Skip to main content

Please review Lady Wynwood’s Spies 1 on Goodreads

If you have time, I would greatly appreciate it if you’d write a review of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer on Goodreads! Doesn’t have to be five stars—just be honest with how you liked it. Thank you very much!

CWO - Salty fluff

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2006

Blog book giveaway:
My Thursday book giveaway is MURDER, MAYHEM, AND A FINE MAN by Claudia Mair Burney.
My Monday book giveaway is EMILY EVER AFTER by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt.
You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for MURDER, MAYHEM, AND A FINE MAN and post the title for another book I'm giving away.



Check out Christian Women Online (click on the button above) to see what other women are blogging about this quote!

"Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which He imparts to us."
~Sadhu Sundar Singh~


I loooooooooove salt. Love it, love it, love it. I crave it especially during those times of the month, and then I bloat out like a blowfish.

When I was single, I didn't crave Jesus the way I craved salt. And I knew that was wrong, I knew I needed to reorient myself.

Singleness was hard for me. I struggled a lot. Thank God He gave me my discipler at church to help keep me sane and remind me to at least try to focus on Christ rather than on my desire to no longer be alone.

Now I have my husband, but I still have a heart for single women. My singleness was a hard time for me, and not every woman can have an older woman discipler to help her along.

So I write books aimed at that single woman. And yes, they're fiction. They're romances. They're funny, breezy, fluffy, and entertaining, because that's what I like to read. I'm not a terribly deep person.

But I'm also praying that the love Jesus gave to me when I was struggling and crying and alone will come through in these funny, breezy, fluffy words. That Jesus' love will salt the entertainment of my novels--just like salt on hot French fries! Yum!--so that a single woman will finish my book with a satisfied smile, and feel a little less alone because she has a little more of Jesus in her heart at that moment.

So on the surface, my books are beach reads. But Jesus is in me like that salt, and I'm praying His message comes through the fun, sun, and fluff to strike a deeper chord in my readers.

Okay, now I want French fries!

TMI:

Diet:
I exercised yesterday! Of course I also was trying to "burn the butter" (quite literally) from the shortbread I made Sunday night! Doh! Does it count that the shortbread has oatmeal in it???

Writing: I am SO lucky! My friend Jane (whose hubby is a fantastic wedding videographer) is going to take my promo pictures! She and I are trading services--she's going to use her HOT new digital camera for my pics and I'm looking over her proposal.

So all you--us!--poor writers, we should think more about what we can trade for each other.

Take card-making. Say you're terrific at it. Say I (or somebody else) need thank you cards to send to editors/agents from appointments at conferences which are personalized for my brand (I said the b-word). You offer 10 cards made to my specifications in exchange for a crit. Voila! We have traded services and spent minimal money.

I wonder if I should start a trading services section in the ACFW forum?

Comments

Miriam Pauline said…
I loved this post. I was a single minister for a few years and have such a heart for singles who don't want to be single. Nice to find a kindred spirit.
_ said…
What a wonderful post, Camy! Your fun loving, light hearted nature shines through in your words and I'm sure that's exactly what your books impart on those that read them. Thanks so much for looking out for all those single women.
It doesn't get better than giving more of Jesus in your words!
Write on!
Warmly,
Ann Voskamp
Tracey, in MI said…
Grils gotta have hot salted fries, on ocassion. I worked in a counseling ministry for over 13 years, the ministry was hard and heart wrenching. Hours and hours spent learning about abuses and healing them... and struggles and reaching through them.

(I specialized in working with children)

I can't tell you how much "beach reads" met a need for rest and distraction and refreshment.

Keep writing- ;) There's someone waiting for their "fry- order";)
Amydeanne said…
I'm a salt fiend myself. I think your purpose behind yoru books are great. As an enjoyer of fluffy reads, the good ones have always been encouraging.. a thread of hope! Great post!
btw, I'm a barter & trade girl too!
Mary DeMuth said…
Hey Camy,

I used sea salt in an unusual way last night...to soak my nose! Yep, I did it. I'm officially not part of the status quo of the CBA. My nose is pierced. Tag, you're it.
Cathy B said…
Here in Manila (philippines) we call them ex-deals Camy :) I can so relate to your post. May His saltiness always make its way through our work as writers. God bless!
Kelly said…
I love a great read and a good cry but there are times when a good laugh can really hit the spot. Also having a sense of humour does not necessarily mean your're not deep it just means you're great fun to be around!

