Holidays are coming

Hey Everyone, Everything in Julie's Beach Shop has been discounted 10 to 20% for the entire month of November. Feel free to pass along this link to those with beach-lovin' friends & family on their gift lists. A portion of all proceeds goes to Compassion International, one of my favorite charities ever. We've sponsored children for about 20 years through this organization that provides meals and education for those in need.

Happy Thursday...and have a beachy day, my friends ~ wherever you are :)

mental holiday

All of my Otter Bay Novels mention Hearst Castle on the coast of California, but the heroine of the book I'm currently writing (book 3) spends a lot of time there. A lot. Which makes me want to blow this popsicle stand and head on up to Hearst's 'castle on the hill', you know, for research. I can only write so much from memory, people! What I really need to do is tour the castle, maybe take a stroll along the San Simeon pier (where Hearst's famous guests often disembarked from yachts), and then grab a bite in nearby Moonstone Beach.

Is this so much to ask???

***
On an exceedingly more important note, Happy Veteran's Day! Get out there and hug a vet today. Dad, I'm on my way over...;)

Where's a slushie when you need one?

Had an incident in the grocery store yesterday. It's hard to explain, exactly, because I'm still not too sure what was going on in the mind of the woman behind me in line. What I do realize, though, is that I am S-L-O-W when it comes to people dissing me.

For some reason, something set her off, and as we waited for the cashier to finish ringing up my order, she kept muttering nastiness in a low voice. Maybe it was because the lines had grown long or maybe it was because she didn't like my jacket. Eh...who knows? What I do know is that I kept giving her the benefit of the doubt and let her comments roll off, keeping my voice and reactions upbeat.

But when I took my receipt and pushed my cart away, she said something particularly nasty and my mind froze. Surely she didn't mean that the way it sounded. But the more I thought about it as I walked to my car, the more clear her condescension became to me.

At that moment I glanced around the parking lot, wishing I could find her and toss a full slushie on her, ala GLEE (see pic for clarification :)

Truth is, I wouldn't have done it even if I'd had the chance (or the icy beverage in hand). Instead I spent the next few minutes beating myself up over not having a snappy comeback. Of course, to have a comeback, I would've had to realize that she was snarking at me in the first place. Again, I'm slow sometimes.

But this is where writing comes in. An antagonist in Chocolate Beach was based on someone I once knew, someone who liked to tear me down on a regular basis when I was younger. One reviewer commented that people aren't that mean and all I could think was, "Lucky you." At the end of Chocolate Beach, readers (and the heroine) learn what was driving that particular antagonist to act the way she did. And I think that's key to character development: getting to the root cause of a person's ways.

So I'm confident that Angry Shopper Woman will show up in a future book. By then she'll have a back story for all her nastiness and she'll garner our pity and some sympathy for her troubled past. She'll be peppered with grace and who knows? She might even change a stripe or two.

In the meantime, though, I can't promise she won't escape a slushie shower...;)

Celebrity sighting...sort of...

We're back from a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas where my brother, Danny, and his fiancee, Darcy, decided to...elope! We watched on as Elvis officiated the ceremony complete with a hearty rendition of Can't Help Falling in Love.

As Fools Rushed In to watch, I kept thinking that D&D had been dating so long that It's Now or Never. My parents seemed All Shook Up about the dancing Elvis on the altar yet they are THRILLED to have a new daughter-in-law. (Was that Dad I saw tapping his Blue Suede Shoes?)

Okay, that was a lame attempt, but I'm exhausted from the trip. So that's my excuse ;) Congrats to D & D! Now make me an auntie already, haha.

fog has lifted

Took this picture of the pier a few days ago (squint and you might make it out). Lots of fog in the area at the time, but today is clear and sunny. I guess you could say the fog's lifting over me as well cuz I've been sick with a cold for much of the week. But today I'm better and very glad because my fam's going on a top-secret mission this weekend and I'm going to need the strength!

I'll try to bring back pics. Until Monday, have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are.

ah-choo

Been feeling puny since Saturday, but I'm pushing through. With so many people falling ill with swine flu (one of our friends got it!), I'm thankful it's only a cold. But still...hate being sick. Blech. On the upside, I'm reading a fun and very chocolaty romance novel for possible endorsement, so at least I have another reason to curl up with a book (and ignore the dustbunnies around me).

So what do you do when your sick? Do you tell your fam to fend for themselves, then crawl under the covers and pout? Or paint on a stoic face and trudge on through? I've got one foot in each camp, I think.

Tried to find a picture of Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly with a cold in You've Got Mail. Couldn't find one, but this one works. Remember how she had this cute little sneeze and hardly looked sick? Yeah, that's realistic (not).

Angels singing & pre-holiday sale

Do you hear that aria? Or is it my imagination? All three kids are back in school this morning after 1-2 weeks off (2 weeks for one of them, 1 week for the others). LOVE my kids, but oh!, it's hard to get any writing done when they're, um, needing me.

This week I'm going to try super hard not to get too caught up on twitter, facebook, email and all the other favorite ways to waste time chat with my friends. Instead, I'm hunkering down to do some serious writing on my 2011 release, which is due to B&H Publishing by March (the gasp you just heard was mine).

Ah, well. It'll be fine...! (I always tell myself this. Can you relate?)

Later this morning, though, I'll also be sending out a newsletter with some brief updates, but wanted to let my blogging friends know that I just reduced the prices of everything in the beach shop by 10-20%. I'm doing this for early Christmas shoppers all November long. So if like me, you'd like to shop early and breathe easier this December, take a peek at my little shop. My elves are standing by (or will be once they get home from school, Lol...): Julie's Beach Shop

Have a beachy day, my friends ~ wherever you are!

