tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55366342385273159812024-02-07T02:30:26.532-06:00It Is To WriteBruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-75183648372066428692016-02-23T20:50:00.000-06:002016-02-23T20:50:02.853-06:00<div>
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<br /> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29247114"><img alt="Quimby Pond by Bruce Judisch" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1456184731l/29247114.jpg" title="Quimby Pond by Bruce Judisch" width="100" /></a><br /> </div>
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<br /> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29247114">Quimby Pond</a><br /> </h3>
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<br /> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2998474.Bruce_Judisch" style="text-decoration: none;">Bruce Judisch</a><br /> </h4>
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<br /> <br /> Giveaway ends March 13, 2016.<br /> <br />
<br /> <br /> See the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/176333" style="text-decoration: none;">giveaway details</a><br /> at Goodreads.<br /> <br />
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Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-39008504427297327022016-02-20T10:47:00.000-06:002016-02-20T10:47:26.318-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9C3H-_oC3cH2wESXI07REQ7_pjzZ1b-eiubSvoDduczYKWFwbJ25Te5_9Ku09qOv2tM32c7-r8KAcJy4Tlh-1G9k-lzN33WrwWt2QqlAHOCb_-MUpX8sHcRalEt-gCn1JQi5JpDIvkk/s1600/QP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9C3H-_oC3cH2wESXI07REQ7_pjzZ1b-eiubSvoDduczYKWFwbJ25Te5_9Ku09qOv2tM32c7-r8KAcJy4Tlh-1G9k-lzN33WrwWt2QqlAHOCb_-MUpX8sHcRalEt-gCn1JQi5JpDIvkk/s400/QP.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And it's here! :-) The Kindle version is available for preorder with a release date of March 1st. You can find it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quimby-Pond-Bruce-Judisch-ebook/dp/B01BXT20AE/" target="_blank">here</a>. And the softcover version is available now <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Quimby-Pond-Bruce-C-Judisch/dp/0692628002/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Enjoy!Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-48867635369079843422016-02-19T11:37:00.000-06:002016-02-20T11:54:14.280-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Really excited to report that <i>Quimby Pond</i> is t-h-i-s close to being on the street. :-) Release is planned for <b>March 1st</b>, and the Kindle version will be available for pre-ordering within the next day or so. I'll post the link as soon as it's ready.</div>
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And, of course, I'll let you know as soon as the softcover is ready to go. Thanks so much for everyone's encouragement and patience. I hope you enjoy it!</div>
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Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-10898236638908452742015-07-25T15:12:00.000-05:002015-07-25T15:12:10.362-05:00Blog Article - One to Remember<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
Had a wonderful opportunity to post a life-changing article on Elaine Stock's blog (<a href="http://elainestock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/bruce-judisch-when-novel-teaches-lesson.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://elainestock.blogspot.co.uk/…/bruce-judisch-when-nove…</a>). It's not about me, but about an unforgettable man I met researching a novel. I hope you'll find it worth a moment to read.Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-54312776394079629562014-03-22T17:01:00.000-05:002014-03-22T19:27:57.413-05:00Such Deliverance as This, Rebecca Velez (OakTara)<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1Xifcsn-S6chFhfmE7hrShXhl_8V1Ast9khOBlT_WdtLEJVfKOmWB2tWx09jaG9Km7S5cNFm2LLCvVTwjzDR9hDCmhEQc_O1qMr4Vm14KvxOBR0JBsGzKGr9LdjfiNgRojkRqmgRNT0/s1600/Deliverance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1Xifcsn-S6chFhfmE7hrShXhl_8V1Ast9khOBlT_WdtLEJVfKOmWB2tWx09jaG9Km7S5cNFm2LLCvVTwjzDR9hDCmhEQc_O1qMr4Vm14KvxOBR0JBsGzKGr9LdjfiNgRojkRqmgRNT0/s1600/Deliverance.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That a group of Jews returned from Babylonian exile under the leadership of Ezra is well-known history. What the returning Jews faced on the trek from Babylon--and when they reached their forefathers' homeland--is less well known. Ms. Velez has helped us with that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Such-Deliverance-This-Rebecca-Velez-ebook/dp/B00IQ0ZXNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394660709&sr=8-1&keywords=rebecca+velez" target="_blank">Such Deliverance as This</a></em>, the sequel to <em><a href="http://www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/Such%20A%20Time%20as%20This" target="_blank">Such a Time as This</a></em>, Ms. Velez brings to life the ordeal these exiles endured through the experiences of individuals who made the journey. Fictional characters? Yes. Realistic characters? Oh my, yes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Meet Hadassah, formerly of Queen Esther's court, who journeys under the protection of Ezra after the death of her beloved husband. How will a pampered widow survive in the relative wilderness of a desolated Jerusalem? With her come thousands of Hebrews returning to their homeland who face a less-than-enthusiastic welcome from the Jews who escaped the exile and have worked Judah's fields and vineyards, and must now surrender them to those whose lineage demands it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ms. Velez skillfully and tenderly portrays the travails, particularly of the women, during and after the journey from Babylon. The crux, though, comes when the edict comes down that those men who married pagan women despite--or in ignorance of--the Law's prohibitions against inter-marrying must either defend their unions or dissolve them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Throughout such travails, though, Ms. Velez sprinkles a dose of humor, romance and love, and adventure, something for everyone. Thoughtfully portrayed and gently written, <em>Such Deliverance as This</em> indeed does deliver. Recommended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now that you have my thoughts on the story, let's have the author's. After the brief interview, please <strong>leave a comment for a chance to win a copy</strong> of <em>Deliverance Such as This</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rebecca, first of all, thanks so much for appearing on my blog. I
really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to your thoughts on it.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="color: blue;">Thank you for having me. I'm glad you enjoyed it.</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What made you choose this particular story to tell, other than the fact
that it’s a sequel to <i>Such a Time as This</i>? Does this period in Biblical
history particularly interest you?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Esther, the heroine of <i>Such a Time, </i>captured
my imagination first. I wondered what her bravery cost her if she were an
introvert. <i>Such Deliverance</i> continues the story and allowed me to
capitalize on the research I'd already done. The research takes a huge amount
of time.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And you can tell you're meticulous in that research. Your characters really come alive. How did you conceive them; that
is, what did you want to communicate to your readers through them?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">These
characters "grew" as the book progressed over the 6 1/2 years it took
me to plan and write it. I wanted to have two pagan women who would be
opposites, so Tova serves as a foil for Judith. I also wanted a girl who was
afraid of becoming a spinster.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Always a fun question, how did you decide what names to give your
characters?</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was trying to keep the names authentic. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Tova's</span> name means good in
Hebrew, so it was meant to be symbolic</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you write aspects of yourself, or people you know, into your
characters?</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm an introvert, so some of my initial questions about Esther's
personality and experience stemmed from imagining myself speaking up to a king.
(Scary thought!) As an introvert, I'm fascinated by extroverts. Jarah and
Judith are two of the extroverts in <i>Such Deliverance.</i> Jarah is also
blunt in her conversation, and I did get that part of her character from
someone I admired at church.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Were there any parts of the story that were especially difficult for you
to write, emotionally or technically? What parts came easiest to you?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
had a difficult time with the beginning of this book. Neither my critique group
nor an editors' panel at a conference I attended liked the beginning, so I
moved it to chapter 10 and created a new starting point.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I understand. The beginning is critical to capture the interest of your readers. Sometimes it's tough to know just how to start out, but you did a great job. As the story progressed, though, it seemed to me that you had a message to tell in the story</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you were to identify a single thought you’d like a
reader to take away after reading the book</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, what would it be?</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">God offers each
of us deliverance. He rescues from huge problems like being captives in foreign
lands. Others of us have "little" problems like feeling unloved or
losing someone we care about.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: black;">Okay, so</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">w</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">hat’s next? Is there another book in the series, or are you going
to embark on something brand new</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm starting a book on Nehemiah which picks
up the story of the Jews about a dozen years after the end of this book, so
you'll see some of <i>Deliverance's </i>characters</span> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">again</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you have a website
where can we find out more about you and your writing?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://rebecca-velez-books.com/" shape="rect" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rebecca-Velez-Books.com</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks again for spending this time with us. I believe you have a
giveaway offer to present to readers of this</span> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">blog</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, a secondary theme of <i>Deliverance</i>
is friendship. The five main characters share complicated but deep friendships.
I'd be interested to hear from readers how one of their friends has helped them.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Times;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">That's it then. Readers, how are you on friendship? If you don't have any particular thoughts, or experiences you'd like to share, please leave a comment anyway. You'll still be entered for a copy of the book. Oh! And when you comment, please leave an email address so we can get back to you. Thanks!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Times;">.</span></span></span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-14574959204958658502013-12-10T15:10:00.001-06:002013-12-10T15:10:23.038-06:00German Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)<span class="userContent">I'll be hosting a display of Berlin Wall memorabilia at the German-American Christmas Festival in Tomball, Texas, December 13-15. I'll also have copies of "Katia" and "For Maria" available for signing. If you're in the area, come and enjoy a great time! More information: <a href="http://www.tomballgermanfest.org/about-us/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.tomballgermanfest.org/about-us/</a></span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pJz03WDBHBSagUCBD67HE7SVF2ILuudI4mR5vW9mIgFJhbB4cITwDliKHaaaK1_KMGG0Al6MLJmu9ajkdeY2ocI-hQg535NC6JvcJyWLKWUwPq9xXs0ypdG2Tx7C1FLe4tJf4N26hyphenhyphenw/s1600/slideXMS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pJz03WDBHBSagUCBD67HE7SVF2ILuudI4mR5vW9mIgFJhbB4cITwDliKHaaaK1_KMGG0Al6MLJmu9ajkdeY2ocI-hQg535NC6JvcJyWLKWUwPq9xXs0ypdG2Tx7C1FLe4tJf4N26hyphenhyphenw/s400/slideXMS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent"></span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-65001937476206920132013-10-20T12:00:00.000-05:002014-04-13T21:36:49.341-05:00The Magdalene Mystery, Christine Sunderland (OakTara)<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rNl0Tmf0NDWehgZsNHz13bMJ74tPlYAhNND6UZ1ZtJ_pafl9mtdrgyR1c23-n463nvpiu6ybiSJKnc-zaQN_HEcZvFbA4dw6_YfllNv3yK1CNHOOrg_KKDIXkDodyoxKjDUWZ6maE7E/s1600/The+Magdalene+Mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rNl0Tmf0NDWehgZsNHz13bMJ74tPlYAhNND6UZ1ZtJ_pafl9mtdrgyR1c23-n463nvpiu6ybiSJKnc-zaQN_HEcZvFbA4dw6_YfllNv3yK1CNHOOrg_KKDIXkDodyoxKjDUWZ6maE7E/s1600/The+Magdalene+Mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rNl0Tmf0NDWehgZsNHz13bMJ74tPlYAhNND6UZ1ZtJ_pafl9mtdrgyR1c23-n463nvpiu6ybiSJKnc-zaQN_HEcZvFbA4dw6_YfllNv3yK1CNHOOrg_KKDIXkDodyoxKjDUWZ6maE7E/s200/The+Magdalene+Mystery.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is my third Sunderland novel, and, as good as the others were, it is by far
the best. Ms. Sunderland skillfully crafts a tale that balances intrigue with
history, while sprinkling in a touch of adult romance--by that I mean romance as
it was intended for adults to pursue and for youth to witness as an
example.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Her godfather, Father Gilbert, bequeaths Kelly Roberts a legacy
richer in truth and spirit than in gold. She is to seek his magnum opus, a
manuscript containing his painstaking research on the historically true Mary
Magdalene, who has been reinvented time and time again by modern "scholarship,"
contorted beyond recognition for reasons both spiritual and humanistic. Kelly is
to travel to Italy with an associate of Father Gilbert's, Professor Daniel
Weaver, and together they piece together the mysterious trail of clues her
godfather left using the Apostle's Creed as the cipher key. Thus, Ms. Sunderland
takes us on a tour of the magnificent cathedrals, monuments, and grottos of
Italy's and France's early Christendom, picking up, piece by piece, her legacy
along the way. Pursued by Dr. Lester Sansby, who desperately wants the
manuscript for his own nefarious purposes, Kelly and Daniel must stay a step
ahead to keep their prize from falling into the hands of its worst
enemies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The history-rich narrative is smoothed, even caressed, by Ms.
