BOM: The Research

I'm going to jump ahead a bit and include the next two books in the series as we move forward in the discussion.  The second book, BY DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, is primarily concerned with the Third Temple, the one that will be rebuilt in Jerusalem.  The third and final book in this series, THE SPEAR OF TYRANNY, is about a real spear, aka "the spear of Romulus."  

Grant supplied the research about the Temple and the spear, but I still had to do a lot of background research.  I had to brush up on prophecy, for instance, and for the first book I had to do a lot of research on Washington, the military, and the White House. (Some of this research would definitely prove useful later when I returned to the Washington, D.C. setting to write The Justice). 

Fortunately, I research as I write, so it doesn't take lots of in-depth time.  I research as I go, finding the facts as I need them.  Or I'll insert a bracket with [find out what this would look like] and keep going on that first draft.  If you stop too many times during first-drafting, the book will never get out of the birth canal and into the light of day!  

I especially enjoyed the research for the second book, By Dawn's Early Light. I've always had a heart for the Jewish people, so it was a pleasure to delve into that culture and consider what the coming Temple will look like . . . and how it will be received.  During this research I learned of an interesting theory about Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and the Jewish Ethopians . . . very interesting!  

I enjoy research, so that was a fun aspect of these books.  

Tomorrow:  the writing

~~Angie 

BOM: How the idea Germinated

Actually, the idea didn't germinate at all.  It was handed to me on a silver platter. :-) 

Word Publishing met with Grant Jeffrey, a prophecy expert, and heard some of his ideas about how cutting-edge technology (in the late nineties) could play into biblical prophecies about the last days.  Grant had written many nonfiction books and freely admitted that he didn't know anything about writing fiction.  So, somehow, my name got tossed into the mix.  We met, I agreed to do two books, and then I flew to Canada to brainstorm with Grant and plot out the first book. 

Grant and his lovely wife, Kay, opened their home and we spent two days pouring over notes about the Y2K scenario.  I don't know how much you remember about 1998 and '99, but there was real concern that Life as We Know It would come to a crashing halt when the calendar rolled from 1999 to 2000.  That awful scenario didn't happen, of course, and we probably need to thank hundreds of computer programmers for that.  :-)

Grant had some clear ideas about our hero, Daniel Prentice, and he gave me tons of information on the Y2K problem, as well as some info on specialized weapons and technology. I went through my plot skeleton with him and showed him how the plot should work.  Then I gathered our notes together and went home to write the book.  

Tomorrow: the research. And yes, Deborah, we'll talk about all three books before the week is out. :-)

~~Angie 

Book of the Month: Flee the Darkness

By request, this month's "BOM" will be Flee the Darkness, which I cowrote with Grant Jeffrey.  So stay tuned for the next week to hear all the ins and outs of this book.  

Here's a brief plot synopsis from Amazon.com:  

In his first fiction thriller, prophecy expert and apologist Grant Jeffrey spins a chilling tale surrounding computer genius Daniel Prentice and a secret "millennium code." The code is used to solve a national bank chain's Year 2000 computer crisis which ultimately leads to a dangerous entanglement with a one-world government. Co-written with popular novelist Angela Hunt.

Here's what an Amazon reviewer had to say:  "Only 2 words can describe this book - A triumph of nouns with a graceful multitude of adjectives, verbs, and the occasional splattering of gerunds." 

(And if that made sense to you,  you're operating on a higher plane than I am.)  

Here's a more rational response:, "I, too, have read the LEFT BEHIND series, and thought none other could be so all consuming. But I was transported from the first page and became totally involved with the characters. One night, when I awoke from a dream about the book events,I found that I was praying for the safety of the characters! I would say that WAS involvement. I have watched for additional books. When?" 

So--tomorrow we'll jump into the topic of how the book came to be! 

~~Angie 

Robin Lee Hatcher returns to her roots in WAGERED HEART

I'm so excited about my good friend Robin's latest book. Here's a bit about it: 

When Bethany Silverton left the genteel life of Miss Henderson’s School for Young Ladies back in Philadelphia for the raw frontier town of Sweetwater, Montana, she had no idea how much she would enjoy the freedom and danger of this wild country.

A conservative preacher’s daughter, Bethany can’t resist the challenge of charming the most attractive cowboy in town into attending her father’s new church. She never dreamed that the cowboy would charm the lady.

