As often happens, college classes sparked an idea—a desire. Authors needed exposure for their books. Word of mouth goes so far, but what if more “mouths” could be rallied to spread the word about great books? Sandy Barela took all she’d learned in the marketing classes and began with one blog Continue Reading
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What Are The Best Genre & Retelling Mashups Ever?
Once in a while, I get a hankering to read something different. So, I give myself permission to do what I call a "free read" every now and then. That's one where I get to read whatever I want. Well, recently, my decision to enjoy a specific free read got me thinking about one of my favorite Continue Reading
Sometimes Even a Good Book Isn’t a Good Fit
I've been looking forward to this review for weeks. I love when authors tackle difficult subjects and don't pretend that people wearing the name of Christ always remember that and act like it. However, as I started reading this book, I instantly became uncomfortable. Still, sometimes we have to Continue Reading
My Crazy Wedding Day Idea and How It Worked for Me
I think everyone should be married before their wedding day. Weird thing to say? Probably. Still, there’s something incredibly freeing about knowing that everything doesn’t hinge on stuff going well on a wedding day. How do I know? I got married on November 25, 1988. Our wedding wasn’t Continue Reading
8 Great Things I Can’t Help with on the Reading Challenge
WHEW! After finishing the latest installment of Cassie, I thought I'd take a "short break" and create that list I promised in the Reading Challenge blog post. It took forever. I should be going home, but I'm determined to do a couple of things first, so I'm working hard over here... on this post. Continue Reading
Life Lessons and Insights in the Most Unexpected Places
Beautifully illustrated, the hardbound books looked like they might be children's books. However, as I flipped through them and disposed of the packaging, I realized they weren't. These books held deep, profound concepts that would take several reads to really appreciate. I sat down last night Continue Reading
What Happens When a Christian Doesn’t “Look” Like One?
He taught me a lesson—a strange man with body art who I’d never met before and would likely never meet again. The elevator stopped on my floor and the doors opened. There he was. He was big—really beefy, not overweight. Just a linebacker waiting to happen. Tattoos decorated his arms and lower Continue Reading
What Should You Do When You Fail To Show Compassion?
Male. Latino-Black. Average height. Cornrows in his hair. Muscular. Pierced ears—gauges. "Muscle shirt." Pants held on only by the grace of God. I’ll call him Joey. I think he looks like a Joey. Not a cute little boy, Joey—a cool dude Joey. I picture him with friends Marco and Ty. He may not Continue Reading
5 Easy (& FREE) Ways You Can Help Your Favorite Author
At least once a week an email arrives. While the words are always a little bit different, they all say the same basic thing, “I love your books. What’s the best way to tell everyone else how great they are?” Translation: “How can I help promote your books?” Look, I need to say something Continue Reading
Have I Got a Birthday Gift for YOU!
The paper cutter sliced through another sheet of cardstock—another. One by one, I stacked sheets in piles. The base, the image layer, patterned paper, ribbons, tags… Once I’d gathered all the pieces, assembly began. Some needed coloring, others just layering. As much as I love to use ribbons and Continue Reading
When This Life Denies You Coffee, Wait 10 Years
Ten Years Ago... A U-Haul, three pickups, and two cars pulled up in front of the house at 241 Holly Circle just as Richard Stephens pulled his mower from the garage and checked the gas reservoir. A man about his mother’s age climbed down from the cab of the U-Haul and called out, “Okay, Ruth! Continue Reading
How a Silly Santa Story Exposed My Hypocrisy
I’ll never forget that evening. It was in Fillmore, California on Mountain View Street. I was four. We all sat around the dinner table, and Dad had just poured milk. I’m pretty sure he was about to stuff some cornbread in it. Thought you oughtta know. I’d spent the day with my cousin, Continue Reading
