Southern-fried Fiction

Free Kindle Download!

2012-01-19T11:37:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite authors, Sandie Bricker's, publisher is offering a free download of Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride!

I got to read and review this book last year. Here's the blurb and my thoughts on it.

Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride

By Sandra D. Bricker

Published by Abingdon Press

ISBN 978-1-4267-3160-0

As a wedding planner, you'd think she would have the perfectwedding experience ...

Sherilyn Keys has left Chicago behind to marry Andrew DrummondIV, as Atlanta native with a family name that tops all the social registers

Landing the job as Tanglewood's wedding planner is a pieceof cake for someone with a Type A personality; she's the perfect fit for awedding hotel known for its attention to even the tiniest detail.

But when everything else is going along swimmingly, why areher own wedding plans drowning right before her eyes?

One way or the other Sherilyn is determined to make thiswedding work—until the latest development threatens to call the whole thingoff. Is it possible Sherilyn is allergic to her fiancé?

Always the WeddingPlanner Never the Bride had me laughing all the way through. I loved thefirst book in this series, Always theBaker Never the Bride, but this one is even better. Bricker is the Queen of quirkycharacters and doesn't disappoint in Alwaysthe Wedding Planner. The story took some interesting twists and turns Ididn't see coming, and left me thoroughly delighted at the end. Novel Rocket and I give it our highestrecommendation. If you like to laugh, it's a must read.

Sandra D. Bricker has beenpublishing in both the Christian and general markets for years with novels for women and teens, magazinearticles and short stories. With 12 books in print and another slated for publication in 2011,Sandie has carved out a niche for herself as an author of laugh-out-loud romantic comedyfor the inspirational market. Sandie was an entertainment publicist for 15+ years, anexperience that fuels her penchant for promotingher books with flare and creativity. She currently writes whileworking a day job as a content editor in Tampa, Florida, where she resides witha free-spirited collie named Sophie.

I've been writing

2012-01-17T17:42:00.002-05:00

So much so, I forgot to post anything. But I've met my word goal of 1,000 words each day. Then today I passed it by 600 words. I love it when that happens. But I managed to get to Starbucks early enough to get my favorite chair. I wrote for 3 hours straight. Yeah, I know - 1600 words in 3 hours isn't the fastest. I did have to look up a few things on the Internet. I usually try to leave that for the editing, but in this case I had to know what direction to take the scene. So I was pleased when I went back to check the count.

I haven't been as consistent as usual, either. When my brother moved in with us, it changed my lifestyle dramatically. Not bad - just different. I'm cooking more than before. I'd gotten spoiled and lazy when it came to the kitchen.

So I'm really looking forward to tonight. It's my Bible study group's Ladies Night Out. We go to dinner, just us gals.

I hear my guys in the kitchen, foraging for themselves. It's a good thing I'd made up a few salads like potato salad, chicken salad, and 2 homemade soups. I should have a clean refrigerator when I get home.

But I'm hoping I'm finally back in the grove ... or have found a different grove to settle into. I'll let you know.

Remember Show & Tell Day?

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

I do. I loved that day. The teacher never, ever placed any boundaries or limitationson them. If we wanted to lug it in to school and talk about it, we could. Most kids normally brought in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that.

My niece sent me this story. It's from acolleague's Show & Tell day, and with this second grader's flair forstorytelling, I'm positive she'll be a writer.

One day this little girl, Erica, a very bright,very outgoing kid, takes her turn for Show & Tell and waddles up to thefront of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.

She holds up a snapshot of an infant. "This isLuke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday."

"First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol oftheir love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew inthere. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord."

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow,and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kidsare watching her in amazement.

"Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom startsgoing, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!'" (Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans.)

"She walked around the house for like an hour,'Oh, oh, oh!'"

(Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk andgroaning.)

"My Dad called the middle wife. She deliversbabies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They gotmy Mom to lie down in bed like this."

(Then Erica lies down with her back against thewall.)

"And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of watershe kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled allover the bed, like psshhheew!"

(This kid has her legs spread with her little handsmiming water flowing away. It was too much!)

"Then the middle wife starts saying 'push,push,' and 'breathe, breathe. They started counting, but never even got pastten.

Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He wascovered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, sothere must be a lot of toys inside there.

When he got out, the middle wife spanked him forcrawling up in there in the first place."

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow andreturned to her seat.

I'm sure the teacher applauded the loudest, and from then on,when it's Show-and-tell day, she brought her camcorder just in case another"Middle Wife" came along.

What, Me Cook?

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

My family has decided I've lost my culinary abilities.

Not true. They're still alive and well. Okay, I'll admit many ofthem are a bit rusty, but come on. When you've thought up and created threemeals a day, day in and day out for 40 plus years, your culinary creativitybegins to wane. And so does your interest.

When the kids were little, I used to bake all our bread—until werealized we ate too much of it. Warm-from-the-oven homemade bread is way tooenticing. Back then, I loved to cook and they all thought I was good at it.

It wasn't until our youngest son became a gourmet cook, my skillshave come up wanting. And it was never so apparent as this Christmas.

I decided to make an English trifle to take to our friend's housefor Christmas Eve dinner. My mother-in-law taught me to make a proper one. Asyou know, the hubs is British. Mum is too, obviously. So I made a trip to thestore to buy all the ingredients I didn't already have, mainly whole milk andwhipping cream.

I've never had a failure at making a trifle. But for some reason, thisyear it nearly did me in. I got the first few layers done without any help ordisasters, thank you. With the hubs breathing over my shoulder, I pulled outthe can of Bird's Custard Powder (an English brand), we noticed it expired in2009.

He thought it would be fine. I had my doubts but after all, he'dbeen making this custard since he was a little boy. And they didn't haveexpiration dates on the packets back then. Uh-huh. And the custard didn'tthicken. I tried to warn him that those dates are there for a reason.

So I made a trip back to the store for a new can of Bird's CustardPowder and another quart of whole milk. This time, he decided he could do itbetter. I'm no fool. I let him. Except he forgot to double the recipe.

Yep. It didn't thicken. And I made another trip to the store. Foranother quart of milk.

We finally got it right. And it turned out just like it should.Only it took me a few hours longer than it used to. Hours I could have beenusing to write.

When the gourmet had a serving, he looked at me with surprise.Like he'd totally forgotten his mum used to be a whiz in the kitchen. However,I don't try to prove it any more. When you have a gourmet for a son, one wholoves to cook, why should I?

I'm content letting them think I've lost my culinary abilities.

Death of a Christmas Tradition

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Death of a Christmas Tradition

By Eddie Snipes11/2010 ©, reposted with Eddie's permission.

I knew it wasn’t going to be ahappy day when I walked into the mall. Weeping children passed, ushered away byparents with hollow expressions. A crowd pressed into the police tape, craningtheir necks, and trying to get a view of the Christmas horror at Santa’sWorkshop.

I pushed through the crowd andflashed my badge as I ducked under the yellow tape. Elves in green hats huddledtogether, occasionally taking a peek toward the big man’s workshop. Wails andchatter filled the air. A particularly stout elf paced around with his hands onhis head while babbling between his sobs. He sounded like a chipmunk onespresso, and I couldn’t make out a word he was saying. A police officer waskneeling down beside a fat man in a red suit. He wrote faster than a secretaryin a board meeting.

The officer in blue looked upas I approached, and I said, “What do we have?”

“We’ve got a 187. Probablystarted as a 211, but might have been a 217. There are reports of a 653Mbefore—”

“Stuff those lottery numbersback in your pocket,” I said while holding up a hand. “I didn’t take upaccounting because I’m not good with numbers. I got the 187. Murder.”

“Correct.” The officer returnedto his pen and pad.

Apparently, the guy’s head wasfull of numbers, but he was at a loss for words. “Can you provide a few moredetails?”

“He was murdered just as themall opened.” The officer returned to writing in his pad.

I pulled my hand across my faceto wipe away the frustration. “Maybe you could flip back a few pages in yournotebook, and translate the numbers into English for me.”

The officer stood up and facedme. I finally saw his badge. Officer Valentine. His eyes examined the pages ashe flipped. A few contorted expressions flicked across his mouth as he tried todecipher his own notes. “Okay. The guys name appears to be Chris Kringle, butthe hobbits over there call him Santa.” The officer pointed to the elves withthe eraser end of his pencil.

I nodded, wondering if heunderstood the implications of his words. And if he knew the difference betweenan elf and a hobbit.

The officer graciouslycontinued. “I was the first one on the scene. If you don’t count the hobbits.”He thumbed toward the little men in green suits.

I couldn’t resist any longer.“You do know these are elves, and not hobbits, right?”

He shrugged and started again.“I was working security at the mall, and after hearing a commotion, I rushedover. The man in the red suit was laying just as you see him now.” Thepoliceman reached over his shoulder and scratched his back, and then readjustedhis shirt. “By the time I got here, the little green men were running incircles, screaming like school girls. Santa was laying beside a Yule log andthe hobbits,” he stopped and gave me a patronizing grin. “The elves werehowling Christmas carols and crying something awful. Looks like O Mr. Kringlehad a Yuletide crinkle in his noggin.”

The officer’s callousnessstruck me. I’m glad I am a detective. We see enough crime to get jaded to thescenes we investigate, but the daily life of street cops took things to a newlevel. I had often heard police officers make cruel sounding jokes at crimescenes. It was a survival mechanism. Repel the pain and harsh realities ofcrime with a joke or two. But this man was too much. I hoped the weeping elvesweren’t listening to his explanation.

I excused myself, and theofficer adjusted his shirt and knelt by Santa again. When I stepped toward theelves, I could see water puddling on the floor as they sang a tearful renditionof Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. I walked up to the one who looked to be in charge.

“Hi. My name is DetectiveAnderson. Can I have a word with you?” The elf nodded and I led him away fromthe others. He sat down on a chair and I pulled out my notebook. “For therecord, what is your name?”

“Bardakin.” Songs oflamentations drifted into our conversation, and Bardakin’s eyes began to wellup with tears. His red nose indicated he had used many tissues. I pulled ahandkerchief out of my pocket and offered it to the man, err elf.

He looked at it with suspicion,so I said, “Just pulled it out of the wash, so it’s clean.” Bardakin smiled andtook it.

“Don’t want to take a chance ongetting a cold so close to Christmas.” Bardakin began to wail, “Oh, I forgot.There won’t be a Christmas!”

I patted his shoulder, and hefilled the hanky with his large nose and blew. After the violent blast, heoffered it back to me. “No thanks. I’m giving it to you.”

“Mr. Uh….”

“Anderson. Detective Anderson.”

A thin smile appeared on theelf’s face. ”Detective Anderson, we are Christmas elves. We can’t take gifts,we can only give them. It’s one of our codes of honor.”

Bardakin held out thehandkerchief again. It hung like a wet rag. I stared without moving and heraised his gray eyebrows as he pushed it toward me. I identified a dry corneron the cloth and took it with the tip of my index finger and thumb. The elfwiped his eyes on his sleeve, and I used the diversion to drop the used ragbehind me into a nearby waste bin.

“Mr. Bardakin,” I said, “I knowit’s hard for you, but I need to ask you a few questions.” The elf nodded. “Doyou know if Santa had any enemies?”

“He’s Santa. Everyone lovedhim. Everyone but Peter.”

“Peter?”

“Yeah, Peter. The Easter bunny.Peter Cottontail. But I wouldn’t say he was an enemy,” Bardakin added.

“I’m not following you. Wasthere a disagreement between Santa and Peter?”

“Kinda.” Bardakin nodded.“Well, yes. We all had an Easter celebration, and Santa brought his famous conystew. Cony stew is quite savory and one of our favorite springtime dishes. Itis very good, but not as good as Peter’s chocolate eggs.” Bardakin put hisfinger on his lower lip and looked up. “I don’t know which I like best, thechocolate eggs with the white sugary cream and the yellow yolk, or the oneswith the colored sprinkles and the truffle cream centers. I like the sweetcream eggs with the yolk, but I also love sprinkles—”

“Thank you, but I don’t needdescriptions of the food. What does the stew have to do with Peter being upsetwith Santa?”

“It wasn’t just stew. It wascony stew – cony is rabbit stew. Santa apologized and assured Peter that itwasn’t anyone related to him, but he was boiling. Haha. That’s funny. Stew,boiling.” He looked at me, but I didn’t see the humor. “Anyway, Peter didn’tspeak to Santa the rest of the evening.”

“Did he threaten him in anyway?”

“Nope. He just stared at himfrom across the room, twitching his whiskers and chewing on a carrot.” Lookingup, Bardakin said, “Peter’s a vegetarian you know. He makes delightful treats,but he never eats them. I don’t know why. Chocolate isn’t a vegetable, but itisn’t meat either. He might be more cheerful if he ate a few—”

“Let’s move on,” I said. It washard to keep this guy on track. “I need you to tell me everything you rememberabout the events leading up to Santa’s attack.”

A smile eased onto Bardakin’sface until he was beaming as if nothing bad had ever happened. I thought thisodd, and the elf must have read my expression. “I think of happy things to getme out of my despair. It gives me a clear mind.”

“I see.” But I have to admit, Ididn’t see. The instant change gave me cause for suspicion. “Okay, now pleasetell me about this morning.”

“This morning started like justabout any other morning. We all sat down for elk chops, eggs, and berries withcream.” His eyes sparkled while he thought on his breakfast. “Mmmm. The berrieswere fresh, and oh how I love elk chops. Especially with eggs—”

“Mr. Bardakin, please stay withthe facts that pertain to this case.” This guy was a piece of work. It wasn’thard to figure out where he got his protruding elf stomach.

“Oh, but it is relevant. We atearound seven this morning. 7:14 a.m. to be exact. This was unusually late.Since the mall opens at nine, it didn’t leave us enough time for ourmid-morning refection.”

“Refection?” I asked.

“Refection. It’s the meal wecelebrate between breakfast and lunch.”

My eyes dropped to his massivebelly. Of course, I should have known. I nodded. “So why did you eat so late thismorning?”

“Our cook received a call thathis wife was taken ill, and he had to rush back to the North Pole last night.Santa hired a new cook and he had a time preparing the elk chops. We broughtthe elk with us, but he didn’t seem to welcome the idea of joining us forbreakfast. You know, preparing a live elk for…” The look I shot toward himstopped Bardakin from derailing his explanation again. He quickly wrapped uphis story. “Sorry. By the time breakfast was served, it was time for us to headto the mall.”

“I see. But I’m still notfollowing how this relates to Santa’s demise.”

