Diana Prusik

Ever Mindful

2012-09-11T13:23:00.001-05:00

When our family visited New York City in 2000, our hotel assigned to us Room 911. We joked about having a room number we could easily remember. Little did we know, 911 would soon become a number no American would forget.

One year later, an eighth-grade boy rushed down the hallway toward my classroom as students switched from first period to second. "Mrs. Prusik! New York City, the Pentagon--we're being attacked!"

"Who told you that?" I laughed, thinking his adolescent buddies had pulled one over on him for sure, but he persisted in his tale, so I turned on my AM/FM radio . . . and learned the truth.

As the tardy bell rang to begin second-period reading class, a room full of eighth graders looked to me, their teacher, for answers. Perhaps for the first time in my career, I had no words.

One girl looked up at me, her freckled face gone ashen, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. "Mrs. Prusik, does this mean we are going to war?"

That word crawled across my skin. Images of Pearl Harbor, Ia Drang Valley, Omaha Beach, Antietam filled my head. Images of injured, maimed, and fallen soldiers not much older than the kids who filled my classroom stabbed my heart. I stared at her, slack-jawed. In all my years as an educator, I had never wanted to withhold the truth from students, but in that moment, I did. I wanted to lie. To protect her. To protect us all.

I glanced out the window at the clear September sky. Ironically peaceful. Eerily quiet. How could I tell these stunned faces what I knew was sure to come? Goosebumps rising, I looked back at her through misty eyes.

"I'm afraid so."

A few weeks ago, I chanced upon one of those former students at the grocery store. A student who left my classroom as a boy . . . and returned from war a man. A man whose Army vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. A man who faces spinal surgery as a result of his injuries. A man who lost his buddy in that attack.

And a man who--even after all the tragedy he has experienced--says he will return to service after surgery if his body and the Army will allow. Why? Because of the tragedy he has experienced, he explained.

As I gazed into his determined eyes, I recalled that fateful September day, haunted by the shock, fear, and uncertainty in innocent eyes that looked to me for reassurance I could not offer. And I realized this former student knows that look too well. He's seen it in the eyes of children on the other side of the globe, where terrorists can enter classrooms at any moment, select children at random, and strap onto them vests wired with explosives.

Protecting the vulnerable--that's why he's willing to serve.

We will never forget 9/11, but may we be ever grateful to the brave men and women like my former student who risk their lives every day for the sake of others. Including strangers. Including foreigners. May we be ever mindful of their sacrifice.

And may we honor their efforts by living lives worthy of protection.

To those who offer yourselves in selfless service, thank you for sharing the gift!

Share the Gift This Mother's Day

2012-05-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

How do you plan to honor moms in your life on Mother's Day? We all know the standard gifts--flowers, jewelry, dining out. Sleeping in would be the gift of choice for flower shop ladies in my novel Delivery, since they work long hours creating Mother's Day bouquets. Moms across the nation will be thrilled with any one or all of those treats next Sunday.

My Favorite Gift: Family Time (Mother's Day, 2005)

But this year, why not add a new dimension? In our culture of abundance, why not give a gift that keeps on giving? Dozens of charities provide opportunities for us to honor moms we love while also helping others. Here are a few ideas worth considering:

1. For as little as $10, you can send a Mother's Day card to your special mom while also helping the St. Louis Crisis Nursery work to prevent child abuse and neglect through "emergency intervention, respite care and support to families in crisis." Your gift will "help struggling mothers to care for their children and provide a safe and nurturing environment for those families in crisis." Click here for more info.

2. The International Rescue Committee invites you to select your price range ($18 and up) and your cause (health, education, emergency relief, rebuilding, or women and girls) to dedicate a rescue gift. The special mom in your life will receive a beautiful card and feel the joy in knowing that in her name, those less fortunate will receive a mosquito net, school supplies, livestock, food, clean water, medical care, or another gift of your choosing. Shop by clicking here. ("Order your printed card by May 9 to ensure delivery by Mother's Day or send an eCard within minutes.")

3. Choose from four styles of Mother's Day cards while also "helping women survivors of wars rebuild their lives" through Women for Women International. Your contribution helps women in war-torn nations learn job skills to earn a living and become leaders in their communities. To choose and send your card, click here. (Hurry on this one! You must order by May 6 to ensure card delivery by Mother's Day.)

If none of these ideas resonates with you, a quick Google search should lead to one that does. Have a unique Mother's Day gift idea? Please tell us all about it the comment section below. Share the gift!

The Irish Healer

2012-04-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

Have you heard the buzz? "Engrossing." "Heartwarming." "Poignant." "Stirring." These are a few words I've heard flying to describe Nancy Herriman's debut novel The Irish Healer, released this month. Best-selling author Margaret Brownley deems it " . . . a perfect read." If you enjoy historical fiction, a captivating story, cheering others through their doubts and insecurities, you surely will agree.

So what's The Irish Healer about? Here's the official book description:

"Accused of murdering a child under her care, Irish healer Rachel Dunne flees the ensuing scandal while vowing to never sit at another sickbed. She no longer trusts in her abilities--or God's mercy--though when a cholera epidemic sweeps through London, she feels compelled to nurse the dying daughter of the enigmatic physician she has come to love. James Edmunds, wearied by the deaths of too many patients, has his own doubts about God's grace. Together, they will have to face their darkest fears . . . and learn what it means to have real faith."

Nancy joins us for a chat today, so please pull up a chair while I pour us all a spot of tea, and let's get to know her.

Welcome, Nancy! What inspired your imagination to give birth to Rachel’s personality and her particular problem?

When I was researching another novel, I came across the transcripts of a trial that had taken place in London’s Old Bailey. It concerned a woman who had been accused of killing a child she’d been taking care of. That woman’s tale (she was acquitted, by the way, on the coroner’s testimony that the child was sickly from birth) led me to wondering what ever happened to her in later years - how did she live within the community who had accused her? Did she feel guilt over the child? Was she a woman of faith who questioned God’s mercy? All of this led me to my Irish healer, Rachel Dunne.

You've woven such a beautiful story around this premise. The Irish Healer begins with an awesome hook: “My name is Rachel Dunne. I am not a murderer.” Complete this statement: “My name is Nancy Herriman. I am not a(n) _____.”

I am not an introvert!

I'm not sure Rachel is, either. At least she, a native of Ireland, found the courage in 1832 to move to England alone to begin a new life. Have you visited either or both of these countries?

I have never been to Ireland, but I have once visited England. I think I was stunned by just how beautiful the countryside is and how much variety there was in the few places we had a chance to visit. And the history….so very rich with it. I love Irish music and would dearly enjoy an opportunity to hear it in the country of its birth.

