May 2006 Newsletter

BLUE MOUNTAIN BACKROADS

           Well, it's May in the Ozarks and it has finally started raining.Almost every day, and it's a blessing. We will have a spring hay crop after all, and the ponds are filling up again. It looked rather desperate for a while. My iris border is beautiful, filled with gorgeous blossoms looking like they were created from watered silk, and they smell heavenly. Peonies are starting to bloom. Birds are building nests. If I'm not careful I can spend too much time staring out the window at God's beautiful world, instead of writing. May truly is a beautiful month.

We had our annual homecoming at church this Sunday. A lot of good cooks go to my church and I enjoyed every dish. Had to sample them all. Could barely climb the stairs for the afternoon program. I took my trademark chicken and noodles and brought home an empty dish. May God bless each of you, and may the book you're working on turn out to
be a best seller.

WRITING NEWS OF THE MONTH

(remember, if you have writing news to send it to me so we can all rejoice with you)

Susan Davis's interview with Mary Ann Diorio will be posted on May10th. You can find it at www.maryanndiorio.com/blog/

Overlooked in April: Dorothy Clark's book Joy for Mourning, was a finalist in the Holt Medallion Award, long inspirational, and also in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, inspirational. Way to go Dorothy, Proud of you.

Brandt Dodson's first novel Original Sin was released by Harvest House, March 15th. It will be followed by Seventy Times Seven, the second in the mystery series. Love the titles. Great news, Brandt, Congratulations. Original Sin is featured in the book review section of this newsletter.

Gina Conroy has a new blog, Portrait of a Writer…Interrupted, which she describes this way:  It documents my journey and struggles as a mom, home schooler, and writer. After trying to do it all, God asked me to put my writing on the altar. It had become an idol. So with a heavy heart, I obeyed. Now through prayer, scripture, and new writing/home schooling friends, I'm trying to figure out how to balance everything in my life. Yet, as Marilyn Griffith said so eloquently in my interview on Portrait of a Writer, "I don't. I don't even try. I lay my "to do" down before the Lord and ask for direction." Sometimes that plays out in a very unbalanced way, but it works somehow. What started out as a personal quest has turned into something that is a blessing to others as well. To read the latest log on to www.portraitofawriter.blogspot.com.

Gina has a couple of important messages in this. Sometimes our writing can seem like an idol. It consumes us to the point we neglect everything else. And I'm planning to take Marilyn's advice. From now when my "to do list" is longer than my time, I'm letting God decide which priority should come first. He knows what's best for me. Be sure to check out Gina's blog. It's worth your time.

Gail Gaymer Martin is one busy lady. Her new anthology, Mackinac Island, with Barbour, is a May release. Other featured writers are DiAnn Mills, Janet Spaeth and Jill Stengl. The anthology is four romances set in different time periods on this unique island.

Gail has also sold Writing Christian Romance That Sells to Writer's Digest. This book will be part of the Fall 2007 releases, probably in December.

Her novel Finding Christmas is a finalist in the Southern Magic's Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence. And in addition to all of that, Gail will be on staff at the Blue Ridge Writer's Conference in Ridgecrest, NC from May 21-25. She'll present a continuous workshop on Writing Fiction, two individual workshops, and present a Tuesday evening keynote on Writing Real for the Christian Market. Sounds great, Gail. I'm amazed that you find time to do it all, and do it so well.

Deborah Raney's A Vow to Cherish from Steeple Hill Books will be released June 1, in an updated format with a beautiful new cover. This year marks the ten-year anniversary of A Vow to Cherish's first release and Deb is thrilled for the book to be available to a whole new generation. While World Wide Pictures' film based on this novel is still widely available, the book has been out of print for some time now. That's great news Deb. Those of us who missed it the first time around will have a second chance.

Also Deb is delighted to announcing the signing of a new three-book contract with Howard Publishing, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. She turned in the first draft of Remembering to Forget on April 5. This book and the next two books in the series are set in the fictional town of Clayton, Kansas, where you'll find everything that is wonderful about small-town America, and some of the quirks and struggles, too. Great, Deb, can't wait to read this new series.

Nancy Jo Jenkins novel Coldwater Revival will be released in May. Great, Nancy, I've been waiting for it. Coldwater Revival will be featured in the June Book Review section.

Sandra Robbins book Pedigreed Blood Lines has sold to Barbour Spyglass line, and will be released in June 2007. Great news, Sandra, proud of you.

