Brenda S. Anderson's Blog, page 28

Charities Close to Your Heart

Over at Inkspirational Messages these next two weeks we’re going to be talking about those charities that are near and dear to our hearts. We’d love for you to join us by shining a light on your favorite charity.

We’re also having a book giveaway of Hungry for Home for one commenter, so stop by Inkspirational Messages every day to enter.

Today author Lorna Seilstad talks about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Int’l (JDRF).

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/book-birthday-giveaway/

Jo Huddleston’s Inspiring Journey to Publication

*** eBook Giveaway ***

See below for contest rules

I‘m pleased to welcome back author Jo Huddleston. Jo visited this blog back in May when Wait for Me released. As Trust Me, Jo’s second novel in the West Virginia Mountains series has recently released, she’s returned to share her author journey. Her personal story is definitely an inspiration for all of us!

My Writing Journey

by Jo Huddleston

When I first wrote for publication all I had was aspiration and hope. I had not studied the writing craft but I had loved books and reading all my life. When I submitted my first short stories, rejections sped to my mailbox. It didn’t take long for me to learn that I needed help.

I bought Writer’s Digest and The Writer magazines. In them I discovered names of books about all aspects of writing, and lists of writing conferences.

The first writing conference I attended was the Professionalism in Writing School for Christian authors, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’d read in my new magazines that I should take samples of my writing, and business cards to identify myself. I didn’t have business cards and was relieved when I read I could put my information on a 3×5 card and share that with people.

At the conference, after I registered, I noticed folks getting in another line before entering the auditorium. I followed them. When my turn came at the head of the line I saw they had put their names on sheets for 15-minute appointments with editors and agents. I signed up on an editor’s sheet.

In the workshop sessions I made copious notes. I browsed the book room. When the editor’s appointment time came, I went in the room, sat across the table from a perky young lady, and pushed my 3×5 card toward her without a word.

She looked at my card and said, “I’m Karen Ball.” She was gracious to recognize that I was out of my depth and prodded me along by asking what I had brought for her to look at. I had been writing short prayers for women in circumstances they might find themselves, and I’d brought five prayers with me.

I didn’t know that Karen Ball was a fiction editor. She could have told me so and to go sign up with a nonfiction editor. No—kind, sweet, and professional Karen Ball read each of my five prayers. She wanted to take my pages back to Tyndale House with her and I agreed. I did not know the significance of her doing so.

Not long after the conference, Karen phoned me that Tyndale would like me to write more prayers. The result was Tyndale published two prayer books by me—my first published books. As I began to learn the craft, I submitted short stories and articles—and got them published.

My first published novels are in the Caney Creek Series, set in the Southern Appalachians of East Tennessee where my ancestors and I were raised. This story percolated in my mind in the late 1990s. While this story continued to take shape, in 2001 I received a life-altering neurological diagnosis with a negative prognosis.

My mind was still intact but my body wouldn’t do what I wanted. My balance while walking diminished, and I stopped going to writing conferences. In 2008, I began to improve and started my Appalachian story. I have outlived my doctor’s prognosis by four years.

From 2001 to 2008, I had a lot of time to meditate. A relative marvels that I’ve never questioned “God, why me?” I have not become bitter because of the health issues. I think God just gave me time to understand a lot of things when I was inactive. I’m a more peaceful, patient, and faithful me.

The writing journey is never-ending. How could I not write? What writing ability I have comes from God and I must be the best steward of His gift that I can be.

~*~*~

~About Jo Huddleston

Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author of books, articles, and short stories. Her novels in the West Virginia Mountains Series and the Caney Creek Series are sweet Southern historical romances. She is a member of ACFW, the Literary Hall of Fame at Lincoln Memorial University (TN), and holds a M.Ed. degree from Mississippi State University. Visit Jo at www.johuddleston.com where you can sign up for her mailing list and read her blogs.

