Unexpected Long Dry Spell; Hopefully Ending Very Soon

It's been an incredibly long time since I posted anything on this blog. As they say, "due to circumstances beyond my control." Not to go into the boring details, but increasing health issues mixed with a string of computer problems (I'm beginning to think computers are allergic to me) prevented me from writing for several months. In that time I managed to do only short, unoriginal entries for a couple of books that deserve much more attention, attention I intend to give them soon. From May 12 until July 15 I was totally out of commission, in the hospital and a convalescent center. Home has never looked as good as it does now. I'm still a bit slow about writing, partly because I'm still not running on all four cylinders, but there's a huge backlog of books that I need to review. My apologies to all the authors and publishers who rightfully expected a post on the books sent to me. Now I have to find them all again before I can begin, since some of my incredible friends straightened up my apartment while I was gone.

I also want to take a moment to thank my friends who knew about my problems, who lifted me up in their thoughts and prayers. The prayers kept me going, I know. Your concern and care has overwhelmed me; I feel so very blessed!

So, God willing and a computer is working, I should get started next week. I may not get the reviews out in the proper order, but they will be forthcoming!

CFRB May Blog Tour--RABBIT: Chasing Beth Rider

Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider
by Ellen C. Maze
 

This month, CFRB 
presents Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider by Ellen 
C. Maze.

About the Book:
Bestselling author Beth Rider enjoys her fame as the South’s newest literary star.

That is until Jack Dawn, a real-life vampire, vows to kill her because of the vile redemptive message her book is bringing his people. The ancient race of bloodthirsty immortals to which Jack belongs, known as the Rakum, have spread evil among mankind since the Beginning. But Jack alone recognizes the novel’s destructive potential and she must die.

Jack’s proselyte Michael Stone was brought up from his youth to be strong, sensible and brutal. But at one hundred and thirty, Michael is old enough to appreciate his quiet and ordered life. When he stumbles upon the beautiful and apparently innocent Beth Rider, he is puzzled by his Elder’s unreasonable actions against her. Instantly smitten, Michael takes it upon himself to protect her from the limitless lust of his brethren.

Facing the most terrifying trial of her life against creatures known only in fables, one simple woman will threaten the existence of a powerful and accursed people. In the climactic final battle, it is a race to the death, or if Beth has her way, a race to the life—of every Rakum who makes the choice.







About the Author:
A recovering vampire fanatic, Ellen uses her experience in that subculture to bring the Light into this burgeoning genre. Addicting and delicious, Ellen’s brand of story-telling is rife with deep character study and honest emotion. Ellen lives in Historic Montgomery, Alabama with her husband, daughter, four cats and one spoiled dog. This is her first novel and Ellen has no holes in her neck.



Visit the book website.

Preview the first 171 pages (that's almost HALF of the book!)
free at FREADO.com.

Watch the book trailer.

Purchase Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider from
Amazon, Barnes and Noble,
or the PDF eBook from Outskirts Press.

Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

THE MUSE--Excerpt, Intro,and Free Book

I'm a bit slow in getting a review out for The Muse by Fred Warren for several reasons beyond my control. Although I plan to put up a whole review tomorrow, today you can read my blurb that's in the front of the book and the first chapter. AND...(drum roll) announcing a GIVEAWAY to one specal reader!

I will have drawing a week from today, on Friday, April 16, for a copy of The Muse. I have such a high opinion of this book that this one is on me, not the author or the publisher. I really believe it should be read be scads of people, and I hope it will. TO ENTER this drawing: simply leave a comment (with your email address included) on one of the CFRB blogs about The Muse. That includes the whole week at CFRB's main site and all three of my posts. I'll also have posts at Shoutlife and Gather to include.




Here's the blurb I wrote (and was honored to find incuded in the front of the book):

This is an engaging, slightly twisted tale of a trio of aspiring speculative fiction authors who do battle with that most dreaded foe--writer's block. Although this may sound like something to appeal only to authors, that is far from the truth. Fred Warren's deftly-designed characters and well-developed scenes will draw in a variety of readers and carry them along for the ride. I laughed and cried out loud and found myself wishing for certain denouements, most of which were different than the actual outcomes. Reality and fantasy blur then clear in this kaleidoscope of action.

This is a portion of Fred Warren's introduction explaining his book:

This story is about inspiration--its meaning, origins, and purpose. It also explores the idea that there's more than one kind of inspiration, and it's important to understand the source, nature, and ultimate effects of the creative energy we're using.

Creation is perhaps the most human activity of all, for in the act of creating, whether it's producing a work of art, telling a story, building a business, or raising a family, we express in microcosm the nature of the Creator, who gave us life and made us in His image with the intent that we, in our small, clumsy way, attempt the sorts of things He does with perfect excellence.

