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SPLIT!

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THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

My new book-SPLIT!-released this week. The book features the Minton family and their bowling center. I love the characters in this book. Yes, I know that I say that with every book I write.

I only say it because it’s true!

Split_Cover_72_3x4.5

AMAZON LINK

So bowling and a mystery? That’s definitely not the usual setting for a mystery or suspense story. Almost fifteen years ago, I got married. To a bowler! Now if you don’t have a close association with a bowler, you may not know what that means.

For me, it meant I started to bowling.

I am not a natural athlete–at all! And in fact when I started bowling on a league with my husband, my family found it quite amusing. Almost fifteen years later, I’m still not a good bowler. OK, I’m pretty bad! My average is pretty much the same as it was when I started.

But that’s the great thing about bowling. When you bowl on a league, they give you a handicap. Meaning I get extra points because I’m that bad, and that makes me more competitive with the good bowlers.

Originally (actually up until a few weeks ago) the story title was 7/10 Split. As I was making the final revisions, I came to understand that the main character’s (MACY) goal was to keep her family together–not SPLIT up.

By changing the title to SPLIT! I was able to describe the essence of the story in one word as well as use a bowling term! And that’s what I did! Here’s the blurb for the story:

Sometimes life is full of strikes; and sometimes all we get is a split—no matter how well we throw the ball.

After seventeen year-old Macy Minton’s parents died, she’s had only one goal—to keep her family together. Along with the family bowling center, she inherited the responsibility of caring for her two younger siblings.

Now seven years later everything is falling apart, especially her family.

Macy thinks life can’t get any worse, but she’s wrong.

As she struggles to keep the bowling alley from closing forever, one tragedy after another threatens to split her family permanently. Convinced someone is intent on destroying her family, she’s determined to stop them.

But first she has to find out who’s responsible.

So that’s the story behind the story of SPLIT!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

And the Winners Are….

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I’m so sorry. I know I said I’d pick the winners and notify them on Christmas Eve but it didn’t work out that way. Here are the winners for the Amazon Gift Card Giveaway to celebrate the release of NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

 

Ann Ellison

Abigail

Carol Young

Stella Potts

Marilyn Leach

 

Congratulations to the winners! I hope you enjoy your gift cards!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

Tamera Lynn Kraft–My Friday Friend

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My Friday Friend is Tamera Lynn Kraft. She’s always loved adventures and writes Christian historical fiction set in America because there are so many adventures in American history. She is married to the love of her life, has two grown children, and lives in Akron, Ohio. Soldier’s Heart and A Christmas Promise are two of her historical novellas that have been published. She has received 2nd place in the NOCW contest, 3rd place TARA writer’s contest, and is a finalist in the Frasier Writing Contest. Her third novella, A Resurrection of Hope, will be released in March.

You can contact Tamera online at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TameraLynnKraft or Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamerakraft

 

 

Moravian Christmas Traditions

By Tamera Lynn Kraft

In my novella, A Christmas Promise, I write about Moravian missionaries in Schoenbrunn Village, circa 1773. The Moravians brought many Christmas traditions to America that we use to celebrate Christ’s birth today. Here are a few of them.

The Christmas Tree: Moravians brought the idea of decorating Christmas trees in their homes in the early 1700s, long before it became a popular tradition in the United States.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services: Most churches have Christmas Eve services where they sing Christmas carols and light candles to show Jesus came to be the light of the world. The Moravian Church has been doing that for centuries. They call their services lovefeasts because they also have a part of the service where they serve sweetbuns and coffee – juice for the kids – and share Christ’s love with each other. For candles, Moravians use bleached beeswax with a red ribbon tied around them. The white symbolizes the purity of Christ and red symbolizes that His blood was shed for us.

The Moravian Star: In the 1840s at a Moravian school, students made 24 point stars out of triangles for their geometry lessons. Soon those Moravian stars started making their way on the tops of Christmas trees. The star as a Christmas tree topper is still popular today.

The Putz: The putz is a Christmas nativity scene surrounded by villages or other Biblical scenes. Moravian children in the 1700s would make a putz to put under their Christmas tree. Today, nativity scenes and Christmas villages are popular decorations.

 

A Christmas Promise Blurb:

By Tamera Lynn Kraft

A Moravian Holiday Story, Circa 1773

During colonial times, John and Anna settle in an Ohio village to become Moravian missionaries to the Lenape. When John is called away to help at another settlement two days before Christmas, he promises he’ll be back by Christmas Day.

When he doesn’t show up, Anna works hard to not fear the worst while she provides her children with a traditional Moravian Christmas.

Through it all, she discovers a Christmas promise that will give her the peace she craves.

