Friday, December 31, 2010




I Believe!


 



A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we died
Pictures show that we lived!

I Believe . . .
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

 I Believe . . .
That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe . . . That no matter how good a friend is they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe . . .
That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe . . .
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe . . .
That it's taking me a long to become the person I want to be.

 I Believe . . .
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe . . .
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe . . .
That either you control your attitude or it controls you. 

I Believe . . .
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe . . .
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time .


I Believe . . .
That sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry, But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe . . .
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe . . .
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe . . .
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe . . .
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe . . .
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I Believe . . .
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
 
I Believe . . .
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe . . .
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe . . .
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.


I Believe . . .
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.


I believe . . .
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything they have.

I Believe . . .
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.


I love you, readers!
A happy and blessed New Year!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

December Contest for My Followers!

Whooee. What a month! But . . .

December 24th has come and gone, and I put all those names into the "hat." And some of you went in several times because you commented several times (THANK YOU!). It's always so agonizing for me to do this. I draw name(s), then stare forlornly at the other names I haven't drawn.

I say, "How can I not pick their names: those precious ones who follow my blog?"
I pray, "Father, please let names be chosen of those who most need this win."
I brood, "Is there someway to pick ALL these names?"

I'm such a softie! Smile.
Cause I love all of you.

So, enough moaning and groaning (on my part).

Without anymore to do, here are the results:

Books:
Emma
Nancye
Kelly Massman
Charity
Tiffany Harkleroad
Jeanette Leville
Miss Kallie
Trinity Rose
The Unsell Family
Maureen


Amazon $5.00 gift cards
Check your emails! You should get them soon!
Wendy
Katy
Camille Elise
Linda Kish


Story Downloads
These four will get their choice of story downloads:
Jo
Karen K
Debra Collins

Grace



The following ones will get one story download (my choice or author's choice):
Aik
Charlotte Kay
Apple Blossom
Cherly Eklund

  • I will be sending emails today to all winners. (if you see your name on this list & don't receive an email, please let me know)
  • You have ONE WEEK from today (Wednesday, December 29, 2010) to claim your prize by sending me your snail mail address or responding with an email.
AND . . .
Those who didn't win--well, don't despair!
I'm putting together another super giveaway for Spring! And those who didn't win get their names put into the "hat" automatically! How's that for fun?


Wonderful New Year's blessings, beloved followers!
Again, thank you for being so faithful to my blog!
I'm Thrilled to Have Tina Pinson on this blog!



Please welcome her with your comments and email addresses for a chance to win her book!

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?

I started writing in elementary school. I love words and making up stories. I didn't receive a clear "call" per say, until I got frustrated and tried to stop writing. Then the Lord showed me that I was supposed to write. It didn't matter if I ever was published, I was supposed to be faithful and write for him.

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

Most of my books take place during the mid to late 1800's. They would be classified as; Christian Historical or Women's Fiction. Some would have the extra classification of Romance, like my latest Touched By Mercy. It takes place during around 1870's in Kansas and touches on the Orphan Trains. In the Manor of the Ghost, which released in June of this year, has been classified Gothic Inspirational Romance. And honestly, I wasn't even thinking that way when I wrote it. I do have a 1940's Historical Series, Trail of the Sandpiper, that takes place during WWII in Papua New Guinea, a contemporary, Then There Was Grace, that deals with a 9/11 event and I'm writing a Sci-fi.

I pretty much write using whatever story is circulating in my brain at the time.

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?

There are days I can sit an write for hours on end and get several thousand words down. Then there are days I eke by and manage less. And I have my days where I accomplish nothing new in the word count department. Then I work on editing.

I do set goals for writing sometimes, somewhere around a thousand words is good, but usually I just try to write.

Some of my books have been convalescing on the shelf for years, waiting for me to come back and add an ending. Others, I've finished in a few months time.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Touched by Mercy tells the story of one woman's journey to grace. Samantha Northam comes from a background of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, having been molested as a child, I identify with Samantha.

