Peering Through Life's Window

Looking Out the Window: Introducing Splickety

2012-01-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

A Flash Fiction Magazine

Editor Ben Erlichman says, "Splickety Magazine exists to bring high-quality short fiction from new writers, established authors, and everyone in between."
Get the day off to a good start with a quick read, or enjoy entertaining fiction while waiting at children's activities. It’s great for taking to waiting rooms, because the reader can finish an entire story before his or her name’s called. In some waiting rooms, the reader probably can finish the entire magazine.
The first issue launched this month and is available in digital and print copies. One story touches the heart while another brings laughter and yet another surprises the reader. In addition to finding sixteen stories, readers can peruse a prologue to Over the Edge by best-selling author Brandilyn Collins.
While going through Splickety I hope you'll look for my story, "Lifeline.”
Splickety is available in digital and print copies from https://magcloud.com/account/downloads.

THE WINNER OF THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS

2012-01-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

THE WINNER OF THE SECRET OF THE LOVE LETTERS IS SALLY. CONGRATULATIONS, SALLY!

Looking Out the Window: K. Dawn Byrd Launches New Mystery / Romance Series

2012-01-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

K. Dawn Byrd talks about The Secret of the Love Letters, her first book in The Zoe Mack Mystery Series, which launches on January 17th. She’ll give away a free download. To enter to win, leave your name and email address with a comment.
Welcome, K. Dawn. It seems you've been a lover of mysteries and romance a long time. Tell us about that. I was an avid reader as a child. Nancy Drew was my absolute favorite. I must have read every Nancy Drew book in the school library...twice. Because I love mystery and romance, I signed a three book contract with Desert Breeze for a new romance/mystery series, The Zoe Mack Mystery Series. The Secret of the Love Letters is the first book in the series, with others to follow in June and December.
Why do you write?
I write for the simple joy of placing words on the page. It's more than a hobby, it's a passion. I recommend new writers not write for fortune or fame because it many never come. If you're writing because you love it, you can't go wrong.

Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is a young adult romance/mystery. Zoe's cousin Emma thinks she's the recipient of some sick joke when an old boyfriend she thought dead shows up on the internet. Can Zoe solve the mystery that's causing Emma so much pain when her attraction to the town bad boy is so distracting?
When Zoe Mack moves in with her grandparents to start college, she's thrown into more mystery than she bargained for. Her cousin, Emma, is terrorized by a stalker who breaks into her house and leaves a photo-shopped image of Emma hanging from a tree. Nothing is as it seems and Emma soon learns that even the man she thinks she can trust is a suspect.
Zoe can't wait to reunite with Nate, the bad boy who doesn't talk about his feelings much, but the passionate kiss he gave her last summer had to have meant something. When she arrives back in town and discovers that he's in trouble with the law, she must take matters into her own hands in order to clear his name. She has her hands full with a needy Emma, a cop who gives her the creeps, and Nate, the guy she desperately wants to call her own. Can Zoe solve the mystery, clear Nate's name, and make him fall in love with her?
Sounds interesting with lots of twists and turns. What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
I write my novels in thirty days. I plot them out and then map out how many words I'll need a day on a calendar and also where I should be in word count every day. My goal is to write 60,000 words in thirty days. I write on my netbook and since it's portable, I carry it with me wherever I go. I've been known to eat lunch alone in a restaurant while pounding on the keys.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I'm working on the second book in the Zoe Mack Mystery Series. It's called Fatal Attraction and scheduled to release in June.
It sounds as though you are working on another good mystery. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
My advice for aspiring writers would be first and foremost, don't give up. Second, write something every day. It's important to write every day even if it's only a few hundred words. Third, don't let rejection get you down. You'll become a better writer with every book. You may have to shelve the first few, but that time wasn't wasted as it was a learning tool to help you develop your skill.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?
I'd probably be burning up the roads on my Harley if I wasn't writing. I sold my bike to have more time to write and I've not regretted it for a single moment.
Thanks, K. Dawn
BIO:
K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance in various genres, such as suspense, historical, mystery, and young adult. She's an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.
When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

And The Winner Is...

2012-01-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

It was so difficult to pick a winner for Cherry Blossom Capers I jumbled up the names and had my husband choose. He chose...drum roll...Linda Weaver Clarke. Congratulations, Linda.

Looking Out the Window: Lynette Sowell Talks about Her New Book and Writing

2012-01-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Lynette will give away a copy of Cherry Blossom Capers! To enter to win leave your name and email address with a comment.
Welcome, Lynette. Congratulations on your writing. Writers often have been avid readers for a long time. Did you read lots as a child? If so, what did you read?
Yes, I definitely read a lot—in fact, my mother tells me that she read to me before I was born, so I'm not surprised that I've always loved the printed word. My favorites on the shelf when I was young: The Little House books, The Chronicles of Narnia, Little Women,
anything Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden, all were among my favorites.
How neat that your mom read to you before you were born. We'd like to know a little about your writing. Why do you write?
I'd like to say, “Because I have to,” but I don't know if that's a very good answer. I've always enjoyed making up stories When I was in grade school, I realized that I could. I put it away for a long time, worked on college, started raising a family, and finally one day something clicked inside me that said, “You need to really work on this.”

Tell us about your latest book.
Cherry Blossom Capers is a collection of four romantic mysteries set in the Washington, D.C. area. My coauthors and I came up with a group of four friends—one a White House chef (that's my heroine), a young lawyer, an archaeology intern, and a tea shop owner. Each woman encounters a mystery and danger on her road to romance.
What inspired you to write this particular book?
I've always been fascinated with the White House and all the comings and goings, the behind-the-scenes workings of the executive mansion. I read a news article some years ago that fueled the premise for my novella: what if someone is trying to sabotage a State Dinner, with international consequences? Enter my chef heroine and FBI agent hero.
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Like I mentioned above, sometimes news articles will give me that story nudge. Either that, or it's the setting. Especially with any of the historicals I've written, my wild imagination carries me away to a possible story line.
What themes do you write about?
Reconciliation, forgiveness, grace, belonging.
What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
During the last couple of years, my home life has changed as our nest has emptied. I now have an office where I can write. I've also been able to go part-time on my day job, which generaly allows me Thursdays and Fridays to write all day. That's the idea, anyhow. During the rest of the week, nights and weekends, I'll work on marketing and other efforts.
Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
I think I'm a plotapantzer, a mix of both. I need a general idea of where I'm going, the high points at least. If I don't know that much, I'll freeze up and won't know where to go. However, if I know too much, I'll start feeling like I'm writing a college assignment and that's no fun for anybody. I allow for some surprises, sort of like a happy detour on a road trip, as long as I get to where I'm going in the end and it doesn't slow things down.
Plotapantzer. I love it. Does your faith affect your writing? How?
Yes, it definitely does. Many times the spiritual theme of a book will emerge as I write the story and spend more time with a character. For me, faith is more than going through a religious ritual. It's about acknowledging God in each part of my life and making room for Him. Not always easy because like many of us, I tend to get in the way. I'm not one that writes a “preachy” book, per se, either. I don't think we have to “explain” everything, but let the characters live out whatever lesson they're learning.
What are you working on right now?
I've just started a book for Abingdon Press titled The Tempest's Course. It's a contemporary romance set in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and involves a big old home that once belonged to a whaling captain, a long-forgotten diary, a tattered and neglected 150 year old quilt, and a textile conservator who stumbles across a tragic story from the past that has consequences in the present.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Get your first book written, please! I know several people who are extremely talented writers, but can't get over that first book. You might not end up being rich or famous, but your book could end up touching someone's heart.
Thanks, Lynette.
About Cherry Blossom Capers
Tara Whitley, an assistant White House chef, doesn’t expect to become an amateur investigator. Then old flame and FBI operative Jack Courtland steps back into her life and recruits her to help uncover a plot to sabotage the next State Dinner.
But she doesn’t expect Jack to uncover feelings for him she thought had long since died. Can she trust him with her heart, or will secrets separate them again?
Bio
Lynette Sowell is the award-winning author of five novels and six novellas for Barbour Publishing. When Lynette's not writing, she divides her time between editing medical reports and chasing down news stories for the Copperas Cove Leader-Press. Lynette was born in Massachusetts, raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but makes her home on the doorstep of the Texas hill country with her husband and a herd of cats who have them well-trained. She loves reading, cooking, watching movies, and is always up for a Texas road trip.
Buy Cherry Blossom Capers
on Amazon, in hard copy or Kindle!: http://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Blossom-Capers-Romancing-America/dp/1616266465/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325621659&sr=8-1
Visit Lynette's Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/lynettesowellauthor
and the Cherry Blossom Capers blog: http://cherryblossomcapers.blogspot.com/
Lynette says, "Join us for tidbits about D.C., our book, recipes, and classic movie reviews!"
Sounds like lots of fun!

Looking Out the Window: Meet Zeke Lam

2011-12-27T17:14:00.000-08:00

Zeke Lam talks about his new book, SUBMISSION, and Submission Ministries. His ministry has led him all over the world.
Welcome Zeke. First, tell us About Submissioin Ministries.
This ministry exists simply to spread the love of Jesus Christ to the world. Our first book, titled SUBMISSION, released in mid November. As a “new” organization it is our goal to partner with other Christian ministries worldwide and allow the Holy Spirit to use us in whatever fashion will bring Him the most glory.
Thanks for introducing us to your ministry. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 27 years old and have been married to my beautiful wife, Kathleen, for 6 years. We have three children (4, 2, and 2 months) that we love very much. I have been a minister since the age of 18 as a youth minister and evangelist. In addition to this, I operate a small business which constructs ornamental concrete such as flower pots, bird baths, etc. My family and I are passionate to see Christ glorified through our lives, and constantly seek to use our lives to share the Gospel. This has led our family all over the world. Our most recent “adventure” involved us literally driving to a town in Texas, renting an apartment, and seeking the Lord. Although we knew nobody or anything about the place, God gave us an entire church fellowship in 2 days! This turned into an incredible 7 month stay that is surely not finished yet.
Wow, a fellowship in two days is quite a feat. Some writers say reading as a child prompted them to want to write. Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what did you read?
I only read as instructed by teachers or requirements related to school. This usually kept me in a book, but outside of that, I was not an avid reader as a child.
Why do you write?
First of all, writing helps me process thoughts and retain information. In addition to this, I write for the purpose of releasing the message God has placed on my heart. By putting it in written form, the message has the potential to reach people whom I will never get to meet personally. I greatly enjoy personal discipleship and relationships, but hopefully these words will impact lives around the world.

Tell us about your latest book.
SUBMISSION, heeding only His voice, focuses on addressing the need for solid Scriptural obedience. Using testimonies from the Word of God as well as a few personal experiences, my hope through this book is that God’s people will become more sensitive towards not only hearing His voice, but obeying it!
What inspired you to write this particular book?
Compromise is way too commonplace today. I have seen it in the church, in families, and in my own life. If revival is to take place in our society, God’s people must be willing to operate with the level of obedience and submission God requires. Mixing our opinions with God’s commands or desires is the very recipe for disaster. If we will fully release ourselves to Jesus Christ, and be willing to follow Him the way He commands, a shift will take place in our society! Ultimately, shortcomings in my own life with regards to submissions sparked this fire.
That's an interesting subject. What themes do you write about?
So far, my writing consists of topics related to spiritual revival in the lives of Christians.
Evangelism, discipleship, and encouragement appear to be a consistent theme.
What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
I can usually write anywhere that offers silence, but usually my writing occurs at the kitchen table.
Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?
Finding time to write while managing the responsibilities of family, work, and ministry can be quite challenging. I never lose sight of the fact that my ministry is in my home. As the Holy Spirit opens doors and assigns tasks, I take them. However, I am careful not to allow my “service” to become a distraction to the fact that Jesus wants me, not what I can do for Him. My mentality is this: be an open and available vessel through which the Lord can move to accomplish His work. By doing this, I keep plenty busy and my relationship with my Lord and my family does not diminish.
Does your faith affect your writing? How?
Absolutely. I write to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ and out of love for the Church. Because of this, any topic I address will involve an aspect of urging the Body of Christ towards revival or presenting the Gospel message.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on the SUBMISSION series, which will hopefully materialize into several works focused on Biblical obedience.
Read What Zeke Writes about Preparing for Obedience Below
So often we cry out to God for His working in and through our lives. We beg for His will and plan to become clear to us day by day. In those quiet moments when we feel as if God has forgotten about us, our only yearning is His leading. In this condition of longing for His voice, it is absolutely critical that we prepare ourselves to respond when the call comes forth.
Preparing for obedience is about daily crucifying the desires of our flesh so that the works of Christ can be manifested in our lives. Galatians 2:20 states: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.” Why is this so critical one might ask? Often times, God may bring forth a call that does not come close to what you had in mind. He may ask you to sacrifice in ways you never imagined. He may ask you to do things you never thought you were capable of or comfortable with. If we do not prepare ourselves for absolute obedience, the call may come and we may not answer.
When we crucify any and all personal, fleshly desires and willfully submit to God’s purpose for our lives, we position ourselves for His glory. As we daily surrender to Him, His desires become our desires and we prepare our hearts to obey no matter what God asks of our lives. In this spiritual condition, we remain active and ready to respond to His call upon our lives.
Consider an athlete for example. Often times they know not when that BIG moment will arrive, but he or she must steadfastly prepare for that "such a time as this" moment. Are you daily preparing yourself for obedience? If not, one of two things will happen. 1) You will not hear the call. 2) You hear but do not have the courage to obey. God has a mighty plan for you! Prepare to respond to the call.
Faithfulness and intimacy with the Father is the only way to ensure that you and I remain in a condition that is prepared to obey His voice when it is our time to be used. Consider Abraham as you analyze and ponder this subject. Because he pursued a relationship with God, he was willing to offer his son as a sacrifice. Abraham could have rationalized in a number of ways. First, this was his son! Who could possibly slay his own flesh and blood? Also, Isaac was the promised seed. Sacrificing him had to appear contrary to God’s plan. Despite these two intense factors, Abraham prepared his heart to obey the command of his Father.
The question is not, “will God speak”. The question is, “will we obey”.
BIO
ZEKE LAM is the author of Submission, (http://www.amazon.com/subMISSION-heeding-only-His-voice/dp/193748100X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323527425&sr=1-1)
a book that draws readers closer to the Savior. He is also the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers.
Read more about Zeke and Submission Ministries at http://submissionministries.org/

Looking in the Window: Christmas Love

2011-12-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

Luke 2: 11-12, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.”

God sent Jesus to save sinners, because he loves us. Jesus suffered and died to conquer death for us, because he loves us. In Matthew the Pharisees asked Jesus, “…which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He told them “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 36 – 39).
Christmas brings messages of giving, of our Savior, and of God’s love. There are so many different kinds of love. We love our friends, our fellowman, those in need, our spouses, and our children. God tells us to love our enemies. Where does it come from? How can we be sure it won’t run out? If we don’t have it, how can we get it?
I once heard a scientist had proven that chemicals in the brain produce love, but so far no one has isolated those elements or found a pill that stimulates defective chemicals to produce love that isn’t there. Even though sometimes it appears love can be bought or forced on someone, no one can dictate the feelings of another person’s heart. Love must be received and given. It was given that night in Bethlehem. We only need to accept it. Once we do, it lives inside us and spills over to others.

Merry Christmas

Looking Out the Window: Linda Weaver Clarke Book Give Away

2011-12-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

Book Give-Away Dec 21 - 27: To win the award winning historical “sweet” romance novel, Melinda and the Wild West, leave a comment with your e-mail. U.S. and Canada. To enter the contest, visit http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/

ABOUT MELINDA AND THE WILD WEST

In 1896 Melinda Gamble—a very elegant, naïve young woman from Boston—decides to give up her life of monotonous comfort for the turbulent uncertainty of the still untamed Wild West. Driven by her intense desire to make a difference in the world, Melinda takes a job as a schoolteacher in the small town of Paris, Idaho, where she comes face-to-face with a notorious bank robber, a vicious grizzly bear, and a terrible blizzard that leaves her clinging to her life. But it’s a rugged rancher who challenges Melinda with the one thing for which she was least prepared—love. Awards: Finalist for “Reviewers Choice Award 2007”

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Author E. A. West Blogging about Christmas and Autism. Read about Key to Charlotte, Her New Book

2011-12-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

In her wonderful blog about Christmas and Autistics author E.A. West reminds us to keep the focus of Christmas where it belongs: On Christ
The holiday season can be stressful for anyone. Visiting family and friends, decorating the house, attending holiday parties, and shopping for the perfect gifts can wear anyone out. Now, take all of that holiday busyness and add in the extra challenges caused by autism. In that situation, holiday stress takes on a whole new meaning.
Autistics are known for struggling with social situations. A typical, uneventful day at school or work is enough to completely exhaust someone on the autism spectrum. A regularly occurring event, such as a weekly church service, can be completely overwhelming at times. I showed a brief glimpse into this in The Key to Charlotte. Although that situation was completely fictional, the emotions and thoughts shown are very real.
With all of this in mind, imagine being an autistic suddenly thrust into the midst of the highly social holiday season. Instead of peaceful, relaxed evenings and weekends to de-stress and prepare for the mandatory social interactions with fellow students or coworkers, you’re expected to go to parties, Christmas programs, and other events. The usual stress of shopping is increased exponentially by store aisles crowded with holiday displays and more shoppers than usual.
The simple act of putting up Christmas decorations can be overwhelming to some autistics. Routine and consistency are important to people on the autism spectrum, both children and adults. Putting a decorated tree in the living room, a few lights on the house, a wreath on the front door, and changing the centerpiece on the dining room table sound like small changes a person can easily adjust to. For an autistic, these small changes can be highly stressful. Instead of the familiar, soothing environment of home they now have strange, unfamiliar objects surrounding them. Some autistics will adjust more quickly than others, but all will have an adjustment period that likely causes them to feel stressed or insecure.
At this point, you probably wonder, “Can autistics enjoy the holiday season at all?” The answer: Absolutely! It just takes a little preparation and a lot of patience. Here are a few tips that can reduce the stress of the holidays for autistics and neurotypicals (non-autistics) alike.
Keep it simple. Many people treat the holidays as a time of excess in food, decorations, gifts, and activities, but all of this adds unnecessary stress that dampens the joy of the season. Keeping your holiday plans and preparations simple will reduce stress. Instead of trying to create a huge, professional quality, multi-course dinner of dishes you have never made before, set up a buffet-style dinner of family favorites with a few special holiday dishes. Be selective about what activities to participate in rather than trying to do them all. Put up only a few tasteful decorations instead of trying to outdo the Griswold family home.
Don’t wait until the last minute. A lot of stress is caused by rushing around at the last minute to buy gifts, prepare for a party, put up decorations, etc. If you start early, not only will it reduce your stress, it will also help autistics keep their holidays stress levels down by allowing them to adjust to a string of small changes spread out over several days or weeks rather than having to deal with a sudden mass of changes all at once.
Always have a quiet place available. Everyone needs a moment alone to relax now and then. By setting apart a room or other area of your house as a designated quiet zone for guests (and yourself), you’ll be doing autistics and your own stress levels a huge favor.
Learn to say no. Very few people expect everyone they invite to a party or event to show up. It’s okay to politely decline some invitations if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Instead of attending three holiday parties, two Christmas programs, and a holiday concert or two this week, pick the two or three events that are most important to you and say no to the rest.
Keep the focus of the Christmas season where it belongs: on Christ. Much of the stress caused by the holiday season comes from placing too much emphasis on the commercialized aspects of Christmas. If you return the focus to celebrating Christ’s birth, a lot of the stress from “keeping up with the Joneses” will fade away under the light of the true meaning of Christmas.

About Key to Charlotte
Charlotte Harris can't speak due to a quirk in her autistic brain, but that doesn't stop her from communicating with others. Unfortunately, it prevents her from achieving two of her dreams--to praise God through singing and to carry on a simple conversation with her own voice.
Zakaria Rush is the new Director of Children's Ministries at Charlotte's church, and he can't keep his thoughts off the partially mute blonde with a love for guitar music. Her innocence and love of the simple things in life intrigue him and make him long to give her what she wants more than anything: her voice.
Can Zakaria help Charlotte find the key to unlocking her ability to speak, or will his attempt to help her only lock away their chance for love?
Bio: E.A. West, author of sweet and inspirational romance, is a lifelong lover of books and storytelling. In high school, she discovered the wonders of sharing her stories with others through writing. She picked up her pen in a creative writing class and hasn’t laid it down yet. Her love of writing encompasses not only the romance genre but also a variety fiction and non-fiction styles.
Born and raised in Indiana, she still resides there today with her family and a small zoo of pets that includes the typical dogs and cats, and the more unusual African water frogs and a ribbon snake. Her interests are as varied as her critters. She has been known to carry on conversations about everything from politics and current events to gardening and theology. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her working on her latest knitting or crochet project.
Read more about E. A. and her work at
http://eawest.mcphitty.com/ and
http://thewestcorner.wordpress.com/

Looking Out the Window: K Dawn Byrd Talks about Writing Books in Thirty Days and Her Latest Book

2011-11-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

She'll give away a download of her new book, This Time for Keeps. To enter to win leave a comment and email address.

Many writers grew up with a love of reading. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read? I was such an avid reader as a child that mother has said many times that I was so quiet she never knew I was even in the house. Nancy Drew was my absolute favorite.
Why do you write? I first began writing seriously about four years ago. I write because it's more than a hobby, it's a passion. I can't NOT write. I write because the words bubble up inside me and I have to get them on the page.

Tell us about your latest book. Here's the cover blurb from This Time for Keeps:
India McGuire's peaceful life is shattered when on the night of her engagement to David Richards, she comes face to face with Chase Porter, a long lost love. India must come to terms with her overpowering feelings for Chase and choose between David, the neighbor who says he loves her, and Chase, the man who broke her heart.
Chase's plans of leaving quietly turn to disaster when he finds that it's impossible to disappear without seeing India one last time. Feelings begin to surface that he believed buried forever and he finds himself fighting to win her back even as David struggles to hold onto her.
India longs to follow her heart, but she's been hurt too deeply. Who will she choose? The neighbor who can provide stability or the man she vowed to love forever who may once again heed to the call of the open road?
Where do you get ideas for your books? My ideas for my books come from everywhere. Newspapers. TV. The internet. I recently saw an article about a homeless man who had inherited millions. I'm using the idea for my December 2012 release in the Zoe Mack Mystery Series.
In three words describe your style of writing. Fast. Frantic. 30 days. (Sorry, I don't count the 30 as a word. It's a number. LOL)
How do you get to know your characters? I fill out character worksheets in order to get to know them better and I'm constantly asking myself if my characters would say this or do that as I write.
What is your writing schedule and where do you write? I write every book in 30 days. I'll plot out how many words I need each day on a calendar and use it to keep track of where I should be. I write in my favorite room in the house. It's a small den without a TV, but it does have two 55-gallon fish tanks. I take breaks from time to time and watch the fish swim.
Are you a plotter or a pantzer? I'm a plotter. In order to write a book in 30 days, a pretty thorough plot is a requirement. That's not to say that my characters don't sometimes take me down roads I hadn't planned, because they do and that's okay too.
What are you working on right now? Right now, I'm about 75 percent finished with my April 2012 release. It's called Shattered Identity and is the sequel to Mistaken Identity, my first young adult novel release. Several readers wrote me asking me to tell Lexi's story and Shattered Identity was born.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? Don't write for fortune or fame because it may never come. Write as I do...for the simple joy of placing words on the page.
Visit K Dawn's Web site at http://www.kdawnbyrd.com/
and her blog at http://kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/

Looking Out the Window: October in Destin, Florida

2011-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:00

During Thanksgiving I'm thankful for so many blessings, church, family, friends and good times. It's fitting to put up photos from our fall trip to Destin, Florida.

