Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 57

Write What You Know...Or Learn About it First

I have never been one to write about my own experiences for others to read. I've kept a journal off and on for years. But to share my own life? Too personal, too painful, or too boring.



So fiction is my form of escape. I leave my own world of daily grind and live in someone else's for a while. Creating characters, placing them in settings I would love to visit, and giving them problems to solve, delights me.



However...I have learned that "writing what you know" is important. May I give you an example?



When I began writing Second Chance I knew the characters and had a vague idea of the plot. I wanted my hero to be FBI agent, Ian Martin. I looked at the FBI website and investigated the types of cases in which they might be involved. It was a superficial study, to say the least.







(I  must digress here and address the above picture.  If my book ever gets made into a movie, Wentworth Miller is the man to play Ian Martin...just had to throw that in there.)



I also knew I wanted my characters to leave the US during the course of their search. I chose Spain, to honor a friend of mine who read my chapters as soon as they were written. So my characters ended up flying to Lisbon, Spain with the FBI agent to investigate the disappearance of their parents.









Now. If you haven't guessed what's wrong with this picture, allow me to point out two major problems:

1. Lisbon is not IN Spain.

2. The FBI doesn't have jurisdiction overseas.



Are you laughing yet? Obviously, I didn't do my research! Not only that, my friend (who grew up in Spain) kindly informed me that my scenes set in that country looked more like a suburb of Any Town, USA than Spain.



So. I hit the computer a little harder! I spent time researching Lisbon, Portugal, and surrounding cities, to make my description more authentic. As I researched, I fell in love with the landscape, the history, and the people. Portugal is now on my ever growing list of places I wish to visit some day.



To address the problem with the FBI and overseas, I tried making my hero into a CIA agent, but it just didn't sit well with me. So after further research, I found a loophole in which the FBI does work with overseas cases involving Americans. They still don't have jurisdiction and must deal with local police in that country or INTERPOL, but I could make that work. (...after more research involving INTERPOL, of course. I had learned my lesson!)



My point? You don't have to draw from personal experience to write everything you write...but you better spend some time learning about your subject before hand. Otherwise you may end up with a mess like me! I continue to be thankful for good friends who knew the difference, and weren't afraid to question me! And I have learned that researching new topics for other stories can be fun:)



More helpful thoughts regarding this subject:

http://www.suite101.com/content/write-what-you-know-a49048

http://www.writersservices.com/res/ml/r_factsheet_2.htm



Happy Writing,












Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Sleep Deprivation!

I vaguely heard the alarm. It goes off at 2:55 every week day morning. I personally believe there shouldn't be any hours between 3-7am, but hey, that's just me. I'm entitled.





I try to ignore the thing and settle back into dream world. I am a light sleeper so this takes some concentration. I cannot let my mind start to wander. I cannot be cold. There cannot be too many noises (I have a fan running full blast to help with this matter). I try and ignore the thirst, for this elongates my eyes being open and therefore promotes thought. (I have heard this is a common problem among women…thinking all the time!)



I just manage to drift back into la la land when I feel the bed start to jiggle. Oh no! The one thing that can ruin everything! My son has just crawled into bed with me. He knows his father goes to work early and he is just stubborn and determined enough to wake himself up when that alarm goes off. Darn it all!



I do not cuddle when I sleep. I want my own space. Do not touch me. Do not cross the middle line. My husband knows I do not use his shoulder as a pillow. I don't like his arm around me when I am sleeping. I use the middle decorative post as the imaginary line. Do not cross it. There have been times I have thought of putting one of those invisible electric fences down the middle and using a remote when I suddenly have an arm slug me in the middle of the night. Dastardly, I know! I can't help it.



I try to ignore the child next to me. He is a cuddler. He does not take after me. It's not long before I feel his foot running along my calf. The torture has begun. For some reason unknown to man, this child sleeps better when he is pressed up next to me. Maybe nursing wasn't such a good idea! I sit up and with every ounce of energy I have, at 3 am, I push him back onto his side of the bed and I tell the sleeping child to stay there. I smile, snuggle back in and go back to sleep. For ten minutes. He's back. Again and again we repeat the process.



