Craving the Supernatural

I can't believe we're launching 2009 already! How on earth did that happen so fast? It seems only yesterday...Okay, okay. I'll spare you the boring details. You know the gig. :-D But i do want to take a moment to reflect on this amazing year. In November of 2007, I felt that 2008 would be a "year of promise." And it was!

• Brian got a great new job that helped get us back on our feet both financially and emotionally (nothing like feeling like major losers after six years of financially struggling and battling to get your life "back," only to have your feet swiped out from under you again).
• We moved back to the metroplex and found a beautiful new home to rent. God closed the doors to purchasing a home, but we are hopeful that in 2009 we can realize that dream.
• And also this summer, my awesome agent Steve Laube negotiated my first book contract. I am so delighted to be a part of the Abingdon Press fiction line and working with Barbara Scott, the awesome acquiring editor. I am so blessed! Watch for the book cover sometime in the next couple of months!
  

As Ryan indicates with his thumbs-up, 2008 was a good year, overall. So...here we are. On the eve of 2009. And what do I feel God saying about the coming year? Well, I think He's saying its' a Year of Jubilation. when I shared that with Brian, he reminded me of the Jewish tradition of the Year of Jubilee--the slaves are set free and debts are forgiven. I am excited and thrilled to see how God will work in our lives over this next year. My deepest prayer is to be a conduit that funnels all attention and glory to HIM!

In the next month, I will post several reviews (sorry, I got really far behind when I brought my twins back home to school them here). There's a ton of great, clean fiction out there--so watch for the reviews to know what to check out.

Before I hop off and get back to the insanity, I wanted to make you aware of a free MP3 download as part of a promotion in conjunction with one of my favorite bands, Kutless. Here's the information:

A free Kutless MP3 is being given away at Bible Study Magazine. They are also having a contest to win cool Kutless gear and Logos Bible Software. Go check it out!

Considering our purpose is to worship and glorify God, it's no surprise to me how much music impacts my writing. With each novel I write, I usually have a song or mix of songs I listen to as I write. Now, I know a lot of writers who can't listen to music while they write, but there's a certain level of music that becomes like 'white noise' to me and my characters. Kutless manages this beautifully nearly every album.

For my latest WIP, a military thriller series, I've had to push the envelope as far as I what I normally listen to. Max, the main character is a hard-edged, angry former Navy SEAL. While my favorite band is Kutless (you REALLY have to get their latests album where they return to their rock roots, although I love their worship albums too!!), Max demands the 'screaming' songs, as I refer to them. Since I have a noise sensitivity due to severe TMJ, it's a challenge to listen to the screaming. LOL However, I have tried to write to lesser songs, only to find Max will not budge. I think he's a metal head, in real life. LOLOL (speaking of, when he discovers his estranged wife is pregnant with his son, he wants to name him Dillon, after Matt Dillon--again, no surprise there!).

Anyway, I was in the store the very day Kutless released their new album, TO KNOW THAT YOU'RE ALIVE. It wasn't until we moved (about two weeks later) and I aws trying to write on of Max's scenes that this one particular song's lyrics leapt out at me. I realized "that's Max. They're singing about Max." Okay, we won't go into the fact that MAx is a fictional character made up by me (I think). LOL So,I wanted to post a YouTube video here, but for some reason, the codes won't work. Check them out on myspace becuase the song leads the opening of the page: www.myspace.com/kutless

Be sure to post a comment and let me know if you do this too.
Here are their lyrics:

The black of night is closing in around you
The crippling fear moves in as they strap you down
Will you let a moment get the best of you
Will this situation bring you around

When the blood stains dry
Will it bring you around
Will it pass you by

Right now you're bruised and bleeding
I see the hurt within your eyes
I know your pain is for a reason
You need to feel just to know that You're alive

The days have turned to weeks but it's not over
The bandages rewind you to where you've been
These memories will remind you
When life takes you out will it bring you around

When it's said and done
Will it bring you around
What will you become

Right now you're bruised and bleeding
I see the hurt within your eyes
I know your pain is for a reason
You need to feel just to know that You're alive