CFBA Blog Tour: Gatekeepers

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Gatekeepers
(Dreamhouse Kings #3)
Thomas Nelson (January 6, 2009)

by
Robert Liparulo


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robert is an award-winning author of over a thousand published articles and short stories. He is currently a contributing editor for New Man magazine. His work has appeared in Reader's Digest, Travel & Leisure, Modern Bride, Consumers Digest, Chief Executive, and The Arizona Daily Star, among other publications. In addition, he previously worked as a celebrity journalist, interviewing Stephen King, Tom Clancy, Charlton Heston, and others for magazines such as Rocky Road, Preview, and L.A. Weekly.

Robert is an avid scuba diver, swimmer, reader, traveler, and a law enforcement and military enthusiast. He lives in Colorado with his wife and four children.

Robert's first novel painted a scenario so frighteningly real that six Hollywood producers were bidding on movie rights before the novel was completed. His acclaimed debut novel, Comes A Horseman, is being made into a major motion picture by producer Mace Neufeld and his short story "Kill Zone" was featured in the anthology Thriller, edited by James Patterson.

Bob has sold the film rights to his second book, GERM. And he is writing the screenplay for a yet-to-be-written political thriller, which sold to Phoenix Pictures, for Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, The Guardian) to direct!

And his third book Deadfall. debuted to rave reviews!


ABOUT THE BOOK

Bob Liparulo wants to give away a signed 3 book set of the DreamHouse Kings books! Send an email to Bob [at] Liparulo [dot] com and put "CFBA" in the subject line. He will pick a winner next week!!!!

In the third novel of this young adult series, the mystery deepens in a house that is more than meets the eye.

The Kings have been in the creepy old place, their new home, for only a few days, but they've experienced enough terror to last a lifetime. And the mystery is growing even more baffling. Shadowy and shifting, the big house conceals doors into other worlds that blur the line between memories and dreams-and the slightest misstep can change history forever.

At least, that's if they believe the trembling old man who shows up claiming to know them. "There's a reason you're in the house," he tells them. "As gatekeepers, we must make sure only those events that are supposed to happen get through to the future."

The problem is that horrors beyond description wait on the other side of those gates. As if that weren't enough, the Kings are also menaced by sinister forces on this side-like the dark, ancient stranger Taksidian, who wants them out now.

It's hard to believe that things could have gotten worse for the King family-but they have. Dad's in handcuffs, the school bully has just found the secret portal that leads from the high school to the house, and Xander is sure he's found Mom, but they can't get back to her. Then Jesse arrives, and he seems to be a virtual Obi Wan of knowledge about the place. But is he the key they need to unlock the secrets, or just a crazy old man?

Dangers are increasing from within and without when Xander makes a startling discovery that explains why they haven't found any rooms that lead to the future. Alongside the threats, though, they're also starting to find some surprising allies.
All they have to do is get organized, get psyched, and get Mom. But that isn't nearly as easy as it sounds.

Xander, David, and Toria must venture beyond the gates to save their missing mother-and discover how truly high the stakes have become.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Gatekeepers
(Dreamhouse Kings #3), go HERE

What they're saying:

Review
"If you like creepy and mysterious, this is the house for you! Every room opens a door to magic, true horror, and amazing surprises. I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?" --R.L. Stine (Goosebumps)

Review
"A powerhouse storyteller delivers his most fantastic ride yet!"
-Ted Dekker, bestselling author of Kiss, Chosen and Infidel

***

Lisa's Comments: I gave this book to my son to read because it's his style of genre. Before he read Gatekeepers, he ordered the first two books in the series because he hates reading out of order. He said this book is well-written with defined characters and an intriguing plot. His biggest frustration with the book (and the series) is the ending of each book isn't tied up in a neat bow. You need to read the next book to see what happens. Overall, though, he enjoyed the books, but hates the cliffhanger endings.

Five Ways to Entertain Kids During Snow Days

I live in an area that is rich with God's artistic design, from the kaleidoscope of falling leaves in autumn, to white velvet blankets of snow in winter, to the lush rainbow of color in spring and summer.

This morning, I awoke, looked outside, and checked my boys' school website to see if there was a two-hour delay. Nope. Instead, school is canceled due to the weather. In our part of the country, that's not uncommon. The school calendar has snow days built into it.

Hubby spent the morning reclaiming the driveway. Our oldest son has been hunched over his computer, while our youngest watched the Food Network for a while. He decided he'd like to go into culinary arts. Women love guys who can cook. :-)

As for me, it was another work day as usual. I want a snow day. When I was a kid, I loved snow days. When we were younger, we'd hang out at my grandparents' dairy farm, sled ride down the hill near the barn, brave the pond to see how thick the ice was, and have snow ball fights with my cousins. As I grew older, snow days meant sleeping in and reading good books.