More coffee? Why, yes, thank you.

So yesterday my son, his friend and I drove to Biola University in SoCal to meet with an Admissions Counselor (It went well. Thanks for asking!)


Here's my unofficial scorecard of the visit:
People A
Grounds A
Cafeteria A
Library A++++

After our meeting we wandered into the gorgeous, Mac-filled library and my eyes immediately found the right-hand wall beckoning with the words: "CHRISTIAN FICTON." It didn't take long to find Chocolate Beach and Truffles by the Sea side by side on the shelf. Matt picked up CB and said, "Hey, it looks like it's been read!" (Yeah, thanks, kid). After doing a discreet Snoopy dance, I snapped this pic with my phone (you know, as proof).

After spending the day there, we drove back home and I spent the night with my middle school girls from youth group who had worked all day on a service project in the community. Oy...I'm tired today. We did a late night ice cream run, movie rental pick up, and watched Hannah Montana at midnight (hear the violins playing?).

Back home now, feeling the need to work on some deadlines, and yet the urge to get some sleep. Which do you suppose will win out?

Coming Summer, 2010

Here's an official peek at the cover of my next book, A Shore Thing! My web designer extraordinaire, Kelli Standish of Pulsepoint Design, surprised me by updating my site with the new image and blurb before I'd even asked. Now if only my kids would do the same with their chores...;)

Find out more about my summer, 2010 release here.

The envelope puh-leese...

Paid a visit to my old friend the 'Random Number Generator' and ... Congratulations to Michelle V for winning Leaving Yesterday! I'll be getting that out to you shortly, Michelle! Thanks to everyone for participating in a truly heartfelt discussion.

Ruff

After the recent rain and fog, it's super sunny here in beach town. So yesterday, pre-teen girl and decided it was high time that Charlie the Dog get more chances to run. Sadly, he's too skittish to be allowed off-leash (don't even ask about our one visit to a dog park...not good). That's him in the photo, trying to convince us all of his innocence...

So anyway, pre-teen girl's been on fall break all week and the neighborhood's been quiet, so we leashed up our wily dog and headed outside with the scooter and beach cruiser.

Poor Charlie ~ didn't know what to do. I put my life on the line hopped onto that pink cruiser and 'encouraged' Charlie to pull me. He didn't get it at all and nearly caused a pileup when he spotted a cat under a bush. Yanked me so hard I almost went over the handlebars into said bush.

Took a bit, but Charlie finally figure out what to do and we flew (I do mean flew!) down our wide street. Every dog in the 'hood barked like mad and I laughed so hard I (almost) couldn't breathe. My guess is the neighbors are still talking in hushed tones about the spectacle of a pretty middle schooler on a scooter being chased by a dog who pulled an old beach chick on a pink cruiser.

Hey, but whatever. I love this quote from George Burns: "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to be old!"

Have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Leaving Yesterday giveaway

Getting a late start this morning ~ and it's all Kathryn Cushman's fault. Granted, I'm the one who picked up her latest book, Leaving Yesterday, from my nightstand this morning. And I'm the one who stayed in bed sipping coffee and reading page after page after page (pre-teen girl is on fall break out here on the west coast, which means I don't have to stir quite so early).

It's riveting. It's sad. It's twisting something inside my gut as I read it. Oh, Katie, you've done it again! Katie Cushman and I have done a few booksignings together and we've always maintained that I might make you laugh ~ but Katie will make you cry! Believe me, there's been a lump in my throat since I cracked open this novel.

Katie's publisher sent me a copy for review and guess what? They ended up sending me TWO. Which means I get to pass one along to one of my blog friends. So here's what I'm thinking...read the back cover blurb, then answer the question at the end in my comments section, and I will pick a winner on Monday morning.

Here's that blurb:

Her prodigal son has returned! But has he truly left the past behind?

The police car outside triggers Alisa Stewart's worst fear ~ her son, Kurt, is dead, his life lost forever to addiction. Instead, the officer is just following a lead on a crime. And when Kurt calls to say he's checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith, Alisa feels a hope she'd given up on.

It's like her son has been brought back from the dead.

But then the cop returns, asking dark questions about the murder of someone Kurt once knew. Alisa is terrified. Her boy is different now. He's changed and deserves a second chance. But as his old life refuses to stay buried, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice:

Keep silent and keep her son ... or risk everything in a quest for the truth

Here's my question for the comment section: If someone you loved dearly was implicated in a crime even as their life showed signs of turning around, would you prefer to know the truth--even if it meant their guilt?

(Note: I've not yet read the end of Katie's book, so I don't know how it will turn out. However, this is one of the questions that's been tumbling inside my own head while reading this story.)

Wednesday doings

Once a month I post over at the CAN blog, and I'm up today. You can read my post here. If you're interested in book marketing, it's a terrific blog to follow. If you're not, then consider yourself lucky and head to the beach, Lol!

For the rest of the afternoon I'll be prepping for tonight's bi-monthly 7th grade girls small group gathering. Then I'll be kicking back to watch Glee. Such an insane show, but I'm pretty much hooked. You?

Have a beachy Wednesday, my friends ~ the weekend's almost here!

It's a many splendored thing

Speaking of L-O-V-E (see post below), today's our 19th wedding anniversary. Wish I could whisk that man o' mind right out of that office and onto a plane to... Hawaii (ripply sigh here). Maybe next year?

In the meantime, Love, if you're reading this, I'm thinking about you! Happy anniversary!!!

Y'all can stop blushing now ;) ... Have a beachy day, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Love 'em or Leave 'em alone?

