Dear CMW Forum Friends

I apologize for the huge silence that seems to have settled over this blog, and in our user group. The fact is that I have been working with Jackie Moore to set up CFRB (Christian Fiction Review Blog). We're not anywhere's near done (and I hope it stays that way), but we have gone "live" on Nov. 14th. Right now we're waiting for enough blog hosts to volunteer before we move towards the actually promotional aspect of this blog. You can check us out at
http://christianfictionreviewblog.blogspot.com
If you decide you'd like to get involved in any area please go to http://freewebs.com/sonburst and fill out our application form. (There's a link that will send you to the CFRB site on the Freewebs site. We had to move the form to Freewebs because it wouldn't work on the blog. There are actually 4 categories in which you can join with us and get involved:
1) Authors - obviously without authors and their published works we'd have nothing to review.
2) Reviewers - Likewise to be a review blog we need to have these wonderful people to help the authors get the word out about their works.
3) Blog Hosts - These people we are presently in short supply of, but truly need. These are the people who make CFRB's dynamics so widespread. So far our "widespread" only covers 3 blogs. If you have a blog you can help us, and the authors, here.
4) Other - That's right. There is a lot of work, some of it not even writing-related that people can help us with. Things like artwork, file transfers, "Think Tanks", people who know HTML, people in these and other areas who would be willing to field technical questions recieved by the oher members. And of course you can, and should, pray. We need the power of God, His Voice and direction in this.
If you can help in any of the four areas mentioned above, or in more than those areas please go to http://freewebs.com/sonburst and fill out the application. We'll get back to you when we receive your form.

So what does all of this have to do with CMWForum? CMWForum is specifically designed for Christian mystery writers. As such we need an outlet to display and showcase our talents (published achievements). CFRB is that outlet for many of you. If you can go with CFBA then do so. If you wish to go with both CFBA and CFRB realize that our structure is slightly different so that we can meet different needs. We are not in competition with them nor they with us. We are two different types of outlets. At this time we probably look a bit on the lean side. That's because we're justs starting out. We have plans to:
1. Eventually include audio and e-books.
2. Post booktrailers with our blog tours, possibly even assisting in creating them (at no charge)..
3. Provide some internal chatter:
a) Writing tips from pros
b) Marketing your excellence
c) How can I help you?

As you can see our vision isn't limited. In fact it's open to wherever God wishes to lead us. Now fiction is a very large category. We've already received some submissions and they all look very interesting. I was surprised not to see as much romance submitted. Anyway, as Christian mystery writers this is a specialized form of fiction that is included in CFRB. CFRB is for all forms of Christian fiction, but as founder of CMWForum I wanted you guys to know you weren't left out. If anything you were in the forefront of my thoughts. David

The Cubicle Next Door

The Cubicle Next Door by Siri Mitchell

15 Comments



By M. C. Pearson
on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 at 12:00 AM. 

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This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about The Cubicle Next Door by Siri L. Mitchell.

If you like blogging...which you must if you are reading this...you will think this book is blogarific. After each chapter, there is a blog entry. The book is written in first person and contains some hilarious blog antics.

Imagine that you are an anonymous blogger, one who uses a silly name instead of your own, then imagine blogging about your work. Now imagine blogging about your cubicle mate of the opposite sex and calling him by an anonymous name.

I know some who have done just that.

But now imagine that your cubicle mate has discovered your blog and begins to read it out loud to you. EVERY MORNING.

The Cubicle Next Door is set in a civilian's view of working on a military post. That in itself is funny enough...then add that the main character is a tree hugging, anti-SUV lover, with a thing for Bollywood movies. (Her favorite it Bride & Prejudice.) Suddenly this civilian hippie is thrown into a cubicle next to an Air Force Pilot/Teacher who drives...yep...an SUV. Can't you feel the love?

Also, The Cubicle Next Door has some wonderful moments of self discovery.

A delightful read...here is an excerpt for you:

The Cubicle Next Door

by Siri L. Mitchell Released Aug 06

Excerpt from Chapter 1:

“So what do you think, Jackie?”

What do I think? Funny Joe should ask me that. He’s just finished reading my blog. He’s just quoted me to myself. Or is it myself to me? Do I sound surreal, as if I’m living in parallel universes?

I am!

The blog—my blog—is all about Joe. And other topics that make me want to scream. But the clever thing is, I’m anonymous. When I’m blogging.

I’m Jackie, Joe’s cubicle-mate when I’m not.

