And the winner of Stephanie Morrill's new YA book, Out With the In Crowd, is...
Lizzie Boyd!
Congratulations, Lizzie. Please email me at robing8300 at gmail.com with your mailing address, and I'll forward it to Stephanie so she can send you the book.
And if you missed the fun interview and all the information about Stephanie's book, you can catch it right here.
Showing posts with label Contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contests. Show all posts
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
YA Author Stephanie Morrill: Interview PLUS a chance to win her new book!
Today we not only have a fun interview with YA author Stephanie Morrill, but also a chance to win a copy of her new book, Out With the In Crowd. Leave a comment on this post if you would like to be entered in the drawing. (See details and boring legalese at the end.)
Stephanie Morrill is a twentysomething living in Kansas with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their daughter. She’s the author of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series and loves writing for teens because her high school years greatly impacted her adult life. That, and it's an excuse to keep playing her music really, really loud.
Of course, the first question has to be--tell us about your new book!
Out with the In Crowd is the second book in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. In the first book, Me, Just Different, 17-year-old Skylar got herself into a bad scrape at a summer party and decided she wanted to change her lifestyle. Where Out with the In Crowd picks up, Skylar discovers while she may have vowed to change her partying ways, it's not so easy to change her friends. Even though the old Skylar is gone, she's still not sure who this new Skylar really is. Add to that two parents battling for her loyalty, a younger sister struggling with a crisis pregnancy, and a new boyfriend wishing for more of her time, and Skylar feels like she can't win.
What about your other writing? Have you published other YA novels? Adult novels?
The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series is the only one I have released at the moment. There’s a third book, So Over It, releasing in July.
Recently I’ve played around with the idea of writing a novel for adults, but it’s very different from writing for teens and doesn’t feel quite so natural to me.
Why do you write YA?
Because those are the only story ideas I consistently have. Seriously, that’s how I knew it’s what I should write. I’m so thankful that I do. I’ve never written for adults so I don’t know what the reader e-mails look like, but I love the energy in the ones I receive from the girls. And I think receiving those letters makes me a better writer. I’m able to see what in the story connected most with them.
What YA books do you like to read, or would you recommend?
My favorite in the Christian market is Jenny B. Jones, both her Katie Parker and Charmed Life series are fun, fabulous reads.
In the general market, I really enjoy Sarah Dessen. She writes quiet, soulful types of books that really stick with you.
What about us older folks? Are there YA books you think we should be reading, regardless of our age?
I read This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen the summer I got married, and I probably enjoyed it even more than I would have as a teenager. The main character has some serious control issues, same as me, so she was a character I really connected with. I also enjoyed a lot of the subtle messages about the value of relationships, particularly ones that might not last forever. Good stuff for anyone, I felt.
The other obvious one that I should mention is Twilight. I hardly meet a woman these days who hasn’t read those books or seen the movies, and most of them love them just as much as the teens I talk to. (Not as many Jacob fans in the older set, though.)
And what about writing for young adults? For those of us who would like to do just that, do we need to be young, ourselves? (If so, I'm in trouble!) Hang out with young folks? What's the biggest requirement in becoming a good YA writer?
Wow, big question. First I’ll tackle the age issue. I’m young, I’m 26. I graduated in 2001. But even with how short of a time I’ve been out of high school, SO much has changed. Like nobody texted. If you were really cool, you had a camera on your phone. If you were normal, the screen on your phone wasn’t even color. Nobody was on Facebook or MySpace. If YouTube existed, I hadn’t heard of it. So even for someone as young as I am, I can’t fully rely on my high school experiences. The emotions are the same, of course. But we didn’t worry that someone who didn’t get invited to our birthday party would see the pictures on another guest’s Facebook page, you know?
Hanging out with teens is a good idea. My husband and I work twice a month in the toddler class at church, and we always have middle and high school volunteers. I try to get as invested in their lives as I can. If you have time, volunteering for youth ministry is a great way to go. It doesn’t work for me right now, so I settle for the volunteers in the toddler room, and eavesdropping on conversations at the mall or movie theater.
The other big suggestion I have is staying in touch with teen media. Watch movies geared toward them, watch TV shows they like, read the books in the teen section. Study the dialogue in those things, and that can go a long way toward strengthening your own writing.
What do you think teens are looking for most in their reading material? What turns them off?
Same thing adults are—something real, something that connects with who they are. And they’re turned off by the flip of that. Situations and dialogue that reads fake or preachy, and characters they don’t like.
I always have to ask writers these questions. How long have you been writing fiction, and how did you first get published?
