Monday Morning Gratitudes

A roof over my head
Shoes on my feet
Warm covers when needed
good food to eat
a laptop to take with me
The first cup of coffee
ice cream for a treat
good books to read
old friends to talk to
The Bible to believe in

Blessings

Sunday Morning Peace

Hope is hearing the melody of the future.
Faith is to dance in it.

--Ruben A. Alves

Blessings!

Thrilled to Introduce you to My Friend, Esther Lovejoy, my Guest Blogger for today!

Here's her blog address; make sure you check it out!

viewfromthesparrowsnest.com

Enjoy her article and be blest.

AND GOD SAID
Our first glimpse of God in Scripture is a glorious display of the power of words. We are introduced to a Creator God who simply spoke things into being. “And God said…” and it was.

Wouldn’t you love to have been there? Wouldn’t you love to have heard God’s words and watched in wonder as those words brought sun and stars, grass and trees, fish and birds into existence? Imagine being there to hear Him speak again as He looked at the result of His words and said, “This is good!”

We are created in His image, and I believe included in that “image” is the gift of words—words that still contain power to create things which are good. We are made in the likeness of a communicator who formed us to want to talk and write and connect with one another through words.

I am writing this while attending Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park, Colorado. Many of us have come here with pages filled with words, and the hope that some publisher or some editor will look at what our words have created and say, “This is good!” We are our Father’s children and we have things we want to say, and stories we want to tell, and we want to do it well.

However, as I look out my window at the beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Rockies, I realize that for some things—some of the “good” things God created—words are inadequate. I have also sat during our times of worship as we have attempted to use words to express our love for God and the wonder of who He is, and once again, have encountered the limitation of words.

But the Creator God has been here with us at this conference. We have felt His presence, and the same God who spoke these amazing mountains into being is still speaking. We’ve heard Him. His voice has created a longing for a closer walk with Him. He has uttered words that have produced a heart that is broken for the persecuted church. His voice has brought encouragement out of the chaos of discouragement and despair. God’s words still have the power to create—to bring something from our nothingness. How I pray that the results of His powerful words during these days will again be something He can look at and say, “This is good!”

Esther lives in Mifflinburg, PA with her husband Peter. Their own personal nest is now empty with the exception of Peter’s mother who is 93 and suffering from Alzheimers. Esther is her care-giver. Peter and Esther share 9 children and 19 of the cutest and smartest grandchildren ever. She loves to read, bake, and quilt.



For over 25 years Esther was in full-time ministry. She enjoyed many opportunities to share the things of God through speaking at retreats and conferences. She is now expanding that ministry through her writing and presently has a book The Sweet Side of Suffering under consideration by a publisher. She also has a devotional blog entitled http://viewfromthesparrowsnest.com/.


Beautiful, Esther. Thank you so much for visiting today!

Blessings, dear readers!

ONE More Week! And Other Stuff You Might Want to Notice.

Only one more week to participate in May's giveaway. Don't miss out on a chance to win a book. We're giving away twenty books plus Sharon Elliot's fantastic Suit of Armor and a pirate party pack for kids from Eddie Jones!

•Sharon Elliott's super inspirational book: A Power Suit will be given away during this promotion.


•She is also the author of the nonfiction book: Raising Boys to be like Jesus, from Judson Press.

•Sharon is the founder of Life that Matters Ministries, a Christian organization that exists to encourage you to discover your life purpose and live up to your full potential.

•Her website: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/

•Check out her blog at: http://sanewriter.wordpress.com/

•Sharon's online Bible study: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/ ("A Heart for the Word" Podcast)

Find her on Facebook and Twitter




From Eddie Jones and the Give a Boy a Book Promotion, here's the SUPER DUPER PIRATE PARTY PRIZE KIT (from his "The Curse of Captain LaFoote") for anyone who adores boys (which pretty well includes everyone! Smile)


8 invitations
8 - 9" party plates
8 - 9-oz. cups
16 luncheon napkins
16 pc. blue cutlery set
1 red plastic table cover
2 rolls of streamers, 1 blue and 1 red
12 each of blue and red balloons
2 pkgs. of confetti, 1 blue and 1 orange
4 yds. deluxe creepy cloth
12 pirate swords with eye patch
72 pirate tattoos


•Eddie is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministry. He co-writes a weekly devotion with Cindy Sproles called, He Said - She Said, which can be found at Christian Devotions.us, and Common Ground Christian News. He also co-hosts a weekly radio show called, Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

•Struggling to develop a daily devotional life? Grab a copy of Spirit & HEART: A Devotional Journey. Eddie wrote the introduction. One of his devotions appears in the book, too.

