>Review and Book Drawing for AN IRISHWOMAN’S TALE

> MY REVIEW An Irishwoman’s Tale by Patti Lacy (see blog entry below) is based on a true story. The fact and fiction are woven together to tell Mary Freeman’s story—a delightful and sometimes haunting tale of her being torn from her mother’s bosom in a dingy Irish cottage and sent to live with a couple in Chicago. Mary’s lifelong …

>Have You Seen The Afictionado E-Zine?

>I’ve told you about the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference I went to last month. Not all of you could swing it this year, either due to cost, distance, or other obligations. Now, though, you can have the conference in a nutshell – and for free! Check out this month’s AFICTIONADO E – ZINE. This monthly online magazine is …

>Winner of CALICO CANYON

> Pull on your cowgirl boots, folks—we have a winner for Mary Connealy’s latest book Calico Canyon. What a wonderful bunch of entrants and a few drive-by comments from Mary. If you missed her wit, you can read back through the interview and comments here. Now, for the winner. Congratulations to Carolynn W of Canada. Happy reading! Hope to see …

>Congrats to my good friend – HER FIRST BOOK CONTRACT

> Last Friday, my good friend, critique partner, and all around lovely person,MYRA JOHNSON, received “the call” – in writer lingo, that’s the phone call that brings the news that you’ve been offered a contract. It’s on a level with your first kiss, winning the lottery, or an expense-paid trip to Mars! No one is more deserving than Myra. She’s …

>Interview with Mary Connealy (CALICO CANYON) and Giveaway

>I’m so happy to have Mary Connealy at the Café today. At the end of the interview you can leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of her latest book. Now, to tell you about the book . . . here’s Mary. Welcome, Mary! And congratulations on your latest book in the Lassoed in Texas series, Calico …

>WELCOME to Debut Novelist, Michelle Sutton

> Today I have a treat for you–an interview with the famous “chocolate lady” from ACFW conferences, now a published novelist. Welcome, Michelle! And congratulations on your debut young adult book It’s Not About Me. I know you are very excited and ready to tell the world about your novel. So pull up a chair here at the Café and …

>REVIEW of PAINTED DRESSES by Patricia Hickman (CFBA)

> MY REVIEW: One part Southern Fiction. One part mystery. One part journey of self discovery. Painted Dresses brings all my favorite elements of fiction together in a delicious mix of wounded characters, breath-taking prose, and a unique angle to the classic road-trip story. I was drawn into the story immediately by the tangy descriptions of Gaylen Syler-Boatwright’s cousins and …

>Congratulations to ACFW’s Book of the Year Finalists

> Debut AuthorBayou Justice (Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll)In Between (Jenny B Jones)Sushi for One? (Camy Tang)My Soul Cries Out (Sherri Lewis)Petticoat Ranch (Mary Connealy) Contemporary Novella (*six finalists due to a tie)A Cloud Mountain Christmas (Robin Lee Hatcher)Finally Home (Deb Raney in Missouri Memories anthology)Mississippi Mud (DiAnn Mills in Sugar And Grits Anthology)Moonlight & Mistletoe (Carrie Turansky in …

>American Christian Fiction Writers Conference–September 18-21

>Only 73 days until the 2008 ACFW Conference kicks off in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This will be my third time to go, and rather than wax dramatica about the life-changing moments I experienced the last two years, I did an informal survey (meaning non-scientific) of a few ACFW friends to get their thoughts about what makes this conference the one to …