Cara Putman: Love Inspired Suspense Trial by Fire

Cara Putman talked this week on Steeple Hill's Love Inspired Suspense books' site about her writing journey, and how she does it. And that's not an easy thing--how she writes amidst all else she does. She's a wife, mom to 3, homeschooler, attorney, university instructor, friend, daughter, sibling, ACFW advocate, active in her church AND a published author. I'm sure I'm missing something that she does in addition all those roles!


Do check out Trial by Fire at eharlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line of Steeple Hill.

Trial by Fire by Cara Putman



My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love reading Love Inspired Suspense and Cara Putman doesn't disappoint me with this latest offering.



If you read her first story in this series, you will recognize a few of the characters, but this book can also stand alone. Deputy county prosecutor Tricia Jamison is trying to move forward and help as many people as she can, but the domestic violence cases pile high.



When arsonist fires break out all over town, including the first at her mother's house, she knows she will have to get help from fire fighter, Noah Brust. Of course, Noah's deceased dad's fire fighter reputation was questioned due to Tricia being unable to protect him, and Noah was shredded on the witness stand a year ago.



Tension runs high and the fire investigations bring the two ever closer together and ever closer to the arsonist.





View all my reviews >>

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time is an old way to start a story. Trite and tried. Familiar and full of expectations, but depending on who is doing the telling, you can't expect every author's twists and turns. There is a hope with the beginning being "once upon a time."

That is what I look for when I'm reading someone else's story. I look for a different voice, a different perspective, even if it may be the same ol' place or the same ol' time span. How many ways can you tell a love story?

Last night I saw 27 Dresses for the first time. Ok. The format is very familiar to me. I told my husband that it was like reading a Harlequin romance. High concept and somewhat predictable. Still, I loved it, just because I knew no matter how bad things were going to get, it would somehow turn out all right. And I loved all those dresses. What silliness and fun.

Do you have a familiar old story that you go back to over and over? Characters you want to revisit? A favorite genre? Or do you like to mix it up?

Tell me your favorite stories--the ones you go back to when you need comfort.

Linore Rose Burkard

I read Linore's first two books in this series, Before the Season Ends and The House at Grosvenor Square. They are Christian Regency books and capture you to take you away.

Linore is so knowledgeable about the time period and has quite a lot of information on her web site, too. She includes a glossary in each book, which I appreciate. Because she writes so well the meanings are self-explanatory in context,so you aren't flipping back and forth much.

Ready for high tea? But there are also quite a lot of hijinks in her books, too! If you love Pride and Prejudice and Mr. Darcy, well, you will probably like Linore's books, too. Fun!

Walking the Talk in Texas

There's a high school in Texas where they walk the talk. This story deserves to be passed around.

Review of the Book: Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really, really liked the things he had to say in this book, and I took the free test on his web site. Discovering my strengths, though, was a bit of a journey. I had to take the test a few times in order to realize how I would REALLY react to the situations presented. After reading what he said in the book, I soon found what really represented my true self. That was the first step.

Then, I went back and reread the book with my information/results of the test. My only complaint with the book was that I needed more information on my particular profile and how to implement this knowledge. I still am not sure how to practically find my moments of strength, though I'm quite motivated to do so.

I don't know if by reading some of his other books that I can then find practical ways to come into my strongest life, or not. But I'm anxious to learn more.

View all my reviews >>

The Strong Life Test for Women

I took this test put out by Marcus Buckingham and then bought the book(Thomas Nelson) While reading the book, it became apparent to me that maybe I had not answered the questions according to how I REALLY would act, so I retook the test. I really thought about these questions and just how I would react or choose. This time I came up with a totally different outcome. So, wanting to make sure the test outcome was valid for me, I took it days later (so I wouldn't remember the previous answers.) This time my results were the same as the second time. Going back to read the book again, these results seemed to make me relax. I saw that it was more in line with the moments in my life when I felt strong.

