Laura V. Hilton Wins 2012 Clash of the Titles–COTT–Laurel Award

Posted on August 25, 2012 by juliearduini
Julie’s note: Laura is in my critique group, and if this makes sense, I am in one of hers. She is a gifted writer and I’m so excited for her. Congratulations, Laura!
If you aren’t familiar with Clash of the Titles, two authors/books compete against each other in a themed clash. The winner is designated by reader votes, and all winners are in the running for the annual Laurel Award. Check COTT out today!

2012 LAUREL AWARD WINNER


Author Laura V. Hilton’s novel, A Harvest of Hearts, is the winner of 

Clash of the Titles’ second annual Laurel Award.


Congratulations, Laura!

Laura will receive: a beautiful banner to proudly display on her website, a year-long page on COTT dedicated to the winning book, A Harvest of Hearts, a podcast interview with author and Christian Authors Guild board member, Cynthia Simmons, a feature tour on COTT’s Blog Alliance, and a lovely plaque.
A Harvest of Hearts was chosen by a panel of judges who, by means of a score sheet narrowed the list of competing authors to three. From there, the panel put their choices to a straight vote, and A Harvest of Hearts took the crown.
Special thanks to each of our judges who volunteered their time to this contest.
BOOK SUMMARY:A participant in a swap of Amish men, independent yet kindhearted Matthew Yoder can’t wait to leave the vast farmland of Lancaster County and make a fresh start in Missouri, where he’ll move in with the Stoltzfus family until he finds a place of his own.

Strong–minded yet filled with compassion, Shanna Stoltzfus always dreamed of becoming a nurse, despite her father’s threats to shun her. Determined to follow her heart, Shanna ran away and enrolled in college. But when her classmates embark on a medical mission trip that Shanna can’t afford, she must turn to the last place she wants to go for help: home.

Even though Shanna still flirts with the people and practices of her Englisch life, Matthew is fascinated by the Stoltzfuses’ prodigal daughter, and a close friendship soon blossoms between them. When the tension escalates between Shanna and her father to the point where his health is in jeopardy, Shanna is forced to face some tough issues, including the question of where her true home is.

PURCHASE THE BOOK ON AMAZON

 

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Morning Visit

Posted on August 24, 2012 by kristenheitzmann

One of my favorite places to write is on my front patio in the morning. I take my laptop, coffee, maybe a research tome or two, and settle in beside our landscaped creek. The sound of water, the scent of dewy grass, sunrise creeping on the mountain slopes just beyond the scrub oak act on my spirit like pure grace. Lord, what beauty! What joy You took in creation. How blessed and humbled I am to continue the story You began. As I open my documents to my work-in-progress, read back and settle into my tale, I’m aware of tiny bright yellow birds with black wings darting down from the oak branches to flutter playfully in the water. A hummingbird hovers a few feet away, checking me out before dipping into the throats of hanging basket flowers.  I put my head back down, shaping and moving a suspenseful scene when motion catches my eye. Oh joy! Visitors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aw, sweet darlings. Thank you for this tender moment. Now–back to angst and mayhem!

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End of summer reading

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

Camy here! Now that summer is winding down, I’ve noticed that some of my reading tastes have changed a little bit. I’m reading more young adult novels, and I’m also reading a few of the mainstream novels I got at the RWA conference in Anaheim in July. I also just preordered the September Love Inspired Suspense novels on Nookbook, but I think that next month I will order the October Love Inspired Suspense ebooks from ebooks.Harlequin.com because then I can download them right away!

How about you? Have your reading tastes changed as summer ends? What are you reading now?

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Confessions from an Armchair Political Junkie by Julie Arduini

Posted on August 22, 2012 by juliearduini

Ah, the unofficial end of summer. My kids return to school Monday. The summer shows I DVR’d (The Closer, Rizzoli and Isles) finished airing. Although I don’t think God had my DVR schedule in mind when He inspired Solomon to pen Ecclesiastes, there is a season for everything.

The season full of life right now is politics, and I’m ready. I live in a swing state so I expect not only the phone calls, but the knocks on the door. I’m certain our city will see at least one presidential or vice-presidential candidate. Okay, so I’m not thrilled with the constant television ads, but I love the fervor.

I’m not a professional, but I look forward to the morning talk show analyzing the latest poll, ad, or debate. I don’t like confrontation, but I enjoy discussing the candidates and their latest moves. I silently critique the speeches. When I return to my hometown, my husband knows one or more nights will turn to morning before my mom and I finish chatting about politics. She instilled my love for democracy early and we laugh remembering how I cried in the first grade when my peers chose Jimmy Carter for president. I was always about current events and my opinions on what and who made a good president. Once the election is over and we know who our president is, I’ll try to find their biography at the library, or a book they wrote. Don’t even ask how giddy I was in 2000 with the indecision. It was drama and conflict at its best.