Review:

“Revel in the spirit of a Colonial Christmas with this achingly tender love story that will warm both your heart and your faith. With rich historical detail and characters who live and breathe on the page, Tamera Lynn Kraft has penned a haunting tale of Moravian missionaries who selflessly bring the promise of Christ to the Lenape Indians. A beautiful way to set your season aglow, A Christmas Promise is truly a promise kept for a heartwarming holiday tale.” – Julie Lessman

Available at these online stores:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GM59GN4/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

Pelican Book Group

http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_47&products_id=512

Christian Books.com http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=48711EB&item_code=WW&netp_id=1206746&event=ESRCG&view=details

 

THANKS, Tamera for being my Friday Friend today.  The book sounds awesome!

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING! 

 

 

This and That…

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I was doing a little research on one of my favorite writers, Nicholas Spark. (Don’t you just love his books?) Anyway…he talks about sharing his writing process with his fans, readers, and even other writers as he works on a book.

So I decided to do the same.

Today I finished the second draft on a manuscript that I hope will become a book someday. A writer can never be completely sure of that until it actually happens. For example, a few years ago I received a 3-book contract and not one of those books was published to date. (I haven’t given up on them yet.)

Right now the title of the manuscript I’m working on is called THE PUZZLE HOUSE. Of course, that’s subject to change at anytime. But I’m really excited about this book. It’s completely different from my other books. No mystery or suspense element at all.

I’m not going to talk about the plot right now–it’s too early.

The way I write is in layers. The first layer gets the basic story written down. The second layer is about adding more details into the story as well as adding more events and characters in when needed.

So what happens now? I let the book sit for a while. A resting time if you will. Much like when you cook a steak or a roast. The resting time is as important as the cooking time. So in a few days or even a week or so, I start working on it again for the third time.

The waiting time is very important when writing a story. It’s crucial to take a break so that when you being working on it again, it’s with fresh eyes.

So that’s what I’m up to right now. PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO THE NO HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS POST AND SIGN UP TO WIN AMAZON GIFT CARDS BY LEAVING A COMMENT UNDER THAT BLOG!

Thanks.

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

Great question!

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Continuing on with interviewing myself,  Pam Harstad asks: Do you have critiques done? If so, what do you do when they vary widely?

That’s a great question, Pam. I don’t do a lot of critiques any longer. But I consider critiques invaluable. I truly believe it’s what got me over the hump of “almost being ready” to be published. A few things about the critiquing process that I learned was:

  1. Be open to other people’s opinions, especially when 2 or 3 are saying the same thing.
  2. Being open doesn’t mean capitulating! Listen, think about it, but in the end it’s your story.
  3. Consider the critiquer as well–Are they published? Do they write stories that you enjoy? After all if you write edgy suspense and they write sweet romances, those are quite the opposite. It doesn’t mean you can’t learn from them but do keep that in mind.

Again, I think being involved with a critique group is crucial for new writers but don’t let the criiiquers steal your voice! I hope that answers your question, Pam.

Until next time…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

A

Who Doesn’t Love Free?

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I know I do! And this week, my horror novel, BIRTHRIGHT is FREE on Amazon. AMAZON LINK  Now, I have to give a warning–this is not my normal style of writing; and it may not be for you. But if you love Stephen King, Frank Perretti, or Dean Koontz, then this is the book for you.

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AMAZON LINK

Up to now, this is my only foray into the supernatural–in my writing. As a reader, I enjoy a good spooky book from time to time. BIRTHRIGHT may be a horror novel, but it still contains a Chrstian message. The book tells the story of a family through three different generations to show how evil followed them through the ages.

The question the story asks is–can a man change his destiny?

And as a Christian the answer to that question is a resounding YES. I don’t believe this, think this or hope this. I know, I know, I know it to be true. Because after all–with God, all things are possible!

AMAZON LINK

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

And the winner is…

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The winner of a print copy of An American Gothic by Alice K. Arenz is….Jerusha Agen. But wait—that’s not all. Alice has been kind enough to offer three more lucky winners an e-copy of her other books. Isn’t that nice of her?

The winners of an e-copy of her books are: Rose Spillenaar Harmer H.; Pam Harstad; and Amy Garnet. Please email me at lduncan512@aol.com so I can give you all the details!

Thanks to everyone who entered. Maybe you’ll be the winner next time!

 

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

 

 

WINNERS! WINNERS! WINNERS!

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I’m sure you’ve been holding your breath to see if you’re the winner of one of my Amazon Gift Cards. The grand prize winner of the $25 Amazon Gift Card is KARI SCARE. Congratulations, Kari! The winners of the $5 Amazon Gift Cards are:

RBayne

Shannon

Elizabeth Johnson

Old Things R New

Jennilee Dunson

If you’re a winner, please email me at lduncan512@aol.com so that I have your correct email address to send the gift card to. Congratulations to all the winners! And thanks to everyone who entered.  I wish everyone could win.

PS. To the winners, be patient. I’m not going to be on computer much this week so it may be Thursday or Friday before you hear from me.

 

UNTIL NEXT TIME…God Bless & Good Reading!