SCC and Adoption

Last night we took our two oldest kids to the Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Josh Wilson and Andrew Peterson joined him, and it was a great night. While we loved singing along with songs like Dive and Cinderella, my lasting moment will be sitting next to my friend Kim and crying with her as he sang "When Love Takes You in," her two forever girls sitting next to her.

Since I couldn't find the official video of that to share with you, here's the video to his current release that sure speaks to me right now. Ever feel like something you're doing doesn't matter? Even if it's picking up the toys for the 15th time that day, it does. 

Heiress Contest Information

I just bought this book at ACFW. I love the cover and the idea. Because there's a great contest, I wanted to get the information to you. Be sure to enter! 

Susan May Warren took a bold step with this novel and one I applaud. Gripping, this imaginative tale will leave you turning pages without pause. With unexpected twists and masterful storytelling, Warren has penned one of her best novels to date. ~~ Ane Mulligan, Novel Rocket

The word “fantastic” is, perhaps, the only word that can describe it. Jinx, Esme and the full cast of characters are exquisitely well-developed, to the point, in fact, that it’s almost unbelievable that they are not real, historical figures. The plot twists and turns so beautifully, subtly and surprisingly that it turns HEIRESS into the definition of a “page-turner.” The creativity of the character’s evolution, the problems they face and the worlds they choose to live in are amazing. ~~ Romance Junkies

Meet Susan:

Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling novelist of over twenty-six novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, she returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church. You can find her online at:www.susanmaywarren.com.

About the book:

They can buy anything they want—fame, power, beauty, even loyalty. But they can’t buy love. The beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price can buy everything their hearts desire. But what if their desire is to be loved, without an enormous price tag attached? When one sister betrays another for the sake of love, will she find happiness? And what happens when the other sets out across the still untamed frontier to find it—will she discover she’s left it behind in the glamorous world of the New York gilded society? What price will each woman pay for being an heiress? Set in the opulent world of the Gilded Age, two women discover that being an heiress just might cost them everything they love.

Susan is celebrating the release of Heiress with an opulent Gilded Age Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 gift certificate to ModCloth.com
• A sleek silver iPod™ Shuffle
• A beautiful strand of Pearls
• Titanic DVD
• Speakeasy Compilation Music CD from Starbucks™
• Heiress by Susan May Warren

Click one of the icons below to enter. But do so soon - this giveaway ends 10/5/11. The winner will be announced Thursday, October 6 on Susan’s blog.

CFBA: Dangerous Mercy

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Dangerous Mercy  David C. Cook (October 1, 2011)  by  Kathy Herman ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suspense novelist Kathy Herman is very much at home in the Christian book industry, having worked five years on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eleven years at Better Books Christian Center in Tyler, Texas, as product buyer/manager for the children’s department, and eventually as director of human resources.

ACFW Conference Photos

Gina Conroy and me post Gala

ACFW was an amazing week. Yes, week. I left last Tuesday so I could attend a board dinner and didn't return until Monday afternoon just in time for 4:30 gymnastics. It was so good...but exhausting. Even the Energizer Bunny runs out of energy eventually.

So I thought I'd share some photos with you today. I'm usually terrible with getting photos, but thanks to Facebook, have some great ones to share with you without going through all kinds of contortions to get them off my camera and on to a computer to upload. That'll wait :-)

So the first photo is me with my writing friend

A Lancaster County Christmas

A wonderful read and a great feel good story. Once I began I did not want to put it down. The characters were so lifelike I found myself routing for each of them as they faced their personal struggles in the story. Fisher is a master storyteller. 5 stars. -blog review

Meet Suzanne:

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life. When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

About the book:

Jaime and C. J. Fitzpatrick began their married life as most couples do--in love and looking forward to a bright future together. But four years later they've drifted apart and are almost ready to call it quits. Mattie Riehl was hoping to give her husband Sol the Christmas gift they have both longed for--news that a baby was on the way. But as usual, she is disappointed. The holidays bring an acute awareness to Mattie that her dream of a big family isn't likely to become a reality. Then a winter storm raging outside blows the Fitzpatricks into the Riehl home--and into a much slower pace of life. Can these two couples from different worlds help each other understand the true meaning of love this Christmas? With her trademark plot twists and attention to detail, Suzanne Woods Fisher offers readers a beautiful Christmas story of love, forgiveness, and what truly matters in life.

