TopA GOOD READ
Newsletter For Readers and Writers

December 2010

 
,

Welcome 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.

News: Beginning this month, I plan for my newsletter to arrive in you email inbox bimonthly--in February, April, June, August, October and December. If this doesn't appeal to you I'm open to all comments and suggestions so please don't unsubscribe without emailing me  your concerns. I will still be in touch any time with news that happens.

Jo HuddlestonThis month ...

In 
Guest Gab: An interview with Alice J. Wisler, author of new release Hatteras Girl.

In Writing Wisdom: About radio and TV promotion.

In What Am I Reading?: Announcement of the winners of last month's books and another one you could win. Review of Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker.

In Book Buzzings: Highlight of two recent novels, one by Alice K. Arenz and another by Maureen Lang.

Check Inspirational Insights to read my thoughts on giving thanks.


Share this newsletter with your friends and if you have any comments or suggestions about this newsletter, please email me.  
 
You can take a look at earlier newsletters by clicking the Archive button on my websiteAlways remember: I value your presence here and the time you share with me.


 
Quality Quote

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you . . . yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand."



--Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)



BuzzingsBook Buzzings
Yours and Mine


Let me know your five favorite books and their authors and I'll include them here. Last name is optional.


----------


 This month I highlight  Mirrored Image by Alice K. Arenz and also Whisper on the Wind by Marureen Lang. Below is information about these books.

 

Mirrored ImageTitle: Mirrowed Image
Author: Alice K. Arenz
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Sheaf House
Release date: October 2010

Available here

Alice's website


Their faces were the same. Will their fate be as well?  The uncanny resemblance of a murder victim to eccentric newspaper columnist Cassandra Chase gives Detective Jeff McMichaels the haunting suspicion there is a link between the two women ... a link that may only exist in the murderer's mind.  



WhisperTitle: Whisper on the Wind, The Great War Series #1

Author: Maureen Lang

Genre: Historical romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Release Date: August 2010
Available here
Maureen's website

Isa Lassone, a Belgium-American socialite whose parents whisk her out of the country at the start of the Great War, leaves behind those dearest to her: Edward Kirkland and his mother. Isa sneaks back into the country to smuggle Edward and his mother out. But will Edward leave his underground newspaper? 


     

Back to Top

 GuestGab Guest Gab
Interview with Alice J. Wisler
Author of Hatteras Girl

  

This month I'm talking with Alice J. Wisler, author of Hattaras Girl. She has given me a copy of her book that one of you subscribers will win in the December drawing.


JO: Tell us a little about your background as the daughter of missionaries in Japan.


WislerALICE: I was born in Osaka, Japan in the sixties to career-missionary parents. I went to Japanese kindergarten in Osaka and an international elementary school in Kyoto. High school was in Kobe, and since the distance was far, I lived in the high school dorm for four years. Then I went back to teach English in a church-run school in the eighties after college and a stint in the Philippines. So, I've lived 18 years total in Japan, love Japanese food and have many days when I miss my homeland.


JO: You have a new novel that just came out.  What is it about?


Hatteras GirlALICE: Hatteras Girl takes place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  I'm fascinated by that region of the world.  You can see pictures of it at my blog:  http://www.alicewisler.blogspot.com/

Jackie, the main character, has a childhood dream to run the Bailey Bed and Breakfast in Nags Head.  Lots of obstacles get in her way, including a handsome realtor. Like each of us, Jackie must learn to wait on God.


JO: You have two other novels as well.  Where do they take place?


ALICE: Rain Song is set in the pickle capital of the world--Mount Olive, NC!  My second novel, How Sweet It Is, takes place in the lovely Smoky Mountains. also in NC.  I live in this state, so enjoy writing about it.  Since I love to travel and grew up overseas, all of my novels have some tidbit or story about other countries.  Rain Song has a Japan connection as I do.


JO: Who was the person who influenced you the most with your writing?


ALICE: I don't think I can give an award to just one person.  There has been much encouragement from family and friends.  However, my son Daniel, who died at age four in 1997, is my biggest inspiration. I had a wonderful German friend, Sasha, also a bereaved mother, who wrote poetry. Her verses still appear in publications long after her death.  She influenced me with her wisdom, and I am still amazed at how well she understood the broken human heart.


JO: What are some of the challenges you face as an author?


ALICE: I think one of them is how to balance promotional time/marketing time for my novels that are in bookstores and actual sit-down-and-write-a-few-chapters-a-day-time. I really enjoy doing both.


