TopA GOOD READ
Newsletter For Readers and Writers

                                                                                July 2009

Greetings!
 
Jo HuddlestonWelcome and thank you for sharing your time with me. Those of you who signed up for my newsletter since last month, thank you for subscribing.
 
This month in Guest Gab I interview Virginia Smith,  author of Scent of Murder. Our Writing Wisdom tips come from funny-girl Julie Barnhill. In What Am I Reading? I announce the winner of last month's book giveaway, I have another book you could win and I review a book I've read. In Book Buzzings I highlight a new Mary Connealy novel and also give you an update on my novel. Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on time.
 
If you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please email me. Feel free to share this newsletter with your friends (they won't be added to any list). At the bottom of this page you'll see a place where you can conveniently forward this newsletter. Always remember: I value your presence here and the time you share with me. 
 
You can take a look at earlier newsletters by clicking the Archive box on my website


Quality Quote
 
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift; that's why they call it the present." --Eleanor Roosevelt, former U.S. First Lady
 

BookBuzzingsBook Buzzings
Yours and Mine 
Last month I asked you to send me your five most favorite books you've read (and their authors). Below is one of your lists; keep sending your lists and I'll include them here. I promised to give you a list of my five favorite books. (I'm not saying my list won't change as I read more.) Here they are, listed alphabetically:

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Same Sweet Girls by Cassandra King
Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg
 
 
This list comes from Vickie. Thanks, Vickie.
 
When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin 

The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve 

At the Scent of Water by Linda Nichols 

Things We Once Held Dear by Ann Tatlock 

If I Gained the World by Linda Nichols

 

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Update on my novel, Caney Creek: As I wrote here in January, in the current economy getting a literary agent and then a publisher would probably take longer than usual. How correct I was. Still waiting . . . . . . . .

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This month I highlight Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com). Below is information about Mary's book:
 

CalicoTitle: Calico Canyon
Author: Mary Connealy
Publisher: Barbour
Release: July 2008
Genre:
Historical Romance

Available at: Amazon.com 

 
Grace Calhoun, escaping a relentless pursuer, runs into even more trouble with a forced marriage to widower Daniel Reeves, father of five rowdy sons. Danger lurks amid the shadows of Calico Canyon from Grace's pursuer, and Grace and Daniel may well end up killing each other.

 
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GuestGabGuest Gab
Interview With Virginia Smith
Author of Scent of Murder
 

SmithThis month I interview Virginia Smith, author of Scent of Murder, published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense and released June 2009. Scent of Murder is the third and final book in her Classical Trio romantic suspense series, following A Taste of Murder and Murder at Eagle Summit. A Taste of Murder, which came out in October 2008 and is the first book in this series, has been named a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Contest, Inspirational Category. The winner will be announced later this month. 
 
Trio

 

JO: Welcome, Ginny. I so appreciate the copy of your latest book you've given me so one of my subscribers will win it for their own library. 

 
JO: Ginny, please tell us a little about yourself.
 
GINNY:
I'm married to a wonderful guy, and our nest is empty. Both kids are grown and living on their own. No grandchildren yet, but I have hopes. I've been a full time writer for four years now, since I left the corporate world when my first novel Just As I Am, was released. I love to sing, and am a member of my church choir. I also love to speak, and am blessed to be invited to speak at churches, retreats, and conferences each year.
 
JO: What do you do in your spare time?
 
GINNY:
Spare time is pretty rare lately. Seems I always have a book deadline looming. But when my husband and I take time off, we like to stay active. In the winter we enjoy snow skiing, and motorcycle riding in the summer. Plus, we're avid scuba divers, so we try to get down to warm southern waters a few times each year.
 
JO: Please tell us about your most recent novel, Scent of Murder.
 
ScentGINNY:
Scent of Murder is the third and final book in my Classical Trio series. In this book the trio is scheduled to play their music at an artist colony in the Blue Hills of Indiana. Caitlin, who is reeling from being dumped by her long-time boyfriend, has sworn off men for a full year to give herself time to heal. But that's before she meets Chase Hollister, the handsome owner of a scented candle factory. Before she knows it, she and Chase are caught up in a haunting crime from his past - and pursued by a deadly killer in the present.
 
