Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Things Worth Remembering

This beautiful story about a mother and daughter unfolds as Maisey returns to her upscale childhood home for a brief time before her wedding. Both she and her mother, Kendy, in alternating viewpoints, reflect on their life together through Maisey's childhood to the point where their relationship fell apart. We come to learn that while the characters live seemingly happy lives they are hiding a lot of pain.

Personally I found this book easy to read, and engaging. It touched very deeply on loneliness. I thought it humorous that one of the characters hid behind "reading" books when she wanted time alone. While the plot was rather straightforward, the thought life of these two women kept you guessing at what would happen next. The story wonderfully illustrates how openness, forgiveness, love and God can heal all. I recommend it for women of any age. As for teenagers; this book does contain some mild suggestions of (mostly marital) sexual activity. I found the author's treatment of this subject in line with Christian values.

Meet and Greet Monday: Janice Thompson

Merry week after Christmas, y’all. This is Janice Thompson, Christian author and speaker. If you’re like I am, you’re stuffed full of yummy holiday goodies, staring at a Christmas tree now barren of gifts, and wondering what you’re going to do with all of those leftovers in the fridge. Perhaps you’re also looking ahead to 2010, praying about what the future might hold.

You’ve already opened gifts from friends and loved ones. Now I’d like to encourage you to pray about a different type of gift. . .the kind the Lord has placed inside of you. Perhaps there’s something you’ve always longed to do, but haven’t had the courage to pursue. Maybe this coming year will see the beginning of something brand new. Unwrap that gift. Pray about it. Then begin to take baby steps toward your goal. Step out into an exciting future!

I remember so clearly the year I decided to write my first book. It was 1994. The whole thing started innocently enough. I had an idea for a non-fiction book. It took me a couple of months to write it, but I had a blast. Before long, an idea for a story took hold. I couldn’t let it go, so I wrote my first novel. Before you knew it, I’d written several books. Many of those first stories were never published, but I cut my teeth on them. And now, over fifty published books later, I thank the Lord for giving me the courage to step out and trust Him with my dreams.

As I kick off this new year, I’m celebrating so many things related to my writing gift. I’m particularly thrilled with the magnificent relationship I have with my three publishers: Revell, Summerside and Barbour. I’m also tickled that the Lord has chosen to let me publish under two different names: Janice Thompson and Janice Hanna. (Hanna is my maiden name, and I’m now publishing my Summerside and Barbour books under that name to honor the memory of my father.) Most of all, I’m grateful to the Lord for letting me do the one thing I love to do. . .write for a living!

So, what am I up to? In a nutshell (by publisher): With Revell, I’ve just released the first two books in the “Weddings by Bella” series. Book one (FOOLS RUSH IN) is a fun, quirky story of an Italian wedding planner who inherits her family’s wedding facility on Galveston Island. Here’s the synopsis:

Bella Rossi may be nearing thirty, but her life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding planning business, Bella is determined not to let them down. She quickly books a "Boot Scoot'n" wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she's a country music numbskull because her family only listens to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Where will she find a DJ on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his Keith Urban? When a misunderstanding leads her to the DJ (and man) of her dreams, things start falling into place. But with a family like hers, nothing is guaranteed. Can the perfect Texan wedding survive a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who is a lawsuit waiting to happen, and a massive delivery of 80 cowboy boots? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding? Book one in the Weddings by Bella series, Fools Rush In is fun, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers will love the flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex, and the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

The second book in the “Weddings by Bella” series is titled SWINGING ON A STAR. It releases this week. I’m so excited! Here’s the synopsis:

Bella Rossi's life is nearing perfection. She's got the perfect guy, she's running a successful business, and she's about to plan her most ambitious wedding yet, a Renaissance-themed fairy tale come true, complete with period costumes and foods, horse-drawn carriages, and even a castle. There's just one hitch. The best man just happens to be Brock Benson, Hollywood's hottest and most eligible bachelor. Oh, and did we mention he's staying at the Rossi house to avoid the paparazzi? With all the pressure surrounding this wedding, Bella's not sure she's going to make it through. Add her starstruck sister, her feuding aunt and uncle, and a trio of large, sequined church ladies with even bigger personalities, and you've got a recipe for disaster--and a lot of laughs. This hilarious romantic comedy is sure to delight both fans and new readers alike.

