tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71249874864816114462024-03-14T05:45:22.722-04:00History repeats itselfA view of upstate New York history, historical fiction, and book reviews. Occasional author interviews, too. An emphasis on the American Civil War and local history to Elmira, NY.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-28936148398947379842014-08-04T05:00:00.000-04:002014-08-04T22:42:55.259-04:00Interview with Nancy Kimball and giveaway Chasing the Lion audiobook<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfSOMpwfA_7GJOZj83X_omgRpWisIJkl29SksY6bx7IKDo82NoVU7CCSnJ-VvQlVUjFMKlIq3qW9VWOUxM_MImFD-Zr9_FUZUrSphak-Ozt6njuV-0po96HkQwgfOJoKcmu8bAGQ9qUwN/s1600/Nancy+Kimball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfSOMpwfA_7GJOZj83X_omgRpWisIJkl29SksY6bx7IKDo82NoVU7CCSnJ-VvQlVUjFMKlIq3qW9VWOUxM_MImFD-Zr9_FUZUrSphak-Ozt6njuV-0po96HkQwgfOJoKcmu8bAGQ9qUwN/s1600/Nancy+Kimball.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome Nancy! What a
thrill to have you as an honored guest. I first met Nancy Kimball when she and
I were finalists in the 2012 Genesis contest for unpublished writers. She is an
amazing writer and a terrific person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for having me! I remember that well because the other
historical finalist was my crit partner. Secretly I think we both needed you to
win so we wouldn’t have the awkwardness if she or I had one, LOL, so we cheered
you long and loud for your well-deserved win that year. And by the way, my
debut novel was that same story. He looks good all grown up, doesn’t he? =)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWrsi80ZTTj9hN3qX9Zm3FcDgJg-FIyggGJiQLPUk-PQWsCaLnfB0pY9TC_6X9rnJl9bY9_LFGBhTXT0lnlyDVhXTmpWG_epSJGMAbBvNjaEKRdoNEI7xN3tjwf5UUiqTeQdp1SLixmEx/s1600/Chasing+Lion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWrsi80ZTTj9hN3qX9Zm3FcDgJg-FIyggGJiQLPUk-PQWsCaLnfB0pY9TC_6X9rnJl9bY9_LFGBhTXT0lnlyDVhXTmpWG_epSJGMAbBvNjaEKRdoNEI7xN3tjwf5UUiqTeQdp1SLixmEx/s1600/Chasing+Lion+2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are so happy to
have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit about
yourself. I know we’re all going to enjoy getting to know you and your work
better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: First of all,
granola with chocolate chips, celery sticks with organic peanut butter, or a decadent
mocha frappe with New York style cheesecake?
;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How is pizza not among my choices? Where is the pizza, Kathleen?
#highmaintenanceguest</span></b><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What causes are you
passionate about, and how do they find their way into your writing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Watch me keep being difficult, LOL, but for me it’s an attitude
rather than a cause. I believe, and have personally experienced over and over,
that no life is too messed up and broken to be used by </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God, and that no person
is too far gone for the Lord to redeem. I think </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0YOCRkE3mzux9MKEVeFsPkQ_2X5ec57oBTPVKukpCAi4L24lgjqjNZB6UT1osLjODuicGVNMtETJRU1lpjrQeVQkrMIhMMWk73CzdTiGV8Y3V_sVlJpWI6W0jX0_fInl-qKMAVcn0CK4/s1600/Chasing+Lion+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0YOCRkE3mzux9MKEVeFsPkQ_2X5ec57oBTPVKukpCAi4L24lgjqjNZB6UT1osLjODuicGVNMtETJRU1lpjrQeVQkrMIhMMWk73CzdTiGV8Y3V_sVlJpWI6W0jX0_fInl-qKMAVcn0CK4/s1600/Chasing+Lion+3.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christians have no trouble
believing this, until we’re required to translate that belief into practical
application, especially for ourselves. I already knew this in my own life,
which I’d wrecked fairly well prior to writing this novel. However, I hadn’t
realized how fully that truth for me had translated into my hero’s journey
until we reached the end together. It was at that point we renamed the series
“The Sword of Redemption” (from Forges of Faith). The same way our hero’s sword
brought redemption to many throughout the story, it was the same way God
through the sword of His word and the Spirit (Eph. 6:17, Heb. 4:12 ) brought
redemption to my hero, and to me in my own life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: If you could sit
down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that
be and what is the first question you would ask?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prince Jonathan, from the Bible, and my first question would be
how did he remain faithful to God and loyal to two men he loved that were
enemies for most of his life.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Which parts of your
heroine or hero are you, or do you aspire to be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am all the characters in <i>Chasing
the Lion</i>. From the bravest of heroes like Jonathan and the deepest of faith
Christ-followers like Nessa to the vilest of villains. (Caius Pullus &
Valentina Florus anyone?) It was a great question, Kathleen, but I’ve found for
me I have to continue to be as honest with myself as I am with my readers and
it means owning I’m the villains just as much as the heroes and heroines. Like
when a prism is held to the light, the refraction allows you to see all the
colors individually that make the light. I’m the prism and the characters in
this novel are my colors. Every last one of them.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Tell us about your
writing journey and how you came to the indie decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chasing the Lion was my first NaNoWriMo project. The next two
years were spent learning the craft of fiction and making it a publication
ready novel instead of a beginner manuscript. After countless revisions and
rewrites, I sold <i>Chasing the Lion</i> to
a small press in 2013. Later that year the publisher and I chose to part ways
because of contract issues and differing expectations of each other. For the
first time I began to seriously consider self-publishing. I met Indie author
Nicole Deese (a God thing) and after a lot of prayer and reflection, made the
decision to self-publish in January of this year. For more on the how and the
why I went Indie, see this post at <a href="http://wotsacfw.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-i-chose-to-self-publish-by-nancy.html">Writers
on the Storm</a>.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What message do
you hope your readers will take away from your debut? And can you hint at any
works to come? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have a choice with what to do with your suffering. This is
driven home in a letter in the final chapter that is very special to me, and
explained in the acknowledgements. As for my work in progress, it is the sequel
of course!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_YEr7jxqrX6Jim1JMKDSsinUNJnFpnD3_sM52MtjOws-giGAvB5SW4F2028FE9rS3CdinDfWtL0GmwpCFbioqNKRDwLxxdYISXH2omEaF8J_tI1CE28GDEBwuLHrMsn7cRT37Mv-pynK/s1600/Chasing+Lion+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_YEr7jxqrX6Jim1JMKDSsinUNJnFpnD3_sM52MtjOws-giGAvB5SW4F2028FE9rS3CdinDfWtL0GmwpCFbioqNKRDwLxxdYISXH2omEaF8J_tI1CE28GDEBwuLHrMsn7cRT37Mv-pynK/s1600/Chasing+Lion+4.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In their quest to defend Rome and protect all they hold dear,
our heroes will again be tested. Old enemies return, alliances are tested and a
new threat greater than any they’ve faced is coming. <i>Charging the Darkness</i> (Spring 2015).</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Do you have a question
you would like our blog readers to answer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mE8T0LDkB-bsnppD_MRbh3ABfawnmXsOO8AiiIMcu78A9P4u1bKpEBWjXxsAuUwM-ciVr0xZ9av8DLbwuz74igc0rANZhiwP3oU0M9EKbyq45eAvNT7ec2lWHNKSxmReXAUmf4dpLr0E/s1600/Chasing+Lion+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mE8T0LDkB-bsnppD_MRbh3ABfawnmXsOO8AiiIMcu78A9P4u1bKpEBWjXxsAuUwM-ciVr0xZ9av8DLbwuz74igc0rANZhiwP3oU0M9EKbyq45eAvNT7ec2lWHNKSxmReXAUmf4dpLr0E/s1600/Chasing+Lion+1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes! For the authors, I want to know if you write or edit to
music like I do. And for readers, have you tried audiobooks yet? Why or why
not? And I would LOVE to giveaway a copy of the recently released audiobook of <i>Chasing the Lion</i>. Trust me. I have one
of the most amazing narrators the world has ever heard! (That was a God-thing
too.)<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b style="color: #c00000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">***Listen to an excerpt from the audiobook</b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-PGGFEjmAM&feature=youtu.be" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">here</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Author, avid reader, and shameless hero addict, Nancy Kimball
loves books, Ancient Rome, and all things gladiator. She makes her home in
Houston, Texas with one very spoiled pitbull mix named Eric T. and still
doesn’t understand the point of white crayons. Learn more and read the
incredible story “Finding Jonathan” at her <a href="http://www.nancykimball.com/">official website</a> and connect with her
on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/authornancykimball">Facebook</a>. </span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-67182801159845221822014-05-04T11:26:00.000-04:002014-05-04T11:26:26.431-04:00Elmira Prison Camp Sesquicentennial Living History Event May 3Forgive me for being geeked out today. History has been a passion of mine since I was in middle school. (No need to tell you all exactly how many years ago that was. Suffice to say, <i>my youngest child </i>is now in middle school.) But not just history, <b>local</b> history. And <b>Civil War</b> history. It was like the perfect triumvirate of awesome yesterday when my family and I attended a living history event commemorating the Civil War prison camp's <b>150th anniversary</b> along the banks of the<b> Chemung River. </b><div>
<b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PoztLHSxvs4Py1ElB8YXBA63d6hD8mourSqal6pGeP4pzsdkN1boejD_8cHfituNYRr4v_zStPsPY1NxWNqzejnQT6Gt0UXqWlJi1ECb2l6Z1L3i73lCiJjbF2dtETi2fP-MUdSdku6I/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PoztLHSxvs4Py1ElB8YXBA63d6hD8mourSqal6pGeP4pzsdkN1boejD_8cHfituNYRr4v_zStPsPY1NxWNqzejnQT6Gt0UXqWlJi1ECb2l6Z1L3i73lCiJjbF2dtETi2fP-MUdSdku6I/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /><div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktd4uLw9wkKoD1XL4doBBd1T8JnXppZ6e07XxdEHELZgzoNdDLIN5j8tw5j-yhkjtOEsrOA5lBXspIo_Jhyphenhyphenhjv2HdJwDc1mRHce3R6lE8eGl_CpSbhKttQjaNHhXgrJ0swZ1NaOtg2Inf/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktd4uLw9wkKoD1XL4doBBd1T8JnXppZ6e07XxdEHELZgzoNdDLIN5j8tw5j-yhkjtOEsrOA5lBXspIo_Jhyphenhyphenhjv2HdJwDc1mRHce3R6lE8eGl_CpSbhKttQjaNHhXgrJ0swZ1NaOtg2Inf/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a>A few quick facts about <b>Elmira Prison Camp</b>:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Called <b>Hellmira</b> by the <b>Confederates</b> imprisoned there.</li>
<li>From May 3, 1864 when barracks #3 were converted to house prisoners to July 1665 when the last prisoners were mustered out, <b>24 %</b> of its population died.</li>
<li>disease, starvation, putrid water supply, exposure to extreme weather, and overcrowding are among causes of high death rate.</li>
<li><b>Highest death rate</b> of any camp, North or South--even than <b>Andersonville.</b></li>
<li>built to house 5,000 men, population swelled to 10,000 within weeks. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9CZc5RiHKloLjRs8bnQP38tR9ywA-1rXiOwP4IIT2oFj-Le9ogZXlXV6KLAp-FdTb5wu0_rxoTg7TbRQp9ZKNhW9X62m-AuWhAXXN_TYRuHVtU3S6-iBc9z-mPtTn1JjT6Z_DMYwT3bC/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9CZc5RiHKloLjRs8bnQP38tR9ywA-1rXiOwP4IIT2oFj-Le9ogZXlXV6KLAp-FdTb5wu0_rxoTg7TbRQp9ZKNhW9X62m-AuWhAXXN_TYRuHVtU3S6-iBc9z-mPtTn1JjT6Z_DMYwT3bC/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bridge to Foster's Island--me in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
With this dramatic history, it seemed especially meaningful yesterday as the <b>Chemung Living History Association</b> came together with reenactors to present the event on <b>Foster Pond </b>near the actual campgrounds. </div>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvvl0_KDAmKcQ5pto0wb_kNDHvmMB8MG-WWCnGZuyeBowday2R6HdZVyT1k3LqUijIu_i1RSeAuEs6KhSeWdOJLaA6P84vWwkJHGvBOtFaiBzv3rFBHDC9XLLwyvNV9kDFyeZRkdCoCmM/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvvl0_KDAmKcQ5pto0wb_kNDHvmMB8MG-WWCnGZuyeBowday2R6HdZVyT1k3LqUijIu_i1RSeAuEs6KhSeWdOJLaA6P84vWwkJHGvBOtFaiBzv3rFBHDC9XLLwyvNV9kDFyeZRkdCoCmM/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fixin' tater soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4Ur7wXz2A11jdadvIzRr-rtZCeMOIWX1clznrRVS0mOnxQfF5dQdGWzkJaXEut-B9mB8q1MH_xa6frUBU0AhUy-yr2bMGyf0-Xe9ijWbW8JRtUQ4fi4SX6ltNH-kxzsYdBtQuiiWkv96/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4Ur7wXz2A11jdadvIzRr-rtZCeMOIWX1clznrRVS0mOnxQfF5dQdGWzkJaXEut-B9mB8q1MH_xa6frUBU0AhUy-yr2bMGyf0-Xe9ijWbW8JRtUQ4fi4SX6ltNH-kxzsYdBtQuiiWkv96/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inspecting the troops before battle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KnKFj7AQk9gYsB8KDQat7J3ouzZIUgN4pRiqtZt66ONM5Hzx51PBpvtZNTnhFaQA7bWrBMu8LHy1sFQ8Qs5M3vUMwdeqiySfHfeF02dhUxkAQTZTC5VnuqHkB0oS0G5ILucoQwMhmQNQ/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KnKFj7AQk9gYsB8KDQat7J3ouzZIUgN4pRiqtZt66ONM5Hzx51PBpvtZNTnhFaQA7bWrBMu8LHy1sFQ8Qs5M3vUMwdeqiySfHfeF02dhUxkAQTZTC5VnuqHkB0oS0G5ILucoQwMhmQNQ/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVOIk1suIUt_RjEKPJq6My_zXLTyvIwEixnyTUVgufhPstf9B1ncZlra0RXKVgOhId1zcRTuGBGlx0CkrF8grICg5VzBI7sK8VGQS1vL9SUg8UpGZZRs_AejrmU6tzD19tLF7ofKCd45w/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVOIk1suIUt_RjEKPJq6My_zXLTyvIwEixnyTUVgufhPstf9B1ncZlra0RXKVgOhId1zcRTuGBGlx0CkrF8grICg5VzBI7sK8VGQS1vL9SUg8UpGZZRs_AejrmU6tzD19tLF7ofKCd45w/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union soldiers fire first shots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMhheSB66GgFIIbiDW4UoIrv8mh6U49vly6WXnTFN2leqnIIL7sUbMVzzU_eikzhi4WDcjrRIBgM349k7c8XrU4ZUV_T0cUXnyy1rTTqwV8obw7fmT2WhdNZHxELLJdQTfkagwTW9flkL/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMhheSB66GgFIIbiDW4UoIrv8mh6U49vly6WXnTFN2leqnIIL7sUbMVzzU_eikzhi4WDcjrRIBgM349k7c8XrU4ZUV_T0cUXnyy1rTTqwV8obw7fmT2WhdNZHxELLJdQTfkagwTW9flkL/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Infantry answer the Union volley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kopCtgFHDRiLfCgwSRO1CJvmPTwtnZdyu0nC-sa2dxRTaHIV-iytf6rkWEx_9m-xRHn1swJ7LL4z4Gt4Ccgr_BDaWaUfq746t3V-uGiQpQe7HJDZNotFd225gX2F9tVSjzWj0WpuHEuI/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kopCtgFHDRiLfCgwSRO1CJvmPTwtnZdyu0nC-sa2dxRTaHIV-iytf6rkWEx_9m-xRHn1swJ7LL4z4Gt4Ccgr_BDaWaUfq746t3V-uGiQpQe7HJDZNotFd225gX2F9tVSjzWj0WpuHEuI/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaplain praying for dying soldier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-29743565177160682182014-03-05T04:30:00.000-05:002014-03-05T07:22:40.880-05:00Viking Week: interview with Heather Day Gilbert, author of God's Daughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJmAtnecJpQb1fFyzlPskwoXlfhr9Cp3j_RakBZbGs4WrkW-PZFk9D9s9DM4YS8Mf1uaDGy9rojvkmtl0klE7KEwrwbow4VfDOdULpupIU7tdCncHZw408jzqFA7VbZgy8bznVwKtu6Ue/s1600/bistro+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJmAtnecJpQb1fFyzlPskwoXlfhr9Cp3j_RakBZbGs4WrkW-PZFk9D9s9DM4YS8Mf1uaDGy9rojvkmtl0klE7KEwrwbow4VfDOdULpupIU7tdCncHZw408jzqFA7VbZgy8bznVwKtu6Ue/s1600/bistro+side.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome Heather! We