And that’s the problem.

Joe is asking Jackie (me) what I think about the Mystery Blogger (also me). And since I don’t want Joe to know the blog is all about me and what I think of him, I can’t tell him what I think about me.

My brain is starting to short circuit.

So if I can’t tell him what I think about me, I certainly can’t tell him what I think about him, so I’m going to have to pretend not to be me. Not me myself and not me The Cubicle Next Door Blogger—TCND to my fans.

I have fans!

If I were clever I’d say something like, “Look!” and point behind him and then duck out of the room when he turned around to look.

But there’s so much computer equipment stacked around my desk and so many cables snaking around the floor that I’d break my neck if I tried to run away. So that option is out.

I could try pretending I didn’t hear him. “What?”

“SUVs. So what do you think about them?”

But then we’d basically end up back where we started.

So how did I get myself into this mess?

It was all Joe’s fault.

Fake PayPal email alert!

If any of you have a PayPal account you know that they do their best to make it secure. There are those, however, who would try to gain access to your account by posing to be from PayPal. I received the following from a fraudulent PayPal "service" account:

Dear Customer:

You have recently Added the below email to your account:
ripper@mail.com
If you did not request this change of email, just click on the link below. You will
be asked to Login to your account Confirm your Confidential Information you
have with us on record and the added e-mail will be automatically deleted and
account security upgraded.

https://www.paypal.com/?customer=CA&profile=7025DDACAB

PayPal Team
Online Customer Service.

Please do not reply to this message
To speak with a representative about your online PayPal service,
or if you are unable to log on to Online Account, call 1.800.933.1717
The first thing to notice is that it is not address the customer by NAME. This PayPal (and I believe Amazon) will always do. If you EVER receive an email that claims to be from PayPal but addresses you as "Customer" be very wary.

Second, look at what the body of the message is asking you to do. It is asking you, for the sake of your own security, to go in and GIVE THEM your confidential data. Hint. Next time you want to be poor and you're getting ready to enter a bank to make a deposit, just give the money in your hands to the nearest person and be done with it. If, however, you want to utilize the gray matter between your ears and the wisdom God gives you do NOT click on any link in such an email. Instead, go out and log in directly to your account and see if there's anything weird going on. If you can't find anything tell them about this email and send them a copy. They will get right back to you. The email address for reporting this is spoof@paypal.com

Third, as Christian writers the money we have belongs to God. We are just custodians of a small portion of it from time to time. So be good stewards of His money and check these things out. Never, ever allow the enemy to come in and "steal, kill and destroy," because that's exactly what he's going to try to do.

David Brollier

James Somers: The Chronicles of Soone

James Somers: The Chronicles of SooneTHE CHRONICLES OF SOONE: HEIR TO THE KING, by James Soomers is for sale at http://www.breakneckbooks.com

Visit Soomers' blog and read more about this marvelous epic of good verses evil.

Day One for THE ELECTION by Jerome Teel

Trying to learn HTML as I go alone here folks, so bear with me. Today 10-25-06 is day one for THE ELECTION by Jerome Teel. This sounds like one fantastic book, especially with all that's going on in the world around us now. Please check it out and add your comments to the page.

David Brollier

THE ELECTION by Jerome Teel

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is reviewing Jerome Teel's latest book, The Election..

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

Jerome Teel is a graduate of Union University, where he received his JD, cum laude, from the Ole Miss School of Law. He is actively involved in his church, local charities, and youth sports.

He has always loved legal-suspense novels and is a political junkie. Jerome and his wife, Jennifer, have three children-Brittney, Trey, and Matthew-and reside in Tennessee, where he practices law and is at work on a new novel.

The book: THE ELECTION

They seek ultimate power.

Nothing can stand in their

way.

Ed Burke has waited a lifetime to become president of the United States. He's not about to let his nemesis, Mac Foster, stop him now...especially when he's sold his soul for the Oval Office.

Claudia Duval has lived a rough life. And finally, things have turned around for her after meeting the wealthy Hudson Kinney. But is all what is seems?

When a prominent citizen is murdered in Jackson, Tennessee, attorney Jake Reed doesn't want to know the truth. He just wants to get his client off. But as he investigates, he uncovers a sinister scheme. A scheme that would undermine the very democracy of America...and the freedom of the entire world.

