Ahh, the Fragrant Scent of Fair Time

July 12, 2010 – 10:22 am

Yep, it’s that time again in the Peck household. Kids are in a flurry to complete projects and posters. Glue, markers, construction paper and printer paper scraps flying, and tape running out in two-fold. Yeah, it’s fair time again. And this year, we have cookie batter coming out our ears! The 2 eldest finally picked a project Mom can help with and not lose her mind trying to figure out what in the wide wide world she’s doing. I must say though, my boys are pretty durn good bakers. Helps when they have a Mom and 2 aunts who could bake up a storm and make people go, Hmmmmmm!

And once more, I’m the sole parent, as hubby is at Annual Training. Not only that, but I’m the deferred Cloverbud leader. Oh, the joys of being married to the actual leader. (I’ve already been warned that I’m getting saddled with it for next year cause the husband has a class he must take on the same night we have 4-H meetings. Oy ve!)

But this year has an added layer that is going to keep us on our toes. My mother-in-law just had major surgery last week to remove a tumor that was next to her brain stem and wrapped around veins and nerves in her neck. As of the last report I got, she was still in ICU and still in a lot of pain. This is a touch and go kind of thing with her as there’s a family history of strokes and she has blood clotting issues. Not only am I on call for 4-H duty, but on call for informing hubby duty.

Stress is running a ting bit high around here. Which makes it very difficult to concentrate and write.

I’m frustrated to say the least. I’ve been writing my historical for over a year now and it’s really bothering me that I haven’t finished it by now. And this is only the rough draft. I still have to edit and revise it before I can even think of sending it to my agent or an editor. Yet, I do have to say, that I’m way loads closer to reaching my initial word count goal of 90,000. I’m 5,000 away from it. And it feels good. There’s an actual light at the end of this forever long tunnel. And I’m praying that all this work won’t go down the drain. My agent is hopefully certain it won’t get rejected, seeing as historicals set in the 1800′s America are selling like hot cakes right now. I pray she’s right!

So, I bore you no further and get back to the finish up detail of projects. I see blue ribbons, and possibly a purple this year.

By Winter | Posted in About Winter, Food, Military, My Family, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

Review of State Fair, by Earlene Fowler

July 6, 2010 – 8:43 am

Ahh, State Fair, the 14th installment of the Benni Harper mystery series. And I read this book at the right time, seeing as our own fair is next week.

In grand Benni Harper Ortiz fashion, she gets herself embroiled in yet another untimely death, and this time her Aunt Garnet has hopped along for the ride. My all time favorite characters are on-board, Detective Ford Hudson, Emory and Eliva–and their new little one Sophia, Gabe and Sam, and of course Grandma Dove! And in like so many mystery series we’re introduced to new characters–Levi Clark, the first African-American fair board president for San Celina County Mid-State fair.

Racial tensions bound after the body of a young man who has ties with Levi’s mixed daughter is found in one of the exhibits. Since the county is out of Gabe’s jurisdiction it falls to Detective Hudson to find the man’s killer. Try as she may, Benni can’t keep her nose out of this investigation–cause Aunt Garnet keeps landing her in trouble. Wonderful twists and rich detail into the history of black cloth dolls, and let’s not forget the abundance of quilts and their detail that fill this book. When you get to the end of this book, you’ll be in for a surprise right along with Benni and Aunt Garnet.

A great addition to the series, and a great trip back to my youth when I’d spend some of my summers at the fair.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Folk art museum curator, rancher, and sometime sleuth Benni Harper returns with a long-awaited new mystery that has her attending the San Celina Mid-State Fair-a place for caramel apples and 4-H calves, colorful quilts and homemade jams, and maybe just a little murder…

ABOUT AUTHOR:

Earlene Fowler was raised in La Puente, California, and now lives in Southern California with her husband.

By Winter | Posted in Book Review, Cowboys, Funny, Mystery | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Great Article from Publisher’s Weekly

July 1, 2010 – 7:47 pm

I’ve been a bit lazy lately about posting on my blog. But I guess I have a sort of an excuse. This summer has been uber-busy with all the stuff we’ve had to do with the kids. But I wanted to share this great article I found on Publisher’s Weekly. Read on!

