Hi Friends and Happy Wednesday!

I have to apologize that this post got bumped back a week, but I'm extremely pleased to announce I've finished the revisions on book four in my Chesapeake Valor series. Yay! If you missed the fun cover reveal of Dead Drift, you can catch it here .

Now to the video covering the first drafts of Blind Spot and True to You. Hope you enjoy this glimpse into our process.

[embed]https://youtu.be/6OeU9a5zShs[/embed]

How about you? Are you a plotter, panster, or somewhere in between?

Blessings,

Dani & Becky

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm so excited to share today's P word with you--perseverance. It's kind of my life motto, and today I'm going to switch things up a bit and share a number of quotes that I feel deeply reflect the importance and motivation behind perseverance, as well as some wonderful Scripture verses to check out on perseverance.

If anyone mastered perseverance during His time on earth, it was Jesus. So many times he was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11) but he fought back with God's Word--sharper than a double-edged sword  (Hebrews 4:12). So many times he persevered when He was tired (John 4:6), sad (John 11:35), and unwanted (Mark 6:4). The greatest example of perseverance was His enduring the painstaking agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14 or Matthew 26) and on the Cross (Mark 15).

Anytime I'm struggling, waiting, or need to persevere I think of two people--my mom who persevered more than anyone I've met in life, and Jesus, who endured more He needed to persevere through than anyone.

I hope you'll take some time today to read about Jesus' time on earth. It can be found all throughout Scripture, but a great place to start is one of the Gospels. I, personally, love the Gospel of John. But some other verses to take a look at including the ones listed in parentheses above and these:

• Mark 10:27
• Hebrews 12:2
• Isaiah 53:5
• 1 Corinthians 15:57
• Ephesians 5:2

May the Lord strengthen you and His Holy Spirit fill you with endurance and perseverance to run the good race.

One more area where I find a lot of inspiration to fuel my perseverance is found in music. I have several songs which really inspire me. To me, it's amazing how a song can touch your soul and never leave. And, when you hear it again, it takes you right back to the first time you heard it. Here's one of my perseverance favorites. I hope you enjoy!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_KXsMCJgBQ[/embed]

What about you? Do you have a favorite perseverance Scripture verse, quote, motto, or even song that inspires you? If so, I'd love to hear. 

Download today’s Coloring page

“P” for Perseverance

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

This is a guest post from Amy at Bethany House.

It’s almost November, and for Christian fiction readers, that means that the Christy Awards are coming up! Yes, the awards are about recognizing and celebrating Christian novels, but it’s also a great excuse to dress up with other writer and reader friends.

As a two-time Christy Award finalist herself, Dani graciously agreed to host a fun quiz where we analyze your personality and reading style and suggest a dress you could wear to the gala.

Even if you can’t make it to the red carpet yourself, stayed tuned to the christyawards.com website for news about the winners! (And if you are interested in joining us in Nashville in person, read on!)

We’d love to see you at the upcoming Art of Writing Conference and Christy Awards! You can find out more about the event below, or if you’re already convinced, you can register here.

About the Art of Writing Conference

The Art of Writing is designed to bring Christian creatives and publishing curators together for a half day of intensive seminars that celebrate the creative life, provide practical tips for overcoming challenges in a rapidly-changing industry, and answer questions authors are asking.

The speakers represent a wide range of roles and areas of expertise. Andrew Peterson, young adult writer and founder of the Rabbit Room, will give advice on how to create and benefit from a vibrant creative community, while Wheaton College professor Theon Hill, Ph.D. will present a survey of the obstacles and opportunities of diversity in Christian fiction.

Authors will receive encouragement for the ups and downs of the writing life from blogger Carrie Schmidt and author, agent, and ACFW public relations liaison Cynthia Ruchti. Finally, a panel of representatives from major ECPA publishers will share insider information on where the genre has been, where it’s going, and the exciting changes they see in today’s market for writers. Learn more about the speakers and sessions here.

About the Christy Awards

The Christy Award™ is designed to nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview and showcase the diversity of genres. The award is named after Catherine Marshall’s enduring bestselling novel, Christy, published in 1967 and inspiring a continuing book series and a CBS television series starring Kellie Martin. The novel will be re-released in 2017 in a 50th-anniversary legacy edition by Gilead Publishing in partnership with Kregel Publications.

Hosted by award-winning author and radio host Chris Fabry, this year’s celebration gala dinner will feature New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury as well as musician and writer, Andrew Peterson. You can view the finalist list here.

Christy Award Celebration Blog Tour

Monday, October 9: Top Ten Writing Industry Issues at Seekerville Tuesday, October 10: Give Us Your Best Questions at By the Book Wednesday, October 11: Interview with Dr. Theon Hill at Reading is My Superpower Thursday, October 12: Celebrating the Christy Awards…With a Giveaway! at Bethany House Fiction Friday, October 13: Quiz: Pick Your Gala Dress at Dani Pettrey’s blog Saturday, October 14: Eight Reasons to Come to The Art of Writing at The Power of Words Sunday, October 15: Interview with Carrie Schmidt at Bookworm Mama Monday, October 16: Interview with Cynthia Ruchti at Just Commonly Tuesday, October 17: Christy Nominee Bingo and Giveaway at Faithfully Bookish Wednesday, October 18: The Unofficial Readers’ Choice Cover Awards at Singing Librarian Books

Amy, Bethany House

Happy Monday, friends!

I chose the word obstacles for our letter today, because let's face it, we all encounter our fair share of obstacles. Whether it's an issue with our kid's homework or teacher, an issue on the job, a family issue, a spiritual issue--life is full of issues and obstacles, but it's how we react to the obstacles that matters.

It's a great idea to just weave around the obstacle and smile about it, and honestly I hope that's my attitude the majority of the time, but often the obstacles are so big and heavy that instead of swerving around them, we're forced to climb them. To sweat it out. To scramble our way up with God's help.