(The Cuddler!)



I fear the neighbors are going to report me for child abuse because I am yelling at a child who is completely oblivious and is sleeping peacefully. "Stay on your side! I mean it! You are going to get it!" I wake the next morning in a foul mood. I am cross and impatient and I tell my son he may never climb into our bed again. That rule will stand firm until the next thunder storm or my husband decides to have "man" movie time with our son and aliens are in every closet in our house.



After having a cup of tea and spending time in the Word and in intimate prayer with my Lord it dawns on me how glad I am that my Savior does not push me away. In fact, He beckons me closer and desires that I'd stay longer. James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. He wants intimacy with us, His children. He wants us to cuddle up with Him and rest in Him. He wants to wrap His arms around us while we take refuge in His protective strength. He delights in me.





As I ponder all the verses that my God has provided for me, letters assuring me of His love and grace, I think on all the attributes of God. His love never fails. His Grace is sufficient for me. His mercy is ever lasting. He is always near; He never leaves me nor forsakes me. I can call upon Him at any time and He will hear me. It doesn't matter what time of day or night I am in need of "His touch", He is there, delighting in my company. All I have to do is snuggle in close to Him!



Thanks for taking the time to grow with me this Wednesday! DarleneLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

What's Your Reading Pleasure? Poll

Self-published or Traditionally Published?





There are some authors out there that say if you're not traditionally published, you're not an author. Mind you, I said some authors. I am not one of those. I say if you have a book published, bless your heart, because that's a difficult thing. Starting and finishing a project as large as writing a book? Yep. That's good. Now, I'm also not one of those people that will only read self-published. Ha. Um, no. I like to read. Any good Christian book that appeals to me, whether self-published or traditionally published has my attention.



When I'm considering books to read, I go about it in different ways. It depends on what I'm looking for. Am I looking to learn from this book? Am I going to pay particular attention to the details of a particular writer? Do I want to see how this author shows emotion or how their characters speak? Or, am I just looking for a lighthearted romp? Something to take me away for a little while?



I'm one of those annoying people that think you can learn from anyone. If I don't like someone/something, I ask myself questions. Why? What does this particular person/book do that really bothers me? And I'm honest about my answers. The same is true on the flip-side. Why do I love this book/person? What is it about.....that draws my attention? You get the picture.



The same is true with books.

I've read my share of traditionally published books. And I've read my share of self-published books. And I've learned from. . .



both.





I know there are problems with self-published books. I've seen them. I've counted upwards of 100 mistakes in a small novella-sized book. I wasn't looking for them because I don't do that. But these were so obvious, grammatical, spelling, etc, that I couldn't help it. They jumped off the page and hit me in the nose. (Figuratively speaking, of course!)



But I've read traditionally published books that had mistakes as well. Whole words missing. Wrong grammar usage, name changes, hair-color changes, eye color changes, etc. These had fewer mistakes in them, obviously, but they were still there.





So what's your thoughts? When you look at a book on Amazon.com, is it a strike against that author/book if it's self-published? Or do you pick it up and read it anyway? Are you one of those people that has a favorite publisher that you look for? Are you a traditionally-published-only person? Go ahead. There are no wrong answers here. I just want to hear your thoughts. :)






Poll




Self Published or Traditionally Published ~ Which Do You Prefer?


I'll read self-published books.

I prefer to read traditionally published books by smaller presses.

I have no preference.

I don't read self-published books.

I only read traditionally published books by large publishing houses.

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Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

An Eggcellent Adventure Into the World of Crafts

 

Spring is almost upon us. And upon the heels of Spring is the pitter pattering feet of Easter which generally indicates Spring break. If your children are anything like my daughter, the first two days of break will fly by as easily as a greased pig slips through a farmer's grasp. However, by day three the novelty of being home with mom will have quickly worn off.



