The Vocal People

Thanks to our own Kay Day for sending me this link--what fun! As a singer, I LOVE the music. But I'm not sure about the androgynous outfits and that makeup . . . what's with those red lips?

~~Angie

Deb Raney has a re-release!

Beneath A Southern Sky

by Deborah Raney

WaterBrook Press

First released in 2001, Beneath a Southern Sky, has been reissued with a new cover as part of WaterBrook Press's new value line fiction.

SYNOPSIS:

Her Second Husband Healed the Sorrow of a Tragic Loss.

Her First Has Just Returned from the Dead.

Which Man Has the Right to Claim Daria's Heart?

After two years of serving as a missionary in a remote area of South America, Daria Camfield has returned to the States to mourn her husband, reportedly killed while providing medical aid to a neighboring Colombian village.

One family discovers how God can redeem any tragedy.

At first, Daria finds comfort only in the daughter born to her after Nate's tragic death. As she begins to heal, she also finds a listening ear and a tender heart in her new boss, veterinarian Colson Hunter. Determined to move forward with life, Daria ignores the still small voice calling her to wait and accepts Cole's marriage proposal. But after the wedding, Daria's new dream life turns into a nightmare with the arrival of an unbelievable
telegram:"Nathan Camfield found alive. Flying into K.C. Int'l. via Bogota…"

Now two men have the right to her daughter, her life, and her love. Will Daria return to her beloved first
husband, abandoning Cole? Or will she reject Nate and choose the only man her daughter has ever called "Daddy"--a man she has come to cherish with all her heart?

AWARDS:

• 2002 RITA Award from RWA
• 2002 FH&L Inspirational Readers' Choice Award
• Book of the Year for American Christian Romance Writers (now ACFW)
• 2001 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award
• 2002 HOLT Medallion Finalist
• 2002 Aspen Gold Award, 2nd place
• Named one of christianbook.com's Top 10 Fiction book of 2001

BIO: DEBORAH RANEY is at work on her 20th novel. Her books have won the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Almost Forever, first in her new Hanover Falls Novels series, will release in May from Howard/Simon & Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas. They are new empty nesters with four grown children and two precious grandsons, all of whom live much too far away.

WEBSITE: http://www.deborahraney.com

PURCHASE THIS BOOK: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?event=AFF&p=1142383&page=561314&sp=67484

~~Angie

Aunt Edna's Funeral

This may sound bizarre, but I love two things--no, three--about funerals.

First, I love learning things about the departed that I didn't know. I learned things about my father (imagine folks having a life before we came along!) at his funeral, and on Saturday I learned new things about Aunt Edna. I didn't know that she'd been Staple's National Secretary of the year! (She won the title and a trip to NYC at age 72.)

I learned that she and I are a lot alike--we both like writing, we both are hyper-organized, and we both like to plan things. Edna organized a reunion for her high school graduating class (of '42) EVERY year. She was a member of a group dedicated to preserving the history of her town, Winter Haven. I learned that Edna had preplanned her funeral, bought her casket, purchased her plot and picked out all the music. In fact, soon before her passing, she went out to the cemetery to check out her plot and discovered that a race car driver had been buried next to her spot! Apparently there was a big race car on his grave, and Aunt Edna didn't want to rest next to THAT. So she had the funeral home switch her spot out. Someone else will get to enjoy the race car for a while.

Second, I love seeing family members that I don't get to see very often. When we gathered around for the potluck dinner (kindly provided by Aunt Edna's church ladies), it felt like Thanksgiving. And even though we shed a few tears, Edna's service was quite the celebration of her salvation and sure place in heaven.

And third, I love the celebration of home going. Even though we weep because we will miss the departed, we are sure and certain that Jesus Christ has prepared a place for those who trust in him. And I was thrilled to hear that though Aunt Edna had cancer "all through her," even in her bones, she experienced NO PAIN and wasn't even taking pain pills. On Wednesday, she simply lay down for a nap and slipped away. How glorious is that?

Here's part of Aunt Edna's official obituary: She also graduated from Polk Community College where she obtained National Certified Professional Secretary (CBS) rating. She was a charter member of PCC Alumni Association. Ms. Scarborough was employed in the secretarial/accounting/legal field for over 50 years, and she served on the Advisory Council for Clerical Occupations for 20 years at Ridge Technical Center. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Winter Haven. She was also an officer in the Senior Adult Department, and member of the American Legion Auxiliary #8, and past Presidents Parley. She was a member of the Winter Haven Historical Society. In 1996, she was Staple's National Secretary of the Year. She was affectionately known as "Garber" to her family.