How about you? With the conventions and all that follows, do you look forward or dread the season? Is there a program or debate you tune in, or intentionally tune out to? Whether a politician or not, who would you like to see run for office? What president, living or dead, do you wish you could interview?

photobucket image

 

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Journey Through the Bad Place–By Hannah Alexander

Posted on August 21, 2012 by alexanderhodde

Last week Mel and I flew west to attend a conference for his upcoming change in career choice–from ER to private practice. We stayed at the resort where the conference was held at Lake Tahoe–one of the most beautiful places in the world, in my opinion. Our stay there was perfect, and Mel learned more than he’d ever expected to learn. He’s so excited!

The travel to and from the conference, however, was like a trip through the bad place. Had I been given a choice, I wouldn’t have gone. I was struggling with strep throat, was taking antibiotics–therefore wasn’t contagious–and had no energy. A trip anywhere, even to one of my favorite places in the world, did not excite me. I was depressed, grumpy, sick. Mel, however, insisted. That’s not like him. I didn’t want to disappoint him, because he hates traveling without me, and he knows how much I love Tahoe. So I went, and tried hard to be sweet about it. Funny, all I did was grumble to God. I didn’t think to ask Him to help me enjoy it.

Our first clue that it would not go well was when the initial flight was late. Then we were loaded quickly into the jet, taxied to the take-off area, where the pilot turned off the engines. “Folks, there’s a weather problem at our destination, so we’ll have to just sit here awhile until we’re given the go-ahead.” We were assured that we would be there in time to catch the next flight in our layover–that they would wait for us. We weren’t. They didn’t. We did have a nice meal of sushi at the San Francisco airport before catching the next flight, which was also late. We saw no signs of weather problems, so we’re not sure what caused the delays. I know I complained a lot. Worse, because we arrived late at night, there was nighttime construction taking place on the road, so what would have taken us thirty minutes took us an hour. Poor Mel couldn’t help hearing me sigh and grumble under my breath. Funny, I didn’t think to pray.

Finally we arrived! Of course, it was way past our bedtime, so we tumbled into bed without unpacking, and I slept late the next morning. The next afternoon, when Mel came back from class, he was ecstatic, I was awake, and he insisted we explore the area. He took me on a hiking trail and I hiked for the first time in almost two years. I tried to be cheerful, but I was sick, sad, stuck in depression. This was my first time back in my home state of California since my mother’s death this past winter, and grief still held me–the reason I’ve been sick for so many months. I couldn’t walk very far that day, so we only hiked about a mile, and then caught a shuttle back from the Squaw Creek Square. I crawled into bed and Mel climbed in beside me. We watched TV the rest of the night. I spent no time in my Bible or talking to God. I just grieved.

The next day, however, I emailed some friends about my struggle, and those friends started praying. My throat still hurt and I still didn’t feel well, but when Mel returned to the room he was bouncing with excitement over what he was learning, and I caught some of that excitement. We hiked much farther that day, and the scent of Squaw Valley–hazelnut and vanilla combined with pine–began it’s work on me. The sunshine dazzled me, and my spirits lifted. They never dropped quite so low again for the rest of the trip. Finally, halfway through the week, as Mel and I were hiking again, I said, “Honey, did you know how badly I didn’t want to come on this trip?” He said, “Yes, Sweetheart. I knew. I also knew that you would start to feel better once you got here. You needed to get out of that house and start to live again.” I said, “Do you know how much I love you?” He took my hand, then took me into his arms and kissed me, then held me tightly there in the middle of the forest in the Sierras. “Yes, I know.” And I thanked God for such a wonderful husband. I started speaking to God a little more, as well.

We didn’t have any more trouble until we started back home. At the airport in Reno we returned to the bad place. No flight. Engine problems. We spent the night at a local hotel and spent hours trying to contact someone to get us out of there the next day. Mel got it worked out, though we no longer trusted this airline to tell us the truth about anything. The next day we finally boarded, after yet another delay, but by then I was on better speaking terms with God, and I asked hundreds of friends online to pray. Of course, as we sat in the plane, the hostess explained that they had to fix the bathroom door. We and the rest of the folks on the jet made a pact to never fly with this airline again, but my attitude was somewhat better, even after our flight out of Denver was also delayed. I’m so glad we didn’t know until the next day that that same airline had a jet lose an engine over Newark NJ about the same time we were flying. They circled for hours before landing safely. With all the problems this airline had, it could have been us.