Book three in the “Wedding by Bella” series will release in about six months. It is titled IT HAD TO BE YOU.”

My first Summerside book (LOVE FINDS YOU IN POETRY, TEXAS) was written under my maiden name and released last summer. It’s still available in stores and online. Here’s the synopsis:

In the quaint Texas community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with farmers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. She writes little poems to be printed in newspapers all over the country and one by one, women begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just cant seem to find Georg’s perfect match, though its not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg and for Belinda herself?

For those who love non-fiction, my co-authored Barbour book “THE HOUSE IS QUIET. . .NOW WHAT?” (a book for empty nesters) just released from Barbour. I was blessed to write this book with my best friend and critique partner, Kathleen Y’Barbo. 

All of these books are available at local stores and online at www.christianbook.com and www.amazon.com. For those who would like autographed copies, my website (www.janiceathompson.com) has a shopping cart option.

As you can see, I’ve been plenty busy. I’ve loved every minute of it. As I said, it’s such a blessing to be able to earn a living doing the thing I love. . .writing. God has truly granted me the desires of my heart.

So, what about you, friends? What are your dreams for the upcoming year? I would encourage you to pray about them. . .then step out in faith.

About Janice Thompson

Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over fifty

books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children's books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice currently serves as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network)

and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).  She is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Janice is passionate about

her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.

You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com, http://weddingsbybella.blogspot.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson?ref=name

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Lost Mission

In a passion-filled tale, Athol Dickson explores questions of faith while exposing raw truths. Lupe, a simple Mexican shop keeper, is called by her beloved "Senor" to preach to her northern neighbors, the lost Americanos. With her she brings an ancient artifact cloaked in mystery. Lupe meets and touches many people in her quest, but none of them are just what they seem. Even Lupe hides secrets. Finally, an evil lying dormant for two hundred years arises to threaten the very people Lupe has come to save.

Working back and forth between the eighteenth century and modern times, Lost Mission interweaves its mysteries into a complex fabric pieced together by an Indian man with shining hair. Although the author moves through time with ease, I had a little trouble at first following him, since it required I disengage from one time frame to enter another. I can't imagine this book written any other way, however, and I did become accustomed to the pattern. While the story and characters involve the reader, this is not a warm, fuzzy book that leaves you sighing in pleasure. Lost Mission, instead, will challenge you to examine your own faith and the truths upon which you rely. It will cause you to embark on a quest all your own.

Meet and Greet Monday: Roseanna White

Book Readers Central has the honor of being a stop on author Roseanna White's blog tour today. In this open letter to readers, Roseanna shares from the heart.

Hi!
I’m Roseanna White – wife, mommy, writer, reviewer, and lover of all things literature-related. Sometimes those titles pull me in such different directions that I feel torn in a million pieces, but thankfully I serve a Master Craftsman capable of using all the holes to make some really beautiful filagree.


I’ve been writing stories since I first learned to put pencil to paper, and asking me not to would be like asking me not to breathe. Well, okay–I could not write. But I’d still be developing novels, even if only in my head.

Over the years my stories and characters have matured along with me, and the one that remains closest to my heart is A Stray Drop of Blood. The story pivots around the crucifixion, taking the reader through the life of Abigail, a Hebrew slave largely unconcerned with the tales of these man called Jesus until she’s caught up in the crowd at his trial. A stray drop of His blood changes her forever–but her life is still not simple.

Interested in learning more Roseanna White and her books?
Click on the following links.


http://www.roseannamwhite.com/
www.RoseannaMWhite.blogspot.com
http://www.christianreviewofbooks.com/

Free For All Friday - More Author's Quotes About Christmas

                                         I heard the bells on Christmas Day
                                         Their old, familiar carols play,
                                         And wild and sweet
                                         The words repeat
                                         Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
                                         - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

                      Christmas isn't a season. It's a feeling.
                      - Edna Ferber 

I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.

- Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
- Washington Irving

                     A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
                     The poor man's heart through half the year.
                     - Walter Scott

                                Somehow, not only for Christmas
                                But all the long year through,
                                The joy that you give to others
                                Is the joy that comes back to you.

                                           And the more you spend in blessing

                                           The poor and lonely and sad,
                                           The more of your heart's possessing
                                           Returns to you glad.

