Welcome Angela Hunt!

Hi everyone, I'm thrilled to feature friend and fab author Angela Hunt today.

If you know of Angela Hunt, you know you're going to get a great read. Angie is one of the most prolific writers and readers I know.

Her latest contemporary novel, THE ELEVATOR (Steeple Hill), will be available in book stores June 26! Furthermore, she has just signed paperwork for the novel to become a Lifetime TV movie!

Get caught in The Elevator!

THREE WOMEN . . . ONE MAN . . . A GATHERING STORM

In the path of a devastating hurricane, three very different women find themselves trapped in the elevator of a high-rise office building. All three conceal shattering secrets —unaware that their secrets center on the same man.

The betrayed wife, eager to confront her faithless husband, with rage in her heart and a gun in her pocket . . .

The determined mistress, finally ready to tell her lover she wants marriage and a family . . . The fugitive cleaning woman, tormented by the darkest secret of all . . .

As the storm rages ever closer, these three must unite to fight for their lives in the greatest test of courage — and faith —any woman could ever face.

Reviews of The Elevator

"Prolific novelist Hunt knows how to hold a reader's interest, and her latest yarn is no exception . . . Readers may decide to take the stairs after finishing this thriller."

--Publishers Weekly

"...a brilliantly plotted novel...the hurricane approaching the Florida coast is no match for the storm brewing inside the claustrophobic confines of a high-rise elevator. ...Be prepared to lose some sleep until you reach the last page!"

Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart

"Hunt traps three women in an elevator during a hurricane, dangling them, and the reader, from a tangled web of interconnected deceit, failure, crime and fear. ...The Elevator...creates the perfect set-up to keep you turning pages long after the rest of the house has fallen asleep. ...Loved it."

Lisa Samson, award-winning author of The Church Ladies, Songbird and Straight Up.

Where'd Angie get the idea?

Easy - the cover of Nick Hornby's "A Long Way Down."

I had picked up that book for my book club to read, and I found myself staring at the cover, which featured the shoes of four different people against a background of sky. Then I naturally began to think about people trapped in a crucible . . . like an elevator.

And though that'd be tense, what would make the situation worse? Maybe the arrival of a hurricane? Next thing I knew, I pretty much had the plot synopsis in my head. All that remained was working it out . . . and finding a way to keep a reader's attention (a bit of a challenge when most of the book is set in an elevator!)

And now I'd like to offer you fifteen fun things to do the next time you're caught in an elevator!
1. Grin at another passenger for a while, then announce, "I'm wearing new socks!"
2. Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.
3. Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" over and over and over . . .
4. Open your purse, peer inside, and ask, "Got enough air in there?"
5. Stand silent and motionless against the back, facing the wall, until everyone else gets off.
6. Greet everyone getting on with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Queen of the Universe.
7. Meow.
8. Start a sing-along. "Kum by yah" works well.
9. Say "DING!" at each floor.
10. Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
11. Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and then go back for more.
12. Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers (you'll know all about these after reading THE ELEVATOR!).
13. Take pictures of everyone aboard with your cell phone - even if it doesn't have a camera.
14. When there's only one other person aboard, tap them on the shoulder and pretend it wasn't you.
15. Hold a copy of THE ELEVATOR, read it, and keep moaning, "Why didn't I take the escalator?"

Visit Angie at www.angelahuntbooks.com

On Writing Diva NashVegas - Final Thoughts

Many of the Diva NashVegas reviews have said how brave Thomas Nelson was to let me doing something edgy.

What, you ask, did I do?

After reviewing Aubrey's life, I did not see her as virginal. Taking into account her spiritual compass was whacked when her parents died, and subsubquently she lost her brother by abandonment, I couldn't see her towing the line.

First she's wounded. Her moral compass is now being directed by the life of celebrity. She's away from God because He allowed he parents to die.

I recently read a statistic that said most Christian woman do not consider their sex life submitted to God. Now that's a sad commentary on the Church.

So, in light of that, I felt Aubrey would have a past, and in fact, be in a sexual relationship with her current boyfriend turned fiance.

Otherwise, I just did not feel she would be authentic. However, I didn't want to make her a "ho" or a sex pot. I wanted her to be normal, feeling she's living right by only sleeping with a man she loves, but I tried to hint at underlying conviction. Deep down, she knows it's not the right thing to do.

The Ryman Scene

I decided to have a judgemental fan of her parents confront her. What I wanted to show was that often religious people sin more than those they judge.

When this woman confronts Aubrey about her life of sin, it is without love and mercy. She's harsh and condeming. When Aubrey responds with humilty, the woman is almost angered.

The juxtaposition here is the kettle calling the pot black. The woman is no better than Aubrey.

Yet, Aubrey hears her. Which I think speaks so much to her character. She realizes while the messenger is all whack, the message is right. Loved her for this.

Coming home to Jesus

It's hard to write spiritual content. One, it so easily comes off preachy. Two, I don't want to present my soap boxes or my slant on things to such a wide audience. Seven million plus Christians pray in tongues, I'm one of them, but not all who love Jesus do. I wouldn't want to present anything in a book that would distract from the true story. I'm not wimping out on what I believe, I'm just avoiding a potential argument when there is no need.

So, spiritual content is difficult to weave. I always want to present a realistic picture of the faith journey.

I try to think different, go out of the box, be intentional in my character's spiritual journey. Maybe have things happen to them I'd like to have happen to me: see a vision or something.

Because Aubrey is strong, I decided she would make the decision to go to church when she realizes she's heading in a direction she doesn't want to go.

She gets up one Sunday morning and decides to go to church. Period. God meets her there. The pastor of this church is my real life friend and man of God, Shawn Bolz. He's not a pastor of a church, but a minister of the Gospel nonetheless. And the man has seens some stuff! Good stuff. God is awesome.

Finding true love

When Aubrey finds her true love, she holds him off for a long time. She wants to do this right. We see her love, even desire for him, but also her desperate desire to get her life in God deep and strong.

In her spiritual journey, I hope the readers discovers a Father of love. One who will always welcome the prodigals home. One who understands the weak human heart and the tug of the flesh. Aubrey is like so many of us, once lost, but now found.

The Lord is always there for us, arms open wide. If only we won't give up on ourselves.

On Writing Diva NashVegas, Take 2

Yesterday I blogged a behind the scenes look at writing Diva. Believe it or not, there's more to the story.

Her man, Car

For some reason, I like to tackle two love interests. Don't ask why. It's not easy. In this case, I wanted Aubrey to have a normal man in her life. When the concept was birthed for her to be tabloid fodder with a string of high profile relationships, I felt she would long for a man brought stability to her life.

When she meets Car, he's the perfect balm to her wounded love life. He works a regular job, comes from an established family, has money so her's should not be an attraction. He's confident and handsome, but light years away from her Hollywood and musician boyfriends.

But, since Aubrey was not to end up with him, I had to make him a little self focused and shallow. Likeable, but not so likeable the reader throw the book across the room when I ended their relationship.

With Car, also came the package of a family, something Aubrey is desperate to have. She puts up with a lot from him because she believes he has what she needs and wants.

True, she needs those things. Just with the wrong man. Car's family is the exact opposite of Scott's.

I believe Car loved Aubrey, in his way. But their relationship was too young and untried by the time they got engaged.

