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She's done it again. And this is exactly why Susan May Warren is one of my writing heroes. Susie always manages to craft out an amazing story with awesome characters, and her latest book, Wiser Than Serpents, is no different. Interestingly enough, this book captivated me--but not with the hero and heroine, who were awesome in their own right--but with the secondary characters. I'm sorry, but I just couldn't get enough of Vicktor. He had me laughing, and you just can't help but to root for the poor guy. And oy! Did Gracie bean him with a horshoe!!! Yowzers!! And yes...this means I have to go back and read his book, too.
Oh--guess what?!?! Susan's holding a contest to give away the first three books, so here's your chance to win!! Check it out:
Contest Info! Susan will be giving away 3 SIGNED sets of the Mission: Russia (In Sheep’s Clothing, Sands of Time, and Wiser Than Serpents) series. To enter the contest…click on over to Susan’s blog tour post here (http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/2008/06/wiser-than-serp.html) and tell us which ministries/charities you support and why! Susan will randomly select three winners!
Okay, I probably should wipe the drool off my keyboard and get on with things, eh? So, here are the official details:
About Wiser Than Serpents: When her sister vanishes into a human slave ring, FSB agent Yanna Andrevka is determined to rescue her. Unfortunately, she's in over her head, with no way out, especially after destroying the undercover operation of Delta Force Operative David Curtiss, who is deep undercover in the Twin Serpents crime syndicate. David has his hands full trying to save Yana, and his operation -- one that could rescue hundreds of women from the Serpent, or cost he and Yana their lives. The thrilling next chapter of the Mission: Russia series!
A note from Susan:
Did you know that there are 27 million people around the globe held as slaves today – more thank 80% of them women and children, and up to 50% minors. In fact, there are MORE slaves today than were in the time of William Wilberforce. That leaves me horrified, and it was those stats that compelled me to write a story with a human trafficking plotline.
Wiser than Serpents is a continuation of the Mission:Russia series, a thriller about Yanna, whose sister is snatched through a Russian dating service, and disappears. Yanna enlists the help of Delta Force Captain, David Curtiss to find and rescue her. Readers who’ve read, In Sheep’s Clothing and Sands of Time will recognize Yanna as the tech expert, and David as the solid Christian of the group. (Read the 5-Rose Review here!)
The book is written from the point of views of the rescuers, not the victims, and offers hope and empowerment, instead of feelings of helplessness. It raises awareness without lowering the standards of Christian fiction.
However, the world is real, and the need to get involved is great. I so greatly admire people who take their beliefs and put action to them –hence why a portion of the proceeds of Wiser than Serpents is going to help the International Justice Mission, (www.ijm.org), an organization dedicated to rescuing victims and fighting the scourge of slavery.
About Susan: Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia, was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia, Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota.
If you've made it this far, you're awesome and a truly dedicated blog reader. *grins* So, pop on over to THIS LINK and you'll find the rest of the blog tour schedule.
Vital links:
Book Link: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1028342&item_no=786206
Susan’s Website: www.susanmaywarren.com
Susan’s Blog: http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/
Hey, y'all! Welcome back to Craving the Supernatural. Right now, we're hosting my awesome and incredible agent, Steve Laube, and getting his thoughts on the ACFW Conference and conference preparedness. (This is revised from the interview Steve Laube gave us last year.)
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Lived the first 14 years of my life in Anchorage, Alaska (survived the famous ’64 earthquake) then went to high school in Honolulu (Hawaii Baptist Academy). My parents felt called to move to Hawaii after 25 years in Alaska. Went to college at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona where I still live and work.
I have three daughters ages, 26, 23, and 20 and have been married for 27 years. I teach an adult Bible class every Sunday (around 30 attend regularly). We are currently working our way through the chronological history of Israel from King David through the rebuilding of the walls by Nehemiah. Just finished the life of Saul.
I’m a voracious reader and a enduring sports fan (Go Suns! Go Diamondbacks!). Someone asked what I did for a living. I replied, “I read.” They followed with, “Then what do you do for fun?” My answer? “I read.” We have nearly 5,000 books in our home.
Starting in May I began re-reading the Dune series originated by Frank Herbert. I’m into book seven of the twelve right now. Interspersed with those I’ve read a Clive Cussler novel I somehow missed, the new Lee Child novel, Tim Challies’ The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, and am currently working through a fascinating book on economics called Why Popcorn Costs So Much at the Movies by Richard McKenzie.
Music is a hobby as well. I have over 15,000 songs on my computer of all genres. Everything from hard rock (I recommend the groups Red, Flyleaf, and Creed) to meditative vocals or instrumentals (I recommend Vienna Teng, Liz Story, and Natalie Merchant) to classical (I recommend Steven Sharp Nelson’s Sacred Cello and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons). All together I could play music for 38 days (24 hours a day) without repeating a single song.
