Category: A Dozen Apologies

Behold, I Am Doing a New Thing …

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, Behold, contest, fiction, I Am Doing a New Thing, Love Boat Bachelor, Romance, Write Integrity Press

As this posts, I am in the midst of another book release. If you were part of last year’s Valentine’s Day release of A Dozen Apologies, you will be familiar with the process–Write Integrity Press releases a chapter a day. When all the chapters are released, we invite you (the reader) to vote on your favorite chapter. Last year, in A Dozen Apologies, you voted for a hero. This year, you’ll vote for your favorite heroine.

And you won’t know who the author is until the winner is announced.

Sound like fun? This year’s story, The Love Boat Bachelor, is a sequel to Mara’s story in A Dozen Apologies. Brent Teague didn’t win Mara’s heart. Remember him? He was the minister who met up with our repentant heroine while she was dressed in a turkey costume. Yes, you guessed it, he was her November apology.

This year, we catch up to Brent, dejected, disappointed, and ready for a change. When an offer comes from an old friend, Brent’s sister urges him to accept. Take a chance. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Get out there! So Brent agrees to a two-week stint as a chaplain on board a cruise ship. But all is not as it seems, of course.

The adventure begins January 26, 2015. You can go to the website and read the first two chapters (see links below). Bookmark that website, so you can return there every week day (we take a break on weekends) until all eight chapters are posted … and then … you can vote for your favorite.


Jerusha Agen – Authorview

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, author, Authorview, Jerusha Agen, Sisters Redeemed Series, This Redeemer, Winter, Write Integrity Press

I first “met” Jerusha Agen while co-writing A Dozen Apologies for Write Integrity Press. Now, I am deep into her Sisters Redeemed Series, so I’m delighted to host her interview on my blog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha:

Nickname or “wannabe” name (If you don’t have a nickname, you can choose one you’d like, that tells us a little bit about who you are): I’ve been called “J-Dog.” I do love dogs, but I never quite warmed to the nickname. At least it made me seem cool for a while. ☺

I am: A perfectionist fixer.

My best trait: Fixing everyone and everything.

My bad habit: Fixing everyone and everything.

Qualities I admire: The ability to fix things. No, I really can think of something else. Ah, yes, patience and contentment (then things don’t have to be fixed!).

What I like to read: Exactly what I can’t ever write—Nineteenth-century British fiction.

What I write: Whatever God gives me the idea to write! All mistakes are mine, of course.

What I watch: Way too many TV shows from the 60s and 70s. I think I was born in the wrong era.

My family: Seems like more animals than people these days! We’re at three dogs and two cats right now. They’re a fun, furry circus.

My favorite food, snack, or beverage: It’s always a tie between chocolate and ice cream. My solution? Have both whenever possible.

What I love to do: Eat!

What I admire: The best frosting in the world at our local grocery store bakery (I’d gladly give them as many free copies of my book as they’d like in exchange for the recipe).

What makes me happy: Snow and cold weather! Yes, I’m crazy.

What makes me sad: Summer and hot weather. See above for explanation.

I believe: I’ll have to go eat something now. This interview made me hungry!

AUTHOR BIO
Jerusha Agen is a lifelong lover of story–a passion that has led her to a B.A. in English and a highly varied career. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she is the author of the Sisters Redeemed Series, which includes the titles This Dance, This Shadow, and This Redeemer. Jerusha co-authored the e-books A Ruby Christmas and A Dozen Apologies from Write Integrity Press.

Jerusha is also a screenwriter, and several of her original scripts have been produced as films. In addition, she is a film critic, with reviews featured at the website, www.RedeemerReviews.com
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Jerusha relishes snowy Midwest winters spent with her three large, furry dogs and two small, furry cats.

Visit her website at www.SDGwords.com. Follow Jerusha on Twitter @SDGwords and Facebook Jerusha Agen – SDG Words.


Not all prisons have bars.

Charlotte Davis should know—she’s lived in one for years. She can handle getting slapped around by her boyfriend, Tommy, and even being forced to do things she would never choose, but when Tommy turns on her 10-year-old daughter, Charlotte must try to escape. With nowhere else to turn, Charlotte runs to the stranger her dying mother believed would help her.

Looking only for shelter or cash, Charlotte finds a family she longs to call her own and a gentle man she could learn to love. But if Tommy catches up with Charlotte, these strangers could discover the truth about her. Will they send her back to Tommy? Or can a Father’s love set her free?
Jerusha Agen
Author, Screenwriter, Film Critic
Author Of

A Writer’s Life – In Pursuit of Dreams – Elizabeth Noyes

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, author, dreamer, dreams, Elizabeth Noyes, fantasy, fiction, Harriet Tubman, Interview, March, mystery, suspense, Write Integrity Press, writer4 Comments

  • Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world. ––Harriet Tubman

A writer’s life is built on dreams. We learn to weave fine threads of fact and fantasy into stories to entertain, to educate, and to inspire. During the month of March, I’m stepping aside to allow four fellow writers a chance to tell about their particular journeys through the fanciful world of fiction, romance, mystery, and suspense. 


