Category Archives: UNCATEGORIZED

Writer Of The Day–Amber Schamel

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My writer of the day is Amber Schamel who was born in Littleton, CO. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land.  She
volunteers ministering to young girls  Amber currently lives with her family outside of Colorado Springs, CO.

She’s written The Healer’s Touch – Volume 1 Days of Messiah Series.
Book Blurb:
Aaliyah’s last chance at winning her husband’s love is destroyed when she is banished from her home as an ‘unclean’ sinner.  Struggling to survive amidst the fear, grief and bitterness of living in a leper colony, she would give anything just to see her son again. When rumors of a Healer from Nazareth reach the colony, Aaliyah wonders if this man could really heal her, or if He would despise her like the rest of her people. It is now that Aaliyah must make the most difficult decision of her life: risk
her life to appear in public, or die a leper.

 

Sounds interesting! I couldn’t even imagine trying to write a story set in Bible times. The amount of research needed must have been monumental. Great job, Amber.

Writer Of The Day–Jamie Adams

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The spotlight is on Historical Fiction author, Jamie Adams, today. She writes inspirational stories that both entertain and stir the reader’s imagination. Love’s Golden Quest has been on Amazon’s Historical Christian Historical Fiction Best Sellers list for over 6 weeks.  You can connect with Jamie at: https://www.facebook.com/JamieLAdamsauthorpage

 

LOVE’S GOLDEN  QUEST Blurb:

Can the perilous unknowns of the Wild West and an arranged marriage heal a grieving young woman and a man determined to find a world to claim as his own?

ROSE HILL never thought she would marry someone she didn’t love, but after the death of her parents, she believes she has no other choice. And if she follows the advice of her pastor and mentors, it will have to be soon.

During the height of the gold rush, LUKE TOWNSEND dreams of starting a ranch out west. When his fiancée learns of his plan she leaves him for a doctor back east. Brokenhearted, he’s determined to make a new start.

 

Excerpt:

“Sit down.” Reverend Smyth took a seat behind the desk and wasted no time getting to the point. “You’ll be happy to know I have a solution to your problems.” Kindness and compassion echoed within his deep voice. “I’ve found you a husband.”  The elderly man’s graying mustache twitched when he smiled.

“A…?” She cringed at the sound of her voice squeaking. There were few options for a single girl in St. Joseph, but what right did this man have? “You’ve found me a … husband?”

“Now, I know this may come as a surprise.” Warmth flooded her cheeks. Rose expected to be told her time of mourning had ended. That she could return to normal social activity, wear bright-colored clothing and get back to living. She hadn’t expected to be told he’d planned her whole future out for her. Reverend Smyth leaned back.

“Trust me.” His voice filled with confidence. “This is for the best.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Sir.” She did trust him. He knew her financial situation. The money her parents left nearly gone, she needed a job. “How can I marry someone I don’t love?”

“He’s a fine Christian man from a good family,” The reverend’s brows knit together. “You will learn to love and respect each other in time, I’m sure of it.”

“Do I know him?”

“I’m sure you are aware of the Townsend family. They’re members of our church.” Reverend Smyth tilted forward, bringing his forearms to rest on top of the desk. “Mr. Townsend owns one of the largest ferries used to transport pioneers and their wagons across the river.”

“Why… he’s married and has five sons!”

“Yes, Mr. Townsend, the father, is married.” The reverend appeared amused by her misunderstanding. “Young Mr. Townsend is set to start a new life out west. He’s a godly man who needs a wife.”

Resigned to her fate, Rose looked into his charcoal grey eyes. Once again she was expected to follow a path not of her own choosing. At least this one would get her away from St. Joseph and its painful memories. “Which of Mr. Townsend’s sons do you have in mind?”

 

Sounds like a great book, Jamie. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Until next time…..

God Bless & Good Reading!

 

 

Are Mystery Novels An Endangered Species?

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I love to read mystery and suspense novels as well as to write them. Lately, I’m sensing a problem with the genre.  TECHNOLOGY! Will technology be the end of the good old-fashioned mystery novel? I hope not, but it certainly means changes are  coming.

I’ve been working on updating one of my older books (SERENITY SPRINGS, OHIO)  so that it can be released as an e-book. I was shocked to see how current technology made for some sticky rewrites from the original story manuscript.

Cell phones alone can change the whole dynamic of the story. I had one scene where one of the characters was needed to help in a hostage situation. In the original story, it took up almost complete chapter as police were alerted and hunted for the man. The tension built–will they or won’t they find him in time to save the hostages?

But as I read the scene, I realized the man would have a cell phone.  So that tense scene morphed into a few sentences of picking up a phone and waiting for the man to answer it. Sigh–not nearly as tense or exciting!

So, instant communication definitely changes the way mystery/suspense novels are written, but that’s just the beginning. What about all the technology available to the forensic labs? And the computer geeks? If you watch CSI, NCIS, Bones, or a variety of TV shows, it looks as if crimes are solved by scientists–not by the police or an amateur sleuth?

I admit it!  I’m intimidated by all the crime-solving technology available. I almost feel as if I need to go back to college and take a class on forensics or several classes not to mention some computer hacking classes before I write my next novel.

So, are mystery novels an endangered species or not? My gut says NOT.  Crimes are committed by people (real or characters) and no matter how much science can help there will always be the human element. That human element is where we writers will find our stories.

On the other hand, maybe I’ll start writing stories set in the sixties or seventies.

