A Visit With Carol A. Brown...

Hi, Carol... welcome to my book club, and congratulations on this very special day for SASSY PANTS MAKES AMENDS. What a lovely story it was, I really enjoyed it. 

Thank you, Lilly, it's great to be here.

First of all, this is a very unique storyline, and I'd love to know how you came up with the idea for SASSY PANTS MAKES AMENDS. 

Well, it is a sequel to SASSY PANTS, a story about a little pig who made a real mess of things. My husband insisted that I write a sequel and give her an opportunity to redeem herself. I didn’t have any more story in me. So, I asked the Lord what He thought about hubby’s insistence and within just a few minutes He downloaded the story line! In this story Sassy Pants models how to make a clean apology, ask for forgiveness and then make amends. Amends is a way to fix a friendship when you are the one who broke it. It goes waaaay beyond sorry and gives a person reason to trust you again. It’s simple but not easy.

That's the truth. For adults as well as children, if you ask me. The setting was delightfully vivid… have you ever been on a farm, yourself? 

I was raised on the farm on which this story takes place.

I had a feeling that might be the case. You described everything so well, I felt like I was right there, myself. You're very good at teaching vital truths with a whole new perspective. Do you like teaching?

I always knew I would be a teacher, first in elementary and then after I completed my master’s work as an instructor for a community college, then a four year college and finally as a university instructor for an “Intensive Language Program” where I taught English as a Second Language. After being struck with MS in 1995 I struggled with who I had become and wondered if there was a place for me. God graciously assured me that my new position was a promotion. The world is my classroom now! Big step up!

I should say. Books have a way of reaching many more people than we could ever physically do all by ourselves. What a blessing to have God expand the reach of your ministry rather than cutting back on it.  Very exciting! Will there be any more stories about Sassy Pants we can look forward to?

Definitely! I was riding in the car with my husband, who was pestering me to write this sequel. Well, I asked God what He thought about it, because I didn’t have one at the time. Then, boom! He downloaded the titles to the three remaining books in the series AND the story lines. So when we came home I got right busy writing up these stories.

And I'm so glad you did, because they are marvelous. Will you come back and visit with me, again, when the next two come out?

I'd be happy to, Lilly.

In the meantime, I'll let you get back to the "birthday party" so you can hand out all those special gifts people have been waiting for. Oh, yes, and here's a link to the landing page for any of our readers who would like to take a peek at those... 

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS PIG?

  

Her name is Sassy Pants, and she has been here before. She was a wild thing, but that wasn't really her fault. Because somebody spoiled her when she was little (and very cute), by letting her do anything she wanted to. As she got bigger, she found the most fun by making trouble. Others tried to correct her, but "she did not listen, nor did she care." In the end, someone (much bigger than her) had to make her do what was right. Which was not fun, at all. And because no one had ever treated her like that before, it practically broke her heart. 

If you haven't read SASSY PANTS, the first book written about this mischievous farmyard pig, let me highly recommend that you do. Because whether you are five years old, or fifty, you will find a treat in store. Not just in all the colorful characters (even though they are wonderful). And not even in the delightful way Ms. Brown can twist a word or a phrase that is a pleasure all by itself. No. The big treat about SASSY PANTS is a hidden secret to be discovered there. One that even some of us adults never knew. 

I just had to say all that even though this particular review is not about SASSY PANTS. it's about the second book in the series, called SASSY PANTS MAKES AMENDS. A story I liked even more than the first one, with a bigger secret hidden in it. Oh, the same barnyard friends were there, and--  once, again -- Ms. Brown's way with words was absolutely delightful. It was another great story, no matter what age you might be. But the reason I liked this one best is because I (Lilly Maytree) learned something from it. Something I have always assumed I knew, already.

SASSY PANTS MAKES AMENDS touched my heart, and actually made me want to be a better person. It made me see how I actually could be. Even at my age! So, not only will I be buying these books for the children in my family, I'm going to slip one to a couple of the crusty old adults, as well. Who knows? It could very well have the same effect on them as it did on me…

And that would be priceless.

