HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2012!!

It's the New Year! I didn't wake up with a headache...did you? Well, in any event, I know many of us, including moi, have setting goals for ourselves. Some are realistic and some are just plain fantasy. Just for fun, I decided to share 12 of my goals (along with the reality of them).

           1  Lose 50lbs.

         (Seriously, if I lose 10, I’ll be happy)

                2    Exercise.

           (Yeah, whatever…)

                3    Eat healthier

                  (I really have to!)

               4    Write 4 books this year

            (I’m not as fast as I used to be, that’s for sure!)

               5    Learn to use my Dragon voice-recognition software

                                                     (I’m not as fast as I used to be…yada, yada…)

6        Buy a road-worthy vehicle

          (I’m sad that my son is moving to upper Michigan and yet I’m happy for him, getting his new job 
          position as a pastor. Weather permitting, a lot of driving is in my husband and my future.)

7        Move South to avoid another Wisconsin winter

          (I say this every year!)

8        Convince my husband to drive me to the ACFW Conference in Dallas so I don’t have to fly
          the un-friendly skies.

          (Refer to #6)

9        Clean my office, organize, and simplify

          (I say this every other month!)

10    Sell some of my stuff on Craig’s List or Ebay.

        (Refer back to #9)

11    Hire a cleaning lady

        (Refer back to #9 and #10)

12    Earn a million dollars on my books so I can accomplish goals

        #1 thru #11 

         (Stop laughing!) 

OK, so now that I've shared my resolutions with you, tell me about your New Year’s goals.

Dabbling In the Dark Side

By Andrea Boeshaar

October is the month the Roses of Prose are focusing on the spooky, scary, and the supernatural. Regarding the latter, I think one of the most frightening things I ever read can be found in a book, titled Crying Wind by Crying Wind (yes, that’s her name). It’s the true story of a Native American (Kickapoo) girl’s journey from darkness into light during the mid-1960s and early 1970s. 

In it, Crying Wind describes an unforgettable time when she was about ten years old. She wrote: 

"I knew that there must be dark, shadowy things, bad things that Grandmother and my uncles talked about when I was supposed to be asleep, but I didn’t know what they were. Even though I was curious, I wasn't sure I really wanted to know everything that went on around the reservation."

Crying Wind goes on to say that a man came to the door one night. He'd been newly wed, but his wife died of pneumonia. So he had gone to the medicine man on the reservation and was told he could raise his wife from the dead if he did the following: 1) Took off his clothes and slathered his body with mud; 2) Waited for the full moon to rise; 3) Went to his wife's grave and covered it with a coyote skin.


The man did this and reported that in the third hour of his waiting, the ground began to shake and something ugly and horrible rose from out of his wife's grave "so terrifying that his mind couldn't grasp it." He knew it wasn't the spirit of his late wife and sensed the spirit was despicably evil. The man went screaming off into the night, the evil spirit right on his heels. He went from house to house, seeking help, but found no escape.


The story continues:


“What’s happening, Shima Sani (Grandmother)?” I whispered as I watched the man disappear.

“He shouldn't have done that,” she said quietly and shut and bolted the door.

*     *     *

Conjuring up spirits? Frightening stuff!

But, all right, I'll admit it. I'm a big honkin' chicken. I can't enjoy Christian thrillers and suspense novels by such authors as Frank Peretti or  Brandilyn Collins without feeling the hairs on my neck stand up and my limbs go numb from fright. I, personally, don't enjoy being scared out of my mind.

But the plain truth is the spirit world is alive and very real. Native Americans especially, I think, are aware of this fact. Crying Wind’s journey ended with her conversion to Christianity and her desire became to share God’s plan of salvation with others. She is featured on Indian Life Ministries web page.Click here to find out more.

This month when store aisles are lined with ghosts and ghouls and enough candy to make my blood sugar soar to the stars, my big honkin' chicken heart can take comfort in the words of my Savior. Christ said, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” (Luke 10:20 NASV) 


No, you won't find me, dabbling in the dark side.

What about you? Will October mark a harvest time or Halloween?

Joni Eareckson Tada: Encumbered, But Unlimited

I will admit that I am given over to complaint. I have fibromyalgia and some days I'm in so much pain that I just wander around the house muttering about it. I shouldn't whine: I have plenty of good days and much to be thankful for. Yet, sometimes it's difficult for me to move beyond how lousy I feel.

Then I think about Joni Eareckson Tada, an extraordinary woman who has encouraged millions of people worldwide.

