Trust Chronicles: Laurie Burke

The Trust Chronicles is a blog hop and collaborative project between 5 historical romance authors. Our desire is to bring you lasting hope through these letters, grounded in trust in our Lord, and written from the fictional viewpoints of each book’s heroine. We’re so glad to have you join the event. Each day this week, a new Trust Chronicles post will go live, complete with a letter and a new giveaway for that blog post.

Click here to read more about the project and enter to win the one-of-a-kind, Trust Chronicles antique keepsake box, containing each heroine’s letter, hand-inscribed by the author, and a special keepsake to accompany each letter.

To find your way to the other four blog posts and enter each of the five Trust Chronicles prize bundle giveaways, read on! We have a list for you at the bottom of this post.

For those of you who have "hopped" over here from the other Trust Chronicles blogs, my name is Karen Barnett and I am thrilled to be a part of this project. My debut novel, MISTAKEN, will release on July 2 and is set in 1926 Port Angeles, Washington.

Since Prohibition made a criminal of her father and her only brother, Laurie prays to find one man worthy of her trust. Convinced that newcomer Daniel Shepherd is connected with her brother’s gang of rumrunners, Laurie turns to a handsome federal agent for help. But first impressions are never what they seem.

Laurie's Letter 

April 5, 1926

Dear Johnny, 

I’m dashing off this quick note because I have some important information and I’m not sure I’ll see you in time. Not to mention, lately all we seem to do is argue. 

Amelia was disappointed you weren’t in church this morning, but I assured her you had worked late at the mill. (Now you’ve got me lying for you.) I’m writing because Pastor Yoder introduced us to a newcomer. His name is Samuel Brown—and, Johnny—he’s an agent with the Bureau of Prohibition. You said no one would come looking for you, but obviously you were wrong. 

I’m sure you’ll see common sense now. I can’t believe you ever thought this was a good idea. After growing up with Dad’s drinking, I thought you of all people would never go into rumrunning. You keep saying I should trust you—but how can I when you’re sneaking around at night?  

I’ve always prayed for a trustworthy man in my life. And what does God give me? You? Dad? I met your friend, Daniel Shepherd, recently. He acted all innocent and charming at first, but obviously—since he was there on the bluff in the middle of the night—he must be part of your gang, also. Pharmacist by day, rumrunner at night? This world is going crazy. I see no one to trust, except myself. Now this government man drops into our lives. Maybe he’s here to put you on the straight and narrow. Perhaps he’s worthy of my trust. I’m sure you would disagree, but at least Agent Brown’s on the right side of the law.  

You will need to watch out for this man, Johnny. He’s a friendly sort, devilishly handsome, and seems to have a gift for putting people at ease. Even Amelia seemed drawn to him. Don’t get jealous, she assured me she only has eyes for you. Of course, if she knew what you’d been up to, she might see things differently.  

Since you missed church, I wanted to tell you that Pastor Yoder quoted Proverbs 3:5-6 in his sermon. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Johnny, I don’t know what kind of desperation has driven you to make this choice, but maybe its time you started trusting Him. Your path has meandered all over, and you could certainly use some divine direction. I’m sure God’s path must be better.  

Maybe there’s a lesson for me in these verses as well. I’m so busy trying to cover for you and Dad that I’m running in circles instead of walking a straight line. Perhaps rather than seeking a man to trust, I should be turning my trust over to the only one who’s truly worthy of it.  

My prayer at this moment is that my letter will make you reconsider what you’re doing. I know we both spoke harsh words last time we met, but it’s only because I was so afraid for you. I’m even more fearful now that I know a revenuer is in town. You’re my only brother and I love you. Please… be careful.  

Your loving sister,

Laurie

Giveaway:

Laurie's prize package includes the following:

• A signed copy of MISTAKEN, when it hits bookstores in July
• A pocket-size bottle of lavender hand sanitizer
• Lavender soap
• Mini lavender candle
• Purple-flowered bookmark

The contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18 and over. To enter to win, please leave a comment below. Any comment will work, but if you're feeling brave, I'd love to hear your answer to this question: 

Laurie is searching for one person worthy of her trust. Do you have someone you trust with your secrets? Who is your "person"?  

