Camy Tang's Blog, page 111

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http://chat.eharlequin.com/flashchat.php#

NARROW ESCAPE giveaway on Goodreads

Are you on Goodreads? Enter at the link below to win a copy of Narrow Escape! Contest runs until March 16th.






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Goodreads Book Giveaway







Narrow Escape

by Camy Tang

Giveaway ends March 16, 2013.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win







This giveaway is through Goodreads only, not through my blog.

My prayer for my writing

I was reading Hebrews and felt God speaking to me through these verses:



Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 (TNIV)



I realized that this is my prayer for my writing, that God will equip me for doing His will so that my books will be pleasing to Him.



And the mention of God’s incredible power in verse 20 reminds me that He is Lord over everything--Lord over me--and He can do whatever He sets out to do. I might feel weak or insignificant or ill-equipped, but He can do anything through me that He wants to do.



The other week we were at Youth Group and asked the kids what they thought their purpose was in life. Some of them hadn’t thought about it, but some of them had. I encouraged them to ask God what their purpose is. Each of us has a purpose and sometimes we just need to listen to hear God telling us what that is.



In reading Hebrews, I felt that these verses spelled out for me what my purpose is.

Digital First authors guest blog post

Tyndale’s Digital First authors, Pam Hillman, Johnnie Donley, and Diana Brandmeyer have banded together this week to promote their books as a team. Here are a few questions from interviews and Q&A sessions all three authors participated in on the Tyndale Blog.



The Digital First authors can be found tweeting up a storm using the hashtags #Digital1st and #1.99ebook.They’d love to have you join in the chorus on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads and help spread the word: Only two more days until the sell is over.



Now, please welcome Johnnie, Diana, and Pam. 



Describe your novel in seven words or less.





“Coma plus kids equals headache.” Mind of Her Own, Diana Lesire Brandmeyer




“Artist loses game of Nazi hide-and-seek.” Where Treasure Hides, Johnnie Alexander Donley




“Love turns a quest for revenge into redemption.” Claiming Mariah, Pam Hillman







For someone debating reading your story, what would you say makes it worth the read?





“Where Treasure Hides is an engaging story of how two people choose to love one another while trying to live out their faith in the midst of chaos, brutality, and loss. Set against the realities of a world war, the novel is both romantic suspense and suspenseful romance.” Johnnie Alexander Donley



“Hard question! It’s like asking a mom to tell you why her child is so much better than anyone else’s. I would say if you like stories about families with problems that has some humor you’ll like this one. If that doesn’t make you start immediately reading maybe I could say this…Ever wondered what it would be like to wake up and be the person you thought you were going to grow up to be? That’s what happened to Louisa only there’s more to the story.  What sets it apart from other contemporary novels out there? Most of the novels out right now are about single people falling in love. A Mind of Her Own is about two people finding their way back to love.” Diana Lesire Brandmeyer




“Some might say the hero doesn’t come across as very heroic to begin with, but he believes he has good reasons for his demands. He quickly softens toward the heroine and her family and eventually lets go of his bitterness. Also, I like readers to see part of the story from an unusual angle, a point of view that shines a light a little off center, and in Claiming Mariah, that light is on Red Harper, a secondary character who plays a pivotal role in the story.” Pam Hillman










If your book was made into a movie, what actors would you cast?




“I pictured a younger Gerard Butler, darker hair, and a day-old scruffy beard playing Slade. And Olivia Wilde would be a good fit for Mariah. Although I have to say I love the model on the cover of Claiming Mariah. Do you suppose she could play Mariah?” Pam Hillman




“For classic movie lovers like me, Joseph Cotten plays Ian, Ingrid Bergman plays Alison, and Van Johnson, sporting a dueling scar, plays Theodor. For a more contemporary audience, Ian is played by Dan Stevens (Matthew inDownton Abbey), Alison is played by Gwyneth Paltrow, and Theodor is played by a blond Jim Caviezel.” Johnnie Alexander Donley




“Jazz would have to be played by Kate Hudson. She’d be amazing in the role. Collin—Christian Bale.” Diana Lesire Brandmeyer



In the larger sense, what do you hope readers learn from your book?