As an added plus, after the graveside service, my uncle and I went searching through that cemetery because I have lots of relatives buried there. I found my paternal grandmother, another aunt, a cousin who was stillborn . . . and I know there are several others. I took snapshots of their tombstones just to affix those spots in my memory. One day those graves will open, and my family will have the best reunion . . . :-)

~~Angie

The Invisible Women

I've heard Nicole Johnson give this presentation many times . . . and I'm so glad I now have the video to share with you. For all of us invisible women out there . . . God sees what we do. :-)

~~Angie

In Memory of Edna Haynes Scarborough

On Saturday, the hubby and I will be driving to a funeral, that of my aunt, Edna Haynes Scarborough. She died Wednesday afternoon.

Aunt Edna was the eldest of four sisters, whom I lovingly refer to as "the aunts." My mom and her sisters are genuinely close--they used to take trips together, they visit often, and we all get together every Thanksgiving, when we catch up with the cousins.

I could write a lot about Edna and her four children, but she was very pleased with her status as a professional woman. She was a legal secretary for years, and was still working on her church newsletter and taking the occasional typing job.

Last Christmas, Aunt Edna took a spill and was bitten by a dog--a nasty combination of injuries that resulted in nearly a year of hospitalization and rehab. Soon after leaving rehab and going back home, she discovered that she had breast cancer. This photo was taken only a few months ago, at our Thanksgiving reunion, when she assured me that she was spreading the word about my books to everyone who lived in her retirement development. :-) Bless her heart, she was a devoted reader and encourager, even occasionally leaving notes on my blog (along with Aunt Rene.) :-)

Aunt Edna knew and loved the Lord, so I know she's with him. But we will miss her at the reunions . . . and I know her children will miss her support and her strong opinions. :-)

See you soon, Aunt Edna. We'll be looking for you when we go Home.

~~Angie

Ice Castles Redux

One of my favorite movies is ICE CASTLES, an old movie from the late 70's, I think. They're just released a new version (just in time for the winter Olympics), and I watched it last night. I have to admit that this is a more family-friendly version, but it lacks the emotional depth of the original . . . I always cry buckets in the original, and I think I shed about two tears in the remake.

The writer in me wonders why the difference, and it wasn't because I missed the swear words. It was because they cut a subplot that dealt with the extreme mental pressures involved in such high stakes competition . . . and as any writer knows, the higher the stakes, the more involving the story.

In any case, it's still a fine film, and one you can show to your children (the new version). If you love ice skating, you ought to check out ICE CASTLES.

~~Angie

Let It Snow!

Several enterprising folks have posted time-lapse photography of recent snowstorms on youtube. This is one of my favorites--I love the chair--and they all make me grateful that I live in Florida!

Though there is nothing nicer than being snowbound in a cozy house. :-)

~~Angie

Celebrate Pandas

Because I don't think God made a cuter animal. :-) Check out these short videos:

Aren't they adorable?

~~Angie

This wouldn't be funny . . . if it weren't so close to the truth

Tee hee.

~~Angie

Heavenly Daze Cruise Pictures

I wanted to post some of the pictures from the Heavenly Daze cruise. Here's a sampling. The first picture is an iguana in the wild--they run around all over the place down there, and our guide assured us that this 18 inch guy was a little one. :-) [You can click on the photos to enlarge.]

The second picture is of the Tampa skyline, and this is to answer Clyde's question about which building was the setting for THE ELEVATOR. It's the fifth building from the left, the one with the thin towers on top. It looks short in the photo, but it's set behind the others (though it's certainly not the tallest building in Tampa).

The third photo is of most of our group on "dress up" night for dinner. :-) The men were dressed up, too, but none of them apparently made it into the picture.

The fourth shot is something you don't see every day--two ships parked side by side. Our ship, the Grandeur of the Seas, and a Celebrity Ship.

Finally, the last shot is of Barbara West, who opened our first meeting with a fun game. And we owe a huge round of appreciative applause to Linda Gordon, who coordinated the entire event. Thank you so much!

~~Angie

Heavenly Daze Cruise Report

We had a wonderful time on the Heavenly Daze cruise to Cozumel. It was such fun to finally meet so many "Dazers," people who belong to the Heavenly Daze yahoo group and who have corresponded and prayed for each other for years. Lori Copeland and I answered their questions and led discussions on each other's books--fun! Then we worshipped together on Sunday morning.

And we got to roam around Cozumel on Saturday--and I got to practice my Spanish! I happily asked how much several items cost, but the answer came so fast, I had to stop and say, "I think you'd better tell me that answer in English." LOL! Fortunately, most people in the shops spoke English a lot better than I spoke Spanish, but at least I am getting better.

Nothing is as relaxing as a cruise. Every night feels like you're being rocked to sleep in a cradle . . . so roll on, sea, roll on!

Enjoy the photos!

