Teaser Tuesday

Hey! I got this great idea from Kaye Dacus who in turn got it from Miz B's Blog (shouldbereading.wordpress.com).

TEASER TUESDAY

I will choose a random page from a book I am reading and print two teaser sentences, being careful not to include spoilers. Then, I will share book and author information so you can add the book to your "to be read" list.

This sounded like fun. Please feel free to post a teaser and info about a book you are reading in the comments.

Now for my first TEASER:


"What's wrong, Mommy? Faye pulled back a few inches and set her little hands on Pamela's shoulders. "Did you see the bad man too?"


This teaser is from Creston Mapes' recent release, FEAR HAS A NAME. Here's some more info for you:

When his family’s home is broken
into, journalist Jack Crittendon believes it is a one-time invasion.
But through a series of haunting circumstances, he begins to fear
there is a stalker endangering his wife and two young daughters.
His home life in upheaval, Jack threatens to buy a gun and throws
himself into his work, investigating the story of a depressed pastor
who disappeared with intentions of taking his own life. With his
family’s safety on the line, Jack begins to discover that there are
secrets—with painful, deadly implications—even behind “Christian”
walls.
As he begins to unravel the mystery, his courage and faith are
shaken. What if he can’t protect his family? What if he doesn’t make it
through alive? Jack must find the faith to trust a God who allows inconceivable trials, and the
courage to guard his family with danger exploding at every turn.

Creston Mapes is the author of Fear Has a Name, Nobody, Dark Star, and Full Tilt. A journalist, copywriter, and editor, he works from his home-office in Atlanta for some of the nation’s top media companies, Christian ministries, and nationally-recognized corporations. His early years as a reporter inspire many of his novels.

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and began his writing career 30 years ago. He has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, Patty, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as “The Shop.”

Don't miss adding this book to your "to be read" list!

How about you? What are you reading? Give us a teaser in the comments.

Why I Write, Read, and Seek Christian Fiction

Have you ever had God drop something in your lap you weren't quite expecting? This has happened to me recently. I am now an acquisitions editor for Prism Book Group.

According to my writer-friend, Brooke, I shouldn't be so surprised. She has been telling me for a long time that I have God's editor "stamp" on me. Of course, she has had to endure my tenacious edits on several occasions - bless her.

I think it all comes back to the title of this post. I have a desire to write, read, and now seek Christian fiction. Why?

Several years ago I realized that this Christian life isn't just something I do, but someone I am. That means that I am to be Christ-like in every area of my life. This determination meant that I had to watch what I put into my body as much as what goes out. I'm not talking about diet and food here. I'm talking about what I read and watch.

My pastor/hubby has always said: "Garbage in; garbage out." If I fill my mind with bad language and worldly stuff, that's what will emit from my mouth and actions.

Also, if I'm going to invest several hours of my time reading, I would like to think that I would gain more than just entertainment for my time.

My desire is to write, read, and now acquire Christian fiction that leaves me with a lesson to ponder or encouragement in living my life. I think this is the power of Christian fiction.

When I received reviews for my first published book, THE BLESSING SEER, I was thrilled to see that readers had felt challenged or had their faith boosted through reading it.

Recently, I finished reading a Christian fiction which encouraged trusting God in every situation. I'm still pondering its lessons.

Christian fiction that makes you ponder it long after you turn that last page - that's what I want to acquire, read, and write. Something that makes a difference for Christ.

Check out Prism Book Group here: http://www.prismbookgroup.com/
You'll find me listed on the Submissions page.
They also have a blog you might want to check out.

Stay tuned to what God is doing in my life. And, stay tuned-in to what God wants for your life. Amen - let it be so.

Catch another blog hop and an interview about Teena Stewart's work in progress here:
http://nearly-brilliant.blogspot.com/

Cancer Survivors Day

June 2nd was officially Cancer Survivors Day, but I celebrate it everyday because of my mama.

My mother has had two bouts with breast cancer, two mastectomies, and one round of chemotherapy. I am so thankful she is a survivor.

But, she is so much more than just a survivor. She is constantly in motion volunteering through Mission of Hope (a ministry that serves people in need in Appalachia), at church, and any of a number of other projects she gets into. She is a reminder to me that since you are still here on earth, you should serve others through Christ.

I remember when she was going through the first breast cancer, her motto was: "To live is Christ; to die is gain." This is to mean - if I'm alive, then I show Christ. If I die, then I gain seeing Him face-to-face. Not a bad motto to live by.

Thanks Mom for living your faith out loud no matter what. I hope some of that rubbed off on me.

Here's my mom, Nana, with my daughter. Thank You, God, for giving me a faithful Christian Mom.

Are there cancer survivors in your family or among your friends?  Don't forget to thank God for them. And, if you want to share their names, leave a comment.

Blog Hop

My author-friend, Eileen Rife, has asked me to join in on a blog hop discussing a work in progress. You can read Eileen's interview on her blog by clicking here:

http://www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com/

Now for my interview about a writing project in progress right now.

What is the working title of your next book?