But Hawk Chandler isn't the only man vying for Bethany's affections. Ruthlessly ambitious Vince Richards thinks Bethany is perfect for him: attractive, gracious, just the woman to help him become governor. And he is determined to get what he wants at any cost.

Drawn to one man, an obsession of another, Bethany's quiet life is thrown into turmoil. She wagered her heart on love. Now she has gotten more than she bargained for—and the stakes are about to become life and death.

**************

Romantic Times Book Reviews says: "Hatcher knows how to pack romance, laughter, tears and lovable characters into her stories."

Relz Reviewz says: "Robin Lee Hatcher's latest offering is a romance reader's delight! The romantic tension between Hawk and Bethany ignites on their first meeting and doesn't let up until the final page. While the outcome is a forgone conclusion, Robin's talent with the written word and her unerring ability to create engaging characters, sets this story apart from most other historical romances. Hawk and Bethany's journey is fraught with misunderstandings, personal tragedy and the schemes of a treacherous man adding excitement to a tale that overflows with simmering attraction and blossoming love. Interspersed with humour and electrifying dialogue, Wagered Heart is a summer treat not to be missed."

*****************

About Robin

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Whispers from Yesterday), the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance (Patterns of Love and The Shepherd's Voice), two RT Career Achievement Awards (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 55 novels, including Catching Katie, named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal. 

For more information about Robin and her books, visit her web site at http://www.robinleehatcher.com and her Write Thinking Blog at http://robinlee.typepad.com

***************

A note from Robin:

I began my career as a novelist writing historical romances, a natural fit for a booklover who has always loved history and is a romantic at heart. When God drew me out of the general market in order to write faith-based fiction, I discovered I also had a passion for telling contemporary stories that tackled relevant topics of our time--alcoholism, marriages in crisis, prodigal children, faith in light of tragic loss. But that didn't mean I lost my love for historical romantic fiction. I didn't. I just wasn't writing them very often. That is about to change.

Wagered Heart is my first faith-based historical romance release in three years. I loved watching Bethany, a preacher's daughter, and Hawk, a rancher, come to life on the page, and it was great fun immersing my imagination in 1880's Montana. Wagered Heart will be followed in January by another single title historical, When Love Blooms. This book is also set in the 1880's but this time in the rugged mountains of central Idaho where Emily, a young governess, falls in love with her employer, a man who thinks she is ill-suited for the hard life he could offer her. 

After that?  I am currently writing the first book of a new series that feature heroines who have unusual jobs for their time; the series opens in 1915. Plenty of problems and romance ensue. In other words, I'm having a wonderful time when I sit down at my computer each day.

Angie here again:  I'm sure you'll want to check out Robin's latest arrival.  Enjoy! 

~~Angie 

Movie Recommendation

Somehow, through the magic of Netflix, I discovered a delightful little film--and when I say "little," I mean little.  

IN THE ARMS OF ANGELS is only fourteen minutes long . . . but it packs a lot into those fourteen minutes.  It's a simple story set in the nineteenth century, and the tale has a Little House on the Prairie feel.  But it's a sweet story you can watch with the entire family.  I liked it so much, I'm going to ask hubby to show it to some of the middle schoolers on Sunday.  

So if you have a chance to rent this film, give it a shot.  You can even watch it two or three times in an hour.  :-)

Angie

P.S.  Did I mention that I finished my rough draft?  Now I'm doing a bit more research to fill in some major gaps in my legal knowledge.  :-)

Book Giveaway

Today let's play a game. 

Wednesday afternoon the UPS man brought me a new book--it's a three-in-one book of my novels THE NOTE and THE PEARL with my pal Terri Blackstock's COVENANT CHILD (a wonderful read!).  

The book is a nice hardcover, and I believe it's being produced as an exclusive for somebody or other--which means you can't order it anywhere else.  

I would like to give a copy away to someone who leaves a comment.  I'm thinking of a number (key: MDA) and I'll send the book to the comment number that matches the number I'm thinking of. U.S. mailing addresses only, please--it's a thick book.  :-) 

I'll jump in once someone has won the book. Feel free to comment more than once as long as someone else comments between your comments.  

Thanks for playing! 

~~Angie 

She'll Clean Out your House

A hilarious article in our newspaper this morning. (At least I thought it was funny.) 

Apparently a man (whose wife was out of town), found maid services on the Internet.  NUDE maid services.  At $100 per hour.  So he called and engaged the maid to clean his four bedroom, three-bath house. 