Here are my results. What were your results? (Women only at this time.)

YOUR
LEAD ROLE
TEACHER

You begin by asking:
'What can she learn from this?'
Your focus is instinctively toward the other person. Not her feelings, necessarily, but her understanding, her performance, her skills.
Your best quality:
Your faith in the others’ potential
Always:
Tailor your style to each student
Be careful you:
Don’t come to believe that everyone is capable of everything
Your smartest career move:
Any job where you’re paid to facilitate the success of others.


Your
Supporting Role
Creator

You begin by asking:
'What do I understand?'

You aren’t immune to the feelings and perspectives of others, but your starting point is your own insight, your own understanding.

Your best quality:
Your ability to find patterns invisible to others

Always:
Find time to be by yourself

Be careful you:
Don’t think so long, you never do anything

Your smartest career move:
Any job where you’re paid to produce new content.

What made me realize this was more accurate was the "Be careful" parts to both. I can think tooooo long. I also think ANYONE can have potential and it sometimes takes me thinking too long to realize that there are a lot of things which must line up in a person for them to learn something.

Now, what were your test results? Do you think it was accurate? If you think it might be off, then try answering the questions again and see what happens. Wait a couple weeks and then retake the test.

And while I really like what this book has to say, I wish that it gave me more practical tips on how to get into my strengths and what I should be doing to make my life strong NOW.

Break 'Em All!

You know that old saying if you don't aim at anything, you won't hit anything? (Something like that.) I really understand this as I used to compete in trapshooting. Making analogies between shooting and writing became so easy for me.

Let me tell you just a little about trapshooting. In trapshooting it is tricky because a clay target is thrown out of a traphouse by this machine that only has so many angles, but you never know which way it will come out. You stand on one of five stations, and each time you change stations, the picture changes. There are things like wind, heat (that gun can get hot!) and distance to contend with your shot.

A shooter looks down the sight of her shotgun, and even the recoil can mess with your shot. (Especially if it hits you in the face and you begin to "flinch" when you shoot. Kind of like getting bad reviews or rejections.)You get someone beside you or even behind you saying or doing something annoying, and that can also play with your shot (and play with your mind.)

So many things. You pull the gun in tight, place your face against the stock, and look into an area above your gun. You call for the target, and expect to see it rise up above your gun. Once it comes into your sight ("touching" the end of your gun in the sight) you pull the trigger. If you are behind the target, it's a miss. ("Loss!") If it has gotten out too far before you pull the trigger, you miss. Sometimes you shoot too quick. Sometimes you shoot too slow. (Just like reading the market!)

Over the years everything I do seems to come down to what I learned in shooting. I found I could apply the lessons I learned from my coach, Kay Ohye (an amazing mens' champion) to most of my life. I could hear his voice in my head as I would shoot. ("Don't get too quick! Patience!"--My biggest problem was shooting too fast.) No matter how I shot on one trap, I had hope when I moved to the next station. The point was to move on. You didn't quit just because you missed every target on the first station. (Five shots, but if you hit the rest of them, you get a 95!)You didn't let down and relax just because you hit 99 straight shots and just had "one more." (There are a 100 shots/targets total--4 traps/25 shots per trap/5 shots per station.)

So over the course of writing this blog, I'll probably refer to trapshooting now. If you just "throw" the end of your gun toward the target, you will not hit your target. Focus. Focus on the target. This is the word I wrote down in my "goals" folder I started.

Think about what kinds of goals you have. Here's a template I use. You might want to try it.

Words for the Year: Crystal: Look/Focus/Act


Spiritual Goals:

* Read the English Standard Version of the Bible
* Continue study with the Messianic Jews on the Torah
* Pray specifically for someone other than my immediate family or self each day.

Personal Goals:
(I've actually met some of these so far this year, so I'm adjusting these.)