are so happy to have you here today and feature your book this week, and I am excited that you have agreed to share a
bit about yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: First of all to
ward off this crazy, persistently chilly weather, French vanilla coffee, hot
cocoa, or steaming tea? ;) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, boy. The answer is
ALWAYS coffee for me, no matter what type! A nice cappuccino sounds really good
today...</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What causes are you
passionate about, and do they find their way into your writing? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm passionate about
many things, but one issue that's found its way into all my books so far is the
need to present marriage realistically. I think most married couples, if
they're honest, would say they have gone through some really rough times, even
if they're just newlyweds! There are seasons to marriage, and I feel it's
important to show the ups and downs we all experience. Another topic I often find
creeping into my stories is the supernatural, because I think it's a hard thing
to understand—yet it's so important to look at it biblically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: If you could sit
down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that
be and what is the first question you would ask?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think right now, it
would definitely be Freydis, daughter of Eirik the Red, and the woman who will
be the main character in my second Viking novel, <i>Forest Child</i>. She did some things historically and I really want to
know the true motivations she had<i>. </i>However,
I'm afraid I might hate her answers and then readers would hate her too! I'm
really striving to incorporate the reality of her choices with the reasons that
could have pushed her into them.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Who have been your
mentors, and how did they help you most?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Grandma Wilcox, my
great-aunt Jenny Lee (also a writer), my parents, my in-laws, my
siblings...honestly, my family has been so supportive of every writing
endeavor. But it's really the prayers that are the biggest help. Prayers are
powerful, even if you feel like they're not being heard. My mom also taught me
the importance of giving things up to the Lord—which means asking Him for
guidance and then, often, taking those hard steps of obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not to mention my
husband, who I would say has really pushed me to ask those hard questions of
the Bible and has helped me understand it better. I have so much respect for
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3T-MMq3eTe9MwOhPfT4grq9RTwHKAVdBf0LszveCQn9ZaBFtFP6dzfzcQNd6EeVQGtbJaytvtIHiHmYwiqJYSGPAsBkh1tTjv1A2HhI8Gh8oIatevuWXhtsDAW-OIW0eTc0kas7_YWI1/s1600/FinalKindlecoverGD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3T-MMq3eTe9MwOhPfT4grq9RTwHKAVdBf0LszveCQn9ZaBFtFP6dzfzcQNd6EeVQGtbJaytvtIHiHmYwiqJYSGPAsBkh1tTjv1A2HhI8Gh8oIatevuWXhtsDAW-OIW0eTc0kas7_YWI1/s1600/FinalKindlecoverGD.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Which parts of your
wonderful Viking heroine Gudrid are you, and which are the heroine you aspire
to be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Great question! Our
characters often reflect us in some ways as authors, and you really have to get
into their heads when you write in first person, as I do. I'm more like Freydis
in some ways and more like Gudrid in others. I feel compassion for others and
have that desire to heal, like Gudrid. But I also tend to run out and fight,
like Freydis. Also, my in-laws are a huge, loving part of my life, like they
are for Gudrid—they <i>are</i> my family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As to what I aspire to
with Gudrid: I love her deep faith in God's goodness. I tend to question
everything, but Gudrid tends to trust.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What message do
you hope your readers will take away from your books? And can you hint at any
works to come?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I hope they take away
several things: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1) Vikings weren't
that weird or different from us on many levels. They had the same motivations
(just like humans throughout history). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2) Lust in marriage
can be overcome, as well as a host of other misunderstandings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3) Paganism was not a
good thing for the Vikings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4) Sometimes we don't
give our spouses enough credit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As far as upcoming
novels, I have a contemporary Appalachian mystery, <i>Miranda Warning</i>, which will release (hopefully!) June 20, 2014
(West Virginia Day). I'm so excited about this book, which brings modern West
Virginia to readers...and my main character, Tess Spencer, is close to my
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My second book in <i>The Vikings of the New World Saga</i> will
be next in line for publication—<i>Forest
Child</i>. I'm figuring this won't release until 2015. Again, Freydis is such a
multi-faceted gal—an anti-hero in some ways—that I want to be sure I take time
to get her right, plus integrate all the historical details properly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Do you have a
question you would like our blog readers to answer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>I'd just love to know
what you think about books with married main characters, and what the
benefits/drawbacks of those might be. Since that's all I've written so far, I'd
like your input (I have thought about writing YA or NA). </b></span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Heather has graciously agreed to give away an ecopy of her wonderful book to one lucky commenter. Please leave your email when you reply to be entered.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author
Bio:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="BodyTextIndent1" style="text-indent: 0in;">
Heather Day
Gilbert enjoys writing stories about authentic, believable marriages. Sixteen
years of marriage to her sweet Yankee husband have given her some perspective,
as well as ten years spent homeschooling. Heather regularly posts on <a href="http://www.novelrocket.com/">Novel Rocket</a> about self-publishing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="BodyTextIndent1" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyTextIndent1" style="text-indent: 0in;">
You can
find Heather at her website, <a href="http://www.heatherdaygilbert.com/">Heather
Day Gilbert—Author</a>, and at her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Day-Gilbert/255797467834948">Facebook
Author Page</a>, as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/heatherdgilbert">Twitter</a>,
<a href="http://pinterest.com/heatherdgilbert/boards/">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/heatherdaygilbert">YouTube</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18364996-god-s-daughter">Goodreads</a>.
Her Viking novel, <b><i>God's Daughter</i></b>, is an Amazon bestseller. You can find it on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GAJKV8G">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/372110">Smashwords</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-87601307705505792542014-03-03T02:30:00.000-05:002014-03-03T02:30:04.713-05:00Viking Week! God's Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert: review and giveaway<br />
<a href="http://newevolutiondesigns.com/images/freebies/winter-wallpaper-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://newevolutiondesigns.com/images/freebies/winter-wallpaper-12.jpg" height="250" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a>Has this long winter got you feeling like you've moved to Iceland, minus the volcanoes? It has for me. Here in upstate NY we have small glaciers in our back yards, and the reindeer are being rounded up for our monthly trek to the store. Well, maybe not literally. But it is starting to feel like it.<br />
<br />
As they say, when in Reykjavik, do as the . . . . oh, wait. That's Rome. But as long as you've come for Viking week, pull up a fur and a cup of grog, and warm yourself by the fire. I have a story to review that I think you are going to love!<br />
<br />
<br />
God's Daughter by Heather Day Gilbert.<br />
<br />
This is not your mama's bonnet and buggy romance. This is a story in which heroines wear axes and know how to use them, where wolves--not diamonds--are a girl's best friend, and when men were either there to protect or pillage you. A girl had to be on her toes in 1000 AD, a time and place where winter sticks around most of the year and exploration to uncharted lands brings clashes with natives, unknown illnesses, mutiny among a rowdy crew, and rebellion among the slaves you rely on for daily living. And all the while you juggle that, you are caring for a newborn, delivering your sister-in-law's baby, and serving as healer. Not to mention dodging the pagan practices of the day, as you hope and pray you can influence others for the Christian God.<br />
<br />
Sound like a good read? It was all that and much more. . .<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuieqxr6hy_BhTlqsxEQ-_WzrsPstip8VLNw2eRHStx98A7ILR_fTw3emjYus3pUvw_gLs2RVNYDxkxhN5MB8QZ_XYCTbPkjDeVbww-SeFeudRJ1EIzwC3_6wmBxOTcmvtNeeM-WxW_wz/s1600/FinalKindlecoverGD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuieqxr6hy_BhTlqsxEQ-_WzrsPstip8VLNw2eRHStx98A7ILR_fTw3emjYus3pUvw_gLs2RVNYDxkxhN5MB8QZ_XYCTbPkjDeVbww-SeFeudRJ1EIzwC3_6wmBxOTcmvtNeeM-WxW_wz/s1600/FinalKindlecoverGD.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a><br />
<b>One Viking woman. One God. One legendary journey to North America.</b><br />
<b>In the tenth century, when pagan holy women rule the Viking lands, Gudrid turns her back on hertraining as a seeress to embrace Christianity. Clinging to her faith, she joins her husband, Finn, on a voyage to North America.</b><br />
<b>But even as Gudrid faces down murderous crewmen, raging sickness, and hostile natives, she realizes her greatest enemy is herself—and the secrets she hides might just tear her marriage apart.</b><br />
<b>Almost five centuries before Columbus, Viking women sailed to North America with their husbands.God’s Daughter, Book One in the Vikings of the New World Saga, offers an expansive yet intimate look into the world of Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir—daughter-in-law of Eirik the Red, and the firstdocumented European woman to have a child in North America.</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />My review:<br />I've read dozens of inspirational titles in the last five years, and have loved a few, and enjoyed many more. What I value about any book is a fresh, original voice, learning a new history or setting, and falling in love with the characters. This book had it all.<br />Gudrid is a heroine in the true sense of the word, and her admirable strength and compassion in the face of powerful adversity and danger impressed me. But what will stay with me for a long time is her bared soul. As handy as she is with her Icelandic seax weapon and her ability to stand up against barbaric Viking men, what made me love her was her bared soul. She is a wonderful contradiction of strength and vulnerability, of morality and human weakness, of pain and healing. It was a pleasure to see how each of her longings and conflicts were resolved.<br />The author, who was new to me, had a lovely, "invisible" voice, meaning her vivid story world emerged in all five senses, while her intrusion in the story faded to nonexistence. The conflicts, tastes, longings, and experiences of each character were palpable, and told in first person present point of view, which added to the immediacy of the dangers, challenges, and hopes which move the story forward.<br />Likewise, the story delivered a powerful journey back in time to a thrilling time in history. I enjoyed learning about Norse custom and beliefs, particularly at a time when Christianity's influence challenged practices such as human sacrifice, rape and pillaging. The setting felt convincing, and in every way enhanced the page-turning plot.<br />I am eager to see the next installment of this series, and consider my week reading this book time very well spent.<br /><br /><b><br /></b><span style="color: red;"><b>As thanks for coming to our hearty Viking longhouse party, I am giving away my gently loved print copy of God's Daughter to one lucky commenter. Leave your name and email addy and I will select a winner on Saturday, March 8.</b></span><br /><br />Stay tuned as on Wednesday, I will post an interview with Heather Day Gilbert and she will be offering an ecopy of God's Daughter to another winner, also to be drawn on Saturday.<br /><br /><br /><div>
<br />
<a href="http://heatherdaygilbert.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/me-tree2.jpg?w=300&h=225" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://heatherdaygilbert.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/me-tree2.jpg?w=300&h=225" /></a><br />
Heather Day Gilbert writes character-driven novels that go beyond the vows, capturing the triumphs and heartaches unique to married couples. A graduate of Bob Jones University, she’s been married to her sweet Yankee husband for over sixteen years. After ten years of homeschooling and six years of writing, she really doesn’t have many hobbies. Born and raised in the West Virginia mountains, she believes that bittersweet, generational stories are in her blood.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-39361738367832470562014-01-20T00:25:00.000-05:002014-01-20T00:25:00.087-05:00Interview with Marji Laine and new serial romance A Dozen Apologies, with giveaway links<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r7FgIcG9mqNP0pi5PvFmAkhqeadRtkNUJ6_Nk2-btIJkPUpH6VHKy4TVGNF8UwbJ7BEr94v-AwM2qN5DkVZ5lkadpO-7BvN6XBX0QKuv74tfvvsZOm-8QmtHIlEGA244TCbLC2c411IK/s1600/Marji+Laine+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r7FgIcG9mqNP0pi5PvFmAkhqeadRtkNUJ6_Nk2-btIJkPUpH6VHKy4TVGNF8UwbJ7BEr94v-AwM2qN5DkVZ5lkadpO-7BvN6XBX0QKuv74tfvvsZOm-8QmtHIlEGA244TCbLC2c411IK/s1600/Marji+Laine+(1).jpg" height="372" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome Marji! We are
so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit
about yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: First of all, hot
cocoa, warmed mulled cider, or cappuccino?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh that’s easy! Hot
chocolate with a little dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Mmmm!</span><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What causes are you
passionate about, and do they find their way into your writing? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That’s a toughie. It’s
not that I don’t have opinions, I do. But I’m a peacemaker. The only thing I’m
truly passionate about is sharing the truth and love and grace of the Lord.
And, YES, that finds its way into my writing quite a lot!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: When did you first
know you were a writer?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve dabbled for
decades. Started a screenplay when I was 7. Lol! About three years ago, my mom
challenged me with the question of what I would do if time and money weren’t an
issue. I said, “Write!” without hesitation. I actually surprised myself because
I had a strong scrap booking home-business. I didn’t surprise my mom, though.