As an adult, snow days throw a wrench into my daily routine. I work at home and my day is laid out in a specific way. Two extra kids in the house makes a big difference. They're teenagers now and do their own thing, but when they were younger, keeping them entertaining while I worked was sometimes a little challenging.

Here are five ways to keep your children entertained (and share quality time with them) during snow days:

• Bundle up and head outside. Build a snowman, make snow angels, and have a snow ball fight with your kids. Don't forget your camera. Once the snow melts, you'll have pictures to remind you of the time you spent creating memories with them.
  
• Make a tent in the living room by spreading blankets over the tops of your couch and chairs. Secure the edges of the blankets with books. Grab flashlights, pillows, blankets, a snack, books and have a pajama party in your tent. Don't forget the camera!
  
• Cook together. Cooking with children is a wonderful way to spend quality time together as well as help them learn. Go through cookbooks together and decide on a fun recipe to make. Enjoy the treat with the family. Don't forget to take pictures!
• Go through family pictures and work on a scrapbook together. Children love looking at pictures, especially of when they were younger. Share some laughter as you take a stroll down memory lane.
  
• Throw open those closet doors and play dress up. Children have vivid imaginations and love to pretend. Take their pictures and add them to the scrapbook!
  

CFBA Blog Tour: The Red Siren

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Red Siren
Barbour Publishing, Inc (January 2009)
by
M.L. Tyndall


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M. L. (MARYLU) TYNDALL grew up on the beaches of South Florida loving the sea and the warm tropics. But despite the beauty around her, she always felt an ache in her soul--a longing for something more.

After college, she married and moved to California where she had two children and settled into a job at a local computer company. Although she had done everything the world expected, she was still miserable. She hated her job and her marriage was falling apart.

Still searching for purpose, adventure and true love, she spent her late twenties and early thirties doing all the things the world told her would make her happy, and after years, her children suffered, her second marriage suffered, and she was still miserable.

One day, she picked up her old Bible, dusted it off, and began to read. Somewhere in the middle, God opened her hardened heart to see that He was real, that He still loved her, and that He had a purpose for her life, if she'd only give her heart to Him completely.

Her current releases in the Legacy of The Kings Pirates series include:The Restitution, The Reliance, and The Redemption and The Falcon And The Sparrow

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Faith Westcott has turned her back on God and on man. Having witnessed the hypocrisy in the Church of England, her older sister's abuse at the hand of her husband, and her own mother's untimely
death in childbirth, Faith has determined never to marry and to gain enough wealth so she and her two sisters will never have to depend on man or God again.

To that end, though a lady by day, she becomes a pirate by night and begins her sordid career off Portsmouth when she attacks and plunders a merchant ship commanded by the young Dajon Waite. Humiliated at being defeated by a pirate and a woman no less, Dajon returns home without cargo and ship, and his father expels him from the family merchant business.

After a brief sojourn into debased society, Dajon rejoins the Royal Navy, where he finds comfort in the strict rules and redemption through his service to others. Three years later, he is sent to the frontier outpost of Charles Town, South Carolina to deal with the pirate problem. There, he connects with his mentor and old friend, Admiral Westcott, who has just arrived with his three daughters.

Much to Dajon's utter dismay, Admiral Westcott, who is being called away to Spain, asks Dajon to be temporary guardian of his three lovely daughters. One of the ladies seems familiar to him, a striking redhead who immediately sends his heart thumping.

Faith recognizes Captain Waite as the buffoon whose ship she plundered off Portsmouth. Yet, he appears no longer the fool, but instead a tall, handsome and commanding naval officer. Despite her immediate attraction to him, she labels him the enemy, but sparks are guaranteed to fly during the next few months when independent, headstrong and rebellious Faith falls in love with God-fearing honorable, rule-following Dajon-especially when Faith continues her pirating off the Carolina coast while her father is away.

Will Dajon catch her? And what will this man of honor and duty do when he does?


If you would like to read the first chapter of The Red Siren, go HERE

Lisa's Comments: I was introduced to MaryLu Tyndall's writing by reading the third book in her Legacy of the Kings Pirates series, The Redemption. Her lush descriptions and page-turning action held my interest from beginning to end. I read that book in one afternoon. I met MaryLu at the ACFW writers conference last September and acted like a total groupie. She is a sweet, sweet person.

The Red Siren has the same style as MaryLu's other books--rich descriptions, page-turning action, and a well-developed plot. Unfortunately I haven't finished this book yet because I'm reading it between doing homework assignments, but the characters linger in my head long after I mark my page for the evening. I'm looking forward to finishing the book and reading what's to come.

