Period Movie & History 

As a period movie and history addict, I love finding little nuggets to help further my horizons in the subjects.  I found a little nugget, well, it was laid in my lap.  Thanks Kaye Dacus for your love of the same!  

KAYE DACUS

Check out above Kaye's post on Kings & Queens: AHistory of Violence

The Good Chick Book!

Brrrr...... It is chili outside today.  A great day to curl up with a good book and a favorite blanket with some coffee on the side.  I can't resist a good Christian Romance, especially historical novels!  Of course I have my favorite novelists, but I love to discover new ones.  Some of my favorite oldies and newly discovered ones are, in no certain order:

Francine Rivers
Brock & Bodie Thoene
Kaye Dacus
Jane Austin
Cindy Bolton
Lori Wick
Tracie Petterson

and many more.  My personal preference is when the stories always include and sometimes encompass the following to deserve an A+ rating:

Real & Edgy
Tragedy
Conflict

Romance

Clean with a Godly perspective

Happy Ending

I believe Jane Austin accomplishes this best, but leaves out the Godly element, although she is clean.  Other authors use most of these elements, but sometimes leave one or more out.  Some are too 'fluffy' and not 'real' enough for me.  None are 'too' real, but then they are all classified as Christian writers except Jane Austin.

I would never consider a 'nonChristian' book because they tend to go off the 'clean' mark that I require for my reading.  It is not that I am trying to 'do' the right thing, but I simply just do not like that kind of stuff.

I choose my books because I want to escape the reality of tragedy with no happy ending, but I want it to be real and believable. I want to be uplifted and happy when I am done reading a book, but captivated by the story and romance while reading it.  It is a fine line to accomplish.  The most accomplished author  for me encompasses all of these elements.  I believe this is what stands the test of time in writing a good chick book.

We are called out of darkness into HIS marvelous light.  Why do we let the enemy, who comes to kill, steal, and destroy, keep us in darkness?  I cannot see in darkness, but yet I crave to be able to see.  I know He instructs us to count it all joy, even in times of trouble, James 1:2.  Here in Peter, he tells us to declare the wonderful deeds of Him.  So, whenever I find myself slipping into darkness, one of the first things that comes to mind is to praise Him.  Soon I begin to see the light once again and miraculously things begin to clear up and I can see.  

2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

I think. Therefore, I am... I think.


I stole this from a fellow writer from one of my writing groups.  I had to share it.  I love little tid bits like this.  They make me think.  

MTCW

I was able to attend the MTCW meeting yesterday meeting several authors and gleening a lot of information for my writer's tool box.  The moderator was Kaye Dacus .  I enjoyed listening to her exploits as a writer and accomplished writer.  I went streight to Lifeway purchasing one of her contemporary books (Love Remains) wishing I could locate one of her historical works, but was unable to find it.  Found it on Amazon and plan to get asap, as I'm a self proclaimed Historical Christian Romance junky.  I am half way done with Kaye's Love Remains and am loving it.  She is a great wordsmith and I look forward to reading her HCR novels.

As for the meeting, I enjoyed it very much.  I will be attending next month's again.  Kaye is very involved in ACFW as well, speaking about MTCW taking part in contests and informing the group of event happenings with the other group.

Bottom line, it was worth the drive to Nashville, 'Acklen Ave' area.

About Gail

After college and raising a family, Gail Williams has run sumnermom.com for over three years, designed and run over 40 websites for various businesses and ministries for over 12 years, as well as writing for publication and publishing ‘how to’ pieces for online site publications.  She has been an active member and leader of her community for over 18 years, taking rolls as a leader in the women’s ministry at her church, Moms In Touch regional leader for her area, led numerous Bible studies including being a leader of Precept Upon Precept. She has also been the leader of numerous groups including Hendersonville Nutritional Coalition and Sumner Writers For Christ.  She lives with her husband and two college-age kids in the Hendersonville, TN area.