Even my sweet hubby encouraged me to focus my efforts on writing and eliminate
as many interruptions as possible. Not an easy thing for a home-schooling mom
of 4 to do, but writing became my fulltime career and I haven’t regretted it
for a moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: If you could sit
down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that
be and what is the first question you would ask? </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mara--main character</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So many choices! I’d
love to sit and chat with Laura Bush, Angela Lansbury, or Cleopatra. But if I
have to ask a specific question … I think I’d like to chat with the main
character in this collaborative novella with which I’m involved. I can’t
imagine what she expected when she set out to apologize to all of the men she
humiliated. But it’s easy to see from the picture why the men fell for her like
they did.</span><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Who have been your
mentors, and how did they help you most? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lena Nelson Dooley has
been so helpful to me. Not only has she helped me wade through the waters of
this publishing realm, but she even encouraged me to pitch to my agent. I don’t
think I would have been brave enough without her. Another couple of critique
partners who have always been spot-on with their suggestions are Lynne Gentry
and Kellie Coates Gilbert.</span><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What do you
hope your readers will take away from your books? And can you hint at any works
to come?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In my books, I want my
readers to find a character who lives out the faith she professes. Mara has an
extraordinary experience in the first chapter of A Dozen Apologies that sets up
the entire book based on her dedication to follow the Lord’s leading.</span><span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Do you have a
question you would like our blog readers to answer?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes! This story deals
with a lady who is willing to take up almost any job she can find. Some of them
are quite humorous. <b>What’s the craziest job you ever had or the weirdest thing
you ever did on a job?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you for being
with us this week. I wish you every blessing as you write for His glory!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks so much,
Kathleen! I’m really excited about A Dozen Apologies. It is a unique novella in
several ways. First, the chapters are being posted, one per weekday, on the
Write Integrity Press blog <a href="http://writeintegrity.com/">writeintegrity.com</a>. And the postings started
TODAY! Second, there are 12 different authors for this one story, but the
transitions are seamless. Third, after the first 13 chapters are posted, the
readers have to decide the ending of the book. Each chapter has a different
hero. The most favorite hero gets the girl. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And finally, once the
ending is determined, the last chapter will only be available in the Kindle
book itself. BUT, that book will be FREE for Valentine’s Day and the two days
following, so everyone can enjoy the whole story.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #943634; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can find me at <a href="http://marjilaine.com/">MarjiLaine.com</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarjiLaine">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/marjilaine/">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7328540.Marji_Laine">Goodreads</a>,
and <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/102763794898263140539/posts">Google+</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-LT-C1A-5DDk%2FUsuPpREIKGI%2FAAAAAAAAAwU%2FC53dKc6tOPs%2Fs1600%2FMara%2Bpicture.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb9TQQ5Bs1YYSRNs1QrbogrZ0fZuiUxLi19JiCwJEs-74lU50qPzCNOBlYKkzwYxwCD1k0TSSCXbzaXrwNu0pYUdsxIQFGcESPEGS1WhkRLacd0IXW2GM-39SoqL-qcJKyOBNb1hNI5O5/s1600/Mara+picture.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-17162725657331953772014-01-18T11:10:00.005-05:002014-01-21T11:05:57.564-05:00A Book that Read Me! God's Provision in Tough Times by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy--With #Giveaway<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516-AWu7BwL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg7eKPb0WaX752oN5p2obKJb98ENNrpvFpiQOlB7_O-xeXULmEh00kbG-5z2HU7mVF0GakrW19NdrzBiwlrgxiqAIzTqvuZ-NYBtkkXObgjKeT8chSe61RMBwjVd53kOi5BDzRNP2o-hjklqG-6bU2EzmrzBLVJA51JtO1O_0XAn4KuuRH6jmaYxoMEhyphenhyphenJs46oWaW8i-vCEfnLAuuBAkvTlKQDTlYGvSjbK-nDTn24Kxw=" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This 25 story collection was a gift to me by one if its contributors, Carrie Fancett Pagels. My review in no way reflects any obligation on my part to say something nice, or drum up promotion for it. I read this from cover to cover because it read me--my life situation needed the exact encouragement and faith that this collection of true stories of God's miraculous ways provides.<br />
<br />
Being without work now for 10 months, my family has recently even lost our extended unemployment benefits. We've been waiting for over a month to hear back on a second interview, and our emotions have run high as we wait for something to break in our circumstance. We are people of faith, and we believe that God can make a way where there seems to be no way. And that is exactly what each of these stories is about--God opening up His abundant storehouse through unexpected and often miraculous ways. One author tells of unclaimed money they didn't know they were owed. Another tells of a phone number to a job connection that mysteriously appeared where it shouldn't have. Still another received an inheritance that had been tied up for years in court--exactly when they needed it most.<br />
<br />
I loved the transparent and humble contribution by Cecil Stokes, the award-winning, uber-successful producer of Christian film and TV including October Baby. His pain, his soul-searching, his utter dependence on God for a few years as he trusted in God's leading, ultimately led to the pinnacle of his career so far. I related to so many of the different stories, sympathized with them all. Carrie Pagels talked about how her physical health led her and her family on a four state move within a year, and how the Lord finally brought them to their personal promised land. Cynthia's ongoing story shared through out the book in chapters was perhaps my favorite, as she challenged me to dare to believe not for just any job, but the right job. And to expect the Lord to meet our needs along the way. <br />
<br />
All of these true stories blessed me as I waited on God, and read, and prayed over my own situation. Each of the authors' personal experiences gave me courage to keep believing, to keep trusting in a God that seemed to take away, but who also blesses and gives. For instance, this past week, we had finally run out of all of our money. My husband decided to organize our bills and paperwork and pray over each one. Hidden in the middle of the piles and stacks was a check we had never seen. It gave us enough to get by on, like manna--our daily provision.<br />
<br />
Then, my husband received a call out of the blue yesterday to come to a training today--a Saturday. He is there as I type this, potentially starting a new job. He had to give up celebrating our son's birthday party, but we are hopeful, expectant. The faith that was stirred reading these testimonies of God's faithfulness played a role in our own breakthrough. Thank you Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy, and especially to Carrie Pagels, for providing a copy to read, relish and review.<br />
<br />
God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask, think or imagine. . . Let this collection build up your expectation for your own miracle.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Carrie Pagels has graciously offered to give away a copy of this book to one commenter. Please leave your email addy below if you wish to be entered. Drawing to be announced Wednesday, Jan 22 at 8 PM Eastern</span></b>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg7eKPb0WaX752oN5p2obKJb98ENNrpvFpiQOlB7_O-xeXULmEh00kbG-5z2HU7mVF0GakrW19NdrzBiwlrgxiqAIzTqvuZ-NYBtkkXObgjKeT8chSe61RMBwjVd53kOi5BDzRNP2o-hjklqG-6bU2EzmrzBLVJA51JtO1O_0XAn4KuuRH6jmaYxoMEhyphenhyphenJs46oWaW8i-vCEfnLAuuBAkvTlKQDTlYGvSjbK-nDTn24Kxw=" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg7eKPb0WaX752oN5p2obKJb98ENNrpvFpiQOlB7_O-xeXULmEh00kbG-5z2HU7mVF0GakrW19NdrzBiwlrgxiqAIzTqvuZ-NYBtkkXObgjKeT8chSe61RMBwjVd53kOi5BDzRNP2o-hjklqG-6bU2EzmrzBLVJA51JtO1O_0XAn4KuuRH6jmaYxoMEhyphenhyphenJs46oWaW8i-vCEfnLAuuBAkvTlKQDTlYGvSjbK-nDTn24Kxw=" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F516-AWu7BwL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%2CTopRight%2C1%2C0_SH20_BO1%2C204%2C203%2C200_.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg7eKPb0WaX752oN5p2obKJb98ENNrpvFpiQOlB7_O-xeXULmEh00kbG-5z2HU7mVF0GakrW19NdrzBiwlrgxiqAIzTqvuZ-NYBtkkXObgjKeT8chSe61RMBwjVd53kOi5BDzRNP2o-hjklqG-6bU2EzmrzBLVJA51JtO1O_0XAn4KuuRH6jmaYxoMEhyphenhyphenJs46oWaW8i-vCEfnLAuuBAkvTlKQDTlYGvSjbK-nDTn24Kxw=" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-41980885729509045112014-01-13T23:47:00.002-05:002014-01-13T23:49:04.352-05:00history repeats itself indeed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ4vQ6fikyby_mx6V3C6aX8sziZvO5BuWM92s4z5-1vMAq7DAQH56uIH3BqbHolIjM06CUMM0-iN8D7gUyvBx4RIh_jS3EHM3bpNuVf1Ox7GG5K4ALrd5wAxsHOARxGdPtVOZNYzUvO1m/s1600/history+repeats+cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ4vQ6fikyby_mx6V3C6aX8sziZvO5BuWM92s4z5-1vMAq7DAQH56uIH3BqbHolIjM06CUMM0-iN8D7gUyvBx4RIh_jS3EHM3bpNuVf1Ox7GG5K4ALrd5wAxsHOARxGdPtVOZNYzUvO1m/s400/history+repeats+cartoon.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-74098250661400865792014-01-01T17:00:00.000-05:002014-01-01T22:11:12.005-05:00The Scent of Fear by Susan Reinhardt #bloghop with #giveaway<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Scent-Fear-Susan-Reinhardt-ebook/dp/B00GTZEYKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385341599&sr=8-1&keywords=the+scent+of+fear+susan" rel="attachment wp-att-17801"><img alt="the scent of fear by susan j. reinhardt" class="aligncenter wp-image-17801" height="614" src="http://dianeestrella.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/the-scent-of-fear-by-susan-j.-reinhardt-682x1024.jpg" width="409" /></a></div>
< p dir="ltr"><b>First came<i> The Moses Conspiracy</i>, now comes..... <i>The Scent of Fear</i>.</b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-43125cd3-8cc1-90ad-9dfb-d08ef2e0d4d2">
The Zimmermans enjoy the tenuous peace in the wake of their hair-raising year battling the New Patriots. Unexpected visitors once again throw them into turmoil.</div>
< p dir="ltr">Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded the plan to break up a hate group ravaging the Christian community. Now, his enemies are out to eliminate him. Should he make a run for it or stick by his tried-and-true negotiating skills?
< p dir="ltr">Monty Addison, a topnotch operative, carried out his assignment in Bird-in-Hand. A plot to destroy his boss sends him on a mission. Without agency sanction, it may cost him everything - his career, his family, and maybe his life.
< p dir="ltr">Dr. Abby Weaver strives to save infants and toddlers in Holmes County, Ohio. When she meets two strangers, she can't get the tall, handsome one out of her mind. Will their paths intersect again or will dangerous times keep them apart?
< p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Scent of Fear</i> is available at:</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> ~~~<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Scent-Fear-Susan-Reinhardt-ebook/dp/B00GTZEYKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385341599&sr=8-1&keywords=the+scent+of+fear+susan">Amazon</a>~~~ </b></div>
< p style="text-align: center;"><b>~~~<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-scent-of-fear-susan-j-reinhardt/1117671560?ean=2940149053230">Barnes and Noble</a>~~~ </b>
< p style="text-align: left;"><b>The Book Series</b>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BV8ZQ0Y/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BV8ZQ0Y&linkCode=as2&tag=thswhimhefo-20"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BV8ZQ0Y&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thswhimhefo-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thswhimhefo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BV8ZQ0Y" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H4H95KS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H4H95KS&linkCode=as2&tag=thswhimhefo-20"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00H4H95KS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thswhimhefo-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thswhimhefo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H4H95KS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<b><a href="http://dianeestrella.com/?attachment_id=17803" rel="attachment wp-att-17803"><img alt="susan j. reinhardt" class="alignright size-full wp-image-17803" height="220" src="http://dianeestrella.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/susan-j.-reinhardt.jpg" width="176" /></a>About the Author</b>
< p dir="ltr">Susan J. Reinhardt's publishing credits include her debut novel, <i>The Moses Conspiracy</i>, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
< p dir="ltr">A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.
< p dir="ltr">You can connect with Susan at <a href="http://www.susanjreinhardt.com/">her Blog</a>, on <a href="https://twitter.com/susanjreinhardt">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanJReinhardt">Facebook</a>.
< p dir="ltr"><a href="http://dianeestrella.com/?attachment_id=17819" rel="attachment wp-att-17819"><img alt="the scent of fear blog button" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17819" height="230" src="http://dianeestrella.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/the-scent-of-fear-blog-button.jpg" width="296" /></a>
<br />
<address style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Blog Tour Schedule</b></span></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 16</b>
~Diane Estrella, <a href="http://www.dianeestrella.com/" target="_blank">www.dianeestrella.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Pamela Christian, <a href="http://pamelachristianministries.com/pamelas_blog">http://pamelachristianministries.com/pamelas_blog</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 17</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Sandie Czosek, <a href="http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/">http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Linda O'Connell, <a href="http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/">http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 18</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Lynn Mosher, <a href="http://lynnmosher.com/">http://lynnmosher.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Jill Ivy, <a href="https://lucky4jill.wordpress.com/">https://lucky4jill.wordpress.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 19</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Debbie Curto, <a href="http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://debbieloseanything.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Cecelia Lester, <a href="http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/">http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address class="yj6qo ajU">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 20</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Cecelia Lester, <a href="http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/">http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Lee Privette, <a href="http://faithfamilyfrugalityandme.blogspot.com/?m=1">http://faithfamilyfrugalityandme.blogspot.com/?m=1</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 21</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Patti Smith, <a href="http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/">http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Carene Havel, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 22</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Darlene Arroyo-Lozada, <a href="http://lovebookslozada.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lovebookslozada.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
< div>~Karen Korb, <a href="http://stillmagnolias.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://stillmagnolias.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></address>
< /address><br />
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 23</b></address>
</address>
<address>
~Maria I. Morgan, <a href="http://www.mariaimorgan.com/" target="_blank">www.mariaimorgan.com</a></address>
<address>
~Beckie Stoneking, <a href="http://www.inaminute-beckie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.inaminute-beckie.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 26</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Leah's Good Reads, <a href="http://leahsgoodreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://leahsgoodreads.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Marja Verschoor-Meijers, <a href="http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a></address>
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 27</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Jennifer Van Huss, <a href="http://oneheartonefamily.com/" target="_blank">http://oneheartonefamily.com</a></address>
</address>
<address>
~Brittany McEuen, <a href="http://www.brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">www.brittreadsfiction.<wbr></wbr>wordpress.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 28</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Debbie Curto, <a href="http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://debbieloseanything.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Lori Drake, <a href="http://www.perfectisboring.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.perfectisboring.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 29</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Kim Justice, <a href="http://breathoflifebookreviews.blogspot.com/">http://breathoflifebookreviews.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~K. Dawn Byrd, <a href="http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 30</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Ruth Schiffmann, <a href="http://outonalimbshywritergoessocial.blogspot.com/">http://outonalimbshywritergoessocial.blogspot.com/</a></address>
</address>
<address>
~Janette Dolores, <a href="http://www.janettedolores.com/" target="_blank">www.janettedolores.com</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>December 31</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~C<span class="gI">indi Clubbs,<a href="http://ccclubbs.com/"> http://ccclubbs.com/</a></span></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Kathleen Maher, <a href="http://kathleenlmaher.blogspot.com/">http://kathleenlmaher.blogspot.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>January 2</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Jen Cudmore, <a href="http://www.jencudmore.com/">http://www.jencudmore.com/</a></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Karen Lange, <a href="http://karenelange.blogspot.com/">http://karenelange.blogspot.com/</a></address>
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
<b>January 7</b></address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~Jeanette Levellie, <a href="http://jeanettelevellie.blogspot.com/">http://jeanettelevellie.blogspot.com/</a></address>