“I hope readers can learn to let go of bitterness toward someone who has wronged them. But on the flip side, I pray that someone who has committed a wrong would have the courage to offer restitution if God lays it on their heart to do so.” Pam Hillman




“Since I was a young woman, I have held onto Proverbs 31:25 which reads, ‘Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future’ (NASB). It’s not a coincidence that this is Alison’s go-to Scripture though she recites the King James Version: “Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.’ Alison faced an unlikely trial and a difficult loss. But by holding onto this promise, she could rejoice in the blessings God had given her even as she mourned what she had lost. As daughters of the King of Kings, we can clothe ourselves in strength and dignity/honour no matter what trials we are going through or what difficulties we are facing. Even in sorrow, joy can be ours as we claim the promise of an eternal future with our Savior.” Johnnie Alexander Donley




“Don’t be afraid to be who God made you to be.” Diana Lesire Brandmeyer




~




Claiming Mariah, Where Treasure Hides, and Mind of Her Own 

are $1.99 THIS WEEK.

Sale ends Saturday










Claiming Mariah

Pam Hillman

In light of her father's death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his truths.




Direct Buy Links for Claiming Mariah







Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/apnzl5n

B&N: http://tinyurl.com/ays6fq7

CBD: http://tinyurl.com/bvjx3m7







Mind of Her Own

Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Who knew making dinner could change your life? Louisa Copeland certainly didn't. But when the George Foreman grill fell out of the pantry onto her head, resulting in a bump and a mighty case of amnesia, Louisa's life takes a turn for the unexpected.




Direct Buy Links for Mind of Her Own




Amazon: http://ow.ly/hpKuD 

Nook: http://ow.ly/hpKD1

CBD: http://ow.ly/hpKZb







Where Treasure Hides

Johnnie Alexander Donley




Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She’s certain that true love will only lead to trajedy.



Direct Buy Links for Where Treasure Hides




Amazon: http://ow.ly/hpLCl

B&N: http://ow.ly/hpLFK

CBD: http://ow.ly/hpLIS














Mark your calendar, put a string on your finger, 

tattoo your forehead, but whatever you do, 

don’t let this opportunity slip by.




The #Digital1st authors are counting on you!




~




The Prize Vault is Open!




To celebrate, Pam is giving away two eReaders 

(choice of Kindle Wi-Fi, 6" Display, or Nook Simple Touch)

Two Winners: One on facebook. One through Pam’s Newsletter.



Facebook Drawing for Kindle/Nook

Pam’s Newsletter




Registering both places is not required but will double your chances of winning. Also keep in mind that you will receive updates more often being connected on facebook than through the newsletter. Just sayin’



Contest runs from January 1st until March 31st, 2013.




And....that’s not all! There will be prizes offered randomly throughout the tour.




Click here to View Current Giveaways!

(1 Year Subscription to E-cards by Jacquie Lawson, and pewter bookmarks and 40% off coupons for Deirdre’s Handmade Jewelry)







PREVIOUS STOP ON PAM HILLMAN’S TOUR:

February 13th: Angie Breidenbach




NEXT STOP ON PAM’S TOUR:

February 16th: Christian Fiction Historical Society




Click for a Complete List of Stops Along the Tour

www.pamhillman.com

Pink teddy bear

This is what Captain Caffeine got for me for Valentine’s Day!





(Actually, what happened was that I saw it, ordered it, and then told Captain Caffeine, “By the way, this is what you bought for me for Valentine’s Day.”)



Snickers was rather interested in the bear. Probably thinking it was some new chew toy. Captain Caffeine gave it only 3 days before she managed to slobber on it.



Did you get (or get for yourself) anything cool for Valentine’s Day? And if you didn’t get anything, you absolutely need to go out and buy yourself something. Right now.

Review and giveaway on Relz Reviewz

I’m on Relz reviewz today! I’m doing a giveaway of A Dangerous Stage!

In-N-Out from A DANGEROUS STAGE

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Source: tumblr.com via Camy on Pinterest

In-N-Out, one of my fav burger joints, makes an appearance in the first chapter of A Dangerous Stage. It's a chain on the West Coast and Hawaii, I'm not sure how far east they have restaurants. They don't freeze any of their food, it's all fresh, including the buns and the french fries. When you order, you can see them use this french fry hand-crank machine to make their fries, it's pretty cool.



