Sunday, May 1, 2011


Home in the Woods ~ Thomas Cole (Hudson River School)

Dwellings

Welcome to Dwellings, where the Cross and Quill come together to create a sampler of faith, folklore, and New York's early history. Please be sure to check the links for more information about early American life and colonial history, too.

Each month, one of the beautiful paintings done by an artist of the Hudson River School will be featured on the Dwellings blog.

The Hudson River School was a nineteenth century American Art Movement made up of landscape painters influenced by romanticism and luminism.

Thomas Cole was considered the founder of the group, when, in the autumn of 1825 he took a trip up the Hudson River to the Catskill Mountains, and inspired by the breathtaking colors in nature, painted the first landscapes of the area. Cole's friend, Asher Durand, soon joined him in developing the movement.

After Cole's death in 1848, a "second generation" of painters carried on Cole's vision, depicting not only the matchless beauty of the Catskills and Adirondacks, but the rest of America.

These masterpieces, created by such artists as Cole, Cropsey, Durand, Church and others, are based on a combination of their deep faith in God, respect for the stewardship of the land, and an awe of the wild beauty and majesty of this country.

Not only were the members of the Hudson River School founders of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, but their movement encouraged wilderness preservation and inspired the establishment of national and city parks throughout the country.

The Hudson River School of painters shared a reverence for America's natural beauty as God's creation with writers such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Fenimore Cooper, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Dwellings also presents books by Christian authors who are led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set in America's past; exciting tales of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage.

If you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider new monthly releases in inspirational historical fiction found here--the kind that take you on a journey into our country's past (from early colonial times through the American Revolution) and illuminate the trials, beauty and blessings of those early days -- and its people as they forged ahead in building our great nation.

By Cross and Quill

This week it's my pleasure to interview Louise Gouge, an historical writer I like to think of as the American "Jane Austen"--at least her writing 'voice' reminds me of Jane! Louise is here to offer some insights about her writing journey, and her latest releases for 2011. The first, a story set in the Florida colony, is called At the Captain's Command.

Title: At the Captain's Command
Author: Louise Gouge
Publisher: Love Inspired Historical




~When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

In 1984 when my children were in middle and high school, I decided to start writing down the stories that had churned around in my mind since I was a child. Before that, my fantasies had been my own private world to escape to just for fun. At a friend’s suggestion (well, really, she shoved me, thank you, Pat Bickers), I wrote down my most recent fantasy. I expected it to be a short story, but it grew into two novels.

~How did you prepare? College courses? Workshops? Books on Craft?

Once I finished those novels, I wanted to see if they were worthy of being published, so I returned to college to take a creative writing class. That grew into a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, and later I expanded my worldview by earning a master’s degree in liberal studies. I started attending the Florida Christian Writers Conference, and later joined American Christian Fiction Writers and attended its conferences.

While I’m glad I earned my degrees, I learned more about contemporary writing styles at the conferences and through ACFW than I ever did in college. If you read my first published books or my master’s thesis novel, Ahab’s Bride (David C. Cook 2004), you can see the difference in style from my subsequent books. One thing I would suggest, though, is that new writers should work hard to grasp grammar rules. I believe a writer must know the rules before breaking them for the sake of story and style. This is another thing that ACFW can help with.

~Why do you enjoy writing historicals? (and anything more you want to add to this--anything special about time/settings etc.)

I always like to joke that I prefer to live in the past. Actually, I always loved movies set in times gone by, the so-called costume dramas or comedies. Who can account for tastes? One thing I’m certain of is that I admire the high moral standards of the past. Not the prejudices, of course, or the cruel social structures. But then, those provide wonderful conflict for my characters. History is a high hill from which we can see both the progress and the failures of humankind. No one would want to see us revert to the days when a man could beat his wife with impunity or people could own slaves. But our culture would do well to reclaim a strong sense of decency and morality that held societies together in the past.

~Do you have other work besides writing; and if so, how do you manage to balance both?

Yes, and this is where those college degrees come in handy. I am a part time college instructor teaching English composition and humanities. I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays and write on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Somehow it all works out. That is, until I have to grade a stack of essays or research papers. To do right by my students, I have to be diligent in my grading. It’s not always easy, especially when students today don’t always grasp those grammar rules I spoke of above.

~How many years/stories did you write before the first one was accepted? (and by who?)