Sunderland's exquisite prose. You'll learn a great deal, whether that's your
intention or not, gripped by the tension and suspense surrounding the fate of
Father Gilbert's manuscript and the gradual revelation of Kelly's parents'
murder. (Oh, I didn't mention that, did I?)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The agenda is clear: the
exoneration of Mary Magdalene's reputation from the hands of modern historical
revisionists. But the agenda never overrides the storyline. Ms. Sunderland is
subtle, objective, and honest in her treatment of the mysteries of history and
of faith. The pendulum need not swing to an angle too acute to dispel belief for
the message to come across effectively and with class. It takes an even mind and
skillful pen to accomplish that. Ms. Sunderland displays both.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Flawless
research, enviable prose, gentle heartfelt delivery. "</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Magdalene-Mystery-Christine-Sunderland/dp/1602901260/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381785832&sr=8-1&keywords=christine+sunderland" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Magdalene Mystery</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">" is
a must-have for parish libraries and should be encouraged for both young adult
and mature reading. Highly recommended</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bravo, Christine!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRlxVTk5t87wLFqBdGWpSBHK70yh6A13dZEWcF55UtNQCvWi9IuM69lkxwj9nZBEMmkptdnG0ThgoY8zZGMYSdAsHRSFXr4fkiCIKl2RZN8Fnfj8SGLD8VGZFnEu3KucU0LcOtxMBoNg/s1600/PRESS+PIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRlxVTk5t87wLFqBdGWpSBHK70yh6A13dZEWcF55UtNQCvWi9IuM69lkxwj9nZBEMmkptdnG0ThgoY8zZGMYSdAsHRSFXr4fkiCIKl2RZN8Fnfj8SGLD8VGZFnEu3KucU0LcOtxMBoNg/s200/PRESS+PIC.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now for a little insight into Christine Sunderland. After you read the interview, take a moment to leave a comment (a question, an observation, your choice) for the chance to <strong>win a copy of </strong><em><strong>The Magdalene Mystery</strong>.</em> A winner will be selected next Sunday, October 27th. Please be sure to leave your email address in the comment, so I can contact the winner.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="color: blue;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">Okay, Christine,
tell us a little about yourself; for example, when did you begin writing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What inspired you to start?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
discovered writing late in life. I</span><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> never intended to write
novels (just read them), but my travels to Europe led to meditative journals,
and these led to stories. I loved reading from an early age, and my English Lit
degree encouraged me to create plotlines and characters from my voluminous
notes. I was fascinated by the historical sites my husband and I visited in
Western Europe, so that when I was home I audited classes in Western Civilization.
We often traveled with our bishop, a formidable inspiration and fount of wisdom.
The history of the West took shape in my mind, and I was struck by how it reflected
the history of Christianity, the history of belief. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read historians Barbara Tuchman, Paul
Johnson, Peter Brown, Thomas Cahill, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gertrude Himmelfarb, and Eamon Duffy.
Theologians, mystics, and other writers inspired me as well: Raymond Raynes,
Dom Gregory Dix, Alexander Schmemann, Russell Kirk, Evelyn Underhill, Luke
Timothy Johnson, and, of course, C. S. Lewis, among many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">A heady list of
literary heroes indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What motivated,
or still motivates, you to select the genre and themes you write about?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God's
active presence in our world, in history and in the present, inspires me to
write of goodness, truth, and beauty—T.S. Eliot's "permanent things."
I write from a Christian worldview, a world with characters who love and suffer
and sacrifice, who desire to be good and true, or search for goodness and
truth, and who wonder at the beauty around them, who are wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I am
also motivated by today's cultural crises – abortion, euthanasia, the role of sexuality
and the body, the nature and challenges of marriage, the demands of love. I try
to explore the Christian answer to why we suffer (C. S. Lewis's “problem of
pain”), the Christian view of life and death, and the role of the Church in all
of this. I am fascinated by belief itself, by apologetics (I was converted by
Lewis's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mere Christianity</i>), by Christianity's
historical foundations and its present challenges. It has been said that
"all doubt is moral." There are, in other words, lifestyle
implications to belief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">That comes out very
clearly in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene Mystery.</i> The
reader can’t help but notice that the hits Kelly has taken in life that have
greatly affected her faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems
difficult for her to shake them off for much of her journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it fair to ask if she is modeled after someone
you personally know (no names expected, of course), or does she represent<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a more generic character figure?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kelly
is, like each of my characters, a composite of people I have known. Kelly
represents generations of young people threatened by our highly sexualized and starkly
agnostic culture, a "post-Christian" culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Kelly reflects some of my own history
too. Like Kelly, I was a single parent raising a young son in an apartment in
Walnut Creek. My apartment was robbed and ransacked; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also longed for a life of safety, especially
as a mother. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a culture of escalating
crime. The marginalization of church and temple has allowed the collapse of
moral authority in the public square; the breakup of the family has contributed
as well, for it is the family that passes moral values to the next generation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And like Kelly, my parish church was like a
family. The description of Kelly's church, St. Mary's, is based on my own church,
St. Peter's in Oakland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">So there is some of
Christine in Kelly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that makes
her more real, more personable. In what ways do you think, or hope, her story
might benefit readers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hopefully,
Kelly's story will create a firmer foundation for belief in Christianity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From belief, that first step of faith, all
else follows; i.e., a life of meaning and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kelly is a thinking young adult, but she hasn't thought through her
belief system, and now she is forced to examine it, to face and define it, rather
than slide along, buffeted by cultural trends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to give young adults a way forward through the jungle of our
world, to show them that Christian belief is rational and reasonable and can,
to a satisfying degree, be supported with historical evidence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">The reader also
can’t help but see a depth of struggle in Daniel too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems to wrestle with aspects of his faith
and where they might be leading him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
there a message for the reader in his story too?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Daniel
has experienced the power of lies, the tragic consequences of slander and
distrust. In this, he has faced evil. He is a knight on a mission to clean up
his world, to protect the innocent from the not-so-innocent Internet. He grapples
with God's demands upon him; he searches for God's will. These are struggles
believers face daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We journey with
him as he searches, realizing these conversations with God are pleasing to God,
just like Jacob's wrestling with God at Bethel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">The historical
perspective delivered in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene
Mystery</i>—particularly what Daniel and the enigmatic Teresa recite so fondly
to Kelly as she learns of her spiritual heritage—is phenomenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you research your material? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I was
led to excellent and generous sources, and in the process created a team that
supported my writing. The Rev. Dr. Paul Russell, the Dean of St. Joseph of
Arimathea Theological College in Berkeley and a New Testament scholar, provided me
with a hefty reading list to bring me up to speed on how we "do history,"
as well as the historical Jesus movements of the last century.
Father Russell also read the manuscript in its early and late stages. Then I
located Dr. Michael Donley, a British scholar and French translator, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">St. Mary Magdalen in Provence</i>. He graciously
read early and late drafts, and provided copious notes, even assisted with the French.
Finally, a sweet and lively British nun at St. John Lateran in Rome read the
material and helped me with the Corpus Christi procession and other scenes in
Rome, as well as the Lateran's history regarding Mary Magdalene, a mystery I
found fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, the work of
Carl E. Olson and Amy Welborn were most useful and inspiring in terms of understanding
what we know about Mary Magdalene and the world in which she lived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dan
Brown's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Da Vinci Code</i> made claims
that were clearly untrue about Mary Magdalene, yet so many readers believed
these lies. I wanted to set the record straight in a format not unlike his own.
So the story of Mary Magdalene, in the Gospels and in histories copied on
codices through the centuries, opened a door to examining what we know and what
we don't know about those first years of Christianity. Just as Mary Magdalene
was the first to touch the risen Christ and the first to witness to the
Resurrection, I wanted to build a trustworthy foundation for my readers so that
they could reach and touch him too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">And you succeeded
beautifully in doing just that. You mentioned you and your husband visited many
of the settings in which the story takes place. Do you have any favorites?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
churches described in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene
Mystery</i> are all glorious. I love the American church Santa Susanna for its
ethereal frescoes (my books are in their parish library); La Maddalena is a
jewel box and home of the Camillians, the Order of the Ministers of the Sick
(say hello to Father Paulo if you visit); the Basilica of Maria Maggiore is stunning
with its crèche under the high altar and the St. Luke Madonna; Santa Croce's
blue apse and the ancient side chapel of St. Helena, Constantine's mother, are unforgettable;
San Giovanni Laterano's nave is lined with giant marble apostles and the
cloister is mysterious and medieval.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I definitely hope
someday to pass on your regards to Father Paulo, although I feel like I already
know him and his environs through your vivid descriptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, what’s the next treat from the pen of Christine Sunderland?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there more of Kelly and Daniel in the
future, or will you take a different direction with your next novel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A
different direction, at least at this point. My novel-in-progress is revealing
itself as a suspense/love story</span><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> set in the Bay Area.
There is a deserted chapel in an abandoned park, a museum-mansion and a piano
tuner, an English professor-poet in love with a History grad student.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">Now that sounds
cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to reading it. Thanks
so much for taking the time to respond to these questions, Christine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are there any other thoughts you’d like to
close with, tidbits of wit or wisdom—or both?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thanks
so much, Bruce. It's been a real pleasure to talk about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene Mystery</i>. The novel was a great joy to write. It was
also a magnificent adventure to research and create. Since it was about truth,
and how we know truth, I tried to be as truthful as possible as the mysteries
within its pages led to more mysteries which led to more… much like life and
love and faith… much like talking with God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">Okay, Christine,
tell us a little about yourself; for example, when did you begin writing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What inspired you to start?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
discovered writing late in life. I</span><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> never intended to write
novels (just read them), but my travels to Europe led to meditative journals,
and these led to stories. I loved reading from an early age, and my English Lit
degree encouraged me to create plotlines and characters from my voluminous
notes. I was fascinated by the historical sites my husband and I visited in
Western Europe, so that when I was home I audited classes in Western Civilization.
We often traveled with our bishop, a formidable inspiration and fount of wisdom.
The history of the West took shape in my mind, and I was struck by how it reflected
the history of Christianity, the history of belief. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read historians Barbara Tuchman, Paul
Johnson, Peter Brown, Thomas Cahill, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gertrude Himmelfarb, and Eamon Duffy.
