Anathema Review

If you've read my blog or reviews, you've probably figured out I'm a fan of Colleen Coble's suspense. They are all so good! Sometimes I wonder when -- if -- I'll be disappointed. Her latest release, Anathema, tops them all.

In Anathema, Colleen brings her fiction to Indiana for the first time, this time in the heart of Parke County and a close-knit Amish community. Here's the quick summary:

After years of running, Hannah Schwatrz has finally built a life for herself--far from the insecure husband who bullied and abused her. Far from the close-knit Amish community who raised her, then shunned her. Still haunted by nightmare memories of her parents' murder and the guilty secret that made her anathema--a true outcast--from her friends and family.

Only love can bring her home again. Love for a child she had feared was lost forever. And love for the peaceful people who shaped her life. But can love heal old wounds . . . or keep the community safe from a deadly danger?

This book is richly layered with conflict. But it's not all external conflict related to finding the killer and staying alive. Instead, as I've come to expect in Colleen's books, the internal conflict is as compelling -- maybe even stronger -- than the problems plaguing Hannah and Matt.

Hannah is so conflicted about the Amish faith she abandoned and the problems that she created for herself when she left. She has a hard time separating those she controlled from the ones she didn't ask for...and is left paralyzed. She's also running scared from her abusive husband, but he's found the one tool that could drag her back to him -- the idea that her daughter is alive. Could he be telling the truth?

Matt hides a secret from Hannah that can only destroy the relationship they may have. But he doesn't see that he has a choice. He's also torn between duty and the past.

Add in a host of supporting characters, and the texture and twists of the plot form a tangled weave that pulled me through the pages and chapters. I have to admit, I did not fully guess the killer. I was close -- only the person I thought was the killer was the accomplice.

WORDLE Fun

Some folks at another blog were playing with this, so I had to join in. Plug in text, and the website turns it into a graphic presentation. If you're smarter than I am, you can save it as a JPEG. This is a graphic representation of my bio. Have fun with yours.


Here's another fun one to show what you can do with names:

Prince Caspian: Spiritual and Writing Lessons

Eric and I finally got to the theaters to see Prince Caspian this weekend. I guess having a baby the weekend before the movie opened gives me an excuse for the delay -- but this was a movie I really wanted to see on the big screen. Then I was afraid -- as we walked into the theater -- that I'd built it up too much and would be less than wowed. It didn't disappoint.

There were several times during the movie when I leaned over to Eric and whispered, "Oh, there's a great spiritual lesson. Oh, did you hear that?"

I think he was more than ready for me to be quiet and simply enjoy the flick.

But there's a part of my mind that never shuts off. Saturday night, it analyzed the masterful way the spiritual lessons were slipped into the plot by CS Lewis and the filmmakers. They were there to see if I wanted to find them, but they certainly didn't interrupt the story for me. Instead, it added a rich layer to the plot.

How seductive sin and evil can be.
How easily we can slip into pride.
How quickly we want to go back to the good old days, that are so different when we do go back.
The challenge to make the journey regardless of who is going with us.

I want to learn as a writer how to subtly insert the spiritual thread so that it's there but it doesn't stop the story.

The special effects were great. The story wonderful and true to the book as much as I could remember. It is darker than Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, but that's because of the plot. We didn't take Abigail and Jonathan - though I can't wait to analyze the movie with Abigail. It could be a great teaching tool.

So if you haven't seen it yet, go to the theater. It is well worth your time.

Review: Deep in the Heart of Trouble

Deeanne Gist's latest book is a romp! I thoroughly enjoyed a Bride Most Begrudging -- in fact that book convinced me I could still enjoy fresh historical romance. Courting Trouble was fun, but Deep in the Heart of Trouble was a delightful read. I couldn't wait to return to this book at every chance I got. And as busy as this summer is, that takes a great book to keep pulling me back.

