Finding Stefanie Review and Contest

I was just reading a quote from one of those tear off calendars. It said, "some experiences simply do not translate. You have to go to know." (Kobi Yamada -- no idea who that is). This may seem like a strange way to start a review, but I've found that quote doesn't hold true for Susan May Warren's books. They pull me right into the setting and characters' world. Finding Stefanie was no exception.

Let's face it, as the third book in a series, it could have been a let-down. After all, it's focused on the sister who's made all the right choices and worked hard to keep everything afloat while her brothers did their own things. But this book was wonderful. I picked it up as soon as it landed in my mailbox and didn't stop reading until I hit the end.

About the Book:
When she put her dreams on hold to help run the family ranch, she never imagined they would slip out of sight. Luckily for Stefanie, those dreams are about to come knocking at her door.

Lincoln Cash has gained fame and fortune on the big screen, but a crippling secret leaves him one last chance to make his mark on the movie industry. With dreams of hosting a new film festival, Lincoln intends to remodel a sprawling ranch in eastern Montana to make it the new Hollywood hot spot.

Unfortunately, a house fire threatens his plans. So does opposition from his new neighbor Stefanie Noble, who's not thrilled about his Tinseltown changes. What Lincoln and Stefanie don't know is that the fire won't be the last disaster to threaten Lincoln or his future. Someone is out for revenge... but who? And who is the real target?

Stefanie has shadows that she won't step away from, and Lincoln sees everything crashing around him. They turn against each other. The sparks fly in this book, but there's so much more going on.

Stefanie has to learn to let go of the past and its mistakes. And the hardest lesson of all -- how to forgive herself. And trust herself not to repeat the past. Each time she's willing to step out and try, a roadblock occurs. Lincoln also has to step away from the past, but for different reasons. Isn't that like so many of us? Instead of looking to the fullness of what God wants to do in our lives now, we're trapped looking in the rearview mirror. As a result we miss so much and wonder why we feel stuck or forgotten.

There are a host of supporting characters who add rich layers to the book. And each has battles to fight, obstacles to overcome. Some way too close to real life.

On the suspense thread -- remember this book is primarily romance...and a great romance. But the suspense thread is stronger in this book than in the prior two in this series. I figured out who was doing it early in the book, but sure missed her motivation. And even knowing who was behind all the havoc didn't detract from the enjoyment of reading.

I am truly sad to see this series end. It was a great one...enjoyable...challenging... and great covers!

To see the other stops on the blog tour go here. And you can read the first chapter here.

And here are the details on the contest:

Grab your magnifying glass and join me on a Fact-o-Find!

Answer these questions about the bloggers on the tour and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the movie theater of your choice (you know so you can see some of Cash's great movies *G*)! Email Amy your answers (amy@susanmaywarren.com)

Ready, get set, giddy-up!

1. Which blogger is adopting a girl from China?

2. This word 'featherbunkle' is found on which blog?

3. Which blogger is supporting the 'Pickens Plan'?

4. Which blog is "The Cutest Blog on the Block"?

5. Which blogger is a S@HM and also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, nursery director, and woman that is just trying to keep it all together?

6. Which blogger is taking the Southern Reading Challenge?

7. Which blog asks 'How may we serve you'?

8. Which blogger refers to her son as 'super good big guy'?

9. Which blogger is a self-proclaimed 'Starbucks Addict'?

10. Which blogger is a big Trekkie

Have I mentioned...

Have I mentioned that I'm an Olympics fan? Have I mentioned that in 1992 while I was in college I worked for the NBC affiliate in North Platte, NE? Yes, I know ... It's probably the smallest affiliate out there, but why do you think Dani Richards is a television journalist in Deadly Exposure?

Anyway, back to the Olympics. In 1992 the sports director kept asking me for the trivia about the different athletes, because I've been an Olympics junky -- probably since 1984 when I was ten watching Mary Lou Retton score a perfect ten and win gold. That's the stuff dreams are made of.

And tonight I got to bite my nails...with my laptop in my lap pretending to write about antitrust law, while the American men battled it out to win bronze in the team gymnastics event. We also watched two teens from Indiana come close, but fall short in men's synchronized platform diving. Frankly, I don't think you could push me off the platform if you somehow got me to climb up there. I mean, that's like three stories up there! That's insane.

But so were the acrobatics the men from around the world did tonight. I watch them and wonder if I really want Jonathan to do much more than he's doing right now. You know, learning how to do a cartwheel and handstand.

Buy		Read

I got two books in the mail today that I can't wait to read. The first is the new book from Thomas Nelson on the Faith of Barack Obama. There's been so much rhetoric about that -- and frankly I'm a bit sick of it. This from a former political junky. I can't believe I just called myself former! (All my friends from when we lived in DC are shaking their heads, and would take my temperature if they could. Anyway, the introduction was interesting and thought-provoking, so I'm going to see if I can get permission to post that. If anyone wants the first 48 pages, email me. I have them somewhere in my inbox and permission to forward them.

Hey, what do you know, I found the widget on TN's website. Enjoy the preview. I'll tell you what I think after I read it.

And the other book is Julie Lessman's A Passion Redeemed. Those of you who read my review of her first book understand what an exercise of discipline it is not to pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist while I read it. I can't wait to see what she does with Charity's story.

It's very late/early depending on your perspective, and I need to write for another hour, so I'm signing off.

Mrs. Rosey Posey: Great Books for kids

he Mrs. Rosey Posey Series

Mrs. Rosey Posey is an eccentric, grandmotherly character who tells stories to the neighborhood children and teaches them how God loves and cares for them. Recommended for children ages 4-7.

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Baby Bird

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Young readers will learn that God cares for every living creature in Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Baby Bird. A baby bird falls from its nest, and Mrs. Rosey Posey takes care of it.

All the while, she intrigues the children by telling them that someone else saw the baby bird fall. The story and illustrations will pull children into the quest to discover who it is.

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Yum Yummy Birthday Cake

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Mrs. Rosey-Posey’s birthday is a great occasion for a parade and a feast. But when Mrs. Rosey Posey puts out a tempting birthday cake full of wonderful treats, can Sarah follow Mrs. Rosey Posey’s rule about not touching?

Children learn a personal lesson about repentance and trust, and discover the meaning of forgiving and loving people when they wrong us. This fanciful story will make young readers hungry for more!

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate

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Natalie comes to Mrs. Rosey Posey's house when her friends go to a movie that Natalie's parents won't let her see. Mrs. Rosey Posey gives Natalie a treat and lets her choose which plate she'd like to eat it on. Mrs. Rosey Posey tells her a story about a special china plate that sets itself apart for a visiting king.

This much-loved classic story helps Level 2 readers understand how sometimes being told no is really God’s way of setting them aside for his very best intentions.

I brought these books home from ICRS, and the kids and I have really enjoyed them. Mrs. Rosey Posey books are fun to read and have wonderful values slipped in. If you're looking for some great early readers for kids you know, get these books. They're delightful and the illustrations are great!

