Visiting Author, K. Dawn Byrd

Author K.Dawn Byrd has a recent e-book release that sounds like a sweet, fun read for young adults.

ABOUT MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Eden Morgan makes a list of six goals to accomplish in order to have the best summer ever. Getting a boyfriend, which is perhaps the most important goal, becomes complicated when she and her best friend, Lexi, fall for the same guy. Since Lexi is popular, gorgeous, and always gets her guy, Eden thinks she doesn't have a chance.

Channing Johnson is everything Eden's ever dreamed of and she can't believe he just moved in next door. When he starts showing interest in her, she's overjoyed...until she sees him out on a date with Lexi. He says Lexi talked him into it to repay her for tutoring him. Lexi says they're in love.

Eden doesn't know who to believe and is forced to choose between her best friend and the guy of her dreams. Nothing is as it seems and no matter who she chooses, someone will get hurt.

HERE'S A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE BOOK:
We played water volleyball until I was tired, and then we swam a while. I did some laps, glad that I'd lost at least some of the weight I'd put on during the winter. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't realized I'd swam too close to Channing until I surfaced and found myself almost in his arms. He reached out to steady me, and I stepped forward, attempting to regain my balance.

A shiver tripped over my skin even though the night was warm. My eyes locked with his, and I found myself lost in the mossy depths. He hadn't released me, and his hands were warm on my arms.

We stood there, speechless, drinking in each other in with an odd kind of understanding, an odd feeling that all was well in the world and we were meant to be together. His touch and his gaze were so mesmerizing that I couldn't have looked away if my life depended on it.

"Channing, you ready to go?" called his mother from somewhere across the patio.

The spell was broken. I backed away, hoping our parents hadn't seen the magic that had passed between us. I wasn't sure what my parents would think about my dating a senior if Channing asked me out.

"Good night," I said, turning and diving under the water, my heart beating wildly as what passed between us seemed like a dream, a beautiful, surreal dream.

I surfaced on the other end and watched Channing retreat from the pool. He turned and waved and, just like that, the guy of my dreams, walked right out of my life.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MISTAKEN IDENTITY:


While Christian fiction is a popular genre, I think there is a bit of a hole in the Christian young adult genre, and Mistaken Identity does a great job of filling it. Not all teens want to be reading about the kind of romance you seen in books like Twilight, so this is a nice way of not only providing them with an appropriate type of romance, but really giving them something to read about the sounds a lot like the lives they live, and the struggles they face. Bravo for Mistaken Identity, and I hope we see more like this from Byrd.
 ---Tiffany Harkleroad

A book for parents and teenagers alike, this one deals with important issues as well as having an engaging storyline, loveable characters and enough nail biting moments to keep you rooted to the pages and wondering about the characters after the last page is turned. ---Clare Revell

LINKS:

Book Trailer

Buy the book

Desert Breeze Publishing

Learn more about K. Dawn

K. Dawn's blog

Explore Creek Country—Mississippian Period

In preparation for the upcoming release of the next book in my Creek Country Saga, Warring Spirits, I decided to take a tour of ancient Creek Country and hope you'll jump on the tram. There's plenty of room on the bench, right here, next to me. :-)


***

If there’s any place my heart calls home, it’s the American Southeast. Life doesn’t get much better than sweet tea, country music, and southern hospitality. I was born on the other side of the world, but I’ll happily die right here in Georgia.

Artists impression of ceremony inside a Mississippian mound

It’s an idyllic place to live, but most of who live in the South are completely unaware of the cultures that ruled this land before us. As recently as 180 years ago, the Muskogee (Creek) Indians called "home" the land my house sits on. This was Creek Country.

Creek Country was bordered by the Cherokee to the north, the Choctaw to the west, and the Seminole to the south. For the most part, they got along relatively well, and because of their complex political and trade systems, they were considered by whites to be "civilized."

Until I began the research for my Creek Country Saga, I thought that the Five Civilized Tribes (Creek, Cherokee, Seminole, Choctaw, and Chickasaw) had ruled the Southeast since the beginning of time, but, in the grand scheme of things, these tribes are relatively new—not much older than America herself. So where did they come from and who was here before them?

Creek Country once belonged to a vast people group called the Mississippians.

Mound Builder from museum in Ocmulgee NP

There isn’t much evidence of them left, but from about 1200AD to 1700AD the Mississippians dominated this area. (Before them? The people of Woodland Period, but we won’t go there, today.) They were quite different from the more recognizable Natives of the Historic Period (1700-Removal). They built mounds (for temples, burials, dwellings), had a chiefdom society (complete with an emperor they carried around high on a litter), and set in place social inequality. I imagine them to be a less dramatic/romanticized version of the Mayans as portrayed in the movie Apocalypto. Could be I’m completely wrong on that, but it’s the way I picture them with their mounds, religious ceremonies, and maize based-agriculture.

