New Books

Yesterday a box of books arrived. I added them next to the row of novels for review on the shelf. I've gotta fit them in somehow. And then there are the ones I've been wanting to read from last year, on another shelf. And a few from the local library when I get a chance. It's wonderfully overwhelming. :o) If you're a writer, you know reading is part of your job. You gotta stay up to date with what's out there. And reading other people's books in your genre will help you write better and find your own voice. I love that I get to read as part of my work. Of course, since I've been studying writing, novels are a project now--textbooks to dissect and learn from.

So, look for reviews of Jamie Carie's "Wind Dancer," Denise Hunter's "Sweetwater Gap," and Karen Kingsbury's "Take One," book one in her new "Above the Line" series.

And great news about some of the authors I've featured here: Denise Hunter, Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren (in the order they popped into my head) are all RITA finalists!!!! This is a great achievement and is very exciting!!! Ladies, we wish you the best!

Update on Inside...Out Workbook by Susan May Warren

Last month, I featured Susan May Warren and her fellow Book Therapy folks. Since then, I've ordered and received her workbook for writers: "From the Inside...Out: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You."

I'm rewriting one of my novels, and this workbook has been a great help. Now, admittedly, some of Susan's info (esp. early in the workbook) was familiar. But then she gets to her secret for characterization, and I'm telling you it's beyond helpful! We'll know tonight if my critique partners would agree, but I've incorporated some of Susan's secrets into the project and wow, what a difference.

So, thanks, Susan for a fantastic tool. (And Rachel Hauck, too, though I haven't gotten to the parts where Rachel contributed yet. :) Rachel rocks, though, so I'm excited to get there.)

Since I featured the workbook here, I wanted to let you writers know that it's worth picking up! I ordered the printed version. (You can go e-book for $14.95 or printed form for $24.95.) I'm using a notebook with it so I can reuse her tips on different projects. I've read plenty of "craft" books; this one takes a different approach, and it's working for me. And if you're a fan of Susan's fiction, and you're a writer, I think you'll really profit from this book.

There you have it--an impromptu, unofficial review of "From the Inside...Out: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel In You."

Christian Book Expo

This week, the Dallas Convention Center (Dallas, TX) will host the first annual Christian Book Expo. Many fellow members of American Christian Fiction Writers will attend, as well as several non-fiction and other well-known fiction authors. Take a look at the following list: (Click any name to visit their profile page.)

Shelley Adina Randy Alcorn Marla Alupoaicei Debby Anderson Kerby Anderson Andy Andrews Maren Angelotti Stephen Arterburn Frank Ball Shelly Ballestero Ruth Haley Barton Voddie Baucham Jill Baughan Shelly Beach Michael Berenstain Jennie Bishop William Black Henry Blackaby Norman Blackaby Tom Blackaby Terri Blackstock Arthur Blessitt Darrell Bock Allison Bottke Crystal Bowman Carolyn Brown Rick Brown Kurt Bruner Wanda E. Brunstetter Davis Bunn Jim Burns Dillon Burroughs Bill Carmichael Steve Carney Gary Chapman Duck Young Chung Patsy Clairmont Eleanor Clark Mindy Starns Clark Colleen Coble Mary Connealy L. Corridon Lyn Cote David Cowan Michelle Cox William Lane Craig Andy Crouch Margaret Daley Christine Dao Dan Darling Pam Davis Bryan Davis Jennifer Kennedy Dean Mary DeMuth James Denison Janet Denison Nanci Des Gerlaise Kevin DeYoung Hayley & Michael DiMarco Christin Ditchfield Brandt Dodson Lena Nelson Dooley Jimmy Dorrell Sue Edwards Conway & Jada Edwards T. Suzanne Eller Leanna Ellis Edna Ellison Robert Elmer Eva Marie Everson Mary Farrar Steve Farrar Shaunti & Jeff Feldhahn Elyse Fitzpatrick Kathie FitzPatrick Randy Frazee Tom Freiling David and Lisa Frisbie

