Summer Garden

What's growing in your garden this summer? Below are some shots from my garden. Would love to see yours, too!

My blueberry plant. Little Blake loved it!

My courtyard--filled with flowers. Most were grown by seed!

Gorgeous hydrangeas.

Cucumbers up front, tomatoes, strawberries, grapes in the back.

Apple tree loaded with ripe apples, pumpkins, zucchini, tomatoes.

This is why I am not getting any tomatoes to the table! My brown-eyed beauty loves tomatoes!

Author Spotlight with Kelly Long

Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We'll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.

The winner from last week's Author Spotlight with Wanda Brunstetter is Mera Weis! Please email my assistant Amy with your mailing address. (amy@litfusegroup.com)

This week Kelly Long is in the Spotlight! To win a copy of Kelly's latest book, Lilly's Wedding Quilt, leave a comment on this post!


Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?

I’ve been married for twenty-five years and have two special needs children at home…ages 13 and 10. Dealing with autism spectrum disorder and its co morbid conditions is extremely difficult. In addition, we had a family move and my mom died a few months back. It was tough to meet my deadline, but God is merciful and I asked a lot of people to pray. I’ve learned to write in ten minute snatches, and that seems to work.

And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…

I write Amish fiction for Thomas Nelson but found there was a need in the market for historical Amish fiction, so I went back to pre-Revolutionary times and did a ton of research for Arms of Love. It’s the first novel in the Amish Beginnings series while my Patch of Heaven novels will continue as well. I also enjoy doing novellas with Beth Wiseman and Kathy Fuller. Watch out for An Amish Kitchen in December 2011!

Another key passion of my heart is life applicable Bible study. To this end, I created “Novel Bible Studies” which will debut in Arms of Love. These are brief, four week Bible studies that use the novel as the launching point to make the Bible apply to everyday life. I am really excited about what readers will discover or find interesting in these teachings.

How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author? 

I started writing in nonfiction and truly dabbled with ideas for fiction…nothing more. Then, I was encouraged by a fellow author, Maggie Brendan, got an agent and just got started. It wasn’t a dream at first, but it has become one to me! I also think that part of that dream lies in the fact that I am writing in an emergent subgenre of literature, Amish fiction.

After you started writing seriously--how long was it before you were published? 

I know this sounds really bad and spoiled even, but I wrote a proposal in a week and had it sell in a week---that was Sarah’s Garden with Thomas Nelson. It was then that I learned the value of a good proposal. Here’s a little sample of a proposal from my newest series, Amish Beginnings because a lot of new authors want to know how to start a proposal:

Amish Beginnings: A Series Proposal by Kelly Long
“ Historical Amish fiction imbued with texture and breath and the rushing color of time”
Goal of Series: To provide the reader with an educated, authentic engagement with the hard won and deep roots of the Amish people which results in the seemingly “simple life” of today—and to entertain, as well as build knowledge, by bringing larger historical issues into the romance of everyday life through charged and memorable Amish loves.

Purpose: To inspire deeper thought on the teachings of Christ, particularly, surrendering as strength; and fighting the war within the self between the true meanings of faith and love, right and wrong.

Key Premise: The moral premise of the book lies in the duality of the title—The Arms of Love—love is worth fighting for and worth yielding to…

Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing? 

Inspiration or the formation of an idea in its infancy really fires my brain. I like to see the story spread out in my head, like a puzzle. It’s why I write in a non-linear fashion, which sounds weird…but I write Chapter Three then might do Chapter Nine and so on. It keeps me from becoming bored with my work. I like to write in bed…very comfy! And, I write about 3-5 hours per day.

You’ve been called both the “Deeanne Gist of Amish fiction” and the “Queen of Edgy Amish Romance.” How do these attributes mesh with your writing in reality? 


The Amish are a passionate people—passionate about the land, their families, and their faith. I try to capture some of that passion in my writing, and occasionally, that comes across in intimate kisses or warm conversation. But my goal is always to bring life to the heart of the romance as well as to remember that “…the greatest of these is love.” And, of course, I am extremely honored by the comparison to Deeanne Gist…she is amazing!

Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be?

I guess my answer would be that I had an image of the writer’s life, not as my own, but that of some older man, with a well-stocked molding library, comfortable but tattered velvet covered sitting chairs, a low fire in the grate and a pipe….Hmmm…instead I find that my books move back and forth for research that there’s no time for dust to grow, let alone mold…I have no library, just a coffee table piled high, no pipe, no velvet, and no, not a man…but my life is in full, running motion and I guess I wouldn’t change it if I could.

What are your biggest distractions? 

My biggest distractions are routine appointments…For example, it used to be fun to go to the hairdresser…now it is a BOTHER. My husband manages to look handsome and distinguished with his gray hair, but not I…so I have to go, but it’s just not a treat…proof that meeting deadlines is an all encompassing activity!


What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst? 

Best moment…putting my first book in my best friend’s hands…Worst moment…every deadline.

What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?

I like the flexibility that the job gives me to spend time with my family…Sometimes, the thing I like least is what I write and then rewrite and rewrite…

What is the role and importance of an agent?

Writer life changing, impacting knowledge, friend, secret sharer, career mover, ‘climb the mountain’ and ask the life meaning questions kind of person.

What advice would you give to new writers?

Hold your head up…and up…you are the child of the King. Keep hitting the proverbial writing ball against the wall and you’ll get it eventually…Oh, and ‘death to the muse.’

Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book. 

Grab your throat, hold you captive, riveting, soul stretching fiction. Don’t read if you don’t want to think…

What’s on the book horizon for you?

Let’s see…An Amish Wedding with Beth Wiseman and Kathy Fuller in December. Arms of Love in 2012, Threads of Grace…and An Amish Kitchen and a few more surprises!

Last question, how can readers find you and your books?

My books are at Walmart, Rite Aid, Amazon, etc…I can interact with readers on my Facebook Fans of Kelly Long page, on Amish Hearts or Amish Living.

Thank you for sharing your writing life with my bleaders! (blog + readers = bleaders)

Thank you for having me and to all the readers, thank you for your care, prayers, and minds!

Thursday on Amish Wisdom: MaryBeth Whalen and guest host Judy Christie

Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in - go here and just click on the player in the top right corner.

Don't miss Thursday's show. The wonderful Judy Christie will be guest hosting again (thanks Judy!). Her guest this week is MaryBeth Whalen. They will be talking about how we compare ourselves to others, and by doing so, complicate our lives. Should be a fascinating and personal look at how we can make our lives simpler by being content. MaryBeth's fiction book, She Makes It Look Easy (David Cook) has just released and she'll be sharing some insights inspired by that book as well as chatting with Judy about cutting back financially and learning to live within our means.

For a chance to win a copy of She Makes It Look Easy and Judy Christie's latest book just leave a comment {HERE}. Winner will be notified next week via email.

More about She Makes It Look Easy

She Makes It Look Easy is a novel for every woman who has looked at another woman's life and thought I want what she has.

Ariel Baxter has moved into the neighborhood of her dreams-and the chaos of raising three children moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood playdates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable. Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine's real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that "perfection" isn't always what it seems to be.

More about MaryBeth:


I am an NC native and love living in the south! I have been married for nineteen years to Curt and have six children ranging in age from teen to TK. Things are never dull around here! Additionally, I write for Proverbs 31 Ministries, direct She Reads, and write novels. My first novel, The Mailbox, came out in June of 2010 and my second, She Makes It Look Easy, comes out in June of 2011.
For more about MaryBeth, visit www.marybethwhalen.com.

