Attention all writers--you could win a cash prize for your submission!

I don't think you have to be an adult to submit work, either. So I'm passing this on to you all because I know there are a lot of talented people on ShoutLife. Just tell them Michelle (me) told you about this if you submit your work.

To all interested writers:

We are currently accepting submissions for Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression. This new literary journal is designed for authors who want to write seriously, but struggle to find an outlet for work that has a faithful slant. Our goal is to publish poems, creative nonfiction, and short stories that push the envelope beyond stereotypically "fluffy" Christian writing, so please feel free to stand out on the edge.

We are seeking short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry for the fifth issue, due out in November 2007. The submission period for November?s issue ends August 1st, 2007. The submission period for the second issue will begin August 2nd, 2007.

Please view our website for submission guidelines and more:

www.reliefjournal.com

* Cash prizes will be awarded to "Editor's Choice" for each genre.
* Submissions will only be accepted through our online submission process.

Thank you,

Relief editorial staff

For teenagers and young women only! No peeking!

Here is the first chapter of the book My Life Unscripted by Tricia Goyer coming out in September! I am trying to create a buzz about the book and will be giving away a free copy in October and who knows...you may get lucky and win an autographed copy.



My Life...Unscripted

By Tricia Goyer

Not TV Land
(the real deal)

If you were to come across the script for a new (and just a bit cheesy) teen movie, the script might be written something like this:

FADE IN:
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME—NIGHT—ESTABLISHING Stadium stands filled with CHEERING FANS.

SCHOOL BAND plays SCHOOL SONG as FOOTBALL PLAYERS run onto field.

INT. CAR IN PARKING LOT—NIGHT

Soda cans and fast-food wrappers littering the floor are KICKED aside by trendy shoes belonging to MEGAN JOHNSON, Light from the stadium filters through the back window over the muscled, tan body of CHRIS COOPER. He brushes Megan’s hair from her cheek and turns Megan’s face toward him.

CHRIS
You don’t have to be shy, Meg. We’ve been talking about this all week.

MEGAN (wryly)
Talked about the football game, yes. I thought we were actually going to watch the game.

CHRIS (chuckling)
And why would I do that when I have the most beautiful girl in school right here? Besides, I don’t even like sports.

Megan OPENS DOOR and climbs from car.

MEGAN
Chris, I came to watch the game, not fend off your plays. Megan slips her purse over her shoulder and steps back from the car. She SLAMS the door shut.

Chris LOWERS THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW. CHRIS (stuttering) But I thought . . .

MEGAN
I know exactly what you thought. Sorry, Chris, no touchdown tonight.

Chris STARTS THE ENGINE.

CHRIS
Yeah, well, you’re not the only girl in this school. . . .

Megan watches Chris drive away.

MEGAN
I know. But I am the only one who has to live with the consequences. . . .

FADE OUT

A TYPICAL MOVIE?

Now that would make a typical movie, right? We’d watch as Meg goes to the football game shaken, but proud to have dumped the creep. If it were a great movie, Meg would meet a cute guy sitting in the bleachers. Of course, then there would be some conflict that keeps them apart. Maybe he’s rich, and she’s poor. Maybe he’s a rich prince from Denmark!

Oh wait, that’s been done. Maybe his parents have big plans for him, which don’t include her. Maybe hers are shipping Meg to boarding school. But no matter the conflict, in the end they confess their love. And though the movie only ends with a kiss, we know their happiness lasts forever.
Ahhh . . .

Unfortunately, the script of my life went a little more like this:

FADE IN:

FAMILY SEDAN DRIVING DOWN ROAD IN SMALL TOWN—AFTERNOON–ESTABLISHING INT. CAR CARRIES MOM AND DAUGHTER–AFTERNOON

Tears run down MOM’S face. Her jaw is clenched tight. In the passenger seat, TRISH VALLEY, 17, slumps lower into the seat. She wipes away her own tears and wraps her arms around her waist almost instinctively. Her eyes widen as a car passes. Driving the beat-up Ford is a teen boy. A PRETTY GIRL rides with CHASE, 16, curled to his side. Trish sits straight and points to the car.

TRISH
There he is. Follow him.

MOM (surprised)
Are you sure? Do you want me to turn around?

TRISH (hurriedly)
Yes. Turn around. The sedan turns and follows the Ford to the McDonald’s parking lot. Trish jumps
from her car, SLAMS the door, and stalks to the Ford. Her eyes refuse to meet those of the girl in the passenger’s seat. She focuses her eyes on the boy.

TRISH (angrily)
We need to talk.

CHASE (annoyed)
Now?

TRISH (with quivering voice)
Yes, now.

Trish stalks toward the large trash can at the corner of the parking lot. Chase follows. She pauses and turns to him. His gaze is ice cold. Trish’s hands are shaking as she crosses her arms over her
chest and takes a deep breath.

TRISH
I’m pregnant.

CHASE
I don’t believe you.

TRISH
It doesn’t matter what you believe or don’t believe. I am pregnant.

CHASE
So what are you going to do?

TRISH
I’m going to, uh, have a baby.

CHASE
What about like last time?

TRISH (hurt)
An abortion? Trish lowers her gaze, then shakes her head.

TRISH
I’m not doing that again. I’m having this baby.

CHASE
I doubt it’s even mine.

TRISH (hurt)
Whatever. I don’t need you. Trish stalks away, then she glances back over her shoulder. She watches Chase saunter to his car and to the other girl.

FADE OUT

MY SCRIPT

A little different script, don’t you think? Of course, the first script is something I imagined. The second is a scene I’ve lived through.