Licensed to Drive

Licensed to Drive

Well, it happened. Another milestone to add to our son's scrapbook...he passed the test for his driver's permit. I'm not ready for this. He'll be asking for the keys and I'll be reaching for the hair color.

CFBA Blog Tour: The Centurion's Wife

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Centurion's Wife
Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2009)
by
Davis Bunn and Janette Oke


ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Davis Bunn is an internationally acclaimed author who has sold more than six million books in fifteen languages. His audiences span reading genres from high drama and action thrillers to heartwarming relationship stories, in both contemporary and historical settings.

Honored with three Christy Awards for excellence in historical and suspense fiction, his bestsellers include My Soul To Keep, and Full Circle. A sought-after lecturer in the art of writing, Bunn was named Novelist in Residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford University.

He and his wife, Isabella, make their home in Florida for some of each year, and spend the rest near Oxford, England, where they each teach and write.


Her first novel, a prairie love story titled Love Comes Softly, was published by Bethany House in 1979. This book was followed by more than 75 others.

After Love Comes Softly was published, Oke found her readers asking for more. That book led to a series of eight others in her Love Comes Softly series. She has written multiple fiction series, including The Canadian West, Seasons of the Heart and Women of the West. Her most recent releases include a beautiful children's picture book, I Wonder...Did Jesus Have a Pet Lamb and The Song of Acadia series, co-written with T. Davis Bunn.

Janette Oke's warm writing style has won the hearts of millions of readers. She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medallion Award, The Christy Award of Excellence, the 1992 President's Award for her significant contribution to the category of Christian fiction from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, and in 1999 the Life Impact Award from the Christian Booksellers Association International. Beloved worldwide, her books have been translated into fourteen languages.

She and her husband live nearby in Alberta, Canada.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Janette Oke has dreamed for years of retelling a story in a biblical time frame from a female protagonist's perspective, and Davis Bunn is elated to be working with her again on this sweeping saga of the dramatic events surrounding the birth of Christianity...and the very personal story of Leah, a young Jewess of mixed heritage trapped in a vortex of competing political agendas and private trauma.

Caught up in the maelstrom following the death of an obscure rabbi in the Roman backwater of first-century Palestine, Leah finds herself also engulfed in her own turmoil--facing the prospect of an arranged marriage to a Roman soldier, Alban, who seems to care for nothing but his own ambitions.

Head of the garrison near Galilee, he has been assigned by Palestine's governor to ferret out the truth behind rumors of a political execution gone awry. Leah's mistress, the governor's wife, secretly commissions Leah also to discover what really has become of this man whose death--and missing body--is causing such furor.

This epic drama is threaded with the tale of an unlikely romance and framed with dangers and betrayals from unexpected sources. At its core, the story unfolds the testing of loyalties--between two young people whose inner searchings they cannot express, between their irreconcilable heritages, and ultimately between their humanity and the Divine they yearn to encounter.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Centurion's Wife, go HERE

Lisa's Thoughts: I read several of Janette Oke's books when I began reading Christian fiction over ten years ago. I haven't read much Biblical fiction, but I must say how fascinating it is to get an inside glimpse of what life could've been like when Jesus walked the earth. The Centurion's Wife is a captivating story of romance, danger, and real love.

CFBA Blog Tour: Stand-In Groom

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Stand-In Groom
Barbour Publishing, Inc (January 2009)

by
Kaye Dacus


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kaye Dacus is an author and editor who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there.

She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. But her greatest joy comes from mentoring new writers through her website and seeing them experience those “aha” moments when a tricky concept becomes clear.




ABOUT THE BOOK

When wedding planner Anne Hawthorne meets George Laurence, she thinks she's found the man of her dreams. But when he turns out to be a client, her "dream" quickly turns into a nightmare. Will Anne risk her heart and career on this engaging Englishman?

George came to Louisiana to plan his employer's wedding and pose as the groom. But how can he feign affection for a supposed fiancee when he's so achingly attracted to the wedding planner? And what will happen when Anne discovers his role has been Stand-In Groom only? Will she ever trust George again? Can God help these two believers find a happy ending?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Stand-In Groom, go HERE

What they're saying about it:

“Dacus pulls off a delightful story that places readers in the heart of the South with the debut of the Brides of Bonneterre series. Readers will enjoy this look at how lives are transformed through devastating events and how forgiveness is the key to a promising future. Nothing is as it seems in this heartwarming story.”
–Romantic Times, 4-Star Review

