MY FIRST BOOKSIGNING

This past Wednesday night was my first book signing at my church's (JFBC) bookstore, The Bookmark. I had a blast and my friend Dottie Poythress, who runs the bookstore, was almost as excited as I was. I even have one man reading my book! How encouraging for a man to pick up a romance book! That's Dottie with the blond hair in the picture below and my best friend Kelly. She came to support me. We had a good crowd, some of which had already read the book and wanted an autograph. Our Church bookstore is a very nice place to buy books or gifts and I spend my share of time in there. Just ask Dottie! lol. They have a friendly staff,
eager to help you find the resource or gift that you are looking for, along with some great fiction and the Pastor's Picks.

Here's the link for The Bookmark, (and by the way, it got it's name from my entry that was in a naming contest).
http://www.thebookmarkonline.org/

Here's my best friend Kelly, a wonderful writer and you should be hearing more about her very soon.

Below is a picture of Jim Stewart, who said he is enjoying reading a romance.

Hope if you haven't, you'll pick up a copy online or at your local bookstore.

Happy Trails.

MY BOOK IS IN BOOKSTORES NOW!

No Place for a Lady was actually in Borders on December 27th, and my daughter and I saw it, while out shopping for after Christmas bargains. I was surprised since I wasn’t expecting it to be released until Jan. 1st. Sheri whipped out her cell phone and took a shapshot of me in the bookstore. Later on in the week, it was in Lifeway Bookstores and Barnes and Nobles. It was such a thrill for me, and even better is the feedback that I've received thus far from readers. Here is and online review that warmed my author’s heart. http://writebyfaith.blogspot.com/2008/12/review-of-no-place-for-lady-by-maggie.html.

I will be signing my book at The Bookmark, Johnson Ferry Church this Wednesday, January 14th from 5:30 to 7:30. Dottie Poythress is the bookstore manager and here the link to my church. http://www.johnsonferry.org/. If you are in the area, I’d love it if you’d stop by.

TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF

Christmas decorations are stored away, family is gone to their respective lives and jobs, the house is clean and now as the dust settles into distant memories of exchanged gifts, food, laughter, and teary eyed goodbyes, we look ahead to a fresh new year and all the limitless possibilities of 2009. I, like most of you, had a busy December with church Christmas concerts, extra rehearsal, shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, etc., while trying to maintain some sense of balance between my writing and reading so that I wouldn’t become some green-eyed monster with two heads.

Nearly every one I know makes at least one resolution for the New Year. The most common one is to loose weight and become more active. Now that’s a good one. All my life I have done some form of exercise and I believe that’s why I’m in fairly decent shape now. I could be better. But as I so often encourage my best friend, Kelly and my daughter Sheri, and daughter-in-law Amy, to make sure they take time for themselves to exercise, and to be sure to include time out of the house without the kids , I've noticed that there is a certain attitude that most women have, but particularly mothers. And it disturbs me. Too many women feel guilty if they take one hour a day for themselves to read or exercise. Not only that, other people infer that they're being selfish if they do! Many women cater to every whim or need of their children then wait hand and foot on their spouse. And it’s our fault if we allow others to make us feel guilty for choosing to have some free time. Our family and children should not feel threatened when we decide to do this.

Now, I’m a writer and not a psychologist, but I can tell you from experience that if you don’t give yourself freedom away from the kids (no matter what age they are), or some time out of the house, it will affect how you feel physically. Men included! Everyone needs a mental break from all the day to day chores of raising children and running a home, not to mention, many women work outside the home, and still have all that work waiting just on the other side of the door like a nagging toddler. It’s hard to juggle everything and keep some form of sanity. But ladies, and any man out there who reads this blog, it’s a necessary thing to exercise. It called your health! There's nothing selfish about that. It energizes you and releases endorphins which can alter your mood making you feel good about yourself. It keeps us flexible as we age and is good for the heart, slows down the aging process, and a boat load of other things. I know you’ve heard them all.