“Well, by the time we got here,we were absolutely famished. It was two, maybe three hours before lunch.”Bardakin’s tone indicated there was an important point hidden behind thisexplanation.

“Go on,” I encouraged.

“Me and the guys were workingto get ready for the children and complaining about our hunger. The mall foodstores don’t open until after we need to be working, so we were prettydepressed about missing mid-morning refection. That’s when I spotted it.”Bardakin pointed toward the edge of the Santa’s Workshop display. “Just in viewwas a cookie on the floor. I couldn’t believe my good fortune, and I rushedover to get it.”

This guy is afraid of catchinga cold from my handkerchief, but doesn’t mind eating cookies off the mallfloor? I shrugged. “Okay, tell me what happened after you found the cookie.”

A dreamy smile emerged onBardakin’s face. “When I walked over to the cookie, I saw it was my favoritekind. It was a white sugar cookie with colored sprinkles. Yum! Just like thekind we ate at our Valentine’s dinner party last February. Actually, we haveall kinds of cookies at the Valentines dinner, but the sugar cookies with thesprinkles are my favorite. They are so good! Almost as good as the Eastertreats, but that bunny never uses sprinkles on—”

I had to cut the elf off beforehe could reminisce on another dessert experience. It was time to move thisinterview along. “Please, Mr. Bardakin. I need you to keep the conversation ontrack.” He licked his lips while patting his stomach, but nodded to acknowledgemy demand. “What does a sugar cookie with sprinkles have to do with Santa’smurder?”

“Oh, yeah. When I bent down toget the sugar cookie with colored sprinkles,” he swallowed his mouth wateringmemory, “I saw another one. Then I saw a trail of cookies leading around thecorner over there.” He stood and pointed across the mall. “I said, ‘Hey guys! Ifound some cookies.’ My friends came and we gathered the cookies while we ateour way around the corner. To our delight, they extended all the way down thehall. It was enough for all of us to have our mid-morning refection. By thetime we reached the end of the hall, we were all quite satisfied.” His eyesdropped to the floor, and Bardakin said in a quiet voice, “That’s when we cameback and found Santa and the Yule log.”

“Did you hear anything or seeanything?” I asked.

“We were snatching up cookiesand laughing at our good fortune. It was quite noisy.”

I looked up to the ceiling,trying to absorb the information. Stroking my chin, I asked, “Didn’t you thinkit was odd to see a trail of cookies leading you to the other side of themall?”

Shaking his head, Bardakinsaid, “I guess we weren’t thinking. We were so excited to find the food, and wewere all so hungry, all we could think about was our mid-morning refection.”The elf licked his lips and stared off in the distance. “The cookies were sogood. Sprinkles on sugar cookies. All we needed was a little yak milk tocomplete the day. You know, we don’t get this type of cookie for Christmas.Christmas cookies usually don’t have sprinkles—”

“Thank you, Mr. Bardakin. Thatwill be all for now. Here’s my card. If you think of anything, call me.” Iproduced the card and he took it. My words did little to snap him out of hisdream-like state. It wasn’t hard to figure out how to create a diversion withthese elves. In fact, as I talked with each of them, I had difficulty keepingtheir minds off food. I combed through their food musings, trying to glean outwhat few non-culinarily facts were present.

Strolling back to the crimescene, I examined the victim. I put on gloves, and picked up the log. It fitperfectly against the wound on the man’s head. This was definitely the murderweapon. I took a closer examination of the log. It contained festive letteringwith the words, Eros nikao pas. Too bad it didn’t live up to its name.

I took a stroll down thehallway where the cookies had led the elves. I stepped around the occasionalsprinkles and crumbs until I stood in front of the outdoor recreation center.It would have been closed at the time, so I turned my attention to thesurrounding area. Near the mall exit, I spied something behind a planter.Walking over to it, I discovered an Easter basket. Inside was shredded greenplastic and a single sugar cookie with colored sprinkles.

It looks like we may need tobring Peter in for a few questions.

***

After I called in, officerswasted no time picking him up. When I arrived at headquarters, Peter wasalready waiting in the interrogation room. I grabbed a new pad of paper and avoice recorder and headed to talk with Peter. I also carried a little surprisein a plastic bag.

I sat across from him and putthe voice recorder on the table. “You don’t mind if I record this session, doyou?”

Peter just shook his head andchewed nervously. Even though the room is under surveillance, I like to place arecorder on the table for most interviews. It makes it clear that this isn’t atime for games.

“I’ll get straight to thepoint, Peter. Santa was found dead this morning.” Other than a twitch of hiswhiskers, Peter gave no hint at an expression. He glared at me through thosebeady little eyes, but sat motionless for a few moments. He returned to hischewing. “Do you know anything about this?”

“No.”

“Is it true that you and Santahad a little fall out last Easter?” I watched his eyes, but saw nothing.

“It wasn’t anything.” His voicecaught me by surprise. I expected it to be, shall we say, rabbit like. But hisdialect was educated and proper. This was an intelligent rabbit. Not the typeof rodent you would expect to go around clubbing jolly men with a log. But thenagain, it had to be someone clever enough to trick the elves. I thought aboutthis for a moment and reconsidered my assumption. Anyone with an eye forpastries could trick these elves.

“Why don’t you tell me aboutit?” His whiskers twitched and I could tell something was eating at him. “Is ittrue that you were upset over a dish he brought to your house?”

“It wasn’t at my house. It wasa banquet hall, and yes, I was disturbed by the obscenity of his culinarydish,” Peter barked.

“What bothered you about it?”

A sigh escaped from Peter. “Ireally didn’t want to dig up the past, but since you insist, it was rabbitstew. He called it cony. I am offended at the sight of any animal beingslaughtered for gluttonous purposes, but even more so when it is one of myrelations.”

“The elves tell me Santaassured you it wasn’t anyone related—”

“All rabbits are my relations,”Peter said in a condescending tone.

“I see.” Time to rattle thebunny’s cage. “So did you determine to get revenge at that time?”

“I wouldn’t stoop so low as toseek revenge.”

I reached down and opened theplastic bag. Dropping the Easter basket on the table, I said, “Can you explainthis?”

“It looks like you have been toJunk Mart,” the rabbit said sardonically.

A smile slid onto my face. Thisrabbit is good. “Where were you this morning when Santa was murdered?”

“I’m certain I was hopping downthe bunny trail. And I don’t believe that’s a crime.”

“Do you have an alibi?”

“I live alone, and I don’tthink I should need an alibi.”

Reaching into the basket, Iretrieved the cookie and laid it on the table. “Do you recognize this?”

“I recognize it as a cookie.”He leaned forward to look closer. “A sugar cookie, I do believe.”

This rabbit was a bit arrogantand was getting on my nerves. But I might have been a little self-absorbed too,if children sang about me every year. As annoying as this rodent may be, I hadto admit he didn’t come across like someone who was guilty. He was either agood liar, or an innocent jerk.

After asking several morequestions, I wrapped up the interview. I would visit him with these questionsagain to see if his story changed. In the mean time, I had a few more holidaypersonalities to visit.

***

A week into my investigation,the facts suddenly came together. I gathered my notes in preparation forconfronting the murderer. After studying all the case files, it was a slamdunk. I knew exactly which of those crafty fellows committed this heinousmurder. I sent Officers to round up my holiday friends. After placing the filesinto a box, I headed to the interrogation room where the suspects awaited.

Walking in the room, I askedOfficer Valentine to ready the cuffs and wait by the table. These charactersare very capable of avoiding detection while performing their yearly duties, sothey are also quite able to escape if given the chance. I placed the officer bythe shackle ring in the floor. Once I revealed the killer, I intended to securehim before he could attempt an escape.

“Gentleman.” I looked over toMrs. Claus and added, “and ladies. I know who the perpetrator is.” Each personbegan looking around the room.

“Who is it?” Bardakin asked,followed by several chattering voices of the other elves asking the samequestion.

“It had to be someone withmotive, opportunity, and the ability to avoid detection,” I said. “There isonly one person in this room that fits all three. The killer had to be someonewho could hide in plain sight.”

I took a stroll through thesuspects, examining each face. I stopped before the leprechaun. “Mr. Paddy hadan airtight alibi. Several people testified to his presence in a pub inIreland, but we all know that leprechauns only need a rainbow and motivation,and they can scoot around the globe. Paddy is a little guy, but these magicalcreatures can be quite strong.” I turned to St. Paddy and tried to put a handon his shoulder. It was below my reach so I put my hand on his head instead. Ipressed a little too hard, and inadvertently pushed his hat over his eyes. “ButI know you didn’t do it. You had no motivation.”

I gave a couple of friendlytaps and stepped forward. Paddy lifted his hat, pushed out the dent where myhand rested, and slapped it back on his little head.

“Mr. Cottontail had motive andpossibly the opportunity.” I looked at Peter and said, “But you couldn’t avoiddetection in plain sight. Rabbits are good hiders, but not on a mall floor.There was no fur in the mall, and no cover where you could hide. You didn’tkill Santa.” I walked to the table and held my hand out. “Officer, the cuffsplease.” He handed me the cuffs. I pushed the table away from the shackle ring.

“Elves,” I continued. “You hadopportunity, and the ability to avoid detection. In a crowd of elves, one couldeasily blend in.” I looked to the elves and saw wide-eyed quivering bodies. Ipaced in front of the table, dangling the cuffs. “But none of you committedthis crime. You lack motive.” I gazed at the relieved looking elves. “You guyslive for treats and food. Living with the jolly man provided a never-endingsource for food and snacks.” I looked at Bardakin’s belly for emphasis.

I bent down to examine thering. “Cupid is the murderer.”

Everyone gasped.

Bardakin looked around andsaid, “But he isn’t here.”

“Oh, he is here.” I knelt downto the floor. In a swift motion, I slapped the cuffs around the ankle of thepolice officer and secured the other end to the ring. Pulling out my sidearm, Ipointed it at the policeman. “Don’t move. Paddy, grab his gun.”

Paddy snatched it quicker thana pot of gold.

“What is the meaning of this,”the officer demanded.

I looked at him and said, “Erosnikao pas.” Fear invaded the man’s eyes and his face turned white.

“What does that mean?” askedBardakin.

“Love conquers all,” Petersaid.

I looked back at the rabbit.“Very good.” Confused voices echoed across the room. “When doing my interviews,I was never able to locate Cupid. But as I examined the evidence, it hit me.Cupid has been in our midst all the time.” I turned to the officer and said,“This, of course, explains why you kept playing with your back and adjustingyour shirt.” I grabbed his shirt and gave a hard yank. It tore from his body toreveal his wings. Gasps filled the room. I held up the badge and turned it toCupid. “Officer Valentine. You had opportunity. You had the ability to hide inplain sight. And you have motive. Do you want to share the motive, or would yourather I do it?”

Cupid looked down at hisshackled leg, and began speaking to the floor. “I have always loved Delphine,”he raised his hand toward her, “Mrs. Claus. When Kringle married you, I wasdevastated. I’ve spent years trying to find someone to fill the void in myheart, but all I could think of was you. Finally, I decided that if Santa wasout of the way, I could come to your aid and you’d fall in love with me.”

I nodded. “Mrs. Claus was thekey. When I probed into her past looking for enemies, you were the onlypossibility and the only one with motive.” I walked over, and opened the door.“You may escort him to a cell.”

The mystery was solved. When Iwalked out of the room, the elves were debating the future of Christmas.

Of all the cases I’ve had, Ican’t think of a stranger group of suspects. It makes one wonder about theholiday spirit. Somehow, the legend of Santa Claus goes on, and people stillclaim to see the fat jolly guy. Rumor has it that he’s shorter than peopleexpected, and he has an affinity for sugar cookies with sprinkles. But we allknow that’s just rumor.

Eddie Snipes is a writer with awell-honed funny bone. His website, Confessions of a Dyslexic Writer, has more informationon his books. He balances writing between a full-time job, five children, andparticipating in professional organizations. His book, ICall Him Dancer, is available for Kindle. Eddie says, "DidI mention that my book is only 99 cents? You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. If you actnow, I’ll include four other emotions for the same low price. It’s holding onto a 5 star rating. Find out why. Where else can you get that muchentertainment for less than a buck? Buy I Called Him Dancer here.

I Called Him Dancer

For a moment, Michael danced on top of theworld, but one bad choice turned his life upside down. The once promisingBroadway star now washes windshields for tips and lives among the homeless.When his former dance partner recognizes him behind the fray of whiskers, shamedrives him away from her. Angry at God and the world, the Dancer refuses toallow anyone into his life. When everything is stripped away, three thingsremain: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

I Called Him Dancer is a story about how onewoman’s enduring faith and unconditional love drives her to reach out to ahomeless man who has given up on life.

January Releases

2012-01-01T15:01:00.000-05:00

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.
Halflings by Heather Burch -- One girl. Three half-angel guys. And the fate of the world. (Young Adult from Zondervan).

Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot -- Stagecoach robberies and a certain lieutenant make Abigail Harding's summer at Wyoming's Fort Laramie unforgettable. (Historical Romance from Revell).

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden -- Libby Sawyer's quiet, respectable life in Colden, Massachusetts is shattered when a bold stranger from Romania invades her world. Fascinated by this enigmatic man, Libby uncovers layers of mystery surrounding Micahel Dobrescu's amazing past...and his plans for the future in which she plays a startling role. (Historical Romance from Bethany House).

Injustice for All by Robin Caroll -- Who can you turn to when everything you believe in is shattered? (Romantic Suspense from B&H Publishing).

A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston -- Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. (Romance from Zondervan).

An Amish Family Reunion by Mary Ellis, -- As Phoebe embarks on a new romance and an unlikely career choice for someone Amish, the Miller family tries to put aside differences long enough to attend a joyous family reunion. (Contemporary Romance from Harvest House).

The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. (Contemporary Romance from Revell).

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter -- Two high-school sweethearts, a wedding reenactment, and one absent-minded preacher. Is it a recipe for disaster or a chance for a new beginning? (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson ).

All Roads Lead Home by Christine Johnson -- An orphanage agent must drive her car across the United States to save a boy from a disastrous placement with the man who claims to be his father, but she needs the assistance of a mechanic, and the only one willing to help is the man she jilted two years ago. (Historical Romance from Love Inspired).

Firethorn by Ronie Kendig -- Explosive Conclusion to Ronie Kendig's Discarded Heroes series. Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor. (Romantic Suspense from Barbour Publishing).

Tomorrow's Sun by Becky Melby-- Faith reaches across the centuries when Emily Foster finds old letters in the 160-year-old house she's remodeling, but Jake Braden, the contractor she's just hired, doesn't share her vision. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing).