I wrote my first (and suckiest) novel at age 17, so I’ve been writing novels for almost ten years now. I got published through trial and error, and learning from my mistakes. Like when I wrote my first novel, I just printed off all 90 single-spaced pages and started sending them to publishing houses. I slowly learned about concepts like unsolicited manuscripts, query letters, literary agents, and book proposals. I met my first agent at a writer’s conference, which is something I totally recommend. Once I signed with her, everything happened within a couple months. It doesn’t always work that fast, in fact I’d say it rarely does. I received my first contract about 8 years after I wrote that first book.
Anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
The first chapters of both Me, Just Different and Out with the In Crowd are available for download on my web site, http://www.stephaniemorrillbooks.com/. Definitely take advantage and read those before you buy the books!\
And now for the best part! Stephanie is providing an autographed copy of Out With the In Crowd for one lucky reader. Just leave a comment on this post (and be sure I know how to contact you if you win) by the end of this week, January 24, if you'd like to be entered in the drawing. I promised you boring legalese and here it is: No purchase necessary to enter or win. You must be a legal resident of the U.S. to enter. Odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Thank you!
Stephanie Morrill is a twentysomething living in Kansas with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their daughter. She’s the author of The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series and loves writing for teens because her high school years greatly impacted her adult life. That, and it's an excuse to keep playing her music really, really loud.
Of course, the first question has to be--tell us about your new book!
Out with the In Crowd is the second book in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. In the first book, Me, Just Different, 17-year-old Skylar got herself into a bad scrape at a summer party and decided she wanted to change her lifestyle. Where Out with the In Crowd picks up, Skylar discovers while she may have vowed to change her partying ways, it's not so easy to change her friends. Even though the old Skylar is gone, she's still not sure who this new Skylar really is. Add to that two parents battling for her loyalty, a younger sister struggling with a crisis pregnancy, and a new boyfriend wishing for more of her time, and Skylar feels like she can't win.
What about your other writing? Have you published other YA novels? Adult novels?
The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series is the only one I have released at the moment. There’s a third book, So Over It, releasing in July.
Recently I’ve played around with the idea of writing a novel for adults, but it’s very different from writing for teens and doesn’t feel quite so natural to me.
Why do you write YA?
Because those are the only story ideas I consistently have. Seriously, that’s how I knew it’s what I should write. I’m so thankful that I do. I’ve never written for adults so I don’t know what the reader e-mails look like, but I love the energy in the ones I receive from the girls. And I think receiving those letters makes me a better writer. I’m able to see what in the story connected most with them.
What YA books do you like to read, or would you recommend?
My favorite in the Christian market is Jenny B. Jones, both her Katie Parker and Charmed Life series are fun, fabulous reads.
In the general market, I really enjoy Sarah Dessen. She writes quiet, soulful types of books that really stick with you.
What about us older folks? Are there YA books you think we should be reading, regardless of our age?
I read This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen the summer I got married, and I probably enjoyed it even more than I would have as a teenager. The main character has some serious control issues, same as me, so she was a character I really connected with. I also enjoyed a lot of the subtle messages about the value of relationships, particularly ones that might not last forever. Good stuff for anyone, I felt.
The other obvious one that I should mention is Twilight. I hardly meet a woman these days who hasn’t read those books or seen the movies, and most of them love them just as much as the teens I talk to. (Not as many Jacob fans in the older set, though.)
And what about writing for young adults? For those of us who would like to do just that, do we need to be young, ourselves? (If so, I'm in trouble!) Hang out with young folks? What's the biggest requirement in becoming a good YA writer?
Wow, big question. First I’ll tackle the age issue. I’m young, I’m 26. I graduated in 2001. But even with how short of a time I’ve been out of high school, SO much has changed. Like nobody texted. If you were really cool, you had a camera on your phone. If you were normal, the screen on your phone wasn’t even color. Nobody was on Facebook or MySpace. If YouTube existed, I hadn’t heard of it. So even for someone as young as I am, I can’t fully rely on my high school experiences. The emotions are the same, of course. But we didn’t worry that someone who didn’t get invited to our birthday party would see the pictures on another guest’s Facebook page, you know?
Hanging out with teens is a good idea. My husband and I work twice a month in the toddler class at church, and we always have middle and high school volunteers. I try to get as invested in their lives as I can. If you have time, volunteering for youth ministry is a great way to go. It doesn’t work for me right now, so I settle for the volunteers in the toddler room, and eavesdropping on conversations at the mall or movie theater.
The other big suggestion I have is staying in touch with teen media. Watch movies geared toward them, watch TV shows they like, read the books in the teen section. Study the dialogue in those things, and that can go a long way toward strengthening your own writing.
