Bundle of Joy by Robin Lee Hatcher

This book looks so fun and wonderful! I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but if it's from acclaimed and award winning author Robin Lee Hatcher, it's has to be good!

About Bundle of Joy

Alicia Harris says she's happily married and expecting a baby - but only the last part is true. She can't bear to disappoint her grandfather by telling him she's two months away from single motherhood.

Then Grandpa Roger, still recovering from a heart attack, drops in unexpectedly to spend the holidays with Alicia and her husband, and to protect her beloved grandfather from unnecessary stress, Alicia needs to find a fill-in - fast.

Childhood friend Joe Palmero fits the bill and is willing to play along. Still, the longer they spend playing their parts, the closer Alicia and Joe come to discovering what love, faith and marriage truly mean.

*****************

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles.

The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 55 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

For more information about Robin and her books, visit her web site and her Write Thinking Blog, or find her on Facebook and become a Fan!

A Constant Heart

Please welcome my friend and fab author, Siri Mitchell. Her new release, A Constant Heart is in stores now!

I've started reading it and love it. Siri really captured the ere with her wording, pace and description. Great fall read.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In a world of wealth, power, and privilege. . .love is the only forbidden luxury.

"Trust was a valuable commodity at court. Traded by everyone, but possessed by no one. Its rarity was surpassed only by love. Love implied commitment and how could any of us commit ourselves to any but the Queen? Love implied singularity and how could any of us benefit another if our affections were bound to one in exclusivity? Love was never looked for and rarely found. When it was, it always ended badly."

In Queen Elizabeth's court where men and women willingly trade virtue for power, is it possible for Marget to obtain her heart’s desire or is the promise of love only an illusion?

A riveting glimpse into Queen Elizabeth's Court. . .

Born with the face of an angel, Marget Barnardsen is blessed. Her father is a knight, and now she is to be married to the Earl of Lytham. Her destiny is guaranteed . . . at least, it would seem so. But when her introduction to court goes awry and Queen Elizabeth despises her, Marget fears she's lost her husband forever. Desperate to win him back, she'll do whatever it takes to discover how she failed and capture again the love of a man bound to the queen.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Constant Heart, go HERE


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, "Yes. Right. That's exactly what my character needs to hear." When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry's than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

A Constant Heart is her sixth novel. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. She has been called one of the clearest, most original voices in the CBA.

Siri can be reached through the Contact link on her Website

Love Starts With Elle blog tour!

Hey all!

Elle is going on tour...be sure to stop by the WONDERFUL blogs on her schedule, see what they're saying about Elle and Heath and who knows, you might make a new friend! LOVE IT!

Oh, and leave a comment on this post for your chance to win a copy of Love Starts With Elle! I'll be announcing the winner on Friday 10/24!

Trish at Books for Moms
http://booksformoms.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html
When the publisher sent me this book, my 13 year old daughter, Hannah, stole it from me. Then she read it. Then she gave it to her friend. It was being held hostage because the girls LOVED IT!!! It was that good!

So I am just now starting to read it, and can't wait to get more into the story. I am so impressed with Rachel's writing style and ability to pull readers in is amazing.

10/10
Martha at Our Familys Adventures
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Martha/602960/
Take a look at this delightful book! It is a sweet story with some real life struggles in it, but for those of us who like a sweet romance, you will enjoy this book.

Sunny at Life in the Estrogen Ocean
http://estrogen-ocean.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle-tour-and-giveaway.html

I just have to say that I absolutely adored this book and it's predecessor, Sweet Caroline. I highly recommend both of them! There was so much I loved about this book, but I think the thing I loved most was the message that says by all means, fall in love, but don't fall in love blindly; things aren't always what they seem.

10/11
Deborah at A Cup of Joy
http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/love-starts-with-elle-by-rachel-hauck/
Ah…Love! So exciting! Confusing! Frustrating! And WONDERFUL! All at the same time. Finding the One can be heart wrenching, just ask Elle. She’ll tell you. I can identify with her.

Amy at The 160 Acre Woods
http://the160acrewoods.com/?p=1338
Boy oh boy! I was actually starting to feel my body tense up in this book! Will Elle do this? Or will she do that? oooooooh what is that girl thinking??? arghhh she had me biting my nails at a few points in the book!

Can you tell I liked it? Rachel Hauck did a fabulous job of drawing me into the characters and bringing life to her story. I loved that it was realistic, and was still a romantic dreamy kinda thang if that makes sense?

While there are a few parts that some people may not like (because it does portray the realistic sides of life and our slip ups). I have to say I totally loved this book because of it. It showed how God can work in our lives regardless of our situations and our desperation!

So if you’re looking for a fantastic Chick Lit to read you need this book!!! I seriously couldn’t put it down!

10/13
Melody at Kids, Cakes, Dishes, Laundry…In That Order
http://kidscakesdisheslaundry.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html
I mentioned in a previous post that I was reading two books at the same time. One I was reading for my morning quiet time, and this book was my fiction book that I was reading just for fun. I wish I could review them together, because as I was reading them at the same time, they were working together on my heart. As Elle was going through men-issues and learning to sit quietly and hear God's voice all at the same time, I was learning the importance of daily conversations with God. I was learning both to pour out my heart to Him and to sit quietly and listen to His...sounds easy doesn't it? As Elle finds out, it's not that easy, but it is well worth the effort!

Pam at Without Fear
http://withoutfear08.blogspot.com/2008/10/fearless-book-reviews-love-starts-with.html
First off, I loved everything about this book. I had already been privileged to read another of Rachel's novels, Sweet Caroline, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tasra at Real Women Scrap
http://realwomenscrap.typepad.com/scrapbook_lessons/2008/10/love-starts-witha-great-book-by-rachel-hauck.html
Rachel's writing always has a way of weaving its way into your heart and mind. The characters become my friends and Elle is no different. The characters are people I want to meet and hang out with. They get under my skin and sometimes make me forget that they aren't real!

