Lena Nelson Dooley's Writing Life

I love being a writer. It’s what God created me to do at this season in my life. I’ve written for a number of years, and I’ve been a fulltime writer for a decade.

After both of our girls got married and moved out, we turned one of the bedrooms into my office. Over the years, it has changed and morphed into whatever I need at that time in my life.

When I first get up, I go to the computer and work, in my pajamas, until my husband gets up. He’s retired, so he sleeps later. Since he retired, he has volunteered at a lot of the ministries in our church. I love to see him do this. He’s wanted to for years. And he loves helping me fulfill God’s destiny for me as I write. That’s the kind of marriage every couple should have. Understanding what God’s plan is for their mate and helping that mate achieve it.

I love connecting with readers. I’ll be having a Book Launch party at Mardel’s Christian store in Hurst, Texas, on February 16 from 1-3 pm. I’m really looking forward to that. I also do events for libraries, I meet with book clubs, and I love speaking for author groups or at women’s meetings.

I’ll be meeting with a book club in East Texas later in the year. And I’m speaking at a writing group near Austin, Texas, in March. You can check out my schedule on my blog and my website.

Readers are the reason I write. God gives me the stories, but if readers didn’t read them, they wouldn’t have the shelf life they do. Often readers will contact me to let me know how a book touched them or helped them face a difficulty or even changed their lives. I really thank the Lord for those contacts.

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of my book Catherine’s Pursuit, which released this week. Answer these questions:

Has a Christian novel really touched you and changed your life?

If so, did you let the author know?

And I even like to hear from readers who really don’t like my books... if they are kind in the way they tell me. Using hurtful language doesn’t help anyone. But I do listen to the things those readers tell me and consider them when writing the next books.

Remember, you can still download Maggie’s Journey free through February 12.

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Did You Know?~Ginger Root for What Ails You

On Tuesday I woke with a funny feeling stomach. This did not make me happy. I had my day planned and lots of things to do, and I didn’t have time to be sick. Therefore I decided my best course of action was denial. I drank a cup of coffee and ate a protein bar.

That was a mistake. The coffee and protein sat like lead in my stomach. Unfortunately what goes in must come out. I’ll spare you the details.

I located some Canada Dry Ginger Ale made with real ginger, and it seemed to help. My grandmom always said ginger ale was good for an icky stomach. I wondered. . .was she right? Or was I subject to the placebo effect? I decided to research. 

The ginger used medicinally and in products like ginger ale is from the ugly, knotty finger-like roots of the plant Zingiber officinale that grows to about three feet tall. The plant has dark green leaves and small yellow flowers.

The spicy ginger smell and useful results come from essential oils and phenolic compounds contained in the root, like gingerol, zingerone, shogaol, farnesene, and small amounts of β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral. (Repeat those ten times fast.)

 

Ginger has been used for many years to treat a myriad of health problems. Science has confirmed its effectiveness in traditional remedies for gastrointestinal problems like gas and stomach cramps. Zingerone is effective against E.coli induced diarrhea, especially in children. 

In addition, ginger boosts circulation, lowering high blood pressure. It’s an anti-viral and a powerful anti-inflammatory. It helps ease motion sickness. Recently there’s been interest in the use of ginger for joint problems.  It can also be used to alleviate chemotherapy side effects.

And you know what that means? My grandmom was right. Ginger ale made with real ginger root helps. So. . .I think I'll close this now and go get another glass full.

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Writing McKenna's Daughters Series by Lena Nelson Dooley

This series lived in my mind and heart for several years before my agent sold them. The books took me on an interesting, almost-three-year journey into the far northwest section of the United States. Washington Territory, Oregon, and northern California in 1885, with a side trip to Little Rock, Arkansas.

I’ve always loved history and took history courses for all my electives when in college. Over the last few years, I’ve been fascinated with 19^th century US history. 

When I started writing the first book, I couldn’t picture Seattle in 1885. I searched for books and web sites, anything that would help me get a feel for the city. I contacted the Seattle Public Library and found that the personnel had digitized both books published in the late 1800s and historical photographs of the time period. They sent me the link to the photographs, which were separated by decade.

