Giveaway! Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof!

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

Oooh…great question. I’ve always been a complete introvert. Then I married an extrovert and somehow had 3 very outgoing kids. I used to panic when my toddler son would strike up conversations with people in the grocery store. But now, I’ve learned to come out of my shell and absolutely love connecting with people. Writing always worked for me because I was so shy, but in turn, it’s been the tool to unlocking that shyness. Just last week I did my first radio interview and to my pleasant surprise, I had a ton of fun! I love how God stretches us beyond what we think we are capable of.

Do you have a favorite genre to read/write?

Most definitely, my favorite genre to write is Historical Romance. I never considered myself a “romance” writer until that was how my publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah, defined me. Then the light bulb sort of went on and I embraced the romantic side of storytelling. Of course, now, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Surprisingly, I don’t really have a favorite genre. I read mostly Christian fiction and while I love Historical Romance, I’m pretty much drawn to any really good book. I love to have a diversity in my to-be-read pile and when I look back at some of the books that moved me deeply, it’s a kaleidoscope of genres.

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

Probably the best nugget that changed my writing was to stay organized. I’m quite scatterbrained and I used to have things all over the place. When I had the pleasure of sitting through one of Sarah Sundin’s workshops at Mt. Hermon on researching for historical fiction, I really buckled down and made it a greater priority. I’ve always kept a binder, which I call a book kit, but now I keep it much more organized and detailed. I did a video on it here and whether it’s one book, a series, or even just an idea, I always start a book kit and since I don’t have an office, it’s a great grab-and-go binder, no matter where I’m writing.

5 things you love?

My family

A cup of tea and a good book on a cold day (Did I just sneak in 3?) ;)

Autumn

Folk music

and Chocolate

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

A book quickly comes to mind, Autumn Changes by Beverly Nault. It’s a great seasonal read that explores a handful of friendships in the charming town of Cherryvale. The storyline centers around both adults and teens with themes of change, kindness and working together. It’s a wonderful new addition to the cozy fiction genre.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

I blog once a week at www.joannebischof.com and love to chit chat with readers on Facebook where we do lots of fun giveaways, and in fact, there is one going on right now! I also have a newsletter, The Heartfelt Post, which I send out each spring or autumn.

Thank you for being with us today!

Thank you for having me, Casey!

Readers, here is your chance to enter to win Joanne's latest book!

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 October 19th.

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 

Celebration!!! It's a Party for Krista Phillips and Sandwich!

You know the hardest word for me to spell?

Sandwich. I struggle with this word more than random, more than rhythm, more than receipt and I'm going to be typing it probably about ten different times during this post, so forgive me if I utilize copy and paste. ;-)

WHY would I be writing the word SANDWICH so often in this post?? BECAUSE, my super special friend and Alley Cat Krista Phillips is here to CELEBRATE the release of her DEBUT NOVEL!!!!!!!


(and no, I cannot use too many ALL CAPS in this post, watch out. ;-)

So a super big, AWESOME welcome to Krista!!!

Did ya'll know that SANDWICH (woo-hoo, I spelled that one right on the first try!) is a real place? Who else things that everyone there is always hungry? Who wants to go to sandwich...?? ;-)

KRISTA, tell me about a fun fact about writing this book!

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

I guess the funniest thing about DURING the writing were my mistakes. Yeah, I know. Mistakes? Funny? You see, I was born in Sandwich, IL and lived there until I was 5. We visited a lot after that, but still, I was pretty young. So many of my memories of Sandwich came from the slightly skewed memories of a 5 year old.  It was fun painting Sandwich from the lenses of my memories, and I did use many resources in my family and the Internet to check some facts. But... my 5 year old self still got some wrong. Like... The Yum Yum Shop is actually spelled Shoppe. AND... it closed down! Which is the biggest shame EVER because it was amazing! Oh, and my BIGGEST most awful mistake: I dedicated my book to my Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, which is all fine and good except I SPELLED MY GRANDMA'S NAME WRONG! Yes. Grandma's name is Lovina, but it sounds more like Lavina, and honestly? As a kid I always just heard her name spoken but if I ever wrote it, it was Grandma. Any birthday cards I got said "Grandma and Grandpa"  so had zero idea that it was an O instead of an A. I was more than a little mortified.

