Friday Book Pick: Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson

It seems fitting that since everyone is buzzing about the royal wedding, that today's book pick has an image of a bride on the cover.

Too Rich for a Bride is book two in the Cripple Creek series, written by Christian author Mona Hodgson. Almost exactly a year ago, I posted a review of book one, Two Brides Too Many on my blog (read that review here). I had "too much fun" traveling back to Cripple Creek, Colorado with a third Sinclair sister and revisiting many of the characters that I had grown to love in book one. Mona Hodgson did such a spectacular job of describing this western mining town that I felt like I was walking on its dirt-packed roads, myself.

In Too Rich for a Bride, Ida Sinclair moves to Cripple Creek to work for the spirited businesswoman Mollie O'Bryan. When two different suitors begin clamoring for her attention, Ida has a hard time keeping her life all business.

This novel is a fun, relaxing and inspiring read. Enjoy!

Download a sneak peek at the first chapter of Too Rich for a Bride, here.
Want to hear author Mona Hodgson talk about her book and see video of the actual town of Cripple Creek, Colorado? You can see her videos at YouTube.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free (from WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program) 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.”

Mount Hermon 2011

I've finally unpacked and sorted through my memories of the 2011 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. In past years, I've tried to update my blog during the conference with updates, but things were just too hectic this year. That, and I couldn't seem to get my computer to stay connected to the internet for more than ten minutes at a time.

There is something about Mount Hermon (nestled in redwood-covered hills) that always makes me feel like saying, "YES! I can do this writing thing." It gives me the strength and encouragement to keep going for another year.

Last September, (after meeting at MH in 2009 and 2010) I signed a contract with agent Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Agency. Since she was there to give me some pointers this year, I felt much better prepared. I brought a brand new book proposal and spoke to four different publishers who responded with varying levels of enthusiasm. I got a variety of answers from "No, thanks" to "Not right now," and then--from two of them--the much desired, "please send more."

Other Highlights:

• I was able to talk a writing friend into coming along with me this year and it was pure delight to watch her enjoy the Mount Hermon experience for the first time. It was also a joy to have her as a roommate because (several times) she made me laugh so hard that I had to wipe tears from my eyes!
• My friend Sarah Sundin won Writer of the Year. I was so thrilled for her that I barely heard her acceptance speech, I was so busy snapping photographs.
• I got to meet the amazing author, Lauraine Snelling. She even critiqued my manuscript for me (and liked it, woo-hoo!). That was such an honor.
• Bill Myers served as our keynote speaker. Several times he referred to how we Christians try to get out of the car and push...trying to help God's plan along. I am constantly doing that. It was a wonderful reminder to sit back and wait for God's timing.
• It's always a treat to see friends from previous years and learn what amazing things God has been doing in their lives.

I tried to insert some photos from the conference, but they are mucking around with my blog formatting, so I will try to place a slideshow in the sidebar. If you receive this via email, just click over to my blogsite (http://www.cannotbeshaken.blogspot.com/)  to see the photos.

If you are interested in learning more about the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference, check out their website. If you start socking away $20 a week, you will have enough to attend next year. It's a worthwhile investment in your writing career. Don't miss it!

What would you buy with a gift card--from God?

God loves to give gifts to His children, the Bible says so (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13). He is also able do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

Well, I have a pretty big imagination.

But, do you know what I usually end up asking God for?

Not His gifts. I ask Him for a gift card.

"God, this is what I want--and I know that You're super busy, so if You don't mind--I'll just go pick it out, myself, okay?"

Silly, silly girl. It's not only rude--it's stupid! Ephesians says, He can do immeasurably MORE than all we ask or imagine. Who doesn't want more?

I've got a big writing conference coming up this week and I'm going through the usual process of tying myself up into knots with to-do lists and anxious thoughts. Every time I go to one of these events, I have a series of goals and dreams floating around in my head. I imagine that they are completely dependant on me. I can screw it up by making mistakes, or I can make great things happen by doing everything perfectly. And yet, each time God has surprised me with gifts and opportunities that I didn't deserve or imagine.

How little I would have received if God had just handed me a gift card.

Today I'm challenging myself--and you too, if you choose to join me--to allow God to BE God. I am going to wait for Him to pick out my gift. He's so much better at dreaming than I am.

Free Book Friday: DELIVERED WITH LOVE by Sherry Kyle

Every week, the freebie Kindle e-book offerings from Amazon get more exciting. This week I'm thrilled to see the debut novel from Christian author Sherry Kyle, Delivered With Love. Her non-fiction book for tweens, The Christian Girl's Guide to Style, was a big hit in my house last year (See Book Pick from Nov. 19, 2010) and I can't wait to read this new fiction book written for adults.

Just a quick reminder--you don't have to own a Kindle to read Kindle books. You can download the free app from Amazon and use it on your computer, iPad, smartphone, blackberry, or whatever.

Here is the book description (courtesy of SherryKyle.com):
An old love letter found in the glove compartment of a young woman's inherited 1972 Volkswagen propels her to leave her life in Los Angeles and go to the small town of Capitola, California. There her dream of finding the writer of the letter leads her on an unexpected journey that changes her life forever.

Claire James, age twenty-three, is ready to make it on her own. When she's fired from her job as a waitress and subsequently kicked out of her sister's home, she sees it as an opportunity to start over. But even before moving, a thirty-five-year-old love letter written to her mother keeps Claire stuck in the past. Michael Thompson, a middle-aged real estate agent, wants to keep the past where it belongs - at least until his grown daughter is married. But, then a young woman comes to town . . .