I love this verse from Isaiah:

"For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." ~Isaiah 41:13

No matter what obstacle we may be facing, and it may be a brutal one, we can rest assured God is right there with us. Holding us by His right hand and guiding us along the way.

I love Alistair Begg. He's an amazingly gifted preacher from Parkside Church in Cleveland, but he also has a ministry called Truth for Life. If you've never checked it out, you really should. I listen to a podcast nearly everyday and get the daily devotional. He's been gifted to preach the Word and does so verse by verse. If you're interested in some deep study, download a podcast.

Why do I bring this up? Not just because he's so gifted or because it's a ministry our family has supported for years, but because he often refers to Pilgrim's Progress and whenever I think of obstacles and enduring them, I think of Pilgrim. He faces so many obstacles and trials, but he manages to survive them all and you will to. God will carry you through. Maybe not in this life, but in eternity, and that's a beautiful gift to focus on when struggles are wearing on us.

May you find peace in His presence today and always.

For Further Study:

• Isaiah 40:31
• Isaiah 43:2
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Joshua 1:9
• John 16:33

What Scripture book, poem, inspirational quote, book or ministry has been a source of inspiration to you when you face obstacles?

Download today’s Coloring page

“O” for Obstacles

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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Happy Wednesday, friends!

I'm so excited to share the first of a four-week long series that good friend Becky Wade and I did chronicling our 'Year in the Life of a Writer' though it could more aptly be titled 'The Creation of a Novel.'

We each picked a book we were about to start--Blind Spot for me and True to You for Becky, and then we made video diaries during four major stages of the creative process throughout the life of our books.

I'll be sharing a different stage each week for the next month.

It's really an exciting time as Blind Spot released just yesterday and True to You released in May! But you lucky ducks get to see the behind-the-scenes making of each novel. Lucky or brave? It could go either way. Ha! The writing life is always an adventure, but it isn't always pretty. It's full of highs and lows, and we really hope these videos will be a great way of inviting you into our process and friendship.

Becky and I have the joy and honor of being prayer partners, friends and fellow Bethany House authors. We both signed with Bethany House about the same time and we both visited Bethany House shortly after. We hit it off and have been buddies ever since. Having a prayer partner in your life, especially the writing life, is a tremendous help. Writing can be such a solitary act, that it's so good and heartwarming to have a friend praying for you who understands exactly what you're going through.

I hope you enjoy joining us along our Creation of a Novel and I'd love to hear from all of you at each stage about your writing process, or if you're a reader, if anything about the process surprised you or spurred questions. Without further ado, let's jump in and join the writing journey!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITdQhurwEiU&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

If you aren't familiar with Becky, you definitely should be. She writes enthralling contemporary romance that warms the soul. You can learn more about her here: www.beckywade.com

I've asked Becky to hang out each Wednesday for the next month and she's graciously agreed, so please give her a warm welcome, and feel free to ask both of us or either of us any pressing questions on your mind.

We'd love to hear about you? How do you go about planning your novel? Are you a plotter or a panster? Or somewhere in between?

Blessings,

Dani and Becky

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm a beach girl through and through. I want to live at the beach. In fact, it's one of the places that I really do live. Not physically own a house there, but a place where, when I'm there, I'm all there. I'm truly living. Do you know what I mean?

Living Distracted

We often go through life distracted. At least I do. So distracted. I'm always thinking of the things I haven't done or the items still awaiting me for the day. I hardly ever just stop and enjoy the moment. Enjoy the warmth of the sun on my skin or the feel of granules of sand slipping between my toes--but at the beach, I do. I stop and bask in the moment. I live. Really live. I enjoy my grand babies' laughter as their feet slosh in the sea's spray and feel the sand squish beneath my feet as I chase after one of them running headlong down the open stretch of surf before us. I sit with my daughter. Just sit and chat or stare out at the ocean.

I eat lunch in my beach chair. Have you noticed everything tastes better at the beach? Fresher? The flavors popping in contrast to the salt lingering in the air. Or, perhaps, I've just worked up a health appetite. I hold my husband's calloused hand as we go for a walk, the sun warm on our backs, the horizon never-ending before us. I love those hands that hold me close. I love him. And at that beach I slow down enough to realize the beauty of all the gifts I have before me.

Trusting God as We Navigate Life

I have a new gift. If you can look at Lupus as a gift. I just got diagnosed this week, but I know God doesn't allow anything in my life that hasn't passed by Him, that He doesn't have in His hands, that isn't for my best. How could Lupus be for my best? I don't know, but I'm not God. I simply trust. Trust that He has me through all that's to come.

Trust that the One who made the sand, the sun and the sea and keeps them in their space--the sun rising every morning and setting each evening, the ocean tides like clockwork, the sand--so lift and fragile--still lining the beach that I ran on as a child. If the God who controls nature, the rotating of the earth, the passing of each moment of time has me in His capable hands, I will rest in that. I will trust that the One who knows the hairs of my head knows exactly what's going on in my body and will carry me through this new path to navigate, and you can bet I'll be wearing flip flops the entire way.

Where are you most fully alive? In the woods, at the beach, or hugging your children tight? I'd love to hear.

Thanks for sharing your Monday morning with me. I look forward to it all week!

Download today’s Coloring page

“N” for Navigate

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Life happens but when we have a calling, we need to make space to walk in it.

Often in my years since being contracted in 2008, I’ve had people ask me how do I find the time to write? They say their lives are so busy, it’s impossible to write. And I get it—times are rough. But the plain fact is that life will always intervene. It’s kind of like God when you tell him your plans. He’s all, “Really? Is that so? Well, let me show you . . ."

*Cue massive boulder rolling straight out of Indiana Jones to wreck your plans*

Okay, yes—that’s a bit facetious, but it’s true. Life is real. Life is raw. Life is ROUGH. But as a writer who is being published, whether indie or traditional, you have deadlines. A schedule that must be kept or that infamous domino stumbles and unleashes its chaos.