So I still don’t like to fly. I probably will again, though not with this airline. And not without a lot of prayer. What was I thinking, to get onto a jet without praying first? Whew. I hope I never do that again. With God as the pilot of my life, everything goes smoother.

Have you ever had a discovery like that?  Come pray with us.

 

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Another Baby Has Been Added to the Family

Posted on August 20, 2012 by alandkathi66

First, let me say that we really do have a new baby in the family. Our grandson Mkey and his wife, Brittany, have a precious new son named Cameron Michael, and my hubby and I got to go visit our number-four great grandchild yesterday. It was delightful!

But we also have another new “baby” in the family–my latest book release, The Deliverer, the third and final novel in the Freedom Series. I’ll admit to being almost as excited about the third book in the series as I was the first and second, but I’m wondering if that’s true with readers.

Over the years I seem to have noticed a trend with publishers. Could be I’m just imaging it, but I get the impression that they pour more time and enthusiasm (and maybe even advertising dollars) into the “firstborn” in a series, leaving the remaining books to suffer the “middle” or “youngest child” syndrome.

You know what I mean. With our first child we take pictures of absolutely EVERYTHING they do. We faithfully fill out their baby books, and we read up on proper parenting manuals in hopes of not making any serious mistakes that might scar the poor things for life. The second child? We still take a handful of pictures now and then, though we never get around to downloading them from our camera phone. And a baby book? Well, hey, at least we got one and put the child’s name in it. But by the third one? We figure the annual school pictures are enough, and who needs baby books anyway?

Back to my thoughts about book series. Is it possible to maintain the same level of excitement with sequels as it is with the first book? I suppose if that first book is an absolute blockbuster, then sure, no problem. Readers are already standing in line to buy it. But if that wasn’t the case, then what? It even becomes a bit more of a challenge to promote them.

For instance, my current series is about human trafficking. The first book elicited all sorts of media invitations to discuss such a hot topic. But are those same media venues going to invite me back a second and third time to discuss the same subject?

I’d love to hear from you authors about what you done successfully (or not) to help promote sequels in your series; I’d REALLY love to hear from readers about what it takes to sustain interest in a series for you. Can books be released too far apart? Too close? Was it the quality of the first book in a series that pushed you into line to buy the sequels? If the first book was mediocre, is there any chance at all you’ll consider buying the other books in the series?

Thanks for any/all input, gang!

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Living Books

Posted on August 16, 2012 by bethrachg

Today is a good day because I’m expecting books. Lots and Lots of books!  I’m probably the only person who looks forward to school starting and that’s because of the books.

Books.

Books.

Books.

There’s almost nothing more exciting than when you’re expecting a big box of them. Or two. Or three.

In our home school, we don’t read boring textbooks. We read what’s termed “living books.”  Information shared or stories told by writers passionate about their topics. Lessons learned through the eyes of characters living in different times and places.

I’m going to pull from Jim Rubart’s earlier (and timely) post when he said, “. . .stories stick with us far longer than five points and two wrap up action steps. Stories embed their way into our soul. And they resurface at times when three bullet points wouldn’t come close to the comfort those stories bring.”

Exactly.

The same is true for school textbooks in general. How often do you recall something you read in a textbook during your school days that impassioned you? Or touched your soul and stayed with you? On the other hand, I’m sure you remember the classics you read like Where the Red Fern Grows, or Old Yeller, or historical novels that informed you of history.

In fact, the first series of Christian fiction novels I ever read was The Zion Covenant series by Bodie Thoene. I learned more about World War II that way than by anything I had studied in school. Perhaps you could argue that some of the history isn’t accurate.  In this case, Mrs. Thoene’s husband is a historian. We won’t start a discussion about textbook accuracy here.

One of my favorites is Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes—what a fabulous story about the revolutionary war through the eyes of a silversmith’s apprentice. I learned far more about the American Revolution through that book than any text.

By the Great Horn Spoon about the California Gold rush. Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman. The Witch of Blackbird Pond set in colonial Connecticut. The Call of the Wild by Jack London. I could keep going, but historical novels, when done with an eye for accuracy, can teach so much more than mere textbooks.

I’m not saying that we won’t be using any textbooks, but their use will be kept to the absolute minimum and heavily supplemented with living books.

Because when we read “living books” we remember. We are changed forever for having read them.

Now I’d love to hear from you. I’m guessing that your love for reading started with these kind of stories. Share one of your favorites.

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of Oregon Outback and Freezing Point, available wherever books are sold.

