Susan May Warren's Blog, page 33

Maintaining Peace as a Writer

Peace is different than balance. Peace is finding the priorities God has set for you and then pursuing that. Granted, it might look different for each day; some days, I’m a mom first, some days the Book Therapy Head Coach. Some days I’m a novelist, some days I’m ministering to women. The key is knowing what God has called me to that day and pursuing it—and then trusting Him to keep the other fires burning.

What gives @SusanMayWarren peace: God’s perfect agenda.
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I remember many times, living in Russia as a missionary, when someone would stop by unannounced. I’d have to put my “agenda” on the shelf and minister to that person. God blessed it and redeemed my time. He still does that when I’m willing to give my daily activities to him and trust Him for the order. That is what gives me peace: God’s perfect agenda for my life and time.

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*Photo c/o stock.xchng

My Daughter’s Engaged!

Beautiful photo of the moment my daughter became engaged. So delighted to have such a handsome prince for my beautiful princess! Sigh.

Fall into Fall with a Book Chat

Have you read a Susan May Warren book this summer? Are you looking forward to even more books in the coming months? Get the scoop and chat with me during my Fall into Fall Book Chat!

On August 27 at 8 EDT/5 PDT, I will be chatting with readers via a LIVE webcast and answering your questions, plus I’ll be giving away tons of books and prizes. You’ll also receive the exclusive scoop on my next book!

Some of my launch team members will be interviewing me and asking me the questions you’re dying to ask about writing, football, Deep Haven, and more! Want your question to be answered? Ask your question in a tweet or Facebook post and tag it with #AskSusanMay!

To RSVP, click HERE for the official Facebook event!

End of Summer

I put together a Facebook event yesterday and sent it out to our local friends. The title? Last Warren Deck Party of the Summer.

Last? Of the summer? How can this be? I blinked, and the summer was over. We’ve had a fantastic summer, but with football practice starting, my middle children packing up for college, and my little maple tree in the front yard already starting to turn crimson, autumn is in the air.

Don’t get me wrong. I love autumn. Hello, football!

But sometimes, I just want to take time by the tail and slow it down. WAY down. I want to sit on the porch swing and just savor the delicious moments.

Here are some delicious moments from this summer:

It all started at the state track meet, where Pete placed 11th in the 400 and 13th in the 100. So fun to share that day with my favorite men (Andrew [hubby], Curt Lund [dad], Noah & David [sons])!

Then, the family gathered for the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of these two good-lookin’ people. 

We sent Noah off to Teen Missions—and UGANDA—for the summer. I love this picture of him studying his Bible!

Meanwhile, I was hanging out at the International Christian Retailers show where I won a Christy Award for You Don’t Know Me! Here’s me with my buddy Jim Rubart, who also won! 

I came home in time to enjoy some fun with friends. I’m hanging out with Paula and Steve Geertsen here at a local pizza place.

And then I thought I’d teach my college pal Anni Bjerke how to swing dance! 

Yeah, I can’t believe summer is almost over. What were you favorite moments? Share below! XO! Susie May

P.S. I hope you read a great book! And, if, perchance you read a Susan May Warren book, then let’s have an end of the summer party! I’m hosting a book club party on August 27—a LIVE VIDEO chat with me and some of my key launch team members—and YOU!  Be sure you sign up for my newsletter for upcoming details delivered right to your inbox.

Are you new here? You might want to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Or tweet about this post!

Exclusive News | Book 2 in The Christiansen Family series is available for pre-order!

It Had To Be You!

[image error]Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

Coming in February of 2014!

Happy Susie May SUMMER Days! (Get a Free eBook!)

Back by popular demand—this time for KINDLE!

You may remember I ran a Nook promotion in May. (If you purchased a copy of my latest book, Take a Chance on Me, then you’d receive the prequel novella, I Really Do Miss Your Smile, for FREE!)

Well, I’m bringing it back . . . this time for you Kindle Lovers! I’m declaring July 26 – August 1, 2013, Susie May SUMMER Days!!

All you need to do is head over to Amazon.com during Susie May SUMMER Days (July 26 – August 1!) and purchase a copy of Take a Chance on Me (paperback or ebook), then click here to get your free gift! Once you fill out the form with your purchase confirmation information, you’ll receive an email with links to your PDF and/or Epub (KINDLE) version of I Really Do Miss Your Smile. (Sorry—no Nook version available at this time).

That’s it! (If you’ve already purchased a copy of Take a Chance on Me [THANK YOU!] you can still participate in Susie May SUMMER Days. Just FILL OUT THE FORM with those details, and you’ll also get the download links.) Let me know what you think of I Really Do Miss Your Smile!