But never fear my dear friends for I am here to help you ward off the bluey blues of boredom with some simple craft ideas. Some of my favorite materials of choice when it comes to crafting are paper, sticky backed foam in various colors, glitter, and stick on gems. If you happen to have these things in your arsenal of crafting supplies, you will go far.



For today's craft you will need to go to one of my favorite sites  called Coloring Book Fun. Here you will find several very large Easter egg coloring pages. Simply print off the eggs of your choice and you will be ready to begin an eggcellent adventure.

When my daughter and I started, we chose two eggs. First we chose the egg with what looked like four flowers and leaves. Next we chose the egg with three crosses which coincidentally turns out to be super appropriate for Easter. To make leaf and cross patterns, I simply printed off extra copies of each egg so that I could cut out the pieces I wanted to trace onto the foam. Then I let her color, stick, glitter, and craft away!



While not in the league of Faberge eggs, both she and I were happy with the results and we proceeded to tape them to the front of our dining room fireplace. So this Spring break when your special half pint starts the "I'm bored" song and dance, just crack open your crafting supplies and makes your very own beautiful eggs.



So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.
 









Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Sundays with Kristi - Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness

Raise your hand if you've heard the Golden Rule – "Treat others the way you want to be treated."

Yep, that's pretty much all of us. At some point in time some teacher, parent, grandparent, or random passerby has admonished us with this piece of wisdom.

Now, raise your hand if you knew that was straight out of the Bible. Not quite so many this time. Often people will quote this and yet not realize that it was Jesus Christ Himself who first stated it in this manner. You can find it in Matthew 7:12, "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Kindness is this week's facet of the Fruit of the Spirit. (You can find the other weeks by clicking on the "Sunday" tab above.) Kindness is about being kind to other people. Now, before you look at me and say, "Thank you, Captain Obvious," realize that knowing something and doing it are two very different things.

Cling to Kindness
We're going to hang out in a passage in Proverbs today, one that is right next to a very familiar passage. Many people have heard the passage in Proverbs 3:5-6 that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." This is a great passage that shares God's promise to be with us if we will follow Him. However, not nearly so many people have read the verses that come right before it:

Proverbs 3:3-4 "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man."

Don't let kindness leave. Did you know that your kindness is one of the first things Satan tries to snatch and throw out the back door of your life? We're not naturally kind to people. Of course, truth is standing right next to kindness and is often snatched right along with kindness. Satan knows that if you have one, you'll have the other? More on that in a bit.

First, we need to recognize that we have to actively cling to kindness. I like the picture that we have to prepare to cling to kindness, it can't be a snap decision in the moment. We have to take steps to keep kindness around even before kindness is left drifting free. Also, writing it on the tablet of your heart doesn't mean that we should type it on our ipad. Back in these days, it literally meant carving it in stone, which is infinitely more permanent than typing something on an ipad. We need to make kindness a guarded, permanent resident of our lives so that Satan can't snatch it away.

Results of Kindness
Another interesting thing about kindness is that while it is an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, kindness actually bears fruit of its own. In the verses above, kindness is why some people find favor and a good reputation with both God and man. When you think about how you are viewed by other people, if you have been kind to people, they are much more likely to think well about you.

Kindness and Truth
As I mentioned above, kindness and truth are buddies and hang out frequently. Why is that? Because if we remember the truth about people, it's much easier to be kind to them. How does that work? Let me show you.

Truth: God loves all people
Kindness: I can treat people like God loves them

Truth: God comforts us
Kindness: I can reach out to people who are hurting

Truth: God died so that all people may have an opportunity to know Him.
Kindness: People are valuable and are worth my sacrificing to show them that.

See how those two work together? If you ignore the truth, then you won't act out the kindness. If you refuse to act out the kindness, then the truth has no meaning in your life.

As we go through today, think about the opportunities that you are presented with today in order to show kindness to others. Identify which truth of God is the guiding principle for the kindness, so that it will be easier to guard and protect both truth and kindness in your life.

