Meet Author Lillian Duncan!

Writing Stories of Faith…Mingled With Murder And Mayhem

Really? Christian Fiction and murder/suspense novels. On the surface the two don’t seem to go together. After all, how can a book where murders, mayhem, and bad guys abound promote Christian values?

Can a writer of suspense novels make a difference in a life? Surely not, you say. It might be good entertainment but that’s where it ends. Not so, I say.

Jesus used stories to teach a point—He called them parables.

People love stories. Stories can touch our hearts, stir our imagination, and teach us. Stories allow us to see the truth without the actual experience. Stories give us the opportunity to learn, change, and grow without all the growing pains.

As a writer of Christian fiction, I have two goals with every story I write. The first goal is to create an entertaining story. And the second goal is to further God’s Kingdom in some way. It may be as simple as portraying Christian characters in a positive light to an all out salvation scene. It varies from book to book.

The Christmas Stalking, my latest novel—actually, it’s a novella-had even more of a challenge. I had to make it suspenseful, have a Christian message, and a Christmas theme. And I had to do it all with less than 25,000 words according to my publisher!

I guess I succeeded since The Christmas Stalking is being released this holiday season! The cover is awesome, you should take a look at it at www.lillianduncan.net

The Christmas Stalking is a romantic suspense novella that features Destiny-a very famous country music star. She has everything she dreamed of and more. Fame. Wealth. Beauty. Adoring fans. Oh, yeah and a stalker.

So, what’s the Christian message in The Christmas Stalking? I’m so glad you asked that! It’s a theme I think most of us can relate to, especially parents of minor children. It’s about being too busy for God. Destiny never made a conscious choice to stop living a Christian life, but as she became a star, her life became so busy. More and more, she let her schedule push God out of her life.

And oddly enough, I think the Christmas season may be the time of the year we do this the most. Just when we should be focusing on the wonderful gift of Jesus’s birth, we’re too busy shopping, cooking, baking, shopping, going to parties, going to school programs and shopping!

So, I hope everyone slows down a bit this holiday season and take the time to enjoy the season. And, of course, a great way to do that would be to enjoy an evening reading The Christmas Stalking.

Lillian Duncan writes stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem. She writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net.  She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com

 

A Story of Adoption in My Family by Margaret Daley

In my family one of my relatives had a child at the age of sixteen. He was unmarried and the baby was given up for adoption. It always bothered him, wondering where his daughter was. He never had another child although he did marry.

One day he received a call from a young woman who said she was his daughter and she had been searching for him. She was in her mid-thirties and needed some medical information about the family history. From there the conversation moved to getting to know each other. Eventually she went to visit my relative, and they began to build a relationship. He became a part of her family, and she a part of his. Her children looked at him as one of their grandfathers. Her adoptive parents were accepting of my male relative which made the whole process much easier. To this day the relationship has continued after fifteen years.

The neat thing about this story is that she should have never found my male relative, but through a set of circumstances, she did. To the male relative it feels like his family is whole again. I have loved having her in the family.

I wrote a story about a woman looking for her adoptive mother in Poisoned Secrets, a Love Inspired Suspense book. It was prompted by what happened in my family and the emotions and story behind her search for her biological father.

Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley (The Men of the Texas Rangers Series) from Abingdon Press, October 2012:

A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders. 



 While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn’t what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana’s faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?

 Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-three books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com

Meet Author Darlene Franklin!

Who are you?
I am from Ellis Island and mystery, high school sweethearts and faith hope and charity. I am from strong women, three mothers and loneliness. I am from poodle cookies and chocolate glazed mayonnaise cake. I’m from red velvet dresses and braided rugs.

I am from rocks and hills, crashing waves and fog horns. I am from “ayuh” and Hahvahd Yahd. I’m from biting black flies and chirping chickadees. I’m from lilac bushes in spring and bouquets of wildflowers in summer. I’m from riding bicycles around the block and long walks along the coast line. I’m from Yaz and the Big Cat, marching band and Number 7. I’m from three-room schools and Chizzle Wizzle.

