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It's Summer!!!
2007-06-23 04:30:00
st1:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Okay, I’m a day late, but here in Florida, that’s not such a big deal. See, here we really only have two seasons – most of the year is hot and then we have a couple of weeks of somewhat cold weather. Sometimes we actually get down to freezing. J   So, HAPPY SUMMER! Enjoy all those summer things: baseball, beach, picnics, pools, ice cream, Fourth of July, friends and family!  
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Whatever Happened to the Good Ole Days?
2007-06-20 14:15:00
First off, I’m not that old! But, I do remember a time not too long ago when things were just different than they are now.   Whatever happened to going to a restaurant and getting a waiter or waitress who took your order and delivered your food with a smile and without the “I’m doing you a favor by serving you, so remember that and leave me a big tip” attitude? Or, going to the doctor you chose from all the doctors, not just the list of “in-network” or approved doctors your insurance company gives you? Or, driving down the road and being courteous to the other drivers?   It sometimes seems that in our fast-paced society we often forget that the people we run into everyday are just that – PEOPLE!   I realize that the waiter/waitress has worked all day long and they’re probably ready to go home and put their feet up, but what kind of service would they expect if they were on the other side of the table? And the in...
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Research!
2007-06-19 04:40:00
I’ve finished one historical – Sarah’s Hope – and I’m about ¼ of the way through the second – Emily’s Grace (at least that’s the title right now), and guess what happened. My washing machine decided to stop working. So, for the last few weeks I’ve been washing clothes in the tub. I have MUCH more respect for those pioneer women who washed clothes in the stream or boiled water to wash clothes. Then, earlier this week, my pump stopped working. So, for just over twenty-four hours I was pulling water from my pool to flush the toilet. But, thank goodness for the pool – otherwise, one toilet, no water, six people – you do the math. Not a pleasant scenario. Now, for the most part, my fourteen year old daughter is doing the laundry, and she’s really good about it. Thank goodness, because do you have any idea how many clothes six people can go through and how long it takes to wash them by hand and then dry them? Even wit...
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What Makes A Father?
2007-06-17 01:10:00
It’s not being there at conception or whenever you can squeeze a few minutes in after work or on the weekends. It’s not about saying yes to everything your children want. It’s not about doing everything for your children.   It’s about being there every day in the good times and bad. It’s about teaching them to throw a ball and dance, even when they don’t want to. It’s about having the fortitude to say “no” when necessary. It’s about being there when you’re needed, and standing back when you’re not. It’s about knowing when to help and when to step back. It’s about letting them make mistakes, and being there to pick up the pieces afterwards. It’s about teaching them to follow their heart and not the crowd. It’s about teaching them right and wrong for eternity, not just for today.   So, this Sunday, remember to thank your dad for all the things he did for you an...
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What It's All About!
2007-06-15 14:13:00
Our choir director (who also happens to be my husband) has challenged us as a choir. Before every practice and before we leave the choir room to sing on Sunday mornings, he says, “Remember why we’re here. Why we do this. It’s not about us, it’s all about Him!”   That’s what I’d like my writing to be about. Not about me, or getting published, or having the largest reader base, or getting on all the best-seller lists, but about God and what He wants to say to someone through my stories. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to be published and have my name recognized like Karen Kingsbury or Tracie Peterson, and I’d love to have my books endure like those of Grace Livingston Hill and Jeanette Oke, but more importantly, I’d love to have one person read a story – whether it’s a short story, a skit written for church, or an unpolished manuscript I’m still working on – and have that person say, “G...

I've Taken The Plunge. . .
2007-06-14 17:15:00
. . .and created a shoutlife page. Check it out here: http://www.shoutlife.com/MichelleDRodgers   Michelle D. Rodgers www.jandmenterprises.com/mdrwriting www.michelleswritingspace.blogspot.com  

Calling All Readers!
