London Confidential Series by Sandra Byrd

Please welcome my friend and Christy nominated author, Sandra Byrd and her London Confidential Series!

"Byrd's ability to provide a fun story that incorporates biblical truth will help teens relate to this new series. Readers will identify with the struggle to fit in while staying true to one's convictions."

-- Romantic Times, 4 star review

Book Three, Don't Kiss Him Goodbye, finds Savvy, now established in her quirky British village, working hard to get an article with her own byline published.

When an attractive and mysterious boy asks her for help with his school work, Savvy is slowly pulled into his circle and soon finds out that the wrong set of friends - boys and girls - can influence her own behavior. Following her own advice to cut ties with a charming bad boy would mean abandoning her dearest wishes, and it just doesn't seem as wrong as it feels. Is it? Read on for surprise twists throughout the book!

In a shocking turn of events, all writers for the Wexburg Academy Times will cast their votes for next year's editor -and it looks like Savvy's vote will be the tie breaker!

In Book Four, Flirting With Disaster, Savvy must choose between a nasty-girl-turned-nice, with a sudden interest in letting Savvy get what she wants, and the prickly Hazelle, who promises nothing at all. Savvy then finds herself wrapped up in a new, seemingly innocent but potentially dangerous activity.

It's all at risk in this book: her position on the paper, the boy she likes, the ministry she wants to go well. At a critical moment, Savvy must figure out how to rely on God rather than luck and to overcome temptation before it is too late.

London Confidential is a new series for tweens and teens where British fashion, friendships, and guys collide as an all-American teen girl learns to love life and live out her faith.

Please visit Sandra's web site to learn more. Her books can be purchased at amazon.com through her website or at other fine online or local bookstores near you. If they're not stocked, just ask!

London Confidential Books 1 and 2 were featured in Focus on the Family's Thriving Family Magazine ... click here to read more!

Just another manic Wednesday

Got up and decided this was my morning to dash through the mall and pick up a few things for the ACFW conference. Black shoes and one of those new blousy tops everyone is wearing.

Yesterday was new-cell-phones-day, always a winner. Spent an hour manually transferring my phone numbers. Ah, a day in the life of...

Dillards was having a sale of sales! Ralph Lauren pants, oh so very, very nice, down from $89.50 to $22.50. Amazing deal. I'm talking, these pants were buttery soft. Side leg pockets, v. hip.

And, it's in the dressing room I'm both proud of my recent workout efforts, and mad at my recent eat-what-I-want 'tude.

Size 12 was too big. Size 8 was just a tad snug. I mean, I looked like I'd gain ten pounds but was in denial. Come on, you've worn those jeans or pants before. "No one will notice how stretched the material is around the crotch area."

Size 10 would be perfect. But, nooo, they didn't have any. I debated, and debated. They were so comfortable. But, if I get the 12s, I'll grow to fit into them. If I buy the 8s, no guarantee I'll ever get to wear them. Let's face it, these are the times we live in.

I dial up my sister. "What do I do?"

"Lose five pounds."

"No, duh, Sherlock. But can't do that in the next five minutes. Do I go with 12s or hope to fit the 8s."

"How are you doing losing weight."

"Holding steady."

"Definitely don't get the 12s."

"Right." I knew that.

"And you may never wear the 8s."

"I know, I know, but for $22.50, it's almost worth it."

"No, forget it. Lose five pounds first. It's a two week commitment."

"Two weeks? I'm not sure I have it in me."

"Don't buy the pants."

Fine, but I did find Tommy Hilfiger jeans for $14.50. In my size, thank you. Nevertheless, I can see it's time to lose those pesky final fifteen lbs. Talking about it isn't doing much good.

This portion of my shopping experience came after taking Sarah on a long drive today. We had fun. The Lord had me sing over her. She melted. As we're coming home, I happen to check the gas gauge and noticed, "Hmm, a bit low."

I turn the corner and the car dies. Right in front of a gas station. As it turns out, the gauge isn't accurate. We ran out of gas.

How amazing. I know God was with us. If we'd ran out of gas on the drive, or going over the causeway... yikes. I would not have been a happy camper.

Coming home, stopped at the Jiffy for a Diet Coke. Was in line behind a woman buying two, 2-litres of Coke, milk, white bread, a Butterfinger, and a packet of chocolate donuts.

Now, I don't know if it was all for her, but I thought how easily we get trapped into food habits. Diet Coke is for me. I admit. While the woman might be uncomfortable with her weight from time to time, I'm sure she doesn't feel she's eating all the much.

I know that's my issue. So it's only a few fifteen or twenty pounds. To lose it, I have to change, a lot. I'm boosting the working out and weight lifting, but, um, can I keep my chips and french fries?

See, we all have our thing. We cannot judge. Just pray for one another.

Oh, got a really cute top! I'm too cute today! ;)

Check out my blog on MyBookTherapy!

Tony and I laughed until we cried

Note: Have not forgotten the fear post, just don't have time to blog it properly.

Saturday, we're getting ready to go to the grocery store, Publix, and Tony is standing at the sink washing out tupperware bowls.

I was eating a slice of cheese and notice he's wearing a faded grey Palm Bay High football t-shirt, his navy plaid pajama pants, white socks and his leather slip on, slide shoes.

Hum. "Are you wearing those pants to Publix?"

"Yeah, unless you can give me 27 reasons why not."

"Well," I say in a low voice, chewing cheese. "You look like a Grandpa."

"So, I'm old enough to be a grandpa."

"You'll embarrass your wife."

"What else you got?"

I tear off another piece of cheese and still in a low, slow voice say, "They're... flood... waters."

Tony looks up. "Actually, that's the best reason you've given so far."

I start laughing. He adds, "I don't mind not being fashionable, but I don't want to look like dork."

I laugh even harder.

"Flashbacks from '70s young teen insecurites," Tony says. "Wasn't it the worst to wear flood waters?"

He's laughing, I'm laying on the counter, laughing so hard I can't breath, eyes watering. Tony goes into the bedroom and changes into jeans.

I laughed all the way to Publix. We ran into several people we know, one we hadn't seen in a dozen years. Tony looked quite dapper in his ankle covering jeans.

Maybe you had to be there. But the combination of me saying, "they're flood waters," and Tony reacting like we would've in seventh grade was just too, too funny.