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Hidden Treasure

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In this story, Mrs. Rosey Posey slips Ross, Jacob, and Adam a treasure map while they are playing pirates in her tree house. Their rollicking treasure hunt brings surprises and a lesson about a special treasure.

Children love playing at Mrs. Rosey Posey's house because she is always ready for an adventure. This imaginative book helps young readers discover what an invaluable treasure God’s Word is.

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW

Okay, if you're awake, did you just watch the men win the 4 x 100 freestyle relay. OHMIGOSH!!!!! This was the most amazing relay I've ever watched. Eric and I stood with jaws hanging on the ground. It looked like the French had it sewn up. But WOWOWOWOWOW. What an absoltuely amazing race from all four but Lezak hit 46 seconds flat. That is so incredibly fast.

And the ladies' gymnastics. As Jonathan said after watching one of hte gals, "that's amazing!" It's going to be an exciting team final. I can't imagine the shock of having a teammate get injured as you're ready to start your first event. That changes the strategy a bit, but they rallied.

I'm an Olympics junky. Here are a couple loose quotes that I think are very interesting for parents:

Shawn Johnson's coach says that he tells her it's okay to make mistakes as she gets ready to go out. And that gives her the freedom to do the crazy, amazing skills that she does. Because a mistake isn't the end of the world. If you saw her on the beam today, you know it works. She was rock solid.

Jason Lezak said "we'll let our swimming do the talking," when asked why they didn't respond to the trash talking from the French. We could all learn from that. Just let our actions talk when others challenge us.

Okay, I have to get back to writing, but just had to share my excitement!!!!

Go, USA :-)

Olympics & Writing

Okay, guys, I just to say it is killing me that I have two very tight deadlines right now -- and the Olympics are on! I love the Olympics -- when I worked at a NBC affiliate in 1992, I was the go-to person for trivia for the Sports Director.

And I need to be writing. But I want to just watch. So -- how do y'all cut out the distractions or multi-task. And, umm, if I don't respond super fast in the next couple weeks, just blame it on the Olympics :-)

Did anyone watch the Opening Ceremonies last night? They were neat -- but I still think the archer lighting the Flame in the Barcelona games was cooler. But the actual program at the beginning last night was impressive. What about those drums. Wow! The choreography was pretty amazing. And what a testament of the Chinese philosophy. Anyway, what did you think?

Any tips on avoiding distractions or multi-tasking? And don't forget to sign up for the giveaways -- I've listed them with links in the right-side toolbar near the top :-)

Lonestar Sancturary Review

Allie Siders is desperate to help her 5-year-old daughter, Betsy speak again. But with a stalker out for revenge, all Allie can think about is the safety that awaits them at the peaceful Bluebird Ranch, nestled deep in Texas Hill country. The ranch is a sanctuary for abused horses and troubled youth. …

In this book, author Colleen Coble takes her characters’ deep into a mix of mystery and suspense as well as relational issues. The book opens with the stalker in Allie’s residence taunting her. In a panic, Allie grabs Betsy and runs to the only place she can think to hide that also promises safety. The only problems: she has no money, nobody expects her, and she can’t tell anybody what’s really going on for fear the stalker will find her.

The book is filled with romantic twists that kept me turning the pages as much as the suspense did. She’s been so focused on surviving since her husband died, that she hasn’t had time to fully grieve. Romance is the last thing she is looking for, especially when the only men around are ranch hands and Rich Bailey, the handsome foreman. Everything conspires to keep Allie isolated, yet for the sake of her daughter she will do things she never imagined.

The tension is high as the stalker continues to strip Allie of everything important to her and strange events occur at the ranch. Just when it doesn’t seem like things can get worse, Allie faces a custody battle that could destroy Betsy.

The setting is rich. I could picture the isolated Texas setting, and almost taste the grit in my mouth. The characters are richly drawn and detailed, with even the supporting cast causing me to root for them.

This was a book I couldn’t put down. Fortunately, I read it on a plane so I had uninterrupted hours to inhale it.

If you like romantic suspense, this book is well worth the time and money.

Beach Dreams Review

Beach Dreams is Trish Perry's latest book. Up front, there are a couple things you need to know. First, this cover is TOTALLY different from her first two. The reason: she's finishing Sally John's Beach House series. Hence, the title is Beach Dreams. Second, this book is Tiffany and Jeremy's story, but the style is a bit different, I think in large part because Trish was finishing someone else's story.

Last year at ACFW, Trish told me she had been asked to turn her next book into the last book of another author's story. I wasn't sure how that would work...but it does.

The cover threw me -- I guess I forgot in the intervening months...and was expecting another brightly colored cover. But the characters were the same ones I'd loved (or hated) in Trish's first two books. Tiffany has changed in only good ways. And Jeremy is as lovable as always.

Here's part of the back cover: "Tiffany LeBoeuf has a problem. She's lost her job, her mother has recently passed away, and she has zero social life. And then she meets Jeremy. But Tiff is a new Christian and knows she shouldn't be attracted to this unbelieving (but charming) Brit. And then there's Eve...Jeremy's girlfriend..."

This book travels to San Diego where Tiffany goes to relax with her dad, and Eve goes to hang out with a friend. When Jeremy shows up to surprise Eve, the surprises pile up.

Tiffany wrestles with how to live her new faith, and constantly turns to Ren (from Too Good to Be True) for advice.

There were glimpses of the humor that I love in Trish's other books, and the spiritual thread was relevant and non-preachy, another element I love in her books. The supporting cast is great...filled with characters you'd love to meet and spend time with in real life. And the ending was a fitting wrap up to Trish's series.

So don't let the cover throw you. This is still a Trish Perry book that you'll enjoy from the first page to the end.

Yikes!

So yesterday morning I was feeling pretty good. I've gotten some good writing chunks in, feeling on track. I know what I have to write each week to hit my deadlines, and pretty much hit them the first week.

No sense of panic. Just a sense of deliberate "have to run this race to the end" kind of feeling.

I worked on ACFW conference projects in the little pockets of time over the afternoon, so that I could jump into writing when we got home from church. Then it was 11:15, and my baby was still crying and I hadn't written one word.

Oy.

I have to trust God that He will help me redeem every moment as I race to these deadlines. That He will help me do everything I need to for the ACFW conference. That somehow I'll get everything done in a way that pleases Him and brings Him glory.

As I stare at my keyboard and begin to feel the pressure build again, I know I have to trust Him. And if you feel inclined to pray that He will help me focus on the truly important things and let the others go, I'd so appreciate it. He's been so abundantly faithful. Now it's my turn.

All Through the Night Review

All Through the Night was a book I picked up expecting to like, but not inhale the way I did. I enjoyed My Soul to Keep, and thought this book would be similar. Nope, this one definitely upped the meter on the suspense. And LOVED the hero and supporting characters.

In All Through the Night, Davis Bunn's latest book, broken relationships and unfulfilled promises scar Wayne's past like burned-out craters. ... He finds himself helping a retirement community's senior citizens and then pulled into a situation that he's not sure he can believe. A fabulously wealthy man has been approached by an ... angel??? And now he wants to hire Wayne to investigate. Was it really an angel? Does he need protection?

