Captain's Log, Stardate 12.01.2009 I grew up in Hawaii, and I’m 4th generation Japanese American, so you can imagine how I never knew what scones were when I was growing up. LOL But I fell in love (haha) with Regency romances when I was in high school (my very first was (Update: I corrected the link) Regency Miss by Alix Melbourne and I loved it! Ahhhh that’s bringing back fond memories). And of course Regency heroes and heroines (although mostly the heroines) are drinking tea and eating scones. Being curious about food, I found a scone recipe, I made a batch, and I LOVED it! Ever since, I have tried to make scones semi-regularly. Even more recently, I’ve been making them to eat for “afternoon tea.” I first read about afternoon tea in Regencies, but in more detail in Betty Neels’ books. It seems like all these modern Britishers have tea in the afternoon, and Betty Neels’ heroines are particularly fond of gigantic cream cakes with their tea. (Just the description sounds yum, don’...

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.30.2009 I just updated my blog roll and deleted anyone whose site is no longer up, or who no longer links back to me. If I accidentally deleted you, please let me know and list the link to your blog page where you give me your linky luv. Also, if you want to be added to my blog roll, just comment and list the link to your blog page where you return the linky luv.

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.30.2009 White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner Amanda Janvier’s idyllic home seems the perfect place for her niece Tally to stay while her vagabond brother is in Europe, but the white picket fence life Amanda wants to provide is a mere illusion. Amanda’s husband Neil refuses to admit their teenage son Chase, is haunted by the horrific fire he survived when he was four, and their marriage is crumbling while each looks the other way. Tally and Chase bond as they interview two Holocaust survivors for a sociology project, and become startlingly aware that the whole family is grappling with hidden secrets, with the echoes of the past, and with the realization that ignoring tragic situations won’t make them go away. Readers of emotional dramas that are willing to explore the lies that families tell each other for protection and comfort will love White Picket Fences. The novel is ideal for those who appreciate exploring questions like: what type of hone...

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.27.2009 I’m over at Girls, God, and the Good Life blog with a short post about a question that came up at youth group: Camy here, talking about something a little more serious than normal (for me). At youth group the other night, one of the girls asked what to say when a friend or someone asks a really hard question, like if they’re going to hell because they don’t believe in Jesus, or why bad things happen, or something like that. Click here to read the rest!

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.26.2009 Happy Thanksgiving! I’m on Faithchick today talking about a gratitude journal, an idea I got from Debbie Macomber: Camy here! Recently I’ve been reading Debbie Macomber’s latest nonfiction, One Simple Act , which my best bud Cheryl Wyatt bought for me (and she got Debbie to autograph it for me, too!). Click here to read the rest!

Camy here: I'm especially pleased to post this excerpt because I'm in this book, too! I have a piece on finding and developing your writer's voice, that elusive "something" in your writing that makes the piece uniquely yours. I hope you guys enjoy this excerpt enough that you'll buy the book! All proceeds from this book go to charity. Today's Wild Card authors are: Various Best-Selling Authors (contributions from best-selling authors including Jerry B. Jenkins, Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Randy Alcorn, Terri Blackstock, Robin Jones Gunn, Angela Hunt and more) and the book: A Novel Idea Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (November 1, 2009) ABOUT THE BOOK: Best-selling Christian fiction writers have teamed together to contribute articles on the craft of writing. A Novel Idea contains tips on brainstorming ideas and crafting and marketing a novel. It explains what makes a Christian novel “Christian” and offers tips on how to approach tough topics. Contri...

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.25.2009 I’m over at the Love Inspired Authors blog today talking about my hubby’s favorite beverage: Camy here! My husband loooooooooves his coffee, and this weekend he did an experiment. Click here to read the rest!