When his wife came home, however, she discovered that the maid had cleaned out her jewelry box.  Apparently the man left her alone for a few minutes while she cleaned the bedroom. 

Now--I'm not in favor of stealing, but something in me thinks that man got exactly what he deserved.  From his wife.  :-)

~~Angie

Condolences

Sunday's New York Times reported the death of Dick Sutcliffe, 90, who died on May 11 in Dallas. Dick Sutcliffe is most known for having a great idea--using animated characters to teach religious principles . 

I grew up watching Mr. Sutcliffe's brainchild, "Davey and Goliath," on Sunday morning television.  I found it interesting to learn that Davey's best friend, Jonathan, was black and one of the first instances of an interracial friendship in a television series.  

According to the Times, in the late 1950's, Mr. Sutcliffe was living in Massapequa, NY, and working in New York City for the United Lutheran Church as a producer. "The Lutheran Church was interested in using this newfangled thing called television to reach folks," his daughter told the Times. They thought about having a pastor deliver brief sermonettes, but Mr. Sutcliffe said, "The theology is fine but it's not good for television." 

And so Davey and Goliath were born. Sutcliffe hired Art and Ruth Clokey, who were pioneers in the field of claymation, and Nancy Moore wrote most of the scripts.  

My hat's off to Mr. Sutcliffe. If you weren't lucky enough to grow up with Davey and Goliath, you can check them out at www.daveyandgoliath.org.  Or click here. 

~~Angie

Politics

I don't particularly like to discuss politics on my blog, but something happened this week that bears discussing.  It began when a friend emailed me with the news that John McCain had rejected Rev. John Hagee's endorsement because Hagee was "anti-Semitic." Ha!  

I wrote back saying, "That's not true. Hagee would sooner stomp on his own mother than say anything against the Jewish people." I know Pastor Hagee, and I know his heart . . . and his courage. He loves the Jewish people, he loves God, and he's not afraid to say what he thinks.  

Turns out that someone went through his sermon archives in search of something volatile (I suspect they were trying to do to McCain what someone else did to Obama re: Reverend Wright) and they came up with a 1990's sermon from the book of Jeremiah (16:15-17) --where the prophet said that God would send a "hunter" who would chase the people of Israel as a means of returning them to their promised land.  Hilter, said Hagee, was one of those hunters, because prior to WWII, the Jews weren't eager to return to Palestine. After the Holocaust, however, everything changed.  

The moment I read the details, I found myself in agreement with Hagee's interpretation of that passage. Much of prophetic scripture, you see, has two meanings--a literal meaning for the time in which it was written, and a prophetic meaning for later. The verse we all quote from Isaiah (7:14): "Behold, a virgin shall conceive" was referring to Isaiah's wife in his time (read on through 8:1-4) and the Hebrew word for "virgin" meant "young woman."  But that verse also refers, of course, to Jesus Christ, who was born of a literal virgin 200 years later. This is known as the "Law of Double Reference." 

(This doesn't apply to every prophecy, but to many). 

So whenever I read the prophets, I always consider what their words meant in their time (the exile to Babylon, the return, the sin in the divided kingdoms) and what their words could mean in our time (which I believe to be the latter days).  I'm not dogmatic about my opinions, because God is free to fulfill his word however he wants to do.  :-)  After all, many of the most learned scholars of Jesus' time missed his coming because they were stubbornly clinging to their own visions of a Messiah who would come to rule and reign. 

But I digress.  Anyway, as soon as I understood why McCain had rejected Hagee's endorsement, I was troubled.  I know that it's not politically correct to believe that God could be involved in tsunamis, earthquakes, or Holocausts, but when you understand the doctrine of God's sovereignty in all its fullness, you do understand that he is either Lord of all, or he's not Lord at all. 

In my book THE PEARL, a couple's adorable five-year-old son is killed in a freak accident with a car.  The mother, Diana, cannot understand why God would do such a thing.  When the pastor suggests that God didn't will it, she says, "Oh, yes he did. Because to say that he had nothing to do with it means he was either asleep at the wheel or he stood by and did nothing while my beloved son died."  

