The Borrowed Book

2012-01-19T20:47:00.001-06:00

Spyglass Lane

2012-01-19T20:15:00.002-06:00

Ready to laugh? Swoon? And then put on your thinking cap?

Then let me tell you about a new line of cozy mysteries for e-readers for only .99 each. Spyglass Lane Mysteries is a collection of Christian cozy mysteries—modern-day whodunnits with colorful characters and plenty of wholesome romance. The mysteries are authored by some of Christian publishing’s favorite and best selling authors.

New mysteries release every Thursday and there are 21 mysteries now available in this line for just .99. So what are you waiting for? Check out the books below and click the link to purchase for your e-reader.

If you would like to be notified each week of the latest book release click here to sign up for our email newsletter or here for our RSS feed.

Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	A Suspicion of Strawberries (The Scents of Murder Series) By Lynette Sowell A facial gone wrong, or murder? Andromeda Clark must uncover the truth to save her handmade soap business. The heartbreaker diva of Greenburg, Tennessee is dead. Andromeda Clark knows that her cherry facial scrub didn't accidentally kill Charla Rae Thacker from anaphylactic shock. But Andi's soap business is in trouble and tongues are a-waggin'. To save her business, she searches for the one who tampered with her product. And now Andi's long-time, long-haul trucker boyfriend Ben decides it's time to settle down and stay in Greenburg for good. How can a woman breathe?
Buy for Kindle	Another Grave Matter (The Volstead Manor Series) By Anita Higman Volstead Manor has caught on fire, and the last of its murderous secrets flare hot enough to drive Bailey back to her sleuthing. A villain, who remains shrouded in darkness until the end, threatens to destroy Bailey, and once again, the mansion ignites with malevolent mischief. While she unearths a family secret from Prohibition that’s hidden deep within the cellar, she becomes entangled in a ticking-clock race to save her own life. Will the foul surprises never end at Volstead Manor, and will Bailey’s burning desire to marry Max go up in smoke?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Another Hour to Kill (The Volstead Manor Series) By Anita Higman Where Bailey Walker lives, being neighborly takes on a whole new meaning. Bailey has survived the mysteries of Volstead Manor, but her latest threats are more ominous than ever. Did her neighbor B.J. die of natural causes? Or was he murdered? And why does the new neighbor, Vlad Tepes, always seem to be watching her? While searching for a lost treasure and planning a wedding the size of an amusement park, Bailey must discover what monster is still lurking in the neighborhood. Will she unravel the puzzle in time, or will Bailey merely provide the villain with Another Hour to Kill?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Another Stab at Life (The Volstead Manor Series) By Anita Higman Bailey Walker has just lost everything—her family, her job, and her home. She has nowhere to go except the dilapidated mansion she’s just inherited from her granny Minna. Unfortunately, Bailey discovers that the house has a history as shadowy as its hidden passages and finds the neighborhood overflowing with some rather quirky folks—as well as one particularly appealing bachelor. Bailey feels like she’s trapped inside the pages of a gothic novel but with a comedic twist. In order to honor her grandmother’s wishes and stay at Volstead Manor, Bailey must unravel a string of mysteries and secrets, which all seem determined to stay happily ever buried.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Band Room Bash (The Mayhem in Maryland Series) By Candice Speare Prentice This murderer is playing for keeps. When Trish Cunningham and her oldest stepson, Tommy, find Georgia Winters, the English teacher at Four Oaks High School, dead in the band room, the suspect list is lengthy. The teacher had a number of enemies—including Tommy Cunningham. Once again, Trish pulls out her notebook to collect clues. Detective Eric Scott, suffering from unrequited love for Trish’s best friend, Abbie, pointedly asks Trish to butt out. But despite the detective’s warnings, she jumps in as usual and finds herself embroiled in a mystery that has its roots in thwarted love and revenge. The finale could be Trish’s swan song.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Candy-Coated Secrets (A Summer Meadows Mystery) By Cynthia Hickey When a carnival train crashes in front of Summer Meadows’s house, she does what comes naturally – she acts without thinking and volunteers to lead an elephant to the fairground. The animal’s trainer follows close behind but disappears when they reach their destination. When Summer goes looking for the trainer, she finds something altogether different – a woman hanging dead in the shower of one of the trailers. A carnival slew of mishap and misadventure ensue when Summer and her fiancé, Ethan, set out to solve the murder.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Chocolate-Covered Crime (Summer Meadows Mystery Series) By Cynthia Hickey Summer Meadows' chocolate candy business is booming. She's overwhelmed with her April Fool's Day wedding plans, and against her family's advice, hires her cousin to be her wedding planner. But then her cousin is found murdered and more mysteries keep occurring at family parties. Can Summer resist the urge to investigate when she and her dysfunctional relatives are dipped into a plot of unrequited love, internet scam, and jilted hearts? Could the murderer be related to her and have Summer targeted next? Will her fiancé' support her sleuthing antics, or is he another suspect with something to hide?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Died in the Wool (The Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series) By Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery Hone your investigative skills with Died in the Wool, a mystery filled with humor, suspense, and romance. Monah Trenary is battling for city funds for her beloved library. When a rival for the much-needed monies winds up dead, Monah is considered one of the prime suspects. When a second corpse weighs in, police detective Mike Brockman discovers that, according to the evidence, Monah and monkshood are a lethal combination. Can Monah and proven sleuth Casey Alexander find the real killer before this librarian is booked for murder?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Everybody Loved Roger Harden (Everybody’s Suspect in Georgia) By Cecil Murphey Psychologist Julie West and Reverend James Burton arrive late for dinner on Palm Island – but just in time to discover their host, millionaire Roger Harden, murdered. Ten possible suspects share closed quarters on the secluded island, all of them with deep secrets and sufficient motive to have wanted the wealthy benefactor dead. Can Julie and Burton ignore the mysterious attraction developing between them long enough to discover who among them didn't love Roger Harden enough to let him live?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Fudge-Laced Felonies (A Summer Meadows Mystery) By Cynthia Hickey While transplanting the rosebush her church’s handsome greeter, Ethan Banning, inadvertently killed, Summer and Ethan discover a hidden stash of diamonds, a rusty can full of cash, and a bloody-gardening glove. This discovery sets Summer and her candy-making aunt on a search for a killer. As Summer gets closer to the truth-not only of the theft but of her true feelings for Ethan-the diamond thief hatches a plan to hush the feisty sleuth.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	George Washington Stepped Here (The Karen Maxwell Mystery Series) By K. D. Hays For years after her divorce, Karen Maxwell handled administrative paperwork for her brother’s private investigation agency while he ran around town doing the “fun” part—the investigation. When his partner retires, he finally offers her a chance to take a case of her own. She soon finds out why. The assignment involves the theft of the local historical society’s most treasured artifact, and her brother figures everyone involved is a little crazy. While Karen poses as a volunteer at the site to catch the thief, she meets a host of dedicated historical re-enactors, one of whom happens to be tall, handsome and unmarried.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Gone with the Groom (The Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series) By Janice Hanna The best laid plans of brides and men go awry when Annie Peterson’s future son-in-law Scott disappears. Have pre-wedding jitters caused Brandi’s fiance to take flight, or are more sinister forces at work? Surely Annie can solve the riddle. But who could be behind this apparent kidnapping caper? Maybe the drug company Scott works for has hidden motives. Perhaps it’s the handiwork of Otis, Scott’s deceitful dad. But then again it could be the shady wedding photographer, or the “political enemies” of Scott’s mother. Will Annie solve the mystery and recover the missing groom, or will she suffer “regrets only”?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Homicide at Blue Heron Lake (The Mainely Mysteries Series) By Susan Page Davis and Megan Elaine Davis Emily Gray returns to the lakeside community of Baxter, Maine, expecting a peaceful week in her family's island cottage. Instead, she and her high school crush, Nate Holman, discover the body of Henry Derbin, an elderly island resident. Amid rekindling her old friendship with Nate and trying to make sense of the murder, Emily shares her faith with an old schoolmate. When a second body turns up, the cottagers on Grand Cat Island are frightened and baffled. Is this why Mr. Derbin forbade everyone from going on his land? Can Emily and Nate overcome past hindrances to their romance long enough to dig up clues that will help solve both murders?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Inn Plain Sight (The Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series) By Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery Come along as bride-to-be Casey Alexander works to solve the murder that hijacked her shower. She’ll find that the victim’s propensity for blackmail, gossip, and downright meanness has created a long list of suspects. Unfortunately, Casey’s fiancé is at the top of the list. Armed with her ever present Post-It Notes and the help of her best friend, Casey follows the clues to a killer hiding in plain sight.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Kitty Litter Killer (The Mayhem in Maryland Series) By Candice Speare Prentice Trish Cunningham is pussyfooting with a murderer. Amateur sleuth Trish has retired from her short-lived crime-solving foray. No more walking deliberately into danger. Now her short-term goal is to see her best friend, Abbie, marry fiancé, Eric Scott, in three weeks. But the brutal murder of Abbie’s ex-husband could ruin the nuptials, especially since Abbie was the last one seen with him—when they had a hostile argument at the local convenience store. With evidence pointing at Abbie and the possibility of jail looming in her best friend’s future, Trish comes out of her self-imposed sleuth retirement. And as the clock ticks down to the wedding date, Trish once again puts herself in reach of a murderer’s claws—this time to protect her best friend.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Murder in the Milk Case (The Mayhem in Maryland Series) By Candice Speare Prentice Will Trish Cunningham’s discovery sour her on milk forever? When mommy and wife Trish Cunningham finds the body of pharmacist Jim Bob Jenkins behind the two-percent milk, she know she’s having a bad day. Worse, she’s a suspect in the murder. Sleuthing to exonerate herself from criminal charges, she shakes up a murderer who has nothing to lose by killing anyone in the way—including Trish.
Buy for Kindle	Nipped in the Bud (Garden Gate Mysteries) By Susan Sleeman WHEN YOU FIND YOUR BOSS PUSHING UP DAISIES. . . Life in full bloom, landscape designer, Paige Turner, scores her first landscaping contract to spruce up the park, her radio talk show shoots to number one, and her retail shop is simply blossoming. Yes, her life is a bed of roses. Until she finds City Manager, Bud Picklemann served up on the blade of her favorite shovel mere hours after she’s threatened to have his head on a platter, then the thorns come out. And there is none thornier than the local police chief declaring Paige the one and only suspect and threatening to plow her under. YOU’VE GOT TO FORMULATE A PLANT OF ATTACK . . . Paige teams up with dashing attorney, Adam Hayes to weed through the list of suspects, and clear her soiled reputation. A bigmouthed Parrot who often spouts Mr. T-isms, and a giant pickle mascot join in quirky Paige’s quest to once again cultivate control of her life.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	The Wedding Caper (The Bridal Mayhem Mystery Series) By Janice Hanna When a $25,000 night deposit mysteriously disappears from the Clark County Savings and Loan, Annie Peterson, has reason to be concerned and to assume the role of amateur sleuth. Her husband’s job at the bank makes him a potential suspect, but knowing him to be a godly man, she can’t imagine it. Then again, there is that matter of the weddings to factor in. Twin daughters Brandi and Candy have just received proposals and two weddings are pending. Sure, Warren occasionally jokes about robbing the bank to pay for the ceremonies, but Annie knows him better than that…doesn’t she?
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Treasure at Blue Heron Lake (The Mainely Mysteries Series) By Susan Page Davis and Megan Elaine Davis Emily Gray has accepted a job working for the Baxter Journal and plans a feature story on Lakeview Lodge. Owner Jeff Lewis tells her and Nate Holman a mysterious legend about a hidden treasure and murder. Now the hunting lodge is plagued by an intruder who thumps around in the night. Nate and Emily try to help their friend discover who is invading the resort. Things turn more sinister over the Christmas holidays, when one of Jeff’s employees is murdered, with Jeff as a suspect. Is the legend of an old lumber baron’s lost treasure behind the crimes? Jeff’s faith is shaky, and his family rejects him. Nate and Emily try to help him through the crisis. In the midst of the turmoil, Nate graduates from the Police Academy and proposes to Emily. Their life together begins with unmasking the murderer at Lakeview Lodge.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Where the Truth Lies (The Massachusetts Mayhem Mystery Series) By Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery Casey Alexander refuses to believe her aunt committed suicide. Convinced a murderer is hiding out in her aunt’s sleepy hometown, she’ll do anything to uncover the truth. But as her personal investigation produces mounting evidence, the danger to Casey grows. Now she’ll be forced to trust certain residents of Pine Mills for help, including local nursery owner, Luke Kerrigain…the man with whom she’s falling in love with…and who may be stalking her. Prompted by strange clues and a mysterious stranger, Casey does a little more digging. The secrets she unearths will turn lives upside down and threaten the peace in Pine Mills’ small community—especially when she discovers that the truth can sometimes be hidden in a lie.
Buy for Kindle Buy for other devices	Worth Its Weight in Old (Karen Maxwell Mystery Series) By K.D. Hays Paintings slashed... Furniture broken… Someone is wreaking havoc at the Blue Moon Art & Antiques Gallery. Fledgling private investigator Karen Maxwell goes undercover as a salesclerk to find out who’s behind the vandalism, and why. She learns little from friendly clerk Vicki and Eric, the shop’s surly, tight- lipped porter, would run over her with a hand truck before he’d answer any questions. The guilt may even lay with the shop owners themselves, despite the fact that they’re the ones who hired her. Karen’s investigation seems to be going nowhere—just like her once-promising relationship with Brian, the handsome blacksmith who could sweep her off her feet in a minute… if he’d ever take a break from working with the church youth group. Frustration mounts as her dreams of romantic evenings turn into endless rehearsals for the church Christmas play. If Karen can’t crack the case soon, she may find herself busted back to plain, old office manager, her dreams of a career as a private investigator—and a life with Brian—as old and busted as the Blue Moon’s vandalized antiques.