Loved their breakup scene. One of my favorite scenes in the book.

Finding Tom Petty

Yesterday I posted how I fretted over formatting the interview scenes. And, how I couldn't find detailed information on record label disputes. In late June (facing a July 31 deadline) I came across a treasure. "Conversations with Tom Petty."

The book was written in interview style with the interviewer's question in italic and Tom's answer in normal face with a preceeding TP. And that is how I decided to format Diva.

Loved this book about Tom Petty. It was very real and detailed, even talking about a record label dispute. It gave me the conversations and inside thoughts I needed to make Aubrey's scenes authentic.

Tom's record label dispute was over the price of an album. He wanted to sell it for $8.98 and the record company wanted to charge $9.98. Tom refused, didn't deliver the album and off to court they went.

I am grateful to the Lord for those wonderful finds just when I need them.

Symbolism

I tried to weave symbolism into this story. While spending a couple of days at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, I wrote in the prayer room. Awesome place. Worshp and prayer going on 24x7.

That's where I had the idea about the gardener, Juan. He was to be a Christ-like character. Jesus is the master gardener of our life, and Juan is a picture of this. Whenever he's working in the garden, Jesus is working in Aubrey's life.

He pulls up some dead weeds just as the Lord is pulling dead things out of Aubrey's life.

In the beginning of the book, the house is undecorated. This is a picture of Aubrey's stark and cold spiritual life. As the Lord heals her, she begins to warm and come alive. By the end of the book, the house is decorated.

She doesn't drive. Since her parents were killed in a car accident about the time she was learning to drive, I felt it would be very real to have Aubrey not learn. Then her career takes off and she doesn't need to drive. She's always on tour or with others who take her places.

But not driving also shows she's not in control of the direction of her life. As she grows throughout the story, she gets control, by first submitting to God. She learns to drive.

And there you have a behind the scene's look at Diva NashVegas. Hope you enjoyed it.

Contest Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered my Diva NashVegas conest!

The winners of the Starbucks and Barnes & Noble gift certificates are Dona Watson and Lindsay.

Thanks again.

Rachel

On Writing Diva NashVegas

Today, I was thinking of some of the elements I tried to weave into Diva NashVegas and decided to blog them here.

Whether you've read the book or not, maybe you'll find it interesting.

Research

Since I've never been a country superstar, nor do I know one, I had to make up a lot of the story from my own understanding of the super star life - and from watching one too many episodes of Access Hollywood or a Barbara Walters' Special.

I read several bios both in book form and online. While in Nashville researching, I had lunch with artist Kim Hill. She was a blast and had some really great experiences to share with me. Through her, I learned what it was like to be on tour. How the music business worked from the inside. And how a public life might effect a private life.

While my diva needed to be some what larger than life, I did not want her to be a mean, hard character. Driven, strong, focused, yes, but not selfish or nasty.

Coming up with her Name

While talking with a friend about this book, I mentioned the name I'd planned to use. He said, "Better not. There's a porn star by the same name."

Ooops. I Googled and sure enough. Now, I didn't ask him, young man that he is, how he knew my intended heroine would have the same name as a porn star.... Hmm, note to self.

So, I picked Aubrey James. Googled it and found it to be a safe choice.

The Scenario

Since I write chick lit, I thought it was best to come at this story from a "lower" stand point. You know, the girl-wannabe who is in Nashville trying to make it. Since American Idol is so popular, I thought about making Aubrey a contestant on a "Idol" like show, but as I talked the story out with people, it seemed best to change the angle of the story and have Aubrey be a super star.

The idea made me nervous. I can relate to being a wannabe, but how would I create the life of someone really famous? Research. Which I don't like very much but consider it a very intricate part of my writing.

The Interview

Some how I got the idea to have her be a media mystery and wrap the story around an interview. If I started the story with her being a super star, how did she get there? What are her thoughts on being famous? Who is the real Aubrey James?

Formatting the interview caused me a lot of heart burn. How should I make it look? Should I just drop back and have the interview appear like standard narrative text set apart by italics? It was really a puzzler.

Ami McConnell, my grand editor, and I decided to have the interviewer's point of view in the story, so I knew I didn't want to leave him out of the interview scenes. I liked Scott Vaughn a lot and wanted to him to bring out things in Aubrey as they talked. I felt it was important for the reader to "see" and "hear" Scott's interaction and reaction to Aubrey.

I was two-thirds of the way through the book before I found a solution to my problem of how to present the interview. But more on that later.

Coming up with the Hero

Originally, the interviewer was going to be female. Beth Rose. Aubrey's love interest was to be another songwriter. But when my dear friend and author Christine Lynxwiler read the synopsis, she suggested making the interviewer male and Aubrey's love interest.

Brilliant. From a writing stand point, it really streamlined the story and created an on stage scenario for tension and conflict.

If I'd remained with a female interviewer, I would've had to develop something between them - rivalry or friendship - and I didn't have the space for it in this story. Looking back, I can't imagine doing it that way.

Once I put Scott opposite Aubrey for the interview, I knew there had to be a residue between them - a bad meeting previously or something.

That's when I decided they... Well, I won't say more. If you read the book, then you know.

A Diva's posse

In my research, I read the autobiographies of several Nashville elites. Man, they have a thousand people around them at any given time! Manager, business manager, booking agent, tour manager, band manager, assistant, lawyer, producer, musicians, security, trainer, house manager, cook, nanny, stylist, employees for their merchandise business, roadies, musicians, etc, etc, etc.

I started out with quite a few people in the opening stage scene where Aubrey is waiting to go on for CMA Fest, but readers found it a bit confusing, so I paired it down to the essential people.

I brought in other key people throughout the story, but had to leave out people like the stylist.

Her Parents

All along I planned for Aubrey's parents to be gospel singers who met with tragedy. I was struggling how to tell their story through her eyes, imagining them being struggling artists before they died. While talking or emailing with Ami, I suggested maybe they were famous gospel singers. Ami replied, "I thought that all along."

Making them famous gave me a launching pad to make Aubrey famous as well as an experienced singer and musician. It also added the media intrigue I needed.

I read a fascinating article by John Carter Cash about his parents that helped me focus on what it would be like to be the child of icons.

The Betrayal

Why was Aubrey a media mystery and what would bring her out of hiding? Again, I'd worked on the book for over a month before I solidified why Aubrey finally agreed to a sit down, in-depth interview.

I'd created Melanie Daniels character and dubbed her the Judas, but she had no real reason to do it other than revenge. Which is a good reason, but as I worked through the story I added the motivation of Melanie's boyfriend. I felt it worked well.

I also tried to show how tired Aubrey was of her famous life. And how distant she felt from her family and any kind of normalcy. And, at the time of Melanie's betrayal she'd been the target for so many tabloid stories it didn't make sense to keep hiding.

Thus the line, "Everyone's talking about me but me."

How ideas morph

While looking for some sort of twist to Aubrey's character, I'd thought of her being a rebellious teen who ended up pregnant. The baby would've been put up for adoption, but Aubrey kept in touch with the parents. So, I thought the daughter might show up in the story.

After brainstorming with Ami, we decided to put Aubrey in foster care after her parents death and have a younger girl also in foster care at the same time. So, the character of Jennifer became an "adopted" baby sister instead of a baby up for adoption.