Our family is very selective when it comes to movies. Of course “Star Wars” is the classic (My youngest has insisted that we watch all six films this Summer while she is home from college…two down, four to go). But I never tire of sports movies like “Remember the Titans,” “Rudy,” “We are Marshall,” or “Radio.” My wife cannot understand why I like “Galaxy Quest” so much, but I confess, it makes me laugh (she says I have to watch that one by myself). Together we have howled at multiple viewing of “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Monsters, Inc.” We don’t keep a TV plugged in inside the home, but one Christmas I gave the family the entire DVD collection of “The Dick Van Dyke” show. We continue to laugh our way through those episodes. We have also enjoyed the DVD’s of “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Odd Couple,” “I Love Lucy,” and “The Dog Whisperer.”
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When I first met you in February 2004, you promoted American Christian Romance Writers (now ACFW)—said if we were serious about writing, we’d join. Why do you feel it’s important for authors to be a part of an organization like this?
Continuing education is critical to the growth of a person and a writer. Tricia Goyer wrote on The Writer’s View, “I've attended Mt. Hermon twelve times. I don't have a college degree. Instead I was trained by the amazing teachers and editors there.”
The friendships and networking of an organization like ACFW are for a lifetime. The editor you meet today may become your acquisitions editor of tomorrow. The author today may be the endorsement of tomorrow. Too often we try to quantify these events in dollars and cents. And don't forget the spiritual charge from hearing great speakers and the learning from attending great classes. But one of the greatest benefits is the camaraderie with fellow dysfunctional writers, editors and agents.
I have dozens of friendships that go beyond the business that started within the business. For a professional defined by isolation the fellowship of other writers is critical to one’s sanity.
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How long have you been a part of ACFW?
Since I became an agent in 2003.
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Obviously you travel the country, attending and working at many conferences. What sets the ACFW conference apart from others?
The fiction-centric aspect of the conference is wonderfully unique. It allows the classes to go deeper than ever in their content. And I truly admire their effort to have material for the beginner as well as the advanced writer.
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What is your favorite part of the ACFW conference?
Talking with old friends and making new ones. We are a part of a tremendous ministry of changing people’s lives through the power of story. To be surrounded by amazingly creative people blesses me beyond measure.
It is also fun to connect with clients and possibly discover that new talent.
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One thing I really appreciate about you is how you make yourself available, sitting in the hotel lobby chatting (casually, not for pitches) with authors. What are some of your memories from attending one of ACFW’s national conferences?
Doing the night owl on author/agent relations with Tracey Bateman. Completely unrehearsed we had a full room of folks who laughed with our antics.
The night owl with Chip MacGregor and Janet Grant in 2007 where we evaluated one-sheets for an hour, unrehearsed. It was a bit like the ACFW version of “American Idol.” We really let down our guard and told the hard truth about what we were seeing.
Late night laughter and camaraderie each year. Don’t be afraid to hang out with the “guys and gals”. It is never an exercise of “cliques-are-us.”
Heart to heart conversation with a client who was so relieved when we agreed to take her story in a new direction that her tears were ones of joy.
A serendipitous conversation with Andy Meisenheimer from Zondervan that turned into a contract for a first time author.
Connecting officially with Cindy Woodsmall at the conference. We had talked before and I loved her manuscript (now published as When the Heart Cries), but we needed the face-to-face to make it official.
I could go on and on. And have left out too many friends, editors and authors in this brief trip down memory lane. But you can see the variety and diversity of the experience, which is my point. Everyone who attends the conference can make it something special.
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At the conference, you take dozens of appointments. What are you looking for in a new author? Is there an element in a pitch that you look for?
This a VERY difficult question. Fiction is the most subjective reading experience of any sort. So even if I like the pitch I may not like the writing. And sometimes the pitch is weak but the writing is great. And what gets me excited may make another agent’s eyes glaze over.
In the pitch I’m looking at the person as much as the writing. It is the connection made with their personality and their passion and their overall presentation of themselves. That is as much a part of the pitch as the actual words in the manuscript. It is one of the reasons why agents and editors go to a conference…to see firsthand that “snap” or “spark” which makes that person stand out. Hopefully the execution of the writing delivers as well.
Understand that I’m not saying that someone has to be a “bigger-than-life” personality. That would be a fairly shallow perspective. Instead it is reading the person behind the page. It is hard to explain and impossible to teach to someone else. But those of us on this side of the table know what I mean. The successful agents and editors have the ability to pick those few from the crowd..
So, please understand I’m not talking about a song and dance routine. But instead I’m talking of the internal fire, that God given spark, that says, “Steve? Pay attention.”
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Is there a particular genre you are wanting to add to your current list?
We cover all major genres with the wonderfully diverse clients we represent. Take a look at our list of clients on our web site. (www.stevelaube.com/authors.htm)
I am a very eclectic reader and enjoy all sorts of books. So it boils down to whether I think I can sell a particular author or story. And it is VERY tough. Usually I say to the new writer, “take what you learn at this conference and apply it to this proposal. Then after another round of hard work, send it….but know that our agency received nearly 2,000 proposals in 2007.”
So far in 2008 we have added four new fiction clients, but every one of them is a previously published author. And yet we are thrilled to say that in the last few years we have secured contracts for ten first-time novelists! So the opportunity is there if you have the right project!