Theologians, mystics, and other writers inspired me as well: Raymond Raynes,
Dom Gregory Dix, Alexander Schmemann, Russell Kirk, Evelyn Underhill, Luke
Timothy Johnson, and, of course, C. S. Lewis, among many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">A heady listed of
literary heroes indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What motivated,
or still motivates, you to select the genre and themes you write about?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God's
active presence in our world, in history and in the present, inspires me to
write of goodness, truth, and beauty—T.S. Eliot's "permanent things."
I write from a Christian worldview, a world with characters who love and suffer
and sacrifice, who desire to be good and true, or search for goodness and
truth, and who wonder at the beauty around them, who are wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I am
also motivated by today's cultural crises – abortion, euthanasia, the role of sexuality
and the body, the nature and challenges of marriage, the demands of love. I try
to explore the Christian answer to why we suffer (C. S. Lewis's “problem of
pain”), the Christian view of life and death, and the role of the Church in all
of this. I am fascinated by belief itself, by apologetics (I was converted by
Lewis's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mere Christianity</i>), by Christianity's
historical foundations and its present challenges. It has been said that
"all doubt is moral." There are, in other words, lifestyle
implications to belief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">That comes out very
clearly in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene Mystery.</i> The
reader can’t help but notice that the hits Kelly has taken in life that have
greatly affected her faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems
difficult for her to shake them off for much of her journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it fair to ask if she is modeled after someone
you personally know (no names expected, of course), or does she represent<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a more generic character figure?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kelly
is, like each of my characters, a composite of people I have known. Kelly
represents generations of young people threatened by our highly sexualized and starkly
agnostic culture, a "post-Christian" culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Kelly reflects some of my own history
too. Like Kelly, I was a single parent raising a young son in an apartment in
Walnut Creek. My apartment was robbed and ransacked; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also longed for a life of safety, especially
as a mother. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in a culture of escalating
crime. The marginalization of church and temple has allowed the collapse of
moral authority in the public square; the breakup of the family has contributed
as well, for it is the family that passes moral values to the next generation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And like Kelly, my parish church was like a
family. The description of Kelly's church, St. Mary's, is based on my own church,
St. Peter's in Oakland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">So there is some of
Christine in Kelly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that makes
her more real, more personable. In what ways do you think, or hope, her story
might benefit readers?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hopefully,
Kelly's story will create a firmer foundation for belief in Christianity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From belief, that first step of faith, all
else follows; i.e., a life of meaning and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kelly is a thinking young adult, but she hasn't thought through her
belief system, and now she is forced to examine it, to face and define it, rather
than slide along, buffeted by cultural trends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to give young adults a way forward through the jungle of our
world, to show them that Christian belief is rational and reasonable and can,
to a satisfying degree, be supported with historical evidence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">The reader also
can’t help but see a depth of struggle in Daniel too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seems to wrestle with aspects of his faith
and where they might be leading him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
there a message for the reader in his story too?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Daniel
has experienced the power of lies, the tragic consequences of slander and
distrust. In this, he has faced evil. He is a knight on a mission to clean up
his world, to protect the innocent from the not-so-innocent Internet. He grapples
with God's demands upon him; he searches for God's will. These are struggles
believers face daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We journey with
him as he searches, realizing these conversations with God are pleasing to God,
just like Jacob's wrestling with God at Bethel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">The historical
perspective delivered in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene
Mystery</i>—particularly what Daniel and the enigmatic Teresa recite so fondly
to Kelly as she learns of her spiritual heritage—is phenomenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you research your material? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I was
led to excellent and generous sources, and in the process created a team that
supported my writing. The Rev. Dr. Paul Russell, the Dean of St. Joseph of
Arimathea Theological College in Berkeley, a New Testament scholar, provided me
with a hefty reading list to bring me up to speed on how we "do history,"
the Jesus Seminar and the historical Jesus movements of the last century.
Father Russell also read the manuscript in its early and late stages. Then I
located Dr. Michael Donley, a British scholar and French translator, author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">St. Mary Magdalen in Provence</i>. He graciously
read early and late drafts, and provided copious notes, even assisted with the French.
Finally, a sweet and lively British nun at St. John Lateran in Rome read the
material and helped me with the Corpus Christi procession and other scenes in
Rome, as well as the Lateran's history regarding Mary Magdalene, a mystery I
found fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, the work of
Carl E. Olson and Amy Welborn were most useful and inspiring in terms of understanding
what we know about Mary Magdalene and the world in which she lived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dan
Brown's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Da Vinci Code</i> made claims
that were clearly untrue about Mary Magdalene, yet so many readers believed
these lies. I wanted to set the record straight in a format not unlike his own.
So the story of Mary Magdalene, in the Gospels and in histories copied on
codices through the centuries, opened a door to examining what we know and what
we don't know about those first years of Christianity. Just as Mary Magdalene
was the first to touch the risen Christ and the first to witness to the
Resurrection, I wanted to build a trustworthy foundation for my readers so that
they could reach and touch him too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">And you succeeded
beautifully in doing just that. You mentioned you and your husband visited many
of the settings in which the story takes place. Do you have any favorites?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
churches described in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene
Mystery</i> are all glorious. I love the American church Santa Susanna for its
ethereal frescoes (my books are in their parish library); La Maddalena is a
jewel box and home of the Camillians, the Order of the Ministers of the Sick
(say hello to Father Paulo if you visit); the Basilica of Maria Maggiore is stunning
with its crèche under the high altar and the St. Luke Madonna; Santa Croce's
blue apse and the ancient side chapel of St. Helena, Constantine's mother, are unforgettable;
San Giovanni Laterano's nave is lined with giant marble apostles and the
cloister is mysterious and medieval.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I definitely hope
someday to pass on your regards to Father Paulo, although I feel like I already
know him and his environs through your vivid descriptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, what’s the next treat from the pen of Christine Sunderland?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there more of Kelly and Daniel in the
future, or will you take a different direction with your next novel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A
different direction, at least at this point. My novel-in-progress is revealing
itself as a suspense/love story</span><span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> set in the Bay Area.
There is a deserted chapel in an abandoned park, a museum-mansion and a piano
tuner, an English professor-poet in love with a History grad student.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: black;">Now that sounds
cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to reading it. Thanks
so much for taking the time to respond to these questions, Christine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are there any other thoughts you’d like to
close with, tidbits of wit or wisdom—or both?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: black;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: black;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0000cc; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thanks
so much, Bruce. It's been a real pleasure to talk about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Magdalene Mystery</i>. The novel was a great joy to write. It was
also a magnificent adventure to research and create. Since it was about truth,
and how we know truth, I tried to be as truthful as possible as the mysteries
within its pages led to more mysteries which led to more… much like life and
love and faith… much like talking with God.</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can see a reviews of one of Christine's other works on this blog at </span><a href="http://www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/Pilgrimage" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pilgrimage</span></em></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em> </em> read more about her and her writing at </span><a href="http://christinesunderland.com/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://christinesunderland.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span> </div>
Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-87979036981866417242013-10-16T16:00:00.000-05:002013-10-16T16:00:06.573-05:00A Winner!<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: white;">.</span><br />
After an unforgivably long delay due to no one else's fault but my own, we're f-i-n-a-l-l-y awarding a copy of "It Adds Up To Murder" to Cynthia Blain. Congrats, Cynthia. Happy dance!<br />
<br />
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Watch for another interview and giveaway coming soon!<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-72524377895567018362013-08-20T17:57:00.001-05:002013-08-20T20:51:47.055-05:00It Adds Up to Murder, DA Featherling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdQ4rCXTx-pclilPTM4kLvbDkEavlCxDQNde7fpyZqSAqrEj9z1e7YG8zrF0ju7ar1o6aUtEoZX2bDNbPT_DS5MFoNnRYx4Cb72BMoSQYy9UavUubvgh3QEC7KRZVzjqDeENLRsu7Dbk/s1600/It_Adds_Up_to_Murder_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdQ4rCXTx-pclilPTM4kLvbDkEavlCxDQNde7fpyZqSAqrEj9z1e7YG8zrF0ju7ar1o6aUtEoZX2bDNbPT_DS5MFoNnRYx4Cb72BMoSQYy9UavUubvgh3QEC7KRZVzjqDeENLRsu7Dbk/s200/It_Adds_Up_to_Murder_Cover_for_Kindle.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
It seems oxymoronic to characterize a crime novel as "fun." But, getting past that, I've got a fun crime novel for you. But first, the background.<br />
<br />
I had the joy of chatting with Dorothy Featherling at a writers' event last month. Then I had the added joy of buying and reading one of her books, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adds-Murder-Its-Office-Volume/dp/1482591596/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376960729&sr=8-1&keywords=it+adds+up+to+murder" target="_blank">It Adds Up to Murder</a></em>, first in the "It's Murder at the Office" series. Simply recapped, I wish I could write a tale like this. Envy aside, however, here's the story.<br />
<br />
Recently laid off from her university job, middle-aged Abigail Newhouse now contracts out through the Evanston Agency as a temp. Anything to make ends meet. The story opens with her first day on the job as a bookkeeper at Holt, Inc., a high-powered accounting and property management firm. Abby's surprised--and little intimidated--to find herself assigned to the senior accountant, a shallow one step below the chief financial officer. Okay, no problem; she can do this.<br />
<br />
In fact, she could probably do it very well, but for the mild distraction of people being murdered around her.<br />
<br />
Enter distraction number two. Lt. Nick Vaughn, the investigating homicide detective, is an equally mature--and coincidentally equally available--Irishman with the looks to go with it: blue eyes, dark hair, trim physique, subtle Irish brogue that peaks with his dry humor. You know the kind. Abby, put off at first by the Lt's brusque manner, and Nick, equally standoffish by the more-than-level chance that this Ms. Newhouse may somehow be involved in the murders, raises barriers to any chance of a connection. As the investigation progresses, though, impressions and suspicions mellow, and chemistry takes over. Abby enlists herself in the effort to find the murderer as much for her own desire for justice as for her desire to keep as close to the good Lt, and as frequently, as possible.<br />
<br />
Sometimes that self-enlistment works out; sometimes it doesn't. What it does do consistently, though, is provide a very entertaining story written in a very entertaining way. Ms Featherling's delightful writing voice had me chuckling aloud on more than one occasion, but not at the expense of her story's underlying tension. I see where Nick gets his dry wit.<br />
<br />
If you want a good mystery tale that glides along on a well-lubricated path of accomplished storytelling, you really need to try this one. You really do.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeMU0jwp00NGtDodz11QdEdyxQ8Q_nYQtO-O9NuMnVpknClsUvxE5-2uGPM-PZwdcfI8pPrEXm_Ig9EDk3Cnf3dIHT_bxNkT06Z5zuuEgiYQQrx1CA3TPGRolHI1tSsWOMYhAM8Dq4uw/s1600/Dorothy+Featherling.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeMU0jwp00NGtDodz11QdEdyxQ8Q_nYQtO-O9NuMnVpknClsUvxE5-2uGPM-PZwdcfI8pPrEXm_Ig9EDk3Cnf3dIHT_bxNkT06Z5zuuEgiYQQrx1CA3TPGRolHI1tSsWOMYhAM8Dq4uw/s200/Dorothy+Featherling.PNG" width="160" /></a>Now having had my say, let me introduce you to the author of this most entertaining story: DA Featherling.<br />
<br />
Dorothy, this was thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks for writing it, but especially, thanks for being willing to field a few questions about it.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Thanks for having me, Bruce. I love to talk about books and am always happy
to answer questions. You’ll understand, of course, if I feel a need to invoke
the Fifth Amendment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Hopefully, the pleading the Fifth won't be a issue--but maybe you better read the fine print in the questions really closely before answer. :-)<br />
<br />
First, what inspired you to write a crime novel? Is this a favorite genre? And with that, you've introduced such a unique main character: a temporary office worker feeling a little out of her element. Is Ms Newhouse a vestige of something in Dorothy Featherling's background, or was Abby contrived on a whim?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Actually, mysteries and suspense are my two favorite genres to read. I
didn’t really start out to write mysteries…my first book was a romance (well,
everybody else was writing one and what did I know?). I write in multiple
genres – mystery, romantic comedy, futuristic suspense, and romance – so I
decided one day to see if I could write a mystery. Found out I could and
there’s been no stopping me since.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">There are so many mysteries on the market that I realized I needed to have
something unique to offer readers. Having come from a ‘secure state job’
background, I thought…what if a woman who’d held that kind of job suddenly lost
it and couldn’t find a similar replacement position? If she became a
temporary…what possibilities did that open for her to get involved in a new
crime every time she changes jobs? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The other unique aspect to the series is the fact that either an office
machine or office procedure will be the means or reason for the crime in each
book in the series.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Hopefully, this will give readers something new to enjoy that hasn’t been
done to death (no pun intended).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Okay, well that tidbit about office machines cleared up a curiosity. :-) I've already alluded to your great writing voice. Although I didn't mention it in my review, you handled the first-person point of view really well. Why did you decide on this style and how did you develop it? Do you have a writing role model or two who influence you?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">I’ve got seven (almost eight) books under my belt. Three of those are third
person. But when I wrote my first 1<sup>st</sup> person novel, I felt like I’d
come home. The new mystery series I’m working on (book 1 of “Staged for Murder”
series’ first draft is complete) was a toss-up as to whether it would be first
or third person. I actually wrote a couple of chapters both ways and queried
some of my critique partners as to their preference. They were equally split.