Delivered With Love is free on Amazon until April 14th. Enjoy!

Here are some other great looking Christian books currently listed as free for Kindle:
Elisha's Bones by Don Hoesel
Thicker than Blood by C. J. Darlington
Homecoming by Dan Walsh
Paper Roses (Texas Dreams Trilogy #1) by Amanda Cabot
The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1) by Ann Shorey

Happy reading!

10 (or more) Great Blog Titles from Linkbait Generator

I recently saw a blog post from one of my favorite blogging-advice sites: Blogging Bistro. It was an older post (May 2010) about this great tool for bloggers called Linkbait Generator. It's supposed to help you create catchy blog titles that will encourage people to come and read your posts. I had so much fun playing with this yesterday that I had to share some of my favorite titles.

I often blog about writing, so here are some of the great blog titles that you may (or may NOT) be seeing here soon:

• 6 writing conspiracy theories that might actually be true

• 7 reasons why writing gets better with alcohol (Goes well with the Prohibition novel I'm working on, don't you think? Maybe not.)
  

• 5 ultra-secret government projects involving writing

• 10 epic fails involving writing 

• 5 amazing things you probably didn't know about writing

I write about faith and God, so I tried those...  

• 8 ways God can help you survive a plane crash 

• 10 surprising ways God will be different in 20 years (Hmm, don't think so!)

• 10 ways people have gotten rich exploiting God

• 10 funny ways God has appeared in music videos

• The 8 most baffling things about God

• Why faith should scare you more than Osama Bin Laden

• 7 bizarre ways faith can kill you suddenly 

• 9 crazy ways that faith is infiltrating pop culture

• 8 ways faith could help you survive a zombie outbreak

I typed in my name and came up with:

• 5 reasons Karen Barnett is the new toilet humor

• 6 bits of Karen Barnett advice that will land you in the hospital

• The disturbing origins of Karen Barnett

• Top 10 secrets of Karen Barnett 

• 6 bits of Karen Barnett advice that will land you in prison 

Now, which of these posts do you think I should tackle first?

Getting Ready for the Ball (and some Cinderella trivia, too!)

I am finishing my preparations for the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and--like every year--I am getting fluttery with excitement. I'm polishing up two projects this time (you can read about them under my "books" tab) and I feel like I'm scrambling around helping two young ladies dress for the ball. The only problem with this analogy is that reminds me of Cinderella and I'd hate to think of my two projects as Anastasia and Drisella. (Many apologies to my young friend named Anastasia...I think it's a beautiful name--I'm sorry Disney had to ruin it).

Maybe the Cinderella's ball theme is apt, though. If you read through the editorial guidelines for many publishing houses, you will learn that many do not accept non-agented or non-requested manuscripts. How do you get your manuscript through the door? If you remember the story of Cinderella, the ball was open to all eligible maidens--not just the daughters of royalty. Conferences are much the same. Everyone is invited. Conferences are your open door.

But, my books are NOT the wicked stepsisters, even if they do have their eyes on the prince...

So, in honor of this bad analogy--let's see how well you know your Cinderella trivia. Enjoy! I'm off to iron some ball gowns.

1. What color was Lady Tremaine's ring?

2. Which animal becomes the coachman for Cinderella's magic carriage?

3. Cinderella's pink dress for the royal ball originally belonged to whom?

4. What was Gus the mouse's real name?

5. What did Cinderella serve all the animals for breakfast?

6. The invitation is delivered while the stepsisters were having what type of lesson?

7. Which animal is not chosen by the Godmother to help transport Cinderella to the ball?

8. Which song was NOT in the movie? "Bibiddi-Bobiddi-Boo," "Someday My Prince Will Come," "The Work Song," or "Sing Sweet Nightingale?"

You can answer in the comments section, or go look up the answers (and find even more fun trivia) on Fun Trivia's Cinderella page.

Friday Book Pick: Mine Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

Mine is the Night is a enchanting interpretation of the biblical story of Ruth set in Jacobite Scotland. Author Liz Curtis Higgs, perhaps best known for her series, Bad Girls of the Bible, has penned a beautiful historical novel that is impossible to put down.

The newly widowed Elisabeth Kerr and her aging mother-in law flee Edinburgh in fear for their lives after King George puts down the Scottish rebellion. Labeled as Jacobite traitors, the Kerr women have lost everything--their men, their property, their titles and worst of all, their trust. What they do have is an unwavering faith in the God who has rescued them. Elisabeth knows she can trust God, but can she dare to love the new man that He has brought into her life?

Mine is the Night is the sequel to Higgs' 2010 novel Here Burns My Candle. Upon reading the first book, I found myself troubled. I was too familiar with the story of Ruth and Naomi and I found it disturbing knowing how Here Burns My Candle was going to end. I did not have that difficulty with Mine is the Night. Perhaps because it is a romance rather than a tragedy, I found myself anticipating the end of the story rather than dreading it. I enjoyed the first book, but I adored the second. Just call me a romantic...

Even without reading the first book, I believe you can still enjoy Mine is the Night as Higgs expertly guides you into the story. She provides just enough background so that you understand their predicament without overloading you with extraneous detail.

If you love historical romance, as I do, you simply don't want to miss Mine is the Night.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free (from WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program) 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.”