Writing the scene I starred in (even a number of years after the fact) causes a surge of emotions. Anger at my former boyfriend—yes, even after all these years. Anger at myself for being sooooo stupid to get myself into that situation. (That situation and many others. As you’ll read within the pages of this book, more than one scene from my life played out like a bad teen movie.)

Writing that scene also brought relief that I’m no longer that person, along with hints of joy that God has done so much with my life.

But more than anything, as I look back at my drama-filled teen years, I wonder . . . What was I thinking? The truth? I wasn’t. I lived from day to day on every wave of emotion I experienced. On some days excitement and passion partnered up, pattering wildly within my heart. Other days, depression and anxiety were my silent friends. I lived each day as it came, with no plan for my future, for my relationships, or for my heart. I lived my life completely unscripted . . . and, well, you saw how well that went for me.

How about you? What type of script are you writing for your life?

When I say “script” I’m not talking about career goals or college plans. I’m not talking about current class schedules or finding the unique purpose for your future. While all of those are important, there are other parts of our life we need to script, too, such as:

• Dealing with peer pressure from both guys and friends.
• The search for popularity. How to find it. Or live without. Or be happy in between.
• Relationships with parents. No matter how out of touch with reality they seem to be.
• And living for God without turning your back on the world.

Scripting your life comes down to thinking through struggles—yours as well as the struggles of others—and considering the best approach. While there are dozens of teen books and magazines out there dealing with these relationship-type topics, I’m going to lay it all out there by (1) sharing my past experiences (which would be easier and more comfortable to hide), (2) including input from teens just like you, and (3) showing God’s POV (point of view), through God’s Word—the Bible. We’ll dig deep to uncover answers concerning our lives and our place in the world.

Why use the Bible? According to a recent survey, “Almost two-thirds of teens (62 percent) believe
that the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings.”1 If you’re part of this majority, then you’ll already appreciate how God’s Word can help you in everyday life. If you aren’t sure how you feel about the Bible, feel free to stick around and keep an open mind. Humor me if you will.

Scene Change

Personally, God’s Word and God’s people turned my life around. You see, the Trish Valley script you read earlier wasn’t just partly true—it was exactly as I remember it.
After that awful scene, my boyfriend dumped me for good, and I dropped out of my senior year of high school. (It was too hard going to school—seeing him with someone else, and dealing with my own issues/mistakes/emotions too.) I decided to have my baby, especially since I was dealing with the heartache and regret of a previous abortion. And as my stomach grew, I became more and more depressed.

The script I’m writing for my life:

Unlike some mistakes, an unplanned pregnancy is not one you can hide very easily. Each day I walked around with the evidence sticking out before me like a basketball under my shirt.

During that painful time, I decided to give God another chance. I’d grown up in church,but during my teen years, decided I wanted to do my own thing. And when “my own thing” left me sad and alone, my grandma’s Bible study group invited me to join them. These sweet old ladies also welcomed me to church and threw me a baby shower (while my teen friends dropped out of the picture).

These women showed me what the love of God is all about. And it was during one of my depressing days, when I was six months pregnant and feeling abandoned by both my boyfriend and friends, I gave my heart to the Lord. I told Him, “God, I’ve completely screwed up my life this time. If You can do better, please do so.” It wasn’t a fancy prayer, but it worked.

Now you might be scratching your head and wondering what type of book this is. Don’t worry. It’s not a book about teen pregnancy, and I’m not going to spend the next twenty chapters sharing my story. Instead, it’s a book designed to help you think through some of life’s hardest challenges:

Well, first of all, my life is not nearly as exciting as a TV sitcom’s stars.’ Second of all, my life is real. It isn’t staged, and I have to deal with things without a script telling me what to do. When problems arise, I must deal with them, and unfortunately, they aren’t always solved within a thirty-minute time frame.

—Melanie, Texas, age 17

Sometimes I think through situations. Sometimes I don’t. I mean, life isn’t going to always turn out the way you think it’s going to . . . but then again, if you don’t think out some things it can be a catastrophe.

—Leslie, Montana, age 14

My Script:

• The people you interact with every day
• Your inner longings to be different,better, unique
• And even your interaction with a world that may not know your name, but often dictates how you feel about yourself.

As you’ve witnessed, I’m not someone who comes to you with a testimony of perfection. I hope you make different choices than I did. But maybe reading through some of my
life “scripts” can help you choose better ones for yourself. And help you work with whatever scenes you’ve already lived out and now regret.

You see, we all mess up one time or another. Yet I have good news. If God proved to have big plans for a former pregnant, teen dropout, you can be certain He has good plans for you too!

Your life may not be anything like what you see on television or at the movies. And I hope you wouldn’t want it to be. TV Land is not reality, and every situation that comes your way isn’t over in thirty minutes with a happy conclusion.

Real life is different, but it’s also better. Especially when we look to God to help us with life as we know it. Ready to get started?

Lights, camera . . . reality!

Intermission

Although we all have many problems every day, be it Christianity, boys, school, etc., the people on TV shows don’t usually face real-life situations and almost always seem to choose the option more likely to get them into trouble instead of taking responsibility for themselves.

—Jayme, Montana, age 12

On TV everything works out great, perfect. Everything.
My life often doesn’t.

—Hannah, Ohio, age 13

My Script:

sto•ry•board noun. a panel or panels on which a sequence of sketches depicts the significant changes of action and scene in a planned film, as for a movie, television show, or advertisement.

Studios use storyboards to provide an easy way to follow the sequence of a story. They can use illustrations, photos, or words to sketch a series of events. Now you can use this too.

Take time to storyboard your life in the empty boxes below.