I didn't start out writing The Muse with the intent of producing a "Christian" novel, though my own faith can't help but emerge somehow in anything I write. References to the spiritual world unseen to human eyes are pure speculation. I know the power of love, loyalty, truth, courage, and self-sacrifice beyond any shadow of doubt, and I am likewise certain that God works purposefully in our lives, for our good, though we often don't recognize His hand except in retrospect.

I enjoyed writing The Muse, and I hope you'll find it interesting, entertaining, and maybe even a little inspiring.

AND NOW for the first chapter:


TARON surveyed the enemy lines, row upon row of grotesque, iron-sinewed goblins rhythmically scraping swords on shields, filling the air with the soul-melting screech of metal carving bone. It was hopeless. The Alliance Army was outnumbered twenty to one in an indefensible position, their escape blocked by the sheer precipices of the Glass Mountains. He sighed. This would be the end. So much blood to be spilled today, for so little purpose.


Siri pulled up beside him, struggling to rein in her spirited chestnut mount. The horse, at least, was eager for battle, but Siri’s face was a picture of despair. She knew the odds, what the outcome must be.


“My Lord, the troops await your orders.”


Taron nodded, raising his sword, Illustrion, on high as he wheeled his destrier about to face the haggard ranks of the Alliance. He opened his mouth to shout the order that would send them all to certain death.


Silence.


“My Lord?” Siri whispered, “The order?”


Silence.


Behind them, the goblin army roared and scraped, roared and scraped, roared and scraped.


“My Lord! What is your order?”


The general’s mouth was a gaping cavern from which no sound emerged.

“Aaagh!” Stan shoved himself away from his desk, pounding his head in frustration. It was no use. He’d written himself into a corner... again.

Charity’s voice wafted down the cellar stairs. “Honey, are you okay?”

“Yeah,” he hollered back. “It’s nothing. I’m stuck again. Blasted writer’s block.”

“I thought so. Give it a break. Come upstairs for a while.”

“In a minute.” He rolled his chair back to the desk and tapped the keyboard. The printer whirred and spooled out the current page of Stan’s manuscript. He snatched it up and read the last paragraph, then he read it again. Maybe seeing the words on paper would trigger a new insight that would allow him to move ahead.

No such luck. He wadded the paper into a ball and flung it at the wall, where it bounced off a poster advertising last year’s Renaissance Festival. Across the room, a scruffy little terrier whined softly and leapt from his perch on the futon to retrieve the errant scrap.

“Don’t even think about it, Squick.” The vet bill for the little dumpster-diver’s last digestive misadventure was still a painfully fresh memory. Squick bounced back onto the futon. At least he was obedient, unlike Stan’s imagination. There had to be an original way to get his story past this latest roadblock. He could taste it, smell it, feel it on the edge of his consciousness, mocking him...

“It’s getting cold, Stan!”


“Coming, coming.”




Read more about Fred Warren and his work at his website and Splashdown Books.

Purchase The Muse from
Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

THE MUSE--CFRB Book for April

         The Muse
by Fred Warren

This month, CFRB presents The Muse by Fred Warren.


About the Book:
Stan Marino needs a muse. He's written himself into a corner...again. A shot of inspiration is all he needs to finish his story ...where is he going to find it? What Stan doesn't know: Inspiration has found him. And it's about to take over his life. Ripped from reality, he must lead a band of lost souls in a life-or-death battle with a merciless enemy. Stan has found his muse, but will he survive it?


About the Author:
Fred Warren hails from the merry old land of Kansas, and his short stories have appeared in a variety of online and print magazines, such as A Fly in Amber, Beyond Centauri, Every Day Fiction, Mindflights, and Residential Aliens. The Muse is his first novel. 

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Splashdown Books (November 1, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0986451711
• ISBN-13: 978-0986451713

Visit the author's website.
Read the FREE first chapter.
Watch the book trailer.
Purchase The Muse from
Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  
Check out these other member blogs this week for more info.

Love Crucified Arose!! Why?

Two more music videos with songs that say so much more than I ever could, lyrics so enthralling that I am certain God gave them to Michael Card. First, the haunting question "Why?" Following it is one of my favorite songs of all time, "Love Crucified Arose." In this concert tour, Michael was joined by Sarah Groves, John Catchings (cello) and Phil Keaggy. May you draw closer to our Lord today as you praise and remember His great gift and sacrifice.



Why did it have to be a friend
Who chose to betray the Lord?
Why did he use a kiss to show them?
That's not what a kiss is for.
Only a friend can betray a friend
A stranger has nothing to gain;
And only a friend comes close enough
To ever cause so much pain.
And why did there have to be thorny
Crown pressed upon His head?
It should have been a royal one
Made of jewels and gold instead.
It had to be a crown of thorns
Because in this life that we live,
For all who seek to love
A thorn is all the world has to give.
And why did it have to be
A heavy cross He was made to bare?
And why did they nail His feet and hands
His love would have held Him there?
It was a cross for on a cross
A thief was supposed to pay,
And Jesus had come into the world
To steal every heart away.
Yes, Jesus had come into the world
To steal every heart away.
(copyright Michael Card, Mole End Music, 1984)




Long ago He blessed the earth
Born older than the years
And in the stall a cross He saw
Through the first of many tears.
A life of homeless wandering
Cast out in sorrow's way
The Shepherd seeking for the lost
His life, the price He paid.

