Carolyn Astfalk's Blog, page 41

The Egyptian Elixir Blog Tour

I’m happy to host the blog tour for Page Zaplendam’ s latest release, The Egyptian Elixir: A Regency Vampire Novella, the second book in The Unofficial Chronicles of John Grissom.

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About the Book:

What could possibly go wrong on a surveillance trip to Parliament? Apparently everything.

Vampire bacteriologist John Grissom and vampire hunter Van Helsing are unlikely friends and coworkers. As members of Bow Street’s newly founded clandestine investigative division, Odd Crimes, they find themselves witnesses to an assassination attempt on the Marquis of Wellesley. And discover London’s most notorious purveyor of stolen goods at the bottom of it.

But Sir Antony’s ability to influence people is unusual to say the least. The vampire and the hunter investigate, but the Egyptian elixir may prove the undoing of them both.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed The Egyptian Elixir without even having read the first book in The Unofficial John Grissom Chronicles (although I’m eager to read that first book now). Grissom comes across as an honorable fellow, a vamprie who has disciplined himself to feeding only on bovine blood. Despite his super-human abilities, his weaknesses make him endearing and the Regency-style banter between Grissom and Van Helsing entertains whether they are discussing the case at hand or in mortal (or immortal) peril.

The mystery held my attention and the climax left me reluctant to set down my Kindle to tend to dinner preparations. The writing is excellent, and I’m looking forward to reading more about Grissom.

 The Book Trailer:

About the Author:

Page Zaplendam is a long time fan of science fiction everything, dystopian novels, folk lore, fairy tales, and Regency romance. She has been a contributor to several science fiction anthologies, owns a novel editing service, and occasionally blogs at www.pagezaplendam.com. An engaging and humorous entertainer, she loves doing live interviews, public speaking, and sharing about writing and marketing craft both on her blog and on 10 Minute Novelists, the Catholic Writer’s Guild, and the Clean Indie Reads group. Interested parties may find her on social media (below), when she’s not working on becoming the next bestseller or changing diapers.

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

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This Dread Road Blog Tour

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Release Date: February 14, 2017

Published by: Three Amigas Press

Genre: Historical Romance, Women’s Fiction

Available from: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Createspace.

I’m happy to host the blog tour for Olivia Folmar Ard’s latest release, This Dread Road, the third book in The Bennet Series. Jump ahead if you’d like to the book summary, my review, excerpts, and about the author!

About the Book:

It’s September 1968, and Howard Knox freshman Annemarie Vanderhorst is happy to be free of her controlling mother’s societal expectations. She vows to spend her time at college wisely in pursuit of her own dreams. But before she can figure out what she wants from life, Henry Eden, the dark and handsome stranger in her philosophy class, takes over every waking thought.

Nearly half a century later, Claire James returns to Bennett after leaving her fiancé, determined to be independent for once in her life. After convincing her father to let her work for the family business, she soon realizes being a responsible adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Loathed by her coworkers, neglected by her best friend, and held captive by a terrifying secret, she doesn’t know how much more she can take.

The lives of these two women, decades apart but uncannily similar, finally intersect one fateful night. With broken hearts and hope for the future, will they find the answers they’re looking for?

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Click to tweet.

My Review:

Probably the biggest compliment I can pay to This Dread Road is that the characters became real to me. The characters are complex, multidimensional people who cannot be chalked up as simply “good” or “bad.” They make or have made poor decisions, but to the author’s credit, I never lost sympathy for them. On the contrary, their flaws and their inability to pave themselves a clear path to happiness resonated with me.

The dilemmas of Annmarie (in the twentieth century) and Claire (in the twenty-first century) are connected tangibly and thematically and make for a riveting addition to The Bennett Series that while it examines the brokenness in our lives, never loses heart, or, more importantly, hope.

I’m anxious to see what Olivia Folmar Ard comes up with next!

Excerpts:

An excerpt from Annemarie’s story.

An excerpt from Claire’s story.

About the Author:

[image error]Olivia started writing creatively at eight years old. During middle and high school, she attended several writing conferences. Her short story “By Its Cover” placed first in its division in the 2008 District III Alabama Penman Creative Writing Contest. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Montevallo in 2012, married in 2013, and published her first novel in 2014. She received a Readers Favorite five-star review for her holiday novella, ‘Tis the Season, in 2016.

Olivia lives in central Alabama with her husband JD and their cats, Buddy and Lafayette. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys watching quality television, teaching herself how to cook, and playing Pokémon GO.