So do you prefer romance in your reads ... or not so much? Most of my books have romance and another equally-demanding ;) plot thread running through them. I've noticed, though, that the more I write, the more I find myself wanting to delve into the love match. Some friends have pointed this out, complete with eye-roll (lol), but whatever.

My next Otter Bay Novel, A Shore Thing, is due out in June. The story centers around Callie Duflay and her fight to keep a huge development from destroying the central coast—while also protecting her heart from the charming architect on the proposed project.

Oh, the possibilities ...;P

Ah, well. I'm writing another book, this one due out in 2011 (2011!) and it looks like quite the love triangle shaping up, haha. Of course, lots of other good stuff happening, but it's these characters and their wounded hearts that's got me in such a dither. Will this one forgive? Will that one forget? Will the other one recover? Oh, my.

So, tell me, do you prefer your reads have romance--or not so much? And if you answer in the affirmative, what are some of your favorite movie and/or book love matches? Fred & Ginger, maybe? The Fonz and Pinky Tuscadero? Or perhaps Kermy and Miss Piggy? Okay, enough.

Seriously, who are some of your faves and what do you like about them? (Other than all that smoochin', that is ;)

Dreamin'

When my kids were babies I dreamed of the day when they'd be teenagers and I'd eat bonbons all day have more free time. In some ways I do, but I never thought that watching over their schooling, taxi driving, college searching, and all around advice-giving, would be so time and energy consuming. Not that I'm complaining ~ just an observation.

So anyway, I walked to the beach yesterday with Charlie the Dog and just sat on my bum for a bit with nothing but the waves to distract me. Didn't even think about writing. We should all do that sometimes, don't you think? Just sit somewhere and think about...nothing?

Okay, but not today. My youngest has half-day and my mid child needs a ride from one school to another at mid day...which means being in different places at (almost) the same time. And there's the little matter of the book I'm currently writing, due in just a few months...

Sigh. Guess I'll just have to daydream about lolling around and daydreaming, Lol... Have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are (I will try to do that too! ;)

the Jake-a-rooni

Heard that Jake has signed on as the next Bachelor (not that I watch the show...). I have to say, I'm disappointed. Jake's a nice guy and all. Cute and tall and a pilot from Texas ... but why's he still single? What's behind that constant grin of his? Lol...I write novels, and it's all about the layers, my friends.

I would have preferred to see that cutie-pie Reid as the next Bach, but then again, he's probably too smart to put himself through that mess again (not that I watch the show...) Besides he's probably already found Mrs. Reid and sailed off into the sunset...

Ah, well. Methinks there's more to Jake than a pair of wings and cowboy boots. Come January, I guess we'll see (not that I watch the show or anything...)

So weigh in! How do you think Jake (and his fair maidens) will fare next season?

Father Tim sings!

About a dozen years ago I fell in love with Jan Karon's Mitford series. It was the weirdest thing. I'd heard that her books were cool, so I bought the first one, At Home in Mitford, at a small book shop on a rare vacation (actually my husband was working and I went with him) to the Sonoma wine country. I read a couple of chapters...and was kind of bored. But I'd spent the money, so I pressed on--and that's when I fell in love with Father Tim.

Lol...If you've read the series, you know that Father Tim's the 60+ protagonist of Karon's books. I usually only read books with female protags, and usually only those under the age of 40. The fact that Karon sucked me into the Mitford series proved, in my mind, her genius.

So anyway, I just learned yesterday that At Home in Mitford has been transformed into a musical by a small company in LA. I grew up on musicals because my dad loves them so much (Singing in the Rain is a favorite!), so this intrigues me.

If you've been reading this blog for awhile you might recall my semi-facetious dream to see Chocolate Beach made into a musical. I may have been kidding at the time, but this latest news has given me hope for Bri and Doug and Gaby, all of Chocolate Beach. Hey, it could happen...;D

Saturday's signing

Saturday's book signing at the Lifeway store in Brea was a hoot. In addition to meeting some new readers (woo!), and hanging out with author Mike Yorkey, my old high school friend Sylvia and her husband, Dean, stopped by to see me. Dean played basketball for UCLA, which explains why he had to bend down to be in the pic :) Hadn't seen Sylvia in, hm, something like 20 years, but we reacquainted on Facebook! I also got to meet their very beautiful, soccer-player daughter.


Amy, of MyfriendAmysblog, also stopped by wearing her Sparks Will Fly tee-shirt (don't ask why I look so scared ... think I was giving instructions to the picture-taker ;) Anyway, while Amy and I were chatting, Rebecca LuElla (aka Becky) Miller of A Christian Worldview of Fiction arrived and the two got to meet in person. Love that!

A shout out to the staff at Lifeway for taking good care of us as we took over their store for a couple of hours on Saturday morning. Thanks much...you're the best!

Trial by Fire by Cara Putman

I met Cara Putman in person a couple of years back when I needed a room for the night at the ACFW conference in Dallas (hotel was sold out), and she invited me to stay with her. She didn't even know if I snored ;-) Since then, we've tried to read each other's books whenever possible, and I say it that way because Cara writes fast. Super fast ~ and I can barely keep up!

I've started her newest release, Trial by Fire (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense), and it's good! In addition to being a gifted writer, Cara Putman is, in her own words, "an attorney, wife, mom, women's ministry leader, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband, and my kids, that is." She's also the membership officer of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers)~and here's something else I just learned: Cara recently published The Idiots Guide to Business Law. Oy! And I thought I was busy ;)

For my beachy friends who enjoy fast-paced suspense, here's a bit about Trial by Fire:

Can a deputy prosecuting attorney and a firefighter determine who’s starting fires that target her family while exploring a relationship together? Find out as Tricia Jamison and Noah Brust try to stop more fires before they turn deadly.

