Join Me in Welcoming my Friend, Rose McCauley!  

 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 loved to write all my life, and remember making little books that my mom would stitch together on her treadle sewing machine. Wish I had some of them now! I was also editor of my HS newspaper. But, during the years of raising my three children, teaching school and Sunday School, sports, girl scouts, etc. the main writing I did was on school forms! The last few years before I retired, I started jotting down ideas for books, which encouraged me to retire and actually write some of them down!

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

I write both romance and women’s fiction.  I think romance is pretty self-explanatory (LOL) although I should mention that it usually includes a HEA—happily ever after ending! Women’s fiction often includes a romance, but also can include other elements such as problems, drama, suspense, etc. It doesn’t have to end in a HEA ending, but the ones I like and write do!

How do you spend your writing days?

Right now I am spending most of my writing time on emails, blogs and other forms of marketing my first book. Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? I once participated in the BIAM (Book in a Month) drive and wrote over 50,000 words that month, with my daily average ranging from 1,000 words to 5,000, depending on what else I had going on that day.

Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

The novella I have out right now is only 20,000 words long, and it took me a month to write, so I guess a whole novel would take 4-5 months.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us?

Christmas Belles of Georgia is about identical quadruplets who are adopted by different families when their mother dies shortly after their birth. They have no idea the others exist until they get a letter from a lawyer. The four stories are each told by a different author from each girl’s POV and chronicles the 4 months leading up to their first meeting on Christmas Day.

Ooooh! Sounds great. How and where can readers buy your books?

They will be sold at WalMart and Sam’s Clubs and most Christian bookstores as well as online outlets. I even have buttons on my website to make it super-easy to order.

What is the spiritual message in your book?

I hope it encourages us all to remember that Jesus IS the reason for the season, and that we give to others because of all that He gave for us.

What can readers expect to get from reading it? A happy read that will put you in the Christmas spirit!
Do you ever feel like giving up?

Not right now, but I have in the past.

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 wrote about it on my blog, (see the September 22, 2010 post) but the short version is that I told my roommate Jennifer Johnson last year at conference that if I didn’t get a contract by the following year (2011) I would take a break and seek out God’s next plan for my life. That very day I got my first contract in front of 600 people at last year’s ACFW conference!
Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?”

Barbour Publishing chose me after I submitted many proposals over the past 7 years! Maybe they got tired of me pestering them! LOL They are a great publishing house to work with.

Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

Definitely not! I have four proposals out there right now, and a meeting set up with an agent.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests?

I love to read, of course! Other hobbies are walking daily and scrapbooking, although my scrapbook time is more limited now. Where would you like to travel if you could? I have been very fortunate to travel more than I ever thought I would! My husband and I say we travel less than I want to, but more than he wants to! We have traveled to most of the states, including Hawaii and Alaska. And I have been to 10 countries in Europe and also to Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Barbados, and the Bahamas. My favorite place would be Hawaii and any place I haven’t been yet!

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?

I hope everyone will check out my website at www.rosemccauley.com and be sure to visit my blog at http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment to be entered into my monthly drawing.

Anything else you’d like to share?

For any Christian writer who isn’t already a member, hurry to http://www.acfw.com/ to join American Christian Fiction Writers.

Promotional information?

My book is available at WalMart and Sam’s Clubs, other bookstores, and the usual online places, or you can order from the buttons on my site!

Bio: Rose Allen McCauley is happy to live in the beautiful bluegrass region of Kentucky on a farm surrounded by God’s creation. She has been writing for over ten years and has been published in several non-fiction anthologies and devotionals. She is thrilled for this to be her first published fiction because Christmas books are her favorites. She has a growing collection of Christmas books, and this one will takes its rightful place among them.

A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for over 43 years, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and Mimi to three lovely, lively grandkids! You can reach her through her website http://www.rosemccauley.com/ or blogsite at http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com/ 


Thank you, Rose, for joining us!
Blessings to all.

