Musings

Draw Me Close

2009-09-28T08:11:00.000-04:00

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22a.

A week and a half ago, I traveled to Denver, CO to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. Three days jammed with friends, learning, and celebrations. Overall, the conference was a positive experience and God’s hand was evident as He worked in peoples’ lives.

To read the rest of this blog post, click here.

Interview with Rachel Hauck: Book of the Year for Sweet Caroline

2009-09-25T09:22:00.000-04:00

Visit my new blog to read my interview with Book of the Year winner, Rachel Hauck. Rachel is the award-winning author of over ten novels, including Sweet Caroline, which won ACFW's Book of the Year in the Lits category.

Update Your Bookmarks! New website and blog!

2009-07-30T07:40:00.003-04:00

I used iWeb installed on my Mac to create a new website. My web address is still www.lisajordanbooks.com, but instead of using Blogger for my blog, it will be a part of my new website. You can access my blog by clicking here. If you have me in your Blogroll, please update your links. I'll leave this blog up to help redirect people to my new site.

I've fixed the link, I think, but if it doesn't work, you can access my new blog here:

http://www.lisajordanbooks.com/Lisa_Jordan/Blog/Blog.html

Copy and paste the link into your web browser.

Sacrifice--Thanks to the Cross

2009-07-20T13:22:00.003-04:00

During yesterday's worship service, we sang When I Survey the Wondrous Cross written by Issac Watts and published in 1701. Here are the lyrics:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ere such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul
Demands my soul
Love demands my soul
My life my all

I have to admit that some songs have become so familiar to me that I sing their words out of habit and forget to embrace their meanings. While singing this song, the verse "All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood" resonated with me.

I believe the verse asks if we will be willing to sacrifice our most prized possessions for God. For some, these may be very expensive material objects. For others, they may be personal treasures close to the heart. The point is, though, if God asked us, we need to be willing to give anything up for him. The question is, will we? As Christians, our answer should be yes.

Guest Blogger: Betsy St. Amant

2009-07-16T07:35:00.004-04:00

I love reading authors' tales of getting The Call, so when I signed up to be a part of Betsy St. Amant's Return to Love blog tour, I asked her to be a guest blogger and talk about the day she got The Call.

Getting the Call

Ring, Ring...

It was any other typical day at work, where I am employeed as a receptionist for an oil and gas company. Phones were ringing, faxes were waiting to be sent, filing was stacking up, my to-do list ever growing...

And then...Ring Ring. Not the company phone. My cell phone. Most of my family and friends know not to call my personal line during work, so I was actually a litle nervous when I pulled it from my purse, hoping it wasn't an emergency.

I saw my agent's phone number in the caller ID screen and froze. I almost couldn't open it. I finally managed with shaky fingers and held my breath. Then realized I had yet to say hello. "HELLO" - part squawk, part squeak. The company phone rang again then, but truthfully, I couldn't care less. I've been with my agent long enough to know now that when she has bad news, she emails. Good news merits a phone call.

And my phone had rung.

(And actually, the company phone was still ringing but again - priorities!! haha!) I could hear the smile in my agent's voice as if she were in front of me instead of half a country away. "I have good news."

My heart line danced in true southern fashion and I clutched my stomach. "Oh?" (trying to sound all professional when I wanted to join my heart in a dance on top of my desk!)

"Steeple Hill bought your romance."

This is when I squealed, and tried to stay professional, but nope, I was little kid, Christmas morning, lots of candy giddy. I don't remember exactly what I said, or rather shrieked, but I remember someone came out of their office down the hall, confused, probably thinking I was being attacked. I hung up with my agent (hopefully not hung ON her, I don't remember now!) and kept squealing, hands over my mouth, head down, trying to be as quiet as I could.

Life was changing in those moments, and I could feel it in all its adrenaline rush glory.

And you know what? The second and third calls regarding my second and third contracts were quite similar. The rush never fades. Or atleast, it hasn't so far. I hope it doesn't. I never want to take for granted hearing that my dreams have once again come true.

God is good, isn't He? =)

Bio: Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her contemporary romance RETURN TO LOVE is under contract with Steeple Hill Love Inspired for a July 2009 release, and the sequel A VALENTINE’S WISH is contracted for a February 2010 release. Betsy has also been published in the Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, Kickboxing or Chocolate, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. Betsy has a B.A. in Christian Communications and regularly contributes articles to Crosswalk.com. Betsy is a wife, author, new mother, and avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories.

Links to blog and website:
www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com
www.betsystamant.com

Back cover copy:

"I'm not the man I used to be!" - if only Gracie Broussard could believe that. Years ago, Carter Alexander broke her heart and betrayed her. Now, just when she needs him most, he's back -- asking her to believe he's changed. But this time, its not just Gracie who'll be hurt if he disappears. A penguin keeper, Gracie urgently needs to find a new home for her beloved birds. Carter is the only one who can help. He promises that she can trust him, that he's not the rebel he once was. And that he needs Gracie as much as her birds do.

To purchase Return to Love, click here.

Social Media Tour--Sunset Beach by Trish Perry

2009-07-09T10:08:00.008-04:00

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a Sunset Surprise!

