Saturday, December 21, 2013

Blog Hiatus

Hello, everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that with the business of Christmastime I am taking a break from the blog this week so don't be concerned if you don't hear from me here. 
You can still keep in touch through my Twitter or Facebook or the "Contact Me" tab on he blog.
I hope you have a wonderful week, and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Broadway Tuesday: Let It Go

Hello!
A couple of weeks ago, I saw the wonderful Disney movie, Frozen. It's my favorite movie from Disney in a while!

Here is Idina Menzel singing "Let It Go", my favorite song from this beautiful film.


Monday, December 16, 2013

Book Review Monday: Various Book Info

Hello!
I was going to share an interview with you today, but decided I have some other things to share with you instead.
First of all, I wanted to say I did an author interview on Caryl McAdoo's blog.

Don't forget to read that!


And, I also wanted to mention Swept to Sea is on Goodreads, so please mark it as "To-Read" or rate it if you have read it.


Finally, don't forget to take a look at Swept to Sea on Amazon.


Oh, and, I also want to know: are you interested in helping me promote Swept to Sea?

You could do an interview with me on your blog, invite me over for a guest post, or talk about it on social media.

Interested in a free review copy, if you have a blog to review it on and don't have your copy yet?

Want to learn more ways you can help me with Swept to Sea?

Shoot me an email at heathermanningauthor(at)gmail(dot)com and we can talk!

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: The Messiah

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 
Luke 2:11

Friday, December 13, 2013

Writing Friday: The Busy Schedule of a New Author

Hello, everyone!
I just wanted to let you know that I have a pretty busy schedule right now so I am very sorry if I accidentally skip a few posts.

Today I wanted to share some links with you.

My guest blog post is up on the USA Today book blog, where I talk about the life of a teenage author.



I also have an interview on the Covers and Ink blog.



Finally, I have another interview on the Backing Books blog.

I have more events planned for the future, so be sure to keep checking back!

Do you not have your copy of Swept to Sea yet?
find Swept to Sea on Amazon!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Bible Verse Wednesday: Immanuel

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matthew 1:22-23

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Monday, December 9, 2013

Blog Tour: Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl


Hello, friends! I am taking part in the blog tour of my author friend, Aidyl Ewoh. Here's a little bit about her and her book, "Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl."

About the Book:
Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl:Traveling with her parents brings Lydia, daughter of explorer and singer Buddy Davis, plenty of adventure and mystery - from hidden clues in bookstores to cave paintings deep underground. 
About the Author: Whether she’s building life-sized models of dinosaurs with her adopted family, trying her hand at cooking at a private retreat, or living in a barn, author Aidyl Ewoh (aka Lydia Howe) seems to have adventures follow her wherever she goes. Check out her book, Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl and find out more about her at her BlogFacebook, and Twitter








On to the post. :)
I'll hand the reins over to Aidyl.
Funny though it may be, I never even thought of those things as a kid. It was only after I started doing stuff with Answers in Genesis that I began to find them interesting. 



Hey y’all! I’m here today with my character, Lydia Davis from my book, Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl. I’m so excited to be interviewing her, so you guys can get a little glimpse into her exciting life! If you’ve never read a character interview before, this might be a little weird at first, but it’s something that authors often do to help others, and themselves, get to know their characters better. So hang on tight and here we go!
Wow, that was quite the intro. Thank you, Miss Aidyl, for inviting me to join you today! Most people want to talk my parents and I’m kinda a tag-along, so it’s really a pleasure to be the actual interviewee.

I think we’re going to have a lot of fun! Alright, first off, can you tell us a little bit about your life? 
Sure. I’m twelve and the only child of Buddy and Kay Davis. My dad is an internationally known singer who works for Answers in Genesis. I think he has about eighteen CD’s out. Our family travels a lot. And I do mean a lot. I’m home-schooled, which is actually a funny thing to say, since I’m not home much. I want to be a writer when I grow up, so I take every chance I get to fill notebook after notebook with our family’s adventures. 

Sounds quite exciting!
Oh, goodness it is! 

What would you say is your favorite thing about your lifestyle? 
Probably how I get such a different perspective on life than the average kid my age. That gives me a lot of stuff to write about!

