Tuesday, August 28, 2007

On Deadline...

I'm approaching the finish of the first draft of From a Distance which releases in spring 2008, and have really grown to love Elizabeth Westbrook and Daniel Ranslett, the main characters. It's amazing how much these people become like friends during the writing process, and how deeply I've grown to care about them. When the time comes, I hope you do too!

Jack got groomed yesterday and looked so cute. Thought I'd share a picture. I just love that little guy! I was riding the recumbent bike tonight and he kept trying to jump up and sit in my lap. So what did I do? What any respectable dog lover would...I gave him a ride! All the while thinking, "What on earth am I doing..."

One last note--if you've emailed me recently and I haven't responded yet, please know that I will. The move from CO to TN this summer, combined with unpacking, getting kids off to college, and getting this book finished has been a bit overwhelming.

I've got your emails in my Inbox and promise to answer as soon as I click "SEND" on this first draft of From a Distance. Okay, I'm going to have a Caramel Latte first, then I'll write! ;)

Monday, August 27, 2007

Latest in Christian Fiction

Check out this great cover from Days & Hours, Susan Meissner's newest novel. It hits the shelves today!

Days & Hours is the third installment of the Rachael Flynn mystery series. The heroine is a 30-year-old defense attorney-turned-prosecutor who works in the Ramsey County Attorneys office in St. Paul, MN.
She lives in a loft apartment across the river in Minneapolis (and she used to travel that bridge that collapsed!!) with her artist husband, Trace.


Trace has a circle of highly artistic friends, one in particular named Fig, who help her pick apart crime scenes by sketching possible scenarios. With their help and her gift-like insights into the human condition, Rachael assists St Paul homicide detective, Will Pendleton, solve tough cases.

When Susan Meissner was a guardian ad litem for the state of Minnesota, she was introduced to the world of the single mother who lives in poverty, dependent on the state, and often woefully unprepared for motherhood.

Susan delved into that world in Days & Hours, paying particular attention to the stigma we place on the stuck-on-welfare mom. They are not a one-size fits all demographic. Some cannot find success no matter how hard they try. Some simply don’t try. Most love their children as best they can. Many know it takes more than love to raise a child, but they have no other resources at their disposal. Susan doesn’t pretend to offer answers, just raise awareness.
When you have a minute, check out Days & Hours.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Latest in Christian Fiction

Here's a new book by my friend, Mark Mynheir. Mark's a police officer and a fabulous speaker. I've heard him speak on a couple of occasions--hysterical guy and really knows his stuff. And he's a great writer!

Check out his latest book, The Void.

Someone’s trying to play God…and he’s turning Palm Bay into hell.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Robbie Sanchez devotes her life to crime prevention, and it shows: She has no personal life and doesn’t know the meaning of a day off. After all, someone has to be around to clean up the mess crime leaves behind.


So when Officer Brad Worthington is brutally murdered, Agent Sanchez is called to the scene along with Brad’s best friend, Detective Eric Casey. The two turn to Lifetex, the genetics lab near the scene, hoping their elaborate security system might have captured the crime outside.


But what’s going on inside the lab is far worse: a renegade scientist is cloning humans! As Robbie and Eric pursue clues–and a growing attraction–they are caught in a deadly battle as the clones begin to act on their own volition…but this battle threatens to claim more than human life; the clones are vying for human souls.

"The Void is nothing short of a page-turner. Mynheir is truly hitting his stride as one of our industry's most notable Christian novelists. This latest book has it all: suspense, humor, intrigue, realistic police action, and one thought-provoking story line."
-- Creston Mapes, author of Nobody


Mark Mynheir is a cop writer. He has authored Rolling Thunder and From the Belly of the Dragon. During his career as a police officer, Mark has worked as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective. Mark and his wife, Lori, live with their three children in central Florida.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Off to College...

This weekend we moved our kids into their college dorms. We had a fun time sweating in the nearly 100 degree temps as we moved in bedding and refrigerators and computers and those stackable drawer thingies with the wheels that constantly fall off. Then we did the Target and Wal-Marts runs for things we'd forgotten or that they "needed" (need being a relative term).

But I must admit, as prepared as I thought I was for the empty nest...I'm feeling a tad bit blue this morning.

I've known this weekend was coming--I've been preparing for it for the last 18 and 20 years (our son's a freshman, our daughter's a junior). I've said I was looking forward to a quiet and CLEAN house. To not having to go shopping three times a week and to not cooking (sorry honey, but if you're reading this my cooking days are over...at least until after this next deadline ).

But the house is so quiet. Even Jack is conked out at my feet, sleeping away. Oh wait, the grandfather clock just chimed, so there's something. But this is what all those years of parenting are for, right? So that when they're old enough to go, they know how to leave us. To live "without" us. I'm just surprised at how quickly all those years have flown. Ah well...I'll break out the baby albums later this afternoon, I'm sure. But for now...