Margaret at The Cappuccino Life
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cappuccinosmom/603881/
Rachel Hauck provides wonderfully for such times with romances that go way beyond mushy feelings and dive into real problems with realistic characters. While I am still stubbornly not a romance fan, I do appreciate that Rachel Hauck’s stories are a far sight more realistic characters than a lot of Christian romance.

Camy at Camy's Loft
http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-giveaway-love-starts-with-elle-by.html

10/14
Sarah at Real Life
http://reallifereview.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-reviewgiveaway-love-starts-with.html
From the first chapter, I fell in love with Elle, and my heart felt every twirl on the roller coaster of her life in Beaufort South Carolina! I tore through the pages, as I was hoping and cheering for her. And by the end, I was in tears. It's a wonderful story of God's grace and provision for us.

Jamie at Surviving the Chaos
http://survivingthechaos.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle-by-rachel-hauck.html
Here's a book that really struck a chord with me spiritually. I'm not sure if it was just a matter of the "right thing at the right time" or if it would do it again and again on many a reading, but boy could I relate to Elle. Not in the single-chick-whose-life-is-falling-apart way, but in the how-far-have-I-strayed-from-who-I-really-am-and-what-God-wants-from-me? way.

Miralee at Coming Home
http://miraleesdesk.blogspot.com/2008/10/rachel-haucks-love-starts-with-elle.html
I'm reading this second book in Rachel's series right now and LOVING IT! I thoroughly enjoyed her first book, Sweet Caroline, but I think this one is going to top it.

10/15
Christina at …And Everything Else
http://christina-everythingelse.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html

Amy at Amy’s Random Thoughts
http://amychristopher.blogspot.com/2008/10/book-review-love-starts-with-elle.html
Rachel Hauck is one of my favorite new authors. She is right behind Karen Kingsbury, love her. This is my 2nd book in a series and I am hooked. The first book was Sweet Caroline and these are must reads if you like good Christian Fiction. I want to get to know her characters. I want to live in the towns they do..Good Stuff.

Jill at Christian Work At Home Moms
http://cwahmjill.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html

10/16
Michelle at Edgy Inspirational Author
http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/2008/10/blour-tour-stop-for-love-starts-with.html

Melissa at Breath of Life
http://breathoflifeministries.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html
I've read one of Hauck's previous books, Georgia on Her Mind, and I shared that experience here. Hauck doesn't just write a good love story...she delves deeper into the characters and their struggles with life and faith.

Amy at Sprightly
http://sprightly-amyanne.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle-blog-tour.html
Loved that this sweet story had such great spiritual depth! A must read!

Kate at A Simple Walk
http://asimplewalk.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-tour-love-starts-with-elle.html
This is the kind of book that make you sad to turn the last page. Rachel did such a fantastic job with character and plot development that I was 100% invested in the lives of Elle and Heath. I found myself unwilling to say goodbye to them when I saw the end of the book was near.

10/17
Joy at Five J's
http://fivejs.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/love-starts-with-elle/
My interest in Love Starts With Elle was also piqued when I read that the story takes Elle from the Lowcountry, where I used to live, to the Dallas area, where I now live, and back again. In addition, having been in the ministry for many years, I also related to Jeremiah, another of the main characters in the book who serves as a pastor of a very interesting (but unfortunately not very unusual) Dallas-area church. Obviously I felt connected to the book from the start. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Kathie at Strolling
http://takingastroll.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-start-with-elle-blog-tour.html
It really touched my heart. Elle is charming, funny, and way too lacking in self-confidence (just like a lot of us). Her story made me remember that even as Christians it's much too easy to stray away from God, and how lovingly He is waiting for us to return.Read the book. You'll love it! And, hey, keep a watch out for feathers!

Julie at Booking Mama
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/2008/10/review-love-starts-with-elle.html
I thoroughly enjoyed Elle's story; and I found the basic premise of LOVE STARTS WITH ELLE very interesting. However, what I most liked about this book were the characters in it. I absolutely adored Elle, but there were so many other terrific (and memorable) people in her life that added to this story. Elle was such a down-to-earth and very real woman to me. Despite her setbacks, she still managed to stay true to herself while also keeping a sense of humor. I enjoyed seeing Elle discover the power of prayer and learn to listen for God's word. I guess you could say that I liked being along on her spiritual journey.

Karen at Sky High View
http://sky-highview.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html#111673622259418461
I picked up Love Starts with Elle, expecting a light romantic read. I got romance, but so much more. Depth, spiritual truth, human frailty, creative gifts, and the power of God to heal and revive the human spirit.

10/18
Pattie at Fresh Brewed Writer
http://freshbrewedwriter.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html
What I love about Rachel Hauck's books is that they're fun with substance. They have fun characters, with funny scenes, yet real-life struggles and faith lessons to learn.

Teresa at Joy in the Journey
http://teresaslack.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-begins-with-elle.html
I am thrilled to be part of Rachel Hauck's blog tour and let you know about her latest release, Love Starts With Elle.

Virginia at Book Reviews
http://www.virginiasmith.typepad.com/bookreviews/

10/20
Revka at Our Family Porch
http://ourfamilyporch.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-tour-love-starts-with-elle.html

This book captured my interest from the very beginning. Elle is the perfect heroine - spunky and sweet at the same time. All the characters in this story live and breathe. They are not some fluff figures created just to fill space. Their strengths and weaknesses are the same as mine, which enabled me to connect emotionally with the story. I wanted to see Elle respond in a certain way; I despised Jeremiah for his self-centered actions; I cheered for Heath because I saw into his heart. In short, I escaped into a make-believe world that was nearly as real as the reality in which I live.If you can't tell, I highly recommend this book. Inside its covers, you will find an enjoyable story that also contains important life lessons.