I wanted Jennifer to be black, but didn't feel I could do justice to her. Then, when I needed her to be a big Aubrey James fan, I didn't think it fit an African American woman well. Some times when I think of Jen's character, I still think of her as the original.

I like writing stories with characters from different races.

Developing the relationship between Aubrey and Jen was tricky and I rewrote the emails between them many times. In fact, when I turned in the manuscript for the first round of edits, I'd not done a good job of tightening the email portions so the relationship was unclear with my editor, Leslie. But, I fixed it.

Record label problems

This was perhaps the most frustrating part of writing the story. In my record company research I discovered a few things. One, artist don't make a lot of money at first. If ever. Second, record companies recoup all recording, promotion, tour, advertising, whatever, expenses from the sale of an artist album.

An artist has to sell Gold (500,000 copies) just to break even and make a little money. Of the 300,000 or so records released every year, only 300 sell more than 10,000 copies. Only about 30 go platinum.

An original idea was to have Aubrey in financial problems. But when I realized she was a mega star - think Faith Hill meets Amy Grant - I knew she would've made a lot of money on her albums and unless she was a total nut job, she would have money.

I decided she was financially smart, so money issue became a moot plot point. Yet, I wanted her to be in a dispute with her record label. How desperate I was to sit in a label meeting between artist and label head, but no one was asking me to sit in, so I had to make it up.

In order to create a realisitc conversation around the board room table, I had to have specific details about Aubrey's argument with them.

Good luck, me.

I could not find specific details to save my life! I even talked to a Nashville entertainment lawyer and a producer at the famous Blackbird Studios. All I got was "creative differenes" or "money issues."

Can you see Aubrey arguing with the label head going something like, "But we have creative differenes."

"Do it our way."

"But I want to do it my way."

What way? Why are they figthing? I thought such dialog was stupid.

More research taught me that record labels are looking for radio play, drive time songs that capture soccer moms. Okay, that could be a good dispute.

Some artist have argued with their label over a new album not having a "radio tune."

I'd planned to have Aubrey want to branch out and do something creatively different, so the argument over a radio song worked, but what else could I add?

All my Googling rendered nothing new or specific until I changed from record label Googling to record company Googling.

I found a forum of experts and one of them kindly gave me a list of eight things an artist and label might fight over.

I happily worked those into the story. They provided conflict as well as detail. The dialog sounded real and specific. I was happy.

About this time, I came across the resource that helped me figure out how to format the interview.

But more on that tomorrow.

Find out about Car's character, the why's and how's. And did you catch any of the symbolism in Diva NashVegas?

Check it out tomorrow.

Ever have one of those days?

The kind where nothing is pressing? No worries. No deadline pressure. The house doesnt' need much tending, the kids are away. The laundry in the dryer can wait.

The sun is shining bright and warm. The dog is bathed and clean, and there are still three hours left in the afternoon.

In the distance is the sound of a mower, and if you close your eyes and breathe deep, you can smell the cuttings. Then conjure up a pleasant memory of your dad laboring behind the old red push mower, sweat dripping from his nose.

A day when there's not enough extra money to buy a new book or get a pedicure, but enough to buy a soda down at McDonalds. And that's all you need to feel like a million bucks.

A day when a simple drive along the beach, or country road would log it as one of the best days ever.

Ever have one of those days?

I am.

Return to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

A lot has changed since Roxy escaped small town life to become a Nashville star. Her former boyfriend Wyatt has found Christ and plans to become a minister. Her sister Elena, who comforted Wyatt when Roxy ran away, is now his fiancee. Her father Jonathan, a successful businessman, is heartbroken over the estrangement of Roxy from the family.

Now Roxy - her inheritance from her grandmother squandered, her hopes of stardom dashed-finds her way home ... not by choice but because it's her only option. Her father's love and forgiveness surprise her, but her very presence throws the contented Burke family into turmoil, filling Roxy with guilt and shame.

Elena is shocked to discover doubt and resentment in her heart after her father's easy acceptance of Roxy into the family circle. Wyatt wrestles with doubts about marrying Elena. And Roxy struggles to accept forgiveness. Isn't she more deserving of rejection? As the story of the prodigal plays out, each member of the Burke family must search for and accept God's grace.

****
AUTHOR BIO:

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. However, she's certain there are better plots and fewer calories in her books than in puffed rice and hamburgers.

The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 50 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She is passionate about the theater, and several nights every summer, she can be found at the outdoor amphitheater of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, enjoying Shakespeare under the stars. She makes her home in Idaho, which she shares with Poppet the Papillon.


SO, DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?

No, I didn't, although I loved books and stories even before I could read. In fact, I went to my first day of first grade with only one goal in mind - learn to read. When they didn't teach me how that very first day, I told my mom there was no point in going back. Fortunately, my mom knew who was boss, and I did go back to school.

When I was young, what I wanted to be most in all the world was a movie star. My closest friends all nod their heads, I'm sure, when I say this, knowing my theatrical nature. I took ballet for seven years, and I was in various theater productions, both in school and as a young adult.

My storytelling career began in grade school when I told my fifth grade friends that my mother was born in a covered wagon while coming west on the Oregon Trail. It seemed plausible. My mother was, after all, 47 years old at the time. My word! Had they even invented the wheel when she was born? [Sorry, Mom.]

Fast forward to high school. I was a compulsive writer, scribbling stories and poetry in notebooks and on binders. This wasn't work. This was fun! Writing could transport me to any place, any time. How cool. I also was a lover of horses and spent many years riding and competing and raising them.

Marriage and family filled the next decade. I read voraciously. I daydreamed. In my mind, I reworked the endings of both movies and books any time they didn't suit me. I performed with a Christian theater troupe. We raised a few horses. Then I got an idea for a story, a Gone With The Wind type saga. I talked about it with others for about six months. Finally, I sat down and began to write. I wrote long hand on yellow legal pads and typed the pages on the office Selectric typewriter during lunch hours and coffee breaks. Nine months later, I had a book, and two years after that, it was published.

The rest, as they say, is history. These days, the nest is empty. My daughters are grown with families of their own, and I am the ridiculously young grandmother of six. My mother (past her 93rd birthday - who was not born in a covered wagon) lives with me, as does Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon.

What Are YOU doing this September?

I'm going to the ACFW conference in Dallas!

Listen, if you want to be a fiction author in the CBA market, this conference is THE conference to attend.

Editors from the major and not so major Christian publishing houses will be there. Agents looking for their next new client. Authors who are more than willing to share their experiences and advice, more than willing to cheer your writing journey will be there in droves.

So, what's the hold up? Why haven't you signed up yet?

If you're thinking, "Well, I'm going to RWA in July," that's all well and good, but even RWA cannot give CBA authors what this conference gives. It's not designed to. ACFW is.

Conferencing made all the difference in my writing career. It's where I networked with people who helped me along the way. Gratefully, those people are now my good friends!

ACFW's conference has a family feel, and a genuine presence of God. The speaker, Jim Bell, is a funny, Godly man.

There will be devotionals and worship to up lift. We even staff a prayer room.

You will leave this conference professionally, emotionally and spirituall uplifted.

Do NOT miss it.

See you in September.

What I Learned Today

One, I can do worship on Sunday morning with out David (primo guitar player) and Tony (primo keyboard player.)

