Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Author Michelle Sutton

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
It's Not About Him Sheaf House (September 1, 2009)
by Michelle Sutton

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Sutton, otherwise known as the Edgy Inspirational Author, is Editor-in-chief of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, a member of ACFW, a social worker by trade, and a prolific reader/book reviewer/blogger the rest of the time.
She lives in Arizona with her husband of nineteen years and her two teenaged sons. Michelle is also the author of It's Not about Me (2008) and It's Not About Him (Sheaf House 2009). She has nine other titles releasing over the next three years.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Susie passed out while drinking at Jeff’s party and later discovered she’s pregnant. She has no idea who the father is and considers having an abortion, but instead decides to place her baby for adoption. Following through ends up being more wrenching than she imagined, but she’s determined to do the right thing for her baby.
Jeff feels guilty that Susie was taken advantage of at his party and offers to marry her so she won’t have to give up her baby, like his birth mother did with him. But Susie refuses, insisting he should he marry someone he loves. Can he convince her that his love is genuine before it’s too late? Can she make him understand that it’s not about him—it’s about what’s best for her child?

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of It's Not About Him, go HERE

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0979748577

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Photo Tuesday - Cause & Effect

There's a law that states that for every action, there is a reaction. A stone tossed in a still pond will cause ever-widening ripples.



As writers we need to apply cause & effect to our craft.
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Are our scenes and characters designed for a purpose? Do they serve a point? Is our storyline in need of some tightening so actions aren't meaningless?










For every cause...





.






..is there an effect?









Look back over your work - see any situations that simply fizzle into nothing? Places where you've started the ball rolling but it gathers moss instead? Pointless points will only disappoint your readers!

.

Point taken?
.
In a nutshell - don't build and prime the pump unless you're prepared for water!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Entertainment Meme

Covering books, movies, music, and more!

1. What book is your favorite?
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey

2. Oldest books you own?
I have the orginal editions of Bambi and Bambi's Children.

3. Any autographed books?
Tery Brooks, p.m.terrell, Valerie Connelly...

4. Biggest name author you've ever met?
Catherine Coulter (met her at the 2007 Book 'Em Festival)

5. How many books do you own?
Between 800 & 850

6. Favorite movie?
Legend, The Terminator, LOTR trilogy, The Crow.. I can't name just one!

7. Favorite Disney movie?
The Emperor's New Groove (Uh-huh! Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!)

8. Movie that always makes you cry?
Born Free - gets me every time!

9. Scariest movie?
The Changeling - good ghost stories creep me out! (Although werewolf movies freak me out, too.)

10. Most romantic movie?
When Harry Met Sally - it came out right after Craig and I started dating and we said, "That's us!"

11. Favorite musician or band?
Jean Michel Jarre, French composer/new age artist

12. Favorite genre of music?
Hard/progressive rock

13. Musician you've seen the most in concert?
Def Leppard (Queensryche, Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Rush all tie for second)

14. Favorite song?
Last Chance by Shooting Star (little-known 80's band from St. Louis)

15. Saddest song?
Nadia's Theme

16. Favorite TV show?
X-Files (yeah, I was a total junkie!)

17. Favorite reality-based show?
I'm really hooked on both No Reservations and Top Gear right now, but I always enjoy a good Mythbusters

18. Favorite TV sport?
Football (yes, I'm in total bliss right now!)

19. When traveling, entertainment of choice?
Oh, give me a theme park with roller coasters any day of the week!

20. Favorite home entertainment outside of books, movies, music, and TV?
We play a lot of board games!

Feel free to post your own, but I specifically tag:
Chris - CC Chronicles
Missy - Missys Book Nook
Marvin - The Old Silly’s Free Spirit Blog
Jo-Jo - Jo-Jo Loves to Read
Chantele - Always Something to Read
Jai - Jai Joshi’s Tulsi Tree

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Characterization - Get Real!

Since I am in Oregon at the moment, I'm posting an article that's appeared numerous times, but not on my blog - enjoy!

Characterization: Get Real!

If the plot is the backbone of the story, then the characters are the heart. Creating believable characters that your readers will identify with is crucial to a good story. Your characters must have depth, personality and the ability to evoke an emotional response from your reader.

Before you can formulate a riveting story, an interesting character must be devised. Many writers envision the setting first and the people inhabiting that world second. This often results in shallow characters. Developing a character in depth, complete with flaws, will give you a basis for your narrative. It is easier to build a plot around an individual than force that character into unrealistic situations.

Two factors will determine your character – their background and their personality type. Both are equally important and require some thought. Humans all share similar feelings and needs, but how they respond to those depends on their upbringing and their basic, fundamental personality. You need to be aware of these factors when writing your story.

Backgrounds are as varied as humans themselves. Race, culture, religion, and economic status all contribute to one’s development as a person. A person’s moral compass is easily affected by their upbringing, and you need to keep this in mind when creating your characters. A person raised by a loving family on a farm and someone raised on the streets of New York will not react the same! Flesh out your character with a family history, interests, and experiences.

Become familiar with the four basic personality types – choleric, sanguine, melancholy and phlegmatic. They will also determine how your character reacts in any given situation. (“Personality Plus” by Florence Littauer is an excellent book for researching these personality traits.) A bold, first-born choleric would likely take charge in a situation, while an introverted phlegmatic would step aside. You need to be aware of these personality traits in your character or you will find them responding in a dubious fashion.

Avoid the temptation to create a perfect character! People are flawed creatures and the more imperfections and internal conflicts your character possesses, the more intriguing your story. Give them weaknesses, impulses and unresolved issues. Negative aspects of your character might improve and eventually vanish, but this needs to be developed slowly during the course of your narrative. Life altering moments happen for us all, but a sudden change for no apparent reason will be looked upon as a mere plot contrivance.

Characters will always be the drive and focal point of any story. By putting a great deal of thought into your main characters, you will form interesting, relatable people. Once you have established this foundation, you can begin creating an intriguing tale!

- Author & professional speaker, L. Diane Wolfe www.spunkonastick.net www.thecircleoffriends.net

Friday, September 25, 2009

And Now For Something Completely Different...

'Tis a flesh wound!


And now for the news around the book world...