In the late 1960s, Joni was paralyzed from the neck down in a diving accident. She was 17 years old at the time. When many people might have given up on their existence, Joni fought hard to maintain hers. Years ago I read her biography and was in awe of her endurance. (Remember, medical practices have come a long way in 40-plus years!) Joni's story was so compelling that books were written about her life and a movie was even made.

More than a decade later, Joni and her friends had answered so many letters from fans and other people who were either disabled themselves or had physically challenged loved ones, that a ministry was born called Joni and Friends. Millions have been touched by this ministry.


Limited edition artwork available for purchase.
Click here for details



But wait...there's more!

During her time in rehab, Joni learned to paint -- by holding the brush in her teeth! There are some days when I can't even hold my toothbrush between my teeth, let alone a paintbrush!!

However, Joni found a way to hone her artistic abilities, and her strong faith is evident in her incredible and beautiful artwork. Many of her paintings have been printed onto greeting cards, note cards,  Christmas cards, and framed artwork.

But the fact that, through her struggles and striving just to maintain everyday life, Joni thinks of others and reaches out to them -- that's amazing to me. Today, Joni and Friends has 13 different ministries which seek to help people learn how to better cope with their disabilities. These organizations also encourage the physically challenged and their loved ones to tap into their God-given gifts. We all have them. Everything is possible with God.

So tell me about your limitations -- or UNlimitations.

Her Lilac Blouse Matched the Color of Her Eyes --- MY FOOT!

By Andrea Boeshaar

Ah, the male mind. What woman can truly comprehend its complexity? As an author of romance, I certainly try – quite a feat.

For instance, I would once describe, in great length, a woman’s attire as she strode into a room and the handsome, alpha hero got his first glimpse of her. I wrote from the male POV (point of view) and I’ve since learned that he wouldn’t likely notice how her lilac-colored blouse complimented the hue of her violet-blue eyes.

Some men might, yes. But most men – particularly alpha heroes – would not.

To illustrate this point, I conducted my own personal survey. That’s right. I emailed my grown sons. I asked them if, the first time they saw their significant others, they noticed the outfits the young women wore (color of shirt, slacks/jeans, etc). My sons’ replies are as follows:

“Mom, are you kidding me?”

“Mom, is this for one of your books?”

After I replied that yes, it was, a second reply was not forthcoming.

“You don’t want to know what we noticed, Mom. We’re dudes, ok?”

Ok! So much for the lilac-colored blouse…

Of course, I recall what my sons’ girlfriends wore when I first met them. One gal was in Army fatigues as she and my son had just come from their 1 weekend a month duty. Another was casual, wearing jeans and a tee shirt. Another had on a cute jumper and had her hair all curled.

But, realize this: I was “the mom” checking them out – and I’m a writer who is trained to notice details.

The average guy is not.

Regardless,
I went ahead with my survey anyway and asked my husband.

“I noticed your smile,” he said.

At last! A more sensitive guy.

“And those cute, white painter’s pants you used to wear, remember?”

I did.

“But it was your smile I noticed first. Definitely your smile.”

My husband went on to add that he would never describe a lady’s blouse as “lilac.” To him it would be either blue or purple. And he probably wouldn’t even notice a woman’s attire at all, unless it was outrageous or, at least, out of the ordinary.

My survey now complete, I scanned my results and decided that when writing from the male hero’s point of view, it’s best not to overly describe women’s wear and their accessories. A man may very well notice a woman’s tight-fitting jeans or that her sweater looks two sizes too small. But he most likely wouldn’t be aware of colors or whether the sweater had a lovely lace inset around the neckline.

I’m sure you get my point. When we, as authors, have to create a hero and write from his POV, then we  have to step over the line and cross into the dark side – into the male mind!

SAVOR THE FLAVOR OF ROMANCE

Since we're celebrating Romance Awareness Month, I thought I'd write about one of my favorite topics: Romance novels. They are as varied and textured as the food we eat. Some are more wholesome while others contain a spiciness that may or may not agree with readers. Still others might be “too mushy” for some – and then there are those novels which are so addictive that, like potato chips, you can’t consume just one.

The inspirational historical romance, then, might be compared to a fruit smoothie that’s served in a lovely, long-stemmed glass. It’s refreshing and sweet, but sometimes tart too. It’s good for the body and soul, and very classy. There are no additives so sensitive readers can enjoy it. And it comes in many different flavors (a.k.a. time periods).

