BOOK REVIEW: "Love Finds You in Paradise Pennsylvania" by Loree Lough

I've yet to read a "Love Finds You in..." book that I didn't enjoy, and Love Finds You in Paradise Pennsylvania by Loree Lough is no exception.

The story takes place in a close-knit Amish community, and is about a female attorney by the name of Julia Spencer who has grown up in foster care. She struggles with her past and tries to overcome it all with sheer determination and an independent spirit. That is until she meets veterinarian Simon Thomas.

Simon, though not Amish himself, has close ties with the Amish community and doggedly protects them from an increasingly hostile world.

Just when it seems that Julia and Simon are about to make a love connection, Julia agrees to take on the case of a teenager who has been charged with a crime involving an Amish boy. Now she and Simon are pitted against each other in an emotionally charged lawsuit.

Will they be able to overcome their differences through the power of forgiveness?

This is a sweet and heart-warming love story, packed full of the goodness of God.

Readers, I'm pleased to be able to pass this delightful book on to one of you. Just leave a comment (with a way for me to reach you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing for "Love Finds You in Paradise Pennsylvania." I'll announce the winner in Saturday's post. 

NOTE: All the members of the "Heart For Home" newsletter list are automatically signed up for every giveaway. If you'd like to add your name to the list, you can do so here, or you can visit www.CatBryant.com and click on the Newsletter tab to be taken to the sign-up form.

NEXT POST: My Note Card System

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Janet Ann Collins (& Book Giveaway!)

Before we begin our interview, let me make a quick announcement! I'm being interviewed about our Facebook group, Christian Fiction, on Thursday, Jan. 7th on the Red River Writers Live BlogTalk Radio Show. Here's the link:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/robinfalls/2010/01/07/savvy-designs-with-april-robins

The show starts at noon Central (CST), and my part of the show will start around 1:15-1:30 p.m. Please enter the chatroom to ask questions and join the fun. You can also listen to the show at this Call-in Number: (646) 595-4478.

Hope to see you there! =) Now on to our interview!

WordVessel welcomes author Janet Collins. Here's her bio:
Author Janet Ann Collins used to write feature articles for a newspaper in the San Francisco Bay Area and her work has appeared in many other periodicals. She is a retired teacher who lives in the Sierra foothills of Northern California with her husband.

Janet, why did you choose to write this book?

I wrote The Peril of the Sinister Scientist because I’ve always wanted to be the author of fiction books for kids, but all my previously published writing had been in periodicals, mostly for adults. Years ago when the “What Would Jesus Do” movement was popular I was a substitute teacher and wondered how Jesus would act in Middle School.  The idea stuck with me and eventually I came up with the plot idea of a kid who really needs to know the answer to that question because he thinks he was cloned from the blood on the Shroud of Turin.

What would you like readers to take away from your book?

First and foremost, I hope kids will have fun reading it. I’d also like them to think about how to be Christ-like, and realize that who they are doesn’t depend on who their parents are.

What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

Learn all you can about the craft and business of writing from books, critique and internet groups, and conferences, Keep improving, submit your work to appropriate publishers, and never give up.

Which books on writing have been the most helpful to you and why?

Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide has been a great help by informing me of appropriate places to submit my work.

What are your favorite writing conferences and why?

I love the Mount Hermon Christian Writers’ Conference. I’ve learned an incredible amount there and made helpful connections with people in the industry, but the best part is connecting with Christians from all over the world who love reading and writing.  For begining and intermediate writers I recommend the Castro Valley Christian Writers’ Seminar in Castro Valley, CA. I’ve lead workshops there for many years.

How can readers get in contact with you?

They can e-mail me at  jan@janetanncollins.com, or go to the Contact Me page on my website, www.janetanncollins.com, or leave a comment on my blog, http://onwordsblog.blogspot.com.

Here's a short description of "The Peril of the Sinister Scientist":

Twelve years ago a scientist tried to make a clone from the blood on the Shroud of turin. Now he's stalking Joshua. Could Joshua be the clone? When he learns his true identity will it change his life forever?

Janet, thanks so much for the interview. We enjoyed getting to know you!


Readers, Janet has graciously agreed to send a copy of her delightful kid's book to one of you. Just leave a comment (with a way for me to contact you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winners in Saturday's post!

NEXT POST: Book Review of "Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania" by Loree Lough

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Linda S. Clare (& Book Giveaway!)