We invite you to join us each weekday this week as we hop through cyberspace and history, gleaning hope from each heroine’s journey. 

Each post will go live on the date indicated below.

Monday, May 13th: 

Regina Jennings  (Heroine: Molly Lovelace, Love in the Balance)

Tuesday, May 14th: 

Joanne Bischof  (Heroine: Cassie Allan, Though My Heart is Torn)

Wednesday, May 15th:

Amanda Dykes (Heroine: Bonnie McDonnell, Among the Pines)

Thursday, May 16th:

Karen Barnett (Heroine: Laurie Burke, Mistaken)

Friday, May 17th:

Sarah Sundin (Heroine: Georgie Taylor, On Distant Shores)

Grand Prize Giveaway:

If you haven’t already entered for the grand prize giveaway which includes the hand-inscribed letters plus a special keepsake from each heroine (including Laurie's long 20s-style faux pearls), you can visit the Trust Chronicles page here, to sign up.

All Trust Chronicles giveaways will close on May 19, 2013 and the winners will be drawn at random shortly thereafter. Winners will be notified via e-mail and announced on the Trust Chronicles author blogs.

Tweet-Worthy (Share this post with your Twitter followers):

On Day 4 #TrustChronicles, read Laurie's letter and enter to win #Mistaken and other prizes. via @KarenMBarnett (Click to tweet). 

 When your brother's a rumrunner, can you trust anyone? #TrustChronicles continues. via @KarenMBarnett #Giveaway (Click to tweet). 

#TrustChronicles. 5 historical romance authors, 5 letters, 1 keepsake box. via @KarenMBarnett #giveaway (Click to tweet). 

Blessings!

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An Interview with Ace Collins, Suspense Author

I recently had the opportunity to interview best-selling (and award-winning) suspense author, Ace Collins. Ace has published more than 60 titles, including The Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Farraday Road, and Jefferson Burke and the Secret of the Scroll. Ace frequently speaks across the country and on radio and has appeared on national television shows, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends, Entertainment Tonight, The Early Show and more. When not writing, he works as a magazine editor and graphic designer, as well as host for a charity organization radio and television broadcast. Ace and his wife, Kathy, are based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Ace Collin's newest suspense novel, Darkness Before Dawn, released in March by Abingdon Press. 

On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards’ husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas, the teen, comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He’s a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. Angered by her senseless loss, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further—until the D.A. intervenes.

The results of the brutal trial enrage Meg, leading her down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?

*****

Hi, Ace! Welcome to my blog! I’ve just started reading your newest book, Darkness Before Dawn. Tell us a little about the story.

This is much different than my other books in that it is a value story that punches the hot button topics of today, but the main theme is the personal cost of dedicating a life to revenge and retribution and the freeing power of forgiveness. This is a book about a life dramatically changing and I have been told by many who have already read it that it is also a book that is changing lives.

What inspired you to write Darkness Before Dawn?

My best friend was killed by a drunk driver when I was in high school. I watched firsthand the toll that took on his family.

Darkness Before Dawn touches on some controversial themes not often handled by mainstream Christian fiction, like abortion, suicide, and vengeance. While you were writing it, were you ever concerned how publishers and readers might receive the story?  

There is no doubt I was concerned if a publisher would even touch it. It takes courage to release a book like this. While there is no profanity or sex, this is very gritty stuff for the Christian marketplace and for me. It deals honestly with issues that most of us what to paint as either black or white and yet there is a lot of gray in all of them. I wanted people to think about what others have gone through to give them an idea as to why some folks in pain make decisions we might not agree with or understand. I also wanted to present that Hollywood’s romantic idea of “going Rambo” on others takes a horrible toll on both the giver and those on the receiving in. It is not heroic; it is ugly.