Right now, I’m doing edits on my eighteenth and nineteenth novels—both are content/macro edits, job and finances woes have hit hard, Irma hit my daughters, twins hit college and driving . . . blah blah blah LIFE. Blah blah blah. LIFE.

See? Life doesn’t quit.

And neither do I. As my husband always says, “What is there to quit to?”

So, I write on. Because it’s what I love and I refuse to let the stressors of life crush that passion. So, how do I do it? Nothing fancy. Just raw determination (which is a massive dose of that Irish stubbornness that says, “oh, yeah? Just watch!”), and a handful of things that I started doing this year:

1.     Lists

My husband is a notorious list maker. I’ve always taunted him over this and his intimate knowledge of spreadsheets. It’s a little obscene. Or so I thought, until life rushed in with floods of stress and deadlines. I had to get--*whispers* organized. I started with Mini Emergent Task Planner. It’s simple. And that’s what I needed—not another detailed, complicated thing. I had plenty of those already. This one breaks down what I have to do it into MAJOR tasks (only room for three) and “Got extra time?” tasks—with lines for four more. That’s what I use for my week. I prioritize, then GO!

2.     Planner

Yeah, remember that “not complicated” thing? Well, same thing happened when I saw amazing author Robin Carroll posting her Happy Planner pages. They were so pretty. And I wanted pretty, another way for my creativity to get unlocked. So, I opted for the week-at-a-glance pages for bigger projects and life events. At the end of the week, I rewarded myself for surviving the week and demands on my time by embellishing these pages with pretties and pictures.

3.     Be Ruthless

I’m not even kidding. Be ruthless—in protecting your time and energy. Social media can become a black hole of time, sapping energy. In fact, a research study found that people generally come away from social media less happy and less confident. Now, I limit my time online. However, I still hang out for a while because I have family in Ireland that I try to stay connected with through that online platform.

4.     Rewards

As you accomplish a task, assign a “reward” that is encouraging enough or refills your energy well. Maybe something small—watching an episode of a TV show, or reading a chapter of a new novel. Rewards should be equivalent to the task completed. One of my favorite new rewards is a bath with those delicious-smelling bath bombs. Ironically, thanks to the stunning Tamera Leigh, I’ve learned that lingering in the bath actually forces my mind to quiet down . . . and often unlocks secret pockets of creativity.

So go forth and protect yourself well!

Writing is a gift and a passion that needs a healthy, confident you.

Giveaway

I'm giving away a copy of Crown of Souls.

(U.S. only please)

All you need to do is leave a comment answering the following question:

What do you do to make space for what you love? Maybe it's writing, but maybe it's reading or creating in some other way?

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over fifteen novels. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live in beautiful Northern Virginia with their children and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters. Visit Ronie online at: ronie@roniekendig.com www.roniekendig.com FB: RapidFireFiction Twitter: @RonieKendig Instagram: @kendigronie

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Happy Monday, friends!

God's timing is always so perfect.  I'm sitting on my lanai in Kona, Hawaii. I'm here with my hubby celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. Talk about meaning and memories. This week has been abundantly blessed with both!

You don't need to travel so far to experience meaning and memories. Both can be found everyday in simple moments with your family, in daily activities with friends, and in still, quiet moments with God.

A Life of Meaning & Memories

Choosing to live a life of meaning and memories means slowing down long enough to really take in the joys and blessings God's given you. Nothing brings me joy like seeing my grand babies'  sweet smiles or their adorable giggles when they belly laugh.

Children are so good at soaking in the beauties of nature--the warm rays of sunshine on your face, the cool breeze swirling leaves through the fall air, the flash of fireflies on warm summer nights, or the squish of sand between your toes. Kids are so good at really appreciating nature with all five of their senses. They are filled with curiosity and enthusiasm. I wish I was more like my grand babies.

While we've all been blessed with the precious gift of life, too often we (myself included) are so busy rushing around that we forget to stop and savor the little moments, but it's these moments--some as brief of a bird's song on the wind that can fill our lives with warm and lasting memories.

Fill your life with memories and meaning, not stuff and things. 

God's Creation

I do, however, find that time spent outdoors in God's majestic creation is a special place for me to feel closer to Him. Whether we're kayaking through the rolling rivers, hiking the tall hills and mountaintops, or simply enjoying a picnic on a rock at the summit. It's in these activities and moments in which my mind slows down enough and all my senses kick in so I can just feel enveloped by the Lord's presence and bask in His glorious creation surrounding me.

Do you have a special place where you feel closer to God?

I truly believe that memories and meaning are deeply connected with one another. All of our memories and moments build upon another and result in the culmination of the meaning of our lives, especially our lives in Christ.  Our lives are journeys to Him, and we are blessed to experience so much beauty and joy in the smallest of memories along the way.

For example, I was a little girl, I had a cardinal that would perch on my windowsill every day and sing to me. Whenever my mom saw a cardinal, she'd say 'there's your bird' and she bought me many cardinal gifts over the years. Every time I see a red Cardinal, I fondly remember my mom and my singing friend, and I'm filled with comfort.

Do you have any special memories from your childhood that linger still?

Download today’s Coloring page

“M” for Meaning

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

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To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

If you enjoyed this post, I'd love if you'd share:

Click to Tweet: Fill your life with memories and meaning, not stuff and things. 

Click to Tweet: Memories and meaning are deeply connected with one another.

Praying today is full of wonderful memories for you,

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Happy Monday, friends!

I hope your day is off to a great coffee-fueled start. I'm dealing with jet lag. No fun. I'm going to be dragging and working on my deadline all week. If you could keep me in prayer, that would be wonderful, but we had the very best time.

I'll be sure to share some pictures on my Facebook Page this week. I've been struggling with health issues so it was such a blessing to be able to go and enjoy my time there. A great thanks to my friends who were praying me through! I hope you all have great friends in your life you love you and prayer for you, but I know you have at least one and the most important One--God.

