Book Review: Red Ink by Kathi Macias

A story of utmost persecution and the power of prayer, RED INK is a novel filled with impact and a book that I believe will touch many lives.

On a story standpoint, this novel breaks many rules fiction wise. There is very little dialogue, the story is mainly told through character introspection and some of the inner thoughts can sound clichéd, but there is something about the voice of this novel that makes all those things unnoticeable. The strength of the writing and the characters while facing their circumstances makes this a unique story. I was drawn into the midst of the book and couldn’t put it down. I think what gives this book such a strong standing are the many characters. Each one has their own story, but they are intersecting to mesh into a story that moved me.

I don’t think we as Christians think or pray enough for the people around the world being persecuted. And this book spoke to my heart about that. I would not call this agenda fiction. It took great characters and told a great story. I do believe with the power of faith that is displayed in this book it should be read by every Christian. A great novel with an even greater message.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Pump Up Your Book Promotion for my copy to review.

If you would like to know more or purchase a copy of yourself of Red Ink, click HERE

New Blog Plans for 2011

Can you believe that 2011 is nearly upon us? Is it just me or is time rushing by faster the older I get? I remember being in about the 1st-2nd grade and dying to play the clarinet. My mom's response was "probably about 6th grade" 6th GRADE?? That is AGES away!

It got here faster than I planned. And when it comes to waiting on the future, it still seems to move at a snail's pace- until I look behind me. Hindsight is always 20/20, know what I mean?

But I didn't post today to talk about that so much as I wanted to run a few blog ideas by you, my readers. They are too extensive for a poll, so I thought I would share them here.

First, most of my blogging scheduled is going to stay the same. Giveaways on Monday, book reviews and thoughts during the week. But since the 2010 reading challenge will be over, I wanted to do something different on Fridays to bring a notch of fun to the blog.

Couple things I have been thinking about:

~Open, ask the author day- once a month. This is the chance to vote on a poll on which author we would like to send a small bundle of questions to. The questions would be submitted- by you! And could be anything (as long as they are appropriate). The only bug with this idea is what if the author doesn't have time to do the answering? That might prove difficult, so any helpful ideas would be appreciated.

~Coming in February/March will be a series on remaining pure in body, mind and soul before marriage. And the couples that have gone before us unwed and the joys they have experienced because they waited. More details on that later.

~Because I love to write and my passion is fiction, I love to help others. Though I am by far NO expert. But what would you writers think of my giving away a 5-10 page critique one time a month? Let me know, it's just a thought I have been kicking around.

~Any other ideas you would like me to consider? What would you like to see more of that are already along the lines of my blog?

Homemade noodles are done, so I gotta run. Duty calls and all that. :-) I look forward to you all weighing in with your opinions. :-)

Book Review: What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy

From the first page, I was drawn into the very midst of this story. This book is certainly not a gentle read. It covers topics most books would shy away from and doesn’t hesitate to delve into some of the most complicated emotions. Having an idea of what was coming from the back cover, I was in suspense and breathing shallow as each page kept increasing to the climax. And even after it reached the pinnacle moment, the conflict did not ease.

Sally has lived a lie. And from those first moments since meeting Ella and then the bayou, it has snowballed to effect more lives than just her own. Her constant deception can become tiresome, but what kept me reading, more than just a great story, was deep inside you could see she really wanted to change and by sharing her story with a hurting woman, so she wouldn’t make the same mistakes, is what makes her extremely likable.

Not only does this book pack a potent message on so many fronts, too many to name in a short review, but also paints word pictures that will give you chills. I literally felt the cold sweep through me by words on a page when Sally found the scarecrow in her garage. Don’t underestimate the power of this book!

This book digs deep into the human condition. Nothing is left untouched and the most sacred of emotions have their doors blown away. Haunting, gritty and powerful, this story will invade your thoughts and grab hold of your heart. Don’t miss it!

Giveaway and Author Interview: Great Lakes Romance Set of 4 (5 winners!!)

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Donna Winters! Thank you for being with us today.

Thanks for inviting me!  I’m excited about the opportunity to meet your readers!

How long did you write before you were published?

I began writing in April 1982 and my first book was released by Thomas Nelson on February 14, 1985.

When you held that first book in your hands, what was your first thought?

I wished that my father had lived long enough to see it, and at the same time, I realized the irony of that thought.  My father had passed away from a heart attack in October 1983.  When I returned to my hometown for his funeral, I did some research that allowed me to write my first published romance, a contemporary entitled For the Love of Roses. My father was a retired florist, and I went to the shop he had owned and interviewed the couple who had taken over his business. A year and four months later, the story came into print. I hoped he was proud of my accomplishment, and I believe he was.