What do you think teens are looking for most in their reading material? What turns them off?
Same thing adults are—something real, something that connects with who they are. And they’re turned off by the flip of that. Situations and dialogue that reads fake or preachy, and characters they don’t like.
I always have to ask writers these questions. How long have you been writing fiction, and how did you first get published?
I wrote my first (and suckiest) novel at age 17, so I’ve been writing novels for almost ten years now. I got published through trial and error, and learning from my mistakes. Like when I wrote my first novel, I just printed off all 90 single-spaced pages and started sending them to publishing houses. I slowly learned about concepts like unsolicited manuscripts, query letters, literary agents, and book proposals. I met my first agent at a writer’s conference, which is something I totally recommend. Once I signed with her, everything happened within a couple months. It doesn’t always work that fast, in fact I’d say it rarely does. I received my first contract about 8 years after I wrote that first book.
Anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
The first chapters of both Me, Just Different and Out with the In Crowd are available for download on my web site, http://www.stephaniemorrillbooks.com/. Definitely take advantage and read those before you buy the books!\
And now for the best part! Stephanie is providing an autographed copy of Out With the In Crowd for one lucky reader. Just leave a comment on this post (and be sure I know how to contact you if you win) by the end of this week, January 24, if you'd like to be entered in the drawing. I promised you boring legalese and here it is: No purchase necessary to enter or win. You must be a legal resident of the U.S. to enter. Odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Thank you!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Winner of the Drawing Announced!
Congratulations to Jennifer Hallmark, the winner of today's drawing! Jennifer will get to select any one item from my online shop at Etsy. (So Jennifer, be sure to contact me with your selection and mailing address. )
Thanks to all of you for visiting the blog and participating.
And by the way, if any of you would like to purchase one of the goodies in the shop, just mention this blog in the message to the seller when you check out, and I'll give you a 20% rebate on your purchase.
Thanks again, and as always, stay tuned for more fun and give-aways.
Thanks to all of you for visiting the blog and participating.
And by the way, if any of you would like to purchase one of the goodies in the shop, just mention this blog in the message to the seller when you check out, and I'll give you a 20% rebate on your purchase.
Thanks again, and as always, stay tuned for more fun and give-aways.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Upcoming Author Interviews and Give-Aways!
I've been a bit lazy about blogging the last week or so. Actually, it wasn't so much laziness as being too busy in every other area of my life. But we have great things coming in the next week or so to make up for it.
I'm featuring interviews with two new speculative fiction authors with Marcher Lord Press. One has some great words about persevering and his journey to publication. Both authors have fascinating book premises. One is about a future world under sharia law. The other is about a world in which religion is outlawed, and a boy stumbles across a Bible.
So be sure to stop by tomorrow (Monday, November 16) to read the interview with Kerry Nietz, author of A Star Curiously Singing.
Friday (November 20) we'll feature Steve Rzasa, talking about his book, The Word Reclaimed.
And don't forget that on Monday, November 23, I'll hold a drawing to give one person their choice of any one item from my online shop, featuring handmade jewelry, knitting, and crochet. It's not too late to enter. Click here if you'd like to leave a comment and get in on the fun.
I'm featuring interviews with two new speculative fiction authors with Marcher Lord Press. One has some great words about persevering and his journey to publication. Both authors have fascinating book premises. One is about a future world under sharia law. The other is about a world in which religion is outlawed, and a boy stumbles across a Bible.
So be sure to stop by tomorrow (Monday, November 16) to read the interview with Kerry Nietz, author of A Star Curiously Singing.
Friday (November 20) we'll feature Steve Rzasa, talking about his book, The Word Reclaimed.
And don't forget that on Monday, November 23, I'll hold a drawing to give one person their choice of any one item from my online shop, featuring handmade jewelry, knitting, and crochet. It's not too late to enter. Click here if you'd like to leave a comment and get in on the fun.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
New Contest: Win ANY ONE item from my online shop!
I'm in the mood to give something away again, woo-hoo!
I'm going to do something a bit different this time around. On Monday, November 23, I'm going to hold a drawing, and the winner will get to choose ANY ONE ITEM from my online shop as the prize.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment here telling me you'd like to be entered in the drawing. And make sure I know how to get in touch with you in case you win.
You can also use the "contact me" button over on the right side and email me the information if you don't want to leave info on the blog.
Want a bonus entry? In your comment, tell me which item from Jasmine Showers (that's the name of my shop) you would like to win and I'll give you two entries in the drawing!