I am from “Do not ask what your country can do for you” and “I have a dream” and “Old Enough to Fight, Old Enough to Vote.” I am from My Boy Bill and Bach and the Beatles. I’m from Dr. Seuss and Nancy Drew, Charles Dickens and Dick Francis. I’m from “those were the days” and Walton’s mountain.

I’m from the Other Son of Man and “if it was Greek, I’d understand it.” I’m from Vacation Bible School and “In the beginning.” I’m from Sunday night hymn sings and “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.” I’m from “Why?” Doesn’t Matter Anymore. I’m from neither height nor depth and from the deep, deep love of Jesus.

Where are you now?
In a short, non-poetic answer: I currently am a resident in a nursing home in Oklahoma. I’m a writer, with twenty books currently out and six more coming next year. And I’m a proud mother and grandmother!
Where are you going?
I am working on a book of devotionals based on the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul.” For my answer, I will give you the last two stanzas of this beloved hymn:
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so—it is well with my soul.
I look forward to the coming day when I see my Savior face to face in the place where there is no more pain, and reunite with my mother and daughter, who have gone on ahead of me.

About Darlene:

Award-winning author and speaker Darlene Franklin lives in Oklahoma near her son’s family.
Darlene loves music, needlework, reading, and reality TV. She has published several titles with Barbour Publishing, including her two latest releases, A Bride’s Rogue in Roma, Texas, and Merry Christmas, With Love, in Postmark: Christmas. She has also written two books in the Texas Trails series with RiverNorth Fiction, Lone Star Trail and A Ranger’s Trail. She’s a member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers.
You can find Darlene online at her Website  and on Facebook. 

 Inheriting a steamboat from a father she’s never met leaves Blanche Lamar in a quandary. Add to that a likeable rogue, Ike Gallagher, and the water muddies even more. Can she and Ike successfully navigate through love, or will they abandon ship?

Friday’s Featured Author – Gail Sattler!

I am delighted to have Gail back with us today! She’s going to share a few thoughts on writing that I am sure you will find inspiring!

 

 

When asked to make a post that was writing related, I stopped to think of a topic. So many things jumped through my head I didn’t know where to start. Therefore, that’s what I’m going to make as the topic of this post – Nailing down an idea so you can do something with it.
There are many ways to do this. But in all the ways, whether you are a Pantster or a Plotster, the starting point comes about in the same way.
It’s to stop and think, what really is your story about, and what do you want to say. Do you simply want to tell a story for the point of telling a story, or do you have a serious point to make? Do you want to have a love story with a teary ending, or do you want to have an action packed thriller that leaves the reader gasping for air?
Do you have a primary character whom you want the world to love, or do you have someone the reader is going to want to shake some sense into?
Once you have decided what kind of character you have, what is the goal they must reach by the end of the book? And when they reach that goal, is there an Aha Moment you want the reader to see?
The reason we have to know all these things before we formulate our story is that we have to know where we’re going, so we can aim there from the first page, and not wander in circles. In today’s fast-paced world, a story has to move, and it has to have a point. You can’t move in a straight line if you don’t know your destination.
I don’t write my first word in any story, until I know the ending. Only when I know where I’m going, am I able to get there.
Next time you have a story to start, think of those things. I think you’ll like what you find.

Gail Sattler is a popular multi-published author. Her new book, just out Nov 1st, is in the new Bloomfield series, called Take The Trophy And Run (B&H Publishing), which launches the series. Check out Take The Trophy And Run on Amazon at 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433677296/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=petdreamspettrea&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1433677296
You’re invited to see more about Gail Sattler on her website at
http://www.gailsattler.com

 

 

Introducing Author April Gardner!

Business or Hobby—How Do You View What You Do?

When I discovered I needed a business license to be “legal,” applying for and obtaining one for my fledgling home business did something for me I never expected.

I’m an author and, more recently, an editor with Astraea Press. True to their claim, authors don’t make much money. I got my first royalty check nearly three years ago and, for whatever reason, have struggled to go anywhere much with sales. Paying taxes hasn’t even been necessary.