Cheri Fuller Ann Gabhart Brenda Garrison Elizabeth George Jim George Deeanne Gist Sandra Glahn Jack Graham Ruth Graham Mark Gregston Dana Gustafson Kelly Eileen Hake Ron Hall David Hamer Michelle McKinney Hammond Alex & Brett Harris Sean Harrison Wayne Hastings Freddy Haynes Lori Heinsohn Kathy Herman Liz Curtis Higgs Anita Higman Christopher Hitchens Peter Holmes Tina Houser Kathy Howard Chrys Howard June Hunt Karen James Arlene James Debbie Jansen Tony Jeary Jerry Jenkins Dawn Herzog Jewell Robert Johnston Timothy Paul Jones Tony Jones Ellie Kay Jan Kern Marsha Key Karen Kosman Vicki Kuyper Karol Ladd David Lambert Tim Lane Daniel Lee Marlene LeFever Kevin Leman Rick Lemons Beverly Lewis Robert Liparulo Kathi Lipp Max Lucado Elizabeth Ludwig Christine Lynxwiler Richard Mabry Kathi Macias Catherine Martin Larry Massa Kelley Mathews Vickie McDonough Sean McDowell Scot McKnight Susan Meissner Stephen M. Miller Calvin Miller Donald Miller Allan & Christopher Miller DiAnn Mills Denver Moore John Morris Henry Morris III Janelle Mowery Patrice Moya Cecil Murphey Abdu Murray Bill Myers

Betty Odak Janette Oke Stormie Omartian Susan Osborn Glenn Paauw J. I. Packer Julie Papievis Peggy Park Christa Parrish Golden Keyes Parsons Sheron Patterson Bill Peel Kathy Peel Chandra Peele Todd Perla Tracie Peterson Don Piper Ann Platz Bryan Polivka Cara Putman Karen Rabbitt Matthew Raley Sandy Ralya Deborah Raney Randal Rauser David Ray Ron Rhodes Mark D. Roberts Jennifer Rothschild Nancy Rue Janet Ruth Kathleen Sawyer Kim Vogel Sawyer Susanne Scheppmann Kali Schnieders Deane Schuessler Steven K. Scott Lori Scott Georgia Shaffer Linda Evans Shepherd Frank Sherwin Mary Manz Simon Martha & Greg Singleton Julianna Slattery Debra White Smith Phil A. Smouse Lauraine Snelling Lisa Soares Hale Kimberly Sowell Lynette Sowell Richard Stearns Jeff Stoddard Sam Storms Mark Strauss Lee Strobel Brenna Stull Justin Taylor Mark Taylor Tullian Tchividjian Lysa TerKeurst Mike Thaler John Trent M. L. Tyndall Jim Walker Sheila Walsh Joan C. Webb Thelma Wells Lisa Whelchel Debbie Taylor Williams Carla Williams Susan Williams Susan Williams Smith Laurette Willis Doug Wilson Lisa Wingate Beth Wiseman Lena Wood Lenora Worth

And authors won't be the only folks in attendance--booths are set up for booksignings, so fans are welcome, too. And representatives from publishing houses will attend. (click here to see the list)

Here's the schedule for ACFW authors and when they'll be signing at booth number 428:

Friday	Signer One	Signer Two
9
10	Eleanor Clark
11	Kim Sawyer
12	12:15: DiAnn Mills
1	Kathi Macias	Christa Parrish
2	Mary DeMuth	Bob Elmer
3	Vickie McDonough	Margaret Daley
4
5	Deborah Raney
6	Sandra Glahn
Saturday
9	Elizabeth Ludwig	Janelle Mowery
10	Susan Meissner	Shelley Adina
11	Anita Higman
12	Arlene James	Lynette Sowell
1	Beth Wiseman	Golden Parsons
2	Mindy Clark	Lyn Cote
3	Leanna Ellis	J.M. Hochstetler
4:30	Cara Putman	Colleen Coble
5:30	Mary Connealy	Brandt Dodson
Sunday
12
1	MaryLu Tyndall	Mary Connealy
2	Lena Nelson Dooley

Take a peek at the book expo website: www.christianbookexpo.com, and if you're in the area, consider attending March 19 - 22nd. It's going to be a fantastic time!