The specific restaurant in A Dangerous Stage doesn't exist at that location, but there's a couple of them near me and I go there way too often than is good for me, but it's oh-so-yummy!

Camy’s Facebook page

Have you “liked” my Facebook page yet? I post giveaways on my page every so often.



Also, make sure you’re getting my page updates on your newsfeed so you won’t miss my giveaways! I posted an article on it here.

Winners - BEYOND ME by Melinda Doolittle

The winners of BEYOND ME by Melinda Doolittle are:

Everyone who entered won!

Congratulations! (I've emailed you. Please email me at camy {at] camytang[dot}com if you didn’t get the email message.)



I know that all of you who didn’t win are now crying in your butternut squash. Cheer up and order the book!



Back cover blurb:



In Beyond Me, American Idol star Melinda Doolittle shares the surprising truth that her own success and personal joy were directly proportional to her investment in encouraging and nurturing others.



Through poignant, often humorous stories, you will discover the secrets to Melinda’s success, finding practical help to overcome your own obstacles to achieve the next level in any area of life.



Because she was tone deaf as a child, Doolittle’s choir director would plead with her to just move her mouth and not let any sound come out. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a contest in the 7th grade and, miraculously, she won. Melinda began to realize that success in life was something bigger than her---or, as she puts it, “It’s beyond me!”



She began setting and systematically reaching her goals, such as singing background vocals for her many of her favorite music artists. Then by an amazing turn of events, she burst onto the music scene with her flawless vocal performances on American Idol – becoming the clear favorite of the show’s most difficult judge, Simon Cowell.



Beyond Me also provides you a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of America’s biggest pop culture phenomenon, American Idol, and how she turned that stress-filled environment into a springboard from which she could soar.



Excerpt of chapter one:



Chapter One: Dream Big!



According to all the statistics, I am not supposed to succeed, and I am definitely not supposed to be happy. You see, I started my life as a shy, only child in a single-parent family; my mom and dad divorced when I was not quite one year old.



So how have I beaten the odds and defied the statistics? Why am I happy? Why do I feel like I have been blessed with success beyond my wildest dreams? To be truthful, it’s beyond me.



I do know, however, that I haven’t just sat back and let life throw at me whatever it will. Instead—and this has been key— I’ve always worked to find my way to life’s next level. Hopefully, in the pages ahead, I’ll be able to show you not only how to do the same but also why I believe success and happiness are more of a choice than merely a result of your circumstances.



Both my mom and dad are absolutely wonderful people. When I was growing up, I got to see my dad twice a year, and I spent the rest of the time with my mom. As she did for most things in my early life, Mom made me feel that having a single parent all to myself was the coolest thing ever!



Mom was my best friend. We had “girls’ night” and slumber parties together, times when the two of us simply hung out and talked about life, big issues and small, and all that was going on in our world. One of our favorite activities was to put on our pajamas and have an Anne of Green Gables party, during which we watched the video for the umpteenth time and enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time. Mom also encouraged me to have my girlfriends over to our home, and she was quick to allow one or more of my friends to sleep over. She wanted to know my friends. Mom never allowed me to sleep over at the home of a friend unless she knew that the parents’ lifestyle was consistent with her morals and values. Mom was always so innovative and creative when it came to our parties, too, coming up with all sorts of fun things to do. Although she never complained, I now realize that she had to be creative, since we lived on a very limited budget.

Nevertheless, not only did I get to have girls’ nights with Mom and my friends on a regular basis at home, but I was also a jet-setter. Well, sort of. I got to fly—by myself—to visit my dad.



That was the way I was raised: Figure out the best thing about a situation and run with it. So, not surprisingly, that life principle has stuck with me—and come in very handy over the years.



I was also raised to believe I could be or do anything I put my mind to. And how do children figure out what they want to do or be? They try everything! Thankfully, my mom was up for the challenge, and she let me try almost any sport, instrument, or childhood activity at least once.



So What Were My Options?



As I considered those things that I enjoyed, I started with my closest role model.