Thank you for reading and for your support of my books! Blessings, Susie May

Duchess | Amazon “Big Deal” Book Just $2.99

Disclaimers

With Melanie Shotwell and Anni and Mark Bjerke

I’m a people person, an extrovert. I get my batteries charged by great conversation over a flickering fire.

I’ve been pampered lately. The last two weekends I’ve soaked in time with precious friends.

However, having people over to your house requires you to CLEAN your house. And my most-recent guests stayed three nights. So fun . . . and yet, as I cleaned my house I couldn’t help but see the blemishes. Like the dog hair that embeds our carpets and the fact that my fridge hasn’t been cleaned in three years (don’t judge me). And the coffee stains on the carpet, and the unfinished bathroom in the basement.

As soon as my friends walked into the house, I issued a disclaimer: “Hey, my house isn’t fancy, it’s friendly!”

They frowned at me as if to say, “Silly girl, we’re here for you, not your house.”

What is it inside us that requires us to issues disclaimers? The fear of being rejected? Judged? We pondered this as a group all weekend; all three of us women confessed to issuing a slew of disclaimers when guests are around. “Don’t trust the bathroom—I’m not sure who was in there last!” Or, “We can’t help it, we just love our dog, but she leaves a trail of hair.”

One of my friends confessed she’d like to put up yellow crime scene tape in front of her basement door.

So yes, it might be a fear of being judged. But it’s also a desire to warn others of the dangers lurking.

The fellas, however, had no such issues. And that was the sticking point. Apparently they hated the disclaimers. As if we were apologizing for their failure to provide.

Interesting. That thought hadn’t once crossed our collective female minds.

To disclaim or not to disclaim? We batted the question around for an answer. It was only after they left that I came upon a truth.

Disclaiming is what makes it possible for me to invite people into my half-finished, dog-haired home <click to tweet>. With a disclaimer, I can say, “Listen, here I am, and I know it might not be hotel quality, but I love you enough to bring you here, into my mess. The rest is up to you.” Frankly, I think it puts us all at ease. Then no one has to enter the bathroom and worry, “Does she know there is a frog in a cup on the windowsill? Should I tell her?” Yes, I know about the frog. Disclaimer: I have children.

In fact, I think disclaimers are helpful to life. “Yes, I know I haven’t blogged in months—I had kids graduating from college and high school and my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary to plan.” (OK, I’m hearing, “I had my wedding to plan, my fiancé to kill, and Gilder to frame for it! I’ve been swamped!” Can you name that movie?)

In our little town, we have a crosswalk across the main drag. On either end, they provide orange flags that you take and hold up as you cross. Disclaimer flags, “Excuse me, I just have to duck across the street. Sorry for the inconvenience.” It just keeps everyone safe.

I think I’m going to procure my own disclaimer flag, for home, for life. You’re all welcome to use it.

Happy Susie May Days! (Get a Free eBook!)

We’re declaring May 21-27, 2013, Susie May Days!!

All you need to do is head to your local Barnes & Noble store (or BandN.com) during Susie May Days (May 21-27!) and purchase a copy of Take a Chance on Me (paperback or Nook) then click here to get your free gift! Once you fill out the form with your purchase confirmation information, you’ll receive an email with links to your PDF and/or Epub (Nook) version of I Really Do Miss Your Smile. (Sorry – no Kindle version available at this time).

Also, for a limited time, Take a Chance on Me is on sale for $2.99 (digital edition)! You can purchase it for this special price and still get the free novella! That’s it! (If you’ve already purchased a copy of Take a Chance on Me (THANK YOU!) you can still participate in Susie May Days—just FILL OUT THE FORM with those details, and you’ll also get the download links.) Let me know what you think of I Really Do Miss Your Smile!

Thank you for reading and for your support of my books! Blessings, Susie May

Winner Announced from My “When Someone Took a Chance on Me” Contest

Thank you all so very much for enter my “When Someone Took a Chance on Me” contest! It was so encouraging to read all of your answers, to see the stories of forgiveness, of first (and second and third) chances. The winner (chosen randomly) is . . .

Abbi Hart

“I had to think for awhile about this (hence the reason I’m commenting so late) because I’ve never really thought of things as people taking a chance on me. But as I continued to think about it, it hit me. I’d say my best friend took a chance on me. When I was 10 my family started going to a new church that was rather large and our old church was so small our family of 11 was almost half of the congregation. So being the shy homeschooler I was it was quite a scary experience for me. And I will never forget the day that I walked into one of the Sunday schools and sat down by myself (It was a class for 6-12th grade so it was quite large) this girl came up to me and asked if I wanted to sit with her. I did and we have been best friends ever since. I can’t imagine not having her in my life and I’m forever grateful that she took the chance to befriend the new shy girl in the jumper!”

Congratulations, Abbi! Please email your mailing address to my assistant, caitlin{at}litfusegroup{dot}com, to claim your prize!