The Heart of Christmas

Background of The Heart of Christmas Dax Ryan Locke, born to Julie and Austin Locke on June 26, 2007, was diagnosed with AML M7, a rare form of leukemia, when he was 13 months old. The Heart of Christmas is set in Washington, Illinois, and at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases in children . Told in flashback from the perspective of Megan (Candace Cameron Bure), a successful businesswoman, wife and mother of two, the storyline unfolds when her commitment to faith and family is renewed after reading the blog of Julie Locke , (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/daxlocke), the online journal that Julie kept after Dax was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). In The Heart of Christmas, Megan, who has been struggling with finding time for her husband Walt (Burgess Jenkins) and hasn’t made it to one of her daughter Emma’s (Brooke Bryan) soccer games all year, has forgotten that it is Halloween until her son Jackson (Christian Nelson, Hayden Nelson) is standing in front of her in costume, ready to go trick-or-treating. After bargaining with Emma to take her brother door to door in a nearby neighborhood for a few hours so she can finish a business proposal, they race out of the house, only to find hundreds of homes lit up for Christmas on Halloween. Confused by this scene, Megan asks neighbors Mark (Matthew West) and Trish (Erin Bethea), who have rallied the community to bring Christmas holiday cheer to the Locke family upon Dax’s (Chris Shone, Nick Shone) final return home from St. Jude, to explain the scene before them. Trish hands Megan a card with Julie Locke’s (Jeanne Neilson) blog information on it and encourages Megan to read it. Before Megan is able to react, Trish sends her away with a heartfelt warning, stating, “it will change your life.” Through Megan’s narrative, we are introduced to Dax’s father Austin (Eric Beck), who is deeply concerned about Dax’s prognosis; the type of cancer has poor survival rates in children Dax’s age. Austin is committed to being open to new forms of treatment and to staying hopeful for Dax, for his wife Julie, her sister Melissa (Kelsey Marie Kingsbury) and Dax’s grandmother Theresa (Anita Renfroe).During their hospital stay at St. Jude, Julie Locke meets Michelle (Dendrie Taylor), whose daughter Elizabeth (Kaya Millar) is also being treated there.Michelle introduces Julie to a support system of other moms, who encourage Julie to blog about Dax’s progress and her journey as a way to keep friends and family informed. Days after initial treatment begins, we meet the team of incredible doctors at St. Jude: Nurse Lisa (Sophia Sinise), Dr. Sandler (George Newbern) and Dr. Benson (Karl T. Wright), who is charged with telling Julie and Austin that, after months of treatment and a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows, the experimental, last chance effort was unsuccessful in curing Dax’s cancer. Determined to give Dax one last Christmas, Austin Locke surprises Julie and Dax with a Christmas tree- even though it’s October.The neighbors quickly catch on and surprise the Locke’s by showing up at their home to give Dax, his family and the community a magical night to remember.

Love Begins DVD Review

My Review:

Love Begins! is a great DVD to own this holiday season! I’ve seen all of the Love Series movie adaptations. However, this one is such a beautiful redemption story. Clark’s recommitment to his faith felt very realistic. Although the story is set in late nineteenth century, the challenges he had with organized religion is relevant today, even more so. It didn’t feel phony or rushed and I appreciated the way his story unfolded. At first I thought that Ellen’s icy demeanor at the beginning was too hard, but as the tragedy about her dad and her fiancee leaving her, I understood. I liked how tough she was; I liked even more that she humbled herself with a sense of humor. She knew she had been giving him a hard time. I really liked how the characters in this story had realistic conversations. It’s my family’s favorite DVD this season. There are so many talking points for Christian parents of teens to discuss. Really loved this movie.

More about Love Begins:

Clark Davis’ (Wes Brown, “True Blood”) adventurous dreams of seeing the world are put into jeopardy after he and a friend start a fight which damages a local cafe. Through a plea deal with the Sheriff (Jere Burns) and café owner Millie (Nancy McKeon), Clark works off his sentence as a farmhand for the Barlow sisters, Ellen (Julie Mond, “General Hospital”) and Cassie (Abigail Mavity).

Older sister Ellen doesn’t understand Cassie’s friendly nature with Clark; she agreed to the Sheriff’s offer only because the farm has become too much to maintain alone. Clark is slowing winning Ellen over, but suddenly suffers a traumatic head injury in a fall. After Ellen nurses him back to health, her former fiancé returns to win her back.Will Clark travel on or stay behind where love begins?