Don't miss a merry moment during the "Christmas in September" promotion. Be sure to enter the iPad giveaway (9/7-9/26) and save the date for A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27! Hope to see you there.

Suzanne and Revell will be presenting one merry winner with a Christmas Prize Pack (valued at over $600):

• A Brand New iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of A Lancaster County Christmas

To enter, click one of the icons below. But, hurry the giveaway ends on 9/26.

Winner will be announced at the A Lancaster County Christmas Facebook Party on 9/27 at Suzanne's author page. During the party she'll be revealing something BIG - you won't want to miss it. She'll also be hosting a book chat, trivia contest and giving away a few early Christmas presents! 

CFBA Captive Trail

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Captive Trail  Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011)  by  Susan Page Davis  
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


From Susan: I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books. My young adult novel, Sarah's Long Ride, also spotlights horses and the rugged sport of endurance riding, as does the contemporary romance Trail to Justice. I took a vocational course in horseshoeing after earning a bachelor's degree in history. I don't shoe horses anymore, but the experience has come in handy in writing my books.

Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.

Along Wooded Paths Review & Giveaway

Usually I don't read many Amish books.

I'm not sure why because I usually enjoy them when I read one.

Every once in awhile I read a book that draws me in as a reader and challenges me as a writer. Along Wooded Paths is such a book. The story is gripping, the characters are so well drawn I hated to see this book end. The faith element challenged me to deepen my walk with God. Along Wooded Paths is a beautiful story that will compel you to consider what God really asks of us.

Fun side note: my daughter squealed when this book arrived. Since reading

ACFW...Here I Come

When you read this, I'm getting in ACFW board meetings. Then tomorrow, the conference starts.

The conference really is the highlight of my writing year. I can't wait to see so many of my friends that I only get to see once a year. Facebook is great, but it's not the same as seeing and hugging people. I'm also looking forward to the classes I'll get to attend.

This year I'm coteaching four hours -- two with one of my favorite long distance friends -- Tricia Goyer.

CFBA: Here's to Friends

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  Here’s to Friends  David C. Cook (September 1, 2011)  by  Melody Carlson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.

Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B&B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

With ACFW prep I have not been able to read this book yet, but can tell you it looks fantastic and I can't wait to dive in. Maybe when I get back!

Bible Literacy

This year the kids and I have been starting each morning with devotions. First, we read the day's devotional from Jesus Calling for Kids. We are really enjoying those and talking about the challenges the author gives in how to live a life that lives with an ear attuned to Christ.

Then we turn to the Bible. Last week we finished Exodus. There was a very strategic reason I decided to start there. One, it's a little more interesting than say Leviticus with all the rules and regulations. Even

The Doctor's Lady Review and Giveaway

This week, the  Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing  The Doctor's Lady  Bethany House (September 1, 2011)  by  Jody Hedlund  
Jody has a knack for creating characters that don't want to be together but need each other. That is exactly what she's done here. And I love the way she bases her novels on famous couples -- well, I've guessed both so far. This book will pull you in and take you on a journey of trusting God that will challenge you. I'm giving away a copy of this book, so be sure to leave a comment below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jody has written novels for the last 18 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

Her first published book, The Preacher’s Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), hit the CBA Best Seller list on two different occasions and has won multiple awards.

Are you an Aaron or Joshua, Pt 2

Last Friday, I talked about Aaron. Today I want to turn to Joshua.

Exodus 33:11 -- jumped out at me again as we've worked through Exodus. Here it is: The LORD spoke with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend. (HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!) Then Moses would return to the camp, but his assistant, the young man Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the inside of the tent. 

I don't know why, but that always resonates with me. Joshua didn't leave the tent. He stayed there, soaking in God's presence. 

Can you imagine what that would be like? Even if God's visible presence (the cloud) left, I can't

Guest Post: I love Research! with Giveaway

Anne Mateer joins us today. Her debut novel has just released, set during World War I and the flu pandemic. She's got a great style of writing and I'm giving away a copy. Just leave a comment below with a book you've read that had research that pulled you deeper into the story.

I love research. As a history major (way back in the dark ages when libraries weren’t automated and we still had to use the card catalog), I loved digging through dusty stacks in back corners, finding obscure texts that no one had opened in decades. Especially if those texts were transcriptions of letters or diaries from ages past. I loved discovering what people thought and talked about, what they did in their day-to-day lives. All of this fueled my desire to write historical fiction.