Sunset Beach
by
Trish Perry
ISBN: 978-0736926751

Back cover blurb: Sonny Miller plans to use a week's vacation at a San Diego beach house to find answers she has wanted all her life. She invites her mother, Teresa, and her mother's estranged sister, Melanie, to the quiet and quirky retreat. They both show up...and with surprises of their own. Teresa, a successful classical singer, brings her latest protege, and Melanie brings along secrets about Teresa and the identity of Sonny's father.

Strong personalities cause big waves, and Sonny quickly finds herself in over her head. But as the sisters begin to reconcile and reconnect, Sonny makes some surprising connections--romantic and otherwise--of her own.

I was excited to read this novel for a couple of reasons. I read the first two books in the The Beach House Series by Sally Johns and loved them. Oh, my! That woman can tell a story! But when I learned Trish Perry was going to continue The Beach House S eries, I was even more excited because not only is Trish Perry a good friend, but she is also one of my favorite authors.

I read Trish Perry's first novel, The Guy I'm Not Dating, and LOVED it. It was the funniest book I've read in my life. Every single girl needs to read this book before she begins dating.

Another reason I wanted to read Sunset Beach is because I love beaches. In fact, my skin is still peeling from the sunburn I received during our vacation on Sanibel Island. As I read Sunset Beach, I could hear the ocean waves, feel the sun on my skin, hear the gulls cawing overhead. Reading this novel continued the beach experience for me, so yeah, I loved reading it.

Sunset Beach is more women's fiction, in my opinion, with a romantic thread woven into the plot. The characters were so real with their emotions and dialogue. Kudos to Trish for making them come alive for me. I love the quirky cast that goes along with the well-worn beach house--Julian and Zeke. I think everyone needs a Julian or Zeke in their lives to be their Voices of Reason. Sonny's relationship with her mother could be experienced by many mothers and daughters around the world. Lack of communication, pride, and shame are great motivators for keeping families apart.

If you would like to learn more about Trish Perry, be sure to visit her website, friend her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in the Sunset Beach Social Media Tour.

You can buy Sunset Beach through Amazon.com by clicking here.

Since the book is titled Sunset Beach, I'd like to a couple of pictures I took of sunsets over Sanibel.

Check out other beach pictures posted by other Sunset Beach Social Media Tour on Flickr

Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a Sunset Surprise!

LitFUSE Blog Tour: Nothing But Trouble

2009-05-27T07:17:00.006-04:00

Nothing But Trouble

Susan May Warren

About the book: PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that’s become her life, she needs a fresh start.

The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister’s wedding is Boone—her former flame and the reason she left town.

Her best friend’s husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg , Minnesota , has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn’t know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she’ll uncover much more than she bargained for—a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she’s been longing for.

It's not fair to say that trouble happens every time PJ Sugar is around, but it feels that way when she returns to her hometown, looking for a fresh start. Within a week, her former teacher is murdered and her best friend's husband is arrested as the number-one suspect. Although the police detective investigating the murder--who also happens to be PJ's former flame--is convinced it's an open-and-shut case, PJ's not so sure. She begins digging for clues in an effort to clear her friend's husband and ends up reigniting old passions, uncovering an international conspiracy, and solving a murder along the way. She also discovers that maybe God can use a woman who never seems to get it right.

Read the first chapter: http://gotsugar.susanmaywarren.com/

About Susan: Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia , was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia , Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota .

A note from Susan May Warren

Sometimes, do you feel like you just don’t fit in? You look around you and if anyone knew how difficult it was just to put yourself together, to smile when you feel completely overwhelmed, to even figure out what you were making for supper, they’d know what a mess you were. Maybe you totally relate to those words in 1 Peter – God’s elect, strangers and aliens in the world. Do you feel like when you look in the rear view mirror, all you see are your mistakes?

Maybe not. But if so, then PJ is your gal. I wanted to write a story about the person in so many of us who just wants to get it right…but can’t seem to stay out of trouble. My friend and I have what we call the “stupid mouth” club…and we report our weekly foibles (usually on Monday, after Sunday church!). PJ is our charter member. She’s the girl that changes her mind, always hopes for the best, is always discovering that she is just a little different than everyone else. PJ is us.

And that’s good news. Because God loves PJ. He loves her messiness, and her impulsiveness, her heart bent toward others, the hope that fuels her actions. And He has a plan for PJ – one that includes her weaknesses as well as her strengths.

Yep, I need to hear that – need to hear that I don’t have to be perfect for God to love me, use me, sing over me. Need to hear that although I don’t fit in, well, I’m not supposed to…in fact, I’m supposed to be a little…alien.

I wrote PJ for everyone who feels just a little messy, just a little like they can’t quite get it right. And who needs to hear that God loves them. Period. Full stop. Hallelujah.

What is your favourite Bible verse and what does it mean to you?

My current favourite is: Hebrew 4:16, “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” It means that even when I come crawling, my face to the floor, He won’t reject me. I pull it out whenever I blow it, or feel inadequate, or when someone hurts me, or...when I hurt someone else. Basically whenever I feel like I’m Trouble, I remember that God won’t turn away. In fact, He may even do what I do to my children – turn me to face Him, despite my puffy red face, wipe off my tears and pull me into His arms.

How did I come to be a writer?

