Category Archives: Waterbrook/Multnomah

The Scent Of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall

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The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall

When young Annie Martin leaves her mother’s home, she takes up residence in her grandfather’s house. Her grandfather (Daadi Moses), lives next door to Aden Zook and Aden’s family. Aden’s family owns a diner and that’s how they make their living. Since Aden’s father and Moses are in business together via ownership of the diner, the diner is allowed to have electricity.

The Zook family is Amish and the Martins are Mennonite. The Amish are forbidden from using electricity and their business partnership with Moses allows them to have the necessary electricity to run their business – Mennonites are allowed to have electricity in their homes and businesses.

When Annie and Aden begin courting, meeting secretly at night in Moses’s cherry blossom field, things become heated between the two families – Mennonites and Amish are forbidden from dating one another. Moses threatens to pull his partnership from the Zook family business, which would force them to shut down and they’d no longer be able to make a living. Moses poses this threat because Annie and Aden are courting and it’s forbidden. Aden’s family pushes him to end things with Annie, but, his heart is telling him to do otherwise.

Aden has a twin brother, Roman, who was injured in a buggy accident and now he’s bound to a wheelchair. There’s a side story about Roman being sent away to fix a generator for a relative. A mechanical whiz, Roman feels useful doing something helpful since his independence has disappeared since he can’t walk. Roman becomes enamored with a girl living next door to his relative.

I enjoyed this book, however, there were several things that bothered me about the story. The things that bothered me have no reflection at all on the author or the story, but, it’s just things that stuck in my mind that didn’t seem Christian about the way the Amish and Mennonites live.

Aden and Annie are in love, and they’ve always had feelings for one another, but they didn’t begin courting until they were adults. Both have taken a vow to their respective churches. I think it’s the vow concept that is so foreign to me and it was hard for me to connect to the characters in this fashion. It was implied if Annie and Aden had broken their vow to the church (by marrying one another) then they’d be doomed to a life in hell. Also, Moses tells Aden that the Bible states that it’s wrong to be unequally yoked.

I guess that whole unequally yoked comment from Moses bothered me a lot because I feel he’s implying that the only Christians on this earth are the Mennonites – everybody else are unbelievers – which is not the case – is everybody on this earth doomed to a life in hell if they don’t commit to the Mennonite faith? I felt that both groups were grossly misinterpreting scripture and making both Aden and Annie unnecessarily miserable.

Also, this “vow” makes no sense to me. I understand the concept of accepting Christ as your savior, becoming baptized, growing closer to Him. However, there’s nothing in the Bible that says you can’t use technology to make a living – the only reason the Zook family was pardoned by their church for using electricity was because they had a Mennonite partner. If Moses were to sever the partnership, they would’ve lost their business because they would not be “allowed” by the church to use electricity. Does that also mean that their salvation would be lost if they chose to continue the business as is if Moses were to leave? It’s almost as if both groups are placing extra “rules” onto Christianity and then acting like “God” himself by deciding who’s saved and who’s going to hell – basing the decision on superficial things like the use/non-use of electricity, cars, buggies, etc.

SPOILER ALERT:

 

 

I really LOVED that both Aden and Annie discovered that God would forgive them for breaking their vow to the church in order to live in holy matrimony. They realized that God would bless their marriage and that there was nothing wrong with their being together as a couple. I also liked it when Annie was speaking to Moses on the phone, asking him if his beloved deceased wife had been Amish instead of Mennonite, if he would’ve walked away from her. That hit a nerve with Moses, and I think he began to see the error of his ways at that point.

Overall, a nice, heartwarming read. Many thanks to Waterbrook Press for providing me with a free review copy.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Tandem By Tracey Bateman

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Tandem by Tracey Bateman

As obsession and loss become dark partners, how far must the people of Abbey Hills go to survive?

Six months ago, brutal murders shook the small Ozark town—murders that stopped after a house fire reportedly claimed the killer’s life. Lauryn McBride’s family auction house has taken responsibility for the estate sale of one of the victims—the enigmatic Markus Chisom. Submerging herself in Chisom’s beautiful but strange world, Lauryn welcomes the reprieve from watching Alzheimer’s steal her father from her, piece by piece. She soon realizes that centuries-old secrets tie Abbey Hills to the Chisom estate and a mysterious evil will do anything to make sure those secrets stay hidden. Even the man who grew up loving her may not be able to protect Lauryn from the danger.