Lauren at 5 Minutes for Books
http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/423/love-starts-with-elle/
Love Starts with Elle is an enjoyable read. Because most of us have learned at one time or another that our plans and God's plans aren't always the same, Elle's journey is one that is very relatable.

Beth at The Witing Road
http://thewritingroad.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-tour-love-starts-with-elle-by.html
I enjoyed reading Love Starts With Elle. Rachel Hauck develops strong characters with believable conflict who don't always make predictable choices. I've come to look forward to my "visits" to the South Carolina low country.

10/21
Kristy at I Need to Read
http://ineedtoread.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle-by-rachel-hauck.html
From my current view on life, I have to say that I was quite impressed with how Rachel portrayed the grief process in Heath's life. Given that this is obviously fiction and in no way meant to be a manual on grief/bereavement, I didn't expect much in this department. However, for somebody who (as far as I can tell) hasn't lost a spouse, Rachel did a fantastic job in her portrayal of Heath and I found it a very interesting read.

Susan at Scribbles
http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/2008/10/ohmygosh-i-love.html
Deep rich characters, some spiritual a-ha moments, a setting you can almost feel, and a romance to warm your heart.

Patty at Girlfriends in God
http://patty-girlfriendsingod.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle-blog-tour-and.html
I highly recommend Rachel's book. She is one of my favorite authors.

Mindy at Ponderings of the Heart
http://philippians4verse8.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle-book-review.html
I want to tell you, though, that is book is more than just a great love story. It spoke some great words from the Lord directly to my heart.

Tricia at Its Real Life
http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/07/love-starts-with-elle.html

Laura at LightHouse Academy
http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html
The faith message in this book really reached out and touched me—a strong message from God that I needed to hear. I’m so glad that God brought this book into my life when He did.

Robin at Writing Between Sundays
http://wwwwritingbetweensundays.blogspot.com/2008/10/love-starts-with-elle.html

Diva NashVegas won the Maggie!

I just got a call that Diva NashVegas won the Maggie Award, the award from Georgia Romance Writers, Moonlight and Magnolia conference!

Yay!! Way to go, Aubrey James!

It's football Saturday and...

... I don't have Direct TV or any TV any more.

We killed the cable.

Sigh, exhale, sigh.

I do miss it today though 'cause I love college football and the Buckeyes play Wisconsin today. But the noise of entertainment was growing too loud in our souls.

Tony said to me, "I think I'm okay watching shows, (he likes Sci Fi) but how do I know it's not desensitizing our hearts in ways we're not aware of."

Notice how he always rains down a holiness point right in the middle of a flesh feast? :)

I'm not against television and movies, or college football, but we want to guard our affections. Bring down the outer noise and see if the still small voice of God isn't whispering something we can't hear because our souls are tuned to entertainment.

And really, is there ANY place more out of touch than Hollywood? I'm tired of them trying to tell me how to feel and believe, claiming to be more than they are to society.

WE ALL CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

It'll take a bit to get used to, but we've lived without a television before. And now there are so many shows on DVD we can just rent them and watch when it's convenient.

Besides, I have a book to write! It's due Nov 1 and I deleted 15K words this week, probably more but I won't admit it to myself for fear of tears and panic.

When that book is turned in, I have to start my own, stand alone book we want to release in the midst of the these other books I'm writing with someone.

So, I don't need television at the push of a button.

In other business, like music, you must get the Alisha Powell CD "Consider." It is AMAZING, fantastic, beautiful, fun, worshipful! She's been a worship leader in the International House of Prayer-KC for about ten years and her internship in humility, leading but not being recognized, learning to wait for her day to record shows in her music. I can't recommend it enough.

So, back to football. I can watch the game at the local Beef O'Brady's. ;D

A lesson in love from my hubby

Tuesday nights you can find me in down town Melbourne. On the first and third, we have a house church in a local community center and theater.

On the second and fourth, we prayer walk and meet the community surrounding down town, asking how to pray for them. We mention the house church, but really want to be a source of encouragement and strength.

At 9:00, we meet at the coffee house and set up for dream interpretation. Again, we want to reach the community with light. We don't shove Jesus at anyone, but sincerely try to interpret a dream and if there is opportunity, speak of the One who created dreams, we do. Our prayer is Daniel 1:17.

Let me tell you, we've had some whopper dreams. Unbelievable. Guess what. God always gives us insight. You should see the faces of people brighten as we assure them the elements of the dream don't mean what they thought. Or, we move from interpretation to encouragement. Their eyes widen. We can see our words resonating in their hearts.

The coffee house is the typical coffee house - lots of groups meeting to talk, to discuss, dialog. The Wiccans used to meet at this coffee house, but have moved locations. They had their own infighting to deal with. College kids hang out there, people discussing every thing from dreams to politics.

The past two weeks there's been a gathering of people talking politics. Loudly.

Tony was reading a book while sitting next to them, and returned to our dream table and suggested, "Let's ask the Lord how we can meet them and love them."

We prayed, asking the Lord to open a door for us to love them. 

God heard us. He opened the door. Now, it's up to us to hear His heart for her and love her. Who knows if we are not the only ambassador of Christ some of these people will encounter.

Oh, Lord, use me. Us use!

So, I learned a lesson of love and holiness from my hubby last night. He's good that way.

The Shape of Mercy, by Susan Meissner

I'm really excited about this new book from friend and author Susan Meissner! I read it about a month ago, and found the story engaging, haunting and stirring me to think. In our modern times, we think we are above "witch hunts" or mass hysteria, but are we really?

As I read Meissner's historically accurate account of the Salem witch trials through the diary of fictional Mercy, I realized the human heart is the same today as it was in 1692.

While it's confounding the citizens of Salem hung their own without evidence other than the hysteria of young girls throwing themselves to the ground and screaming out a name, I paused to see at times in our modern society we judge as harshly and as quickly.

We also fail to really look close, and discern truth.

