Sunday Devotional

Max loves to go for walks. He runs down the porch stairs, acting as though it’s been years since he’s seen the light of day every time I grab the leash. I finally bought one of those retractable leashes, the ones that allow me to decide how much to let out, and took him for a walk.

The moment the door closed behind us, Max strained against the rope. I laughed and let it out a little. He ran ahead until the leash went taut, and then strained for more. Again, I let it out. Before long, there was no leash left, and Max was as far ahead of me as he could get.

“Max, come back,” I said, but he ignored me and continued to pull. I gave a tug. “Max, c’mon puppy. Follow me.”

Max tossed me a glance, as though to say, “It’s okay. I know where we’re going.”

Problem was, we weren’t taking the usual path. There was a different road I wanted to follow, but Max couldn’t see that because he was walking ahead instead of behind me.

I guess that’s why God commanded us to follow Him. We are never meant to go before Him, for that would make it impossible for us to see Him. We aren’t meant to walk beside Him. That would only lead to indecision as we struggle against what see ahead and what God commands us to do. Instead, we are to walk behind, following God, keeping our eyes focused on Him alone as He dictates our path. I think I’m pretty happy about that.

Luke 9:23-27 (New International Version)

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

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Winners!!

It's always so much fun to give away great books!! Congratulations to this week's lucky winner:

Deb (Dreilly316@gmail.com) - The Lightkeeper’s Bride by Colleen Coble

Deb, please use the button in the upper right side of this page to email me with your mailing address so I can forward your information to the authors. Then, sit back and wait for your book to arrive.

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Borrowed Book and thank you, Colleen Coble, for your generosity in providing books!

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Weekly Drawing

Entering our weekly drawing is easy:

1. Leave a comment on Fridays or...

2. Sign up to follow The Borrowed Book. Followers will automatically be entered for a chance to win that week's drawing!

This week, The Borrowed Book is giving away a great book:

The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble ~ A thrilling romantic mystery set in the lush Victorian age.

Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.

Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.

Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.

Winner will be announced on Saturday, 11/06/10.

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Reader Excerpt ~ The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble

The lapel watch on her blouse read half past nine when Katie Russell removed the skates from her boots and dropped them inside the door of the Mercy Falls Telephone Company. She pulled the pins from her Merry Widow’s hat, then hung it on a rack. Smoothing the sides of her pompadour, she approached the switchboard in the room down the hall.

Katie peered at the switchboard, then forced herself to put on her hated glasses. At 3:03 a light came on and Katie answered. “Number, please.” The caller, a man whose voice she didn’t recognize, sounded breathless.

“Is this the operator?”

She detected agitation in his tone. “It is. Is something wrong?”

“Pirates,” he said in a clipped voice. “Just off the lighthouse. They shot some sailors and dumped others overboard.”

She sprang to her feet. “I’ll contact the constable. Do you need further assistance?”

“I need a doctor at the lighthouse. I’ve got two injured men. The rest are—dead. I couldn’t get their bodies into the boat, but they’re washing up onshore now.” His taut voice broke. “I had to leave the men on the shore to get to a phone, but I’m heading back there now. Tell the doctor to hurry.”

“Right away,” she promised. She disconnected the call, then rang the doctor first. Saving life was paramount. The constable would be too late to do much about the pirates. With both calls dispatched, she forced herself to sit back down, though her muscles twitched with the need for activity. She reminded herself she’d done all she could.

The switchboard lit again. “Operator,” she said, eyeing the light. The call originated from the bank.

“R-10, please.”

She plugged in the other end of the cord to ring the Cook residence. Instead, she heard Eliza Bulmer pick up the phone on the other end. “I’m sorry, Eliza, we seem to have a switched link somewhere. Would you hang on until I can get through to the Cooks?” Katie asked.

“Of course, honey,” Eliza said. “I just picked up my wedding dress, and I’m trying it on. So if I don’t say much, you’ll know why.”

“You’re getting married? I hadn’t heard. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Eliza’s voice held a lilt.

“Just leave the earpiece dangling, if you please.”

“I can do that.”

There was a thunk in Katie’s ear, and she knew Eliza had dropped the earpiece. Katie waited to see if the ring would be answered at the Cook residence but there was only a long pause. “There’s no answer, Eliza. You can hang up,” she said.

The other woman did not reply. If the phone were left off the hook, it would go dead. Katie started to raise her voice, but she heard a man’s voice.

“You said you had something to tell me. What is it? I need to get home.”

The voice was familiar, but Katie couldn’t quite place it. It was too muffled.

“Honey, thank you for coming so quickly,” Eliza said.

Though Eliza’s voice was faint, Katie thought she detected a tremble in it. This is none of my business, she thought. I should hang up. But she held her breath and listened anyway.

“Would you like tea?” Eliza asked.

“No, Eliza, I don’t want tea. What are you doing in that getup? I want to know what was so all-fired important that you called me at work—something I’ve expressly forbidden you to do.”

Katie’s stomach lurched as she tried to place the voice. Identification hovered at the edge of her mind. Who is that?

“Very well. I shall just blurt it out then. I’m out of money and I must have some to care for my daughter. I need money today or. . .”

