Ipod, Sushi & Single Men Giveaway

Hip Hip Hooray Camy's Sushi Series is Here to Stay. On my desk sits my buddy, blogging diva, Camy Tang's debut novel Sushi for One, which is also book one in her Sushi series with Zondervan Publishers. In celebration of Camy's dream becoming reality she's giving away gift baskets, book and an Ipod. Deadline to enter is Halloween. But before you zip over there, let me share Sushi for One? (The Sushi Series, Book 1).

"Why can't I just find a nice guy? How hard is this supposed to be?"[Lex]

Lex Sakai’s family, big, nosy, and marriage-minded, is ruled by a crafty grandmother. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the OLDEST SINGLE COUSIN in the clan, a loathed position by all single female family members. Lex hasn't dated in years. So when her grandmother demands that she bring a boyfriend to her cousin's wedding, Lex has to step out of her comfort zone. Will she allow her faith to guide her into standing up to her Matriach or will she succumb to the peer pressure? What do you do when your family collides with your faith?More importantly why are there so many single Christians now?

If you want to stay up-to-date with Camy or more Christian Chick Lit Don't forget the Ipod Contest.(Aug., Zondervan, 345pp, $12.99)

An Angel's Voice Before Flight

Opera Legend Pavarotti died yesterday. Click the pic to listen and see some of his best performances. When I heard the news of his passing this morning something inside me stirred me to get up and get moving sooner than I usually do. God forgive me for my arrogance. Today I will do what you've put me on this earth to do. Clearly Pavarotti did that. Question: Are you bursting this life wide open? Are you doing what you love and doing it well and doing it period?If not what will it take to get going? I want serious comments today. Bless y'all.

Dee

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Pop Pulpits, Pickles & the Press

In Atlanta and even in my hometown, Valdosta we have been slammed with press conferences, tv and radio talk show interviews and newspaper articles regarding Thomas Weeks III's assault on Juanita Bynum. You know my position on the topic, so let's not go there. But what gets me about this whole thing...what gets me about every time a popular minister is in a pickle with the press, Christianity is attacked.
Many of us are The Master's Writers. We believe that God created us to glorify and illuminate Him with parables(prose) and poems(lyrics.) Many of us believe that our stories should be shared with a mass of people. In essence, we believe that our stories are popular. Like Weeks and Bynum we want more than just our friends and family to know our names. I wonder why? Because if we are seeking a publishing contract for our book, then we will live under public scrutiny as well. Although it won't be as intense as the Bynum case, it will be what it will be.
So tell me? Have you considered the value of your Christian identity? What tips can you give to keep newbies from falling into the popularity trap?


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Are you Gifted?

Ready for a fall adventure? I am. A pretty book with an anointed heroine on the run and a knight sworn to protect her. Oh my. And it's a trilogy! Lisa Bergren's the Gifted series takes you back to 13th Constantinople, even further 8th Century's Iconoclast Movement, and even further back to Paul's lost letters to the Church of Corinth. Don't worry. You won't get lost. Bergren writes in a style that is easy, universal and reflective of the time period. And then there is the cast...Lady Daria d'Angelo, The Gifted One, Gianni de Capezzana, the knight, and Hasani, Daria's East African bodyguard. How many men does this woman need?

The Begotten, the first in the series finaled in this year's Christy's Book Awards. The Betrayed: A Novel of the Gifted (The Gifted), which drops this weekend and will be featured in Target Stores September 4th on the Breakout Books display.

This books should be a movie. I think actor, Jimmy Jean-Lous (Heroes) should be cast as Hasani.

My favorite passages in The Betrayed...

Gianni studied Daria, standing in the bow of the skiff, face to the rain as if she could smell where she was to go. They all had a fierce devotion to her now, but what was stirring within his own heart was something he had not felt for some time. It brought him up short and and he frowned in consternation. There was no time for such foolish imaginings. He had to stay alert, remain intent on keeping Daria's safe and secure in the wild, uncharted waters ahead. Romantic entanglements would only weaken him, weaken them all.

...Daria said. "It's not the crucix that heals-but who it symbolizes. Ist is only because of the risen Lord that I was able to heal that boy. Healing comes from Christ and the Holy Spirit. "

Now we know in a good book, poor Gianni can keep his little hopes to himself. He's already a goner :) Mayne this Healer will heal his heart. Think this should be our bookclub pick for the fall? Maybe w e could cast Daria and Gianni, too after we discuss this book.(Sept, Berkley, $23.95)

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Let's Talk Book Promotion: Speedlink

Today I'm at the SORMAG Conference talking Book Promotion with: LaShaunda C. Hoffman, Dyanne Davis, Shelia Goss, Dee Stewart, Electa Rome Parks, Dara Girard, Ayn Hunt, Sylvia Hubbard, Cheryl Robinson, Andrea Jackson, L. Martin Johnson Pratt. Pam Perry and Rebeca Seitz are also hosting a discussion on publicity. Check us out here.

If you come to the conference I want to know from you. What do you do to market your book?

Angel Spotted in Atlanta

Today Nicole at Hope and Glory Blog has spotlighted one of my Angel on the Back Pew mysteries, Blessed to Kill. Check it out and tell me how you like it. Also for you writers...What do you do introduce your readers to your latest character? Some things I have seen that work:

• Having a blog for your Character
• Publishing short stories with your character
• Adding a snippet to the end of your current book

What are others?

Writing Black, Reading Christian

This week I've been at the Shades of Romance Online Writer's Conference. Yesterday I served on a panel titled: Writing for the Lord. We had a great discussion. During our panel a debate that pops up at least once a year through the loop surfaced. Why don't Christian Book Enthusiasts not read Christian Books written by African-Americans? We need to have a frank discussion about this topic, then put it to bed. The best comment will receive a free copy of my ebook: Dee's Book Reviewing Fast Facts: 20 Tips to turning this hobby into a Cheap Read and some Pocket Change.