Back to the book... sorry for that bunny trail. Laura and Abigail also have a journey of self discovery as they transcribe Mercy's diary.

Meissner's writing is clean, fresh and lovely. She tells a wonderful story. I highly recommend this book.

Here's the official word about the book:

The Shape of Mercy, is a blend of contemporary and historical fiction, mystery and romance. Set in present day Santa Barbara and also in colonial America during the Salem Witch Trials, the book follows a young college student as she transcribes the diary of a young woman falsely accused of witchcraft in 1692.

"The story in a nutshell is this," Susan says. "Lauren Durough is a West Coast English major at the proverbial age of discovery. Sheltered in her growing up years by family wealth, she is just beginning to grasp how people judge other people by what they want to believe about them, and particularly for her, how the poor view the wealthy. When she opts out of her family’s financial support, she takes on a job as a literary assistant to Abigail Boyles, an 83 - year - old reclusive East Coast transplant.

"Abigail tasks Lauren with transcribing the diary of her ancestor, Mercy Hayworth, hanged for witchcraft in 17th - century Massachusetts . The lives of these two very different women converge as they jointly piece together the life - and death - of a third woman, Mercy Hayworth, who lived three hundred years earlier, and who also struggled against undeserved cultural stigmatization, but lost."

Susan says the title has dual meaning. "Those who testified against the accused in Salem in 1692 often claimed their tormentors "took shape" in their bedrooms and tortured them as they slept. My fictional character Mercy was also accused of taking shape and torturing another young girl of the Village. She was innocent of course, as all those accused were, but in her last act before death, she shows that love has a shape. And its shape is mercy."

Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review and offered these insights. "Meissner's newest novel is potentially life-changing, the kind of inspirational fiction that prompts readers to call up old friends, lost loves or fallen-away family members to tell them that all is forgiven and that life is too short for holding grudges. Achingly romantic, the novel features the legacy of Mercy Hayworth - a young woman convicted during the Salem witch trials - whose words reach out from the past to forever transform the lives of two present-day women. These book lovers - Abigail Boyles, elderly, bitter and frail, and Lauren "Lars" Durough, wealthy, earnest and young - become unlikely friends, drawn together over the untimely death of Mercy, whose precious diary is all that remains of her too short life. And what a diary!

Mercy's words not only beguile but help Abigail and Lars together face life's hardest struggles about where true meaning is found, which dreams are worth chasing and which only lead to emptiness, and why faith and hope are essential on life's difficult path. Meissner's prose is exquisite and she is a stunning storyteller."

Susan says the concept behind The Shape of Mercy stayed with her long after she finished it. "I know I am often guilty of the same weakness my protagonist had to discover - and admit - about herself. She, like me, like so many, judge better than we love. And we let fear dictate how much love we will extend and to whom we will extend it. Not always, not in every circumstance.

But it happens often enough to know I might have easily kept my quivering mouth shut had I lived in Salem in 1692. I might've said nothing when the Village marched to Gallows Hill to watch the accused hang. We tend to fear what we can't comprehend.

And we tend to understand only what we want to. There is a shimmering ray of hope, however. And it actually permeated all of 1692 Salem, though it hasn't garnered the same spotlight as the delusions of frightened and empowered people. The innocents who were hanged as witches refused to confess an allegiance to the Devil. Refused to the point of death.

I find that remarkable and magnificent. It fills me with hope to consider that while we have the capacity to judge when we should show mercy, we also have the capacity to embrace Truth for all we're worth - even if it means we give up everything for it.

It wasn't all darkness and deception in 1692 Salem . There was light there, too. It flickered every time the noose was pulled tight on the throat of one who would not give up on God and everything holy and good."

You can learn more about Susan and her books at www.susanmeissner.com. The book is available at bookstores everywhere and online.

Post Conference Thoughts

I'm home three days now from the ACFW Conference in Minneapolis. This was our seventh, and thus, my seventh conference.

As always, I love my time there and am exhausted by Friday morning, but always come home with some regrets. I didn't meet enough new people, or I didn't get to hang out with long time friends, or I missed a good workshop.

Randy Ingermanson, who clearly doesn't have a life, wrote a long detailed, day-by-day account of his conference experience, and while I aspire to great heights most of the time, I'm not sure I can match Randy's high standard.

Highlights

I needed to connect with a publishing professional. I'd cried on his shoulder at last year's conference and he listened, advised, and affirmed me. I'd emailed him an update in the spring, but he didn't respond. So, hmm, I'd wondered if he'd gotten it. He didn't.

So, we sorta made our way toward each other and he said, "So...., how are things..." And I knew he didn't get my email. I was able to update him, again be affirmed by this wise man. It meant so much to me.

I'd lost SLEEP earlier this year over some issues, and his words to me in Minneapolis were exactly what I needed to hear. I praise God for Christians in our publishing world who really reflect the heart of Jesus.

Thank you! You know who you are.

Chip MacGregor

He is so funny. I am still laughing at some of his agent stories. I also have a lot of respect for him as an industry professional.

Allen Arnold

Spending a few hours with him during down time, as well as other attendees, catching up, sharing stories, hearing the back story of a project I'm working on for Thomas Nelson.

Allen also presented a great Early Bird, and an informative Late Night Chat on questions authors should ask their publishers.

The Board

I always love the joint Board meeting - Operating and Advisors. It's just good to be in a room, talking about ideas, seeing where ACFW is going.

Getting to know....

Jocelyn Bailey from Thomas Nelson. She's lovely, and I'm hearing, a great addition to the Nelson team. I can see it!

Beth Jusino, Beth Adams, Andy Meisenheimer, Rachelle Gardner, who so kindly ran down to Barnes & Noble for me during the Mall of America book signing to buy my books so I had something on the table with me.

All around me, the other authors had books, displays, candy, stress donuts, dancing clowns... Okay maybe no dancing clowns. All I had bookmarks. It was funny. Thank you, Rachelle!

