How the Literary Journal Landscape Is and Isn’t Changing — Jane Friedman

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An excellent, insightful, helpful article. A Must share. — For the Love of Books

Today’s guest post is a Q&A by Andrea A. Firth (@AndreaAFirth), a writer, editor, and teacher and cofounder of Diablo Writers’ Workshop. Getting published in literary journals is hard—still. Editors routinely say that they often have to turn down good writing. The submission cycle takes months, and months. But some things have changed. No more…

How the Literary Journal Landscape Is and Isn’t Changing — Jane Friedman

Free books April 25, 2022

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Two FREE books tonight.

Retribution Road 

Gabe Jones—an underwater investigative diver with an unusual gift—has a way of finding trouble. This time though trouble finds him.

Carol Evans helped Gabe Jones survive his last adventure. Now they are a couple and Carol needs his help. Carol’s son, Paul, has made some decisions recently that have led him straight into a deep dark world of trouble. His disappearance has the whole family questioning what this kid has been up to and who exactly is the dead girl in his truck, which was submerged in a watery tomb. As they try and unravel Paul’s disappearance, the answers they uncover lead them on the chase of a lifetime that crosses state lines and national borders.

Carol and Gabe also find themselves needing help and support from Carol’s dad Tom, a retired Texas Ranger, who has a few problems of his own. A plane flown by family friends and the son of a well-known senator has crashed into Texas waters. When Gabe dives on the wreckage, he discovers a Pandora’s box of evidence that links Tom’s friends to Paul’s disappearance into a world filled with crime and violence. Homes and families are destroyed. Every action brings retribution until it appears no one will be left standing. Only total annihilation—or a miracle—will stop the killing. Someone must make the hard choices. Who will it be?

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The Sanctum

“Pamela King Cable has created an unforgettable heroine in Neeley McPherson, a remarkable young woman of such courage and spunk that she dares to stand against unspeakable abuse and injustice not only for herself but also for her beloved caretaker, Gideon. Fleeing a horrendous life, Neeley discovers the true meaning of family, forgiveness, and love in a wolf sanctuary, which becomes a central metaphor for the difficult journey we all must undertake to find our way home. Thoroughly enjoyable book!” ~ Cassandra King Conroy (Pat’s wife) – Bestselling author of Moonrise, The Same Sweet Girls, and The Sunday Wife“

This inspirational tale thrills with a tight plot, lyrical scene descriptions, and complex characters. Pamela Cable leaves readers aching for more.” ~ Julie Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author.

“I would compare The Sanctum to Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Set in the deep south during the Civil Rights Era, this book tackles such issues as racial discrimination and abuse.” ~ Kimberly A. Liston-McCabe

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Happy Reading!

Update on the weather April 24, 2022

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I’m sad. People don’t get my ironic sense of humor, talking about boring weather. It has been a wild weather weekend around here folks. It is still happening. Blowing like crazy, snowing all over the flooded back yard. Weather is definitely not boring at a time like this.

The humor is probably meant to cover up my insecurities. I can’t imagine anyone thinking what is happening over here is that big a deal. Weather like this is happening in all sorts of places around the world.

I just know one thing for sure, I wouldn’t want to be out in it right now.

That’s all I have to say but somehow it seems wrong to end quite yet.

I guess I could admit that I like living somewhere with dramatic weather. Moderate weather truly is boring, to me anyway. I know lots of people, like some of my family members, who would choose moderate every time.

I like true winter and true summer. Cold and hot. I’m not a fan of hot and very hot though. Lots love tropical weather and I can see why. It is beautiful too. Although I’m not sure I could survive tropical storms. They are really scary.

Even there it’s what you know. Severe cold can kill you in minutes if you are left exposed outside. The thought doesn’t fill me with terror because I know what to do to keep it from happening.

It’s amazing how we can adapt to dangerous situations and take it all in stride. Knowledge brings out the bravery. It’s what we are used to that makes the difference I guess. I can handle seeing a bear in the vicinity but I’m pretty sure I’d be freaked if I met an alligator in the neighborhood.

I probably should be freaked. What’s an alligator doing in this cool climate anyway? He needs to be rescued by animal control and relocated.

OK, I’m out of here. This could go on and on all night.

Have a good night y’all.

Photo by Alex Dugquem on Pexels.com
Photo by Amit on Pexels.com

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No contest. I’ll stick with bears.

Weather is such a boring topic April 24, 2022

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Well, it is. Mainly because we all have weather where we live and it all consists of the same elements – precipitation and sunshine with a little wind mixed in. Oh, and hot and cold, or variations of them.

