Why Post Contest Winners?

1) They deserve more recognition for their hard work. We all love an accolade.

2) It's an easy-peasy blog post for me.

3) The real reason I post them, actually, is that you can't go wrong by reading a book from the list. In this economic climate, you probably don't want to waste money buying a book you don't like.

2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Winners

*Long Contemporary*

1) Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)

2) Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena Miller (Summerside)

3) The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus (Howard)

*Short Contemporary*

1) White Roses by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour ˆ Heartsong Presents)

2) Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson (White Rose)

3) Tender Mercies by Mary Manners (White Rose)

*Long Historical*

1) The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)

2) A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)

3) Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)

*Short Historical*

1) A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)

2) Walker’s Wedding by Lori Copeland (Harvest)

3) The Substitute Bride by Janet Dean (Steeple Hill)

*Women’s Fiction*

1) Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

2) Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)

3) The House on Sugar Plum Lane by Judy Duarte (Kensington)

*Romantic Suspense*

1) Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)

2) Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Waterbrook)

3) Nightshade by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)

*Novella*

1) Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman (Summerside)

2) A Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry (Steeple Hill)

3) The Snowflake by Jamie Carie (Broadman and Holman)

Happy reading!

Danger, Christina Tarabochia, Danger!

Sometimes technology is good.

Sometimes it can be a little dangerous.

On our way to church yesterday, I snagged my two-week-old phone from my purse to turn the sound off. I always keep my phone in the side pocket of my three sectioned purse. The same section which now had a HOLE BURNED through each wall!

(Best picture I could get ...)


I was sure the phone had gone into some rogue, radioactive hot flash. Do cell phones go through menopause? I talked to Sprint, who said it would be extremely unusual. I asked them for the cost to replace my purse. Luckily for them, it's a $15 Walmart purse, instead of a top-of-the-line Coach! So ... they offered me $5. Better than nothing, I guess

But then I started wondering ... how did the burn get to be so circular. Could it be from my bluetooth?

So I come to you, my blog readers and facebook friends. What do you think? Was it the phone or the piece of technology that's supposed to make talking on the phone safer?!? Ever heard of anything like this?

Happy Father's Day!

What? Yep, it was yesterday, but I was so busy enjoying our first Father's Day as a new family I didn't have time to post this picture of the happy clan. :)

Okay, maybe more than one. Trying to get everyone smiling. No luck!

I'm blessed to see one of the best fathers in the world take care of his children and mine. Plus, I have an amazing dad. Love you, Dave. Love you, Dad. What a wonderful life!

Gaston, OR: The Jumping-off Spot for Fame!

Think of all the famous people who came from Gaston, Oregon! Like. . .well, there's me. . .and a couple other author you might never have heard of.

Wait! There are famous vineyards; wines gaining acclaim worldwide.

Then there's Zuma, Zuma.


An acrobatics group from Kenya, they performed on America's Got Talent. Never before have I seen an act or heard a voice live that's been on one of those talent search shows. But once the guy started jump roping, double-dutch, using only his gluteus maximus, I recognized the group.

Where had I seen this strong, high-energy men before?

At a Gaston Elementary school assembly, of course! Just wait 'til you see what they can do with chairs.

And if you're looking for fame, trying booking a gig in Gaston.

The Death of Stephen Bly

I was saddened to hear of the passing of cowboy novelist Stephen Bly, who rode out of this world and into the most glorious sunset on June 9. In 2008, he spoke at OCW and gave fantastic keynotes. I'd met him a few years before, but that was the first time I got to spend time with him and his lovely wife, Janet. He shared about his cancer diagnosis and I remember being struck by how he continued to live his life. His tender love for his wife impressed me as well.

 

 

OCW has a great sense of humor, so that year Mom and I added Villianous Mustaches to the editor and speaker's baskets.Steven also had a great sense of humor, so he wore won to deliver a keynote.

 

To me, this is his legacy: a committed writer, a pastor and community leader, a man not afraid to have fun, a creative plotter, a family man. A man chasing after God's own heart on a valiant stallion. His verve for life rubbed off on others, like ... well, like his mustache did. (This is Bethany House's Karen Schurrer and Agent Extraordinaire Sandra Bishop.*)

*And just so I can't be accused of embarrassing industry professionals, I'll use the blackmails photos against myself.

Can you imagine the magnificent fields through which he lopes a wild Mustang? Can you see the glints of wheat flying up in the sunshine behind the horse's hooves? Can you see him doff his hat and lift his head to bathe in the light of the Lord? How he leads a saddled, riderless horse behind him, waiting for sweet Janet to join him in heaven?

Stephen, we will miss you. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.