But to be perfectly honest, I viewed writing more like a hobby than a business. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t want it to be a hobby. I WANTED to earn money, but a person’s mindset has everything to do with whether or not that will happen. If a girl doesn’t take her work seriously, if she doesn’t appropriately value her skills and time, no one else will either.

Late last year, I came to a critical juncture in my career. Frustrated and weary, I decided I’d either swim or sink, but I was going to do it on my own. One of my 2012 New Year’s resolutions (the only one I’ve ever stuck with) was to have my writing support itself 100%—no more begging money off my very sweet and willing husband. I’d pay for business cards, fliers, or that $1,000 conference, or I wouldn’t have them.

It seemed an outrageous notion. I honestly didn’t think I could do it and actually get anywhere, but for half the year, I did OK.

This summer was turning point. It happened the day I decided to get a business license.

It took me some weeks to get around to making it official, and if you want to read step-by-step how I went about doing that, you can visit my last Reflections post.

Come to find out, investing (yes, investing!) in a business license was exactly what my floundering career needed. The moment I held that license, I felt like a business woman. Stupid, I know, but it’s true. I view my job in a whole different light now. Notice my use of the word “job”? Yep, writing and editing isn’t a hobby anymore.

It’s what I DO. And I treat it with all the value and respect of a business. I have a budget and daily, weekly, and yearly goals. My time is blocked for certain activities, putting the most time toward my DPAs (dollar producing activities).

I require others to value and respect my work and time, too. No middle of the day chats with friends. I love you all dearly, truly, I do. But if you call me while I’m working, I’ll let the phone go to voicemail and get back with you at my next scheduled break.

At the risk of sounding New Age, let me point out that the mind and one’s attitude are a powerful things. Do not underestimate them.

God called me to this job. He believes in me. I should believe in me too! After which, I’ll give Him all the glory for the skill, energy, and encouragement He provides along the way.

I’m not a name-it-and-claim it kinda Christian, and I’m not rolling in the dough (far from it!!), but I’m got business cards, fliers, and went to that $1,000 conference. No thanks to my sweet, willing husband’s wallet.

In addition to that, at the suggestion of a my very business savvy sister, I set a goal to reward myself for my hard work. She told me to think of something–a luxury–I’ve wanted but couldn’t afford. Something I’d never spend the money on because there’s always something else more important that needs to come first.

So I did.

Somehow, that goal in mind made me work harder, and to my utter astonishment, I not only  reached my goal, I surpassed it. Now, I work from my patio on my lovely new furniture. (Pix above)

And you guessed it, I have set another reward-goal for myself.

My business has supported itself probably 95% this year. 2013 will be even better. Actually, in 2013 I plan to make a PROFIT. There have been times since January I’ve had to say “no” to whatever marketing venture I wanted to explore, but for the most part, God has provided.

What was the big change? It’s as simple as this–I’m viewing what I do as a business, and THAT makes all the difference.

How do you view what you do? Is it an accurate perception? What are your time and skills worth? Put a monetary value on them, then shoot for it!

–April W Gardner is an award-winning author, an editor,

and the founder of the literary contest site, Clash of the Titles

April’s latest release!

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.

Connect with April!
Website

Crazy Times!

Well, I have to apologize – due to technical difficulties and traveling non-stop for the last few weeks – I’ve been lax in my blogging, and have not managed to post my Featured Friday Author. But then I figured, since last Friday was my birthday,(not sure what that has to do with anything),  and I am an author, I could feature myself. And do a giveaway!
Pretty smart thinking, eh? So, here we go!

Who Are You?

I’m an incredibly blessed wife to an amazing man, we’ve been married 26 years now, so when people ask me if I think my daughter is young to be getting married at 23, I say no, I was married at 20 and it worked out just fine!! We have two incredibly talented children – Sarah, the daughter getting married in May, is a photographer, and our son, Chris, is a musician studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston. We’re so proud of them both we can hardly stand it.

I’m someone who is constantly amazed by God’s grace. And awed that He calls me His.

I love dogs – we have a four-year-old Border Collie, Noah, who is my third child, since ours have both flown the coop! He’s pretty much a one person dog and when I’m home he’ll be right there by my feet. And yes, he does collaborate on my stories with me.

