Author Archives: Cecelia Dowdy

Have you ever had a long-term feud with your best friend?

If so, how long were you mad at each other? What was the feud about? Did the two of you ever make up?

When Sarah McDowell visits the exclusive women’s country club in town, she has a mission. She must reserve the club for her daughter, Kristin’s, wedding. She’s hoping she doesn’t run into her worst enemy for the last 20 years, Mary Sutton. Long ago, Sarah was a real estate agent. She borrowed her best friend’s, Mary’s, family heirloom tea set to supposedly display at a house she was showing. However, Sarah lies to Mary, the silver tea set was not used for Sarah’s showing, but, for a showing for one of Sarah’s co-workers. The tea set is stolen, and Mary has never forgiven Sarah for lying to her and mishandling her tea set.

Sarah has high hopes for her daughter’s wedding, but, when she’s told that she can’t use the country club, unless she does community service with Mary, making Christmas baskets for the needy, she gets highly upset!!

Sarah’s daughter, Noelle, was Mary’s son (Thom’s) high school sweetheart. Part of the reason Thom and Noelle broke up was because of the family feud between their mothers. Now, about ten years after that nasty breakup, Noelle is back in Rose (her hometown). It was too painful for her to return to Rose after Thom stood her up the night they were supposed to elope.

It’s Christmas, and Noelle is finally going to be spending the holiday with her family…the only problem is, the first person she runs into is Thom. Can they work through the past and heal from their pain? Thom was hurt, too, that awful night and he finds it hard to forgive Noelle for all that’s happened.

This story was extremely light Christmas reading. It was sort of pleasant, but, very predictable. I found it hard to read about the hostile animosity between Mary and Sarah. The two women were so immature that they acted like children. Acting like that for twenty years would wear me down…I’d think I’d get tired of it after awhile. I’d probably end up moving away (to avoid my enemy), or, risk having a heart attack!

I enjoyed reading the story, and I also loved the nice, whimsical Christmas atmosphere.

Many thanks to Harlequin MIRA for providing me a free review copy through Net Galley.

So, have you ever had a long-term feud with your best friend?

If so, how long were you mad at each other? What was the feud about? Did the two of you ever make up?

I feel that lots of relationships – friendships and family relationships – are ruined because of money.

What kinds of things do you think ruins friendships and relationships?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Noah – Starring Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins

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You have GOT to look at the NOAH movie trailer! This movie looks awesome! I can’t wait for to be released!

NOAH Synopsis: After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise. Cast: Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson

Director: Darren Aronofsky

The Winner Of Plain Peace!

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The winner of Plain Peace is:

Ngozi Maduka – Hyattsville, MD

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Book Giveaway And Interview With Beth Wiseman – Plain Peace

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***This contest is closed!! Winner was announced here.

***U.S. Residents only, please! To enter the giveaway, you MUST READ Beth’s interview. Refer to something specific in the interview when you leave your comment! YOU MUST leave your EMAIL address in the comment, too! I need your email address to contact you if you win! If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be entered to win!!

I’m hosting Beth Wiseman on my blog today! I’m giving away a copy of her novel, Plain Peace! Beth has kindly answered these questions:

1. What influenced you to write Amish fiction? For example, were you raised near an Amish community, or, do you have Amish friends?

When I started on this journey, I didn’t know much about being Amish. But God didn’t just open a window, He flung open large doors…and in I went. I think that when you are on the right path, things happen effortlessly, and that’s the way it was when I began learning about the Plain People. I made friends easily, was invited into their homes, and six years later, I’m blessed to have some of the Amish folks on my team, helping me keep the books authentic.

2. How long were you seeking publication before you landed your first book contract?

I know that’s an easy question, but I have a complicated answer. I thought myself to be a pretty good storyteller twenty years ago. In between running a household, holding a full-time job, and raising children, I would jump on the “I want to be published” bandwagon and write. But, I kept making the same mistake. I wasn’t studying the craft of writing. Just like a piano player must practice and learn, so must a writer. I thought good stories would carry me on to publication. In 2006, I started to really get serious about publication and began to study the craft. Eventually, I snagged an agent. My big break came when Thomas Nelson bought a three-book series from this unpublished author. And I’ve been happily writing for Thomas Nelson (now under the umbrella of HarperCollins Christian Fiction) ever since. I’m starting my twentieth book.

