CFBA - The Sheriff's Surrender

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Sheriff’s Surrender
Barbour Books (December 1, 2009)
by
Susan Page Davis


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books. My young adult novel, Sarah's Long Ride, also spotlights horses and the rugged sport of endurance riding, as does the contemporary romance Trail to Justice. I took a vocational course in horseshoeing after earning a bachelor's degree in history. I don't shoe horses anymore, but the experience has come in handy in writing my books.

Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters

For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer, covering local government, school board meetings, business news, fires, auto accidents, and other local events, including a murder trial. I've also written many profiles and features for the newspaper and its special sections. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. We're so glad we did. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!



ABOUT THE BOOK
Gert Dooley can shoot the tail feathers off a jay at a hundred yards, but she wants Ethan Chapman to see she's more than a crack shot with a firearm. When the sheriff of Fergus, Idaho, is murdered and Ethan is named his replacement, Gert decides she has to do whatever she can to help him protect the citizenry. So she starts the Ladies Shooting Club. But when one of their numbers is murdered, these ladies are called on for more than target shooting and praying. Can Gert and the ladies of Fergus find the murderer before he strikes again?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sheriff’s Surrender , go HERE



MY THOUGHTS:
This is such a fun read. Half the time I wasn't sure whether to laugh at or shake the men of Fergus, Idaho -- specifically, one Sheriff Ethan Chapman! Gert is spunk, determination, sass, and fire all rolled up into one. Yet she is also tender-hearted, as evidenced by her care of her widowed brother and her desire to help the women of the town learn to defend themselves, including those not normally accepted in proper societal circles. The men, of course, have decided that Gert and the ladies are good for nothing but biscuits and babies. Will the women ever be able to convince them otherwise?

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Booked for the Holidays Finale - Part 2

Here is the Final Finale, aka Part 2, of Booked for the Holidays 2009!

I may have mentioned a time or 30 that I love Angela Hunt's books. She's another of my "must-have" authors. I am sustained between book releases by her daily postings on her blog, which is one of my first stops every morning.

(BTW, be sure to go see her today; she and some other authors have a video Christmas Tour of their homes going on! You can get a peek at her Christmas decor as well as that of Tamera Alexander, Deborah Raney, Robin Lee Hatcher, and more!)

Anyyway, Angie's latest book, Let Darkness Come was just released on November 30. Way back when she was writing it, she gave those of us who read her blog a peek into the first chapter, and that was like coming home from school and seeing Christmas presents under the tree only to discover the next day they were all put back into the closet for the following year!

Here is the review I posted on Amazon after inhaling reading this book:

I always eagerly anticipate a new Angela Hunt book, and this one does not disappoint. Riveting from the opening sentence, the story only becomes more gripping as it progresses. Rich and masterfully developed characters stirred animosity, sympathy, and a variety of other emotions as I read. The novel's multiple layers and angles reflect Angela Hunt's extensive research process without becoming heavy and academic. I could not put this book down and my lamp burned late until I finished reading. As Hunt's website tagline warns, I've learned to "Expect the Unexpected" with her books, and once again, the surprising twist made me think & ponder its impact long after I turned the last page.

Here is the book summary:

The murder trial promises to be the most sensational to hit Chicago in years. And attorney Briley Lester knows it could make—or break— her career. The tabloid headlines are screaming that a long-mistreated society wife has killed her abusive husband—the scion of one of the city's wealthiest, most powerful, most dangerous families. . . .

It seems like a hopeless, open-and-shut case, but Briley is becoming more and more convinced that her client truly is innocent. A tragic secret, almost too shocking to be believed, could be the key to proving it. But before she can bring the truth into the light, she'll have to face this woman's shadow-haunted past—and her own— and let darkness come. . . .

ABOUT ANGELA HUNT:

Christy Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected from this versatile author. With over three-million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than one-hundred works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, unexplained phenomena and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life—in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel.

When she’s not home writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Readers may visit her Web site and write her at Angie@angelaelwellhunt.com.

GIVEAWAY!
I am giving away TWO copies of Let Darkness Come. Details are below but first, check out this BONUS!

* * * * *BONUS GIVEAWAY!* * * * *
I was one of the bloggers who won a drawing at Baker House Publishers and received a boxful of books on my front porch yesterday. A few of them are duplicates of ones I have recently reviewed, so I am adding them to this final giveaway! I have included a brief reminder below of what the book is about, or you can click on the title to view my recent post for that book.

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson - Heartwarming story about a an easily exasperated old lady, her runaway granddaughter, a mysterious and annoying neighbor, and the scrappy stray that wandered into their lives.

Finding Christmas by James Calvin Schaap - Seven stories of Christmas miracles and grace in an ordinary and messy world.






The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh - This is the precious book about Patrick, sent after his mother dies to stay with his crotchety and bitter grandfather. The only thing he wants for Christmas is that wooden soldier in his grandfather's attic. . . and for his WWII fighter pilot daddy to hurry home.





HERE ARE THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS!