Gina Holmes Novel Journey to cross over. Gina says: "Next month, novelist and scriptwriter, Ane Mulligan is coming on board as is historical novelist and publicist Jessica Dotta. We have big plans to grow Novel Journey. Reaching the masses is our goal. And this, God willing, will benefit all CBA writers. We hope you'll keep us in our prayers. Our mission for Novel Journey is to get the word out that CBA fiction is an option for readers, and that there are excellent CBA novels in all genres."

Be sure to catch Gina's interview with Frank Peretti at www.noveljourney.blogspot.com And to read book reviews of the latest releases, visit Novel Reviews at www.novelreviews.blogspot.com .

If you are a traditionally published novelist and would like to be featured, contact Gina at ginaholmes@verizon.net. Or if you have recently published novel you'd like reviewed, contact Ane at anemulligan@bellsouth.net

It's great what Gina is doing to help Christian fiction writers. Let her know how much you appreciate her.

This is a good place to remind all of us of the people who are working to promote Christian fiction. There are a lot of blogs and websites dedicated to helping others. They do a great job of promoting their fellow writers. Let them know you appreciate all they
do to help.

Merrillee Whren has made her fourth sale to Steeple Hill Books for their Love Inspired line. She also has a book coming out in June this year. Great news, Merrillee. Doing good.

Brenda Minton has a new contract with Steeple Hill, Love Inspired for her book Rose Colored Glasses. Way to go Brenda, Can't wait to read it.

Julie Lessman has a new contract with Revell. It is a four book series about an Irish-Catholic family in Boston, Massachusetts, pre- World War I. There are four daughters and each will have her own book. The premise statement for the first book, A Chasing After the Wind, is: Rival sisters with strong faith—one in God, the other in herself—turn the head of a heartbreaker who proposes to one and falls in love with the other. Then WWI explodes on the scene, this close-knit family is suddenly ravaged by war…both in Europe, and in the lives of the two sisters. Plenty of conflict here. It sounds great Julie, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Julie wants to make sure the credit for the contract goes to her agent, Natasha Kern, who went to bat for her when no other agent would touch the book. According to Julie, Natasha did the near impossible, and got a three book deal AFTER A Chasing After the Wind had already garnered twenty-one rejections. I'd say twenty-one publishers missed a good one. Congratulations to both Julie and Natasha. And let's all remember to give those hard working agents full credit for all they do for us.

Tricia Goyer's novel Arms of Deliverance will be released in July, 2006. She is working on her next book, Valley of Betrayal, with Moody Publishing, and on Generation NeXt Marriage, with Multnomah. Tricia is also busy with her blogs, Gen X Parents, It's a Real Life, and Writer Quotes. This month she features an interview with Brandilyn Collins and has a great article, From My Tank Perch, with Tarma Holma, 41st Tank Batallion, 11th Division, as told to Tricia Goyer. Check out her website at http://www.triciagoyer.com

Martha Rogers story, "Not On the Menu", is part of an anthology, Sugar and Grits, with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y'Barba. It will be released in the spring of 2007. Mark your calendar and look for it. Congratulations, Martha. Looking forward to reading it.

Lena Nelson Dooley has weekly interviews with book giveaways at A Christian Writer's World, http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com.

Deborah Vogts has pictures of her brand new foal, born May 1st. You'll want to see them, and while you're there, sign up for the Mother's Day drawing for a devotional book. This month she will be selecting two. And check out the recipe for breakfast casserole. I plan to serve that the next my sister from Colorado comes to visit.You can find all of this and more at www.deborahvogts.com.

Jill Eileen Smith has a new Spotlight review up on her website, www.jilleileensmith.com chatting with author Meredith Efken. If you love light-hearted humor, you will enjoy Meredith's first book, SAHM I Am, which debuted in March 2005. Jill also has a new article, "Making Melodies with Ink; How to Develop Your Voice", on Spirit Led Writer. You can find it on www.spiritledwriter.com. Second title down in the middle.

If you have any news or know of anyone who has had a contract or book published, let me know. I'm always looking for information for this segment.

 

WHACKY NEWS OF THE MONTH.

(News too weird to make up)

The Easter Bunny was fired in a Florida city---for losing his head. It seems the bunny got irritated, jerked off his head and punched a woman. The altercation started when the victim was irked because the bunny photo booth closed ten minutes early. Who wouldn't be upset at missing an opportunity to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny? I mean this is the photo op of a lifetime; a chance to pose with a real celebrity. And then the rabbit takes off his head and punches you. Now that hurts.

