Have you ever met an online friend in person and then realized, wow, she’s not how I imagined? I’m afraid, that’s my one little secret.I’m not who you think I am.Now before I lose you all, take a deep breath. I’m NOT a 6 foot 4, 250 lb. con from Riker’s Island. Though if I were, how would any of you know?

I am who I say I am. A writing mom of 4 who struggles with balancing my career while raising a family.

Aside from a couple of name changes on this blog, ever word of it is true, straight from my heart and often times brutally honest. I’ve never been one to hide my feelings…when I write.

I may seem like an organized, extrovert, out in cyberspace, but the internet can be deceiving. I’m an introvert at heart who freaks at social events. I’d rather stay home in the safe confines of my own little world then venture out to a party or church function. And don’t even step foot into my house right now. I have several different projects going on in several rooms, none of them nearing completion. In all honesty, it looks like a bomb exploded in these rooms. Nothing like the neat and organized websites I manage!

I thought about attending some of the real life “blog gatherings” before, but I’m afraid I’d be terribly dull, like this blog at times:) I would probably not measure up to my readers expectations. Feeling insecure, I’d most likely cower in a corner or say something incredibly stupid or inappropriate to hide my nervousness. Then when everyone wrote about their fun experience meeting all the online bloggers, I’d probably be overlooked. People might even wonder if I was actually there.

But I’m learning to be okay with my place in this world. Just like my blog, I’m not overly popular. I’m not very good at small talk, and feel incredibly awkward in group settings, with one exception.

Writing Conferences.

I seem to wiggle out from under my shell at these gatherings. Though still not comfortable in group settings, I manage to forge a place for myself and at times appear outgoing. There’s something about being in my element that brings out my confidence, and I think that’s where I lose my inhibitions and begin to shine.

I know without a doubt I was born to write. Though I have no idea how it will all play out in my life, I am confident in the fact that I am a writer, whether I get that illusive book contract or not.

So maybe I was wrong. Maybe I am who you think I am.

An honest writer trying to journey through this life, and stumbling along the way, getting lifted by my wonderful real life and online friends.

Or maybe I’m an FBI informant in the witness protection program living in Ma…

Wait, I did say I had ONE little secret!

Who do YOU think I am?

This post was written in response to Darlene Schachts’ challenge and Allison Bottke’s Blog Tour. And special thanks to  Art Bookbindery for donating an iPod Shuffle to the winner of this contest!.

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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing THE DEAD WHISPER ON
(Bethany House July 1, 2007)
by

T. L. Hines

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tony is the author of the acclaimed Waking Lazarus. He has been an advertising agency owner/principal, a trade amgazine editor, and now a novelist.

He has been a professional writer for more than 15 years with articles appearing in publications as varied as Log Homes, Conservative Theological Journal, and Travel & Leisure. He is also Creative Director at Montana’s largest advertising agency.

His long list of past odd jobs includes trimming Christmas trees, sorting seed potatoes, working the graveyard shift at a convenience store, and cleaning cadaver storage rooms.

As a teen he was undefeated in air guitar competitions in which he performed songs by ZZ Top.

He lives in Montana with his wife and daughter,

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Would You Run Into A Burning Building?

Candace “Canada Mac” MacHugh lives a ghost of her former life.

Once a proud Butte, Montana, miner who daily risked her life setting explosives, she’s now a garbage collector in her dying hometown.

Her beloves father is dead and she doesn’t speak to her mom. More than anything, Candace Mac misses her father. He promised to contact her from the “other side” if he could…but it’s been eleven long years. And now even her beloved city of Butte, Montana, seems to be dying off.

Candace Mac is alone. Longing for the past. Dreaming of making a difference.

Until one night when her father’s voice speaks to her from the shadows. Bud MacHugh’s trademark growl. The dead, it seems, have messages they hunger to share with the world…warnings of impending disasters and grave danger. Of cities doomed to burn.

But they need Canada’s help.

