Sitting on the Bench

I’m sure many of you know by now I’m an old tomboy.   I played softball for years and I still have some battle scars to prove it. What battle scars?  There’s a few, but the biggest are my knees.  They are shot, or as my doctor said, “Traumatized.”  Over the years, I’ve had people say to me, “I bet you would have done things differently if you had realized the damage you were doing to yourself.”  To which I respond, “No way!”

I love how people are so surprised by my response.  Their eyes get big or their mouths drop open.  Then I get a “But why?”  My answer, “Because I played to win and I put my all, my best into a game.  Otherwise, I might as well have been sitting on the bench!”

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23(NIV)

What difference are you going to make for the kingdom of God if you don’t pour your heart and soul into what you are doing? What impression are you making on others?  Do you whine and fuss as you work to or do you praise God and do your best?  You might be surprised at who is watching you as you go about your work.

Bella's Back!

Enjoy this fun interview with author Janice Thompson, where she shares the story-behind-the-story regarding Bella’s return.

Janice, welcome! I’m really enjoyed the Weddings by Bella series and am excited to read the spin-off series.
1. Can you tell us more about why you decided to write it? Sure! (Thanks for hosting me, by the way!) When I wrote
Fools Rush In (book one in the Weddings by Bella series) I knew I had something special on my hands. The characters really resonated with me, but there was more. I felt as if I’d created a world of real, wonderful, wacky people. Sure, I’d breathed life into them on the page, but they seemed to take it from there, springing to life and moving the story forward as they willed. I wrapped up the series with Swinging on a Star and It Had to be You, but my readers weren’t satisfied! At least once a week I got a letter from a fan saying, “Are there more? Please keep this story going!” I sent several of those letters to my editor, and before long she agreed that we should, indeed, keep the story going! That’s how the Weddings by Design story began. I’m so relieved to have more to offer. Since Fools Rush In went free on kindle, it has been downloaded nearly 300,000 times. Crazy! So, I have many, many new readers, aching for more!
2. How are these stories similar to the novels in the Weddings by Bella series? This is a wedding-themed series, just like the first, and loaded with fun, quirky mishaps on the way to the altar! Readers will experience the same “feel” of Galveston Island and my ever-present humor, which drives the stories forward. I truly hope that readers pick up the first book in this new series and sigh with relief as they catch up with their favorite characters from the last series: Bella, D.J., Aunt Rosa, Uncle Laz, the three ladies from Splendora, Brock Benson, and so on. Here’s what the publisher had to say about the new series: “With her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives readers more of the bridal business drama they want in a brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful weddings happen. Readers are desperately waiting for more of Bella and this new series brings her back in a big way, while introducing new characters fans will love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining novel from a great storyteller.”
　
3. What sets this new series apart from the last one?The
Weddings by Design novels are told from the point of view of new characters. Book one, Picture Perfect, is about a wedding photographer named Hannah. Book two, The Icing on the Cake, is about a wedding cake designer named Scarlet. Book three, The Dream Dress, is about a dress designer named Gabi. Book four (yet unpublished) is about a wedding florist named Gina. Each of these ladies longs to work with the most fabulous wedding coordinator on the island—Bella (Rossi) Neeley, so everything loops back to Club Wed, just like the first series.
4. When does the new series release? Book one,
Picture Perfect, is already available on amazon. The kindle version will be ready for download on February 15^th. (Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!) I received my author copies last week, so autographed copies are available for purchase ($12) if readers are interested in that. They can email me at booksbyjanice@aol.com for more information.
5. Can you tell us about Picture Perfect, the first book in the series? Ooo, I’d love to! The synopsis should answer any questions:
She’s trying to focus on her future. How can one man make everything feel so . . . fuzzy?
Hannah McDermott has a successful photography studio. She’ll soon be featured in Texas Bride magazine. And she has a celebrity client whose Galveston ceremony will be her ticket to the top spot on wedding coordinator Bella Neeley’s list of recommended photographers. But it could all come crashing down around her because of one man: archrival and photographer extraordinaire Drew Kincaid.
As the competition between Hannah and Drew heats up, Hannah is surprised to find that it’s not the only thing getting more intense. She can’t get the handsome man out of her thoughts-or even out of her line of sight-and the job of her dreams is turning into a nightmare. Will everything she’s worked for slip out of her hands? And can she see past her pride to find a picture-perfect love?
6. How is the new series doing with readers so far? Great! Folks who’ve read the book have already contacted me to say they love it! I’m also thrilled that Picture Perfect got a great Romantic Times review. . .four stars! Here’s what the reviewer had to say:
"Fans of romantic comedies are in for a treat just in time for Valentine’s Day. Book one in the Weddings by Design series does not disappoint! Funny one-liners and absolutely lovable characters combine with just enough romantic tension to keep the pages turning at a brisk pace — but readers will want to slow down to savor this one."
7. How are you kicking off the new series? I’m hosting an online party! I’m calling this my “Bing & Bob” party and it will be held on the night of February 18^th at 7:00 p.m. central time. These two funny fellas hold a special place in the heart of my characters and they will provide the entertainment at our gathering! This fun, interactive party will take place inside the “Bella’s Back” group on facebook. Join me for an interactive chat, video teasers, Bing Crosby music and giveaways! Some lucky reader/participant will win a free kindle fire! To be entered, you must join the Bella’s Back facebook group and attend the party. (i.e. “Must be present when your named is called.”) For more information about the party, check out this
video invitation.
8. Can you share a little bit from the novel?

