A Day to
Re-
mem-
ber

Thank you, wonderful soldiers, past and present, for all you've done for us. We enjoy life as we  know it in America, because of your labors, your sacrifice, your fulfilling your call to duty.

Regardless of what lots of the world today say, there are some of us who do appreciate it all.

Today, I salute you, and honor you.

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are:

Something to do
Something to love
And something to hope for.

--Joseph Addison

Blessings

Welcome!
Please Meet My Friend, Donna Patton
Don't forget to leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL address for a chance to win a lovely mug filled with delicious chocolates! And who doesn't like chocolate? Hmmm.

I'm so excited that you received this contract. How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

If a “call” can come as a child, I certainly always knew I would be a writer – even before I knew what writers were! As a little girl, I always thought books were so special they must all come from Heaven. If anyone had asked me, I’d have said that right after God created the world and put all the churches in it, He created libraries!

Much of my childhood was spent reading and inventing my own stories. I loved giving ‘plays’ and lying awake at night imagining my own characters. It never occurred to me that someday I could write books. After growing up, I realized that ordinary people could be writers and I was hooked. In high school, I saw my first copy of Writers Digest.

It sounds like you've been destined to write for children, but I've read a bit of your other fiction too. What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

Although it’s probably a good idea to stick with one genre, my work is all over the place. Most of my fiction at present is aimed at children ages 8-12. It’s an age I feel comfortable with and a genre that I love to read as well.

Mysteries are also my favorite genre to read and write. I love figuring out the clues and trying to weave them into a story so the reader is surprised at the ending. I also write westerns for children (sub-genre mystery!) I’m also working on two adult mysteries and an adult romance.

In my nonfiction writing life, I write educational worksheets and with two other writers, a monthly newspaper page for children. “Cookies and Milk” premiered in The Times Gazette and has gone on to syndication in five other newspaper systems.

You are so talented! How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

Despite my somewhat hectic real life schedule – helping to homeschool one nephew and various volunteer efforts – I try to maintain a disciplined writing schedule. I try to work Monday-Saturday for four hours in the morning on paying jobs. In between housework, errands or outside activities, I also try to schedule at least half an hour in the evening for fiction writing. During the summer, I average more fiction writing time and often write late into the night.

Although I would love to reach a certain number of words per day, it’s just not realistic for me. If I can write for half an hour to an hour, I’m sure to get at least part of a chapter done.

How long does a novel take? I’ve finished six children’s books and rough drafts of three adult and each is different. The first book I ever wrote took ten years in between working two jobs and doing day care. The Search for the Madonna took about eight months to write.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

The Search for the Madonna was written primarily for Catholic children as a teaching tool to get across some spiritual truths. However, I think that anyone reading the book would find that the main spiritual lesson is learning to trust in God and how much He cares for even the smallest detail of each of our lives. It’s also a fun mystery with several suspicious characters. The book is set during the Great Depression in the 1930’s, and I hope that readers will also come away with the idea that people don’t need a lot of expensive ‘stuff’ to be happy, that often the simplest joys are the best.

Anyone interested in purchasing the book can find it online at:

• http://www.eccehomopress.com/
• or Behold Publications
• It's price is: $7.95 and it is featured on the website: http://www.eccehomopress.com/.
• There is also an interview with me on their Glory of America blog.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?

Yes, there are many times I feel like giving up. Some days, it just doesn’t seem worth it to send out another manuscript or query letter. I’ve actually had times in my life when I did say, “okay, that’s it, I give up,” and did. Usually, I take some time off, do normal stuff non-writers do and really MISS putting down words on paper! After awhile, I’ll see something that inspires me to start writing again.

One thing that really encouraged me during a particularly bad time in my writing life was, believe it or not, writing fan fiction. I’d gotten really depressed over several things in my life and knew I’d never write again. My prayers at that point were just to survive and to find out what God wanted me to do. One day, I just happened to be surfing the web for anything that had made me happy in the past. I stumbled across a fan fiction website for a very old western I’d seen as a child. To my surprise, I enjoyed writing stories without worrying about publishers or doing it the ‘right way.’ It was very freeing and the perfect way to ease back into the real writing world. As an added benefit, I made many life long friends and writing buddies, several of whom are published.