T.L. Hines’ first novel, Waking Lazarus was named one of the Library Journal’s Top 25 Genre novels of 2006. Now he’s back with a gripping suspense that brings to light our fears and asks us if we still have the courage to fight for those around us. if we have the guts to be one of those who run into burning buildings.

“Chilling!” Publishers Weekly

“…a well-paced suspense populated by dynamic characters.” Kirkus Discoveries

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 I do, and I’ll be sharing it tomorrow! You might want to get in on the fun! Check it out and see what you can win!

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Timmy (7) came to me about two weeks ago and said, “Mom, I’m not your baby any more.”

Then he smiled and showed me he just lost his first tooth. (Sniffle)

I told him a while ago I’d stop calling him my baby when he lost his first tooth. The next day he lost his second. I had forgotten what we gave the other boys for their first teeth, but he was happy with $2 under his pillow. The next day he said, “I asked everyone and they said they didn’t put it under there.” But he didn’t ask me. (We don’t over emphasize/play up the tooth fairy) That day he lost his second tooth and my husband thought the other boys got $5 for their first tooth, so the next night he found $4 under his pillow. It all evened out in the end.

So now I’m not allowed to call him my baby boy. Seven going into second grade seemed mighty old to not have lost a tooth yet. I guess I should be happy that I got to hold on to my baby boy for so long, but with him going off at school for the first time, I’m nostalgic for my little guy.

I guess I can still hold onto the fact while he’s not little in age, he’s still little in size. Though I am praying he’ll grow big when the time comes, and when he stands taller than me (5 ft. 3 1/2 in) I’ll be glad!

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Timmy (7) beat his pogo jumping record which was 877 or something close to that.

Today he jumped 4,991! Give or take a couple of jumps. I lost count several times!

I’m still amazed at his jumping skill and decided next time to strap a pedometer on him or my husband suggested just timing how many jumps he does in a minute and then time his entire jumping and multiply!

I was actually drained after all that counting (imagine how Timmy must feel) but I have a feeling he’ll sleep well tonight. Which is a good thing, because Timmy’s not thrilled about his new sleeping arrangements which includes rooming with Grace.

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I’m more like Grace than I’d like to admit!

She’s an adorable, rambunctious, high-energy, intelligent, limit-pushing girl who’d never think twice about scaling a metal pole in a dress. That’s why I make her wear shorts all the time.

My mom would often tell me she’d have to pull me from the chandeliers. I’m not sure if that was just an expression, but watching my daughter, I’m sure it’s not much of an exaggeration.

The other day she told me “Mommy, in my dream I tell the people I’m dreaming!”

I said, “When I was little I used to do the same thing.”

“You did?”

“Yes,” I said. “Even when I was being chased by monsters I’d stopped and look at them and say ‘You can’t hurt me it’s just a dream.’”

Grace looked in awe.

When I look at my outgoing, spunky, independent, adorable little girl, I often wonder what she’s going to be like when she grows up. If I was so much like her, then when did I turn into an insecure, shy child?

I think I know the answer. Probably when my parents’ divorced. I’m always amazed when people look at the children of divorced parents and claim they’re doing fine. I don’t think they’re doing fine. They may get straight A’s like I did, have good morals, like I did, stay out of trouble, like I did…but I don’t think they’re okay.

I think there’s a huge hole in their heart. I think there’s a part of them that cries at night and is frustrated with always having to split the holidays between two parents. I think there’s a part of them that hates having to choose between their parents, and it’s a lie to think you don’t. You do. I still have to choose who to visit for how long and what holidays to spend with them. It’s a royal pain in the butt and something I NEVER wish to inflict upon my children.

I’m not sure where this post has migrated to, but it makes me wonder what I would be like today if my parents had modeled a healthy relationship?

I know I would probably be a healthier parent and have a healthier marriage. My daughter is a lot like me, but I pray she never ends up like me. I pray that she takes all her God given potential and energy and never hides it under a bushel or questions her self-worth.

When she grows up, I pray she’s develops into the person God has created her to be!

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How’s everyone doing so far?

