November 2005 Newsletter

BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS

        It's June, the month of wild roses and new mown hay. The hummingbirds have forsaken my feeders to gorge on the yellow and white blossoms of Halls honeysuckle draping the fencerows and drenching the air with a fragrance right out of heaven. The irises, which were so beautiful a couple of weeks ago, are gone now, making room for roses and lilies. The humidity is as high as a cat's back and you can stand still and sweat. Early summer in the Ozarks.

            I'm going on vacation this month, for two whole weeks. I go to my sister's in Independence, Missouri, and we sit and talk, do family things and garage sale. We also take her entire family to a fishing resort called Basswoods. President Truman used to go there and we usually stay in the cottage called The Truman House. There are no telephone calls, no computer, and no e-mail to feed my addiction. The little ones swim and fish, the older ones swim and bait the hooks. I sit in the shade, watch, visit, read and doze. And since we practice catch and release here, there are no fish to clean.

            I hope you each have a glorious month, and every proposal you send out nets a multi-sale contract with a mega bucks advance. (Hey, when you dream, dream big.) Sit in the shade, drink iced tea, laugh often, and stay cool. God bless. 

WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH

 Dorothy Clark's Joy for Mourning  WON the Gayle Wilson Award of  Excellence – Inspirational category, and Joy for Mourning also WON  the Yellow Rose/Winter Rose Contest, Inspirational category. Great,  Dorothy. Proud of you.

Maureen Lang has sold a two-book deal to Tyndale House. Both books center around trusting God when good, Christian people have to face tough times. There's romance in there too, and the story is split between a contemporary woman and her Victorian forbearer. Maureen is also working on a sequel to Pieces of Silver, due out in early 2007.  Sounds like one busy lady. Looking forward to reading them.

Sharon Hinck's book, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, will be officially released June 1st. Sharon had a "preview book signing" at Barnes and Noble in Burnsville, MN on May 13th, and will have a Book Launch Event on June 10th at 1:00 p.m. at the Burnsville Northwestern Bookstore. Way to go, Sharon. Wish I lived closer. I'd be sure to drop in.

Sharon has a great review for her The Secret Life of Becky Miller. You can check it out here. http://www.christianfictionreview.com/Reviews/secretlifeofbecky.html

Nikki Arana's third book The Fragrance of Roses will be released July 6th. Her first book, The Winds of Sonoma,  received the following recognition:

 Finalist – 2006, Gayle Wilson Award for Excellence.

 Finalist – 2006 Beacon Award for Excellence in Romance

 Finalist – 2006 Write Touch Award

Winds of Sonoma was also named one of the top 20 books of 2005

Editor's Pick Christianbook.com. Doing good, Nikki. Keep it up.

 

Donita K. Tompkins signed a three-book deal with WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House. The books, untitled at this time, will be in the same vein as the DragonKeeper Chronicles. The third book in the DragonKeeper series comes out June 20th, with one more scheduled for next summer before she tackles the new series. Nothing like staying busy, Donita. Congratulations. Happy for you.

MaryAnn Diorio posts a new author or editor interview on her blog, every Wednesday.  Every Monday she answers questions people send in about the writing life. On every other day (except Sunday) she writes something about the spiritual or psychological aspect of writing. In addition to being a novelist, she's a Life Coach.

She has a lot of  interesting information you will enjoy reading. You can find this and more on her blog called Musings That Matter. And on her website, Truth through Fiction, www.maryanndiorio.com    MaryAnn invests a lot of time in helping her fellow writers. I appreciate all she does. Check out what she has to offer. I guarantee you'll be glad you did.

Lena Nelson Dooley has interviews through June featuring Deb Raney, Carrie Turansky, Debra White Smith, and Terry Burns. You can read the interviews with these authors at http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com. You can also sign up for a free book drawing every month at http://www.LenaNelsonDooley.com

Also,  Windswept Weddings will be released this month. It contains her novella "Move a Mountain", plus novellas by Rachel Hauck, Pamela Griffin, and Lynette Sowell. Windswept Weddings is featured in this month's book review.

Bonnie Doran won the Perseverance Award at the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference. Congratulations, Bonnie, proud of you. Bonnie also wrote an essay for the Weight Watcher's Lost and Found Contest and won second prize. That's great, Bonnie.  Way to go.

Janice A. Thompson has a two-book contract for two non-fiction books  (to be authored with her daughter Randi) with Barbour.  One a devotional book for brides-to-be titled Happy Ever After, After, and  the second for moms-to-be, titled Great Expectations. Good news,  Janice, and congratulations. Even more important, is the news that  Janice is going to become a grandmother, for the first time. Now that's really great news.

Janice also is opening up a spot on her website  www.thewriteheart.com It is a ministry site for writers-a place where they can gather together to be encouraged and to draw close to the Lord, so they're better equipped for the ministry of writing. Sounds good, Janice. We all need this sort of ministry.

Sandra Moore has sold her first book to Barbour's Spyglass Lane Mysteries. The Title is Murder on the Ol' Bunions, and it will be  released in the summer of 2007. With a title like that, I have to  read it. Congratulations, Sandra. Hope you sell many more.

