SKID

I can’t wipe the silly smile off my face after reading Skid. A combination of quirky characters and an adventure in the sky makes for a fun read in the third book of the Occupational Hazards series–and I have to say this is my favorite in the series, by far. I’ll never look at flying the same way again! If you’re a writer, this is a fantastic study in POV, dialogue, and pace. Only Rene Gutteridge can bring together all these elements, throw in a pig, and come out with a memorable book to whisk her readers away into the not-so-friendly skies.

Here’s the blurb:

Blissfully unaware that Atlantica Flight 1945 from Atlanta to Amsterdam is about to make aviation history, First Officer Danny McSweeney focuses his energies on navigating the turbulent personalities of an eccentric female captain, a co-pilot with a talent for tactless comments and conspiracy theories, and a lead flight attendant with an outsized attitude that definitely exceeds the limits for carry-on baggage.

On the other side of the cockpit door, the unscheduled in-flight entertainment includes a potbellied pig, a jittery diamond courier, and the recently jilted Lucy Meredith, whose personal mantra of “What Would Oprah Do?” will be challenged by the sudden appearance of her ex and his new traveling partner. On her left sits Hank Hazard, whose unusually polite but constant requests–prompted by his covert role as a spy for the airline–test the limits of the crew’s customer service.

But as Lucy and the rest of the crew discover, Hank’s odd behavior is linked to a quiet faith that may play a key role in the fate of everyone on board. Especially when an unexpected traveler sets this already bumpy flight on a course toward the unfriendly skies.

Rene Gutteridge is the author of twelve novels, including the Boo series, the Storm series, and the novelization for The Ultimate Gift, as well as Scoop and Snitch, the first two Occupational Hazard novels. She lives with her husband, Sean, and their two children in Oklahoma City.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY!!!

A DIFFERENT KIND OF TEST

It’s been almost a year since we’ve had this one, so I thought I’d take this test again. It’s the TYPING TEST! The last nine months has brought a noticeable improvement in my typing skills. Last time around, I was at an abysmal 54 WPM–no joke. This time:

89 WPM, 1 mistake (I spelled “people” as “poeple“)

So warm up those fingers, and click here to take the test. Remember to report back with your results!

WRITER’S RUMP

Yeah, you read it right. Today I’m talking about writer’s rump. We’ve all heard that the best way to get a book written is the Butt In Chair method, meaning sit down and write until it’s written.

Well, therein lies the problem. I’m trying that today since I actually have more than a few uninterrupted hours, but I’ve discovered something about myself:

I CAN’T SIT STILL.

I’m fidgety, and even though I’m not chasing children today, I’m hopping out of my chair every few minutes just because. Then, I circle the island in the kitchen, and sit back down. Finally, I’ve gotten used to pounding out the words in snatches and I can’t do it any other way. Whatever works, I suppose. I can’t help but wonder how many words I’d write per day if I could sit still and focus.

I MUST BE FREE TO CREATE!

Okay, probably a little melodramatic, but it had to be said. =P

So what’s your biggest obstacle to writing today? C’mon friends, I know I’m not the only one!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Ruby Among Us
(WaterBrook Press May 20, 2008)
by
Tina Ann Forkner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. Originally from Oklahoma, she graduated with honors in English from CSU Sacramento before ultimately settling in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming where she now resides with her husband and their three children. Tina serves on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors and enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors with her family, and works as a full-time writer.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes, the key that unlocks your future lies in someone else’s past…

In Ruby Among Us, Lucy DiCamillo is safely surrounded by her books, music, and art─but none of these reclusive comforts or even the protective efforts of her grandmother, Kitty can shield her from the memory of the mother she can no longer remember. Lucy senses her grandmother holds the key, but Kitty seems as eager to hide from the past as Lucy is eager to find it.

From the streets of San Francisco and Sacramento, to the lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley, Lucy follows the thread of memory in search for a heritage that seems long-buried with her mother, Ruby.

What she finds is enigmatic and stirring in this redemptive tale about the power of faith and mother-daughter love.

