Milk Money - Author Spotlight

My author spotlight is featured on the Write By Faith blog! Head on over to enter the drawing for Milk Money!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Dreaded Query Letter

As some of you may know, I will occasionally answer questions that I receive about writing and pursuing publication. I received the following question from Cynthia recently:
I would like to ask your opinion concerning the Dreaded Query Letter. For the life of me I can't seem to write one that sounds interesting.....Please help, what does one have to do to make it jump off the page?

Cynthia, the best way to answer your question is to provide a query letter I sent to my current publisher, Barbour Publishing, for John's Quest (formerly titled Healing Hearts), the novel that was released last May. I'm pasting the letter below, with my comments on what to do to develop your own query letter in brackets:

***SAMPLE QUERY LETTER***
EDITOR NAME [BE SURE TO ADDRESS YOUR SUBMISSION DIRECTLY TO AN EDITOR'S NAME. DO NOT ADDRESS IT TO "EDITOR"]Barbour Publishing
1810 Barbour Drive
PO Box 719
Urichsville, OH 44683


Dear [EDITOR'S NAME]:

My name is Cecelia Dowdy, and I am a multi-published CBA author with books released by two major houses: Harlequin Enterprises (under the Steeple Hill Love Inspired imprint) and The Doubleday Book Club (under the Crossings Christian Book Club). I have enclosed copies of my published novels for you. [If you have publishing credentials, this is a great place to mention them. My sending the editor copies of my published novels is not necessarily standard. However, I've done this with other publishers so that they can see some of the work that I've had commercially published. If you are not published, you might want to begin with the summary of your novel after your introduction.]

I recently heard that Barbour is seeking longer, multi-faceted plotline romance novels. The following project, Healing Hearts, is completed, so contact me if you would like to see sample chapters or synopsis. [Be sure to tell the editor which line/imprint you are targeting with your submission. Also, if you're familiar with the line/imprint, you can let the editor know this here, and maybe name some of your favorite authors of that line. I did not do this in my query letter because the line I was targeting was new, and no books had yet been released for this line.] Here is a brief summary of the story:

Monica Crawford is stunned when her irresponsible younger sister, Gina, abandons her blind seven-year-old son, Scotty, into her care. She discovers her nephew has behavioral and academic problems. When she acquires a handsome tutor to help Scotty, named John French, she finds herself attracted to the compassionate and caring man.

Even though John has deep feelings for Monica, he discovers she does not feel they should date since he is not a Christian. His agnostic views prevent them from having a fulfilling relationship, and Monica stresses that they cannot become emotionally involved unless he accepts Christ.

As John takes a religious class at Monica’s church, he does discover the joy of salvation. However, after his baptism, when he decides to leave to go into a long-distance specialized ministry, he has to decide which is more important: his relationship with Monica or his desire to proclaim his newfound salvation to others. [When you provide your summary, make it brief, but be sure the important elements of the story are highligted. Also, if your story deals with a certain issue, you might want to mention any knowledge you have about the subject. For example, if your novel deals with a social worker trying to help an abused child, and you are a social worker, then you might want to mention that shortly after your summary.]

As I’m sure you are aware the African-American Christian fiction market is growing steadily, and new and upcoming authors are being published by various houses. Also, my novel includes two secondary characters, who are Monica’s best friends. I plan on developing this story into a three-book series, based on the best friends. [It's good to mention any unique knowledge about the industry that might help the editor see the merits of your project. Also, if you're thinking of developing the story into a series, let the editor know.]

I am a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Currently, I am the secretary of the Faith Hope and Love Inspirational Chapter of RWA. [If you are a member of any professional writers organizations, you can list them here. Being a member of writers groups shows how serious you are about developing your craft and networking with others within the industry.]

I enjoyed working on this project, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,



Cecelia Dowdy
Christian Fiction Author

===
Even though I sold this book to Barbour, they didn't want it for the line/imprint that I referenced in my query letter. They wanted it for their Heartsong Presents line. This will happen sometimes. When I sold a book to Steeple Hill, I'd submitted it for their then-new women's fiction line and they acquired it for their Love Inspired line. Usually, if an editor likes your writing, and they feel the story is better-suited for another imprint within their publishing house, they'll usually let you know, and you can still make a sale.

