Do You Believe?

9 Replies

Believe it or not, it’s a few days before Christmas, and I’m struggling with the Santa Claus issue. As a Christian, is it right to teach my child to believe in Santa Claus? I just don’t know. Santa Claus came to my three-year-old’s daycare this morning and gave the kids gifts. I took pictures. When I picked up my son at the end of the day, he was anxious to take his gift home and open it. He said, “I want to open the gift that Santa Claus gave me.”

As you might be able to tell, I’m not the most holiday-spirited person. I grew up not believing in Santa Claus, and I’ve never purchased a Christmas tree. My hubby and I usually exchange gifts with one another for Christmas, but, now that we have a child, Christmas celebrations may be taken up a notch or two! For the last few years, our child wasn’t really vocal about celebrating the holiday. However, this year, he notices the Christmas lights and he’ll say, “Mommy. Look at the lights! Are they out here because it’s Christmas!”

We don’t have a tree this year, but we’ve got lots of great Christmas cards decorating the mantle over our fireplace! Our son has never asked for a tree, but I feel that next year will be the year when we’ll buy him a Christmas tree.

I’ve purchased a ton of gifts for our son. I’ve been wrapping them while he’s in bed. I’ve hidden the gifts in the closet in my office. I’m not sure what I’ll say when he sees the pile of gifts at the appointed time. If he says, “Mommy, did Santa Claus bring the gifts?” What’ll I say…Yes?? or, No…??

I guess, as of right now, he’ll just awaken to the pile of presents, and I’ll say, “Open your gifts!” I won’t mention Santa unless he does, and then I’ll play it by ear, decide on what to say!

My question to readers is: What would you do if you were me?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Tired!

4 Replies

Man, am I tired! I went Christmas shopping for my three-year-old today! If you read this old blog entry, you know how much I HATE SHOPPING!

I hope he enjoys his gifts. We’re not going overboard too much, but felt we needed to have something to give to our child this holiday season!

Do any of your children have a long list of gifts? What did your children request for Christmas?


~Cecelia Dowdy~

December Book Giveaway!

40 Replies



I’m giving away the following books this month. Also, I’m changing things up a bit: I’m choosing ONE WINNER for ALL OF THE BOOKS. Also, the list includes 2 NON-FICTION titles.

If you are interested in winning these novels, simply leave a comment addressing the following topic: purses! I was in the Coach store with author Linda Leigh Hargrove a couple of months ago and was commenting on the fact that women will spend hundreds of dollars on a purse. Me? I buy a new Coach bag about every five years! Seriously! And I always purchase a basic color like brown or black that will go with everthing. I only use one purse and the reason I don’t have multiple purses is because I don’t have the time, energy or desire to switch purses. My life is already complicated enough as is, and I don’t want to complicate it more by switching purses. While Linda and I were browsing the store, I noticed that I didn’t like the new style of Coach purses. I don’t like that C-pattern on the front of my bag. Also, their solid-colored purses had a pebbled texture, which I hated. I didn’t see any purses in the store that I really liked.

So, women, do you usually spend a lot of money on purses? How many do you buy a year? Do you like expensive brands like Coach or Dooney (or some other brand name)?MEN: How do you feel about your wife, girlfriend, significant other, sister, etc., spending upwards of four or five hundred dollars on a purse? Do you think women are crazy for doing this? So, leave your comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in order to be entered into the drawing. If you don’t want to be entered into the drawing, but would still like to comment, then just say so when you place your comment on this blog entry.

Here is a list of the books that I’m giving away:

1. Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy
2. John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
3. Golden Wisdom Timeless Inspirations
4. Prayers That Avail Much – First Blessings For Your Child by Germaine Copeland
5. The Flower Of Grass by James Robinson
6. Death On A Deadline – A Heartsong Presents Mystery by Christine Lynxwiler, Jan Reynolds, and Sandy Gaskin
7. In The Dead Of Winter – A Heartsong Presents Mystery by Nancy Mehl
8. Dog Gone – A Heartsong Presents Mystery by Eileen Key
9. Loving Ways – by Gail Gaymer Martin
10. Only Today – A Heartsong Presents Romance by Jeri Odell
11. The Dreams Of Hannah Williams – A Heartsong Presents Romace by Linda Ford
12. Loveswept – A Heartsong Presents Romance by Tamela Hancock Murray
13. Born For This Love – A Heartsong Presents Romance by Brenda Bancroft
14. Riding Through Shadows by Sharon Ewell Foster
15. Dark Pursuit by Brandilyn Collins


~Cecelia Dowdy~

Booksigning Update And Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Bars

6 Replies


A few people have emailed me privately, wondering how the booksigning went yesterday. I enjoyed meeting the other authors, however, I didn’t sell as many books as I would have liked. I thought since the price was $3.00 and it was Christmas, that I’d get rid of lots of books. However, the mall was not as crowded as I thought it would be.