“Absolutely delightful! I enjoyed Stand-In Groom from cover to cover! Ms. Dacus’s clever story and wonderful prose will draw you away to a place deep in the heart of Louisiana, surrounding you with the scents, sounds, and sights of the deep south. A story filled with romance and intrigue, betrayal and forgiveness, I found myself laughing, crying and rejoicing right along with the characters.”
–M.L. Tyndall, author of The Falcon and the Sparrow and the award-winning Legacy of the King’s Pirates series

“Stand-In Groom is as sweet, beautiful, and chaotic as a perfectly planned wedding. Anne is a bright and wounded heroine you’re going to care about for a long time. George is a hero to capture your heart. Kaye Dacus will take you along for a fun, poignent ride in Stand-In Groom.”
–Mary Connealy, author of the Lassoed in Texas series and Of Mice...and Murder

~~~

Lisa's Thoughts--I interviewed Kaye for ACFW's e-zine, Afictionado. You can read more about Kaye, her writing journey, and interesting fun fact HERE.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

A peek at the temperature made me wish I could burrow under my warm comforter and cozy flannel sheets. Right now, it's a brisk -9 degrees with a wind chill of -20. Umm, brrr....

Our school district has a two-hour delay, but if parents feel it's too cold for their children to wait for buses or walk, they're allowed to keep them home and it's an excused absence.

Weather like this makes me pine for warm sand, summer sun, and tropical breezes. I am thankful for my warm house and hot water. Tonight I'll curl up under my soft fleece blanket with a good book and hot cup of chai.

CFBA Blog Tour: Sweetwater Gap

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sweetwater Gap
Thomas Nelson (December 16, 2008)
by
Denise Hunter


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!







ABOUT THE BOOK

A story of new beginnings from best-selling Romance for Good™ author Denise Hunter.
When Josephine's family insists she come home to help with the harvest, the timing works. But her return isn't simple benevolence-she plans to persuade the family to sell the failing orchard.

The new manager's presence is making it difficult. Grady MacKenzie takes an immediate disliking to Josephine and becomes outright cantankerous when she tries talking her family into selling. As she and Grady work side by side in the orchard, she begins to appreciate his devotion and quiet faith. She senses a vulnerability in him that makes her want to delve deeper, but there's no point letting her heart have its way-he's tied to the orchard, and she could never stay there.

A brush with death tears down Josephine's defenses and for the first time in her life, she feels freedom-freedom from the heavy burden of guilt, freedom to live her life the way it was intended, with a heart full of love.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sweetwater Gap, go HERE

Lisa's comments: Sweetwater Gap is the first Denise Hunter novel I've read, but it won't be the last. This was a wonderful novel. The characters were flawed, yet their interactions with one another kept me turning the pages. The setting pulled me in right away and I loved learning about the apple orchard industry. Most of all, the novel gently tells of Jesus' love for his children and his ultimate sacrifice. Warning--do not read at bedtime because you will end up losing sleep so you can finish it.

CFBA Blog Tour: Kiss

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
KISS
Thomas Nelson (January 6, 2009)
by
Ted Dekker
and
Erin Healy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), Obsessed, Renegade, and Chaos.

*******************
Erin Healy is an award-winning fiction editor who has worked with talented novelists such as James Scott Bell, Melody Carlson, Colleen Coble, Brandilyn Collins, L. B. Graham, Rene Gutteridge, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Robin Lee Hatcher, Denise Hildreth, Denise Hunter, Randy Ingermanson, Jane Kirkpatrick, Gilbert Morris, Frank Peretti, Lisa Samson, Randy Singer, Robert Whitlow, and many others.

She began working with Ted Dekker in 2002 and edited twelve of his heart-pounding storiesbefore their collaboration on Kiss, the first novel to seat her on "the other side of the desk."

Erin is the owner of WordWright Editorial Services, a Colorado-based consulting firm specializing in fiction book development. She and her husband, Tim, are the proud parents of two children

ABOUT THE BOOK

Let me tell you all I know for sure. My name. Shauna.
I woke up in a hospital bed missing six months of my memory. In the room was my loving boyfriend-how could I have forgotten him?-my uncle and my abusive stepmother. Everyone blames me for the tragic car accident that left me near death and my dear brother brain damaged. But what they say can't be true-can it?

I believe the medicine is doing strange things to my memory. I'm unsure who I can trust and who I should run from. And I'm starting to remember things I've never known. Things not about me. I think I'm going crazy.

And even worse, I think they want to kill me.

But who? And for what? Is dying for the truth really better than living with a lie?

Sometimes dying with the truth is better than living with a lie.

After a car accident puts Shauna McAllister in a coma and wipes out six months of her memory, she returns to her childhood home to recover, but her arrival is fraught with confusion.