My One Sheet just needs to be printed, and I’m still tweaking my proposal. I have yet to order my business cards (I know 3 weeks until conference), and my notebook is about 90% ready to go.

This weekend I finished editing my ACFW critique with the amazing and talented Camy Tang, and I just have to send it off. I had a synopsis edited by her once, and she rocked! She went into so much detail and gave insightful suggestions. If your wondering if your story is working, I suggest you head on over to Story Sensei!

There’s nothing more nerve wracking that “thinking” about sitting down with an editor or agent. Usually I’m a basket case when it comes to something like this. I was my first conference. But don’t fret, it gets easier with practice especially if you learn so simple tips.

Stay Calm: Editors and Agents are just like you! And despite their reputation, they’re really normal people. When I had my first ACFW critique, I convinced myself that the critiquer was a tough person and would just rip my WIP apart. I was pleasantly surprised when he smiled and made me feel at ease. Still I braced myself for the onslaught, and hunkered down in my armor, but I didn’t get pelted like I imagined. In fact, my writing was fairly decent according to him. He just didn’t believe in my story, but gave me some wonderful suggestions on how to improve it.

So the moral of the story. Stop worrying and bring chocolate. I’ve never done it. But I heard it works for some.

Be Professional: Don’t show up to your appoint late, disheveled or under-dressed. Comb your hair, make sure your smile’s not advertising what you had for lunch (a little breath mint couldn’t hurt either), and dress in business clothes. I LOVE going casual, but I save that for after hours.

It’s not too early to plan your attire and ladies, don’t forget the accessories.

Be Thoughtful: Chances are when you sit down in front of an editor or agent, you will be number 27 for that day. They’re bound to be tired, or bored or hungry. (Yes, agents and editors eat just like us). So don’t just jump into your pitch. If you see they’re tired, ask how it’s going for them. Don’t make if forced, just be friendly.

And don’t take more time than is necessary. 15 minutes is all you get. Don’t take a second more. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to poke my head in on someone else’s appointment time because the time’s run over. Not a fun thing to do. So if you’re finished in 10 minutes, consider taking off. I’m sure the agent/editor would appreciate a little down time before the next appointment.

Be Succinct: Don’t make the same mistake I have in the past by rambling on about your story even while the editor is trying to read your one sheet. Less is more. So share your pitch. Let the editor read it and clamp your hand over your mouth (no, not literally.) This is the hardest part for me because I tend to ramble when I get nervous, but if you’re not quiet, then the editor won’t be able to ask questions and will lose interest.

Be Yourself: Publishing is a tough business and it’s helpful if the editor like YOU and your story. So just relax and be yourself.

For more great tips visit Kaye Dacus’s blog.

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One Little Secret…Kathy CarltonWillis

With This Ring I’m Confused…Jodi York

Prints Charming…Linda Sherwood

Footsteps…Gerogiana D

The Splitting Storm… Jodi York

The Void…Gina H.

Congrats to all the winners! Just email me your snail mail address and I’ll send them out soon!

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Either everyone who reads this blog is on vacation or everyone is just too shy to enter my contests for FREE BOOKS! There are several books that have just 1 or 0 comments!

So, I’ll make it easy for you to find. Search my CATEGORIES for FREE STUFF! Then look at the bottom of the post and you should she the book being offered and a link to what it’s about. Free books couldn’t get any simpler.

Did I mention they were FREE!

Now start commenting! And have a blessed Sunday!

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This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

THE VOID
(Multnomah Fiction August 21, 2007)
by

Mark Mynheir

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mark Mynheir is a cop writer. He has authored Rolling Thunder (The Truth Chasers Book One) and From the Belly of the Dragon (The Truth Chasers Book Two).

During his career as a police officer, Mark has worked as a narcotics agent, a S.W.A.T. team member, and a homicide detective. Mark and his wife, Lori, live with their three children in central Florida.
ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Truth Chasers Book Three

Someone’s trying to play God…and he’s turning Palm Bay into hell.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Robbie Sanchez devotes her life to crime prevention, and it shows: She has no personal life and doesn’t know the meaning of a day off. After all, someone has to be around to clean up the mess crime leaves behind.