•Eddie's column, Hard Aground, can be found in the Ocracoke Observer and Living Aboard Magazine.

•He also assisted with with the ghost writing and editing of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust.

•Eddie's latest book, Hard Aground ...Again, is a humorous devotional book with a nautical theme based on Biblical principles.

•Need a writing coach? Eddie teaches writing classes on fiction,non-fiction, plotting, scene development, humor, devotional writing and romantic comedy. Visit http://www.writerscoach.us/ to learn more. Polishing the prose of others is his gift. Filling seats now for our Writing Workshop, starting in June. Plus, we have classes on how to start your own web-based radio show and how to craft a devotion. If you need help crafting your nonfiction or fiction book project, contact Eddie: aground@mindspring.com

Follow Eddie on Facebook. Become a Facebook Fan of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust. Each week we giveaway a book to some lucky fan.

Follow Eddie on Twitter

Listen to Eddie and Cindy banter on He Said, She Said Radio as they discuss how God moves through His word.

Read Eddie's Blog; you'll read the "un-edited" thoughts and prose that prompt Eddie's novels, devotions and humorous boating columns.

A wonderful opporrtunity to win a free book or a pirate party pack.
What do you have to do?
Please make sure you read the following rules:
1.You must be a follower of this blog.

2.Comment and leave your email address as many times as you want on any post throughout contest period. EACH time you comment, your name will be entered again to receive a book!

3.For other chances to win a book: Link to my blog; announce this contest and rules on your blog, FB, Twitter, wherever: just make sure you let me know! :)

4.Or Encourage someone to follow my blog; let me know who they are.

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

ALWAYS let me know if you don't receive a book you've won. Writers are human. I'm human. We forget. Life gets in the way. Sometimes we take on more than we should. If something happens I WANT to know. I'll make it right somehow for you. Love you, readers!

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

A Plug For Stephanie Morrill 

Do you know of a young person--young adult--who loves writing?

Someone asking for writing advice?

A teen who can use the motivation . . .

A place that is clean and spiritual and fun for teen writers . . .

A place with a host and lots of other excellent young adult writers sharing their experience . . .

I've got the answer!

Check out Stephanie Morrell's super Go Teen Writers Blog,

 the place to learn and broaden your writing experience for the younger writers.

http://goteenwriters.blogspot.com/

Many Super blessings today!

A Very Warm Welcome to My New Friend Donna Crow! 

Donna says:  I would be delighted to give a PDF for reading on computer or ereader of either THE SHADOW OF REALITY or A MIDSUMMER EVE'S NIGHTMARE.

Great opportunity to check out her books!

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?

Oh, Carole, wouldn’t it be lovely if one could receive a clear “call” for life’s important steps! And even the not-so-important. It seems that I just muddle along with most things and by the grace of God it all turns out pretty well. I have loved reading all my life. I was an only child growing up on a farm. Books were my best friends. My writing has all grown out of my reading.

I've always loved reading, and we taught our boys to read before they went to school. They still read! Tell us: What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write mysteries and have two series going. The Elizabeth & Richard Mysteries: The Shadow of Reality and A Midsummer Eve’s Nightmare are romantic suspense with literary figures in the background, Dorothy L Sayers in the first and Shakespeare in the second.

I think romantic suspense is pretty generally understood, but my other series does need a bit of explanation. The Monastery Murders are clerical mysteries. That means they have a minister, priest or rabbi as an important character, usually a detective, and they are set in a church, monastery, seminary or someplace “religious.” They also deal with spiritual themes. A Very Private Grave shows the validity of Faith and A Darkly Hidden Truth deals with motherhood and forgiveness.

Sound fantastic. 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?

Well, that depends on the novel. My Arthurian epic Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England, starts with the birth of Christ and goes through the Reformation. That took half a lifetime of research and three years of writing.

For a more typical novel, though— say around 300 pages— it takes me about a year to research and write. The plotting, researching and organizing take a big share of the time. When I’m rough drafting I love it when I can write 10 pages a day. Unfortunately, not every day goes that smoothly.