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
</address>
<address style="text-align: left;">
Go to any of these other bloghop sites to enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card! <br />Happy New Year everybody. Wishing you all peace, health, and joy in 2014.</address>
<b>
</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-17356069467744352272013-12-30T00:03:00.000-05:002013-12-30T19:15:41.351-05:00My favorite reads of 2013, with *7* giveaways, ends Jan 3<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-KFfxJtscv3Lq9fh0EuaIyM9jMb9KAdgsBz-0yLJPdpEf1jouCPyf8T9tsy2R47tmbnXUOF-K5cphSGkrOYykxrseqk-OKiayxQ2qTwNm64vfhHqecdS0azi2mkXGPnK61LMzLEAQZAT/s1600/cup_xmas_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">Short stories/novellas category top picks for 2013<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-KFfxJtscv3Lq9fh0EuaIyM9jMb9KAdgsBz-0yLJPdpEf1jouCPyf8T9tsy2R47tmbnXUOF-K5cphSGkrOYykxrseqk-OKiayxQ2qTwNm64vfhHqecdS0azi2mkXGPnK61LMzLEAQZAT/s1600/cup_xmas_cheer.jpg" /></a></h3>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowed In by Carrie Pagels and Upon a Christmas Tree Schooner by Carla Gade in volume 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ktiO3homcJsuBWDx23TJyIIqif2Moe6ku_87b3B08U2HtjFU-XhGGNZ3aubyvxODe4C9sLmW7aHga-rtGHHCce4NgaJsH984Cj9lAXXxiSu8NpqGxUjUUc4A7cV328mwbDLn8qGCg0oF/s1600/carrie's+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ktiO3homcJsuBWDx23TJyIIqif2Moe6ku_87b3B08U2HtjFU-XhGGNZ3aubyvxODe4C9sLmW7aHga-rtGHHCce4NgaJsH984Cj9lAXXxiSu8NpqGxUjUUc4A7cV328mwbDLn8qGCg0oF/s320/carrie's+cover.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful story of Angelina and Matthew, who must trust God when their lives don't make sense. God brings a better outcome than either of them could fathom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51r0MnBrcGL._SL110_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51r0MnBrcGL._SL110_.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This well-researched Civil War story gripped my heart, and is penned by a very talented writer. A real treasure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1379427738l/18514695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1379427738l/18514695.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields of the Fatherless--The unforgettable story of a young lady who witnesses the beginning of the American Revolution in her own front yard.<br />
<br />
Soldier's Heart--a Civil War veteran returns with PTSD in this well-depicted short historical.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrAVJvdGJ-aonVnvuPwDM_e08mthYyiErb1Xm0xX9_SiCbWYwE0Fn6C4DTiM886Nmy5nqYnY-NKtHj5GESV5qLEX06pBssH4shI-T-76YG1qiHHrLzLIJjcUvUQS5BWdRsLyvbREQw_WJ/s1600/Kraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrAVJvdGJ-aonVnvuPwDM_e08mthYyiErb1Xm0xX9_SiCbWYwE0Fn6C4DTiM886Nmy5nqYnY-NKtHj5GESV5qLEX06pBssH4shI-T-76YG1qiHHrLzLIJjcUvUQS5BWdRsLyvbREQw_WJ/s200/Kraft.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516lmBHqtSL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Full Length Fiction picks for 2013 </a></h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmnlnnC72X3OV8LqUormLFa8qmfrVRc1nZ5XHv5W4BYZabY91wIu0qkrLlWmuzempk3nDIl4PQbX7v89gjsFpsroxr-I3cWTqIFW2SrWGGl2UBbotgws2GahZ5TttpWpOrAPCpKpcxlvr/s1600/widow-of-Gettysburg+family+fiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmnlnnC72X3OV8LqUormLFa8qmfrVRc1nZ5XHv5W4BYZabY91wIu0qkrLlWmuzempk3nDIl4PQbX7v89gjsFpsroxr-I3cWTqIFW2SrWGGl2UBbotgws2GahZ5TttpWpOrAPCpKpcxlvr/s320/widow-of-Gettysburg+family+fiction.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meticulous research and a masterful command of the Civil War period, plus a moving story. A+ read</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516lmBHqtSL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516lmBHqtSL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous, literary, haunting, and deeply moving story of loss and redemption, of hatred and reconciliation, of the nature of evil and of sacred love. And set in Upstate New York! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362329786m/17177621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362329786m/17177621.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another stellar read, set in the War of 1812 near Baltimore. Intrigue, romance, and fine writing make this a must read.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8ROwzzpIV6YItXPHBiXsXuIvd44UY3Twm1KPqev-FmAJAO2XbhTmgJsrzed41FjVSlmKyiJw4ZwRkiy5-CpM4btPfw0ZEIp2V8BTT5PTJ-976aHBASK7lYQrBxDZgB7Mbeg77ZKYpQl0/s1600/novellajagears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8ROwzzpIV6YItXPHBiXsXuIvd44UY3Twm1KPqev-FmAJAO2XbhTmgJsrzed41FjVSlmKyiJw4ZwRkiy5-CpM4btPfw0ZEIp2V8BTT5PTJ-976aHBASK7lYQrBxDZgB7Mbeg77ZKYpQl0/s320/novellajagears.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweet debut and moving story of patience, trust and overcoming love. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345145950m/13125049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345145950m/13125049.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another very good story set in the colonial frontier. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348412759m/15823841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348412759m/15823841.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great author with a stellar cast of characters make this one of the best reads of the year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D1Sb9EnIL._SL110_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D1Sb9EnIL._SL110_.jpg" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another talented debut author brings a speculative fiction story of angels, high stakes warfare, and a very contemporary lady stumbling into their world. Unexpectedly good romance and writing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VuDFa54vwJV5qxPnZisCHo-FVKePs__OGpkOb6y2i_2Qq67BsAA8TozuTwY3olrntLt_jgnpKPdXcwUSKxZw-rwrmD7YZd1C-RBpLXsWS1FHjFZIoAycRi6f73ogwKSxufz_cs-UYZrN/s1600/gatehaven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VuDFa54vwJV5qxPnZisCHo-FVKePs__OGpkOb6y2i_2Qq67BsAA8TozuTwY3olrntLt_jgnpKPdXcwUSKxZw-rwrmD7YZd1C-RBpLXsWS1FHjFZIoAycRi6f73ogwKSxufz_cs-UYZrN/s200/gatehaven.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiritual warfare, pearls of wisdom, and a well paced story made this one of my favorites this year. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
As thanks to my faithful readers and followers, I am offering a few giveaways. One winner each.</h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Leave a comment (with your email addy) naming your favorite read of 2013, and I will enter you to win one of the following: </span><br />
<b>gently used print copy of <i>Bride for Keeps</i> by Melissa Jagears</b><br />
<b>a gently used print copy of <i>Whispers from the Shadows</i> by Roseanna White </b><br />
<b><i>Beyond the Valley </i>by Rita Gerlach, gently used copy</b><br />
<b><i>Everlasting Light</i> by Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar, ecopy</b><br />
<b><i>Return to Shirley Plantation</i> by Carrie Fancett Pagels, ecopy</b><br />
<b>e-copy of <i>Gatehaven</i> by Molly Noble Bull</b><br />
<b>PLUS, <i>Warrior of the Ages,</i> a signed print copy provided by author Stephanie Karfelt </b><br />
<b>(thank you, Stephanie!)</b><br />
<br />
If you have already read a specific title and do not wish to be entered for that one, let me know. :)<br />
<br />
Wishing you all a peaceful, healthy and prosperous New Year!<br />
Blessings in the Lord,<br />
Kathy<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-85718313173366012452013-12-22T23:15:00.000-05:002013-12-22T23:17:30.763-05:00Snowed In by Carrie Fancett Pagels Review and giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMM7Gx_Td4rTG2g62N4PI7Xo0Vc92iU9QzHmVxiFC6E_xkajUKhgWlwSNnwcTRh0_MxSQfVSofEheAimPPYpYssEpEjPUWngMCkcvevCUh_K60dTE3ZBKrkS_bFt1HpGwPgnRShjakLul/s1600/hd-wallpapers-winter-snowy-cabin-wallpaper-solar-power-gadgets-worlds-rarest-big-1280x1024-wallpaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMM7Gx_Td4rTG2g62N4PI7Xo0Vc92iU9QzHmVxiFC6E_xkajUKhgWlwSNnwcTRh0_MxSQfVSofEheAimPPYpYssEpEjPUWngMCkcvevCUh_K60dTE3ZBKrkS_bFt1HpGwPgnRShjakLul/s320/hd-wallpapers-winter-snowy-cabin-wallpaper-solar-power-gadgets-worlds-rarest-big-1280x1024-wallpaper.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A new short story has captured the essence of family, friends, hope, and romance in the Christmas season. Snowed In by Carrie Pagels drops the reader into a picturesque cabin in the Upper Penisula woods during a snow storm. All of the ambiance of woodsmoke curling from a stone chimney, of cookies baking in the oven, of hot cocoa and sleigh rides, and of hauling in a fresh-cut Christmas tree fill the senses while you read of Elsie and Henry's sweet romance.<br />
<br />
Elsie and her three younger sisters are recovering from their mother's death while their father works long hours in a logging camp. Super-responsible herself working two jobs, Elsie panics when her sisters show up at the diner with the news that their father has made a sudden departure, leaving her in charge. Before she can figure out what to do next, her handsome war hero fiance shows up and offers to take them all up to his grandmother's cabin and give them a real country Christmas.<br />
<br />
This story has so much to like, you will fall in love with it as I did. And best of all, it is one of several short stories set in this wonderful Guideposts collection, A Cup of Christmas Cheer. Many talented authors collaborated with unique stand alone tales to make up this two volume collection. Keep the holiday spirit alive well into the New Year with this sweet set. Order yours at the following link:<br />
<a href="http://www.shopguideposts.org/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/u/cup_xmas_cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.shopguideposts.org/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/370x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/u/cup_xmas_cheer.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.shopguideposts.org/new-releases/a-cup-of-christmas-cheer.html#.UrS1rfN898g.facebook">http://www.shopguideposts.org/new-releases/a-cup-of-christmas-cheer.html#.UrS1rfN898g.facebook</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEUl_b0sRgzBTxLl_a_F20vXHQvmbmjmSqVB7hWo8h77UFvKt6hvnjY4fj-9iksVFV8oT7hm2xwwUtt42CX37oW3hJIJSs6x-EFVBBkyr1LdFpzn_vRLlqGiJM1um7KZ-fksLIjt60Bin/s1600/RtSP+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEUl_b0sRgzBTxLl_a_F20vXHQvmbmjmSqVB7hWo8h77UFvKt6hvnjY4fj-9iksVFV8oT7hm2xwwUtt42CX37oW3hJIJSs6x-EFVBBkyr1LdFpzn_vRLlqGiJM1um7KZ-fksLIjt60Bin/s200/RtSP+cover.jpg" width="133" /></a> And for visiting my blog this week I am offering a giveaway of another wonderful story by Carrie Pagels. An e-copy of Return to Shirley Plantation, volume 1 of a Civil War collection called Cry of Freedom, will be given to one of my commenters. <br />
<br />
Answer this question: <span style="color: #cc0000;">what do you want most of all for Christmas this year? </span>Leave your email addy to be entered. Winner selected at 8 PM Christmas Eve. Good luck!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-40915171606212470202013-12-09T05:00:00.000-05:002013-12-09T05:00:05.820-05:00Interview with Joy Ross Davis--a repost by K. D. McCrite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOeZ-OdL6uEVSCFq3c6ikJyyITs77WQDF35nvELlg5i3DiTKIXLD1mr29AGw1WoLC6CAH6jzzE2dgP0rxutD__A7y0P4_wcIOdZd1kXgqdlfxw4vIv9YrlyDACS4LEJnjTQ7C9eI6VoGU/s1600/Joy-and-Murphy-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOeZ-OdL6uEVSCFq3c6ikJyyITs77WQDF35nvELlg5i3DiTKIXLD1mr29AGw1WoLC6CAH6jzzE2dgP0rxutD__A7y0P4_wcIOdZd1kXgqdlfxw4vIv9YrlyDACS4LEJnjTQ7C9eI6VoGU/s320/Joy-and-Murphy-250.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<br />
Today, I post about Countenance, by <a href="http://joyrossdavis.com/">Joy Ross Davis</a>. <a href="http://kdmccrite.com/">See original post here.</a>This is her debut novel, published earlier this year by Ecanus Publishing. Joy refers to her book as “paranormal”, but these days, that genre conjures up images of vampires, werewolves and zombies, all of them so overdone that the majority the reading public is exhausted by it. I think the content of this book can more aptly be described as “supernatural”. <br />
<br />
The author and I shared some conversation recently, and I now share with you a few tidbits on how this story came to be: <br />
<br />
§ Where did the idea for Countenance originate? <br />
The idea came from a voice I heard while standing on my porch one night. It said, “Countenance.” From there, the story ideas took hold and by the next morning, I knew all of the characters. <br />
<br />
§ Why this story? <br />
Countenance came at a time when I needed relief from the grief of losing my mother. It kept me sane and occupied, and the story blends all the elements of my family and experiences. <br />
<br />
§ How long did it take you to write it? <br />
I wrote it in eight months then spent another four months with an editor to revise and polish it. <br />
<br />
§ Do you believe in angels and demons (bright spirits and dark spirits) and were you taught to believe as a child? <br />
I do most certainly believe in angels and demons, but I was not taught that as a child. I was discouraged in those beliefs, but when I was six, I had an experience that cemented my belief in angels. <br />
<br />
§ Do you believe you’ve ever had encounters with either side? <br />
Oh, most certainly. I believe that when I was a child, an angel saved me from a deadly lightning strike. Lightning struck at my feet just as an angel appeared and told me to run. I ran and suffered only minor blisters from the strike. When I looked back, the angel was gone, but the ground where I had been standing was completely charred. <br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513oE5ZVj8L._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513oE5ZVj8L._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_.jpg" /></a><br />
§ I know you told me some people refuse to read Countenance because of its supernatural theme. What do you say to those who think your story is “of the devil”? <br />
This sort of makes me laugh. I know that some people choose what to read based on their beliefs, and of course, that is their right. But I would say to everyone that Countenance is a work of fiction. It is not intended for any purpose other than to entertain…and possibly uplift. I really don’t believe that a work of fiction can test anyone’s faith. <br />
<br />
§ What’s next?<br />
<br />
<br />
Next on the agenda is finishing the sequel, which takes place in Ireland. <br />
My original idea was that Countenance would be three books: one in Tennessee, one in Ireland, and the last in Tennessee. But, that vision has changed a bit. I still see it as three books, but there will be more blending of the characters and places. The major characters from the first book will remain in all three books with a deeper look into the family history and a few extra ghosts and angels sprinkled throughout! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Getting it Together for Historical Fiction (by JudyAnn Lorenz)<a href="http://cardinalbluff.com/">(original post here)</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_AsGCsWVCy5KhAXovNsT6Q1TLOqlDWxqkpkrIN-YtNP5X3ZORKE7ggeIkZUzSiJGYQoAT9D9jcHiy1UTNBlj4RERj8xRq8mTeMxj3wgi9YjsOUx_fNTkyLYqhGqMnx9ErVnZuwrqn6Fg/s1600/emalynpkg12-251x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_AsGCsWVCy5KhAXovNsT6Q1TLOqlDWxqkpkrIN-YtNP5X3ZORKE7ggeIkZUzSiJGYQoAT9D9jcHiy1UTNBlj4RERj8xRq8mTeMxj3wgi9YjsOUx_fNTkyLYqhGqMnx9ErVnZuwrqn6Fg/s1600/emalynpkg12-251x300.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Joy Ross Davis brings more angelic storytelling to her readers and the <a href="http://authors.barjd.com/your-favorite-author/join-the-joy-ross-davis-fan-club/">Angel Pack</a>! Set in Ireland, 1938, Emalyn’s Treasure tells us of a young woman with a heightened spiritual experience which contributes to the ‘treasure’ that she has kept close by, yet hidden from all, since she was a 6 year old child. Her encounter with lightning and a protective angel lies at the foundation for the treasure story. <br />
<br />
Emalyn has led a privileged life during a tumultuous period in Irish history that we seldom hear about. Civic improvements for water and electricity were becoming accepted and expected, although resisted by some people. Assessment costs and resistance to change sparked civil disorder. I especially enjoy a story where I can learn — a factoid here; a skill there! Our Author’s research is extremely active for this book; the descriptions of politics, available appliances, clothing, decor, architecture, and hospitably take you right into 1938! <br />
<br />
Our Emalyn is still a young spirit, becoming more mature and generous by the day. How blessed the man and woman who find their matching ‘swan’ to become a life’s companion as Emalyn and husband Owen have done. Joy Ross Davis brings her gentle story-telling to Emalyn’s Treasure as we would expect, with some twists and turns that keep it from being at all saccharin sweet! Indeed, tragedy marks high points in the story and leads to the finale. <br />
<br />
Emalyn’s Treasure has no ghosts. Angels are present to take on earthly appearances, protecting and guiding the characters through their activities. Lives are transformed subtly. Supportive characters Fiona and Percy become more mature. I perceive the potential for follow-up stories, but as a skilled author, Joy Ross Davis brings this story to a sensible end without a cliff hanger ending that seems to just drop off that cliff.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-6807192529643623922013-11-26T06:30:00.000-05:002013-11-26T06:30:04.744-05:00Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade guest post by Tamera Lynn Kraft<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d1hekt5vpuuw9b.cloudfront.net/assets/36249bda3c7e0c840cada4863c8bf4d1_macys-parade-300x300_gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d1hekt5vpuuw9b.cloudfront.net/assets/36249bda3c7e0c840cada4863c8bf4d1_macys-parade-300x300_gallery.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Macy Day Parade has become a tradition on
Thanksgiving Day. My earliest mem<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7124987486481611446" name="_GoBack"></a>ories of Thanksgiving
were watching the parade and waiting for Santa to appear. Every child in my
school knew that the real Santa was the one who appeared in the parade. <span style="color: red;">But did
you know that when the Macy Day Parade first started in 1924, it took place on
Christmas Day?</span> Store workers dressed as clowns, cowboys, and other characters
and walked the entire six miles hike from Herald Square to Harlem. Professional
bands and the Central Park Zoo along with their animals joined them in the
parade. Santa rode into Herald Square at the end as he has every year since.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The parade was meant to bring attention to the
Macy’s Store in downtown New York City, and it worked. The first year, 250,000
people showed up. After that, it was an annual event in the city that continued
to grow even during the Depression. The first radio broadcast of the parade was
made in 1932, and the first TV broadcast was made as early as 1938.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Balloons have been a part of the parade, almost
since the beginning. In 1927, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company from Akron
premiered their first parade balloon, Felix the Cat, but he wasn’t filled with
helium until the next year. In the early years, people didn’t bother to deflate
the balloons. They would release them into the air with an address attached.