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Pinterest

 Advance Praise for This Dread Road:

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(Click image for full review.)

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FROM MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!

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Seven Quick Takes

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The Blessings Crowding My Brain Edition

The early part of this week left me feeling as if I were suffocating under a growing list of “to-dos.” Each task I accomplished added three to the list as I realized yet something else that needed to be done. From meals to chores to decluttering to blogging and writing – I felt the weight of the many little straws threatening to break this camel’s back. I’ve tried to re-frame my discouragement with gratitude in terms of the blessings in disguise.

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Photo by gentlegiant27153 (Pixabay)

–1–
Bills and Taxes

The bills never stop coming, do they? Online billing is supposed to simplify this process, but while I don’t have to use as many stamps as before, I find myself logging into and out of accounts, checking balances, scheduling payments, and discussing (via text message) with my husband where the money is going to come from. Top that off with the incomes taxes due, requiring multiple reports and paper shuffling, and I’m pretty tired of dealing with money issues. It’s my hope that the taxes will be filed before this blog posts, and I won’t have to worry about income taxes for another year.

Blessing: My husband has had uninterrupted employment. We have a roof over our heads and are able to afford all of the necessities and then some.

 
 –2–
Books and Blogging

Just when I thought I’d be catching up on reading and plowing through that to-be-read pile, I seem farther behind than ever. Review copies, library loans, evaluation copies, beta reads, children’s read-a-loud books, and more are piled on the end table, my Kindle, and our iPad Mini. Luckily, many of the books tie into blogging.

Blessing: I am able to read, and it brings me both knowledge and great pleasure. I’m privileged to have made many author friends and am grateful to be able to help promote their books.

–3–

Social Media

Social media fasts look more appealing all the time. I’ve tried to pare down  both the groups to which I belong and the number of notifications I receive, yet it seems there’s always more “stuff” to attend to. That’s in addition to the recent explosion of vitriolic political posts that have made many people weary of scrolling through their feeds.

Blessing: It’s easier than ever to connect with family and friends near and far and share glimpses into each other’s lives.

–4–
Menus, Recipes, Groceries & Points

In other words: food. For several months, I eschewed menu planning and paid the price with frequent, sometimes daily runs to the grocery store. Life is smoother if I plan a menu, build a grocery list, and get most everything necessary for the week in one shopping trip (timed for when both little kids are in preschool). This, however, means more time spent sifting through recipes, searching cupboards, and making lists. My attempt to stick to my Weight Watchers plan means I spend even more time typing recipes, scanning bar codes, measuring food, and recording points.

Blessing: We have healthy food readily available and the knowledge and means to prepare it safely. We do not go hungry.

–5–

Home Clutter

Our home has never recovered from the lack of attention it received during my pregnancies. To compound the problem, with each child, more stuff enters the house. Add to that a husband who accumulates a lot of things and a house we never intended to stay in beyond having one or two children, and the attention this home needs seems insurmountable most days. I suppose if everything else stopped, and I didn’t have to deal with the other six takes listed here, I could make some real headway. As it is, I often feel as if I’m taking one step forward and two steps back. Change in this house has become almost urgent, and yet we make little to no headway.

Blessing: We have four walls and a sound roof. Our small home fosters sharing, cooperation, and togetherness as well as the need to adopt a somewhat minimalist lifestyle.

–6–

Kids’ Activities

Our kids aren’t over-involved. At least I don’t think so. None of the four played sports this season, although baseball and softball seasons are on the horizon. We have a once-a-month 4H club meeting, two ballet classes each week, and Boy Scouts. With my husband and son scheduled to attend the National Jamboree this summer, Boy Scout commitments have exploded. Add to that school-related activities and it’s enough to keep us busy.

Blessing: We have four healthy, social children who love to learn and enjoy physical activity. They have a plethora of opportunities to discover their interests and talents.

–7–

The Calendar

My memory must be faulty, because I don’t remember life being this cluttered when I was a kid. Runs to the post office, the library, the tailor, the dry cleaner, various doctors’ offices, haircuts, and on and on. As soon as an errand is struck from the list, another one is added.

Blessing: We have easy access to all sorts of medical professionals and other services. Now that I have almost nine hours each week that are kid-free, I can accomplish much more much more quickly. (It’s amazing how things speed up when you’re not constantly unbuckling, re-buckling, and dealing with a million kid questions and requests.)

Are there any blessings hiding in your burdens?