About the co-host - Judy Christie:

Judy Christie is an author and consultant who lives in Northwest Louisiana. She writes inspirational fiction and nonfiction. Her popular Green series chronicles the goings-on in the small Louisiana town of Green and is part of Abindgon Press’s new inspirational fiction line. The third book in the Green series, The Glory of Green, released Spring 2011. It follows Gone to Green, her first novel, published in 2009, and Goodness Gracious Green, which came out in 2010. Judy is also the author of the popular Hurry Less, Worry Lessnonfiction series, published by Abingdon Press: Hurry Less, Worry Less for Families; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Work; Hurry Less, Worry Less: 10 Strategies for Living the Life You Long For; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime. Judy was a journalist for many years and is a frequent speaker at retreats and workshops. She works with clients around the country on how to slow down and enjoy each day more and how to set and meet goals. Please visit Judy's website for more, www.judychristie.com.

A Letter from Home

Dear Dad

Letter home from school...

Dear Dad,

$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.

Love,
Your $on.

A week later..... a letter from "home"

Dear Son,

I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.

Love,
Dad

Part 2: 30 New Habits, 1 New You

These 15 new habits are a continuing of yesterday's blog post, taken from an article in Curves magazine. 

16. Focus on priorities, not perfection.

For Marlene Schwartz, PhD, deputy director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, having a family dinner every night and exercising with friends three mornings a week are higher on her list than having an immaculate house. "In order to keep your sanity, you have to decide what's most important and let the rest go," she says.

17. Chew your food thoroughly.

For Denise Martin, author of Eating My Way to Heaven, thorough chewing brings out a food's flavor and helps her eat less. The practice also reduces heartburn because wellchewed food is already broken down, which means minimal stomach acids are needed for digestion.

18. Challenge your body when your spirits are low.

Six months after Bill McKibben began training to become an Olympic cross-country skier, his father was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Putting himself through the rigor of training buoyed his spirits and helped him endure the loss of his father. "There are times in life when you can't always be thinking because the thoughts are too sad," McKibben says. "That's when to push yourself hard physically and make your heart work in a different way." He encourages others to take a risk and try something that's always looked like fun. Vow to master your kid's scooter or skateboard. Sign up for a 5-K. Try a monthly basketball night with your Curves pals. "If it's something you think you might fail at, then it's a very good thing to try."

19. Spend time in nature.

Betsy Muller loves to exercise outdoors, whether she's hiking, gardening, or walking her dog. In addition to receiving vitamin D from sunlight, she feels more energized and peaceful after spending time in nature. "Mindfully connecting to the earth provides a very real sense of present-moment awareness, which is necessary for optimal productivity and focus," says Muller, who as founder of The Indigo Connection helps adults achieve their personal and professional goals.

20. Focus on the positive.

Kathy Gruver banishes negative thoughts and practices affirmation and visualization. When she can't sleep, Gruver, author of The Alternative Medicine Cabinet, tells herself, I fall asleep quickly and awake feeling refreshed. If she has a headache, she envisions a cavalry of white blood cells coming to her aid. Try a daily guided imagery exercise: Picture something pleasant (or if you have pain, visualize it as an object you can manipulate) and banish distracting thoughts. In a study of 260 chronic headache sufferers, about 22% of those who listened to guided imagery CDs 20 minutes a day reported that their aches were "much better" than before the treatment; only 8% of those who didn't listen to CDs reported improved symptoms. Find CDs at amazon.com.

21. Do basic stretches every day.

Just a few minutes of stretching can improve your flexibility and range of motion, says Mitchell. Perform the stretches you have learned at Curves at home, on your off days, and even during breaks at work. To learn more, ask your circuit coach for help.

22. Eat more natural foods.

Loading up on processed foods puts you at risk for diabetes, weight gain, and a host of other health problems, says Celia Westberry, author of Eat Yourself Younger Effortlessly. By eating more fruits, vegetables, and grains, Westberry says, she has steered clear of diabetes, despite a family history of it, and stayed at a healthy weight. She makes sure to include at least one fruit or vegetable, plus a healthy grain, at every meal and snack.

23. Live true to yourself.

One of the biggest causes of stress is trying to live in a way that's not consistent with who you are, says Dr. Peeke. Ask yourself, Am I doing what I want to do? Am I getting my needs met? Every day, run a reality check on what you've done. When it says that your actions aren't true to the kind of person you are, make sure you listen. Spend time with people and on activities that make you feel happy and challenged in a healthy way—not drained or burned-out.

