Preschool, Pilgrims, and Prayers

Happens to be the title of my latest piece over at New Christian Voices. And what a surprise! It's all about Thanksgiving. Oh, and here's another surprise! I don't have to cook today! Wheeeee!

(Which will make perfect sense when you read Preschool, Pilgrims, and Prayers right here) But it's no surprise that I hope your Thanksgiving Day overflows with His grace.

You Made Me Like You (I Didn't Want to do It): Reviewing Field of Blood

I'm channeling Judy Garland singing to Clark Gable, here in my book review of Field of Blood by Eric Wilson.

"You made me like you, and all the time you knew it. I'll bet you always knew it. You made me happy sometimes; you made me sad. But there were times, boy, you made me feel so bad."

I mean, c'mon. Jacob? Poor little Jacob? But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Maybe you'd like to know a little more about Mr. Wilson's story of the Jerusalem Undead, Gina, Nikki, Cal, and a whole host of other characters. (No pun intended.)

I really didn't want to like this book. I do like vampires and I like biblical history. I just wasn't sure the two could work together. I like an easy, old-fashioned story between good and evil. This is not an old-fashioned story. And there's nothing easy about it, either. So many characters, so many changing points-of-view, and so many plot lines to follow.

The story opens with Gina, a Romanian girl, inexplicably caught up in her mother's fanatical beliefs, beliefs that will lead Nikki, the mother, and her confused daughter (and if I'm being honest, the reader is probably just as confused at this point), to a rather mundane life in America. Meanwhile, in another part of the world, The Collectors have found new hosts at last. Now these 19 men and women, the Jerusalem Undead, can search the world for the Nistarim, the 36 left behind by the Nazarene to protect mankind. The Undead will search, too, for blood, always hungry, always looking to infest others and sow destruction. And ultimately, they'll look for Gina and her unborn child. Fortunately for Gina, she's not alone. She has help from Cal, the one she calls The Provacateur, the one who's always been there for her. But as the forces of evil gather against her, Gina will fight for her life and the life of a child. Just not the child she bore.

After a slow beginning, this tale of vampires intermingled with the rich history of Jerusalem and the story of Christ, fallen angels, sin and suffering, eventually sucked me in. (Yeah, I know. That was bad.) The author does an excellent job developing his characters, particularly that of Lord Ariston and Erota, powerful vampires from the Jerusalem cluster. Once the story starts moving, it's a cat and mouse game, with a few surprises thrown in, just to keep everybody on their toes.

What I loved (if you can use such a word for something as evil) were the vines of thorns, the symbolic imagery of the sins wrapping around the victims. What I had a real problem with was Gina's relationship with Nikki. And Nikki, herself. A mother does not cease to protect a child, EVER. It's as simple as that. But don't expect the rest of the story to be that simple.

Now, you're probably wondering why I'm reviewing Field of Blood. Remember when I mentioned that you, too, could be a book reviewer, and get a free book, if you checked out the deal at Thomas Nelson Books? Field of Blood is the book I picked. It's part of a trilogy. The second book comes out in August of 2009, I think. And I think I might get sucked into reading that one, too. I'm worried about Dov.

I just can't help myself. You made me like you, Field of Blood.

Finding Something Friday Finds Christina Katz and Christmas Miracles

Technically, I did not find the Writer Mama, Christina Katz. But, I did find her latest book, Get Known Before the Book Deal, in my mailbox. (Oh, and Writer Mama, too!) And I plan to read it, maybe share a few tips with you. Now, if I just didn't have all this pesky writing to do...

Here's some pesky writing you may want to consider. Cecil Murphey and Marley Gibson are looking for true Christmas Miracle stories for their book...wait for it...Christmas Miracles! It's planned for a late 2009 release, so those miracle stories need to be written, polished and submitted by December 24th. The good news is, you will be paid. And you only need 900 to 1200 nicely polished words. The bad news is, your story must involve a miracle and the Christmas season.

That's kinda tough, isn't it? I wonder if Cecil and Marley will count getting Christmas shopping done, a scrumptious feast prepared, a gorgeous tree put up, everybody to church on time, and sharing the holidays without at least one major blowout as a Christmas miracle? Not that I've ever actually accomplished that.

But maybe you have. Or maybe you have something even better. Check out all the details here if you want to write about your Christmas miracle. I think I'll just read Christina's book.

Tooting My Horn Tuesday Looks at Sasee and WHY Magazines

Why am I looking at those magazines? (Cathy C. Hall asked sassily) Okay, that was bad. But these magazines are very good. And not just because I happen to be published within their wonderful pages.

WorkHomeYou Magazine is a webzine, brimming with all sorts of neat articles for the work-at-homer. Coincidentally, I'm a work-at-homer, despite the occasional comments from the beneficent Mr. Hall to the contrary. Of course, not everyone who works at home is a writer. But most folks working at home are sitting in their office chairs, in front of a computer. That's where my office chair article comes in. You can find the article in the Stuff Department, or you can read all about finding the right office chair here, but why not take a few minutes to peruse the whole magazine? The editor, Dina Santorelli, does a great job with this slick webzine.

I'm always grateful for a place to share my essays. So, Sasee Magazine made my day when my Anniversary Dreamin' essay showed up in the November issue! Coincidentally, the theme for the month happened to be gratitude. Now, didn't that all work out just swell? Sasee is a print magazine (also online) that's distributed in Myrtle Beach. Love this mag, too! If you visit the online version, you can leave a comment. So, let's say you read a wonderful essay about anniversaries, dreaming, and such. You could say something like, "Gee,(fill in the name of the writer here), what a wonderful story! Always love reading your humorous, heart-warming thoughts! Hope to see you in Sasee again!"

I think any writer would be grateful for that kind of comment. (And not just a writer like me who happens to be published in some wonderful magazines this month).