When Amede Dastillon receives an unexpected package from Abbey Hills, she hopes it might be the key in tracking down her beloved sister, long estranged from her family. Visiting Abbey Hills seems the logical next step in her search, but Amede is unusually affected by the town, and when mutilated carcasses begin turning up again in the small community, the local law enforcement isn’t sure if they are confronting a familiar evil or a new terror.

Two women brought together by questions that seem to have no answers. Can they overcome the loss and darkness threatening to devour them—or will their own demons condemn them to an emotional wasteland?
===
This book is the sequel to the novel, Thirsty. Lauryn is the owner of an auction house business. Markus, a vampire who was killed in a fire, has an estate that needs to be settled. Lauryn forwards some old letters found in Markus’s house to Amede, a member of an old family who has ties to Markus. Amede comes to Abbey Hills seeking more familial heirlooms, but, in reality, she needs to find her estranged sister, Eden, who did not die in the fire with Markus, as most of the town assumes.

I think I enjoyed Thirsty more than Tandem. I’m not sure why. It could be because Thirsty dealt with an alcoholic and that’s a theme that I like to read about in novels. I think the author did a great job with the characterization with Lauryn and her battle with caring for her ill father. As her father’s Alzheimer’s gets worse, it’s hard for Lauyrn to accept that she may need to let her father go if she’s not able to care for him any longer. The battle of caring for an older parent, for an only child, is something that lots of people struggle with, but I felt that the father in this story was a bit selfish. I sensed that he didn’t want his daughter to be happy with anybody…except himself. But, that could’ve just been my interpretation of the situation. I didn’t think Lauryn’s dad wanted to see her happily married with children, and that’s kind of sad when you think about it.

There’s a deep, dark mystery woven into this story as people and animals are killed, in an almost ritualistic way. The killings are being done by a vampire, but, it’s a mystery as to which vampire is doing the killing. I think it’s a bit hard reading about vampires in a Christian novel because such creatures don’t exist, but in the book, they do exist, yet, you know they’re not a true part of God’s creation.

The theme of unrequited love pops up when Billy, the preacher’s son, appears, complete with a bi-racial daughter who looks exactly like him. Lauryn has had a crush on Billy since elementary school and that crush has never developed into a full-blown romance. Billy abandons Lauryn on graduation night and she doesn’t see him again until his recent appearance. Bits and pieces of backstory are thrown into the book regarding Lauryn’s upbringing and her “romantic” moments with Billy.

Also, you’ll see the main characters in Thirsty make a few cameo appearances in Tandem, which was nice.

This is definitely a chilling, mysterious book and I recommend it to those who’d want to read a book about the supernatural with a Christian message.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Two Tickets To The Christmas Ball By Donita K. Paul

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Two Tickets To The Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul

Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

This book was a pleasant, short, easy read that wasn’t too deep or thought-provoking. Cora is a Christian, estranged from her worldly family. She lives alone in her apartment with her cat and she works in an office building. Mysterious Simon Derrick has worked in Cora’s office building for several years yet he’s never noticed her until he runs into her at the mysterious bookshop on Sage Street – she’s such an unknown person to him that he can’t even remember her name. Through the bookstore owners, both Simon and Cora receive unsolicited tickets to the Wizards Ball.

Through a series of events, Simon and Cora spend time together and Cora meets Simon’s family, which includes his sister, Sandy, who has Down’s Syndrome.

This story takes place in the future, and I’d love to have known the year which this story takes place. There are little things mentioned, dropped here and there, which makes the reader aware that this isn’t a story that takes place in modern times. The few things mentioned were the office building where Simon and Cora worked, the walls to the offices were glass and you could see what was going on in all offices. I’ve never seen a glass-walled office before. Also, Simon receives a phone call that’s a wrong number and he mentions that crossed phone wires were something that stopped happening a long time ago.

There was also a bit of fantasy thrown into this story. Sage Street, the location of the bookstore and the Wizards Ball, is a pleasant street filled with shops and customers milling around on the sidewalk, however, Sage Street is not always easy to find. It’s a hidden street and not all can see this fantastical place as they cruise by.

If you want a quick Christmas read, then this book is for you. The only thing I was puzzled about was Cora’s relationship with her cat. Her cat gets pregnant and Cora gets extremely upset and cries, and she feels responsible for her cat’s unwanted pregnancy. She compares her cat’s unruly behavior to the behavior of one of her wayward relatives. I didn’t quite understand the analogy since an animal getting pregnant is much different than a human’s lewd behavior, plus, it’s not as if cats can get married and plan families like humans do. This part of the book went over my head a little bit, but the rest of the story was enjoyable.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Thirsty By Tracey Bateman

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Thirsty by Tracey Bateman

From the back cover:
There’s no place like home, they say.