Book Giveaways!
“How to Rule the World From Your Couch” book giveaway - At Home With Books
Many cool giveaways, and more than books! J. Kaye’s Book Blog

Debbie discovered a cool new book – Strange But True America Debbie’s World of Books

Another type of festival, the Encyclo-Media, courtesy of Vivian Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap

Josh Hanagarne poses the question – is commenting on other blogs worth it? Pro Blogger

Helen Ginger talks about a new sitcom about a book editor Straight From Hel

3-D coming to home television in 2010! CNN



And Jay Leno's new show has a segment where guests race around a track and their times are ranked - this idea was STOLEN from BBC's Top Gear program!!!!!


Spunky is currently in Oregon, so my time online will be limited.



* REFLECTIONS *

I think I really need this break, especially as I will hit the ground running upon my return and be on the road more than I am at home.

I also need this time to reflect and re-evaluate. Because I'm beginning to think I am on the wrong path...


Whether it's the subject matter of my books or my marketing, something isn't working. I'll confess, I'm struggling. The non-fiction is doing well. My YA series... not so well. My publisher's sent out huge mailings to libraries & bookstores, sent out PR and ARCs, submitted to bookstores to stock. (B&N carries in warehouse, but declined to stock in stores.) On my end, I've sent out mailings & emails, made appearances, set up virtual tours and done publicity online. But something isn't working...


Did you know that during my 2 & 1/2 week virtual tour for Book III, my website visitor total was at its lowest of the entire year?



Book IV comes out October 6th and the final book on March 16, 2010. My editor had high praise for Book V, and it may indeed be one of the best things I've ever written. However, it will also be the last in that series and genre. I don't do nitty-gritty. I don't do controversial. I don't write paranormal or urban fantasy. And that's what sells. So I guess my chances at success as a YA author are pretty much... nil.

I've got a couple things in the works, one of which is a follow-up to "Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!" for children. After that, I have no idea...

Guess I'm at the crossroads on a path I should've never pursued...

* And lest you think I am in a big funk, I'd like to thank Terry Lynn Johnson for her kinds words the other day. I won't give up, Terry, and I'll try to keep inspiring! Thanks so much.



* PHOTO OF THE DAY *





I forgot to mention that as members of the Trans Siberian Orchestra fan club, we get first dibs on concert tickets. For their show in Raleigh this December, we are on the floor, in the middle, SECOND ROW...




Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Thursday Excerpt - Patti O’Donoghue

Today's excerpt comes from an author I've known for several years now, Patti O’Donoghue. She's a bundle of energy, too!

Patti wanted to give everyone a little sample of her books...

The Stanhope Trilogy
By Patti O’Donoghue


Whether you are an armchair reader or an adventurous traveler, you’ll love the trials and tribulations of Celia and Goldie in The Stanhope Trilogy. The girls, ready to escape dull and boring Sandy Run, North Carolina, end up in the far-flung islands of the Western Pacific Ocean—Guam, Saipan, Rota. Although these islands seem more at home in a World War II history book, the girls head for Guam in search for shipwreck and treasure.
What do they know about living in the “real world” they’re so anxious to get into? What do they know about paying bills? Or buying cars and insurance? Or renting their own apartment? In fact, do they even know where Guam USA is? Or how to get there?
You’ll find out in these three fun, fast-paced books. Live the adventure with Celia and Goldie as they learn that treasure isn’t necessarily made of gold.

Book One: Celia
Thirteen-year-old Cecilia Anne Stanhope watches the crash of the small aircraft carrying her parents. This tragedy changes her from a child of privilege to a poor orphan with only one living relative—Air Force Captain Anita Carter. Within a month of her parents’ death, Celia is transported from the beautiful woodlands of eastern North Carolina to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Does she like it? No. Is she nice about it? No!
Cecilia does not like her aunt and her aunt does not like Celia. It's a regular standoff between two strong-willed females. Mix in her aunt's boyfriend, Captain Michael Howland, who tries to be nice to Celia--maybe too nice--and the fireworks spark.
What Celia needs more than anything is a friend. Then she meets the golden one, Regina "Goldie" O'Brien. Talk about double trouble! These two misplaced Southern girls are it!

Book Two: Where America’s Day Begins
Cecilia Anne “Celia” Stanhope and co-conspirator Regina “Goldie” O’Brien are at it again! They’re back in Sandy Run, North Carolina, and Celia learns that her dead parents left a trust fund of more than $100,000—a detail that her guardian, Captain Anita Carter, failed to mention.
Trouble is Celia is eighteen years old and supposed to wait until she’s twenty-one to get the money! Does she want to wait? Will her aunt terminate the trust early? You guessed it, NO.
Celia cooks up a plan to get her aunt to release the trust funds. But where to go? The girls spin the globe and settle on a tiny dot in the western Pacific Ocean, Guam, USA, as the place. Now the girls have the place and soon Celia will have the money.
Mix in discovery, treasure and tales of shipwreck--and Celia's belief that treasure is sitting in the sand and waiting for them to find it--and you'll see how very misplaced these two southern girls can get!

Book Three: The Wreck
Hey there! This is Celia Stanhope with my very best friend, Goldie O’Brien. We used to breathe in the fresh salt air at Topsail Beach, North Carolina, and gaze across the lovely Atlantic Ocean. We wished we could find shipwrecks filled with treasure.
We dreamed of riches and, of course, we wanted it to be easy—just picking up gold doubloons off the ocean floor. We wanted to get out of small-town Sandy Run. We wanted to get away from part-time jobs and adults telling us what to do.
Be careful what you wish for. Life can get harder than you’d ever imagine, and your small town will look mighty good. Without support from those people you want to get away from, it’s possible that you may end up living on the streets—homeless!
Find out how two misplaced southern girls from eastern North Carolina end up on the islands of Guam and Rota in the western Pacific. Will we find the German ship, S.M.S. Cormoran and its treasure?
Perhaps real treasure is not made of gold.