Elizabeth Noyes debuted in February in the collaborative novella, A Dozen Apologies, from Write Integrity Press. She has kindly consented to an interview. I hope you’ll enjoy her candid answers as much as I did.

Would you consider yourself a dreamer?

Elizabeth: The banner on my website reads – Professional Writer. Aspiring Author. Dedicated Dreamer – so yes, I do consider myself a dreamer.

Daydreams or night dreams? How else do you come up with ideas?

Elizabeth: Daydreams, night dreams, the daily grind, and a troupe of characters who’ve come to life in my head help me write. Seriously, ideas come all the time: two women hug and – poof! Long lost sisters separated at birth are reunited at the reading of a will. An abandoned car on the side of the road becomes a woman fleeing from an abusive marriage. Or a mother feeding her toddler bits of food in a restaurant morphs into a young woman traumatized by an attack that left her unable to have children…except now she’s stolen someone else’s child for her own. Ideas are everywhere. All we have to do is see them and play the what-if game. 

It’s the nighttime, though, when my scenes come together. For more years than I care to count, I’ve composed scenes, complete with dialogue and action, while “sleeping.” Experts today call it Focused Dreaming. I call it designing my own pleasant (or sometimes not so pleasant) stories. At other times, all I have to do is sit down at the keyboard and my characters write their own story. Sometimes I have to throw the outline out and let them have their way. It makes for an interesting ride, sort of like reading a new book because you have no idea where it’s going to take you.

What steps do you take to bring your dreams to life?

Elizabeth: Using a scene conjured up from something in real life, I envision the characters’ physical and temperamental characteristics, add dialogue, spice it up with a bit of action and angst, and let it play like a movie through my head. Somehow it stays cemented in my brain until I can get it down on paper. That usually gives me the germ of an idea.

From there, I need visual confirmation. The next step is a visit to Mr. Google for images – young woman with blue eyes, man in suit, blond-haired toddler, crooked-tooth smile, black truck, red sports car, mountains, dogs, and even particular pieces of clothing. If I can see I can describe it, and the possibilities are endless. Next is the character study where my hero and heroine (and sometimes villain) comes to life. I use a comprehensive list of interview questions to get to know them. After that, I may write their backstory. It takes longer, but it makes my characters real people with a history and memories and hang-ups. I can often use bits and pieces of their background in the story.

Filling in the middle: how do you keep yourself moving forward?

Elizabeth: Wow, let’s talk discipline now. I have my outline, complete with inciting incident, plot, story arc, a few scenes already in mind, and how the story ends. I have my visuals. I have some scenes. To make it all work (for me) requires immersion in the story. I’m not one of those lucky writers who can slap/dash off a chapter in 30 minutes here or an hour there. I need large chunks of time. I become the characters. I’m in the action. Time becomes another dimension for me. I’ve given my husband permission to poke me if I don’t move for six hours, but he’s never to question my tears, hysterical laughter, or odd contortions as I put my boys and girls through their paces. He does give me strange looks now and then. LOL


Do you have any advice for other dreamers?

Elizabeth: I have a quote on my website that speaks to this question. “Dreams are stories set down on paper.” Scads of books and classes are available claiming to know the one sure-fire way to write a successful novel. What I’ve learned is there is no one-size-fits-all. I encourage everyone, not just writers, to believe in their dreams.


Elizabeth Noyes is a professional writer, aspiring author, dedicated dreamer—lives in northeast Atlanta with her husband and best friend, who listens tirelessly while she tells him all the stories clamoring to get out of her head and onto paper. Her days and nights are a balancing act between working full-time, entertaining three grandchildren, participating in church, and a demand (her own) to write, write, write. She is also an avid reader across many genres.

A Dozen Apologies, a novella collaboration created with 11 other authors, is her first published work. It releases on Amazon February 14, 2014. Her first full-length novel, a romantic suspense entitled Imperfect Wings, will be out later this year.

                                                           www.twitter.com/ENoyes5246

Happy Valentine’s Day!

