Sunday Words of Encouragement October 4, 2009

Our Pastor's sermon today can be summarized as: God gives wisdom to those who ask!

He reminded us of this quote by Abraham Lincoln:

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day."

This song reminds us that God Is More Than Enough for our needs:

Verses for today:

James 1:5-8 (New International Version)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

We prayed for guidance in all things - financial, family, relationship and work.

Another THANK YOU Giveaway for Followers!!

I am thrilled to celebrate my 100, (okay now 104 105!), followers!! When I had my first "followers giveaway" I think I rushed the deadline and didn't give people much time to enter. So this giveaway will last for two weeks. But it is for the 105 people who are following as of this post!

This will be another $10.00 gift certificate, online or gift card, of the winner's choice so it can be accessible hopefully to international followers too!

And to keep the playing field even, it is just a one comment entry per person! Please comment to this post to enter and I would like you to mention any one other post you have noticed on my blog!  Leave your e-mail so I can contact you if you win!

The contest will remain open until October 16, 2009 at midnight central time, with the winner to be announced on Saturday morning!

Thanks again to each and every one of you for your support!!!

Interview Chat with Author Dee Julian - PART ONE!

I hope you will help me welcome Dee Julian author of The Macgregor's Daughter for a “series” interview.

I know from personal experience that it is hard sometimes to get time to read a long interview blog, so I hope you will like this format even if you have to come back several times to read the entire interview. And if commentors ask questions, I think Dee will be gracious to answer those for the next post if not in the immediate chat.

The interview will be in four parts:
Friday October 2, 2009 Part One – Questions about the writing process.
Wednesday October 7, 2009 Part Two – Questions about the book.
Friday October 9, 2009 Part Three – Questions about the publishing/promoting process.
Wednesday October 14, 2009 Part Four – A few personal questions!

PART ONE - QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WRITING PROCESS:

M:  Dee, The Macgregor’s Daughter is your debut novel and I am curious - what made you want to write in the first place?

Dee:  Movies that ended badly. Totally opposite from the romance books I’d read, these flicks did not end with the hero and heroine walking off into the sunset holding hands. They ended with break-ups or death. To me that’s not a romance. It’s a tragedy. Sure, sometimes that’s real life, but when I’m nose deep in a good book, I don’t want real life. I want fantasy. I finally realized that the only way to get a disappointing movie out of my head was to think up a really great ending. That strange ritual just naturally led me to creating a story of my own.

M:  Now that is an inspiration I had never heard!! But I see your point Dee. I guess that’s why I read more than I watch movies.

Would you say you write from experiences or imagination?

Dee:  Both, I think. The experience comes into play when I’m molding my characters. The hero and heroine must be bold, brave, honorable, and strong though slightly vulnerable. I have to be familiar with those characteristics to instill them. Of course, I don’t follow this rule when it comes to the bad guy or villain. He can be as mean and as nasty as he wants to be. The imagination begins after my characters personalities are set. I simply place them in a certain setting or story line then allow them to take over. Sometimes they wake me up in the middle of the night begging to be heard. I’ve learned to keep a pen and pad on my nightstand just for these little impromptu visits.

M:  Ha! Dee – I think I saw that nastiness in Pirate Quinn! Funny too that I have met (online) several authors who seem to do a lot of work at night!! Do you suppose authors are insomniacs?

Dee:  Probably. With me, late nights are the only time I get my mind all to myself.

M:  I think lots of us can relate to trying to find time to get our minds to ourselves... although I never heard it put that way.  *G*

Did you need any help staying motivated or getting any element of your story to cooperate?

Dee:  For the most part, no. Unless you count my critique partner, Elaine. She stayed on me constantly about ‘getting more writing done’ or ‘getting that book finished.’ She is tenacious and kept me well on track. But sure…there were times when I wondered if I would ever get published and a few times I wanted to give up. Every writer has gone through this phase at one point or another because no one likes receiving rejection letter after rejection letter. Then there was the occasional writer’s block, but that never lasted long.

M:  So nice you have a critique partner you can rely on to push you a bit.

Why did you write historical romance and do you have plans to write in any other genres?

