GOOD-BYE

With great sadness, I second Nancy's post on our leaving. The blog has been great fun, but it's season is past and Nancy and I must move on. We will focus more on our blogs, websites, and writing. It's been a blessing. Thank you for allowing us to serve you in this way. - Cynthia Hickey

SAYING GOOD-BYE...

Sometimes it's hard to say "good-bye." However, Cindy and I have decided to change our focus a bit, spending more time on our own blogs. We appreciate all the wonderful authors who have visited us, and even more importantly, all the readers who enjoy those authors. It's been fun getting to know you. I hope you will stay in touch with us.

You can find Cindy at: www.cynthiahickey.com or www.cynthiahickey.blogspot.com.

You can find me at www.nancymehl.blogspot.com.

Hope you'll stop by and say "hello!"

A WINNER!

RASPBERRY GIRL HAS WON A COPY OF CARA PUTNAM'S BOOK, TRIAL BY FIRE! CONGRATULATIONS R.G.!!!

INTERVIEW WITH CARA PUTNAM

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Cara Putman is a woman living a dream God planted in her heart years ago.

An honors graduate of University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!) and George Mason Law School, Cara is an attorney licensed in Virginia and Indiana. She clerked for the Honorable Loren Smith at the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. before following her husband to Indiana.

In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. At the book signing her husband told Colleen Coble that she wanted to be writer. She's been running ever since to keep up. Barbour's Heartsong Presents has released four of her books, including Canteen Dreams, a WWII historical set in Nebraska that won the 2008 Book of the Year for Short Historical. She also writes romantic suspense for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense and the Complete Idiots Guide to Business Law.

Cara is also an attorney, wife, mom to three, homeschool teacher, occasional professor at Purdue, active at her church, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is.

Tell us about your new release.
Trial by Fire is my second book with Love Inspired Suspense. Here’s a bit about it: Her mother's house was first. Then her brother's. County prosecutor Tricia Jamison is sure she's next on the arsonist's list. But who is after her family? And why does every fire throw her in Noah Brust's path?

Noah can't forgive Tricia. Her failure to protect him on the stand the previous year meant his father's reputation was ruined. Yet every time the firefighter is near her, he's drawn to her again. The vulnerability she hides under her confident veneer surprises and moves him. Torn between Tricia's safety and his own bitterness, Noah belatedly remembers the first rule of firefighting: don't get burned.

How did you get started writing?
I’ve been writing since we had a creative writing journal in 3rd grade, but I began actively writing fiction with a hope of seeing books published in 2005. I’d started a couple historical novels back as a teenager – my mom let me use them as English projects, but those are fortunately buried on a computer somewhere in my parents’ basement. My original idea in 2005 became Deadly Exposure for Love Inspired Suspense.

You are a busy woman. How do you juggle family, God, career, and writing?
Some days better than others. Seriously, balance is very hard. One thing I’ve done is step away from working more than 5-10 hours a week as an attorney. Writing is my main professional endeavor with teaching an occasional business law class at Purdue and taking clients that really interest me. I try to limit my kids’ activities so they have time to be kids — but again, there I do better some months than others. And I try to be in tune with God to what are the right activities for me at this moment in my life.

What do you like most and least about writing?
I love the creative challenge and brainstorming. I love the pinging ideas when you get a few writers together to work on plot. One of the items that is hard for me is the isolation. I’m an extrovert and long for more time to be with others.

What's next on the writing horizon?
I’ve just signed two contracts: one with Summer side press (known for the Love Finds You in...books) for a historical suspense. A great chance to combine my love of suspense with my passion for World War Two. And the other contract is with Guideposts for a book in their next mystery series: Patchwork Mysteries. Six of us are writing that series, and it’s already been a fun experience – and it’s barely started. In addition to that, the last book in my Ohio World War Two series releases in the spring from Heartsong Presents. And I’ve had the fun of hearing that Cornhusker Dreams, the 3-in-1 for my Nebraska World War Two series for Heartsong Presents/Barbour, is in Wal-Marts across the country.

Can you give us a little known fact about yourself?
I have made millions of Runza homemade onion rings in my lifetime. My family has several franchises in the restaurant and I spent every Saturday morning (other mornings, too) making onion rings from scratch. Yum!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. What is your favorite or most memorable Thanksgiving memory?
I think all of my favorite memories involve family. Thanksgiving has always involved time with family, feasting, and football. Growing up we would start in one town with my grandmother’s family, drive two hours away to have dinner with my other grandparents, before returning to the family farm for yet more food. Yum!

Do you have any advice for the pre-published?
If you are serious about writing Christian fiction, join American Christian Fiction Writers (www.acfw.com). This organization and its members have played a key role in my journey to publication. It is a very small amount to invest in your dream, and the rewards if you take advantage of all the organization offers while doing the hard work of writing, can be the joy of holding that first book.