My advice to anyone who’s discouraged about writing is to try something new. Write nonfiction instead of fiction. Try a poem or a recipe. Write fan fiction or a silly story never meant for publication.

The people who inspire me the most right now are my writing friends – Judy, Kathi, Maribeth and Patty! And the Ohio ACFWers, of course!

That's great advice. Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

Picking a publisher for this book wasn’t too hard. I pretty much knew it had to be a Catholic publisher who’d print children’s fiction. Although that doesn’t sound like a narrow field, it is. Christian children’s fiction of any denomination seems to be the ‘stepchild’ of the publishing world. I’ve found that it’s almost easier to find a secular publisher than one who is interested in publishing Christian children’s fiction, which is sad. That’s my own experience, others might have better stories to share!

I found Behold Publications via their website. I was familiar with their programs called, “Little Flowers,” for girls and “Blue Knights,” for boys. When I saw that they were looking for fiction set in different historical periods, I knew I’d found a match.

There is no sitting back and relaxing once a book is published! That’s when the real work begins – making bookmarks, doing interviews and blog tours, promoting the book. Behold Publications is a small publisher so it’s up to me to help promote the book in anyway that I can.

Promoting is something we all have to do as writers. Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

My likes are:

• Gardening,
• flowers,
• weeding (honestly),
• scrapbooking,
• reading,
• entering contests and fairs,
• cross stitch,
• sewing,
• cats,
• children,
• having dinner with my friends,
• meatloaf,
• hot tea,
• family reunions and
• visiting historical places.

My dislikes are:

• poison sumac (don’t ask me how I know this),
• really really hot weather,
• or really really cold weather,
• fantasy.

I’ve been blessed to travel extensively throughout North America. But if I could travel anywhere, I’d love to go back to California and visit Bodie, the ghost town, and some of the old Missions. One of my favorite places to go is Gettysburg.

Wow,  you have been around and have an extensive list of likes. I "like" that! :) You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Gladly! The Search for the Madonna is a mystery set during the Great Depression. Times are hard for eleven-year-old, Maggie Brandenburg and her twin sister, Em. Since losing their own farm, the twins and their parents have traveled like nomads finding jobs whenever and wherever they can. Although Maggie keeps hoping they can someday have a real home again; the prospects don’t look too hopeful until a providential letter arrives from Aunt Sophie.

The twins are anticipating a peaceful summer helping Aunt Sophie save her farm from foreclosure but they get more than they expected! Mysterious lights in the haunted woods, ghostly intruders; a family lost in time for over a century . . .

Can Maggie solve the mysteries in time? Or will her hope of having a real home again be lost forever? Will Maggie find the courage she needs to overcome her fears and find the missing family treasure?

• Find out by reading the book! Readers can purchase the book online at: http://www.eccehomopress.com/  Cost is $7.95.
• or can contact me at donnaalice540@yahoo.com.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information? The book will be featured on http://www.eccehomopress.com/ as well as my blog: www.layers-of-life@blogspot.com. Readers who comment on this blog will be entered in a drawing for a gift bag featuring a cute mug filled with some strawberry and chocolate flavored goodies!



Thanks, Carole for having me!

The book sounds interesting. Thank you, Donna, for visiting us today. I'm so excited for you and hope you do tremendously with your book!

Blessings, readers. Please leave your comments for a chance to win the mug!

AND the winner of Ramona Cecil's book is . . . 

Cindy W!!!

An email has been sent to Cindy and awaiting a reply. 

Congratulations!

Coming up Wednesday, May 26th . . . Donna Patton, with a lovely mug filled with goodies for one lucky person! Be sure to stop by with your comment and email address, to learn about her children's book, The Search for the Madonna.

Blessings!

Review of Abbie Ann
by Sharlene Maclaren

From the cover: When an unexpected incident virtually catapults Noah Carson into Abbie Ann Kane's life, the two feel an immediate attraction that Abbie works hard to ignore. After all, Noah is not a committed Christian, nor does he seem committed to marriage, considering his divorced status. Still, Abbie finds herself drawn to him--and to his son. Will the independent abbie trust the Lord and surrender to His surprising plans?