“Hello, I’m Nina Parker…and I’m an alcoholic.”

For Nina, it’s not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She must face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier–and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone–or something–igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.

Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?

As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina’s feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfold to its startling, unforgettable end.

==
I purchased this novel because it was about two subjects that garner my interest: alcoholism and vampires. I’ve blogged about vampires a few times because of the Twilight series, and I’ve also included the subject of alcoholism in my own novels.

I thought Bateman did an excellent job of describing the difficult road to sobriety for an alcoholic. Nina has struggled with this addiction off and on for most of her adult life, and the addiction is in her blood – her father has suffered from alcoholism, too.

Thirsty also talks about familial disharmony: Nina’s relationship with her daughter is strained because of Nina’s abuse of alcohol. Nina’s relationships with her parents are strained because of her troubled childhood. When she returns home, she’s been gone for several years, and this is the first she’s seen of her parents in a long while. Plus, she’s recently divorced, although she still loves her husband.

Although two of the characters are vampires, I thought the story could have easily been re-written by portraying the two bloodsuckers as satanists or occultists or something?

Overall I thought the book was a good, suspenseful, intriguing read and it was a page turner.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Hope Of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

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The Hope Of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (August 11, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400073960
ISBN-13: 978-1400073962

From Amazon.com
Product Description
Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.

Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?

This is one of the books that I’m giving away here.

This book was excellent! It was so good that I couldn’t put it down, making me neglect my own writing duties. This is a book that you’ll need to spare some to read, because, if you got lots of stuff to do, you’ll find yourself procrastinating, not wanting to do anything until you’ve reached the last page!

Cara has always struggled to survive. She barely remembers her mother and father, plus, she has vague memories of a house, a boy, and the sweeping plains in an Amish community. When a stalker from one of her former foster homes continues to threaten her, she runs to the vague place from her childhood, desperately wanting to protect her daughter Lori.

The Amish community is suspicious of this “drunken” newcomer who pilfers from their homes. However, when her real identity is discovered, the flames of unrest are ignited in this small Amish town.

Ada, an Amish woman, wants to help Cara, and Ephraim (the boy from her childhood) finds himself falling in love with her. His offer of protection to her practically makes him an outcast within his own community.

This is one of the best Amish stories I’ve ever read and I look forward to reading more books by this author. Reading this book was like eating my lemon pound cake. When I make one of those, I can’t just stop at one piece! Throughout the next two to three days, I crave piece after piece until it’s all gone! That’s why you need to carve out a hunk of time to really enjoy this novel! You won’t want to put it down! After reading those first few pages, you’ll crave more of the story until it’s all finished!

I also wanted to point out that this author was featured on Nightline awhile back. I blogged about that here.
~Cecelia Dowdy~
WARNING: SPOILER BELOW WITH MY FURTHER THOUGHTS….

One thing that bugged me about the novel was Cara’s stalker. He appears, and we know he’s been stalking her for several years. However, I’m unclear as to why he’d stalk her for so long? Perhaps it was explained in a sentence or two and I just overlooked it? I know he’s the son of the parents in one of her foster homes, but that’s about all I could piece together. Is he a lunatic who just wants Cara to have a relationship with him?

Also, the author did a great job of creating a tense, suspenseful situation between Cara and the stalker, BUT, there’s no justice done as far as the stalker is concerned. Although Cara is safe at the end in the Amish community, I still wonder what happened to Mike (the stalker)? Is he ever caught? Is he crafty enough to actually discover Cara and her daughter now living in the Amish community? I felt this was a loose end that needed to be tied up. This book is part of a series, so, perhaps this issue will be addressed in another novel? Will Mike re-appear to stir up trouble between Cara and her soon-to-be husband?

Redeeming Love?

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The following comment was posted on my blog post about The Incredibles:
Anonymous:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. How come that one didnt’ make the list? Just wondering…

I thought about it, and I think my list, and how I came up with the titles may be confusing. The Incredibles is a list of the Christian novels that managed to stay in my mind a long time, and that I’ve READ over the last few years…FOR THE MOST PART. I think the fact that one of the titles, A Moment Of Weakness, has a publication date of 2000, made the titles on the list confusing. Even though A Moment Of Weakness was published in 2000, I didn’t read it until a couple of years ago! So, to me, it’s a recent title.

I didn’t think about all of the Christian titles I’ve read in my entire life. I read so much that I didn’t feel like mentally going through all of the titles I’ve ever read over the last ten or so years! I’d have gone crazy trying to come up with ALL my favorites over that time frame. So I chose to focus on the titles I’ve read recently, like, since I’ve started blogging regularly.

