OK, elvish doesn't describe our celebration today (aside from the little one running around in her gorgeous Christmas dress, twirling), but it did a few weeks ago. Realizing I'd never shared the photos with you, I decided to rectify that immediately. My Christmas gift to you: Elf Party Photos!
At my DivorceCare class, we watched a video before Thanksgiving on how to get through the holidays for the first, or not first, time after a divorce. One tip they had was to HALT--never let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
This holiday season has been sweet and hectic and never once have I been emotional about being a single mom or the changes our family has undergone. The kids, also, have sailed through. What a miracle! God has blessed and protected us in so many ways. I actually thanked my ex-husband tonight for doing his part, which was really a huge contribution, to making this transitional Christmas such a success.
Heard of Beverly Lewis? Francine Rivers? Jerry Jenkins? Well, Titletrakk.com posted twenty-two Christian Authors' favorite gifts on their site. And they included mine! Here's a shout-out to my grandpa Smith. I LOVE my family--those with me or far away, those legally mine and those in process, and even those God plans to bring into my family in the future!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Please Take the Time to Check These Out!
I always worry when I post a link-heavy blog that no one will bother clicking through, but The Familiar Stranger is on the CFBA tour, so there are a lot of blogs discussing it all at the same time. Please, grab a nice, relaxing cup of hot water and enjoy some side trips in cyberspace. (Why just hot water? Coffee and tea have been so over done, I'm starting a new trend. No calories!)
Michelle Sutton-a tough reviewer of "edgy" fiction. Find out why my book is making her "best of 2009" list and view the list.
Kim at Window to My World gave me a review that made chills go from my heart out over the rest of my body. There's a bit of a discussion about forgiveness in the comments there, as well.
Kim also asked me some different questions than any other interviewer has before. The resulting post is emotional, I think, because it was so emotional for me to write. (This interview is a different link than the review.)
Linda, a reader of Kim's blog, also reviewed my book. I was so touched by what she said on Mocha with Linda. "While there was plenty of intrigue and suspense as I tried to figure out the whole situation, the heartbeat of this beautiful story is grace, forgiveness, and mercy."
If I have any blog readers who haven't read The Familiar Stranger yet, then shame on you! No, really, here's the first chapter.
Not everyone is as impressed, however, and to keep you from thinking I'm biased in my blog reporting, I'm including the net two links.
Engrossing and emotional novel about betrayal and forgiveness - doesn't feel Denise character is consistent.
But Nicole from Into the Fire feels even more strongly. She says of Denise, "She’s as flighty as a flag in a hurricane and sometimes she’s just plain annoying." I have to agree that I wrote Denise as a flawed woman, so in that respect this is kind of a compliment. Nicole's reaction to her means she came across as a real person. But Nicole also points out why this reaction wasn't one I would strive for: "This presents a problem when trying to make her the sympathetic character with whom the reader needs to identify and commiserate."
Nicole is very careful not to give any spoilers away, but those of you who haven't read it might feel too much of the plot is discussed. However, she does something I absolutely adore and have never seen before. She ends the review with a prayer of encouragement for me! Very classy and meaningful. And I can only hope her prediction of pleasing a Karen Kingsbury-type audience comes true. :)
Let's end an a more complimentary note though, shall we? :) Giving Up on Perfect didn't really want to read the book because she worried it would be too sad. Ultimately she found the sadness was worth it to get to the hope. My favorite quote from her reveiw: "Grey’s Anatomy has nothing on this complicated story!"
Michelle Sutton-a tough reviewer of "edgy" fiction. Find out why my book is making her "best of 2009" list and view the list.
Kim at Window to My World gave me a review that made chills go from my heart out over the rest of my body. There's a bit of a discussion about forgiveness in the comments there, as well.
Kim also asked me some different questions than any other interviewer has before. The resulting post is emotional, I think, because it was so emotional for me to write. (This interview is a different link than the review.)
Linda, a reader of Kim's blog, also reviewed my book. I was so touched by what she said on Mocha with Linda. "While there was plenty of intrigue and suspense as I tried to figure out the whole situation, the heartbeat of this beautiful story is grace, forgiveness, and mercy."
If I have any blog readers who haven't read The Familiar Stranger yet, then shame on you! No, really, here's the first chapter.
Not everyone is as impressed, however, and to keep you from thinking I'm biased in my blog reporting, I'm including the net two links.
