Yearly Archives: 2008

Got Milk???

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My field trip was EXTREMELY helpful. If it’s possible to do research via the actual location, instead of ONLY using the internet, then do it! I acquired a great deal of knowledge from a very hospitable dairy farmer in North East Maryland. He answered all my questions, and I even milked a cow!

I’m not used to this farming life, though! That stench sure is strong, but the cows are lovely! Running a dairy farm is a lot of hard work since those cows are on a schedule!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Deadline Looming…

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My blog entries may be somewhat infrequent over the next week. I have a deadline of May 19th looming on the horizon.

I’m very tired as I sit here typing this blog entry, sipping my coffee at 5:30 AM. I’m trying to get some writing done before my family awakens. I usually sleep a bit later on Saturdays, but I had to get up this morning because of the imposing deadline!

Also, I’m going on a field trip to a small family dairy farm that’s located near my parents’ house (about one and a half hours away from where I live). It’s a research trip for the book I’m working on. I should have done this awhile ago, but I was struggling to make deadline number one, so now I’ll need to make the trip before deadline number two…

I was watching something interesting last night on 20/20. It was a story about a woman who forgets NOTHING! Her mind is like a video camera and she remembers practically every day of her life since she was about 11? Amazing! I’ve always been told I had a great memory (although my mind has faltered somewhat since I had a child). But my mind isn’t nearly as massive as this woman’s as far as memories go!

Jeez!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Margaret’s Quest by Muncy Chapman

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Margaret’s Quest by Muncy Chapman

Publisher: Heartsong Presents

ISBN: 9781577485421

Binding: Mass Market

I’m giving this book away. Check this link for details.
From Heartsong Presents website:
In 1836, Savannah debutante Margaret Porter travels by schooner to the wild, unsettled Florida Territory, and learns that her fiance’ has been killed in a fierce conflict between the army and Seminole Indians. Margaret is befriended by shipboard acqaintance Mikal Lee, who helps her launch a millenery business in Apalachicola, a flourishing seaport. Margaret’s business soars. Mikal tries to open Margaret’s heart to the loving care of the God whom Margaret feels has deserted her. Will she find her fulfillment in the wealth that the dashing Harry Robards is anxious to give her, or will her quest lead to a Christ-centered life with Mikal Lee?

I really enjoyed this novel! I received it years ago back when I was a member of the Heartsong Presents book club for the first time. I just never got around to reading it until recently. The book is set in historical Florida territory, and when Margaret sets upon a journey, against her father’s wishes, to surprisingly meet her fiancé, her emotions are shattered when she discovers her man is no longer alive! While aboard the ship to Florida, Margaret meets handsome Mikal, a very strong Christian. Mikal has deep feelings for Margaret, however, he knows it’s a sin to be unequally yoked with a non-believer. Mikal also feels that he’s married to his life at sea, and he doesn’t want to burden a bride with his recurring trips upon the ocean.
When Margaret finds herself alone, no longer receiving support from her father, she matures, learning to be self-sufficient. In order to pay for her room and board, she sells her stash of bonnets to the women in the wild Florida territory. Bonnets, hats, and colorful/festive material are in demand in the barren land and soon Margaret cuts her dresses, eager to make bonnets to fill the demands of these women while she makes a living.
When tensions rise in the Florida territory, Mikal takes Margaret away to a new town where he sets her up in a millinery shop. As business partners, their love grows, however, Mikal still loves the sea, and Margaret still needs to accept the Lord in order for them to have a chance at love!
This book has been re-released in a Barbour Florida anthology. This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author and it’s a good one!
~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher

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The Perfect Life by Robin Lee Hatcher
Paperback: 302 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 5, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595541489
ISBN-13: 978-1595541482

Product Description – from Amazon.com

Katherine Clarkson has the perfect life. Married to Brad, a loving and handsome husband, respected in their church and the community. Two grown daughters on the verge of starting families of their own. A thriving ministry. Good friends. A comfortable life.

She has it all–until the day a reporter appears with shocking allegations. Splashed across the local news are accusations of Brad’s financial impropriety at his foundation and worse, an affair with a former employee. Without warning, Katherine’s marriage is shattered and her family torn apart. The reassuring words she’s spoken to many brokenhearted women over the years offer little comfort now.

Her world spinning, Katherine wonders if she can find the truth in the chaos that consumes her. How can she survive the loss of what she thought was the perfect life?

For those interested. I’m giving away this novel.

Robin Lee is one of my favorite authors. One thing she did in this book, which I wasn’t used to seeing her do in other novels, was use the first person point of view for one of the characters. If you read this book, I highly recommend you finish it. Something happens at the end that surprises you, making you stop and wonder when people are accused of something, whom should you believe is telling the truth? The subject of adultery is dealt with in this novel, however, based upon the outcome, I feel that it’s dealt with in a very different, yet believable manner. This book was a good, quick read. I read it on the plane while I was on my way home from Chicago!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

My Book Is Out…Officially!!

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My book officially went on sale today, May 1, 2008! It’s listed on the Heartsong Presents website: heartsongpresents.com

The price is only $2.97 + shipping! Also, if I understand correctly, you can order several books for the same shipping cost! You can always order mulitiple copies for your friends or church members, or, you can order some other Heartsong Presents titles in addition to mine! 🙂

You can order one of two ways:

Simply place a call to the following phone number:
(740) 922 7280

Tell them you want to order Heartsong Presents title #794 entitled John’s Quest.

Or, if you prefer, simply print this order form and order my novel:

http://www.heartsongpresents.com/download/pdf/order-form.pdf

Enjoy! Also, I love hearing from readers! Feel free to let me know if you enjoyed the book!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Christy Award Nominees!

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I’d like to congratulate the following 2008 Christy Award Nominees:

CONTEMPORARY (STAND ALONE)

♦

Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson)

♦

In High Places by Tom Morrisey (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing

Group)

♦

Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson (Thomas Nelson)

CONTEMPORARY (SERIES, SEQUELS, AND NOVELLAS)

♦

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon (Viking Penguin)

♦

A Time to Mend by Sally John and Gary Smalley (Thomas Nelson)

♦

What Lies Within by Karen Ball (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL

♦

Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of
Baker

Publishing Group)

♦

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing

Group)

♦

Tendering in the Storm by Jane Kirkpatrick (WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing

Group)

LITS (four nominees due to a tie)

♦

Doesn’t She Look Natural by Angela Elwell Hunt (Tyndale House
Publishers)

♦

Hallie’s Heart by Shelly Beach (Kregel Publications)

♦

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Group)

♦

Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck (Avon Inspire, a division of
HarperCollins

Publishers)

ROMANCE

♦

Lightning and Lace by DiAnn Mills (Barbour Publishing)

♦

Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney (Howard Books, a division of Simon
and

Schuster)

♦

Remembered by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing

Group)

SUSPENSE

♦

The Cure by Athol Dickson (Bethany House, a division of Baker
Publishing Group)

♦

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay (Moody Publishers)

♦

The Pawn by Steven James (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

VISIONARY

♦

Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Group)

♦

The Restorer by Sharon Hinck (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson)

FIRST NOVEL

♦

Auralia’s Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing
Group)

♦

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (Revell, a division of Baker
Publishing Group)

YOUNG ADULT

♦

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

In Between by Jenny B.Jones (NavPress Publishing Group)

♦

Maggie Come Lately by Michelle Buckman (NavPress Publishing Group)