Let me know if you have other questions about this blog entry or anything else about writing...

~Cecelia Dowdy~

John's Quest, A Review

Check out this great review of John's Quest on the Tidbits And Treasures Blog!

From Tidbits And Treasures: This book is a great read and wonderful love story. I could have read it in one sitting. One just feels as though they are living right there, witnessing what is going on in these people’s lives. And that is the essence of a successful novel.

Enjoy!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Still Tired...

Believe it or not, I have a variety of things to blog about tonight, but, energy escapes me! I'm tired, tired, tired. It's still early, but I'm going to bed NOW and getting some rest! It really wore me down, spending the majority of last weekend at my day job! If I had to do that all the time, I'd be a mess!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Milk Money - A 4-Star Review Posted On Amazon.com

Here's a four-star review of my novel, Milk Money, posted on Amazon.com.

From Amazon.com:
Cecelia Dowdy's sophomore (actually, I believe it's her 3rd...) effort, "Milk Money," is a lovely novel. Miss Dowdy has improved immeasurably in her creation of dialogue, and her attention to detail in storytelling makes this book an enjoyable read. From the charming title to the wonderfully engaging opening paragraph, I was hooked on this book. The conflict created by the author felt less contrived than in "John's Quest". Bravo, Cecelia, this is a cool book!

This is the story of Emily, a young girl running a dairy farm without the ability to do everything on her own, and Frank, the CPA hired by Emily's stepmom to see to the accounting side of the business. I was absolutely captured from the opening chapter, and invested as I learned why Emily was running the place and began to question stepmom's motives. "Milk Money" is a sweet story and a worthwhile way to spend a few hours.

So, if you haven't purchased Milk Money, I encourage you to do so! It's a sweet story that I'm pretty sure you'll love!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Tired

For those of you who don't know, I'm an accountant at my day job. It's close to audit time, and I spent the majority of today (Saturday) at work, and will probably be at work all day tomorrow.

I'm about ready to go to bed now, I'm so tired. I'll be posting more book reviews soon...

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Courting Disaster by Andrea Boeshaar

Courting Disaster by Andrea Boeshaar
Heartsong Presents #798
Publisher: Barbour Publishing (Heartsong Presents)
ISBN: 9781602600324
Binding: Mass Market
Pages: 176 pages
From Heartsong Presents website:
Caregiver or crook? Cadi Trent knows personal tragedy firsthand. As a child, her family was swept away in a flash flood, and only she survived. As an adult, she's an EMT who devotes her life to helping others. When her team, Disaster Busters, is called to a crisis in a nearby town, Cadi is baffled by the hostility she receives from an intriguing sheriff's deputy. As a law enforcement officer, Frank Parker has seen it all. But he wasn't savvy enough to see through the deception wrought on his community by a "charitable organization" after a tornado ripped through town three years ago. Now, older and wiser, he's determined not to trust anyone. Not even Cadi, the lovely Disaster Buster he can't seem to avoid. How can Cadi love a man who has no confidence in basic truths about her? Only God can help Frank learn to trust-and live-again.
===This story is a nice read to take up some time on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Cadi spends her free time serving others via Disaster Busters, the community service organization that she’s created. The trauma of losing her family in a flood causes her to be empathetic to the plight of others. Her time spent serving other disaster victims wreaks havoc with her social life and it doesn’t appear that she can find a mate who agrees to play second fiddle to her career. She’s stunned when lawman Frank Parker is hostile towards her rescue organization. Frank has been duped by a similar community service team, and he’s hesitant to accept that Disaster Busters is a legit operation. However, trouble arises when a disgruntled victim accuses Disaster Busters of a crime. Can Frank really trust Cadi and her crew?

This book is book #2 in the Iowa series. If Barbour follows their usual pattern with Heartsong Presents novels, this should be re-released as part of a 3-in-1 volume for the state of Iowa.

I'm giving this book away as part of my January Book Giveaway.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

25 Things About Me

I was tagged on Facebook to tell 25 things about myself! I had so much fun listing the facts that I decided to post the list here on my blog! Enjoy!

