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Friday, February 29, 2008

Vote for My Book -- ACFW Book Club May Choice!

For any of you not familiar with this fantastic club, it's an online book club with members from all over the world (585 of them, to be exact, and growing every day) who chat about their favorite fiction books, read a specific one (or 2) each month, then chat with the author one week after that month ends.

It's a great way to share your favorite books, learn about others you might enjoy, and interact with fellow fiction readers...all from the comfort of your own home.

If you'd like to join, you only have to send a blank email to: acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

But, that's not the best part!

I just received word today that voting has begun for the books that will be read during the month of May.

And MY BOOK is one of the books they're selecting!!

If you would like to participate in the vote, send the email to the address above, then log on to the web site and cast your vote. Or subscribe and come back here to vote using the link below.

If you are already a member of the book club, you can vote for my book here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acfwbookclub/surveys?id=2005704

The poll closes on March 15th, so you have TWO WEEKS to vote and/or join. Don't delay.

I'd love to have the readers choose my book, but I'd love it more if I could be the author invited to chat with the members in June so they can ask questions or just share with me what they thought of the book.

What an exciting possibility. I hope you'll join me.

CFBA Blog Tour - Virginia Smith and Stuck in the Middle

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Stuck in the Middle
Revell (February 1, 2008)
by Virginia Smith


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Virginia Smith left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am. Since then she has contracted eight novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom (Steeple Hill, August 2007) and her newest release, Stuck in the Middle (Revell, February 2008), book 1 in the Sister-to-Sister Series.

Her short fiction has been anthologized, and her articles have been published in a variety of Christian magazines. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”Virginia is a speaker, and an avid Scuba diver. She and her husband Ted, divide their times between Kentucky and Utah, and escape as often as they can for diving trips to the Caribbean!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Joan Sanderson's life is stuck. Her older sister, Allie, is starting a family and her younger sister, Tori, has a budding career. Meanwhile, Joan is living at home with Mom and looking after her aging grandmother. Not exactly a recipe for excitement-or romance.

That is, until a hunky young doctor moves in next door. Suddenly Joan has a goal--to catch his eye and get a date. But it won't be easy. Pretty Tori flirts relentlessly with him and Joan is sure that she can't compete. But with a little help from God, Allie, and an enormous mutt with bad manners, maybe Joan can find her way out of this rut and into the life she's been hiding from.

Book 1 of the Sister-to-Sister series, Stuck in the Middle combines budding romance, spiritual searching, and a healthy dose of sibling rivalry that is sure to make you smile.

"A gentle story of one young woman's season of growth, deftly blending the tangle of family relationships with gifts of whimsey and revelation. A joy to read." ~SHARON HINCK, author of Renovating Becky Miller and Symphony of Secrets

"Virginia Smith has created a charming and humerous novel that celebrates small-town life, generations of women caring for each other, and the value of finding a deeper, more active faith." ~SHARON DUNN, author of the Bargain Hunters mysteries

CONTEST INFORMATION

My publisher and I are conducting a contest to promote Stuck in the Middle. I'm giving away a $500 shopping spree on March 31st. All you have to do is subscribe to my bi-monthly eNewsletter to be entered into the drawing. And if you refer someone, you can get more entries. Just tell that person to state your name as the referral when they subscribe. Details are here: www.virginiasmith.org/contest.html

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is book 1 in your new Sister-to-Sister series. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

The initial thread of inspiration for Stuck in the Middle came during a family gathering at my mom's house. My sisters and I are very close, but they have so much in common with each other that I sometimes feel left out. They have children the same age, while I had mine ten years before. They're both very much into dramatic arts – they're actresses, directors, and choreographers – while I have never set foot on a stage. They're both really bubbly and outgoing and energetic. I'm by far the quietest person in my family (which some find hard to believe!) So during this gathering, my sisters were holding court in their usual energetic, boisterous way, and I found myself sinking quietly into the background, just watching. I know they love me as deeply as I love them, every bit as much as they love each other. It's just a difference in our personalities, but at times I feel a little left out.