The story was pretty much my rite of passage. Coming to a point where I believed God could find me lovely. I made it a bit harder on Samantha than myself, but I wanted to show the beauty of God's grace on us, his arms around the brokenhearted. Samantha hadn't done anything wrong, as far as the molestation went, but she spent years believing she had, and spent long years hating and being afraid to love. It's a story about God's plan for our lives, and how he can use and loves us even though we feel inadequate. It also tells shows how God places people in our lives to Touch us with his Mercy.

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

Touched By Mercy deals with the aspect of God's mercy in our lives. I hope the reader is gifted with a new hope and understanding of God's love. So many of us have areas where life catches us, uses us and beyond no fault of our own, leaves us feeling dirty and unlovable. It literally spits us out. That's the nature of abuse. I wanted people to see that God knows exactly what happened. He hurts to see that his creation could be so cruel, and he loves us and wants to heal the scars. If we'll allow him to, he has gentle hands, strong arms and a loving heart

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?

Oh boy, I have felt like giving up on many occasions. Even though I'm published, I still question whether I really have a talent to write or not. Let's face it, I don't have a book in print as it were, and there some who people who remind me that I'm not really considered published until I do have a print book. At one point; I won a contest, had an agent ask me if I would like to sign on with her. It looked like doors were opening and I was going places, but all I got were rejections and that went on for years. I reached a point where the words wouldn't come, and I decided it was time to throw in the towel and move on. Perhaps I was just fooling myself. I was in tears. Angry. I didn't understand how everything seemed to come to together for me to get published and nothing came of it. But the Lord showed me that he wanted me to keep writing. He'd given me a gift and wanted me to be obedient to use it for his glory. That's what I strive to do.

Who’s inspired you the most?

I pretty much dream my stories, so I would have to say first and foremost, God inspires me. He keeps reminding me that I have a gift. When I was kid I was the world's greatest liar, I could tell a tale with ease. And usually got in trouble for doing so. So, it's very inspiring to sit down, and use my imagination to write a full cast of characters, sit them in the most wonderful places and not get in trouble. My husband has been an inspiration and a big encourager. He believes in me and that says a lot. I also used to devour certain books as a kid, Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew series was one of my favs, and I always wanted to be a sleuth. When I write, I can add hints of mystery and mayhem and get lot in suspense if I choose.

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

I chose Desert Breeze Publishing (DBP) because I was couldn't get my books into a Christian House. I heard that the story was well-written, but they had people who wrote that way already. I heard that the story might be too deep a subject for a new writer like me. (And I'd been writing for years). After enough rejections, I turned to secular publishing. I sent to DBP after talking with some others who had sent submissions and liked how Desert Breeze worked and treated them. DBP was in their first year and accepting submissions. I sent three stories in and two were accepted. Since then, I don't just get to sit back and watch, I have had to do editing, and promotion for my books. And that takes up considerable time.

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

My likes… beyond writing, I like to sing, teach, draw, build and work in my yard. I've been doing a bit more vegetable gardening and canning too. We, my hubby and I, have been trying to do more camping and I love to spend time with the family.

I've been to Europe: lived in Germany for 4 years, in Zweibrucken. I traveled to places like France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Belgium. I also lived in Turkey for a year. Where I was able to visit the churches of Asia Minor written about in Revelations and see scripture come to life. Turkey is the backdrop for one my story, Cross of the Sultan. I would love to go back. I would also like to go to Australia and Scotland. Then travel to a few more places in the United States. I lived in Alaska as a child, but have very little recall because I was so young, I'd like to go there, too.

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

Purchase my books at:
Desert Breeze Bookstore

Amazon

Barnes & Noble


Christian Books Distributors


NEWS:
In honor of the release of Touched By Mercy I am running a contest, Win a Nook… Touch Mercy for the month of Dec. 2010. There are a couple of days left to enter, so check out my blog under the Touched BY Mercy Contest page for the particulars.

http://tinapinson.blogspot.com/

Leave a comment today, for a chance to win a copy of my books.


