News. Reviews. Previews.

I had so much fun planning this week. I've got some new blog ideas and am actually considering moving my blog over to Wordpress instead of keeping it here at Blogger. Have any of you done that? I'd love to hear your advice on the matter!

So I've got these new things that I'm so pumped about sharing. But I want to
wait to make it all just right before I do a grand opening! So excited!

Speaking of excited, did you notice the change in the header. I promise the picture that was there before was only a half-dozen years old, but it made me look much younger. So this one is only a few months old. My dinky twinky did a great job on it! (BTW, Dinky Twinkies is code for my twin girls. thus Dinky Twinky would be a single.) Precious Redhead said it made me look mysterious. I would be flattered except that yesterday she said my grin made me look constipated. I think I'll go looking for compliments elsewhere - just sayin'. :)

This weekender will offer:

• Some great blog articles from authors including Staci Stallings, Jody Hedlund, David Walker, and Julie Cantrell.
• Last week's blog review
• ROW80 Update
• Next Week's Blog Expectations

News

I'm getting better at visiting blogs, this week. Of course with my Grace Readers' Weekly, I don't have to rely only on my own blog touring. Some Twitter buddies offer their favorites as well.

Review

Last Monday, I got to share the Best Almost Kiss winner at the Clash of the Titles. I'm enjoying being part of their blog Alliance every other week. On Tuesday, I shared about my boy's rugby team at the University of Texas at Dallas in G is for Grrrrr! Highs and lows and how to live through them was my topic on Wednesday with another ROW80 update. Then I shared all I've learned about writing a Synopsis on Thursday. An interview with author and missionary Zeke Lam rounded out the week with a discussion of his book, Submission. Please visit the links here if you missed one of the articles!

ROW80 Update

Like I said, I'm inspired. I've written about 5k in a new story and am in the process of laying it out. I've taken two of my other stories, along with a serial I wrote using one of the characters, and am in the process of weaving the serial into my second story to connect them in a series. This third one that I'm writing now will complete the set and I'm really excited how things are going with it. 

I got better at blog visiting, started on Pinterest (I'm totally addicted!), began tweeting more regularly, and set up some new surprises for later. Oh and I also played volleyball for an hour and a half! So sore after sitting around for 2 weeks! Now if I could just get off of potatoes again!

Preveiw

I think my plans may change, but for right now, I'm planning to Review a brand new book by debut author Bonnie S. Calhoun on Monday. On Tuesday, I'll be highlighting the letter H. Hmmmmmm. I'll have another ROW80 update on Wednesday, along with an inspirational article about life and writing. On Thursday, I'll be chatting about learning styles and how they affect adults as much as kids. Then Friday will hold an interview with Author Fay Lamb. 

Hope you've had a productive week and will have a delightful weekend. I'm going to watch my Dear Boy beat up on the UT of San Antonio for the Texas State Rugby Championship! (That's the way I've pictured it in my head anyway.)

Have you blogged with both Blogger and Wordpress? Which do you prefer? Do you think I should switch to Wordpress?

News, Reviews, Previews

What a great week full of HOPE and joy!
My weekender has stories about:

• Articles of inspiration and writing
• A review of last week's blog articles at Faith-Driven Fiction
• My Sunday ROW80 Update
• A preview of articles and specials coming next week

Interview with Author, Staci Stallings

Staci Stallings, author of The Harmony Series books Cowboy and Lucky, is the founder of a group of authors and bloggers who support and promote each other on blogs and social media. A couple of months ago, I "met" Staci and did a character interview about her book Cowboy. The story intrigued me and I soaked it in over a weekend. I've since done a review of the delightful book and now Staci is back to share a little about herself.