Cherry Blossom Capers by Cara Putman, Lynette Sowell, Gina Conroy, and Frances Devine -- The lives of four neighbors are irrevocably changed amid mystery and romance. Assistant chef Tara Whitley is seeking a state dinner saboteur. Attorney Ciara Turner is tracking down a murderer. Budding archeologist Samantha Steele encounters a forger. Shop owner Susan Holland is someone's target. Will God protect them in life and love? (Romance/Mystery from Barbour Publishing).

The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed-- An adopted woman discovers she's heir to a fortune, only someone doesn't want her to live long enough to inherit. So she must hire a bodyguard to keep her safe but soon realizes her heart's in danger as well. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense).

Amelia's Journey by Martha W. Rogers-- When young rancher Ben and socialite Amelia meet again after six years, they are attracted to each other immediately, but Amelia's parents have other ideas for their daughter and forbid the relationship. (Historical Romance from Realms).

Winter Promise by Martha W. Rogers-- Abigail Monroe comes to Porterfield, Texas to open a library and to join her brother, Daniel and best friend, Rachel Reed with no thoughts of marriage, but young Doctor Elliot and Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon are both smitten and vie for her heart. (Historical Romance from Realms).

Where Wildflowers Bloom by Ann Shorey-- Will Faith Lindberg follow her heart, or marry the wrong man to achieve her goal? (Historical Romance from Revell).

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK by Betsy St. Amant-- Sixteen-year-old Addison Blakely has tirelessly played the role of PK-preacher's kid-her entire life. But after Wes Keegan revs his motorcycle into town and into her heart, Addison begins to wonder how much of her faith is her own and how much has been handed to her. (Young Adult from Barbour Publishing).

New Year's Traditions

2011-12-31T17:26:00.000-05:00

There's one thing I really miss from living in California. That's the way we celebrated New Year's after our youngest son was born. In fact, I think it started the year he was three.

On New Year's Eve, we dragged the king size mattress off our bed, down the hallway, and into the family room. There, we laid it in front of the fireplace and we'd all pile on the mattress to ring in the New Year.

We had a perfect view of the large screen TV. This was, of course, long before the flat screens. But the hubs always was an TV and stereo aficionado and had the latest. It was a front projection thing of gigantic proportions. But it was great for watching the fireworks!

When they were over, we'd fall asleep, or sometimes watch a late movie. But the TV stayed on. In Los Angeles, the Rose Parade coverage started about 7 A.M. All we had to do was crack an eye open and lay in bed, watching.

It was fun and quickly became our tradition. I miss it now that we live in Georgia. The Rose Parade coverage doesn't start until ten, and by that time, I'm into my day. And of course, our youngest is 34 now, so I doubt we'd all be snuggling in the same bed. LOL

So, what's your family's New Year tradition?

Misplaced Modifiers

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

I have an inner editor who is a terror.She never shuts up, which makes reading newspapers difficult. Or hilarious. Itdepends in how you look at it. Here's a few gleanings, thanks to my friend and fellow writer, Donn Taylor ...

From a local newspaper account of anembezzlement:

“Employed since late 2001, court recordsstate that [name] …transferred more than $1.5 million from company funds….”

Comment: Good news: Court records arenot among the unemployed.

From a report on Fox News Channel:

“After two days pinned in the wreckage,her friends found her lost dog.”

Comment: In the wreckage, there werecomparatively few places to look.

From the same local newspaper:

“[Name] was concerned about the welfareof a dog that was chained to a fence in a neighbor’s yard without food orwater.”

Comment: The neighbor should have beenmore conscientious in feeding the fence and yard.

From another local newspaper:

“[H]is former employer found videos ofa child engaging in a sexual act on a hard drive left in his desk.”

Comment: The obvious biologicaldifficulties not considered, how did the child get in the desk?

I'm the reason for the season ... really

2011-12-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know that I'm the reason for the season?

I am. And so are you. You see ...

Jesus came to pay a debt He didn't owe

Because I owed a debt I couldn't pay.

So truly I am the reason for the season.

And so are you.

His payment for our debt is the greatest Christmas gift of all.

The Little Drummer Boy

2011-12-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

My Plan to Keep Off Holiday Pounds

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time again. The holidays. Whenwe all can expect to gain about 5 pounds.

Why is it that all the reallydelicious foods have a pound of butter and/or a gazillion grams of sugar?

Well this year, I'm going to avoidthose extra calories by exercising during the holidays. I have a plan.

Monday, I'll beat around the bush, jump toconclusions, and wade through the morning paper.

On Tuesday, my plan includes dragging my heels, pushing my luck,make mountains out of molehills (that one uses up especially tenaciouscalories), and for building stamina: hitting the nail on the head.   

Wednesday, I'll bend over backwards, jump on theBand Wagon (whichever one strikes my fancy), and run around in circles.    

Thursday, I'll really pull out all the stops. I'll climbthe walls and add fuel to the fire.    

If my plan works then on Friday, I'llopen a can ofworms, put my foot in my mouth (this one works best repetitively), start theball rolling, and jump over the edge.     

Saturday, I plan to pick up the pieces.

I hope I'msuccessful. But as an added precautionary, I'll break any cookies before I eatthem. After all, everyone knows that breaking cookies causes caloric leakage.

Yes, I planto beat the Christmas bulge this year.

P.S. If allelse fails, lie on your back. Raise your legs straight up, and place thebathroom scales on the bottom of your feet. Works every time.

Jingle Bells

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

I swear I saw Shadrach in this ...

Top Book Picks of 2011

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

I read approximately 200 novel a year. So many are really good, it's hard for me to pick just 10, but each of the following books each stood out to me because of characters I couldn't forget or a story that wouldn't let me go. Some made me laugh and some made me cry. The best made me do both.

In alphabetical order, here is my Top 10 for 2011 list:

Always the Wedding Planner – Never the Bride, by Sandra Bricker
Dry as Rain, Gina Holmes
Heiress, Susan May Warren
Promises to Keep, Ann Tatlock
The Edge of Grace, Christa Allan
The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Sarah Addison Allen
The Heart of Memory, Alison Strobel
There You'll Find Me, Jenny B. Jones
Undercurrent, Michelle Griep
Unexpected Dismounts, Nancy Rue

If you don't see or hear Merry Christmas ...

2011-12-12T11:50:00.000-05:00

Is Your Wallet Empty This Christmas?

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

When my pastor, Chuck Allen, talked aboutgiving this last Sunday, it struck a chord in me. We'd already decided sinceShadrach had major surgery to the tune of $3600 this month, we would foregoChristmas presents this year.

There are a lot of folks in the samesituation. Well, they don't have Mastiffs with plumbing problems, but many areout of work. A lot of Christmas trees won't have packages beneath them thisyear.

But Pastor Church showed me a way to stillgive to everyone. And these gifts have eternal value. I plan to do it everyyear from now on. If you want to join me, here's what you can give:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To a opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To a child, a godly example.

To your family, honest, authentic love.

To yourself, the Truth.

To God, obedience.

And to a neighbor, Jesus.

May thisChristmas find us all giving more of ourselves to others.

Bodacious Online Fiction Writing Classes!

2011-12-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's Time!

Last year, I took an onlineclass that came highly recommended by another writer. I can't begin to tell youhow helpful it was in making me dig deeper than ever before into my characters'motivations. Laurie Schnebly is one of the best teachers I've come across. Theclasses are very reasonably pricedand worth every penny.

UPCOMING CLASSESfor 2012

Never any classes in December (unless it's atwo-day carryover!)  

online: HOW TO START A BOOK & GET IT FINISHED (January 4-31,2012) 
writersonlineclasses.com/?page_id=711  
Getting started is thefirst hurdle, but continuing all the way to The End is where even more writersrun into trouble. This workshop looks at how, when and why to start (and keep)writing, roadblocks and solutions along the way, tips for coping with writer'sblock as well as rejection / discouragement / frustration, and how to regain the joy that sometimes gets lost in thewriting process.  

blog: THETRICKY PART  (January 13) romanceuniversity.org  
Every writer has uniquestrengths, as well as a weakness or two. How do we use skills we take forgranted to boost those that need improvement?  

online: DELICIOUS DIALOGUE & DYNAMIC DESCRIPTION  (February 6-29, 2012)  groups.yahoo.com/group/DDDD  
Everyone tends to bebetter at writing one of the big D's. (If you're fabulous at both, you don't needthis class!) What kind of dialogue makes your characters real? What kind ofdescription works best for your voice? No two writers will use the sametechniques for these key elements, but having new tools to choose from can makewriting description and dialogue easier as well as more fun...not only for you,but for your readers as well.  

blog: MASTERINGMOTIVATION  (February 17) seekerville.net  
We all know what's atthe heart of Goal-Motivation-Conflict, but how can we find the motivation thatwill make our characters fascinating to read about?  

Get your laptop ready. This is the class I've been raving about:

online: PLOTTING VIA MOTIVATION  (March 5-30)  writeruniv.com  
Here's what previous people have said about this class: "Inever thought I could plot my entire book from start to finish, but here it is.This is AWESOME." / "This month has truly changed the way I thinkabout writing. I wish I'd taken Plotting Via Motivation before giving up on myearlier novels." / "Now that I look back in the notebook where Iwrote all my homework, I realize I've got my book right here!"  

live in Tempe, AZ: YOUR CONFERENCE PITCH  (Tuesday, March 26) desertroserwa.org   Turning a 30-second or8-minute opportunity into an invitation.  

online: MASTER CLASS: FROM PLOT TO FINISH  (April 2-13) writeruniv.com  
A continuation of thePlotting-Via-Motivation process, this no-more-than-30-people group gets everymember plotting a brand new or already-begun book (using your completed14-point worksheet) from start to finish. No need to prepare a story idea,character bios, goal charts or anything else, because you'll learn how to plotan entire book--and actually have it ready to type--by the end of this hands-onworkshop. (Class size limited.)  

live in Scottsdale, AZ: THE DOUBLE D'S  (Saturday, April 29)

desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Conferences.php  
A 45-minute version ofthe February class. 

online: REVISION HEL--NO, HEAVEN  (May 7-18) yosemiteromancewriters.com  
Every writer knowsabout Revision Hell. But the chance for re-"envision"ing any conceptthat's attracted attention can be a golden opportunity. This class covers thepsychological and the practical aspects of revision: when to do it, why (andwhy not) to do it, how to make the process easier, and--most important ofall--how to know when you're finished.  

blog: TAKEYOUR Q (May 17) romancingthegenres.blogspot.com  
Asking questions isvital for writers, but how many questions do you want your reader to ask?  

online: MASTER CLASS: Q IS FOR QUERY, A IS FOR ACK!  (June 4-15) writeruniv.com  
No writer can get farwithout the most fundamental tool of selling their work: an effective queryletter. But it's frequently a source of dread for writers who create compellingfiction, yet panic at the idea of creating a sales pitch. Laurie brings 25years of advertising experience to the task of identifying what makes peoplewant to buy a product--any product--and how to convince them yours is the onethey want. (Class size limited.)  

July is always vacation month!  

blog: CHOCOLATE,WINE, COFFEE, SEX, OR SHOES  (July 19) 1stturningpoint.com  
We all have words thatimmediately flag our interest -- but how do we find the trigger words foreveryone else?  

online: BLURBING YOUR BOOK  (August 6-31)  groups.yahoo.com/group/BookBlurb  

You've seen onlinelistings that made you buy immediately, knowing you wanted that book for sure.You've seen others that told you "don't want this one" and othersthat left you lukewarm. While nobody can (or should) write listings thatattract readers looking for a whole different type of book, writing blurbs thatturn browsers into buyers is easy to accomplish...with the hands-on techniquesfrom this brand new class.  

online: NINE TYPES, THREE TASKS & DOZENS OF CONFLICTS  (September 3-28) 

groups.yahoo.com/group/9Types  
Writers who discoverthe versatility of enneagrams, the nine personality types and three subtypesdeveloped by the Sufis and brought west a century ago, are fascinated by howeasy it is to identify their existing characters and create new ones...eachwith uniquely heroic and distinctive traits, as well as a fatal (or not sofatal) flaw that naturally brings them into conflict with other characters ANDwith themselves.  

online: THE HERO'S JOURNEY, FOR HEROINES  (October 1-26) writeruniv.com  
Christopher Vogler identified 12 steps for daredevil heroes whoexplore the outside world and return with the elixir. But a character whoseemotional journey leads to flowering change instead of physical adventure, asdescribed in Kim Hudson's 13 steps, will embark on a journey filled withother--more internal--challenges. For writers whose heroine faces her own lesstraveled road to discovery, this class offers a fascinating map. 

online: CREATING CONFLICT FOR COUPLES  (November 5-16)  writersonlineclasses.com  
This workshop showswhich of the common conflicts between couples who love each other are the mostlikely to threaten each stage of your hero's & heroine's relationship, andhow to either escalate the tension between them OR relieve it...depending onwhether you want to build the drama of a black moment, or to build ahappily-ever-after that'll last beyond the wedding.

New novel releases for December

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Don't forget, novels make great Christmas presents!

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

An Amish Wedding by Beth Wiseman -- Romance from Thomas Nelson; Pricilla's upcoming wedding is stirring up trouble - and romance - in Paradise.

Christmas Pearl by Robin L. Bayne -- Romance from White Rose Publishing (Pelican). Joe Gardner never expected to see Elizabeth again, not after the part she'd played in ruining his life. Refusing to believe she now shares his faith, Joe tosses aside her efforts to apologize. But when they are forced to work together in the midst of the Christmas season, Joe has to face the truth about Elizabeth, and himself.

Daddy’s Little Matchmakers by Kathleen Y'Barbo -- Romance from Love Inspired -- Wanted: Wife And Mother. Veterinarian Eric Wilson is confounded by the classified ad his three young daughters have placed. The handsome widower is not in the market for a bride!

Death in Dahlonega by Deborah Malone -- A Mystery from Lamp Post Inc.. A vacation with a friend should never include murder and mayhem.

Gold, Frankincense, and Murder by Barbara Early -- Romance/Mystery from White Rose Publishing (Pelican); A missing coworker. A brawny sidekick. Sometimes the holidays can be murder.

His Holiday Family by Margaret Daley, -- Romance from Love Inspired. In the aftermath of a hurricane, will Kathleen Hart and Gideon O'Brien, two scarred people, find hope and love?

Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna M. White -- Romance from Summerside Press. In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton.