The good part is, if you win, I won't even hold you to selecting the item you choose as your favorite now. After all, I'm adding new stuff all the time and you might find something you like better. Plus, this is mainly a shameless way to get you to click on the link and take a look at my site.
You writers out there might like the Historical Romance Pendant Watch, which features a young writer reminiscent of Jane Austen.
I'm adding lots of fall and dress-up stuff good for this time of year, as well.
So have fun!
Oh, and I understand that I'm supposed to add some legalese. The contest is only open to legal residents of the United States. Value of the prize depends on what you choose, ranging from $7 to approximately $50. Odds of winning depend on the number of entrants.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Give-aways and this and that
Hi, all. A few juicy tidbits today.
First, Rose McCauley did a blog post today listing some of her favorite blogs that do frequent give-aways, particularly of books. So if you like free stuff, you might want to head over there and take a look. If you leave a comment, you'll also be eligible to win a copy of The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry, which you may remember received a glowing recommendation on this site.
Rose mentioned our blog as one that does give-aways, and I am thinking of starting one up very soon. Probably won't be a book give-away this time. Maybe something a little bigger. Does that intrigue you?
Third, I posted late last week, an entry called "Gods With a Small G," but since I had drafted it weeks before, it has the old date and may not have shown up in your updates. It did show up on my facebook account and generated some lively discussion there!
Speaking of which, are any of you other blog friends of mine on facebook--other than the ones I've already made connections with? (You know who you are.) My account is under Robin Johns Grant if you want to be friends. (Now I feel like I'm in kindergarten.)
Well, that was totally random today, but I'm a little under the weather, so that's about as coherent as I can be. Anyway, as Rose said on her post, you never know what you'll find at this site!
First, Rose McCauley did a blog post today listing some of her favorite blogs that do frequent give-aways, particularly of books. So if you like free stuff, you might want to head over there and take a look. If you leave a comment, you'll also be eligible to win a copy of The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry, which you may remember received a glowing recommendation on this site.
Rose mentioned our blog as one that does give-aways, and I am thinking of starting one up very soon. Probably won't be a book give-away this time. Maybe something a little bigger. Does that intrigue you?
Third, I posted late last week, an entry called "Gods With a Small G," but since I had drafted it weeks before, it has the old date and may not have shown up in your updates. It did show up on my facebook account and generated some lively discussion there!
Speaking of which, are any of you other blog friends of mine on facebook--other than the ones I've already made connections with? (You know who you are.) My account is under Robin Johns Grant if you want to be friends. (Now I feel like I'm in kindergarten.)
Well, that was totally random today, but I'm a little under the weather, so that's about as coherent as I can be. Anyway, as Rose said on her post, you never know what you'll find at this site!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Winner of the Signed Nancy Grace Book
I am pleased to announce that the winner of the signed Nancy Grace novel, The Eleventh Victim, is Melanie Dickerson. Finally I get to give a prize to Melanie--one of my most faithful blog readers!
I plan to start a new contest in the next week or so, so stay tuned!
I plan to start a new contest in the next week or so, so stay tuned!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Entry deadline extended for Nancy Grace signed book drawing
That was a very convoluted headline, but the point is we're extending the deadline for the drawing for the autographed copy of Nancy Grace's new novel, The Eleventh Victim. You must leave a comment saying you want to enter--along with a way to get in touch with you if you win--no later than September 17. I'll announce a winner on September 18.
For more details about the book and the drawing, click here.
For more details about the book and the drawing, click here.
Friday, August 28, 2009
My Latest Creation: Historical Romance Pendant Watch
I decided to make something to donate to ACFW's (American Christian Fiction Writers') silent auction to be held at their conference next month. Since there will be so many romance readers and writers there, I settled on making this Historical Romance Pendant Watch.
It's got everything--cameos of Jane Austen-like ladies, reading and books, and of course, hearts and flowers.
Funny. I'm not able to go to the conference this year, but my jewelry will be there...
Anyway, if you're planning to be there, look out for the pendant watch and maybe another goodie or two at the silent auction.
If, like me, you aren't going, I'll probably be doing a jewelry give-away for the rest of us during the conference in late September, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, you can always check out my shop on Etsy. I'll be adding items soon, including a pendant watch for sale.
And don't forget to enter the drawing for a signed copy of Nancy Grace's new, best-selling novel, The Eleventh Victim!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Win a Signed Copy of The Eleventh Victim by Nancy Grace!