LOVE BEGINS releases on DVD November 22. 

Thriller subgenres: is it SciFi, or SciThri?

Come meet me and the Georgia Peach Authors (Marissa Monteilh, Jeanne Holloway, Gail McFarland, Electa Rome Parks, and Dwan Abrams) along with ten other Atlanta prolific authors this Saturday, November 19, 2011 for Authors on the Square.

Where: Central Library Auditorium, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA

When: 12-5 PM  (I will be on a Writing Discussion Panel at 3PM ET.)

The Event: Join us for a celebration of local authors, books, and reading as we recognize National Novel Writing Month. The featured authors are Gregory A. Freeman, The Last Mission of the Wham Bam Boys: Courage, Tragedy and Justice in World War II; Jennie Helderman, As the SycamoreGrows; and Rene Silvin, Noblesse Oblige In addition, at the Meet & Greet tables talk one on one with local authors such as Dr. Tiffany Brown, Dwan Abrams, Joe Wilson, Marissa Monteilh, Electa Rome Parks, Miranda Parker, and many more. Free and open to the public.

This is a great event to get autographed books for Christmas gifts.

Visit this link to learn more http://www.georgialibraries.org/events/calendar/authors-square-atlanta

 

Thriller subgenres: is it SciFi, or SciThri?

Thriller subgenres: is it SciFi, or SciThri?

By Amy Rogers

When authors pitch a novel to agents or editors, they’re expected to cite which category or genre applies to their work. “Where would this book be shelved at Barnes & Noble?” is the question.

Happy Thriller Thursday!
Dr. Amy Rogers has written a great article at ITW's The Thrill Begins, "Is it SciFi or SciThriller?" I've opened up a discussion in the chat room that compliments the article, that is also a topic for authors regardless of genre. "Do you know why properly tagging your book matters?" If you get a chance today, please stop by thank, read, or respond to the discussion.
Here's the link: http://thethrillbegins.blogspot.com/2011/11/thriller-subgenres-is-it-scifi-or.html

Seeking Christmas Short Stories

I am seeking Christmas theme short fiction for my December Christian Fiction Online Magazine column.  The Submission guidelines are simple:

• deadline November 21, 2011
• 500 word maximum
• Christmas theme
• stories that share a Christian worldview
• one paragraph bio
• bio pic .jpg or .png format
• submit to deegospelpr at gmail dot com

Dee Stewart is an inspirational book reviewer for Romantic Times Magazine,  contributing writer to Hope for Women Magazine, staff columnist for Christian Fiction Online Magazine, owner of Christian Fiction Blog and DeeGospel PR, an entertainment PR boutique. She is also Miranda Parker, novelist for Kensington Books. Her debut novel “A Good Excuse to be Bad” released July 2011. Visit her online blog tour click this link for tour schedule. This Saturday she will be featured at Authors on the Square sponsored by Atlanta Fulton Public Library.

Posted at 07:05 AM in Dee Stewart | Permalink

Veterans Day: Red Tails Trailer

1944. World War II rages and the fate of the free world hangs in the balance. Meanwhile the black pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program are courageously waging two wars at once -- one against enemies overseas, and the other against discrimination within the military and back home. Racial prejudices have long held ace airman Martin "Easy" Julian (Nate Parker) and his black pilots back at base -- leaving them with little to do but further hone their flying skills -- while their white counterparts are shipped out to combat after a mere three months of training. Mistakenly deemed inferior and assigned only second-rate planes and missions, the pilots of Tuskegee have mastered the skies with ease but have not been granted the opportunity to truly spread their wings. Until now.
As the war in Europe continues to take its dire toll on Allied forces, Pentagon brass has no recourse but to reconsider these under-utilized pilots for combat duty. Just as the young Tuskegee men are on the brink of being shut down and shipped back home, Col. A.J. Bullard (Terrence Howard) awards them the ultimate chance to prove their mettle high above. Undaunted by the prospect of providing safe escort to bombers in broad daylight -- a mission so dangerous that the RAF has refused it and the white fighter groups have sustained substantial losses -- Easy's pilots at last join the fiery aerial fray. Against all the odds, with something to prove and everything to lose, these intrepid young airmen take to the skies in a heroic endeavor to combat the enemy -- and the discrimination that has kept them down for so long.