I love to write stories about forgiveness, redemption and hope, and being able to share them with readers is such a cool thing!

Where Are You Now?

I’m in a very satisfied place in my life. I’ve had two books released, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, and Hidden in the Heart, which has been a dream come true in so many ways. I get to stay home and do what I love to do, which is write. I’ve got a couple projects with my agent at the moment that we’re going to be sending out in the near future, so I’m excited to see what will happen with those books. I’m working on another story now that’s been on the back-burner for a while. And I’m just trying to keep my head afloat amidst it all!

Where Are You Going?

That’s the exciting part – I don’t really know! But I do know that God has it all laid out, and I’ll just go along for the ride! It’s been a great one so far, along with some ups and downs and hard times, which served to bring me closer to Him, so I’m just trusting that next chapter of my life will be full of the same. I wouldn’t mind if there were no hard times though, but that’s all part of the journey, isn’t it?

Cathy’s Latest Book:

Everything Claire wants seems to be beyond her reach…

 After losing her mother to cancer and suffering a miscarriage soon after, Claire

Ferguson numbs the pain with alcohol and pills, and wonders if her own life is

worth living.

Adopted at birth, Claire is convinced she has some unknown genetic flaw

that may have been the cause of her miscarriage. She must find a way to deal

with the guilt she harbors. But exoneration will come with a price.

With her marriage in trouble and her father refusing to answer any

questions about her adoption, Claire begins the search for her birth mother.

For the first time in her life, she really wants to know where she came from.

But what if the woman who gave her life doesn’t want to be found?

 

For all those who have loved, experienced loss,

and lived life’s roller-coaster 

How to win a copy!

Leave me a comment on this post, LIKE my Facebook Author Page, and FOLLOW my blog or sign up for my newsletter on my WEBSITE (one or all of the above!) and that’s it. I’ll pick a winner and announce it next week.!

I’ve been told that 1 in 3 people have been affected by adoption. Have you or do you know someone who has? 

Meet Author Donn Taylor!

Suspense author, Donn Taylor, joins us today! I think you’ll find his post interesting and informative! It’s nice to feature a male author for a change! LOL! Welcome, Donn!

The Magic of Transitional Words and Phrases

Long, long ago and in a universe that no longer exists, my high school basketball coach taught me a simple offensive technique that paid off handsomely on the ball court. It was truly simple: just lean and look one way while placing the opposite foot outside and somewhat behind the defender’s foot. That put the defender at a disadvantage when I pivoted past him on that pre-positioned foot. This is not to say that I was ever a particularly good basketball player. Nor was I a particularly good piano player when my teacher taught me another simple technique, lifting the elbow to facilitate passing the ring finger over the thumb on the keyboard.

The point is this: In many skills, remembering to employ simple techniques sometimes provides large rewards. Thus it is with astute use of transitional words and phrases in writing. “Transitions” are the words and phrases that show relationships between ideas. The most common are the coordinating conjunctions: “and,” “but,” “or,” “for,” “nor,” “yet,” and “so.” (“For,” “yet,” and “so,” of course, can also be used as adverbs.) Later, I’ll mention several transitional words that are more complex, and then suggest a way for the writer to simplify the reader’s task without simplifying the content, or message, of the writing.

But first, let’s look at things from the viewpoint of the reader. Fundamentally, the reader faces two problems: first, finding the ideas (the content) stated in the text and second, discerning the relationship each idea has to those around it. If he has to perform both of these at once, the reading becomes more difficult. But if he can perform them one at a time—even when the separation consists only of split-seconds—the reading becomes easier.

That’s where transitional words and phrases come in. Let’s start with those coordinating conjunctions. When a reader sees the word “and,” he knows that something of the same kind will follow. When he sees either “but” or “yet,” he knows something in contradiction will follow. Similarly, the word “or” indicates an alternative, and “nor” indicates alternatives in the negative, while “for” and “so” introduce stated causes of what went before.

By revealing the relationship in advance, the transitional word frees the reader’s mind to focus on the content of the following statement.