24. Make time for fun.

In today's fast-paced society, it's easy to tell ourselves that we don't have time for fun. But having fun is just as beneficial as exercising and eating right, says Heavin, who counts photography among her favorite pastimes. "For years, I didn't think I had time for hobbies," she says. "Today, I try to carve time every day for an activity that I enjoy. When I'm content,I tend to be more productive in all areas of my life."

26. Prepare your own food.

No matter how busy she gets, Rodman makes cooking her own meals a priority. This helps her eat less salt and fat and ensures that she eats healthier overall. "You know exactly what goes into your food," Rodman says. "There are no surprises."

25. Read the ingredients, not just the nutrition label.

Armstrong says she always looks for short ingredient lists that don't contain partially hydrogenated oils or high-fructose corn syrup. "This makes my food choices as natural as possible," she says.

 

27. Be grateful—and say so.

Caroline Adams Miller, author of Creating Your Best Life, says she frequently writes a note of thanks to those who help her and is always scanning her environment for things to be grateful for. "Not only do I begin to feel better as a result of contemplating blessings as opposed to burdens, but I also know there is a positive surge of emotion in those who receive a note of gratitude," she says.

28. Don't beat yourself up for missteps.

When her habits are less than healthy, Meredith Terpeluk doesn't get upset. "If I get off track a little, I look at the different things that may have gotten me there," says Terpeluk, a wellness advisor and the founder of Healthy Voice. "I look at where I messed up as a tool for change, not as a stick to beat myself up with."

29. Wash your hands regularly.

For Todd Bottorff, author of 21 Things to Create a Better Life, washing hands more frequently has helped him avoid illness. He's gotten sick only once in five years, even though he has two young children and has not received a flu shot.

30. Drink lots of water.

Len Saunders, author of Keeping Kids Fit, says that not drinking his calories has helped him manage his weight. "Simply cutting out liquid candy has helped me stay more alert and energized and kept my weight within a healthy range," he says.

30 New Habits, 1 New You

You hit the circuit regularly, brush your teeth twice a day, and put low-sodium items on your weekly grocery list. But if your goal is a lifetime of good health, you'll need a few more tricks up your sleeve. We reached out to some of the healthiest individuals we know—top doctors, Olympic athletes, our very own Curves experts—and asked them to share their best daily habits. Here are 30 simple lifestyle changes to add to your repertoire. Adopt even a handful of them and your health will improve dramatically.

1. Keep a regular sleep schedule.

Donna Arand, PhD, clinical director of the Kettering Sleep Disorders Center, in Dayton, goes to bed at 10 every night and wakes up every morning between 7 and 8. "This helps condition my circadian rhythms so I'm sleepy at the same time every day," she says. "It allows me to get the full eight to nine hours of sleep I need each night."

2. Sneak healthy fats into your diet.

Foods that contain unsaturated fats may actually help lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes, says JoAnn Manson, MD, chief of the division of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston. For a snack, she eats popcorn or a handful of nuts, both of which help her feel full and resist overeating.

3. Focus when you eat.

By banning the TV, cell phone, and computer from her meals, Karen R. Koenig, LCSW, M.Ed., a psychotherapist based in Sarasota, Florida, eats less. "Dining without distraction keeps me focused on my eating behaviors and helps me really taste my food," says Koenig, author of Nice Girls Finish Fat. Being mindful at mealtime helped her gradually lose pounds and keep them off without dieting.

4. Don't overschedule.

Koenig used to say yes to every request but soon found herself stressed and exhausted. Now she says, "Let me think about it and get back to you" before she commits to anything. "This not only gives me time to consider the request but also helps me feel more in control of my life," Koenig says.

5. Keep snacks on hand.

To stave off hunger, Pamela Peeke, MD, always totes along a snack that has a balance of protein, fats, and carbs. "When you're out and about, you tend to grab and go," says Dr. Peeke, author of Body for Life for Women. "Those calories can add up and usually involve carbs that stimulate your appetite for more food." Her favorite healthy snack? A mini PB&J sandwich made with multigrain crackers, organic peanut butter, and a dab of blueberry preserves.