June 19th is "Launch Day" for SASSY PANTS MAKES AMENDS. If you buy a copy during this special "birthday party," you will be able to download many other wonderful free gifts to add instantly to your purchase. That's how highly the many friends of Sassy Pants regard her. Personally, I consider it quite the privilege to be a part of this celebration, and to recommend it to all of you, dear readers, with my whole heart!

A bit about Carol...

Carol was raised in a rural farming community in Iowa for the first 16 years of life.  The family moved to Minnesota where she finished high school and then pursued academics.  She met her husband, David, during his internship with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  They married in 1969, and have ministered together in Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, Australia, Germany, Finland, and Canada, David as pastor, counselor, and trainer; Carol as educator, helpmate and intercessor.  They have two daughters and five grandchildren. As educator Carol has taught elementary, then community college, college and university classes.

“I started telling stories when I had enough brothers for an audience!”

Monday was a good day…

This was not the assignment Luke 

Nemec expected when he came to the

UK-- babysitting a beautiful widow. 

It wouldn’t be so bad... 

if Sara wasn’t such a “hostile” witness.

Well, I don't know about you, dear readers, but I'm starting to look forward to each new release that Clare Revell offers us. Because I love the versatility. Yep. The versatility. It's refreshing. How she comes up with so many different plots and settings that I get totally wrapped up in (and declare I am going to visit afterward), is beyond me. But then that's part of the fun for me. This time, it was off to Scotland with MONDAY'S CHILD.

I love Scotland. Have always wanted to go there. I even have more than a few Scottish ancestors tucked away somewhere. But do I know much of anything about what the place is like today? Not half enough. Which is why I was so enjoyably drawn into the ebb and flow of the town from a real and contemporary perspective. And with an American police officer on assignment thrown into the mix, I did not feel like an outsider. 

QUESTION for Clare if she shows up here: Have you ever been to Scotland? 

(I wonder about these things)

But here's the thing. I had sort of a question about this book. It's the first in a seven book series (one for every day of the week-- for a hint, read the poem), and I wondered how Ms. Clare would be able to keep her marvelous versatility if she had to reign in her imagination too much. Well, don't worry, she had plenty of everything we have come to expect from her. That's when I realized that the things I enjoy most about her books are the constants. All of her books have these things: 

A feisty, not-so-typical heroine 

A realistic hero who is not always perfect (but his heart is)

A colorful setting with people you will think you have known somewhere else before (or would like to)

A plot you've got figured out halfway through that proves you delightfully wrong at the end. One that even lines up with spiritual values

So, I feel much better about this every-day-of-the-week book series. In fact, I'm already looking forward to TUESDAY'S CHILD (who tenders direction), which will be coming up next.  But as for MONDAY'S CHILD? Let's say, after having just read the final words, that I'm sitting here with a cup of tea and a quiet smile, because…

Monday was a good day.

Clare writes inspirational romance, usually of a suspenseful nature. Her books are available through her publisher Pelican Book Group and Amazon. She is married with three kids and lives in the UK. She loves watching sci-fi, crime drama, cross stitching, reading and baking. You can find out more about her on her website.

A TUMBLED STONE... by Marcia Lee Laycock

Hello, dear readers, today, I'm visiting with Marcia Lee Laycock… it's lovely to have you here at Lilly's Book Club, Marcia, and I'm really looking forward to learning a bit more about your new book A TUMBLED STONE.

It's good to be here, Lilly, thanks for having me. 

My pleasure. Well, let me see, now… I notice this is a sequel. Did you always have it in mind when you were working on ONE SMOOTH STONE, or was it something you thought of after?

I would have to say, after. Because I wasn't ready to leave the characters behind, and I thought my readers might feel the same way. 

That's a good sign, and something that interests me, right off. Characters have to be well crafted to make us feel sorry to see them go, so, I call that a nice achievement all by, itself. Anyway, I notice you have a young girl for a main character, this time. What do you think readers will most relate to about her?

Her struggle to shape her own identity, and reconcile her feelings.  I love writing about contemporary characters in real-life settings. I think a lot of people are running and hiding - from their lives and from God. We all do this to some degree (even Christians) and I believe God wants us to stop and face the past traumas, and what we have done. And he wants us to know He loves us in spite of it all, even when we make bad choices. 