Polar Bear Plunge by Linda Glaz -- Romance from White Rose Publishing (Pelican). Aleni Callan can’t accept that God allowed her husband to die in Afghanistan while war hero, Brice Taylor, returns from Iraq to cheers and fame and feelings that he somehow failed. Neither can accept that one man lived and one man died.

Replication by Jill Williamson -- Young Adult from Zondervan; A girl discovers her biologist father is covering up multiple secrets—all of which are named Jason.

Savanna’s Gift by Camille Eide -- Romance from White Rose Publishing (Pelican); When Savanna gets a second chance at the love of her life, will her dream that once divided them get in the way?

Small-Town Sweethearts by Jean C. Gordon-- Romance from Love Inspired; With the help of God and the love of Drew Stacey, a down-sized Wall Street analyst turned church camp manager, NYC assistant art director and former town misfit Emily, ne Jinx, Hazard finds the thing she wants most in the place she least wants to be — Paradox Lake.

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt -- Romance from Thomas Nelson; When a failed logging company threatens their town's survival, four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier romantic getaway.

The Christmas Witness by Susan Sleeman-- Thriller Suspense from Love Inspired; Can a former FBI agent let go of the devastating loss of his wife to cancer in order to save a critically ill child and her mother from a ruthless criminal?

Tracks in the Snow by Sandra H. Esch-- General Fiction from Lamp Post Inc.; Jo Bremley feared losing her husband to World War II, but when a snowstorm rips apart her storybook world, how can she heal her broken heart, and move on?

Bonnie Calhoun's ~ Cooking the Books

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

What's with the whacko friend in the green shirt? Love the jewelry. LOL

Can writers decorate?

2011-11-26T13:47:00.001-05:00

How many writers does it take to decorate a house for Christmas?

Forget the decorations, let me tell you about my book.

It's much more interesting than decorating, since I see all the dust bunnies I've allowed to propagate in my living room. I keep stopping to clean, which I hate to do but get guilted into it, and leave the hubs stranded on a ladder, waiting for me to hand him the garland.

You see, while I was dusting the top of the windows, my protagonist whispered a great idea for a scene. Naturally, I had to jot down a couple of notes. So I ran to my computer to make said notes when I noticed a lot of email had arrived.

Not wanting to miss that all-important message my agent may have sent, I open mail and check a few out. I see my crit partner Genghis Griep (okay, her real name is Michelle, but when she crits ...) has a new post up on her blog, Writer Off the Leash, and I have to check it out.

Then I realized I needed to post on my blog and ...

"Ane!!!"

Oops, I left the hubs on the ladder. See y'all later!

Novel Rocket: Having Been Ungrateful …

2011-11-24T10:02:00.000-05:00

Novel Rocket: Having Been Ungrateful …: The Novel Rocket team has been thinking about thankfulness and what a proper response to Thanksgiving might be. Perhaps our thoughts can be...

Can guests coexist with dust bunnies?

2011-11-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

I believe so. A friend's blog, Julie Garmon, talked about this and reminded me of something that happened a dozen years ago.

You see, I had an epiphany. Expecting friends fordinner one evening, I was flying around the house, cleaning and picking upafter everyone. By four 'clock, I was tired and grouchy, with every musclehurting. I still needed to cook the dinner, bathe, and dress, not to mentionset the table.

I was in no way ready for company. Oh, my house was ... butI wasn't. Not by any stretch of the imagination. I was ready for bed—and that'swhen it hit me.

Whenever I go to a friend's home for a dinner or just asimple visit, I don't look for behind the doors to see if there are stray sockslying around. I don't peek under tables to see if there are any dust bunnies,hiding behind the legs. I don't run my fingers over her countertops in thekitchen to check for crumbs or sticky spots.

No, when I visit a friend, I want to look in her eyes andsee the warmth of welcome. I want to delight in cozy conversation. I want toknow my visit has brought my friend joy. I don't want to feel that I've causedher extra work.

And that's when I realized I had to quit obsessing. Ibelieve my friends come to visit me—not inspect my house. If they are, thenthey're still welcome. I just calmly explain that dust bunnies are anendangered species, and I'm doing my best to give them a habitat where they canpropagate freely.

This holiday season, how are you greeting your guests?

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Heart, home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories that feature those comes naturally to her. She has been writing contemporary Christian romance for more than a decade. Her debut novel, Lakeside Reunion, will be released in November by Love Inspired, followed by her second novel, Lakeside Family, which will be released in August 2012. Happily married for over twenty years, Lisa and her husband have two young adult sons. When she isn’t writing or caring for children in her in-home childcare business, Lisa enjoys family time, romantic comedies, good books, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. Visit her at www.lisajordanbooks.com to learn more about her writing.

Tell us about your new release:

Bed-and-breakfast owner Lindsey Porter prays she won’t run into Stephen Chase when she returns to Shelby Lake. Five years ago, the cop jilted her to marry another woman, and Lindsey fled town. But no sooner does she hit city limits than Stephen pulls her over for a broken taillight. Despite the past, he’s still able to stir up Lindsey’s old feelings for him. Now a widower and single dad, Stephen recognizes a second chance when he sees one. And he’ll do anything to make Lindsey trust in God and take a risk for love—again. Read an excerpt of Lakeside Reunion

How did you come up with this story? Was there a specific 'what if' moment?

When I married my husband, he was a military policeman in the USMC, who dreamed of being a civilian cop like his dad. The closer his discharge date grew, the more fearful I became about his career choice. I begged him to give up his dream of being a cop, and he did. I’ve always regretted that, and when I became serious about writing, I started a story about a woman whose father was killed in the line of duty and she couldn’t marry the man she loved because he was a cop. The story evolved into one about trust, forgiveness and second chances.

Did anything strange or funny happen while researching or writing your book?

I didn’t have any weird moments, at least from my perspective. At times, I tried to picture certain physical movements in a scene, so I’d ask Hubby to help pose so I could write it correctly in the scene.

Every novelist has a journey. How long was your road to publication? How did you find out and what went through your mind?

My desire to write began when I was 16, but I became serious about pursuing it as a career about 12 years ago. Doors didn’t open until I finaled in the 2009 Genesis contest and signed with Rachelle Gardner in March 2010. She submitted my manuscript to Love Inspired and called on Friday, January 7^th, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. with news about my first sale. I sobbed to the point where Hubby thought someone had called with tragic news.

Do you ever bang your head against the wall from writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?

I do believe I have a permanent dent in my forehead from banging my head on my keyboard. My novel had gone through so many revisions, but it was still flat. At that time, I was becoming involved in My Book Therapy, so I emailed Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck for advice. We had a two-hour brainstorming chat that solidified my story spine and forced me to dig deeper into my characters’ motivations. That’s when my story started to come to life.

Do you consider yourself a visual writer? If so, what visuals do you use?

I’m visual in that I have to picture the scene as I write it. I scour the Internet for photos of characters, their homes, their work places, etc. to give me a baseline for the storyworld and various descriptions. I use Pinterest to pin those to my virtual bulletin boards so I always have them when I’m using 2 different computers.

Novelists sometimes dig themselves into a hole over implausible plots, flat characters or a host of other problems. What's the most difficult part of writing for you?

Plotting is a challenge for me because I tend to be an in-the-box thinker, but I’m getting better. I’m learning to broaden my perspective to see what’s beyond the box flaps.

How do you overcome it?

I have a brilliant critique partner—Michelle Lim—who is gifted with the ability to plot. She knows my weaknesses and gracefully helps me to make my stories move forward with a feasible plot. She’s a great friend and a terrific springboard to help my brain to move beyond the box.

Where do you write: In a cave, a coffeehouse, or a cozy attic nook?

I do a lot of my writing in my comfy leather chair in the corner of my living room. If I need to write without distraction, I plug in my ear buds, turn on Pandora and write to music, but I’m still available for my family. If I need constant quiet, I move to the corner in my bedroom where my writing desk is located.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My alarm goes off at 5:45, but I usually hit snooze until 6:15, then I force myself out of bed and head for the shower. Then it’s time to get my son up for school. At 7 a.m. my doorbell rings and my day with my six Little Darlings begins—I’m a state-registered childcare provider from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Once daycare ends, I clean up, do paperwork, fix dinner, clean up, then settle in my chair for a couple of hours of writing, social media, or other computer work that demands my attention.

Some authors report writing 5-10 thousand words a day. Do scenes flow freely from your veins or do you have to tweeze each word out?

It depends on the scene. I hate writing the rough draft. I’m a polisher. Give me the bare bones and I can edit until I’m happy with it. I force myself to write as many words as I can in 30 days—my crit partner and I usually challenge each other. Once the story bones are in place, I can go through each chapter and add the other necessary elements to bring it to life.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?

Susan May Warren taught me “God heals the character’s lie she believes about herself and the hero heals the wound.”

Rachel Hauck encouraged me to “tell the story between the quotes” and “always ask why to reach your character’s core motivations.”

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Surrender your writing to God. Join My Book Therapy—amazing organization to help writers find their voice. Learn from the pros but honor your own voice. Learn the craft and don’t be in a rush to submit.

Lakeside Reunion

Bed-and-breakfast owner Lindsey Porter prays she won’t run into Stephen Chase when she returns to Shelby Lake. Five years ago, the cop jilted her to marry another woman, and Lindsey fled town.

But no sooner does she hit city limits than Stephen pulls her over for a broken taillight. Despite the past, he’s still able to stir up Lindsey’s old feelings for him. Now a widower and single dad, Stephen recognizes a second chance when he sees one. And he’ll do anything to make Lindsey trust in God and take a risk for love—again.

Read an excerpt of Lakeside Reunion

I'm thankful ... really

2011-11-21T10:11:00.001-05:00

It's Thanksgiving and in that frame of mind, I began tocontemplate the things for which I'm most thankful. It's a strange list to saythe least, but then, I suppose it suits its author.

Obviously, I'm thankful for my family, even though they'reslowly driving me insane. They'll tell you it's a short drive, since I'malready close to that destination. Well, it comes with the territory of being awriter. After all, my best friends are imaginary.

As a writer, I'm thankful for my critique partners: Atillathe Holmes, Genghis Griep, and Ludwig von Frankenstein. As their names imply,they each have their strengths (shudder) and whip my words into shape.

I'm thankful for my dog, Shadrach, even when his slingersreach the top of my walls and require pulling out a ladder to remove them. Idon't know why I bother. They'll be back tomorrow. Why I let my family talk meinto an English Mastiff, I'll never know. It must have been after receiving acritique from Genghis Griep and I needed some levity in my life. What was Ithinking?

I'm thankful for my home, humble though it may be. It's oursand the mortgage is affordable. I really don't mind that the linen closet islittle more than a washcloth closet and requires a hydraulic press to close it.

I'm thankful for my gourmet son who loves to cook for us. Iwish he were available every night, although my thighs are thankful he isn't.Of course, that wish is a double-edged sword. He used to think his momma was agood cook. And I was. Really. That, however, was before I got tired of thinkingup meals. Who wouldn't after 40+ years of three meals a day? Besides, now myimaginary friends demand all my creativity.

Did I say I'm thankful for my dog, Shadrach, even though heeats me out of house and home? At least his bark, it's as big as his appetite, meritshis wages. No one told me he'd reach 195 pounds and want to sit under my deskwhen the neighbors shoot off fireworks. Do you know how hard it is to type whenthe desk keeps moving?

I'm thankful the hubs who puts up with a wife who talks tothe characters in her current work in progress. He's even been known to come upwith some great plot ideas and he's a whiz at naming things.

So, what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving ... besidesturkey?

More holiday than money?

2011-11-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

In this strangled economy, are youlooking for ways to support your favorite causes this holiday giving season?

Hereare five ways you can “give without giving”:

Shop online: GoodShop.com works withmore than 2,500 retailers (including Amazon, Gap, Target, Staples and Macy’s) to give apercentage of almost every purchase back to the shopper’s favorite charity. In addition, GoodShop lists more than 100,000 coupons so that shoppers can savemoney and do good at the same time! GoodShop currently works with morethan 102,000 charities and schools. We can provide you with a list inyour area. See how it works here!

Search the Internet: GoodSearch.com donatesabout a penny per search to the charity the user designates. It’s powered byYahoo so users get great search results! Together with GoodShop,GoodSearch has raised more than $8 million for charity! See how it works here!

Redeem credit card points. Ask members to turn their unused credit card points into a charitabledonation to your cause. Both American Expressand Citi Cardoffer this program.

Volunteer: There are a handful of companies that match volunteer hours with funds.For example, Microsoftwill match volunteer time at $17 an hour through its Volunteer Time Matchingprogram. Boeing,Exxon,Intel,Chevron,and Bank of America havesimilar programs.

Dine out: GoodDining.comworks with more than 10,000 restaurants across the country and each time youdine, up to 6% of what you spend is donated to your favorite charity. We canprovide you a list of restaurants in your area.

Recycle your old electronics: Send your electronics to Gazelle.com and cashgenerated from that will be donated to charity.

To soar like an eagle ...

2011-11-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Be sure to watch this full screen. Makes me want to soar like an eagle.

Grammar police are everywhere ...

2011-11-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

I knew there was no escaping them when I saw this ...

from GoComics and thanks to Rachelle Gardner.

Best book trailer ever

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Steve Laube, whose blog I found this on. What a creative book trailer!

How Sermons Work from HeadHeartHand Media on Vimeo.

Simple Things

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

As I drove to Starbucks (where I write) this morning, the radio station was having a contest, asking listeners to guess what was in the Trick-or-treat bag. One woman said a tube of lipstick, and I was instantly taken back to my tween years, when I got my first tube.

Back then, it was Tangee. Anyone remember that? It smelled of orange blossoms, and put only a hint of translucent color on your lips. I loved it.

As I grew up and money was tight, buying a simple tube of lipstick could boost my morale. That and a good book. If I couldn't afford to go places, I'd read about them in a novel and feel like I'd been there. I'd escape to worlds unknown, go back in time, or simply laugh out loud at a great romantic comedy.

I'd spend hours curled up with a good book. That never changed. It's no wonder I became a writer.

What's your favorite simple pleasure?

November Fiction Releases

2011-11-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander -- Historical Romance from Bethany House; To create something that will last is Claire Laurent's most fervent desire as an artist. It's also her greatest weakness. All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He's determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Bound by Grace by Amber Stockton -- Historical Romance from Barbour. When Charlotte Pringle’s father disrupts her idyllic relationship with Richard Baxton by announcing he’s been working on a marriage arrangement to secure her future, Richard despairs over the loss of the woman he’s come to love, until his niece persuades him to fight.

Fatal Reality by Jonathan Wakefield -- A Thriller/Suspense from OakTara -- In this race only the winner will be allowed to live.