1. I'm married to a totally blind man who is a computer programmer for the IRS.
2. We have a three and a half year old son who is the cutest, most intelligent child that ever walked the face of the earth! Really!
3. Although we attend a Baptist church, I don't consider myself Baptist...just call me a Christian.
4. I'm an author and my fourth book was released this month...go buy it! My fifth novel will be released in June.
5. I love homemade desserts and I love to bake. Want a piece of my lemon pound cake?
6. I love books! Christian fiction is my favorite, but I read secular novels occasionally, too.
7. I'm impatient.
8. I hate working full time. I wanna quit and write novels all day.
9. I'm an accountant during the day.
10. I have three sisters: One older and two younger.
11. I'm the only sibling in my family who has a kid.
12. I don't care for salad, I only eat it to stay healthy.
13. I eat bagel and cream cheese OR oatmeal for breakfast each week day.
14. Although I love to bake desserts, I hate cooking dinner each night.
15. Although I hate cooking dinner each night, my favorite channel is the Food Network Channel.
16. I can't sing.
17. My favorite movie is the Titanic.
18. I've been driving the same car for over ten years - a 1998 Honda Accord.
19. When not cooking or playing with my son, I'm usually on the computer.
20. I'd like to be a bestselling author one day...NY Times or close to it..(wouldn't most authors?)
21. My favorite color is royal blue.
22. I love dolphins and marine life.
23. I love artwork by Christian Riese Lassen.
24. I love to vacation in hot, tropical places.
25. I'm currently agentless, but hopefully that will change in 2009!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Prayer For Barack Obama

Lord, please be with Barack Obama as he sworn in as our President today. Please let your Holy Spirit guide and protect him in making sound decisions as he leads this country. Also, Lord Jesus, help the First Family as they settle into their new roles in the White House.

In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen...
When Barack Obama is sworn in today, we all need to say a prayer, lift him up in God's name as he takes the reins in the leadership of our country.

I hope everybody has a nice Inauguration Day.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Interview On Trish Perry's Blog

Visit Trish Perry's blog and leave a comment for the book drawing!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Remember the dream!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

January Book Giveaway!

I've been so busy doing promotional work for my own novels that I never got a chance to annouce the January Book Giveaway. I'm giving away these titles, and please leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you want to be entered into the drawing. I'm using the same procedure as last month's drawing: all of the books will be given to ONE winner.

Here are the new/slightly books that I'm giving away:

Heartsong Presents Romance Titles:
John's Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy
Quills and Promises by Amber Miller
Deceptive Promises by Amber Miller
Courting Disaster by Andrea Boeshaar

Heartsong Presents Mystery Titles:
For Whom The Wedding Bell Tolls (An Ivy Towers Mystery) by Nancy Mehl
The Wiles of Watermelon by Lynette Sowell
Treasure Under Finny's Nose (A Finny's Nose Mystery) by Dana Mentink
Another Hour To Kill (A Volstead Manor Mystery) by Anita Higman

Savoring God's Love - 25 Devotions For Women

The Making Of Isaac Hunt by Linda Leigh Hargrove


~Cecelia Dowdy~

Comment To Enter And Win A Copy Of Milk Money!

Head on over to my friend, Margaret Daley's blog and read my interview! Please comment! You could win a copy of my novel, Milk Money!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Featured On Urban Christian Blog Today

Stop here and take a look and don't forget to comment!

The End Of Barbour's Cozy Mystery Line

The Barbour Editors announced on their blog yesterday that they're discontinuing Heartsong Mysteries. I've been a Mystery Book Club member since the beginning, and I've given away a fair number of those books on my blog. The economy is really affecting the world of publishing.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Milk Money - A Review

Cecelia Dowdy creates characters that pull at your heartstrings [and] make you root for their success.
Read the full review here.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Winner!

Here's the winner of Linore Rose Burkand's novel, Before The Season Ends:

Katherine Enders of Rohnert Park, CA

I hope you enjoy the novel, Katherine! Linore will be sending your book out to you!

Also, wanted to mention that I'll be posting another book giveaway soon!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter

White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter



From Amazon.com:
Product Description
Step into Amish country for this bittersweet holiday romance. Here you'll meet Will Henderson, a young man tortured by his past, and Karen Yoder, a young woman looking for answers. Add a desperate father searching for his son, and you have all the ingredients for a first-class romance that will inspire and enthrall.