6. Vary your activities.To avoid exercise plateaus, Dr. Peeke says, it's important to introduce your body to new challenges. "I challenge myself by varying intensity, intervals, and workouts," she says. Taking a new class, such as Curves Circuit with Zumba, is a perfect way to wake up your muscles and recharge your metabolism. "Even working out to new music and adding some running intervals to your daily walks can change things," Dr. Peeke says. "It's all about looking for healthy fun."

7. Focus on what you can control.

"We're always told that we should strike a balance," says Diane Heavin, co-founder of Curves. "But only recently did I finally master this one! I'm more at peace than I've been in a long time, and I believe it's because I've learned how crucial it is to concentrate on what I can control. My nature is to take on the responsibility for everything and everyone. That kind of self-pressure is not only damaging to others, who need to learn to do for themselves, but also takes a toll on your own body. So now instead of trying to fix everything, I listen more and spend my time dealing with what's within my reach."

8. Cut yourself slack.

"I think we are undeniably our worst critics," says Heavin. "Tearing ourselves down and finding fault is counterproductive." Each day she uses her gratitude journal and upbeat self-talk to help her focus on the positives in her life. In addition, she says, "I don't put the demands on myself that I once did."

9. Use a measuring tape, not just a scale.

Measuring your waistline can expose your risk of heart disease, says Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. "If your waistline is larger than 35 inches, you're in the metabolic-syndrome zone," she says.

10. Plan to live healthfully.

Rather than let the day unfold, Katie Mitchell, director of exercise and research for Curves, makes plans to exercise and eat healthy snacks and meals. "I also share my plans with a friend so she can meet me for exercise and hold me accountable when I don't show up," she says.

11. Always choose the active route.

"This may mean choosing a running or walking trail with more hills, parking farther away from a destination, biking instead of driving, or simply taking a longer route to a co-worker's desk," Mitchell says.

12. Take a break from work.

Striking a balance between work and family is a priority for Nadia Rodman, RD, director of nutrition for Curves. "Even though I love my work, it can get stressful," Rodman says. "When I am not at work, my e-mail on my phone is off. I need that break from work to enjoy life."

13. Set short- and longterm goals.

When Kristin Armstrong, an elite cyclist and an arthritis sufferer, set her sights on winning Olympic gold, she knew she had to have intermediate goals to get her there. "If I didn't have a plan from year to year, month to month, and day to day, I would never have achieved what I did," says the gold medalist. "I woke up each and every day with a plan."

14. Do physical activities you enjoy.

Picking recreational activities you truly enjoy makes exercise less tedious, which means you’ll be more apt to stick with it, Armstrong says. So on your off days, experiment with things like hiking, swimming, hitting golf balls at a driving range, or participating in the new Curves Circuit with Zumba class until you discover something fun that you want to do often. “Consistency is the key to living a healthy lifestyle,”says Armstrong, who discovered that exercise could be fun when she began doing triathlons.

15. "Tune out" for energy.

Sitting still and focusing on your breathing not only calms stress but also gives you more energy. "My mind is more focused, and I get everything on my to-do list completed much easier," says Kathi Casey, a health and wellness coach who meditates every morning for 20 minutes. To start, find a relaxing spot, close your eyes, imagine a faraway place, take a few calming breaths, and just sit there for three minutes. If you stick with it, you'll be able to gradually increase the length of your sessions.

Stay tuned for tomorrow...30 New Habits, 1 New You will continue with #16-30. 

Source: 30 New Habits, 1 New You by Winnie Yu, Curves magazine, Summer 2011. 

Author Spotlight: Wanda Brunstetter

Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We'll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.

The winner from last week's Author Spotlight with Hilary Manton Lodge is Busy Julie! Please email my assistant Amy with your mailing address. (amy@litfusegroup.com)

This week is Wanda Brunstetter is in the Spotlight! To win a copy of Wanda's latest book, Inspiring Thoughts from the Simple Life, leave a comment on this post!

Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?

I’ve been married for over 40 years to my husband, Richard. We have two grown children and six grandchildren. I write fulltime from my office in our home, and my husband is a retired minister who has recently pursued his interest in Amish photography, which can now be seen on my website.

And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…

I write mostly Amish-themed novels, but I also enjoy writing some historical fiction. I’ve also written two Amish cookbooks, two Amish-themed devotionals, and nine Amish-themed children’s books.

How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?

I began writing professionally in 1981, shortly after I finished my first writing course. However, my dream to become an author really started when I was in the second grade and wrote a poem about a moth.

After you started writing seriously--how long was it before you were published?

I sold my first fiction story to a Sunday school take-home paper within the first month after I finished my first writing course. After that I sold hundreds of stories, articles, poems, puppet plays, devotionals, and some Sunday school curriculum. Then in 1997 I sold my first novel, with many more novels after that.

Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?

I don’t drink coffee, but I do enjoy a good cup of warm tea during the cold winter months. In the summer, a tall glass of iced tea can usually be found somewhere near my desk.

What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?

The biggest help for me was the writing courses I took, along with the numerous books that were recommended to me on the craft of writing. I had already begun my journey to publication when I attended my first writer’s conference, but I do feel that I benefited from attending, nonetheless.

Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be? 

When I first started writing for publication I never dreamed that I would be expected to do book signings, speaking engagements, interviews, etc. However, I find that they are all an enjoyable part of my life, just like the numerous research trips my husband and I take every year so that my novels are as accurate as possible.

What are your biggest distractions?

Phone calls, e-mails, and household chores can all become distractions.

What was one of the best moments in your career and what was one of the worst?

There have many moments that have caused me to pinch myself, but one of the biggest and most recent was being voted Author of the Year in Family Fiction’s 2011 reader’s choice contest. One of my worst moments was the first time I got an e-mail from a reader who didn’t like one of my books. Now, I understand that receiving negative e-mails and book reviews is just one more part of being a published author.

What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?

Sometimes keeping up with the demands can be hard, but there really isn’t anything I dislike about being an author. The thing I like most about being an author is the sense of joy and satisfaction it gives me whenever I hear from a reader who says that something in one of my books has given her a new sense of hope or helped her through a rough time in her life.

What advice would you give to new writers?

Make sure that you know as much as you can about the topic you have chosen to write about.

What’s on the book horizon for you?

I’m in the process of writing a stand-alone Amish-themed fiction novel that will release in the spring of 2012, and I’m also writing another Amish-themed children’s book that will release in June 2012.

Last question, how can readers find you and your books?

My books can be found at most any traditional and Christian bookstores, as well as online bookstores. More information can be obtained about me and my books at my website: www.wandabrunstetter.com

Thank you for sharing your writing life with my bleaders! (blog + readers = bleaders)

Thursday on Amish Wisdom: The Amish Nanny (Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould)

Tune in on Thursday at 4:00 pm Central! To listen in - go here and just click on the player in the top right corner.

I'm thrilled to be back on Amish Wisdom this week (A HUGE thank you to my guest host last week, the amazing Judy Christie! Judy did a wonderful job.) and to welcome Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould back to the show. These two authors have teamed up once again on the second book in the Women of Lancaster County Series. The Amish Nanny is sure to delight fans of the series which tells the stories of young Plain women as they explore their roots, connect with family, and discover true love. Tune in and leave a comment {HERE} for a chance to win a copy of their book.

“Clark and Gould succeed in developing a fascinating story while simultaneously instructing readers on the Amish lifestyle, building a strong case for Plain living within a thoroughly modern world setting.” —Publishers Weekly

More about The Amish Nanny: Amish-raised Ada Rupp knows it’s time to make a commitment to the faithand join the church, especially if she wants a future with the handsome Amish widower Will Gundy.

But when she has the chance to travel to Switzerland as the caregiver of a young child, she leaps at the opportunity.