I have breakfast and devotions in my office, exercise while my computer is booting and get to work— whether it’s promoting, writing, editing or whatever stage of the process I’m in. I stay at it until 3:00 when my husband (whose office is at home, too) and I both break for afternoon tea. I usually go back to work again and stay there until my husband drags me away. It was the same when we had children at home, except I didn’t go back to work after tea. I spent that time with my children.

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

My most recent release is A Midsummer Eve’s Nightmare: Elizabeth and Richard want nothing more than a quiet, romantic honeymoon— with a touch of literary charm. So they have chosen the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Perfection. Until they find that Desdemona’s brilliantly acted death scene wasn’t acted and Elizabeth’s costume designer sister and her actress roommate are terrified that they are slated to be the next victims.

So far this series is only available for ebooks— all formats.

• Kindle: http://ning.it/kTnYro
• Nook: http://ning.it/jXhv6F 
• Smashwords (for all formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/49334

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

Thematic structure is important to me. That has to be the former English teacher speaking. Through a secondary character’s search readers of A Midsummer Eve’s Nightmare can find answers to the question so often asked today, “Does ultimate Truth exist?”

And through the relationships of two couples, readers will be drawn to think about the true meaning of marriage. I like the scene where Elizabeth advises her star-struck younger sister:

“No!” Elizabeth’s response was so sharp Tori jumped. “You don’t even think of marrying anyone because he needs you, young lady. You find someone you can join with as two complete people— that will make one marriage. You don’t marry someone to change him or prop him up— that would only make half a marriage.”

Good advice from Elizabeth. Smile. 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’ve never given up, but for 10 years I thought the publishing industry had given up on me. From 2000 to 2010, after publishing 33 books, I didn’t publish one thing. The market was changing, but more importantly, I was changing, the focus of my writing was changing. I kept on writing through 5 deaths, 10 births and 2 marriages in our family, planting a church, moving from the home we lived in for 25 years, our daughter emigrating. . . Through all the ups and downs of life.

Although most of the books I wrote then weren’t published I’m using much of the material in new ways.

Who’s inspired you the most?

The authors I read: Jane Austen, Dorothy L Sayers, P. D. James, Kate Charles.

Some great authors. 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?

Big smile. When my first book was published in 1984 I thought that was it and I would be with that publisher the rest of my life— like a marriage. Well, a dozen publishers later, I know differently. Book publishing is a very volatile business. It’s always changing, as writers must. I used to meet publishers most often at Christian Writers Conferences. My most recent publishers (I’m currently working with three houses) have all come through my agent, especially Monarch, an imprint of Lion/Hudson, an English house that my agent knew personally. And now my agent and her husband have formed their own publishing company Greenbriar Books: http://ning.it/lnN9II

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

I’m a devout Anglophile. I like reading English novels, drinking tea and growing English roses. It follows, of course, that I love to travel in England.

I’m also a grandmother and love traveling to visit our children and grandchildren in Los Angeles, Boston, Kentucky and Calgary. As spread out as we are it’s a good thing I like to travel.

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

• To see the book video for A VERY PRIVATE GRAVE and pictures from my garden and research trips go to: http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/.
• My blog is at: http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/articles.php
• and you can follow me on Facebook at: http://ning.it/eLjgYp

Please do visit and send me a note. I love hearing from my readers.

Readers, leave your comments and email addresses.
Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Trusting eyes
a firm handshake
hope in a young person's voice as they seek a job
Mom's concern
thank you cards
peppermint candy
walking machines
mornings
easy writing inkpens
copy machines

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord!

Psalm 92:1a

Blessings!

Thrilled to Have Amber Robinson With Me Today!
If you're interested in a chance to win her book, please leave a comment and an email address.

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 have always loved to read. I liked writing but pursued music in college. I came back to writing as a child advocate with Compassion International, a Christian non-profit that helps children in poverty. I had stories to write about the everyday people who were making a big difference in the world.

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

I write non-fiction (in story form) and short stories.

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?

I work as a free lance writer and own another business so I write for a few hours in the afternoon twice a week on my writing days (they are always the same day of the week). When I work on a book I have a goal count of 1,000 words before I can be done for that day.

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

Mercy Rising: Simple Practical Ways to Practice Justice and Compassion was recently released by Beacon Hill of Kansas City. It is a compilation of stories of everyday people from every age and stage who are making a difference in the world through simple things: interactions with neighbors, changing shopping habits, incorporating justice into their businesses, etc. It is also inspirational and practical with many websites and resources. Subjects addressed include poverty, trafficking, orphans, etc. The treatment of these “heavy” subjects are done in a upbeat and hopeful way. Mercy Rising is available anywhere books are sold. It is easy to find on Amazon.com.