So I went with my own choice and went back to first person. It feels most
comfortable for me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">There are so many great writers out there (you being one…seriously!) that
I’m sure their writing has had an influence on me. As much as I’ve read over
the years I suspect I may have picked up things from them without realizing it,
but I can’t say I really have a writing role model.</span> <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It wouldn't surprise me if you *were* one, though, even unbeknown to you. You mentioned to me once that you read a book a day. (Wow!) How does this leave you time to write your own books? Do you have a set schedule, or write when you can? And do you have a consistent setting in which you write, or do you vary it; e.g., a quiet nook, a bustling Starbucks--sometimes both?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">For one thing, I read very fast. Secondly, the books I read are fiction…for
enjoyment…not weighty tomes I have to think about. They are an escape for me to
relax for a bit and let my conscious mind rest. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">I’ve actually had to recently develop a very set schedule…or timetable for
my writing. Some of my health issues keep me from being able to stay on the
computer for long stretches without intense pain (which I’d prefer not to have
happen)…so I spend some time each day (and it varies a bit) writing a new book,
other time editing one to be published, I’m also editing for another writer so
that gets a segment, and then I need time to read a bit and relax. Mix that
with time on social media and marketing stuff and it’s a pretty full day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">I have an extra bedroom that I use as an office, and I write there and only
there. Sometimes if I get an idea while I’m elsewhere I may scribble a note or
something, but basically, I sit down at the computer, pray, and get going. I
write without music or other distractions…I don’t find silence at all
intimidating.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Neither do I; I can't have distractions, either, when I'm trying to write. Okay, this question is more for me, probably, than most readers, but I'm curious (and, since it's my blog, I get to ask the questions), are you a seat-of-the-pants writer, or do you outline your stories?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">LOL. Actually a bit of both. I’m a little weird (well, more than a little,
probably). I begin with a premise…’what if….whatever’. Then…I HAVE to have a
title. I cannot start a book without a title. Don’t know why. It’s just the way
I’m wired. Once I have those two things, I’m ready to write.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">The story may go along for several chapters, but at some point (and also
depending on the complexity of the story – like my futuristic suspense) I have
to come up with plot points for a few scenes or chapters ahead. Once I’ve used
those, then it’s probably back to SOTP. So it’s kind of back and forth
throughout.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
We're on the same page (so to speak). I write SOTP too, but eventually I've got to scope out at least a timeline or I easily write myself into a corner. Let's switch gears now more to readers. Do you have a niche readership you specifically write to--or whom think of while you're designing a story? Or do you aim your appeal to a wide audience? What do you want your readers to walk away with after finishing one of your books?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">I’d like to think anyone could read my books and enjoy them. So I guess
that’s a wide appeal audience. I try to keep them contemporary for the younger
set, but the mature reader will find things to like about them, too, I hope. I’d
like to hope both men and women would read them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">When a reader finishes one of my books, closes the cover…if they’re
smiling…then I’ve done a very good thing and that’s what motivates me to keep
writing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Well, <em>It Adds Up to Murder</em> certainly appealed to me--and I was definitely smiling at the end. So, let me pose the final two questions, and I'll let you get back to your writing. (1) What's next? Will we see more of Abby Newhouse in sequels, or do you have other plans for your writing? Will crime novels dominate the landscape, or are there other treats in store?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Oh, yes. You will see Abby in sequels. Second one is just barely started and
I hope to begin working on it more when I get some of the editing on my other
books done. I’m publishing four or five of the romantic comedies…haven’t yet
decided whether to continue on with them or not, and the futuristic suspense
novel (hopefully out the first of the year) was written as the first book in a
series of four. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">I had someone recently ask me after a talk I did if I planned to write any
Westerns. I’m not planning it…but I love the genre…so who knows? Anything is
possible. Plus I have couple of ideas for some fantasies….<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Anything is indeed possible. :-) (2) Is there anything else you'd like to share with us? Words of wisdom or of wit--or both?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">There is so much good fiction out there today. Plus a lot of poor fiction,
as well. I hope both other writers and readers will produce and find the good
stuff because reading is a key ingredient to learning and to enjoying life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Amen! Thanks so much for your time, Dorothy. I've enjoyed prying...er, delving into your writing mind. I hope it's been fun for you too.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">Thanks, Bruce. It’s been great!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Dorothy Featherling's work, and further thoughts on writing and life, appear here on her <a href="http://www.dafeatherling.com/DAFeatherling/Home.html" target="_blank">website</a>. Drop by and visit, when you get a chance.<br />
<br />
And thanks to everyone for dropping by here! If you leave a comment with a question for Dorothy--her writing, personality, anything (within reason, of course :-) )--you'll be entered into a drawing for a copy of <em>It Adds Up to Murder</em> (Sorry, US- and Canada-based readers, please. Overseas postage is nasty. Thanks)<br />
<br />
Cheers! BruceBruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-79044441082696896962013-08-18T15:43:00.002-05:002013-08-18T15:43:55.576-05:00Awake Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
After over seven months of silence--mostly due to a household move and sundry other excuses--I'm ready to pick back up on book reviews. (Yea!) There will be something different from this point on, though. I'll be including short interviews with as many authors as who have the time and schedule to participate. There may even be a giveaway or two, who knows?<br />
<br />
Hope you haven't permanently given up on me. There's a lot more fun to be had!<br />
<br />
The next post will appear soon with a review of DA Featherling's crime novel, <em>It Adds Up to Murder</em>, and an interview with Dorothy. Keep watching this space!<br />
<br />
And, as always, thanks for dropping by.<br />
<br />
Cheers! BruceBruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-12662743230896573092013-01-08T19:53:00.000-06:002013-01-14T20:12:18.831-06:00The Leaving, by Ruth Crews (OakTara)<span style="color: white;">..</span><br />
<span style="color: white;"></span><br />
<a href="http://oaktara.com/sites/default/files/9781602903326%20The%20Leaving_frontcov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="http://oaktara.com/sites/default/files/9781602903326%20The%20Leaving_frontcov.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://oaktara.com/sites/default/files/9781602903326%20The%20Leaving_frontcov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://oaktara.com/sites/default/files/9781602903326%20The%20Leaving_frontcov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: black;">This is one of those books you know you're going to finish before you have any idea where the plot is going. The writing is that fun.</span></a><br />
<br />
The second in the "Gatekeeper" series, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Leaving-Ruth-Crews/dp/1602903328/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357685880&sr=8-1&keywords=ruth+crews" target="_blank">The Leaving</a></em> picks up where <em>Gatekeeper</em> leaves off, with our heroine, Anna Merritt, a senior at Hope College, facing graduation and a highly uncertain future. Having returned from England the term before--correction, <em>most</em> of her returned from England the term before. Her heart remained behind. And therein lies her conundrum. Faced with the typical English-Lit major's fears of how on earth to market her vanilla degree, she does what many of us do: cling to the past, the known, the familiar and attractive. In Anna's case, that's England. But moreover, she clings to the hope of getting back to the UK as soon as possible. But how? (the conundrum)<br />
<br />
Each chapter begins alternately with a letter from Anna to her erstwhile companion in adventure at Oxford, Eddie, and his responses to her. She bares her soul and its dreams to him, and he returns his wit and wisdom concerning where Anna might should be focusing her efforts; that is, where she is and the life she's living now, lest she at best miss it, at worst screw it up. Undeterred, Anna presses on, barely tolerating her studies and her fellow students in her fixation on the isle across the Atlantic. And she gets a littl annoying in that fixation, quite honestly. But ya still gotta love her.<br />
<br />
This is a tale of an inner journey, one that is so believably delivered that you wonder how much of it is autobiographical. (Ruth...?) So, if you're looking for jeeps blowing up, blood-dripping knives, or Lancaster County intrigue, read no more of this. But if you enjoy an incredibly fresh, young, witty voice learning life and how it should be approached, well, click the above hyperlink and settle in for a chuckle and a shake of the head.<br />
<br />
While it would be helpful to read <em>Gatekeeper</em> first for background character identification, it's not vital to enjoying <em>The Leaving</em>. The joy is in the present, not the past.<br />
<br />
Oh, and if you are, like I am, an unabashed Anglophile, you'll get even more out of the matchless repartee between Anna and Eddie. Cheers to Ms. Crews for quite a lovely read.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-56694084169493250432012-12-04T16:25:00.000-06:002012-12-04T16:25:12.007-06:00Neat Stuff!<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
This is brand-spanking new for me, so please be patient. I've been invited to be part of a author "blog-hop." For those of you who are old enough, like I am, to remember "sock hops"...well, this is nothing like that.<br />
<br />
Dr. <a href="http://www.inspiritual.biz/the-zenful-kitchen/2012/11/21/the-next-big-thing.html" target="_blank">Barbara Lavi</a> contacted me on Author Central in FaceBook and asked if I'd like to participate in a blog hop. I replied, "Sure!...What is it?" (Note to self: it's usually better to reverse the order of those two clauses.) Anyway, I discovered through Barbara's patient tutelage that it's an opportunity for readers to meet new authors of all different genres--fiction and non-fiction alike--by linking information on our work to each other's blogs in kind of a serial fashion. Right.<br />
<br />
Actually, it looks like fun to me, but maybe you can leave a comment telling me how far off the deep end I've gone after the dust settles on this.<br />
<br />
The object of the game? Well, I answer ten questions about my most recent book, and I ask a few other authors with blogs to do the same on their most recent books. I post my answers--along with other pithy stuff like this concise and coherent introduction--answer the questions, and then provide links to the other authors at the bottom of the page. As the reader, once you've become enraptured by my clever answers and simply can't imagine yourself not reading onward, buying thousands of copies of my book, and then clicking the links to the other authors' blogs and do the same for them. Well, okay, maybe not thousands, but you get the idea.<br />
<br />
Sound easy? Sure, easy for you. But now I've got to find other author-bloggers who are either naive enough to dive in like I did, or astute enough to know that things like this can really be fun. For your sake, I'll try to find more of the latter than the former.<br />