So I decided to translate those feelings into a story. But I wanted to reflect all my feelings about my sisters – the deep love we have for each other, the sense of belonging, the certainty of acceptance no matter what. All those things come from sharing a lifetime of struggles and joys and tears and laughter. My relationship with my sisters is one of the most precious blessings God has given me. They've been with me through. . . well, everything! I wanted to write a book that reflects how important sisters can be to each other.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Allie and Tori and Joan? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

The main points of this book all come from my own experiences. Joan and her sisters are twenty-something adults who are experiencing the ripple effect of their parents' divorce when they were young. My parents divorced when I was nine years old, and I have struggled to overcome the effects of that divorce as I tried to establish lasting relationships as an adult. In Stuck in the Middle, Joan's father deserted after the divorce was final, so she's also trying to work through the impact of those feelings of desertion. Though I still did have contact with my father after my parents' divorce, it was sporadic, and I felt emotionally deserted.

But as you are well aware, fiction takes on a life of its own. I became a Christian when I was twelve, but Joan never had a real relationship with her heavenly Father – which, of course, is an important part of the book! Plus, Joan isn't close to her mother, while my mom and I are extremely close. Joan falls for a gorgeous doctor, which I've never done. And I have never in my life paid $250 for a pair of jeans!

3. What themes exist in Stuck in the Middle that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The major theme in Stuck in the Middle is God's desire to be a real Father to us. He's not just 'out there' somewhere, loving us from afar. He's right here with us every single moment of every day, loving us intimately and intensely.

The thing that developed as I wrote isn't a theme per se, but it supported the central theme. God will go to great lengths to prove His love for us, even miraculous lengths. One of my favorite scenes is when God sends a very powerful and clear message to Joan through her sister Tori in a simple action. I get chills every time I read that part!

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The most difficult part for me was the medical detail I needed to include to make the hero believable. Ken is an emergency room doctor, and I don't know the first thing about ER treatment! But thank goodness for ACFW, where I found help from Ronda Wells M.D. and Crystal Laine Miller. They served as my subject matter experts for medical treatments, and also for the process of becoming a doctor.

My favorite part was a scene that takes place in a contemporary mega-church. Joan has been raised in a conservative, ritualistic church and ventures into a worship service like she's never seen before. I had a terrific time writing her reactions to the service. Like when she thinks, "If anybody does anything weird, like drop to the floor and roll, I'm outta here!" She had no idea what to expect, and thought somebody might even pull out a box of snakes or something. It made me laugh out loud as I wrote. And then, a missionary lady stands up in the service and talks about God's miracles on the mission field, and I got goose bumps right along with Joan. When I do readings from this book, that's the part I read. I just love it!

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The next Sister-to-Sister book, Age before Beauty, comes out in February of 2009. But I have two being released before then. Sincerely, Mayla is the sequel to my debut novel, Just As I Am, and follows my wacky heroine as she faces some unpleasant facts about her family and herself. Namely, that being a control freak is an inherited trait. It's an edgy book, which is appropriate since Mayla is such an edgy character, and since her friends are pretty 'out there.' This book answers the question so many readers have e-mailed and written to ask me: "What happens between Mayla and Pastor Paul?" The wait to find out is over – Sincerely, Mayla comes out in March.

And A Taste of Murder is a romantic suspense novel being released in October from Steeple Hill. In that one, a classical violinist goes to a barbeque festival in Kentucky, and when she checks into the hotel she finds a body in her bathtub covered in barbeque sauce. (Yes, I did say it's suspense, but I had to put something wacky in there, too!) This is the first of a 3-book series, so I'm excited about it.

Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog! I really appreciate the opportunity!

* * * * *

Thank YOU, Ginny, for the bonus interview and the spotlight. :)

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of this book. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the 'email follow-up comments' box when you leave a comment and fill in your email address there if it isn't already showing. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Spotlight on Mary Hawkins and Return to Baragula

Today, I have the privilege of sharing with you an author who was a favorite of mine during the early years of the Heartsong Presents book club. Her stories about Australia (all 8 of them, the Search and the Southland series') hooked me right from the start and kept me looking forward to the next one in the series. I fell in love with her characters, and even today, they resonate in my mind with fond remembrances.

