Liz Bemis, writer and webmistress extraordinaire, asked me to take a short break while she made some much needed changes to my website, including the blog. A lot of it had to do with stuff you’ll never see on the surface (servers, programs, email location, etc.), but it put a halt to that side of things for a bit.

The good news is that the website is back up, with a new layout on the home page, new blog topics (including book reviews and health issues), more links . . . and best of all, NEW CONTESTS. You can also sign up for a newsletter, or follow me on Twitter or Facebook.

I’m thrilled with the changes, and I hope you’ll stop by to check it out. Come, set a spell in my world.

Thanks, too, to the folks who’ve continually supported this blog with comments and emails. YES, the contest is still active. My winner of the first contest never responded, so Eva’s book is still up for grabs. The second contest will be up on the website soon.

Now…the “next show” is Field of Danger, coming in December 2009. The page is already up on CBD and Amazon, although there’s no description yet. So just for my blog readers, here’s the preview.
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“Who killed my father?”

Eyewitness to a murder, April Presley wants to answer the deputy sheriff’s harrowing question. But she can’t. She barely caught a glimpse of the crime through the deep Tennessee cornfield, and cannot recall anything to help the investigation. Or can she? Daniel Rivers is certain that April remembers more of his father’s death than she realizes. And the killer agrees.

In the race to uncover April’s missing memory before the killer finds her, Daniel is the only one she can trust to keep her safe. Yet will he stay by her side when the shocking truth is unveiled?
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I’ll be sending out influencer copies in October, so if you’re willing to feature the book on your blog or post reviews on the book-buying sites, please let me know so I can get you on the list.

Thanks, again. Y’all are awesome!

As to my recent absence…deadlines, water heaters, and migraines, oh, my! A flooded garage, an overabundance of work, and an unexpected three-day migraine threw my world out of whack for a bit. This weekend, however, I got to see my brother (who comes around about twice a year) and celebrate my mother’s 83rd birthday. A little taste of what’s really important.

Now on to a family that has more secrets than a dog has fleas…

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THINGS LEFT UNSPOKEN
Eva Marie Everson
Baker Books, June 2009
$13.99
978-0-8007-3273-8
5 stars (out of 5)

Every family–and every house–has its secrets.

Jo-Lynn Hunter is at a crossroads in life when her great-aunt Stella insists that she return home to restore the old family manse in sleepy Cottonwood, Georgia. Jo-Lynn longs to get her teeth into a noteworthy and satisfying project. And it’s the perfect excuse for some therapeutic time away from her self-absorbed husband and his snobby Atlanta friends.

Beneath the dust and the peeling wallpaper, things are not what they seem, and what Jo-Lynn doesn’t know about her family holds just as many surprises. Was her great-grandfather the pillar of the community she thought he was? What is Aunt Stella hiding? And will her own marriage survive the renovation?

Jo-Lynn isn’t sure she wants to know the truth–but sometimes the truth has a way of making itself known.

Eva writes from the heart of the South. In Things Left Unspoken, she wonderfully portrays the intricacies of small town families with their darkest secrets and deepest bonds. From the first line, she engages the reader in Jo-Lynn’s quest for a place to belong by gently unraveling a tale of tragic history, enduring love, and unexpected intrigue. This is a splendid book by one of the South’s best contemporary authors.

First up is Trish Perry who asked me some of the more intriguing questions so far.

Next, Lyn Cote challenged me to write about the strong women in my life and how my own past informs what I write in my stories.

Finally, I’ll blogging at the Love Inspired Authors site. Not sure what I’ll say yet, but I’m hard-pressed to follow what I’ve said on the other two.

I like these challenges, however. They remind me that I don’t write – or act – in a vacuum. This circuitous journey that God has me on has a purpose, and I hope I honor Him with every step.

I truly appreciate all the folks who’ve emailed and commented here about my absence or my books. THANK YOU! More than you can know.

It has been an odd month. I hit the ground fast and hard trying to stir up a few editorial jobs to make ends meet, and was bombarded with almost more than I can handle. Then the line edits for FIELD OF DANGER hit, and are due on June 1. Rachel graduated from school.

And I headed for the Blue Ridge conference. When I returned home yesterday, I was almost blind from exhaustion. I’ve talked to others who are as tired. FABULOUS conference, which is why we’re all tired. I’ve put a few of the pictures up on my Facebook page . . . others are coming.

Two tidbits. I’ve started some of the blog interviews for CARLY, which I’ll post here as they appear. Second, my contest is definitely ongoing. I’ll be drawing a second winner toward the end of June. The prizes listed on my website are still current, plus I’ll have another book or two to add in. Please feel free to enter by posting here, or sending an email from the website.

Y’all are AWESOME! Thank you.