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For more Quick Takes, visit This Ain’t the Lyceum.

 Thanks for stopping by! Stay a while and look around. Leave a comment. Share with a friend. If you like what you see, please sign up from my author newsletter to keep up-to-date on new releases, extras, and hot deals!


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The Unexpected Confirmation Saint: One of God’s Mercies

My oldest son will be confirmed in the Catholic Church at the end of the month. The link in the previous sentence explains the sacrament in a thorough, easy-to-understand fashion. Regarding names chosen at confirmation, it explains that:

“At Baptism, the name was chosen without the child’s consent because the child was too little to make the selection alone. Now, in Confirmation, another name — in addition to the first and middle names — can be added, or the original baptismal name may be used. It must be a Christian name, though, such as one of the canonized saints of the Church or a hero from the Bible.”

[As an aside, I highly recommend Catholicism for Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio, Jr. and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, whether you are a”dummy” about Catholicism or not. Fully orthodox and plainly written, it’s a great reference.]

At my own confirmation, my class was encouraged to stick with our baptismal names. Therefore, I chose “Mary,” which is my middle name. While it’s certainly nothing that has kept me awake at night, I’ve always felt cheated by that choice. Because I had already been given the name Mary (and because Mary is the Mother of God), I already had a devotion to her. Confirmation was an opportunity to cultivate a new, unique relationship with a another brother or sister in Christ, one already part of the communion of saints.

This sense of being cheated became keen as I witnessed my son’s selection of a confirmation saint. After mentioning for the past year that he’d likely choose St. John Neumann, a Philadelphia bishop with connections to our diocese and parish, he informed me he’d chosen St. Boniface.

Oh.

I knew nothing of  St. Bonfiace beyond his name.

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Detail of an illustration of St. Boniface by Cornelis Bloemaert, c. 1630

My son said he simply chose St. Boniface because they shared a German heritage. Not a very profound reason, but that’s okay.

And then he began to research St. Boniface. And that is when I began to thank God for His tender little mercies. These little glimmers that nothing falls outside the scope of His loving care. That all is part of His Divine plan; even small choices made with our own free will.

And that is when I began to thank God for His tender little mercies. These little glimmers that nothing falls outside the scope of His loving care. #confirmationTweet This

While writing a short paper about St. Boniface, my son read aloud to me. I stopped him after a couple of sentences when he told me St. Boniface was the patron of the Diocese of Fulda.

“Fulda? That’s where Grandma’s grandparents were from.”

Hmm. Isn’t that interesting?

“He founded or restored the Diocese of Bavaria? That’s where Pap Pap’s family was from.”

St. Boniface is also the patron saint of brewers, which pleased my husband, who has been doing some home brewing. He, however, is not the only brewer in the family as my son has taken to brewing sodas.

We can also thank St. Boniface for the Christmas tree. When he came across a Saxon tribe worshiping a Norse deity in the form of an oak tree, he, well, let me quote this because it’s just so kick-ass:

“Boniface walked up to the tree, removed his shirt, took up an axe, and without a word he hacked down the six-foot wide wooden god. Boniface stood on the trunk, and asked, ‘How stands your mighty god? My God is stronger than he.'” (CatholicSaints.info)

St. Boniface then directed attention to a little fir tree growing nearby, saying:

“This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace . . . It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness.”

I watched my son’s eyes light as he read about his patron. Wiseguy that he is, in answer to the question “How can you emulate your patron saint?”, he promptly replied, “I can tear down pagan temples and build churches there.” Which is something else St. Boniface did.

(I love the boldness of saints! So often in our politically-correct world, we’re cowed into a cowardly meekness that goes well-beyond Christian civility and kindness, burying the Truth in the process.)

It’s my prayer that this English-born bishop, martyred in 754 in what is now the Netherlands, may be a lifelong guide and intercessor for my son. Because I’m certain that it was not by accident that he was chosen.

Do you have a confirmation saint story to share? An unexpected connection to a saint?

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An Open Book

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Welcome to the February 2017 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com!

Somehow it’s February already, and we haven’t had much winter weather in south-central Pennsylvania. My kids are getting antsy for a good snowfall, yet it’s been warm enough to fool our peonies into peeking above the ground. Snow or not, it’s a good season to sit down and savor a good book!

