Beyond the Night Wins Winter Rose Contest

Hi Friends,

Just wanted to share a bit of good news. BEYOND THE NIGHT won the Inspirational category of the Winter Rose Award (Texas Romance Writers of America contest), AND it also won the Best Overall out of all the category winners. Yay!

Here's a list of this Year's Contest Winners:

BEST OVERALL:
Beyond the Night / Marlo Schalesky

Contemporary Single Title/Romantic Suspense:
Sweet Spot / Susan Mallery

Historical (TIE):
To Taste Temptation / Elizabeth Holt
Don’t Tempt Me / Sylvia Day

Paranormal:
Soul of a Highlander / Melissa Mayhue

Inspirational:
Beyond the Night / Marlo Schalesky

Series Contemporary:
Red-Hot and Royal / Susanna Carr

To Buy Beyond the Night on Amazon, click: http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Night-Marlo-Schalesky/dp/1601420161?ie=UTF8

For more info on the book, including other purchase links, a trailer, a Standord tour, a sample chapter, etc., visit my fiction page at: http://www.marloschalesky.com/html/fiction.html

Hero by Fred & Jason Stoeker

Hi Friends,

Here's the second book I have to tell you about this week. It's nonfiction this time.

Book: HERO

Authors: Fred Stoeker & Jason Stoeker with contributions by Mike Yorkey

Summary:

You already know it’s not easy being a single man in this culture today. But it is easy to be overwhelmed, to feel helpless and hopeless about living by God’s high standards for singles. It’s easy to cave in to the pressures of this sex-soaked world and accept defeat—blaming the media, the culture, even girlfriends who don’t know how tough it can be.

But many men have read books like Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics and have committed themselves to stand strong and pure in the power of God, and to go on the offensive against the onslaught of negative stereotypes. Some have suffered. Some have fallen. But many have experienced victory—and you can be among them.

What makes those committed men so desirable to women? Be Her Hero is their motto. From best-selling author Fred Stoeker, along with his son Jasen, come the straightforward insight and real-life examples you’re looking for to help you take personal purity to its logical conclusion. Here’s straight truth with irrefutable evidence of what makes an ultimate hero to women who long for men of faith—men who stand by their convictions and make their world a safer and better place.

Are you ready to accept the challenge?

Author Bios:
Fred Stoeker is a best-selling author of several books, including Every Young Man’s Battle and Tactics, the president of Living True Ministries, and a popular conference speaker who challenges men to become sexually pure, to reconnect in true intimate relationship with their wives, and to train their sons to become godly men. A graduate of Stanford University, Fred lives in Des Moines, Iowa with his wife, Brenda, and their children.

Mike Yorkey, a writer living in Encinitas, California, has collaborated with Fred Stoeker in all his books for the Every Man’s series.

Jasen Stoeker is a popular conference speaker who challenges young men to be heroic in their relationships with women and to be a Christian, rather than just seem like one. Jasen is a graduate of Iowa State University with degrees in Computer Engineering and Computer Science and now lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife Rose.

Purchase link: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400071098&ref=externallink_mlt_hero_kef_0403_01

Deadly Competition by Roxanne Rustand

Hi Friends,

I've got a couple new books to tell you about this week. First, in fiction is Deadly Competition by Roxanne Rustand.

Here's a bit about it:

The single mother hasn't been found. And all her daughter, Sarah, has is her uncle. Clueless at parenting, Clint Herald seeks a loving, responsible nanny. What he finds instead is a stranger as mysterious as his sister's disappearance. Mandy Erick is secretive and seems scared, yet she's so good with Sarah that Clint can't help but trust her. In fact, he even enters Mandy in the town's Mother of the Year contest. But attention is the last thing Mandy wants. Her time in the public eye may prove just as dangerous as she fears.

For an Excerpt see: http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html;jsessionid=00C164E53E0203C5C0D554CDC6E6A90D?cid=359

For more about Roxanne Rustand, visit http://www.roxannerustand.com/ and her new blog "All Creatures Great and Small."

TV & Radio Links

Hi Friends,

Here are some links in case you missed the shows I was on last week. You can catch them online:

Wednesday, 5/6, THE HARVEST SHOW (TV): http://www.harvest-tv.com/ -- scroll down on the right to the Wednesday, 5/6 show titled "Empty Womb, Aching Heart," click and it will play there in the box. I'm part way through (after the news section).