I also got to know some great new friends from My Book Therapy Voices. Jenness, Tracy, Denice and Lisa. Also met a new writer Chris Kraft, and Sara and her mom Lynn. I know there were more, so if I left off your name, post a comment!

I do love meeting with attendees and knowing new people. OH, I met Golden Parsons who is a new historical author with Nelson, and Beth who's coming out with a Amish book with Nelson.

And Jenny B. Jones! So good to really connect with her and she definitely wins the "most excited about. . ." award. I appreciate you, friend!

I also met Jennifer Anderson, who worked tirelessly with Susie and me to pull off the My Book Therapy Pizza Party! I was amazed by her. So creative and dedicated. Thank you, Jennifer!

Loved connecting with Elizabeth Musser, and Debbie Giusti who is a fellow Buckeye! Spent time with Sara Sumpolec, and Love Inspired authors, as the list goes on.

Late Saturday hung with the Barbour folks. I loved that Annalisa Daughtey won her category of the Genesis and a BOOK CONTRACT! We brainstormed her stories with her last year, and she's too, too cute and sweet! Yay!!!

Didn't get to spend enough time with Christine Lynxwiler or Susan Downs, nor Susie Warren though we roomed together. She was busy. ;) Missed having Tracey Bateman there!

Chatted with Rusty Shelton from Phoenix and Phoenix Publicity, and editors from Waterbrook and Tyndale.

Lots of chatting going on, no?

I loved the worship team! Such a great group with worshipper hearts, every single one! Thank you guys so much. It was also an honor to have my "girls" there this year, Cassie Campbell who played guitar for the team, and Carrie Campbell who gave her support and new drummer skills for Harp & Bowl.

Conference is a great experience. Something that pushes me forward. Now? It's time to write! Best get to it.

At the ACFW Conference

Hey everyone, just an update from the ACFW Conference. We're having a grand time, though I'm already exhausted!

Lots of talking, laughing, eating, worshipping, learning and fellowshipping.

More later.

British adopt Islamic Law

This is frightening. From Fox News

Britain Adopts Islamic Law, Gives Sharia Courts Full Power to Rule on Civil Cases
Monday, September 15, 2008

Islamic law has been officially adopted in Britain, with sharia courts given powers to rule on Muslim civil cases.

The government has quietly sanctioned the powers for sharia judges to rule on cases ranging from divorce and financial disputes to those involving domestic violence.

Rulings issued by a network of five sharia courts are enforceable with the full power of the judicial system, through county courts or the country's High Court, a part of its Supreme Court system.

Previously, the rulings of sharia courts in Britain could not be enforced, and depended on voluntary compliance among Muslims.

Politicians and church leaders expressed concerns that this could mark the beginnings of a "parallel legal system" based on sharia for some British Muslims.

Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, said: "If it is true that these tribunals are passing binding decisions in the areas of family and criminal law, I would like to know which courts are enforcing them because I would consider such action unlawful. British law is absolute and must remain so."


Why is this frightening? Because it's an oppressive. They beat women, they kill girls who "shame" the family. They force marriages. The laws are outdated and barbaric. A woman can't go places or do things without a man. If a man accuses her, she suffers whatever punishment they deem. A rape victim was to receive 90 lashes for being alone with a boy. Then sentenced to 200 lashes for protest the sentence and "shaming" the government. An Arabian prince finally pardoned her.

But it still goes on, every day.

How can Britain have duel legal systems?

American congressman, Senators and judges are just as naive as Britain's. Barack Obama being one of them. This is one of the MAIN reasons I will not vote for Obama. His Islamic ties and sympathies. He was raised more of a Muslim than an American.

I'm sorry. I have to speak out. Where are the feminist? Where are the voices for women's freedom in London, in America?

Silence is the weapon which enslaves us. I further my resolve to pray for our nation.

Remembering 9.11

Nine o'clock on a Tuesday morning, I was standing in the lobby of the Imported Car store, finalizing some issue with my brand new Volkswagen Cabrio.

People were talking about the Twin Towers being hit, an airplane crash or something. While it was weird, I didn't feel immediate alarm.

Back at the office, the news was coming out. The tragedy, the unbelievable sight of the towers crumbling. The notion of terrorism coming to America.

And I was glad George Bush was in office. His speech was amazing. He was praised by all the newscaster and politicians. Congress VOTED TO GO TO WAR.

Now, they are hypocrites. They deny what happened. They don't care about American lives and soldiers, they don't care to honor those who died for freedom, they only care about power. We have an enemy America, and "he" came calling seven years ago today.

Radical Islam wants to take over the world. We are in their way. And our next president is a critical component to them winning or losing.

We need a strong leader, one willing to stand up and fight. Sometimes talking isn't enough. It doesn't work. It's like arguing with your stubborn, determined kid, only ten times worse.

Radical Islamic values are not our values. They don't care about things we care about. They believe Allah has called and chosen them to do his will and convert the whole world to their ways. Where is there any room for compromise and deals, treaties and fairness. There isn't.

Our brothers and sisters who died in the Twin Towers, and our fighting men and women who gave their lives will have done so in vain if we do not fight this war to win. The biggest issue with Nam was the boys weren't allowed to fight to win. Let's not make THAT mistake again.

Fight to win. Fight to preserve freedom not only in America, but for those in other countries. The more who are free, the more the world will be free.

We need men and women in our government who don't care about our country being liked, but respected. As a parent, you're not always liked, but you sure better be respected. It's respect, not like, that causes your kids to obey.

Obama is not a partriot. He was not raised in America. And when he was here, he lived with people who despised their country. He's attended a church for 20 years that rewarded men (Luis Farrakhan) for blaspheming their country. Why does he even want to be president? It makes me wonder. He wants to change who we are, and what made us great.

If he's president, there will be more terrorist attack because our enemies see him as weak. Why do you think they endorse him. Think about it. Our enemies endorse one of our political candidates. And are we so ignorant as to think it's only because he's the man they want to negotiate with? They see what we don't - someone they can manipulate.