Where can your readers go to know more about you?
Readers can find me on the web at www.caraputman.com or on facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/cara.putman), twitter (www.twitter.com/c_putman) or shoutlife (www.shoutlife.com/caraputman).

Leave a comment to win a copy of Cara's book

VERONICA HELEY

Veronica Heley is celebrating the publication of her 64th book in the UK this Christmas, though the USA publication date will be a couple of months after that. She’s been in the business now for over 30 years, having her first crime fiction book published in l977 – recently re-issued in 2008. She’s written a straightforward biography of St Paul, some historical fiction, many articles and reviews, masses of children’s and resource books, and learned how to write story-boards for cartoons. She enjoys giving talks and teaching about writing.

She is married to a retired probation officer who sometimes gives her ideas for stories, and has a married, musician daughter. She is active in her local church and community affairs, likes to break for coffee with friends and does the garden when she has time. She has been a member of a book reading club for over 30 years, but has decided that life is too short to read depressing literature any more.


I THOUGHT I KNEW IT!

On and off for some time, between writing my two series of gentle crime books for adults, I’ve been working with another Christian writer to retell Bible stories with a difference for children. She is brilliant at retelling the good old stories such as Silent Night, putting the well known tales into modern guise. She also thinks up Easy Ways to Christmas Plays. These are published by Bible Reading Fellowship and Concordia. Look up her website at www.vickihowie.co.uk and you’ll see what I mean.

The idea was that she produces a modern twist on a bible story, and I would then retell it very simply from biblical sources. Originally we envisaged this becoming an illustrated book, with CD Roms of the stories and pictures tucked inside the cover. This would be a resource book for adults to use with children, or for children to access by themselves. Well, that idea is still in the pending file, waiting for the end of the recession.

But recently we were asked if we could produce a children’s take on the Nativity story for a Christmas Eve publication in the Methodist Recorder. Of course we could. Vicki had just the right story tucked in her files, and of course I’d done this sort of thing before – not least for Frances Lincoln when I did the text for their superb pop-up book on The Nativity, illustrated by Francesca Crespi and published by Frances Lincoln.

Being in a hurry as usual, I dashed into the first draft and sent it off to Vicki by email. Ouch. I’d broken the first rule of re-writing text; I hadn’t checked with the Bible first, had I?

Vicki let me down gently. There is no donkey in the Bible version. Nor an innkeeper. And did my last sentence really convey the angel’s joy at Christ’s birth? Er, well . . . no, it didn’t.

Now that’s what I call friendship; to be able to point out errors in such a way that I could spring to correct them without embarrassment.

So I did what I ought to have done in the first place, which was go back to the Bible and re-write my version to suit.

I really ought to have known better, oughtn’t I? How many children’s enactments of the Nativity story have I sat through in my time? In all the years in which I was writing solely for children, how many times have I retold bible stories in Junior Church, and for Christian book publishers? In those days the first thing I did was to re-read the original, no matter how well I thought I knew it, and no matter how busy I was.

No excuses; I shouldn’t have trusted my memory.

Well, that was a salutary lesson. I do trust no one else falls into this trap come Christmas. Remember: no donkey, no innkeeper. But plenty of angels, please.

Veronica Heley’s 64th book, MURDER IN HOUSE, tenth in the Ellie Quicke series, came out in June 09 in the UK, September 09 in the USA. The next one, FALSE PRETENCES, 4th in the Abbot Agency series, comes out in the UK in December 09, and March 2010 in the USA. Check out her Web site at: www.veronicaheley.co.uk/

OUR NEWEST WINNERS!

THERESA HAS WON "A STAR CURIOUSLY SINGING" BY KERRY NIETZ!

ANGIE HAS WON "COWBOY CHRISTMAS" BY MARY CONNEALY!

CONGRATS TO OUR WINNERS!

MARY CONNEALY BLOGS ABOUT COWBOYS AND CHRISTMAS!

Mary Connealy, writes romantic comedies with cowboys for Barbour Publishing. Cowboy Christmas is in bookstores now. Montana Rose, Book #1 of the Montana Marriages series, released in July, book #2 The Husband Tree comes in January and book #3 Wildflower Bride comes in May 2010. Mary is also the author of the Lassoed in Texas series and a cozy mystery collection, Nosy in Nebraska. Mary is a Christy Award finalist.
Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Blog
My Website

From Mary:

No holiday seems to have the same capacity for joy as Christmas.
That’s why I was so excited when Barbour Publishing let me write Cowboy Christmas.