Thursday, 5/7, MOODY MIDDAY CONNECTION (Radio): http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_programarchive.aspx?id=31086 -- scroll down to the May 7th date, topic: infertility, and click "listen." I'm on for the full hour. You can also download the podcast from iTunes for your iPod. Just search for "Moody Midday Connection" at the iTunes Store, click on the title that comes up to see a list of all the individual programs, then choose to download the podcast for the 5/7 date.

Friday, 5/8, 100 HUNTLEY STREET, FULL CIRCLE (TV): http://www.100huntley.com/video.php?id=vXqUZyVKOzU -- this one should just play for you right off the YouTube video.

Neat, huh?! And don't forget - if you know someone going through infertility, I have a bunch of helps and resources for the journey on my website in the "resources" section.

A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher

Hi Friends,

Here's this week's book to tell you about -- A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher.

First, here's a bunch of links:

You can see the trailer for the book at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joHj76G47CA

Here is the link for Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310258057/novelistrobinlee

Here is the link for Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1138486&item_no=258056

Here is the link to an excerpt from A Vote of Confidence:

http://www.robinleehatcher.com/vote_of_confidence.html#excerpt

*******************************************************************************************************
BIO:

Robin Lee Hatcher is the best-selling author of over sixty books. Her well-drawn characters and heartwarming stories of faith, courage, and love have earned her both critical acclaim and the devotion of readers. Her numerous awards including the 2000 Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the 1999 and 2001 RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance, Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards for Americana Romance and for Inspirational Fiction, and the 2001 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Catching Katie was named one of the Best Books of 2004 by the Library Journal.

Robin began her writing career in the general market, writing mass market romances for Leisure Books, HarperPaperbacks, Avon Books, and Silhouette. In 1997, after several years of heart preparation, Robin accepted God's call to write stories of faith and hasn't looked back since. She has written both contemporary women's fiction and historical romances for CBA publishers, and in 2009 her 60th book, A Vote of Confidence, was released, launching a new series (The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs) that looks at the question, "Who says a woman can't do a man's job?" The setting is Idaho during the WWI era.

A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
by Robin Lee Hatcher

Who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

Put up or shut up! Complaining about Bethlehem Springs' dissolute mayoral candidate, Gwen Arlington is challenged to take on the role herself. For seven years, she’s carved out an independent life in the bustling mountain town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, teaching piano and writing for the local newspaper. But now she’s a single woman running for mayor — and in 1915 this decision is bound to stir up trouble.

Morgan McKinley is fed up with the delays that hinder the construction of New Hope Health Spa, a place where both rich and poor can come for rest and healing. New to the area, he has determined that serving as mayor would help him push through his agenda for progress.

Gwen and Morgan each want to prove they are the most qualified candidate, not only to voters but to each other, and so sparks fly as the two campaign. Although Morgan has learned to guard his heart as fiercely as Gwen guards her independence, could they learn to be allies instead of adversaries?

This first book in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series provides intriguing insights into how women challenged convention and shaped America in the early twentieth century.

A NOTE FROM ROBIN:

Ideas come to writers in lots of different ways. The idea for The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series came to me back in 2003-2004 and had its genesis in a couple of other books. From Catching Katie had come a fascination with the decade leading up to the passing of the 19th Amendment that gave American women the right to vote. From a secondary character in Speak to Me of Love came a fondness for a woman in an unusual occupation. While those two things were rolling around in my head, up popped the final ingredient. A question: Who says a woman can't do a man's job? And the next thing I knew, I'd met Gwen and Cleo Arlington, the heroines of the first two books in the series. I had to wait to meet my third heroine until the hero of A Vote of Confidence walked into my imagination. Guess what, Morgan McKinley had a younger sister, Daphne. Each of these women have jobs that weren't considered a woman's domain in their time (1915-1918). I hope readers will become as fond of Gwen, Cleo, and Daphne -- and the men with whom they fall in love -- as I am.

Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren

Hi Friends,

The TV and radio interviews last week went great! Sooo neat to be able to talk about the infertility journey as we approached Mother's Day. Hope you were able to see the TV spots, but if not, try the online links (see last week's post below for the links). More on my trip later, but for now, I have last week's book to tell you about, then later today I'll post about this week's book.