Her estranged father, a senator bidding on the White House, and her abusive stepmother blame Shauna for the tragedy, which has left her beloved brother severely brain damaged. Leaning on Wayne Spade, a forgotten but hopeful lover who stays by her side, Shauna tries to sort out what happened that night by jarring her memory to life. Instead, she acquires a mysterious mental ability that will either lead her to truth or get her killed by the people trying to hide it.

In this blind game of cat and mouse that stares even the darkest memories in the face, Shauna is sure of only one thing: if she remembers, she dies.

If you would like to read the first chapter of KISS, go HERE

Watch the Video Trailer




What people are saying about KISS:

“The human brain could actually be the real final frontier—we know so little about it and yet it drives the world as we know it. So when authors like Erin and Ted bravely explore these mysterious regions, going into complex places like memory and soul and relationships, I become hooked. The creativity of this suspenseful story is sure to hook other readers as well. Very memorable!”
~Melody Carlson, author of Finding Alice and The Other Side of Darkness

“Dekker and Healy prove a winning team in this intriguing, imaginative thriller.”
~James Scott Bell, bestselling author of Try Darkness

“Kiss by Erin Healy and Ted Dekker is a superb thriller that hooked me from the first sentence. The original plot kept me guessing, and I may never look at a kiss the same way again. I’ll be watching for the next book!”
~Colleen Coble, author of Cry in the Night

“The writing team of Erin Healy and Ted Dekker has taken me through a page-turner with Kiss. It’s one of those books that you think about when you’re not reading it. I highly recommend it, especially if you don’t mind staying up late because you can’t put the book down!”
~Rene Gutteridge, author of Skid and My Life As a Doormat

Lisa's Comments: My 18-year-old son loves Ted Dekker's writing, so when Kiss arrived, I gave it to him to read. He had a hard time putting it down. He said the characters held his attention and the plot kept him guessing. He said, "You would even like this one, Mom." He knows I love suspense, but not scary suspense. He said it's a "definite must read."

Routines

Getting back into a routine after the holidays is challenging. Even though last week was our first official back-to-school and back-to-work week, I don’t feel like I’m completely caught up or back on track. Now that my spring (and final!) semester started, I need to be more organized and focused in order to juggle the demands of my family, my job, my homework, and my free time.

Here are a few ways I'm trying to get myself back on task:

1. Fill out my calendar with important dates so I don't forget appointments or heaven forbid, forget to pick up a child from practice.

2. Plan a dinner menu for the month. This helps me to know in the morning what I need to prepare in the evening. Plus, it's a huge help when I'm writing out a grocery list. By having our commitments marked on the calendar, I know which nights need to be fast, skillet meals, and which ones are free for longer meals.

3. Write out a daily to-do list. I love to make lists. I also love Post-It notes, especially the lined ones. I jot down the items I need to do on a Post-It note, stick it to my laptop, and mark off each item as I complete that task. By putting it on my laptop, it's only a glance away, so the projects are always fresh in my mind.

4. When I'm tired and don't feel like doing those things on my to-do list, I set my timer for 15 minutes and work until the timer goes off. That way, those little jobs are manageable and I can accomplish a lot in 15 minutes. I use the 15 minute timer to complete small tasks around the house to keep my house clutter under control.

This isn't a perfect system, but it works for me. What hints do you have to stay focused in your routines?

Guest Blogger: Susan May Warren

Yesterday, I participated in the CFBA Blog Tour to promote Susan May Warren's book, The Perfect Match.

Today, I'm privileged to have Susie as a guest blogger. Read what she has to say and leave a comment for a chance to win a new copy of The Perfect Match.

Heeerrrreee'sss Susieeee...

I’m a big believe in research. I can spend hours tracking down cuisine, or flora and fauna, clothing, dialect. I have even been known to, say, skydive (see the video!) or ride a mechanical bull for my projects. It’s probably because I enjoy writing about things I don’t already know. I love to learn new things.

However, sometimes I learn things I don’t expect…like the time I was held hostage. Who knew it would come in handy so many times in my thrillers? Or eating squid on a stick in Taiwan – whalla, it appeared in my Wiser Than Serpents book.

Which just goes to show you, that God knows the material we need for our stories….

This week I’m having a blog tour for my book The Perfect Match. It’s a romantic suspense about a woman fire chief and the “sparks” she has with the local pastor.

A fire chief. Which meant I needed to research fire….

Below is an excerpt of an email I wrote to my family on April 2, 2004. (Just so you don’t think it happened yesterday!) I’ve changed no names to protect the guilty….


Hey all,
It’s a beautiful morning here, the sun is shining the snow is melting and the northern Warrens have many reasons to praise the Lord. Because we had a fire last night. Burned our 28 x 30 foot garage to the foundation.

We lost a lot – my husband’s multi-million dollar tool box, our cedar siding for the garage and the house, all our ski gear, our camping equipment, stuff from Russia, sleds, bikes, all my husband’s new building tools including the new compressor he’d just purchased, his turkey fryer, car gear, and….I think the cat.