Waiting for sunset on the deck with friends. The lady in pink is ninety-six. The salt air's gotta' be good for you.

It's almost time. More people show up to watch.

The view from a twelfth-story balcony just before sunset

The sun is setting

Almost...

Side note: Hubby and me at Fisherman's Wharf

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-11-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

Hats and Horns!

Congratulations, Pam...

Pam Williams is the winner of Love Returned

Looking Out the Window: A Chat with Mildred Colvin, a Disciplined Writer

2011-11-13T17:32:00.000-08:00

Mildred Colvin talks about the writing life and her books of romance, faith, forgiveness and trust.

She'll be giving away a copy of her new e-book, Love Returned. To enter to win, leave a comment and email address.
Hi Mildred. It's great to have you. First, tell us a little about yourself.

Gail, thank you for inviting me here today. I write sweet, inspirational romances and have fifteen in print at this time. I’m excited to announce my first novella to be included in an anthology, titled Home for the Holidays, will be published early fall of next year in A Cascades Christmas by Barbour Publishing. I am privileged to be working with some very talented ladies. Mary Davis will contribute A Carpenter’s Christmas, Gina Welborn is writing All Ye Faithful, and Debby Lee’s story is titled One Evergreen Night. All four stories will tie in together as the four heroes are close friends who work in the lumber industry in one way or another.
I'll look forward to that. Tell us about your latest book.

I have recently self-published a contemporary romance set in central Missouri. Love Returned is the story of Megan McGinnis and Scott Landis who serve as Webelos Scout leaders. But Megan has a problem. She begins to notice coincidences about Scott and his son that lead her to believe his son is the baby she gave up for adoption nine years ago.
What an interesting plot. What inspired you to write this particular book?
I’ve worked in foster care and am an adoptive mother. Adoption interests me with each side having so many emotional issues to work through. This is true of Megan and Scott. Megan as the young teenager who gave up her baby and Scott as the adoptive parent who doesn’t want to lose his son. There’s a twist in the story that may surprise you.
Also for the setting, I served as a Cub Scout and Webelos Scout leader for several years while my husband was the Cub Master. I even researched for this book while attending Cub Scout camp. It’s always fun to write something you have first-hand knowledge of.
Absolutely. How do you get to know your characters?
I use charts when I have an idea for a story. These include character information that helps me learn about my people beyond their physical appearance. Basic personalities are determined along with their goals, conflicts, fears, spiritual issues, and motivations. A characters background often makes them the way they are in the book. But to really get to know the characters, I need to place them in the story and let them show me what they are like as they react to their surroundings and the other characters.
What themes do you write about?
I seem to do a lot of writing on forgiveness. I’m not sure why? Maybe because I feel to forgive or to be forgiven is so important. Trust is another favorite of mine. I try to write whatever God has laid on my heart as it fits the story.
What is your writing schedule and where do you write?
My schedule is to begin writing by 9 or 10 in the morning until about noon. I start again in the afternoon for 3-4 hours. I don’t write on Sunday and find that usually at least one day during the week is filled with other activities with my family.
Lately, I’ve been writing at the desk on the desktop computer, but as colder weather creeps in, I’m finding more comfy surroundings with my netbook. The fun thing about a netbook is that it’ll go wherever I want it to except in direct sunlight.
It's great to have that versatility. Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations?
I can’t imagine many writers having total freedom to write when they want to without interruptions. I’m no exception. I have children, and even though they’re adults and only one lives close, they still need attention at times.
How do you balance it?
I plan on at least one day a week being taken up by my family. The day may vary, but if I know it’s likely to happen sometime during the week, I don’t mind it when it does. Other than that, I try to use the free time I have to good advantage. Not that I always do, but I try.
A wise way to handle it. Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
I’m definitely a plotter. How can you write a book if you haven’t already written the ideas down and worked them out so they fit together? LOL! I used to write with my sister—and never understood her. She sat down and started typing. She had very few notes, but could tell her story verbally because it was in her head. Not the details, just the basic story. I have my charts filled out before I open the Snowflake program and fill it in. Then I take the synopsis from it and begin re-working it, expanding it, and shuffling the order if I need to. Basically, I write my book before I ever begin writing the first draft.
That sounds like the way to have a tightly written book. Does your faith affect your writing? If so, how?
Yes, in everything I write, my faith in God and His unchanging love shows. I’ve thought about writing simple sweet romances without the spiritual message, but I’m not sure I could. I think you’ll find a message of faith in every one of my books. It may not be stand-in-your-face in every one of them, but it’s there.
What are you working on right now?
I am nearing the finish line of a book that I’ve written three times. I first wrote Cora several years ago and realized it was much too long to sell, so I set it aside. My first book was accepted for publication in February of 2001, and because of an unexpected slot opening, the publisher rushed it to the press in May only three months later. After that flurry of activity died down, I wanted to send something else - maybe Cora. I quickly cut Cora in half and it was published two years later in 2003. Now, with rights reverted, I am doing an intensive rewrite of the original story, adding about 30,000 words to my shortened version and changing the title. Love’s Tender Call hasn’t been sent out to another publisher yet, but I hope to do that sometime this month. I’ll let you know later how that turns out.
Sounds good! What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?
Right now I would be making quilts. I love to piece quilt tops as an expression of creativity. Each is different and there’s something so comforting about wrapping up in a quilt when it’s cold out. I’ve given finished quilts to fund raisers for various needs and some have brought a few hundred dollars, which I think is pretty neat. I’d never be able to sell them for that, yet they can serve a useful purpose in this way.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Gail, again I thank you for having me here. You have a wonderful ministry of introducing readers to authors. I’d like to invite everyone to visit me at my blog where you may find another favorite author in the interviews I’ve posted there. It’s at: http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com/. Also you can find me at http://www.infinitecharacters.com/, a group blog with four other authors. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to leave with just a short teaser from my book, Love Returned.
Great! Here's an excerpt.
Megan hung the last ornament on the tree and turned to find Scott standing two inches from her with a twinkle in his eye and a sprig of greenery in his hand. He held it above her head.
She backed up but stopped when a branch touched her back. “That wouldn’t be mistletoe, would it?”
He nodded, took a step forward and grinned. “None other.”
Surely he wouldn’t kiss her in front of Randy. She looked from one side to the other before finding Randy leaning against the doorframe watching. A huge grin brightened his face. A slow burn started in her cheeks.
“Scott!”
Her objection might as well have been a request for all the notice Scott took. He leaned toward her, still holding the mistletoe in place above her head.
“Aren’t you supposed to be watching the spaghetti?” Megan couldn’t get away. A step either way might knock the tree down.
Scott shook his head, coming ever closer. “Spaghetti’s ready. I took it off the stove.”
His smooth baritone surrounded her while his spicy aftershave drew her even closer. One more inch and she’d be in his arms. Warmth from his body reached for her, and she swayed. Then Randy giggled.
Scott dipped his head for a quick peck on her cheek and straightened laughing.
“Oh.” Megan’s cheeks flamed, and her pulse raced. Disappointment and relief warred inside.
“I’ll do better when there’s no audience.” Scott stepped back after his whispered promise.
Thanks for visiting, Mildred.

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Award-winning Author Darlene Franklin

2011-11-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Award winning author Darlene Franklin discusses writing and talks about Lone Star Trail, the first book in her new Texas series

Hi Darlene, it looks as though reading has been a big part of your life. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?

My mother introduced me to the joy of reading as a young child (I can still quote large portions of The Cat in the Hat, which was fairly new when I was a child!) I graduated to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, but by the time I was ten, I was bored with the children’s section of the library and started reading adult novels. I had a marvelous list of books you should read before college, and I read as many as I could. I went through my Charles Dickens’ phase as a high freshman and Thomas Hardy as a junior.
It’s always interesting to learn what inspires writers. What inspired you to write this particular book?
I have a tremendous interest in the multitude of immigrants who have made America what it is. My first book, Romanian Rhapsody, featured Romanian orphans; my first historical foray, Dressed in Scarlet (my BOTY-nominated novella from Snowbound Colorado Christmas), had an Italian hero. So when I looked at starting points for writing a Texas story, I was drawn to the German Verein of the 1840s.
Even one of my as-yet-unpublished books, Calm Before the Storm, deals with Korean immigrants!
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Ideas are everywhere. They come from things I see as I’m driving (a castle on a hillside in Kentucky inspired Plainsong and Knight Music, my two most recent Heartsong releases). The name of a place can spark an interest (although I haven’t sold any of those stories yet, lol). Often, a historical event sparks a book. It can be a natural disaster (hurricane, in Beacon of Love; worst blizzard in Snowbound Colorado Christmas); a war, a folk tale, any one of a number of things. I can learn a tidbit, like the story of Blanche Leathers, the first woman to be a licensed steamboat pilot; and that in turn sparks a story idea.
Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
I’m a bit of both. I start out with a synopsis that provides most of the basic framework. I add to that, scenes and chapters and even characters as the story develops.
Do you put yourself in your books?
I have to. I mean, they do all come out of my head and heart. But I know what you mean. When I imagine what emotions my characters might be feeling as I put them through their paces, their reactions often reflect how I think I might feel (or have felt!) Some of them, more so than others. I also usually write about places I have been, so they are based on first-hand observations.
What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas (scheduled for release next fall from Barbour). In Bride’s Rogue, my straightlaced Victorian heroine inherits a steamboat from the father she never knew—as well as the resident gambler.
That sounds like a fun book. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Start with this: read, read, read and write, write, write. I just taught a workshop on settings. I read from four different books: Tolkien and Lewis (which might be considered classical literature), Nancy Pickard, one of my favorite mystery authors—and JR Moehringer’s memoir, The Tender Bar. The four titles suggest the breadth of my reading.
The other piece is this: Talent doesn’t matter as much as a thick skin, perseverance, and a willingness to learn.
Thanks so much for sharing with us, Darlene.

About Lone Star Trail
Lone Star Trail is the first book in a six-book series about the Morgan family, set in Texas in the 1840s. Jud Morgan runs the Running M Ranch near Victoria, Texas; he is immensely proud of his Texas roots. His father died in the war for independence from Mexico and then Comanches captured his youngest sister. He resists the arrival of the German immigrants (the Verein), since their aim is to create a “New Germany” on Texas soil.
Wande Fleischer is one of those German immigrants. Torn from her beloved native land, she faces disappointment on every side when her fiancé abandons her and she loses a sister to illness in the swamps of Carlshafen as soon as they arrive in Texas.
Can these two see past their differences to the love God has for them?

BIO
Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin lives in cowboy country—Oklahoma—near her son’s family. She recently signed the contract for her nineteenth novel. She is also a prolific devotional author with over 200 devotions in print.
Visit Darlene’s blog at http://www.darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/

Looking Out the Window: Blog Award / Visit Sixteen Blogs

2011-11-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

It's always an honor to have one's blog noticed by someone. I'd like to thank Tracy Krauss at Tracy Krauss Expression Express for giving mine an award. To visit her blog click on her blog's name or the picture.

I'm presenting the award to the following blogs. To visit them, click on their names.

Miss Mae Author of Romantic Mysteries

Anne Patrick, Stories of Romance, Mayhem & Faith

The Balanced Writer
Laurean's Lore
ReginaAndrew'sBlog
JDP News
E. A. West Writing
Larry Hammersley
Inspirational Writer
Christian Regency
Linda Weaver Clarke
Living The Body of Christ
Romantic Reflections
Life in an RV - The Roving Writer
Infinite Characters

To claim the award:

1. Thank the giver and link back to his or her site
2. Provide seven random facts about yourself
3. Pass the award to fifteen other blogs, let them know, and link to their sites
4. Copy the award logo and paste it on your site.

Seven Random Facts about me. Hmm. Let me see.
1. Two of my favorite Bible verses are from Matthew 22: 37 - 38, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself..."
2. I like to swim
3. There isn't much better than watching the sun set over the ocean
4. Fish, especially fried, makes a great meal
5. I enjoy making flower arrangements
6. I've always loved to read and rarely find a book I don't like
7. My favorite sports to watch are college football and professional baseball

Looking Out the Window: Mystery Book Giveaway

2011-10-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

VISIT LINDA WEAVER CLARKE'S
HALLOWWEEN BOOK GIVEAWAY
OCTOBER 24 - 31
FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A MYSTERY ADVENTURE NOVEL!

Mayan Intrigue is full of adventure...Suspense..Romance...Humor...Intrigue
ABOUT THE BOOK
The jungles of the Yucatan, Mayan ruins, looters, a mysterious artifact, and a nosey reporter are focus of Mayan Intrigue. With a blend of mystery, suspense, and Julia’s curiosity, John and Julia find themselves on the run once again. The discovery of a priceless artifact soon puts Julia’s life in great danger. From valuable artifacts to shady businessmen, the Yucatan Peninsula becomes a dangerous vacation spot for John and Julia Evans.

BOOK REVIEWS
Suko’s Notebook Review: “What starts out as a romantic trip quickly turns into a dangerous adventure among the Mayan ruins and jungles! Excitement prevails, and this book is full of mystery and suspense. Linda’s writing is lively and down-to-earth; she has the ability to make you feel as if you’re in these stories, along with John and Julia, trying to decipher the truth and escape from harm..”
Socrates Book Review: “Ms. Clarke’s descriptions easily transport the reader to Mexico. You really feel as if you are part of the story. Her words flow beautifully through each page of the book. Readers learn more and more about the beautiful relationship shared by John and Julia. Their commitment to each other is stronger than ever. With each book, these two become more like friends of the readers instead of book characters. I enjoyed this very much and am looking forward to the third book in this thrilling series.”

To win a book, leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/

LEARN MORE ABOUT LINDA AT
Welcome to the World of "Make Believe": http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/:
Thoughts About Life & Writing: http://lindaweaverclarke.wordpress.com/

Looking Out the Window: The Clash Tournament: Join the Fun and Games, Win Prizes

2011-10-11T09:13:00.001-07:00

IT CONTINUES!!
HOP OVER TO CLASH OF THE TITLES FOR WEEK THREE, BEGINNING ON MONDAY, OCT. 24TH
READ THE EXCERPTS, PLAY THE GAMES, WIN THE PRIZES

Over the last year, there have been

OVER FIFTY

clashing author in twenty-four CLASHES,

but only ONE can win the

LAUREL AWARD.

YOU decide which!

In the process, we invite you to repeatedly enter to win
THREE GIFTS A WEEK,
including the GRAND PRIZE--
15 NOVELS

http://www.clashofthetitles.com/

PROMO VIDEO CREATED BY COTT ASSISTANT EDITOR, MICHELLE MASSARO

The Winner of And the Beat Goes On / More Books and Prizes

2011-10-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

I put the names for And the Beat Goes On on pieces of paper and asked my husband to draw one.
He pulled out...drum roll...

Pam... Congratulations, Pam.

To enter to win more books and prizes visit the Clash of the Titles anniversary tournament. Click here or see below.

Tournament of Champions: Week One http://bit.ly/qB4Vkx Vote on the first clash, then play to win a
prize! #christianromance #books

Looking Out the Window: Author Tracy Krauss Talks About Her Books and Her Life as a Teacher

2011-10-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

Tracy will be giving away a copy of And the Beat Goes On. To enter to win leave a comment and your email address.

Hi Tracy. First, tell us a little about yourself.
I work as a high school teacher. I teach Art, Drama and English – all the things I love. My husband and I used to be in ministry but we are taking a sabbatical of sorts. Our four children are all grown up, but at one time I homeschooled them for several years. We dragged them around the countryside, moving about 15 times (I actually lost count) so it was a great solution. Besides writing, I paint, lead worship and play the piano at our church, and direct an amateur theatrical group. Life is full.
Full, indeed. Were you an avid reader as a child? If so, what did you read?
I loved reading as a child and I still do. I read all the ‘Anne’ books by Lucy Maude Montgomery, lots of Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, and ‘The Adventures of ...’ Series by Thornton Burgess. Then I got seriously into Edgar Rice Burroughs and read all the ‘Tarzan’ books. (There are a ga-zillion …) My Star Trek addiction as a teen got me hooked on anything Sci-fi and to this day, Spec and Sci-fi are still my favorites.

Tell us about your latest book.
MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER is the story of a forty-something cougar whose life gets very complicated, indeed. Her search for fulfillment leads to multiple boyfriends, trouble with her grown daughters (each with their own quirks), and an ex fresh out of prison looking for revenge. Dark secrets from the past begin to resurface and she finds herself in a twisted web of love, lust, lies and danger.
In three words describe your style of writing.
Edgy inspirational suspense
How do you get to know your characters?
I use my training in theater to really dig into my character’s motivation. I develop elaborate back stories that often don’t see the page, but help me to understand who they are and why they do things.
It’s great that you have training in theater. What themes do you write about?
So far my books have a very strong redemptive quality. I like characters that are kind of ‘bad’ – as in naughty – but then come to God. I like the idea that God is not prejudice. He sees the potential where people see the failure.
I like that idea too, Tracy. Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?
This is much easier now that my children are grown. However, I still struggle to fit some writing time into each day. I try to keep a schedule for both my creative writing and my online activity, but of course, one has to be flexible.
Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
I start with a plot, but then I let the ‘pants’ take over! I find a framework keeps me from losing sight of the goal and I don’t get frustrated by writing in circles, so to speak. However, fresh ideas always surface. Characters say or do unexpected things, a new idea crops up . . . then I just go back and revise the framework.
What are you working on right now?
I’ve actually got a lot going on. My third novel PLAY IT AGAIN is currently in production and should be out in November. It’s the prequel to my first book AND THE BEAT GOES ON, and is the story of Mark Graham’s parents – an ex rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant. (Mark Graham is the main character from the first book – an archeologist that finds evidence for creation but is threatened when he tries to share the truth.)
I’m also pitching another book about a small prairie town where ancient medicine resurfaces in the form of generational curses. It’s called WIND OVER MARSHDALE. I have about six other WIPs, too.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I love it when people stop by my blog or fanpage. My links are here:
Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com/
Blog: http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/
FB: http://tinyurl.com/Tracy-Krauss-Author-Fanpage
Amazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com/
Thanks for having me on your blog!
You’re most welcome, Tracy. It was fun.
About My Mother the Man-Eater
What’s a girl to do? Joleen Allen is on the hunt. For a man, that is. Unfortunately, every time the mother of five meets a prospect, he falls for one of her daughters instead!
Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Harold, is back in the picture after a stint in prison, and he’s looking for revenge. He’ll do anything to see Joleen’s reputation and her relationship with their children ruined. Harold has devised an elaborate plan to slander Joleen and ruin her financially, and will stop at nothing – even murder – to see it through.
At forty-four, Joleen has seen a thing or two. She became a mother at sixteen, and her five highly independent children are now grown. Jasmine is a successful ad executive, but has a drinking problem. Jill is a tough cop, while middle child Jennifer surprises them all with her tenacity. Jinger is a self-centered glamour girl, and the baby of the family, Jade, is utterly spoiled.
All the interesting men they meet get tossed around by this pack of barracudas. Adding to the mix are some drug deals, a kidnapping, insurance fraud, and secrets from the past, making life very complicated, indeed.
With grit, humor, action, intrigue and romance, My Mother the Man-Eater is a redemptive story about a woman whose search for meaning in life sends her straight into . . . the arms of God.
About Play It Again
Sparks fly when an ex rock and roll junkie and a stuffy accountant rendezvous at a local resort, but neither are prepared for the emotional entanglements, family complications, and a threat from the past that unexpectedly resurfaces. Set in the 1980′s, this story brings two opposing forces together in a clash of romance and danger, while its musical undertones highlight the theme that God can turn anything into beautiful music.
About the Author
Tracy Krauss is a high school teacher by profession, and a prolific author, artist, playwright and director by choice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Saskatchewan and has gone on to teach Art, Drama and English – all the things she is passionate about. After raising four children, she and her husband now reside in beautiful Tumbler Ridge, BC where she continues to pursue all of her creative interests. Her first two books, AND THE BEAT GOES ON and MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, were both nominated for the ‘Indie Excellence Book Awards’ for religious fiction in 2011. A third novel, PLAY IT AGAIN, the much anticipated prequel to her first book, is currently in production. Tracy also has one stage play in print.

THE WINNER OF THE ARTISTOCRAT'S LADY

2011-10-03T13:12:00.001-07:00

THE WINNER OF THE ARISTOCRAT'S LADY IS...

LAUREAN BROOKS.

CONGRATULATIONS LAUREAN!

Looking Out the Window: Meet Love Inspired Author Mary Moore

2011-09-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Love Inspired author Mary Moore talks about her new historical book, The Aristocrat's Lady. She'll be giving away a copy. To enter to win leave a comment and your email address.

Welcome, Mary. First, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m 54 years old and my husband, Craig, and I have been married for 27 years. We both grew up in the suburbs of Washington, DC, but 8 years ago we felt the Lord’s leading to move to our retirement property in southwest Virginia. I think we’re finally getting over the culture shock!
I’m glad you’re settling into your Virginia home. It’s always interesting to know what writers like to read. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?
Yes, I’ve always loved to read. I confess I prefer fiction, but I do like biographies as well. I’m a Regency fanatic, and my favorite read has always been Georgette Heyer. I was aware of her even before Jane Austen, but my love for the era certainly took me to Austen as well as the Bronte sisters, Elizabeth Gaskill, etc. I still read all of them over and over again.
Why do you write?
It has always been for my own pleasure. I love each story when I’m finished with it, and I would read them over and over again as if I were a real author! I tried to get a manuscript published early on, but I knew nothing about it, so failed miserably. And it didn’t matter (too much) because I still had them to read with my favorites.

