Confessional Friday

 

I'm connecting with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

This week, I have more news than confessions.

 

1. I'm so excited to share that I signed a contract with HopeSprings Books for book 2 in the Waltham

Academy series. Lindsey was a hateful heifer in Worth the Wait, and I always wanted to know why. I hope y'all come to love her like I do!

 

2. I went to game one of the Rockets/Blazers series. I LOVE the Houston Rockets (and the Texans and Astros). It was so much fun even though they lost.

 

 

 

 

3. I went to the eye doctor, and she found a spot on my eye. It's rather large. Of course, she says, "It's just something to keep an eye on." No pun intended I'm sure. It's not raised and doesn't have blood vessels off of it, so she's not too worried. But, I have to go back in a few months and check again.

Don't you love when doctors tell you not to worry....what else is there to do.

Trust in God. I know. :)

 

4. I got my first royalty check! It's not a bunch of money, but I am still in awe that people paid money to read something I wrote. Wow. I hope this feeling never gets old.

Thanks to everyone who has read Worth the Wait, reviewed it, promoted it, or encouraged me along the way. I'm blessed.

 

5. Finally, I confess I once again am failing at my eating right adventure. It's so discouraging. I do well at work and then snack at home. Anyone have any healthy, easy meals? Suggestions for sweet tooth (other than fruit--I eat a lot of fruit but it doesn't help my sweet cravings).

 

Have a fantastic week.

Go Rockets!

 



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Caught in the Middle: A Review

 

Running from her past, Anne has shunned society and become a buffalo hunter. When the cook runs off, she chases her down, only to run into Nick, the brother of one of Anne's only friends. Not only does the cook not go back with Anne, she leaves her baby in Anne's care.

Will society be too much for the wild Anne?

 

After a slow start, I enjoyed this book. Anne and Nick were somewhat annoying at first, so I enjoyed seeing the change in them. I liked their sometimes fiery back-and-forth conversations.

 

I also liked Anne's past even though it was sad. It gave depth to her character and made the relationship she developed with Sammy, the orphan boy, my favorite part of the story.

 

Overall, it's a good read. Fans of Christian historical fiction authors like Jody Hedlund will enjoy this book.

 

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

 

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Confessional Friday Good Friday Edition

It's Good Friday, the day we remember what Jesus did for all of mankind on the cross.

It's so hard to think about His suffering and even harder to know it was my sin that drove the nails.

What love!

 

I confess that I am a sinner saved by grace.

I confess I have no clue why Jesus died for me, but I'm so thankful He did.

I confess that Jesus is the only way to the Father. He said it Himself--no man comes to the Father but by me. (John 14:6)

I confess that even as a Christian, I still sin daily and need the precious blood of Jesus to forgive me.

 

 

 

 

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Blog Hop: My Writing Process

 

So, I was tagged by Elizabeth Maddrey as part of a blog hop, where authors answer questions about their writing.

 

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on Lindsey's story. I'm almost finished with the rough draft. Lindsey is the mean girl in Worth the Wait, and I wanted to find out why she's hateful.

 

How does your work differ from others of its genre?

I'm asked this fairly often, and I'm not exactly sure. I heard recently from My Book Therapy that it might take a few books to really figure that out. So, I'm just going to enjoy the ride.

 

Why do you write what you do?

I love YA books, and when I taught middle school, I prayed for more Christian YA authors. I had NO IDEA I would be one of the answers to my own prayer.

 

How does your writing process work?

Very slowly lately. Work has been busy and a little more stressful than usual. So, it's been hit or miss. I wish I was an author who could schedule writing time. I'm really looking forward to summer when I'll have time each day to write.

I'm a pantser. I don't really plan other than knowing where my character starts and where she ends. The middle is a surprise.

 

So, that's my writing process. 

What's yours?

If you don't write, what's your reading process? How do you pick which book to read next? 

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Confessional Friday

 

I'm linking up with Leslie over at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

It's my birthday! YAY!

Why didn't I take off the day?

 

I confess that I got really mad at work Thursday. As in so mad I had to walk away. I rarely get that mad, and it was surprising. Hopefully, I'll be over it by 7:30 tomorrow morning. :)

 

I confess that I LOVE with this sign my friend Wendy made for me for my birthday. She bought a magnetic chalkboard and had her husband draw this. He sprayed it with something so that the chalk will stay. Then, she got me a magnet and printed out several pictures of my family around a fire. I'm tearing up just looking at it now.



I confess that I was mortified when I was chosen to be on the Jumbotron at the Astros' game Saturday night. It was for Sonic's 6th Inning Slam. If the Astros had gotten a grand slam during that inning, I would have won 25,000 dollars. Alas, they did not. But, I still won a 50 dollar gift card to Sonic, and that rocks.



