Hey there, fun-seekers! Today is the big day! It’s the official release date of Vanishing Act.

*dancing wildly around the room*

Okay, okay, I’m  done with the happy dance … for the moment.

To kick off the day with a bang, here are some great reviews already up and running. Thanks to everyone who’s read and reviewed it and told your friends about it. You guys rock my socks off!

andtheniwokeup.blogspot.com
brucejudisch.blogspot.com
quilldancer.com
ilovemy5kids-reviews.blogspot.com

Thanks again! And if you see a copy of my book out there, give me a shout out. I’d love to know!

Hey there fun-seekers! Well, it’s been two weeks since my 29th birthday and the big reveal of my 30 by 30 list. So I figured it’s a good time to check in on some of the key items on the list ands see where I’m at. Afterall, what’s a goal if there’s no accountability to keep it? Here we go …

#1 - Complete the Nashville Rock and Roll ½ Marathon - okay, so I haven’t done anything with this one yet, but I looking up info on it this weekend.

#2 - Write 2 novels - I wrote a proposal for a Christmas novella this week. Does that count?

#3 - Read all of Jane Austen’s Books  - I only have 75 pages left in Pride and Prejudice, and I picked up Persuasion at the library.

#6 - Finish Caleb’s fire truck cross stitch - I’ve spent about 6 hours in the last 2 weeks working on it. And I’m no where close to finishing. This is going to be a long one.

# 7 - Visit 3 Civil War battlefields - I’m making plans to visit the scene of the Battle of Franklin and the Carnton plantation in … well, Franklin, when my mom comes for a visit. And it’s going to double as a research trip for said Christmas novella.

#30 - Vacation on Prince Edward Island - I totally rented a car for our trip this week. And when my mom called me this weekend, the first thing she said was “three weeks, only three weeks!”

There you have it! I have 50 weeks to go. I better get myself in gear. There is much to be done, but it’s going to be an exciting year!

I really believe that sometimes the only response I can have in a moment is Argh and/or Guh. Do you ever hit those situations where you’re completely aware that your brain cannot handle a better, more complete thought than “Guh”?

Yesterday I hit that moment and had that response for more than one reason at the same time.

Let me explain. I’ve recently made a new friend. (Yes, I’m in first grade.) His name is Mark Smeby. (Everyone say hi to Mark.*) Mark is sort of a jack of all trades kind of creative guy. Writing. Acting. Music-ing. So yesterday, we were chit-chatting away about this that and the other, and I mentioned to him how much I enjoyed the preview cd he’d given me of his forth-coming album Pilgrim Man. (Prepare for a Friday Favorite when it releases in September.) Mark has this smooth sound that just puts me in a place of peace with my eyes focused on God. So after I blamed him for getting one of his songs stuck in my head for the last 3 days, he sent me a rough cut of the last song the album: This World.

I listened to it, and pretty much all I could do was say Argh! And then I had a Guh! moment.

It’s such a beautiful song. Great, great lyrics about this world not being our home. So my Argh! moment was really a this-is-so-beautiful moment and I-could-never-do-that-in-a-million-years moment rolled up into one. A bit of jealousy. A bit of “hmmm.”

And then the Guh! hit me. Because I really heard the lyrics, heard the message. “This world is not my home. Just passing through.” And I was forced to ask myself a really rotten and oh-so-necessary question. Am I living like this world, this temporary earth is my home? Or am I living with heaven on my mind and heart? Am I yearning for things of this world or yearning for eternal, heavenly, godly things?

Sometimes, for me, just asking those hard questions gets me moving on a path to consciously living and acting like I should. The Bible is pretty clear about where are hearts and minds need to be focused.

Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Smeby.

*This remark in no way implies that the aforementioned will be joining us on the blog today. But should he stop by, then “Hi, Mark!”

As you all know by now, I like to keep my eyes and ears open for new authors for you all. And today, I’m happy to introduce you to K. Dawn Byrd, whose second book, Killing Time, releases from Desert Breeze this month.

Please join me in welcoming her!

