars. Just look how they roll up their tiny bodies.”
Of course, Mom didn’t care to look at bugs, so she’d just shake her head and walk away, and I went on happily playing with the doodle bugs or making mud pies. I wasn’t always the little lady Mom wanted me to be. I loved dirt and mud like a boy, and just like a boy, I usually splashed right through puddles instead of skirting them.
Over the years, I made many footsteps to the bakery, donut shop, or drugstore buying Mom all her favorites. She even taught me how to go to the drugstore and find her favorite hair color in just the right shade. She made me memorize the hair color number. Her hair was supposed to be dark brown after she applied it, at least that’s what the box said, but it was totally black on Mom. She had pale white skin and hazel eyes and dyed her reddish-brown hair coal black because she hated the red highlights girls go for today. The reddish tint kept shining through the brown. She had to have jet black hair, red, red lips, and pearly white teeth like the song Daddy loved. She always kept up her hair and wore it long, hanging straight down her back, or with the ends curved at her shoulders. In her earlier days, as a young mother, she had it permed, but in later years, she’d complain that the perms always frizzed her hair, so she wore it long and straight, like the young girl she always was at heart.
Mom quit school in the 11th grade to stay home and help her father with the younger children when her mother passed. Grandpa had a strawberry farm in Louisiana, and Mom took over the housework and cooking chores, tending to her smaller brothers and sisters and her older sister’s children. She had a large family, four girls and three boys. Mom was next to the youngest.
Mom always talked about growing up on Grandpa’s Louisiana strawberry farm in Springfield. She loved berries, sunshine, and fresh air. She didn’t like packing them though. She was a picker, the fastest one around. She picked two or three handcarriers to my one and had me picking strawberries at dawn when I was five years old before school. And, I picked again, after school in the evenings.
Mom worked for a local schoolteacher who picked us up and took us to her farm, took me to school with her, took us back to the farm after school, and drove us home at dark. So, I’m a product of Louisiana strawberry fields and packing sheds. When I grew up, I decided I liked packing better than picking, and I was a faster packer than I was a picker. I left the picking to Mom, who could outpick anyone around.
Remember, I told you how Mom loved toast and butter with her morning coffee. Well, I happened to get a two-slice pop-up toaster for a wedding gift. I’d drive to Mom’s early in the morning and bring the toaster with me, so she could have her toast and butter with coffee. I wasn’t there to walk to the bakery for her anymore. Besides, the bakery she loved so much had gone out of business.
Years later, I wondered why Mom never broke down and bought herself a toaster. Maybe it was because she was the only one in the family who was toast crazy. Mom was like that. She wouldn’t have spent the money to buy herself a toaster. She figured the family needed it for other things. Now, I wonder if she didn’t buy a toaster because she liked our mother/daughter visits with coffee and toast. She brewed coffee so strong it’d curl your toes and knock off your socks, but I’d manage to weaken it as much as possible with plenty of sugar and cream and sip it with her. Her coffee was always too strong for me.
How I wish I could bring Mom toast and butter or a hot glazed donut for her morning coffee. On her deathbed, she asked, “Did you freeze those glazed donuts?”
How I wish I could bring her ice cream on a hot summer day. I miss her so much. Growing up, I shared candy and love notes with her. We talked about boys and puppy love. I miss those Mom-and-daughter talks. You see, she left years ago. She had cancer, and God called her home. Oh what I wouldn’t give just to be able to bring Mom an order of toast and butter, an ice cream . . . or a hot glazed donut. But, I count my blessings that I had this mother’s love. I’m who I am today because of God and her.
Bio
Barbara Russell-Robinson lives in Florida with her husband, a cocker spaniel named Sunflower, and an adopted shelter cat. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Christian Writers Guild (CWG), and a graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group and the CWG's Apprentice and Journeyman level courses. She’s completed a novel, True Hidden Treasures.
Hot glazed donuts . . .
I was a young girl in elementary school when I learned how to make Mom happy. She sent me down the street to Gene’s Bakery for orders of toast and butter for breakfast, to the drugstore on Main Street for ice cream, or to the local donut shop for hot glazed donuts.
Funny thing, we never owned a toaster, and Mom loved toast with her morning coffee. She loved hot glazed donuts on a cold winter morning with a steaming cup of Community coffee, or perhaps I should say some coffee with her sugar and cream. Hot summer evenings, it was ice cream.
We lived in a small town, and Mom could trust me to run errands. She used to brag, “Why, I could send Jane across the main highway with a $20 bill at five years old, and she’d bring back my correct change.