About the Author
Fascinated by the Amish people during the years of visiting her husband's family in Pennsylvania, WANDA E. BRUNSTETTER combined her interest with her writing and now has eleven novels about the Amish in print, along with numerous other stories and ministry booklets. She lives in Washington State, where her husband is a pastor, but takes every opportunity to visit Amish settlements throughout the states.==

I enjoyed this book. The author has a simply writing style that makes the story easy to follow. Will Henderson reads a newspaper article about a three year old girl who has been abandoned. The piece haunts him about his past. He’s been abandoned by his biological father, and he longs to find peace about the turmoil that consumes him. Why did his father leave him with an Amish family, without making any contact afterwards? Will wants answers and his distress hovers on the horizon as he plans for his nuptials to Karen Yoder.

Karen realizes Will is troubled by his past, but she longs to lighten the mood between herself and her fiancé. Is their marriage going to be riddled with Will’s emotional mood swings and his constant jealous nature?
Although the story flowed nicely, I felt there were some parts that were somewhat predictable. I also felt that there were too many buggy accidents and people getting hurt or ill in the story, but, otherwise White Christmas Pie was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to all who like a good Amish story. I’d be interested in reading other books by this author.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Milk Money - A Review

Here is a review of Milk Money.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Winners!

The winner for my December Book Giveaway is: Kristi Herbrand of Gumee, Illinois
The winner for my giveaway of The Shack is: Barbara Sanders of Empire, Alabama

Also, if you got a minute, stop by my friend, Kat's Blog. She's doing a cool giveaway and you might want to check it out!

I'll be posting another giveaway soon!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

John's Quest Book Review

Well, this is a unique review...the reader uses McDonald's as a comparison point about my novel. Read about it here.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Podcast Interview With Me!

Here's a fifteen-minute podcast interview with me. I hope you enjoy it! I certainly enjoyed being interviewed!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

I'm on Lynette Eason's Blog Today!

I'm being interviewed on author Lynette Eason's Blog today! Stop by and visit! And, oh, you just might win a free book!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

New Christian Fiction

Here's a listing of the new Christian Fiction titles released in January 2009! Be sure to run out to your favorite bookstore, or go online to purchase these wonderful titles!


1. Milk Money by Cecelia Dowdy from Barbour Publishing (Heartsong Presents). Can Frank find faith in Jesus, while battling alcoholism, as he seeks the love of Emily Cooper?


2. Be Strong and Curvaceous, All About Us #3 by Shelley Adina from Hachette FaithWords. Carly Aragon's faith is tested when she takes on a crush crasher who comes accessorized with a stalker.

3. Before the Season Ends, Lights of London, Book One by Linore Rose Burkard from Harvest House. A Christian young woman must make her way through the treacherous waters of a Regency Season in London; while her worldly, wealthy aunt tries to marry her off for money.

4. Cursebreaker, Book One of The Order of the Scrolls Series by Nancy Wentz from Whitaker House. Author Nancy Wentz's drama unfolds in both the physical and spiritual realms, treating the reader to a thrilling tale of mystery, passion, and historical intrigue.

5. Fireflies In December by Jennifer Erin Valent from Tyndale House. A young girl comes of age amidst the racial prejudice of Depression-era Virginia.

6. Hannah Grace, The Daughters of Jacob Kane by Sharlene MacLaren from Whitaker House. A new century, a new sheriff, a new love...many things are about to change in the town of Sandy Shores.

7. Kiriath's Quest by Rick Barry from JourneyForth Books (a division of BJU Press). A YA Christian fantasy adventure that reaffirms the value of faith, family, love and loyalty.

8. Bayou Betrayal, Book 5 of the Bayou series by Robin Caroll from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. When a woman arrives in town to meet her relatives, an arsonist doesn't want her to stay!


9. Mommy's Hometown Hero, Dalton Brothers Book 2 by Merrillee Whren from Steeple Hill. Ex-soldier Matt Dalton wants to bring his friend Rachel Charbonneau back to the Lord and win her heart as well.