How did you get started writing? Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always been an avid reader. I feel a need to be creative, but am not good at arts and crafts. I tried oil painting, but wasn’t all that good at it either. When I began to release my creative outlet in the written word, I discovered my passion. 

What’s your new book, Killing Time, about?
Here’s the blurb from my publisher:
Mindy McLaurin, thinks it’s the end of the world when she’s incarcerated on trumped-up embezzlement charges. While in jail, she investigates the death of an inmate who allegedly died of an overdose. Mindy suspects foul play when her cellmate dies and she learns that both women had ingested the same drug. Mindy trusts no one, including Drew Stone, the handsome counselor she can’t stop thinking about. She faces many challenges, including constant interrogation by the Major and emotional abuse from the other inmates. Upon release, someone is stalking her and framing her for the murder. Can she prove to Counselor Stone that she’s innocent of all charges before she loses him forever?

How did writing your second book compare to writing your first?
The second book was a lot faster, in part because I completed it during NaNoWriMo. My books were actually published out of order. Killing Time (Desert Breeze Publishing, August 2010) was the first book I’ve ever written and Queen of Hearts (April 2010) was the second. The second book was a lot easier because I’d learned a lot about the craft in between the two. I’m currently working on my fifth novel.

How can they keep up with what you’re doing?
Please sign up to receive updates from my blog. I spotlight three to five inspirational authors there per week who give away signed copies of their books. www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com

My hair has been driving me CRAZY! I mean, completely, absolutely nuts! To the point that was ready to just pull it out. But when I realized that might hurt, a lot, I opted to go get it cut instead. But a new city means finding a new stylist. Well it turns out nearly everyone I work with goes to the same person, so today Nikki worked her magic on my hair!

Okay, so I know it’s not an originally new haircut, but it’s so nice to have it cleaned up and soft and light and EASY. I’m all about the easy hair in the morning.

Well, folks, the reviews for Vanishing Act are starting to roll in … very slowly. But still.

The first official review (ie, posted on the interwebs) is up at Tammy’s Book Parlor. And according to Tammy’s blog, it’s also going up on ReadersFavorites.com. It’s just not there yet.

Here’s a snippet of what Tammy had to say:
A fast, sweet, intrigue with romance and great suspense. I enjoyed reading this book because of the suspense but I also liked the way the author put God as the main source of life and joy. Yes, I believe, a good suspense story can include a God who loves us and takes care of us. If you’re looking for a great read that doesn’t have cuss words or inappropriate bedroom scenes but instead is a story of people somewhat like you and me who trust the Lord during difficult times then this is a book for you.

Thanks for the review, Tammy!

If you’re familiar with the American Christian Fiction Writers Association, then you’ve maybe even heard that their Book of the Year Award has recently been renamed the Carol Award. And this weekend, they announced the finalists (5 and sometimes more) in categories across the board.

I thought I’d share and give a shout out to some really excellent authors, especially those from Steeple Hill!

And yes … that’s my name in the debut author category. I’d like to thank the members of the academy and … wait! That’s not right. But in all seriousness, I’m really humbled and honored to be recognized among these really amazing authors. Thanks, ACFW judges.

Carol Award Finalists

Debut Author

Bonnie Grove - Talking to the Dead (David C. Cook Publishing)      

Liz Jonson - The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn (Steeple Hill)

Kirk Outerbridge - Eternity Falls (Marcher Lord Press)

Jill Eileen Smith - Michal (Revell)

Dan Walsh - The Unfinished Gift (Revell)

Contemporary Novella

6 Finalists due to a tie

Barbara Cameron - One Child (Thomas Nelson)

Barbara Cameron - When Winter Comes (Thomas Nelson)

Debra Clopton - A Mule Hollow Match (Steeple Hill)

Susan May Warren - The Great Christmas Bowl (Tyndale House)

Beth Wiseman - A Change of Heart (Thomas Nelson)

Beth Wiseman - A Choice to Forgive (Thomas Nelson)

Historical Novella

Victoria Bylin - Home Again (Steeple Hill)