What readers of The Stanhope Trilogy are saying:
I have put down Harry Potter and started Celia. I immediately felt like a next door neighbor, one that had known her since she was a toddler! Let me know when the next book is done! ~ Rita, New Bern, NC
I look forward to finding out what happens next! ~ Jeff, Mount Olive, NC
I just finished Celia and Goldie’s second adventure, Where America’s Day Begins. WONDERFUL!! I don’t understand how you can leave me hanging like that. I absolutely cannot wait for the third book. Do you actually believe you’re going to be able to stop at three? ~Ashley, Mount Olive, NC
I’ll be waiting breathlessly for book three! ~Jeremiah, Bloomington, IN
Can’t wait to get my hands on your next book. ~ Ann, Goldsboro, NC
Just finished reading Where America’s Day Begins. It is great—as was Book One! Now I am anxiously awaiting Book Three of the Trilogy. ~ Martha, Charlotte, NC
NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK! I REALLLLLLY ENJOYED THIS ONE. GREAT FLASHBACK TO THE ISLANDS! ~ Monica, Knob Noster, MO—formerly of Guam, USA
We are half way through Where America’s Day Begins and can’t wait to find out what happens next. My granddaughters are already asking me to keep on the look out for the next book. ~Brenda, Goldsboro, NC
Love the books! ~ Bill, Morehead City, NC
Great second book – and can’t wait to read book three! ~ Kim, Charleston, SC
I look forward to reading your entire trilogy!! ~ Mike, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska


Website -
The Stanhope Trilogy
Buy the books at -
Authorhouse 1-888-280-7715 (AuthorHouse toll-free book order hotline) and online at Amazon, B&N, & Borders
Also available through Ingram and Baker & Taylor

Upcoming by Patti O’Donoghue, a modern fairytale:
Princess Elizabeth Solves the Big Problem
Meet Princess Elizabeth. On her very royal birthday, her very royal parents, the king and queen, make a very royal decree. Henceforth Princess Elizabeth is to rule over a small dynasty, The Kingdom of Olive Mountain, where by a very royal rule, people eat olives. In fact, they eat a lot of olives. It’s their staple food, which is all well and good. The only problem is that each and every last one of the townsfolk on Olive Mountain are tired of eating olives. Granted, it’s the way it has always been. Folks in Turkey Town gobble turkey. Those in Strawberry Station savor strawberries. Of course, all those dwellers on Sweet Potato Square love their sweet potatoes—or do they? After consulting with her father, Princess Elizabeth decides to find out. It seems to her that if you take a problem and approach it in a whole new way, something is bound to change. In this case, Princess Elizabeth is determined to come up with a better plan and a different menu.
Published by Book Surge.com, November 2009 release date.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Author Kim Vogel Sawyer

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Fields Of Grace Bethany House (October 2009)
by Kim Vogel Sawyer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, speaker, singer of songs and lover of chocolate... but most importantly, she's a born-again child of the King!
A former elementary school teacher, Kim closed her classroom door in 2005 to follow God's call on her heart to write and speak. Now blessed with multiple writing contracts with Bethany House, Barbour, and Zondervan Publishing, Kim enjoys sharing her journey to publication as well as the miraculous story of her healing from a life-long burden of pain and shame.
Kim's gentle yet forthright testimony lends credence to the promise of Ps. 117:2--"Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever."

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Will their Mennonite faith be shaken or strengthened by the journey to a new land?
With their eldest son nearly to the age when he will be drafted into military service, Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt decide to immigrate to America, the land of liberty, with their three sons and Reinhardt's adopted brother, Eli. But when tragedy strikes during the voyage, Lillian and Eli are forced into an agreement neither desires.
Determined to fulfill his obligation to Reinhardt, Eli plans to see Lillian and her sons safely settled on their Kansas homestead--and he's equally determined that the boys will be reared in the Mennonite faith. What he doesn't expect is his growing affection for Lillian--and the deep desire to be part of a family.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Fields Of Grace, go HERE
The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764205080

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Book Giveaway Winner!

BBAW may be over, but not the prizes!

We have a winner in my BBAW drawing, which ended today.

Congratulations to Terry Lynn Johnson!

She won the drawing for a copy of The Circle of Friends, Book IV...Mike, due out October 6th.

Enjoy, Terry!

And thanks to everyone who entered the drawing.

Photo Tuesday - Oregon

Last day to sign up for the book giveaway!! See top of sidebar.

Also, I was honored with the The Blogosphere Award by Crystal Clear Proofing

It's purpose is simply to acknowledge what we all have in common, and spread some HAPPY! It's exciting to receive an award! You're being given a gift, you're being recognized, appreciated. You're being thought of. And it's FUN! Who doesn't like any of those things?
The rules of this award are simply to acknowledge from whom you received it, and pass it on to people you think would like to have it, for whatever reason you want, or for no special reason at all! Don't NOT pass this, or any award for that matter, on to someone just because they already have one of that award. Receving more than one of any award is an incredible compliment and honor! Being thought of always makes a person feel good!
We're all SHARING when we blog. So please spread this around! Share it with others, the way you share with everyone every time you post on your blog! Spread some HAPPY! Unite in what we all share and have in common...the Blogosphere!
So this award goes to any reading this blog, as we are all part of this family!

In honor of my trip to Oregon in a couple days, I thought I would share with you some images & memories of my home state...






This is up at my grandparent's cabin on the Little North Fork River in the Cascades. I learned how to swim here!








This is me and my best friend, Dale, during one of my visits...

Yes, that IS blonde hair on me...







This is my other best friend, Violet, from another visit to Oregon.

(Thought the girls might kill me if I posted some really old photos from our childhood - LOL!)









This is Peterson's Rock Gardens, which sits near Bend, Oregon.
















The Oregon Coast!












The sand dunes near Florence, Oregon, as seen from a sea plane.



Yes, it was really, really cool!








Hanging out with my cousin, Chris, in his old convertible.


Gosh, don't we look like trouble!









And finally, the oldest shot of me you're gonna get - fourteen years old and riding a horse on my cousin's ranch in Eastern Oregon!








Now, I know Missy at Missys Book Nook isn't afraid, but who else is brave enough to post old photo memories????



Monday, September 21, 2009

Guest Lynn Tincher & Encouraging Young Writers



Lynn is on my list of authors-I-just-have-to-meet-in-person-someday! I admire her dedication and I just know we could have some fun together. Or is that cause trouble...?

At any rate, please welcome Lynn!

Encouraging Young Writers

The youth of today are amazing. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience at their fingertips. I know I would have loved to have access at a young age to all that is readily available at the touch of a button today. Oh the things I could have learned and drawn from for my creative mind to work. That’s only part of the reason I am dedicating some time as an adult to help encourage creativity and imagination in our young ones.