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It’s been said that some editors and agents request everything pitched to them at conference. What is your take on this, and how often do you make requests?
There can be the problem of the "false positive" at a conference - by "false positive" I mean the "Send it to me" from the editor/agent only to later get a stock rejection letter. It is a problem of which there is no real solution. Editors/Agents cannot fully evaluate a project in a 15 minute meeting or over a group dinner table. Back in the office they can weigh your project against the others they are considering. But at least you are being considered! If you had not gone to the conference you would not have had that chance. I can name numerous times in my past where I contracted someone after reading the proposal in the office. Of course the majority receive the "no thank you" letter. Just because the faculty member says, "send it" doesn't carry with it a guarantee of a sale.
It is especially difficult with fiction because the reading is more of an experience than an evaluation. I’m not afraid to say, “This needs work” to any writer and many of you reading this interview have heard those words from me. But at the same time our agency’s door is always open. We are always in the hunt for the “next best.” I can’t know if that is the “next” unless I get it reviewed and read it myself in a different context outside the conference.
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Have you ever signed an author after meeting with them at conference?
Many times. Both as an agent and back when I was an editor at Bethany House. It does happen. I could safely say that every editor or agent would agree that if they find one (only one) new talent from a conference it is considered a success. I’ve had many times where nothing specific came out of that conference but years later it bore fruit. For example, Paul Robertson attended a conference where I spoke in the late 90s. He said he sent something afterwards that I rejected. Eight years later he sent me a proposal that is now a published book (The Heir) with Bethany House. So while I didn’t necessarily see anything at the time it had results nearly 10 years later.
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What advice would you give to beginner writers about attending this conference?
Go into it with realistic expectations. The biggest mistake is thinking that it is the guaranteed method for getting a book contract. Modify those expectations. Instead see it as a learning experience and a place to listen and absorb the sights and sounds around you.
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Any parting words?
I consider it a privilege to be a small part of this wonderful industry. We are tasked to help spread the good news to a world that doesn’t read. Incredible isn’t it? Our insecurities, our frustrations, our successes (or lack thereof), are all part of the larger movement of souls who find rest in God and His salvation through the vehicle of our stories.
In the 2007 Christy banquet keynote Lauren Winner (www.laurenwinner.net) said that it was the Mitford novels by Jan Karon that showed her that faith could be worked out in daily life. That experience, through the pages of a novel, set her on the path to Faith. What could top that?
Thank you, Steve, for taking the time to answer some questions and help writers at all levels prepare for the awesome ACFW conference, held this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 18-21, 2008. Check it out: http://www.acfw.com/conference/
I'm in the middle of working on a military thriller, book one in a series called Discarded Heroes. It's a series I am deeply passionate about and one that I'm finally feeling freed to write. In light of that, I'd like to share this video with you that my husband forwarded to me. I've seen many of the images here before, but sometimes, it's good to stop and reflect on the liberties we have that have come at a deep price.
Enjoy--and take a moment to pray for our soldiers!
PATIENCE - I learned in my teens what a "punishing" experience praying for patience can be. My fabulous friend and crit partner Robin Caroll Miller has all but banned the P-word from her home, life, and vocabulary. The other day, she mentioend it, and I think she needed a valium. *grins*
WILL - Well...I'm in the middle of learning what happens when you pray--and I truly mean PRAYING and earnestly meaning it--NOT MY WILL, LORD, BUT YOURS. Because, in complete honesty, don't we all go to God in prayer with certain expectations and outcomes in mind? And maybe you've had God override your preferences...but has he done this in something excruciatingly important to you?
Thou Shall Not PassWell. Huh (as Mal from Serenity would say). Right now, that's about all I have. I know that I know that I know God is working this situation out for my benefit. It's certainly not happening the way I wanted (yes, I've mentioned this to God a few times in recent...minutes). But I truly want His will. I know that He knows the future. He knows what's best for me. I have one little corner of the world that I view from a really skewed perspective called Mine. :-)
Then, also today, I realized that all of this has most likely come about because of a prayer that unwittingly (yes, I mean that tongue-in-cheek) slipped across my tongue. LORD, TEACH ME TO TRUST YOU.
Wowie-kazowie. Enter that prayer with EXTREME CAUTION. LOL You see, I grew up with some less than ideal circumstances, experienced abuse, and had zero trust in anyone. I took care of myself in terms of protecting myself. And I think God decided it was time for me to learn how to trust Him. It was heart-wrenching to realize I didn't--I had to remedy it because if you love someone, you trust them.
So, what about you? What dangerous prayers have you prayed lately that altered your life?