Prologue

Going My Way

May your troubles be as few and as far apart as my grandmother’s teeth.

Irish proverb

My life has been a series of almosts.
Take, for instance, the time I almost made the cheerleading squad in high school but lost out to my archnemesis, Jacquie Practically-Perfect-in-Every-Way Goldfarb. Then there was the time Matt Hudson, the hunkiest football player at my high school, almost asked me to the prom but ended up going with Jacquie instead. Oh, and we can’t forget the time I almost got a photographer’s dream job, shooting superstar Brock Benson’s wedding. Yep. Another almost. That time, the opportunity of a lifetime slipped through my fingers and into the open palms of my chief competitor, Drew Kincaid of Kincaid Photography.
Some people are haunted by memories of things they’ve done. Me? I’m haunted by all of the things I nearly accomplished but missed by a quarter of an inch. That’s why, when faced with yet another unbelievable opportunity—a profile piece in Texas Bride magazine to promote my new Galveston-based photography business—I couldn’t blow it. No more almosts for me. This time I would hit the finish line a winner. My meeting with the Texas Bride reporter would transform my career and propel me into the limelight, winning me the favor of the island’s top wedding planner, Bella Neeley. If I could just keep from messing it up.
Oh, but this time I wouldn’t! In fact, I could almost hear my Grandpa Aengus cheering me on from the great beyond: “Hannah Grace, if you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough.”
I didn’t happen to believe in luck, but if being Irish meant I stood a better chance at succeeding in business, I would embrace my heritage as never before. I would bathe with Irish Spring soap, dress in the vibrant colors of the family crest, skip through fields of shamrocks, and listen to my father’s nightly tales of Clan McDermott’s glory days. And I would do it all with a smile on my face and confidence in my stride.
From his mansion up in heaven, Grandpa Aengus smiled down on me, his gold-capped front tooth gleaming like the precious stones in the pearly gate. I could sense his pleasure as I made up my mind to do the McDermotts proud. Like my warring ancestors of yesteryear, I would fight to the finish, wielding my bloody sword—er, my two-thousand-dollar digital camera with stellar resolution and optical zoom—until I took the prize. I would come out a victor in the end, or make a fool of myself trying.
Either way, I wouldn’t go down without a fight. A true McDermott never did.
Thanks for visiting with us, Janice! Looking forward to the new series!STAY CONNECTED WITH THE AUTHOR: Visit Janice’s WebsiteConnect with Janice on FacebookJoin the “Bella’s Back” Facebook groupWatch the Bing & Bob party
video invitationCheck out the Bella’s Back Video on youtubeRead Fools Rush In (the first Bella book) for free on your kindle

Birthday Blog!

Today (Feb 6) is my birthday. I wasn’t going to say anything about it, but I changed my mind. I thought I would have some fun with it.

Take it from me, getting closer to 50 is no easy feat.
But I refuse to be stuck in my seat.
                                                                               
Even though I have more aches and pains than ever before 
I’m so thankful for things I don’t have to worry about anymore

Whether somebody likes me or not, over this I will no longer lose sleep 
I know who my true friends are and those dear ones I will keep.