We’ve all said it. Our children are smarter and grow up faster than we did. Why not help guide them along the way to express their imagination? It doesn’t have to necessarily be in writing alone. There are many art forms in which our children can express themselves. Writing is just one of them and a crucial one at that. In the age of email and text messaging, written communication has become a vital part of our every day life. I want to help encourage our youth to branch out beyond that. Even if it is just creative blogging.

What incredible minds our children have. Their dreams become bigger and bigger. Much bigger than the dreams I had as a child and my dreams were bigger than my parents. What a wealth of experience our children have to create amazing stories. Their forward thinking is our future. Books, screenplays, and Broadway musicals that will be written twenty years from now are in their hands. I want to help encourage that now.

I love watching the face of a child when I’ve said or done something that gets them excited. Its wonderful when they bring a sheet of paper with a poem or a drawing that is truly amazing and I’ve give them a hug, brag on their work and praise them for a job well done. It’s even more wonderful when later in life, they come back to visit you or send you an email telling you how much you’ve encouraged them with their art.

That’s what I want to be. I want to be the role model that is there with an open heart, giving my all so that I can influence each child to find their way and achieve their dreams. If I can do it, any one of them can. I want to show them that with dedication and hard work they too can make their dreams a reality. In the face of rejection, I want them to know that it’s OK to stop, learn, try again and not give up. I want to help them learn to never get discouraged but be proud of their accomplishments, no matter how small. These are not only great lessons in breaking into the tough world of writing and publishing, but life lessons as well. Life is not fair. We do run in to people that hurt us and try to discourage us. It’s all a part of it.

There is a downside to the way things are today and the addition of text messages. Proper grammar had gone out the window. We need to encourage our children to focus on increasing out communication skills. I can’t imagine today’s executive communicating with LOL’s and OMG’s. I’m quite certain that tomorrow’s executives will not as well. Encouraging our youth to write their thoughts and ideas while increasing their vocabulary and writing skills is a win for both now and in their professional careers in the future.

I challenge each of you to take on the role of encouraging our youth in both writing and in life. I hope that one day you will have a long line of people wanting to express their gratitude in the influence you’ve had in their life. For me, that is the ultimate accomplishment.



About Lynn Tincher
Author and Publisher of The Literary Lynnch Pen

Lynn was born in the small town of La Grange, Kentucky and grew up in Goshen. She has always had a vivid imagination. One of her fondest memories of growing up was when a short story of hers was read in front of the students at Oldham County High School. Since then, her love for writing blossomed.

Lynn studied Theater Arts in College in hopes of becoming a Drama/English teacher. She has written articles in local newspapers and travel brochures. Now, she is focused on writing novels, short stories and poems.

Not only does Lynn look forward to sharing her stories, she is also focused on helping other new writers in their efforts to get published. She publishes The Literary Lynnch Pen as an effort to help writers and offer advice.

Lynn Tincher’s Website
The Literary Lynnch Pen
Lynn Tincher’s Blog

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Here There Be Dragons!

Dragon Awards!

I was honored to get not one, but TWO dragon awards on Friday! Someone knows my fondness for dragons...

First one came from Chris at CC Chronicles - big hugs, Chris!!

The Heart of a Dragon Award is a very special award for the blogger who inspires you and/or others to go above and beyond or the blogger who helps keep us all connected.

Here are the rules:
1. Post the award on your site with a link to the person who gave it to you.
2. Pass it on to the blogger(s) who inspire you and list why they are receiving the award.
3. Post a comment on their blog.

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog
I'm inspired by her diversity, commitment, and caring.
Helen at Straight From Hel
I'm inspired by the depth & detail in her writing, not to mention quality.
Tony at Marketing Tips For Authors
I'm inspired how he has something fresh to say every day. Oh, and his BIG 4 - 0 birthday was yesterday - go wish him a belated one!


Next one also came from CC Chronicles - woo-hoo, more hugs!

The Dragon's Loyalty Award is an award for the loyal fan/commenter, whether the recipient is a fellow blogger or just a someone who follows and comments regularly.

Here are the rules:
* If you have a blog, post it on your blog with a link back to the site who gave it to you.
* Leave them a comment on their site, email, etc. to let them know.
* If you don't have a blog but have a website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or other type account, post there with a link back.
* Pass this on to 3-10 loyal fans.

Crystal at Crystal Clear Proofing
Marvin at The Old Silly’s Free Spirit Blog
Missy at Missys Book Nook
Helen at Straight From Hel
Karen at karen...following the whispers

Friday, September 18, 2009

And Now For Something Completely Different...


Shrubbery!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is now coming to a close. It's been a fun week and I've learned so much about other book bloggers.

Reminder about the giveaway - leave a comment HERE for a chance to win a free copy of The Circle of Friends, Book IV...Mike. Contest ends on September 22nd.

Monday I had a scheduled post, so I was unable to mention some blogs of note that did not make the voting cut. I shall do so now! And I am limiting myself to four sites. Please no one feel left out and there's several I'd love to mention that did receive a nomination, too. Just check out my blogroll for more awesome book bloggers!

TexasRed Books
She reviews and posts on a variety of subjects, and you gotta tune in on Wednesdays for her prairie dog!

Jo-Jo Loves To Read
This is one of the nicest book bloggers I've ever met. Her blog has simply exploded over the past few months - check it out and see why!

Missy’s Book Nook
She's more than books - I just love all her retro posts! I was an 80's teen, so it's like a trip down memory lane...

Always Something To Read
Chantele is amazing - and she goes the extra mile in everything she does!

You girls are all tops in my book!

BBAW prompt for today - Setting Goals. What do I like best about my blog right now and where would I like my blog to be a year from now?
I like that I finally have a structure as far as posting, and I've managed to give it a little personality, too. (My sidebar will reach to Mars soon!)
A year from now? Five times the followers and ten times the commenters! I'd like more author guest posts & features, and book giveaways. I will probably never have time to review books (too busy writing) but I can do everything else!

Okay, in the news briefly:

Amazon will soon require that everyone participate in the Search-Inside-The-Book Program: Media Bistro
They've already switched to pdf uploads ONLY.

And Jo-Jo mentioned me in her blog Monday regarding great bloggers who missed the cut: Jo-Jo Loves To Read
Aw, thanks so much!!!

*Video of the Day!*

If you have not seen these videos for Norton Anti-Virus Spyware staring Dokken, then you have to check out all three! This one is 'allow' - and there's another 'allow' and a 'deny.'