My thoughts: From the first, Noah caught my attention. I suppose from the horrid things he'd faced: betrayal from his closest friend and wife, loss of all he'd worked for, and the sudden pressure of being a single parent. I loved his obvious attraction to Abbie Ann and how he tried to ignore it, his reunion with his drunkard father, and his complete change of heart once he'd made the decisions he needed to make. He was a contradictory male: confident in his abilities one minute, fighting to keep his chin up the next when events in his life seemed overwhelming.

Abbie Ann was a different story. To me, she was a harder person to love, but she did grow on me. I enjoyed watching the softening of her spirit, although she didn't lose that spirit that was very much a part of who she was. Her determination to keep the presidency of the local women's rights movement showed that she was a strong woman and very outspoken. I liked it when she and Peter parted ways, liked it even more when she fell so much for Noah and his son, Toby, that she gave up that presidency.

All in all, Sharlene kept her promise of another well-written romance story. She's a talented author, and you'd do well, if you enjoy romance, to acquire this third book in the Kane Sisters series (along with Hannah Grace and Maggie Rose).

Much blessings!

Review of Christian Encounters
Winston Churchill   by John Perry

Winston Churchill captivated the world with his voice and his writings. His books and speeches ooze with patriotism and faith in a just God. But he wasn't always known for his oratory skills, his faith, or his ability to captivate.

Though I've always heard a lot about Winston Churchill, I really knew very little about him. Learning about a character from a period of history that I love was a delight.


Mr. Perry did a fine job of describing Churchill's early life; the yearning in the child for parents who were too busy to spend time with their boys; the difference between Winston and his sibling Everest; the constant admiration the boy, Winston, had for his folks, regardless of their neglect; the personality traits that followed him into adult life.


It was somewhat of a surprise to realize what a daredevil Churchill was. The seemingly careless way he entered into battles--in one way or another--showed the persistence of a young man with confidence to go after what he wanted. Winston loved literary writing as much as he despised Math. He pursued that endeavor with all the energy he was capable of.

He wasn't shy about fighting for the things he wanted, whether it was a place in the military or a career or a residence. Others may have considered him uncouth, but he had the confidence needed to obtain what he wanted, and felt like God was on his side.

If you'd like to learn more about the World War II period, specifically in England, and about Winston Churchill, check out this book. You'll not be disappointed.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Winners!  

Congratulations
   to some great
      people . . .

for entering my


BIG EASTER GIVEAWAY and following the rules.

Now, the winners . . .

Abi: A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna White
Judy Lynn: Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard
Martha: Out With the In Crowd by Stephanie Morrill
Linda Kish: A mug filled with goodies, courtesy of Michele Levigne

Emails have been sent out and responses received!

*****

AND . . . for the winner of Teresa Slack's books, well, here's the winner!! Whooeee!

Debbie, from Michigan. Email sent, and waiting response.

*****

LOOK FOR:

Next week, Wednesday, May 26th: My friend, Donna Alice Patton will be a guest on my blog with a giveaway.

Wonderful blessings to you all!

Sunday Morning 
Peace . . .


In the words of Inez Marrs, there is "Indisputable Evidence" that spring is here.

In the blaze of crimson sunsets and the pastel dew of dawn
In chocolate clods of earth and every chartreuse lawn;

(Lovely!)

In the trees' bud-swollen branches
And dandelions' lace,
In hyacinths' obeisance
And tulips' erect grace

In every lilac cluster and sprig of mignonette,
In each intrepid crocus and timid violet;

(My bluebells and pink bleeding hearts)

In pink-fringed apple blossoms and the pansies' playful faces,
In dogwoods' pearly whiteness and magenta redbud laces;

(Ah, some of my favorites!)
Spring once more has come to earth,
There's proof in nature's art,
But better proof I have within,
Where spring in in my heart.

Quote: Write so heaven will be different. --Lee Roddy

Blessings

Meet My Friend, Ramona Cecil

For a chance to win Freedom's Crossroads . . .

Leave your comment AND your email address

so that you can be contacted if you win!

Thanks for visiting; now, meet Ramona . . .

Good morning, Ramona. How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

 

Writing has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. I first began writing poetry when I was about four or five years old. I remember telling my mother the poems and she would write them down for me. I’ve always had an active imagination and did write some prose in my early years, but considered myself a poet, first.