Life was a lot simpler back then–and so was writing!

 

SerenitySpringsCOVER_72M

 

NOTE:  To celebrate the release of SERENITY SPRINGS, OHIO as an e-book, I’m giving away a copy. Be sure to leave a comment if you want to win the e-book! Winner will be picked on June 17! Here’s a bit about the story:

Murder shatters the peace and tranquility of the idyllic village of Serenity Springs.

It appears to be an open and shut case to Chief of Police, Matthew Travis. A troubled teenager at the scene covered in blood with the murder weapon in his hand is arrested.

Unfortunately, as Matthew ties up loose ends, his once open and shut case begins to unravel as he discovers more suspects with better motives.

Sharon Srock-Writer of the Day

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My Writer of the Day is Sharon Srock. Her latest book is The Women of Valley View: Terri, the second in her series-The Women of Valley View. To learn more about Sharon and her books, visit her blog at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/ or connect with her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock.

The back cover blurb for  The Women of Valley View: Terri: s

Despite a bustling day care center and a new foster child, Terri Hayes hungers for a family of her own. Then a plumbing mishap leaves her homeless and questioning God’s plan. Steve Evans’s gracious offer of his basement apartment as a temporary solution is an answered prayer.

Steve is a successful writer and a good father, but Terri is horrified when Steve’s book research leads him to a harsh confrontation with the parents of her foster child.  She needs to distance herself from Steve, but her efforts fall short as his two scheming daughters plot to make Terri their new stepmother.

It sounds like a great story!  If you want to buy the book, here are the links:

Amazon:   http://tinyurl.com/d9kwdccBarnes and Noble: 

http://tinyurl.com/cud7xb6

 Pelican book group:  http://tinyurl.com/cd5zqar
Sharon also has a unique way of getting to kow the Women of Valley View. She has free PDFs available for each of them. Here’s the links for those:   http://bitly.com/SmQmUs

God Speaks To Me by Ralene Burke

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Another week, another poem. This week’s poem is written by Ralene Burke. Born this side of a miracle, Ralene Burke grew up with a love for the supernatural side of God. Her passion spills over into her writing as she spins fast-paced tales of angels and demons, fantasy worlds, and the broader calling of every human being. A place where the light pierces the darkness…

The link to her website is: http://www.raleneburke.com
GOD SPEAKS TO ME by Ralene Burke
God speaks to me in sunrises
       Skies painted with crimson and gold.
        In the beauty of the morning,
        I reflect on stories of old.
God speaks to me on mountain tops
        As I wander the wooded trails.
        All around me life is changing
        But still I find His word prevails.
God speaks to me from the oceans
        As they empty into the sky.
        Under vast enormity–I’m lost.
        And yet He found me where I lie.
God speaks to me in dark of night
       Secrets ancient stars are holding.
       Passion growing deep within me
      God’s Holy Spirit unfolding.

April is National Poetry Month!

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I’ve been informed April is National Poetry Month!  Who knew there even was a National Poetry Month? Not me!  To celebrate, I’ll be sharing some poetry with you this month. The first selection is by Penny Frost. McGinnis  Penny loves poetry, especially haiku. These brief poems capture a moment in time, paint a picture. Writing them makes her pay attention and take note of the beautiful world God created.  Some of her favorites poets  are Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg, Emily Dickinson and Basho. Visit http://www.pennyfrostmcginnis.com/ to learn more about her and her writing journey.

 

SIGNS OF SPRING by Penny Frost McGinnis

 

signs of spring
daffodils, pansies, crocus—
real estate for sale

trillium unfurls
snow trickles into the creek—
God blows the kiss of spring

crocus spring up
gives brightness to earth—
hope to the heart

tiny blue eggs hatch—
in the corner
of the porch basket

surprised
by love—
red tulips

rain pours
grass grows—
mower rests

Mary Did You Know by Mark Lowery

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Today, I thought I’d share one of my favorite songs–of course, I have so many! But I really do love this song and the video that goes along with it is great! I hope you enjoy it.

MARY DID YOU KNOW?

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL EASTER!

GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

 

A Poetry Moment from Lucy Morgan-Jones

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God is so good! He’s given us so many ways to share our thoughts, ideas, and feelings with others in so many creative ways. Today, I’m excited to share a poem from a writer friend of mine-Lucy Morgan-Jones.

Lucy Morgan-Jones writes  historical romance novels set in the Colorado Rockies and makes her home in north central Victoria, Australia, and am a mum of four precocious children.   Blog: http://lucymorgan-jones.com You can connect with her at https://www.facebook.com/lucymorganjonesauthor

Thank you.

by Lucy Morgan-Joens

Hark! Listen those who quibble

The Lord Jesus is in the middle.

He is all that stands between us and death

So praise him, praise him with all your breath.

Believe in him, know his word is true

Feel your soul become brand new.

Let his love for you transform your life

Forgiveness the key for ending strife.

The road we walk is narrow and alone

Destination—our eternal home.

Don’t give up hope or knowingly stray

We are his lambs and are called to pray.

God is our rock, steadfast and pure

His love for us eternally sure.

His plan for us gently unfolding

All through our lives he is subtly molding.

He is the potter, we are the clay

Forming our destiny every day.

Until we meet God face-to-face

We’ll live among this earthly race.

Praise him, pray, do good works

Don’t be tempted by evil that lurks.

Thank you, Lord for saving my life

All thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

By Lucy Morgan-Jones