But, I’ll start at the beginning.

With spring upon us, I decided that spring break seemed the perfect time to deep clean the house. So, room by room we went through (much to the children’s joy and delight) and weeded out their clothes and toys that needed to be given away or thrown. Then we moved to the playroom. We emptied the toys, and moved up furniture, including the old futon the dog loved to sleep on. I suggested to my twelve year old, Pete that he take it outside and make a bed for Gracie where her old bed was….right in front of the heater. Well, obedient Peter did that, per my instructions, and in the process, had to wedge the mattress right against the heater. Heat, oxygen, and flammable material = combustion.

I should interject here, that while Peter was creating a chemical reaction, I was on the phone with an editor, arguing about a plot line. For an hour. I figured I’d check his “work” after I got off, but of course…I immediately ran to my office to implement ideas.

Meanwhile, the fire smoldered. We figured it cooked for about four hours before it burst into flame. Around 6pm, my husband, and our two oldest kids went to town. As I was waving good-bye, I smelled smoke, but thought, Someone in the area is burning their wood heat tonight.

(God sighting #1: In retrospect, we know what it was, but I have mixed feelings about whether we could have stepped in to stop in. If I or any of the kids had gone into the garage, perhaps the sudden influx of oxygen might have caused a flashover, igniting the place into a fireball, and burning the victim. (see all the great firefighting terms I learned?))

Around 7pm, after watching a few minutes of “Legally Blonde” (no comments, please!), I went upstairs to make dinner. Peter noticed a glow in the woods off the sliding glass door.
“What’s that?” he said. Then, unable to see the source of the light, opened the entry door. I was at the stove, and I heard him say, “Wow,” then shut the door. No emotion. No panic. (To his defense, he says he was in shock).
I responded with a, “What’s Wow?”
Curious, I opened the door and beheld the garage. In inferno. Flames engulfed the garage, like fingers offering it to the sky. Sparks sprayed, raining down on our cedar house. Interestingly, I learned there is a dull roar to a large fire, a rumble of horror right down to a person’s soul.
I grabbed the phone, but like a great horror movie, it was dead. Scrounging for my keys, (and thankful that the car was parked outside), I screamed at the children -- “Get in the car!”
Of course, my youngest (Noah) was nowhere to be found. A couple years of my life ticked by before he emerged from the basement of the house. I grabbed the kids and ran them out in the snow in their barefeet (and me in slippers). Then I did a Starsky and Hutch up the driveway and flew to the neighbor’s house.
Pete said later, “Wow, Mom, I’ve never seen you drive like that.” (God sighting #2: I managed to miss the electrical transformer as I backed up our drive!)

My poor neighbor, who is also a member of our church, was watching television and of course I didn’t even knock, just burst into her house and said, “My garage is on fire, call 911!” (Poor woman. No wonder she now goes to Arizona every winter. I’d be scared to live next to me too.)
Then I told Pete and Noah to stay because I’d realized I’d left supper cooking on the stove. Yeah, that’s right, um hum. So, much to Pete’s terror I ran back out and drove to the house. My neighbor called 911 (and forgot our name, although she knows us well – thankfully Pete was there to fill her in).
Meanwhile, George, the neighbor’s husband, followed me, and had the presence of mind to grab his hose. (Mine, of course, being coiled up, frozen beside my house). Unfortunately, the water outside had been turned off for the winter, so nothing came out. I ran down the stairs, and prayed, “Lord, you’ll have to show me what that spicket looks like because I haven’t the faintest idea.” (God sighting #3!) To God be the Glory, the FIRST thing my gaze landed on when I ran into the laundry room was the water spicket.
I climbed up on the dryer and turned it on and heard the sweet sound of rushing water. Meanwhile, George’s grandsons appeared with shovels, throwing snow on the house. George took the hose and wet down the house, but I was worried about the propane tank.
That’s right, I said PROPANE tank. A recently filled propane tank that sat eight feet from the inferno.
In a spectacular team effort, I sprayed the tank while the local hero, George, turned off the supply. However, the snow in that area was still hip deep and we were stuck, our feet crashing through the crusty surface and right into the undercurrent of freezing water.
George yelled, “Crawl!” and I transported into a Mel Gibson movie, sparks flying over my head, the front wall of the garage crashing down just five feet from me. I finally rolled to safety down the snow bank.

My feet were ice, so I ran in and pulled off those boots, grabbed another pair, and that’s when my husband roared into the house. Poor man – he’d gone to church to do the bookkeeping for the week (he’s the treasurer), and the neighbor (now remembering our name) called the church and said, “There’s a fire at your house, go!”
So, of course, when he drove up our road, (in FRONT of the fire truck), all he saw was the glow of flames shooting into the sky. He thought it was our house. His voice was wrecked by the time he got inside and found me. Poor guy is going to die of a coronary due to spotty information. (And here’s a question – why am I always home alone when this stuff happens, huh?)