Is that just too funny or what????

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Thursday Excerpt - Jocelyn Andersen

Today's excerpt comes from an author who has triumphed over domestic violence! Heading up Hungry Hearts Ministries, Jocelyn Andersen is an incredible testimony to the power of the human spirit - and the power of God. She's full of life and energy and just an incredible woman.

The excerpt comes from her upcoming book, “Woman this is WAR! Gender, Slavery, & the Evangelical Caste System”

While tracing the relatively parallel courses of emancipation for the slave and emancipation for the woman, Woman this is WAR! Gender, Slavery, & the Evangelical Caste System, addresses the caste system imposed upon fundamentalist and evangelical Christians through the doctrine of headship and submission as taught from the Complementarian theological position. Although leaders of the Complementarian view attempt to distance themselves from old school, traditional, views concerning men and women, with the exception of a few “loophole pluggers,” their doctrine is virtually identical to that which has historically been taught among evangelicals and fundamentalists regarding sex roles within the church, family, and society.

This doctrine is not only false but directly responsible for much of the suffering taking place within contemporary Christian homes, including the sin and trauma of domestic abuse and domestic violence. Complementary doctrine, although it claims to be the salvation of the contemporary church and family, is not only unscriptural but dangerously divisive, pitting fellow Christians against one another, husbands against wives, and wives against husbands. It binds Christian men and women into a rigid, implacable, caste system while at the same time embroiling them in a vicious gender war.

“Woman this is WAR...,” takes a new look at old scriptural arguments traditionally used to keep men and women enslaved in illegitimate bondage based on sex. Just as the Bible did not condone the sin of slavery based on skin color, it also does not condone a slavery-like caste system based on gender. The scriptures do not teach a Divine order of Creation or a Divine Mandate placing males in authority over females in either the church or the home.

In addition, Christians have been seriously misled by respected leaders and authors concerning Christian history in regards to women and women’s rights. This book will set the record straight.

Jesus said we would know the truth and the truth would set us FREE.

Let us allow His Light and Truth to bring an end to the evangelical gender war while challenging Christian men and women to embrace and appreciate our God-given gender distinctions without giving place to haughty spirits of superiority, degrading feelings of inferiority, hatred, prejudice, fear of one another’s differences, or the sinful need to either be in charge or to submit in an idolatrous manner. Let us break the bonds of a cruel, unbiblical, caste system by applying the healing salve of repentance, forgiveness, love and truth to the deep wounds inflicted on both the men and women of God by the relentless “slaveholding spirit” present in evangelical thought and practice regarding women.


Jocelyn Andersen, author of several books including, "Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence," advocates for gender equality within the evangelical Christian community. For more information on Jocelyn Andersen’s books and sites visit: Woman Submit! & Jocelyn Andersen

Jocelyn also contributed a chapter of "Woman Submit!" to my book "Overoming Obstacles with SPUNK!" and is one of my co-authors! We've not had the opportunity to meet yet, but I certainly hope to one day soon!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

BBAW Reading Meme


To continue with BBAW, today's post offers a Meme and a contest!!




Comment below to win a copy of The Circle of Friends, Book IV...Mike, due out October 6th. Please provide an email address.
This contest is open until September 22nd at 2pmEST

Now, on to the Meme!

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack? Tortilla chips!

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? I do highlight some.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open? Bookmark. (Bending a book? Horrors!)

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Both!

Hard copy or audiobooks? Hard copy.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? At any point.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? Guilty – I bleep over it!

What are you currently reading? Just finished Five Love Languages – Singles Edition

What is the last book you bought? Having a blonde moment here...

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time? 2-3 at a time

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? Mid afternoon.

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? Fiction - series, non-fiction - stand alone.

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? The Five Love Languages

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) By genre.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

BBAW Interview Swap

I decided to participate in the BBAW Interview Swap and was paired with a wonderful woman by the name of Marg. Her blog is Reading Adventures - please stop by and tell her hello today!

Now time for the interogation, er, interview!

When did you begin blogging about books and why?

I began blogging just under four years ago. I had been reading a number of book blogs (notably Rosario’s Reading Journal and Rambling’s on Romance .) From there I gradually started to read more and more blog, mostly romance.

The thing was I really, really wanted to talk about the books that I was reading, but there was no one around me who was interested in those kind of conversations. The clincher for me was when I read a book called The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, and I just HAD to have an outlet to talk about that book! It was my first review, and I really cringe when I read it now, but it was the book that started me on my blogging journey.

You list several genres you enjoy, but which one is your favorite?

I really should change my about me section because it has been a while since I read at least one of the genres I have listed, and I am reading a lot more paranormal and fantasy books now than I ever used to. If I absolutely HAVE to pick a favourite, it is definitely historical fiction. I just love getting lost in the past.

Many book bloggers have regular posts, such as Teaser Tuesdays. In which of these do you participate? Do you have a weekly post that is totally your own?

I participate in Teaser Tuesday every week on my blog and usually also post in Raidergirl’s It’s Tuesday Where Are You Raidergirl . Some times I participate in Weekly Geeks as well, but often I find that the week has ended and I am still thinking about what I am going to post!

I co-host Library Loot with Eva from A Striped Armchair (http://astripedarmchair.wordpress.com/). The idea is to share the books that you have picked up from the library each week! Given how many books I get out from the library on a regular basis it seemed a perfect fit for me, so when Eva put out the call for a new co-host I was quick to volunteer.

It’s not a weekly event, but I also cohost a special Advent Blog Tour with Kelly from The Written World (http://myreadingbooks.blogspot.com/). Each day during December we visit bloggers who share something about their holiday traditions. It is amazing to read about celebrations all round the world including music, movies, recipes and lots of other things. It’s a lot of fun to do, and it is definitely a highlight of the festive season for me!

Are most of the books you review from your home country of Australia?

I really don’t read enough Australian authors. This year only 6% of the books I have read have been by Aussie authors. I need to do better, not only because there are some fantastic Australian authors out there that I think I would enjoy but also to try and support our local industry.

Ever had an author go ballistic because of a less than stellar review?

I wouldn’t say ballistic. I did have an author who was quite eager to provide more positive alternate reviews when I didn’t really enjoy his book. He didn’t really go ballistic though which is lucky. I am pretty non-confrontational at the best of times so I would freak out if they did go ballistic at me!