Why I Write…Siobhan Fallon

By Siobhan Fallon
Jun 28, 2010

An army base is a strange place. An army base in a time of war , especially after 4,000 men pack up their duffel bags, put on their uniforms, and leave their wives and children for an entire year. In You Know When the Men Are Gone, I attempt to show that world and the moments that lead up to the separation, the long and difficult absence, the return. Military families are wrenched apart and expected to piece themselves together again and again. Somehow, they manage. They improvise. They take the strangeness and make it normal.

During my husband’s last deployment to Iraq, I knocked a valve off my sprinkler system while gardening, causing a geyser I couldn’t stop. It was a Sunday afternoon. I called the company that installed my sprinkler. I called the contractor who built my house. I called the water department. Standing in my front yard, dripping wet and muddy, no one answered my call. Most of my neighbors’ husbands had deployed, but I remembered there was one house that still had a man inside it, a pilot who was on a different rotation and whose name I later learned was Tim. I took off running down the street.

Tim answered his door. He followed me, bringing his wrench (where was my wrench? I had no idea). He got the valve back on that gushing pipe. A few days later, my neighbors and I were outside, and I told them about my soggy lawn. It seemed like each of us had knocked on Tim’s door and he had left his family at the dinner table, come into our homes, tried to fix our problems, his only qualification being that he was a man. He never said no. He acted as if it was his duty to care for us while our husbands were away, hoping we’d watch over his family when it was his turn to go.

It was this sort of everyday moment that inspired me. While there are a lot of books about soldiers’ experiences on the battlefields, there are few about the home front. For every soldier deployed, there is a family waiting for his return, and those stories, those battles, those small and fragile moments, are extraordinary to me.

Siobhan Fallon lived at Fort Hood while her husband, an army major, was deployed to Iraq for two tours of duty. She earned her M.F.A. at the New School in New York City. She lives with her family near the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif.  Fallon’s debut novel, You Know When the Men Are Gone, will be published in January by Amy Einhorn Books.

By Winter | Posted in Authors, Military, Writing | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

ACFW July New Releases

July 1, 2010 – 3:31 pm

1. A Shore Thing; Otter Bay, Book 2 by Julie Carobini– A Romance from B&H. A fiery, eco-friendly young woman leads the fight against a large development in her beachfront hometown while falling for the architect assigned to the job.

2. Back on Murder; A Roland March Mystery, Book 1 by J. Mark Bertrand — A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Bethany House. Homicide cop Roland March attempts a comeback as corruption and a high profile case threaten to sink him.

3. Beautiful Bandit; The Lone Star Legends Series by Loree Lough — An Historical from Whitaker House. When rancher Josh Neville rescues a terrified woman who calls herself Dinah, she unwittingly leads notorious killers to his door, putting him and everyone at the Lazy N in jeopardy.

4. Beyond Summer; Blue Sky Hills Series, Book 3 by Lisa Wingate — Women’s Fiction from Peguin Group/NAL. Tam Williams discovers the blessings of community when her father is jailed, and the family moves to downscale Blue Sky Hill where her new friend, Shasta might lose her home to her father’s shady mortgage company.

5. Bride in Training; Man’s Best Friend Series by Gail Gaymer Martin — A Romance from Love Inspired. Troubled lives lead to loneliness, Emily and Martin learn, until the Lord teaches them he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

6. Cattleman’s Courtship by Carolyn Aarsen — A Romance from Love Inspired. Cara Morrison has to fix the past before she can face the future.

7. Doctor in Petticoats; Sophie’s Daughters Series, Book #1 by Mary Connealy — A Romance from Barbour. A burned out doctor is called in because he’s a man, while the town’s lady doctor does all the work and keeps the doctor from cracking up.

8. Driftwood Lane; 3rd in Series of Stand Alones by Denise Hunter — A Romance from Thomas Nelson. A love story set on Nantucket Island.

9. Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley — A Romance from Steeple Hill. A firefighter falls in love while trying to find her father’s killer.

