Faithchick Rene Gutteridge

Rene Gutteridge was an award-winning screenwriter before becoming a novelist. Her latest novel, Skid, which lets the reader “Come Fly The Frenzied Skies!”, is from her Occupational Hazards series. She’s also the author of the popular Boo series including: Boo, Boo Who, Boo Hiss, and Boo Humbug.

What will the reader remember the most about her books? Rene thinks it depends on the reader’s journey. We all bring our own experiences into the novel, and we all take away different things. She hopes each reader finds her stories unforgettable, meaningful, and fun.

Book Club Alert: Rene wants to join in the fun at your book club by conference call. Imagine having access to the author herself as you discuss her novel. You can bring Rene to your group by using the contact information on her website.

Rene was pleased to be a part of a major motion picture when she was asked to write the novelization of the movie The Ultimate Gift.

What does a writer do when her characters won’t obey her? Write a popular series called the Boo Series. When Rene’s wacky characters got totally out of control, she let them have their way. And one story formed after another. The following is a portion of a review of Boo by www.ChristianFictionReview.com. Boo “reads like a good old-fashioned Frank Capra film. Rene Gutteridge has filled the town of Skary with the wackiest and lovable ensemble cast I’ve read about in a long, long time.”

Known for writing humor amazingly well, Rene has written 14 novels for several major Christian publishing houses. Never the Bride: A Novel is her next release, due in bookstores in June 2009.

Need More Energy?

Have you ever been on a cell phone while the battery drained? My guess is you were quick to find a cord and plug it in to a good power source.

What do you plug into when you need more energy?

In my Seek God With Me post, I share about how to plug into a very good power source.

Faithchick Susan May Warren

There’s nothing like a riveting video to prove that Susan May Warren does her homework. Susan recently expanded her novel research to include a skydiving trip. You can view it on her website. While you’re there, go ahead and sign up for her newsletter.

Award-winning novelist Susan May Warren is a giver. She’s done something not everyone gets an opportunity to do. She and her family moved to Russia and lived there, giving to the people in her new community for a few years, until they moved back to the USA in 2004. Two of her series have a distinct Russian flavor: the Heirs of Anton series and the Mission: Russia series.

Since generosity is apart of who she is, she imparts her wisdom to writers of all levels. She helps developing novelists see their novel’s strengths and weaknesses, and experienced novelists have received her help as well. Her manuscript evaluations not only give suggestions for improvement at a reasonable rate, but also leaves the writer encouraged and empowered.

She and Rachel Hauck co-host the popular My Book Therapy blog which teaches their blog readers the step-by-step methods of writing an award-winning story.

Whenever she’s available, Susan speaks to various groups. She offers writing classes throughout the year and makes appearances at writer’s conferences.

Of course she adds to the fun at the Faithchick blog, but you can also find her at her blog Scribbles.

Susan has been writing novels for years. If I counted correctly, she’s published six series. Her three most recent books are the 3-book Noble Legacy series: Reclaiming Nick, Taming Rafe, and Finding Stefanie. I’m looking forward to her 2009 release, Nothing But Trouble.

Faithchick Stacy Hawkins Adams

Stacy Hawkins Adams has won awards for her contemporary women’s fiction and has appeared on national and local radio programs as well as the Montel Williams Show.

Visit her at StacyHawkinsAdams.com where you can sign up for her monthly newsletter Life Untapped™. She not only blogs on Faithchick.com, but she also connects with readers on her MySpace site, which includes photos of her with a few celebrities and book club members.

Stacy is a member of the Academy for Professional Speaking and brings messages of hope to many groups, challenging them to address their goals with faith and confidence. She is available to speak at conferences, banquets, workshops, or other special events. She also promotes youth literacy.

Her well-received books follow her heroine, Serena, through her various decisions and life-changes. In Stacy’s debut novel, Speak To My Heart, Serena uncovers a family secret. Nothing But The Right Thing shows Serena longing for a dream that seems out of reach. And in Watercolored Pearls, Serena joins two other women in an effort to look to God and each other to find beauty in themselves and their journey.

Watercolored Pearls won second place in the 2008 ACFW Book of the Year contest. Stacy heads the Richmond, Virginia chapter of ACFW.

You can pre-order her next release, The Someday List (coming January 2009).

Surrendering To The One I Love

Our forefathers knew that hard work was essential to success. Goals are achieved by those who use some self-discipline. But disciplined minds and hard-working bodies cannot accomplish everything.

Sometimes we find that surrender is the key element we've been missing.

It makes a huge difference to whom we surrender, of course. The surrender I'm talking about is giving up on trying to do everything yourself. I've experienced far greater success when I've relied on my intimate relationship with God. Surrendering to Him brings simplicity to complicated matters. He makes difficult tasks much easier.

The Bible tells us to rely on Him in Matthew 19:26 where it says, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Working together with God significantly increases our power.