Speaking of these two countries, if tonight’s dinner menu offered only two options—fish and chips or corned beef and cabbage—which would you choose?

Sorry, Rachel - fish and chips.

How diplomatic, Nancy! You choose the food of England and the music of Ireland. Music seems to be a big part of your life. Your bio states you are very active in music ministry at your church. That comes with serious responsibilities, but can you share a time when humor ruled the day?

In my life, humor always rules the day, even during music ministry. Music is joy to me, the greatest expression of my faith, and I want everyone to feel that. We laugh often - over missed lyrics or mistaken notes or massive audio system failures that have forced us to nearly scream to be heard!

Which musical instrument could best express the tone of The Irish Healer and why?

The uilleann pipes, which are the Irish version of the bagpipe. I think they’re both mournful and moving.

Mournful and moving . . . like the music in your lovely and intriguing book trailer. Let's check it out.

If Rachel were here, what words of wisdom would she share with us about facing our fears?

Simple - trust in God. He may not provide the solution we seek, but He will provide the strength to endure.

That, He does! If God were to write a review of The Irish Healer, what do you hope He would say?

That He greatly enjoyed the themes of forgiveness and mercy and faith.

The Irish Healer certainly is rich with these themes. I enjoyed it tremendously! Finish this statement: "I write historical fiction because _____."

I love to escape the reality of modern-day life! The past has always, always intrigued me.

When you aren’t writing or participating in church activities, where are we most likely to find you?

At a local coffee shop with a friend or two. Probably talking about writing or singing!

What comes next for Author Nancy Herriman?

I am working on another book, completely unrelated to The Irish Healer, set in 1880’s San Francisco. A very different setting for me.

I'll be watching for it. Meanwhile, how might readers connect with you online?

They can reach me at my website at www.nancyherriman.com, or most easily at my author Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Author.NancyHerriman.

Thanks, Nancy, for stopping by, and a special thanks for sharing your gift of writing.

The rest of you have grown so quiet. Must be my delicious tea. I'll top off your cup while YOU chime in. If you've read The Irish Healer, what did you enjoy most about it (without spoiling the plot for others, of course)?

In the novel, heroine Rachel Dunne shares the gift of healing, which has potential to bring a healing of her own. Have you ever set out to help someone and discovered that you were helped in the process? If so, please tell us about it in the comment section below. Share the gift!
_____

About the Author: The Irish Healer is Nancy Herriman’s fourth completed manuscript, and it was runner-up in the Historical Fiction category of the 2009 ACFW Genesis contest. She also won the 2006 RWA Daphne du Maurier award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense and has been a finalist in other contests. Nancy is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two teenagers, and is very active in the music ministry at her church.

Do You Feel It?

2012-04-06T11:23:00.000-05:00

For once, this writer has no words--no words to fully express what Easter means to me. I could pen paragraphs, chapters, volumes attempting to convey it, but in the end, words alone could never be enough.

So abandoning words, I invite you to camp out with me here, at the foot of the Cross. Let's sit together in silence. Or kneel. Or fall prostrate. Contemplate Christ's sacrifice with me. Pray. Weep. Rejoice. Do you feel it? Do you feel His indescribable love?

Photograph by Diana Prusik

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV).

Time for a New Easter Tradition?

2012-03-23T12:06:00.000-05:00

Don't you love how family traditions revive old memories while also creating new ones? Celebrating holidays in the same ways year after year gives us roots and branches all at once--connecting past, present, and future in meaningful, emotion-charged ways. But once in a while, a new idea comes along that begs us to mix it up a little. Several years ago, when a pastor shared an idea his family adopted for Easter, I knew it had to become part of our family's tradition. Along the way, we've added our own personal touches. It's so simple and so powerful, you may wish to adopt it, too. Here's how:

On Good Friday, place a grapevine wreath, symbolizing the Crown of Thorns, around a candle in the center of your table. Light the wick, recalling Jesus's words: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12, NIV).

Open your Bible and invite family members to take turns reading aloud the story of the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. (I prefer the Gospel of Matthew for this.)

Lead a family prayer to thank Christ for sacrificing His life for us. Then, extinguish the flame, symbolizing His giving up His spirit.

Leave the candle dark until the third day.

On Easter Sunday, relight the candle to symbolize Jesus's victory over death. Then, invite family members to take turns reading aloud the resurrection story.

Finally, lead a family prayer: "Dear Jesus, we join together today to thank You for ___________________."

It may not be Easter yet, but since Jesus shared the gift of all gifts, why not praise Him together--right here, right now? Fill in the blank above using the comment section below to join the prayer, and please invite others to join as well.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).

Questioning Easter Traditions

2012-03-16T13:22:00.002-05:00

In my area, spring weather arrived early this year. Since grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and birds are preparing their nests, I felt inspired to pull Easter decorations out of storage this week.

As I filled my grandmother's heirloom bowl with decorative eggs

and displayed my favorite Beatrix Potter-style porcelain bunny,

I found myself questioning the Easter traditions I've practiced since childhood. What do eggs and rabbits have to do with celebrating Easter anyway?

I began to worry that I had fallen victim to commercialism, that decorating my home with eggs and bunnies meant I'd somehow missed the mark. But then, I flipped through this little book I purchased at a dollar store years ago and stumbled upon page 67.

from Dave Cheadle's Victorian Easter
and the Springtime Celebrations of a Romantic Age

This little verse reminded me that all traditions are empty unless we attach appropriate meaning to them. Signs of spring can speak of Christ to us, if we let them.

Why? Not solely because Christ died on the Cross, although His crucifixion is the greatest sacrifice.

But because the tomb is empty. He rose again. He lives!

So if you visit my home this spring, please don't misjudge my egg and bunny decorations. They are part of my Easter traditions not because of commercialism, but because they help me celebrate a risen Savior, the One who paid the ultimate price to share the ultimate gift--the gift of eternal life!

What Easter traditions do YOU question? Which ones speak to YOUR heart? Others, including me, might wish to adopt your ideas, so please share the gift!

A Book to the Rescue for Tornado Recovery

2012-03-09T09:59:00.004-06:00

"In like a lion; out like a lamb." We've all heard that description of March weather, but for many residents of the Midwest this year, the reference to the month's entrance came tragically true with a massive tornado outbreak. I've read reports that 36 twisters touched down across the region on February 29, 2012, killing at least 12 people. Two days later, an estimated 40 more followed, claiming another reported 39 lives.

On Leap Day, 2012, Branson, MO, took a direct hit as a tornado roared down the Highway 76 strip, a popular tourist destination.

The Taneyhills Community Library stood in its path.