I used many of these photographs to re-create a comprehensive picture of the city, the businesses, the churches, hospital, university, and homes. I got business names, street names, and the layout of the whole city. That’s what I used as I wrote the book.

As I moved through all three books, I found books of historical photos of each place featured in the books. So as you read them, then only things that are fictional are my characters, their stories, businesses, etc. Everything else fits the place, the society, and the historical aspects of the period.

Then with Catherine’s Pursuit, the last book in the series, we revisit the other places, as well as learn about San Francisco, California. And Catherine’s Pursuit released today. 

And there’s good news for you. Starting today, February 5, and continuing through February 12, the first book of the series, Maggie’s Journey, is free for download for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony ereaders. 

At Christianbooks.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/maggies-journey-ebook-lena-dooley/9781616385804/pd/21533EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=21533EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP  

On Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Maggies-Journey-McKennas-Daughters-ebook/dp/B005OBNRYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1359996766&sr=1-1&keywords=Maggie%27s+Journey 

For Nook:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maggies-journey-lena-nelson-dooley/1104804076?ean=9781616385804 

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 700,000 books in print. 
Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with over 20 signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins, and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. 

Her 2010 release Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, won the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing Western Fiction. Maggie’s Journey appeared on a reviewers Top Ten Books of 2011 list. It also won the 2012 Selah award for Historical Novel. Mary’s Blessing released in May 2012. It recently appeared on a review site’s Top Five Reads in 2012 list. Catherine’s Pursuit is coming in February 2013.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blog radio show.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. 

Find her online here:

Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com 

Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley  

Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley 

Shoutlife: www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley 

Blogtalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/gate-beautiful-radio-show/

Other blogs where she’s a regular contributor:

http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

http://justthewritecharisma.blogspot.com/ 

http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ 

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Historical Romance Book Review: Though My Heart is Torn

About the Book (from Waterbrook Multnomah)

"Gideon O’Riley has two wives—but he doesn’t know it.

Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.

As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength she has.

While Gideon’s guilt and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all?

Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?"

Amber's Review

"The Cadence of Grace" series continues with more of its beautiful but isolated setting, and even more relational hardships, in Though My Heart is Torn. The title is certainly apt, as my heart was torn for various reasons over and over again as I read this sequel to Gideon and Lonnie's story (begun in Be Still My Soul).

Bischof sets the scenes with simple, yet simply lovely, descriptions of the mountains and the weather and the characters' homes. But as rough as each of those might be in turn, the truly rugged nature of this book comes in its main focus - the drama of secrets unfolding and desires being denied.

For some, this story might be a little much. Hope is scattered amid the anger and the sorrow and the loss and the heartache, but it is often overwhelmed by the latter feelings. There are many poignant scenes, yet I think the volume of them at times keeps the pace rather slow and the mind too shocked to let everything sink into the heart.

What Gideon and Lonnie (and others!) go through is utterly frustrating and painful, and I was surprised that I didn't cry more, because I definitely felt like I ought to! (It might just have been my mood, though!) At one reunion scene I did shed a tear - the secondary characters are, in general, wonderfully depicted, and that scene involving one of them touched my heart.

Even though the way this story is rounded out defines this as the middle book in the series, with another installment to follow, I still was blessed by the way the characters are given such depth. I love the understanding and the compassion Bischof's stories foster, despite the emotional whirlwind the reader has to endure!

When all is said and done, at the conclusion of Though My Heart is Torn I was left with curiosity and a big sense of trepidation at how this story will continue. I'm concerned for the characters, and my heart is torn between the possibilities. If you loved Be Still My Soul or if you are touched by the perseverance and faith of well-drawn characters through trials, consider trying out this sequel. But be prepared to endure distressing situations and the wait for the third book!

*With thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Note: This book will be released April 2, 2013. You can pre-order it now at Amazon.com!

About the Author

"Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home schooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life." Learn more about Joanne at her website.