Okay, please don’t throw bricks at me, but those first two books were published after I spruced them up after getting that creative writing degree. Once There Was a Way Back Home and The Homecoming were published by Crossway Books in 1994 and 1998 respectively. They’re out of print now, but I may e-pub them one day in the future after I bring them up to date. So far, only two books I’ve written have failed to find a publisher, but I’m not giving up on them because I truly believe in both stories.

~What's your next book/release date we can look forward to?

My current release is At the Captain’s Command (April 2011), the third book in my Revolutionary War trilogy about the Moberly siblings, the offspring of a British earl who is a member of George III’s Privy Council. ATCC tells the story of the earl’s third son, Thomas Moberly, a captain in His Majesty’s Royal Navy, who falls in love with a Dinah Templeton, a colonial miss who is loyal to the Crown.

My next book is a novella, The Gentleman Takes a Bride in the anthology The Wedding Season (June 2011), both from Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historicals. It moves into the Regency era when Elizabeth Moberly, Thomas and Dinah’s youngest daughter, reaches marriageable age determined to marry a peer (an aristocrat with a title). Then she meets Philip Lindsey, an untitled gentleman who has just interrupted Elizabeth’s dear cousin’s wedding with some scandalous news...




At the Captain's Command, Love Inspired Historical, April 2011 - RT 4-Star Review

The Gentleman Takes a Bride, in The Wedding Season, LIH, June 2011

The Captain's Lady, Love Inspired Historical, March 2010 - RT 4-Star Review

Thank you for stopping in, Louise, and Blessings on your future writing endeavors! Louise has graciously offered a giveaway of At the Captain's Command, so be sure to leave a comment with your e-mail address. More information about Louise and her books can be found at her address below:

Louise M. Gouge-- http://blog.Louisemgouge.com


Have we spent too much time in the reality of the here and now, and forgotten our ideals, both personal and national? The early artists and writers of this nation once dwelt on this country's ideals; so with the help of God, let us do the same. Let us make every attempt to dwell on our ideals. ~Pat Iacuzzi~




"May the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: may the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Num.6:25-26 (KJV)

Sunday, April 17, 2011



"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8

Welcome to Dwellings.

A blog that hi-lights authors from the world of Christian Publishing, Dwellings features books by Christian writers led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set all over the world, in the distant past....or perhaps in a vision of the future.

They are exciting stories of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage. Occasionally you may find non-fiction books as well, so if you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider the new monthly releases in books found here.

And let us know if you've read any of the books featured on Dwellings, you have a review to offer, or just found it an interesting spot to visit. (If you leave your e-mail address, you'll be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway if its available that week, so visit often!)

Blessings to everyone as we draw closer to the Celebration of Christ's Resurrection. Please enjoy the video hi-lighting the beautiful work of talented artist Ron Dicianni who captures the very moment of our Lord's Victory over Death. Praise God!

And this week, I also have the pleasure of interviewing another gifted author writing for the Lord....Susan Page Davis who will tell us about her new releases--yes, that's plural!--and something about her writing life....

Also, I wanted to let everyone know that Susan is giving away a copy of Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island. I've included a 15.00 Barnes and Noble gift card, and Godiva chocolate as a special gift this week for our drawing winner. (Please add your e-mail to your comment.)

Now for our interview with Susan Page Davis....



When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always loved writing stories. I’m not sure I ever had a moment of deciding I wanted that as a career. It always seemed out of reach. I fell into nonfiction writing, and when I realized I had a fiction story to tell, it began to look possible.

How did you prepare? College courses? Workshops? Books on Craft?

I never took any fiction writing classes, but I did study writing books and magazines and attended workshops when I could. Joining a writers’ group and attending a conference were huge steps for me. My biggest preparation was writing. I wrote several full length books before I sold one.

Why do you enjoy writing historicals? (and anything more you want to add to this--anything special about time/settings etc.?)

I love getting an in-depth look at life in another time. So many fascinating things happened in the past, and I have the power to pick my characters up and plunk them down in any moment in time, in any place I want them. I also find some comfort in knowing the general outcome—this side will win the war; the colony will survive; the frontier will be tamed.

For Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island, I visited the island and did research in the archives at Charlottetown. I was able to read old newspaper accounts of the Prince’s visit, and to see the rooms where they held a ball and other events for him. I loved the trip and would go back anytime.

Do you have other work besides writing; and if so, how do you manage to balance both?

I quit my part time day job about five years ago, when I saw that my fiction was earning more than my news work.