I would say so. What it’s like to travel so much? 
First off, it can get a lot more tiring than most people realize. Second of all, when you do it often enough, you fall into a routine and when I’m home too long at a time, I actually begin missing it. That hasn’t happened for a long time though! I really like getting to see new places and meeting new people. It’s fun. 

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be? 
Huh? I’ve never heard someone ask my dad that question before on an interview. I haven’t really thought about it I guess. Is this going on the record? 

It is, but don’t worry, you don’t have to come up with an answer. Let me ask another question: Are you involved in your dad’s career? If so, how? 
Ok, thanks for letting me off the hook! Yes, I am involved in my dad’s career. I travel around with him a lot. I help carry his instruments, I work with selling our books, DVD’s and CD’s, and I talk to people. That kind of stuff. I’d say the biggest thing I do though is just being there. Being a family means a lot to us. 

Aww, that sounds so lovely. On the same train of questions: How much time do you get to spend with your dad? Do you get pestered in school because your dad’s famous? 
Well... Let’s see. I would say I get to spend a lot more time with my dad than most kids, because I travel around with him and Mom. Do I get pestered at school because my dad’s famous? No, because I’m home-schooled. Which rocks, just sayin’. 

Oh right, you already said that, didn’t you? Sorry, I didn’t think to remove it from my list of questions. 
That’s fine. I didn’t think anything of it! 

You seem to be really good at answering these questions. Why is that? 
Really? Aww, that’s sweet of you! I guess it’s because I have been interviewed a lot, plus people come up and ask these sorts of questions all the time. 

Interviewed a lot? What does that mean? 
Well often times when my dad is on TV or the radio or in front of an audience, people think it adds interest to have me come up and answer a few questions, so I do. 

And that doesn’t bother you? You don’t freeze up when you’re in front of a large group? 
Naw, I guess that’s what comes with being raised like I was. I mean, I know I sometimes mess up and give stupid or non-sense answers, but I don’t beat myself up over it, because I know I did my best. 

Wow, that’s impressive. 
Thank you, Miss Aidyl.

Well, it looks like we’ve run out of time here, but there’s still some questions I have for you to answer that I’ll be posting on my blog. Thank you so much, Lydia, for joining us for today. 
It was fun! Thanks for having me! 

You’re quite welcome. And peoples, head on over to my blog to find the answers to the rest of Lydia’s interview questions.


To find out what I like best about writing, and to get the answer to the true or false question, check out THIS blog tomorrow





Now, on to the best part of the post! Aidyl is giving away one copy of her book for one lucky blog reader!

*GIVEAWAY OPEN TO US CITIZENS ONLY!!*

Be sure to share this giveaway with friends, and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: Jesus

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Bible Verse Wednesday: Seed Sown

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop---some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.
Mark 4:18-20

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Broadway Tuesday: Edwin Drood

Hello, everyone! Today I decided to share some more songs from the musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood." Here are some highlights from the version with Stephanie J. Block. Enjoy!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Book Review Monday: It's YOUR Turn!

Hello, everyone!
I do not have a review for you today because it is YOUR turn to write a review!

I want to encourage you to think of the last book you read.

Have it?

Okay. Now, I want you to think about what you thought about that book you read.

Remember?

Now, write down your opinions of that story.

Okay?

That was easy. Now all you have to do is post your review to a site like Amazon. See? Painless.


Now, I know that the art of writing reviews is not that easy. But after you have read a book, I strongly urge you to please, please, please write a review of it and post it on a site. It helps the author, and it helps the future buyers. The review doesn't have to be eloquent and perfect. Just tell other people what you thought.



You may be thinking, "Well, Heather is only writing  a post about writing reviews because she wants us to write a review of her book."

This is partially true, but these reviews are truly beneficial to everyone. I would, however, really love for you to write and post a review of "Swept to Sea" when you finish reading it, if you do read it. Authors treasure reviews and get excited when they see a new one. The ratings help others find the book and decide whether they want to buy it or not.

And, I encourage you to post an honest review. I would like you to think twice before writing a one-star review, because I have found those to almost always be needlessly hurtful and harmful to the book. But if you didn't like the book, either don't review it, or tell the truth. Most authors would prefer if you would not review it if you are going to give it a terribly negative review.


