YOU KNOW HOW I HATE TO BRAG....

....but baby girl's got pipes! It's a rare occasion that I put any of my children on here, but I had to share my daughter's recital. The first song is in Italian, so I haven't a clue what it's about. The second song is for Christmas, and I love it!



Thanks for sharing the moment with me :-)

WHIRLWIND

Aw man! Mine hasn't arrived yet. Sorry folks, but you can read about it below.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Whirlwind
Thomas Nelson (December 29, 2009)
by
Robert Liparulo


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. His first novel, Comes a Horseman, released to critical acclaim. Each of his subsequent thrillers—Germ, Deadfall, and Deadlock—secured his place as one of today’s most popular and daring thriller writers.

He is known for investing deep research and chillingly accurate predictions of near-future scenarios into his stories. In fact, his thorough, journalistic approach to research has resulted in his becoming an expert on the various topics he explores in his fiction, and he has appeared on such media outlets as CNN and ABC Radio.

Liparulo’s visual style of writing has caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman. were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”

Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted last year with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers, released in January, and number four, Timescape, in July. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series, Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”

With the next two Dreamhouse books “in the can,” he is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects supernatural elements into his brand of gun-blazing storytelling. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on his acclaimed short story, which appeared in James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.

Visit Robert Liparulo's Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/LiparuloFans


ABOUT THE BOOK

Which door do you go through to save the world?

David, Xander, and Toria King never know where the mysterious portals in their house will take them: past, present, or future. They have battled gladiators and the German army, dodged soldiers on both sides of the Civil War, and jumped from the sinking Titanic. They've also seen the stark future that awaits if they can't do something to change it--a destroyed city filled with mutant creatures.

And they've still got to find a way to bring Mom back and keep Taksidian from getting them out of the house. The dangers are hitting them like a whirlwind . . . but the answers are becoming apparent as well.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Whirlwind, go HERE

IF MY NOVEL WERE MADE INTO A MOVIE...

One of my favorite questions to ask during an author interview is, "If your novel were made into a movie, who would you cast as the hero and heroine?" Because I love to see my characters before I can know and identify with them, I always have someone in mind for the leads in my stories.

Here's the weird part--even if I know what they look like, I don't always settle on a name, so keep that in mind as you scroll through pictures of the characters in my NANO novel.



When I saw Erin Cardillo on The Suite Life on Deck, I said, "HEY! There's my heroine!" While my heroine is a few years older, pushing 40 in fact, the look is exactly right.








My heroine's best friend is fun and quirky, a just a little bit "off." While this picture doesn't precisely capture the look, as the best friend in my book has streaks of magenta hair, this picture is close.





Suspension of disbelief is a powerful force! Jessica Alba looks just like my heroine's 20-year-old daughter, even if Jessica is older. Yes, the light haired parent and dark haired kid is genetically possible! My dad is a redhead, and yet look at me. LOL!






Nothing beats a young Val Kilmer for a love interest!








This picture is a perfect representation of the heroine's other best friend, the history teacher.





Now it's your turn! Who best represents the hero and heroine in your current WIP? Or do you have another way to visualize your characters?

DECEMBER RUSH

This weekend I collapsed on the couch with a sudden rush of December anxiety. In the next two weeks, my oldest has 4 performances, and my littles have 2, and there are rehearsals/practices to go with these (that means I'm chauffeur.) Then there are all the fees associated with said activities. I turned down 2 invitations for events this weekend. Plus I haven't started shopping.

Then the toilet broke.

Visions of plumbers and malls and debit cards pinned me to the couch. Until I had an awesome time of worship Saturday night.

Ahhh..... it's amazing what happens when you have a little bit of alone time with God. The next day my hubby was able to fix the toilet (with a little help from Dad) and then hubby went next door and convinced our neighbor to quit revving the truck for the rest of the afternoon. Absolutely an answer to prayer!