Now, Mary is back with a brand new book. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After growing up on the Darling Downs in Queensland, Mary became a double certificated registered nurse before studying at the Church of Christ Bible College in Sydney. There she met her husband and together they enjoyed pastoral ministries in New South Wales and Queensland. This included successfully planting two new churches. They have also been privileged to go on three short term ministry and study team trips to Africa in Zambia, Nairobi and Ghana. After officially "retiring," they ministered for two years at a church in England before settling in Tasmania, Australia. Mary and Ray have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Mary’s dream of becoming a published novelist became true in 1993 with the release of her first book. Since then 16 titles have sold over three quarters of a million books world-wide, with "Australia", a collection of contemporary Christian romance novels becoming a best-seller. More information on her website: http://www.mary-hawkins.com/

RETURN TO BARAGULA
by Mary Hawkins
Published by Ark House Press

Buy Your Copy Today!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Emily Parker's actions as a teenager not only impacted her own life but the lives of many others.

Now, six years later, she returns reluctantly to her home town of Baragula only to discover the man at the heart of those actions, Matthew Davidson, is the community's respected doctor.

While Emily's faith is now severely weakened by all that has happened, Matthew's life has completely turned around since he committed his life to Christ. His personal relationship with God is tested when he discovers how his behaviour when a non-believer hurt so many, especially Emily, and feels responsible for her hardness of heart towards the Lord.Disease attacks the community while danger from another source threatens Emily and her family. Through it all, will Matthew and Emily's faith be strong enough to forgive each other and put the past behind them?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. It's been a long time coming since you've been on the publishing scene as a best-selling author. Welcome back! What kept you away, and what gave you the inspiration for this story?

Thanks for the welcome, but I really don't feel as though I've been away! The last few hectic years have flown by with ever increasing speed. It is hard to realise my Australia 4-in-1 collection of contemporary Heartsong Presents novels was that best-seller released way back in 2000. Since then, unfortunately life led us along a few different and unexpected paths until we could settle in our new home here in beautiful Tasmania.

I had another historical Heartsong released mid 2002 and then Barbour released my four Great Southland historicals in another collection late 2003-–Australian Outback. During the last six years, selling our home, ministering overseas and then back here to a little retirement home has been very unsettling for a writer-- this one anyway. My husband officially "retired" in 2001 from full-time ministry here in Australia, but immediately afterwards we left for a ministry in England via our third short-term mission and study trip to Africa. We returned to Australia in 2003 to try and settle down at last in our little retirement home in a very beautiful part of Tasmania.

It hasn't always been easy adjusting to different lifestyles, much colder climates and now living near our beautiful grandchildren (much self-discipline required there!). Although not involved now in full-time pastoral ministry I have discovered how distracting and time-consuming house renovations can be. Over these unsettled years I ventured out into writing these longer inspirational romances and until now have had to go through the submission and rejection period once more.

The inspiration for Return to Baragula? One day, in a beautiful quiet place, I tossed a large rock into still water. A large splash disturbed the peace. Large ripples surged and then circled away. They spread and spread, disturbing the surface, lapping at the sides of the pond. A few small fish shot past me. Screeching it's displeasure, a water bird took off. Thoughtlessly I'd disturbed that peaceful scene. So often we don't realise just how much our sin can affect others, how far those ripples may spread, how one act of disobedience may change not only our own lives but many others, including our church family as well as our immediate family.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Emily and Matthew? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

Over the years I have known too many Christian young women who have yielded to sexual temptation and thus disturbed not only their own peace and relationship with God but that of many others. I long for these young people to come to know that even when their sin is forgiven, there may be consequences that still have to be dealt with.

I am a fully trained, registered nurse and thus Emily and Matthew have medical backgrounds. Outside of that, their traits are all their own!

3. What themes exist in Return to Baragula that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

I hope parents may be encouraged to love their children unconditionally, even when they make unwise choices. Although I know a church can be hurt when they see any of their young people sin, I pray that church congregations, while never condoning sin, will still love the sinner and be kind and tender – as Jesus is.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

The prologue. I wanted to adequately show the feelings of a Christian young woman and the worldly attitude of a non-believing young man.

My favourite has to be those last few pages – and no, I'm not going to spoil the story by saying anymore!

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

Return to Baragula is Book One in the Baragula series and Ark House Press has asked me to send them Book Two, Outback from Baragula in June, so I am hoping this one will be out perhaps before Christmas.

This story is set on a cattle station in western New South Wales and is the story of two characters introduced in Return to Baragula. She is the daughter of rich graziers – even flies a helicopter to the dismay of the hero. The biggest problem he has to face is that he is falling in love with someone who is not a Christian. His family background particularly makes this a big issue for him but she believes he thinks her simply "not good enough" for him. There is danger, a mystery to solve and of course they get to know each other, and the Lord Jesus much better as they face it all together with Him.

