Delia Latham's Blog, page 41
September 2, 2012
Guest Post: Janalyn Voigt
MY WRITING TESTIMONY
It happened over time. My father instilled a love of
literature in me at an early age when he read chapters from The Wizard of Oz,
Robinson Crusoe, and other classics as bedtime stories. When I grew older, and
my father stopped the bedtime stories, I continued to put myself to sleep with
tales I "wrote" in my head. As a precocious reader, I soon graduated
to the novels in my parent's bookcase. I'm sure those books contributed to my
growth as a writer. Eventually, I scribbled my own stories on paper.
A teacher noticed my storytelling ability when I was twelve.
As a result of his encouragement, I identified my desire to write novels. I
drafted many novel beginnings but never made it further in those days. I realize
now that those aborted attempts were all necessary to my learning. Reading
great novels taught me to write as well, but since many of the novels I read
were classics, I later had to learn to discard some outdated methods. Still, I
retained a basic sense of story, something that never goes out of style.
After selling my first short story and a couple of
non-fiction articles, I battled fear of success. I smile to think of that
struggle now. To tell the truth, I barely remember what I feared then, something
about losing my identity as others clamored for my writing. Now I know that I
should be so lucky as to be so popular. A fear of failure rapidly followed my
fear of success. Perhaps they were intertwined.
A series of disillusionments followed, until the moment when
my first nonfiction book contract fell through. Discouraged, I turned away from
writing, certain it would be for life.
Years later, when the time was right, I felt an inner
nudging to return to writing. I did my best to ignore it until two people who
didn’t know one another each invited me to join the same writing group
(Northwest Christian Writers), pretty much out of the blue. I couldn’t ignore
this confirmation, and so I began attending NCWA meetings. I felt lame about
going, though. The other writers seemed to know exactly what they were doing,
whereas I had no clue.
After prayer, I realized which project I should write. I’d
abandoned a story that had haunted me for years. Tales of Faeraven and its
characters never left me. If anything they matured as I did, becoming more
complex. I now knew them well.
A little over a year after I began writing DawnSinger, I
signed with a small press that would later back out of the contract. That was
devastating, but I had to face similar circumstances to those that caused me to
turn away from writing all those years ago to learn that I wouldn’t do it
again. I’d grown to the place where I could weather any storm. I signed with
Harbourlight just a few months later. I lost a contract for one novel but
received a two-book contract and found an agent in a single day. Barbara Scott
of Wordserve Literary agreed to negotiate my contract and to represent me.
My own path to writing success has been longer than it
should have been. If I could do things over, I’d surrender myself and my
writing to God sooner.
(Come back tomorrow for an interview with Janalyn. All comments on today's post and tomorrow's, posted by midnight, Wednesday, September 5, will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of DawnSinger!)
August 26, 2012
COTT unveils Olympia Award
Get Ready to Spar!
Clash of the Titles Unveils a NEW annual literary contest,
THE OLYMPIA
and it’s strictly for unpublished writers!
Also, you will no longer need to be a previous Clash Champion in order to compete for the crown.
Submissions open September 14, 2012,
As always at COTT, the outcome of the contest is in the hands of readers,
not industry professionals.
You’ve written the book of your dreams, now what do readers think? Enter the arena and find out.
Olympia 2013 Submission Rules
The OLYMPIA provides an opportunity for unpublished novelists to have the first two chapters (or 3,500 words) of their work judged and critiqued by readers that are well-versed in Christian fiction yet not a part of the CBA industry.
ELIGIBILITY: Any author whose novel-length work (30,000+ words) has not been previously published in ANY format is eligible for entry. That includes the manuscript being submitted as well as any other manuscript the submitting author has written. One entry per author. Co-authored entries accepted. The manuscript should not contain profanity, graphic sex, or other objectionable material. Clash of the Titles staff reserves the right to reject submissions not meeting this requirement.
FEE: $10 payable via Paypal
Paypal account: contactcott@gmail.com
If Paypal is not an option for you, please contact senior editor, April Gardner at contactcott@gmail.com.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: All entries must include a single-spaced one page synopsis of the manuscript immediately followed by the first two chapters of the novel. Word count limit is 3,500. Prologues are accepted, so long as the word count limit is not exceeded.
FORMAT: Manuscripts must be in Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced with pages numbered. One inch margins in Ms Doc (not Docx) or Rich Text Format (RTF). Insert a header which includes the novel’s genre and title, and nothing more. Judging is anonymous. Do NOT include your name anywhere in the document or in the title the document is saved under.
Entries not following the submission and formatting specifications will be returned. Entries may be resubmitted prior to the deadline. Entry fees for returned entries will not be refunded after the contest entry deadline has passed.
JUDGING:
Round One begins November 02, 2012. Entries will first be judged by Clash of the Titles staff, which includes published authors and writers experienced in judging. During this round, COTT staff will be looking for those excerpts which do not meet content standards listed in “Eligibility” above. Because COTT wishes to send only the best quality of writing to its judges, in addition to content eligibility, they will be reading for a higher level of experience in the craft.
Round Two begins November 30, 2012. By this date all entrants will have received an email notifying them whether or not their manuscript has moved on to Round Two. Manuscripts making it to this round will be read by a group of judges who are comprised of your average reader of Christian fiction and that are in no way associated with the CBA industry. This includes agents, writers, avid reviewers, publicists, editors, etc. They are, in short, your audience.
Round Three begins January 21, 2013. By this date, all remaining entrants will be notified of whether or not their manuscript will be moving on. Only three manuscripts will be chosen for this round. Finalist will be announced January 18. Judges pending.
Authors will receive an anonymous digital copy of each of their judge’s scores and comments. Under no circumstance should comments given by a judge be used for publicity or promotional purposes without the express consent of the judge.
