WOW! I had the most amazing time at the huge Mall of America book signing 10 days ago. Over 100 Christian authors took part, and the turn out was terrific. Here are a few pictures taken there, as well as at conference of some of my author & aspiring author friends. If you don't have books yet by the gals designated as published authors, RUN to your local book store and pick one up. These are exceptional writers! I just finished a book by Leanna Ellis...titled "Lookin' Back, Texas" and it was an amazing book. LOVED it!! Here's a picture of Leanna and I at the book signing. She's such a neat person and it was a joy to sit next to her at the signing.
I've been hearing great things about "Ruby Among Us" by Tina Ann Forkner, who sat next to me at the book signing. She's a talented writer and I'm looking forward to reading her books. I know we'll see more from her in the future, as well. Here's a pic of us ....and it's a reat one of her!
Kim Vogel Sawyer took Book of the Year at the conference. It's not a great picture of Kim, as my flash wouldn't reach far enough. I'm devouring Kim's books right now. She's such a talented author (as her award proves) and I'm blessed to have her as a friend. But I'm posting a fun one she and I took in the women's bathroom, as well, LOL!
Linda Wichman's debut novel released a couple of years ago and won Fantasy Book of the Year. It's set in the days of King Arthur and looks like a fascinating read. Here's a pic of Linda and I at conference. Kim snapped this one of us in the women's bathroom, as well, LOL! Sometimes the best meetings happen in the strangest places!
Debby Mayne is a well known author of Christian romance, and one of my "Summerside Sisters"....writing for the Summerside Press "Love Finds You" romance line, as am I. She's on the far left, and Tamela, who is also a Summerside author and sister, and happens to also be my lovely agent! She's in the middle. Tamela has a number of inspirational romance's in print, and is a very talented author as well.
Irene Brand is another very well known author, who's written over 20 books. I caught up with her in the hallway just after one of Angela Hunt's talks and a she sent me this pic that someone snapped for us. Irene is also one of my Summerside Sisters. Can't wait for our books to start releasing. The first two have just hit the shelves and are available on Amazon right now. Just type in "Love Finds You In" in the search engine, and it will show the ones available to ship now.
Here's a very special person...Mimi, an online friend who read my book, The Other Daughter, and wrote a very nice review. She's been such a huge supporter of Christian fiction and made a special trip to the book signing to chat with several of her favorite authors. I was so blessed to be one of them!
My book, Love Finds You In Last Chance, California, releases with Summerside in February. My editor has it on her desk right now, and my edits and revisions will start soon. I'm soooo excited about this new book! It's a historical romance with a touch of a mystery woven in. Look for it on Amazon by typing in Miralee Ferrell in the search engine, as it doesn't show up on its own just using the title yet.
I'll admit that I'm one of "those Christians" that read more fiction than non---less of the self-help books, less Christian living, devotionals, or study guides, than I do fiction. I've had some people look askance at me and wonder why I waste my time.
Of course, now I'm helping add to the mix by writing Christian fiction, as well. But for years I simply read it. No...devoured would be a more accurate word.
Why, you ask? A friend recently told me she'd never read much of any inspirational fiction until I asked her to become an advance reader for my books...prior to them hitting the bookshelves. She's now read three of them, and is loving each one more than the one before. In fact, she told me a few days ago after reading my most recent, that I'm making her into a 'believer' in Christian fiction.
She used to believe that only secular fiction would be well written...that inspirational fiction would probably be cheesy, preachy, tame and boring. Sigh. Unfortunately, for people who haven't experienced it, that's often the belief.
Or, the other side of the coin--those who will ONLY read non-fiction, because that's "real life" and fiction is simply a bunch of make believe that has no relevant use in our lives.
Not so. Take my first book, The Other Daughter. The story line revolves around a married couple who are unequally yoked spiritually. On top of that, add the crisis of broken trust, a child out o f wedlock showing up on their doorstep years after the fact, and a friend who doesn't trust Christians who's trying to destroy the marriage. Do you know anyone in even one of these situations? Maybe someone dealing with a step-child issue, or with foster children? A marriage in crisis because one partner is a committed Christian the other isn't interested? Or one that has cheated in the past, and the truth has just been revealed. Sound like real life, or just make-believe?