Tell us about your latest book.
It’s my first book, so I’m really excited about it. It is a Regency (duh!) about a woman that has a malady that she believes excludes her from love and marriage. She keeps it from everyone so they will not feel sorry for her or awkward around her. She meets an earl and likes him prodigiously and a friendship begins even though a friendship between genders is not a totally accepted thing then. As it turns into more than friendship, it makes it even harder to tell him the truth about herself, and when he eventually finds out, he turns from her believing she was trying to trick an him into marrying her. She feels rejected, he feels distrust, and it is up to their dependence on God to see whether any more could ever come of it.
It sounds as though this book has some interesting twists and turns in it. What inspired you to write it?
The idea intrigued me because it was unlike any Regency I had ever read. But in between the 15 years that I wrote it to now, I’ve had some of the experiences in the book and I think it became more personal to me and maybe more relatable to a reader. I was able to put a little more real emotion into some of the scenes, which made me realize how badly they were done back then. This was the first story I ever wrote, so I am closest to it.
In three words describe your style of writing.
Seat of my pants! (Sorry, that’s four!)
How do you get to know your characters?
You know, I know the kind of hero/heroine I like to read about. So when I come up with the story premise, I make the characters that I already like. I can usually make them fit into the story because I know them ahead of time. I don’t know what each one will look like necessarily, but I know attributes my hero/heroine should and would have, because they are based on what I like. And, since I am your ordinary book lover, I feel like my readers will get my characters and like them, too. I hope that is the case!
Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?
Oh my, yes! And I’m not doing it very well! I knew nothing about any part of the business end of writing. Finding an agent and going through the process of honing and polishing a work I thought was finished before it could go to a publisher. Then the work required once you’ve got a contract and your editor gives you a list of items to do to that manuscript I thought was finished. Did I mention the email “loops” that could take up an entire day if I let it? And putting my self “out there” has really been time consuming. So, when you add all of that to working PT and being very active in my church, you come up with a husband and a dog that are ready to mutiny!! I’m hoping, if I am blessed with another book, that now having been through the entire process, I can improve on my time management.
Does your faith affect your writing? How?
It does now, yes; greatly. When I wrote this book so long ago, Christian fiction was not popular. In fact, such books were few and far between. I didn’t know how much of my beliefs to put into the story or whether anybody else was interested in even reading “inspirational” stories. And I know now that all of this had to be in God’s timing. My level of maturity, in life as well as in my spiritual walk, was so far behind where I am now that it shows up so clearly when I look at the old stories now. I want my writing to be a ministry. I want my book to land in the hands of anyone God knows that needs that message. I admit, I’m not there yet…I enjoy it when someone tells me they love my book or I get a good review on Amazon…but in my heart I want it to be that God ultimately gets the glory.
What are you working on right now?
Now that all of the “book release” priorities have lessened, I am able to work on my second Regency. It’s constantly changing at the moment, but I’m really excited about it.
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing?
Reading! Seriously, in the time management issues I talked about earlier, I lost the time I normally had to just sit down and read a good book; especially one of those that you start and could keep reading straight to the end. That’s a luxury I didn’t have time for. But I plan to change that this time around so I can do both!
What is the coolest, wackiest, most risk-taking thing you’ve ever done?
White water rafting! It was as scary as I thought it was going to be, but it was so fun. Fortunately, it was a professional outfit, and we all had guides in our boats to tell us what to do. It was a blast.
That sounds like a neat experience.
Thank you so much, Gail, for the opportunity to meet some of your readers and let them get to know me a little better.
It was my pleasure, Mary.

Looking Out the Window: Writers and Readers Promoting Christian Authors

2011-09-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary, Clash of the Titles!

It's been almost a year since COTT opened its voting-booth doors and invited everyone in. Over the past twelve months, readers have chosen 25 Clash winners and received 48 free books. And along the way, a family formed. That family consists of the voters, authors, staff, and the 25+ blogs who have banded together in mutual support with COTT.

This is cause for major celebration! So COTT is doing it up to the nines.

Clash of the Titles' first annual Tournament of Champions begins next month! Over the course of four weeks, past winners from the previous year will compete in a series of clashes for the ultimate prize: the Laurel Award. The Laurel, COTT's most prestigious honor, is awarded by public vote to a single author among the year's champions.

Voters are expected to turn out in droves to support their favorites and participate in games just for readers. Each week, COTT sponsors—consisting of various authors and staff—will issue fun challenges to readers along with the chance to win gift cards, critique services, a business card design, and more. A dozen sponsors are lined up for the event so far. That's a lot of prizes!

Throughout the month, details and updates on the Tournament of Champions will be shared on the COTT website and featured within the Blog Alliance. To help spread the word, please grab the special Tournament Button (below) to display on your site. Then send a link to your page to: contactcott at gmail dot com to enter the special COTT Shout-About drawing. The drawing will take place during the first week of the Tournament and the winner will receive a Clash of the Titles mug.

Please also consider Tweeting or sharing this article on your Facebook wall.

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Mark your calendars and spread the word. This BYOV (Bring Your Own Vote) party begins on October 10th!

Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor of COTT and a writer of contemporary Christian fiction. Find her on Twitter @MLMassaro or Facebook.

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Staci Stallings

2011-09-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

In her wonderful devotional Staci Stallings Shows Us How We Could

Be Like the Children in her Sunday School Class.

Hiding the Obvious

Kids are fascinating. If you watch them, they will teach you very profound lessons about life and yourself.
A couple weeks ago in Sunday School, we did the infamous puzzle day. On that day we are talking about the Holy Spirit and how, if you let Him, the Holy Spirit can put your life together in such a way as to make it fit perfectly--not just for you but for everyone else too.
I have this puzzle that's the picture of Jesus hugging the person who's just come to Heaven. In the sky is a rainbow representing the Father. Also above Jesus' head is a dove. The puzzle is like 560 pieces. Since I'm not good with puzzles and we have to put the thing together with 40 different kids in about 30 minutes, I have put nine pieces in each of 63 bags and numbered them.
The idea is that each kid gets a "day's" worth of pieces--nine. They are to put those pieces together and then as I call out the number of their bag, they bring them up and I put them together. Then they go and get a new bag of pieces. Of course this is the ultimate lesson in working together because everyone is putting their own pieces together and then helping others who are trying to get theirs together as well. It's quite the class.
At the end of putting the puzzle together, there is a "trick." The Holy Spirit played it on me first, so I don't take credit for thinking it up. See, the first time we put the puzzle together, we got the whole thing done--and we were missing one piece (which we later found and put in a separate bag). That piece is right up in the sky, part of the Holy Spirit's wings, and it is really obvious when you get the thing together that one piece is missing. So, of course, one bag has only 8 pieces in it. But I don't tell them that. They expect the puzzle to be whole when it's finished.
Every year the kids freak out about the missing piece. Most of the time they all go on scouting duty around the tables trying to find it. This year, they took a different tack.
Now, I know there is one piece missing. They just don't know that I know.
Well, this year, that pesky bag with only eight could not be solved. The poor girl working on it was really good at puzzles but because of the missing piece, she was having a really hard time getting it together. Therefore, that section was the last one to be put in. In fact, several of the boys tried to "help" by putting it in piece-by-piece rather than as a completed section. That was interesting.
The thing is, everyone was around the table when the last piece went in, and guess what... it wasn't the last piece!
I'm not sure which student figured it out first, but as I was standing there talking, all of a sudden like 8 students had their hand on the puzzle. They were all trying to cover the missing piece, looking up at me as if nothing in the world were wrong with this picture. Like... "Maybe if we stand here and act natural she won't notice." What they didn't know is that they hadn't lost the piece at all. It was missing for a reason.
But isn't that just like all of us? We perceive that we have a "missing piece," and so we do everything in our power to cover that thing up so maybe no one will notice--especially God. What ends up happening is instead of making it less noticeable, we draw attention to it!
What pieces are you trying to cover up in your puzzle? Maybe, just maybe, there's a reason the Holy Spirit hasn't filled that piece in yet. One thing is for sure... He knows better than you that there's a missing piece. He knows where it is, and He knows where it goes. If you will trust Him and stop trying to hide the obvious, maybe together, you and He can fill it in. Otherwise, frankly, you just look a bit silly standing there with your hand over the puzzle like no one's going to notice you're trying to hide that missing piece.
(Copyright 2011)

BIO
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including:
Books In Print, Kindle, & FREE on Spirit Light Works:
http://stacistallings.wordpress.com/
Spirit Light Books--The Blog: http://spiritlightbooks.wordpress.com/
And… Staci’s website http://www.stacistallings.com/
Come on over for a visit…
You’ll feel better for the experience!
Connect with her on Twitter: @StaciStallings

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-09-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

THE WINNER OF HAILEE IS FAYE.
CONGRATULATIONS, FAYE!

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Inspirational Historical Romance Writer Penny Zeller

2011-09-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

Penny will be giving away a copy of her latest book, Hailee. To enter to win a copy leave a comment and your email address.

Hi Penny, welcome. First, tell us a little about yourself. Hi Gail! Thank you for hosting me on your blog. It’s great to be here! I am a wife, mom, and author of several books and numerous magazine articles. I also write a humor blog “A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author” (www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com). I am an active volunteer in my community, serving as a women’s Bible study small-group leader and co-organizing a women’s prayer group. My passion is to use the gift of the written word to glorify God and to benefit His Kingdom. I devote my time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with God. However, all that being said, my greatest ministry is to, with my husband Lon, raise our two daughters for Christ. When I’m not dreaming up new characters for books, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and camping, hiking, canoeing, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Sounds like you have a full life, and it’s great that you can bring us humor. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read? I was an avid reader as a child. I loved Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries and read every copy of those books I could get my hands on! I also loved The Little House on the Prairie series.
This is funny and not something I have shared much, but beginning when I was 10 years old, I also loved the romance stories in the back of “Good Housekeeping Magazine.” In those days, the stories were wholesome and I would sneak outside with my mom’s copy into our playhouse to read. I loved the stories because they would have pictures of the characters drawn by an artist with a little tidbit under each picture, such as, “Lydia thinks she’ll never love again – that is until James unexpectedly walks into her life…” I laugh when I think of those early days reading those stories! I suppose I have always been a romantic at heart!
I remember those days too. Tell us about your latest book.

Hailee is the third book in my Montana Skies Historical Romance Series, which began with McKenzie and Kaydie. Following is a short blurb:
For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin in the Cincinnati streets, stealing food to keep her two younger brothers fed. Her thievery landed her in a home for delinquent youngsters, where her life was changed, thanks to her teachers. Now, nineteen-year-old Hailee excitedly heads to Montana to be a teacher, yet she's still plagued by her shameful past and the fear of never seeing her brothers again.
Based on his upbringing in high-society Boston, no one would have guessed that Nate Adams would attend seminary and become a church pastor in rugged Montana. Even now, Nate's parents refuse to put aside their own plans for his future and accept his calling.
When their paths converge, an immediate attraction draws Hailee and Nate together, even as the pressures and demands of others pull them apart. Can the unlikely pair come to terms with their pasts and face the future together?
Watch a Trailer for HaileeI’m excited about the new trailer for Hailee, which was just produced and can be found at http://youtu.be/LEGoM43jtwA
Are you a plotter or a pantzer? I am definitely a pantzer! *grins*
Does your faith affect your writing? How? My faith influences my writing 100%. In November of 2000, I gave my writing to the Lord. I quit my fulltime job with a social services agency to stay home with my infant daughter. That was the start of my writing career, beginning with magazine articles in national and regional publications. I am humbled that God has called me into a ministry of writing.
Because faith plays such an important role in my writing, I love the opportunity it has given me to share Christ with others. Being able to talk about my career has opened the door to sharing the Gospel in countless ways.
What are you working on right now? Next on the agenda is my historical romance series set in the post-Civil War era. I recently completed the first draft of the first book and am hard at work on the second.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? God calls us all to do different things for His Kingdom. If He has called you to write, seek His guidance. Never give up, even when you feel like it or when someone has unkindly criticized you. Seek to please and honor Him in whatever you write, whether it is for the secular or the inspirational market; whether it be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, song lyrics, or a screenplay. Find a mentor and be open to ideas and suggestions from one who’s “been there, done that.” Join forces with other Christian writers. After all, we are all working for the same Boss.
I speak from experience when I say that when He closes one door, He opens a (much better) one and I firmly believe that if God calls you, He will guide you.
I give more tips for writers, including sticking with writing and how to prepare for a writer’s conference here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/sticking-with-writing/
What would you be doing if you weren’t writing? If I wasn’t a writer, I would love to be a television talk show host for a Christian TV show. I think that would be a lot of fun!
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us? I love to connect with my readers at my website http://www.pennyzeller.com/
my blog http://www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com/,
on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller, and
on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks
where I post updates about new books, giveaways, events, making a difference in the lives of others, and Just-for-Fun Fridays.
Thank you again, Gail, for having me as your guest! I’m excited to see who wins the copy of Hailee.
It was my pleasure, Penny

Looking Out the Window: Announcing a Faith-Based Facebook Page

2011-09-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

OPENING TODAY - LIVING BY GRACE

When Facebook first launched, articles saturated the web warning us of the dangers of internet relationships. Would society become more isolated? More selfish? Shallower? Would having a computer to hide behind teach us to create barriers or could the safe and constant access to others actually have a positive effect? Like most tools, the values of social networking depends on the user, but for me, a writer who spends countless hours each day shut inside my office, Facebook has provided a much needed window to the outside world. It’s allowed me to stay in contact with distant friends and has deepened many relationships I hold dear. Facebook has become a wonderful, vibrant, interactive community. What better place to launch a Christ-centered devo-group? Follow the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Living-by-Grace/208718449189065
ABOUT LIVING BY GRACE
Living by Grace is a Facebook faith community where believers, seekers, and inquiring minds can pop in and out for a snippet of truth and a friendly chat. Each week, five other authors and I will post links to inspiring, challenging, or thought provoking articles which will serve as discussion launchers. It’s a time to connect and be renewed and we invite you to join us.
Living by Grace (LBG) co-host and inspirational fiction writer, Patty Wysong is excited to see how God will use our faith-based community. “For over a year I’ve had the idea of an online Bible study group in my mind and heart,” Patty says, “and Living by Grace is better than I’d hoped. Isn’t that just like God?! FB is a bit like the modern day well. It’s where people worldwide go to hang out and visit with friends.”
THE LADIES BEHIND LIVING BY GRACE

LBG co-host and inspy author Jessica R. Patch is looking forward to increased relationship building. “I’d love to see it become a place of sisterhood,” Jessica says. “A place, like Cheers, when you walk in you’re welcome and everyone knows your name. You’re important. You matter and you feel that way when you settle in. Okay, not the best analogy, but hey, you should feel more welcome at a devotional online community than a bar!”

LBG co-host, isnpy and devo author Maria Morgan expects our new faith community to create an atmosphere conducive to personal growth. “What an opportunity to see my own faith grow as I study God’s Word and rely on the still, small voice of the Lord to guide my writing,” Maria says. “And I look forward to being challenged by the posts of the other devotional writers. It's a true honor to be part of a team of godly women who are seeking to make 2 Peter 3:18 a reality: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen."

Co-host, faith and fiction writer, Joanne Sher, is a people-addict (in a good way). She’s looking forward to the faith-based interaction. “It’s easy to connect with folks on Facebook,” Joanne says. “You can have real conversations, and get to know others: their gifts, their needs. I’d love LBG to be a go-to place for folks looking to draw the Lord more into their lives—where we can examine our lives in connection to His Word, and learn from one another.”

Co-host, former missionary, and Bible-study-teacher extraordinaire, Lynda Schultz is looking forward to the opportunity to be stimulated challenged. “I want to meet new people who share my passion and rejoice in the journey they have taken to get to this "sweet spot" in their lives.” For me, co-host, Jennifer Slattery, I’m looking forward to getting to know some of my readers on a more personal level. I believe God’s love is exponential—the more you give it, the more you receive it. And I believe He never intended for us to go it alone. In fact, like a great grandparent who takes pleasure in seeing his children come together at family reunions, I believe God receives great joy when His children unite. And if God’s doing it, I want to be in it.
We hope you’ll join us Monday through Saturday for some great, Christ-centered posts and relationship building chats. Stop by today to meet me and my co-hosts, share your thoughts with us, maybe ask a question or two.
Who we are: Writers' Bios

Patty Wysong is an ordinary girl living the good life, the life God gave her. A home executive with over 20 years of experience, she homeschools three of her five children, but don't let that fool you. Much of her time is spent working on what God has placed in her hand: her keyboard. From the corner of her living room she writes inspirational fiction, devotionals, blog posts, and teaches online blogging workshops. You'll also find her drinking kool aid from her china cup, preparing for the ladies Bible study she leads, and helping at their church. Through her writing, Patty has found the extraordinary God in her ordinary life. http://www.pattywysong.com/
Joanne Sher is a Jew by birth, a Christian by rebirth, and a writer by gift. A native Southern Californian, she now lives happily in West Michigan with her husband and two school-aged children. She is a blogger and writer, of both true-life stories and fiction, attempting to ride God's grace over rough roads. http://www.joannesher.com/
Jessica R. Patch grew up in southern Illinois before attending Central Bible College, where she majored in Missions and Bible. She is devoted to her local church, having served as a Biblical Studies teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, Regional Women’s Representative, and volunteer co-pastor with her husband of the Young Adult Ministry. She’s taught workshops and frequently spoken to Women’s ministry groups. Her heart is to help women step out into deeper waters of intimacy with Jesus Christ. http://jessicarpatch.blogspot.com/
Maria I. Morgan is an inspirational/devotional writer, whose passion is to share the truths of God's Word with today's generation. She is a regular contributor to Around About Cumming, and Cumming Patch. You can visit her on the web Mondays and Wednesdays for a life lesson you can relate to. Maria resides in Georgia with her husband, Steve, daughter, Riley, their 2 dogs and 1 cat. http://www.mariaimorgan.blogspot.com/
Lynda Schultz is a "never-married." She has served in church ministry as Director of Christian Education in several Canadian churches. For the past thirty years or so, she has been a missionary with a Canadian Baptist mission and have served in Colombia and Venezuela, as well as on home staff. She is currently Director of Christian Education/Spiritual Formation in Timmins, Ontario and still works part-time with the mission in the area of communications. Lou Lou Belle and Abby are her Venezuelan cats who have returned to Canada with her. She likes reading, writing, but definitely not arithmetic, as well as cooking and plants. http://web.mac.com/lyndalee1,
http://lyndasgrainsofsand.blogspot.com/
and http://web.me.com/lyndalee1/Northern_Breezes

Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World Ministries, the Christian Pulse and Samie Sisters. She loves seeing people experience the life-changing love of Christ. She believes no sin is too sinful, no heart to dark, no wound too deep when placed in pierced hands of Christ and she prays daily that her writing will allow others to catch a glimmer of God’s all-consuming love. http://jenniferlsatterylivesoutloud.com/.

Looking Out the Window: One Weird Bug

2011-08-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

In the winter in Georgia someone always says, “Our weather isn’t cold enough to kill the insect eggs and larva.”

I recall this now because we had an unusually frigid winter here, and I’ve seen more bugs this summer than I’ve seen in years. One particularly fascinating insect appeared on our deck while we had a house guest. I first heard it fling itself into the sliding glass door in our living room. It sounded as though a baseball struck the glass. Our guest sat in front of it. I jumped and looked at her. She shrugged her shoulders, but said nothing.
A few nights later we turned out the lights to get ready for bed, and I heard a loud, staccato clicking outside. Our guest said, “It’s that bug.”
“What bug?” I asked.
“The same one that banged into the door the other night. When you go to bed, and I'm here on the sofa I hear it. It makes that sound. Pull back the curtain and look. It spins around.
I peered outside. A lime green insect about the size of a butterfly spun around in circles with its wings folded vertically and made the weird noise. “I’ve never seen anything like that.” I gazed at my husband, Rick. “Where did it come from? Any ideas?”
He stared at the bug and shook his head. “I don’t know. It must be doing some sort of mating dance and call.”
I peered at our guest. “The bug’s in love you.”
We all laughed and went to bed. But when the guest left, the bug left.
I can’t think about the bug without also thinking of the refrain to a song I sang in Sunday School as a child, “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” The lyrics were written by a woman, Cecil Alexander in 1848, and the tune, a 17th Century English melody, arranged by Martin F. Shaw in 1915. The refrain is:
                                           All things bright and beautiful,
                                           All creatures great and small,
                                           All things wise and wonderful:
                                           The Lord God made them all.

Psalm: 104: 24, “How many are your works,
                         O Lord!
                         In wisdom you made them all;
                         the earth is full of your creatures.”

The Liebster Award

2011-08-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Liebster Award was given to me by Connie Almony
Thank you, Connie!

I'm passing it on to:
Danielle Thorne
Anne Patrick
Miss Mae
Laurean Brooks
Regina Andrews

Looing Out the Window: Staci Stallings, English Teacher Turned Writer

2011-08-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

In Staci's interview she tells about a dangerous school situation. As for writing, she prefers characters who've decided life stinks. She offers them hope. She advises other writers to write their hearts.