2007-06-14 05:23:00
If you like to read join us over at the ACFW Book Club. Each month we read one of six genres including: Romance, Contemporary, Historical, SciFi and Chick Lit. And, we give away FREE BOOKS! Each month we give away the book we’re reading. During the first half of the month we read the chosen book. During the last half of each month we discuss the book via the email loop. At the end of each month, we have a live chat with the author.   Right now, we’re nearing our 400th member and we have a lot of prizes for that mile-marker. So, if you like to read, join us. It’s easy and FREE! Just send an email to acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com&nb sp;  
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And The Winner Is. . .
2007-03-27 00:30:00
Congratulations to Deborah. She's the winner of Trish Perry's new boook! Deborah, email me your mailing address by April 3rd and I'll get the book out to you.
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Trish Perry's Too Good To Be True. . .
2007-03-16 04:12:00
. . .was released on March 1, 2007, and is available through Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, or your local bookstore. I haven't been able to start this book yet (I'm still waiting for the post office to deliver my copy), but it sounds great. Be sure to leave a comment - with your name and a contact email - on this post and I'll draw a name on Sunday evening for a free copy.Here's what Trish's website says about the book:Your classic romantic heroine swoons after meeting Prince Charming in, say, an enchanted forest. But Rennie Young would never have met the gallant Truman Sayers if she hadn’t fainted immediately beforehand—in the boys’ sportswear department of her local Wal-Mart.Ren, a 20-something elementary schoolteacher, has reluctantly accepted that her husband—who divorced her over a year ago—is not coming back. Tru Sayers, a handsome young labor-and-delivery nurse, seems like a gift from God. Ren’s friends and Tru’s siblings are supportive and excited ab...
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A Valley of Betrayal by Tricia Goyer
2007-03-13 19:37:00
Tricia Goyer has a new book out, and although I'm just getting into it, it's great. You can pick up Tricia's book from Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, or your local bookstore.From the back cover:Artist Sophie Grace has one goal: finding her beloved Michael in war-torn Spain. His work as a news photographer has taken him deep into the country wracked by civil war between ragtag Spanish patriots and Nazi-backed Franco forces.Secrets abound in ruined Spain. Michael is loving but elusive, especially about beautiful Maria. The American who helped Sophie sneak into Spain turns up in odd places. Michaels’ friend Jose knows more than he tells. When reports of Michael’s disappearance reach her, Sophie is devastated. What are her feelings for Phillip, an American soldier who comes to her rescue? Sophie must sift truth from lies as she becomes more embroiled in the war that threatens her life and breaks her heart.Acclaimed author Tricia Goyer creates a riveting cast of characters a...
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First Place!!!
2007-02-24 04:08:00
I got a call this week from Donna about the Coeur de Louisiane's Romancing the Tome contest. I was tickled to hear that not only did Sarah's Hope come in first, but also the editor for Steeple Hill's new historical line requested a full manuscript. Now, I'm off to finish the story so I can send it in!
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I've Been Tagged!
2007-02-10 02:50:00
Okay, I was tagged twice. First by Lindi and then by Squirl. I’m supposed to tell you six weird things about myself. I’m not sure these will qualify as weird, but here goes.I’m allergic to a ton of air-born things. Mostly dust, pollen, mold, etc. Whenever something is blooming in my backyard, I can tell from inside my house because it wreaks havoc on my sinuses. And, being the good mother I am, I’ve shared this with my son, who, amazingly, is worse than I am. I’ve lived in (mostly) sunny Jacksonville, Florida my entire life and I’ve been to the beach maybe a handful of times. I hate cold weather, but I love snow. Of course, here in Florida we only get snow every ten years or so and it only lasts a day or two when we do get it. Those instances give me my dose of snow to last me until the next time it comes ‘round. I’m not into sports all that much. But, I do wear Jaguar clothes because I like their colors and, even though I especially don’t care for golf, I root for...