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Reading Tastes Through The Ages, posted by Maureen Lang

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Maureen Lang

Not long ago I was part of a discussion about how younger girls are often drawn to tragically romantic stories — Wuthering Heights, Titanic, Gone With the Wind to name a few. When I was a teen, Love Story was all the rage. With the exception of Gone With The Wind, most of the tragedies I can think of have either the hero or heroine actually dying, not just the relationship. There must be something appealing to the melodramatic psyche of the teenage girl in such stories, and I was no exception.

Recalling that discussion made me wonder how my tastes have changed through the years. So I thought I’d make a list of books I’d recommend to others at various stages in life. I’ll start by going way, way back . . .

Toddler: The Story of Ferdinand (the gentle bull story) and Snow White and Rose Red, a fairy tale. My mother often made up stories of her own, but these were two she read from real books. The latter was from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, which I think she read with the feeble hope that my sister and I would be inspired to be as good as the two sisters in this story. Their joy in life seemed to come from offtering kindness to others—even to grumpy little elves who always popped up needing their help, until his true evil is revealed then conquered by the handsome prince who’d been turned into a bear by the little stinker.

Young Adult: Any Nancy Drew story available.  Some favorites, at least by the vague memories that I have: The Secret at Shadow Ranch, The Sign of the Twisted Candles, The Password to Larkspur Lane.

Young Teen: Around this young teen age I started reading the original Harlequin Romances, which were sweet stories back then, usually involving a handsome Australian outbacker and a young and beautiful girl, sometimes from America. Honestly, I always had my nose in one of these books, because they were short and plentiful, and I could buy or borrow a lot of them.

High School: Believe it or not, my high school education came with few requirements for reading. In fact, other than The Yearling (which I actually read in 8th grade), and The Chosen by Chaim Potok, there were few other books officially highlighting my high school years.  It was a good thing I enjoyed reading on my own, although it was during this time I began reading steamier romances.  I won’t mention any of those titles . . . As I said, tastes do change!

Twenties: I was still reading the steamy romances, but looking back on that age now I can see where almost any Christian romance would have answered my reading taste if only Christian romances had existed back then. Nowadays there are so many great Christian authors to provide entertainment, starting with the authors on this blog!

Thirties: I went through a definite non-fiction phase, enjoying memoirs, Christian self-help book, Christian philosophers and thinkers like Francis Schaffer and C. S. Lewis.

Forties: Back to fiction! Only this time around my tastes went a bit more classical. Thomas Hardy remains a favorite. I also branched out to more literary-leaning novels, which I continue to enjoy to this day.

Fifties: I’m happy to report that my book club is stretching my reading tastes. Even books I don’t like all that well can teach me something, so I rarely regret at least trying to read every choice our group makes. This month’s choice was my suggestion: Chaim Potok’s My Name is Asher Lev. Loving it!

So what about you? Can you chart your taste in books through the ages? Have your tastes changed?

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Do You Ever Feel Guilty Reading Fiction? by James L. Rubart

Posted on August 14, 2012 by James L. Rubart

Do you ever feel like you should be reading something ‘more spiritual?’ Like the latest bestselling non-fiction title? The one that promises to do your laundry, mow your lawn, and turn the negative way you feel about your snooty neighbor into a gusher of love?

Has anyone ever made you feel bad about reading too much fiction? Don’t let them. Keep reading stories.

The reality is, stories stick with us far longer than five points and two wrap up action steps. Stories embed their way into our soul. And they resurface at times when three bullet points wouldn’t come close to the comfort those stories bring.

(It always cracks me up when I hear of a preacher who says, “Christians shouldn’t be reading fiction! They should be reading the Word, or non-fiction only!” I want to tell them about this man many consider the greatest story teller of all-time named Jesus, but I think my point would go screaming over their head like a rocket.)

I realize some Christian fiction has a high fluff factor, but even in those there are messages of truth and comfort and hope.

Still feel guilty? Then do this. When you finish your next novel, write down two things the stories stirred in you. The truths the story revealed. Then meditate on those truths till you’re finished with your next novel. Then do it again.

)And yes, of course you can do this with one of the CR staff’s novels, are you kidding?)

Do you ever feel guilty reading fiction? Why? And if you do, what do you do to stop feeling that way?

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Two Things Required to Reign in Life

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Sarah Goebel

Tomorrow, I start a new home school year with my fifteen-year old grandson. This will be our second year working together to equip him with the knowledge he needs for life. My teacher’s manuals are stacked on my dining room table and as I look at books on Chemistry, English, Algebra, and History, it crosses my mind that the most important thing he needs to learn for a successful life is found in Romans 5:17 which says, “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (NASB).