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

The title Mercy Rising comes from the 58th chapter of Isaiah. If we care for the vulnerable then we will be like the dawn, the sun that rises in the darkness. We think we are helping just for “them”, but find joy, purpose, and life that only comes in getting out of our “bubble” and giving ourselves away.

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?

Recently I was watching a television show where a business woman listed three traits of a successful entrepreneur. The quality she valued the most was the ability to fail and start again. She said those who get up the quickest are the ones that win. I immediately thought of my author friends. I have dear friends I love that keep going and ones that become really depressed over each piece of bad news. They constantly ask, “Am I good enough?” “Am I a writer?” So much creative energy is drained and they are stuck. We all feel like quitting. Probably at least once a week. The question is will we learn from our mistakes and become stronger or become wallowers?

I have an email prayer list, where I send prayer requests about writing and feel that covering which really helps. I read, read, read to keep my mind flowing with creativity. I also get out in nature, visit art galleries, listen to music, and surround myself with creative friends in other fields where they risk and dream big is important.

Who’s inspired you the most?

Annie Dillard, Wendell Berry, GK Chesterton, CS Lewis, Cynthia Ruchti, and Andrew Peterson inspire me.

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 went to the “Write to Publish” conference to connect with publishers. The first year I went just to check out the process and learn to write a proposal (get a good book that will show you formatting). The second conference year I worked on pitches and got publisher leads and an agent.

I am currently working on two novels, speak at justice events, and I am helping my husband put together his music tour (http://www.aaronjrobinson.com/).

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

• I really dislike cheesecake and cheesy music.
• I like indie music, local businesses, and children.
• My husband and I like to laugh – a lot.
• I plan to travel to Africa and meet my sponsored children, Diana and Ritah with Compassion International.

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

• My website and blog, mercyrising, can be found at http://www.http//amberrobinson.com
• You can also connect with me on facebook @mercyrisingbook and on twitter – amberrobinson1. Check out my event page for events around the country because I would love to connect in “real life”.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to be interviewed. God bless.

 
Thank you so much for being here, Amber. I've enjoyed having you.
Readers: comments and email addresses!
 
Blessings.

Monday Morning Gratitudes on Tuesday

Due to a funeral and all the necessary things involved with ministering to a grieving family, I neglected to get yesterdays gratitudes posted. So . . . here goes, a day late, but still listed with a grateful heart.

Mother's Day flowers and cards
Hubby's loving concern when I fell recently
The oranges hubby peels all the time for ME
His strength and wisdom
The empathy I recently felt when previously I couldn't
A hug from a friend
A critique I won at a local writing conference
The wonderful blogs I've visited
My taste buds
God's miraculous healing touch

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

Three Lovely Things

I saw three lovely things today,

Three lovely, silent things:

the soft white petals of a flower,

a soaring bird on wings

as blue as your eyes, and in the hour

of dusk, my mother, I watched you pray.

I saw three lovely things today,

Three lovely, silent things.

--Grace V Watkins

Spring Blessings!

I STOLE THIS!

Not really. I'm just kidding. I asked my sweet friend Jeannette Levellie if I could use this post today, and she graciously agreed. So-o-o please go check out her wonderful blog at: 
http://jeanettelevellie.blogspot.com/

You won't regret it!
Her post touched my heart because so many times I reach out to God wanting an answer to my prayer and when I don't get the answer I want, or worse, no answer, is it because I'm guilty of one or more of the following faith-blockers?  May God help us to trust with a child-like faith, no blocker in our line to heaven!

5 Faith Blockers That Will Hinder Your Faith


Are you asking God to do any favors for you, large or small? Great! I’m standing with you for your miracles and dreams to happen. But did you know that some attitudes and actions will block your faith, making it difficult for you to receive from God? Here are a few heart-condemning faith blockers you want to avoid like a snake with a noisy tail:

1. Strife. I.e.: Arguing, fighting, and gossiping
2. Fear. Also called worry, fretting, agonizing, and anxiety

3. Negative talk. AKA griping, whining, complaining, and fault-finding
4. Worldly pursuits. Nothing sinful about going fishing, catching up with blogs or watching TV, but if they take too big a chunk of our time and heart, they may hinder our faith
5. Too much to do. If we’re burned out, it may be because we are adding things God never asked us to do.