Blessings, Readers!













































Blessings!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Monday Morning Gratitudes

To Me:
Stars that represent the Light of the World
Angels that represent God's loving protection
Green evergreen trees that represent God's eternalness.
Shepherds that represent humbleness'
Wisemen that represent God's wisdom
Mary who represents willingness to be used
Joseph who represents his readiness to listen
Baby Jesus: sacrifice

Life
Love

Blessings!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Sunday Peace

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
--Benjamin Franklin

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Big Welcome to Our Interviewee This Week: Cynthia Ruchti!

 Leave those comments (and email addresses), folks, for a chance to win Cynthia's book!

Now on to the interview with Cynthia:

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?

I’ve always written, and always appreciated the power of story. But it wasn’t until I was in my mid-20s that I considered the idea of exploring writing as a serious pursuit. That was when I was handed the opportunity to write radio drama/devotional thoughts for a small radio station in North Carolina, an opportunity which now is a daily fifteen-minute broadcast heard on 16 stations across the country. After many years of writing those short fiction pieces that were the opening vignettes for each broadcast, I challenged myself (or God challenged me) to consider longer works of fiction—novels. After many years of testing that idea and learning everything I could soak up at writers conferences and through ACFW, my first novel debuted in May 2010—They Almost Always Come Home by Abingdon Press.

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

I write both women’s fiction and romantic comedy. Romantic comedy is self-explanatory—lighthearted stories with uplifting romance at their heart. A Door County Christmas is romantic comedy. Lighthearted doesn’t have to be “fluffy.” I wrote “The Heart’s Harbor” for A Door County Christmas novella collection with a desire to make the story both as romantically funny and as comically romantic as life sometimes is. Women’s fiction is a little harder to define. It’s a story with a woman as the prominent character and with her emotional journey at its heart and some element of romance, although that does not have to dominate the story. It may also have an element of suspense, as does They Almost Always Come Home. But how the woman faces her challenges, fears, or heartbreaks is the focus.
Sounds fun and interesting. 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?

Someday…ah, someday I’ll set word count goals. During my term as ACFW president, it was important to focus a great deal of attention on that position. I’m thinking about my stories all the time and am giddy with gratitude when I find a pocket of time to devote to getting them down on paper, or in the computer. But I’m also a marathon writer and if a deadline looms will set personal goals, breaking the project into manageable pieces. My first novel was written over the course of about 9 months. I work with a more complete outline now than I used to have, so the words pile up more quickly when I’m free to give attention to them.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

A Door County Christmas released September 1st from Barbour Publishing. The setting is Door County, Wisconsin, one of my favorite places on earth. The charming shops and even more charming natural beauty of the rugged Great Lakes shoreline and wide stretches of water hold a strong appeal for me.

Each of the four authors in this collection took one of the villages along the shoreline as a setting for their novella. I chose Egg Harbor, a wide spot in the road with a stunning harbor and delightful orchards and artistry as well as unique gifts shops. My character, Amanda, is drafted into serving as temporary innkeeper for The Heart’s Harbor Victorian Inn just in time for its legendary Christmas Tea. She wrestles with quirky guests, natural and man-made disasters, and a broken heart as she serves, wondering if Christmas and love have anything in common.

Readers can find both books wherever books are sold in brick-and-mortar stores and online. A Door County Christmas is also available through Walmart and Sam’s Clubs. I love supporting local Christian bookstores with my own purchases and hope other readers do, too.

They sound fantastic! What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

A lesson I learned not all that long ago is that the best relationships are ones in which the two parties, though different in personality, learn how to “serve in the same direction.” That makes it sound like a heavy-subject story. But it’s a lot of fun to observe how Amanda and Jordan discover that truth.

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?

I think the specter of giving up haunts every writer’s thoughts, if just for a moment…every day. Wanting to give up is a given. And some writers do. The writers who push past that natural emotion are the ones with the greatest possibility of a fulfilling (notice I did not use the word “successful”) writing career. Bad reviews are natural downers. Great reviews are artificial uppers. I’ve learned or am learning not to take either too seriously, but to be grateful for connections with readers who found something meaningful in the stories I’m led to tell. Anything good within me and anything good that comes from my “pen” is from the Lord anyway. So I have no choice but to trust Him with the outcome.

Who’s inspired you the most?

