Visit me today....

....at SCRIBBLE CHICKS!

www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com

New blog launch

I've launched a new blog!

www.writergetsreal.blogspot.com

Halloween Week

So this time of year I always bring up quite a controversial topic - what do you do about Halloween as a Christian?

For my family, we go to the carnival at our church, wear a pretty (not scary) costume, and get enough candy to last until Thanksgiving :)

We do this for several reasons:

1. It's how I grew up. I grew up going to carnivals or trick or treating in my grandmother's neighborhood in a Minnie Mouse costume or something of the like, getting a pumpkin bucket full of candy, and then being hyper for the best part of the next two weeks ;)

2. It's fun. Truly, it's a fun time, and as a girl turned woman who STILL loves to dress up, it's a great excuse ;)

3. It lets my child participate in a secular event but still be different from the majority - and that's how I view my role as a Christian. We are to be IN the world but not OF it. For me, Halloween is an example. She wanted to be a witch at one point for her costume and I said no. I said that was scary and that we don't do Halloween that way, we don't glorify that element of it. Halloween wasn't about being scary or looking scary for us, it was about dressing up as something pretty and trick or treating, practicing manners (saying please and thank you for candy) and having fun playing games at the church. She readily accepted all that (even at 4 years old!) and chose a fairy costume. (We didn't go the Merida route because I'm not dealing with another wig after she was Tangled Rapunzel last year! haha)

4. I support my church's decision in that instead of avoiding the night altogether, we provide an alternative. Get kids off the street, offer something safe, show them Christians have fun too (wink), keep an eye out for a witnessing opportunity, and introduce them to our church. I see no downside there!

I know there are Christians out there though who feel that participating in Halloween in any form, even the above, is still celebrating a pagan practice and it's best to lay low. I totally respect that opinion! Everyone has to follow their own convictions for their family.

So what do YOU think?

In the storm...

I posted on Jesus's voice in the storm today on http://www.girlsgodgoodlife.blogspot.com
Come check it out if you think it might help you... :)

Another fun historical...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Accidentally Amish Barbour Books (October 1, 2012) by Olivia Newport
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I’m imagining you. You walk past as I water my front flowerbeds and we wave. You check the time as we both stand in a long line at the grocery store. You sit in front of me in church. I’m at my table in the coffee shop and you’re at yours.

We may smile politely and move on with our separate lives. Or one of us may speak, a simple invitation to conversation, and the words flow between us.

Here the adventure begins. When we meet someone new, we never know where it might lead.

I’ve been married for over thirty years and have two twenty-something kids. We live in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where the day lilies in my back yard grow as tall as I am. (No short jokes, please.)

Not every piece of my life is pretty, though. Some days I want to throw out whole chunks. But I am living each day looking for the grace of God to me, in me, and through me. Having your companionship along the way will help uncover a lot of great stories.

Thanks for stopping by my site, where conversations and adventures begin with a click. I hope we’ll run into each other often.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Escape the helter-skelter of the modern culture and join software creator Annie Friesen, hiding at the home of an Amishman. With her high-tech career in jeopardy, Annie runs from fast-paced Colorado Springs—and straight into the hospitality of San Luis Valley’s Amish community. There she meets cabinetmaker Rufus Beiler, and the more time she spends with him, the more attracted she becomes. When Annie finds she shares a common ancestor with Rufus, she feels both cultures colliding within her. But is her love for Rufus strong enough for her to give up the only life she’s ever known?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Accidentally Amish, go HERE.




Purchase here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1616267127 

Enough said...

Book Info

About At the Feet of Jesus:  You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him. Intimacy with God-to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately need, but somehow life conspires to keep us busy and distracted. For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistible invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from time alone with Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver's beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365-day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and reflection question. All-new material and "Going Deeper" sidebars are also woven throughout. Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet of Jesus-where true life begins! Includes a unique One-Year Bible Reading Guide. Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/erC31 Meet Joanna: Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor's wife. Find out more about Joanna at http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/.

Blog Tour Schedule

http://litfusegroup.com/author/jweaver  Win an iPad from Joanna Weaver and RSVP to her Live Webcast Event {11/8} Celebrate the release of At the Feet of Jesus with Joanna Weaver by entering to win an iPad and RSVPing for the "True Life" Webcast Event on 11/8! One blessed winner will receive: An iPad The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening  At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends. Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "True Life" Live Webcast Event on November 8th. Connect with author Joanna Weaver and her special guest for an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A! There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants. So grab your copy of At the Feet of Jesus (or one of Joanna's other books) and join Joanna on evening of November 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!) Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

Scribble Chicks

Visit me today at Scribble Chicks! www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com

Whew

Thanks to anyone and everyone who prayed for me yesterday :)

I met one deadline and am hard at work today on another. I also managed yesterday to catch up on laundry and dishes, spend snuggle time with my sick preschooler, tidy up the house and cook a homemade soup and a homemade apple cake for my hubby, who wasn't feeling great either.