Directed by: Anthony Hemingway.

Starring: Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Brandon T. Jackson and Nate Parker.

Red Tails is an upcoming film directed by Anthony Hemingway, from a script by John Ridley and story by executive producer George Lucas. It is based on the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American combat pilots during World War II, and is the first Lucasfilm Ltd. production since Radioland Murders (1994) not to be associated with the Indiana Jones or Star Wars franchises.

George Lucas began developing Red Tails around 1988. He compared it to Tucker: The Man and His Dream as "a story too good to be true". Thomas Carter was his original choice to direct. A number of writers worked on the project until John Ridley was hired in 2007 to write the final screenplay. Lucas held discussions with Samuel L. Jackson regarding Jackson possibly directing and acting in the film. Although Jackson praised the script, he did not commit to either role. Anthony Hemingway was finally chosen to direct in 2008. In researching the film, Lucasfilm invited some of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen to Skywalker Ranch, where they were interviewed about their experiences during World War II. Lucasfilm was also given access to the original mission logbooks used by some of the pilots.
Production began in March 2009. High-definition Sony F35 cameras were used for principal photography, which took place in the Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia and England. While shooting in the Czech Republic, the actors underwent a "boot camp" program, during which they lived in similar conditions as the actual Tuskegee Airmen. Editing began while the production was in Prague. Avid editing systems were used simultaneously in a Prague studio and at Lucasfilm. A vehicle was fitted with a "technical center" so that the production could quickly move between locations. In March 2010, Lucas took over direction of reshoots, as Hemingway was busy working on episodes of the HBO series Treme. Hemingway will have final approval over the footage.

Red Tails releases January 20, 2012

www.redtails2012.com

Veteran's Day: A Time To Remember by Tricia Goyer

Veteran's Day: A Time To Remember

By Tricia Goyer

In 2000, I got my idea for what came to be my first historical novel, From Dust and Ashes. Wanting to know more about the 23 men who liberated Mauthausen concentration camp, I contacted the 11th Armored Division who put me in touch with six of the veterans. These men then invited me to attend the 59th reunion of their division. I wasn't expecting that at all. I thought they'd point me to a good research book or allow me to interview them over the phone.

I felt SO unworthy to meet with these men. I knew very little about WWII, and I didn't want my inexperience to show. Not to mention the $1000+ for airfare, hotels, rental car for a book I didn't have a contract to write.

I urged a friend to go with me, and I've been so thankful we went. The men were caring and opened their hearts to me. They shared stories with me that they hadn't shared with anyone before. They laughed. They cried. They took my hands and thanked me for caring about their story. They hugged me and kissed my cheeks.

When it came to writing my novel, I wasn't writing about fictional characters. I was writing pieces of Charlie's story, bits of Arthur's experiences. The memories that made LeRoy cry made it into my book. The snapshots that Tarmo carried around in his mind for 60 years transformed into scenes in my novel (and the novels to follow!).

I get many letters from readers who say that my novels come to life on the pages--that's because the men's experiences came to life to me as I looked into their eyes and saw glimpses of young heroes. Also, the following year I went to Europe and walked the streets of the SS housing with a man who'd been nine-years-old when the camp opened near his home. Again, I "saw" the story in his eyes as he shared--this time from someone on the outside.

There was an added benefit to this diligent research that I didn't expect. After my second novel Night Song (http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#NightSong) came out I received a letter from a veteran. He made a list of twenty minor research points that I'd gotten right, and then he asked, "One thing I didn't understand was the faith element of this story. Can you tell me more about your faith in God?"

YES!

Because I had done the research, I'd was able to share about my Jesus with a veteran who has since passed away.

One more fun thing I didn't expect. One of the men I met at the reunion was Pete. Pete was a medic--the one medic I met. Years later I received a letter from a reader who had read From Dust and Ashes. She was a survivor of Mauthausen--actually, she was born there. When she was 3-weeks-old she was close to death. When the gates were open a medic spent a full day lancing and cleaning infected boils on her skin, saving her life. She asked me if I knew any medics. I knew one, and I passed on his phone number. It turns out Pete was the one who saved her life! They have since met on numerous occasions.