I know this is a hard truth--that God can use evil for his purposes--but we see it illustrated over and over again in Scripture.  God used the freely-committed evil of Joseph's brothers to save a nation from famine. God used the evil of Judas and jealous religious rulers to crucify Christ, who had to die in order to provide salvation. Over and over, God used the evil of other nations to judge the nation of Israel.  God does not sin and yes, he is love. But often we are so caught up in our grief and pain that we cannot see the love behind the hurt. 

I was ruminating on all these things, and today I found this article on the web.  I loved this quote:   

Orthodox Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, of Congregation Rodfei Sholom in San Antonio, appeared at an afternoon press conference yesterday to say Mr. Hagee's "words were twisted and used to attack him for being anti-Semitic."

In actuality, Mr. Hagee "interpreted a biblical verse in a way not very different from several legitimate Jewish authorities," the rabbi said.

"Viewing Hitler as acting completely outside of God's plan is to suggest that God was powerless to stop the Holocaust, a position quite unacceptable to any religious Jew or Christian," the rabbi said.

Exactly right.  I am sorry that McCain has rejected Hagee's endorsement because it reveals a true lack of knowledge about God and his authority over the affairs of men. But I don't expect politicians to be theologians. Bottom line, I wish McCain and his team had refused to rise to the bait--because that's exactly what this was, bait.  Furthermore, I suspect that whoever instigated this tempest in a teapot is dancing in glee, and that's downright annoying. 

BUT--I am once again reminded that in tough times--and I've had my share--I can rest in the fact that God is in complete control of everything that touches me (and you).  Everything.  Including this election. 

And that brings a peace beyond human understanding.  

~~Angie 

Happy Saturday!

Photo: an elk I startled on our way out of Estes Park . . .  (yes, she's real! Just meandering through downtown . . . ) 

The WIP is now up to 50,000 words--a major miracle, considering that this week I spent way too much time playing the rice/word game and tweaking a computer program.  I LOVE my Libronix electronic Bible study program, and they've come out with a new version for Mac.  So I spent most of one afternoon transferring my 1700 electronic books to the mac beta version, only to find that the program is really not ready for prime time--searches crash, nothing prints, and the footnotes don't automatically append.  It will be wonderful when it's working, but for now I have to stick with the Windows version. 

My Google alert told me about something kind of fun tonight--the woman who writes this blog asked her readers for their top book recommendations--and she received over 400 responses. From those she compiled a list of top books and top authors, and guess whose name was at the top of the author list?  Tee hee.  I tell you, it's a good thing to have a name that begins with the first letter of the alphabet.  :-) 

Well, if it's Saturday, I'm cleaning my house.  The woman who has helped me clean for over fifteen years has retired, so I'm back to cleaning everything myself.  Which makes for a lot of fur, especially in my office.  So excuse me while I go fetch the vacuum . . . 

Have a great weekend! 

~~Angie 

A contest for you!

The ladies who run Chapter a Week are holding a contest--and I think you'll want to enter this one!

 

Here's the official scoop:  

We had such a great response to our last book giveaway that we've decided to make it a regular event! So we are giving away a ten-pound box of autographed Chapter-a-Week books to one Chapter-a-Week member for summer reading fun.

Simply send an email with "Chapter-a-Week Summer Reading Giveaway" in the subject line to cawcontest@gmail.com and you'll be entered in the drawing. The deadline for signing up is June 6^th and the winner will be announced June 13^th. Get your entries in and be sure to tell your friends to sign up for Chapter-a-Week!

 To qualify, the return email address must be on the Chapter-a-Week membership list.  Continental U. S. residents only, please. Industry professionals should refrain from entering, and though we'd love you to share our books with your friends, these books are not for resale.

Thanks and happy reading!

Your friends at Chapter-a-Week

 * * * 

 As for me, I've been busy churning out words for the WIP.  They're pretty stinky words, and I'm learning how much I don't know about being a lawyer.  Worst of all, I can't trust what I see on my favorite crime shows because I know they take liberties on TV . . . and I want to be as accurate as possible in my novel.  So I'm relying a lot on books and lawyer friends.  :-)  

My husband and I went to see PRINCE CASPIAN  this week--and we both cried through most of it.  I'm not sure many other people were crying, but when you understand that Aslan is Jesus, and when you see the way he rules over his creation--well, I started sobbing every time that lion appeared on screen.  Just couldn't help it.  I think I'm going to be a blubbering mess in heaven for at least the first thousand years.  

Have a great day! 