I did read Redeeming Love and enjoyed it. I read it about ten years ago? Here’s the content, and my thoughts about the novel:
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (originally published in 1999)

Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1 edition (October 16, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601420617
ISBN-13: 978-1601420619
Amazon.com Review
In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God’s unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this “soiled dove,” he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction. This is one of her best. –Cindy Crosby –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
===
I read this book a long time ago, and I believe it’s considered a classic. I recall that it shows that the Lord keeps forgiving us again and again, no matter how many times we mess up. Angel is a prostitute who had a poor and unhappy homelife. When Michael Hosea spots her, the Lord tells him that Angel will be his future bride. I recall their getting married and their relationship was full of problems. Micheal is a holy man, relying on God. Angel is initially unsaved in the story. It’s a long book, but I recall reading it fairly quickly and enjoying the story. The book keeps getting re-released, so I can assume it’ll probably continue to stay in print for a long time! It’s a wonderful tale that demonstrates God’s grace and forgiveness.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Incredibles!

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No, I’m not talking about the Disney animated movie! I’ve decided to use that term to describe the four books mentioned in this blog post. These four novels are the best I’ve read in the last few years. What makes them incredible? Various reasons. Keep in mind that I didn’t scroll through my blog, making a decision about the top four books. For the MOST PART, these are books that keep coming to my mind, long after I’ve read them, over and over. I’ve read a TON of great books over the last few years that come to mind, however, all books don’t come to mind as frequently as these.

You’ll have to understand that if I keep thinking about a book nowadays, it has to be a great read! My mind is very cluttered with my full-time job, our son, my husband, making dinner every night, trying to write my own books, being on deadline, etc.! You get the picture! If somebody is able to write something that I keep remembering, crossing into my cluttered brain, then that’s an accomplishment! So here’s Cecelia Dowdy’s list of The Incredibles!:

1.
A Moment Of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury

I think one reason why this book made my list is because I actually stayed up half the night reading it! As I get older, I don’t stay up late very often. If a book can interrupt my beauty sleep, then it’s a great read! 🙂 The story line wasn’t even very complex or original in this novel, but, the writing grabbed me and I had to finish the book, losing sleep!

2.

A Touch Of Grace by Linda Goodnight

This book made my list because it was a very emotional read that’ll make you cry. Also, it’s a Love Inspired, and when I started reading it, I had certain expectations since it is a category romance. I felt this story was more emotionally intriguing than any other Love Inspired I’d ever read. I felt it should have stayed on the shelf for a long time, not just one month! (For category romances, you’re only the shelf for a month, and that’s it! Most Harlequins are removed and replaced by new titles monthly, kind of like magazines!)

3.
The Shape Of Mercy by Susan Meissner

This book made the list because it’s different, unusual, and it crosses my mind occasionally! I think the subject matter made this book really stand out, as well as the great writing!

4.
A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman

I have never read Christian fiction quite like this. I’m not saying other titles like this don’t exist, but, I just haven’t found another author that I can compare to Julie. Her book is spicy spaghetti (explained in yesterday’s post) and I KNOW I’ll remember and think about this book for a long time!

What are some of YOUR favorite Christian fiction titles over the last few years? Why are they your favorites? Please share your recommendations!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Shape Of Mercy by Susan Meissner

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The Shape Of Mercy by Susan Meissner
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400074568
ISBN-13: 978-1400074563

From Amazon.com:

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Meissner’s newest novel is potentially life-changing, the kind of inspirational fiction that prompts readers to call up old friends, lost loves or fallen-away family members to tell them that all is forgiven and that life is too short for holding grudges. Achingly romantic, the novel features the legacy of Mercy Hayworth—a young woman convicted during the Salem witch trials—whose words reach out from the past to forever transform the lives of two present-day women. These book lovers—Abigail Boyles, elderly, bitter and frail, and Lauren Lars Durough, wealthy, earnest and young—become unlikely friends, drawn together over the untimely death of Mercy, whose precious diary is all that remains of her too short life. And what a diary! Mercy’s words not only beguile but help Abigail and Lars together face life’s hardest struggles about where true meaning is found, which dreams are worth chasing and which only lead to emptiness, and why faith and hope are essential on life’s difficult path. Meissner’s prose is exquisite and she is a stunning storyteller. This is a novel to be shared with friends. (Sept. 16)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

======
My thoughts? This is, hands down, the best book I’ve read so far in 2009! Run out and purchase your copy now! How many times have you seen me start a review like this??? This book captured me from the first page and wouldn’t let me go – I finished most of this novel in one day.