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Sorry For The Delay
2007-01-21 03:43:00
Wow! I can’t believe January is half over. This month has flown by. My husband has been out on medical leave from work since November 29th, so I’ve been busy doing paperwork for the government to get his sickness benefits started. Thankfully, it looks like we’ve gotten all of the paperwork in and hopefully the payments should come in on a regular basis now. On December 15th I found out my position which was supposed to be temp-to-perm was being terminated due to company reorganization and I didn’t need to come back in the following Monday. Sarah’s Hope is nearing the halfway mark. My goal is to have it completed by February 14th when the Romancing the Tome final placements are posted. I’ve joined the eHarlequin 10,000 book challenge. Each person’s goal is to read and blog about 100 books this year. Check out my reading blog here. I’m also helping coordinate a couple of contests. If you’re interested in judging published books, check out the Faith, Hope and Love cha...
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It's Off!
2006-12-20 03:53:02
My ms Second Chances is winging its way to an agent for review. Last month I received an email request for a full manuscript for representation consideration. I?ve finally gotten it in the mail and it?s on its way to her office. Now, I just have to wait to hear from her. Oh, well, maybe I can finish Sarah?s Hope while I wait. On that note, Sarah?s Hope finalled in the Romancing the Tome contest for the Couer de Louisianne RWA chapter. Hopefully, I will get the updated entry into Donna?s email inbox this week. In other news, my temp-to-hire position was recently terminated, so I?m back in the job hunt. But, right now I?m concentrating on Christmas. I LOVE this time of year! Christmas carols, decorated trees, colored lights, presents, parties ? I love all of it. It?s a busy time for year, but I enjoy every minute of it. We have something going on every Sunday at church, but it?s all fun. We finished our Children?s program and our Choir cantata and both went very well. This Sunday we?r...

I'm Still Alive!
2006-12-02 15:39:18
My NaNoWriMo is on the back burner. Yes, I know it ends in less than a week. And I only made it to 3700 words. But, in the last week, I received a request for a full and finalled in the Romancing the Tome contest. So, I have to get Second Chances ready to send to an agent and get Sarah?s Hope ready to send in to the final round of the contest. Along with all of that, I also have to go Christmas shopping, work, go to church, get ready for the children?s Christmas program, get ready for the adult Christmas program, get ready for the church Christmas Eve program, get ready for family Christmas Eve, and I?m not even sure what else. So, if I disappear for a while, y?all know why. Free books will begin again after January 1st. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. As we enter this holiday season ? which happens to be my FAVORITE time of the year ? remember the true reason for this season. God send His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born as a baby, grow and live a perfect life with the ...
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I Know I'm Late. . .
2006-12-02 15:39:18
. . . what else is new?Pammer is the winner of Advance Reader Copy of Tracey Bateman?s upcoming novel The Freedom of the Soul. Congrats! Since I already have your mailing address, I?ll get this in the mail this week.
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Not Yet Available In Stores. . .
2006-12-02 15:39:18
. . .but you can have your free copy today. This is an Advance Reader Copy of Tracey Bateman?s upcoming novel The Freedom of the Soul, scheduled to be released December 1, 2006. Now, because this is an ARC, it has NOT been through the final editing process, so there may be some typos or changes in the final version. Because the release date is December 1st, the contest will only run for one week ? until November 15th. Leave a comment and I?ll draw a name on the 15th. The winner will have until the 18th to email me with their mailing address or I?ll draw another name. Good luck! FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:A woman seeking to escape the ravages of a poverty-stricken past. . .A man driven to hold on to what?s rightfully his. . .And the yellowed pages that change their lives forever. Shae Penbrook, hoping to hold on to the one place she?s called home, finds her ancestor?s diaries and unearths a secret legacy that sends her to faraway Georgia. Within the journals, the century-old account o...
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I Voted . . . Did You?
2006-12-02 15:39:18
I was going to post this earlier today, but my daughter decided to share her flu and I?ve been sick all day. It?s my fault, really, I keep telling her to share. I?m feeling much better now. I should even be able to get to work tomorrow. So, anyway, even though I was in the bed or the bathroom all day today, I did take the time (after hubby got off work and could drive me) to go vote. Since I can?t encourage each of you to take the time today to go vote, I do want to thank each of you who exercised that right! Remember, you can?t complain about the government we have if you don?t do your job to choose it!
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Happy Halloween!