While I don't agree with everything McCain is and has done, I believe he'll fight for his country just like he did 40 years ago. He's sacrificed his own body for our freedoms so what is to keep him from fighting if he's in the White House. He knows what is at stake.

Our enemies don't want him. Hmmm...

If we care at all about 9.11, it's memory and the life of those impacted by this terrorist attack, we must continue to vote for freedom, a strong defense and for a man and woman who will see that we remain the great nation we are today.

Global Warming, Jesus Advises, and the Rapture

Welcome to the random thoughts of my brain. I hope they inspire you. Ha!

GLOBAL WARMING and TERRORISM
Admittedly, true scientist are undecided on Global Warming. The earth warms and cools over the years. In the 1970, the concern was global cooling. I even found a Newsweek article from 1975 about it. In the '80s, it was Acid Rain. I mean, some people just love drama, no?

Either way, IF Global Warming is real, it's years away. I'm so not convinced man is that significant on the Earth. What we need to be concerned about is eminent threats. Like terrorism. We don't have to debate that terrorism is alive and well. We can observe it. Our country has been a victim of it. Our soldiers are fighting it.

How is it that liberals are more concerned about Global Warming, a not so eminent threat, but bury their heads in the sand about terrorism? Terrorist could strike tomorrow. Global Warming won't. Can't.

Yet many leading our country or who want to lead our country care more about carbon emissions than terrorist sneaking into our country with the intent to cause harm.

JESUS ADVISES

This verse in Revelation 3 fascinates me. Jesus is speaking:

"I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see."

I hear Him, I get what He's saying in the big picture, but what does it really mean? How do I do it? I'm praying for understanding. One thing that really helps me understand scripture, no kidding here, is singing it. I get on the keyboard and just sing the verse over and over.

I want to buy from Jesus gold, white garments and eye salve. I want to be rich in Him, covered from my sin and shame, have eyes to see.

RAPTURE
I'm not a pre trib rapture believer. The idea of Jesus hauling us out of here before the gig goes down doesn't make sense. We are His intercessors on the earth. We are His partners. It's our prayers and intercession, our work on the earth that is actually going to usher in the tribulation and His Coming.

There are verses all through the Bible that confirm what I believe, but there are a few interesting ones in Revelation.

12:17 So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

If the Saints are not here because we were raptured out, who is the dragon warring against? Is there some great revival in the midst of the great tribulation that brings so many millions to Jesus that the dragon has to war against them? Where's the verse on that? And if there are several billion people on the earth, what's a few million saved during the antichrist's reign?

Makes me go hmmmm?

Then there's this in 22:17

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."

If the Saints, or the Bride, is not on the earth, who is crying with the Spirit? Wouldn't it be "the Spirit and the bride say "go?"

The Bride of Christ is on the earth calling for Jesus to come. The Spirit is groaning through us in intercession, calling for Jesus to return to take His rightful place, as King of the earth!

Jesus isn't returning to a earth completely devoid of believers. And even if you view is the two Witnesses are on the earth preaching Jesus, how is it fair those Saints are left to endure the tribulation? And how many come to Jesus during the time? Scripture doesn't talk about tribulation revival, but tribulation intercession.

"The Spirit and the bride say "Come!"

We need to mature as believers and stop waiting to Go and start crying out for HIm to Come.

The END of my random thoughts.

GO BUCKEYES!

Matthew 22

Jesus tells a story in Matthew 22 about a King who threw a wedding feast for His son. On the exact day, He sent out His servants to gather the invited guests.

But they were busy, on their way home from work, eager to stop by the pub for a pint, or kick back at home with the remote.

Disappointed, the Kings said, "Bump 'em," and sent His servants to invite strangers passing on the highway, those who would be honored to sit at the King's table. The servants brought both upstanding citizens as well as the undesirables. Both good and evil.

Among the merriment, the King strolled, observing the guests at His son's party. Suddenly, he saw a man in unfit attire. He wasn't dressed in wedding clothes.

"And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen."

This guest came to the feast in his own clothes, in other words, his own righteousness. He'd not taken on the garments of his host, his "groom." He wanted to wear his own deeds, works, and self-righteousness.

We cannot come to Jesus in our own religiousness and righteousness. Our entrance to the wedding feast (Rev 19:9) is not based on what we do or what we think, or how we define faith, or right thinking, but how HE defines it.

We live in a culture where "what you believe is what you believe" is a popular, accepted concept. But is what you believe what He believes? It's His wedding feast. He has the final say.

Recently some friends were discussing abortion. One said, "upstanding, moral people are pro-choice, for abortion."

Moral according to whom, to what? From where do they derive their morals? Are you living according to your own righteousness or His?

To be honest, from what I read in the Word, I cannot see me asking Jesus, "So, you're cool with me being for abortion, right? I mean, pregnancy may come at a time when it's just not right for some women."

I imagine He'd not say a word, but turn and show me His whipped, torn and deeply wounded back.

"Ah, yeah, right. Maybe not."

Or, for the one who thinks adultery or sex out of marriage is fine and dandy, or homosexuality. Or adheres to white lies, or subtle cheating.

Look, I know mistakes are made. I've made them. Still do. I know people struggle. But if we are in Christ, we are not alone. We have a GREAT High Priest who prays for us!

We do not give Him and His Cross enough power and faith. He can take our worst situations and some how make them right. Or give us grace to endure.

We cannot show up at the wedding feast in our own works and righteousness. So why do we continually try? We have to put on His garments of faith, salvation and peace. He's given them to us by the Cross.

If you ever doubt His love or availability to you, close your eyes and gaze at the Cross. Don't let lies and doubt win.

Booksinging Bonanza

Peeeep-ole... (as my 7th grade Algebra teacher said) if you live any where near Minneapolis Saturday, September 20th, you've got to, got to go to the Mall of America for a fabulous booksigning by Barnes & Noble from 1 -3.