There's a romantic thread to this book, but the suspense is by far the more prevalent plot. Wayne is joined by an unlikely group as he tries to figure out what's going on. There's Foster the retired dry cleaning business owner, Jerry the retired cop, and Julio the 13 year old kid he's helping. And Victoria is the retired missionary with a direct line to God -- in a totally un-gimmicky way I might add. Tatyana is Wayne's link to his new employer and someone who seems to understand Wayne's pain without downplaying it at all.

Wayne is a character who carries scars, and I liked him for them. He's also a man of action who will do it what it takes to protect those around him. He's the kind of hero I like to see in a book. Strong, yet well aware of his weaknesses. And in this case ripe for change. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and suspect Eric will, too. Davis Bunn is becoming one of my go-to authors. One more book like this one, and he will be firmly on that list.

You can read the first chapter here.

Searching for Spice Review

Megan DiMaria's debut novel Searching for Spice is a fun switch from the typical books I read. It was one I savored instead of racing through. Here's a synopsis:

Linda Revere longs to have a sizzling affair ... with her husband -- a practical, no-nonsense community college science teacher. Unfortunately, life isn't scripted, and nothing goes according to plan. From having a demanding boss and at times a frustrating job to helping her family and friends with their troubles, life seems to be preventing Linda from achieving her goal of an exciting and passionate marriage. Linda hopes God will answer her prayers to jazz up her marriage, but is she ready for what happens next.

What I loved about this book is that even though I'm not getting ready to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary -- yet -- I could relate to the desire to add a little sizzle to my marriage. I think we all hit those times where we'd like to make a good thing even better. And who hasn't seen their efforts backfire before watching God take care of it in a way that's far better than anything you could have planned?

And Linda's life is full of challenges just as she gets her plan in action. The struggles are real. And the triumphs are all the sweeter for living through the valleys. With this book I'd laugh, and then ten pages later be convicted that maybe I tended to act like Linda when confronted with troubles. I love it when a book makes me think even as I enjoy and savor it.

While this isn't the normal book I would pick up, I can tell you that I can't wait to read Megan's next book!

Interview with Author of The Shack and Giveaway

Wednesday, I participated in a blogger conference call with William P. Young, the author of The Shack. This is greatly abridged; it's just the notes I typed as quickly as I could. I tried to capture the highlights, and I hope that you can get a part of Paul's (as he is called) personality. He is incredibly smart and humble, very charming. If you would like to hear the entire interview, go here for Jill Hart's podcast of it.

I was very impressed with his heart and where he's coming from. I'm over halfway through the book...once you get past the first 80 page and into the conversations with the three persons of God, I'm enjoying the book. As he says, he's an accidental author -- and it shows in some of the mechanics of the book. However, the content is intriguing. My Mom, sister Janna, and I were talking about it late last week. We all took different things from it, but it's challenged us to consider what boxes we've put God in.

I have a copy of the book to giveaway, so be sure to leave a comment.

Blogger Conference Call with William P. Young 7/30/08 NoonET/9AM PT
Featured guest: Paul Young, author of THE SHACK
Moderator: Miriam Parker
Interviewers:
Christy Lockstein: http://christysbookblog.blogspot.com/
Jill Hart: http://www.cwahm.com/
Leslie Sowell: http://footprintsinthesand.us/blog
Nicole Petrino-Salter: http://hopeofglory.typepad.com/into_the_fire/
Patti Chadwick: http://bookbargainsandpreviews.com/blog/
Patrick Sullivan, Jr.: http://editweapon.com/
Shawnee Goodnight: www.readinginappalchia.blogspot.com/
Tammy Marcelain: http://tammymarcelain.blogspot.com/
Ted Reyes: http://www.poptimesagazine.com/
Gretchen Geyer: http://dreamwriter07.blogspot.com/
Observers:
Joe Wikert: http://jwikert.typepad.com/
Cara Putman: http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/
Caleb Newell: http://reviewsplus.blogspot.com/
Natalie Nyquist: http://www.ylcf.org/

Nicole Petrino-Salter: If I'm not mistaken, you've said you wrote this book for your children. Why? Wrote for children. Accidental author. Didn’t take classes. Always written as gift for friends and family. Kim (wife) encouraged to put in one place where you think because it’s outside the box…get to local printers by Dec. 2005 – first run 15 copies. 7 to Kim and kids, rest to friends and relatives …got feedback…and that’s the first time I thought about publishing something. Vague idea though.

Ted Reyes: There are two perspectives when it comes to suffering: One is that it is a gift from God, and the other is that it is a punishment from God. Which of these two do you think would make modern 21st century people develop a closer relationship with God– suffering as a reward, or as punishment?

There’s a third perspective that suffering is neither…that God utilizes both to accomplish his purposes. Not that discipline…when we think of punishment or other terms, we have to define them. What is punishment? Gift? Suffering isn’t necessary for maturity. Most suffering is at my own hands. Choices I made or other people made. As child sexually abused. That’s not gift or suffering -- Blind man in John 9 – this is an opportunity for God to be glorified. If God is responsible for suffering, then He’s the enemy. Suffering comes from living in a fallen world but not from Hand of God.

Shawnee Goodnight: A statement from a critic I found fascinating to say the least and would love to hear your opinion on "The Shack deliberately suggests we don't take the Bible seriously but instead rely on our own thoughts and understanding- that is the threat!" some of the controversy comes from individuals who raise questions but haven’t read the book. The angriest people haven’t read the book. That’s not a bad thing…the controversy brings the questions to the forefront. With regard to scripture, that’s not happened. It moves people back to Scripture. What about the bible have we been unable to hear it anymore. Message written to put scripture in format that broke through the intellectual paradigms that were resistant to hear. This accusation is founded on a particular fear that isn’t happening. Nobody would seriously think this is not a flawed book. It’s fiction, a story, not systematic theology.

Leslie Sowell: I became interested in The Shack because of the controversy surrounding it. Unlike most people I know, I totally understand the Abba side of God, and so some of the things you say in your novel are easy for me to wrap my mind around - however other things - like that there is no hierarchy in the Trinity was a little more than mind-blowing. Please give theological evidence for this theory. Absolutely believe there is no hierarchy. That’s the orthodox position. Community 101: “the notion of such a notion of …content teaches the opposite.” There is mutual submission within the Trinity. Hierarchy in the Trinity is not the orthodox position.

Patrick Sullivan: What was your inspiration to make God a black woman when YHWH first shows up? Have you gotten pushback from religious leaders for this? Couple things. I’m writing this for my six kids. Not writing for the masses. I can do pretty much anything I want. Missionary kid – used this imagery because I don’t want my kids stuck in a paradigm where God is a white male. Female is as inadequate as male because He’s spirit. Can portray God as a male, female, burning bush, big eye, nostril. Wanted it outside the existing paradigm. Fits the story. Mackenzie’s issue is with his dad, so he’s very resistant to the male imagery of God. He is in the shepherd who leaves the 99 to find the 1.