The guy in the bunny suit said he never hit anyone, even though there were dozens of witnesses, including fifteen children. According to him, he was just trying to stop a fight between his wife, who was the photo booth manager, and the unhappy customer. He only took off the bunny suit head because it was HOT in there. He'd been wearing it for hours and was soaked with sweat. "I almost threw up." Definitely not something you expect from the Easter Bunny, for goodness sake. Maybe they should air condition the bunny suit.

The cops weren't impressed with his excuses. They booked him for battery and disturbing the peace and now he's hopping down the bunny trail wearing an orange jumpsuit. And you thought all the bunny had to do was hide eggs. It's a bunny eat bunny world out there. No wonder he lost his head.

WRITING TIP OF THE MONTH

WHY OUTLINE?

There is no wrong way to write a book; what works for one writer won't work for another. Some writers swear by outlines, others prefer to write without one. I like outlines. With an outline I know where I'm going and where I plan to end.

Outlines help the writer to focus on the story. If I know what my story is about, who my villain is, what my conflict is, and how I want to tell the story, I don't waste my writing time trying to make these decisions. They're already made before I start writing. An outline prevents rambling side trips. Since I know the general story line, I'm not tempted to wander all over the map. I can stay focused on what's important.

Before you start your outline, you need to know your characters. Most of the character sheets in books about writing focus on things you don't need. The main thing is to know your character's personality. Know how they behave, and how they will react in a given situation.

If you make character sheets, concentrate on personalities. My character sheets consist of one or two paragraphs per character, listing how they look, how old they are, and their main personality traits. Learn to watch people around you and see the different ways they react to different situations. Then apply what you have learned to your characters. It's not important to know what they like to eat or read, or any of those minor details. You do need to know their personality.

Before I start writing the story, I write a short synopsis. Forget about good grammar, punctuation, all those little things that are so important in the manuscript. No one is going to read this except you. It's a very loose telling of the story in your mind. Your synopsis can be as long or as short as you like. You're developing your story line, getting a general idea of what happens in the story. After you do the outline, you may not refer to your synopsis again, but you will use it to work up an outline. What it does is give you a starting point. Once you have your synopsis done, you're ready to start your outline.

No two people outline the same way. You have to use what works best for you. Some end up with an outline that is almost a first draft. Mine is just a few pages long, it has bits of dialogue, funny things I want to get in, random thoughts. The main purpose is to give me an idea what is to happen in that chapter.

The outline chapters vary in length. Some are a couple of pages long. Others may be just a paragraph. It lists the characters needed and what happens in each scene. I can have a couple of lines about each scene, or I can write a page or so, if genius is burning. If I think of a bit of dialogue I want to use, I write it in the appropriate chapter, so I won't forget.

I add to the outline as new ideas occur to me. I print my outline, leaving enough space between each chapter so I can add more things as I think of them. My outline grows as I go along. New ideas keep popping up and I decide if I want to use them, and if so, where.

I outline the first eight chapters. By the time I write them, I'm into the story and have a feel for it. Then I outline the rest of the book. In your first chapter introduce your main character. Your reader will identify with the first character she meets. Make sure it's your main character. Have the character doing something, talking, moving, not just looking out the window thinking. It's a good idea to have a second character present so they can play off each other, but make it clear which one is your viewpoint character.

Decide on what word count you want for your manuscript and divide it by the number of chapters you plan to have to get a tentative word count per chapter. (You don't have to hold to this in every chapter, but it will help keep you up to word count so you don't end up short at the end of the manuscript.)

After outlining your first chapter, making it as detailed as you like, start the second chapter to take up from where you left off. Decide how many scenes you want in each chapter, (you only need a line or two to remind you what you want in each scene. More if you think of it, but just something to remind you of what to write about.)

Decide how you want that chapter to end so it will lead into the next chapter. You need conflict in each chapter, so determine in advance what your conflict will be. Then plan each chapter to deepen the conflict as you go along. You can use internal conflict, (character worrying about something) or external conflict, (character having aproblem with someone or something) End your chapter on a question or a problem, to give your reader a reason to go on to the next chapter.

Do this with every chapter. For two thirds of the way through the book have your character struggling with the main problem; other characters get in his way, just the time he thinks things are going well, something goes wrong. Then the last third of the book he begins to make some headway, then build to a climax. Make sure you have tied up all the loose ends.