10. No Place For A Lady, Heart Of The West Book One by Maggie Brendan from Revell. Can a Southern belle tame the heart of a rugged cowboy?

11. Paper Roses, Texas Dreams #1 by Amanda Cabot from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. There's only one problem when mail-order bride Sarah Dobbs arrives in Texas to greet her groom: he's been murdered.

12. Sweetwater Gap, (Women of Faith Fiction) by Denise Hunter from Thomas Nelson. A woman returns home to help save her family's apple orchard and must face the ghosts that chased her away so many years ago.

13. The Edge of Light, Book One in the At Home in Beldon Grove Series by Ann Shorey from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. It's 1838 on the Missouri frontier--how will Molly McGarvie keep her young family together after her husband's sudden death?

14. What Sarah Saw, Book One, Without a Trace Love Inspired Suspense continuity series by Margaret Daley from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. The tragic conclusion to a kidnapping case broke Sam and Jocelyn apart, but for a child's sake they must join forces to uncover what Sarah saw.

I hope you purchase these books! Enjoy!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Before The Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkand

Isn't this a beautiful cover? Linore will be giving away a copy of this novel as long as at least ten unique commenters comment on this blog. Please leave a comment on this blog post, and if enough people comment, you'll be entered into her drawing. She'll be choosing the winner soon. Please read the book description and the author interview! I'll be reading this book sometime in the future! When I do, I'll be posting my review!


Before The Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkand

Short description of Before the Season Ends

England, 1813: Romantic woes at home send Ariana Forsythe to her Aunt Bentley's town house in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Under her aunt's watchful eye, Ariana is soon steeped in high society--and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London's current darling rogue.

Then, unexpectedly, rumour of a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her faith and her future are at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent's attention.

Will Ariana's faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it is Ariana's heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to a man who cannot share her faith, how can it ever turn out right?

Interview with Linore Rose Burkand



Linore, what drew you to writing Regency Romance novels?
Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen books gave me a love for the period, and there weren't any Christian regencies to be found. I wanted to change that.

Where did you find your inspiration for Ariana and Phillip?
I'm not sure. I think they're both amalgamations of people I've read about and known.
England in the 1800s is a world away from the 21st century.

What do you think we could learn today from how society operated in the Regency period?
Times have changed, but people haven't. Men and women of the time were concerned with their appearances, their finances, their futures, finding the right spouse, and so on, just as we are, today. How they went about pursuing these ends is where all the difference lies, however, and this is precisely where the interest and adventure opens up for writers. Bringing to life the means and methods of everyday life and timeless concerns from the regency. It is fun and enlightening as a glimpse into the past, but readers can also identify with the basic human need to be genuinely loved for onself, no matter the setting or time period, and to be certain of one's convictions concerning life, eternity, and faith. Having said that, it is good to remind modern readers that valuing one's purity can be mainstream, as it was then; or that the struggle to find a true love and a sense that one's life has value, has always been a human issue.

What do you hope readers will take away from your books?
I hope my readers will feel as though they've been transported to the Regency for a good, satisfying visit; While they're visiting, they'll be reminded that God is involved in their life, and that happy endings are possible for everyone.

Any Regency romance is going to be compared to Jane Austen's novels ~ how are your books similar / different?
I don't think most regencies are written with this comparison in mind at all. However, other people say my book is "Austen-like." That is a huge compliment, and one I would love to live up to.
The sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is releasing in 2009.

Do you have more Regency novels planned?
My editor and I are tossing around ideas right now. I do have a few more regencies in mind.

What are you working on at the moment? A sneak peek, please.
I'm exploring whether to do a third book in the Regency Series, which at present is comprised of Before the Season Ends, and The House in Grosvenor Square. Book three would begin about five years later (about 1818) and follow the lives of a number of people who were introduced in the first two books. I would also probably introduce one new couple.

Do you ever bang your head against the wall from the dreaded writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I do something else. If I can't write a scene for a book, I can always write an article. I can update my blog. I can't really force a scene when it isn't coming; I find that getting busy and doing something else is the best thing I can do for the book and for me (rather than beat myself up). One thing about having an online presence today is that there is never a shortage of tasks to be done, including a great many writing tasks. Since I write historical (regency) romance, there are always tons of subjects I can research and write about, putting them into articles for my ezine, or out there on the web.