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, Beatles, download, Downton Abbey, Kindle, love, music, Romance, Valentine's Day

It was Valentine’s Day on Downtown Abbey and it seemed almost everyone received a valentine card. Some of them were anonymous, leaving the receiver (and us) guessing. Who sent it? The giving of valentines originated in the UK. Chaucer (14th century) mentioned it in his poetry during a time when courtly love was popular. 
When I was in elementary school, everyone got valentine cards and they were usually funny. You received them from your friends and classmates and sometimes, you didn’t know who’d sent them. Those were the fun ones. I used to try to figure it out and was usually wrong. 
These days, I get a valentine card from my husband. He calls it, “Love Day,” because most of the time he can’t remember the word Valentine. Or maybe he knows it will irritate me and I’ll have to correct his mistake. Sometimes we go out to lunch or dinner (lunch if he forgot to make reservations for dinner). That makes him sound forgetful, doesn’t it? It’s not so much forgetfulness as it is “notreallyimportantness.” It’s rather too close to my birthday, you see, and we haven’t quite recovered from anniversary and Christmas. 
We’ve had some wonderful Valentine’s Days in our life together, (check out one of them here) so it doesn’t worry me in the least. 
Some argue that Valentine’s Day was developed by card companies or candy manufacturers, to sell cards and candy. Maybe it was. But it’s also a day or a week or a moment, when you honor that special person in your life. It doesn’t have to be a romantic love. You can send one to your child or your mother, or anyone else you wish. 
Purchased from Shutterstock
Copyright – Dorottya Mathe 
So today, I’m sending you one, along with a little theme music, because I appreciate you, my readers. Thanks for taking a moment to read my post. And don’t forget to download your free copy of A Dozen Apologies – due out today. It’ll be available for a free download today until Sunday, so tell your friends. Post it on Facebook and Twitter. Everyone likes a free book. Download the book here.
And have a very happy Valentine’s Day. I hope you have a special someone to share it with, but if you don’t, smile at a neighbor or wish a friend or coworker a happy day. After all, it’s also Friday!

Love, love me do!


Riley Tompkins Interviews Cara and Dane Adkins

On By Betty OwensIn A Dozen Apologies, Christian, couple, fiction, forgiveness, love, magazine, Mara Adkins, Marriage, marriage encounter, Romance, Southern, Valentine's Day4 Comments

Riley Tompkins, Southern Christian Magazine*Interview with Mara Adkins’ folks (uncut version)

Part 1
Riley: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview, Mr. and Mrs. Adkins. My first questions are for you, Mrs. Adkins.

Cara: You can call me Cara, Riley, and thanks for having us.

Riley: I’d like to know what happened, in your viewpoint. Why was your daughter Mara so mean-spirited towards all those men?

Cara: Without God in the middle of a family, there isn’t much hope. I think there were a lot of factors in this situation. I’m not here to play the blame game, but I have to accept some responsibility for part of the problem. (sighs) We’ve all come to the Lord and we are forgiven. Thank goodness for His Mercy and Grace.

Riley: Seems like God brought all three of you through a lot of issues.

Cara: Yes, by the time Mara left for college, her father and I were ready to call it quits. We planned to file divorce papers after she left home.

Riley: I’m so glad you didn’t do it. Mara’s so changed. What exactly happened to all of you that set off this chain of events?

Cara: Old friends called from out of town one day and wanted to visit with Dane and me. They had become Christians and they were able to answer many of our questions about God and life in general. They backed their opinions with Scripture and prayed with us to accept Christ as our personal Savior.

Riley: What did they tell you that seemed to be the most important thing during their visit?

Cara: That’s a great question. God is a provider, not a divider. A house divided against itself cannot stand and the enemy of our souls does not like good marriages. Dane and I have been married a long time and we have gotten through a lot of tough circumstances. I believe when we learned that every Christian has challenges, we weren’t the exception. We were relieved to find out that we weren’t the only people or couples that have problems, they are part of life. Problems, I mean…are a part of life.

Riley: Did you and Dane join a Bible Study Group or attend church activities to help? In other words, a good group support system?

Cara: We attended a couples’ weekend, specifically Marriage Encounter, where couples can strengthen and renew their marriages. The retreat offers a tool for communicating. However, it works both ways. If both parties are willing to “work,” I mean really “work” together through their personal lives and marriage, it’s an excellent tool and we recommend it for all marriages, don’t we Dane? (Glances at Dane for affirmation. He shakes his head with a big smile. “Yes, we do, dear. As a matter of fact, Riley, we are now a team couple leading the local Marriage Encounter group.” Cara turns her attention back to interview) Yes, that’s right.

Riley: What about Mara? She’s an adult now. Were you glad she came home after almost five years?

Cara: Absolutely. Dane and I are so proud of her. She’s had a tough life, but always put on a brave face as she left the house every day. So much fighting…
We stated praying for her immediately and giving our precious baby to Christ to help her.

Riley: Do you really think she did the right thing by going all over the country to apologize to these men?

Cara: Yes, I do. She was obedient to what God asked of her. She learned a lot about repenting and forgiving. And even as she drove, the Lord had her undivided attention, and she told me, it was in those quiet times, she learned to forgive herself.