The Election, by Jerome Teel, is a fast-paced, highly readable mystery filled with suspense, intrigue, and political conspiracy. Teel skillfully weaves together themes of faith, family, suffering, and providence in a way that not only compels, but enlightens."
David S. Dockery-President, Union University

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is posting about Karen Kingsbury's latest book, Like Dandelion Dust.

About the Author:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's #1 inspirational novelist. There are nearly 5 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including more than two million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 30 novels, nine of which have hit #1 on national lists, including award-winning Oceans Apart, One Tuesday Morning, Beyond Tuesday Morning, the Redemption Series and Firstborn Series, and several other bestsellers, one of which was the basis for a CBS Movie-of-the-Week and Gideon's Gift, which is currently in production as a major theatrical release for Christmas 2007.

Karen lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Don, and their six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti.

About the Book:

A PEACEFUL TOWN...

AN IDYLLIC FAMILY...

A PHONE CALL THAT THREATENS THEM ALL.

Jack and Molly Campbell enjoyed an idyllic life (great house in a fancy neighborhood, high-paying job, and a beautiful little boy) in their small hometown outside Atlanta with their adopted 4-year-old, Joey. Then they receive the phone call that shatters their world: a social worker delivers the news that Joey's biological father has been released from prison and is ready to start lifeover with his son. (It's discovered that Joey's birth mother forged the signature of Joey's birth father, making it a fraudulent adoption.) When a judge rules that Joey must be returned to his father (a man who cannot separatee love and violence), the Campbells, in a silent haze of grief and utter disbelief, watch their son pick a dandelion and blow the feathery seeds into the wind.

Struggling with the dilemma of following the law, their hearts, and what they know to be morally right, the Campbells find that desperation leads to dangerous thoughts. What if they can devise a plan? Take Joey and simply disappear....LIKE DANDELION DUST.

Review by Mimi Pearson

PCFW 10/14 Brunch and Book Signing

We had a bit of a struggle getting out on the road and I left my Google map directions on the table, but we were able to get to our destination safely and even enjoy some time with my daughter in Bloomsburg, PA before going all the way down to Chester, PA. Everyone we met was great. The following moring I asked for directions to Springfield, PA and they were really helpful.

We got to Denny's about a half hour early and should have passed the book store but we didn't see it. So I decided to ask one of the restaurant patrons as he was leaving. He was so nice and said that his wife would know. Yes, his wife did know (she was as sweet and kind as he was), but it seems all the old landmarks had changed and she was having difficulty explaining it to us, even though it was just over a block away. So he said he could drive my wife and I up there to see where it was, then drive us back. We took him up on the offer and it was, just up on the right past the light. (It was on our left when we came to Denny's). After he pointed it out to us they drove us back, we thanked them. It meant so much to be helped out like that. We invited them to the book signing, but didn't see them.

Originally there were supposed to be 9 of us, but one of the woman took sick and had to cancel so I signed up for a table of 8. Then Terri showed up with a friend (hey Cathy) who wasn't on the original list and we were back up to 9. We had a great time. Going by just first names there were Gary, Corey, Terri, Tiff (Amber), Carrie, Cathy, Barb (my wife) and myself. Mindy was at the book signing, but not at the brunch. The only published authors were Carrie, Mindy, Cathy and myself. The others have things in the works and it was great to hear of all the different directions Christian fiction was taking us. They were a great encouragement to me and I hope I was an encouragement to them as well.
I sold ONE book, praise the Lord, but I also traded copies with Carrie, Mindy and Cathy. Here are some highlights.

Kiss the Bride Cook, by Carrie Turansky is a collection of 4 romances about romance after marriage. I got that one for my wife.
William Henry is a Fine Name, by Cathy Gohlke is a story of the underground railroad in 1859 and two boys, friends, who must come to terms with the social problems facing them since one is black and the other white.
A Penny for Your Thoughts, by Mindy Starns Clark is the first of "The Million Dollar Mysteries". A choice to investigate a certain business plunges Callie Webber into a series of event where she must choose to depend on her own wits or the mercy of God.

Okay, I haven't read these yet, but knowing the author I can only guess wonderful things. I'll keep you posted. If I can get my wife to help me I'll try to do a review of each before the end of the new year. In any events these are no longer names at the end of an email, not even fellow writers and authors (and here I include Terri, Tiff, Gary and Corey as well, but friends, dear friends. I'll say right off it may be difficult to do an objective review because I know these wonderful people. Then again I tend to lean hardest on those I believe have greater talent.