While the worship time didn't solve my organizational dilemmas, as some of our events fall at the same time this week, it did give me a sense of what's important...and what's not. Being in the presence of God opened a new and much needed perspective. After all, some things might fall through the cracks this month, but Jesus still came. His Spirit is still here. It's all good!

How do YOU fight December anxiety?

FOLLOW!

Have you ever heard that old song--I can only guess it's called "Follow Me"--where it says, "Come follow, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow me" ?? (I am well acquainted with this song through my daughter's choir.) Anyhoo, now it's looping through my head because a few minutes ago Eileen suggested I put up the FOLLOW gadget in my sidebar. Great suggestion! Soooo, click on the button :-)

PS. Now I wrote the word follow so many times it looks wrong. Ever done that before?

ESSIE IN PROGRESS

I'm not quite finished with this one, so I will have to update you later :D

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Marjorie Presten

and the book:

Essie in Progress

Kregel Publications (April 1, 2009)

***Special thanks to Marjorie Presten for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marjorie Presten is a native Georgian who has her own fair share of experience juggling career and motherhood. She lives outside of Atlanta with her husband, Tom, and their three children.


Listen to a radio interview about the book HERE.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 082543565X
ISBN-13: 978-0825435652

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Prologue

1972

In a thirty-second phone call, Hamilton Wells would make a decision that would earn him more money than he could spend in his lifetime. Everything was on the line, but he was not nervous, euphoric, or eager with anticipation. In Hamilton’s mind, the matter was not speculative, debatable, or anything less than a sure thing. Hamilton had the gift, and it had never let him down. Yet even before he made the call, he knew money wouldn’t cure the unrelenting pain of his grief. He sat at his desk with only a single orange banker’s lamp for illumination and cried silently.

Her death had been inevitable, but feelings of helplessness still overwhelmed him. His young son’s dependency on him only multiplied his grief and anger. Six-year-old Jack Wells had insisted his father do something to help Mama, but the only thing Hamilton could do was sit at her bedside and try not to cry. Now it was six weeks after her death, and Hamilton knew his son needed him to be strong, to return life to normal. A neighbor had enrolled Jack in the local church baseball league. They played a game every Wednesday afternoon. It will be good for him, they’d said. Life has to go on.

Hamilton cradled his head in his hands and groaned. The enormity of the risk he was about to take didn’t concern him. It was purely mechanical. He would surrender all he owned for just one more blissful afternoon at the lake he and his wife both loved, but now that was impossible. His wife was dead. Nothing he could do would change that.

He remembered the book of Job. Would a loving and caring God do this to the love of my life? Well, he did, Hamilton thought bitterly. Earline had lingered for months. The doctors said it was miraculous that she had endured as long as she had. Be grateful for these last days to say goodbye, they’d said. But for Hamilton, the prolonged end only added anger to his bottomless sorrow. Standing alongside his son as a helpless witness to her slow deterioration and suffering in the final weeks was more than he could bear. It was the worst time of Hamilton’s life. Nothing really mattered anymore, and it seemed he had nothing left to lose.

Under different circumstances, he might have played it safe and put the proceeds away for his son’s education, bought a new house, or perhaps invested in a bit of lake property. He could have become like the rest of the players and worn monograms on his starched cuffs so everyone could remember whose hand they were shaking. Instead, he had gone it alone. His brokerage business had few clients. He was the only big player left. Now he planned to risk everything on something happening on the other side of the world.

Ham couldn’t remember exactly when he had recognized his innate ability to pick the winner out of a crowd. It had always been there, ever since he was conscious of being alive. The talent had blossomed in the military when the card games occasionally got serious. Now, with every dollar he had to his name, Hamilton approached wheat futures with that same instinct. The Russian harvest had been a disaster, and the United States was coming to the rescue. The price of wheat was going to go through the roof, and then through the floor. He was going to make a fortune on both ends.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number on the Chicago Mercantile exchange. He listened for a few moments as the connection was made. Young Jack tugged at his father’s shirtsleeve. “Pop? Can we go now?” Jack held a baseball in his hand and a glove under his arm. Hamilton swiveled his chair, turning his back to his son.