Many writers have inspired me. Many dear family members have played inspiring roles in my life. No one inspires me to give my all like the One who gave His all.

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

Abingdon Press developed a fiction line that seemed a good fit for my debut novel. They were interested in stories that took risks, either in subject matter or in style. Editor Barbara Scott was the perfect person for my first editor/author experience. I’m forever grateful for her faith in that story and in me. Barbour Publishing has had great success with its Christmas novella collections, so that too was a natural connection.

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

If I had the freedom to travel wherever I’d like, I’d start on my “bucket list” with places like Tuscany, maybe a Mediterranean cruise, anywhere with ancient architecture and natural beauty, Banff Provincial Park in Canada, New England in the fall (which is odd since my backyard in Wisconsin looks like New England in the fall. I’d go back to Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA at the least provocation, and I hope to return to Alaska some day, visiting more of the interior and Denali.

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

Thank you for the opportunity to connect with your readers, Carole. They can learn more about my writing and life through Facebook, Twitter, or through my website: http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/ or http://www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com/.

That’s what I do—write stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark.



Readers, don't forget to leave those comments and your email address for a chance to win Cynthia's book!

Blessings! 

Monday, December 20, 2010

Monday Morning Gratitudes

That though the task may grow tiresome, I still have the means to be able to wrap gifts for friends and loved ones.
That I've grown to realize that simple is the best.
Frosty pumpkin pie
Christmas cookies
Mugs
Soup in the winter time
Old fashioned pictures
That we're healthy
That our needs are supplied
That God gives us some wants, too.

Blessings!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Sunday Morning Peace

Let's Never Grow Too Old

Oh, heart, let's never grown too old
To smile anew, when Christmas comes,
At tassels red and tinsel thread,
And tarlatan bags of sugarplums;

To catch that unforgotten scent,
Spicy and gay, without a name,
Of pungent orange peeling blend
With cedar scorched in candle flame;

To draw a well-beloved delight
From one dear melody unbond
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
A glory shone around.

Let's never grow too old, my heart,
To thrill before the jaunty grace
Of stockings hung with careful art
Beside the chimney's homely face:

Above one rim, a lay doll;
Above the next, a wooly cat;
Topping the third, a rubbger ball;
Each stocking knobby-toed and fat.

Pure stuff of magic in the sight,
And one sweet legend with them wound:
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
A glory shone around.

Oh, heart, let's never be too old
To feel again the yule log's glow,
To catch the tinkle, keen and cold,
Of silver sleighbells through the snow.

Let's never fail to learn, a space,
Against the frosty widow-bar
And mark aloft, in heaven's place,
One solemn, lovely, silent star.

The shadows fall, the dreams take flight,
But every year is Christmas-crowned
When shepherds watch their flocks by night,
And glory shines around!
           --Nancy Bryd Turner

Friday, December 17, 2010

This Holy Night

Come, let us go this holy night
to Bethlehem afar;
The faith within our hearts will be
our bright and guiding star.

No royal gifts like Magi brought
have we to take along,
But in our hearts will softly ring,
the angels' Christmas song.

We'll leave behind te hurried pace
of Christmas man-made style,
And in the quiet of our hearts
we'll find the holy child.

May your Christmas season be filled with peace!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Giveaway!  Giveaway!  BIG Giveaway!
Reminder . . .
This Christmas I want to say thank you to all my followers. So, I'm holding this contest for you, dear followers, and I will choose not one, but at least 18 (Eighteen) of my followers to win one of these gifts!

Comment on any post during contest period and remind me you're a follower, leave an email address, and in goes your name for a chance to win one of these fantastic gifts!


And the more you comment, the more times I'll drop your name into the "bag."

Beginning December 11th through December 24th.

After that I'll announce the winners on this blog, and send an email to each winner for your address/and to let you know what you've won.

In my giveaway for my followers I'm giving away:

TEN Books!
  1. Books by Teresa Slack: A Tender Reed (women's fiction), Streams of Mercy (suspense), The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter (romance), Redemption's Song (mystery), Evidence of Grace (suspense)
  2. Brandilyn Collins' Dead of Night (suspense)
  3. Judith Miller's Somewhere to belong (historical)
  4. Susan M Warren & Susan K Downs' The Sovereign's Daughter (historical Mennonite)
  5. And more . . .