But guess what? Of all the cool things authors learn as we research, only a fraction make it into the final product. That was certainly true for me when I wrote Wings of a Dream. I was able to incorporate some very specific events into the text, some from general research, some from family history, but many others got cut and pasted into the “scraps” file on my computer.

Like the staggering fact that 25,000 pilots received their “wings” at Love Field in Dallas during the year of 1918.

Or the horrific week in October of 1918 when almost 4600 people died of Spanish flu in Philadelphia. Yes, in one week, in one city. They ran out of coffins.

Or the story that my great-grandfather, the inspiration for the character Frank Gresham in Wings of a Dream, fired the final shot of World War I. It’s true. They say there is even a plaque commemorating this feat somewhere in Washington D.C. and I found the shot verified in a publication by the US Office of the Navy from 1920. (Thank  you, Google Books!)

I’ve related but a few of the interesting bits of a research that didn’t find a home in Wings of a Dream. But who knows? There are many, many more stories to tell. Perhaps one day these pieces of information will find a permanent place.

Learn more about Anne Mateer and her books at her website.

Are you an Aaron or a Joshua? Pt 1

The kids and I are getting deeper into Exodus...I've felt a real need to study the Exodus and Joshua in particular. A deep need to understand what made Joshua and Caleb so different from the others.

This week, we hit the part of Exodus where Moses heads up Mount Sinai so God can give him the Ten Commandments and chapters of other laws and ordinances. He's gone for days. And the Israelites begin to worry. The people approach Aaron and beg for him to make them a god they can worship it. Why? Because they don't know what happened to Moses. (Ex. 32:1).

Think about it.

Aaron was the voice for Moses. Remember all the times Moses told God he couldn't speak? Exodus

Deadly Pursuit Review

Today got away from me. The kind of day where I could have sworn I'd already written a post...call it a cold induced fog.

Anyway, I just finished this book a couple days ago, and it's another great read from Irene Hannon. I've enjoyed her romantic suspense...to the point that I read this one with an eye on analyzing why I like it so much.

She creates great romantic tension between the characters. Alison Taylor is a social worker who cares deeply about her clients. She'll put in the extra hours if she thinks she can help save and reunite their families. As the result of an accident that left her unable to have children, she's still alone. Then her brother Cole asks her to go on a mercy date with his new partner, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan. Neither of them is looking for a relationship...or so they think. Mitch has moved home to St. Louis to help care for his ailing father. But one evening with Alison and he wants more.

Then he's around when she gets a phone call and is drawn into protecting her from a stalker. The suspense plot builds slowly. Starting with phone calls and escalating. The tension slowly ramps as the romantic tension is high from the beginning. I love how the author uses the make-up of the characters -- who they are -- to propel the suspense plot forward. And the motivation for the bad guy begins believably, and then as he spirals into meth use, his motivation spirals out of control. Yet she shows how the drugs are a critical component. Without them, he doesn't have the courage to carry out his plan.

Deadly Pursuit is a thoroughly satisfying romantic suspense. Emphasis on the romance.

Happy Labor Day to the Dads

Happy Labor Day to the dads?

I know, I know. They aren't the only ones among us who labor. We all do.

This weekend, I'm particularly grateful for my husband...who got Dad of the Year kudos on Saturday for organizing a "Top Shot" style Nerf Dart gun event for our 7 year old son and his friends. I think my son had almost as much fun planning the event as he did during the 2 hours they played. He and his dad spent a week talking, scheming, and dreaming. All I had to do was invite the boys through

Blue Skies Tomorrow Review & Giveaway

Calling all World War II fans. Sarah Sundin is back with another fantastic installment in her Wings of Glory series. Blue Skies Tomorrow focuses on the third brother, Lt. Ray Novak. A pilot like his brothers, Ray has been an instructor, but now he can't do that anymore because the army is saving those slights for those returning from the war. He's not sure he likes his new assignment, but it allows him to spend time at home where he reacquaints himself with a neighbor girl Helen Carlisle. The widow of the town hero, Helen has lost herself in the battle to live up to everybody's expectations of her.

She's lived a nightmare and in her quest to establish a life for herself and her young son, she's trapped in the quagmire of being the grieving widow. Too bad she's not really sad, especially now that Ray's back in town.

The story is richly woven with the feel of the era. I love Sarah's books