(Just so you know, this post is making me hungry. Just thought you ought to know that.) 

LOL! I could see me doing something like that. Why is it that only AFTER something is sent and gone and in print we see ALL THE MISTAKES WE SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT?? (can I get an AMEN??)

What's a fun fact about SANDWICH?

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

There are a LOT of fun facts about Sandwich!! But one former Sandwich resident who read my book did email me a great fact that I didn't know! In Sandwich, they have this diner railroad car in the middle of town. Evidently, the dining car was supposedly from the campaign of Teddy Roosevelt.  In honor of Roosevelt's attempt at a new political party, it now has been rejuvenated as Bull Moose Bar and Grill.

They also have the Sandwich Fair, which is a HUGE attraction for the small town, is the longest continuously running county fair, and draws people from a pretty great distance. I've gotten quite a few notes from people saying, "Oh, I know Sandwich! We go to the fair there!"

How fun! You should write a sequel set around the fair time. Everybody loves a good local fair. ;-)

So, Krista...if you were making your PERFECT sandwich, what would it look like?

Take two pieces of light, fluffy white bread.

Take some jelly (preferably concord grape... strawberry is okay too but NOT RASPBERRY!!!!) and spread a nice thin layer all over one piece of bread.

Take some Jiffy CREAMY peanut butter (this does NOT work with crunch kind...) and spread a nice thin layer over the other piece of bread. Make sure no bread shows on that side on either pieces of bread.

Put the jelly side and peanut butter sides of the bread together.

Pair this with some Cheetos and a tall glass of milk, and maybe some chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

And now you have pretty close to the perfect lunch.

(FYI - if you sandwich crunches at any point of time while eating it.... YOU DID SOMETHING WRONG!)

Yummy! My favorite sandwich though? You'll have to forgive me, it's not PB&J...it's a grilled chicken salad sandwich with crisp lettuce and melted cheese....hmmm...have I already mentioned I'm hungry??

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

I've been SO EXCITED to throw this party for Krista!

Krista and I have been on the Alley together for over two years and I've had a BLAST getting to know this woman. To celebrate the release of her DEBUT NOVEL has been one special event and I've been eager for this day for a loooooong time! Since the day she emailed all of us and told her Ramona Richards had bought her book. :D

It's been one AWESOME experience!

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

In celebration of Krista's release, I'm throwin' a party (if you haven't figured that out already) and we're giving away a copy of her book! She's giving away a print copy and I'm offering up one ebook for the Kindle or Nook users out there.

BUT, don't comment yet!!

Krista and I have a super important question for you: (answer truthfully!)

What makes your PB&J perfect? Brand name? White or wheat? Crunchy or smooth? Jelly or jam? Create your perfect sandwhich  sandwich (broke my good sandwich spelling streak) in the comments and we just might give ya a book! :D

CONGRATULATIONS KRISTA!!!

Happy Party Day!

Guest Review: My Sister Takes a Look at Pineapples in Peril by Cheryl Linn Martin

**Review by my sister--think I might have a budding reviewist in the making. ;-)**

Pineapples in Peril, hmmm a very intriguing title indeed. What kind of book is titled like that without some kind of mystery? There are so many things that I could go on about this book, but I will only name a few.

This is a very good book with some excellent morals we can learn from: like treating your siblings with love and respecting your parents. There were scenes in the beginning of the story where Leilani was disrespectful to her mom and brother and learned through the story to be kind and loving.

I really liked Leilani and felt her loss and victories. I felt like I was reading a "me" set in Hawaii: she loves mysteries, surfing and hanging out with her friends.

My favorite part of the book was when Leilani and her friends got locked in a old storage shed on the pineapple plantation and her little brother, Kimo, has to rescue her. My second favorite scene was when Leilani and her friends were spying in the dark plantation...creepy, but very exciting. ;-)

I look forward to reading more books in this series and by the author.

This review is my personal opinion. Thanks to the author for my advance copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Slashed, mashed, and left to rot . . . Pineapples reduced to a puddle of gross mush.