* * * * *

Thanks, Mary, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Return to Baragula.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:" when you leave a comment and type the email address where you'd like them sent. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

* * * * *

Monday, February 25, 2008

Interview and Book Giveaway

Just a quick note to let y'all know that I've been interviewed on my friend's blog today. I will be giving away a FREE autographed copy of my book to the winner selected from those who comment. So, head on over there and leave a comment if you wish to be entered into the drawing.

http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Keep reading below for today's spotlight.

Spotlight on Darlene Franklin and Gunfight at Grace Gulch

Today, I have a new author to cozy mysteries introduce to you. And as I look at my list of upcoming, I've noticed there are a LOT of debut author in the coming weeks. I hope you enjoy them! Darlene isn't new to publishing, but she is new to this genre.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin resides in the Colorado foothills with her mother and her lynx point Siamese cat, Talia. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. She loves music, reading and writing. She has published one book previously (Romanian Rhapsody, Barbour, 2005), as well as numerous devotions, magazine articles, and children's curriculum. Gunfight at Grace Gulch is the first book in the "Dressed for Death" series. Visit Darlene's website at http://www.darlenehfranklin.com/.

GUNFLIGHT AT GRACE GULCH
by Darlene Franklin
Published by Barbour Publishing / Heartsong Presents Mysteries

ABOUT THE BOOK

The feud between the Graces and the Gaynors is still going strong more than a century after its inception in the 1891 Oklahoma land run. Newspaper editor Penn Hardy is murdered during the reenactment of the most famous gunfight in the history of Grace Gulch, Oklahoma. Cici Wilde, owner of a vintage clothing store, feels compelled to investigate when police suspect people close to her. She soon discovers her talent for sleuthing equals her flare for wearing period clothing. Theater director Audie Howe never expected the reenactment to end in a real murder. He cares too much for the future of the Magda Grace Mallory Theater - and the charming Cici Wilde - to let her face danger alone. Cici and Audie take a dangerous gamble to nail the killer - and lay their lives on the line.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your first cozy mystery and part of a brand-new line with Heartsong Presents. It's also the first in your "Dressed for Death" mystery series. What gave you the inspiration for this story? "

Since I once lived in Oklahoma, and my son lives there now, I decided to take advantage of the centennial of Oklahoma statehood. I missed it by three months, but I trust God's timing!

I came up with the idea of Gunfight at Grace Gulch because I wanted to tie Oklahoma's unique history of land runs into my contemporary mystery. Accusations of cheaters and "sooners" stirred a lot of bad feelings. In my story, the land run started a feud that resulted in a gunfight. Present-day descendents reenact the gunfight, only one of them dies.

My sleuth, Cici Wilde, sprang into mind complete with her dandelion 60's style hair and long gauze skirts when I read a newspaper article about a vintage clothing store.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Cici and Audie? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

As I mentioned above, I lived in small town Oklahoma for several years, so I drew from that experience in creating the mythical town of Grace Gulch. Cici's self doubts very much reflect me. My son's acting career in high school gave me insights into the theater.

Having said that—Cici and Audie draw a lot less from my personal experience than do the characters in my first book, Romanian Rhapsody. I traveled with a Christian music group through college and know the experience well!

I don't know fashion all that well, but it's Cici's passion. I have never lived on a ranch. Unlike Audie, I don't read a lot of Oscar Wilde, and Proverbs may be my least favorite book of the Bible. Well, that’s not true, but I don't have it memorized chapter and verse the way he does.

3. What themes exist in Gunfight at Grace Gulch that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

I hope that, like Cici, my readers learn to accept themselves as unique and special just the way God created them. To stop wanting to be someone different.

Other themes cropped up in telling the story, of course. Settler Bob Grace struggled with his conscience during the land run—should he cheat and become a "sooner" or trust God and make the run for the land with everyone else? History tells us that three times as many people made the land runs as there was land available; he couldn’t be sure of staking a claim.

