Giveaway! The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis!

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

I’m nearing the age when many friends are considering retirement, and I’m working more hours than at any point in life. Yet, I’m absolutely joyous about it!

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

My favorite genre to both read and write lately is historical fiction, especially romance. I love to wrap myself in a cocoon of the past when lives were simpler (remember, I’ve written Amish fiction for years….), men were men, and women wore big hats and sipped tea. Now everyone sips lattes on the run in between errands.

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

Write the story of your heart. No two people will tell the same story about the same topic. Each writer brings to the table their personal life experiences, and then adds their own special flavor.

5 things you love?

1)      I adore Christmas—the lights, the carols, the family get-togethers, live nativity scenes, sending cards (yes, I still do that!), even the festive atmosphere in malls.

2)      horses—for a woman who slams on the brakes to photograph them and has a horse stall in her barn, I can’t believe I’ve never owned one.

3)      homemade soup, any variety

4)      my new dog from the pound

5)      friends who don’t laugh when I cry at TV commercials

What novel have you recently read that has stood out to you that both teens and adults will find enjoyment in?

In October I read Jim Rubart’s The Chair. It was my first speculative—if that’s the right word--Christian fiction and I loved it.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

www.maryellis.net 

http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Thank you for being with us today!

 Thank YOU, Casey!!

Readers, enter to win Mary's book here!

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 13th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Heart Failure by Dr. Richard Mabry ~ Review

The title and back blurb was the first that caught my attention about this new Thomas Nelson publishers release. Medical drama/mysteries have become a new genre of choice for me and I wanted to know where the story would take me.

         

   I have to admit I wasn’t as immediately thrilled with this title. Much of the writing felt very “telling” to me and in consequence, I speed read through much of the title, not a lot prompting me to stop and absorb what was happening on the pages.

           

Now, that isn’t to say I’m trying to be overly harsh or critical of this novel. I thought the overall premise was a commendable one. It had my attention and the plot served to captivate me enough to keep me reading to find out what would happen. Certain twists throughout the story kept the story lively and I wanted to see our two main characters reach their happily ever after.

         

   Some of the emotions on the part of the characters felt “plastic” to me as though they were merely saying their lines on stage, but the story certainly did not lack its share of mystery or medical drama.

            

While it’s not a book I would necessarily want to read it again, the title is a good, clean medical mystery with a bit of love story.

           

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Booksneeze for my copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Not even Witness Protection could keep him safe . . . but he’ll do anything to keep the woman he loves out of danger.

Dr. Carrie Markham thought Adam Davidson was the perfect fiance. But that was before a drive-by shooting led to his confession that he’s a defector from the witness protection program and is now running for his life. Adam isn’t the man she thought he was, and every moment she spends with him seems to bring her closer to her own death.

Adam must convince Carrie he’s innocent and figure out who’s trying to kill him. She must decide if her love for him is real—and whether he’s worth the risk.

And the clock is ticking.

Giveaway! Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum!

My favorite holiday is right around the corner! I LOVE Thanksgiving. It's always been one of my favorite days of the year. A time when we gather as a family and enjoy being together. A time to give thanks to all God has blessed us with in the past year. It's also a time when we make some of my favorite dishes. (but that certainly doesn't usurp my love of thanksgiving and praise to God. ;-) 

Due to the forthcoming holiday and the fact that I'm sitting in a courtroom right now (you can hold the prayers--it's Jury Duty. On second thought...maybe you better keep them coming. ;-), I'm keeping today's post short and sweet and using this as an opportunity to let you know I will not be blogging on Friday. I'll resume normal blogging routines on the 2nd. (Wow, it's hard to believe December is nearly here!!)

Today, I'm eager to introduce you to author Erynn Mangum. Though I've never met her in person, her bio page makes me think we'd get along great--plus her little boy is stinkin' cute. You've got to check out her website for his cutie-patootie grin if nothing else. :)

Her books are pretty cute too and while I haven't had the chance to read one (I think I'll have to remedy that!) the titles alone have me wondering what I might find between the "paiges". ;-)

So be sure and leave a comment below to enter to win "Paige Rewritten" and tell me what you're most thankful for this year. I think one of the best gifts I received from God this year is the prayer anointing I received at ACFW...remind me to tell you all about that someday. :)

Readers, enter to win Erynn's book here!

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 6th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Don't Trust My Book Reviews

I'm doing something I haven't done in the four years I've been blogging. In the over 1,000 posts every single one has been original. Welllll, this week it's time for a first. I'm reposting. But it's an older blog. Maybe one you haven't read or don't remember. (I'm counting on that anyway. ;-) Thanks for understanding, it's just been one of those weeks! 

Photo Credit

I probably just gave all the publishers I review for a coronary.