Do you know God says:

"I have called you by name and you are mine." ~Isaiah 43:1b

The God of the entire universe and everything in it has called you by name. He knows you and he loves. And, most importantly, He is always with you. God says:

"...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

God loves us and is always with us. I can't think of a better friend. Someone who loves us despite our flaws, our mistakes, our pasts. Someone who loves us because we are His. Someone who never leaves our side. Amen?

For further study:

• Deuteronomy  7:9
• Psalm 86:15
• Psalm 136:26
• John 3:16
• Romans 5:8

What about you? Do you have a friend who has stuck by you in thick and thin? God has blessed me with Lisa who has been my friend for nineteen years and man have we had some adventures. I smile just reflecting on them. Take some time to reflect on your friendships and on God today and let him love on your heart.

Download today’s Coloring page

“L” for Love

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

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To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

Happy Monday, friends!

I hope you've had a wonderful week! I can't believe it's September and while you're reading this I'll be off on an adventure celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary! I'm so excited I can hardly believe it. 25 years! I know many of you have been married a good number of years, some much longer and some not married yet, but today's letter and word are super applicable to marriage if you ask me. Kindness. It's hard to have a good marriage, near impossible if you aren't kind to one another. I love this verse from Scripture:

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 NASB

Without kindness and truth I dare say you don't have a marriage, let alone any relationship. And, the thing about kindness is it costs you nothing, but it's a great gift to the receiver. So chose to be a giver. Bless someone with kindness today!

For further study:

Ephesians 4:32

Acts 9:36

Micah 6:8

Hebrews 13:2

Romans 12:10

What about you? Do you know someone who is always kind and truthful? How has that person impacted your life? 

Download today’s Coloring page

“K” for Kind

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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Hi ladies! So excited to have you both on Writerly Wednesday.

1)For my readers, could you both take a moment and introduce yourselves?

Hi! I'm Annie of Just Commonly blog. I'm a designer by profession, but reading and books are my loves. In the world of books, I'm a blogger and reviewer, sharing my thoughts on almost every book / story I read, along with anything remotely related to books. I'm a novice in bookstagramming, but hope to have more fun with it in the future. 

Hello! I'm Carrie (aka MeezCarrie) from ReadingIsMySuperPower. I'm an avid reader, book reviewer, story addict, KissingBooks fan, book boyfriend collector, and cool aunt. I love Jesus and THE Story a whole lot.

2) You amazing ladies have founded, along with Bonnie Roof, the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat. Can you share where the idea for it came?

(Annie): Well, it was really divine planning there. I remember chatting with everyone at the Seekerville annual New Year's Eve party and the authors were talking about author retreats or conferences. I then jokingly said, "what about readers' retreats? Why haven't I heard of those?" The wonderful Bonnie Roof chimed in and said something along the lines of that it's always been her dream to have one of those. And being the crazy booknerd I am, I said, "Lets do it!" Bonnie and I conversed a bit, and she found out that Carrie of Reading is My SuperPower also was planning something of the sort. And then, a beautiful and blessed friendship began.  God's timing is always perfect, don't you think?

3) Can you tell folks a little about how it’s gone the past two years, and maybe give us a sneak peek at what you have planned for next year?

(Annie) Personally, it's been such a blessing. It exceeded ALL of my expectations from the get go. My initial thoughts were like a 20 person type retreat at a cute bed and breakfast. God had other ideas. We hit about 115 last year, when our initial cut off was half of that! The feedback have been encouraging and supportive, as well as enthusiastic for the first one as well as this year's.

For this year, author registration sold out within 36 hours of opening. I was the one that posted the info and officially started the registration process. So once it's posted, I left to go back to work. Within hours I get FB messages (that I missed at first) and text messages from Carrie saying that we've hit more than half the author capacity we set. Needless to say, it was both exciting and a little scary!

This year, CFRR was a blast. We're still testing the waters in terms of activities and scheduling, hoping to find the right balance of everything CFRR stands for and hope to achieve.  We're still in the "debriefing" stage, where we take the next 2 months to pray about next year's CFRR. So we have NO idea what's happening. Though, we've lined up some amazing authors as our speakers, Liz Curtis Higgs, Tamera Alexander, Rachel Hauck & Jen Turano. All still tentative, since it will depend on location and dates. 

(Carrie) One thing that has been a highlight for me of the planning process has been all the times God has answered prayers almost before we started praying them. Time after time, when Annie or Bonnie or I were worried about how something would work out, He provided the answer nearly immediately. Seeing those reminders that it isn’t our event but HIS has grown my faith so many times the past two years.

4) What was your favorite moment of this year’s retreat?

(Annie) Would it be cheating to say all of it? OK, if I had to choose one, I've always loved our praise and worship time, as well as the prayer times at the end of the day. It reminds me that CFRR is about honoring God, and fellowship to connect with each other as a community. In the midst of all the excitement of books and fangirling our favorite authors, remembering how God's with us each step of the way, that calms and assures me.  

(Carrie) Praise & Worship & Prayer (and the stories we’ve heard of how God worked in each) is definitely my fave, but since Annie took that one (lol) I’m going to cheat and give two answers. 

The first fave moment from this year was the speaker sessions. Yes, I know that’s kind-of cheating again, but oh well. LOL. Cynthia Ruchti and Shelley Shepard Gray both had me in smiling-tears, and Dani – your and Becky’s video diary of the stages of publication was so well-done and heartfelt. I laughed a lot but I also came away with the conviction to PRAY more for my author friends as they write their books. And the activity y’all came up with was so creative! We hated that you had to miss, but we loved that you were connected to us via the wonders of technology. 

The second fave moment is the squealing and the fangirling. And not just readers over authors. But readers over other reader friends, and authors over other author friends, and AUTHORS OVER READERS. People bursting to hug friends they haven’t seen since last year’s CFRR and friends they are just meeting in person for the first time. 

5) You both run wonderful blogs. Could you each share a little about your blogs?

(Annie) My blog is Just Commonly and I tend to post mostly reviews or anything related to books, but I also will randomly post things that are not even remotely related.  Just Commonly started as more of a little outlet of what I thought of things and it just transformed itself to more of a book blog.  

