I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE

Ship's Log   04.30.2013

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!!!!

ENDS TONIGHT, MIDNIGHT (pacific time)!!!

Ahoy Mateys!  I want you to meet Elaine Cooper and learn about her book The Road To Deer Run.

Meet Elaine

Author Bio:

Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of The Road to Deer Run (Finalist in Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Religious Fiction, Honorable Mention in Romance at 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival), The Promise of Deer Run (Romance Winner for 2012 Los Angeles Book Festival, Finalist in Religious Fiction for ForeWord Review Book of the Year), and The Legacy of Deer Run, Runner-up in Romance at 2013 Los Angeles Book Festival. Cooper is also a contributing writer for Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home by Edie Melson and has a short story in the Romance Anthology entitled, I Choose You. She also has an upcoming historical fiction release in 2013, Fields of the Fatherless. 

Website: http://DeerRunBooks.com 

Elaine was kind enough to answer a few questions for me:

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I'd say it was a lifelong interest but not a goal as a profession. Even as a young child, I felt compelled to write anything from poems, to stories, to a TV script. As an adult, I was asked to freelance for a newspaper after the editor saw some of my poetry. I then went on to write for magazines. But it was not until I was older that I began to write novels.

A lot of authors have their first manuscript turned down by publishers. Did this happen to you? And if so, did it discourage you or make you try harder?

The very first manuscript that I sent to a publisher was a children's story that I submitted. And yes, it was rejected. I put aside my writing for a long time, assuming my work was not good enough. Then when I finished writing my first historical romance, the publishing industry was in such a crisis that I was told by someone I knew in the industry that no new writers could get published at that time (2009). Somehow those words made me even more determined to see my book in print. So my first two books were self-published. My third book was picked up by a publisher (Sword of the Spirit) and that publisher will be picking up the first two books of the saga later this year. My upcoming release was contracted with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. I guess you could say, persistence pays off if you are meant to write!

I truly love the relationship between Mary and Daniel. Is it true that they are based on real people?

Yes, they are based on my 4th great-grandparents. Although the details of their personalities and interactions are fictionalized, the basic story of Daniel escaping as a prisoner of war during the American Revolution and then the marriage with a colonial farm woman (Mary) are completely true. It seemed like such an amazing story to me—an enemy soldier meeting a patriot woman and getting married! What could be more romantic? :)

What do you hope your readers will take away from this story the most?

That love can cover a multitude of sins. That forgiveness can triumph even in the deepest bitterness. And that faith and trust in God is the strength that will see you through even the worst of times.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in writing? 

Write from your heart. Learn from an inspiring mentor that will be honest yet kind. Find your own voice while following the guidelines that you learn from those who know the craft. Never give up writing if the written word is your passion. And realize that "success" in the field is not based on becoming a best seller, but on allowing the Lord to use you where He wants you.

I wish to thank Elaine for taking the time from her busy schedule to answer these questions.

Here is a description of The Road To Deer Run:

The year was 1777. The war had already broken the heart of Mary Thomsen, a young colonial woman from Massachusetts. It had also broken the spirit of British soldier Daniel Lowe, a wounded prisoner of war in a strange land.

They were enemies, brought together by need. Would their differences overshadow the yearnings of their hearts? Or would the bitterness of war keep them apart?

You can buy a copy on Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Deer-Elaine-Marie-Cooper/dp/1450219160/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

This story starts out gentle and calm and then BAM! Action galore! I highly recommend it. Here is my review:

I just finished reading this book and I must say that I was totally and pleasantly surprised. I am usually drawn to books by their covers, but I must admit that this cover didn't catch my eye. But, then I entered a contest to win a book of love stories that contained one story by Elaine. I won the contest and when I received the book of love stories, I was surprised to see that Elaine had also sent me a copy of The Road to Deer Run. (I fully intended to read this book weeks ago, but things came up) I finally began reading it yesterday and I finished it this afternoon. It was a wonderfully written story inspired by true events. Each chapter ends in a way that keeps you wanting to continue on into the next chapter. The relationship between Daniel and Mary will captivate you. From their first encounter to the final chapter, you won't want to miss a beat. He, a British soldier, and she a young colonial woman....odds against them, yet God beats all odds. When you are finished reading this story, you will walk away not only with a sense of awe for this love story, but you will also get a firm grasp on the war and the way of life at that time.

