Contentment
by Heather Snyder
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Check Out My New Post!
Check out my new post on the Daily Megaphone to learn how to better understand the word contentment and how to successfully apply it to daily living. Happy
reading!
Friday, July 21, 2017
First Line Fridays
I wanted to highlight a classic piece of literature this week. Has anyone read Wuthering Heights? I know it is one of those required books to read in school, which sometimes means people do not necessarily read it, or they just skim through the chapters. Hopefully though, you have been able to pick up a copy since college or high school in order to really delve into Mr. Heathcliff’s world. Emily Bronte brings such dark imagery to the pages of her book. She speaks openly and honestly about each character and how they are viewed and treated within this particular society. Her sister, Charlotte, pens a similar text, but her characters seem to be a bit more lighthearted--not to say that they do not have their own troubles. What do you think of the differences between the worlds of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre?
As most know, the Victorian era of literature in England is one
of my favorite periods to read. If you
need any recommendations of what books to pick up during this time in literary history,
please let me know. As always, please be sure to check out the book
lines from these other amazing bloggers too:
Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower
Sydney from Singing Librarian
Rachel from Bookworm Mama
Beth from Faithfully Bookish
Andie from Radiant Light
Katie from Fiction Aficionado
Bree from Bibliophile Reviews
Kathleen from Kathleen Denly
Lauraine from Lauraine's Notes
Amanda from With a Joyful Noise
Jessica from A Baker's Perspective
Trisha from Joy of Reading
Jane from C Jane Read
Christina from Moments Dipped in Ink
Molly from Cafinated Reads
Click the links above to be taken to their posts and...
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a message and let her know!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a message and let her know!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
Wuthering Heights
by Emily Bronte
And the first line is…
“1801—I have just returned from a visit to my landlord—the solitary
neighbour that I shall be troubled with.”
Happy reading and happy Friday!
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Saturday, July 15, 2017
My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island - Spotlight Book Tour
Series: My Heart Belongs
Genre: Adult, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: July 1
Journey now to Mackinac Island where... A Tangled Gilded Age Love Story Unfolds. Although the Winds of Mackinac Inn has been in her mother’s family for generations, Maude Welling’s father refuses to let her run it without the guidance of a husband. So she seeks to prove her worth and independence by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel.
Genre: Adult, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: July 1
Journey now to Mackinac Island where... A Tangled Gilded Age Love Story Unfolds. Although the Winds of Mackinac Inn has been in her mother’s family for generations, Maude Welling’s father refuses to let her run it without the guidance of a husband. So she seeks to prove her worth and independence by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel.
Undercover
journalist Ben Steffans, posing as a wealthy industrialist, pursues a
story about impoverished men chasing heiresses at the famed hotel. While
undercover, he becomes attracted to an intriguing maid. By an act of
heroism Ben endears himself to the closed-mouthed islanders—including
Maude—and he digs deep for his story. But when scandal threatens, will
the growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are
revealed?
ECPA-bestselling author Carrie Fancett Pagels,
Ph.D., is the award-winning author of a dozen Christian historical
romances. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her
overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides
with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a
“Yooper.” Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at
the same time! You can connect with her at www.CarrieFancettPagels.com.
1. Do you have any funny stories from fans meeting you for the first time?
I don’t think funny stories but I have been so blessed by the readers I’ve met, especially last year in Shepherd Michigan when Joyce Noyes brought her absolutely adorable granddaughters with her!
2. What did your writing process for My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island look like?
Ohmygoodnessgraciousmeohmy! This was like having a problem child who needed a lot of therapy and rehab!
3. What type of research did you do for My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island?
3. What type of research did you do for My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island?
Did you do any traveling for this research? I actually lived on and worked on the island as a teenager and grew up in the area. And I’ve been there often visiting. One of my close friends has family from the island and she inspired that aspect of the story. We specifically stayed at both the Grand Hotel for research and at the Windermere, which is the inspiration for my heroine’s inn.
4. What inspired the idea for My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island?
I
wondered what an independent miss, brought up by the strong women of
the island, would do if her father resisted her becoming a business
manager/inn manager which is her birthright but is at a time when young
women were sheltered.
5. What do you want readers to take away from reading My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island?
5. What do you want readers to take away from reading My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island?
The only inheritance you need to concern yourself with is that of being a child of the living God.
6. Do you have any advice you would give to other potential authors?
6. Do you have any advice you would give to other potential authors?
Don’t give up if you have a manuscript that is giving you fits, not if the Lord tells you to keep working on it. Hire the best freelance editors that you can and pray! This problem child became an RT Book Reviews Top Pick for July PTL!
What Inspired my Story
I
lived on Mackinac Island, working at a restaurant there. I loved it!
It’s a magical place and I’ve gone back many times since then! I was
just there, today, in fact. Also, I have a dear friend, Rosemary
Wellington, whose family is from the island and during a visit to the
island with her, I got inspired to think about a story set there. Her
cousin is mayor of the island and owns the Windermere Hotel. My husband
and I stayed there a few years back to research the story and the
beautiful hotel did inspire me to use it as a prototype for “Winds of
Mackinac” in the novel.