I’ve always been amazed at the journey God has taken me on. I always loved to write, but being a missionary in Russia , I never dreamed about being an author. I just tried to do the best with what God had entrusted to me, and for me that meant writing missionary newsletters. I honed my skills through my newsletter, and then, after a number of years, began to write devotionals and magazine articles. Although I tried my hand at writing novels (I wrote 4 before I ever had one published), I never thought I would get anything published. But I diligently studied craft and analyzed books, even though I was hidden away in Siberia . I’ll always be grateful that Tyndale took a chance on me! I’m still learning, and still trying to be a good steward of the gift and task I’ve been given to write books that draw people closer to God.

Where did the idea for PJ Sugar come from?

Every author dreams of a moment where someone says something, or they see something on the news, or in a newspaper and it springs out at them, nearly shouting – STORY IDEA! This happened to me a number of years ago while talking to friends about their daycare situation, and how one of the parents ended up being a murder suspect! Scary! But an interesting idea. About that time, I was a mom who wore many hats – homeschooling mom, writing teacher, speaker, children’s church leader, -- and it occurred to me that a mother really has to be a sort of PI. Not only taking on different roles, but sleuthing out daily household mysteries like, who ate the last of the peanut butter (and put it back in the cupboard?) and whose socks are laying in the middle of the floor, and finally…(in our house), who let the dog (and her muddy feet!) in the house! PJ is the alter-ego in every mom, that super-hero inside of us that allows us to have esp (I know you’re not really done with your homework!), or have “eyes in the back of our head,” (stop poking your sister!) or even figure out how to whip together an award-winning science project the night before the fair. PJ just applies all those skills to bad guys and figuring out the truth.

PJ Sugar is also a woman who wants to be all things to all people. She wants to be her nephew’s champion and her sister’s best friend, and her mother’s favorite daughter, and Boone’s special girl, and the hero of her hometown. That’s not too much to ask, is it? Maybe…because God wants her to be His girl, and satisfied in who He made her to be. And that is a journey for all of us PJ Sugars.

CFBA Blog Tour: Jillian Dare

2009-05-26T23:01:00.000-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Jillian Dare: A Novel
Revell (May 1, 2009)
by
Melanie M. Jeschke

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Morey Jeschke (pronounced jes-key), a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from University of Virginia as a Phi Beta Kappa with an Honors degree in English Literature and a minor in European and English History.

A free-lance travel writer, Melanie contributed the Oxford chapter to the Rick Steves’ England 2006 guidebook. She is a member of the Capital Christian Writers and Christian Fiction Writers as well as three book clubs, and taught high-school English before home-schooling most of her nine children. Melanie lectures on Lewis and Tolkien, Oxford, and writing, and gives inspirational talks to all manner of groups, including university classes, women’s clubs, young professionals, teens, and school children.

A fourth generation pastor’s wife (her father Dr. Earl Morey is a retired Presbyterian minister), Melanie resides in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with her children and husband Bill Jeschke, a soccer coach and the Senior Pastor of The King’s Chapel, an non-denominational Christian church in Fairfax, Virginia.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England.

She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Jillian Dare: A Novel, go HERE

CFBA Blog Tour: Deceptive Promises

2009-05-21T21:53:00.001-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Deceptive Promises
Barbour Publishing, Inc (2008)
by
Amber Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hi, I'm Amber, but my friends call me Tiff, short for Tiffany, my first name. I am in my 30's, married the love of my life in July 2007, live in Colorado and just had an incredibly beautiful daughter named Victoria.

I love to travel and visit new places. Ultimately, my dream is to own horses and live in a one-level rancher or log cabin nestled in the foothills of the mountains. For now, I will remain where I am and do what I love—design web sites and write.

I got involved with web design in 1997, when I was asked to take over running the official web site for the television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. That eventually led to a series of negotiations where I was offered the job of running world-renowned actress Jane Seymour's official fan site. That has branched into doing web sites for a variety of clients, including: authors J.M. Hochstetler, Trish Perry, Kathy Pride, Louise M. Gouge, Susan Page Davis, and Jill Elizabeth Nelson, actor William Shockley (the voice of AT&T and Toyota) and many others. With the help of a handful of other web site "technos," Eagle Designs was born! Feel free to visit and see our other clients.

Amber's very first book, Promises, Promises, released in February 2008. It's a historical fiction set in Delaware during the Colonial period and the Great Awakening. The other 2 books in the series are Quills And Promises (July 2008) and this one, Deceptive Promises (December 2008). In 2009, they will be repackaged for a state set entitled Liberty's Promise. She has also sold another series set in historical Michigan during the Industrial Revolution. The 3 books in that series will begin releasing in May 2009 and will be repackaged in 2010.

ABOUT THE BOOK

MARGRET WANTS TO BELIEVE SAMUEL'S PROMISES.

Is deception fair in wartime Margret Scott must deal with this question as she finds herself attracte to the enigmatic Samuel Lowe. As the tensions grow between the colonists and the British soldiers and loyalists, Margret cannot always tell where Samuel's loyalties lie.

"If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity." -Job 31:5-6

Samuel's duties have him working for both sides of this war, and he often finds himself torn between what is right and what is wrong. He promises Margret she can trust him, and Margret promises him she does. But can promises born in deception be trusted? Can a relationship built in uncertainty survive?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Deceptive Promises, go HERE.