Amazon gift certificates! (four $5 gift certificates)



Four downloadable Stories!

  • Homespun (inspirational romance) by Michele Levigne
  • Secrets (a romantic suspense) by Linore Rose Burkard
  • A Family Visit (contemporary) by Michael Emmer
  • A Face in the Shadow (A full length romanic suspense novel) by Tiffany Colter



*********************

Below is information about the wonderful people offering their stories for you to read. Please look over the brief bios.
Those offering the free downloadable stories:

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!

You can purchase her books from:



Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal and regular columns for Afictionado E-zine and the Suspense Magazine where she writes the “Ask your Writing Career Coach” column.
She is tenacious in her approach to not only create a great story, but to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. She has twice been nominated for the ACFW Mentor of the Year award.

Tiffany won the 2007 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in the inspirational unpublished division for her manuscript A Face in the Shadow and was a semi-finalist in Operation First Novel in 2004.
She earned her BA from the University of Toledo’s Honor’s College in 1998 with a Summa cum Laude distinction. She is the coordinator for The Master Seminars and runs Command Performance Speakers Bureau, as well as a blog for writers called The Writing Career Coach. On that site she mentors writers in matters of business management, marketing, and time management principles. Tiffany also travels and speaks on these topics to writers and small business owners at conferences and via online webinars.

She is an active member of local and national writing groups where she has served as a judge in writing contests for published and unpublished writers.
Writing Career Coach was created to be a place where writers could learn about businesses and businesses could learn about writing.
Check out her site:

Michele Levigne

Check out her sites at:
Michelle has been a story addict for as long as she can remember, starting with The Cat in the Hat and Weekly Reader Book Club. She discovered Narnia and Star Trek in elementary school, and was a familiar face in the school library, especially when she became addicted to Greek mythology.

She fell into fandom in college, and has 40+ short stories and poems in various universes; Star Trek, Starman, Highlander, Stargate SG-1, Stingray, Beauty & the Beast, and The Phoenix. She and a friend published a multi-universe ‘zine, Starwheel, for 4 issues. All this time, she worked up to sending out original stories to magazines and publishing houses, eventually receiving rejection letters that weren’t the standard photocopied photocopy of a form letter.
She has a BA in theater/English from Northwestern College and a MA in communication, focused on film and writing from Regent University. She has submitted scripts for various screenwriting competitions and wrote and submitted scripts for MacGuyver, Beauty & the Beast, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and The Pretender. She also wrote scripts for Matrix and Stargate SG-1, but never obtained permission to submit scripts. Their loss!

In 1990, her writing career finally broke into the public market when she won 1st place in the 4th quarter of the Writers of the Future contest, which earned a hefty prize, payment to have her story in that year’s anthology, and a week at a writing seminar in California before the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, it was a long-term launch, because it wasn’t until 2000 that Mountainview Publishing contracted for Heir of Faxinor. (Now at Hard Shell Word Factory). Since then, Michelle has published 40+ books and novellas with multiple e-publishers, in science fiction and fantasy, YA, and many sub-genres of romance. She has been a finalist in the EPPIE Awards competition (10 finalists and 2 wins, Lorien, in 2006, Inspirational category, and The Meruk Episodes, 1-5, in 2010, Anthology category) and has garnered 4s and 5s from many review sites.
Her training includes the aforementioned degrees; the Institute for Children’s Literature correspondence course; 8+ years proofreading at an advertising agency; and 10 years at a community newspaper, entering and editing freelancers’ articles and news releases. She has also freelance edited for small presses and a major business publisher.
In 2008, she launched her own freelance editing business, offering proofreading as well as light or in-depth editing services on an hourly basis. Check her Web site: http://www.mlevigne.com/ and click on the red pen to learn more.



Michael Emmert

To contact him:

Michael says: "I would love to hear from any one.