Review excerpts:
...a quick-paced read. Sequel to Deadly Exposure. Fires. Lawsuits. Family secrets. Tricia wonders whether she'll ever move forward regarding events from the past. She questions if God saw her in her pain. I think we can all identify with questioning how He could allow ____ to happen. Find out how God meets Tricia in her fears.... ~ J. Klein, Milwaukee, WI

...Would she ever find protection from the trials of the past? Would she ever find and trust a man to protect her in the future? Noah was helpless in protecting his dad or Jessie. Would he be able to protect Tricia from the fire that was sure to come her way? I guess you'll just have to get this two thumbs up book and see for yourself what exactly is in store for Tricia and Noah. It's newly released and you won't be disappointed if you like a bit of suspense. ~ Abi, Grand Forks, ND

You can learn more about Cara on her website. You can reach her blog that way, and I know she'd love to hear from you :)

Have a beachy Wednesday, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Ahhh....those chairs

Thought you'd like to see a pic of winner, Angie's, daughter lounging on one of the adirondack's her mama won. Isn't this serene? Oh to sit and relax and not worry about a thing.

Then again I'd have to be a child and later live through the teen years again, so I think I'd rather just wax poetic instead (thankyouverymuch). Lol

Ah well, a lovely picture in a beautiful setting. Thanks B&H Publishing for such a fun contest. You guys rock!

Partying with my muse

Had a rockin' party here on Saturday night with 40+ teens eating everything in sight, Lol. Seriously, my son has very cool friends. We are blessed. When I told one of the grandmas on the soccer field that we were throwing an 18th b'day party for Matt (that's him on the floor), she warned me to watch out! I told her not to worry ~ there wouldn't be any alcohol. And then she just wagged her head and said, "Oh, they bring their own."

Thankfully, we didn't have to worry about any of that. We set up a firepit on the patio of our beach cottage, opened up the garage (it's a nice one with big ol' couches in it), and flung open our house doors. Some of the kids sat around the pit with guitars and sang worship music. Other's jammed by the piano. And still others held wheelchair vs. skateboard races in the street (Yeah, our neighbors love us...;0 )

But one of the highlights of the night was the presence of Cheryl Draughon. Not only was she Matt's K, 1st & 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. D taught all three of my kids at one time or another ~ and lived to tell about it, ha. Not only that, she taught a bunch of kids who showed up at the party, and they all LOVE her ~ that's her surrounded by them. (One of them actually apologized for any trouble he gave her way back when, Lol)

If you've read Sweet Waters go grab your copy and flip to page 91 where you'll see Cheryl's cameo. She begged asked me to put her in the story, and how could I refuse someone so beloved???

Ahhh...fun, fun, FUN! Off to work, my friends, so have a beachy day ~ wherever you are!

for Dan :)

Roses are red
Violets are blue
You keep me bejeweled and fed
well, thank you!

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Thanks for not being named Ted
or Rock or Kip too

Roses are red
Violets are blue
as I've always said
where is my shoe?

To my husband, Dan, You make this writer's heart all tongue tangled, but let me give it another try...

Roses are red
Violets are blue
It's your birthday, My handsome guy
AND I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

18 years ago today...

I gave birth to a 5 lb., 13 oz., baby boy. (That's him as the chef at my recent launch party). Anyway, I worked for the YMCA back then as the office manager, and took my leave a week before my due date, figuring that the baby would be late. Isn't that what everyone tells a new mother? "Oh, honey, they're always late!" So anyway, I sat on the couch that night, munching on granola when all of a sudden (close your eyes gentlemen), I sunk into one very wet cushion.

Took me a few minutes to realize my water had broken. On the couch. (Yes, we had it cleaned...;)

So anyway, there we were, my husband and I, giggling as we tore open packages of baby tee-shirts and such, and threw them into the wash. See, I thought I'd have plenty of time for that while on leave from work. Reality? Not so much because Matt showed up a mere eight hours later (that story is a bit horrendous to report, but needless to say, all turned out fine in the end).

I never did go back to work at the Y. Instead, I fell in love with a tiny, red-haired boy (a miniature of his dad :), and began to write stories about parenting--something I knew nothing about, Lol! My first 'big break' came with the story, "Baby, Cordless Phone, and Me" published by Expecting magazine (they actually published it four times).

But I'm waxing on, here, aren't I? Ah well...today my son and I are going on a college visitation. It's a bit out of town, so I'll be leaving him there to spend the night in the dorms and get a taste of college life. He's taller than me, and handsome as all get out (like his dad!), but that doesn't mean I don't get teary-eyed just thinking of how fast the years have gone by. Just hope no one sees me dabbing my eyes as I drive away from campus...

Open for Business!

Happy Wednesday, my beach lovin' friends! Take a peek at the menu bar above this post, and you'll notice the addition of a new page on my website. See it?

For years, I've wanted to open a shop filled with beachy items much like the ones I've collected for my own home. Things I believe kindred spirits would love. So I'm excited to announce that today~9/30 and my youngest child's birthday~my beach shop on the web is now open!

On my cybershelves, you'll find everything from beach books, to sea shell frames, to beach signs, to seaside Christmas ornaments for your favorite beach lover!

We're a bitty store with great hopes for expansion, and I'll add new items regularly, so be sure to stop by often. (Heard a stat recently that the unemployment rate for teenagers is up to 18%. With two teens looking for a job, I'm hoping to bring that number down ;D )

A special shout out to Kelli Standish and Sandy Goyer of PulsePoint Design for creating my store. You gals ROCK!

You can visit the site directly at www.juliesbeachshop.com or click that button up top. Window shoppers welcome!