**EXPELLED THE MOVIE**
**FOSSIL HUNTER, THE NOVEL**
**LEARN HOW TO WIN AN iPOD TOUCH!**
**TELL A FRIEND!! **
It is with a joyful, yet heavy heart that I begin this campaign. You see, a beloved brother of mine is also an author—an author whose awesome book is priming for launch—and in order to save his career, JOHN OLSON could really use stellar sales numbers and fans/friends to help him out.First, let me tell you a tad about him—because unless I can appeal to your hearts, hardened by years of people begging money and favors, this campaign will flop like Shamu! JOHN OLSON is an amazing man, who has written an incredible book called FOSSIL HUNTER. A few years ago John quit his mega-bucks job to become a full-time writer. No, not because he got a million-dollar contract, but because John believes in writers, he has a heart filled with godly compassion for writers, to see them excel. I’ve honestly never met a man quite like him. His dedication not only to writers, but to his family and friends is absolutely humbling.
Okay. Ahem. Enough mushy stuff. Here’s the goods.
EXPELLED: NO INTELLIGENCE ALLOWED,
THE MOVIE
The core issue of FOSSIL HUNTER is intelligent design, and made in cooperation with the Ben Stein movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, is awesome! If you haven’t seen the movie, you really need to spoil your significant other and head to the theater (www.expelledthemovie.com).FOSSIL HUNTER, THE NOVEL
Anyway, back to Fossil Hunter—I had the great pleasure of reading it and brainstorming a tad with John—and I have to say, I am SO glad to see
someone (no, not just someone, but a SCIENTIST!!) tackling this sensitive but CRUCIAL topic of intelligent design. When I read a book, I want to come away satisfied, but it’s major kudos to the author who can intellectually challenge me while doing that! The characters in FOSSIL HUNTER are wonderful, complex, and intelligent. Through her adventure in the Iraqi desert, paleontologist Katie James and her archrival Nick Murad rock the evolution world. “Their initial results fly in the face of current scientific theory, and it seems the whole world turns against them, including those they thought they could trust most.” (quoted from http://www.fossilhunternovel.com/ )That sentence alone makes me yearn for my own copy!! What’s that?? You too? Well—WAIT!! Don’t rush off to Amazon yet. The official release date is May 1, and John would be VERY appreciative if you’d wait until MAY 1st to BUY FOSSIL HUNTER from http://www.fossilhunternovel.com/ (this is another way to save John and make his wife and kids very happy—they’ll actually get to eat next week because of the commissions earned from you wonderful fans purchasing through his site!).
WIN AN iPOD TOUCH
through TELL A FRIEND!
As if that’s not enough, get this. After I cajoled…er, consoled a sobbing John and promised to do my absolute best to save his career and help with the launch of his wonderful book, FOSSIL HUNTER, look what the brilliant biochemist promised: Tell your friends that if they read Fossil
Hunter and love it and want to tell their friends about it (and CC me on the emails they send out), I’ll write them back personally and send every one of them a random, quirky and sometimes bizarre token of my appreciation. The best, most creative, widely broadcast and all around most effective recommendations I get (as judged by my wife Amy), will be awarded brand spankin’ new iPod Touches.Y’ALL!! Do you see that? You have a chance to SAVE JOHN’S CAREER (having a brilliant biochemist eternally indebted to you isn’t a bad thing), buy BUY FOSSIL HUNTER, and WIN AN iPOD Touch!!!!! Have you seen those things?? (I drooled over one so much the man at the store threatened to make me pay for it with years of indentured service).
So, who’s game? Who’s willing to step out and help a fellow author/brilliant biochemist/father/brother/husband? Who will help SAVE JOHN’S CAREER? If you’re interested in competing for an iPod Touch, make sure to send out a campaign newsletter and copy John (johno@litany.com). I wish you all the best! THANK YOU for helping to SAVE JOHN’S CAREER!
Remember:
1.) SEE THE MOVIE: Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
2.) BUY Fossil Hunter http://www.fossilhunternovel.com/ MAY 1st
5.) possibly WIN an iPod Touch!
Without further ado, here are the winners (gathered from both my Shoutlife page and this blog):
TAMING RAFE goes to LINDA!!
ONLY UNI goes to Karin!!
Howdy, y'all! Wow, it's been a while. Oopsie. Sorry for the delay, but I am the coordinator for the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year contest. The deadline just came/went, so that completely devoured the last couple/few weeks of my life. Whew! But the books are out to the judges, and I'm getting my life back slowly.
Soooo...a few months back, I tried creating a trailer for my new spy thriller, Dead Reckoning. The only thing I got out of the thing was a lot of frustration. Once Book of the Year was done (as far as sending out books), I tackled it again. Tell me what you think:
Okay, so I admit--with red-hot cheeks--that a MONTH ago when I thought I was LATE doing Camy's blog...well, I was actually a MONTH early. So anyway, here's the REAL DEAL with Camy--and the interview, along with that same promise to WIN A FREE COPY of ONLY UNI by the amazing CAMY TANG!!!
1. You now have two books available for the public, with your third coming out in August 2008. Is there anything you've learned in the process since you signed that contract that you want to share?
Not all publishing houses are the same, and certain editors/marketing directors/art departments have a better fit with certain author personalities. I know for a fact God completely guided my publishing house to me, and I'm very grateful. The intricacies of how people work together and are compatible are too complicated for my brain, but God knows and He knew Zondervan was the right fit for my debut novels. For any other aspiring writers out there--be patient and wait for that right fit. It will make ALL the difference as you go through the editorial and marketing process.