CFBA Blog Tour: Ulterior Motive

2009-05-19T13:15:00.001-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Ulterior Motive
Bethany House (March 1, 2009)
by
Mark Andrew Olsen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MARK ANDREW OLSEN whose novel The Assignment was a Christy Award finalist, also collaborated on bestsellers Hadassah (now the major motion picture: One Night With the King), The Hadassah Covenant, and Rescued. Two of his last books were the supernatural thriller The Watchers, and The Warriors.

The son of missionaries to France, Mark is a Professional Writing graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Connie, live in Colorado Springs with their three children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When an al-Qaeda email is intercepted, threatening an attack on America, it leads to the capture of the group's leader. Yet even under fierce interrogation, the terrorist clings to his jihadist beliefs and refuses to divulge any information. Desperate, the Army resorts to extreme measures--a controversial protocol designed to break a subject's resistance. But the attempt must be masked as an offer of clemency and rely on an outside party, someone who is unaware of the protocol's aims.

They find that someone in Greg Cahill, a disgraced soldier who now serves in a prison ministry. Lured by the chance to restore his reputation, Greg befriends a man the entire country despises. And the result proves combustible, the two men having to flee for their lives. With both in need of redemption, they set out to prevent a major catastrophe...

If you would like to read the first chapter of Ulterior Motive, go HERE

I haven't read this book yet, but my son did and said it was fantastic!

Genesis Contest Finalist!

2009-05-17T19:44:00.005-04:00

On Thursday afternoon, around 12:30, the phone rang. Nap time had just started, so the house was quiet. I answered the phone with the usual "hello?" A man asked for me and gave me news that made my heart dance and eyes well with tears. That man was Jim Rupart, one of the coordinators for the Genesis writing contest, a writing contest for unpublished writers sponsored by ACFW. He called to say, "Congratulations, your entry finaled in the Genesis contest!"

I'm a gushy person when excited so, of course, I blubbered on the phone. We chatted for a few minutes, and then hung up. I called Hubby and shared the exciting news, and then called a couple of friends who understood my joy.

I entered two manuscripts in this contest. Ironically, the entry that finaled was the one I almost DIDN'T enter. I did not feel confident about it, but a friend persuaded me to enter it anyway to get the feedback to make it better. So I did. Now when I attend the ACFW conference in September, I will have a finalist ribbon to add to my name tag.

You know, I really don't care about winning. Yes, I'd be thrilled if I did, but having my entry make it to the top five is exciting enough.

I received my scoresheets that afternoon and had 48 hours to polish the manuscript before it would be sent to the final round judges. In my category, the final judges are two editors and one agent.

Finding time in those 48 hours was a challenge since I was out of town for most of them and dealt with a family emergency. I read the feedback I received, considered it, made changes, and submitted the revised entry five minutes before the deadline. I know. I know. Nothing like cutting it close.

My extreme gratitude goes to Camy Tang, her panel of coordinators, and the judges for their hard work. Without them, this contest would not be a success. I am eternally grateful for this opportunty. I praise God for opening another door on my writing journey.

I told my sister I was Snoopy Dancin' and she didn't know what I meant, so this is for her:

CFBA Blog Tour: Beloved Counterfeit

2009-05-14T07:31:00.000-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Beloved Counterfeit
Barbour Publishing, Inc (May 2009)
by
Kathleen Y'Barbo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KATHLEEN MILLER Y’BARBO is a tenth-generation Texan and a mother of three grown sons and a teenage daughter. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an award-winning novelist of Christian fiction whose first published work jumped onto the Christian Booksellers Association bestseller list in its first month of release. Kathleen is a former treasurer for the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a member of the Author’s Guild, Inspirational Writers Alive, Words for the Journey Christian Writers Guild, and the Fellowship of Christian Authors. In addition, she is a sought-after speaker, and her kids think she’s a pretty cool mom, too…most of the time, anyway.

ABOUT THE BOOK

LOVE CAN COVER A MUTITUDE OF SINS

Washed ashore on Fairweather Key, Ruby O’Shea and her three nieces─the offspring of the pirate Thomas Hawkins and Ruby’s late sister─have a chance for a new beginning as Ruby takes a job in a boardinghouse and the girls are passed off as her daughters. But will Ruby be able to confess all when she falls for Micah Tate, a widower, wrecher, and soon-to-be preacher?

Micah is determined to marry the young woman who has captured his heart despite knowing she has something to hide. But will he be able to remain true to his vows when his lady love’s shady past comes to light?

Captain Thomas Hawkins will go to any length to discover the whereabouts of his daughters. What will his determination cost the folks of Fairweather Key?

When Ruby finds herself bereft of her newfound love and protector, will she run away in an attempt to escape her present as she did her past? Will Micah’s love cover the multitude of Ruby’s sins, or will Ruby’s duplicity cost her everything?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Beloved Counterfeit, go HERE

Farm Town on Facebook

2009-05-13T21:41:00.002-04:00

My friend Sara sent me a Farm Town request on Facebook and now, I'm hooked. 'nuff said...

CFBA Blog Tour: Taking Tuscany

2009-05-12T09:56:00.002-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Taking Tuscany
David C. Cook (May 2009)
by
Renee Riva

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Renee Riva writes humorous stories with a message, for both children and adults. Having been raised in a large Italian family with a great sense of humor, she has much to draw from for developing quirky characters.