I didn’t attempt a novel until I was a busy young mother. But without any formal training or guidance, I tabled my dream of becoming a published novelist. Between the mid 1980’s and mid 1990’s, about 90 of my inspirational poems were published by Dicksons Inc., a leading publisher of Christian gift items. I still hear from people who enjoy those verses.

 

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

 

I write Christian romance, which are romance novels written from a Christian world view. A spiritual theme i.e. faith or forgiveness runs through the stories. By the end of each story, the main characters should exhibit obvious spiritual growth.

Most of my stories have historical settings, though I have written a few contemporary novellas and short stories as well. But my passion is history. I’m most interested in American history, especially Indiana history. Except for one, all my novels have Indiana settings.

I was thrilled and honored to author the three Indiana historical novels for Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line. This month, those stories were re-released by Barbour as a part of their Romancing America series in their Indiana historical three-in-one collection titled Freedom’s Crossroad.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

 

Because my husband works a late second shift, I do the bulk of my work in the evenings. My word-per-day goal is 1000 words. If I have to stop to do research, I don’t always make my goal, but on good days I can exceed it. I have trouble turning off my internal editor. I would rather come up short on my word count and be happy with what I’ve written. It depends on the size of the novel. I can do a 50 K word novel in three months, but for a 90+ K word novel, I’d need at least six months.

 

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

 

As I mentioned earlier, my latest book out is Freedom’s Crossroad—a three-in-one collection of historical romance stories set in Indiana—released May, 1, 2010 by Barbour Publishing. As a life-long Hoosier, I’ve always loved the history of my state. I really enjoyed writing these three stories set in the central and southern part of Indiana.

Each story features a different member of the same family. The overarching spiritual message that runs through all three stories is forgiveness. I hope my readers take away these spiritual truths; that every soul is loved and valued by God, that however dismal life may become, God never leaves us, and that it is as important to forgive ourselves as it is to forgive others.

Besides the family connection and the theme of forgiveness, another aspect that binds these stories together is that they are each set along an Indiana waterway. Sweet Forever showcases the charming Ohio River town of Madison, Indiana, during the town’s heyday of the mid 1840’s. Riverboats, riverboat gamblers, and the shadowy doings of the Underground Railroad weave through the plot. Everlasting Promise is inspired by the several canal towns along east-central Indiana’s historic Whitewater Canal. The story spotlights the concerns of those along the ill-fated waterway when they learn of a coming railroad that could spell either prosperity or ruin for their town.

Charity’s Heart is set in post Civil War Vernon, Indiana, nestled along the winding banks of southern Indiana’s Muscatatuck River. The story deals with the emotional trauma and hard feelings that still linger after the war.

Ask for Freedom’s Crossroad at:

• your favorite Bible bookstore,
• Barnes & Noble,
• and Borders Books,
• or look for it in the Inspirational Book section of all Wal-Mart stores.
• Online, you can find it on http://www.barbourbooks.com/, http://www.christianbooks.com/, http://www.amazon.com/. and http://www.alibris.com/.

 

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?

 

I feel like giving up on a regular basis. Sometimes the whole process just seems too overwhelming. But I know God put this desire to write in my heart for a purpose. I am convinced this is the work He wants me to do.

I keep a flip-card devotional beside my computer. It’s always turned to the page that bears this wonderful quote by Teresa of Avila. “You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.” Beneath the quote is one of my favorite scripture verses I lean on when discouragement weighs heavily on me. “Glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare ask or even dream of. . .” Ephesians 3:20.

 

My first inspiration to write came from my parents who both shared my love for writing. They always believed in me and encouraged me to nurture my God-given desire to express my feelings in the written word. I like to think they are smiling down on me from heaven.

Also, I was greatly inspired by the works of the Indiana author Gene Stratton Porter. I read her books as a child and loved them all.

As for Christian authors, Jeanette Oke and Lauraine Snelling were authors I wanted to be like when I “grew up” as a writer. I still do. Over the past several years, I’ve been blessed to know many other great Christian writers who encourage and inspire me on a regular basis. They include my wonderful friends and critique partners, Laurie Alice Eakes, Louise Gouge, MaryLu Tyndall, Kim Vogel Sawyer, and my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray.

 

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

 

I studied Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide to find publishers interested in novels that fit the genre and word count of my stories. My first book was actually published by a small publisher—Vintage Romance—that publish only historical romances. In 2005, I became aware of a contest they were sponsoring for Christian historical novels.