Note significant events, like:

•The hardest thing you’ve faced in life
•What you most regret
•A time you felt really upset
•One of your favorite memories

And others . . . If you were to make a movie of YOU this far—what events would you include?

Did you sketch some of your favorite moments? You also might have come up with some sad times. Or times when, like me, you really screwed up.

Now, I want you to review the frames (boxes) and consider that Jesus was there with you during each event. Can you see the smile on His face during those joyous moments?

Or can you imagine Him crying with you? And even during those times when you screwed up, take time to picture Jesus by your side, ready and waiting for you to turn to Him. In fact, He’s still waiting now.

If there are times from your past—whether from five years or five minutes ago—that you regret, understand Jesus is willing to forgive you now. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one has a perfect storyboard!

In the back of the book you’ll find “Giving Your Life to Jesus.” If you haven’t already done this, check it out. If you have, then you understand how accepting the forgiveness of God is the key event in your storyboard.

The word forgiveness actually means “to send away.”

Give Jesus your regrets, and He’ll cast them away, like someone throwing out a filthy, stinky, old pair of sweaty socks. In return, Jesus offers His purity and peace, wrapping His righteousness
around you like a pure white robe. Your memories won’t disappear overnight, but in God’s eyes it will be as if those events never happened.

It’s a good feeling. I know. I remember what it was like.

At age seventeen, when I asked Jesus to cast away my sin, I was still pregnant, in need of friends, and had to face many consequences of my actions, but a new emotion overwhelmed me. Hope. It was the wonderful feeling of a real God touching down on my reality.

It wasn’t TV Land. It was better.

My review of Beyond Reach by Melody Carlson...(as seen on Christian Book Previews site.)

From the Publisher:

If You Thought You Needed Vision, Would You Ask God For It?

Exhausted by her role in the dramatic rescue of Kayla Henderson, Samantha McGregor is ready for a vacation from her God-given visions. But when Sam gets her wish and the visions actually go on hiatus, she’s beginning to wonder if she’s lost her spiritual gift forever. To make matters worse, her police friend Ebony needs her help!

Peter Clark has been dead for several years, an open-and-shut case of suicide, but Ebony’s not convinced. Why would he do it? And why does Ebony suspect foul play? Sam has been no help in the investigation, and just when she’s lost all hope, God gives her a vision of a guy jumping from a railroad bridge. Suddenly the floodgates open and all of Sam’s visions involve suicide. Who is this guy? And what does this have to do with Peter’s death? It’s a race against the clock as Sam worries about every brown-haired guy she meets: her lab partner, Olivia’s rocker friend, Peter’s little brother–they all fit the description!

Whoever the guy in her vision is, his identity is just beyond Sam’s reach, and he’s definitely losing his grip fast…Trusting God will lead her, Sam’s determined to send a message of hope and find him before he gives up.

My review (as seen on Christina Book Previews site)

Beyond Reach is the second book in a series, but it reads like a stand-alone novel. From the first page the author pulls the reader into a dramatic scene. Samantha is in an airport and her vision involves terrorists. That's when the reader finds out more about Samantha's special gift. The burden seems to be too much at times and Samantha complains to God about this. Then she stops having visions and she's worried God has taken away her gift.

There are two core components of the rest of the story. Samantha is trying to determine what happened to Peter, who died five years earlier from a gunshot wound to the head, and then there are the strange visions of suicide attempts that plague her.

Without giving the story away, I'll say that the author really knows how to pull the reader along. Sometimes you think you know who the person in danger is, but then the author twists things or puts a spin on the direction you think the story is going. I figured out who was in danger before he was revealed, but that didn't bother me because it made me even more invested in the story. Because I cared about the characters, I wanted to make sure the person was safe, and I sat at the edge of my seat when things started to become clear to Samantha.

Beyond Reach is a multi-faceted novel of intrigue, suspense, and mystery, but it is also a story about the value of true friendship and unconditional love. The heroine genuinely cared about the hurting people in this story and it clearly made a difference in their lives. She set aside her own fears and concerns for the benefit of others. That is what true Christian faith is all about, and the author does a fabulous job showing that Christ-like love can literally save someone from total destruction.

This story inspired me because the characters were very three dimensional and interesting. There was nothing sappy about this book. In fact, Beyond Reach is superior to many YA novels on the market because while the subject matter is depressing, in this story there are vivid scenes that offer hope, and Samantha is such a wonderful role model for youth. I highly recommend this book!

Beyond Reach was published by Multnomah/Waterbrook Press and released in April 2007.

Here is a funny funny....

My review of Widows & Orphans by Susan Meissner.

From the Publisher:
When her ultra—ministry—minded brother, Joshua, confesses to murder, lawyer Rachael Flynn begs him to let her represent him, certain that he is innocent. But Joshua refuses her offer of counsel.As Rachael works on the case, she begins to suspect that Josh knows who the real killer is, but she is unable to get him to cooperate with his defense. Why won't he talk to her? What is Josh hiding?

The answer is revealed in a stunning conclusion that will have readers eager for the second book in this gripping new series.

My review:

Widows & Orphans is another page turner crafted by Susan Meissner. I have always enjoyed her women's fiction, but after reading her Rachel Flynn Mystery, book 1, I can see the author has a real knack for mystery plots. I had a very hard time putting this book down. Just when I thought I knew where the story might be going, the heroine would discover something else. And she was a fabulous character, too. A new mom, breastfeeding, and the works. What a sympathetic heroine!

Rachel loved her brother Josh, believed in him, and was willing to fight for him and for the truth even when he'd given up on himself. Rachel's brother was one of the most creative characters I've seen in a long time in regards to his internal motivation. The in-depth examination of Josh's heart (that the author delved into) gave me the happy shivers. The spiritual thread was also profound and so well done I'm still thinking about it and probably will be for days.