Welcome, Staci. First, tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a stay-at-home mom with three kids a husband and a writing addiction! I've written 30 full-length novels, hundreds of articles, six Bible Studies, and two God Help books (for when self-help just isn't working anymore!) I blog. I volunteer at two schools and my church. I teach Sunday school and substitute. And the only reason I'm still sane is because God loves me and does an awesome job scheduling my days.
Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?
Yes. Words were one of my first loves. I told my grandpa when I was four that I was "anticipating" getting a ring when we went back to town. However, when I hit junior high and found romance novels (anyone remember Sweet Dreams?), my love of reading became a full-blown addiction. I devoured those early romance books and have, on occasion even after I got "older," gone back and re-read them. I love people falling in love.
Why do you write?
Because if I didn't, I would either explode or go crazy. Seriously. Writing is like breathing to me, and when I go too long without putting something on paper, life just doesn't feel right. My friends can tell when I haven't written in awhile, and they can tell when I have. I love writing because it's when I feel God the most. It's when I can take spiritual risks, just let go and let God show me the world by writing through me. It opens up possibilities in all the other areas of my life. I always come away fuller and wiser.
That’s interesting. My husband says I have pretend people running around in my head, and I have to let them out. Sort of the same thing. Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book was actually the third book I finished out of the 30. It's called "The Price of Silence," and it is far darker than most of my books. In it, we follow Robyn Lockhart, a senior in high school who's just been transferred to a huge school that she does not want to attend. Coming from a small school in Iowa, Robyn finds herself in the midst of wall-to-wall people and wall-to-wall silence about what's really going on. When she lands a spot on the school newspaper and begins trying to get the word out about the danger lurking in every hallway, she becomes a target as well. However, telling someone she is could end with her newfound friends in body bags. How do you shout from the rooftops if the only ones listening are those who want you quiet? And if you stand up, will anyone else stand with you?
That sounds like an intriguing book. A high school reporter in danger. What inspired you to write this particular book?
I was a high school English teacher almost twenty years ago. In one school where I taught, a gun was brought to a classroom next to mine and a student was threatened with it. Then I taught at another school and had one brought to my own classroom. In both incidents the administrations tried very hard to hush everything up. They didn't want to scare parents, and they thought maybe the kids would never find out. (Yeah right!) I found both assumptions to be ludicrous. In fact, one of my students had to transfer because she had seen the gun and was the one who told the administration. Because of the way it was handled, she was harassed and threatened for saying something. I began to wonder, "What happens if you're a kid and you know bad things are happening? What do you do if you tell someone and nothing is done about it? Where do you go if your parents are disconnected and the administration just wants everything to be 'okay' without doing something about it?"
The truly scary thing to me was that two years later, the boy who brought the gun to school and threatened my student was on trial for murder. How off-the-rails was he all the way back at the gun incident? So, I wrote the book for kids, yes. But even more so for parents and teachers and administrators. These types of "incidents" are incredibly dangerous to the innocent kids in school, and if you hush up enough of them, you will hush up everyone--even students who might say something about a potentially deadly situation. We need to give our kids ways to tell us what's going on. And we need to believe them when they do!
You're right, Staci. That's really scary. But I’m glad you’re making people aware. Other than something like this, where do you get ideas for your books?
A lot of my ideas come from dreams I've had. In fact, the first book I finished started with about 30 seconds of a dream. Ever since I was a child, to put myself to sleep, I would come up with a story and "tell it to myself" in what most people would consider like a movie in my brain. I would start with a dream I had that I really liked. Then when I got in bed, I would think about that dream and "push play" to watch more of it.
That's what I do with my books too. I simply "Push Play" and then translate into words what I'm seeing in my head. Beyond that, a lot of times when I get to the end of one book, I can "see" the story going on, maybe with secondary characters from the first book or maybe with the primary characters from the first book. Honestly, I never know when a great idea is going to come or how fast a book will write itself. Two I've finished in less than a month. One took seven years.
I am writing about six at any one time, and it's kind of like watching television. When I sit to write, I select a story (choose a channel), get quiet, and push play.
How do you get to know your characters?
I think I've tried about everything. I've interviewed them. I've talked with them. I've thought about them. I've listened to them (sometimes at three in the morning!). Mostly I just let them tell their story, and I write what I see. Most of the characters I've had over the years were fine with that. They wanted their story told and cooperated quite nicely. One guy, however, in the book Lucky, was the hardest character I ever wrote because he simply didn't want to be honest with me about what had happened in his past. I wrote things that made no sense to me at all. But rather than force them to make sense, I just kept writing hoping the Holy Spirit knew where we were going. (I pray A LOT while I write, falling at the mercy of God to know where this is going because I rarely have all the pieces even in the middle of the book!)
Then one day near the end of that book, I finally said, "Look, Kalin, you're going to have to tell me what happened." As weird as it sounds, I could feel how hard it was for him to tell me as he had never even admitted what happened even to himself. He was in an incredible amount of pain over it, and the shame and guilt had convinced him that no one could ever love him again if he told them... so he hadn't.
Strangely enough, however, when he told me, suddenly all those things that I'd written in the first of the book that didn't make any sense at the time made perfect sense.
So I've learned to simply be a safe place for my characters to be, to live, to grow, and to tell their stories. I find the more I do that, the better off everything ends up.
What themes do you write about?
I write what God gives me to write. Most of the stories are about characters who are incredibly broken. They have for whatever reason decided life stinks and they are on the verge of giving up--sometimes on life, sometimes on themselves, sometimes on everything. Then this person they never saw coming shows up, and through the gift of love and acceptance they find peace and healing.
Some of the themes I've written about include: alcoholism, drug addiction, loss of a spouse, success-at-any-cost thinking, dyslexia, death, gangs, social injustice, having sex before marriage, anger, fear, molestation, date rape, suicide, church abuse, starting over, hope, finding peace, seeking justice, and love.
Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it?
Yes. Big time. I say that I'm a stay-at-home mom with three kids, a husband, and a writing addiction, but even that doesn't do my life justice. I also... run two companies, do all the finances for both companies and my family. I have my own house (with laundry, cleaning, dishes, etc.) I run the three kids here, there, and yonder. I've got two very tight-knit extended families and all the parties and responsibility that entails. I volunteer at two schools organizing and running three major fundraisers every year. I teach Sunday school and direct plays for VBS each summer. I'm active in an online writers' group, and I have my own much smaller online writers' group. I blog twice a week and try to publish something bigger almost every month. I edit my own material, help with cover design, help with formatting, and oversee everything. I also guide marketing efforts, do interviews, and write articles for publication in books like God's Way for Mothers and Chicken Soup for the Body & Soul. Oh, and I also mentor other writers--especially new ones trying to get their feet on the ground.
How do I balance it all? I don't. I know that sounds crazy, but I really don't. If I tried, I'd go nuts. Several years ago, I learned to just put my day in God's hands and let Him figure out what I needed to do that day. Whatever I get done is what He wanted me to do. Whatever I don't get done is in His hands.
Sometimes I write like crazy for a week or more. Sometimes it's a month or more between anything other than blogs. That used to make me nuts when I thought it was all up to me. Now I know God is going to give me the next piece if I'm patient enough to wait for it. I can't explain that, but I know it works. Most of all I've learned that I can't, but God can. Let Him!
Does your faith affect your writing? How?
Without God, I wouldn't even be in this game anymore. He teaches me so much through the writing. Some of those lessons are learned through just watching how He works in my characters' lives. One of those was in the book A Little Piece of Heaven--the second book in The Faith Series. As I was writing that book, I learned something about the heroine that she had never told anyone (sound familiar). She did not want to tell anyone either, but because of what had happened, she was putting her own life on the line to try to stop it. I knew that she was going to have to tell her new boyfriend and that what happened next could wipe both of them out (most often I do not know where my stories are going, so I didn't know how this was going to turn out).
I quit writing it. I didn't want them to have to go through what I knew they were going to have to go through. I'm not sure how long my rebellion lasted, but I do remember crying to a friend that I didn't want to write this part. However, when I did, I realized that it was that "hard part" that made them both stronger. They had to go through that to find real, lasting peace. Without it, the "peace" they were living was a sham.
Then there are the lessons I learn about God and how He guides my every step--in writing and in life. He leads me to the right pieces that I need for the books. He orders my days. He knows where this thing is going, and He will get me there if I just trust Him and let Him work through me. Mostly, I've learned that faith isn't about me at all. It's about Him. He has the faith, not me. I don't write the stories. God does. I don't have the plan. God does. And if I am willing to just take the steps He's asking me to take when He asks me to take them, He will bring me to the place He knew my heart wanted to be all along.
What are you working on right now?
Well, the book that I'm working on right now that's the closest to my heart is one that started out a lot like Kalin's story. This character's name is Jake McCoy, and he's a writer. He's also very much a loner. In fact, that's where we met him the first time--alone in a coffee shop huddled over a laptop in the corner. As he and I got to know each other, I realized that I could see what was in his head--the stories he was writing, but he wouldn't let me see his laptop. I couldn't figure that out. But as I wrote, he met the love of his life, and he wouldn't let her see it either. Finally it dawned on me that there must be a reason he didn't want me to see that screen.
Much like Kalin, he didn't want to tell me why. Then in the middle of writing it, my son was diagnosed with dyslexia (he'd been having extreme trouble in school with reading and spelling). Suddenly, I knew why Jake didn't want me to see that screen. Sure enough, the whole thing was filled with red squiggly lines--he couldn't spell at all! Here he is this cool guy with all these awesome stories to tell, but he can't get them written. Enter the love of his life who has been drifting in college trying to find a major or anything she really wants to do. Shortly after meeting Jake, not knowing much more than his name, she gets sent to an on-campus Literacy Center where they work with people who have dyslexia.
Right now in the story, she has just figured out what's going on with him and has talked him into going to the center. But he's terrified because in his mind there is something physically or mentally wrong with him--like part of his brain is missing or something. He loves her, and he doesn't want to let her down as he has let so many others down in the past.
For me, this one has been very personal because a lot of the things Jake goes through and has gone through I can so see having happened to my son if he hadn't had people willing to go to all lengths to help him. I just keep asking myself, "What if no one had helped him? What would have happened to my creative, fun, energetic, awesome little boy?" And sadly, I found out through research into dyslexia that in several states, they calculate the number of prison beds they will need 20 years out by counting the number of kids that can't read in the third grade.
Now if that doesn't scare a mom with a kid who's struggling, nothing will!
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Don't be afraid to write your heart. There are those who will tell you to figure out what will sell and write that. The only way I would agree is if you are writing just to make money. If you are, great. Go for it. But if you feel like God has stories He's giving you to tell, tell them. Follow HIM--not the world. Write what He gives you to write and then do with it what He tells you to do. You will never go wrong doing that. Yes, the path may not always be easy, and sometimes you will wonder if this will ever happen. But God knows where your piece of the puzzle fits and how it fits and when it's supposed to drop into place. Learn to trust Him--you will never be sorry you did.
BIO
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe every week with her various Internet endeavors including:

Books In Print, Kindle & FREE on Spirit Light Works:
http://stacistallings.wordpress.com/
Spirit Light Books--The Blog: http://spiritlightbooks.wordpress.com/
And… Staci’s website http://www.stacistallings.com/ Come on over for a visit…
You’ll feel better for the experience!
Connect with her on Twitter: @StaciStallings

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Regina Andrews

2011-08-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

REGINA TALKS ABOUT ANGELS OF THE HEART,

BOOK TWO IN HER STERLING LAKES SERIES

Hi Regina, welcome. First, tell us a little about yourself.

Gail, thank you so much for having me here today! I’m a New England girl through and through who loves to travel the world and loves getting home. I love in Providence, RI, and love being near the ocean. I met my husband because my sister moved in next door to him and I visit her all the time. She had a Christmas party, and well…that was that! Now I love there, too. We have a cat rather feral we rescued from a shelter named. Her name is Tiana.
I love getting to know more about you. Tell us about your latest book.
My newest book is called “Angels of the Heart”. It is book two in the Sterling Lakes Series, a 9-book series from Desert Breeze Publishing. The series looks at the town of Sterling Lakes as they undergo a rebirth while they are renovating their church.

In three words describe your style of writing. That’s a great question, Gail! I’d say: Uplifting, user-friendly and colorful.
How do you get to know your characters? They come to me and it varies about how we all get to know each other. Some of them are really extroverted, so we get to know each other very quickly. Others are not so outgoing and we have to hang around together, mostly going for walks, to get closer.
What themes do you write about? Well, love, most definitely, in its many, varied forms – spiritual, personal, familial, communal. And what happens when love of self takes over the greater good. But we always have a happy ending!
Do you have to juggle writing with a job, family responsibilities or other obligations? How do you balance it? Yes, I have a job where I work 60+ hours a week, and I am married, I have a very nice family (no children) and I do lots of volunteer work. My writing time is compressed! But my imagination is always going and that’s the big part, for me.
Are you a plotter or a pantzer? I think I’m a hybrid. I do a plot/synopsis, and then I just let it rip and see where the gang takes me. Maybe I am a plotzer?
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? Yes, I would say never, ever give up. Keep practicing and learning and reading. Believe in yourself and your talent and don’t ever stop.
Thank you for having me here today, Gail!
It was my pleasure, Regina!
Read about Regina's New Book
The life of a television journalist has been good to Maryanne Lynch and life in Sterling Lakes suits her well. That is, until she learns of developer Travis Collimore’s plans to destroy a local landmark, the Townsend Barn along with its rare angel weather vane, as part of the renovations of St. Luke’s Church. The reappearance of her former high school friend who moved away years earlier turns Maryanne’s life into a series of events which put her values, her character and her beliefs to the test. Will she be able to maintain her professional and ethical standards in the face of a ghost from the past…who looks to be clouding her future?

Regina Shares an Excerpt

Chapter One

"That's a wrap, everyone, thank you. Another great show."
Reviewing the studio audience, WMAS television host Maryanne Lynch started to remove her earpiece as usual and roll the wire into a neat coil. This time though, the stone on her diamond engagement ring snagged the strands of her sleek black bob, tangling up the wire and interrupting her thoughts. She freed herself only to have the ring hitch again, this time catching the jacket pocket of her cappuccino business suit as she tried to slip her earpiece safely inside it.
Kirk Blackstone, her producer, approached her. "Maryanne, there's a bunch of girl scouts here. Doing some badge about media careers. Can you meet with them?"
"Sure, in the conference room. Just give me one minute, okay?"
She moved through the studio, scanning the crowd while remaining intent on her purpose. "I had to wear a pencil skirt today," she mumbled. One of the guests today had looked familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it. She hurried to catch up with him, while considering an even more pressing matter about the show’s topic.
When she turned the final corner before the studio exit doors, she spotted him. With his tall frame and blond hair, he stood out in the crowded lobby area.
"Excuse me!"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for visiting the show today."
His brown eyes traveled up and down her frame. "No problem."
"Everyone is all worked up about the renovations to St. Luke's Church and the new face of Sterling Lakes. It's a hot topic."
"It's good the town folks are interested."
"They are more than interested, they are reborn. This is the new lease on life that Sterling Lakes has been praying for so very long. You can't imagine what it means to us."
"Heartwarming. Now, if you'll excuse me?"
Maryanne had done enough interviews to know his tone of voice probably meant he was not really interested. She took one step closer to him. "There's just another thing to clear up. If you develop St. Luke's the way you explained on my show, it means you'll have to raze the Townsend Barn."
"There is a structure--"
"Townsend Barn."
He nodded. "There is a structure, Townsend Barn, thank you, which currently stands right in the middle of the land that will house the rectory and youth center. To build the extension, the barn has to go."
"That can't happen."
"The architect has designed for it to happen that way."
"The people of Sterling Lakes love the barn. It has an angel weather vane. That's very rare, you know."
"I don't know what to tell you. The plans have been drawn up and approved."
Maryanne arched one eyebrow. "Really? We all know plans are made to be broken."
"Some of us do. Especially you."

Regina's Bio
A resident of Providence, RI, Regina grew up in nearby Barrington. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master’s Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by anything to do with nature, and she and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod.
Regina’s hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening. She is a radio host for In-Sight, an association dedicated to providing services to the visually impaired of all ages.
Learn More about Regina at her Web site at http://www.reginaandrews.com/ and visit her blog at http://www.reginaandrews.wordpress.com/
Buy Angels of the Heart from Desert Breeze Publishing at
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-189/Regina-Andrews-Angels-of/Detail.bok

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-08-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

DEBBIE CLARK WINS LESSON OF THE POINSETTIA!

CONGRATULATIONS, DEBBIE.

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Mildred Colvin, Award Winning Author of Sweet Inspirational Romance

2011-08-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

Mildred talks about three new E-Books.
She's giving away one. Winner picks!
To enter to win leave a comment with an email address.

Hi Mildred, First, tell us a little about yourself.
Gail, thank you for inviting me here today. I’ve been writing for about ten years for Heartsong Presents, which is the romance line at Barbour Publishing. I have eleven novels published with them as well as two collections and one audio book. Learning to Lean is a new venture for me as I launch into ebook publishing and promotion. It’s exciting to reach into a new area of readers with my work. While I fully intend to continue writing for my Heartsong readers, I hope to reach many ebook readers with the stories I am now working on for Amazon. In fact, as my backlist becomes available, my goal is to rewrite some of those and publish them as ebooks as well as new, unpublished stories.
It sounds as though we readers have lots to look forward to. Were you an avid reader as a child?
One of my earliest memories is of my father reading to my brother, sisters, and me when we were children. I remember getting my first library card in first grade. After that, the library became one of my favorite places to browse and pick out the best stories to read.
What did you read?
The Bobbsey Twins were the most memorable since they were a series. As a teen-ager I loved Grace Livingston Hill’s books.
I'd forgotten about the Bobbsey Twins until you mentioned them. I have fond memories of them too. Why do you write?
I started writing because my children asked for stories. I continued writing because I’ve always loved to write, yes, even the essay assignments in English classes. I sold a few children’s stories to magazines and a few more devotionals to Key’s for Kids at Children’s Bible Hour. That was fun, but then the stories left and were replaced in my mind by book-length ideas. Ten years later, these ideas continue to bump each other for attention until I get them down on paper. Writing has become my ministry.
Tell us about your latest book.
Learning to Lean is my first ebook, a Christian romance, and can be found on Amazon.com for only $.99. It is full-length with about 60,000 words and is set in present-day Iowa. Heather Conway is the heroine. Matt Sanders is the hero.
Heather Conway is a mother who wants better than she can provide for her children. She wants a home almost as nice as the one she had when her husband lived. She’s been saving for that purpose but knows it isn’t enough, so she begins dating a nice, and obviously well-to-do man.
Matt Sanders is trying to get his business as jack-of-all trades off the ground. He enrolls his children in Heather’s day care and accepts the job of building a room for her so she can expand her business. His three kids and Heather’s all hit it off and gradually begin blurring into one family as they work together on the room and participate in church activities. Matt and Heather have a few problems when they fall in love and then there’s still this other man who is rich and wants to marry Heather.
She’d be irresponsible if she followed her heart toward a man who is as poor as she is, when everything she’s been working toward is within her grasp, right? I hope you’ll have a chance to read Learning to Lean to see how everything works out.
Where do you get ideas for your books?
Ideas for my books come from many sources. The idea for Learning to Lean came from another book I read, which had a totally different story line. It was of an unmarried lady preacher who fell in love with a widowed father of two young children. I still wonder how that led to Learning to Lean. I’m in the process of writing an historical for each of my granddaughters. My idea for those is coming from their personalities and a lot of imagination. LOL!
What themes do you write about?
I seem to do a lot of writing on forgiveness. I’m not sure why? Maybe because I feel to forgive or to be forgiven is so important. Trust is another favorite of mine. I try to write whatever God has laid on my heart as it fits the story.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on another contemporary romance, only this one is set in central Missouri. Love Returned is the story of Megan McGinnis and Scott Landis who meet while each are camping in a state park. Scott’s nine-year-old son and Megan’s nephew become fast friends and find they will have the same teacher in the coming school year. Megan talks Scott into enrolling his son in Webelos Scouts, as she is the Webelos leader. Scott eventually becomes her assistant, but even while they grow close to each other, Megan has a problem. She begins to notice coincidences about Scott and his son that lead her to believe his son is the baby she gave up for adoption nine years ago. I served as a Cub Scout and Webelos Scout leader for several years and even researched for this book while attending Cub Scout camp. It’s always fun to write something you have first-hand knowledge of.
I hope to have Love Returned published as an ebook for Kindle sometime this summer.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
My advice for aspiring writers is to give up if you can. If you find that you can’t stop writing, then don’t let anything discourage you. Learn everything you can about the craft of writing. Study the how-to books or find helpful articles on-line. And above all, write. Everyday if you can. Pray over your work and for God’s will to be accomplished in what you write even if you only have a readership of one or two. My sister wrote a book that has never been published and probably never will be. She let a woman she worked with read the manuscript and was thrilled when her story touched the woman’s heart so that she began going to church. Before long, this woman gave her heart to the Lord, and last I heard, she’s still living for Him.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
Gail, again I thank you for having me here. You have a wonderful ministry of introducing readers to authors. If you don’t mind, I’d like to leave with just a short teaser from my book, Learning to Lean. This takes place after Heather and Matt have gone out to dinner without the children, and while they are clinging desperately to being only friends.
It was my pleasure to have you, Mildred.
Excerpt from Learning to Lean
Their easy conversation carried them to Heather’s front door. Matt stopped her with a hand on her shoulder when they reached the porch. She turned toward him. He searched her face, causing her heart to race.
“A kiss would be traditional at this point, but since we’re only friends, maybe we should shake hands instead.”
His words were as a brake placed on her heart, bringing it to a slow, painfully heavy drumbeat. He was right. Heather knew he was, and she hated it. With a tight rein on her emotions, she held out her hand and felt it swallowed by Matt’s warm grasp.
She lowered her lashes to hide the hurt and confusion in her eyes. A gentle tug pulled her forward, and Matt’s lips brushed her forehead in a quick, sweet kiss. She lifted her eyes to his, and he slowly moved closer while her heart resumed a quick staccato.
Headlights swept across the yard and tires crunched on the gravel beside the street. Matt and Heather jumped apart as if they’d been caught in an illicit act. Matt released her hand.
Car doors slammed. Becka’s and Brad’s voices blended as they called their thanks and good-byes to the youth minister who had brought them home.
The front door of the house opened, spilling the four younger children with Jan close behind. Heather picked up one of the little girls as Matt lifted the other into his arms. Gary and Ricky competed for attention while Becka ran up the walk, “Dad, guess what?”
At the same time, Gary stepped in front of Heather. “Mom, can I go to Ricky’s house?”
“Not now.” Heather thought Becka said something about a campout. She looked for her oldest son.
Brad stood back watching everyone else. During a short lull in the racket, he called out, a smirk on his face, “I’ll bet you don’t even know you’re holding the wrong kids.”
In the resulting silence, Heather looked at Kristi in her arms and at Candace with Matt. She knew she’d picked up Kristi, but until that moment she hadn’t thought of the significance or how natural it felt. The line separating her kids from his kids seemed to be disappearing and that thought scared her. Matt said they were friends, but he’d almost kissed her. Were they kidding themselves? Did she really want to be just friends with Matt?
She met his gaze and read the same confusion in his eyes that swirled in her heart.
MORE ABOUT MILDRED'S BOOKS

A New Life: She’s city. He’s Country. She just found out they have something in common. Her son!
Kimberly allowed her family to pull her from Travis seven years ago before she knew she was pregnant. Now widowed, she takes the job of housekeeper on Travis’s ranch with one goal in mind. To tell Travis he’s the father of her six-year-old son.
Travis fears for Kim’s city-bred son on his ranch. So he tells Kim her boy had better stay out of the way, or they’ll have to leave.
Kimberly has to decide what’s best—keeping her secret from Travis and her son or taking the chance that Travis will become the father their son desperately needs.

A New Life is a full-length, contemporary, sweet romance.

Learning to Lean: Learning to Lean is a full-length contemporary sweet romance.
Heather needs to provide for her kids. Matt wants a simpler life than the one he left behind in the city. They have six kids who want Heather and Matt to bring them together into one family.
Heather Conway, daycare owner and widowed mother of three, wonders where God was when her husband died, leaving her penniless. Her fourteen-year-old son is out of control, they need a house, and she’s just bumped into a man who has her heart beating overtime. If she were sensible she’d latch onto a childless, wealthy man who can give her the security she craves.
Matt Sanders places his three kids in Heather’s daycare while he gets his Jack-of-all-trades construction/repair business off the ground. His admiration for Heather turns to love as their families intertwine through church activities and work on her daycare.
Maybe Matt and Heather should only be friends. They soon find it’s hard to let go of the security they see and blindly trust God to take care of their tomorrows. Learning to lean on God can take a lifetime or maybe only a lesson in trust.

Lesson of the Poinsettia: Abigail Stevens is part owner of Kingson Steel, but she lets her older sister take care of business while she hides in the darkness. Nine years ago Abigail lost her sight when fever struck, and she’s given up on leading a normal life. Then her nine-year-old neighbor sneaks across the street to see Abigail’s flowers and her father soon follows. Because of the lesson in Abigail’s Poinsettias, Abigail and Seth learn to see beyond the darkness of their lives and in the process find love to last a lifetime.
Lesson of the Poinsettia is a historical romance of about 25,000 words.

Buy Mildred's books at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/Boo5BTO3YE A New Life
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005D1LIG6 Lesson of the Poinsettia
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WKUUIQ Learning to Lean
Barnes & Noble: all three books at: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Just put in the name of the book and Mildred's name

Mildred's Bio

Mildred Colvin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Authors Network, and is active in two very special critique groups. She is also active in her church and enjoys special times with her husband, three children, and three grandchildren. Her hobbies, when she has time, include quilting, photography, and gardening. Of course, reading is more than a hobby. It’s a way of life.
Mildred has been writing sweet inspirational romance since 2001, and is an award-winning author of fifteen novels in both historical and contemporary themes, including two compilations, three e-books, and one audio book.
Mildred blogs at :

http://www.mildredcolvin.blogspot.com/ and http://infinitecharacters.com/

THE WINNER!

2011-08-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

THE WINNER OF SCHOOL IS WHERE THE HOME IS: 180 DEVOTIONALS FOR PARENTS IS...
CONNIE ALMONY!

CONGRATULATIONS CONNIE!

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Anita Mellott

2011-08-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

Anita Mellott shares a devotional about trust from her new book, School Is Where the Home Is, 180 Devotions for Parents

She'll give away an e-book.
To enter to win leave a comment and an email address.