<br />
So, here are the questions and here are my answers:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>What
is the working title of your book?</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">A picture is worth a thousand words, so here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dSnzJPeA4Thyphenhyphen5Ampfpiq8i7jw2Kaa1uFDKUbNukWj-ZWDXLd5-vC-f38HlvJgwRwTEJ2PPjGsfyxZEL1VW2oaxTcoA5kbUVJCaXAk4fx_b329WFa_KYHRPITuhqS0vrlMFNQ29Lwwz0/s1600/Maria+-+smaller+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dSnzJPeA4Thyphenhyphen5Ampfpiq8i7jw2Kaa1uFDKUbNukWj-ZWDXLd5-vC-f38HlvJgwRwTEJ2PPjGsfyxZEL1VW2oaxTcoA5kbUVJCaXAk4fx_b329WFa_KYHRPITuhqS0vrlMFNQ29Lwwz0/s200/Maria+-+smaller+file.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<strong>Where did the idea come from for the book?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <em>For Maria</em> is the sequel to <em>Katia</em>. It follows to minor characters from that story, characters who are really only briefly mentioned, but are very important. For those of you who have not yet read <em>Katia</em>, click this <a href="http://www.brucejudisch.com/katia.htm" target="_blank">link</a> (if you like video trailers, here's one for <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2hhn3w-uUc&feature=player_embedded#!" target="_blank">Katia</a></em>). It automatically orders a copy from Amazon, so feel free to click it several times. I'm kidding, I'm kidding! It only takes you to the page on my website where you can read a synopsis of the book and see some great photos of scenes that are included in the story. To read more about <em>For Maria</em>, click this <a href="http://www.brucejudisch.com/for-maria.htm" target="_blank">link</a>. Go ahead. I dare you. :-)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<br />
<strong>What genre does your book fall under?</strong><br />
<br />
<em>For Maria</em> is actually a hybrid contemporary-20th-century historical. There are parallel storylines in both settings.<br />
<br />
<strong>Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition</strong>?<br />
<br />
There is no question that Amy Adams <em>has</em> to play Madeline, the main character from the contemporary storyline. That's my only prerequisite to the many Hollywood producers who I'm sure are on their way here this very moment to line up at my front door. (Note to all: Steven Spielberg gets first dibs). As far as the main character from the historical period, Rosa Dudek, I'd have to say...hold on a minute, let me ask my wife...................okay, Jodie Foster; excellent actress and the eye color is perfect. What do you say, Jodie?<br />
<br />
<strong>What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?</strong><br />
<br />
Madeline Sommers, a young journalist, makes it her single-focused mission to find her grandmother's long-lost twin girls, who disappeared in WWII, before it's too late.<br />
<br />
<strong>Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?</strong><br />
<br />
My book was recently released by OakTara, LLC, a small traditional publisher.<br />
<br />
<strong>How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?</strong><br />
<br />
Interestingly, it only took me 30 days to write the first draft of teh prequel <em>Katia</em>, but it took me nearly a year and a half to get <em>For Maria</em> down. The subject matter was very research-intensive and, frankly, emotionally exhausting.<br />
<br />
<strong>What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
I'd have to say that <em>Sarah's Key</em> is closest, but <em>For Maria</em> is far more uplifting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<strong>Who or What inspired you to write this book?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
As noted, <em>For Maria</em> is a sequel, so events from <em>Katia</em> inspired the idea. However, the impetus to involve the <em><a href="http://kindertransport.org/" target="_blank">Kindertransport</a></em> in the historical storyline was due to research, which included making some wonderful friends of some of the people who lived through the events I portray in the book.<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<strong>What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
If you like stories with a great balance of drama, romance, action, and humor, then you'll enjoy both <em>Katia</em> and <em>For Maria</em>. Historically accurate, poignant, and honest, you'll remember these characters long after you turn the last page.<br />
<br />
There! That's me, now let me introduce you to three more authors whose work may interest you. I cncourage you to visit their blogs by clicking their names.<br />
<br />
Mr. <a href="http://www.vacceptableinjuries.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Markus Heinze</a>, non-fiction, who has written a must-read for parents on the controversial topic of infant immunizations and serious side-effects.<br />
<br />
Mr. <a href="http://www.bentbananabooks.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Bernie Dowling</a>, from Down Under, who blogs to introduce readers to different styles and genres of books.<br />
<br />
Mr. <a href="http://tomufert.com/Toms_Bolg/" target="_blank">Tommy Ufert</a>, a 46-year-old quadriplegic who writes and speaks inspirational messages has self-published a book, <em>Adversity Builds Character</em>.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-50316817371321851332012-11-03T19:56:00.001-05:002012-11-03T19:56:43.295-05:00Disaster Status, by Candace Calvert (Tyndale)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<a border="0" href="javascript:(function(){var linkid = 'Slideshow Link Additional Views';})();" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img alt="Disaster Status, Mercy Hospital Series #2 -
By: Candace Calvert
" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="http://g.christianbook.com/g/ebooks/covers/w185/3/325446_w185.png" valign="top" vspace="0" width="133" /></a><span style="color: black;">I recently found myself in the unenviable position of being way behind on my Calvert reading. Quickly remedied by downloading <em>Disaster Status</em> to my Kindle, I was shortly on the mend. And what better mend to be on than with this story?</span><br />
<br />
Second in the "Mercy Hospital" series, <em>Disaster Status</em> steps away from its prequel, <em><a href="http://brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/Critical%20Care">Critical Care</a></em>, in theme and intensity, but not in quality. Okay, maybe in quality, too, for as the theme and the tension wratchet up, so does Ms. Calvert's storytelling.<br />
<br />
The story follows Erin Quinn home to California where she resumes her career as an ER charge nurse and her life as a care-giver for her widowed grandmother. Erin carries family baggage that encases her heart and her mind away from all, including herself. Her job and her grandmother are all the life she needs. At least she thinks so...<br />
<br />
The story hits the ground running with a major disaster involving a chemical spill. The emergency situation is eventually resolved, but it leaves an undetected undercurrent in its wake that will resurface in a most unexpected way. During the course of the incident, Erin collides repeatedly with fire Capt. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scott McKenna, a by-the-book, self-driven, overachiever who also carries family baggage: living in the shadows of a herioc father and with the shadows of a self-perceived failure to protect those he loved the most. His job and...well, his job is all he needs. At least, he thinks so...</span></span><br />
<br />
Thrown together whether they like it or not, oil and water seem better suited to each other than Erin and Scott, at least at first. But as concern for others around them force their attention away from their own hang-ups, a curious bond begins to develop that neither of them wants or understands. It isn't until a shocking crisis explodes onto the scene do they see themselves and each other for who they really are.<br />
<br />
Ms. Calvert doesn't skim the surface of our sensibilities as so many romances do. She dares to bring in a dark element, something sinister, that threatens everyone in the story either directly or indirectly. There is an evil afoot that you're not quite sure what to make of throughout the tale, something you even find yourself pondering after closing of the novel's back cover.<br />
<br />
Tightly written, heartwarming, inspiring, and thought provoking, <em>Disaster Status</em> is a great read. Something a little different, something a little daring. Bravo to Ms. Calvert for daring to be different, and for doing it so well.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-61617787751367285112012-09-16T16:30:00.000-05:002012-09-16T21:02:50.623-05:00Harvest of Rubies, by Tessa Afshar (River North)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyhvjW6Qk078GAvml8Qd4yg5Yf2d0ik8o5hA8gQgg9RzYSt_fD99_nCbODV_PvARUt1sPJv4edrk9nR0XYFM8DdAhEQPkd_pPzRKsSyVV1FGUHDvpq2SJRbgNPj3yVxK87_DPLLYWiM/s1600/harvest-of-rubies.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyhvjW6Qk078GAvml8Qd4yg5Yf2d0ik8o5hA8gQgg9RzYSt_fD99_nCbODV_PvARUt1sPJv4edrk9nR0XYFM8DdAhEQPkd_pPzRKsSyVV1FGUHDvpq2SJRbgNPj3yVxK87_DPLLYWiM/s200/harvest-of-rubies.png" width="140" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
Ancient history with a modern heart.<br />
<br />
For some reason, I expected Biblical fiction when I downloaded <em>Harvest of Rubies</em>. And sure, it touches an ancient Biblical figure (nope, you have to read it to find out who), but only as a minor character. Instead, I found myself immersed in a tale of ancient Mesopotamia, complete with intrigue, action, and romance--in short, everything a novel like this should have.<br />
<br />
With her love of Persian history and culture evident on every page, Ms Afshar has crafted yet another delightful story that brings to life the spirit and soul of an era long dead. What's so great about this book, though, is that she's done so through the eyes of an unforgettable character, Sarah. The thing about Sarah is...how do I put this?...well, you love her to death, but you're not quite sure whether you love her as you would a wife, a daughter, a best friend, or a sister. Yeah, I know. Maybe it's because Ms Afshar portrays her so well in all of those roles.<br />
<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJyhvjW6Qk078GAvml8Qd4yg5Yf2d0ik8o5hA8gQgg9RzYSt_fD99_nCbODV_PvARUt1sPJv4edrk9nR0XYFM8DdAhEQPkd_pPzRKsSyVV1FGUHDvpq2SJRbgNPj3yVxK87_DPLLYWiM/s200/harvest-of-rubies.png" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 63px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 82px;" width="67" /><br />
Sarah is a gifted linguist and scribe, something unheard of in a woman of ancient Persia. Her cousin (the unnamed Biblical character) gets her an interview with the queen, who just happens to be in need of a senior scribe. Introverted, plain-looking, and self-deprecating, Sarah immerses herself in her work. She performs very well...too well, in fact. To thank her for a particularly insightful service, the queen arranges a marriage for Sarah to a very upstanding and promising nobleman. Sarah passes out when the queen announces the engagement, but not out of joyful surprise as the court interprets her reaction, but out of horror as her entire world--quiet, peaceful, solitary, and intellectually fulfilling--hits the floor as hard as she does.<br />
<br />
The description of the disastrous wedding ceremony Ms Afshar delivers is priceless; the cover price of the book is worth that scene alone. But it's the ensuing story, after Sarah bottoms out, that she begins her journey of personal restoration and true fulfillment--not in abandoning who she is and what she loves for the sake of tradition--but in perfecting that tradition through who she is and what she loves. Traveling with a solid cast of supporting characters, <em>Harvest of Rubies </em>takes us on a journey framed around a character who will live in your heart on far beyond the turn of the last page.<br />
<br />
Captivating story, skillfully crafted, delivered with great finesse. This is a sure bet for lovers of ancient history and personal triumph.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-45564514746807127942012-09-01T09:49:00.000-05:002012-09-01T09:49:30.511-05:00At Last!<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrx-LVNe06IJTZihdd1eY30nw0kJh2fozyFpqGvcz9Y3En6vfnatmPWpwGV8W9tu1WcSR_sn8xXlR2aYmrfSNJTBbmNqbzPYUM89Z2YdGcO6VLtDgQvYYWWnO3q9zLxZxuykQhYrFTVU/s1600/Maria+-+smaller+file.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrx-LVNe06IJTZihdd1eY30nw0kJh2fozyFpqGvcz9Y3En6vfnatmPWpwGV8W9tu1WcSR_sn8xXlR2aYmrfSNJTBbmNqbzPYUM89Z2YdGcO6VLtDgQvYYWWnO3q9zLxZxuykQhYrFTVU/s320/Maria+-+smaller+file.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After a four-month delay, <em>For Maria</em> is finally scheduled for release on 15 September! It can be ordered directly through <a href="http://www.oaktara.com/">www.oaktara.com</a> (click on the Store tab to go to the book store) on that date, from me directly through my website at <a href="http://www.brucejudisch.com/for-maria.htm">www.brucejudisch.com/for-maria.htm</a> (use the Contact Me button at the bottom of the page) anytime now, or, after a couple of weeks for the online outlets to catch up, from Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, Barnesandnoble.com, etc.<br />
