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.

Milestone Birthday

Well, it's been while since I posted. So much going on.
Yesterday, June 22, I entered another decade on my birthday. When my mother turned 70 I thought she was so old, but now that I've reached that milestone, it doesn't seem odd at all. Usually I celebrate my birthday with my cousins, but this year we've postponed our cousin's visit until late July.
God has brought me through so much in my life, and the fact He has let me survive this long tells me that He isn't finished with me yet. I'm eagerly looking forward to what he has planned for me in the coming year.

Waiting for Summer's Return

Kim Vogel Sawyer's debut novel is a beautiful story of faith, hope, trust, and love. Summer Steadman resolves to stay in the town near where her husband and children are taken away from her in a cholera epidemic. Her problem of how to support herself is solved when Peter Ollenberger, a gentle giant of a man, hires her to tutor his young son. She goes to the farm where Peter provides a shelter away from the house where he lives with his son and grandmother, but will it satisfy the standards of the Mennonite community in which they live? As she tutors the boy, she learns more about the Mennonites and their beliefs. As she grows closer to the family, she is slowly accepted by the people. When Summer returns to her mother-in-law's home in Boston, Peter and his son are left to wonder if Summer will return or stay away. When Summer returns to the Ollenberger farm, the beautiful ending will satisfy the heart of everyone who loves romance. This is another great read for the summer.

Interesting Trip

We've finally returned home after a 10 day trip through Oklahoma and Arkansas. We drove from Houston up through Texas and Oklahoma to Tulsa for a visit with our youngest son and his family. From there we traveled to Springdale, Arkansas to visit my husband's brother. Then we left there and traveled down through central Arkansas and Little Rock to a little town called Warren.

In Warren we attended the class reunion of the classes of 1953 and 1954 for Banks, Arkansas High School which is no longer in operation. Each class had less than 12 graduates, so we didn't have a big crowd, around 43 I think. I really learned a lot about small town life by listening to them talk. The majority of them still live around the area.

Not only did we have a good time visiting family and friends, but I also enjoyed the scenery. We stayed on the Interstates most of the time, but in Arkansas we traveled a lot of back roads and coming home through northern Louisiana and then East Texas on the back roads, so we saw many interesting towns. I must say the land of northwest Arkansas is really beautiful as is most of northern Arkansas. Read three great books while traveling. But being home again is the best.

Coldwater Revival

Nancy Jenkins' debut novel is a book that will draw you in from the very beginning. It grips your heart and won't let go even when you read the last word. The language is beautiful and haunting with descriptions that sing. It is a love story not only of a man and woman but also of one of God's love and how He will never let us go no matter how far we try to run or get away from Him. Don't let this one go by, you won't be sorry.

May 14, 2006
Had a great Mother's Day with our youngest son and his family. Our two other sons called to wish me a happy Mother's Day. We're enjoying this time with our three youngest grandchildren too.

We'll be in Okalahoma until tomorrow. From here we'll drive over to Springdale, Arkansas and visit with my husband's brother and his wife. After a few days there, we'll head for southeast Arkansas and a visit with his sister. We'll be attending a class reunion of the '54, '55 and '56 classes of Banks High School in Banks, Arkansas. Each class had 10 or less graduates so it won't be a huge group.

Plans are underway for our annual "Cousins Camp." Each summer my cousins from my dad's side of the family try to get together and visit for three or four days at one of our homes. This summer we plan to be in Georgetown at one cousin's home. They just retired after many years of being a Methodist pastor and wife.

I'm busy planning for our annual Texas Christian writers conference. We hope to have a large attendance this year. If you're in Texas, we'd love to have you come. You can email me at marthalrogers@sbcglobal.net for a brochure.

Book Review

If you haven't read Leather and Lace by DiAnn Mills, you have missed a great book. I had the privilege of critiquing this book as DiAnn wrote it, and I loved the story. I kept asking her about it and when it would be contracted. The day finally came and the book is even better with the edits and revisions. Casey O'Hare is one of my favorite heroines. She has so much courage, grit, and gall. From the first moment when she finds herself "looking into the steel barrel of a Winshester .44" until her redemption, Casey takes you on the ride of a lifetime. You want her to succeed, but her past won't let her go entirely. Morgan, the hero has a dark past and uses Casey as a pawn to accomplish his mission. Casey escapes and starts a new life, but always aware she is in danger of being found. How these two unlikely people end up with each other makes for a fascinating, nail-biting journey across Texas. I give it five stars for sure.

I've come a long way

I've been editing my manuscript for the novella due in September. We first submitted the proposal back in 2001. I can't believe how much better my writing is now than it was back then. As I edit I find I'm adding more sensory details, more emotional response and more depth to my characters.