PRIZES: One first-place winner will be chosen. He/she will receive a special feature on Clash of the Titles' blog. A tour through COTT’s Blog Alliance. A dedicated page on COTT’s site for a full year. A podcast interview with author and CAG board member, Cynthia L. Simmons. A beautiful plaque. Additional prizes pending.
DEADLINES: Submissions will open Friday, September 14, 2012. All contest entries and fees must be received no later than 8:00 PM EST Friday, November 02, 2012.
All entries will receive a confirmation e-mail. If this has not occurred by 8:00 PM EST November 03, 2012, the entrant should e-mail COTT senior editor, April Gardner at contactcott@gmail.com.
The winner will be announced Friday, March 01, 2013
Stay tuned for updates by
subscribing to COTT's blog and “liking” our Facebook page.
Clash of the Titles Unveils a NEW annual literary contest,
THE OLYMPIA
and it’s strictly for unpublished writers!
Also, you will no longer need to be a previous Clash Champion in order to compete for the crown.
Submissions open September 14, 2012,
As always at COTT, the outcome of the contest is in the hands of readers,
not industry professionals.
You’ve written the book of your dreams, now what do readers think? Enter the arena and find out.
Olympia 2013 Submission Rules
The OLYMPIA provides an opportunity for unpublished novelists to have the first two chapters (or 3,500 words) of their work judged and critiqued by readers that are well-versed in Christian fiction yet not a part of the CBA industry.
ELIGIBILITY: Any author whose novel-length work (30,000+ words) has not been previously published in ANY format is eligible for entry. That includes the manuscript being submitted as well as any other manuscript the submitting author has written. One entry per author. Co-authored entries accepted. The manuscript should not contain profanity, graphic sex, or other objectionable material. Clash of the Titles staff reserves the right to reject submissions not meeting this requirement.
FEE: $10 payable via Paypal
Paypal account: contactcott@gmail.com
If Paypal is not an option for you, please contact senior editor, April Gardner at contactcott@gmail.com.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: All entries must include a single-spaced one page synopsis of the manuscript immediately followed by the first two chapters of the novel. Word count limit is 3,500. Prologues are accepted, so long as the word count limit is not exceeded.
FORMAT: Manuscripts must be in Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced with pages numbered. One inch margins in Ms Doc (not Docx) or Rich Text Format (RTF). Insert a header which includes the novel’s genre and title, and nothing more. Judging is anonymous. Do NOT include your name anywhere in the document or in the title the document is saved under.
Entries not following the submission and formatting specifications will be returned. Entries may be resubmitted prior to the deadline. Entry fees for returned entries will not be refunded after the contest entry deadline has passed.
JUDGING:
Round One begins November 02, 2012. Entries will first be judged by Clash of the Titles staff, which includes published authors and writers experienced in judging. During this round, COTT staff will be looking for those excerpts which do not meet content standards listed in “Eligibility” above. Because COTT wishes to send only the best quality of writing to its judges, in addition to content eligibility, they will be reading for a higher level of experience in the craft.
Round Two begins November 30, 2012. By this date all entrants will have received an email notifying them whether or not their manuscript has moved on to Round Two. Manuscripts making it to this round will be read by a group of judges who are comprised of your average reader of Christian fiction and that are in no way associated with the CBA industry. This includes agents, writers, avid reviewers, publicists, editors, etc. They are, in short, your audience.
Round Three begins January 21, 2013. By this date, all remaining entrants will be notified of whether or not their manuscript will be moving on. Only three manuscripts will be chosen for this round. Finalist will be announced January 18. Judges pending.
Authors will receive an anonymous digital copy of each of their judge’s scores and comments. Under no circumstance should comments given by a judge be used for publicity or promotional purposes without the express consent of the judge.
PRIZES: One first-place winner will be chosen. He/she will receive a special feature on Clash of the Titles' blog. A tour through COTT’s Blog Alliance. A dedicated page on COTT’s site for a full year. A podcast interview with author and CAG board member, Cynthia L. Simmons. A beautiful plaque. Additional prizes pending.
DEADLINES: Submissions will open Friday, September 14, 2012. All contest entries and fees must be received no later than 8:00 PM EST Friday, November 02, 2012.
All entries will receive a confirmation e-mail. If this has not occurred by 8:00 PM EST November 03, 2012, the entrant should e-mail COTT senior editor, April Gardner at contactcott@gmail.com.
The winner will be announced Friday, March 01, 2013
Stay tuned for updates by
subscribing to COTT's blog and “liking” our Facebook page.
August 22, 2012
New Release: Descended by Dana Pratola
(Click on the image to purchase your copy of Descended)
He has no wings or halo, but he’s an honest-to-goodness hero…and his lineage is quite impressive.
When a reclusive businessman takes an interest in Haven’s artwork, she knows it’s an answer to prayer. But Jett Cestone is an enigma with a disconcerting connection to the young women in his employ. He’s by far the most unusual man she’s ever met.
Haven is the most interesting woman to ever cross Jett’s path. But she’s too naïve and pure to learn what goes on in his home. Too bad he wants her more than he’s wanted anyone or anything in his life.
EXCERPT:
Haven was still thinking of Jett two hours later as she applied her makeup in an upstairs bathroom. Unlike the one in her room, this one had a large mirror that swung out from the wall.
“Why do you wear that stuff on your face?”
Haven’s hand jerked, dragging a stripe of eyeliner across her temple. She ground her teeth.
“I apologize.”
“I could have poked my eye out! And you aren’t supposed to look in the bathroom when I’m in here.” She wiped away the smudge with a corner of tissue.
“These are not your quarters, and the door is open,” Jett answered. “So, why do you paint yourself up like that?”
“It’s a mask.” She threw the answer out flippantly, but knew it was the truth.
“What are you hiding?”
She shrugged. “I guess the real me, same as you.”
