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

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! :)




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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!

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

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

From Rooglewood Press

____________

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.

Participate in a giveaway here.

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.

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

Bible Verse Sunday: Open My Eyes

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 

Psalm 119:18

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!

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

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.)

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?

Bible Verse Sunday: Hear the Word

Hear the word of the Lord, you nations;

proclaim it in distant coastlands.

Jeremiah 31:10a

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."

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

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?  

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!

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

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!

Bible Verse Wednesday

No verse today, I am sorry.

Check back tomorrow!

In the meantime, tell me your favorite Bible verse!

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! :)

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!

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

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! :)