Patti Chadwick: Was the author really the Ghost writer of this Mackenzie Phillips? Was this written based on a true story? The ghost writer…writing his story for his kids…author is Mackenzie and Missy. People miffed that even though sold as fiction, people believe it’s non-fiction. The process is real, the conversation is real. There is no physical shack. The roads are real. The book is a parable: fiction where truth is embedded…gets past intellectual resistance. A metaphor: the shack represents the human soul much like the garden. Store secrets, lies, addictions. It’s you but what you hide. For author: 38 years building the shack (a house of shame); took 11 years in the shack to deal with the stuff.

Christy Lockstein Where were you when you found out that you had made the NYT Bestseller list? How did that feel? In Honolulu…there to do a series on Romans. Got the phone call that made the list and made #1. How impossible is this? A not for real author who gave a gift to kids, friends who don’t know the publishing industry that well. Put together something for print that nobody would take, less than $300 spent on marketing. This is a God thing. It did everything I wanted it to do when I gave it to my kids. Thrilled to be a Rudy and carry the bags. Shake my head and wonder what God’s up to. I sure don’t understand. But it’s been thrilling.

Sarayu: Hindi…means wind…this is the common wind that catches you by surprise. So hot you think you’ll die and the wind comes out of nowhere and cools you off and changes everything.

What tip to accidental authors: publishing was never a target, no identity as an author. I am proof that if God wants to do something He can use a donkey or a bush. When you have something, give it as a gift. Give it to 10 people who love you and 10 people who don’t know you. Get different feedback from the groups. Then hear. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you. Don’t presume the purposes are to become known and famous…God is good at disrupting our idolatry…let it unfold…it all comes down to hearing…what’s He saying?

FIRST: Romancing Holleywood Nobody

It is August FIRST, time for the FIRST Blog Tour! (Join our alliance! Click the button!) The FIRST day of every month we will feature an author and his/her latest book's FIRST chapter!

Today's feature author is:

LISA SAMSON

and her book:

Romancing Hollywood Nobody

NavPress Publishing Group (July 15, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Samson is the author of twenty books, including the Christy Award-winning Songbird. Apples of Gold was her first novel for teens

These days, she's working on Quaker Summer, volunteering at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, raising children and trying to be supportive of a husband in seminary. (Trying . . . some days she's downright awful. It's a good thing he's such a fabulous cook!) She can tell you one thing, it's never dull around there.

Other Novels by Lisa:

Hollywood Nobody, Finding Hollywood Nobody, Straight Up, Club Sandwich, Songbird, Tiger Lillie, The Church Ladies, Women's Intuition: A Novel, Songbird, The Living End

Visit her at her website.

Product Details

List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 195 pages
Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group (July 15, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600062210
ISBN-13: 978-1600062216

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Monday, April 30, 6:00 a.m.

My eyes open. Yes, yes, yes. The greatest man in the entire world

is brewing coffee right here in the TrailMama.

“Dad.”

“Morning, Scotty. The big day.”

“Yep.”

“And this time, you won't have to drive.”

I throw back the covers on my loft bed and slip down to the dinette of our RV. My dad sleeps on the dinette bed. He's usually got it turned back into our kitchen table by 5:00 a.m. What can I say? The guy may be just as much in love with cheese as I am, but honestly? Our body clocks are about as different as Liam Neeson and Seth Green.

You know what I mean?

And we have lots of differences.

For one, he's totally a nonfiction person and I'm fiction all the way. For two, he has no fashion sense whatsoever. And for three, he has way more hope for people at the outset than I do. Man, do I have a lot to learn on that front.

He hands me a mug and I sip the dark liquid. I was roasting coffee beans for a while there, but Dad took the mantle upon himself and he does a better job.

Starbucks Schmarbucks.

He hands me another mug and I head to the back of the TrailMama to wake up Charley. My grandmother looks so sweet in the morning, her frosted, silver-blonde hair fanned out on the pillow. You know, she could pass for an aging mermaid. A really short one, true.



I wave the mug as close as I can to her nose without fear of her rearing up, knocking the mug and burning her face. “Charley . . .” I singsong. “Time to get a move on. Time to get back on the road.”

And boy is this a switch!

All I can say is, your life can be going one way for years and years and then, snap-snap-snap-in-a-Z, it looks like it had major plastic surgery.

Only in reverse. Imagine life just getting more and more real. I like it.

Charley opens her eyes. “Hey, baby. You brought me coffee. You get groovier every day.”

She's a hippie. What can I say?

And she started drinking coffee again when I ran away last fall in Texas. I mean, I didn't really run away. I went somewhere with a perfectly good reason for not telling anyone, and I was planning to return as soon as my mission was done.

She scootches up to a sitting position, hair still in a cloud, takes the mug and, with that dazzling smile still on her face (think Kate Hudson) sips the coffee. She sighs.

“I know,” I say. “How did we make it so long without him?”

“Now that he's with us, I don't know. But somehow we did, didn't we, baby? It may not have always been graceful and smooth, but we made it together.”

I rub her shoulder. “Yeah. I guess you could say we pretty much did.”

The engine hums its movin'-on song. “Dad's ready to pull out. Let's hit it.”

“Scotland, here we come.”

Scotland? Well, sort of.



An hour later

This has been a great school year. In addition to the online courses I'm taking through Indiana University High School, Dad's been teaching me and man, is he smart. I'm sure most sixteen-(almost seventeen)-year-olds think their fathers are the smartest guys in the world, but in my case it happens to be true.

Okay, even I have to admit he probably won't win the Nobel Prize for physics or anything, but he's street smart and there's no replacing that sort of thing. Big plus: he knows high school math. We're both living under the radar. And he's taken our faux last name. Dawn. He's now Ezra Fitzgerald Dawn. After Ezra Pound, one of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Lost Generation friends.

I'm just lovin' that.

“Your mom would have loved the name change, Scotty.”

He told me about his life as an FBI agent, some of the cases he worked on, and well, I'd like to tell you he had a life like Sydney Bristow's in Alias, but he probably spent most of his time on com-puter work and sitting around on his butt waiting for someone to make a move. The FBI, apparently, prefers to trick people more than corner them in showdowns and shootouts. The Robertsman case was his first time undercover in the field and we know how terribly that worked out for him. And me. And Charley. And Babette, my mother.

I pull out my math book and sit in the passenger seat of the TrailMama. “Ready for some 'rithmetic, Dad?”

“You bet.” He turns to me and smiles. His smile still makes my heart warm up like a griddle ready to make smiley-face pan-cakes. I flip on my book light.


It's still dark and we're headed to Asheville, North Carolina for Charley's latest shoot. A film about Bonnie Prince Charlie called Charlie's Lament. How ironic is that? The director, Bartholomew (don't dare call him Bart) Evans, is a real jerk. I'm not going to be hanging around the set much even though Liam Neeson is Lord George Murray, the voice of reason Prince Charlie refused to listen to. But hey, that's my history lesson. We're still on math.

I finish up the last lesson in geometry . . . finally! Honestly, I still don't understand it without a mammoth amount of help, but the workbook's filled and that's a good thing.

There.

I set down my pen. “Finished!”