“What an incredible story. As both mothers and daughters, Ruby Among Us struck a special cord in each of the four of us. Tina writes in a way that makes us feel like we’re there; from the first line, we were captivated and drawn into an intricate weaving of the precious and fragile relationships that define us.”
~Point of Grace~

“Reading is a passion of mine, and when I find myself identifying with the characters, anxious to get to the next page to find answers to my questions, I know I’m into a good book! The daughter-mother-grandmother theme in Ruby Among Us pulled me in. Wonderful story-telling.”
~Jordin Sparks~, 2007 winner of American Idol

“Highly recommended. If you’re a mother or daughter, you’re going to love Ruby Among Us. Forkner does an extraordinary job…. I look forward to more from this author.”
~Ane Mulligan~, Novel Journey

“Don’t miss this one! Tina Ann Forkner is a strong new voice in fiction and Ruby Among Us is an amazing story of trials, regrets, and, ultimately, redemption. Lucy and her family history in the historic wine country of Sonoma bring to life the Scriptures about the Vine and His branches.”
~Kristin Billerbeck~, author of The Trophy Wives Club

If you would like to read the first chapter go HERE

FIVE THINGS I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS WEEK:

1. Read the book of Acts since I finished John this morning.

2. Write 4 new chapters in my book. My chapters tend to be on the short side, so this is possible.

3. Exercise 3 times and run/walk/crawl at least as many miles as last week.

4. Read to babies and work on letters/numbers daily.

5. Stay on top of laundry. Lately it’s been mushrooming out of the basket.

*bonus* Cook at home–far too much eating out lately.

What’s on your list this week?

AND THE WINNER IS…

Lori! You’ve won the copy of Embrace Me, by Lisa Samson. Enjoy!

BROKEN ANGEL

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Broken Angel
(WaterBrook Press (May 20, 2008)
by
Sigmund Brouwer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen best-selling novels for children and adults. His newest book is Fuse of Armageddon and his novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC’s Good Morning America. A champion of literacy, he teaches writing workshops for students in schools from the Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Her birth was shrouded in mystery and tragedy.
Her destiny is beyond comprehension.
Her pursuers long to see her broken.
She fights to soar.

A father’s love for his daughter…a decision that would change both their lives forever. But who is she really─and why must she now run for her life?

Caitlin’s body has made her an outcast, a freak, and the target of vicious bounty hunters. As she begins a perilous journey, she is forced to seek answers for her father’s betrayal in the only things she can carry with her─a letter he passes her before forcing her to run, and their shared memories together.

Being hunted forces Caitlyn to partner with two equally lonely companions, one longing to escape the horror of factory life in Appalachia and the others, an unexpected fugitive. Together the three will fight to reach a mysterious group that might be friend or foe, where Caitlyn hopes to uncover the secrets of her past…and the destiny she must fulfill.

In the rough, shadowy hills of Appalachia, a nation carved from the United States following years of government infighting, Caitlyn and her companions are the prey in a terrifying hunt. They must outwit the relentless bounty hunters, skirt an oppressive, ever-watchful society, and find passage over the walls of Appalachia to reveal the dark secrets behind Caitlyn’s existence–and understand her father’s betrayal.

Prepare yourself to experience a chilling America of the very near future, as you discover the unforgettable secret of the Broken Angel.

In this engrossing, lightning-paced story with a post-apocalyptic edge, best-selling author Sigmund Brouwer weaves a heroic, harrowing journey through the path of a treacherous culture only one or two steps removed from our own.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE.

ETHEL MERTZ–Ode to the Sidekick

What would Lucy Ricardo be without Ethel? Think of all your comedy favorites, and then name their sidekick. Let’s face it, every setup is so much more fun with a duo. If you haven’t guessed by now, Ethel is my all-time favorite sidekick.

That’s what I’m working on today–well, all this week, if I’m honest about it. I’m developing my heroine’s sidekick. Originally I didn’t have one, and I kept feeling like something important was missing from my story. Thankfully I’m less than 100 pages in before coming to this realization.