“I won’t be blackmailed,” the man snapped.

A wave of heat swept Katie’s face. She heard a door slam, then weeping from Eliza. She wanted to comfort the sobbing young woman. Numb, Katie sat listening to the sobs on the line.

The door slammed again. “Who’s there?” Eliza asked in a quavering voice. She gasped, then uttered a noise between a squeak and a cry.

Katie heard a thud, then the door slammed again. “Eliza?” she whispered. A hiss, like air escaping from a tire, came to her ears. “Are you all right?”
Only silence answered her.

She jerked the cord from the switchboard and broke the connection. Unease twisted her belly. She’d already dispatched the constable to the lighthouse. But what if Eliza was in trouble? Her fingers trembled so much she had trouble slipping the jack back into the switchboard. She muffled her mouthpiece with her hand and asked Nell to come back early. She had to make sure Eliza was all right.

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Author Interview ~ Colleen Coble

Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.

When did you decide to be a writer?

When I was in 1st grade, I wrote my first story--about a horse that had twin colts. The teacher praised it and the seed of writing was planted. It took years for it to sprout though. It wasn’t until my younger brother Randy was killed in a freak lightning accident that I decided to follow my dream.

At what point did you stop juggling suggestions and critiques and trust yourself (as a writer)?

What? Does that EVER happen? I still second guess myself and depend heavily on my critique partners and my editors!

Are you a disciplined writer or do you just write when you feel like it?

I’m totally disciplined. I write every day until I hit my word count.

What kind of activities to you like to do that help you relax and step away from your deadlines for a bit?

Love traveling. And reading. But my main relaxation is playing with my darling granddaughter.

What is your favorite novel and what made it special?

The Stand by Stephen King. I’ve read that thing over 30 times. I love the face-off between good and evil and the characterization is masterful.

How do you think reading the work of others helps you as a writer?

You pick up the nuances of how to write by reading. You see how conflicts flow, the way character is developed. I read constantly.

Tell us a little about your latest release:

The Lightkeeper's Bride is Book 2 in the Mercy Falls series. Katie is a telephone operator in 1908 northern California. She overhears a woman being murdered on the line and rushes to the house to discover the woman’s abandoned baby. And a man who claims to be the child’s uncle. As they work to discover what happened, love develops.

Where did you get your inspiration for The Lightkeeper’s Bride?

While researching The Lightkeeper’s Daughter, I read about the old telephone switchboards. I wondered what would happen if the operator overheard something that put her in danger.

Which character is most like you?

Addie, the main character in The Lightkeeper’s Daughter and the secondary character in this novel has quite a bit of me in her.

Who is your favorite character and why?

I love Katie and her crusader spirit.

Did you know how The Lightkeeeper’s Bride would turn out? Were you surprised by any of the plot twists or characters?

I’m always surprised. I don’t like to plot out the novel. I lose interest if I know what’s going to happen.

What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

We search for peace in our lives by chasing after things that don’t matter. If we chase after God, that is where our true peace is found.

What kinds of things have you done to market this book? Have you found anything that works particularly well?

I like interacting with my readers on Facebook and Twitter. Beyond that, my publisher is the best at marketing.

Tell us what new projects you’re working on.

I am working on a new Lonestar novel. It’s a contemporary, set in West Texas.

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Attend at least one conference a year. The networking can be life-changing and you learn so much. I highly recommend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. Every publisher is represented there and you will learn SO much!

Colleen Coble

http://www.colleencoble.com/

http://www.girlswriteout.blogspot.com/
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Want more? Be sure to stop by The Borrowed Book on Thursday for and excerpt from The Lightkeepers Bride by Colleen Coble!

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Characterization 101-Personalities (and how to drive your characters crazy!)

You know those people who drive you crazy? Yeah? Well, you need to have some of them in your book. You see, variety is key to a good story. It also helps set up personality conflicts. Know what I mean? Think Odd Couple. Oy, I just dated myself. But truly, Felix Unger and his polar opposite are the perfect example of a way to generate conflict using characterization.

Just like marriage is the blending of two personalities, fictional characters (especially in romance) should also discover ways to reconcile their differences. To learn the give and take of seeing things through someone else's eyes. Eventually, in your writing, if you work at it enough, the swapping of personality strengths and weaknesses between your characters will begin to make them multi-dimensional. Real.

Opposites *do* attract. Iron sharpeneth iron, and all that. In a romance particularly, and really in any genre, though to a lesser extent, these conflicts of personality can be an integral part of your story arc and produce many hurdles for the protaganist to overcome.

Think of the angst of someone who wants to learn to "get along" with someone else but doesn't know exactly how to go about it. What happens to this person? One of two things. Either he learns the process, or he gives up.

Characters who resist any chance at getting to know others (anti-social) can also be an interesting twist. Thrillers employ this type of character trait all the time in their villains.

What is one of the most interesting play of personalities that you've read in fiction?