I'm delighted to welcome author Linda S. Clare to WordVessel today. Here's her bio:
Linda S. Clare grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, got her degree in Art Education from Arizona State University and taught art as well as elementary school in public and private schools for more than ten years. She has also been the Director of a church-sponsored preschool for four year-olds. Her husband of thirty years, Brad, and their four adult children, including a set of twins, live in Eugene, Oregon, along with Bandit the dog and three wayward cats, Oliver, Xena Warrior Kitty and Paladine. Linda enjoys reading, gardening and the ocean.

Linda Clare has published three books, including Making Peace with a Dangerous God (Revell, 2006). She has won several fiction awards, teaches college writing classes and works as a mentor and editor in Eugene, Oregon. She and her husband of thirty years, Brad, have four adult children who rarely climb trees anymore, but Oliver still competes with pals Xena Warrior Kitty and Paladyne for the best spot in any sunny window.

Linda, what advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

For the past 10 years, I’ve taught writing at a local college, so I see a lot of would-be writers, beginners and those farther along too. If I could, I’d convince aspiring writers to first, 1) believe in yourself as a vessel (pun intended) for God or if you can’t quite do that, find someone who is willing to shepherd you as you begin. Take a class (Noncredit Classes at colleges and universities, or through community centers, regional writing conferences or even your church are low-cost ways to start). 2)At first don’t obsess over grammar, punctuation (although you will need to know these things). Just write. Fill up hard drives, thumb drives and journals. If you must have “rules,” make your rule to see what you have to say. 3) Keep Writing. I know it sounds odd, but many new writers get stuck early on. Writing is a craft and you can learn a craft. But like any craft, it takes practice. A lot of practice. 4) Be willing to write dreck. What? The late great Ken Kesey used to tell his writing students, “Just junk it through.” That means writing down a draft of a story to get the story there. Then you can revise. 5) Learn that a draft is a starting point, not the end. Pros look at the draft and say, “Now I have something to work on.” At this point, start looking for a critique group or attend one of the many fine writing conferences held annually around the country. Above all, employ the 3 ps! Practice, Persistence and Patience. If you don’t give up, you have a far better chance to succeed. Write your heart out.

Where do you get ideas for stories?

A lot of my stories are pretty unusual because that’s my experience. My life has always been somewhat messy—I contracted polio as an infant, growing up I underwent many surgeries on my paralyzed left arm, learned to type one-handed, chose to major in a very physical subject--art. I’ve given birth to twins, raised 4 kids and stuck it out in a marriage just turned 32. My family’s challenges include alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, attempted suicide (not mine). If anybody ever needed a God, it’s me. But I haven’t always seen it that way. I have run like mad away from God at times. Thankfully, God always waits around the corner for me. In these mad dashes, I’ve wrestled with life’s questions and met so many kind, generous and beautiful people. Maybe I’m not so different though—like many authors, I tend to stand back and watch events unfold, or see the outcome of a news story and re-imagine its beginning. Many times, my stories start with a single picture in my mind and a question on my lips. How did that happen? Who is this person? Why can’t she/he find God in all of this? The answers of course, are different for every storyteller. I only know my version.

Tell us how you come up with characters.

In The Fence My Father Built, for instance, the first image I saw was of a dark-haired woman looking out over a desert landscape with a creek and a fence made out of old oven doors. I’d read about some old guy in a nearby rural area with a similar fence. That woman became Muri Pond, a laid-off newly single librarian who has always wanted to find her bio father. My next door neighbor still doesn’t know that she’s the inspiration for Aunt Lutie, Muri’s aunt and sister to the newly-deceased Joseph Pond. Neighbor X is thin and wiry and has seen a rough life. But she has a heart of gold—just not for God, so I looked elsewhere for the faith element. Joseph, a half-Nez Perce Indian is an amalgam of others who probably will never know that they are walking around in a novel. I think the key to creating memorable characters is not to draw too hard on reality, but take a feature here, a habit there and create someone truly fictional.

What are you currently writing?

I wanted to be able to say “my next book is” but I still have to sell it. I’m finishing up a contemporary story set on the Oregon Coast —a very windy place. Hiding From Floyd is the story of Abi Welles, whose seven year-old son Floyd died inside a Civil War-era trunk while playing Hide and Seek at Grandma’s with his 5 yr. old brother James. Troubled James, now 15, has never spoken about. Did James know Floyd was trapped inside the trunk? As the 10th anniversary approaches, Abbi battles grief, guilt and forbidden longings, determined to find God’s peace in a life where, like the unpredictable weather on the Oregon coast, a storm always seems to brew.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

That’s an easy one. Do keep writing, keep practicing, keep believing. Don’t give up—The Fence My Father Built took 15 years, a brilliant editor and an awesome loving God to find a home.