Gateway Weddings; Romancing America by Myra Johnson -- A Romance from Barbour. Three Missouri women enter the gateway to life, love, and longing.

Hope and a Future by Betty Arrigotti -- Romance from OakTara; Will Marjorie Gloriam overcome her fear and trust God to be a Friend with plans to give her Hope and a Future?

I Can Do Better All By Myself by E. N. Joy, --Biblical Fiction from Urban Fiction (Kensington). The singles ministry at New Day Temple of Faith is beginning to unravel, and the pastor is considering dissolving the ministry. Some members believe the only way to hold it together is by getting their pastor to join. And why shouldn't their leader show support by joining, considering the pastor's own single status?

Katie’s Way by Marta Perry -- Romance from Praise (Penguin). A quilt shop brings Amish and Englisch together, and trouble follows...

Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble -- Romance from Thomas Nelson. Five years ago Eden and Clay Larson's baby was stolen and never found. Eden blamed herself, Clay lost himself in work. Their young and rocky marriage ended. Or so Eden thought.

Mind Over Madi by Lynda Lee Schab -- General Fiction from OakTara; All men cheat. At least, that's what Madi's mother has always told her.

Peril by Suzanne Hartmann -- Thriller/Suspense from OakTara; A top-secret agent must trust God to protect her many secrets when she accepts high-profile assignments but can she trust Him when He leads her to reveal her secrets and takes her to death's doorstep?

Promise Brides by S. Dionne Moore-- Historical Romance from Barbour; Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where-it never comes without sacrifice.

Protection for Hire by Camy Tang-- Thriller/Suspense from Zondervan; Tessa Lancaster’s skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her uncle’s Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Now, three months after her release, her abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for a wealthy socialite and her three-year-old son. But there’s a problem or two … or three ….

The Land of Darkness; The Gates of Heaven Series by C.S. Lakin-- Speculative Fiction from Living Ink (AMG); Jadiel is twelve and things couldn’t get much worse—or could they?

The Long Trail Home by Vickie McDonough-- Historical Romance from Moody Publishers; When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancée again. But when he arrives he learns his life will never be the same again.

The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson-- Historical from Zondervan; An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude a recluse. She must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

The Rancher’s Courtship by Laurie Kingery-- Romance from Love Inspired; Though Caroline Wallace can’t have a family, she can still have a purpose. Becoming Simpson Creek’s new schoolmarm helps heal the heartache of losing Pete, her fiancé, to influenza. Then Pete’s brother arrives, trailing a herd of cattle and twin six-year-old girls.

Thyme for Love by Pamela S. Meyers--Romance & Mystery from OakTara; April Love has always dreamed of being a chef. But she didn’t expect a former fiancé or murder to be part of the recipe for her new job.

Turnabout’s Fair Play by Kaye Dacus-- Romance from Barbour; When Maureen O’Connor begins scheming to match her grandson Jamie with Flannery McNeill, the last thing she has in mind is a romance of her own.

Pray for Jerusalem

2011-11-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

I hope this is as eduactional to you as it was for me

Back Story ~ When & What?

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

It’s a necessarything for most novels—especially if they are character driven. The key is to doit in small doses, and not too early in the story.

I always explain it like this:

When you meet someone new, you don't want to hear his or her lifehistory. It makes no difference to your new friendship at this point; you'rejust getting to know them. In fact, to be honest ... you don't care.

Once youknow them better, then some of their childhood experiences are interesting toyou and you want to know all about them.

But if they start telling you theirlife history in the first few minutes of meeting them, you're sidesteppingtoward the door as quickly as you can.

Donald Maassrecommends not in the first 30 pages, some authors say they try not to have anyin the first 50. I choose compromise - 40.

Sometimes, you can have tiny bits early on—even if it’s something as small as saying, “Asan only child, she’d spent her girlhood longing for playmates.” With onesentence, you’ve woven in a tiny bit of back-story without breaking the forwardmovement of the story.

When it comes to larger chunks of back-story (with dialogue - more like actualflashbacks) it's usually written just the way the rest of the book is written,with one past tense “had” to carry us into the story [She had been alone atwork that day...] then revert to writing as if it were happening now.

Then one “had”sentence to transition us back to the present [She had always wondered ifthings might have been different if she’d only made the call. Now, staring atthe silent telephone, she reached for the receiver....] and each line ofdialogue in a separate paragraph.

Saul Stein in Stein on Writing, has an excellent section on flashbacks(Chapter 14) that helps to understand flashbacks/back-story.

Remembering My Grandmother

2011-10-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

I only rememberseeing my grandmother once. We had photos of me with her when I was little, butI don't remember those actual events. The only on that remains with me was whenshe'd just had surgery for a brain tumor. Her head was swathed in bandages likea turban. I was 5 years old.

To keep me quietmy mother did something rare. In her distraught state, knowing her mother wasdying, she bought me a bag of jellybeans. I sat quietly eating them (I probablybounced off the walls later, but I don't remember that). Finally I got to gosee my grandmother. She pulled me onto her lap and squeezed me until I thoughtI'd pop.

I offered her ajellybean, but she told me she couldn't eat them right now, but to save her theblack ones. She knew I hated those but that my mother had taught me to eat whatfood my fingers touched. So she gave me a reason not to eat those dreaded blackones. My grandmother gave me love through really knowing me.

After mygrandmother died, I insisted on keeping the jellybeans for her. I didn'tunderstand about death and wouldn't let my mother throw them out. For two yearsafter Grandma died, my mother kept that little Dixie cup of black jellybeans onthe windowsill in the kitchen.

We both missedmy grandmother. To me, the black jellybeans were a connection to her. I think,perhaps, my mother felt a little of her mom in that tiny cup, too.

What's your favorite memory of your grandmother?

Do you love Christmas books?

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

This is one of the best I've read!

Baby, It's Cold Outside

By Susan May Warren

Published by Summerside Press

ISBN-13: 978-60936-215-7

Dottie Morgan has no desire to share her home—or herheart—this Christmas. After all, her holiday spirit froze over when she losther son in World War II. But when the blizzard of the decade descends on Frost,Minnesota, trapping Dottie in her home with four near strangers, she discoversthat opening her door might also open her heart to a miracle ... and a newreason to celebrate Christmas.

Baby, It's Cold Outsidehas an eclectic cast of characters from Dottie the curmudgeon, Jake thepretender, Gordy the neighbor, to Violet the WAAC. Warren's characters take youinto their hearts and don't let go. I laughed and cried and turned pages allnight long. Baby, It's Cold Outside isa must read this Christmas! Novel Rocket and I give it our highest recommendation:a 5-star read.

Characterization ~ Making Memorable Characters

2011-10-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

What takes a fictional character from goodto great?

I believe it's how real they are. Does thewriting pull you, the reader into the story enough for you to experience it? Doyou feel like you're part of it? That this character is your friend?

That comes a lot from deep POV. And to getdeep, you have to know the character as well as yourself. What is yourhero/heroine's story motivation? That's not as simple a question as it sounds.You have to keep asking why, until you get to the heart of it.

For instance: let's say your heroine wantsto teach third grade at an elementary school. What's her motivation? Your firstanswer might be that she wants to help kids. Is that a great story motivation?Or are you yawning?

We need to go deeper. Why does she want tohelp kids? Uhm, maybe a teacher helped her learn something hard that changedher life. So? That doesn't excite me. Does it you?

Again we ask why. Why is teaching kids soimportant that if she doesn't reach her goal, she's devastated? Could it be shewants unconditional love? The kind of love a child develops for their teacher?

Now we have a universal desire. Something the reader can empathize with. And wehave a story, because she's looking in all the wrong places for unconditionallove.

So now we have a motivation that willcarry a story forward and give us lots of conflict.

There's something else that makes thecharacter multi-dimensional. It's their secret. What is your character'ssecret? The one thing they don't want anyone else to know? Usually it stemsfrom the lie they believe about themselves.

Once you know the character inside andout, you're ready to write. You let the motivation help plot the story, butsomething doesn't feel right. It's not there yet.

What's missing?

The following is a well-written paragraph.

MaryRose dippedone toe into the water sending a ring of ripples outward. The early morningsunrays shone like spotlights through the trees across the inlet. Morning birdssang their happy songs and two glimmering dragonflies chased each other alongthe water’s edge. Towards the mouth of the cove a fish jumped.

But it could be better. Do you see what's missing? It'sbeautiful description. But that's all it is. Where is MaryRose in this?Observing. But people don't simply observe. We have opinions, memories that aretriggered by sights, sounds, and smells.

Many years ago Ron Benrey taught me his Magic Paragraph. He'sincluded it in his book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction, which I highly recommend.

What it taught me was to add the character's reaction toeverything (or nearly everything). Rewriting the above paragraph using themagic paragraph might look like this:

MaryRose dippedone toe into the water. Its iciness sent a shiver through her. She pulled hersweater tighter across her chest, hugging it close. The early morning sun shonethrough the trees, spotlighting white-throated sparrows as they sang theirhappy songs. In the mouth of the cove a fish jumped, sending out a ring ofripples. Like the little lie she told sent out ripples of consequence.

Okay, so I added the last sentence, but it felt right. It alsotied what she saw to her problem. The thing is, now we see MaryRose's response to her surroundings, and from those, webegin to know her.

You may have noticed I also removed one sentence. That's becauseonce you've added the sensory details, you don't need as many descriptions. The"rule of three" is a good guideline to avoid laundry lists.

Another great example came from another member of the group. Hetold us after a particular critique from Pam Meyers, something clicked forhim. Now when his heroine hears tires on gravel andlooks out the window, she doesn't just see the Johnsons coming back for anotherload. She takes note of Jasper, their son. She describes him, even renders heropinion. He had his father's build, looking like another welterweight boxer,but Jasper had his mother's looks. Fortunate for him.

These are the things that make certaincharacters come alive to the reader and makes them feel like the character istheir friend.

The Plot Whisperer

2011-10-17T19:01:00.002-04:00

Martha Alderson has worked with hundreds of writersin plot workshops, retreats, and plot consultations for more than fifteenyears. Her clients include bestselling authors, New York editors, and Hollywoodmovie directors.

The Plot Whisperer

Secrets of Story Structure Any WriterCan Master

When it comes to writing bestsellers, it's all about the plot. Troubleis, plot is where most writers fall down--but you don't have to be one of them.With this book, you'll learn how to create stories that build suspense, revealcharacter, and engage readers--one scene at a time.

Celebrated writing teacher and author Martha Alderson has devised aplotting system that's as innovative as it is easy to implement. With herfoolproof blueprint, you'll learn to devise a successful storyline for anygenre. She shows how to:

• Use the power of the Universal Story

• Create plot lines and subplots that work together

• Effectively use a scene tracker for maximum impact

• Insert energetic markers at the right points inyour story

• Show character transformation at the book's climax

There are a lot of good books on story structure and plotting. Whatworks for one writer doesn't work for another. The Plot Whisperer isdefinitely for those who are plotters or need to be. I found it to be filledwith excellent useable tools, something that some books lack.

I own the world's largest Siamese

2011-10-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

Shadrach, our English Mastiff, recently had some surgery, a cyst removed. It was benign, thank goodness. He played it up big time, after all, he is somewhat of a diva. We got a card from the vet's office today, Shadrach's ID.

He is 194 pounds
His breed?

Well, I always said he was part marshmallow, but apparently he's ... Siamese

Go figure.

Always learning ...

2011-10-12T09:33:00.002-04:00

Susan Meissner and Karen White are both masters at making their novel's setting a character. In the series I'm working on, I've got a great setting, so I'm working on making it more of a character.

It took me a while to fully understand what that exactly means, and here's what I've come to realize: the setting has to be a large influence on who the character is. They wouldn't be the same person if they had been raised or lived anywhere else.

I love this porch. It belongs to Patsy, one of the characters in my Chapel Lake series. Patsy loves to garden and it shows.

So how has this porch and yard effected Patsy? Well, she goes there to think, but mainly, she plants the same annuals year after year. They always bloom the same, and Patsy likes things to stay the same. SHe's okay with the changing of seasonal flowers because she knows what comes next.

I wish I could take my laptop out there to write. It inspires me. So what makes your setting unique? How can it's traditions, it's ambiance, it's peculiarities effect your characters? Inspire them?

Over at Novel Rocket today, Susan Meissner is talking about it. And I've got Karen White flying by on November 8th at Novel Rocket. Check out what they have to say.

Then if you have any good tips for me, please leave me a comment. I'm always looking for golden nuggets of learning!

'Nuff said ...

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

They say times change, but I'm not so sure they change all that much ...

Why I Write Pulp Fiction ~ by guest blogger James Scott Bell

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

James Scott Bell is the bestselling author of Deceived, Try Dying, Watch Your Back and many other thrillers.

Under the pen name K. Bennett, he is also the author of the Mallory Caine zombie legal thriller series, which begins with Pay Me in Flesh. Jim served as fiction columnist for Writer’s Digest magazine, to which he frequently contributes, and has written three bestselling craft books for Writers Digest, including the #1 writing bestseller, Plot & Structure.

With the e-publicationof my new suspense collection, One More Lie,I’m happy to count myself as a writer of pulp fiction.

What is pulp fictionanyway? Please don’t get anywhere near confusing it with the nihilistic,over-praised and much too often over-copied film of the same name. True pulpfiction goes back to the magazines that used cheaper pulp paper in order tosell in great volume to a voracious reading public. These magazines had theirheyday in the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s.

It was fiction for thepeople, for the guy on the crowded subway going to work, or the busy motherwith five kids who got a little reading time at night. It was for the peoplewho wanted to be caught up in a fictive dream. It was not written in a styleaimed at some elite literati. It was about dames and thugs and gats androscoes. Femme fatales and corrupt police. About the American dream gone wrongand how crime does not pay. And it produced many superb writers along the waywho transcended the genre.

Some stories becameclassics, in style and substance as well as plot. The Maltese Falcon,first serialized in the pulp magazine Black Mask, is a great Americannovel. It is what Shakespeare might have written had he been born in 1894 andwalked the mean streets.

And how can you beatthis opening to the famous story “Red Wind” by Raymond Chandler?

There was a desertwind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come downthrough the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump andyour skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meeklittle wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’necks.

I’m there. I’m seeinga slice of the human condition. At the time, Chandler was capturing a part ofLos Angeles life that hadn’t been given light before. He and another writer ofthe day, James M. Cain, were innovative in that.

But the thing I likemost about pulp fiction is that it has to grab the reader and not let go. Astoryteller with a “message” won’t have a chance to deliver it unless he or shecan make good on that basic, page-turning promise.