Weekly Drawing

2011-11-08T23:30:00.001-06:00

It's fun Friday at The Borrowed Book, and you have several chances to win. Here's how - instead of leaving a comment, leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.

Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry.

Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!

Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FOUR entries.

It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)

This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by DK Publishing, and their great resource book, Gun-A Visual History.

2011-11-01T15:09:00.003-05:00

It's fun Friday at The Borrowed Book, and you have several chances to win. Here's how - instead of leaving a comment, leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.

Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry.

Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!

Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FOUR entries.

It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)

This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by Lauraine Snelling, who is celebrating the release of her latest book, Valley of Dreams.

2011-10-27T11:34:00.009-05:00

Our weekly drawings are changing...we're making them more fun!! As always, followers of The Borrowed Book are automatically entered. HOWEVER...

Now you have several chances to win!

Here's how - instead of leaving a comment, leave the time it took you to complete the puzzle in the comments section. Winners will be drawn from ALL of the times, so the person with the fastest time may not be the actual winner, but by leaving your time, you double your chances.

Want another entry? Tweet your puzzle time and mention The Borrowed Book, get another entry.

Post your puzzle time on BB's Facebook wall and...you guessed it...get another entry!

Post it on your OWN Facebook wall and you could get as many as FOUR entries.

It's all a way to spread the word about the great giveaways on BB. So c'mon! Help us spread the word, and have a little fun at the same time. :-)

This week's puzzle feature is brought to you by one of our own BB staff members, S. Dionne Moore, who is celebrating the release of her latest book, Promise Brides.

The Greatest Country and Western Songs of All Time

2010-03-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

* Her Teeth Were Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure
* I Changed Her Oil, She Changed My Life
* I Flushed You From The Toilets Of My Heart.
* I Keep Forgettin' I Forgot About You
* I Would Have Wrote You A Letter, But I Couldn't Spell Yuck
* If My Nose Were Full of Nickels, I'd Blow It All On You
* If You Don't Leave Me Alone, I'll Go And Find Someone Else Who Will
* Mama Get The Hammer (There's A Fly On Papa's Head)
* My John Deere Was Breaking Your Field, While Your Dear John Was Breaking My Heart
* My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, And I Sure Do Miss Him
* Pardon Me, I've Got Someone To Kill
* She Made Toothpicks Out Of The Timber Of My Heart
* Thank God And Greyhound She's Gone
* They May Put Me In Prison, But They Can't Stop My Face From Breakin' Out
* When You Leave Walk Out Backwards, So I'll Think You're Walking In
* You Can't Have Your Kate And Edith Too
* You Done Tore Out My Heart And Stomped That Sucker Flat
* You're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly

To Exercise or Not to Exercise

2010-03-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. It is well documented that for every mile that you jog, you add one minute to your life. This enables you, at age 85, to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5,000 per month.