My daughter has been attending “boot camp” for strenuous workouts for a couple of months and I applaud her. Amy walks miles every week (even more than me), and watches everything she eats. I walk and do light weights, and try to watch the calories. Do whatever you feel comfortable with, running, walking, swimming, etc. BUT JUST DO IT! Like the Nike ad reads.

I know it’s hard to start over again, but the benefits you receive will reward you with a happier outlook and a healthier body. Gradually, you’ll loose weight while watching what you eat and feel better. Pick a time that works for you and get started today, so that when you look back this time next year, you can smile and say, "I took some time for me!" and feel good about!! By the way, if you are struggling with just dragging yourself to the gym, outside or the treadmill, post a comment and I'll add you to my personal prayer list. It would be a priviledge to pray for you!

DECEMBER COWGIRL CONTEST WINNER

Merry Christmas, Cleda! You're the winner of my cowgirl contest! Your name was drawn from all the comments posted on Bustles And Spurs. The correct answer to the question--what was the name of the ranch and the horse that Crystal rode on the trail drive--was --The Aspengold Ranch, and Rebel was her cutting horse. Look for your copy of No Place For a Lady in the mail soon.

I want to thank all of you that took the time to enter the contest and read both blogs. All of you still have a chance to become one of the Big winners of ALL our authors books at the end of the month. Good luck and have a very Merry Christmas!

Cabin in the Snow

Is this not the cutest cabin in the snow? My sister in Mobile surprised us with this. It's surrounded by roses with red ribbons, and has a switch at the back of it that turns on the fireplace that flickers like a real fire. Inside there are people standing about and a Christmas tree in the corner.

I was so tickled that I wanted to share it with y'all. Isn't it sweet? Gets me in the mood for Christmas! Sometimes I wish I was in a cabin like that in the Rockies, baking cookies and reading by the fire while I watch the snow softly falling. By the way, this is my favorite snowman who loves to sit overlooking my sink and watch me cook and do the dishes! :)

DECEMBER COWGIRL CONTEST

December is a great month for a contest to spread some holiday cheer! I'm a resident blogger on Bustles and Spurs, and we're running a contest to win a copy of all the blogger's books on that site, including my new one, No Place For A Lady. I am blogging on the December 11th about my story. Crystal is a GA Southernbelle that goes to Colorado and winds up on a cattle drive. But not before she learns how to handle a cutting horse, and goes from a tenderfoot to a well accomplished cowgirl on the Aspengold ranch. She learns how to cut a steer from the herd with the help of her favorite cutting horse, Rebel.

Hop on over to http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/to read my post on Thursday the 11th and look for the question that I'll be asking to enter your name in our book give away for a chance to win. Each week a winner will be drawn.

Happy Trails....

ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEW

I can't help but share my news! I've just learned that Romantic Times Magazine has given my book, No Place For A Lady, a 4 1/2 star review! At first I wasn't sure that it meant alot, but my marketing director said that that's the highest review that they give. She said the magazine is considered "the Bible" for readers for book buying, and has a circulation of 100,000 readers.

That's pretty wonderful for a new writer, and definitely wasn't something I was expecting. I feel very honored. I've had so much support from my family,critique partners, my publisher and agent. God's hand has been involved in the entire process. The one thing I want my readers to come away with is that Christ will reveal new truths to them through reading my story. Nothing could give me greater pleasure! :)

A Writer's Recipe for Saving Time

One thing is for sure for a writer. There never seems to be enough time to "get 'er done"! I want to be able to eat nutrious meals but at the same time, planning can be tricky if you are on deadline or get so involved with your work that you haven't even planned dinner. My daughter-in-law, Amy and son, Jared had us over for dinner Saturday night. They served this delicious soup that's quick and easy to make, unlike some of mine that take a lot of preparation. We loved it! You can add as much or as little red pepper to suit you're own personal taste buds. In fact, it would be the perfect soup to serve this Thanksgiving or anytime during the winter along with thick, crusty bread. Enjoy! And leave me a comment if you do decide to make it.