Shelley Bates A Sounding Brass, Book three in the Elect Trilogy, will be released June 14th. Claire Montoya's life doesn't fit her anymore. Brought up in a toxic church in a small town of Hamilton Falls, Claire has watched her friends leave the church and has seen the leaders she trusted disgraced. It's time for a change—if she could just figure out what that is.

When Luke Fisher, radio evangelist, is invited to preach at one of  their gatherings, Claire decides this is what she has been waiting  for. She goes to work for him as bookkeeper at the radio station and soon discovers there are things about this charismatic visionary that  just don't add up.  And Investigator Ray Harper of the Organized Crime Task Force is hanging around the station, asking questions and disturbing her in a different way. But who is right? The nationally known evangelist, or the non-believing cop? And who will Claire trust with her heart? 

Robin Miller won the publicity contest WestBow ran for Coleen Coble's Alaska Twilight. She won an all expense paid trip to meet Coleen at the Women of Faith Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana in August. And  believe it or not, the date falls on Robin's birthday. Now that's what I call a great birthday present.

Megan DiMaria won the Tips and Tidbits New Writer of the Month from Linda Fulkerson's website. Megan tells me that she also attended the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and loved the Nangie Clinic, taught by Nancy Rue and Angela Hunt. She met a few wonderful editors who asked her to submit a proposal. Way to go Megan, I'm praying you get some great results from this.

Denise Hunter won the Gold (first place) in the Foreword book of the year contest for her book Saving Grace, published by Howard Publishing. Congratulations Denise, That's great

Lynn Coleman won the bronze in the Foreword BOYTA contest. Way to go Lynn, congratulations.

Elizabeth Ludwig says: "For me the most shocking thing about the writing business was learning the importance of networking. In an effort to help new authors in this area I've created a guest corner on my website where unpublished or newly published authors can post some of their information.

"Writing is a lonely business, and for those just starting out it's easy to get discouraged. Sometimes, a bit of affirmation is all it takes to carry a struggling author through that next rejection letter Sometimes, we just need to be reminded why we started on the path to publication. My goal is to encourage people on their writing journey, and give them a place where they can tell what they've learned along the way.

"Most of all,  I hope to encourage young authors to network, get their name out, and hopefully make those important contacts. Once in a while I'll host a guest who is published or multi-published. Why? Because I believe its seeing others who have realized the dream that pushes us to go further, keep writing, when all we want to do is toss the computer in the trashcan. Life, after all, is about helping each other to be the best we can be, and living in such a way that through our words and deeds, we give glory to God. Writing is no different."

Amen to that, Lisa. And thanks for all you and the others do to help new writers. I appreciate you all.  If you'd like to be a guest at www.elizabethludwig.com e-mail her privately at elizabeth@elizabethludwig.com.

At the Colorado Christian Writers Conference the Encourager Award went to two people, Donita Tomkins and Sharen Watson of Words for the Journey, for their willingness to help and put themselves out there for other writers. Congratulations, Donita and Sharen, and a gold star from me for being so helpful to others. Bless you both.

The Writer of the Year award at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference when to Paula Moldenhauer, who shares her writing to the world through her blog, www.gracerein.blogspot.com , and through her weekly newsletter, Soul Scents, www.soulscents.us. Paula also writes for Crosswalk.com. That's great news, Paula. Happy for you.

Cathy Messecar reports her book, The Stained Glass Pickup is selling well. One woman bought 55 copies to use as gifts for recovering women drug addicts and for woman parolees. That's great, Cathy. What a  privilege to be part of that work. God is using this book, and that's what we each want most of all for our work. I'm always happy to report news like this.

Mata Elliott's debut novel, Forgivin' Ain't Forgettin' will be released this month. A heart-wrenching decision made long ago has left Cassidy Beckett crippled with guilt. For years, her solution has been to bury her feelings behind her faith. But when a handsome young widower enters Cassidy's life, her past rises up, demanding to be dealt with, and now only the kind of courage and understanding that God provides can help her find healing. Sounds good Mata. Congratulations. Way to go.

Deborah Vogts has updated her website. If you want a great recipe for Chocolate Applesauce Cake and would like to look at some great horse pictures drop by www.deborahvogts.com. Sign her guest book for her new drawing of a set of family devotionals she will give away July 1.

Jill Eileen Smith has a new spotlight up about B.J. Hoff. B.J. always reaches out to encourage others. You'll want to read this one.  You can check it out here: http://www.jilleileensmith.com/

Dineen Miller has an article in The Spirit Led Writer you won't want to miss. The article is titled "Taming the Marketing Beast," and gives pointers on how writers can manage and/or create their own marketing materials such as websites, printed materials (logos, one sheets, bookmarks, etc) in consistent and inexpensive ways. Dineen has also created a design services page on her website. She can help other writers design their materials at competitive rates. This is one talented lady and she knows a lot about her subject. Marketing is difficult for all of us. We need to learn all we can about it and Dineen's article is a good place to start. Check out her article at  www.spiritledwriter.com .

