DEMON: A MEMOIR by Tosca Lee -- Intriguing!

You've heard it said often. Writers should "read, read, read," and it is true. Reading well-written books does improve our writing.

So, with that premise in mind, I must say that if you haven't already read DEMON: A MEMOIR by Tosca Lee, you have to get it! Published by B&H Publishing Group, it's back cover hints at the suspense that held me spellbound until its very last word:

"I started to rise. He grabbed me by the arm. His fingers bit through the sleeve of my coat, exceedingly strong, unnaturally warm.

"'You will recall everything–every word I say. Long after you have forgotten, in fact, the way I summoned you to this table, the first prick of your mortal curiosity about me. Long after you have forgotten, in fact, the most basic details of your life. You will remember–and you will curse or bless this day.'

"I felt ill. Something about the way he said mortal...In that instant, reality, strung out like an elastic band, snapped.

"'Yes, You see.' He smiled. 'You know. We can share now, between us, the secret of what I am.'

"The words came, unbidden, to my mind: Fallen, Dark Spirit.

"DEMON."

My enthusiastic recommendation doesn't stand alone, either. Accolades from twenty-nine well-known authors and reviewers are listed in the book's first pages. I won't quote them all, but the following is a sample:

New York Times Best-Selling Author Ted Dekker comments, "So few books rattle me to the core yet lift my hopes to the heavens in the same breath. Tosca Lee's DEMON is a rare find that must be read."

Brandilyn Collins, Award-winning author of Exposure, says, "I will not read the stories of Creation or Lucifer's fall again without picturing the scenes described in DEMON."

Tracey Bateman, Christy Award-Winning author of Thirsty states: "DEMON: A MEMOIR isn't a mere work of fiction. DEMON is an experience."

Tosca Lee is a Christy Award finalist for excellence in Christian fiction and a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Silver Award winner. She is also the critically acclaimed author of Havah: The Story of Eve. Tosca lives in the Midwest and enjoys travel, history, and theology. You can learn more about this amazing author at ToscaLee.com.

Are you a woman over 40 -- or well on your way? If so, you've got to read this...

Hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, overwhelmed emotions... Am I going crazy or am I just over 40?

When author and speaker Ronna Snyder found herself struggling to respond to changes going on in her life and body, she discovered what many women before her have found--she was experiencing the not-so-subtle effect of perimenopause and menopause. With that "aha" moment, her faith kicked in, and she began experiencing Hot Flashes from Heaven, the term she coined for the deeply personal promptings she felt God sent to help her right her course and sail out of the menopausal tempest.

Ronna speaks with humor and heart right to "hormonally challenged" midlife women who are experiencing all kinds of life changes--physical, emotional, mental, and relational--and need to hear a reassuring voice say, "It's going to be okay--in fact, it's going to be better than you ever dreamed."

You will find a sister in the journey as you read and relate to these struggles, challenges, and insights. "Embrace your inner midlife crisis," encourages Ronna and in doing so you'll discover a radically richer way to live."

So reads the back cover of her Hot Flashes from Heaven, published by Harvest House Publishers.

I found the following excerpt especially perceptive: "If you get even one truth from this book, let it be that menopause, and the midlife juncture it arrives in, is truly not a curse. I've personally found that it is a change point ignited by evolving hormones that lead us into an equally precious, equally ordained time to reflect. A time to remember. A time to reinvent. A time to reevaluate. A time to reconfigure. A time to remind me––and a time to remind you––that the mercies of the heavens and their abundant life lessons, really are new everyday. Even as we grow ever older. Maybe even especially as we grow ever older. Hot flashing or not"

In a personal note, Ronna stresses that "this book is more about what your brain goes through, rather than your body, during this critical midlife transition period so aptly dubbed "The Change of Life." It ain't called that for nuttin', honey! And whether it's that stone-quiet empty nest, or the tomb-like sorrow in the midlife soul, they ALL resonate with Hot Flashes from Heaven once we learn to quiet ourselves and listen for them."

Ronna has been a contributing editor and regular writer for magazines and daily newspapers, and she speaks at women's events. She also rides a purple Harley-Davidson and has a passion for helping women find joy and freedom by living their lives at "full throttle." She lives near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her husband, Bill, and has four children, a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren.

On Ronna's website, www.ronnasnyder.com, you can order a personally signed copy of this laugh-out-loud funny book filled with practical advice and encouragement for only $13 with free shipping. Get your copy today and begin listening for your Hot Flashes from Heaven.