I entered my first novel, Larkspur. It won first place and was published by them the next year. I proposed my second novel, Sweet Forever, to Barbour Publishing at an American Christian Fiction Writers’ conference knowing it fit what they published. It was eventually accepted by them. Subsequently, they accepted my next two stories as well for their States series.

 

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

 

• I like meeting new people and visiting new places.
• I like traveling and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
• I like to cook and especially like trying new recipes. I’ve collected far more recipes than I’ll ever be able to try.

As for dislikes; I’m a natural introvert, so public speaking has always been outside my comfort zone. But since my first book came out in 2006 I’ve found myself doing much more of that and as a result, I’ve grown as a person.

• As I mentioned earlier, I have a great interest in history—especially Indiana history. Even as a child, I loved reading stories with historical settings. Compelling characters and their stories made history come alive for me. While many of my classmates found the subject of history a snoozer, I relished it.

• Now I enjoy writing stories set in by-gone eras and my hope is that I can make history come alive for the readers of my own books. Luckily, my husband shares my interest in history, so when time and schedules permit, we like visiting places of historical interest.
• Another of my interests is gardening. Although I don’t have the greenest of thumbs, I look forward to summer when I can dabble in a little backyard gardening.
• If I had the time and money, I would like to travel to the British Isles, especially Ireland and Scotland as my heritage on my dad’s side is Scots-Irish. I would also like to visit the area of Hanover Germany, from where my ancestors on my mother’s side emigrated.

 

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

My web page is http://www.ramonakcecil.com/. In keeping with my love of gardening, I’ve given my web site a garden theme.

 

Carole, I want to thank you for allowing me to appear on your blog. I am very excited about the release of Freedom’s Crossroad. I already have a couple book signings scheduled and hope to add more in the months ahead. I will list upcoming signings on my web site. I love to meet my readers, so I invite anyone who can to stop by one of my signings and meet me.

 

There you have it, readers. An exciting bit of information about Ramona! If you love romance (and if you don't, maybe you need a little in your life. Smile) get these books.
 
Make sure you leave your comment along with your email for a chance to win her Freedom's Crossroads.
 
Blessings!

My Ode to Mother

Memo For a Lady

Never say again you are old!

Have you considered how much longer

Ago than you the pyramids were created,

And the temple of Diana at Ephesus,

And even Venus? They are old.

And never say you're not attractive.

Remember that for us

Who look deeper than skin

and see your thought flowering

Goldenly as sunflowers, and more tall,

Hear your heart singing sometimes

And feel the warmth of its love,

And join in your laughter often,

You are beautiful.

--Elaine V. Emans

BIG, BIG MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY!

It's been said that a mother's hand rules the world.

On this blog: FIVE wonderful gifts for some of you mothers out there, for those who have an inspiring mother, or for those who love a mother somewhere.

How to win?

• Comment with your choice:

Tell me one of the greatest moments as a mother.

OR, tell me about a special moment with your mother.

OR, Tell me how your mother (or mother figure) has inspired you.

ALSO:

• Include your email address (and check back or watch for an email to see if YOU won. I'm sad when I don't get an answer & have to make a second choice.)
• And, become a follower.
• If you're already a follower, you must do one of these things:

Either: announce this contest and giveaway on your blog (leave link, please)
OR: influence someone else to become a follower. Let me know their name, or have them tell me YOU influenced them to do so.


What are the gifts, you want to know?
Smile. Read on . . .

• A Stray Drop of Blood (book) by Roseanna White

Roseanna M. White, author of A Stray Drop of Blood, is wife, mommy, writer, reviewer, and lover of all things literature-related. She makes her home in the mountains of Western Maryland with her husband, two small children, and the colony of dust bunnies under her couch. She is the

founder and senior reviewer of the

Christian Review of Books (http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/). Her second Biblical novel, Jewel of Persia, will release in June 2011. Look for it!

About A Stray Drop of Blood:

Born free, made a slave, married out of her bonds, Abigail never knows freedom until she feels the fire of a stray drop of blood from a Jewish carpenter. Disowned by Israel, despised by Rome, desired by all, she never knows love until she receives the smile of a stoic Roman noble.

