Guest Post - Anne Baxter Campbell

Sermonette: Grace

Something my daughter-in-law, Tawnya McMorris, put on her Facebook timeline yesterday struck me. It's a quote from Paul David Tripp.

What does it look like when women extend grace to everyone they come in contact with? I can't even imagine, but that's what I want to be. Colossians 3:12-17 "No one gives grace more tenderly than the one who knows they desperately need it."

That's the kind of person I want to be.

I'd say it applies to men as well, wouldn't you?

So what exactly is grace, anyway? Someone a long time ago called it God's Riches At Christ's Expense--G R A C E.

Forgiveness--undeserved, sometimes even unasked. A smile for someone without one. A hug for tears. Food for the hungry. A home for an orphan, education for children, a clean well for a village. A friend to the sick. Freedom to the addicted. Grace.

God gave the best He had for us to gain the thing we need the most, whatever that is. Only God knows for sure what you need. It might not be what you want, but trust Him. He knows exactly what GRACE you need.

Blessings on you, my friends. May you have the best of weeks you've ever had.

Guest Post - Mark Venturini

I’m sure most of us have that one special place in our lives. It may be a timeshare on the beach or on the ski slopes. Maybe it’s the farm or the hunting cabin, or that special inn tucked away in the mountains. Heck, it may even be Time Square on New Years Eve or just your own porch in the cool of the evening.

For many years, my family has been blessed to own a cottage along the Allegheny River, roughly 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh PA. I grew up there, as did my children. Now a new generation is enjoying cookouts with family and friends, long boat rides, and sleepovers, hotdogs and s'mores cooked over a fire.

For me, my special place extends out a bit further to include a special time. As I post this, summer is a memory in my little corner of the world and fall is winding down. Our cottage is closed up for the season, as are most of the other homes on the river. The boat is in winter storage. The boat dock is on dry land.

This is my special time in my special place.

Now there is quiet in my special place as leaves turn and float to the ground. The water is still as glass. The boats and skiers and wave runners are a memory. No music blares from nearby camps. Now I hear turkey and coyotes calling in the distance.

Life is too hectic. There are too many distractions. I need this special time in my special place. I need to bundle up against the cold and take long walks with just my dog and my thoughts and my Lord. I need to watch the sun set over tranquil waters. Sometimes this is the only place and time where the world makes any sense to me. How about you? Where's your special place? Care to share?

Guest Post - Adrienne Woods

Adrienne Woods tells us about her writing process:

It took me three years to write Firebolt of the Dragonian Series. I have about nine drafts of Firebolt.

The story of Elena and the dragons took me an entire week to see everything in my mind. It took me three more weeks to see the entire series. The first book, Firebolt, took me about a month to write. I couldn’t stop. Then I changed some scenes, so I rewrote it a second time to make sure that everything fit perfectly. I always rewrite, because I’ve read many novels where they just changed the mistakes and then you have two versions of plots that played out differently. No joke. I’ve seen it in some novels, good novels.

With the second draft I sent it, as is, to four beta readers. People I don’t know because they didn’t have a reason not to be blunt and tell me what they found wrong with it. This was purely to find out if the layout of the story and how everything was moving forward worked or not. I asked them to concentrate on boring scenes, scenes that felt a bit out of the story, like it didn’t belong, and scenes that didn’t sound realistic.

After they came back to me, I changed whatever they didn’t like, leaving me with draft number three. Then I met a writing group and all of them helped me with my grammar, sentence structure, writing mechanics, etc. I never knew any of those little points existed in writing until I met this group, leaving me with draft four.

Draft five came with a book I read about Self Copy Editing for Fictional Writers, written by King and Brown. They told me about the showing vs. telling, something I still struggle with, and again the mechanics when it comes to dialogue; sentences that aren’t necessary and other mistakes of that type. So I edited, took out, revised, and changed scenes that slowed down my story. I’ve got to add, that this book should be on every writer’s shelf.

