The Wedding Caper Review

Janice Thompson has created a wealth of unusual and lovable characters in her newest novel, The Wedding Caper. When her husband seems to be the prime suspect in the disappearance of $25,000 from the Clark County Savings and Loan, Annie Peterson becomes an amateur sleuth to uncover the real culprit. With twin daughters, Brandi and Candy, both planning weddings, Warren’s gift of the same amount as the heist, Annie starts on her quest to find the truth. The suspects range from a somber faced bank loan officer to new security guard with a shady past. Annie chases down clues in finding who did steal the money by means of an on-line course in private investigating. Along with her best friend, Sheila, and her faithful pooch, Sasha, the reader will follow Annie to an unusual, but most satisfying end.

The winner of Violet Dawn is Karen Ferguson of Houston, Texas. Congratulations. I'll be having another contest this month for Wedding Caper by Janice Thompson. Watch for the review.

Anniversary

Today my husband and I celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary. Maybe that's one reason fall is my favorite time of the year. Last year we celebrated in New England. Rex doesn't like seafood, but he took me to Babin's because he knows how I love shrimp. Afterwards he even went shopping with me, an activity he dislikes immensely. Now that's what I call love. Funny thing is we only knew each other seven months before our wedding and had a total of five dates before our engagement. He was in Houston on leave from the army for five days when he asked me to marry him in 1959. Wonder if that would work in a novel? He left that Friday and I didn't see him again until the week before the wedding when we he was discharged and we went to Arkansas for me to meet his parents. No honeymoon because he'd just returned to his job and had no time off. Not a courtship I'd recommend, but both of us sought God's will for our lives and He put us together. Our three sons and daughters-in-law have blessed us with nine grandchildren, the oldest of whom will be married next June to her high school sweetheart when they both graduate from Texas A&M.

Angel Bears

Some of you expressed interest in the "Angel Bears" I had at the conference in the bookstore. I have them available if you'd like one, and will mail them to you. I have two Christmas ones, three lace ones, and one dressed in checked gingham fabric. They are $25 each for the lace ones and $20 for the others plus postage.

I started making these bears years ago when I made one for my granddaughter who was taking ballet. Then I made a few for a craft show at church and ended up with more orders than I had bears on hand. Each Christmas until two years ago, I made them and sold them at craft shows. I have well made over a hundred of them, but now do only special orders or for events like our conference. Each bear seems to take on her own personality and each one is named and has a card attached with her name and a Scripture verse or a short message on it.

If you're interested, email me and I'll get more info to you.

Book Review of Violet Dawn by Brandilyn Collins

Brandilyn Collins has done it again. Violet Dawn begins with a gruesome discovery of the body of famous movie actress, Edna San then takes off to give the reader another breathless ride. The difference with this book is in the characters created for the town of Kanner Lake. Quirky, lovable, sympathetic, and somewhat eclectic, the townspeople are richly drawn against the tapestry of the beauty of Idaho. The reader will suffer with Paige as she tries to fit in with the others in town, but finds herself the victim in an elaborate scheme to frame her for murder. No one is free from suspicion and help comes from the least likely direction. The care and concern of these likable characters contrasts sharply with the scenes from Paige’s past. In this first novel in the Kanner Lake series, Brandilyn has all the suspense of her usual thrillers combined with the small town feel and unforgettable characters of her earliest novels. A must read for fans of Brandilyn Collins.

Post your comment and enter a drawing for a free copy of Brandilyn's book. Drawing will be October 31.

Review for Reluctant Burglar

Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s novel, The Reluctant Burglar, is a fast paced, tightly written mystery that will intrigue the reader from the first little masquerade to the final disclosure of the true thief. Desiree Jacobs is a character you will come to love as she uses all her wiles and tricks as a security expert to uncover the truth. The clues lead in directions she doesn’t want to go, but her search for truth pulls her anyway. Not even able to trust her best friend or her growing feelings for FBI agent Tony, Desiree finds herself in a situation after situation that tests everything she has ever learned. Was her father a thief? Is her best friend actually her worst enemy? Does Tony return her feelings for him? Read about these and other escapades as Desiree doesn’t wait on help from authorities, but takes matters in her own hands and almost winds up a victim herself. It’s all here, romance, intrigue, comedy, high-stakes thrills, stirring mystery, and fast-moving action. Don’t miss it.

Review: When the Heart Cries

Cindy Woodsmall’s debut novel is a beautiful but heartbreaking novel of what happens when evil attacks. From the first chapter when Hannah’s hopes for a bright future with her beloved Paul are dashed against the rocks of despair to the ultimate choice at the end, the reader is caught up in Hannah’s plight and what she must do to find happiness and peace again in her life. As the daughter of an Amish family, she has been loved and protected for all of her seventeen years. Then in one brief encounter, all that is wiped away and the things which Hannah has held dear all of her life become great question marks for her future. Cindy’s words of description, dialogue, and emotion take the readers on a journey they will never forget and will leave them waiting anxiously for the next in the series of Sisters of the Quilt. This is a must read.