Romantic Times gave this book four and a half stars, and said, 'Plenty of action and suspense, a fine mystery and the knowledge that the love of God is for everyone, no matter what they've done.' High praise, indeed! I had to laugh at a comment by one advance reader who said, 'I can't understand why anyone would hire these girls to play at their wedding. Everywhere they go, somebody dies!'
 
Here's an interesting tidbit about Scent of Murder. When I decided to write a story set in a scented candle factory, I figured I'd just call up a candle maker and take a tour. But after I got the book contract, I discovered that candle makers guard their process jealously. It took me a long time to find someone who would show me how a professional makes candles. Thank goodness for Janet and Vicki at Candlemakers on the Square in Bowling Green, Kentucky. They answered all my questions, and I burned one of their awesome, highly-scented candles, Cinnamon Red Hots, while I wrote the book.
 
JO: In Scent of Murder when Caitlin first meets Chase, she only wants to be his friend, even though she's attracted to him. Do you think it is important to develop a friendship before entering into a romantic relationship?
 
GINNY:
Personally, I think it's vitally important to make sure you genuinely like someone before becoming romantically involved. Or at least before getting married. Maybe that's because I was burned in the past by falling head-over-heels for a guy, and then finding out months later that I didn't particularly care for him. I could have saved myself several painful breakups if I'd slowed down and gotten to know them before jumping into a romantic relationship. My husband and I were friends for several years before we started dating, so I already had a huge amount of respect for him before I even considered going out with him. I love the fact that he liked
me before he fell in love with me. Maybe that's why we've been married nineteen years.
  
JO: What are you working on now?
 
GINNY:
I'm excited about my current book project - a romance novel set in a zoo. I've never written a straight romance, but when I got the idea for this book I was so excited about it I decided to give it a try. My editor liked the idea, too. It's currently called The Zookeeper's Daughter. Right after I got the contract, I went to the zoo not far from my home and worked as a zookeeper for the day. What a fun research experience!
 
 JO: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
 
GINNY:
Don't give up! I wrote for many years before I managed to publish anything, and it was easy to become discouraged when everything I wrote was rejected. For anyone who is serious about strengthening their writing skills, I recommend joining a critique group or finding a critique partner who will give you honest, straightforward feedback about your work. It isn't always easy to hear, but that's the only way to learn.
  
JO: Please tell our readers where they can get Scent of Murder.
 
GINNY:
Scent of Murder is available wherever books are sold. If you don't see it on the shelves, ask the bookstore to order a copy. Most Walmart stores and many grocery stores will have it on the shelf during June and part of July, so look in the Harlequin Romance section for the Love Inspired Suspense books. And, of course, you can order it online through Amazon.com or Christianbook.com and it's also on Kindle.
 
JO: Where can our readers find you?
 
GINNY:
My website is www.VirginiaSmith.org. While you're there, check out the Reader Fun page, where I'm always giving away books - mine and other people's, too.
 
I'm on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Ginny-Smith/1557400143. I'd love to be your Friend. Just be warned that I use Facebook as a personal place, so if you become my Friend, you'll hear about my family, my travels, and random thoughts that occupy my mind!
 
JO: Ginny, thank you for this interesting interview and for the copy of Scent of Murder
 


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WhatAmIReadingWhat Am I Reading?
In each issue of A GOOD READ I will tell you about what I'm reading or have just read. Let me know what you've read that really impressed you, tell why in about 100 words and I'll include it here; giving your name is optional.
 
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leverThe winner of last month's personally autographed book, A Lever Long Enough by Amy Deardon is sna35@... Congratulations! I'll email you for your mailing address and get your book out to you right away.
 
If you didn't win this month, check back in the next issue for news about another book giveaway.  
 
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This month on June 25, I will randomly draw from the names of all subscribers to this newsletter at that time. The winner will receive a copy of Virginia Smith's book, Scent of Murder. I will announce the winner in the August issue and will email him/her for a mailing address so I can get the book to the winner right away.
 