3. Do you have any advice for other writers who would like to get their novels published?

It’s so incredibly cliché, but never give up. Those who stick it out and really learn the craft will get published. I really believe that.

4. Do you use critique partner(s)? If so, how long have you had the same critique partner(s)?

I have never had a critique partner. I tend to bounce ideas and brainstorm with a couple of non-writer friends, and that seems to work for me. I’m a seat of the pants writer. I don’t outline or even like to talk too much about my plots with anyone—until I get hung up on something. Then I have those ‘go to’ people whom I trust.

5. I notice your last two releases, plus your current project, are set in small Texas towns. Why did you decide to set your most recent works in Texas?

I live in a small town in Texas, and it’s quiet and peaceful—most of the time, lol. I have a sign in my kitchen that reads In a small town, there ain’t much to see, but what you hear sure makes up for it. Everyone knows everyone in a small town. And that often makes for a fun story.

6. What’s a typical writing day like for you?

I know most authors would say that there is not a ‘typical’ day in this business. But I’m structured enough that I like to think I have a typical day lined out, at least some of the time. I like to get out of bed around 6:30. Then I have to take care of all my animals. I have a diabetic cat who needs an insulin shot, a dog with Lupus and she needs a pill, another dog with arthritis and he needs two pills. Then there are the four goats and two pot-bellied pigs that have to be fed. I am terrified of birds, so the feeding of the roosters falls on Hubby’s list. I am keeping my son’s Boxer while he works in Singapore for a year, and Harley does not get along with my other dogs, so I have to move everyone around for her to go outside and potty. Eventually, I get around to coffee. Always two cups.

I have a lovely office that is my special space, and I usually check emails and try to take care of any administrative stuff before I dive into writing. I write until about 11 a.m., then tend to break for an early lunch. In the afternoons, I write from about 1 to 5 p.m. Then I start dinner. I try really hard not to work in the evenings but it happens.

And EVERYTHING I’ve mentioned above is subject to change because of a deadline, editor request, the publicist needs something, Agent calls, and so on… But most days are great days no matter how they are laid out. I’m super blessed.

Thanks so much for being on my blog, Beth!

Please leave a comment for the giveaway – and remember the rules – refer to something specific in the interview so that I’ll know you’ve read it!

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber

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The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever dated somebody you met on the internet? If so, what happened?

Jenna is a nice practical gal. She’s works hard for her boss as a secretary – she’s also in love with her boss. However, her boss doesn’t share the same feelings for her. He only thinks of Jenna as his faithful, reliable, conscientious secretary. Jenna takes matters into her hands – she meets Dalton Gray on the internet in a poetry chat room. She ends up quitting her job, traveling to Alaska to meet Dalton, but, when he doesn’t show up at their appointed time, she panics, and ends up traveling elsewhere with a man named Reid.

I didn’t like this book as much as Macomber’s other books. It may be because it was written ten years ago, and perhaps Macomber’s stories changed drastically over the last decade. I kinda felt that it was a watered down version of her recent release, Starry Night. I loved Starry Night! The Snow Bride had the following similarities to Starry Night:

The hero’s name in Starry Night was Finn Dalton. The guy whom Jenna meets from the internet in The Snow Bride is Dalton Gray.

The setting of Alaska was used.

Bush pilot was used.

The hero in the Snow Bride, Reid, has trouble trusting women since he was abandoned by his mom when he was little. Finn in Starry Night has a similar hang-up.

Reid and Jenna were stranded in his cabin because of a snowstorm, just like Finn and Carrie were stranded in Starry Night.

Jenna and Reid pass the time away by playing cribbage and talking about their hang-ups – just like Carrie and Finn.