(Carrie) My blog is Reading Is My SuperPower, and I review mostly Christian and ‘clean’ reads. On Tuesdays, I do a top ten list on some bookish topic and I head up a First Line Friday blog linkup on Fridays, plus some other fun stuff. It started about 2 years ago when I needed someone to talk to about all these great books I was reading!

6) What’s your favorite part about blogging?

(Annie) Favorite part about blogging is how blogging connected me to like-minded booklovers, like Carrie. This book loving community is so supportive, and it doesn't even necessarily have to be about books. I'm one of those introvert-introverts. My perfect "me time" is lounging around, reading a book and drinking tea or coffee. I don't actually have a lot of friends that enjoy reading as much as I do.  So having met so many through blogging have become such a blessing.

(Carrie) The relationships. I love interacting with readers and authors and other bloggers. Some of my most treasured friendships have come out of these interactions. I also just love getting to push books at people, let’s be honest 😉

7) How do authors who’d like to participate in either CFRR or be featured on your blogs contact you?

(Annie) Authors interested in participating in CFRR can sign up for our author newsletter on our website under, "2018 Interested Authors Newsletter" midway down on the right sidebar.

To contact me to be featured on my blog, you can use the "Contact Me" tab on my website.

(Carrie) To be featured on Reading Is My SuperPower, you can find all the info on my ‘Contact Me’ tab as well! 

8) Who are the authors you are most excited about?

(Annie) Dani, I think this is a very tricky question, since you might not want my answer to be too long!! *wink wink* OK, off the top of my head, I love Jen Turano, Kristi Ann Hunter, Julie Lessman, Ruth Logan Herne, Shelley Shepard Gray, Amy Clipston, Becky Wade, Tamera Alexander, Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Pepper Basham, Katie Ganshert, Rachel Hauck, Roseanna White, Lynette Eason, Cynthia Ruchti, Melanie Dickerson... OK, you see what you started (and there are more too)?! But there's always, always Ms. Dani Pettrey, that took my breath away with Still Life!

(Carrie) This is an impossible question, Dani!! I even tried to answer it … and my list lapped Annie’s by a couple dozen. And there were STILL MORE I unintentionally omitted. So… yeah. I’m excited about a lot of authors lol. 

9) What’s your favorite genre?

(Annie) It's a toss up between Contemporary and Historical fiction, but I've come to really enjoy suspense since I started last year. 

(Carrie) In broad terms, romantic suspense. Because that can span contemporary and historical. It doesn’t have to be technically categorized as ‘romantic suspense’ though – if it’s got romance, some level of suspense, and it’s not smutty? I’m there.

10) Lightening round: Coffee or tea?

(Annie) Can't choose. It depends on my mood and the book.  

(Carrie) Will you still love me if I say neither? Hot chocolate or hot cider, please 😊

Chocolate or is there anything else?

(Annie) Dark Chocolate!!

(Carrie) Milk chocolate BUT under the ‘anything else’ category I would submit strawberry Starburst

Paperback or e-book?  

(Annie) Paperback /

(Carrie) Either … but some books just need to be read in print.

Favorite city:  

(Annie) New York

(Carrie) Atlanta

Beach or mountains?

(Annie) Small Town with a Bookstore. =P

(Carrie) Mountains, especially if there’s a cabin filled with books! And a small town in the valley with a bookstore =P

Go-to snack: 

(Annie) Dove Promises in Dark Chocolate with Almonds

(Carrie) An apple with peanut butter… or strawberry starburst lol.

...

(Annie) Thank you, Dani for having us on your Writerly Wednesday segment! It's been such a pleasure and blessing to have met you!

(Carrie) Amen times 1000. Such an honor! 

Thank you, ladies both so much for being here. It was such a pleasure!

Giveaway

Annie and Carried have graciously offered to give away CFRR branded luggage grip and page flags.

I’m also giving away an autographed copy of Blind Spot as soon as I have my author copies along with some swag goodies.

To be entered just answer the following question in the comment’s section below.

Have you ever attended a reader’s retreat? If so, which one? If not, would you love to?

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Happy Monday, friends!

I'm so glad you're here. Today's letter is J and what better word for J than joy. Joy is one of my favorite words because joy is such an amazing feeling and yet it's so much more than a feeling.

Joy is a Gift

Joy, I believe, is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). A gift that is given so that we may have joy despite our circumstances. Joy is different than happiness in that way. Sorrow can erase happiness, but it cannot eradicate our joy. We can have joy despite sorrow. Why? Because of 1 Peter 8:

^" Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 

Our joy is not a feeling, it is a deeply rooted gift inside our souls that rejoices because we are saved!

Do you know this joy? I pray you do. Here are some verses to study more about the joy that is or can be yours in Christ:

• Romans 15:13
• John 16:22
• Hebrews 12:2
• Galatians 5:22
• Nehemiah 8:10
• John 15:11

Live in the light of joy.

Download today’s Coloring page

“J” for Joy

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

In Christ's joy,

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Happy Monday, friends!

I'm so excited to share today's word with you. For 'I' I choose imagined.

God imagined the world and everything in it before it began.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." ~Genesis 1:1

It's that amazing to think about?

God's Imagination

God imagined it all, and the Bible tells us He created us in His image (Genesis 1:27). God has got to have a great imagination to create the zebra, platypus, the human eye and the list goes on.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." ~Psalm 19:1

The beauty of God's creation and the expression of His imagination is everywhere, and being made in His image, we also have the gift of imagination. As a writer, it's critical. Without God's leading and an imagination, I'd never be able to create characters or tell a story. Artists need imagination. Moms need imagination. We all do. Think how boring life would be if you could never daydream, never visualize something new, never imagine a goal to work towards.

How are you using your imagination? What's your favorite way of expressing it? 

Download today’s Coloring page

“I” for Imagination

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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I am super excited to have the awesome and fabulously talented, Cynthia Rutchi, joining me on this Writerly Wednesday. If you don’t yet know Cynthia, you’re in for a treat.