If you're writing a mystery, you may want to list clues in certain chapters, and if you do have a clue, state it clearly, but then have a character discount it or something happen to take the reader's attention off the clue and direct it to something else. State it but make it seem like it's not important.

Your outline should be flexible. You'll think of new things as youwrite, ways to deepen the manuscript or ratchet up the suspense. Remember an outline isn't set in concrete. It's just a roadmap to make the writing easier. It takes some work before you start the actual writing, but it will make the trip a lot easier.

With an outline you drastically cut your chances of having writers block. You know what goes in each chapter. You know what goes in the next chapter. With outlining you know your story better, you know your characters better, your plot is clearer, and you can write a lot faster than if you have to stop and think about it as you go along.

If something interrupts your writing time, you can still add ideas to your outline. Just jot them down in the proper chapter as you think of them, and they'll be ready when you need them. I never write without an outline anymore. It keeps me on track and makes the job easier. Outlining isn't for everyone. But try it before you decide it isn't for you. Give it a chance, and I'll bet you won't want to go back to the old way of writing with no idea where you're going.

NEED TO READ BOOKS OF THE MONTH

Pieces of Silver by Maureen Lang

 

Piece of Silver  is set in Washington, D.C., 1917, during World War II. Germany is the enemy and American citizens of German descent are viewed with suspicion. Liesel Bonner lost her government job simply because of her German ancestry. Liesel wants to work, but everywhere she applies the answer is the same. No Germans needed. Liesel and her family love America. Even though they feel unfairly discriminated against, their loyalty to their country never wavers.

Liesel has loved Josef von Woerner since childhood, and she is sure Josef loves her too. Even though everyone expects them to marry, Josef never makes a commitment. He is a salesman for his father's company and does a lot of traveling. Lately the trips have become longer and more frequent, but when Liesel wants to know how to reach him if she needs to talk, he avoids giving her any details.

Enter David de Serre, FBI agent, whose job is tracking German sympathizers. He has his eye on Josef. Because of her relationship with him, Liesel is under scrutiny too. Although David is attracted to Liesell, he knows the safety of America depends on him doing his job. He gives Liesell a terrible choice, betray Josef, or betray her country. Adding to her problems is her growing feeling for David.

Maureen Lang's Pieces of Silver is a fascinating tale of the dangerous days of intrigue with American at war. It is extremely appropriate now, when America is once more at war, this time against terrorism. The story of Liesell Bonner is a stern reminder that we are once more in danger of judging individuals along ethnic lines. I strongly recommend Pieces of Silver for your Need to Read list.

Original Sin by Brant Dodson

If you like private eye mysteries, and I do, you'll enjoy this Original Sin. Colton Parker, private investigator, was fired from the FBI when he lost his temper and beat up a suspect, giving the guy a strong reason to admit that yes, indeed, he had kidnapped a young girl. Because of his confession the bureau was able to save the child's life. But Colton still lost his job.

His wife Anna died in a car wreck, and his thirteen-year old daughter is living with her grandparents. Colton is struggling to be a father, without much success. His new private detective agency isn't exactly overrun with clients and the rent keeps coming due. So when Angie Howe shows up at his office wanting to hire him, she was a welcome sight.

Billy, Angie's boyfriend has been arrested for murder and everyone, including his lawyer, thinks he's guilty. Everyone, except Angie. Although it looks like a lost cause, Colton needs a job, so he agrees to see what he can do. The case takes him deep into the porn industry among other things. Original Sin is full of surprises and will keep you turning the pages.

Brandt Dodson comes from a long line of police officers, spanning several generations, and it shows. Original Sin will be a good addition to your Need to Read list.

Leather and Lace by Diann Mills

I won Leather and Lace on the Dancing Word chat when Diann was the guest, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Casey O'Hare is my kind of heroine; tough, smart and vulnerable. She's also scared and with good reason. One of the baddest of the bad men is after her and she knows he will never give up. Casey's mother died when she was fourteen. Her dad was a drunk, so when Tim, her older brother, joined Davis Jenkins outlaw gang, he took Casey with him.

Now, Casey is tired of the outlaw life. She wants to quit running and live a normal life, a good life. There's just one problem. Her face is on all of those wanted posters. The rumors about Casey O'Hare are rampant. Every lawman in the area is after her, and so is Davis Jenkins.