How many years/stories did you write before the first one was accepted?

About four years and maybe 14 books. No joke. Although I did have several short stories published in national magazines during that time.

What's your next book/release date we can look forward to? (And maybe a quick sentence or two of what it's about to whet our appetites? :)

Captive Trail will release Sept. 1—It’s about a young woman who spent 12 years as a captive of the Comanche, set in Texas, 1857, the year the Butterfield Overland Mail began service through Texas. This is part of the Texas Trails series, from Moody Publishers, in which three of us will write two books each. Darlene Franklin’s Lone Star Trail is first, then Captive Trail, then Vickie McDonough’s The Long Trail Home. Three more books will release in spring, 2012.

I also just put two short, humorous detective stories in a collection on Kindle. It’s called Mailbox Mayhem: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RYWOB8 The title story was originally published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine.

Readers can find me at my Website: www.susanpagedavis.com

Title:LFY in Prince Edward Island
Author: Susan Page Davis
Publisher: Summerside Press



Prince Edward Island pulls out all the stops to prepare for the visit of Prince Albert Edward (Queen Victoria’s son, later King Edward VII) in 1860. Molly Orland, a farmer’s daughter, is hired as a housemaid at the governor’s mansion, where the prince and his entourage will stay. Peter Stark is sent ahead of the royal party to ensure the arrangements are in order. Though Peter and Molly are attracted to each other, there seems to be no future for them, since Peter must soon leave with his master, the Earl of Washburn, and Molly will lose her job if discovered to be engaging in a flirtation with one of the visitors. However, Molly’s family harbors a secret that connects her family to Washburn’s. Can she and Peter overcome the past and set right a sixty-year-old wrong?

Title:Captive Trail
Author: Susan Page Davis
Publisher: Moody Publishers



Mailbox Mayhem
(Kindle)



Thanks for stopping in--and because Jesus died for us all, may God richly bless you as you celebrate His Resurrection!

Sunday, March 20, 2011



Welcome to Dwellings.

A blog that hi-lights authors from the world of Christian Publishing, Dwellings features books by Christian writers led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set all over the world, in the distant past....or perhaps in a vision of the future.

They are exciting stories of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage. Occasionally you may find non-fiction books as well, so if you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider the new monthly releases in books found here.

And let us know if you've read any of the books featured on Dwellings, you have a review to offer, or just found it an interesting spot to visit. (If you leave your e-mail address, you'll be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway if its available that week, so visit often!)

Now, this week it's my pleasure to hi-light Tyndale House author C.J.Darlington and her latest release, the stand-alone sequel to "Thicker than Blood": "Bound By Guilt".



C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, "Thicker Than Blood". She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before co-founding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her Web site at www.cjdarlington.com.


Title: Bound by Guilt
Author: C.J. Darlington
Publisher:Tyndale House

Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?






I hope you've found your stop at Dwellings informative and enjoyable. C.J. has graciously offered a giveaway of ""Bound By Guilt"" for a drawing winner--please leave a comment with your e-mail to be included.

I hope this interview has somehow piqued your curiosity. Whether fiction or non-fiction, take the time to read a good book. Well-crafted and enjoyable stories like these are testimonies that I pray may may resonate, and nudge us once more to turn to God, the True Author of our Salvation--and His Word. Blessings!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011



Welcome to Dwellings.

A blog that hi-lights authors from the world of Christian Publishing, Dwellings features books by Christian writers led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set all over the world, in the distant past....or perhaps in a vision of the future.

They are exciting stories of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage. Occasionally you may find non-fiction books as well, so if you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider the new monthly releases in books found here.

And let us know if you've read any of the books featured on Dwellings, you have a review to offer, or just found it an interesting spot to visit. (If you leave your e-mail address, you'll be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway if its available that week, so visit often!)


This week, I'm presenting an article written by critique partner, Hope Church member, and dear friend, Sue LeDoux. Sue enjoys writing devotions, articles for churches, and inspirational publications. The article that follows was written for Shema Yisrael, a Messianic Jewish Temple in our community, to illustrate the Jewish High Holidays celebrated there in the Fall of 2010.("Jewish High Holidays" used with permission of "The Good News")


I hope you enjoy reading about the ancient spiritual traditions of the Jews, how they illustrate their relationship with God, and imagine if you will, how our Lord Jesus, a Jew himself, would have celebrated those holidays....