Photo courtesy of Branson resident Connie Foster Carter

Compared to devastated communities like Marysville, IN, Taneyhills' damage seems relatively mild. But for the sake of the Branson community, this little library deserves our attention now more than ever.

According to the library's website, it receives no local, state, or federal tax funds. It is financed solely through donations, including support from the Library Club. It is staffed primarily by volunteers.

In a community reeling from the tornado's aftermath, library donations could become scarce.

But we can help!

To support this library, Oak Ridge Boys singer and songwriter Joseph S. Bonsall and Sheaf House Publishers are offering a sweet deal.

For every copy of Bonsall's From My Perspective sold between March 5 and April 5, 2012, he will donate 100% of his royalties to the Taneyhills Community Library. Sheaf House will donate an additional $3.50 per copy and cover shipping and handling.

That means the library will receive $6.54 for each copy sold!

So why not order a new book, enjoy free shipping, and help the recovering Branson community maintain one of its greatest treasures--a public library? Visit the Sheaf House website to learn more by clicking here. Share the gift, folks. That's what it's all about!

Now for some FUN, blog friends--what's YOUR favorite Oak Ridge Boys song?

We Have a Winner!

2012-03-02T08:30:00.000-06:00

Today is . . .

*the National Education Association's Read Across America Day

*Dr. Seuss's birthday

*my special friend Wilma M.'s birthday

AND

*the day we learn the winner of the Wee Are Readers photo contest!!!

Every wee reader is a winner in my eyes, and so are adults who take time to share books with children.

A special thanks to all blog subscribers who showed support for childhood literacy by voting. Not an easy job, since these little tykes are all so adorable!

Before we learn who wins, let's take one more look at these sweet little bookworms. Wee Are Readers Photo Parade encore, please!

Entry 1: Linda C.'s grandson

Entry 2: Kristen J. and daughter

Entry 3: Mickie W. and daughter

Entry 4: Kristin H.'s children

Entry 5: Sandra M.'s son

Entry 6: Kristin J.'s daughter

Entry 7: Poppy-Pops and great-granddaughter

Entry 8: Ally B.'s daughters

Entry 9: Kristin H.'s children

Entry 10: Kimberley G.'s children

Entry 11: Kristin H.'s son

Entry 12: Mae M.'s niece and son

Entry 13: Margie M.'s son

Entry 14: Ally B.'s daughters

Entry 15: Holly K.'s daughter

Entry 16: Tia M.'s son

Entry 17: Abby B. and niece

Entry 18: Ally B.'s daughters

Entry 19: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 20: Andrew B. and daughter

Entry 21: Ally B.'s daughter

Entry 22: Angie F.'s son

Entry 23: Kaye W.'s grandson

Entry 24: Monicka E.'s sons

Entry 25: Abby B.'s daughter

Entry 26: John C.'s grandchildren

Entry 27: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 28: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 29: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 30: Heather H.'s daughters

Entry 31: Paul B.'s daughter

Entry 32: Shelley C.'s daughter

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for. The entrant who received the most votes, our Wee Are Readers winner is . . .

(Drum roll, please . . . .)

Entry 7: Poppy-Pops and great-granddaughter!!!

Congratulations to Kati H. for submitting the winning entry. She will receive a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card (her choice). WooHoo!

Blog friends, how will you share the gift of literacy today?

Wee Are Readers Photo Parade

2012-02-24T07:00:00.544-06:00

In honor of the upcoming National Education Association's Read Across America Day, it's time to celebrate literacy with the Wee Are Readers Photo Parade. A special thanks to all these adorable wee readers and a standing ovation to our book-loving contest participants who share the gift of literacy by reading to children.

Now, let the parade commence!

Entry 1: Linda C.'s grandson

Entry 2: Kristen J. and daughter

Entry 3: Mickie W. and daughter

Entry 4: Kristin H.'s children

Entry 5: Sandra M.'s son

Entry 6: Kristin J.'s daughter

Entry 7: Poppy-Pops and great-granddaughter

Entry 8: Ally B.'s daughters

Entry 9: Kristin H.'s children

Entry 10: Kimberley G.'s children

Entry 11: Kristin H.'s son

Entry 12: Mae M.'s niece and son

Entry 13: Margie M.'s son

Entry 14: Ally B.'s daughters

Entry 15: Holly K.'s daughter

Entry 16: Tia M.'s son

Entry 17: Abby B. and niece

Entry 18: Ally B.'s daughters

Entry 19: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 20: Andrew B. and daughter

Entry 21: Ally B.'s daughter

Entry 22: Angie F.'s son

Entry 23: Kaye W.'s grandson

Entry 24: Monicka E.'s sons

Entry 25: Abby B.'s daughter

Entry 26: John C.'s grandchildren

Entry 27: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 28: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 29: Kathy T.'s grandson

Entry 30: Heather H.'s daughters

Entry 31: Paul B.'s daughter

Entry 32: Shelley C.'s daughter

Aren't those the sweetest readers you have ever seen? I'm glad blog subscribers are deciding the outcome of this contest instead of me. I couldn't possibly select a single winner on my own!

Questions?

Who is eligible to vote? Anyone who has subscribed to my blog.

How do I become a blog subscriber? Scroll up to enter your email address in the appropriate white field on the right of your screen. Click "Subscribe." Then, check your email inbox to click confirmation of your subscription request. Now, you may vote for your favorite wee reader!

How do I cast my vote? Email the entry number that appears beneath the photo of your choice by clicking here. For your vote to be valid, your email address must match the email address you used to subscribe to my blog. Please type "My Vote" in the subject line. Limit one vote per person. The photo with the most qualifying votes by midnight (CST) on Thursday, March 1, 2012, wins.

May I vote for my own entry? Absolutely! Please encourage friends and loved ones to become blog subscribers so they may vote, too.

When will we know who wins? Check my blog on Read Across America Day, Friday, March 2, 2012, to see the winner. The person who submitted that entry will receive a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner's choice).

What is an excellent way to share the gift of literacy? Read to a child.

Best wishes to all contestants. Voting may begin!

Touchscreens and Story Time

2012-02-17T17:42:00.002-06:00

My grandma's lap. A squeaky rocker. A stack of Little Golden books. Precious hours spent turning pages, snuggling, giggling. Those are my earliest memories of reading.

Fast forward a few decades. (Okay, maybe four. And a half. Oh, please don't make me confess my age!) Now my husband and I are the grandparents providing laps for story time. Like my grandma did with me, we snuggle with our grandkids, giggle, and make memories galore. We choose from stacks of treasured children's books, but like many other areas of our lives, a new element has joined the scene: technology.