Staci - Since second grade, I have always loved to write.  In fact, even before that I loved words.  When I was four, I told

Cowboy Up! A New Book Review

Back Story on this Review: I have to admit, it was the third “indie” book that I picked up to read.  Most of the time, I’ll push through and read a book if it is remotely interesting, but I couldn't bear to waste my time with the others. The first one didn't interest me. The second one seemed to make all of the “first-time author mistakes” that I’ve read about on blogs. After wading through pages of back story and unimportant details, I was beyond bored and couldn’t force myself to continue.  I won’t review those books. First, I hate to be negative. I know the authors have poured their very soul into their literary babies and I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. Second, I couldn’t do a review justice since I didn’t finish the books.  Pet Peeve Alert: I’ve read several reviews in Amazon and Barnes & Noble where the writers admit that they never finished the books but gave them horrible ratings and ranted through their reviews. I just don’t think that’s fair. If I don’t read a whole book, how do I review it? Simple answer is – I don’t.  So when I picked up Cowboy, my opinion was already a negative color. Another “indie” book set my standard pretty low since I had few positive experiences with them. I needn’t have worried. :)

Staci Stallings has two books out in her Harmony series. I read the first of them, Cowboy, and was so delighted with it. 

Ms. Stallings drew together an emotional romance and a moving story of new found faith. I enjoyed getting a peek into the world of country music. Her lyrics and song tVitles seemed so natural, I could easily believe the Ashton Raines was a real person.

The author used a unique voice in sharing the story. The characters shifted back and forth between their points of view very quickly. At first it distracted me, but I found I enjoyed seeing the same event through different eyes. She wrote in an unconstrained style that, though it broke "rules," displayed great writing ability. 

The middle of the story existed in short phone calls exchanged with a perfect stranger, but I didn't find them tedious. In fact, I waited for the phone to ring with the same anticipation that Beth, the main character, displayed. And when the stranger's identity became known to her, I struggled with the hero and his frustrating position. This wonderful story transports Cinderella to the modern era, graced with lime-lights and a two-stepping rhythm. I couldn’t put the darn book down!

And no, I didn’t read the last page early, like I can usually be accused of doing. If I had, maybe I would have put it down before 6:15 AM after reading it all night long. (I have to start reading my books earlier in the day!)

I would bet that Country Music lovers would especially flock to Cowboy. While I’m not a C/W fan, I am a fan of Ms. Stalling's book!


On Friday, I asked about your most recent book. So today, I thought I'd ask you about your favorite music stylings. I like to listen to worship music or 80s disco when I'm not writing. But when I am writing, I prefer movie soundtracks and classical. NEVER prefer C&W. I promise I AM from Texas!


Blessings!

News, Reviews, Previews!

Found some great articles by Tamela Murray, Staci Stallings, Camy Tang, and Melissa K. Norris!

This past week, I had some more milestones with my new goals for ROW 80 and an introductory Vlog.

Monday - Goals for the next 80 days both in writing and life.
Tuesday - An introductory Vlog for the A2Z-Take Two Meme. It's not too late to start!
Wednesday - My first ROW80 Check-in: Journaling my Writing Journey
Thursday - Writing Tip on Ellipses
Friday - Interview with Author Dana Pratola

Next week will have a couple of milestones of it's own - I hope!

Monday - Review of Cowboy by Staci Stallings
Tuesday - A is for ... (You'll just have to visit to find out!)
Wednesday - Journaling my Writing Journey, will I have an announcement?
Thursday - Writer's Tip: Research
Friday - Randomness: Let's see what topic pops out of the hat!

This week has been a struggle to get back in the swing of things. Have you found that rough patch after the holidays? My biggest challenge is getting to bed at a decent hour so I can get up early. After the lazies of last week, that's been QUITE a challenge! What's been your biggest challenge of getting back into the groove?

Dateline: Nashville ...

News From Nashville & Beyond

(Transcribed from a television interview with "The Music Plays... World Tour" featuring opening solo artist Kalin Lane and headliner Ashton Raines, both accompanied by their wives, Beth Raines and Danae Lane.) 
N&B: First of all, welcome to you all. Thanks for sitting down with us.
Ashton: Thank you for having us.
N&B: Let's start with what it's like to be on a world tour. What cities? What are the crowds like?
Kalin: Well, for me it's been an absolute dream come true. I mean, getting invited to be here with Ashton who, let's face it is the King of Country music right now. Standing on that stage every night, hearing the fans singing my songs, cheering, in all these different countries.... it's truly amazing.
Ashton: I have to agree. I stand down there as Kalin's playing, and