Anyway, I really want to ask you to go out, think of a book you have read, and try your hand at reviewing it.

Here is the link to Swept to Sea on Amazon if you want to post a review there.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: Glory In The Heavens

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
Psalm 8:1

Friday, November 29, 2013

Writing Friday: Break Time!

Hello, my friends!

First of all, I wanted to mention to my writer friends who are participating in NaNo that there are only a couple of days left for you guys. How are you doing on your goals?

Anyway, on to the post.

Since I have a bit of a break off of school for a couple of days in honor of Thanksgiving, I have more time to write. And that makes me happy! :)

When do you have time to write?


I know I try to write a little bit each day before bed, and a little bit more on the weekends. Basically, I try to write whenever I can, but I do not always end up doing so. I try to get my homework done at school or as soon as I can in order to save more time to write.

Then, on the lucky times I have a longer break, like I do right now over Thanksgiving, I try to write even more. I have whole days off at a time where I could almost write all day long if I want to do so.


When do you write, and how often do you write? Do you write in sporadic large chunks, or daily little bits? Somewhere in-between? I would love to hear from you! :)




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


Hello, friends! I am pleased to tell you I have an update on this post. As you may know, my novel, Swept to Sea, was released on Tuesday!

Yaaaay!

I posted a link to it the other day, but today I have the link to it's Amazon page. 

Please take a look at it and share it if you can.

Thanks!





Thursday, November 28, 2013

Music Thursday: I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair

Hello, everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Today I thought I would share another song from South Pacific with you.

Here is "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" performed by the lovely and talented Kelli O'Hara.

I hope you enjoy it, and enjoy Thanksgiving Day!
:D


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Book Review Wednesday: Until That Distant Day Cover Reveal

As you can tell from today's new title, I am sharing a cover reveal with you today.

It is Jill Stengl's Birthday today, and I am participating in her blog tour for her book's cover reveal.

Here's some info about the book and an excerpt.


BACK COVER COPY:

Paris, France
1792

Colette DeMer and her brother Pascoe are two sides of the same coin, dependent upon one another in the tumultuous world of the new Republic. Together they labor with other leaders of the sans-culottes to ensure freedom for all the downtrodden men and women of France.

But then the popular uprisings turn bloody and the rhetoric proves false. Suddenly, Colette finds herself at odds with Pascoe and struggling to unite her fractured family against the lure of violence. Charged with protecting an innocent young woman and desperately afraid of losing one of her beloved brothers, Colette doesn’t know where to turn or whom to trust as the bloodshed creeps ever closer to home.
Until that distant day when peace returns to France, can she find the strength to defend her loved ones . . . even from one another?

Coming April 25, 2014

____________

EXCERPT FROM THE STORY:

Until That Distant Day
Opening of Chapter 1
I was born believing that the world was unfair and that I was the person to make it right.
One of my earliest memories is of Papa setting me atop a nail keg in the forge; I could not have been older than two at the time.
“Colette, give Papa a kiss,” he said, tapping his cheek.
“Why?”
“Come and sit on my knee.”
“Why?”
My response to every order was the same, asked with genuine curiosity. I did not understand why his watching friends chuckled. Why should I press my lips to Papa’s sweaty, prickly cheek? Why should I hop down from the keg, where he had just placed me, and run to sit on his knee, a most uncomfortable perch? I felt justified in requesting a reason for each abrupt order, yet he never bothered to give me one.
Mama, when thus questioned, provided an answer in the form of a sharp swat. This I could respect as definitive authority, although the reasoning behind it remained dubious.
My little brother Pascoe was born believing that the world was his to command. As soon as he acquired his first vocabulary word, “No,” he and I joined ranks in defiance of established authority.
Many impediments cluttered the path of destiny in those early years: parents, thirteen other siblings, physical ailments, and educational difficulties. And as we grew into adulthood, more serious matters intervened, even parting us for a time. But I will speak more of that later. For now, let me assure you that, no matter the obstacles thrown in our way, our sibling bond seemed indissoluble; the love between us remained unaffected by any outside relationship.
Pascoe and I were young adults when revolutionaries in Paris threw aside the tyranny of centuries and established a new government based on the Rights of Man. From the seclusion of our little village in Normandy we rejoiced over each battle fought and won; and when our local physician, Doctor Hilliard, who had first mentored then employed Pascoe for several years, was elected as deputy to the National Assembly from our district, a whole new world opened at our feet.
My story truly begins on a certain day in the spring of 1792, in the little domain I had made for myself in the kitchen at the back of Doctor Hilliard’s Paris house. Perhaps it wasn’t truly my domain, for it did not belong to me. I was merely the doctor’s housekeeper and could lay no real claim. Nevertheless, the kitchen was more mine than anything had ever been, and I loved that small, dark room; especially during the hours when sunlight slanted through the bubbled-glass kitchen windows, making bright, swirling shapes on the whitewashed walls, or each evening when I arranged my latest culinary creation on a platter and left it in the warming oven for the doctor to discover whenever he arrived home. That kitchen was my home. Not the home I had grown up in, but the home I had always craved.
On that particular day, however, it did not feel the safe haven I had always believed it to be. Loud voices drifted down from the upper floor where the doctor and Pascoe were in conference, disturbing my calm. When I closed the connecting door to the dining room, the angry voices drifted in through the open kitchen windows. I couldn’t close the windows; I might smother of heat. Yet I needed to block out the sound, to make it stop.
So I slipped a filet of sole into a greased skillet and let it brown until golden on both sides. The hiss and sizzle did not quite cover the shouting, but it helped. Then I slid the fish onto a waiting plate lined with sautéed vegetables fresh from my kitchen garden; and I topped all with an herbed wine-and-butter sauce. A grind of fresh pepper finished off my creation.
But my hands were still trembling, and I felt as if something inside me might fall to pieces.
Pascoe often shouted. Shouting was part of his fiery nature, a normal event. He shouted when he gave speeches at section meetings. He shouted about overcooked meals or inferior wines. He shouted when his lace jabot refused to fall into perfect folds.
But never before had I heard Doctor Hilliard raise his voice in anger.
Doctor Hilliard was never angry. Doctor Hilliard never displayed emotion. At most, he might indicate approval by the glance of a benevolent eye or disapprobation by the merest lift of a brow. Yet there could be no mistaking the two furious voices overhead. I well knew Pascoe’s sharp tenor with its sarcastic edge; but now I also heard the doctor’s resonant voice crackling with fury.
I managed to slide the hot plate into the warmer alongside a crusty loaf of bread and closed the door, using a doubled towel to protect my shaking hands.
Behind me the connecting door was flung open, and Pascoe burst in as I spun to face him. “Gather your things; we are leaving,” he growled. His eyes blazed in his pale face, and the jut of his jaw allowed for no questions. He clapped his tall hat on his head as he passed through the room.
I donned my bonnet and sabots and picked up my parasol. “What has happened?” I asked just above a whisper.
“I’ll tell you once we are away from this house.” His lips snapped tight. His chest heaved with emotion, and he grasped a portfolio so tightly that his fingers looked white.
I could not recall the last time I had seen my brother in such a rage.

____________


AUTHOR BIO:

Jill Stengl is the author of numerous romance novels including Inspirational Reader's Choice Award- and Carol Award-winning Faithful Traitor, and the bestselling novella, Fresh Highland Heir. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin, where she enjoys her three cats, teaching a high school English Lit. class, playing keyboard for her church family, and sipping coffee on the deck as she brainstorms for her next novel.





Learn more about the book here.



Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Swept to Sea is PUBLISHED

Hello, everyone, friends and readers, ladies and gentlemen. I interrupt your normal scheduling with an IMPORTANT announcement!

My novel, Swept to Sea, is OFFICIALLY published as of today.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!


I will write a more detailed post later on this week.


If you want to help me promote my novel or anything, or participate in reviewing it, please email me through the "contact me" part of my blog.

If you don't have an e-reader, don't worry. This is available in many compatible formats, including one which you can read on your very own computer. :)

As for now, here are some links:

You can purchase Swept to Sea on the website of my publisher, Astraea Press.

You can also buy Swept to Sea on Amazon, here.