No longer do I cry over my complexion as when I used to break out 
And over me, my monthly visitor has lost all of his clout!

I no longer get as cold and shiver as I used to
This new heat is wonderful through and through

I no longer worry about every hair being in place. 
All I need is the approval on my loving husband’s face

So take it from me, there are many advantages to my age 
I was around when good rock music was still the rage



Have a fun and blessed day you all!!

This is a picture of me and my future husband Tim on my 18th birthday!

Cannon Ball

I don’t know about you, but I love to jump in the pool!  Headfirst or cannon ball, it doesn’t matter as long as I get wet!  Whoo-Hoo!!!  But my mother is a different story.

Like many, many other people, my mother has a fear of the water. She is so terrified of it that she doesn’t’ like to get water too deep in her bath tub.  I’m not joking.  When we go to the pool, she stands in the shallow end and splashes herself with one hand while she clings to the side of the pool for dear life with the other.  And small children are swimming and playing around her.

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7(NIV)

We all have fears.  It’s a part of being human, but it doesn’t have to a part of being a Christian. As Christians, God empowers us with the Holy Spirit to do His work.  It’s ours to claim.  Don’t let your earthly fears and doubts stop you or hold you back.  Instead, jump in with all you’ve got.  “CANNON BALL!”

Fried Chicken

I don’t know about other places, but here in the southeast, fried chicken is a staple.  Of course with all the health conscious people around nowadays, baked and grilled chicken are coming on strong.  And I love those as well, but when I was growing up, there was one occasion where we always had fried chicken.  Birthdays? Nope.  Anniversaries? Nope. Weddings? Nope.  When the preacher came over to eat? YES!!!

When the preacher and his family came over to my grandparent’s house to eat, nothing was held back.  Their table was covered in food, which included a couple of platters loaded with fried chicken!!  Great memories!  Great fried chicken!  We all couldn’t wait for the preacher to say, “Amen” so we could dig in.  But I realized something as I grew older.  The only time we prayed over our food was when the preacher was visiting.

       “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)

It’s a short verse that is packed with so much. We are to be in continuous prayer.  Easier said than done?  Maybe, maybe not.  Praying should be a joyous habit and not a task that we do just when we’re around other Christians or we are in church.  The more we do it, the more it will become like a second nature.  I’m going to do one right now for each one of you.  “Dear Lord, please bless each person reading this blog with the peace and joy only you can give.  And, please bless them with a piece of southern fried chicken. Amen.”

Treasure Traitor

I am honored to have Laura Popp as a guest on grooviebrooksie.  She will be answering questions about her book "Treasure Traitor" which was released last November.

Tell us a little about the story of Treasure Traitor. 

Well, here’s what’s on the back of the cover: In a universe torn by war, two governments vie for power: the elemental Kingdom and the telepathic Hierarchy. Hierarchy women with animal bonds think nothing of sacrificing their beasts’ lives to protect themselves.
Except sixteen-year-old Renagada. The bond with her carrion-eater bird Acha is two-sided, and she knows his mind as much as he knows hers. When Rena overhears her parents plotting to kill Acha because of superstition, she must leave her fiancé and home of sheltered luxury to flee with Acha into the desert. Peril awaits them at every turn, and someone is tracking them…

What gave you the inspiration for the fantasy world of Treasure Traitor?

Growing up, I devoured classical fantasy based on European mythology: Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and C.S. Lewis, just to name a few. But it bothered me that in comparison, there was relatively little fantasy inspired by myths and legends from non-Western cultures. When I stumbled upon Arabian Nights, I fell in love with the characters and the desert, how a place so stark could create such a beautiful, deep culture. Renagada and her people spring from that legacy. Also, I lived in Japan for two years and India for three months, so parts of those cultures have wriggled their way into this book, both intentionally and unintentionally! 

How long did you work on Treasure Traitor before it was completed?

That’s a little hard to answer! I started it when I was about twenty, in college. The first draft took six months, but it was only 55,000 words. Now it’s over 100,000 words! Suffice it to say, there were at least a dozen subsequent drafts, and each draft added a new layer to the plot, characters, and the universe they lived in. One draft focused entirely on fleshing out the setting. Another added depth to Rena and Acha’s relationship. The final focused on developing Rena’s religion and the faith of the Kingdom Seekers. So the editing and revising went all the way up to the publication date (about five years after I started it)! My editors at Written World Communications (my publisher) helped a lot with that.
But boy did it take a long time to find them! I submitted this manuscript to 34 publishers and agents and got nothing but rejections. I had about given up on it. Imagine my surprise when Written World contacted me. I’d never even heard of them! It turns out I had submitted it to an agent, and the agent’s assistant really liked it and believed in the story. Then she switched companies and pitched the novel to the head editor. It was a match made in heaven, totally a God thing!  

