The Storyteller | Mary Vee

I finished reading A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman yesterday and felt this book worthy of a spotlight. Before I tell you briefly what this story is about, I'd like to start with telling you what I liked about this book.   First, this story has a family charm ornamented with Irish traditions for celebrating holidays, laughter around the dinner table, tots stealing favored marbles from older brothers bedrooms, sisters who compete for the same boyfriend, and a mother who not only holds the family together but is truly in love with her husband. Second, I Corinthians 13 aspects are beautifully infused in the storyline. From the first sisterly conflict, to the day father and brother go off to war, the truth of what love really is glows through the pages. Third, Without preaching, the Gospel is melted into the scenes with great clarity.  Fourth, Read this book with a box of tissues and boxing gloves. You'll definitely need both. A Passion Most Pure by Julie Less...

Don't you love the traditions that bring friends and family together? Sure, there may be a spat or two during the event, but the take home is a warm, fuzzy feeling. Our Frankenmuth Tradition. Photo By Mary Vee  At first, I thought this pre Christmas season primarily roused the family event planners need to get everyone together. However, with each word of this post, I realized the entire year pokes our attention to congregate. No matter how much we dream of having five precious minutes to ourselves, deep down we crave the crazy get togethers. God made us that way.  Let's talk about the traditions starting with October, since we have a few days left of this month for this year. Bronners Christmas Store, Frankenmuth, MI Photo by Mary Vee October : Our family takes an annual trek to Frankenmuth. It is a German town located in Michigan and is the home of the largest Christmas store in the world (or so they say). Between small children and pets knocking down Chr...

Today I welcome author  Suzanne Hartmann, a kind and exciting friend who is fun and one who likes to see a bargain.  Enter to win Suzanne's  book,  Peril Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter.  See how, below. Writing By the Grace of God The title of my article may seem trite or cliché, but in the case of my writing, I can honestly say that without the grace of God, I would not be an author at all, much less published.  Until God got my attention, writing simply was not my agenda. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t even on my radar at all. That’s not to say that I didn’t create stories. When my children were younger, I occupied myself during their sports practices and music lessons by thinking up characters and scenes. These eventually became the basis for my first novel, Peril: Fast Track Thriller #1. At the time, however, the idea of writing the book never entered my mind.  One day, w...

My son has an apartment. He moved out several years ago.  Like most sons, he grew to be taller than his mom and likes to have fun with that.  He also has a contagious laugh. Seriously, he could get anyone to laugh.  What is his inspiration? None other than his favorite comic book collection. He gave me permission to share this small representation: Dear Calvin and Hobbs,  You did what we thought and often still think. Too bad, we can't get away with the things you do. Dear Pearls Before Swine,  You remain my son's favorite. Why?  Dear Dilbert, You captured the true nature of my office setting more than you'll ever know!  Dear Fox Trot, You tell the secrets of the American family. Why is it funny when it happens to you ? Friend, What makes you giggle? Do you have a favorite comic series? Perhaps a comedy team like Three Stooges? Take a memory trip to your favorite one and enjoy a laugh today...

There are times when sad events turn out to be phenomenal testimonies. Last week I wrote about the burning of the church I grew up in.  This weekend I had the opportunity to visit the site. My teen daughter went with me.  We pulled into the parking lot and were saddened to still smell the smoke, now one week later.  She took my camera and captured a few photos for me.  When we walked to the door to what we called the old church, she looked up and smiled. "Mom. Up there. See? The fire didn't touch the light!" Her observation took my breath away. At that very moment I knew what needed to be shared today. Despite the fires ...the Light remains . We walked around to the front of the church and took a picture of the sign. Yet another testimony.   Building Gone Not Church Service 11 am God is faithful, loving, and kind. He promises to take care of us all the days of our lives. Thank you Go...

Today I welcome  Myra Johnson, faithful to the calling of Jesus Christ. She is one of the "gang" from  Seekerville , an award winning writer's blogsite.  Enter to win Myra's  recent 2013 release, When the Clouds Roll By Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter. International readers can enter!! See how, below. I have been blessed to sit and chat with the Seekerville gals at several ACFW after-session get togethers. What a warm group. Their goal is to help writers on their journey. They've walked the steps where I am and freely share words of help and encouragement.  I've had several Seekerville gals as guests here on Let's Talk. This weekend, I simply had to invite Myra because she has a fantastic new release: When the Clouds Roll By. I asked Myra to tell us how God led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said: When God Gives You a Dream Mary, I’m so honored to be your blog guest tod...

Photo by Mary Vee In my last manuscript, Who Invited Hank , the hero and main character encountered several problems with no immediate solution. After years of squabbling, two families successfully built a wall between a once treasured relationship. The main character's family moved east and the hero's family stayed in the west.  Grounded in clouded thinking, both families learned to bury the beloved friendship once binding two best friends from long ago. God sees us doing silly things like this all the time.  We stop going to a certain church because someone offends us.  We change banks, grocery stores, stand in a different line to avoid a cashier, move to a new city, and stop speaking to the neighbor because . . . sometimes we don't know why. Our thoughts become clouded. We misunderstand. We do the things we don't want to do and  leave undone that which we should do.  Photo of the same scene as the above but later in the day. by Mary V...