I'm convinced God gives moms super immune systems. Everytime my hubby gets sick in any form, my daughter does too. And by the grace of God it skips me, because, well - who else would take care of them?

Thankfully Little Miss is back in school today despite a misadventure in the car on the way there (don't ask) and is excited about her show and tell day. Whew.

Better get back to the deadlines now. The end is in sight ;)

What are you doing today?

Head above water...

Today is a head above water day. Deadlines of various kinds loom, my emotions are low, and my Little Miss is home sick. Prayers appreciated as I tread water--and tread in God's promises.

One of Susie's best...

Susie's done it again. One of my favorite authors, showing up as always with a fabulous story for readers that never fails to touch, inspire, warm, and refresh. Sometimes I hate to rave about authors because I feel like it's going to go over your head or you'll brush it off as "oh yeah right, no one is that good" - but uh, Susie is :)

Check out the details below of her new read that's about a woman in the witness protection program. This story has some fabulous "what if's" that make you think hard about your own life and priorities--and the consequences of lies. Yikes. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section if you've gotten to read this one already!!

Click here to purchase your copy!!!!
http://ow.ly/e6zml  

About the Book: 



A Deep Haven Novel

Sometimes the secrets we keep to protect ourselves can be our undoing.

To all who know her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses a sporting event, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the quaint harbor town of Deep Haven, Deidre received a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker.

Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on parole and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the courage to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?

Meet Susan: 

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!.

Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

You Don’t Know Me by Susan May Warren | $200 Weekend Getaway Giveaway and Facebook Party {10/23}

Author: Susan May Warren <!--/entry-meta

Welcome to the campaign launch for Susan May Warren’s latest offering in her beloved Deep Haven series, You Don’t Know Me. Susan is celebrating with a $200 Weekend Getaway Giveaway and hosting a fun video Author Chat Party!



One fortunate winners will receive:

• A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to catch up with a loved one and “Get to Know” your spouse, friend, sister, mom…whoever!)
• The entire set of Deep Haven Books

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the “You Don’t Know Me” Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/23. Connect with Susan for an evening of book chat, Deep Haven trivia, and a live video chat! There will also be a chance to win gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of You Don’t Know Me and join Susan on the evening of the October 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

--> Blog Tour Schedule
http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/you-dont-know-me-by-susan-may-warren-200-weekend-getaway-giveaway-and-facebook-party-1023

I was given this book free of charge by the publisher for an honest review**

Happy anniversary....

to Moby Dick! :)

161 years. Wow.

I feel old. Because that book was old when I was young. I actually had no idea it was THAT old.

Novels are just so cool.

Have you read it? (and see Google for a fun pic and info on this famous novel!)

Scribble Chicks Craft talk

Join me today at http://www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com and talk craft with us :)

Do you try to rush God?

Our teacher in Sunday School this past week told us a hilarious, yet convicting story, about a child's prayer. It struck home with me, especially since God had been dealing with this in my heart already.

Here it is:

A little boy knelt by his bed to pray. "God, if You just give me this new red tricycle that I want, I promise, I'll be good for a year. I won't ask for anything else for a whole year!"

He started thinking, and realized that wasn't true. He tried again. "Okay, God, if you give me this new tricycle, I promise - I'll be set for 6 months! Half a year!"

Still not really accurate. He tried praying about a month, then a week. Still didn't feel he could keep his end of the promise.

He ran to the living room, grabbed the statue of Mary from the mantle, and shoved it under his bed. Then he knelt, and prayed. "God, if You ever want to see Your mother again, You'll give me that tricycle!"

HAHAHA! And.... "oops".

Are you guilty of the same today? Are you making empty promises in your prayer life? Are you bargaining with God? Are you making ransom requests?

Or are you coming to Him, with full confidence and faith, not only that He is able, but that He knows the best way and the best timing? Are you giving God suggestions on how to answer your prayer? Or stepping back and giving it up to Him?

This isn't easy, guys. It's downright HARD. But all things are possible with Christ who gives us strength. And the resulting freedom is WORTH IT.

What's your tricycle today?

Hang in there

I'm still preparing the details of my blog launch, so hang in there guys! :)  It's gonna be fun!