Love crucified, arose
The Risen One in splendor
Jehovah's sole Defender
Has won the victory.
Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again.

Throughout Your life You felt the weight
Of what You'd come to give
To drink for us that crimson cup
So we might really live.
At last the time to love and die
The dark appointed day
That one forsaken moment
When Your Father turned His face away.

Love crucified, arose
The One who lived the died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again.

Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again.
(copyright Michael Card, Mole End Music, 1983)

He's Alive!!--Don Francisco

There are many differences between Jesus Christ and others who have had faithful followers through the ages. As far as I know, the greatest is this--we serve a risen Savior. The tomb is empty and "He's Alive!"

Many years ago, Don Francisco wrote this inspired narrative of the Resurrection from Peter's viewpoint. Many others have recorded it since, but I prefer that raw emotion and energy when Don sings it. This video was recorded in South Africa in 2008.

If you don't feel a chill at the end, someone needs to check your pulse. Hallelujah! He's alive!!

Too Small A Price/Joy

Today we remember the day when Jesus paid the highest price that we could not pay for ourselves. The day He wore my crown. Several years ago Don Francisco wrote a powerful song that took the viewpoint of one of the thieves on the cross beside Jesus--the one who believed. I found it on Youtube and still felt the same deep anguish, chill and joy that I did when I first heard it. May it affect all who watch and listen to "Too Small a Price."

FINDING INNER PEACE DURING TROUBLED TIMES

William Moss

and the book:

Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times

The Barnabas Agency (December 4, 2009)

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist, of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

My Two Cents' Worth:
This little book is a concise guide full of scripture dealing with true inner peace and how to find it. The author, William Moss, writes from his own journey to fill the spiritual void and turmoil in his own life, a very distinguished life full of public service and accolades, yet with a missing chunk until his later years. Now 90 years old, Mr. Moss only came to know Jesus in a personal way in the 1990's, and ever since he has been researching and practicing real Christian meditation. This is the subject of Finding Inner Peace During Troubled Times. It certainly is timely: no one would argue whether or not these are troubled times. For many of us, the verses and the points that Mr. Moss makes may be familiar, but it is handy to have it gathered together in one slim volume. You can use it for quick reference or choose verses from it for your own meditation. It's surprising just how much the Bible has to say about meditation and peace. In this rushed, busy, worry-filled life, we all could take a little time to read through this book and reflect upon the truths of scripture. It makes a world of difference.

(For an interview with William Moss, see an earlier post on February 24, 2010.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Moss has become an important figure in the Republican Party and has been entrusted with several key responsibilities. In 1988 he served as Vice Chairman for the George H. W. Bush the President’s National Finance Committee. He also served on the George H. W. Bush for President National Steering Committee, was founder of Team 100, and also a member of the National Republican Senatorial Trust Committee.

In 1989, at the request of President George H. W. Bush, Moss organized and was chairman of the President’s Drug Advisory Council, which functioned as part of the Executive Branch of the White House. The Council was formed to advise the President on ways to involve the private sector in the war on drugs, ultimately resulting in the “Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America,” which is currently operating in approximately 40 states and communities across the nation. Having worked closely on several occasions with pollster George Gallup, Moss continues to research moral and ethical trends among voters—particularly young voters.

William Moss counts presidents, prime ministers, and other world influencers among his many friends. His career has been an unqualified success. But neither the friends nor the achievements could fill the spiritual void in Moss’s life. In recent years, he has found true inner peace in Christ and through the practice of Christian meditation. Moss joined Alcoholics Anonymous at the age of 85 and will soon celebrate 5 years of sobriety.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $5.99
Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: The Barnabas Agency (December 4, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0578042444
ISBN-13: 978-0578042442

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

The Biblical Writers


It is evident that the biblical writers want us to find peace because the Psalmist says,

“Turn from sin and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”1 In Romans Paul says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 In Ephesians the author says, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”3 In Colossians it says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”4 In John Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”5



However, there are many difficulties, distractions and hardships that stand in the way of our inner peace. As Paul said to the Galatians, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under laws of Moses.”



Paul says “that the acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Today there are some

distractions Paul did not include such as: worry, self preservation, hunger, lack of money,

arrogance, competitiveness, criticism and illness, to name a few.


Paul continues. “I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is by practicing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking

and envying each other.”6


Through prayer and meditation we can transcend all these distractions and difficulties

if we live by the Spirit and put God’s love and presence first.


1 Psalm 34:14; 2 Romans 5:1; 3 Ephesians 2:14; 4 Colossians 3:15; 5 John 16:33 6 Galatians 5:15-26