Winners in the Daphne DuMurrier Contest:

Inspirational Romantic/Mystery Suspense:

Manna Reign, by Dineen A. Miller

Gift of Death, by Ronda Wells

Asylum, by Jill Nutter

Cargo to Die For, by Ruth Logan Herne.

Great news, ladies. Very happy for you.

GENESIS FINALISTS!!!

Contemporary Romance

 Kay Dacus                  Annette M. Irby            Glynna Sirpless

 Kristian Tolle               Betty Woods

 

 Historical Romance (3 way tie)

 Janet Dean                  Andree Eisenberg            Charlene Glatkowski

 Pat Gonzales               Audra Harders                        Lisa Marie Nelson

 Donna Robinson

Romantic Suspense

 Anita K. Greene Kelly Irvin                 Robin Miller

 Kelly Ann Riley     Jill Eileen Smith

Mystery/Suspense/ Thriller

 Alice Loweecy            D'Ann Mateer             Sandra Moore

 Wayne Scott               Cheryl Watt

Science Fiction/fantasy/speculative fiction  (2 way tie)

 Beth Goddard             Rebecca Grabill            Mirta Ann Shultz

 Shannon McNear            Rebecca LuElla Miller

Woman's Fiction

 Janice LaQuiere            Erin Keeley Marshall            Marian Merritt

 Ane Mulligan               Julie Saffrin

General Fiction (includes General Historical, Multicultural, Young  Adult, Contemporary Fiction, Chick-Lit)

 Mary Ann Diorio   Mike Ehret                Heidi Gennaro

 Lynne Gentry               Christina Miller

A hearty congratulations to every winner in each contest category. Proud of all of you.

 

BULLETIN BOARD

WHACKY NEWS OF THE MONTH.
(News too weird to make up)

The lights are out at MinneNapolis, a nap center in the Mall of  America, in Bloomington, Minnesota. The store sold naps for 70 cents a minute. That's right. The nap center charged $14.00 for 20 minutes spent alone in a private, themed room. You could take a  nap or stare at the ceiling. I have a question. Did they change the sheets after each nap? It's not that I'm picky or anything, but I want an answer to that question before I invest in their product.

The nap center was open for six months and brought in fewer than 1,600 customers. I know that is probably lower than their expectations, but think about it for a minute. 1,600 people were so desperate for sleep they paid to take a nap? In a shopping mall, no less? It appears the concept seems to work in some parts of the country. According to the news article, MetroNap sells space in sleep pods in such exalted places as the Empire State Building in New York, and at the airport in Vancouver, British Columbia. Keep that in mind if you're ever in one of those places and have a desperate urge to sleep.

I'll probably not avail myself of this service. Why should I pay $14.00 to take a nap when I can sleep in front of my computer for  free?

WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH

EXPERIENCING THE STORY

Does your reader experience your story, or is she always aware that it's just a book. We can all remember being so enthralled with the story we forgot we were reading something someone had made up. Instead, we seemed to be there with the character, feeling what she feels, worrying about her, rejoicing with her. In order to write like this, the story needs certain ingredients.

THE LARGER STORY:

First of all, the story you are telling is part of a larger story. You have chosen one time period in the life of the character to tell about, but the story you are telling is part of a larger story. The character has a past, which has shaped him into the man he is when your story begins. You may never use his past in the tale you tell, but you should be aware of it. We are each the product of what we have lived through. So are your characters. Think of your own life, all the things that made you the person you are. You have a unique story no one else has. I find when my sisters and I remember our past we each have separate memories. It's as if we lived different lives, and in a way we did. We each lived our own story. So each of your characters has his own special story. And you should be aware of what makes this character different from everyone else.

 IN THE BEGINNING:

Every story must begin somewhere. Even God began his book "In the beginning," Genesis 1:1. You, as the writer, must decide at which point in your character's life your story will begin. And once you begin, keep it going forward. One of the biggest mistakes I see in new writers is to start the story at a certain point in the character's life, and then go back and tell us what happened in a previous time. God didn't start his story with "In the beginning," and then say, "But then in a previous time," He started it and kept it going. We need to do the same. A lot has been said about first lines, and they are important, but you can have the catchiest first line ever, and if it isn't followed by a story that sets your reader on an intriguing, fast paced journey, the first line becomes irrelevant. Begin that story with your main character doing something and keep him moving forward, picking up momentum. If what has happened in the past is important to your story then work it in throughout the manuscript, in bits and pieces, not all in one big chunk on the first page.

THE HERO:

Every story must have a hero, worthy of the name. Not a paragon, but a real man, flawed, uncertain what to do sometimes, winning some, losing some, but dependable, ethical, someone to look up to. He needs to be the kind of man we each hope we are lucky enough to find. Someone even willing to give his life, to risk his all for the people he loves, for an ideal, or for what's right. It doesn't matter if he's handsome. Some of the greatest hero's the world has known weren't that much to look at, but they had what it took to take a stand and hold it.  That's the kind of man you need to create. Your reader will love him.