Much of Christian fiction now-a-days is realistic and drawn from much that happens today. The suspense/mystery thrillers could fit in with any episode of CSI, only clean and free of the smut and language. The romances can stand up with the best on the secular market, without the sex and titillation, but with all the tenderness and heart pounding romance. The historical fiction will teach you a thing or two about the past, and draw you into the fabric of yesteryear.
Do I support Christian fiction? You bet! And I get to be a part of one of the biggest Christian booksignings that's ever been undertaken. Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20th at the Minneapolis Mall of America, I'll be gathering with over 100 other published authors. Check back here in a couple of days and I'll post a list of all the authors attending. If you're anywhere near the city on that day, I'd love to have you stop by and say hi...or let me sign your book if you have a copy, or point you to one of the other awesome authors you might enjoy.
I'm hoping I can get this YouTube video to work, as I've never tried to upload something from there. The youth of Oslo UPC Norway from United Pentecostal Church put on this amazing presentation. It was directed by a dedicated youth named Joy and the pastors name is Pastor Goran. They did this presentation to music using white gloves and black light. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Please click on the play button below and enjoy the wonderful praise music.
I was wrong and so was the pharmacist....the rash that has continued to crop up since my last post is not related to the x-rays that were taken at all....in fact, that would be extremely rare and highly unlikely. The following Monday I went to the doctor and he felt fairly confident in his diagnosis, but sent me on to a dermatologist to be sure. Yep...Shingles, of all things!
In case you don't know, it looks similar to poison oak, but nastier. Thankfully it doesn't ooze...I'll try not to gross you out with any more description, LOL...and it doesn't itch. But it is accompanied by deep muscle ache from my neck to my wrist and periodic small shooting pains in my skin and under the surface in my muscles. Uncomfortable, but bearable.
However, the doctor informed me I need to slow down and quite frankly, I think the Lord is trying to tell me the same thing. WAY too much going on in my life...a fairly new business that my husband is getting off the ground, with ups and downs and stress....a book deadline looming, our house for sale with no showings or offers yet, moving back to the old house that didn't sell when we built the new one, (we've chosen to sell the new one) and trying to do the bulk of the move with my daughter and son in laws help while my hubby was gone on a business trip. I've taken on too much (along with a huge yard to keep up with and church volunteer work as well) in too short a time period, and my body is screaming that it's time to STOP.
So, I'm trying to listen, but it's SO hard! I want to unpack all the boxes sitting around, clean out the drawers so and put in new liners, go back up and finish packing and moving the piddly stuff still at the other house, then clean it so it can be ready for a potential showing. I want to transplant a bunch of roses that the deer will eat now that they're unattended, and move them to the old house, I want to finish writing my book and start my next one....but don't have the energy to do much of any of it right now. I'm tired. That will pass, but in the meantime, I'm going to rest. At least for a day or two!!!
I have to admit, I've experienced better. I hope I don't have to go through another two weeks like the last two, for many years to come.
First, I woke with a slightly stiff neck. You know the feeling...can't rotate it quite all the way to either side, but not bad enough to go see a doctor or chiropractor? Two days later it hadn't changed much, but hadn't gotten worse. I took a long walk on a gravel road and started on a slight downhill grade. My feet decided they didn't want to stay on the ground and my bottom hit the dirt...hard. I didn't realize I'd injured my neck, as my rear end was protesting too loudly, LOL!
But the next day, I hurt. The next day, I hurt worse, and I didn't sleep. Finally my daughter convinced me to see her chiropractor. Six visits and a couple of hundred dollars later I was sleeping better (in bed, instead of my recliner) and back to being sore rather than in serious pain. Then pain started flaring up again, only this time in my shoulder and neck. Sigh. Time to see a doctor and get x-rays.