The Edge of Light by Ann Shorey

Today I'm featuring new author Ann Shorey with her historical "The Edge of Light."

Here's the back cover copy and her bio:

She's determined to make it--and she doesn't need a man's help to do it. It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but resolves to take care of herself and her children. When Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey, and along the way she must face the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, restore her family, and fend off some overeager suitors. Book one in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, The Edge of Light will captivate you with the true-to-life emotions of one woman's struggle to survive.

Bio:
Ann's mother always wanted to write a book about her ancestors. She felt there was enough material in her collection of family memoirs, which dated back to the 1600's, to make fascinating reading.

When Ann's mother died in 1994, she passed those memoirs on to Ann. Over the next several years Ann put stream-of-consciousness reminiscences into chronological order and followed up each "remembered fact" with necessary research.

Thanks to the computer age, she wrote the book her mother had envisioned and in the late 1990's distributed it to family and interested historians.

In the process of researching her family history, Ann discovered that all of the collected memoirs had been written by men. Memories of the American Revolution, the Mexican and Civil Wars, and the westward migration were all told from the male perspective. What was life like for the women who maintained the homes, reared the children, and followed their husbands from place to place? That question sparked her interest in writing fiction to fill in the gaps. Over the next several years Ann learned her craft by attending classes, reading books, and, yes, collecting a few rejections.

On a research trip to Kentucky in 1997, Ann and her husband, Richard, were fortunate enough to locate the graves of her great-great-great grandparents on the land they had settled in 1800. Standing in front of her great-times-three grandmother's resting place, Ann promised that grandmother she would not be forgotten.

The At Home in Beldon Grove series honors that promise. The first volume, titled The Edge of Light, is scheduled to be released in January, 2009. One of the best things Ann learned about fiction is that it's okay to make stuff up! Thus, although these novels are inspired by her courageous female ancestors, the largest percentage of their adventures are fictional. Ann leaves it to her readers to separate truth from "it could have happened like this."

And now for my review:

Ann Shorey has a good handle on historical research! Her first novel is chockfull of researched nuggets. Her description of bloodletting is especially realistic and made me a little glad I’d been spared this full understanding (and vivid description) previously. ;-)

Her heroine survives plenty of trials, triumphing with strength and determination, the death of her husband and disappearance of her son, not to mention losing a dear friend because of racial tension in 1830s Missouri. Molly McGarvie’s husband has died of cholera and she’s forced to move with her children, including the baby in her womb, to live with family in another state. The same man responsible for her son’s disappearance (i.e. he wasn’t watching over him well enough) is the doctor who must deliver Molly’s breech baby. With all the tension of unforgiveness and mourning losses, yet believing her son is still alive, Molly pushes onward. Her conflict with this doctor character is a fantastic backdrop for a potential relationship to spring up. And it does. Molly’s strong spirit is inspiring. But, some of the obstacles in Molly’s life seemed a bit over the top. And though craft books on writing teach this idea of “give your character a goal, put obstacles in the way, then when the character falls, kick them when they try to stand; repeat,” in this story, it felt a bit forced as we watched Molly’s struggles.

That said, I love that Ann was specifically inspired by her own research, and I love how well she used it. How exciting she’s fulfilling her family’s dream (passed down through the generations) of putting these stories into print and though some of the story elements are fabricated, the stories are now coming to light.

I believe readers who enjoy historical fiction and/or romantic fiction will enjoy this well-researched and well written story.

Bravo, Ann! I wish you the best!

Guest Author: Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

I'm excited to feature a new author today whose first book came out through the Summerside Press Love Finds You series. Her name is Gwen Ford Faulkenberry and she has some fun info to share with us. Read on.