2. My grandmother started walking 5 miles a day when she was 60. She is now 70 and we don't know where she is.

3. The only reason I would take up jogging is so that I could hide when it's time to do housework.

4. I joined a health club last year, spent about $400. Haven't lost a pound. Apparently you have to show up.

5. I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I am doing.

6. I don't exercise at all. If God meant us to touch our toes, he would have put them further up our body.

7. I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

8. I have flabby thighs, but fortunately my stomach covers them.

9. The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.

10. If you are going to try cross country skiing, start with a small country.

11. And last, but not least, I don't jog - it makes the ice jump right out of my glass.

Mothers of Famous People

2010-03-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

The following are some little known quotes from the mothers of famous
people in history:

MONA LISA'S MOTHER: "After all that money your father and I spent on
braces, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

COLUMBUS' MOTHER: "I don't care what you've discovered, you still could
have written!"

MICHELANGELO'S MOTHER: "Can't you paint on walls like other children? Do
you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"

NAPOLEON'S MOTHER: "All right, if you aren't hiding your report card
inside your jacket, take your hand out of there and show me."

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S MOTHER: "Again with the stovepipe hat? Can't you just
wear a baseball cap like the other kids?"

MARY'S MOTHER: "I'm not upset that your lamb followed you to school, but I
would like to know how he got a better grade than you."

ALBERT EINSTEIN'S MOTHER: "But it's your senior picture. Can't you do
something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something...?"

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOTHER: "The next time I catch you throwing money
across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!"

JONAH'S MOTHER: "That's a nice story. Now tell me where you've really been
for the last forty years."

THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER: "Of course I'm proud that you invented the
electric light bulb. Now turn it off and get to bed!"

PAUL REVERE'S MOTHER: "I don't care where you think you have to go, young
man, midnight is past your curfew."

30 Ways to Say No

2010-03-05T06:10:00.000-06:00

I'd love to, but...

1: I have to floss my cat.
2: I've dedicated my life to linguini.
3: I want to spend more time with my blender.
4: The President said he might drop in.
5: the man on television told me to stay tuned.
6: I've been scheduled for a kidney transplant.
7: I'm staying home to work on my cottage cheese sculpture.
8: It's my parakeet's bowling night.
9: It wouldn't be fair to the other Beautiful People.
10: I'm building a pig from a kit.
11: I did my own thing and now I've got to undo it.
12: I'm enrolled in aerobic scream therapy.
13: There's a disturbance in the Force.
14: I'm doing door-to-door collecting for static cling.
15: I have to go to the post office to see if I'm still wanted.
16: I'm teaching my ferret to yodel.
17: I have to check the freshness dates on my dairy products.
18: I'm going through cherry cheesecake withdrawal.
19: I'm planning to go downtown to try on gloves.
20: My crayons all melted together.
21: I'm trying to see how long I can go without saying yes.
22: I'm in training to be a household pest.
23: I'm getting my overalls overhauled.
24: My patent is pending.
25: I'm attending the opening of my garage door.
26: I'm sandblasting my oven.
27: I'm worried about my vertical hold.
28: I'm going down to the bakery to watch the buns rise.
29: I'm being deported.
30: The grunion are running.

Things to Ponder

2010-02-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

1. Is it good if a vacuum really sucks?

2. Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

3. If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

4. If Webster wrote the first dictionary, where did he find the words?

5. Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?

6. Why do "slow down" and "slow up" mean the same thing?

7. Why do "fat chance" and "slim chance" mean the same thing?

8. Why do 'tug' boats push their barges?

9. Why do we sing "Take me out to the ball game" when we are already there?

10. Why are they called "stands" when they are made for sitting?

11. Why is it called "after dark" when it really is "after light" ?

12. Doesn't 'expecting the unexpected" make the unexpected expected?

13. Why are a 'wise man' and a 'wise guy' opposites?

14. Why do 'overlook' and 'oversee' mean opposite things?

15. Why is phonics not spelled the way it sounds?

16. If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?

17. If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

18. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

19. If you are cross-eyed and have dyslexia, can you read all right?

20. Why is bra singular and panties plural?

21. Why do you press harder on the buttons of a remote control when you

know the batteries are dead?

22. Why do we put suits in garment bags and garments in a suitcase?

23. How come abbreviated is such a long word?

24. Why do we wash bath towels? Aren't we clean when we use them?

25. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Women's Compact Instruction Book

2010-02-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Rule #1 - Never do housework. No man ever made love to a woman because the house was spotless.

Rule #2 - Don't imagine you can change a man-unless he's in diapers.

Rule #3 - What do you do if your boyfriend walks out? You shut the door.

Rule #4 - If they put a man on the moon-they should be able to put them all there.

Rule #5 - Tell him you're not his type-you have a pulse.

Rule #6 - A man who can dress himself without looking like Forrest Gump is unquestionably gay.

Rule #7 - Men are all the same-they just have different faces so you can tell them apart.

Rule #8 - Women don't make fools of men-most of them are the do-it-yourself types.

Rule #9 - The best way to get a man to do something is to suggest they are too old for it.

Rule #10 - Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.

Rule #11 - The children of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years. Even in biblical times men wouldn't ask for directions.

Rule #12 - If he asks what sort of books you're interested in, tell him checkbooks.

Rule #13 - Remember a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes, it means you laugh at his.

Rule #14 - Sadly, all men are created equal.

State Slogans

2010-02-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Alabama: Yes, We Have Electricity

Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can't Be Wrong!

Arizona: But It's A Dry Heat

Arkansas: Literacy Ain't Everything

California: By 30, Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda

Colorado: If You Don't Ski, Don't Bother

Connecticut: Like Massachusetts, Only The Kennedy's Don't Own It Yet

Delaware: We Really Do Like The Chemicals In Our Water

Florida: Ask Us About Our Grandkids

Georgia: We Put The "Fun" In Fundamentalist Extremism

Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha'ami Leeki Toru (Death To Mainland Scum, But Leave Your Money)

Idaho: More Than Just Potatoes ... Well Okay, We're Not, But The Potatoes Sure Are Real Good

Illinois: Please Don't Pronounce the "S"

Indiana: 2 Billion Years Tidal Wave Free

Iowa: We Do Amazing Things With Corn

Kansas: First Of The Rectangle States

Kentucky: Five Million People; Fifteen Last Names

Louisiana: We're Not ALL Drunk Cajun Wackos, But That's Our Tourism Campaign

Maine: We're Really Cold, But We Have Cheap Lobster

Maryland: If You Can Dream It, We Can Tax It

Massachusetts: Our Taxes Are Lower Than Sweden's (For Most Tax Brackets)

Michigan: First Line Of Defense From The Canadians

Minnesota: 10,000 Lakes ... And 10,000,000,000,000 Mosquitoes

Mississippi: Come And Feel Better About Your Own State

Missouri: Your Federal Flood Relief Tax Dollars At Work

Montana: Land Of The Big Sky, The Unabomber, Right-Wing Crazies, And Very Little Else

Nebraska: Ask About Our State Motto Contest

Nevada: Bars and Poker!

New Hampshire: Go Away And Leave Us Alone

New Jersey: You Want A ##$%##! Motto? I Got Yer ##$%##! Motto Right Here!

New Mexico: Lizards Make Excellent Pets

New York: You Have The Right To Remain Silent, You Have The Right To An Attorney ...

North Carolina: Tobacco Is A Vegetable

North Dakota: We Really Are One Of The 50 States!

Ohio: At Least We're Not Michigan

Oklahoma: Like The Play, Only No Singing

Oregon: Spotted Owl ... It's What's For Dinner

Pennsylvania: Cook With Coal

Rhode Island: We're Not REALLY An Island

South Carolina: Remember The Civil War? We Didn't Actually Surrender

South Dakota: Closer Than North Dakota

Tennessee: The Educashun State

Texas: Si' Hablo Ing'les (Yes, I Speak English)

Utah: Our Jesus Is Better Than Your Jesus

Vermont: Yep

Virginia: Who Says Government Stiffs And Slackjaw Yokels Don't Mix?

Washington: Help! We're Overrun By Nerds And Slackers!

Washington, D.C.: Wanna Be Mayor?

West Virginia: One Big Happy Family ... Really!

Wisconsin: Come Cut The Cheese

Wyoming: Where Men Are Men ... and so are the Women!!!