“You don’t hide the real you.” Annoyance tinged his voice. “You’re the most open person I’ve ever met.”
Haven set down the pencil and shifted her feet. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” He didn’t answer and she sighed. “I guess I wear it out of habit. Growing up, girls are told they need to be thinner, prettier, sexier. It sticks with you. The world isn’t a very encouraging place. I just want the outside to be more appealing.”
“You couldn’t be more appealing.”
She hesitated, blinking while her skin heated. “Thank you.”
Jett cleared his throat, evidently as surprised by the compliment as she. “So where are you going, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“A movie, then dinner. You know, traditional.”
“This is a date, then?” Bewilderment and a definite touch of hostility colored his voice now.
The guilt was back, the same niggling self-reproach she encountered every time she thought of Chris and Jett in the same timeframe. “Yes.”
“And is this the young man you were with the night Paris went missing? The charming Christopher Andrew Pembroke?”
Haven turned to see him, which of course she couldn’t. “Don’t you respect anyone’s privacy?”
“I’m concerned.”
“You’re nosy. You could only have found that out by poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong. He isn’t an employee. And how did you know his full name? I didn’t even know it.”
“There is much you don’t know. Shall I enlighten you?”
“Don’t you dare!” She jabbed a finger in the air. “And I mean it!” She took a deep breath, gripping the front of the vanity with both hands. “Is there going to be a problem if he wants to come in when he brings me home?”
“Problem?”
“Yes. You said I could have people here. Are you are going to behave yourself and keep out of my business?”
“What you do with your date is your affair. I won’t intrude.”
She smacked a hand on the counter. No matter what he said, she could tell his teeth were clenched. “You aren’t my guardian or my husband. You have no right to try to make me feel guilty for seeing a nice guy. I’m not going to sleep with him—and if I were,” she added quickly, “it would be none of your business. You and I are friends.”
“Is that what we are, Haven? Friends?” His words rang with a peculiar strain.
She swallowed. “Sure.”
“Very well. But if you think you can feel free to express to me your desire for another man, I hate to disappoint you. Our friendship will never extend that far.”
Emotions were escalating, his and hers, and she seemed unable to help it. “Great, just great.” She should shut up, but she shouted instead, arms flailing. “A friendship with conditions. Great. Tell you what? Why don’t you take your friendship and—”
“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t say something you’ll regret.” His voice held a clear warning.
Haven stopped and dropped her hands in surrender. “You’re right. So with that in mind…” She swung the bathroom door closed with a satisfying bang.
AUTHOR BIO:
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. He is merciful and gracious and loves me beyond all human reason. He’s blessed me with a wonderful husband and three dynamic kids, and we all live in a shoe in New Jersey. (Just seeing who’s paying attention, lol) God gave me a passion to write Christian Romance. Not the kind with a woman buttoned to the neck and a man daring no more than to hold her hand, but the contemporary kind. These books don’t contain explicit sex scenes, but my characters have real desires, struggles and choices to make. A lot of the time they make the wrong ones. No subject is prohibited but good always triumphs.
Ready to read Descended?
July 30, 2012
COTT's June Releases Clash
Hostess: Gail Pallotta
Summer’s the perfect time to spend a day by the shore, an afternoon on a lake or several hours in a hammock with a good book. The June releases featured are brand new and offer a great variety in selection. They include a boy’s book, contemporary and historical romance, western mystery, and romantic suspense. The presses are small and traditional. Find your favorite summer reading spot to enjoy these books. Then use the voting box below to let us know which you’re likely to read first.
Three boys have their hands full with a raging river, a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of claim-jumping outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft. Think that’s the worst that could happen…well it isn’t.
Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore disguises herself as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, to land a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. In her wildest dreams, she never imagined having to add a second character to her repertoire in the form of Lavinia's dazzling niece, Jessie . . . or considered the problem of losing her heart to Steven Pierce, who has no idea that the woman he’s falling in love with doesn’t exist.
With her father’s death, Anna Newfield loses everything—her home, her inheritance, and her future; she had nothing left but her faith. Major Edmond Grenville longs to rescue her, but loving her means going against his family’s rigid control and perhaps losing his entire future.
Amid murder, mystery and mayhem, Deputy Chief Ryan Fitzgerald and Free-lance journalist Meghan Henry must set aside their personal hurts in order to work together, risking their lives to solve a murder, catch a killer and rescue a baby before it’s too late. And in the process discover that the biggest, most rewarding risk of all is love.
Filipa Beltran is tired of living out her parents' dreams, while Nathan Cross would give anything to make his late father proud. When a childhood friendship blossoms into romance, can this couple find common ground as they search for contentment in their God-given gifts?
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
Summer’s the perfect time to spend a day by the shore, an afternoon on a lake or several hours in a hammock with a good book. The June releases featured are brand new and offer a great variety in selection. They include a boy’s book, contemporary and historical romance, western mystery, and romantic suspense. The presses are small and traditional. Find your favorite summer reading spot to enjoy these books. Then use the voting box below to let us know which you’re likely to read first.
Three boys have their hands full with a raging river, a crusty prospector, his gold mine, a gang of claim-jumping outlaw bikers, and a desperate river escape on their makeshift wooden raft. Think that’s the worst that could happen…well it isn’t.
Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore disguises herself as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, to land a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. In her wildest dreams, she never imagined having to add a second character to her repertoire in the form of Lavinia's dazzling niece, Jessie . . . or considered the problem of losing her heart to Steven Pierce, who has no idea that the woman he’s falling in love with doesn’t exist.
With her father’s death, Anna Newfield loses everything—her home, her inheritance, and her future; she had nothing left but her faith. Major Edmond Grenville longs to rescue her, but loving her means going against his family’s rigid control and perhaps losing his entire future.