I will be posting more in the coming days. I’m still finding my feet and a schedule for working at home, and I’ve been a bit distracted by a garage sale and handling the details of being laid off.

In the meantime, please visit the CRAFTIE Ladies . . . and if you’re in the Huntsville, Alabama area this weekend, please come see me at the Heart of Dixie Reader’s Luncheon (and book signing). I’ll be celebrating my birthday, as well as the launch of The Taking of Carly Bradford (which I’ll be signing). It’ll be a blast.

Thank you all.

CARLY’S HERE!!

Yep, my author’s copies of The Taking of Carly Bradford arrived today. Influence copies will be going out in a few days, so if you volunteered for the task, sit tight.

I’ll be back. Promise.

I’m taking the next two weeks off. Well, from Thomas Nelson anyway. I’m starting to catch up on a few things (I answered or filed 64 emails yesterday, prepared four packs of books for mailing, submitted three workshop proposals, and entered two contests – then I went Christmas shopping.)

I’m also going to use the time to look back, count the many blessings that have come my way this year, then look forward and plan 2009. And write. LOTS of writing.

Blogging resolution: I think part of my problem with blogging frequently is a lack of planning. I’m not big on just rambling on about my everyday life, so when things were calm or I was tired, I slacked off. But posting the devotionals gave me an idea, and not just about promoting the two books they’re from. I LIKE writing devotionals – always have. So here’s the plan for my blog in 2009.

Monday – a new devotional
Wednesday – a craft or promotional piece on my work
Friday – open to reflections, wanderings, inspirations

So if you’re looking for a new post, there you have it. My blog resolution. And it’s aided by one of my newest blessings: I’ve been invited to be a part of the group blog, CRAFTIE Ladies of Suspense. This is run by 15 writers of romantic suspense. More details on this later.

More career blessings . . . Reclaiming Daisy Doe won one contest and finaled in another (winner to be announced in March), and The Face of Deceit received 4 1/2 stars from Romantic Times and was a top pick for September. I finished The Taking of Carly Bradford (May 2009) and Steeple Hill offered me a contract on A Good Day for Murder (due March 1). I have three good stories waiting in the wings, and Revell is still hanging on to the proposal for Daisy. I took part in three group book signings locally, and mass signings at the RWA National and NJRWA Put Your Heart in a Book conferences. I spoke at four writers conferences in four states (NC, AL, FL, NJ), and start 2009 with a speaking engagement at the NOLAStars Written in the Stars conference (March).

Probably my greatest blessings, however, are my friends. I have friends who care for my child, encourage my career, and uplift my life. I couldn’t function without them. As I move into 2009, I want to make sure to hold them close and cherish each of them.

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions because I’m lousy at keeping them. But a resolve to build my career with a steady plan and keep my friends close . . . this I think I can do.

What are the blessings in your life these days?

I’m speaking on secondary characters, one of my favorite topics. Especially since my own usually try to take control.

I love to travel and speak to both women’s and writers’ conferences – I just wish I could do more, and I hope that side of my career picks up more next year. In the meantime, I hope to meet more amazing folks.

And write. And edit. Both of which I’m way behind on. But, y’know, even if I was caught up with the current projects, I’d STILL be behind because the next book is just out there waiting . . . lurking . . .

The passion to write. It’s what keeps us going.

More from NJ.
-r

Thanks, again, to everyone who’s written about either the books (yeah!), the contest, or Rachel. We’re going on 3-4 weeks now with her congestion issues, and each day brings a different challenge. We went to the doctor on Friday, and we’re trying two new meds. This weekend saw the greatest improvements so far – so that I’m no longer worried about her wearing herself out or needing a hospital stay. She’s not WELL yet, but closer than before. We appreciate all the prayers.

Now . . . back to the books.

If you’ve taken a gander at my books page, you’ll see a few devotionals down below. I often submit ideas for books of devotionals to Barbour, but I’m also on their list of folks they ask to submit contributions to larger books. There are two new ones on the market: 365 Daily Whispers of Wisdom for Busy Women and 365 Daily Whispers of Wisdom for Single Moms. The official publication date for both is December 1, but Amazon already lists them as being in stock.

Yes, I contributed, but there are a lot of writers involved in both books, including some of the best devotional authors in the country. These would make great Christmas gifts for any woman in your life. If Barbour gives me permission, I’m going to publish a few excerpts between now and Christmas, so you can get an idea of how genuine and inspirational the devotionals are.

Finally, in the midst of all the financial cacophony in the news lately, Mike Hyatt posted a really nice alternate perspective on his blog recently. Maybe it’s because I love the outdoors and I have a passion for “blessings counting” (it gets me through most days), I wanted to link it here.

Prayers for you all. And many blessings to count.