• Leave a comment on this post by Wednesday night (12/16) at 8:00 pm. In your comment indicate if you want to be entered in all the drawings or which books you are interested in:
  
  1. Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt (2 copies to be given away)
     
  2. The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson
     
  3. Finding Christmas by James Calvin Schaap
     
  4. The Unfinished Gift by Dan Walsh
• Winners must email me by 6:00 p.m. Thursday or new winners will be drawn.
  
• US Residents only, please.
  
• As always, additional chances for those who have posted the Booked for the Holidays button on their blogs.

Whew! Ten books are being given away in this last week of Booked for the Holidays (five from Monday, five from today)! I can't wait to see who wins!


Thanks for being a part of the 2nd annual Booked for the Holidays!

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Booked for the Holidays Finale - Part 1

Welcome to Part 1 of this year's Booked for the Holidays Finale! I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have.

Shelly Beach is a wonderful new-to-me author that I met at the Expo back in March. What a delightful experience that was! She is friendly and outgoing and made me laugh. . .and yet she is serious and deep and passionate about God and made me think.

Her novels are compelling and difficult to put down. I read and enjoyed both of these:

Hallie's Heart won a 2008 Christy Award.

As a single woman struggling to establish an antique shop in the sleepy town of Stewartville, Mona VandeMolen’s life is complicated enough. When she discovers her fifteen-year-old niece Hallie hiding in her abandoned beach house, consumed with guilt over her sister’s drowning death, Mona’s true battle begins.

Morningsong is the sequel to Hallie's Heart.

After her terrifying accident on the shores of Lake Michigan, Mona Vander Molen is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. Mona's brain injury has limited her physically and the doctor's uncertain prognosis isn't helping her feel any better. As she faces the threat of permanent disability, Mona also struggles to make sense of her relationship with the kindly carpenter Adam Dean. At the peak of her own crisis, Hallie appears again, this time seeking Mona's help and refuge for both herself and her mother. But when their dear friend Harold Rawlings has a stroke, Mona and Hallie see their hidden fears come to light. Can Mona resolve her doubts about her relationship, face her uncertain future, and help her sister-all at the same time?

Shelly has also written books for those who are caring for loved ones, especially those in the grip of Alzheimer's. These books were born out of the experience of caring for her father-in-law and then her parents in her home, and Shelly knows that of which she writes. She has traveled the difficult journey of parenting a parent and has laughed and cried along the way.

Ambushed by Grace: Help and Hope on the Caregiving Journey is a book that I am tempted to keep a stack of on the shelf to give as gifts as the need arises. Since we have helped care for, and subsequently buried, both my mother and my FIL in the past 15 months, I can vouch for the fact that this book is spot-on! The phenomenal title is just a foreshadowing of the wisdom, humor, and lessons she shares from her journey.

The book every caregiver needs. Millions today are caregivers for aging or ailing family members and loved ones, and millions more will join them in the years ahead. Most who must take on this role walk into the job with no training, relatively few skills, and tenative hearts, only to be blindsided by stark realities. Caregiving is messy and costly and probably the hardest work you will ever do. Yet it can also change your heart and transform your life, even as you minister to your loved one's needs, ease their pain, and work at the challenge of setting healthy boundaries.

Writing out of her own experience and passion, Shelly offers both practical help and spiritual insights to those facing the challenges of caregiving. Includes practical appendices and websites.

Precious Lord, Take My Hand: Meditations for Caregivers was an ECPA Book Award Finalist in 1988.

Approximately 49% of the U.S. adult population currently shoulders or soon will shoulder elder care responsibilities. For the past seven years Shelly Beach and her husband have been caregivers for their parents. At present, they have two parents living with them. What are the challenges of this kind of day-to-day caregiving, which many children are facing today as their parents age and deal with illness, Alzheimer’s, and death? With her fresh and compelling style, Shelly offers devotionals/meditations based on her own life and daily experiences, providing understanding, insights, inspiration, and, yes, even laughter for anyone who is in the midst of these often difficult circumstances.

Caring Devotionals for Caregivers

• Inspiration for Those with Caregiver Responsibilities and for Families of Those Suffering with Chronic Illnesses and Dementias
  
• Enlightening, and Sometimes Humorous, Insights from One “Who Has Been There”
  
• Prayers and Questions at the End of Each Meditation Provide Opportunity for Personal Reflection

Last, but certainly not least, her newest book is The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk: Conforming Deadly Thought Patterns to the Word of God. While I just recently purchased this book and haven't read much of it, I look forward to reading it. The first chapter is incredible, and you can read it here.

We speak to ourselves at a rate of 1,300 words per minute, making constant assessment and judgments—often filtered through sinful and selfish agendas. The Silent Sedution of Self-Talk provides a down-to-earth, readable narrative, as well as practical tools that help us surface our inner conflicts. Our internal dialogues can make us blind to the scriptural truth that the vision we hold of ourselves and the reality of our walk in Christ are often polar opposites. In this book, author Shelly Beach explores real-life examples and includes tools to assist readers in the spiritual disciplines of self-assessment, repentance, commitment, and transformation.