Jewish High Holidays at Shema Yisrael
Susan LeDoux


Most Christians know that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are Jewish holidays. However, those celebrations, along with Kol Nidre and Sukkot, constitute an entire season designed by God to bring his people through a period of cleansing and joy.

Rosh Hashanah: Sound the Shofar!

On Thursday, September 9th, Scott Cassity lifted the hollow ram’s horn and blew the four shofar calls. The tekiah was one blare, a call to awaken. The shevarim, with three short blasts, a petition for relief. The teruah served as a battle cry. Finally, the tekiah gedolah represented the last trumpet call and was held for an amazing length of time.

With the calls of the Shofar, the Messianic congregation of Shema Yisrael began the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on the first day of Tishri, the 7th month in the Jewish calendar. For centuries, these blasts have served as God’s alarm clock, awakening his people from spiritual slumber to ask: am I right with God? What do I need to change so my name will be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year?

The “ten days of awe” that begin with Rosh Hashana and end with Yom Kippur are a special time for people to search for those human iniquities that lie hidden because of ignorance of God’s word, denial, or deception by Satan.

The Rosh Hashanah celebration continued with Davidic dancing; every step a prayer as the dancers floated in and out of their circle. The Torah was brought forth and carried joyfully around the congregation. Rabbi Jim Appel opened the Torah scroll, penned with vowel-less script on lambskin parchment, and proclaimed the Word of God in Hebrew and English.

He reflected that education was imperative to ancient Jews because they had to memorize the entire scroll. Scripture in book form did not exist. This explains how the Apostles and disciples could preach scripture without written texts, so profoundly throughout the known world.

Donita Painter shared the story of Hannah when “her desperation (for a child) caused her to commit herself and her family in such a deep way that it aligned with God’s purposes.” Referring to Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have in mind for you…” Donita reflected that God is working in the background for His people and His people need to trust him in faith, obedience and patience. “Always be ready to give a reasoned answer to explain our hope in Christ and what He does in our individual lives,” she declared.

A reception followed the service and preceded the Tashlich, the ceremony of throwing bread, representing sins, into a stream to be carried away “as far as the east is from the west.”

Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur

Kol Nidre is observed on the eve of Yom Kippur. On that evening, people ask God for forgiveness for any vows to Him that they made and broke, including vows made under persecution.

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement for the sins of the past year. Man can never meet God’s perfect standards. With justice and mercy, God established the sacrificial system through Moses, whereby sins are covered with sacrificial blood. In the days of the temple, the high priest sacrificed two goats. He poured the blood of one goat on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant and he sent the other goat into the wilderness, carrying all the sins of the people. The word “kippur” means “covering” of sins; hence the Day of Atonement is called Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Jim explained that the required bloody animal sacrifice has not been possible since the temple was destroyed. Instead, non-Messianic Jews hope that prayer, fasting, good works, and seeking forgiveness will lead to atonement. Messianic Jews realize that the blood atonement has been achieved by Jesus’ death on the Cross. Hence, while confessing sins and asking for forgiveness, there is joy in their Yom Kippur observance.

He made distinctions between the words that mean breaking God’s law. Iniquities are not actual sins, but rather, a state of being, a carnal nature. A sin is missing the mark, falling short of God’s standard. A transgression is an intentional, unlawful, offensive act. Rabbi Jim explained that iniquities hamper one’s walk with God, keep one from bearing fruit and even reap corruption in the flesh with diseases like hypertension and ulcers. The iniquity of bitterness, especially, carries harmful spirits such as unforgiveness, resentment, anger, hatred, violence, even murder. Additionally, the spirit of not forgiving God or self breeds a sense of shame. Therefore, “Today is a day of freedom. Receive the power of Jesus’ sacrifice to cleanse consciences of shame and remorse,” he declared.

Sukkot

Sukkot, following Yom Kippur, is a seven day period celebrating the harvest as well as God’s forgiveness. Also called Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles, it is a reminder of the time of wandering in the dessert, living in tents and following God in a cloud or a pillar of fire. In anticipation of a second harvest, the temple priest would pour water on the altar as he circled it 7 times in supplication for rain. A lulav of freshly cut branches and palm fronds would be fashioned together and joyfully waved about.

Shema Yisrael congregation built a sukkah (tent dwelling) on their lawn. It stood, a three sided, decorated lean-to made with lattice panels… a lovely invitation to stop and rest. After the service inside, the entire congregation followed the Torah as a member carried it around the sukkah while people joyfully waved palm fronds and the lulav.