A Texas-Sized Tale of Unexpected Love

Essie Spreckelmeyer is the last woman anyone in Corsicana, Texas, expected to see with a man on her arm. Independent and outspoken, she’s known more for riding bicycles in outrageous bloomers than for catching a man’s eye.

And the last man who seems willing to give her a second glance is Tony Morgan, newly hired at Spreckelmeyer’s oil company. The disinherited son of an oil baron, Tony wants most to restore his name and regain his lost fortune--not lose his heart to this headstrong blonde. She confounds, contradicts, and confuses him. Sometimes he doesn’t know if she’s driving him toward the aisle or the end of his rope.

That’s how life is ...Deep In The Heart Of Trouble.

My Review

Essie had plenty of sass in Courting Trouble, but in this book she meets a worthy opponent in Tony Morgan. Tony has a lot to prove, and proving it to a woman is almost more than he can take. Essie's not so sure she wants him around to prove anything. As the sparks fly, they both try to deny their feelings -- for very different reasons.

The characters are absolutely delightful. There's a full cast, that if you've read Courting Trouble will be familiar, but you don't need to read the other book to fully appreciate and enjoy Deep in the Heart of Trouble. In fact, I wondered if I should reread Courting Trouble, but quickly learned that wouldn't be necessary.

The author did a wonderful job plopping me into the middle of the story and timeperiod. There was no question I was in 1898 Texas. And I enjoyed every moment with the free-spirited Essie. It's easy to love a character who refuses to be bound by the constraints of her time even as she fully aware of them. And the hero's reaction to her was true to the time -- and added to the delightful sparks.

This book has enough plot twists to keep the pages turning and is a worthy addition to this Christy Award winning authors line-up of books. Read it, and you'll be glad you did.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

Amen and Hallelujah

This morning I slipped on a beautiful bracelet a friend gave me at least year's ACFW conference.

I was sitting here at the computer, holding little Rebecca as I "try" to work and saw the words on the bracelet again. Hallelujah and Amen. What bookends to the last 18 months.

Amen to God's goodness even when I don't understand things like the miscarriage. Amen to trusting that He knows what He's doing. Amen that He can turn painful things into good -- in ways only He can.

And Hallelujahs as I hold this little miracle that after five weeks I simply can't imagine our family without. Hallelujah for the fact that even if I had been the only person He still would have sent His Son to die for me and Jesus still would have chosen to come. Hallelujah for all the ways I see His fingerprints on my life.

So today I'm thankful -- for the good and the bad.

Bayou Paradox Review

In this fourth installment in her Bayou romantic suspense, Robin Caroll brings readers a fast-paced read filled with romance.

It can cure you. Or it can kill you.

The untamed Louisiana bayou is not for hte faint of heart. But until now, Tara LeBlanc has always considered it a sanctuary, its lush foliage a source of medicinal healing. What evil has infiltrated her haven? Two elderly women she loves lie near death, and Tara knows their illnesses are no accident.

Only one man can save Tara from the same fate: Sheriff Rene "Bubba" Theirot. The strong-willed lawman throws his all into protecting her, laying his heart on the line as well as his life. Now they both stand to lose it all as a killer gets ready to pounce....

Tara is deep into voodoo and fighting the efforts of her sisters and her grandmother to introduce her to Christianity. Then when her grandmother and the woman who is now mentoring her in voodoo are found ill, Tara is determined to find out what happened and to use voodoo to restore them to health.

Bubba is just as determined that the voodoo can only harm them. He tolerates Tara until she gets too close to the line, and her life is in danger. Neither expected the attraction...especially when there is so much to keep them apart. And why is it so hard for the doctors to help the two women recover? Was there really someone else involved? And if so, why? What could they have that he wanted? The more Tara pushes, the more Bubba begins to believe she may be on the right track after all.

Once again Robin Caroll has written a book that moves. The pages flip fast and furiously. And I found myself completely vested in the characters -- even Tara who hasn't been the most sympathetic character in past books.

