Are Blogs Worth It?

For an author, two of the main purposes for a blog are to interact with readers, and spread the word about your books. As anyone who's visited my blog knows, I don't post very often. I just don't have time. But I try to do it once every few weeks or so, with updates from my author friends interspersed (is that still a word?).

My questions are these: Do you like blogs? What do you or don't you like about them? Do you like this blog? If not, why not? If so, why? What would you like to see more of on this blog? You can post here with your comments, or email me via the web site.

Thanks for your time.

Creston

P.S. If you're near the Atlanta area Saturday, May 17, stop out at the LifeWay Mall of Georgia store between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and say hello! It's LifeWay's big National Fiction Day and I'll be doing a meet/greet signing out there. Hope to see ya. cm

Library News from Author Angela Hunt

I have interacted with Angie Hunt on several occasions. Spent a little time with her at a writers' retreat, and have sought her input via email a number of times. The thing I can say about Angie is, she always seems to be doing things for other people--giving herself away. She is an enormous help to new writers and colleagues. She has a great sense of humor. And she seems to love God in a very real way. Her new Tyndale novel is called She Always Wore Red. Here's the lowdown:

Jennifer Graham—mother, student, and embalmer’s apprentice—could use a friend. She finds one in McLane Larson, a newcomer to Mt. Dora. While McLane’s soldier-husband serves overseas, Jen promises to support McLane, then learns that her tie to this woman goes far deeper than friendship. When a difference of opinion threatens their relationship, Jennifer discovers weaknesses in her own character . . . and a faith far stronger than she had imagined.

To go to Angie's web site, click here.

Libary News from Author Elizabeth White

My good friend, Beth White, has a brand new book out that I would like to let her tell you about. Beth and her husband were so kind recently when they put up myself and author pals Cindy Woodsmall and Amy Wallace for a night at their home in Mobile. We were in town for a booksigning and Beth had kind of a small party at her home. We were so blessed by her hospitality. She's a great writer. Her new book is Controlling Interest. Here's Beth's insight on the book:

Matt Hogan's Memphis detective agency has been on the skids since a recent attack of conscience cost him an important case. When a wealthy investor steps in and saves River City Investigations, Matt thinks all his prayers have been answered-until he finds out that with the investor comes a new partner.

Fresh out of criminal justice school and a two-year stint in the Tunica County Sheriff's Department, Natalie Tubberville is out to prove she can cut it in the world of private investigations. But her reluctant partner is just as determined to have nothing to do with her--until Natalie makes him an offer he can't refuse! If Matt solves the next case before she does, she will return her share of the company.

And the race is on. As two strong personalities compete, mutual attraction grows…while a simple case of a runaway bride threatens to become an international incident. Will Matt and Natalie call off the competition-or discover an entirely new arrangement?

If you're interested, click here to visit Beth's web site!

Long Overdue Ramblings

Hey everyone...sorry it's taken me so long to do a post where we get caught up on things. We had an incredible Spring Break over at Amelia Island, FL (Fernandina Beach). The waves were outrageous and all of us did the Boogie-Boarding, Body-Surfing thing. Sunburn...a little bit. But well worth it! I made the unwise decision to use lotion on the kids' faces, rather than use the sun-stick my wife recommended. Bad move. The lotion was in their eyes before they hit the water.

We are extremely busy with activities that go along with a family of six, including coaching little league baseball for the North Metro Yellow Jackets, ballet, several different ministries at church, and all the running around that goes with getting a senior ready to graduate from high school. Sigh.

I've been reading a lot lately, including books by CJ Mahoney, Max Lucado, George Mueller, Anita Shreve, and John Grisham. Speaking of books, have you read any novels by Francine Rivers lately? Emotional. Suspenseful. Spirit-filled, they are.

Did a book talk and signing at Ebenezer Baptist Church up in Toccoa, GA, the other night. Amazing. It was their first book club meeting and they pre-sold almost 50 of my new book, NOBODY. We had a blast. Talked candidly. Signed some books. And turned them on to DARK STAR and FULL TILT. Books by Beth White and Francine Rivers will follow. That club is off to a rousing start and I am sure it will do well. Book clubs like that are a great way to reach out to neighbors and friends.

My agent is shopping a fourth novel, which is being seriously considered by several publishers. Meanwhile, I'm doing my freelance writing for various corporations, colleges, magazines, etc.

Making a day trip to Blowing Rock, NC, very soon.

Has anyone read any really, truly outstanding books lately, or seen any incredible movies? I don't mean just "okay," I mean extraordinary? Let us know the titles.

That's it for now. If you're in the Fayetteville, GA, area, come out and say hi at Fayette County Public Library on May 3, 1-3 p.m. Or up in Buford, GA, I'll be at Lifeway Mall of GA Sat., May 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate National Fiction Day.

Ciao,

cm

Library News from Author Robin Lee Hatcher

My friend Robin Lee Hatcher, a very well known name in the Christian fiction arena, has a new novel out. It's called The Perfect Life. Here's a blurb about the book: Katherine Clarkson has the perfect life. Married to Brad, a loving and handsome man, respected in their church and the community. Two grown daughters on the verge of starting families of their own. A thriving ministry. Good friends. A comfortable life.

She has it all—until the day a reporter appears with shocking allegations. Splashed across the local news are accusations of Brad's financial impropriety at his foundation and worse, of an affair with a former employee. Without warning, Katherine's marriage is shattered and her family torn apart. The reassuring words she's spoken to many brokenhearted women over the years offer little comfort now.

Her world spinning, Katherine wonders if she can find the truth in the chaos that consumes her. How can she survive the loss of the perfect life?

Publisher's Weekly says: "Hatcher is a dab hand with dialogue, which is one reason her characters are so well drawn: readers will feel empathy with all members of the family. Hatcher also gets kudos for creating, in Katherine's best friend, a sympathetic non-Christian character, something all too rare in faith fiction. This will be a surefire hit with Hatcher's many fans."

Sounds like a winner to me. Robin, I'd like to get a copy of this one! To go to Robin's web site, click here.

Library News From Author Deborah Raney

Leaving November is the second novel in the Clayburn Novels series from Howard/Simon & Schuster, written by my friend Deborah Raney. Deb is working on her 17th novel right now, and I can assure you, her fiction is good to the last page. Here's a little bit more to whet your appetite for Leaving November...

Daughter of the town drunk, Vienne Kenney has escaped Clayburn for law school in California. But after failing the bar exam—twice—she’s back home with her tail between her legs, managing Latte-dah, the Clayburn café turned upscale coffee shop. Jackson Linder runs the art gallery across the street and Vienne has had her eye on him since she was a skinny seventh grader and he was the hunky high school lifeguard who didn’t know she existed. Now it’s his turn to fall for her and suddenly Clayburn seems like a pretty nice place to be...until Vienne discovers that Jack is fresh out of rehab and still struggling with the same addiction that ultimately killed her father.

For more on this book, Deb, and her other novels, click here.

Are You Out There?

My publisher forwarded me a letter yesterday from a high school senior somewhere in the Philadelphia area. It was a heartfelt 2.5 page handwritten letter, written in December. The problem is, most of the return address portion of the envelope was ripped away and missing. All that's left is the zip code: 19020. This is in the Bensalem area.

I'm hoping whoever wrote that letter may read this blog. If so, please email me or write again with your return address, because I have no way of contacting you unless you do so. So sorry about that. I hate for readers to contact me and not get a response.

In other news, my 84-year-old mom continues to progress well after total hip replacement surgery. My sister is in from Belgium. And the healing process is underway.

Thanks for all the prayers and concern, CM