Why I Love Charles Dickens

by Jen Slattery

A few years ago someone mailed me a historical fiction about.... Well, I'm not sure what it was about because I never made it that far. I tried. Oh, my, did I try, but after page upon page of life-activities, my perseverance waned and I put the book aside. I learned the heroine wore her hair in ribbons, what she ate for breakfast, and numerous other details of her daily life. To the author, perhaps these events were significant. Maybe she had fond memories of getting her hair done and thought perhaps if she outlined these details, one movement at a time, she could invoke those same emotions in her reader. But sadly, her over-abundance of minute details, void of conflict, dulled my brain.

As I read over today's excerpts again--talking of spiritual warfare, castles, and jail sentences--I realized one of the things I long for in a story is the ability to visit a place other than my own. That doesn't mean I always gravitate toward time-traveling speculative fiction, but I don't want to relive the monotony of life either.

I love books that raise the stakes, introduce me to unique settings and unique characters, and allow my mind to drift from the day-to-day. One of my favorite authors is Charles Dickens. Upon first glance, I might conclude this is due to his "other-than" settings, but I believe it's more than that. His use of language creates images so vivid and emotive, he manages to turn a walk through the city into a unique experience. And yet, somehow he does this without losing the human element--the universal emotions we all share. So basically, he creates a world that is unique enough to grab my attention and propel me into the story, but he does it in such a way that I deeply connect with the characters.

This week's excerpts captured my attention with their unique settings and story-lines. The shuffle of monotony in a high school is intensified by the presence of evil. In excerpt B, I'm introduced to the magnificent Hearst Castle, and the world of antiquity. In both, I realize much more is at stake than castle restoration and chemistry class.

What about you? What are some things you look for in a story? Think back to a story you've particularly enjoyed. What was it about that novel that grabbed you? Is it a slightly quirky character or a castle shrouded by clouds and hidden behind a patch of trees?

(If you haven't already done so, read over both excerpts. And remember, there are numerous ways to be entered into our drawing for the book give-aways: leave a comment on any of the articles posted over the next week, fb share us, tweet us, or subscribe. Remember to shoot us an email letting us know you've shared, tweeted, or subscribed.)

To our blogging readers, if you'd like to join the COTT family as a blog alliance partner, shoot us an email at contactcott(at)gmail(dot)com. We'd love to tell you more.

Jennifer Slattery is a novelist, freelance writer and biblical studies major at Calvary Bible college. In 2009 she won first place in the HACWN writing contest in the book category, placed second in the 2010 Dixie Kane, fourth in the 2010 Golden Pen and third in the 2010 CWG Operation First Novel Contest. She has a short piece appearing in Bethany House's Love is a Flame (under a pen name), forwarded by Gary Chapman, another piece in Cathy Messecar's A Still and Quiet Soul, and writes for Reflections in Hindsight, Christ to the World, Samie Sisters, The Christian Pulse, and reviews for Novel Reviews. She's also written for Granola Bar Devotions, Afictionado, The Christian Fiction Online Magazine, Romantic Times Review, Bloom and the Breakthrough Intercessor. 

Contact Jennifer: slattery07(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jennifer's Blog, Facebook

When You Stumble, You Humble by JoAnn Durgin

In her usual humorous and down-to-earth way, author JoAnn Durgin shares a writer's heart at Reflections in Hindsight.

Remember the famous slogan from the movie, Love Story? Love means never having to say you’re sorry. Since the movie’s over forty years old, I don’t think it’s spoiling anything to tell you it’s about two star-crossed, college-age students who fall in love, and one is dying from leukemia. Love is about being accepted for who and what we are and being forgiven whether or not we ask. Quite simply, it’s unconditional. But what about this never saying you’re sorry business? I don’t know about you, but that’s not how my world operates. READ MORE >>>>

Christine Lindsey--New COTT Champ!

by Michelle Massaro

Christine Lindsay crowned COTT champ!

Shadowed in Silk won the vote for Best Back Cover Blurb against competitor Sunny Eads.

A clip of her winning excerpt:

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India with her small son, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

read the full blurb here

A few reader comments: 

• I'm drawn to the post war aspect of the second one.
• Both really pulls you in but the romance of India under the Bristh rule caught my attention.
• Oh, India! Sounds mysterious!! Makes me wonder if this is a romance or not. Would def give this book a go.
• Blurb B is just so intriguing! Definitely makes me want to read the whole thing. So much clearly going on.

Christine says: 

The only reason I write is in order to encourage readers to love Christ and follow Him. He's God---if He wants me to succeed, then He'll make it happen. And if He wants me to have quiet success, then I'll praise the Lord for that.
read the full interview here.
About her experience with COTT she writes:
I'm so thankful for this opportunity. Thank you every one, especially Sunny and Lisa. What a fun contest. And to every one for their positive comments.

Want to get in on the voting action? Head over to Clash of the Titles now and cast your ballot for this week's Clash!