Overall Professional Goals:



Professional Goals for the Year:

(This is me in Savannah, GA competing in a Southern regional shoot.)

Those of us in shooting have a saying to encourage our fellow shooters--"Break 'em all!"

Let me know some of your goals and I'd love to hear what your current "word" is that will help you with your goals.

Trying a New Look, A New Voice

I've been working on my own fiction (as soon as I finish two more clients, I'll concentrate even more) and things are starting to come together for me.


I will still post books I'm recommending, author intros/subjects, writing advice, but I'll also focus more on things I'm interested in, as well, maybe as related to my own writing. It's a process.

I have been looking at the kind of fiction I read all the time to see just where I should be writing myself--and it seems to be romance as the overwhelming theme--romantic suspense, sweet romance, historical romance, medical romance and romantic comedy. I'm just a romantic at heart.

If you're looking for books to read, do check the link over to the right for the Fiction Finder on the American Christian Fiction Writers site. Awesome tool for readers.

And I do hope you'll join me as I will determine my post days. Let's meet on Monday and Thursdays and see if that works.

Anything in particular you want to talk about? If you could ask me any question, what would it be?

American Christian Fiction Writers Awards for Published and Unpublished Authors

I wasn't able to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Denver this year and was feeling pretty low about it. I moped around all week. It was torture logging in to see all the photos and posts and I was missing Debbie Macomber's speaking, as well.

Then, last night I logged into my Facebook page and spied Lena Nelson Dooley's Tweets about winners for Book of the Year (published authors) and also the Genesis unpublished writers contest. Here are the results. Number 1, use this list to find books to read; Number 2, look for these Genesis winners to be published in the future. One of my good friends, Christine Lindsay, won the historical category for her story, Unveiled, and I think it is one of the best books I've read this year.

Congratulations to all winners, but also to all entrants. All of you are winners in my book! If you are a Christian writer, my advice is to join American Christian Fiction Writers. If you are a reader, do join the American Christian Fiction Writers bookclub and check out the best authors in the world there. There's something for everyone there!

The American Christian Fiction Writers Awards 2009

2009 Mentor of the Year- Donita K. Paul
2009 Membership Service Award- John B. Olson
2009 Editor of the Year Award- Ami McConnell, Thomas Nelson
2009 Agent of the Year Award Steve Laube, The Steve Laube Agency

2009 Book of the Year Contest• Debut Author- A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman
• Lits- Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck
• Long Contemporary- Symphony of Secrets by Sharon Hinck
• Long Contemporary Romance- Controlling Interest by Elizabeth White
• Long Historical (tie)- My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke
• Mystery- For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls by Nancy Mehl
• Novellas- Stuck on You in A Connecticut Christmas anthology by Rhonda Gibson
• Short Contemporary- Family Treasures by Kathryn Springer
• Short Contemporary Suspense- Broken Lullaby by Pamela Tracy
• Short Historical- Family of the Heart by Dorothy Clark
• Speculative- The Restorer’s Journey by Sharon Hinck
• Suspense- Fossil Hunter by John B. Olson
• Women’s Fiction- The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
• Young Adult- The Big Picture by Jenny B. Jones

ACFW 2009 Genesis Contest• Contemporary Fiction- Jennifer Griffith, Magpies in Trees
• Contemporary Romance- Christy LaShea Smith, The Bridge Between
• Historical Fiction- Christine Schmidtke writing as Christine Lindsay, Unveiled
• Historical Romance- Lacy Williams, Marrying Miss Marshal
• Mystery/Suspense/Thriller- Alan Schleimer, Q.doc
• Romantic Suspense- Jan Warren, Katherine Octavia, C.I.A.
• Science-Fiction/Fantasy/Allegory- David Fry, Lies To See
• Women’s Fiction- Cathleen Armstrong, The Church of Last Chance
• Young Adult- Gretchen Hoffman, Rewind

My Suggested Reading List for Writers

I've been asked a lot recently for a list of books on writing to read.