Vickie McDonough - A Breed Apart (Barbour Publishing)

Vickie McDonough - Beloved Enemy (Barbour Publishing)

Janet Tronstad - Christmas Bells for Dry Creek (Steeple Hill)

Carrie Turansky - A Shelter in the Storm (Barbour Publishing)         

Long Contemporary

6 Finalists due to a tie

Christina Berry - The Familiar Stranger (Moody Publishers)  

Mary Ellis - A Widow’s Hope (Harvest House Publishers)

Joyce Magnin - The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow (Abingdon Press)    

Susan Meissner - White Picket Fences (Waterbrook Press)   

Marlo Schalesky- If Tomorrow Never Comes (Multnomah)    

Susan May Warren - Nothing But Trouble (Tyndale House)  

Long Contemporary Romance

Candace Calvert - Critical Care (Tyndale House)        

Denise Hunter - Seaside Letters (Thomas Nelson)      

Jenny B. Jones - Just Between You and Me (Thomas Nelson)

Beth Wiseman - Plain Promise (Thomas Nelson)        

Cindy Woodmsall - The Hope of Refuge (Waterbrook Press) 

Mystery

A.K. Arenz - The Case of the Mystified M.D. (Sheaf House)   

Mindy Starns Clark - Under the Cajun Moon (Harvest House Publishers)   

Darlene Franklin - A String of Murders (Heartsong Mysteries)

S. Dionne Moore - Polly Dent Loses Grip (Heartsong Mysteries)      

Janice Thompson writing as Janice Hanna - Pushing up Daisies (Heartsong Mysteries)

Long Historical

Deeanne Gist - A Bride in the Bargain (Bethany House)

Robin Lee Hatcher - Fit To Be Tied (Zondervan)         

Maureen Lang - Look to the East (Tyndale House)

Siri Mitchell - Love’s Pursuit (Bethany House)  

Allison Pittman - Stealing Home (Multnomah)  

Long Historical Romance

8 Finalists due to a tie

Amanda Cabot - Paper Roses (Revell)   

Mary Connealy - Cowboy Christmas (Barbour Publishing)    

Mary Connealy - Montana Rose (Barbour Publishing)

Laura Frantz - The Frontiersman’s Daughter (Revell)  

Ann Gabhart - The Believer (Revell)       

Julie Lessman - A Passion Denied (Revell)      

Janice Thompson writing as Janice Hanna - Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (Summerside Press)

Kathleen Y’Barbo - The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (Waterbrook Press)

Short Contemporary

Debra Clopton - His Cowgirl Bride (Steeple Hill)

Myra Johnson - Autumn Rains (Heartsong Presents) 

Vickie McDonough - A Wagonload of Trouble (Heartsong Presents)

Mae Nunn - A Texas Ranger’s Family (Steeple Hill)   

Glynna Sirpless writing as Glynna Kaye - Dreaming of Home (Steeple Hill)

Short Contemporary Suspense

6 Finalists due to a tie

Jill Elizabeth Nelson - Evidence of Murder (Steeple Hill)

Sandra Robbins - Final Warning (Steeple Hill) 

Virginia Smith - Murder at Eagle Summit (Steeple Hill)           

Virginia Smith - Scent of Murder (Steeple Hill)  

Jenness Walker - Double Take (Steeple Hill)    

Lenora Worth - Code of Honor (Steeple Hill)

Short Historical

Lyn Cote - Her Patchwork Family (Steeple Hill)

Laurie Alice Eakes - The Glassblower (Heartsong Presents) 

Laurie Kingery - The Outlaw’s Lady (Steeple Hill)

Lynette Sowell - All That Glitters (Heartsong Presents)

Dan Walsh - The Unfinished Gift (Revell)          

Speculative (includes Science Fiction, Fantasy, Allegory)

6 Finalists due to a tie

Kirk Outerbridge - Eternity Falls (Marcher Lord Press)

Donita K. Paul - The Vanishing Sculptor (Waterbrook Press)

Steve Rzasa - The Word Reclaimed (Marcher Lord Press)     