Those are just a few of the similarities, but I’m sure I noticed others. One thing I thought was kinda weird – the town where Reid lives, Snowbound, only has a population of six people?? There’s only one woman in the town, Reid’s sister, Lucy. Lucy is pregnant and she flies to Fairbanks each month to do womanly things. I just couldn’t imagine a town like that existing in modern times? It sounded more like a historical setting? This six-person town had a diner and a general store. I just wondered if such towns really existed in Alaska? I’ll need to Google it and see!

So, have you ever dated somebody you met on the internet? If so, what happened?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Ted Dekker’s Outlaw Tour

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Have you ever met and had your picture taken with a famous author? If so, who?

I attended Ted Dekker’s Outlaw Tour last night in Washington D.C. It kinda reminded me of a church service – a church service where you have a guest speaker giving the sermon. He talked about growing up in Indonesia among cannibals when he was a child. He also talked about the violent games he played with other children. He then mentioned going to boarding school, being separated from the rest of his family. He then mentioned how your physical appearance is not the real you. Our bodies are nothing more than costumes and we’re all spiritual beings and Christ lives in all of us. It’s something that we seem to forget because we’re blinded by…stuff.

We seem to measure our worth by how much money we make, what others think about our clothes, how many pounds we lose/how much we weigh, etc. Nothing wrong with doing this, but, we need to remember that Christ is a part of all of us.

He quoted some scriptures, one was John 17:20-26

²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

²⁴“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

As he gave the message, he showed a few videos.

Afterwards, he signed books and you could take pictures with Ted. His assistant, Kevin Kaiser, took the pictures. I hesitated about taking the pic – I’m not much of a picture taker. But, minutes before my turn, I decided to have my pic taken with him and I had my copy of Outlaw signed.

I saw others chatting with Ted when they got their books signed, but, I honestly didn’t have anything to say. I was hungry, ready to leave and get my dinner and go home. The line was kinda long so I had to wait some time to get my book signed. When I came forward, I handed Ted my book to sign, he said. “Cecelia.” Pause. I guess since I remained silent, he said, “Is this the first book of mine that you’ve gotten?”

I said with a smile, “No, I’ve read several of your books.”

He signed it, and then his assistant said, “Let’s take the picture. Get real close.” We posed, I got my picture taken, and that was it! 🙂

So, have you ever met and had your picture taken with a famous author? If so, who?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Sunday Brunch – Is Baptism Required For Salvation?

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Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos by Phaitoon

Is baptism is necessary for salvation?

As I’ve mentioned on this blog before, I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. I was never baptized into that faith, but, I recall that most members, when they’d been raised in that faith, would choose to be baptized when they were in their early to mid or late teens. They were baptized by immersion – usually at a JW convention or assembly.

While I was in my twenties, I started attending an AME church. During the alter call, when I came forward, I told the usher that I wanted to join the church and I wanted to become baptized. The usher wrote down the names of all of those who’d come forward, and why they’d come forward, and relayed this information to the pastor. When the pastor stated my name, the first thing he said was: “She’s not saved. She’s come forward to join the church and to become baptized.”

I cringed when I heard those words. So, since I had not yet been baptized, I was not saved? The pastor’s statement bothered me for a long time. It bothered me because, in my heart, I felt I was saved because I’d accepted Jesus. I believed he was the Son of God, He was God, and He came to earth to save mankind – all we needed to do was accept His gift of salvation. I really believed this in my heart, and the fact that I’d not yet been baptized… well, if I’d died that night, before my baptism the following Sunday, I truly believed I’d go to heaven.

When I mentioned to my co-worker that I’d be getting baptized, she was shocked. She said adults shouldn’t be baptized, I should’ve been baptized as a baby. She said all babies should be baptized. I kindly pointed out to her that not all churches baptized babies. Some churches wait until you’re old enough to have an idea about what you’re doing. A baby doesn’t have a concept of salvation, and, in the Bible, it’s never mentioned about babies being baptized – does a baby know how to repent? She seemed puzzled by my words and said that the Bible was written by men, but, in her heart, she felt babies should be baptized.