Then one night Casey looks up from her campfire, right at the steel barrel of a Winchester .44. The man behind the gun introduces himself as Morgan. Driven by hate and a need for vengeance, Morgan wants Jenkins, and he plans to use Casey as bait. Davis Jenkins is a hard man to catch, and a shootout leaves Morgan wounded and Casey has a decision to make. Leave him behind to die or risk her life to save him.

Two people driven by fear and hatred, each wanting to be free, but not knowing how to escape the traps they have set for themselves. However, no problem is too big for God.

Diann Mills Leather and Lace is a gripping story about right and wrong, love and hate, and the importance of doing what is right, regardless of the cost. Leather and Lace is a must for your Need to Read list.

Ticket To Tomorrow by Carol Cox

Annie Trenton is on her way to the 1893 World's Fair with her husband's business partner, Silas Crockett. Will Trenton, Annie's husband, died eighteen months ago. They had planned to make the trip together, bringing their invention, the Crockett-Trenton Horseless Carriage to be displayed at the fair.

Silas accidentally bumps into a man, knocking him down. In the confusion, their satchels are switched. Nick, Rutherford, Silas' nephew, meets them at the train station. The trip to the fair should have been exciting, fun, but things go wrong from the start. Annie finds herself pitted against Will's family, a strange man follows her, someone searches her room, and as if that isn't enough, Nick Rutherford is becoming more important to her than she likes.

Carol Cox's Ticket to Tomorrow, is a fast paced story of mystery, romance, and international intrigue. I read it straight through without stopping. This is a good one for your Need to Read List.

Stealing Adda by Tamara Leigh

Adda Sinclair, New York times best-selling author and historical romance writer, is noticeably lacking in the romance department, herself. Adda's life turned sour when Birgitta Roth, a fellow romance writer, stole Adda's husband. Birgitta's relationship with the husband didn't last, but the home wrecker still has Adda's dog, Beijing.

Nick Farnsworth, president of Intrepid Books wants to publish her next book, but Adda has a colossal case of writer's block. Every business meeting Nick has with Adda turns into a tension filled session with plenty of sparks flying. Just when things start going well for Adda, Birgitta, her arch enemy, makes an accusation that almost costs Adda everything, including Nick.

A couple of young men knock on Adda's door, the type her agent calls Bible-thumpers. One of them gives her his own copy of the New Testament. She starts reading the words written in red. Strangely enough, they make sense.

Stealing Adda is witty, sarcastic, and fun. It is also the story of how one woman with no religious inclination learns about love and forgiveness, and in the process finds God. Tamara Leigh's Stealing Adda definitely belongs on your Need to Read List.

Waiting for Summer's Return by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Summer Steadman watched her husband and her children die, one by one, from typhoid. Now she has nothing left. Even her wagon and possessions were burned to stop the spread of the disease. Summer and Rodney, her husband, were bound for Oklahoma to claim land, but she has no reason to go there now. Her husband's parents had disowned him. Her family doesn't want her. Summer has no place to go. She'd like to stay here, close to her children's grave, but this close-knit Amish community doesn't want her either.

Peter Ollengburger's son, Thomas, broke his ribs and is getting behind in his schoolwork. Peter hears that the Steadman woman speaks like an educated woman, so he hires her to teach his son. Although Summer sleeps in a shed instead of in the house, people gossip.

Summer is so grief stricken she doesn't care if she lives or dies, but Thomas steals his way into her heart. Gradually she begins to enjoy life again, but will the townspeople ever accept her? Can Summer forget her anger at God? Although she is attracted to Peter, they each have problems in their past to overcome before they can learn to love again.

Kim Vogel Sawyer's Waiting for Summer's Return, is a strong story of love overcoming grief, and most of all, it is a poignant reminder of how God cares and protects us even when we can't feel His presence. Waiting for Summer's Return is an excellent choice for your Need to Read List.

An Unexpected Blessing by Merrilee Whren

Tyler and Marisa, Dorinda Morales sister and brother-in-law were killed in a tragic accident. Their will named Dori as guardian to J.T., their infant son. Chase Garrett, Tyler's half brother, is the executor and trustee of the estate. Tyler had been estranged from his family for years, and Dori blamed Chase. She doesn't want him to be the executor of the estate, doesn't want him to get to know J.T., and doesn't want him in her life. It doesn't help that her family thinks he's great. Dori has trusted the wrong man before. She doesn't intend to do it again.

When Warren Davis, Tyler and Chase's father, decides to wage a custody battle for little J.T., Chase comes up with a novel idea—marry him and they will adopt J.T. He explains to Dori that it will be a marriage of convenience, one they can annul after the adoption is final. But is that what Dori really wants? We don't fall in love by choice. Love happens, and when it does, it is a force too strong to ignore.