Anything I missed?

Let's get rid of those faith blockers, so we can stand boldly before the throne of grace and ask for help in time of need.

Now, what can I agree with you for God to do in your life today?

Fantastic Month Long Giveaway!

Running through most of this month:

Any follower who comments will have his/her name put into the drawing to win one of AT LEAST twenty books. Plus we have a super pirate prize party kit that Eddie Jones is giving away!


We've already got many names in the drawing! Don't miss out.

What do you have to do?

Please make sure you read the following rules:

1. You must be a follower of this blog.
2. Comment and leave your email address as many times as you want on any post throughout contest period. EACH time you comment, your name will be entered again to receive a book!
3. For added chances to win a book: Link to my blog; announce this contest and rules on your blog, FB, Twitter, wherever: just make sure you let me know! :)
4. Or Encourage someone to follow my blog; let me know who they are.

That's it!

Books, books and more books. I'll be giving away at least TWENTY books; maybe more! One of them could be YOURS.

NEXT WEEK:
I'll begin giving you a list of the books being given away! Mysteries, love stories, historical. More . . .

Meanwhile, from Eddie Jones and the Give a Boy a Book Promotion, here's the SUPER DUPER PIRATE PARTY PRIZE KIT (from his "The Curse of Captain LaFoote") for anyone who adores boys (which pretty well includes everyone! Smile)
8 invitations
8 - 9" party plates
8 - 9-oz. cups
16 luncheon napkins
16 pc. blue cutlery set
1 red plastic table cover
2 rolls of streamers, 1 blue and 1 red
12 each of blue and red balloons
2 pkgs. of confetti, 1 blue and 1 orange
4 yds. deluxe creepy cloth

12 pirate swords with eye patch
72 pirate tattoos


Here's some info about Eddie:

• Eddie is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministry. He co-writes a weekly devotion with Cindy Sproles called, He Said - She Said, which can be found at Christian Devotions.us, and Common Ground Christian News. He also co-hosts a weekly radio show called, Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!
• Struggling to develop a daily devotional life? Grab a copy of Spirit & HEART: A Devotional Journey. Eddie wrote the introduction. One of his devotions appears in the book, too.
• Eddie's column, Hard Aground, can be found in the Ocracoke Observer and Living Aboard Magazine.
• He also assisted with with the ghost writing and editing of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust.
• Eddie's latest book, Hard Aground ...Again, is a humorous devotional book with a nautical theme based on Biblical principles.
• Need a writing coach? Eddie teaches writing classes on fiction,non-fiction, plotting, scene development, humor, devotional writing and romantic comedy. Visit http://www.writerscoach.us/ to learn more. Polishing the prose of others is his gift. Filling seats now for our Writing Workshop, starting in June. Plus, we have classes on how to start your own web-based radio show and how to craft a devotion. If you need help crafting your nonfiction or fiction book project, contact Eddie: aground@mindspring.com

Follow Eddie on Facebook. Become a Facebook Fan of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust. Each week we giveaway a book to some lucky fan.

Follow Eddie on Twitter

Listen to Eddie and Cindy banter on He Said, She Said Radio as they discuss how God moves through His word.

Read Eddie's Blog; you'll read the "un-edited" thoughts and prose that prompt Eddie's novels, devotions and humorous boating columns.

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

• Sharon Elliott's super inspirational book: A Power Suit will be given away during this promotion. 
• She is also the author of the nonfiction book: Raising Boys to be like Jesus, from Judson Press.
• Sharon is the founder of Life that Matters Ministries, a Christian organization that exists to encourage you to discover your life purpose and live up to your full potential.

Some information about Sharon:

• Her website: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/
• Check out her blog at: http://sanewriter.wordpress.com/
• Sharon's online Bible study: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/ ("A Heart for the Word" Podcast)

Find her on Facebook and Twitter

Blessings!

I'm Thrilled to have Jim Rupart on my Blog This Week!

For a chance to win his book, Rooms, please leave a comment and email address!
Now on to the interview:

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?

Deep down I've known I was a writer from the time I was eleven. It was the dream in the deepest part of my heart, but I didn't believe it—or I should say start to believe it—till eight years ago.
What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

If I could explain it I would. I had a friend say, "Your writing is a little bit C.S. Lewis, a splash of Nicholas Sparks, some Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti, and some George McDonald." I've never read Sparks but the others are some of my favorite writers so I’m honored to be described that way. My genre? I'm not sure. My books don't fit neatly into a pre-described genre but the three I've written so far are contemporary novels with a heavy dose of supernatural suspense, strong female characters and deep psychological ponderings. Does that help? Smile.