Novelists sometimes dig themselves into a hole over implausible plots, flat characters, or a host of other problems. What's the most difficult part of writing for you (or was when you first started on your novel journey)?
I think for me the biggest challenge was to believe that I could write a novel in small increments. As a mom of five, four of whom are still home year-round (one is in college), having frequent interruptions is a fact of life. Writing takes a concentration so deep so that when I first started doing scenes, I would find myself getting woozy after standing up. I was shocked at the level of exertion it took to use my brain that hard, I guess! It happens less now--I guess I've grown accustomed to it. And I've learned to appreciate those small blocks of time. Ten minutes in a waiting room can yield a part of a scene I couldn't get done at home. Every little bit counts. I don't despise small beginnings. There are times when I'm in a deep level of involvement with a story or a character, and then getting interrupted can break the mood; but I'm getting better all the time at picking up where I left off, no matter how deeply I've got to dive to get back into the character or situation. For people like me with busy households, this is a must-have ability. I believe it can be the difference between making that deadline or not.

How did (or do) you climb out (overcome it)?
If I do get stuck at some point in the plot, I let it simmer in my mind. I also exercise--for some reason, when I am physically active, my brain gets going in a way that doesn't always happen when I'm sitting with my laptop before me. Swimming and doing the treadmill (walking) almost always result in wonderful new ideas I just can 't wait to get on paper. Sometimes, I've even had to stop walking and run to the pc just to get the idea down so I don't forget. By the way, I always pray for the right idea, too. There is no better writer than God.
The second "nifty" way to solve a plot (or other) problem in a book is to let it sit awhile without reading it. When you come back to it after a long enough interval (as long as you can give it) solutions just present themselves. I find the same thing happens to me with crossword puzzles--if I'm stuck, I put it down and when I come back to it--even an hour later--the word is there. So the key is, give yourself permission to take a break.

Some authors report writing 5-10 thousand words a day. Do scenes flow freely from your veins, or do you have to tweeze each word out?
In general, I write more than I need and later have to cut back. I don't use a word count, but I may set a goal of one chapter a day or two chapters for a busy week. Other times, I don't think in terms of chapters at all, just events. I may break an event down into four scenes, say, and so my goal for that day will be to get the whole event on paper. In other words, finish the four scenes. Life changes so rapidly with the children, that for me, a hard and fast writing goal just wouldn't work. And, I focus on results, not time spent. Instead of, "Now I'll write for three hours," I say, "Now I'll have this or that happen to a character, or, 'I'll show a different side to this person." When I have accomplished that goal, no matter how long it took, I feel satisfied, and only then.

I'm glad to have had you on my blog today, Linore! Readers, remember to leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for Linore's novel!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Christian Authors Network

I'm part of the Christian Authors Network. You can check out their January 2009 newsletter here. Also, if you want to see what great Christian Fiction titles are coming out each month, I encourage you to sign up for our mailing list in the box in the right column of the website. EZines go out every month, on the first of the month, and they feature new releases from CAN members, the book club schedule for the upcoming month, and author news items.

We've also got a fantastic blog. Check it out here. Also, I've placed the link on my sidebar!

So visit our site and rush out to your favorite bookstore or internet site to purchase some wonderful books! Stock your shelves for the New Year!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

New Year's Day!

I'm going to be spending part of my New Year's Day watching The Twilight Zone Marathon on the Science Fiction Channel.

Speaking of Twilight, I decided to read a couple of secular titles that have been haunting my shelves for awhile. I've been hearing about this book, Twilight, by Stephenie Meyers, for quite awhile. There was also a movie made based upon the book. I started this novel last night and, so far, it's doing a pretty good job of holding my interest. I believe this book is geared toward the young adult market. I'm not much into vampire/supernatural stories, but I do read them occasionally.

Also, I need to draw names for my December Book Giveaway as well as my giveaway for The Shack. I plan on doing this soon, so if you haven't entered these, there's still time.

I'll also be posting reviews soon for the novels White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter and Courting Disaster by Andrea Boeshaar.


~Cecelia Dowdy~