Check out Roseanna's website :

http://www.roseannamwhite.com/

Or her blog at:

http://www.roseannamwhite.blogspot.com/

*****

• A beautiful mug filled with chocolates and other goodies from Michele Levigne.

Michele Levigne is an multiple award winner author who is president of ACFWOhio and a very busy lady. Friendly and talented, this writer has several great books to choose from varying from fantasy to romance.

About A Quiet Place:

Jeannette Marshall came home to Tabor, widowed and pregnant. All she wanted was to find peace and quiet to raise her son, and forget her vicious in-laws, who had driven her out of town.

Nathan Lewis had always been there for Jeannette -- a big brother in the orphanage, then introducing her to her late husband. He realized too late that he loved Jeannette as more than a little sister. He made himself be content to be her shield and protector, and uncle to her son, BJ. But he always hoped someday, he and Jeannette would have more.

Then the Evans family invaded Tabor Heights, determined to take Jeannette's son from her by any means possible. When the dust settled, Nathan and Jeannette's lives would never be the same again.

• Check out her website at: http://mlevigne.com/ 
• Check out her T-shirt business site at: http://www.mlevigne.com/twts-main.html
• Check out her editing business at: http://www.mlevigne.com/editing.html

*****

• Before the Season Ends (book) by Linore Rose Burkard

Linore Rose Burkard creates Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul. Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the Regency England era (circa 1800 - 1830). Ms. Burkard's novels include Before the Seasons Ends, The House in Grosvenor Square and, The Country House Courtship. Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the Regency. Readers experience a romantic age, where England from the past comes alive and happy endings are possible for everyone!

Check out her website at:

http://www.linoreroseburkard.com/

About her book:

Trouble at home sends Ariana to her aunt's townhouse in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There, she soon finds herself neck-deep in high society and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London's current darling rogue. Then, a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her heart, her faith, and her future are all at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent's attention.

Will Ariana's faith survive this test? What about her heart? For it's Ariana's heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to the wrong man, how can it ever turn out right?

 

*****  

• A ten page critique from Mary Proctor

Besides being an award winning writer with lots of talent, Mary is a mother, carpenter, ghost writer for her minister, maintains her own blog with personal thoughts, reviews and interviews at:   

http://www.maproctor.blogspot.com/.   Make sure you check out her blog and befriend her on facebook so that you can see the wonderful Christmas lights and decorations she and her family offer to their community.

She is hard at work preparing her latest book, Seasons of Surrender for a lucky editor. 

   

*****

• Out With the In Crowd (book) by Stephanie Morrill

Stephanie Morrill is a twenty-something living in Kansas with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their daughter. She's the author of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series, written for teenage girls. She's also the founder of http://www.goteenwriters.com/, a blog that offers a helping hand to teens aspiring to be authors. You can find out more about Stephanie's journey as a young novelist and read sample chapters of her books at http://www.stephaniemorrillbooks.com/.

About Out with the In Crowd

Skylar Hoyt may have vowed to change her partying ways, but it’s not so easy to change her friends. She’s trying hard to live a new life, but her old one is constantly staring her in the face. Add to that two parents battling for her loyalty, a younger sister struggling with a crisis pregnancy, and a new boyfriend wishing for more of her time, and Skylar feels like she can’t win. After all, how do you choose favorites among the people you love most?


 

Thanks for visiting my blog, wonderful readers! Enjoy! 

Blessings!

Whooee! Winners!

Exciting news! Donna emailed me last night that the responses to her interview were so good that  . . . she's willing . . . to . . . give away . . .
THREE SETS of her Lighthouse books!!

Now can good news get any better than that?

After Donna narrowed the choices down to six, I had to make the hard choice of the last three. Here's the names:

Holly
Patricia
Miss Kallie

A huge congratulations to you three. You'll receive an email shortly. Please respond with your snail addresses.

And thanks, all you precious readers and commenters, for visiting! May all of you be blessed.


Wonderful blessings to you all!

Meet My Wonderful Writing Friend
Teresa Slack

THREE BOOK GIVEAWAY!

What to do?

Let Teresa and me know why she should write a suspense novel set in YOUR state (and if you live in Ohio, then tell her why she should get her currect work in progress done so that you can read it!) Make sure you leave your email address so that I can contact you when/if you win.

Now read on for a look into Teresa's writing life . . .