Yep, good answer. 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?

Unlike many novelists I don't have any unpublished manuscripts sitting in a drawer so I've "practiced" with ROOMS (2010) BOOK OF DAYS (earlier this year) and THE CHAIR (September 2011).

ROOMS took me six years to write, BOOK OF DAYS took two years and THE CHAIR took five months. I tend to write in bursts. I'll not write at all for two months but when I'm on deadline I'll often take a weekend and write for eight hours a day. Those deadlines are motivating!
You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?
BOOK OF DAYS is the story of a young man who is losing his memories—especially troubling to him is the memories of his late wife that are slipping away.

His only hope is the find God's Book of Days which has recorded the past, present, and future of every soul who ever lived. He has no idea if the book exists on earth, but he's determined to fine out—even though it seems everything has come against his chances of success.

I've been fortunate to have wide distribution so people can find my books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble dot com, Family Christian Stores, LifeWay, Books a Million, CBD … just about everywhere.
What is the spiritual message in your books? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

ROOMS is a story of freedom and healing, and stepping into our destinies.

BOOK OF DAYS is a story of forgiveness, of others and maybe more importantly of ourselves.

THE CHAIR is a story of restoration—specifically of friendship.

My hope is with all my books that readers are entertained and taken away to another world, but also that they see themselves in the stories and come away with greater freedom, a deeper relationship with God, and healing of the wounds that hold so many of us back from living a life of vibrancy and passion.
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?

Have you heard the saying, "Make your play your work and you'll never work another day in your life?" I was talking to a close author friend yesterday who said, "Yes, there are hassles being published, more than pre-published writers realize, but how can we grouse? We're living the dream.

I remind myself of that when I want to give up, or am discouraged or I think, "What I am thinking? I can't write!"

All writers feel this. Even authors who have sold millions of books. I talked to a multi-mulit-million bestselling author about this the other day and he said, "I wonder every time I pick up my laptop, 'Can I do it again?'"

I know that feeling well!

But this is my destiny—what God has called me to—so I push on even in the down times. I'm living my dream, how can I complain?

I've always loved that quote because it's so true. Who’s inspired you the most?
My amazing wife, Darci. She has been a fervent support of me and my writing for twenty five years. She's believed in me, encouraged me, challenged me, prayed for me and fought for me like no one else. It's cliché to say but it's true, I wouldn't be published if not for her.
I love it when a spouse is like that! My husband is the same. 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?

Yes, essentially I sit out on my back deck all day now and watch the clouds scuttle by. Not exactly. People told me before I was published that the pressures and expectations only increase. What they didn't tell me is they increase exponentially.

My route to publication: I went to my first writer's conference in the spring of '06. In September of that year I signed with an agent and he shopped ROOMS to the major publishers. All basically said, "No thanks, the guy can write but his book is a little out there and with a debut author we can't take a chance on a book like that." So I put ROOMS on the shelf and started on BOOK OF DAYS.

(I have to admit there is a part of me that smiled inside when ROOMS hit the bestseller list as I thought of those houses who passed on acquiring the book. Also, I want to use myself as an example to pre-published writers who are rejected. Not that often, but sometimes editors and agents get it wrong.)
A year later—in fall of '07—I sat down with David Webb who was the executive director of fiction at B&H at the time. He said, "I've read 200 manuscripts since I read yours, and yours is the one I can't get out of my mind. Let's take another run at it." So I wrote a new proposal and he took it to committee on May 4th 2008 and was sent a deal point memo on June 23rd. (Not that I remember the specific details or anything.)

The dream had come true. Happy Jim.
What an encourgement to the prepubbed to hang in there! Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

Hobbies? Yes, I used to have some of those before becoming an author! Seriously, writing has been all-consuming for the past three or four years but I do have a number of things I love to do. In no particular order: Dirt biking, water skiing, back packing, photography, guitar, golf, and reading.
Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

People can find me on:

• Facebook as James L. Rubart,
• Twitter: @jimrubart,
• Web site: http://www.jimrubart.com/
• and folks can find my blog from there.

And I love hearing from readers so don't be shy.

Thanks so much for having me, Carole!