Also, evangelism often crops up in my stories. One of the murder suspects becomes a Christian. I won't spoil the surprise by telling you which one.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

In a way, writing the ending was the most difficult. I wanted to FINISH the book and tended to hurry. My favorite part was probably the reenactment of the gunfight and the letters from Bob Grace to his fiancé. I got to throw a bit of history into a contemporary story.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The second mystery featuring Cici and Audie, A String of Murders, is due out in December. Pearls belonging to Magda Grace Mallory, Grace Gulch's leading patron of the arts, are found at a murder scene. Which just happens to be Cici’s store. So once again Cici is on the trail of a murderer. Before A String of Murders, however, my first historical novella Dressed in Scarlet will appear in Snowbound Colorado Christmas. The biggest snowstorm in Denver's history dumped almost four feet of snow over a six day period in December 1913. My heroine, heiress Natalie Daire, gets into a car accident trying to drive home and she ends up staying at the Brown Palace Hotel. Fabrizio Ricci fixes her car, and romantic sparks flare. Can the heiress and the immigrant find true love?

* * * * *

Thanks, Darlene, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Gunfight at Grace Gulch. Because Darlene is still waiting for her author copies, the book might not ship until the middle of March.

If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'follow comments to" when you leave a comment. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

* * * * *

Friday, February 22, 2008

CFBA Blog Tour - Ted Dekker and Adam


(Thomas Nelson, April 1, 2008)
by Ted Dekker


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), and Obsessed, with two more...Renegade, and Chaos to be released later this year.

ABOUT THE BOOK

He died once to stop the killer...now he's dying again to save his wife.

FBI behavioral psychologist Daniel Clark has become famous for his well-articulated arguments that religion is one of society’s greatest antagonists. What Daniel doesn’t know is that his obsessive pursuit of a serial killer known only as “Eve” is about to end abruptly with an unexpected death-his own.

Twenty minutes later Daniel is resuscitated, only to be haunted by the loss of memory of the events immediately preceding his death.

Daniel becomes convinced that the only way to stop Eve is to recover those missing minutes during which he alone saw the killer’s face. And the only way to access them is to trigger his brain’s memory dump that occurs at the time of death by simulating his death again…and again. So begins a carefully researched psychological thriller which delves deep into the haunting realities of near-death experiences, demon possession, and the human psche.

"As always with a Ted Dekker thriller, the details of ADAM are stunning, pointing to meticulous research in a raft of areas: police and FBI methods, forensic medicine, psychological profiling-in short, all that accompanies a Federal hunt for a serial killer. But Dekker fully reveals his magic in the latter part of the book, when he subtly introduces his darker and more frightening theme. It's all too creepily convincing. We have to keep telling ourselves that this is fiction. At the same time, we can't help thinking that not only could it happen, but that it will happen if we're not careful."

New York Times best-selling author Ted Dekker unleashes his most riveting novel yet...an elusive serial killer whose victims die of unknown causes and the psychologist obsessed with catching him.

* * * * *

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of this book. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the 'email follow-up comments' box when you leave a comment and fill in your email address there if it isn't already showing. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

* * * * *

Thursday, February 21, 2008

My Interview on Novel Journey

Just a quick note today to announce a very detailed interview that was posted on Novel Journey. The theme of this fantastic site is "Getting the Word Out, One Reader at a Time."

What a great tag line.

To help them, I'm letting y'all know that my interview is posted, and you can view it and comment if you like. Stick around the site too and take a look at all the other amazing stuff they have.

Read My Interview

Another one is coming on Monday. Stay tuned!

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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Spotlight on Susan Meissner and Blue Heart Blessed

Today, I'm introducing an author with a standalone book that has already been set out to be a featured selection in a lot of bookstores across the country. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker and writing workshop leader with a background in community journalism. A devotee of purposeful pre-writing, Susan encourages workshop audiences to maximize writing time by planning ahead, mapping the writing journey and beginning from a place of intimate knowledge. She is a contributing writer to the Christian Authors Network marketing blog and the leader/moderator of a local writer's group. When she's not writing, Susan directs the Small Groups and Connection Ministries program at her San Diego church.

BLUE HEART BLESSED
by Susan Meissner
Published by Harvest House

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Left standing at the altar, Daisy Murien, a wounded but hopeful romantic, opens a secondhand wedding dress boutique, hoping to soothe her broken heart while giving doomed wedding dresses a second chance at love. Her predictable days take a sharp turn, though, when the retired Episcopal priest who blesses the tiny, blue satin heart she sews into each dress falls ill.