                                           - John Greenleaf Whittier

Fail not to call to mind, in the course of the twenty-fifth of this month, that the Divinest Heart that ever walked the earth was born on that day; and then smile and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for mirth is also of Heaven's making.
- Leigh Hunt

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Levi's Will

Levi's Will tells a rich story of one man's journey through life. When we first meet Will, our main character, he is preparing for his father's funeral. The next chapter takes us back to when he first ran away from his fathers home, leaving behind the Amish lifestyle and a pregnant girlfriend.

The story jumps back and forth between different times in Will's life, which confused me at first. I had to go back and re-read the first couple of chapters. But, once I understood this, I began to see Will's life illustrated in a way not unlike my own process of memory.

W. Dale Cramer gives Levi's Will strong, solid, believable characters and puts into words many of the difficult struggles of life. Through the transformation of Will's character, the book underscores that a man can never really run away but through love can overcome the past. This book offers a clear perspective on faith. Because its central themes are love and forgiveness, I believe people of all faiths would enjoy this book. And I especially recommend this book for fathers.

Note: Bethany House provided a courtesy copy of Levi's Will to Book Readers Central for purposes of review.

Meet and Greet Monday: Camy Tang

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Originally from Hawaii, she worked as a biologist for 9 years, but now she writes full time, is a staff worker for her church youth group, leads a worship team for Sunday service, and runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service, which specializes in book doctoring. 

BRC: Welcome, Camy. How would you describe your book?

CT: Here's the back cover blurb for Scene of the Crime:
The Grant family’s exclusive Sonoma spa is a place for rest and relaxation—not murder! Then Naomi Grant finds her client Jessica Ortiz
bleeding to death in her massage room, and everything falls apart. The
salon’s reputation is at stake...and so is Naomi’s freedom when she
discovers that she is one of the main suspects! Her only solace is
found with the other suspect—Dr. Devon Knightley, the victim’s
ex-husband. But Devon is hiding secrets of his own. When they come to
light, where can Naomi turn...and whom can she trust?

BRC: What message do you hope your book conveys?

CT: The theme verse of the book is Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save."

For every book, I have a "theme song" that I play to get me in the mood for the characters. I confess that I initially hit on the worship song "Mighty to Save" as Naomi's "theme song" for the book, and then found the Zephaniah verse to go with it.

But as I was writing Deadly Intent, the verse became more and more prominent as a major element in Naomi's spiritual thread. It ended up being an integral part of her surrender to God—her trust that He is,
indeed, mighty to save.

I hope that my readers will also come to that point of surrender in their own lives, and be able to trust that God is with them, that "He is mighty to save."

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

CT: Even though the main story is about a murder and finding the killer, I had a lot of fun creating the Grant family: Augustus Grant, owner of the Joy Luck Life spa; the three sisters, Naomi, Rachel, and Monica;
and their mother's sister, Aunt Becca. The more time I spent with  them, the more interesting family dynamics came out.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?

CT: It wasn't dislike, but more frustration that I couldn't actually GO to my fictional spa for a week or so to relax. :)

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?

CT: I think it was reading Dragonsong and Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey that first gave me the idea to start writing. I loved those books so much that I wanted to write my own fantasy world and story. I wrote my
first manuscript in high school, or maybe it was junior high school ... I can't remember except that the manuscript was like 1000 pages long and horrifically bad. LOL

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.

CT: I am what is called a "plotter," so I plot my entire story before I actually write it. I brainstorm with Post-It notes stuck on my office closet doors (check out the photo: http://is.gd/5gmfo). I do characterization and plan the storyline in as much detail as I can. The plotting process takes several months, but once it's done, I can typically write the manuscript within about a month.

BRC: What are you working on now?

CT: I'm working on a sequel to Deadly Intent, called Formula for Danger. The heroine is Naomi's sister, Rachel, who is the dermatologist researcher at the spa responsible for creating all the innovative products that make the spa famous. But now someone is after her latest research, a scar cream reduction formula that could propel Joy Luck Life spa to the top of its competition. She turns to Edward Villa, a man she secretly loves, but can he protect her from the attacks on her lab and her life?

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?

CT: I read a variety of genres! I mostly enjoy Regency romances, but I also read the Love Inspired Suspense novels every month and I like a good fantasy once in a while, too.

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?