Developing draft six, was when I sent it out to two new beta readers. They were also strangers, and this time I asked them to concentrate on everything.

Draft seven emerged from their thoughts and I took it back to my writing group, and that is where draft eight was born.

Draft nine came with my editor, Hillery, which changed my novel from about 89,000 to 94,000 words.

Her input came mostly through descriptions she felt lack of meat. (As I call it) That went to two beta readers, and two proof readers. The final product will be released on November 20th of 2013.

I’ve read this novel about eighty times, no lie. My opening chapter changed four times. Every time I read it, I found one or two mistakes. Don’t ever think you can do it without help. The reason why I had so many beta readers is because once you read the novel, and fix it’s mistakes, you are already too close to the manuscript. That is why I had two proof readers revise after my manuscript was edited by Hillery. There will always be a mistake here and there. I’ve seen it in bestselling novels, and to catch all the mistakes, you need a team of people not just one. So next time you’re writing a novel, keep in mind, not everyone out there wants to steal your work, some of them really want to help you.

Kind Wishes,
Adrienne Woods.

Firebolt Book 1 of The Dragonian Series by Adrienne Woods

Title: Firebolt
Series: The Dragonian Series Book One
Author: Adrienne Woods
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: GMTA  Publishing – Mythos Press
Date of Publication: 20th November 2013
ISBN: 13: 978-1491244654
Number of pages: 289
Word Count: 95 000
Cover Artist: Mary Park and Kitty Bullard

Book Description

Dragons. Right. Teenage girls don't believe in fairy tales, and sixteen-year-old Elena Watkins was no different.
Until the night a fairy tale killed her father.

Now Elena is in a new world, and a new school. The cutest guy around may be an evil dragon, a prince wants Elena's heart, and a long dead sorcerer may be waking up to kill her. Oh and the only way Elena's going to graduate is on the back of a dragon of her own.

Teenage girls don't believe in fairy tales. Now it's time for Elena to believe in...herself.

Author Bio:

I was born and raised in South Africa, where I still live with my husband, and two beautiful little girls. I always knew that I was going to be a writer but it only started to happen about four years ago, now I can’t stop writing.

In my free time, If I get any because Moms don’t really have free time, I love to spend time with friends, if it’s a girls night out, or just a movie, I’m a very chilled person.

My writing career is starting with Firebolt, book one with the Dragonian Series, there will be four books in total and two to three books that is about the stories taking place inside The Dragonian Series.

I do write in different Genres, I have a woman’s fiction called the Pregnancy Diaries, but it would be published under another name. And then I have a paranormal series, called the Watercress series. There are about ten novels in that one.
So, plenty of novels to come out, so little time.

I hope you are going to embrace the Dragonian Series as much as I loved writing them.

Connect with Adrienne

Blog http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dragonian-Series/301375039891281
Twitter: erichb3
Goodreads: Adrienne Woods
Google+: Adrienne Woods

Tour Dates

Firebolt Book 1 Dragonian Series by Adrienne Woods

Monday the 9^th of December: From the Land of Empyrean
http://empyricaltales.blogspot.com  Spotlight and Guest Post with Mark

Tuesday the 10^th of December: Deborah Jay
http://deborahjayauthor.com/ Excerpt and Spotlight with Deborah

Wednesday the 11th of December: Fantasy Ultimate
http://www.fantasy-ultimate.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Grace

 Friday the 13^th December: Book Lovers Paradise
http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com  Spotlight with Donna

Monday the 16^th December: Have You Heard Book Review
http://haveyouheardbookreview.blogspot.com/  Spotlight and Guest post with Melanie

Wednesday the 18^th December: Cherese Vines Charming Words
www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpress.com   

Friday the 20^th December: Paperback Hero Aaron
http://paperbackheroaaron.blogspot.com/   Spotlight and Guest post with Aaron