The Eleventh Victim: by Nancy GraceAs a young psychology student, Hailey Dean's world explodes when Will, her fiancé, is murdered just weeks before their wedding. Reeling, she fights back the only way she knows how: In court, prosecuting violent crime...putting away the bad guys one rapist, doper, and killer at a time. But dedicating her life to justice takes a toll after years of courtroom battles and the endless tide of victims calling out from crime scene photos and autopsy tables. Just as she grows truly weary, a serial killer unlike any other she's encountered begins to stalk the city of Atlanta, targeting young prostitutes, each horrific murder bearing his own unique mark. This courtroom battle will be her last.
Hailey heads for Manhattan to pick up the pieces of the life she had before Will's murder, training as a therapist. In a vibrant new world, she finally leaves her ghosts behind. But then her own clients are brutally murdered one by one by a copycat using the same M.O. as the Atlanta killer she hunted down years before. As the body count rises across Manhattan, Hailey is forced to match wits not only against a killer, but the famed NYPD.
Unless she returns to her former life and solves the case, still more innocent people will die at the hands of a killer who plans to get her, before she can get him!
Last Saturday, Nancy Grace was back in our home town to do a signing for her new novel, The Eleventh Victim. Nancy and I have known each other since the first grade. I would tell you how long ago that was, but Nancy would probably kill me. Suffice it to say, we've known each other a long time!
My friend Robin P., sister Frankie, me, and Nancy
Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading her novel--which is a first for her. She's done almost everything else in the world--prosecuting attorney, has her own show on CNN, mother of twins, writer of a non-fiction book. But this is her first novel.
I still remember a story that Nancy wrote (and read aloud) for a creative writing assignment in high school. I remember waiting for my turn to read my story to the class and thinking, I wish I had written that! Even then, I couldn't seem to come up with an idea that could be contained in a short story--or that had anything to do with real life. Mine had all these fantastical or historical elements and twisted Dickensian plots. Nancy's story was something simple about two best friends who were growing up and growing apart. Simple and powerful.
She has said she's been distracted by all the other life events from creative writing and that she's glad to get back to it--and that it took her a long time to write this book. That's encouraging. Maybe I'll get somewhere with one of mine eventually, too.
Anyway, I got an extra copy of it signed for one lucky reader out there. The Eleventh Victim is hot off the presses and on the New York Times bestseller list, so I think this would be a great prize!
Just leave a comment here before September 15 (NOTE: DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPT. 17) telling me you'd like to be entered in the drawing. Two rules: I have to know how to contact you if you win, and you have to respond within a week when I contact you or the prize goes to someone else.
Simple enough! Good luck!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Winner of Words Unspoken!
Wow, what a contest! I follow a lot of blogs that do book giveaways and have seldome seen this kind of enthusiasm--or this many entries.
Wish I had a bunch of copies to give away, but I have just this one copy of Elizabeth Musser's wonderful new book, Words Unspoken. And the lucky winner is...Sally Bradley!
Congratulations, Sally.
I'm going to be starting a new giveaway in the next few days, so stay tuned.
Wish I had a bunch of copies to give away, but I have just this one copy of Elizabeth Musser's wonderful new book, Words Unspoken. And the lucky winner is...Sally Bradley!
Congratulations, Sally.
I'm going to be starting a new giveaway in the next few days, so stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
You Have Another Chance!
By request of author Elizabeth Musser, I'm extending the deadline for the drawing for her latest novel, Words Unspoken. She wanted time to share the contest and review with her website readers, so you have another chance!
If you'd like to read the review of this highly-recommended book, click here.
If you'd like a chance to win a copy, leave a comment here or on the original review post no later than this Monday, June 15. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 17.
Oh, as always, make sure I know how to get in touch with you if you win. Have fun!
If you'd like to read the review of this highly-recommended book, click here.
If you'd like a chance to win a copy, leave a comment here or on the original review post no later than this Monday, June 15. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 17.
Oh, as always, make sure I know how to get in touch with you if you win. Have fun!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Win a Copy of Words Unspoken (Reviewed)
If you read Monday's interview with author Elizabeth Musser, you know that her latest book is titled Words Unspoken. In my humble opinion, it's her best yet, and I say that with confidence having read all her others.
I dare you to put it down after the prologue--the sudden hailstorm on the Interstate, the nervous young driver, and the freakish accident that sets the rest of the events in motion.
Chapter one begins with the aftermath of that incident. Bright, high-achieving Lissa Randall's life has come to a standstill as a result of the wreck that took her mother's life--and because of the voices in her head that constantly tell her she's a failure and guilty. Those voices have basically trapped her in her home. She's unable to drive, unable to take any risks, unable to start college. The only thing that seems to motivate her is a desire to be able to drive and see the mysterious "Caleb," someone who apparently needs her desperately. But after once again failing the test to get her driver's license reinstated, Lissa hits rock bottom. In a moment of despair, she comes close to swallowing a handful of pills and ending it all, but instead decides to grasp at one remaining hope, a driving instructor named Ev McAllister who has been recommended to her. Lissa phones Ev MacAllister, a wise old man who seems to offer driving lessons as a ministry to troubled young people like herself. And so begins one of the most important relationships of Lissa's life.