 

 

I confess I'm a little sad to be 34 and still not married/kidless. Trusting God is hard when His plan doesn't line up with your vision for your life.

 

 

I confess that I'm feeling restless. Not sure if God's preparing me for something new or if I'm in a season of learning to be content where God has me.

 



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Confessional Friday

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/,

 

 

I confess that I throw a cardigan over a t-shirt and call that "professional" dress at work! Ha. This picture is from my nephew's flag football game this weekend. Those shoes are my "mud" shoes since the field is often wet.

(My niece, my aunt, my brother-in-law, my sister, my mom, me)

 

I confess that I'm praying for my aunt in this picture (sporting my rain boots) to move to Texas or at least Louisiana. She's so funny, and I wish she lived closer.

 

I confess I expected the Astros (affectionately called the Lastros) to lose Tuesday. I went to Opening Day for the first time ever. They were playing the Yankees. It was a lot of fun, and the Astros kicked the Yankees' butts. YAY!

 

I confess that I get goosebumps whenever I see the American flag or hear the national anthem. It doesn't matter if the person sounds great or just so-so, I love it. Isn't she beautiful?

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Shadows of the Past--A Review

 

I've been hearing how good this book is, so I had to check it out for myself. The standards for Christian romantic suspense are high--Dee Henderson and Irene Hannon to name a couple.


Patricia Bradley is on her way to joining those ranks with her novel Shadows of the Past. Criminal profiler Taylor Martin has one case she can't solve--her father's disappearance twenty years earlier. When someone begins stalking her, Taylor must go back to the day her dad disappeared to solve the case.


The suspense in this book is great--the author threw out different options, and while I knew who was involved, I wasn't sure how. The pace and action grew steadily to a fantastic finish.


The romantic part was sweet. I liked Nick, the author who is determined to defend his brother against Taylor's accusations.


But, what I liked best was the balance in the book. At times, it felt like a women's fiction book in character development, which was nice.


Shadows of the Past is a don't-miss book, and Patricia Bradley is an author to watch.


I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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Confessional Friday

 

 

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/

 

It's been one of those weeks where I can't even remember what I did. Ha!

 

1. I confess that I wish I could be cutesy creative. Some moms in the PTA are made this tree for my library. They're making two more to hang up a science project a few classes made. I LOVE it.

 

 

 

2. I confess that I'm ready for Easter to be over. Not because I don't love the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead after paying for my sins. It's because I MUST stop eating the Reese's eggs.

 

 

3. I confess that I really have the urge to travel. Summer is soon (10 more weeks), and I don't

really have the money to go anywhere. :( 

4. I confess I still haven't eaten any crawfish this season. I feel like a bad Cajun. I did have gumbo tonight with family to celebrate my aunt from DC coming to town.

 
 
5. I confess that I feel like the little engine that could with promoting my debut novel. Being published with a small press, I know that marketing takes more time than a big publisher that can do more advertising. So, I'm so thrilled Worth the Wait won Clash of the Titles.                                                                    I pray often for the girls/women who are reading it. I pray they know Jesus and that His plan for their lives is always worth the wait.

 

 

 

 

By the way, to celebrate the win, the e-book is on sale for 1.99. Find it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

 

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Clash of the Titles Winner!

I'm so excited Worth the Wait won February's Clash of the Titles, where books compete using their covers and a two-sentence summary.

Check out the spotlight: http://www.clashofthetitles.com/2014/03/worth-wait-win-worth-waiting-for.html

Thanks to everyone who voted.

I'm so thankful for people who are willing to help spread the word about Worth the Wait.

In celebration of the win, Worth the Wait's e-book is on sale for 1.99!

Worth the Wait on Amazon

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Confessional Friday Night

Linking up with Leslie at http://www.blondeambitionblog.com/.

 

I didn't get this done Thursday night to go live Friday, so I'm doing it now....wild Friday night for sure.

 

I confess that after my family, this is my favorite kid! I've babysat her every Friday since she was a week old! Last Friday, we went to the Houston Rodeo to see Keith Urban.

 

I confess that while Keith Urban put on a good show, I was the one who suggested we leave early.

I confess that's embarrassing as a country  music fan.

 

I confess that I love my job. This was on my desk on St. Patrick's day. Someone's mom was on Pinterest over spring break, and I love it.

 

I confess I'm so tired of this ear infection I have. I thought ear infections were for kids.

 

 
 
 
 
I confess I'm baffled at why ear drops and antibiotics cost 90 bucks. That's after insurance and a coupon the pharmacist gave me. I'm thankful for good health.

Have a great week!

 

 

 

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