Amid murder, mystery and mayhem, Deputy Chief Ryan Fitzgerald and Free-lance journalist Meghan Henry must set aside their personal hurts in order to work together, risking their lives to solve a murder, catch a killer and rescue a baby before it’s too late. And in the process discover that the biggest, most rewarding risk of all is love.
Filipa Beltran is tired of living out her parents' dreams, while Nathan Cross would give anything to make his late father proud. When a childhood friendship blossoms into romance, can this couple find common ground as they search for contentment in their God-given gifts?
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
July 23, 2012
Huge Summer Reading Sale!
Clash of the Titles has a BIG week coming up!
Wednesday marks the beginning of our June Releases Clash, hosted by the lovely Gail Pallotta. She'll introduce you to five amazing new books, so get your voting finger ready.
Saturday, we'll announce the three finalists in the 2012 Laurel Awards. Our judges have been raving about the books, saying they wished they had more than just the first two chapters. Remember, this year's judges are readers like you, who have no connection with the writing or publishing world. You could be one of them! If you're interested in being a judge for the upcoming Olympia Award, please email us at contactcott(at)gmail(dot)com.
Our current judges are still sending in their score sheets, but by Saturday, we'll have the final tally!
In the meantime, we'd like to pass along that Astraea Press is having a HUGE Summer Sale. Almost all of their stock is available for $.99 on Kindle and Nook. To whet your appetite, here are five titles from their Inspirational line. The sale lasts until the end of July, but get your e-books today, before you forget!
JUST A LITTLE FAITH by Amy Norris
Contemporary Romance
Paxson Taylor’s recent relocation to St. Louis leads her to a life different from what she’s experienced in the past. Through her work with a small charity, she meets and attracts the attention of professional baseball player, Sebastian Quinn. Flattered, Pax tempers her desire for the handsome playboy with her need to serve her God—a God Seb doesn’t believe exists. Through unspeakable tragedy, they grow closer and with disappointment, drift apart. How can two people from opposite ends of the faith spectrum reconnect when they need each other most?
$.99 on KINDLE
$.99 on NOOK
LIZZIE AND THE GUERNSEY GANG by April W Gardner
2012 Selah Award winner in youth fiction
Middle grade historical/adventure
Lizzie Browning loves nothing more than her tiny, island-home of Guernsey, but when German troops invade, she knows it will never be the same again. For Lizzie, younger brother Andre, and Cousin James, the time to escape is now, and they know just how to do it. With the right tools and a little help from a boat named, Trina, they'll be off the island in no time. When things start going wrong, Lizzie wonders about God's plan. From the looks of it, He might expect them to live under Nazi rule…forever.
$.99 on KINDLE
$.99 on NOOK
THEN SENTENCE by Elaine Cantrell
Contemporary Romance
How could he do it! How could her father bring into their home the guy who burned the church? Yeah, it was an accident and her dad’s a minister, but if he wanted to save this man’s soul, why didn’t he go to the prison to do it? And no matter how cute the criminal is, no matter what anyone says, she doesn't watch him all the time. Nice girls don't fall for guys like Clint. Do they?
$.99 on Kindle
$.99 on NOOK
THE MULLIGAN MAN by Monique O'Connor James
Short Story
When six kids are at a party, partaking in a little too much fun, one of them is killed. The Mulligan Man, a character straight out of folklore appears offering them the chance to fix all the wrongs. In order to complete the deal, the teenagers must find out the truth of what happened, perform a random act of kindness, and become friends.
If they meet these stipulations, he will allow them to bring their friend back from the dead. In the process they learn not to judge, to stay away from drugs and alcohol, and that love can bridge even the boundary of death.
$.99 on Kindle
$.99 on NOOK
THE PECULIAR PRINCESS by Christina Graham Parker
Romance
Sent back four hundred years to reclaim her birthright as Princess of Dresdonia, Lexy Newberry discovers the only thing harder than living without electricity is guarding her heart from the perplexing Lord Lukas Reynard.
$.99 on Kindle
$.99 on NOOK
FOR MORE CLEAN FICTION IN OTHER GENRES SEE ASTRAEAPRESS.COM
July 16, 2012
COTT Spotlights The Soul Saver
*guest post by Michelle Massaro
At Clash of the Titles , we're interested in the Christian Fiction that's making a splash, flying onto the scene in a burst of attention-grabbing technicolor and gripping our imaginations. Every month we're seeing batches of new stories hit the shelves and here's one that has also hit our hearts.
Dineen Miller's The Soul Saver recently competed on our website and garnered a lot of attention there. We just had to know more about this book and its author. Here's what we discovered...
About Dineen Miller:
Dineen Miller readily admits that one of the greatest lessons she’s learning about life is that there’s purpose in our trials. It’s all about trusting God and putting our hope in Him. Her favorite stories are of the miracles God has wrought in the lives of her family.
Through this lens she also believes her years as a youth counselor, a Stephen Minister, a women’s ministry leader, and a small group leader fuel her desire to ignite the souls of others through words of truth.
In addition to writing for Spiritually Unequal Marriage, Dineen has won several prestigious awards for her fiction, and her devotional writing has been featured in Our Journey and Christian Women Online Magazine. She’s also a C.L.A.S.S. Communicator and has been featured on the Moody Radio Network, Family Life and Focus on the Family Radio.
Married for 24 years to a guy who keeps her young, she lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two adult daughters, who surprise her daily with their own creativity.
She is the co-author of Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage and the author of The Soul Saver.