She loves sharing her secrets for story starters at Young Author events, helping to spark the imagination of young minds. Renee and her husband live in Richland, Washington, with their three daughters, a dog, a cat, and until recently, her beloved hamster—may she rest in peace.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A. J. Degulio loved the idea of a visit to the Old Country... until her family decided to stay. It's 1972 and she's turning fourteen in a crumbling castle on a hill in Tuscany, wishing she were back in Idaho with her beloved dog, Sailor. In Italy, her blonde hair makes her stick out like a vanilla wafer in a box of chocolate biscotti, and she's so lonely her best friend is a nun from the local convent.

The challenges of roots and relatives are nothing new to A. J., but she's going to need more than the famous Degulio sense of humor to survive. Can't anyone see that Italy isn't really home? It will take a catastrophe - and a few wise words from a friend - for A. J. to understand that sometimes the only thing you can change is your perspective.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Taking Tuscany, go HERE

Lisa's Comment: I started this book Sunday evening before bed. I forced myself to put it down way after my bedtime. I finished it last night after dinner. Taking Tuscany has been added to my Top Ten Favorite Books list. The characters in Taking Tuscany will make you laugh and cry. Their quirks and characteristics make them linger in your thoughts long after the story has been read. I highly recommend this book.

CFBA Blog Tour: According To Their Deeds

2009-05-07T13:05:00.000-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
According To Their Deeds
Bethany House (March 1, 2009)
by
Paul Robertson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paul Robertson is a computer programming consultant, part-time high-school math and science teacher, and the author of The Heir. He is also a former Christian bookstore owner (for 15 years), who lives with his family in Blacksburg, Virginia.

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Deadly Game of Justice Versus Mercy Charles Beale lives outside the shadow of Washington, D.C. Politics and power matter only when a client crosses the Potomac to visit his Alexandria Rare Books shop.

But that all changes when a former client--a man deeply connected in the Justice Department--is found murdered after a break-in gone bad. When Charles reclaims at auction the books he'd once sold, he quickly discovers he's bought more trouble than he could have ever imagined.

Inside one volume are secrets. A collection of sins that, if revealed, could destroy reputations, careers--even lives. Charles soon learns he isn't the only who knows. Going to the police means ruining a multitude of lives. But staying silent puts a target on his shop, his wife--and himself. Charles must decide: Should one mistake really cost you everything?

If you would like to read the first chapter of According To Their Deeds, go HERE

Memory's Chalice

2009-05-06T08:26:00.006-04:00

Our oldest son has many gifts, one of which is writing beautiful poetry. We're not talking Dr. Seuss rhyming here...he truly has an ability to string emotionally provoking words together to form beautiful word images.

Last year for Mother's Day, he wrote me a poem, typed it on the computer, and framed it. It's one of the most wonderful gifts I've ever received. The poem is titled, "Tears of a Mother's Life."

The first stanza reads:

A new dawn breaks and with a cry,
We take our first breath,
The warm embrace of mother and child.
A single tear of joy and love,
Falls from her and lands in Memory's chalice,
Never to be forgotten.
(Excerpt taken from A Tears of a Mother's Life
© Scott Jordan 2008)

Okay, my throat is thickening by reading that opening line. LOL, I'm a sap.

The poem details a mother/son voyage from birth to death. If you have children, you truly understand the bond between mother and child.

One Sunday morning, our son nudged me and asked for paper. Instead of scolding him about writing during church, I simply dug through my purse for the ever present notebook and handed it to him. He penned another poem. I understood the need to write when an idea hits.

Our son entered a poetry contest through our county library. He submitted three poems. Last night we attended the public reading and awards event. His poem, "To My Snowy Thornless Rose", the one he wrote during church service won fourth place. It's about an elderly man saying goodbye to the love of his life. We were excited with this placement. He read the poem in his manly voice, and then accepted his award. Two other students won third and second places for their poems. Then, they announced the first place winner. Our son won first place for his poem, "Tears of a Mother's Life."

As he read the poem, I recorded him on my digital camera with tears streaming down my face. Even as I type this, the backs of my eyes feel heavy and warm. To say I was pleased is an understatement. It's not the award or the winnings that touch my heart, but the true love for me that my son wrote about. We have a deep connection. We clash often, but Hubby says that's because we're so much alike.

Our son graduates from high school in less than a month, and then he will be off to college. That will be a new season in our lives--one I'm not ready for, but I have to let him go to spread his wings.

I'm truly thankful for the two boys God has gifted us with. They are unique and complete in their own individual ways. Both boys have gifts and abilities that set them apart from anyone else. As they grow from little boys into men, I treasure each hug, each "I love you, Mom," each memory and allow my tears to privately collect in memory's chalice.

CFBA Blog Tour: Shame

2009-05-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Shame
David C. Cook (May 2009)
by
Greg Garrett

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Greg Garrett has published newspaper and magazine features, short stories, personal and critical essays, reviews, encyclopedia articles, novels, a memoir, and books of nonfiction during his thirty-year writing career.

Author of the critically acclaimed novels Free Bird (chosen by Publishers Weekly and the Rocky Mountain News [Denver] as one of the best first novels of 2002) and Cycling, as well as the nonfiction books The Gospel Reloaded (with Chris Seay), Holy Superheroes!, the spiritual autobiography Crossing Myself, The Gospel According to Hollywood, and the forthcoming Stories from the Edge, Dr. Garrett is a past winner of the Pirate's Alley William Faulkner Prize for Fiction, and a regional CASE gold medalist for nonfiction.