Father, I know that you love all people and that everyone is precious to You. Today as I interact with people You love, help me to treat them the way You would treat them, with Your kindness. Help me to hang on to the kindness and truth tightly so that Satan has no opportunity to snatch them out of my life.

May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

by Dee Dee Wike



The news is anything but good these days.  We read headlines of tragic accidents, natural disasters, and unbelievable atrocities like human trafficking and martyrdom, often affecting good people.  Where I live, a fifteen-year-old named Trey Erwin has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the adult form of pancreatic cancer.  His prognosis is grim, but people have mobilized to pray for his family, his miraculous healing, and raise funds for his treatment.  Trey is an athlete, an active member of his church, and the kind of guy every mother would want for a son.  Why should he have to suffer the ravaging effects of cancer and chemo treatments when God has clearly used him to reach his generation for Christ?



The questions on a lot of folks' minds these days are, "How can a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?  Does God really care about his children?  Why do the evil prosper while the good suffer and die too young?"

As Christians, we believe by faith that God is loving and good all the time, even when circumstances would indicate otherwise.  We understand that accidents happen and tragedies occur because we live in an imperfect, fallen world.  We realize that even as Christians, we are not immune from pain and suffering.  Yet we place our hope in God, knowing that he is in control and that everything that comes into our lives is filtered through his hands.  Nothing that happens to us is a surprise to him. 

How can we, as Christians, prepare for the heartaches and trials that will surely come our way? How can we even begin to imagine how difficult they might be? I remember well the conversation I had with my sister weeks after her teenage daughter suffered a devastating injury that no one could have expected. She told me of the many times she had sat in her car on her lunch hour listening to Bible study CDs and taking in God's Word. We talked about the importance of having a daily quiet time, of talking regularly with God, and of being in fellowship with our church families. Years of "preparing" for life's tests gave her the strength she needed to deal with that tragedy, and to help her daughter as well. Together, with God's grace and as a result of their own preparation through prayer and Bible study, they emerged from the test better and stronger, both spiritually and emotionally, and walked through their trial with such grace that God was glorified every step of the way.

When bad things happen, instead of asking "Why me (or them), Lord?" we should probably ask "Why not me?" and start looking for God's hand and his lessons in the midst of the troubles we are facing.  We need to rally around those who are hurting and look to see how God is working in and through their circumstances to help all of us come to a better understanding of him and his grace. 

God doesn't waste tragedy.  The increase in church attendance after the 9/11 attacks and the amazing mobilization of prayer warriors for Trey Erwin are evidence of that.  God doesn't promise any of us a life free from trouble and heartache.  But he is never more than a prayer away and he will work all things together for good somehow, if we will but believe in him, trust in his Word, and pray each other through the hard times.

What will you do when the phone rings in the middle of the night and you receive the bad news that a loved one has been injured in an accident or worse, died?  Will you panic and fall to pieces knowing that it is too much to bear, or will you start preparing now by opening God's Book, searching for the answers to the questions that will inevitably arise, and trusting in the One who alone can see you through?

As my pastor says, "people are going to school on you," so make sure you are studying the Word and walking in the promises that were written there for you.  The way you walk through your difficult circumstances will give others hope as they face theirs, and may very well be the thing God uses to usher them into a personal relationship with Christ.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV).

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If you have a question to submit for the Saturday "Dear Dee Dee" column, please email deedeewike@gmail.com or mail your question to:

Dee Dee Wike728 Peterson Lake Rd.Collierville, TN  38017

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Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

New Project!

Good afternoon all you loverly blog readers! We're thrilled that we've lasted another week here on Sisters In Cahoots!



Have you ever had an idea that just wouldn't leave you alone?

Well, that would be me.



Except, I've got so many, that my problem is where to start and which should come first! I've told you before, so you shouldn't be surprised, I have issues. Many! (but they're so fun...) This is one reason my dearest friends call me Squirrel.










Anyway, I love listening to the Bible on Audio.

