The Tenth Plague Submitted to My Publisher

First, an Apology

Adam hard at work in his home office

Many may have wondered why I've been silent so long. It's true: I haven't sent out a writing update in ages. Why? I wanted to stay focused on the next novel and not continually bug all you nice people until I actually had something important to say. I hope you'll forgive me, but there was method behind my madness. Still, I should have worked harder at staying in touch.

The Sequel Is Done

Now for the big news. The Tenth Plague, my sequel to Fatal Illusions, is finally in the hands of my publisher. I'm grateful to God for helping me on this long journey that began with a synopsis submitted during the summer of 2009 and later to a major rewrite that began last May. My writing journeys are never easy and often seem to take a very long time—all within God's grand design, of course. I guess God also wants to teach me patience when a certain plot segment takes literally hours to get right, and humility when I can't keep up to the pace of other successful novelists.

So What Happens Next?

Now I wait to hear if my publisher likes the sequel. There are no guarantees that the sequel will even be accepted, though I have a gut feeling that the project is strong. In my opinion, it's my best work so far. But of course I bet every novelist feels that way after finishing a big project.

What am I working on next? A lot of story ideas are bouncing around in my head even as I write this. I have a file full of all sorts of unusual story ideas. The problem isn't finding ideas. It's seeing the potential in them and learning how to craft them into a believable, engaging read with a strong protagonist who faces a foe, struggles, even gets hurt, but wins in a big way. Yes, a certain unusual story idea has been nagging me for a while, so that's where I'm going next. What's the idea? Not so fast. You'll have to wait and see. (-;

Other News of Interest

Fatal Illusions has been on the Kregel best-seller list for a year now, so I find that news encouraging. All glory to God!

Last summer I had the honor of being a contributing columnist at the Christian Fiction Online Magazine. If you're interested in learning more about the process that went into writing Fatal Illusions, surf on over to my article, "What You Don't Know Can Hurt You."

How Are Things with My Dad?

Mom and Dad at Thanksgiving

Many may be wondering about my dad's brain cancer. Praise God, the cancer hasn't revealed any growth for a full year, so we are rejoicing. Doctors gave Dad a minimum of two years (January will mark Dad's two-year anniversary), so we have much to be grateful for. However, please keep my folks in prayer. Dad has suffered brain damage and struggles with simple things: seeing (on the left side), walking, remembering things, and doing things with his hands. He's been a fixer and hands-on type all his life, so perhaps you can imagine how hard (and depressing) this lifestyle change has been for him. He can easily become confused, but thankfully my mom is there to take care of him and remind him of God's goodness. Life isn't easy for them, but God gives grace for each day. I'm thankfully only five minutes away and can zip over at a moment's notice if they need help.

Thank you for your support. I'll be in touch when and if I have any news to share. In the meantime, I'll try not to bug you too much. May the Lord receive the glory for whatever He chooses to do. May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus

"Silent Night" by Mannheim Steamroller

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Emily of Deep Valley

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Emily of Deep Valley Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reprint edition (October 12, 2010) by Mitali Perkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A word from Mitali: Who In The World Is Mitali Perkins?

That's a good question. I've been trying to figure it out myself, spending most of my life crossing borders.

I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means “friendly” in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.

By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through.

My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home.

After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong female characters trying to bridge different cultures.

Mitali Perkins is the author of several books for young people, including SECRET KEEPER (Random House), MONSOON SUMMER (Random House), RICKSHAW GIRL (Charlesbridge), and the FIRST DAUGHTER books (Dutton).

ABOUT THE BOOK

Often cited as Maud Hart Lovelace’s (of Betsy-Tacy fame) best novel, Emily of Deep Valley is now back in print, with a new foreword by acclaimed young adult author Mitali Perkins and new archival material about the characters’ real lives.

Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can’t leave her grandfather. Emily resigns herself to facing a “lost winter,” but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed...

In addition to her beloved Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace wrote three more stories set in the fictional town of Deep Valley: Winona’s Pony Cart, Carney’s House Party and Emily of Deep Valley. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be delighted to find the Deep Valley books available again for the first time in many years.

Book Review

I requested this novel for my mom and my sister but sadly must confess that neither warmed up to this novel.

If you would like to browse inside Emily of Deep Valley, go HERE.

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A Very Private Grave by Donna Fletcher Crow

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Very Private Grave Monarch Books (August 1, 2010) by Donna Fletcher Crow

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Donna Fletcher Crow is author of more than thirty-five novels. She has twice won first place in the Historical Fiction category from the National Association of Press Women, and has also been a finalist for "Best Inspirational Novel" from the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of The Arts Centre Group and Sisters in Crime. Find out more at www.donnafletchercrow.com.

Endorsements:

"History and mystery and murders most foul keep the pages turning ... A fascinating read." –Liz Curtis Higgs, bestelling author of Thorn in My Heart

“A Knickerbocker Glory of a thriller, a sweeping, page-turning quest served up with dollops of Church history and lashings of romance. Donna Fletcher Crow has created her own niche within the genre of clerical mysteries.” – Kate Charles, author of Deep Waters

“As in Glastonbury, Donna Fletcher Crow’s descriptions of the English and Scottish settings in her new mystery are drawn with real artistry. Lovers of British history and church history will be impressed by her grasp of both.”—Sally Wright, Edgar Award finalist and author of the Ben Reese Mysteries

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Felicity Howard, a young American studying for the Anglican priesthood at the College of the Transfiguration in Yorkshire, is devastated when she finds her beloved Fr. Dominic bludgeoned to death and Fr. Antony, her church history lecturer, soaked in his blood.

Following the cryptic clues contained in a poem the dead man had pressed upon her minutes before his death, she and Fr. Antony—who is wanted for questioning by the police—flee the monastery to seek more information about Fr. Dominic and end up in the holy island of Lindisfarne, former home of Saint Cuthbert.

Their quest leads them into a dark puzzle...and considerable danger.

If you would like to read the Prologue and first Chapter of A Very Private Grave, go HERE.

Watch the book video:



My Mom's Review

My mom had a difficult time getting through this novel for a few reasons. First, the novel is strongly Anglican, but even if one can be patient in that regard, the story is overloaded with history and, in her words, "too much going on." She also didn't like to see profanity suggested by the first letter of the word followed by a dash. The mind still fills in what the word is, especially the F word. This is simply unnecessary in a Christian novel and frankly disgusted her. Still, she did enjoy the trips across England, some of the history, and the puzzles the protagonists needed to solve to unravel the mystery. But overall, she finished the novel with a dissatisfied feeling. Sorry. She truly wishes she could have been more positive on this one.