What message do you hope readers take away from Darkness Before Dawn?

I want them to consider a couple of things. The first is the cost of dwelling on hate rather than embracing forgiveness. The second is to develop an understanding that old pat answers usually are not what people in pain want or need to hear. There are other things as well, but those two stand out.

I was amazed to read that you’ve written over fifty books. To a new writer like me, that’s astounding. How has your writing style and methods changed over the years?

I started out in nonfiction and still write in that area some, but in truth, while I grown as a writer my style is still pretty much the same. I am a storyteller and that is really what I have always been. My stories have gotten more complex and most now center on heroes who are searching for a calling, but the style has remained consistent. I also write both secular and Christian books, but I don’t thing you will find a difference in either one. I am who I am and that comes out in my work.

What types of changes have you noticed in the industry over your career?

To a certain extent, publishers have moved out of the publicity arena and turned it over to writers and the role of the print media in pushing a book has diminished. I think the internet has captured the attention of a certain percentage of former readers so that fewer are picking up books now. So the market is tighter than it once was.

You’ve written a variety of genres in both fiction and nonfiction, everything from suspense to biographies. Do you have a favorite?

I love fiction and especially love whodunits or suspense. I love history so dropping elements from the past into my work is something I try to do as well. But as long as I get to tell an interesting story, I enjoy both genres.

What are you working on currently?

I just finished a devotional book with popular music as the theme and I am about to complete a courtroom drama centering on racial prejudice set in both 1964 and 2014. After than I am doing a nonfiction book on heroes that happen to be dogs, a comedy whodunit, a sequel to a novel that is currently out and a romance set in the 1930s.

What’s an average writing day like for you?

It varies, sometimes the days are long and I write a lot. Last week I turned out over 38,000 words in four days, but there are other days I take off, spend time with the dogs and let my mind clear. Mainly it is all about deadlines. I write four or more books a year, so I have to stay at my iMac a lot. 

Do you have any advice for new writers, like me?

Never worry about rejections, my bestselling book was rejected 27 times over a decade before it found a home. If you believe in an idea, just keep reworking the proposal and keep plugging. Also, writing is a team project and your editors are not just your best friends, but your MVPs. So listen to them.

I enjoyed researching 1920s automobiles for my upcoming novel, so I was thrilled to learn that you restore vintage cars. Do you have one that’s your pride and joy? 

I just finished driving it…my favorite car is a 1934 Auburn 652Y that has been maintained but never restored. Drives as if it were new. I love the art-deco styling, the attention to luxury and the thrill of windows down movement. I actually use it as a second car and drive it about three to four times a week.

I noticed that you’ve written books about the beloved canine star, Lassie. Can you tell us about your own pets and the impact they’ve had on your life?

Kathy and I own three cats that we rescued, T.C., Buffy and Tiger. T.C. spends a lot of time with me in my office each day. Our dogs are both collies. Baby is the sister of the current (10^th generation) Lassie and Sammy is a dog we rescued who was born blind. I have learn a great deal from him. He does not let his handicap slow him at all. Each day, with his joy and enthusiasm for life, he teaches me a new lesson.

Thanks for joining us, Ace!

*****

Want to see more interviews? Read Ace Collins's interview of new suspense author Lisa Carter.

Giveaway Alert: 

Abingdon Press is putting together a collection of suspense novels as a giveaway package. If you love suspense and would like to be entered to win, tweet and/or post about this interview (and other participating interviews) on your social media accounts. Use the hashtag #ILoveSuspense. Every use of the tag will enter you for the book drawing. (Hint, feel free to use the "Tweet-worthy" links below to automatically post to Twitter.)

Tweet-Worthy:

• An Interview With Ace Collins, Suspense Author via @KarenMBarnett #ILoveSuspense. (Click to tweet).
• Author Ace Collins talks about writing, publishing, and classic cars in interview via @KarenMBarnett #ILoveSuspense  (Click to tweet). 
• Love Suspense? Meet Ace Collins, author of Darkness Before Dawn via @KarenMBarnett #ILoveSuspense. (Click to tweet). 

