Blogging Break...

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I was so busy writing my 2,000 words tonight, I forgot all about my post for today.

And to be painfully honest I've got no ideas....(that happens every once in a while, shocking I know!)

Between my writing, finishing up my last 11,000 words for my WIP (yyayy!!), hopefully editing another 20 pages, I'm taking a blogging break and I'll be back on Friday.

Pass the peppermint, I have another 4,000 words to write! ; - )

Have a great day!! (feel free to come and visit with me on Twitter : - )

Emotionally Impacted ~ Wonderful Novel! ~ Reinventing Leona by Lynne Gentry ~ Review

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I was viscerally – emotionally – affected by this book. A novel I picked up for the pleasure of reading it and not for the purpose of reviewing, I was completely blown away by the power packed into this debut novel.

            The story of a preacher’s wife who becomes the preacher’s widow left me with emotions as though I had lost my own husband. I had such a clear taste of what that grief must be like, but I wasn’t bogged down until I felt as the reader, I couldn’t get out of the emotional trauma.

            There is even a bit of situational humor. The main characters have such a voice upon the page that sometimes you can’t help but chuckle at the thoughts they share. And this story truly does become like a living, breathing moment in time when I stepped between the pages.

            The wordsmithing and craft of the novel was really outstanding. When I finished the story I had hope for the characters, but more than that I was impacted by their story. I was moved by their journey and inspired by their determination.

            I felt as though I’ve now walked a mile in their shoes and to me, there is no better sign of good storytelling.

            **I was not required to write this review, I did so because I loved it!**

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More about the novel...

Leona Harper loves being a pastor's wife. Her impressive resume touts thirty years of coaxing hot water from rusty parsonage plumbing, planning church potlucks, and standing beside her husband while members take potshots at his sermons. Except for the little tiff with her grown children, Leona feels her life is right on track with the wishes of the Almighty . . . until her husband drops dead in the pulpit.

When the church board decides to fill the Reverend's vacated position, Leona is forced to find a paying job, mend her fractured family, and tackle her fears. With life spiraling out of control, Leona might find the church members' antics comical if she weren't so completely panicked. Can the faith of an overwhelmed widow withstand the added heartache of two resentful children and several underhanded church members? If Leona can't trust God, how will she learn to trust herself?

A Monday Shift ~ But A Giveaway Still!

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**Sorry my post drafted again**

And a happy Monday to you, my blog readers! Thank you to each one of you who took a bit of time to let me know what you like/don't like about my blog. Your input means the world to me!

I'm dreaming up a few new ideas for the coming year and we'll see which one wins a spotlight. ;-)

For two years now, I've had giveaway spots on my Mondays, well...my guest today just never showed, so I'm throwing my own impromptu giveaway.

And why not take the time to answer a couple of my own questions. See what kind of torture I put my guests through. ;-)

**Psst. Psst! Just one little note: Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson is FREE right now for ereaders. Here is the Kindle link. DON'T miss this book, it's flat out perfect. And to prove it: my dad, picky readers of all picky readers, LOVED it!! We're anxiously awaiting the second installment series with this loveable, quirky family. :-D**

Welcome to Writing for Christ, it is great to have you here! Do you have an interesting fact about yourself the average reader probably doesn’t know?

Interesting fact? This question needs to be scraped. I here by offically apologize to all the authors I have put through this form of torture, disguised as an "interview". 

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Women's fiction, though with my last WIP, it had decidedly more romance in it than my previous stories. I still like the stronger story themes and delve deep into the human condition and what makes us tick.

Read? Everything! Except secular (once in a while, I have a Nicholas Sparks on my TBR right now). And Sci-fi. Oh and fantasy. So probably "everything" is too inclusive for me. ;-) 

Do you have a nugget of writing advice that has completely changed how you view writing?

Enjoy it! You can't write unless you really enjoy what you're doing. Learn the rules and then just write. Learn to turn off the internal editor and go. Because you can't edit a blank page. 

5 things you love?

Jesus

Sunshine/Green grass

Books

Family

Friends

 What do you enjoy most about being a published author?

Oh. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL 'Nuff said. ;-D

 Places for readers to learn more about you?

You're on it! But I'm also on The Writer's Alley: http://thewritersalleys.blogspot.com And I have a jewelry site: http://bugsbeads.blogspot.com and I'll be bringing back my Operation Encourage An Author blog in the new year: http://encourageanauthor.blogspot.com

Thank you for being with us today!

Oh it was my pleasure. ;-)

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Hey readers! I've got a chance for you to win! I have several novels that I have set aside specifically for giveaways. These will not be coming off my swap list. You'll be getting the real thing. ;-)

Many different titles to choose from including:

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund

A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

Never the Bride by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

And several others! You know the lingo, but I'll repeat it here again...

Please leave an email address. 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 23rd.



