Shout Out for Medieval Romance--Part One

NOTE: I had to re-send this post because Blogger wasn't cooperating with me and many of my readers didn't receive this as a separate email. I don't want anyone to miss Debbie Lynne's book drawing! So we'll run the second post on Friday. 

Again: Read today's post and then come back for Part Two where Debbie Lynne will offer a free book to one commenter! She'll also give us a little education on fourteenth century clothing, woo hoo! (I adore historical costume, don't you?)

Looking for a good spring or summer read? Debbie Lynne Costello's debut novel, Sword of Forgiveness is still selling like mad on Amazon and already has 47 customer reviews. When you consider that most readers never leave reviews, that is a lot for a new book.

Take a look at what they're saying and pick up a copy for a fun read yourself.

I'm always happy to see any historical fiction that I can say with confidence is clean and edifying (unlike most secular historical fiction).

Here's a description of the book:

Sword of Forgiveness  (Winds of Change) (Volume 1) 

by Debbie Lynne Costello

     After the death of her cruel father, Brithwin is determined never again to live under the harsh rule of any man. Independent and resourceful, she longs to be left alone to manage her father’s estate. But she soon discovers a woman has few choices when the king decrees she is to marry Royce, the Lord of Rosencraig. As if the unwelcome marriage isn’t enough, her new husband accuses her of murdering his family, and she is faced with a challenge of either proving her innocence or facing possible execution.
     Royce of Hawkwood returns home after setting down a rebellion to find his family brutally murdered. When all fingers point to his betrothed and attempts are made on his life, Royce must wade through murky waters to uncover the truth. Yet Brithwin’s wise and kind nature begin to break down the walls of his heart, and he soon finds himself in a race to discover who is behind the evil plot before Brithwin is the next victim.

 And now, a little about Debbie Lynne: (In my words, not hers!)

I have nothing but respect for Debbie Lynne. Why? Because she put her family before writing, raising three sons and a daughter before settling down in front of a laptop to give vent to the stories that were dancing through her brain since an early age. Her creativity also finds outlets at the sewing machine, easel, and many other venues. If there is one word that could describe Debbie Lynne, it is this: INDUSTRIOUS. Others come to mind, however: GIFTED, CREATIVE, SERVANT, among them. 

Nowadays, Debbie Lynne lives with her husband in South Carolina, where they enjoy camping, riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses, and spending time with family and friends. Debbie Lynne is the Children's Director at church, and raises Shetland Sheepdogs year round. I've been trying to dovetail one of our family vacations with her and her family, but so far we haven't managed it. She's always got projects to finish, church responsibilities to fill, or people to look after. Now she'll tell me she has a sequel to write! (But I can't complain. Her readers will be grateful.)

Remember to come back tomorrow for PART TWO of this post, where Debbie Lynne will award one commenter with a free copy of her book (ebook copy). 

What about you? Are you happy for a new author of  historical romance? Let Debbie Lynne know how glad you are! All comments today will be included in the next drawing. (If you comment both days, you'll have two entries.)

Purposeful Reading

(Mary Cassatt is one of my favorite impressionists)

How do you choose the books you read? Do you have a method, or just happen upon books that appeal to you and dig in? Most people probably do a little of both, but I find that being purposeful about my reading not only helps me read more than I otherwise might, but has great rewards in terms of benefits gained from good books!

As a devoted "planner" I do plan books on a monthly basis, though sometimes I add new books that come to my attention mid-month, and find myself pushing others back.  My goal is a minimum of four per month, which sometimes I surpass and occasionally I don't meet. In general, however, I choose various categories of books to purposefully move my life forward. What do I mean by that?

Specifically, choosing books that aren't just random picks, but which I select according to areas I want or need to grow in. This works out to the following, more or less:

One book on Spiritual Growth/ Spirituality/ Devotions

One on Time Management/ Efficiency/ Organizing

One on craft (for me, that's writing related)

One fiction, or miscellaneous, for reading pleasure

And one or more for novel research,. (But I don't usually read research tomes cover to cover. Usually, I skim and read portions that address the topic I'm researching at the time.)  

In addition, I always have going my Bible reading, as well as one or more daily devotionals. Since I homeschool, I give myself and my girls the luxury of not starting school at the crack of dawn, which gives me time to do all my daily readings! They get to sleep in while mom reads and prays. I sometimes get them started on their school tasks first, if I'm running late, say, but I love the quiet in the house when I let them sleep. (I have a few older ones who follow their own work and school schedules, but generally, mornings are pretty quiet.)

To do my non-devotional fiction and non-fiction reading, I go to bed about an hour or more earlier than I want to turn out the lights, and read then. Of course, I love to read!