Look at this Scripture again. There are two things this verse declares that are needed if one is to reign in life. Those are the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. In other words, all of the knowledge found in these wonderful books my daughter has invested so much money in may prove to have purpose for his life, yet, on its own this knowledge cannot cause him to reign or have a truly successful life.

This Scripture is not just talking about salvation either. In fact, the word ‘receive’ found in Romans 5:17, is translated from a Greek word in the present active tense. This means we are to receive these two things every day. Every day, as Christians, we need to receive the grace God has for us. We need to receive the blessings of Abraham and the blessings promised believers in the book of Ephesians. These blessings are only a part of God’s grace. God’s grace is our strength and wisdom. It empowers us for every challenge in our life. God’s grace enables us to overcome sin. It is God’s provision for us physically, emotionally and spiritual.

God has also given us the gift of righteousness. But so often we forget we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Should we fall short on any day – failing  to control our thoughts or falling to the temptation to sin, whatever that sin may be, from overeating, addictions, idolatry, gossip, or whatever, we think God must be disappointed in us. The truth is, He is never disappointed in us. Our failures don’t take Him by surprise. Christ died on the cross knowing our every weakness and He knew every sin we would ever commit. He gave His life for us anyway. But He didn’t stop there. He also gave us His righteousness. Righteousness is a gift and it cannot be earned by our works. If we are to reign in life, we must understand that we are righteous in Christ, even when we fail. This is the truth that will set us free to reign. Without receiving this truth into our hearts, we lack power for living life successfully.

These two things – the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness – are two things I intend to teach over and over again throughout this year until its truth is grafted into my grandson’s heart. I fully believe that it is only by right believing that one can begin to live rightly. I am not after outward conformance. No, I am after his heart. I desire to see his heart transformed by the powerful truth found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I desire to see that he has the opportunity to reign!

If you feel like you are constantly striving to be better and do better but are making little, if any, progress in your goal. Or, if you are weary in all your well doing, I would encourage you to meditate upon Romans 5:17 and receive the abundance of grace and gift of righteousness available for every believer. Then, you will begin to reign! And, don’t forget. You need to receive it every day. Remind yourself to appropriate these gifts into every area of your life daily. Perhaps put a note on your bathroom mirror or the side of your computer, “I am the righteousness of God right now – I am righteous!”

A great book on the gift of righteousness and God’s grace for the New Testament believer is Destined to Reign by Joseph Prince. He goes to great length and detail to proclaim the ongoing goodness of God towards all who believe in Christ! This book is available at Amazon.com.

For all of you homeschooling moms and grandmas, my prayers are with you as you go about educating your little ones. I would appreciate your prayers as well. And, don’t forget Romans 5:17.

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Writer Interview

Posted on August 10, 2012 by yvon63

My plans are to feature the faculty members of the October Novelist Retreat for the next few weeks. I’ll begin with me since Jim Callan has his interview up on his blog today: http://www.jamesrcallan.com/blog – the website for the Retreat is ridgecrestconferencecenter.org/event/novelist or contact me at yvonnelehman3@gmail.com
Prolific Author & Conference Director
Posted on August 9, 2012 by James Callan
Reply
Today, Yvonne Lehman is visiting with us. She is not only a best-selling author of fifty books, she is also the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. She says that in each of her novels, she tries to integrate the important ingredient – hope. Sounds like a good person to spend some time with.
JRC: I understand you were the founder of the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, and its director for 17 years. Now, you’re the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Is there a story behind those two conferences with a “mountain” between them?
Yvonne: The BRCWC was organized with that name. After sponsoring it myself and holding most of the conferences at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, I stopped holding the conference for a couple of years. When I started it up again under the sponsorship of LifeWay and held it at the Ridgecrest Conference Center they added the Mountains. The offerings are the same. After 25 years however, I turned it over to Alton Gansky. I founded and now direct the Blue Ridge “Autumn in the Mountains” Novelist Retreat held at the Ridgecrest/LifeWay Conference Center. It’s for beginning and advanced novelists and is smaller and more intimate than the BRMCWC. It’s held annually in October. Visit: ridgecrestconferencecenter.org/event/novelist of yvonnelehman3@gmail for information.
JRC: My friend Donn Taylor is on the faculty for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, in the area of poetry. How large is the conference, and what does it cover?
Yvonne: I’m on the faculty too and that’s a little more relaxing for me than when I directed. Attendees average between 360-400. The May Blue Ridge Conference covers all genres of writing including devotionals, articles, non-fiction, fiction, and many categories of each for writers of all levels. It also offers contests, critiques, and editor/agent appointments. Donn Taylor wrote the poem that is in my Titanic novel as written by my character John. The acknowledgements of this book tells the wonderful way Donn went about writing it that made it perfect for my character.
JRC: I directed the Northeast Texas Writers’ Conference for about fourteen years. And it really takes a lot of time. What is your writing schedule like?
Yvonne: Yes, the BRMCWC took most of my time. It’s sort of a full-time endeavor. The Novel Retreat takes much less of my time. It’s smaller and I use fewer faculty and the focus is only on the novel. We do offer contests and critiques but do not have editor and agent appointments. The focus is on learning, improving, absorbing, and writing.
JRC: Your latest book Hearts that Survive: A Novel of the Titanic just came out in April. Can you tell us a little about it, and how you happened to select the Titanic as the background for your book?