Things we all face in some way, at one time or another, that's for sure. Can you tell us a little bit about the story?

Well, this book deals with abortion, and my prayer is that it may help a young woman somewhere make the right choice for her unborn child. I also hope that after reading A TUMBLED STONE, readers will have more compassion for young women who find themselves in the place of having to make such a profound, life-changing decision. 

It's a tough subject, and one that can be looked at from many angles. Did you run into any difficulties while you were working on it?

A huge difficulty, actually. I was diagnosed with cancer just as the book was accepted by a publisher. That meant all the editing was done while struggling with "chemo-haze" so it was a challenge in many ways. My energy level was extremely low so I had to do what I could in short bits. I am very thankful for my editor at Word Alive Press. He was very helpful and patient with me. 

Well, you certainly have been in everyone's prayers, mine included. And I have to say how wonderful it is to see you out and about, again. Praise the Lord!

Yes, I'm very thankful. Also that my energy level has rebounded nicely, too - I need all I can muster now, in the thick of the promotion.

It does seem to take almost as much to promote a book as to write one, these days, doesn't it. Speaking of which, let's give our dear readers a bit of a look at A TUMBLED STONE, right now.

I'd be happy to, Lilly. Here's a bit about the story, itself...

 Andrea Calvert had to run away. She couldn't stay on the farm, shaming her parents. She couldn't face being pregnant and alone. She would take care of this on her own.  As she struggles to make life-changing decisions, Andrea discovers a diary and the wrenching story about her family's dysfunction. But is Andrea’s life at risk at Evie’s Diner?

Here's a small excerpt…

Edna’s hand flew to her mouth. She hurried toward the door, saw the crumpled ball of paper sitting in the garbage can, and stopped to pick it out. She held it in her hand for a moment, then slowly pulled it flat. When she saw what was written on it, her hands began to tremble.

She was sitting at the kitchen table with the paper still in her hands when Earl came in. He stood in the doorway for what seemed a long time before she felt his shadow over her.

“What?” he said.

Her shoulders slumped and tears slipped silently down her cheeks. “Andrea’s gone.”

“Gone where?”

“I don’t know. She’s just gone.”

Earl glanced toward the stairs leading to Andrea’s room, his face blank. He took a step toward the stairway, then stopped. Edna noticed his shoulders stiffen. He didn’t turn around when he spoke again.

“Why was she going to your sister’s, Edna?” When she didn’t answer, he turned and stared at her. “Why?”

“She’s pregnant, Earl. And now she’s run off.”

Later that night, after they had decided not to call the police, Edna took the piece of paper out to the burn barrel and watched the writing shrivel on the page.

Well, you've got me interested, Marcia. A TUMBLED STONE is going on my "to be read" book-pile, for sure. Meanwhile, here's wishing you many blessings with it, because I feel you're going to have a lot of interaction with readers about this one. 

Thanks, Lilly.

Do you have time for a quick cup of tea before you leave?

I'd love one.

Marcia’s inspirational writing has won awards in both Canada and the U.S.  Her devotionals are distributed to thousands and her novel, ONE SMOOTH STONE, won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2006. Marcia is also a sought-after speaker for women’s events. Visit her at www.vinemarc.com

How to be FIT FOR FAITH...

Kimberley Payne

Hello, Kimberley… thanks for stopping by, today. Fit For Faith is a wonderful title, and I'm really looking forward to hearing about it. To begin with, How did you first become interested in this subject, and what do you feel is unique or different about the way you have presented it?

Health and fitness developed into a priority for me when I became pregnant with my first child. But what I found discouraging was the amount of mis-information out there. I set out to write Fit for Faith to help women navigate the sea of myths. Also, it’s a program that is motivational and easy-to-follow – like having your own personal trainer. Most importantly, I wanted to show how physical and spiritual health are interrelated and how necessary it is to tend to both.

That's a very interesting concept, because people don't usually think of those two things being vulnerable to each other. But it makes a lot of sense, now that you mention it. Are you writing from the perspective of personal experience, expertise, or both?

Both. I started out with personal experience as a young mother looking for health. Then over the years, I gained expertise as a Weight Training Instructor, Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. 

