02.20.09
Gingham Mountain
The orphan train arrives in the small town of Sour Springs, Texas and Grant races to the station, set on claiming any leftover children – those nobody else wants. He’s just in time to save two of them from a long, sad trip back to the orphanage.
But the train dropped off more than homeless children this time around. Along with two adorable but troubled kids, both of whom Grant falls in love with instantly, it left behind Hannah Cartwright. She’s a snippy little schoolmarm who’s bound and determined to prove the rather unkempt-looking rancher unfit to raise the houseful of younguns he’s rescued one at a time off the streets or the orphan train.
Add to the chaotic mix a couple of con artists set on getting their hands on Grant’s land for the oil he doesn’t even know he has. Blend in Grant’s own frustrating attraction to the meddlesome and thoroughly annoying new schoolteacher, and you’ve got the makin’s of a riotously funny, absolutely irreverent tale of unexpected romance and old West shenanigans.
This third novel in the Lassoed in Texas series by Mary Connealy is a wonderfully fun new thread in the fabric of tall tales woven by this amazing author. Connealy tackles serious life issues such as abandoned children, child abuse and the professional con game, and handles them with enough humor to make them bearable and enough realism to keep them believable.
Incredible, unforgettable storytelling!
02.19.09
Interview – Amy Deardon
Tell me a little about yourself.
I’m married and fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with our two children, now 15 and 12. In my life B.C. (before children) I did bench science research and taught anatomy and physiology at an undergraduate level.
I undertook a personal quest to investigate the claims of Jesus’ resurrection with the goal of destroying them. To do this I studied biblical and extra-biblical accounts of Jesus and numerous commentaries by believers and skeptics alike, listed the facts agreed upon, and began to explore scenarios that could explain what was known. To my surprise and considerable dismay, the evidence kept pointing away from naturalistic explanations and eventually formed a virtually certain case for the resurrection of Jesus. Finally I admitted defeat and became a Christian.
What is your book about?
In the near future, the Israeli military has developed a prototypic time machine. When believers in Yeshua (Jesus) create a politically explosive situation that threatens the balance of peace between Israel and nearby countries, the Israelis must send a team of four elite soldiers back to film the theft of Jesus’ body from the tomb and thus disprove Christianity. The team, consisting of a Special Forces soldier as leader (Benjamin), an ex-American astronaut as engineering specialist (Sara), an archaeologist, and a linguist, has exactly seventy-two hours to collect the video evidence. Drawn into a web of first century deception and death, the only way to escape is fo
r the team to change the past. In the present, a traitor, Gideon, attempts to sabotage the mission and seize control of the military complex. Benjamin is the only one who can reveal him, but
he is trapped two thousand years away. Even with a time machine, time is running out…
(Note from Delia: FREE COPYof A Lever Long Enough to someone who comments on this post, if we get a minimum of 10 comments. You will love this one! See my personal review in the post below this one. Be sure to leave a way to contact you if your name is drawn.)
Which character in your novel most interested you while you wrote? Why?
I love all of my characters, but if I had to choose a favorite, I’d
pick Sara. She is very much like me – focused, quiet, but beneath her calm exterior a seething mass of turmoil.
Her faith journey also parallels my own-she didn’t want to become a believer, but was pulled in by the strength of the evidence. She was pursued by what C.S. Lewis termed the “Hounds of Heaven.” An uncomfortable process, I might add!
Why will readers enjoy your novel?
I hope they enjoy it! It’s the kind of novel full of action, a love story, and exotic background and ideas that is my favorite thing to read. While the emphasis is on the story, Lever fairly presents the arguments for and against the resurrection, and demonstrates (without the use of any fictional miracles) that the case for the resurrection is remarkable. Believers will also enjoy Lever, but I actually wrote this book to the skeptic I used to be. I want it to be the kind of book that someone races through to finish, closes it, and then says, “Wait a minute…”
What are you working on now?
I have two half-finished projects that I’m eager to complete in 2009 – an ambitious yet hopefully do-able goal, if I’m very organized.