Yvonne: The story covers 50 years, basically of one ship, two families, three generations. The story is divided into three parts. Before, during, and after the sinking. Lydia Beaumont and her new friend Caroline Chadwick plan Lydia’s wedding aboard the “grandest ship ever built.” Yet their lives take a tragic turn when the “unsinkable” Titanic goes down.
This epic tale of faith and perseverance follows their lives and the lives of their descendants as they struggle with all that was lost on that fateful night and what the future holds for those brave enough to face it.
Again, the acknowledgements give much of the story. My friend had visited Nova Scotia several years ago and became aware of the important role NS played in the aftermath of the sinking. She suggested the project. As the 100th anniversary of the sinking came near it seemed the time for me to write the book. Such disasters are memorable and the lessons learned from them are invaluable.
JRC: How many books do you have in print in print? What genres have you covered?
Yvonne: My Titanic novel was my 50th book. I’ve written historical and contemporary, romance, mystery, biblical, six young adult, women’s fiction, and mainstream.
JRC: Which is your favorite?
Yvonne: The Titanic book is my favorite because everything from the time of acceptance until I finished was different from the writing of any other book. I usually take three months to write a 50,000 word book. The proposal (three chapters) had gone to editors after most had already acquired Titanic books or didn’t want one (or mine).
At the May BRMCWC, though I knew it was too late for any company to publish it in time to be released for the 100th anniversary the following April, I asked Ramona Richards (Abingdon) if she had a Titanic book. She said, “No.” I said, “Do you want one?” She said, “Yes.” That was the beginning. By July 5, I had written 120,000 words.
JRC: You’ve won many awards. Which one are you most pleased about, and why?
Yvonne: The first one. When I attended the Billy Graham School of Christian Writing more than 30 years ago, I knew nothing about writing. Students could submit to win their top award and scholarship the following year. I won the Award of Excellence in Christian Literature for my short story. It’s my favorite because it gave me confirmation that I could become a published writer.
JRC: So, what’s next for Yvonne Lehman?
Yvonne: I’ve recently signed a contract for a three-book series of contemporary novels set in Savannah, GA called Secrets in Savannah series. The first one is The Caretaker’s Son. These will be in Harlequin’s Heartsong line. They’re schedule to be released in March, July, and November of 2013.
JRC: Any last word of advice for those readers who are struggling to get book number one published?
Yvonne: Writing and publishing is a business. Learn all you can about the craft. Practice all you can of your creativity which means… write and write again. Writing is really re-writing until you get it write. Read the craft books. Read what others write. Take courses, attend a writers group, attend workshops and conferences. Pray about where God wants your product to be used. When you’re ready and when your product is ready, there will be a place for it. Sometimes… the waiting and the returns are part of the learning process. Ohhh, did I have to say that? If it’s what you believe is your gift, develop it. Don’t give up.
JRC: Thanks for a great interview, Yvonne. And for some very good advice. You can find more about Yvonne’s books at: http://amzn.to/P2wq7V
And she’s given us plenty to comment about. Please leave her a comment if you have a moment. Thanks.

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The Misprint Giveaway

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

I found a box of copies of Formula for Danger that I’d put away “for safe keeping” and then forgot I had them (!!!) and in the box I found this:

Yes, it is Formula for Danger with a blank cover!

So, not knowing what else to do with it, I’m giving it away. I’ll be happy to autograph it to the winner so you can stick it on your shelf and laugh at it.

Comment here, on my blog post, this Facebook post, or reply via Twitter by Friday and I’ll pick a winner by random drawing.

Giveaway rules:

Please click here to read giveaway rules and why I had to change them. Sorry, no international entrants (see giveaway rules post for why). Only one entry per person. I always email the winner and give them a week to reply, but if I don’t receive an answer, I will pull another person to win the book. I am not responsible for a lost opportunity if you are on vacation or leave an email address you don’t check frequently. The winner can expect their free book in 4-6 weeks.