American Christian Fiction Writers is putting on an amazing booksigning. The details are below, and this opportunity to meet so many CBA authors is incredible.

Not only will you have a chance to meet your favorite authors, (me, me, me, me ;) LOL) you'll hear a panel talk about writing!

What: ACFW booksigning and panel discussions

Who: 127 Christian novelists

Where: Best Buy and Sears Rotundas and connecting hallway, Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota

When: Saturday, September 20, 2008 1-3 p.m.


Tamera Alexander
Jennifer AlLee A.K. Arenz
Diane Ashley
Karen Ball
Janet Lee Barton
James Scott Bell
Joseph Bentz
Terri Blackstock
Robin Caroll
Patricia PacJac Carroll
Jeanie Smith Cash
Eleanor Clark
Debra Clopton
Gloria Clover
Brandilyn Collins
Mary Connealy
Lyn Cote
Kathryn Cushman
Margaret Daley
KM Daughters
Susan Page Davis
Mary Davis
Janet Dean
Megan DiMaria
Brandt Dodson
Lena Nelson Dooley
Cecelia Dowdy
Sharon Dunn
Wanda Dyson
Lynette Eason
Meredith Efken
Leanna Ellis
Sharon Ewell Foster
Miralee Ferrell
Tina Ann Forkner
Darlene Franklin
Jonathan Friesen
Rhonda Gibson
Terri Gillespie
Debby Giusti
Beth Goddard
Cathy Gohlke
Rene Gutteridge
Cathy Marie Hake
Rachel Hauck
Roxanne Henke
Cynthia Hickey
Patti Hill
Sharon Hinck
Joan Hochstetler
Steven Hunt
Angela Hunt
Denise Hunter
Annette Irby
Jennifer Johnson
Jenny B. Jones
Golden Keyes Parsons
Deb Kinnard
Julie Klassen
Kathleen Kovach
Harry Kraus
Patti Lacy
Maureen Lang
Jeanne Marie Leach
Tosca Lee
Julie Lessman
Michelle Levigne
Sherri L. Lewis
Elizabeth Ludwig
Christine Lynxwiler
Richard L. Mabry
Sharlene MacLaren
Gail Martin
Debby Mayne
Vickie McDonough
Andrew McGuire
Susan Meissner
Becky Melby
Dana Mentink
Amber Miller
Judith Miller
Sara Mills
Siri Mitchell
Nancy Moser
Janelle Mowery
Elizabeth Musser
Mark Mynheir
Jill Nelson
Mae Nunn
John Olson
Donita K. Paul
Trish Perry
Marta Perry
Allie Pleiter
Cara Putman
Deborah Raney
Sandra Robbins
Paul Robertson
John Robinson
Martha Rogers
Cynthia Ruchti
Gail Sattler
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Shelley Shephard Gray
Virginia Smith
Lynette Sowell
Candice Speare
Kathryn Springer
Denice Stewart
Sarah Anne Sumpolec
Michelle Sutton
Camy Tang
Donn Taylor
Janice Thompson
Cindy Thomson
Missy Tippens
Carrie Turansky
ML Tyndall
Amy Wallace
Susan May Warren
Linda Wichman
Beth Wiseman
Cheryl Wyatt
Kathleen Y'Barbo

Goodbye to you my trusted friend, Pal

Our Pal died suddenly Tuesday night. He was in the office with me and Lola, the cutie-patootie I found walking down the road last February, while I was writing. I heard a commotion on the floor and when I looked around, Pal had slid over to the sling back chair, stiff, as if having a seizure.

I jumped up to comfort him, and tried to figure out what was going on, what I could do to help. If it was a seizure, I figured he'd get through it in a minute or so.

Then he howled like he was in pain and was gone. I grabbed the phone to call Tony, and Pal sort of choked and gagged, and vibrated so I thought he was coming around. But it was just the last of his body quitting. In recalling the events, and talking it over with Tony, and my paramedic brother, Pete, I think Pal was gone by the time I turned around to see what was going on.

For those who knew and experienced Pal, he was an irritating dog, but we truly loved him. He was fun, loving, and loved to play. He took Lola under his "wing" when she joined the family. With all the rain of late, I'd been letting him splash through puddles on our walks and he loved it.

So, Jesus has a new dog in heaven. I told Pal to say hey to Jack (his dad,) Blue and our old family dog, Bonnie.

I sat on the floor with him, crying, stroking his still warm and soft head, telling him we loved him and he was a good dog. Funny, even if he was still alive, he wouldn't have really understood, but it comforted me.

Goodbye to you my trusted friend, Pal

Our Pal died suddenly Tuesday night. He was in the office with me and Lola, the cutie-patootie I found walking down the road last February, while I was writing. I heard a commotion on the floor and when I looked around, Pal had slid over to the sling back chair, stiff, as if having a seizure.

I jumped up to comfort him, and tried to figure out what was going on, what I could do to help. If it was a siezure, I figured he'd get through it in a minute or so.

Then he howled like he was in pain and was gone. I grabbed the phone to call Tony, and Pal sort of choked and gagged, and vibrated so I thought he was coming around. But it was just the last of his body quitting. In recalling the events, and talking it over with Tony, and my paramedic brother, Pete, I think Pal was gone by the time I turned around to see what was going on.

For those who knew and experienced Pal, he was an irritating dog, but we truly loved him. He was fun, loving, and loved to play. He took Lola under his "wing" when she joined the family. With all the rain of late, I'd been letting him splash through puddles on our walks and he loved it.

So, Jesus has a new dog in heaven. I told Pal to say hey to Jack (his dad,) Blue and our old family dog, Bonnie.

I sat on the floor with him, crying, strokiing his still warm and soft head, telling him we loved him and he was a good dog. Funny, even if he was still alive, he wouldn't have really understood, but it comforted me.