Here it is (for now:)

For Fiction Writers:
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
• Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
• Stein on Writing by Sol Stein
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
• Writing and Selling the Christian Novel by Penelope J. Stokes
• The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: (And How to Avoid Them) by Jack M. Bickham
• The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life by Noah Lukeman
• Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French
• The Fire in Fiction by Donald Maas

For All Writers:


• Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A Guide to Language for Fun and Spite by June Casagrande
• Christian Writer’s Market Guide by Sally Stuart
• Writer's Digest Market Guide• Woe is I by Patricia O’Conner
• Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
• Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
• Publicize Your Book by Jacqueline Deval
• The Flip Dictionary by Barbara Ann Kipfer
• A Christian Writer’s Manual of Style by Bob Hudson & Shelley Townsend
• The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White
• On Writing Well by William Zinsser
• You Can Market Your Book by Carmen Leal
• The Art of the Book Proposal by Eric Maisel
• Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul by Susan Harrow
Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams: Insider Secrets to SKYROCKET Your Success
W. Terry Whalin
Book Proposals That Sell: 21 SECRETS TO SPEED YOUR SUCCESS
W. Terry Whalin; Paperback

Colleen Coble, Writing Advice

Today for writing advice I pulled out romantic suspense author, Colleen Coble, who is a fellow Hoosier. Here's how she answered my questions.

Colleen Coble, Indiana author of romantic suspense


1. Do you draw any of your ideas from your teen years?

"Sure. All those feelings of rejection and inferiority come from the teen years. LOL! Lots of actual incidents from my childhood and teen years have made it into my work, too."

2. What advice do you have for teen writers to encourage them to continue their journey?

"Realize that it's not going to happen now. You need some experience under your belt so you can have a book that resonates. In the meantime, journal your experiences and remember the ways you learn to deal with the hard knocks that hit us all. And read, read, read. That's the best education for writing you can have."

3. What's your best method for coming up with ideas for your books?

"Read magazines and newspapers and tear out anything that inspires an idea, even if it's not fully fleshed out. Watch documentaries and the history channel, even if you're not writing a historical. History is a great teacher of the human condition and people don't change, just technology around us. Be an observer of people, too, and jot down any interesting circumstances you notice."

Colleen just won BEST BOOK of INDIANA!!!! for her book ANATHEMA

BEST BOOKS OF INDIANA-FICTION

"I’ve been a Hoosier all my life and am proud of my home state. When I first started writing, my dream was to have a book in the library. That’s it. Just to see it there in the place where I have spent so much of my life. I just won a state award (Best Books of Indiana–Fiction) for the book Anathema and what an exciting weekend it was! They had me sign the book and place it into the Indiana Authors Room collection. My name and the title hangs on a plaque outside the room now too. My parents came along, and it was such an honor to win this award!"



ANATHEMA
Even though she knows her Amish parents would disapprove, Hannah Schwartz slips away to meet her boyfriend, Reece Ericson. When she returns home, Hannah discovers that her parents have been murdered and their prized handmade quilts stolen! Years later, a shunned Hannah returns to the scene. Can her family—and her faith—be restored? 336 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

Literally Literary Agents

My Recommendation of the Day


I'm often asked about agents, but I have never listed any on this blog. Over at Seekerville, they have posted a blog that lists all the interviews with agents that they have done. Seekerville is a topnotch blog hosted by many writers, and it's a place I visit all the time.

If you are interested in agents, getting one of your own, check this out.

Sarah Anne Sumpolec: Writing Advice

Back in May I spoke in schools and to a teen writing class in the HS. I asked some authors questions to answer for those children and teens,giving advice to the young writers' own work. It turned out to be good advice for any age writer. :)

So, in the next few posts, I'm going to share what they said, starting with Sarah Anne Sumpolec.


