THE EMPTY STOCKING



Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking:

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, the sound of bells, and with gifts—but especially with gifts. You give me a book; I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer. Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. Oh, we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled.

All, that is, except one.

And we have even forgotten to hang it up. It’s the stocking for the Child born in a manger. It’s His birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most, and then let each put in his share: loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth.

David Niven, The Bishop’s Wife, 1947

"The River" Book Review

“The River” began with a sweet father-son scene, then pulled me into with the story of Gabriel and the tragic loss of his father.

 

The thread of the story flowed like a river, moving the characters along, churning with rapids, then streaming from shallow, light moods to deep emotions. The frequent point-of-view shifts pulled me out of the story from time to time, but I kept going back to see how little Gabriel was managing. Author Michael Neale made me care about the characters and their struggles.

 

I guessed the plot twist before the end, but it didn’t dampen my interest in the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Sale Event 11-10-12




L-R: Janet Rockey, Sheryl Young, Kim Moore, Kat Hechenback

How to Spend a beautiful Autumn Saturday in Lutz: 

1. Arise early
2. Pack up books to sell
3. Get South Tampa Passport Stamped at Kennedy Blvd.*
4. Drive north on I-275
5. Meet 3 other writers at Organic Life Shopping Center on Oak Grove Blvd. in Lutz
6. Drink coffee
7. Set up table under provided tent
8. Cover table with fringed tablecloth
9. Set up display with the following books:

• Heavenly Humor for the Cat Lover's Soul
• Heavenly Humor for the Mother's Soul
• Heavenly Humor for the Dieter's Soul
• Women of the Secret Place
• Chicken Soup for the Soul: I Can't Believe My Cat Did that

10.  Wait for customers
11.  Sell books
12.  Buy books from other writing friends
13.  Buy cat earrings from vendor in next tent
14.  Pack up table & unsold books at 5:00 p.m.
15.  Hug 3 other writing friends goodbye
16.  Drive south on I-275
17.  Have South Tampa Passport stamped at Kennedy Blvd.*
18.  Fall in recliner and take a nap

*The "passport" is a local joke about us SOKS (South Of Kennedy Snobs) who hate to go north of Kennedy Blvd. for ANY reason.

Having way too much fun on 11/10/12. This is supposed to be work!

Coming up in my next post: Book Review on "The River" by Michael Neale (Thomas Nelson Publishing).

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Cats!

I don't know where Chicken Soup gets their cover art, but the look on this cat's face says it all. "Did I do that?!"

Another writing success story to report. I thought we were limited to submitting only one story per book. When I couldn't decide which story to submit, "Taming My Ogre" or "Mewsic Critic," I took a chance they would like one of the stories. What a wonderful surprise to learn they liked BOTH stories!

One of my Word Weavers buddies, Sammie Callahan, submitted her story, "Lonely Leo" (her original title was "Lonesome Leo." We don't know why they changed it). Adding more joy to being published is sharing the book with other talented writers, especially when we've helped critique each other's work!
So get your copy today to learn how my kitties turned Tom Rockey into a cat-loving man in "Taming My Ogre." And you'll discover a secret about my past in "Mewsic Critic." You'll share in Leo's angst as he makes an amazing trek in search of his loving pet human, Sammie, in "Lonely Leo."

I have a few copies available if you want to avoid shipping charges.

Mark Twain once said, "If man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve man, but deteriorate the cat."

Marriage is like Christ and the Church

Marriage is Like Christ and the Church

The Professional Women’s Bible Study I attend every Friday morning is presently studying the book of Ephesians. Our fearless leader, Marsha Rydberg, has led us through the first five chapters, using her extensive library of Biblical history books to explain the culture of Biblical times. Last week, Marsha was absent due to her work schedule, so we opted to watch a DVD of one of Ray Vanderlaan’s tours of Israel. Ray showed us a different view of Moses’ mountain-top experience with God on Mt. Sinai. He explained that God performed a marriage ceremony with His people on that mountain in Exodus 19. He loved them as a groom should love his bride. And He wanted His people to love and rely upon Him as a bride loves and relies upon her husband.