Engrossing and emotional novel about betrayal and forgiveness - doesn't feel Denise character is consistent.
But Nicole from Into the Fire feels even more strongly. She says of Denise, "She’s as flighty as a flag in a hurricane and sometimes she’s just plain annoying." I have to agree that I wrote Denise as a flawed woman, so in that respect this is kind of a compliment. Nicole's reaction to her means she came across as a real person. But Nicole also points out why this reaction wasn't one I would strive for: "This presents a problem when trying to make her the sympathetic character with whom the reader needs to identify and commiserate."
Nicole is very careful not to give any spoilers away, but those of you who haven't read it might feel too much of the plot is discussed. However, she does something I absolutely adore and have never seen before. She ends the review with a prayer of encouragement for me! Very classy and meaningful. And I can only hope her prediction of pleasing a Karen Kingsbury-type audience comes true. :)
Let's end an a more complimentary note though, shall we? :) Giving Up on Perfect didn't really want to read the book because she worried it would be too sad. Ultimately she found the sadness was worth it to get to the hope. My favorite quote from her reveiw: "Grey’s Anatomy has nothing on this complicated story!"
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Union of Two Souls
I tutored Lake for years. In fact, for one year of her homeschooling career, I WAS her math teacher.
Chris used to babysit my kids. The only male babysitter they ever had. :) Andrea and Joshua liked to climb on him.
I've watched them both grow over the years. And watched as they fell in love.
At one point the minister brought up the meaning of the ring. He commented that in days gone by, a wedding ring meant you were unavailable, and now our culture treats it more like a piece of jewelery. As a single woman, I can guarantee that a wedding ring means NO WAY to me. But I agree that far too many men and women don't see it as anything more than a challenge.
He also had them promise, before all the witnesses, that if they ever had problems in their marriage that they would come to him at the start of them, not at the end. Very neat idea. If more couples took advantage of that, more marriages would last!
You can see the entire album of pictures here.
Any men can stop reading here because I'm going to discuss fashion and will bore you enough you might take a #2 pencil to your eye. ;p
This is the famous dress referenced in the Mommy-Daughter Date blog from last month. And the shoes? (Which you can see in the facebook album) They are my daughter's play/dress up flats from my grandmother!
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Best Books of 2009?
My google alerts for "Christina Berry" or "The Familiar Stranger" bring me little surprises every night. People are still reviewing the book, which means they are still reading the book, which means people are still buying the book, which means I'm a happy author!
One of the winners of my 61-day blog tour 20-book giveaway was Cafe Lily. See her review here.I think it's great that she took the time to write a review not because she was obligated to do so, but just because she liked the book so much.
I've heard from one reader who will post her Top 10 Books of the Year list on Christmas. (Which I'll be sure to link to.) The Familiar Stranger is making her list. Wow! How cool is that?
I love--and if you are a reader who doesn't know about this yet, listen up!--the Christian Fiction Online Magazine. And guess whose book is one of the eight touring this month?
Therese Stenzel gave me permission to post this: (May it jump start your Christmas book buying!)
What were your favorite books of the year?
One of the winners of my 61-day blog tour 20-book giveaway was Cafe Lily. See her review here.I think it's great that she took the time to write a review not because she was obligated to do so, but just because she liked the book so much.
I've heard from one reader who will post her Top 10 Books of the Year list on Christmas. (Which I'll be sure to link to.) The Familiar Stranger is making her list. Wow! How cool is that?
I love--and if you are a reader who doesn't know about this yet, listen up!--the Christian Fiction Online Magazine. And guess whose book is one of the eight touring this month?
Therese Stenzel gave me permission to post this: (May it jump start your Christmas book buying!)
FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2009
Compiled by Therese Stenzel
Other books lists at www.theresestenzel.com
I polled a bunch of writers and asked what was the one book that they read this year that they can’t stop thinking about. I asked for all genres, secular, inspirational and this is the alphabetical list I compiled from their answers. Writers are very discriminating and know good writing when they see it so you can take this book list to the bookstore and know you are getting great fiction. Happy reading!
TOP SEVEN (These got multiple votes)
A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman x3
A Prisoner of Versailles by Golden Parsons x2
Symphony of Secrets by Sharon Hinck x2
The Familiar Stranger by Christina Berry x2
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer & Annie Barrows X3
The Help by Kathryn Stockett x2
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner x2
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon
Arena by Karen Hancock
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
A Vow to Cherish by Deborah Raney
Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker Cottonwood Whispers by Jennifer Erin Valent (I recommended this one!)