Monday 23^rd December: Indie Author How To
http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com   Spotlight and guestpost with Kisha

Tuesday 24^th  December: One Saga The
www.theonesaga.com  Spotlight and Interview with Matthew

 Thursday 27^th December. Crossroad Reviews
http://www.crossroadreviews.com

Friday 28^th December: Reading in Twilight
http://readingintwilight.blogspot.com  Spotlight with Julianna

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Guest Post - Amber Schamel

How Veggie Tales Inspired a Biblical Novella

It was a summer evening, I was in the kitchen making dinner while my little siblings (for some odd reason) were watching The Toy That Saved Christmas, a Veggie-Tales movie. My publisher had asked me to write a Christmas story and I was deep in thought wondering what I should write when I suddenly tuned in to what was playing on the screen.

Grandpa George was reading a scripture to Bob, Larry and Buzz-saw Louie. "And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in baby clothes and laid him in a manger."

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute, the passage didn't say baby clothes. In the King James it says swaddling clothes. That got me to thinking, what exactly are swaddling clothes? Are they just baby clothes? Or is there another meaning to them?

I looked up the passage in Luke chapter two and noted that it was mentioned not only once, but twice that Mary wrapped her first-born son in swaddling clothes. So I began my research.

I found out that swaddling clothes did not necessarily mean that Mary and Joseph were poor or destitute. Swaddling clothes were used by people of all classes to wrap a newborn in hopes that it would help their limbs grow straight, as well as calm the babe. But if swaddling clothes were so common during that era, why was it specifically mentioned as a sign to the shepherds of who the Messiah would be? So I searched some more.

Another source said that in the eastern countries they would use a cloth to put between the yoke of an ox, and the ox's shoulders. When Mary and Joseph were in the barn, they had nothing else to use, so they used this ox's cloth that was translated as swaddling cloth to wrap the Messiah that would carry the yoke of our sin and bondage.

 Many hours and websites later, I emerged armed with a ton of information, four different theories, and a story forming inside my head. So, I guess you could say that my new book The Swaddling Clothes was inspired by a Veggie Tales movie.

The things that inspire people, or give them an idea is very interesting to me.

What are some odd things that have given you an idea or inspiration?

The Swaddling Clothes Synopsis:

Through the ages, many stories have been told about Mary, Joseph and the birth of the Messiah. Stories of shepherds and sheep, kings, angels, and stables. But there is one story that has never been told. One story that has remained hidden in the fabric of time. The story of The Swaddling Clothes.

Mentioned not once, but several times in the Scriptural text, what is the significance of these special cloths? And how did they make their way into a stable in Bethlehem? From the author that brought you the Days of Messiah series comes a whole new adventure critics are calling "intriguing...thought provoking... a fresh twist on an age old story."

"I get tired of Bible stories sometimes, but The Swaddling Clothes brings the story to life."

"Heartwarming...truly inspired. A story you will want to read again and again. Rich details and a suspenseful plot will keep you reading while giving you a glimpse of God's wonderful power and His amazing love."

 Amber Schamel is a multi-published author of Christian Historical Fiction. Her passion for history and culture has led her to travel extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land. Amber is actively involved in her church and enjoys volunteer work and music ministry.  Raised in a family of twelve children and homeschooled throughout her education, she currently resides in the beautiful state of Colorado where she also serves as bookkeeper and marketing director for their family businesses. Find Amber on her blog, or on all the main social media sites.

http://amberschamel.com/
Blog: http://www.stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel
Twitter: @AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/

Guest Post - Debbie Brown

Author Debbie Brown shares a little of what she's learned about Blog Tour Etiquette:

If you are thinking of putting together a blog tour, then there are several points to consider. If you are going to be hosted on a blog, and not necessarily as part of a tour, then you should have a brief discussion with the one hosting you.