Top 10 Women's Tee-shirt Slogans

2010-02-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

10. Guys have feelings too. But like...who cares?

9. Next mood swing: 6 minutes.

8. Please don't make me kill you.

7. And your point is...

6. I used to be schizophrenic, but we're okay now.

5. Of course I don't look busy...I did it right the first time.

4. All stressed out and no one to choke.

3. I'm one of those bad things that happen to good people.

2. How can I miss you if you won't go away?

1. Don't make me mad! I'm running out of places to hide the bodies.

The Strange and Wonderful World of Publishing

2010-02-04T22:10:00.007-06:00

Ah...writing.

When I started this journey, I had no idea the twists and turns the road would take. Just this week, for example, I received two emails that typified the highs and lows of publication.

The first was from my agent on a proposal we sent out based on Ellis Island. The first publisher said pass, which really stunk, because no matter how many books you publish, rejections hurt!

The second publisher is "still looking."

Believe it or not, that is really good news. Editors are not going to waste their time on books they can't seriously consider, so if one says they're looking...that's a good thing.

The second message came from my editor at Barbour regarding books two and three of my mystery series. After months of no news, it now appears these books will NOT be released as an omnibus. Instead, they will be released as single titles next year (tentative dates are May and November, 2011). What a surprise!

Barbour has plans in the works for a new line of books that will incorporate a few of the mysteries formerly contracted for Heartsong Presents. Hometown Mysteries is the series name being bandied about. I can't wait to see the final direction Barbour decides to take on this. I'll keep you updated!

Anyway, my point is this...there are highs and lows that come with pursuing your passion. Having taught a lesson just last night on the benefits of perserverance, I guess I'll just keep a steady supply of chocolate on hand and keep plugging along.

Christmas Eating Tips

2009-12-18T11:27:00.002-06:00

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it.. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great and Merry Christmas!!

New Bookcover!

2009-12-10T11:52:00.003-06:00

It's always so much fun when I get to see my latest bookcover. This one is the mock-up for my Summerside Press book, Love Finds You in Calico, California, set to be released in July, 2010. While the cover is not definite, I've already fallen in love with it. Sure hope my publisher decides to use it!

Tuesday Devotional

Tuesday Devotional

2009-06-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Max’ism: Wash Me Clean

Psalm 51:1-7

One of Max’s least favorite activities is bath time. He hates it. The moment I say, “Let’s give you a bath,” Max is hiding under the couch. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always give me choice.

Take, for example, last Saturday. My family and I were busy doing yard work. Max came outside with us, but since we couldn’t pay much attention to him, it wasn’t long before he found his way to the pasture. The cow pasture. Where the cows are. And the cow patties.

When I finally realized that Max wasn’t in the yard with us, it was too late. He’d found every mud puddle and cow pie in the area, and he wore the evidence proudly. Disgusted, I carried Max inside, at arm’s length mind you, and plunked him in the tub.

“Bad dog, Max,” I scolded as I scrubbed, and rinsed, and scrubbed some more. At last, I was able to wash away the stench. Max was clean, but not happy. The moment I lifted him from the bath, he bolted for the living room, dripping and shaking all the way.

What is about getting a bath that he hates so much? Why does my washing away the grime make him want to run and hide? Can it be he’s actually content to wallow in the filth?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that was exactly right, and we are not much different. Our sins cling to us, covering us in an unholy stench that must disgust our God and Savior. Yet, He does not hold us at arm’s length. Instead, He bids us come to let Him wash away our sin, and though the process can be uncomfortable, I’m learning to love bath time.

Tuesday Devotional

2009-06-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Max’ism: Learn to Prioritize
Exodus 20:1-6

Max is a jealous dog.

No matter how much time and attention I give him, it’s never enough. If I’m on the phone, he sits at me feet and whines. If I’m on the computer, he nudges my hands with his cold little nose until I’m forced to either pet him or turn him out of the room. In which case, he sits at the door and scratches. If I pet Newly. . .heaven forbid I should pet Newly in Max’s presence. It absolutely drives him crazy to think that my love could be split between the two of them. I’m just grateful he likes the kids and I haven’t had to choose .

But all that clamoring for my attention got me thinking. The Lord is a jealous God. He flat out said it.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

And yet, I do. At home, in the office, at play, God has not always been first in my life, even though He deserves all of my love, honor, and attention. I have allowed the god of sports, the god of wealth, the god of children. . .yes, children, to come before Him, and the list goes on.

Forgive me, Father, for letting other things come before You. Help me, oh Lord, to prioritize, and to keep You first in all things. May I always love You most.

Amen.

Tuesday Devotional

2009-06-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Max’ism: Know Your Weaknesses

Genesis 39:1-12

Miniature dachshunds are known for many things. Loyalty. Unwavering devotion. Back problems.

Yes, unfortunately, these playful, active, bundles of energy are susceptible to injuries with their elongated spines. My husband went online to research the problem after a couple of the men he works with told him there were steps we could take to help prevent any future trouble.

Apart from surgery, he found several websites that offered some pretty simple solutions. Watch your pet’s diet. Keep their weight under control. Don’t let your pet jump off furniture.

Um…

Max doesn’t “jump” off furniture, he leaps. Literally. If we strapped a cape on him, he’d be Underdog. So for the last week and a half, we’ve been following him around the house, like parents with a toddler, trying to keep him from jumping off anything higher than a footstool. It hasn’t been easy, or successful. No matter how many times I scold him, he just likes to jump.

Which got me to thinking. I can trail Max around the house from dusk to dawn, but unless he realizes that jumping can harm him, and chooses not to do it, my efforts are in vain.

So it is with sin. There are just some things that are a greater temptation to me than others. Conquering that temptation sometimes means avoiding certain situations. Does that involve soul searching? Absolutely. Does it involve honesty? Definitely.

But more importantly, it means staying close to my Lord and Savior, who knows me even more intimately than I know myself, and asking Him to show me those parts of my character that I need to recognize and deal with.

After that, it’s as simple as knowing what my weaknesses are.

Tuesday Devotional

2009-06-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Max’ism: Too Many Toys
Mark 10:17-23

Max is like a child in many ways, among them, his toys. He likes to scatter them around the house. It’s not enough to get one toy out and play, he wants them all out at once.

I couldn’t sleep one night. Trying not to wake my husband, I slid from the bed without turning on a light and tiptoed my way to the door. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize Max had left his favorite squeaky lying on the floor. I stepped on it, and the most horrendous wail I’d ever hear echoed through the room. Max started barking, thinking someone was playing with his toys, and I frantically started shushing him. Finally, I had no choice but to turn on the light.

Needless to say, there sat my husband, blinking sleepily. “What happened?”

I held up the squeaky.

“That dog has too many toys,” he grumbled, flopping back onto the bed and throwing the blanket over his head.

I stifled a chuckle as I doused the light and backed out of the room, squeaky in hand. He was right, Max did have too many, but I didn’t have the heart to throw any of them away.

Which got me thinking.

Most of us can easily be accused of having more than we need. The real question is not what do we have, but what have we done to get it? Have we made God second to our pursuit of material wealth? Have we sacrificed our time with God for time at the office? When all is said and done, can we be accused of having too many toys?

If I looked closely, I’m afraid the answer for me would be yes. I am learning, however, to throw those things away.

Tuesday Devotional

2009-06-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

Max’ism: Love One Another

Romans 12:9-21

“You kids fight like cats and dogs.”

Mom used to tell us that all the time. I never really understood it until I had my own kids. I understood it better when we got Max, and my daughter got a cat.

Those two go round and round. The pitter-patter of little feet? It’s more like the growling, hissing, and tromping of sworn enemies. Up the stairs, down the stairs, through the kitchen, over the couch—they fight and chase until one of them gets exhausted, or until one of them wins.

After a particularly extended brawl, Max came trotting down the stairs, a tell-tale bit of fluff dangling from his mouth. He looked downright smug, and the cat had a little less fur. Don’t worry. The cat got her revenge one day when Max lay on the floor napping. With all the stealth and cunning cats are known for, she climbed onto the couch above Max’s head, timed her leap, and pounced! Woken from a peaceful slumber, Max yelped, jumped up, and the chase was on.

It was so funny, so ridiculous, and so. . .familiar. Instead of being the brothers and sisters Christ wants us to be, we sometimes squabble amongst ourselves over trivial things. We allow little issues to disrupt the unity of our fellowship, and we put our own wants and desires above the needs of our brethren. How it must grieve the Lord to behold our selfish attitudes, when He specifically commanded us to love and care for one another. I hope we consider His words when we’re tempted to fight…like cats and dogs.

