Captain's Log, Stardate 10.15.2009 (Don't forget to weigh in on my podcast poll, which I posted yesterday!) As I write this, I’ve just come back from church youth group, where I’ve been a youth group leader for 13 years. Yes, you read that right. And no, I’m not completely insane (although my friends might beg to differ). I think God has given me a gift for working with teens, and since there aren’t many people who can say that, I’ve just run with it. I really like it. Anyway, one of the games we played with the high schoolers was where Captain Caffeine flashed pictures of household items on the TV (it was a chance for the Captain to use his iPod Nano—he loaded the pics on his iPod and then hooked it up to the TV in the Sunday School room where we had the high school Bible study). The kids had to come up with creative ideas of how to use the items that weren’t conventional. For example, he showed a (brand new) toilet plunger on the TV screen, and the kids came up with the idea...

Captain's Log, Stardate 10.14.2009 I listen to a lot of podcasts, mostly about knitting. (Actually, if anyone knows of good romance novel podcasts, leave a comment to let me know the title so I can subscribe! I already subscribe to Romance Radio.) I don’t know why I like them so much. Maybe because they’re relaxing to listen to. I haven’t tried listening to them as I run, but maybe I’ll do that next. I do enjoy listening to podcasts while knitting (even if the podcast is not about knitting). So how about you guys? Do you listen to podcasts? Also, I’ve been thinking of doing a podcast myself. My problem is that I really don’t know what I’d talk about. I don’t want it to be entirely about me or my books, and I don’t want it to be a how-to writing podcast (I’ve got my Story Sensei blog for that), nor a how-to knitting podcast (there are tons of those already). I would certainly be happy to talk a bit about me, my books, writing, and knitting (as well as my dog), but I don’t want to t...

Captain's Log, Stardate 10.13.2009 I'm over at the Girls, God, and the Good Life blog today, talking about Being Kidnapped By God! Now doesn't that title just intrigue you? Actually, I was trying to be cute because I also posted an excerpt of The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn by Liz Johnson , but it ended up being kind of a serious post. But not too serious. After all, this is me . :) I met romantic suspense author Liz Johnson in person at the ACFW conference a few weeks ago (I also met a lot of authors, so click on the link to see if I took a photo with one of your favs!). Liz is totally cool! It also made me realize that I hadn’t yet read her book (excerpt of it is below), so I pulled it out when I got home. (Actually, I have it on ebook, so I didn’t so much “pull it out” as “open the file.” :) Click here to read the rest of the post!

Today's Wild Card author is: Mike Mason and the book: The Blue Umbrella David C. Cook; New edition (October 1, 2009) ***Special thanks to Audra Jennings of The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.*** When Zac Sparks's mother dies, he's sent to live in Five Corners with his cruel old Aunties. It isn't long before Zac knows something strange is going on. Five Corners is populated with weird characters—a midget butler, a girl who doesn't speak, a blind balloon seller, and a mysterious singer who is heard but not seen. Then there's the Aunties' father, Dada. Zac's first encounter with Dada is so terrifying he faints dead away. The one bright spot is Sky Porter, the proprietor of the general store across the street, a friendly soul who encourages Zac—when the Aunties aren't looking—and shows him a kindness that is sadly lacking from his dismal life. But Sky isn't what he seems either, and when Zac learns Sky's amazing secret he reali...

Captain's Log, Stardate 10.12.2009 The Thanksgiving Target by Laura Scott: Army lieutenant Max Forrester is home on leave, and looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with his sister, Melissa. Then he finds her fighting for her life in the hospital. All he wants is to protect his sibling…until another damsel in distress crosses his path. Someone's stalking Tara Carmichael, Melissa's social worker, and the danger she's in is very real. Max knows she needs his help—if only he could find a way to protect both women at once! And Tara and Melissa aren't the only ones in danger when the stalker's true target is revealed. Excerpt of chapter one: "Wait a minute. Stop right there," a female vice commanded. "Who let you in?" Lieutenant's Max Forrester's head snapped up, and he belatedly realized there was a woman at his sister Lissa's hospital bedside. A chair with a discarded blanket on the seat was tucked in the corner wher...

Captain's Log, Stardate 10.12.2009 Georgia On Her Mind by Rachel Hauck (This book is gently used) HOW DO YOU EMCEE YOUR CLASS REUNION WHEN YOUR LIFE IS ON A TILT-A-WHIRL? Until 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 6, Macy Moore was Miss Most Likely To Succeed, a corporate executive on the fast track, with a marriage-material boyfriend and a cool city condo. By noon she was as good as fired…and dumped. How in the world could she go home to Beauty, Georgia, now? Thank goodness for the Single Saved Sisters. With loyal friends Lucy, Adriane and Tamara by her side, Macy retreated to the House of Joe for coffee, consolation and consultation. Could they help her put her life back on the right path? Click here to read my review of the book! Excerpt of chapter one: To: ALLCasper&Co. Re: Reorganization I skim the e-mail from Casper & Company's director of operations and my boss, Veronica Karpinski. In order to streamline our work flow... blah, blah, yadda, yadda. I sc...

Captain's Log, Stardate 10.07.2009 I'm so thrilled to have romantic suspense author Cara Putman here with me today! For those of you who checked out my ACFW pictures , this is the same Cara for whom I knit a Victorian lace shawl to wear to the awards banquet on Saturday night! (More cool pics at the link above!) And now, here's me and Cara! In your latest novel, Trial By Fire , what's your favorite scene? Hmm, that's a good question. There's a scene where Tricia Jamison, the heroine, decides it's time to take on and expose a man who had a hold over her from the past. The cost to her will be high, but she's ready to pay it to make sure he doesn't harm others. I hope I'd have the same strength. If your hero were a car, what would he be and why? He'd be a mud-stained Jeep. He's rugged and used to going where others dare not go. And he loves to live on the edge -- a Jeep would allow him to get there. If your heroine were a chees...