Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Meeting Katie Cushman



I want to share an exciting experience I had Monday night. First let me tell you how I became acquainted with Katie. We both belong to the American Christian Fiction Writers group and in that group there is an e-mail loop. Within the loop everyone who has signed up can see posts from all those who have joined.

A few weeks ago Katie had posted an e-mail and asked if there was anyone that lived in North Georgia. I did not know Katie at the time that I wrote her back and told her that I did live in North Georgia. She didn't ask me if I would be willing to hand out some postcards promoting her latest book "Leaving Yesterday" telling about three book signings that would be taking place in our area.

Katie graciously sent me a copy of her book along with the postcards and some bookmarks to pass out. When I started the book I was unable to put it down (well not literally) until I finished it. It was wonderfully written in very time relevant - a book most parents would be able to relate to.

Well, October 19 arrived and I was so looking forward to meeting Katie Monday morning. Then something unexpected came up and I was unable to go. I was very disappointed that I wasn't the be able to meet her. But then, low and behold, things settle down to where I was able to go meet her at Jacobs Well Christian Bookstore in Calhoun, Georgia. She was just like I expected - a very attractive, friendly and warm person. we talked about writing of course and I bought another one of her books that I have already started. The name of this book is "Waiting for Daybreak".

I would like to post a couple of pictures I took at the book signing. I hope you enjoy seeing them. Be sure and go to her website and check out her books and read a little bit more about her. A link to her site is listed under my favorite links.






Monday, October 19, 2009

I won! I won!

A good number of the blogs feature book giveaways. These are really fun to enter, usually you just leave a comment about a interview with the author and then a name is drawn from all those who entered. There are many book blogs on the Internet and many of them feature Christian authors and their books. I have had a fun time going to the blogs and reading the interviews and entering the giveaways.

I just received word through e-mail in the last couple of days about two books that I have won. The first book is "Sound of Sleigh Bells" written by Cindy Smallwood the second one is "The Christmas Journey" written by Winnie Griggs. As you can see these are both Christmas stories I am excited and looking forward to reading them both. Fall is here and the weather has been cold with temperatures dropping below freezing tonight. This really put you in the mood for a good Christmas story. If you are interested in and reading some interviews and having a chance to win a book that I encourage you to visit some of these book blogs. I hope that in the future that I too will be able to interview authors and sponsor book giveaways. They are so much fun! As always Happy Reading!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Book Review: The House in Grosvenor Square

This book was written by Lenore Rose Burkard. It is what she calls a Regency Inspirational Romance. This takes place in England during the year of 1813. The protagonist or the main character is Ariana Forsythe and this is what Lenore has to say about how she began writing the books during the Regency period.

"There were Christian books that approached the genre," she says,"But they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I finally gave up looking and wrote what I myself was looking for." she also enjoys writing articles, reading, parenting, family movie nights, swimming, and gardening. For those of you who might be wondering what type of book this is - it is a book that is full of old words that are rarely used. However, they are delightful and interesting to read. Lenore actually has a glossary in back of the book with the meaning to words that you might not be used to. It's easy to figure out what most of the words mean in the context of the sentence. It takes a little more concentration to read a book of this nature but is well worth it in the end.
Let me give you an example from a paragraph on the first age of the book:

She looked at him challengingly, as she sat across from him in his expensive, plush black coach. Faultlessly handsome, Philip Mornay was dressed stylishly in a twin-tailed frock coat, buff pantaloons, and polished black boots. His beautifully tied cravat puffed slightly out from an embroidered white waistcoat, and his dark hair and famously handsome features were framed by a top hat. Everything he wore looked new. His clothing always did, and yet he might have worn it a dozen times, so comfortable did he appear in his attire.

If you've never read a book that was written in this kind of language and you enjoy words then I encourage you to read this book. Not only is the language interesting but the book is very well written and the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end. I'll give you the summary that is written on the back of the book which might just give you a little hint of the excitement that is within the book.

As Ariana Forsythe plans her wedding to Phillip Mornay, she must adjust to the realization that she is soon to become the wife of an extremely wealthy man. She wonders if it's wrong to rejoice that her future husband is rich. But she promises to use her new position to do what she can to aid the numerous street wiafs she sees all too often in London.