He’ll Catch You

“I will trust and not be afraid.” (Isaiah 12:2)

“How do I know you’ll catch me?” Seven-year-old Caleb peered down from a tiny ledge five feet off the ground, a deep gorge behind him.

“Look at us,” yelled a homeschool co-op buddy. A dozen kids and adults faced each other as their intertwined arms formed a safety net.

Caleb had been the first in line for Trust Fall, a team-building exercise for our co-op kids at camp. Now he took a half step backward, bringing his back up against the solid tree trunk.

“Well, I trust you with my secrets,” his voice faltered. “But not to catch me.”

“But we’re your friends,” a chorus of voices replied.

“You can do it, Caleb,” the adults encouraged.

He sighed and turned around to face the tree. He closed his eyes, leaned backward, and with clenched fists, dropped off the ledge to our cheers.

Seconds later, a redhead popped up from the carpet of intertwined arms.

“That wasn’t too bad.”A huge grin spread across his face as he jumped down.

I’m so much like that, I thought, as we walked away. I trust God with my deepest longings and struggles. Yet when he leads me to step out, I pull back.

Isaiah 12:2 is a simple but profound reminder that God is trustworthy. The word trust implies a place of security. The remainder of the verse gives the reason not to fear: “The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Trusting is a choice to find strength in the Lord. It’s faith in action. When God calls, I can leap knowing that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

Digging deeper: Can you leap with abandon into God’s arms? Reflect on Psalm 91.

Excerpted from School Is Where the Home Is: 180 Devotions for Parents by Anita Mellott, copyright © 2011 by Anita Mellott. Used by permission of Judson Press, www.judsonpress.com.

School Is Where the Home Is: 180 Devotions for Parents is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lifeway and other major on-line and retail book stores.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/School-Where-Home-Devotions-Parents/dp/0817016961/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307581127&sr=8-1

Christian Book Distributors: http://www.christianbook.com/school-where-home-devotions-for-parents/anita-mellott/9780817016968/pd/7016968?item_code=WW&netp_id=900184&event=ESRCN&view=details

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/anita-mollott

Lifeway: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/product.asp?isbn=0817016961&mscssid=QVEFR1ET6DHJ8J0A93VB6EKVGBF45MS1

Judson Press: http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=15451

ANITA'S BIO

A homeschooling mom of several years, Anita Mellott lives its joys and challenges. With post-graduate degrees in Communications and Journalism, she worked as an editor with Habitat for Humanity International, headed the Department of Journalism at Mt. Carmel College, Bangalore, India, and did a stint in public relations and advertising. Her articles have appeared in various publications including Homeschool Enrichment, Novel Rocket, Crosswalk.com, The Christian Post, and magazines in India. When she's not homeschooling, she blogs at From the Mango Tree: http://www.anitamellott.com/

THE WINNER OF COACH AND FOUR: ALLISANDRA'S TALE

2011-07-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

DANIELLE THORNE!

Looking Out the Window: Linore Rose Burkard Discusses Twenty Promises for Your Life in Psalm Ninety-One

2011-07-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

Twenty Promises For Your Life

Psalm 91 has long been one of my favorite portions of Scripture and this morning I was reminded why. Did you know that tucked inside the 16 verses of this Psalm are no less than 20 promises?

It's true.

There are nineteen instances of what God WILL do for the believer, and one "I WILL" on the part of the believer. That makes 20 promises. Nineteen for us to receive and one for us to do. I'd say that's a generous ratio!

Let's take a closer look:

1. Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High WILL remain in the shadow of the Almighty. (vs.1)
(I will be protected by God's sheltering "shadow".)

2. I WILL say of the LORD, You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.(vs.2)
(God is a refuge, a place of rest and peace and I can trust Him--and tell this to world.)

3. He is the one who WILL rescue you from hunters' traps and from the deadly plagues.(vs.3)
(If someone tries to trip me up, God has my back. If danger surrounds me, even death-traps, God will rescue me.)

4. He WILL cover you with his feathers,
(like a mother hen covering her chicks)

5. and under his wings you WILL find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor.(vs.4)
(He will keep me safe from harm; He shields me from dangers I don't even know exist.)

6. You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day,
plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. They WILL not come near you...(vs.6-7)
(Wow! I can't even add to these!)

7. No harm WILL come to you.(vs.10)
(No ultimate harm--I can't lose my place in the kingdom!)

8. No sickness WILL come near your house. (vs.10)
(Have you stood firm on this promise? It's good to remember this in winter!)

9. He WILL put his angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways.(vs.11)
(Amen.)

10. They WILL carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.(vs.12)
(Perhaps they already have. Nothing to say we'll realize when it's happening!)

11. You WILL step on lions and cobras.(vs.13)
(How cool is that? Get thee behind me, Satan!)

12. You WILL trample young lions and snakes.(vs.13)
(In Jesus' Name)

13. Because you love me, I WILL rescue you.(vs.14)
(I can depend on the LORD.)

14. I WILL protect you because you know my name. (vs.14)
(Another instance of sheltering by the Almighty on my behalf.)

15. When you call to me, I WILL answer you.(vs.15)
(I never pray in vain.)

16. I WILL be with you when you are in trouble. (vs.15)
(I never face things alone.)

17. I WILL save you and honor you.(vs.15)
(No matter what, through thick and thin, and when others don't.)

18. I WILL satisfy you with a long life. (vs.16)
(I don't worry about dying--even if my earthly tent should fade, my "long life" goes on and on.)

19. I WILL show you (vs.16)
(God speaks to me)

20. How I WILL save you. (vs.16)
(and reassures me!)

Wasn't that fun? This is an amazing Psalm. What promises are speaking to you today?
What promises do you want to remember? Write them down somewhere now.

For all the promises of God in Christ are yea and Amen!" (2 Cor.1:20)

I will probably always continue to turn to the 91st Psalm as I have since I became a Christian.

I love to recite this Psalm if I have a sleepless night, for instance. What about you?
Do you love this Psalm? Do you have another favorite from the Psalms? Share your thoughts with us. Gail will choose one commenter to get my short story "Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale" for free, via email.

Join my mailing list to receive TWO chances to win one of my regency romances for free! You'll also get my monthly illustrated ezine, "Reflections" with its own free download once you join.

http://www.linoreroseburkard.com/

LINORE'S BIO, SHORT STORY AND BOOKS

Linore Rose Burkard was born and raised in New York City, where she attended the City University of New York (Queens College), earning a magna cum laude degree in English Literature. Ms. Burkard now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children. She homeschooled her children for ten years, is an avid fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, and delights in bringing the Regency alive for readers with light-hearted adventure, faith and romance.

COACH AND FOUR

THE HOUSE IN GROSVENOR SQUARE--IRCC AWARD WINNER!

THE COUNTRY HOUSE COURTSHIP

Looking Out the Window: Prayer and Parenting

2011-07-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

MEET JENNIFER AND ASHE SLATTERY

Be sure to click on K Dawn's name below to see Ashe's interview on K Dawn Byrd's blog

Parenting on Your Knees

This year our daughter starts high school. This is the age when kids either flop or flourish. They either self-destruct or blossom. Quite honestly, a great deal of the parenting’s already been done. More and more, I spend less time telling my daughter how to view the world. Most often, I listen as she tries to figure out how her views fit in with the world. Basically, her core values are set, although luckily, she’s turned into a very strong and committed Christian.

I say luckily, yet luck had nothing to do with it. When she was young, I dreaded the teen years. We’ve all seen teens raised by wonderful parent spiral into self-destruction. We’ve watched relationships shatter and once sweet and cooperative children turn into angry, rebellious teens. But one thing I learned very early on—whatever battle we faced, whatever discipline problem we wanted to curb, whatever fear we felt, God had a solution. The trick, then, was to take the time to listen for His guidance.

One verse brought me great comfort then and has proven true now. Isaiah 40:11 says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young.”

I realized, if I wanted to be a successful parent, I needed to learn to pray—frequently, fervently and diligently. Only God truly knows the heart of my child. Only God knows His plans for her future. My job, then, is to figure out what He’s doing and cooperate!

This past week, my daughter started a blog to share her faith, and seeing her step it up has been very encouraging. It means she’s taken ownership of the beliefs and values we’ve taught her. And that’s a huge “shew!” moment.

After a recent interview on young adult author, K Dawn’s blog, many said, “You must be proud!” I’m not sure if proud is quite the term. I think what we feel most is grateful. Over a decade ago, as I knelt by her bed in prayer, I clung to those words in Isaiah and let God take the lead. Over the years, He’s proven faithful to His promise and I’ve learned, a moment is never lost when spent on your knees. Quite the opposite, really!

Looking Out the Window: Amanda Flower Reminds Us That God Is Always With Us

2011-07-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

WELCOME AGATHA CHRISTIE AWARD NOMINEE
AMANDA FLOWER

Searching for the Blue Danube

If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:9-10

There’s nothing quite as terrifying as being lost by yourself in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. This has happened to me more than once. The most memorable time was when I was twenty-five, and I got this ridiculous notion in my head that I should travel to Budapest, Hungary alone. I was already in Eastern Europe visiting a friend, and my friend had to work the day of my Hungarian adventure. I didn’t want to waste one minute in Europe by sitting around her apartment when a whole continent was right outside the window.

I took the train from Bratislava to Budapest without incident. I felt confident I knew where I was going. I had a map and a travel guide—what could possibly go wrong? I figured I’d find the Danube River and would be able to follow it on foot to the Castle Hill district where the museums and other tourists would be.

Outside of the train station, I started walking, and I walked, and I walked, and I walked. I got farther and farther away from the train station and no closer to the river. After walking for a half hour and finding myself not in Castle Hill but in some type of industrial neighborhood, I realized I’d taken a wrong turn somewhere, and knowing my sense of direction, it was the first turn out of the station door.

With limited options, I walked toward the only establishment I recognized. It was a Burger King sitting catty-corner from me in between several huge office buildings. It’s amazing how pervasive American culture can be so soothing overseas.

A Hungarian teenager was working at the counter. I asked her in English if she knew where the Danube River was. She replied in Hungarian. I shook my head that I didn’t understand her. She shook her head back that she didn’t understand me either.

The young girl behind the counter was crestfallen that she could not help me. “French fries?” she asked.

Without knowing what else to do, I nodded. “Yes, French fries.” I paid her and took my small fry to a window booth and ate them while mulling over my dilemma. Obviously, trying to navigate the city on foot had been a bad idea.

After finishing my fries, I retraced my steps back to the train station and found a taxi that drove me to Castle Hill for an exorbitant amount of money.

I was never lost to the point of no return while wandering around the city, but at the time, it felt that way. I should have remembered that God was watching over me through the whole ordeal. It’s something I constantly have to remind myself as expected and unexpected challenges and disappointments pop up in my life. God’s presence doesn’t mean those challenges and disappointments will get any easier, but there is someone to turn to if you are alone and frightened.

ABOUT AMANDA'S BOOK, MAID OF MURDER

In Maid of Murder, India Hayes, a college librarian and reluctant bridesmaid, is thrown into the role of amateur sleuth as she hunts down the person who murdered her childhood friend and framed her brother for the crime.

When bride-to-be Olivia turns up dead in the Martin College fountain and the evidence points to India’s brother Mark, India must unmask the real culprit while juggling a furious Mother of the Bride, an annoying Maid of Honor, a set of hippie-generation parents, a police detective who is showing a marked liking for her, and a provost itching to fire someone, anyone—maybe even a smart-mouthed librarian.

BIO

Amanda Flower, cozy mystery author of Agatha Award-nominated Maid of Murder, is an avid traveler. She has visited seventeen countries, forty-eight U.S. states, and counting. She is a member of the Clash of the Titles staff. Learn more at http://www.amandaflower.com/

Looking Out the Window: Nike Chillemi Talks about Finding Protection and Peace in Dangerous Times

2011-07-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

Protection in Dangerous Times

Psalm 91: 1-2

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust !"

The 1940s, the time-period BURNING HEARTS is set in, were dangerous times. World War II had ended and the Cold War and a great global arms race was beginning. Today we're living in dangerous times, an era of global terrorism.

We all have a desire to protect those we love. We face this every time we, or someone we love, goes off to work in the morning. Our streets today are not as safe as they once were. It's a reality for us when our children go off to school, or our teens get into a car with their friends.

Yet, we have an all-powerful and loving God, who's desire for us is the best, not the worst. He is our refuge and our fortress. In Him we shall trust.

But this doesn't make God into a Santa Claus up in the sky to whom we shoot off a wish list of prayers, not the least of which are prayers for protection. We are to abide with Him. That means we are to live in His love for us, to walk with Him and have a glorious type of peace in our lives. This is our fortress.

Out of this, we model our love for our family and other relationships and the walk through life we have with them. Can something bad happen to us and to our loved ones? Yes, it can. Sorry. But even in the midst of bad stuff, we have His love, His grace, and we can have a peace that passes all understanding.

There is a terrific way to pray the 91st Psalm for protection and it can be applied to nearly any portion of the Bible by personalizing it to ourselves, loved ones and friends…We who live and walk in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. We will say to the LORD, You are our refuge and our fortress. You are our God in whom we trust. Amen.

READ ABOUT NIKE'S NEW BOOK, BURNING HEARTS (arson/murder, action, and romance in equal measure)

Can a sheltered young seamstress, disillusioned by the horrors of WWII, escape an arsonist/murderer who has killed her employer and mentor, while trying to decide if she can trust the dashing war hero who’s ridden into town on his Harley—who some say is the murderer?

Erica Brogna’s parents doted on her and taught her to think for herself. Many boys she grew up with have fallen in the war, shaking her childhood faith. In rides a handsome stranger, at the hour of her most desperate need. A woman who is her best friend and mentor is trapped in a burning house. After making an unsuccessful rescue attempt, Erica stands by as this man rushes into the inferno and carries her friend’s lifeless body out.

Lorne Kincade can’t out run his past on his Harley Davidson WLA, the civilian model of the motorcycle he rode in the war. He’s tried. He’s been a vagabond biker in the year since the war ended. His Uncle Ivar bequeathed him a ramshackle cottage in Sanctuary Point, on the Great South Bay of Long Island, NY and now he’d like to hope for a future again, repair the miniscule place, and settle down. The only problem is, a young woman with hair the color of mink is starting to get under his skin and that’s the last thing he needs.

BIO

Nike Chillemi has been called a crime fictionista due to her passion for crime fiction. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers (Ning). She was an Inspy Awards 2010 judge in the Suspense/Thriller/Mystery category and a judge in the 2011 Carol Awards in the suspense, mystery, and romantic suspense categories. She is the founding board member of the Grace Awards, a reader's choice awards for excellence in Christian fiction. She writes monthly book reviews for The Christian Pulse online magazine. BURNING HEARTS is the first book in the crime wave that is sweeping the south shore of Long Island in The Sanctuary Point series, published by Desert Breeze.

HAPPY JULY 4TH

2011-07-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

MAY WE ALWAYS BE FREE

MAY WE ALWAYS WORSHIP

AS WE PLESE

WHEN WE PLEASE

AND WHERE WE PLEASE

MAY WE ALWAYS

HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUCCEED

WITHOUT INTERFERENCE OF

TYRANNY OR

TOTALITARIANISM

MAY WE ALWAYS

RESPECT OUR FLAG

MAY WE HONOR THOSE

WHO DIED OR SUFFERED

TO KEEP US FREE

Looking Out the Window: Regina Andrews Tells Her Love Story

2011-06-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

Regina Shares her Love Story

And Tells us about her New Book

LIGHT OF THE HEART

When Love Comes Knocking on Your Door

by Regina Andrews
Sunlight fills the room, warming the lemon chiffon walls. I look over from my side of the bed and see him there, sleeping peacefully on his side, his breathing relaxed and his limbs at ease.

Closing my eyes, I open them quickly. Yes, he is still there. Yes, he is my husband. And yes, today is our wedding anniversary.

A breeze flutters through the open window, rustling the sheer curtains and stirring memories of such sweetness and contentment. Our wedding anniversary! A truly blessed union that was meant to be.

I smile as I recall how those who knew me “before” were amazed when I finally “tied the knot.” Fancy-free and independent, I was the quintessential free spirit, with no desire to “settle down.” Me, get married? No way.

Then, my sister buys a condo and two doors down she has a neighbor named Jon. They are both on the Condo Board. One day I’m visiting her and she asks me to deliver a flier to him about Maintenance of the Grounds.

Grumbling under my breath I stomp up the stairs and knock on the door. Jon answers. Lo and behold, I am knocked off my proverbial horse.

He’s sincere, cute and a great conversationalist. Before I know it he’s offering me a drink and I’m sitting on his sofa, giggling and sipping a grape juice-club soda spritzer.
An hour later the doorbell rings and his mother and sister enter the living room, their eyes wide and their mouths frozen in round, open “o”s. They sit down, Jon gets them spritzers and before we know it another hour has gone by, and we’re laughing like old friends.

Then my cell phone rings and my sister is squawking on the other end about all the other stuff we have to do that day. I say good-bye and we all set up a time to meet for lunch together the following week.

Easy, natural and fun. Before I know it, Jon’s calling me every night and we’re doing as much together as we can possibly fit in – including going to Church together on Sundays.

I find myself telling him things and wanting to know his opinion on things like never before. Little by little, I am opening my heart to him. I realize I trust him.

This starts me praying for guidance. You see, I don’t want to get tangled up in anything serious. So I don’t want to begin anything I’m not intending to finish. Jon deserves honesty, and he deserves the best.

My answer? A strong, sure, unwavering certainty inside that trusting him is right. This is a good man, a positive person, a sincere soul and a humble servant of God. It’s a feeling that being with Jon is almost beyond me, my designs or anything I might decide on my own.

It feels like a calling. God is knocking on the door of my heart, offering me a gift. God is rapping with persistence, letting me know it was time to open up and cherish another, take care of another, put another ahead of myself. God is blessing me with an angel.
That’s exactly what it was; we were called to be together, and blessed by God’s hand.

I look back over at Jon as he stirs. It won’t be long before he’s awake. I can’t wait to begin our day together! I have so many things planned to make him happy today, starting with his favorite breakfast.

Then I realize that even though it’s our anniversary, I feel like this every day, anyway. How lucky am I, to feel this! Sure, there are days when we’re exhausted by life. But not by each other. And that’s pretty wonderful.

Fresh, new and joyous, every day. Hard to fathom that it’s been fourteen years. Memories have been created, challenges faced, tears shed, wounds healed, triumphs celebrated, faith nurtured, love cherished, gratitude expressed. All of it, shared together.

The sunshine illuminates the lemon chiffon walls. It’s our wedding anniversary! I feel as excited as if it were the morning of our wedding. With a smile, I recall us all laughing as my dear mother-in-law, Joan, proclaimed: “I always said, for Jonathan to find the right girl, she’s going to have to march right up those front stairs and knock on his door. And, Gina, you’re the one who did it!”

What a delightful memory, and what a blessed union. It all came from answering the call, which in this case was a knock on the door. Literally, the front door of a condo and spiritually, the inner door of my heart. These are the ‘knocks’ which called me into marriage.

It leads me to wonder: how did you get the call from God to share your life, and how are you sharing it?

Light of the Heart by Regina Andrews
More than anything, Cascade Preston wants to forget her dark childhood in Sterling Lakes, so there’s no way she’ll agree to help refurbish that town’s church. Then she meets Dan McQuay. Will she be able to forgive the past and let the light of God’s love shine through into her heart?

Back Cover Blurb
A stained-glass artist based in Boston, Cascade Preston’s world is a kaleidoscope of color and beauty. She has overcome a dark childhood, deeply shadowed by domestic violence, in the town of Sterling Lakes. When she is approached to design new windows for a refurbished church in Sterling Lakes, she ignores the request. But when the no-nonsense Project Manager Dan McQuay appears looking for the window plans, the project takes on a whole new light. Will Cascade be able to keep the dark, protective cocoon she has built around herself intact, or will McQuay break through and shine new light into her heart? Is it possible that God’s plan for Cascade will lead her to forgive the town that ignored the situation in her family?
REGINA'S BIO
A resident of Providence, RI, Regina grew up in nearby Barrington. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master’s Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by anything to do with nature, and she and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod.

Regina’s hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening. She is a radio host for In-Sight, an association dedicated to providing services to the visually impaired of all ages.

Learn more about Regina at her Web site - http://www.reginaandrews.com/
Visit Regina's blog - http://www.reginaandrews.wordpress.com/

Looking Out the Window: A Good Laugh with a Spiritual Message from Margaret Brownley

2011-06-22T04:00:00.000-07:00

Notes from Camp

One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1 NIV

When my oldest son went away to summer camp for the first time I was a nervous wreck. Although he was nine years old he hadn’t as much as spent a night away from home, let alone an entire week. I packed his suitcase with special care, making sure he had enough socks and underwear to see him through the week. Since this was prior to the advent of cell phones I also packed stationery and stamps so he could write home.

Thanks to a conscientious camp counselor I received the first letter from my son three days after he’d left. I quickly tore open the envelope and stared at the childish scrawl. Camp is fun and I only barfed once.

The next letter offered little more. Jerry wet the bed. Who’s Jerry, I wondered. The third and last letter provided this interesting piece of news. The nurse said it’s not broken.

Fragments. Bits of information that barely skim the surface. A preview of coming attractions that never materialize. It’s kind of like the text messages I get today from my grandkids.

It makes me think of my own sparse messages at times to God. “Dear Lord,” I plead when a loved one is late getting home. “Keep him safe.”

“Give me strength,” I pray after breaking down on the freeway or getting a letter from the IRS.

“Let me have wisdom,” is another favorite prayer of mine, usually when I’m giving unsolicited advice. “God is good,” I say when an editor agrees to extend a deadline.

Fragments. Bits and pieces. Are my notes to God as unsatisfactory to Him as hurried text messages are to me?

I knew that my son was safe at camp, and somewhere in the cryptic texts I get from the grandkids I know all is well with them, too. After all, how much trouble can you get into when your fingers are glued to a keyboard? But sometimes you just want to pick up an old-fashioned land phone—one that makes you stand in place and concentrate on the person you’re talking to—and have a good heart-to-heart.

“Thank you, God,” I murmured recently when a repair bill wiped out only half the bank account. I then settled down for a nice long chat with Him. God deserves a lot more than a text message or hasty note from “camp.”

Dear God, help me to prioritize the countless things in my life that clamor for attention, so that I always have time for you. Amen.

More Love and Laughter in the Old West

From Bestselling Author Margaret Brownley

Sage Advice for Photographers from Margaret’s new book

A VISION OF LUCY

• When photographing stampeding cattle, charging bulls or blazing shoot-outs, use a fast shutter speed.

• Brides, take pity on your photographer. Matthew S. Brady and his helpers were able to record the entire War Between the States with little more than 1100 photographs. Half that number should satisfy most brides.

• Doctors, do not look at the camera like it’s a patient needing help through death’s door. Such a pose will speak ill of you, and it won’t do much for your practice, either.

• A man imagines himself more handsome than his photograph; a woman believes herself more homely.

• While posing for a photograph spinsters should avoid looking desperate or deprived. A serene smile will show that your circumstances are by choice and not for lack of beauty or character.