Option 1: Be a Teacher





My mom has worked in schools all of my life. Mom has taught elementary, middle, and high school. She worked mainly in special education. She even worked in school administration for a while. School was Mom’s life, so I figured it might be mine as well. I remember getting home from school before my mom, lining up my stuffed animals, and teaching them all the subjects. That’s how I did my homework a lot of the time. I quickly realized, however, that I did not have the patience for teaching. Every time a stuffed animal got an answer wrong, I got so frustrated! Then I suspended the offending critter, and pretty soon, I would be down to one student. Teaching was out.





Option 2: Be an Ice-Skater





I loved watching ice-skating on television with my mom. I tried gliding and jumping around the room to show Mom my triple lutz, and she applauded and gave me my score. I probably should have figured out that ice-skating was not for me, considering the fact that she never gave me a perfect 10. But I asked to take skating lessons anyway. That dream faded as fast as it started. I quickly discovered that I had a fundamental problem with being an ice-skater: I can’t stand to be cold. Ice-skating was out.





Option 3: Be a Dancer or a Gymnast





I should probably preface this with the fact that words really matter to my mom. She believes that words are powerful, that you receive what you say. Mom nicknamed me “Grace” in hopes that one day the name would stick and I would actually be graceful. Unfortunately, I was the kid who ran into everything, tripped over my own feet, and always found some new way to fall. Why I thought dancing or gymnastics would work is beyond me, but I tried. During the first dance class my mom observed, my fellow dancers and I were dancing around some kind of large column in the middle of the room. Of course, I was the only one to run into it— several times. Similarly, in my first gymnastics meet, I fell off the balance beam at least twice; my highest score was a 6.3 out of a possible 10. Dancing and gymnastics were out.



Option 4: Be a Singer



After I had stumbled through bunches of activities, the one thing I absolutely could not get enough of at the end of the day was music. First, I tried playing instruments. The only time Mom ever flinched about me taking lessons was when I wanted to play the saxophone: “You know, Melinda, the flute is a little more delicate. The saxophone is really loud.”



I tried the saxophone, and not only was it really loud, but I was really bad.



I later switched to the flute and did fairly well, landing a first-chair position in our school band. I finally found something I was good at, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t my passion.



Now, my mom and dad had very different views about the kind of music I should listen to. My mom played only Christian music in our home. My dad, on the other hand, wanted me to hear the reason he had started playing drums so many years ago—when Motown was in its prime. I immediately fell in love with Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and so many more. A new dream blossomed within me. I wanted to be a singer!



There was only one problem with that. I was tone-deaf. As much as I loved music, it did not love me. It wasn’t that I didn’t try; I tried my best. I remember how excited I was when I finally got into a choir. Come to find out, they loved my charisma, so they put me in the middle of the group, but they specifically requested that I not sing, that I simply lip sync. “Just move your lips, Melinda,” the director would say. “Stand there in the middle of the group and mouth the words, but please don’t let any sound come out.”



I was happy to do it, though, because I was still considered a member of the choir, and I loved every second! However, as far as my choir directors were concerned, for me, singing was out.



I did not see it that way. As any tone-deaf person knows, I was not the problem. When I sang alone and a cappella, I thought I was pretty good. The problems started when people and music were added. For some reason, their voices and instruments did not want to adapt to my pitch. So I quickly learned that if I were going to be part of a choir, I would have to sacrifice singing out loud. That was okay with me. I was the best at the “hand-ography,” and my huge smile contributed to performances that were loved by our parents and friends in the audience. I was content . . . for a while.



I remember the day everything changed for me. It was the summer before seventh grade, and I was shopping for shoes with my mom. Neither of us really liked to shop, so it wasn’t fun at all, and I was looking for any distraction. Just then, a Whitney Houston song came on over the store’s speaker system, and not only did we stop shopping, but everyone in the store stopped to listen. Whitney’s voice was so commanding and beautiful. The moment lasted only a few seconds, but it seemed like forever.



As everyone went back to shopping, I started imagining and dreaming. I don’t even recall the rest of the shopping trip. All I remember is getting home and telling my mom that I wanted to sing for real! I wanted a voice to come out of me that made people stop and listen.



My mom searched to find words that would not discourage me from my dream, but still be honest. I believe her exact reply was “Baby, you’re going to have to pray—HARD!”