The entire book was written from the heroine's perspective, but the author did such a wonderful job with the characterization, dialog and description, that I didn't notice because I felt like I knew the other players as if I'd been in their points of view. Fig was a total dork genius, but lovable and funny. I loved how he referred to Rachel's baby as the dictator or the princess and stuff like that. Trace, Rachel's husband, was an awesome character, too, and a great husband. I just loved the whole crew of secondary characters and I'm thrilled that there are several more books coming out in this series. I can't wait to get to Sticks and Stones next! If I didn't have so many deadlines I'd read it now!

The Divine Appointment by Jerome Teel is up on CFBA this week.

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

THE DIVINE APPOINTMENT(Howard Books June 5, 2007)
by

Jerome Teel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jerome Teel is a graduate of Union University, where he received his JD, cum laude, from the Ole Miss School of Law. He is actively involved in his church, local charities, and youth sports.

He has always loved legal-suspense novels and is a political junkie. He is also the author of The Election, another political thriller that we reviewed November of '06.

Jerome and his wife, Jennifer, have three children...Brittney, Trey, and Matthew...and they reside in Tennessee where he practices law and is at work on a new novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

"They aren't hiding just one something, but a bunch of somethings..."

Small town southern lawyer, Elijah Faulkner is a dying breed...an attorney that actually takes pleasure in fighting injustice by working hard for the little guy. But when he takes on a case to defend a philandering doctor with a pregnant wife in a seemingly open-and-shut murder trial, Eli is not so sure he is on the 'right' side.

Back in Washington D.C., supreme Court Justice Martha Robinson has died, presenting an unprecedented opportunity for conservative President Richard Wallace to impact the direction of the highest court in the land. He believes God put him in the presidency for just such a time as this...to make a Divine Appointment. Not everyone is thrilled with the president's nominee, however. And some will stop at nothing, including murder, to prevent his confirmation by the Senate.

A lobbyist with a vendetta, a small-time Mafioso, an investigative reporter with a Watergate complex, and a powerful Washington political machine combine to create a fast-paced suspense novel that explores the anatomy of a murder, and the ripple effect that it creates across the country.

"Jerome Teel has crafted an intriguing political thriller...nice twists and turns to keep you reading. he paints vivid mental pictures that bring characters and locales to life."
--Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee's 7th District

Niece with "popsicle face" pictures!

Historical or Contemporary giveaway? You decide which novel you get.

Here are the books to be given away. Let me know which book you think should be given away first and I'll put your name in the hat for that book. If you can't decide (because they both sound great) then I will enter you into each drawing. Ready? Here are the descriptions...


Loving Liza Jane follows 21-year-old Eliza Jane Meriwether from Boston to Little Hickman, Kentucky in the year 1895. Naïve, but full of confidence and zeal, Eliza will assume the job as Little Hickman’s schoolteacher. But when she first rides into town on a ramshackle buckboard, her initial thought is, “Oh, Lord, what have I done?” Kentucky is nothing like her native Boston. Will she ever grow accustomed to its rolling hills and wide open spaces, not to mention the lack of modern conveniences? Although filled with doubts, she is convinced God has led her to this point, and soon the new schoolteacher is beloved by all, including Benjamin Broughton, a handsome widower with two young children. Trouble is her contract implicitly states, “marriage or any other unseemly behavior by women teachers is improper and will thereby result in immediate dismissal”. Liza has a lot to learn about God’s perfect plan for her life.




When tragedy strikes, can love survive? Struggling through the tragic loss of a child, Jeff and Maddie Bowman experience the immense pain and grief brought about by a broken heart and a marriage severely strained and headed toward divorce. Feeling completely hopeless, Maddie questions whether life will ever be normal again. Then, when faced with having to care for a precocious little boy, Maddie slowly realizes how to let God be in control even when life is crashing down around her. The love she finds will give her hope and strength to make it through every storm.

My review of One-Eyed Jack by Paula Miller...

From the Publisher:

This story tells the tale of a boy, Nate, on a cattle ranch in 1880's Montana. Nate has always wanted a dog, but his Pa does not. Only grudgingly does Pa allow Nate to keep the nearly dying puppy he finds. Nate must struggle to control his new dog and allow the Lord the time to sway his Pa's heart.

My review:

One-Eyed Jack is a delightful story about a boy who loves his dog, and the lessons he learns about life from the mishaps and trials he experiences because of One-Eyed Jack's recklessness. This story has a Little House on the Prairie feel to it, but with a faith thread. Even though it's a children's story, I really enjoyed the book and read it straight through. Plus, I thought the pictures were adorable and complemented the story. I especially loved the part of the story where Nate and his dog are lost and he thinks he'll never see his family again. Despite his overzealous and clumsy ways, One-Eyed Jack was a lovable pooch and very heroic. And the ending of the story was really nice. It almost makes you want to cry like in the story Homeward Bound, where the animals find their way back to family after being lost in the wilderness. I definitely recommend this book.

One-Eyed Jack was published by Blooming Tree Press and released in August 2006.

The winner of As I Have Loved You by Nikki Arana is...

My sweet Katybug!

Congratulations Katybug. I think this is a first win for you and you've been faithfully entering every giveaway. You deserve a win for your dedication alone. But my son picked the name from a bowl fair and square, so it was meant to be!

My review of Captives and Kings by Craig & Janet Parshall...