I was sprinkled in the AME church, not immersed. I joined a new church several years later, and that’s when I was immersed. That’s the way I felt, in my heart, that I really needed to be baptized, but, I don’t think my actions affected my salvation – but, I just wanted to do it.

I believe once you’ve accepted Jesus, you should become baptized, as an outward profession of your faith. However, if you’re not baptized, I feel that you’re still saved. For example, if you’ve accepted Jesus, and while you’re driving, on your way to get baptized, and you’re killed in a car accident – I still think you’re saved and will go to heaven.

Do you think that baptism is necessary for salvation? What were you taught about baptism when you were growing up? Do you remember any details about your baptismal day?

Please leave a comment!

Bittersweet Memories

~Cecelia Dowdy~

^{Matthew 3:13-17}

¹³Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

¹⁵Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

¹⁶As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, who

“because [fn] they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”[1 Peter 3:20-21] – See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-about-baptism.html#sthash.4qyfohEu.dpuf

m I love; with him I am well

pleased.”

1 Peter 3:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Traces Of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

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Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

Has a nun ever impacted your life?

When a young, beautiful woman awakens in a doctor’s office, she’s stunned and confused. Suffering from amnesia, she can’t remember her name, where she’s from, or what she looks like. She spends time with the kind doctor until he finds a home for her with a group of nuns. The nuns grant her the name Mercy because of the Mercy medallion she wears around her neck.

Although Mercy stays with the nuns, she wonders about her background. When she meets Rand Prescott, her life changes. However, how can she move forward with her life when she knows nothing about her past?

Rand is smitten with beautiful Mercy. Since she suffers from amnesia, he wonders if she’s married, perhaps a family is around, searching for her.

Mercy gains knowledge of a deep, dark secret about herself. It’s hard to accept this knowledge about her life….what will Rand think when he finds out the truth about her past?

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a great historical novel and the unusual storyline really drew me in. I really wanted to see what happened to Mercy since she didn’t know about her past. She writes in a journal, hoping that by doing so, it may be a catalyst to help her to remember her past. This journal turns out to be a major catalyst in the novel.

I also enjoyed reading about Mercy’s time with the nuns. I’ve never known a nun personally. Everything I know about nuns is what’s portrayed in books and movies.

Many thanks to publisher David C. Cook and NetGalley for providing me with a free review copy.

So, has a nun ever impacted your life? If so, tell me more about it. How old were you when you when a nun played a part in your life?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Stand-In Wife by Debbie Macomber

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Stand-In Wife – book 2 of The Manning Brides Series by Debbie Macomber

If your sibling died, could you marry his/her spouse?

In Stand-In Wife, Leah Baker’s sister, Diane, dies. Diane leaves behind her husband, Paul, and three small children. Paul struggles to care for his family while working full-time. Leah steps in, helping whenever she can. Leah finally decides to quit her job and move in with Paul and his family. She wants to do this because she wants to care for her sister’s children. Since their mother is gone, they are struggling to adjust to their lives without their mom.

However, Leah and Paul are attracted to one another. Is it wrong for them to feel this way? After all, Paul was Diane’s husband, and Paul loved Diane. As a matter of fact, everybody loved Diane. Diane was a beautiful outgoing woman and Leah recalled that Diane was always favored by their mother. Plain, intelligent Leah always took a backseat to her beautiful, vivacious sister. Could Paul realistically love Leah, when he was also in love with Leah’s beautiful sister, Diane?

I really enjoyed this book. This story showed how people can struggle with romantic feelings which inadvertently result from the death of a spouse. Also, I really felt for Leah – it’s so sad for a woman to grow up, playing second fiddle to their sibling. Growing up like that would certainly create emotional scars, and Leah struggled with how Diane had been favored by their mom.

Like most of Macomber’s books, this is a clean, sweet romance and I found it to be highly appealing and realistic. I loved seeing the bond developing between Leah and the children.

So, if your brother or sister died, could you imagine yourself marrying his/her spouse? Would you feel guilty for having romantic feelings toward your deceased sibling’s husband/wife?

~Cecelia Dowdy~