CT: http://www.camytang.com/romanticsuspense.html
(I list several purchasing options on this page so people can pick)

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

CT: They can visit my website and sign up for my newsletter Yahoo Group for giveaways!
I also blog regularly. My blog is where I give away Christian novels and ponder frivolous things.
 
Readers can find me online at these places:

http://www.camytang.com/

http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/camytang
http://www.twitter.com/camytang
http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=CAMYTANG

BRC: Thanks for letting us get to know you, Camy.

CT Thanks for the interview, Janalyn!

Free For All Friday: Author Quotes About Christmas

Can you name the author for each quote about Christmas? (Answers follow, below.)

1. There's nothing sadder in this world than to wake Christmas morning and not be a child.
2. This is the message of Christmas: we are never alone.
3. I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.
4. At Christmas, all roads lead to home.
5. The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!
6. Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
7. Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
8. One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly.
9. At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.
10. Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

Answers

1. Erma Bombeck
2. Taylor Caldwell
3. Charles Dickens (from A Christmas Carol)
4. Marjorie Holmes
5. Charles N. Barnard
6. Hamilton Wright Mabie
7. Norman Vincent Peale
8. Andy Rooney
9. Thomas Tusser
10. Larry Wilde

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Whistlestop Wednesday: I Run to the Hills

A cloaked figure climbs the Mount of the Lord. The pilgrim draws near, glances at me as I read along the wayside, and presses on. I gasp and turn my head, for this pilgrim has my face. In a flash of clarity, I realize the pilgrim is me. And so it goes. I find myself - and you - everywhere within the pages of I Run to the Hills. Filled with intimate glimpses of reality that cut to the heart of a matter, illustrated in poetic imagery, and couched in allegory, I Run to the Hills is a modern-day Pilgrim's Promise. It's complex truths clothe themselves in simplicity and knock at the door of the reader's heart.

It would be difficult to read I Run to the Hills in a single sitting, something like eating too much chocolate. This book should be studied, little by little, over time, for it highlights lessons learned by its author over a ten-year stretch of living. Read it, and then reread it to glean again.

I recommend this book for teenagers and adult readers who enjoy devotionals, poetry and allegory.

Free For All Friday: Can You Name the Page Content of a Book?

Can you name the page content that might be found in a book? Name the term for each description, below. (Answers follow.)

1. The page at or near the front cover which gives the book's title, it's author and other information.
2. The page opposite the title page that is either blank or decorated with an illustration.
   
3. This page shows copyright information, credits, edition and printing details, and cataloguing  information.
   
4. This page or section lists the parts of a book in order. 
   
5. This page or section lists any tables, illustrations, charts, and graphs within a book and helps the reader locate them in the text.
   
6. This page or section lists any tables within a book and helps the reader locate them in the text.
7. A page in which the author dedicates the book to a specific person or persons.
   
8. A page in which the author pays homage to all those who helped in the writing and production of a book.
   
9. A composition by someone other than the book's author, which is often included in the front matter of a book.
10. A composition by the book's author, which is often included in the front matter of a book.
11. This section of a book's front matter is a composition that gives the purposes and goals of the book.
12.  A supplemental section added to the back matter of a book to correct errors, explain inconsistencies, or provide updates.
13. A list of terms and their definitions usually included in the back matter of a book.
14. A list of words or phrases and page numbers, paragraph numbers or section numbers that help the reader locate useful information in a book.
15. A page, usually in a book's back matter, in which the author makes brief observations pertaining to the book and adds information of interest to the reader.
    
16. A list of books and other works usually located in a book's back matter but which can occupy entire volumes of its own.
17. A brief description, usually in a book's back matter, giving notes on details of the production and publication of a book.

1. Title Page
2. Frontispiece
3. Copyright Page
4. Table of Contents
   
5. List of Figures
6. List of Tables
7. Dedication
8. Acknowledgments
9. Foreward
10. Preface
11. Introduction
12. Appendix or Addendum
    
13. Glossary
14. Index
15. Notes
16. Bibliography
17. Colophon

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: The Sunflower

The Sunflower by Richard Paul Evans

This wonderfully descriptive love story will have you questioning your own reality, life, and love. Full of tidbits of wisdom and surprises, this book is hard to put down.

This book follows the story of Paul Cook, a doctor who left a successful practice in America to run an orphanage for street children in Peru, finding love in the process. The descriptive setting made me feel I actually visited Peru with a tour guide, knew my travel companions, and had a meal or two with them.