You can learn much more about Shelly and see videos about her books on her website. I love the final paragraph of her bio, which is indeed the "bottom line":

Like most writers, I’ve mined my life experiences in my writing. My brain lesion, caregiving struggles, love of family, insecurities, and aspirations are all woven through my fiction and nonfiction. But central to everything I share with my readers is my passion for Illuminating truth through the power of story – the truth that Jesus Christ gives purpose and meaning to all that we do and all that we are. I believe I’m a steward of the stories God has given me – whether those stories are fictional or true. My desire is to impact lives with truth and to encourage people to be all God created them to be in Jesus Christ.

And what does all of this have to do with you? You can win one of these books! I will do 5 drawings, one for each of these books! PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT HOW TO ENTER:

• Leave a comment on this post by Wednesday (9/16) at 8:00 pm CST.
  
• In your comment, tell me if you want to be entered in all 5 drawings. If not, please let me know the book(s) for which you wish to be entered in the drawing:
  
  1. Hallie's Heart
     
  2. Morningsong (AUTOGRAPHED at the Expo by Shelly Beach!)
     
  3. Ambushed by Grace
     
  4. Precious Lord, Take My Hand
     
  5. The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk
• If you win, you must email me no later than 6:00 pm CST Thursday.
  
• If the winner(s) have not emailed me by 6:00 pm Thursday new winners will be drawn and contacted.
  
• Remember, those who have posted the button on their blogs receive an additional entry.
  
• US Residents only, please.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the final Booked for the Holidays giveaway!



Thanks to Shelly Beach and Kregel Publishers for providing my personal copy for review and the giveaway copy of Morningsong (received at the Christian Book Expo).
Thanks to Barbour Publishing, distributer for Discovery House Publishers, for my personal copies of Ambushed by Grace and Precious Lord, Take My Hand.
All other personal and giveaway copies have been purchased by me.

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A Review Revisited

On Friday I posted the CFBA blurb promoting The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry. It was such a whirlwind week that I could not put a coherent thought together for any sort of review of this book. Which was a shame because it was a compelling and thought-provoking novel. So I thought I'd take a few minutes and revisit it here.

I have read several stories in which an individual experiences amnesia and the impact on a marriage or other relationship in the process of piecing the affected patient's life together. This book takes it beyond that to a whole new level. A man with secrets, now hidden even from himself. A wife uncovering those secrets and facing a crossroads. . . .what will be her choice from this day forward?

While there was plenty of intrigue and suspense as I tried to figure out the whole situation, the heartbeat of this beautiful story is grace, forgiveness, and mercy. To stay, to forgive, to start anew. . . when there is every reason, and even Biblical support, to turn one's back on the one who shattered and made a mockery of the wedding vows. To choose to love. . . when our human natures scream for justice and even revenge. To do the hard thing in the midst of heartache and brokenness. . . because that's what God has called us to do.

My bloggy reviewer friend Kim over at Window to my World has posted a wonderful interview with Christina Berry which you can read here. While the author makes it clear that she is not judgmentally saying that every broken marriage can be healed by such actions, I loved her comment that Denise (the wife in the story) "knew that obedience to God, despite gut-wrenching pain, would bring unthinkable rewards" and that "in her heart she felt God calling her to something difficult and frustrating and holy and Christ-like." I encourage you to pop over and "meet" the author and then grab a copy of this book!

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TSMSS - An Amazing Reality: God With Us!

Since doing a study of the Old Testament, I have fallen in love with God's name that is Emmanuel (Immanuel). As a modern-day Gentile believer who has never experienced the limitations of the Jewish law, I can't fathom what it would have been like to be an Israelite on the journey to the Promised Land when God's presence hovered as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. To imagine experiencing that, as well as the system of sacrifices and the stipulation that only the High Priest could venture into the Holy of Holies -- and only once a year, at that! -- and then to ponder the reality of Emmanuel. . .God dwelling with us! Oh, how much I take for granted!

This is a beautiful song from years ago that you rarely hear any more, unfortunately. Michael Card has been gifted with writing incredible songs that speak from and to the heart, and Steve Green joins him in singing this one. Their voices blend so seamlessly. I know I posted it last year, but it deserves to be played regularly!

IMMANUEL
Words and Music by Michael Card

A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel

So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His Son
But gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel

Immanuel
Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us?
Our God is with us
Immanuel

More songs can be found at Amy's.

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CFBA - The Familiar Stranger

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Familiar Stranger
Moody Publishers (September 1, 2009)
by
Christina Berry


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Single mother and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time to write from her busy schedule because she must tell the stories that haunt her every waking moment. (Such is the overly dramatic description of an author's life!) She holds a BA in Literature, yet loves a good Calculus problem, as well. All that confusion must have influenced her decision to be team captain of a winning team on Family Feud.

Her debut novel, The Familiar Stranger, released from Moody in September and deals with lies, secrets, and themes of forgiveness in a troubled marriage. A moving speaker and dynamic teacher, Christina strives to Live Transparently--Forgive Extravagantly!