Links:
Websites:
http://www.dineenmiller.com
http://spirituallyunequalmarriage.com
Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/DineenMiller.AuthorSpeaker https://www.facebook.com/SpirituallyUnequalMarriage
GoodReads author page:
http://www.goodreads.com/dineenmiller
The Soul Saver Booktrailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p07iTbP5SK8
Q & A with the Author
1. What inspired the story for The Soul Saver?
My own life. I wanted to write a fictionalized account of how God can work in amazing ways in our lives when we trust Him. The Soul Saver is that story—of how Lexie Baltimore desires to love her unbelieving husband in the way God is calling her to and the battles she faces with the enemy because she’s on the front lines praying for the salvation of her
husband. I wrote this book for all the Lexies out there, to encourage and remind them that we’re not alone. God is there working in ways we can’t even imagine!
2. A suspense novel in the Christian industry can often be difficult to write. What helped you overcome those obstacles?
Staying true to the message I felt God calling me to write. I attended the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in 2008 and by the end of the week, I left with a clear understanding that God wanted me to write this book. I stayed faithful to that calling and trusted God to find a place for it. Some in the industry either had reservations with the issue of being spiritually mismatched or with Tobias, a demon, who is simply a tool I used to show the spiritual warfare that is common in spiritually mismatched marriages. At one point I wondered if I would have to take him out, but my amazing agent, Rachelle Gardner, encouraged me to hold true to my story and she was right. The right timing and publisher did come along. I will be forever grateful to Barbour Books for giving The Soul Saver a chance.
3. What made you want to write in this specific genre?
I love intricate stories and characters. Suspense wrapped with the supernatural is something I’ve always loved to read. The amazing thing is, we live in a world full of suspense and the supernatural every day. My favorite stories have and always will be of the miraculous, of how God has provided, made His presence known, saved a lost soul because that is what’s really happening around us if we just take the time to notice it. God loves to wow us. I hope I can do a little of that to my readers too. They deserve it.
4. Do you have any future projects going on?
I have a novella coming out in August, A Love Meant to Be, that’s part of a collection titled Rendezvous in Central Park. I have the distinct privilege and honor of writing with Ronie Kendig, MaryLu Tyndall, and Kim Vogel Sawyer, three seasoned and very talented authors. I love this story because it’s a tribute to my father, a Vietnam vet who passed away in 2010. These stories span from the Civil War to WWII to Vietnam to present day conflict in Afghanistan.
About The Soul Saver:
When Trusting God Is the Only Way Out
On an average day, God started her missions in her sculpting studio, revealing the face of the person she would meet at the grocery store, bank, or playground. The goal was always the same. Reach the lost, bring someone back to God, restore hope. But then came the tough missions—the ones that sent Lexie Baltimore into real battle. And she had a few battle scars to show for it.
Tormented that she can’t reach the one person she loves the most—staunch atheist and husband Hugh—Lexie finds her own hope waning when the battle comes to her doorstep in the shape of a pastor who represents everything she wants and everything her husband is not—a godly man.
Then false accusations and rumors spin her husband and family into a precarious position, and the only way out is to trust God. But how can she convince her husband when she’s struggling to trust God herself?
This time Lexie is the mission.
What others are saying:
“Deep, compelling, a beautifully written story of faith, hope, and the saving power of love. Dineen Miller hits home with this debut novel. The Soul Saver will stay with you for days after reading the last page.”
— Tosca Lee, NY Times bestselling author of Havah: The Story of Eve
“When you combine stellar writing, intriguing characters, and a fascinating plot the result is a story like The Soul Saver. It’s the kind of novel I wish I had written.”
— James L. Rubart, bestselling author of ROOMS, Book of Days, and The Chair
Links to purchase The Soul Saver:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1616265825/kittenscomefr-20
CBD.com:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-soul-saver-dineen-miller/9781616265823/pd/265823?product_redirect=1&Ntt=9781616265823&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCG
Barnes&Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-saver-dineen-miller/1104273979?ean=9781616265823&itm=2&usri=the+soul+saver
The Soul Saver Booktrailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p07iTbP5SK8
*Michelle Massaro is a 2012 Genesis Finalist and Assistant Editor with COTT. She loves to connect, so stop and see her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MichelleMassaroBooks
At Clash of the Titles , we're interested in the Christian Fiction that's making a splash, flying onto the scene in a burst of attention-grabbing technicolor and gripping our imaginations. Every month we're seeing batches of new stories hit the shelves and here's one that has also hit our hearts.
Dineen Miller's The Soul Saver recently competed on our website and garnered a lot of attention there. We just had to know more about this book and its author. Here's what we discovered...
About Dineen Miller:
Dineen Miller readily admits that one of the greatest lessons she’s learning about life is that there’s purpose in our trials. It’s all about trusting God and putting our hope in Him. Her favorite stories are of the miracles God has wrought in the lives of her family.Through this lens she also believes her years as a youth counselor, a Stephen Minister, a women’s ministry leader, and a small group leader fuel her desire to ignite the souls of others through words of truth.
In addition to writing for Spiritually Unequal Marriage, Dineen has won several prestigious awards for her fiction, and her devotional writing has been featured in Our Journey and Christian Women Online Magazine. She’s also a C.L.A.S.S. Communicator and has been featured on the Moody Radio Network, Family Life and Focus on the Family Radio.
Married for 24 years to a guy who keeps her young, she lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two adult daughters, who surprise her daily with their own creativity.
She is the co-author of Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage and the author of The Soul Saver.
Links:
Websites:
http://www.dineenmiller.com
http://spirituallyunequalmarriage.com
Facebook pages:
https://www.facebook.com/DineenMiller.AuthorSpeaker https://www.facebook.com/SpirituallyUnequalMarriage
GoodReads author page:
http://www.goodreads.com/dineenmiller
The Soul Saver Booktrailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p07iTbP5SK8
Q & A with the Author
1. What inspired the story for The Soul Saver?
My own life. I wanted to write a fictionalized account of how God can work in amazing ways in our lives when we trust Him. The Soul Saver is that story—of how Lexie Baltimore desires to love her unbelieving husband in the way God is calling her to and the battles she faces with the enemy because she’s on the front lines praying for the salvation of her
husband. I wrote this book for all the Lexies out there, to encourage and remind them that we’re not alone. God is there working in ways we can’t even imagine!