How much of you is in your main character Renagada?

I like to think I’m not quite as rebellious! I’ve never been bonded to a vulture or flown in a spaceship, either. But there is a lot of me in her; I don’t think any writer can help that. Early in the book, she loses someone very close to her. I know what that’s like, and all of those emotions went into that scene. Her struggles with guilt, faith, and culture shock are also my own. And actually, the scene at the end with her fiance was almost prophetic, because the week after I wrote that scene I had a very similar fight with my fiance! You’ll have to read it to understand what I’m talking about.
How old whre you when you wrote your first fantasy and what was it? 
I was ten. It was about a boy bonded to a horse. The boy got lost in the evil enchanted woods, and the horse rescued him and brought him safely home to his mother. I entered it into an animal story contest and won a gift certificate for pet food. Such a small thing, but I was hooked! 

You’ve had a very eventful and accomplished life.  How much of those experiences did you put into Treasure Traitor?

Thank you. Honestly, I’d have to say all of them! I’ve given entire presentations of how my world-travels played into Treasure Traitor. What are we but a culmination of our experiences? I’d have to say my faith journey and missionary adventures probably contribute the most. Whether it’s filming impoverished Africans dancing in dusty streets, delivering food and preaching hope to victims of the Tohoku Earthquake in Japan, teaching orphans in India, or helping Burmese refugees fulfill their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens, my path to trusting Jesus has been the biggest roller coaster ride of my life. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world, and I can only say it was all Him. 

What accomplishments are you the most proud of?

Honestly, I’d have to say getting a book published and having a contract for a three book deal. It’s something I’ve felt called to do since I was fifteen, and I’ve been working hard for it since then, so after eleven years it feels like a long time in coming! I’ve had literally hundreds of stories from the Kingdom/Hierarchy universe swirling through my head since I was five. Just to give you an idea, I wrote about eight books before this, and despite dozens of submissions, I was never able to publish any of them. So this is a serious answer to prayer!
I’ve finished the rough draft for the sequel, An Honest Assassin, and am about a quarter finished with the next one. Hopefully there will be many more to come!  



What advice would you give others on writing fantasy and creating your own fantasy?

Don’t try to imitate anyone else. Narnia, Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games may be best sellers, but they’ve already been done. Write from your own experiences, your own passions, your own hands-on research. Write what you would love to read if it existed, where there’s a gap you long to fill. Along those same lines, if you like your day job, don’t quit it. I find my best characters and situations arise from my daily life.

Thanks, Brooke, I enjoyed answering your questions. Readers, be sure to stop by my website, ljpopp.wordpress.com, to check out an excerpt from Treasure Traitor! 

 

 

Little John Deer

Who is Little John Deer?  He’s a member of our family and he also happens to be a miniature dachshund.   Like most dogs, he likes to chew on things, especially when he’s not supposed to.

When we have family over at Christmas, I like to use paper plates and Styrofoam cups.  The less work the better.  Anyway, Little John had gotten a hold of a cup and had chewed it up.  I know it’s a dog’s nature, so I just told him, “No! Bad!”  By that, he knew he wasn’t supposed to do it.

A couple of days after Christmas, I was in the house by myself and washing dishes.  That’s when I started to hear, “Crunch.  Crunch.”  I followed the sound to my daughter Sara’s bedroom.  There I saw Little John’s back end sticking out from under her bed.  He had found a Styrofoam cup and was chewing on it.  He thought he was completely hidden and getting away with doing a no-no.  I simply reached down and touched his back. He let out a big hair rising yelp and spun around where he was completely out from under Sara’s bed. 

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7 (NIV)

Except for chewing up Styrofoam cups and shoes, aren’t we the same as Little John? God tells us not to do something, but we want to do it anyway. And when we commit the sin, we think we can hide and get away with it.  That might work with humans, but not with God. Like with me and Little John, he hears and sees what you are doing.