It’s amazing too, or maybe not so amazing, how the same weather patterns can stretch across huge areas, continents even. Probably not north and south so much but for sure east and west.

Weather, as a topic, is boring and yet we are consumed with it. We wake up happy if the sun is shinning in a cloudless sky and abandon our plans for the day if it is pouring down rain. Well, some of us abandon our plans, others shrug and go about their business anyway.

I decided all the errands on my to-do-list yesterday could wait for a better day. When the booming thunder and lightening, and the deluge of rain started in earnest I was slightly sorry I hadn’t gone out earlier.

When the kids were little we used to tell them all that banging around was just God moving furniture in heaven, (they were wise enough not to believe it but it was a fun story.) Not only was he moving it yesterday afternoon, and loudly at that, but there was more to be done at 3 am, It made for a short night, sleep-wise, I’ll tell you that.

It’s been raining and now snowing most of the day but I missed out on it while catching up on my beauty sleep. I do feel more awake now than I did at 8 this morning, and that’s saying a lot.

At least the weather hasn’t kept me from catching up on reading, although maybe that’s not totally true. I keep forgetting about nap time.

Photo by Haider Tahir on Pexels.com

Interruptions and unexpected events keep life interesting, don’t you think?

Current read April 23, 2022

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A mother with an independent streak herself has given her girls all the space they need to defy convention and just be themselves. Four sisters, beautiful, capable, industrious, with personalities all their own.

We meet them all but this book is really about two of them. They are delightful with their strongly held views on life and love. It will take the right men to capture their hearts. So far the girls have been immune to all advances even though there is no shortage of interested men. It will be something to see what it will take for a suitor to win in the end.

To make things interesting, there are sore losers still trying to force a win, rejection would be enough for most guys but not everyone is so easily deterred.

A delightful read. These girls with their spunk make me smile.

Westward Wanderers-Book 3: Season of Flight

Two sisters are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

Fern has always wanted to see the ocean, so when her mother asks her to accompany a wagon load of bees to Emerald City, Oregon, she jumps at the chance.

Content to stay at home, Iris, Fern’s sister, never imagines that God will call her to follow after her sister–alone.

What will the Founder sisters find waiting for them in the coastal town? Perhaps true love . . . or danger beyond their wildest imaginations. Their sisterly bond might be challenged in ways they never dreamed . . . can they pass the test?

Now back to the story. (smile)

Free books April 23, 2022

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Grace Livingston Hill was one of my favorite authors in my twenties. She was a prolific author, I was a prolific reader, and I still have fond memories of those days. Most of the books came from the library, the main source of reading material back then. I can’t remember who but someone loaned me a whole grocery bag full once and I was in heaven.

Here is a short bio:

Grace Livingston Hill (April 16, 1865 – 1947) was an early 20th-century novelist and wrote both under her real name and the pseudonym Marcia Macdonald. She wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories. Her characters were most often young female Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Two free books appeared for us this morning and further investigation has revealed a lot more. Also, there are a boatload of bargain books available too. You will find them if you select the author’s name, it will make all of her books come up.

The Witness

“The Witness” deals with the fate of Paul Courtland, a successful student, star athlete, and fraternity president.

After he witness a tragedy when his classmate dies Paul starts seeking for a solace. Ultimately, Paul meets a girl who is going to get him into trouble and he will be put in a position to choose between his emotions and faith.

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Here is the next one

Bright Arrows

Eden’s life turns upside down when her beloved father dies. She feels completely lost and broken. The only comfort in Eden’s life are the letters written by her mother when she was just a child, that her father gave to her prior to his death.

Eden’s faith is being restored when she meets a handsome lawyer who comes to execute her father’s will.

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An Unwilling Guest

Evelyn Rutherford, a New York society beauty, decides to visits her aunt, who lives in the country, for the summer. When her aunt falls ill, Evelyn becomes the unwilling guest of a neighbouring family.

What Evelyn thought will be a boring summer turned up to be a spiritual journey where she discovered the truth about herself and God.

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Crimson Roses 

Alone in the city without money and friends. Mother and father gone, her home sold over her head, deserted by her only brother – for Marion Warren the world seemed to stop. But her long years of nursing an uncomplaining father had taught her a great lesson.

And she stepped bravely into a new life. Things seemed pretty black until the roses came…

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Astra

Astra Everson, travels alone on a train thinking of everything that went wrong in her life. What Astra is not aware is that a Christmas miracle is about to happen when she meets a handsome Charles…

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I’ve added links this time. Often one word titles are not easy to successfully search and links will help.

