Looking for just the right book but not sure where to look? Check out The Borrowed Book, a website designed specifically for readers and writers of fine books and devotionals! On Mondays, meet the finest debut authors Christian fiction has to offer. Wednesdays and Thursdays, read interviews with your favorite authors or browse excerpts from many of the latest books. Not into fiction? Then stop by on Tuesdays when writers of non-fiction and devotionals will be the featured guests.

Created by award-winning author and speaker, Elizabeth Ludwig, The Borrowed Book offers readers the chance to meet some of their favorite authors, catch up on the latest books, and sign up for weekly drawings and prizes. Rest assured, this isn’t your average writer’s blog. The Borrowed Book was designed with the book-lover in mind…you.

Oh Deer

I had an amazing morning and just have to share. I was out in one of our fields and it was so foggy I could hardly see a thing. As the fog lifted and I was leaving, I looked out across the field and noticed some shapes that looked like deer. I immediately squatted down. For a good twenty minutes, I watched as six bucks pranced and played their deer games.
No, that isn't a picture of the deer I saw, though I was kicking myself for not bringing my camera. But for some reason, I can only think of it as a blessing, those deer started wandering my direction. About fifty yards away, they finally noticed me. Curious, they continued closer, hesitant, their heads bobbing up and down and side to side trying to get a better look at me and see if I was friend or foe. About 35 to 40 yards away, they stopped and eyed me for a good five minutes before the biggest of the bucks snorted, making them all run off. Though my legs were asleep and the tingling was awful as the blood once again surged when I stood, I wouldn't have traded my morning for anything. Our God of all creation gave me a scene I'll never forget.

For Love of the Family

I recently returned from a trip to the frigid north...Minnesota...to see my family.

Okay, so the picture isn't recent, but I got to see some of our old photos for the first time in many years and I absolutely love them.

It's been colder up there on other trips, but it's been years since I've seen so much snow up there in December. Eight inches of the big, wet, fluffy flakes kept us in the house Christmas day, postponing our gathering. It snowed about sixteen, or more, inches while we were there. When we left, they had about two and a half feet of snow on the ground.








Quite the winter wonderland. But as beautiful as it is, it has a tendency to hinder travel. So we broke out alternate modes of transportation.








I'm not overly fond of that cold white stuff, which is why I moved south, but I wouldn't trade that trip for anything. In fact, I'd do it all over again...for love of my family.

MTCAN Fun

I always enjoy a chance to get together with fellow writers. The fun and fellowship we share is priceless. Not to mention that writers are the only ones who understand other writers...the oddities and little quirks, or even the unique way we think. For example, I was told by my friend, my pastor's wife, (you know, one of those 'normal' people) that my thought process is quite interesting. Never mind the fact that I had just told her the dark, narrow road we were on would be a good place to dump a body. But since she is an avid reader and has come a little closer to understanding me, she puts up with my odd statements. (though I did notice she hugged the passenger door a little more)

MTCAN (Meet The Christian Authors Night) provided the perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with other authors. But that's not all it did. The funds raised from our book sales helps Grace-Full Ministry provide back-to-school items for children of single moms as well as fix cars to help those moms get their kids to school on time. The funds also allow children to attend camps and helps with home repairs. I would like to thank the ladies of this ministry for the opportunity to help serve in these activities, even in such a small way. I know what this ministry does for these families is such a blessing, and I'm blessed to be even a small part of it. Thank you, Linda Kozar for inviting me to be a part of MTCAN. And I also thank Janice Thompson for doing such and excellent job as emcee of the event. One more special thank you goes to Karen, who has become a dear friend and is without a doubt the most incredible PR person I know. There's not a question in my mind that without her enthusiastic praise of my book, none would have sold. She's a gem.

We are here to praise, worship, and serve our Lord. Whenever you get the chance, help God's loved ones. They're not the only ones who will be blessed.