When DeSoto toured the area in the 1540s, it was the Mississippians he encountered. And it was this contact that forever changed them. Next up in the Explore Creek Country series--Contact with the New World.

Want to learn more about the Mississippians?

Online: http://www.nps.gov/seac/outline/05-mississippian/index.htm

Suggested Outing: Twenty minutes past my house going north on I75 is the Ocmulgee National Park, an area set aside to remember the Mississippian people and preserve one of the remnants of their culture—the Ocmulgee Mounds. If you live near the Macon, Georgia area, you should visit the Ocmulgee mounds to get a thorough sense of who these people were and how they impacted the land around them. Similar mounds can be found all over the Southeast and even up into the Great Lakes region. Have a look at this map to see if you live near one of the sites. 

A Summer in Oakville--Purchase today for free e-gifts!

John 3:16 Marketing Network Book Launch
A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE 
by Lisa Lickel and Shellie Neumeier
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Amazon
24 hours ONLY
Free e-gifts with purchase on launch day

Set in Wisconsin, A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is the story of a family reuniting to save the rural life they once cherished. One magical summer in fictional Oakville, Wisconsin, love finds its way through four entwined lives.Tessa's marriage hangs by a thread; her daughter, Lindsay, takes on the local town board and the developer who threatens to steal not only the farm but her heart. Tessa's widowed brother Art hasn't been home in twenty years; how can he send his out-of-control teenage son, Andy, to his aging parents?

"We set out to tell the story of the changing landscape in rural Wisconsin," Lickel says. "We wanted to try something unique while using our individual strengths as authors. Shellie writes fiction for young adults, and I write older characters."

"Our family, the Hasmers, could be anyone," Neumeier says. "They want to keep their heritage, while at the same time they struggle with the changing times. It's hard to make a living on a family-sized farm, and sometimes you have to make tough decisions."

      "In our story, the adult siblings, Tessa and Art, have their own problems but come together in order to help their parents and their children," Lickel adds.

      "Their children, Lindsay and Andy, are good kids who are also victims of the tough economic times and peer pressure today. But they have good hearts and learn from their grandparents' and parent's good family and faith values," Neumeier says.

Shellie Neumeier

www.ShellieNeumeier.com

Best-selling author Shellie Neumeier holds a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a minor in Psychology, Sociology and Social Studies. A devoted mother of four, Shellie previously worked on staff with Northbrook Church as the King's Kids ministry assistant (serving children in grades 2nd through 5th). She is an active member of SCBWI and ACFW as well as a contributing author for various blogs.

Lisa Lickel

www.LisaLickel.com 

Multi-published author Lisa J. Lickel also enjoys writing and performing radio theater, short story-writing, and is an avid book reviewer and blogger. She enjoys teaching writing workshops and working with new writers. She is the editor of both Wisconsin Writers Association's Creative Wisconsin magazine and Written World Communication's OtherSheep Magazine. She lives in a hundred and sixty-year-old house in Wisconsin filled with books and dragons. Married to a high school biology teacher, she enjoys travel and quilting.

  

 Check out A Summer inOakville Facebook fan page

What Others Are Saying:

"A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a cleverly-composed novel that addresses issues from the past, affecting four characters' present-day lives. Shellie Neumeier and Lisa Lickel are a dynamic writing duo!"

--Andrea Boeshaar, author of Seasons of Redemption

"Like quills of bittersweet devotion that pierce the heart, yet warm with the matchless comfort of forgiveness-A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE is a beautifully woven series of unforgettable novellas." 

--Tessa Stockton, author of The Unforgivable

"Four sweet novellas combine to tell the charming story of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE in Oakville. Saving your heritage, forgiving the past, and uncovering years of family secrets are weaved through four very different romances to create a delightful read that I looked forward to coming back to each day. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy."

--Cherie Burbach, author of Internet Dating Is Not Like Ordering a Pizza and Working Writers

"You'll be hooked from the first page of A SUMMER IN OAKVILLE. This novel grabs the senses and doesn't let go."

--Carolyn Howard-Johnson, multi award-winning novelist and poet  

COTT's Staff Clash Announces a Winner

Congratulations to Delia Latham for taking the crown in last week's Staff Clash. Two anonymous COTT staffers went into the ring and readers had another hard choice to make. Some said:

• "This was a cruel choice!! LOL! They were both excellent."
•  (About Delia's excerpt): "Beautiful words expressing emotion and making the reader want more."
•  "Intense emotions on both excerpts! Great job!"
•  "Terrific excerpts!"
• (About Katie's excerpt): "I need to know Wulf better! I have a feeling he's dreamy."
• "Awesome clash with two well-written, emotion-packed scenes! Great job, authors!"