And while this book is technically the fourth, it stands well on its own. Anything you need to know is slipped into the story without distracting from the current plot.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of romantic suspense. So race out to your local Wal-Mart and buy it!

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

As the director of women's ministry at my church, one of my roles is to lead a women's Bible Study and occasionally a Sunday School class. I'm always looking for new books that will address the needs of women who live in a high stress world yet desire intimacy with Christ.

One book that has caught my eye several times is Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. I've always been drawn to the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42, but even as a teenager I didn't get Mary. I was born with Martha's temperament. I naturally see what needs to happen. I look for ways to serve others, to fill needs.

But I also want to live like Mary and just sit at Jesus' feet and soak in His words and presence. The only trouble is if I sit still, I either fall asleep or think of the million things that still need to be done. I was afraid this book would make me feel even more guilty for not sitting like Mary. And I also wasn't sure I really wanted that. I mean, I like being a Martha. The world needs Martha's -- you know it would fall apart without them. And God did create me this way.

Then Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World arrived in the mail. I didn' t have an excuse to wonder about the book. Now I could pick it up and read through it -- see what it had to offer. I haven't finished it yet, but I am savoring it. The book is balanced on the Mary/Martha question , and the author actually shows how Martha did gain a Mary side without losing what made her Martha.

To explore the book yourself, click on the link. It will take you to CBD's website where you can see the table of contents as well as the first chapter. I think many of us could learn a lot about balance without ignoring who God created us to be. Some Mary's and some Martha's.

You can learn more about this book and the author's contest by visiting the blog page for the blog tour.

Yummy Rhubarb Recipe

So last week at our Wednesday night Bible study, my friend DJ came in raving about a rhubarb custard cake she had helped a friend make. I asked that friend if she had any extra rhubarb -- hence the strawberry-rhubarb pie I made early this week that symoblized the arrival of summer. Then Wednesday I made the rhubarb custard cake to take to Bible study. I decided we all had to try it since DJ had raved so much about it -- and I just happened to have enough rhubarb left to make it.

YUMMY!!!

I have no idea where Beth originally got this recipe, but I had to share it with you since so many ladies from class asked for the recipe.

Rhubarb Custard Cake

1 yellow cake mix
4 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 cup sugar
1 cup whipping cream

Mix cake mix according to package instructions. Pour into greased 13 x9 pan. Sprinkle rhubarb and sugar over the top of the cake (I mixed the two together to make sure the rhubarb was coated). Pour whipping cream over the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown in 350 oven. Loosen sides and flip onto serving platter. Serve warm.

Can be served with whipping cream and mint.

Easy and oh so good! Enjoy.

ACFW Blog Tour Stops

Curious about the ACFW Conference? Then stop by these blogs and sites over the next two months to learn all about it!


The ACFW Conference blog tour is set to kick off with posts from Chip MacGregor and me. Currently, more than 50 people are participating...and the list is below. Be sure to check out the posts...Some are from editors. Others from agents. Others from advisors, published authors, ACFW members -- all packed with info on what to expect, advice, and information.

Thanks to all who are participating!