Dad gives a nod as he continues to look out the windshield. You might guess, despite the tattoos, piercings, and his gleaming bald head, he's a very careful driver. And he won't let me drive like Charley did.

“So . . . driver's license then, right?”

He's been holding that over my head so I'd finish the math course.

“You know it. After the film, we'll request your new birth certificate and go from there.”

“What state are we supposedly from?” The FBI has given us a new identity, official papers and all that.

“Wyoming.”

“Are you kidding me? Wyoming? Why?”

“Think about it, honey. Who's from Wyoming?”

“Lots of people?”

“Know any of them?”

“Uh. No.”

“See?”


“Okay, Wyoming it is, then.”

“You realize you'll only have my beat-up old black truck to drive around.” The same truck we're towing behind the TrailMama.

“I'll take it.”

So here's the thing. The rest of the entire world thinks my father was shot in the chest and killed when he was outed by a branch of the mob he was after. This mob was financing James Robertsman's campaign for governor of Maryland.

The guy's running for president of the United States now.

I kid you not.

Wish I was kidding.

We thought he was after us for several years because Charley knew too much. But then last fall, we found out the guy chasing me was my father, and Robertsman is most likely cocky enough to think he took care of everything he needed. I say that's quite all right. Although, I have to admit, the fact that a dirtbag like that guy may end up in the Oval Office sickens me to no end.

Thanks to that guy, we had been running in fear from my own father.

The thing is, I could be really mad about all those wasted years, and a portion of me feels that way. But we've been given another chance, and I'll be darned if I throw away these days being angry. There's too much to be thankful for.

Don't get me wrong. I still have my surly days. I don't want Dad and Charley to think they have it as easy as all that!

Okay, time to blog.

Hollywood Nobody: April 30

Let's cut to the chase, Nobodies!

Today's Seth News: It's official. Seth Haas and Karissa Bonano are officially each other's exclusive main squeeze. The two were seen coming out of a popular LA tattoo parlor with each other's names on the inside of their forearms. How cliché. And pass the barf bag.

Today's Violette Dillinger Report: Violette has broken up with Joe Mason of Sweet Margaret. She wanted you all to know that long-distance romances are hard for any couple, but espe-cially for people as young as she is. “Joe needed to live his life. I'm on the road a lot. It wasn't fair to either of us.” Sounds like she's definitely not on the road to Britney. I'm just sayin'.

Today's Rave: Mandy Moore. The girl can really sing! And her latest album is filled with good songs. The bubble gum days of insipid teen heartbreak are over. She's finally come into her own. (Wish some others would follow her example, but I won't hold my breath. And man, are we on the theme of bratty stars today or what? Well, there are just so many of them from which to choose!)

Today's Rant: Crazy expensive celebrity weddings. What? If they spend more, will they be more likely to stay together? I have no idea. Mariah Carey's $25,000 dress pales in comparison to Catherine Zeta-Jones's $100,000 gown. What are those things made of?

Today's Quote: “Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” James Dean

August New Fiction Releases

We've got 14 new Christian novels this month. Though technically summer lasts into September, August holds more hot, kick-back days to read to your heart's content! And we've got plenty of good choices to pick from!

1. A Lady of Secret Devotion, Ladies of Liberty series Book 3 (independent series where each book stands alone) by Tracie Peterson from Bethany House Publishers. Cassie Stover gets caught up in an intriguing mystery that may cost her her heart, if not her life.

2. An Irishwoman's Tale, First book of related books by Patti Lacy from Kregel Publications. A family crisis sends an impetuous Irishwoman and her chatty Southern friend back to the breathtaking cliffs of County Clare.

3. Bluegrass Hero by Allie Pleiter from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Farm owner Gil Sorrent has his hands full when bathshop owner Emily Montague's soaps clean up his farmhands.

4. Criminal Obsession by Tamara Tilley from Evergreen Press. The most terrifying part was she knew it was just a game to the killer.

5. Double Jeopardy Book 2 of The McClains: Bound by faith, honor and love by Terri Reed from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Anne Jones witnessed a murder. Now she’s in hiding. But someone knows where—and who—she is. Her new handsome boss has vowed to keep her safe. Yet she will have to disappear again lest she put both their lives in jeopardy...

6. Hidden Deception by Leann Harrison from Steeple Hill. Haunted by the past, Elena struggles to trust God for the future.

7. Hidden Treasures Book Two of the McBride Sisters' series by Kathryn Springer from Steeple Hill Love Inspired.
Searching for a valuable painting on the Halloway's estate is risky business for photographer Meghan McBride . .but when she comes face to face with Cade Halloway, who's there to sell the former family vacation home, she discovers the real risk is losing her heart.

8. Love Starts With Elle Lowcountry book 2 by Rachel Hauck from Thomas Nelson. Elle Garvey loses everything to gain it all. Heath McCord heals from his painful past in order to find true love a second time.

9. Miss Aggie's Gone Missing The Misadventures of Miss Aggie: Book One by Frances Devine from Barbour Publishing's Heartsong Presents Mysteries. In attempts to rescue Miss Aggie Pennington-Brown from her many misadventures, Victoria Storm and her elderly boarders find hair raising and sometimes hilarious adventures of their own.

10. Quills & Promises Delaware Brides, book 2 by Amber Miller from Barbour/Heartsong Presents. Separated from Madison when he leaves to fight the French and Indians, Elanna Hanssen must choose between her heart and her head, especially when Madison's integrity is questioned.

Cincinnati Area Signing -- Join us!

Join us August 16, for a booksigning at the Barnes and Noble in West Chester, Ohio. Four of my Indiana writing buds and I will be there for a panel and then to sign books. We'd love to have you join us!

Finding Stefanie

I'll tell you more about this great book next week. For now, suffice it to say, that it arrived in the mail and I grabbed it and moved it to the top of my reading pile. I love Susan's books, and this one didn't disappoint ... at all... well other than the fact it's the last book in the series. Boo!

Finding Stefanie

When she put her dreams on hold to help run the family ranch, she never imagined they would slip out of sight. Luckily for Stefanie, those dreams are about to come knocking at her door.

Lincoln Cash has gained fame and fortune on the big screen, but a crippling secret leaves him one last chance to make his mark on the movie industry. With dreams of hosting a new film festival, Lincoln intends to remodel a sprawling ranch in eastern Montana to make it the new Hollywood hot spot.

Unfortunately, a house fire threatens his plans. So does opposition from his new neighbor Stefanie Noble, who's not thrilled about his Tinseltown changes. What Lincoln and Stefanie don't know is that the fire won't be the last disaster to threaten Lincoln or his future. Someone is out for revenge... but who? And who is the real target?

read chapter one | buy the book

Argh! Tight Deadlines: Risk of Implosion

A quick post today, because I really need to be writing chapters. Lots of them!

Monday I turned in what I thought was the last four chapters in the Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law to hit my August 4th, half the book turned in deadline. Yesterday I got an email from my wonderful editor that they needed two more elements.

I panicked. Not so much that I'd have to write more. I have to write two more chapters this week anyway. But because I'd counted the elements carefully, and was sure I had done it right. If they said they needed more, it meant I was missing something. Yikes!