However, I prefer not to play without them, but I can survive. Thanks to Keith who stepped up and the rest of my faithful band.

Two, today I learned it's not about me!

"What, Rachel," you ask, "happened to give you this revelation?"

Well, I went to a lovely event as an author. There were "others" there, too, and as we were getting ready to leave for the afternoon, a person comes up to us and immediatly starts telling us about himself. He's written a book for new believers which of course fulfills some big void and need in the ever inadequate Church.

I can't take the Christianese any more. God is well able to prepare His Bride. Does He need us? Yes, because He chooses to need us. But, the idea of how inadequate the church is based on our own experiences is so short sighted.

Recently, I was some place where I saw no less than a dozen titles on the subject of prayer alone. Jesus only gave us five verse in Matt 6.

There is no quick fix to prayer. JUST DO IT.

Okay, that was a freebie.

So, the lesson for me was to alway focus on others. Put them above me. Even if I'm the one standing there with my books and they are telling me about their work. Even though it's tiring, listen.

And when I'm on the other side of the table, talking to the author or musician about their work, don't promote myself. It's not pretty.

While promotion is part of my job as an author, I do not want to do it at the expense of others. I want to know the right time and place. Better yet, let God promote me. He will exalt me in due season if I do not grow weary.

Robin Lee Hatcher's, Return To Me

RETURN TO ME
by Robin Lee Hatcher
Zondervan, June 2007

Discouraged and destitute, her dreams shattered, Roxy Burke is going home. But what lies beyond the front door? Rejection … or a brighter future?

When Roxy Burke left home for Nashville, she swore she wouldn't come back until she was a star. But it's desperation that drives this prodigal back to her family, and no one is prepared for what happens next.

Roxy has crashed and burned. She's squandered an inheritance, lived a wild life, and wasted her talent. Desperate and ashamed, she now must return to her father and sister, neither of whom she's talked to in seven years.

Roxy's father welcomes his daughter with love and tenderness. But his easy acceptance is hard on Roxy's sister. After years of being the dutiful daughter, Elena feels resentment and anger toward her wayward sister.

Even more problematic is the reaction of Roxy's former boyfriend. Once a rebel, Wyatt has given his life to Christ and plans to enter the ministry. He and Elena are engaged, but Roxy's return raises questions that could mean the end of Elena's perfect future.

The Burke family faces the return of the prodigal and must reach out for healing. Will they each be able to accept God's grace?

Read a chapter of this exciting new title at ChapterAWeek and order it online at Amazon.com.

Garage Cleaning Means Garage Memories

Tony and I are doing a little house cleaning, prepping for a garage sale in a few weeks. We started in... the garage.

When we moved into this "fasting house" nine years ago, most of my worldly treasures were stored along one wall. (Note to self: Don't store stuff you want to keep in garage.) Most of it is brown, bug eaten and dirty, but I'm sifting through.

What I love about going through my old college note books and grade school papers, is connecting in some way with a part of myself that's long gone, but still a major part of who I am today.

I'm not much into reminiscing, but I do like to walk down memory lane now and then. Well, I found some of my "early" writings. By my hand writing, I must be in sixth grade, maybe seventh.

What I read amazed me.

Here's an excerpt from a story called, "They Called It Freedom."

Chapter One - Away From It All

Christy, Candy and Susie were three best friends. They lived in New York City and it was very crowded and dirty. (This is 1972ish, pre Julianie) Christy, Candy and Susie were brouth up in the country and they didn't like the city, so they decided to go where it was clean and plenty of room. End excerpt.

I laughed as I read the story to Tony. "I was a chick lit writer in '73!"

Here's another excerpt:

One of the girls hobbies is singing and writing. They have performed a lot and made a few albums and 45s.

I even wrote about girls involved in music!

In another story, Land Of My Own, I wrote in first person.

Land of My Own

It was spring and like mosst people in spring, I got wild crazy ideas. The sense of the wild and freedom. But nevertheless, I was trapped in the jungle of walls better knows as New York City.

More chick! I'd never even been to NYC.

It was fun looking over old stuff, mostly the writing. Even my college papers, yellow and torn, reminded me I'd studied the craft for quite awhile.

I also found all my old 45s. What to do with those, I don't know.

Found a bunch of grade school and junior high knick knacks. Not sure what to do with those, either. I should toss them, but...

Tomorrow, back to the garage and more boxes.

Jane Orcutt

Hey everyone,

Author and friend Jane Orcutt lost her battle with luekemia this spring. Some friends have gathered together and created a web site for her.

We are encouraging readers to visit Amazon and buy Jane's latest book, All The Tea In China, to support her family!

Jane was a lovely, kind woman and a great writer.

Billy Donovan's change of mind

Until now, I've been quiet about the Florida Gators and their recent rise to college athletic stardom with back-to-back NCAA basketball championships, preceded by a National Football Championship.

The reason for my hushed-up self is obvious. They beat my beloved Buckeyes this year in both football and basketball. See previous post about this being a year of disappointment.

The Buckeyes losing to the Gators, twice, was just one of many.

Worse, I live in Gator country, had to endure friends at church sporting their championship t-shirts and hats, making sure I saw them at every turn, grinning at me like the Cheshire cat.

Okay, okay, I can be a good sport. Yay for your team.

Then this whole Gator Nation idea was birthed. Like they are invincible, indestructible, never to be defeated again. They will have all the good coaches, all the good recruits and college sports will now be dominated by the nation of Gator. They have the best players the world has ever seen.

Well, last Friday, Billy Donovan skewered the Nations high ideals of never being defeated again. He signed on to coach the Orlando Magic.

Gasp! Oh, no. The cloud settled over Gainsville. Tropical Storm Barry passed over. And, they lost a major recruit to Kentucky. Boo hoo.

And you guys laughed when Ohio State fans cried after loosing their perfect season on January 8th.

Then, the sun broke on Monday and Donovan changed his mind. But it's too late. Everyone knows where his heart is now.

Florida Today columnist Peter Kerasotis says, "All of this brings Billy Donovan's character -- or lack thereof -- into question."

Not just because he changed his mind, but because his recruiting has been questionable and before Orlando, he talked to Memphis about coaching the Grizzlies.

When Donovan's Magic signing was announced, 200 season tickets sold over the weekend. So, in his wake are disappointed Magic fans as well as Gators.

But in my humble opinion, the Gators' coach found "Magic" when he recruited Horford, Noah and Brewer, the three who really gave the Gators and Donovan back-to-back championships. Before the last two NCAA tourney's, he'd never gotten out of the second round.

All three seniors go on to NBA draft. And good for them. Not sure they graduated, but that's another story. Why get an education when the NBA offers so much money and sex.

Yeah, I'm making a point here.

Where's the commitment to the heart of college sports? Why are we losing players after their freshman year to the NFL or NBA? Where's the commitment to education and sticking with something you start?

What happened to coaches loving the sport, education and training up young men and women?

Donovan was beyond lucky when his top players chose their final Gator season over the NBA. And it paid off for them, proving they are a little smarter than cavemen. (Hey, that's their t-shirt slogan, I didn't make it up.)

More than standing out as a team who won back-to-back championships, they stand out as men who set their sights on something amazing and went for it. They banded together to play their senior year and dribbled their way to another national championship.