~~Angie

Gail Martin's latest book

Isn't this an adorable cover? I'm such a pushover for dogs.

Groom In Training

by Gail Gaymer Martin

Friends, Four-legged Friends and Love.

A widow with a sad past, Steph Wright, finds comfort in her faith and her adorable Border Collie, Fred. When Fred becomes enamored with the neighbor's pedigreed Bouvier, Steph meets Nick. With a broken engagement and a busy job, Nick isn't open to love and romance. But when Nick steps in to defend Steph, long talks ensue during dog walking, and both begin to learn that God has plans for each of them, especially Steph who sees some unexpected "groom-in-training" going on.

Endorsements from readers:

Had a hard time putting this book down. I highly recommend Groom In Training, and look forward to reading more from Gail Gaymer Martin.

Rikki Lee Howland, Reader

A delightful story of two hearts discovering where they belong.

Jo Huddleston, Reader

Multi-award-winning author, Gail Gaymer Martin writes fiction for Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing, where she was recently honored by Heartsong readers as their Favorite Author of 2008. Gail has written forty-four contracted novels with three million books in print. She is the author of Writing the Christian Romance, a Writers Digest Books release. Gail is a co-founder of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a keynote speaker at churches, libraries and civic organizations and also presents workshops at conference across the US. Gail has a Masters degree and post-master’s classes from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and is a licensed counselor. She lives in Michigan with her husband.

Website: www.gailmartin.com

Groom In Training available here.

~~Angie

A sweetheart of a deal!

In honor of Valentine's month, we're running a promotion over on my book buying page--$5.00 off a $25.00 total, plus a free book! Just click here and shop away!

~~Angie

So sweet . . .

Someone posted these pictures of a newborn colt . . . so precious. Nothing like a mother's lap, no?

If the Lord wills, we have docked in Tampa and are home from our cruise with the Heavenly Dazers. Traveling is nice, but coming home is wonderful!

~~Angie

Book of the Month: WHY I STAYED, by Gayle Haggard

This month we do have a new release, but it's not a novel--it's one of the collaboration projects I've been involved in. It's Gayle Haggard's story, WHY I STAYED.

You can read the first chapter here.

Whenever these collaborative books come out, I always receive a flurry of emails from people who want me to tell their story in a book, but it doesn't work that way. I don't meet the people who have the story until after they've contracted with a publisher; then it's the publisher who contacts me to see if I'm interested in working alongside.

When my agent first contacted me with news of Gayle's forthcoming book, I was a little hesitant--first of all, I hadn't kept tabs on the Ted Haggard story, and I didn't even know they were still together. I assumed not--after all, if any woman had a biblical reason for divorce, Gayle Haggard did. When I heard that Gayle was still with Ted, my thoughts jumped onto the same assumption that I've heard coming from several major newscasters--Gayle Haggard must be one of those women who simply can't imagine herself without the powerful man she married. Still, I was intrigued, so I agreed to do the project.

When I met Gayle (we were cloistered in a lovely bed and breakfast to work for three days), I soon found out that my assumption couldn't be more wrong. Gayle is a VERY strong woman, a leader in her own right, the mother of five children, and anything but a powerful man's doormat. She's very bright, extremely articulate, and quite brave . . . and I found myself caught up in her story. I learned a lot through the writing of it, and I've learned that just because God allows us a way out of a tough situation doesn't mean we should automatically take it. Instead the best thing--the godly thing--is to choose to stay and tough it out through the hard times.

Whenever I think of Gayle's story, I think of my book, THE PEARL, in which I wanted to explore what happens when God calls us through the valley of the shadow and we don't want to go. Or we go (because we have no choice), but we go kicking and screaming. I've done that . . . how about you?

In any case, I soon discovered that working on WHY I STAYED was a blessing for me. Gayle is a treasure, Ted is a gem, and I love them both. And this book is more than a story--it's a life lesson for all who believe. A lesson wrapped in love.

Pick up a copy today (and no, I don't get royalties). :-) I promise you'll be blessed.

~~Angie

Almost like Being in Jerusalem . . .

Very cool site where you can visit sites in Jerusalem. Almost like being there!

~~Angie

Spiders are Cute?!

I have a hard time thinking of spiders as cute (seen too many horror movies), but this web site might convince you. What do you think? Are spiders cute?

~~Angie

Spring Springs

For those of you up in the frozen lands, I spied a bud of hope the other morning. :-)

We had several freezing nights a couple of weeks ago . . . and our landscapes around here look pretty bad. I don't think there's anything more pitiful looking than a frozen tropical plant, unless it's a baby who's just lost his toy. Anyway--when I spied those sprigs of hope from my kitchen window, I had to run outside and take a picture.

The plant in the first picture froze--and turned into the second picture.