[image error]I recently woke to the audiobook version of Over 40 and You’re Hired by Robin Ryan. My husband checked it out of the library and streamed it from his phone while he was getting ready for work. He’s previously read some or all of the paperback version (when he was a little closer to forty). After a few minutes, I thought that being that I’m on the other side of forty as well, once I returned from dropping the kids at preschool, I should promptly dig my own grave with my withered hands and crawl in. Apparently many of us old folks lack savvy and enthusiasm (read: we don’t give a rat’s patooty anymore), and it keeps us from getting hired. Kidding aside, there are some solid tips here. My husband isn’t job searching, but sales is an uncertain industry, and he likes to keep his resume and skills relevant. So, kudos to him for still caring, what with one foot in the grave and all. If you’re over the hill forty and in the job market, you may want to give this one a look or listen.

[image error]I have a bunch of books competing for my attention atop the to-be-read pile. In addition to some review copies, I’m trying to work through the books on my NetGalley shelf as well as complete requirements for my public library’s winter reading program. First up is The Rose and the Sword by Gina Marinello-Sweeney. Here are a couple of lines from an Amazon review: “The Rose And The Sword exemplifies the Catholic life journey of Rebecca Veritas, written in a uniquely touching, humorous and compelling style. The protagonist’s strong character is portrayed in her ability to persevere, when emotionally and physically challenged, through her belief in prayer and devotion to her Catholic faith.” [image error]Next, in an effort to whittle down the NetGalley books, I’ll be reading The Sweetest Rain by Myra Johnson, the third of three Franciscan Media romances I’ll have read this year. I’ve read several positive reviews of The Sweetest Rain by trusted reviewer friends, so I’m confident I’ll enjoy this story set in 1930s Arkansas.

[image error]My son has been busy with Boy Scouts, midterms, and his National History Day project, so I’ve not seen him reading much lately. He’s read more than twenty of the thirty books he’s required to read this school year, but at this point he’s choosing books from categories he’s less than enthusiastic about, such as poetry. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is his mystery selection.  (True confession: I’ve never read Sherlock Holmes.)

[image error]My daughter turned nine several days ago, and she received four books as gifts. I snagged a discounted copy of one of my childhood favorites, Heidi by Joanna Spyri, at the local Scholastic Books warehouse before Christmas. (The cover pictured is from the version I bought, but the link is to the public domain (FREE!) Kindle version.) I remember re-reading a well-worn paperback of this book, and I’m anxious to read aloud the lovely illustrated version that we got her. [image error]She also received the next three books in the Chime Travelers series by Lisa Hendey: The Whisper in the Ruins, The Mystery at Midnight, and The Strangers at the Manger. She loved the first two books in the series, which is a sort of Magic Tree House meets Lives of the Saints, and I’m sure she’ll zip through these as well.

[image error]One of our favorite bedtime stories was lost but has been found! Languishing in a box of books, I rediscovered A Night-Light for Bunny by Geoffrey Hayes. My husband picked up the discounted hardcover somewhere in his travels when our oldest was very little. It’s become a family favorite with its warm, cozy illustrations of the bunnies, their home, and their neighborhood. In searching Amazon, I discovered that there was a glow-in-the-dark version of the book, which makes sense based on the warm glow of various lights (street lights, moonlight, lightning bugs, etc.) pictured. I can’t find our particular edition (pictured here) available on Amazon. [image error]In an effort to explain a little bit of the history of Valentine’s Day to the little kids, I checked out Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda from our library. I’ve read this to the older kids. It’s not particularly Catholic, but apparently there is a dearth of children’s books about Saint Valentine. (Attention, Catholic children’s authors!)

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Want more details on An Open Book? You can also sign up for An Open Book reminder email, which goes out one week before the link-up. No blog? That’s okay. Just tell us what you’re reading in the comment box.

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A Sea Without A Shore Blog Tour Plus a Giveaway

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I’m happy to host Jeannie Ewing on the blog tour for her latest book, a devotional for the downtrodden I’m calling it, A Sea Without A Shore. Jump ahead, if you’d like, to the book description, author interview, my review, buy links, about the author, and a giveaway!

About the book:

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Everyone experiences suffering and trials throughout life, whether in the form of death or significant loss of a relationship, finances, a home or job, and even a pet. Loss affects us all, and we are often left feeling empty, lonely, and lost in the midst of such excruciating darkness. Others may attempt to ameliorate our fears, concerns, and struggle, but to no avail. Even our faith may seem to fail us. Jeannie Ewing understands that holy darkness may veil us in a cloud of unknowing for a time, but we don’t have to capitulate to despair. Instead, we can journey through the mysteries and misunderstandings through the eyes of faith. In A Sea Without A Shore: Spiritual Reflections for the Brokenhearted, Weary, and Lonely, you will find a familiar friend journeying with you throughout the often murky and tumultuous waters of grief. No matter the cause of your pain and strife, this devotional will offer short but poignant insights that open your heart to God’s love and mercy.