From the Publisher:

Andrew, astute, applied, and ambitious, has little but contempt for his wayward and adventuring brother, Phillip...who in turn resents what he sees as Andrew's high—handedness and superior attitude. The rift is deep, and it seems it will be permanent after Andrew learns of Phillip's unwitting involvement in a court plot and insists that he and his son, Peter, flee to the new colony of Virginia.

So far apart in both body and heart, will the two brothers ever meet on common ground again, let alone find their way to forgiveness?

My review:

I was surprised that the description from the publisher didn't include the information that drew me to the book. The court plot alluded to is the plot to destroy King James and his court in Parliament. The story is about conspiracy against the Protestant king as much as it is about the relationship between brothers. It's about diabolical planning, murder, torture, heartache, injustice, adventure, and secrets. It's about political struggles, conspiracy, opposing religious forces, Bible translation, travel to the "New World", salvation, and true love. In short, it's about a whole lot more than the description would lead you to believe.

That said, I really enjoyed this book. The point of view was mainly omniscient, which provided for a variety of perspectives you wouldn't get from a third person POV account. This entire novel held my attention. I really took an interest in the portion of the story where Phillip and his son Peter traveled to Jamestown with the original group as settlers. Peter met Pocohantas, though he didn't know her name at the time. There were skirmishes with the native peoples, a thwarted search for the lost settlers of the original Roanoke settlement, sickness, and other adventures. At first I didn't think I'd like that part of the story, but it turned out to be my favorite portion of the book, though I also enjoyed the rest of the novel.

Captives and Kings was about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and about how the sin of one family member can impact the lives of so many innocent people. I had a hard time putting this book down. If you love historical fiction, this novel covers points of history rarely covered anywhere else in novel form.

Captives and Kings was published by Harvest House and released in January 2007.

Melody Carlson in the spotlight!

WaterBrook Press and Multnomah Books are pleased to invite you to blog about NEW August releases from Melody Carlson in the Notes from a Spinning Planet and The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series.

From WaterBrook—Notes from a Spinning Planet series

                 

Notes from a Spinning Planet: Ireland	Notes from a Spinning Planet: Papua New Guinea	Notes from a Spinning Planet: Mexico

The Notes from a Spinning Planet series follows the adventures of 19-year-old Maddie Chase as she travels around the world with her Aunt Sid, a reporter. Excitement and adventure abound as Maddie learns about the world, different cultures, and herself. In her latest trip to Mexico, Maddie is taken aback to encounter the poverty of the land—and of her own heart. The third book in the Notes from a Spinning Planet series invites young women to explore a love deeper than simple affection—and the beauty of true sacrifice.

From Multnomah—The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor

Bad Connection	Beyond Reach	Playing With Fire

The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor series focuses on 16-year-old Samantha—a girl with a unique spiritual gift. Samantha receives visions from God that help save her friends and family from tragedy. In Playing with Fire Samantha’s brother Zach is just returned from a drug rehab clinic, but Samantha is having violent visions of him in imminent danger and back on drugs. If she goes to her mentor, a police detective, Zach could be in serious trouble with the law. But is this situation too hot for Samantha to handle?

About Melody

Melody Carlson is the winner of the RITA Award and the Gold Medallion and has published over ninety books for adults, children, and teens, including Finding Alice, Crystal Lies, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Carlson is the mother of two grown sons and lives in a "cabin in the words" near the Cascade Mountains in central Oregon with her husband and a chocolate lab retriever. A full-time writer and part-time gardener, biker, skier, and hiker, Carlson can be found on the Internet at www.melodycarlson.com.

Reluctant Runaway by Jill Elizabeth Nelson is up on the CFBA today.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

RELUCTANT RUNAWAY

(Multnomah, March 2007)
by

Jill Nelson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Elizabeth Nelson is a member of the CFBA. Her blog, Artistic Blogger, addresses issues about art, art theft, antiquities preservation, and the art of fiction writing. She takes art seriously - when she's not having fun with it, that is. The To Catch a Thief Series combines her love of the written word with her love of other art forms.

The first in the series was Reluctant Burglar , second is Reluctant Runaway. In January 2008, she will reveal the third book, Reluctant Smuggler. Jill is thrilled if the adventures that spill from her imagination can raise awareness about art theft - deemed "a looming criminal enterprise" by the FBI. Jill and her husband, Doug, have four children and live in Minnesota.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Stolen Indian artifacts...A murdered museum guard…

A missing woman…A baby in danger…

Only Desiree can unearth the horrifying secret that links them all.

Museum security expert Desiree Jacobs doesn’t mean to get in danger’s path. Really she doesn’t. But when a friend is in trouble you don’t just walk away. No matter what your overprotective FBI agent boyfriend says! So when Desi and Tony’s date at a presidential ball is interrupted by a frantic Maxine Webb, Desi doesn’t hesitate to jump in.

Soon Desi is neck-deep in a confusing array of villains. Did Max’s niece run away or was she taken? Is she still alive or the victim of a perverse ritual? And who wants her infant son–and why?

Then Tony’s organized crime case collides with Desi’s investigation, throwing them both into the path of something dark and sinister. Something that craves blood...

From the streets of Desi’s beloved Boston to the mountain desert of New Mexico, Desi and Tony must rely on God to thwart unseen forces–and save a young woman and her baby from a villain more evil than any of them can imagine.

"A fresh voice, strong heroine, and unique plot make Reluctant Runaway a can't-put-down read. Jill Elizabeth Nelson is an author to watch in the realm of romantic suspense!"
----SUSAN MAY WARREN award-winning author of In Sheep's Clothing

My thoughts:

I started this book last night and am on page 70. I like it, though some things seems a tad unbelievable, like getting into the White House past the Secret Service, but then again, like the author says, this is fiction! :) That will not stop me from finishing this novel. It's different and I'm at a critical point in the story now. To be continued...

