Fiction, REVIEWS•
on January 23rd, 2008•
The Dead Whisper On
by T.L. Hines
Canada MacHugh’s life is interrupted on a garbage collection day. Moving along her route, minding her own business, Canada hears her father’s voice out of the shadows . The only problem. Her dad has been dead for eleven years. Not sure whether she’s losing her mind or really hearing her father’s voice, Canada reflects on her life after her father’s death. Is she really where she wants to be? What if the voice is her father? When she starts believing the voice really is her father, Canada trades her dull life for new adventures.
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FOR WRITERS•
on January 18th, 2008•
The essential reference tool for the Christian writer, Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide is now in its 23rd annual edition!
Writers’ Conference listings, Book Publishers, Magazine Publishers, and a Bookstore filled with the resources you need to be successful in this business. Get a Book Contract or Manuscript Evaluation, and check out the Writer’s Resource links. This book has all you need to connect to all these valuable helps for the beginning, intermediate, or professional writer.
To keep you up to date with the latest marketing news, visit Sally Stuart’s new marketing blog, Christian Writers’ Marketplace, at www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com.
OTHER WRITER’S MARKET GUIDES:
Writer’s Market 2008
Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market 2008
Guide to Literary Agents 2008
Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market 2008
Fiction, REVIEWS•
on January 16th, 2008•
The Watchers
by Mark Andrew Olsen
Abby Sherman wakes up to an assassin in her bedroom. While Abby’s long time housekeeper and friend loses her life, Abby’s life hangs in balance as doctors scurry to find out how to cure Abby from whatever chemicals were injected into her body. After she decides to share an incredible dream on her MyCorner page, Abby becomes an instant Web celebrity from her hospital room. Abby’s rise to fame captures the attention of a popular talk show host. An unknown powerful group is not pleased with Abby sharing her dream to the whole world and want to shut the young woman up permanently.
Dylan Hatfield is the best assassin in the world and for the first time in his career, he’s questioning his employees. Why was he hired to kill young woman? All she did was share her crazy dream? Used to killing dictators and terrorists, a woman with a vivid dream of heaven hardly seems worth Dylan’s time. But the price is high and Dylan is ready to retire. When Dylan comes face-to-face with Abby, retirement goes out the window as he encounter the biggest transformation of his life. The two will cross the continent of Africa and eventually enter Jerusalem, all in pursuit of finding out more about the Watchers.
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Devotions•
on January 16th, 2008•
A few weeks ago now, I mentioned I would post my word for the year on my blog. It’s sixteen days into the new year and I need to publicly post the word, mainly because I keep hearing the word over and over again. It’s been mentioned in sermons and by people in conversation enough for me to start thinking, "God, I believe you are telling me something and I need to really listen." He’s been saying the same thing for a long time. What’s my problem?
People wonder if God speaks. Indeed he does, the real question is whether or not we are listening. In 2007, I started to feel the weight of having way too much going on. So much so that it was hard to focus on anything and I just felt tired all the time. Push. Get this done. What’s next? Not another one. After awhile, I started feeling angry and frustrated – mainly at myself. Why do I keep doing this? I’ve been down this route plenty of times before, taking on project after project. Each one depleting me of energy.
God didn’t shout. He whispered. I finally heard him just like Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13). It sounded awfully familiar. "Child, what are you doing?"
By now you may have guessed the word. Keep reading, this might be for you too.
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Nonfiction•
on January 15th, 2008•
The bible study I attend, meets twice a month. This winter, our bible study facilitator chose A Woman’s Journey through 1 Peter: 8 Lessons on Confidence by Dee Brestin. This is great timing for this bible study for me and I’m looking forward to this study. In 2008, I really want to stretch myself in new areas, like writing for publication and public speaking. Both are not easy for an introvert. It’s quite comfortable in the background.
In this study, the author encourages the student to learn a memory verse each month. Now you may think memorization is something only for young people attending Sunday School or Children’s Church, but it’s never too late to hide God’s word in our hearts. In fact, Psalm 119:11 says, ” I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Scripture is definitely not to be used for “bible thumping.” God’s Word is not meant to be beaten over someone’s head, but to draw him or her closer to God. Learning scripture helps us remember God’s truth and promises when we are inundated with so many conflicting opinions from the world.
This week’s Memory Verse:
(the bold is required; the rest optional)
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
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EVENTS, FOR WRITERS•
on January 10th, 2008•
If you live in or near South Carolina, there is a writer’s workshop I’m presenting at this Saturday.
THERE IS A BOOK IN YOU!
2008 Writer’s Workshop
January 12, 2008
10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
The Love Center
209 Dawson Road
Columbia, SC
There is a book in you! Got a story or idea to write about and you don’t know how to begin, or a finished manuscript and not knowing what to do next? Well, we want to help you understand the writing, publishing and marketing process of your book. You don’t want to miss this workshop. It will position you to become a successful author. Make your reservation for your seat today.
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Fiction, REVIEWS•
on January 10th, 2008•
The Ex-Files
by Victoria Christopher Murray
About two to three years ago, Victoria Christopher Murray released a book titled Grown Folks Business. This novel was perfectly time around the controversy of “down-low” men in the African-American community. The protagonist from Grown Folks Business, Sheridan Hart, returns in this book. Sheridan is still having difficulty committing to the younger man she’s been dating for the past three years. The breakup of her 17-year-old marriage is still painful and while Sheridan is in denial, she still has feelings for her bisexual ex-husband.
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