So I did. I prayed harder than I had ever prayed. I promised God that when He did this for me, if people stopped and listened, I would represent Him well. Then I set a goal. I decided I wanted to be able to sing with music at the Fusion talent show. Fusion was the name of my youth group at Rhema Bible Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I learned so much at church about having strong faith and dreaming big, so what better place to debut my new voice?



I had the dream, I had the faith, I had the venue. Now, I needed the song. My mom and I have always loved the song “Oh, the Blood of Jesus.” So we went to the store to find the soundtrack for my favorite version, one I had heard on Gospel Bill, a television show I loved as a child. Once the song was picked, the only thing left to do was practice, practice, practice! I practiced for a full month to get ready. I was living and breathing that song.



Then the day came. My youth pastor, Kent Booth, and the staff were kind enough to let me be a part of the show even though they had heard me sing in the past and knew the potential for disaster. It was so great to have them believe me when I said, “I can do it this time.”



All I remember about that event is stepping onto the stage and hearing the music start. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and began to sing. I don’t recall anything about the actual performance, but when it was over, I opened my eyes and saw all of Fusion on their feet, clapping and cheering. My mom was in the back of the room, crying tears of joy.



When I got home later that evening, my mom told me that some of the youth leaders had gone to Kent and expressed their concern that I had been allowed to lip sync in the talent show. He had just laughed and explained to them that the quiet girl with the big smile had been singing for real! I haven’t stopped smiling or singing since.



Because I have had some dreams come true, I love encouraging other people to dream, to open their hearts and minds and see what they can do and what God can do in and through them. Nowadays I like to tell people that I meet after my concerts, “Dream big!” That’s how I sign my photos and my albums, usually adding a reference to my favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 3:20. I quote it to anyone who will listen:



Now to Him Who, by . . . [the action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to . . . do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. (amp)



Let me tell you why I know this verse is absolutely true. After that talent show, not only could I sing with other people and musicians, but I could hear harmonies, I could make them up on my own, and the sound of my voice was more powerful than I could have ever imagined.

Years later, I walked into a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee, to sing background vocals for a project Israel Houghton was producing. The songs were for a church in Texas that had just hired a new worship leader. My mouth dropped open when he came into the studio.



It was Kent Booth. We hugged, and Kent said, “Melinda, what in the world are you doing here?”



“I’m singing background on your album.” Kent wasn’t aware of it, but by that time in my career, I had already sung on dozens of albums.



“Wow! Did you ever dream in a million years that you’d be doing this for a living?”



Of course I did! I’d dreamed it over and over again.



Order:

Print books:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon.com

Christianbook.com

Booksamillion.com



Ebooks:

Nookbook

Kindle

Kobobooks.com

iTunes

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing



I got tagged by Sarah Penner AND Becca Whitham!



The rules of the blog hop:



1. Mention who tagged you, and link to their post.

2. Give the rules.

3. Answer the ten questions below.

4. Link to several more people (I chose 6).



1) What is the title of your next book?



Right now, on my computer, it’s “Yet Another Untitled Manuscript”



2) Where did the idea come from for the book?



The genre (Regency romance) came from my editor, but the storyline came from a germ of an idea I had when reading (yet again) Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey.



3) What genre does your book fall under?



Regency romance! Yes, it’s a departure for me. I’ll be writing under a pseudonym.



4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?



The hero is Richard Armitage! (Sigh) I've loved him ever since watching North and South! He was also soooooo sexy in Robin Hood!



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Source: listal.com via Camy on Pinterest

Heroine ... Undecided yet.



5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?



Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy fights a duel, happily ever after. :)

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?



Represented by my agent, Wendy Lawton.



7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?



Still writing!



8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?



Maybe Amanda Quick without all the sex. :)



9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?



Like I said earlier, my editor was the one who suggested the genre. We’re both Regency romance nuts. The storyline was only a germ of an idea for a long time, but I started developing it for this book.



10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?



Aside from the jaw-dropping fact I’m writing a Regency? :O I’m really praying that anyone who has felt lonely and isolated will realize that Jesus is always there for them, and loves them, and they are not alone.



I tag:



Who hasn’t been tagged by this one yet??? If you haven’t and want to participate, link to your blog post in the comments!