But look--in the third picture--life springs anew!

I'm ready for Spring. :-)

~~Angie

Rachel Hauk's Latest . . . with Sara Evans

Since I'm off hopping on a cruise ship, I'll take this opportunity to tell you about my friend Rachel's latest book:

In the Sweet By and By. :-)

Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love.

But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love's rejection.

Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they'll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.

Review blurbs:

"...heartwarming collaborative debut." - Publishers Weekly

"This Southern mother-daughter story is refreshingly well written and will easily engross readers of women's fiction." - Library Journal

Bio: Multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans has garnered such honors as ACM's Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA's Video of the Year, named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," and she was the first country star to compete in ABC's Dancing with the Stars. This is her first novel. Sara has said that the redemptive message always attracts her to a given story. It's the story she's cares about most in the songs she records and sings; it's the story of her life; it's the story she looks for in the faces of those she meets.

"I've been a Believer since I was 21. My faith has been everything to me in my life since then. In my marriage, my motherhood, my career, and just dealing with everyday life, God is my constant companion and friend. I find myself praying constantly prayers of gratitude and guidance. As a mom and a career woman, my life is filled daily with choices and decisions to make that will affect lots of people. So I rely on God to guide me!"

Best selling, award winning author Rachel Hauck is known for well-written stories that paint real-life characters facing real-life challenges. She writes with depth and humor. As an author, worship and prayer leader, it's Rachel's heart to spread the love and fragrance of God to those she meets. In person or on the page. His plans for each individual are vast and good. "I have one goal in life. To seek His face. Everything has come together for me because of seeking Him. Even in my weakness, He is strong. I'd like others to know the same success."

Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband, a teacher and pastor, and their ornery pets.

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sara-Evans/dp/1595544895

Rachel's web site: www.rachelhauck.com

Sara's: www.saraevans.com

Q: How did this collaboration come about?

RH: Really? God. Thomas Nelson approached Sara about a fiction project, then approached me about writing with/for her. My career was in a place of make-it or break-it, and I'd just prayed one of my "surrender prayers" to the Lord and was ready to go anywhere, do anything. Not having children, I am pretty much 100% available to pick up and go whenever and wherever. Knowing the Lord would take my husband and current writing and worship commitments into account, I was ready to go! It was very freeing to say, "God, I have nothing. What do you want to do? I'm 100% available. You're so good, whatever it is You want for me, I'll love it."

I've loved this journey writing with Sara. I struggled in some of my weaknesses from time to time, but this was one of the easiest books I've ever written even though I'd never written women's fiction. Never written flashbacks. Never written a continuing character series.

Q: What was Sara's part of the process?

RH: She cast the vision. We sat down and talked about what she wanted in the book, what kind of story she wanted to tell, and hashed out an overview. I went home and added the details and did the writing. If I was unsure about something, I'd email her and ask for her input. For example, we ended up dealing with a controversial social issue in this book and I wanted to know she was ready to assign her name to it.

Q. What do you want readers to take away from this story?

RH: God is good. There is always hope and redemption. While our past can impact our present, we don't have to carry the burden of pain and sin into the future. God truly does work all things together for our good.

Q. What's next for you and Sara?

RH: The second book, Softly and Tenderly, is written and releases January 2011. We are collaborating on two more books to be released January 2012 and 2013. They will be a continuation of the series. Book two is really exciting. Hit's the ground running.

Q. As an author, how did this book impact you and your work?

RH: I learned a lot about myself. Going back to the original prayer of surrender, I had to see that when God brought something to me to do it might not center around me! Maybe He wanted me to use my gifts and talents for others. At the same time, what amazing grace and peace He gave me.

My writing had to take on a different flavor and tone. I learned to write about two women instead of a romance with a hero and heroine. I had to develop back story that worked on stage instead of through dialog. This project forced me to work on a much deeper emotional level. I was exhausted when it was done. But I loved the process.

Q. Who is your favorite character?

RH: Well, Jade, the protagonist, of course. But her sister Willow really captured me. We had to back her up a bit or she'd steal the show! I also really had an affection for the character Dustin.

Q. What's next for you? Any solo projects.

RH: Yes! I have a late 2010 release from Thomas Nelson, Dining With Joy, about a cooking show host who can't cook.

END

Off on the Cruise!

We've been waiting for a LONG time, but it's finally time for the Heavenly Daze Cruise! A group of the Heavenly Dazers (and friends) and some readers of this blog are leaving tomorrow, Thursday, for a four-day cruise to Mexico! There will be 20 of us, and we plan to have a blast.

I promise to post some pictures when I get back, but because internet access can be iffy on a boat, I might have to wait until our return to get them up. We'll be disembarking on Monday, February first, so we'll check in then.

Adios para ahora!

Angie