A familiar voice announced his name. “How can I help you?”

“It’s Ham,” he said. “Short the entire position.”

“What? Everything?” the voice asked.

“Everything.” No emotion colored his voice.

Young Jack crept gingerly around the chair to face his father. “Pop,” he whispered, “come on, the game is about to start.” Hamilton shook his head and looked away.

The voice on the phone was still talking. “Most folks are still enjoying the ride, Ham. You could get hurt.”

“It’s not going a penny higher. Short it all.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Warn me? My wife is dead. What else matters?”

The voice mumbled something about her passing.

“She didn’t pass. She’s dead. Just do what I ask.”

“OK, Ham.” The phone disconnected.

Jack was standing there in front of him, shoulders slumped. The ball hung loose at the end of his fingers, and the glove had fallen on the carpet. “Pop, can we go now?”

“Sorry, Son. Not today.”

“It’s not fair!” Jack erupted. Hot tears sprang up in his eyes. “What am I supposed to do now?”

Ham looked down, silent.

Jack hurled the ball to the floor, wiped his tears angrily, and stormed out of the house.

Ten minutes later on the futures board, wheat ticked down.

It ticked down again.

And so it would continue. Ham would be richer than he’d ever imagined. He’d never experience another financial challenge for the rest of his life. It was not really important, though. Scripture came back to him: “what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

He would trade it all to have his love, his life, back again.

But that was not an option.

Out his window, Ham could see young Jack riding his bicycle furiously down the street. He watched with a passive surrender as his son’s small frame shrank into the distance.

ANSWERS

If you've been hanging out here for a while, you may remember when I posted about my season of opposites--when every prayer I uttered seemed to be answered with the exact opposite of my request. I don't need to tell you what that kind of season does to a girl's faith, but I will say that Paul's words about "struck down but not destroyed" certainly ring a bell in my soul.

Well, I have good news to report. One of my biggest frustrations has been my weight gain, partially due to back-to-back pregnancies, and partially due to a gigantic lack of self control on my part. I'm the first to admit I love sweets...but am not terribly fond of sweat. For years I prayed about this situation, frustrated that God never helped me curb my appetite or speed up my metabolism or come to enjoy exercise. It was one more item to add to my prayer pending list.

Slowly but slowly the pounds have been melting off since last summer. So painfully slow, I might add, that it feels imperceptible. The other day as I was in weights class stretching with my friend, she made me laugh so hard I snorted and almost fell over, and this is when God nudged my spirit.

He HAS answered this prayer! Did he increase my metabolism or reduce my appetite? NO! Instead, He sent me a new friend. First we were gymnastics moms hanging out for endless hours watching our children, then we started working out together, and now we actually are becoming friend-friends!

God's answer to my prayer was not the easy way...but His way proved to be 10x more fun, and infinitely more satisfying. Sometimes we focus on what we want and how we want it so intensely that we don't see God's loving hand actually at work.

Have you ever done that, been so focused on what you wanted that you almost missed God's answer? I'd love to hear about it, as testimony can be a powerful faith builder :-)

THE SOUND OF SLEIGH BELLS

It's almost Christmas, which means it's time to curl up with a warm and cozy holiday book! The Sound of Sleigh Bells is not your typical Amish fiction. Part of the reason I enjoy Cindy Woodsmall is that she creates stories that don't necessarily portray the idyllic vision of Amish life. The hero in this story has an unusual trait, which I love in a main character, plus I enjoyed the interesting relationship between the two female leads. Part romance, part family drama, a good read for Christmas!


Here's the blurb:


Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people’s wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy’s dry goods store. But she doesn’t know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it’s not that simple–will Lizzy’s elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

Author Bio:

Cindy Woodsmallis the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-SellerWhen the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.


CLICK HERE to get your copy!