So, here ya go:

Nothing But Trouble! (PJ Sugar - Trouble Collection) by Susan May Warren

ISBN 1414313128
Tyndale
Romantic Comedy/Suspense

PJ Sugar knows three things for sure:

After traveling the country for ten years hoping to shake free from the trail of disaster that’s become her life, she needs a fresh start.

The last person she wants to see when she heads home for her sister’s wedding is Boone—her former flame and the reason she left town.

Her best friend’s husband absolutely did not commit the first murder Kellogg , Minnesota , has seen in more than a decade.

What PJ doesn’t know is that when she starts digging for evidence, she’ll uncover much more than she bargained for—a deadly conspiracy, a knack for investigation, and maybe, just maybe, that fresh start she’s been longing for.

About Susan:
Susan May Warren is the award-winning author of seventeen novels and novellas with Tyndale, Steeple Hill and Barbour Publishing. Her first book, Happily Ever After won the American Fiction Christian Writers Book of the Year in 2003, and was a 2003 Christy Award finalist. In Sheep’s Clothing, a thriller set in Russia , was a 2006 Christy Award finalist and won the 2006 Inspirational Reader’s Choice award. A former missionary to Russia , Susan May Warren now writes Suspense/Romance and Chick Lit full time from her home in northern Minnesota .

Also! It's launch month for her new book, Nothing But Trouble, and she's running a "sweet" contest when people go "Hunting for Trouble" in their local bookstore! Click here for the Contest details: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/contest.html

A QUESTION FOR SUSIE:

Q: Where did the idea for PJ Sugar come from?

A: Every author dreams of a moment where someone says something, or they see something on the news, or in a newspaper and it springs out at them, nearly shouting – STORY IDEA! This happened to me a number of years ago while talking to friends about their daycare situation, and how one of the parents ended up being a murder suspect! Scary! But an interesting idea. About that time, I was a mom who wore many hats – homeschooling mom, writing teacher, speaker, children’s church leader, -- and it occurred to me that a mother really has to be a sort of PI. Not only taking on different roles, but sleuthing out daily household mysteries like, who ate the last of the peanut butter (and put it back in the cupboard?) and whose socks are laying in the middle of the floor, and finally…(in our house), who let the dog (and her muddy feet!) in the house! PJ is the alter-ego in every mom, that super-hero inside of us that allows us to have esp (I know you’re not really done with your homework!), or have “eyes in the back of our head,” (stop poking your sister!) or even figure out how to whip together an award-winning science project the night before the fair. PJ just applies all those skills to bad guys and figuring out the truth.

PJ Sugar is also a woman who wants to be all things to all people. She wants to be her nephew’s champion and her sister’s best friend, and her mother’s favorite daughter, and Boone’s special girl, and the hero of her hometown. That’s not too much to ask, is it? Maybe…because God wants her to be His girl, and satisfied in who He made her to be. And that is a journey for all of us PJ Sugars.

A note from Susan May Warren:

Sometimes, do you feel like you just don’t fit in? You look around you and if anyone knew how difficult it was just to put yourself together, to smile when you feel completely overwhelmed, to even figure out what you were making for supper, they’d know what a mess you were. Maybe you totally relate to those words in 1 Peter – God’s elect, strangers and aliens in the world. Do you feel like when you look in the rear view mirror, all you see are your mistakes?
Maybe not. But if so, then PJ is your gal. I wanted to write a story about the person in so many of us who just wants to get it right…but can’t seem to stay out of trouble. My friend and I have what we call the “stupid mouth” club…and we report our weekly foibles (usually on Monday, after Sunday church!). PJ is our charter member. She’s the girl that changes her mind, always hopes for the best, is always discovering that she is just a little different than everyone else. PJ is us.

And that’s good news. Because God loves PJ. He loves her messiness, and her impulsiveness, her heart bent toward others, the hope that fuels her actions. And He has a plan for PJ – one that includes her weaknesses as well as her strengths.

Yep, I need to hear that – need to hear that I don’t have to be perfect for God to love me, use me, sing over me. Need to hear that although I don’t fit in, well, I’m not supposed to…in fact, I’m supposed to be a little…alien.