Pulp writers wereprolific. They had to be, at a penny a word. Erle Stanley Gardner, like me anex-lawyer looking to make a living as a writer, came up with the characterPerry Mason. He got a penny a word at first, so in his stories you always seeboth names used whenever he describes a character. Like this:

Perry Mason enteredhis office and greeted his confidential secretary, Della Street, with a fondhello.

“It’s about time,”Della Street said.

“What’s about time?”Perry Mason rejoindered taking a seat behind his desk.

Before Della Streetcould answer there was a quick knock and the door, and the private detectivePaul Drake walked in.

“Hello, beautiful,”Paul Drake said to Della Street.

You get the idea. Eachtime it was an extra penny earned! (You have to love how lawyers think, don’tyou?)

So this is why I writepulp fiction. I love to spin a good yarn and illuminate a little slice of thehuman soul along the way. The pulp market dried up, but now e-publishing hasgiven it new life. I have two collections out now, Watch Your Backand One More Lie.Each has a title novella and three stories. I might have made a penny a word in1930 and hammered out a meager existence. This new digital market pays muchbetter and the shelf life never goes away.

I see this assupplementing my print work. As Rachelle points out repeatedly, fiction authorshave to build a platform. This is one way of doing it.

And it lets me beprolific, lets me keep testing new ways to grab readers, lets me keep doingwhat I’ve always wanted to do––write.

If you’d like toread the first chapter of ONE MORE LIE, you can do so by clicking here.

Over 55 Techie

2011-10-05T09:30:00.000-04:00

When I finally got the hubs to use a cell phone,he reminded me about all the years he ran a large corporate division with a fewhundred employees without a cell phone that plays music, takes pictures, orcommunicates with Facebook and Twitter.

Under duress, he signed up for Twitter andFacebook, so our three kids, their spouses, 7 grandkids and his great granddaughter (I'm too youngto have a great grandanything) could communicate with him in the modern way. Ifigured he could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140characters.

That was before one of our grandkids hooked him upwith Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetdeck, and something that sends every message tohis cell phone. The thing started beeping every few minutes with the details ofeverything except the bowel movements of the next generation. He's says notready to live like this. He stuffed the cell phone in the garage in his golfbag.

He sings in a community choir that travels aroundNorth Georgia. Because he prefers to drive himself, we bought him a GPS to helphim find those tiny obscure hamlets where they sing. He keeps that in a boxunder his tool bench along with the Bluetooth earpiece he's supposed to usewhen he drives. He wore it once talking to me, while standing in line at the PigglyWiggly. Everyone within 50 yards glared at him. He had to take his hearing aidout to use the Bluetooth and got a little loud.

He thought the GPS looked okay on his dashboard,but the lady inside the gadget was the more annoying than Edith Bunker. Every10 minutes she would say, "Re-calc-u-lating." She'd give a deep sighand then tell him to make a U-turn at the next light. If he made a right turninstead ... well, suffice it to say it wasn't a good relationship.

When he gets really lost now, he calls me andtells me the name of the cross streets. I get go online to Google maps and gethim the directions. He says I'm starting to develop the same tone as the GPSlady.

To be perfectly frank he's still trying to learnhow to use the cordless phones in our house. We've had them for years, but hestill hasn't figured out how he can lose three phones all at once. Every timethe phone rings, he runs around digging under chair cushions, checkingbathrooms, and the dirty laundry baskets. He swears the dog ate one of thephones, since he barks every time it rings.

He says the world is just getting too complex forhim. It even messes with him when he goes to the grocery store. This sudden"paper or plastic" business knocks him for a loop. I bought him someof those cloth reusable bags to carry, but he never remembers to take them inwith him.

You see, I quit going to the store with him. Thelast time they asked him, "Paper or Plastic?" he said, "Doesn'tmatter to me. I am bi-sacksual." I tried to hide under the grocery cart,but he had cases of water stored there. The last straw was when the clerk askedhim if he tweeted. I walked away when he answered, "No, but I do toot alot."

New Christian fiction releases for October

2011-10-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

A Wedding Invitation by Alice Wisler -- General Fiction from Bethany House; When Samantha Bravencourt receives an invitation to a wedding in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she looks forward to reconnecting with her college friend. Instead her life collides with Carson, a fellow teacher and the man who broke her heart.

Attracted by Fire by DiAnn Mills -- A Thriller/Suspense from Tyndale. When a Secret Service Agent is assigned to the Vice President's rebellious daughter, danger lurks in every corner - and her heart.

Deeply Devoted: A Novel; The Blue Willow Brides Series by Maggie Brendan -- A Historical from Revell -- She is staking her future on a man she's never met. Can she learn to love him?

Freezing Point by Beth Goddard -- A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired. Casey Wilkes didn't realize her simple human-interest story would put her life at risk—again.

Lethal Remedy by Richard L. Mabry M.D. -- A Thriller/Suspense from Abingdon; A doctor discovers that the experimental "wonder drug" that offers the only hope of cure for a universally fatal infection can be attacking more than just bacteria.

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist, -- Historical Romance from Bethany House. Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley -- A Historical from Realms (Charisma Media). Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she's adopted and her journey begins.

Recipe for Deceit by S. Dionne Moore -- Mystery from Barbour. The third LaTisha Barnhart mystery finds the sassy diner owner trying to figure out who put the hit on a hitman.

Rodeo Dust by Shannon Vanatter -- Romance from Barbour Heartsong; Can they rely on God to find their common ground or will they draw a line in the rodeo dust that neither will cross?

Southern Fried Sushi: A Novel by Jennifer Rogers Spinola -- General Fiction from Barbour; Ride the roller coaster of Shiloh Jacobs’s life as her dreams derail, sending her on a downward spiral from the heights of an AP job in Tokyo to penniless in rural Virginia.

Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy-- Thriller/Suspense from Barbour; A demon possessed serial killer pits himself against a former ego driven cop, who's found peace as a mission pastor and a tough lady cop with the spiritual gift of discerning spirits.

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy-- Thriller/Suspense from Thomas Nelson; To save her husband and son, Audrey Bofinger must rescue her enemy.

The Chair by James Rubart-- Thriller/Suspense from B and H Publishing; If you were given an ancient looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe them?

The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight-- Romance from Love Inspired; When a battle weary cop and a Christmas crazy teacher join forces to care for an abandoned, mute boy in a small town, neither is prepared for the shocking revelations waiting...just in time for Christmas.

The Lady's Maid by Susan Page Davis-- Romance from Barbour; As a lady's maid, Elise will follow her mistress anywhere, even into the Wild West.

The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O'Dell-- Young Adult from Barbour; Join conflicted sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield on her journey to hope and healing as she leaves her messed-up life behind and moves into home for troubled teens

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones-- Young Adult from Thomas Nelson; Grief brought Finley to Ireland. Love will lead her home.

When Love Gets in the Way by Janelle Mowery-- A Historical from Harvest House; Straight from the heart of the Old West, the Colorado Runaway series is full of adventure, humor, and romance.

When Two Hearts Meet by Janelle Mowery-- A Historical from Harvest House; Rachel Garrett finds that attaining her dream of becoming a nurse is fraught with peril, and a deputy sheriff with a wall around his heart doesn’t help matters,

Inspire A Fire launches!!!

2011-10-01T11:32:00.005-04:00

Today's the day! Months have gone into planning, praying, and assembling a team to bring you Inspire a Fire - a website that will tug at your heartstrings as you read stories about real people who've had tremendous struggles or feel compelled to step out into the world and make a difference.

We believe one person has the power to make a huge difference in the world and eternity. Sometimes it only takes one match, one spark, to ignite an inferno of change.

Brought to you by the creators of Novel Rocket (formerly Novel Journey), an entire team has pulled together for this endeavor. I'm excited about the possibilities and being a part. I will post on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

We'd love for you to check us out now. And please, click on the Submissions tab at the very top if you know someone in your community who has a great story or is doing something extraordinary. And go to the Make a Difference tab to see how can be involved in your own community.

We're very excited about this website and hope to see you there! Please stop by Inspire A Fire and leave a comment.

You'd Rather Be Writing

2011-09-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Borrowed with permission from Elspeth Antonelli. Elspeth is an author and playwright. Her twelvemurder mystery games and two plays are available through host-party.com. She has also contributedarticles to the European writers' magazine Elias.Her blog, It's A Mystery,explores the writing process with a touch of humor. She is on Twitter as @elspethwrites.

You'd rather be writing, but firstyou have to...

10. Reach into the freezerand get something out for dinner. WARNING: You may discover things inyour freezer older than your youngest child. This has happened to me. It brings up all sorts of other issues that may further delay your writing.

9. Organize your desk -including all the drawers. This could take hours, if you're lucky. But don'tthink of it as luck, think of it as being thorough.

8. Vacuum the cat. Yes,scratches and a certain amount of blood loss will probably be involved.However, you can use the pain and suffering to enrich the detail in yourcurrent work in progress.

7. Do more research. You'renot wasting time, you're getting your details correct. Keep repeating this - ithelps alleviate the guilt.

6. Have a snack. Goto the kitchen to discover you are out of snacky foods. Go to the grocerystore. Don't forget you're out of milk. And cheese. And toilet paper.

5. Reread your previous fewparagraphs to remind yourself where you are in the plot. Try to readthem with no judgment. Try. Try harder. Now step away from the delete button.

4. Have a staring contestwith your pet. NOTE: With a dog, you have a fair chance of winning.With a cat you have less chance. With a fish, you have no chance. No pet? Stareat a picture of one in a magazine. You're not wasting time, you're sharpeningyour concentration.

3. Close your eyes andimagine the blockbuster movie that will be made based on your currentmanuscript. Picture a scene and hear the dialogue. WARNING: This exercise maylead to actual writing. Approach with caution.

2. Think about what yourcharacters were like in high school as a means of exploring theirhistories. Think about what you were like in high school. Think aboutwhat your friends were like in high school. Do you remember some of thenames? Hello, Facebook?

1. To pick up dialoguetips, watch a movie or television episode written by one of yourfavorite writers. WARNING: This may cause severe depression and self-loathing.More snacks may be necessary.

The Carol Awards!

2011-09-26T12:43:00.002-04:00

Here are the winners. I'm especially proud of my critique partner and BFF, Gina Holmes!!

Debut Author

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale Publishers - Kathryn Olson, editor)

Long Contemporary

Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group - Dave Long, editor)

Long Contemporary Romance

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson - Natalie Hanemann, editor)

Long Historical

Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren (Summerside Press - Susan Downs, editor)

Long Historical Romance

Love Finds You in Homestead Iowa by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press - Rachel Meisel/Connie Troyer, editors)

Mystery

The Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard (Barbour Publishing - Rebecca Germany, editor)

Novella

A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky (Barbour Publishing - Rebecca Germany, editor)

Romantic Suspense

The Silent Order by Melanie Dobson (Summerside Press - Rachel Meisel/Susan Downs/Ellen Tarver, editors)

Short Contemporary

A Father for Zach by Irene Hannon (Love Inspired - Melissa Endlich, editor)

Short Contemporary Suspense

Night Prey by Sharon Dunn (Love Inspired Suspense - Emily Rodmell, editor)

Short Historical

Her Healing Ways by Lyn Cote (Love Inspired Historical - Tina James, editor)

Speculative Fiction

König’s Fire by Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press - Jeff Gerke, editor)

Suspense/Thriller

Predator by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan - Sue Brower/Dave Lambert, editors)

Women’s Fiction

Beaded Hope by Cathy Liggett (Tyndale Publishers - Jan Stob/Lorie Popp, editors)

Young Adult

Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson (Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group - Lonnie Hull Dupont, editor)

Pigeon or Statue?

2011-09-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

I've learned in life you have to accept that some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Have you noticed that? I love the days where everything goes my way. But the others? Well, frankly they stink. Those are statue days.

Come on, it can't be just me. Surely, you've experienced that? No? Maybe I got your share of statue days. If so, I'd like to give them back.

Like the other day. I decide I need to start getting ready for the writers conference I'm going to in September. I need a pair of shoes that are both comfortable but stylish. I've given up on the 6" heels. My feet too small to do those. Besides, I have to be able to walk. With heels longer than my legs, it wouldn't be a pretty sight.

And what happened to style in a lower heel? It's nonexistent. All the shoes I see are either orthopedic or downright dangerous. I give up on the shoes and decide to try on a couple of new tops to go with my nifty travel pants.

Now, I've been sweating to the oldies at Curves for 8 years. I've lost a lot of inches but not a lot of pounds. But that's okay. It's the dress size that matters, right? And if anyone gets nosy, I keep a stack of old size tags to sew into my new clothes.

Because the good Lord—and my mother—endowed me abundantly, I wear a different size pants than top. I'm no Dolly Parton, but I do have to buy separates. The thing that really bugs me is the same machine that's supposed to remove the rolls on my back also increases the bust. Go figure.

So, I'm in the department store. Having left the shoe section empty-handed, I head toward the tops. I have a long, black, shimmery skirt for the awards banquet with a long, flowing, black and white, chiffon, long sleeved jacket to go with it. I decided a sparkly red blouse would be the perfect addition to finish the outfit.

You think I can find one? Ha! It's a statue day. I should give up and go home, because everything I see that is remotely within 30 miles of what I want is made for a 17 year-old body. We won't discuss my age – but 17 passed donkey's years ago.

I take several into the dressing room. I hate mirrors in dressing rooms. They reflect the twisting gyrations I go through to get the first one on. It refuses to go past my armpits. The second one resembles a potato sack. Not the look I'm going for.

The next one is open to my navel. I look down. My outie became an innie 10 pounds ago. Daunted but not out yet, I hit all the major department stores at the Mall of Georgia. Nada. Zip. Absotootinglutely nothing. I go home in a grumbling funk. It's definitely a statue day.

I don't stay down for long, so the next day, I go to another store. They had a sale on. Within 5 minutes of entering the doors, I score. A shiny red top, perfect in size and fit, and on sale. For 9 bucks.

I love pigeon days.

Honey, are you watching? I need this car!

2011-09-17T20:58:00.001-04:00

I need this car!

Librarians spoof video

2011-09-10T13:41:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Angie Hunt for this one:

Confessions of the Directionally Challenged

2011-09-05T15:05:00.000-04:00

The other day, I visited a friend atthe hospital. Fortunately for me, four others went along and one of themdrove. Not that I mind driving. I don't. But only if I know where I'mgoing, have a map, and have been there at the very least a dozen times.

Yousee, I'm directionally challenged.