<br />
It'll start out being available in hardcopy (paperback), but will eventually appear for Kindle, too.<br />
<br />
Thanks for your patience. I hope you'll find the wait to have been worthwhile.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-9117720056716857652012-08-10T16:19:00.000-05:002012-08-10T16:19:04.508-05:00October Baby, by Eric Wilson (B&H Books)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzTJuESmwp4h55wVBjSej6i1ModNfDp74LIqBXVilQLRBGqmwUZHwrwjhXANUkSmGPA7QzeY-ZUuJOQmlS89XuPqJiIF_OtIHHO1TD0m34-sOrUm2Mb2sG7nkGW8ObtIVxv12-gd01l8/s1600/OB4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzTJuESmwp4h55wVBjSej6i1ModNfDp74LIqBXVilQLRBGqmwUZHwrwjhXANUkSmGPA7QzeY-ZUuJOQmlS89XuPqJiIF_OtIHHO1TD0m34-sOrUm2Mb2sG7nkGW8ObtIVxv12-gd01l8/s200/OB4.jpg" width="151" /></a><span style="color: black;">I'm sure <em>October Baby</em> the movie is wonderful, but, having read Mr. Wilson's novelization, I feel no overriding need to see it. Experience has shown time and time again that the written page can attain a multidimensional property, depth of insight and characterization, richness of viewer/reader involvement, that the silver screen struggles--often in vain--to achieve. Don't get me wrong, I can immerse myself into a great movie as much as the next guy. But the film version would require a near-magical quality to approach what the author delivers in <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/October-Baby-Novel-Eric-Wilson/dp/1433678470">October Baby</a></em> the book.</span><br />
<br />
For those not yet acquainted with the story, Hannah, a high school student with aspirations for the stage, falters during a prime performance. In fact, she passes out in the middle of one of her lines. Attempts to discover the source of this and other niggling maladies that plague the otherwise seemingly healthy girl lead to a stark revelation. Not only is she adopted, but she's the survivor of a botched abortion. This knowledge sends her on a quest to find her birth mother, despite the protestations of her adoptive parents and the cautions of her best friend, Josh. Still, Hannah, ultimately with Josh's help, embarks on her journey under the guise of taking a spring break trip to New Orleans with a group of friends; a trip that just happens to take her past the city in which she was born.<br />
<br />
A cast of unique supporting characters colors the storyline with grit, hilarity, and poignancy brought to their fullest brilliance under the skilled pen of best-selling author, Eric Wilson. It's quite apparent from the characterization and dialog that Mr. Wilson is very much at home with this genre. He pulls you from the softness of your sofa onto the bumpy back seat of a dilapidated van trundling down the interstate toward the Big Easy, sharing the sights, smells, and sensibilities of teenagers on a lark. Transports you from the comfort of your own existence into the troubled world of a young girl whose life has suddenly been turned upside down and now has no idea what part truth plays in it. It just grabs you and doesn't let go at the turn of the last page. If it doesn't grab you, you might want to check yourself for a pulse.<br />
<br />
This tale relates one of the realities of abortion smothered by politcal correctness. Those on the pro-abortion side will dismiss it as lopsided propaganda (as has already happened in reaction to the movie). Those on the pro-life side will laud it for its honesty and fearlessness in addressing such a heart-wrenching issue. Those in the middle, those who don't want to care...well, they'll continue not to care. Maybe.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
Sound heavy? No, not really. The journey is often painful, but the destination is emotionally satisfying, like most great novels. Highly recommended, especially for those in the middle.<br />
<br />
Oh, and yeah, I'll see the movie. I mean, you know...<br />
<br />
And another 'oh'. <em>October Baby</em> is due for release on September 1st. Get in line.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-12818894041985803042012-08-04T16:32:00.000-05:002012-12-26T08:33:40.770-06:00The Discovery, by Dan Walsh (Revell)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABHoHoSWMBjhkBYbqe2vQ34r_idu5KeVSZUMtyBFDLqoBfOCLFFBklHUdztGeIu4SEluzfjbBdLP1E030XxXZQ0IALA6SqNo3Z5Z9L_qS_PWdbflKju2TutpKyYNbDKAgKy304eJ57hw/s1600/TheDiscovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABHoHoSWMBjhkBYbqe2vQ34r_idu5KeVSZUMtyBFDLqoBfOCLFFBklHUdztGeIu4SEluzfjbBdLP1E030XxXZQ0IALA6SqNo3Z5Z9L_qS_PWdbflKju2TutpKyYNbDKAgKy304eJ57hw/s200/TheDiscovery.jpg" width="129" /></a>Had to review this one for two reasons. First, it's a hybrid contemporary-historical piece. I love those. I've written two of them.<br />
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Second, the historical part covers WW II, the Greatest Generation era. I love that era. I've written in 1.5 of them. But then, this isn't about me--no, really. I just have this weakness of wanting to identify with really good authors who write the kind of stuff I love to read, and with novels I'd really love to have written.<br />
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Dan Walsh and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-The-Novel-Dan-Walsh/dp/0800719816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343944869&sr=8-1&keywords=dan+walsh"><em>The Discovery</em></a> fall very neatly into each of those categories, respectively. Here's why.<br />
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First, the book. Micheal Warner, an aspiring writer, has just lost his grandfather, Gerard Warner, a world-renown best-selling author. That's another reason I'd like to identify with this--(Stop it! Sorry, back to the book). Michael has inherited a sizable estate from his grandfather, including his historic house in Charleston, SC. It's not the real estate Michael values, though. It's the enduring spirit of his beloved--and reclusive--grandfather and writing mentor that pervades every room. But Gerard Warner has left his grandson something more than an aura. He's left a manuscript--yellowed with age, never before seen--for Michael to find. And read. And, well, discover.<br />
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Mr. Walsh takes us back to the historical period using a book within a book, a story within a story. Michael settles back to read with the notion of publishing it into what would be sure to be a best seller. I mean, a secret manuscript by a renown author coming to light after his death; how could it miss? But what lies between the age-tinged pages, revelation after revelation, urges Michael back forward in his seat. Why? To tell you more would spoil it. And you don't want me to do that.<br />
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Second, the author. Bravo to Mr. Walsh for penning so well an unforgettable tale with equally unforgettable characters. His gentle prose glides the reader along effortlessly; his writing voice, though unique, never interfering with the story. The tale delivers bittersweet poignancy and romance, but not without action, that settle on your mind and spirit in an emotionally satisfying way. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-31452918449474007232012-07-31T18:34:00.000-05:002012-07-31T19:53:14.430-05:00The Stars Shine Bright, by Sibella Giorello (Thomas Nelson)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE81PHeS0jrThabfEHSJQ379u1xTCz2_Bgtkkz0poOBzZKwDRbXxVh9FOExIK8TQwwOoULzt42VKG2KeXCDQSOLpfugib1SD0Fjns6B0aewGuHxrzXyu1NByqfYUainD-ViOgnB8NNGYQ/s1600/stars-shine-bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE81PHeS0jrThabfEHSJQ379u1xTCz2_Bgtkkz0poOBzZKwDRbXxVh9FOExIK8TQwwOoULzt42VKG2KeXCDQSOLpfugib1SD0Fjns6B0aewGuHxrzXyu1NByqfYUainD-ViOgnB8NNGYQ/s200/stars-shine-bright.jpg" width="129" /></a><span style="color: black;">I preordered <em><a href="http://sibellagiorello.com/stars-shine-bright.php">The Stars Shine Bright</a></em> well in advance, because that's both a safe and advisable thing to do with a Giorello novel. Think about that when the next one is on deck.</span><br />
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FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is back with perhaps the most complex challenge--professionally and personally--to her troubled career and life thus far. And that's saying something.<br />
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Someone appears to be fixing horse races at Emerald Meadows, Seattle's premier thoroughbred race track. Raleigh goes undercover as the niece of horse-owner Eleanor Anderson, who has requested federal assistance in investigating a most irregular trend of events at the track. Apparently, horses favored as winners suddenly falter, and long shots triumph, all in a disconcertingly consistent fashion. Who's manipulating the outcomes? Who has the most to gain from such a scenario?<br />
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Out of the starting gate, the Mob surges into first place on the list of suspects in the person of Salvatore Gigliardo, an owner and bookie at Emerald Meadows. But not all the brightly shining stars align to support this notion, so Raleigh reins back her initial impressions in the face of steadily diminishing evidentiary odds that Sal is the true culprit--as convenient as that might be--since Sal's horses are as much victims as the other owners' steeds are. Her probing, some of it sullied by the unorthodoxy that has her at odds with her FBI chieftains, reveals a surprising tangent to everything she thought and felt to be true. What is it? Sorry, I'm already on the verge of a spoiler, so I shall share no more.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The personal complexity focuses on her complicated relationships with not only the Bureau (and one fellow special agent in particular), but with her relatives, especially her mother, who is now under observation in a mental institution. Enter DeMott Fielding, the fiancé she's so studiously avoided in the prequel, <em>The Mountains Bow Down</em>, and Raleigh's inner turmoil noses into the turf like a drunken mudder. Unlike in the prequel, however, at last we see Raleigh beginning to grow through her previously almost debilitating spiritual, emotional, and personal struggles. The prayers she lifted seemingly in vain before finally begin to bear fruit, prayers no longer short-circuited through eyes squeezed shut in agony, but filtered through up-lifted tears of submission. </span>Not only do the stars shine bright, but a singular light appears at the end of the proverbial tunnel for Raleigh. Decisions clamoring to be made are attended to, and the results of those decisions begin to manifest in a most satisfactory way.<br />
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Add Ms. Giorello's most intricate plot so far to her phenomenally detailed research and inimitable writing voice, and you simply have a can't-put-it-down novel. Note that I normally make a concerted effort to avoid the overused "couldn't put it down." But sometimes it's just true.<br />
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Too little, too vague? Sorry. If you've followed Ms. Giorello's journey with Special Agent Harmon to this point, you'll get it. If you haven't, back up and begin with <a href="http://www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Stones%20Cry%20Out"><em>The Stones Cry Out</em></a><em> </em>(a Christy Award winner), through <em><a href="http://www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Rivers%20Run%20Dry">The Rivers Run Dry</a>, </em>and <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1595545352/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=1040279616&ref=pd_sl_4gxmc1lgzr_e">The Mountains Bow Down</a></em>, then on to this point of Raleigh's story. It's well worth the ride.<br />
