Bible Verse Wednesday: The Same

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 Hebrews 13:8

Broadway Tuesday: No Day But Today

Hello everyone!

How's your Tuesday going? I'm catching up on some writing stuff right now.

Anyway, my mom and I were watching So You Think You Can Dance (awesome show!) and I heard Idina Menzel singing. So, I thought I'd share the dance and the song.

Here's "No Day But Today" from Rent  along with a beautiful dance.

Book Review Monday: Fired Up!

Yay!
I'm privileged to say I just got done reading Mary Connealy's newest book, Fired Up, which will be released in September.

Awesome, huh? That's what I thought!

First of all, I want to mention you can order your very own copy on amazon.

Here's a book description from Amazon:

"Rollicking Wild West Adventure and Romance from Bestselling Author Mary Connealy
Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?"

My thoughts: First of all, I LOVE this cover. How amazing is it? The guy on the front looks just like I imagine Dare looking and it's just really cool.

Anyway, this book is PERFECT. I think Mary's best yet.

Dare is the town's doctor (although he thinks he shouldn't be, because he hasn't officially gone to medical school) and he's got someone who wants him dead. Really, they've caused an avalanche, set his house on fire, and even stabbed him in the back.

Glynna is sick of husband's--both of hers in the past turned out to be pretty terrible. So she and her two children want nothing to do with marriage, and her son, Paul, has become very bitter and hostile towards any men.

Glynna starts up a diner, although she can't cook...at all, and her business becomes a success.

I could go on explaining the entire book and how PERFECTLY AWESOME AND AMAZING AND PERFECT it is, but I'll let you realize that from what I've said so far.

This book is one of my favorites. The characters are awesome. I was soooo attached to them throughout the whole book.

So, I hope you look forward to September 15!

Bible Verse Sunday: The Lord Is The Everlasting God

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:28

Writing Friday: What Do You Want?

Hello everyone!

I've been wondering lately as I've been writing these posts what you guys are thinking.

Do you like these Writing Friday posts how I'm doing them, or would you like to see something different?

Would you rather hear about thoughts on writing in general, or would you like posts about my particular works of writing?
If so, what would you like to see about either one?

I'd be glad to do a series of "How-to..." and I'd also be glad to explain more about my own projects. I'd just like to do whichever my readers would enjoy more.

So, please share your thoughts, even if you don't regularly comment here. I would love to hear what you think and what would keep you coming back here every Friday!

Thanks a lot. I look forward to hearing from you!

Music Thursday: Do You Hear the People Sing?

I'm still loving Les Miserables right now, so I thought I'd share the song do You Hear the People Sing with you. Enjoy!

Bible Verse Wednesday: By His Wounds We Are Healed

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Broadway Tuesday: Look Down

So, I just got done being in Les Miserables. It was awesome. And then, after that, I got to see a local production of the fabulous musical. So, lately I've been having songs from this show stuck in my head.

Therefore, I thought it would be appropriate to share a song from the great musical with you today.

Here is "Look Down" from the 10th Anniversary Concert.
Enjoy!

Book Review Monday: Reading...

I don't have a review for you today because I've been busy but I can tell you what I'm reading.

I'm very glad to tell you that I got Fired Up, the newest Mary Connealy book, to read. And I am SUPER excited. So I'm reading that right now and I'll give you a review when I'm done.

What are you reading? What's number one on your to-read list?

Bible Verse Sunday: Revere Christ as Lord

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16

Writing Friday: Research

As a historical fiction writer, I have to do a fair amount of research.
What I write is based on facts more so than, say, sci-fi, so I have to get as much of history right as I can. Because, believe me, if there is one historical inaccuracy, SOMEONE will notice and if they aren't really nice, they'll not like you very much for it.
Also, if you add a nice little historical bit like a type of food or a certain way something was done, it just adds...something to the story. Not only does it make the book more believable, but it just adds a nice touch.

Research is important to other genres of writing as well, but I won't get into that as I'm primarily a historical fiction writer.

So how do I research?

In all reality, I would really love to have someone else do my research for me, even though I love history. I really kind of don't like research.

So, for me, I have a fairly wide knowledge of history by reading it in other works of fiction. For the most part, the only books I read are historicals.

Next, once I decide what time period my new book is set in, I do general research on everything in the century. And I mean everything like food, clothing, customs, entertainment, and daily ways of life.

Then, as I'm writing, I look up specific things that I need to add to my story.

And, there you go! That's about how I do my research.

If you're a writer, how do you research and what do you research?

And, for my lovely readers, do you notice when the author did a lot of research when you read? How?                  

Music Thursday

I don't have a direct video for you to watch here, because I'm posting this at the last minute. 

But, since I'm in Les Miserables right now, why don't you go listen to your favorite song from that wonderful musical?