Thanks so much for being here, Jim. I've loved having you!
Don't forget to leave your email addys and comments, readers!
 
Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Beautiful sunny weather
Rain, even if I think we've had enough, God knows
The birds' songs
Wind
A lovely Mother's Day
Sharing a Sunday meal with people I love
God's strength to keep going
My "almost" grandchildren
Unexpected sweet blessings that thrill me
Hubby's morning kiss.

Smiles and blessings!

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

Perspectives

To realize

The value of a sister/brother

Ask someone

Who doesn't have one.

To realize

The value of ten years:

Ask a newly

Divorced couple.

To realize

The value of four years:

Ask a graduate.

To realize

The value of one year:

Ask a student who

Has failed a final exam.

To realize
 The value of nine months:

Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize

The value of one month:

Ask a mother

Who has given birth to
A premature baby.

To realize

The value of one week:

Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize

The value of one minute:

Ask a person

Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize

The value of one second:

Ask a person

Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.



To realize  The value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.


Blessings!

A Very Warm Welcome Back to my Friend, Penny Zellar!

Penny's offering to give her latest release to someone who leaves his/her email address and comment!

Tell us about your latest release. The cover looks fantastic!

Thank you, Carole. It is an honor to be a guest on your blog. I am thrilled about the release of Kaydie, the second book in my Montana Skies Series.

Here is a short blurb:

Haunted by her painful marriage, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer is determined never to fall in love again, and it will take the grace of God to change her mind—the same grace that works in the heart of ranch hand Jonah Dickenson, a confirmed bachelor who has unhealed wounds of his own to overcome.

What was the hardest part to write?

I would have to say that the hardest part to write was the ending. I didn’t want it to be over!

We all have choices of items that help us write. What’s yours? Can you give the readers a glimpse into your writing space?

I am fortunate to have a nice-sized office. I have a desk that is lined with my children’s photos and artwork. I also have an exercise bike for when I need a break and a cozy fireplace for when I sit and have my quiet time with the Lord.

However, we won’t talk about the closet, which is lined with shelves and filing cabinets full of a lot of paperwork that needs a good going-through!

If you had to choose one person to go with you for encouragement to a secluded cabin, who would that be?

I would pick my husband, Lon, and my two daughters.

What are you working on now?

I just finished the third book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release in September. I'm also working on a second historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I recently finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.

Every day before I write, I re-devote my writing to the Lord and ask that He would guide me in typing each and every word so that, as a completed book, it would glorify and honor Him.

What is one of the happiest moments of your life or an accomplishment that you’re especially proud of?

The happiest moments in my life were marrying my husband, Lon, and, years later, the births of my children.

A more recent event, for which I am praising God, is the spiritual growth of my children. I pray daily that they continue on this course and grow to be Godly women, which is such a challenge in today’s world. (I am terrified of the teen years, LOL!) Every time I hear my ten-year-old daughter sing in church or hear my youngest daughter talk of her ministry, I am humbled how God uses us, no matter what our age, or our stage, in life.

How do you choose names for your characters? Do you do a lot of research on them?

I pick what I feel are masculine names for my male characters, and I especially like Bible names. For female characters, I pick names that I really like that I might have named my children, had I had a dozen more daughters. Smile. This is a bit funny, but when I choose lead female names, I always like to make sure they mesh well with the lead male character’s name and that it is a good combination with the male character’s last name, just in case they get married and live happily ever after. *grins*

Can you tell us some of your favorite books or characters that you cherish?

As a child, I was a little bookworm and loved reading Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. I still have some of those books and my girls are reading them now, which is exciting to see. As an adult, my favorite book is the Bible, and is the one book I wouldn’t want to be without. I also have a sizeable collection of Christian fiction from some of my favorite authors and also some devotional books and Bible studies.

Any fun things about yourself that the readers might enjoy knowing?

When I was a teenager, I performed on stage in several lip sync contests, most of the time at the local mall. Those days were such fun days and often included my sister, brother, and cousins as part of the act.

Just this week, I dug out the old videotape (Videotape?! Yikes, I’m dating myself here!) and played it for my daughters. My youngest, who is eight, told me, “Mom, you had such a pretty voice. You sounded like a real singer!” I laughed at her comment because for one, I can’t carry a tune, and for two, it was the real singer signing and I was only lip syncing!

Is there one piece of advice that’s been especially valuable to you?

