Bible Verse Sunday: He Gives You Strength

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Phil 4: 13

Writing Friday: My Setting, Part One

Okay, so last week I talked about settings with you.
I promised to talk to you about my setting this week for "Swept to Sea".

Most of my novel takes place aboard Captain Caspian Archer's ship, Dawn's Mist. His ship is a square-rigged galley that is used for privateering. It can sail relatively fast for a ship of its size.

Dawn's Mist is one of Caspian's most prized possessions.

It affects the story in multiple ways. For one, it forces Caspian and Eden in a small space together during their voyage to the Caribbean. Eden always runs from any trouble she faces, but she cannot exactly do that on a ship when she is confined to such a small space. It also plays a huge part in a lot of the action in my storyline.

At the beginning of my novel, when I'm in Eden's point of view, I describe Caspian's ship darkly, because she is frightened by it.
However, at the beginning through Caspian's point of view, I describe his ship pleasantly, because he adores sailing.

You see how the setting affects the story? Do you think this sounds like an interesting setting?

Music Thursday: Done

So, as you saw from my past few Music Thursday posts, I like The Band Perry.
Here they are singing a cute song called "Done".
Don't you love their music video?

Bible Verse Wednesday: God Has Plans for You

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jer 29: 11

Broadway Tuesday: Welcome to Munchkinland

Because I miss rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz, I thought I would share this clip with you from the West End production of the musical. Here is "Welcome to Munchkinland". I'm sure you have seen the movie of The Wizard of Oz, but did you know Andrew Lloyd Weber did this a couple of years ago?

Book Review Monday: Sharpshooter in Petticoats

You all know if you have followed me long enough that Mary Connealy is awesome. Awesome. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
Okay? Okay.

So today I'm going to give you a review of her third book in the Sophie's Daughters Trilogy, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.
*just so you know I haven't quite finished reading this yet, but I feel that I know enough from reading what I have read to do a review*
Anyway, here's a description I got from CBD:

"Sharpshooter Mandy McClellen Gray is a self-sufficient widow who wants nothing more than to live on her mountain and raise her children--alone. But how long can she hold off outlaws determined to steal her gold? Tom Linscott has his hands full with breeding horses and raising cattle. Yet when he hears outlaws have Mandy trapped, he's danged if he's gonna leave her to fend for herself. But how can you rescue a woman who refuses to be saved? Who will win this battle of wills--Mandy, Tom, or the outlaws who want nothing better than to silence them both?"

Here are my thoughts:

First of all, I want to let you know I have NOT found my copy of this book yet. I had to get it from the library. :(

Anyway, amazing book. I have known the characters for so long from this series and other series, that it was awesome to see them finally get together. 

Mandy Mclellen has become known as "Lady Gray" by those around her. To protect herself and her three children from gold-seeking outlaws, she has holed herself up in the mansion her worthless first husband built. When Tom Linscott hears about this, he climbs up a cliff to rescue her--and she refuses to be rescued. So, naturally, he "kidnaps" her children, forcing her to join him. 

Mandy does not want to involve this poor man in her life, which will no doubt get him killed. 

This book is awesome. It's full of action, romance, and perfect comedy. Mary Connealy is a genius. I would be lucky if I could write only a tiny bit like her.

So, what are you reading? Mary Connealy is one of my favorite authors. Who are your favorite authors?

Bible Verse Sunday: Live Accordingly to the Word

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

By living according to your word.

Psalm 119:9

Writing Friday: Settings

Settings! What's a setting? A time and a place ... but yet a setting can be so much more than that. 

Setting sets the tone for a story that influences the characters and their actions. The setting itself can be a character. 

Setting also can alter a story quite a bit.  Just imagine how different any historical novel would be if it were to jump into the future. Or vice versa.

Next week I'll do a post telling you about the setting of my novel, Swept to Sea.

But today, I want you to give me examples of setting. What's the setting of the book you're reading right now? Or the book you're writing if you are writing one?