Thanks to touchscreens, my grandchildren can interact with stories in a whole new way. Take the iPad version of the children's classic Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, for example. Trilogy Studios designed this app with three modes to choose from. Want to read it like a traditional book? Choose the Read Alone mode. Prefer an audio version? Choose Read to Me.

Our grandson enjoying the Harold and the Purple Crayon iPad app

But if you want to experience the latest in children's book technology, select Touch Tale mode. It allows readers to help the character Harold draw the story’s pictures as the tale progresses. Don't want to drag out messy art supplies? No problem. A fingertip against the screen will do.

Will such interaction help children become better readers? I have no idea. Will it encourage them to love books in adulthood? Only time will tell. But whether kids become life-long readers as a result of apps like this or not, I know two things:

1. Traditional books will always be part of story time in our home.

2. The interactive feature of the iPad app keeps my grandkids engaged for extended periods of time, which brings more snuggles, more giggles, and more time for making memories. I can't complain about that.

Have you included technology in story time with your children or grandchildren? Will interactive book apps make traditional books more or less appealing to kids? Sound off below, my friends. I'd love to know what you think!

And don't forget, my Wee Are Readers Photo Parade is coming next week. You still have time to send in pics for your chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card (winner's choice). See contest details here.

More than Paper and Ink

2012-02-03T10:01:00.002-06:00

Photography fun with Sophia, my newest granddaughter

These are a few of my favorite things:

Snuggly wee ones. Books. Comfy chairs--squeaky old rockers will do. Soft blankets. Pudgy little fingers pointing at pictures, turning pages, clapping at happy endings. Tiny voices full of questions, gasps, and giggles. Wide-eyed wonder. Taking adventures to distant times and places without leaving the room.

And the blessing of watching children grow into adults who love snuggly wee ones, books, comfy chairs, soft blankets . . . .

I recently experienced that blessing when I browsed my newborn granddaughter's small library, one her parents made sure to have waiting in her nursery before her birth. Tiny volumes filled with paper and ink and so much more. Stories that will teach her about kindness, sharing, and planting kisses. Tales that will leave her marveling at God's creation. Characters waiting to become her loyal friends--friends she can introduce to her children and grandchildren someday.

The National Education Association's annual Read Across America Day is less than a month away. Help "build a nation of readers." Read to a child today. And tomorrow. And the day after that.

Which children's book will you grab first? I'm always searching for new stories to treasure with my grandchildren, so I'd love to know. I'll be looking for your answer in the comment section below.

Next time you share a book with a child, don't forget to grab a camera, snap a picture, and enter my Wee Are Readers Photo Contest. Details here.

Remember, the children we read to now will grow up and read to the children of the future. Your love for reading can impact generations. Share the gift!

Special Delivery

2012-01-27T18:00:00.000-06:00

This week is for snuggling grandbaby sweetness.

And that is all.

The Search is On!

2012-01-20T08:00:00.739-06:00

My stellar publisher Tyndale House has an exciting new release.

The Search Committee, the 2010 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel Contest winner by Tim Owens, is now available. Oh, my! Isn't the cover adorable? What's the story about? Here's the official description:

"A mismatched team of seven hits the road in an Econoline church van on a mission to find a new pastor. They don't agree on much other than the stops at Hardee's for coffee and a biscuit. But they stick to the call, trying to slip undetected into worship services across the Southeast—all in hopes of stealing a preacher for their congregation.

Each member is wrestling to balance their own busy life and personal struggles. And they're trying to keep their issues to themselves. Forced to spend countless hours together, these very different personalities from different generations begin to bond. And their lives are profoundly changed as they love and support each other through the difficulties in each of their lives."

I had the pleasure of meeting Tim at CWG's 2011 Writing for the Soul conference in Denver last February, and he joins us for a chat today.

Tim Owens and Diana Prusik

Tim, I'm so glad you stopped by. Pull up a chair and let's talk about your writing journey. When Jerry B. Jenkins announced that you had won the Operation First Novel contest, what was your initial reaction?

It was like having an out-of-body experience. Thinking back . . . it was just hard for me to appreciate what was happening. I’m just slow like that. It takes a while for things to register. Later that evening in my hotel room, I called my wife, Ruth, back in South Carolina. We both laughed, cried, and just savored it a while before going to bed.

Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim Owens

What an exciting time, and since readers can now enjoy The Search Committee, the excitement continues. In addition to being a novelist, you have a doctorate in environmental engineering and are the co-owner of an environmental engineering firm. What makes an environmental engineer decide to write fiction? (Or what makes an aspiring author decide to become an environmental engineer?)

Ha! That’s a great question. When my engineering friends heard I’d won a fiction contest, they said it was no big deal because most of the technical reports I wrote were fiction. Growing up, I didn’t envision myself as an engineer or a writer. I wanted to go to medical school, but my MCAT scores weren’t high enough, and anyway, I faint at the sight of blood. But I’ve always enjoyed writing, when given the opportunity. My dad and mom were both English majors, I married an English major, and my daughter was an English major. It was bound to rub off a little.

With the launch of your award-winning book, I'd say it certainly did rub off! You obviously have tremendous support from English majors, and you have experience with church leadership as well. How have your personal experiences contributed to your idea for your novel?

I was on a search committee about 20 years ago at a church my wife and I attended in Charlotte, NC. We were aspiring yuppies back then, so I was the young married professional on the committee. The other folks were wonderful, and the book isn’t about them, but the whole process sets up nicely for a book. You have weekly adventures, you get to know the others on the committee very well, and it was a time, for me anyway, when I grew in my faith. And, of course, I grew up in the sticks of eastern North Carolina, so I knew the turf well.

Being a church representative comes with serious responsibilities, but can you share a time when humor ruled the day?

Probably the funniest for me involves my twin boys (identical) one Christmas Eve service. I was elder in charge and “volunteered” them to be the liturgists for the service, reading two separate scripture passages. They were 14 years old at the time and were pretty sore about what I’d done. When it was time for the first scripture passage to be read by my son David, he flat out refused to leave the narthex (the foyer behind closed doors). My wife Ruth, an usher in the narthex with them (I had volunteered her services as well) convinced the other twin, Al, to go up and read David’s passage for him. Al did but he wasn’t prepared and stumbled all through the reading. He came back to the narthex, red-faced embarrassed as only a teenager could be, and ready to fight David. But then he realized it was his turn to read his passage. He made David trade shirts with him and changed right there on the spot. Then he left the narthex, went up to the pulpit, and read his scripture passage perfectly. So everyone at the service thought that both boys had participated when in fact, only one had. Of course, all three were mad at me, but it was pretty funny.

Ha! Now we all know who to call when we need to ~~coerce~~ enlist volunteers. How clever of Al to trade clothes with David.