Of course, nobody knew at the time that those authors were Delia Latham and Katie McCurdy.
Both are recent additions to the staff. Delia has come on board as a Blog Alliance Correspondent, and Katie is the official Talent Scout. (Looks like COTT scouted some talent when they found these two gems.)
This fun excursion was a great interjection into the usual good times shared at Clash of the Titles. This week sees another fierce challenge with nameless authors nominated by COTT staff. Be sure to head over there and vote now!
And in just 2 weeks, the party begins! Mark your calendars for October 10th and be ready to play for extra prizes all month long as COTT celebrates it's first anniversary. Your vote will determine which of the year's winning authors will receive the ultimate honor: the Laurel Award.

* by Assistant Editor of COTT, Michelle Massaro 

NEW BOOK CONTRACT!!

That's right! On Sunday, I signed a contract for my children's chapter book!!

Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang

An island occupied by Nazis makes life hazardous, 

but for an adventurous nine-year-old girl bent on escape, it could be deadly.

Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang is the first in the Channel Islands Resistance series and is set in 1940 Guernsey Island during the German occupation. What? You didn't know the Germans occupied British soil for five years during WWII? Frankly, I didn't either. Not until I met Ruth, a dear friend from our church in England, who lived the experience.


Ruth is a wonderful story teller and the best part? Her stories are true. Like Lizzie, the main character in my book, Ruth was nine with the Germans bombed her beautiful beach, but that was only the beginning of five long years of fear and faith.


Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang is founded on Ruth's life experiences and constructed with a healthy dose of my imagination. It's the first in a series of historical adventure books geared toward children ages 9-12, and is set to release with Astraea Press November 15th. Yep, that's just seven weeks away. Got any kids on your Christmas list??


With Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home hitting Amazon on 11 November, and Warring Spirits, the sequel to Wounded Spirits, releasing 30 November, life has gotten a mite full!


To whet your appetite for Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang, here's a bit more about it:

Lizzie Browning loves nothing more than her tiny, island-home of Guernsey, but when German bombs drop on her crystal beach, her peaceful world is shattered. For months, the big war on the continent has been nothing more than stories in the paper, but as the enemy takes over Guernsey, the war rushes to her doorstep. For Lizzie, younger brother Andre, and cousin James, the time to escape is now, and they know just how to do it.

Phillip Seifert, the odd boy from down the street, has all the markings of a genuine Nazi-lover. Lizzie knows better than to trust him, but he somehow manages to weasel his way into James’ good graces. Phillip joins the gang in their audacious escape plan, and Lizzie can do little more than pray he doesn’t get them all shot. But Lizzie soon learns that God doesn’t always answer prayers in the way she expects. He might actually plan for them to live under Nazi rule…forever.

Stay tuned for more details!!

Visiting Author, Maggie Brendan

It that time again! Time to feature another wonderful writer. Today, I welcome Maggie Brendan, multi-published author.


Her latest book to release (just this month) is Deeply Devoted. Here's what Library Journal has to say about it:

Instead of choosing the young lady his mother has picked for him, Peter Andersen sends to Amsterdam for a mail-order bride in this new series by Brendan (“Heart of the West” series). Catharine Olsen arrives in Cheyenne, WY, with her mother’s china and her two sisters in tow. Peter is patient not only with Catharine but with her sisters. However, as the two begin their life together on the wheat farm, Peter’s mother will go to any length to see her son’s marriage destroyed. VERDICT This novel should appeal to fans of Lori Wick who enjoy a gentle romance with a Western twist as well as those who like reading about cultural clashes.

-- LibraryJournal.com

You know how much I adore excerpts, so I asked Maggie to send me one of her favorites from the book. This is what she sent:

As the rain pelted them, she leaned forward and saw her high-top boots sinking into a muddy hole. She lost her balance and fell over on her hands and knees in the squishy street. “Ja, but not near as bad as you are going to look!” She flashed him a mischievous smile. Peter reached out his hand to assist her with an impish look on his face. She gave a hard yank, catching him off guard, and he tumbled down in a heap. Before he knew what hit him, Catharine had scooped up a handful of mud and wiped it across his nose and face. “That’ll teach you to laugh at a helpless, wet female.”
He looked at her with shock, sending them into fits of laughter. They drew themselves upright, and Catharine was laughing so hard that she leaned over, a hand to her stomach, as tears streamed down her mud-streaked face.
Peter grabbed her wrist, chuckling the entire time, and held her close to his body, mud and all, unmindful of the passersby. “It’s so good to hear your laughter. I’ve missed it.” His eyes glistened with amusement. “You look rather cute with the embellishment of mud to enhance your outfit, even if your feet are sinking!”
Catharine gazed up at him, and their eyes locked. She liked the feel of his strong arms about her. “Is that so?”
His lips curved into a broad smile, the brim of his hat dripping water down her shoulder. “I have just the cure for being splattered with mud on a rainy night.” His eyes teased her, and he leaned down to kiss her. “A nice hot bath where we can both peel off these wet things and soak to our hearts’ content. What do you say? Shall we get out of this rain?”
Catharine’s answer was a slow, lingering kiss while they stood in a tight embrace, ignoring the rain. A harrumph came from a person walking by, and they slowly pulled apart. Peter grabbed her hand tightly, and laughing and gasping for breath, they sprinted the rest of the way to the hotel.

Here's a peak at Maggie's fan mail: 

"I read "Deeply Devoted" today - the whole book.  Once I started, I could not put it down.  You are very talented with your writing. I thank you personally for taking me away from my everyday mundane to a delightful day.  You employ some really descriptive and metaphoric language which I love.

I felt your intimacy with God weaved throughout the book.  You really showed how the love between Peter and Cath was founded by their faith in God and his purpose for them and others in their lives and how love endured through the strength of their faith.  I really try to live, myself, by the message in the pastor's sermon that we should do everything as though we are doing it for God - that is so true and helps so much in life as to how we treat people and approach our journey in life." 

When I asked Maggie what goal she has achieved that she is most proud of, this is what she said:

Living my dream of writing is what I'm most proud of. I never thought that a desire I had to write in elementary school would ever become a reality. I have to pinch myself every time I see my books and it’s so exciting to know that readers enjoy something that I wrote. Incredible! It was only through His power that I was able to accomplish this goal. It is my offering.


Congratulations, Maggie! You did it!! And according to your fans, you did it well.


All this month, another of Maggie's books No Place for a Lady, is available free on Amazon and Nook. 


To learn more about Maggie and her books, visit her at her websites:

www.MaggieBrendan.com

www.SouthernBelleWriter.com

Only Two More Sleeps 'til Autumn!!

I used to be a sort of amateur photographer. I have no training, but the love of beautiful images kept my finger clicking. That is, until my Canon died. Now, I snap the occasional picture with my iPhone. So sad.

Over the next months, I'll be posting a few of my favorite autumn photographs, then a few from winter and spring.

One of the things Hubby continuously teases me about is my obsession with the change of seasons. At least four times a year, I ask the same question--"How much longer 'til fall/spring/fill in the season?" When I asked him today, and we discovered autumn begins on Friday, I squealed with delight.

Why?

Hubby says it's because I'm weird. I'm sure I am. lol!

 But I adore season changes because it's a fresh start, a new beginning, another chance to make goals and meet them (or not). The change of seasons means a bright new pallet of colors and aromas to fill my senses. The first, bright baby greens of spring remind me of the miracle of life and never fail to bring on the tears. Autumn is a display of eye candy straight from God's artistic hand. Winter is my least favorite, but the hope of a little snow keeps me going. Summer is...well, as Phineas and Ferb say, it's "is the world's best story waiting to be told."

No matter the time of year...

I.

Love.

Seasons.

If the Lord ever sent us to Arizona or northern Alaska, I might shrivel up and die. Wisely, He's sent us to Germany, England, and now, Georgia. Of the three, Germany has the most beautiful change of seasons, but the below pictures were all taken in England.

 Here are the first pics. Maybe they'll get you into

the season-squealing mood too.

April W Gardner is the author of the award-winning novel, Wounded Spirits.

Happy Anniversary, COTT!

Happy Anniversary, Clash of the Titles!

It's been almost a year since COTT opened its voting-booth doors and invited everyone in. Over the past twelve months, readers have chosen 25 Clash winners and received 48 free books. And along the way, a family formed. That family consists of the voters, authors, staff, and the 25+ blogs who have banded together in mutual support with COTT.

This is cause for major celebration! So COTT is doing it up to the nines.

Clash of the Titles' first annual Tournament of Champions begins next month! Over the course of four weeks, past winners from the previous year will compete in a series of clashes for the ultimate prize: the Laurel Award. The Laurel, COTT's most prestigious honor, is awarded by public vote to a single author among the year's champions.

Voters are expected to turn out in droves to support their favorites and participate in games just for readers. Each week, COTT sponsors—consisting of various authors and staff—will issue fun challenges to readers along with the chance to win gift cards, critique services, a business card design, and more. A dozen sponsors are lined up for the event so far. That's a lot of prizes!