He was elected to the Texas Institute of Letters in 2005 for his lifetime literary achievements. Professor of English at Baylor University, Dr. Garrett was named the Outstanding Baylor Faculty Member for 1994 by the Baylor Student Congress, and received the university administration's outstanding professor award in 1996. He received his Ph.D. in English from Oklahoma State University, and recently completed the M.Div. at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, where he lives, writes, and serves as a lay preacher at St. David's Episcopal Church.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It's hard to appreciate the life you have when you're wondering about the one you might have had.

John Tilden's glory days are far behind him, and now it seems like all he has is the monotony of everyday living. He certainly thought there'd be more to it than his ramshackle Oklahoma farm and a mundane job coaching basketball at his old high school. He questions his fatherhood skills too: His oldest son won't speak to him, his younger son wants to quit the basketball team, and now his daughter wants to go out on dates. He loves his wife, but the marriage has settled into complacency.

With John's twentieth high school reunion approaching, he has agreed to play in an exhibition game with the old championship team. And his ex-girlfriend's back in town, newly single. What might have been now seems closer than ever.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Shame, go HERE

What I Learned From Being a Non-traditional Student!

2009-05-04T07:18:00.006-04:00

(Me in my dorky looking graduation cap after receiving my diploma.)

Saturday, May 2, I graduated summa cum laude with an associate of science degree in Early Childhood Education. My degree took three years to complete, but the journey was a valuable process I will never forget.

When I graduated from high school, I went to college the following August and attended for three semesters, but turmoil and financial setbacks in my personal life prevented me from obtaining my degree. In the meantime, I married a sexy Marine, had two boys, and worked at raising my family. I wanted to finish my college education at some point.

That God-given opportunity occurred in 2006 when I attended a training for my profession and learned an in-state university was offering an early childhood education program. Graduates could earn their A.S. in ECE in four years since it was a part-time program. I was accepted into the program and enrolled in the Fall 2006 semester. Many of my credits from my previous college experience transferred, so I completed the program in less time.

Here's what I learned from being a non-traditional student:

1. God opens doors. My return to college was definitely a God thing. He provided the finances, the study time, my cries for wisdom when assignments seemed too difficult, and friends and family who supported and encouraged me.

2. Family support is essential. Without my family's support, albeit somewhat grudgingly at times, I would not have been able to obtain my degree. After working all day, making dinner was one of my least favorite tasks. Many times my family stepped in to help with dinner, the laundry, and other household chores when I needed to take a test or finish an assignment.

3. Study buddies are essential. I could not have gotten through my classes without the support of my friends. One of my very good friends enrolled when I did, so we had many of the same classes. We were able to work together on projects from time to time, but we were able to help each other out when one of us didn't understand something. I had colleagues who encouraged and cheered me on. I had online friends who listened to me whine while I did homework.

4. Online classes are the way to go. Prior to returning back to school, I had no experience with taking online classes, so I wasn't sure how that would work out. I gotta tell ya--it rocked! I loved the ability to do homework and participate in class discussions in my pajamas. I worked around my schedule and spent a couple of hours each evening doing homework. If I didn't feel like doing homework that night, I didn't. On campus, you're committed to a set schedule of classes. My exams and assignments were due by a specific date, and I always turned them in on time.

If you're considering going back for your degree, I encourage you to check out local universities and see if they have online programs. There's a certain thrill in hearing your name being announced and walking across the stage to receive your diploma. I worked full-time, raised a family, and wrote the rough draft of two novels while working toward my degree. I'm looking forward to using study/homework time with writing time now!

Woo hooo!! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done!

Birthday Parties on a Budget

2009-04-16T12:57:00.004-04:00

With the current condition of the economy, many people are tightening their budgets to make ends meet. Unfortunately children are feeling the effects, too, when they are not able to have the type of birthday celebrations they would like. However, all is not lost!

Read my latest article published through PG Magazine for some ideas how to teach your child the value of budgeting and still have special birthday celebrations:

Birthday Parties on a Budget

Beach Bound

2009-03-18T07:56:00.002-04:00

Sanibel Island, Florida is my favorite vacation destination. The island is gorgeous, quaint, and quiet. We had planned our beach vacation for June before Christmas. I was so looking forward to getting away this summer.

At the end of January, we had a drastic change in our financial situation. Our beach vacation was scrapped.

This bummed me for a couple of reasons:
1. We wouldn't see our beloved island.
2. I graduate from college at the beginning of May and our oldest son graduates high school in June. This vacation was a treat for the graduating seniors. We'll take the other family members along because we're nice people. :)

On Monday, I came up with a financial solution for our beach vacation to happen, but instead of flying, we'd have to drive the 21 hours from our home to the island. I'm a girl who gets carsick on long trips, so this was not my idea of fun, but quite willing to compromise to make it happen. I plan to listen to a lot of audiobooks on my iPod.

Hubby and I discussed the details and decided to leave earlier than previously planned and make the trip in three segments. That way, the trip won't seem so unbearable. Plus, we're stopping to see a good friend along the way.

84 days and counting until we leave.

LitFUSE: My Book Therapy's LOVE TO WRITE blog tour

2009-02-25T21:34:00.006-05:00

Is your book lacking in plot? Are your characters flat? Is your setting ho-hum? Are the voices in your head too quiet?