For instance my novel Unwilling Warrior (Realms/Charisma House) takes place during the Civil War. This part of history has often been romanticized in sagas such as Gone With The Wind and I have to admit to watching the movie at least twenty-five times. I’ve always been intrigued with the American South’s antebellum period. While I’m aware of the inaccuracies within the Hollywood adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel, I’m enthralled with the era all the same. The beautiful flared, silk gowns, the majestic plantation homes, and the gallantry of handsome beaus beneath towering oaks are the perfect ingredients for any sweet historical novel -- maybe even the chocolate-raspberry smoothie of them all! 

My latest novel, Undaunted Faith, takes place in the Arizona Territory. Gotta love that rugged Old West – even though I would never survived it. Sand, spiders, and snakes...OH, MY!! And the flavor...hot, spicy, and sure to get my GERD all worked up. Nevertheless, I loved the movie True Grit (the version with Glen Campbell is my favorite).

As for reading, one of my favorite stories is The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander -- an RWA RITA winner. I also enjoyed (and endorsed) Miralee Ferrell's latest book, Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming.  (Click on that book title and read my interview with Miralee!)

So what kind of romance novels do you like reading? Do you have a special "flavor" you enjoy the most?

A NEW ROSE OF PROSE

I feel privileged to be blogging with so many talented authors! And, since this is my first time blogging with Roses of Prose, I thought I’d introduce myself.

I’m Andrea Boeshaar, a mom who is proud of her three grown sons and a “grammy” of 4 precious grandchildren. Family is very important to me. I’m also a published author of fiction and nonfiction, a public speaker, and a certified Christian life coach. I am a firm believer that good decisions lead to happy endings. In a world filled with wounded hearts and broken lives, it's comforting to know there is hope -- and it's only a decision away.

You can find out more about me by logging onto my web site at: www.andreaboeshaar.com

I enjoy everything writerly – in fact, that’s the name of my personal blog: . Everything Writerly In it, I discuss the writing life, the publishing industry, my books, and I have guest interviews now and again, so be sure to follow me.

I’ve been writing since 1984 – that’s the year I received my first rejection letter. That made me a real writer! I kept trying and finally my first book was published in 1994. Since then, I’ve written about 25 novels.

My latest book is Undaunted Faith, was released by Realms/Charisma House in May of 2011. It’s the 4^th and final historical romance in my Seasons of Redemption series.

I think my favorite time period encompasses the Civil War years --Pre-Civil War times through the Reconstruction Era. My father was a Civil War enthusiast and his interest rubbed off on me. It's a wartime that's often romanticized, largely because of Gone With the Wind, However, it was a terrible, horrible war (and what war isn't?). Even so, the Civil War marked both an end of an era and new beginnings. To many Americans, it was an end to a way of life. To many more, the Civil War signified the start of true freedom in this country. So it's a very important time in US history!

My series, Seasons of Redemption, is set in this time in our Nation’s history. No shameless plugs intended. I’m just super excited about these Christian historical romance novels! So let me tell you about them.

The first book in my series is, Unwilling Warrior.
It’s 1862 and Valerie Fontaine must face her father’ rejection and escape New Orleans during the Civil War – or be arrested for treason!  

The second book is called, Uncertain Heart.

The year is 1866 and Sarah McCabe discovers true love during her summer as a governess in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. But will her employer, a bold and handsome veteran captain of the Civil War, stand in her way of happiness -- or be a part of it?

The third is titled, Unexpected Love.

In Chicago, Illinois, in 1866, Nurse Renna Fields must conquer her insecurities over an unsightly birthmark in order to love a man who needs it more than anything in the world! 

Finally, Undaunted Faith, book four:

It’s 1867 and school teacher, Bethany Stafford, travels to the Arizona Territory along with Jake and Luke McCabe. But there’s trouble brewing in the town of Silverstone and the last thing the McCabe brothers want is to get involved. Unfortunately, it’s too late!

All four books received 4-star reviews from Romantic Times and are available amazon.com.

You can also watch the exciting video trailer for Undaunted Faith, by clicking here.

So what’s ahead for me?

I’m currently writing book 2 in my new historical romance series, Fabric of Time. I finished up book 1, Threads of Hope, and it’s slated to be released in January of 2012. I’m extremely excited about this new series because it takes place in Wisconsin – the state in which I was born and raised. It’s been fun to do the research – and quite convenient too, I must say. In the next couple of weeks I need to visit the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. Has anyone been there recently?

Well, that’s all about me. I look forward to getting to know both the readers and writers of this fabulous blog!