And if you are ever in Springfield, PA (just west of Philly on 154 Baltimore Pike) you have to visit The Vine Christian Shoppe. This is truly an amazing place run by amazing people. In all the secular places where I've had book signings I have not been treated as royally as I have here. The love of Jesus shines through these people and the community around them knows it too. Pray that God would support them so that they might remain as His light in that community.

Time for Another Tour

42 Comments



By Bonnie Calhoun
on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at 6:54 PM. 

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It's that time of the week! Time to do a blog tour! This week's tour is Violette Between.

Between Here and the PAST,

THERE LIES A PLACE...

a place of longing for what has been rather than hoping for what could be!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alison Strobel graduated with a degree in elementary education, and in the summer of 2000 she moved from Chicago to southern California where she taught elementary school for three years. It was in Orange County that she met her husband, Daniel Morrow, and the story developed for her first novel, Worlds Collide.

Violette Between is a poinant story of a true artist. When the love of Violette's life, Saul suddenly died, she died too. Then she meets Christian, who also is morning the loss of a loved one.

As Violette and Christian begin to feel something that they both thought was impossible. Tragedy strikes again. Christian finds Violette on the floor of his waiting room, that she had been painting to look like a New York rooftop restaurant.

As Christian holds a vigil at her bedside, begging her to come back to him, Violette is in a coma, traveling to a place where she meets her beloved Saul. And she finds that she may not want to come back!

What would it be like to choose a place between the past and the present?

Violette Between is a powerful character study of a woman finally relinquishing the past to move on, only to be thrust into the quandry of reliving that life and needing to make a choice.

For Christians, this will definitely make you think about heaven and the consequences of eternal life.

"Delving into the underside of complicated relationships, Alison Strobel takes readers to unexpected places, but doesn't hesitate to deliver redemptiom when needed."
---Melody Carlson, author of Finding Alice

New to CFBA

My name is David Brollier, and like almost everyone here, I'm a writer. Some of us are published, others are still working towards publication. I've proof read work by Chandra L. Smith, who at my insistance, has expanded her work. She's an awesome writer and I can't wait to get her stuff at the store. I'm currently proofing one of several works by Michelle Sutton. Again an amazing writer. I can hardly wait until these two (and there's got to be more) get published and I have the privilege of reviewing their works for CFBA.

You can find out more about me on my Christian Mystery Writer's blog, a spinoff from my Yahoo group.

http://cmwforum.blogspot.com (for the blog - like you didn't know that already)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cmwforum for the Yahoo group

If I'm ever doing something I'm not supposed to do PLEASE email me at davidbrollier@yahoo.com and tell me so I can correct things. You'll find me very teachable, and as far as being critiqued is concerned, thick skinned.

God bless one and all.
David Brollier
author of THE 3RD COVENANT
http://freewebs.com/sonburst

DARK HOUR goes on blog tour

It is time for another Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Tour! This week's feature author is GINGER GARRETT and her novel, Dark Hour!

Guess what? The publicists for Ginger have agreed to a book contest for each CFBA member's blog post on Dark Hour! It is up to the member on how they judge which commenter wins the free book...so, comment and you might become a winner!

And now, a special Q&A with Ginger Garrett:

1.) First, tell us a bit about Dark Hour.

I was praying about what book to write after Chosen, and accidentally left my open Bible on the kitchen table. (A dangerous thing, since in my house, small children and large dogs routinely scavenge with dirty hands and noses for snacks!) As I walked past it, I saw a caption about someone named Athaliah and a mass murder. I stopped cold. I knew it was my story.

Athaliah was the daughter of Jezebel--a real woman in history--who tried to destroy all the descendents of King David in a massacre. God made a promise that a descendent of King David would always sit on the throne, and one day a Messiah would come from this line. If Athaliah succeeded, she would break the promise between God and the people, and destroy all hope for a Messiah.

One woman, her step-daughter, Jehoshebeth, defied her. She stole a baby during the massacre and hid him. Between them, the two women literally fought for the fate of the world.

2.) What drew you to write biblical fiction?

The similarities between the lives of ancient women and our lives. We get distracted by their "packaging," the way they dressed and lived, but at heart, our stories are parallel.

3.) How much time is spent researching the novel versus writing the novel?

Equal amounts, and I don't stop researching while I write. I have a historical expert, probably the best in the world in his field, review the manuscript and point out errors. The tough part is deciding when to ignore his advice. He pointed out that most everyone rode donkeys if they weren't in the military, but a key scene in the novel involves riding a horse to the rescue. It would have been anti-climatic to charge in on a donkey! :) So I ignored his advice on that one.