So when Officer Brad Worthington is brutally murdered, Agent Sanchez is called to the scene along with Brad’s best friend, Detective Eric Casey. The two turn to Lifetex, the genetics lab near the scene, hoping their elaborate security system might have captured the crime outside.

But what’s going on inside the lab is far worse: a renegade scientist is cloning humans! As Robbie and Eric pursue clues–and a growing attraction–they are caught in a deadly battle as the clones begin to act on their own volition…but this battle threatens to claim more than human life; the clones are vying for human souls.

The Void is nothing short of a page-turner. Mynheir is truly hitting his stride as one of our industry’s most notable Christian novelists. This latest book has it all: suspense, humor, intrigue, realistic police action, and one thought-provoking story line.

Creston Mapes
Author of Nobody

REVIEW :

 

I haven’t finished the book yet, but I’m definitely hooked by the plot. When that sheep was cloned years ago, who hadn’t thought a scenario like The Void, where humans were cloned. I’m anticipating not just continued physical conflict in the book, but the moral conflict as well.

 

At first I was surprised that the main character was female and the back cover seemed to suggest an impending romance. It’s hard for me to believe a male cop could get inside a woman’s head, and but Mynheir does a decent job of it. Plus,  the details of police procedure add authenticity to the book, yet I guess it helps that a cop wrote the book!

 

I haven’t decided if this one is a keeper yet, but if you want it, feel free to leave your name in the comment section.

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My friend the loud Asian Chick who writes loud Asian Chicklit is having an awesome contest that will last from now until October 31st, 2007!

She’s giving away THREE huge baskets of books AND an 8 GB iPod Nano!

Here’s more from Camy…

1st place winner will receive a copy of my novel, Sushi for One?, a basket of books by other Christian authors, and an 8 GB iPod Nano. (The winner can also elect to receive a 4 GB colored Nano instead of the 8 GB Nano, which is only available in black or red.)

2nd place winner will receive a copy of my novel, Sushi for One?, a basket of books by other Christian authors, and a 1 GB iPod Shuffle.

3rd place winner will receive a copy of my novel, Sushi for One?, a basket of books by other Christian authors, and a 1 GB iPod Shuffle (silver).

20 Honorable Mentions will each receive a copy of my novel, Sushi for One? and a $10 Amazon gift certificate.

You read that right! 23 winners in all!

Contest rules:

–You must be a member of my newsletter Yahoogroup Camys_Loft to enter. I will be checking the entries against my YahooGroup members list.

–My YahooGroup members can visit this posted message for the website page where the contest form is located.

–Enter the contest using the contest form between now and October 31st, 2007 for one entry into the contest. You MUST put the e-mail address or the Yahoo profile ID you used to join my Yahoogroup.

–You can only enter with the contest form ONCE, however you can get extra entries into the contest through other ways—read on!

–Refer this contest to others and get THREE EXTRA ENTRIES for yourself! Get your friends to join my newsletter Yahoogroup Camys_Loft and fill out the contest form. The person must list your name or email address as the referrer in the contest form. You get three extra entries for EVERY person who enters and lists your name as the referrer, no matter how many people that ends up being.

–There is NO LIMIT to the number of extra entries you can get from referring friends who join my newsletter Yahoogroup and fill out the contest form.

–However, YOU can only fill out the contest form once.

–The winning entries will be selected at random from the pool of correct entries.

–If you unsubscribe from my newsletter YahooGroup before October 31st, 2007, your entries in the contest will be discarded.

–Entering the contest grants Camy permission to list your name on her website and in her newsletter if you win. Your information will never be posted on this website or in Camy’s newsletter.

–Your name and information will NOT appear on this website or in Camy’s newsletter and will never be given or sold to anyone.

–Any illegible entries will be discarded.

–International readers are welcome to enter.

Camy’s really impresses me with her unique marketing ideas for her book, blogs, etc. I definitely listen when she has something to say, and you might want to also. Even if you’re not a writer, you’ll want to keep in touch with this girl and her debut novel Sushi for One! So sign up for her newsletter and enter the contest! And don’t forget to tell her I referred you!