Sarah Anne Sumpolec, author of teen books:

Young writers, I think, should focus on lots of reading. And not just reading things they naturally like. But trying out a wide variety of books. And along with that reading, learning to analyze a story. When you finish a book, ask yourself things like:

Why did I like (or not like) this book?
What did I know about the main character?
How did the main characters change over the course of the story?
What kept my interest the most? (The people? The story?) Why?
Young writers should also do lots of writing. Practice! Practice! Practice! You'll never get too much practice! If any of them are like me, they may start lots of different projects, but never actually finish them. So completing a project - writing the entire story from start to finish, is a valuable habit to get into. You don't have to finish every story, but you should finish some of them:-)

What have you used from your growing up years in your writing?Interestingly, I have found that I pull from much of my growing up years and use that in my writing. I was in drama throughout school so sometimes my characters are involved with a play production, or I simply use my background in acting to help me develop my characters. I also valued education, so you won't find my characters not caring about school.

Writing is an extension of who we are, so the more well-rounded we are (and willing to try out lots of different things), then the more well-rounded our writing will be.

~Sarah Sumpolec

The Masquerade ( Becoming Beka Book 1 )
This first book in the Becoming Beka series introduces you to sixteeen-year-old Beka Madison. She's lost her mom, she's confused about guys and has a secret that she doesn't want to tell anyone. It's enough to make a girl feel crazy. But it's when her dad starts thinking she's lost her mind that things start to really fall apart.




Be sure to check her web site for the rest of the series and other resources, like her online story, Totally Unfamous.

Snow Melts in Spring

Over on When I Was Just a Kid, this is the book Deborah Vogt is giving away on her interview. If you're interested, go over and leave a comment to enter the drawing for it.


Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Vogts


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mattie Evans, a veterinarian who grew up in the famous Flint Hills of Kansas, is having a tough time gaining the confidence of the local ranchers. Her biggest supporter is an old rancher named John McCray, who also loves the Flint Hills and ranching. When an injured horse brings Mattie into contact with John's son, Gil, who has been out of touch with his dad while playing pro football, conflict strikes.

This is a gorgeous book and Vogt's love of horses and the famous last tall native prairie grasses in the world gives a wonderful flavor to a story with plenty of conflict. Contemporary issues and real life troubles bring it all home. This is one of my favorite books this year so far.

View all my reviews >>

Grateful to Almighty God for Our Liberties

Since we are under attack these days, threatening our liberty, our freedom to express our opinions, or to even disagree, even though our nation was established under the precepts of Judeo-Christian ethics, I thought I would praise God today through the preambles of state constitutions while I am still able to do so.

To God Be the Glory, amen!





Alabama 1901, Preamble
We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.


Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...


Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution....

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance .... Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings...


Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties.


Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity. .. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...


Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction.

Michigan 1908, Preamble... We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness establish this Constitution...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ....

Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution.. .

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.. .

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.


North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...


South Carolina , 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...


Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other.

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...


West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ..

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

Got My Eyeball on Ya

This is my very own eyeball. I've seen too much through it and not enough. What I like about my eyeball is that it does not gain weight. What I hate about it is that it sometimes deceives me, entices me, or betrays me (I often "talk" through my eyes.)

Lately I've been agonizing again about my own POV. I want to do certain things, but hold back. You would think by this time in my life I would not hold back, but let it go with both barrels. I mean, I don't hold back because I'm afraid, but I do hold back because I know how it will go, or because I don't want to hurt someone, or I find myself with too many wrinkles and I'd look stupid! (Wait, that probably hasn't held me back before...)

I've not been posting here because I just have nothing to say. Well, that's not true. I just don't want to say anything to reveal what I'm truly thinking about! I have listened to whispers from the past in my ear. I don't feel in control. Sometimes you shouldn't be in control! (Just let God be in control.) Anyway, I have my eyeball on you all, but just haven't said too much here because I'm mulling over what my direction is going to be, what I need to put my energies into.

