August TBR List

August has been a busy month so far...farmwork, yardwork, housework and a bit of gardening, although I didn't raise much besides flowers and a "cuke" or two this year. In between it all, I've been doing some Bible Study and tackling my to-be-read stack. Since I can't seem to stick with just one book at a time, I'm presently immersed in three books: Dale Cramer's Paradise Valley; Dan Walsh's The Deepest Waters, and Kathleen Morgan's A Heart Divided.

Cramer's book, Book One in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series, is a fictional story based on true events that involved several Amish families in Ohio  accused of violating the Bing Act of 1920 - a law that required all children to attend public schools. After spending several nights in jail and having his children removed from the family home, Caleb Bender, Amish husband and father in Cramer's story, decides to move his family to Paradise Valley, Mexico to protect them and their Amish way of life from outside influences. Can't wait to see how a family used to living without most "modern" conveniences (in the 1920's) learns to live with even less. God often uses adversity to bring us closer to Him, and I'm sure Cramer will deliver that message beautifully.

The heroine of Morgan's book truly deals with a heart divided when she falls in love with -according to her father and brothers - the enemy! A decades-long feud between the Caldwell and Wainwright families is making Sarah Caldwell miserable, yet she can't help the fact that she loves all the men involved. Hmmmm. How will this one end?

Tragedy strikes in the first chapter of Walsh's book when the steamship carrying John and Laura Foster sinks in the Deepest Waters of the Atlantic. Laura survives, but where is John? Once again, the story is based on true events, with much added to make the story. I perused the author's notes at the end of the book before reading the first chapter. Spoiler alert! Don't do it. :) I peeked because of my interest in stories based on true events, but there's a reason those notes are at the end!

Must add: Since I so enjoyed Nicole Seitz's book last month, I also read her The Inheritance of Beauty. Wonderful story. I'll be reading more of her books, I think.

Others in my tbr stack:

Spirit of the Red Candle Journal of Mary Magdalene  by Betty Slade
The Heart's Frontier  by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
A Great Catch  by Lorna Seilstad
The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer (book 2 in The Daughters of Caleb Bender series)
Come Home by Lisa Scottoline



What have you read this month? I'd love to hear recommendations from your just-read stack!

Recent Favorites

I've enjoyed the past several weeks of travel and relaxation. Classroom planning and activities gobble up so much of a teacher's time...no time to read, unless it's a professional book! Sooo... I made time to read in July. Here's a list of my favorites!

A Wedding Transpires   by Cara Putman
Song of My Heart           by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz
The Accidental Bride     by Denise Hunter
Blue Moon Bay              by Lisa Wingate
Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings
Wonderland Creek         by Lynn Austin

I absolutely loved Lynn Austin's book! Wonderfully penned story with the perfect mix of mystery and romance. I so admire authors who can successfully write in first person.

I always enjoy Kim Sawyer's books. Perhaps it's because she thinks like I do...well, she WAS a teacher in her former life :).

Putman and Wingate's books are among the few contemporary stories I've enjoyed. I slave at writing contemporaries. Like 'em, but I truly enjoy historicals.

What are your recent favorites?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH ANNALISA DAUGHETY

Please welcome Annalisa Daughety, my guest author for the month of August. I'm so excited that she agreed to interview here on the blog, and that she wants to give away a free copy of one of her books to a lucky reader. Don't forget to leave a comment on the interview to get your name in the hat!

 I met Annalisa at the ACFW Conference last year. We sat at the same table over dinner one evening, and I was struck by her grace and humility. She visited with several at the table, asking each about their writing experiences, but said little about herself. After the meal, however, we learned a bit more about this talented young woman when Barbour Publishing presented Annalisa with the first copy of Love is a Battlefield, Book One in her Walk in the Park Series.


An Arkansas native, Annalisa won first place in the Contemporary Romance category at the 2008 ACFW Genesis Awards. After graduating from Freed-Hardeman University, she worked as a park ranger for the National Park Service. This experience inspired her to write the Walk in the Park series. Each book in the series is set in a different national park. Annalisa currently lives in Memphis with two spoiled dogs, Arnie and Buster.

Let’s begin the interview with a couple of questions about you, Annalisa. Could you share a few  interesting facts about yourself that might interest your readers?

Okay, here goes:

I’m named after a character in a book. My mom read Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart while she was pregnant with me, and there was a character named “Annalisa.”

Last summer, I was in a Domino’s Pizza commercial for Memphis Barbecue Pizza. I played the role of a pizza delivery girl.

I collect aprons, especially vintage aprons—but I haven’t figured out a good way to display them yet.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was in elementary school, I would write and illustrate stories and fold them up like books. I kept journals throughout high school and college where I documented every small detail of my life and my analysis of it. Reading and writing have always been a huge part of my life.

How many of your titles are published?

I have 3 books currently published and another releasing later this year. Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio, which is an Amish story, released last September. Love is a Battlefield, the first book in the Walk in the Park series, came out last October. It is set at Shiloh National Military Park—a Civil War battlefield. Love is Monumental, which takes place at the Washington Monument and along the National Mall, is my latest release. Love is Grand, set at the Grand Canyon, will release in October.