First, the back cover copy:

Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado Can one womans tragedy turn into happily ever after? Claire Caspian is a firstrate professor, teaching even the most cynical student to find beauty in literature. But with her own personal story, she isnt as successful. Having recently lost her husband, Claire returns with her young son to the tiny desert town of Romeo, Colorado, where she grew up. There she settles in with her feisty old Abuelita, the richest woman in the county and attempts to rebuild her life. But love comes searching for Claire in the form of attractive local doctor Stephen Reyes. Will another tragedy prevent her from accepting love the second time around? Or will she embrace her new Romeo and finally find a happy ending? Love Finds You is a series of fulllength romance novels that give readers a peek into the flavor of local life across the United States. The novels are uniquely named after actual American towns with quirky, interesting names that inspire romance and are just plain fun! This means that each fictional story draws on the compelling history or unique character of a real place. Our fresh, original love stories will feature everything from romance kindled in small towns, to old loves lost and found on the high plains, to new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways.

I asked Gwen a few questions lately. Listen in to the interview:

~~Hi Gwen and thanks for visiting!! First, please tell us a little about yourself.

I'm 37 years old, married to a wonderful man, and we have three little children. We live on a family ranch and our house overlooks the Arkansas River in Ozark, Arkansas. I'm mostly a stay-at-home mom, but I also teach English classes at a local college and write cards for DaySpring. Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado, is my first novel. I also have a devotional book that came out in February called A Beautiful Life.

~~Tell us about how your Love Finds You story came about. (i.e., were you assigned? how'd you hear about the new Summerside line?

I had worked on another project with someone from Summerside, and when he was planning the Love Finds You line, he suggested I submit a proposal. At the time there were limited choices for town names, and I chose Romeo from the list because I love Shakespeare and also, I went to Taos, New Mexico on my honeymoon and it is not far from there. So the area already seemed romantic to me.

~~How did you find your contacts in Romeo?

That's quite an amazing story. I launched out into cyberspace looking for anything and everything I could find out about the area. One day I was focusing on colleges around Romeo because I wanted my heroine to be a professor, and I found a place called Adams State College. It was a particularly bad day for me; I was struggling with a lot of self doubt, and just before starting to research I had prayed and said something like, "Lord, I'm afraid I've gotten myself into a mess. I don't think I can do this. My novel will probably be the worst of the whole series, and I'm going to let everyone down." A few moments later I heard His still small voice speak to my heart, and He reminded me that I didn't get myself into the contract--He did. And He would be faithful to see it through to completion. When the site for the college popped up on the screen, it said this: "Adams State College, Great Stories Begin Here." I about fell out of my seat! Turns out that my best contact was a professor and writer from Adams State, Aaron Abeyta.

~~Such a great story!! I loved how the name of the town wasn't supposed to be Romeo, but rather Romero. That worked out perfectly for the Summerside line. Please explain to the readers why the city is called Romeo and not its original.

When the railroad came to the area, trains had to stop every seven miles for water. So there is this little string of towns in the San Luis Valley that are joined by the railroad at seven mile intervals. Some Anglophile working for the railroad allegedly read the word "Romero" incorrectly in a description of the village, and changed it to "Romeo" as he was keeping the books. Thus the little settlement became known as "Romeo" instead of the original Spanish surname "Romero."

~~What's next for you in writing?

I have another devotional book called A Beautiful Day coming out with Summerside in the Spring of 2010, and I hope to do more for the Love Finds You line. I am also working on a couple of women's fiction ideas and a novel for young adults that will be an epic love story with the somewhat radical theme of purity.

~~Sounds great! Please let readers know how they can contact you and then share anything else you'd like to.

I can be contacted at gfaulkenberry [at] hotmail.com or through the Love Finds You author's blog at www.lovefindsyou.wordpress.com.

Thanks, Gwen. We wish you all the best!

And now for my review:

Professor Claire is trying to rebuild her life following her husband’s death. For her son’s sake, she’s trying to hold everything together. She’s perfectly happy without a relationship. Enter Dr. Stephen Reyes. As a relationship grows, Claire’s son Graeme will have to adjust.

One of Gwen’s strengths was painting the love story Claire had already lived—that of her relationship with her late husband Rob. The author realistically portrayed Claire’s past and her reasons for resisting a relationship. I also appreciated the relationship Stephen had with his neighbors, who acted like parental figures—watching out for him, etc.