Want to win an autographed book???

What do you have to do to win? Simply enter a comment on this post and your name will be put in the hat. I'll draw a winner this weekend. Tell your friends too!

The author has agreed to personalize the autograph to the winner (or if it's a guy to his wife.) SO don't hesitate! Enter to win! I totally loved this book (my review was posted earlier and you can find it if you scroll down to older blogs)!

Here is a little bit of info about the book.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Contemporary Struggles......

A Single Mom and College-Ages Son.

Leigh Scott is a widowed, single mother who wants the best for her son Jeff. She would like him to graduate from college, land a secure job, and start a family. However, Jeff, who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) at a young age, has a God-given compassion for people. And his non-judgmental acceptance of all has unintended consequences.Jeff starts dating Jessica, a girl with a questionable past and seemingly non-existent future. Soon, Jeff's grades drop as quickly as his sober determination to achieve the goals he's worked toward all his life, and Leigh finds herself caught in a relational tornado. To complicate matters further, Leigh is an author with a looming book deadline, a father battling cancer, and her former boyfriend and first love, a strong Christian Native American, coming back in her life.Arana weaves a multi-layered, emotional family saga that brings the peril of judgment, the need for forgiveness and the gift of love to light.

Announcing the winner of Legend of the Firefish and the Hand That Bears the Sword!

And the winner is.... Miss Write. So please Miss Write, will you write to me? I need to know your real name and your address so we can mail you the book. My e-mail is joyfulhutch [at] msn.com

My review of Diva NashVegas by Rachel Hauck...

From the Publisher:

After a decade of reining the country music charts as the queen of country soul, Aubrey James, the daughter of legendary gospel singers, must come face-to-face with her life. After being betrayed by a close friend, Aubrey agrees to tell her exclusive story to CMT's Inside NashVegas host Beth Rose. Little does she know her future depends on reconciling with her past. But Aubrey's country world is rocked when Inside NashVegas host Scott Vaughn, a former love interest, shows up to hold the interview instead of Beth Rose. It's too late for the diva to change her mind. Scott's gentle manner and insightful interviewing wins Aubrey's trust, and ultimately her heart.

My review:

Diva NashVegas was a fun, adventurous read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The humor was delightful and the antics between Aubrey and Scott were hilarious at times. I enjoyed hanging out with Aubrey and getting a feel for who she really was inside. How she learned to conquer her fears and make better decisions for herself, including returning to her childhood faith. Aubrey was a tough, but lovable diva, and when people treated her like a normal person it not only touched her heart, but it moved mine as well. Fame definitely comes with a price and her story is a wonderful illustration of that truth. Overall, Aubrey seemed more like a friend to me than a character in a novel. She was that real. And the way the author brought her character out through a variety of interviews was pure genius.

Scott grabbed my heart from the beginning. Though I didn't despise Car, I definitely wanted to see her with Scott, who was less pretentious. However, the scene with Car in the restaurant was truly touching. And her discovery of her feelings toward Scott gave me delicious shivers. Scott was just an all-around nice guy and a true hero in every sense regarding Aubrey. I loved watching their friendship grow. I think of all the novels Rachel has written (that I've read) this is my favorite. I highly recommend it.


Diva NashVegas was published by Thomas Nelson publishers and released in May 2007.

My review of My Soul Cries Out by Sherri L. Lewis

From the Publisher:

Monica Harris-Day’s perfect world begins a downward spiral the afternoon she comes home to find her husband in bed…with another man. After confronting Kevin, her husband of two years, Monica discovers he’s had a lifelong struggle with homosexuality that began at the age of ten after he was molested by a deacon in the church. For years, Kevin has sought deliverance, crying out to God to make him straight. He explains his deceit by saying that he thought he had truly been delivered when he married Monica, but was afraid to share his past with her for fear she wouldn’t marry him. Kevin begs Monica’s forgiveness and wants to save their marriage. He is convinced that God has indeed delivered him from the spirit of homosexuality and that the one time mistake was just his past coming back to haunt him. Their pastor, Bishop Walker, offers them marital counseling, but Monica suspects he’s really concerned about maintaining his mega-ministry – the church has grown to 10,000 members since Kevin became the minister of music. When the pastor swears them to secrecy about their situation and urges Monica to stay in the marriage, she thinks Bishop Walker isn’t willing to risk the potential scandal and church split that would be caused if the truth is leaked to the congregation.

My Soul Cries Out is a compassionate look at the issue of Christians struggling with homosexuality and the redemptive power of God to bring deliverance.

My Review:

My Soul Cries Out is a powerful redemption story about Monica and Kevin that on more than one occasion moved me to tears. I loved how the author wasn't afraid to tell it like it is when it came to internal thoughts, especially the skank ho references to certain women. Hilarious! The author masterfully wrote about Monica's rage the way it might really happen and didn't soften the issues for fear of offending the reader. This is real life trauma and heartache! Monica was a very flawed character but the author did such a fantastic job of growing her in her relationship with the Lord and with others that I couldn't help but love her. I just can't say enough good things about this book.

Kevin's characterization was so well done that I can honestly say I haven't read any novel highlighting the pain that comes from childhood abuse that was better at showing it than this one. And I've read a lot of them. You can't help but have compassion on Kevin when he reveals his struggles and you see how even the church had betrayed him by not protecting him. The way Kevin and Monica's relationship developed throughout the story is proof that God can use anything--even the most horrible sin or mistake--to make us more like Him.