Also, while working on the core premise for this story, I was praying about the struggle I was having. I call this book my “Problem Child Manuscript.” But God is good and faithful – while at church after praying, although my pastor (and also a write) Larry was stuck at an airport, trying to return from Haiti but Seth, our college student-age pastor, gave the sermon for Larry. And it was an amazing message inspired by Mark Twain’s The Prince and The Pauper! And that really reinforced what I was already trying to do but was struggling with. You see, our identity has to stem from what it is in Christ. He calls us to a mission. And He gifts us to enable us and provides when we cannot do. Our King calls us His children. Wow! That makes us princes and princesses of the King.
One of the things I’ve you enjoyed most about writing this book has been getting to hang out in Mackinac Island story world even when I wasn’t there! I had major surgery one year and couldn’t go – but I still got to “visit” by writing about it! We’re here right now and it’s so beautiful in the summer. The island, itself, is an inspiration for many more stories to come!
Also, while working on the core premise for this story, I was praying about the struggle I was having. I call this book my “Problem Child Manuscript.” But God is good and faithful – while at church after praying, although my pastor (and also a write) Larry was stuck at an airport, trying to return from Haiti but Seth, our college student-age pastor, gave the sermon for Larry. And it was an amazing message inspired by Mark Twain’s The Prince and The Pauper! And that really reinforced what I was already trying to do but was struggling with. You see, our identity has to stem from what it is in Christ. He calls us to a mission. And He gifts us to enable us and provides when we cannot do. Our King calls us His children. Wow! That makes us princes and princesses of the King.
One of the things I’ve you enjoyed most about writing this book has been getting to hang out in Mackinac Island story world even when I wasn’t there! I had major surgery one year and couldn’t go – but I still got to “visit” by writing about it! We’re here right now and it’s so beautiful in the summer. The island, itself, is an inspiration for many more stories to come!
This is by no means an exhaustive list! I’m just including my current faves not all-time (like Lucy Maude Montgomery).
Ten of my Fave authors are:
Tamera Alexander, who gave me this beautiful endorsement:
Julie Lessman – amazing historical romance with strong family ties
Susie/Susanne Dietze – a rising star in CBA fiction!
Tracie Peterson – I love her audiobooks in particular!
Julie Klassen – especially her early books
Michelle Griep -- her Regencies are amazing!
Serena Miller – a lovely lady with equally lovely books – some set in Michigan
Debbie Lynne Costello – check out her medieval stories!
Rachel Hauck’s dual-time audiobooks are lovely
Suzanne Woods Fisher who gave me this wonderful endorsement:
July 10--Novel-ties*
July 11--By The Book
July 12--Katie's Clean Book Collection
July 14--A Baker's Perspective*
July 15--Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
July 17--Faithfully Bookish
July 18--Cafinated Reads
July 19--Baker Kella*
July 20--Reading Is My SuperPower*
July 21--Paulette's Papers
July 22--Singing Librarian Books
Friday, July 14, 2017
First Line Fridays
One of the books highlighted last week on First Line Fridays was a new book by Carrie Turansky. It comes out next spring, and I cannot wait to read it! There are so many books coming out within the next year--how many new books are you already adding to your Goodreads list?
Even during the rainy weather, I was at the library this week, and I confess it has been ages since I have checked out a book. Typically I buy all of my books...love Kindle deals and used bookstores. :) In fact, I go to a lot of used book sales at the library, and in doing so I forget I can check out books. I know that sounds really silly, but in college all I ever did was check out research and academic books. As an English major, I already owned all of the classic novels. So it was so nice to browse the shelves the other day looking for new books.
Tucked away on one of the lower shelves, I saw this book by Turansky, and decided I would read it as I wait for her new book to come out. It is set in England, so that is all I needed to know. :) As always, please be sure to check out the book lines from these other amazing bloggers too:
Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower
Sydney from Singing Librarian
Rachel from Bookworm Mama
Beth from Faithfully Bookish
Andie from Radiant Light
Katie from Fiction Aficionado
Bree from Bibliophile Reviews
Kathleen from Kathleen Denly
Lauraine from Lauraine's Notes
Amanda from With a Joyful Noise
Jessica from A Baker's Perspective
Trisha from Joy of Reading
Jane from C Jane Read
Christina from Moments Dipped in Ink
And I want to welcome English Lady to the First Line Fridays fun!
Click the links above to be taken to their posts and...
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a message and let her know!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
If you would like to join us, send Carrie a message and let her know!
Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!
Today I am going to post a line from:
The Governess of Highland Hall
by Carrie Turansky
And the first line is...
October 1911
Berkshire, England
"Julia Foster lifted her gaze to the clear October sky as a lark swooped past. Her steps slowed and her thoughts took flight, following the bird as it dipped into the golden trees beyond the meadow."
Happy reading and happy Friday!
Thursday, July 13, 2017
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