I wrote PJ for everyone who feels just a little messy, just a little like they can’t quite get it right. And who needs to hear that God loves them. Period. Full stop. Hallelujah.

TV Appearances & On Being Childless on Mother's Day

Hi Friends,

As you probably know, I'll be headed out this week to appear on 100 Huntley Street and The Harvest Show, as well as Moody Midday (that one's radio). I'll be talking about infertility as we approach Mother's Day. If you don't get the shows on your TV system, you can always watch online at http://www.harvest-tv.com/ and http://www.100huntley.com/. I'll be on The Harvest Show on Wednesday and 100 Huntley Street (their Full Circle program) on Friday.

So, I'm posting some thoughts early this week on being childless on Mother's Day. Below is the story of how I learned to face Mother's Day when I was childless and hoping so much for a baby.

On Being Childless on Mother’s Day:

It was the Sunday I dreaded most of the whole year. I almost stayed home. I almost pleaded sickness. I almost rolled over in bed and pulled the covers over my head. But I didn’t. And now I wished I had.

I clutched my Bible to my chest and stepped into the church sanctuary. Gauzy dresses and scrubbed-pink children met my gaze. Snippets of muted conversation mixed with the quiet notes of “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” In front, a banner proclaimed Happy Mother’s Day, and below it, a vase brimmed with delicate roses. Their velvety petals shimmered with tiny drops of dew beneath the church’s incandescent lights. The sight was beautiful, and I hated it. Dozens of perfectly formed roses - one for every mother in the congregation. But not for me.

I was childless. Month after month, year after year, I’d planned and waited and hoped. And still Mother’s Day came along and left me sitting here, with a hollow feeling in my gut and a tissue gripped tightly in my fist. I didn’t think this year would be any different.

I rubbed my hand over my suddenly-chilled skin. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not . . . came the voice of our music director.

Compassion, Lord? You know what’s going to happen. It’s the same every year. The pastor will call all the mothers up front, and all the women will go, smiles wreathing their faces, some with babies in their arms. And I’ll be left sitting out here in the pews, the only woman among a horde of men and children. I can’t bear it again. I just can’t.

Too soon, the service began and the part came that I dreaded most. The Pastor stepped to the pulpit with a huge grin on his face. “Can I have all the mothers come up front, please?”

I lifted my chin and tried to keep it from trembling as dozens of flowered dresses rose from their seats and swayed toward the altar. Then, as I feared, it was only me, the men, the children, and . . . wait a minute!

To my right and three rows from the front, a little old lady with white hair still sat. Dora. Why hadn’t I noticed that she never went up on Mother’s Day before? Could it be that she, too, was childless?

From where I sat, I could see that her shoulders, though rounded now with age, didn’t tremble as the Pastor handed a rose to each mother. Her eyes weren’t watery like mine, and her mouth wasn’t turned down. Even as the women came back down the aisle, their roses in hand, Dora was smiling. Really smiling, not just that “I-need-to-try-to-look-pleasant-so-no-one-suspects” type of smile. Her whole face was a-bloom with contentment and joy. Joy - even though she never had children. How did she manage it, especially on Mother’s Day?

When the time came to stand up and greet one another, I hurried toward Dora. She turned and smiled at me, her hand extended.

“How do you do it?” I asked.

Her smile broadened, as if she knew just what I meant. “It will always be hard, dear,” she said and patted my arm with one thin hand. “You never get over the wishing.” Her voice softened.

“But for today, just today, let God be enough.”

“Enough of what?”

Dora paused and looked me directly in the eye. “Enough to love.”

Enough to love. As I pondered those three simple words throughout the day, I discovered in them the secret to surviving Mother’s Day, to surviving every day where wishing and disappointment clashed in my heart. Despite the pain, despite the longing, I needed to remember God’s love for me, and mine for Him. I needed to look beyond my ache for a child, and focus on telling Jesus that I loved Him, even now when my arms were empty, even on the hardest day of the year. And if I could do that, perhaps, just perhaps, I too would find the joy that was more beautiful than any dew-tipped rose.

FOR MORE HELPS ON INFERTILITY, AND GREAT TIPS FOR SURVIVING MOTHER'S DAY, CHECK OUT THE RESOURCES PAGE ON MY WEBSITE AT: http://www.marloschalesky.com/html/resources.html