2006-12-02 15:39:18
WOW! October?s over already. It doesn?t seem like I?ve been gone almost a month! Sorry. I recently returned to the work force and I?m still trying to get organized. When I stayed home, people would ask me ?What do you do all day?? and really I wasn?t sure. But, now that I?m gone for eight hours a day and I see all the things NOT getting done, I have a better idea of what I did before. LOLSo, obviously, there won?t be a book giveaway for October. But, since November kicks off the holiday season, I?m giving away a Christmas book next month. I still have to pull it out and get the info, but I?ll post it by the end of the week. This past Sunday we celebrated ?Hall oween Sunday? in church. Every year we have the kids dress up as their favorite Bible character. Here?s a peek at my kiddies in their ?Sunday Best.?On the back row are my two oldest, Kimberly as Queen Michal (that?s Sol?s daughter and David?s first wife ? I had to look it up) and Kathy as an angel. On the front row are my two y...
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What Kind Of Pumpkin Are You?
2006-12-02 15:39:18
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.
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Free Book!!
2006-12-02 15:39:18
If you love mysteries, romance and inspirational fiction all rolled into one, you?ll love this book. Even In The Darkness by Shirlee McCoy was released by Steeple Hill through the Love Inspired Suspense line in January, 2006. But now, it can be yours absolutely FREE!!! Just leave a comment and I?ll draw a name on September 1st.Life has once again interrupted my writing. I just can?t seem to get back in the swing of things. Every time I open my current WIP and try to write something my mind goes blank. Or worse, it meanders over to problems I?m currently facing. My Old West story has stalled. I know where it?s going ? or at least where I think it?s going ( ? but I really need to get it down on paper or computer screen in my case). LOL    
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WOOHOO!!!!!
2006-12-02 15:39:18
Cheryl Wyatt sold!!!!!  I?m so excited for her. I?ve hardly been able to hold it in since I found out. For more info check out her blog. Or, pop over to the Steeple Hill boards and join her party!!!!Congrats Squirl. Keep pouring your vial of words over Him!

Hope. . .
2006-12-02 15:39:18
. . .is the winner of September?s Shirlee McCoy book ? When Silence Falls. Send me your mailing address and I?ll get it out to you right away.Check back this week for October?s book.
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ACFW In Dallas
2006-12-02 15:39:18
Don?t forget to post a comment here for a chance to win When Silence Falls by Shirlee McCoy. It?s a wonderful book and best of all it?s FREE!!!! Drawing will be held Sunday, October 1 and the winner announced here by Monday, October 2.Okay, I didn?t make my goal of attending one conference this year, but I?m already planning for next year. Everyone who went to the ACFW conference in Dallas last week seems to have had a wonderful time and learned a lot. Pammer and Lena Nelson Dooley have some great pics up.  I?m definitely hoping to make it to Dallas next year!!! Congrats to my friend Squirl. She got first place in the Mystery / Suspense / Thriller category of the Genesis. I?m thrilled for her and can?t wait to pick up her book on the local Wal-Mart shelves!!! Sarah?s Hope is coming along well. Between job interviews and searches, I?ve actually made it back to it over the last few days. I?ll be updating the counter this weekend. In case you missed it in the earlier paragrap...
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A Leap Of Faith
2006-12-02 15:39:18
It was a day just like any other. She kissed her husband goodbye before drifting back to sleep a little longer. A little later she got her boys up and began the post-vacation cleanup and laundry. As most women, she planned ahead as she went about her day. Hours later nothing mattered. Her life, on the right track and comfortable that morning, was shattered by that afternoon. The man God had chosen as her life mate was never coming home again. In a matter of days Lisa Beamer was moved from her comfortable life as a wife and mother into the media spotlight as the widow of a national hero. In this situation what would your response have been? What happens when God asks you to step out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith? Do you say ?Yes? or ?No?? Ruth left her home country to follow the mother of her deceased husband, but many times we?re not willing to walk across the street to talk to someone about Christ.I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is...