Wait...stop, let me back up and explain. ;-)

I've gotten several emails lately asking me if I would help in the craft of their book reviews. Of course, this thrills me, because I love to help as I have been helped--but it also brings an interesting topic to mind--because, well, that is just where my brain goes. ;-)

When I started exploring the great wide world of blogs, I stumbled across this amazing phenomenon, called "reviewing books". Imagine promising to ONLY write a review and getting a free book. Well, golly, this was just pretty dandy.

I had one reviewer I avidly followed. I religiously studied her reviews, got excited when she did about a new book and my list for the bookstore steadily got longer and longer.

Then one winter, I got a windfall. What better way to spend it?!? I took that list of top recommendations from that reviewer and bought several titles on the list.

Promptly brought them home, very excited...and didn't like a one.

Okay, I shouldn't exaggerate, I liked a couple and the other got the "she thought this was good??" look.

It wasn't that the books were poorly written--they just weren't for me.

I learned that reviewer and I have no reading tastes in common. What I hated, she thought hung the moon and what I loved, she couldn't gag down.

And that's okay. Because there is an audience that likes exactly what that reviewer loves to read.

So I had to reinvent the wheel and eventually found Joy from Edgy Inspirational fiction. I started borrowing the books she recommended from the library. And 9 out of 10 times, I LOVED them. Like go-get-me-more LOVED it. I've bought books based on what Joy loves, knowing there is a huuuuge (like 99.9999%) chance I'll love it too.

Which brings me to my post title today. DON'T go out and buy (or not buy) a book based on my review. If you are new to my reviews, wait around a little bit, see what else I review. Do we share the same love of certain authors?

Does what I review and what I say in my reviews strike a cord with you?

Have you tried a couple titles and see if we agree?

We are not going to agree all the time--frankly I'd be scared if that were the case. ;-) (JK)

You will actually be doing the author a FAVOR if you are new to my reviews or unsure, if you DON'T go out and buy their book--see what others are saying first and then make your final decision. If you don't like it, the negative word of mouth will certainly not be helpful.

So, please don't trust my book reviews. Not, at least, until you've gotten to trust me and see if you and I like the same fiction. ;-)

So...question, do you think we like the same fiction? Have you ever been satisfied with a purchase or borrowing made, based on my recommendation?

Complicated Story and Characters ~ Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish ~ Review

It’s been too long since I’ve picked up a Christa Parrish novel. Her name has become synonymous with that of deep, well thought out women’s fiction and I was not the least bit disappointed in her 2013 release.

            

“Stones for Bread” is not a light and fluffy read (pun intended), but one much like the sourdough our heroine makes and is known for: thick and more than a bit sour. Leisel is a complicated character and you have to read much of the book before the pieces of her story start to unravel to get a glimpse into who this woman is. I loved how Seamus disrupted her normal routine and nothing was the same. I thought the crafting of these two character’s relationship was absolutely beautiful. It wasn’t rushed or hurried, because that isn’t what Leisel would be able to handle. As the reader, you get to watch her slowly unfurl and rise from the ashes that have too long defined her.

           

It’s a great question for the reader too: what part of your past do you allow to affect and define who you are right now? This novel would be a fantastic book club read, but there is also so much to enjoy even if read by one’s self.

           

I’ve loved the previous two titles I’ve read by this author. Her way of seeing the world moves me, while also incredibly thought provoking and deep. Stones for Bread is another fine example of the growth and ability that is rising from this able and worthy talent.

            

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through Litfuse and Netgalley for my copy to review. 

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More about the novel...

What do you do when the gift you thought was bread turns out to be stones?

Liesl McNamara’s Wild Rise is not only a popular bakehouse and café in Vermont, it’s an extension of herself. Liesl is an artisan bread maker, like her mother and grandmother before her. Even though she lost her mother to suicide when she was eleven, she keeps this maternal bond alive as she bakes.

Liesl prides herself on living an uncomplicated, unattached life. But that changes when Seamus walks through the door of Wild Rise, lugging the large bags of whole wheat flour from the local food co-op. He and his daughter Cecelia have recently moved to the country seeking simplicity. Despite her best effort, Liesl becomes attracted to this teddy bear of a man who laughs easily and eats strange sandwich concoctions—on her bread, much to her dismay.

Her simple life is further complicated when a popular cooking show features her bakery. The publicity increases her business and brings several offers from larger businesses, all of which she turns down. But it also brings a completely unexpected phone call, one from a woman claiming to be her half-sister.

Liesl’s sense of identity dissolves as everything about her relationship with her mother—and the bread that held them together—comes into question. Has she been given stones rather than bread? And how can she ever take these crumbs and make them whole again

*~*~*CONTEST INFO!*~*~*

Christa Parrish is celebrating her fourth novel, Stones for Bread, with a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway.