Danger at the Door by Michelle Sutton
Firebird by Kathy Tyers
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Havah: The Story of Eve by Tosca Lee
Home Another Way by Christa Parrish
In the Shadow of Lions by Ginger Garrett
Just Another Girl by Melody Carlson
Love Finds You in Liberty Indiana by Melanie Dobson
Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell
Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell
Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Raising Rain by Debbie Fuller Thomas
Scared by Tom Davis
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones
Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus
Talking to the Dead by Bonnie Grove
The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
The Blue Enchantress by M.L. Tyndall
The Case Of The Bouncing Grandma by A.K. Arenz The Firstborn by Conlan Brown
The Passion of Mary Margaret by Lisa Samson
The Passion of Mary Margaret by Lisa Samson
The Shack by William P. Young
The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneggar
Things Left Unspoken by Eva Marie Everson
Through the Fire by Shawn Grady
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Tribute by Nora Roberts
Try Dying by James Scott Bell
Tuesday Night at the Blue Moon by Debbie Fuller Thomas
Ulterior Motives by Mark Andrew Olsen
Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen
Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen
Whispers on the Bayou by Mindy Starnes Clark
Zora & Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney
What were your favorite books of the year?
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Double the Dork--Double the Fun
Andrea's tap class performed at a local senior center on Saturday. Since her dad couldn't make it, I was going to tape it on my camera (no video camera still since it was lost 8 months ago) so he could watch it. When her group was waiting in the wings, I tried to find the camera, which I always carry in my purse.
Gone. An image of it on the stairwell wall entered my mind and I kicked myself for leaving it behind. Determined to enjoy the dance despite my brain hiccup, I snuggled "Angel" close, who was on my lap, and beamed as my older daughter tapped her heart out. While I was clapping at the end, "Angel" climbed down to clap more fervently.
And guess what was on my lap, hidden under the little one?
Okay, it's one thing to kick yourself for leaving a camera at home when you meant to bring it, but it goes to a WHOLE 'nother level of self-name calling when you had the camera out and on your lap for easy use and forget it!
But that pales in comparison to this one:
I'm doing a signing in my hometown of Pendleton, OR on December 21. I've been working with the bookstore owner, Colleen, to set up all the details. I called her one night a few weeks ago when I was running around like crazy and trying to get to my divorce care class.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Colleen. This is Christina Berry. I think that day should work well for the signing. My publicist is going to be in contact with you, and I'm hoping since it's my hometown that my old friends will stop in. Does that still work for you?"
"I'm sorry, Christina. What are we talking about here?"
"Um ... the signing later this month at your--" and suddenly I realize what I've done. One of the dorkiest things of the century. Am I talking with Colleen Yeske, bookstore owner?
NO! I've called Colleen Coble, best-selling author, whose number was still in my phone from ACFW!
Gone. An image of it on the stairwell wall entered my mind and I kicked myself for leaving it behind. Determined to enjoy the dance despite my brain hiccup, I snuggled "Angel" close, who was on my lap, and beamed as my older daughter tapped her heart out. While I was clapping at the end, "Angel" climbed down to clap more fervently.
And guess what was on my lap, hidden under the little one?
Okay, it's one thing to kick yourself for leaving a camera at home when you meant to bring it, but it goes to a WHOLE 'nother level of self-name calling when you had the camera out and on your lap for easy use and forget it!
But that pales in comparison to this one:
I'm doing a signing in my hometown of Pendleton, OR on December 21. I've been working with the bookstore owner, Colleen, to set up all the details. I called her one night a few weeks ago when I was running around like crazy and trying to get to my divorce care class.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Colleen. This is Christina Berry. I think that day should work well for the signing. My publicist is going to be in contact with you, and I'm hoping since it's my hometown that my old friends will stop in. Does that still work for you?"
"I'm sorry, Christina. What are we talking about here?"
"Um ... the signing later this month at your--" and suddenly I realize what I've done. One of the dorkiest things of the century. Am I talking with Colleen Yeske, bookstore owner?
NO! I've called Colleen Coble, best-selling author, whose number was still in my phone from ACFW!
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Poor, Poor Christina--The Life of a Writer
I have hours and hours of work that must get done by Friday. I have a deadline then, see, and will be subbing tomorrow so I HAVE to make myself buckle down and get this "job" done.