When the priest’s brooding and recently divorced son arrives with plans to take his ailing father away, a contest of wills begins between two stubborn—and hurting—souls. While fighting to keep Father Laurent close by, Daisy finally begins to understand why she has routinely convinced potential buyers not to buy the one gown that started her business—her own: She doesn’t want to give up on the dream of a fairytale romance. This compelling story is about the magnificence of unconditional love and God’s impeccable timing in bringing it about.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

A couple years ago I was talking with a college-age student while we were on our way to see someone in the hospital. She told me she had just seen her roommate's wedding dress and she described how beautiful it was. I said something like, "It's too bad a dress as beautiful as that is only worn once." The minute I said that, an idea popped in my head. What if someone opened a secondhand wedding dress shop? What if there was a place for wedding dresses to go so they would be worn again? What kind of person would open a shop like that? By the time we reached the hospital I had Daisy (my quirky main character) fairly fleshed out in my head and I knew why she had opened a used wedding dress shop. She had a dress to sell; the dress she never got to wear because her groom caved 10 days before the wedding. And I knew it would take her 350 pages to finally be able to part with it.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the character of Daisy? What aspects became traits that were hers and hers alone?

I'm happy to say I married a great guy who loves being married to me so I never had to recover from the kind of disappointment Daisy did. But I did make tons of bridal paper dolls when I was little, just like Daisy did. And I did plan my wedding's every tiny detail, just like Daisy did. I love gelato like Daisy does, I play piano, and so does Daisy. And I love "He Shall Feed His Flock," from Handel's Messiah, just like Daisy does! But Daisy has a hard time letting go of her past and I am usually okay with saying goodbye to things that have hurt me.

3. What themes exist in Blue Heart Blessed that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The theme I wanted to weave in more than anything was don’t hurry true love. The real thing is worth waiting for. It's not something you make happen. It happens while you are concentrating on others, not yourself. The more subtle themes are: 1. Assumptions are dangerous critters – don't assume anything about anybody! – and 2. The love of God will always be there for you, when all other loves fail. Always.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

It was kind of hard to keep the two people I want to have get together in this book apart. They were perfect for each other, but I had to keep them apart until the end otherwise it would've been a really short book! I loved writing the scene where Daisy realizes the one she loves loves her and they kiss. :)

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next release is also a book with a romantic thread but there are a lot of other threads that make up the fabric of the plot. It deals with a college lit major, a reclusive 83-year-old librarian and the 400-year-old diary of a victim of the Salem witch trials. The story in a nutshell is this: the lit major, an only child who grew up in a very affluent family and feels pressured to live up to the family dynasty, agrees to transcribe the diary, which belonged to an ancestor of the librarian. The librarian has her own reasons for having the diary transcribed, and of course the victim of the Salem witch trials was innocent, as nearly all the people executed in Salem in 1692 were. So there are some sad, some poignant moments in this book. But I think we can learn from the past. We have to or we're doomed to repeat it, so the saying goes. So even though I don't race backward through time to save a girl who was falsely accused and executed for witchcraft, we learn from her. And that’s the next best thing. The book is called The Shape of Mercy and it will be released by WaterBrook in the fall of 2008.

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Thanks, Susan, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Blue Heart Blessed. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, insert your email when you leave a comment. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Spotlight on Anita Higman and The Love Song

Today, I have the privilege of introducing a fellow Heartsong Presents author who is new to the adult fiction scene after a string of successes in published books for other genres. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty books published for adults and children, and has five novels coming out. She has been honored in the past as a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston. Anita has a B.A. degree from SNU combining speech communication, psychology, and art. She lives with her family near Houston, Texas.Some of Anita’s favorite things are reading, going to the movies, public speaking, and cooking brunch for her friends. She’d love for you to visit her website at http://www.anitahigman.com/.

THE LOVE SONG
by Anita Higman & Janice A. Thompson
Published by Heartsong Presents / Barbour Publishing

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Clumsy. Invisible. Ugly. This is how Clair O'Neal would describe herself on a good day. Coming from an abusive childhood, she is painfully shy and sees herself as a misfit. So when she promises her boss she'll represent her company at a high-society event, she finds herself completely out of her element. Image coach Glenn Yves urges Clair to join the party, seeing something in her she cannot see herself. Musician Hudson Mandel rescues her from a moment of likely humiliation. Both men find themselves drawn to Clair's unassuming presence, her inner beauty, and maybe even her vulnerability. Can Clair trust their interest and their motives? After so many years without love, would God really bring two men into her life and maker her choose between them?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is the second novel that you've cowritten with Janice. The first helped you earn the award of favorite new author with Heartsong Presents. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