2. I know you have to be tight-lipped about what you're working on now (otherwise you'd have to kill us...oh, wait, that's my character), but can you share a bit about the direction you're now heading in?
I have a young adult proposal out there, and also a contemporary
romance proposal that hasn't been accepted yet (but hopefully will
be).
3. You've mentioned before how much Gayle Roper has helped you. Would you encourage new/beginning writers to work with a mentor (we all know you can't just "go out and find one")?
Gayle Roper's fiction mentoring clinic at the ACFW conference (she
does them at other conferences, too, like Mount Hermon) was one of the turning points of my career. She's a fabulous teacher as well as being a terrific writer, and she can give guidance in terms of writing craft and writing business, because she's been a writer for so long. If anyone can get into one of her clinics, it's well worth the time and money. I learned as much from what she said about my fellow students' manuscripts as what she said about my own writing.
However, before someone shells out the money for that or any other
mentoring clinic, I really want to encourage people to find other less expensive ways of leaning the basics. Gayle's class is for
intermediate to advanced writers, and wouldn't be as helpful if a
writer is just beginning. My suggestion for beginning writers--actually, ALL writers, no matter what their level, should be doing this--is to read lots of writing craft books, get the MP3 recordings of conference workshops, read lots of writing articles on
the web.
4. You have a dog named after a candy bar. Does that say something about you? *grin*
That I love sweets? You betcha!
Actually, Snickers was the only name my husband and I both liked when we were trying to come up with a name for our newly adopted dog. She had previously been named Chocolate, but we reasoned that yelling "Chocolate!" at a runaway dog isn't as effective as other consonant and vowel combinations. "Snickers!" was much easier to scream down the street.
5. What do you believe is the single most important aspect of a story (Yeah, I know...that's a tough one, but you're a writer, so be creative!)?
STRUCTURE. People who know me are probably sick of me talking about
this, but I fully believe that good story structure is one of the most important things that make an editor decide to buy a manuscript. How many times have writers heard, "The middle sags" or "The book fizzles near the end" or "The pacing isn't quite even"? It's because their structure is flawed, and good, solid story structure (like the skeleton of a body) will combine with great writing and unique characters to bump the story up a level to where a publishing house will buy it.
Thanks for having me here, Ronie!
Camy
Well, it's been an interesting few weeks for me. My husband is now working away from home, living in another city during the week, while I remain at home with the kids. It's a challenge I've never faced before, and one that has brought me to my knees more than once already. But in the middle of all this, we're beginning the journey toward restoration in our lives.
Five years ago our family endured the brutal loss of our first home to foreclosure. Since then, Brian has been laid off five times in four years. Our financial situation has been strained, at best, and null at worst. But now, God has placed our feet on a new path. Brian's new job is one that he's actually set to earn more money than he has ever earned before! And we're starting the process to buy a home. All good things, yes? Yet, it seems at every curve and bump in the road, I find myself saying, "See? I knew it wouldn't work. Good things don't happen to us."
I'm very ashamed and broken over this. This horrible lack of faith on my part was first shown to me earlier this week when I was reading about the Israelites in the desert. They were divinely provided with manna. Now, we don't know exactly what this stuff looked like, but the Word says that when the Israelites ground it up and made flat cakes, it tasted like PASTRIES!!!!!!!!!! Okay, I'm digging that. LOL then again--I can certainly understand getting tired of manna after a while. I mean, how many times am I willing to eat tira misu, or biscuits with melted butter and drizzled with local honey??? LOL However, the Lord did not tolerate their complaints. As a matter of fact, He became angry with them. Asked, "Has my arm lost its strength?" Then he vowed to give them so much meat over the next thirty days, that they'd gag on it!! Oopsie.
Well. Sigh. I already know I'm more closely related to the grumbling Israelites, despite my working NOT to. LOL But I certainly don't want to be gagging!
I readily admit it's hard for me to believe that this will get better. Five years of praying and hoping for the "tide to turn," and things just got worse every time. And now, I'm challenged to have faith that we can get into a home again. Despite the foreclosure. Despite the bad work record for Brian. Despite the not-so-great credit history. Despite my wounds.
But God is great. His name is great. When the Word was being transcribed, those who were taskedwith copying the texts, would not even write out His full name. And when they did write his name, they would use a pen that had not been used before, then threw it away after writing his partial name.
God is powerful. His name is powerful. If we'll only let Him work...
Oops! She did it again. Susan May Warren, that is. She's done it again with yet another fabulous Noble Legacy Series book! Sigh. I have told Sara that I think Susie has become my new hero in writing. The way she hauls me into her stories with a tight rope (yes, pun intended, even if it is lame), hunky characters (come on, admit it! Rafe and Nick are gorgeous men!! Why else do you think they're on her covers!), and carefully crafted stories. Without further ado, here's Rafe...sort of:
First--a fabulous new contest! Enter to WIN A STEAK DINNER WITH RAFE NOBLE!! (an Omaha Steaks gift certificate and a copy of Taming Rafe!). 