10. Flash Point; Emerald Coast 911 by Stephanie Newtonr — A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Love Inspired Suspense. Courage Under Fire.

11. Heart of a Cowboy; 2nd book in the Helping Hands Homeschooling by Margaret Daley — A Romance from Love Inspired. Zachary Rutgers is perfectly happy with being a loner until he discovers he has a son and must deal with buried feelings concerning Jordan Masterson.

12. Love Finds You in Calico, California by Elizabeth Ludwig — An Historical from Summerside Press. A young seamstress struggling to survive in a booming mining town is pressed into a marriage of convenience with the local livery owner.

13. Minnesota Moonlight 3-in-1 Collection by Becky Melby & Cathy Wienke — Romance from Barbour. An ex-con, a storm chaser, and a footloose musician?three unlikely heroes for three women learning to trust God…and the men He’s brought into their lives.

14. Nightshade; Book #1 of the Discarded Heroes series by Ronie Kendig — A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Barbour. This Former Navy SEAL is fighting a new battle–the home front!

15. Prodigal Patriot; Vermont #1 by Darlene Franklin — A Romance from Barbour Heartsong. How can Sally and Josiah battle through the barriers separating Tory and Patriot to find love and forgiveness?

16. Ransome’s Crossing; The Ransome Trilogy, Book 2 by Kaye Dacus — A Romance from Harvest House. Disguising herself as a midshipman to get to her secret fiance, Charlotte Ransome faces danger–and love–crossing the Atlantic.

17. Rodeo Redemption; The Rodeo Royalty Series, Book 1 by Teri Wilson — A Romance from White Rose Publishing. Josie Turner would rather forget she was ever crowned Rodeo Queen. Can former rodeo cowboy Luke Anderson mend Josie’s heart and can one rodeo weekend help them both find redemption?

18. Seeds of Summer; Seasons of the Tallgrass – Book #2 by Deborah Vogts — A Romance from Zondervan. When a former Miss Rodeo Kansas queen returns home after her father’s death to care for the family ranch and her two younger siblings, what follows is a summer full of change, life-lessons and an unexpected romance with the new minister in Diamond Falls.

19. So Over It; Book 3 in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series by Stephanie Morrill — General Fiction from Revell. Senior year is over and Skylar Hoyt is ready to forgive and forget. Or at least forget.

20. Song of Solomon by Kendra Norman Bellamy — A Romance from Urban Books. How can he convince her that she’s his God-given mate when she’s already wearing a wedding ring?

21. Stars in the Night by Cara Putman — An Historical from Summerside Press. Step back to 1942 Hollywood as Audra Schaeffer tries to find her sister and a killer before it is too late.

22. The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis — An Historical from Summerside Press. When Emma’s father is murdered, she’s hired to do the job he could have had–helping track them down by breaking their ciphers.

23. The Engineered Engagement; Book Three in the Kennebrae Brides Series by Erica Vetsch — An Historical from Barbour Heartsong. Sparks fly when a shipbuilder finds himself engaged to the wrong girl.

24. The Seeker; The Shaker Series # 3 by Ann H. Gabhart — An Historical from Revell. The story brings alive the strikingly different worlds of the Southern gentry, the simple Shakers and the ravages of war in 1860s Kentucky.

25. The Way to a Man’s Heart; The Miller Family Series, Book 3 by Mary Ellis — A Romance from Harvest House. When all the men beat a path to Leah’s diner, her parents don’t breathe a sigh of relief until she narrows her suitors from half a dozen down to one.

26. Where the Dogwoods Bloom by Myra Johnson — A Romance from Barbour Heartsong. Jilly Gardner left Blossom Hills ten years ago, determined never to return, but when Cam Lane calls to ask for her help, she finds she can’t say no.

By Winter | Posted in American Christian Fiction Writers, Authors, Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Review of Maid to Match, by DeeAnne Gist

June 29, 2010 – 12:20 pm

Now that I’m able to sit again. I can post my review for this fabulous book.

You’re about to enter into the world of America’s rich through the eyes and lives of the servants. And it’s not quite what you expect.