2. A suspense novel in the Christian industry can often be difficult to write. What helped you overcome those obstacles?
Staying true to the message I felt God calling me to write. I attended the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in 2008 and by the end of the week, I left with a clear understanding that God wanted me to write this book. I stayed faithful to that calling and trusted God to find a place for it. Some in the industry either had reservations with the issue of being spiritually mismatched or with Tobias, a demon, who is simply a tool I used to show the spiritual warfare that is common in spiritually mismatched marriages. At one point I wondered if I would have to take him out, but my amazing agent, Rachelle Gardner, encouraged me to hold true to my story and she was right. The right timing and publisher did come along. I will be forever grateful to Barbour Books for giving The Soul Saver a chance.
3. What made you want to write in this specific genre?
I love intricate stories and characters. Suspense wrapped with the supernatural is something I’ve always loved to read. The amazing thing is, we live in a world full of suspense and the supernatural every day. My favorite stories have and always will be of the miraculous, of how God has provided, made His presence known, saved a lost soul because that is what’s really happening around us if we just take the time to notice it. God loves to wow us. I hope I can do a little of that to my readers too. They deserve it.
4. Do you have any future projects going on?
I have a novella coming out in August, A Love Meant to Be, that’s part of a collection titled Rendezvous in Central Park. I have the distinct privilege and honor of writing with Ronie Kendig, MaryLu Tyndall, and Kim Vogel Sawyer, three seasoned and very talented authors. I love this story because it’s a tribute to my father, a Vietnam vet who passed away in 2010. These stories span from the Civil War to WWII to Vietnam to present day conflict in Afghanistan.
About The Soul Saver:
When Trusting God Is the Only Way OutOn an average day, God started her missions in her sculpting studio, revealing the face of the person she would meet at the grocery store, bank, or playground. The goal was always the same. Reach the lost, bring someone back to God, restore hope. But then came the tough missions—the ones that sent Lexie Baltimore into real battle. And she had a few battle scars to show for it.
Tormented that she can’t reach the one person she loves the most—staunch atheist and husband Hugh—Lexie finds her own hope waning when the battle comes to her doorstep in the shape of a pastor who represents everything she wants and everything her husband is not—a godly man.
Then false accusations and rumors spin her husband and family into a precarious position, and the only way out is to trust God. But how can she convince her husband when she’s struggling to trust God herself?
This time Lexie is the mission.
What others are saying:
“Deep, compelling, a beautifully written story of faith, hope, and the saving power of love. Dineen Miller hits home with this debut novel. The Soul Saver will stay with you for days after reading the last page.”
— Tosca Lee, NY Times bestselling author of Havah: The Story of Eve
“When you combine stellar writing, intriguing characters, and a fascinating plot the result is a story like The Soul Saver. It’s the kind of novel I wish I had written.”
— James L. Rubart, bestselling author of ROOMS, Book of Days, and The Chair
Links to purchase The Soul Saver:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1616265825/kittenscomefr-20
CBD.com:
http://www.christianbook.com/the-soul-saver-dineen-miller/9781616265823/pd/265823?product_redirect=1&Ntt=9781616265823&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCG
Barnes&Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-saver-dineen-miller/1104273979?ean=9781616265823&itm=2&usri=the+soul+saver
The Soul Saver Booktrailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p07iTbP5SK8
*Michelle Massaro is a 2012 Genesis Finalist and Assistant Editor with COTT. She loves to connect, so stop and see her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MichelleMassaroBooks
July 10, 2012
COTT's Winning May Release Christian Fiction Novel
Today's host: Jennifer Slattery
This has been an exciting clash! Two debut authors--Katie Ganshert with Wildflowers from Winter and Dineen Miller with Soul Saver--entered the ring, sparring with three of Christian fiction's greats, the very talented, multi-published Deborah Raney, Martha Rogers, and Lynette Eason. Talk about an exciting clash!
This competition was very close. Soon after we opened the poles, our two debut authors rose to the top. The victor won by one vote.
You, our ever-faithful readers, have spoken.
The winner of our May Release Clash is ....
Katie Ganshert with Wilflowers from Winter! Congrats, Katie! You've been automatically entered in our prestigious Laurel Award contest and sent directly to Round 2.
Wildflowers from Winter:
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.
Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.
For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace she’s not even sure exists?
Read the first chapter here.
Praise for Wildflowers from Winter
“Katie Ganshert knows how to wring the heart of a scene in order to place her reader within a character’s pain and wonder. Wildflowers from Winter is a romantic beauty-from-ashes story – and a promising series starter from this debut author.”
- USA Today
“In this novel rich in details and well-thought-out characters, Ganshert offers something for everyone: romance, secrets, a few laughs. The reader will come away with the knowledge that even in the arms of grief, hope emerges after loss.”
- Romantic Times
“Themes of loss and redemption, believable characters, and a realistic view of life’s challenges make this debut a worthwhile, gut-wrenching read. Recommended for fans of Francine Rivers.”
-Library Journal
Buy the book at:
Amazon: Paperback Kindle
BarnesandNoble.com
Get to know Katie:
Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.
Q & A with Katie
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Hands down, I wish I could apparate like the witches and wizards in Harry Potter. In case you don’t read those books, apparition is the ability to think of a place you want to go and *poof* you’re there. Do you know how amazing that would be? Seriously. No more spending time in traffic. No more paying for gas. No more ears popping in planes. And if I wanted to write a story set in Novosibirsk, Russia, do you know how easy it would be to research? Okay, so maybe my editor is happy I can’t apparate.
If you could witness any event in history, which event would you choose?
Something to do with Jesus. Either His birth or His resurrection. I don’t think I could handle His death.
If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?