Speaking of clever, The Search Committee has a very clever tagline: “Sheep need a shepherd . . . some more than others.”

I can't help wondering how that tagline applies to the book's message. What do you hope readers take with them after finishing it?

You know, when I started it, I didn’t have any idea about what the reader might take from the book. I just wanted to get it all down. And then, somewhere in the middle, I began to see that I had an opportunity to deliver a message. Sometimes I worked on it, and sometimes it just came out during the writing. But I absolutely felt the Holy Spirit moving in me more than once as I was typing. It was an intensely emotional process. I feel like the message is that our lives are completely dependent on God’s grace. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, how smart you might be, how much money your parents have or don’t have, or even how many good deeds you’ve chalked up for your fellow man. It is all about God’s grace. That’s all there is.

Amen, Tim! What's that? You hear a knock at the door? Okay. I confess. I invited Jan Stob, Tyndale Senior Acquisitions Editor, to pay a surprise visit.

Come in, Jan. Please have a seat and tell us what you think about Tim's book.

The Search Committee portrays in both really funny and poignant ways how life as part of a church community can change us all for the better. Readers will see themselves or people they know among the seven unlikely characters in this novel.

God uses these seven unlikely people to not only search for a pastor, but to reach out to each other as they struggle with personal issues in their own lives. It is a charming story that shows how the call to love people with personality quirks and life stories different than ours as a way to "sand off" our own rough edges and make us useful for his bigger purposes.

I love that concept! God has a long history of using unlikely people to do His work.

Tim, if God were to write a review of The Search Committee, what do you hope He would say?

I hope he would say, “Good effort; keep going.”

You're nodding, Jan. Is there something you'd like to add before you dash back to Tyndale?

We’re excited to be releasing Tim Owens’s debut novel and look forward to seeing what’s next from this talented author.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Jan. Tim is blessed to have your support.

On that note, what comes next for you, Author Tim Owens?

Well, I’m about halfway through my second novel and hope to finish it soon. My day job is hectic though. I just started a new engineering firm with two colleagues, and we’re scrambling to make it work. So it’s hard to find time and energy to focus on writing but no excuses, right? Gotta learn to work late nights again, like I did with The Search Committee.

With the backing of the Christian Writers Guild and Tyndale House Publishers, The Search Committee is off to an incredible start. It is now available in paperback and e-book forms at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christian Book Distributors, and a host of other online and brick-and-mortar book stores. How might readers connect with you online?

I have a website, www.timowensauthor.com, I put together, and it has news/updates and a link to my blog, which I just started recently. Blogging is hard for me, so I haven’t learned to be consistent with the frequency of entries. I have a couple of Facebook pages too--one for the book, one for me as an author, and one for me as a regular person. Ha. I’m not as tech savvy as you would expect an engineer to be, especially in the ways of social media, but I’m learning. When I was in college, we wrote programs for computers by punching holes in cards and then feeding them into this machine that handled them like a money counter. I’ve come a long way.

I remember those computer punch cards, too, but aren't we too young for that? Uh, please don't answer!

With your award-winning book launch, you are on an amazing journey. Is there anything more you’d like to tell us?

Well, I think it’s important to remember what God has done for you. For me, I had a big problem with alcohol in my twenties until I turned 30 years old. Two old men, Charlie and Glenn, angels now back in heaven, rescued me in AA. January 20th will be 23 years since I last had a drink. My life began, again, that day. My wife Ruth, my children, Corinne, Mark, Al and David, all gifts from God. I have many close friends, all gifts from God. Everything I have, everything I’ve done, everything I am, is a gift from God. And that’s my story.

And what an inspirational story it is! My blog friends know a recurring theme here is "Share the Gift." Thank you, Tim, for sharing some of YOUR gifts with us--your talent for writing, your passion for stories, and your love for the Lord.

Readers, now it's YOUR turn! Tim is a busy father, church leader, and environmental engineer who somehow found time to write an award-winning novel. In ways great or small, how do YOU carve out time in your busy day to use the talents God gave you? Do you stay up late? Wake up early? Eliminate distractions? Micromanage every minute of your day? I'll be looking for your answers in the comment section below. Please share your tips for sharing the gift!
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Bio: Tim Owens has a doctorate in environmental engineering and is the co-owner of an environmental engineering firm. He also holds three patents, is a Scoutmaster, and participated in disaster relief in Honduras and Mozambique as a water systems engineer. He currently resides in Summerville, South Carolina, with his wife and four children.

Touched by a Centenarian

2012-01-13T11:56:00.003-06:00

Harold, a beloved resident in the nursing home where my daughter works, turns 100 today.

Harold was born before the Titanic sailed, before either World War was waged, and before the Great Depression struck. American women could not vote until after his eighth birthday, and the first blog didn't appear until after his eightieth. Imagine how much the world has changed during Harold's 100 years. TVs, microwaves, cell phones, the internet, and more have come into existence--modern inventions large and small that would leave our ancestors awestruck. Oh, my goodness! We now even have remote-controlled, battery-operated candles, a product no one could have dreamed about in 1912, the year of Harold's birth.

And those candles make me pause.

Scripture says, " . . . let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NIV). Harold's light shines so that the entire nursing home--staff and residents alike--are uplifted by it.

Which leaves me asking how my light is shining during the years God has granted me.

Am I like a battery-operated candle, turning on and off with the flip of a switch? Do I light up only when it is convenient or when I hope to impress someone with my glow? Am I energized by a limited power source, a worldly one?

Or does a constant, genuine flame burn within me, fueled by eternal light through my Savior's grace?

Birthday candles will blaze for Harold today with wax-melting, heart-warming flames. Does my light shine with such genuine fire? Does it blaze with grace-ignited passion? Does it draw attention to God in such a way that He receives the glory instead of me?

Unlike Harold, most people are not granted a full century of life on earth, but our longevity means little compared to how we shine while we're here. I've never met this centenarian, but his life touches mine today. Will my life touch others? Will yours?

Let's brainstorm together to list simple things we can do today to let our light shine for God. You never know whose life you might touch by commenting below. And feel free to leave birthday wishes for Harold. My daughter will be happy to make sure he sees them. Share the gift!

Wee Are Readers Photo Contest

2012-01-06T00:05:00.000-06:00

I love reading. I love photography. I love kids. So I'm excited to offer my Wee Are Readers Photo Contest, which combines all three.

To enter, dust off those old photo albums or grab your camera to get a snapshot of your wee one (your child, grandchild, or great-grandchild) reading a book. Have no such photo? A picture of a younger sibling, niece, or nephew reading a book will do. If the picture includes you reading to this child, that's all the better. If you're blessed enough to have one, a childhood picture of yourself reading would make a charming entry!