The first project is my prequel, entitled Nest Among the Stars from Obadiah 1:4, that follows Sara’s space station disaster. This one is really shock and awe, with a deep theme of forgiveness. The second project is nonfiction, entitled The Story Template, that is a practical guide for a writer to develop a resonant, complete, compelling story from vague ideas. It’s based on an algorithm I’ve developed during my story studies, and with students I’ve coached I’ve seen it really works. It’s not a formula, more like a description of proportions and guidelines that work with any genre, since I’m a great believer in the uniqueness of each artist’s vision. You can see a sample tutorial I’ve put on my website under “resources.”
What would you like your readers to say about your writing?
I hope they say that my writing is exciting and also makes them think. Lever, and the other novels that I plan, are the complex kinds of stories full of action, romance, and exotic background and ideas that are my favorite things to read.
I want my writing to appeal to non-Christians as well as Christians. I want to get past a skeptic’s religious preconceptions so that he might be open to considering Christ.
If you could go anywhere in the world, without worrying about cost, where would you go?
The space station. This counts as part of the world, doesn’t it? J
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Oh yes, although it’s a daunting thing when you actually sit in front of the computer and think, “Now what shall I write?”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Well, I love to spend time with my family. Our kids aren’t going to be home for too much longer, so I’m trying to enjoy every minute.
When I have time, I enjoy reading a good novel, going to lunch with a friend, sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing flute or piano. I’d like to claim I garden, but my mother-in-law calls me the plant hit-lady.
Who is your favorite author and why?
C.S. Lewis. He has an amazing mind, and draws such wonderful metaphors.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Don’t expect to produce perfect prose off the bat – just as you wouldn’t expect to play a Beethoven Sonata for your first piano lesson. Just believe in yourself, and persist.
Where can we find you and your book?
Readers may get in touch with me through my website. I also have a blog.
My book is available on Amazon. Autographed copies are available at the publisher’s website.
02.18.09
A Lever Long Enough
by Amy Deardon
Benjamin Feinan leads an Israeli military team back in time. The goal: Film the “theft” of Jesus’ body from the tomb, thus disproving the age-old story of resurrection, salvation, and belief in Jesus as Messiah. They have seventy-two hours to collect video evidence and plant it in the Dead Sea to be found two thousand years later, in their own time. The mission’s failure could have dire consequences, including war and the devastation of the nation of Israel.
While the team struggles through a series of obstacles in the first century, a present-day traitor tries desperately to sabotage the mission for his own purposes.
In the meantime, Benjamin is shocked to discover one vital member of his team has serious doubts about their very purpose, and is leaning toward the deadly belief that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
The author does a fantastic job of bringing vividly to life another time and place. Absolutely stunning imagery. I felt as though I were right there in ancient Jerusalem… inside the empty tomb of Jesus Christ…seeing the Roman soldiers, the Temple Mount, the lifestyles and customs of that day and time. A Lever Long Enough is packed with riveting suspense and heart-pounding intrigue. The pages turn all by themselves as the reader rushes through Jerusalem along with Benjamin and his team. It’s fast-paced, dynamic, and totally unpredictable. I didn’t want the story to end.
Amy Deardon is an amazing painter of words. I will definitely be watching for more from this gifted writer.
02.17.09
Age Before Beauty
Allie Harrod is not a particularly happy camper.
She has a great husband and a beautiful newborn daughter. But she also has a closet full of clothes that no longer fit, a mirror that reflects an overweight woman she doesn’t even know, and an employer who eagerly awaits her return to work after maternity leave. Therein lies the problem. Allie doesn’t want to leave little Joanie and return to work. Despite all the best-laid plans she and hubby Eric have made for their lives, she finds herself longing to be a stay-at-home mom for baby Joanie.
So she dives headfirst into direct sales, and soon finds herself in way over her head. As if her life isn’t chaotic enough, Allie’s taciturn mother-in-law shows up on her doorstep and seems determined to make Allie’s house her own; Eric is spending too much time with his attractive co-worker outside of work; and the shiny new credit card Allie obtained “just for business purposes” is showing an unbelievable balance. She’s in trouble, with no idea how to get herself out of it.
When her sister tries to share her newfound salvation with Allie, she stubbornly refuses to hear. She can handle her life all by herself. She’ll find a way to do it on her own – not even Eric needs to help.
Will Allie learn to lean on her heavenly Father in time to save her sanity – and her marriage?