As a boy I wrote a couple of short stories, westerns, as those were my interest. In Junior High, and in High School, I was a copious reader. I scoured the library, searching for fiction novels. Zane Gray was at the top of my list. I transferred to Sci-Fi, with Heinlein at the point. After depleting those genres, I moved to dogs, horses, then car racing, anything that would whet my interest.

When I married and we had children, I sometimes tucked the little ones into bed, and might spin a yarn, which would generate squeals for more. When they were ill, I read them the Chronicles of Narnia. For myself, I read Azimov, L’Amour, and Fisher. Writing letters, and newsletters kept my writing skills up. I never entertained the thought of being a novelist.

It wasn’t until about eight years ago that the interest of writing stories, inserted its head into my life.

Historical Romance is my chosen writing genre. I guess that I’m a romantic at heart. I don’t mean a gushy novel, where the two characters can’t stand to be apart. But rather where a relationship grows between the protagonists, where their hearts are drawn to the other."


Merry Christmas, followers.
Blessings!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Monday Morning Gratitudes

The song Silent Night that reminds me of the quiet night our Savior was born and the peace he gives.
The song Joy to the World because it's my husband's favorite and because of the joy of the season.
The privilege of celebrating Christmas just the way we want.
My beautiful Nativity set.
Old worn ornaments that I cherish from years past.
Smiling, happy children.
Wonder in a child's eyes.
The simplicity of a child's faith.
The old, old Christmas story that never grows old.
That God has kept the Christmas spirit within my heart.

Blessings!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Sunday Morning Peace

Singing winds that swirl the snow
Sofly tell how, long ago,
On one hushed, blue angel-night,
Shepheards listened with delight
And the age-old winds retel
Other well-known things as well:
How some wise men from afar
Found a King beneath a star!

Listen as the winds recall
Love that shared the cattle's stall.
"Peace on earth to all below,"
Sing the winds across the snow.
Hear the winds as they repeat
Ancient prophecies which meet
Their fulfillment from above
In that moment of God's love!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Giveaway!
Giveaway!






BIG Giveaway!

What?

  • TEN Books! (Amish, suspense, romance by authors such as Brandilyn Collins, Teresa Slack, etc.)
  • Amazon gift certificates! (four $5 gift certificates)
  • Four free downloadable Stories!
  1. Secrets (a romantic suspense) by Linore Rose Burkard
  2. A Family Visit (contemporary) by Michael Emmert
  3. A Face in the Shadow (A full length romanic suspense novel) by Tiffany Colter
  4. Homespun (inspirational romance) by Michele Levigne


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Below is information about the wonderful people offering their stories for you to read. Please look over the brief bios, then move on to the bottom to find out what to do to win one of the great prizes!

Those offering the free downloadable stories:


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!
You can purchase her books from:
Her website:  http://www.linoreburkard.com/index.html



Tiffany Colter:
Tiffany Colter is a passionate freelance writer whose credits include Charisma Magazine, Toledo Business Journal and regular columns for Afictionado E-zine and the Suspense Magazine where she writes the “Ask your Writing Career Coach” column.

She is tenacious in her approach to not only create a great story, but to mentor other writers, Tiffany can always be found in the presence of a book or laptop. She has twice been nominated for the ACFW Mentor of the Year award.

Tiffany won the 2007 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense in the inspirational unpublished division for her manuscript A Face in the Shadow and was a semi-finalist in Operation First Novel in 2004.

She earned her BA from the University of Toledo’s Honor’s College in 1998 with a Summa cum Laude distinction. She is the coordinator for The Master Seminars and runs Command Performance Speakers Bureau, as well as a blog for writers called The Writing Career Coach. On that site she mentors writers in matters of business management, marketing, and time management principles. Tiffany also travels and speaks on these topics to writers and small business owners at conferences and via online webinars.

She is an active member of local and national writing groups where she has served as a judge in writing contests for published and unpublished writers.

Writing Career Coach was created to be a place where writers could learn about businesses and businesses could learn about writing.