About Margaret

My writing career began, and ended, early. I wrote my first book in fifth grade—a mystery without an ending. I was on a roll until I reached eighth grade. Unimpressed with my essay on why I wanted to be a writer my English teacher not only flunked me but suggested I not even think about a career as a writer.

Dream squashed, I did little writing until I became editor of the church newsletter many years later. After making a church picnic read like a Grisham novel, my then pastor took me aside and said, “Maybe God’s calling you to write fiction.” So that’s what I did. I now have 25 books to my credit, published in 15 different languages. I’m currently working on a new series.

http://www.margaretbrownley.com/

Looking Out the Window: Welcome K. Dawn Byrd

2011-06-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

K. Dawn will be giving away a giftcard for a free download of Mistaken Identity, her new young adult romance. To enter to win leave a comment and your email address.

It's so nice to have you here today K. Dawn.

Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?

I was an avid reader as a child. My favorite picture book was about a little boy who refused to get a haircut and when he hid behind some mops in the grocery store, a woman grabbed his hair thinking she was choosing a fuzzy mop. When I became a better reader, Nancy Drew was my absolute favorite. I must have read every Nancy Drew book in the school library...twice.

Aww, that's a cute story about the little boy who refused to get a haircut. Tell us about your latest book. It's a young adult romance. Here's the blurb from my publisher:

Eden Morgan longs for a boyfriend of her own, an impossible goal when her best friend, Lexi Branson, gets all the attention and all the guys. When they fall in love with the same guy, Eden believes she doesn't have a chance. She can only hope that sometimes the good girl gets the guy.

What inspired you to write this particular book?

It's hard being a teenager. Sometimes it's ever harder being a Christian teenager. I admire those teens who live a Christian life before their peers. I'm sure there are times they wonder if it's worth it. This story is for them.

What is your writing schedule and where do you write?

I write my novels in thirty days. I plot them out and then map out how many words I'll need a day on a calendar and also where I should be in word count every day. My goal is to write 60,000 words in thirty days. I write on my netbook and since it's very portable, I carry it with me wherever I go. I've been known to eat lunch alone in a restaurant while pounding on the keys.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I'm plotting. I have a special plotting notebook that I use to flesh out my ideas. When I feel inspired, I'll choose one and take another personal thirty-day challenge. I enjoy writing a novel in thirty days. It's a lot of work, but I believe it's the only way to write.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice for aspiring writers would be first and foremost, don't give up. Second, write something every day. It's important to write every day even if it's only a few hundred words. Third, don't let rejection get you down. You'll become a better writer with every book. You may have to shelve the first few, but that time wasn't wasted as it was a learning tool to help you develop your skill.

BIO:

K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance and romantic suspense. Mistaken Identity, her first young adult romance released on June 15 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Queen of Hearts, a WWII romantic suspense released in April 2010 and was the bestselling book for her publisher during its debut month. Killing Time, a contemporary romantic suspense, released August 1, also with Desert Breeze Publishing.

K. Dawn Byrd is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com,/ most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Looking Out the Window: Finding Refuge Because of a Storm

2011-06-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

Award Winning Author Eva Marie Everson Talks about Finding Refuge in the Eye of a Storm. Eva Marie is offering a free book to one lucky reader who leaves a comment. She's picking a number, she's writing it down--will yours be the one?

To win a copy of Eva Marie's Latest Book be sure to leave a comment and your email address.

FINDING REFUGE BECAUSE OF A STORM

I found a place of refuge because of a fierce storm. Not just one, actually. Four.

The 2004 Hurricane Season is one most Floridians will long remember. In August, Hurricane Charley swept around the eastern coastline, encircling the state, and threatening to hit the west coastline. Instead, on Friday morning August 13, 2004, Charley took a turn toward Port Charlotte near the Southern tip. It sliced up the state as a Category 4 hurricane, weakening, but remaining strong with wind gusts of over 100 mph when it hit my hometown of Orlando.

The devastation was unthinkable. We began the process of cleaning up, but no sooner had gotten our bearings together when we heard the news: Hurricane Frances was on her way. Weather reports and photos take from the International Space Station showed her to be beyond huge and her eye large, which offered respite but not for long. Only three weeks after Charley, Central Florida scrambled to prepare. And then, one morning in early September, Frances came to call. Again the devastation was felt, this time more so because what had already been weakened was now destroyed. Clean up began again, but we may as well have waited. Ivan—the 10th most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded—was on his way, followed by Jeanne, who had the distinction of being called the deadliest hurricane of the season.

These hurricanes affected my town, my home, and my life during that dreadful summer. Later, as I prepared an upcoming writer’s retreat previously held in a hotel in Vero Beach, I discovered our hotel was not yet suitable for visitors. I panicked, telling everyone I knew about my dilemma. My hairdresser suggested a place she’d heard of, Cedar Key, a tiny somewhat forgotten island below the panhandle, nestled in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. I looked it up online. It appeared to have promise so I called my friend and fellow writer Janice Elsheimer and asked if she’d like to take a little road trip. She said she surely would.
In my recently released novel, Chasing Sunsets (which is set in Cedar Key), I have a line that reads: There are four bridges leading into Cedar Key but only one road. I admit, the moment Janice and I crossed Bridge 4 (ironically, the first bridge), I felt tranquility wash over me. Marshlands—wide and lush—spread out on both sides of the road. Blue water reflected the sunlight, casting what I described as a “crushed diamonds on glass” effect. Dolphins played and fishermen fished and I was nearly beside myself as soon as we arrived at the hotel where we’d reserved a room.
I was equally delighted early the next morning. Janice and I walked outside with a cup of coffee in our hands, faced the east and watched the sun come up in all its splendor. And, that very same night, we walked a little ways to the west and, along with locals and visitors, watched that very same sun—under which we’d played all day—make its way to bed in colors of brilliant reds and oranges.

Cedar Key became my eye in the storm. (In the early days, I couldn’t even get cell reception, which I adored. But eventually CK caught up and now I can.) Over the next few years, as my world seemed to get just a little crazier and my workload became—blessedly—heavier, I found myself shirking off that day of rest God allotted for Himself and me. I thought I could get more done or even help God make more sense out of my life. Instead, just the opposite happened.

When I decided to set a three-book series in Cedar Key, I told myself that “this will mean going to Cedar Key for research.” But the truth is, while going there was necessary, I found myself lulled more by the tranquility of the island than the stories I heard there. In Cedar Key, God reminded me that there is nothing better for me than just sitting quiet, praising Him for His glorious paintings of nature.

I’ve certainly learned that I don’t need to go away to find rest. Goodness, no. It’s nice, of course. But it was in my own dining room where the Lord directed me to Isaiah 30:15: This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” This verse did not come gently but as a word of discipline, one I hope to never have to experience again.

I have learned through many storms—real ones and those which are a natural part of life—that in the midst of them, I can find the “eye,” the place where it grows quiet. Whether on a tropical island, a church filled with worshippers, a lazy Sunday afternoon on the sofa, or looking out my own back door…I must find these places of respite.

Bio:
Eva Marie Everson is the award-winning author of a number of books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her latest work of Southern fiction for Baker/Revell is Chasing Sunsets. Read more about Eva Marie’s Southern Voice at http://www.evamarieeversonssouthernvoice.blogspot.com/ or her deeper moments of personal healing at http://www.evamarieeverson.blogspot.com/

AND THE WINNER IS...

2011-06-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Anne Payne wins Christa Allan's
Walking on Broken Glass.

Congratulations, Anne!

Looking Out the Window: Watch Me by Christa Allan

2011-05-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

Christa reminds us in a poignant, touching way that parenting is forever, and we need God's help.

She will be giving away a copy of her debut novel,Walking on Broken Glass.

Look for her new book, Edge of Grace, in August.

WATCH ME

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb." Psalm 139:15 NLT

When my children were young, we lived in an area with a community pool. The kids and I would schlep there, the car a container of wiggling bodies, pool toys, and over-sized towels. Sometimes Penny, our saved from the dog pound pooch, would trot behind the car and follow us for the three blocks it took to arrive.

The older kids would peel themselves off the car seats and dash in. Shannon and John would do the barefoot-on-the-hot-concrete-alternating-foot-high-step while I totted Sarah. Eventually, we'd locate a spot to accommodate us--generally, the people who were already there were happy to clear out--and we were ready for splash down.

While I'd be crouching in the baby pool digging wet leaves out of John's mouth or trying to stop Sarah from drinking the pool water, a chorus of "Watch me, Mommy! No, watch ME, mommy!" Watch this, MOM!" would rise from the shallow end of the big pool.

It was like being at a tennis match, with three balls in play at one time. I'd glance at the two kids hovering around my ankles (which looked three times their normal puffy size through the water, my ankles--not the kids), then I'd quickly look up and start counting heads. If I could not find Head #3, I'd be sliced open by a bolt of panic. Which one? There's Michael. There's Erin. Okay, where is Shannon? I'd scream at her siblings to look for her. After their eye rolls, they'd point to the steps. And there she'd be. Her pink "babing" suit clinging to her wiry little body, her blonde hair looking pre-punk rocker in its just surfaced from the water wetness. She'd smile at me, and I'd be drenched with relief.

Reading that passage in Psalms reminds me of those days of being the watcher. Sometimes I miss that. They're older now. But I wonder how many times, in their adult lives, their hearts have called out, "Watch me, Mommy."

Watch me as I struggle with friendships and dating, as I graduate from high school, as I pretend to be happy when my dream is crushed. Watch me, mommy, as I start college and face challenges of independence and working; watch me as I begin to learn who I am. Watch me mommy as I go to Italy with the Navy, as I get married, as I move to another home. Watch me, mommy, when my son dies, when my daughter is born. Watch me, mommy, take the steps you'd knew I'd have to take all along--those steps to self-reliance and trust and hope and faith.

Watch. To keep vigil. To guard. To protect.

Watch me, God. Watch them.

BIO:

A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, Christa Allan’s novel Edge of Grace will release in August. Her debut women’s fiction, Walking on Broken Glass, was published by Abingdon Press in 2010. Her next three novels are scheduled for 2013 and 2014,

Her essays have been published in The Ultimate Teacher, Cup of Comfort, Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Divorced Soul. Christa is the mother of five, a grandmother of three, and a teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in Abita Springs.

To learn more about Christa visit her blog at http://Christaallan.com/
To enter to win the copy of Walking on Broken Glass leave a comment and your email address.

Looking Out the Window: Beach Walking with God by Leigh Delozier

2011-05-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Christian writer, speaker Leigh Delozier shares her experience the day the clouds stood still when she walked on the beach in Charleston, S.C.

BEACH WALKING WITH GOD

It’s a beautiful spring day, and I’m walking on the beach in Charleston, SC, with friends while we enjoy a girls’ weekend away from the world. The sun is already warming things up and the sky is bluer than blue, even though there are a lot of clouds trying to cover it up. But they’re pure, white clouds with no rain in sight – it’s just the right setting for a lazy day together.

The sand is flat and packed down perfectly for walking. Countless shells lie half-buried near the water. So many colors, so many shapes, so many designs. Seeing things like that reminds me just how creative God really is.

Waves curl and roll up and back, up and back, depositing new shells while they steal away others. Where did the shells come from? How far have they traveled? How many beaches have they washed up on, only to be pulled back into the salty depths before someone could rescue them and admire their beauty?

Sometimes the crash of waves almost drowns out our conversation. One friend and I talked this morning about the passage in Revelation that says Christ’s voice was like the rushing waters. She thinks the ocean is like God talking. I’ve never thought of it like that before, but like the idea.

We reach a place where the sand changes hardness and lots of shell bits crunch beneath our bare feet. I head to the left of the shells and my friends split off to the right, closer to the water. Now I can’t hear anything they’re saying, so enjoy the time alone to soak everything in.

I tilt my head back to look at the sky. The clouds are every shape and size imaginable – they remind me of fuzzy cotton balls, lumpy white potatoes, and streaks of cotton batting stretched across the sky. But one cloud looks different to me. It’s one fluffy blob surrounded by bright blue sky, all by itself. Streaks of other clouds look like they’re shooting out from it at all angles, like rays from a bright summer sun.

As soon as I see it, I think, “That’s like me.” The cloud is me, with all of life around me. The world is always shifting and changing just like the clouds. I can either float along and keep my own identity or merge with the others and be just like them. I don’t want to always be like everyone else.

The streaks shooting out are the ways I touch the world – the things I do, the words I say, the impressions I leave whether I realize it or not. They reach much further than I think.

And all around me is the big picture – God and His plan for me, always there, shifting to remind me of His presence and accommodating my ventures on – and off – His course.

All these thoughts go through my mind in a flash – just quick impressions. I know I’ll sit and sift through them later and try to figure out the message God might be trying to teach me.

As I write this, I wonder where those clouds are now, hours later. Are they still traveling down the Atlantic coast, halfway to Florida? How long did they keep that formation before shifting into countless other patterns on their journey? Did anyone else look up and see them and think they were seeing something special? Or was this a moment just for me, when God took the time to suspend nature and draw my attention to it so I could be reminded of my place in His universe, and how incredibly awesome He is?

To anyone else, it was probably just a collection of clouds skittering across the sky. But for some reason, it was more than that for me that day. Even now, years later, I can still see those clouds and feel the sand under my sunburned feet. I’ll never know why God chose to reach down and share those seconds with me, but I’ll always be grateful He did.

To learn more about Leigh visit her Web site at http://www.leighdelozier.com/

LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW: Linda Weaver Clarke Book Celebration and Giveaway

2011-05-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

Book Release Celebration for Mystery/Adventure Novel and Book Give-Away

May 23 – June 1

To win a mystery/adventure novel with a touch of romance, leave a comment at http://lindaweaverclarke.blogspot.com/.

But that's not all! You may also be eligible to win two free e-books as part of this contest.

Montezuma’s Treasure and Family Secrets are Themes for Mystery Novel

Mysterious events, the search for Montezuma’s treasure, a good-looking rogue, and family secrets! How important is it to learn about the past? Will it make a difference in one’s life and the choices we make? To April, it makes a big difference. Knowing about her parentage changes her perspective of life.

With a blend of mystery, adventure, humor, and sweet romance, Linda Weaver Clarke creates a story based upon the adventures of a married couple and their three daughters in “Montezuma Intrigue.”

When a leather parchment of Montezuma’s map is found in great-grandfather Evans’ old chest, April and the twins know this summer is going to be a memorable one. The girls want to search for it but their father is against it for some mysterious reason. With Julia’s help, she and the girls convince John to go on a treasure hunt. Is Montezuma’s treasure a legend or reality? Whatever the case, John insists on keeping their little treasure hunt a secret. If certain people find out about it, the family could be in danger.

Suko’s Notebook wrote, “In the latest book by Linda Weaver Clarke, Montezuma Intrigue, the mysteries continue as this author entrances us with life-like characters and electrifying adventures. The search for Montezuma's treasure is both exciting and memorable--I am spell-bound!”

While searching for Montezuma’s treasure, Matthew is trying to get the courage to tell April how he feels about her. How does he tell his kindred friend that she means more to him than just a friend?

Oblivious of Matthew’s feelings for her, April is gradually learning the importance of her heritage. Who were her ancestors and why has the family kept a certain “secret” all these years? This mystery series includes Anasazi Intrigue, Mayan Intrigue, and Montezuma Intrigue.

THE WINNERS!

2011-05-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

Linda Weave Clarke won Shannon Vannatter's White Doves.

June Foster -- Christine Lindsay's Shadowed in Silk.

And Lauren Brooks -- Jo Huddleston's Amen and Good Night God.

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the authors for sharing their wonderful devotionals and books.

Looking Out the Window: Jo Huddleston Shares a Modern Day Miracle

2011-05-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

Jo will be giving away a signed copy of her prayer book, Amen and Good Night, God.

Equipment for Valley Travel

My bedside vigil stretched into days as I watched meningitis suck precious life from the still form of my college-age child. Sunday afternoon I sat alone with my daughter, watching the disease apparently winning its battle. Gone were the twinkle in her eyes and the ready smile on her lips. The nurse had just left, the same one who had been coming in every 15 minutes to take vital signs. Pained and discouraged, I watched when she recorded on her chart a blood pressure reading only half what it should be.

Alone again in the hospital room, each of us experienced our own unique agony. Lying curled in a fetal position, my daughter moved only her eyes. With them almost swollen shut, she looked up at me through her consumed torture. "Mother, this may be my time to die," she whispered. No panic or fear registered in her words or in her fevered eyes.

The same thought had been silently hammering inside my mind all afternoon. Holding her limp hand in mine, I leaned closer and said quietly, "Darling, it may be." She shared a labored smile with me and slowly closed her eyes.

Amazingly, I did not curse God or offer him any arguments or attempt to bargain with Him to spare her life. I knew without doubt that my daughter believed in God's Son and trusted Him for her salvation and eternal life.

As precious minutes slipped away in that lonely hospital room, I trusted God for his comfort and everlasting strength to support me (Isaiah 26:4). I rested in the assurance that my daughter also claimed these same promises. I saw peace on her swollen face when she closed her eyes. We both accepted God's will.

Our pastor and his wife came by after evening church services. They barely concealed their shock at seeing my daughter’s hands and face twice their normal size. After speaking encouragement to her, they prayed with us in that still, quiet hospital room.

Looking back, I can only believe the Holy Spirit influenced every medical move my daughter's doctors and nurses made. The next day, her health made an unbelievable change for the better. Since she was fully recovered by Wednesday morning, the doctors released her from their care.

On Wednesday evening when our pastor found my daughter's hospital bed empty, he asked about her at the nurses’ station. Later he told us how much the nurses had marveled about her unexplainable recovery. "It's just a miracle that she survived," one nurse told him. We all smile now, knowing what absolute truth she spoke.

Does a Christian experience valleys between the mountaintop experiences? Yes. Those trying days when it was evident I might outlive my daughter were one of the deepest valleys I’ve traveled. God promises His buffering strength and calming peace for valley travel. We can always cling to His promises, "For he himself is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14).

ABOUT AMEN AND GOOD NIGHT GOD

This volume of 120 evening prayers can help you review the concerns of the day with a comforting God. Dr. Walter G. Nunn, reviewing for The Alabama Baptist, wrote, “These prayers deal with down-to-earth concerns. Quite frankly, these words provide inspiration at its highest level inasmuch as these prayers are simple, honest longings from the heart.”

BIO

Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author of books, articles, and short stories and teaches at writers’ conferences. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and a member of the Literary Hall of Fame at Lincoln Memorial University (TN). Visit with her at http://www.johuddleston.com/ and also at her blog http://johuddleston.blogspot.com./

To enter to win a signed copy of Jo's wonderful prayer book leave a comment and an email address.

Looking Out the Window: Christine Lindsay's Shadowed in Silk and the Story of Priat, the Secret Princess

2011-05-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

Christine will be giving away a download of her
new book, Shadowed in Silk. To enter to win leave a
comment with an email address.

SECRET PRINCESS

India’s evening air caresses like warm silk. A small mountain of kid-sized sandals sits close to a wooden beam holding up the makeshift roof. Voices of hundreds of children fill this tiny Christian church in the center of the bustling city in the south of India.

The children sit on rugs, thick blankets, and bamboo matting on a floor of deep, clean sand. Counselors and specially chosen kids from the congregation lead in dance sequences. The Indian style music, heavy with the beat of tom toms, and each willow-like hand gesture and foot movement holds traces of ancient India. It was at a camp setting like this one that a young girl by the name of Priat first heard about Jesus Christ.

Like many of the children in this camp setting, Priat came from a low-caste Indian family, the Dalits. In years past this group of people were called ‘untouchables’. Dalits are not allowed into Hindu temples, the children are not allowed to go beyond a few years of basic schooling, and only the lowliest, most degrading jobs are given to Dalits, so that they are forced to live in slums.

As a Dalit, Priat grew up with the conviction that she could hope for no more from life than being a farm laborer in one of the local rice paddies. That was until she came to the Christian church one day for a weeklong camp, and heard stories about Jesus.

When camp came to a close, Priat took tentative steps toward the pastor. “In the Bible it says that if a person believes in Jesus as their savior, they become a child of God. Is this true?”

“Yes,” the pastor said. “We can only become a child of God through Jesus the Son of God.”

Priat mulled this over. “So, if a girl believes in Jesus, she becomes a daughter of God?”

“Yes.” The Pastor smiled.

Priat wrinkled her brow. “So, if God is the greatest Rajah (ruler) over all other rulers, then if I believe in Jesus I would become a princess of God?”

The pastor’s smile deepened. “Yes, Priat, when you believe in Jesus, you become a princess of God.”

The young girl’s eyes glistened. “So as a princess of God, I can go to school if I want to.”

I first heard the story of Priat on a recent missionary trip to India. The enlightenment that Priat received that day is one that I had also learned. No matter what part of the world we live in, people must come to the realization that when they belong to Him, they become His sons or daughters of great value, and no one can take that away. And no one can make us feel less than what we are in Christ’s eyes.

This understanding is one that I share in my fictional debut novel, SHADOWED IN SILK.

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

ABOUT SHADOWED IN SILK
After the Great War, Abby Fraser reunites with her husband in India, where he is stationed with the British army. She has longed to return to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but she doesn’t find the charming husband she remembers waiting for her. Nick has become a cruel stranger and a cruel father to their three-year old son. She draws on her American pluck to overcome the hostility that surrounds her – at home and in the streets of India. But she soon discovers that it will take more than courage to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the battle trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. His faith remains true, but it does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from her husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

SHADOWED IN SILK will be released by WhiteFire Publishing as an eBook on May 1, and as a printed book in Sept. 1 of 2011. Purchase can be made at any eBook retailer, Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobel, Borders….

I hope you will be able to obtain a copy of this book that is precious to my heart. If you’d like to read more about me and my writing journey, you can find me on my website http://www.christinelindsay.com/

Christine Lindsay writes historical inspirational novels with strong love stories, and she doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. Her debut novel SHADOWED IN SILK is set in India during a turbulent era. Christine’s long-time fascination with the British Raj was seeded from stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in India. SHADOWED IN SILK won the 2009 ACFW Genesis for Historical under the title Unveiled.

Looking Out the Window: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMS

2011-05-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

Looking Out the Window: Regina Andrews Tells How God Turned a Difficult Situation into a Blessing

2011-05-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

"Serve the LORD with gladess; come before His presence with singing."Psalm 100:2

People love to hear music when they attend church. It adds another dimension to the service. I am sure that in your own personal experience you recall times in your life that were heightened by the music being played in church. My father’s funeral is one such memory, to me. Even this week’s Royal Wedding was uplifted with glorious music and the divine songs of a choir.

But harmony is not always prevalent. We have been experiencing a crisis in our church choir for months now, one that has tested the limits of our tolerance and true Christian spirits as individuals and as a group.

The trouble began last October when our music minister and his wife, the organist, resigned. Our Pastor and self-appointed Choir Spokesman set out together to search for a new Music Director. They recruited someone who was approved by the Parish council. We were all thrilled to hear that we would have a new choir director in time for Christmas.

During our first meeting with him, our very first rehearsal together, there was a sense of resistance when he distributed the music we would be singing. Much eye-rolling, too. For the selections were not, shall we say, sophisticated.

All right, I thought, we are here to serve. It’s a ministry. Perhaps this is a new aspect of how we are being asked to serve. Surely we will all join together and respect the Choirmaster, and respect the Pastor.