My picks for this month are:

1. In Six Days: Why 50 Scientists Believe in Creation (Spirituality; Apologetics) (Really interesting; but a carryover unfinished from last month)
2. A Praying Life (Christian Growth)
3. The Story Template (Craft)
4. Austenland, by Shannon Hale (Fiction.)
5. The Enchanted April (A 2nd fiction selection since I finished Austenland. Trying to read more old classics.) 
5. A non-fiction book that was an add-in
6. A manuscript of a completed novel by a friend (the name of which I can't give since it isn't published, yet. And I hope it will be published, since it was a page-turner! I read it practically non-stop.)
7. An Ebook on organizing

I also quickly read a daily selection from A Jane Austen Devotional, and  The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar. 

However, if I'm reading a pick that is boring or in any way inferior, I'm quick to ditch it. Life is too short to waste on poorly written books! Do you fall into the trap of, "I started it, I gotta finish it?" Once upon a time, that was me. NOT ANY MORE.

What about you? Do you plan your reading? Do you need to? I keep a list of each month's books in my day-timer on a page at the beginning of each month, and this way nothing falls through the cracks.

  

Would You Like to Win a Book? (Subscriber Drive)

Would You Like to Win a Book? 

I'm running a subscriber drive. I've almost finished a proposal for a new book that I'm hoping to win a contract for, and I'd love to show my new publisher that I've got a good reading audience. For this reason, I'd like to DOUBLE my subscriber list.. To automatically WIN a FREE book from me, send five people to subscribe to my website mailing list AND this blog, Woman of Faith.  They will need merely to enter their email address on the pop-up form on my website AND one of the forms on the right side of this blog. 

Anyone can subscribe, but only US residents can win a free book for recommending friends (Sorry). Five friends may seem like a lot, but I know you can do it! Besides, I'm giving you a book for your efforts. If you've already enjoyed my work, you'll have one to give away as a gift.  Books make excellent gifts and mine will particularly appeal to most any woman in your life. (Men, too, have reported enjoying my books, so don't be afraid to ask men to subscribe, or to give them a copy!)

How Does It Work? 

Use my email template below to make this easy. You'll  recommend me to your friends, assuring them that I won't spam or otherwise cause  regret for joining me.  When you send your email to your list, copy me in on it, so I'll know who sent them when/if they subscribe. Include your full mailing address at the bottom of your email so I can mail out a book to you. If five of your friends don't subscribe you won't get a book, so be sure to encourage them to do so!  Below is a suggested message you can use (simply copy and paste it into the body of your email) to make this even simpler. 

What Will You Receive?

I have enough books to award about 200 of you with a free one. I won't guarantee which of my books you'll receive, but again, if it turns out to be something you've read, you'll now have a brand-new, autographed copy to find its way beneath someone's Christmas tree, or to a birthday celebration, etc. If you receive Before the Season Ends, you'll have a book to give away that even includes the gospel message!

Why Am I Giving Away My Books?

I've been doing less speaking and teaching lately, as I obey the Lord's promptings to focus on my family.  This means my books aren't moving the way they used to, which would be okay except that we're also prayerfully preparing for a possible out-of-state move. I love having books on hand for when I do events, but I'd like to clear out the boxes before we have to fill the moving truck! 

Something Else

My regency trilogy  is officially "out of print." This means you can pick up a used copy at a low price RIGHT NOW--but eventually these used copies will peter out and then the books will be scarce. Who knows? You may be getting a book in its first edition that will become valuable some day, especially considering you're getting it brand new and autographed. (I don't mean this as, MY books must become valuable! It's just that regency readers are notable book collectors. When they like a book, they keep it and talk about it. For a long time. When new readers go looking for one of my books, you'll have one!)

Who Should I Invite?

Think of people you know who are intelligent and enjoy books. Please don't ask those who are seldom online or won't open email. (Since I write for ages 12-99, this should be easy!)

Here's an email template: 

(Either download the doc using this link, or copy and paste this into the email you send your friends/family/reading buddies, etc.)

Hello!

I just wanted to let you know that an author I like is running a subscriber drive, and giving away free books as an incentive. Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Romance. Her books are good clean fun-- and historically accurate. She's asking me to send five friends her way to subscribe to her quarterly email newsletter, and her blog, Woman of Faith. (You don't have to be a woman to enjoy either, by the way!) If I get her five more subscribers, I win a book! It's that simple.

Linore won't spam you, share your email, or otherwise pester you--she promises! If you'll subscribe to these two venues (her website and blog) I will win a free copy of one of her books, and I'd love that! Also, once you subscribe, you can send five people her way and win a book, too!
Subscribe to these two places: (You must join BOTH for me to get a book)

1.Linore Burkard's website (http://www.LinoreBurkard.com.  A pop-up form will appear. Enter your email)
2. Woman of Faith Blog (http://todayswomanoffaith.blogspot.com. Enter your email into the box on the right side.) And that's it!

Also, since I need five people to subscribe to win a book, could you please let me know  if you've become a subscriber? (Just hit reply and say "I've subscribed!"  And if you choose not to, I'll need to know so I can invite other friends!)

Thanks so much for helping me win a book! I honestly think you'll enjoy Linore's beautifully illustrated newsletters full of historical tid-bits, and her blog has book reviews, recommendations, devotions, news-alerts and even recipes!  

Click the links above to subscribe, and thanks again!

