Anneliese Dalaba's Blog, page 21

First Line Friday #35

The book I’m featuring today is Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connelly. This is one of my favorite novels written by this author. Although I read it several years ago, I decided to feature it this week.

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Mosqueros, Texas, 1867

“Sophie heard God in every explosion of thunder as she listened to the awesome power of the approaching storm.” 

Mary Conneally’s heroine, Sophie, does not have the luxury of being a weak female. She’s had a difficult and challenging life, and she’s doing her best not to be defeated no matter how impossible her situation might be. Her husband is dead and she is left with young daughters to raise in a land run mostly by vigilantism.

A stranger arrives who looks strangely familiar and wishes to help Sophie and her girls. The villain wants Sophie’s ranch no matter the cost.

This story is fast paced and hard to put down. It is humorous, mysterious, suspenseful, inspirational, and romantic all mixed together in one delightful read.

Now it’s your turn. First Line Friday is something every reader can participate in. Pick up a book near you. Type the first line in the comments, along with the title of the book and the author. Then, if you’d like, check out the books other readers have featured in the comments on this blog and on the Hoarding Books link at the end of this post. You might find a book you would like to purchase simply by reading the first line. You can also click on the title of the book above and it will take you to Amazon so you can see what the featured book is about, check out the reviews other readers have shared, and purchase it if you’d like.

 

How Facebook is Changing

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If you’re wondering if Facebook is still the best way to advertise your book, click HERE for some helpful information on this topic. Thomas Umstaddt describes two methods of advertising on Facebook that still work. He also gives suggestions on ways to get your books into the hands of readers most effectively using other types of social media.

Do you still advertise on Facebook or have you found other avenues that are more successful for you as an author? Personally, I find I’m still getting good results on Twitter using hashtags. I’ve recently begun using Instagram, which might be working, but I haven’t used it long enough to be able to gauge results. I would love to hear your ideas on the topic of advertising books.

 

The Well, Lake Michigan Writers Conference

I had the privilege of participating in The Well, a Lake Michigan Writers Conference, this week. The speakers were challenging and informative. Rubbing shoulders with other authors, editors, and agents allowed for helpful networking. I left feeling encouraged and more decisive in my goals. It was time and money well spent. For more information about this writers conference, click here.

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In this picture is Torry Martin, one of our keynote speakers. He also taught workshops on Screenwriting. Torry is an actor, screenwriter, as well as a director/producer. Click to see a list of movies he’s been in. I recommend Heaven Bound. Torry has a powerful and encouraging testimony and is a phenomonal speaker.

 

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In the picture to the right is Morgan Busse, author of Christian fantasy and steampunk novels. Click here to see her books. She taught a workshop on Christian Worldview Without Being Preachy that was extremely helpful. She’s a great communicator.

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Seeing friends (and making new friends) is one of the many things I enjoyed during this writers conference. Picture here is Deb Allard. If you click on her name, you will see her author page on Amazon.

 

 

 

And I haven’t even begun to talk about the location!

As the saying goes, “a picture paints a thousand words.”

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First Line Friday #34

The book I’m featuring today is “Not What He Ordered” by Laurean Brooks. I’ve only just started reading this book and haven’t gotten very far. But I’m sharing it because it’s my current read. It’s rated a 5-star book on Amazon, so I thought I’d give it a try.

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Denton, Texas

“Carrie Franklin had never set foot inside a saloon.”

Carrie’s brother is a gambler and throws away the money they need to survive on his addiction to cards. She decides to go to the saloon to find her brother, but meets with a bully instead. In self defense, she injures the drunk, possibly killing him. Everyone seems afraid of the man, so she doubts anyone will stand with her in this situation, so she takes a train out of town leaving her brother a brief note.

On the train, she meets a mail-order bride who tells her about her friend who was supposed to be traveling with her to meet her own groom, but backed out at the last minute. Since Carrie is going to the town where this rejected groom lives, her fellow passenger asks Carrie to please inform the man that his mail-order bride changed her mind. Reluctantly agreeing to the plan, she had no idea the rejected groom would believe her to be the woman he was waiting for. Not giving her an opportunity to explain, he sweeps her onto his buckboard and takes her home to his aunt.

Now it’s your turn. First Line Friday is something every reader can participate in. Pick up a book near you. Type the first line in the comments, along with the title of the book and the author. Then, if you’d like, check out the books other readers have featured in the comments on this blog and on the Hoarding Books link at the end of this post. You might find a book you would like to purchase simply by reading the first line. You can also click on the title of the book above and it will take you to Amazon so you can see what the featured book is about, check out the reviews other readers have shared, and purchase it if you’d like.

 

Remembering Oma

[image error]Fond memories of my Oma (grandmother) stir my mind today as Mother’s Day approaches. She loved to tell me stories, and greatly influenced my love of storytelling (writing). There was always a book or magazine nearby, for she loved reading.