~Get in touch with Jo

Website | Christian authors’ books blog | Inspirational blog | Facebook

Facebook author page  | Amazon author page | Goodreads | The Book Club Network:

~Trust Me Back Cover Blurb:

West Virginia, 1960

A mine owner. An elegant lady.

Seductive voices that scoff at trust.

Loreen Fletcher has suffered heartbreak. She resolves never to trust a man again. She has earned a respected position with no help from anyone, especially not from a man. At thirty-six, Loreen knows loving brings inevitable misery, and she won’t pick at that scab again.

Claude Capshaw’s life has taken another detour. Things that drove him no longer motivate him. Nothing fulfills him anymore—except that elegant lady at West Virginia University. Why won’t she trust him when he tells her he’ll never betray her?

~Purchase Trust Me: Amazon

>>>eBook Giveaway<<<

Jo has graciously offered to give away one Kindle ebook copy of Trust Me. To enter, leave a comment below.

This contest ends Sunday, Sep 13, 2015 at 11:59 pm CST. I will post the winner on Monday, Sep 14, 2015. Winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Hungry for Home – Now Available for Pre-Order!

The wait is almost over! The Hungry for Home Kindle version is now up for pre-order on Amazon. You can order your copy here: http://amzn.to/1VtIb8h. It will arrive at your Kindle reading device on Tuesday, September 22.

~Praise for Hungry for Home

“Brenda S. Anderson’s Hungry for Home will squeeze your heart in this final story of her excellent Coming Home series. The story ended so well that it’s now my favorite!”

—Bestselling author of Stranded, Stephanie Prichard

Novel Anticipation – September 2015

So excited about the books coming out this month! Two of my favorite authors, authors who write outside the norm for Christian fiction, have releases this month. So if you enjoy “clean” fiction but want something more challenging than your typical CBA fare, I highly recommend these works.

THE MISTRESS OF TALL ACRE

by Laura Frantz

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general’s past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

A REASON TO STAY

(A Texas Gold Novel)

by Kellie Coates Gilbert

As the host of her own television news show, Faith Marin works to expose the truth for her viewers. But in her personal life, she’s anchored her world with firm boundaries in order to hide a family history she’d like to forget. Her pro bass fisherman husband Geary’s life is an open book, and unfortunately his busybody family doesn’t know the meaning of boundaries. Deception and crippling differences soon derail their tender relationship, leading Faith to believe her only option is to end the marriage. But while Faith considers whether divorce is the only answer to their issues, tragedy strikes and her heartrending decision is interrupted. With her life in the balance, Faith finds that the one she has been shutting out may be the very one she cannot bear to lose.

*** COMING SOON ***

Hungry for Home

(Coming Home series finale)

by Brenda S. Anderson

Praise for Hungry for Home~

“Hungry for Home is more than a series finale – it is heartfelt, heart-wrenching fiction at its best, exploring relationships and family, love, faith and forgiveness in fresh, life-changing ways.”

—Laura Frantz, author of The Mistress of Tall Acre

 

Blogging with the Inkspers

After a summer hiatus, I’m back blogging with the Inkspers at Inkspirational Messages! It was good to take some time off, as now I’m eager to write again.

These past weeks we’ve been sharing favorite verses from the Bible and what they mean to us. Today I talk about Colossians 3:23:

“Whatever you, work at it will all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/a-little-elbow-grease/

What’s your favorite Bible verse?

Changing My Perspective

Last week while working in the kitchen, I had the radio playing in the background and heard snippets of an interview with Christian music artist, tobyMac. One thing he said really caught my ear, the simple phrase, “I get to…”

He was referring to those things we take for granted, those things we often disparage because they’re not as new or as cool as our neighbors. As a writer, how often have I compared where I’m at in my writing journey with someone else?

My upcoming release, Hungry for Home, is centered around a homeless teen, someone who has to scrounge for food, someone without a roof over his head or a bed to sleep on. How often do we take those things for granted?