Lots to celebrate

It's birthday week in the Carobini household. Pre-teen girl's birthday is tomorrow, but she's away at outdoor education camp. Who scheduled that??? To soften the blow, I sent her a box of fun stuff to open, you know--items of distinction. Like a Zac Efron toothbrush, a tiara, spa socks, things like that. For some reason I have a knack for embarrassing her, so we'll see how much trouble I get into...

Then on Thursday, Teen Son turns 18. Did you hear me? Eight-een!!! He just registered to vote (holy cow). He'll be around in the morning, but then it's off to an overnight college campus visit for him. Should I warn him about parties in the dorms???

Friday is my hunky hubby's birthday. I always look forward to his b'day because we're officially 11 years apart on that day (haha--love you, honey). We'll be celebrating by...picking up Pre-teen girl in the evening from the camp bus ;)

You may remember that we recently celebrated my mother's birthday by taking a trip trip north. Nothing quite that elaborate this time around, but let me just say, having three b'days in a row--even though our schedule's wacky--is pretty elaborate in itself. Know what I mean?

Party on, my friends (I know we'll be ;). And have a beachy day--wherever you are!

Chuggin' along

Is it Wednesday already? Seriously? Sorry for the silence. I've been recovering from our whirlwind trip and editing like mad! Anyway, we enjoyed every minute of our train trip to....San Luis Obispo, CA. Twelve members of the Navarro/Carobini clan took over business class, eating and yakking and taking turns walking my 21-month old nephew up and down the aisles (a belated sorry to the other travelers stuck with us ;).

I have pictures--somewhere. Teen Daughter has them in her camera, but she won't release them until she's had a chance to photoshop a few. Lol... So anyway, the trip took about 3.5 hours each way (longer for my brothers and their fams who boarded in the LA area). Once there we relied on a hotel shuttle (PT Cruiser-haha), taxis, and our feet to get us around the college town. A shout out to Mary Hampton, a frequent blog visitor and writer friend, who once lived in the area: Thought of you, Mary!

After taking over the hotel two hours before check-in, we shopped SLO (if you read Sweet Waters, you might recall that Mel, Cami and Holly took off for SLO several times from Otter Bay), and pretty much ate our way through the town. We then had a private room at the Apple Farm Inn for dinner, hit the pool, then watched a movie before calling it a night (er, morning, as it was after midnight by then).

The ride home the next afternoon was SPECTACULAR. If you ever have the chance to take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Coast Starlight north of LA, do it! The water views are to die-for and~we saw dolphins leaping! Nice staff, good snacks, an on-time train, and our fam all together~a super fun way to celebrate our mom's birthday! Ahhh....

Today I'm heading north again, this time to have lunch with author pal, Kathyrn (Katie) Cushman. Love her~and her work. Soon I'll be giving away a copy of her soon-to-be released novel, Leaving Yesteday, so check back for that in the next few days. In the meantime, have a beachy day, my friends~wherever you are!

Choo-choo!

It's Fri-day! Yesterday was my mama's birthday (a milestone--am I allowed to say which one???) So anyway, we're taking her on a little train excursion. If mouths have stayed closed (have they, kids?), then she doesn't know where we're going--just that she needs to pack an overnight bag. She doesn't like surprise parties, so I had to keep her in the dark about something. Ha!

So since I'm not telling her, guess I can't tell you either (since she reads this blog and all ;) But I'm excited because it's going to be a beautiful weekend in California, and I'm getting on a train--which I love too (Mom's love of train travel has rubbed off on me).

A couple of years ago, author Katie Cushman and I took a choo-choo--the Pacific Surfliner--to Anaheim to meet up with our pub's sales director and authors Lauraine Snelling & Cathy Hake. We were embarking on a SoCal book tour, so Katie and I decided to shake off the nerves and make a pit stop at Downtown Disney. So. Much. Fun! My friend at the Grand Californian stored our luggage and then we were off to eat, stroll, play with stuffed Disney toys in the gift shops...a great way to prep for a book tour, Lol...

Anyway, I've been through a few states, but would love to take more train excursions someday. How about you? Ever seen the world via the train? I'd love to hear about it...! In the meantime, have a beachy weekend my friends--wherever you are!

I heart coffee

Popping in for a quick hello this morning--okay, so it's late morning already. We awoke to find the power in our house was super low--not completely out as we had dim lights--but the outlets didn't work. So we couldn't make coffee. Did you read that? No. Coffee. In a blessed twist my teen daughter's flat iron must run on super low energy because she could use it in an outlet that was dead to any other appliance. Can you imagine if she could not have?

But I digress.

So an hour or so later my unshowered self was sitting on the couch, Bible study in lap (prepping for middle school group tonite), and grousing to God about my lack of caffeine when my good friend & neighbor texts me. Are you home? I need a big favor!

I text her back, that sure, whatever she needs (and hoping it wouldn't involve being seen in public). So anyway, she needed me to run over to her mansion across the street and check on something for her (long story), which I did, much to her barking schnauzers' chagrin.

And there, sitting on her kitchen counter, I saw it. Did my eyes deceive me? A still warm pot of coffee. The angels sang a halleluia chorus (or maybe that was delirium onset from my lack of morning caffeine...) No matter. I poured myself a full mug and headed home.

God is good!

"Think Ahea"

I started this blog several times this morning, but I'm just too ADD today to stick with anything. Not all that unusual--staying 'on task' is super tough for me for some reason. I'm the type that often has several tabs open on my computer as well as several to-do piles half 'done'. Don't even mention all the tasks I've started around the house. Sometimes I play a game with myself. I set the oven timer for, say, 20 minutes, and dash around to see what I can get done in that time. Not 'started' or 'shuffled' but DONE...FINISHED...as in 'surfaces so clean I can see my perplexed face in the reflection.'