date	name	blog addy
6/11/2008	Cara Putman	http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
6/11/2008	Chip MacGregor	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/12/2008	Pamela James	http://pammer.blogspot.com/
6/12/2008	Wanda Dyson	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/13/2008	Jennifer AlLee	http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
6/13/2008	Ane Mulligan	http://anemulligan.blogspot.com
6/16/2008	Christina Nelson	http://christinasnelson.blogspot.com
6/16/2008	Robin Miller	http://robinswritingworld.blogspot.com/
6/17/2008	Annette Irby	www.annetteirby.blogspot.com
6/18/2008	Sharon Hinck	http://sharonswriting.blogspot.com
6/18/2008	Martha Rogers	www.marthawrogers.com
6/19/2008	Susan May Warren	http://scribbles.susanmaywarren.com
6/20/2008	Camy Tang	http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/
6/23/2008	Deb Raney	www.deborahraney.com
6/23/2008	Ronie Kendig	http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com
6/24/2008	Colleen Coble	http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
6/25/2008	Rachel Hauck	http://www.rachelhauck.com/blog.htm
6/25/2008	Denise Hunter	http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
6/26/2008	Diann Hunt	http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
6/26/2008	Brandilyn Collins	www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com
6/26/2008	Cathy West	http://writersrest.blogspot.com
6/27/2008	Jill Elizabeth Nelson	http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.shtml
6/28/2008	Eileen Watson	http://eileenastels.blogspot.com/
6/28/2008	Gail Gaymer Martin	www.gailmartin.blogspot.com
6/30/2008	Lynette Sowell	www.lynettesowell.com
6/30/2008	Sue Brower	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/30/2008	Julie Carobini	http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008	Anne Greene	www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com
7/1/2008	Mary Connealy	http://www.mconnealy.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008	Steve Laube	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/1/2008	Gina Conroy	http://ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
7/2/2008	Lena Nelson Dooley	http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
7/2/2008	Rachelle Gardner	http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
7/3/2008	Linda Fulkerson	http://scrivenings.com
7/3/2008	Chip MacGregor	http://chipmacgregor.typepad.com/
7/4/2008	Rebecca Yauger	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/4/2008	Terry Burns	http://www.terryburns.net/
7/7/2008	Susan Downs	http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/7/2008	Carla Stewart	http://carlastewart.blogspot.com
7/8/2008	Marcia Gruber	www.yieldedquill.blogspot.com
7/8/2008	Donita Paul	www.dragonkeeper.us
7/9/2008	Rose McCauley	www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
7/9/2008	Rebecca Germany	http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008	Leanna Ellis	http://www.leannaellis.com/news.html
7/10/08	Angela Hunt	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/10/2008	Janice Thompson	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/11/2008	JoAnne Simmons	http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/11/2008	Pam Meyers	http://pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/
7/14/2008	Celia Tomer	www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com
7/14/2008	Janice Olson	www.janiceolson.com
7/15/2008	Cheryl Wyatt	www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
7/15/2008	Angie Bredenbach	http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com
7/16/2008	Christina Berry	http://authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com
7/16/2008	Megan DiMaria	www.megandimaria.blogspot.com
7/17/2008	Roxanne Rustad	http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com
7/18/2008	Margaret Daley	http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/19/2008	Sharon Dunn	http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/faithchick/
7/21/2008	Marjorie Vawter	http://www.marjorievawter.blogspot.com
7/21/2008	Sharon Ewell Foster	www.sharonewellfoster.com
7/22/2008	Julie Lessman	http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/22/2008	Pam Hillman	http://www.calicotrails.blogspot.com/
7/28/2008	Sandra Robbins	www.sandrarobb.blogspot.com
7/28/2008	Virginia Smith	www.virginiasmith.org/funstuff.html
Week of 7/28/08 7/30/2008	FAITH Blog Girls Cara Putman	http://writingbyfaith.blogspot.com http://seekerville.blogspot.com/
8/1/2008	Christa Allen	www.cballan.wordpress.com
8/3/2008	Deborah Vogts	http://www.deborahvogts.com
8/4/2008	Susan Meissner	http://susanmeissner.blogspot.com/
8/4/2008	Michelle Sutton	http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
8/6/2008	Tiff Stockton	http://www.ambermiller.com
8/8/2008	Patti Lacy	www.pattilacy.com

Dance Praise Fun

Tonight the kids and I got out the Dance Praise dance pads and had a good ole time. Eric's traveling so Jonathan thought it would be a great idea to get them out. He was right! Even Rebecca loved the dancing. She thought it was great fun praising with me. And I got some exercise, we all got some praise and worship in. We should all sleep well.

And here's a picture of Rebecca. She's growing like a weed!







And here we are picking strawberries last week. No, I'm not trying to impersonate the statute of the sower on top of the Nebraska Capitol. It was just a handy way to carry a three-week old around.

It's Summertime!