Have a nice day! :)

Bible Verse Wednesday

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

Hebrews 4:12

Ahhhh!

I'm so sorry about no posts the last few days. I've been very busy with theatre and I was used to pre-scheduling posts, so I forgot to do any!

I'll start with the schedule again tomorrow.

Writing Friday: Settings, Part Two

Hello everyone! How are you all doing?

A couple of weeks ago, I did a post about the main setting of my story, Swept to Sea.

Part of Swept to Sea also takes place in London, England.

Eden starts out in this story as a wealthy young lady, but her father's wealth is dwindling. This means that she must marry whomever her father chooses in order for them to continue living comfortably. When the man her father chooses turns abusive, Eden must find a way out. Her lifelong home in England becomes a danger to her. She must run from all she has ever known in order to find freedom.

So throughout Swept to Sea, the country that is only physically visited in the first couple of chapters plays a large role despite its small appearance.

England represents everything Eden wants to escape. In fact, she begs Caspian not to return her to England.

So, thanks for stopping by today! Join me next week for another discussion about writing.

Music Thursday: Jitterbug

Sorry this post is up a little bit late.

Last night was opening night for Wizard of Oz, so I had no time to do a post for today.

So, right now I will share with you a video from the musical that I'm in right now.

Here's "Jitterbug" from Wizard of Oz.

Bible Verse Wednesday: The Mind

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Broadway Tuesday: Miss Saigon

Hi! I'm really busy with tech and performances for The Wizard of Oz this week, so I'm afraid most of my posts will be very short.

Today I am sharing "I Still Believe" from Miss Saigon. Enjoy!

Book Review Monday

Hello everyone!

I just got back from a trip so I'm trying to catch up with my blog, and emails, and everything. So I'm sorry if I didn't reply to your comments right away the last few weeks.

Anyway, on to today's book review.

I just got done reading a novella called Golden Days by Mary Connealy.

Here's some info from amazon: "Amy Simons's small size belies her remarkable strength-strength that makes her thrive in the wild Alaskan frontier. But is she strong enough to accept her father's fate and move on with her own life and love? Braden Rafferty just wants to get away-away from the pain of failing his wife and losing her. Maybe hard work in the cold Alaskan mountains will numb his aching heart. But he didn't expect to find another needy woman along the way, another woman who will depend on him for strength. Will Braden realize that Amy wants his heart more than his help? Will they both see that the bonds of love are strongest?"

This was a novella, so it was very short. Amy is part Russian and part Tlinget. Her father had her go to live in Seattle for a number of years after her mother died. When his letters stop coming, Amy hurries home to find what is wrong.
When she finds out her father is dead, Braden, who she met on the ship from Seattle to Alaska, offers to take her to his sister-in-law's home. She stays with the Raffertys for a long time, and every day wonders what happened to her father.

This was a good novella! There was plenty of comedy. If you read it, pay special attention for "Rooster".


Have you read a lot of novellas?

Bible Verse Sunday: Be Strong

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Writing Friday: Pirates!

So, I was planning about talking about my setting to you today.

However, a couple of weeks ago, I got to go to an awesome exhibit hosted by National Geographic called Real Pirates.

So, since the topic was relevant to my book, Swept to Sea, I thought I would tell you a little about what I saw.

The Whydah was an eighteenth century slave ship turned pirate ship. It was captained by Sam Bellamy, who turned to piracy to earn money. He had plans to return to Massachusetts and marry his sweetheart once he made enough money.

Sadly, the Whydah sank off the coast of Cape Cod in 1717 during a violent Nor'easter. Only two men survived, and many many more died.

In the 1980s, the ship was recovered and its artifacts were preserved.

I loved this exhibit. I learned a lot of information about my setting and now I can add even more historical facts to my novel.

I love museums. What is your favorite museum you have been to?

Music Thursday: Cinderella

A while ago on my blog we talked about the Tony Awards.

Some of my commenters mentioned the musical Cinderalla performing, so I thought I would share that performance with you today.

Here is the Broadway Cast of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's Cinderella singing several songs from the musical.

Bible Verse Wednesday: Straight Paths

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Prov 3: 6

Broadway Tuesday: Merry Old Land of Oz

Last week I shared a song from Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical version of The Wizard of Oz, so I decided I would share one more today.
(Bye the way so far I am a Munchkin, Snowflake, Winkie, and Ozian in my production of The Wizard of Oz)

Here is "The Merry Old Land of Oz".

Book Review Monday: What Are You Reading?

Okay, I don't have a review today.

I'm writing this post ahead of time, so I can't tell you what I'm reading right now. Probably one of the many books on my Kindle. Or maybe I found a Mary Connealy book I haven't read yet ad I am eagerly reading that. :)

What are you reading? That is on your To Be Read Pile?