How can readers get in contact with you? 
When I’m famous, it won’t be so easy to contact me. Do it before I have to screen my mail or send you an automated reply. Visit my blog, with writing tips, and all things WORDY at http://www.GodSongGrace.blogspot.com. Email me: Lindas352@comcast.net . Or write a note to: Linda Clare/in care of Abingdon Press, P.O. Box 801 , Nashville , TN 37202 . Tell me about your writing life. I love to hear from readers. I’d love to hear from you.

Here's the book blurb for "The Fence My Father Built":

The Fence My Father Built, by Linda S. Clare: Muri Pond has always longed to know her biological father, who left when she was a small child. Years later, she’s still reeling from learning that it’s too late: Her father, a half-Nez Perce Indian named Joseph Pond, has died, leaving her an inheritance of property in Central Oregon. As Muri and her two children, Nova, 16, and Truman, 11, make their way from Portland out to the tiny town of Murkee, Muri has lost a lot: her librarian job, her marriage and her faith in God. When she arrives at her newly-inherited property, she’s shocked: it’s little more than a ramshackle trailer, surrounded by a fence made from old oven doors. As she tries to make the best of things, she grapples with Joe’s charismatic sister Aunt Lutie, her husband, Tiny, who keeps potbellied pigs and mountains of bicycle parts for needy kids and Linc Jackson, a conniving neighbor who threatens to sue over water rights. Muri struggles to accept her father as he was and in doing so rediscovers the faith he somehow never abandoned.

Linda, thanks so much for being with us today and sharing your life as a writer with us. Your book sounds fascinating.

Readers, Linda has graciously agreed to share a copy of "The Fence My Father Built" with one of you. Just leave a comment (with a way for me to contact you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner in Saturday's post.

NEXT POST: Author Interview with Janet Ann Collins (& Book Giveaway!)

GUEST BLOG POST - Promoting Your Book from the Platform: 3 Tips on How Your Speech Can Help or Hurt Back of the Room Sales by Shari Alexander

One of the things I absolutely adore about social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is the opportunity to make new friends. I met our guest blogger today, Shari Alexander, on Twitter and immediately contacted her for a guest blog post. Take it away, Shari!

You’re not just an author anymore. Once you’ve published your book, you are now a marketer and a speaker. Increasing book sales means speaking to groups, grabbing their interest in the book, and selling copies at the back of the room. Your speech plays an important role in getting that end result. Here are 3 specific do’s and don’ts when speaking to promote your book.

Don’t talk about your book: I know it sounds strange, but trust me, talking about your book too much during a speech can make you sound desperate. Or worse, if you talk about your book too much, you can give away too much information and you’ll kill any interest the audience had in buying your book at the end of the speech. Think of it this way. Have you ever seen a movie trailer that gives all all the major plot twists? When you’re in the theatre, don’t you think, “Well I don’t need to see that. I already know what happens!” The same is true for your speech. If you give it away, they’ll walk away. Instead, talk about your inspiration for the book. Tell them about your writing process. Let them learn more about you. Let the audience connect with you on a personal level. When you accomplish that, they will run to the back of the room and pick up your work.

To read or not to read from your book on stage? That is the question all authors need to answer for themselves when they speak to groups promoting their book. Reading an excerpt from your book can go either way. When it works well, you either have your audience crying, looking for some Kleenex or you have them rolling in the aisles laughing. But when it doesn’t work, it’s literally painful. If you do decide to read a passage during your presentation, you must make sure that the passage itself fits well within the context of your speech. Your excerpt should drive home a point or leave the audience in suspense - making them want to purchase the book. Also, make sure your passage doesn’t need too much set-up. You don’t want to choose something that needs a complete character background and gives away plot points. If it requires too much set up, you could make the book sound boring, resulting in a poor pitch for getting future readers. Also, if you do decide to read a portion from the book, remember writing for the eye is very different than writing for the ear. Test reading the passage in front of your friends and family. Get an honest opinion from them. Did they nod off before you finished? Was there an emotional reaction or not? If there was, then you’ve got a winner. If there wasn’t, pick another option.