Her work has also appeared in The Secret Place, The Oregonian, and Daily Devotions for Writers.





ABOUT THE BOOK

Craig Littleton's decision to end his marriage would shock his wife, Denise . . . if she knew what he was up to. When an accident lands Craig in the ICU, with fuzzy memories of his own life and plans, Denise rushes to his side, ready to care for him.

They embark on a quest to help Craig remember who he is and, in the process, they discover dark secrets. An affair? An emptied bank account? A hidden identity? An illegitimate child?

But what will she do when she realizes he's not the man she thought he was? Is this trauma a blessing in disguise, a chance for a fresh start? Or will his secrets destroy the life they built together?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Familiar Stranger, go HERE

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Booked for the Holidays Winners - Updated

UPDATED Monday, 12/14 at 7:00 am:

Due to lack of response from the previous winners, new winners have been chosen for Healing Sands.

True Random Number Generator
Result: 8, 3
Congratulations to A Stone Gatherer and colettakay! Ladies, please email me with your address by 8:00 am Wednesday (12/16) so I can get these books to you!

The Random Number Generator has spoken and we have two winners of Healing Sands! Congrats to Andrea and Kim (Just a Southern Girl). Send me your addresses ladies, (Kim, send me your daughter's address so she can take it to you) no later than midnight CST Sunday (12/13) to receive these books!

Be sure to check back Monday for a Booked for the Holidays blow-out finale!

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The Christmas Lamp

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Christmas Lamp
Zondervan (October 1, 2009)
by
Lori Copeland


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori Copeland has been writing for twenty-five years and has over three million copies of her books in print. She began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that she began writing for the Christian book market.

To date, she has more than 95 books published, including Now and Always, Simple Gifts, Unwrapping Christmas, and Monday Morning Faith, which was a finalist for the 2007 Christy Awards. Lori was inducted into the Springfield Writers Hall of Fame in 2000.

Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. They have three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and five wonderful grandchildren. Lori and Lance are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas trees, twinkling lights, skating in the park, and holiday displays are the hallmark elements for celebrating Jesus birth for the sentimental residents of Nativity, Missouri. Will fiscal responsibility replace Christmas their traditions when times are tough? Though their priorities and methods clash, Roni Elliot and Jake Brisco want the same thing, for the town to prosper. As the two get to know each other better, each begins to gain a new perspective on what the real wealth of Nativity and the season might be.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Christmas Lamp, go HERE

MY THOUGHTS:
This is another great Christmas novella. Times are hard in Nativity, Missouri. But does that mean all their lovely Christmas traditions have to go? Is Jake really the miserly Scrooge he appears to be? Will Roni get her traditional Christmas? You'll laugh when you realize which Christmas lamp Roni actually longs to put in her front window!

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Random Dozen

1. Which physical trait do you now accept--maybe not love, but accept--and no longer feel extremely self-conscious about?

My height (which--unfortunately--is actually shrinking, due to that lovely osteoporosis) and my teeth (blessed to be straightened by braces, but they aren't particularly even in size and shape).

2. This week Meredith Baxter Birney, best known as the mom on the favorite 80s sitcom "Family Ties" came out of the closet, which led me to formulate this question: Who do you think is/was the best TV mom?

I loved Clair Huxtable. And Caroline Ingalls. And Olivia Walton. And Carol Brady.

3. Do you speak any foreign languages? Are there any you'd like to learn?

Un poquito Espanol. (A little Spanish.) I really wish I had taken more of it. It was relatively easy for me, and it sure would be handy.

4. Who is your personal hero?

I really try not to have heroes - those pedestals are so slippery. Right now I'd probably say my MIL after watching her care for my FIL so gracefully and lovingly.

5. What is one holiday food that you find extremely difficult to resist over- indulging in?

Anything with nuts. Or the chocolate-peppermint combo. (Have you had those Mint Fudge Covered Oreos?! Yum!)



6. Tell me about a Christmas decoration that has special meaning or sentimental value.

My kids' ornaments from every year and my Nativity scenes.

7. How do you feel about snow?

How do I feel about it?! Not do I feel for it?! (Sorry, Lid - couldn't resist that one!) I would hate to live up north where it is frigid and snow is a constant hassle and reality. However, I think it is beautiful and would like to see it more often than a few flurries every 5 or 10 years. I've actually never seen more than 2 inches at a time (and that's only been about 3 times!) and that's not enough to even completely cover the grass.

8. On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each night? Not that I'm jealous of any number over three or anything.

I've always said the problem with getting married when I was older and having kids in my 30's is: by the time they slept through the night, I didn't! I'm usually in bed between 7 and 8 hours. Depending on my man's apnea machine's quirks and various other reasons, I might sleep anywhere from 4-6. Probably average 6.

