Pete Wilson: The 31 Day Challenge ~ Are you in?

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 7:38 AM


I'm not back yet from family holiday, but I wanted to sneak in a quick invite to you all--one I'm pretty excited about.


Instead of just following Pete Wilson's Without Wax blog on Fridays throughout the month of January, I'm inviting you to come along, at Pete's invitation for his challenge to read through a chapter of Proverbs every day. Then, we'll share our thoughts and what we've learned with others on an online community he's set up especially for this.



Pete's book Plan B will be released this Spring
through Thomas Nelson Publishing


To pre-order Pete's book
click on the cover pic above or click here.


To read Pete's blog Without Wax
(one of my favs)
click the pic of him or click here.


To join The 31 Day Challenge (I hope you will!)
click The 31 Day Challenge icon or click here.

Come along, we'll search God's Word
and have great discussions!
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The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 11:09 PM

I wanted you to know about a book I'm reading and am so excited about, one I've been waiting and waiting to read, The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard. If you love the period Jane Austen wrote about, Regency, you'll love this book. And Linore's books get better and better with each new published one!




Now, you'll be mad at me for not telling you more, but you can read more about this book by visiting Linore's website which is full of fascinating Regency period info. Please visit Linore here, and she'll have links where you can pre-order her book The Country House Courtship, which releases in a couple of weeks.

Also, we'll have Linore on and maybe she can share some fun tidbits with us about the book and the period in which she writes.

Until then, have a blessed Christmas!

Hugs,
Tina
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Follow Pete Wilson Friday

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 9:33 AM


The subject came up on our way to Bible study last night. Today, Pete Wilson just happened to post on this, and since Fridays are Follow Pete Wilson day at The Homestead Heart, it was so timely.

Grace and love bring healing, our words can carry healing--or tear down and hurt others.

I love the line in his blog, written by his friend, Mike Foster, "1. You have so many words that you can share in a day. Decide whether they will be about blessing or cursing someone."

What will my words be about today, who will hear them, how will they affect another person? Will they be about blessing someone or cursing someone?

For the rest of this post, one I'm taking to heart, please hop over to Pete Wilson's blog with me.

Upcoming Release - 2010! 
Thomas Nelson Publishers


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LOVE'S GAMBLE - ch 6 done, editing now

Posted by Tina Dee Books | | Posted On at 11:18 AM

I'm so thrilled to get this chapter done! It took two or three days to write the first 600 words, and the last 1,800 words only took a couple of hours--and that's with several breaks (making Lil' Tiger's breakfast, and a few other things that have jumped up in life). I'm printing it out, will edit it, then ask my critique partner to let her scrutinizing eye rove over it. 

I'll make changes and get it printed up for you as soon as I get those recommended changes in and made. In the meantime, I'll start on chapter 7.



Thanks for hanging in there with me. You mean a lot to me.


xoxo,
Tina

Until then, here's a neat little something from Chris Tomlin (love his music!):

Click here for Christmas cheer:


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Guest Author Rita Gerlach Brings Us Her Christmas Shortbread Recipe

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 6:59 AM

Grab a mug of cocoa and come meet a new friend! I want to introduce you to one of my fellow writing acquaintances, Rita Gerlach. Rita and I are in a tight-knit European historical writer's group together. Well, okay, so we don't know each other very well...


The only reason we don't know each other very well is because I usually lurk on the group, since I'm writing western/frontier romances and just learning about historical European stories. They are a whole different animal from what I've written so far--a lot to learn. Rita has shared a recipe with us and I hope you'll enjoy her hospitality at her website--she's given her web address at the end of her recipe. I haven't made this yet, but I'm hoping to this week. If you make them before I do, let us know how you liked them.
Rita, please share your yummy recipe with us, we can't wait to nibble at some of these goodies:

Rita: This is one of my favorite cookie recipes at Christmastime. I've made them for as long as I can remember. They were a big hit with my boys when they were little, and remain a family tradition to this day. 