Rarely were the balloons returned. Mickey Mouse made his debut in the 1934
parade, and Bullwinkle first appeared in 1961. Today over a dozen large
balloons are in the parade.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Floats were in the first parade and also had a large
part over the years. Floats were still drawn by horses until 1939. Snoopy holds
the record for the most floats. More than thirty parade floats are now featured
in the parade.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Macy’s Day Parade, although very popular in New
York City, gained popularity throughout the nation<br />after the movie, Miracle on
34<sup>th</sup> Street, was released in 1946. In Miracle on 34<sup>th</sup>
street, the real Santa Claus steps in to replace a drunk Santa and decides to
be Macy’s Store Santa to help fight commercialism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But the Macy’s Day Parade didn’t always have smooth
sailing. In 1942 through 1944, the parade was cancelled because rubber and
helium were needed for the war effort. After the assassination of President
Kennedy, the parade went on as scheduled to boost the morale of the nation. In
1971, heavy rains forced the parade to ground all balloons.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, over 8,000 people participate in the Macy’s
Day Parade and over 3.5 million are expected to attend. It has become, not just
a New York City Thanksgiving tradition, but a tradition for all of the United
States of America.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiUDnj65PEDVHNL2niUvTZw5gZVHEMJTj5SOu8MtPpNurwsIt-LId216x5JZv_iH6OMaNKWV2nEEvNNo11VomPd1npd0WxkmWOMSB19fsz_I8-YLOJ6h7qMJ31OwbLvqgl_4kX6487KN0/s1600/bloghop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiUDnj65PEDVHNL2niUvTZw5gZVHEMJTj5SOu8MtPpNurwsIt-LId216x5JZv_iH6OMaNKWV2nEEvNNo11VomPd1npd0WxkmWOMSB19fsz_I8-YLOJ6h7qMJ31OwbLvqgl_4kX6487KN0/s320/bloghop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6hlM6J1bVGEvBBwlMhcxFYnPfujU79L1ejkYR-mf7kzj4WOko947qU3eoGBcTREUI1fSZ8j-LCj5fZa9PVVps50NEbZ5gbew_ZJ2sm-V0AzOXNIcuSXeQvEbMxfTytt_UnM-6khlVjF6/s1600/Christmas+Promise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6hlM6J1bVGEvBBwlMhcxFYnPfujU79L1ejkYR-mf7kzj4WOko947qU3eoGBcTREUI1fSZ8j-LCj5fZa9PVVps50NEbZ5gbew_ZJ2sm-V0AzOXNIcuSXeQvEbMxfTytt_UnM-6khlVjF6/s1600/Christmas+Promise.jpg" /></a>A Christmas Promise:<o:p></o:p><br />
A Moravian Holiday Story, Circa 1773<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">During colonial times, John and Anna settle in
an Ohio village to become Moravian missionaries to the Lenape. When John is
called away to help at another settlement two days before Christmas, he
promises he’ll be back by Christmas Day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">When he doesn’t show up, Anna works hard to
not fear the worst while she provides her children with a traditional Moravian
Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Through it all, she discovers a Christmas
promise that will give her the peace she craves. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Available at these online stores:</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">AMAZON<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GM59GN4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GM59GN4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">PELICAN BOOK GROUP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_47&products_id=512"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;">http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_47&products_id=512</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">CHRISTIANBOOK</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=48711EB&item_code=WW&netp_id=1206746&event=ESRCG&view=details">http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=48711EB&item_code=WW&netp_id=1206746&event=ESRCG&view=details</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73zBluOvBsOl8Rc4NfePCIVScGOYJXSE-MMZPzzu9allHrKBj1KsUxCj3wanDvQc6EJluUBMioWxN8duCPV_ldoqygeHyXUVV3sHDULa1vtn126DDBBqvFvNBFAhAfDz9pWuWqf75Fqn6/s1600/Tamera+Kraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73zBluOvBsOl8Rc4NfePCIVScGOYJXSE-MMZPzzu9allHrKBj1KsUxCj3wanDvQc6EJluUBMioWxN8duCPV_ldoqygeHyXUVV3sHDULa1vtn126DDBBqvFvNBFAhAfDz9pWuWqf75Fqn6/s320/Tamera+Kraft.jpg" width="214" /></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.25pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TAMERA LYNN KRAFT has always loved adventures
and writes Christian historical fiction set in America because there are so
many adventures in American history. She is married to the love of her life,
has two grown children, and lives in Akron, Ohio.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.25pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tamera is the leader of a ministry called
Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches
workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist.
She has curriculum published and is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s
Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s
ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can
contact Tamera online at these sites.</span></div>
<br />
Word Sharpeners Blog: <a href="http://tameralynnkraft.com/">http://tameralynnkraft.com</a><br />
Revival Fire For Kids Blog: <a href="http://revivalfire4kids.com/">http://revivalfire4kids.com</a><br />
Adventures in American History: <a href="http://tameralynnkraft.blogspot.com/">http://tameralynnkraft.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TameraLynnKraft">https://www.facebook.com/TameraLynnKraft</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tamerakraft">https://twitter.com/tamerakraft</a><br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 11.0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 11.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kathleen Maher is on
Word Sharpeners today at this link. <a href="http://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/kathleen-l-maher-how-the-south-won-this-new-york-yankee/">http://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/kathleen-l-maher-how-the-south-won-this-new-york-yankee/</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-55202786942349439022013-11-25T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-25T06:00:03.161-05:00How Veggie Tales Inspired a Biblica Novella--Amber Schamel #Christmas guest post with #bookgiveaway<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHnT-IWNrE6JvgFnKpkzMvFT4MBYf41HBRMpLNNez1RY2HVCdfTD27ZJ-aLx2iSrcJWKJocuTWRyWOpGoOXSZIhvZCB8eGtZD5PSsQPq57wppoiYgnqKBojpNLKMfxJdYiVOJa16DvQ2s/s1600/VEGGIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHnT-IWNrE6JvgFnKpkzMvFT4MBYf41HBRMpLNNez1RY2HVCdfTD27ZJ-aLx2iSrcJWKJocuTWRyWOpGoOXSZIhvZCB8eGtZD5PSsQPq57wppoiYgnqKBojpNLKMfxJdYiVOJa16DvQ2s/s200/VEGGIE.jpg" width="200" /></a>It was a summer evening, I was in the kitchen making dinner while my little siblings (for some odd reason) were watching The Toy That Saved Christmas, a Veggie-Tales movie. My publisher had asked me to write a Christmas story and I was deep in thought wondering what I should write when I suddenly tuned in to what was playing on the screen.<br />
<br />
Grandpa George was reading a scripture to Bob, Larry and Buzz-saw Louie. "And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in baby clothes and laid him in a manger."<br />
<br />
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute, the passage didn't say baby clothes. In the King James it says swaddling clothes. That got me to thinking, what exactly are swaddling clothes? Are they just baby clothes? Or is there another meaning to them? <br />
<br />
I looked up the passage in Luke chapter two and noted that it was mentioned not only once, but twice that Mary wrapped her first-born son in swaddling clothes. So I began my research.<br />
<br />
I found out that swaddling clothes did not necessarily mean that Mary and Joseph were poor or destitute. Swaddling clothes were used by people of all classes to wrap a newborn in hopes that it would help their limbs grow straight, as well as calm the babe. But if swaddling clothes were so common during that era, why was it specifically mentioned as a sign to the shepherds of who the Messiah would be? So I searched some more.<br />
<br />
Another source said that in the eastern countries they would use a cloth to put between the yoke of an ox, and the ox's shoulders. When Mary and Joseph were in the barn, they had nothing else to use, so they used this ox's cloth that was translated as swaddling cloth to wrap the Messiah that would carry the yoke of our sin and bondage.<br />
<br />
Many hours and websites later, I emerged armed with a ton of information, four different theories, and a story forming inside my head. So, I guess you could say that my new book The Swaddling Clothes was inspired by a Veggie Tales movie. <br />
<br />
The things that inspire people, or give them an idea is very interesting to me.<br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">What are some odd things that have given you an idea or inspiration?</span></b><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i>Answer Amber's question and be entered to win a copy of her Christmas novella! Be sure to leave your email addy and tell us if you follow her blog, this blog, or shared this post to get extra entries. Winner will be chosen via random.org on Friday, Nov 29 8 EST</i></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUiOWOjzBr3fS_Wwzc1ErW54DCrLiE1Njv6OOjhiKMCJL_OhuOUEus1VZIFtInTjCkEqO7d9dbuHZdqlN15LSdQlOb-71BAzYCMJ8sZsH76OJT-mo_j4onSQ0WSorMPGl_PveEI4FvSkR/s1600/amber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUiOWOjzBr3fS_Wwzc1ErW54DCrLiE1Njv6OOjhiKMCJL_OhuOUEus1VZIFtInTjCkEqO7d9dbuHZdqlN15LSdQlOb-71BAzYCMJ8sZsH76OJT-mo_j4onSQ0WSorMPGl_PveEI4FvSkR/s320/amber.jpg" width="320" /></a>Amber Schamel is a multi-published author of Christian Historical Fiction. Her passion for history and culture has led her to travel extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land. Amber is actively involved in her church and enjoys volunteer work and music ministry. Raised in a family of twelve children and homeschooled throughout her education, she currently resides in the beautiful state of Colorado where she also serves as bookkeeper and marketing director for their family businesses. Find Amber on her blog, or on all the main social media sites. </div>
<a href="http://amberschamel.com/">http://amberschamel.com/</a><br />
Blog: <a href="http://www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/">http://www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com</a> <br />
Facebook - <a href="https://www/">https://www</a>.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel">facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel</a><br />
Twitter: @AmberSchamel<br />
Pintrest - <a href="http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/">http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/</a> <br />
<i><br />The Swaddling Clothes</i> Synopsis: <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxHTNauqcPjhJbwzf6CNdE9tPPlK1es3R8iJ6lnARW-IRK4Z3RsQRpEr3XlTQG7VVYfzpB4HqHbi56ZPtZGX6dXB4JoaErAX8f-lrG8fT2D3iM_9NX84CTN3bdocabCFM0O4C7KhtxVvo/s1600/swaddling+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxHTNauqcPjhJbwzf6CNdE9tPPlK1es3R8iJ6lnARW-IRK4Z3RsQRpEr3XlTQG7VVYfzpB4HqHbi56ZPtZGX6dXB4JoaErAX8f-lrG8fT2D3iM_9NX84CTN3bdocabCFM0O4C7KhtxVvo/s320/swaddling+clothes.jpg" width="158" /></a>Through the ages, many stories have been told about Mary, Joseph and the birth of the Messiah. Stories of shepherds and sheep, kings, angels, and stables. But there is one story that has never been told. One story that has remained hidden in the fabric of time. The story of The Swaddling Clothes. <br />
Mentioned not once, but several times in the Scriptural text, what is the significance of these special cloths? And how did they make their way into a stable in Bethlehem? From the author that brought you the Days of Messiah series comes a whole new adventure critics are calling "intriguing...thought provoking... a fresh twist on an age old story." <br />
"I get tired of Bible stories sometimes, but The Swaddling Clothes brings the story to life." <br />
"Heartwarming...truly inspired. A story you will want to read again and again. Rich details and a suspenseful plot will keep you reading while giving you a glimpse of God's wonderful power and His amazing love."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-581643231304848592013-11-21T08:00:00.000-05:002013-11-21T08:00:02.944-05:00Christmas in New York! Four stories, five #bookgiveaways DAY 4 CENTRAL PARK RENDEZVOUSCentral Park Rendezvous--an intertwining collection of four historical romances, all tying into the Wolfe family and Bow Bridge in Central Park, by authors Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller, Kim Vogel Sawyer, and MaryLu Tyndall<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327952583l/13324523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327952583l/13324523.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hurrah for New York setting in CBA romance, and kudos to these talented authors for putting Central Park on the map for a reader's rendezvous with romance.<br />
<i>Dream a Little Dream</i> by Ronie Kendig<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1278440346p5/3039394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1278440346p5/3039394.jpg" width="140" /></a>Sean Wolfe has come back from Afghanistan a broken man. His past concerning his father Patrick's suicide haunts him as much as the TBI that leaves him with permanent mental scars. He has no one in the world but his devoted aunt, until a chance meeting brings closure to his past, comfort to his present, and hope to his future.<br />
<br />
Jamie Russo is the niece of Alan, former love of a woman named Gail, who is closing his antique shop after decades of business in Manhattan. Jamie grieves her uncle's decision both for the sake of his lost dream of finding Gail, and for the other loose ends it leaves. One of those loose ends, a packet of letters from the Wolfe family who were old friends of her uncle, becomes her mission. She has laid aside her dream of dancing, but finds purpose in caring for others. She seeks out the Wolfes, and finds Sean.<br />
<br />
The letters draw Sean closer to healing from his haunted past, to solving a mystery about his aunt, and to finding a love he thought he would never experience. Written with grit as well as insight, this story interweaves with the other three stories, going back in time to the Civil War following a keepsake coin through four generations of romance, until the satisfying end.<br />
<br />
<i>A Love Meant to Be</i> by Dineen Miller<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1311633815p5/4236146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1311633815p5/4236146.jpg" width="137" /></a>This story features Gail and Alan during the era of the Vietnam War. Alan is Patrick Wolfe's best friend, and like a son to Patrick's father--perhaps moreso even than Patrick. The elder Wolfe gives Alan the family keepsake of a Civil War coin to pass along to the one he loves. When Alan proposes to Gail after a whirlwind romance in the city, including clandestine kisses on Bow Bridge, she promises to wait for him until he returns from the war. But will her former fiance lure her away with his money and prestige, or will her heart remain faithful?<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>To Sing Another Day</i> by Kim Vogel Sawyer<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1347912760p5/236089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1347912760p5/236089.jpg" width="160" /></a>Helen Wolfe is a brave young lady tasked with raising her younger brothers and sisters after her parents' untimely death. Though gifted to sing like a songbird, she must leave that dream behind to put food in their mouths. Her former intended, a rising singer, scorns her practicality, drawn to the big city lights and theater fame. He wants nothing to do with her life of drudgery and responsibility.<br />
Helen comes to a painful decision to part with a family heirloom coin in exchange for food. At the pawn shop she meets Bernie O'Day, a kind and large-hearted man who gives her more than the coin is worth. He also employs her brother to help out. Their lives intertwine as a spark of love forms. . .they spend a Christmas together where Bernie plays Santa Claus to the younger Wolfes, and his heroism shines in contrast to Helen's former intended, who only esteems all that glitters. The attack on Pearl Harbor spurs Bernie to join the war effort, and the love story hangs in limbo from there.<br />
<br />
<i>Beauty from Ashes</i> by MaryLu Tyndall<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310238721p5/308455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1310238721p5/308455.jpg" width="150" /></a>William Wolfe is a wounded officer engaged to Annie Shaw, a southern belle living on a plantation in Virginia. Little does he know that Annie's letters throughout the war were actually penned by her sister Permelia. When he returns to collect his bride, he has assurances from the genteel letters that she won't mind his dramatic facial scar. In person, Annie proves superficial and unfaithful. Will William's broken heart lead him away from true happiness with the real authoress of his love letters? Will the coin he gave Annie speak to Permelia that True Love Never Fails?<br />
<br />
The picturesque Bow Bridge in Manhattan's Central Park draws these couples through time to finding true love, often amid the downy snowfalls of a New York Christmas or New Years.<br />
<br />
This was my first time reading Dineen Miller and Ronie Kendig, and I was pleasantly surprised. I have enjoyed Kim Sawyer's work and consider myself a big fan of MaryLu Tyndall, so I knew I couldn't go wrong with this four-in-one. And the fact that one of the stories was set in the Civil War had me invested.<br /><br />Loved the concept of romances revolving around a family keepsake coin and rendezvous at Bow Bridge in Central Park. I grew up taking trips into NYC where my grandfather was a superintendent of a building on Central Park West. Ronie's and Dineen's novellas had the most tangible sense of the city out of the four stories, and I enjoyed revisiting it through their depictions.<br /><br />I adored the WWII story, and wished I could have closure on the chivalrous Irish soldier coming back from war for his sweetheart. This story of a sister struggling with her faith and to provide for her siblings moved me deeply--Sawyer's handling of deep emotions felt genuine and sincere. Each character reflected redemptive aspects of honor and sacrifice, selflessness and faith. And her humble, kind hero is among the most admirable I've ever read.<br /><br />The modern romance by Ronie Kendig involving a hero with Traumatic Brain Injury returned from war captured my heart. Her writing was fresh and heartfelt, and the conflict of the heroine and hero to pursue their true dreams made for a lovely story full of hope and heart.<br /><br />Dineen Miller's Vietnam era romance had gritty and bittersweet moments. I admired the depth with which the author writes, exploring themes such as PTSD, Post partum depression, and even betrayal. It was interesting how one author would add to the other's work and intertwine story threads.<br /><br />MaryLu Tyndall writes about sisters in a love triangle. Unique storyline with a wounded hero who thinks he's in love with one woman, only to discover that his true North is the other. This story was a page-turner, written as only MaryLu Tyndall can write.<br />
<br />
Nothing is as charming as a New York Christmas. I'm so delighted to share these romantic stories of faith and connection with you this week. Today I am offering a gently read copy of this collection to one lucky commenter.<br />
<br />