Also, for extra credit: how does the setting of the book you are reading affect your characters?

See you all next week!

Music Thursday: Blown Away

I love music videos that tell a story. I don't like ones that just randomly show people singing and playing instruments. This may be because I love musical theatre, which also tells a story.

Anyway, for today I thought I would share another great music video with you, one that has an amazing story line and set.

Here is "Blown Away" by Carrie Underwood.

Bible Verse Wednesday: Love the Lord Your God

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5

Broadway Tuesday: Catch Me If You Can

Just last week I got to see the amazing musical "Catch Me If You Can" at the Starlight Theatre.

It was a great production! I was surprised how much I liked it. It was very funny.
Here is a video of the Broadway production in a preview (with Aaron Tveit!)
Also, keep in mind this is a preview, so it doesn't have all the amazing awesome costuming the stage version has.

Book Review Monday: Paradox

Hello, everyone!
Instead of writing a book review today, I have the honor of participating in Brian McBride's cover reveal for his soon-to-be released novel, Paradox.
Exciting, right?
I know Brian from an awesome group called Go Teen Writers.
Paradox is a Christian fantasy novel aimed at the young adult audience (14-18).

Paradox is (being) self-published by Outskirts Press and is the debut novel of seventeen-year-old author Brian McBride.

I am so proud that Brian is publishing his first book at only seventeen years old! Yay for him!

Here is a little bit about Paradox: "Four troubled teens, two worlds, one God, one goal: to defeat the Darkness before it's too late. When David, his twin sister Alicia, and their two best friends, Jake and Hannah, stumble through a portal and into another world, Paragon, they discover that they are not who they thought they were... they are descendants of an ancient race known as Starcrafters, and they've been endowed with God-given abilities - impossible abilities.
They train and learn to harness their abilities. Now, they are ready to take on the Dark Prince.
Their attack on the prince is interrupted, however, when they are taken by a group known as the Renegades who are after universal domination by means of an artifact known as the Paradox Stone.
They must escape the Renegades, retrieve the stone, and defeat the Darkness; all while learning to trust one another and work as a team, and to put their faith in the one true God."

Sounds like a good book to me! Here are some places you can find Brian.

Facebook

Blog

Goodreads

And, be sure to take a look at Paradox on Goodreads.

Now, finally, the moment you've been waiting for ... here is the official cover of Paradox!

Isn't that a great cover? I love it.

Do you think Paradox looks like something you would read? Tell me!

Bible Verse Sunday: Do Not Be Afraid

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Writing Friday: Swept to Sea Blurb

I realized that I have been telling you all about all of my characters, but I've never specifically told you about the actual story.
So, as I promised last week, I am going to share with you the back cover copy of Swept to Sea.

Here it is:

Lady Eden Trenton never wanted to leave her privileged existence in London—until her father invites a dangerous suitor into her life. Left with few options, Eden devises the best reprieve she can: escape. Chasing freedom, she stows away aboard a pirate ship, praying she will gain her independence in the colonies before she is discovered by the nefarious crew.

Captain Caspian Archer has spent the last five years hardening his heart and searching to exact revenge for the event that tore his life to shreds. When he catches word that his enemy is residing in Jamaica, Caspian steers his ship toward the colonies in all haste. His plans soon change, however, when he discovers the young beauty hiding in his ship’s hold.


Cut from the only lives they have known, Caspian and Eden are pulled together as each pursues a fresh hope upon the sea.

Do you think it looks good? I hope so! 

I will leave you with some awesome pictures.

Music Thursday: All Your Life

Hi!
So last week I posted a song from The Band Perry. Because they are so awesome, I will do that again this week.
This is a good song from them (not my absolutely favorite, but I still like it a lot) and it's music video is really cool.
Here is All Your Life by The Band Perry.

Isn't this such a neat video?

Bible Verse Wednesday: Thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

Broadway Tuesday: Annie

The Tony Awards were this Sunday! They are the one time of year when musical theatre is on television. I was one happy Heather. I went to a viewing party at a local theatre and had a good time.