Putting personal agendas aside for the greater good.

However, it didn’t quite go this way. People refused to sing. Really, a choral boycott, if you can believe it. And the self-appointed Choir Spokesman circulated a petition the following day, declaring the new Choirmaster ‘unfit.’

When they handed it to me to me to sign, I refused and asked them a question of my own: regardless of how any one of us may feel personally, aren’t we obliged to support the Choirmaster and the Pastor out of respect for them?

Ever since then, I have been ostracized. Left out of conversations, avoided at rehearsals, ignored at every turn.

However, their ban has had quite an interesting effect: when I attend rehearsals and Mass, I am almost enveloped in a private world of beauty and love, where I commune with God one-on-one and sing with all my heart. I’m not listening to their harpings. I’m not embroiled in their complaints. I’m not involved in their schemes and intrigues.

As Saint Augustine said, singing is an elevated form of prayer, and in isolating me from themselves, my friends have actually freed me from their negativity and allowed me to join in unity and harmony and soulful prayer with God. I could almost thank them, in a way. For even though their lock-out of me has not had the effect they intended it to have, it has been very effective - it has opened another channel of oneness with God for me.

This week, the changes were made. The Pastor excused many of the choir members, and actually asked others not to come back. I will miss my friends, in a way, for they are good people. Just not in the right arena. Perhaps some will re-think and return; I hope so.

We sing about forgiveness, redemption, being welcome, being called. What good is it if we can’t put it into practice when there are bumps in the road? We sing with our voices and our hearts. I hope the music will once again serve to unite us as a choir, as a parish community and as a Christians once again. Let them know we are Christians by our love.

I keep thinking about the way they ostracized me and how it turned out to be something so wonderful. Has something like this ever happened to you, that something so dreadful actually turned into a way for you to grow closer to God? What did you do about it?

Here's an Excerpt from Regina's new book, Light of the Heart.

Cascade's heart pounded. "Father Greene. Stay with me!" she urged as forcefully as she could. She knew from experience how easily it was for people to just slip away. Tears brimmed in her eyes. "Come on, hang in there."

"What's wrong, Cascade?"

Dan's voice filled the vestibule at the entrance of the church, out of sight from her.

"Over here, Dan, on the side in the sanctuary," she called. "Hurry, please!"

After what seemed to be only a split-second, Dan appeared. "What happened?"

"Father Greene was assaulted for the collection basket."

Grabbing his cell phone, Dan dialed 911 and spoke with authority. "Make it fast, we have an elderly priest who is beaten," he directed. He hung up saying, "They'll be right here."

Cascade closed her eyes and said a silent prayer of thanksgiving. "Thank you."

"I'm fine, I'm fine. No fuss." Father Green let out a low groan.

After the ambulance left and the police had taken their statements, she and Dan sat in the back pew.
"That's all I saw. I just came by to surprise him with my plans for the CYO art project. No one else was around. When I came in, he was on the floor."

Tears welled up in her eyes. She tried, but she could not contain them. "It was awful."

"He'll be okay, Cascade."

The tone of Dan's voice felt so soothing to Cascade, like aloe on a raging sunburn. "Thank goodness, but what's going on, Dan? Assaulting an elderly priest? It breaks my heart." She could not stop her tears. "This rotten town."

"Let's head out." Dan guided them out the front entrance of the church. They sat on the steps. "I sure am glad we stopped by."

Cascade nodded. It felt good to be outside, in the sunshine. The light warmed her spirit.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Sure. No. It's all so wrong."

"What is?"

"The fact that Father Greene has to put up with is. Doesn't he have enough on his mind? Church renovations, dwindling enrollment in the school, cutbacks from the Diocese, a shortage of priests… What are you looking at me like that for?"

"You seem to know a lot about what's going on here."

"I read up on things, before I opted in on the windows." She tilted her chin skyward.

"I'm kind of surprised, given how you seemed so anti-Sterling Lakes."

How could she tell him about the soul-searching she had done? How she had held up a mirror to her heart and seen the change she needed to make to be true to herself? Most of all, how could she tell him what a big part he had played in her decision?

"You're right, I was. Then I listened to Abby and Maryanne...and you. Plus I prayed, a lot. I think, Dan, what I realized is that carrying a torch of resentment will eventually get me burned."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"I thought I knew that, but when I had to act according to what I said I believed, it was tough."

She took off her sunglasses and looked right at him. "Holding on to anger or resentment can be a real cop-out. It's hiding in a comfort zone and escaping from having to move forward. But ultimately," she sighed, "I’ll be the one to lose out because the cocoon I’ve built around myself will get so hard I won't be able to break out of it."

"Makes sense." He checked his cell phone, and then slipped it back into his jeans pocket.

"Do you have to go?"

"Nope. Can I ask you something, Cascade? What happened here in town to make you so mad?"

"I'm not sure why you want to know, but I'll tell you."

"I'd like to get to know you better."

She looked at him, the sunlight playing across his handsome face, illuminating his features and dancing through his dark hair. His eyes seemed bluer than blue and filled with an expression she couldn't quite identify. But she liked it. A lot.

Bio

A resident of Providence, RI, Regina grew up in nearby Barrington. After graduating from Providence College she attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning her Master’s Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. She is inspired by anything to do with nature, and she and her husband enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod.

Regina’s hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening. She is a radio host for In-Sight, an association dedicated to providing services to the visually impaired of all ages.

Read more about Regina at her Web site: http://www.reginaandrews.com/
And visit her blog at http://www.reginaandrews.wordpress.com/

Looking Out the Window: Interview on Coffee Time Romance

2011-04-29T13:26:00.000-07:00

On Monday, May 2nd, relax have a cup of coffee and join me at Coffee Time Romance. I'll have an interview and blog about Love Turns the Tide. Read free excerpts. It's http://coffeetimeromance.com/CoffeeThoughts. I'll be giving away a free download of Love Turns the Tide. See you then!

Looking Out the Window: Shannon Vannatter's Touching Mother's Day Devotional

2011-04-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

WRITER MOM

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
(Psalm 127:3)

The offer made my mouth water. Imagine a conference promising a free critique by a professional editor. It was the stuff of a starving writer’s dreams.

My dilemma: as a stay-at-home mom, I rarely spent more than a few hours away from my eight-month old son. An editor willing to evaluate my manuscript over a casual dinner beckoned to me. However, the thought of leaving my son for an entire day gave my heart a painful thud.
As always, my husband supported my desire to write. He urged and eventually cajoled me to attend the seminar. I expected to miss my baby, but never anticipated just how badly.

As I prepared to leave that morning, hubby walked me to the car holding our son. A quick kiss goodbye and my guys turned toward the house. Our son’s questioning gaze over his father’s shoulder almost convinced me to stay home.

At the conference, though the speaker interested me, thoughts of my little boy kept me preoccupied. Did he miss me, did he care that Mommy was gone? Or was he having so much fun with his daddy, he didn’t notice my absence? Though hoping for the latter, I wanted my son to miss me, at least a little.

By noon, concentration proved difficult and relief washed over me when we broke for lunch. During a conversation with another writer, I realized we had a two-hour break between the conference and dinner. Wondering how to kill the time between events, in a city forty-five minutes from my home, a brilliant plan formed in my baby-starved heart. Maybe my guys could meet me.

The ringing phone went unanswered. After leaving a message, my concentration improved with the confidence that my son would arrive in a few hours. Back at the seminar, I absorbed more than in the morning session.

When the conference ended, severe withdrawals overtook me with the need to hold my baby. To feel those soft arms around my neck, inhale his sweet, innocent smell, and hear that wonderful giggle.

I rushed to the designated meeting place, but alas, my family wasn’t there. Thirty minutes later, I called home. My husband hadn’t gotten my message. It was too late for a rendezvous and our son needed a nap.

“I probably won’t make it home until 9:30 or so.” After our son’s bed time. I half wanted hubby to tell me to skip the dinner, but my biggest fan didn’t comply.

“We’re fine, don’t worry. Did you learn anything?”

“Yes.” How precious my baby boy is to me.

I spent the next ninety minutes alone, window-shopped at the mall, and consoled myself by purchasing my son a new sippy cup.

Later, at the restaurant, I heard a baby cry. All around me, parents held their children. While waiting for the editor to critique my project, my thoughts remained on my son during the entire meal.

In the end, the conference and dinner were well worth my time. The speakers offered invaluable information and the editor evaluated my novel proposal in detail. She suggested several ideas for improvement, and sent me on my way with new purpose, anxious to tweak my project.
And anxious to hold my baby. After an absence of fourteen hours, worry consumed me during the drive home. What if he’s already in bed? I promised myself that even if he was sound asleep, waking him just long enough to hold and smell him wouldn’t hurt. The speed limit didn’t allow me to drive fast enough.

Once home, much to my relief, the light in the kitchen window revealed my husband holding a very-much-awake baby. Excitement flooded over me when we met at the door. My son smiled, laughed, and reached for me. As I inhaled deeply, he hugged his chunky little arms around my neck and kicked his feet with glee. God gave me a gentle reminder—my child is my most important project.

I’ve attended numerous conferences and monthly writers’ meetings since, entered contests, and pursued the elusive prize of publication. After my son started school, my window of writing opportunity expanded. In 2010, my dream of publication came true. My son is nine now. With deadlines and edits hanging over my head, I still turn the computer off when school lets out each day and only work when he’s not home or after he goes to bed in the summer.

Before my son’s birth, the word—writer—defined me. Though I still define myself as a writer, more importantly—I am mom. And I wouldn’t trade that role for a best-selling novel.

READ ABOUT WHITE DOVES BY SHANNON VANNATTER

Romance wasn’t what Laken had in mind.

Laken Kroft left home eight years ago and never looked back. Who knew when she applied for the promotion to postmaster that she'd end up in Romance, Arkansas, and much too close to her parents, the town drunk and the local gossip maven?
Hayden Winters has his hands full raising his paraplegic nephew, Brady, and wrestling with his guilt over having caused the child's injury. When the boy's father, Laken's brother, turns up and starts talking custody, Laken's influence is Hayden's only hope. But whose side is she really on?
Will their mutual bond with their seven-year-old nephew draw them closer or rip them asunder? Will Laken accept Hayden “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” or be forced to turn her back on him and “Return to Sender”?

BIO

Shannon Taylor Vannatter married her high school sweetheart. Since then her husband answered the call to preach and they became first-time parents 16 ½ years into their marriage. She is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife.

White Roses, White Doves, and White Pearls is her first series with Heartsong Presents Each book ships to a 11,000 member book club and is available at heartsongpresents.com six months in advance of releasing to stores. All three books are set in Romance and Rose Bud, Arkansas. Brides and lovebirds take advantage of the re-mailing program to have wedding invitations and Valentines cards mailed from Romance with a unique postmark. Romance also hosts several annual weddings with Valentine’s Day the most popular date.

The 18th Annual Heartsong Awards named her #3 Favorite New Author, White Roses as #1 Contemporary Novel and #2 Favorite Contemporary Cover, and White Doves as #8 Contemporary Novel and #1 Favorite Contemporary Cover.

Learn more about Shannon and her books at http://shannonvannatter.com/. She’s active on Facebook: facebook.com/shannontaylorvannatter and Twitter: @stvauthor.

To enter to win a copy of White Doves leave a comment with your email address.

Looking in the Window: Jesus Loves Me

2011-04-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

Often children remind us of truisms we've forgotten, or haven't heard in a long time. Sometimes we hear a youngster say something that's so true, and we comment, "Out of the mouths of babes."

When I've observed elementry students playing in groups, I've often noticed how they talk about caring. There are such phrases as "Who cares?" "Tell somebody who cares," "Nobody cares," "I don't care," and "Why should I care?" to name a few. Even at this early age, they, like us, seem to be searching, reaching out for someone who will be concerned if they're sad or hurt.

No one cares more about us than Jesus. He suffered and died on the cross for our sins. If we trust in him, he'll be there for us. His compassion is so much deeper than we can imagine; his power so great he rose from the dead.

Matthew 28: 1- 6, "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'"

Looking Out the Window: Congratulations!

2011-04-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER OF THE GOLD STANDARD IS... HATS AND HORNS... JO LEGAT Congratulations, Jo!

Looking Out the Window: Lisa Lickel's Lenten Devotional

2011-03-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

LISA LICKEL WRITES ABOUT GOOD WORKS

GIVING UP SOMETHING AND GRACE

Lisa's giving away a copy of her Barbour mystery,

The Gold Standard

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. --Joel 2:12-13

It's Lent, traditionally a time of mourning, of self-contemplation and self-deprivation. Most of the people in my circle don't pay it any more mind than Advent. My husband I moved about a year and a half ago to worship with a new congregation after spending our whole married lives with one body of believers. We are learning different ways of celebrating our Lord and Savior, and it is good. We are also able to share some of the meaningful traditions from our former congregation; one of which is to gather during this time as a smaller group.

Come, let us return to the Lord;

for it is he who has torn and he will heal us;

he has struck down and he will bind up. --Hosea 6:1

I hadn't realized how far from the Lord I'd drifted while attending the familiar congregation. Sure, I'd been doing the right things, playing in the praise band, teaching Sunday School and Bible study, prayer group, some community service, helping in the office. But who had I been doing those things for? My family? Surely setting a good example was a worthy endeavor. Myself, so that I could stand before the throne…Oh…And I realize I can't stand there; I can't even kneel there. It is during this time, the period of Lent, when I turn away from applauding my works, even those for the church, and remember His; to ponder all that He has done to bind me, to heal me from my self-inflicted wounds. Then, and only then can I kneel and give thanks. After I accept what He has done, I slowly rise and am known because of Thy will, not mine. Although I have changed congregations, there is much to love about my home church, not the least of which is the catechism I used to teach. How are you right with God?

Only by true faith in Jesus Christ.

Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned..,

nevertheless, without my deserving it at all,

out of sheer grace,

God grants and credits to me

the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ,

as if I had never sinned, nor been a sinner,

as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.

All I need do is accept this gift of God with a believing heart.

--from the Heidelberg Catechism, Q. & A. 60

I can't say it better than that. Faith never goes out of style. And for the first time, I have given up something for Lent. How about you? What do you do about Lent?

BIO

Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives with her husband in a hundred and fifty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. Surrounded by books and dragons, she writes inspiring fiction. Her novels include mystery and romance, all with a twist of grace. She has penned dozens of feature newspaper stories, short stories, magazine articles and radio theater. She is the editor in chief of Creative Wisconsin Magazine and loves to encourage new authors. She is a hostess for Clash of the Titles and blogs with the community groups Reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com and thebarndoor.net. Find her at http://www.lisalickel.com/.

Lisa's books:

The Gold Standard buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Standard-HEARTSONG-PRESENTS-MYSTERIES/dp/1597895253/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237984174&sr=8-1

a cozy mystery from Barbour books. School teacher Judy Winters must find someone to trust, now that she's back on the farm to solve the murder of her aunt and find the treasure that neighbor Bryce Edwards once lost.

Healing Grace buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Grace-Lisa-J-Lickel/dp/1934841226/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244721331&sr=1-1

also available on Kindle. Grace Runyon has a gift. When she gets a second chance at redemption, it may cost her not just love, but her life.

Meander Scar buy link: http://www.amazon.com/Meander-Scar-Lisa-J-Lickel/dp/1934912239/ref=sr_1_1_oe_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267452628&sr=1-1

also available on Kindle. Ann Ballard's missing husband kept her in a limbo of life for years. When she's ready to accept the love of a younger man, she learns the truth of her husband's disappearance, but telling the truth may destroy everyone.

To win a copy of The Gold Standard leave a comment and your email address.

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Regina Andrews

2011-03-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Regina, First, tell us a little about yourself.
Thank you so much for having me here today, Gail! I live in Providence, RI, and grew up in nearby Barrington. After graduating from Providence College I attended the University of Delaware, eventually earning my Master’s Degree in American Civilization from Brown University. Nature inspires me and my husband and I enjoy visiting nearby Cape Cod. My hobbies include Travel, Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Choral Singing and Gardening. Also I am a radio host for In-Sight, an association dedicated to providing services to the visually impaired of all ages.

What an interesting and rewarding life. Tell us about your latest book.
My newest book is “Light of the Heart. This is Book One in the Sterling Lakes Series. The premise of the Sterling Lakes Series is how the renovation of the church in town leads to a rebirth of the entire town itself on many levels – physically, emotionally and spiritually, to name a few. “Light of the Heart” deals with the effects of a difficult childhood on the heroine, Cascade, now a very successful stained-glass artist. As a child she knew her father was abusing her mother but was powerless to stop it. She was also aware as a child that the town knew of the trouble in her house, yet did nothing to stop it. Her anger and resentment are so intense that she refuses to return to Sterling Lakes. However, circumstances take a turn and the project to redo the stained-glass windows in the town church becomes hers. As she is challenged to let the light of God’s love shine into her heart, she also meets the hero, Dan McQuay.

A heart-warming book with lots of depth. Does your faith affect your writing? How?
I have always wanted to be able to share a mission of God's love through writing uplifting, inspiring books in His honor. It's so basic, to me -- to gladden people through reading, and to bring the Word of God to their lives in another way, and to reinforce the love of God in their hearts and the light of God in their lives.

What are you working on right now?
I’m working on my “Sterling Lakes” series. It's so exciting to do a series, Gail, I can't begin to describe how wonderful it is. Right now I am finishing the second book in the series “Angels of the Heart” which is due April 1st and releases August 1st. It’s edgy inspirational fiction, and deals with teenage pregnancy.The premise of the Sterling Lakes Series is how the renovation of the church in town leads to a rebirth of the entire town itself on many levels – physically, emotionally and spiritually, to name a few. “Light of the Heart,” book one on the series, deals with the effects of a difficult childhood on the heroine, Cascade, now a very successful stained-glass artist. As a child she knew her father was abusing her mother but was powerless to stop it. She was also aware as a child that the town knew of the trouble in her house, yet did nothing to stop it. Her anger and resentment are so intense that she refuses to return to Sterling Lakes. However, circumstances take a turn and the project to redo the stained-glass windows in the town church becomes hers. As she is challenged to let the light of God’s love shine into her heart, she also meets the hero, Dan McQuay.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
I would have to say be patient, be true to yourself and don't ever, ever give up. Also be the writer you are, not the writer "they" - meaning anyone - wants you to be. Read a lot and keep learning, good writing is very technical. Naturally, practice, practice, practice :-) Most of all, have fun.

And just for fun, what is the coolest, wackiest, most risk-taking thing you’ve ever done?
One time my sister and I were in Paris and we walked to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. We were the only ones out there. It was raining and very slippery. There were no railings or barriers. We walked right to the edge at the very front and screamed ”Vive la France!”

More about Light of Heart

More than anything, Cascade Preston wants to forget her dark childhood in Sterling Lakes, so there’s no way she’ll agree to help refurbish that town’s church. Then she meets Dan McQuay. Will she be able to forgive the past and let the light of God’s love shine through into her heart?

Back Cover Blurb
A stained-glass artist based in Boston, Cascade Preston’s world is a kaleidoscope of color and beauty. She has overcome a dark childhood, deeply shadowed by domestic violence, in the town of Sterling Lakes. When she is approached to design new windows for a refurbished church in Sterling Lakes, she ignores the request. But when the no-nonsense Project Manager Dan McQuay appears looking for the window plans, the project takes on a whole new light. Will Cascade be able to keep the dark, protective cocoon she has built around herself intact, or will McQuay break through and shine new light into her heart? Is it possible that God’s plan for Cascade will lead her to forgive the town that ignored the situation in her family?

REGINA SHARES AN EXCERPT

For your enjoyment, here's an excerpt from Light of the Heart. This is my favorite scene, when they still do not know each other very well and they go into the church together for the first time.

Cascade watched the sun, dappled from the leafy trees nearby, play across the firm planes of his face. "Being back here, I don't feel like anything has changed."

"Does that surprise you?" he asked.

"The way things are going lately, everything is coming as a surprise. I'm just trying to process it all."

"Want to go into the church?"

"Sounds like a great idea." She looked over at him but could not read his expression.They walked past the dirt piles toward the front of the church. A songbird trilled in one of the rhododendron shrubs as they moved by. Sunbeams glinted off the colorful stained glass windows. At the top of the wooden staircase, Cascade held the brass handle to open the ornately carved door.

"Go on." Dan reached beyond her and held the door open for her.She entered the vestibule, blinking her eyes as they adjusted to the darkness. Images of the past flooded her mind. Some of them good, some of them not so good. She turned to Dan. "Come with me."

"You got it."They walked together down the main aisle. Cascade inhaled the familiar scents of wood, candle, and incense. She stopped midway and turned to face the back of the church."These windows are beautiful," she whispered, looking up at the large round West window. "This is where I was inspired to do what I do and to be who I am today."

"Impressive." Dan touched her arm. "Let's sit down here."They slid into a pew and sat back against the smooth, varnished wood. Cascade slowly scanned the interior of the church, looking at each window. It was as if she were seeing it for the very first time.She turned to say something to Dan. His eyes were closed, and he sat motionless. It looked as if he were in prayer. Could he be?Cascade took the opportunity to admire him. His profile was softened just a bit in the filtered light. Dark hair and a firm, masculine nose were all balanced by the strong jaw line which composed the proportions of his face. His lips, curved into just a hint of a smile, were slightly parted. The shadow of his long dark eyelashes danced upon his cheek. To Cascade, he looked completely and utterly at peace.She reached over and gave his hand a friendly pat.

To her surprise, he took her hand, holding it gently in his. Warm and weathered, it fit hers just right. For a moment, she let herself feel protected. She didn't know what had happened since he walked into her life. Everything had turned topsy-turvy, but she knew one thing: Dan McQuay was some kind of wonderful.Then she remembered his words the first time he visited her showroom: "I come into town, do the job, and leave. No ties, no friendships, no tea parties and barbecues with the neighbors. In and out."What was she thinking? She snatched her hand away.

"What's wrong?" Dan looked at her.

"Nothing. Nothing."

"Sure there is. Your lips are all tight."

"No, I'm fine. I was honestly just thinking about you."

He smiled."What were you thinking?"

She took a deep breath, and listening to all the choirs of angels rejoicing at the sight of his smile and wondered, Why me? This guy is way too dangerous. He's attractive, kind, smart…and ready to leave as soon as the job here in town is finished.Just then, the church doors opened. A black-cassocked figure hastened towards them."Excuse me, excuse me. This area is restricted. Masses and confessions will be held in St. Luke's school auditorium or the rectory."

"We were just leaving, Father Greene. I'm on the construction crew, and we came in to say some prayers."

"Oh, it's you, Dan." The furrows in the priest's brow vanished. A saintly smile replaced his scowl.

"By all means, children. Stay a long as you wish. We have to be extra vigilant because of the vandals."

"You've had vandalism problems, Father?" Cascade asked. "That's horrible."

The priest blessed himself. "Just dreadful, my dear. What they did to the statue of Our Blessed Mother Mary last month was unthinkable."

Cascade cupped her hands over her mouth.

"Any luck finding the culprits?" Dan asked.

"No. We have no luck here at St. Luke's."

"Well, Father I don't know about that. Maybe this is the day that all that is going to change." Dan's voice sounded strong and reassuring. He shook the priest's hand.

"There's always hope. I'm Father Greene, dear."