In The Love Song, the heroine, Clair O'Neal feels ugly, clumsy, and invisible. Haven't we all felt that way from time to time? I know I have, which is probably how the character started to form in my head. For instance, those times when I wake up in the morning and wonder how in the world I'm supposed to make myself look presentable. Yet again. And those times when I've tripped in front of someone I was trying to impress, or worst of all, when I've been in a crowd and felt totally ignored. Totally Invisible. So when you put those passionate life-experiences together, you have one scared female. Perhaps a character like Clair O'Neal. I hope the readers enjoy her, laugh with her, and I hope they'll be inspired as she matures as a Christian.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the characters of Clair and Hudson? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

The two main characters, Clair and Hudson, both have self-esteem issues. And since I've had my own similar struggles, it was easy to create these types of personalities. The traits that are theirs alone are their musical talents. Hudson plays the guitar and sings, and Clair has an amazing voice. I tried learning to play the guitar once and failed at it. Miserably. And I'm not a trained singer. So, when it comes to those particular qualities of my characters, I'm merely a Clair and Hudson wannabe.

3. What themes exist in The Love Song that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

The main theme is that God is watching over us, and He cares for us deeply. That even when we feel worthless and unworthy, He has a great plan for us. To help us and not to harm us. Even if a little of that theme trickles down to the reader then I’ll feel satisfied as a writer. A more subtle theme may have come about when the eclectic character, Mrs. Plow, suddenly showed up in my imagination. She encourages Clair on her journey. That seems to be the way God works in real life—He sends people across our paths when we need them—to encourage us and challenge us and love us.

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I enjoyed writing the scenes every time Glenn Yves showed up. They weren't easy scenes to work out, but they were fun. Probably because Glenn became so real to me. Writers really can get attached to their characters. We take them seriously enough that sometimes we wish we could call them up and have them come over for dinner. But since that's impossible, the next best thing is to relish in their lives on the page—in their dialogue and action and internal thoughts. Unfortunately I never wrote from Glenn's point of view, but I did feel like I knew what was going on inside his head.

The most difficult parts to write are the scenes when the hero and heroine express their affections for one another with a kiss. I'd hate for the reader to skip those parts because they thought they were too flowery or hackneyed. My goal is to keep those scenes astonishing and affecting. And amusing too, if the scene calls for it.

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

The last Heartsong in the Arkansas series (also coauthored with the wonderful Janice A. Thompson) will be Castles in the Air, which will come out sometime this year. This novel isn't as dramatic as The Love Song, but it does deal with the heavy issues of divorce and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, Castles does have quite a few comedic moments, which I'm hoping will keep the reader turning the pages.

Castles in the Air is a story about a woman who has spent her life dreaming of the perfect wedding—hers. There's one problem. There's no groom, and she's not even dating anyone. The man next door, a geek, adores her, but the last thing on earth she wants to do is spend her life watching Star Trek Marathons and eating prunes alamode. Bottom line—could Nori actually fall in love with a nerd?

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Thanks, Anita, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of The Love Song. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book. :)

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, subscribe to the posts on this blog. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to anyone worldwide.

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Monday, February 11, 2008

Promises, Promises is Here!! Purchase Today!

I am so excited, I can hardly sit still.

I just received word that my book is now available through the Heartsong Presents web site.

If you are a Heartsong Club member, you will be receiving your February shipment shortly which will include my book with the other 3. If you are not a member and would like to join, just visit the web site for club information.

You can also purchase my book through this site using the Signed by the Author link below my book. The only 'drawback' to that option is that it does not count toward my total sales as I have to purchase the book myself through the publisher.

www.ambermiller.com/books.html

Look on this page for the updated information and both options for purchasing my first book. The first through Heartsong Presents will not provide you with an autographed copy. But you can send your book to me and request an autograph. I only ask that you include a postage-paid envelope for return shipping. Use the Contact Form to inquire about the address once you have a copy of my book that you would like signed.

The second option of SignedbytheAuthor.com provides you with an autographed copy. The cost of the book is higher because I have to provide the packaging.

So, 2 ways to order, and 2 easy ways to get an autographed copy of my book. Come May or June, the book will also be available on Amazon.com.

