This is the second time I heard Myra Johnson speak. Her presentation was similar to the one in Shelby. Myra was poised, confident, and related well to the audience. I would definitely recommend Myra Johnson as a speaker for your … Dora Hiers
MYRA'S NOTE: I only recently obtained Gina's new book and haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I well remember how much I loved her debut novel, Crossing Oceans. Gina has a gift for creating endearing characters and evoking rich layers of emotion, and I can't wait to delve into her next story!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short
stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel
Journey now called Novel Rocket and she is also the founder of Inspire
The Fire.
Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion
finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational
Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion
bestseller. Her sophomore novel, Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy
finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will releases this
month. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides
with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too
loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their
God-given purpose.
ABOUT THE BOOK :
From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet
uplifting story of friendship and redemption. On the cusp of womanhood,
Penny is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident
swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an
escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no
longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on
their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time. It isn’t
the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of
all.
When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he
has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses.
Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her
to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough
for her to grow her own.
MYRA'S REVIEW: Since Ramona is my new editor at Abingdon Press, I was excited to have a chance to read her latest release. She's a skilled writer and storyteller, and definitely has a flair for suspense! The romance develops with sweet subtlety as Deputy Jeff Gage does everything in his power to protect petite cafe owner Lindsey Presley from the man from her past who wants her dead. But Lindsey is no wimpy heroine, and the solution to this mystery/suspense does not disappoint. An enjoyable read from a fine author (and a really nice editor, too!).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A word from Ramona:
The hardest biographical sketch to write is always your own, whether or
not you’re a writer by profession. You can’t decide what to throw in,
what to leave out, and whether or not you should list strengths and
flaws, or just strengths.
I like writing and telling stories so much that I once tried to live out
a few. After getting a master’s in English, I went on to be the
seneschale of my local Society for Creative Anachronism. I had a rocky
start, but I did get better. (Robin Hood, eat your heart out.)
People often ask members of the SCA, “Are you in a play?” so I thought
it would be fun to do that, too. For seven years, I produced and
performed in shows staged by Nashville’s Circle Players.
Although I’m single now, I married in 1982 and in 1987 had Rachel. She’s
a cutie. Severely disabled, she’s the heroine of many an article for
Special Ed Today magazine. Rachel's nurse, Phyllis, is the real life
heroine of “An Act of Desperation,” which I sold to Chicken Soup for the
Caregiver’s Soul.
I’m not really a complex person, and my dreams are fairly
straightforward: sell books, have enough money to pay the bills and
travel a bit, and settle into a cottage. In early 2006, I bought the
cottage, which is now more or less swamped by books and DVDs. I write at
night (I’m a lifelong night owl), and I occasionally escape by scuba
diving, hiking, dancing, and going to movies and bookstores.
I’ve gone to the same church since 1993, and I even sing in the choir.
It’s a small but awesome church. I’m no angel, although occasionally I
play one in the backyard.
I like staying busy. Life is too short not to follow your dreams.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
THE SECRETS OF HER PAST COULD IMPERIL HER FUTURE
Lindsey Presley certainly can't imagine why anyone would want her
dead-though she knows she wouldn't be alive today if not for the local
cop who saved her from two murder attempts. Deputy Jeff Gage has worked
difficult cases, but with only Lindsey's fractured memories of a broken
past to guide him, this is by far his most challenging.
For Lindsey, fleeing the town she has come to call home is unthinkable.
Separately, they are vulnerable, but together, Jeff and Lindsey just may
stand a chance of catching a ruthless killer.
MYRA'S REVIEW: Another wild and entertaining Western romance from one of my favorite authors! If you enjoy a charming cowboy love story with lots of shoot-'em-up excitement and the perfect blend of humor, thoughtful character development, and spiritual truths woven in, this book is for you. Readers of Mary Connealy's Kincaid Brides series will recognize a few names, as the hero is the brother of Callie from Over the Edge. Fun to learn what's happening with Luke and friends back in Texas!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy
Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.
The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham
Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a
Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books
are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.
The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.
Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.
The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.
She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of
sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of
cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing
to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden
Days.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When a cowboy focused on revenge encounters a woman determined to distract him, there's going to be trouble in Texas!
Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing,
Ruthy MacNeil isn't terribly upset at being separated from the family
who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but
disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are
more chances to die in her immediate future.
Luke is on a mission to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But
the men currently on the property won't let it go without a fight. Luke
plans to meet up with friends who will help him take back the land, and
since he can't just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she's going to
have to go with him.
But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the
more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy
convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Swept Away, go HERE.
For some time now, I've noticed a small callus at the base of my right ring finger. The cause has really puzzled me since:
1. I don't wear a ring on that finger.
2. I don't spend enough time behind the steering wheel to have gotten it from driving.
3. I'm not athletic and don't lift weights.
4. I don't grip a pen or pencil in such a way to cause a callus on that part of my hand.
So, through process of elimination, here's what I have deteremined: The only other repetitious activity that could possibly make a callus there is . . .
MY COMPUTER MOUSE!
Haven't figured out yet what to do about this phenomenon. But I guess it says a lot about how much time I spend at my computer.
I did it again--went a little crazy at my hair appointment.
Every few years I get the bug for short-short hair, even though I come home from the stylist, look in the mirror, and want to run screaming into the abyss.
See, it looks so cute on Anne Hathaway! I mean, did you see her Oscar photos? Très chic!
The problem is I am twice her age. Plus she is just naturally gorgeous. And has better hair.
Someday . . . when I'm finally comfortable with the "new me," I might post a photo. Until then, you'll have to settle for a picture of Anne.
Though my blog posts seem to be fewer and farther between, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish my friends, family, and faithful readers the happiest of Christmases and a prosperous New Year!
Last week I completed the “first” draft of my work-in-progress. This week I feel at loose ends. Taking a short breather between projects can’t hurt, though.
Besides, I’m not really wasting my time. So far this week I’ve updated my Web site, responded to two blog interview requests, got an early start on my next Seekerville blog post, and pretended to clean off my desk. Oh, and I also ran the vacuum cleaner, brought house plants in for the winter, and worked out with Wii Fit.
And look--here I am posting to my own blog! Will wonders never cease!
Sometimes doing something different is good for the creative brain. Even as I go about other tasks, my brain is still quietly (or not so quietly) working on the details of my next book. So when the time comes to sit down and write again, the ideas will flow and I’ll whip through that story in nothing flat!
. . . Okay, maybe I’ve been daydreaming a teensy
bit too much.
What do you do when you need a break from a lengthy, brain-sapping project? What activities help you re-energize so you can tackle the next round?
My Fall 2012 quarterly newsletter went out last week. Included in this issue is a chance to name a character in my next book, simply by sharing your thoughts on series novels versus standalones.
In case you missed this and other news, including the latest on my Horsemen of Cross Roads Farm series for Heartsong Presents, you can access the online version here.
Fill out the subscription form at right to make sure you don't miss the winter edition and the announcement of the contest winner!
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