I really don't have time to miss anything right now. So the emails flew back and forth for half an hour until I figured out where my counting differed from theirs.

Now we're back on track. I wrote the front matter yesterday morning and now have over half turned in. Wooh. And got to check another element off :-)

It's been fun, but it's always a learning curve when I start working with another publisher. They all have their unique ways of doing things!

HUGE Booksigning

Last week evaporated.

What has captured my attention, you ask?

A huge booksigning that for some odd reason, I'm in charge of.

You see on September 20, over 100 (107 as of tonight) Christian authors will be at the Mall of America signing books as part of the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference.

At least 3 of the lovely ladies from this blog will be signing: Me, Margaret Daley, and Debby Giusti.

So mark your calendars. It's going to be a huge event! We'd love to have you join us if you can.

Love as a Way of Life Review and 2 book giveaway

This week one of the books I've been reading is Love is a Way of Life by Gary Chapman. Many of you are probably familiar with his book The Five Love Languages in all its iterations. (I'm also currently reading The Five Love Languages for Children after my mom and sister highly recommended it to me. It's also very good!)

Much as I'd like to ignore the fact, our world is very me-focused. I'd like to think that I'm above the fray. I'd like to think incorrectly. How many times a day do I balance the needs of others against mine and want mine to prevail? In fact, it was only a couple weeks ago that I sat in church and wrote in my journal it was time to relinquish my rights. My right to sleep -- I have a 2 1/2 month old after all. My rights in my so many areas. And then with the Bible study No Other Gods so many of my idols stem from concern about what others think of me and my rights.

This book is a great way to begin addressing those issues. In the practical style that I appreciate from Dr. Chapman, he lays out seven secrets to love.

1. Kindness: discovering the joy of helping others
2. Patience: accepting the imperfections of others
3. Forgiveness: Finding Freedom from the Grip of Anger
4. Courtesy: Treating Others as Friends
5. Humility: Stepping Down so Someone Else can Step Up
6. Generosity: Giving Yourself to Others
7. Honesty: Revealing Who You Really Are.

He follows those chapters with chapters filled with suggestions on how to apply these principles to your marriage, parenting and the workplace. This is a book to be read and then consciously applied. It would be easy to skim it and say "that's nice," rather than accept the challenge of applying the principles in my life. But as I seek to be light and salt, I believe it's worth the effort to apply the ideas.

In fact, I think I may adapt some of them and work with the kids on them this year in school. Watch out, Abigail and Jonathan. We're on a mission to learn how to actively love each other!

The publisher has provided two copies for a giveaway. Leave a comment with an example of how you have chosen to love someone to be entered in the giveaway. I'd love to hear your ideas!

Let this soak into your spirit

Sarah Brenner, a very dear family friend (her oldest daughter and I have been dear friends since we were two), sent the link to this song earlier today. Play this song and let it soak into the very depths of your spirit. Then click on this link, to watch the video of the story behind the song. Be prepared for God's presence to sweep into the room. All I can say is "Yes, Lord. Nothing is impossible for You!" Quickly followed by, "Do not pass us by! I beg You, do not pass us by."

Praying God's presence and His healing will wash over you in waves of refreshing.

The song is written by Mike Guglielmucci, worship team is Hillsong's out of Australia, and the album is distributed by Integrity Music. If you're looking for fresh worship, we love Integrity's Vertical line-up and are actually getting ready to resubscribe.

Try these books...

Grits and Glory

By Ron and Janet Benrey

When Hurricane Gilda visited Glory, North Carolina, her winds tore the steeple off Glory Community Church. Everyone thought the town had narrowly escaped a major disaster until the body of the town's favorite resturant owner was found under the rubble. Was Gilda to blame ... or did someone else take advantage of Gilda to commit the perfect murder?

Try Darkness

by James Scott Bell

A Buchanan suspense novel from Center Street

Ty Buchanan is living on the peaceful grounds of St. Monica's, far away from the glamorous life he led as a rising trial lawyer for a big L.A. firm. Recovering from the death of his fiancee and a false accusation of murder, Buchanan has found his previous ambitions unrewarding. Now he prefers offering legal services to the poor and the under-represented, from his "office" at local coffee bar The Ultimate Sip. A mysterious woman with a six year old daughter comes to him for help. She's being illegally evicted from a downtown transient hotel, an interest represented by his old law firm and former best friend, Al Bradshaw. Buchanan won't back down. He's going to fight for the woman's rights.

But then she ends up dead, and the case moves from the courtroom to the streets. Determined to find the killer and protect the little girl, who has no last name and no other family, Buchanan finds he must depend on skills he never needed in the employ of a civil law firm.

Critical Acclaim for the Buchanan series:

Bell is very good at keeping secrets. Fans of thrillers with lawyers as their central characters-Lescroart and Margolin, especially-will welcome this new addition to their must-read lists. -- Booklist

For more information: www.jamesscottbell.com


To read an excerpt of these new titles go to Chapter-a-Week and to join our deeper discussion of these and other titles go to Chapter-a-Week Chat where authors and readers discuss new titles together.

If you enjoy Chapter-a-Week take the time to tell a friend how to sign up. It's easy and free and a great way to find great books that fit each person's particular taste.

Weeding and Pruning

This week I noticed the weeds were starting to get out of control in my flower beds. I've always loved gardening. Even a perfectionist can find satisfaction in pulling out weeds and noting progress.

This time as I weeded I could see the parable in it.

God has me in a place where He's pushing me to go deeper with Him. I keep praying for that desire -- one of those prayers He will always answer. But now comes the hard work. I have to force myself to get out of bed when I'm exhausted from a rough night with Rebecca. Make my time with Him a priority. Draw near to Him, so He can draw near to me.

I looked at my flowerbeds. From a distance -- even a short one of five feet or so -- they are beautiful. There's a riot of great color coming from petunias and zinnias. My perennials are rich and lush.

But if you get closer...then you see the weeds poking up. The flowers past their prime that need to be dead-headed so fresh flowers can develop. The roses have lots of holes on the leaves from some mite that decided they're tasty.

So I steal a few minutes and stoop down. I get my fingernails dirty as I pull at the weeds, chop off the flowers. At times the job can get overwhelming. But I love the blast of color -- the welcoming nod of the flowers. The flit of the butterflies and bees that like the nectar, So I do the work.

How much more I should do what it takes to go deeper with God. One 5 minute increment at a time, move back my alarm. Each day a new commitment to spend time with Him before I do or read anything else. Turning my thoughts toward Him at each opportunity. Allowing Him to show me the weeds in my own life that need to be pulled and the plants that need to be pruned. All so I can bear fruit that will bring glory to His name.

A true love story

Earlier this week one of my writing friends finished her race and graduated to heaven. I didn't know Kristy Dykes well, but you couldn't be part of ACFW without being touched by her wit, grace, beauty and incredible love for Jesus.

I still remember when she posted to the loop last November that they'd found a large tumor in her brain and she was in for the fight of her life. She and her husband fought well...but we didn't get the answer we wanted. She's pain free and dancing in heaven now, but it's another reminder that we don't always get the answer to prayer that we want. But God still answered.