What are you working on now?

I’m researching material for a historical story that will be set during the canal era in either my home state of New York or in Ohio, or perhaps both. This is a departure for me from the Michigan settings I have used for all my other historical romances.  I grew up about a quarter mile from the Erie Canal in Brockport, New York, but I don’t remember learning much about its history when I was living there, only a few facts such as when the canal was started and when it was completed.  This past September my husband and I visited Grand Rapids, Ohio, where you can ride a reconstructed historic canal boat. That was a great experience!  We had an awesome costumed interpreter along with a costumed steersman (woman), mule skinner, and captain.  We bought loads of reference material.  The history of Ohio canals is well documented.  We have also bought several books on the Erie Canal and taken a look at a contemporary DVD about travel on that waterway. We plan to go back to my hometown area next spring to learn more of the Erie Canal history.  Meanwhile, this winter, I will be steeping myself in the books we already have, developing ideas, and maybe even starting a story!

Where can readers find out more about your books?

Please visit my website, http://www.greatlakesromances.com, to learn about my 15 historical romances and other titles that I have compiled or reprinted.

What message(s) do you want to be clear to your readers?

When I develop my stories, I want to make clear what is acceptable and what is unacceptable in the way main characters treat one another.  We all reach adulthood carrying a certain amount of baggage and sometimes that leads to inappropriate behavior toward the person you love most. Often, we don’t even recognize these flaws in ourselves.  I like to show characters growing through these difficulties to become the persons they should be in relationship to loved ones.

What are two things that people wouldn't normally know about you as a writer and or person?

My favorite movies are the musicals from the 1940’s through the 1960’s.  I have a box full of them on VHS tapes, and I play them while I lift weights!

Thank you for being with us today.  Any final words for readers?

I have a book giveaway at my website, http://www.greatlakesromances.com/  every two weeks.  Stop by to learn how to enter the book drawing via an email message.  I give a book to about 20 percent of those who enter.  Sometimes, I give a book to everyone!

 For five readers of this interview, I would like to give away a set of four books: Elizabeth of Saginaw Bay, Jenny of L’Anse Bay, Isabelle’s Inning, and Great Lakes Christmas Classics.

 I wish you all a blessed Christmas filled with joy, peace, and love!

WOW, you heard that right! 5 winners will received a set of FOUR books! Just the perfect antidote to the cold weather and the holiday season. :-)

Please leave an email adddress! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.


For extra entries:

~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber


Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.


Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on December 24th.

Music to Encourage and Inspire on Your Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you have a wonderful Christ filled day. I encourage you to take a moment and watch this video. If it doesn't give you chills as you hear Mark Lowry sing, Mary Did You Know, I don't know what will.

Mail Order Cowboy Winner!

And drum roll please....the winner is....

Ariel!!!

Congratulations and you have an email waiting for you in your inbox. :-) Thanks everyone who came to enter. I still have one going on the sidebar and will have another with 5 potential winners on Monday! Don't miss out!

Happy Saturday everyone! :-)

What I Read This Week

I don't think I have any links today...*scratching head trying to remember* oh yeah, I do have one. I posted on the Writer's Alley yesterday with Tricia Goyer as my guest. You can check it out by clicking here

I know some of you expressed an interest in how well my jewelry did at the bazaar and the answer is it did great! I was really happy with how it all came together and we stayed busy the entire time, so thank you for your votes of support and I am sure the prayers you said on my behalf. :-)

I don't know about you, but I am really eager to get my hands on a really good book. I read a FANTASTIC one this week, but it was on my computer and I am anxious to hold one. I have some great ones coming in the mail including Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul (Donita is the featured author on OEA this week btw. ) and Softly and Tenderly by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck. Can't wait for them to get here!! Along with other books I requested to review earlier this month. I am on pins and needles waiting for them all.

What I read this week:

REMEMBER, EVERYONE is welcome now to tell me how many Christian fiction books they have read this year. I have blown the doors completely off the reading challenge, so tally and let me know. Let's see if we can hit 2,010 books in 2010!

And they are:

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

The Mockingbird's Call by Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes

By far my favorite this week- probably for the whole year was Crossing Oceans. Go. Get. This. Book. It was THAT good! You can read my review HERE.

Don't forget my contest running on the sidebar. You only have today to enter to win Mail Order Cowboy, so don't miss it!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Oh hey, for all you Julie Lessman fans out there. She posted a deleted scene for her coming book, A Heart Revealed. Don't miss it! It is awesome and on her Jot today.