I think that's why writing, which takes high-voltage concentration, literally exhausts me. Seriously, I can run a couple of miles and feel all energized, but sit on my tush and write for five hours? Just bring me a blankie and don't bother calling--that kind of mind activity knocks. me. out.

But really, it works for me. Makes life kinda interesting. Plus I understand my kids better as a couple seem to have adopted my frenetic ways. Anyone else out there care to admit that you can relate? So how do you trick yourself into getting it all done?

p.s. I spotted the title of this post on a sign in one of my kids' classrooms years ago. It 'spoke' to me, LOL

Technical difficulties

So my big announcement...will have to wait a few more days. Yesterday being 9/9/09, I had planned to tell y'all about my latest venture, but some technical difficulties have delayed those plans a bit (thanks a lot, microsoft).

Reminds me of the wheelchair races at youth group last night. Laughed so hard I nearly...woops, almost went all TMI on you. Needless to say, watching 25 or so middle schoolers racing wheelchairs around the church patio is enough to lift even the dourest heart (not that mine was dour, mind you, but still).

The kids were racing one of our leaders who truly does use a wheelchair to get around, which turned out quite comical considering his is a souped-up version with aerodinamically set wheels. Compare that to the lumbering versions our church has on hand for those who need them, including one with a wheel so wobbly I kept having flashbacks on a recent grocery cart experience.

Which brings me back to microsoft. For all the love you've given me, you've equalled that with trouble, my friend. So I'm saving my pennies (make that quarters) for a mac. Ah, I'm picturing those shiny new wheels now...

California Dreamin'

The sun continues to shine along the central coast and we who were stuck in the fog all summer have been taking advantage of it. In between working and the daily stuff, we've walked to the beach and biked along the park path and gone for afternoon coffee runs...ahhh--it still feels like summer. Love it.

That said, I've got edits to do soon and another book to write, not to mention another book signing for Sweet Waters next month. I received several kind emails and/or facebook postings in the past few days, and I'm GRATEFUL for those! They keep me going--they really do. One said that she loved my new book, and another said that she loves how positive my stories are, and still another thanked me for writing it.

But to them I say, no, thank YOU for taking the time to read my books! I'm in a great place these days, but life hasn't always been easy. I wrote a small post about dreams and how I struggled to do just that some years back. Jennifer AlLee will post that on her blog sometime later today, so feel free to stop by and check that out. We'll also be giving away a copy of Sweet Waters, so if you've not had a chance to pick it up, you can enter to win! Or if you can't wait (kids are back in school so, quick!, now's your chance, haha), the best price I've found is on cbd.com (see below)

#1: Sweet Waters: An Otter Bay Novel

updated: Just found it on Amazon at slightly lower, and if you use a Kindle, it's even less. Hey, in this economy, every penny helps ;)

Have a beachy day, my friends~wherever you are!

Winner of the Adirondack chair giveaway!

Dear B&H,

The perfect place for these chairs would be under this tree in our backyard. I can imagine using them this fall, wrapped in a light blanket, watching the girls play on the tire swing as the changing leaves swirl around us!

Thank you for your consideration,
Angie, Kentucky

***

B&H received more than 120 entries for this contest, and narrowing the field was so very tough! Thanks to all for entering. We loved your pictures, comments and stories--except for the fact that it made the job of choosing just one winner super hard ;) Special thanks also to the team at B&H and my panel of judges who fretted and considered and voted their hearts.

Congrats Angie!!!

Take Your Best Shot

I'd like to introduce you to a book that will raise goosebumps on your heart! Take Your Best Shot is the true story of an extraordinary work God is doing for kids in Africa through a young boy from the US.

After watching a World Vision DVD about orphaned 9 year old Maggie, Austin Gutwein, also 9 at the time, said a 'sort of connection was made between my heart and my brain." He gained a passion for helping her and other children in Africa after having what he now calls, "A Maggie Moment."

I learned about this book and the Hoops of Hope ministry from my friend, author Colleen Coble. Here's Colleen's connection with this book and its author, in her own words:

It was my birthday, January 19, 1979 and we'd just been at a birthday party at my inlaws for me and our son whose birthday was the day before. Freezing rain had come down while we were inside but we thought we could make it home. They lived in the country about ten miles out of town. When we turned onto the highway, the roads were still like glass. Dave was driving slowly and being careful. I was holding my 3 year old daughter back in the days before carseats and we were both dozing. I heard Dave shout, "Look out!" I looked up to see a car heading at us and knew in that moment we were all about to die. And I wasn't ready. None of us were. I remember screaming, "Oh God," and it was prayer in that moment because I knew He was the only one who could save us. The next thing I knew icy rain was pouring in the broken T top, the horn was blaring in a nightmarish fashion and we were sideways in the road with more traffic coming. All of us were only half conscious and our five year old son was crying. I had part of the dashboard in my leg. Dave's mouth was bleeding from teeth that had been knocked out and blood was coming from our daughter's nose and mouth. I could tell she was terribly hurt.

Dave stumbled outside to try to flag down traffic before we were hit again. One of the boys in the other car was already dead. The first car to stop was a family that went to a local church. One of the family members rode with our daughter (broken jaw) to the hospital while we waited for the 2nd ambulance. We all had various injuries that kept us in the hospital about 10 days. When we got home, the pastor of the church where the family went that had stopped to help us, Don Gutwein, arranged for food to be brought in. He led us to the Lord within six months. So everything that has happened in my Christian life started there. Would we be Christians without that accident? I don't think so. God in His kindness did what was necessary for our eternal future.