Check out her site:
Tiffany@WritingCareerCoach.com
www.WritingCareerCoach.net
www.WritingCareerCoach.net/tiffany
www.WritingCareerCoach.com




Michele Levigne:
Pen Name:  Michelle Levigne
Check out her sites at:

Michelle has been a story addict for as long as she can remember, starting with The Cat in the Hat and Weekly Reader Book Club. She discovered Narnia and Star Trek in elementary school, and was a familiar face in the school library, especially when she became addicted to Greek mythology.

She fell into fandom in college, and has 40+ short stories and poems in various universes; Star Trek, Starman, Highlander, Stargate SG-1, Stingray, Beauty & the Beast, and The Phoenix. She and a friend published a multi-universe ‘zine, Starwheel, for 4 issues. All this time, she worked up to sending out original stories to magazines and publishing houses, eventually receiving rejection letters that weren’t the standard photocopied photocopy of a form letter.

She has a BA in theater/English from Northwestern College and a MA in communication, focused on film and writing from Regent University. She has submitted scripts for various screenwriting competitions and wrote and submitted scripts for MacGuyver, Beauty & the Beast, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and The Pretender. She also wrote scripts for Matrix and Stargate SG-1, but never obtained permission to submit scripts. Their loss!

In 1990, her writing career finally broke into the public market when she won 1st place in the 4th quarter of the Writers of the Future contest, which earned a hefty prize, payment to have her story in that year’s anthology, and a week at a writing seminar in California before the awards ceremony. Unfortunately, it was a long-term launch, because it wasn’t until 2000 that Mountainview Publishing contracted for Heir of Faxinor. (Now at Hard Shell Word Factory). Since then, Michelle has published 40+ books and novellas with multiple e-publishers, in science fiction and fantasy, YA, and many sub-genres of romance. She has been a finalist in the EPPIE Awards competition (10 finalists and 2 wins, Lorien, in 2006, Inspirational category, and The Meruk Episodes, 1-5, in 2010, Anthology category) and has garnered 4s and 5s from many review sites.

Her training includes the aforementioned degrees; the Institute for Children’s Literature correspondence course; 8+ years proofreading at an advertising agency; and 10 years at a community newspaper, entering and editing freelancers’ articles and news releases. She has also freelance edited for small presses and a major business publisher.

In 2008, she launched her own freelance editing business, offering proofreading as well as light or in-depth editing services on an hourly basis. Check her Web site: http://www.mlevigne.com/ and click on the red pen to learn more.



Michael Emmert:
Or send an email to Michael.Emmert [at] Gmail [dot] Com

On Michael's website is a page called FirstPage. He's offering free critiques of anyone's first page of their WIP. Contact him at the above emal address.


Michael says: "I would love to hear from any one.
As a boy I wrote a couple of short stories, westerns, as those were my interest. In Junior High, and in High School, I was a copious reader. I scoured the library, searching for fiction novels. Zane Gray was at the top of my list. I transferred to Sci-Fi, with Heinlein at the point. After depleting those genres, I moved to dogs, horses, then car racing, anything that would whet my interest.

When I married and we had children, I sometimes tucked the little ones into bed, and might spin a yarn, which would generate squeals for more. When they were ill, I read them the Chronicles of Narnia. For myself, I read Azimov, L’Amour, and Fisher. Writing letters, and newsletters kept my writing skills up. I never entertained the thought of being a novelist.

It wasn’t until about eight years ago that the interest of writing stories, inserted its head into my life.
Historical Romance is my chosen writing genre. I guess that I’m a romantic at heart. I don’t mean a gushy novel, where the two characters can’t stand to be apart. But rather where a relationship grows between the protagonists, where their hearts are drawn to the other."

*************************

Who?

For anyone?
Nope . . .
This Christmas I want to say thank you to all my followers. So, I'm holding this contest for you, dear followers, and I will choose not one, but at least TEN (10)of my followers to win one of these gifts! Whooeee!
What do you have to do?

Not much.
Comment on any post during contest period and remind me you're a follower, leave an email address, and in goes your name for a chance to win one of these fantastic gifts!

And the more you comment, the more times I'll drop your name into the "bag."





When?
  • Beginnig today through December 24th.
  • After that I'll announce the winners on this blog, and send an email to each winner for your address/and to let you know what you've won.


Merry Christmas, followers.
Blessings!

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