During a tour of her future home - the house in Grosvenor Square - Ariana impulsively makes plans to redecorate (just a little) according to her tastes. But when Phillip arrives home later, he is informed that an expensive silver candlestick and a miniature portrait of George III have gone missing. Moreover, each time Areana visits the house, another item disappears.

When Ariana suffers an abduction attempt by two villains, and other mysterious goings-on are unexplained, Mr. Mornay must unravel the mystery of who is after Ariana and why. He knows he has to prevent any harm from befalling his future bride, even if it means he must keep her under lock and key in his own house!

Romance, suspense, and a deft touch of humor are part of the wonderful story of Phillip Mornay and Ariana Forsythe's march to the altar.

Now, tell me that doesn't sound like an exciting adventure! As always Happy Reading.
Even her web site is a journey back in time: http://www.linoreburkard.com/







Friday, October 9, 2009

CONTEST!!!!!

Just wanted to let you know about a contest on my friends blog. Her name is Stormi and she has a wonderful blog that reviews books and movies. She has a contest going on now through the 25th of October where you can win free business cards. I'm going to post her link under my favorite links.
Here is how the contest works. Go over and take a look!



Thanks to Uprinting.com I am doing a giveaway for 250 business card, yes you read that right! 250 business card, I know I have the attention of some of my author friends out there. Are you a writer, own a business, or do you just want to get some cards made up for your blog? What ever it is you are wanting to use your business card for this is the time to get a bunch of Business cards FREE!


Here is the giveaway:


250 business cards for One Lucky Winner (Free UPS Ground Shipping in USA)

Sizes: 2 x 3.5”, 2 x 3”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.5 x 3.5” (skinny card)

Paper: 14 pt gloss cardstock, 14 pt matte cardstock or 13 pt recycled uncoated cardstock

Specifications: Full Color Both Sides; Offset Press; 3 Business Day Printing


Is that great or what, you get to choose what size, paper and specifications.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Win Some Lose Some!

Of course I would rather win, but that doesn't always happen in life. I entered one of my photos in our county fair and I was sure it would win something. No - not even honorable mention. I stood in line for an hour just to enter one photo. Well, I've decided that I am going to come back next year full force. I'm entering six - the limit. Surely the odds will be better. Here is the picture I entered. What do you think?




October New Releases!

Here are some of the new releases of Christian Fiction. Please check them out!

1. A Star Curiously Singing, The DarkTrench Saga, Book 1, by
<
http://www.kerrynietz.com> Kerry Nietz from Marcher Lord Press. An
augmented human programmer is sent to space to solve the mystery of a bot's
destruction.

2. Double Take, by Jenness Walker <
http://www.jennesswalker.com> from
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. When a stalker becomes obsessed with a
woman, the key to stopping him lies in a best-selling thriller.until he
stops going by the book.

3. Dreaming of Home, by <
http://www.glennakaye.com> Glenna Kaye from
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Two wounded hearts must learn to trust that God's
dreams for them far exceed any they may have for themselves.

4. Eternity Falls - A Rick Macey Cyberthriller, Book 1 of the Rick Macey
Cyberthriller series, by <
http://www.kirkouterbridge.com> Kirk Outerbridge
from Marcher Lord Press. A cyber-enhanced detective must stop a religious
zealot from destroying a serum for eternal life.

5. Gripped By Fear, Chicago Warrior Thriller Series, 2nd book, by
<
http://www.johnmwills.com> John M. Wills from Total Recall. Chgo Detectives
hunt a serial rapist in the mean streets of Chicago in the midst of personal
struggles.

6. Leaving Yesterday, by Kathryn Cushman <
http://kathryncushman.com> from
Bethany House. A mother rejoices at the return of her prodigal, but is faced
with an impossible decision as evidence from his past refuses to stay
buried.

7. Loves Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, by Lauralee Bliss
<
http://www.lauraleebliss.com> from Summerside Press. Set in the Guilded
Age within the beauty of New
Hampshire's White Mountains, successful artist Tom Haskins and penniless
Sara McGee discover through their circumstances that the most precious gifts
of life and love don't always come as they're expected.

8. Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska, by <
http://www.loreelough.com>
Loree Lough from Summerside Press. A story that's sure to warm your heart,
despite the icy Alaskan setting!

9. Love is a Battlefield, Book One in the Walk in the Park series, by
<
http://www.annalisadaughety.com> Annalisa Daughety from Barbour Publishing.
War rages again at Shiloh, but this time it's a battle of the heart.

10. Seaside Letters, by <
http://www.denisehunterbooks.com> Denise Hunter
from Thomas Nelson. Sabrina Kincaid didn't intend to fall for Nantucket
native Tucker McCabe, the man she serves coffee to every morning-a man tied
deeply to a past she
deeply regrets. But she has. And she's fallen hard. But she's kept this a
secret from her handsome customer. And now Tucker wants to hire Sabrina to
help locate his friend "Sweetpea"-the mysterious woman he's falling in love
with online. Sabrina is not inclined to help, but if Tucker hires someone
else, it could spell disaster. Because if someone else sifts through the
emails and figures out the truth-then Tucker will discover that the person
he's trying to find is . . . her.

11. Soldier Daddy, Wings of Refuge Series-book 5-all standalones, by
<
http://www.cherylwyatt.com> Cheryl Wyatt from Steeple Hill. A USAF
Pararescue Jumper searches for a nanny for his twins and instead finds a
future with a woman harboring a secret tied to his past.

12. The Case of the Mystified M.D., Book 2, Bouncing Grandma Mysteries, by
A.K. <
http://www.akawriter.com> Arenz from Sheaf House. First a foot, now a
hand--what body part is next?

13. The Christmas Journey, by <
http://www.winniegriggs.com> Winnie Griggs
from Steeple Hill Love Inspired.

14. The Jewel of his Heart, Heart of the West Series, by
<
http://southernbellewriter.blogspot.com> Maggie Brendan from Revell.
Discover the classic struggle between the world's wealth and the lure of
eternal love in this Western story of elegance and survival.

15. The Matchmaking Pact, After the Storm #4 , by
<
http://www.carolyneaarsen.com> Carolyn Aarsen from Steeple Hill Love
Inspired. A single father and a single mother have to deal with matchmaking
children.

16. Thirsty, by <
http://www.traceybateman.com> Tracey Bateman from
Waterbrook. "Deep, cutting, an intoxicating blend of human and supernatural,
of characters scarred by the past, drained by life. This is the book I've
waited for."

17. Trial By Fire, by <
http://www.caraputman.com> Cara Putman from Steeple
Hill Love Inspired Suspense. When an arsonist targets her family, Tricia has
to find him before harm is done without losing her heart to a fireman.


HAPPY READING!

The Definition of Fiction

it has been a view days since I have written. My life seems to stay very busy. I found it interesting article in one of the courses that is presented on the American Christian Fiction Writers. It is on the definition of fiction and the believability of what is written. I want to share it with you.

DEFINITION OF FICTION

The word fiction is believed to have originated in 1375-1475 and denotes a
shaping (from the word fictus which means molded).

Fiction is currently defined as a noun that refers to a class of literature
considered to be imaginative narration. It is something that is feigned or
invented, a made-up story. An expansion on this definition is that fiction
is an allegation that a fact exists that is known not to exist.

The definition suggests that fiction is a story without basis in reality
whose purpose is to entertain or deceive (in a nice way, folks).

So, the job of a fiction writer, especially a Christian writer, is to
present the truth within a manufactured world.

No small task. But the author achieves this when all the elements of the
story work together to maintain the world he has created.

In the movie, Somewhere in Time, Christopher Reeves manages to time travel
back in history in order to carry on a romance with a woman he met only as a
child. He is cautioned that every bit of his reality must be accurate to the
time period. One out of place item would throw him back to his present
world. Everything is going great until he pulls out a penny that post dates
his time limitations. The shock pulls him from his carefully crafted world
of yesteryear back into the reality of his current world.