Fast forward thirty years. We'dlost touch with the Gutweins over the years. I follow Mike Hyatt on Twitter and he mentioned a young man named Austin Gutwein who started a Hoops for Hope ministry to raise money to help orphans in Africa. Nelson is bringing out a book about his story and Mike just heard him present at the sales conference. Hmm, Austin Gutwein, I think. Gutwein is a very uncommon name. I shot off a tweet to Mike and asked him to ask Austin if his grandpa would happen to be Don Gutwein. Amazingly it is!

And the line of ministry through the Gutwein family continues... If you'd like to read more, please pick up your own copy of Take Your Best Shot. It's a fast-paced, absorbing read...and it'll give you plenty of goosebumps.

Tuesday interview & more

Yahoo~it's Tuesday, which means that a three-day beach weekend is that much closer :)

We had so much fog around these central coast parts this past summer that I tended to stay covered up when strolling the beach. But that big yellow ball in the sky has been making a comeback lately, as have my shorts (ha ha). Unfortunately, my white legs (think: 'sticks of chalk') are an embarrassment to my kids, especially pre-teen girl. So anyway, "we" all can't wait for me to get out there again after this week is done (with proper sunscreen coverage, of course.)

Back to today! This morning I'll be chatting with Jill Hart, host of CWAHM blog talk radio, Live at 8:30 am pacific time. You can find us at this link.

After that, I'll be taking a peek at all those photos you sent for the B&H Adironack chair giveaway to celebrate Sweet Waters. The judges will be choosing a winner to announce soon, so stay tuned! (I'm sooo excited!)

Wonder what Carrie thinks...

I love Fridays. And laughing. And being crazy. And laughing like crazy on Fridays. So here's a video that yanked my funny bone this week. Try not to die laughing, cuz you have the whole weekend ahead of you...;)

Yellow Shoes

As of this morning, all three kiddos are back at school, and can you believe it? Our son's a senior. A. Senior. Nearly 18 years old, as in, an adult. Wow. I told him this morning that he was gonna 'rule the school", Lol...

Yesterday he and I got into a bit of a 'debate' when he asked me to buy him a pair of shoes with 'big personality', as he put it. I probably would have been more yielding initially if I hadn't just been treated rudely by the staff of another store, but that's a different story...

As you can see, he talked me into the shoes (and a payment plan to pay me 1/2!), and I guess they're not all that bad. One friend said he's just starting a trend. And hubby said we should pick our battles.

Truthfully, they've already kind of grown on me. Next year he'll be in college and if he moves away, I won't know what he's wearing on any given day and that makes me sad just thinking about it. Waaa...

So maybe when he's done with making his 'statement' and puts these shoes in the trash bin, I'll sneak them out and stash 'em in a closet. You know, for old times sake....

*sniff!* *sniff!* (Would somebody hand me a tissue already...?)

Meet the judges!

As I hope you've heard by now, B&H Publishing Group is giving away two, new Adirondack chairs much like those on the cover of my latest release, Sweet Waters. Just think...you could be relaxing in one of those chairs with a tall, frosty drink and a book (preferably one of mine, haha), while imaginary water laps at your toes. Ahhhh....

But I digress!

Today I'd like to introduce you to the distinguished panel of judges who will help decide the winner of this amazing contest. They are:

Judy Gann
Author, speaker, librarian extraordinaire, and treasured friend from the Pacific Northwest, Judy encourages me with her ideas, humility and ready smile. Read more about Judy at her website: www.judygann.com






Mary Hampton
Mary and I met years ago at the Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference in the redwoods of Northern CA. My writer friend and I love to chat about kids and our beloved central coast~and she makes a killer chai tea. You can learn more about Mary at: www.refreshmoments.com


Ronel Sidney
My bloggity buddy from SoCal encourages me with her faith and friendship via this blog, Facebook, and Twitter! Read about Ronel and her ministry to women at her site: www.mommyaccountability.blogspot.com



Karen Ball
Karen and I met in the mid-90s at Mt. Hermon where she tactfully let me know that my writing needed, uh, work. She challenged newbie-me to find my passion and write about that. Now all these years later, Karen's my amazing editor. LOVE how God works! In addition to being a phenomenal editor, teacher, animal-lover and friend, Karen's an award-winning author. Find out more about Karen at: www.karenballbooks.com


Them's the judges, Friends. Now if you haven't yet, go on and follow this link for your last chance to enter to win the two Adirondack chairs!

Back to School Giveaway

Happy Sunday, Friends! Just learned that Lauren over at 5 minutes for books posted a super nice review of Sweet Waters and that the site's giving away a free copy. Not only that, they're giving away several other books too. So hop on over and check them out!

The weekend's a comin'

It's Friday...can I get a woot-woot?!

The sun's shining today along my stretch of the coast. First time in weeks, and it's a super welcome sight. Too much of the gloomies affect me in a not-so-good way, know what I mean?

Anyway, I wanted to remind you that August 30 is coming soon, so if you haven't had a chance to enter B&H Fiction's Adirondack Chair Giveaway in celebration of the release of my new novel, SWEET WATERS, then get going, missy! (Or mister ;) Here's the link with the information you need--and YES, the contest is open to residents outside the U.S. so get crack-a-lackin'!

On Monday I will post the pictures and bios of our prestigious panel of judges...so watch for that!

Also, if you're a writer, you'll want to check out the newly recharged and repopulated CAN--Christian Author's Network--Blog. I now write once a month for shy writers. Stop laughing...I am shy (before I get to know ya, that is...;). Here's a link to my list of posts. You can also click on the CAN title banner to read all recent articles.