They are an example to other players that the same possibilities await them. Stay in school, grow, mature, study, then go out into the big bad world of pro sports.

It's amazing how much Noah, Brewer and Horford's "stock" went up after winning back-to-backs.

Let college sports BE college sports. Players, stay two, three years. Give yourselves and your teams a chance.

As for Billy Donovan, best to you bro. I'm sorry you're in this mess. I honestly believe this has been a very hard decision for you. Mayb God give you wisdom.

After all, Gator Nation is still just a Swamp in north central Florida. ;)

Fasting for an eternal purpose

Today, I got way-laid.

By my fasting husband.

We're joining in the fast called by "The Call" to interceed for our nation, and while we have grace, gotta tell ya, fasting is not always easy.

But when I see the picture above, of a man humbled and weeping over baby shoes, representing the millions of aborted American babies, my youth is renewed. I fast on.

Back to today. Tony gets in these moods when fasting. One year, he came to the conclusion we neeed to sell our house and move. We've been in the "fasting house" for nine years now.

Another time, he concluded we needed new computers.

Again, one time he decided the yard needed to be cleaned up.

So, I like fasting Tony. For a lot of reasons, not just he gets energized to do stuff even though he's physically weak. It's always fun to see what he'll come up with.

Today he joined my recent efforts to clean out my office and deal with the overwhelming number of books we own. (I've been selling a lot of them on Amazon and doing really well!)

He found more books to toss or sell, organized us for a garage sale this Saturday, spent money on both of us at Wal-Mart, cleaned out his t-shirt drawer, and while it's not a new house or new computer, stuff is happening.

I think it's because we're not sitting around wondering what to eat next.

Man, I was in McDonalds getting a Diet Coke, (yes, DC is on my fast) and I about jumped over the counter for a hot fry. LOL. Not really, but it smelled so good.

But, I believe wholeheartedly in this fast, the reason Lou Engle called it and the integrity of his ministry.

We were listening to our fav radio host play clips of a recent political debate and I spent a good bit of the morning yelling at the radio. Not good.

I believe the nearer I draw to Jesus, the nearer we all draw to Jesus, our minds and senses become more keen to the unsound wisdom of the world.

Jesus, John tells us, is the light of the world. John 1:9, "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man."

Abiding in Jesus, talking to Him, reading of Him, brings spiritual and intellectual light to us! Wow.

Now, it doesn't make us the smartest people in the world, or mean we don't make mistakes, but I do believe we can learn through His light to descern between those who spew darkness, and untruth.

Some of the stuff I hear coming from the news and politicians doesn't even take any thought to debunk and debate. It's so clearly absurd.

Anyway, please, pray for our country. We need the LIGHT.

Book signing at Wal-Mart today

I signed New Hampshire Weddings at my local Wal-Mart today. I had quite a few buyers, but had to do the usual - stand beside the table and pitch the book to passers by.

I'm not Nora Roberts or Karen Kingsbury yet. Or Debbie Macomber. But, God has it all under control.

I talked to several customers for an extended time who did not buy books. At first, I thought, "Wow, potential customers are passing by while I'm talking to someone who told me they weren't buying."

But you know what, people are more important than my career, then selling a few books. And, I had fun talking to people in my own community.

Though, I was dubious about the redneck who told me he was once in the Eurythmics and Some Other 80's band. Can't remember, but you'd recognize the name. He was the one who wrote their hits that gave them a gold record.

Now, he sounded pretty knowledgable about the music industry, and being as I've researched it a lot, he sounded legit. But as he walked away, I thought, "There goes one good story teller."

Now, in New Hampshire, if a customer didn't want to buy or browse the books, they'd say, "I'm all set."

In Florida, we say, "No thanks."

The picture is NOT of me at the book signing, but of me in my office, but how I looked at the book signing. I know you were just dying of curiosity.

Radical ?

I feel weak not radical. How can fasting be radical? Because it weakens. In our weakness, He is strong.

Funny how strength so often is really found in weakness. Humility, kindness, giving. If one is humble, giving, selfless, contrite, then no one or thing can own them.

If one seeks power, they are subject to those who hold power. Their emotions are ruled by their wants.

We have to control our wants. Or they will control us.

"God, raise up a radical, wholehearted generation for You that walks in might, power and holiness. Clothed in fasting, prayer and humility."

Mid year check up, sorta

Okay, it's not exactly mid-year, but several things have been on my mind this week so I thought I'd post them now.

Last year, 2006, was a year of change. Our chuch changed it's name, Tony and I handed over the youth ministry, several of our friends moved far away, my mom sold her house and moved, my sister had a second little girl, our dog Jack died...

Those name just a few.

This year, as I look back on January through May, I sum it up with single words. Hard. Discouragement. Disappointment.

Several things happened early in the year that just felt like a spiral to me of disappointment - which lead to discouragement.

I felt a little lost. I repented of bad attitudes, of allowing myself to be discouraged. I was never depressed, just unsure of the future.

If we are not careful, a little discouragement or disappointment can knock us out of the game for a long time. Maybe even permanently. I do not want to be the walking wounded, or a needless casualty of war.

In the mean time, God is moving in our nation. Lou Engle called young people, as well as adults, to a 40 day fast to repent of the cultural down fall started by the Summer of Love 40 years ago in San Francisco.

On July 7, over a hundred thousand will gather in Nashville's Titan's stadium for twelve hours of prayer, concluding the fast, calling for God to bring revival to America, declaring we want to be married to Him again.

When I read The Call Nashville's mission statement and mandate from God, yes mandate, I wept. Every time I saw an update over email, my eyes watered.

I am so excited about what God is doing. Lou shared some incredible testimonies on a CD teaching, one involving Dr. Suess's "Horton Hears a Who."

Lou is also very active with his teams in praying against abortion. They are the ones God gave strategy to about the red duct tape over their mouths with the word LIFE. God also gave Lou an amazing metaphor of Horton Hears A Who and ending abortion in America.

He's the real deal, guys. Not some man coming up with a vision for himself, but encountering God through a sustained life of prayer and fasting.

Anyway, while we didn't feel called to go to Nashville, we decided to join the fast.

Day three and it's not going smoothly for me, but I have grace. And this morning I had a dream. God showed me my eyes were covered by dyed flat black hair, and my bangs covering my face.

Standing in our bathroom (literally, in the dream,) I said to my mother (Holy Spirit in this case,) "I can't see myself."

And that's how I've felt for several months. I don't have clear vision.

So, I told Tony and we prayed. I'm continuing to pray. "Clear vision, God, clear vision."

How's your year been? If it's been like mine, pray, do some fasting. Not easy, I know, but we have to start building some spiritual muscle church!

Mathew 11:12 says the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force. That force is fasting and prayer.

Daniel moved the heavens with fasting and prayer. Moved the heavens! How much more a generation of wholehearted lovers of Jesus fasting and praying.

There you have my mid-year check up.

Welcome Tamara Alexander

Hi Everyone,

I'm pleased to host author and friend, Tamara Alexander, author of three fab historicals, Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered. Check out her interview under my Author Interviews.

Remembered is her new release from Bethany House. I've known Tammy for many years and am thrilled to see her amazing success.

Remembered is Book 3 in the Fountain Creek Chronicles. Though loss is often marked in a single moment, letting go of someone you love can take a lifetime...