Tillie Reese has been given the chance to fulfill the position of lady’s maid, a dream her mother has long been preparing her for. Yet the rough and tumble mountain man who has entered the ranks of servants has Tillie twisted into knots. Mack Danvers wants nothing more than to make enough money to save his sister from a horrible situation and move back into the mountains with his siblings. Now his goal is expanded to make Tillie his wife. Neither is prepared for the turns in their paths God has placed before them.

DeeAnne Gist takes you deep into the bowels of the Vanderbilt castle and the inner workings of the American servant class. Her imagery places you right there with Mack and Tillie. We feel the same tumulus emotions these two characters feel as they untangle the mess they’ve created around them in order to find love and God’s purposes for them. You can’t help root for Mack as he works his way into Tillie’s heart and encourage Tillie to make the right decision.

Another delicious read from an author I deem a keeper on my bookshelf.

By Winter | Posted in Book Review, CFBA Blog Tour, Christianity, Historicals, History, Romance | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

CFBA Maid to Match, by DeeAnne Gist

June 21, 2010 – 9:02 am

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Maid to Match Bethany House (June 1, 2010)
by Deeanne Gist

MY REVIEW: Will come later, I’ve pinched a nerve in my back and can’t sit for very long.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm–all from the comforts of home.

Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.

After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a “corporate executive” was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.

Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

Her 2010 books, Beguiled and Maid To Match are now available for order.

Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-seven years and their two border collies. They have four grown children. Visit her blog to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Falling in love could cost her everything.

From the day she arrived at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled, by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack’s rugged behavior by tutoring him in proper servant etiquette, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie’s efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt’s lady’s maid, After all, the one rule of the house is no romance below stairs.

But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangles in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs, their aspirations…their hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maid to Match, go HERE.

Join this SPECIAL GETAWAY (Click on the Button):

By Winter | Posted in Book Review, CFBA Blog Tour, Christianity, Historicals, Romance | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

The Maverick, by Jan Hudson

June 13, 2010 – 6:15 pm

The Maverick

(A book in the Texas Outlaws series)
(2010)

A novel by: Jan Hudson

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Cassidy Outlaw left her high-powered legal job – and the unscrupulous lawyer fiancé who broke her heart – to return to Texas. Here, life is simpler and the people more authentic. Managing her family’s Chili Witches Café and protecting the charm of old Austin’s landmarks keeps her too busy to care about spending time with Griff Mitchell, the new hottie in town with the Paul Newman blue eyes.

When Cass literally stumbles over him on the jogging trail, Griff falls for her in turn – hard. Too bad she’s got a problem with big New York City lawyers.because he’s here to convince her family to sell their historic property. No one told him Cass was the kind of woman who could stand up to any man – a maverick who could break his heart. Will she forgive him when she discovers his secret?

MY REVIEW:

It’s been a while since I picked up a American Romance. And this was a good book to pick up to read. I loved Cassidy’s sass and spunk. Griff was such a sweetheart, even with his dirty little secret. The only quibble I have with the book is there wasn’t enough time spent in Griff’s POV (point-of-view). I would have loved to been on scene when he made his trip back to New York. Cassidy’s mom and aunt were just a hoot, women who are just right for this family. Meeting the whole Outlaw gang was a treat. I enjoyed this story immensely and now I’m gonna try to get some of the other books in the Outlaw series, this family sounds interesting.

By Winter | Posted in Book Review, Contemporary, Romance | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

CFBA Seeds of Summer by Deborah Vogts

June 13, 2010 – 5:42 pm

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Seeds of Summer Zondervan (May 25, 2010)
by
Deborah Vogts

MY REVIEW:

The magic of the written word. Done correctly, it can weave a spell and hold you so tightly its difficult to put a book down. Deborah Vogts sequel in her Seasons of the Tallgrass has captured that magic. Seeds of Summer is an excellent addition to this series.