THE HEROINE:

Male and female, created He them. This was God's plan and it is a winning combination. Your heroine is the feminine version of your hero. She doesn't have to be beautiful, but she must have traits the reader will identify with and respect. If your heroine is weak, wimpy, a clinging vine, your reader may reject her. She needs flaws, of course, needs to fail, to stumble, even fall, but there must be something admirable about her. She needs to be strong, independent, smart, and willing to fight for what is right. Create a strong personality who has more going for her than mere looks.

THE VILLAIN:

Every story needs a villain. We often concentrate on the hero and the heroine and give the villain a passing glance. But every story, since the serpent slithered into Eden's garden has had a villain. Not always someone or something really evil, but someone or some force that will deny our hero or heroine that which he or she covets the most. Our stories must mirror real life, and we seem to forget that we also have an enemy. Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Ever since then man has struggled with an unseen enemy who tempts, taunts, and leads us away from the holy presence of our heavenly Father. Why then is it so difficult for us to accept the presence of evil in our lives, and why are we so reluctant to include it in our books. Just as good and evil war in our world, they should battle each other in our stories.

LOVE:

Love does indeed make the world go round. We yearn to love and be loved. God created us to love. But the love in your story must be real, not a cheap imitation. Each of us can point to someone we truly love. That person is so important to us we hurt when they hurt, rejoice when they rejoice. Their life is intertwined with ours until they become a part of us. Love bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love wins in the end. Your reader will respond to the love in your story more than any other emotion. Every story you write should have a generous helping of love. Love for a person, for a thing, for a place, or for an idea, it must be there and it must be believable. A character that doesn't love someone or something is a cold empty character, unable to interest your reader. Even your villain has the capacity to love, even if he only loves himself. Whether you write romance, mystery, sci-fi, whatever, love  is a necessary ingredient.

BETRAYAL:

Many great stories hinge upon betrayal. Someone the hero trusts betrays him. Someone the heroine depends on proves to be untrustworthy. Almost every reader has experienced betrayal in some form. Think about this ingredient when you plot your book. Betrayal will add depth to your story.

THE RESCUE:

 Every story needs a rescue, a point where just when everything seemed lost, something happens to turn the story around. You take your reader from a moment of dark despair into the light of hope. Another word for this is the climax of your story, the point where it all comes together.

HAPPILY EVERY AFTER:

Every story must have an ending that leaves the reader satisfied. Too many writers tell a good story, weave in all the loose ends, and then . . . they just quit. Never leave your reader feeling dissatisfied. Your story must end on a note of hope. The reader has followed your characters this far, give her a satisfying end to the journey.

GROWTH:

Between the first page of your story and the last page, your character needs to change. Sometimes the change is subtle, other times it is bolder, more visible, but just as you, the writer, are not the same person you were a year ago, your character should not be either. Someone once said the things we go through will either make us bitter or better. In your book the situations you have developed should always make the hero and the heroine better by the end of the book. There needs to be growth. Some of the ways they can change is a loss of innocence, a reluctance to trust, a greater understanding of what is important, a better appreciation of life itself, an awareness of God's love. The character must mature a bit, just as we mature in our own lives.

THE MESSAGE:

In a Christian book there should be a spiritual message. It should be subtle, an integral part of the book, not a heavy-handed sermon. The message should be a natural reflection of your character's faith, shown by her actions and words. Just as we try to live our faith in our daily life so should your characters. And maybe it's just me, but when I meet someone who fairly oozes self-righteousness, whose every word is pious and holy, and who manages to insert God into almost every sentence, I feel a strong urge to count the silverware. If your characters are super holy, your reader may  find them too good to be true, or even find them irritating. Living our faith should be a natural part of our lives, as natural as  breathing. So make the message an important part of your story, but  don't hit the reader over the head with it.

A recap: the story you are telling is part of a larger story. The past influences the present. Every story needs a definite beginning  that pulls the reader into the story.

Every story needs a hero who is worthy of the name.

Every story needs a heroine who is the kind of woman your reader would like to be.

Every story needs a villain to provide a struggle between good and evil.

Your story needs love, betrayal and rescue.

End your story on a note of hope. Leave the reader feeling satisfied.

Keep your spiritual message subtle and realistic.

A careful blending of these ingredients will result in a story your reader will experience, not just read. And that's what we each strive for.  

NEED TO READ BOOKS OF THE MONTH

Through the Fire by Sharon Mignerey

 Through the Fire is the third book in the six book series of the Vance and  Mongtomery families. Lucia Vance's father is the mayor of Colorado  Springs, her brother Sam is a detective on the town police force.  Lucia could have chose a safe, lucrative job, but instead she chose to become a firefighter.

Rafael Wright is the foreman of a Type 1 hotshot crew of forest firefighters. His friend and fellow firefighter, Malik Williams, is in the Vance Memorial Hospital. Rafe is visiting Malik when a fire breaks out at the hospital. He pitches in to help, and saves the life of one firefighter, Lucia Vance. The fire was the result of arson, and it begins to look as if Lucia has been set up to hurt or killed.