In typical Virginia Smith fashion, Age Before Beauty is a perfect blend of poignancy and humor. Allie’s determination to be strong and independent lands her in hot water over and again. The reader laughs and cries and longs to teach the headstrong young woman a lesson before she learns it the hard way on her own. This second book in the Sister-to-Sister series is a fun peek into the lives of a close-knit family of sisters, and an eye-opening look at what can happen in a life where God is left out of the equation.
Excellent writing!
02.15.09
Interview – Shirley Kiger Connolly
Welcome to My Book Bag, Shirley! Before I start asking a lot of off-the-cuff questions, let’s find out who you are. Tell us about Shirley Connolly, the lady next door.
I don’t remember if I told you I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, but it was back when I was a little girl in Oregon that I took hold of my love and desire to write. Even through many years of concentrating on other things like the raising of children, and finding hobbies to occupy my time when I wasn’t working at a school, I would always go somewhere to be by myself so I could put something down on paper about something. That is truly me and always has been. When I am not writing I am with my animals, learning things from them, or reading, or watching a good old movie with my husband, and in the cold weather, I often do stitchery of some kind. Many know I have this thing about moving my furniture around in one of my rooms, and it is really a thing with me to be creative that way with my decorating. The ladies who come over for Bible Study at my home laugh every time they come around because of the changes around my house. I’ve been a Christian since I was quite young, and it was through my relationship with the Lord that I developed a passion for women’s ministry and teaching, where before I had concentrated more on youth. This (passion) blossomed when my husband became a pastor. After several years of teaching women of the love of the Lord and how to grow in their walk, I began writing not only my fiction books but devotional reflections about the Lord which turned into the publishing of my newest book, I See God in the Simple Things.
What an interesting and diverse lady next door! Now we can talk about your books. How many do you have published?
Consider me still a newbie if you like. At this date, I have published three books thus far. One devotional book, and two fiction novels. The one released in April of 2008 was my most recent, an historical, Flame from Within.
Tell us about I See God in the Simple Things, since it will be the next one available.
I am really looking forward to the release of Simple Things, Delia. This light hearted devotional was first published in 2005, but my publisher at that time charged an awful lot for a person to purchase it, which was discouraging. My present editor asked me if she could read it, so I sent it to her. She loved it and offered to publish it again. After stopping the first print, I decided to make a few changes…just a few, and now I am anxious to see this now-much- more-affordable edition out on the market. I See God in the Simple Things is a compiling of a number of reflections I have shared lately with other women. They all reflect on the trueness of life whether it is through the eyes of an animal, for example your pet chicken, or your dog or your cat…maybe your goat. I tried to marry up the experiences of life with simple things like what animals go through or broken plumbing or dirty dishes, you name it, and I found out so simply how God can teach us the most amazing things about our own lives by looking at life in that way and seeing how He pulls you through (or your chicken through) whatever tough time you might have found yourself in. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it works! It really works. And God is so good, the way He draws these things to mind. In the book, each reader takes the same journey by getting an opportunity to share about an experience he or she has been through that might relate and how God ministered.
I See God in the Simple Things releases in a couple of weeks. I pray people will check it out when it does.
Just an added note: My Simple Things book is the first in a three-part series! Readers can also be watching for I See God in the Thorns ‘n Thistles and I See God on that Narrow Road.
Sounds like some wonderful books for us to look forward to, Shirley. How long have you been writing? Was there an “aha” moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
I think I probably explained that at the beginning. It started when I was eight to be specific. I absolutely knew then, Delia.
How much time do you devote to your craft?
I start my day at around 8 a.m. and usually go until around 3 p.m. with only a break to take a walk with my husband and eat some lunch. I stay with it six days a week.
Any advice for new and aspiring writers?
It’s been said before, “Never give up.” If you believe you are called to write just keep at it. You will be blessed for your efforts in some way. You’ll see.
Now for that off-the-cuff stuff I mentioned.
If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question – what question would you ask of whom?
For a Christian, “What is the Lord doing in your life right now to make you want to continue to serve Him?” For someone else, I think rather than asking them a question (I am often quiet around the masses), I might start off by being a good listener. Then I would find a way to ask them if they have ever had an encounter with the Lord at any time. Those two questions are real important, and we get only so many opportunities, you know.