Throughout the month, details and updates on the Tournament of Champions will be shared on the COTT website and featured within the Blog Alliance. To help spread the word, please grab the special Tournament Button (below) to display on your site. Then send a link to your page to: contactcott at gmail dot com to enter the special COTT Shout-About drawing. The drawing will take place during the first week of the Tournament and the winner will receive a Clash of the Titles mug.

Please also consider Tweeting or sharing this article on your Facebook wall.

(it only takes a second--just click the share button.)

Mark your calendars and spread the word. This BYOV (Bring Your Own Vote) party begins on October 10th!

<a border="0" href="http://www.clashofthetitles.com/p/tournament-of-champs.html" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r38/DeliaLatham/TournyBanner2.png "/></a>

Native American Shelter Project--Southeastern Roundhouse

Since Morgan's surgery and the CAG conference last week, my posts have been rather impersonal.  I hate it when life gets so busy that my posts lose their life. But never fear, I'm here to reserve that trend.

Seth has a social studies project in a couple of Fridays, but we finished it early. Why? Well, partly because it was hanging over my head, and I had to get out from under it. But the real draw factor was the subject matter. The project was to create one of several varieties Native American . We picked the tepee. Not!

Naturally, we chose the Southeastern round house. The Creek winter house would have been rectangular, but we had to make it round, which would be Chickasaw or Choctaw. Close enough. :-)

Beginnings of our round house.

Hubby helped us cut a piece of ply wood, and Seth painted it brown to simulate the dirt ground of the Chickasaw village. The clay we bought from Hobby Lobby for under $5.00 and we have tons left. Anyone need some clay? Come and get it. The kids found thick twigs from the backyard. We coated the tips with Elmer's spray glue, then pressed synthetic greens (from the diorama aisle of HL) against them. Tip: Do not spray your hands. They will be sticky for the next five hours.

Completed round house

The thatching was tricky, because the Chickasaw made their roofs by weaving the grass in a circular pattern around the conical shaped roof. We made a roof out of poster board, then I used a needle and a single piece of raffia and sewed chunks of raffia onto the paper one section at a time. The house looks short, because the Natives dug down into the earth several feet before erecting their mud walls. It gave the appearance of a short building from the outside.

They used their round houses for winter councils and to house their elderly. Early white visitors complained about how hot, smokey, and dark it was inside these houses.

Our little "Chickasaw" warriors are dressed more like the Plains Indians than Southeastern, but we won't tell if you won't. ;-)

Now that the Native Dwellings project is finished, it's on to the science project....
The Planets!

To learn more about the Southeastern Natives, check out my award-winning novel, Wounded Spirits.

Visiting Author--Mary Moore

One of the biggest blessings I receive is promoting other authors. Today, we have with us Mary Moore and her Love Inspired Historical, which just released this month. Congratulations, Mary! Please tell us a little about "The Aristocrat's Lady."

Mary: It is the story of a young woman in the Regency era that has a disability that neither the reader nor the hero is aware of at first.  She believes that because of her disability, God has

shown her His path for her life.  And it doesn’t include marriage.  The back cover of the book gives a good summary of the story.

For a few moments on a moonlit balcony, Nicole Beaumont was just a beautiful woman catching the eye of the handsome Lord Devlin-but she knew the illusion couldn’t last.  If the enigmatic aristocrat knew her secret, he’d realize that her disability left her unfit for love.  So who could blame her for hiding the truth a little longer?

Devlin had never met a woman like Nicole.  Her unique combination of innocence and wisdom left him utterly intrigued.  Yet what was she hiding?  For a man who did not trust easily, discovering her secret was devastating.  Overcoming their pasts and forging a future would take faith, forgiveness and trust.  And second chances could lead to new beginnings…  

Ok, I need to know that secret! What disability could a woman hide and make her unfit for love? Hmm... Now, I'm just going to have to buy the book. :-) Can you give us peek inside the book, Mary?

This is just one of my favorite excerpts--Lady Nicole’s servant, Toby, giving Lord Devlin what for!

            “She ‘ealed quick enough on the outside, but we worried ‘bout ‘er insides.  We were glad she ‘ad Doc Perry to get ‘er through it, but as time went by, ‘e didn’t come round much anymore.” Toby’s jaw clenched. “We knew ‘e were busy without Lady Nick’s ‘elp, but hang it all, he shoulda made time for ‘er.”

            The level of emotion between the two men had run the full gamut.  Toby knew he had to get this last part out.  “Finally, on top of everything else, Doc broke the engagement.  Said ‘e was sorry but ‘is wife needed to be ‘elping ‘is doctoring.”

