For Christ's Glory, I Dream Devotions, advice, and book reviews from science fiction and fantasy author Andrea Graham

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Sixteen Brides

from Bethany House (April 2010) by Stephanie Grace Whitson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls “playing with imaginary friends” (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four home schooled children Nebraska history.

She was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie’s fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year.

Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends.

Her passionate interests in pioneer women’s history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1872, sixteen Civil War widows living in St. Louis respond to a series of meetings conducted by a land speculator who lures them west by promising “prime homesteads” in a “booming community.”

Unbeknownst to them, the speculator’s true motive is to find an excuse to bring women to the fledgling community of Plum Grove, Nebraska, in hopes they will accept marriage proposals shortly after their arrival! Sparks fly when these unsuspecting widows meet the men who are waiting for them.

These women are going to need all the courage and faith they can muster to survive these unwanted circumstances–especially when they begin to discover that none of them is exactly who she appears to be.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sixteen Brides, go HERE.

ANDREA’S COMMENTS:

Fans of historical fiction will be delighted with the Little Soddy Near to Plum Grove, er, Sixteen Brides (and I mean that favorably.) Provided, that is, that they don’t find books with large numbers of POV characters difficult reading. The author, as she readily admits, bit into an elephant of a tale with five heroines, and one of the romantic interests is also a POV character. I personally found it a little difficult to get a handle on at first, with all the POV switches, which is probably why Jeff Gerke goes to the opposite extreme and recommends waiting 30 pages to introduce another POV. Overall, however, I have to say that Whitson pulls it off, although that does depend somewhat on the reader’s willingness to give up on trying to figure out who the “central” heroine is supposed to be and just enjoy all of them.

Another thing the author does well is the modern strong woman the market demands authors of historical fiction pluck down in eras of lace and doilies. These ladies are strong, and appropriately raise the town folks’ eyebrows a bit, and yet I also never doubted whether they were products of their times.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Somewhere to Belong from Bethany House (March 1, 2010) by Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, two of which have placed in the CBA top ten lists. Her first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived while commuting sixty miles to work each day. A co-worker directed her to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from her. Tracie agreed to read Judith’s  story and directed her to a publisher. Since that first encounter many years ago, Miller has published  numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book, and co-authored several series with Peterson, including The Bells of Lowell, The Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy.

In addition to her writing, Judy is a certified legal assistant. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages settled by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she’s always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in Amana. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered. Is this truly where she belongs?

Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, so when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, her rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Somewhere to Belong , go HERE

Last month, I had the opportunity to read Jantsen’s Gift, by Pam Cope with Aimee Molloy, which is in essence a biography that covers Cope’s journey through grief after the loss of her son Jantsen and how this led her to begin Touch a Life (see link under Cope’s name). It’s a very touching story with the occasional difficult paragraph, meaning in a few spots, we could have hit enter (paragraph breaked) a few more times, and with Molly’s help, you could well need the tissues yourself.

Of course, if you really love children, many, many paragraphs are difficult because much of their stories are heart-breaking, which is a credit to the writers, or perhaps Molloy, who like any good ghost, is nice and invisible in the text, which, if you understand how ghost writing works, creates a bit of dissonance when she shows up in the story line, as usually ghosts write the actual text based on often-verbally communicated material the author who hired them  provides. But the ghost keeps the narrative in her client’s voice even when she ends up a “character” in the story herself, and that’s to Molloy’s credit.

Without prejudice, there is some content some readers may find objectionable,  which includes some cussing (which is mild by secular standards), references to the consumption of alcohol, and the unavoidable, but potentially disturbing details of the horrors of childhood slavery and sex trafficking brothels.  If you have a weak stomach for such things, that’s something for you to consider. Otherwise, I think those are stories that do need told and the authors do so well.

Besides the topics already mentioned, if you’re interested in overseas adoption or concerned about the self-centered materialistic lifestyle that’s currently fashionable in the United States, or overseas missions, especially helping children, you’ll find this informative, edifying, and encouraging. Likewise if you’re struggling with grief.

The authors do a good job of moving the reader and convincing them of the need to act. My critique is that they may not do such a good job of closing the sale. Like many such books I’ve read, the reader is left wanting to do something, but not sure what to do, besides give money, and they shied away from coming right out and asking the reader to donate to Cope’s  non-profit, perhaps at the request of the publisher, I wouldn’t be privy.

My recomendations, unfortunately, can’t include giving to touch a life, as I am concerned about the references in the book to taking care of the children for the rest of their lives. If I understood the intent correctly, I believe this policy is harmful to the children and one of the many, many problems plaguing Africa.  Giving a handout to an adult is keeping that person a child and depriving them of their dignity. The proper path, which I believe the bible depicts,  is to provide him the resources he needs to fish (including fishing lessons) and therefore give him the dignity and pride of an honest day’s living.

