I’m still catching up on book reviews from 2008.  Here’s one I read awhile ago.

Too Little, Too Late
by Victoria Christopher Murray

Jasmin Larson Bush is back. Fans of Victoria Christopher’s Murray groundbreaking Temptation, may recall Jasmin’s havoc on one marriage. The consequences of her sin from the novel A Sin and a Shame are still wreaking havoc in Too Little, Too Late. Jasmin is determined to protect her marriage to Minister Hosea Bush and keep her daughter’s real father from ever finding out the truth. Life is going along pretty good. Then, the unexpected happens.

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Well, it’s officially the last day of 2008. I am a person who is always looking forward to what’s next, so I’m excited about 2009. Quite a few mailing lists that I’m on are posting about their 2008 goals.  So, the question of the day, “Did you accomplish your goals in 2008 or not?”

My biggest goal was to finish writing a manuscript, the one I had been struggling with since 2006.  I’m thrilled I completed the romantic suspense. It was a struggle between suspense and women’s fiction for some months there. After cutting scenes and taking out characters, I feel pretty good with the final result mainly because I finally told the story.

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Beginning on December 15 and ending on January 15, writers have the opportunity to submit their first chapter instead of a query to the Firebrand Literary Agency.

They say on their blog.

“The ability to write an amazing first chapter is a much more important skill, as a novelist, than the ability to write a good query letter. So why even bother with a query?

That’s why we’re announcing the first annual FIREBRAND QUERY HOLIDAY—to support authors who want to spend their time and energy perfecting their manuscripts and not just polishing their sales skills.”

Find out more information …

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Over the past ten years, I have had the opportunity to build websites, animations and online games for K-12 students. It’s exciting and fun to build interactive components that are used in school districts across the country. There are certain safety measures to keep in mind whenever you create online products for children. Authors of children’s and young adult books share a similar responsibility when it comes to marketing to this unique audience. In this month’s column, I’m going to address some traditional forms of marketing as well as online routes.

Read the rest of my article on SORMAG.

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Story Structure: Getting Started
by Tyora Moody

It’s a new year around the corner. Maybe last year’s New Year’s resolution or goal was to write a novel. Don’t despair. You’re still here, despite any bumps and bruises from this past year. If God has instilled a deep desire in you to write, take some time to organize your goals again. My goal is to encourage you. I’m not published yet, but I have two manuscripts, one in which I plan to start submitting to literary agents in 2009. I’m very excited about the process because I stopped writing for several years.

Read the rest of my article on Urban Christian Fiction Today

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Another Stab at Life
by Anita Higman

Bailey Walker has suffered quite a few losses. In the midst of her downer moments, she receives an unexpected inheritance gift – her grandmother’s dilapidated mansion.  The now former realtor decides to move in with the intentions of fixing up the monstrous house. Upon her arrival, some not so friendly neighbors have left her some gruesome surprises. Not sure what to do, Bailey decides to stick it out since she doesn’t have anyplace else to go.

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I’m looking at my stacks of books (the read pile) and thinking, I need to get some book reviews posted. I have a habit of reading and then writing reviews in one sitting. I also tend to write my reviews by hand and then transfer them to the blog. Uhm, I see making better use of my Alphasmart in the future.

I’m also always reading at least 2 or more books at the same time. So, I’m determined NOT to start another book until I finish this set I have going. Should be easy, but  there are so many around me I want to read. LOL!

Amber Morn
by Brandilynn Collins

Amber Morn is the fourth and final book in the Kanner Lake series.  In this novel, the infamous Scenes and Beans bloggers (yes, there is a real blog) are center stage. The members of this town have been through a lot in the past few months, resulting in the loss of one innocent life after another (read previous books). Finally, it seems this group will be able to breathe easier again, putting the past behind them. They have gathered at the Bailey Truit’s Java Joint coffee shop to support their favorite science fiction writer, Ted Dawson, as he signs his book contract. In the midst of their celebration, the unthinkable happens and yet again more lives could be lost.

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Unpretty
by Sharon Carter Rogers

The novel opens with an art gallery bombing, where eight people associated with a Michelangelo exhibit are killed. A cult is responsible for the bombing and their mission is to rid the world of all “unpretty” people.  The cult’s leader and the bomber made one tiny mistake though. He talked to Hummingbird Collins right before setting the bomb off.

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