I’d be an octopus. They don’t have many predators, do they? Or maybe a jelly fish. Something where I could explore the depths of the ocean and meet Nemo. I also want to know if mermaids are real.
What was your favorite book growing up?
Hands down, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It was the first book that swept me up and transported me into a different world. I absolutely could not put it down. I have so much nostalgia for this book that when I taught 5th grade, I read it to my students each year. The story has so much word play and symbolism that went over my head as a kid, but I can appreciate now as an adult. Plus, the message is beautiful. Don’t let the old-fashioned cover scare you off. It’s such a fun book.
When did you start writing?
In third grade I wrote this epic, life-changing story about Mr. and Mrs. Leaf. In fact, it was so epic and life-changing, my 3rd grade teacher read it out loud to the class and everybody clapped and cheered. Okay, so maybe not. But it was at least good enough to read out loud. And so a love-affair was born. I found something I could do well. From there on out, I wrote all kinds of stories and bless my parents for being so patient, they listened as I read every single one of them out loud (sometimes with an accent).
Where do you get your ideas?
Usually in church. While most of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are listening and self-reflecting and confessing and pondering the vastness and greatness of God, I’m the weirdo who’s thinking, “This would be a great spiritual arc for my character.”
What are three of the hardest things about being a writer?
Sitting in the chair and putting my hands on the keyboard on days when inspiration refuses to cooperate. Talk about torture.
Waiting. There’s always something to wait for on this journey. And since I’m an impatient person, this doesn’t come easily.
Sharing my stories. Enter fear and trembling. Because what if people don’t like them?
What are three of the best things about being a writer?
Sitting in the chair and putting my hands on the keyboard on days when inspiration flows so fast I can’t catch it all. What a rush.
Waiting. Because through the long moments of nothing, I’m reminded again and again to surrender my hopes and dreams to Him.
Sharing my stories. Enter excitement and anticipation. Because what if people like them?
Thank you to all of our talented competing authors who helped make this a phenomenal (nail-biting) clash!
Voters, what hooked you most, the blurbs or the covers? For me, it was a combination, but the intriguing covers really grabbed me. ALL of these novels instantly moved to my "must-read" list.
This has been an exciting clash! Two debut authors--Katie Ganshert with Wildflowers from Winter and Dineen Miller with Soul Saver--entered the ring, sparring with three of Christian fiction's greats, the very talented, multi-published Deborah Raney, Martha Rogers, and Lynette Eason. Talk about an exciting clash!
This competition was very close. Soon after we opened the poles, our two debut authors rose to the top. The victor won by one vote.
You, our ever-faithful readers, have spoken.
The winner of our May Release Clash is ....
Katie Ganshert with Wilflowers from Winter! Congrats, Katie! You've been automatically entered in our prestigious Laurel Award contest and sent directly to Round 2.
Wildflowers from Winter:
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.
Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.
For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace she’s not even sure exists?
Read the first chapter here.
Praise for Wildflowers from Winter
“Katie Ganshert knows how to wring the heart of a scene in order to place her reader within a character’s pain and wonder. Wildflowers from Winter is a romantic beauty-from-ashes story – and a promising series starter from this debut author.”
- USA Today
“In this novel rich in details and well-thought-out characters, Ganshert offers something for everyone: romance, secrets, a few laughs. The reader will come away with the knowledge that even in the arms of grief, hope emerges after loss.”
- Romantic Times
“Themes of loss and redemption, believable characters, and a realistic view of life’s challenges make this debut a worthwhile, gut-wrenching read. Recommended for fans of Francine Rivers.”
-Library Journal
Buy the book at:
Amazon: Paperback Kindle
BarnesandNoble.com
Get to know Katie:
Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.
Q & A with Katie
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Hands down, I wish I could apparate like the witches and wizards in Harry Potter. In case you don’t read those books, apparition is the ability to think of a place you want to go and *poof* you’re there. Do you know how amazing that would be? Seriously. No more spending time in traffic. No more paying for gas. No more ears popping in planes. And if I wanted to write a story set in Novosibirsk, Russia, do you know how easy it would be to research? Okay, so maybe my editor is happy I can’t apparate.
If you could witness any event in history, which event would you choose?
Something to do with Jesus. Either His birth or His resurrection. I don’t think I could handle His death.
If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?
I’d be an octopus. They don’t have many predators, do they? Or maybe a jelly fish. Something where I could explore the depths of the ocean and meet Nemo. I also want to know if mermaids are real.
What was your favorite book growing up?
Hands down, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It was the first book that swept me up and transported me into a different world. I absolutely could not put it down. I have so much nostalgia for this book that when I taught 5th grade, I read it to my students each year. The story has so much word play and symbolism that went over my head as a kid, but I can appreciate now as an adult. Plus, the message is beautiful. Don’t let the old-fashioned cover scare you off. It’s such a fun book.
When did you start writing?
In third grade I wrote this epic, life-changing story about Mr. and Mrs. Leaf. In fact, it was so epic and life-changing, my 3rd grade teacher read it out loud to the class and everybody clapped and cheered. Okay, so maybe not. But it was at least good enough to read out loud. And so a love-affair was born. I found something I could do well. From there on out, I wrote all kinds of stories and bless my parents for being so patient, they listened as I read every single one of them out loud (sometimes with an accent).
Where do you get your ideas?
Usually in church. While most of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are listening and self-reflecting and confessing and pondering the vastness and greatness of God, I’m the weirdo who’s thinking, “This would be a great spiritual arc for my character.”
What are three of the hardest things about being a writer?
Sitting in the chair and putting my hands on the keyboard on days when inspiration refuses to cooperate. Talk about torture.
Waiting. There’s always something to wait for on this journey. And since I’m an impatient person, this doesn’t come easily.
Sharing my stories. Enter fear and trembling. Because what if people don’t like them?