I wish to thank Elaine for sending me this book. I truly enjoyed it.

(Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, I was under no obligation to give a positive review. )

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!

 In the comments, answer the question below to be entered to win a copy of The Road to Deer Run.  Please US residents only and make sure that you put your email address so that I can contact you promptly. Oh, and I'd appreciate you putting your name as well, so I know who you are...some comments say anonymous. 

(If ye not be followin' me blog, won't ye be considerin' it? It would make me a very Happy Chappy)

Question:  If you could change anything about my blog, what would it be? (I know, way out in left field) I want to make sure that my blog is pleasing to the eye, but I don't want to overdo anything. Be honest, I can take it....me plank be in the shop, so no worries of being made to walk it. ;-)

CONTEST ENDS TUESDAY, APRIL 30TH AT MIDNIGHT(PACIFIC TIME) AND WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY, MAY 2ND!!!

Thank ye fer visitin' me blog today....God bless!

MONDAY MOOD SWING

Ship's Log  04.29.2013

Ahoy Mateys! This here be me MONDAY MOOD SWING post. 

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Today's MOOD be.......ART

There are different forms of art, but I am going to focus on my favorite form.....painting.

There are many famous artists, alive and dead, too many to name. My favorite artist is Thomas Kinkade, the Painter of Light. I was deeply saddened by his recent passing. 

Thomas Kinkade  

January 19, 1958-April 6, 2012 (aged 54)

Thomas Kinkade was a wonderful painter and a very good author as well. 

To learn more about him, here is a link: 

http://www.artofthesouth.com/Thomas_Kinkade/Thomas_Kinkade_Bio.php

As most people know, paintings by Thomas Kinkade do not come cheap. And I am sure the prices have gone up since his passing. Therefore, I chose to collect, assemble and display puzzles of his paintings. After moving several times, I have had to store my puzzles away. But, recently I have been setting up an office/craft room for myself, which has given me an opportunity to once again display my puzzles. Here are a few shots of my wall....the puzzles are on all the walls, but you get the idea. 

As you can see, I cut and reconnected a few puzzles so that they would fit in the corners. Now I have my own private gallery of Thomas Kinkade paintings. 

It's hard to believe that there will be no more new paintings by Thomas Kinkade, or new books written by him. If you've never read his Cape Light series, I highly recommend it. Here is a link to find out about his books:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=cape+light+series

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There is another artist that I really used to enjoy watching paint. His name was Bob Ross. He used to have a show called The Joy of Painting, where he would paint a scene right before your eyes. He would start with an empty canvas and show you step by step how to create beautiful scenes.

Bob Ross

October 29, 1942-July 4, 1995 (aged 52)

Bob Ross was very soft spoken and the way he used to refer to his trees as 'Happy Little Trees' was priceless. It saddens and amazes me how two of my favorite painters passed away at almost the same age...and so young. I know that Thomas Kinkade professed to be saved, but I do not know about Bob...I do know that at the end of each episode, he was known for saying,"so from all of us here, I'd like to wish you happy painting, and God bless, my friend." I believe he was from the Mormon church..in any case, they are both greatly missed in the art world.  

If you wish to learn more about Bob Ross, here is a link:

http://www.bobross.com/about.cfm 

Alright, now that the professionals are out of the way. I have one more painting I wish to share with you today. It is by two very special artists.....Lucas Dee Smith and Cassie Sue Ramsdell

Meet the artists:

My talented grandchildren!!

Lucas Dee

Cassie Sue

Now, I can go on and on about these two, but I won't. Let's just say that to me their paintings will always outshine even the most famous of art. 

Thank ye Mateys fer stopping by and reading me 'MOOD' fer this Monday!!! Tell me in the comments what form of art you prefer and why....God bless.