Offer a Special: When it’s possible, offer you audience a one-time, today-only sale price on the book. Give them a sense of urgency to purchase your book today and not wait to pick it up in the bookstore later (and who knows if “later” will actually come). Another option is to offer a package deal. What else can you bundle together with your book? Any other merchandise? Your past books? People love a one-time deal. What can you offer them that they can’t get anywhere else. Also, I would highly recommend that you always do an autograph session at the end of your speech. This helps you sell book in two ways. An autographed copy is another example of a one-time offer that is intriguing to the audience. Plus, remember that your audience should feel a personal connection to you at the end of your speech. If you autograph copies at the end, they won’t be able to resist the opportunity to meet you personally.

While there are many more finer points in developing a speech that leads to sales, if you can conquer these 3 main areas, you will greatly increase sales at each event. It will be win-win-win for you, your publisher, and your audience!

Sharí Alexander is a business presentation strategist and professional speaker who helps professionals get what they want when they speak. As the owner of Presenting Matters, her many clients have included an Emmy Award® winning executive, an NFL player, and an ESPN announcer. Sharí's articles and advice have been featured in Presentations Magazine and Training Magazine, along with other international publications. Sharí is available for keynotes, seminars, workshops, and personal coaching. She may be reached at 918.346.8506 or at info@presentingmatters.com.

Sharí Alexander
Presenting Matters, LLC
www.PresentingMatters.com
www.PresentingMatters.com/blog
shari@presentingmatters.com
(918)346-8506

Thanks for the helpful info, Shari!

NEXT POST: Author Interview with Linda S. Clare (& Book Giveaway!)

The Privilege of Intercessory Prayer

"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by family to pray for you." ~1 Samuel 12:23a (NIV)

A dear friend recently lost her husband. My heart broke for her and her precious family as I lifted them in prayer before our Father. I requested prayer for her on social media sites, and was blown away by the number of people who responded to tell me they were praying.

My awareness of the privilege of prayer skyrocketed. What a blessing it is to be able to lift others up in prayer!

"And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." ~Revelation 5:8 (NIV)

"May my prayer be set before You like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." ~Psalm 141:2 (NIV)

I love the idea that our prayers are like incense, raising a fragrant aroma heavenward. In Biblical times, incense was beaten and pounded before it was used. I can only speak for myself, but prayer is some of the hardest work I do. It takes effort and focus. My best prayers, at least from my limited and human perspective, are those that come when I am completely broken. Incense is kindled by fire. Without the fire of God's Spirit in our hearts, that incense will never send off the fragrance for which it was intended.

One of my favorite movies of all time is Its A Wonderful Life, a Frank Capra movie starring Jimmy Stewart. At the beginning of the movie, prayers are offered to God for George Bailey, the main character. One by one prayers rise from earth to heaven, and God acts.

The same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead is alive in every believer. I like to think that when we offer up the incense of our prayers on the behalf of others, God's power is released into the lives of those we pray for.

What a picture! As people responded to the prayer request I made, Heaven's doors were bombarded with a beautiful fragrance, releasing God's power and strength and comfort into the life of my friend and her family.

Dear Father,

Thank You so much for the privilege of prayer. Thank You that even our feeble attempts at prayer are a sweet smell to You. May we never take for granted the responsibility and privilege of praying for others, knowing that when we do, Your power is released into their lives.

In Jesus' name,
Amen 

Call Out For Help (& Giveaway Winner!)

NEW BABY, NEW YEAR, NEW BOOK TRAILER

A new baby graced our home during the holidays. What joy! Now a new year has been born, and it's also the beginning of a new year of my life since today is my birthday. (49 & HOLDING!!!) I can think of no better time to announce the birth of my new book, TEXAS ROADS, which will be released later this month. Here's the book trailer and book blurb:

City gal Dani Davis just wants to find a place to call home. Miller’s Creek, Texas seems like the perfect place to start over, except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town.

Dani secretly finances renovations to the downtown area of Miller’s Creek, but malicious rumors force her to choose between keeping her involvement a secret and the home for which she’s always longed.

Steve Miller is determined to save his dying hometown. When vandalism jeopardizes the downtown restoration project, he can’t help but suspect Dani, whose strange behavior has become fodder for local gossips.

Will Steve and Dani be able to call a truce for a higher cause, and help Dani understand the true meaning of home?

 (A portion of the proceeds from TEXAS ROADS will go to help Buckner International.)