This will be nostalgic, a blast from the past for me. I’m anxious to see if these stories hold as much interest now as they did decades ago. The fact they are still around more than seventy years after her death is a positive indicator of their present day appeal.

Check out the rest of the books not mentioned too. The more popular stories may have prices on them.

Enjoy…

and Happy Reading

Reminiscing here: I think the appeal for me back then was the strong woman role model. Hard times fell on these characters and somehow they stiffened their spines and looked for ways to live through their tough circumstances. It was a message I needed to hear back then. Not that I was consciously aware of it. I remember thinking – if they can suck-it-up and keep on going then I can too. It’s an influence I’ve never forgotten. I’ve always wanted to be that woman. I still do.

Free and bargain books April 22, 2022

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The first one today is a FREE book alert coming directly from the author. It has been awhile since we’ve heard much from Chautona and we’ve missed her weekly visits. Life happens and things change, we’re just glad to see her again, even for a moment.

Bookers on the Rocks: Elnora Island (Independence Islands Book 7)

If it ain’t broke, why’s she so intent on fixing it?

Tessa Booker hates romance.

For twenty-five years, Tessa Booker has insisted that romance is something Hollywood cooked up to sell books and movies. Yes, she knows the word existed before movies.  She doesn’t care. That’s her story, and she’s sticking to it.

So when Ross gets a gentle nudge from Mallory Barrows to look into what Tessa’s doing every day while he’s at work, he discovers a romance in the works–one that sounds a little too “ripped from the pages” of his life!

Who is this woman, and what has she done with his wife? 

Armed with advice from 101 Ways to Romance Your Wife and a copy of the manuscript he printed while she was napping, he’s determined to figure out what’s up with his wife… and if maybe a little romance wouldn’t be a good thing after all.

In a twist of the “on the rocks trope,” this book introduces the next island in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

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A bargain we didn’t bite on that’s showed up a few times in the last few days, we will break down and go for it today. This author has been on my read and enjoyed list for years.

The Promise of Dawn (Under Northern Skies Book #1)

Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Launches New Immigrant Series

When Signe, her husband, Rune, and their three boys arrive in Minnesota from Norway to help a relative clear his land of lumber, they dream of owning their own farm and building a life in the New World. But Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone in order to repay the cost of their voyage. At this rate, they will never have land or a life of their own.

Signe tries to trust God but struggles with anger and bitterness. She has left behind the only life she knew, and while it wasn’t an easy life, it wasn’t as hard as what she now faces. When a new addition to the family arrives, Signe begins to see how God has been watching over them throughout their ordeal. But after all that has happened, can she still believe in the promise of a bright future?

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BookRunes has an interesting FREE suggestion for us.

Coming Home: A Sweet Small Town Romance (Montana Promises Book 1) 

Fans of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series will love this small-town, feel-good romance!

Mia Costas is a successful artist, not an event planner. Agreeing to help stage a charity gala is the last thing she needs, but it’s for a good cause and she doesn’t want to let her friends down. When she realizes how important the event is, she knows she’s not the best person for the job—and so will the director of the hospital if he discovers who she is.

With less than three months until the opening of a new neonatal unit, Stan Lewis, the Director of Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, needs to organize the biggest fundraising event Montana has ever seen. An event staging company could be the answer to all his problems or create more than he ever imagined.

With the hopes of more than one child resting on their shoulders, Stan and Mia work together to create a night no one will forget. And maybe, if they let themselves believe in the power of love, they can create a little magic of their own.

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There may be more yet but we will go with this for now.

Happy Reading!

Free and bargain books April 21, 2022

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A couple of books to mention quickly. A few interesting reads that showed up browsing earlier today.

This first one is FREE from a regular author.

Journey to Respect: Sweeping Historical Saga (The American Journey Book 3) 

East Meets West in a Regency Era Western~

An inspirational historical romance from a Carol Award–winning author: Does Rafe belong with his mother’s tribe or on his father’s plantation? As he chooses between two lives, Eve, a daughter of a prominent Washington, DC family, prepares for an unexpected journey west. Both Rafe and Eve embark on a journey, a Journey to Respect. But such journeys are rarely uncomplicated or without pitfalls. And falling in love is the most dangerous of all. PG13

This moving, authentic historical novel by a USA Today Bestselling author, is one you won’t want to miss. Though part of a series, this story is complete within itself.