Riley: I didn’t think about that, forgiving yourself… So is she free now of her demons? I know that’s a pointed question, but readers will want to know.

Cara: I’ve never seen our daughter happier. Yes, she’s totally free in Christ and she successfully reached out to each man she hurt. Not all the men understood, but she’s accepted where they are…and prays for each one–– (voice breaks, due to emotion).

Riley: I’m sorry, Cara. I didn’t mean to upset you with my questions.

Cara: (Dabbing her eyes) Oh no, Riley, these are tears of Joy. Our Mara is a sparkling new person, inside and outside. Dane and I are thrilled with the healing of our little family. Mara has found love and happiness. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Riley: Thank you so much for sharing your heart, Cara. It looks as though you two have a wonderful ministry together.

(Dane hugsCara and give her a kiss then whispers, I love you, honey. Ya done good.”)

Cara: “You’re welcome, Riley.”

Part 2

(Interview with Dane Adkins)

Riley: Dad, what do you think about all this?

Dane: Excuse me, Riley, but I’m not comfortable with you calling me Dad. You’re every bit as old as I am.

Riley: I’m sorry, Dane I didn’t mean to imply––
Dane: I’m just joshing you, Riley. If you’re asking what I think of my daughter, I love her. I’m very proud of her, and I’ll support whatever decision she makes.
Riley: Of course. But now that you know some of the things she did in college to those poor, unsuspecting geeks. This cruel game she payed, along with her sorority sisters––as a man, how do you feel about that?
Dane: I don’t feel anything about that, Riley. Mara is not the same person she once was. She’s been forgiven.
Riley: (Clears throat) Oh, yes, I know. Your wife just told me about how Mara traveled all over, making apologies and most of the men forgave her.
Dane: No, you misunderstand me. She’s been forgiven, whether those men forgave her or not. She has God’s forgiveness.
Riley: Right. So you’re convinced she’s changed her ways?
Dane: Absolutely, she has. And let me tell you, Riley, with God’s help, she’s turned her life around.
Riley: From what I hear, you and Mrs. Adkins were a part of that turnaround. You were here for her, when she needed you.
Dane: (Low chuckle. Scratches head) Well, that’s where the real miracle comes in. If not for the Lord, we wouldn’t have been here for her at all (takes wife’s hand in his and smiles into her eyes). I found out what true forgiveness is. (Continues to gaze into Cara’s eyes)

Riley: Ahem. (Dane remembers I’m sitting here with them)
Dane: Riley, God healed our broken marriage, and here’s the best part: once we were walking in His healing and love, He sent our broken daughter back to the nest. Because of what we’d been through, we were able to give her the guidance she needed, the love and acceptance she craved.
Riley: And you now believe she’s this new person? You trust her to straighten up and fly right––to never damage another man’s heart?
Dane: I do, Riley. I know she’s a new person. I see God’s love shining out through her beautiful eyes. (Grins) She has my eyes, don’t you think?

Riley: She has your sense of humor too, Dane.
Dane: Well, that’s a good thing, right?

Riley: Absolutely. Thanks, Dane and Cara, for giving me a bit of your time today. I hope you’ll like the article I write about you and your daughter, Mara.

Dane: I hope our story encourages others to trust in God’s forgiveness. And if they live in the area, check out our Marriage Encounter group.

If you’ve been keeping up with A Dozen Apologies, you’ll know the voting has ended for the readers’ favorite hero. Our editor is busy working to get the final project ready to release as a FREE ebook February 14th–16th (Valentine’s weekend). What a wonderful gift to give yourself––a fun read. I will supply you with the link here on my blog or you can go to Write Integrity Press.

If you would like more information about forgiveness and God’s love for you, please contact me via the contact tab above (private message).

*Southern Christian Magazine is a fictitious magazine for this post. Any likeness to any real magazine (or reporter named Riley) is purely coincidental.

Authors: 
Paulette Harris: Part 1, Cara Adkins
Betty Owens, Part 2, Dane Adkins

Paulette Harris has two wonderful children and five awesome grandchildren. She still lives with her original husband and two cats. Both business and social work have opened her eyes to humanity and produced a desire to help others. Battling injury and illness while raising a family and dealing with a deep personal grief have finally led her to write as a way to help others face similar, seemingly overwhelming obstacles in their lives. Writing has become her passion. It’s her sincere wish and prayer that her work will be of aid to readers. Paulette offers services as an author/speaker and encourager of God’s Word, through her company, Wordburst.

You can find more information about Paulette and her work at http://pauletteharris.com/.

A Dozen Apologies is a collaborative novella soon to be released by Write Integrity Press. Paulette and I are two of twelve authors involved. It has been my great pleasure to work with such wonderful authors.

Thanks for stopping by!