You are co-contributor of many blogs! How did that all come about?

It does look like a lot of blogs when you check out my profile but many of those blogs are reading challenge blogs, and several of those are for challenges that are over. I am a reading-challenge-a-holic and always have several on the go. Okay, several may be an understatement – maybe lots is more appropriate!

The blogs that I spend the most time collaborating on are one that I do with my sister for her papercraft workshops and Historical Tapestry. I would love to do more on the papercraft one, but I am still trying to convince my sister of the benefits of blogging regularly, and how fun it can be! Lots of work to do there still though.

Historical Tapestry is a group blog that I contribute to along with Kelly, Teddy Rose, Ana, and Alex, specialising in Historical Fiction. There are reviews, giveaway announcements, special events, and much more. My favourite regular feature is called Why I Love, where we ask historical fiction authors and other bloggers to tell us why they love something of their choice. It could be a particular person or era in history. For example, not too long ago we had Elizabeth Chadwick telling us about Why she loves William Marshal Historical Tapestry , the main character in her book The Greatest Knight. It is always very interesting to read the guest posts as they come in! I think our catchiest Why I Love post title so far is from Susan Higginbotham who wrote Why I Love Writing About Women Whose Husbands Die Horrible Deaths. ( Historical Tapestry ) I also just love the various Why I Love buttons that Alex made for us!

Does your reading habit sometimes take time away from your family? (Or is it the other way around?)

At the moment my reading time is mainly on my commute to and from work which is between three and a half to four hours traveling time each day. I am about to start a new job though where my traveling time is going to be reduced quite significantly so my reading patterns are likely to change. I don’t read quite as much as I used to when I first started catching the train as these days there is a group of ladies who I chat to if I happen to be on the same train.

Other than that I read for about half an hour most nights before I go to sleep so the reading doesn’t really impact on my family.

If we want to talk about whether blogging impacts that is a different story. By the time I read the many blogs that I am subscribed to, write my own blog posts, and also visit the forums that I am involved in either as a member or moderator, that’s a lot of computer time. I haven’t even talked about Facebook yet!

Your blog, Reading Adventure, was nominated for three BBAW awards – which one do you feel was the most deserving?

I was very honoured to be nominated in three categories – Best Historical Fiction/History, Most Chatty, and Best Romance. In the end I withdrew from the first one because Historical Tapestry was also nominated and I really hoped that HT would make the shortlist in that category. It wasn’t to be, this year at least!

I think I was most excited about Most Chatty, mainly because when I first started blogging years ago, I was all books all the time. These days my blog still reflects my love of reading, but there could be a music video one day, or some posts talking about things that I have been doing, some Aussie Rules football or lots of other things. I wasn’t necessarily sure that people liked that, but obviously someone does!

I was beyond surprised when I was shortlisted for Best Romance Blog. I do read a lot of romance and just talk about that genre in the same way I might talk about fantasy or YA fiction. The other nominations in the category are all excellent romance blogs and deserve to be shortlisted!

Are you a quiet time reader or anyplace you have five minutes reader?

I am definitely an ‘any place you have five minutes kind of reader’. I always have at least one book in my handbag, usually two just in case I finish the first one! I have been known to get through 10 to 15 pages of a book if I drive to work as I sit in the traffic waiting to move, and often read when I take my son to his sporting practices.

What else do you like to do that doesn’t center around books?

Reading, and talking about reading, is my passion, but I also do a little bit of card making which I post about when I can. It is fair to say though I find it a bit more difficult to be visually creative rather than just verbally creative. It is something that I do with my sister which is good for us so even though it can be hard work sometimes I do enjoy it.

Other than that, I am a single mum with a full time job so I spend a lot of time being taxi to my sporty boy, and that is most of my time gone. I aim to fit in either a walk or a swim at least a couple of times a week and I do try to go to some concerts and some live sporting events during the year as well.

And the last word, Marg…?

I am excited that BBAW is here, and I hope that book bloggers take the opportunity to celebrate the very diverse range of book blogs there are in blogland!

I know that I am going to find it hard to keep up with all the posts during this week, but I can’t wait to discover some new blogs and book recommendations.

Thanks to the BBAW organizers for everything they have done and are doing for this year’s BBAW and thanks for the excellent interview questions!

Thank you, Marg!
Please visit her blog Reading Adventures - and check out MY interview as well!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Most Awesome Author, p.m.terrell!


I am honored to present my mentor & dear friend, author p.m.terrell today!

If you EVER have the opportunity to meet Trish in person, DO NOT pass it up! She is just so incredibly genuine and personable. You will come away feeling refreshed, recharged, and blessed to have met such a special person.

So please welcome Trish!

p.m.terrell is the internationally acclaimed author of twelve books, including five non-fiction, two historical suspense/adventure, and five contemporary suspense/thrillers. PBS host Barbara Berlin said Terrell is “the next John Grisham”; Midwest Book Review said, “Songbirds are Free is historical writing at its best”; syndicated Canadian book reviewer Simon Barrett said Terrell’s writing is “a magic carpet ride of writing wizardry”; and Rebecca’s Reads says her books “sing like red-hot jazz.”

Her latest historical suspense, River Passage, is the prequel to Songbirds are Free. It follows the Neely family on the ill-fated Donelson voyage of 1779-1780. The trip was expected to take four weeks but instead took more than four months, as the settlers encountered numerous Indian attacks during the height of the Chickamauga Indian War, as well as disease, starvation, deadly whirlpools and frostbite. Some of the settlers were killed, some were captured… and some lived to tell the tale.

Why did you choose Mary Neely as the subject of River Passage and Songbirds are Free?

My father discovered Mary’s amazing story when he was researching our family history. She had been captured by Shawnee warriors when she was only nineteen years old and held as a slave for three years before she managed to escape. While I was researching her Indian captivity, I located so much information about her life that I had enough to write an entire series about her.

She was captured in 1780. How did you manage to find information from so long ago?

I began with the Internet. I used only information from reputable, dependable web sites—such as those associated with historical societies, museums, and government archives. Songbirds was more of a challenge, because there were month-long gaps in which I didn’t know where she was or what she was doing. But with River Passage, there were several journals kept by people on the river journey, including a detailed one by their leader, John Donelson.

So, were you able to write both books simply through electronic research?