Meerrillee Whren's An Unexpected Blessing is an engaging story of rejection and forgiveness, but most of all; it's a story of a love too strong to be denied. An Unexpected Blessing will make a good addition to your Need to Read List.

The Ruse by Tamela Hancock Murray

Katherine Jones started writing to Otis Roth as a favor to her uncle. Otis is a sailor, fighting in the war against the Spaniards. Her best friend, Miranda Henderson is also writing to Otis. Miranda reads one of Katherine's letters and thinks it's boring. Miranda, who tends to be dramatic, wants her friend to show up in a more glamorous light, so in her letters to Otis she embellishes the truth about Katherine.

One day, a letter arrives from Otis. He is coming for a visit. At first Katherine is thrilled, but then she learns Miranda has informed Otis that Katherine is very accomplished at playing the harp, the piano, riding a horse, and dancing, none of which she can do. She wants to tell Otis the truth, but Miranda cries and begs her to keep quiet.

Kathrine tries to enlist the help of her childhood friend, Christopher Bagley, but he refuses to have anything to do with the ruse. Christopher has loved Katherine for years and he isn't happy about the visit from suave, sophisticated Otis. Neither the deception nor the visit works out the way Katherine and Miranda plan. Loves chooses us, not the other way around, and sometimes it takes us by surprise.

Tamela Hancock Murray's The Ruse is a charming story of love and friendship, and will be an entertaining selection for your Need to Read List.

Watching The Tree Limbs by Mary E. DeMuth

Life in Little Pine had been good for Mara. Nanny Lynn taught her how to bait a hook, paint a fence, and say simple prayers to God. But Nanny Lynn couldn't live forever. They buried her next to her husband, Walter, and Mara and Aunt Elna moved to Burl. Then life got bad for Mara. Real bad.

Aunt Elna thought she was a nuisance, didn't want her around, and there was General, an older boy, who took Mara to the park and hurt her in ways she couldn't talk about. He threatened to kill her if she told. Mara didn't even know the name for what had been done to her, but she knew it was wrong.

The only good thing about living in Burl was Mara's friendship with Camilla. She'd never had a friend before, not one like Camilla, anyway. Then Aunt Elna died and Mara moved to the other side of town; a new school, new friends, and Zady. Mara had seen the big, white house, and dreamed of living there someday. Now that dream had come true, but dreams aren't always what they seem.

Zady was the housekeeper at the big house, and for the first time, since Nanny Lynn's death, someone actually loved Mara. Gradually life began to change, but danger still stalked the ten-year old girl. Then one day something wonderful happened, and life for Mara would never be the same.

Watching the Tree Limbs will grip your heart and never let go. You'll know Mara as well as if she were a part of you. You'll suffer with her, rejoice with her, and love her. Watching the Tree Limbs is a beautifully written book about a difficult subject. You'll remember Mara, long after you have finished reading the book. Mary DeMuth's Watching the Tree Limbs deserves a place on your Need to Read list.

Want More? JOY by Jeanette Hanscome

Have you ever wondered if you could really have joy? Is there a difference between joy and happiness? Jeanette didn't have much cause for joy. Born with achromatopsia, a rare vision affliction, she had trouble learning colors, as well as other visual problems. Teachers and doctors only offered discouraging comments about her prospects of a normal life. But God isn't limited by our limitations. With God's help, Jeanette graduated from high school, finished college, and enjoys a full, rich life. Want More? Joy, takes an honest look at the things that prevent us from experiencing real joy.

Jeanette uses anecdotes, humor, and questions to lead the reader to a greater understanding of the joy busters we face daily. She writes about difficult subjects like forgiveness, hurting others, dealing with handicaps, and worry. Perhaps you think you could be more joyful if you had money, better relationships, or be more successful.

Jeanette Hanscome knows that true joy comes from being close to God, trusting Him with your problems. Jeanette even has added room for journaling and a daily prayer page. Want More, Joy is an excellent devotional book for your Need to Read List.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

BARBARA'S TOMATO AND ONION SALAD

4 Roma tomatoes, cut into chunks

½ medium onion, coarsely chopped

½ of a red or yellow pepper, (or some of both) coarsely chopped.

1 small can sliced black olives, drained

salt to taste

Add a fourth of a cup of Italian dressing (more if you like)

Stir all together and refrigerate.

 

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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