I wasn't always this way, mind you.It happened in 1990, when we moved from Los Angeles, where all streets are laidout in a logical grid, to Atlanta, where the streets are old cow paths andwagon trails to the closest ferry.

When we first moved her, I needed to finda doctor, so I located one in the yellow pages and got directions. The lady atthe doctor's office, a native Atlantan, didn't bother to tell me that allstreets in this town change names every few blocks. I think it's must be agovernment mandate.

So, I'm driving down one of the 53Peachtree Streets in Atlanta, when suddenly I was on Somebody's Ferry.

If you've ever visited Atlanta, yousoon realized the Chattahoochee River snakes through the town like lacesthrough a corset. Why, it has more twists and turns than rigatoni and crossesevery street and road several times. Back in the day, that necessitatedevery good ole boy owning a ferry and charging people to cross the river.

I quickly checked my directions,barely avoiding an accident. Nobody's Ferry was mentioned in the directions.After a few frightening moments of Interstate NASCAR, I did what every sensibleAngelino did – I went around the block.

And ended up in Tennessee.

September's Christian Fiction Releases

2011-09-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

A Biltmore Christmas by Diane Ashley and Rhonda Gibson -- A Historical Romance from Barbour; Explore the luxuries of America’s largest home through the eyes of the fictional Bradford sisters

A Bride’s Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas by Erica Vetsch -- A Romance from Barbour. Hoping to leave the shadows of her shady yesteryears behind, Adeline Reid is focusing on her photography career. But when her ex-boyfriend’s compatriot in crime shows up in Dodge City her entire past is threatened by exposure.

A Harvest of Hearts by Laura V. Hilton -- Shanna Stoltzfus thought nothing could make her return home to her Amish family. She was wrong. But can anything make her give up her dreams and stay?

A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman -- A Historical Romance from Revell. Her heart is tied to a youthful vow . . . but can true love set it free?

A Log Cabin Christmas Collection by Margaret Brownley, Wanda Brunstetter, Jane Kirkpatrick, Kelly Eileen Hake, Liz Johnson, Liz Tolsma, Michelle Ule, Debra Ullrick, and Erica Vetsch-- General Fiction Historical from Revell. In a time of peril, can they find the courage to confront their fears and embrace a love that lasts?

A Marriage for Meghan by Mary Ellis -- Romance from Harvest House; An engaging story of one girl’s quest for independence and true love as social prejudice tests a community’s faith in a simpler world.

A Quaker Christmas by Laura Lee Bliss, Rachael Phillips Ramona Cecil, and Claire Sanders -- Romance from Barbour. Christmas is a simple matter among the Quakers of the historic Ohio River Valley, but can it be a a special time to welcome love into four households?

A Whisper of Peace by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- Historical Romance from Bethany House. Will Clay Selby be forced to choose between his desire to minister to the natives and the quiet nudging of his heart to spend his life with a quiet, independent Indian woman who is not a part of the tribe?

Ashes to Honor by Loree Lough -- General Fiction from Abingdon. If only he'd answered that last call from the World Trade Center....

Belonging; Where the Heart Lives Series by Robin Lee Hatcher -- Historical Romance from Zondervan; Can two bitter pasts make one sweet future?.

Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis-- Historical General Fiction from Moody Publishers; A girl has become a woman while in captivity, and a stagecoach driver longs to take her to the home she barely remembers.

Christmas at Barncastle Inn by Lynette Sowell, Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, and Janelle Mowery -- Romance from Barbour; Each Christmas the Barncastle family transforms its sprawling Victorian bed and breakfast into a fantasy world through time. Will its guests also discover that forgiveness is timeless?

Deadly Pursuit by Irene Hannon-- Thriller/Suspense from Revell; A woman who protects children. An ex-Navy SEAL turned police detective. A stalker with deadly intent.

Deep Cover by Sandra Orchard-- Romance from Love Inspired; Undercover Cops: Fighting for justice puts their lives--and hearts--on the line.

Dry As Rain by Gina Holmes-- General Fiction from Tyndale; Undercover Cops: Behind every broken vow lies a broken heart. A richly engaging story of betrayal and redemption, Dry as Rain illuminates with striking emotional intensity the surprising truth of what it means to forgive.

Falling to Pieces; A Quilt Shop Murder by Vanetta Chapman-- A Cozy Mystery from Zondervan; Not your usual Amish buggy ride!

Finding Angel by Kat Heckenback-- Speculative Fiction from Splashdown Books; Angel doesn’t remember her magical heritage…but it remembers her.

From This Day Forward; American Tapestries by Margaret Daley-- Historical Romance from Summerside Press; Following the War of 1812, an Englishwoman, stranded in South Carolina, pregnant and recently widowed, struggles to make a life for herself. Can a disenchanted American physician heal her wounded heart?

Hailee by Penny Zeller-- Historical Romance from Whitaker House; Can this unlikely pair come to terms with their pasts and face the future together?

Hidden in the Everglades by Margaret Daley-- A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired; Michael Hunt needs Kyra Morgan's help to keep his sister safe. It will take everything they have to escape the Everglades alive.

Love Finds You on Christmas Morning by Debby Mayne and Trish Perry -- Romance from Summerside Press; Two women receive marriage proposals in the same house— 85 years apart. Love finds a home on Christmas morning in two heartwarming holiday stories.

Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming by Miralee Ferrell-- Romance from Summerside Press; While war rages in Europe, Rebekah Hendricks dreams of life far beyond the family farm in Oklahoma. And when a telegram arrives in October of 1918, she believes God has provided her way of escape.

Naomi’s Gift-An Amish Christmas Story by Amy Clipston-- Romance from Zondervan; Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County.

Pirate of My Heart by Jamie Carie-- Historical Fiction from B and H Publishing; Forced to flee the only home she's ever known, Lady Kendra Townsend risks everything for a chance at finding true love in the wilds of a new America.

Remembering Christmas: A Novel by Dan Walsh-- General Fiction from Revell; Can one Christmas change a person's life forever?

Shadowed in Silk by Christine Lindsay-- Historical Romance from Whitefire Publishing; Neglected by family, Abby travels to India after WWI with her small son, only to be abandoned by her husband, a cruel stranger, and to fall in love with a man who can never return her love without offending God.

Surrender the Dawn by Mary Lu Tyndall-- Historical Romance from Barbour; You’ll be swept away in this seafaring romance between a plucky damsel-in-distress and a nefarious rake who’s selling out his country amid the War of 1812.

The Aristocrat’s Lady by Mary Moore -- Historical from Love Inspired; She was resigned to a life without love-until she met him...

The Christmas Belles of Georgia by Debra Ullrick, Jeanie Smith Cash, Rose Allen McCauley, and Jeri Odell -- Romance from Barbour; They were sisters once—identical quadruplets—given up for adoption at birth. Now each receives a letter advising her to claim her inheritance and the family she never knew. . .at Christmas.

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund-- Historical Romance from Bethany House; Priscilla White knew God wanted her to be a missionary, not a wife. But the only way she can serve is to be married. Married in name only, her new journey will test her spirit. . . and the new longings of her heart.

The Healing; Kentucky Brothers Series by Wanda Brunstetter-- Romance from Barbour; Can Esther Beiler win Samuel Fisher’s heart, or has she already lost it to an English woman? How will God untangle star-crossed lovers when jealousies and misconceptions threaten to tear them apart?

The Wounded Heart; An Amish Quilt Novel by Adina Senft-- General Fiction from Faith Words (Hachette); When she's diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a young Amish mother must choose between obedience or following her heart.

To Have and To Hold; Bridal Veil Island Series by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller -- Historical Romance from Bethany House; Amid a time of growth and change for Bridal Veil, can Marshall and Audrey find a foundation on which to build a love to last forever?

Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer-- General Fiction from Bethany House; While war rages in Europe, Rebekah Hendricks dreams of life far beyond the family farm in Oklahoma. And when a telegram arrives in October of 1918, she believes God has provided her way of escape.

2011-09-01T10:14:00.001-04:00

I love to laugh. I think laughter is the best medicine for what ails us. In that vein, I post anything that makes me laugh, hoping it will give you a giggle, too. Thanks to Angie Hunt, who shared this on her blog and made me laugh.

2011-08-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

The following is from the Washington Post Style Invitational contest that asked readers to submit "instructions" for something (anything), but written in the style of a famous person. The winning entry was The Hokey-Pokey (as written by William Shakespeare). We like to periodically share this for a little chuckle!

O proud left foot, that ventures quick within
Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke,
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from Heavens yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.

(Written by Jeff Brechlin, Potomac Falls, Maryland, and submitted by Katherine St. John.)
Thanks to The Blood-Red Pencil for sharing this.

2011-08-26T09:57:00.001-04:00

I can say with honesty, I haven't done this ... yet. I will admit to turning a couple of friends' book face forward. Okay, send the book-police. I'm sorry ... not. Thanks to friend Steve Laube for sharing this.

IPad Fun

2011-08-24T18:28:00.000-04:00

I took a class for the iPad today at the Apple store. Boy, did I learn a lot. The personnel there are so friendly and helpful, I've decided to go back and thake the OS Lion class to learn the new operating system I downloaded to my MacBook.

Now, I'm off to take some photos and load them onto my iPad.

see you on the flip side, as Ronie Kendig says.

2011-08-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Gina Holmes is the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans and the newly released novel, DRY AS RAIN. She's the founder of Novel Rocket, (formerly Novel Journey), a registered nurse, wife and mother who makes her home in Southern Virginia. You can learn more about her at www.ginaholmes.com

Welcome Gina!

Your debut novel hit ECPA, Amazon, PW and CBA bestsellers list (some throughout the span of a year!) For several weeks Crossing Oceans was the #1 free kindle download and then stay in the top hundred for a long time.

Beside the commercial success, your book was a finalist in every major Christian book award, including: Christy, ECPA, Retailer’s Choice, Carol Awards, and won RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice and an INSPY. Does having that kind of success put the pressure on for your second book?

I try not to think too much about it. I didn’t expect that kind of success but am very grateful for it. I had a lot of pressure on me on this releasing novel, not because of the success of the first book, but because, unlike the first, I didn’t have all the time in the world to write it. Some books flow smoothly, this one I had to yank out like a bad tooth. I faced multiple rewrites, some of them pretty major, all while trying to promote my all important first novel. I was still working full time, mothering, running Novel Journey (now Novel Rocket) and all of that, so this was a tough tough book for me to produce.

Tell our readers about your latest release, Dry as Rain:

I'm a really bad pitchman so I'll just repeat the back of the book copy:

Behind every broken vow lies a broken heart.

When Eric and Kyra Yoshida first met, they thought their love would last forever. But like many marriages, theirs has gradually crumbled, one thoughtless comment and misunderstanding at a time, until the ultimate betrayal pushes them beyond reconciliation. Though Eric longs to reunite with Kyra, the only woman he has truly loved, he has no idea how to repair the damage that’s been done.

Then a car accident erases part of Kyra’s memory—including her separation from Eric—and a glimmer of hope rises from the wreckage. Is this a precious opportunity for the fresh start Eric has longed for? Does he even deserve the chance to find forgiveness and win back Kyra’s heart . . . or will the truth blow up in his face, shattering their last hope for happiness?

A richly engaging story of betrayal and redemption, Dry as Rain illuminates with striking emotional intensity the surprising truth of what it means to forgive.

You can read the first chapter HERE.

"Holmes grabs the reader with a unique storyline about infidelity and what it truly means to forgive after betrayal. By looking at the situation from a different angle, the author provides a great deal of food for thought and contemplation." RT Book Reviews – September, 2011

This novel feels so much different than Crossing Oceans. Why did you choose to take such a different path?

I didn’t intend to write something completely different and I think it feels that way because of the characters telling the story. In Crossing Oceans, Jenny was our narrator and she was a melancholy, all woman sort.

In Dry as Rain, we have Eric, who is a man’s man and doesn’t think in flowery language and descriptions so it would have been wrong to write him that way. While both books have a heavy subject matter, Crossing Oceans was much more so. You can’t get heavier than dying, so it was bound to be more emotional, no matter how I wrote the next book.

But, my genre seems to be relational drama which both are and I like to pepper in a quirky cast and that’s true of both books.

You took a lot of chances in this book. First writing first person from a male’s perspective, secondly to have the protagonist someone who does a lot of things that aren’t very Christianly, like cheating on his wife, drinking, lying, etc. Are you afraid this might hurt your sales in the Christian market?

Afraid? No. Concerned, sure. While I don’t personally have a problem with Eric drinking a beer, the rest I have a problem with too. The thing is Eric’s a nominal Christian at the beginning of the book, lukewarm about his faith like many who call themselves followers of Christ. This is his journey though and he doesn’t end up where he begins. I wanted to tell the story as truthfully as I could and at the end of the day let the chips fall where they may.

What happened to your long time website, Novel Journey?

www.noveljourney.blogspot.com is now www.novelrocket.com You can get to it by either address but we decided on an overhaul because we wanted to drop the blogspot address and just have a dot com. The guy who owned Novel Journey didn’t return our emails to sell so we had to do something a little different. This turned out to be a good thing maybe because we’d been chewing on broadening the site for some time. We’ve got some exciting changes now, the most notable is the addition of “Rocket Pages” a sort of Craig’s List for writers to find the services they need to launch and sustain their career.

What’s going on with you personally?

Well, I’m blissfully married, mom to two, stepmom to three, and owner of 2 dogs and a fish. I bought a guitar and hope to start fiddling with that soon and just writing a lot. Nothing too exciting over here but that’s the way I like it. I’m the happiest I’ve been in my life. I’ve accomplished many of the dreams and goals I’d hoped to and I always tell my husband, if I died today, I’d feel I lived and full and rewarding life. Not that I’m looking to die just yet.

What are you working on now?

I can’t give the title yet as that’s a work in progress but it’s a story very close to my heart. I’m more excited about this one than anything I’ve ever written. Hopefully my publisher agrees and you see it on the stands in the next year or so. That’s really all I can say for now.

Tell us something we don’t know about you.

I’ll tell you a few. I thought I was afraid of heights until I bungee-jumped and loved it. I’d love to skydive for the first time in the next year, white water raft and get at least a little skill on the guitar. My husband is a talented songwriter. My kids are the sweetest in the world, (yes, the world!), and I love to get my hands dirty. That should do it. Thanks for having me!

The Incredible Diet Coke & Mentos Experiment

2011-08-12T09:31:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Steve Laube for alerting me to this. Enjoy!