Christmas stories, done right, have a richness that doesn’t come from things. And in the materialist world we live in, to touch that chord of the true meaning of Christmas can be tremendously powerful and fun all at the same time. I think the reason I love stories like this is because I get as caught up in the commercial whirl as anyone and try hard to remember what it’s really all about. A baby in a manger. God becoming man. The birth that leads to the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate act of love on the cross.

All great Christmas stories transcend materialism and reveal the true meaning of Christmas. Even non-Christian stories do this with a focus on family or peace but no where is it done better than in a Christian setting and I hope so much that I managed it in Cowboy Christmas.

I wanted a chance to do that with a Christmas book.
I wanted a character who’s heart grew three sizes that day.
I wanted a tiny voice saying, “God bless us everyone.”
I wanted that moment when we all hope we’d be wise enough to abandon our sheep to the wolves and follow a star to where the Christ child lay.

I know, I know, it’s only autumn. Doesn’t matter, like everything else about Christmas, things start early.

Cowboy Christmas
A beautiful songstress hiding from danger.
A wounded hearted cowboy who hates secrets.
An evil man obsessed with the wealth he can garner with that stunning voice.
The Rockies in the brutal cold of winter.
A family who takes in a damsel in distress regardless of their suspicions.
And one perfect chance for a man and woman to follow a star that will lead them to true love.
Cowboy Christmas


Leave a comment telling me your favorite Christmas tradition. Just do it! You'll be entered into a drawing to win a signed copy of Cowboy Christmas! And don't forget to leave your email address!.

WINNERS!!!!

WE HAVE NEW WINNERS!

Wendy has won THIRSTY by Tracey Bateman and Carman will be getting a copy of Linore Rose Burkard's book, THE HOUSE IN GROSVENOR SQUARE!

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OUR WINNERS!

JEFF GERKE / MARCHER LORD PRESS

Jeff Gerke has been called the de facto gatekeeper of Christian speculative fiction. He is a freelance editor and book doctor specializing in helping Christian novelists improve their fiction and get published. Under the pen name Jefferson Scott, Jeff has authored six Christian novels. In October 2008 Jeff launched his own publishing company, Marcher Lord Press, which immediately became the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction. Jeff is the author of THE ART & CRAFT OF WRITING CHRISTIAN FICTION, as well as the popular "Fiction Writing Tip of the Week" column online. Jeff has served as a staff editor for Multnomah Publishers, Strang Communications, and NavPress. He and his wife of 19 years live in Colorado Springs with their daughter and son and baby girl they have adopted from China.
FROM JEFF:

Marcher Lord Press launched in October 2008. We released three novels--all Christian speculative fiction: two fantasy novels and one science fiction. Those books did very well, at least in terms of the numbers we need to succeed. This is micropublishing we're talking about, after all. The first list broke even after four months.

Then in April 2009 we released the second list. This time we had a fantasy, a science fiction, and an..."other" called THE DARK MAN. Those books also did very well, and broke even in two months.

And on October 1 we released our third list. All three are science fiction this time. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the three best books I had before me were all SF. I like having a variety of genres, but this was fun, especially with the spin we put on it. I said that Marcher Lord Press headquarters had been seized by invaders from the future. They threatened to destroy the earth unless we published their demands, which happened to come in the form of excellent SF novels!

For the fourth list we're doing something experimental. Two of the three slots will be filled by sequels to books from the previous lists, but that third slot will be filled through a process we're calling Marcher Lord Select.

It's like American Idol for fiction acquisitions. We'll present the first ~30 pages of a pretty large number of novels--like 20-40--and let "the people" talk about them and vote on their favorites. The list will get cut to 10, then 5, and so on, until the winner is announced. The winner will be the book that goes into that third slot for the Spring 2010 list.

Pretty cool, huh? The idea is that people will get very excited about being the MLP editorial board, so to speak, and will not only have great buy-in to the process but will also tell all their friends to come participate.

With only two exceptions, every novelist I've spoken with about this has been extremely excited. Their thought is that if only people could read their fiction, they would love it. So here's their chance. And, like in American Idol, even the contestants that don't win still get excellent exposure. Who knows, a book that gets voted off Marcher Lord Select might still gain the interest of another publisher.

I love the feeling of giving the power of acquisitions to the people. For one thing, they'll feel empowered and connected. For another, they'll begin to see just how hard it is to pick when there are so many great stories to choose from. I think it's a way to pull back the veil a bit on publishing and to have some fun at the same time. It will also hopefully raise awareness about this scrappy little indie publisher out there trying new things and giving aspiring novelists the chance to shine.

If you're interested in taking part in Marcher Lord Select, hie thee over to my forums site, The Anomaly, and watch the Marcher Lord Select area. It all gets started for real on November 1.


