Pop-UP Projects

Christian authors, Christian fiction, The Writing Life Comments: 23

As I writer, I keep a pretty detailed calendar. Some of things I need to keep an eye on are:

  • Project due dates
  • Book release dates
  • Book signings and book talks
  • Family vacations (that one is super important)

I try to be realistic about my schedule. After all, we each only get 24 hours a day and some of that really does need to be spent sleeping. I’m a real believer in calendars. “Stick to the calendar,” I say as I stumble toward my desk with a cup of coffee. But one fun thing about being a writer is that sometimes you have Pop-UP Projects–an opportunity that you didn’t expect, and when it comes along you really want to do it. Summer of Suspense is just that kind of project.

Enjoy the best of Christian suspense in this sixteen book anthology by some of Christian fiction’s most popular mystery and suspense authors. Stories of suspense by Mary Alford, Christy Barritt, Patricia Bradley, Vannetta Chapman, Mary Ellis, Rachel J Good, Debby Giusti, Ruth Hartzler, Shaen Layle, Ruth Logan Herne, Loree Lough, Elizabeth Ludwig, Nancy Mehl, Serena Miller, Samantha Price, and Alana Terry. All for just 99 cents.

Summer of Suspense is now available for preorder in the Apple store or at B&N.

This anthology collection will release on August 6th, and yes it will only be available in ebook. But think about it. Sixteen stories? By my calculation that will be 800 pages, at least. So it would be a really big, really heavy book to carry around. After the release week, the book price will be $9.99, so don’t miss out on this amazing read for just 99 cents. I’ll share the Amazon link when it’s available.

I plan on writing an Amish story, and I have the opening scene in my mind (sorry, can’t tell ya). I haven’t decided on my location yet. I’d love to hear from you on this. Where would you like this story to be set? And if you have no opinion, just let me know whether or not you enjoy clean suspense stories.  Leave a comment below, and we’ll pull one winner to receive a $10 Amazon gift certificate (delivered via email). Last week’s winner was Joan E. (Joan, you’ll receive an email from my assistant today or tomorrow.)

Blessings,

VC

Announcements for this week:

  • I”m participating in a huge winter giveaway of 35 books, including A Widow’s Hope. Details here.
  • There have been some crazy sales in ebooks these days. This morning Material Witness was on sale for 99c, so check your local vendor for deals. (Amazon)
  • Visit my VC Boutique Store and you’ll see some new spring items. Also, my February special is my entire Remnant series for just $14. That’s 3 books for $14 (shipping is always free). I hope you’ll check it out!
  • Are you signed up for my newsletter? Some fun announcements are coming in March, so be sure and sign up.

Amish Quilts, Learning from the Amish Part 3

Amish view, Quilting Comments: 42

It’s been fun to share with you some of the things I’ve learned from the Amish in my many trips to visit their communities. Today I thought I’d share something the Amish are very well known for–their quilting.

  • The Amish don’t purposely put an error in every quilt. They’ve told me there are always errors in quilts. It would be prideful to try and make something perfect.
  • The Amish will quilt in red, but they don’t display red quilts in their homes. There’s nothing wrong with the color red. It’s simply too bold for their tastes.
  • The Amish will use calico or patterned fabrics. There was a time when Amish only quilted with solid fabrics, and some stricter communities may still abide by that rule. Everyone I’ve spoken with says that they are free to use whatever fabric they like.
  • Amish women often quilt with salvage fabrics to lower the cost.
  • Amish women do still hand piece and hand quilt. However, some women also use treadle machines, and others will hand-piece the tops and then have them quilted by a machine. If you buy a quilt in an Amish home, it’s probably hand pieced and hand quilted.

Continue reading →

Learning from the Amish, part 2

Amish view Comments: 9

Amish schoolhouse, Middlebury, IN

It has been my pleasure to visit with Amish families in a variety of settings. Needless to say it’s been an eye-opening experience. In many ways their lives are the same as ours. But in other, more fundamental ways their lives are remarkably different. Last week I shared that one of the first things I learned from the Amish was focus. Another thing I’ve learned is to slow down.

This picture is a perfect example of that. It was taken outside an Amish schoolhouse in Continue reading →

Another New Year

Author life, Christian living Leave a reply

Happy New Year!

First of all, if you already received this blog–my apologies. I preset it for 2018 instead of 2019. That won’t be the first time I’ll get the year wrong this month … so here goes for take 2. 🙂

Happy new year! I’m one of “those” people who love the thought of a brand new year. I can’t wait to put up my new wall calendar. I start a new journal. I set goals and list projects and make Continue reading →

Book Birthdays

Amish fiction, Christian fiction, Christmas stories, Love Inspired Books Comments: 5

Today is my book birthday! I’m so excited that Amish Christmas Memories is now available in stores. (The ebook will release on 12-1, so hang on dear e-readers.)

I can’t say that in 2010 I imagined releasing 30 books in 8 years. At the time, I was thrilled that someone wanted to publish A Simple Amish Christmas. I think it’s fitting and right that my 30th Continue reading →

Good Books & Old Friends

Amish fiction, Christian living Comments: 16

As fall settles over the Texas Hill Country, my thoughts turn to good books and old friends. Not such a strange combination, if you think about it.

I love to read in the fall. (Confession–I love to read all the time.) When the weather turns cold, I like to make a hot cup of tea or coffee, grab a book, and curl up in a chair. I can disappear there for hours on end. Sometimes it takes a good friend to tug on my arm and remind me Continue reading →