LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS?

The latest book I have to review is by an author familiar to this blog, Anita Higman. I have only read four books by Anita; an offering in a novella collection, The Volstead Manor Series including, ANOTHER STAB AT LIFE, and ANOTHER HOUR TO KILL, (love these!) and her latest novel, LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS.

This most recent book is set in a town very near and dear to my heart, Humble, Texas. You see, I live about five miles from Humble. It is also the social hub of east Montgomery County. Heck, you can’t even see a picture show unless you go to Humble.

Main character, Trudie Abernathy agrees to a blind date set up by her sister, Lane. The date turns into a romance, just in time for Lane to decide she’s in love with the man, Mason. Trudie backs off from the relationship even though Mason is obviously falling in love with her.

One particular scene has Mason wooing Trudie at the boutique where she works. He figures out that he is being shunned by the woman of his dreams and vows to find out what has happened.

“So, something happened between the time I dropped you off last night and the time you arrived here this morning. And being a great lover of mysteries, I intend to find out what it is.” He turned and strode to the door. “And in the meantime, prepare yourself, Miss Abernathy.”

She blinked. “For what?”

Mason cocked an eyebrow. “To be romanced.”

Trudie picked up a sheet of paper off the counter and fanned her face.

“Are your cheeks tingling again?” He opened the front door.

“Yes.”

“Good.” And on that note, Mason grinned and walked out the front door of Bloomers Boutique.


LOVE FINDS YOU IN HUMBLE TEXAS made me finally realize what it is I love so much about Anita Higman’s writing. Her books remind me of my two favorite Larry McMurtry novels, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT and THE EVENING STAR!

Perhaps it’s because all the books I’ve mentioned, including these two McMurtry novels are set in places very close to my heart. And after all, who wouldn’t adore walking the streets of Humble or Houston in another person’s skin and mind. Maybe I just love Higman and McMurtry’s strong female main characters and the self-made male characters who try to tame them. Hmm, interesting thought. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read and a very satisfying happily ever after.

Swine Flu Hits Porter, Texas!

But seriously folks, Swine Flu has really put a cramp in everyone’s style here in southeast Texas. I felt it safe to post my “piggy flu dog” pic since the pandemic scare seems to be over, for now at least.

I tell you though, things got pretty touchy around here for a while. When my eight year old son learned on the news that the pig-demic started in Mexico, he openly blamed everyone of Hispanic descent for his field trip cancellation.

My little boy isn’t the only one suffering because of overreaction to the pork product plague. I’ve had two different writer’s groups cancel events due to the pig bug, and my older two children had their school trip cancelled in honor of the Porky Pig virus too.

So what does the Bible say about over-reacting? Here’s a good one: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 Wow! It’s really true; God does know how to handle everything!

I’m relatively sure there is no Swine Flu Avenger coming to eradicate hog hay fever. There’s likewise as much chance the human race will unexpectedly give up worrying about things like soo-ey sickness. We can, however, listen to the One who holds our future in His hands and turn to Him when things like the boars head bug rears its ugly snout!

I Was Visited By A Demon!

If ever I’ve read a book I think will stay with me for days to come, it’s DEMON A MEMOIR. The author brilliantly weaves a mesmerizing tale of a man, lost in his own failed life and a demon (a fallen angel) intent on having his story published by that man.

Clay is an editor in Boston, trying to recover from a devastating divorce. The demon, Lucian, gives a beautiful account of the Biblical story from his own point of view. Lucian’s story begins at pre-creation and ends at the resurrection. The fantastic thing about hearing the story as the demon saw it unfold is how passionate he is to relate it to clueless Clay who thinks the Bible stories from his youth were just that—stories.

There are so many incredible aspects of this book that it’s hard to know which part to talk about. But one thing that struck me was when Clay asked the demon whether or not he was going to hell. One scene in particular has Lucian explaining the outcome of a works based life. Lucian says.

“If you insist on being judged by the merit of your works, El will honor that. I’ve seen it many times. But what I haven’t seen is anyone who measured up. Maybe you’ll be the first, hmm?”

Wow! Demon is a MUST read for sinner and saint alike. But you have to ask yourself, is it worth spending twelve, fifteen bucks for a book you’re going to finish in one maybe two days because you can’t put it down! Just kidding, Demon is well worth the money.

DEMON A MEMOIR is the first novel by Tosca Lee, a former Mrs. Nebraska and Smith College graduate. I briefly met Tosca at a book signing on my recent trip to Mount Hermon, CA. I asked her to autograph the book for my husband, Dan. She signed the book then told me, “Since the book is about a man who becomes obsessed with a demon, I wrote, Dan how does your story end?” Oooooh! This FIRST book was so very well written, (a Christy Award Nominee) I will surely buy Tosca’s second novel, “Havah, The Story of Eve.”

Buy Indie Day

Friday, May 1st has been declared “Buy Indie Day.” The idea is for everyone to find an independent bookstore in their area and buy a book. (Not a big box bookstore.) In these harsh economic times this simple act will help many independent bookstores to stay in business.

Here’s a link to an article about “Buy Indie Day” from the people at Indiebound.org. http://www.indiebound.org/articles/paige/buy-indie-day

Where will you shop for your “Buy Indie Day” book? I already have a place in mind; it’s called Ladybug Childrens Books and Homeschool Supply in Kingwood, Texas. I’ve never been in this shop, but found out it’s owned by an old friend from church. I found this website, so if you can’t make it out to her store, it looks like she has an awesome online collection to choose from. http://stores.homestead.com/LadybugChildrensBooks/StoreFront.bok

Here are a few suggestions for independent bookstores in the Houston area:
Brazos Bookstore http://www.brazosbookstore.com/
Murder By the Book http://www.murderbooks.com/
Out Of Print Bookstore http://www.outofprintbookstore.com/
Long-Lost Friends New/Used Books http://www.llfbooks.com/

Now get out there this Friday and buy some books! Happy reading everyone!