I need to get to work. The first draft of From a Distance is due in two weeks and I have a ways to go yet. Oh wait---

My cell phone's ringing. It's my daughter!

We just spent the past fifteen minutes chatting. She called just to check in and to tell me how things are going. She's having fun, meeting people, and getting settled in. And yes! The topic of money did come up! LOL! And she gave me an update on her brother, saying that all is well. Maybe he'll text me later on...

I'm off to grab another Diet Dr. Pepper and one of those 100 calorie bags of popcorn. I've got a quiet house and the day before me to write.

Maybe having them off at college isn't so bad after all. ;)

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Latest in Christian Fiction

Find out about OFF THE RECORD:

Ambition is on a collision course with a secret from the past.

Judge Laurel Kincade, a rising political star, is announcing her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Her aristocratic Old South family, led by her judge grandfather, beams as she takes the podium. Then her eyes light on a reporter in the crowd…and suddenly her past becomes a threat to her future.

Journalist Cole McGaughan, religion reporter for the New York Daily Journal, has received an intriguing call from an old friend. Private investigator Matt Hogan has come across a tip…that Laurel's impeccable reputation might be a facade. Matt suggests that Cole dig up the dirt on the lovely judge in order to snag his dream job as one of the Journal's elite political reporters.

There's just one problem: Cole's history is entangles with Laurel's and he must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he'd have to pay.

A sensational scoop becomes a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Can Laurel and Cole find forgiveness and turn their hidden past into a hopeful future...while keeping their feelings off the record?

About Beth White:

Beth White is the author of Fireworks and Fair Game, as well as the critically acclaimed Texas Gatekeepers serie from Love Inspired Suspense.

In her own words, she appreciate her most valued roles as wife and mom. Beth is also a second-grade Sunday school teacher, church orchestra member (She plays flute), and artist. She loves to read, crochet, sew, go on mission trips and avoids housework.

Beth lives in Mobile with her minister husband, and is currently on staff at First Baptist Church of North Mobile (fondly known as NoMo), in Saraland, Alabama.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

W.D. Farr and Rekindled

When writing my first book, Rekindled, I had the wonderful honor and privilege of interviewing the foremost water rights expert in Colorado, Mr. W.D. Farr. I learned today that Mr. Farr died at his home early Monday afternoon.

I'll never forget sitting there with him chatting about water rights in the 1800s during our lunch at Potato Brumbaugh's, and he joked and said, "Sometimes those ditch riders forgot how to swim." Well, his story that followed (and he had so many wonderful stories) ended up being in Rekindled, along with a few others.

"He was a pioneer rancher, visionary, water expert, banker and was considered by many to be a true statesman, having served in several capacities under three presidents on the international level." (excerpt from the Greeley Tribune lead article)

He was a delightful man whose pictures of the past made me wish I'd walked some of those roads along with him.

If you'd like to read the Greeley Tribune article in its entirety, click here.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Photography in the 1870s

A friend from Colorado sent these pictures this morning and I was reminded again of how much I'm enjoying writing Elizabeth Westbrook's story (From a Distance, releasing in 2008).

Elizabeth is a photographer, a woman before her time. So not only does she view the world a bit differently, she also sees it differently than we do through her camera lens. She sees in black and white (and reversed and upside down but that's for the story...).

Check out the pictures below and see the mastery of God's handiwork--whether in living color, or in black and white, as Elizabeth might have captured it using the wet plate process.






Thanks, Delmar, for sharing these pictures.

And check back later for more recommended reads....

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

TV Interview with DeeperLiving.com

I'm back from a whirlwind overnight trip to Atlanta where I taped a show for DeeperLiving.com with show host Rebeca Seitz, Founder and President of Glass Road Public Relations. We had a great time chatting about Fountain Creek Chronicles and American Christian Fiction Writers.

DeeperLiving is "A revolutionary new TV show, spotlighting the next generation of creators, innovators, authors, artists and their products. If you love books, literacy, culture, music, art, jewelry, clothing, home decor and giftware, then you will love deeperLiving TV. A program that is all about brand new and highly creative artisans, their testimonies, and their products. So if you find yourself looking for great life enhancing products, then look no further than the fun, entertaining and informative deeperLiving TV program." Visit here for more information on the show.

Our segment will be aired either latter August or in September. I'll announce it here once I know the date. Rachel Hauck was also there (author of the wonderful NashVegas books) and we got to hug real quick before I went on.

Thanks, Rebeca, for a great chat. From now on, whenever I see dots...I'll think of you! Just watch the show and you'll know what I'm talking about. ;)

Here are some pictures following Monday's taping.

My daughter (who made the trip with me) with my mom.









And me with my parents (who live in Atlanta, so I was able to sneak in a very quick visit with them, fun!!)


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