Nothing out of line, nothing damaged, but he confirmed what the Chiropractor told me. I'd given myself a good case of whiplash when I fell and it would take time to heal. Now I have another problem. My arm, back of my neck and hand...all on my left side, have broken out in large splotches...red, bumpy, with little water blisters. Looks exactly like poison oak, but it doesn't itch or hurt. Had a pharmacist look at it today (two of them in fact) and they concurred with what I'd guessed. Radiation burns. I didn't know for sure you could have that happen from having x-rays taken, but yes you can. I had six shots taken all in my next, shoulder and upper left arm...and I'm erupting in large rash/red spots from the base of my thumb to the back of my neck. Unsightly, but thankfully not overly painful.
I know God is working on my behalf. I had been asked to speak on Sunday morning at our church on the subject of prayer. I'd had a rough night and didn't sleep well, and woke with pain in my arm yet again.
I decided I'd taken enough from the enemy to last me a good long time, and it was time to say "NO more!". I prayed for a while, and told him to take his pain and get lost, in the mighty name of Jesus. The pain left, and I spoke at church. Several people told me they learned and were blessed, so Satan didn't win the victory he'd hoped to that day. Is the rash gone? No. Is the pain better? Much. I'm trusting that God is going to care for the rest and heal this quickly. I'm ready to be well again!
Last Chance 1862--Main Street-------Last Chance Today
Our research trip for my new book, Love Finds You in Last Chance, California.... A romance set in a mining town that's no longer there.
My husband Allen and I arrived at the Sacramento airport early on Thursday afternoon, June 5th, then drove up I-80 to Auburn, across to the small historic town of Foresthill, and on another 13 miles up into the Sierra Nevada mountains to a wonderful B&B/lodge called The Christmas Tree Vineyard Lodge. Our hostess was Claudia, the owner and manager of the lodge and she made us feel welcome and went out of her way to be a help to my research.
Prior to my arrival she contacted people in the local historical group and was given the name of Nolan Smith, an archaeologist who works for Tahoe National Forest as a ranger. He offered to ride with us up to the old town site of Last Chance, but first we spent 30 minutes or so in his office going over forest service maps of Placer county and particularly the area between Foresthill and Last Chance.
Before we even got out the door, he’d armed me with several books that have short bits of information on the old town, and urged me to keep them during our stay at the lodge. At his suggestion we’d rented an SUV with a higher wheel base as he hadn’t been into the old town site this spring and wasn’t sure what the road might be like.
We drove 24 miles at 25 mph and less, down a steep canyon on serpentine roads, then back up the other side to the top of a high ridge. We topped out on the ridge and began to go down the other side another nine miles on a gravel road, losing about 1,000′ in elevation until arriving in the vicinity of Last Chance. On the ridge to the east of town is a flat forested area well over a mile in length. According to historical records it used to be a flat, grassy glade with little or no trees, about two miles outside of town…a perfect setting for the ranch where Alexia lives.
Unfortunately, there isn’t even a foundation still standing where any buildings used to be, but we were able to see several leveled areas, with at least 3 that had surfaces dug into the bank. It was apparent a building had resided in those spots…and one area not far from a beautiful spring had the remnants of what could have been a split rail corral. A few of the posts still had square nails protruding from the sides. According to Nolan, those nails would be pre-1890’s—and could easily have been a corral where my blacksmith/livery kept the horses.
We also visited the few remaining tombstones in the cemetery up on a rise above the town site. Ethan Allen Grosch, the man who first discovered the Comstock lode, died in a tragic accident and was buried there in the 1850’s. His tombstone is clearly marked, along with several others both earlier and later.
I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to see the topography, the setting for the town and learn more detail about the time period and history my book takes place. Stay tuned for more updates as I happen to stumble upon them.
My book will release in February of 2009. Check back in a few days for a sneak peek at the cover and a brief summary of the story.
I lost my grandmother today, but I know she's in heaven with Jesus and with her husband who went ahead of her over 40 yrs ago. Grammie lived a full and very long life. She would have celebrated her 99th birthday in July.
She was so much more than my grandmother....she was a lover of children, a witty woman who didn't lose that sense of humor clear to the end. She was fiercely loyal to family and friends and known to everyone who loved her, as Grammie. She attended the small church in Lyle, Wa., for many years, where she and her husband moved (from Eastern Oregon) when just a few years before he passed away.