Friday Funnies

2009-05-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Martha Stewart vs. Maxine...

Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of an ice cream cone to prevent ice cream drips.

Just suck the ice cream out of the bottom of the cone, for Pete's sake! You are probably lying on the couch with your feet up eating it anyway!

To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix. Keeps in the pantry for up to a year.

When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

Go to the bakery! Hell, they'll even decorate it for you!

If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up.'

If you over-salt a dish while you are cooking, that's too bad. Please recite with me the real woman's motto: 'I made it, you will eat it and I don't care how bad it tastes!'

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Celery? Never heard of it!

Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

The Mrs. Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust, so I don't.

Cure for headaches: take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Take a lime, mix it with tequila, chill and drink! All your pains go away!

If you have a problem opening jars, try using latex dish washing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

Go ask that very cute neighbor if he can open it for you.

Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Leftover wine??????????? HELLO!!!!!!!

Lastly, if you don't forward this to 1 of your friends within the next 5 minutes your belly button will unscrew and your butt will fall off.

Really.... It's true! Have I ever lied to you?

Industry News

2009-05-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Christian Pulse Announces Summer Reading Contest...
22 books, 22 reviews, 22 winners

Atlanta, GA - May 1, 2009 – Looking for the latest Christian book release to take with you on summer vacation or for relaxing on those cool summer nights? Beginning June 1, 2009, TheChristianPulse.com will give away 22 Christian books in 22 days. Visit www.thechristianpulse.com daily during the month of June for your chance to win. Each day we will publish a new Christian book review along with details on how to win a free copy of the book.

Tuesday Devotional

2009-05-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Max'ism - Stand Your Ground

2009-05-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here are some simple guidelines for helping you determine where a driver comes from:

1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: CHICAGO

2. One hand on wheel, one finger out window: NEW YORK

3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window, cutting across all lanes of traffic: NEW JERSEY

4. One hand on wheel, one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator: BOSTON

5. One hand on wheel, one hand on nonfat double decaf cappuccino, cradling cell phone, brick on accelerator, gun in lap: LOS ANGELES

6. Both hands on wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror: Ohio, but driving in CALIFORNIA

7. Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat: ITALY

8. One hand on 12 oz. Double shot latte, one knee on wheel, cradling cell phone, foot on brake, mind on radio game, banging head on steering wheel while stuck in traffic: SEATTLE

9. One hand on wheel, one hand on hunting rifle, alternating between both feet being on the accelerator and both feet on brake, throwing McDonald's bag out the window: TEXAS

10. Four-wheel drive pick-up truck, shotgun mounted in rear window, beer cans on floor, squirrel tails attached to antenna: ALABAMA

11. Two hands gripping wheel, blue hair barely visible above windshield, driving 35 on the Interstate in the left lane with the left blinker on: FLORIDA

Mystery Theater Answer...

2009-05-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

No one correctly solved Monday's mystery! Here's the correct answer. Better luck next week, sleuths...

The widowed Mrs. Steele had come to regard Monsieur Harold, her hairstylist and sometime escort, as the son she’d never had. In an unguarded moment on the dance floor at The Gator Club, she had told Harold that he was the sole heir to her $11 million fortune. Harold’s eyes lit up like a cash register, as he was an inveterate loser at the dog races.

The next week, just before Mrs. Steele visited the salon for her weekly root touch-up, Harold mixed a nicotine rat poison concentrate into her hair color. Within minutes after he rubbed it into her hair, the poison seeped through her scalp and into her bloodstream. Her blood pressure shot up and she began to perspire and claw at her throat and chest. Harold called 911, but by the time the ambulance arrived, Mrs. Steele was dead.

As Monsieur Harold carried away the remainder of the incriminating hair color, the pungent odor of tobacco from the nicotine pesticide filled his salon. Since there were many NO SMOKING signs on the walls, police immediately smelled a rat.

Industry News

2009-05-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

BESTSELLING CHRISTIAN AUTHOR'S STORY IS SHOWCASED ON ABC'S 20/20

Testimony of A Father's Forgiveness to be Highlighted on National Television Friday, May 1

(THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS) The evening started off with the Whitaker family going to a restaurant for dinner. Nothing especially unusual about that. The home, one of many on the well-kept block in Sugarland, Texas. The family, typical. Average. Loving. Churchgoing. Indeed, there was nothing out of the ordinary about the Whitakers until an assailant's gun changed the course of their lives.

2009-03-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

The Case:

A woman suddenly disappears from her home, leaving all of her clothes behind—even the ones she was wearing!

The Mystery:

What became of the woman?

The Clues:

1. The woman was from the west.
2. There is a puddle of water where the woman was last seen.

The Answer:

Think you know the answer? Fill in the comment box to submit your guess. Winner receives a free book!

Friday Funnies

2009-03-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

TOP TEN THINGS THAT MEN UNDERSTAND ABOUT WOMEN

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Playing With Puzzles

2009-03-24T22:56:00.007-05:00

Tuesday Devotional

2009-03-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Max’ism: Do Not Be Afraid
Jeremiah 31:9-11

Max is a wiener dog. Though his spirit is big, he’s had to come to terms with the fact that he is a fifty-pound dog trapped in a ten-pound dog’s body. That was made very evident on one of our daily walks.

We live on a country road far from traffic. We do, however, have Barney. Barney is a German Shepherd of considerable size. Even I think so. And when Barney barks, people listen! Normally, Barney is a very friendly dog, but on this occasion, he took our walking past his turf as a personal insult. Terrified, Max scrambled over to me and began jumping on my leg, begging me to pick him up.

“You’re fine,” I repeated over and over, but Max would not be mollified. Not until I held him in my arms, snug against my body, did he finally stop shaking. What Max didn’t realize is that I had no intention of letting that big ole German Shepherd harm him. I was ready to protect him, and watched Barney carefully to make sure he didn’t come near. And then I realized how much like Max the children of God are.

We walk alongside God, content with the way things are, enjoying the view, until something big and scary happens, and then all our faith flies out the window. “God help me! Where are you? Why didn’t you protect me,” we cry. When all along, God stood ready, one eye upon the storm, and one eye upon His child. I can almost hear Him…

“Didn’t you know? I was beside you all along! I had no intention of letting anything harm you, beloved, only that which will strengthen you, and build you up.”

That is, after all, the nature of our God.

Monday Mystery Theater

2009-03-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

The Case:

A car driven by a drunken man collides with a limo on a busy street. Miraculously, the limo driver and his passenger are not critically injured, and the driver of the car walks away unhurt. Nevertheless, the drunken man is later arrested for negligent homicide.

The Mystery:

On what grounds was the drunken driver arrested?

The Clues:

1. The limo was speeding to save a life.
2. Something was smashed, besides the drunken driver.

The Answer:

Think you know the answer? Fill in the comment box to submit your guess. Winner receives a free book!

Friday Funnies

2009-03-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

You Know You've Had Too Much Coffee When...

Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
The only time you're standing still is during an earthquake.
You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer.
You lick your coffeepot clean.
You spend every vacation visiting "Maxwell House."
You're the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don't even work there.
Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
You're so jittery that people use your hands to blend their margaritas.
You can jump-start your car without cables.
All your kids are named "Joe."
Your only source of nutrition comes from "Sweet & Low."
You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
You've built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.
People get dizzy just watching you.
When you find a penny, you say, "Find a penny, pick it up. Sixty-three more, I'll have a cup."
The Taster's Choice couple wants to adopt you.
Starbucks owns the mortgage on your house.
You're so wired, you pick up FM radio.
Your life's goal is to "amount to a hill of beans."
Instant coffee takes too long.
When someone says. "How are you?", you say, "Good to the last drop."
You want to be cremated just so you can spend the rest of eternity in a coffee can.
You go to sleep just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.
You're offended when people use the word "brew" to mean beer.
You name your cats "Cream" and "Sugar."
You get drunk just so you can sober up.
Your lips are permanently stuck in the sipping position.
You can outlast the Energizer bunny.
You don't even wait for the water to boil anymore.
You think being called a "drip" is a compliment.
You don't tan, you roast.
You can't even remember your second cup.
You introduce your spouse as your "Coffeemate."
You think CPR stands for "Coffee Provides Resuscitation."

Tuesday Devotional

2009-03-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Max’ism: Handle With Care
Ephesians 4:1-3

Puppy teeth. You might as well take a razor to your skin, they’re so sharp. Max’s are no exception.