Every day I get to eat without worry over where my next meal is coming from. I get to live in a house. I get to sleep in a bed. I get to cover myself with clean blankets.

I also get to stand on two legs, see with two eyes, and hear with two ears. I get to type my words on a computer using eight fingers and two thumbs.

In the United States we get to gather together, openly, without worry. We get to talk about—write about—pray to—Jesus freely without fear of being jailed, injured, or even killed for our faith.

We get to …

Three simple words that have made a big impact on my life perspective. Now when I’m feeling down or envious or forgotten, I just have to think about the abundant ways in which God has blessed me. Blessed all of us. I get to …

Think about it …

What do you get to do?

Congratulations, Keely Brooke Keith!!!

I’m Snoopy Dancing with writer friend, Keely Brooke Keith today as she’s just signed a publishing contract with CrossRiver Media! Way to go, Keely!

(Keely’s also having a book giveaway of the first 3 Uncharted books. See info below)

Here’s the press release from CrossRiver:

CROSSRIVER SIGNS

AUTHOR OF UNCHARTED SERIES

Aboard Providence scheduled for release in 2016

BREWSTER, Kan. – CrossRiver Media Group announced today the signing of a book deal with Keely Brooke Keith, author of the ground-breaking Uncharted series.

In her highly anticipated fourth book, Aboard Providence, Keith explores the history of her first series Uncharted. It follows the story of the founders as they leave everything they know to form a new colony. After an arduous voyage, Providence runs aground on an uncharted land in the South Atlantic Ocean. While the rest of the settlers celebrate finding the land they wanted, Jonah Ashton leaves the settlement to explore, expecting to find civilization nearby. He discovers a startling truth that will change his plans, but can it change his heart?

“I most enjoyed fleshing out the mystery of how the founders arrived in the Land and what it was like for them,” Keith says. “Not only from the perspective of the characters who wanted that adventure, but also those who didn’t.”

“We are excited to have Keely join the CrossRiver family of authors,” says Tamara Clymer, founder and President of CrossRiver Media Group. “She is a talented writer with a history of intriguing and entertaining stories that ignite a woman’s relationship with God.” Aboard Providence is scheduled for release in 2016.

ABOUT KEELY BROOKE KEITH: Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely Brooke Keith was a tree-climbing, baseball-loving ‘80s kid. She grew up in a family who frequently relocated. By graduation, Keely lived in eight states and attended fourteen schools. Keely is a bass guitarist and plays on worship teams and for Christian artists. When she isn’t writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys having coffee with friends, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Keely resides on a hilltop south of Nashville with her husband, Marty, and their daughter. You can visit her online at KeelyBrookeKeith.com, Twitter.com/Keely_Keith, and Facebook.com/keelybrooke.keith.

ABOUT CROSSRIVER MEDIA: CrossRiver Media Group is a Christian publishing company based in western Kansas. Founded in 2010, CrossRiver publishes books and other materials which help Christians in their daily walk with the Lord. It has grown to cover several genres – non-fiction, fiction, children, Bible study and Christian living and includes winners of the CSPA Book of the Year, SELAH Award, and Grace Awards. The company can be found online at www.CrossRiverMedia.com.

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Book Preview: The Bones Will Speak

I usually do a Novel Anticipation post at the beginning of the month, but as I’m not the biggest contemporary or historical romance fan, the pickings are very slim. Not that I mind reading romance, but I prefer books that have more meat than romances typically offer.

This month only one book made my anticipation list: The Bones Will Speak by Carrie Stuart Parks. Carrie’s debut, A Cry from the Dust, was one of my favorite reads from 2014, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting her sophomore work.

The Bones Will Speak

(A Gwen Marcey Novel book #2)

by Carrie Stuart Parks

Thomas Nelson

A killer with a penchant for torture has taken notice of forensic expert Gwen Marcey . . . and her daughter.