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Celebrating Book Firsts: ARCs are here!

You will hear many authors compare publication to pregnancy and childbirth. Sure, there's months (more like years) of waiting, wondering, planning. There's labor--perhaps that would be the painful, but necessary, editing process. And then, like every first-born child...there are a series of FIRSTS to celebrate.

With my debut novel, Mistaken, many of those firsts are flying by at record pace. I've already experienced the precious first glimpse of the cover, first sighting on booksellers's sites, first person informing me they've pre-ordered. Yesterday my family celebrated another milestone. Holding the ARCs for the first time.

Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are an early print run, frequently before final edits are complete. These books are sent out to endorsers, reviewers, and media sources before the actual publication date.

When I first held it, there was a single terrifying moment when I realized people were now going to actually READ my book. It passed. I opened it up and turn the pages. Like a new mom, I eyed the precious fingers and toes: chapter headings, section breaks, pages flipping between my fingers. Sigh. It's beautiful.

Then I took photos and celebrated.

What happens now? We wait for the next first.

Upcoming Events:
Official Release Date: July 2, 2013
Launch Party: July 16, 2013

Blessings!


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Friday Book Pick: LOVE IN THE BALANCE by Regina Jennings

Are you getting bored with the typical romantic heroines who swoon at the slightest touch of the hero's hand? Then it's time you read Molly Lovelace's story in Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings. Daughter of a wealthy sawmill owner, she's been sneaking romantic moments with her beau for some time. When he decides to resist temptation--where does that leave her?

I loved this sassy character. She begins the story selfish and self-absorbed, but author Regina Jennings--like all great writers--has some tricks up her sleeve that will show Molly the error of her ways. In fact, her plot twists kept me guessing until the end of the book.

Here is the back cover copy:

Molly Lovelace dreams of a life without cares in Lockhart, Texas. She also dreams of handsome wrangler Bailey Garner, her ardent but inconsistent beau. The problem is, with Bailey's poor prospects, she just can't fit the two dreams together. 

Then mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont sweeps into town--and her life--and for the first time Molly wonders if she's met the man who can give her everything. But he won't be in Lockhart long and while it certainly seems like he talks about their glorious future together, she can't quite get Bailey out of her mind. 

What's a girl to do with all these decisions when love is in the balance?

Love in the Balance is the second novel in the Ladies of Caldwell County series. The first installment, Sixty Acres and a Bride met with rave reviews. I, like many readers these days, rarely seem to read series in the proper order. After finishing Love in the Balance, I can't wait to go back and read Sixty Acres and A Bride. I noticed several references to characters from the earlier book, but it didn't distract me from this story. (If you've been following my blog for a while, you might remember Regina's Sixty Acres and a Bride heroine Rosa, that participated in the Hope Chronicles Blog Hop back in November 2012).

I can't wait to read more books from Regina Jennings in the future. She clearly has a knack for creating unique characters and unpredictable plot twists. I'm seriously hoping there will be more installments of the Ladies of Caldwell County series in the near future!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from Bethany House for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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5 Embarrassing Conference Moments, or How a Social Misfit Gets Published

I was TERRIFIED when I attended my first writers conference. Speak to an agent? Are you crazy? What would I say? He'll think I'm an idiot! A social misfit!

Five years later, I'm looking forward to the release of my first novel, MISTAKEN, which comes out in July.

How a social misfit become a debut author? Only God knows. But one thing I've learned--when you fall on your face (even in front of an editor), you get back up.

I share these stories NOT to give you more things to worry about, but to assure you that we all make stupid mistakes. It doesn't spell the end of your career. Brush yourself off. Put a smile on your face. Keep trying.

Here are my top 5 embarrassing conference moments.