Sounds like you need to schedule a session at My Book Therapy with book therapists, award-winning authors Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, and recently Sarah Sumpolec have teamed up to provide book therapy for writers whose work is in dire need of counseling. :-)

Welcome to the Love To Write blog tour!

Below you will find the links to the stops along the tour. Each blogger will be posting different articles, interviews and tips from the My Book Therapy team or "therapists" as they're better known as, Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck and Sarah Sumpolec!

My Book Therapy is a boutique fiction editing service that helps writers discover the writer inside!

Check out the video trailer here!

Want to win a copy of the book for yourself or a discount on a Book Therapy session? Visit the blogs to learn how.

Christa at Fictionary
Mary at Home Steeped Hope
Julie at The Surrendered Scribe
Nicole at Gidget Goes Home
Sunny at Life in the Estrogen Ocean
Deborah at Comfort Joy and here
Cathy at Word Vessel
Gina at Portrait of a Writer
Stacey at Jamee Forever
Amy at The 160 Acre Woods
Pam at Without Fear
Laura at Wild Things
Margaret at The Cappuccino Life and here
Melanie at Melanie Writes
Scoti at Springs Writers
Jamie at Surviving the Chaos (Jamie's posted several great articles)
DeeDee at FiddleDeeDee
Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms Interview podcast!
Laura at Lighthouse Academy
Kaylea at My Scrappy Life
Annette at Net's Book Notes
Pamela at Pammer's Ramblins
Lisa at Musings
Heather at Literature Crazy
Kelly at Scrambled Dregs
Diane at Diane Meyer Photo
Kate at A Simple Walk
Tyora at Tyora Moody Several great posts 2/23 - 2/27
Donna at Write By Faith
Mimi at Mimi's Pixie Corner
Deena at A Peek at My Bookshelf
Pattie at Fresh Brewed Writer and here and here
Janice at The Nearsighted Bookworm
Suzanne at Clicking Her Heels
Lauren at Reading Grounds
Lynn at Faith Fiction Fun and Fanciful
Lissa Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Carla at Carla's Writing Cafe
Marjorie at The Writer's Tool
Erica at On the Write Path
Beth at The Writing Road Several great posts 2/15 - 2/20
Jennifer at Quiver Full Family

1. From the Inside…Out: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You

Blurb: Have you always wanted to write a novel, but didn’t know where to start? This book is for you. With proven techniques, easy to understand explanations and practical steps, From The Inside...Out will teach you how a story is structured then take you through the process of creating and marketing your novel. Topics include: Character-driven plotting, How to HOOK your reader, The elements and flow of SCENES, How to build STORYWORLD, Secrets to Sizzling Dialogue, Proven Self-Editing techniques, Synopsis and Query letter writing, How to manage your writing career ...and everything in between!

Link to buy the book: http://stores.lulu.com/mybooktherapy

Lisa's comments: I bought this book before the tour started and LOVE it!! The conversational writing style and concrete examples help this visual learner understand what Susie is saying. There have been a couple of points that finally clicked after reading the lessons in this book. With hands-on worksheets, writers can use the lessons in this book to figure out the problems in their own novels! Great book at a low price!

2. Blog-A-Book!

Blurb: Write a book with My Book Therapy Voices in 2009!

Remember those games you used to play where your friend started the story, and you finished it? Or the “Choose your own ending” books? Ever wanted to be a part of the story process, giving input on the character’s decisions, learning how to write a book as you go? Me too!

Here at My Book Therapy, we love to write, and we love to teach writers how to find their voice. So, in 2009 we’ll be writing a book together! Starting in January, we’ll create characters, a plot, develop conflict, the black moment, the epiphany and finally…the happy ending. Then, week by week, you’ll be a part of the creation process, voting on the next step of our hero’s journey, watching the book take life, and learning the nuances of crafting a story. You’ll Blog-A-Book with the My Book Therapy authors and get tools to help you how to write your own novel.

And, at the end of the year, we’ll have a book we’ve all created, something that we’ll publish! And, best of all, the proceeds will go to support IJM, an organization that fights human trafficking around the world.

I’m really excited about our new project, and can’t wait to see what the collective mind put together.

So, Come and Blog-A-Book. Learn. Fellowship. Bless.

My Book Therapy…Discover the writer in you.

CFBA Blog Tour: Cry in the Night

2009-02-13T17:05:00.001-05:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Cry In The Night
Thomas Nelson (February 3, 2009)
by
Colleen Coble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Colleen Coble's thirty novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA award, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best awards. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.

AWARDS:
2004 More Than Magic winner for Best Inspirational Romance
Without a Trace, Thomas Nelson
2004 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year

ABOUT THE BOOK

The highly anticipated novel that delivers what romantic suspense fans have long awaited-the return to Rock Harbor.

Bree Nichols gets the shock of her life when her husband-presumed dead-reappears.

Bree Nichols and her search and rescue dog Samson discover a crying infant in the densely forested woods outside of Rock Harbor, Michigan. Against objections from her husband, Kade, who knows she'll become attached, Bree takes the baby in. Quickly she begins a search for the mother-presumably the woman reported missing just days earlier.
While teams scour the forests, Bree ferrets out clues about the missing woman. But she soon discovers something more shocking: Bree's former husband-long presumed dead in a plane crash-resurfaces. Is he really who he says he is? And should she trust him again after all these years?
An engaging, romantic suspense novel from critically-acclaimed author Colleen Coble.