JO: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?


ALICE: Value your writing time and make the most of it.  Keep your chin up especially when rejections come.  Stay motivated and determined.  And above all, know that you are loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe. Just basking in God's love is awesome to think about when you are discouraged.


JO: How can readers get in touch with you?


ALICE: I'd love it if you'd email me at [email protected], and go to my website to sign up for my newsletter, Literacy Lyrics at http://www.alicewisler.com


Thanks to all for reading my novels, and thanks for the interview, Jo!


JO: Thanks for sharing your time with us and for the copy of Hatteras Girl.

       

 

Back to Top

WhatReadingWhat Am I Reading?
 
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.

----------

If you like this newsletter pass it on to someone else who might enjoy it also: at the end of this email just click "Forward Email."

----------

Someone asked how I select winners in my drawings. I use a computer program that randomly selects the winners. No pulling names out of a hat!!

If you're a winner, the rules have changed but are still simple: I'll email the winners asking for their mailing address and get the book out to them right away. You can win only once in a calendar year.

The winner of a copy a personally signed coy of Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander is Karen (fulln...@...). Congratulations! I'll email you soon for your mailing address. And remember, Tamera will personally sign the copy for you and mail it directly to you.

If you didn't win this month, see below for news about another book giveaway.

----------

This month on December 25, I'll draw a winner from all current subscribers for a copy of
Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler .


----------


BakerI recently read Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker, Abingdon Press, 2010, 308 pages. A diabetic, Emma Travis, is a well-known award-winning baker who cannot enjoy her sweet creations. When Jackson Drake starts a wedding destination hotel he needs a wedding cake baker who is a creative genius and insantly hires Emma to fill that position. She brings along her assistant Fi, nose rings and all, and the craziness of her family. Jackson's sisters are equally zany. Can Emma refrain from daydreaming about her Mr. GQ boss? Can Jackson put the memory of his deceased wife far enough into his memories to recognize and admit his love for Emma? A tale bathed in southern traditions and comedic situations, Bricker brings us her special and engrossing characters we will remember lovingly for a long time. Her books never disappoint. A good read.


 

Back to Top





WritingWisdomWriting Wisdom

Radio and TV Promotion

by Rick Frishman and Robyn Spizman
 

Rick FrishmanFor radio and TV, call producers, not hosts. Call them after their shows have run because that's when they usually have time. Prior to their shows, they're usually totally occupied by details required to put on their programs. When you call, chances are you won't get through. At that point, you can leave a message or ask to have them paged. In all contacts--by e-mail or phone messages or when speaking with the Robynmedia--give or recite your silver bullet. Say, "This is Robyn Freedman Spizman. My book Make It Memorable tells you how to give the most meaningful and memorable gifts on earth." Then add, "I'd like to send you a press release telling you all about it."


--

Author 101 Best Selling Book Publicity: The Insider's Guide to Promoting Your Book--and Yourself by Rick Frishman and Robyn Spizman; [email protected] or www.author101.com



Back to Top



Clean Chuckle

 

         Snoopy  Knock Knock
           Who's there ?
           Holly
           Holly who ?
           Holly-days are here again !




 
InspThoughtsInspirational Insight
Do You Dream of a White Christmas?
by Jo Huddleston


What is the allure of a white Christmas? Especially to those who don't see one often?

 

I've lived where the expectation of a white Christmas usually became a reality every year; many years an entire white winter season. Yes, as a youngster it was fun to make a snowman and to make snow "ice cream." And the little ones seemed to enjoy laughing and looking at the sky while making snow angels.

 

I've also lived where a white Christmas never materialized and hardly any white winter came. But living near Gulf coast beaches, the sugar-white sand looked as good to me as did a white Christmas of snow. As an adult even now I'd be more willing to try to make a "snow angel" in the white sand than to make one in snow.

 

But wherever you live or whatever your preference, I hope you enjoy your winter and the holiday season. If you make your snowman, make him with a big smile so he'll be happy also. If you long for a white Christmas and don't get one, watch the movie White Christmas and pretend that the snow falling in the movie is falling outside your window. Dream of a white Christmas if you want one. Me, I'll let you have it; I prefer the sunny South--the closer to the white beach as possible.





Back to Top







� 2010 Jo Huddleston. All rights reserved.


Sign up for my newsletter and receive "How to Write Devotions."
Email:
For Email Marketing you can trust