How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

First of all, Carole, let me say thanks for allowing me the opportunity to get acquainted with your readers. I have loved to write as long as I can remember. I couldn’t not do it. As far as I’m concerned when something is a passion, a burden if you will, that won’t let you go, God has great things in store for that passion. It’s almost a sin to let it go to waste.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write in several genres, but my favorite is romantic suspense. Suspense comes easier for me, but everything is better with an element of romance added in. In suspense, the hero is in imminent danger whereas a mystery is usually a puzzle that needs solved. In romantic suspense, the heroine should fall in love, and perhaps trip over a dead body or two along the way.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

This changes often and depends on what else is going on. Right now I’m working fulltime and won’t be able to dedicate as much time to writing as I normally do. When I am working on a novel I must set a word count for myself or I won’t accomplish a thing. Last year I joined a writing challenge and completed 52K in 30 days. Otherwise I fritter away my writing time. It helps if I’m accountable to someone, even a self-imposed deadline.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it? How and where can readers buy your book?

I am currently working on a novel that takes place on a remote Ohio farmhouse during the Great Blizzard of 1978. The story explores the spiritual inheritance we leave behind. It is easy to think we are a certain kind of person. But often our words and actions reveal a totally different persona to the world. After we’re gone there are no do-over’s. No second chances to show people our true self.

It is my hope that by reading the book, readers will ask themselves what inheritance they are preparing for the world. What will our loved ones say about us as they gather around our graveside? What about our coworkers or neighbors? Will they remember our generosity and love for God and all his creation? Or will they remember the times we lost our temper over small matters and lied to the boss to stay out of trouble?

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through? Who’s inspired you the most?

I often envy people with regular jobs and steady paychecks who get to leave their work behind every day when they clock out. Writers don’t have that luxury. We’re working, even when we’re not working. It is a very discouraging business.

I am currently between writing contracts. I sometimes wonder why I keep writing when there are so many people out there doing what I want to do, and possibly doing it a whole lot better. It seems when I get the most discouraged and considering chucking it all and getting a regular job, the Lord puts someone in my path to encourage me. Someone at church will tell me they’ve been praying for my writing. Or I will get an email from a reader. Today someone told me at the voting polls that they had just finished reading my books and loved them.

I think of how most actors and celebrities started out on a level playing field. Some became megastars like Tom Hanks, while others like Peter Scolari—his costar in Bosom Buddies—struggled to find work after a few years in Hollywood. Why do some enjoy incredible success while others are lucky to get a guest appearance in CSI, International Falls?

Let’s face it. A lot of it is dumb luck. Some is connections. Then you have talent, timing, an awesome publicist, hard work, and more dumb luck. Do the non-working actors not consider themselves actors because they aren’t as well known as Kate Hudson? Of course not. They keep working on their craft through the discouraging times as well as when everything seems to fall into place. If you want something bad enough, you’ll do what it takes to achieve it.

I won’t let the fact that I may not become a Tom Hanks keep me from pursuing my dreams.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Grin. Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

I did a lot of research before I ever submitted to the first publisher. I went through the same thing when I was shopping for an agent. I wanted someone who shared my goals and vision for my books and my career. I don’t think anyone can afford to sit back and relax anymore. Having been published before has helped me get a foot in the door, but when it comes down to getting a new book contract it takes the same hard work and tenacity as the first book.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I love:

• dark chocolate,
• shoe sales,
• brand new notebooks,
• movie theater popcorn,
• and Tina Fey.

My hobbies aren’t very exciting:

• reading,
• spending time with my grandkids,
• walking the dogs,
• and knitting.

If money were no object I would circle the globe. I love seeing new places and meeting new people. If I could only pick one place I would visit Greece.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

Writing a book is hard enough, but letting the world know you wrote a book is a job that never ends.

• Readers are welcome to visit my website http://www.teresaslack.com/ to find out more about me and my books.
• I am woefully behind in posting to my two writing blogs.
• I try to update my Facebook status every day or so. Like everything else writing related, I hope to catch up over the next few weeks.

In the meantime check out my books. If they aren’t in stock at your local library or bookstore, just ask and they’ll get them for you. Of course they are available 24-hours a day online.

Thank you so much for visiting today, Teresa. Folks, she's a talented and wonderful writer! Please leave your comment for a chance to win these books!

Blessings!