The only part of Words Unspoken that might give you a problem is the second chapter--at least, if you're not expecting it. The story seems to be about Lissa and Ev and the driving lessons, but then in chapter two, we're introduced rapid-fire to several characters that seem unconnected to the pair or each other. There's a young missionary in France who has just lost her son, a wheeling-and-dealing stockbroker, an ambitious young man at a publishing company, and a socialite in the midst of a divorce. If you're not expecting the shift or if you don't like multiple points of view, you might feel a little lost. But trust me, the payoffs start to come soon as you discover, bit by bit, the fantastic story that connects all these threads and all these people.
One of those threads involves a sub-plot about a famous author named Stella Green, a reclusive woman who has published numerous best-sellers and received critical acclaim but who refuses to reveal her true identity, grant interviews or allow herself to be photographed. No one knows who she really is or why she's hiding her identity, but bit by bit we see that Stella Green's story touches all the other disparate characters in the book.
Some of the central characters are kind and giving, some are grasping and ambitious, but they all have another thing in common: the voices in their heads. We come to see that the ones who appear so noble may be trying to make up for some misdeed in their past, and the ones who seem so loutish on the outside are fighting their own mental battles.
Another unique feature of Elizabeth's novels is that they are "recent historicals." This one takes place in 1987, which may seem like a totally random date to you young folks. But to me I remember being very insecure in my job in 1987 and quite fearful of the future because of the stock market crash. So I figured that crisis was probably looming for these characters, too. As Elizabeth has mentioned in her interviews, she had no idea when she was writing just how timely this subject would be.
I suppose you've figured by now that I highly recommend this book. The characters and settings are rich and you'll keep turning the pages to pick up clues and try to piece together the mysteries.
I'll end with some good news. I'm giving away a copy of Words Unspoken! If I've gotten you interested, be sure to post a comment and let me know you'd like to be entered into the drawing . I'll announce the winner next week.
I dare you to put it down after the prologue--the sudden hailstorm on the Interstate, the nervous young driver, and the freakish accident that sets the rest of the events in motion.
Chapter one begins with the aftermath of that incident. Bright, high-achieving Lissa Randall's life has come to a standstill as a result of the wreck that took her mother's life--and because of the voices in her head that constantly tell her she's a failure and guilty. Those voices have basically trapped her in her home. She's unable to drive, unable to take any risks, unable to start college. The only thing that seems to motivate her is a desire to be able to drive and see the mysterious "Caleb," someone who apparently needs her desperately. But after once again failing the test to get her driver's license reinstated, Lissa hits rock bottom. In a moment of despair, she comes close to swallowing a handful of pills and ending it all, but instead decides to grasp at one remaining hope, a driving instructor named Ev McAllister who has been recommended to her. Lissa phones Ev MacAllister, a wise old man who seems to offer driving lessons as a ministry to troubled young people like herself. And so begins one of the most important relationships of Lissa's life.
The only part of Words Unspoken that might give you a problem is the second chapter--at least, if you're not expecting it. The story seems to be about Lissa and Ev and the driving lessons, but then in chapter two, we're introduced rapid-fire to several characters that seem unconnected to the pair or each other. There's a young missionary in France who has just lost her son, a wheeling-and-dealing stockbroker, an ambitious young man at a publishing company, and a socialite in the midst of a divorce. If you're not expecting the shift or if you don't like multiple points of view, you might feel a little lost. But trust me, the payoffs start to come soon as you discover, bit by bit, the fantastic story that connects all these threads and all these people.
One of those threads involves a sub-plot about a famous author named Stella Green, a reclusive woman who has published numerous best-sellers and received critical acclaim but who refuses to reveal her true identity, grant interviews or allow herself to be photographed. No one knows who she really is or why she's hiding her identity, but bit by bit we see that Stella Green's story touches all the other disparate characters in the book.
Some of the central characters are kind and giving, some are grasping and ambitious, but they all have another thing in common: the voices in their heads. We come to see that the ones who appear so noble may be trying to make up for some misdeed in their past, and the ones who seem so loutish on the outside are fighting their own mental battles.