Lucia's father is in the same hospital, in a coma as the result of a gunshot wound. Fires break out simultaneously at family businesses, and another fire gone wrong almost traps Lucia. Some unknown person is out to destroy the Vance and Montgomery families. Can Lucia and Rafe untangle the web of clues before it's too late?

Sharon Mignerey's Through the Fire is full of excitement, suspense, and romance. You'll like this one for your Need to Read List

A Vow To Cherish by Deborah Raney

John and Ellen Brighton had everything the desired; a fine family, each other, and a wonderful together. Now the last child has graduated from high school and the nest is empty. They have time for each other, time to travel, but tragedy lurks ready to destroy them.

Ellen begins having periods of confusion, saying things that don't make sense. Something is obviously wrong. A doctor confirms John's suspicions.  Ellen is in the early stages of Alzheimers. The situation will gradually get worse and there is nothing that can be done to help her.

Julia Sinclair has lost her husband and is reluctant to raise her sons in the public school system in Chicago, after years at St. Mark's private school. She has applied for a job at Parkside Manor, a nursing home in the same town where John and Ellen live. Ellen is a resident in the home and of course Julia meets John.  John and Julia are attracted to each other. She can give him the companionship he misses so much, but he still loves Ellen, and he made a vow to cherish her in sickness and in health. How can he turn his back on that vow?

A Vow to Cherish is a touching story of love and of commitment, of  hope and redemption, with a list of characters so real you'll think you must have met them somewhere. Deborah Raney shows the readers, with heartbreaking clarity, what it's like to lose a family member to the slow death of Alzheimers, something many of us have experienced. You'll want to comfort Ellen and John, want to sit down and talk with Julia, and  you'll admire the integrity and trust they show toward each other and toward God.

 A Vow to Cherish will make a valuable addition to your Need to Read list.

A Vase of Mistaken Identity by Cathy Elliott

Thea James is the proprietress of the James and Company Antique Emporium, in the small town of Larkindale, California. Her fiancé was killed in a car wreck and she still wears her engagement  ring on a chain around her neck. Life in Larkindale is peaceful, until one day a skeleton is discovered buried at the base of a chimney at the Larkindale Lake Resort.

One day the town's homeless man, Picker Pete, brings Thea a lovely antique Roseville vase with a yellowed roll of paper inside. Thea fishes out the note and discovers a faded list of four names. She recognizes them all; two friends she hasn't seen in a long time, even though they still live in town, her sister Rosie, and Thea, herself. The list was obviously written a long time ago. Why was it in the vase, and who wrote those names down and kept them all these years?

Then Hattie, one of the names on the list is seriously injured in a fall, Molly, disappears, and Thea is the victim of an attack. Are the incidents related to the list? And is the list connected to the skeleton found at the resort? Can Thea and Cole Mason, the gorgeous man from her past, solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?

Cathy Elliott uses humor and a quirky list of characters to make A Vase of Mistaken Identity a cozy mystery  you'll be happy to add to your Need to Read List.

Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins

Paige Williams slipped into her back deck hot tub one dark night, hoping for a relaxing moment under the stars. She has just settled down when something brushed against her thigh. Something that is definitely not supposed to be in the water with her. That's when she discovers someone has stashed a dead body in her own private hot tub.

Even worse, the dead woman, Edna San, had picked an argument with Paige, in full view of several upstanding citizens of Kanner Lake. Because of a secret from her past, Paige can't afford to be drawn into a murder case. Feeling she has no choice, she moves the body, sinking it in the lake.

Who killed Edna San, and why was she placed in Paige's hot tub? Was Edna the intended victim, or was she a pawn in the game to make Paige pay for her past? Violet Dawn is a fast paced story of evil and revenge. Brandilyn Collins has a gift for writing edge of the seat page turners and Violet Dawn is one of the best. Put it down for your  Need to Read List.

Forgiving Solomon Long by Chris Well

 I had trouble at first getting into the story because of the several different points of view. After I figured out there were three main characters and the others were bit players, I settled in and enjoyed the book.

Solomon Long, or Solo, is a professional hit man brought in by Frank "Fat Cat" Catalano, mob boss in Kansas City. A group of  merchants, headed by Father Mac, a Catholic priest, and Pastor Fresno James, of Mercy Street World Mission Church, have formed a coalition to fight back against the mob's protection racket. This takes money out of Frank Catalano's pocket, and Fat Cat can't allow that. He gives Solo the job of teaching the members of the Urban Church Coalition. Kill a few of them, and the rest will fall into line.

Solo is intent on doing his job, until he kills the right man from Fat Cat's point of view, but the wrong man from Solo's. Everything in his life falls apart and he has a suspicion he is losing his mind. Solo tries to leave town, but no man who once worked from the mob ever walks away.

Forgiving Solomon Long is a tough, thought provoking story about a  man who has devoted his life to killing, and now he finds himself  running from God. Chris Well has written an absorbing novel about the  mob, and one man's struggle to survive after losing the ability to kill. It will make an interesting addition to your Need to Read list.