Use your favorite cookie cutters. You can decorate them with sprinkles or ice them when they are cool. A tip to adding sprinkles is to brush the cookies with a bit of water and then add the candies. This recipe can be used for any holiday.

Christmas Shortbread Cookies
 
3 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
Mix these together in a bowl and set aside

2 sticks of butter softened.
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon of your favorite extract. (I prefer almond.)

First, using an electric mixer, blend the butter until very smooth and creamy. Then add the sugar gradually...egg, and then extract.

Add the flour mixture slowly. You can refrigerate the dough to make it easier to roll out.

Tip: To roll out the dough, lay a piece of wax paper on a counter top or table. Place some dough on it, then another sheet of wax paper. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin. Cut into shapes and lift carefully off the wax paper. 
Place on cookie sheets. Add sprinkles.


Bake at 325
10-12 minutes
Cool on a baking rack before decorating with icing.
Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons 
in a historical town in central Maryland, 
nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, 
amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts. 
newest novel, Surrender the Wind, 
has received four stars from Romantic Times Magazine, 
and has been heralded by readers and book clubs 
as a page-turner, and one of the best historicals they've read this year. 

To read the prologue and 1st chapter of
Surrender the Wind
visit Rita here.





Rita's Website: http://ritagerlach.com/

An inspirational historical romance makes a great gift. Best price of the year for Surrender the Wind. 
$7.76 
3 comments

Back to Julian, CA & Love's Gamble...

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 11:46 AM

I haven't meant to neglect you! But...we'll have to put off our visit for a couple more days. This weekend I'm working on Love's Gamble for you. There won't be a post today, or even tomorrow, but do come again Monday evening, after everyone's snug in bed, and I'll put on some tea and we'll settle in with those three rascals from Love's Gamble. Things have been a little crazy with school projects and holiday events going on. But we'll catch up with them then. 


We're finally having winter weather here and I have such an urge to go to Julian (the setting of Love's Gamble). I promise write you a post on that cozy little town, soon!



Last night, Lil Tiger and I attended Autism Tree Project Foundation's Winter Wonderland, hosted at the beautiful USD campus. The kids had a great time! This is a really neat organization. Please visit their site. They always put on a wonderful event and for such a worthy cause--one near and dear to my heart, as you know my seven-year-old nephew has autism.

Speaking of autism, if you'd love to read an inspiring story that features a LOVABLE hero with Aspergers, pick up a copy of my friend Randy Ingermanson's DOUBLE VISION. I LOVE this book, my sister loves this book too. We're trying to get more copies to bring to these events and to share with the community where autism has touched so many lives. You can buy the book through Amazon, or you could buy if direct from Randy and even get it autographed. To read about it's awards and honors, or to read sample chapters, click the title in the next sentence. DOUBLE VISION is an incredibly well written book of suspense and intrigue with heart-warming characters, plot twists and turns, and all the breath-taking tight squeezes the characters find themselves in--and you'll be right there with them!


My friend and award-winning author, Susan Meissner, braved the rain and brought along books and donated any sales toward Autism Tree Project Foundation. Susan is a beautiful lady with a beautiful heart and if you've ever read any of her books, you'll see how she pours out Love's beauty across the pages through her prose. Pick up ANY of her books and you'll discover that you have a new favorite author! Here's the cover of her latest release, WHITE PICKET FENCES.


More on that later, but for now, know that Molly, Jeff, and Eddie are eager to share more of their story with you, so we're 'in conference' today as they dictate to me what's been going on with them--and boy, howdy--they've got a lot to share! Look for chapter 6 in a couple of days, but not today, not tomorrow. Best thing would be to subscribe to this site via the FeedBurner subscriber. You'll automatically receive an email notice whenever something new is posted here.