"Cascade Preston." She smiled and shook his hand.

Wagging his index finger, Father Greene said: "I've heard of you, but I can't remember why."

"Cascade's designing the stained-glass windows for the project, Father. She's originally from Sterling lakes."

Turning to Dan, Cascade saw him give an eager smile. What was he thinking?

"How wonderful," Father Greene blessed himself. "So good of you, Cascade, to give back so generously to the town that you called home."

"It's my pleasure, Father." Cascade answered. Did I just agree to do the windows?"Oh bless you, my dear. Bless you."

Father Greene checked his pocket watch. "It's been so nice to chat with you wonderful folks. I have confessors waiting now." Turning on his heel, he bustled off through the shadows to the door.

"What were you thinking, Dan? I haven't agreed to do the windows. Now that nice priest is going to be all disappointed and flustered when he finds out," Cascade whispered.

"He might not be," Dan answered.

"I'm infuriated. You weren't asleep at all. Were you really saying prayers?" Cascade asked as they walked down the aisle.

Dan nodded. "Were you?"

"Oh yes," she answered. "Without a doubt. Lots of special prayers. Now there's one more special intention on this list -- me getting out of helping Father Greene." She turned to face him. "You look like you're going to laugh!"

"Well, it's just that..." Dan's eyes seemed to twinkle as he looked at her.

It turned Cascade's knees to jelly."Let's change the subject." She cleared her throat and gripped the edge of the pew to steady herself. "Before we go, I wanted to tell you that my parents were the first couple married in this church."

Dan's eyebrows shot upwards. "Quite a distinction."

"They started out with lots of hopes and dreams for a bright future, I'm sure. Life takes some funny turns." She sighed. "Look, I've been thinking, Dan, of how stubborn I've been about not working in Sterling Lakes. I've been holding on to that way of thinking for years now. It really hasn't made me any happier in the long run, to think like that. Just kept me tied to this town in a negative way. I think the fight is over. I want my life to be filled with light and beauty and color. And love. God's love."She blinked away the tears that filled her eyes. "You were right. Abby was trying to do me a favor, and I think she did. It's through forgiveness that we are set free. Maybe it's time for me to forgive what happened in the past. At least I can start, and this might be a good first step. Plus, I would never in a million years disappoint that nice priest. Father Greene has enough to worry about without me adding to it. So if it's at all possible, could I do the windows here?"

Looking Out the Window: The Winner of Yesterday's Tomorrow

2011-03-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

AND THE WINNER IS....
LINDA WEAVER CLARKE

CONGRATULATIONS, LINDA!

Looking Out the Window: Welcome Catherine West

2011-03-12T06:39:00.000-08:00

INTERVIEW AND BOOK GIVEAWAY

FOR CATHY'S DEBUT NOVEL

Hi Catherine, first, tell us a little about yourself.

Okay, here goes! I was born and raised on the island of Bermuda, where I still live with my hubby and two-college age kids, when they’re home. I went to school here and in England, and Canada, where I earned a BA in English from the University of Toronto. We also lived near Toronto for the first seven years of our marriage, which convinced me I’m not cut out for Canadian winters! I love dogs and gardening. I’m pretty shy around strangers, but I love meeting new people and traveling.

Sounds like you got to live in some fascinating places growing up. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read?

Oh yes! I loved to read everything, mostly Enid Blyton when I was little, she is a British author who wrote fabulous children’s stories. My mom used to enjoy mysteries so as I got older I read a lot of those, and then we started reading Wilbur Smith. I started the bent toward romance in my late teens I think.

Why do you write?

I love it. That’s a simple answer, but I honestly can’t imagine not doing this.

Tell us about your latest book.

Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father's memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother's wishes. Brilliant photographer Luke Maddox, silent and brooding, exudes mystery. Kristin is convinced he's hiding something.

Willing to risk it all for what they believe in, Kristin and Luke engage in their own tumultuous battle until, in an unexpected twist, they’re forced to work together. Ambushed by love, they must decide whether or not to set aside their own private agendas for the hope of tomorrow that has captured their hearts.

That’s an interesting plot. What inspired you to write this particular book?

I’ve always been fascinated with the Vietnam era. I’d read about the young female journalists who made their way over there to cover the war, often without a job at first, and I thought it would make an amazing story.

Where do you get ideas for your books?

Everywhere. Talking to people, watching people. Reading the paper, watching the news. Everybody has a story.

What themes do you write about?

I love to write about healing, forgiveness, redemption and restoration.

Are you a plotter or a pantzer?

Definitely a pantser! Sometimes I wish I could plot, but I really can’t. I just have to sit down and write and go from there. It takes a lot longer to come up with a completed manuscript that you don’t want to burn, but it is the only way I can do it.

Does your faith affect your writing? How?

I like to think that all my stories will have some spiritual element in them. While I don’t like to overdo with heavy preaching or conversion scenes, God is definitely there. Whether I write for CBA or ABA, I know that I’ll always keep that element woven into my writing. It’s just who I am.

Do you put yourself in your books?

It depends on the book. Usually, no. But I am sure at a subconscious level there is a bit of me in each character.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I’m working on a family saga called Reprisal. Lots of interesting characters with a ton of issues. It’s the kind of book I like to read, so I’ve been having a lot of fun with it. I’m also working on a romance that takes place in a California vineyard. I was recently there on vacation and think I may have to go back for more research.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

I always love to encourage new writers, because were it not for the many authors who encouraged me along the way (and still do), I probably would have given up. Study your craft, go to conferences if you can, get some great critique partners and just believe in yourself. It’s not an easy road, but if it is the one you feel called to, you will succeed eventually.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

I love to hear from my readers and you can find me at the following locations!
Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com/
Blog: http://www.catherinewestblog.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @cathwest
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-West-Author/157773297594081
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/vVQUMRIYhkM

BIO

Educated in Bermuda, England and Canada, Catherine holds a degree in English from the University of Toronto. When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. Catherine and her husband live on the beautiful island of Bermuda, with their two college-aged children. Catherine is a member of Romance Writers of America, and American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a founding member of International Christian Fiction Writers. Catherine’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow, will release in 2011, through Oak Tara Publishers.
Website: http://www.catherinejwest.com/
Oak Tara Website: http://www.oaktara.com/

To Win a copy of Catherine's book leave a comment with your email address.

The Winner...

2011-03-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

AND THE WINNER OF TRANQUIL MOMENTS, SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM THE ISLAND OF MAUI IS....DRUM ROLL... Anne Payne.

Congratulations, Anne!

Looking Out the Window: The Peaceful Writing of Eileen Rife

2011-03-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

DEVOTIONAL AND BOOK GIVEAWAY

Excerpt from TRANQUIL MOMENTS, SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM the ISLAND OF MAUI by Eileen Rife

Son Blockers

“Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your loving kindness.” –Psalm 31:16

Sitting on the sand outside our motel in LaHaina, I apply more sunscreen, smoothing it over my arms and legs, covering every exposed area to block the sun’s harmful UV rays. I want the glorious benefits of the sun’s warmth and light, but I realize, in this marred world that too much exposure may come with a price: detriment to long-term health.

Indeed, the tainted earth and heavens groan with longing for their redemption, freedom from the effects of sin, just as I long for release from this imperfect body in which I dwell. A curse fell on the world like a wet blanket, snuffing out the laughter and joy at God’s creation party. And so we both wait—creation and I—for the final, freeing touch of the Son’s hand.

In the meantime, I want nothing to block Him from my view. His light and warmth are perfect—no harmful UV rays. His light shines into every corner of my exposed life and reveals hidden sin. Application of His words to my life will block the lustful tendencies of the flesh and eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16), so that I may do only what pleases Him. I don’t want anything blocking the Son’s light from penetrating my soul, for then I can be whole, move toward maturity, and be free to invest my life in others.

But allowing the Son free access to my life is risky. I risk a friend’s laughter, family criticism, co-workers’ ridicule, and a spouse’s scorn. At times I experience sheer loneliness. Still, anything less than total exposure to the Son will never do. Loneliness is simply God’s calling card to seek the Son even more. God can’t work when I am still holding on to the world, compromising His message or repeating sinful behaviors. All I can do is fix may gaze on the Son and lay my soul bare to His light, moving forward by faith and trusting Him for the outcome.

Then I will experience the good pleasure of His face shining upon me and be shielded from this world’s allurements. The Sunshine of His face always provides a tranquil moment.

Spiritual Renewal Plan:

Is there anything blocking your view of the Son today? Some habit, some thought or some action that you need to relinquish? Allow the penetrating light of God’s Word to reveal any hidden areas of sin that you need to confess and abandon. Refuse to dwell in the darkness. Live in the Sonlight.

About Eileen's book, TRANQUIL MOMENTS, SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM THE ISLAND OF MAUI: “A tranquil heart is life to the body.” Proverbs 14:30a

Life is filled with stress. How we handle it will determine whether we live a life of peace or a life of perpetual panic. Tranquil Moments, Spiritual Refreshment from the Island of Maui provides thirty-one vignettes which take you on a spiritual journey. View God’s promise in a rainbow spreading across a Maui mountaintop, His peace in a cascading waterfall and His faithfulness in a colorful sunrise. Included are 101 ways to add a tranquil moment to your day, plus a therapist’s guide to tranquility. Available at http://www.amazon.com/.

BIO

"Healing words for hurting hearts," is how Eileen Rife describes her books. Whether through fiction or nonfiction, Eileen wants readers to come away with love that extends beyond themselves, faith that can see the impossible, and hope that endures against all odds.

As a child, Eileen loved writing and telling stories. Walking to school every morning, she created characters, then talked to them as she ambled down the road, which was often her way of dealing with grief and loss. After the death of her brother, Eileen learned to empathize with the underdog. Many of Eileen's stories revolve around issues that many find difficult to talk about—death, homosexuality, sex trafficking. Through her characters, she offers readers an opportunity to draw close, peel back the layers of their own hearts, and examine what lies within.

And added to the mix--romance, always a romance around one corner or another!

An alumna of Christian Writers Guild and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Eileen has published several non-fiction books, written newsletters, a marriage column, and over ten church dramas. Her byline has appeared in magazines, such as Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Mature Living, Christian Home & School, Drama Ministry, and ParentLife, as well as other print and online publications. Her fiction works include Journey to Judah and Restored Hearts, recently released by OakTara. Chosen Ones, her third book in the Born for India trilogy is due out soon. She and husband, Chuck, a licensed professional counselor and marriage/family therapist conduct marriage seminars for churches and organizations in the States as well as overseas. They have three married children and six grandchildren.

You can visit Eileen at http://www.eileenrife.com/, http://www.guardyourmarriage.com/, and http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com/.

To win a copy of Eileen's book leave a comment with your email address.

Looking Out the Window: Author Danielle Thorne Writes Uplifting Devotional

2011-02-28T18:34:00.000-08:00

WELCOME SWEET ROMANCE AUTHOR DANIELLE THORNE

DISCUSSING HER BELIEFS ABOUT ATONEMENT

Finding Peace Through Self-Forgiveness

Consider this anecdote:
The Devil & the Duck

Once there was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw his grandma's pet duck. Out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. How he was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching.

Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing, and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you..."

This month, with Easter just around the corner, I'd like to thank Gail for allowing me to share my feelings about the Atonement, that great sacrifice that Christ undertook in Golgotha. We're taught that He died that we may live again and also so we could return to our Heavenly Father clean and without sin. It is beyond the scope of my comprehension to imagine even a half-mortal man taking upon himself all of the pain, suffering, mistakes, and dark sins committed by everyone who lives upon the Earth. It brings to mind some of the lines from one of my favorite hymns, "I Stand All Amazed": I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me;I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died. O it is wonderful that He should care for me Enough to die for me!O it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/289#ixzz1EtdJrr57

Hear an arrangement of this hymn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D-tGqIWMU8

As we all strive to forgive others and do unto others as we would have them do unto us, I often contemplate on how hard we are on our own selves. We forgive others, sometimes easily, and far more often than we forgive and forget the mistakes we make ourselves. If the Great Creator died so that we may live, who suffered and paid the prices for our sins, who are we to not accept that sacrifice and forgive ourselves?

As I have gotten older I've learned to accept the Atonement in new ways. First, I understand now that He didn't just suffer for sin, but experienced all of the hurt, pain and agony that we do. When we suffer physical pain or our hearts are breaking, He is one who has been there and knows what we are going through. We can be comforted by someone who truly can emphasize.
Second, I've learned to let go of the mistakes that I have made. Forgiving myself, especially the weight of regret, is hard to do. Through understanding the Atonement, I've learned that by not forgiving myself, I make a mockery of the greatest gift that will ever be given to me. It insults His sacrifice and in essence, wastes what He endured to provide us with an eternal gift.
Our Father in Heaven wants us to be happy. He sent His Only Begotten to provide a way to make that possible. By embracing the Atonement (and ignoring the whispers of Satan who would have us carry the burden of our own sins to drag us down), I believe that we can be more productive, more faithful and in our lives, find more joy.
~Danielle Thorne
You can find out more about my faith at http://www.lds.org/
You can find out more about me at http://www.daniellethorne.com/

Looking In the Window: My Mysterious Rose

2011-02-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

I immediately added clean water and the preservative that came with my flower to the rose my husband gave me on Valentine’s Day. But the next day, February 15th, the stem drooped an inch below its bloom. That afternoon the sun shone through the sliding glass door the brightest I’d seen since early December. But the rose sat there, it’s pretty head tilted down toward the table.

Wednesday morning I walked in the kitchen to find the rose straight again. Not quite believing it, I leaned down and studied the flower. I checked it later that afternoon. And another time early in the evening. It wasn’t my imagination. It’s five days later, and the rose stands straight on its stem, its petals just beginning to age a tiny bit on the edge, otherwise intact.

I’d never seen a flower do that, but I’m no horticulturist, so I thought maybe some varieties of roses perk up once the recipient adds the preservative. Even so, that wouldn’t explain why it wilted the day after I added it. My curiosity wouldn’t rest, so I asked several friends who are more knowledgeable about flowers than I am. They couldn’t explain it. Finally I called Carithers Flowers, a well known, popular florist in Georgia, and spoke with Ashley. She could see no reason why the rose rallied either. She’s never had anyone else call and tell her of such an incidence.

Maybe I wasn’t meant to understand the rose, but simply to enjoy it.

Sometimes I feel like the sagging rose looked until I see someone who says something that makes me laugh, or gives me a friendly smile that warms my heart. God’s love shining through them the way the sun filtered through my blinds lifts my spirits and makes me stand up straight.
John 13: 34-35, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Looking Out the Window: A Special Valentine's Day Devotional by Inspirational Writer Jennifer Slattery

2011-02-12T12:53:00.000-08:00

LOVE LETTERS

One day, while cleaning out our closet, I found a shoe box tucked behind a bunch of clutter on my husband’s side. Curiosity bid me, and I pulled it down and sifted through the items. There were rusted railroad nails, an antique pocket watch attached to a chain, old baseball game stubs and numerous other creased, rusted, or slightly tarnished items. My heart was touched to see the softer side of my husband displayed in the saving of each item. I’m certain every stub and nail told a story, perhaps of the first game he attended alone or the watch given to him by his grandfather who has since passed. But what touched me most were the numerous slips of paper and cards I found buried beneath it all, my young, immature writing scrawled across them.

I had to giggle at my immaturity. I love you, heart, heart, dot the exclamation point with a large heart. Those letters had touched my husband deeply, so much so that he had saved them all these years. I paused, remembering the first written love letter he wrote me. He’s not much of a talker, and even less of a writer. My daughter and I often laugh at how sparse his words are. He’s notorious for the one word email. Or, the blank email, with everything I need to know written in the subject heading. It’s not that he’s uncaring, he’s just not a writer.

But on this day, he was Casanova with a pen. It was our first marriage retreat. We went to the retreat with scarred, yet healing hearts, and a bit of baggage. One of the first assignments we were given was to write a love letter to our spouses.

My husband and I found a quiet corner in a far back hotel hallway and set to writing what was in our hearts. We wouldn’t write about what was bothering us. It wasn’t time to resolve past hurts. It was time to love, and to tell each other what we cherished most about one another and our marriage.

Honestly, I was expecting a two, maybe three sentence letter: I love you. I’m glad I married you. Love Steve. From the corner of my eye, I watched my husband hunched over his paper, pen in hand. He wrote, and wrote and wrote. I write fast, so I finished and set mine aside. He continued to write. If only I had saved that first letter. I have no idea where it went, but it touched me so deeply, tears poured from my eyes as I read it.

There is nothing like reading, in a letter or card, how much someone loves you. I’m not sure why, but seeing it on paper deepens the sentiment somehow. Never underestimate the power of a written “I love you.” It has the power to heal, to soothe, to defuse and to unite.

(Proverbs 15:1, NIV) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Sometimes we can get so caught up in the day to day, we forget to tell our spouses how much we love them. Often, we forget to think about our love for them. I’ve said before, if you dwell on the negative, you’ll find it every time. But, if you seek out the lovely, good and pure, you’ll find it’s been there all along.

BIO:

Jennifer Slattery is a novelist, freelance writer, and biblical studies major at Calvary Bible College. In 2009 she won the HACWN writing contest in the book category, and was just recently acknowledged as the second place winner of the 2010 Dixie Kane writing contest in the inspirational category and placed fourth in the 2010 Golden Pen. She writes for Christ to the World Ministries, reviews for Novel Reviews and has written articles, devotions and devotional stories for numerous other publications. She is also the marketing representative for the literary website, Clash of the Titles.

Looking Out the Window: A Michelle Massaro Devotional for the Here and Now

2011-02-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Not A Dress Rehearsal
My pastor on Sunday used this phrase, "It's not a dress rehearsal", referring to life. Whatever it is we want to do for Christ, we have one life to do it.

I really held onto that. There's no do-overs, there's no practice. This is it. My husband, my children, my ministries, my role in these relationships- it's all a now-or-never/ do-or-die kind of thing. And time is ever slipping away. So I've been pondering this the last few days...

The difference between a dress rehearsal and the real show is that the real show brings a sense of urgency; a sense of intensity, concentration, and focus. THIS IS IT, DON'T BLOW IT. So these words bring with them the call to action- to not put off those things you talk about wanting to do, like daily devotions, weekly family times, volunteering, studying the Bible more deeply, or having a heart-to-heart talk with your kids/spouse/loved one about Christ. Don't say "some day I'd like to do this". Do it now. The heat is on.

But you know what else is different between the show and the rehearsal? Yes, there is more pressure during the show. But there's another awesome difference. During the live performance, the show must go on! If you flub a line, hit a wrong note, or miss a cue, you don't cry or walk off the stage or even break character- you keep going. You don't have the option of wallowing in self-pity over your mistakes- you're in the middle of a show! Someone is watching! In rehearsals you might stop and examine the mistakes and even berate yourself or others to getting it right next time, but when Opening Night arrives there is no time for that. It's part of the rush of excitement that is experienced by performers. There's urgency, focus, on what is coming, and freedom in forgetting, what is past. It's the only way to make it through a show.

It's the only way to live for Christ. What a freeing concept! Yes, I only have one shot to live this life the way I aspire to. But sweating my mistakes along the way will only hinder me. Focus. Then forget. Focus. Then forget. Repeat as necessary!"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."~Philipians 3:13

BIO

Michelle Massaro is the Assistant Editor for the literary website Clash of the Titles and an aspiring novelist. She resides in sunny So Cal with her husband of 15 years and their four children ranging in age from 21 months to 15 years. She is an active member of her church, singing on the worship team and periodically teaching origins science to the Jr. High students. Above all, she is a follower of Christ Jesus, unashamed to stand upon the Word of God from beginning to end. Get to know Michelle better at her blog, Adventures in Writing , or on facebook.

Looking Out the Window: An Elaine Marie Cooper Devotional and Giveaway

2011-01-17T15:16:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy to have Elaine Marie Cooper here with an inspirational devotional, "Unwrapped Hearts," and a giveaway for February. She'll also tell us about her new book, The Road to Deer Run, and share some of her reviews. Be sure to leave a comment with your email address (name at address dot com) for a chance to win a copy. I'll draw a name and announce a winner on Monday, February 7th.

UNWRAPPED HEARTS

Don’t you love those bright, beribboned heart boxes of candy that appear in the stores in February? You hope against common-sense hope (how many calories in those sweets?? Oh my…!) that maybe you will be one of the lucky recipients this year.

But imagine receiving such a heartfelt gift from someone you love…only to discover that someone had been poking around in there beforehand, leaving undetected holes in the bottom of each candy. I would personally be hurt and more than a little disappointed. No one wants such a special gift to be ruined by someone’s selfish act. It would, at the very least, make us question the sincerity of the giver.

I can only imagine what my Savior thinks when my gifts from the heart to Him are filled with finger pokes of selfishness, pride, and other seemingly undetectable sins. He can see past the wrapping straight through to my heart that is so easily prone to wander from His perfection.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (NIV)
“Wellspring” is defined as “an abundant source or supply of anything.” It could be a source of compassion, a source of forgiveness, a source of real love—the kind of love that Jesus poured out for us on the cross when His heart stopped beating for us.

As we celebrate love in this season of Valentine’s Day, let’s be diligent about keeping our hearts safely wrapped and untampered by that which so easily distracts us from the purity of God’s love. Let’s be HIS wellspring!

ABOUT ELAINE MARIE COOPER: Elaine Marie Cooper lives in the Midwest with her husband Steve, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandbabies, who are often referred to as “the most beautiful grandbabies in the world.” Elaine’s only daughter, Bethany, passed away in 2003 from a brain tumor.

A retired registered nurse, Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is currently a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (http://www.thebarndoor.net/) She is also the author of her debut novel called “The Road to Deer Run.”

About The Road to Deer Run

The year is 1777 and the colonies of America are at war with England. In the midst of this fierce and painful conflict, two enemies—a wounded British soldier and a colonial farmwoman—are brought together through circumstances that challenge their fortitude, their faith and their ability to forgive. In the struggle comes healing and love. But as their destinies become intertwined, so do the forces that oppose them.

What Are Reviewers Saying about The Road to Deer Run?

“A heartwarming love story, sensitively written and a well-researched bit of American history. The book has a solid faith-based perspective that sets it apart.”
— Jean LemMom, former Editor, Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

“A captivating tale of love, honor, redemption, and patriotism….Cooper breathes life into her characters and their world in an entertaining way with generous details and facts.”
— Wanda Ventling, Editor in Chief, Life: Beautiful Magazine

“With subplots as appealing as the main story, the book is well researched, well written, and well worth the purchase price. Ready for the sequel.”
— Kirkus Discoveries Reviews

“The Road to Deer Run” is available at:
http://amazon.com/
http://barnesandnoble.com/
http://iuniverse.com/
http://www.deerrunbooks.com/

Elaine Cooper can be reached on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000997223171 or visit her website at: http://www.deerrunbooks.com/

Looking Out the Window: Devotionals, Interviews and Giveaways

2011-01-15T13:14:00.000-08:00

STARTING IN FEBRUARY

Stop by often

Read a series of devotionals written by different authors.

From time to time look for author interviews and giveaways.

I'm excited to have so many good writers coming to my blog to share their devotionals. From time to time there will be author interviews and giveaways too.

I hope you'll come by to read these wonderful, inspirational posts. See you soon!