I have my favorites, but alas, my copies are on cassette tape. I know we could buy a thingy that would zap into the computer...blah blah blah...but I wanted to do my own.



Why? Because I want to eventually read my books aloud for audiobooks. See, I've ended my contract with my first publisher, but some of my readers/fans are blind. I want more than one media to have my book on. That means, the whole kit and caboodle. I'd like paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats.



(Side note: I just uploaded Discussion Questions for both my books over on my website. Check 'em out! Permission is granted for printing and sharing...hint hint) 



But, to have a quality audiobook, I can't just jump into this without much practice. My thought? Why not combine my love for AudioBible's, share them with you, get feedback and pointers, and when I feel capable, turn my books into audiobooks? Yep. That's where I'm heading now.










So, I'd love love LOVE it if you'd subscribe to my PodCasts over at PodBean, (click button above...) and let me know what you think! Oh yeah. Could you tell your friends, too? Thanks a bunch!





Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

Show, Don't Tell

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."

~Anton Chekhov








...Probably one of the most famous quotes addressing this subject, and if you've ever taken a Writing course, I imagine you have heard the phrase, "show, don't tell." My memory of high school Creative Writing is summed up in those three words. It drives me to carefully consider everything I write, as I question myself, "Am I telling or showing?"



But explaining what it means is difficult for me. The simplistic version (and I do teach children...) is to ask yourself, "Am I painting a picture with my words? Or am I telling the reader what's happening?" But that explanation isn't quite complete. So let's look at some examples that might make the difference more clear.



After all these years, she was still bad news for him.  




When I read this sentence I can easily guess there has been a past relationship here, because I've been told. I don't have to think about it. But there is also little or no emotional connection for me, the reader. Now, read how Kristen Heitzmann describes the same meeting in her psychological romance/thriller, Indivisible:




Sometimes they went weeks without crossing paths, but every time the encounter arced between them like a chemical adhesion, the two parts of epoxy that did fine until combined, then interacted toxically.




Wow. Now I picture the scene, and I imagine fireworks...and not the good kind.  I'm not a chemist, and am not sure what epoxy is.  But I do understand the word "toxic". Mentally, I am there, in that scene, and my interest is immediately piqued.  I want to know more about this couple's history.  How is it important to the plot and how will it work out in the end?



As writers, that should be the desired effect our words have on our readers; to draw them into the story so they are there. I try to think of it as "sharing my story" rather than "telling my story".



How to do this? Choose words precisely. Rather than ran quickly, use raced or fled.  Raced implies running toward something, while fled suggests running away. Depending on which your character is doing, either choice shows a better picture than ran quickly.



Another example:



The little boy licked his ice cream cone nervously. (telling)



The boy huddled in the far corner of the room.  His gaze darted from one person to the next, as he devoured his rare treat. (showing)



The first example requires no active participation from me, the reader. The second shows me the boy is nervous, but never actually uses that word.



Please visit these sights for much more helpful suggestions on this enigmatic rule. They "show" you much better than I do!



http://foremostpress.com/authors/articles/show_not_tell.html

http://www.sfwriter.com/ow04.htm

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative/showing.htm



Happy writing,










Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

My Man!

My eyes followed the path of my husband's focus to the obvious cause of his laughter. There was Leia, playing with a centipede. I don't like bugs. I'm not sure if you got that. I really don't like bugs. My husband was obviously enjoying the banter between "his" dog and this leggy creature. Ah…yes, even though spring doesn't officially begin for another week or so, it's been warm and the insects do not follow our calendar. They are back.





I wanted the bug dead. Dead as a doornail-dead, no longer sucking air-dead, no longer crawling on my floor-dead, yes, I think you've got the picture. So, I did what any sane woman would do.



I looked at my husband like he'd lost his mind and reminded him of his husbandly duty. "Hon, get the bug."



In reply, he calmly told me "Leia is taking care if it."





Incredulous! "Hon, she's gonna get bit. Those things bite."



Amazingly enough he actually said "I don't like bugs."