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Never Forget
2006-12-02 15:39:18
I have spent a majority of today watching news clips. Five years ago our country changed forever. Muslim terrorists hijacked planes and used them as bombs against American citizens. Their intent was to bring America to its knees. They attacked the Pentagon hoping to destroy our country?s defenses. Instead we rallied together to defeat them. They attacked the heart of our financial district hoping to destroy our economy. Instead the stock market is higher now than before the attacks. They attacked citizens ? not soldiers ? going about their normal everyday activities hoping to destroy our self-confidence and make us afraid of them. Instead we pulled together to continue our lives in spite of their hatred. Thousands of people died in the space of a few hours, our way of life was drastically altered ? all to appease the hatred of a few individuals. Today we remembered those who died in the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. There were everyday people j...
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Book Winner!
2006-12-02 15:39:18
Congratulations to Belinda! She?s won a free copy of Shirlee McCoy?s Even In The Darkness! Belinda, you have one week to email me your address and I?ll get the book out to you. September?s book will be another Shirlee McCoy title. When Silence Falls is another Love Inspired Suspense released in March, 2006. From the back cover:SHATTERED PEACELife was busy and organized, just the way Lakeview music history professor Piper Sinclair like it. Some recent family research even meant a new book to write. Until she witnessed an attempted kidnapping ? and became a target herself. Someone wanted her out of the way permanently. Someone who seemed to know her all too well. . .A DEADLY PUZZLEHis expertise as a former crime scene photographer left Cade Macalister with memories he couldn?t shake. Encountering Piper at the crime scene brought a different set to mind ? his friend?s little sister had certainly grown up well, and she couldn?t take on this mysterious assailant alone. Of course, convinc...
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Didya' Miss Me?
2006-12-02 15:39:18
I know I?m a little late, but HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!!Sorry about the delay, but I?ll be posting the winner of August?s book as well as the free book for September tomorrow. Life seems to have calmed down some, so I?m hoping to get back into blogging more. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know you?re interested in the free Shirlee McCoy book.Here?s a cool game. I found this on Dream?s blog and it looks like fun!I am participating in a blogging experiment hosted at dearauthor.com. To enter the contest, put up this blurb, image, and trackback and you are entered to win the following prize package. $200 Amazon gift certificate Signed copy of Slave to Sensation New Zealand goodies chosen by Singh ARC of Christine Feehan's October 31 release: Conspiracy Game You can read about the experiment here and you can download the code that you need to participate here.SLAVE TO SENSATIONNalini Singh Berkley / September 2006Welcome to a future where emotion is a crime and powers of the mind clash ...
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Another Interview
2006-12-02 15:39:18
I have another interview posted at the Will Write 4 Food website. Check it out here. I was especially interested in this article as the subject was Terry Burns. Terry writes westerns and my father-in-law is a cowboy at heart. He loves Louis L?Amour books, but seems to have read most if not all of them. So, now I have a new writer whose books I can purchase for him to read. If you have a reader in your family who loves westerns check out Terry?s books. I am so behind on my crits that I have to get busy on them today, so Sarah?s Hope is taking a break for a couple of days. My friend Squirl says she had another meltdown. Y?all should check it out. She REALLY went off the deep end this time. There?s still time to leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Shirlee McCoy?s Even In The Darkness. The book is a great read for anyone who likes romance or suspense books.
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Let's Say Thanks
2006-08-17 17:03:00
My friend Squirl posted this on her blog yesterday and I love the idea, so I’m tooting their horn also. Every day thousands of men and women devote their time, effort and sometimes ultimately their lives so that we may enjoy the freedoms of living in a free land. They go into other countries to help the citizens there experience the freedoms we enjoy daily. These men and women are heroes in every sense of the word.Whether you agree with the decisions that placed these men and women in these positions, please support each and every soldier who places their life on the line so that we don’t have to. An easy (and free) way to show your support is being offered by Xerox. They are offering free cards to be mailed to our servicemen and women. All you have to do is pick out a card, add a message and they’ll include it in a Give2TheTroops package.This is a simple and free way to say thanks to our troops. They sacrifice their time and family every day for us. Can you sacrifice a few mi...
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