Natalie Adams has once again felt the sting of tragedy. At the age of 22 she becomes a mother and ranch owner. Having already lost the Miss Rodeo America crown, Natalie is left jaded by dropping her dreams of finishing college. She’s further agitated when she finds she must tread the quagmire of her teenaged sister’s rebellion and the inability to help her young brother cope with their father’s death. As she struggles to juggle home life with ranch work and search for the money her father hide around the ranch, another headache is dropped in her lap in the form of her stepmother. A woman, who packed her bags and ran off leaving a young daughter and baby son in Natalie’s care when she was no more than a pre-teen. To make matters worse for Natalie, at least in her mind, she’s being hounded by a very persistent preacher who insists on helping her with the ranch and her family.

Jared Logan is excited to have his own church to pastor. And the elusive Natalie Adams and her family to fulfill his dream of farming. Though Natalie doesn’t share his faith, Jared is determined to peel away her thick outer shell and show her that God doesn’t forsake and He has the ability to help her carry the load. Fending off matchmaking slap happy women in his congregation, Jared’s feelings bloom for Natalie, building up a roadblock he had thought solved.

This book is something I’ve longed to read in the Christian market. A look inside the other aspects of the world of rodeo–the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. It’s a wonderful mix of life in the Flint Hills of Kansas and ranching. I couldn’t recommend this book more. If you get a chance grab a copy. Get a cup of coffee, or iced tea, find a shady spot, sit back and enjoy. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series, Blades of Autumn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from Deborah:

If you haven’t guessed by now, the books I write are set in the country. I believe my most dedicated readers will be those who live in the country, those who have moved from the country and still hold it in their hearts, or those who have never lived there but long for the simple life it offers. Because of this, I’ve chosen Country at Heart as my writing brand, which is also the title of my Blog.
On Writing: http://deborahvogts.blogspot.com/

I began my first book when I was in high school. In college I studied English literature and journalism. Then came marriage, kids . . . life. During that time, I piddled with my writing but didn’t take it seriously until 2002 when I joined a local writer’s group and American Christian Fiction Writers. I also joined a critique group, took online writing workshops, read writing book how-to’s and attended writer’s conferences. Now I have an agent, Rachelle Gardner, at WordServe Literary and have been contracted with Zondervan for a three-book contemporary romance series.

The Seasons of the Tallgrass series captures the spirit and dreams of ordinary people living in the Flint Hills of Kansas–one of the last tallgrass prairie regions in the world.

The first book, Snow Melts in Spring, is available in stores now. Seeds of Summer released May 2010.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When opposites attract, sparks fly–like an electrical malfunction. That’s what happens when former rodeo queen, Natalie Adams meets the new pastor in Diamond Falls.

Upon the death of her father, Natalie returns to the Flint Hills to raise her two half-siblings and run the family ranch, giving up her dreams for the future. She soon realizes her time in college and as Miss Rodeo Kansas is not enough to break the bonds that held her as a girl.

Jared Logan, a new pastor in Diamond Falls, is set on making a good impression to his first congregation, but finds that change doesn’t come easy for some people. In fact, most in his congregation are set against it. Natalie and her troubled family provide an outlet for his energy and soon become his personal mission project.

Having raised her stepbrother and sister from an early youth, Natalie’s self-sufficient nature isn’t inclined to accept help, especially from a city-boy do-gooder like Jared Logen. Though attracted to him, there’s no way she’d ever consider being a pastor’s wife. Bible studies and bake sales just aren’t her thing.

Jared repeatedly comes to Natalie’s rescue, forcing her to see him with new eyes. At the same time, Jared’s plan to plant Christ’s word in Natalie’s heart backfires when he loses his own heart to this wayward family. When problems arise in his congregation, he must face his greatest fears—of letting down God, his congregation, or those he loves. His time with Natalie has shown him the importance of standing by those you love, a lesson he chose to ignore in order to please his father years ago.

This is put to the test when Natalie faces a battle of custody of her half-siblings against the mother who abandoned them twelve years ago. Natalie’s fight for the children turns into a fight for custody of her heart as she learns the true meaning of unconditional love. In turn, Jared must decide which dreams are his own—and whether Natalie is part of those dreams.

If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of Seeds of Summer, go
HERE.