Author interview:

Did you feel a closeness to or kinship with any particular saint and his/her spirituality as you wrote A Sea Without a Shore?

The saints I always feel are close to me on a daily basis are St. John of the Cross, Our Lady, and St. Michael the Archangel.  I pray to them often.  At times, when I was writing this particular book, I felt the spirituality of the Carmelite saints, like John of the Cross or St. Therese of Lisieux, really emerge.  I think the message of understanding holy darkness as it pertains to our spiritual journey is really important today.  So many people are despairing, because they believe God is punishing them or has abandoned them when this couldn’t be further from the truth.  I pray always that my writing will console those who are in a dark place so that they remain faithful to God and stay in a state of grace, seeking the Sacraments and not ending up bitter and resentful for their sufferings.  That, essentially, is a main message of the Carmelite mystics.[image error]

As I read A Sea Without a Shore, I felt at times as if I was praying it as much as I was reading it. It’s very intimate without being personal, making it adaptable to the reader’s circumstances. Can you describe briefly the writing process for this book? Did you approach it much as you would a private journal or with the reader in mind?

It’s funny, because as I mentioned in the Introduction, I didn’t really set out to write a book with these reflections included.  The process began when I wrote “An Empty Cup” during Lent, I believe.  I was praying my morning prayers, and I received this beautiful image of a pauper’s cup and a chalice, which I described in the reflection.  From that day onward, my daily prayer routine somehow included a pattern in which a particular Scripture verse or quote from a saint stood out in a new way to me, and I would ponder it almost as if a prayer to God.  It was definitely more like a private journal, because all of the original reflections are included in my journals.  But as I was organizing the reflections, I did think about the reader and almost felt that some of what I wrote was a bit awkward if people couldn’t relate to the feeling of having a mysterious illness or a child with a rare disease.  My hope was that the readers would glean some particular consolation in their own sorrows through what I wrote.

My review:

A Sea Without a Shore is exactly what it says it is: Spiritual Reflections for the Brokenhearted, Weary and Lonely, and while my life is by no stretch a bowl full of cherries, my generally partly-sunny disposition leaves me somewhat outside of the target audience. Even so, there was much here for me (whose spiritual life is nothing if not dry) to relate to. After all, we all experience varying degrees of grief, loneliness, suffering, and disappointment.

While I read the book straight through in order to review it, I think it would be best read as a devotional, breaking it up over days and allowing the reader to ponder the topics without rushing, mulling them over throughout the day, and praying along with the author. And while a fair amount of the book deals with pain, fear, and weakness, there are bright spots, hope, and above all, the assurance of God’s love.

There are plenty of gems (key insights or new ways at looking at elements of spirituality) hidden throughout the book that stopped me in my tracks, wanting to highlight a line or two for further reflection. There are bits of poetry and psalm-like prayer interspersed with the narrative as well.

Recommended as a prayerful, encouraging companion for when God seems distant.

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle:  https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Without-Shore-Reflections-Brokenhearted-ebook/dp/B01M8OAZK9/

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Without-Shore-Reflections-Brokenhearted/dp/1513614614/

About the author:
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Jeannie Ewing

Jeannie Ewing believes the world focuses too much on superficial happiness and then crumbles when sorrow strikes. Because life is about more than what makes us feel fuzzy inside, she writes about the hidden value of suffering and even discovering joy in the midst of grief. Jeannie shares her heart as a mom of two girls with special needs in Navigating Deep Waters: Meditations for Caregivers and is the author of From Grief to Grace: The Journey from Tragedy to Triumph. Jeannie was featured on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition and dozens of other radio shows and podcasts.

Links:

Website: http://fromgrief2grace.com/

Facebook – Love Alone Creates: https://www.facebook.com/lovealonecreates

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/fromgrief2grace/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeanEwing07

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/116821023017176676067

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannieewing/

Watch Jeannie Ewing on At Home with Jim & Joy:

Enter to win:

Enter for a chance to win one of two paperback copies of Navigating Deep Waters: Meditations for Caregivers or one of two paperback copies of A Sea Without A Shore! (Ends 1/30/17, so enter NOW!)