Answer this question: <span style="color: red;"><b>Is there a special hand-me-down gift in your family?</b></span> Extra entries can be earned by sharing on fb, twitter, google+ and pinterest, and by following this blog. Winners drawn Friday, Nov 22 at 8 PM eastern. Good luck!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-21350019932532191302013-11-20T08:00:00.000-05:002013-11-20T08:00:06.803-05:00Christmas in New York! Four Stories, five #bookgiveaways DAY 3 IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL LIFE by Linda RondeauIt Really is a Wonderful Life by Linda Wood Rondeau<div>
<br /><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1353780263l/16168418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1353780263l/16168418.jpg" width="213" /></a>I just finished this quick read at 3 AM--it was a page turner and a twisty-turny journey to happily ever after for two young people at a crossroads in their lives. Dorie Fitzgerald is left to raise her two young children after her husband Captain Devon Fitzgerald dies in the Iraqi war. She moves to be near her parents' home in upstate NY, and rents a house from her father while her mother provides daycare. She struggles to find a job, and decides to get to know the community through a local theater production of "It's a Wonderful Life". There she meets two eligible bachelors and is swept from one romance to another, but her heart is drawn to the quiet and unassuming Jamey Sullivan.<br />
<br />
Jamey is an aspiring and agented actor on the cusp of his dream, but has laid aside his personal ambitions for a season to see to his dying father's affairs. The last thing on his mind is romance and family when the Broadway lights beckon. But something about Dorie makes it harder than ever to leave the small town behind. It isn't Bedford Falls, but he is a doppelganger for George Bailey, and there is a Mr. Potter type of monopoly threatening to take over the town of Midville in the form of Junior Harwood.<br />
<br />
In this contemporary Christmas classic redeaux, everyone finds a happily ever after--even Junior Harwood and Dorie's spurned love interest. Jamey gives up his Broadway debut for the quiet small town life and settles down with Dorie, her son Josh and daughter Emma, and a dog named Boomer. The town is spared from a monopoly and welcomes back their hometown boy scout leader and erstwhile hero. And the struggling characters find through faith and budding romance that it really is a wonderful life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1367957607p5/5352394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1367957607p5/5352394.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><b>Linda Wood Rondeau</b>: Born in Syracuse, New York, I graduated from North Syracuse High School and went on to Houghton College, majoring in English and education. As often happens, I changed to a social work career working in various human services fields for nearly thirty years. As my heroine in It Really IS a Wonderful Life, I met my wonderful husband doing Community Theater. Three children and nine grandchildren later, we moved from Northern New York to enjoy the benefits of the sunshine state, mainly golf and daily walks. I published my first book-length manuscript in 2011, The Other Side of Darkness, a Selah Award winner for best new novel. Then came I Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children, a devotional book, in 2012, It Really IS a Wonderful Life, a Christmas novella, in 2012 and Days of Vines and Roses, a contemporary suspense with paranormal elements, in 2013. Coming soon: two Christmas novellas: Joy Comes to Dinsmore Street (HHP) and A Christmas Prayer (LPC),a novel, Songs in the Valley (HHP) and a Jolly Angels, a contribution to HHP's romance anthology, Blue Heaven. You may learn more about me on my website, <a href="http://www.lindarondeau.com/">http://www.lindarondeau.com</a>, or on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus, and Linkedin.</i><br />
<br />
Enter to win one of two copies of this delightful retelling in today's comments. Winners drawn Friday, Nov 22. See Monday's and Tuesday's posts for two other chances to win a unique New York Christmas story. Tune in tomorrow for a chance to win a collection of Christmas romances set in New York City's Central Park.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>To enter today, tell us about your favorite Christmas movie.</b></span> For extra entries, tell me if you shared this post on fb, twitter, google+ pinterest, and if you are a follower of this blog.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-74451694215998177902013-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:002013-11-19T08:00:04.765-05:00Christmas in New York! Four Holiday Stories, five #bookgiveaways Day 2 YULETIDE HEARTS by Ruth Logan HerneYuletide Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne<div>
Men of Allegeny County book 4<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1322768089l/12782488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1322768089l/12782488.jpg" width="202" /></a>I received this book as part of a gift basket from Seekerville.com. It was the large print edition, and the first thing that caught my attention was the lovely cover image. But what made me jump right in and read is the fact that it is set in upstate NY towns I have known well, such as Houghton, Wellsville, and Olean. Ms Herne's writing is a departure from my typical read of historical romance, and her style is straightforward and yet artful, easy and yet containing more depth than meets the eye. <div>
<br />When a stoic Iraqi war veteran and single mom meets the man who has taken over the development her father has lost to foreclosure, she promises her heart to keep a safe distance. The contractor, a young marine with a past that needs the same finishing work as the housing development he seeks to complete, has anything but love on his mind. When Matt Cavanaugh meets Callie Burdick, even his tough marine training hasn't prepared him for the siege she stages on his heart. </div>
<div>
<br />With themes of redemption, forgiveness, commitment, and determination, this sweet contemporary romance packs a big story in a small package. Besides a lovely glimpse at charming small town life in upstate NY, the Christmas story plays out in modern terms as mother and child find shelter under the covering of an adoptive father, and love conquers sin and debt. </div>
<div>
<br />Lovely on so many levels, this book makes me want to read more from this talented and insightful author.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1275079700p5/3149557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1275079700p5/3149557.jpg" /></a>Ruth Logan Herne loves Charlie Brown Christmas trees, rooting for the underdog and people who go the distance while others see the path as too long or broken! She loves God, chocolate, writing, dogs and is blessed by a sprawling family, oodles of grandkids and a sweet old farmhouse in constant need of work. She's sure that clean rooms are over-rated, snakes and possums should mind their own business and buy their own farm and puppies and kittens and babies are about the cutest things on Earth. A "pull-up-your-big-girl-panties-and-move-on" kind of gal, she is blessed to be married to her high school sweetheart (although it wasn't as if THEY WERE KNOCKING DOWN THE DOOR to challenge him for her!!!), work with young families who allow her to exploit their sweet children on blogs, and rock babies on a regular basis. An author for Love Inspired Books and Summerside Press, she lives in upstate New York.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
See yesterday's post for another chance to win one of Ruth's Christmas in Upstate NY books from the Men of Allegany County Series. Tune in tomorrow for another giveaway of a New York State Christmas story, <i>It Really is a Wonderful Life</i> by Linda Rondeau.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: lime;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;">To enter, leave a comment about a prayer God answered for you in an unexpected way.</span></b> For extra entries, tell me if you shared this post on Fb, twitter, google+ or pinterest, and if you follow this blog. Good luck! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-1626600337837127022013-11-18T08:00:00.000-05:002013-11-18T08:00:07.331-05:00Christmas in New York! Four holiday stories, five #bookgiveaway Day 1 HIS MISTLETOE FAMILY by Ruth Logan HerneRuth Logan Herne's <i>His Mistletoe Family </i><br />
from the Men Of Allegany County series<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346688452l/15801544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1346688452l/15801544.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I really enjoyed this sweet story about a retired Army Colonel and a young entrepreneur in Upstate NY who find romance and comfort in one another's arms. Haley Jennings loves a challenge in business--she has started a co-op in her grandfather's old factory right during the Christmas rush, which would be a daunting task for the most focused among us. But then, a monkey wrench is thrown into her life--her brother has left his two young sons into her care. <br />
<br />
With a five and a three year old in the back seat of her convertible, Haley must find time, food, and resources on a cold Thanksgiving night when her search lands her at a church meal, locking eyes with a handsome and mysterious man--Brett Stanton. Brett hides his pain by hiding from the world. He has lost family in the war and has shut himself off from relationships--until something about the beautiful lady and her two young wards tug at his heartstrings. <br />
<br />
As a resident of upstate NY who has traversed these same small towns--Bolivar, Jamison, Wellsville, Olean. . . I found this book to be a delightful trip through my memories of beautiful countryside and warm-hearted people. This writer captures small town hospitality and the rugged, pull-together aspect of these communities. Her characters are believable and sympathetic, and their stories resonate in the heart. <br />
<br />
Even though Christmas is past, the snow is still white on the ground, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this holiday happily ever after.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1275079700p5/3149557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1275079700p5/3149557.jpg" /></a><i>Ruth Logan Herne loves Charlie Brown Christmas trees, rooting for the underdog and people who go the distance while others see the path as too long or broken! She loves God, chocolate, writing, dogs and is blessed by a sprawling family, oodles of grandkids and a sweet old farmhouse in constant need of work. She's sure that clean rooms are over-rated, snakes and possums should mind their own business and buy their own farm and puppies and kittens and babies are about the cutest things on Earth. A "pull-up-your-big-girl-panties-and-move-on" kind of gal, she is blessed to be married to her high school sweetheart (although it wasn't as if THEY WERE KNOCKING DOWN THE DOOR to challenge him for her!!!), work with young families who allow her to exploit their sweet children on blogs, and rock babies on a regular basis. An author for Love Inspired Books and Summerside Press, she lives in upstate New York. </i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
Tune in tomorrow to hear about another of Ruth Logan Herne's Upstate New York Christmas stories, Yuletide Hearts.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Leave comment below with your favorite Christmas memory.</b></span> One winner for each book this week will be chosen on Friday, November 22. You can earn extra entries by sharing on FB, twitter, pinterest, and google+, (see upper right corner of blog for easy buttons) and for subscribing to this blog via email or feedburner. Let me know what you did for your extra entries. Good luck!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-84242693909197055342013-11-11T04:00:00.000-05:002013-11-11T04:00:00.789-05:00Interview with Elaine Cooper and new giveaway of Fields of the Fatherless, part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1325392063p5/3493243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1325392063p5/3493243.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5201" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5200"><span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5199" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Welcome Elaine! We are so happy to have you here this week as a follow up to the review of your lovely novel (posted <a href="http://kathleenlmaher.blogspot.com/2013/10/fields-of-fatherless-by-elaine-marie.html#.UnXGhPlQGSo">here</a> Oct 28), and that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5203" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5205" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5204" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">(Elaine) Thank you so much for having me!</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5206" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: First of all, coffee or tea? In your story you show how tea was a sign of British loyalties, and how true Patriots only drank coffee</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">. </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">A. In deference to Betsy Russell and the Patriots of 1775, I’ll have some coffee, please. Do you have any fresh milk? ;-)</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: What causes are you passionate about, and do they find their way into your writing?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">A. I am passionate about many things, mostly about injustice to the down trodden and poor. In my third book, “The Legacy of Deer Run,” I depicted the prejudices of the upper class townspeople to the “hill people” who were hard workers but quite poor. That attitude is so contrary to God’s teaching as described in James 2: 2-6. In Proverbs 29:7, it says “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” There are so many verses about the poor in Scripture that, were I to write them all down, it would take up this entire blog post and more!</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: When did you first know you were a writer?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">A. I’ve written stories and poems since I was a child but I suppose I understood that I <i>might</i> be a “writer” when a newspaper editor saw some of my work and she offered me an opportunity to do freelancing. I still find it difficult to grasp the concept of being called a writer. Every time someone introduces me as an <i>author</i>, I have this uncomfortable feeling that I should be looking around the room for the “real” author!</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: If you could sit down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that be and what is the first question you would ask?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">A. I’ve always been intrigued by Mother Theresa and her work. I think I would love to sit down with her and ask, “How did you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that this is what God called you to do?” Imagine the love in her heart to reach out to those who many would prefer to ignore!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">My biggest mentor has been my husband, Steve. When I first met (and then married) newspaper reporter, Steve, I was intrigued by his job but never in a million years imagined that I would become a published author. When I, many years later, felt the compelling urge to write my first novel, Steve was instrumental in helping me hone my skills. I’ve always admired his work and hope that my writing is even half as good as his.</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">I’ve also learned so much about the craft from author/editor Lisa J. Lickel. She knows her history and she knows word “stuff!” LOL! And she taught me so much about writing book reviews, a skill that is tougher than many might think.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: What do you hope your readers will take away from your books? And can you hint at any works to come?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">I want my readers to first of all be drawn into the characters in my story, to feel their fears, joys and hopes. But I also want my readers to come away spiritually awakened in some way so that they feel closer to God. Since I write historicals, I definitely want my readers to be swept up in another era so they can, hopefully, understand life long ago.</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Works to come? I am taking a one-book-break from historical fiction to write about my journey with my daughter through her battle with brain cancer. She passed away ten years ago this month when she was only 24-years-old. What I hope to accomplish in <b><i>Bethany’s Calendar</i></b> is to show God’s grace and mercy in the midst of my life’s greatest trial. But I also hope that my journey with my daughter will help other families going through similar circumstances know how they can be an advocate for their loved one. And how they can survive, with God’s strength.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Do you have a question you would like our blog readers to answer?</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Hello blog readers!</span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I would like to know if you like a historical novel that has lots of romance, or if you prefer historical fiction with just a small taste of “love in the air.”</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt;">J</span></b></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">A copy of </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Fields of the Fatherless </i>will be drawn for one lucky winner via random.org on Friday. </span></b><b style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">You can gain extra entries by subscribing to this blog, Elaine's <a href="http://www.novelpastimes.com/">blog</a><span id="goog_2064365543"></span><span id="goog_2064365544"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>, and sharing on fb, twitter, or google+ at top right ADD THIS bar. Tell me in the comments where you shared, and don't forget to leave your email addy with your answer to Elaine's </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">question</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">(Kathy) Thank you for being with us this week. I wish you every blessing as you write for His glory!</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">(Elaine) Thank you so much, Kathleen!</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1379427738l/18514695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1379427738l/18514695.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">ABOUT <i>FIELDS OF THE FATHERLESS:</i></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></i></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Sometimes the greatest stories of bravery and sacrifice are hidden from the history books. Sometimes those stories need to be told.</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"> </span></i></b></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">In the early months of 1775, war is brewing in the American colonies. Although frightened, eighteen-year-old Betsy Russell of Menotomy Village, Massachusetts, wants to be prepared in case of attack by the British troops.</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5181" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5182" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Her father, prosperous farmer Jason, is the fourth generation of Russells on this land—yet their very rights as British Colonials are being stripped away one by one. Will the King of England take the Russells’ land as well?</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5179" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5180" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">Tensions are growing here in the countryside west of Boston and the outbreak of battle seems almost a certainty. Jason desperately wants to protect his family—his wife, children and grandchildren—and their future. Betsy makes every attempt to be prepared for the worst.</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5178" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5177" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;">But not even the American militia could have predicted what was about to occur—right on the Russells’ doorstep. If Betsy loses everything she holds dear, are the rights of all the Colonists endangered? (Based on a true story.)</span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3096" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3101" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3103" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3104" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">Novelist Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of <b id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5176"><i id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5175">The Road to Deer Run</i></b>, <b><i>The Promise of Deer Run</i></b> and <b><i>The Legacy of Deer Run</i></b>. Her passions are her family, her faith in Christ and the history of the American Revolution, a frequent subject of her historical fiction. She grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for many of her novels<b id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3106"><i id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3105">. Fields of the Fatherless</i></b> releases October 2013. </span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3103" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">Visit her website at: </span><a href="http://www.elainemariecooper.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">http://www.elainemariecooper.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3109" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3108" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;">Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ElaineMarieCooperAuthor" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_3107" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/ElaineMarieCooperAuthor</a></span></div>