Hundreds and thousands of people prayed for Kristy. She went to the special healing services. She sought God and felt the shelter of His peace in the midst of an amazing story. And she and Milton blogged her story.

Those blog posts from Milton over the last six months have to be some of the most beautiful expressions of the love they shared. One thing that many people have shared this week is the overwhelming in-loveness Kristy and Milton always had. It came through so beautifully as he shared his heart about his bride, and she'd blog about her hero.

Tuesday he posted a beautiful blog about Kristy's last moments on earth. Go read it and you'll see how even though our prayers weren't answered the way we wanted, Jesus won. And so did Kristy.

Please keep Milton, her daughters and the rest of their family in your prayers.

Try Darkness Review and Giveaway of Try Dying

I just finished Try Darkness. What a fun and different (in a good way) read. This book is written in very short scenes that reminded me of the one James Patterson novel I read -- you know the kind where there might be one paragraph followed by a scene with several pages. There are no page breaks between chapters, which tricked me into flipping pages when I should have been writing LOL.

The book is written from the perspective of Ty Buchanan, the hero of book one. While this is book two, it stood completely on its own. -- and lead straight to book three that I'm dying to get my hands on -- of course it hasn't been written yet!

Irregardless, I dove right in and enjoyed the characters and plot twists. Ty's a guy looking for his place after the chaos of book one. The book opens with him playing basketball with a nun! And that kind of quirky humor runs through the whole book. It almost had the slightly slap-stick approach of the Thin Man movies -- and that's high praise in my book. It also reminded me of Brandt Dodson's Colton Parker series. A non-Christian is surrounded by folks planting seeds in his life as he chases the bad guys.

The dialogue is quick, if this were chick lit I'd call it sassy. But don't skip any part. Ty loves to get himself in all kinds of trouble with his mouth. Crazy lawyer!

This is a book I enjoyed and think Eric will, too.

To celebrate the release, I have a copy of Try Dying, the first book in the series that I'm giving away. Leave a comment with your favorite lawyer/PI from TV or movies. Good Luck!

Try Darkness

by

James Scott Bell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JAMES SCOTT BELL is a former trial lawyer who now writes full time. He has also been the fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine and adjunct professor of writing at Pepperdine University.

The national bestselling author of several novels of suspense, he grew up and still lives in Los Angeles. His first Buchanan thriller, TRY DYING, was released to high critical praise, while his book on writing, Plot and Structure is one of the most popular writing books available today.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Ty Buchanan is living on the peaceful grounds of St. Monica’s, far away from the glamorous life he led as a rising trial lawyer for a big L.A. firm. Recovering from the death of his fiancée and a false accusation of murder, Buchanan has found his previous ambitions unrewarding. Now he prefers offering legal services to the poor and the underrepresented from his “office” at local coffee bar The Freudian Sip. With his new friends, the philosophizing Father Bob and basketball-playing Sister Mary Veritas, Buchanan has found a new family of sorts.
One of his first clients is a mysterious woman who arrives with her six-year-old daughter. They are being illegally evicted from a downtown transient hotel, an interest that Ty soon discovers is represented by his old law firm and his former best friend, Al Bradshaw. Buchanan won’t back down. He’s going to fight for the woman’s rights.
But then she ends up dead, and the case moves from the courtroom to the streets. Determined to find the killer and protect the little girl, who has no last name and no other family, Buchanan finds he must depend on skills he never needed in the employ of a civil law firm.
The trail leads Buchanan through the sordid underbelly of the city and to the mansions and yachts of the rich and famous. No one is anxious to talk.
But somebody wants Buchanan to shut up. For good.
Now he must use every legal and physical edge he knows to keep himself and the girl alive.
Once again evoking the neo-noir setting of contemporary Los Angeles, Bell delivers another thriller where darkness falls and the suspense never rests.

If you would like to read chapters 1 & 2, go HERE

“Bell has created in Buchanan an appealing and series-worthy protagonist, and the tale equally balances action and drama, motion and emotion. Readers who pride themselves on figuring out the answers before an author reveals them are in for a surprise, too: Bell is very good at keeping secrets. Fans of thrillers with lawyers as their central characters—Lescroart and Margolin, especially—will welcome this new addition to their must-read lists.”
—Booklist

“Engaging whodunit series kickoff . . . Readers will enjoy Bell's talent for description and character development.”
—Publishers Weekly

“James Scott Bell has written himself into a niche that traditionally has been reserved for the likes of Raymond Chandler.”
—Los Angeles Times

“A master of suspense.”
—Library Journal

“One of the best writers out there, bar none.”
—In the Library Review

Congrats to new winners!

Congrats to Kristinia -- Loving Heart Mommy, the winner of Fatal Deduction, and to Crystal M., winner of Edge of Reason.

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win Try Dying. And next week, I'll give away TWO copies of Gary Chapman's new book, Love as a Way of Life.

So excited, then bummed!

After doing the book MEME, I decided to go hunt for Dee Henderson on the Tyndale website and see if they were releasing anything new from her. It seems like forever since her last book released. Reading her O'Malley series is one of the reasons I'm writing now. Along with Colleen Coble's and Brandilyn Collins' books, I realized there might be room for the kind of suspense I wanted to write in the CBA afterall.

Anyway, I click on and see a new title that's releasing in October. I am so excited!

Until...

I click though and see it's a repackaging of True Courage...With a new title. Darn!

Let's talk books...

Camy Tang snagged this cool meme from The Surrendered Scribe (thanks, Julie!). I'm stealing it from her :-) BTW, be sure to check out Camy's review of Canteen Dreams! She called it one of the best historicals she's read this year, and I didn't even know she was reading it :-)

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I have always loved to read. My mom says I learned to read at 4, and I’ve never stopped. I remember being six and in first grade. I went to the small library in the small church school and was told I couldn’t read a sixth grade level book. Hmmm, talk about waving a red flag in front of me. That became one of my favorite books – wish I could remember the title, but it was about the little Jewish girl who suggested Namaan go to Israel to be healed.

2. What are some books you read as a child?

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

3. What is your favorite genre?

Suspense! But really, I read pretty much anything. I love a wide range of stories.

The only genre I struggle with is angsty women’s fiction, because they’re too emotionally painful for me to get through. My life has been too emotional the last couple years – I can’t invest the emotional energy in characters who aren’t real. But if the story is more than women’s fiction, I am more than willing to dive in with the characters.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?

I have to name only one? I reread so many, it’s hard to name one. But if I had to I’d say Anne of Green Gables or Gone with the Wind.

5. Where do you usually read?

Anywhere. If I’m sitting, I usually have a book in my hand. On the treadmill. Waiting for appointments, etc.