If you'd like a chance to win a copy of one of MLP's recently released books, A STAR CURIOUSLY SINGING, just leave a comment, along with your email address!

INTERVIEW WITH LINORE ROSE BURKARD

Linore Rose Burkard is the creator of "Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul." Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the era of Regency England (circa 1811 - 1820). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility, will enjoy meeting Ariana Forsythe, a feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London.

Ms. Burkard's novels include Before the Seasons Ends and The House in Grosvenor Square (coming April, 2009). Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the Regency period. Her books and monthly newsletter captivate readers with little-known facts, exciting stories, and historical insights. Experience a romantic age, where timeless lessons still apply to modern life. And, enjoy a romance that reminds you happy endings are possible for everyone.

Publisher's Weekly affirms, "Ms. Burkard's command of period detail is impressive, evident in material details, but also in dialogue. Her novels even help non-Regencyphiles learn the difference between ladies' pelisses and spencers...On the whole, it's a tasty confection."

Ms. Burkard began writing when she couldn't find a Regency romance with an inspirational twist. "There were Christian books that approached the genre," she says, "But, they fell short of being a genuine Regency. I knew that many women like me want stories that are historically authentic and offer glimpses of God's involvement in our lives. So, I finally gave up looking and decided to write one myself."

Ms. Burkard was raised in New York, where she graduated magna cum laude from the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature. She lives with her husband and five children in a town full of antique stores and gift shops in southwestern Ohio. Her hobbies include working on four new Regency novels, family movie nights, swimming, and gardening.


How did you begin writing?
When I was nine, I fell in love with the book, My Side of the Mountain. So after I finished it, I wrote my own version, putting myself as the protagonist (it was a perfect escape book) and in that way wrote my first novel. I didn't think of myself as a writer, however. Not for a long time.

Why Regency?
Later on I enjoyed Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen and wanted to read a book in the setting of the regency, like their books, only from a Christian perspective. When no one else wrote the book I was waiting and looking for, I finally wrote it myself.

You're a busy woman with writing, speaking, and teaching. How do you balance your time between them?
There are seasons when I have things in balance pretty well, and I live off a daily "to do" list. I have daily quiet time and prayer, which helps me get my priorities straight. If I start to skip my time with God, though, I find that all other areas of my life get out of whack, too. I start spending too much time researching, or writing, or finding my time for homeschooling getting squeezed out or shortened. So I have to do an overhaul, which always begins with repentance.

Where is God in all the busyness?
He gives me my reasons for all the busyness, and He alone can energize me to keep at it. My first ministry is to my family--but it's from God, so I have
good reasons to keep at it, and do it as best I can--even when my family feels like too much work. Then, my writing ministry is also from Him. It's like a trust--it's the talent he's given me, literally, which I cannot keep hidden in the ground, or under a bushel. If I did, I'd be squandering the gift and not obeying the Lord. But I have to admit, it's also a fun thing for me to write. It's a gift I'm sooooo thankful for.

What are you working on now?
I have a new book coming out in January, The Country House Courtship, which is finished already. So now I've started a new book with a new setting for me. It begins in the US and then goes across the ocean to Regency England, where a lot of the action occurs. Then, it ends back in the 'States. My heroine is different than my previous heroines, also, because she's from a Quaker (or possibly German Baptist) background .

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Hmm. That really depends upon when you ask me the question. As a child, I guess I wanted to be a mom (I've always loved babies!) As a teen, I just hoped I'd live to grow up, I kid you not. And right now, I want to be the kind of Christian woman who is pleasing to God in thought, word and deed. I want to teach younger women the importance of modesty and godly values, and how to take back their lives from Satan, who often clouds our judgment with lies. Like I said, as a teenager I believed the worst sort of lies about myself and other people too, and Satan likes nothing better than to ruin young lives. I would love to know that I helped intervene so that someone on the wrong path, as I once was, could change direction, and (with the Holy Spirit's prompting, of course) get on the narrow road that leads to life.

Do you have any advice for the prepublished?
Lots, actually, but for the sake of brevity: Do everything you can to choose something else to do with your life--but if you keep ending up writing, then take it to God and lay it at His feet. He'll lead you and in His timing, you'll get your breakthrough. Be teachable, write the book of your heart, accept criticism. Try different genres and see what you can communicate best, through. Don't despise the day of small beginnings.

How can readers find out more about you?
Probably by being my friend on facebook! But the shorter method is to visit my website. : ) http://www.LinoreBurkard.com

I have lots of reader's resources there, too, free and ready for download. And they should sign up for my newsletters, in which I share fun and facts about the regency, but also give updates on my writing and life.



Leave a comment for a chance to win Linore's book.