The fire was on its dying side when the fire department showed up. Still, it took two tankers to supply enough water to put it out. Andrew and I stood there, cataloguing our losses, thanking God for our tremendous wealth in Him, and the fact that once again, He protected us.

But here’s the best part, the God-works-in-amazing ways moment: Of course a reporter came out from the newspaper, and asked me why I was poking around the fire engines, asking questions. I told her about my newest book, The Perfect Match, and how it’s about a woman fire chief, and how, of course, I wanted to get it RIGHT. She took pictures, interviewed me, and eventually reviewed the book with a half-page in the paper.

See, you just never know what God will do when we think everything has gone up in flames.

I hope you enjoy The Perfect Match.

Safely in His grip,
Susie May Warren, an author just trying to get it right…

CFBA Blog Tour: The Perfect Match

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Perfect Match
(Tyndale House January 1, 2009)
by
Susan May Warren


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. Her favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota is where she met her husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living.

The north woods easily became the foundation for her first series, The Deep Haven series, based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. Her first full-length book, Happily Ever After, became a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

As an award winning author, Susan returned home in 2004, to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods and the beautiful town that she always dreamed of living in.

You can sample a chapter of each and every one of Susan's novels, on her website, HERE.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Ellie Karlson is new to Deep Haven. As the town’s interim fire chief, she is determined to lead the local macho fire crew in spite of their misconceptions about her. But when someone begins setting deadly fires, Ellie faces the biggest challenge of her life. Especially when sparks fly with one of the volunteers on her crew: Pastor Dan Matthews. As Ellie battles to do her job and win the respect of her crew, she finds that there is one fire she can’t fight—the one Dan has set in her heart.
(This book is the repackaged edition published in 2004)

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Perfect Match, go HERE.

Awards:

2004 American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year

A Romantic Times Magazine TOP PICK – 4½ stars

Review:

Romantic Times Magazine:
Vibrant characters and vivid language zoom this action-packed romance to the top of the charts. This is a one-sitting read –once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.

Lisa's Thoughts: The Deep Haven series holds a special place in my heart because it's they were the first SMW books I read. I fell in love with her characters that stayed with me for years after finishing the books, her ability to write engaging plots, and the lush descriptions that pulled me into the story. I met Susie at the 2005 ACFW conference and felt like such a groupie. Thrilled to meet one of my favorite authors, but now I'm blessed to call this wonderful author and woman of God my friend.

I asked Susie to be a guest blogger on my blog, so come back tomorrow and read about the fire Susie endured with her family. Leave a comment on today's post or tomorrow's and you will be entered in a drawing for a copy of The Perfect Match.

CFBA Blog Tour: Wanted

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Wanted
Avon Inspire (January 6, 2009)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hidden is Shelley’s first foray into inspirational fiction. Previously, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio where she writes full time. Shelley is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and is part of the Telecare ministry, which calls homebound members on a regular basis. Shelley looks forward to the opportunity to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

This is the second book in the Sisters Of Heart series. The first was Hidden.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Twenty-year-old Katie Brenneman has always quietly fancied Jonathan Lundy. So when the brokenhearted widower asks her to help him take care of his two young girls, Katie knows it will be a trying time-yet she cannot pass up a golden opportunity to get to know this man better.

Just as she's settling into her new life, a message arrives from Katie's past, threatening to expose her darkest secrets. During her Rumspringa, her running-around years, she experimented with activities forbidden in the Amish way of life. Frightened by how far she'd strayed from her values, Katie ran back home, vowing to cut all ties with the outside world. Now her transgressions are coming back to haunt her, just as Jonathan seems willing to welcome her into his heart.

Will the past destroy Katie's chances for love? Or will Katie finally allow herself to accept God's love, forgive her past...and receive everything she's ever wanted?

If you would like to read an excerpt of Chapter 1 of Wanted, go HERE

Lisa's Thoughts: I started reading this book on New Year's Eve, but haven't finished it yet. The descriptions of setting and characters pulled me into the story. A little familiar with the Amish, this novel helps to increase my knowledge about their way of life. The three-dimensional characters round out this well-written novel. I look forward to finishing the story. I haven't read Hidden, so I want to go back and read the first story in this series.