Wow! Sounds like you've been busy writing! What would you hope readers will take away from your books?

I want to write stories that people connect with. I hope readers will identify with the characters and the themes. My characters aren’t perfect and they always have a lesson to learn. I also want to entertain and offer a bit of an escape—especially with the Walk in the Park series, I hope each book feels like a mini-vacation to a national park.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Don’t give up! And read—I think it is so important for writers to be readers. But probably the best thing I did was joining ACFW--the Genesis contest and the annual conference taught me so much.


Where do you get ideas for your characters?

Everywhere! Friends, family, people on TV…the possibilities are endless. When I create a character, I try and come up with quirks and personality traits that will make for an interesting character—and lots of times I have a particular person in mind. And I always joke that since I’ve been dating for more than half my life, I’ve gone on lots of bad dates--so I have an array of characters that will somehow find their way into books. Names changed, of course!

Please tell us about your latest release.

Love is Monumental is the second book in the Walk in the Park series. Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

Park ranger Vickie Harris loves living in the nation's capitol. She loves working at the Washington Monument. But she's never been in love. In fact, her personal life is non-existent. On her thirtieth birthday, shy Vickie impulsively promises her friends that she’ll ask out the next eligible man she meets. Professor Thatcher Torrey has had enough heartache to last forever. Through with love, he’s spent years building his life around work. So when his longtime rival sets out to make a historic find, Thatcher is hot on his heels. But he can’t do the research alone. Intellectual Vickie is the perfect research partner and he'll stop at nothing to convince her to help him with his quest. Just as these polar opposites form a bond, a secret from Thatcher’s past pulls them apart. Will they go their separate ways? Or will they come to realize that when it’s with the right person, Love is Monumental?

I really enjoyed Love is a Battlefield and look forward to reading Love is Monumental, Annalisa. Thanks so much for being my guest, and I wish you the very best in your writing career.


Thanks for having me, Barbara! If any of your readers want more information about me and my books, they can visit my website at www.annalisadaughety.com. I also have an author page on Facebook and am on Twitter—and I love to connect with readers in those places!

And don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of one of Annalisa's books!

WINNER OF LAST MONTH'S DRAWING

The winner of the free copy of Susan Page Davis's Crimson Cipher is Kirsten Denetclaw. Kirsten, if you would please email or message me with your address, I'll see that you get your book!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN PAGE DAVIS

Please welcome Susan Page Davis, my guest author for the month of July. Susan's latest release, Crimson Cipher, should be hitting the shelves July 1, and she's offering a free copy here on Barb's Author Interviews. Just leave a comment to get your name in the hat!

Welcome, Susan! I'm honored to have you on the blog today. Let's begin with a couple of questions about your writing career.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing fiction seriously eleven years ago.

How many of your titles are published? About 30 separate titles (not including collections).

Please tell us about your latest release.The Crimson Cipher takes place in 1915, a time I didn’t know a lot about, even though my degree is in history and I read a lot of nonfiction and fiction historical books. In fact, as I got into my research, I was amazed at things I didn’t know about the time when Europe was at war and America was trying to stay out of it.
In the book, Emma Shuster’s father, a math professor, is murdered in his college office. Emma was helping him develop an encryption system for a bank. His old friend in the Navy (the professor was a Signal Corpsman in the Spanish American War) wants him to go back to work for the Navy, decoding messages, and sends a handsome Lieutenant to see him. But Lt. John Patterson arrives the day of Professor Shuster’s death. He and his supervisor decide to recruit Emma instead. She goes to Washington and begins solving ciphers and saving lives. She’s shocked by the sabotage going on within the borders of the United States. She catches the attention of one of the German ringleaders—known only to Emma and her coworkers as “Kobold”—German for “goblin.” Kobold is convinced Emma is the one he needs to get rid of. At the same time, she’s determined to bring him down.

Wow! Ican't wait! Crimson Cipher sounds like a great read. And, Susan, I'm sure our readers would love to know a bit about what makes you such a successful author. Are you a chapter-by-chapter plotter, seat-of-the-pantser, or in between?Definitely a plotter. I have to be. My books are usually bought (since the first few) based on the synopsis. That’s what I write first.

Aspiring authors are encouraged to attend writers' conferences often. Which are your favorite conferences and why?I haven’t been to many. ACFW is definitely my favorite so far. It’s in Indianapolis this year, Sept. 17-20. I’ll be teaching a workshop, and my husband and I are both giving critiques during the event. I also have a fondness for the Maine Fellowship of Writers’ annual conference. It’s in Belfast, Maine this year, August 14, featuring Cecil Murphey.

What “writing stuff” do you keep handy while you work?Definitely my dictionary, synonym finder, and English Through the Ages, though I do use online dictionaries, too. Sticky notes, highlighters, pens, notepad, calendar, paperclips and tape. I make a binder for each book. It contains research materials, the synopsis, the contract, and character sketches if I’ve made them. One of the most important things for each book is a calendar of the time span covered in the book. If it’s a historical, I go to www.timeanddate.com and print out a calendar for the year of the story. If it’s contemporary, I use a current calendar.