Here are some suggestions for a successful book blog tour

1) It is not necessary to post ALL info about the book/author, but a picture of the book should be a minimum, with a blurb, teaser or excerpt to inform blog readers about it. (Post the links to where an interested reader can find more info).

2) Reviews;

        -having the blog host read and review is important. If is not your genre, either respectfully decline or be objective. Keep in mind that we are here to promote the book/author.

        -posting the review before or after hosting the book will create curiosity and add visibility.

        -If you are hosting, you probably should have read the book BEFORE you blog about it.

3) Vary blogs;

        -By respecting a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 (blogs with higher number of followers vs newer blogs with fewer followers) not only gets the book out there but also helps the newer or lesser known blogs gain some visibility.

4) Book Genre compatibility with blog genre…

       -Ex: I write YA, so having my book on an erotica blog is far from a good match. And no, I am not exaggerating, this happens more than you can imagine.

5) Have the blog of the day post a link to the next blog on the tour to allow readers to follow the book through the whole tour.

6) BEFORE the blog tour starts, schedule a 15-30 min open chat or exchange where all participants can ask/answer questions, (even a feed on Goodreads or other, but so everyone can discuss ideas and be on the same page).

7) Be creative, check out other blogs that have hosted and remember to have fun. I was surprised when I saw this interview posted. I was the one to answer the questions, but the way she worded them on her blog was as though we were chatting. It was a nice change from the copy-and-paste I had expected. Take a look: http://xxdaydreamer21xx.blogspot.com/2012/03/amethyst-eyes-by-debbie-brown-author.html

8) On the tour date, DO NOT post anything else but the book you are hosting, do not overshadow the post. It defeats the purpose of promoting someone if you can’t easily find them.

9) If you do not like the book, discuss with the moderator of the blog tour. You might like to withdraw and be part of another tour. You do not have to like the book, but the idea of giving bad publicity is not the purpose of the tour.

10) If the book is filled with mistakes or is an all-around ‘bad book’, (it happens) by having read it in advance, the moderator and author can be contacted, the book could be declined for the book tour. Just as the integrity of the author is to be respected, so is that of the blog site.

Media Kit for Amethyst eyes
Title: Amethyst Eyes
Author: Debbie Brown
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Length: 242 pages
Release Date: November 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1493513284
Imprint: Mythos Press

The biggest thing on 15-year-old Tommy's mind is convincing Mom to let him go to the drive-in, but when an accident claims his mother's life and puts him in the hospital, the arrival of his estranged, alien father brings more changes than he had bargained for. It doesn't take his father long to figure out that Tommy knows nothing about who or what he is. Without any explanation, Tommy finds himself onboard his father's spaceship where he is forced to trust a man he does not know in a world he knows even less about.

Adapting to his new life seems overwhelming, and his father's solution may prove to be Tommy's finest challenge yet...Jayden. A few months younger than Tommy, high strung and always in a mood, the doctor's daughter definitely didn't like being 'told' to help Tommy fit in. Jayden is not the most welcoming or patient of tutors, let alone a friend. As fate would have it, Tommy quickly learns that none of these things compare to the peril that comes from being born with amethyst eyes.

Links to purchase:

Amazon - http://amzn.to/1aFo6lp

Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/1eULr76

About the Author:

Over the years I have worked as a nurse, a school teacher, a martial arts instructor, baseball, figure-skating and gymnastics coach as well as an artist, selling my paintings in an art gallery. I have been part of an orchestra, flown planes and gone on wilderness hikes. I am an officer in the Canadian Forces, and though I have taught on different military bases, for now I work primarily with cadets. Writing full time is my next goal.

