What I Learned At Blissdom 2010

So, the big news around this somewhat forgotten about blog is that I went to Blissdom this past weekend. And it was AMAZING!! So many friends...so many discussions...so many lessons learned.

• I learned that I am so blessed to have an awesome, wonderful group of blogging buddies. They are true friends and a great support. And the only thing better than chatting with them online through twitter, Skype, email and blog comments is to actually hang out with them live and in person. Face to face friends who get this whole blogging thing. We shared stories, tips, ideas and lots of laughs. Is there anything better than that?
• I learned that trekking miles and miles through the ginormous Gaylord Opryland Hotel is rough on the feet, even when you're wearing shoes that are supposed to be "comfortable."
• I learned that if women are a powerful force, women bloggers are a powerful force with a voice that is loud and far-reaching. The impact of these simple words we write on our simple little blogs is enormous, even within our own community.
  
• I learned that Kevin Carroll is an amazing motivational speaker with an inspiring, unforgettable story. I don't know that I'll ever be able to get his words out of my mind. I scribbled several of his comments down while he was speaking. Here's an example of his powerful words - "Don't talk about it. BE about it."
• I learned that the real learning doesn't occur during the planned sessions, but during the impromptu gatherings in hallways, around fireplaces, at dinner tables and in hotel rooms.
• I learned that pretending my camera can actually take decent pictures of people indoors (even when I know full well it can not) is incredibly frustrating.
• I learned that it's impossible to say good-bye to everyone you want to say good-bye to. But I also learned that that's not all bad, because it gives you a perfect excuse to get together again.

And already I can tell you, I can't wait for that next time!

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CFBA Review ~ Never Say Never

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Never Say Never
Bethany House (February 1, 2010)
by
Lisa Wingate

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa lives in central Texas were she is a popular inspriational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books. Her novel, Tending Roses, received dozens of five-star reviews, sold out thirteen printings for New York publisher, Penguin Putnam, and went on to become a national bestselling book. Tending Roses was a selection of the Readers Club of America, and is currently in its fourteenth printing.



The Tending Roses series continued with Good Hope Road, the Language of Sycamores, Drenched in Light, and A Thousand Voices. In 2003, Lisa's Texas Hill Country series began with Texas Cooking, and continued with Lone Star Cafe', which was awarded a gold metal by RT Bookclub magazine and was hailed by Publisher's Weekly as "A charmingly nostalgic treat." The series concluded with Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner.

Lisa is now working on a new set of small-town Texas novels for Bethany House Publishers. The series debuted with Talk of the Town and continued with Word Gets Around and Never Say Never. A new series is also underway for Peguin Group NAL, beginning with A Month of Summer (July 2008), and continuing with The Summer Kitchen (July 2009) and Beyond Summer (July 2010). Lisa's works have been featured by the National Reader's Club of America, AOL Book Pics, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, American Profiles and have been chosen for the LORIES best Published Fiction Award. In 2009, A Month of Summer was nomiated for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence.



And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the winds blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Never Say Never, go HERE

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CFBA Review ~ Beguiled

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducingBeguiled(Bethany House March 1, 2007)byDeeanne GistandJ. Mark Bertrand

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. It was a good combination of suspense and sweet story telling. Ya' gotta' love that combo! And the dynamic between the main characters made for a very quick and fun read.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.

J. Mark Bertrand has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. After one hurricane too many, he left Houston and relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the shadows of Charleston, someone is watching her... Rylee Monroe, a dogwalker in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her.



Reporter Logan Woods is covering the break-ins with the hope of publishing them as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything. As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything?


If you'd like to read the first chapter of Beguiled, go HERE

Check out their video:

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Heading To Blissdom

For the past few days I've been busily getting prepared for Blissdom. I'm always amazed at the amount of work that goes into getting ready. This will be my third blogging conference and you'd think I'd have a handle on things by now. You'd think...but you'd be wrong.

Actually though, I have things pretty well set up for Eric and the kids while I'm gone. And I'm crossing things off of my work to-do list pretty quickly. I've got menu plans finished. I'm in the process of getting my Stolen Moments Menu Planning swag together for Savvy Blogging. My business cards are ready.

So, I guess I'm not as bad off as I feel like I am. My suitcase isn't packed yet, but that will be a pretty quick process. I'm trying to not worry too hard about clothes this time around. For me, this trip to Blissdom is more about spending time with my friends than anything else. And there are SO many wonderful online friends that I'll be meeting in person for the first time. Why stress about clothes for that?

In addition to all those usual preparations, I've been preparing myself mentally. That's the hardest preparation of all for my SHY (super shy) self. I'm committed to breaking out of my shell at least a little bit this time around. We'll see how that goes though.

I can't to share pictures and stories here after I get home!

If you're going to Blissdom too, please let me know.

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