A Heart Offering

“Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.” Exodus 25:2   What can I offer to God? What does my heart prompt me to give? Oftentimes it’s more than just the dollars and cents in the offering plate. What gifts can I offer or return …

Heart-Healthy Devotions

When I began writing Hearts at Risk over two years ago I couldn’t imagine the journey it would take me on, including its recent final in the  ACFW Genesis contest. To be honest, I wrote it to satisfy the market. My general fiction (with a male protagonist) wasn’t garnering interest, largely because of the male protagonist, and my women’s fiction …

Fabulous Fall Fiction – Plus Book Giveaway!

*For Book Giveaway – Read post then see details below* It’s no secret that I’m a picky reader. For me to completely enjoy a novel, it has to have the perfect storm of intelligent prose, believable dialogue, intriguing story, authentic characters, and a satisfying–does not equate to happy–ending. So far in 2012 I’ve read 111 books and of those only …

Novel Anticipation – October 2012, Part Two

Since the ACFW Conference, I’ve been working non-stop on polishing Hearts at Risk, my Genesis finalist and oft-requested manuscript and have had little time to read. As of right now six of the books from my Novel Anticipation list are still sitting on my shelves waiting to be read, and today I’m adding three more to that shelf. All the …

Novel Anticipation – October 2012, part one

With fall swooping in, God’s been very busy with his paintbrush. I’m loving the vibrant colors He’s using, not to mention the perfect 60 degree sweatshirt & shorts weather. I can’t think of a better time to sit back with a book and read, and October brings such a vast selection that again I’m breaking my Anticipation blog into two …

A Letter of Thanks …

Dear Reader, By now you’re most likely aware that Amy Matayo won the ACFW Genesis Award in the Contemporary Romance category (my category). Congratulations, Amy! While I was initially disappointed I didn’t win, that feeling didn’t last long. It really is an honor and a blessing being in the top three of the popular category. I was also very glad …

2012 ACFW Conference Highlights

I know I’m breaking a blogging rule by posting a day early, but I can’t wait to share some pictures and bullet-point highlights from this past weekend! FRIENDS! Getting together with friends is always the best part of the conference Hung out with my amazing critique partners, Lorna Seilstad and Shannon Vannatter. Also hung out with several of the Inkspirational …