Dani:

Hi Cynthia, thanks so much for joining me on Writerly Wednesday. Could you take a moment and yourself to my readers?

Cynthia:

I came into the publishing world through the back door. I worked in the medical field--in a chemistry laboratory of a large medical facility--for the first several years after I married my husband. When our first two children were little, I "retired" from that pursuit to stay home with the kids, grow a big garden, can or freeze everything we could raise or forage, sew, knit, make homemade bread, and watch Little House on the Prairie.

I also took correspondence courses in creative writing so my brain cells didn't stagnate. I didn't envision a career in writing or publishing, but thought I might gain enough skills to write an occasional magazine article, newspaper human interest piece, or put together decent devotionals for baby and bridal showers.

But God had other plans in mind. Two weeks after finishing the final correspondence course, I was handed the opportunity to write a 15-minute scripted broadcast for radio. That broadcast recently retired after 33 years on the air.

By the time the broadcast retired, I had published my first novel. I'd been writing fiction and nonfiction all those years, so it was far more natural for me to do both. Since 2010, I've been blessed to have more than twenty books published, with more contracted.

Dani:

You're a writer, and now an agent with Books & Such. How do you juggle the demands of both?

Cynthia:

It may seem repetitive, but I came into agenting through the back door, too! I hadn't been looking for that position. But after a few months in this role, I can tell that God had been grooming me for it. I love everything about agenting (except having to say no so often), just as I love everything about the writing, publishing, and marketing process.

I'm less a juggler than I am working a literary circuit--like the exercise gyms that rotate clients from station to station in order to get a full workout for all muscle groups. I spend time working on my own proposals, then as an agent tweaking my client's proposals. I flesh out ideas for marketing my latest releases, then brainstorm with a client about his or her marketing needs.

I move from fiction to nonfiction, from ACFW responsibilities to agent responsibilities to author responsibilities. They're not only related to each other, but inform and strengthen one another. I have just enough ADD in me to make me okay with jumping from project to project, from writing devotions to creating a press release to pulling together a magazine article to reading through a client's contract.

Exhausting? Sometimes. Like a good workout.

Dani:

How are you enjoying being an agent? What's your favorite aspect?

Cynthia:

My favorite parts of agenting relate to relationships with publishers and clients, finding a perfect match between an author's ideas and a publisher's needs, and interacting (aka, learning from) the other agents within Books & Such. It's energizing, too, to help a proposal go from good to polished.

Dani:

Why the decision to go into agenting?

Even though the invitation came as a surprise, it quickly made perfect sense. I've long cared about helping other authors succeed. I'm an encourager at heart and propelled by hope. God has given me unique opportunities to get a peek at many facets of the publishing industry--which makes me more informed as an agent and sympathetic to all sides of the equation, even while cheering hard for my clients.

Dani:

What are five fun facts most people don't know about you?

Cynthia:

• I used to play the bass drum in the marching band. (Most directors frowned on carrying a bassoon while marching).
• I was a baton twirler (majorette) in middle school and part of high school. (I know. Scary to think about, isn't it?)
• I've hiked the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska. (Okay, part of it.)
• I've been whitewater rafting in Colorado.
• I was paid for one of my first online writing projects in chocolate. That's right.

Dani:

Wow. How fun to be paid in chocolate. My kind of payment ;)

Cynthia:

Are you accepting submissions and, if so, what are you looking for and what is the best way to contact or query you?

Yes to accepting submissions. I'm focused primarily on nonfiction, but I'm interested in a few fiction clients. As any agent will say, whether fiction or nonfiction, I'm looking for strong writing skills, a significant built-in audience (platform), and a compelling story from writers who understand the power of a well-turned phrase and the importance of a fresh approach. Those seeking representation can send a short email inquiry to cynthia@booksandsuch.com or connect through the information provided on the Submissions page.

Giveaway

Thanks so much for joining us, Cynthia. In honor of her graciousness in visiting Writerly Wednesday, I’m giving away a copy of Cynthia’s latest release, A Fragile Hope.

Simply leave a comment or answer ask Cynthia a question, and you’ll automatically be entered to win. The winner will be contacted next week. Thanks again to Cynthia for joining us.

Bio:

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories "hemmed in Hope" through novels, novellas, nonfiction, devotions, and through speaking events for women and writers. Many of her more than 20 books have been recognized by key industry awards. Cynthia serves as the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) professional relations liaison and is an agent with Books & Such Literary Management. She and her grade school sweetheart husband live in the heart of Wisconsin.

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Happy Monday, friends! Is there any word more beautiful than Hope?

Dictionary.com describes hope as:

the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best

No offense to Dictionary.com, but I totally disagree. Hope is not a feeling. It's a belief. Belief and trust in the One who is our hope. The One who is the anchor for our soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

I love the reference to an anchor. While thinking on hope the following definition came to mind.

Hope is your beacon in the dark shoals of life. Let it shine! 

Again, I love the ocean imagery. If you don't know, I'm a beach girl through and through. I married a Navy guy who loves to dive. My girls and grand babies are all swimmers. I have a shirt that says Part-time Mermaid (though my puppy ate a whole in the center of it--though I digress...). Needless to say if it involves water or the beach, I'm there.

However, here's the thing about the ocean, you can never turn your back on it. As beautiful and majestic as it is, it can also be deadly with rip currents, strong undertows, and when the storms come, unbelievably powerful and destructive. But, God says we don't have to fear. He has given us hope (Jeremiah 14:22). He is with us through deep waters (Isaiah 43:2).

We don't need to fear the storms of life. God is our anchor, firm and secure. He is with us in deep waters. He is the light of the world. He brings light to dark places and we can too. God calls us to be a light on a hill (Matt 5;14). Our hope is our light in the dark places and times of life. Hold on tight to the light and let it shine!

Some further Bible reading:

• Romans 15:13
• Titus 2:13
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Psalm 3:2-6
• Psalm 147:11

Download today’s Coloring page

“H” for Hope

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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Happy Monday, friends!