My husband used to say to our boys when they were little, "I'm watching you. I'm always watching you. Don't do anything that you wouldn't want me to see." LOL, and they really believed that he could SEE them. (Kept four rambunctious boys in line and they still ask themselves, "Would dad see me?")

I just want my Heavenly Father to be pleased with what I'm spending time doing. He's watching me and expects me to do those things that He wants for me. I see you all doing wonderful things and I'm watching to see if there are clues or messages for me in those things.

So, while I love blogging, I'm not sure what I'm doing with it right now. Maybe I'll put up some of my children's stories that I can't sell, or maybe I'll put up some excerpts from a book I wrote called This Ain't No Glamour Detail? All I know is that I'm restless and know I am spinning wheels.

Be back soon....

Faith, Hope & Love Chapter of RWA IRCC Winners

Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of RWA (Romance Writers of America) had the Awards Ceremony for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Contest today.

Maybe you can find something to read on this list, if you'd like to try romance. Congratulations to all~!

2009 IRCC Winners

Long Contemporary
1)Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner (Harvest)
2)When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook)
3)Along Came a Cowboy by Christine Lynxwiler (Barbour)

Short Contemporary
1)A Time to Heal by Linda Goodnight (Steeple Hill)
2)Hidden by Shelley Shepherd Gray (Avon Inspire)
3)Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas by Sandra D. Bricker (Summerside Press)

Long Historical (3rd Place Tie)
1)My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Bethany House)
2)A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman (Revell)
3)Courting Emma by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)
3)A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson (Bethany House)

Short Historical
1)Hideaway Home by Hannah Alexander (Steeple Hill)
2)Family of the Heart by Dorothy Clark (Steeple Hill)
3)Promises, Promises by Amber Miller (Barbour)

Women’s Fiction
1)Where Do I Go? by Neta Jackson (Thomas Nelson)
2)Waiting For Daybreak by Kathryn Cushman (Bethany House)
3)Lying On Sunday by Sharon K. Souza (NavPress)

Romantic Suspense
1)Healing Promises by Amy Wallace (Multnomah)
2)Shadows at the Window by Linda Hall (Steeple Hill)
3)Double Jeopardy by Terri Reed (Steeple Hill)

Novella
1)Engaging Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn (Faith Words)
2)Almost Home by Susan Page Davis (Barbour)
3)Stuck On You by Rhonda Gibson (Barbour)

When I Was Just a Kid: Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Come over to When I Was Just a Kid and read about Diana Lesire Brandmeyer's childhood and see her photos! And leave a comment to be entered to have a chance to win Diana's book, Hearts on the Road!

http://wheniwasjustakid.blogspot.com/2009/07/diana-lesire-brandmeyer-from-kid-sitter.html

Introduction to Writing Christian Novels

Author Ginny Smith is teaching a class online on how to write a Christian novel! Sign up TODAY as it starts July 6th. Ginny is a great teacher and has written many novels herself.



Introduction to Writing Christian Novels

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Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon

Winners of the review of the first five pages of their fiction manuscripts on Christine Lindsay's blog were Mary Allen and Debbie Fuller Thomas!

Ironically, I just finished Debbie Fuller Thomas's book Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon.

Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fabulous voice and an intriguing story, Debbie does first person POV from two characters to make this an intimate story. Marty Winslow's middle daughter of three dies from a rare genetic disease--which leads to discovering that she was accidently switched as a newborn.



Heartbroken over her daughter's death, and finding out that her "real" daughter is being raised by grandparents after her parents died in a fire, Marty fights to win custody of Andie, her biological daughter. Complications occur with the fact that she's a single, divorced mother living with her father (after her mother's death from breast cancer) and two other daughters with issues of their own.



The emotions are real and the unique two-prong 1st person POV characters of Marty and Andie cause the reader to understand both viewpoints. She does a superb job of tackling both. I look forward to more from this talented author.


View all my reviews.