Anxious to learn more about her forebears, Ada enlists the help of a young Mennonite scholar named Daniel, but even as she develops feelings for him, she cannot get Will from her mind—or her heart. At a crossroads, Ada must decide what she is willing to give up from the past in order to embrace her future.





More about Mindy: Mindy Starns Clark is the author of many books, which include the popular Smart Chick Mysteries, Whispers of the Bayou, Shadows of Lancaster County, and Under the Cajun Moon. In addition, Mindy’s plays and musicals have been featured in schools and churches across the United States.

Visit Mindy's website at www.mindystarnsclark.com.

More about Leslie: Leslie Gould, a former magazine editor, is the author of numerous novels, including Beyond the Blue and Garden of Dreams. She received her master of fine arts degree from Portland State University and lives in Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children.

Visit Leslie's website at www.lesliegould.com.

More about the Christy Awards

The Christy Awards banquet was emceed by New York Times best-selling author and Christy Award-winner, Liz Curtis Higgs--who is a funny, funny woman! She had done her homework, too--she had poked through every single finalists' website to glean interesting pieces of info about them. Impressive em-ceeing!

 

The keynote speaker was screenwriter, director, and New York Times best-selling author, Randall Wallace.





Randall Wallace was an ideal choice for a speaker--funny (as you'll see in the next paragraph and pix), charming, engaging, relevant, touching. It reminded me to be prayerful for Christians in the entertainment industry--they are there. 


So here's a sampling of Randall's self-deprecating humor:

I was made a producer of a television show that was in trouble - the actors was in trouble and the unhappiest of all was Miss Universe. She wasn't given much to do in this show. I went to meet her, and my plan was to walk out to the set and put on my sunglasses and say "Hi, I'm Randall Wallace" and snap the sunglasses off, then snap them back on with the hope she would be impressed. I walked up to Miss Universe and said, "I know you're unhappy, but I'll fix things. When you have a problem, you come to me and I will take care of it." Then I snapped my sunglasses back on - but I had been fidgeting wtih my tie and put my tie on over my glasses! So much for impressing Miss Universe.

Randall Wallace at his best.

Randall Wallace shared some stories about the filming of Braveheart--this one was side-splitting funny! 

I was standing in the middle of a battlefield - with about 3,000 Irishmen. They were Irish and could have a party anywhere - and suddenly Mel Gibson with his face painted blue and all 3000 men gasped. It was the first day I'd seen anything I'd written being made into a movie, and Mel Gibson transformed into William Wallace and Mel said the words I wrote: "Sons of Scotland, I'm William Wallace and I see before me free men - but what will you do with your freedom? Will you fight?" 

What was supposed to happen was one of the men was supposed to say "No!" and then Mel was supposed to say more, and finish the speech. 

However - on the first day, with 7 cameras rolling, he said his line...and when he said, "What will do with your freedom? Will you fight?" 

And all 3,000 Irish men said..."YEAH! BRING IT ON!"  

CUT!  

They forgot that what we were doing was called a MOVIE! And what's so funny - those Irish extras had played as the ENGLlSH army. 

But that's the power of Believing. And when I looks at authors, I see people who believe.

After dinner, after Randall Wallace's speech, came the awards. Each finalist had already been introduced and given a gigantic and very heavy medal. By the end of the night, everyone was drooping under its weight! Then, as the winners were announced category by category, the first line of the winning novel was read. You could hear a pin drop, then big gasps when the author recognized his/her words. Sweet!

The author of amazing historical novels, Lynn Austin, with Christy Award Executive Director Donna Kehoe. I never want to be up against Lynn Austin in a Christy...she just won her sixth or seventh Christy! 

 Just a note...I snagged an advance reader copy of  Lynn Austin's newest book, "Wonderland Creek," (Bethany House) and I can't put it down! Put it on your October reading list.

I met Beverly Lewis and her husband, Dave, a couple of times over the few days. Such a lovely, kind couple.

Tamera Alexander is a new favorite of mine--we had coffee the next morning. Loved her! 

Ted (Gothic) Dekker

Oh..this is me!