Of all the toys in Max’s box, the one he likes best is a purple fuzzy monkey with a squeaky inside. He’ll play with it for hours, usually during our favorite T.V. show. Normally, that doesn’t bother me, but the season was winding down, and we were about halfway into the final episode. Annoyed, I grabbed the monkey and tossed it across the room. Max brought it back and resumed squeaking. I threw it again. He brought back again. Finally, I took it and hid it under my leg. Being the wonder dog he is, Max wasn’t fooled, and promptly started digging and snapping at the couch trying to get it. Unfortunately, my hand was still there, and his sharp puppy teeth caught my finger instead. Ouch!

With blood dripping down my arm, I rushed to the sink, scolding him all the way. Closer examination revealed a pretty deep scratch that would probably take quite a few days to heal. Without intending to, Max had really hurt me. I turned from the sink and found him cowering at my feet, his tail tucked between his legs. I picked him up, my voice soothing, and tried to assure him that I was no longer angry.

And then it occurred to me. How many times have I inadvertently injured someone, either with a careless word or thoughtless act? How many wounds have I inflicted, wounds that took days or even weeks to heal? I shudder to think that because of me, there may be some that carry hurts that may never heal.

Help me, oh Lord, to handle others with the same care You show unto me. Teach me to guard my tongue, and give me the strength to speak only that which is edifying to others.

Monday Mystery Theater

2009-03-16T06:00:00.004-05:00

The Case:

Millionaire Whitney Astorbilt is found dead, bleeding from the neck, in his Park Avenue penthouse. His killer is arrested, based on evidence involving a star.

The Mystery:

Who killed him, how, and why? How was the killer caught?

The Clues:

1. Blood is thicker than water.
2. Every Thursday, after dinner, he signed his checks.

The Answer:

Think you know the answer? Fill in the comment box to submit your guess. Winner receives a free book!

Friday Funnies

2009-03-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Signs Your Cat May Be Trying To Kill You

1. Seems mighty chummy with the dog all of a sudden.

2. He actually *does* have your tongue.

3. You find a stash of "Feline of Fortune" magazines behind the couch.

4. Cyanide pawprints all over the house.

5. You wake up to find a bird's head in your bed.

6. As the wind blows over the grassy knoll in downtown Dallas, you get a faint whiff of catnip.

7. Droppings in litter box spell out "REDRUM."

8. Catch him with a new mohawk looking in the mirror saying, "Mew looking at me? Mew looking at me?"

9. Takes attentive notes every time "Itchy and Scratchy" are on.

10. You find blueprints for a Rube Goldgerg device that starts with a mouse chased into a hole and ends with flaming oil dumped on your bed.

11. Has taken a sudden interest in the wood chipper.

12. Instead of dead birds, leaves cartons of Marlboros on your doorstep.

13. Ball of yarn playfully tied into a hangman's noose.

14. You find a piece of paper labelled "MY WIL" which says "LEEV AWL 2 KAT."

15. Now sharpens claws on your car's brake lines.

Christian Book Expo Arrives in Dallas

2009-03-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

We encourage you to attend the Christian Book Expo, March 20-22, at the Dallas Convention Center. This first-ever book fair for Christian books will feature more than 200 authors, 150 workshops and seminars led by authors, nightly inspirational events with authors and music artists, and an interactive exhibit floor featuring a KidZone, Bible History Experience and tens of thousands of Christian books and Bibles. Go to ChristianBookExpo.com for complete information and registration – and receive $5 off by entering discount code church5off at online registration. Unique to this event – that you won’t want to miss – will be multi-author Panel Discussions featuring leading authors on significant topics:

What is the Gospel?

Panelists include Richard Stearns (A Hole in the Gospel), Mark D. Roberts (Can We Trust the Gospels?), Tullian Tchividjian (Do I Know God?), Justin Taylor (The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World); Moderator Darrell Bock (Jesus According to Scripture)

A Guided Tour of Heaven and Hell

Panelists include Don Piper (90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life), Sam Storms (The Hope of Glory), Randy Alcorn (Heaven); J I Packer (Knowing God ); Moderator Mark Galli, Christianity Today

Living Christianly in a Post-Christian Culture

2009-01-15T08:00:00.001-06:00

I received a sad bit of news this week. Due to financial pressures, Barbour has made the difficult decision to cancel its cozy mystery line. What does this mean for cozy mystery readers? Check out the following article posted by Rebecca Germany, Senior Editor at Barbour Publishing:

2008 was the season for the cozy mystery romance at Barbour. We spent 2 years planning for our new book club. We built a strong team of managing editor and authors who worked hard on both content and marketing of the books. Then we launched the club early 2008 based on strong initial membership drives.

All was going well until our early fall membership drive (traditionally a strong time for adding new members) hit at the same time as the news from Wall Street about the financial crisis. The membership drive had the worst response that we have ever experienced or even heard of in the industry. At that point, to save the club would have required major investment dollars. By the end of 2008, we knew that the national financial climate would not allow for a marketing gamble on something that was still new and unproven.

2008 was a pretty good year overall for Barbour, but with 2009 looking to be a hard one for retailers, we know we have to tighten our belt and keep our money where we are confident it can give us the most return. So, for that reason, we will be closing the Heartsong Presents Mystery Romance Club. We have a couple more shipments that will go out, then books we have contracted will be used in other ways. Most likely they will go into 3-in-1 collections like Cozy in Kansas and Alibis in Arkansas. These 2 books released in late fall 2008 and had very good sales showings over Christmas. We hope you cozy mystery lovers out there will look for these books and support your author friends by buying them.

To read the complete article, check out The Edit Cafe.

Almost Home

2009-01-05T08:00:00.001-06:00

My family and I went home for Christmas this year, to a wonderful surprise. Snow! Lots of it. Lots and lots and lots of it. More snow than my home state of Michigan has seen for years. So much snow...okay, so you get the idea.

Anyway, all that snow took me back to my childhood when snowdays were a common occurence, and forts made in the snow provided hours of entertainment. I remember burying my sister up to her neck in the stuff one year, and teasing her unmercifully when she begged me to let her out and I threatened to go inside without her.

Another time my sister and I tunneled into a drift so high we were able to stand up inside! Okay, so we were only four feet tall, but still.

What fun it was to see it snow like winters past, and what fun it was to drive home after two weeks to my home in warm and sunny Texas! :-)

But I got a precious gift from my baby sister this Christmas, a photo of the snow-covered road leading to my parent's house. She took the picture herself, and titled it "Almost Home."

Yes, I thought as I looked at it. I am.

Sandra Robbins' Pedigreed Bloodlines ~ Reviewed

2009-01-02T08:00:00.001-06:00

Pedigreed Bloodlines by Sandra Robbins

Published by Heartsong Presents Mysteries

ISBN 978-1-59789-602-3

Back Cover:

THIS MURDERER IS BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE. . .When Leigh Dennison's dear friend and champion show-dog breeder, Addie Jordan, is killed, Leigh goes on the hunt to sniff out the murderer. If only she could devote more time to her sleuthing. . .But Leigh, who has never been a dog lover, now finds herself as the owner of Addie's kennel, which houses a puppy with a bright future in the show ring. Leigh must overcome one obstacle after another as she sets out to succeed with the kennel and find the person who killed the woman she loved like a mother. At the top of her suspect list: a homeless Vietnam veteran, a young Cherokee high school dropout, the owner of a rival kennel. . .and the man with whom Leigh is falling in love.

As clues unfold to the killer's identity, she makes another surprising discovery--there's a reason dogs are known as man's best friend.

Review:

Leigh Dennison, the main character in Pedigreed Bloodlines, suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder, but author Sandra Robbins had no trouble keeping my interest from start to finish.

"I'll warn you again before it's too late. You'd better buckle your seat belt and put your chair back , tray in the upright and locked position. You may be in for a bumpy flight." - Leigh Dennison, Pedigreed Bloodlines.

I couldn't agree more. This isn't an edge of your seat, send shivers down your spine, thrill ride, but it's a whole lot of fun and filled with clues and red herrings, just as a cozy mystery should be.

The Christmas Bell

2008-12-25T08:00:00.004-06:00

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you are?

Read Any Good Books Lately?