As God’s timing is perfect, we reached the end of the fifth chapter of Ephesians:

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. - Ephesians 5:22-24

As Marsha went into great detail of the culture of that time, I piped up and reminded the ladies of the DVD we had watched last week. God, through Paul, is giving us a sneak preview of the marriage we will share with Him in eternity. The first sentence of verse 22 ends with “as to the Lord.” It was a perfect segue to what Marsha had to say next. The statement, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands,” was not a revolutionary statement in those days, but to submit to their husbands out of love was. I once groaned at these “submit” verses, believing the lie our feminist culture has shoved down our throats. But now realize we have been in rebellion against God since the third chapter of Genesis. To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth (literally means and your pregnancy, conception), In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 The term “desire” in this verse does not indicate a sexual yearning, but the need to dominate. Eve succumbed to Satan’s defiant nature, and God had to put her in a different place in the human relationship. So as we women groan at the thought of submitting to our husbands, we are perpetuating Eve’s defiance against God. If we can give up this rebellion and trust God, even to the point of submitting to our husbands, then we will find the joy He wants us to have. And in the very next verse, Paul admonishes the men: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” Ephesians 5:25 As wives, we get the better end of the deal. All we have to do is show a little respect to our husbands, but our husbands must be willing to die for us. “…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” - Ephesians 5:20-21 Let us joyfully submit to one another, and to our husbands, and, most importantly, to the LORD.

Mark Mynheir Writing Workshop

Mark Mynheir

First a Marine, then a Detective, now an Author of intriguing crime novels

Mark will teach an exciting all-day workshop on writing. He will cover Point of View, Character Development, Editing and other helpful topics. $40.00/person includes a light lunch.

Sponsored by the Christian Writers Guild Word Weavers of Tampa.

RSVP to Sharron Cosby (813) 690-3021 by 7/27/12.

Writers of all levels will benefit from Mark's teaching. Visit his website (www.copwriter.com) to learn more about him and view his many titles.

I first met Mark Mynheir at a Florida Christian Writers Conference when I was a "front-loading head-hopper." With his help, my work-in-progress grew from a sappy, ooey-gooey love story that I wouldn't even read to a romantic suspense novel, now in the capable hands of my agent Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency. (You don't get an agent if you don't know how to write!)

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity on August 4th!! You will learn what others have paid hundreds of dollars to learn at conferences, and it will only cost you $40.00.

See you there!!

Review of Thorn in My Heart

My sister gave me this novel a couple of years ago. I finally found the time to pick it up and now I must say to my sister, "THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" This story begins with a strong resemblance to Jacob & Esau of the Bible. I wondered how Liz Curtis Higgs would handle the main character having two wives in 18th century Scotland. But she's a clever and gifted writer who brought a new twist to this ancient story of sisterly rivalry. She used period-correct language and Scottish phrases so well I understood the meaning of them, even though I'm not fluent in the language...modern or ancient. The mark of a good book for me is when I get close to the end and pace myself. I begin to read fewer pages than normal. Thus was the case with "Thorn in My Heart." I didn't want to finish the book because I wasn't ready to leave Scottland and the characters. A quick recap of the story: Jamie stole his brother's inheritance, at the urging of his mother Rowena, and had to flee for his life. He traveled, under harsh conditions, to his Uncle Lachlan's home across the country. Harsh conditions included sleeping on a grave, being robbed of his boots by gypsies, and waking in the forest after an attack to find his horse and belongings stolen. His uncle has two daughters, Rose and Leanna. Jamie loves Rose. Leanna loves Jamie. And Uncle Lachlan loves a nephew who will work for free to gain his daughter. Liz Curtis Higgs has my attention now. She states this is her first historical novel. Great job!! I'll be looking for more books by her.

I had breakfast at Pach’s Place with Jack McGowan this weekend.
He was most gracious during our interview, one of many reasons I chose him to be the male lead of “Obedient Heart.”
M: = Me (Janet)

J: = Jack

M: – Hi Jack…oh, I guess we don’t say that in your line of work, do we?

J: – {laughs} Not a good idea. The FAA has no sense of humor.
M: – I’ll begin again. Thank you for meeting with me today, Jack.

J: – Anything I can do to get our novel published.

M: – I appreciate that, as do the other characters who want to meet the public. Let’s begin with your family. J: – Okay. I was born a poor black child in Mississippi. {chuckles} Sorry. I’m a big fan of Steve Martin. I love that movie.

M: {looking at my notes} I don’t find that in your profile.
J: – {winks} I held back some details.