Rabbi Jim reflected that the four feasts, Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, complete a cycle from sorrow to joy. For those who believe in Jeshua, the joy is greater because of the certainty that he has separated his people from their sins as “far and the east is from the west.”

Scott Cassity Blowing the Shofar




Davidic Dancing on Rosh Hashanah




Decorated Sukkah




Carrying the Torah around the Sukkah




Carrying the Torah Through the Congregation




Thanks, Sue, for offering your article on the Jewish High Holidays--they were very informative; and I loved finding our more about how "Jeshua" would have celebrated traditions that have not changed for thousands of years!


Author of the Week, Jill Eileen Smith
Title:"Bathsheba""
Publisher: Revell



Jill Eileen Smith is the best-selling author of Michal and Abigail, books one and two in The Wives of King David series. She has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has gathered acclaim in several contests. Her research into the lives of David's wives has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.

When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family; in person, over the webcam, or hopping a plane to fly across the country. She can often be found reading Christian fiction, testing new recipes, grabbing lunch with friends, or snuggling one or both of her two adorable cats. She lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Jill has offered to answer some interview questions so we can find out more about her writing life.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve been writing or talking about writing for years, even in my teens, but it didn’t really click with me that I wanted to be a published author until I co-taught a Bible study on King David’s life. That study made me want to read a biblical novel about him that would take me there. I couldn’t find one that satisfied, so I decided to write the book I wanted to read. The desire to see the work in print didn’t come until I had written the first two-volume epic, which really did not deserve to see the light of day. But it was where I began to learn the craft, and the desire to be a writer took hold.


How did you prepare? College courses? Workshops? Books on Craft?

I took some online courses, read books on craft, took workshops at conferences, read fiction voraciously, and just wrote and wrote and wrote.

Were you writing fiction before you got published?

Yes.

How many years/stories did you write before the first one was accepted?

I wrote on and off for twenty years (in the midst of homeschooling three sons), and completed around eight full-length novels before the first one sold.

Why do you enjoy writing Biblical historicals? (and anything more you want to add to this--anything special about characters/time/events or locale etc.)

I love the Bible. I love Jesus and hunger to know Him more. I love the people God has immortalized in Scripture. But I did not always feel this way. The Bible did not come to life for me until I read Two From Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. When I shut the pages of that book, which I read every Christmas during my teen years, I thought, “these people were real!” And I have loved biblical fiction ever since. I hope my stories do the same for my readers.

I also love Israel, the people, the land, even the geography! Any details I can find fascinate me. Ancient history is where I live in my dreams. 

What's your next book/release date we can look forward to? (Maybe a quick sentence or two of what it's about to whet our appetites? :)

The book that just came out is Bathsheba, the final book in The Wives of King David series.




Can love triumph over treachery?
Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her husband away fighting the king’s wars, she battles encroaching loneliness–making it frighteningly easy to succumb to the advances of King David. Will one night of unbridled passion destroy everything she holds dear? Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God—and David—forever?
With a historian’s sharp eye for detail and a novelist’s creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David’s most famous—and infamous—wife. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.

Following are some reviews by well-known authors for "Bathsheba"

“Thoroughly engrossing. Jill Eileen Smith receives my highest recommendation as an author of biblical fiction.”—Kim Vogel Sawyer, award-winning author of "My Heart Remembers"

Bathsheba is Jill Eileen Smith’s finest work to date. It vividly portrays the devastation caused by selfish passion and betrayal, and the incredible blessing of repentance and restoration through God’s grace.”—Jill Stengl, award-winning author of "Wisconsin Brides".

“This well-researched and beautifully crafted story will resonate in your heart and mind long after you’ve read the final page. An excellent read with a message that transcends time.”—Judith Miller, author of the "Daughters of Amana" series.


Next year, around this time, look for "Sarai", book one in The Wives of the Patriarchs series. She made a vow to bear him a son—what lengths will she go to keep it?

It sounds exciting, Jill! Thank you for stopping by Dwellings and sharing with us. Jill has graciously offered a giveaway of "Bathsheba" for a drawing winner--please leave a comment with your e-mail to be included.

I hope this interview has somehow piqued your curiosity; especially if you're struggling with illness, financial, or relational problems. Whether fiction or non-fiction, well-crafted and enjoyable stories like these are testimonies that nudge us once more to turn to God, the True Author of our Salvation--and His Word. Blessings!