Today's Special Feature: Gina Holmes and her CBA best-selling debut novel, Crossing Oceans

In 1997, while working full-time as a nurse, Gina Holmes dreamed of being a stay-at-home mom. She had always been told she was a good writer, so she began penning articles and short stories, none of which brought in enough money to allow her to fulfill her dream.

Then one day, while attending a church service, she was inspired to write novels. "A seventeen year old girl got up in front of the church talking about how she was working on her second novel," Gina says. "I figured if she can do it, so can I."

Her first four novels didn't sell, but she never gave up. "After lots and lots of practice, it got easier," says Gina. "I just put myself in the character's skin: What would they do? What will they logically do next? I had some acting in my background, and that came in handy."

Gina's dream finally came true after Tyndale House Publishers offered to publish Crossing Oceans, her fifth novel, which debuted in May of this year and is currently ranked #19 on the Christian Booksellers Association's August bestseller list.

The book's summary reads:

"Sometimes love demands the impossible.

"Nothing deepens a stream like a good rain ... or makes it harder to cross. Jenny Lucas swore she'd never go home again. But life has a way of upending even the best-laid plans. Now, years after she left, she and her five-year-old daughter must return to her sleepy North Carolina town to face the ghosts she left behind. They welcome her in the form of her oxygen tank-toting grandmother, her stoic and distant father, and David, Isabella's dad ... who doesn't yet know he has a daughter.

"As Jenny navigates the rough and unknown waters of her new reality, the unforgettable story that unfolds is a testament to the power of love to change everything––to heal old hurts, to bring new beginnings ... even to overcome the impossible.

"Nothing deepens a stream like a good rain ... or makes it harder to cross."

Crossing Oceans has received many notable accolades. The following tribute was written by Nora St. Laurent, president and founder of Finding Hope Through Fiction book club:

"Crossing Oceans reminds me of A Walk to Remember and The Notebook both written by Nicholas Sparks. Gina has an amazing gift to masterfully blend together a memorable story filled with tenderness, hope, love, forgiveness, and a sense of well-timed humor. This story touched my heart deeply."

(Similar in tone to: Hope Floats, Steel Magnolias, Terms of Endearment, Nicholas Sparks, Charles Martin, Karen Kingsbury ...)

Those comparisons alone make Crossing Oceans a must read.

Gina currently resides with her husband and children in southern Virginia. To learn more about her, visit: www.ginaholmes.com or www.noveljourney.blogspot.com.

Special Feature: Carla Stewart and her debut novel, Chasing Lilacs

Carla Stewart, a two-time ACFW Genesis winner, is a Guideposts Writers Workshop alumna who has been published in Guideposts, Angels on Earth, and several regional magazines and anthologies. Her debut novel, Chasing Lilacs, released in June 2010 with FaithWords (Hachette). Carla enjoys a good cup of coffee, weekend getaways with her husband, and the antics of their six grandchildren.

Chasing Lilacs, a powerful and touching novel about a girl searching for the truth about her mother's love, is listed #19 on the August CBA bestseller list. It's back cover reads:

"It's the summer of 1958, and life in the small Texas community of Graham Camp should be simple and carefree. But not for Sammie Tucker. She has plenty of questions about her mother's "nerve" problems, shock treatments, and whether her mother loves her. When tragedy strikes, Sammie's life careens out of control and she must choose who to trust with her deepest fears: her best friend who has an opinion about everything, the mysterious boy from California whose own troubles plague him, or her round-faced neighbor with gentle advice and strong shoulders to cry on.

"Trusting is one thing, but accepting the truth may be the hardest thing Sammie has ever done."

Endorsements by other authors also give us insight into the book:

"A remarkable debut novel. Carla Stewart cleverly captures the stark simplicity of a young girl's voice with all the masterful qualities of powerful prose. Unforgettable." ––Susan Meissner, author of The Shape of Mercy

"CHASING LILACS is the kind of coming of age story that sticks to you beyond the last page. Unforgettable characters, surprising plot twists, and a setting so southern you'll fall in love with Texas. Carla Stewart is a new talent to watch!" ––Mary E. DeMuth, author of Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn

Congratulations go out to Carla for this heartwarming debut novel. You can read more about her on her website, www.carlastewart.com, follow her blog at www.carlastewart.blogspot.com, and find her on Twitter @ChasingLilacs.

Please comment below...

This Week's Feature: Denise Hunter and her new novel, Driftwood Lane

Denise Hunter is the nationally published author of bestsellers Sweetwater Gap and Surrender Bay. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and was a RITA finalist. Wow! That's quite a list.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since.

Denise writes Christian romance novels for Thomas Nelson. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but she insists a good imagination helps too! When she isn't writing, she's busy raising three heroes-in-the making with her husband.