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#5Faves: Parental Uses for a Timer

My mom had a simple timer that she used exclusively for cooking and baking. Whether it was lasagna in the oven or her frequent batches of chocolate chip cookies, the timer’s use was exclusively in the kitchen. I recall an egg timer or two as well, the old-fashioned sand-filled kind, which were used for my play.

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Our beloved chick timer.

The myriad uses for the timer are yet to be explored in our house, but since joining 10 Minute Novelists several years ago, I’ve discovered more “grown up” uses for the timer that I should be employing more frequently to keep on task with both writing and household chores.

5 ways to use a timer with your kids. #setatimerTweet This

It’s only in recent years that I’ve discovered the value of the timer in raising children, mainly through the recommendations of other parents. So, here are my 5 Favorite uses for a timer that I’d never considered until I became a parent.

Standing in the corner/being punished. (For some reason I deplore the use of the term “time out.”) Our current punishment zone is the steps. That’s where they sit, away from toys and siblings, while being punished. I go with one minute per year of life, but getting up before your time is up will earn you more minutes.
Sitting on the potty. I’m not going to add to this except to say that sometimes children who’d rather be playing must be forced to stop and at least attempt to use the potty.
Time in the shower or bath. We have six people in this house and only one shower/bath. It’s not so bad, but occasionally a kid, especially in the cold weather, wants to spend extra time under the hot water. The timer ensures it’s not excessive.
Toothbrushing. I’ve not employed this too often since my kids seem to do the job fairly well on their own. My oldest, however, who has a whole dental regimen due to his braces, uses the timer for a nightly fluoride rinse.
Reading minutes. Got to track minutes for school homework? Summer reading program? Easy peasy.
Putting Spider-Man in the freezer. Here’s the one I didn’t anticipate. If you have a small Spider-Man figure that turns into black Spider-Man when chilled and regular Spider-Man at room temperature, you’re going to need a timer. Otherwise, a toddler will pester you every several seconds to retrieve his superhero from the freezer, whether the web slinger has had time to magically transform or not.

What creative uses do you have for a timer?

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Excessive Options and Apathy

Last week I passed a billboard for a convenience store chain. (I wanted a photo of it, but since it was along a highway, and I was driving, I didn’t get one.) The image consisted almost entirely of beverage bottles and read:

“Are 500+ beverage options excessive?”
“Yes.”

The implication, of course, is that excess is a good thing, and that this store has whatever you might like to satisfy your thirst. (Except alcohol. This is Pennsylvania, people.)

This isn’t a screed against convenience stores. (The advertiser in this case is Sheetz, which I happen to love.) I like to go into a store and find what I’m looking for. Frankly, it’s sometimes tough to find my favorite. But something about that billboard stopped me in my tracks. (Mentally. I didn’t brake on the highway.)

Why do we need so many options? Excessive options aren’t limited to bottled drinks. It’s canned soup, cereal, disposable razors, yogurt, etc. The number of choices can be paralyzing. For me, the selections either result in my irritation or my apathy.

And here we are with 500 beverages at a corner store while in other parts of the world, clean water is a luxury.

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Photo: Pixabay

I don’t have an easy solution. There’s nothing inherently evil about lots of different drinks. And I’ll admit to being ignorant as to why places still do not have easy access to safe drinking water. I’ve heard of initiatives like Water for Life, but that’s it.

But the billboard did spark an idea. One that will require (a small) sacrifice and and exercise in solidarity. For Lent this year, I’ll be giving up all drinks but water and unsweetened tea. Goodbye for a while juice, milk, and alcohol. I’m still on the fence about whether to give up the unsweetened, flavored seltzer water I enjoy. (The thought of giving it up makes me wince, so I probably should.)

I can choose from 500 drinks while some lack clean water. #abundance Tweet This

It won’t make the drink choices at the store less overwhelming. It won’t bring clean water to where it’s needed. But it will make me more mindful of our abundance and of those who have so little.

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Top 10 Tuesday: Hidden Gems Series & Standalones

I’m linking up with The Broke and the Bookish (which describes me quite well) for ten underrated/hidden gem books I’ve read over the last year or so. I adapted the topic slightly to suit the books I had in mind, making the focus here mainly series.

If my list is “more of the same” from me, it’s because hidden gems are a mainstay of my reading diet. Most of the books I review and blog about could be considered hidden gems. While I do read classics and books by major publishers with super-wide exposure, I concentrate my efforts on quality books by authors who publish independently or with independent publishers. I know self-published books have a bad rap in certain circles, but there are many, many excellent books out there. More every day.