That's amazing. Is there one tip you could give from your book, right now, that might be valuable to people's lives even if they never heard anything else on the subject?

I would say follow the 10-10-10 rule. If you can’t fit 30 minutes of exercise into your day, try 10 minutes three times. This will help to improve your health in wonderful ways.

That's an idea I'm definitely going to try, as I'm always putting off I thinking I don't have the time… and it shows! So, thank you for sharing that. Now, where does the faith part come in? How will Fit For Faith have an effect on people's spirituality?

Well, it provides a simple, structured approach to prayer, Bible study and journaling – all ways to interact with God.

Those are wonderful things all by themselves. And speaking of interacting, do you have any type of forum set up where readers can get in touch with you while they go through the program? Do you have a newsletter? Other books on similar subjects?

I started a yahoo discussion group called, I Surrender, that is an informal support group for those of us struggling with weight loss. I also offer a regular newsletter with tips and freebies. I’m working on a devotional book, Women of Strength, that I hope to have ready this summer, too.

That all sounds so helpful and exciting. I really feel there's nothing so refreshing as being in shape, and I can see you have a real ministry in helping people not only feel good about their shape, but good about themselves. And springtime is a great time to get a fresh start on some of those things, too. 


Thanks so much for sharing with us, today, Kimberley. I will truly be looking forward to giving your program a try. Oh, yes, and just out of curiosity, I was wondering what the biggest change all this information has brought about in your own life is?

That would have to be coming to the understanding that God is interested in everything I do, even if it’s trying to lose those extra 10 pounds. He wants to be part of my every day.

Well, I certainly agree with that. What an enlightening discussion this has been. I'll have to let you know how the program works out for me. Meanwhile, I hope you stop by and visit, again.

Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you, Lilly!

Blessings on the road to health!

Thank you, I'll take that. Now, before we go, I want to make sure to let readers know where they can get in touch with you and find out more about you and your books...

   Kimberley is an award-winning author and a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Christian Writer's Fellowship. She has taught workshops in a variety of settings including churches, women's retreats, writers' conferences, and Women Alive conferences. Her energetic and enthusiastic presentations motivate individuals to reach their faith and fitness goals.

Website  

Fitness Blog

Devotional Blog    

Twitter 

Facebook: Kimberley Payne, author & speaker 

YouTube: Fit4Faith channel 

Where to buy the book...

Amazon

Smashwords

Lulu

Dora Hiers... Southern By Choice

Today, I am thrilled to have Dora Hiers for a visit, talking about her recently released novel, JOURNEY'S EDGE, which I enjoyed very much. Welcome, Dora! Before we get into writer questions, though, I just have to say you seem to have a strong sense of place, along with a lot of contentment in being there. Is it because you have lived in the same area all your life? What do you like best about it?

Actually, five years ago, my husband and I moved to North Carolina from Florida, where I’d lived most of my life. I haven’t looked back. I love the wide-open spaces and living within a two-hour drive to the mountains, flicking the fireplace on for the first time in winter, and the different seasons. Who knew leaves exploded into so many different colors? And now I get to wear something besides shorts. 

The Smoky Mountains are just a couple hours away, too. Close enough that we can buzz up there for a long weekend. You can find me on a secluded cabin deck, sipping coffee or iced tea, snuggling on the couch with a good book, walking around the lake with our golden retriever, or enjoying a cookout with family. It’s always an awesome, relaxing time. Yes, you could say I am very content, here.

Something to be said about being able to choose a place to live simply because you like it. could be it's your best inspiration for writing novels, too. Speaking of which, do you listen to music when you write? 

The only music I listen to while I work is the chirping of birds and rustling of squirrels outside my office window. And the occasional snore of my golden retriever.

It can't get any better than that! What is it you enjoy most about writing books?

I'd have to say journeying with my characters as they come alive on the page, from that first spark of an idea, to their first zing of attraction, all the way to their happily-ever-after.  

Hmm… do you think up characters to fit into your plots, then, or do you think up plots to fit your characters?

I'm organized to the point of dividing my shopping list by aisles in the grocery store. Planning comes naturally to me...in everything but writing. As methodical as I am in other areas, I’m not a plotter. My goal is to give birth to great characters and hook a reader into an opening scene, and let the story flow organically from there.

