The 2012 Write to Inspire conference is only one week away! Some pretty amazing authors donated autographed copies of their books for our giveaway.

Beautiful, by Cindy Martinusen Coloma, holds a special place in my heart. I’ve given this book as a gift to numerous teen girls. Every one of those young ladies shared that their lives were touched by this genuine story.

In Beautiful, “Ellie Summerfield has everything a girl could want−she’s beautiful, she’s Senior Class President, and has a calendar full of social engagements, volunteer commitments, and church activities. In short, she’s perfect, according to most of the students at West Redding High School. But something is bothering Ellie, like a loose string on a dress she can feel but can’t see. Does she really love her boyfriend, Ryan? Who are her true friends? And is she really happy in her picture-perfect life?

Then, in a course of a few minutes, the loose string in Ellie’s life completely unravels. Forever changed, she must face herself as she discovers what it really means to be beautiful.”

This book is a perfect gift for that special teen the Lord has placed in your life.

And, thanks to Cindy’s generosity, one attendee at the 2012 Write to Inspire conference will win an autographed copy of Beautiful.

Cindy “is a best-selling author and has written twelve novels, including Beautiful (2010 Christy Award Finalist and 2011 Revolve Book of the Year), The Salt Garden (Library Journal’s Best Books 2004), Orchid House (2008 ECPA bestseller) and Winter Passing (2001 Christy Award Finalist), as well as several non-fiction books and over 100 published articles.”

You can connect with Cindy through her website or her Facebook Author page.

However, if you want to win this copy of Beautiful you’ll have to attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference in Elk Grove, CA on July 20-21.

There’s still time to register! I hope to see you there.

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That’s right!

When you attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference on July 20-21, in Elk Grove, California, you will be entered to win The Haven, Book Two in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Suzanne has blessed us with this book, which won’t even hit the shelves until August!

In The Haven, “Sadie Lapp arrives home with an unexpected companion, expecting support but facing suspicion. A game warden intern comes to Sadie’s defense while complicating her life.”

“Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.”

That’s not all!

Suzanne has also donated a copy of The Keeper.

“Full of the plot twists and surprises her fans love, The Keeper is the first in a new series by bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Through touching family relationships and trials of the heart, Fisher’s vivid characters grapple with yielding to God’s will when it doesn’t match their own.”

I had the opportunity to learn fiction techniques from Suzanne Woods Fisher at the Christian Writers Seminar in Castro Valley, California. “She is a bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish.”

You can connect with Suzanne on her website.

But, to win this not-yet-released copy of The Haven, you’ll have to attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference on July 20-21.

Register today!

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The countdown is on! If you haven’t registered for the 2012 Write to Inspire conference, you can do so today!

Over the last week, I received more shipments of books that have been donated to our book giveaway.

In Delivered with Love, “a young woman discovers an old love letter in the glove compartment of her inherited 1972 Volkswagen, which propels her on a journey that changes her life forever.”

“In Sherry Kyle’s touching debut novel, Delivered with Love, young Claire James discovers old secrets, new surprises, and the kind of ‘coincidences’ only a loving God could orchestrate. Her inquisitive drive takes the reader on a compelling quest for answers, as her sweet heart is challenged by matters of family, identity, forgiveness, and love. You’ll enjoy the adventure!” (Trish Perry, author of Unforgettable and Tea for Two)

Sherry is a graduate of Biola University. She lives in California with her husband and their four children. She is also the author of The Christian Girl’s Guide to Style.

You can connect with Sherry through her website.

And you will be entered to win Delivered with Love when you attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference in Elk Grove, California on July 20-21.

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The cover alone had me hooked!

Sarah Sundin’s A Distant Melody, Book One in the Wings of Glory series “is an exciting and tender story of love, courage, and sacrifice during World War II.”

Cheryl Bolen, Hold Medallion Winner, says “Sarah Sundin is an extraordinarily gifted storyteller who puts the reader in the cockpit of B-17 bombers as easily as she crafts an achingly emotional World War II romance. This is not only the best World War II love story I’ve ever read, but it may be the best book I’ve ever read.”

The praise from Cheryl Bolen set the hook and reeled me in!