I'm debating the merits of shutting down this blog and starting a new one, or trying to revamp this one completely into what I want. Hmm.... I'm not as tech savvy as I'd like to be!

Does anyone know if you can do an "under construction" type thing with blogger?

What IS this?

What IS this weather? It's not Autumn, sadly. We were teased! The temps dropped the other week into the 40's...it was awesome. Then they began to climb. Now, suddenly now we're back in the 80's. Aggghh!!

I'm wearing boots anyway.

How's your side of the world?

(hey, at least candy corn is good in any weather...)

Another great one for your pile...

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing All Things New Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012) by Lynn Austin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine Weatherly and her mother, Eugenia, struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives when they return to their Virginia plantation. But the bitter realities of life after the war cannot be denied: their home and land are but shells of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken. The privileged childhood Josephine enjoyed now seems like a long-ago dream. And the God who failed to answer any of her prayers during the war is lost to her as well.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak...but a bitter hatred fuels her.

With skill and emotion, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of the Reconstruction era by interweaving the stories of three women--daughter, mother, and freed slave--in a riveting tale.

If you would like to read the first chapter of All Things New, go HERE.

Lynn has always been one of my favorite historical authors. Her writing is powerful, and I hope you get a copy of this book! Link is here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764208977

Scribblin' day....

Scribble Chicks day!

Visit us today at http://www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com

Whatcha reading?

Whatcha reading?

I just blogged about The Trouble With Cowboys, which was seriously a fantastic read. Before that I had finished Susie Warren's You Don't Know Me - also fabulous. And I have a huge, teetering stack ready of both books to review professionally AND books I picked up in the ACFW conference bookstore at great prices (and for a good cause, as the sales go toward conference scholarships).

I don't know what's next. Maybe Lynn Austin's ALL THINGS NEW or Olivia Newport's ACCIDENTALLY AMISH.

So many books so very little time...

She's BAAAAACCKKK!!!!!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Full Disclosure Bethany House Publishers (October 2, 2012) by Dee Henderson

Uhhhh, one word - YAY!!!! :)

I haven't had a chance to read this one yet, it's next in my pile but I needed to post this on a certain date due to CFBA rules. However, I can honestly report I've been longing for this book for a WHILE and can't wait to dive in and savor. Because I'm more than confident it is going to be fabulous.

Dee is BACK!!! :)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. She is a lifelong resident of Illinois.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ann Silver is a cop's cop. As the Midwest Homicide Investigator, she is called in to help local law enforcement on the worst of cases, looking for answers to murder. Hers is one of the region's most trusted investigative positions.

Paul Falcon is the FBI's top murder cop in the Midwest. If the victim carried a federal badge or had a security clearance, odds are good Paul and his team see the case file or work the murder.

Their lives intersect when Ann arrives to pass a case off her desk and onto his. A car wreck and a suspicious death offer a lead on a hired shooter he is tracking. Paul isn't expecting to meet someone, the kind that goes on the personal side of the ledger, but Ann Silver has his attention.

The better he gets to know her, the more Paul realizes her job barely scratches the surface of who she is. She knows spies and soldiers and U.S. Marshals, and has written books about them. She is friends with the former Vice President. People with good reason to be cautious about who they let into their lives deeply trust her. Paul wonders just what secrets Ann is keeping, until she shows him the John Doe Killer case file, and he starts to realize just who this lady he is falling in love with really is…

Watch the book trailer:

If you would like to read the first chapter of Full Disclosure, go HERE.
 
GET YOUR COPY HERE! :)  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764210890

Just another Manic Monday...

...but not really, because Hubby is finally home from a 6 day fishing trip in Grand Aisle! He caught a ton of red fish (one of which was 25 plus lbs!) and several sharks. Yeah. Crazy stuff (this was SHORE FISHING not deep sea!) Shudder. Remind me not to swim at Grand Aisle....

So yay for that. We're used to Hubby being gone overnight here and there for the fire station but 6 days is a lot longer than our normal. Little Miss always sleeps better when he's home, which is really sweet. I surprised him last night when he got in with homemade vegetable beef soup in the crockpot and a strawberry cheesecake :)

My manic Monday looks like another day of writing and blogging and reading and the gym and playing taxi-driver to Little Miss - AND continuing looking for a part time job. Prayers appreciated there! :)

What are you doing today? What do you need prayer for? Let me know!

Hunky cowboys? OKAY!

First of all - I received this book free for an honest review from the publisher.