(You still have time to enter to win Elaine Cooper's book The Road to Deer Run! Just go to my 

last post and leave a comment)

AND THE WINNER BE.............

Ship's Log  04.26.2013



Ahoy Mateys! We be havin' a winner in the drawin' fer Joanne Bischof's book!!!



Keep in mind, Mateys, that it be past midnight, so I have to be keepin' quiet. Don't want to be wakin' Swabbie Jack or the dogs. If ye be seein' me past videos, ye know that ye never know what to be expectin' in them. LOL



Here we go....and the winner be.....

Congrats to the winner! I will be contactin' ye shortly, Matey!



Thank ye fer visitin' me blog....I will be featurin' another author on Saturday, the 27th and will be havin' another giveaway! So make sure ye come back and check it out!! God bless.

I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE

Ship's Log   04.25.2013

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ye be havin' until Tonight midnight to enter Mateys!!!

Ahoy Mateys! Today I am pleased to be introducin' ye to a great author, Joanne Bischof. Come aboard and learn about Joanne and her newest release Though My Heart Is Torn....

Meet Joanne

Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home schooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.

You can find out more about Joanne at her website:

http://www.joannebischof.com/

Joanne is a wonderful author that I found not long ago. Her stories truly touch my soul. Enjoy the interview I had with her....I am sure you will come to love her and her books as much as I do.

I wish to thank Joanne for taking time to answer my questions. I truly appreciate it.

Interview:

1. How did you come up with such wonderful characters? Did you base Gideon and Lonnie off anyone you know, or are they completely made up?

I’m so blessed to know you found these characters to be wonderful. Thank you! That is always a writer’s hope. They are mainly made up, but there are people in my life who’ve given me little snippets of who these characters are. And I confess, I love to people watch. I’m always observing people, drawing little bits of inspiration wherever I can. I think that’s really what helped me write Gideon as he thinks and feels in a way I wasn’t used to. But in truth, he was one of my favorite characters to work with. I loved the challenge of creating the thoughts and feelings of a scoundrel. It was a great experience, made all the more so as he grew, matured and struggled through the lessons in the story he had to learn.

2. How much research goes into your books and where do you get your    resources from?

When I first started this series, the greatest challenge I faced was understanding what life was like in the Appalachian region in 1900. I began digging around and stumbled on a handful of first-hand accounts and memoirs from folks who had grown up in that area. I started with these and the more I read, the more I fell in love with the region and was fascinated by the stories these people had to tell. Later, I contacted the Patrick County Historical Society and they’ve been such an aid in helping me dig around for facts or details that I just couldn’t find anywhere else. For those of you who’ve driven the Blue Ridge Parkway, these stories are set exactly where that was put in some years later. I’ve taken every virtual journey down this road that I could and my dad and I have even been scheming of a road trip. I’m hoping that one day soon, we’ll be able to hit the road and soak in the sights!

3. When you wrote Though My Heart Is Torn, did you find it hard throwing Gideon and Lonnie into such dire circumstances? 

I really did. They’d already gone through so much in Be Still My Soul and I think my heart broke a lot for Lonnie and what she would endure. Gideon also as their journeys are so parallel, but for very different reasons as it’s his mistakes that will end up breaking her heart. One of the concepts that I really wanted to infuse into this book was the idea that sometimes life is hard, and sometimes bad things happen because another person made a poor choice, but never is the situation too much for God. Never is the hurt too deep for joy to be restored. Not when God is there with us each step of the way.

4. In the final book of this series, will you be wrapping this whole story up or are you hoping to pick up these lives again one day? 

That’s right…everything for Lonnie and Gideon is going to wrap up in the final book, My Hope is Found. I do have an idea centered around some of the other characters in the series and while I don’t know if it’s a story that will ever be written, I always hope to be able to bring you more books set in historical Appalachia. I’m excited for what’s on the horizon!