10 Signs of a Typical Writer's Work Day

2011-08-03T09:42:00.000-04:00

3 typical writers

10. The mug of coffee by your side seems to have cooled incredibly fast. You know you couldn't have spent that much time reading emails and checking in on Facebook.

9. That idea that kept you up last night (and you were so sure you'd remember that you didn't take notes) has vanished without a trace.

8. At the same moment that your fingers touch the keyboard, your previously peacefully snoozing pets leap up and begin a vigorous reenactment of the D Day landings at Normandy.

7. The dialogue that sounded so bright, witty and—let's just say it—brilliant in your head has revealed itself to be trite, cliché-filled and stupid on paper.

6. You've spent the last half-hour imagining how you'll feel when you finish this manuscript. You're presently on page 10.

5. You love your plot. You love your characters. It's the actual writing you're not so enamored with.

4. Your coffee has cooled again. You know you couldn't have spent that much time reading and commenting on your favorite blogs.

3. You decide to get up and get active. Whilst moving around you can't help but notice your feet are sticking to the floor and you wonder idly how long it's been since you washed it. You immediately decide this line of thought could be dangerous to your writing, but grudgingly admit this sticky a floor might be dangerous to your health. A conundrum for sure.

2. Moving to a bookshelf, you pick out one of your favorite novels for inspiration. After only a few sentences you know in your heart that you will never write as good as this author. Practice self-restraint and reach for the cold coffee instead of the wine.

1. You sit back down and face your blank screen. Summoning the inner strength of St. Joan of Arc, you pound out the first sentence. It isn't completely awful. Resist the urge to belt out "Tomorrow" from "Annie". Your pets will judge you. Harshly.

Things aren't always as they appear ...

2011-07-25T21:42:00.000-04:00

A friend sent me this story in an email. Apparently, it's true. I don't know about that, but I can tell you it tickled me pink. Enjoy!

A woman was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way.

The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind.

A man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her guide dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.

He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and calling her by name, said, "Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?"

The blind lady said, "No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs."

Now, picture this:

All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a guide dog for the blind. Even worse, the pilot was wearing sunglasses.

People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines.

Have a great day and remember ... things aren't always as they appear.

Sick note

2011-07-20T21:00:00.000-04:00

The hubs and I have been involved in drama in the church for many years. He used to recite this on rare occasions to the delight of the audience. This is performed by the Dubliners, and it's one of my favorite Irish ditties. Enjoy!

Real Viking vs, Fake Viking

2011-07-17T09:14:00.000-04:00

I have the most creative and whacked crit partner in the world! Enjoy! And laugh out loud.

FREE e-book for those of you who will review it.

2011-07-16T11:50:00.001-04:00

My good friend Marcia Laycock is offering a free download to anyone who can help create some buzz by making a bit of a comment to friends or writing a review. Just go to www.smashwords.com/books/view/58017 and use the code YN65A for the free download. Thanks and blessings.

Abundant Rain
an Ebook by Marcia Lee Laycock
www.smashwords.com
Inspirational words for writers of faith.

The amazing story of Freedom the Eagle

2011-07-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

My son Greg shared this inspiring story with me.

ACFW Conference is fast approaching!

2011-07-13T09:00:00.003-04:00

With the economy down and being on a fixed income, it looked doubtful that I would make the ACFW conference this year. I haven't missed one since my first in 2005, and I couldn't imagine missing this year's.

So what's a writer to do? There were others in worse financial straits, so I didn't apply for a scholarship. Then it hit me. I've got things in my home that have some value but aren't particularly sentimental. Once I made the decision, it wasn't hard to make the next step of actually letting these things go.

That's right ... bring out the gavel!

First, I got an appraisal, which was very favorable. It's documented and notarized. No one can accuse this writer of not doing her research. Then the hubs photographed the items for me. Then we put them up for auction. And I'm registering for conference this week!

Why was I willing to part with family estate jewelry/antiques you ask?

Because I have a dream.

The ACFW conference equips me to reach the fruition of that dream. It's investing in my future, and I can't see a better use for those items. Where else can I receive great teaching by industry experts, meet with agents and editors, and network with other writers?

Where else can I get the encouragement, prayer, hugs, and fellowship my writer's soul craves? I can subsist on chocolate and caffeine only so long, y'know.

See y'all in St. Louis!!!

2011-07-08T09:48:00.001-04:00

On my writers' loop today, someone said this was their first time to go to the ACFW conference and they asked for advice. As a conference veteran (I've been to more than a dozen) I offer the following:

1. Don't be terrified. I promise you'll love it. Look for names you recognize! ACFW gives you Zone stickers to add to your name tag to help recognize other zone members.

2. If you can, go a day early and volunteer to help stuff packets or something. That gives you a few friends right from the start.

3. Don't push yourself. If you start to feel overloaded, skip a class or a general session and do something else or take a nap. You can always get the MP3 of that class later.

4. Make use of the prayer room.

5. IF you plan to pitch to an agent or editor, practice at home and with friends. Covenant with a couple of pals who will call you at random unplanned hours and ask, "Tell me about your book." DO that until you stop swallowing your tongue or stuttering. :)

6. Remember, agents and editors are people, too. They are there to find the next great book. It might be yours! So use lunch and dinner to pitch at the tables, but don't monopolize the conversation. Again, practice until you can deliver your pitch in 30 seconds. Then close your mouth. If you babble on for a long time and don't give anyone else a chance, the editor/agent will think you do that in your writing, too. :) A good byword is: Less is more.

7. Networking is as big a part of conference as the classes and pitch sessions. That's how I met my critique partner, Gina Holmes. We met at the Blueridge Mountains conference and have been crit partners ever since. That was back in 2004.

8. Last but not least ... never ... I repeat ... never follow an agent or editor into the restroom to pitch! Elevators are okay, after all they can't escape if they've already pushed their floor button. ;) But the restrooms are off limits. And don't think it never happened. Just ask Chip MacGregor.

9. Most of all, don't set wild expectations. You will NOT be handed a contract at breakfast. Well, there is an exception to that, if you have a manuscript under consideration at Barbour. They always award 1 or 2 contracts the first general session of the conference.

10. For first timers (especially if you're a fairly new writer) simply sit back and enjoy being among people who actually "get you."

See y'all there!

A possible future for publishing??

2011-07-02T16:01:00.002-04:00

I've seen some wild new things in my life, but this tops them all!

Be inspired!

2011-06-19T15:23:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Angela Hunt for sharing this video on her blog. It's probably the most inspiring video I've seen and says so much for the human spirit.

29 Ways to Stay Creative

2011-06-18T09:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Steve Laube for sharing this video on his blog: http://www.stevelaube.com/blog/

It's very inspirational on its own but brought up a number of things I either do or want to do.

Enjoy and be inspired!

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

Chasing Sunsets, by Eva Marie Everson

2011-06-13T18:30:00.000-04:00

Kimberly Tucker's life hasn't turned out the way she thought it would. While her ex is living it up, she struggles to understand what went wrong. When her two sons end up spending five weeks of summer vacation on their father, Kim plans a respite at the family vacation hoe on Cedar Key. As she revisits the long-forgotten past, she discovers that treasures in life are often buried, and sometimes you do get a second chance at love.

My thoughts
If you like Southern fiction, you'll love Chasing Sunsets. Kimberly Tucker is used to having things under control, but she's now finding her life beyond her ability to manage. Learning to give up control and trust is rarely easy. Trusting someone who once broke your heart is even harder.

Eva Marie Everson charms her readers with characters you'd love to have as friends. Then she places them in a setting where you'd love to be. Chasing Sunsets is a compelling love story that will have you coming back for more from Everson's pen. Novel Journey and I give it a high recommendation. It's the perfect book to take to the beach with you.

Big Birthday Bash at The Book Club Network!

2011-06-09T09:00:00.001-04:00

Want to start a book club that reads Christian Fiction and don’t know how or where to begin looking for books? Are you a Christian Fiction or non-fiction author and want to speak to book clubs but don’t know where to find them?

Search no more TBCN is the place for you!

The Book Club Network connects authors with book clubs and leaders with their books. Authors can post their book signing and other book events at TBCN for all to enjoy. They can also announce book giveaways. Authors have joined in book discussions at TBCN answering book clubs' questions on the book club's page.

I work at a Christian bookstore, and when my boss asked me to start a book club at the store I was overwhelmed at the task of selecting books to read for our group. I wanted a meaty book that had more for us to say than,” Wow, that was fun.” What would we do with the rest of the time allotted for book club?

I looked at the rows of books and didn’t know where to start. I only had so much time and the library only had so many books. Hence the birth of The Book Club Network, it grew out of my desire to learn more from other book clubs as to what books worked really well for their meetings.

It also grew from my desire to connect authors with book clubs. I saw how books didn’t have a very long shelf life. How were the book clubs going to find out about great, moving novels if they weren’t on the shelf very long? Where do you find Christian authors? The task seemed overwhelming!

My husband and I started The Book Club Network one year ago in hopes that authors would connect with book clubs, and book club leaders would feel empowered to interact with authors or other book clubs. We realized this would help facilitate authors speaking to book clubs on the phone or with the computer via Skype!

The Book Club Network began in June of 2010 and now is over 1,000 members. I’ve enjoyed watching the authors and book clubs interact. For example authors have asked book clubs what discussion questions work in a book club setting, and which ones don’t. Answers to these questions were interesting and both parties are learning from the other. Exciting to watch!

Book Clubs have set up their book club pages and many of their members have joined their page. A few book clubs are actually having their meetings on-line at TBCN. The leader has put up the questions for the author and the club members to answer and interact. It’s been great fun to see and learn from their discussions.

I've enjoyed watching book clubs interact with one another. I've seen leaders ask other leaders if a certain book worked for their club. I've also seen book clubs share the list of books. Book Clubs are also sharing ideas about the fun things they’ve done at their meetings and what they hope to do in the future! I’ve learned so much.

People email me asking where to find book clubs. They’ve always wanted to be apart of one but didn’t know how to find them. At TBCN we have a member map. It shows where book clubs are located across the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia, helping you connect with a group near you. Other members were moving and wanted to join a book club in their new location. The member map has been a helpful tool for both book clubs and book club potential members seeking a face-to-face or on-line meeting.

We have monthly contests at The Book Club Network where members have a chance to win big. The last contest we had was called “Just Desserts”. The winner of this contest won fifty books; twenty-five of two different books. The winning club went on to help judge the winning dessert.

We are celebrating in a big way at TBCN. Our first birthday party is on Monday, June 13th at 9 p.m. EST. TBCN will be having a huge giveaway party with authors and readers in attendance for this “live” event.

We asked authors who are at TBCN, and have been our biggest cheerleaders, to participate in this event. Thanks to everyone for helping get out the word. We also thank them for helping get the word out about TBCN to the book clubs they speak to and for giving away such great prizes.

Thanks to B&H (http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com) for supplying books and helping get the word out too.

ALL of these authors will be contributing some really great prizes: Vicki Hinze, Kathi Macias, Creston Mapes, Ginny Yttrup, Sandra Bricker, Brandilyn Collins, Julie Carobini, Anita Mellott, Mary Connealy, Julie Lessman, Meg Moseley, Melanie Dickerson, C.J. Darlington, Sarah Sundin, Missy Tippens, Kimberely Woodhouse, Julie Carobini, T.L. Higley, James L. Rubart, Janet Dean, Tina Radcliffe, Glynna Kaye, Cheryl Wyatt, Ronnie Kendig, Tricia Goyer, Gina Holmes and Novo Inc.

We have over $225.00 in gift cards to be given out, lots of books and our grand prize is a Kindle.

So, check out the fun we’ve been having at The Book Club Network – sign up today and be up on all the latest news about the party at TBCN.

Check out TBCN on Facebook where authors and bloggers post giveaways, author book signings, interviews and exciting book fun news.

Join us on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_146903260542)

If you’d like your book club featured on the Christian Fiction Online Magazine, contact me at TBCN or on Facebook.

The event will last about an hour. I hope many of you can be there. In celebration of our party I’d like to help book clubs and readers find great books and give them away at your meetings. I have a box of books I’d love to give one person for them to enjoy and share at their book club meetings.

Leave a comment about this article for your chance to win one of these fun books. Join the Book Club Network at http://www.bookfun.org for extra entries or Join our Facebook page for another entry.

Tweet about this giveaway or do a blog post for extra entries for your chance to win this exciting box of books. Grab TBCN Logo and put it on your blog.

Treasures inside the box include: The Caregiver by Shelley Shepard Gray, Chasing Liacs by Carla Stewart, The Salt Garden by Cindy Martinuesen, Mother's & Daughters by Rae Meadows and The Last Jihad by Joel C. Rosenberg

All of these books make good book club selections or giveaways at your meetings.

Can’t wait for you to join us in celebrating our first birthday and thanks to everyone here for letting me tell you all about this exciting event.

This birthday bash will be a “Live” Scavenger Hunt. We hope all will attend this event. On Monday, June 13 at 9p.m. Eastern Standard Time we will host our party at The Book Club Network site.

Not a member of TBCN? Go to the The Book Club Network’s Facebook page for the link to the party or check out our front page www.bookfun.org. It will be a ‘live” event with most of the authors mentioned above in attendance.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network

The Answer's Blowing in the Wind

2011-06-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

The Answer's Blowin' in the Wind

One day, it was windy here in Suwanee. Really windy. I had asked my music minister to pick up a 4'x8' sheet of closed-cell Styrofoam and some lumber at Home Depot to make a stage prop for a drama production. After all, he's the one who asked me to build the prop, and he had the pick-up truck.

Closed-cell Styrofoam, for those who don't know, is used in building houses. It's great for lightweight sets and props. I told him he could wait until the following week so don't blame me. He's the one who decided to pick it up on Thursday.

In the wind.

Have you ever walked with a large sheet of closed-cell Styrofoam? It's bad enough with no wind. When holding a sheet, it can act like a sail. That stuff could carry a 150-pound man to Savannah and back.

Coming out of the store, he was buffeted by the wind, which turned him around a number of times. By sheer grit, he managed to hold on to it, and made his way to his truck with his feet still on the ground.

Then he had to tie it down. While this was going on, he picked up an audience in the parking lot.

Each time he let go of one side to grab the tie-down, the other side made lift-off, nearly taking him with it. Trying to remain rooted to the ground and tie down the sheet to his truck was proving impossible.

Finally, a few guys, with tears of laughter streaming down their faces, helped him. But the minute they got it tied down, everything else in the back of the truck blew out ... all over the parking lot.

I have to confess. The next morning at church, I couldn't help myself. When he walked past me, I started singing I'll Fly Away.

I wonder who I can ask to help me build the next prop?