Portion Control

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV

One of my goals for 2009 is to lose weight I've carried for the past decade. I've started and stopped more times than I can remember due to lack of motivation, enthusiasm, or willpower. In order to Live Purposefully, I need to be focused and determined to win the prize--healthier lifestyle, more positive body image, and skinny jeans. :D I joined SparkPeople, a free online program that helps people manage their weight loss and achieve their goals.

I fixed lunch yesterday, ate it, tracked my foods in the Nutrition Tracker, but did not feel satisfied. I wanted a low-fat, lower calorie snack that wouldn't mess up my allowable calories, so I grabbed a bag of Bold & Spicy Chex Mix. This treat would satisfy the salt, crunch, & carb craving my body was having. Chex Mix is lower in fat and calories than potato chips, but it tastes even better. I measured out the portion into a small bowl and sat down to eat while I checked e-mails on the computer.

Let me preface this by saying I love love love Chex Mix. When I wasn't watching my weight, I wouldn't grab a bowl and measure a portion. I'd take the bag with me and eat mindlessly until that craving passed or the bag was empty. Chex Mix and snacks like that are my biggest weakness...yes, even more than chocolate, so I really had to resist temptation.

When I ate the Chex Mix, I put one piece in my mouth at a time, savored the flavor, the texture, and crunch. Focusing on what I was eating helped me to really enjoy the small amount. I was disappointed when the last bit of cereal was gone, but I felt a sense of accomplishment because I resisted the temptation to go back for seconds. This may not seem significant to other people, but it was a gold star moment for me. In order for this weight loss program to be successful, I need to focus on the moment and not the long road ahead.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized portion control isn't limited to the foods we eat. We need to exercise portion control in all areas of our lives, whether it be the TV, a hobby we do to pass the time, playing things like video games.

Portion control can relate to my writing, as well. I'm revising my novel and plan to submit it for publication. However, I don't have the luxury of spending all day on the novel because I have a full-time job that requires my attention. So, when I sit down to write with a specified amount of time alloted for a particular scene or chapter, I need to savor that time and make each word count.

As with losing weight, getting published won't happen overnight. It's a long process, but if I stay focused on the task for today, I can achieve a small goal that will help obtain the overall goal of publication. Tomorrow will come soon enough and present its own challenges.

Live Purposefully

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17

Yesterday I decided I wanted a statement to define my goals for 2009. I asked God to show me the direction He wanted me to take in 2009.

This morning I watched Joyce Meyer on T.V. while I worked out. I wasn't able to watch the whole program because I had to stop halfway through to shower and get ready for work. However, in the brief fifteen minutes I watched, I felt God providing an answer to yesterday's prayer--a defining statement for 2009.

Live purposefully.

Two simple words.

Joyce Meyer was speaking about people wanting to do God's call for their lives, but they had no idea what He wanted them to do. Here are some thoughts I jotted down from her message:

Live with purpose and direction.

Don't wait until you're ready because then you won't lean on God.

Change & rearrange.

Don't be wishing; be doing.

Look to the future. The past is gone and you can't get it back.

Stop complaining; be thankful.

And my favorite:

You don't need a wishbone, you need a backbone.

She went on to say Jesus stated His purpose in 1 John 3:8--He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

Jesus was focused. His diversions were from Satan. We need to be focused. Each day needs to have a defining purpose. Wasted minutes can't be regained. We need to deal with people and situations in our lives that are stealing our destiny.

I've been so busy with other things in my life that I haven't taken the time to stop and listen to what God was saying to me. God spoke to me through Joyce Meyer this morning, so my statement for 2009 is to Live Purposefully. Instead of being a wisher, I've become a doer. Instead of making resolutions, I've made solutions to achieve goals set for 2009. With my focus fixed on God, I can live purposefully and achieve His will for my life.

Happy New Year!

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1 Happy New Year!

Last night, our family went to another family's house for a small New Year's Eve party. We ate, talked, played games, and watched the televised ball dropping in Times Square.

This morning, we slept late, and then hubby and I tackled our annual New Year's Day project--disassembling the Christmas tree and packing decorations away for another year.

2009 brings new enthusiasm, new possibilities. Many people make resolutions, but before January ends, their resolutions have been long forgotten. Instead of making resolutions, I'm working out solutions for things I want to change in my life. I've mapped out goals for this year and broke them down into smaller, more achievable goals that can be met on a monthly basis. When I meet my goals, I will treat myself to something fun.