Well, I began with the Internet but through that, I developed a blueprint of places I wanted to visit, people I wanted to talk to, and files and archives I wanted to review in person. So once I had a clearer view of her journeys, I contacted the historical societies, tourism bureaus, and museums along the way and planned several trips.

With River Passage, they began on the Holston River until they reached the Tennessee River. Once they were on the Tennessee, they were repeatedly attacked by Chickamauga Indians from east of Chattanooga (in the vicinity of Duck Town) all the way past Muscle Shoals, Alabama. I went to remote regions where I could view the Tennessee River snaking through the mountains; visited areas in which the Indian villages once were where the attacks were planned (most are under water now since the TVA changed the river so dramatically); and along the way, I met wonderful people who helped me with local information. In Florence, Alabama, I even had a fabulous tour guide who took me to log cabins I would never have found by myself, as well as beautiful regions of the river where centuries earlier, Mary Neely was fighting for her life.

Did you have any harrowing adventures of your own?

Not compared to what Mary experienced, I’m sure—but there were two times that will remain etched in memory! In one location, the road my husband and I were traveling became so narrow and filled with so many hairpin curves that I honestly felt as though I was on the Alpengeist, the twisting, turning roller coaster at Busch Gardens, Virginia! And it was just as steep—if I looked out the side window, I could see drops of hundreds of feet—and no guard rails.

When we went up to the Chilhowee Overlooks, there were times when all I could see out the windshield was sky. The road became so narrow that forest rangers told us if we encountered a vehicle coming the other way, we’d have to back down that winding road! Thank goodness we never encountered anyone else—it was tough enough driving forward; I can’t imagine driving it backward!

But what this did was give me an appreciation for what Mary must have gone through—what we traveled in a matter of hours, it took her months to navigate. And all the Donelson Party had was a crude, hand-drawn map that was not to scale!

So you think all of the ground research was worth the extra effort?

Definitely. In fact, the Nashville Government Metropolitan Archives in Nashville, Tennessee reviewed the manuscript before it went to press, and the Archivist, Ken Feith, determined that I remained so historically accurate that the original manuscript has been entered into the Archives for future researchers and historians! For an author, that is like a slice of immortality.

Did you take photographs or videos?

Yes. I was allowed four pages of photographs in River Passage so I selected a combination of photos and sketches. I also have a web site, Mary Neely, which is devoted to Mary’s Indian captivity and also her river journey. That web site has numerous photographs and also videos of my trips following in her footsteps.

Is the book considered non-fiction?

It falls into two genres: creative non-fiction and historical fiction. Although every event I portrayed in the book is historically accurate, it is written from Mary Neely’s point of view. So I had to become Mary—think her thoughts, have conversations with others—and between the thoughts and the dialogue, it crossed into fiction.

What were some of the challenges Mary encountered?

Apart from the constant Indian attacks, which resulted in some of the members of the party being killed, others wounded, and still others captured—they left in December, thinking the winter months would make for easier traveling along the river. However, it was one of the harshest winters anyone could remember and for weeks at a time, their boats were frozen solid in the water. They had packed enough food for four weeks but their journey took more than four months, so they were literally starving to death. Although they traveled through some regions where game might have been plentiful, they couldn’t stop because of the hostile Indians. They also encountered disease, including small pox, as well as frostbite due to the bitter cold. Then there was the river itself: before the TVA tamed the Tennessee, it was filled with deadly whirlpools and vicious rapids that could easily turn a boat into splinters.

Will you be touring with the release of River Passage?

Yes; my tour begins on September 20 in the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama, and takes me through Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina. A complete list of appearances—almost all of them include talks with photographs—is located at p.m.terrell

Where can readers purchase River Passage?

It will be available in all fine book stores; if it’s not on the shelf, please ask for it! It’s also available online at amazon.com and other online retailers. And we have a special offer at Mary Neely and p.m.terrell so if you buy the book now you will get free shipping.
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Trish and I at the October Book 'Em Festival in Waynesboro, Virginia!
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Well, what are you waiting for? Click on those links!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

iMeme - What I Read

Okay, saw this over at J. Kaye’s Book Blog and thought I'd give it a whirl. J. Kaye had shortened her list of questions (original can be found at Psychotic State ) so I did the same:

1. What author do you own the most books by?
Anne McCaffrey, Preston & Childs, and Terry Brooks

2. What book do you own the most copies of?
The Five Love Languages – we loan those out to people all the time and I think we still have three on the shelf.

3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Would it be really wrong if I said Matt from Book II of my series? Would it?

4. What book have you read more than any other?
Watership Down - probably a hundred times

5. What was your favorite book when you were 10 years old?
Watership Down - which is probably why I read it so much!

6. What is the worst book you've read in the past year?
The Heart of Marketing – it got such great reviews, but I thought it was awful! No meat or details, all mental fluff.

7. What is the best book you've read in the past year?
Calling All Authors by Valerie Connelly (Yeah, I read a lot of marketing stuff, don’t I?)

8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?If you've never read The Five Love Languages, then it’s a must! Greatest relationship book ever.

9. What is the most difficult book you've ever read?
Lovecraft is challenging due to his style and the differences in language from 70-80 years ago, but I love his books!
Challenging in a bad way was Old Man and the Sea. BORING!!!!

10. Short Story?
The Mound by Lovecraft – gosh that SO needs to be a movie!

11. Nonfiction?
Life is Tremendous! by Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

12. Science Fiction?
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey

13. Who is the most overrated writer alive today?
Besides Stephen King? (Still wonder what childhood trauma he suffered that was so bad it shows up in every novel.) Starting to think Stephanie Meyer is overrated too…

14. Best history?
Twelve Days of Terror- true account of the famous 1916 New Jersey shark attacks. (I really dig sharks.)

I won't tag anyone - feel free to tackle this on your own!

Friday, September 11, 2009

And Now For Something Completely Different...