This function is not too important in ordinary compound sentences, but it becomes more important as the ideas presented become more complex. Consider, for example, transitional words and phrases like “therefore,” “consequently,” “however,” “of these,” “in addition,” “of course,” “although,” “in spite of,” “besides,” “also,” “for example….” I’m sure all of us could name many others. And I’m sure you’ve already noticed that I used several of these in the preceding paragraphs.

My theory is that when the reader sees one of these words or phrases, his mind registers the relationship and automatically forms a blank sentence structure that needs only to be filled in. I think it works like this:

Although ________________, ____________________________________.

Similarly, ____________________________________________________.

Consequently, _________________________________________________.

However, ­­­­­­­­­­­_____________________________________________________.

In each case, the transitional word signals the relationship of ideas and the expected sentence structure so that the reader only has to fill in the blanks with content. His job has become easier.

The short, choppy sentences of journalistic style often leave the reader guessing about the relationships of ideas. Too often, the result is portrayal of a child’s-mind world in which all things happen and none have specific relationships to others. But the writer who portrays an adult world of complex relationships can facilitate the reader’s comprehension through the skillful use of transitions to show the relationship of an idea before the idea is stated.

As it is in athletics and musical performance, so it is in writing. Conscientious use of the simplest techniques can often produce the greatest gain.

About Donn:

Donn Taylor led an Infantry rifle platoon in the Korean War, served with Army aviation in Vietnam, and worked with air reconnaissance in Europe and Asia. Afterwards, he completed a PhD degree at The University of Texas and taught English literature (especially Renaissance) at two liberal arts colleges. His novels The Lazarus File andRhapsody in Red have received excellent reviews, and he has also authored Dust and Diamond: Poems of Earth and Beyond. His new book is another suspense novel, Deadly Additive. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences such as Glorieta and Blue Ridge. He and his wife live near Houston, Texas, where he continues to write fiction, poetry, and articles on current topics.

Donn’s Latest Release:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To soldier-of-fortune Jeb Sledge, the assignment seemed simple: Rescue an heiress and her journalist friend from Colombian guerrillas and collect a sizable paycheck for his troubles. But things rarely go as planned. After stumbling upon a mass of dead bodies, Kristin Halvorsen isn’t about to leave Colombia without the proof she needs for the story of a lifetime, and Sledge soon finds himself ensnared in a chemical weapons conspiracy that involves civilians, guerillas and high-ranking government officials. But neutralizing the factory isn’t enough. Where are the weapons that have already been fabricated? Who are the intended targets? How potent and far-reaching are the effects? A pursuit through South America, the U.S. and Caribbean embroils Sledge and Kristin in a mission to prevent a catastrophic attack—and leaves Sledge fighting to save both their lives.

Connect with Donn: 

Website

Publisher

Meet Author Becky Lyles!

I’m pleased to have author Becky Lyles guest posting for us today!

 

As you’ve probably figured out by now, writing a book rarely happens overnight. Though the first Author spoke just a handful of words—“let there be”—and complete, perfect creations popped into existence, we human authors must take time to develop our skills and refine our masterpieces. So, how do we go about the developing and refining?

I read and reread how-to-write books (writersdigest.com is a great source) along with lots of other books in a variety of genres, plus I subscribe to writing magazines, e-zines and newsletters, take classes at my local community center, college and university, attend seminars and conferences, join writers’ groups (local and national), and follow blogs and websites that teach writing skills.

Here are some of the newsletters I subscribe to by e-mail: C.S. Lakin @ http://www.livewritethrive.com/; Novel Rocket @ http://www.novelrocket.com/; Randy Ingermanson @ advancedfictionwriting.com; Larry Brooks @ Storyfix.com; Gail Gaymer Martin @ http://writingright-martin.blogspot.com; and Christian Fiction Online Magazine @ http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/MonthlyNewsletter.html.

The most valuable asset to a person’s writing career is just that—writing. Write every day, whether it’s a journal entry, an email to your grandma, or a funny blog about your first attempt to ride a bicycle. In addition, add a page or twenty to the book you’re writing. A good way to prime the pump each day is to review and revise what you wrote the day before.