6. When do you usually read?

Throughout the day – whenever I can. Reading is just something I do.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

I never thought I did until several months ago, when I realized I usually have a couple books running in the background while I race through others.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

I like nonfiction, but go in cycles. I can get stuck on fiction unless I’m careful. I love nonfiction for Bible studies, research for books, and then areas of interest. Usually love biographies, too.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

I buy most and check a few out from the library – usually to see if it’s one I want to buy later. I love the feel of a book in my hands. It’s finding the places on bookshelves to keep them that’s a problem. Right now I’m giving a lot to my church library, and I’ve always got stacks out with friends.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?

See the above questions.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?

Love introducing my kids to the books I enjoyed. A Cricket in Times Square. Ballet Shoes. Nancy Drew (my husband reads the Hardy Boys to the kids at night). Etc.

12. What are you reading now?

Just finished a fantastic legal suspense by Randy Singer. By Reason of Insanity – it was awesome, jam-packed with twists. Also finished Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meisnner – it was a delightful romance. Picked up Try Darkness by James Scott Bell. Getting ready to read the Shack – hearing too much about it not to give it a shot. And my to be read pile is huge after ICRS.

13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?

I have a shelf on my desk hutch that is loaded with books I’m supposed to be reading or want to read. I’ve decided my addiction is books. I can live with that.

14. What’s next?

Here are just a few of the titles on my shelf: Demon by Tosca Lee (heard way too many great things about this one), Beach Dreams by Trish Perry, Nobody by Creston Mapes (again heard great things about it).

15. What books would you like to reread?

I reread Brandilyn Collins and Colleen Coble’s books. Lisa Gardner’s. Lisa Scottolini’s. I’ve reread Dee Henderson’s O'Malley series.

16. Who are your favorite authors?

I’m going to follow Camy Tang’s lead here…I have so many authors on my auto-buy list, it’s too long to list. But I’ll list a few of the newer authors in case it piques someone’s interest who’s looking to try a new voice:

Robin Caroll
Mary Connealy
Janet Dean (her debut novel comes out in September)
Debby Giusti
Julie Lessman
M.L. Tyndall
Cheryl Wyatt
And Camy Tang!

Your turn! Do this meme on your blog and leave a link in the comments!

Ohmigosh! Canteen Dreams finaled!

I just found out that Canteen Dreams finaled in the ACFW Book of the Year contest in the short historical category.

Honestly, I am so honored. When I sent in the book, I hoped I might make the finalist list, but also tried to be realistic enough to recognize it was my first book and it would be up against some great competition. Then I got the call today. WOW!

This writing journey has been so amazing. I try to hold it with an open hand -- the fact that I received one contract beat so many odds. And each additional contract is a gift. Speaking of which, I'd better get back to writing.

You know what's really fun -- my mom and sister will be at the banquet. Janna because she's being a key volunteer for ACFW this year. My mom because she's going to babysit Rebecca and hang out with me and my writing buds. Sharon Hinck's daughter is going to watch the babies during the banquet. So even if my name's just called as a finalist, it'll be so cool. Not bad for a homeschooled kid and her mom :-)

Without further ado, congrats to all the finalists:

ACFW's 2008 Book of the Year Finalists: (I have so many friends on this list -- the awards ceremony will be a blast as I cheer everybody on!)

Debut Author
Bayou Justice (Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll)
In Between (Jenny B. Jones)
Sushi for One? (Camy Tang)
My Soul Cries Out (Sherri Lewis)
Petticoat Ranch (Mary Connealy)

Contemporary Novella (*six finalists due to a tie)
A Cloud Mountain Christmas (Robin Lee Hatcher)
Finally Home (Deb Raney in Missouri Memories anthology)
Mississippi Mud (DiAnn Mills in Sugar And Grits Anthology)
Moonlight & Mistletoe (Carrie Turansky in Big Apple Christmas anthology)
Remaking of Moe McKenna (Gloria Clover in the Race to the Altar anthology)
Sweet Dreams Drive (Robin Lee Hatcher)

Historical Novella
Beyond the Memories (DiAnn Mills in Mississippi Memories anthology)
Finishing Touches (Kelly Hake in Missouri Memories anthology)
Love Notes (Mary Davis in Love Letters anthology)
The Spinster & The Cowboy (Lena Nelson Dooley in Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner anthology)
The Spinster & The Tycoon (Vickie McDonough in Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner anthology)

Lits (*six finalists due to a tie)
Around the World in 80 Dates (Christa Banister)
One Little Secret (Allison Bottke)
Renovating Becky Miller (Sharon Hinck)
Splitting Harriet (Tamara Leigh)
Sushi for One? (Camy Tang)
The Book of Jane (Dayton/Vanderbilt)

Long contemporary
Autumn Blue (Karen Harter)
Like Always (Robert Elmer)
Taming Rafe (Susan May Warren)
When the Nile Runs Red (DiAnn Mills)
Within This Circle (Deb Raney)

Long Historical (*seven finalists due to TWO ties)
Courting Trouble (Deeanne Gist)
Fancy Pants (Cathy Hake)
Lady of Milkweed Manor (Julie Klassen)
Remember Me (Maureen Lang)
Then Came Hope (Louise Gouge)
Veil of Fire (Marlo Schalesky)
Where Willows Grow (Kim Vogel Sawyer)

Mystery
Days And Hours (Susan Meissner)
Death of a Garage Sale Newbie (Sharon Dunn)
Gone With The Groom (Janice Thompson)
Sticks And Stones (Susan Meissner)
Your Chariot Awaits (Lorena McCourtney)

Short Contemporary
Heart of the Family (Margaret Daley)
The Heart of Grace (Linda Goodnight)
The Perfect Blend (Allie Pleiter)
Wedded Bliss (Kathleen Y'Barbo)
When Love Comes Home (Arlene James)

Short Contemporary Suspense (*six finalists due to a tie)
Caught Redhanded (Gayle Roper)
Her Christmas Protector (Terri Reed)
Nowhere to Hide (Debby Giusti)
Pursuit of Justice (Pamela Tracy)
See No Evil (Gayle Roper)
Vanished (Margaret Daley)

Short Historical (*six due to a tie)
A Time to Keep (Kelly Hake)
A Wealth Beyond Riches (Vickie McDonough)
Canteen Dreams (Cara Putman)
Corduroy Road to Love (Lynn Coleman)
Golden Days (Mary Connealy)
To Trust An Outlaw (Rhonda Gibson

Speculative
Demon: A Memoir (Tosca Lee)
DragonFire (Donita Paul)
The Restorer (Sharon Hinck)
The Restorer's Son (Sharon Hinck)
Isle of Swords (Wayne Thomas Batson)

Suspense
Abomination (Colleen Coble)
Black Ice (Linda Hall)
Coral Moon (Brandilyn Collins)
Crimson Eve (Brandilyn Collins)
Ransomed Dreams (Amy Wallace)

Women's Fiction
A Promise To Remember (Katie Cushman)
Bygones (Kim Sawyer)
Remember to Forget (Deb Raney)
The Oak Leaves (Maureen Lang)
Watercolored Pearls (Stacy Adams)

Young Adult
In Between (Jenny B. Jones)
On The Loose (Jenny B. Jones)
Sara Jane: Liberty's Torch (Eleanor Clark
Sarah's Long Ride (Susan P Davis)
Saving Sailor (Renee Riva)