9. Tell me about your first crush.

Orange! Actually, it was 35 years ago, I was 13 (typical crush age!), and a reporter on the local NBC station in Houston was a member of a church on the other side of town. My family went to hear an evangelist over there and he sat in front of us and welcomed us. I had never met someone who was actually on TV before. After that, whenever he was on the news I got all flustered and excited. Our family crossed paths with him a few more times while he was in Houston, and I was always tongue-tied. He is a nationally known conservative Christian columnist and commentator. And that's all I will say about that.

And I can't believe I just put that on the internet.

10. You're stuck in a room for 2 hours with only a chalkboard and chalk. What will you write/draw?

Well, right now I'm drawing a blank!

11. Do you dress for the current temp or for the day's forecast?

Yes.

12. Favorite Christmas movie is?

Another favorite question?! White Christmas, Patrick Stewart's A Christmas Carol, and of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Go visit Lidna at 2nd Cup of Coffee to see some more Christmas randomizers!

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A Lemon-Fresh Blog Tour!

Publisher: XarisCom
ISBN: 978-0-578-01006-9
Retail: $12.96
Paperback
http://www.jameswatkins.com/squeezing.htm

Sour circumstances left you feeling down? Unemployment, foreclosures, divorce, bankruptcy and cancer don't even begin to peel the skin off all the bad news in our world today. At a time in history when the evening news contains more bad than good, people wonder if sweeter days will ever come. In steps James (Jim) Watkins. With a fresh perspective on life, love and the pursuit of happiness, Watkins serves readers a refreshing cup of encouragement and hope.

Written from his own experiences with cancer, unemployment and other life-puckering crises, Jim prompts readers to look at the cup of suffering with eyes focused on the true thirst quencher--Jesus Christ. Readers will be pleasantly surprised at the balance of readability and deep wisdom offered within the pages of Squeezing Good Out Of Bad. With scripture references, humor-filled lists, and a creative manuscript, Watkins brings the bitterness of hard times and blends it with the sweetness of God's presence. He's been there. His transparency is as refreshing as, you guessed it, a tall, cool glass of lemonade.

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of Squeezing Good Out Of Bad via Kathy Carlton Willis Communications, gifted to all participants in this blog tour.

Blog Tour Interview:

1. You've been in the literary world for a while, give us a quick recap of how you got started to where you are today.

By second grade, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I felt the suspension of disbelief was stretched too thin when the real-live puppet Pinocchio became a real live boy. So I rewrote the ending having the wooden puppet die a painful, prolonged death of Dutch elm disease. (At that point, I'm sure my parents and teachers weren't sure if I'd become a writer or a life-long patient at a psychiatric hospital.) I later went on to become the editor of my high school paper, worked at a Christian publishing house as an editor during college, and then dabbled in writing while holding down a real job. Since 1988 I've been writing and speaking full-time.

2. In Squeezing Good Out Of Bad you give many insightful tips on how to turn around sour circumstances. Share a practical way we can be encouraged during tough times.

My "top ten list" of chapter titles 10-4 provide practical steps for dealing with lemons, but the real secrets are found in chapters 3-1. (Yes, like a true top ten list, the chapters are numbered backward.) Romans 8:28 promises that that God is working all things out for our good to accomplish His purpose in our lives. But we have to read on to verse 29 to find that purpose: "to be conformed to the image of His Son."

3. No life is perfect. Can you give us an example of how you got through a challenging situation and were able to use these principles to see the good in it?

I think it's so important that we take our faith seriously, but I certainly don't want to take my situation or myself too seriously. So I create a mental "top ten" list of what good can come about in this situation. For instance, last year I had radiation for cancer and it totally depleted me physically and mentally. My family dubbed it "radiation retardation." Because of that, I was fired from a wonderful part-time job because I just couldn't do it. So, "Top Ten Great Things about Losing My Job": 10. I'll be paying less taxes next year. 9. I've got twenty hours a week of free time. 8. . . .

Our family is going through something right now that is far worse than cancer, and I can't see a single good thing that can come out of it. So, at those times, you just keep hanging on--with white knuckles--to the fact that God loves you and the Romans 8:28 is still in effect.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Spare time? What's that? I'm a firm believer in "redeeming the time" so I try to keep busy doing things that matter for the Kingdom. But after my little brain is worn out--usually around 7 pm--nothing beats a session of "Freecell."

5. What's the last book you read and why?

Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr. Unfortunately, the only real reading for pleasure is on airline flights. The King book is research for a book I'm proposing as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

6. What do you hope readers will gain by reading your book?

I wrote the first draft nine years ago, and even though I have a great agent, we just couldn't find a publisher. That was before cancer, family crisis, unemployment. . . . So it's a much more comforting, honest book. And it forced me to not be so flippant and casual about the serious issues people are dealing with. Henri Nouwen talks about "wounded healers." I think, because of the lemons that have piled up in my life, I can more compassionately offer comfort to those buried under a pile of lemons.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
James N. Watkins is the author of sixteen books and over two thousand articles. He is the acquisition editor for Wesleyan Publishing House, an editorial advisor for ACW Press, instructor at Taylor University and a sought-after conference speaker. He’s won Campus Life’s Book of the Year award and various other awards for writing and editing. He’s married to Lois. They have two children and four grandchildren. His family is the lemonade in his life.


GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
The blog host with the most comments will have the opportunity to send in one commentor's name for the grand prize giveaway. Here's what they'll win:

First prize: Jim will stop by your house with fresh-baked lemon cake and hot lemon tea. (Disclaimer: Offer available only to residents of Corn Borer, Indiana. Alternate prize includes a copy of Sqeezing Good Out Of Bad, mixes for lemon tea, lemon cake, lemonade and assorted lemon candies. Not available where taxed or licensed. Winner responsible for safe and proper use of products.)

If Jim's disclaimer isn't enough humor for you, read on:

When life gives you lemons . . .

10. Don't confuse them with hand grenades (Identify the problem)

9. Check the delivery slip (Determine if it's your problem)

8. Sell them on eBay (Profit from the problem)

7. Paint smiley faces on them (Laugh at the problem)

6. Join a citrus support group (Share your problem)

5. Use as an all-natural, organic astringent (Grow from the problem)

4. Don't shoot the delivery driver (Forgive the problem-maker)

3. Graft to a lime tree for a refreshing, low-calorie soft drink (Take the problem to a higher level)

2. Grow your own orchard (Live a fruitful life despite—or because of—the problem)

1. Give off a refreshing fragrance (Live a lemon-fresh life)

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Good Thing I Wasn't a Scammer!

As Care Ministry Coordinator at our church, I have had the privilege these past few weeks of organizing a benevolence effort for some families in our congregation who have been especially impacted by extended unemployment. After identifying and talking to the families, soliciting and counting the donations, and determining the distribution, it was time to purchase the gift cards.

Suffice it to say I have never been so thwarted in my efforts! I had the money. I had the authorization to spend the money. I began to wonder if anyone was going to let me spend the money in their stores! One place required the church to fax an authorization for me to use the church's credit card. I had church checks for other stores, but those are apparently incompatible with retail computerized check-acceptance systems. I finally gave up and decided to use my own credit card and get reimbursed - but then my credit card company got a little worried when I charged such a large amount at a couple of places, even though I had notified them ahead of time.

But the funniest - and to be honest, most worrisome - experience was at a certain store in the mall you can buy the Works for your Bath & Body! To make a long story short, I used the church credit card which had the church's name and the secretary's name on it; the cashier asked for my ID, which of course was my driver license. She looked at my license and never blinked an eye at the fact that the names didn't match. After "checking" my ID, she had me sign the credit card machine and I was on my way. So if your security gets breached, check for unauthorized purchases of lotion and shower gel. Apparently they aren't too concerned about an identity theft ring around the bathtub!

In spite of the aggravation and exasperation associated with the shopping, I can't even begin to describe what a tremendous blessing it has been to be a part of this. It literally sent chills down my legs as one couple approached me at separate times last night to express how overwhelmed they were by the church's loving generosity and by God's faithfulness. They had not even gotten out any of their Christmas decorations because their inability to get gifts for their girls had taken the excitement out of the season. After they received the gift cards for groceries and department stores and supercenters yesterday, they sat at their table and prayed, thanking God, and then the mom said, "Let's do Christmas!"

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Booked for the Holidays - Better Late Than Never!

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of the third and final book in the Healing Fiction series by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn. It definitely lived up to exceeded my expecations!


BOOK DESCRIPTION:
In the struggle for healing, when do you fight and when do you surrender?

Ryan Alexander-Coe is a talented photojournalist who has been on assignment all over the world. But when her two sons choose to live with their father after her divorce, Ryan must give her career up for a small-town newspaper job in order to be near them.

Life spirals out of control when her fifteen-year-old son is arrested. Desperation--both over the fact that she cannot believe her son commited this crime and that he refuses to talk to her--sends her anger level soaring . . . and eventually sends her storming into Dr. Sullivan Crisp's office in search of ways to cope with her anger. Sully is in town assisting at one of his clinics and continuing his search for Belinda Cox, the woman whose guilt-inducing counseling caused the death of his wife and daughter. When Sully's search ends in disaster, both he and Ryan will have to fully rely on God--rather than themselves--to survive these storms.

MY THOUGHTS:
Like its first two predecessors, Healing Stones and Healing Waters, Healing Sands is an incredible book. Ryan's pain and anger are palpable. And her response to therapy is spot-on for so many of us: fix the problem, but don't dig down for any root issues that might have caused it! Her interactions with the other Christian soccer moms are classic and will resonate with any woman who has been part of a group filled with tensions and unofficial, yet unconsciously assigned, roles. Sully's own quest for justice - or is it revenge? - adds an additional dimension to this story. A Reading Group Guide in the back of the book makes this an ideal choice for small groups or book clubs. This is truly Healing Fiction - dealing with real issues that folks face and pointing them to Truth.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson publishers for providing a copy for review.



Nancy Rue is on my "short list" of must-purchase authors. But beyond her phenomenal writing, I have had the amazing blessing of getting to know her and call her a friend. She is an absolute delight. When I was at the Expo, we had breakfast together and she spoke extensively about her writing.