Another unique feature of Elizabeth's novels is that they are "recent historicals." This one takes place in 1987, which may seem like a totally random date to you young folks. But to me I remember being very insecure in my job in 1987 and quite fearful of the future because of the stock market crash. So I figured that crisis was probably looming for these characters, too. As Elizabeth has mentioned in her interviews, she had no idea when she was writing just how timely this subject would be.
I suppose you've figured by now that I highly recommend this book. The characters and settings are rich and you'll keep turning the pages to pick up clues and try to piece together the mysteries.
I'll end with some good news. I'm giving away a copy of Words Unspoken! If I've gotten you interested, be sure to post a comment and let me know you'd like to be entered into the drawing . I'll announce the winner next week.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Grand Prize Winner Announced!
Yesterday we held the drawing for the $50.00 amazon.com gift card, and subscriber Jodie B. was the big winner. Jodie said she already has plans for the books she's going to buy. Congratulations, Jodie!
See why it pays to subscribe?
We run contests frequently, so stay tuned for the next one to be announced.
Also, co-blogger Kristi just arrived in L.A. last night--and they had an earthquake while she was moving in! A very small one, and fortunately we're not superstitious. But with a start like that, you'll want to keep posted.
See why it pays to subscribe?
We run contests frequently, so stay tuned for the next one to be announced.
Also, co-blogger Kristi just arrived in L.A. last night--and they had an earthquake while she was moving in! A very small one, and fortunately we're not superstitious. But with a start like that, you'll want to keep posted.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Contest Update--Almost Time for the Grand Prize!
The winner of the last weekly drawing for a $15.00 amazon.com gift card is Rose McCauley--who deserves a prize for being a faithful reader of my old blog, then moving over here to the new one. Thanks, Rose. Enjoy!
The grand prize drawing for a $50.00 amazon.com card is fast approaching. Remember, every comment you leave between now and April 30 will get you one entry into that drawing. Plus, all subscribers will get another entry.
This Friday, you can kill two birds with one stone--read a great interview with new Marcher Lord Press author Stuart Vaughn Stockton, and leave Stuart a comment to get an entry in the contest. It's all good!
The grand prize drawing for a $50.00 amazon.com card is fast approaching. Remember, every comment you leave between now and April 30 will get you one entry into that drawing. Plus, all subscribers will get another entry.
This Friday, you can kill two birds with one stone--read a great interview with new Marcher Lord Press author Stuart Vaughn Stockton, and leave Stuart a comment to get an entry in the contest. It's all good!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Another Chance to Win a Gift Card!
The winner of the hand-crocheted wire and coral bracelet is Sally Bradley. I hope you enjoy it, Sally!
I'm lazy and running behind this week due to a long weekend Easter trip, so I think this week I'm going to take the easy way out and give away another amazon.com gift card in the amount of $15.00. But everyone loves those, anyway.
So leave a comment on any post this week (by Sunday night) to be entered in the next drawing. Each comment gets you one entry. And if you're subscribed to email updates, that will get you one entry, too.
Good luck!
I'm lazy and running behind this week due to a long weekend Easter trip, so I think this week I'm going to take the easy way out and give away another amazon.com gift card in the amount of $15.00. But everyone loves those, anyway.
So leave a comment on any post this week (by Sunday night) to be entered in the next drawing. Each comment gets you one entry. And if you're subscribed to email updates, that will get you one entry, too.
Good luck!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
I'm Giving Away a Hand-Crocheted Wire & Coral Bracelet
The winner of last week's drawing was Jessica, who got to choose any one book from Marcher Lord Press as her prize. Jessica chose The Dark Man, and because it's one of their brand-new releases that actually won't be available for a couple of weeks, they sent her an e-version of the book to enjoy while she's waiting for the hard copy. Instant gratification!
This week's drawing is a little different. I'm giving away one of my hand-crafted goodies, a bracelet crocheted from copper wire and encrusted with red coral beads.
This week's drawing is a little different. I'm giving away one of my hand-crafted goodies, a bracelet crocheted from copper wire and encrusted with red coral beads.
I'm generally lazy about wearing bracelets because they're so hard to put on, but these are perfect because you just slip them on. And I guarantee, no one else will have a bracelet like yours!
This would also make a nice Mother's Day or birthday gift for a special woman in your life.
Leave a comment on any post this week (before Sunday night) for a chance to win. Each comment gets you one entry in the drawing, and all subscribers will have one entry, as well.
A couple of reminders and a new rule about these drawings: I have to know how to contact you if you win, obviously. Please be sure emails from me or from Feedblitz aren't going into your junk mail folder. And if I don't hear back from you within a week after the end of a contest, you forfeit the prize.