I was Mom’s little errand runner and lady. There wasn’t much time for being a little girl. I was the oldest of three girls, and it was up to me to set the example. I set some, that’s for sure. I made good grades in school, never got into trouble, and was Mom’s little lady, but I was also a curious tomboy of a girl. That part didn’t always set so well with Mom.
When I played in the Mississippi red clay at my Grandmother Russell’s with doodle bugs Mom would say, “You should stay neat and clean like your sister. Girls should be girls. She plays with dolls and tea sets like a little lady.”
I held out my palm and showed her my find. “I love playing with these bugs because they look like Volkswagen cars. Just look how they roll up their tiny bodies.”
Of course, Mom didn’t care to look at bugs, so she’d just shake her head and walk away, and I went on happily playing with the doodle bugs or making mud pies. I wasn’t always the little lady Mom wanted me to be. I loved dirt and mud like a boy, and just like a boy, I usually splashed right through puddles instead of skirting them.
Over the years, I made many footsteps to the bakery, donut shop, or drugstore buying Mom all her favorites. She even taught me how to go to the drugstore and find her favorite hair color in just the right shade. She made me memorize the hair color number. Her hair was supposed to be dark brown after she applied it, at least that’s what the box said, but it was totally black on Mom. She had pale white skin and hazel eyes and dyed her reddish-brown hair coal black because she hated the red highlights girls go for today. The reddish tint kept shining through the brown. She had to have jet black hair, red, red lips, and pearly white teeth like the song Daddy loved. She always kept up her hair and wore it long, hanging straight down her back, or with the ends curved at her shoulders. In her earlier days, as a young mother, she had it permed, but in later years, she’d complain that the perms always frizzed her hair, so she wore it long and straight, like the young girl she always was at heart.
Mom quit school in the 11th grade to stay home and help her father with the younger children when her mother passed. Grandpa had a strawberry farm in Louisiana, and Mom took over the housework and cooking chores, tending to her smaller brothers and sisters and her older sister’s children. She had a large family, four girls and three boys. Mom was next to the youngest.
Mom always talked about growing up on Grandpa’s Louisiana strawberry farm in Springfield. She loved berries, sunshine, and fresh air. She didn’t like packing them though. She was a picker, the fastest one around. She picked two or three handcarriers to my one and had me picking strawberries at dawn when I was five years old before school. And, I picked again, after school in the evenings.
Mom worked for a local schoolteacher who picked us up and took us to her farm, took me to school with her, took us back to the farm after school, and drove us home at dark. So, I’m a product of Louisiana strawberry fields and packing sheds. When I grew up, I decided I liked packing better than picking, and I was a faster packer than I was a picker. I left the picking to Mom, who could outpick anyone around.
Remember, I told you how Mom loved toast and butter with her morning coffee. Well, I happened to get a two-slice pop-up toaster for a wedding gift. I’d drive to Mom’s early in the morning and bring the toaster with me, so she could have her toast and butter with coffee. I wasn’t there to walk to the bakery for her anymore. Besides, the bakery she loved so much had gone out of business.
Years later, I wondered why Mom never broke down and bought herself a toaster. Maybe it was because she was the only one in the family who was toast crazy. Mom was like that. She wouldn’t have spent the money to buy herself a toaster. She figured the family needed it for other things. Now, I wonder if she didn’t buy a toaster because she liked our mother/daughter visits with coffee and toast. She brewed coffee so strong it’d curl your toes and knock off your socks, but I’d manage to weaken it as much as possible with plenty of sugar and cream and sip it with her. Her coffee was always too strong for me.
How I wish I could bring Mom toast and butter or a hot glazed donut for her morning coffee. On her deathbed, she asked, “Did you freeze those glazed donuts?”
How I wish I could bring her ice cream on a hot summer day. I miss her so much. Growing up, I shared candy and love notes with her. We talked about boys and puppy love. I miss those Mom-and-daughter talks. You see, she left years ago. She had cancer, and God called her home. Oh what I wouldn’t give just to be able to bring Mom an order of toast and butter, an ice cream . . . or a hot glazed donut. But, I count my blessings that I had this mother’s love. I’m who I am today because of God and her.
Bio
Barbara Russell-Robinson lives in Florida with her husband, a cocker spaniel named Sunflower, and an adopted shelter cat. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Christian Writers Guild (CWG), and a graduate of Long Ridge Writers Group and the CWG's Apprentice and Journeyman level courses. She’s completed a novel, True Hidden Treasures.
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