1. I whined to a fellow conferee--before discovering she was an editor. I spent a lot of time preparing for my first conference. I had my "elevator pitch" down pat (Don't know what that is? Read this.) What I didn't expect was to meet an editor in disguise. Well, not really, but it was on the airport shuttle--she wasn't wearing a name tag, yet. After spending several minutes whining about my writing career to the person sitting next to me in the van, I paused to ask, "So, what do YOU write?" She smiled. "Actually, I'm an editor." Well, I guess I can throw that polished professional image out the window. 
2. I made a stupid joke to an agent. People at the dinner table were chatting about why you had to show your name tag to enter the dining hall. I joked that maybe it was to keep out disgruntled writers who'd received one too many rejections. The agent hosting the table looked at me with such alarm, I'm sure she thought I was a terrorist. 
3. I missed my very first editor appointment. Thinking I was smart to avoid the long lines at Manuscript Retrieval, I waited until later in the day to pick up my pre-conference submissions. I felt very smug when I arrived at 4 pm and saw there was no line. Instead, there was a note from my first-choice editor: "Looks interesting--let's meet at 1 o'clock." 
4. I was late to my second agent appointment. Appointments are often scheduled during workshop times. It's not uncommon to see people gather up their belongings and sneak out during classes. I knew I would have to do so. And then I started listening. It was a FANTASTIC workshop--plot twists with best-selling author Tricia Goyer. Half-way through I remembered my appointment and rushed out, dashed across the wide campus and arrived out of breath and nearly in tears. 
5. I dropped a chocolate dessert down the front of my shirt in front of two top editors. Much of the networking at conferences happens at meals. Tables are "hosted" by professionals. You get to sit around and chat about books while trying to remember not to talk with your mouth full. Try eating chocolate mousse--it has a bad tendency of slithering off the spoon and down the inside of a fashionable scoop-neck blouse. 

How do you recover from these moments? You LAUGH. Go ahead, it's good for you. 

The editor in #1 claimed I was "very sweet" and reminded her of her first conference experiences. 

I've never reminded the agent from #2 (not my agent, by the way) about the dumb joke, but I've spoken to her on many occasions and she doesn't appear to be afraid of me. 

With both #3 and #4, the people I was supposed to meet brushed off my faux pas. They're human, too. In fact, the editor from #3 actually took the blame on herself. "I should have known not to schedule the meeting so soon." With more conference appointments under my belt, I can say editors/agents seem more likely to be late to appointments than writers. Probably because other writers are making fools of themselves and pitching in the restroom. At least I've never done that!

And the editors in #5 either didn't notice my spill, or at least pretended not to notice. They're not eager to embarrass writers, either. (And they're not immune. I once saw an editor excitedly telling a story to table of authors only to learn she had a piece of lettuce stuck to her teeth.) The funny part about the chocolate dessert moment came later when I rushed to the restroom. It was filled with writer friends nearly screaming with laughter as I cleaned the chocolate goo from my (ahem) cleavage. I guess that could be a nightmare to some, but I was too busy laughing to care. 

Okay writing friends--I know you have some good stories to share. How have you embarrassed yourselves and lived to tell about it? 

Tweet-worthy? 

• 5 Embarrassing Conference Moments! Click to Tweet.
• Chocolate dessert down the shirt and other embarrassing conference moments. Click to Tweet.
• Conference Anxiety? If this misfit can succeed, so can you! Click to Tweet. 

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Friday Book Pick: THOUGH MY HEART IS TORN by Joanne Bischof

Sometimes the characters in a story bury themselves so deeply in your heart, it hurts to close the cover on them. Joanne Bischof, author of the Cadence of Grace series has accomplished that with her characters, Gideon and Lonnie O'Riley. Back in August of 2012, I recommended the first book of the series, Be Still My Soul, a tender Appalachian romance laced with heart-ache, romance, and redemption. The second installment, Though My Heart Is Torn, releases April 2nd from WaterBrook Multnomah. I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy, and I can assure you, this second story will leave you crying for more. Literally. It's a heart-rending story, filled with sweet sorrow and sprinkled with hope.