Her newest novel, Driftwood Lane, sounds like another winner. On it's back cover we read:

"Meridith can handle anything: guardianship of three distant siblings, a dilapidated Bed-and-Breakfast, even an ever-present handyman who's dismantling more than her fireplace--or can she?

When the death of Meridith's estranged father leaves her with custody of three siblings she's never met, she reluctantly goes to Nantucket to care for them--but only until their uncle returns from his trip. Little does she know, the uncle is already there under the guise of her friendly handyman, with plans of his own.

Will the love that grows between them be strong enough to overcome the secrets that brought them both to Driftwood Lane?"

Hmm... Sounds mysterious, doesn't it? Three siblings Meredith has never met ... an uncle with plans of his own posing as her handyman ... and secrets? I love secrets! This one has just become a must for my summer reading list.

To learn more about this talented author, check out Denise's website at www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or join her FaceBook group at www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=124248046980

Today's Feature: Beth Wiseman and her new book, Seek Me With All Your Heart

Best-selling author Beth Wiseman's Seek Me With All Your Heart, book #1 in her Land of Canaan Series, is due for release in September, but it can be purchased now at ChristianBook.com.

Writing has always been a part of Beth's life. When she was introduced to the Amish, she gained an appreciation for their simpler way of life and began writing novels featuring this endearing group. Her first novel was Plain Perfect.

Beth is a wife, mother of two grown sons, a full-time author, and loves having a life blessed by God. She and her family live in a small town in Texas, in the country—God’s country. Beth says it’s beautiful there. They wake up to their rooster (Rusty!) crowing, and she spends her days writing stories that God puts in her head.

Her favorite verses are: 1 Corinthians 13: "... And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." and John 14:18: "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

In an interview with Beth, Christianbook.com asked her what inspired her to write Seek Me with All Your Heart. She answered, "This was a joint effort with my editor and publishing team based on an article that detailed how Amish families are migrating to Colorado—from Pennyslvania, Ohio, Indiana, New York, Michigan, and Missouri. Most of them are pursuing less-expensive land and more land for future generations."

When questioned about the location of the book's setting, Beth said, "The fictional town of Canaan is located near Monte Vista, Colorado. Monte Vista is Spanish for ‘mountain view’, and the Sangre de Cristo (which means ‘blood of Christ’) Mountains are to the east and the San Juans are to the west. I’ll be going back to the area in August to do more research. We chose that location because there is an Amish community just outside of Monte Vista."

On the book's back cover, we read:

"Emily Detweiler's family abruptly moved to Colorado after tragedy struck in Ohio. But Emily can't get far enough to escape what happened there.

"David Stoltzfus is not happy when his family relocates from Pennsylvania to Colorado. Never mind that they haven't told him why. David struggles not only with this unwelcome move, but also with the fear that a health condition could keep him from living his life in full.

"Emily and David each come to terms with a past that follows them, testing their faith and resolve. Will they overcome adversity and step onto the path God has chosen for them?"

Hmm ... This raises quite a few questions that scream for answers. I've never read Amish fiction before, but I think I'll start now. This book is a must buy!

The wait begins ...

I've finished Face From the Past, had it professionally edited, attended a writer's conference, and signed with a great agent who is busy promoting it to editors. So, what do I do now?

Hmm. Let's see. I could sit around biting my nails, waiting on that magical email that tells me an editor wants to read more, take a break from writing altogether and work on some of the many unfinished household projects that haunt me every day, or begin my next novel.

I'm sure all you writers know the correct option: Begin my next novel, of course. But suppose the emails finally come and all I get is rejection? What then?

One option comes to mind immediately. I could throw a huge pity-party and invite all my unpublished friends to join me. Fess up - I know a lot of you out there know just what I'm talking about. After all, the Lord has numbered our days and life is short, so why should we waste another minute working so hard at something no one appreciates? Right?

Of course not. We are writers––professionals, and we are compelled to write come what may. So, we grit our teeth and dig in.

Yesterday after church, I took my writing sabbath and read, read, read. I finished The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell. In it, Bell states that all writers, published and unpublished, need to continue improving their craft by consistently writing and reading. Writing - set a goal to write a given number of words per week and do it, regardless. Reading - we need to read books on writing as well as other novels in the genre we write. If you haven't read The Art of War for Writers, I strongly recommend it as the next book you read to improve your craft.

Bell's book inspired me, so today I have set (and met) my word-count goal, am starting to read Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll, and am actively exploring ideas for my next novel.

Where are you in your writing journey, what are you working on and reading now, and have you set a word-count goal for yourself?