Then, click here to email a digital copy to me. Type "Wee Are Readers" in the email subject line. Have more than one picture? Submit more than one entry. Unless you ARE the photographer, no professional portraits are allowed, since they are protected by copyright laws. Deadline for photo submissions is midnight (CST) on Thursday, February 23, 2012.

What's in it for you? A chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner's choice), a chance for you and/or your sweet wee one(s) to appear on my blog, and a chance to inspire others to read.

Photos will appear in random order in a Wee Are Readers photo parade on my blog on February 24, 2012. I will identify photos using only your first name and last initial and the child's relationship to you. (For example, "Diana P. reading to her daughter," "Diana P.'s son," or "Diana P. as a child"). For safety and privacy, no other identification will appear on my blog.

Each blog subscriber may cast one vote for his or her favorite snapshot beginning Friday, February 24, 2012, and ending at midnight (CST) on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Know folks who want to vote for your photo? Encourage them to subscribe to my blog! Yes, you may vote for your own photo, but remember votes are limited to one per blog subscriber.

The photo with the most qualifying votes wins.

As a certified teacher, I'm proud to synchronize this contest with the National Education Association's Read Across America Day, March 2, which happens to be Dr. Seuss's birthday. I will announce the winner on that day, the day the NEA "calls for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult."

Share the gift of literacy. Read to a child!

Share the Gift: A Movement?

2011-12-30T08:00:00.130-06:00

When I launched my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway in August, I dreamed it would spark a movement that would encourage others to share their gifts, to pass along their blessings in order to make the world a better place. Winner Sandra Marchetto is helping to make that dream come true.

Sandra received a Kindle 3G for winning my contest on December 16, 2011.

According to Share the Gift guidelines, she also chose a second Kindle 3G recipient--her son Willie, a college student who will now be able to download textbooks whenever he chooses, thanks to Kindle 3G capabilities.

But Sandra's generosity does not stop there. Prior to receiving her new Kindle 3G, Sandra owned a Kindle equipped for WiFi only. She plans to share her love for books by passing that Kindle on to a third recipient.

And that's not all. Now that Sandra's book collection is shifting to e-books, she has "boxes and boxes" of paperbacks to share. While she will keep the hard copy titles she holds most dear, she is donating the rest in manageable allotments to local residential centers and nursing homes. "They are loving it," she reports.

Sandra's desire to share the gift of reading began long before my contest, long before my novel Delivery was published, even long before Kindles existed.

When Willie was 18 months old, Sandra quit work to be a stay-at-home mom. At 7 A.M. on their first day at home, he carried a book into the living room and asked her to read to him. "As a child," she recalls, "Willie would sit for as long as someone would read to him. Most young children will only sit for a few pages, but he would go back for book after book." Sandra, a busy mom, took the time to read those stories to her son.

Sandra is a firm believer that the earlier children start reading, the more likely it is that they will develop a love for it. Her experience lends proof. At age 2 1/2, Willie loved books so much that he even read to his puppy Ginger while "sitting on his backup book . . . to make sure he had plenty of material to keep her interested."

Willie enjoys reading because Sandra shared a gift--her own love for books.

Now it's YOUR turn. Did a caring adult take time to read to you when you were a child? What role do books play in your life? How might you share your love for reading during the new year and beyond? I'll be looking for your answers in the comment section below.

On This Night

2011-12-23T08:10:00.002-06:00

As I anticipate the smiles and squeals of loved ones unwrapping packages that surround our Christmas tree, a basic truth of gift giving comes to mind:

Our joy multiplies exponentially when we share.

So to spread some joy, I'm sharing "On This Night," a song my husband and I wrote to honor a babe lying in a manger. To listen, turn on your audio, click the arrow below, and celebrate the greatest gift of all, the gift God offered to save the world.

Merry Christmas. Share the joy. Christ the Savior is born!

(Photograph by Steve Prusik)

On This Night

(Composed by Steve Prusik, lyrics by Diana Prusik, instrumentals by Steve Prusik, vocals by Larry Gerst and Steve Prusik)

Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway Winner

2011-12-16T18:12:00.001-06:00

Thanks to ALL who participated in this fun giveaway. Over the past 19 weeks, I've enjoyed your Weekend Peek In questions and comments, and I've had a great time getting to know each of you better. You have enriched my life, and I am grateful.

Although the Share the Gift giveaway has officially ended, please drop in each Friday because I have exciting plans for continued blog posts. I also plan to hold more fun giveaways in the future, so stay tuned.

Today's winner will share the gift by choosing a second Kindle 3G recipient. I encourage us all to share our time, our energy, our talents, our material possessions, our JOY to enrich the lives of others. In the generous spirit of Delivery's Mom Robinson, let's make this world a better place.

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for. (Drumroll, please.)

The Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway winner is . . .

Sandra Marchetto!

The winning question Sandra submitted is one I haven't answered on Weekend Peek In:

If tomorrow you had to choose between drawing/painting, photography, and writing, which would you choose and why?

Oh, my, what a challenging question! If I'm ever faced with that choice, I would pick writing because I believe creating stories provides more opportunities for me to touch the lives of others in meaningful ways.

Congratulations to Sandra, and Merry Christmas to all! I'll see you back here next week.

Weekend Peek In #19

2011-12-16T12:48:00.002-06:00

Welcome to the final week of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. Thanks to all who have participated. The contest is now closed to new entries. Check back this evening to see who wins a Kindle 3G and chooses a second recipient. YOU might be the lucky one!

Meanwhile, let's turn to this week's reader's question:

What inspires you most when you are writing?

Sometimes, my inspiration comes from simple sensory experiences, like a scent, a sound, a texture. For instance, a summer raindrop soothing my cheek inspired the scene in Delivery in which Jake and Ida let a summer downpour wash away their troubles, at least for that moment.

I also draw inspiration from the creative works of others. Music is a prime example, particularly passion-filled ballads. Much like Wynona Judd sings in "Flies on the Butter," my character Livi in effect can never go home again. Sure, she can return to her childhood residence, but she can never return to the time in her life when her brother Buddy was alive and well. And much like Mark Schultz sings in "Cloud of Witnesses," Livi's witnesses--particularly the Wilson Florist gang--come running in her darker hours to circle around her and offer much needed love and support.

Emotion-charged memories are strong sources of inspiration for me as well. Holding my grandma's hand while the Lord took her home fortified my faith in God and my belief that Heaven is real. That profound experience inspired the nursing home scene in which Livi faces her doubts for a final time. Recollections of my own grief and joy gave birth to Livi's grief and joy.