Now, should we say, “oops, you’re eighteen now, nothing more I can do for you?” Of course not, but the goal should be to bring the child to a place where they’re able to take care of themselves. That’s what good old fashioned parenting is all about, after all.

Groups I give to and recommend, by the way, include Compassion International, an overseas child sponsorship program, and Kiva, which grants small business loans to impoverished families in third world countries.

(Colorado Springs, CO)–Marcher Lord Press, the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction, today announces the debut of a revolution in fiction acquisitions.

“Marcher Lord Select is American Idol meets book acquisitions,” says publisher Jeff Gerke. “We’re presenting upwards of 40 completed manuscripts and letting ‘the people’ decide which one should be published.”

The contest will proceed in phases, Gerke explains, in each subsequent round of which the voters will receive larger glimpses of the competing manuscripts.

The first phase will consist of no more than the book’s title, genre, length, a 20-word premise, and a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb. Voters will cut the entries from 40 to 20 based on these items alone.

“We want to show authors that getting published involves more than simply writing a great novel,” Gerke says. “There are marketing skills to be developed–and you’ve got to hook the reader with a good premise.”

Following rounds will provide voters with a 1-page synopsis, the first 500 words of the book, the first 30 pages of the book, and, in the final round, the first 60 pages of the book.

The manuscript receiving the most votes in the final round will be published by Marcher Lord Press in its Spring 2010 release list.

No portion of any contestant’s mss. will be posted online, as MLP works to preserve the non-publication status of all contestants and entries.

Participating entrants have been contacted personally by Marcher Lord Press and are included in Marcher Lord Select by invitation only.

“We’re also running a secondary contest,” Gerke says. “The ‘premise contest’ is for those authors who have completed a Christian speculative fiction manuscript that fits within MLP guidelines and who have submitted their proposals to me through the Marcher Lord Press acquisitions portal before October 29, 2009.”

The premise contest will allow voters to select the books that sound the best based on a 20-word premise, a 100-word back cover copy teaser blurb, and (possibly) the first 500 words of the book.

The premise contest entrants receiving the top three vote totals will receive priority acquisitions reading by MLP publisher Jeff Gerke.

“It’s a way for virtually everyone to play, even those folks who didn’t receive an invitation to compete in the primary Marcher Lord Select contest.”

Marcher Lord Select officially begins on November 1, 2009, and runs until completion in January or February 2010. All voting and discussions and Marcher Lord Select activities will take place at The Anomaly forums in the Marcher Lord Select subforum. Free registration is required.

“In order for this to work as we’re envisioning,” Gerke says, “we need lots and lots of voters. So even if you’re not a fan of Christian science fiction or fantasy, I’m sure you love letting your voice be heard about what constitutes good Christian fiction. So come on out and join the fun!”

Marcher Lord Press is a Colorado Springs-based independent publisher producing Christian speculative fiction exclusively. MLP was launched in fall of 2008 and is privately owned. Contact: Jeff Gerke; www.marcherlordpress.com.

[For full disclosure, my husband, Adam Graham entered our manuscript Genesis of Judgment into the premise contest today.]

Dear Andrea,

I’m told my novel manuscript needs a professional edit before it’ll be publication ready, but I’m on a budget of zero. Do you know any way I can get a comprehensive edit for free?

Signed,

Ima Googler

Dear Googler,

Actually, I offer such services at www.povbootcamp.com. If you have a website, there is a way you can earn a free edit from me. It’s quite easy, in fact. First, download the following image by right clicking and choosing save as:

Next, upload the image to your own server. Place it in the sidebar or any prominent, but unobtrusive location on your site and link it to: http://www.povbootcamp.com

If you need it, here is the code:

<a href=”http://www.povbootcamp.com”><img title=”POV Boot Camp: helping you whip flabby novels into shape with free writing tips, free writing exercises, and the first ten pages of your manuscript edited for only $5? src=”http://www.yourdomain.here/camo1.jpg” alt=”POV Boot Camp: whip that flabby novel into shape” width=”150? height=”200? /></a></p>

If just one person follows the ad’s link, and it shows in my traffic stats widgets, you’ll get my introductory offer for free. Thereafter, every person you send to povbootcamp.com who doesn’t make a purchase is worth an extra page of free editing. Every referral known to lead to a purchase will get you a ten percent discount off your own editing bill should you choose to work with me.

This offer also applies to text links in articles discussing the contents of this website or my editorial services and word of mouth referrals (you will have to notify me of those, however.)

Your own traffic stats tracking system should show you the number of visitors who followed a link from your site to mine also, if you’d like to keep track yourself to make sure I don’t miss any referrals you made.  I’m afraid you will have to take my word for it on referrals leading to a purchase, since I’ll have to correlate when a customer contacted me to a specific visitor stat, or else simply ask where you heard of me.