The threat of war—and a final request—send Véronique Girard from France to a distant and uninviting country. In the Colorado Territory, she searches for the man who has held her heart since childhood—her father.

Pierre Girard left Paris for the Americas to seek his fortune in fur trading, vowing to send for his wife and daughter. But twenty-five years have passed and his vow remains unfulfilled. Sifting through shards of broken promises, Véronique embarks on a dangerous search for a man she scarcely remembers. His grief finally healed, Jack Brennan is moving on with life.

After years of guiding families west, he is now working as a freighter to the mining towns surrounding Willow Springs. What he doesn't count on is an unexpected traveling companion on his trips up into the mountains, and how one woman's search will cause havoc with his plans... and his life.

TAMERA ALEXANDER is the bestselling author of Rekindled, Revealed, and Remembered, the three-part Fountain Creek Chronicles historical series with Bethany House Publishers. Rekindled, a CBA bestseller, has won critical acclaim and was chosen as one of Library Journal's Top 5 Picks for Christian Fiction 2006.

Rekindled and Revealed triple-finaled in the 2007 RITA Awards sponsored by Romance Writers of America-Rekindled and Revealed for Best Inspirational Novel, and Rekindled for Best First Novel. Tamera frequently speaks to women's groups, sings on the praise team, enjoys mentoring other writers, and also served as the conference coordinator for the 2004 American Christian Romance Writers National Conference in Denver, Colorado.

She and her husband, Joe Alexander, make their home in Colorado with their two college-age children, and a seven-pound Silky named Jack.

Tamera is currently working on her fourth novel, part of another three-book historical series with Bethany House which is set in the Colorado Territory.

Visit Tamera's website at www.tameraalexander.com And her blog at www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com

Funday

Nice day. Church followed by a ride down to Vero Beach to see Debbie Macomber speak and get a copy of her new book.

Rode down with fellow RWA Star member, Lee.

We had a great time and Debbie was lovely, gracious and funny, as always.

The book store was packed with Debbie's fans.

***
Take this weekend to thank the Lord for our military and our freedoms.

The price of freedom is eternal diligiance!

Hope Deferred

I was listening to Francis Frangipane teach on spiritual strongholds, and I've been pondering his comments about Proverbs 13:12. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life."

He said that the devil uses unfulfilled desires to bring us into bondage, and that often he could tell where someone had a spiritual stronghold by what they were experiencing hopelessness over. Hmmm. Makes sense.

The devil offers us a shortcut or substitute for our unfulfilled desire, and we don't catch the fine print that we’re giving him control of some area of our life.

So what is the answer? No short cuts or substitutes, just wait patiently for God to fulfill our desire? But if God isn't in a hurry, its still easy to end up with deferred hope. And how do I know He wants to fulfill all of my desires?

I do know Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." So it looks like He wants to fulfill my desires, but I suspect fulfilling the first part of that verse will also change my desires.

In fact, maybe I'm not supposed to focus on my desires much at all. Maybe I just work at delighting in Him, and the rest takes care of itself. Well, that gives me something to do while I’m waiting.

Never Planned On This

The goal today was to clean my office. I submitted "Sweet Caroline" yesterday and was really looking forward to doing some deep house cleaning.

I thought, first, deal with the office. And the books! So many books.

I was sorting through them and next thing I know, I'm logging them into Amazon for resale.

I am now an Amazon reseller. What a brilliant plan. Except, now, I still have all the books. I stacked them in the guest room. Ha.

But the office is squared away and it feels good.

The Restorer and Sharon Hincks

Hi Everyone,

My friend Sharon Hincks has a new release. It sounds fabulous.

The Restorer Blurb

Susan, a modern-day soccer mom, is pulled through a portal into another world, where a nation grappling for its soul waits for a promised Restorer to save their people. Can she fill that role? While she struggles to adapt to a foreign culture, she tackles an enemy that is poisoning the minds of the people, uncovers a corrupt ruling Council, and learns that God can use even her floundering attempts at service in surprising ways

Q & A with Sharon.

Q: What was the inspiration for The Restorer?

A: I've always been fascinated by the story of Deborah in the book of Judges, and wondered what a modern woman would look like in that role. The fantasy genre provides a powerful way to look at a familiar story in a new way. I loved the challenge of creating a completely relatable character, and then inviting the reader to follow her into an imaginative journey.


Q:What kind of reader did you have in mind as you wrote the book?

A:I wrote this story for my friends - ordinary women who are sometimes called on to fill extraordinary roles that they don't feel prepared for. We may not be literally yanked into an alternate universe, but the idea of being pulled into an unexpected challenge is very real to most of the people I know. I wrote this book for my friends who receive a diagnosis of cancer, or the news that their child has a learning disability, or their parent is battling Alzheimers, or their spouse has lost their job. They suddenly find themselves in a foreign world, facing new rules, and being asked to fill a role they don't feel ready for. My prayer is that as well as being entertaining, this novel can inspire courage and determination for those facing daily battles.


Q:How much of The Restorer is drawn from your own life?

A: Susan's spiritual journey - her desire to follow God and her confusion when the road is much harder than she expected - is very parallel to my own. I've never carried a sword into battle, but I've faced the challenge of surrendering more deeply to God's purposes when they didn't make sense to me.

All about Sharon:

Sharon is a wife and mom who has had many adventures, though none have involved an alternate universe (thus far). She has an M.A. in communication and has spent her life working in the arts (music, theatre, dance, and writing).

Her other novels include The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2006), Renovating Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2007), The Restorer (NavPress, 2007) and The Restorer’s Son (NavPress, 2007)

What others are saying about the Restorer:

Sharon Hinck gives us a beautifully-realized world that demands the best that an everyday, run-of-the-mill Mom doesn’t even know she has. Hinck’s prose engages us in every moment of the struggle as the strength of the One drives the battle of the faithful against unimaginable odds, Excellent characters and an intriguing plot provide readers with great entertainment along with spiritual inspiration and enlightenment. I simply loved this book, hated for it to end, and am grateful that there’s another in the Sword of Lyric series coming soon.

~ Kathryn Mackel, author of Outriders and Trackers

"Sharon Hinck has done a remarkable job in writing a fantasy for people who don't normally read fantasies. A soccer mom finds herself in an alternate universe where she has to save her adopted people from vastly more powerful enemies. Loved the swordplay. Loved the spiritual insights. Most of all, loved the main character, Susan Mitchell, a compelling mix of Everymom and Wonder Woman."

~ Randy Ingermanson, award-winning author of Retribution

What’s next?

The Restorer's Son releases in September (NavPress), followed a few months later by The Restorer's Journey.

My current books are available at all major bookstores as well as through my website at www.sharonhinck.com

For a free monthly e-zine and updates on my projects and schedule, sign up to be a Book Buddy at my website!

Glenn Beck and religion

I'm a fan of Glenn Beck. I try to listen to him for an hour or so in the morning while doing junk around the house.

He's bold and confronts so many of the idiocies in our social mind set. But he's sort of all wet on one thing.

Religion.

He constantly says he doesn't care what someone believes, and if they are a "good" person, he'd vote for them.