Today's letter is G and it stands for one of my favorite words--GRACE. Awe just washes over me at the sound of that word.

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace."

~Romans 11:6

 There are many different definitions for Grace, but they way I describe it is:

Grace is the abundant overflow of God’s goodness. 

Without grace we'd still be under the law. A law none of us could keep.

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."

~Romans 3:23 NLT

But God in His graciousness and in an amazing outpouring of His love allowed His one and only Son die on the cross for our sins, so that we are no longer under the law, but are free to live in God's amazing grace.

Amazing Grace. I love the hymn, but I also love Chris Tomlin's version, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). I thought I'd share it with you so it can brighten your day. Soak in the words of grace.

Download today’s Coloring page

“G” for Grace

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

Blessings,

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Happy Monday, friends!

What do you think of when you think of freedom? I often think of 4th of July, of our flag, of the free nation we live in and the awesome soldiers who give their lives to keep us free. But freedom means something even more. Someone even greater than a solider died to set us free from a war far worse than anything we've seen on earth, and there have been some horrific wars (all wars are horrific) on earth. I'm talking about the freedom we have in Christ.

You see, there is a irrevocable war raging ever since Eve first took a bite of that fruit, ever since Lucifer grew prideful. There is a war for our souls. Not to sound all dramatic, but those are facts. The truth of this war and the battle our souls can be found in God's Word.

Here are a few references to get you started:

• Genesis 3
• Romans 5
• 1 Peter 3:18
• Revelation

But the beauty in all of this is that the war is already won, the outcome already known, and our souls--if Jesus is our Savior--are safe in His hands. This earth is not our final home nor this life the only one we will know. We will live forever with our Savior in Heaven. We will walk on streets of gold. There will be no more pain or sadness. Can you imagine? No more pain or sadness.

We'll get to be with our Savior forever. And, that knowledge gives us the freedom to live without fear of death or all the 'what if's?' They are already known by the One Who holds time. Who knows the end. Who died so there is no end--only eternity spent at His side. Take a minute and thank Him for that freedom today and walk in the joy it brings.

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Download today's Coloring page

"F" for Freedom

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

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Happy Monday, friends! Thanks so much for joining me. Today's letter is E and for it I chose the word extraordinary. I love this word because it literally means extra ordinary. Or, if you want to get more technical, Dictionary.com defines extraordinary like this:

1. beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established

2. exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.; noteworthy; remarkable 

I personally love the first definition. Beyond what is ordinary. 

I like it so much because for us, to become beyond what is ordinary, we need God. God takes the ordinary (though if you think about it, nothing God created is ordinary. Everything is a masterpiece and work of art, but I digress.) and makes us extraordinary. He equips us through His Holy Spirit to accomplish extraordinary tasks, to break the bond of what is regular, and to become remarkable.

 

A few examples from the Bible that I love are:

• David defeats Goliath. A young boy with a sling and a rock defeats a mighty warrior. ( 1 Samuel 17)
• The walls of Jericho come tumbling down from just the blare of horns and days of marching around them. (Joshua 6)
• Sarah gives birth to Issac when she is in her nineties. (Genesis 21)

There are so many more stories of God using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary tasks through His equipping.

I have several examples from my own life to share:

• The gift of birth is extraordinary, and I had the privilege of giving birth to two beautiful daughters.
• Writing is a gift from the Lord. I've written and published eight novels. Eight. All through God's equipping.
• He has made me a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." ~ Psalm 40:2

What extraordinary thing has God done in your life?  Let me know in the comments below. 

Download today's Coloring page

"E" for Extraordinary

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

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I’m so ecstatic to have the amazing Rel Mollet on Writerly Wednesday. If you aren’t familiar with Rel, you need to be. Be sure to check out her fabulous book review site Relz Reviewz. Rel is a wonderful lady, friend, and incredible supporter of Christian Fiction and she’s been kind enough to answer some questions about the blogger/author relationship and lots more. Thanks so much, Rel, for sharing your time and expertise.

Dani:

Hi Rel, I'm thrilled to be interviewing you for Writerly Wednesday. Thank you so much for taking time out of your super busy schedule to spend a little time with us today. For those of us who don't know you, could take a minute and introduce yourself?

Rel:

Hey Dani! It’s such a treat for me to share with you and your readers ? Mmm…I love talking about books and authors, myself, not so much! But for you, I’ll try! On the home front, I’m married to Steve and we have three gorgeous teen daughters and one handsome black lab, Sherlock. Our home is in the world’s most live-able city, Melbourne, Australia.

My love of literature began before I could read and has only exploded from there. I’ve been reviewing/blogging at RelzReviewz.com for over ten years and after a 21 year career as a lawyer, I now have my dream job and business, Relz Author Support Services, providing virtual assistance to Christian novelists.

Dani:

I'd love to take a few minutes to chat about the author/blogger relationship. How do you view the relationship between reviewer/blogger and authors?

Rel:

Fun question! As a reviewer, my relationship with authors is at arm’s length in a way. When it comes to book reviews, my first obligation is to readers of my blog. Long term readers (I still can’t believe there are people who actually read my blog every week!) rely on me for recommendations, so it is important that I provide quality reviews that are honest and reflect my thoughts on the book as independently as possible. I have one dear reader who calls me her ‘book compass’ (waving to you, Amy!), and I take that honour very seriously.

As a book blogger, however, there’s nothing I love more than supporting authors and connecting them to readers. That is why you will find author interviews, character spotlights, author alerts, cover art posts, and more on the blog as I want to be able to showcase books – even ones that aren’t necessarily to my taste – so all kinds of readers and all kinds of authors can make connections.

My blog is dedicated to faith-driven fiction, and a mutual love of books and a shared faith, has meant I have connected on a deeper level with some authors. What began as simply promoting an author on my blog has, in some instances, resulted in very dear friendships that I value more than I can say. If I do review a book by an author I have a deeper connection with, I always disclose that to my readers so they are fully informed.