Thirteen-year-old Leilani Akamai pictures secrets, stakeouts, and spies in her future as she, along with her friends, Maile and Sam, solve their first real crime.

Unless, of course, Leilani's younger brother, Kimo, worms his way into the mix. Sleuthing belongs to Leilani and her friends. They are the only official members of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club.

Besides, Kimo has already ruined her summer. Gone are Leilani's days of hitting the waves. Surfing is out and she blames him for her broken arm, now in a clunky, itchy cast. To top things off, Kimo might interfere with the pineapple vandalism case at Tong Plantation and blow their entire investigation.

And the ugliness continues when Leilani's beloved surfboard ends up in the hands of her dreaded enemy.

Seriously? Can the summer get any worse?

Giveaway! A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman!

Hello Julie! Seems the year isn't complete without celebrating your latest release on my blog. I know I’m not the only one sorry to see the O’Connors go…so what’s the next chapter for this loveable, dramatic family?

Well, Case, I’m glad you asked! :)  As a matter of fact, my agent and I are collaborating on e-publishing a Christmas e-book called A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story, which is actually the prequel love story of Marcy and Patrick O’Connor, the mother and father in my two series. Because Marcy and Patrick have such a deep and passionate marriage, which, I’m happy to say, is actually based on my husband’s and mine, I had always longed to write their story. That longing ramped up into hyper-need once I finished the final book in this family saga, A Love Surrendered, which just released October 1^st.  I found I couldn’t let the family go just yet, so I end ALS with a line that eludes to “a new beginning.” Pretty sneaky, huh?

Wow! A prequel, do you have a release date yet and how it will be available?

Click to enter!

YES, it releases November 9 of this year on e-book only and can currently be pre-ordered on Amazon but will also be available on Barnes & Noble, CBD.com and Smashwords on November 9. I've gotten some frantic e-mails from readers who do not have an e-reader, so I am directing them to Amazon’s free app link http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=dig_arl_box?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771, where you can download a free Kindle app that will allow you to buy and read e-books on your PC, Mac, i-Phone, i-Pad, Droids and more. Also, I am running two contests on the “Contest” tab of my website at http://www.julielessman.com/contest/, the first of which awards a Kindle Fire to the top winner and a signed manuscript copy of A Light in the Window to the runner-up OR in the second contest, have a character named after them in my next book, a signed copy of that book and a $50 gift card.

Okay, back to the O’Connors. You've spent 6, almost 7 books with this family. Are you looking forward to moving on with new characters and uncharted adventures?

Well, now that I've gotten the “prequel” bug out of my system, yes, much more so! I have to admit, I really LOVE the new series because it’s been fun to mix it up a bit with my style. For instance book 1, Love at Any Cost is WAY shorter than my previous books (by about a 100 pages), less sensual (ahem … there are NO married couples with bedroom scenes!), less complicated (only one subplot, i.e. for the widowed matriarch and the brother-in-law she was engaged to before he cheated on her and she married his brother) and the spirituality is more understated. As a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), I am known for my angst and drama, so although the new series will have some of that, it’s toned down with a lot more humor, a light touch and a spunky Texas cowgirl, who reminds me a little bit of a Mary Connealy heroine.

Here’s the jacket blurb:

Fooled by a pretty boy once, shame on him.

Fooled by a pretty boy twice, shame on me.

Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who just as soon hogtie a man as look at him … until Jamie MacKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well lassoes her heart. But when Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than him, Cassie finds herself bucked by love a second time, sending her back to Texas to lick her wounds and heal her heart. In her absence, Jamie discovers money can’t buy love, but love built on faith can set a heart free, a truth he discovers a little too late … or is it?

Was it hard to keep the O’Connors constantly coming back fresh and strong and growing in life and faith without seeming redundant?

Surprisingly, no! Although many of the spiritual themes and some plot points are the same in a number of the books, the characters themselves are ALL so different from each other, that it’s like a different fingerprint for each scenario despite the similarities.

What are you going to miss the most about this series? The predictability? The knowledge of who you wrote about? The characters themselves?