Sunday, February 20, 2011



Welcome to Dwellings.

A blog that hi-lights authors from the world of Christian Publishing, Dwellings features books by Christian writers led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set all over the world, in the distant past....or perhaps in a vision of the future.

They are exciting stories of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage. Occasionally you may find non-fiction books as well, so if you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider the new monthly releases in books found here.

And let us know if you've read any of the books featured on Dwellings, you have a review to offer, or just found it an interesting spot to visit. (If you leave your e-mail address, you'll be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway if its available that week, so visit often!)

This week, the spot light is on:"Love Amid the Ashes" by Mesu Andrews







Title: Love Amid the Ashes

Author: Mesu Andrews
Publisher: Revell

Unfortunately there is not a giveaway for this book, but we we welcome comments about "Love Amid the Ashes", or about this blog.

Readers often think of Job sitting on the ash heap, his life in shambles. But how did he get there? What was Job's life like before tragedy struck? What did he think as his world came crashing down around him? And what was life like after God restored his wealth, health, and family? Through painstaking research and a writer's creative mind, Mesu Andrews weaves an emotional and stirring account of this well-known story told through the eyes of the women who loved him. Drawing together the account of Job with those of Esau's tribe and Jacob's daughter Dinah, Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.),

Mesu has graciously stopped in to answer a few questions about how her writing career got underway...



How did you prepare to be a writer? College courses? Workshops? Books on Craft?

I had attended two previous writers’ conferences, and was attending Mt. Hermon’s Writers’ Conference when I met my editor. In fact, I was involved in Gayle Roper’s intense mentoring clinic and realized that the proposal I had submitted for critique was WOEFULLY flawed! Before Gayle’s clinic, I didn’t even know what POV was! After a full week of Gayle’s instruction, I promised extensive changes, and my editor agreed to look at my full manuscript. The only other training I’ve received is through ACFW’s monthly courses (which are fabulous) and by reading in my own genre.


Were you writing fiction before you got published?

I had no intention of writing fiction! My passion was Bible studies and devotionals. However, when I tried to get my first manuscript published (on the Song of Songs), an agent said, “I couldn’t sell a Bible study on The Song of Songs if it was written by Billy Graham!” They were definitely not interested in trying to sell one by a novice author! A very good (and persistent) friend convinced me that the only way to teach my Bible study on that Scripture was to write the fictional story I’d been sharing at retreats to illustrate Christ’s love. The fiction was never the goal. It was the tool. But now that I’m writing fiction, I love it!!!

How many years/stories did you write before the first one was accepted?

I first attempted to write "Sacred Song" in novel form way back in 2001. It was AWFUL! I spent my first writers’ conference in tears. One agent was so offended by the chapter I chose for my proposal, she yelled at me and called me everything but a heretic. Two editors told me I’d better stick with speaking at retreats. I went home and tucked the manuscript into a drawer and started writing devotionals. The discipline of writing and sharing those devotionals with a consistently growing audience prepared me to write better fiction seven years later. I began to apply the fictional principles of story to my devotional introductions, and they became quite popular.

How did you happen to pick Job (the oldest book in the Bible) to base your story on? Considering its heavy theme, did it get difficult at any time?

Revell actually contracted my Song of Solomon novel, but because Jill Eileen Smith’s Wives of King David’s Trilogy released consecutively until 2011, they didn’t want to publish my Solomon book until 2012. So they asked if I would consider writing another story while we waited. I had done a little preliminary research on other biblical novels, and both Job and Hosea intrigued me. I chose Job because of the interesting link between Job and Dinah that piqued my interest in early research. Revell graciously agreed to my suggestion. So my second book is being published first, and my first novel is actually second to be published!

Are you working on something new? (Maybe a quick sentence or two of what it's about to whet our appetites? :)

Of course! I’m hoping to introduce three more Old Testament women, who have been long overlooked or little understood. Hosea’s wife, Gomer, is the first woman I’d like to show readers more clearly. The prostitute that became a prophet’s wife to illustrate God’s love – can this be anything but a fabulous story?

Thanks for stopping in Mesu and sharing about your writing struggles. You can find out more about Mesu's personal struggles with her chronic illness, writing (and meeting those deadlines)--and leaning on the Lord's love and guidance-- on her website: www.MesuAndrews.com
Please stop in to visit; she offers an incredible witness!