Dani:

I can't image the number of authors you've interacted with over the years. You are definitely a champion for CBA authors and we greatly appreciate all you do. How can we as authors be helpful to you?

Rel:

You are very kind, Dani – thank you. Authors can be helpful to me and other bloggers in lots of ways. Here’s a few thoughts…

• Read our Review policies! Most bloggers will outline what books they are willing to feature and ones they are not. If it is clear an author hasn’t paid attention to the blogger’s policy, it is unlikely to garner a positive response.
• Engage with the blogger’s audience. If you are featured on a blog, be sure to stop by and respond to any comments directed to you. Not only does that endear you to the readers who have taken the time to comment, it also lifts the blogger’s profile, too. A win-win!
• Don’t be afraid to ask for exposure! Bloggers blog in their spare time. We don’t always have the time to approach all the authors we would like to feature. Email your favourite bloggers and ask if they can feature you and your book. Don’t be shy or assume we won’t be interested (if your book complies with the review policy, that is!)
• Be open to a feature, rather than a review. Yes, reviews are great but top bloggers are often swamped with books to read and review. By all means request a review, but be open (or offer) a feature to a blogger. They will more often than not be happy to oblige.
• Show appreciation. If you have been featured on a blog – especially if you have requested it – be sure to send an email of thanks or comment on the blog. We do this for love – yes, we often receive a free book (but not always) – but bloggers spend countless hours reading, preparing a post, adding links and graphics for that free book. A thank you takes little time, but means so much.
• Provide pictures! If you are being interviewed on a blog, it’s always lovely to be provided a picture relating to the interview. Readers love it, too.
• Be understanding. As mentioned above, book blogging is a labour of love, taking a lot of time and effort, working around family life, paid work, and other obligations. Sometimes we miss deadlines or forget to post a planned feature. Never hesitate to gently remind us if we have missed something, but please understand that it is unlikely to be intentional and we feel very badly when it happens!

Dani:

Given the above answers, it's clear you're a veteran blogger. How have you seen the CBA industry change over the years since you started blogging?

Rel:

There have been significant changes over the past decade. Many positive changes and some more challenging. Overall, however, I believe the changes have been for the better. The quality and breadth of CBA novels has improved greatly. The available genres have increased. Indie publishing has provided a wonderful opportunity for books to be published that traditional publishers haven’t been in a position to take on for a variety of reasons. This has led to an extension of the reading audience for authentic, faith infused fiction and made it more accessible to those who really need the redemptive themes without the ‘perfect’ characters.

If you could sit down with an author over a cup of coffee, what one piece of advice or encouragement would you give them?

Rel:

Write what the Lord has placed on your heart to write. Nothing else.

Dani:

You are also an author virtual assistant. Can you talk a little bit about how you entered into that role?

Rel:

For years, I dreamt about working with authors, wondering how I could translate my passion into a career that would serve others in an industry I feel so strongly about. I thought it was a pipe dream. Then circumstances intervened. My legal career ended suddenly and I was at a loss. The next day, yes, the very next day, I received an email from a publisher, asking me if I’d be interested in doing a little contract work for them. That gave me the inspiration to talk with some dear friends in the industry who provided wisdom and encouragement and Relz Author Support Services was born.

Dani:

What you do love about working with authors so much?

Rel:

I love who they are and why they do what they do! I love their passion and heart for the power of story and their commitment to their faith. Every one of my clients write to honour God. They devote time, angst, heartache, rejection, and criticism to provide stories that bring joy, challenge, encouragement, entertainment, hope, and inspiration to their readers. Yes, some receive decent money for the effort they put in, most don’t. Yet they write. I have benefitted enormously, over decades of reading, from stories which have moved me, comforted me, and challenged me to be a better person. If I can free my authors up, even a little, so they can do what God has called them to do, then I’m honoured.

Dani:

Thank you, Rel, for being such an advocate for authors! You're amazing.

You can find Rel at Relz Reviewz offers author interviews, character spotlights, book reviews, contests and giveaways, publishing news, and cover art sneak peeks for the best in Christian fiction. You can connect with Rel over at her Facebook Page.

Giveaway

This week I'm giving away a $10 egift card to Starbucks. Leave a comment answering the question below to be entered to win.

Rel shares that one of her big pipe dreams was to work with authors and her dream became a reality. What is one of your pipe dream? 

Happy Monday, friends!

Grab a cuppa and join me for today's daring devotional.

"Daring souls laugh at the word impossible." ~Dani Pettrey

Are you a daring or cautious person by nature? Or do you fall somewhere in between?

What comes to mind when you hear the word daring? To be honest, my first though is of X-Game athletes jumping out of helicopters to ski down fresh, untouched powder, or daredevils willingly jumping out of planes to ski-dive.

However, that's only one type of daring. The kind of daring I'm going to be sharing about today is found in Deut 33:27 where God says,

"Dare to be bold in your faith..."

God calls us out of our comfort zones and into a blog journey of adventure at His side.

He called:

• Esther to do daringly before the king to save her people at the risk of her own life (Esther Chapter Five).
• He dared Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to refuse to bow down to an idol even though it meant being thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel Chapter 3).
• He dared Abram to leave his homeland and all he knew behind to follow Him to an unknown land (Genesis Chapter 12).

I hope you will take some time this week to read these chapters and I hope you find them inspiring as I have.

How about you? What daring adventure is God calling you on?

Fourteen years go, He dared me to write a book and I answered the call somewhat slowly, but I answered and while it hasn't always been easy (years of writing without publication, health issues, looming deadlines like I have right now actually), it's certainly been the best adventure I ever could have dreamed of at His side. I pray you answer whatever adventure he's daring you to join Him on and I'd love if you'd share that adventure below.

Download today's Coloring page

"D" for Daring

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If you have not already, you can also download the front and back cover below:

Front cover        Back cover

To see all letters and download all coloring pages, go to the Alphabet for the Soul page.

In Christ,

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