I will have more sites available later.

Isn't my cover absolutely GORGEOUS????



Broadway Tuesday: A Wonderful Guy

Hello, everyone!

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of seeing the musical South Pacific at a local high school. It was a fabulous production of a show that I love.

Here is "A Wonderful Guy" from South Pacific, performed by the talented Kelli O'Hara.


Monday, November 25, 2013

Bible Verse Monday: Patient

You may notice that today's post has a different title than normal.

This is because I am participating in a cover reveal tour that is a secret until Wednesday, so I will switch those two day's posts around.

Here is today's Bible verse.



Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Proverbs 14:29

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: Open My Eyes

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 
Psalm 119:18

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Writing Friday: Update

Hello, everyone! Thanks for stopping by today. 

I just realized that I may have not told you this officially yet, but I signed my very first book contract this summer. :) 
So, you will be seeing my novel, Swept to Sea, out in the market soon through Astraea Press. So keep an eye out, please! 

Anyway, I thought I'd give you an update on what in doing. 

I finished ALL of my final edits on Swept to Sea, so I am completely finished working on that. 

Right now I am working on its sequel, the second in the Ladies of the Caribbean trilogy, Carried Home. This focuses on Swept to Sea's minor characters, Ivy and Gage. 


I am also working on writing a play because of my Coterie Theatre Young Playwrights Roundtable group. This play is in it's beginning stages so it is hard to describe, but it involves a romance between two very different teenagers in the swamps of modern-day Louisiana. 
It's different from what I normally write, but I am enjoying it. 

Are you writing at all? Do you mind sharing what it's about?
  

Music Thursday: Red and Black

Hello everyone!

I'm only accessing my blog from my grumpy phone today. So, sadly, I cannot share a song with you. 
Before I planned to share Red and Black from the 25th Anniversary concert of Les Mis, so you could see Hadley Fraser being Grantaire. 
Oh well. You can search YouTube for that if you want. 
Have a great day!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Bible Verse Wednesday: Live In Peace

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Broadway Tuesday: Love Will Stand

Hello! On Thursday, I saw Memphis, and on Sunday, I saw Les Mis.

So, today I thought it would be fitting to share a song from Memphis.  Here is "Love Will Stand"  performed by Bryan Fenkart and Felicia Boswell. (who, by the way, were the first two I saw live, last year. The two leads I saw on Thursday were not nearly as awesome.)

Monday, November 18, 2013

Book Review Monday: What Once Was Lost

Hello, everyone!

I finally have a book review for you today.

I just finished reading What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Here's a little bit about it:

"A woman meant to serve, a child in the dark, a man standing apart—can these three souls embrace a God with new plans for them?
On a small Kansas farm, Christina Willems lovingly shepherds a group of poor and displaced individuals who count on her leadership and have come to see the Brambleville Asylum for the Poor as their home. But when a fire breaks out in the kitchen leaving the house uninhabitable, she must scramble to find shelter for all in her care, scattering her dear “family.”

With no other options, Christina is forced to approach Levi Jonnson, a reclusive mill owner, to take in a young blind boy named Tommy Kilgore. Levi agrees with reluctance but finds himself surprised by the bond that quickly grows between him and Tommy. As obstacles to repairing the farm pile up against Christina, she begins to question her leadership ability and wonders if she can fulfill the mission to which she's dedicated her life. And when an old adversary challenges Christina, will she find an unlikely ally—or more—in the aloof Levi? Can Levi reconcile with the rejection that led to his hermit-like existence and open his heart and life to something more, especially a relationship with a loving God?"



Now, here's what I thought:

This was a good story. It had interesting and lovable characters, and I was hoping for a story that a really really loved reading. While this was good, it is not one of my favorites my far. For some reason it dragged on a little for me. I hate to say anything bad about a book, but if I am going to be completely honest, I must say that it dragged a bit.

I liked Christina, the loving asylum owner, and Levi, the reclusive mill owner. I especially enjoyed reading about Tommy, the little blind boy in Christina's care. After the fire destroys the asylum, Tommy is sent to live with Levi until they can rebuild.

Tommy and Levi grow unexpectedly close, but troubles arise when the town learns the fire may not have been an accident.