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Chris (13) left this morning with his entire junior and senior high on an overnight retreat. Everyone assures me that when they come back on Friday afternoon, you can’t tell the new from the old students.

I know Chris will have a great time! He’s not shy, though not overly friendly, but isn’t afraid to experience new things. I’m looking forward to hearing how things go for him.

It’s been a trying week for him waking up early (he’s used to sleeping in until 10 am and now gets up at 7). He’s been one of the only ones to wear shorts to school, but he’s got a good head on his shoulder and doesn’t care what the other kids are doing. He’s not swayed by peer pressure, though he realizes the kids probably wear pants because it’s cold in school!

He’s been sitting alone in the lunch room, mainly because he gets there first and no one sits down with him. I’ve encouraged him not to sit down first and then join someone else. But he doesn’t mind sitting alone either. In fact, when he was in first grade he would move away from the other boys to eat because they would talk and spit when they ate, and Chris didn’t want them spraying his food.

Chris’ has been moody the last couple of days. He just got contacts which he’s physched about, but he has trouble putting them in and getting them out. He ripped two contacts and lost one already. Good thing they’re dailies! He got them in this moring with my husbands’ help. I just hope he can get them out at camp tonight!

The Splitting Storm by Rene Gutteridge is one of her early suspenses, but a great read! If you’d like to own it, leave a comment!

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 Me, my dad and my neice at her high schoolgraduation party!

Footsteps by DiAnn Mills is up next. Don’t forget to check out my interview with this amazing woman here!

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On the second day of school, Joey (10) comes to me after bedtime. He looks sad and distraught and starts off by saying, “I don’t know if I should tell you this or not because you might say something and I don’t want you to.”

I immediately think he’s having trouble with a kid at school. Turns out, he’s having trouble with his teacher. He’s feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the differences between homeschooling and school.

Here I thought he’d be the one that would love it and be well adjusted, but it turns out he’s having a hard time with the rules. He says he feels like his teacher is getting on him about lots of things and that he doesn’t even know what the rules are.

Some things he’s been corrected on have been, sitting improperly in his desk chair. (He’s used to doing school work sprawled out on the floor) He’s interrupted once or twice at school and in the lunch room he was called over by the teacher because he kept getting up and down at the lunch table. He felt very embarrassed that she called him over.

Right about now I’m starting to feel guilty. Joey’s teacher is really sweet and during our pre-school conference she asked me what she wanted her to work on with Anthony. I mentioned he talks a lot and might need some help with interrupting. That we’re trying to teach him life isn’t always fair, but it’s how you deal with things that matters. We also mentioned he’s been going through a whinny stage. So I’m thinking maybe I brought this on my son!

He also mentioned being confused during a science lesson because his teacher said Molecules make up atoms and said the water atom was made up of a 2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen molecule. Joey said that I taught him that atoms make up molecules. To tell you the truth, atoms and molecules confuse me so I wasn’t sure which was correct.

Now I’ve learned that when I question something Joey usually is right. Once he hears something, he remembers it. But we went to my homeschool books and lo and behold, he was right. The hydrogen atom makes up the water molecule. But how does he go and tell his teacher she was wrong. BTW, she had confided in me that one of the teachers had challenged her to do more in science so I told Joey science wasn’t her best subject, but Joey can’t understand how a teacher doens’t know everything.

So he could really use your prayers right now. It’s only the second day of school, but he feels like an outsider. His closing words to me were, “school is not like I imagined it.” I could relate. Homeschool wasn’t what I imagined either.

I guess I didn’t prepare him enough for school. I just thought he’d love it. I told him how just because it hurts sometimes doesn’t mean it’s not God’s plan. (Hope I got that double negative thing right. I guess if I woke up Joey and asked him, he’d know!) I went on to explain a diamond is just a lump of coal until it goes in the furnace and comes out shining. (He questioned my diamond theory and made me think twice about it, but I stuck to my analogy.) I told him, maybe this was God’s way of making him shine. Then I held him, and let him cry in my arms. We ended with a prayer and I said, “I promise things will get better.”