Sarah’s voice and excellent character building landed me as a fan!

In A Distant Melody, Wings of Glory Book 1, “World War II, Red Cross volunteer Allie Miller is promised to a man she doesn’t love, but pilot Lt. Walter Novak captures her heart.”

In A Memory Between Us, Wings of Glory Book 2, “B-17 pilot Maj. Jack Novak has never failed to meet a challenge until he meets Lt. Ruth Doherty, a striking nurse with a shameful secret.”

In Blue Skies Tomorrow, Wings of Glory Book 3, “Young widow Helen Carlisle buries her pain in volunteer work, but the sparks of her romance with Lt. Raymond Novak fling them both into peril.”

I met Sarah Sundin at the 2012 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, where she was named Writer of the Year.

Her World War II fiction will sweep you off your feet!

You can connect with Sarah through her website.

You can be entered to win a copy of A Distant Melody when you attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference in Elk Grove, California on July 20-21. Register today!

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The Write to Inspire conference is only two short weeks away. Books for our giveaway are still pouring in.

I’m thrilled to announce that Lisa T. Bergren has blessed us with two of her books.

The first book, Glamorous Illusions is Book One of The Grand Tour Series.

Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times best-selling author of Mine Is the Night, calls Bergren’s book “A grand start to a new series from a seasoned author who writes from the heart.”

“When Cora Kensington learns she is not who she thinks she is, her life changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she discovers that the most valuable journey is within. Glamorous Illusions takes you from the farms of Montana through England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery.”

Set in the summer of 1913, this novel would make a great book to read over the last few weeks of the summer of 2012!

The next Bergren book we’ll be giving away during the conference is Waterfall, a Young Adult Novel from The River of Time Series.

”Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

And thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?”

I met Lisa T. Bergren through Twitter and started following her on Facebook. She is a fabulous storyteller with a heart for encouraging writers and a love for the Lord that shines through every word she writes.

Lisa “is the author of close to forty books that have sold more than two million copies combined. She lives in Colorado with her husband, three kids and fluffy white dog named Talisker Beatrice.”

You can connect with Lisa through her website or on her Facebook Page for Waterfall.

You won’t want to miss these two great summer reads by one amazing writer!

Be entered to win when you attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference. Register today! The conference is only twelve days away!

I look forward to seeing you there!

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I have been blessed with the privilege of organizing the book giveaway for the 2012 Write to Inspire conference. Generous authors are contributing books that will be given away during this amazing two day event.

This week, I received two copies of a heartwarming picture book written by Trine Grillo!

I’m Not Afraid of That! is a delightful story of a courageous young boy and his grandmother.

“The world is filled with spooky sights and sounds. Even grandmas are afraid at times. But, if together you are very brave, marvelous wonders await.”

“Trine Grillo writes to touch children, young and old, with the love of Jesus and His truths through her stories, articles, and poems.”

You can connect with Trine on her website and will be entered to win a copy of her beautifully illustrated book, I’m Not Afraid of That!, when you register and attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference, scheduled for July 20-21 in Elk Grove, California.

I look forward to seeing you there!

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In five short weeks, writers from all over Northern California will be flocking to the 2012 Write to Inspire conference. Will you be there?

I’ve been blogging about a few of the books we’ll be giving away during the event. Today, I’m thrilled to announce that we’ll have a book so fresh on the shelves the ink may still be drying! Okay, so maybe we won’t have wet ink. But, we will have two autographed copies of the soon to be released A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California by Keli Gwyn!

Here’s a sneak peek:

“Widow Elenora Watkins is determined to provide for herself and her daughter without relying on anyone else. Can she run a successful business after falling for the competition? Miles Rutledge finds himself willing to do anything to keep Elenora in town. But can he win her heart while putting her out of business?”

I can hardly wait to read it. I may not be able to. I’ll be at one of Keli’s book signing events on July 15th. I know. I know. Patience is a virtue which I am still trying to develop.

I met Keli through Inspire Christian Writers. With a delightful smile and genuine transparency, she encourages writers by sharing what she’s learned on her writing journey.

“Keli writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters, and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, set in the heart of the Gold Country where she lives, will be released in July 2012.”