I hope this interview has piqued your curiosity in some way; especially if you're struggling with illness, financial, or relational problems. It is well-written fiction like this that nudge us once more to turn to God, the True Author of our Salvation--and His Word--once again. Blessings!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011



Welcome to Dwellings.

A blog that hi-lights authors from the world of Christian Publishing, Dwellings features books by Christian writers led by the Lord to write about characters and stories set all over the world, in the distant past....or perhaps to a vision of the future.

They are exciting stories of romance, adventure and suspense, written to inspire and encourage. Occasionally you may find non-fiction books as well, so if you're looking for a book for yourself, a loved one, or those who may need an uplifting message woven through an entertaining story, please consider the new monthly releases in books found here.

And let us know if you've read any of the books featured on Dwellings, you have a review to offer, or just found it an interesting spot to visit. (If you leave your e-mail address, you'll be entered in a drawing for a great giveaway if its available that week, so visit often!)

This week, the spot light is on:

Title: Rhythm of Secrets
Author: Patti Lacy
Publisher: Kregel Publishing




The Rhythm of Secrets

Sheila Alexander loves a son she doesn't know and a husband who doesn't know her. When that son, a disillusioned and love-sick Vietnam vet, comes knocking, Sheila must risk her present and future to save her son. Will she break her rhythm of secrets at the expense of her pastor husband and his church? Classical music, (found under THE MUSIC link on Patti's website:www.pattilacy.com) is entwined with the story of a guilt-plagued pianist who has lived in New Orleans, St. Paul, and Chicago under three different names.


Patti has also graciously offered to answer some questions about her writing journey.





When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Pat, I walked in the back door in a BIG WAY! I never thought ONE MINUTE about being a writer…until years after I’d heard a life-changing story. In 2005, that Still, Small Voice whispered, write an Irishwoman’s Tale. In 2005, I signed a contract with Kregel to do just that.


How did you prepare? College courses? Workshops? Books on Craft?


I believe that we all start writing the day we pick up our first Dr. Seuss or storybook. Nancy Drew and Black Beauty helped me find my voice. That love of words prompted me to choose English as a teaching field for my university education degree. A desire to dig into novels led me to master’s work in literature. Then the hard work started. Writing. Editing. Slashing and burning. I devour craft books as well! And paid a really good freelance editor, who hacked a couple of years, I believe, off my wait for publication

Were you writing fiction before you got published?

Just embarrassing love letters and maudlin poetry.

How many years/stories did you write before the first one was accepted?

To date I’ve written four books. All four have been published or are in the process. Don’t forget that my first sentence was written when I was fifty!

I notice Rhythm of Secrets is set in the 60s. Why did you happen to choose this time period? And writing in the suspense genre? (and anything more you want to add to this about time, more exotic settings, characters etc.)


Pat, I’m kinda an iconoclast and remember with nostalgia some aspects of the 1960s. When I read Sandy’s story and saw that it took place in the 1960s, I naturally chose that era.

Thanks to some wonderful research books about WW II New Orleans, I dipped back to pick up my heroine’s early years. It took over a dozen contributors (including firemen, gardeners, cops, a Thai gentleman, a D.C. official) and tons of research materials to write this book!!!

What's your next book/release date we can look forward to? (A quick sentence or two of what it's about to whet our appetites? :)


Ooh, thanks for asking! Bethany House will publish Reclaiming Lily next fall (that is, fall of 2011). The hook, huh?

Two women. Two cultures. One child.

Xia Kai has battled million-to-one odds—and fate—to rise from the ashes of the Cultural Revolution and gain a Harvard medical degree. Yet she longs to fulfill her mother’s last wish and reunite with Lily, the precious lost Kai Fourth Daughter.

Gloria Powell, a former teacher, gained all she ever wanted when China opened its doors for her and pastor husband Andrew’s adoption of eight-year-old Joy.

A private investigator’s report signals the start of Kai’s mission to find her long-lost sister. Will a deadly secret, Gloria’s resistance, or Kai’s own pride doom her quest?
Reclaiming Lily explores issues of sacrifice, faith, and the bond between sisters not only by heritage but in Christ.

Thanks SO MUCH for allowing me to hop onto your blog with such short notice!
Blessings,
Patti


And thank you, Patti! I know that deadlines are usually imminent, so I really appreciate that you stopped by to take a moment to share. Remember, if you'd like to be in a drawing for "Rhythm of Secrets", please post a comment--(and leave your e-mail!)



"And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Ph. 4:7 KJV)