            The silence was deafening.

            He continued in a deceptively mild voice.  “I think I could ‘ave killed a man that day.  And I think the only thing that stopped me was that she would never ‘ave forgiven me.  She needed the doc and ‘e jest let ‘er go.

            Lord Devlin had no words and did not know how long the new silence between them lasted.  He sat on the ground and covered his head in his hands, trying to fight the emotion he was feeling.  Anger, pain and sadness all merged together as he realized no human could have listened to her story untouched.  Nicole was so much more than he had even imagined.  He thought he might break down in front of Toby, and it no longer mattered.

            In a whisper he asked, “What happened then, Toby?”

            She let ‘im go. She told everybody she couldn’t be a burden to such a needed man.  She made ‘im the good one, then slowly closed ‘er ‘eart.  She not only lost that worthless doctor, she watched God’s will go with ‘im.  Then we all watched as she withered away a little bit morer each day.”

That's so sad! Glad to see Lord Devlin affected, as well. I like him already! What are other saying about the book?

 I received 4 ½ y stars from Romantic Times Magazine.  The first LIH to get a  4½ rating this year. .

           

“This story is so good and the heroine is so compelling that even those who don’t normally like a Regency-set story will find it well worth their time.” -Romantic Times

Awesome review, and way to go with that rating! 

So we can get to know you a little better, what is one personal goal you'd like to accomplish?

This year working and finalizing the book has been a long journey where I needed to learn everything I could about the publishing process and then the business associated with it.  Personally, that took an unbelievable amount of time, which then took part of me away each day from my family, my church and most importantly, God.

He has given me such a blessing with this book, but I know that it is not supposed to be more important than any of the above.  Though I believe my writing is a ministry it cannot be the priority in my life.

So one personal goal I have now is getting my priorities right.  I want to spend time with God each day; make it more important than anything else.  I’ve seen that in the book process, I was trying to do it all on my own.  How much easier it would have been with God leading the process.  My second priority should be my husband.  He has been supportive and helped me so much, but he just retired, and there are so many things we like to do, but I haven’t really had time to share those things.  I want him to know how important he is in my life.  Finally, I am excited that the book is inspirational and may minister to someone, but my husband and I have been very active in our church.  Eventually, however, I started to burn out with so much to do.  I want to go into my church ministries with excitement and a desire to serve, and that’s my goal this year.

Basically, I want better balance to my life and know that putting God first can only make that easier. 

We're so glad to have you today, Mary! Blessings on your new career and on finding that balance that God has in mind for each of us. It's tough, but all He expects is that we strive for it and give Him the glory for any victories.

April, thank you so much for this opportunity to meet your readers and giving them the chance to know a little more about The Aristocrat’s Lady.

CONNECT WITH MARY

Web Page:                   www.marymooreauthor.com

Facebook:                    facebook.com/mmooreauthor

Email:                          mmooreauthor@swva.net

PURCHASE THE ARISTOCRAT'S LADY

Amazon.com               http://www.amazon.com/Aristocrats-Lady-Love-Inspired-               

Barnes & Noble.com       http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-aristocrat-s-lady

CBD.com                    http://www.christianbook.com/the-aristocrats-lady-mary-                                                  

 

Reflections Wednesday, Notes from the Christian Author’s Guild Conference

Last weekend’s CAG conference was a joy and a blessing. Down to the last one, the members of the Christian Authors Guild were friendly and welcoming. They’re an amazing group of writers who love the Lord and love each other.I left with a full brain and even fuller heart and am pleased to have found some wonderful new friends. I’d be remiss not to share with you a smidgen of what I learned while there, so here are a few of my notes from various sessions.


From keynote speaker, Cecil Murphey, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven (plus 123 other books!)Writing is what I do, not who I am. Unless we are open to our pain and failure, we won’t be able to write anything but empty, orthodox words. Psalm 51 is from a true writer who opened up to his pain. Write honestly.
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Book Showcase, Sell More Books! by J Steve Miller

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There wasn't room above for this book's complete title which is:
Sell More Books!: Book Marketing and Publishing for Low Profile and Debut Authors Rethinking Book Publicity after the Digital Revolutions

It's quite a mouthful, but from what I hear, it's worth every word. I'm excited to purchase my own copy, and, as a low profile author myself, you can be sure I will. Here's what one editor said about the book:

“While there are many books out there that will give you the old clichés about how to market your book, none of them has the up-to-date expertise of Steve and Cherie Miller’s Sell More Books! They not only know how to sell books in these times, but give easy explanations to both novice and long-time professional alike. If you buy one book to improve and update your book marketing skills, buy this one.”
- A. Louise Staman, Editor of Tiger Iron Press, winner of ten national literary awards

Introduction (to Sell More Books!)
Low-Profile Authors Can Win!