In addition to the main story, there were several subplots regarding redemption that were both believable and moving. The story of Alaysia's quest for peace and redemption was perfectly done and complimented the main theme of My Soul Cries Out. True-to-life, the comments made by an unbeliever can often be used to turn the struggling Christian's life around. Oh, and the ending gave me the happy shivers. I SO loved this story and can't wait to read the next book from this author, who is even more beautiful than the model on the cover.

My Soul Cries Out was published by Urban Books and will be released June 26, 2007!

My blog has a whole new look. What do you think?

I'd like some feedback on the look of my new blog. I had a problem with the layout where the one column went under the other instead of laying side by side. With the old blogger I could tweak the padding, margins, etc, but with new blogger it is too hard to figure out, so I just chose a new layout. I changed the colors and style altogether. So what do you think? Better? Okay? Reader friendly? Let me know, please, by posting a comment or taking this poll. Thanks!

Do you like my new blog layout?
	Yes!!!
	It's gorgeous.
	Could be better.
	Not really.
	No.
View Results

As I Have Loved You by Nikki Arana is up on the CFBA tour this week. Read my review at the end of this post!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

As I Have Loved You(Revell June 1, 2007)
by

Nikki Arana

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nikki Arana is an award-winning author of highly-acclaimed inspirational women's fiction who weaves today's social, political, and spiritual issues into her novels. She has received numerous awards, including the Excellence in Media 2007 Silver Angel Award for The Winds of Sonoma.The book was based on the true love story of how Nikki met her future husband Antonio as he was cleaning the stalls of her parents' Arabian horses. Nikki and Antonio have been married for over thirty years, have two grown sons, and live in Idaho.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Contemporary Struggles......

A Single Mom and College-Ages Son.

Leigh Scott is a widowed, single mother who wants the best for her son Jeff. She would like him to graduate from college, land a secure job, and start a family. However, Jeff, who was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) at a young age, has a God-given compassion for people. And his non-judgmental acceptance of all has unintended consequences.Jeff starts dating Jessica, a girl with a questionable past and seemingly non-existent future. Soon, Jeff's grades drop as quickly as his sober determination to achieve the goals he's worked toward all his life, and Leigh finds herself caught in a relational tornado. To complicate matters further, Leigh is an author with a looming book deadline, a father battling cancer, and her former boyfriend and first love, a strong Christian Native American, coming back in her life.Arana weaves a multi-layered, emotional family saga that brings the peril of judgment, the need for forgiveness and the gift of love to light.

"Nikki Arana wrings the heart and exalts the soul."

---Romantic Times

My review:

As I Have Loved You is the perfect title for this book. Not only was it a page-turner, but there were some powerful illustrations within it's pages. This "love" story touched a deep place in my heart that few novels reach. Plus, it made me cry. Not a miserable-type cry, but a what-a-touching-message cry. I connected so well with the characters that I literally hurt when they hurt. I sensed the same deep regret, the kind where you wish you could go back and do something over again, but you can't.

I found the subplot with Jeff, Leigh's son, particularly compelling, especially the conflict regarding intimacy with his girlfriend and the values he was raised on. Also, the lessons Leigh learned about unconditional love through her son's experience were priceless. Very well done. It was like God held a mirror in front of Leigh's face and insisted she take a good, hard look. So true!

As I Have Loved You was published by Revell and released June 1, 2007.

Doing another giveaway, this time two books in a series!!!

This time I want to raffle of the first two books in a three books series (because the third book isn't out yet) and the second book comes out in July 2007, so why not be cutting edge and get them while they're hot? Here's a bit about the books...

Legend of the Firefish

The Legend of the Firefish is a timeless tale of the pursuit of faith and honor.

Packer Throme longs to bring prosperity back to his decaying fishing village by discovering the trade secrets of a notorious pirate who hunts the legendary Firefish and sells the rare meat. Armed with the love of the priest’s daughter and a noble purpose, Packer stows away on the ship Trophy Chase bound for sea. But many tests of his faith and his resolve follow.

Will belief and vision be enough for the young man to survive?

The Hand that Bears the Sword

Ever wonder what a pirate packs for a voyage on the high seas? The checklist includes a favorite sword or dagger, an eye patch (as needed), gold earrings, a bracelet and that fabulous red scarf, pieces of eight, sun block, hand lotion, hair and beard conditioner, and a good book.

While pirates and other adventure seekers no doubt look forward to Friday’s Disney release of Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End with wacky Captain Jack Sparrow, there’s another daring character in town, and his exploits are truly legendary. The Hand That Bears the Sword by George Bryan Polivka (July) is a story filled with pirates, bravery, honor, and even romance.

Guarding their rediscovered love, Packer and Panna Throme are once again thrust into high adventure, matching wits with the evil intentions of pirate Scat Wilkins as the hearty Trophy Chase sets sail for deep waters once again. But will Packer survive the diabolical designs of a powerful warrior race on not just himself, but on the entire Kingdom of Nearing Vast? At home, Panna must await Packer’s hopeful return while imprisoned by the lecherous Prince Mather.

So all you have to do to enter is post a comment with your contact info on this blog!!!

Diva NashVegas by Rachel Hauck is up on the CFBA this week!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

DIVA NASHVEGAS
(Thomas Nelson May 8, 2007)
by

Rachel Hauck

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rachel is the author of many books. Her current release, Viva NashVegas is the second in a series which began with Lost in NashVegas. She is also a Blogger and a CFBA member! She lives in Florida with her husband. Visit her great profile and learn more.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Even if you are not a lover of country music, you can enjoy this fun look at the Nashville entertainment industry.

What do you do when the past you’ve been skirting shows up at your door with cameras rolling?