WANNA HELP?
As TEXAS ROADS undergoes its final round of edits, I'm beginning the process of getting the word out about the book, and issuing a plea for endorsements, influencers and blog tour hosts. I'm also in need of people willing to read a few sample chapters and write short testimonials. Not sure what I'm talking about? Maybe this will help:

An Influencer reads the book ahead of time (free of charge, I might add), and if they like the story, they simply make others in their circle of influence aware of it. This includes word of mouth, posting reviews on blogs and book review sites (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Shelfari, LibraryThing, GoodReads, etc.), even mentioning it on social media sites, such as Twitter & Facebook. (This is especially helpful if you mention the book about the time it releases.) Another easy thing to do is to pass your review copy on to friends and family. (NOTE: Since this will release in eBook version first, your review copy will either be in eBook format or PDF format for you to read on your eReader or computer. Once the book releases in print format, I can also send you a print copy if you so desire.)

A Blog Tour Host is a blogger who hosts an author and their book in a virtual book tour through cyberspace. This can take place in the form of an author interview, a guest blog post written by the author, a book review, or a quick post using the cover and blurb of the book. (I will provide a free copy of the book as a prize for one of your readers if you'd like.)

Endorsers will read either a few sample chapters or the entire book if they choose, and if they like the book will write a short testimonial for me to use on the book cover and/or website.

If you're interested in helping out in any of these ways, you can send me an e-mail at: catbry1 {at} yahoo {dot} com (replacing the words between { } with the symbol). Please put "Endorser," "Influencer" and/or "Blog Tour Host" in the subject line, so I can process it faster. I'll send you extra information at that time.

TEXAS ROADS WEBSITE
I'm currently building a website for TEXAS ROADS. You can check it out here. Since I'm a new author, I've decided to offer a new chapter each week free. Yep, you heard me right. Free. That way people can read my work to decide if they like it or not. (Writing is like anything else. You get better with practice. So if you don't like this book, I hope you'll check out future books! =) I'll be adding other content to the site as well: Mama Beth's recipes, Dani's money-saving tips, Steve's organization advice, book club discussion questions, and a Bible study that ties in with the story. It's gonna be fun putting it together!

EXTRA CHANCES TO WIN BOOKS
The first issue of my "Heart For Home" newsletter launches this coming week, with extra chances to win in upcoming giveaways. Many of you have already signed up for the newsletter, but if you haven't and would like to, there's a sign-up box in the sidebar of this blog.

THIS WEEK'S WINNER

The winner of Powers by John B. Olson is...Katy!

Thanks to all for participating!

FAITH & FINANCES NOW AVAILABLE

I recently learned that another devotional book I contributed to is now available at Amazon. It's called Faith and Finances: In God We Trust.

BLOG AWARD
Oh, and before I forget in my mad dash to get TEXAS ROADS launched, my good friend Debra awarded me the "Circle of Friends" blog award. Since I recently wrote a post about this, I'll just link to it here. Toodles!


NEXT POST: The Privilege of Intercessory Prayer

Prayers For The New Year

I pray that you all will have a blessed and glorious New Year through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Below are a couple of poems that I find especially meaningful for a new year.

Another Year Is Dawning

by Frances Havergal

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be,

On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

God of the Ages

by Margaret Clarkson

God of the ages, history's Maker,

Planning our pathway, holding us fast,

Shaping in mercy all that concerns us:

Father, we praise You, Lord of the past.

God of this morning, gladly Your children

Worship before You, trustingly bow:

Teach us to know You always among us,

Quietly sov'reign--Lord of our now.

God of tomorrow, strong overcomer,

Princes of darkness own Your command:

What then can harm us? We are Your people,

Now and forever kept by Your hand.

Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning,

Lord of the future, help us, we pray:

Teach us to trust You, love and obey You,

Crown You each moment Lord of today.

And I'll close with my personal mission statement which is actually a prayer, since I can do nothing on my own.

Dear Lord, help me today~

~to enthusiastically seize this day and its opportunities, for tomorrow may be too late...

~to gratefully accept and celebrate this day, and all it brings, as a gift and adventure from You, and to live it with discipline, courage, integrity, confidence, balance, determination and purpose...

~to live in the present with contentment, peace and joy, because the past is behind me and the future is in Your hands...

~to treasure my family and friends, realizing they bring so much meaning and joy to my life...

~to be salt and light to all those who cross my path, by passing on to them the gift of grace You have lavished on me...

~to make my home a haven for all who pass this way...

~to keep my mind, body and spirit strong, so I can better serve You...

~to faithfully use and humbly teach to others the treasures, abilities and gifts You have entrusted to me...

~to make a positive impact before this pilgrimage leads me home...

~to live simply, but profoundly...

~to practice Your presence...

~to guard my heart...

~to listen for, hear, and obey only Your voice...

~And most importantly, to know You and make You known.