He looked at me through tear filled eyes and smiled. “Mom, don’t promise things you can’t deliver.”

But somehow, I know things will get better!

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Prints Charming by Rebecca Seitz.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and remember you can enter for all contests, but you can’t win two in a row!

Don’t forget to check back all week. I’ll be announcing the winners next Monday!

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Noboysallowedww.com

That’s what Grace told me to write on a sign she’s putting on her door because she said her brother’s said “NO Girls Allowed.”

We’ve been switching rooms around all week, painting and sorting through enough toys to stock our own Salvation Army store. Grace (5) has been wanting a roommate for years, so she’s moving in with Timmy (7), and Joey’s is moving into to Grace’s old room.

He’s ready to have his own room, especially since he and Timmy have different sleeping habits, and most nights Timmy crawls up on the bunk in Chris’s (13) room.

Though I’m not sure the new sleeping arrangements are going to work out. Timmy is already fighting with Grace. His new car bed is not ready yet, so he’s been sleeping in Chris’s room. Plus, he’s noted that Grace’s stuff takes up more than half the room. I assured him that when he gets his car’s loft bed, he’ll have a cool club house underneath.

I took pictures in the middle of the process, should have started with the room in it’s before state. I’ll try and look for photos, but my computer seems to have eatten my photo files!

I’m am so ready to be able to walk through my halls again, though I think it might be another week or two before I can do that!

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I woke up at 6:30 and jumped in the shower ready to start the first day of school off right. After waking the older boys with a “flash” (I took photos) they eventually made it out of be and everyone made it down stairs for breakfast fully dressed and with teeth already brushed.

I cooked eggs and we had left over pancakes. My husband even did a small devotion and the only real issues we had was that Joey got upset because there wasn’t a lot of orange juice left.

We planned on leaving at 7:30, but by the time we gathered up everyone and their supplies, it was 7:45. Then we hit traffic and I started to panic, but decided they’d probably give everyone grace on the first day of school.

We arrived at 8:00 and my husband took the older two to their classes. He said Chris was the last one to arrive and had to sit in the front row, which he wasn’t happy about. I settled Timmy into his second grade class and witnessed tears coming from a couple of girls. Timmy was all smiles and settled in quickly. He even gave me a kiss before I left! So glad he’s still little.

It’s 10:00 am now and I’ve had a quiet morning doing laundry and playing games and puzzles with Grace. Our dog seems to notice the quiet. I know I do. I keep wondering what the boys are doing at this very moment. A part of me is sad that they’re gone, but a part of me knows that this is what it’s going to take to restore peace into this family. It’s sad that things don’t always work out how I would have liked it to. My heart still wants them home, but not the way it has been for the last three years. I think in our family absense will make the heart grow fonder.

I already think it has for this momma!

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The kids just left for the first day of school, and I’m trying to get caught up on my own notebook, so the only conference prep I have for you to day is to review what we’ve already discussed and get working. Only a month unitl ACFW! YIKES!

But to help lift your spirits in preparation, I’ll be giving away gently read books all week. You’ll just have to stop by to comment!

The next book up is Robin Lee Hatcher’s Return to Me! Just do a search in my sidebar for more info. on the book. Anbe be sure to come back to see the other books I’m giving away. My only contest rule is that you can’t win two contests in a row. Just want to make everything fair!

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Did you ever have sooo much to do, you didn’t know where to start?

That’s how I’ve been feeling for weeks. School starts tomorrow and thankfully school supplies and uniforms are bought. So all I have to do is make sure we all wake up on time and get out the door by 7:30 am. UGH! I can’t remember the last time we all woke up that early together. One of many benefits of homeschooling! Chris (10) and Timmy (7) will have the hardest time waking up, but they might be so excited to start school, it won’t be a problem. One can hope anyway!