INHERITANCE

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Would you believe a little daydreaming? This book, like many of my stories, comes from one little idea that blossoms into something bigger from mulling it over. I was thinking how women I am in contact with will feel they don't have any purpose through God. They feel they have done something to mess that up. But, God always has a plan and purpose for each life.

In what genre does your book fall?

INHERITANCE is a contemporary Christian romance.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

For the main female character, Alex, I could see Mandy Moore doing a good job with her.
As for Chase, the male lead, I'm thinking John Corbett from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

What is the one sentence synopsis for your book?

Alex's life has been a series of fits and starts until she meets Chase, and the two embark on a treasure hunt.

Who is publishing your book?

I am actually revising the manuscript for my editor at Pelican Book Group, so I'm hopeful that they will like it and contract it.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

The first draft was probably written over a six month time frame. But, it has been through several transformations to hone it to its current form.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That's hard to say. I suppose the romance aspect might resemble Sandwich, With a Side of Romance. There is a hint of mystery - I can't recall a comparable book.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

First, the inspiration for this book came from young women I've met through my role as devotion leader at a pregnancy center. God seemed to want to show that He always has a plan for each person's life no matter what past she is struggling to get over.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Alex's upbringing and inheritance involves her Granny Olivia. The reader will discover throughout the story just what a rich godly heritage was left behind for Alex despite granny's eccentric ways.

There you have it - a sneak peak at a novel I'm working on now. I hope and pray that I will soon be able to announce that it is contracted and readers can get the whole story.

Please check out another author-friend, Brooke Cox, who is posting her interview on her work in progress.
Find her blog here:

http://grooviebrooksie.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Eileen, for giving me this opportunity.

God's Love - Like an Ocean

As I sat on the beach, I looked out over the ocean and listened.

God's love for us can be compared to that ocean.

Sometimes the water just gently rolls in toward the shore.

God's love is a gentle kind of love. He cares about everything we're going through - small or large. I've experienced his gentle love when I've been grieving a loss. It just rolls over you, soothing.

Sometimes the water drives with more force.

God's love is a strong force. It can roll over you, knocking off the rough edges.

God's love is stronger than anything - powering through the hardest heart.

The ocean is vast. As you stand on the shore, looking out toward the horizon, there is no end in sight.

God's love is vast with no end in sight.

Just as I could not hold a wave, I can't fully explain God's love.

If you need to learn of God's kind of love or you need a reminder, read John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13.

God can use nature to reveal Himself to us. He often does this to me. The ocean reminds me of His love. Flowers tend to remind me of His sheer creativeness. A baby reminds me of His intricate intelligence.

What are some things in nature that speak to you of the Creator?

Home Again! Not MIA

Despite the fact that I haven't posted here in awhile, I am not missing in action. I actually had the opportunity to see my daughter graduate and have a week at the beach. Read on for the highlights.

After twelve years of homeschooling, my daughter graduated this year. Since she didn't have the opportunity to be involved in the things other public school kids get to do like homecoming dances and proms, we had always planned to let her graduate with her peers. So, we traveled to Pensacola, Florida where she walked across the stage to receive her diploma from A Beka Academy.

Here we are - proud Mama and Daddy standing with our graduate. She is also wearing a medal for straight A's.

She made some new friends.

Sunday morning we were awakened by the fire alarm. What a way to say Happy Mother's Day!

We all stood out in our pajamas until the firemen came to OK us back inside. We did meet some new friends while standing in the parking lot waiting. Proof that you can run into other brothers and sisters in Christ and feel just like family.

Here is Daddy and daughter goofing off on the balcony of our condo. Look at that ocean!

Here I am posing with my honey.

A fantastic trip despite the fire alarm and the Hammerhead shark that swam right next to the shore for awhile. The water was a bit cool for me anyway - good excuse to not take a swim with the big fish.

Sitting in my beach chair I read several books which I will be sharing with you soon.

A break at the beach is always relaxing, but it is good to be home.

National Teachers Day

May 7th is National Teachers Day.

Do you know of a teacher who could use some encouragement on this day? By all means, don't let the day pass without taking the time and effort to do this. If you have kids still in school, please take advantage of this day and tell their teachers how much you appreciate them.

Let me tell you a few reasons you should thank a teacher.

That teacher went through at least four years of college and probably has the student debt to prove it.

That teacher spends many more hours aside from the school day, to plan for what happens in the classroom. Many teachers sacrifice time with their own families to prepare for their work days.

That teacher has the pressure of administering tests each year that can often mean reprimands. Everyone should be accountable in their job, but to expect a teacher to work miracles with trouble students and those with learning problems is asking a little too much.

That teacher has to deal with behavioral problems that weren't a problem when some of us attended school years ago - a trip to the principal and a wooden paddle took care of a lot of that.

That teacher has to deal with the fact that when it comes to educating the children in her/his class, there will be very little help or support from home.

That teacher faces the blame for illiterate children even though she/he is forced to pass a child on to the next grade when she/he knows the child shouldn't move on.

Thus, I say: Thank you, teachers, for your sacrifice and efforts to educate our children. I know despite the negatives of the job, many of you feel called into this profession. I appreciate your dedication and pray God will reward your efforts and bless you greatly.