Meet The Christian Authors Night

Mark your calendars for the second annual

MEET THE CHRISTIAN AUTHORS NIGHT

on

Friday, July 31st, 2009

6:30-9:00 pm

• Live Entertainment from local Christian music artists
• Hear Cec Murphy speak
• On the Spot Author Interviews
• Meet your favorite Christian authors in person
• Shop for books and have them autographed
• Meet local Christian music artists--buy CDs
• Buy unique handcrafted silver jewelry and antique beaded necklaces from a Christian jewelry artist
• Enter a raffle to win a BIG BASKET OF BOOKS!
• Browse our silent auction with fantastic items to bid on (Astros tickets, spa package, etc)
• Enjoy refreshing beverages and delicious desserts
• Help support Grace~Full the ministry to single parents.

As of July 1st, 2009, authors who are coming to sign books at this event are: Cec Murphey, Gail Gaymer Martin, Kathy Ide, Cyndy Salzmann, DiAnn Mills, Kathleen Y'Barbo, Janice Thompson, Martha Rogers, Anita Higman, Lena Nelson Dooley, Jeff LeJeune, Linda and Steve Bauer, Janelle Mowery, Elizabeth Ludwig, Randi Morrow, Karen Zick Slagle, Julie Johnston Zick, Nancy Williams, Cathy Messecar, Kim O'Brien, Brenda White, Donn Taylor, Kent Whittaker, Marcia Gruver, Linda Kozar, Dannelle Woody, Rene' Morris, Eileen Key, Marilyn Eudaly, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Lena Nelson Dooley, Vicki Moss, Darol Hail, Don Dickerman, Patricia Lowenfield and Don Dilmore

@WoodsEdge Community Church
35333 Gosling Road
Spring, TX 77389

View the blog about this exciting event and watch the video at

http://meetthechristianauthorsnight.blogspot.com

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

CBE

Though the CBE turnout wasn't as large as hoped, I must say I had a wonderful time. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones without having to wait for the ACFW conference helped make the trip a success in my eyes. I was able to spend time with three of my favorite people, Elizabeth Ludwig, Susan Downs, and Kim Sawyer,















not to mention Chris Lynxwiler, Carrie Turansky, Wanda Brunstetter, Becky Germany, and Mary Connealy who, btw, found out she was nominated for the Christy Award while at the CBE. Great stuff. Congratulations, Mary.














I think one of the most exciting things to happen was when Max Lucado was kind enough to speak to my sister on the phone since she couldn't be there. Her excitement alone made the trip worthwhile.










I was also able to meet face to face with my agent, Sandra Bishop, who has become another of my favorite people. She introduced me to some of the marketing folks at Harvest House, who will soon be publishing my Colorado Runaway historical series. I had dinner with Mary Lu Tyndall and Kelly Hake one night and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. Another night I had dinner with many of the members of the Christian Authors Network, and spent time with Anita Higman and Aaron McCarver, but do you think I was smart enough to get pictures of any of these people? Nope. I'm still kicking myself.

All of this is to say, the next time you have an opportunity presented like the CBE, try to make it. You'll get to connect with some wonderful people.

God Is So Good

It has happened. It was a long time coming. At least in MY time frame. But God, in all His goodness and grace, blessed me with a sale of my historicals. And not just with any publisher, but with Harvest House. Why is that such a big deal? Well, I'll give you the short version of this story.

It was only after reading several stories by Lori Wick that I determined I could write a story. She, or better, her stories inspired me. I was sure I could do it. So after formulating a plot and carrying the story around in my head for a year, I finally sat down and started my first story. When that one was finished, I started another, and then another. I had no clue what I was doing. Didn't know a thing about writing rules. I just wrote the stories that kept taking over my mind.

Then I joined ACFW and one of their critique groups. With the help of the ladies in that group, I learned the writing rules, went back to my stories, and applied those rules. After years of work and patience, those stories have now sold. A dream come true.

For those of you who don't know, Lori Wick is published by Harvest House. Isn't that amazing? Talk about a dream coming full circle. To this day, I still stand in awe of how God works. His ways are perfect. Don't ever stop dreaming, and never give up.

A big thank you to my Lord and also to the editors at Harvest House, who believe in these stories. I am thrilled and honored to be working with this publishing house, and I am humbled by God's graciousness. Praise God! And thank You so much.