Reviews of Two Young Adult Books

Review of Found in Translation
by Roger Bruner

Back Cover:
When Kim Hartlinger--eighteen and spoiled--arrives on a mission trip to Mexico and discovers, to her chagrin, that she'll be doing construction in a remote village without plumbing and electicity, rather than evangelism in a medium-sized town with a fast food joint . . . she has only two choices: "Rough it" (which isn't exactly what Kim had in mind when she signed up for this trip) or turn around and head home.

Will Kim be able to touch the villagers' hearts with the Gospel? Or will her time in Mexico be up before she gets the chance?


My Take:
One of the things that stood out to me was Kim's personality, and how, like so many young people, (in spite of adult beliefs about them) quickly did an aboutface when faced with the choices she had to make. She went from being a spoiled, self-centered girl to one verging on a growing maturity that was impressive and spoke well of today's youth. Her love for reaching others, especially children, was touching. Her struggles with her language was a real one youth could relate to. Her insistence upon what she wanted and how she wanted it, was typical of many of today's youth.

Other character's stood out to me: 
Aleesha. I really liked this young person. The reader could tell with only vague hints to clue him in, that this character had perhaps faced a rougher life than any young person should have to. Yet her upbeat, true-to-life personality was a real treat to see. I love her strength in befriending Kim, when none of the other youth would; adored reading her stalwart determination to help the other youth "mend" their attitudes toward Kim; liked her "hip" way.

Kim and Aleesha's leaders: Rob and Charlie were well drawn.
Geoff, with his self-confident air and gorgeous looks, reacted like a normal today young man used to getting what he wanted.

Mexico is always a setting that can pull me into a book. I love it's jungle, it's big city, it's shores, the danger and beauty. The small, remote village, Santa Maria, with its destruction and people bound by superstitutions and ignorance, was a touching point. I could see the cacti,  the villagers destroyed homes, the litter, and the forsaken church.

The plot in this story would especially appeal to a young person. It will draw the reader along on Kim's missionary journey--and more importantly--her spiritual journey. From her irritation with her own father and her best friend's parents, who kept Betsy from going on this trip, to her own forlornness at realizing her reconceived notions of what she needed/wanted, to her refusal to accept defeat and the choices she makes all lead Kim to the place where she can be the christian example she longs to be. It gives her the opportunities she desire to do evangelism. And then, ultimately, realize her life's career for her future.

I recommend this book for all youth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review of Night of the Cossack

by Thomas Blubaugh

My Take:

This is a wonderful young adult book! I’m thrilled with the opportunity to read it and recommend it highly for both girls and boys.

The cover is fantastic; well drawn to fit the opening scene in Blubaugh’s novel. It shows a setting that is romantic and yet filled with heartache. To be a Jew and living in a Czar-controlled land, is not exactly a dream come true. Yet the images Russia, in that era, conjure in one’s mind bring to mind glamour and romance, an exciting setting for the novel.

When Jewish Nathan Hertzfield’s village is raided by the Cossacks, only a few of the villagers are spared, including he, his mother and brother, and a friend. Both Nathan and his friend, are kidnapped and forced into Cossack service unwillingly. Because he is a superb hunter, has quick reflexes, and a fast horse, he and his friend are given the chore of killing and bringing food to the camp.

Nathan is an endearing young man, attached to his mother and brother, and serious about being the man of the house. He may respect his captor but his hate is greater, and when Nicolai forces him to change his name to protect his nationality, Nathan—now Stephan—despises him that much more. But Nathan—Stephan—is strong. He adapts, encourages his friend, and longs for home.

Instead, he’s forced to proclaim a new home. In his first battle—unprovoked though it was—he shoots and kills a man in self defense. But when he is ordered to Odessa, a Jewish center, he is sure he’s losing his mind. When his captor, Nichai, is killed, Nathan weeps and he realizes how attached he’s grown to the man.

Nathan’s journey to freedom and most of all, to spiritual freedom is fraught with peril and trouble, but it’s a journey that leads him to true happiness.

For a read that will stir you to the depths of your soul, choose Night of the Cossack.




Blessings and happy reading!