So it is with our fiction. Every element on the page must be true and
convincing within our created world. Characters (thoughts, motivations,
actions); setting, dialogue, plot all must keep the reader engaged in this
alternate world the author has designed on the page. An out of sync remark,
prop, action, or device can throw the reader back to his real world. These
are the points when the reader says, ?Oh, come on. Give me a break already.
This would never happen. Captain Kirk would never do that.?

Establishing believability in the story is akin to the art of salesmanship.
The salesman?s job is to convince the prospective buyer that the product he
or she offers is needed and/or will enrich their lives. The salesman will
convince the buyer that the product is within their limit to purchase. That
is, he captures the buyer?s attention, keeps the buyer?s attention, and
closes the deal. If the buyer slips back into his own reality at any point
during the pitch, the deal is lost.

Likewise, the successful writer brings the reader into a created world by
interwoven story elements that shatter a reader?s perception of reality
(perceived norm and expectations) and yet holds them within the author?s new
reality.

SET UP

The romance writer often takes two unlikely people and creates an equally
unlikely scenario for them?a place and time where they meet, fall in love,
experience conflict, and transcend their differences. Yet, we believe it.
How? What draws us into the presentation of situations that in everyday life
might not seem real yet are real to the reader?

The adage goes, ?Seeing is believing.?

And so the author?s job is to paint the story?s world in a way that the
reader can visualize.

What does the alternate world look like? Are we in a city? How do we know
this? Are we in outer space? How do we know this? Are we stranded on a
desert island? How do we know and accept this? Through the use of sensory
detail, the author transfers the reader from his current position on the
couch into the world on the page.

Then he sets his characters upon the stage. The character may be a fish out
of water, a stranger within this new world, or a comfortable old shoe, one
who is familiar with the created world. (Dorothy Gale vs The Munchkins.)

The believability is not whether the character would actually do or say
these things in the reader?s world. A character is believable by the things
he or she does, says, or thinks within the world the author has created.

We know that Captain Picard is an intellectual warrior, a different type of
hero than Captain Kirk. Each character would interpret and respond to their
environment differently. Ergo, the setup is dependent upon the setting and
the character. To be believable the interaction between the elements must be
consistent within the parameters of the setup.

IDENTIFICATION

The use of a family feud, or rivalry, is an ageless theme in fiction. Why do
these stories appeal to us? Basic human characteristics, the flaws mingled
with the desire for the greater good, are means by which the reader can
identify with the players in the author?s world. Who has not been touched by
the prodigal?s plight? (Cry the Beloved Country). Who has not encountered a
black sheep in the family? (Legends of the Fall or A River Runs Through It).
These stories are fiction, but they seem real to us because we can identify
with the emotions and feelings experienced by the main characters.

CARRY THROUGH

As in our discussion of theme that leads the story, the
author?s created reality will also dictate how the elements of the story
will present on the page. Dialogue will reflect the character?s values,
education, motivation, and circumstances. A bank robber, running away from
law enforcement is not likely to stop in the middle of the getaway to
reflect on the meaning of the Universe.

However, all things are possible in the fiction world. If the author has
crafted a bank robber who is a philosopher, then that scenario might very
well be believable. The believability of an unlikely scenario is dependent
upon the marriage of the elements in the story. The successful author will
carry these through to keep the reader invested in the story.

SATISFYING ENDING

Again, all things are possible. An ending can be happy, sad,
reflective, conclusive, or open-ended. Not all the strings have to be tied
up in neat little bows for a satisfying conclusion. The ending again will
depend upon the theme and the story?s elements.

What makes a conclusion satisfying?

Even if the villain gets away, the reader can accept the
ending as believable if the author has crafted the possibility throughout
the story. Again, the ending is not so much determined by what the reader?s
reality expects, but by the expectation of the created world.

CONCLUSION

Believability is not the same as realism. Realism is an art type. In the
world of the canvass, some artists, like the cubists, use geometric shapes
to create their painted story. Some, like the impressionists, can only be
appreciated by taking a step or two back. And some, like Rembrandt, paint
the world in raw photographic sincerity.

The fiction author has many formulas to choose from in
depicting their world. Realism is one of those venues. But in all venues,
the author must bring the reader into the world, hold the reader there, and
close the deal with a believable result.


I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did. I found it very informative. As always Happy Reading!