Book Reviews

If an editor or publisher were to ask me what I see as my weakest area as an author, I would have to say getting readers to review my books. I know reviews are important because I use them every time I go to buy a book. Prospective buyers often won't purchase a book that has only a handful of reviews or low ratings. I have tons of readers and a quickly growing fan base, but my readers are reluctant to take the time to leave reviews.

I've noticed that I'm not the only one with this problem. I've consistently seen some of the top names in Christian books (the genre I read almost always read) have the same problem. Perhaps most people feel they're too busy to take the time to help someone else. I just wish others would realize the number of reviews really doesn't reflect the number of readers or sales.

I tried giving readers ebooks in exchange for a review, but that didn't work out for me. The majority of those didn't leave a review, either, and I had to keep reminding and badgering most of the ones who finally did. My books have recently had a huge surge in sales, but out of the 200+ ebooks recently sold, I've only had one review. If any of you have any good ideas or suggestions, I would love to hear them. 

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Irish-American Month

With St. Patrick's Day coming on March 17th, it's no surprise that March is National Irish-American Month. The Irish have made up a large percentage of immigrants coming to America over our history. In ten years from 1820 to 1830, it's estimated that 4.5 million came, and by 1860, nearly one-third of all immigrants to the United States were Irish. 

I've always loved the Irish sense of humor and their ability to laugh at themselves. When I began traveling abroad, Ireland was one of the first places I visited, and I could definitely live there. I was amused when a lady asked me where I was from, maybe Australia. When I told her I was from the States, she replied, "Oh, but you have a much nicer accent than most Americans." She liked my Southern drawl. Perhaps she heard a bit of an Irish lilt there.

For our anniversary last year, my husband and I gave each other a DNA test to learn the countries our ancestors came from. I was 34.6 percent Irish, Scottish, and Welsh and 48.2 percent English. Jim was 21.6 percent Irish, Scottish, and Welsh and 73.7 percent English. It's no wonder I've included a lot of Irish or Irish-Americans in my novels. They're a part of me.

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The Cornerstone

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner (Acts 4:11).

The cornerstone was an important part of building with stones, bricks, or blocks in ancient times. Once leveled, the cornerstone served as the standard for the rest of the building process. Since it was put in place early, it would also bear the weight of the rest of the building. Today we still use cornerstones, but they are more for ceremonial purposes since building techniques have advanced.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord (Ephesians 2:20-21).

The Bible refers to Jesus as the Cornerstone several places in the Bible, both in the Old and the New Testaments. He is our Standard, the One we are to set our lives against and stay true to. He will carry the weight of our burdens. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28 & 30).

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner (Psalm 118:22).

The imagery showing Christ as our Cornerstone tells us that He is essential to building a strong structure, to being plumbed and straight so we don't fall, and in bearing the weighty burdens that living in a fallen world usually brings. Yet, the Bible points out that many reject this Cornerstone. Let's make sure that we never do.

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42).

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Staying Humble

I have been a writer most of my life. When I taught school, I published magazine articles, since these were shorter projects that required less time than a novel. After I wrote my first novel and began to seek publication, I wanted to make sure I didn't lose sight of my main goal in writing them - to glorify God. I want to inspire and encourage others in their faith as my stories deliver His messages and truths in an entertaining and heartful way. 

However, I could see a pitfall in publishing and marketing. I didn't want to become prideful of my books or promote myself more than God. My pastor at the time assured me that my awareness of the possibility would prevent it from happening, and I hope he was right. In a way, it's been a balancing act. I need to promote my books to gain readers, but I don't want this to become about me or what I've done. I want it to be about God and what He's done for me and through me. In so many ways, His hand has been in it all.

I had a new revelation of sorts this week. My editor and I have found more mistakes and typos in my last published book than usual, and we're working to get them corrected. It bothers me immensely because I want to give readers an outstanding book, and it amazes me how errors can slip through so many edits and sets of educated eyes, usually at least four. Then I thought, perhaps this is one of God's ways of keeping me humble. If so, it's working because I am.

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National Fairy Tale Day

February 26th is National Fairy Tale Day. Many of these stories were once myths and legends told and retold for entertainment. They became part of folk history and oral traditions. Traveling bards or storytellers often spread them from place to place. Over time, they were written down and eventually became considered children's stories.

What is your favorite fairytale? There's a large selection to choose from. Some of the more common ones are "Cinderella," "Beauty and the Beast," Hansel and Gretel," "The Elves and the Shoemaker," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "The Princess and the Pea," "Thumbelina," "Rapunzel," "Rumplestiltskin," "Sleeping Beauty," and the list goes on and on. What others do you remember well?

I grew up listening to these stories, but they've gone out of vogue over the years. My grandchildren hardly know any of them. My favorite has always been "Beauty and the Beast." It highlights that true beauty is really about what's on the inside, and love is magical.  My most recent novel, It All Started at the Masquerade, was influenced by this fairytale. A few modern writers could take a lesson from these tales because most of them end "and they lived happily ever after." (sigh)

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On February 26, have a happily ever after kind of day. It’s National Fairy Tale Day!

What were once oral histories, myths and legends retold around the fire or by traveling storytellers, have been written down and become known the world over as fairy tales.

The Sheepfold

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold. but climbeth in some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep (John 10:1-2).

Sheep are mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times, and our word "pastor" comes from the Latin word for a shepherd. As dusk approached, the shepherd would gather his flock into an enclosed area known as a "sheepfold." Then, the shepherd would lay down in front of the opening and become a human gate, keeping the sheep safe by preventing predators from getting in or the sheep from wandering out.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture  (John 10:9).

The sheepfold was important because unless the sheep followed the shepherd, they wouldn't be safe. In John 10, Jesus uses this analogy. He is the shepherd who protects his sheep. He is the door whereby his sheep find both safekeeping and a way to have their needs met. If we accept Him as our shepherd, we will be saved and have an eternity with Him in heaven. 

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:4).

Just outside most villages, there might be a community sheepfold where several shepherds would bring their flocks for the night. All the sheep would be mixed together and the shepherds would take turns being the gate. In the morning, when it got time to leave, each shepherd would call his flock, and they would come because they knew his voice. Do you recognize the voice of your Shepherd? Do you follow Jesus when he calls?

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:12).

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How I Time Travel

I love history, which is why I majored in it in college for my bachelor's degree. And growing up in a rural niche of the Appalachians, I lived history in a way. That's also why my favorite books to read and to write are historical fiction. Out of the eleven books I've published so far, seven have been historicals and four contemporaries.

When I write a book, I actually feel as if I'm living in that time period. I walk the unpaved or cobblestoned streets along with my characters. I see what they see and look at the world through their perspectives. This time travel is part of the fun of being an author. With twenty-five manuscripts finished and many more stories in my mind begging to be written, I've lived in many different times and places. 



And if I'm good at what I do, my readers will be able to live in those different times and places for a while, too. More and more readers are telling me exactly that. Two readers this past week said of It All Started at the Masquerade, "I felt like I was right there, sailing down the Chowan River with them." They've become time travelers, too.

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