Aside from a homeschool room that looks like a tornado blew through it, I have three bedrooms in disarray because we decided to switch the boys’ rooms a few weeks before school started. Half of their stuff is scattered all over their rooms and the other half is either in the hallway or in my bedroom. My hubby will hopefully finish painting their dressers soon, but still has a loft bed to make.

Then there’s the consignment sale I do twice a year and thought it’d be a great idea to sort through the kids toys and get rid of all the things they don’t play with any more. The sale is in 3 weeks, and I ran out of packing tape yesterday! So had to make a trip to the store.

Then there’s the ever approaching ACFW conference in 30 days! My stuff is almost in order, at least it’s in order in my head. But I wanted to tackle a nonfiction proposal. Don’t know if I’ll be able to make that happen.

As if I didn’t have enough to worry about, I’ll be speaking at our local ACFW chapter meeting on the 1st of September and although I wrote my outline a month ago, I haven’t looked at it since.

And I’m not even going to mention all my online commitments!

I know what I need to do. Make a list and do one thing at a time. But sometimes I get so overwhelmed I do a little of this and a little of that, until I have 20 projects going at once.

So how do you handle project overload? Any advice or words of encouragement as I tackle some projects today?

And if you’ve made it to the end of this post, hurray for you. I’m giving away Kristin Billerbeck’s fun book, With This Ring I’m Confused!  Check out my interview with Kristin here!

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Please welcome Allison Bottke, author of One Little Secret, as she shares her heart on a life interrupted!

I’ve been interrupted all of my life. I’m a 52 year old “Boomer Babe” and the name of Gina’s blog has stirred up memories from long ago.

I first experienced interruption at the age of 15 when I met Prince Charming and figured I knew far more than anyone alive and therefore felt justified in running away from home and marrying this fellow I barely knew. Turns out I didn’t know everything (imagine that) like how to spot a sociopathic wife beater. So, there I was…less than a year later an emotionally and physically damaged 16 year old divorced teenage mother with a baby son. Life interrupted for sure!

This is Day 18 on my 31-Day International Blog Tour. I’ll be visiting over 45 different blogs to promote my second novel: One Little Secret. I’m taking this blog communication very seriously, and I’m not simply copying and pasting the same responses into one blog after another. I’m doing my best to personalize each message, and to read the blog on which I’m appearing. No easy fete, especially since I’m also moving from MN to TX this month and on deadline for novel #3. (Can we all say, “juggle?”)

Gina asked me to write about something geared toward the “writing mom.” I thought about that, and I prayed about that, and then I saw the header of Gina’s blog and I was transported back to a time when I thought my life was over—when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had messed things up so bad that I would never be able to dig myself out of the hole I was in.

I thought about those times I dropped my son at day care and didn’t want to go back and pick him up. Because it was all just…too…much. I even tried interrupting my own life once, but God had another plan for me and interrupted even that planned interruption!

Some of you may know me as the God Allows U-Turns “Poster Girl.” I’ve always found that moniker to be rather appropriate. If anyone is the poster child for a life lived poorly, it’s me—and the fact that I made a drastic turn around at the age of 35 still boggles my mind. Especially during those times when I think back to what my life used to be like. I don’t spend a lot of time living in the past. I hardly ever wallow in the “woe is me” place of inertia.

However, when I think of a “Writer Interrupted” I can’t help but think of my past and how after so many years I am finally living the life of my dreams.

Book number one in my writing career was a compilation of true short stories called: God Allows U-Turns. The u-turns “brand” launched in 2000 when I was 45 years old. Today, I have 23 non-fiction and fiction books under my belt and One Little Secret is my second novel. (A Stitch in Time was my first, anyone here read it?)

After a whirlwind six years, I felt compelled to change course yet again—this time instead of reaching out to people who needed to turn toward God, I wanted to reach out to fellow baby boomer women who had spent years being “interrupted” and were now ready to start pursuing the dreams of their heart.

I started writing fiction featuring baby boomer women, and I believe my fiction coined the term: “Boomer-Lit.” I began www.BoomerBabesRock.com as a place where fellow baby boomer women could go to find information and fellowship on the journey to make their dreams come true. We have a monthly publication appropriately titled a “Dream-Zine.” And, our Boomer Babes Rock Blog is co-authored by six amazing women who post daily.