I’ll pick a name out of a hat on Friday, August 10th. (BTW, you can post a comment and NOT enter, too.)

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Do You Root for the Underdog? By Julie Arduini

Posted on August 8, 2012 by juliearduini

I’m drafting this at the start of the Olympics, so when you read this, everything could be different. Work with me if it all changed, but guess what?

Michael Phelps is an underdog.

It isn’t only because he came in fourth in his first race, a swim he only earned a spot for by 7/100th of a second, I believe. In his interviews he admits he struggled after the last Olympics. He not only made unhealthy choices for his body, he walked away from the sport in every way for six straight months.

While his competition practiced daily.

His underdog status got me thinking. After all, I live an hour from Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Each year the football flags in my neighborhood are all for the Browns. But mid-season after they have lost a few games and the Steelers are posting wins, I’ve seen more than one house switch to the black and gold flag.

My husband is a die-hard fan for the sports underdog. Although he is a Yankee fan from childhood, he always picks teams that stats would lead you to believe have no chance of winning. He does the same for racing, golf, and basketball.

I’m drawn to kids that aren’t society standouts. I think every child is worth encouraging, so I love building up the ones that might not hear positive talk otherwise. Our daughter has had health struggles that in physical aspects, make her the underdog. I remember watching teachers at her field day giving her favor because they were rooting for her.

Julie Arduini’s daughter a few years ago when her health issues were more active. To this day, people give her favor and cheer for her when she tries things that are a physical challenge for her.

How about movies? Our church hosted an outdoor movie night where we watched Dolphin Tale. It was a sweet story where I was cheering for the dolphin and the young man who lost his legs. Remember the Olympic themed movie, Cool Runnings? I get caught up in that movie every time.
What about you? Who or what is an underdog you pull for?

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Bless Our Editors! By Hannah Alexander

Posted on August 7, 2012 by alexanderhodde

Are some of the best editors in the business an endangered species? Please tell me it isn’t so. Pick up a book, any book, that hasn’t had the loving touch of a good editor on it, and you’ll see what a tragedy the publishing world could be in for. We lose perfection. We lose direction. We lose beauty and polish and charisma. No writer is an island, no matter how creative and insightful and stunning their words. I could not move forward without the guidance of my dear editing friends. What a wonderful symbiosis happens when a writer and an accomplished editor work together on a story. The writer feels freer to let go and allow her words to flow across the paper without her own editor on her shoulder–she knows her wise editor will catch the flaws and make her creation beautiful.

Now, I’m not saying that we writers need to get lazy and dump all our work onto an editor without rewriting and polishing and loving our characters, but there comes a time when we can no longer see clearly what our stories are about. That’s when we need fresh eyes. That’s why God made editors.

I spoke with a friend of mine who often edits my work, and i told her I was all messed up, writting the same scene over and over again without getting it right. I needed help. She told me to stop rewriting and move on. She would fix my mess. She did. And she pulled out those words and phrases that made my work shine. How does she do that? She edits. She knows how to cut away the unnecessary to showcase the beauty.

 

In this world of do-it-yourself publishing where an ebook can become a sudden, hot new hit, I see sadly that editors aren’t utilized as often as they should be. Spelling, grammar, a grasp of the best words are lacking. So many would-be writers fall short of the mark because, even though they may tell a good story, they tell it with a lack of finesse. Those who read the work, and, heaven forbid, like the work, learn that spelling isn’t as important as it once was. Grammar is a word becoming obsolete. Without the guidance of an editor, I can see the crisp style of good prose shattering and melting into mere words on a page, and often not even good words.

 

Please, if you write, whether it’s blog, editorial, letter to the editor or novel, swallow your pride and find a good editor. Try several different ones if you’re self-publishing. Ebooks are a particular concern, because the world is exploding with ebooks, anyone can write an ebook, it seems. Too many people are going to find that they won’t have a lot of sales unless they find a good editor first.

 

God bless our editors!

 

Posted in Hannah Alexander, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Christians Read newsletter – what we’re reading

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

News from Vicki Hinze

Christians Read Blog is now available on Kindle.  Great News for CHRISTIANS READ readers.  If you prefer to get blogs on your Kindle, the CHRISTIANS READ blog is now available. It’s $.99 per month and you can sign up so posts will automatically forward to your Kindle at:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008QEOTGI .  There’s a two-week free trial. Just click the icon.    You can, of course, still read the blog on www.christiansread.com, on WordPress, or on Facebook.