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Author Interview ~ Eric Bryant

Eric Bryant serves as an elder, speaker and navigator with the leadership team at Mosaic (www.mosaic.org) in Los Angeles, a church known for its creativity and diversity. He is part of the core teams for the Mosaic Alliance (www.mosaicalliance.com) and The Origins Project (www.originsproject.org). Bryant completed his Doctorate of Ministry in Entrepreneurial Leadership with Bethel Seminary. He lives with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Caleb and Trevi, in the middle of Los Angeles County.

Learn more about Eric at http://www.ericbryant.org/.

Tell me a little bit about your background and your family.

I was born in California while my dad was in the Air Force. From Kindergarten through college I grew up in Texas. I am fortunate to come from a Christian family, but I struggled to follow Jesus as a teenager. Just after college I got married to Debbie, and we moved to Seattle where we helped plant a church which had 4 senior pastors in the first 4 years. Twelve years ago we moved to Los Angeles to volunteer at Mosaic to experience a healthy church before planting our own. Instead of planting elsewhere, I was invited to help with the youth group, then college ministry, then starting new venues, and then about 5 years ago I became a navigator.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies?

I love watching movies, playing Wii with my wife and kids, traveling, and performing stand-up comedy.

What has God been teaching you lately?

I have been reading through the prophets and have been reminded of God’s passion for people. Even as stubborn as they were (and they were really stubborn), he would continue to send messengers to warn them of the consequences of their continued rebelliousness. Ultimately, God loves people so much more than we do.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a professional basketball player. At 5’8” I would have had a better shot at becoming a gymnast or jockey.

How did you get involved in writing?

I wrote my first book in 5th grade. It was an intergalactic adventure called “Thysar and the Benay.” It was never published. In college I wrote a devotional book which was also never published. Most of my writing has come in the form of my journal and my blog posts. Writing has always helped me to express better what I am going through, experiencing, and learning.

What was the most difficult aspect of the writing process?

I am an extrovert to the highest degree, so sitting still to actually begin writing poses a challenge to me at times.

What did you enjoy most about the writing process?

By taking the time to sit still and reflect, I hear God’s voice more clearly than when I don’t do that. I learn from Him when I take the time to write.

How do you find time to write?

I try to write a little bit each day, mostly in my journal, on my website, on twitter, or when working on a message. When writing a book or my dissertation, I would sneak away for longer periods of time to really make progress. At times I would pull together what I had written elsewhere to include in the book.

Where did you get the idea for Not Like Me?

Erwin McManus, the lead pastor at our church in Los Angeles, encouraged me to write a book on diversity. What we have experienced here at Mosaic is quite unique in terms of the diversity of people we have reached and/or who have become leaders in our community. People come from such ethnically, spiritually, and socio-economically different places, yet for far too long, even in diverse cities, churches have remained homogenous. I have personally failed and seen some successes in reaching out to others not like me, so I wanted to be able to help others become more effective in their own mission fields.

What are the major themes of the book?

In essence the book describes how to allow people to belong before they ever choose to believe. Too often Christians view those who do not follow Jesus as outsiders or as people to be avoided. My hope is that through this book, people of faith could become more known for their love of people no matter what they might believe, look like, or the choices they may make. In many ways, I am advocating for the rights of those who do not yet believe. In addition, the book helps people move from social conversations to spiritual ones.

What kind of research did you have to do for Not Like Me?

I share a great deal of personal stories from my experiences as a youth pastor in Texas, as a church planter in Seattle, and as part of the leadership team at Mosaic in Los Angeles. At the same time, I include insights from the Scriptures, seminary textbooks, and pop culture.

Why do you think people struggle getting past these cultural barriers?

The biggest issue is that we don’t even try to get past cultural barriers. Sometimes we confuse the ideas of being “set apart” and being “sent out.” We are supposed to be “set apart” in our behavior but “sent out” into our relationships. Sometimes we do the opposite. We become “set apart” from the very people God has brought into our lives to love, serve, and influence. It’s human nature to spend time with the people who are most like us because of our self-centered tendencies. Another big part of the problem would be our more consumeristic view of the church. At Mosaic, we strive to go against that. Our lead pastor Erwin McManus says: “The church is not here to meet our needs. We are the church here to meet the needs of the world.” If our relationship with God was all about me and Jesus, then my pastor should have just drowned me during my baptism so I could go straight into His presence. Instead, he brought me out of the water because there is much more for me to do. I now represent Jesus everywhere I go.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

My prayer is that those who read the book will be able to love, serve, and influence at least one person they had overlooked before reading the book. One of my favorite responses to the book is when I hear that someone who read the book went on to have a real breakthrough with a neighbor, co-worker, or friend. That is the best result possible!

Where are you headed next?

My passion remains communicating and catalyzing community for the mission of Jesus wherever I may be. Right now at Mosaic I am helping as the campus pastor at both the Pasadena and West Los Angeles campuses, but our roles are always changing according to what is needed.

What would you say to someone who wants to become a published author?

Learn to enjoy writing. I have written a great deal more that is not published than what has been published. Share what you are discovering with the people already in your community (family, church, friends, etc.). If they don’t find what you are writing helpful then other people probably won’t either. Give them permission to help you revise your work, and be willing to edit over and over. It took me 15 years and dozens of rejection letters or conversations before I had a book published, so I would also recommend perseverance as well.

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