Of course the very first novel I wrote back in 1954 when I was seventeen broke all the rules of good writing. At that time I simply wrote what I felt as a teenager writing about teenagers. Headhopping was the worst mistake I made along with tons of description. One thing I did notice was that I had plenty of conflict, a steady goal, and motivation to reach that goal.

In Not on the Menu, I have a 65 year old woman, Dottie Jean Weaver, who is content with her life as the owner of the best catfish restaurant in South Mississippi. When a wealthy, former classmate Fletcher Cameron comes along and takes her out of that environment into his, all her self-confidence and happiness is stomped on by former classmates who only remember her as the daughter of a drunk and a dressmaker for the wealthy. She returns to Calista and the friends she knows care about her and love her. Will Fletcher be able to win the heart of the woman he loved as a teenager back in high school? Only if Dottie is able to forget her childhood and concentrate on the future with a man who loves her.

Yes, I've come a long way from writing skits, paper doll stories, and teenage love stories.
It's been a long journey during which my self-confidence flew out the window several times as the rejection letters rolled in. It's also been an exciting journey to see where God would lead me. I've met so many exciting people along the way. These people have encouraged me, critiqued me, mentored me, given me opportunities, and have been my cheerleaders.

One of those was my journalism teacher in high school. She told me I had "a gift for words" and she hoped I would someday use it to entertain others. Well, it took over 50 years for that to happen. In the meantime I wrote Bible studies, devotions, and personal stories in hopes of pointing people to Jesus. Now I have a book I pray will accomplish the dreams of that journalism teacher, Mrs. Juniger, and a 16 year old who loved putting words together.

Sugar and Grits

SUGAR AND GRITS is a novella set in Calista, Mississippi. The heroines in each story are good friends. The two older women are 60+ widows who own their own businesses inherited from their late husbands. Dottie Jean, (my character) owns The Catfish House Restaurant, and Sassy, (Janice's character) owns a bait shop and loves to fish. They mentor the two younger women Bertie (DiAnn's girl) who owns a dirt moving company, and Sue Ellen (Kathleen's girl) who owns the beauty salon. Have some fun in the small town where everyone knows everyone else and their business. The ladies don't gossip; they're just concerned for the welfare of others. The heroes are a wealthy business man from Jackson, the town mailmain, an IRS agent, and the local sheriff.

Their paths to romance are filled with various obstacles that the ladies work together to unravel and resolve.

This and That

I've been reading some great books lately. Brandilyn Collins takes the reader on a wild ride down many roads before finding the right path to the killer in Web of Lies. After many twists and turns, the story climaxes in a frantic rush to save an innocent person. When Annie Kingston and Chelsea Adams meet, you know things will happen, and not always good. I've read everyone of Brandilyn's books and eagerly anticipate the arrival of each one. I love scary stories, but make sure I don't read them if I'm alone in the house. If you haven't already read it, make haste to do so. You won't be sorry. Uh, just pretend the spiders arent there.

Another book I thoroughly enjoyed was Paper Moon. Linda Windsor has such a penchant for humor that you find yourself laughing out loud at the antics of Mrs. C, Annie, Karen, and Blaine. As a retired teacher, I can so relate to the situations Linda conceives for her characters. I chaperoned many a senior trip, and this delightful tale brought back wonderful memories of those excursions. This is a great read to take your mind off what ails you.

Martha's Musings for Saturday

Hello, Everyone. It's a beautiful day here in Texas. I'm really excited because after years of waiting, I finally am going to be published in a novella with my three friends. The novella is set in Mississippi where my heroine owns the Catfish House. The town of Calista near a river about 30 miles from the Gulf Coast. She is a 65 year old widow who reunites with an old friend from high school and romance blossoms. It'll be out in Spring of 2007. Hope you have a chance to meet Dottie Jean and her friends as they fall in love and make great changes in their lives.

My writing journey began in the 1940's when I wrote skits for my cousins to perform for the family and also wrote stories for my paper dolls. Some you younger friends may not be as familiar with those since Barbie came into the picture. I wrote my first novel at the age of 17 as a Freshman at Baylor University. My dream then was to become a writer. I wanted to be like Jo March of Little Women when I grew up. Well, it's taken 53 years for me to "grow up" and have my first novel published. But the wait was worth it. God had the plan all along, I just had to keep working until the plan was complete and ready to go. I know He has a purpose for my life, and I'm along for the ride to wherever He takes me.

Have a great day and I'll see you on down the road, but I'd love to hear from you before then.

I'm busy working on a cozy mystery set in a retirement center in northeast Arkansas. It's great fun. My crit partners, Janice, Kathleen, and Marian are giving great advice.

MarthasBooks

Exciting week as I received my first contract. Thanks to all my ACFW friends who believed in me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. A special thanks to my crit partners Janice Thompson and Kathleen Y'Barbo and to my friend and mentor, DiAnn Mills for including me in the anthology, Sugar and Grits. Watch for it in the spring of 2007.