And what, pray tell, is my duty for the next day or two?
To READ!
Tough job, but somebody's got to do it. A large publisher sent a manuscript to me for a possible endorsement! So excited to push my editing jobs, housework, and laundry aside to dig into a good book. At least I hope it will be good, otherwise I'll follow the social wisdom of, "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all."
Here's wishing you all good reading!
And what, pray tell, is my duty for the next day or two?
To READ!
Tough job, but somebody's got to do it. A large publisher sent a manuscript to me for a possible endorsement! So excited to push my editing jobs, housework, and laundry aside to dig into a good book. At least I hope it will be good, otherwise I'll follow the social wisdom of, "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all."
Here's wishing you all good reading!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Hitting the Links
No, this isn't about Tiger Woods and the controversy around his late night accident. And, no, it isn't even about golf, though I do a fair job at the driving range. This is the post that should have been six individual posts and gets condensed into a link happy blog because of how pitiful I've been at blogging lately.
Last week, I met with the adoption committee, which was the first step toward "Angel" becoming my forever daughter. God's hand has been on the whole journey, so I wasn't surprised to have His hand on the meeting as well. I wasn't nervous at all and have a great feeling about the yet-to-be-known outcome.
And of (golf)course, there were more subbing days, the holidays, sending all the books out to my October winners, multiple turkey dinners, time with family, and even a last minute visit from an old friend--which included a Blazer game and mini-concert by Jonny Diaz. I hope your time has been as fulfilling and hope-inspiring as mine!
A BIG deal: Titletrakk.com has an interview up where I discuss my acne, favorite snacks, and what my unaccomplished life goals are. If you've already read some of the first Q&As on other interviews, scroll down to the funny ones at the end!
CJ Darlington, one of the founders of Titletrakk also posted my answer to this question: "If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Oh, and another BIG deal: Rel from Australia shines the Character Spotlight at Relz Reviews on Craig and Denise, the protagonists of The Familiar Stranger. She's got fantastic pictures up of who would play them in a movie. Leave a comment if you agree or can think of another actor/actress who would do a better job!
John, who has the best name for a blog, posted his manly review of The Familiar Stranger. Read what he thinks on The Least Read Blog on the Web. I think it would be wonderfully ironic to leave tons of comments on the least read blog. ;p He also recounts the story of how we met, which could have gone very badly if we were in a suspense novel.
Linda Rondeau posts her review and finds I've added a new twist to a familiar story.
Barbara Warren shared her opinion of the book in her October newsletter. (Wow, it's taken me a long time to post about it!) Scroll past her review of Randy Alcorn's latest to see why she'd hungry for my next project.
Last week, I met with the adoption committee, which was the first step toward "Angel" becoming my forever daughter. God's hand has been on the whole journey, so I wasn't surprised to have His hand on the meeting as well. I wasn't nervous at all and have a great feeling about the yet-to-be-known outcome.
And of (golf)course, there were more subbing days, the holidays, sending all the books out to my October winners, multiple turkey dinners, time with family, and even a last minute visit from an old friend--which included a Blazer game and mini-concert by Jonny Diaz. I hope your time has been as fulfilling and hope-inspiring as mine!
A BIG deal: Titletrakk.com has an interview up where I discuss my acne, favorite snacks, and what my unaccomplished life goals are. If you've already read some of the first Q&As on other interviews, scroll down to the funny ones at the end!
CJ Darlington, one of the founders of Titletrakk also posted my answer to this question: "If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Oh, and another BIG deal: Rel from Australia shines the Character Spotlight at Relz Reviews on Craig and Denise, the protagonists of The Familiar Stranger. She's got fantastic pictures up of who would play them in a movie. Leave a comment if you agree or can think of another actor/actress who would do a better job!
John, who has the best name for a blog, posted his manly review of The Familiar Stranger. Read what he thinks on The Least Read Blog on the Web. I think it would be wonderfully ironic to leave tons of comments on the least read blog. ;p He also recounts the story of how we met, which could have gone very badly if we were in a suspense novel.
Linda Rondeau posts her review and finds I've added a new twist to a familiar story.
Barbara Warren shared her opinion of the book in her October newsletter. (Wow, it's taken me a long time to post about it!) Scroll past her review of Randy Alcorn's latest to see why she'd hungry for my next project.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