First Dawn by Judith Miller

This is the first book in Judy Miller's Freedom Path series, set in Kansas, July 1877. The Civil War is over and the freed slaves are working for the previous owners. But now they are expected to pay rent for the tumbled down shanties they used to live in for free.

Small wonder when William R. Hill, a white land purveyor, tells the members of the First Baptist Church about the wonders of the great  Solomon Valley, the colored shareholders are excited at the prospect  of being landowners. They purchase their tracts, load up what they can take with them, and set out for the city on Nicodemus, Kansas.

Nicodemus is reserved for the coloreds, Hill City for the whites. Mr. Hill has told them about the rich, black soil, the rolling hills, trees, wildlife, coal deposits, and the ample water supply.

Jarena Harban never wanted to leave Kentucky, never believed the glowing descriptions given by Mr. Hill, but her father, Ezekiel Harban, longed for his own land. Jarena has helped raise her twin sisters, Grace and Truth, since her mother died. She couldn't desert the family now.

Thomas Grayson, a man with a price on is head, is traveling with the Harban family. Although Jarena always thought she  would marry Charles someday, she can't help being attracted to Thomas.

When they reach Nicodemus, the weary travelers are shocked to find no town, no trees, no water. Nothing but scrubby brush, dry buffalo grass, and nothing but miles of flat prairie. With winter coming on, the people in Nicodemus are in desperate circumstances. Only God can  help them now.

Dr. Samuel Boyle, a transplanted northerner, has never like living in Kentucky. He is disgusted with the attitudes of the former slave owners toward their colored share croppers. He too falls for Mr. Hill's description of Kansas and uproots his reluctant family, transporting them to Hill City, the white version of Nicodemus. There is a tiny, ramshackled town and a house waiting for them, but the primitive conditions are not what he expected.

First Dawn is a fascinating story of the resourcefulness of a desperate group of people and of their trust in a merciful God. I truly enjoyed Judith Miller's Freedom Path series and the stories of  the Harban and Boyle families. You'll want this one for your Need to Read List.

A Stitch In Time by Allison Bottke

It's been quite a year for Dee Decker. She separates from hr husband, has gastric bypass surgery, buys a new wardrobe, and becomes a Christian. Dee has a fabulous fundraiser job. She's good at it too. She has more time to work at it since she left Lyle, her husband, who had an affair. According to the Bible, adultery is wrong, so God wouldn't expect her to forgive a man who would stoop so low, would he?

Dee files for divorce, but Lyle won't sign the papers, and that's just part of her problems. She has  a new fundraising assignment, helping a group of Christians build a Christian art museum and gallery. She meets Carter, a handsome man, who sets her pulse racing. She like to get better acquainted with him, but she's still married and Lyle won't sign those papers. Dee has bought into the lie that you can't be too rich or too thin. She isn't big on forgiveness, either. Can she have her personal desires and a personal relationship with God at the same time? And how can she get Lyle to sign those papers!

A Stitch in Time is the story of a flawed woman who wants to live a perfect Christian life. She finally learns no one is perfect. That's why we need God. Allison Bottke's first novel is at times funny, serious, touching, and fully enjoyable. You'll really like this one. A special addition to your Need to Read List.

Into the Deep by Lauralee Bliss

Susanna Barnett and her family live on a dirt poor farm in Kentucky, in the year 1843. There doesn't seem to be any way to better themselves until Susanna finds Dr. John Croghan, pinned beneath the wreckage of his buggy. The family rescues the injured man, and the doctor, who owns Mammoth Cave, gives them jobs working for him. they have food, a nice home, and jobs. Susanna wears nice dresses, instead of calico rags.

Dr. Croghan believes people ill with consumption could be cured by living in huts built inside the cave. Instead, the people who come there to be healed usually die in the damp, dark interior.

Jarett Edwards talked his uncle Dwight into taking Aunt Mattie to Mammoth. Jarett believes the good doctor's promises of restored health. Instead, Aunt Mattie dies. Jarett and Uncle Dwight  decide to do whatever it takes to force Dr. Croghan to close the cave.

Then Jarett meets Susanna Barnett, and although he is instantly attracted to her, he can't understand how she could continue to take money from the cave of death. Doesn't she care about the people confined in the cavern's depths? Susanna, for her part, can't comprehend Jarett's hatred for the cave. Can two young people on different sides of the controversy find common ground?

Into the Deep is an intriguing story about one of our natural wonders and a man and woman faced with serious decisions. Can there be a compromise? And what would be God's answer the questions plaguing them? Into the Deep will be a good addition to your Need to Read List.

The Secret Life of Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck

Becky Miller is a stay at home mom with three children and a husband almost too good to be true. She dreams of being a Wonderful Wife, a Marvelous mother, and Do Great Things For God. In her dreams, she's Super Mom. In reality, she never quite measures up, at least not in her own eyes.