The main story line was a little thin, but the many twists and turns kept it interesting. The characters were well-developed and realistic. And as this book is based in reality, I feel my world has expanded some. I highly recommend this book to everyone, young and old, men and women, in any stage of life. The horrors of child prostitution are touched on in a few passages, so I would recommend reading it first before handing it to your teen.

The Author's Website

Free For All Friday: Can You Name the Page Content Categories for a Book?

Can you name the three page content categories for a book? (Answers below)

Every book has sections known as front matter, body, and back matter.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: A Carol for Christmas

Carol gives up her dream of a music career when she drops out of college to marry Johnny Burke. But she's not alone in making sacrifices. Johnny also drops out of college in order to provide for his new wife. As a result, he enters his father's real estate empire at a lower level than he would have had he stayed in college and finished his business degree.

While Johnny scrambles to prove himself to his workaholic Dad, working long hours himself, Carol keeps the home fires burning. But as she waits night after long, lonely night for her weary husband's return, Carol begins to question if this is the life she wants. To make matters worse, Johnny has crushed her guitar under the tires of his truck, and they can't afford to replace it.

An opportunity arises for Carol to realize the dream she gave up, putting both her marriage and her faith in God to the test. A Carol for Christmas resolves in a heartwarming affirmation of the power of love.

The short length of this novella is perfect for holiday reading. Despite its brevity, the characters and setting are well-detailed and believable, a testament to the story-telling ability of author Robin Lee Hatcher. I found the resolution a little pat, but the characters were likable enough to keep me reading. If you want a feel-good book to consume with your eggnog, you can't go wrong with A Carol for Christmas.

Friday Poetry Corner: Autumn Gypsy

Autumn Gypsy

by

Janalyn Voigt

Autumn tiptoes stealthily

Across the thirsty land,

Drenching fields in greenary,

Paintbrush in her hand.

Ragged gypsy, fire-bright,

She sighs in every tree.

Restless, wanton, sylvan sprite,

She twirls her skirts with glee.

The hills repose in solitude.

The leaves have turned to gold.

Nature by her is subdued,

Enchanted as of old.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Leaving Yesterday

Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman is a weighty story that deals with some of life's toughest situations. The main character, Alisa, a woman recently separated from her husband, has a son just back from drug re-hab who is committed to recovering. But Alisa finds something from her son's past that could end all of his progress and, if she keeps silent, might land her in jail as well. This book provides an amazingly descriptive depiction of her struggle to find truth and to trust in God no matter what the situation.

As a mother of young children myself, reading Leaving Yesterday made me thankful for every moment I have with my children now. Because the story is set in the background of our modern American lifestyle, I felt as if Alisa could be one of my nieghbors. Although I did find the supporting characters a bit cliched at first, they rounded out nicely as the story progressed. I recommend Leaving Yesterday to all mothers of any age.


Reviewed by Jessa Irene Deloesch

(Bethany House provided Book Readers Central with a complimentary copy of Leaving Yesterday for purposes of review.)

Meet and Greet Monday: Robin Shope

Dear Reader,

What a treat for me to be talking to you today. When meeting someone, the last thing I mention is that I am a writer. I prefer getting to know people without a label, so this is a bit new to me to meet you as a novelist. Since it's an author chat, there is no way around it, but a treat for me just the same! Thank you for stopping by Janalyn's blog.

It’s important to note, I am way more than a writer. I am a dreamer of dreams, a truth finder, a teacher, a baker, and a candlestick maker. Just kidding. I am not a candlestick maker. For many years I have been an educator, and consider myself a recovering middle school teacher. I am still in therapy and go every Saturday morning. It's called garage saling. I wonder how many garage sales it will take to wipe out the memory of middle school sass. I will not stop until I have the answer.

If you ever get a chance to come by my place, I will tell you the story behind my garage sale finds; such as the time I drove five miles home with the iron bed sticking out the open car door. Hey, I drive a Hyundai and it was the only way to get it home. I prayed all the way a policeman wouldn’t stop me. My prayers were answered. My garage is brimmed full of goodies but I prefer the term ‘inventory.’