You have written a series of books with Stephen Arterburn that you call Healing Fiction, beginning with Healing Stones, then Healing Waters, and now Healing Sands, which just released. Tell me about how the fiction works with the purpose.

We had our purpose first. We knew we wanted to tell stories of people who were really on the tough journeys, who were facing the hard things for which there just doesn’t seem to be an “I can look at the Scripture, claim this verse, live it, and I’m going to be fine.” There are many, many situations where you have to get to the root of what’s going on there, and that’s still very difficult. How many times did someone ask Jesus a question and He didn’t answer that question: He addressed what really needed to be addressed. So that was our focus at first. And that was Steve’s idea, to write that fiction, except he [is a non-fiction writer] and needed someone to flesh that out.

We had worked together on the Lily series. Lily was his idea. That’s part of the Young Women of Faith library. So we brainstormed for some things that people really do face. And we came up with the first one being infidelity. There have been a lot of books written about people whose spouses have been unfaithful to them, but we couldn’t find any where it was about the person who had committed adultery, and immediately it came to us that, well, that’s about forgiveness. What if you are completely remorseful and repentant for what you’ve done. You know that God forgives you, but no one else will, and these are Christian people, and that is their job to do that rather than to judge you and allow that to define you for the rest of your life. . . .

The story is in a sense the retelling of the woman brought to Jesus [when she was found] in the act of adultery. The people who brought her to Jesus really didn’t care what happened to her. We have no idea what happened to the guy she was committing adultery with – he just sorta disappears. It was more about trapping Jesus – “let’s see what He’s gonna do here.” So that’s how Healing Stones begins, which is someone using that to get to the president of the Christian college because they are Pharasaic and he is a grace-filled person, and they think he is soft on sin. I spent a lot of time studying that story and commentaries.

So we came up with the outline and then he leaves me alone and I write for several months, and when I have about ten chapters, I send them to Steve and he reads them and we talk and he makes suggestions. In the very beginning, when we were planning the series, it was just going to be separate books, and he said, “I just feel like we need something to tie them together. What if it’s a therapist?”

But we agreed that he should not be the man with all the answers – he has issues of his own – and that his approach to therapy needed to be somewhat quirky and sorta zany. Steve came up with the game show theology and then I came up with the buzzes and the ding-ding-dings. And it worked and Sully became his own person and developed so wonderfully well.

When it was time to start talking about the second book, Steve said “I want to write about a woman who has a weight problem” because his Lose it for Life seminars are so successful; he’s written extensively about weight and what the issues are. There were a couple of people who said “Nobody’s going to want to read a book about a fat lady!” And we said, “Then all the more reason for us to write one.”

And I never could figure out – and I know you purposely did this – just how fat she was. From her perspective, she sounds humongous, but from everybody else’s it sounds like she’s just barely plump.

Yes, and I’m going to always leave that up to the reader because it is about self-image. You know, Wesley gets her into a bathing suit, and yet you know that she’s not svelte. She has some bad eating habits; she binges, and that is really the sickness. So I went to a LIFL conference.

I learned so much from them about all of the deep hurts. I would say six out of the eight of us had been sexually abused as young women. And everyone was very open about what it is that they were burying, because that is Steve’s main philosophy about people who really struggle with major weight issues: is that we bury things – emotional issues – but we bury them alive and we have to feed them. So we need to get them out there where we can look at them. . . and say “but I’m not going to feed you any more.” So they were wonderful, and I would send them chapters and they would comment and say “No, she would never eat in front of people.” And that’s for people who wonder “How is she so fat when she doesn’t eat anything?” They were just amazing.

And the other piece of the book is the toxic faith. And both Steve and I are very much against the “Name it and Claim It” and you can have whatever you want, because what that implies is, if things are bad in your life, then you did something wrong! God doesn’t love you as much as He loves everybody else. Sonia typifies that when she loses everything and people start falling away from her.

In our third book, Sully goes in search of the therapist whom he feels is responsible for his wife’s suicide, lo those many years ago. So he takes us to New Mexico, and the research for that was incredibly wonderful! That’s Healing Sands, referring to the White Sands of New Mexico. I spent a lot of time in Las Cruces and Mesilla and learning about that whole culture and learning about anger, because that’s the deep-seated issue, and racial issues. And we’re dealing with a murder in that book. And Sully really hits absolute rock bottom. But we see him emerge in the end having really fought his demons and really come to an understanding of what forgiveness is and surrender and suffering, and in this book righteousness is really the theme: when do you seek justice and when do you surrender to “God is going to take care of this one.”

So the third book is all about him? He’s not helping someone?

Oh, yes! Yes, he is. And this girl is a pistol. She has anger issues. She’s a photojournalist. She’s the most resistant of the three women to therapy. She just wants him to tell her how to get control of her anger and she’s going to move on. And of course, he says, “It doesn’t work that way.” And she quits! She goes off. But then she comes back and says, “Okay, I’m ready.”