5. What do you hope people will take away from reading this series?

I love to write about redemption. I love to take people who are unlikely heroes and show their growth throughout a story. I hope readers will be reminded that hope is never lost, change can always happen and that happy endings aren’t just for fairy tales.

People have shared with me that Though My Heart is Torn and a box of Kleenex pretty much go hand in hand. It’s an emotional journey and I think often times, the happily-ever-after is all the more richer—purer, sweeter—if we had found ourselves looking out from the darkness and wondering how sweet the light might taste and if one day we might see it again. Though all hope may seem lost and though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.

6. One last question. If you could live in any time or place, where would you choose?

Oooh, that’s so tough to choose! When I was younger, I used to wonder what it could be like to live in the 1800’s or early 1900’s as that’s one of my favorite time periods. But thinking on it, I feel so blessed to be where I am when I am. There are so many things I would miss about life these days and one thing I love is being able to slip away for a few moments of quiet and peace, just as people would have done in the olden days. Sometimes just watching a sunset or listening to a nightful of crickets, makes me realize how much the world truly is the same, even after all the decades that have passed.

Weren't those great answers? Here is a look at the cover of Though My Heart Is Torn. Gorgeous!

Now, about the book. Here is a description:

Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it. 
   
Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.
 
As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.
 
While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? 
 
Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

Intriguing, isn't it? May I suggest you read the first book in this series, Be Still My Soul, before reading this one, so that you will know who the characters are and where they come from. 

Here is my review of Though My Heart Is Torn:

When I read the first book in this series, BE STILL MY SOUL, I was totally captivated by the characters....they truly captured my soul. Well, now my heart is stolen as well. THOUGH MY HEART IS TORN will grab you and not let go. I literally went through half a box of tissues...and that was when I was only halfway through the book! I have come to love Gideon and Lonnie, to the point that when anything comes between them, I get upset. This chapter in their lives put me through the wringer; I was completely exhausted by the time I finished reading this book. Gideon and Lonnie have had to face adversity in the past, but nothing compared to what they have to face in THOUGH MY HEART IS TORN.....oh, what a fitting title. I won't give anything away, because I want every reader to feel what I felt, to experience every emotion possible....and don't forget the tissue!

Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, I was not required to give a positive review.

Note: Joanne is a finalist in the Christy Awards for her book Be Still My Soul! Congrats to you Joanne...praying you win; you really deserve it!!

You can purchase both of Joanne's books at Amazon.com and CBD.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&field-author=Joanne%20Bischof&search-alias=books&sort=relevancerank

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?author=Joanne%20Bischof&detailed_search=1&action=Search

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!

                                         

 In the comments, answer the question below to be entered to win a copy of one of Joanne's books...your choice of either Be Still My Soul  or Though My Heart Is Torn.  Please US residents only and make sure that you put your email address so that I can contact you promptly. Oh, and I'd appreciate you putting your name as well, so I know who you are...some comments say anonymous. 

Question:  What would you do if you found out that your husband was unknowingly married to someone else, while still married to you? (Short or long answers welcomed)

CONTEST ENDS THURSDAY, APRIL 25TH AT MIDNIGHT(PACIFIC TIME) AND WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY, APRIL 26TH!!!

Thank ye fer visitin' me blog today....God bless!

And the winning caption be...................

Ship's Log  04.18.2013

Well, color me disappointed. I be havin' only two captions to be choosin' from. *insert sad face here*



So, I be choosin' BOTH captions because they both pleased me, plus it's me blog and I can do what me wants to on it!!! Hahaha!!!!




HERE THEY BE:

Sarah wrote:

Lucas: "I just need a lock of her hair to complete the magical spell..."
Cassie: "Hehe, joke's on him, I know he's coming and I've got a little spell of my own ready!"

Amanda wrote:

Lucas: "I'm gonna get you!" (said in a drawn out sort of way)Cassie "haha, that's what YOU think!"

Thank ye Mateys fer playin' along!!! Big hugs to ye both!!!

Come aboard this Saturday fer me I SPY WIT' ME LITTLE EYE to read about a great book and author....plus a giveaway!!!!!   God bless.