Despite all that revising, and despite the thrill of typing “The End,” your final product won’t be perfect. As mentioned earlier, only one Author’s work is without blemish. But don’t let your fallibility discourage you. This is where the fun begins, where we hone those masterpieces.

The best writing is rewriting (according to EB White), and that’s what makes our work shine. If you need revision/self-editing guidance, search the Internet and read books like Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. You’ll find plenty of helpful advice is available for writers these days.

When you feel like your book is ready, request beta-reader feedback from your writing group and/or critique partner or critique group. Put aside your ego, ask for honest opinions, and accept input, whether positive or negative, with gratitude. Although you may not use all of your readers’ suggestions, and some of the feedback may be painful, their advice will strengthen and focus your final product. I’ve found beta-reader input to be invaluable with each book I’ve written. Be a sponge, not a brick wall, when it comes to critiques. Listen and learn.

Once you’ve thought through your pre-reader comments and made appropriate changes, hire a professional editor for an overall look at the structure and mechanics of the book content. Polish your work according to that expert’s advice and then find a copy editor or a friend who’s a proofreading whiz to search for spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. mistakes. I ask several people to perform this service for me. Although I’m a freelance editor, I often overlook my own errors because my mind reads what I intended to say/write, not what I actually wrote.

Finally, you’re ready to begin querying literary agents and/or publishers—or to jump into the self-publishing pond. No matter what route you go, enjoy the journey!

******************

 About Becky

Rebecca Carey Lyles grew up in Wyoming, the inspiration for her first novel, Winds of Wyoming. Her nonfiction titles, both available online, are It’s a God Thing! Inspiring Stories of Life-Changing Friendships and On a Wing and a Prayer–Stories from Freedom Fellowship, a Prison Ministry. She and her husband, Steve, live in Idaho, where she enjoys the creativity and beauty that abound throughout her adopted state as well as opportunities to hike, camp, snowshoe and cross-country ski in the midst of God’s grandeur. Currently, she’s working through edits for a Winds of Wyoming sequel titled Winds of Freedom.

Connect with Becky

http://www.beckylyles.com

http://www.widgetwords.wordpress.com

Facebook: Rebecca Carey Lyles

Twitter: @BeckyLyles

About Winds of Wyoming

 

 

Fresh out of a Pennsylvania penitentiary armed with a marketing degree, Kate Neilson heads to Wyoming anticipating an anonymous new beginning as a guest-ranch employee. A typical twenty-five-year-old woman might be looking to lasso a cowboy, but her only desire is to get on with life on the outside—despite her growing interest in the ranch owner. When she discovers a violent ex-lover followed her west, she fears the past she hoped to hide will trail as close as a shadow and imprison her once again.

 http://www.amazon.com/Winds-Wyoming-Neilson-Novel-ebook/dp/B006SPP7G8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332786400&sr=1-1

 

Meet Author Ava Pennington!

Who are you?

So many answers to such a simple question!

I’m a wife, daughter, and sister.

I’m an author, Bible teacher, and speaker.

I’m a transplanted girl from New York City who now calls sunny Florida her home.

I’m a graduate of St. John’s University with an MBA and a graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a certificate in Adult Bible Studies.

I’m a former Human Resources executive for several financial services companies.

I’m an animal lover who spoils her 10-year-old rescue boxer.

I’m a terrible cook who watches the Food Network (I can dream, can’t I?).

I’m a Christmasphile who counts the days till she can put up her tree.

I’m a sucker for happy-ever-after endings. (Yes, I love the Hallmark movies…especially the Christmas ones!)

Last but not least, I’m a daughter of the King…a grateful follower of Christ.

Where are you now?

I teach a weekly Bible Study Fellowship class (BSF) in Florida.

I’m working on a few writing projects, including two non-fiction books.

And I enjoy the community and encouragement that comes from being a member of writers’ associations such as American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Christian Authors Network (CAN), and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

Where are you going?

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to answer this definitively? To look into the sky for God’s leading spelled out in the clouds, or check the next billboard for His direction lit in neon lights? Sigh. Since that’s not going to happen anytime soon, I take each day by faith, trusting the One who has led me step by step. I’ll keep teaching, writing, and speaking until He decides it’s time for a change.