Randy and Deb having fun at the book signing on Saturday.

Gayle Roper at the booksigning.

After Deb's late night chat. I found some great pictures to use.

Kathleen and Janice at the book signing.
Nashville, 2006

Two of my favorite people. Kathleen and Janice

Kim Sawyer and Martha before the morning classes began. Nashville, 2006

ACFW Memories

Having been to all the ACFW (ACRW) conferences, I have many wonderful memories. Outstanding among them are meeting Brandilyn Collins and Ruth Seamands, Deb Raney, Tamela Hancock Murray, and Karen Kingsbury in Kansas City. I was in awe of these ladies. Getting my tote bag signed by them and so many more was fun. Also met Tracie and Jim Peterson during the welcome reception on Thursday night and learned that they were very friendly and easy to talk to.

Here is a list of special memories:
Rachel Hauk's beautiful smile and way of making everyone feel special.
Finding out editors are real people.
Sharing a room with two ladies who were strangers on Thursday, but great friends by Saturday.
Leaving my brand new Eyes of Elisha on the table in the lobby of the hotel when our shuttle showed up and having Joyce Hart find it and get it back to me by way of another member. (I think that book traveled more than I did.)
Floating body parts
Brandilyn/Deb "feud"
"The Hand"
Anita Higman's hog-calling
Having a bunch of members who came in early on Wednesday to Houston at my house for dinner that night.
Patti Miller praying for me during a large group session
Kim Sawyer praying with me before an editor's appointment
Jim Peterson praying for me during an editor's appointment
Anne Goldsmith's crazy games
Meeting my on-line critique partner, Elizabeth Curtis
Eating breakfast with my agent and getting to know her better. (Hi, Tamela)
Seeing Ruth S. every year
Francine Rivers' moving testimony
"Taking down and closing up" the bookstore. (When you're tired, you do crazy things)
Having hotel guests look at us with wary eyes as we discussed WIPS and things we were doing to heroines.
And the list could go on and on. The conference not only is the place to network and meet editors, but it also a place to make dozens of new friends, meet your favorite author, be inspired and motivated, learn the craft of writing, and realize you're not in this game alone.

Hope to see a whole big bunch of you in Dallas next month. For more information, visit the ACFW website: http://acfw.net also members can then log onto the Forums and get more info from other members.

Dallas Here We Come

I'm getting excited about our upcoming conference in Dallas. It is one of the most fun weeks of all the year for me. So many wonderful memories are bound together in the past conferences. I've been to everyone of them and each one gets more interesting, beneficicial, and fun than the last one. The conference is a time to make connections. Connections with old friends, new friends, authors you've read, authors you want to read after meeting them, editors who turn out to be human just like you, agents who encourage you to pursue your dream, and prayer partners who lift you up in prayer.

The workshops are great. Look at our wonderful faculty this year and you will see something for every writer whether just beginning or a best seller. Liz Curtis Higgs will be sharing her heart with us and she will inspire and encourage us with her own experiences and insight into the world of writing.

Of course we can't forget the chocolate party either. Chocolate lovers unite and go a little wacky for an hour or two one night. Funny the people you can meet and what you can learn at a chocolate party.

Friendships made at the conference can last a lifetime. Even though we may actually see each other only once a year, the friendships grow through cyberspace.

ACFW conference replaced Mount Hermon as my "must attend" conference, and I haven't regretted it one bit. Check out my earlier blog about editor/agent appointments.

Get all the details at www.americanchristianfictionwriters.com/conference/

Make plans to go. You won't be sorry. I'll be posting some of my memories from the conference in the coming weeks.

Texas Christian Writers' Conference

Only a week and a half until the Texas Christian Writers' Conference in Houston, Texas. We have a great faculty lined up this year. Wayne Holmes, Dennis Hensley, Cheri Fuller, Mona Gansberg Hodgson, Tamela Hancock Murray, DiAnn Mills, Anita Higman, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y'Barbo. They will be presenting workshops on various writing topics throughout the day. We have lots of free books and give aways for the attendees.

It's not too late to register for this one day conference on August 5 at First Baptist Church. We'd love to have you. A registration form may be obtained by emailing me at marthalrogers.sbcglobal.com. Registration fees may be sent to our Treasurer, Pat Vance at 1108 Valerie, Pasadena TX 77502. Registration is $75 for the day including lunch and Continental breakfast.

Next year the conference will be on August 4 and will feature Sally Stuart, Kathy Ide, DiAnn Mills, and Lena Nelson Dooley among others.

Make the Most of Your Appointments.

Tips for those editor/agent meetings

With the ACFW conference looming near, we need to be prepared for those appointments we’ve made and for any “chance encounters of the editor kind. These tips have been garnered from my many years of attending conferences as well as directing the Texas Christian Writers Conference and from discussions with other authors. No matter what conference you are attending, these tips will help you get the most out of your individual meetings.