And I care…why? "Hon, you're the man, get the bug!"



He sighed, got up, smashed the bug, and looked at the bottom of his shoe to show me the evidence. Ewww…but, at least it was dead!



There are certain jobs that fall to our men. I'm not talking about taking out the garbage, or mowing the lawn. I'm talking about the "show me you're my man" jobs, like "protecting me from the huge woman eating centipede that is over taking my kitchen" kind of jobs! Let's face it ladies, we like to be taken care of.





I can hear some of you now "What? I don't need a man to take care of me. I can do it all!" Well, while that may be true, I will bet my whole allowance (how convenient that I don't get one) that there are times you wish you had someone that loved you enough to protect you from anything and everything he possibly could.



When I am feeling sad, people have let me down, or the world has knocked the wind out me, there is nothing I love better than to crawl into my husband's arms and be hugged. Somehow everything melts and I feel safe and loved once again. He has a way of making me feel like I am the only person in his world and there is no other place he'd rather be.



It isn't coincidence that our marriage relationships are so much like Christ's relationship with His bride, the church. He saw danger and He acted. He willingly gave His life to protect her, He loved her that much. There is nothing, neither in heaven nor hell, which will keep Him and His beloved apart. He crushed the biggest bug ever, the bug of sin and death. The bug that could have kept us from Him, He used His heel and crushed it. It is no more. No longer can we be bitten by that bug. The sting has been taken for us; upon the cross.





Thanks for growing with me this Wednesday! DarleneLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall ~ Kindle Fire Giveaway!

I've never met Julie in my life. When I went to her website, this is what she had to say about herself:

"If you love romance, English accents, Jane Eyre, or anything by Jane Austen, then you and I are soul sisters and I write for you!"
Um, yeah. I'm totally hooked now, thank you very much! I went on to find out more about Julie, and I was intrigued. It seems that Ms. Klassen is not only a historical writer, but she once worked in the publishing industry in advertising and then as a fiction editor. Her other books include Christy award winning The Girl in the Gatehouse and The Silent Governess. I haven't read these, but after reading The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, I'm just going to have to get a copy of each! Check out her Website



About the Book:


To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.





As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?












My Thoughts:

When you dwell on a set of characters long after the story has been read and the book put back on the shelf, and then you start counting the days until you can pick it up and re-read it...that's a great book. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall is such a book. 



Margaret Macy, the spoiled and selfish daughter of a dead Vicar, isn't my normal cup of tea. It was the stepfather that first caught my attention ~ as well as my imagination. Ms. Klassen weaved a well thought out plot with plenty of twists and turns, as well as sub-plots; all without missing a beat or having too much in one story. The characters I thought I was going to like? I didn't. The characters I thought I wouldn't like? I did. Capturing my attention almost from the first page, I left laundry in the dryer, dirty dishes in the sink, and even allowed this book to steal some precious hours of much-needed sleep. 



This is my first Klassen novel. It won't be my last as she managed to gain the attention of this non-historical reading person and pull me into a world where her characters refuse to let me go. 

Well done! 

*I received a copy from the author or her publicity group in exchange for my honest review.*





Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.










One fortunate winner will receive:


A brand new Kindle Fire
A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14/12. Winner will be announced at Julie's Fairbourne Hall Book Chat Party on 3/15. Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek of her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack (Seasons 1 and 2)!



So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for a book chat party.


















Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on March 15th!











Read What These People Thought of Julie's Book!





Kelli at The Zen of Motherhood http://www.thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com





Amanda at Sisters in Cahoots! http://www.thepriceoftrust.com





Mandie at Mommy Reads too Much http://mommyreadstoomuch.com





Taking Time for Mommy http://takingtimeformommy.com





3/13





Michelle at Healing Hearts book review blog http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com





Maureen's Musings http://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com





Amanda's at Pile of Books http://amandaspileofbooks.blogspot.com





Jodie at Digging For Pearls http://diggingforpearls.blogspot.com





Patty at Broken Teepee http://brokenteepee.com



















Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com