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<span style="color: white;">.</span></span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-24084850808728849472012-07-27T16:02:00.001-05:002012-07-27T16:02:26.655-05:00Jewel of Persia, by Rosanna White (WhiteFire Publishing)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEGCYC_0wTCsTR32JDI-ILrn4JTLLhZ9EfG_A_DSaCIJLmtqPoG_hndzpNB9DZPMnc76jR5Z3FVScOX8ziFZDRxnSTpGBtQjAAlClTFppoAz8LI6qHfUnzSG6l6s1Jadm5PLdFQusNgw/s1600/jewel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEGCYC_0wTCsTR32JDI-ILrn4JTLLhZ9EfG_A_DSaCIJLmtqPoG_hndzpNB9DZPMnc76jR5Z3FVScOX8ziFZDRxnSTpGBtQjAAlClTFppoAz8LI6qHfUnzSG6l6s1Jadm5PLdFQusNgw/s200/jewel.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: black;">If there's an Old Testament figure who has been novelized more than Esther, I'm not sure who it might be. And I've read a few really good ones--even have another one queued up--but, honestly, none have been like <em><a href="http://www.roseannawhite.com/wordpress/books/jewel-of-persia">Jewel of Persia</a></em>. Are you ready for this? First, Esther isn't even the main character. Second, the Biblically identifiable story doesn't even start until (according to my Kindle) the last ten percent of the book. Wait! Stick with me. You'll be glad you did.</span><br />
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Ms. White has taken an extremely novel approach (okay, pun intended) to Esther's story. She begins her tale with Esther as but a young child. Her best friend and confidant, a few years her senior, is Kasia. Now you've met the main character.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Jewel of Persia</em> takes Kasia, a beautiful Jewess from the poor quarter of Susa, into the harem of King Xerxes. She is believed to be dead by drowning, the cover story for her disappearance her father propagates when he disowns her due to the dishonor it would bring on the family. Esther mourns her loss, unaware of the truth and the role it will play in her own life a few short years into the future.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">As the story progresses, Kasia captures the king's heart by loving him as a man instead of manipulating him for favors as the king. She also earns the distrust and resentment of the rest of the king's concubines and wives, including the now deposed Queen Vashti. But all of this is part of the plan, part of Jehovah's preparation for the salvation of His people. Hang on; we'll get there.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Ms. White takes us on an enthralling journey through the early years of Xerxes' reign, his costly victory over the Spartans at Thermopolae and his ill-fated clash with the Greeks at Salamis. Beginning to sound like a war book? Nope. Ever at his side, Kasia provides the balance of support and reason to her husband only a woman of her caliber in love is capable of. Through Kasia, Ms. White reveals Xerxes' personal trials, his mistakes, his uncertainties, in a campaign he felt compelled to launch for the honor of his father rather than out of his own ambition. She also weaves with remarkable skill the scheming intrigue inherent to the court and even the family of the king of all kings, most of whom aspire him to be the god beyond the man he wants to be. Stalked by Haman, who would see her dead, Xerxes' son, Darius, who would see her in his bed, and the demon-god Ahura-Mazda, who would see her influence utterly destroyed. But none has any chance against Jehovah, who would see her preserved as a dutiful child of his and as an essential part of His plan to rescue His people from a future annihilation.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Thoroughly researched and artfully penned, Ms. White delivers a wonderfully romantic story that is both historically accurate, Scripturally sound, and emotionally satisfying. Her characters display a genuinely believable depth and balance of virture and foible. Most notable was the intricacy of intrigue and guile in the politics pervading both the palace and the harem Ms. White expertly embeds into the plot. Actually, her peceptions were so cunningly portrayed, she began to worry me. Has her husband read this?</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Oh! And yes, after all of this, Esther--remember her?--does get her day in the sun. :-) And another, oh! How on earth does Kasia figure into Esther's story? Huh uh. Ya gotta get the book. You won't be disappointed</span>.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-77799636805613906302012-07-23T15:35:00.000-05:002012-07-23T15:35:48.433-05:00Happy Birthday, TBCN!<span style="color: white;">. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCapxVqaIxkkX9fLrRYsLCAnoxJGI_YrmxW3yZAnWf0Y2LYgEMwffP5WMZf9SMwCbeT_umucZ7ynofbgRFW_iwil7E5IOyW-xp4jnSCtuL3kbWL79kzOA_d-uuGSDFRsW8_4z6BsHDsdo/s1600/THE+ONE1TBCN+LOGO+2011+SMALL+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCapxVqaIxkkX9fLrRYsLCAnoxJGI_YrmxW3yZAnWf0Y2LYgEMwffP5WMZf9SMwCbeT_umucZ7ynofbgRFW_iwil7E5IOyW-xp4jnSCtuL3kbWL79kzOA_d-uuGSDFRsW8_4z6BsHDsdo/s200/THE+ONE1TBCN+LOGO+2011+SMALL+(3).JPG" width="133" /></a>I'm honored to be associated with The Book Club Network, an online Christian forum that brings together authors and members of book clubs not just in the US, but overseas as well. TBCN has been a great resource to connect readers and authors through chat, discussion forums, and special events. So...<br />
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...as a departure from my normal posts of book reviews, I'm featuring an interview with Nora St. Laurent, a co-founder of TBCN. She discusses its history, philosophy, and the specials being offered during the month of August--namely, <strong>ten free books given away every day</strong> for the entire month. Hint: You don't want to miss this!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU7hxwSRdWNvOgkfg9S9VuCuPx9gl56hhHgmHuiSZiAxufufi_1q9bh_DAaTYWl5khS43E99lHYwlA1fCXDzeD11b7PxVXTiHGrapiC4xvnSS5JHJxrYRKXhlcA715NlmO0jvwWTwUGI/s1600/Nora.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU7hxwSRdWNvOgkfg9S9VuCuPx9gl56hhHgmHuiSZiAxufufi_1q9bh_DAaTYWl5khS43E99lHYwlA1fCXDzeD11b7PxVXTiHGrapiC4xvnSS5JHJxrYRKXhlcA715NlmO0jvwWTwUGI/s200/Nora.JPG" /></a>Here's the story in Nora's own words: <br /><br /><strong>What inspired you start TBCN, Nora?</strong> <br /><br />The Book Club Network was born out of a desire to share Christian Fiction authors with other book clubs, share book club ideas with other leaders and to encourage the authors who are writing such amazing books. The economy has been really tough for a few years and people are not parting with money like they used to. Through TBCN they can take their time and find the right book or win it. We have give away opportunities each month. ALL of our contests are from the 19th – 21st of the month.<br /><br />I run two face-to-face book clubs, one at the Christian Book Store I work at and the other at the church I attend. It’s a position I never imagined I’d be in since I didn’t read for pleasure much before I started working in a Christian book store 11 years ago.<br /> <br />But since I love talking with people and the main thing to talk about in a book store is books I started reading Christian Fiction (publishers sent ARC copies to our store and I started checking them out) The first book that rocked my world and got me hooked in Christian Fiction was a book by Linda Nichols called <em>Not a Sparrow Falls</em> her next book did me in and I couldn’t stop talking about it. <em>At the Scent of Water</em> was her next book that prompted me to contact the author and let her know how much her book touched my spirit.<br /><br />After reading these two books and telling customers about these reads I had a reason to read. The books spoke to me because I wasn’t expecting it. It reminded me of the stories in the Bible. Jesus is the greatest story teller and He knew a story could change a life or prick our spirit and move us in a direction we never thought we’d go.<br /><br />I tell you all that to say I’m dyslexic, and I have not been a fan of reading. Movies were more my thing. I could watch a movie of a book and have a lot more fun. Reading Christian Fiction changed my life in more ways than one. I wanted to tell everyone about the greatest book I read, and I’d do that at the book store. It was possible to talk about the new book I read and loved for about a month or more but when <em>At the Scent of Water</em> and <em>Not a Sparrow Falls</em> were not on the shelf anymore, I had to find some other books to talk about at work. I’m not a very fast reader, so discovering the next new book was a challenge. Would I get the book read before it disappeared from the shelf? How long do books live on a book shelf? The shelf life of a book was a mystery to me and still is.<br /><br />I was whining to my husband Fred about my problem. How can I get the word out about great books for a very long period of time??? Being a man who likes to face challenges head we began to talk about how we could do this and the fact that I can’t read books fast enough to keep up with it’s shelf life at the store.<br /><br />I also told him, as a book-club leader, I wanted to promote great books and share them with other groups. Not everyone has the advantage of working at a book store and see what new books hit the shelves each week. Another struggle I had was, if I had an author speaking at my book club, I wanted to share them with other book clubs in the area. How could I do that? Where are book clubs meeting?<br /><br />Our answer to many of these questions and more was the birth of The Book Club Network - TBCN. Connecting authors to book clubs and readers to their books; it’s also a network of book clubs, as they post what they’ve read and how the meeting turned out.<br /><br />It’s a place to find where a book club is located. We have a member map where you can find a book club near you. Message them and see if they are accepting new members. I envision it to be similar to be similar to the Weight Watchers program (don’t laugh <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>) you can go to a meeting anywhere in the country right? All you have to do is look on line and get connected. This is my hope for the future of TBCN.<br /><br /><strong>Have there been any surprises for you at TBCN, anything serendipities? What benefits have you seen by bringing readers and authors together?</strong><br /><br />I’ve been encouraged and fascinated by our growth. I can see there were other people out there like me, wanting to connect with other book club members. <br /><br />I’ll tell you what has surprised me is the author/reader interaction each month. This is something I didn’t foresee as I’ve watch the authors having a blast interacting with the readers and visa-versa. The beauty of this discussion is it’s there forever for all to read no matter when you join TBCN.<br /><br />The authors have done a great job coming up with questions for reader to answer that give them a peek into their book – create interest and then the discussion helps book club leaders connect with the author. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the amount of authors that want to be featured at The Book Club Network. It’s been a great thing.<br /><br />The interaction with the authors is almost like having a book club meeting on line. It’s a huge benefit for both the authors who’ve wanted to ask clubs questions and readers who want to get to know authors. The authors are catching on. Our sponsors have loved the interaction as well. Members have told me that they love the author interaction from the 19th-21st as much as having a chance to win all these books. It’s hard to know if a book will be a fit for your group so these interaction times are helpful for that and so much more. Another thing I love about TBCN members is the fact they are not afraid to share what they think in a good way. I’ve learned so much and laughed out loud in some discussion where the questions lead to sharing funny moments. <br /><br />My hope is that book club leaders and/or members participate in the discussions and make that book connection with the author and their book. I want TBCN to be a tool for them in picking out their books. Maybe invite the author to speak to their book club on the phone. It’s my hope. The discussion will be there forever. No worries about a books shelf live here atTBCN. So, everyone has time to get to know each other!! It’s a beautiful thing! <br /><br /><strong>How can readers join in the anniversary celebrations?</strong><br /><br />It’s easy to sign up to be a member of TBCN. We ask a few questions for you to answer and for other information that helps us keep spammers and other information seekers out of the network. It’s also FREE. You have opportunities to win lots of books. For our BIRTHDAY BASH we are giving away 10 books a day and announcing winners once a week. You’ll have all week to enter the daily featured contests.<br /> <br /><strong>Do you have any other comments for my readers?</strong><br />