My Oma’s character would make a great heroine in any novel. Her life was filled with hardship, but she always looked for ways to bring joy to those around her, while holding tight to her faith in God. She was a survivor, a helper, an encourager, who refused to allow herself to be defeated. Instead, she emotionally rolled up her sleeves and faced her battles head on. A wonderful blend of strength and delicacy was my sweet Oma. And I was the granddaughter who was blessed to sit beside her and learn from her.

Oma, I still can’t pass by wildflowers without hearing your words, “Anne, you must take time to see the flowers along the path. God planted them there for your enjoyment.” On my walk this week, I saw violets displaying their purple blooms in the forest and I thought of you, my precious Oma.

 

First Line Friday #33

The book I’m featuring today is “A Civil Contract” by Georgette Heyer who died in 1974. This author essentially established the historical romance genre and, in particular, regency romance. Since I’m in the process of editing the draft of my second regency romance, I wanted to read another book from the expert. Her writing style is different from authors today, but her books are a pleasure to read and there is much historical romance writers can learn from her novels. This book is not a Christian book, but it is a clean read, along the lines of Jane Austen.

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And the first line is…

“The library at Fontley Priory, like most of the principal apartments in the sprawling building, looked to the south-east, commanding a prospect of informal gardens and a plantation of poplars, which acted as a wind-break and screened from view the monotony of the fen beyond.”

Now a days, writers are discouraged from starting a book with descriptive writing about the scenery. However, this sentence does give you a sample of the beauty of Heyer’s writing and her ability to create a scene through proper use of the English language. There is no denying she was a gifted writer and it’s clear why she was enjoyed by many.

Now it’s your turn. First Line Friday is something every reader can participate in. Pick up a book near you. Type the first line in the comments, along with the title of the book and the author. Then, if you’d like, check out the books other readers have featured in the comments on this blog and on the Hoarding Books link at the end of this post. You might find a book you would like to purchase simply by reading the first line. You can also click on the title of the book above and it will take you to Amazon so you can see what the featured book is about, check out the reviews other readers have shared, and purchase it if you’d like.

 

Selling Books

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I’m selling my book today and tomorrow at Michigan District Council of the Assemblies of God. It’s great to rub shoulders with other authors in our district and exchange ideas and writing experiences.

You feel fulfilled when you use the gifts God has given you. It’s a lot of hard work and moments of wanting to give up when you second-guess yourself, but if you press through these obstacles, the rewards are immeasurable. I love the writers’ life!

Climbing Stairs and Trusting

[image error]As my grandson began climbing stairs, I stayed one step behind, prepared to catch him if he falls. After every one step up, he took a quick peek to assure himself I was still there.

Another month older, and he’s become more trusting. Now he’ll take the steps without looking back, except to see if I’m far enough away, which I never am, so he might have time to crawl to the outlet and pull out the nightlight. He’s certain I’m close enough to catch him if he falls, but maybe far enough so he might be able to try something that’s a no-no.

God is your loving Heavenly Father who watches over you. He said, not even a sparrow falls from the sky without His awareness (Matthew 10:29). Of how much more value are you than a sparrow when God sent His own Son, Jesus, to die in your place? He cares for you beyond human imagination, and He’s never far away.

Just like my grandson must learn to obey in order to stay safe, we must obey God. His guidance, correction, and discipline are always for our good. How wonderfully reassuring to know we serve a God who cares for us.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 KJV

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

 

First Line Friday #32

The book I’m featuring today on First Line Friday is The Substitute Wife by Dorothy Clark.

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Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming Territory

August 1868

“Next Stop, Whisper Creek!” 

Audrey Prescott caught her breath. They were almost there!

Now it’s your turn. First Line Friday is something every reader can participate in. Pick up a book near you. Type the first line in the comments, along with the title of the book and the author. Then, if you’d like to, check out the books other readers have featured in the comments on this blog and on the Hoarding Books link at the end of this post. You might find a book you would like to read simply by reading the first line. You can also click on the title of the book above and it will take you to Amazon so you can see what the featured book is about, check out the reviews other readers have shared, and purchase it if you’d like.

 

First Line Friday #31

The book I’m featuring today on First Line Friday is Mail-Order Revenge by Angela K. Couch. As much as I enjoy mail-order bride novels, I wasn’t drawn to reading this one because a vengeful bride doesn’t normally appeal to me. However, I finally decided to give the book a try. The heroine’s character was developed well enough so the reader might understand the reason for her anger. I personally could not imagine responding in the same manner if I had been in her shoes. Yet, we are all different, of course, so perhaps someone else might take revenge to the degree the heroine did in the story. The writing was good. The hero swoon worthy.

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New York, 1882

It had to be him. Elizabeth Landvik’s pulse sped as she read the advertisement yet again.

 Now it’s your turn. First Line Friday is something every reader can participate in. Pick up a book near you. Type the first line in the comments, along with the title of the book and the author. Then, if you’d like to, check out the books other readers have featured in the comments on this blog and on the Hoarding Books link at the end of this post. You might find a book you would like to read simply by reading the first line. You can also click on the title of the book above and it will take you to Amazon so you can see what the featured book is about, check out the reviews other readers have shared, and purchase it if you’d like.