But his death is starting to sink in now. My shock is slowly wearing off.
On the writing front, I’ve found some contest entries that I agreed to judge ages ago. After I get those submitted to the contest coordinator, I’ll go back to blogging about books, recipes and my regular stuff!
I know this isn’t my usual blog post. I don’t talk about stars and celebrities, but my sister called me a half hour ago and told me that Michael Jackson is dead!! I grew up in the seventies…an African American girl enamored with Michael Jackson and his brothers! I remember listening to Thriller cassette tape over and over in high school. I remember the Jackson Five songs Dancin’ Machine, ABC, Never Can Say Goodbye, you name it!
I didn’t follow him as much as an adult, and didn’t really agree with his lifestyle, but, still…I’m just shocked that he’s dead is all!!! I’m devastated…shocked!!
Check out these book marketing tips that I provided on the Christian Authors Netowrk (CAN) Blog. Stop by and leave a comment!
I read a book by Robin Lee Hatcher, and another by Terry Blackstock. Will be blogging about those within the next few days.
I’ve been getting around 4:30-5:00 AM over the last few days trying to work on a book! I’m hoping to get that done within the next couple of months!
A secular novel…
White Hot by Sandra Brown
From Amazon.com:
From Publishers Weekly
White-hot labor disputes, family conflict, murder and romance are ablaze in bestselling Brown’s latest romantic thriller (after Hello, Darkness), when Sayre Lynch returns to Destiny, La., for her brother Danny’s funeral. Estranged from her family for 10 years, Sayre arrives in town believing Danny committed suicide, but suspects otherwise after a surprise encounter at the cemetery and a disquieting interview with the sheriff’s deputy. The Bayou-born firebrand now San Francisco interior decorator stays to investigate her brother’s last days, confronting her father, Huff Hoyle, the powerful owner of the foundry that provides most of the town’s jobs and all its corruption; defying her brother Chris, Huff’s heir apparent and OSHA’s worst nightmare; and becoming the first woman on the floor of the hellish factory that fuels the family fortune. At every turn, Sayre crosses paths with Huff’s handsome lawyer henchman, Beck Merchant, irresistible although he represents everything she despises. The steamy pair cannot escape each other or their conclusions about Hoyle Enterprises. Brown makes up in pace and intensity what she lacks in prose style, guaranteeing readers a brain vacation in print, much like watching a favorite movie: an exciting yet familiar experience, the satisfactory resolution never in doubt.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. –This text refers to the Hardcover edition.====
I’ve had this book on my shelf for years. Back in the day, before I started reading inspirationals, Sandra Brown was one of my favorites. I finally pulled this novel off my shelf as I’m trying to get rid of clutter in this messy house! I started reading and I couldn’t stop. I read the bulk of this book in one day, recalling why Brown was one of my favorites.
When Sayre Lynch returns to her hometown for her brother, Danny’s, funeral, it’s the first time she’s “visited” in ten years. Estranged from her highly dysfunctional family, it takes the untimely death of her brother to bring her back. However, Danny’s suicide has left a bitter taste in her mouth and when she meets a mysterious woman at the graveyard, she realizes that Danny may have been murdered. Recently saved, Danny had gotten engaged, and his fiancé tells Sayre her doubts about Danny’s suicide, stating he’d been bothered by something shortly before his death. She also tells Sayre about Danny’s love for the Lord, and that Danny’s father, Huff, and his brother, didn’t accept his salvation. Danny’s sudden church attendance bothers his troubled family, and he keeps his engagement a secret from his father and siblings.
Beck Merchant, Sayre’s father’s business attorney is by her side, trying to make her see that the foundry is not the hellhole that she’s imagining. Beck takes Sayre on a tour of the foundry and Sayre is determined to help the foundry workers since her father is against providing safe working conditions for his employees. The foundry is her birthright, one that she does NOT want to claim. Tension rises when an employee loses a limb from a faulty machine. A strike ensues, placing a damper on the profitability of the foundry.
The attraction between Beck and Sayre jumps off the pages, making you want to continue reading. Plus, as is common with Brown, there’s a big surprise on the last few pages, ending the novel with a bang!
I especially liked how Brown used the foundry as a setting in this novel. It was very realistic, and it appeared that it took a lot of research to write this book. I emailed the author, asking about the research she had to do for this novel, and here’s her response:
Cecelia,
The foundry was a metaphor for Huff’s character. Very dangers and ugly on
the inside. The New York Times had done an expose on the dangers of
foundries, including a 30 minute video which helped me visually. I lived in
Tyler, Texas, for five years and there was an iron pipe manufacturing plant
there, so I had experienced first hand how ugly such a place could be.
Thank you so much for recognizing the research that was required, and for
appreciating it.
All best,
Sandra
I enjoyed every page. However, as I’m apt to do while reading a secular novel, in my head, I wonder how this storyline could have been made into an inspirational.
Also, on a personal note, when I was reading about the workers strike, I thought about my childhood. I recall when I was in the fourth grade, back in the seventies, the teachers at Halls Cross Roads Elementary school (as well as some other schools in the area) went on strike. I remember the teachers walking in a line, picketing. We still had school, but they had to get substitutes to fill the classrooms. I remember the librarian was our substitute during the strike!
I’ve got a novel I’m trying to finish up and sumbmit to a publisher. This novel is NOT contracted, but I’m hoping the publisher will offer me a contract for it. Also, I’m judging ACFW’s Genesis Contest. My entries are due back to the coordinator on May 1.
Most people reading this blog know about the book giveaways that I do each month. Sometimes, I wish I could actually read ALL of the books that I give away, but I just don’t have the time! I’m a member of the Heartsong Presents Bookclub, and I also received the Heartsong Presents Mysteries before they canceled that book club. In addition to those books, I purchase novels from the Family Christian Bookstore, or Barnes and Noble whenever I take my family into the Bowie area to get their haircuts. I also purchase novels from Amazon.com fairly frequently. When I give books away on my blog, or when I give them to friends and family, and I haven’t read the book, I may feel a little wistful. Am I missing a good story? Should I have read that book? I can’t keep all the books that I buy because I simply don’t have room in this house to keep them all! Plus, I get a number of free books each year from authors and publishers when I agree to do book reviews for them on this blog!
Do any of you feel kind of sad or wistful when you get rid of books that you haven’t read? Do you read the first few pages of a book before you give it away to make sure you’re not missing a great story? When I get rid of my books, I think of the way kids act when they don’t want to go to sleep – they’re afraid that they’re going miss something. Do you think you’re missing something when you get rid of unread books?
I was going to continue looking for the scripture I blogged about yesterday, but, I’m too tired. I was also going to post a review for Love Finds You In Last Chance California, but again, too tired! The one-hour time change is affecting me! I’m off to bed!
I’m guest blogging today at Urban Christian Fiction Today Blog! Stop by and leave a comment!