Still, some people think they're effective enough as they try to be The Lone Ranger when they'd have so much more power working with God and looking like The Cavalry.

If you're interested in more power, check out my post at Seek God With Me.

Faithchick Marilynn Griffith

Marilynn Griffith blogs on Faithchick.com, and she has authored the Shades of Style series and the Sassy Sistahood series. Her latest release is Rhythms of Grace.

If you’ve seen Tyler Perry’s movies, you may have seen one of Marilynn’s books used as a prop. “One of her novels, If the Shoe Fits, served as a prop in Tyler Perry's box office hit Why Did I Get Married? (The mistress has a book in her hand at the beginning of the scene where Jill Scott is forced off the plane.”

Marilynn speaks to women’s groups and writers’ groups. If you’re a writer, you could meet her at a writer’s conference. She has served among the faculty at many writers conferences and has served as Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers. I met her at Mount Hermon Writers Conference where she was teaching a workshop and I was getting lost among the unpublished. Her wide toothy grin put me at ease and made me feel at home with someone who loves Jesus.

This August, she took part in the Soul Expressions Book Tour with Angela Benson, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Allison Hobbs, Donna Hill, Seven, Rochelle Alers, L. Divine, Brenda Jackson, Beverly Jenkins, Earl Sewell, Geneva Holliday, and Wahida Clark.

On her website is a link to her blog. On her blog is a video of Howard Hewitt singing a song that Marilynn says Sean, her hero in Rhythms of Grace, hears in his head when he goes to sleep. I listened to the song on her blog. Nice. I could listen to it again. I think the songs on her blog give her readers an opportunity to get into the Rhythms of Grace mood. After listening to the different songs on her blog, I wanted to reach over to the novel and read it. Unfortunately, I haven’t bought it yet. It’s a good thing Christmas is coming - and it’s on my wish list.

“Marilynn Griffith is a wife to a deacon, mom to a tribe and proof that God gives second chances. When she’s not trying to park her van straight or find someone a clean shirt, she writes novels about faith, friendship, and forgiveness and speaks to women and writers about reaching their dreams.”

Faithchick Kristin Billerbeck

How do you combine Faith and Froth? Kristen Billerbeck knows how.

I didn’t know whether to describe her with Faith, Froth, & a Flirty Read or Faith Froth and a Designer Handbag. Both of those phrases can be found on her website. And both tags describe her stories well.

The Faithchicks blog is so fun because of the great variety of personalities. Kristen’s posts reflect who she is and show her unique combination of faith and froth.

She also blogs with three of her writing friends at Girls Write Out and has her own blog called Girly Girl.

You can sign up for her newsletter at the bottom of her website’s home page. She also has a trailer for her novel She’s Out Of Control there for you to watch.

I read her Ashley Stockingdale series and thoroughly enjoyed it, and then I gave the series to my niece who was about to be married. She’s also released her Spa Girls Collection (Three friends. One spa. And an infinite amount of oversharing.) and her latest series, The Trophy Wives Club (Because Sometimes, Prince Charming Isn’t).

So run to the bookstores and look for Kristen Billerbeck’s The Trophy Wives Club novels: Novels of Fakes, Faith, and a Love That Lasts Forever.

Why Are You Here?

Do you know how important your uniqueness is?

You've heard all the descriptions of unique finger prints and voice prints and other ways of telling people apart. But have you considered how unique your calling is?

Do you know why you're here?

Join me as I look into this important topic at Seek God With Me.

Faithchick Camy Tang

Camy Tang posts interesting thoughts on the Faithchick blog every month. I've also read her informative posts on the craft of writing at Story Sensei. But most recently, I’ve read her just released novel, Single Sashimi. I loved it! Here's the review.

Her first novel, Sushi for One? recently won the 2008 Book of the Year award for Debut Author. Congratulations, Camy!

At writers' conferences, she's fun. Online, she encourages other writers. And besides all that, she's generous. She gives away books on her blog and her website.



Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, SINGLE SASHIMI.

Camy Tang's Single Sashimi



Venus Chau is a take-charge, business-minded woman who has on-going conflict with greedy, vengeful, moral-free men in the male-dominated gaming industry. Will she be able to get what she’s worked all these years for or will she find herself bested by the rats she works with?

She and her three female cousins, Lex, Trish, and Jenn, start this fun adventure with family tension and try to help each other out just as they always have. All the while, Venus and her mother try to get along with each other.

While honest, if maybe a bit blunt, Venus has a perfectly businesslike demeanor unless some slacker needs a stern word or two. Her height, combined with expensive stilettos, adds towering persuasion to her polished, but slightly masculine Versace suits.

As Venus finishes the testing phase of her new game development tool, she worries about lining up investors. She gets a little help from the wonderful hero, until something goes wrong. But with the help of her well-connected Grandma Sakai, she thinks she can still get the job done, that is, unless someone pulls the rug out from under her.