When Gwen Marcey’s dog comes home with a human skull and then leads her to a cabin in the woods near her Montana home, she realizes there’s a serial killer in their community. And when she finds a tortured young girl clinging to life on the cabin floor, she knows this killer is a lunatic.

Yet what unsettles Gwen most is that the victim looks uncannily like her daughter.

The search for the torturer leads back in time to a neo-Nazi bombing in Washington state—a bombing with only one connection to Montana: Gwen. The group has a race-not-grace model of salvation . . . and they’ve marked Gwen as a race traitor.

When it becomes clear that the killer has a score to settle, Gwen finds herself in a battle against time. She will have to use all of her forensic skills to find the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her—and the only family she has left.

About Carrie Stuart Parks~

Carrie Stuart Parks and Rick Parks met in the romantic hallways of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. They married in nineteen eighty-nine and formed a dynamic and successful team in their fine and forensic art, working on major national and international cases and creating exquisite watercolors and stone carvings. They travel internationally, teaching forensic art to a variety of participants: from the Secret Service to the FBI, from large law enforcement agencies to the smallest two-man departments in their one-week classes. They welcome civilian artists to attend their courses as well. Carrie has won numerous awards for her innovative teaching methods and general career excellence and is a signature member of the Idaho Watercolor Society. Rick has received national recognition for his exquisite art placed on musical instruments.

Carrie began her fiction writing career while battling breast cancer. Mentored by NY Times bestselling author, Frank Peretti, Carrie’s debut novel garnered immediate interest by major publishing houses and landed her a three book deal at HarperCollins Christian.

Connect with Carrie~

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Book Preview: Circulus de Potentia by Jim West

This past February, I had the pleasure of welcoming author, Jim West, to my blog where he talked about his best-seller, Libellus de Numeros (read A Visit With Best-Selling Author, Jim West). Now Jim has a second book out, Circulus de Potentia, and it’s climbing the Amazon charts as quickly as the first.

Jim’s books are perfect for your middle grade reader, fantasy readers, lovers of Harry Potter, girl empowerment story readers, or for anyone who simply enjoys a well-told story. Two additional books are planned for this Magicae Mathematica series.

About Circulus de Potentia~

A festival in Nosaj’s honor has been interrupted by a mysterious challenger wearing the Circulus de Potentia, a band of gold that gives him unstoppable strength and power. One by one the Guardians fall and a race is on for Alex to go find the wizard with a secret regarding the curious symbol on the golden band. Finding this peculiar wizard named Pythagoras wouldn’t be such a daunting task if it wasn’t for the packs of wolves that roam the forest and a maze she and her friends will have to solve as well as a riddle fashioned by Daedalus himself. What awaits Alex in the Forest of Factors? Can Archimedes solve the equation in time? Can the Guardians stop this invincible challenger?

A symbol unknown, a riddle unsolved, a maze guarded by a monster, a race against time to find the secrets of the Circulus de Potentia and the most precious thing in the world.

Purchase Circulus de Potentia~

Amazon

About Jim West~

Jim West was born in Killeen, TX in 1977 and grew up mostly in central Louisiana. For over 18 years he has worked in the Cyber Security field and came up with the ideas and concept for the Magicae Mathematica series about a decade ago. His first book of the series, Libellus de Numeros, is one he hopes will resonate with its young readers. Jim is a father of two SMART and beautiful girls whom he loves dearly and when he himself is not away ‘saving the world’ they live in Dubai, UAE with his wonderful wife Eman.

Connect with Jim~

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

Happy Book Birthday, Sharon Hinck!

Anyone who’s walked the I-wanna-be-published path, knows that path is an an extremely difficult one to travel, and you can’t go it alone. You need family, friends, peers, and mentors to walk alongside you, guiding you, holding your hand, lifting you up when you get knocked down. I’ve been blessed with a great crowd walking with me, one of whom is the amazingly talented, award-winning author Sharon Hinck.

But Sharon is so much more than that. She’s a mentor, teacher, encourager, and best of all, friend, and I’m blessed to know her. So with The Deliver, book four in her The Sword of Lyric series, coming out today, we have to celebrate with her!