~~Angie

Condolences

In this morning's paper I read that Maria, the five-year-old daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed in an auto accident yesterday.  This is especially poignant to me and my husband because the Chapmans, like us, were firm believers in international adoption.

Please pray for this family at this time of grief.  

The following video, from SCC's site, is hard to watch--but in time, I think it will stand as a joyous celebration of life and family. Even in the midst of suffering, God is faithful and good. 

~~Angie

Movie recommendation: PRIDE

I just finished watching PRIDE, a based-on-a-true-story film about a black swim team in 1974. Maybe I liked it because I was the age of those kids in 1974, but it's a wonderful film about overcoming adversity through perseverance and hard work.  Plus, since we've talked a little about racism this month, it's a startling reminder of the way things used to be. A good movie for parents and older children to watch together.  

Best of all, at the end of the movie they show pictures of the real swim team founder and tell us that he's still working with swim teams today.  Gotta love that! 

~~Angie 

Learn a New Word and Feed the Hungry

On Marlene Bagnull's web site I discovered a fun distraction--plus, it really helps feed the world's poor (it checks out on Snopes.com).  It's a little vocabulary game, and a sponsor will donate so many grains of rice for every word you get correct. 

I played until I got my score up to 50 and had donated 3,060 grains of rice--doesn't sound like much, does it?  But if we play every day, we'll not only be improving our vocabulary, we'll be helping feed someone else for the day! 

So check it out at this site and enjoy! 

~~Angie

P.S.  My cousin tells me there's a similar site for feeding animals here. Click away! 

Home Again

Good to be home again, but a mountain of things to clear off the desk.  But I wanted to share a few pictures--these are of the YMCA and the gorgeous mountains, and one of our Nangie groups--the advanced Nangie, which means all of these folks have been with Nancy and me at least one other time.  Aren't they a good lookin' bunch? 

I love how the statue of the children spells out "YMCA." 

Hope your week is off to a great start! 

~~Angie

Jim Bell. Writer. Lawyer. Friend.

My pal Jim has a new book out.  And he's into podcasting now. What's podcasting?  (asks my mom).  It's . . . well, take a look here.  :-) 

If you've never read one of Jim's books, you are in for a treat. He's great. 

If it's Sunday, I'm flying home after a great conference in Estes Park, CO.  Nancy Rue and I had some great students in our Nangie clinics, but now I'm ready to go home, see my puppies, and get back to work.  

A big hello to Kerry and Jackie, who took us out for Italian food on the last night. Enjoyed the fellowship! 

~~Angie 

Are these people CRAZY?

Okay--when you have a spare six minutes, sit down, plant your feet firmly on the floor, and watch this video clip.  

Ohmigoodness!  I think you'd have to be a mountain goat to walk that path when it was repaired, but to walk it now?  

I couldn't do it.  

~~Angie

Update on the CF Husband

If you've joined me in reading the blog "Confessions of a CF husband," you'll be delighted to know that the little family is now home!  Read this incredible story here.  

Rejoice with the family and all those who have prayed for them. God is good! 

I'm up here in Colorado, where it snowed today.  The CWCC is going great and my pal Nancy and I are teaching another "Nangie" clinic--two of them, in fact.  We have great and enthusiastic students and all is going well. 

~~Angie 

The Wager Trailer

http://wager-themovie.com/

is where to go to see the trailer for THE WAGER, which releases this week and stars Randy Travis. (I haven't seen the movie yet, but I've read the book and it's wonderful.) 

This movie is from my buddy Bill Myer's novel, and Bill got to play a homeless man. Should be a great movie!

Photo: Bill in full grunge mode.

You can order The Wager on Netflix or buy a copy here.  

~~Angie

Groomer Has it

I discovered Project Runway (reality TV in which fashion designers are given a challenge each week) last season and loved it.  Was lacking something to watch to fill that creative void when I discovered Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It" TV show.  It's exactly like Project Runway, but it features dog groomers!  

LOL!  It's hilarious.  Each week the remaining designers are given a challenge--and it's always far out.  They've had to groom long-haired cats, sheep, puppies, poodles, etc., plus they have "quick snip" challenges that have to do with doggie first aid, doggie fashions, getting along with picky customers, etc.  

I've actually learned a couple of things, but I enjoy rooting for the groomers.  So far I like Jasper.  :-)  The program airs on Saturday nights (and repeats during the week) if you'd like to take a peek.  

~~Angie