And now I have to figure out a way to get some sleep tonight while I finish working on my book 3 deadline. It won't be easy with my wanting to dance for joy and shout thanks to God for this dream come true!

It will only get better!

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Wednesday, February 06, 2008

CFBA Blog Tour - Rebeca Seitz and Sisters, Ink

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sister's Ink
Broadman & Holman Books (February 1, 2008)
by
Rebeca Seitz


Today's spotlight is enjoying the release of the first novel in a series of four about scrapbookers, but she has made a significant name for herself in the publicity realm by starting a well-known publicity firm for authors -- GlassRoad Public Relations. It takes what CFBA does for authors a few steps further and offers an all-encompassing publicity package explicity for Christian worldview books.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebeca Seitz is Founder and President of Glass Road Public Relations. An author for several years, PRINTS CHARMING was her first novel. Rebeca cut her publicity teeth as the first dedicated publicist for the fiction division of Thomas Nelson Publishers. In 2005, Rebeca resigned from WestBow and opened the doors of GRPR, the only publicity firm of its kind in the country dedicated solely to representing novelists writing from a Christian worldview. Rebeca makes her home in Kentucky with her husband, Charles, and their son, Anderson.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Sisters, Ink marks the first in a series of novels written by, for, and about scrapbookers. At the center of the creativity and humor are four unlikely young adult sisters, each separately adopted during early childhood into the loving home of Marilyn and Jack Sinclair.Ten years after their mother Marilyn has died, the multi-racial Sinclair sisters (Meg, Kendra, Tandy, and Joy) still return to her converted attic scrapping studio in the small town of Stars Hill, Tennessee, to encourage each other through life's highs and lows. Book one spotlights headstrong Tandy, a successful yet haunted attorney now living back in Orlando where she spent the first eight years of her life on the streets as a junkie's kid. When a suddenly enforced leave of absence at work leads her to an extended visit with her sisters in Stars Hill, a business oppor­tunity, rekindled romance, and fresh understanding of God's will soon follow.

Endorsements:

"What more can any woman want? Sisters, Ink weaves the love of sisters, the fun of scrapbooking, and a romance as sugary and tingling as Sweet Home Alabama. A must read for those who love southern fiction." --DiAnn Mills, author of Leather and Lace and When the Nile Runs Red

"Fun . . . funny . . . fantastic! Rebeca Seitz has brought together scrapbooking and sisterhood in a lively romp, with a love for going home again."--Eva Marie Everson, coauthor of The Potluck Club series

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to be entered in a drawing for a FREE copy of this book. If you do not wish to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure your email is available or that you return next week to see if you've won. Would hate to see you miss out on winning a free book.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

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Monday, February 04, 2008

I Sold Another Book! ~~ Read Chapter 1 of Promises, Promises

God is so awesome. Words can hardly describe it.

Most authors know you are only as good as your next book. Well, I have been approaching the deadline for book 3 (due Feb. 15th) in the Delaware Brides series, and that would bring me to the end of my contracted books. Although I put my career in God's hands long ago, that small 'fear' still lingers when you don't have another book waiting to be written when you finish the current one.

As usual, God proved His almighty grace and favor to me last week.

About a month ago, my editor asked me to send in proposals for up to 6 states she was still looking to contract. I selected 3 of those 6 and put together story sets for each one. Then, it was wait time while my editor reviewed the stories to see if she'd like more from any 1 of them.

A week and a half ago, she asked for a full synopsis for one story set in historical Michigan. So, I expanded on what I had previously sent and submitted it to her last week. Friday morning, I received an email from her saying she thought it was a great idea and if it's suitable for me, we'll proceed with the aforementioned contract schedule and book deadlines!

I couldn't have been more excited to receive that email! Now, as I put the finishing touches on book 3, I have the great opportunity to move into another series and jump forward over 100 years in American history. This time, the focus is Detroit during the Industrial Revolution following the Civil War and leading into what made Detroit the motor city that it is.

This means by the end of 2009, I'll have at least 7 books in print!! Woo-hoo!!

So, never doubt the calling God has on your life. If He called you to it, He'll also bring you through it. Time and time again, He's proven that to me...and He'll do the same for you.

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Now, for those who wish to read the first chapter of my book releasing this month, go to the Books page and click on the link below the synopsis. Enjoy and happy reading!

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