If you would like to read the first chapter of , go HERE

CFBA Blog Tour: Against All Odds

2009-02-10T14:10:00.001-05:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Against All Odds
Revell (February 1, 2009)
by
Irene Hannon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Irene Hannon is an award-winning author who took the publishing world by storm at the tender age of 10 with a sparkling piece of fiction that received national attention.

Okay…maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But she was one of the honorees in a complete-the-story contest conducted by a national children’s magazine. And she likes to think of that as her “official” fiction-writing debut.

Since then, she has written more than 25 romance and romantic suspense novels that have sold more than 1.5 million copies. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA award from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romantic fiction), the HOLT Medallion and a Reviewer’s Choice award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine.

Irene, who holds a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in journalism, juggled two careers for many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position with a Fortune 500 company to write full. She is happy to say she has no regrets! As she points out, leaving behind the rush-hour commute, corporate politics and a relentless BlackBerry that never slept was no sacrifice.

In her spare time, Irene enjoys hamming it up in community musical theater productions. A trained vocalist, she has sung the leading role in numerous musicals, including “South Pacific,” “Brigadoon,” “Oklahoma” “The King and I” and “Anything Goes.” She also regularly performs with a six-person musical review troupe and is a cantor at her church (where she does NOT ham it up!).

When not otherwise occupied, Irene loves to cook and garden. She and her husband also enjoy traveling, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Evan Cooper and his partner, dignitary protection duty should have been a piece of cake. Unfortunately, Monica Callahan isn’t making it easy. Estranged from her diplomat father, who is involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East, she refuses to be intimidated by a related terrorist threat back in the States…until a chilling warning convinces her that the danger is very real—and escalating. As Coop and his partner do their best to keep her safe, David Callahan continues his work—triggering an abduction that puts his daughter’s life at risk. And with every second that ticks by, Coop knows that the odds of saving the only woman who has ever managed to breach the walls around his heart are dropping. Because terrorists aren’t known for their patience—or their mercy.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Against All Odds, go HERE

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

4 ½-star, “Top Pick” rating from Romantic Times BOOKreviews!

"Brava! Award winner Hannon debuts the heroes of Quantico series with a wonderful
array of believable characters, action and suspense that will keep readers glued to each page. Hannon’s extraordinary writing, vivid scenes and surprise ending come together for a not-to-be-missed reading experience.”
~Romantic Times BOOKreviews~

“I found someone who writes romantic suspense better than I do. I highly recommend Against All Odds as one of the best books I've had the privilege of reading this year. This is a captivating, fast-paced, well written romantic suspense destined for my keeper shelf. I loved this book, and highly recommend this author."
~Dee Henderson~ Author of the O’Malley Family Series

CFBA Blog Tour: Word Gets Around

2009-02-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Word Gets Around
Bethany House (February 1, 2009)
by
Lisa Wingate

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Wingate lives in central Texas where she is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books. Her novel, Tending Roses, received dozens of five-star reviews, sold out ten printings for New York publisher, Penguin Putnam, and went on to become a national bestselling book. Tending Roses was a selection of the Readers Club of America, and is currently in its tenth printing.

The Tending Roses series continued with Good Hope Road, The Language of Sycamores, Drenched In Light, and A Thousand Voices. In 2003, Lisa’s Texas Hill Country series began with Texas Cooking, and continued with Lone Star Café, which was awarded a gold medal by RT BOOKCLUB magazine and was hailed by Publisher’s Weekly as “A charmingly nostalgic treat.” The series concluded with Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner.

Lisa is now working on a new set of small-town Texas novels for Bethany House Publishers. The series debuted with Talk of The Town and continued with Word Gets Around. A new series is also underway for Penguin Group NAL, beginning with A Month of Summer (July 2008), and continuing with The Summer Kitchen in July, 2009. Lisa’s works have been featured by the National Reader’s Club of America, AOL Book Picks, Doubleday Book Club, The Literary Guild, American Profiles, and have been chosen for the LORIES best Published Fiction Award.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Romance Is In the Air, Word Gets Around Lauren Eldridge thought she'd wiped the dust of Daily, Texas, off her boots forever. Screenwriter Nate Heath thought he was out of second chances. Life's never that predictable, though. Cajoled by her father, Lauren is back in town helping train a skittish race horse set to star in a Hollywood film. But the handsome screenwriter gives her more trouble than the horse. And Nate is realizing there's a spark of magic in the project--and in the eyes of the girl who is so good with horses. Daily, Texas, has a way of offering hope, healing, and a little romance just when folks need it most.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Word Gets Around, go HERE

What people are saying:

"Lisa Wingate writes engaging stories that strike the heart. God has gifted her with a marvelous talent and I, for one, am most grateful."
—Debbie Macomber, New York Times #1 bestselling author

The Importance of Play--Published Article

2009-02-03T09:40:00.003-05:00

February marks the debut of my first official article as a columnist for PG (Parental Guidance) Magazine. I received two copies in the mail and was thrilled to see my article bolded on the front cover. Even though I'm not being compensated for my articles, I do retain all rights and can submit them elsewhere.

Check out The Importance of Play