Last week I made Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Brownies. I’ve altered this recipe, and they turned out so good! Here is the version that I used:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup salted butter, softened ***I used the imported Irish Kerry Gold butter. It’s got a smoother texture than regular butter and it has a natural yellow color.
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
One 10.5 oz package of milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease an 8X8 inch baking pan.
Combine first two ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well with a wire whisk. Set aside.
In a large bowl use an electric mixer to blend the sugar and butter. Add egg and vanilla, and beat at medium speed until light and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the flour mixture and chips. Blend at low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer batter into the prepared pan, and level top with a rubber spatula. Bake in center of oven for 35-45 minutes (NOTE, I BAKED MINE FOR 55 MINUTES) or until toothpick comes out clean but center is still soft. Cool on rack to room temperature. Cut with sharp knife 1-by-2-inch bars.

Enjoy!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Another Deadline

2 Replies

Well, looks like my brief reprieve is over. Since I turned in my content edits for Bittersweet Memories I’ve been able to lounge around, read some great books and work on my work in progress.

Now it’s back to work. I’ve got copy edits due on December 27. I guess I know how I’ll be spending the rest of my holiday!

Also, if you live in/near Baltimore, I’ll be signing books tomorrow at Security Square Mall! Come on out and say hello!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Winners!

2 Replies


I had several giveaways going on in November. So, here is a listing of the winners:

John’s Quest by Cecelia Dowdy: Lynnet Hardwick Van Buren, AR
Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy: Annette Taylor of Albion, IL
A Time To Dance by Karen Kingsbury: Doreen Hayes of Baltimore, MD
Diamond Duo: Mrs. Carole Jarvis of Jonesboro, GA
Diamond Duo: Mary Zander of Rochester, NY
The sweet romance set: Lauren Sorgaard of Goodhue, MN
Sharon K. Souza novel: Janna Ryan of North Platte, NE
Heartsong Presents Cozy Mysteries set: Kristi Coday of Oklahoma City, OK
Dance Into Destiny by Sherri Lewis: Cindi Hoppes Edwardsville, IL
Children’s books by Karen Kingsbury and Dandi Mackall: Carrie Turansky of Lawrenceville, NJ

I still need to choose a winner for The Shack giveaway, so if you haven’t entered, you still have time. I’ll probably be drawing a winner for that book soon.

I’ll also be posting the books for my December Book Giveaway within the next day or so!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

More Stocking Stuffers!

5 Replies



I contacted my publisher recently and discovered that although my book Milk Money won’t be released to the Heartsong Presents bookclub until January, people can still order Milk Money now and receive it shortly (way before the book club gets their copies)! So, I blogged about purchasing John’s Quest as a stocking stuffer here. However, if you already have John’s Quest or want another Heartsong to enjoy for Christmas or Kwanzaa, then consider purchasing Milk Money. For only $2.97, it’s a bargain that I think you’ll enjoy!

Call (800) 847- 8270 to place your order. If the line is busy, you can also fax the order form to Barbour at (740)922-5948.

I still have winners to announce for several book giveaways. I should be mailing out the majority of those books tomorrow. Also, I haven’t drawn a name yet for The Shack giveaway, so if you’re interested in winning that title, don’t forget to leave your comment!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Shack by William P. Young – A Review

37 Replies


The Shack by William P. Young
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Windblown Media; 1st edition (July 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0964729237
ISBN-13: 978-0964729230
From Amazon.com:
Product Description
Mackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant “The Shack” wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!
==
WARNING: SPOILER

It’s hard for me to talk about this book without giving a spoiler. I had mixed feelings about this novel for several reasons. First off, it just seemed weird for the author to make God, the Father, an African American woman. William P. Young (the author) also portrayed the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman and Jesus as a Middle Eastern man. A few people commented on this blog post that they either didn’t want to read the book because of what they’d heard about it, or didn’t want to finish reading the book.