I’ve been looking forward to this story since I met Venus in Sushi for One? (Lex’s story). Grandma Sakai is shown in a much better attitude in this book. I noticed the nod to the Seekerville ladies as I stumbled, grinning, over a few names. Venus is wonderfully written and allowed to have a sense of humor, intelligence, beauty, and several peanut butter cups.

Camy Tang has done it again with the final piece of the Sushi Series. I highly recommend all three of Camy’s books in this debut series. They’re as yummy as Jenn’s homemade chocolate snacks.

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. She used to be a biologist, but now she is a staff worker for her church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels every Monday and Thursday, and she ponders frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind. Visit her website at http://www.camytang.com/ for a huge website contest going on right now, giving away ten boxes of books and 30 copies of her latest release, SINGLE SASHIMI.

Where's God?

Have you ever walked up to the counter of an Information Center, but no one was there to take your question?

Many people have questions for God. He isn't on break. He isn't taking a day of vacation. He didn't call in sick. He is waiting and ready for you.

Join me at Seek God With Me as I discuss the real problem behind not being able to find God.

Here's a hint: the problem isn't God.

Faithchick Rachel Hauck

Rachel Hauck is a Faithchick who has been writing for many years. Her last two books have been quite popular Thomas Nelson hits. Sweet Caroline (February 08) held a spot on both the ECPA and CBA Bestseller lists. Love Starts with Elle (July 08) was ranked as a Top Pick from Romantic Times Book Club.

Her website has a cute video and a slide show of her book covers. From her website, you can go to her blog and see what she’s been up to lately. You can click on the photos link and see cool pics of her with other authors. If you happen to see her at one of the conferences she goes to, don’t be afraid to mention to her that you’re a writer. She’ll talk about writing to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Recently, her novel, Diva Nashvegas, won the Maggie Award for published Inspirational novels at the Moonlight & Magnolias Conference.

You can buy her books at Signed by the Author.com and sign up for her newsletter at Rachel Hauck.com.

Rachel co-hosts the My Book Therapy site with Susan May Warren. If you're a writer, you'll want to check in for some therapy.

Faithchick Virginia Smith

Faithchick Virginia Smith has a desire to write novels that honor God. She also has a desire to write contemporary novels that bring us laughter and touch our hearts. Her website tells us a little more about her:

Virginia Smith
left her job as a corporate director to become a full time writer and speaker with the release of her first novel Just As I Am. Since then she has contracted ten novels and published numerous articles and short stories. She writes contemporary humorous novels for the Christian market, including Murder by Mushroom, Bluegrass Peril, and her new releases, Sincerely Mayla, and Stuck in the Middle. In March of 2008 she was named "Writer of the Year" at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. An energetic speaker, she loves to exemplify God’s truth by comparing real-life situations to well-known works of fiction, such as her popular talk, “Biblical Truths in Star Trek.”

Her latest release is A Taste of Murder (October 08). She writes Contemporary Fiction, mysteries, and short stories. You can subscribe to Ginny’s free newsletter by going to virginiasmith.org/funstuff.html.

Among her other titles, Sincerely, Mayla (Book two in her Just As I Am series) can be found at SignedbytheAuthor.com.

Faithchick Sharon Dunn

This month, I'm highlighting the ladies who blog at Faithchick.com - in no particular order.

Sharon Dunn has a great sense of humor. Her Bargain Hunter Mysteries series follows Ginger and the rest of the Bargain Hunters Network as they come face-to-face with murder.

The first two books in the series, Death of a Garage Sales Newbie and Death of the Six-Foot Teddy Bear, have been well-received. Book 3, Death At A Discount, will be released in January 2009.

Her website has an area for bargain hunters. You can read and add to the bargain hunters tips list.

Sharon Dunn: A little mystery, a little romance, and a whole lotta fun.

You may also know her Ruby Taylor Mysterys series.

Are You A Faithchick?

I've meandered through the Faithchick site several times, catching up on what's going on with some great authors. This month, I'll highlight a few of them. If they're new to you, you may want to check out some of their blog posts on that site. Or at least buy one of their books. They have a bookstore on their site. With one click, you can browse their books.

There is a cute quiz on their site that I have to share about here. It's one of those "You're Probably A Faithchick if..." kinds of quizzes. I know you love the humor in those, don't you? You even get to add up your score. Don't worry, you don't need a calculator. One hand will do.

So go check out these interesting Christian women, with their wisdom and humor spilled all over the site.

Peace

How do you sleep at night?

With all that’s happening in the world, do you worry yourself to sleep? Or do you give the worry to God and let him handle it while you sleep like a baby?

It’s so much better to sleep in peace with God as your babysitter. I wrote about this on today’s blog post at Seek God With Me.

Join me.

Zzzzzz.