Up and Coming Fiction! The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad

The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six year old. Widowed two years ago, Lilly leaves the shelter of her intrusive in-laws' home to stand on her own and provide for her young son by working for the summer as a cook at Lake Manawa. However, her in-laws find that life utterly unsuitable for their grandson, and when a row ensues, a handsome stranger--who designs roller coasters, of all things--intercedes on her behalf. Still, Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky (though charismatic) gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.

Filled with delightful characters and the romance of summer, The Ride of Her Life is another supremely entertaining story from the witty Lorna Seilstad. Readers will laugh out loud and sigh contentedly as they spend the summer of 1906 in Lake Manawa.

The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad

Revell / May 2012

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3447-3 / 384 pages / paperback: $14.99

Revell ~ Lorna Seilstad




Saturday's Note:

The winner of Second Time Around by JoAnn Durgin is....Melanie! Congratulations, be checking your inbox!


*Tapping On Your Computer Screen* Hello!! Look Here for a Sec, Will You?

Thank GOODNESS it's Friday!!!

IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!!!

Just had to get that out of my system. ;-)

I've got a QUESTION for you--my readers who stop by my blog, but don't often comment.

Yes, I see you over there. In your pajamas and cereal on your chin. (okay, maybe I can't see you, but I can imagine you.)

Your visits make a HUGE difference to me, but I need your HELP now!!

What do you enjoy MOST about this blog and why? This is not an ego rub, so I'll also ask: What do you like LEAST about this blog and why?

Why do you visit and what makes you stop and take a second look at a post?

AND THEN I would REALLY like to know: what would you LIKE to see on my blog.

You are a HUGE reason I blog, so do share! I wanna know and help me be creative for the new year. It is almost here, you know. ;-)

Does Anyone Else Find Encouragement Almost...DIScouraging??

About a week ago I hit a slump--actually it was right around the time of my blog party. Not that I didn't have an absolute BLAST--don't count me wrong there. I was practically grinning all week long.

But I noticed something that week: constantly being "on" is e-x-h-a-u-s-t-i-n-g.

Mentally. Physically.

It's the curse of social media and I don't mind admitting that.

I'm the type of person that loves to lift other people up. I hate to see other people struggling or sad and I want to make their day better. And most of the time this is as easy as breathing to me. I don't even have to think about it and it always comes from my heart. I want the best for others. To experience the pure joy that Christ gives us in each day. And I hope I can be just a glimpse of that to someone each day.

But being "on" is really more than I want(ed) to put up with. And as I was talking to a friend I realized anew: I can't be all things to all people.

I can't. Plain and simple.

But boy do I want to be! And it eats at my insides when I can't give to someone else--because I have nothing left to give. And I realize in trying to meet everyone's "needs" or be "nice" to everyone (not that I wouldn't be...but I think you get my point) only means I have less to give.

Encouragement is not a constant faucet and the Giver can turn that flow off when it does more harm than good. It's usually about that time that God taps on my shoulder, clears His throat and reminds me...He is all things to all people. I am merely one of His servants and He will use me where He puts me.

Let Him be what the world needs. Once I figured that out...I realized I am once again filled, once again able to pass that smile (cyber or otherwise ;-) and really, honestly and truly mean it as the gift God has given me to give away. And be the glimpse of Christ someone needs today.

Oh and by the way, a day off--which I took recently--from all distractions and spent it with those who love me best makes one's outlook much brighter.

What about you...do you find being encouraging sometimes DIScouraging?

WRITE ON Erica Vetsch ~ A Bride's Portrait of Dodge City, Kansas by Erica Vetsch ~ Review

I have a fine rule that I play in my book reviews: don’t mention the author. It’s just my personal choice when it comes to writing these things.

            I’m breakin’ that rule, because…I really, really love Erica Vetsch’s writing!

            From the first story I read, I feel in love with the style and voice of Vetsch and boy did I adore this latest title. The character arc, the setting, the action…it ALL seamlessly came together for a really riveting plot. I stood out in the cold, while our family roofed our hay shed and in between helping handing up sheet metal, I read. And when I closed that page, I held the book to my chest, sighed in delight and then immediately hated to think of story being over.

            Vetsch crafts a story with amazing imagery, but most of her all her characters LEAP from the page. They jump to life, dance on the page and then while they are at it, make it pretty much impossible to put the book down.

            I laughed (virtually impossible for me in a novel), I flipped pages until they turned hot and cheered at the ending. It’s a romance. It’s got a twist of suspense that is cloaked just right. It’s a character’s story and a historical romance lover’s dream.

            WRITE ON Erica Vetsch!!

**I was not required to write this review, I did so because I loved it!**

More about the novel...

Quench your craving for good fiction with this wonderfully written Old West adventure. Hoping to leave the shadows of her shady yesteryears behind, Adeline Reed is focusing on her photography career. But when her ex-boyfriend’s compatriot in crime shows up in Dodge City her entire past is threatened by exposure. Can Addie keep her secrets while helping to catch a killer? Deputy Miles Carr’s investigation into a shopkeeper’s murder leads him to Addie’s door. Will his attraction to this female photographer keep him from catching the true culprit? Or will Addie lead him off course in more ways than one?