Heart's Haven Authors Chat It Up

Cheryl Malandrinos has graciously invited the Heart's Haven authors to visit her blog, The Book Connection, and talk about how these stories came to be. We're thrilled to be her guests, and would love to see you there, as well.

Cheryl started off with guest articles from Marianne Evans and Tanya Stowe. Check it out!

Marianne Evans' post on what it's like to write Christian fiction in a very secular world

Tanya Stowe's post on co-writing with multiple authors. Yep, it can get sticky! :)

Mary Manners and Delia Latham will follow with interviews. 

Come keep us company! :)

Book Fun: Mama Was the Queen of Christmas

The following article is adapted
from the recently released book,
Mama Was the Queen of Christmas
by Linda J. Gilden

 

 

A GAME FOR ALL

How will all the little holiday extras ever get done? I ask myself that question every year. And as much as I enjoy the holidays, there seems to be so little time.

One year I decided to let go of expectations and concentrate on celebrating Jesus. I came up with a plan to accomplish a lot of the extras in a very short time. I created a game!

“Come on, everyone,” I said. “We are going to play a game.”

There was minor grumbling but in the end everyone agreed a family game would be fun. And I was so excited about the end result!

“Just give me an hour of your time,” I said. “Then you can get back to your homework.”

I found a cute Christmas container and deposited little slips of paper, each describing a job.

“I am going to set a timer for twenty minutes,” I said. “When you draw a slip of paper, you have twenty minutes to work at your job. When the bell rings, you will choose another job and change what you are doing. In an hour, you will have helped me with three pre-Christmas chores.”

The papers in the container had jobs like:

1. Position the electric candles in the windows.
2. Put the greenery on the mantle downstairs.
3. Wrap presents. (Not your own, although most were willing!)
4. A smile face. This job was really important. The person who got the smile was to circulate, serve refreshments, and make sure everyone was having fun.
5. Address Christmas cards.
6. Plan a family activity that will help us concentrate on the real meaning of the season such as memorize the Christmas story from Luke, find someone to share the season with who hasn’t yet met the Savior, concentrate on a different aspect of Jesus’ birth in daily devotions, etc.
7. Make a Christmas goodie or edible treat. My family favorite is “Rocks!”

Christmas music playing in the background created a festive and jovial mood.

As it turned out, everybody was a winner in this game. The family gathered in the kitchen for a sample of “rocks,” pointing out that we had become happy little elves, proudly creating an atmosphere of merriment for the holidays.

Are there things you can do to make this holiday season less stressed for you and your family?

 

A RECIPE FROM LINDA: Rocks – Favorite Holiday Treat!

2 cups chocolate chips                                         

1 ½ cups dry roasted peanuts
½ cup peanut butter
(1) 12.3 oz. box Crispix cereal
Confectioners Sugar

1. Melt chocolate in a large bowl in microwave oven. Heat on high for 1 minute. Stir well. Heat 30 seconds more or as needed to melt chocolate. Stir until smooth. (Chocolate could also be melted in a double boiler over low heat on the stove.)
2. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended.
3. Add peanuts and cereal and mix until thoroughly coated. A wooden spoon works best for this.
4. Put confectioner’s sugar in a plastic bag. Add cereal mixture, close bag tightly, and shake gently until mixture is coated with sugar. If you do a third of the mixture at a time, it is easier to handle.
5. Makes a lot! Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

About the book:

Mama Was the Queen of Christmas is a collection of stories highlighting “Mama's” role in the season as well as quotes, scripture, and practical suggestions for keeping the holidays focused on Christ. Mama presents creative ideas to plan a meaningful holiday season.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

• “For the Queen” helps the reader focus on the truth of each story. This feature includes suggestions for the reader to implement that truth in his or her life.
• “For the King” points the reader to the One whose birth we celebrate through a personal activity.
• “For the Court” suggests family activities to apply the truth in each story.

About the author:

LINDA GILDEN's favorite season is Christmas. But, truthfully, she and her family like to celebrate all year long, so can it really be called a season? Growing up in a home where the spirit of Christmas prevailed throughout the year, she knows she is blessed to have married a man who shares the same philosophy—Jesus is not just for a season but for a lifetime! Linda is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and several other books, such as Love Notes in Lunchboxes, Love Notes on His Pillow, and Mommy Pick-Me-Ups (all by New Hope Publishers), but Mama Was the Queen of Christmas is one she has wanted to write for a long time. Her heart’s desire is to see families enjoy each other and make memories no matter what the season. Linda lives in South Carolina with her husband, three grown children and children-in-law, four grandchildren, and a granddog, all of whom love Christmas as much as she does!

Blog Tag!

I’ve been blog tagged by Delia Latham. I’m it and I have to answer the following questions about my newest book. Here goes!

What is the working title of your new book?