Cupcakes are my private—late night—indulgence. If you have a good recipe to share, please contact me. Eating a yummy cupcake is like a holiday all in itself. My baking aspirations go no higher than eventually owning my own confection oven. I plan on moving onto cookies. (I wonder how many cupcakes it will take to wipe out the memory of middle school antics. I won't stop until I know.)

Most importantly, I am a Christian who puts her best efforts into an ordinary life in order to accomplish something extraordinary. After serving overseas as a missionary, I chose the classroom for my next challenge. Twenty-five years later, I am still here—it’s home. Nowadays, I am the Special Education Coordinator at a county juvenile facility for teens that are either court-ordered to be here, or have been expelled from school. In the worst offender, I still see a person for whom Christ has died.

My days are busy. So are my nights. That is when I settle at my computer to write (and eat cupcake). For the last fifteen years I have been writing articles and short stories. I write because I have things to say. Stories to tell. People to create. Plots to twist. I begin writing with a germ of an idea that spreads. I liken it to a body. You have the basic form, then you add things like a heart, soul and spirit. You layer the storyline with good blood flow, add limbs, a brain, eyes, hair, a mouth. What does that mouth say? What does that brain think? What do those eyes see? And who does that heart love? Is it a broken heart or a dark heart? A pure heart? There is a past that creeps in, threatening to stir things up and not for the better. My characters have issues. They are flawed. Real people have both issues and flaws. Secrets too. Uncovering them is so much fun and then watching the reaction of other characters, critical.

In the last seven years, I have had seven fictional books and one eBook published. Through all of these projects, I aim to impart to my readers hope for today and a renewed belief that God does see you. He hears you and He answers. I also love the idea of entertainment and want my readers to step into the pages of any of my books, into a new life, for a few hours.

Today, I would like to discuss two of my books. The first, The Christmas Edition, is the first book of three in The Turtle Creek Edition series, soon to be a movie by the name of Journey to Paradise. Salty Earth Pictures will shoot the film in late December in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They are now in the process of building sets and casting. If you are on Facebook, be sure to become a fan of Journey to Paradise Movie for updates.

The Christmas Edition is an inspirational book offered both in print and eBook form. Here's a bit about the story:

Lucy Collins has given up on Christmas since the painful break-up with her fiancé. Things only get worse when a large newspaper begins to set up shop and threatens the livelihood of the family run business, The Turtle Creek Newspaper. At the staff Christmas party, Lucy says a prayer and what seems to be the answer appears at the front door to apply for the editor position. The newspaper needs new life and energy, so this most critical position goes to Joe McNamara. Not only is he a natural when it comes to the written word, but he is also gifted with ideas about keeping the newspaper afloat. However, Joe has secrets of his own that he keeps from Lucy. If she finds out, then what looks like a promising relationship will unravel, but it's Christmas time, the season of rebirth and miracles. Will the spirit of celebration be enough to heal two hearts? Or will the reality of deception bring down Christmas and the newspaper?

The Valentine Edition followed The Christmas Edition in February, 2009. Look for The Easter Edition in spring of 2010. They fit hand-in-glove together for movie sequels.

The next book I am most fervent about is an eBook, Passages, which released in September, 2009 for the general audience. The beginning chapters of this narrative are posted on my blog for free, so please check them out. Here is a book description:

A month past Christmas, the year is nineteen-seventy-three. Paul McCartney and his wife Linda are busted for marijuana while inflation hits 6.16%. Watergate hearings have started in the U.S. Senate, a gallon of gas costs thirty-five cents, abortion becomes legal and Mari Covington’s most excellent resumes are in the mail, putting her way ahead of the other graduating teachers. PASSAGES is the kind of novel that moves beyond the page to deeper elements of truth, family, community, and church. It's a compelling story that transcends the time period of the early1970s. A triple triumph of hope, courage and forgiveness, Passages is based on actual events. Mari Covington doesn’t want much. A teaching job, a fabulous apartment in Milwaukee, and a really great guy will suffice. She is on the verge of having it all when the man of her dreams forces himself on her. Hours after the assault, he shows up at her family dinner table announcing their engagement. Just as she resigns herself to a possible trip down the aisle as penance, Crazy Aunt Lorraine, with four weddings under her belt, arrives with the key to Mari's problem. This is a novel of difficult moral dilemmas, tinged with subtly nuanced characters and a page-turning plot that makes the reader wonder, "What would I do?"