Dee:  I feel comfortable writing in the historical genre because I am truly fascinated with history. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries seem to have cornered my muse. I try to stay away from any time period below the seventeenth century. The verbiage would be the challenge there. As to the question of switching to another genre…probably not. “Stick with what you know,” I’ve always been told. Oh, I enjoy a good paranormal from time to time, but I’m just not creative enough to come up with those kinds of spooky tales.

M:  Since I really enjoyed your historical I have no problem with you sticking with this genre! :)

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Come back and join us next Wednesday October 7, 2009 for Part Two – Questions about the Book!  And click on the title link above for the review and Giveaway!

NEWS FLASH - Vote for New Covey Cover Awards + YGR Video Submissions

NEWS FLASH! - The two books I have posted reviews for this week, Loyalty's Web and The Macgregor's Daughter are in the current competition for the Most Eye Catching cover at The New Covey Cover Awards.

There are also covers for some other authors I know from some of the chat groups I participate in: Giving Into Charity by Nancy O'Berry, All My Hopes and Dreams by Celia Yeary, Shattered Illusions by Karen Michelle Nutt, Witch's Magic by Tabitha Shay and Whitney In Charge by Diane Craver. The poll is on the left side when you go to the site. Why not pop over and vote for your favorite cover!  Voting ends October 3!

Scrolliong down I saw that the July winner of the Most Eye Catching Cover was Kiss of Life by Brian Porter! Congratulations Brian!

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While I'm doing a news flash here is a reminder: You Gotta Read Videos is taking submissions for trailers for October 2009!

Review and Giveaway for The Macgregor's Daughter!

This is an abbreviated version of my review of The Macgregor’s Daughter posted at You Gotta Read Reviews. Click on the book title to see the full review!

Author: Dee Julian.
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Buy Link

Rating: You GOTTA Read
Reviewed by: MarthaE

Blurb: In 1776 England, American born Anadreya Macgregor is branded a spy by the arrogant Marquis of Canderlay. Despite her pleas of innocence, he refuses to listen and has her imprisoned. Aided by the Scottish father she never knew, Dreya escapes to Dragon's Breath Castle.
Five years later, the laird is missing and a badly injured Frenchman washes ashore. Dreya is wary of the blind and amnesic man, though something about him is hauntingly familiar. Is he an ally or a ruthless mercenary who stumbled upon her father's smuggling activities?
The stranger's vision and memory gradually return and Dreya discovers her fate and the continued existence of her clan might very well be in his hands. As the web of deception binding them together unravels, both are in danger of losing everything. Including their hearts.

Review: This is a remarkably engaging historical debut! Full of action, mystery and romance! This is a book that catches your attention from the get go and keeps you turning pages to find out what happens!!

Dreya is a wonderfully bold and strong young woman. ....
Any stranger at Dragon’s Breath is suspect and Dreya doesn’t know what to do with the injured “gentleman pirate” found on the rocks.

....[Lucian] is pretty arrogant under all circumstances which creates a heightened tension between him and Dreya. A pleasant friendship develops between them during his weeks of recuperation but there still isn’t total trust. Then Lucian risks his life to save Dreya’s dog. So why does she lock him in the dungeon after that?

.... While [escaping, Lucian] locks Dreya in the dungeon which convinces her that he will betray her family and clan. ....

Is Lucian aiding the pirates? Will he give evidence against Macgregor? Or will he go back and somehow rescue the intrepid Scottish lass?

The author brings these characters to life and surrounds them with a beautiful, rugged setting and a good mysterious plot. The action starts from the first few pages and continues to the end. I would describe the romance as lightly sensual which confirms to me that it is not necessary to have even steamy interaction to have a good story. This is a great entertaining read and I highly recommend it!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Author, Dee Julian has graciously agreed to give a free eBook as a giveaway!

1. Comment here - if you can think of something Scottish to say that might be fun - but I won't require it! However, you must include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For another entry, share this giveaway on your blog, my space, facebook or Twitter and tell me where you shared it.

4. I will be posting an interview with Ms. Julian starting tomorrow October 2! To keep the posts shorter I am splitting it into a series. If you comment or ask a question on any of the interview posts that will be another entry!

5. You may make all entries in a single comment or separate comments. Since I have realized that I have to put names/entries on a list for numbering anyway, posting separtely doesn't make a difference unless you post at different times so your numbers are not consecutive!

There will make four total entries possible.

This contest is open to anyone who can download an eBook!

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on Friday, October 23, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected from all entries and announced October 24.