And secondly - I'd have paid extra for it! What a fabulous read! Denise Hunter does it again (wow, the woman can write cowboys!) LOVE her stories and this one doesn't disappoint. A fabulous tale of romance, pain, healing, redemption, love...and cowboys. :)  I mean really, how does it get better?

Here's the info! Don't miss this story, guys. It will speak to your heart.

Link to buy the book:

http://ow.ly/dSvBa  

About the Book: 

Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.

The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs.

Meet Denise: 

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Find out more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/.

Denise Hunter’s “The Trouble with Cowboys” Facebook Party & Kindle Fire Giveaway



To celebrate the release of The Trouble with Cowboys Denise is hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. She'll connect with readers and give away some amazing prizes - including a Kindle Fire! 

Save the Date for October 11th!



Grab your copy of Denise Hunter’s latest book and join her for an Author Chat Party on October 11th at 8:00 PM EST (that’s 7:00 Central, 6:00 MST, & 5:00 PST)! Haven’t read The Trouble with Cowboys yet? That’s okay, don’t let that stop you from coming to the party! (You may win a copy!)



During the evening she’ll be sharing the story behind the book, posting discussion questions, testing your trivia skills, and of course, there will be plenty of chatting and fun giveaways – books, gift certificates and – a Kindle Fire! She’ll also be giving you a sneak peek of her next book too!



RSVP today and then come back on the 11th … and bring your friends!

Elephants and donkeys oh my!

Did you watch the Presidential debate last night?
I caught snippets and that was enough for me.
I already know who I'm voting for, but for this once, feel
Free to leave your opinion here if you wish!  Just be courteous :)

How do you think it will play out?
What do you hope happens?
What do you feel about the "pick the lesser evil"
campaign going around?

Visit me today at Scribble-chicks!

www.scribblechicks.blogspot.com

Sucker for a book fair

I'm such a sucker for a book fair! Those Scholastic catalogues come home with my preschooler it seems every other week from school, and there are always ADORABLE books inside. For cheap. Yeah, I don't have a chance. Especially since half the books either come with stickers or are two-stories-in-one or have a charm bracelet attached. And of course she wants them all, and how can you say no to a child eager for books? I'm an author, for crying out loud. You CAN'T say no. lol

I would add up how much I've spent on book fair selections in the past two years but it might be shameful. So I won't. :)

Are you a book fair addict? Are you a BOOK addict? That's really the bottom line, isn't it? :)
What do you do when your kids bring home that catalogue or you see a great deal for books online or in your local bookstore?

A ripple among a sea of change...

Big news in the fiction industry today!

http://stevelaube.com/zondervan-and-thomas-nelson-fiction-merge/  explains it best. Change like this is always a little scary for fiction authors. We think these merges mean less space for books and less opportunity for new authors, etc. But that's NOT always the case. In fact that's usually rarely the case.

Bottom line, God is still on His throne and has plans for us storytellers :)

But this did remind me of something cool I observed Saturday night.

Hubby and I went to an LSU Tigers game in Baton Rouge Tiger Stadium. We had been given free tickets through an awesome lady at a Forum fundraiser event we went to a few weeks ago, (she won them and gave them to us during the night) and had a great time despite the off again/on again rain showers.

During a lull in the game (well to be honest, during the 490385905th lull in the game, and that's bad if I notice. ha! It was one of those "we fumble, they recover, they fumble, we recover, they do a really stupid play, we redeem it, and vice versa ohmygoodness DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO PLAY FOOTBALL HERE" kind of nights...) two guys stood up a few rows down from us in section 422 and started gathering the crowd's attention. They were goofy looking guys, sort of like they maybe had been denying the fact that they were now, indeed, adults and not college kids ;)

They were trying to start the wave. At first no one was interested. About 10 people responded. They laughed, tried again. People snorted and snickered.

But they kept trying.

The next thing I know, Hubby and I are participating. So is our entire section. And the next section. Every time it died they noted the spot where it stopped, and tried again, hoping to push it farther around the stadium.

And it worked.

Note the analogy here. After ridicule, public taunting, and against big odds, they KEPT TRYING and SUCCEEDED. The wave made it almost halfway around the stadium. Two guys (goofy guys at that! Hey, God can use anyone ::wink::) started a ripple that ended up affecting a thousand people or more.

Where ever you are today, however goofy and ineffective you feel, don't give up. God can and will use hearts for him. Whether this is with writing, fiction industry changes, blog launches, school, family struggles, ministry or witnessing struggles...whatever it is - GOD CAN USE A RIPPLE.

Just don't be still.