That’s right! July! That means you can be one of the first people to read Keli’s debut novel.

Until then, you can connect with Keli on her website, through her Facebook Timeline, on her Facebook Author Page, and through Twitter.

For a chance to win an autographed copy of A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California all you have to do is register for and attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference in Elk Grove, California on July 20-21.

I look forward to seeing you there!

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I’ve been blogging about the wonderful books that authors are donating to the 2012 Write to Inspire conference.

I’m thrilled to announce that my friend and mentor, Sandra Byrd, is blessing us with the second book in her Tudor series.

“The author of To Die For returns to the court of Henry VIII as a young woman is caught between love and honor.

In The Secret Keeper, Juliana St. John is the daughter of a prosperous knight. Though her family wants her to marry the son of her father’s business partner, circumstances set her on a course toward the court of Henry VIII and his last wife, Kateryn Parr.

Sir Thomas Seymour, uncle of the current heir, Prince Edward, returns to Wiltshire to tie up his concerns with Juliana’s father’s estate and sees instantly that Juliana would fit into the household of the woman he loves, Kateryn Parr. Her mother agrees to have her placed in Parr’s household for “finishing” and Juliana goes, though perhaps reluctantly.

For she knows a secret. She has been given the gift of prophecy, and in one of her visions she has seen Sir Thomas shredding the dress of the king’s daughter, the lady Elizabeth, to perilous consequence.

As Juliana learns the secrets of King Henry VIII’s court, she faces threats and opposition, learning truths about her own life that will undo everything she holds dear.”

Here’s what people are saying about The Secret Keeper:

“Rich in historical detail, full of intrigue, and starring a memorable heroine—Juliana St. John—who grows in both character and faith, Sandra Byrd’s The Secret Keeper kept me completely engrossed in the tumultuous court of Henry VIII. I felt a part of the times, thanks to the author’s skillful storytelling, vivid descriptions, and inspiring characters. Readers are in for a special treat with this remarkable novel.”

—Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author

“‘How do I love thee? Let me count the ways,’ wrote Elizabeth Barrett Browning long years after the Tudor period of Sandra Byrd’s remarkable book, The Secret Keeper. But the poet’s words come to mind often as I count the myriad ways I love this story. Exquisite attention to detail of time, language, and place. A deft creation of character voice that invites the reader in and never lets her go. A delicate suspense that keeps pages turning. And throughout, the evidence of a remarkable storyteller who moves emotions in ways that both inspire and satisfy. I fell in love with Juliana St. John and with her heart, and hope she and her secrets find the widest possible audience.”

—Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Where Lilacs Still Bloom

“A young woman with the gift of prophecy becomes entangled in Henry VIII’s court in this engaging novel. [. . .] Byrd (To Die For) crafts a well-researched historical novel that engrosses readers in Juliana’s world and the juicy details of the Tudor court. [. . .] Anglophiles and history buffs alike will surely enjoy this bird’s-eye view into royal politics, love, and scandal.”

—Publishers Weekly

God has used Sandra Byrd, my very first writing mentor and dear friend, to equip and inspire me toward excellence of craft. I read her books once for enjoyment. Then, I put on my learning hat and study her writing techniques!

“After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra persevered to publish more than three dozen books. Her adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, was a finalist for the Christy Awards. Her historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn was listed by Library Journal as one of the best books of 2011. Sandra’s YA fiction has also been recognized within the industry. Asking for Trouble, the first in the London Confidential series, was a finalist for the ECPA Medallion of Excellence award.

A former textbook acquisitions editor, Sandra is also a non-fiction writer and author, with articles in numerous publications and periodicals. Sandra is also passionate about helping new writers develop their talent and their work toward traditional or self publication. As such, she has mentored hundreds of new writers and continues to coach dozens to success each year.

Sandra resides in Washington State with her husband Michael, a chaplain, their two children, and a circus dog named Brie.”

You can win a copy of The Secret Keeper when you attend the 2012 Write to Inspire conference in Elk Grove, California on July 20-21.

Register today! You won’t want to miss this wonderful learning opportunity and fabulous time of fellowship and worship!

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