Well, it certainly works for you, I can say that. Which makes me wonder if you've always wanted to be a writer, or something you got into more recently?

I wasn’t born with a pen in my hand like most writers. My urge to write came later in life, when my youngest son started middle school and didn’t want me hanging out at school with him anymore. I knew I needed something more to fill my days. An avid inspirational romance reader, God planted a story idea that pinged around in my head for a few months until I finally confessed my desire to write to my husband. With his enthusiastic support, I started pounding out the story, soaked up online writing courses, attended a writer’s conference, and joined American Christian Fiction Writers, Carolina Christian Writers, and a critique group.

All the right things, in my opinion. Not to mention I've always felt that avid readers make wonderful writers… if they don't mind all the hard work! What can we look for next, Dora? Are you working on anything, right now?

I just submitted When Truth Whispers to White Rose Publishing for consideration. It’s the first in a novella series set in Promise Lake, a fictional city in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Want a peek?

Oh, yes, definitely!

After a humiliating breakup, best-selling romance author Teal Benning flees to Promise Lake to complete her current novel, minus paparazzi and flashing cameras. Suffering from writer's block and a broken heart, Teal accepts the offer of help from neighbor, Hunter Miciver. Hunter longs to be more than the friend who picks up the shattered pieces of Teal's heart. When Teal finds out his secret, will she see him for the man he is, a man of faith and devotion, a man who would cherish her for the rest of her days? Or will she lump him into the same category as all the other men in her life, including her father? Will Teal recognize when truth whispers her name?

It sounds fascinating, I'll be looking for that one, for sure. Thank you for coming, today, Dora, I've been looking forward to visiting with you for a long time.

Thanks for having me, Lilly, I've enjoyed the visit, too. 

It's been my pleasure. Now, before we get into a look at JOURNEY'S EDGE, can you tell why you wrote this particular book?

Actually, Trey Colton from Journey’s End inspired this book. Renner was Trey’s partner, both Deputy U.S. Marshals, but total personality opposites. I knew the moment Renner appeared on the page that he would have his own book. I had to dig around in his past to find his sweetheart, but when you meet Kinny, you’ll understand how perfect they are for each other.

That they are. Let's give readers a look...

A Routine Audit? Hardly.

Red flags—including some goon who's following her—raise McKinley Frasier's suspicions that numbers don't add up at the insurance firm. When someone tries to snatch McKinley's daughter from school, she turns to police officer and ex-fiance, Renner Crossman—the cop who walked out on her a month before their wedding. But Renner's not the same guy who broke her heart ten years ago. He calls himself a "new man." She trusts the new Renner with her daughter's safety...but what about her heart?

My Review…

JOURNEY'S EDGE is one of those books that makes you feel as if you are actually peeking into someone's life. That's how real these characters feel. And while all books have some form of conflict, and you know something like that has to pop up somewhere, I kept finding myself hoping none of it was going to happen to these people, because I liked them too much. 

Renner is the type of man we all admire: capable, considerate, and he knows how to protect the ones he loves. After all, protecting people is what he does for a living. However, when his emotions get jumbled up with his heart, he turns out to be as vulnerable as the rest of us. And like us, he can be distracted, or biased, and not always on the top of his game. Which makes for page-turning suspense when so much is at stake. Such as Kinny's heart. Which he has broken once before, and is determined to win back, again.

But can a person really ever go back? One can forgive, but they can't always forget. That is, unless forgiveness is something more than unburdening your own heart, so  you can get on with life, guilt free. But what if it's more than that? What if there truly is something supernatural that changes things whenever one turns their life over to God? If that was true (and I believe it is), it just might work in real life, too. That everyday one we are all caught up in and think we have so little control over. Then, again, maybe we do, if we could only turn it over to someone who can actually do something about it. 

Journey's edge made me think about that. 

You can find out more about Dora Hiers and her books by visiting these places:

Website: www.dorahiers.com 

Blog: http://dorahiers.blogspot.com/

Facebook: Dora Hiers Author
Twitter: @DoraHiers