A family’s saga, a young nation’s story~

What Readers Say:

“I so very seldom write a review but I couldn’t turn the last page without leaving one this time. Characters and emotions in this book seem so stunningly real I felt I was in the midst of them. This is a very beautiful story and I highly recommend it to each and all readers.”

“Another fantastic story in this series. Each one is as good as or better than the previous one. We met Rafe McKuen, the son of an Osage chief’s daughter and a fur trader in book two, but we get to know the man he is now.”

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We’ve seen one book from this author about a year ago. It’s nice to see her again to get to know her a little better.

Deadly Connection

Private Investigator, Reid Lucas, and his mentor, Joe Lockhart, haven’t spoken in years, but when Joe wants to meet in a small-town diner, Reid’s interest is piqued. Without explanation, Joe calls and tells Reid he has five minutes to get waitress, Quinn Matthews, and her son out of the diner before they’re kidnapped by the group of men about to walk through the diner’s front door.

Quinn Matthews’ life is simple and safe, exactly how she likes it—until Reid Lucas walks into the diner. Now, she and her son are running for their lives, and she has no idea why. But when the father of her son shows up and dies saving them, she realizes they all have one deadly connection: Joe Lockhart. Now, she’ll have to trust the mysterious private investigator to not only save their lives but connect her past to her present so they can figure out who is after them. And why.

As the danger escalates, unexpected feelings arise. Reid doesn’t believe he’s worthy of Quinn’s love–or God’s. And Quinn is too worried about having her heart broken again and the effect of having a new man in her son’s life. Can they let go of their preconceived notions of love and relationships, or are they doomed to just let go of each other?

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That’s it for tonight.

Happy Reading tomorrow.

A whole lot of nothing April 21, 2022

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That’s what I have today, nothing earth shattering that’s for sure.

I’ve been working more hours lately. The exciting thing about all this is that we have started making progress on older projects that have been on the back burner, forever it seems. All of them for one reason or another. We are finally getting some things done and off the list, which is mood altering in a good way.

Of course, working on these projects means more time spent with clients. It has been awhile since we’ve had reason for more than a brief how-are-things email. I’m blessed with such a great bunch of people to work with. It is a pleasure to hear their voices again and spend time with them sorting things out.

Personal activities have suffered some in the last few weeks, with less attention coming their way. Not that they have been totally forgotten. I’m still reading, although live streamers and podcasts are cutting into book and blog times. Maybe that is partly because the river of life moves on and interests shift. That’s not a bad thing, it’s hard to keep moving and growing if we find ourselves stuck in one spot.

My daughter has branched out into a new area of interest. I’ve been the crafter in the family but it didn’t rub off on her, she’s never showed much interest until now. Some of her friends are crocheting baby outfits and blankets to be given to new mothers and she wants to be involved. It made my heart smile to get the call asking if I had crochet hooks and a ball of yarn she could practice with. Do I have hooks and yarn? Does the sun rise every morning? I am a collector of yarn and hooks. I’ll be excited to share a bunch with my grand daughter too, when she and her family visits soon. I sure haven’t been using it much and since my grand daughter has become quite the little crochet artist she is excited to have new supplies. She’s looking forward to making more memories together too. It all began for her at my house.

Family time over Easter was a special treat, like always. Although toward the end of the evening it was becoming a challenge to stay awake. With everyone bringing something for the meal there is always so much food. The teenagers were fine, it was the rest of us who couldn’t eat like we used to. The upside to all this food is that mom, or dad won’t be cooking for a few days and the teenagers will still be fed. Who is going to complain about that.

Well, for not having much to say this has gone on longer than expected. I don’t know about you but I always enjoy times like this spent with you.

So what kind of nothings are happening in your life? We would like to get to know you too. Leave a comment for us. Looking forward to it.

Night guys.

The excitement is inspiring!! April 20, 2022

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Photo by Sebastian Pichard on Pexels.com

We are having a big time tonight.

The Peoples Convoy is parked at a speedway in Sacramento and tonight is street legal drag racing.

The live streamer we’re watching is over the moon about racing one of his friends.

We get to be in the car with him.

A clip sitting in line waiting.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxBz22QNtxNsHe6VMCt_CMSSGzfaW6DTLM

We won!

He says he will post a video of the race later. Hoping so.

Later

I love hearing the roaring motors.

Makes me want to race too. Somewhere except on the hilly highway, in the passing lane. lol

Putting my boot in it while it shifts down to a lower gear and we walk away from the guy we’re passing, So fun.

Here is the long form of the podcast today.