She stopped by to answer a few questions and tell us about her new release. But first, here’s the back cover blurb for The Deliverer:

A lost songkeeper must lead her people to a long awaited Deliverer

Eager to serve the One, a young songkeeper travels to the dark and foreign nation of Hazor, but her confusing, rough-edged companion has lost his Restorer gifts. As danger rises against them both, she loses her freedom, her memories, and her hope. Now even the very music of her soul is threatened.

In our world, Susan Mitchell no longer feels at home in the carpool lane. Burdened by the unhealed scars from her trips through the portal, she fights to suppress her worry about her son, who remains out of contact in Lyric. But when a mysterious message hints Jake is in danger, she and her husband are swept away—to the place they least expect.

Clan rebellions. Lost Restorers. Has the One turned away, or will the face of the Deliverer bring light to the darkness?

Sharon also wants you to know that The Restorer, book one in The Sword of Lyric series is free for Kindle right now (purchase >hereThe Restorer, I’m certain you’ll devour the entire Lyric series.

Before you start reading though, let me introduce you to Sharon~

Happy Book Birthday, Sharon! I’m so excited for you, and can’t wait to get my copy of The Deliverer. Can you tell my readers about this book? What inspired it?

I fell in love with the characters of Kieran and Linette, and wanted to know more about how their story unfolded after they went to Hazor to share the Verses. I realized that with Jake being the new Restorer, Kieran would be in an awkward position. After all, he prevented a war by offering himself (a Restorer) to serve the Hazorite people. I wondered what King Zarek would do when he found out that Kieran no longer had Restorer gifts. I also had noticed the awkward and shy appreciation that Linette and Kieran had for each other, and wondered what it would take for them to acknowledge their feelings. This book ended up with more of a romantic thread than most of my stories—and it was great fun to watch that unfold.

Now I’m even more eager to read it! The Deliverer is book four in your The Sword of Lyric series. Can you briefly tell us about the first three books?

The Restorer (currently FREE on Kindle!!! purchase >here

For those new to the series, you shouldn’t have trouble jumping in to The Deliverer, but if you have time, you could certainly read the first book (FREE on Kindle!) as an introduction to the world.

The Restorer’s Son follows a new and very reluctant Restorer who would rather cross swords with the One than follow Him. The Restorer’s Journey shares the experience of Susan’s son, Jake, as well as Susan’s very difficult experiences in captivity in Rhus.

I’ve read the first three books in the series, and I highly endorse the entire series for any reader! Sharon, when you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?

I adore the times when a friend stops by to visit. A cup of tea, great conversation, sometimes praying together. I also love to dig around in my vegetable garden, make handmade cards, and Facetime with my granddaughter (and my kids, too). I love music, so playing piano, singing, or playing guitar are favorite activities. When we’re able, my husband and I love to hike. Many of the scenes in the Sword of Lyric books were inspired by hiking trips.

Thanks again, Sharon, for stopping by! Hope you have a fantastic book birthday!

~*~*~

About Sharon~

Award-winning author Sharon Hinck writes “stories for the hero in all of us,” about ordinary women on extraordinary faith journeys. She has been honored with a Christy finalist medal, and three Carol awards for her previous books.

Sharon’s undergrad degree is in education, and she earned an M.A. in Communication from Regent University. She spent ten years as the artistic director of a Christian performing arts group, CrossCurrent. That ministry included three short-term mission trips to Hong Kong. She has been a church youth worker, a choreographer and ballet teacher, a home-school mom, a church organist, and a bookstore clerk. One day she’ll figure out what to be when she grows up, but in the meantime she’s pouring her imagination into writing.

Information about her novels as well as her devotional writing can be found at her sharonhinck.com website.

Connect with Sharon~

Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Book Buddy Newsletter

Purchase Sharon’s books~

Website | Amazon | B&N | CBD