PLEASE CHECK 

OUT OUR EXCITING NEW VENTURE:

Join us in June as we premier COTT's book club! Karen Witemeyer and her COTT winning novel, A Tailor-Made Bride is up as our first read (The books is offered as a free e-book here; if you don't have a Kindle, you can download the program to your pc or mobile device free here). More details and to vote for July's book, CLICK HERE.  



Michelle Massaro is a homeschooling mom and aspiring novelist. She is Assistant Editor for the literary website Clash of the Titles and writes for COTT's Blog Alliance. Michelle also serves on the worship team and teaches origins science to the youth at her church. She and her husband of 15 years live in sunny So Cal with their four children. Connect with her on twitter @MLMassaro, facebook, Clash of the Titles, and her blog Adventures in Writing.

Writing that Pesky Back-cover Blurb

Blurb -noun  1. a brief advertisement or announcement, especially a laudatory one

Raise your hand if you read the back cover of a book before heading to the checkout. I see all those hands!

As readers, we know how critical those few paragraphs can be in helping us choose a book, so as writers, we tremble at the thought of creating them.

We know our characters inside and out. The plot and every twist along its path are engraved in our minds. We could quote our novel’s Theme in our sleep, and if asked, we would gladly spout the hero’s Goal, Motivation, and Conflict every morning before coffee. Then, why, on why, do we struggle so to write a three paragraph summary?

READ MORE at Reflections in Hindsight...

This week's Clash winner is none other than Roseanna White, for her opening pages of

A Stray Drop of Blood.

She triumphed over the very worthy excerpt from Michelle Griep's Undercurrent.

Congratulations, Roseanna!

It's fair to say that Stray Drop was a labor of love. The storyline was first born in Roseanna's heart when she was only 15 years old. It grew over the next six years culminating in the novel we have today.

A snippet of the winning opening:

Abigail’s tears were unneeded. Mourners enough had been hired by her mother’s husband, and their loud keening drowned out her grief. She risked a glance at Silas, who stood with an appropriately sorrowful expression in the corner. Her mother’s husband, but not her father. Her father was dead. Mother too. And this family would never be her own.

About the book:

For seven years, Abigail has been a slave in the visibullis house. With a Hebrew mistress and a Roman master, she has always been more family than servant . . . until their son returns to Jerusalem after his years in Rome. Within a few months Jason has taken her to his bed and turned her world upside down. Maybe, given time, she can come to love him as he says he loves her. But how does she open her heart to the man who ruined her?
Born free, made a slave, married out of her bonds, Abigail never knows freedom until she feels the fire of a stray drop of blood from a Jewish carpenter. Disowned by Israel, despised by Rome, desired by all, she never knows love until she receives the smile of a stoic Roman noble.

A few COTT visitor's comments:

Wow! Both books sound exciting! Wonderful teasers!
 Thank you for sharing your talents, and good luck.
 Love the book. This truly is a story to enchant a reader.

You can read Roseanna's interview with COTT Assistant Editor Michelle Massaro here. 
And to get in on the voting action at Clash of the Titles, just click now to be taken to their current Clash of the Back Cover Blurbs

Completely Whole Book Launch

Special Today Only! May 9. Buy a copy of Completely Whole by Paulette Harper and get immediate access to amazing Free Bonus Gifts and contest giveaways.

Visit the link below for more details...

http://bit.ly/CompletelyWholeBookLaunch

Oftentimes, many people try to seek fulfillment from money, relationships, accomplishments, or material things. Others choose to cope with difficult problems by using drugs or alcohol, but they often come up short and soon have to realize that such things do not bring true happiness and fulfillment in life. How then can we successfully solve the problems that we face and find true happiness and peace in our lives? Author Paulette Harper, in her latest book, Completely Whole, shows readers how to overcome suffering caused by alcoholism, substance abuse, poverty, and other obstacles blocking the path to a life of wholeness in spirit, soul, and body.

In her well-written, resource-filled guide, Harper provides readers with practical and biblically-based solutions to overcome everyday problems. Completely Whole features prayers and powerful scripture passages to allow readers to interact with the text and to apply it to their own lives.

Harper uses personal experiences and biblical principles to place readers on a path to be in connection with God. This life-changing book will help readers to transform their spirit, soul, and body through Jesus Christ, so they can live a life of peace, joy, and fulfillment.

About the Author

A sought after speaker, certified life coach, minister and author. As an inspirational and motivational
speaker, Paulette’s desire is to motive women to reach their God given potential through conferences,
workshops and seminars. As a writing coach, Paulette is the visionary behind “Write Now” (releasing
the word in you) literary workshops designed to coach aspiring writers in the areas of creativity,
development and publication of Christian books. Paulette has authored such books as That Was Then,
This Is Now , This Broken Vessel Restored. She is the co-author of Victorious Living for Women and just
released Victorious Living for Moms.

Video Book Review