Here is where you can connect with Debbie

http://amethysteyesauthor.blogspot.ca/

http://welcometomywritingworld.weebly.com/

https://twitter.com/amethysteyes01

Amethyst Eyes Tour Dates:

 Tuesday the 3^rd of December Fantasy Ultimatehttp://www.fantasy-ultimate.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Grace

Thursday the 5th December: From the Land of Empyreanhttp://empyricaltales.blogspot.com Spotlight 

Tuesday the 10th December: Indie Author: How To
http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com  Spotlight and Guest post with Kisha

Wednesday the 11^th December: Deborah Jay
http://deborahjayauthor.com/  Excerpt and Spotlight with Deborah

Thursday the 12^th December: The One Saga
www.theonesaga.com Spotlight and Interview with Matthew

Friday the 13^th December: Paperback Hero Aaron
http://paperbackheroaaron.blogspot.com/  Spotlight and Guest post with Aaron

Wednesday 18th December: The Dragonian Series
http://thedragonianseries.blogspot.com Spotlight with Adrienne

Thursday 19^th December: Donna
http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com Spotlight With Donna

Tuesday the 24^th December: Crossroad Reviews
http://www.crossroadreviews.com Spotlight with Jessica

Thursday the 26^st December: Have You Heard Book Review
http://haveyouheardbookreview.blogspot.com/ Spotlight and Guest post with Melanie

Tuesday the 31st December:  Adrienne Woods
http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com Review and Spotlight


GIVEAWAY!!!!

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Helping Hands Press Bonus

A WORD FROM HELPING HANDS PRESS, THE PUBLISHERS OF Amazon Top 100 AUTHORS SARAH PRICE AND WHOOPIE PIE PAM JARRELL’S #1 BEST-SELLING STORY- The Divine Sisterhood of the Whoopie Pie Sisters Trilogy.

Hi,

We would like to thank all of the wonderful readers that have purchased, read and reviewed Book I and Book II of the #1 Best–Selling Trilogy The Divine Sisterhood of The Whoopee Pie Sisters by Amazon Top 100 authors Sarah Price and Whoopie Pie Pam Jarrell.

Good news about the Trilogy!

The price of Book II was originally $1.99 but has just been lowered to $.99.

Here is the Amazon Kindle link: http://amzn.to/16YxGT2

Anyone that has purchased Book II at the $1.99 price is welcome to come to the Helping Hands Press Facebook page, message us there, and we will be happy to send you some amazing stories to compensate you for the price reduction.

The Helping Hands Press Facebook Page link is : https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsPress

Remember: there is only one dynamic author duo named Sarah Price and Whoopie Pie Pam Jarrell and there is only one original series named The Divine Sisterhood of The Whoopie Pie Sisters. 

Accept no imitations!

Interview with Dinosaur George Blasing

Part One

I currently have a young reader picture book available from Dinosaur George Media and co-authored with "Dinosaur George" Blasing. It is my great privilege to call him friend first and co-author second. He is kind and generous. His dedication to children and education is exceptional. Whew! Got all the flattery out of the way up front. Now I can get into the embarrassing stuff. If you don't already know George, I hit him with the hard questions in this interview.

MM: I know this one is a high priority. For anybody that follows you on Facebook, we know you have a "rocky" history with an un-named Ex-Wife and her mother. Can we get intimate for a moment? What inspires these jokes? Have you ever been married?

DG: Ah, my famous mothers in law jokes are truly classics. LOL. I’ve been married twice, but I am not married any longer. Honestly, both of my ex-wives and ex-mothers-in-law were the nicest people you could meet. I have a very good relationship with all of them and I don’t have anything bad to say about them at all. I just like telling jokes about them because it makes people laugh. My biggest worry is that one day they’ll read my jokes and come hunting for me.

MM: That is something I've noticed about you. You definitely like to laugh. That must come from spending all day with hundreds of kids. I wonder what a day with Dinosaur George would be like?

DG: I think people would be surprised to find out that I am actually very quiet when I’m not performing in front of an audience. I don’t like being in large crowds and I stay away from big public events, like sporting events, concerts, etc. I feel like I give all of my energy when I’m speaking to the public, and so I really need some down time to myself to rest up. When I’m off, I often do things by myself just so I don’t have to have a conversation with anyone. I’ve performed live to well over 2 million people in my career, and I would rather speak to a huge crowd instead of a small group. But once I am finished performing, I like going to my hotel room and not going out to see the sights or hang out with friends. It’s such the opposite of what people expect.