Aubrey James ruled the charts as the queen of country for over a decade. She’d rocketed to fame in the shadow of her parents’ death-both of them pioneers in Gospel music. But while her public life, high profile romances, and fights with Music Row execs made for juicy tabloid headlines, the real and private Aubrey has remained a media mystery.

When a former band member betrays Aubrey’s trust and sells an "exclusive" to a tabloid, the star knows she must go public with her story. But Aubrey’s private world is rocked when the Inside NashVegas interviewer is someone from her past-someone she’d hoped to forget.

All the moxie in the world won’t let this Diva run any longer.

"Hauck once again takes us into the country music world, this time through the experiences of mega-star Aubrey James. Aubrey's life journey is filled with flaws, as well as a great deal of joy, and real life locales makes this highly original story authentic. The extra tidbits - from Aubrey's liner notes to quotes from the "media" at the beginning of the chapters - add extra sparkle to the plot."

- 4 Stars, Melissa Parcel, Romantic Times Book Club

My thoughts on this book so far...

I anticipate finishing this book very soon. It's highly entertaining and very well done. I feel like I'm hanging out with this country music star and experiencing her life right alongside her, so that's totally holding my attention. I know I'm going to finish this book!

The winner of Too Good To Be True is....

ashby220



Now this is the tough part because I don't know how to contact ashby220 or what her real name is. Ack! I hate that. So Ashby, if you're out there write me at joyfulhutch [at] msn.com and give me your contact info. If I don't hear from you by Wednesday I'll draw another name, so hurry!

Come join the club. You may win a prize!

American Christian Fiction Writers has a bookclub. Each month a different author and book are featured. The club spends that month discussing the book and then has a live on-line chat with the author at the beginning of the next month.

The Book Club membership has grown in the last few weeks and is now over 350 members. In a push to cross 400 members, we’ve had several authors donate prizes for the 400th member and referrer as well as going past that. So, if you’re not a member, now is a great time to join! The Book Club is free and anyone can join by sending a blank email to acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

My review of Sarah, My Beloved by Sharlene MacLaren

About the Book:

Sarah Woodward has come to Kentucky as a mail-order bride, only to learn upon her arrival that "her groom" is betrothed to another! Does God have a back-up plan? She feels certain He led her for a reason, so with her usual stubborn determination, resolves to stay put until she discovers that reason. Rocky Callahan, an embittered widower has recently been saddled with the responsibility of his young niece and nephew and is desperate for help. Upon meeting the fiery Sarah Woodward, he proposes the answer to both their problems--a marriage in name only. Can Rocky let go of the pain of his past and trust God with his future? As for the marriage "in name only"--will it hold up, or does God have other ideas?

My Review:

I really enjoyed Loving Liza Jane, but I adored Sarah, My Beloved even more. It's one of the most enjoyable marriage of convenience stories I've ever read. Totally believable and very deep. The characters were delightful and three dimensional and the tension had me turning the pages.

Unlike some historical novels, the conflict in this one doesn't feel at all contrived and I loved every minute of it. Funny thing is I've read similar type plots in many secular novels, but nothing beats a well-done inspirational novel like this one. The growing relationship between husband and wife will warm you to your toes and when they finally realize they love one another, you know it's coming, but it still makes you want to sigh. And that first kiss...wow!

I think Rocky is the most intriguing hero the author has come up with thus far. He and Sarah were perfect for each other. Plus, the way he resolved his issues with God made sense and was totally realistic. This novel would be great resource for someone who is angry with God. Highly recommended!


Sarah, My Beloved was published by Whitaker House and will be released for sale in October 2007. Go ahead and pre-order your copy today!

Icky, icky morning...Happy, happy Friday...

TGIF!!!!!!!!!

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These Boots Weren't Made for Walking by Melody Carlson is up on CFBA this week!

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking

(WATERBROOK Press June 19, 2007)

by

Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has published over 100 books for adults, children, and teens, including On This Day, Finding Alice, the Notes from a Spinning Planet series, and Homeward, which won the Rita Award from Romance Writers of America. She and her husband, the parents of two grown sons, make their home near the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon. Melody is a full-time writer as well as an avid gardener, biker, skier, and hiker.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Willing to make the necessary sacrifices–even skipping the occasional latte–to ensure career success, 31-year-old Cassidy Cantrell "invests" in a chic pair of boots, certain they’ll make a spectacular impression and help seal the deal on a long-anticipated promotion from her Seattle employer.

But reality tromps all over her expectations. Cassie’s job is abruptly eliminated–and her love life obliterated, when her longtime boyfriend dumps her for a "friend." Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps home to the resort town she once so eagerly fled–only to find her recently divorced mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe with a thriving social life. Cassie wrestles with envy and apathy as she considers the dismal shape of her own physique and romantic prospects. What will it take for her to jump back into life and regain her stride?

This sassy and hilarious novel leads readers on a romp through the wilds of relationships, romance, career, and spirituality, revealing that, while God’s plans may look drastically different than our own, it’ll always be a perfect fit.

My review:

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking is a fantastic chick lit novel. I tried really hard to delay finishing it until closer to the release date in June, but I couldn't do it. I was too invested in the characters. Poor Cassie has everything go wrong in her life. Everything. And the way she deals with it at first is so realistic. The faith piece is a very light thread, but still there, unlike secular chick lit novels. However, the author does push the envelope a tad in some areas, but it wasn't overly done. I really enjoyed this whole story. The internal dialog is the best I've read to date. You can can tell this author is prolific in her writing. Her stuff is flawless, the voice is perfect, and the story can go for pages with no interaction between Cassie and another character, but her interior monologue is so well done that you don't even notice. The romantic element was also fabulous. I loved it! This is a book I'd read twice! Highly recommended.