Excerpt:

I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, listening to sleet pelt against the window, knowing that by morning there will be layers of ice sealing it shut. On this side of the window is my desk and all my school books, my transcripts, and my letters of recommendation; everything I am proud to call my own. In the midst of academic excellence I target a goal of the personal kind—to be kissed by Mister Perfect. I better get my lip gloss ready.


I roll onto my side and think about his lips, wondering if he uses them as an artist sculpting his masterpiece with an easy stroke and detailed precision, or if he presses hard like a jackhammer tearing up cement. The thought keeps me awake for hours. Well, maybe not for hours. Maybe just until about two-thirty when I fall asleep but it is the first thing I think about in the morning while brushing my teeth.

As for my future writing projects, I always juggle several balls in the air at once. Not only do I have the first chapter and an outline written for my next four books, I am in the middle of writing a new romance/mystery set in Freedom, Wisconsin. It’s a really fun read about a woman who decides to make her coworker fall in love with her. She goes about figuring out what he is looking for in a woman and transforms herself into that image only to discover she has lost herself in the process.

However, my most interesting project is a murder mystery that takes place in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. I'm teaming up with a childhood friend, John Friedman, a brilliant former criminal trial attorney. He is Jewish and our faiths intertwine in ways that add layers to make this book especially interesting. Packed with intrigue (and romance), it’s sure to please a broad audience.

Through all of these projects, I hope to impart to my readers hope for today and a renewed belief that God does see you. He hears you and He answers. I also love the idea of entertainment and want my readers to step into the pages of any of my books, into a new life, for a few hours.

Besides being a writer, I'm also a reader. Mysteries with a strong romance line are a great read for me. I also thoroughly enjoy children's books and middle-school readers. Each year I give my daughter a children's book on her birthday. I started this when she was a one-year-old, and this year she turns twenty-nine. My mother started this family tradition with me. Of course there were many, many books in between each birthday.

I'd love to get to know fellow readers like you. Please send me a friend invitation on Facebook. You can also visit me at my blog, The Serial Writings of Robin Shope. Leave a comment so I know you have been by to visit.

Purchase links for my books:

The Christmas Edition
Passages

Free For All Friday: Can You Name the Parts of a Book?

Can you name the physical parts of a book? See if you can name the term for each description below. Note: In the interest of brevity I do not name specific page content. (Answers follow.)

1. The front and back covers
2. The small groove where the books boards attach to the book that bends when a book opens
3. Raised areas on a book's spine (These once resulted from cords that anchored the book covers but are now mostly decorative.)
4. The bottom of the book, especially at the spine
5. One or two pieces of paper that attach the cover to the book block
6. This bends when the book is opened.
7. The trimmed edge opposite the spine (hint: it sometimes can be painted or gilded)
8. A decorative colored cloth band that protects the spine
9. The inside pages that make up a book
10. Protective paper or plastic that wraps around the covers of hard bound books for protection and often display artwork, title and author of the book
11. The cover surrounding a paperback book
12. The blank page(s) following the front free end paper
13. The top of the book, especially at the spine
14. A part of the book binding consisting of half of the end paper glued to the inside cover of the book
15. The binding that joins a book's front and rear covers where the pages hinge

Answers:

1. Book Cover or Book Board
2. Joint
3. Raised Band  
4. Tail
5. Endsheet or Endpaper
   
6. Hinge
7. Fore edge
8. Headband 
9. Text block or book block.  
10. Dust Jacket or Dust Wrapper 
11. Wrapper
12.  Flyleaf
13. Head
14. Paste down
15. Spine

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: Watch Over Me

Deputy Benjamin Patil finds a newborn baby who has been left to die in a plastic grocery bag in a field. He transports the infant girl to the hospital and returns daily to check on her. When the time comes to place the baby in foster care, Benjamin and his offbeat wife, Abbi, unable to have children of their own, offer to take her in. But can their crumbling marriage stand up under the strain?  And what will happen if Ben's search for the child's parents yields results?

Watch Over Me by Christa Parrish tells the story of two people faced with the choice of ending their marriage or giving it the effort and sacrifice loving requires. Each must choose to trust not only one another, but also a God who seems distant. Illustrated with true lines and colored in vivid hues, Watch Over Me paints an intimate portrait drawn from real-life realities.