If I hadn't gone to that reunion I wouldn't have met Pete, and I wouldn't have been able to connect him with Hana--what a God thing! Pete and Hana’s story inspired it’s own novel, my just released Remembering You (http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou).

Of course, I do have regrets concerning research, too. In my most recent series on the Spanish Civil War I received a letter from a SCW veteran who said he was willing to help me with research. The letter got put into my "very important" pile on my desk and weeks and months passed. I pulled it out again, and I planned on calling him when I heard from someone else that this man had passed away. That has happened more than once with men who offered to be interviewed, and I'm always regretful of the "one more story" I missed. After all, once gone they are gone for good.

If you have a veteran in your life ... today is the perfect day to reach out--to listen to his or her story. Don't let the stories die, when you have a chance to make a difference.

Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling mom of four and an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia's written numerous novels inspired by World War II veterans, including her new release Remembering You. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. You can find out more information about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

CREATING A WORTHY ANTAGONIST

"Since the heroes and the gimmicks tend to repeat from film to film, only a great villain can transform a good try into a triumph." Roger Ebert

Welcome to Thriller Thursday!

This week we have a treat for you. Jodie Renner shares advice that is paramount to writing a great thriller. The Villain. As the Roger Ebert quote states above, having a worthy antagonist does more than just give your hero someone to defeat. The villain gives your reader a reason to join your hero’s journey, to connect emotionally with the hero, and to understand what’s at stake, if the hero does not succeed.

The villain deserves a great deal of attention from the writer. Wouldn’t you agree? Renner shares terrific villain character development tips and also opens up this week’s discussion. How evil should a modern villain be?

Click here to join the discussion:http://thethrillbegins.blogspot.com/2011/11/creating-worthy-antagonist.html

Related articles

• Creating a Worthy Antagonist (thethrillbegins.blogspot.com)

Christmas with First Lady of Gospel Comedy Fiction

Christmas with First Lady of Gospel Comedy Fiction, Pat G’Orge Walker

 

Pat G’Orge-Walker has been the first lady of gospel comedy and fiction for the past decade. She is also a former record industry veteran who has worked for several major labels, including Epic, Def Jam, and Columbia. She also performed with the legendary ’60s girl group, Arlene Smith and the Chantels (“Maybe”) as well as with gospel groups. Now Pat is busy touring the country performing her sold-out, one-woman Sister Betty comedy show and writing the Sister Betty novel series, which helped launch Kensington Books Dafina Christian Line.

This year she gifts us with a Christmas installment of the Sister Berry series No Ordinary Noel (October 2011), the story of Crossing Over Sanctuary Church, a small-town congregation that needs every miracle in the Book to rediscover the real reason for the season. The financially struggling members have until Christmas day to pay off millions in debt, and Reverend Leotis Tom refuses to accept any of trustee Freddie Noel’s sinful lottery mega winnings. Instead, he hopes bickering church mothers’ money-raising schemes will provide heaven-sent rewards—while he renegotiates with God.

Is Bea’s Christmastime Keep a Man Fried Cabbage the real deal?

LOL. Yes, for the most part it’s the real deal. There are a couple of secret ingredients omitted but when added, it’s kept my husband at home and in church for years.

Click here to read more.

Want You NANOWRIMO With ME?

November is National Write a Novel Month. For the past six years I've participated in NANOWRIMO. This year I'm writing Book 3's first draft during NANOWRIMO. Although I can't share the novel with you, I would love to write with you. I'll also be sharing a NANOWRIMO writing tip at my friend Alma Katsu's blog this month so stay tuned for that. If you want to be my friend at NANOWRIMO here's my participant link. Hope to read you there.
Miranda at Nanowrimo

Harper Collins Zondervan and Thomas Nelson

One of the biggest headlines in Christian Fiction this week has been Harper Collins acquisition of Thomas Nelson. What will that mean for it’s other Christian Publishing imprint Zondervan? What will this mean for Christian Publishing, since Harper Collins will corner almost half the Christian books Market Share? And most importantly, Is this writing on the wall for the industry… Will CBA become a dinosaur?

Related articles

• 2011 Christys Award Winners Announced (christianfiction.blogspot.com)
• Fall into Faith, Fun, and Romance with Christian Fiction Author Shana Burton (christianfiction.blogspot.com)
• HarperCollins buys out religious publisher (seattletimes.nwsource.com)