Finding Something Friday: A Hardboiled Cozy

Look what I found in my mailbox today!

I won Dana Fredsti's book, Murder for Hire: The Peruvian Pigeon, when I went on a blog Trick or Treat with the Fatal Foodies. Now, don't say you don't know what I'm talking about. I told you all about the bloggy giveaway and how you could win great prizes, including interesting books like Dana's hardboiled cozy.

I'm not exactly sure how a cozy can be hardboiled, but I read that description for her book, which just makes me want to read it even more. So, it's on my bedside table (Well, not right this minute. Right now, it's on my desk so I can be inspired while writing about said book). But it will be on my bedside table, joining my stack of to-read books. Then, it will be back on my desk when I write about it later and fill you in on what, exactly, a hardboiled cozy is.

Till then, I guess it's just one big mystery.

What Not to Do Wednesday: Two! Two! Two Emails in One!

C'mon, you know you've done that...hit "sent" twice and off go those two emails, right?

I don't think people (and by "people", I mean "editors") mind the occasional double email. Except when you see that message about not hitting the Submit button more than once. Apparently, that really mucks up the system. (Not that I'd ever do that, but I've heard stories...)

What I'm getting to, eventually, grasshopper, is the case of "Did I send that email or did I not?" And "should I annoy an editor about my apparent lack of email sendability?"

As this particular annoying thing happened to me just yesterday, I feel that I'm uniquely qualified to answer. First, I sent an email with my submission in the text. I received a message that the email was sent, sort of. It wasn't the usual "Your email has been sent, blah, blah, blah," but it was close. And, since I was hungry, off I went about my business till that little voice in my head said, "Whats-a-matter you? Go check the Sent file and quit obssessing over whether that email was sent!"

Sure enough, when I checked the Sent file, my email to the editor was not there. So, I sent it again, saying please excuse if you've already received this lovely email. Because, you know, I still wasn't absolutely sure. I mean, I distrust all things technical, but love them at the same time. It's classic love/distrust and please don't get me started on that.

The editor replied (thank goodness) and said, quite nicely, I thought, that she hadn't received the original email. So, grasshopper, when in doubt, check it out. Your Sent file, that is. That way, you won't constantly be sending two! Two! Two emails to one (editor)!

Finding Something Friday Adds Followers to My Blog

Yeah, I know I already wrote a Finding Something Friday. But I found something else. And it's Friday. So, sue me.

To tell the truth, I'm a little conflicted about adding the "Followers" gadget here. On the one hand, it's a cool little widget and I'm all about the cool blog bling. On the other hand, if no one signs up to follow my blog, then I'm forced to look at that widget screaming, "Hey, Cathy! Remember how bad you felt in the third grade when you didn't have a single, solitary friend? Don't you feel EXACTLY like that now?"

I think a nun eventually made a girl (poor Valerie) play with me. So, do not make me chase you down to sign up for blog-following. Because, honestly, I will come after you.

And that includes you, too, Valerie.

Finding Something Friday Finds Something For Everyone

As it's the first of the month, I had to check a few sites I visit to find interesting things. That's what Finding Something Friday is all about, right? So, without further ado, I give to you...a poetry market! (C'mon, you had to see that coming.)

I don't know if I have the mad skills to write a scathingly brilliant poem, using these words: pillow, break, tantrum, silver, roof, vacant, atlas. But, I do know a Junior Hall who professes to be a poet. So, I think it's high time that boy proved he learned something on his way to an English degree. He can send in 1 to 5 poems to usethesewords@gmail.com by January 1 and maybe see his name in print (right next to your name!) in the next issue of Use These Words. (Check out the last issue here).

And for you fiction writers, check out the Oceanview Short Story Contest here. And yes, I know it's a delightful, oceanview scene at the website, but they want un-delightful, twisted stories. And they want them by November 17th.

Oh, and if you have a dog or cat essay, or funny college story essay, or, um, any number of other essays, check out Chicken Soup for the Soul for their latest needs. Click on "Submit a Story" and find out more.

Finally, the beneficent Mr. Hall found the t-word slapped on my arm. And he didn't find my antics nearly half as funny as I did.

Tooting My Horn on (Election) Tuesday

Taking a quick break from the election to celebrate a little winning of my own!

I just love when I win something out of the blue! And I love to win books, too! So, imagine how thrilled I was to win signed copies of Writer Mama and Get Known Before the Book Deal! It was part of the September Writer Mama Back to School Giveaway. Christina Katz, our favorite Writer Mama, decided to choose three participants in the Giveaway who inspired her with their posts. And guess who one of those inspiring posters was? Or um, is?

You betcha it was me. Anyway, apparently I had consistently valuable information while sharing my insights. What a nice thing to say. And a great surprise for me. Wheeee!

(P.S. Check out her blog for more inspiring and valuable information!)
(P.P.S. And as soon as I read those books, I'll fill you in on more inspiring and valuable bits of Writer Mama info!)
(P.P.S.S. Now, couldn't you just kick yourself for skipping the Giveaway this year? Maybe you'll win something next year...that reminds me, I've got to see who's winning now!)

Sneaking Around with the T-word

So, I ordered my little book and kept it hidden away till now. Just a few minutes ago, I picked out my favorite t-word and ran upstairs and slapped one on my body. And I think it looks swell, in a book-lusty sort of way. But why, you may ask, all the sneaking around?

I had to wait for the beneficent Mr. Hall to get out of the house. Because when it comes to the t-word, even a t-word that's temporary, Mr. Hall is not very beneficent. I wouldn't want to say what Mr. Hall is when it comes to the t-word.

Let's just say I'd be that word that proper Southern women never, ever use. And yes, I am, too, a proper Southern woman.