(Your name)

 (Your full mailing address, for me, since you've copied me in on the email.)

 

(You can include this graphic in your email if you like!)

 One Last Thing

If you're interested, you can request my very first book, which is the print-on-demand version of, Before the Season Ends. (I can honor this request as long as copies last.) If you're a writer and have the Harvest House edition, you may find it worthwhile to see the changes that were made before they took the book to print. Many of the changes were done by me, but some of them were done by Harvest House editors.  If you've considered (or are considering) self-publishing, you'll have a "before" and "after" copy of one book to compare versions. Notice what changes were made and ask yourself, Why? Did the change improve the book? What can I learn here for my own writing? 

I'll share updates on the subscriber drive here on the blog as well as in my next newsletter which I hope to have in your in-box before the end of the month. In the meantime, send out those emails and let me send you a free book!

Gratefully Yours,

Linore

 BEFORE YOU GO:

Below is a re-post from something I wrote for Tiffany Amber Stockton's blog recently, which, if you haven't already seen, I thought you'd enjoy.

Authors are (Imperfect) Mommies, Too!

Me with my two oldest girls, a few years back. Like my wallpapers? I do all the wallpapering in our home!

Last spring, while I was working on a book called Ship of Dreams,
  my 9th grade daughter called from school one day. (She is the younger one in the picture, above.)
"Mom, I missed the bus. Could you pick me up?"
"Okay, honey."
"But could you wait a few minutes, like, say, twenty to thirty minutes, and then get me?"
"Sure, honey."
I hung up with the happy reassurance that I had more time to go on writing the scene from my novel that was actually rather thrilling. It was a pivotal scene in the book. WELL...
About an hour later the phone rang.
"Mom?"
"BETH! Oh my gosh! I'm sorry! I'm on my way!"
And thus goes the life of a writer. If she had wanted me to get her immediately I could have done that, no problemo.
But to let me get back into a pivotal scene of my current work-in-progress? Uh-oh.
A writer has to be living the scene if she or he wants it to be believable. For me, I have to be living it in order to write it at all.
Once I had her in the car on the way home, my daughter looked at me with a miffed expression.
"So, what happened?"
"Bethany," I explained patiently, "You have to understand. I was on the Titanic with more than 1,000 passengers who were going down!"
She looked at me for a moment, thinking, and slowly smiled. "Okay, mom. I get it."

For more on the life (or, er, the imagination of) a writer, see my blog post on The Writing Life,
here.

Fiction Friday

Night of the Cossack

by Tom Blubaugh

I love when I can recommend a book wholeheartedly, and today's Fiction Friday spotlights just such a one. Read on to see how you can win a copy for yourself.

Night of the Cossack is a compelling adventure by Tom Blubaugh about a teenager who is forced to grow up quickly during tumultuous events in the early 1900s in Russia. Young Nathan Hertzfield faces many life or death situations throughout the book. Join him on his perilous and exhilarating journey through parts of Russia and Europe, and find out how he eventually emigrates to America. The story is based loosely on the life of the author's grandfather. Adventure, suspense, and warmth make it a riveting story.

This is one of those reads that works for all ages, young and old (beginning, I'd say, for ages nine and up). For slower readers, age eleven or thereabouts. If you have a reluctant young reader, the opening is explosive enough to keep anyone turning pages. And, if you homeschool or teach in a classroom, the book even has companion lesson plans. (It is so obviously a great pick for educators that I was deeply satisfied to find this out.)

Here's the five-star review I left on Amazon:

Night of the Cossack is an exceptionally well-written historical tale. Blubaugh's clean, tight prose moves along at a clipping pace and the elements of great fiction are all here: high stakes, peril, uncertainty, as well as the coming-of-age of a young Jewish man whose life is torn apart by societal upheaval in early 19th century Russia. The book brings history to life through the eyes of its young male protagonist and ends on just the right note of hope, making it a perfect pick for teachers and educators looking for worthwhile fiction for young people. Readers of any age will enjoy this, but I think middle-school teachers should grab this book and dovetail it with world history lessons for their students. Scholastic should pick this one up for sure. Eye-opening, interesting, compelling, and even fun, Night of the Cossack is exactly what a really good book should be.

In other words, this one's a keeper.

Win A Copy!

What about you? Do you enjoy personal glimpses of history through fiction? Leave a comment and Tom will award one commenter with a free copy of the book in pdf form.

Amazon purchase link.
Lesson Plan Barnes and Noble Link

About the Author

Tom Blubaugh was raised in a small town in southeast KS, and was writing poetry by age 14. Tom has written many articles for denominational and business magazines and co-wrote The Great Adventure for Barbour Publishing.(2009). Night of the Cossack is his first work of fiction. Retired now, Tom and his wife Barbara have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Besides writing, Tom devotes most of his time to volunteer work.

Purchase link including lesson plan

Don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win a free copy in pdf form for your computer or reading device!
Good luck!
I wish you hours of happy reading,

Linore
Heart-Warming, Soul-Stirring Christian Romance