Hurricane Fay

It's a gloomy, Yankee day in central Florida. Hurricane Fay is moving across the state and expected to exit over our county.

There's rain with wind gusts, but I've seen worse. The power went out for a few hours. When I saw the FPL guy coming to fix the thingy-bob, I opened the window and cheered! He deserved to be celebrated for serving on a day like today.

I mean, the city closed, the schools... it's sort of ridiculous. But, if there's a lot of rain and expected flooding, it's better not to be on the roads.

Yet, we've gotten to be a people who over react, are too cautious. We're afraid of being accused. No one stand up for themselves.

We survived back to back hurricanes in '04. The state ran beautifully. People were helped as fast as possible. Truly, it was a minor annoyance.

But then Katrina hit New Orleans the game of blame ensued. Be sure, Katrina didn't destroy New Orleans. It was only a cat 3 storm when she went ashore. It was the broken, weak levies that damaged the city. it was the crime and the looting. Levies that should've been repaired by the city. Crime that should've been curtailed by the police.

Evacuation routes should've been used by the many school buses just sitting. The Times Picayune even reported on the state of emergency if a hurricane should hit the city, years before Katrina.

The problems with New Orleans was not FEMA, or George Bush, or the worst storm in human history, it was the local and state government. It was a welfare-state mentality. I saw a woman on the news crying, "You're supposed to take care of us."

But no one spoke out. Still, no one says the truth.

Tony and I have evacuated twice. We did not wait on the government or anyone to tell us what to do. We watched the news and said, "She doggy, let's get out of here."

Yet, for those in need, we must have compassion -- no matter whose fault it is. We should give of our time and resources to care for our neighbor. And we should get the picture that depending on the government to feed and shelter us is never good! Let's take care of ourselves, and help one another.

All I want my central government to do is protect our borders, guard our freedoms, and fight enemies both foreign and domestic. Perhaps help maintain fair labor laws without taxing the companies or the people to death.

At times, it seems like our government should be simple. But, I guess I'm wearing my rose colored glasses today. The more a presidential candidate says, "I'm going to do..." this and this, that and the other, the more I go, "Nope, not voting for you. Out of my knickers!"

Peace out.

This is for you, Lisa

Lisa commented on my last post she's crunched to get her lesson plans ready for the school year, then asked, "How do you handle things when a deadline is staring you in the face, Rachel?"

Well, Lisa, I do what you do. Freak. Eat chocolate, drink Diet Coke, run out for a sandwich. Pray. A lot. I always start out calm, but some where along the line I'm overwhelmed with the details, or insecurities. "Who will want to read this book?" Or, "I'm letting my editor and publisher down."

I hate worrying, I hate losing sleep. I try to work steadily to meet my daily word count, but sometimes now matter how much I write and work, the story isn't coming out right. I've learned to trust the Lord, and my editors. My strength is rewriting, so having words on the page gives me something to work with, and helps my confidence.

I try to focus on Jesus, His light and love in and around me. I figure if I'm in Him, then the stories are in Him and He cares about the book and characters as much as I do, probably more.

After I turned in Love Starts With Elle my editor summarized her view of my work in her editorial letter and those enlightening and encouraging words still resonate in my heart. Writers, at least this writer, doubts their ability to write one more good book. "I did it once, but I can't do it again."

But the same Spirit that hovered over the deep and formed the earth lives in me. (Romans 8) So why can't I get better? Why not?

It's all about faith. Being confident I'm doing what God destined me to do and He'll see me through to the end! Isaiah 41:13.

Sweet Caroline strikes again

Found out Sweet Caroline hit the CBA Best seller list for September. This is different that the ECPA best seller list. Not sure how the numbers are calculated or pulled, but good for Caroline.

If you're curious, go back a year or so in my postings and you can read the behind the scenes of Sweet Caroline and how God blessed and provided.

A man named Brett Bush

I was eighteen, out of high school having graduated six months early, and doing nothing much but working and hanging out. Riding horse.

(That confession rendered another hilarious Hubby-Rachel moment. A few weeks ago I said, "Yeah, I graduated, hung out, worked a lot, rode horses." "You rode horses." He arched one brow because he has that talent. "Yeah, couple of days a week." "Really? Cause I've ridden horses with you and--" "Oh stop." But I laughed!)

During those months, I worked at Publix and hung around with some fun north Florida rednecks. I met a guy named Brett Bush. He drove one of those itty-bitty Chevy Love trucks. Remember those? He'd been out of town for awhile, doing who-knows-what and where, but came home to find his girlfriend had moved on.

So, in effort to do the same, he asked me out. Okay. Not my type, but he was fun. He wanted to take me to his grandparents farm in Quincy or some place, so we're tooling along in his truck and he rants about his last encounter with his ex.

"So, I walk in and she say's nothing. Not so much as a by-your-leave or kiss my a$$."

His expression, inflection, hillbilly accent, phrasing had me laughing all the way to the farm. Then he decided to four-wheel it through a pond (no, Chevy Love trucks were not four wheel) and we sank, but that's another story.

Here's the thing about Brett Bush. Nearly 30 years after this afternoon together, and it was only an afternoon sans romantic feelings, his expressions show up in my writing.

I write, "without so much as" in each book. When I do, I think of Brett Bush.

A moment in my life, forever impressed on my soul.

How many people do we have like this touching us? Why do I remember a man's name I spent less than a few months socializing with, but can't remember a chum from college?

It's those impressions. Who have you and I impressed unaware? Is someone quoting me right now. Or reminiscing about Ohio State with, "Then Rachel Hayes said..."

We're paint brushes on the hearts and minds of everyone we come in contact with. Are we painting beauty or pain?

I want to be a Brett Bush to others. Lingering with them long after I've pass through their lives, leaving behind the fragrance of Jesus and the hope of His calling. If I reach some moderate success, I've honored Him who my soul loves.