Stuart Vaughn Stockton - Starfire (Marcher Lord Press)        

Fred Warren - The Muse (Splashdown Books)

Jill Williamson - By Darkness Hid (Marcher Lord Press)         

Suspense/Thriller

Terri Blackstock - Intervention (Zondervan)

Colleen Coble - Lonestar Secrets (Thomas Nelson)

Brandilyn Collins - Exposure (Zondervan)       

Harry Kraus - Salty Like Blood (Howard/Simon & Schuster)

DiAnn Mills - Breach of Trust (Tyndale House)

Women’s Fiction

7 Finalists due to a tie

Julie Carobini - Sweet Waters (B&H Publishing)

Kathryn Cushman - Leaving Yesterday (Bethany House)     

Sara Evans & Rachel Hauck - Sweet By and By (Thomas Nelson)  

Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay - Never the Bride (Waterbrook Press)

Deborah Raney - Yesterday’s Embers (Howard/Simon & Schuster)

Deborah Raney - Above All Things (Steeple Hill)

Lisa Wingate - The Summer Kitchen (New American Library/Penguin)

Young Adult

Shelley Adina - Who Made You a Princess? (Hachette FaithWords)           

Brandilyn & Amberly Collins - Always Watching (Zondervan)

Jenny B. Jones - I’m So Sure (Thomas Nelson)           

Jenny B. Jones - So Not Happening (Thomas Nelson)

Booker T. Mattison - Unsigned Hype (Revell)    

The Carol Awards will be presented at ACFW’s Conference in Indianapolis, September 17-20.  There’s still time to register at www.acfw.com/conference.

So this weekend my sister Hannah came for a visit. She left her family for a long weekend of relaxing with me Nashville-style. Now I’m certain that she missed her kiddos–and her husband, too! She called them daily, tucked her girls in by phone every night, and took lots of pictures for them. And her picture-taking prowess is your gain!

We did a lot of really fun Nashville things! Like breakfast at the Pancake Pantry, which is a Nashville tradition of the best kind! We got two speciality pancakes and shared them, so that we could have more variety. And let me just say that the cherry pancakes are AMAZING!

And then, of course, there’s the really, really amazing syrup. I love this stuff!

After the Pancake Pantry, we ran back to get a picture of this fire station. While the station was really cool, the run through the rain to get the picture was worth a thousand laughs. As we were running across the street to get a better angle, she was grabbing for my hand. Apparently she doesn’t give up being a mom of little girls very fast. We giggled about it for days!

Then there was the Bluebird Cafe, featuring some really amazing songwriters singing in the round. What I love about the Bluebird is that there is nothing like it anywhere else. It’s such an intimate night of incredible music!  

Hannah and I sat on the park bench in front of the church pews (as all good venues should have). It was a hoot! And so fun!

And then we celebrated my birthday with a rousing trip to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch on Sunday. Let’s just say that where was eating of cheesecake gallor! Pretty amazing stuff!

Well, that’s a start on the trip. I’ll share more stories and more laughs later. So let it suffice that my sister is awesome, and we had a riot!

When I was in 8th grade, my English/lit teacher, Mrs. Leggett, read our class the Dr. Seuss classic, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! We were about to graduate into the big, bad unknown–also called high school. And we needed a bit of encouragement, a bit of reminding that big things were in store for us.

Namely having Mrs. Leggett again for freshman English. (Oh, so painful, but I can’t thank her enough for the foundation of grammar she gave me.)

And I still remember that book.

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.

So if I have feet in my shoes for this grand adventure, I better have wickedly cool shoes, eh?

Enter the Dr. Seuss-inspired Converse All Star. That’s right. Chuck Taylors. In a Dr. Seuss design.

Could there be anything cooler? I contend not. Which is why I was forced to buy a pair. And in 7-10 business days, my feet are going to be rocking these excellent pieces of footware, which, of course, I can’t seem to get a picture of. So check out this link. You’ll be glad you did. You pretty much have to smile when you see them.

Oh, the places they’re going to take me!