ICRS, Where the Industry Meets

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Aloha from Karen,  A few weeks ago I attended the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS). I’ve been going for more than a decade. One convention hall fills with authors, publishers, sales reps, agents, and store owners, and all the newest Christian books and products. It’s an exciting place for anyone who loves books. Many authors sign free copies of their books. I didn’t sign this year but  Faithwords gave away a huge stack of my books as I stood and watched them disappear in a few minutes. A lot happens at this show.  

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CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough

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Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough  Finally it’s here! Jack’s story is a hoot. McDonough let her grow up but she kept her rascally personality intact. Even jailbird Carly is back—her story though small was important to me from the other books and I’m glad to know what happens with her. Butch, Jack’s nemesis turns up in an unexpected way as well. This is the last book in the Boarding House Brides series (you don’t need the others first but you’ll be missing some good reading if you don’t get them!) and it’s sad to let the characters go. McDonough…

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Encouragement from Daniel

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Sherry Kyle here, writing from central California with some encouraging words straight from Scripture.  Are you worried about something? Upset? Do you feel helpless? Daniel felt all these emotions when he saw visions of the future. See Daniel 7-10. Just like Daniel, we can feel afraid when we think about our future. Maybe you’re waiting for your next book contract and are starting to doubt if it will ever happen. Maybe you have a looming deadline and fear you won’t be able to complete your manuscript on time. Or maybe you’re so overwhelmed with life that you don’t have time…

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CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Second Chance Brides by Vickie McDonough

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Second Chance Brides by Vickie McDonough is the second book in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series.  This book is one of McDonough’s best ever.  The cover on the book pulls you into the story. The cover artist caught the essence of the characters, Shannon O’Neil and Mark Corbett translating them into real people for me.  Shannon and Leah Bennett were caught in the Corbett brother’s scheme to find a wife for their cousin. (The Anonymous Bride Book 1) Both have reasons for not returning to where they came from. Shannon is an Irish immigrant and now she’s alone in Lookout,…

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Faith Deployed . . . Again by Jocelyn Green

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Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives By Jocelyn Green ISBN: 978-0802452511   The highly anticipated sequel to award-winning Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives is here! As husbands are being deployed multiple times, the women left behind desperately need encouragement and strength to maintain the home-front.  Often lonely, frequently overwhelmed by the needs around her, and continually stressed by a unique lifestyle, she needs to be equipped as to how to respond biblically to the daily struggles that threaten to wear her down. Faith Deployed…Again:  More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives is filled with wisdom and insight from over twenty-five…

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CAN Book Feature: Freedom’s Stand by Jeanette Windle

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Freedom’s Stand Tyndale House Publishers ISBN: 978-1-4143-1476-1 Set in contemporary Afghanistan, Freedom’s Stand concludes Veiled Freedom‘s story of three unlikely allies who came together in on Kabul’s dusty streets in their own personal quests for truth and freedom. But  in a country where political and religious injustice runs rampant, the cost of either may be higher than they realize. Will any one of them be willing to pay the ultimate price?

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WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING STYLE

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Happy four days after the 4th of July from novelist Gail Gaymer Martin at www.gailmartin.com Newer authors struggle with writing technique, and long time writers still find elements in writing that are their nemesis. Being aware of problem areas in your writing can help you improve as a writer by focusing on them and finding ways to improve those techniques. Here are a few tips on become a better writer.

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CAN Book Feature – Too Rich for a Bride by Mona Hodgson

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Too Rich for a Bride Book Two in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series. From WaterBrook Press As the business-savvy Sinclair sister, Ida has never wanted to settle down. Instead of love, she craves success. But while searching for one, she just might find the other. Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career. Under Mollie’s tutelage, Ida learns how…

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Writing for an Audience of One

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Hi, Dan Walsh here in Daytona Beach with, hopefully, some fresh encouragement for Christian writers. I’d like to offer a reminder that there is One who sees all we do and all that we write, and this One has a different way of measuring its value. I remember a worship song a few years back titled, “Audience of One.” I loved it immediately because it reminded me of what Jesus said was the first and greatest commandment.

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