In the first novel, Be Still My Soul, Lonnie and Gideon are thrown into a hasty, unwanted wedding and spend the novel struggling to learn the secrets of love and faith.

Book Two, Though My Heart Is Torn, begins in happiness, but dark secrets from Gideon's past return to rip away the couple's joy. Can Lonnie and Gideon trust God's plan for their lives, even when the future looks bleak?

Here is the back cover copy for Though My Heart Is Torn.

Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it. 
 
Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.

As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.

While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? 

Now that I've closed the cover on the second book in the Cadence of Grace series, I'm counting the days until Book Three releases. My Hope Is Found should hit bookstores in October. How am I going to wait that long?

You might remember that Joanne Bischof's Lonnie O'Riley was one of the heroines featured in last November's Hope Chronicles. Hope Chronicles was a special project done by a group of historical romance authors (including myself), where five fictional heroines inscribed letters of hope into a single bound journal which was then given away to one lucky winner. (You can read Lonnie's letter HERE.)

If you enjoyed Hope Chronicles, you might be excited to learn there are whisperings about a possible repeat performance this year. ...But you didn't hear that from me. Shhh!

In the mean-time, enjoy Lonnie's story in the pages of Though My Heart is Torn.

Blessings!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the purpose of review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

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My five favorite writing tools

Every writer has their own favorite things--the tools of the trade which help them shine.

Here are a few of mine.

• Laptop Cushion. Yes, I know they CALL them laptops, but after a few hours they turn into toast-your-thigh-tops. Also, the cushion lifts the computer up to a more comfortable height for typing. I'm not much for typing at a desk, so this tool is a must for me. 

• The Emotion Thesaurus. I saw this book advertised on a blog a while back and it's become my #1 go-to reference. As a writer, you try hard not to SAY the emotion your character is feeling. "Mary was sad." Instead, you try to SHOW the emotion by the way the character looks or acts. Her mouth turned down. Mary's shoulders hunched (or shook). I avoid choosing from the words/descriptions offered in the book, but use them to trigger my own imagination. 

• AutoCrit Editing Wizard. I had my doubts when I saw this subscription-based website that promised to improve your writing. But, after struggling for years with not seeing my own repeated words and phrases (how many times can I use the word "that" in one page?), I gave it a try. You cut and paste a section of your writing into the wizard and the website provides you a report on repeated words, phrases, cliches, pronouns, etc. It's no replacement for a good critique group, but it's helped clean up my submissions so they my friends can focus more on word choice and story flow. 

• A Timer. There are days when I feel like Dug in the movie UP. You remember the cute dog who could talk, thanks to his high-tech collar? He'd be rambling along on some topic and then--SQUIRREL! There are far too many squirrels in my writing day, if you know what I mean. E-mail, Facebook, and Twitter are the worst. But, as a a self-described social media addict, I'm not the type who can just shut off the modem and lose myself in the story. So how do I focus? I set a timer for 15-20 minutes and then work like crazy. When the timer beeps, I can check FB, or I can reset it and continue. It's a mind game for me. Usually once I get on a roll, I don't want to stop. But it helps me from thinking, ugh--four hours of writing. I'll just check FB, first... Then *poof* the time is gone before I know what happened. 

• Pandora.com. Another thing that helps with my SQUIRREL moments is a little light music. I used to listen to my iPod, but I've grown attached to Pandora lately. You can choose specific channels or genres of music and the website will begin playing songs it thinks you will like. While writing quiet scenes, I use instrumental hymns. If I'm writing high-action, I use movie scores. It works like a charm. My editor, Ramona Richards, mentioned on FB that she likes to use this 3 hour Youtube video of ocean waves.   

...And to be perfectly honest, my best tool might be coffee. And cozy slippers. :)

Do you use any of these tools? Do you have any favorites you'd like to share? 

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