Despite the fact I’m well acquainted with the fact that life is not fair (thank you, dear children), I still bristle when I come across poorly-written books selling into the millions with hundreds of fabulous reviews while excellent books remain lost in obscurity, struggling to cobble together a handful of reviews.

Here’s to the underrated book!

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The Jane E series by Erin McCole Cup

Charlotte Bronte’s classic Jane Eyre modernized for the sci-fi era.

Theresa Linden’s Teen Fiction series

Realistic fiction for teens that deftly weaves the spiritual and material.

The Bennett series by Olivia Folmar Ard

Thoughtful, relevant women’s fiction with a moral compass.

Full Quiver Publishing books

Quality writing with Catholic and Theology of the Body themes in a variety of genres.

I Am Margaret series by Corinna Turner

Dystopian adventure amidst religious persecution.

The Liberty Trilogy by Theresa Linden

Dystopian adventure in a world where faith, family, and freedom are nearly eradicated.

Black Horse Campground Mystery series by Amy M. Bennett

Cozy mysteries (with well-drawn characters) that will keep you guessing.

The Half Killed by Quenby Olson

A reluctant spiritualist pulled into a murder investigation in the oppressive heat of London.

Full Cycle by Christopher Blunt

A father and son team beat the odds in cycling competition.

The Bird Face series by Cynthia Toney

A young teen girl copes with bullying, a blended family, and boys.

Name one hidden gem you’ve read in the past year.

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Interview with Romantic Suspense Author Therese Heckenkamp

Frozen Footprints , a Christian suspense thriller, includes some rather dark moments with a seriously-disturbed villain. The story, however, is never without hope. How do you balance the darkness and the light so that you allow the reader to contend with the horror your characters experience yet leave them with a satisfying, positive ending?

While writing, I strive to find some positive moments amidst the hardships, even if they’re brief. Most readers will understandably give up on a story that goes too long without some kind of goodness or possibility of goodness occurring. Even if it appears to vanish for a time, there has to be some type of hope if I don’t want to end up with a novel of despair. (And I don’t! There are plenty of those out there.) How to bring in that lightness? It may be with another character, a positive perspective, a note of humor, an unexpected kindness, or a glimmer of faith. Similarly, a change in situation, or some form of comfort found in an unlikely place, may bring relief or an inspirational moment.

The balance is tricky, and certainly difficult to get right the first time around, which is one reason I find revision so necessary. Scenes can be added, rearranged, removed, or reworked to get the ratio right. Yet, as close to the story as I am, it can be challenging to judge that balance myself, and that’s where my earliest readers come in—they give such valuable feedback.

Still, for those who enjoy only very lighthearted stories, Frozen Footprints isn’t the novel for them. There are a lot of hardships and dark moments. It may not have a Hallmark kind of resolution, but by the time the end comes, the main evil of the story has been overcome. Sometimes plunging to the very deepest, darkest moments is what it takes for a character to rise to redemption or turn to faith and discover hope. As a Christian writer, I keep in mind there was a Good Friday with intense pain and suffering before the glory of Easter Sunday.

In browsing Christian fiction, it seems that romance and romantic suspense are more prevalent than thrillers. What inspired you to write a thriller, and do you think there’s anything inherent in Christian storytelling that either lends itself to thrillers or encounters with evil?

I love reading thrilling stories that get my heart pounding, so I naturally felt drawn to that genre. However, my first draft of Frozen Footprints was less a true thriller and more a romantic suspense. It was only after the advice of another writer and editor that I took the story through a huge overhaul and was then able to find a publisher for it.

I definitely think Christian storytelling lends itself to thrillers or encounters with evil. After all, living Christianity means living a battle of good vs. evil every day. This converts very well into thrilling fiction and exciting plot possibilities. Souls are at stake. Will characters stand up for what’s right, will they compromise, or fall completely? If so, can they be redeemed?

Because this earthly world is not all there is, characters’ spiritual struggles are crucial. That extra level of reality can bring fiction to another level of intensity. Christian storytelling doesn’t mean limiting subjects to prissy, feel-good stories of fluff and no substance. On the contrary, Christian fiction can deal with any subject—some of the very grittiest—the key is how it’s handled to reflect Christ’s truths in a real and reverent way.