Well, I hope Leap of Faith is the working and final since it will be out December 14!

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I honestly don’t know. I had just finished, White Christmas, a story about two very focused characters involved in politics and the public eye. I felt like I wanted to do a different character. This image of a sweet, fragile-looking, daughter of flower children popped into my head and Zoe Wyndham was born. Zack Manning, the computer software designer was her complete opposite. From there, the story took off!

What genre does Leap of Faith fall under?

It’s definitely Inspirational Fiction.

What actors and actresses would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

OK. I’ll certainly be dating myself here. A young Michelle Pfeiffer with long blonde hair for Zoe. Amanda Seyfried would be good, too, but Michelle has Zoe’s fragile look. Zoe’s not fragile by the way, she just looks that way!

Actors…I would have to say Ryan Gosling. He has that boy-next-door quality and a certain vulnerability…in the shape of a blonde flower child, who completely catches Zack by surprise.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Zack thinks Zoe’s pretty in a wispy sort of way, but she’s far too ‘other-worldly’ for practical Zack…until she shows up at his front door with a message about his job and Zack suddenly falls head over heels.

Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

Pelican Book Group will release Leap of Faith under their White Rose Division on December 14, 2012.

How long did it take to write the book?

Delia Latham says 3 or 4 months. She’s probably right, but it seemed much shorter than that!

Who or What inspired this book?

Well, I was invited by Delia, Marianne Evans and Mary Manners to participate in an anthology they were putting together. But once we started and began work, the ideas jumped onto the pages. The connections were incredible.  I’m certain this series was inspired by our Heavenly Father and I’m quite sure He has great plans for it. I’m just along for the ride!

What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

A slightly kooky heroine determined to follow God’s path for her, a path she’s certain doesn’t contain romance. A hero at a serious crossroads in his life with everything he ever wanted at his fingertips…and yet he can’t take the step. Throw in pushy angels, a grumpy caretaker and some wise friends, and you have a recipe for a great tale!

Now it’s my turn to tag someone else.

Clare Revelle

Raquel Byrnes

Tanya Hanson

Mary Manners

YOU'RE IT!

Cover picture, or words, that is the question…

What does it take to catch your attention, to make you actually carry a book to the check out counter…or click buy on the internet? 

As writers we want a beautiful cover – but if you’re like me, I have no idea what that might be! But look at it from a reader’s point of view (which we all are). What do you like to see in the cover picture? Do you want people? Do you want to see what the characters “look like”? Or do you like beautiful scenery? How about adorable animals? Or maybe you don’t even know what hooks you. Take a peek at some of these and see how you feel about them. (If you’ve actually read any of them try not to let that have any bearing.) See how much of a pull each kind of cover has, and let us know. We could be looking at a trend here (or we may just find out that we all have our own preferences)!

Covers:

Lasting Love http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Lasting_Love_4dffbfb0eba98_200x300.jpg

 

Bahama Breeze

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Bahama_Breeze_4e858021a1de7_200x300.png

 

Fire Dragon’s Angels

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Fire_Dragon_s_An_4dfaefe0ba0d8_200x300.png

 

Reluctant Bridesmaid

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/resized/Reluctant_Brides_4e00019b7cd7a_200x300.png

 

I’m sure you can think of many more covers – or even turn around to look at some of your own books. So what do you think? See any kind of trend in your purchases? 

But what if it’s the story line that has to grab you, what will it take? What do you look for? A very emotional blurb? Or ‘show me the worst cause I want to see what happens to make it better’? Or perhaps a little bit of mystery to draw you in?  What do you think, action or emotion?  

I know for me, the blurb definitely has to hook me, otherwise the cover doesn’t matter at all. Even if it’s the cover that caught my eye, which sometimes happens, the blurb is what counts. So make your blurbs count! Draw me in (oh, and the other readers, too!) and leave us wanting more so we can’t resist seeing what’s on those pages.  

 

Donna Basinow

 

Guest Blogger

 

 

 

 

Maragart Ellington and Lukas North have a history to resolve. He's determined to reclaim the love he threw away ten years earlier. She’s afraid to let her heart be broken again. When the past repeats itself, can there be a different outcome?

Daffodils...available at White Rose Publishing.

 



 

 

Summer Reads: NOT a List...

Summer seems to be the time for everyone to catch up on reading…or start reading. It’s fun to grab a good book and park oneself in a lounge chair at poolside (or oceanside!). Or sitting propped against a tree in the park—while the kids swing on the monkey bars (are those still around?). Or stretched out on your bed with the overhead fan blowing cool air almost convincing enough to make a reader believe she’s on a breezy balcony in Hawaii.