Oh, without question, the characters themselves! Keep in mind that I’ve lived with the O’Connors since I was twelve years old when I penned the first 150 pages of what would eventually become A Passion Most Pure. I’ve grown with them as they have grown and I’ve laughed and cried with them too, so that family is more than just fiction to me—it’s a piece of my heart and soul that I poured out on paper. A love letter to God, thanking Him for all the wonderful things He has done for me and the lessons I’ve learned at His feet. The O’Connors are a part of me, now and forever, and I will miss them dearly.

I don’t think I’ll be the only one not shedding a tear when I turn that last page! So give us some encouragement…what’s next on the writing horizon from your computer?

Trust me, the O’Connors may be gone for a while in my writing, but I promise they will be back! I have every intention of continuing the saga someday with those precocious cousins and, of course, Gabe, the O’Connor’s tomboy foster child. I hope to begin with a trilogy for Faith’s girls, then a trilogy for Charity’s twins Henry and Hope and Gabe and on down the line, each series taking place during the WWII period. Of course, each trilogy will include a 2nd-tier love story for the parents because I simply cannot let Faith and Collin, Charity and Mitch and the rest of the former hero/heroine couples go!

GREAT to have you here, Julie! Keep on, keeping on! You've got tons of readers who love you. :-)

Thanks, Case, for allowing me to connect with your readers, and I’m looking forward to giving one of them a signed copy of any of my books, including A Love Surrendered or an e-book of A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story. Just leave a comment telling me WHICH is your favorite O’Connor book and why. And if you haven’t read any, that’s okay too—just let me know, and if you win, I will make sure you get the first book in the series. GOOD LUCK!!

Of course, I LOVE to hear from reader friends, so they can feel free to contact me through my website at http://www.julielessman.com, either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/. My newsletter is chock-full of fun info on my books and there’s always a contest featuring signed book giveaways including one right now to have a character named after you or a loved one in my next book. Also, I have a cool feature on my website called “Journal Jots” at http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/, which is a very laid-back, Friday journal to my reader friends that would give your readers an idea as to my relaxed style of writing. Or they check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books on the “Excerpts” tab of my website at http://www.julielessman.com/excerpts/.  Finally, I can be found daily at The Seekers blog at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/, a group blog devoted to encouraging and helping aspiring writers on the road to publication.

Hugs,

Julie

Okay readers! Here is your chance to win either A Love Surrendered or A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story ebook from Julie!

For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber

And a BONUS entry!!

Please rate my review. You can only rate the review once, so if you've already happened to do so, just let me know and you'll still get the extra entry. Thanks!!

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 October 12th.

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 

Recap: ACFW 2012 In Retrospect

I didn't get near enough hugs from dearest Beth Vogt

Sometimes God gives us divine appointments. The kind of opportunities that can only be given from the hand of a loving God. 

From the travel arrangements that almost looked as though they would never work out to traveling mercies over every single leg of our journey to the people God guided me too the entire time I attended the conference, this trip was Christ-ordained.

Sometimes we simply have to trust that God's timing is perfect. It's hard to accept that we might not get what we want when we want it, but He knows the desires of our hearts. He knows the important and unnecessary. He knows our future.

Meeting Cindy Woodsmall..what a gift!

Maybe you couldn't go because God has said no...no isn't the end. No just might the doorway to a completely different kind of the blessing. The kind that you might not see right away, but the kind that is so completely and wonderfully God. 

Fellow Alley Cat, Ashley Clark

I spent the last week and a half traveling to and from and attending the ACFW conference in Dallas, Texas. Never would have I have expected the response I found waiting for me there. And I'm so, so, so completely humbled. 

"Our best" is not often God's best, but trust, dear friends, that He knows our heart's deepest desires and is patiently waiting at your side for you to see a glimpse of our world and future through His eyes. Turn over your longings and desires to an understanding God...He, after all, gave up His Son for our salvation--He understands the ultimate of sacrifice. 

Katie Ganshert, Rosslyn Elliott, Me, Becky Wade

Alley Cat, Julia and friend Renee Ann Smith--My roomies!

Genesis winner Amy Matayo!