I felt strangest when reading the scenes with Mack and Papa (the African-American woman). I guess because when I think of God personified, I automatically think of Jesus. I just can’t imagine being in the kitchen with God, The Father, as an African-American woman, asking questions about suffering while she bakes a pie!

Reading about the Asian Holy Spirit felt a little bit “off” too. It’s hard to explain why, but it just felt a little strange. My being in the garden with the female Asian Holy Spirit, while helping to plant flowers while I ask her questions about mankind and suffering is just a little bit hard to imagine.

I believe that’s where some of the controversy arises with this novel. By having the African-American woman and the female Asian Holy Spirit, the author MAY be trying to explain the trinity in an understandable way to Mack and to the reader as well?

The scenes that felt more “normal” were the ones where Mack was interacting with Jesus. I guess it’s because we have somewhat of a mental image of Jesus since we know He was here on earth, personified. I’m not sure why the scenes felt more normal when reading about Jesus, but I’m assuming this is why. Also, Jesus was a carpenter on earth, and the author shows Jesus working with tools, making a coffin for Mack’s deceased daughter.

When Mackenzie’s (Mack’s) daughter is abducted and killed, he can’t seem to shake the Great Sadness that has descended upon him. He receives a letter from Papa, asking for a meeting at the shack (where his daughter was taken before she was killed). The letter and the visit from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together, are God’s way of reaching out to Mack, helping him to heal from the grief and bitterness he’s been harboring for the last four years.

He has thought-provoking conversations with all three of his “hosts” for the weekend, demanding answers as to why his innocent daughter was brutally murdered. Papa answers Mack’s question, and in the end, Mack is able to bury his pain, both emotionally and physically. He knows his daughter still lives and is now happy. Jesus allows Mack to get a glimpse of his deceased child, now happily enjoying her afterlife.

Although this book was strange, I do think it MAY help to minister to those who have lost a child. I have a 3 year old, and if something similar were to happen to him, I know I’d suffer from Great Sadness. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit explain why evil things happen to innocent people on this earth.

I also wanted to point out that if I were to write this book, or if I were an acquiring editor, I’d suggest that the author redo the story without the African-American woman Papa and the Asian Holy Spirit in the story. I’d just have Jesus to visit Mack, and have the two of them chat about what had happened with Missy (Mack’s murdered daughter). Of course, several scenes would have to be redone in a different way, but if the book were written the way I’ve suggested, I think it may have been more effective and less controversial.

The concept used in The Shack of Jesus, coming to us directly as a person today, reminded me of a book I read a long time ago called Eli. In Eli, Davis Conrad has an accident, and when he wakes up, it appears he’s in another time and he rushes to escape from the police who are trying to catch him. A man named Eli is born, and Davis is confused because Eli claims to be the Son of God. Also, when Davis looks at the Bible, the New Testament doesn’t exist. But then he flashes back to an alternate time and sees himself hooked up to machines in a hospital (resulting from his accident). This book has science fiction qualities as it tells of a parallel universe. However, it reminded me of The Shack since it uses this scenario: what would happen if Jesus were to come today instead of two thousand years ago?

This same concept was used in Dinner With A Perfect Stranger. In Dinner With A Perfect Stranger, the main character receives an invitation from Jesus, kind of like Mack did in The Shack. This workaholic character with a troubled marriage accepts the invite and dines with Jesus at an Italian restaurant. During this dinner, he asks God about why there is so much pain and suffering in the world, demanding answers, kind of like how Mack confronted God, The Father, and Jesus, and The Holy Spirit in The Shack. However, I felt the way it was done in Dinner With A Perfect Stranger was more realistic than The Shack.

These are the ONLY THINGS in The Shack that reminded me of these two other novels! I’m in no way saying that Eli and Dinner With A Perfect Stranger are as controversial and “strange” as The Shack.

I’d be interested in hearing readers’ thoughts about this book. Leave a comment along with your EMAIL ADDRESS in this post if you’d be interested in winning this novel! If you comment and you are NOT interested in winning, then just say that you DON’T want to be entered into the drawing. I’ve heard so many positive and negative things about this novel for a long time, so I had to read it myself to see what all the fuss was about!


~Cecelia Dowdy~