It’s very sad to see the series come to an end. But Sully is at a good place in his journey. And Steve and I are working on a new series.

The next series is called The Reluctant Prophet and it’s about a woman who one day in church God just speaks to her and says “I want you to buy a Harley.” So she does and the story takes off from there. She realizes she has this prophetic gift, meaning “I know what God wants us to do” and she starts working with prostitutes and turns her home into a home for prostitutes in the middle of historic district of St. Augustine Florida. So she’s riding around on her Harley – it’s going to be very very different! But the theme is – it’s very hard for people to say “I’m going to give it all to God, I’m going to surrender.” We can say “Let go and let God” and then in 10 minutes take it all back. So why not take it one step at a time and simply comply. It’s about compliance rather than total surrender – step by step. What you’re really surrendering if the need to know what’s going to happen all the way through – what’s the next step and the next step and the next step. And I have learned that in my own life. That’s the only way I’ve kept my sanity, is by asking “Is this the next step?” rather than saying “I’ve got the whole vision, the whole plan.” I don’t need to know the next twenty years. We’re really excited about this new series.

There will be sort of a mentoring character, a rather unlikely mentor, unlike Sully who you know is this famous Christian writer and does the podcasts and the TV shows and is someone you know you can trust. This is someone who is a very unlikely but very wise person and a very strong male character. I have learned from Steve that we need that. I think too much women’s fiction is “gung ho, women are the best” – we all have our part, and where would we be without men? I love men!

Working with Steve has just been a treat. And he is very generous – because he is a celebrity – in sharing. . .he’s not a lightmonger. He’s not seeking the glory for himself. So sharing this project, he’s the one who insisted that my name be first on the book. Those are the kind of things; he’s a very humble person, but wacko! And that’s what makes it fun and what brought such life to the books.

These books are not fun to write. But they are deeply satisfying. With Healing Stones I opened a vein. It was extremely hard to let people suffer that way. But the response has been incredible; that’s the most rewarding thing. People send us emails and say “This changed my life.” And people say, “I’ve learned not to be so judgmental.”

This is already rather lengthy and it's just the tip of the iceberg! She's also one of my girl's favorite authors. Be sure to check out her blogs for women, for mini-women (tweens) and for teens. What a treat to spend some time with Nancy!

I have TWO copies of Healing Sands to give away. Please leave a comment on this post by 8:00 PM Thursday (12/10) and I will choose 2 winners. If you do not have a blog, please be sure to include a mailing address so I can contact you. Winners will have 72 hours to respond (until 9:00 PM CST Sunday, 12/13); if no response I will pick new winners. US Residents only, please.

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Booked for the Holidays

Booked for the Holidays has been slightly overtaken by Pooped for the Holidays. This was a Weekend. Actually, the last 5 days or so have pretty much been non-stop activity. There have been some sweet blessings in the midst of the craziness, but I sure could use a foot massage!

And if Mary Poppins would show up and snap her fingers to decorate our tree, it would be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Please check this post for an update on the new winners of Mary Lu Tyndall's The Red Siren and Erynn Mangum's Miss Match!

I'll be back a bit later today with the giveaway. Right now my brain is fried and I have to go to bed!

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TSMSS - Mary and Jesus

I'll never forget when I first heard this song a number of years ago. I can't even begin to explain how it spoke to my heart. Discovering that Mark Lowry wrote it was such a fun surprise. Because he is so well-known for his comedy, folks who haven't listened to him much might dismiss him as superficial, but wow! He has such incredible depth. Even in the midst of the hilarity, he shares some fantastic spiritual insights. Although it will take a few minutes, I urge you to watch this first video as he talks about Mary and Jesus, and then immediately watch the second video where he sings the song. (The second video picks up where the first one ends.) Although this song is beautiful any time, juxtaposed with Mark's thoughts, it really comes alive. He's joined by David Phelps and Guy Penrod and accompanied by the phenomenal late Anthony Burger, which make this rendition even better! Some songs please my ears; this one stirs my soul!

(Being a Texas gal, his comments about "Woman," made me laugh out loud!)

(And then the comments about Mary at the cross. . . .Wow.)

MARY, DID YOU KNOW?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM.

Lyrics by Mark Lowry
Music by Buddy Greene

Go see Amy to hear some more great songs!

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Booked for the Holidays - Children's Books Winner

True Random Number Generator
Result: 8

Congrats to bp! Please email me your address by Monday (12/7) at 8:00 p.m. CST and the books will be sent to you!

Another giveaway begins Monday!

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Snow Beautiful but Waaay Too Short!

The rumors are true: it snowed in Central Texas today! It lasted maybe half an hour and then the sun immediately started burning those clouds away. Nothing stuck, but it was oh-so-pretty swirling around in the air. It actually came down fairly hard -- more than just a dusting of flurries -- and there were some pretty big flakes. I just wish it had lasted long enough for me to get home and take a couple of pictures. Even Houston is getting more snow than we did!

It sure was pretty while it lasted!

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