Sweetheart Lindsay Harrel

My sister of the heart, Pepper Basham.
Love, love, love this woman!

My Alley Cats, Gala style!! These women make my world complete and I love them so very much!

Unexpected Romance ~ Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof ~ Review

            It’s a mountain romance with a very interesting twist…because technically the reader isn’t inclined to like the hero.

            How do you enjoy reading a romance where the hero is completely unlikeable? Surprisingly enough, that is exactly what I did: greatly enjoyed this novel. It’s an unconventional romance, but one the reader is aware of when they start the book. Honesty with the reader is so key in a novel where the norm is far from the expected and it kept me from becoming overly frustrated with this young man.

            The plot is one reason I loved the novel so much. The unexpected takes an ordinary setting, a tried and true plot and crafts it captivating.

            “Be Still My Soul” is a quick read, but a fulfilling one. The Blue Ridge Mountains make for a great backdrop for our characters struggles, contributing to their hardship, but also how they handle them. And I loved these characters. I know, I know a hero you can’t like, you ask? Read the book, I promise you’ll find something in Gideon to love, I know I did. By the end of the last page, I held every confidence in this young couple. That to me, is writing at some of its finest. Take a character you can’t love and believably change them before the end of the novel…? You’ll have to read the book to see for yourself. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

            This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my advance copy to review.

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More about the novel...

Night’s chill tickled her skin. Lonnie pressed her hands together and glanced up. He was even more handsome up close. Having grown up the shy, awkward daughter of Joel Sawyer, she’d hardly spoken to any boy, let alone the one who had mothers whispering warnings in their daughter’s ears and fathers loading shotguns.
 
Pretty Lonnie Sawyer is shy and innocent, used to fading into the background within her family, and among the creeks and hollows of the Appalachian hills. Though her family is poor and her father abusive, she clings to a quiet faith.  But when handsome ladies’ man and bluegrass musician Gideon O’Riley steals a kiss, that one action seals her fate.  
 
Her father forces her into a hasty marriage with Gideon—a man she barely knows and does not love. Equally frustrated and confused by his new responsibilities, Gideon yearns for a fresh start, forcing  Lonnie on an arduous journey away from her home in Rocky Knob. 
 
Her distant groom can’t seem to surrender his rage at the injustice of the forced matrimony or give Lonnie any claim in his life.  What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts?
 
Gideon only ever cared about himself. Now that Lonnie is his wife, will he ever be worthy of her heart?

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Would you please consider rating my review? I'd appreciate the support through the Blogging for Books website. You're not obligated to sign up for anything, but your email is required to ensure a review is not rated more than once. Thank you!! :D

Special Review! With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

“With Every Letter” is a pleasure-filled journey set in a historically rich period: WWII. I adore the concept of this novel: two people, exchanging letters fall in love, but have never met, all set against the backdrop of a time rife with turmoil.

            The plot is unique and takes the reader on a series of twists that only make the book more of a discovery to read. With the first in a new series of three, I’m eager to learn what is coming up next.

            I thought the theme of friendship a bit overdone at times. It felt too strongly overt for many of the moments of character growth, however when looked upon as a whole, the journey of the characters is one marked with the learning of accepting and giving forgiveness more than anything else.

            The characters certainly make their share of mistakes, but I found I truly cared for these two people. They are surrounded by a time that demands everything from them. I found their determination inspiring. The romance, is of course, my favorite plot element…and I don’t think disappoints. I loved the moments of “dancing”, in more than just the implied idea. ;-)

            A great start to a new series…I’m looking forward to what’s next.

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

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More about the novel...

Book 1 in the Wings of the Nightingale series

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she’s never met–even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence–he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. 

Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?
Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing–and true love.

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Contest Info!!

Celebrate with Sarah by entering to win a eReader (winner's choice of Kindle Fire or Nook Color)!

See what folks are saying about With Every Letter!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire or Nook Color (winner’s choice)
• Handmade With Every Letter First Aid Kit
• With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 26th. Winner will be announced at the “With Every Letter” Author Chat Facebook Party on 9/27. Connect with Sarah, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of With Every Letter and join Sarah on the evening of the September 27th for a chance to connect with Sarah and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!