Becky is sure she knows God's plan for her life. Unfortunately every time she is within reach of achieving her goal, a door slams shut. Doesn't God want her to do well? A super achiever, Becky single handedly develops a women's ministry in her church. Small groups, retreats, Mom's fellowship on Wednesday morning, nursery, she's in charge of a wide range of committees, strictly volunteer, of course. 

When her church decides to make the leader of the Women's Ministry a  full-time, paying staff position, Becky is sure they will consider her first. Then Kevin, her husband loss his job, the church position goes to someone else, and Becky's plans begin to fall apart.

The Secret Life of Becky Miller, is a witty and touching story of one woman's desire to do God's will, if she could only be still long enough to wait for him to lead. Sharon Hinck's The Secret Life of Becky Miller, will be a terrific selection for your Need to Read List.

Windswept Weddings

by Lena Nelson Dooley, Pamela Griffin, Rachel Hauck and Lynette Soweel

 

A wedding should be perfect, right? The event is planned down to the last detail, and then your special day gets hit with a blizzard, a tornado, a hurricane, or a wildfire. What's a girl to do? Never fear, the Almighty Father can handle Mother Nature.

"Move A Mountain"  by Lena Nelson Dooley

Christine Daily knew exactly how she wanted her wedding. When Christopher Davis proposed, it didn't bother her that they both would probably be called Chris Davis. With only four and a half months to plan a wedding, she had a lot more than that to worry about.

Christine wanted to be married on Valentine's Day, so she brushed aside her friends worries about a February wedding in Minnesota. It couldn't snow on her wedding day. Could it? Sure it could. And snow, and snow, and snow. Only a miracle can get Christine and Christopher to the church on time.

"Blown Away by Love" by Pamela Griffin

The wedding is set for tomorrow and Marie Barrett, the bride, is as nervous as a five-year old on the first day of kindergarten. The problem? The wedding has already been postponed twice by Dale Endicott, the groom. Sure he had good excuses; as a doctor's son and a paramedic, he couldn't be expected to refuse to help a woman having a baby in a parked van. And he really did miss his flight, the second time. But if he didn't make it to the ceremony this time, it was over.

Marie hadn't counted on a tornado, and Ben, Dale's storm watching brother, taking him out to snap pictures of the storm on the morning of their wedding. Dale knows the clock is ticking and this is his last chance. He can't fail Marie this time, but the situation looks bleak. Even a tornado wouldn't be a good enough excuse this time. Three strikes and you're out.

"Hurricane Allie" by Rachel Hauck

Allie Seton is getting married. She has planned for this day all of  her life. In less than two weeks she will be Mrs. Kyle Landon. Her dress is beautiful, the menu is perfect, and this will be the glorious wedding of her dreams. Then Kyle has to make a business trip the week of the wedding and the first hurricane of the season is building up out at sea.

It doesn't help that the people responsible for naming hurricanes have dubbed this one Hurricane Allie. Then Kyle asks a question she can't answer. Does she want to marry him, or does she just want to get married? The hurricane changes it's path and is headed for Vero Beach. Only God can help Allie find the answer to Kyle's question, but will he save her perfect wedding?

"Hearts Refuge" by  Lynette Sowell

Krista Schmidt waited a long time to marry Luke Hanson. Unfortunately Luke has asked Jeff Worley to be his best man. Jeff split up Krista and Luke once before and it took several years to repair the damage. Jeff's life has been focused, as he puts it, on fast cars and a few fast women. Having him here brings up old memories and old hurts.

Krista doesn't want Jeff in the wedding. Then a wildfire breaks out, and Luke, a firefighter, has to help. Settler Lake is in danger, and the fire threatens to trap Krista. Will Luke be able to reach her in time?

Windswept Weddings focuses on four young couples that want the perfect wedding, the perfect romance, the perfect bride and groom. Then disaster strikes in the form of violent weather, something entirely beyond their control.

There's a good take away lesson in this book. Too many times we plan for the wedding and forget to plan for the marriage. And all too often we lose sight of the fact that while we whimper and whine when our dreams fall apart, our heavenly Father always has something better to give us. Windswept Weddings  is a good selection for your Need to Read List.

Arkansas by Christine Lynxwiler

The four McFadden brothers find love whether they want to or not.

"In Search of Love"

Annalisa Davis has a secret. She needs a private investigator and Cade McFadden is the best, but Cade isn't taking new cases at this time. He has taken a leave of absence to start a boy's ranch. She's afraid if she asks him to help her, he will say no, so Annalisa has applied for a job as cook at the ranch.

When Annalisa was seventeen and her sister Amy was a baby, their mother died and a social worker took Amy and put her in a foster home. Amy is eight now and Annalisa has never stopped searching for her.

Cade McFadden has his own secret. An investigative job gone wrong left him with a load of guilt. That's why he started the boys ranch. He doesn't want to take on another job, but how can he turn down the woman who has become such a special par to of his life.

"Patchwork and Politics"

 Senator Holt McFadden has worked hard to get were he is in the political game. Holt knows only too well how one misstep can damage his career. Why then, would he fall in love with the one woman who could end his plans to run for governor?