Glenn, Glenn, Glenn, dear Glenn. You're being too broad here, dude. A person's faith is the CORE of who they are. It's where so many other ideologies and philosophies come from. You have to know what they believe about God and life in order to vote for them.

The left hates Christianity, so they complain and bicker, accuse and point fingers. It scares them. We know that, we get it.

And like wise, many on the right do the same. Complain, bicker, accuse and point. Sadly. They should be like Jesus and shut up. He was so very wise when he responded, or did not respond.

Yet, Glenn, if a person claims to be a Christian, it's not enough to believe in "God." Shoot, radical Islam terrorist believe in "God."

You have to believe in Jesus. Christ-ians. Followers of Christ. Otherwise, you just believe in God, a supreme being.

Which, at the base, is cool. Yet, the only way to know God the Father is through His Son, Jesus.

Not my words, by the way, His.

So, Glenn, come on. You have to care about what a person believes. It's who they are.

I'm Alive

Just a fast post to say I'm alive, but boy, it's been a busy week.

I'm finishing up Sweet Caroline. How do you like my tentative cover?












Spent the day with other writers at a Super Saturday, then had a book signing with Roxanne St. Claire and Deidre Knight. A long but good day.

Thursday went to my first boss-after-college's retirement party. Alex Nelson hired me and is the reason I'm in Melbourne/Palm Bay, FL. I was hestiant about going since Alex works at another company, a competitor to my old company, and I figured most of his current co-workers would be there. But, when I walked in I received a warm welcome from old Harris-ites. We told old stories for a good while.

It was really fun to see old friends.

Gilmore Girls. What did you think of the final show? I did not like it. They tried to end like it began, but Rory is not 16 any more. She's 22. I hated that she and Logan broke up completely. Not even a hint of a future. I liked that Luke and Loralie connected (kissed.) So, they are going to be together forever in TVville.

Hated that Rory was thrilled be on the Obama campaign. Loved the finaly scene. The two of them sitting in Luke's, early in the morning, talking, drinking coffee, framed in the big picture window trimmed in white lights.

What did you think?

Veil of Fire, by Marlo Schalesky

VEIL OF FIRE
By Marlo Schalesky

A Raging Firestorm . . .
A Light in the Hills . . .
And a Mystery Rises from the Ash.

In 1894, the worst firestorm in Minnesota history descends on the town of Hinckley. Heat, flame, and darkness sweep through the town, devouring lives, destroying hope. In the aftermath, the town rises from the ashes, its people determined to rebuild their lives.
But in the shadows, someone is watching. Someone is waiting. Someone who knows the secrets that can free them all. A rumor begins of a hermit in the hills - a person severely burned, disfigured beyond recognition. Doubts rise. Fear whispers. Is the hermit a monster or a memory? An enemy or a love once-lost?
Based on historical events, Veil of Fire beckons to a time when hope rose from the smoke of sacrifice, when trust hid behind a veil of fear, when dreams were robed in a mantle of fire . . .

Reading Veil of Fire is like feasting on a banquet of rich words and vivid images.
─Tricia Goyer, award-winning author of five novels, including A Valley of Betrayal

Moving. Heartbreaking. Compelling. This beautiful, sensitive story of pain, loss, and, ultimately, healing touched the deepest parts of my heart.
─Laura Jensen Walker, author of Miss Invisible and Reconstructing Natalie

Veil of Fire may be purchased at Amazon.com or at your local bookstore. Visit Marlo at her web site: www.marloschalesky.com


Speaking with Marlo:

Q: Where did you birth the idea for this book? When? How did it come about?

A: People often ask where I get my ideas for my books. My answer? You never know! For Veil of Fire, the idea was birthed at my favorite Mexican restaurant in the mission town of San Juan Bautista. There I was, sitting with my family, nibbling chips and salsa, when a wedding party came by.

The bridesmaids were dressed in beautiful turn-of-the-century style gowns. As they passed, my mother-in-law began to tell me of the dresses that her great grandmother, who lived in Hinckley, used to sew for the rich ladies in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

From there, came the story of the great Hinckley fire and the rebuilding that this woman, my husband’s great-great-grandmother, was a part of. And finally, I heard the tale of the mystery figure in the hills, a person burned beyond recognition. A person never identified, living as a hermit until one day he just disappeared.

At that moment, the first inklings of the story that would become Veil of Fire were born in my heart.

Q: Can you explain the research process, since this is such a historical novel?

A: The research for Veil of Fire was particularly fascinating not only because of its link to my personal family history, but also because of the incredible first-person accounts of the fire that were written by people who were actually there.

These stories are compiled into a book written entirely by survivors who recount their personal experience of living through the firestorm that swept through their town. I read about a man whose hat lifted from his head and exploded above him as he ran through wind and fire.

Those eyewitness accounts, as well as information gathered about the fire from other sources, created the realistic feel of the fire and its aftermath in Veil of Fire. Today, a number of books about the fire, as well as artifacts, photos, and other articles can be seen at the Hinckley Fire Museum in Hinckley.

Q: What takeaway points do you hope your readers pull from this book?

A: Life happens. Failure, discouragement, pain, loss. Somewhere, somehow, life burns us all. And we realize that this life we live is not the one we once dreamed. The realities of life scar us. Doubts rise. Fear whispers that hope is gone. And what was once a simple faith can fail in the face of that fear.

So, for those burned by life, for those who carry scars that cannot be seen, for those who have retreated for fear of more pain, this story is for you, this journey from the hidden places of pain to a new hope in the unhidden truth of Christ’s love.

Q: Can you share with your readers something God has been teaching you lately?

A: Through some recent tragedies and through writing Veil of Fire, God is showing me that I cannot measure his love by my successes and failures, or even by my happiness. Who I am on the inside, how I am being shaped into the likeness of Christ, the character of my life – the color and beauty of it – are what are important to God. And to create that color and beauty, sorrow is necessary. Hurtful things happen.

Q: What book are you currently reading?

A: Why, the New Testament, of course . . . in Greek! Now, before you start thinking that loving Greek makes me too scholarly to write a decent novel, you should know that even though I just completed my Masters at Fuller (that’s a Masters in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary – so cool!), it wasn’t my desire for an “A” that made me fall in love with New Testament Greek.

Q: What book project can we expect from you after Veil of Fire?

A: After Veil of Fire, I’m writing 3 contemporary novels for Waterbrook-Multnomah. All of them are “Love Stories with a Twist!,” a new type of story that I think will knock readers’ socks off.

The first, Beyond the Night, releases in May 2008.

BIO

Marlo Schalesky is the award winning author of five books, including her latest novel VEIL OF FIRE, which explores the great Minnesota firestorm of 1894 and the mysterious figure who appeared in the hills afterward.

She has also had over 500 articles published in various magazines, had her work included in compilations such as Dr. Dobson’s Night Light Devotional for Couples, and is a regular columnist for Power for Living.

Marlo recently earned her Masters degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and is currently working on three contemporary novels for Multnomah-Waterbrook Publishers, a division of Random House. She lives in Salinas, California with her husband and four daughters.

Home, Home at last

The New Hampshire Weddings book signings went really, really well.

Big kudos to Wade Martin, Melody Keller and Choice Books for arranged the signings. And to Dave Murray and the Wal-Marts in North Conway and Gorham, NH.

I had a great time.

***

On another note... the trip home. Grr, double grrr, and grrr again.