What crayon in the box describes you best on a good day? Bad day?
On a good day, Burnt Sienna. On a bad day, I don’t open that crayon box, because my brain isn’t working well enough to read the crayons.
You’re going on a very long trip. Which of the following will you take with you?
Book: Bible and my favorite light read
Music: Fernando Ortega or some Irish Music
Person: My husband, Tom
Food: Used to be Mexican food. No more (I’m on Weight Watchers). Now, I think it would be a really busy salad with bleu cheese dressing on the side.
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
I would want to see the people I love dearly, even if I haven’t seen them for a long, long time, and I would want to write a poem about my entire life to pass down to those who will be here after I’m gone. I know my poem would include the awesomeness of God and what He will do for any person if they will only give Him that opportunity, just like He did me.
What word annoys you more than any other?
Any swear word or to hear a Christian say the phrase, “Oh my G….,” when we are never to use the Lord’s name in vain. It just grates at me terribly, and it is used so often, even by children.
What “super power” would you like to borrow for awhile?
To be able to tell my disorder to never bother me again. (I live with a seizure disorder (SD)…my thorn in the flesh.)
What’s your favorite chore? Least favorite?
Oh, Delia!
My favorite: cleaning up my Victorian parlor and my Victorian bathroom (my favorite rooms in the house).
My worst: Putting the clothes away that I just folded from the laundry.
Anything you’d like to do but don’t because of some underlying fear?
I don’t think I could consider it a fear. But I quit driving back in 1998 because of blacking out while driving. That day, I hit two parked cars and a tree. After that I told the doctor I didn’t think I should drive anymore even though I knew my SD was regulated right. I have to partly consider that a fear, but not only that, a sense of knowing myself too well. I don’t trust my fuzzy brain sometimes.
Share a grammatical pet peeve…go ahead, sound off.
People writing or saying, “You know,” and the words “And, uh,” would be a couple of things that grate me wrong. Now that I have POV (point of view) down, it is funny how that bothers me too, when someone gets it messed up. I’m usually pretty forgiving with the grammatical stuff when it comes to writing, since I’m not the best myself.
Share a societal pet peeve…here’s your chance to blast ‘em.
People that put things and people down before they really understand that issue or that person. The judgments of people on others. Christians are guilty of this too. It does bother me sometime.
Thank you for hanging out here at My Book Bag for awhile, Shirley! We can’t wait to read I See God in the Simple Things! When and where can we get it?
Simple Things (as I call it for short) will be releasing in February. A person can first pick it up at Amazon or Barnes and Noble, and of course, through my publisher, VR Publishing. I really hope your readers will check it out. It’s a fun read for the Christian and even for someone who knows nothing about Christianity. It really opens the eyes in a simple, fun way.
I hope my readers run right out and find that book, Shirley – I intend to! Thanks again, and we hope you sell a million.
Outlaw Marshal
by Al & JoAnna Lacy
It’s 1887, in and around Denver, Colorado. Chief United States Marshal John Brockman, (already known to many readers as “The Stranger”) is back in the saddle, keeping law and order by capturing outlaws and adding stars to his crown by winning souls.
In Outlaw Marshal, Brockman brings several wanted men to justice, including well-known robber Whip Langford. As Brockman continues to visit Whip each time he brings a new inmate to the prison, he tries to lead the younger man to the Lord, but Whip doesn’t want to hear the story of salvation. Nevertheless, the two men find themselves developing a strong friendship.
Released from prison after saving the warden’s life, Whip winds up in Denver, where he meets Annabeth Cooper – a young widowed nurse, and a good friend of Brockman’s wife. Brockman hires him as a deputy, and now Whip is off fighting the crime in which he once partook.
It doesn’t take a lot to make Whip fall in love with Annabeth, but falling in love with Jesus is another story. It takes a hair-raising near-death experience to bring the former robber to his knees after being framed for murder.
Outlaw Marshal is an old-fashioned western with a twist – strong and persistent references to Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. It’s rather interesting to think of blatantly God-fearing Christian men in the role of old-western heroes…sporting not only the familiar star on the chest but a loaded gun and the ability to use it well. The Lacy’s paint a unique picture of Christianity in the wild, wild west while delivering a blatant biblical message.