PUMPKIN AND BLACK BEAN SOUP

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil,
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 C canned or packaged vegetable stock
1 can (14 ½ oz) diced tomatoes in juice
1 can (15 ½ oz) black beans, drained
2 cans (15 oz) pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin
1 C of heavy cream
1 Tbsp curry powder,
1½ tsp ground cumin,
½ tsp cayenne pepper or less depending on your taste
Coarse salt
20 blades fresh chives, chopped or snipped for garnish

Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add oil. When oil is hot, add onion. Sauté onions 5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes, black beans & pumpkin. Stir to combine ingredients & bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and stir in cream, curry cumin, cayenne and salt, to taste. Simmer 5 minutes, adjust seasonings and serve garnished with chopped chives.

AUTUMN DELIGHT

November so far has been perfect fall weather and I relish walking through my neighborhood each afternoon admiring the canvas of God’s handiwork. His painting was so vivid that I decided to take my camera along on my walk yesterday. I took lots of shots and thought that I would post one.

As usual, I’m energized and observe the deep orange, brilliant reds, and burnished gold from the oaks, sweetgum, and maples on either side of the boulevard. I think God speaks to my heart through what I see reminding me of his goodness, and the fact that he remains faithful beyond what we humans can begin to conceive or even comprehend.

He does this in many ways, but one that’s so evident to anyone with a pair of eyes, is by ushering in fall with all its brilliancy on time without fail. The cerulean sky is cloudless and bright as I look up knowing that beyond this atmosphere is the 3rd heaven in all its splendor where He sits at the right hand of the Father. I contemplate my loved ones who’ve passed from this life, awaiting the time that they will return to this earth to reign with him right where Kind David ruled in Israel and my soul is comforted. Now, I ask you how cool is that? God said Heaven is My throne and earth is My footstool, from where He observes "the poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word". (Isaiah 66:1-2). He’s not saying that we should be scared of him, but rather that we take His Word seriously and be humbled at His sovereignty.

There are 3 heavens. One is the atmosphere where the birds, the wind and clouds are. The 2nd heaven is the celestial heaven where the sun, moon and our solar system hangs. The 3rd heaven is where God dwells. He has placed eternity in our hearts and nothing else will entirely satisfy us while we have our temporary existence here.

I’m reminded that my hope is in Heaven and not Washington. Have you considered this?

THE FLOWER OF GRASS

Already a fan of Jim Robinson’s music and his autobiography, Prodigal Song: Memoir, I knew that I would like his fiction work as well. The Flower of Grass is poignantly written in beautiful literary style in every sense of the word. It’s a story of love, loss, faith and ultimately learning to face our fears. The characters are vibrant and real, exposing the true core of their being to light, with superb imagery and detail. The story is thought provoking, showing us the internal depth of relationships from several points of view. Jim’s prose has a unique gift of conveying emotions and evoking sympathy on a level of deep personal reflection and pain with the healing power of redemption. Jim told me that his title came from I Peter 1:24, "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away..."This book is not to be missed. It will touch your heart. To learn more about Jim's books and music, check out his website. http://www.prodigalsong.com/ and
http://www.jameserobinson.com/

WHERE THE HEART LEADS

Finally! The long awaited sequel to Waiting for Summer’s Return. In Where the Heart Leads, Thomas Ollenburger has just graduated from college as a journalist after living in Boston. He returns to his hometown of Hillsboro, KS for which he intends to be only a brief visit since he left his heart with beautiful Daphne in Boston. He struggles to tell his father that he intends to go back to Boston for a job at the newspaper when he learns that his father had to sell their homestead and mill. His father insists on finding Thomas a temporary job in roofing until he decides what he wants to do with his degree, never once thinking that Thomas may not want to stay in Kansas.

Thomas discovers that Belinda has grown into a lovely young lady while he was away and he begins to have doubts about the future that he has planned with Daphne—for more than one reason. He is torn between his familiar Kansas home life and the exciting life of journalism and politics of the big city of Boston.

Kim Sawyer’s books always take you right to the heart of the matter where true character is born. Throw in believable characters and several surprising plot twists, and you having the making of a great character driven story. True to her style, Gentle Stories of Hope, Sawyer shows us the struggle with following our heart’s desires and seeking God’s will for the future. I really enjoyed this sequel!