Lauren Durough wants to start making her own money, no longer wanting to accept an allowance from her wealthy father. She answers an ad for a literary assistant. Once she arrives at her new job, she discovers that Abigail, her elderly new boss, wants her to transcribe a family diary that was written by one of Abigail’s ancestors – Mercy Hayworth. Mercy writes about her experiences during the Salem witch trials and her haunting words affect Lauren, forcing her to take a look at her own life.

Lauren is used to a living a wealthy life, and her money has affected her personal relationships. Meanwhile, Abigail suffers from the affects of unrequited love, and Mercy’s diary forces Abigail to question the mistakes she’s made in her life.

Both Lauren and Abigail form a bond as Lauren transcibes the diary. As the story unfolds a few elements of mystery and intrigue are interwoven into this tale. Lauren’s father wants to know why Abigail wants this ancient diary transcribed? Will Lauren receive credit for her work if Abigail publishes the transcription? Lauren believes she knows how Mercy was killed; however, when she finishes the diary, and speaks to a college professor about the Salem witch trials, Lauren discovers a shocking fact about Mercy Hayworth.

Meissner also addresses the issues of social class in this novel. Lauren is wealthy, and her interactions with others are affected by how she’s been raised. Unknowingly, she judges others in terms of money, and she’s shocked when she discovers this fact about herself. Somewhat bothered by her wealth, she wonders what she can do to form her opinions of others by not basing her conclusions about new acquaintances on money.

There are also a couple of romantic subplots within the story which give this novel an interesting angle.

If you read this novel, well, I can guarantee you’ll remember it for a long time. It’s one of those books that make you stop and think. I think this novel would make a great discussion for a book club.
~Cecelia Dowdy~

Ain’t No River And More Conference Tips

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I finished Ain’t No River by Sharon Ewell Foster today. Good book! Garvin, a lawyer is forced to take administrative leave from her job. She feels she’s being targeted due to the color of her skin. She is told to work on an EEO case during her “vacation.”

A workaholic, who is bitter and dissatisfied with her life, Garvin wonders why this is happening to her. Since she is off of work for awhile she decides to head back to Jacks Creek, her hometown. She is anxious to check on her grandmother who has a new, much younger, male workout partner named GoGo. She suspects Gogo is after her grandmother and she wants to protect her from Gogo, a former playboy.

Once she returns to Jacks Creek, her visit doesn’t go as planned. Her Meemaw(nickname for her grandmother) banishes her to the spare house out back. While Meemaw teaches Garvin to cook, she also tries to teach her how to love and accept the Lord.

Garvin reaches out to Monique, a Jacks Creek youth who is sad and depressed about life. Monique is treated like an outcast because of her mixed heritage, and because she has had a baby out of wedlock, whom has supposedly been given up for adoption.

As Garvin’s plan to “expose” Gogo for his wrongs against her grandmother unfolds, it is soon revealed that the younger man and older woman share a strictly platonic Christian relationship and Gogo is trying to live the life of one who has accepted Christ. He’s thrown away his old ways and is trying to live a new life. Meemaw is somewhat of a mentor to Gogo, teaching him all about the Lord.

Monique reveals to Garvin that her baby has not been adopted and is being held in an orphanage. Garvin campaigns, with Gogo and Meemaw by her side, to allow Monique to stay with her Meemaw(Monique is being raised by a dysfunctional, and emotionally abusive grandmother)as a foster child, and Garvin also manages to start the process, which allows Monique and Destiny(Monique’s child) to stay with Meemaw.

This book was excellent…very excellent! I especially liked the character growth of Garvin, and her friend Ramona(another minor character). Garvin started off a sad and bitter workaholic, but ended up loving and accepting the Lord. I also liked the way Ms. Foster showed the different personalities of the inhabitants of Jacks Creek.

I also want to focus on more conference tips. If attending a conference, be sure to do research for the editors and agents you have appointments with. If you have an appointment with a particular editor, read some of the titles published by the line/imprint that editor handles. Show that you have a good feel for what kinds of books fit this line/imprint, and impress the editor with your knowledge about his/her publishing house.

Although I do not have an agent, I’ve heard that similiar tactics should be used for an agent. You must research what type of fiction that agent handles before pitching your book to him/her. For example, you wouldn’t want to pitch a science fiction or fantasy novel to an agent that only handles mysteries.

Until next time,
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
www.blackchristianfiction.com