And what is a Romeo story without some pebbles tossed against the window??

This was a well-written romance which will delight the romantic of heart. Bravo Gwen and Summerside Press!

Exciting News about "Love Letters"

The publisher who printed my novella has now begun a new publishing house--White Rose Publishing, with its own website.

Check it out!

www.whiterosepublishing.com

Their line has grown to nearly 50 authors since I joined them in 2006 (publishing in January, 2007). You can find more information at their website, even purchase this book in printed form or ebook form. You can also purchase it through www.amazon.com.

Congratulations to The Wild Rose Press and to White Rose Publishing!

Christian Fiction Releases - March, 2009

Thanks to Jill Eileen Smith for forwarding this list of new Christian fiction releases! I'll be reviewing her book Michal on this blog. So excited to read it!! Here's her post:

March - what a great month! For me it marks the month my (Jill's) debut novel hits bookstore shelves, and I step down as New Releases Coordinator for ACFW. Lynette Eason, who also has a new release this month, will take my place, so be sure to welcome her to this position!

To get a head start on spring, we've got 16 new releases to choose from! And they all sound great! Check them out - and don't forget to visit my new Spotlight interview with author, artist, and agent extraordinaire Wendy Lawton. Wendy had a new children's book release in February.

1. A Hundred Years of Happiness, 2nd in the Summer Meadows Mysteries by Nicole Seitz from Thomas Nelson. A generous story of family, war, loss and longing . . . of the ways we hide from those we love, and the ways that love finds us anyway.

2. A Silent Terror by Lynette Eason from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Someone wants Marianna Santino dead. Ethan O'Hara is willing to risk everything, including his heart, to keep her alive.

3. A Test of Faith, Mystery and the Minister's Wife #3 by Carol Cox from Guideposts. When everything falls apart, can faith hold them together?

4. Breach of Trust Call of Duty #1 by DiAnn Mills from Tyndale. Paige Rogers, former CIA agent, must choose between protecting the lives of loved ones or bringing a ruthless killer to justice.

5. Candy-Coated Secrets, 2nd in the Summer Meadows Mysteries by Cynthia Hickey from Barbour. Who would have thought escorting an elephant down Highway 64 could lead to murder?

6. Daisy Chain, Defiance, TX series, book one by Mary DeMuth from Zondervan. The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty and compelling story of love and sorrow, revealing God’s hand of redemption in impossible situations.

7. Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson from Harvest House Publishers. Daniel and Laura become the objects in a game of cat and mouse where they learn just how big the cat can be - and that it's no game.

8. Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer from Kregel Publications. An obsessive woman, a serial killer, and a sudden winter storm turn a sabbatical in the North Woods into a nightmare that the Thayer family may not escape alive.

9. If Tomorrow Never Comes by Marlo Schalesky from Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishers/Random House. Kinna and Jimmy Henley never planned on infertility stealing their dreams, crushing their love. But it did. Now, their last hope lies with a mysterious woman rescued from the sea.

10. Love Finds You in Humble Texas by Anita Higman from Summerside Press. Two sisters fall in love with the same man.

11. Michal: A Novel, The Wives of King David series Book 1 by Jill Eileen Smith from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A princess falls in love with her father's worst enemy - will it cost her everything?

12. Poisoned Secrets by Margaret Daley from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Maggie spent years searching for her birth mother, but when the past is revealed, the shocking disclosures could tear her life apart.

13.The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnie Griggs from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historicals. For the sake of three orphaned children, two scarred individuals - one physically, one emotionally - try to work together to forge a new family.

14. The List by Sherri Lewis from Urban Christian. Four women on a quest to find Godly men based on a list.

15. Wind of the Spirit, The American Patriot Series, Book 3 by J. M. Hochstetler from Sheaf House Publishers. As the patriot cause falters, can her love bridge the miles that separate them--and the savage bonds that threaten to tear him forever from her arms?

16. Yesterday's Embers, The Clayburn Novels by Deborah Raney from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster. Newlyweds Doug and Mickey must find a way to untangle their knot of hasty choices without breaking the hearts of five precious children or their own in the process.