I agree with amydeanne about the thread of hope in lighter reads. It seems to me that when you can still laugh you tend to think "How bad can things be?" Great post. Thanks for sharing.
I love that you have a heart for single women. Ive seen that over and over in the Captivating study. We have several single women in our church who are so lonely. Clearly struggling with where they are. Enjoyed your picture of craving fries with salt. Who would want them without! Good word picture.
lori said…
Camy, that is what we are called to do...let HIM do what HE will in our lives, for you it is in your writing and words..your heart for singles...your salt spills out...
I must tell you....on a bad day there is NOTHING like a little salt!!:) thanks for the words...
Heather Smith said…
Great post. I agree. Whatever we do should be done for the Lord, and He should be glorified through it!
FruitfulSpirit said…
I'm not a beach read kind of woman but you have my curiousity aroused! Very nice post. Eat some french fries for me because they aren't on my diet! And I have to settle for the salt of Christ since I'm not allowed salt either!
Anonymous said…
Strange but true: in the last 10-12 years I've grown less and less fond of salt. I try to find all the ready-made foods like tortilla chips without it--and that ain't easy. But then I don't think I could ever describe myself as a salt-fiend. But yes, I did like salty stuff.

Yeah, singleness can be hard but I guess over the years I've discovered through others that marriage also has a lot of problems. Maybe it was God's provision for me not to get married so that I wouldn't have someone to run out on me when the going got as bad as the pain.

But a great blog, Camy. And yes, we are to be the salt of the earth and that will still be there in any book written in and for his glory.
Anonymous said…
I'll echo the other comments here because this was a great, very real blog. Singlehood seems to be celebrated in the media, but not by the ones on the frontlines of that battle. Especially when it comes to struggling with purity and singlehood. I can't wait to read your books!
Unknown said…
What a great post. I have a few single Christian women friends and I know it can be a tough place to be.

I am craving chips now and gotta go get some.
eph2810 said…
I truly believe that God has given us a ministry even when our own circumstances change in our personal life. I think it is awesome that you still minister to single women, because you know what you are talking about. Even if it comes in the form of funny, breezy, fluffy beach reads :)

Popular Posts

Bethany House Publishers Cover Survey Invitation

Captain's Log, Supplemental I just got this from Bethany House Publishers: Hello Reader, We at Bethany House Publishers appreciate our readers opinions about the books we publish. Occasionally, we seek your input about upcoming products. Currently, we are conducting a survey about the cover image for an upcoming novel. For your time, we are offering a giveaway in conjunction with this survey. You will be able to choose from ten recent Bethany House novels, and there will be ten winners. Winners will be notified within two weeks. Click here to take the survey, which should take about 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation, and feel free to forward this email on to your friends or link the survey on your website. The survey will be available through Monday, September 17. Thanks for your time and your opinions. We value your feedback. Sincerely, Jim Hart Internet Marketing Manager Bethany House Publishers

Narrow Escape contest for January!

I’m so excited because my January Love Inspired Suspense, Narrow Escape , is now available! Here’s the back cover blurb: KIDNAPPED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT Arissa Tiong and her three-year-old niece are snatched off the street by members of a notorious drug gang. Having lost her police officer brother to a drug bust gone bad, Arissa knows the danger she's in. But she has no idea why they want her. Desperate to protect the little girl, Arissa escapes and runs straight to Nathan Fischer. She knows the handsome, weary former narcotics cop hasn't told her everything about the night that ended her brother's life and Nathan's career. But he's all that stands between her and dangerous thugs who are after something she doesn't even know she has. This is the 4th book in my Sonoma series , but each book is stand-alone. The hero is Nathan Fischer, who had a minor role in the 3rd book, Stalker in the Shadows . To celebrate, I’m giving away 10 copies of Narrow Escape ! Her

I sold to Steeple Hill!