M: – What do you mean you held back details? I created you.

J: – No. God created me. In your imagination, it’s true, but still I am His creation for the purpose of this novel.

M: – I’ll concede your point on that.

J: – Okay. I was born and raised in Tampa, graduated from Plant High School, joined the Air Force because I wanted to—

M: – Slow down, my impetuous friend. Didn’t you graduate from college first?
J: – Yes, but I wanted to avoid the college question. If I graduated from UF, you’ll lose Seminole readers. If I graduated from Florida State, you’ll lose ’gator readers. Let’s just say I have a bachelor’s degree and let it go at that.

M: – You are very wise. Sorry for the interruption. Please continue. Why did you join the Air Force?

J: – Because my older brother, Jimmy, went in. We were typical competitive siblings, but he was my best friend, too. And I wanted to learn to fly.
M: – Were the two of you ever stationed at the same base?
J: – No. I hadn’t planned on that part. He got married, too, and had a family. And I met a great friend, Roger, who resurfaces in the story.
M: – And what about you? Did you want to marry and have a family?
J: – Yes. {brooding frown} It didn’t work out.
M: – I’m sorry.
J: – Betrayal of that magnitude is hard to overcome. It took meeting Jennifer to learn all women aren’t like my ex-fiancée. Then I got custody of Jimmy’s children when he and his wife died.
M: – Wow. One tragedy after another. But you have a bit of your brother with his children.
J: – Yes. I see Jimmy in his son, and their daughter looks so much like my sister-in-law.
M: – So, you’ve been like a “Bachelor Father.”
J: – That’s your generation, Janet; way before my time. Maybe there’s a website for your readers to check out that old TV program.
M: – Sure. Here it is: http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/bachelor-father.htm Great. {smack on forehead} Now I just told the world how old I am.
J: – You don’t look your age.
M: – Thank you. So, after the Air Force, you became a pilot for Panorama International Airlines.

J: – Yes. After transporting equipment to military bases all over the world, I now transport people to glamorous destinations like London, Paris, and, my personal favorite, Chicago.

M: – Who takes care of the children when you’re on your flights?
J: – My parents. Sometimes they stay at my home in Palma Ceia, and other times they take the kids to their home in Carrollwood. By the way, the children are both teenagers now. Almost grown.
M: – Explain those locations for the audience not familiar with Tampa, please.
J: – Sure. Old Carrollwood is a neighborhood on Lake Carroll in north Tampa.
M: – And Palma Ceia?

J: – That’s a plotted neighborhood in south Tampa known for its eclectic collection of old bungalows and new mini-mansions. It isn’t as prestigious as Hyde Park, but still an impressive zip code. {grins} And we who live south of Kennedy Boulevard are called SOKS, which stands for South of Kennedy Snobs.

M: – I’m a SOKS, too.

J: – Well, duh, Janet. That’s one of the interesting aspects of the novel. Almost everything takes place in south Tampa.

M: – {winks} I wanted to let you bring that up.

J: – Oh. Okay. So, now Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency is pitching our novel for us. What can I do to help?

M: – Remember when I had writer’s block, and you came into my dream?

J: – Oh, yeah. You left us all in suspense with those scary guys plotting something terrible against Jennifer. So, I came into your dream and asked you if you were ever going to finish the novel. Would I rescue Jennifer, or would it be that nosy FBI agent, Daniel Hearty?

M: – Well…

J: – Aha, you want me to go into an acquisition editor’s dream and demand he or she publish “Obedient Heart” for you?

M: – Demand is such a strong word. How about ASKING him or her to take a chance on an unknown?

J: – You got it. {strokes his chin} Hey, post a picture of the actor you think I look like so my victim will recognize me when I pop in for a visit.

M: – Okay. Here's a photo of Tom Berenger. Wow. Jack. You're gorgeous! Wait...did you say Victim?

J: – {wicked laugh} I mean, dream host, of course. I promise I won't make any threats, like, "I'll haunt you until the day you die if you don't publish this great novel!" I'll just remind them of all the publishers who are kicking themselves for rejecting "Harry Potter." 

M: – Thanks, Jack. I love your sense of humor.

J: – Any time. Come see us. We get lonely sitting in your computer.