MM: Funny that you say "when you are off". It seems that you are constantly working. You are always heading to a school or library. It is apparent that kids and their education are very important to you. When you do get a few seconds of alone time, what do you like to do?

DG: I have three favorite things to do when I’m not working. First, I like to go fishing. I have loved fishing since I was very young, and my favorite place to go is the Texas coast. I like fishing in the ocean. Second, I like to go to my family ranch and look at the wildlife. I study modern animals so that I can learn how they behave in nature. Not only do I find this very relaxing, but it gives me insight into how prehistoric animals may have behaved. And third, I like to go fossil hunting! I’ve had the chance to dig for fossils all over North America. I really like looking for dinosaur bones, but I also like looking for prehistoric mammals too. It is so awesome when you find something cool, like a tooth or claw. Maybe someday you can join me in a fossil hunt. Maybe we’ll find a Tyrannosaurus!

MM: Some people might think that fossil hunting is the only thing a paleontologist does. However, you also consider yourself an educator. Each provides its own challenges. What do you consider particularly challenging?

DG: The most challenging part of my job is convincing some children that some of the things they see on television or on line are not scientifically accurate. The Jurassic Park movies were very exciting and looked quite realistic, but unfortunately they included a lot of things that were not accurate. For instance, Velociraptors were depicted as being taller than a human, when in fact they were actually smaller than a large dog. It’s sometimes difficult to explain to young children that the movie was wrong. A book of fiction, like ours, is made for fun. But we work very hard to insure that the information about the dinosaurs is as scientifically accurate as possible. 

MM: Since you mentioned the book (the first of many), let's switch focus. Our first book together is called Ask DG. It is a young reader, which means it is ideal for ages 5 to 10. The concept is based on your YouTube series, Ask Dinosaur George. It is non-fiction and presented in a straight forward question and answer format. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you. It's not everyday that an author gets to write with one of his heroes. It was also a distinct pleasure for me to include some illustrations by my son, Zak. He is an incredibly talented young man (all bias aside). Looking at Ask DG the picture book, what do you want to accomplish with it?

DG: I started the “Ask DG” page of my website about 15 years ago because I wanted young people, or anyone for that matter, to be able to ask questions that they might otherwise not be able to get answered. It started off with a handful of people mailing me letters. I would sit down and answer every single letter I received. But soon it became impossible to answer so many letters, so I began to post their questions and my answers on my website. As word spread about my willingness to answer any and all questions, I began to receive hundreds of questions every month. So then I started filming my answers, because it was easier than emailing my answers. Now I receive as many as 1000 questions a month. I wish I could answer every one, but it’s just not possible. But I hope that by answering their questions, it will encourage people to continue to study paleontology.

MM: It definitely does that. I see it as another opportunity to share your knowledge. It is also a lot of fun to create. 

Both the paperback and eBook are available exclusively on Amazon. Readers can get the eBook at this link:

http://amzn.to/18T6hmx

Starting November 22nd, Ask DG will be a Kindle Countdown Deal. On Friday, you will be able to get it for ONLY 99 Cents, but that special price only lasts for 35 hours. Then it goes up to $1.99. Finally at midnight on Sunday, back to the usual $2.99 (which is still a great deal!). Put it on your calendar, or get it today.

Dinosaur George and I had such a great time with this interview that it won't all fit in this one post. Subscribe to my blog by so you don't miss Part Two. Up at that top left, you can "Follow by Email".

Also, be sure to connect with us on Facebook:

Mark Miller Author

Dinosaur George

Illustration by Zak Miller - Dyoplosaurus Giganteus skull

as seen in Ask DG Volume One