Well, this summer isn’t working that way for me. Life has a tendency to get in the way sometimes. But that doesn’t mean I won’t find a moment here and there to read a book or two! I mean, seriously, what better way to escape the real world and find a moment of pure perfection in a fictional one? :D

I don’t have a reading list all planned out and numbered and orderly…do you? (I really want to know!) But I do have my eye on a few I’d like to get to. So here’s my chance to make a list—but trust me, these books won’t be read in the order listed. I’m not that good a planner!

Serendipity by Cathy Mari Hake (No, it’s not a new one…but I just found it!)

• Wisdom Tree by Mary Manners

• Wounded Faith by Mary Manners

• Miracles and Mischief by Mary
Manners (Really looking forward to this series!)

• 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koontz

• Found in the Woods by LoRee Peery

• Devotion by Marianne Evans

OK, so I’m not going to be able to list them all—and, of course, summer won’t last long enough to accommodate all the reading I’d like to do. But this is a start. A good one, I think!

What three books do you plan on reading this summer?

Summer Reading: Guest Blogger, Author Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

Summertime.

Can you feel it breezing past? Has the spirit caught you? Have you allowed yourself the supreme luxury of simply kicking back during these longer days to soak in the sunshine, savor the sweet, fresh fruit tastes, catch a wave or two, or perhaps pick up a few great beach-reads by your favorite authors?

Later this month I’ll be headed to one of my favorite warm-weather spots, Lake Huron near Oscoda, Michigan. I’ll spend some time on a pine-shaded deck at my Mom’s house with a glass of wine in hand and a couple of deer wandering about in the yard. Or, you might find me lounging on a camp chair along a golden stretch of sand not far from the rippling waters of Lake Huron with cawing gulls swooping overhead and a sizeable bottle of SPF 5,000 at my elbow (because, yes, I’m that fair skinned, and yes, even with high-level protection, I still burn! LOL!).

In either instance, you’ll also find me with a book, so I thought I’d share with you a few of the titles that are locked and loaded on my e-reader, and find out what authors and titles you’d recommend so I can discover even more!

At the top of my summer list is Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury. This conclusion to her fabulous and incredibly well-written Baxter Family Series is sure to be beautifully told and a heart-tugger. After I dry my eyes following the reading a Kingsbury novel, I’m sure I’ll be in the mood for some nerve-sizzling suspense. Irene Hannon has a new release coming out on August 1^st, Lethal Legacy. Her books define page-turner to me (and I’ve lost many an hour of sleep as the result!) For dessert? How can you go wrong with Nora Roberts? Her Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy has been great so far, and I’m eager to discover how the series wraps.

Pelican Book Group is a publisher you can always count on for great Christian romance and fiction. An outstanding lineup of summer reads is sure to please: Mary Annslee Urban comes to us with Tapestry of Trust, a story of second chance love. Dora Hiers has a new offering titled Small Town Treasures, which is sure to be awesome. Janalyn Voigt, meanwhile, introduces us to the Tales of Faeraven with the release of DawnSinger, a story full of fantastic adventure, romance, and a perilous fight between good and evil.

All in all, there’s plenty out there to please any mood, and any reader! Pick up a few and enjoy. Don’t forget to recommend the books that are at the top of your ‘must read’ list. I can’t wait to find even more great stories to devour!

Happy summer, and happy reading! 


Bio:

Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create.

Evans’s novel, Hearts Communion, earned Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year honors in the Romance category and readers have lauded her work as: ‘Riveting.’ ‘Realistic and true to heart.’ ‘Compelling.’ Evans has also won acclaim in such RWA contests as The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence where she has been a finalist twice, and the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence.

A lifelong resident of Michigan, Evans is active in a number of a number of Romance Writers of America chapters, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President. She’s also active in American Christian Fiction Writers and the Michigan Literary Network.

Summer Daze

For most moms, summer means more why's, more noise, and less 'me' time. But for this mom, summer means just the opposite. You see, during the school year I teach seventh grade math (I know...weird for a writer, right). I am surrounded by noise, why's, and, with mounds of papers to grade and lessons to plan, I most definitely have less 'me' time.

But, this summer has been a little different. My daughter, Danni, is preparing to embark on her very own college adventure and journey into adulthood . It's a time of change for both of us, and each day--each moment--has been bittersweet. It has been a time of reflection and a time of thanks for all the wonderful memories we have shared over the past eighteen years. Time really does fly...I can attest to that. And God is so good...I can attest to that, as well.

So, I find myself the meat in the sandwich, with my mother on one side and my daughter on the other. It's a strange place to be. What's there to do on a warm (OK...hot) summer day in this time of transition...

Write, of course. For me, summer will always be associated with luxurious sun-drenched hours of my keyboard and me, alone, while I sip coffee (half-caff vanilla bean) and the voices chatter in my head. My husband has given up on trying to understand how my brain works, but my writer-friends...they understand completely and I thank God for them each and every day.

Summer daze...wonderful.