Okay, enough fussing and nagging. On with the contest, and good luck!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Reminder about this week's prize drawing
The winner of last week's drawing for a $15.00 amazon.com gift certificate is JH Wilson. Congratulations, and thanks for subscribing! (See, it pays to subscribe. Nothing to remember, no hassles, and a chance to win great stuff!)
Don't forget to leave a comment (or subscribe) this week for a chance to win YOUR CHOICE of any one book from Marcher Lord Press.
Don't forget to leave a comment (or subscribe) this week for a chance to win YOUR CHOICE of any one book from Marcher Lord Press.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
If You Like "Weird and Christian"
I was really excited when a new Christian Publishing Company, Marcher Lord Press, started up last fall. I heard the founder, Jeff Gerke, say he was interested in stories that were "weird and Christian," and I thought, hey! That's me! My stories, I mean. Or just me. Whatever.
Anyway, today is Launch Day for their second round of Christian speculative novels, so I thought I would share with you a message I received from Jeff at Marcher Lord a few days ago. Oh, and leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for YOUR CHOICE of any one Marcher Lord Press book.
Marcher Lord Press is poised to release its second list of Christian speculative novels.
The excitement has been growing as the time left on the countdown clock has been dwindling. And now we're just hours away from launch. MLP's second season has received unprecedented pre-release coverage.
Library Journal, one of the publishing industry's top 2 magazines--and the most influential magazine for library book orders--has mentioned Marcher Lord Press in its April 1 issue. And not just one mention, either. Nor two. But three mentions in one issue.
This is almost incomprehensible for any Christian publishing company, but it's all but impossible for a small press in its second season.
One of these mentions is a review for By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson, one of the three titles in the season 2 list. Library Journal calls By Darkness Hid a "thoroughly entertaining and smart tale" and gives it the coveted "highly recommended" stamp of approval.
Incredible.
Advance praise continues to come in for the other books in the second list as well. Christian fantasy novelist Donita K. Paul says of Starfire by Stuart Vaughn Stockton: "I was thoroughly enmeshed in this out-of-this-world world!" And an early reader of Dark Man by Marc Schooley calls it simply "Amazing!"
Are you ready for these books?
They're every inch as exciting as the launch list--and the covers are every bit as beautiful. As a fan of Christian speculative fiction, you'll want all three of these titles on your shelf. They're coming on April 1. No foolin'!
Keep your eye on the Marcher Lord Press store!
Anyway, today is Launch Day for their second round of Christian speculative novels, so I thought I would share with you a message I received from Jeff at Marcher Lord a few days ago. Oh, and leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for YOUR CHOICE of any one Marcher Lord Press book.
Marcher Lord Press is poised to release its second list of Christian speculative novels.
The excitement has been growing as the time left on the countdown clock has been dwindling. And now we're just hours away from launch. MLP's second season has received unprecedented pre-release coverage.
Library Journal, one of the publishing industry's top 2 magazines--and the most influential magazine for library book orders--has mentioned Marcher Lord Press in its April 1 issue. And not just one mention, either. Nor two. But three mentions in one issue.
This is almost incomprehensible for any Christian publishing company, but it's all but impossible for a small press in its second season.
One of these mentions is a review for By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson, one of the three titles in the season 2 list. Library Journal calls By Darkness Hid a "thoroughly entertaining and smart tale" and gives it the coveted "highly recommended" stamp of approval.
Incredible.
Advance praise continues to come in for the other books in the second list as well. Christian fantasy novelist Donita K. Paul says of Starfire by Stuart Vaughn Stockton: "I was thoroughly enmeshed in this out-of-this-world world!" And an early reader of Dark Man by Marc Schooley calls it simply "Amazing!"
Are you ready for these books?
They're every inch as exciting as the launch list--and the covers are every bit as beautiful. As a fan of Christian speculative fiction, you'll want all three of these titles on your shelf. They're coming on April 1. No foolin'!
Keep your eye on the Marcher Lord Press store!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Next Weekly Prize: An Amazon Gift Card!
The winner of this week's drawing for the handmade, beaded bookmark is BunnyBx. If you're Bunny, send me your mailing address and I'll ship your prize to you right away.
This week's drawing is for everyone's favorite--a gift card! Each comment you leave on the blog between now and Sunday, March 29, will get you one entry in the drawing for a $15.00 amazon.com gift card.
As always, subscribers will be entered in the drawing, as well.
Good luck!
This week's drawing is for everyone's favorite--a gift card! Each comment you leave on the blog between now and Sunday, March 29, will get you one entry in the drawing for a $15.00 amazon.com gift card.
As always, subscribers will be entered in the drawing, as well.
Good luck!
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