Here are my random thoughts on what a good sidekick does, and this is by no means an exhaustive list:

*A good sidekick shows the main character what they can’t see about themselves through actions and dialogue. I think this works especially well if they have opposite personalities. Also, a good SK will tell it like she sees it. Think about it: Lucy always has a plan and is gung-ho. Ethel, on the other hand, is cautious and looks ahead to the consequences.

*A good sidekick adds to the conflict, or helps the heroine solve the conflict. Often, they are a partner in crime. Ethel may try to stay away from Lucy’s plans, but in the end she’s right there next to her.

*A good sidekick will help the main character see the motivations of others. This is especially important in first person books where the heroine can’t know or see everything for herself. Many times this will be revealed in sounding board scenes. In my books they have a tendency to be in shopping or eating scenes.

*A good sidekick rounds out the main character. They don’t upstage, but they are the proverbial wind beneath the MC’s wings.

I love the sidekicks I’ve created thus far. In Table for One, the sidekick is level-headed Dinah who tells Lucy (heroine) to quit being paranoid. Lucy then responds, “Just because I’m paranoid, doesn’t mean people aren’t out to get me.”

In Honey Do Inc., the sidekick is named Elle, and she tries to get Molly (heroine) to confront her feelings about love and men, all while trying to help Molly stay out of trouble.

Tell me about your favorite sidekicks–either TV/movie/book, or your own!

I’M CAPABLE OF RANDOM VIOLENCE?

Well, I suppose it depends on traffic. Just kidding friends, but evidently I am lightning, which is pretty cool.

You Are Lightning

Beautiful yet dangerous People will stop and watch you when you appear Even though you’re capable of random violence You are best known for: your power Your dominant state: performing

What Type of Weather Are You?

Take the quiz then come back and let us know!

EMBRACE ME

Oh. Wow. I’d have to say that Embrace Me has my vote for most inventive storyline. If you gave me a million years, my brain would never come up with such a unique tale. The characters are fascinating and so human, and their spiritual journies are raw and true to life. I’m quickly becoming a Lisa Samson fan. Parting with this book is going to be hard, but I’ll make the sacrifice. Leave your name and email in the comments, and I’ll draw on Friday.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Embrace Me

(Thomas Nelson March 4, 2008)

by

Lisa Samson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Samson is a Christy Award-winning author of 19 books, including the Women of the Faith Novel of the Year, Quaker Summer. Lisa has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as “a talented novelist who isn’t afraid to take risks.”

In Embrace Me, the latest novel by acclaimed author Lisa Samson, readers are privy to the realization that regardless of outward appearances…hideous, attractive, or even ordinary…persons are all looking for the same things: love, forgiveness, and redemption.

This story explores a world that is neither comfortable nor safe, a world that people like Valentine know all too well. Masterfully crafted by Samson and populated by her most compelling cast of characters yet. It is a tale of forgiveness that extends into all spheres of life: forgiving others, forgiving oneself, forgiving the past.

She lives in Lexinton, Kentucky, with her husband and three kids.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Biting and gentle, hard-edged and hopeful…a beautiful fable of love and power, hiding and seeking, woundedness and redemption.

When a “lizard woman,” a self-mutilating preacher, a tattooed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster…and improbably close to grace.

Valentine, due to her own drastic self-disfigurement, ahs very few friends in this world and, it appears as if she may be destined to spend the rest of her life practically alone. But life gives her one good friend, Lella, whose own handicap puts her in the same freakish category as Valentine. As part of Roland’s Wayfaring Marvel and Oddities Show, a traveling band of misfits, they seem to have found their niches in an often curiously cruel world.

Residing in a world where masks are mandatory, Valentine has a hard time removing hers, because of her disfigured face but more so because of her damaged soul. It is much easier for her to listen endlessly to different versions of a favorite song, Embraceable You, and escape reality. Yet, life has more in store for her when she meets Augustine, replete with the tattoos, dreadlocks, and his own secrets. With his arrival, Valentine’s soul takes a turn.

If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE

To get this book, click HERE.

Leave your name and email addy in the comments for a chance to win! I’ll hold the drawing on Friday.