Remember the tragic blisters story from yesterday? My niece, Heather, was visiting on Sunday and I showed her my darling, evil shoes. Did I happen to mention that they had a matching red purse, too? Heather gave my shoes and purse a look, then tossed a glance at my poor blisters. "Totally worth it," she said.


So true!

Back from Atlanta!

Just got back from a couple of jam-packed, exciting days in Atlanta (there's a reason they call it Hotlanta! 105 degrees and just a wee bit humid) at the International Christian Retailer's Show at the CNN Convention Center. I loved every minute of  it--meeting new friends, connecting with my publisher and the people who get those books into readers' hands, getting acquainted with retailers, walking the floor and seeing the energy (the economy is starting to bloom, at least for the Christian book industry. Everything--seemed to be up by 20%.).

 The first night was the Baker Publishing Group dinner--I was completely starstruck! Wow...just to be in the same room as Pat Williams (whom I begged an autograph for my son. Shameless!), Beverly Lewis, Dale Cramer, Siri Mitchell, Melody Carlson, Steven James, on and on. Dazzling! (I would have loved to take pictures of everybody...but how obnoxious would that be?! Very.)


My one little mistake was that I wore brand new shoes--adorable shoes! But hoo-boy! Did I ever pay for that little piece of vanity! Huge blisters. At the start of the week!!! Grrrrr. (One week later and I'm still wearing band-aids and cringing when I put on my tennis shoes.)

Spent the next day trying not to look like I was limping along in pain. I had breakfast with blogger Mocha with Linda. Then...zoomed through the convention center. One of my favorite moments was meeting with an Old Order Amish fellow who had a booth at ICRS for his beautifully made picture frames! I hung around his booth when he didn't have customers--we talked about friends we have in common, and I asked him about some sticky points of Amish theology. I left his booth feeling the way I always do after meeting with the Amish--this lovely sense of peace and calm in the midst.

That was nice--because at the CNN center, you get news blasted at you everywhere you turn. TV monitors were everywhere, with grim looking, handwringing anchors. The television in my hotel room had six channels of CNN news! (Grrr! No Food Network!)

That evening was the Christy Awards dinner at the Hyatt Regency. Wow wow wow. Talk about feeling starstruck again. Imagine all of your favorite authors, in one room, 'putting on the ritz.' Dazzling.

The banquet was emceed by New York Times best-selling author and Christy Award-winner, Liz Curtis Higgs. The keynote speaker was screenwriter, director, and New York Times best-selling author, Randall Wallace (screenwriter of Braveheart and Secretariat and Pearl Harbor). A-MA-Z-ING speaker. 

The Waiting was a finalist for the award, and I didn't win, but I didn't expect to. I truly didn't. I felt so thrilled to be a part of the experience--being a finalist was more than enough. I already felt as if "my cup runneth over." Not sure I could have handled much more excitement--plus, it's nice to have goals to aspire to.

The next day, I attended a artist's luncheon that was FABULOUS! Emceed by Phil Vischer of Veggie Tales (who is off-the-cuff, unscripted hilarious), Peter Furler and a handful of other terrific musicians. 



Then I had a book signing--first time ever that the line wove around the Baker booth and down the hall. Might have helped that the books were given away for free! But...still...

Last thing before heading to the airport was stopping by a press conference presented by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Randy Alcorn and DiAnn Mills spoke about the importance of story. And then...the finalists for the Carol Awards were announced. The Choice is a finalist for the Carol Award in the long contemporary category. 

Another cup runneth over feeling! 

All four of my (eligible for awards that year) books with Revell have been finalists for significant awards--ones that focus on the quality of the writing. That means so much to me.   

But here's the funny part...moments after all of that razzle-dazzle, I was walking in the rain, alone, limping with blisters, schlepping my bags filled with free books from other authors, heading to the airport where my plane was endlessly delayed. 

What a picture of the writer's life!

Brief, sparkling, magical moments...immersed in a whole lot of regular ol' hard work.  


Tomorrow...more about the Christy Awards evening, including pix. Stay tuned!