2008-12-17T13:50:00.002-06:00

Janson Mancheski’s The Chemist ~ Reviewed

The Chemist By: Janson Mancheski

Published by Bridgeway Books

ISBN 978-1-934454-28-2

Back Cover:

“Theories abounded. Everything from cults to witchcraft covens, from serial kidnappings to random relocation from the area. Through it all, however, one troubling question remained. How could three healthy, drug-free women, along with their automobiles, vanish without a trace?”

Last spring, three girls went missing. Nothing linked the cases except a frustrating lack of clues or motive. Then, one of them turned up headless in Lake Michigan pumped full of date rape drugs. Detective Cale Van Waring doesn’t have proof, but he knows that girls are being abducted. Now, spring has returned, and so has Van Waring’s invisible kidnapper. Another girl is missing, but this time Van Waring finds a spotty trail. With his boss on his back and his girlfriend threatening to leave unless he commits, Van Waring struggles to put the pieces together before another girl ends up missing—or dead.

Review:

The book started with a bang and ended with one, too. In between lay a series of twists and turns that had me struggling to piece together the hows and whodunnits of this cop/thriller ride. I was particularly impressed with the ‘real’ feel of the police officers and their daily lives. Also of note was the obvious research that went into the scientific aspects of the story. Adding professional football players (Green Bay Packers) to the suspect list was a nice twist. This was a fast read, one that with few exceptions, kept me turning pages. Mancheski really cranked up the intensity, however, in the last quarter of the book. I stayed up late getting to the end.

Weaknesses lay in the dreaded sagging middle. While the story did not slow enough to make me stop reading, I did find myself anxious to move forward, to uncover new clues, or see some sort of unexpected twist. This was a minor flaw, however, in a relatively engaging novel that I’m happy to recommend.

Cautionary Note: Book contained some graphic details and language.

At a Loss for Words. . .

2008-12-08T22:02:00.003-06:00

What's a writer to do when the words just won't come?

I've been struggling with this for a couple of days now--scenes that don't flow, characters that don't speak, words that won't come. Deep down, I sense it springs from a weariness in my spirit, as though somehow, the frenzy of the season has sapped the well dry. But how can that be? Shouldn't this most holy celebration of my Savior's birth stir a creative well-spring? Shouldn't words flow from my fingers as easily as songs of praise fly from my lips?

Perhaps it is this common misconception that has placed a wall of doubt before me: Christians shouldn't be sad at Christmas. And why not? Distance puts family out of reach. Death creates a longing for seasons past and loved ones who have gone before.

Unless. . .

I remember that though Christ was born a baby, He came to die a Savior.

God did not count it too great a sacrifice to part with His Son for Christmas. In fact, He considered it His greatest gift. So, while the days ahead may be packed with traditions and obligations, I won't forget to pause this holiday season and reflect on the one who made the celebration possible. Perhaps in doing so, I'll once again find the words. . .the ones that mean the most. . .the ones that speak of Jesus.

Friday Funnies

2008-12-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Why we love kids...

Meet Michelle Griep!

2008-12-01T08:00:00.002-06:00

Minnesota author, Michelle Griep, has been writing since she first discovered Crayolas and blank wall space. She has homeschooled four children over the past twenty years, and teaches both Civics and Creative Writing for area co-ops. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers. Michelle's debut historical romance, GALLIMORE, is scheduled for release December 15, 2008.

Description:

Jessica Neale’s faith is lost the day of her husband’s death, and with it, her belief in love. In a journey to find peace, she encounters a gentle, green-eyed stranger who leads her to the ruins of the medieval castle, Gallimore.

On his way to battle, Colwyn Haukswyrth, knight of Gallimore, comes face to face with a storm the likes of which he’s never seen, and a woman in the midst of it who claims to live centuries in the future. The Lady Jessica of Neale is an irksome, provoking bit of woman to be sure. And she’s about to turn his beliefs on end.

The product of a family rooted in pain and evil, Colwyn has focused on naught but himself—until Jessica. To a mysterious prophecy stitched on a tapestry, through the invasion of Gallimore itself, Colwyn and Jessica are bound together by a lesson in forgiveness and love—a bond that might be strong enough to survive the grave.

A Code of Chivalry For Writers by Michelle Griep

Strict codes of conduct dictated the life of a medieval knight. For instance, armored knights raised their visors as they rode past royalty. This gesture not only identified them but showed respect as well. It’s this custom that has evolved into the modern military salute.

Following the code of chivalry, a knight should be brave and fearless in battle but also exhibit cultured qualities showing themselves to be devout, courteous, and generous.
All this to say that if rough and tumble warriors of the past displayed the good sense to behave in a civil manner—aside from the occasional decapitation or two—then today’s writers, aspiring and ordained, should be able to maintain a gracious demeanor as well.

I googled Writers Code of Chivalry and guess what…there isn’t one. Never fear, though. After hanging out with writers for the past decade, I came up with one of my own.

The first rule to take to heart is do not cry as if your tongue has been stapled to the carpet just because you get a tough critique. Yes, it’s painful but get over it. Your mama’s not always going to say nice things about your writing anyway.

Also, it’s an all-around bad idea to stalk an editor. Just say no to this felony even if you think you’ve got some sweet covert operational skills. Trust me on this one, seeing your name on a mugshot is not the same as seeing your name on a cover.

Refrain from excessive blabbering about your characters and plotline. Really, the check-out clerk at the Wal-Mart store does not care if your hero kisses the heroine and saves the world all in the first chapter.

If you’re going to ask other writers to read and comment on your rough drafts, please do the same for them. Hiding behind a deadline to avoid returning the favor is wrong on about forty-three different levels.

Holing up in a room with a computer is fine for short periods of time, but if you exit with cadaver-toned skin and swirling pupils set in blood-shot eyes, then you’ve definitely crossed a boundary. Do not alienate yourself from your family members or the general public at large.

Writers are a quirky lot. Not many others would submit to constant criticism and low wages, but do so as gallantly as possible. After all, maybe five hundred years from now a new military practice will be instituted in honor of an aspect of chivalrous writers behavior.

Friday Funnies

2008-11-28T08:00:00.000-06:00

As I've matured...

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in...

I've learned that one good turn gets most of the blankets...

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just jackasses...

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it...

I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed...

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others -they are more screwed up than you think...

I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm...

I've learned that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off...

I've learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you're finished...

I've learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things...

I've learned that ex's are like fungus, and keep coming back...

I've learned age is a very high price to pay for maturity...

I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it...

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities...

I've learned that artificial intelligence is no match for naturalstupidity...

I've learned that 99% of the time when something isn't workingin your house, one of your kids did it...

I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity...

I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the butt are permanent...

Happy Friday!

Happy...Everything!!

2008-11-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Monday Musings

2008-11-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

It's Monday.

Normally, that would mean catching up at work, answering all my phone messages, sorting through piles of email. But Thanksgiving is around the corner. That means a week off for me.

As I sit home, enjoying my coffee, watching the morning news, I'm reminded of how very rare it is not to have a schedule. I'll probably bustle off to the grocery store soon, but for now, I'm going to pretend that I live in a slower time, when people paused to enjoy life and each other.

Much of that is my own fault, I know. I'm one of those people who feels guilty if I haven't packed every moment with something to do. But what effect does this have on my family? My health?

I know, I know. I'm a little pensive this morning. Forgive my Monday ramblings. It's just. . .I hardly ever have the time to just stop. . .and think. . .

Friday Funnies

2008-11-21T08:00:00.001-06:00

Ever feel like just aren't sure how to pray? Here's a tip from Maxine...

Dear Lord,

I pray for wisdom, to understand a man. Love, to forgive him, and patience for his moods. Because, Lord, if I pray for strength, I'll just beat him to death.

Snique Pique

2008-11-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

Cozy up with a pique at my latest cozy mystery!

A Very Merry Murder by Elizabeth Ludwig

1

Mayor Douglas Wright was an exceptionally handsome man. Hannah Clark had always thought so, right up until this moment, when she stared at his blue lips and frozen eyes and thought him grotesque.

“D-Douglas?” Her body shook, but it had nothing to do with the fluffy white snowflakes swirling around her head and everything to do with the man peering out at her from inside three gigantic snowballs.

She poked a mittened hand at the snowman’s pot belly. A chunk of ice fell away, revealing Douglas’ familiar tweed sport coat. Hannah gasped and backed up a step, her brain struggling to process how the Garland city mayor had come to be encased inside a snowman on the courthouse lawn.