...a man with three buttocks. (Hey! It IS Monty Python after all!) First, for those of you who commented on yesterday's short story, The Kiss - I received word yesterday that Stephan Horvath passed away recently. He'd been so excited that I would feature his work in my blog and sent the short story right away. Since so many of you were moved by his words, I wanted you to know that was his last written piece... Now on to the book news and more... BBAW Polls are open! BBAW Vote, vote, vote! Tony Burton tells us what to do with book trailers- Make Mine Mystery Vivian Zabel provides some good comma advice- Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap Blogging tips, advice, instruction, etiquette, getting started – she lists it all! The Story Siren Lori asks the question – what makes you stop reading a book? Psychotic State New species of giant rat discovered! CNN Now that's a big rat! And some box office figures that will boggle your mind!! Highest grossing movies of the year - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - $905,258,075 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - $830,250,211 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - $826,716,040 And those are world-wide totals - the ones that matter! (Courtesy of the IMDB) And Vivian Zabel was wonderful enough to give me the Kreativ Blogger Award! Thanks, Vivian! The rules for the Kreativ Blogger Award: 1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award. 2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog. 3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award. 4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting. 5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers. 6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate. 7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated. Spunky is crunched for time, so I carefully considered three very 'Kreativ" bloggers and would like to pass this on to these three friends - their posts are always Kreativ! Marvin The Old Silly ElizabethMystery Writing is Murder Amigo & Mayra Calvani Pets & Their Authors You three always make it interesting! And I'll just list three interesting things. (This because I really can't think of seven!) 1. When I went vegetarian, I missed hot dogs the most. (Thank goodness Veggie Dogs were created!) 2. I still collect stuffed toys 3. I've never seen Gone With the Wind (And sorry guys, nor do I want to!) * PHOTO OF THE DAY * You've all hear me talk about the hero in my life - here he is! This was taken Spring of 2008 by my friend, author Darlene Wofford. Since we don't do photos together often (I'm always the one with the camera) perhaps Darlene can take another one when we visit Atlanta in a few weeks for a couple joint book signings...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Thursday Excerpt - S. I. Horvath

I wish you could hear the author read this piece, as he has the most charming Hungarian Accent! Please welcome Mr. Horvath!

The Kiss
a short story by S. I. Horvath

Straightening my wares, I caught a glimpse of a striking woman across the aisle, only steps away, rubbing lotion onto her graceful, age-spotted hands. Her elegant clothing was more stylish than that of most shoppers milling about the Farmers Market.

“Here,” she said to her companion, “try it! I like the feel of it on my skin.” She raised the back of her hand to the other’s nose, “Isn’t it nice?”

“Mom, we should be going,” the younger woman said, glancing around the hall as if assessing the value their time at the market brought to their day. Immersed in my favorite pastime, people-watching, I leaned against my table of books, intrigued.

The vendor of lotions took the daughter’s hand and applied a dab of a new scent to the inside of her wrist. “Give this one a try,” she implored, “it’s cucumber with a touch of honeydew—my best seller.” Trapped in a choice of compliance or rudeness, her captive acquiesced.

While they choreographed their buyer-seller dance, the elegant woman’s eyes met mine. She walked over. “You have a nice smile,” she said in a pleasant voice. “Isn’t this a lovely scent?” She took my face into her hands and spread a bit of excess lotion onto my cheeks.

“It is,” I assured her, at a loss about how to react. “Thank you!”

“I love your smile, sweetheart, I always have,” she said and hugged me. We stood with arms around each other, her head resting on my shoulder, her face touching mine.

Her daughter broke away from the vendor and hurried over. “Mother, we must go,” she declared, not sounding insistent or even rushed, only kind. She mouthed “Alzheimer’s,” with an apologetic smile and gave me a minute shrug. Gently, she pulled her mother from our embrace.

“I love you!” my new friend whispered, lingering, kissing my cheek, holding onto my hand.

Watching them as they made their way to the door and step into sunshine, I was filled with sadness and wondered about her time to come and the man she once called ‘sweetheart.’

S. I. Horvath is the author of “Picara,” an adventure novel from Tortuga Pines Publishing:
High adventure and mystery, S. I. Horvath's beautifully crafted picaresque takes us to wonderfully authentic, far flung vistas on land and sea. There's also a winsome and intrepid heroine with a penchant for almost falling in love and for making perilous judgments which land her in danger and violence. Picara charms us with finely drawn protagonists and villains, draws us through hair-raising events until all the threads twine together and everybody is in hot water. It ll keep you guessing and biting your nails to the very last page.

Purchase from South Creek Media & Amazon

He is also the author of Caged Metal Feathers, a true story based on his memoirs of coming of age in the thick of the bloody Hungarian Uprising of 1956.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Author Jenny B. Jones

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing
Just Between You And Me Thomas Nelson (September 1, 2009)
by
Jenny B. Jones

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I write Christian fiction with a few giggles, quite a bit of sass, and lots of crazy. My novels include the
Katie Parker Production series and So Not Happening. I would also like to take credit for Twilight , but somewhere I think I read you’re not supposed to lie.
When I’m not typing my heart out (or checking email), I teach at a super-sized high school in Arkansas.
My students are constantly telling me how my teaching changes their lives and turned them away from drugs, gangs, and C-SPAN.
Okay, that’s not exactly true.
Since my current job leaves me with very little free time, I believe in spending my spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits such as:
-watching E!
-updating my status on Facebook -
catching Will Ferrell on YouTube and
-writing my name in the dust on my furniture
I’d love to hear about you, so drop me a note. Or check me out on Facebook.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.
Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.
Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.
As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.
To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

If you would like to read the first chapter of
Just Between You And Me, go HERE
The book link is:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0373442726

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Photo Tuesday - An Award!

Yes, I was honored again with the Honest Scrap Award.

This is the Honest Scrap award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. I received it from Karen Walker, one of my favorite bloggers. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. Here are those deserving of this honor, bloggers who write from the heart and touch me because of it:
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10 honest things about the Spunky...


Probably because I grew up in rainy Oregon, I have a fascination with rain storms, rain drops and water in general.




I am a roller coaster JUNKIE!




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I used to be incredibly, INCREDIBLY shy...
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I love all animals, especially cats.

Even the weird ones...


I could not be more content or happy with my marriage right now! Over 18 years and still going strong.

Bugs and snakes are cool, but centipedes wig me out!


Yes, I really and truly did see Mt. St. Helens erupt...
This was taken during the July 1980 eruption.



People who drive slow in the left lane drive me nuts.

Okay, and so do people who tailgate me but don't have the guts to pass!!



I am still really good friends with my best friend from high school! Here's Dale and I at Halloween (a couple years after graduation) when we worked together at a Hallmark store.

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Which leads to my last honest thing - as you can see from the photo, Spunky used to be a blonde!!!
The horror!!!