From the time I left Wal-Mart yesterday and drove to Portland to catch my flight, it took me 24 hours to get home.

24 hours!

You don't want to know... and to be honest, I can't bear to relive it. Let's just say, our country has lost it's mind in the real of security. The innocent are guilty. The guilty are innocent. No, I did not go to jail or anything. Please.

Delta is not the "friendly sky" airline any more.

Atlanta is the worst airport in the history of airports.

New Hampshire Weddings Book signing

Where's Rachel?

Wal-Mart
New Conway, New Hampshire
May 11, 2007
5 - 7 p.m.

Wal-Mart
Gorham, New Hampshire
May 12, 2007
1o - 1:30 p.m.

Come out and say Hi if you're in the area.

Author Tracey Bateman and Defiant Heart

Hi Everyone,

My good friend and worship soulmate, Tracey Bateman has a book coming out the same day as Diva NashVegas! Her Avon Inspire, Defiant Heart.

I got my copy already, and it looks wonderful. Tracey is a warm, thoughtful, creative writer who knows how to make the characters come alive on the page. I know Defiant Heart will touch us all.


An Interview with Tracey Bateman

Q: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

A: The first time I can remember wanting to be a writer was after I read Gone with the Wind. I was about ten years old and it was the first book that resonated with me that much. I wanted to write the sequel. Got a good start with my blind brother's typewriter, but abandoned the effort when I realized Mother would never allow Rhett to cuss and it just didn't feel right the other way. See? I was born to edit myself.

Q: Where does your inspiration come from?

A: I write from a great love of books and a lifetime of reading stories that triggered my imagination. I write inspirational fiction because I'm a Christian and those are the stories that come out of me when I sit down to write. My books always begin with a character who needs the hope I've found in a relationship with Christ. So that's what comes out when I write. Anything can trigger an idea: a TV show, the History channel, a billboard, something my pastor says. Ultimately, I imagine ideas come from God. Sometimes I wish he'd write the books for me too!

Q: Tell us about your heroine, Fannie Caldwell.

A: Women in the western frontier had to be gritty and they had to be tough. They couldn't afford to be shrinking violets. For a woman like Fannie Caldwell, there was no one to take care of her, so she had to make her own way. What else was there to do but take a chance? Danger isn't necessarily a bad place to be if the alternative is staying in bondage to a brutal taskmaster. If you don't fight, there's no way to win. I always like to write about characters who have a lot to overcome because I think God is able to show Himself the most for us when we're the most needy. I like to show how God can bring us through adversity—not necessarily make it easy, but walk with us until we come out the other side—maybe bruised, maybe battered, but definitely the victors in the battle.


Tracey's bio:

Tracey Bateman lives in Missouri with her husband and four children. Their rural home provides a wonderful atmosphere for a writer's imagination to grow and produce characters, plots, and settings. In 1994, with three children to raise, she and her husband agreed that she should go to college and earn a degree.

In a Freshman English class, her love for writing was rekindled and she wrote a short story that she later turned into a book. Her college career was cut short with the news of their fourth baby's impending arrival, but the seeds of hope for a writing career were already taking root. Over the next several years she wrote, hooked up with critique partners, studied the craft of writing and eventually all the hard work paid off.

She currently has over 25 books published in a variety of genres. Tracey believes completely that God has big plans for his Kids and that all things are possible to anyone who will put their hope and trust in the God.

Eight Random Things

Eight Random Things, Only Eight
('cause there could be nine)

My friend Susan Meissner tagged me this afternoon to play Eight Random Things. And now [evil laugh, wringing hands] I give you Eight Random Things and those I've tagged to go after me!

First, the rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

EIGHT RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I'm an introextravert. Yeah, weird. I can be alone, enjoy being alone, always find peace in being alone. But, I love being out with people. Love social events. I can talk to pretty much anyone. I used to go to McDonalds in the morning to drink a Diet Coke and read - a book or my Bible, but I can't now. I've made friends and they talk to me while I'm reading.

2. I taught myself to play the keyboard.

3. I don't like spicey food.

4. While teaching a class to old newspaper typesetters (men) in Madrid, Spain, I returned to class after a break with a huge wad of paper towels stuck in the top of my pants. I'd used them to cover the toilet seat and it seems a collection of them slid off into my pants with out my knowledge.

5. I beat fear and anxiety by cling to and quoting God's Word, and believing what He says about me instead of how I felt.

6. I love junk food.

7. I've been to five continents.

8. I met my husband at church. God told me we were going to get married, but my husband felt God said we were to be friends. For three years, Husband was right. I've been right for eighteen and counting! LOL. (Actually, God did a great work in both of us. He is good!)

Here's who I have tagged: Christine Lynxwiler, Susan May Warren, Marilyn Griffith, Cindy Woodsmall, Amy Wallace, Rebekah Gunter, Carolyn Aarsen, and Georgiana D.

Has it been three days?

I can't believe it's been three days since I've blogged. Time goes by so fast.

Well, it's official, I'm weird. I have a favorite pair of jeans that I refuse to let go of even though they are falling apart.

This morning I ironed patches onto them. Yes, I did.

***
Have you heard about God.tv? From their web site:

Rory and Wendy Alec broke new ground for the Gospel establishing the first daily Christian television network in Europe. 11 years on, GOD TV broadcasts a new breed of original Christian programming around the world, and now to the USA.

Since the fall of Saddam Hussein GOD TV now broadcasts into Iraq with 30-40% of Iraqi homes able to watch GOD TV. Our programs can also be viewed in Iran, Syria, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Rachel here: War is one way God moves boundaries. I've heard from many reliable sources Christianity is booming in Iraq since Saddam left power.

I was moved by Saddam's death. I felt for him, though a man who lives by the sword dies by the sword. He was violent and cruel. But God will prevail. If any of us get in the way of Him reaching out to the human race He died to save, and loves without measure, we will be removed.

I personally know of a man who was sent by the Lord to Saddam many times to preach the Gospel. In fact, the United States government knows about this man of God. I believe Saddam was being beckoned by the Lord of Host to let His Word go forth. He was given many chances to surrender, just like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4.

God is merciful. He is great and good, but His will is premier to our man's.

Diva NashVegas Contest

Check out Novel Journey this morning. I'm a guest blogger and give a behind the scenes glimpse of writing Diva NashVegas.

Since Diva's official release is next week, May 8th, I decided to run a little contest to encourage readers to hop over to Amazon and buy Diva NashVegas. It used to be Amazon sales ranking didn't matter much to publishers, but recently that's changed.

If you buy Diva NashVegas from Amazon, or any local book store, leave me a comment and you'll be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate to Starbucks OR Barnes & Noble. One winner will be drawn for each gift card.

Diva NashVegas is about a country superstar who rose to mega fame in the shadow of her parent's death - Gospel music pioneers. A media mystery, but often tabloid headline fodder, Aubrey James keeps her private life, private. But when she's betrayed by a former band member, she decides to tell her story. Enter sexy, entertaining and quirky sports anchor Scott Vaughn. A sports anchor? Why not. Read the book to find out the rest of the story.

Also, check out HM Magazine's May/June GMA issue. The editor gave Lost In NashVegas a very nice write up. Find HM at your local CBA book store or online.

Grace, grace to you today!