Dropping the plate of muffins she’d carried over from her bakery, Hannah grappled with her parka and finally managed to extract a cell phone from her pocket.
Maxwell. She needed to call Maxwell. He’d know what to do.

Ripping the mitten from her hand with her teeth, Hannah punched in the number and waited impatiently for the phone to ring.

“Maxwell Hale.”

He sounded sleepy—which was reasonable, of course. It was barely six in the morning.

“Max, it’s Hannah.”

“Hannah?” He cleared his throat, no doubt trying to shake the vestiges of slumber.

“What’s wrong? What time is it?”

“Not quite six. Can you come to the courthouse? I. . .” she glanced at Douglas’ frozen grimace and then away, “have an emergency.”

“What kind of emergency? Don’t tell me you caught the bakery on fire again.”

A hint of panic feathered through Hannah’s stomach. If only it were that simple. “The bakery’s fine. It’s Douglas. I found him next to the statue of himself on the courthouse lawn. He’s packed up in snowman. Max. . .I think he’s dead.”

Silence.

Hannah’s gaze flew the length of the courthouse. The bright lights winking merrily from the eaves also cast long shadows that danced eerily through the bushes. Suddenly, it occurred to her that she might not be alone. She shuddered and clenched the phone tighter. “Max?”

“I heard you.”

“What should I do? He doesn’t have a pulse. At least, I don’t think so. He’s all blue, and frozen looking, and there’s a branch sticking out of his chest—” Her voice rose with each word.

“Hannah, listen to me for a second. Don’t touch him. Do you hear me? Try not to disturb a thing. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

She nodded, realized he couldn’t see it, and breathed a shaky, “Okay.”

“Have you called the police?”

“No. You were the first person I thought of.” Which, all things considered, said a lot about her feelings for the editor of the Garland Gazette.

“All right, then here’s what I want you to do. As soon as you and I hang up—”

Her heart pounded faster at the thought of being disconnected from him, even for a moment.

“—I want you to get back in your car, lock the doors, and dial 911.”

“Okay.”

“After that, you’re to stay put until I or the police arrive. Have you got that? Hannah—” His voice shook, as though he were rushing around the room in an effort to dress quickly or. . .

“I mean it, Hannah. If Douglas was murdered, the killer could still be close by. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Less.”

“The roads are slippery,” she whispered, her trembling knees threatening to give way.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Just get to your car and stay there.”

Hannah whirled and returned to the sidewalk, the crisp snow crunching beneath her boots. Within moments, she was seated inside her car. The low wind chill had already chased away the last tendrils of warmth forced out from her heater, and her breath curled around her head in wispy white puffs.

“I’m there,” she said, jabbing the power door lock button on her key chain. They snapped shut with a satisfying click. “The doors are locked.”

Max’s relieved sigh stroked her cheek. “Okay. I’m going to hang up now, but I’ll be there soon. In the meantime, you dial 911 and let the dispatch officer know what happened. Hannah,” he paused, and this time, she knew it was concern she read in his voice, “don’t open your door for anyone.”

“I w-won’t.” Her frozen lips were barely able to form the words.

“It’ll be okay, sweetheart. I promise. I’ll be there in a moment.”

The phone went dead.

Hannah pulled it from her ear. He’d called her sweetheart. Then again, Max called anything in a skirt sweetheart. It was all part of the newspaperman persona.

Shake it off. You’ve still got one more call to make.

Flipping open the phone, she drew a deep breath, took one last probing look at the darkness outside, and tapped in the number to 911.

[SB]

Maxwell Hale prided himself in his tough, newspaper editor reputation. If it weren’t for the fact that he was a Christian, he might have even taken up smoking cigars, just to enhance the image. Still, the shaking he’d heard in Hannah’s voice had almost been more than he could bear.

Jamming his arms into the sleeves of his coat, he stormed from his townhouse and scrambled to pry open the frozen doors of his late model Chevy pickup. The engine had no more than roared to life when he threw it into reverse and backed down the drive.

Hannah was right, the roads were slippery. Max let off the gas and dropped the truck into four wheel drive before hitting the street.

It took several minutes for the vehicle to warm enough to blow heat from the dashboard vents. Max rubbed his icy knuckles and strained to see through his frost-covered windshield. The courthouse was over twenty miles away. With road conditions as they were, he doubted he’d make it in the promised ten minutes, but he sure intended to try, even if it killed him.

Which it might.

He skidded to avoid two young deer loping across the highway. Once clear, he straightened out the wheels and resumed his pace.

What had Hannah said about Douglas? He wracked his brain to recall her exact words. She found him on the courthouse lawn packed into a snowman? What kind of freak killed somebody then rolled them up in a snowman?

The dangerous kind.

He sped up.

And she said something about a branch sticking out of Douglas’ chest. Okay, so Max had accused Douglas of being a blood-sucking vampire once or twice, but to stab him with a tree limb? C’mon.

He ruffled his hair with his fingers. In his rush to get to Hannah, he hadn’t bothered running a comb through it. Not that she’d mind. As frightened as she’d sounded on the phone, she’d probably be glad if he showed up bald-headed and wearing a tutu.

Now there was a picture. Just the thought of shoving his six foot four frame into a slinky pink leotard made him grimace.

You’re doing it again, Max. Avoiding what’s really worrying you.

The small voice pricked his spirit. He was avoiding the real issue, which was the idea that someone else he cared about was in danger. And he was still fifteen miles away. And helpless.

Totally helpless.

Friday Funnies

2008-11-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

1. How do you catch a unique rabbit? Unique up on it.

2. How do you catch a tame rabbit? Tame way.

3. How do crazy people go through the forest? They take the psycho path.

4. How do you get Holy Water? You boil the hell out of it.

5. What do fish say when they hit a concrete wall? Dam!

6. What do Eskimos get from sitting on the ice too long? Polaroid's.

7. What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work? A stick.

8. What to you call cheese that isn't yours? Nacho cheese.

9. What do you call Santa's helpers? Subordinate Clauses.

10. What do you call four bullfighters in quicksand? Quattro Sinko.

11. What do you get from a pampered cow?Spoiled milk.

12. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite.

13. What lies at the bottom of the ocean and twitches? A nervous wreck.

14. What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup? Anyone can roast beef.

15. Where do you find a dog with no legs? Right where you left him.

16. Why do gorillas have big nostrils? Because they have big fingers .

17. Why don't blind people like to skydive? Because it scares the dog.

18. What kind of coffee was served on the Titanic? Sanka.

19. What is the difference between a Harley and a Hoover? The location of the dirt bag. {{Apologies to my husband! :-)}}

20. Why did Pilgrims' pants always fall down? Because they wore their belt buckle on their hat.

21. What's the difference between a bad golfer and a bad skydiver? A bad golfer goes, Whack. Dang! A bad skydiver goes, Dang! Whack .

22. How are a Texas tornado and a Tennessee divorce the same? Somebody's gonna lose a trailer

Now, admit it. At least one of these made you smile.

Journey into Facebook

2008-11-12T08:00:00.001-06:00

Ah, technology. It's a wonderful thing, right? At least, that's what I keep telling myself. Until I get bombarded with more and more of it. Until all of my time is spent facebooking, twittering, blogging, shoutlifing, website updating, emailing...well, you get the picture.

Still, with the advent of online marketing comes the necessity for establishing a strong web presence. Hence...my journey into Facebook. Imagine my surprise when a wee little bird whispered into my ear, and said, "Peace, be still! There's no need to update them all. You can link your accounts."

Oh, what joy! What happy news! Oh...all right...I'm done being melodramatic. So in case I'm not the only one who WASN'T aware that it's possible to link your accounts so that one post updates them all, I'm going to post a few simple instructions here. Hey, if I can do it, anybody can...

1. Log in to Facebook
2. On your main Profile page, click on the tab that says "Wall."
3. Below that, you will see links that say "Update Status," "Share Link," "Add Photos," "Write
Note," "Take like..." and a down arrow.
4. Click on the arrow and in teh drop-down menu, click on "Import."
5. A gray box will appear with Available Sites listed.
6. If you have a blog, use the "Blog/RSS" icon. Click on it.
7. Type the URL of your public blog.
8. Facebook will automatically locate your RSS feed URL.
9. The icon will now appear below a faint gray line, meaning it's active and loaded and linking to your blog.
10. Whenever you post a new post, Facebook will automatically detect and load the "note" into your Wall so others can view it.

Simple, right? Ah, technology.