4.) Dark Hour takes its reader deep into the heart of palace intrigue and betrayals. Were parts of this book difficult to write?

I left out much of the darkest material I uncovered in research. It was important to show how violent and treacherous these times and this woman (Athaliah) could be, but I tried to be cautious about how to do it. The story was so powerful and hopeful--how one woman's courage in the face of evil saved the world--but the evil was depressing. I tried to move quickly past it. I wanted balance. Our heroine suffers and some wounds are not completely healed in her lifetime. That's true for us, too.

5.) What would modern readers find surprising about ancient women?

They had a powerful sense of the community of women. They also wore make-up: blush, glitter eyeshadow, lipstick, powder, and perfume! They drank beer with straws, and enjoyed "Fritos": ground grains, fried and salted. Many of our foods are the same today, but they loved to serve pate made from dried locusts, finely ground. Ugh!

Scenes & Beans

Scenes & Beans

Technorati Profile

The Lost Genre Guild

For writers interested in "speculative fiction" you might find a home at The Lost Genre Guild

ChandrasPlace: A book reveiw of A Rose From The Ashes by J.N. Graham

ChandrasPlace

This is one great place. Chandra is dedicated to lifting up the name of Jesus, especially in Christian fiction. She has some things in the works that are absolutely fabulous. You suspense fans are going to love the suspense. You romance fans are going to love the romance. She does a great job of blending the two into a balanced genre.

The Heart of David

Having a Mary Heart...

Having a Mary Heart...

Edgy Inspirational Author

Edgy Inspirational Author

Putting Together U.S. Blog Tour

Okay, so I really don't have a clue at what I'm doing or how a blog tour works. Think that'll stop me? Not a chance. In the next couple of weeks or so I hope to put together a list of blogs that will take me from New York State through every other state and back to New York again. New York and California get 2 stops just because it looked good on the map.
So why am I doint this? I want to make sure every state in the U.S. of A. knows about THE 3RD COVENANT and can have a chance to talk it up among themselves or post comments on this site. If that doesn't satisfy you then email me at sonburst@juno.com
Am I tryng to sell books, well sort of. You see THE 3RD COVENANT only gives you a taste of what's to come. My WIP is a follow up using some of the same principle characters and introducing some new ones. Please, this really isn't a series. I want to be able to write books about Nat Adams that can be enjoyed no matter what order you read them in. Plus I'd like to try writing some other things as well. I have an end time suspense novel in mind that is just awesome. So what I'm really trying to sell here is not THE 3RD COVENANT (although if you like mystery/suspense you really should at least check it out of your library), I'm promoting myself.
Here are some websites that I've put together (the first may need some work):
Fellowship of the Cross (with a decided bend towards outcasts)
Soar Like An Eagle Ministries (my home church)
From the Heart of David Brollier (okay, this is to sell the book)
Last Hope Detectives (from the imagination of a young boy comes a fresh way of talking about the Gospel and things of God.

Peg's Place: Fun & Faith for Your Soul!: A Christian Writer's Guide to Peggie's Place

Peg's Place: Fun & Faith for Your Soul!: A Christian Writer's Guide to Peggie's Place

The Writing Life

The Writing Life

Middle Tennessee Christian Writers (MTCW)

Middle Tennessee Christian Writers (MTCW)

CMWforum

Christian Mystery Writers is dedicated to helping those of us writing mystery/suspense for the Lord. Hopefully I will be able to learn and link into some blog tours so that those joining here will be able to promote their works over a vast network of blogs, preferrably Christian blogs. However, it is my intent to reach beyond the boundaries of Christianity in the promotion of Christian works. Most writers, like myself, who write for Christ do so that others may come to know Him as their Lord and Savior. It kind of beats that purpose if we keep it all locked up in a Christian forum.


We do have a forum, for those Christian writers and aspiring writers called CMWforum. You can get there by going to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CMWforum While the goals of this site are to help with the promotion of a published work, the goals of CMWforum is to:
1. Encourage one another as they write.
2. Help with research, primarily in forensics and police proceedure.
3. Help with the actual mechanics of writing.
All Christian mystery/suspense writers are invited to join.

So that leaves this blog. Okay, I need to know how to do blog tours, to link into existing blog tours and to otherwise promote the works of all here. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

David Brollier
author of THE 3RD COVENANT
From the Heart of David Brollier