I would have liked for a little more interacting between Christina and Levi, but overall it was a good read. I liked the overall themes of the story.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

To read an excerpt, or buy the book, click here.

Don't forget to stop by next week!


Have you read any books by Kim Vogel Sawyer?



Sunday, November 17, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: Hear the Word

Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;
proclaim it in distant coastlands.
Jeremiah 31:10a

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Music Thursday: No Good Can Come From Bad

Since I just shared some songs from The Mystery of Edwin Drood the other day, I decided to share another song. Enjoy "No Good Can Come From Bad."

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Bible Verse Wednesday: Eagle's Wings

But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Broadway Tuesday: The Mystery of Edwin Drood



Hello, everyone! This weekend I got to see the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Now, if you aren't familiar with the musical, it is based on the novel by Charles Dickens. This book was sadly unfinished by the time the author died.
So, how was a musical made of this unfinished mystery, you ask? The musical has multiple endings. The audience gets to vote for which character is the the detective, which is the killer, and which two are lovers. 
I really, really love this idea. It is interactive and keeps the audience and actors on their toes.
My favorite two characters were Neville and Helena, brother and sister from some exotic middle-eastern country. They were absolutely hilarious.
Anyway, here is a compilation of some of the songs from the entertaining show. By the way, Stephanie J. Block was in the production you are seeing in the video! How cool is that?  


Monday, November 11, 2013

Book Review Monday: No Review Today

Hello, everyone!

Sadly, I do not have a review for you today. I spent most of last week working on my own book, instead of reading one.

But next week, I shall hopefully be back in the process of reading and will have a review for you.

I am terribly sorry about that.


Thank you so much for stopping by!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: My Redeemer Lives

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 
Job 19:25

Friday, November 8, 2013

Writing Friday: Edits Finished!

Hello, everyone!

I wanted to tell you that I successfully completed my final edits of Swept to Sea. I caught *hopefully* all of the little misspellings and mistakes, and made it as close as it will get to perfect.

Celebrate with me with some cake!


This took up most of my week, so that is why you missed out on some of my posts.

But today, I'm back, so you should be hopefully getting more regular posts from me. 

Don't forget, if you want to not miss a post, to either follow me by email, Facebook, or Twitter.

To all of my writer friends who are doing NaNoWriMo, I hope you're doing well!

What would you like to see more of in these posts? Please tell me in the comments section!


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Bible Verse Wednesday

No verse today, I am sorry.

Check back tomorrow!

In the meantime, tell me your favorite Bible verse!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Broadway Tuesday: No Music Today!

Sorry, I didn't have time to find a song for you today. I am taking a blogging break for most of this week.

In the meantime, please tell me your favorite musical currently! Comment away! :)

Monday, November 4, 2013

Book Review Monday: No Review!

Hello, everyone!

Sadly, I have no review for you today. I've been involved with helping with a local theatre production, and I have my very first deadline for my novel and now I am very busy.

So, while reading through my own novel for any mistakes, I have not had a lot of time to spare to read just for the fun of it. That means I have no review for you today.

However, when I do have time, I am reading "What Once Was Lost" by Kim Vogel Sawyer.
I like it so far!

Thanks for stopping by. :) Have a good week!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: Serve Others

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Peter 4:10

Friday, November 1, 2013

Writing Friday: A Writer's Life Is a Busy Life

Hello, everyone!

Happy November, and happy NaNoWriMo to my writer friends who are participating in it!

I am very busy so I can only do a short post today.
I just wanted to tell you how busy I am with writing right now. I just got my first deadline, and I'm very excited about that, but that also means I need to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time.

So, while I am proof-reading Swept to Sea, I will not have as much time to do these posts on top of my editing, reading, and writing.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by today! If you have any suggestions for later blog posts, please tell me in the comments. I want to hear them! :)

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Music Thursday: As Long As You're Mine

Hello!
Happy Halloween! Are you dressing up as anyone? I'm going to be Rose from Titanic.
 Since this week (yesterday, precisely) is the 10th Anniversary of WICKED I thought I would share another song from it with you. Here is a wonderful rendition of "As Long As You're Mine." (I love this song!)




Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Bible Verse Wednesday: You Will Be Saved

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Broadway Tuesday: No Good Deed

Hello!
Did you know tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of the musical Wicked???
Yay Wicked!

So, today, here is one of my favorite songs from it: "No Good Deed."

Enjoy!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Book Review Monday: Re-Post of Elusive Hope Review

Hello, everyone!
I hope you had a fabulous weekend. 
Today, I am re-posting my review and post about Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall, in honor of Elusive Hope finally being released. GO AND BUY A COPY BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING!

You can participate in the author's pre-release party here on her blog.

On to the post.


Eeeeeeeep!

Guys, I just finished reading Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall. I'm so happy that I got to read it early, but soooo sad it's over already. :(

If you don't know already, Elusive Hope is the sequel to Forsaken Dreams, an equally great book. To know what I thought of Forsaken Dreams, click this link to see my review.

*Forsaken Dreams is free on amazon right now!!!!!!! Snatch it up for no cost while you can!*


Anyway, on to my review of Elusive Hope.

First of all, here is a little bit about the book, taken from amazon: "Embark on an exotic adventure in Book 2 of the Escape to Paradise series from bestselling author MaryLu Tyndall. In the fledgling colony of New Hope, their friends struggle to create a Southern utopia in Brazil soon after the Civil War. But Hayden is seeking revenge—relentlessly. And Magnolia is seeking a way out—desperately. They both seek to use the other for their own purposes—deceptively. Falling in love was never part of their plans. . . ."

Now, here is what I thought.

It took me about two weeks to read Elusive Hope, and I can assure that it was not because I did not enjoy reading it. No, I wanted it to last as long as I could possibly make it last. Which was still not long enough.

I am pretty sure that Elusive Hope was better than the book before it in the Escape to Destiny trilogy, Forsaken Dreams, if that is even possible. Every single word was masterfully written, and I loved every second of this novel.

Magnolia hates life in the fledgling Southern Utopia in Brazil her family forced her to move to. So, she sets her mind to running away, and going home, back where she hopes her fiance is still waiting for her. It turns out, Hayden, the charming man she regularly refers to as a toad, seems to be her ticket out. She braves the task of a multiple-day journey through the jungles of Brazil with Hayden to get to Rio in order to catch a ship back to the United States.

Trouble is, Hayden doesn't plan on returning her to America. Hayden plans on doing what he, the confidence man, does best--swindle Magnolia out of her money.

The toiling trek to the jungle brings these two unlikely people together in ways they never would have suspected.

On the side, there are reoccurring creepy things happening in this creepy jungle including mysterious black mist, an abandoned cannibal's dwelling, reoccurring visions of people from all the character's pasts, and some dark forces that have been unleashed. Some of the scenes were written so well they actually had me kind of scared, as if I were right there with the characters.

Oh, by the way, there are pirates in this book! So I obviously loved that part. :)

The characters are wonderfully developed. I felt like I knew them personally! And, to top that, I felt Magnolia's pain in trekking through the blisteringly hot jungle in all of her underskirts and hoops and high heels.
I loved how Magnolia's character grew and changed throughout the novel, and I loved Hayden from the beginning and even more by the time I was finished reading.


All together, this is an absolutely lovely piece of writing and I think it has something in it to entertain everyone. I recommend it to all of my friends!





BUY Elusive Hope here!

I hope you found my review helpful! Have you read Forsaken Dreams, or anything else by MaryLu Tyndall?

Have you read anything about the US reconstructing after the Civil War?

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Bible Verse Sunday: Praise

Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 
1 Chronicles 16:8

Friday, October 25, 2013

Writing Friday: Research in Museums

Hello!
Sorry this post is up late. For some reason Blogger wasn't letting me post...that's why yesterday's was late in coming up, too. Then, the pictures literally took days to upload.
Anyway, I promised I would share some photos of the museum I went to last week.
First off, I wanted to tell you I have been considering setting a novel in Golden in the mid-late 1800s.
So, this trip was partially a research one for me. I found tons of tidbits that I would love to use in a future novel, so that was awesome,
Okay, here are some photos. I took way more than this, but I will only show some so you don't have you dig through hundreds. ;)
Enjoy!