Those who enjoy contemporary fiction will enjoy this book. I also recommend it for teens because of its honest portrayal of the issues teens face and its emphasis on practical morality.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for purposes of review.)

Meet and Greet Monday: Lisa Grace

Today's guest, Lisa Grace, author of Angel in the Shadows, offers a fascinating alternative to the Twilight series.

 

Lisa Grace: Thank you Janalyn for having me on your site. I appreciate the chance to talk to anyone who loves reading and writing as much as I do. For those who would like to know who I am, I've been married to my husband Todd for over twenty years and I have a six-year-old daughter whom I home school. I live along the Gulf Coast of  Florida and also spend part of the year in Tennessee and the North woods of Wisconsin.

BRC: How would you describe your book?

Angel in the Shadows - Book 1 is a young adult supernatural thriller. What sets Angel apart is the supernatural creatures that appear, in Book 1, Angel in the Shadows, only do things we know they can from the Bible. I had my Pastor, Larry Vasseur (he has his Doctorate in Theology) of Fellowship Baptist in New Port Richey, FL, read my manuscript to make sure it is scripturally sound in its message. For fun, there are over a 120 footnotes for the teens who want to check what the characters say in their Bible.

BRC: What message do you hope it conveys?

 I hope teenagers come away with the knowledge that spiritual warfare for their souls is real. The characters in the book show the reader we all make mistakes, but you can be strong with God's help.

BRC: What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I enjoyed seeing the characters come alive and when I finished, the sense of accomplishment you feel knowing something has been created out of your imagination. I felt inspired by the Holy Spirit to write this book as I was upset by the message in theTwilight series, that it's okay to try to commit suicide (the main character jumps off a cliff when her vampire boyfriend breaks up with her.) My novel is an alternative as it has a strong female character who perseveres by relying on God and knowing that God has given her everything she needs, even when dealing with supernatural creatures who are smarter and stronger than her.

BRC: What did you dislike most about writing this book?

The constant editing process is not much fun. I edited it about seven times before I sent it out. Then the Publishing house and I did about four more revisions. Even though the book is 60,000 words, which should make it 175 pages, the text block manager cut it down to 144 to make it look more uniform. At least I'm saving some trees!

BRC: What inspired you to become a writer?

I have always written, from the age of five on. That year I wanted a typewriter for Christmas so I could write Star Trek scripts. In fourth grade at a new school, I wrote a book report and received an "F" on it because the teacher was sure I had plagiarized the front flap. What he didn't realize is I was already reading on a college level and going through at least a book a day at that point. Actually, I was flattered that he thought it was that good. My Mother brought in the book to show him the front flap and he adjusted my grade to an "A." I always thought of myself as a writer as I have a whole drawer full of stories, poems, songs and ideas. I realized I better try and get something published soon. I wasn't getting any younger.

BRC: Tell us about your writing process.

I write a page, spell check, grammar check, and then I read it out loud. I start with a very rough outline, broken into about 10 to 20 parts. I set a goal of 2,000 words a day no matter what is going on in my life. I only write my official outline and synopsis after the book is written because too much of the plot and even characters change during the process. 

BRC: What are you working on now?

I have two works in progress. Angel in the Storm  - Book 2  and The 15th Star, ( which I'm working on for National Novel Writing Month) an adult mystery thriller that can be described as 1776 meets National Treasure.

BRC: What books do you enjoy reading?

I enjoy real-life adventure, some of my favorites lately are Fire and The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger, The Ice Master and Ada Black Jack by Jennifer Niven, The White Cascade by Gary Krist, Voyage of the Manteno by John Haslett, and I'm currently reading Malcolm Gladwell's books Blink and Outliers. I frequently reread On Writing by Stephen King, C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity and the Screw Tape Letters and of course the Bible.

 

BRC: Where can readers buy your book?

Angel in the Shadows,  ISBN #978-1-60911-001-7, is slated for release in December/January at Barnes and Noble, and Amazon.com. It will be distributed by Ingram and available at fine bookstores everywhere.

The difference between vampires and angels? 

Angels are real.  

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

Readers can reach me personally at www.lisagracebooks.com and I return emails sent to lisagracebooks@yahoo.com I love to answer questions and hope to hear from your readers. Thanks again Janalyn for inviting me here today.

BRC: Thanks, Lisa, for a fun and informative interview.