<div class="yiv4661631080" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383448677617_5171" style="background-color: white; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-33022136261871873242013-11-09T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-09T06:00:05.649-05:00Beating the Winter Blues, guest post by Chris Granville<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1c/98/81/1c988114d05a97cd2bfcb9cc73aad4bd.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1c/98/81/1c988114d05a97cd2bfcb9cc73aad4bd.jpg" /></a><br />
It is November. It is already getting very dark, cold and gloomy at times. It is getting close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Families can be difficult to deal with. This is a very common time to start feeling down. Here are some good suggestions to help you deal with all of that.<br />
<div>
<br />
Can you first look to Our Lord, getting into a 15 minute bible reading time each day and maybe just start in Psalms or 1 John?<br />
<br />
Can you start to believe that Our Lord can bring you out of feeling down?<br />
<br />
Can you consciously start to walk a little bit every day especially during a time when the sun is out?<br />
Be sure you wear good tennis shoes--I don't want you to turn your ankle. :)<br />
<br />
Can you buy a natural light all spectrum lightbulb? Lowes or Home Depot probably carry them. Spend time soaking in that light. I'm sure you all know how to change a light bulb Or borrow a tall son if it's a ceiling light bulb--t least mine can change light bulbs without a ladder.<br />
<br />
Also bring out your warm fuzzy clothes and socks but don’t start just vegging!<br />
<br />
Start praying to Our Lord to get out of your dark mood and start praying to our Lord on how to deal with sad and angry and moody people and not lose the peace and love our Lord sends you.<br />
<br />
And just think on how wonderful, awesome and beautiful our Lord is and how his peace is always available to us as we keep our eyes on Him......<br />
<br />
And also start doing a bunch of kind actions for the people around you. It blesses them and it makes you feel so much better.<br />
<br />
Remember the Lord said we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Even if our neighbor is the most unlovable person!!<br />
<br />
And also remember Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men."<br />
<br />
That means we never, ever answer back when somebody says a nasty word to us. You answer back with God's love and you can only do that if you stay close to our Lord.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>"The incidence of seasonal affective disorder increases in people who are living farther away from the equator. Statistics on seasonal affective disorder in the United States include that this disorder occurs in about 5% of adults, with up to 20% of people having some symptoms of the condition but not sufficient enough to meet diagnostic criteria for this disorder. Seasonal affective disorder is less common where there is snow on the ground. Seasonal affective disorder is about four times more common in women than men, and the average age of people when they first develop this illness is 23 years of age. People of all ages can develop seasonal affective disorder."</i> from article by <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=80650">Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD</a> and <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=41529">Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD</a> <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/seasonal_affective_disorder_sad/article.htm">http://www.medicinenet.com/seasonal_affective_disorder_sad/article.htm</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 10.55pt; margin-bottom: 2.05pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 10.55pt; margin-bottom: 2.05pt;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-24907193449374063472013-11-06T00:40:00.001-05:002013-11-06T19:39:34.634-05:00#bookreview of Gatehaven, a Christian Gothic novel by Molly Noble Bull<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377628198l/18341706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377628198l/18341706.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Gatehaven is the 2013 Creation House Fiction Writing Contest Winner.<br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;">Evil has its hour, but the end of the Story reveals a Victor whose atoning sacrifice makes redemption possible. This is the central theme of the Bible, and also of this gothic tale of intrigue and wickedness in high places, and of rescue and restoration. </i><br />
<i style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></i>
<i style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></i></div>
<br />
<br />
Rachel Shannon Aimee is the beautiful and spirited daughter of French Huguenots settled in Scotland. She has an honorable admirer in Ian Colquhoun, a minister in training. Shannon becomes the unwitting target of two conspiring men bent on evil: the young, charming Earl of Northon, and Etienne Gabeau, aka Leon Picard, a wealthy old man looking to satiate his lust for revenge against Shannon’s mother for scorning Leon’s advances many years ago. Ian and Shannon’s brother Peter would save Shannon from a big mistake—trusting the handsome earl’s sudden proposal of marriage. Their journey takes Shannon, Ian and Peter Aimee to England where the young lass is set to become the earl’s bride, or perhaps meet a nefarious fate. <br />
<br />
What transpires will send chills racing down the reader’s spine, and keep them riveted on the edge of their seat, as mysteries are uncovered and evil is exposed by the light of revelation. Enemies and allies are drawn up in an epic battle of good and evil, while the plot twists and turns through narrow escapes and brushes with cultish meetings and the supernatural. So much more than entertainment, this story brings truth and balance to a cultural fascination with spiritualism. Written with skill, keen insight and wisdom, this story will please readers of Frank Peretti, Tedd Dekker, and all fans of supernatural thrillers. <br />
<br />
I give this book 4 and a half stars <br />
<br />
To purchase this book, go to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1621364003/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1621364003/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img</a><br />
<br />
or to CBD <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/gatehaven/9781621364009/pd/364009?product_redirect=1&Ntt=364009&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP">http://www.christianbook.com/gatehaven/9781621364009/pd/364009?product_redirect=1&Ntt=364009&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-29705338651482190412013-11-05T04:00:00.000-05:002013-11-06T19:36:08.379-05:00Interview with Molly Noble Bull and giveaways! ends Friday Nov 8<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_EpWLLxnxAk7p893aIlFJ9npMC_s3R21nJkp_Tl0g2dTmP8Df9EQPyZJd0apTNx61x8IOieJblSuKNG84Xfm-H4vxU0I-DuuyVgQw9elCAa-bAJ18Rb1Prumh3B7kTUcKuP9R4ze3-KG/s1600/Molly+Noble+Bull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_EpWLLxnxAk7p893aIlFJ9npMC_s3R21nJkp_Tl0g2dTmP8Df9EQPyZJd0apTNx61x8IOieJblSuKNG84Xfm-H4vxU0I-DuuyVgQw9elCAa-bAJ18Rb1Prumh3B7kTUcKuP9R4ze3-KG/s320/Molly+Noble+Bull.JPG" width="310" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome Molly! We are
so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit
about yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: First of all, what
is your pleasure: coffee and donuts, tea and crumpets, soda and chips, or are
you more a fruit smoothie/health conscious gal? </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: I’ll take the
coffee with Splenda. I’d love a donut, but I better not—too many calories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What causes are you
passionate about, and do they find their way into your writing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: I am passionate
about the Lord. I am a pro-life Christian activist, and I am passionate about
saving the life of unborn children from conception to birth and beyond. I also
love my former college sweetheart turned husband and our children and
grandchildren with passion. All those passions find their way into all my
books. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: When did you first
know you were a writer? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: I am dyslexic.
School was hard for me, especially elementary school. I didn’t really learn to
read until I was in about the fourth grade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNK5Z2Z8g1-m_8r0qMqdXZOKEpmnjFH8l8NYQZyNyYi87ZaxUBfQUjymf_DEGy0WBrVjRqt8PbQHHtAfZM4tRUbMx2y_ZvtTXI6bct8wl_ws_PsyZ2rSdu9DSIvXHh1qknodWVwYp7J8q/s1600/Molly+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNK5Z2Z8g1-m_8r0qMqdXZOKEpmnjFH8l8NYQZyNyYi87ZaxUBfQUjymf_DEGy0WBrVjRqt8PbQHHtAfZM4tRUbMx2y_ZvtTXI6bct8wl_ws_PsyZ2rSdu9DSIvXHh1qknodWVwYp7J8q/s320/Molly+book.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I learned that I was a
writer when I could barely spell the word <i>right</i> much less <i>write</i>.
It happened in the fourth grade. Since I couldn’t spell, I was unable to write
the kind of stories I wanted to write. However, I was pretty good at telling
stories that I made up as I went along. My English teacher and my public school
music teacher must have noticed that I was kind of creative, and they told me I
was talented. Those encouraging words got me going toward becoming a
novelist—gave me a desire to never give up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To learn more about
this period in my life, please read <i>Christian</i> <i>Authors</i> <i>Who</i> <i>Conquered</i>
<i>Learning</i> <i>Disabilities</i> by Molly Noble Bull and four other
Christian authors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All five of us had
learning disabilities. All five of us became published Christian authors. You
might have heard of at least one of them. Her name is Margaret Daley, and she
is the former president of ACFW. Apparently, learning disabilities are common
among artists, writers and musicians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: If you could sit
down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that
be and what is the first question you would ask? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: I would love to
sit down and talk to the Lord face-to-face for all eternity. But I can’t say
what my first question would be because I have so many. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: Who have been your
mentors, and how did they help you most? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: I would have to
say that the two fourth grade teachers mentioned above plus my high school
English teacher were my mentors. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in
myself. Because of their encouragement, I tried harder and harder to overcome
by learning problems. Later, I became an elementary and early childhood teacher
where I tried to encourage my students. As a published novelist, I also try to
encourage new writers. Encouragement makes all the difference. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Q: What do you
hope your readers will take away from your books? And can you hint at any works
to come? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: I can’t go into
all the world to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But my books can go places
I cannot go and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All I had to do was learn
how to write my stories without preaching. If you read <i>Gatehaven</i>, my
Christian Gothic historical, you can decide if I achieved my goal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Currently, I am
working on the sequel to Gatehaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stay tuned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi35gnhaTKp1bF5wY3DqPvDryuv112B3RT5PBrd3G6mO3rhaUinr7Q9XSHBd4I7OqqK9-J09HugZn2HLurS0d7AwV3wjYYP7NFbEHHW4K56QYmB_IBK35kfQp6raSV2w13ZbPuGQMTqBYm/s1600/Gatehaven+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi35gnhaTKp1bF5wY3DqPvDryuv112B3RT5PBrd3G6mO3rhaUinr7Q9XSHBd4I7OqqK9-J09HugZn2HLurS0d7AwV3wjYYP7NFbEHHW4K56QYmB_IBK35kfQp6raSV2w13ZbPuGQMTqBYm/s400/Gatehaven+(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gatehaven</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> by Molly Noble Bull is a Christian Gothic
novel is set in Scotland and in a haunting mansion in the north of England in
1784 where Ian Colquhoun and Shannon Aimee battle a Frenchman with dark
secrets. Will they learn enough about God’s Words to defend themselves or will
evil overcome them? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly entered
<i>Gatehaven</i> in the 2013 Creation House Fiction Writing Contest as a manuscript,
and it won the grand prize. <i>Gatehaven</i> is available to trade paperback and soon
as an e-book. To find all Molly’s book, write Molly Noble Bull in the search
slot at online and walking-in bookstores. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Kathy here--look for my review here on Wednesday) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Website: <a href="http://www.mollynoblebull.com/">www.mollynoblebull.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook: Molly Noble
Bull<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Twitter: Mollyauthor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pinterest: Molly Noble
Bull<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Blogs</b>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Writers Rest, <a href="http://writersrest.blogspot.com/">http://writersrest.blogspot.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also write articles
for <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Commandment Keepers, <a href="http://www.commandmentkeepers.com/">www.commandmentkeepers.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Bustles and Spurs, <a href="http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/">www.bustlesandspurs.com</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Do you have a question you would like our blog readers to answer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Molly: Again, I have a lot of questions. It’s hard to decide which one to use. So here is one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>We all buy books written by popular authors. But what would cause you to buy a book written by someone like me—someone you might never have heard of until today?</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope everybody will answer my question and leave a comment. However, <b>I will give a free copy of <i>Gatehaven</i> in trade paperback to the first five readers who promise to write a review of Gatehaven and post it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book.com or someplace</b>. If you don’t like Gatehaven after reading it, you don’t have to write a good review, but I do hope you will write a review. I learn even from my critics. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kathy: Thank you for being
with us this week. I wish you every blessing as you write for His glory! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Molly: Thank you for
inviting me. And may the Lord bless you and yours today and every day. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em>Gatehaven</em> Update</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
MOLLY: If I learned anything during my years writing for publication, it is that unforeseen things happen in life as well as in the book publishing world. Such an event is happening right now, and here it is. The publication of <i>Gatehaven</i>, my upcoming Christian Gothic historical novel, was delayed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Yep, it’s true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i>Gatehaven</i> will still be published in trade paperback and later as an e-book, but it won’t be available in stores until late December 2013 or early January 2014. People who promised to review Gatehaven can still get a free copy of the novel, but they won’t have the book in their hands as soon as I first thought.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Life is a series of highs and lows—joys and disappointments. Those that choose to buy and read <i>The</i> <i>Overcomers</i>, <i>Christian</i> <i>Authors</i> <i>Who</i> <i>Conquered</i> <i>Learning</i> <i>Disabilities</i> will discover what I learned as a dyslexic, and it is this. Never, never, never, never, never, never give up.</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-22741220448373576472013-10-28T04:00:00.000-04:002013-11-01T23:15:07.749-04:00Fields of the Fatherless by Elaine Marie Cooper--review and giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oiFuURZZL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oiFuURZZL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The battle of Concord comes alive through the utterly sympathetic character of Betsy Russell, an authentic 18-year-old farm girl from colonial Massachusetts. Diary posts inspire this fictionalized account of the emotionally charged months leading up to the first shots of the American Revolution. Betsy's vulnerability and honesty carry a tale of grit, loss, and ultimate triumph through faith.<br />
<br />
Betsy battles her growing fears in the changing times in Menotomy, a small town on the road between Concord and Boston. Young men she knows have already joined the militia, while older men like her father would shelter her from the horrors to come. But even wise and faithful Jason Russell cannot spare her innocent eyes forever.<br />
<br />
What transpires among her family and close-knit townsfolk on that fateful April day will affect her the rest of her life, but not without passing through the filter of an earthly father's prescient wisdom and a heavenly father's sovereignty. Betsy must learn which battle lines to draw and which to surrender to the Lord's love.<br />
<br />
