Real Life is Better Than Fiction

Who Are Your Blogging BFF's? I have to admit I'm not that great about keeping up with my own blog let alone anyone else's. It's too easy to get sucked into reading the many good blogs out there and before I know it half the day is gone and I've accomplished nothing - except to read some excellent blogs. However, there are a few blogs I do try to keep up with. I have listed their links below in hopes that you will visit and enjoy them as much as I do. I "met" Jenny several years ago when she reviewed a book my mom wrote. Jenny is just a personable lady to me. I enjoy perusing her blog and getting ideas of books to read next. We also share a love of history. While she lives on the other side of the globe, I do hope that maybe someday in our travels we will meet up. I think we could spend an entire weekend talking and not run out of things to say. http://ausjenny.blogspot.com/ Jan is an acquaintance of mine that I wish I knew better. I like Jan...

What's Your Bedtime Reading Ritual? I do often read before I go to bed. There isn't usually much on TV worth watching or my husband may want to watch something I don't care about. There are times when I do want to watch something, but my husband is tired and wants to sleep. Since my hearing isn't what it used to be I have to have the volume up loud enough that it disturbs him. When I'm not ready to go to sleep, it's a book to the rescue. Reading a book is quiet so he isn't disturbed. It is relaxing so it makes me want to fall asleep. Unless, of course, it's one of those page-turners that I keep saying to myself, "Ill put it away at the end of this chapter." But then I get to the end of the chapter and there's no way I'm putting the book down yet. You know exactly what I mean. You know you've been there, too. The days following those late nights of reading are a little long, but when it comes time to go to bed that night, the b...

Someone recently asked me about doing a 15 Day Blogger Challenge. During this challenge I will be answering questions set up for me. Hopefully this will accomplish two things. I hope it will help you get to know me a little better, and I also hope it will help me be a little more consistent with blog entries. So, here we are on Day 1. Make 15 Book Related Confessions 1. I love the way a new book smells. 2. I am a book hoarder. 3. I can never have too many books. 4. Books are a girl's best friend. 5. I don't usually read books more than once. Why would I when there's so many more to choose from? 6. I am never without a book nearby. Reading is the best activity to do while waiting in line or waiting for kids. 7. More often than not, I read 2-3 books at a time. 8. I started writing book reviews just so I could get more books. 9. Reading a book while soaking up the sun is my summer guilty pleasure - even if I have work to do. 10. I don't like every...

WARNING! “PRUDISH” CHARACTERS ON BOARD! Writing Christian fiction is not for the faint of heart. As my friend Tom Jones (the pastor not the pop star) recently told me, if you’re going to be a writer you have to grow a thick skin because people will criticize. A few weeks ago, I received a criticism of my young adult trilogy from a friend of mine who is a deacon in the Episcopal Church. She said that teenagers are going to roll their eyes at my characters Abby and John for their commitment to sexual abstinence. She assured me that mainline denominations believe that concept is misogynous and outdated, and that as long as the couple is mature enough and respect each other enough, sexual activity is suitable and even assumed—especially if they are engaged.* See more below. A recent (3-star) review of Every Hill and Mountain by SKJAM! REVIEWS closely mirrors her view. “This book is aimed at the Christian young adult market, so there is quite a bit of God-talk …The sexual prudishne...

Book Club Wednesday This past month our book club read A Song I Knew by Heart by Bret Lott. I have to admit – this was not my favorite book. It intrigued me because it was a modern day retelling of the story of the biblical Naomi and Ruth. Not too far into the book I had to separate this story from the real thing. I thought that might make the story a little better, but not so much! I know the writing style is subjective, but I didn’t really like this particular author’s style. I understand he was trying to make her sound southern and use that vernacular, but this Yankee girl had trouble reading it. I found Naomi’s conversation somewhere between Yoda and Jacob Two-Two. Some sentences were worded backwards and many more were repetitive. However, there were some nice moments in the book where the relationship between Naomi and Ruth was obvious. At Book Club - I have discovered, after years of reading books together, that the ladies in Book Club are pretty united when it comes ...

Flashback Friday   Today’s flashback is all about sisters. There is something about the bond between sisters that is truly special. Sometimes sisters may not like each other, but there is always love. No one is allowed to pick on your little sister except you. Big sisters have a strong defense mechanism when it comes to little sisters, I know. I tell my daughters that they will one day be best friends. I'm not sure they believe me right now, but I have faith the day will come. Here are a few stories about the Doner sisters. Disclaimer – Some stories have had names removed so I can remain in their good graces. Sisterly Love They call Philadelphia the city of brotherly love. I think Jordan was the town of sisterly love. Sisters give each other certain annoyances and I had two sisters so that was two times the annoyances. One of my pet peeves was that when it was one sister in particular’s turn to do the dishes, she always left some, especially if it was her last day (we...