I’m done with my contemporary romance, Rhyme & Reason. Oh, what’s with the Spanish word, acabé, you might be asking? It means “I finished!” Darn thing gave me fits at the end, but I think I got it down satisfactorily. the first ending I wrote made me cry–cuz it was bad, not a tear-jerker. 😀 But then I rewrote it. And rewrote it. Till finally–the ending felt right. I really love this story, and already it is affecting families. I’ve sent it off to Camy Tang for her to wield her wasabi genius at it. Here’s praying I recognize my manuscript when it comes back. It’s a new year. Already my family is faced with HUGE uncertainties…my hubby is without …
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Wow! Another jolly season is here! This year has flown by, leaving me dazed in its wake. 😀 How did we get here so fast?? I’ll be frank–while this year had a lot of wonderful times, and I wouldn’t want to have missed it, I am SOOOO GLAD it’s over. *sigh* I knew I was in trouble last December when God told me this would be a year of change. And it sure was!! For this next year, I believe it’ll be a year of transition. That doesn’t sound AS painful, but still quite challenging in and of itself. I won’t be around much for the next couple of weeks. With that in mind, I’m leaving you with some Christmas …
I DID IT!!! & Sleeper Cell: American Terror
First – GREAT news on the homefront. This morning I finished my degree plan for my Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. I can’t believe it’s FINALLY over. This last course was in Criminal Justice and I might just make a perfect score in the course. I never, ever done that, and I’m thrilled by teh prospect. It all rests on my research paper, which I readily admit was quite difficult. Anyway, I’m asking all my friends to celebrate with me by going out and having a Starbucks drink or something. ———————————————————— Now, on to more serious matters… Last week I was contacted by a man for a company called m80 noting that they had read my blog about James Bond’s …
MaryLu Tyndall’s The Reliance
The dark hull of a ship loomed ahead, lit by two laterns, one on the bowspprit and the other swinging on the hook on the mizzenmast. Dim light shone through a porthole below the quarterdeck. Three masts covered with tangled rigging towered against the moonlit sky like webbed claws ready to snatch Charlisse from the boat. Most likely an ex-merchant vessl, the tree-masted, square-rigged ship couuld hold up to forty guns. Charlisse wouldn’t have known or cared about such things three years ago if she hadn’t married a privateer and chosen a life at sea. The longboat scraped and thudded against the hull of the larger ship, and the pirates secured it with cords that dangled from the bulwark. A …
Pictures Galore!
Last week, the infinitely fickle weather in TExas delivered a FIFTY DEGREE blow…On Wednesday, I picked up my twins from school in cozy 76 degree weather. The next morning, it was 26 degrees. YOWZA!! Here are some photos of my kiddos in the snow later that afternoon after the drizzle and white stuff (we see it so rarely, I’m not sure I remember what it’s called LOL). And because I’m drawing a blank on what to write today…sigh…how bout more pictures. Here is one of me with my beautiful girls at Thanksgiving. Ciara, Ronie, & Keighley My dear friend Michelle visited me after a vacation with her family in Killeen (she’s living in Georgia right now). Here are a few …
Writing Research Has Never Been So Fun
Last night, my hubby took me out to a movie and dinner–yes, in that order. We were having dinner at about 10:45. 😀 anyway, we bought tickets for the 7:20 showing of CASINO ROYALE, the James Bond/Ian Fleming movie. The guy that checked our ticket (are print-ahead tickets not the best so you don’t stand in line for 20 minutes??) and said, Right here in this line. So, we got in line. Guess what? He put us in the 8pm line. *sigh* naerly an hour of theater previews and commercials (is anyone else irked that now you have to view COMMERCIALS at the theater????). Anyway, Casino Royale was great. A typical Ian Fleming book come to life. My assessment of …
I’m running for ACFW Volunteer Officer
Well, after careful thought, consideration and prayer, I’ve decided to run for Volunteer Officer with the American Christian Fiction Writers. This certainly was not an easy decision to make, and I’m sure I’m up against some wonderful people–and that’s great! As Robin has said before, the more people running, the more options for ACFW membership to have. I agree completely. For me, I’ve loved ACFW since I joined in 2004 and knew even then, that someday I’d like to serve the organization filled with loving, caring people. At the end of 2005, I agreed to serve as a moderator, and that position began officially in January 2006. This last year taught me a lot about the various duties of the …
Rachel Hauck – Lost in NashVegas
Last week, I stocked groceries in Freedom, Alabama. This week, I live in Nasvhille, Tennessee, about to take the stage at the famous Bluebird Cafe. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? Only one problem. I’ve got stage fright. But after years of being ruled by fear and hiding from my dream, I confronted my limited reality and left home. Forget the hometown hunk who wants to make me queen of his doublewide. Forget Momma’s doubt-inspiring tirade. I can make it in Music City…can’t I? So, I took a leap of faith, gathered my old guitar, my notebook full of songs, and packed up in ’69 Chevy pickup. Look out NashVegas! With the help of some new friends, especially handsome Lee Rivers, my …
WINNER of Tricia Goyer’s book…
is Dona Watson. Congratulations on winning this really kewl book, Dona. If you’ll take a moment to send me your address, I’ll get this book in the mail!! —————————————————————————————— Now–for this week’s FREE BOOK — DARK HOUR, book one of the Serpent Moon Trilogy by Ginger Garrett. I confess I have not read this book, but NavPress was so very kind to send two (I won one from Lena Dooley’s blog), so I’m spotlighting it briefly to bless someone else. the back of this book reads: “One of the darkest and bloodiest stories of all time comes not from a medieval battelfield but from inside one of the most opulent palaces ever built. The strategies come not from men eager …
Generation NeXt Parenting – Tricia Goyer – FREE COPY!
Okay–anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I adore Tricia Goyer‘s writing. I’ve promoted two of her books here and will continue to do so as long as she lets me. 😀 When the offer came along for her non-fic book, Generation NeXt Parenting: A Savvy Parent’s Guide to Getting it Right I hesitated for as long as it takes to blink. I mean, come on–she’s a brilliant writer, she has three kids, and Hello! What parent of this generation wouldn’t want help. 😀 However, what surprised me is how kewl this book is. The back reads: This book is designed like a magazine (not because you miss reading Seventeen, but because no parent has time to read a book cover …