I don't know an author who doesn't love to read. What are you currently reading?
I’m reading a nonfiction book called Not in Front of the Servants as part of my research for the next book. My story takes place in Prince Edward Island during the Victorian Age. I just finished a couple of very good novels: Nancy Mehl’s Simple Secrets and Deeanne Gist’s Maid to Match.

You have a great offer for our blog readers, Susan. Tell us a bit more about that.

We’re giving away a copy of The Crimson Cipher. I’m very excited about this book. It combines all the things I love to write about—romance, intrigue, history, and suspense. A bonus inside is a cryptogram that readers can solve to enter a drawing to win another book.

I'm positive folks will want to read more about your success as an author and your many fascinating books. Where can they find you on the web?

Come see me at my Web site: www.susanpagedavis.com

Thanks so much, Susan, for a fantastic interview! I enjoyed hosting you. And readers, don't forget to leave a comment -- AND a way to contact you -- for a chance to win your very own copy of Crimson Cipher!

LAST MONTH'S WINNER OF JEAN CAMPION NOVEL!

JO IS THE WINNER OF LAST MONTH'S DRAWING. Jo, if you'll please email me at blukow2@yahoo.com with your snail mail address, we'll send a free copy of your choice: Minta Forever or Return to Rockytop. If you haven't read either book, remember that Minta Forever is the first book in the series! Blessings, Jo, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW WITH CATHY BRYANT

Please welcome novelist Cathy Bryant to Barb’s Author Interviews. I’ve followed Cathy’s website and blog for several months and am impressed with her efforts to encourage aspiring writers. I’m also enjoying her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, which is now available in paperback and e-book format.

Welcome, Cathy! Thank you so much for agreeing to be a guest here on my blog. Of the books you’ve had published, which is your favorite and why?

TEXAS ROADS is my debut novel, so it will have to be my favorite (even though I’m excited about the second book in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series, which I’m currently writing). It’s special to me because the heroine, Dani, is looking for a home, an issue I personally struggled with for years. The spiritual thread of the story is about finding true home.

Here’s a blurb about the book:
Dani Davis longs for a place to call home. With quaint country charm, quirky residents, and loads of business potential, Miller's Creek seems like the perfect place to start over...except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating discovery propel her down a road she never expected to travel.

Cowboy mayor Steve Miller is determined to rescue his dying hometown. When vandals jeopardize the Miller's Creek renovation project, he can't help but suspect Dani whose strange behavior has become fodder for local gossips. Can Steve and Dani call a truce for a higher cause and help Dani discover the true meaning of home?


Which is your favorite character in TEXAS ROADS?

Without a doubt my favorite character in TEXAS ROADS is Mama Beth. She’s the mother figure for Miller’s Creek, and is full of witty wisdom, but is harboring a shoulder-sagging secret. When I grow up I want to be like Mama Beth.


Tell us about your current WIP.

My current work-in-progress is Book Two in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series, tentatively entitled A Path Less Traveled. It tells the story of a widowed mother who is trying to make a life for herself and her young son. Unfortunately, that might mean leaving the place that’s etched on her heart.

Do you have a favorite scripture or quote?

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” ~2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV) I love this verse. It’s the gospel in a nutshell. To know that Christ traded His righteousness for my sin is mind-boggling and humbling.

Where do you get ideas for your stories?

The characters usually introduce themselves first, and the story flows from there. To give an example, once on my daily two-mile walk, out of nowhere I heard this prim and proper voice in my head, saying, “Tyler, Dent and Snodgrass, hold please.” (Please don’t send the guys with the long-sleeved white jackets, lol!) From that one little snippet of dialogue came the character of Gracie Soldano, the heroine for Book Three in the Miller’s Creek, Texas series. The story still unfolds…

What is the hardest thing about being a writer?

All of it. I don’t mean to sound negative, because it’s also exhilarating and addictive, but from coming up with the story idea, to plotting, to writing that lousy first draft, to edits and revisions, to formatting and designing covers, to marketing the book—it’s all mind-numbingly exhausting. If you’re looking for an easy career look elsewhere!



What would you hope readers will take away from your books?

I hope readers can glean God’s grace and goodness from every page. I also hope they fall in love with Miller’s Creek, Texas, and feel like they’ve arrived somewhere vaguely familiar. My author tagline is “Heart-Stirring Stories, Life-Changing Grace,” so I also want readers feel a tug at their heart strings while they read.

How can readers get in contact with you?

I love connecting with readers! You can find me in the following places:
My blog: http://WordVessel.blogspot.com
My website: www.CatBryant.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cathy.england.bryant
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CathyBryant

Barb, thanks so much for inviting me to visit your blog. It was fun!

Thanks again,Cathy, for being my guest. Blessings on your writing! And readers, Cathy has generously offered to give away one book for the first fifteen comments and a second giveaway if we have over thirty comments (restricted to USA only). Just leave a comment -- with contact information in case you’re the winner! – to be entered in the drawing.