I am a Beth Moore fan and have led several women’s Bible studies using her materials. I recall one time she mentioned that “No amount of success in ministry will make up for failure at home.” What a wonderful and valuable piece of advice!

Please share information where readers can check out and buy your books:

Kaydie is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Kaydie-Montana-Skies-Penny-Zeller/dp/1603742174/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Also, Cindy Sproles produced a fantastic book trailer for Kaydie, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk

Where can fans find you on the internet?

I love to connect with my readers at my website www.pennyzeller.com,

my blog http://www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com/

on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller

on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-A-Zeller/96391560959?ref=ts

Thank you again, Carole, for allowing me to be your guest. I appreciate your encouragement and support of fellow writers!

And, thank you, Penny, for visiting. I've loved having you!
Don't forget your comments, readers, for a chance to win Penny's latest book!
Blessings

Whooeee! It's Time!

Starting today . . . a-n-d . . . running through most of the month--any follower who comments will have his/her name put into the drawing to win one of AT LEAST twenty books. Plus we have a super pirate prize party kit that Eddie Jones is giving away!

Fun! Fun! Fun! This month.

What do you have to do?

Please make sure you read the following rules:

• You must be a follower of this blog.

• Comment and leave your email address as many times as you want on any post throughout contest period. EACH time you comment, your name will be entered again to receive a book!

• Link to my blog; announce this contest and rules on your blog, FB, Twitter, wherever: just make sure you let me know! :)

• Encourage someone to follow my blog; let me know who they are.

That's it!

Books, books and more books. I'll be giving away at least TWENTY books; maybe more! One of them could be YOURS.

And from Eddie Jones and the Give a Boy a Book Promotion, here's the SUPER DUPER PIRATE PARTY PRIZE KIT (from his "The Curse of Captain LaFoote") for loving mothers, doting grandmothers, or aunties:

• 8 invitations
• 8 - 9" party plates
• 8 - 9-oz. cups
• 16 luncheon napkins
• 16 pc. blue cutlery set
• 1 red plastic table cover
• 2 rolls of streamers, 1 blue and 1 red
• 12 each of blue and red balloons
• 2 pkgs. of confetti, 1 blue and 1 orange
• 4 yds. deluxe creepy cloth
• 12 pirate swords with eye patch
• 72 pirate tattoos

A Little about Eddie:

Eddie is co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministry. He co-writes a weekly devotion with Cindy Sproles called, He Said - She Said, which can be found at Christian Devotions.us, and Common Ground Christian News. He also co-hosts a weekly radio show called, Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

Struggling to develop a daily devotional life? Grab a copy of Spirit & HEART: A Devotional Journey. Eddie wrote the introduction. One of his devotions appears in the book, too.

• Eddie's column, Hard Aground, can be found in the Ocracoke Observer and Living Aboard Magazine.
• He also assisted with with the ghost writing and editing of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust.
• Eddie's latest book, Hard Aground ...Again, is a humorous devotional book with a nautical theme based on Biblical principles.
• Need a writing coach? Eddie teaches writing classes on fiction,non-fiction, plotting, scene development, humor, devotional writing and romantic comedy. Visit www.writerscoach.us to learn more. Polishing the prose of others is his gift. Filling seats now for our Writing Workshop, starting in June. Plus, we have classes on how to start your own web-based radio show and how to craft a devotion. If you need help crafting your nonfiction or fiction book project, contact Eddie: aground@mindspring.com 

Follow Eddie on Facebook

Become a Facebook Fan of Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust. Each week we give

away a book to some lucky fan.

Follow Eddie on Twitter

Listen to Eddie and Cindy banter on He Said, She Said Radio as they discuss how God moves through His word.

Read Eddie's Blog Here you'll read the "un-edited" thoughts and prose that prompt Eddie's novels, devotions and humorous boating columns.

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

And another chance to win Sharon Elliott's super inspirational book: A 

Power Suit. She is also the author of the nonfiction book: Raising Boys to be like Jesus, from Judson Press. Sharon is the founder of Life that Matters Ministries, a Christian organization that exists to encourage you to discover your life purpose and live up to your full potential.

 Some information about Sharon:

• Her website:  http://www.lifethatmatters.net/
• Check out her blog at:  http://sanewriter.wordpress.com/
• Sharon's online Bible study: http://www.lifethatmatters.net/ ("A Heart for the Word" Podcast)
• Find her on Facebook and Twitter

Don't miss out!

Blessings!