The key is being prepared before making the appointment.

1. Know the genre of your manuscript and research the houses publishing your genre.
2. Read the guidelines of that house and be certain your manuscript meets them all.
3. Sign up for your appointment.

Before the appointment.

1. Learn all you can about the editor.
2. Make a file for your manuscript. (Not the manuscript itself, but notes)
1. Business card
2. One sheet with your manuscript info and your biography
3. 70 word or less blurb of your manuscript
4. One or two sentence summary of your manuscript
5. Sheet with the name and picture (if possible) of the editor and the guidelines for that publisher.
3. Memorize and practice your pitch with your spouse, your friends, your critique partners, whoever will listen.
4. Make a list of questions you might ask the editor concerning your manuscript, their house, or guidelines.
5. Make notes if they request a manuscript as to when they want it, how to address it etc. (If your manuscript isn’t finished, and a full is requested, make note of the deadline you or the editor sets.) If for a proposal, give the editor an idea of when it will be sent.
6. Be polite, not pushy. Smile and accept the decision of the editor/agent if he or she isn’t interested and thank him/her for the time.

Chance Encounters

1. Have the same folder ready at all times.
2. Select the editors whose houses publish your genre. Memorize their faces.
3. Sit at their tables at meals and be prepared to make your pitch in a minute.
4. Have your list of questions ready to ask if you need further information.
5. Don’t be afraid to approach or start up a conversation in the hall or elevator, but be polite, not pushy.
6. Give them a business card with your information and a blurb about your book on the back of it. ( Your picture will help them remember you)
7. Take classes led by the editors of interest then approach them after class to inquire if they have time to talk with you a minute or two.
8. Attend the editor/agent panels and listen carefully and take notes. You never know when some new information may work in your favor.

If you have more than one manuscript to pitch, have a folder for each one ready to whip out at the table, in the food line, in the elevator, or in the hallway. Talk with others who write the same genre you do. Above all, have a good time, and rest wh

Review for A Thousand Tomorrows

I just finished Karen Kingsbury's book, A Thousand Tomorrows and must recommend it to everyone. If you cry easily when a story gets emotional, have your tissues ready as this one is a tear-jerker in the way of Love Story. Ali and Gunner will live in your heart long after you read the last words. Karen gives us real characters undergoing a very real difficulties. Seeing Gunner's hatred evolve and then diminsh as Ali shows him how to love is magnificent. Karen paints them in such a way that you see them in every action, feel their every pain, shout for the their victories, and rejoice in their love, then cry in their beautiful hope for the future. Karen gives us two disabilities in Carl Joseph's Down Syndrome, and Ali's cystic fibrosis, and shows how God works each one. You won't be able to put this one down.

One of the reasons this book touched a chord with me is that our grandson has cystic fibrosis. The hardships Karen describe for Ali are the same ones we see in Robert Mikell. Ali has a lung transplant, and our boy had a liver transplant. This is a disease that attacks all organs of the body, some more profoundly than others. Robert Mikell's parents face the same hard questions with him as Ali's faced. Whether he has A Thousand Tomorrows or ten thousand, we know he is in God's hands.

Everything's Coming Up Josey

Josey flees to Russia after her boyfriend jilts her and marries her sister, and her "best friend" announces his engagement. She goes as a missionary to teach them about God, but learns more about herself and her own relationship with God. Being in the Lord's work is nothing like she imagined in all her preparations. From her first encounter at the Moscow airport to the surprise at the bistro, Josey finds Russia much more than she expected. Susan takes the reader on a delightful ride around Moscow as seen through Josey's eyes. The secondary characters give added spice and depth as Josey copes with her friendships. As Josey grows and learns to lean on God, she finds the desires of heart where she least expects them. This is a fun read with great spiritual insight. Don't miss it.

Although Chicklit is not my favorite genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Josey reminds me so much of myself at her age. Yes, I can remember that far back. I laughed with her and cried with her through all of her adventures and encounters with a culture so very different from her own. Susan has done a wonderful job in taking us on a journey to Russia.

Review for Rekindled

Tamara Alexander’s debut novel, Rekindled, is a love story in the true sense of the word. From the moment the reader meets Kathy and Larson to the end of the story, Tamara grips the heart and won’t let go. We agonize with Kathy as she learns her husband died in a great snow storm, and then we feel Larson’s pain as he heals from horrific wounds and finds that everyone believes him to be dead. Riding a roller coaster of emotion, the reader experiences the despair, the fear, the courage, and hope of Kathy and Larson. Secondary characters are unforgettable. From couple who save Larson to the helpless girl Kathy wants to save, Tamara creates men and women who live long after the book is finished. Rekindled tells not only a story of undying love of a man for a woman, but also God’s never ending love for His children.