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Sunday Devotional: Beyond "I Can"

EDITORIAL COMMENT: The Borrowed Book is very pleased to welcome Shannon McNear to our team. Shannon's publishing credits include former interview coordinator for Christian Fandom and several short stories in Christian Fiction Online Magazine. At the 2012 ACFW conference, she was awarded a first-time author contract from Barbour Publishing, for her historical romance novella "Defending Truth." It’s slated to appear in the 9-novella collection A Pioneer Christmas, releasing September 2013.

A resident of Charleston, South Carolina, for more than 20 years, she loves losing herself in local history, especially the colonial era. She’s a homeschooling mother of eight, military wife, and a member of ACFW. When not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she finds joy in women’s ministry, children’s worship, and encouraging whoever God brings across her path.

 

By Shannon McNear

I can’t do this.

So many times over the course of my life, those words have whispered through my mind. Sometimes they’ve even crossed my lips.

During a particularly hard year in my teens, trying to navigate life, the universe, and my own too-intense nature.

The loneliness of the last semester at college, awash in delayed grieving over my dad’s death.

The difficulties which always come during marriage, with a husband who seemed so obliviously happy, I didn’t feel I could talk to him.

In childbirth, during transition, that most awful part of labor just before the glad work of pushing.

Facing the possibility of a child who would be medically fragile his whole life—and then with the reality of having to relinquish him completely.

Rearing and schooling a houseful of very strong-willed and active children, often in the midst of military separations and later, the grief of losing one of their siblings.

In the long, long journey as a writer, during the years before that first coveted contract.

Now, dealing with a husband mostly overseas, uncertainty in regards to where we might wind up living, oldest child graduating from college, oldest daughter planning a wedding, youngest child still learning how to read, and God nudging me to step forward in a handful of areas.

I can’t do this.

So many times I’ve stepped out in faith, or what I thought was faith, only to have the thing falter and fail and crumble to nothing. I don’t want my life to be a string of nothings.

At last, after many years of saying I can’t, and knowing it was truth, I stopped and asked the Lord—why did You lead me on this path if I couldn’t do it?

And He whispers to me, So you would always be reminded that you need me.

The words echo inside me. Why would I need that reminder? I already know I need Him!

But do I really? Pride is a lifelong enemy. Would I not truly become puffed with my own importance, my own capability, if I had better apparent “success” in walking this journey?

And then, the next time I’m in a crisis, I find myself saying it again.

I can’t do this.

The Lord responds, You’re right. You can’t. But—I can, through you.

In my heart of hearts, I kneel, humbled, overwhelmed that He would choose me, that He’d think I’m a fit vessel for His Spirit and His work. Oh Lord, what is mankind, that You would set Your love upon us—upon me?

And then comes the process of surrender—because for a stone-cold will like mine, it always seems to mean breaking, and crushing, and being chiseled into something I don’t even recognize, before I can finally accept that He is God, and He’s good, and His plan is so far beyond anything I could imagine, let alone see as the thing of wonder He intends it to be.

In the process, I learn that I myself am meant to be a thing of wonder as well. “You must be so strong,” someone said to me just the other day.

No. Oh, no. I lost count of the times I’ve said “I can’t.” But I’m also learning that He can. The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead can take a soul once drowning in despair and bitterness and raise it, too, to life.

And then ... I can.

From Psalm 18, NKJV:

²⁸ For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
²⁹ For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.
³⁰ As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

³¹ For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.

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Winners!!

Happy Saturday, BB fans! Thanks to everyone who participated in our "puzzling" Friday giveaway! Keep all those facebook and Twitter notifications, coming! This week's winner is:
   
Beth Brittain - Love Comes to Paradise by Mary Ellis!
 
Congratulations, Beth!

Thank you all so much for stopping by The Borrowed Book!

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Weekly Drawing

It's Fun Friday at The Borrowed Book!

To enter:

Leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section as well as your email address for notifying you if you've won. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.

Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry. RETWEET our Tweet, get two entries!

Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!

Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FIVE entries.

It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)

This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by Mary Ellis and her newest release, Love Comes to Paradise.



**Winners have 30 days to claim their prize.

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