Captain's Log, Supplemental Remember that romantic suspense proposal I blogged about earlier? Well, it just sold to Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line! I am so jazzed! I am beyond jazzed! The story’s working title is Sinister Spa The story's title is Deadly Intent and here’s a blurb (but it’s probably not what will appear on the back of the book): Massage therapist Naomi Grant could use a massage herself. With her father at home recovering from a stroke, Naomi is put in charge of the family’s elite day spa in Sonoma county. The new responsibilities sit awkwardly on her shoulders, and things only get worse when handsome Dr. Devon Knightley breezes into the spa, demanding to see one of the female clients. And the woman is found dead in Naomi’s massage room. Suddenly, Naomi is a suspect and her family’s spa is shut down. How could God let this awful thing happen? Devon only needed to see his ex-wife about a family necklace she still hadn’t returned, but when she dies and

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

Year of the Dog serial novel

About Year of the Dog : A month or two ago, I remembered an old manuscript I had completed but which hadn’t sold. It was a contemporary romance meant for Zondervan, titled Year of the Dog . The book had gone into the pipeline and I even got another title ( Bad Dog ) and a cover for it, but eventually my editor at the time decided she didn’t want to publish it, for various reasons. She instead requested a romantic suspense, and so I cannibalized some of the characters from Year of the Dog and thrust them into the next book I wrote, which was Protection for Hire . Honestly, I didn’t take a lot from Year of the Dog to put in Protection for Hire , aside from character names and a few relationship ties. I was originally thinking I’d post Year of the Dog as-is on my blog as a free read, but then it occurred to me that I could revamp it into a romantic suspense and change the setting to Hawaii. It would work out perfectly as (yet another) prequel to the Warubozu series and introduc

I GOT A CONTRACT!

Captain’s Log, Stardate 03.29.2006 I had a wonderfully funny blog post planned for today, but I got sidetracked by some news yesterday! Zondervan has offered me a three-book contract on my Asian chick-lit series ! I’m still stunned by everything that’s happened. The series is actually a 4-book projected Asian chick-lit series about four cousins who fall under the infamous family title "Oldest Single Female Cousin," and their ruthless, wealthy grandma applies pressure on each of them to improve their lack of love interests. I think the first book is tentatively scheduled to be released in August 2007. The blurb on the series is on my website here . Brandilyn Collins posted to the ACFW loop about my writing journey, and Tamara Cooper asked that I share it. And since you all know how much I like to talk , here it is. My writing journey: Like most writers, I have wanted to write since I was very young. (In high school, I wrote a fantasy novel that will never see the light of day

Welcome Spring with these Christian/sweet and wholesome books in Kindle Unlimited!

I’m participating in this promo. Click on the graphic to check out all the Christian romance books available and stuff your eBook reader! Welcome Spring with these Christian/sweet and wholesome books in Kindle Unlimited!

Sweet March Freebies

Sign up for these authors’ newsletters and get free books! Click on the graphic to check out all the free books. You might find a new favorite author! Sweet March Freebies

New book idea a la Captain Caffeine

Captain's Log, Stardate 04.14.2009 So my husband, Captain Caffeine, had lunch with a few friends a few days ago. And they asked about my writing, and if I’d been on Oprah yet. (Yeah, right) They then discussed NYT bestselling books, and why can’t Camy write a NYT bestseller. (Sure, let me just open a vein over a blank page and it’ll come right out.) So Captain Caffeine came home with ideas for my new NYT bestselling novel. First it starts with vampires, because Twilight is so hot. But not just any vampires. This one’s an Amish vampire. And he’s not just an Amish vampire, he’s a cop in disguise, infiltrating the Amish community to protect a witness. (Hmm, that storyline sounds familiar ...) But wait! There’s more! To add more conflict and stick with my brand of Asian fiction, we introduce the Tibetan monk! Who joins the Amish community to get away from the pressures of monkhood. But in reality, he’s protecting the Chinese princess on the run, trying to escape from her father’s Hong