But of all that kindles my writing, what inspires me most?

Prayer. Connecting with God before my fingers even hit the keyboard helps me focus on writing for His glory. If I didn't write with that purpose as my main objective, I wouldn't want to write at all.

Now its YOUR turn. What inspires you to do what you do, to follow your dreams, to answer your calling? I can't wait to read your answer in the comment section below.

Weekend Peek In #18

2011-12-09T11:37:00.004-06:00

Welcome to Week 18 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. Keep those entries coming. Next week, we'll learn who wins. Will it be YOU?

This week's Weekend Peek In question comes from a faithful entrant who regularly sends daily entries for more chances to win.

Do you have a favorite season?

Assuming we define season as one of four periods of the year--winter, spring, summer, or fall--I am blessed to live in an area that experiences each one. Each season brings its own blessings.

Many people in my area wish to flock southward at the first sign of frost, but experiencing winter without snow and ice would depress me. I love to bundle up on a frigid day, grab my camera, and head outdoors. Once my lens adapts to the cold so it stops fogging up, winter offers spectacular photo opportunities, like this one that I discovered in my holly bush in my own front yard:

Watching the earth come to life in the spring rejuvenates my spirit and offers an explosion of color for photography. I spotted this gorgeous shrub, a flowering quince, on a local street corner during a morning stroll:

Missouri's heat and humidity make summer my least favorite season, unless I am fortunate enough to travel to milder summer climates like the Rocky Mountains or my favorite vacation spot--Door County, Wisconsin. Despite my aversion to sweating, I still force myself outdoors during this time of year, especially after a summer thunderstorm. A soaking shower leaves much beauty behind, like this raindrop on lily grass, which again I found in my own front yard:

By far my favorite season is autumn. Fall foliage, crisp air, bonfires, apple butter, pumpkin bread, the Concord grape harvest, hayrides, and nature hikes--life doesn't get much better, at least in my neck of the woods. Need proof? Take a look at the beauty my husband captured on an autumn hike in Hawn State Park, near Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

If we expand our definition of season, however, to include a period of the year immediately before and after a special holiday, Christmas trumps autumn for me. Celebrating my Savior's birth ranks at the top of my favorite things. I love to shop, wrap gifts, and decorate for the occasion. This year, our family will celebrate Christmas in our new home (new to us, at least), but here's our former living room after Santa's arrival on a recent Christmas Eve:

As Christmas 2011 approaches, take time to remember the reason for the season. Whether or not you win next week's Kindle giveaway, I encourage you to share your gifts--your material possessions, your talents, your spiritual joy--to enrich the lives of others.

What about YOU? What is your favorite season? I'm excited to see your answer in the comment section below.

Weekend Peek In #17

2011-12-02T09:45:00.001-06:00

Welcome to week 17 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. Only two weeks left until one person wins a Kindle 3G AND chooses a second person to also receive a Kindle 3G. The winner could be YOU!

This week's reader's question forces me to think about an unfamiliar topic: leisure.

Which of your artistic talents do you find more relaxing?

My favorite creative outlets include writing, photography, floral designing, painting, and drawing. I find each one exciting and fulfilling, but which one brings me the most relaxation?

Drawing.

When my pencil meets paper, I disappear into a world where my thoughts meander, where my tension dissolves, where the demands of my daily life fade away.

When I created the above pencil drawing, for example, I didn't need to worry about defining characters or deepening conflict, as I do when I write fiction like Delivery, or to adjust aperture or ISO settings, as I do when I shoot photography. I didn't need to mix the perfect colors or wash messy brushes, as I do when I paint. I simply grabbed pencils and paper and lost myself in sculpting the image with graphite. Simple ingredients. Simple process.

So if drawing requires the least preparation and the least mental energy of my favorite activities, why do I choose it least often? It seems I prefer the two creative endeavors that bring me the most stress: writing and photography. But it's the best kind of stress--the kind that rejuvenates my spirit. Since exhilaration is more appealing to me than relaxation, and since life is short, weaving words and snapping shutters wins out most often. I'll likely finish writing my next novel before I'll complete another pencil drawing, not because I don't love drawing but because I love writing more. And because there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all!

What about YOU? What activity do you find most relaxing? Do you participate in it often? Why or why not? I'll be looking for your answers in the comment section below.

Weekend Peek In #16

2011-11-25T08:00:00.003-06:00

Week 16 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway is here! In fewer than three weeks, one person will win a Kindle 3G and choose a second Kindle 3G recipient. The contest closes to entries at midnight (CST) on December 14, 2011, so if you haven't already entered, now is the perfect time.

Amid all the holiday bustle, this week's reader's question helps put our focus on the reason for the Christmas season.

What is your favorite hymn?

Psalm 96:1 says, "Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth." With an abundance of contemporary Christian music being produced these days, we now have more beautiful songs than ever to sing to the Lord, but no matter how many new lyrics come along, I will always love traditional hymns.

Songs like "Amazing Grace," "It is Well with My Soul," and "How Great Thou Art" make me all teary-eyed and goose-bumpy for God. One hymn in particular has been my favorite since adolescence: "Because He Lives" by Bill and Gloria Gaither. I am hooked from the first verse:

"God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!"

The chorus alone helps me get through whatever trials life throws my way.

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!"

By now, this poignant hymn has grabbed my heart, and it gives another squeeze during the second verse. I often sang it while rocking my own babes.

"How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He lives!"

By the final verse, I'm breaking out the tissues:

"And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!"

From birth to death and everything in between, this hymn reminds us we can endure it all "Because He Lives." No wonder it's my favorite!

Now it's YOUR turn. What hymn stirs your heart and soul? Help us sing to the Lord today by sharing your answer in the comment section below.

Weekend Peek In #15

2011-11-18T08:18:00.001-06:00

Welcome to week 15 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. I'll draw the winning name in just four weeks. Keep those entries coming, folks!

This week's reader's question is one I am asked often.

When can we expect a sequel to Delivery or any other books?

At a writers conference, Karen Kingsbury once told me she writes a novel in six weeks. What? At first, I thought I had misheard her. No! She explained that her books usually play like movies in her head, and she just writes them down.

Excuse me while I pick my chin up off the floor.

I'll admit that when I'm writing a scene, it often plays like a movie in my head; however, a scene flowing is far different than an entire story magically unfolding before me.

Unless God performs a miracle on me, I'll never churn out a novel in only six weeks, but I am hard at work on ideas for my next book. When can readers expect it? Since I'm not Karen Kingsbury, only God knows the answer.

But you can help! Please pray that God will put stories on my heart that readers will connect with and be touched by.