Rather than supply a typical excerpt, I'm going to once again show you a line that made me laugh, and in a way, captures the essence and flavor of Taming Rafe awesome writing:
"Oh, please, there isn't a woman alive who wouldn't stand on a bed of coals to sit next to Lincoln Cash."
"He's not my type, which only adds to the fact that my mother and I were nothing alike. I prefer well-barbered, silk-suited man to a whiskered, rough-edged scoundrel who considers a wink the invitation to dinner or more. Besides, I have Bradley."
Cari sighed. "Right."
"Bradley is stable. And patient. Everything a woman could want."
"If you're a houseplant."
I love that part! Classic. Keeps the edgy tension balanced with a bit of humor. I love doing that in my own stories.
Now, here's where you can Taming Rafe 1st Chapter.
Susan's website
Super cool -- the Book and series trailer
And last, but certainly not least, here is the Rafe blog.
OH...Because I think Susan is soo kewl, and because we share the same agent extraordinaire (Steve Laube), and because you can't NOT read this book...I'm going to do something I don't normally do. I'm going to buy a copy of this fabulous book for ONLY BLESSED WINNER (between Shoutlife, Edgy Christian Fiction Writers, and this blog). So, make sure to leave your name and a phish-proof email address!!!
Betsy tagged me with this blog game!
Here's the rules:
Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!
Find page 123.
Find the first 5 sentences.
Post the next 3 sentences.
Tag 5 people.
The book closest to me at the moment is Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren. So far, I LOVE it--Susie's one of the few writers whose writing actually grab me and don't let go, much like Rafe's grip on that bull rope--yeeeouch!! I think Susie is one of my writing heroes...or should that be heroines? LOL I'll be doing a post for her blog tour on this novel soon, so stay tuned for more details on this great read!!
Here's p. 123! (which I haven't gotten to yet! oh the suspense!)
She heard him sit beside her. Silence passed between them, but she didn't feel the need to fill it. She just watched the wind push the clouds across forever.
Hmm, many of my friends have already been tagged, so...I will tag:
**Sara Mills
**Lisa Harris
**Mindy Obenhaus
**John Olson (hey, the dude has a PINK page on Edgy Christian Fiction...check it out)
**Robin Miller/Caroll
Hey, everyone! Wow, things are just insane right now. Let me update y'all. It's been a very tough road since 9/11 hit and the technology industry tanked. We've been through a lot, including foreclosure and we're about to hit four moves in five years!! UGH! I hate that. Four years ago, it was spoken over us at church that the "tide was turning." We expected and wanted that tide to be a Tsunami and to hit us fast and hard.
Didn't happen.
God had other ideas. But now, we're here, and after a very long journey through the desert (along with the blisters, snake bites, and sunburns to prove it), I believe we're coming out on the other side.
About three weeks ago, Brian got a call that there was a job up in the D/FW metroplex doing exactly what he loves doing--selling internet security-type stuff. The type of job he's always done so well at. He dashed off his resume. Got a call within ten minutes. He interviewed the next day.
Not only did he get the job, but he's assigned the best territory with a pay and benefits package that will get us back on our feet (read: be able to pay our bills) for the first time in three years. The official offer letter/package arrived Friday. Woo-hooo!!!!! He signed the letter and emailed it back immediately. That means his start date was officially Friday--which (should) mean he gets paid at the end of the month (that was a concern)!! Brian is leaving tonight to head up there and begin his new career.
And God reminded me of something today. In January, I charged a new bedding set that was on clearance at my work. Between the clearance price and my associate discount, I got a fabulous deal. I was very proud. But almost as soon as I made the purchase, I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. God really nudged me hard to return the comforter, prompted me that this was the year to get out of debt. I have to tell you, I REALLY wrestled with that. It was a great deal and our other one is torn and falling apart. Besides, I couldn't see how we would ever get out of debt, especially since we were living on my part-time income. I was like... "Um, hello, God? Are you missing the part where Brian has no income? And Brian gave me *permission* to buy the comforter!!!" (That alone was a miracle, I thought. LOL)
As you can imagine, the discussion was one-way. LOL God wasn't budging. He gave me His wisdom. I had a choice. Return it or not to return it.
I returned it.
And then Brian got this job. And then we got a HUGE tax-return...so much so that we paid off four bills and caught up on the others. When I shared this with Brian, I told him it wasn't that my returning the comforter brought about those things. But without that experience between God and myself, I wouldn't have recognized the Hand of God moving in our lives as much, and I wouldn't have appreicated as much the whole getting out of debt thing the way I can now. Obedience in such a small thing opened my eyes in a BIG way...even though it didn't make sense when it was happening.
We are far from being clear and free. But we're on the road.
Confession: It's really hard, however, to rejoice in all this, knowing that my dearest friends are still in their deserts, their dark tunnels. I know we all have different journeys God calls us to, and we're all at different phases, but it's still hard to see my friends hurting so much....
Hey, everyone! Listen up! I've got the Loud Asian Chick on my blog today. That's right--Camy Tang is featured here, and I'm so thrilled and honored to share her new book with you. 