What are three of the best things about being a writer?
Sitting in the chair and putting my hands on the keyboard on days when inspiration flows so fast I can’t catch it all. What a rush.
Waiting. Because through the long moments of nothing, I’m reminded again and again to surrender my hopes and dreams to Him.
Sharing my stories. Enter excitement and anticipation. Because what if people like them?
Thank you to all of our talented competing authors who helped make this a phenomenal (nail-biting) clash!
Voters, what hooked you most, the blurbs or the covers? For me, it was a combination, but the intriguing covers really grabbed me. ALL of these novels instantly moved to my "must-read" list.
July 2, 2012
Clash of the May Releases
This clash's host: Jennifer Slattery
My summer reading list is quickly growing. When you read the following two-sentence hooks, I'm sure you'll agree, these five May releases are must-reads indeed! Which one is drawing you the most? Please vote below, and check out www.clashofthetitles.com on July 5th to see who won. Happy Independence Day!
Spring Hope by Martha Rogers:
Libby Cantrell’s life has gone from bad to
worse since her mother’s death. With an abusive father, and life in a brothel,
she sees no hope for her future until she gains the courage to make her escape
one cold winter night. When she arrives exhausted, hungry, and ill in
Portersfield, Texas, Sheriff Cory Muldoon finds her in an alley and takes her
to a doctor.
Wildflowers From Winter by Katie Ganshert:
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago
firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen
years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has
struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa.
After All (A Hanover Falls Novel) by Deborah Raney:
Eighteen months after the tragic Grove Street
Fire took the life of her husband and four other heroic firefighters, Susan
Marlowe thinks she’s finally beginning to heal. But then she discovers that
David carried a secret to his grave—a secret that changes everything she
thought about their marriage.
The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller:
When Trusting God Is the Only Way Out On an
average day, God started her missions in her sculpting studio, revealing the
face of the person she would meet at the grocery store, bank, or playground.
The goal was always the same. Reach the lost, bring someone back to God,
restore hope.
The Black Sheep's Redemption by Lynette Eason:
Everyone in Fitzgerald Bay—except his
law-enforcement family—is convinced Charles Fitzgerald murdered his children's
nanny. Condemned by public opinion, his only hope for a replacement nanny to
take care of his two-year-old twins is newcomer Demi Taylor.
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
My summer reading list is quickly growing. When you read the following two-sentence hooks, I'm sure you'll agree, these five May releases are must-reads indeed! Which one is drawing you the most? Please vote below, and check out www.clashofthetitles.com on July 5th to see who won. Happy Independence Day!
Spring Hope by Martha Rogers:
Libby Cantrell’s life has gone from bad to
worse since her mother’s death. With an abusive father, and life in a brothel,
she sees no hope for her future until she gains the courage to make her escape
one cold winter night. When she arrives exhausted, hungry, and ill in
Portersfield, Texas, Sheriff Cory Muldoon finds her in an alley and takes her
to a doctor.
Wildflowers From Winter by Katie Ganshert:
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago
firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen
years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has
struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa.
After All (A Hanover Falls Novel) by Deborah Raney:
Eighteen months after the tragic Grove Street
Fire took the life of her husband and four other heroic firefighters, Susan
Marlowe thinks she’s finally beginning to heal. But then she discovers that
David carried a secret to his grave—a secret that changes everything she
thought about their marriage.
The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller:
When Trusting God Is the Only Way Out On an
average day, God started her missions in her sculpting studio, revealing the
face of the person she would meet at the grocery store, bank, or playground.
The goal was always the same. Reach the lost, bring someone back to God,
restore hope.
The Black Sheep's Redemption by Lynette Eason:
Everyone in Fitzgerald Bay—except his
law-enforcement family—is convinced Charles Fitzgerald murdered his children's
nanny. Condemned by public opinion, his only hope for a replacement nanny to
take care of his two-year-old twins is newcomer Demi Taylor.
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.
June 30, 2012
Final Week: Solomon's Gate Contest
The final week of the Solomon's Gate Contest starts today! One last week to enter for those beautiful Angel Wings Jewelry sets or a $15 gift certificate to Pelican Book Group - where you'll find some of the finest inspirational fiction available!
Please come. Please enter. And please...send all your friends and foes to enter as well. :)
June 27, 2012
Review: Vickie McDonough's End of the Trail
End of the Trail
Texas
Trails: A Morgan Family Series
(Book
6)
by Vickie McDonough
What a truly wonderful book!
Brooks Morgan is the ultimate slightly-flawed hero with a
cocky grin that’s bound to make any female reader fall in love. After a decade
of drifting and learning life’s lessons the hard way, Brooks wins a ranch in a poker
game. Trouble is, feisty Keri Langston thinks Raven Creek Ranch belongs to her.
If she’d known Brooks Morgan held the deed to her property, she might have left him hanging on the end of the
rope she found him on, instead of shooting him free and saving his sorry life.
But she didn’t know. She did shoot him free. And now he’s a
way-too-happy, far-too-handsome thorn in her side.
The End of the Trail is a hilarious, heart-rending,
soul-searching rollercoaster ride. I loved it, and didn’t want the ride to end.
But then, I always love McDonough’s work. This author presents stellar writing;
wonderful, unexpected humorous moments; touching, heart-wrenching situations
that make it hard to know who to root for; and consistently riveting
storylines.
I dare you to read this book and not smile! Thing is, you will
smile…and get a little weepy…and gasp in surprise a few times, as
well.
End of the Trail really
is that good.
Author Bio:
Vickie and her husband live in
Oklahoma. She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother of four grown sons and
grandma to a feisty four-year-old girl. When she's not writing, Vickie enjoys
reading, gardening, watching movies, and traveling. To learn more about
Vickie's books, visit her website: www.vickiemcdonough.com