Also, don't forget, I'm doing exclusive giveaways for my e-Newsletter subscribers (this is different from the Feedburner subscriber which notifies you of new posts, but my e-Newsletter actually gets you on my special e-Newsletter subscription list--yes, it's special because you get exclusive giveaway opportunities!), so if you'd like to be on the e-Newsletter list, just sign up in the sidebar where the green envelope is. For more information on my newsletter, you can read more here.

January 1st, the e-Newsletter giveaway will be announced for the personal engraved cake pan from The Cake Pan Lady. Wouldn't you love to win one of those? I love her designs, and you will too! These make great gifts. I hope you'll stop by her site and enjoy all the designs she can put on a cake pan, they're gorgeous! If you're on my e-Newsletter subscriber list, you'll have a chance at winning on January 1st!

For now, I'd better get back to Molly and the boys, they're glaring--and waiting for me to bring my listening ears and typing fingers, LOL...
2 comments

Randy Ingermanson's ~ WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES ~ Book Rush!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 7:04 PM

My friend, writing mentor, and marketing Sensei has a new book out. Have you ever wished to write a novel? Well my friend, the answer to your heart's calling is here - Randy's Writing Fiction for Dummies has just released. Purchase the book through Randy's Amazon Click-through button and you'll receive a ton of extra goodies from Randy, but you only have till mid-night Wednesday, Dec 9 (so hurry!).

If you already know this to be a good thing (and it is!) and you just want to get there to buy the book, I ask that you go through Randy's Amazon Click-through button. Click here for that page, scroll most of the way down the page to where it says, "HOW DO YOU GET THESE GOODIES"? 

Here's Randy to tell us more (this is taken directly from his blog post--and he's promised not to sue me on copyright, LOL. See what a great guy he is!):

“Writing Fiction For Dummies” Book Rush

December 7th, 2009
Writing Fiction For Dummies Cover
My new book Writing Fiction For Dummies is now available just about everywhere. I began talking to my publisher months ago about doing a “book rush” for the book. A “book rush” is a selected period of time when we offer some special goodies to buyers.

My publisher chose December 7 to 9, 2009 for our “book rush.”
If you buy Writing Fiction For Dummies by Wednesday night, Dec. 9, at midnight PST, we’ve got a great selection of goodies for you. (Even if you already bought the book, you can still get in on this special deal.)
Here are some of the things you get during the “book rush”:
  • A 50% discount on all electronic downloadable products in my online store. (Including my new Snowflake Pro software and my popular lecture series Fiction 101 and Fiction 201.
  • A brand-new lecture on Strategic Self-Editing that I’ve just created. It’s an 80-minute talk designed to teach you strategic principles of editing your novel, so that you can edit your work better and faster. Lots of books and teachers will give you the principles of TACTICAL editing. Tactical editing is great, but I wanted to try teaching something that I hadn’t seen taught before, so I chose STRATEGIC editing.
  • A 20-minute audio talk on Time Management for Writers by my coauthor, Peter Economy, a best-selling author and publishing consultant who’s written about a dozen “Dummies” books.
  • A 25-page excerpt from James Scott Bell’s new book, The Art of War for Writers.
  • A 16-page excerpt from Brandilyn Collins’ excellent book, Getting Into Character.
  • A 55-minute audio talk on Characters, Emotions, and the Senses, by award-winning novelist Gail Gaymer Martin, whose books have sold over 3 million copies.
  • A tip sheet for romance writers by Leslie Wainger, author of Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies.
  • A tip sheet and 20-minute audio talk on selling eBooks by Paul and Sarah Edwards, authors of Marketing for Introverts.
  • A 7-minute introductory video on proofreading techniques and a pack of sample proofreading files by Sue Gilad, author of Copyediting and Proofreading for Dummies.
Click here for all the details on the “book rush” for Writing Fiction For Dummies.
4 comments

Shepherd's Pie - Crazy Monday Recipe!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 11:06 PM

Crazy Monday Recipe day!

Cold wintery weather is called for all week where we live. There's a big storm hitting us. Cold and stormy weather--that always puts me in the mood for comfort food. One of our favorites is Shepherd's Pie.