By Winter | Posted in American Christian Fiction Writers, Book Review, CFBA Blog Tour, Cowboys, Rodeo, Romance | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (3)

ACFW June Releases

June 3, 2010 – 11:24 am

Check out the exciting new June releases written by ACFW authors. Great summer reading is ahead!

1. A Hopeful Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer — An Historical from Bethany House. Can she turn her second-best chance into a golden opportunity?

2. A Love of Her Own; Heart of the West series by Maggie Brendan — A Romance from Revell. April McBride has everything her heart desires . . .except the one thing money can’t buy.

3. A Matter of Character; The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs, #3 by Robin Lee Hatcher — A Romance from Zondervan. In 1918, writing dime novels simply isn’t done by an heiress, so when Joshua looks for the author who’s sullied his grandfather’s name, he never suspects Daphne’s the guilty party.

4. A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer — An Historical from Bethany House. Sparks fly when a dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condemns vanity.

5. Almost Forever; Book 1, Hanover Falls Novels series by Deborah Raney — Women’s Fiction from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. Survivors of five fallen firefighters band together to try to make sense of the tragedy that took their loved ones.

6. Anna Finch and the Hired Gun; Women of the West series, Book 2 by Kathleen Y’Barbo — A Romance from Waterbrook. When an aspiring reporter and a Pinkerton detective get tangled in Doc Holliday’s story ˜and each other˜sparks can’t help but fly.

7. Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart — Women’s Fiction from FaithWords/Hachette. A coming-of-age story set in Texas in the 1950s as a young girl struggles with her own identity in light of her mother’s mental illness.

8. End Game; Big Sky Secrets, book #3 by Roxanne Rustand — A Romance from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Big Sky Secrets–a five-book Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense series set in the Rockies of Montana

9. Her Abundant Joy by Lyn Cote — An Historical from Avon Inspired. Can a beautiful young widow find peace in the arms of a Texas Ranger?

10. Maid of Murder; India Hayes Mysteries, Book One by Amanda Flower — A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Five Star Mystery. College librarian and reluctant bridesmaid, India Hayes, sets out to prove her brother’s innocence when the bride is murdered.

11. Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist — An Historical from Bethany House. Two servants at Biltmore House at the turn of the century find that God can take your life in a very different direction than you had planned.

12. Manor of the Ghost by Tina Pinson — Women’s Fiction from Desert Breeze. Kaitlin didn’t believe in Ghosts, until she saw them in Devlin’s eyes and heard them in the deafening silence of her son, Derrick.

13. My Son, John by Kathi Macias — Women’s Fiction from Sheaf House. Can God bring healing to a family torn apart by a brutal crime?.

14. Ruby Red; Ruby Red and The Colors of Home Series by Robin Shope — A Multicultural from Sparklesoup. Eleven-year-old Ruby Red sneaks on board the Orphan Train, meant only for white children, with her pet cockroach in her pocket.

15. Sabotage by Kit Wilkinson — A Suspense/Mystery/Thriller from Steeple Hill. Equine veterinary student Derrick Randall tries to help Olympic hopeful Emilie Gill find faith and a way to her Olympic dreams.

16. Shades of Morning by Marlo Schalesky — A Romance from Waterbrook. When Marnie becomes the guardian of her Down syndrome nephew, will she run again?

17. Steadfast Soldier; Wings of Refuge #7 by Cheryl Wyatt — A Romance from Steeple Hill. These soldiers of the skies are fearless, faithful…and falling in love.

18. The Heart’s Song by Winnie Griggs — A Romance from Love Inspired. Two lonely people work together to help others and ultimately find love.

19. The Homecoming; Sequel to The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh — An Historical from Revell. Shawn Collins returns home from the dangers of WW2 to face the loss of his first love, but discovers God has set in motion a plan to heal his broken heart.

By Winter | Posted in American Christian Fiction Writers, Books, Cowboys, Historicals, Romance, Suspense | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

Rejections Letters-No One is Immune by Loretta C. Rogers

May 31, 2010 – 4:18 pm

Some food for thought, especially for us unpublished authors. I sure enjoyed it!