Here was a good performance at the Tony's: the cast of Annie sang "It's the Hard Knock Life" and "Little Girls". By the way, Annie was the very first musical I saw live. :)

Did you watch the Tony's? What was your favorite performance? If you didn't watch, do you watch any other awards shows?

Book Review Monday: Doctor in Petticoats

Okay, as promised, I finished reading Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy. (Check last week's post for more info on it)

Here's a book description from Amazon: "What happens when an idealistic student nurse encounters an embittered army doctor in a stagecoach accident? How will she react when she learns her training didn’t prepare her for tragic reality? How will he, an army deserter, respond to needs when he vowed to never touch another patient? Can these two stubborn mules find common ground on which to work and bring healing to West Texas?"

What I thought: Amazing books, as always from this wonderful author. I loved Both Alex and Beth. They may be some of my favorite characters from Mary Connealy. The plot was great and very unique. Humor was in every chapter, so it was definitely not a disappointment. The second half of this book was just as amazing as the first, and I definitely recommend it. 

Sadly, I have a copy of the next book in the series, Wrangler in Petticoats, BUT I CANNOT FIND IT AND IT MAKES ME SAD. I really want to read it ...

Poor me. Anyway, what do you think of this book?

Bible Verse Sunday: The Son

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. John 3:36

Writing Friday: Interview

Hello, everyone!

I did my first-ever interview as an author yesterday. You can find it on Caitlin Hensley's blog. (click on the name to visit it, and leave a comment there if you want)

I'm going to do another interview on another blog later this month. Sorry today's post was kind of short. I'm relying on you to hop over to Caitlin's blog for your daily dose of Heather. :)
Next week, I will let you read a blurb about my novel, Swept to Sea.

What do you think of interviews with authors? Do you love to read them? Are you more likely to pick up someone's book if you have read an interview featuring the author?

Music Thursday: If I Die Young

Okay, I know that it's rare for me to share a song that is not in some way related to musical theatre, but today I am going to do just that.

I love The Band Perry. They are an awesome country band that consists of a young woman and her two brothers.

All of their music videos are beautiful and their songs are really good. This is coming from a person who pretty much only listens to musical theatre, so it's rare for me to love a "pop"-ish song or group.

Here is The Band Perry singing "If I Die Young".

It's absolutely beautiful.

What is your favorite kind of music?  Do you have a favorite style or band?

Bible Verse Wednesday: Glory

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

Romans 8:18

Broadway Tuesday: Miss Saigon

Ah!
I'm so sorry that I didn't post this earlier today.
For Broadway Tuesday, I'm going to share a song from the musical Miss Saigon.
Here is Ramin Karimloo singing "Why God?"

Have you heard of Miss Saigon? Whoever tells me who wrote it gets imaginary brownies! :)

Book Review Monday: Not Quite a Review

Right now I am in the middle of reading Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy.

I cannot quite give you a review yet, because I haven't finished it, but I promise I will next week.

So far, I can tell you I love it. The main character is Beth, the daughter of Sophie, who was the main character of the amazing book Petticoat Ranch.

It is awesome. So many characters from so many other Mary Connealy books make appearances in this series, that I recommend you read the others before this for all of the coolness to make sense to you. :) You can go to Mary Connealy's website for a guide to her series.

Anyway, I am loving this book and I'll give you a full review on next Monday.

Here's a book description from Amazon: "What happens when an idealistic student nurse encounters an embittered army doctor in a stagecoach accident? How will she react when she learns her training didn’t prepare her for tragic reality? How will he, an army deserter, respond to needs when he vowed to never touch another patient? Can these two stubborn mules find common ground on which to work and bring healing to West Texas?"

I can't wait to finish this book. What are you reading now? Have you read any Mary Connealy books?

Bible Verse Sunday: Be Still

"Be still, and know that I am God." 

Psalm 46:10