Now, on to her book. I got the extreme pleasure of reading Only Uni before the final version went to press...and I have to admit that I loved this one. Not only are her characters funny and compelling, but as always, Camy's stories are structured so well, you feel satisified once you come to the end. And check out this cover!! It's crisp and clean looking, to match the author's fresh style! Camy pens strong, believable characters who leave you rolling on the floor and pulling for them the next instant. 
I had to have God's assurance that this was indeed a calling and not a career. After all, I'd just left one career to stay home with my children. I had to know it was Him. That said, it is more challenging to find time to write than I ever dreamed. I have to be creative about it. I gave up a lot of things in order to be able to write, but never time with my children. I haven't watched TV for three years. I also don't IM anymore. Or play games on the computer. I prayerfully unsubscibed from most of my loops and pulled out of heavy volunteering. I simplified my life to make time for my children, husband and writing. By God's grace, I write very fast and I'm so thankful He's granted that ability because that's the only way I can manage. Plus it helps that I'm obsessive about organization, and fiercely protective of my time and my family. That said, God has freedom to interrupt me at any time when someone is in need of my time. When I honor God and obey, He pays me the time back. It's the strangest most wonderful thing to experience. I learned to listen intently to the Holy Spirit throughout the day. I also ask God to order my day before my feet even hit the floor in the morning and don't neglect connecting with Him first thing. I follow the Math 6:33 and apply it to my writing time. Seek Him first and all these things (aka witing time) will be given to you....
2.) What goals have you set for this New Year?
Simplfy even more by doing a mass exodus of clutter in our home. This clutter causes me to lose time trying to find things. So I'm on an all out assault against clutter in our home. I am enforcing the "Everything has a place and everything in its place!" rule with my troop. I am sentimental and used to be a packrat, but I can't handle the mess anymore. When I see it, I can't concentrate fully on the project at hand. Writing goals, I'd like to sell the rest of the PJ series this year and finish out the next series.
3.) What is your favorite part of A Soldier's Promise(without giving spoilers)?Favorite part was when Joel is at Bradley's bedside in the hospital. When Joel tells Bradley he's his hero and he needs him to fight the cancer because Bradley reminds him how to be brave. Everytime I read it, I tear-up and I hardly ever get moved by my own writing.
I also like the "DVD" conversation between Joel, Millie and Uncle Dean. Snicker. You'll have to get the book to know why, but several people have said they fell sideways laughing at that part.
4.) In our writing journeys there is invariably a point that stands out in our minds. Perhaps a point where we knew we'd never (really) walk away, or points where we knew God had His hand on us. What stands out in your mind?
There are a few points that stand out. Recently, when day after day of positive, encouraging reader letters started rolling in. It confirmed that I am meant to do this. Commissioned by God to do this. Prior to this, I went to a conference in a wheelchair following a major surgery where I had to have major reconstructive surgery performed on my hip, pelvis, femur, and socket after a medical misdiagnosis that put me in excruciating pain for over two years. During that hard season of unbearable pain that nothing would help, everything in my life was shaken except for my faith. I felt like a horrible mother and wife because lack of sleep was changing my personality and I felt grumpy and agitated all the time. On the way to the conference I felt like God told me, "You have been faithful in this hard season. You have been through a blistering cold winter, and you have been faithful." Then I felt like he told me, "This hard season is ending. Spring is coming."
Then at the conference, someone prayed over me and said those exact words, not knowing God had told me that on the way to the conference. At the conference I won first place in Genesis M/S/T category and days following, I contracted my first novel. That call was also a defining moment because seconds before, I felt God ask me if I would promise to always write as worship. I said, "Yes, Lord. You know I will." That moment, as the last word came out of my mouth, the phone rang and it was THE Call. That definitely stands out in my mind and my constant prayer is that I'll never break that promise. So it floored me when marketing came up with the title A Soldier's Promise because I hadn't even thought of it. Yet it's absolutely perfect for the story, and as a sign between God and I that I know He's in on this. It's not just something I'm chasing in vain.
5.) What is your favorite movie and why?
I mentioned never watching TV, but my husband and I do have regular date nights. I love the Bourne movies because of all the action which I LOVE. Matt Damon isn't too shabby to look at either....LOL!
I also love Raising Helen (the closet scene!), Shindler's List and The Green Mile. The last two movies stick out in my mind as the kind of story that haunts you for years after you watch them.