About Ava

Ava Pennington is a writer, Bible teacher, and speaker.

She is the author of One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell), and co-author of Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today? (Standard Publishing).

Ava has also published stories in twenty-two anthologies, including sixteen books in the inspirational Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her articles have appeared in Focus on the Family’s ClubHouse, The  LOOKOUT, Light & Life, Today’s Christian Woman, and other magazines.

Ava is a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging and encouraging writers’ groups, community groups, and church groups with relevant, enjoyable presentations.

For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com

1. III.            Book Blurb

Perfect. Almighty. The One Who Sees. Jealous. Forgiver.

Every name of God revealed in the Bible shows us something about His character and His ways. As the facets of a diamond combine to reflect its brilliance, the names and attributes of God combine to reveal the transcendence of His nature and the glory of His ways. One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God offers readers a wonderful opportunity to spend time each day getting to know God more intimately. At the end of a year, they’ll be able to say they know Him better that they did a year ago.

This insightful guide to the names of God provides 366 life-changing, personal devotions for new Christians and longtime believers. As readers explore 122 names and attributes of God from three perspectives, they will discover something special about who God is, who they are, and how they relate to others.

Includes a Scripture index and name index for easy navigation to favorite verses.

Meet Author Sarah Sundin!

Who Are You?

I’m just your average author/pharmacist/soccer mom. All right, so that’s pretty strange.

I was raised in southern California in a home full of readers and always had my nose in a book. Although I flirted with idea of becoming a writer, I also wanted to be a ballerina and a protozoologist. When I learned I get seasick, I abandoned marine biology. When I grew hips (and hated pointe work), I gave up my ballet dreams. And as for writing…well, I kind of wanted to eat. My practical side won, and I majored in chemistry at UCLA, then went to pharmacy school at UC San Francisco.

My husband and I met at UCSF. We’re both pharmacists, and we live in a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area. After our first son was born, I went down to working one day a week so I could stay home with him, fully intending to return to part- or full-time work once the kids were all in school. We had a daughter and another son, and I got involved teaching Sunday school and women’s Bible studies.

In 2000, when our youngest was a toddler, I woke up one morning from a dream that was so compelling I had to write it down. And it became a full-length novel. A really bad novel, but I didn’t know that at the time. I decided if I was going to dedicate so much time to writing, it had to be more than a hobby. I had to treat it seriously. So I started attending writers’ conferences and joined a writers’ group. In 2003, I submitted for the first time. Five long years of rejection letters later, and I received my first contract. My first novel, A Distant Novel, was published by Revell in 2010.

Where Are You Now?

In a state of transition, but aren’t we all. Our oldest son is away at college, and our younger two children are in high school, so the nest is slowly emptying. I still work one day a week as a hospital pharmacist, teach Sunday school, and lead women’s Bible studies.

My fourth novel, With Every Letter, released this month, the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series. I just finished my publisher’s first edits on the second book in the series, On Distant Shores (June 2013), and I’m preparing to dive into the third book.

I’m still adjusting to the life of an author—the writing, publicity, speaking, blogging, Facebooking…and balancing it all.

Where Are You Going?

Wouldn’t that be fun to know? If only the Lord trusted us with that information. But He doesn’t, for a very good reason. So all I can say is, “Lord willing…”

Lord willing, the next two novels in the Wings of the Nightingale will release as scheduled. Lord willing, my kids will graduate and get married and have fulfilling jobs and give us adorable grandbabies. Lord willing, my husband and I will grow old together. Lord willing, I’ll get another contract, and another, until He decides I’ve told all the stories He wants me to tell. Lord willing, I’ll keep teaching and speaking and helping people grow in their walks with God.

About Sarah Sundin

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series from Revell, and also the Wings of Glory series (A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow). In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children. When she isn’t ferrying kids to tennis and karate, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. Please visit her at http://www.sarahsundin.com.

As part of a morale-building program, World War II flight nurse Lt. Mellie Blake begins an anonymous correspondence with Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver in North Africa. As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, they develop a deep friendship. But when they’re both transferred to Algeria, will their future be held hostage by the past—or will they reveal their identities?