Megan Watson's ex-husband swindled a lot of people out of their life savings. Some of his victims were Megan's family and friends. Then he took his life, leaving her to take the blame. Although she was innocent, the news stories and rumors made it seem she was the mastermind behind the fraud. Megan tries to discourage Holt McFadden from hanging around, but he doesn't listen. She does her best to convince him they have no future together. However, Holt, a survivor of the rough and tumble game of politics is difficult to discourage. Can the senator win the heart of the shy, reclusive quilter? And if  he does, will their love end the career he loves?

"Through the Fire"

Clint McFadden loved his job as a firefighter. Then his best friend died in a fire and Clint couldn't save him. Now, afraid to go into fires again, his career is over and he is helpless to keep his world from collapsing around him.

Jessa Sykes was a sickly child, and her over-protective parents have smothered her with unwanted and unneeded concerns. In desperation,  Jessa, against her parent's wishes, moved to Arkansas and opened a  flower shop. When the cabin she rented burns, Clint, who is passing  by and rescues her, but he still isn't over his phobia concerning  firefighting.

Jessa is attracted to the handsome Clint, but he insists on trying to take care of her. She's not about to walk into that trap again. Can the battle-scarred firefighter and the overly defensive florist overcome their differences and find true love.

"Longing for Home"

Brandi Delaney had a huge crush on Jake McFadden, but one date cured her of that. Now Brandi and Jake are adults. He is a famous pro-baseball player and Brandi left Arkansas for California long ago. Now her parents are gone on a trip and her grandmother is hurt. Brandi steps up to her responsibilities and comes home to run her parents'  beds and breakfast and take care of her younger siblings.

Unfortunately for Brandi's peace of mind, Jake McFadden is a permanent guest at the bed and breakfast. He hurt his shoulder and is taking therapy, hoping he will be able to play again. Jake rescues Brandi from a rain-swollen creek and she is grateful, of course, but not grateful enough to forgive him for that high school date disaster. Besides, she's not looking for a man and if she were, it  wouldn't be Jake McFadden.

I live next door to Arkansas, and I really liked this book. The McFadden brothers are the kind of men every woman wants to meet. Arkansas will be a great addition to your Need to Read List

The Oregon Escort by Susan Page Davis

Lydia Jackson has to reach Oregon. She has a contract to teach school and the main stipulation on the agreement states she will not get married for one year. It was easy to agree those terms when she was back east, but that was before Lydia met trooper Mike Brown.

Not that she likes Corporal Brown, in fact she can't be around the man without his irritating ways bringing out the worse in her. He even thinks he has the right to give her orders, like warning her to stay with the wagon train and not go wandering out to pick berries. Mike, who lost his wife and child, never expected to be attracted to a woman again, but Lydia Jackson has a way of getting under his skin. Can the trooper and the schoolteacher say goodbye when the train reaches Oregon, or can they find a way to be together in spite of Lydia's contract. Susan Page Davis' The Oregon Escort is an entertaining story about a fascinating part of our history. You'll want to give it a place on your Need to Read List

I Can't Do It All

by Tracie Peterson, Allison Bottke, Dianne O'Brian

The subtitle of this book is Breaking Free From the Lies That Control Us. In I Can't Do It All, these three women write candidly and honestly about their own experiences with the lies women believe.

I can't be this open about my private life, but I'm glad they can because it provides insightful, practical advice for overcoming the problems each of us have. Not every lie will speak to you, but they hit me in a couple of places; trusting and forgiveness. I'm not all that great at either of those two virtues. I'm working on it though, and they have given me some practical information, based on spiritual truths. I think most women would benefit from reading this book and it would be nice if every man bought it for the woman in his life.

I Can't Do It All deserves a place on your Need to Read List.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

 You may be in the driver's seat, but God holds the map.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

CHICKEN TETRAZZINE

 

 Ingredients:

           

            3 oz spaghetti                                   2 cans cream of chicken soup

            ¾ cup canned mushrooms            1 (13 oz ) can of evaporated mil

3 Tbsp chopped onion                2 Tbsp pimento

            4 Tbsp butter                           3 cups cut up cooked chicken

            ½ tsp celery salt                     ½ cup grated cheese

            dash of cayenne pepper

 

 Drain mushrooms and reserve the liquid. Saute onions in butter, add celery salt, cayenne pepper and mushroom liquid in large frying pan. Blend cream of chicken soup into mushroom liquid mixture, stir until smooth. Gradually add milk to soup mixture and stir until smooth and thickened.

 Cook Spaghetti. Drain and rinse in hot water

 Add chicken, mushrooms and pimiento to soup mixture, mix well. Add the cooked spaghetti and stir together. Place in buttered casserole dish and top with grated cheese. Bake in oven at 350 F  for 30 minutes.

 This tastes even better heated up as a leftover

Barbara

Blue Mountain Editorial Service

www.barbarawarrenbluemountainedit.com

 

 

But they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk, and not faint.

    - Isaiah 40:31 KJV

 

 

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