Rebecca Talley's Blog, page 39

Hope in Our Youth

Last night I attended a stake youth fireside introducing the Mutual theme for 2010. We saw clips from a video produced by the Church that included a talk by Melvin J. Ballard. I didn't know his great-grandfather was Joseph F. Smith. When Joseph was a young lad he'd been orphaned and life was rough. Elder Ballard said he thought Joseph's leaders probably wondered how to best teach him and keep him in the gospel. There was still hope for this young man and as we all know, he grew to serve as th...

Hope

The world is in turmoil. The economy in the US is struggling. We have a government intent on passing healthcare regulation that we cannot afford in so many ways. We have corruption all around us. We see news reports of murders flash across our TV screens. Dishonesty abounds. Innocent unborn babies are slaughtered every day. Infidelity seems to be the norm. The list can go on and on and on.

Yet, there is hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for peace. Hope for our world. Hope for our individu...

Interview with Rachel Rager

RT: Welcome, Rachel. Tell me, when did you first start to think of yourself as a writer?

Rachel: An author? Who? Me? I guess that I still don't see myself as a writer. It's more of a hobby. Yes, I have a book published but I started writing just to see if I could do it. When I accomplished that goal, I tried to publish it, just to see if I could. I finally published By Love or By Sea in April of 2009 with Cedar Fort, Inc., six years after I started writing. But am I a writer? I always thought ...

Cover Contest--Woo Hoo!

My cover for Altared Plans was recently in a contest at LDS Publisher. Although it didn't win the overall contest, it won in the Romance category. My cover won both the Reader's Choice and LDS Publisher's Choice. It was interesting to read the different comments about it. I love the cover, especially the pink accents.

If you voted for my cover, thank you!! I appreciate it.

Because there must be opposition in all things, a reader at Goodreads gave my book 2 stars and then wrote, "A mindless read...

Happy New Year

3-year-old + milk + straw = mess. But, what a cute mess!

2009 Highlights

My son was sealed to his sweet wife in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in September. What an amazing experience to watch him pledge himself to his wife and the Lord for eternity. It's hard to even find the words to express my gratitude. Definitely a parent "payday."

I survived all the wedding preparations, including all the house projects we had to finish before the open house. I had no idea how much work was involved in preparing for a wedding, and this was for a son. I'm sure I have no idea wha...

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Through the mouths of babes . . .



Merry Christmas.

Amidst all the excitement, may w all take a few moments to ponder the meaning of His birth so long ago and do our part to make the world a better place.

Cover Contest

LDS Publisher is sponsoring a contest for the best covers of books by LDS authors. I was thrilled to see Altared Plans included as one of the finalists in the romance category because there are so many great covers out there.

Of course, I had nothing to do with the cover. Authors have virtually no say in cover design, but I love the cover because I think it communicates her disappointment and frustration at what happens in the first chapter. I also love the pink highlights and think the cover ...

Bomb Threat

Yesterday, my daughter was evacuated from the high school because of a bomb threat. A middle school, college, and courthouse were also evacuated and all the other schools in the district were placed on a soft lockdown.

An anonymous caller notified a 911 operator of the threat and said the bombs were set to go off within 4 hours. The school district, police department, sheriff's department, college, and other assorted agencies spent the afternoon sweeping the schools and courthouse. School was...

Dawn's Early Light by L.C. Lewis

This third volume of LC Lewis's War of 1812 historical fiction epic, Free Men and Dreamers, covers the British offensive against Washington D.C.

Once Napoleon is subdued, and despite the commencement of peace negotiations, Britain unleashes her triumphant European conquerors on America. And their primary target? Washington.

While attentions turn to the defense of the Capital, mercenaries threaten the Winding Willows and White Oak plantations, forcing enemies to become allies, fighting...