New Love Inspired Suspense series.  Lost, Inc. (www.lost-inc.com) will launch in October.  So far, there are three books written in this series.  The first is Survive the Night.  You can preorder a copy now.  There’s a list of booksellers here.  In December, Christmas Countdown releases, and in February, Torn Loyalties.

I just finished reading Karen Kingsbury’s Just Beyond the Clouds.  A very touching story about families and adults with Downs Syndrome.

What’s on my nightstand?  James Rollins’ Map of Bones.  I’m about three chapters in, and hooked.

Since school starts in a couple weeks here, I’m spending some time with my angels (the grands).  We’ve visited the Pensacola (Florida) Naval Aviation Museum, had Girls Days Out, seeing movies and shopping and doing lunch, and did a day trip to Marianna Caverns.  It’s been a good summer—if too short!

News from Maureen Lang

My newest book released just in July and is titled Bees In The Butterfly Garden, set in New York City during the Gilded Age of the 1880s. Ian Maguire is determined to stop Meg Davenport from following in her father’s footsteps. He was, after all, a thief. But considering Ian learned everything he knows from Meg’s father, he may not be able to convince her otherwise, not even when they both end up over their heads in the biggest heist of Ian’s unlawful career. In trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all?

I’m happy to share that Bees In The Butterfly Garden has received some wonderful reviews. 4 Stars from Romantic Times, saying: The grandeur of the era is evident in the story, the charming characters, the beautifully descriptive prose and even the cover! And Library Journal said: This character-driven historical set in the American Gilded Age represents Lang (Look to the East; Whisper on the Wind) at her best.

Right now I’m in the revision stage of my next Gilded Age novel, All In Good Time, which will release early spring of 2013, also from Tyndale House. Set in booming 1880s Denver, my hero has built his successful bank on an illegal fortune. And despite my heroine’s own secret, she is determined to do all she can to rescue the many women who’ve found only hard times in the Rocky Mountain state—even if she must get ahead of God’s schedule by garnering a bank loan. Will the secrets of their pasts ruin their future?

As far as what I’m reading now, I’m busy! I’ve been in a classic mood this summer, having just finished Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and am now taking up My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. I’m also reading Kaye Dacus’s upcoming book, Follow The Heart, as well as a debut novel that a friend of mine, Jane Steen, meticulously and boldly self-published, The House of Closed Doors. Lots of wonderful titles to satisfy my reading pleasures!

News from Elizabeth Goddard

Oregon Outback, a four-in-one novella collection, just released in July. The harsh, yet peaceful Oregon Outback molds the lives of four rugged brothers who stumble into love. FBI agent Jonas Love has brought trouble back home, endangering his life and that of an old flame. Cattle rancher Carver Love finds himself falling for the sheriff in the midst of chasing down modern-day rustlers. Thrill-seeker Lucas Love fears nothing—until he meets a beautiful bookkeeper. Justin Love is trailing a fugitive who’s heading too close to home—and one particular lodge keeper. How will God protect these men as they risk their lives to defend the ones they love?

Hearts in the Mist (Heartsong Presents) releases in October. I’m currently working on the second book in a Love Inspired Suspense Series. The first book, Treacherous Skies, releases in December.

I just finished reading When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason, and I’m starting on Firethorn by Ronie Kendig. I’m also trying to make a dent on my never-ending TBR pile and have started  Almost Forever by Deborah Raney, and a historical, The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden.

I’m gearing up for another year of home schooling three boys and that includes shopping for curriculum and organizing my office after a big move from Texas to Louisiana.  Never a dull moment.

News from Hannah Alexander

Right now I’m getting ready to read Secretly Smitten by Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, Kristin Billerbeck and Denise Hunter. I’m also reading two books for review, but none of them are available right now, so shouldn’t give the titles of them.

No exciting news for me except we’re getting ready to start building Mel’s new clinic. It’ll be an exciting change from ER to family practice.

News from Camy Tang

I’m writing a few books for some Guideposts series (Patchwork Mysteries, Miracles of Marble Cove, and Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop). I never realized how fun cozy mysteries are to write until I started writing them for Guideposts. Now I love them!

I’m also gearing up for the release of the second book in my Protection for Hire series, A Dangerous Stage, which is out in November. I honestly think A Dangerous Stage is one of the best books I’ve ever written, and I really felt God’s hand on me as I wrote some key scenes in the book. I’m praying He uses the book to touch the readers He wants to reach!

I just finished Angel Eyes, a Christian young adult novel by Shannon Dittemore. It was like a God-centered mix of Twilight and This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, and I think Christian teens will love it.

Posted in Camy Tang, Elizabeth Goddard, Hannah Alexander, Maureen Lang, Uncategorized, Vicki Hinze | 11 Comments