Interview with Jennifer Ryaan of "Obedient Heart"

I’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ryaan, the main character in the award-winning, yet-to-be-published novel, “Obedient Heart.” Since Jennifer and I have the same initials (a psychological anomaly?), I will differentiate our comments with “Q” for me and “A” for Jennifer.
Q: Thank you for joining us, Jennifer.
A: It’s my pleasure, Janet.
Q: First, I’d like to give the prospective readers of “Obedient Heart” a little background information. Tell us where you’ve lived.
A: I grew up in Clearwater, Florida with my parents, Dr. Charles and Celia Bohannan, and my older brother Thaddeus, who goes by Ted. I moved to South Tampa when I attended University of Tampa. After living on campus for two years, I found a small apartment to rent in the Hyde Park district.
Q: Why didn’t you move back to Clearwater after you graduated?
A: My mother passed away when I was still in college. It was too painful to go back to the place where she died. My father sold his surgical practice four years after Mom died and now serves on the Mercy Ship. And my brother Ted moved to south Tampa for a new job, and to be near his baby sister.
Q: What was your major course of study? And where do you work?
A: Marketing. I interned for Sean Turney, and he hired me right after I graduated. He and his wife, Cathy, have been wonderful friends all these years.
Q: You’re listed as a widow in Obedient Heart. Do you mind telling us about your late husband?
A: Not at all. Sean’s friend, Patrick Ryaan was a lieutenant in the Air Force. He came into the office one day. Of course, I was smitten by his sweet smile and Irish accent. I asked Sean if he’d discreetly find out if Patrick was seeing anyone. He asked Patrick, “Jennifer wants to know if you’re single.” {laughs} I could’ve strangled Sean!
Q: It must’ve made a good impression in spite of Sean’s lack of diplomacy.
A: It did. {grins} We married after a six-month courtship. {eyes lowered} He was deployed to the Middle East a year later. Patrick was killed in a terrorist attack.
Q: I’m so sorry.
A: I was in my trimester of pregnancy when I got the news. I lost the baby.
Q: How tragic. That must’ve been a terrible time for you.
A: Yes, it was. I confess I turned to nipping brandy to numb the pain of losing my mother, my husband, and my unborn child. Dad came home briefly, but he couldn’t break his commitment to the Mercy Ship and had to go back to Spain. Even with Ted nearby, I spiraled into depression.
Q: I’m so sorry. You’ve suffered so much loss.
A: God knows our pain. He brought a wonderful couple into my life. Maggie Parragon and her husband helped me out of my depression and away from the brandy by reminding me of the strength in the love of Jesus Christ. I joined their church and invited Ted to join, too. He and Donald Gregory became friends immediately.
Q: Donald is the friend who went with him on the mission trip?
A: Yes. The church sent twenty members on a mission trip to Guatemala. All returned except the two of them.
Q: That must’ve been difficult to bear.
A: Donald’s wife, Lorraine, our pastor and his wife, and I all went to Guatemala to find out what happened. We searched for any little clue. We learned from local villagers Ted and Donald left the others to get supplies and vanished into the rain forest.
Q: So you found no other clue to their disappearance?
A: I received several letters from different people claiming to have information about Ted’s whereabouts. But they all led to a dead end.
Q: Ted and Donald have been missing two years when the story opens. You just received another letter, and Sean and Cathy have arranged a blind date for you with their pilot friend Jack McGowan.
A: Yes. {chuckles} Their timing stinks. And these two scary guys cruised past my house in a dirty, rusted white van just when Sean and Cathy arrived to pick me up.
Q: And then the fun begins!
A: {laughs} That’s right. And that’s all I’m going to say about the story. The readers will have to get the book to find out who the two scary guys are, can a worldly airline pilot and a Christian widow find love, and does my brother come home?
Q: Thanks for your discretion, Jennifer.
A: Hey, next time can we talk about the first draft of the book where you had me sitting with my hands folded in my lap, a perfect little lady, and you ended each chapter with me smiling sweetly? Oh, and I can’t wait to tell about your affliction of being a front-loading head-hopper. {laughs out loud} Um, Janet. Why are you frowning?
Q: Okay. You got me. But at least I had the font right.

Interview with Jennifer Ryaan

I’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ryaan, the main character in the award-winning, yet-to-be-published novel, “Obedient Heart.” Since Jennifer and I have the same initials (a psychological anomaly?), I will differentiate our comments with “Q” for me and “A” for Jennifer.