Today’s publishing world caters to celebrities and established authors with vast followings. Query a traditional publisher and she’ll want to know who you are and why readers would buy your book. As one publisher recently said, “We…are looking for authors with a ‘platform’ (isn’t everyone?!).” How discouraging. Apparently, they’re not looking for me.

This book is for the rest of us, the non-celebrities who love to write and have a passion to get our ideas out there, but are frustrated by an industry and a buying public that worships platforms.

Why Me?

My platform to write this book is that I share (or have shared) your lack of platform. As far as the world’s concerned, I’m a nobody. In my early career, when I wrote my first book, I served as a youth minister – the last staff person listed on the church website below the pastor, minister of education, and minister of music. I was “Minister of Youth” at Flat Creek Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. That’s worse than a platform; it’s a hole in the ground.

Yet a respected, successful publisher – Tyndale House – offered me a contract to publish my book on modern music and the church, which went through several printings and was published in Dutch, German, Spanish, Romanian, and Russian. It was also used as a college textbook and sells steadily today, eighteen years after its original publication.

Yet I wasn’t a musician. I didn’t teach music. I had no degree in music. I was previously unpublished and had no following. How did I get a contract and why did people buy a book written by a nobody?

For the past 15 years I’ve been a caregiver, first to my wife who was dying of cancer, then to my four boys, then to my dad, and today to my 105-year-old grand mom and my blended family of 7 boys. Forget the nationwide book tour; I do well to venture past the mailbox. Yet, during this period I published another book, this time on personal finance. I have neither a degree in finance nor professional experience in the world of finance. My literary agent submitted it to many publishers, who rejected it due to my lack of platform. “To sell books on personal finance,” they all agreed, “you need a large platform, like a national radio show.”

I politely disagreed, publishing it myself. I took seriously the warnings from professional publishers, assuming that this book might be a challenge to market. So I read 25 or so books on book marketing, participated in publishing forums and listservs, and networked with fellow authors. It garnered rave reviews, won several awards, and sold as many copies on the first day of publication as the average self-published book sells in total. Two years after publication, I’m happy with its continued, growing sales.

Why This Book?

The more I studied book marketing and talked with frustrated authors, the more I sensed the need for a different kind of book – something to help authors narrow down which of the hundreds of marketing tactics might work best for their books and fit their unique personalities, talents, and interests.

A BIT ABOUT STEVE:

J. Steve Miller loves to write. Yet, lacking both fame and a high profile, he had to learn how to sell books in a culture that worships celebrities. As founder and president of Legacy Educational Resources, he publishes resources that are used by educators in every state and over 30 countries. His book on contemporary church music was used as a text and translated into Dutch, German, Romanian, Spanish and Russian. His book on personal finance has won multiple awards. Now he loves helping authors write and sell their books. Find him at www.jstevemiller.com orwww.enjoyyourwriting.com.

Sarah Sundin, Winner of COTT's Snappiest Dialog Clash

Guest post by Jennifer Slattery

The other day my daughter orally lamented a previous conversation. “I always think of my best come-backs too late.” I know how she feels, although I’m probably on the other end of the spectrum—I often wish I hadn’t said X or Y once the conversation is done. At least in writing we can carefully craft our words, which should make it easier, right? Not necessarily. Writing effective, authentic, snappy dialogue is a skill that must be honed. And yet, when done well, it plunges the reader deep into the story and provides vivid characterization.

This last week two authors threw their “chatty-keyboards” into the Clash of the Titles' ring and although both excerpts were phenomenal, Sarah Sundin, author of A Memory Between Us, wowed readers with her printed banter.

Here’s a snippet of her COTT competing excerpt:

Jack made out Ruth’s shapely figure coming down Northgate Street. She couldn’t afford the new olive drab uniforms some of the nurses wore, but she sure looked smart in the dark blue jacket and medium blue skirt.

Jack stepped back around the corner. He unzipped his lightweight leather flight jacket, made sure his shirt collar was open, and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his olive drab trousers. Had to look casual.

He let Ruth pass, then fell in behind her. “‘One misty moisty morning.’”

Ruth looked over her shoulder and smiled.

“‘When cloudy was the weather, I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather. He began to compliment and I began to grin. How do you do? And how do you do? And how do you do again?’”

Amusement crinkled her eyes. “It’s afternoon.”

“Yeah, but it’s misty and moisty. Life in England has taught me what that means.”