Yes, I know the calendar says June, but for me summertime arrived today.

Why?

Because I baked a strawberry rhubarb pie on Monday. The kids and I picked the strawberries last Thursday at Pretty Prairie Farm. The rhubarb came from a friend at church's farm. The pie crust actually turned out -- it's from a children's book of all places, but tasted wonderful!

But the memories came from Grandma's farm.

You see, growing up we lived in the same town as my grandparents -- aka Audrey and Willard of Canteen Dreams fame. (Don't forget I took their story and fictionalized it!). And Grandma would make strawberry-rhubarb pie in the early days of summer. Then there was strawberry-rhubarb jam. Umm. I love the mix of sweet and tart. But haven't enjoyed it for years!

Then my friend mentioned making a rhubarb custard cake. I selfishly asked for some rhubarb, and she agreed.

And this was one food group the kids and I both agreed on. It doesn't happen often! They both turned their nose up at the enchilada casserole I made. Sigh. But at least they liked the pie!

What triggers summer memories for you?

Skizzer Review & Author Contest

Skizzer. It's a funny word, and the title of a compelling debut novel.

“Something both terrible and wonderful has happened. I can’t explain now…”

With those lines from a letter placed in an old haunt of Claire and her sister Becca, Claire is launched into a search to find Becca. Becca disappeared without a trace, and Claire is determined to find her. But how many long-buried family secrets will she have to wade through in her hunt to find Becca?

This book is a mix between contemporary fiction and mystery…it doesn’t quite reach the level of suspense. Even with that blend, I was pulled through the story in quick fashion. I read this in the days after my daughter was born, and kept returning to the story at every moment I could spare.

The hunt for truth propels the story forward. Claire and her brother-in-law Rainey will cross states and the ocean in their efforts to locate Becca. In the process Claire will have the opportunity to reignite a relationship from her childhood. Both women’s lives are changed and enriched by the search to bring past secrets to life.

I enjoyed this debut novel and look forward to reading more by this author.

Contest: Win a gift certificate for $40 to the restaurant of your choice...click over to the blog tour post and in the comments leave your answer to this question:

What's the Most Important Thing You've Ever Lost and Then Found?

A.J. Kiesling will select the winning response based on originality and sizzle!

"This debut novel from Kiesling is a quick and engaging read with plot revelations meted out skillfully enough to keep the pages turning.... [The book has] an adventurous story, a compelling protagonist and thoughtful musings on the real meaning of sisterhood." -Publishers Weekly

ACFW Conference...tick tock, tick tock

Have you noticed the lovely widget I have on my blog? Look to the right, and you'll see it ticking down to this year's ACFW conference.

My mom laughed at me because practically the day after last year's conference ended, I updated the widget and it began counting down to this year's. So why am I excited about this year's conference?

My first year (2005) I went to learn everything I could about writing. I came home with pages of notes on how to improve the craft and contacts with editors and agents that I couldn't have formed easily in any other way.

My second year (2006) I received my first contract (for Canteen Dreams) in front of everybody on opening night. I continued to make invaluable connections with people inside the industry, and came home with even more tips on how to improve my writing as well as a letter of intent on that first book. Wow!

My third year (2007) was my first as chair of the Conference Planning Committee and on the Operating Board for ACFW. I also was part of a panel for a Late Night Chat. I love to talk, so that was a ton of fun. I made even more friends, got even less sleep, and managed to find time to attend a few classes and learn. I also continued to deepen relationships with people in the industry and formed some new friendships.

This year I'll participate in a Late Night Chat on writing buddies. I know I wouldn't be where I am without the friendships and working relationships that have formed primarily through ACFW. I will also get to participate in the book signing -- get this! -- at the Mall of America!!!! We anticipate 100 of your favorite Christian authors will sign books on Saturday, September 20 from 1-3 p.m. So if you are in the area, plan to swing by.

Each year God has exceeded the expectations I bring to the conference. I cannot wait to see what He has in store for this year!