Hubby and I first got the recipe from a Bed & Breakfast Inn cookbook. The recipe was different from any we'd tried before, so we made it and through the years we've modified it here and there. We used to assemble the layers then pop it into the oven for a half hour (350 degrees), but simplifying it now, we just use a large skillet and cook it on the stove top.

Here's our latest version:

Shepherd's Pie

~ Mashed Potatoes
~ Seasoned and browned Ground Beef or Ground Turkey (Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder)
~ 1 Package of powdered gravy - we use beef or au jus flavor
~ Shredded cheddar cheese
~ Mixed veggies, cooked (we microwave frozen veggies)

Everything is measured out according to taste. So, make at least a pound of browned meat, and we used four large potatoes for mashing. We used just under two cups of cheese, and a serving bowl of veggies (sorry, we don't measure and I didn't think to for this recipe, LOL).


Brown meat and seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic) to taste.
Add 1/2 to whole packet of gravy plus 2/3 cup of water,
depending on how much gravy you want.



Add a layer of cheddar cheese, spread evenly.
Turn fire down to low.



Add hot veggies and spread evenly.



Add another layer of cheese, spread evenly.



Add hot mashed potatoes, spread evenly.
(Use microwave to warm them if you need to)
Cover and let heat for about five minutes.



Serve hot, with extra pepper and season salt,
if you want.



What's your comfort food
on a cold wintery day?
7 comments

Catching Up On Things and Pete Wilson's blog & upcoming book!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 7:10 AM


Several things have flopped my schedule around, so, I haven't had time to post. Author & Musician interviews are coming, but with the tight deadlines edits/rewrites several authors have had we've had to re-schedule. I'll still post a schedule of interviews, but only interviews I've actually received back from authors.

I've heard back from Mitch McVicker, who has just returned from several months of concert tours. He's resting with his family and will visit with us soon. In the meantime, you can visit Mitch at MitchMcVicker.com. You can also sample tunes from his previous albums, as well as his latest release Always Believe. And, if you like his music, ask your church to invite him to play for them.


Also, I have contest announcements I'll make this weekend--winners who commented on previous interviews & posts, and also several winners for exclusive giveaways only for my newsletter subscribers--there's still time to sign up! Announcements will be made tomorrow evening.

I'm hoping to post a couple of recipes this coming week.

Today, Lil Tiger and I are catching up & reviewing some schoolwork before our conference next week, but I'm also working on chapter 6 of LOVE'S GAMBLE--yay! Thanks for hanging in there. Molly, Jeff, and Eddie are eager to be with you again!


Around here, we usually follow Pete Wilson on Fridays--I share my favorite post of his from the previous week and we all visit him together. Well, Pete's on fire this week--too many great posts to just choose one to share with you. So, I'm inviting you along for a sleigh ride through this past week's posts by Pete at Without Wax.

By the way, Pete has a book coming out soon, please keep your eyes out for Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up The Way You Thought He Would? I'm hoping Thomas Nelson puts this one up for their blogger reviewers, I can't wait to read it. Visit Pete at Without Wax and browse through his posts this week. Make yourself at home, maybe even subscribe to his blog. It's worth it. Great discussions and everyone there feels like a friend.


In the meantime, let's borrow one of Pete's ideas. He shared his top five favorite Christmas songs (oh no, no, I won't tell you what he shared, you have to go find out yourself, LOL). But, before you go, please share yours with us here!

Here are mine (more than five, but really, can you only narrow it down to so few?):


- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- Winter Wonderland (Amy Grant)
- Sleigh Ride (Amy Grant)
- Angels We Have Heard On High (Amy Grant)
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Amy Grant)
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- Little Drummer Boy (Jars of Clay--they did a great job!)
- Welcome to Our World (Amy Grant)
- Tennessee Christmas (well, who else but Miss Amy…)

Just a little Amy going on around our house, LOL–hey, she does Christmas so well.

How about you? What are your favorites?
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