I would also love your input. What kind of novels do YOU like to read? What types of stories leave hand prints on YOUR heart? I'll be looking for your answers in the comment section below.

Weekend Peek In #14

2011-11-11T08:36:00.001-06:00

Welcome to week 14 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. I'll draw the winning name in just five weeks. Have you entered yet?

Now, for this week's reader's question:

What is your favorite verse?

Assuming this reader is referring to a Bible verse, I'm not sure I could isolate one as my favorite, but with Thanksgiving upon us, the scripture most on my mind is, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV).

Sure, it's easy to be thankful for the blessings in my life. A warm home. Clean water. Plentiful food. Good health. Great friends. A loving family. And the list goes on.

But to give thanks in all circumstances--even during times of sorrow and suffering? Seriously, God, is this possible?

Even when my youngest son barely survived a fiery car crash?

When my eldest son suffered a brain hemorrhage requiring brain surgery?

When my eldest granddaughter narrowly escaped an apartment fire?

When my mom battles cancer after my grandmother, grandfather, father, father-in-law, and step-father-in-law lost that fight?

When my precious eight-year-old niece died after a double-lung transplant failed? Even then?

God's answer is yes, even then!

But how?

Am I to be thankful for car crashes, surgeries, devastation, illnesses, and death? No! God doesn't ask us to give thanks for all circumstances. He asks us to give thanks in all circumstances. Ah, there's the key!

In crushing circumstances, I learned some life-changing lessons. I learned to stop taking life for granted because each day, each hour, each minute is a gift. Every opportunity to spend time with loved ones is a blessing. We are never guaranteed another breath, and neither are those dear to us.

Through brokenness, I better grasped who God really is. Through suffering, I gained a new understanding of the sacrifice Christ made on that cross. Through heartbreak, I learned the truth of God's promise that if I turn to Him, He will carry me through situations I could never endure alone. More fully than ever, I realized that through Christ, death is merely the beginning of eternal life.

In short, these hardships and tragedies taught me to be thankful in all circumstances. And for that, I am . . . well, thankful.

Now, it's YOUR turn. What is your favorite Bible verse . . . and what are you thankful for? I'll be looking for your answers in the comment section below.

Weekend Peek In #13

2011-11-04T18:54:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Week 13 of my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. Only six weeks left until we find out who wins, but it's not too late to enter. Are you ready for this week's reader's question? I am!

What author/authors are your go-to when you are looking for something new to read?

Two of my favorite authors who work hard to bring new books to readers are Patti Lacy and Candace Calvert.

Imagine my excitement when I visited with these wonderful writers in person at the 2011 American Christian Fiction Writers conference.

Are you ready to be excited too? Both ladies are taking a short break from their busy writing schedules to pop in for a visit today--right here!

First, let's welcome Patti Lacy, a dear author friend who invited me to room with her at the ACFW conference and to dine with her and writer Britt Sanchez at a St. Louis cafe.

Patti, I adore you AND your talented, skillful writing. Please tell us about the driving force in your fiction.

Through my work, I try to fictionally depict Romans 8:28, God working for good in all things, even those that are dark, hidden, and scary. When brought to light by the love of Christ, all things can be made possible!

Thanks for letting me visit, Diana! It was great rooming with you in St. Louis!

Hanging out with you was one of the highlights of ACFW for me, Patti. You excel in depicting Romans 8:28 in your novels. That's one of many reasons I love your books so much. Thanks for dropping in today!

So what books has Patti written, and where does she get her unique story ideas?

Snippets of secrets, newspaper clippings, a teary, long-suppressed memory grab Patti Lacy's heart, then beg to be written. In An Irishwoman's Tale, Patti shared the story of a best friend, torn from her beloved Irish coast and dumped into a dysfunctional home in Lisle, Illinois.

What the Bayou Saw explores a blood oath made down by a Louisiana bayou on the day Kennedy was killed. A Chicago Tribune article about a mother's first...and last...cab ride with her baby compelled Patti to contact a Minnesota woman and pen her story in The Rhythm of Secrets, one of my favorite Patti Lacy books.

Patti's fourth book, Reclaiming Lily, explores the lives of two women from two cultures...and the child that divides them. Reclaiming Lily springboards off the memory of a brave Chinese doctor, determined to save her family. But from who...and what?

I recently finished reading Reclaiming Lily, and what a story of love, faith, and sacrifice it is! See a book trailer for this captivating novel, and learn more about Patti on her website here.

As Patti dashes off to write more novels, here comes another dear writer friend, Candace Calvert. She's the author of the page-turner Mercy Hospital series: Critical Care, Disaster Status, and Code Triage.

Candace, welcome to Weekend Peek In. I loved our visit at ACFW, and you know I'm a fan of your novels. Please tell us more about your writing.

Because I'm a former ER nurse, I like to think that my stories offer a "prescription for hope." And that readers who "scrub in" will find pulse-pounding action, charismatic characters, and warm romance. Think: Grey's Anatomy finds its soul!

Not only is action in your stories pulse-pounding, your handsome book covers are too. I'm so glad you dropped in today. I can't wait to read your next book--and to see its cover!

While Candace's book covers ARE terrific, the quality of her writing speaks for itself. In fact, Critical Care is a 2010 Carol Award finalist.

And Code Triage is currently on the ECPA BestSeller list with books written by the likes of Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, and Jerry B. Jenkins!

If you start reading Candace's Mercy Hospital series now, you'll finish in time for her new Grace Medical series to debut in May. The first book, Trauma Plan, is set in San Antonio. Get your heart set on reading this one:

"Sidelined by injuries from a vicious assault, nurse chaplain Riley Hale is determined to return to ER duties. But how can she show she’s competent when the hospital won’t let her attempt even simple tasks? Determined to prove herself, Riley volunteers at a controversial urban free clinic despite her fears about the maverick doctor in charge.

Dr. Jack Travis defends his clinic like he’s commander of the Alamo. He’ll fight the community’s efforts to shut its doors, even if he must use Riley Hale’s influential family name to make it happen.

As Riley strives to regain her skills, Jack finds that she shares his compassion—and stirs his lonely heart. Riley senses that beneath Jack’s rough exterior is a man she can believe in. But when clinic protests escalate and questions surface about his past, Jack goes into battle mode, and Riley wonders if it’s dangerous to trust him with her heart."

Who can wait for May after reading THAT book description? To keep up with Grace Medical series progress, "scrub in" with Candace on her website here.

Like my novel Delivery, Patti and Candace's books can be downloaded on your ereader. Print editions are also available.

You could begin compiling your digital library with these fine novels if you win my Share the Gift Double Kindle 3G Giveaway. December 16, 2011, is coming soon. The winner could be YOU, so send your entry now!