Otherwise, check around. While you won’t get a professional edit of an entire novel for free, some editors offer to do free sample edits, and many more will if  you just ask them. You may want to consider my introductory offer, which would help you self-edit the manuscript for no more than what you’d spend for a latte at Starbucks.

Also, be sure to join critique groups and professional writing organizations. Networking and developing relationships with other writers can build you a stable of associates willing to check over your manuscript for you and this is a good thing to have. Don’t expect a full edit for free from any professional editor you might happen to have a relationship with, however. Be respectful of the amount of time that goes into going through a full length novel and return favors in kind as often as possible.

In Christ,

Andrea Graham

Dear Andrea,
I know you don’t like to answer parenting questions, but I’m at the end of my rope with my two-year-old. He is a very stubborn little boy, he gets that from his mother and he fights his sleep and throws tantrums. He literally wont take his nap till he finally passes out.  I’m still not comfortable spanking him, but time outs don’t work.

The worst part is in the middle of this stress, I’m still learning how to own up to negative emotions and not let them separate me from the Lord.  So this is dragging me down right when I’m trying to draw close to Him again.

Signed,

Lonely Mom of Two

Dear Lonely,

Try keeping a prayer journal. I am not very good at being consistent at that myself, but sometimes it’s easier to pray through negative emotions on paper. I know how it is;  the motto of the typical dysfunctional family is,  “if you’re not happy, fake it” and I was raised in one myself. Honesty before God, with others, and ourselves is one of the first things we have to learn to break the cycle and end the generational curse. Some of us find it easier to open up to the Lord and confess our true feelings on paper. And the most sure path I know to emotional healing and well being is confessing our hearts to the Lord and pouring out our pain to Him as a drink offering.

I highly recomend you read Michael Card’s book on lament, A Sacred Sorrow. It’ll help you express negative emotions to God more freely and that will bring you a greater peace and much closer fellowship with the Lord.

You’re right, I don’t like to answer parenting questions; a prerequisite qualification is usually being a parent yourself and I haven’t been so blessed. But I have done quite a bit of study and observation, and what I’ve learned, I’ll share, with the caution that I’ve had limited opportunities to test these.

I can understand why you’re reluctant to spank your child. Growing up, the simple fact of having conflict was often enough to warrant a spanking, which I’ve since learned is very detrimental to a child’s development. That cripples your children’s ability to cope with the real world. Spankings are meant to be applied for rebellious behavior. I needed taught how to resolve conflict and express anger and hurt appropriately, not spanked. Unfortunately, my parents didn’t know how to do that themselves, I’ve come to realize. They aren’t bad people; they’re broken people doing the best they know how. And broken people beget broken children.

So I’ve done quite a bit of study to end the generational curse in my own family. From what I’ve gleaned, this is the correct formula for discipline:

• Mommy gives specific, age-appropriate instructions that the child both understands and is capable of following
• Child deliberately disobeys
• Mommy warns of the consequences of disobedience
• Child persists
• Mommy applies consequences prescribed.
• Child cries
• Mommy comforts the child and assures child of her love, making sure the child understands why he was punished and what is expected of him. Not Daddy.

Or in the other gender:

• Daddy gives specific, age-appropriate instructions the child both understands and is capable of following
• Child deliberately disobeys
• Daddy warns of the consequences of disobedience
• Child persists
• Daddy applies consequences prescribed
• Child cries
• Daddy comforts the child and assures child of his love, making sure the child understands why they were punished and what is expected of them. Not Mommy.

Of course I haven’t gotten the opportunity to test this out yet.  But from what I’ve observed, little boys especially need spankings. It’s not loving to not properly discipline them. They need it as much as they need hugs and kisses. But first we need to learn what proper discipline looks like, no?

Our first model for that is God himself. Christians today too often use the cross to ignore the discipline model God sets for us in chastening whom He loves (Hebrews 12:5-7) and allowing us to reap what we sow here on Earth (Galatians 6:7-9).

Strictly speaking, however, the consequences don’t have to be corporal, just painful. Time out will work on some personalities, but not others. You have to find out what your child will consider painful correction that can only be avoided by obeying Mommy. Try asking the Lord for wisdom in that regards; He’s been known to give parenting advice. At age two; it’s probably a spanking, though.

Tantrums are attention seeking behavior. Don’t give them the attention they want and the behavior will eventually stop I’m told. However, I’ve seen this attempted in day care, and it is painful to listen to and very difficult advice to implement. I’d probably spank for that myself, but regardless it’s important that you don’t give in to the child’s demand.

I’ve gleaned from wise parents that the first rule is to never strike a child in anger. It needs to be applied in love. Punishing a child by withdrawing love is one of the most damaging things we can do.

In Christ’s love,

Andrea Graham

Laser & Sword Magazine

Reviving episodic fiction
Featuring: The Order of the Sword and the Rise of the Judge action hero serials
Download the first issue fr