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Secret ThingI've just read Every Secret Thing by Ann Tatlock, Bethany House, 2007. This is a captivating story about characters you will love and pull for. Elizabeth Gunnar accepts a position as English teacher at a high school she attended. The place holds many memories, both good and bad and is where her favorite teacher, her English teacher, left in a mysterious situation. At the school's reunion she finds Ray, a love she hasn't forgotten. Elizabeth, Ray and her best girlfriend share a secret surrounding the departure of her English teacher, a secret Elizabeth wants explained but only the absent teacher can do that. Tatlock has written a beautiful story of old friendship, old love and new friendships that help Elizabeth to deal with the secret in their past. Great characterization. A good read.
 
 
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WritingWisdomWriting Wisdom
What Older Julie Would Tell Younger Julie
by Julie Barnhill
 
Our writing tips this month come from speaker and funny-girl Julie Barnhill (www.juliebarnhill.com) in a letter of advice she'd give her younger self, now that she's wise. Parts of this letter apply to writers and readers.
 
Hello, Self!
 
It's me. I mean you. Whatever.
 
We're 40-something now and I need to tell you some things before I forg...um...oh, yes, before I forget. So here goes.
 
1. Enjoy the uniform color of your brunette hair. Come the new century we're going to need to do more than mere highlighting.
 
2. Those pounds you're going to nearly kill yourself to lose in '04? Well, they'll leave but then pack their bags and return back home while bringing a few more guests with them. (Oh, good grief, put down the box of Dex-a-trim and just listen to me for once.)  
 
3. The joy and elation of reading your first signed publishing contract (yes, you're going to get one!) will pale in comparison to the coveted letters you'll inhale written by your son, Ricky, from US Marine Corps Boot Camp. Btw, this same child is going to make that first book possible; so lighten up and give thanks to God for giving him to you.
 
4. There are no new ideas. Just fresh takes on them. (Seriously, you're going to waste a lot of time trying to get around this.)
 
5. Get that 7-, 10-, heck, I'll even settle for 45-second pitch ready to go for the day Mr. Michael Hyatt steps into our 30-something floor elevator (all by ourselves elevator!), the door closes, and he asks, 'So, are you an author? What do you write?'
 
Julie Hindsight Barnhill
 

 
 
Clean Chuckle
 
Granny Walk
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
InspThoughtsInspirational Insight
Time
by Jo Huddleston
 
In a magazine I read recently this was the title on the editor's page: "The Future Is Now." The article didn't mention the title again or hint at its meaning. Exactly what did the title mean? Those words still rattle around in my mind so I'll give my take on them.
 
The future is now. Okay . . .  Today is yesterday's tomorrow. Today is tomorrow's past. Tomorrow is today's future. Does that come out to be "the future is now"? Is this like high school algebra where a=c, b=c, then a must = b? The "future is now" is all a puzzle of time.
 
Does time restrict all of our days? Does time confine us within boundaries every hour? Does time keep us within limits every minute of every day? Of course it does. But where would we be if we didn't have these restrictions, boundaries and limits that time dictates to society? Without time, people would live in a state of utter confusion and disorder. Therefore, time becomes an ally for the common order of all people.
 
Each day we're allotted 86,400 seconds. No matter what we do with the day, none of those seconds can be carried over to tomorrow. Whatever time we fail to use or to use unwisely cannot be recalled. An English proverb reads, "Time and tide wait for no man."  Make good use of your time. Take advantage of every worthwhile opportunity. Cherish today as a gift from God and don't squander the precious seconds and hours of it. Value your todays more highly than all your tomorrows. For too soon today will become yesterday and you'll wonder where the time went.
 
Making specific goals for the use our time is admirable. But also aim to make no time for bad attitudes, hurtful criticism or unkind gossip (is there any other kind?). Make no mockery of time by being satisfied with idleness. When we put all our time to good use we could agree with Benjamin Franklin: "To love life is to love time. Time is the stuff life is made of."
 
Oh my, I've probably taken up too much of your time; time that you may have planned for doing something more enjoyable or worthwhile. Next month I'll try to be less wordy. But, remember, I do value the time you share with me.
 
 
 
 
 
 
� 2009 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved.
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