“No misty moisty mornings in California?”

“In January, not August.” Jack proceeded down the flagstone sidewalk. “And look, you chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather.”

***
Gotta love that phrase, “Misty, moisty morning,” an example of great dialogue and fun alliteration!

The story it came from is about a determined soldier on a mission to win a woman’s heart:

Major Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge--until he meets army nurse Lieutenant Ruth Doherty. When Jack lands in the army hospital after a plane crash, he makes winning Ruth's heart a top-priority mission. But he has his work cut out for him. Not only is Ruth focused on her work in order to support her orphaned siblings back home, she also is determined not to give her heart to any man.
As the danger and tension of World War II rise to a fever pitch, Jack and Ruth will need each other more than ever. Can Jack break down her defenses? Or are they destined to go their separate ways?
From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody. Her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England during WWII. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Romance, tough, rugged men, and rich history make this novel a must read!

Want to nibble on a few more COTT winning excerpts and win great prizes in the process? Make sure to join us for the ultimate literary challenge where COTT winners go head to head in our Tournament of Champions on October 10^th to November 4th! What better way to launch the Holiday season than with a stash of great books won in our tournament give-away?

*Jennifer Slattery writes for Christ to the World Ministries, Samie Sisters, Afictionado, the Christian Pulse, and is the marketing manager of the literary website, Clash of the Titles. She also co-hosts (with five other authors) the Facebook faith community, Living by Grace, a modern-day “meet at the well” experience where believers around the globe can unite, fellowship, and be refreshed. Visit her devotional blog, Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud to find out more about her, her writing, and the ministries she writes for.

And make sure to hop on over to Clash of the Titles to help determine our next literary champion!

Dialogue--Snappy Dialogue, That Is

Coming Up at Clash of the Titles, October 10-November 4, 2011

The first annual, Tournament of Champions! 

Over a FOUR week period, SIXTEEN previous COTT champs will face-off in EIGHT different mini-Clashes.

Only ONE will take home The Laurel Award.

With Clashes, games, and prizes galore, you won't want to miss this month-long celebration!

********

*Guest post by Lisa Lickel

Dialogue lets your characters be heard. It’s their voice; their conversation amongst themselves. It’s how they tell their story. Dialogue is talk. Discussion. Arguments. Jokes. Questions and answers. Foibles. Mystery. Mesmerism. It’s the muscle on the skeleton of the story.

The writer’s ability to conquer natural dialogue comes out of how well we know our characters. The reader’s ability to hear natural-sounding dialogue comes from the depth from which he is drawn into the story.

      Using dialogue in a book helps readers see that characters spend time with each other for a reason, even if they’re stranded on desert islands. Tom Hanks had Wilson in the move Cast Away, after all. Dialogue is more than internal mutterings or their revelations to the reader. It needs to be heard, not just read. The words need to translate immediately to sound in the reader’s inner ear, and thus be natural, no matter the setting.

What can we deduce from these two small pieces of the excerpts in this Clash? Are you in time, in story, in the character’s emotions? Can you cheer for them? Figure out exactly what will happen next, or are you eager to turn the page for more?

“Would you mind if I walked with you?”

      “As long as we’re not together.”

      “All right.” He strode into the street and spread his arms as wide as his grin. “There. We’re not together.”

     “Jack!” she cried…. “Get back up here.” Ruth motioned frantically. “Don’t make me fix you up again.”

OR

    
“Perhaps you cannot wait for the wedding night?”

      Her brown eyes simmered. “Why you insufferable cad!” She raised her hand to slap him.

He caught it and lifted it to his lips for a kiss, eyeing her with delight.

She studied him then released a sigh. “You tease me, sir.” Snatching her hand from his, she stepped back. “But what would I expect from you?”

In a novel, talk must have a purpose. A conversation shouldn’t be talk for the sake of filling time or space. Readers have only until the last page to spend with people in a book, so writers must not waste time. Dialogue is meant to reveal something useful, important to the story line—passion, motive, or confession.

Why Snappy? Characters must speak true to their nature. While snappy it might not describe the personality, it implies action, tension, perhaps a slip of the tongue or a revelation that might even surprise the character, but certainly should surprise the reader.

Clash of the Titles hopes you are intrigued by these little snippets of story and want to find out more about the books and authors. Stop by and you’ll get that chance! Meet the authors and leave comments to enter the drawing for a free book.
*Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin writer who lives with her husband in a hundred and fifty-year-old house built by a Great Lakes ship captain. Surrounded by books and dragons, she has written dozens of feature newspaper stories, magazine articles, radio theater, and several inspirational novels to date. She is also the senior editor at Reflections in Hindsight.