Bookstore Photo by Paul McRae: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmcd9/

It Is No Secret

In the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter twelve, verse one, Solomon says to “remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come….” He goes on to list some of those troubles.

“When the keepers of the house tremble, (hands) and the strong men stoop, (legs) when the grinders cease because they are few, (teeth) and those looking through the windows grow dim; (eyes) when the doors to the street are closed (ears) and the sound of grinding fades; (speech) when men rise up at the sound of birds, (sleeplessness) but all their songs grow faint; (hearing) when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; (old age phobias) when the almond tree blossoms (white hair) and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred (weakness). Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.” Ecclesiastes 12:3-5

I accompanied my parent’s Sunday school class to an assisted living home to perform for the residents. My amazing father and mother, who are quite possibly older than some of the residents, organized the entire event. Along with their classmates they sang some old songs; “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” “For Me And My Gal,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” and “It Is No Secret.”

The audience was comprised of mostly women and a few men, all in different stages of lucidity. I noticed a sign on the facility stating they were ‘memory care specialists.’ The locked doors to the outside world told me what that meant.

As I stood to the side waiting for my queue to go on “stage” I notice a woman sitting alone. She didn’t look at the performers or acknowledge my attempts to make eye contact with her. But when those old songs began playing I saw her lips start to move—she new every word. The music touched her. Our visit blessed someone.

Solomon goes on in that same chapter to encourage us to remember God even in our old age before it is too late. My precious parents are doing just that. They honor God by giving their time to better the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. Why do Mom and Dad do it? Because they want those forgotten in the nursing home to know these lyrics:

It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do.

Top Ten Things Overheard at 2009 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

10. A pitch is selling yourself and your ideas to someone you’ve never met in say, 30 to 45 seconds. No pressure—if you’re ready that is. Austin Boyd, Author, Speaker

9. Things to remember while at conference. Keep your hands open to God; maintain a teachable spirit; pace yourself, it’s a process. Mona Hodgson, Author

8. Three most important things to teens today. Friends, friends, friends. Robert Irvin, Acquisitions Editor, Standard Publishing

7. There is no one best way to write a novel. But to get published you need, content, craft and connections. Randal Ingermanson, Author, Mentor, Genius

6. To the postmodern generation, everything is gray, there is no black and white. Jesse Florea, Acquisitions Editor, Focus on the Family

5. Editor appointments at writer’s conferences are like speed dating. You must be prepared and confident. Tell me what the story is about. Don’t hand me your one-sheet and expect me to read it while you stare at the part in my hair. Know who your audience is and have questions ready to ask me. Sue Brower, Senior Acquisitions Editor, Zondervan

4. I’ll critique anything you bring me, fiction, nonfiction, zombie erotica. James Scott Bell, Author

3. Yes, the children’s market is slow right now, but did you know there are more children now than all the baby boomers put together. Those kids are going to read our books. Christine Tangvald, Author, Speaker

2. Love the idea of a dog rescue mystery…but it doesn’t really fit with what I’m doing. But it looks clever and fun! Keep at it! Shannon Marchese, Editor, WaterBrook Publishing

1. Thank You, God for writing the all time best seller. Anonymous, heard during prayer time

I Once Was a Star

Acting has always been a great love of mine. Probably the reason why I’ve lent much time to the writing of plays and skits. Last week I was pleased to hear the words, “Mama, I got a part in the school play!” Pure joy to my ears. Yes, the thought of making a peanut costume for my eight-year-old son excites me to no end.

What is it about the stage that draws me in like a moth to a flame? Is it the chance to become someone or something else? Is it the love for your character you feel from of the audience—or the hatred? Is it the opportunity to be the center of attention? Perhaps.

Yes, I was Frosty the Snowman in the first grade play. I was on top of the world as the seven year old goddess of the cafetorium stage. Imagine my disappointment when the following year I was relegated to chorus member; made to wear a felt skirt and Mickey Mouse ears. I don’t remember any plays after that. You can only make it to the ranks of Frosty once in a lifetime.

My daughter has adopted my flare for acting as well. She was, after all, chosen to play the starring role of Big Bertha Lee in her first grade play, “Three Nanny Goats Gruff.” And yes, her performance was positively stunning.

I’ve had some interesting roles in recent years. There was Nanna in “The Plane Truth About Christmas,” where I played a rapping grandma. That was fun. I performed another rap number in the children’s play starring Hans Bronson. I concocted my own version of Mini Pearl complete with a gingham dress and a price tag hanging from my hat. One of the most fun roles was playing the parts of Fibber McGee and Molly with my husband. He’s a great actor too.

So how do you relate something of God to the ignoble art of acting? Well, let’s see. The ability to act is surely a gift from the Almighty. Just as we have received gifts such as singing or public speaking, acting is equally a gift from God. And there are many actors in the Bible as well. Take a look at Abraham and Sarah, their brother/sister act was so convincing a king believed them. Well, I guess that was actually lying, not acting.

In closing, I don’t think acting is looked down on by God unless the performance is a promotion of evil or if the role causes you to do something Biblically incorrect. Therefore go thou and act…be a clown, or even Frosty the Snowman should the chance come along. Or in my son’s case, go nuts…be the peanut!