Girl, I'm right there with you on Bourne/Damon. *wink* Am I tattling on myself saying that the wallpaper on my Zune is from Bourne Ultimatum. :-D As a matter of fact, here's the image. You can find these wallpapers all over the internet. I find them very inspiring (hey, I'm a thriller writer, what can I say??). LOL 
Other daughter after her violin concert
In an earlier post, I mentioned my writing rest. And how I was already ready to be released from that rest. December 23 is when I felt the "hold" hand on my shoulder lift. Not wanting to rush forward in case I was wrong, I allowed myself to do some light editing, but I still did not write. In my mind, I'd hoped for the day after Christmas...and that's exactly when the well unstopped. :-P
I started a new fantasy...and I just wrote. And wrote. I'm up to 13K since December 27. That's not a record for my by an means (hey, I wrote almost 30K in one weekend before!), but it was a beautiful sensation. I would write after I got home from work, then go to bed at a decent hour (no all-nighters for me LOL).
the really incredible thing for me is this--it opened my creative juice vein. Last night, I sat thinking about my new military thrillers series. I've tried to figure out what's going to happen in that story all month and got...NUTHIN'!!! But last night--it came flooding out. I am soooo excited. It took a month of not writing or editing or critiquing, then a handful of days where I just wrote (internal editor squashed flat as I wrote and wrote with redundancies and repetitions and misspellings...shhh, don't tell her. LOL).
So. I'm back. but in this New Year, I want to be focused on four things:
FATHER
FAMILY
FRIENDS
FICTION
Okay, so that pretty much encompasses my entire life, save my day JOB (but hey, even those hours got cut!!). :-D But I'm determined to make the last three a priority in my life as the first one GUIDES my life by increasing my daily time with Him.
Last year, i felt strongly it would be a YEAR OF TRANSITION. And let me tell you, if God ever speaks that to you, brace yourself! LOL But for this year, I believe the phrase came to me in october. It's going to be a YEAR OF PROMISE!
I like the sound of that.
How about you??
Okay, I altered this CARDED meme to include a Spiritual Wish list. I think that way we can know how to pray for each other, both spiritually and physically. *grin*
THE RULES:
1. Each player starts with 5 gifts that they would want for Christmas.
2. People who are "CARDED" need to write their own Blog about their 5 things & post these rules.
3. At the end of your Blog, you need to choose 5 people to get "CARDED" and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a COMMENT telling them they're "CARDED", and to read your Blog.
My Materialistic Gift/Wish List:
1. Okay, I'll be 100% honest and "materialistic"--a book contract. There. I've confessed. :-D
2. A certain kitten from the animal shelter
3. for our finances to heal enough that I can stop working retail
4. Skillet shirt :-D
5. Romance or Tommy Girl perfume
My Spiritual Gift/Wish List:
1. To get my life organized in a way that I can have the prayer and worship time I need
2. Come Christmas, I pray to be released from this time of relaxation (cuz really, I'm not relaxing when I can't write!!!!!!!!!!!)
3. To write a compelling and gratifying book that will bring the healing of Christ to others
4. To start a Beth Moore Bible study
5. More of HIM, less of me *wink*
The people I have carded (in alphabetical order):
1. Dineen Miller
2. Robin Miller
3. Sara Mills
4. Mindy Obenhaus
5. Camy Tang
Well, I've felt God nudging me the last few months to take a short break from writing. Not in the sense that He's asking me to give up writing, but to relax, take time to focus on Him, my family, and relationships. I confess I fought that nudging--fought it out of fear. You see, I was scared God would remove this gift He'd given me. That alone was irrational because God's not an "Indian Giver." I love writing. it's fulfilling and extremely satisfying. At times, it's even my therapy after a hard day. Yet I still feared taking the time off, feared, I'd come back to write one day and....couldn't.
However, after a difficult rejection, my fab-o agent suggested I spend the next few weeks concentrating on friends and family. I knew then that what he said was a confirmation of what God was urging me to do.
So. I am. I'm not holding fast to my daily writing goal. As a matter of fact, I am not writing. Period. I'm not critiquing either. However, I am reading and studying...and in the midst of all this, my well that had run dry is once again bubbling up with story ideas and thoughts on how to make some of my stories better. After Christmas, I am praying that I can return to writing with a renewed vigor and vision to be all that God wants...to write compelling stories that drive God's message into the hearts of the hurting and searching.
And in the middle of all *that*, I'm enjoying my family, surviving my job in the retail world, and taking it easy. I almost feel guilty. :-D I said ALMOST. LOL
Hey, y'all! Wow--this month is just zipping along. It's been frought with a lot of stress, but also a lot of joy. This is the first year Brian and I have lived close to his parents--close enough to wake up Christmas morning and pop in at their house to open presents. We can't wait!! :-D Other good things: I've seen God move on behalf of several friends, and I've seen four friends receive contracts (or promises of one) in the last 30 days. HOW KEWL IS THAT????
Well, since I'm working and stress (customers get snippier and snarkier as the day of wonder draws closer!), I'm posting this Christmas Carol Riddle in lieu of a full/real post. Enjoy!!
Name the Christmas Carol described in each riddle.
1. Wanted in December:Top forward incisors
2. The lad is a diminutive percussionist
3. Oh small Israel urban center
4. We are Kong, Lear and Nat Cole
5. Our fervent joy is that you thoroughly enjoy your yuletide season
6. Listen, the winged heavenly messengers are proclaiming tunefully
7. Jubilation to the entire terrestrial globe
8. Do you perceive the same vibrations which stimulate my auditory senses?
9. May the Deity bestow an absence of fatigue to mild male humans
10. Leave and broadcast from an elevation