<br />If you are avid reader this is the place for you to learn about the latest in Christian Fiction and interact with the author each month.<br /> <br />Are you a book club leader? Well this is the place for you to find your next book club pick. We’d also love for you to set up your book-club page at our site for others to see. It’s a place to share your latest featured book. Post pictures of your club and the field trips you’ve taken, the authors you’ve met and the book fun you’ve had. Learn from other book clubs that have already set up their pages.<br /> <br />Want to start a book club but felt it was too overwhelming? You can learn from other experienced book-club leaders, and you can start right away making your book club list!<br /><br />Do you like to win books? This is the place for you. You’ll have a chance to get to know the authors and their books and read genre’s you normally wouldn’t. We’ve been giving away about 100 books a month, and for our birthday bash it’s going to be 10 books every day, starting August first. Winners are picked and announced weekly.<br /><br /><strong>Thanks, Nora. You've got a great thing going and I'm excited about the future of TBCN.</strong><br /><br />THANK YOU! You’ve been a grand host to have me here and let me talk about The Book Club Network and our Birthday Bash!! I hope to see you there at TBCN <a href="http://www.bookfun.org/">www.bookfun.org</a><br /> <br />You are a Blessing!!<br /><br />Nora :o)<br />The Book Club Network CEO<br />
Well, that pretty much says it all. Please take a look at <a href="http://www.bookfun.org/">www.bookfun.org</a> and check out the doings!<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-35711394015007740822012-07-04T17:46:00.002-05:002012-07-07T15:09:53.065-05:00Dragon Wall, by Millie Samuelson (Stone Light Books)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eHiDoRV-X9KXD4l0ndDe5CxAQKhGe-nzY2XMimGZv4kJ6K8rTKzbk5G91aHToTEClm83DFEaBookfv5tbJXCCkcsezafW63eBL2Ono3wbeQ12IXpObIWOLgTb2ffrRyNFp32-o7YUbo/s1600/scan0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eHiDoRV-X9KXD4l0ndDe5CxAQKhGe-nzY2XMimGZv4kJ6K8rTKzbk5G91aHToTEClm83DFEaBookfv5tbJXCCkcsezafW63eBL2Ono3wbeQ12IXpObIWOLgTb2ffrRyNFp32-o7YUbo/s200/scan0089.jpg" width="128" /></a><span style="color: black;">If I had a heritage like Millie Samuelson's, I'd entrust its novelization to her. What a legacy, and how equally great its preservation in <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Wall-Great-Yangtze-Trilogy/dp/1467913049/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341441481&sr=1-3&keywords=millie+nelson+samuelson" target="_blank">Dragon Wall: A Great Wall Novel</a></em>.</span><br />
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Those of you who had the pleasure of reading Ms. Samuelson's <em>Hungry River</em> will not want to miss its sequel. A poignant, personal, and illuminating account of a slice of history so underrepresented in America, <em>Dragon Wall</em> takes us to early 20th-century China, through World War II and into the communist era under Chairman Mao. All this through the eyes of Christian missionaries who labored tirelessly through persecution and personal loss to bring hope to the masses bombed by the Japanese and exploited by the communists.<br />
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What qualifies her to write such a tale? She was there; indeed, she has written herself into the story as one of the fictional characters. What a neat approach! As in <em>Hungry River</em>, she punctuates her historical narrative with modern diary entries that provide a touching modern perspective in hindsight of the events she witnessed herself, the era she lived through, and the lives of those close to her who lived through it with her. Juxtaposed with the thoughts and words of her alter-ego character, whose outlook is fresh and unvarnished by life experience, Millie's thoughtful retrospection through the journal enhances the reader's journey through a turbulent period of the last century in a country now just coming into its own.<br />
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For the historical enthusiast who enjoys the personal touch an author who lived and loved the story she writes brings, you have a winner in <em>Dragon Wall</em>.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-6172896077771386982012-06-05T19:39:00.000-05:002012-06-05T19:46:00.432-05:002 Seconds Late, by Eric Wilson (Kingstone Publishing)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Fb1l8bSwOwccTOA2fYJ_VFY931Wzk9aG1xyBfpmu6ULn3T_8xHCj_GQAyIrmRcc4vzzblpdEGwcsH2-DZcLY1QmVB2MHBLUQDbR9SvKeT4v7qKIIC1ipBXC6RHDWPDgykHVYl3wRBl4/s1600/2+secs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Fb1l8bSwOwccTOA2fYJ_VFY931Wzk9aG1xyBfpmu6ULn3T_8xHCj_GQAyIrmRcc4vzzblpdEGwcsH2-DZcLY1QmVB2MHBLUQDbR9SvKeT4v7qKIIC1ipBXC6RHDWPDgykHVYl3wRBl4/s200/2+secs.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: black;">Rarely does a sequel surpass its prequel; however, as good as <a href="http://www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/1%20Step%20Away" target="_blank"><em>1 Step Away</em></a> was, <em>2 Seconds Late</em> does just that.</span></div>
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Mr. Wilson has ratcheted up the stakes by more than one notch and on more than one level in this second installment in the "By The Numbers" series. And, if you've had the pleasure of reading <em>1 Step Away</em>, you'll agree that's saying something.<br />
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The Vreeland family from <em>1 Step Away</em> takes one step aside to cede center stage to Natalie Flynn, young governess to the Vreeland youngsters and stoic survivor of her own painful childhood. Natalie has moved on to better herself intellectually through education, spiritually through the church, and emotionally through a surprising (in more ways than one, it turns out) relationship with state representative Reuben King. But there's more at stake than Natalie's future. Much more.<br />
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Representative King chairs a committee charged to determine the future of Bill 6336, which permits the implantation of tracking microchips in people for the ostensible purpose of protecting them from harm: children from kidnapping, the helpless from exploitation, and the like. Ethical, political and sinister pressures for and against 6336 beat against him like the driven tide of a perfect storm. But what turns the tables for him is Natalie's influence, based upon her own abduction a year earlier. At least it does at first...<br />
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Sound fairly simple? What's more to tell? Oh my goodness, a whole bunch, springing from the capable keyboard of an accomplished storyteller like Eric Wilson. Mix Natalie's father's well-meaning (albeit misguided) agenda, the personal vendetta of an enigmatic Russian special ops veteran, and the greed of the ambitious owner of a multi-million dollar corporation that stands to become a multi-billion dollar corporation with the passage of 6336, stir well, don't bother to let set, and you've got a recipe for an explosive tale of political intrigue and personal danger.<br />
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Enmeshed in the storyline, Mr. Wilson presents thought-provoking moral, ethical, and spiritual conumdrums through a multi-dimensional cast of characters who defy you to love them purely or hate them wholly. Well, okay, a couple of them you might have no problem hating wholly. And there's one or two who are pretty lovable. But you know what I mean... :-)<br />
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There's a reason Mr. Wilson is a NY Times best-selling author. And he's proven it again. You really oughta get this book. It's available in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/2-Seconds-Late-By-Numbers/dp/1613280378/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338942923&sr=8-1" target="_blank">paperback</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Two-Seconds-late-Numbers-ebook/dp/B007W6QPMM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1338942923&sr=8-2" target="_blank">eBook</a>.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-50296904924139062682012-05-21T17:14:00.001-05:002012-05-21T17:14:07.479-05:00Blog Giveaway!<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Christina Rich is featuring my writing on her blog at <a href="http://christinarich.wordpress.com/">http://christinarich.wordpress.com/</a> for the next month. She's doing a great job. Please stop by and take a look--even comment for a giveaway! :-)</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-41723154714288454842012-05-19T09:13:00.001-05:002012-05-19T09:13:57.004-05:00Giveaway!<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
For the next three days (19-21 May), I'm joining several other authors in a Q&A "Get To Know The Author" giveaway on The Book Club Network. A total of 82 books are up for grabs, including 3 copies of <em>Katia</em>, 3 vouchers for <em>For Maria</em> (to be sent as soon as it's released), and a set of "A Prophet's Tale." Here's the link: <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.bookfun.org/group/tbcnfeaturedauthors/forum/topics/may-2012"><span style="background: white; color: #2e5f87; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">http://www.bookfun.org/group/tbcnfeaturedauthors/forum/topics/may-2012</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have fun! :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: white;">.</span></span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536634238527315981.post-85299795648253379922012-05-18T17:29:00.000-05:002012-05-19T09:58:49.045-05:00Yahshua's Bridge, by Sandi Rog (DeWard Publishing)<span style="color: white;">.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y0m7gHYHxJ2zElhz9V6JSRvEyB2DuAOidOxdhrms-qxe9zNA8Fimk8pY1Tw3G8eQB16heCCvC4061r8dZJwEqJIMeM_b9Wud5Dmr7DfDcBAFEgT9g4hAhXctSxJ1c4jS4lqQe13opxM/s1600/Yahsua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y0m7gHYHxJ2zElhz9V6JSRvEyB2DuAOidOxdhrms-qxe9zNA8Fimk8pY1Tw3G8eQB16heCCvC4061r8dZJwEqJIMeM_b9Wud5Dmr7DfDcBAFEgT9g4hAhXctSxJ1c4jS4lqQe13opxM/s200/Yahsua.jpg" width="128" /></a>Best-selling author Robert Liparulo's opening endorsement, "Sandi Rog has done it again..." is spot on. She really has.<br />
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Book Two in the "Iron and the Stone" series, and sequel to the award-winning <em><a href="http://www.brucejudisch.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Master%27s%20Wall">The Master's Wall</a></em>, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yahshuas-Bridge-Sandi-Rog/dp/1936341174/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_2">Yahshua's Bridge</a></em> follows our beloved characters, David and Alethea, as they experience the trials and the victories of the early Church. This time, however, a previously supporting cast steps to center stage and transports us from Rome to Alexandria to the depths of desert-bound Egypt, and beyond.<br />
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Young Alexander has come into his own. Tutored in the physical arts of the warrior and the spiritual disciplines of a believer by his mentor and de facto father, David, 'Zander' discovers himself and his surprising past--but that's not all. He also discovers his future in the person of David and Alethea's daughter, Elianna. Elianna's take on this? Well, she's not so sure.<br />
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On her own journey of self-discovery, Elianna sheds the shackles of societal convention. When Zander disappears, her persistent hope in his return to the fulfillment of his promise dwindles. Meantime, David whisks her away from Rome in the charge of protectors on a journey from her enemies and from what he has become. But he doesn't count on the Lord's intervention, as so few of us do. Hold on for the ride, folks. Oh, yeah. It's dizzying.<br />
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Ms. Rog's in-depth research pairs wonderfully with her exceptional storytelling ability to yield a gripping 1st-century tale of betrayal and love, failure and faith. You don't read about early Rome, you feel the paving stones beneath your sandals as you race with Elianna through the streets. The wind-blown sands of the Egyptian heartland prick your face, and you blink in the intense rays of its blinding sun with Zander as he seeks his heritage.<br />
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Ultimately, the bittersweet conclusion will have you cheering and brushing the tear from your cheek at the same time. Few authors can achieve that so fluidly. Ms. Rog does.<br />
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Highly recommended for the historical-Biblical fiction enthusiast. You won't be sorry you took the ride. Great read.<br />
<span style="color: white;">.</span>Bruce Judischhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08959128117071149976noreply@blogger.com0