Here's to sunny days in your neck of the country. Have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

At least it wasn't shorty shorts and cowboy boots

First day of middle school for pre-teen girl and I had a Lorelai moment. See, teen daughter had come along for the ride, promising to help pre-teen girl get her new locker open. I had dressed in mismatched sweats and sandy flip flops and stayed put in the car reading a magazine and trying not to gloat too much as all-around me, mothers with younger kids hustled to get them out of the car with backpacks and lunch boxes and jackets, etc., etc.

Middle school is a whole new animal with drop off lanes and a new level of Independence for both mom and kiddo. No more worrying over makeup and hair, or dressing to see people in the morning. With my youngest in middle school, I can now throw on whatever, offer her a prayer and a kiss, and watch her walk into school from the comfort of my car.

Not.

Neither pre-teen girl nor teen girl could get the new locker open, the text read, and could I come help? Drat. I glanced in the mirror to see strands of hair flopping every which way. A little blush would've been nice...and did I even brush my teeth this morning???

Needless to say, I trudged through the crowded corridors where moms and teachers and siblings struggled with first morning jitters and jammed lockers. Hopefully no one noticed me (nor heard teen daughter say, "Did you even get dressed this morning, mom?"--yeah, she'll get hers...) But even if they did, it wasn't as bad as Lorelai on Rory's first day at Chilton. I'm hangin' on to that...

Mid-week hello

This week's been flying by...sorry for the delay in posting! It's Wednesday and my youngest starts school next week already. Ba! I'm not ready--and neither is she. So I guess that's where I've been...cramming in the most summer we can in these last few days.

The fair's still going on in our county and it's been rockin'. I could actually hear Rick Springfield's voice smokin' through the air last night (remember him from the 80s???). There's something about the misty night and the nearby ocean that literally buoys sounds from Seaside Park (aka the fairgrounds) and floats them over the city.

Thankfully, no heavy metal bands are scheduled ;)

In addition to summer fun, I've been working on a church newsletter, shopping for school supplies (again, blech), doin' some interviews for Sweet Waters, and seriously missing my reality show fixes--although David Cook's at the fair tonight, so that will certainly help!!!

Ah well, here's to squeezing every ounce of fun out of the summer, and more beachy days, my friends, wherever you are!

Have a Seat!

We survived the Fair, and I only got a *little* sunburn (forgot to put the sunscreen in my beach bag--sigh). Lots of fun, though, and I'll be heading back to Seaside Park next week to see David Cook!

Have you seen this?
If you receive my newsletter, then you already know that B&H Publishing Group is celebrating the release of Sweet Waters with this AMAZING giveaway!

They are giving away...wait for it...a set of two Adirondack chairs similar to those on my book's cover!!!

Here's how it works: Simply snap a picture of where you'd put these chairs (in your office, at the beach, by a tree, etc.), then e-mail the image along with your name to SweetWaters@BHPublishingGroup.com.

For more details, here's the link to check out!

I've had a pair of Adirondacks for years and years, but alas, they're pretty rickety now. Wish I could enter--but I think that's against the rules =) So the very best to all of you who give this a shot. I get to take peeks at the pics, and I can't wait to see them!!!

Fair Daze

The Ventura County Fair starts today!!! Sooo much fun. Greasy corn dogs mixed with the smell of hogs, ah. On the upside, it's held at Seaside park, as in 'right next to the beach'--how many fairs can say that?

So it's dollar day and I'm thinking of running over there for at least a couple of hours to see what's new. Besides it makes for great people-watching fun--and as an author, I can't have too much of that, Lol.

Next week David Cook, yes, the American Idol David Cook, will be performing--big woot! If you're a local, you can read the details in this article.

How about you? Any fair-going in your neck of the world? Last year people actually paid to be flung into the air by a monstrous sling shot. Worth the price of admission to see that right there--haha. So what's the craziest thing at your fair?

Tea for five, si vous plais...

Spent some time this weekend over at Lori Kasbeer's cyber beach pad. If you'd like to read that interview and enter to win a free copy of Sweet Waters, hop on over by clicking this link.

As for other doings this weekend, I had High Tea in Beverly Hills yesterday with one of my daughters, my mother, and my sis in law--and my sis in law to be. We were actually there to celebrate her upcoming marriage to my brother (can't wait!!!). Haven't done High Tea in a very long time. Have you?

It was all very Grey Poupon, with a harpist, and fine china, and gloved attendants all around. The menu was appropriately high priced and we all remembered our manners. I'm not a huge tea drinker, but I determined to enjoy that part when~woohoo--guess what? They had chai. Chai Tea at High Tea. Seriously.

For some reason, I secretly thought chai was sort of the poor man's tea, a concoction so milky and rich and nutmegy that no high falutin' tea room would serve it. "Go down to Starbucks if you want that stuff," I figured they'd say.

But there it was, right on the menu, right next to the caviar and salmon crudites. Three of us, including Pre-Teen Daughter, ordered it. My mom informed our server that all the 'young people' wanted it. Lol... Thank you, Mom, for including me in that description!!!

Ah well, I'm back at home in my little beach community where the sun's shining, the sands dusting, and no one would admit to owning a harp. After wrapping up some much needed office cleaning, I'm going to head outside, and then, maybe later I'll walk to Starbucks for some, um, tea...;)

Chillin' at the beach

So the girls, my mom and I spent yesterday afternoon shopping inland where the air was still and the sun hot. Traffic was heavy and the sun stayed out until the last 1/2 mile or so, when we hit a thick marine layer overhead.

But it's the weekend and what's a little fog between friends? Despite the drop in temp and the brisk breeze, Dan and I decided to hit the beach for a light dinner in the evening. Here's a pic at sunset.