Easy steps to enter:

1. Follow Christa Parrish and TNZ Fiction on Pinterest.

2. Then Pin the Stones for Bread book cover (below), the contest graphic (above), or both, and link to this post (using this URL: #StonesforBread KitchenAid Mixer Contest #ChristaParrish http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/stones-for-bread-by-christa-parrish).

3. Then fill out THIS SHORT FORM to let us know. (There are also some additional ways to earn extra entries, as well as an option for non-Pinterest users. It's true—people like that do exist!)

Questions? Email info @ litfusegroup dot com.

Winner will be announced on 12/9 on Christa's Facebook Page.

Giveaway! A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman!

Good Monday morning, readers!

Last week I had a great time chatting and hearing from my blog readers about what author first started you in reading Christian fiction. 

I think the consensus was pretty easily divided between Lori Wick and Janette Oke, two authors who were strong proponents to bring Christian fiction into the limelight.

Which brings to mind another question, but I'm going to hold off asking for just a minute... ;-) Read to the bottom to answer and be entered to win another book.

Anita Higman grabbed my interest several years ago with a title she wrote for the Summerside Love Finds You line. Love Finds You in Humble, Texas was a thoroughly enjoyable read and since then I've had the chance to read several of her titles including her latest novella A Merry Little Christmas. She has the ability to make memorable and enjoyable characters come to life on the pages while writing a story that might seem normal and cliche, but make it spark. 

Her latest title Winter in Full Bloom is now on my Kindle to-be-read stack (which is really quite the tower!) and I'm excited to share her latest book, A Marriage in Middlebury with you for a chance to win! I'm working with Jeanne Wynn of Wynn-Wynn Media and am very eager to give this title to one fortunate reader! While I haven't read the book yet myself, I have no doubt it's bound to be a good one! I think the perfect fireside read this winter. ;-)

So my question for you?

If you had to pick one author--and no other, mainstream or Christian fiction, that you could only ever read, who would that author be? 

LOL, I'm not even sure I'm able to answer this question, there are so many authors I love! But if I had to try, I'd probably say...Laura Frantz... for the beautiful and fulfilling depth to her stories that always leave me in awe. But boy would I deeply miss my other beloved authors! Thankfully I haven't been faced with this question in real life yet. ;-)

Readers, enter to win Anita's book here!

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

For an extra entry:

Rate my review. THANK YOU!

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 November 29th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

What Defeats You?

The blank screen and the blinking, blinking, blinking cursor defeats me.

Discouragement defeats me.

Lack of energy defeats me.

No joy and laughter defeats me.

Being unable to worship in a fellowship defeats me.

A distant connection with close friends defeats me.

Loss of enthusiasm defeats me.

We get tired of the defeatist attitude after a while don't we? It really doesn't take us anywhere except into the same place we're complaining about: defeat.

The thing is, defeat is a choice. It's an option, not a detestation and too often I see it as the latter instead of the former. How do you get to the edge of the cliff? You walked there. You took one conscious footstep in front of the other until you were looking over the cliff's ledge of defeat.

It's not always that drastic of course, but it can sure seem that way can't it? Right now, I feel as though I'm looking into the face of defeat when it comes to my writing. I've hit a period of "funk" that I'm struggle to crawl out of. I'm in a place where I don't know where to turn from here, so I keep mucking it forward.

Defeat is too often our first option. "Oh, I'm not any good at this, so I guess I'll give it up for right now."

"I don't have any energy for this, so I guess I'll shove it to the back of my mind. Far, far away from any semblance of remembering."

Defeat is the enemy's first attack against your position where God has you. Defeat is not of God. It's not part of His plan for you. Sure, there will be valleys and struggles, but when we hit our lowest, is when God can lift us the highest.

As I was sitting here trying to think of a post for today, I kept feeling defeated by this blinking cursor that only reminded me I didn't have anything to say today. (And I'm still not sure what I have to say is really worth reading).

Should I take a blogging break? Comments and hits are low right now. Maybe readers are ready to move on and I'm ready to throw in the towel. It takes a lot of energy to keep a site like this up and running, is it time to quit? 

I was stepping into the mire of defeat and any second (as I contemplated turning to my archives for any post to fill today's empty slot) the devil was going to pull me face first into the pit. Sure taking a archived post for today would not have been a crime, but for me, it would have been another step toward defeat.

I've surrounded myself with enough of that emotion for this week. Discouragement is sure to come our way. It's natural that we're going to be overwhelmed or unsure of what will happen next, but those are times not to be defeated, but reJOYce in what God is calling every single one of us to do: celebrate every single day in His grace. Because there is NO defeat in that!