Written with a tender authenticity and faithfulness to the times, Elaine Cooper has opened a portal to a world gone by, and yet drawn parallels to a world not so different now. This is a beautiful novel ideal for young students of history and literature, as well as for adults who cherish the power of a good story.<br />
<br />
I'll be interviewing Elaine on Wednesday, and commenters today and then will be entered to win a print copy of Elaine's fabulous novel. Be sure to leave your email addy with comment.<br />
<br />
At the end of the weekAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-15352381943465005892013-10-02T04:00:00.000-04:002013-10-02T04:00:01.533-04:00Civil War novella "A Soldier's Heart" by Tamera Lynn Kraft, review with giveawayEvery now and then, a story comes along that goes straight to the heart. Entertainment and romance and even authentic history are all nice, and this had all of that, but it is a rare read that reaches past those earthly pleasures and touches you with a word of encouragement and truth.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wpclipart.com/American_History/civil_war/Pontoon_Bridge_at_Cincinnati.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://www.wpclipart.com/American_History/civil_war/Pontoon_Bridge_at_Cincinnati.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Civil War pontoon bridge at Cincinnati, OH</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ms. Kraft has written a powerful story of healing and overcoming in "A Soldier's Heart", her novella about a soldier struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and guilt over the death of the men under his leadership. When Sergeant Noah Andrews musters out of the 7th Ohio regiment after three brutal years of service to Lincoln's Army, he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life on his farm with his young and lovely wife Molly and put the war behind him. But when anxiety and claustrophobia overwhelm him in the cheering crowds welcoming him home as a hero, he realizes the war still lives on in his head.<br />
<br />
Molly has waited for her husband for three long years working his farm and managing all its hard duties. She believes all will be well if Noah only returns safely home to him. They have loved one another since childhood, and yet their marriage was only a day old when he left for war. The man she loves finally comes home to her, but something drastic has changed in him. She is unprepared for the battle for her marriage that his strange condition foists on them.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/31900/31972r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/31900/31972r.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">soldier's letter from Ohio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Filled with a cast of hometown characters and authenticity that can only come from thorough research and passion for the time period, this story rings true on every level. From the quaint terms of the time, including the title term for PTSD before it was an official diagnosis, to the unique aspects of setting such as Buckeye trees and flat farmland, I was transported to rural Civil War Ohio. The town's preacher, Reverend Obadiah Haskell and Noah's best friend and brother in law Aaron provide moments of poignant wisdom that help Noah on the road to recovery. But the town Copperhead, Horace Greene, picks a fight with Noah, fearing Greene's son will be drafted because Noah refused to reenlist. And one of the town ladies, Mrs. Townsend, asks him to share what he is unready to revisit in his mind. Realistic episodes of anger, and visions of enemies that aren't there make him feel he is a danger to the one he loves best--Molly. Will he have to sacrifice the peaceful life he has longed for to protect Molly from himself?<br />
<br />
This novella packs so much into its pages. For students who wish to learn what life was like in this turbulent time, I can think of no finer read. And for Civil War buffs like me who expect a lot, it delivers. For lovers of a sweet romance or those who identify with the hero's struggle with past traumas, "A Soldier's Heart" has a message for everybody. Read it. Savor it. And tell your friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wordsharpeners.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ipadvertical17.jpg?w=350&h=542" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://wordsharpeners.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/ipadvertical17.jpg?w=350&h=542" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To enter in a drawing for this novella, leave a comment below about a time in your life when a friend or pastor helped you through a hard place. A winner will be selected Friday evening via random.org. Giveaway prize is in E-copy format only. Good luck!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-50627064062383907142013-09-23T03:00:00.000-04:002013-09-23T03:00:17.082-04:00Win an ebook of Dianne Price's debut: BROKEN WINGS <h3>
A Beloved Author Gone--Her Books Live On!</h3>
<div class="date-posts" style="background-color: white; color: #2e4856; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div class="post-outer">
<div class="post hentry" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting">
<div class="post-header">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5926522701757537484" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 5px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwQ9Jn53wVQeofxpCT3DQVUC5lWL9I_8ksjGvmZGoWQ_p2b5pMXQNAHPt5HAIT3p9XVTaktEYqqzNlaULlwgSfCx00xBISA1NM4TOKMg0e2zBEILbXWslNefV27ZgR9DCMmiVdX11Dno1/s1600/Broken+Wings+COVER+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; clear: right; color: #2e4856; float: right; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwQ9Jn53wVQeofxpCT3DQVUC5lWL9I_8ksjGvmZGoWQ_p2b5pMXQNAHPt5HAIT3p9XVTaktEYqqzNlaULlwgSfCx00xBISA1NM4TOKMg0e2zBEILbXWslNefV27ZgR9DCMmiVdX11Dno1/s320/Broken+Wings+COVER+front.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="215" /></a></div>
<br /><span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.ashberrylane.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ashberry Lane</a> announces the bittersweet release of <i>Broken Wings</i>, the first book in the Thistle Series. Only a short time ago, we offered a contract to the amazing Dianne Price for her six-book WWII romance. Knowing she had terminal cancer,<span class="text_exposed_show"> we did everything within our power to get the first book out while she was still alive.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="userContent">However, she passed on to Glory one week shy of the first release. How blessed we all are that her legacy lives on in these stories. Please read <i>Broken Wings</i> and fall in love with Rob and Maggie and the isle of Innisbraw. (Book Two, <i>Wing and a Prayer</i>, releases in October!)<br /><br />E-versions are available at:</span><br /><span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Wings-Thistle-Series-ebook/dp/B00EX5ZIVY" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broken-wings-dianne-price/1116810338?ean=2940148804475" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />and in all other e-formats at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/353260" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Smashwords</a><br />The print book will release soon--check our <a href="http://ashberrylane.com/shop/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Product Page</a> to place your order!<br /><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Book's Dedication</span><br /><br />Foremost, to the glory of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And for my husband and best friend, True, who always wore the “Colonel’s cap” in our family, but only with calm Christian dedication, love, and compassion. See you in Heaven, my luv!</span><br /><span class="userContent"><br /></span><br /><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6k5VuSG8_pzF1vjOxV250z6P5tG0KcbYJ0sOLnepeKfDTwO8RyQ7RTr4Q9uhsmogveLMRB8zYg6Y2PrNxlLSYhE-TX2swzRAOELKqHZQRqbRcpNluWpDT48NFGBdK8SQpEp0VbSQZB6L/s1600/DianneP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; clear: left; color: #2e4856; float: left; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6k5VuSG8_pzF1vjOxV250z6P5tG0KcbYJ0sOLnepeKfDTwO8RyQ7RTr4Q9uhsmogveLMRB8zYg6Y2PrNxlLSYhE-TX2swzRAOELKqHZQRqbRcpNluWpDT48NFGBdK8SQpEp0VbSQZB6L/s320/DianneP.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block;" width="311" /></a><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span></div>
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In Loving Memory </span></span><br /> </span><br /><span class="userContent">Dianne was granted her wish and she joined her beloved Savior and her husband in Heaven. She is probably dancing a Scots reel even as you read this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">About the Book</span><br /><br />He lives to fly—until a jagged piece of flack changes his life forever.<br /><br />A tragic childhood has turned American Air Forces Colonel Rob Savage into an outwardly indifferent loner who is afraid to give his heart to anyone. RAF nurse Maggie McGrath has always dreamed of falling in love and settling down in a thatched cottage to raise a croftful of bairns, but the war has taken her far from Innisbraw, her tiny Scots island home.<br /><br />Hitler’s bloody quest to conquer Europe seems far away when Rob and Maggie are sent to an infirmary on Innisbraw to begin his rehabilitation from disabling injuries. Yet they find themselves caught in a battle between Rob’s past, God’s plan, and the evil some islanders harbor in their souls. Which will triumph?<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Meet the Author</span><br /><br />Dianne fell in love with writing at the age of five. Because her father was a barnstorming pilot, she was bitten early by the “flying bug” as well. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and met and married the man God had prepared for her—an aeronautical engineer. After their five children were in school, she burned the midnight oil and wrote three novels, all published by Zebra Press. When her husband died only three years after he retired, she felt drawn to visit the Outer Hebrides Isles of Scotland, where her husband’s clan (MacDonalds) and her own clan (Galbraiths) originated. Many yearly trips, gallons of tea, too little sleep, and a burst of insight birthed her Thistle Series.<br /><br />PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Dianne, born August 1933, lived joyfully despite dealing with terminal cancer and died in August 2013, a mere week before the release date for the first book of this series, Broken Wings. Everyone involved with the production of this book and the next five has been blessed beyond measure to have known Dianne and be a part of giving readers a chance to meet Rob and Maggie and visit the beautiful, fictional isle of Innisbraw.<br /><br />Leave a message for her family and sign up to hear the latest about her books at <a href="http://www.ashberrylane.com/dianneprice" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dianne's publishing page</a> or "Like" her <a href="http://www.facebooks.com/authordianneprice" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. Also, sign up for the <a href="http://www.ashberrylane.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #2e4856; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ashberry Lane</a> newsletter to always know the latest about Dianne's releases.</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5926522701757537484" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 5px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5926522701757537484" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 5px;">
Also, if you leave a comment here, you will be entered to win a digital copy of Broken Wings. Winner selected by random.org on Friday.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7124987486481611446.post-37631939402756896742013-09-16T04:00:00.000-04:002013-09-16T04:00:08.757-04:00Interview with AMBER SCHAMEL and giveaway of HEALER'S TOUCH, ends Sept 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GZFGrdD_Wn497msbgvNVsn3zSr5GI2EuE-lbgi6lvkSgAK3braw7rqt85x3xO2JG0aKcJ_4My1hnWbqSQg6Eh017tmUg9p6wKwZMf3fOnuFv8W40HM8DDstuKa4bX7hZL3SqEzLrHzUt/s1600/Amber+tinted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GZFGrdD_Wn497msbgvNVsn3zSr5GI2EuE-lbgi6lvkSgAK3braw7rqt85x3xO2JG0aKcJ_4My1hnWbqSQg6Eh017tmUg9p6wKwZMf3fOnuFv8W40HM8DDstuKa4bX7hZL3SqEzLrHzUt/s400/Amber+tinted.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Welcome AMBER! We are so happy to have you here this week, and that you have agreed to share a bit about yourself.<br />
<br />
AMBER: Thanks Kathy! It's great to be here. I've been very excited about this interview, and I'm a big fan of your blog and your writing. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: First of all, apple pie and ice cream, apple slices and caramel, or apple juice in your juicer J note the sliding scale from decadence to health?</span> <br />
A: I'll take the ice cream and the fresh apple juice. :) I try to keep everything in balance. My favorite thing from my juicer is celery and carrot juice. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: When did you first know you were a writer?</span><br />
A: I have always had an active imagination and even as a young girl I would make up stories and play them out in my make believe. I started writing those stories down when I was about fourteen. But the real calling came about the time I graduated from High School. I had been doing a lot of study on how media and books affect people's attitudes and worldview. It was astonishing how the subtle messages that have been worked into entertainment over the years has completely transformed our nation and our morals. I realized that someone needed to write stories that upheld morals, faith and godliness. The Lord then led me to Habakkuk 2:2 which says " And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." That became my commission. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: How does your faith play into your writing?</span><br />
A: My faith plays very strongly into my writing. All of my stories come from a distinctly Christian world view with a high moral standard. However I never want my reader to feel like they're being hit over the head with a Bible. :) That hurts.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: If you could sit down and interview any person, fictitious or real from any time, who would that be and what is the first question you would ask?</span><br />
A: Wow, that's a hard question! <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would want to interview Jesus. But everything I think about asking
Him, He's already left an answer for. I thought about asking Him to explain how
much God loves us, but the whole Bible is filled with examples, symbols and
types. He would just say to me "For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten son." I thought about asking Him when the rapture would
come, but He would answer "No man knows the day." So I would probably
ask Him why I wasn't born during the time when He walked the earth. That's
something I've wondered about a lot.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 11.85pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: Who have been your mentors, and how did they help you most?</span><br />
A: The ladies over at Seekerville have been a great inspiration to me and have taught me so much by their blog posts etc. I have also learned a lot from Giovanni, my rep over at Helping Hands Press. He's taught me a lot about marketing and staying in touch with readers.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: What do you hope your readers will take away from your debut? And can you hint at any works to come?</span><br />
A: I want my readers to come to the same realization that Aaliyah does, that bitterness is a terrible disease that is far worse than leprosy. And Jesus Christ is the only one that can heal us of that disease. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Next,
I'm working on a Christmas story I'm calling The Swaddling Clothes. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many
stories have been told down through the ages about Mary, Joseph and the birth
of the Messiah. Stories of shepherds and sheep, kings, angels, and stables. But
there is one story that has never been told. One story that has remained hidden
in the fabric of time. The story of The Swaddling Clothes.</span> </div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Q: Do you have a question you would like our blog readers to answer?</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>A: Have you ever struggled with bitterness? What helped you to overcome it?</b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Amber is offering a digital edition of <b>The Healer's Touch </b>to one lucky commenter this week. Leave an answer in the comments to her question (in green, above) to enter to win. If you share this post on facebook, twitter, Google+, and if you like or follow any of Amber's links below, let me know for extra entries! </i></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/2940016480909_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/2940016480909_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>The Healer's Touch</b> Synopsis:</div>
<div>
Aaliyah's last chance at winning her husband's love is destroyed when she is banished from her home as an 'unclean' sinner, exiled to the leper colony. When a chance at being cured comes in the form of a rumor, she must risk her life to appear in public, or die a leper.</div>
<div>
<br />
<i>Amber Schamel was born in <st1:city w:st="on">Littleton</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">CO</st1:state> and has traveled extensively throughout the
<st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, Europe, and
the <st1:place w:st="on">Holy Land</st1:place>. She was raised in a family of
11 children, homeschooled through education and currently works with their 10
family businesses as bookkeeper and marketing director. She volunteers half of
the summer at a non-profit Christian Family Bootcamp in rural MO helping and
ministering to young girls and Christian families. Amber loves history,
culture, reading and music. She has a musical ministry and travels throughout
the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>
ministering thru song. During her spare time she enjoys crafting
Christ-honoring stories that will inspire and encourage her readers. Amber
currently lives with her family outside of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Colorado Springs</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CO</st1:state></st1:place>.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To learn more about Amber, visit her author website: <a href="http://visionwriter.weebly.com/">http://visionwriter.weebly.com</a></i></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Amber, thank you for being with us this week. I wish you every blessing as you write for His glory!</span><br />
<br />
Thanks so much for having me on your blog this week, Kathy! I've enjoyed hanging out with all of you. I'd love it if ya'll would stop by and say hello. Here's where you can find me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.amberschamel.com/">www.AmberSchamel.com</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/">www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com</a> (an awesome group blog I'm a part of)<br />
<br />
Facebook - <a href="https://www/">https://www</a>.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel">facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel</a><br />
Twitter - @AmberSchamel <a href="https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel">https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel</a><br />
Pinterest - <a href="http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/">http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/</a><br />
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15959035032526995246noreply@blogger.com35