As I visit one blog after another, I am impressed with the amazing gifts of communication God has given to so many of his children—and how those gifts are being expressed via the Internet on blogs like this. Gina writes for mom’s who dream to write. She asked what advice I could give to moms as they pursue their dreams.

In my humble opinion, I feel we do a tremendous disservice to our loved ones when we exhibit behavior that is contrary to how we would want them to live their life. We want our children to discover their God-given gifts and to do what it takes to make their dreams come true, don’t we? We want our kids to be the best they can, don’t we? Isn’t that why we cart them all over Timbuktu to take lessons in this and participate in that? Why shouldn’t we strive to be the best we can be at the same time? We don’t want our children to bury their visions and goals, do we? Of course, as parents, we have to sacrifice at times as we raise our children—however when that sacrifice becomes something that festers within our soul—and isn’t experienced in love, those around us will eventually see the charade for what it is. All that said, I believe it’s healthy for moms to pursue their dreams—not at the expense of others—but not at the expense of their heart, either. 

In closing, the pull of the world is so strong, and the world tells us that we need to be self-sufficient, that only the strong survive, and that self-help, self-motivation, and focus on self is our right—our duty. Yet for believers, we bristle at that New Age concept of selfishness and thus take it to the other extreme. We sacrifice everything—interrupt everything—under the guise of being “good Christian moms.” Whether or not we are happy in so doing.

Ursula, the lead character in One Little Secret, sacrificed her dreams for years—but she never felt sorry for it. Yet when the time came to reach for her dreams—she felt guilty. Was it right to be so happy doing what she’d always dreamed of doing?

Ladies, it’s all about balance. You can write the book of your heart while raising your children—you needn’t wait until they grow up and leave the house. Unless that’s truly what you want to do. Sure, it may take some judicious time management, and the cooperation of loved ones, but you can carve out some time for your writing. Your writing needn’t be interrupted for so long that you forget what it was that burned in your belly—aching to get out on paper. God does want us to have the desires of our heart—He placed them there in the first place!

 Allison, thank you so much for sharing your heart with me today. I hope everyone here runs out and buys a copy.

One Little Secret is not only an entertaining story about a sacrificing mom finally chasing after her dreams, but a wonderful tale of faith, commitment and family. 

An invitation to record a CD with a hunky, young pop star?
It’s the stuff dreams are made of…right?
For Ursula Rhoades, a suburban wife and mom,
one little secret is about to change her whole life.

Definitely begs you to pick up the book and read.

Allison Bottke weaves a wonderful tale of dream chasing and family dynamics. She covers family extremes in One Little Secret from the perfect family to the ultimate dysfunctional Hollywood family. Though most everyone reading will see their family somewhere in the middle, Bottke shares some wonderful truths about forgiveness, sacrifice and following your dreams in a larger than life setting!

The character of Nik Prevel jumped off the page and found his way into my heart. In my opinion, he is the one that did the most growing in this book, and it’s a good thing. He really needed to!

I found it interesting to step inside the life of a Bel-Air mom who, on the surface, I had nothing in common with. Her life seemed perfect with wonderful children, designer clothes, beautiful home, and no real worries in the world except a husband who works to much. (Okay, I can relate to that.)

For me, it was hard to relate to Ursula who enjoyed being “just a housewife” and putting her family first. I just didn’t see myself in her, and admired her for her devotion, wondering what really made Ursula tick. I kept reading to find out and wasn’t disappointed by the ending. I realized how much I really was like Ursula. A woman who loved her family, and sacrificed her dream for them! Who questioned the timing of pursuing her dream and struggled with the thought of her family sacrificing for her.

If you’re someone with a dream, you’ll find yourself cheering Ursula on, and maybe feel your own dream coming to life!

If you’d like your chance to read One Little Secret, just leave a comment! I’ll be giving away a copy. Or if you can’t wait or don’t win, order yours today!

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