From the Avalon Author Blog:

Recently, our own Avalon author, Laverne St. George, posted a blog about “Actively Waiting.” Her article spurred the idea for my blog. Thanks Laverne.

Writers meticulously edit their manuscripts; agonize over writing great synopses, and query letters, then like proud parents send their babies off to an agent or an editor. After months of waiting, hoping, fingers crossed, and even praying to receive THE call, very often the postman delivers THE self-addressed stamped envelope that was included with the submission. Or if the submission was sent electronically, then comes THE email that sinks your self-esteem and causes you to question whether or not you should continue writing. You know the one – The Dreaded Rejection letter.

It’s a fact of life that all writers must face. Receiving a rejection letter is inevitable. Authors with several published novels to their acclaim are not immune to rejection letters. The renowned singer Frank Sinatra once said, “The best revenge is massive success.” He never spoke truer words, particularly when it comes to aspiring authors, who after suffering several disappointments, and sometimes, harsh putdowns from publishers and agents, went on to become world famous authors.

Rejections letters can be defeating. Don’t let it. There are many just like you who’ve suffered the nasty little digs from publishers and gone one to become published, and in some instances, very well published. Here is a sampling of those who’ve had the sweet revenge that Frank Sinatra mentioned.

Stephen King: If you’ve read his book, you know he received dozens of rejections for his first novel, Carrie. One publisher said, “We are not interested in science fiction which deals with negative utopia. They do not sell.”

Anne Franke: According to one publisher, The Diary of Anne Franke “was scarcely worth reading.” 15 publishers rejected the book.

William Golding: Lord of the Flies was rejected by 20 publishers. Yet it became a best seller and was made into a movie. One publisher stated the book was “an absurd and uninteresting fantasy which was rubbish and dull.”

J.K. Rowling – “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (later Sorceror’s) Stone was rejected by a dozen publishers, including biggies like Penguin and Harper Collins. Boomsbury, a small London publisher, only took it on at the behest of the CEO’s eight-year old daughter, who begged her father to print the book.”

Tony Hillerman: now famous for his Navajo Tribal Police mystery novels, “was initially told by publishers to get rid of all that Indian stuff.”

John Grishman: His first novel, A time to Kill, was “rejected by a dozen publishers and 16 agents before breaking into print.”

Madeleine L’Engle: A Wrinkle in Time was “rejected by 26 publishers before finally breaking into print. It went on to win the 1963 Newbery Medal.”

Margaret Mitchell: Gone With the Wind was “rejected 36 times before finally finding a publisher.” And we’ve all come to love the movie version.

Judy Blume: received “nothing but rejections for two years.” According to Ms. Blume: I would go to sleep at night feeling that I’d never be published, but I’d wake up in the morning convinced I would be. Each time I sent a story or book off to a publisher, I would sit down and begin something new. I was learning more with each effort. I was determined. Determination and hard work are as important as talent.”

As writers, we can be inspired by Ms. Blume’s tenacity. Her determination and hard work certainly paid off. “She is now considered one of the most influential children’s literature writers of her generation.”

The list goes on with many writers who suffered the agony of rejection letters filled with discouraging and often snide remarks. Who knows, you may one day join some of the wealthiest scribblers on the globe.

Danielle Steele: romance novelist with $30 million dollars to her acclaim.

Tom Clancy: best-selling espionage and military science writer, claimed $35 million this past year. Others on the list of wealthy authors include: Nicolas Sparks, Janet Evanovich, John Grisham, Dean Koontz, and Ken Follet. All of whom banked enough last year to sail around the world, pay off their mortgages, and have enough left over for a nice nest-egg.

The down-turn in today’s economy has caused many publishers to shut their doors, while others have been subsumed by larger publishers. Unlike our aforementioned counterparts, today’s authors face a limited number of publishing houses to whom they can submit. My suggestion is to reread Ms. Blume’s words. Take heart, keep writing, continue to submit, and like Stephen King, paper your walls with rejection letters. Someday, you’ll have your own sweet revenge.

By Winter | Posted in Publishing, Writing | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)