The picture at the top was taken just a few months ago with the kitty that resides at the home where she stayed. Her mind was sharp and she was still getting around in a wheelchair when a small stroke hit a couple of weeks ago. God was so merciful that He allowed her to slip into a gentle sleep in the small hours of this morning and she simply went on to be with Him.
I'm grateful for the many years I had with my grandmother....so many more than a lot of adults my age (I'm over 50 myself) ever get to experience. My grown kids knew her well, and she's seen great-grandchildren come into the world, as well. I'm celebrating her life today and cherishing the precious memories of a wonderful woman who loved me.
This is not typical for me, but I'm doing yet another book give-away to celebrate The Other Daughter being picked as the June book of the month selection for the ACFW book club.
But this contest has a twist....you MUST read the rules below and follow them, or you won't be entered.
I'm giving away THREE books this time, not one, but three. What must you do to win one? Just leave a comment you ask? Nope, Nada...not this time. You must leave a very creative comment along this line---
I'm giving these books away to pick up influencers. In other words, I need you to 'shout it from the roof-tops' if you enjoy the book, after you've read it. Please tell me in the comment section:
Why you want a book
What creative ideas you can offer that will help promote the book, after you've read it? (see a few suggestions below) Give me at least three, and more if you can.
Your email address disguised so the spam bots can't grab it...as in, miralee at gorge dot net
That's it....three simple rules....but all are critical and leaving out any of them will exclude you.
If I get only three comments, you'll all get a book. If I get multiple (as I hope and expect) then I'll pick the ones I feel will help influence the most. If there are a lot of you and I have a hard time deciding, it'll turn into a drawing. I'll keep this contest open for one week and post the winner a week from tomorrow, or May 12th. Thanks!
Now for the example I promised...you might offer to post a review on your blog or website, or drop glowing written reports off at your local bookstore and beg them to carry copies...Be creative, but don't get so crazy that it's not realistic. And above all, I'll be looking for follow through. I'll ask the winners to notify me after they've read the book and let me know what they DID do.
I was gone till 11:00 last night to our Portland chapter ACFW meeting, so couldn't do my drawing. I just picked a winner for a signed copy of my book and Stacey.... stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com is the lucky winner. I've sent her an email to notify her.
Thank you ALL for taking the time to leave a comment. I hope you'll all be able to get a copy and take part in the ACFW book club discussion, as The Other Daughter did win the vote for June. I'm pumped!!
Hey everybody! My book has been nominated for the book club choice to read and discuss on the ACFW book club for June and is in the top three right now. I'm giving away ONE copy---so if you're interested in reading it and would like yours FREE, just leave a comment below. I'll be drawing the winners name and contacting the winner on Monday night. Be sure you leave a way to get in touch...you can do your email address like this....miralee at gorge dot net.
Here's a brief summary of the book in case you aren't familiar with it...and if you don't win, you can find it on Amazon, CBD or your local book store. Thanks and good luck!
The girl standing at the door took a deep breath, pulling her suitcase a little closer to her trembling legs. "My mama's dead. He's my daddy."
Susanne Carson knew she could trust the love of her life-her husband, David-until she discovered a strange, unkempt young girl on their doorstep, claiming to be David's daughter.
Not that their marriage had ever been perfect-David's decision to embrace the Christian faith had strained their relationship. Susanne may not have agreed with his beliefs, but at least she trusted him. Had David been hiding this not-so-little secret from his past? Her husband wanted Susanne to believe in God, but believing hadn't done much to keep David out of another woman's arms. What else could her husband be hiding?
As David confronts the truth of his past, Susanne must face her own moment of truth as her marriage is taken to the breaking point and the life of one young girl is left in her hands.
Finds You" romance line, as am I. She's on the far left, and Tamela, who is also a Summerside author and sister, and happens to also be my lovely agent! She's in the middle. Tamela has a number of inspirational romance's in print, and is a very talented author as well.
t type in "Love Finds You In" in the search engine, and it will show the ones available to ship now.