Your most recent release, After the Thaw, a Christian romantic suspense novel, is second in a series. Did you have After the Thaw in mind when you wrote Frozen Footprints or did the genesis for that story come afterward?

After the Thaw wasn’t even a glimmer in my mind back when I wrote Frozen Footprints. It wasn’t until Frozen Footprints was accepted for publication that I began mulling over the possibility of writing a sequel. I’d certainly set the stage for the possibility of one, and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it. I wasn’t sure if After the Thaw would actually turn into anything worthwhile, but I felt strongly that the characters and the readers of Frozen Footprints (once I started receiving feedback) both wanted more—and so did I. The characters had so much life, and so much more to give, and more adventures to find and more growing to do . . . and a yearning for redemption and love. How could I deny them that?

The faith elements in your novels are well-integrated into the characters and their experiences. What tips do you have for writers who would like to make faith a part of their story yet incorporate it seamlessly and unobtrusively into the story?

Keep faith in mind as you write, and ask God to guide your writing. If you have faith yourself, opportunities will naturally present themselves for including spiritual elements, whether with a prayer, a thought, or dialogue. Each character’s interaction with faith will be different, depending on his or her background and life experiences. How will the characters’ faith—or lack of—affect their thoughts, words, and actions? How will they deal with challenging situations? A great thing about tapping the spiritual aspects is that it offers an additional layer of story opportunities that secular fiction misses.

Again, balance is key so that the story doesn’t become overloaded with elements that distract and take away from the enjoyment of the story. Sometimes, less can be more, making the story more striking and memorable. Writers should keep in mind that they’re writing fiction, and the story should entertain, not preach. Small, well-placed, relevant snippets can be more powerful and memorable than long, preachy passages.

Feedback is important. My very first readers point out problem areas and I’ll reconsider whether the material should remain or be revised. Honest feedback is essential in helping me figure out how to strike the right balance of religious content in a story. Also, learn from reading other novels. When I’m reading and come across effective and seamless examples of faith woven into a story, I try to make a mental note of how it’s done.

Your first novel, Past Suspicion, reminded me so much of Daphne DuMaurier’s classic romantic suspense Rebecca in voice, tone, and the whole mood of the story. Did that novel influence you? If not, what inspired the story?

Thank you, that’s a very high compliment! Rebecca didn’t actually influence me (since I hadn’t read it yet); but interestingly, Daphne DuMaurier’s Jamaica Inn was a favorite of mine about that time, so it’s likely some of those same elements seeped into my writing style. I was also a big fan of Victoria Holt novels, so her writing also very likely flavored the voice, tone, and mood of Past Suspicion.

I actually began Past Suspicion as a short story, inspired by a dream. With time, it grew with possibilities, twisting and turning in directions that were as surprising to me as I hoped they’d be for readers. My main goal was to write the kind of story I wanted to read—but I also hoped that maybe someday, others would find it entertaining, too. I completed the first draft the summer before I started college, and many events and details from real life worked their way in. Whatever I experienced, I wondered how I might use it to enrich the story. As a result, and even though it was plenty of work, I had a lot of fun writing Past Suspicion.

How do you carve out time for writing and all the other tasks attendant to book publishing amidst your other responsibilities?

Therese Heckenkamp

How, indeed? I’m still trying to figure this out! Honestly, I’m not very good at it, and I’m sure you could give me some great tips. I go for long stretches of time without doing much writing, and I wish I could be more consistent.

When I’m immersed in a project that I’m excited about, I squeeze in what I can—usually at the price of something else, like sleeping or cleaning. When my kids are napping or watching TV, I might manage an hour or so of writing. Once they go to bed for the night, I might manage another hour or two (or four, if I’m really into the story and ignoring my need for sleep). Thankfully, when I stick with it, these little bits of time eventually add up to a completed manuscript.

So I guess it comes down to self-discipline, prioritizing, and snatching time when I can. Even for this interview, I broke it down to answering only one question a day. I try designating certain times for certain tasks—including some downtime/relaxation time (for sanity!). Life’s responsibilities seem never-ending, but when I really want to write, I find a way to make it happen.

Therese Heckenkamp’s Website

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My reviews of  Past  Suspicion, Frozen Footprints, and  After the Thaw.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! STAY A WHILE AND LOOK AROUND. LEAVE A COMMENT. SHARE WITH A FRIEND. IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, PLEASE SIGN UP FROM MY AUTHOR NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP-TO-DATE ON NEW RELEASES, EXTRAS, AND HOT DEALS!
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