Q: Thank you for joining us, Jennifer.

A: It’s my pleasure, Janet.

Q: First, I’d like to give the prospective readers of “Obedient Heart” a little background information. Tell us where you’ve lived.

A: I grew up in Clearwater, Florida with my parents, Dr. Charles and Celia Bohannan, and my older brother Thaddeus, who goes by Ted. I moved to South Tampa when I attended University of Tampa. After living on campus for two years, I found a small apartment to rent in the Hyde Park district.

Q: Why didn’t you move back to Clearwater after you graduated?

A: My mother passed away when I was still in college. It was too painful to go back to the place where she died. My father sold his surgical practice four years after Mom died and now serves on the Mercy Ship. And my brother Ted moved to south Tampa for a new job, and to be near his baby sister.

Q: What was your major course of study? And where do you work?

A: Marketing. I interned for Sean Turney, and he hired me right after I graduated. He and his wife, Cathy, have been wonderful friends all these years.

Q: You’re listed as a widow in Obedient Heart. Do you mind telling us about your late husband?

A: Not at all. Sean’s friend, Patrick Ryaan was a lieutenant in the Air Force. He came into the office one day. Of course, I was smitten by his sweet smile and Irish accent. I asked Sean if he’d discreetly find out if Patrick was seeing anyone. He asked Patrick, “Jennifer wants to know if you’re single.” {laughs} I could’ve strangled Sean!

Q: It must’ve made a good impression in spite of Sean’s lack of diplomacy.

A: It did. {grins} We married after a six-month courtship. {eyes lowered} He was deployed to the Middle East a year later. Patrick was killed in a terrorist attack.

Q: I’m so sorry.

A: I was in my trimester of pregnancy when I got the news. I lost the baby.

Q: How tragic. That must’ve been a terrible time for you.

A: Yes, it was. I confess I turned to nipping brandy to numb the pain of losing my mother, my husband, and my unborn child. Dad came home briefly, but he couldn’t break his commitment to the Mercy Ship and had to go back to Spain. Even with Ted nearby, I spiraled into depression.

Q: I’m so sorry. You’ve suffered so much loss.

A: God knows our pain. He brought a wonderful couple into my life. Maggie Parragon and her husband helped me out of my depression and away from the brandy by reminding me of the strength in the love of Jesus Christ. I joined their church and invited Ted to join, too. He and Donald Gregory became friends immediately.

Q: Donald is the friend who went with him on the mission trip?

A: Yes. The church sent twenty members on a mission trip to Guatemala. All returned except the two of them.

Q: That must’ve been difficult to bear.

A: Donald’s wife, Lorraine, our pastor and his wife, and I all went to Guatemala to find out what happened. We searched for any little clue. We learned from local villagers Ted and Donald left the others to get supplies and vanished into the rain forest.

Q: So you found no other clue to their disappearance?

A: I received several letters from different people claiming to have information about Ted’s whereabouts. But they all led to a dead end.

Q: Ted and Donald have been missing two years when the story opens. You just received another letter, and Sean & Cathy have arranged a blind date for you with their pilot friend Jack McGowan.

A: Yes. {chuckles} Their timing stinks. And these two scary guys cruised past my house in a dirty, rusted white van just when Sean and Cathy arrived to pick me up.

Q: And then the fun begins!

A: {laughs} That’s right. And that’s all I’m going to say about the story. The readers will have to get the book to find out who the two scary guys are, can a worldly airline pilot and a Christian widow find love, and does my brother comes home?

Q: Thanks for your discretion, Jennifer.

A: Hey, next time can we talk about the first draft of the book where you had me sitting with my hands folded in my lap, a perfect little lady, and you ended each chapter with me smiling sweetly? Oh, and I can’t wait to tell about your affliction of being a front-loading head-hopper. {laughs out loud} Um, Janet. Why are you frowning?

Q: Okay. You got me. But at least I had the font right.

The Widows Journey - Finding Hope When You're a Widow

The Widows Journey - Finding Hope When You're a Widow I wanted to share this blog from Gayle Roper, who was my first writing instructor at the Florida Christian Writers Conference many years ago. (2005?) After losing her husband, she chose to channel her grief into helping others who experience this sort of loss. Thank you, Gayle, for having a heart for the Lord and following His lead. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4