The Storyteller | Mary Vee

As a member of Nike Chillemi's critique group, I had a sneak peek into her book, Harmful Intent released May 2014. Nike shared her research, teaching us crime investigation tips. This is not Nike's first crime solving book. She has become quite the expert in crafting intriguing mystery novels. Poor Veronica “Ronnie” Ingels. Stuck working a nasty private investigator beat in Brooklyn and returns home to discover her husband has been cheating on her. To make matters worse, she can’t take out her anger against him because he was found murdered half way across the United States. Ronnie’s troubles don’t end there. When she arrives in Texas to investigate her husband’s murder, she becomes the deputy’s number one suspect. In time, the deputy's investigation reveals this out-of-state, city, female private investigator may be innocent. Unfortunately, she may be in danger of being fitted for her own coffin.    You’ll enjoy Harmful Intent by...

Photo Courtesy Yesterday was Mother's Day. Yeah, I know you knew that. So, what did you give your mom? Whether she is still alive or has gone on to glory, there is still an absolute best gift you could give her. Each member of my family came to me separately, trying to get me to tell them an idea for the perfect Mother's Day gift. In all truthfulness, I didn't need anything. I really didn't want them spending their hard earned money on anything. They'd waited too long to handcraft something. So........what could I say? Hmmmm. Well, they each received the same answer from me. "I'd like to go for a walk with you." Hubby agreed. He is not a walker. If he had day to do what he wanted, he'd spend it in the shed working on some project or laying on the sofa with his computer. Going for a walk is sissy stuff. But he did it! We had a great conversation. Son drove two hours to be with me. If he had his day, he'd spend it ...

Today I welcome an author who has a heart of gold and threads her stories with that gold:  Christina Rich Enter to win  Christina's book ,  The Guardian's Promise The winner will also receive Christina's July release :                                                                                                                           The Warrior's Vow                                                                Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter. Christian ...

We can be our own worse critics.  Most often we compare ourselves or our actions to someone we hold in esteem. We see our work as inferior and immediately criticize ourselves.  Perhaps the work was not the same, but the product may have resulted in an equal blessing. Take for example, the five-year-old who played Jesus Loves Me on the piano during a church service. While the performance may not have been at the level of a virtuoso pianist, could you honestly say you'd enjoy the music any less or were in the least bit hampered in worshiping God? Our individuality is so very important. God created each of us with our own talents to minister in only ways we can. If we were to do a job like the person we compare ourselves to, what good would we be? Likewise, if others did their work as we did, what good would they be? Don't worry about being yourself. Even professionals stumble, stammer, lose things, miss details, overcook dinner, and etc. An...

I recently finished a delightful, easy read, One More Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong due to be released tomorrow, May 6th. Cathleen was my guest, last December 6 when her book, Last Chance hit the shelves. Click here to read her wonderful post: Roadmap Not Included Armstrong weaves a down home tale about Sarah Cooley, a college graduate ready to start her career as an elementary teacher back in her home town, and Chris Reed, a big city chef ready to open his own restaurant in a new frontier. Thankful to return to the small town she'd grown up in, Sarah rented a house a few doors down from her Grandmother's and started preparations for teaching her new class of second grade students. Cozy tea time visits with Grandma gave her a chance to catch up on news since she'd left. Everything seemed the same, as it should be, except for the new owner of Dip 'n' Dine. Chris Reed's new restaurant business is struggling to bring in enough revenue to pay the bil...

Today I welcome an author who shares her hilarious adventure as an author:  Becky Wade Enter to win  Becky's book ,  Meant to Be Mine Scroll to the end of the post to see how to enter. I met Becky at ACFW this year. Her gracious and perky spirit immediately struck me. This is one lady you will want to meet. She generously shares the smile you see in the photo. You'll enjoy our chat today!  I asked Becky to share with us how God has led her on her writing journey. You'll laugh at her answer. Here is what she said: Headstrong Manuscripts I'm a mom of three.  And let me tell you, all three of my children are completely different.  One is mellow, sweet, and obedient.  One is scrappy, social, and creative.  One is persistent, smart, and headstrong. Well, in my writing life the same has proved true of my manuscripts.   My Stubborn Heart and Undeniably Yours were like the first child I mentioned.  ...

Like you, I love to hear when someone feels I did a good job.  I don't need to hear a verbal response. Seeing my children's faces on Christmas morning, receiving a pat on the back from co-worker, earning a bonus in my pay check, or the sweet bubbly feeling God puts in our hearts is plenty for me. In the middle of the job or in preparation of the work, though, I frequently feel nervous.  Nervousness is a response to caring if others appreciate the work done for them. Nervousness is also a response to knowing we were not fully prepared. A tinge of guilt goes along with this form of nervousness. Recently, I heard a judge tell a performer: "Suppressing the nerves and hiding that [suppression] is important 'cause we are all nervous all the time. You know. It's like part of the job. But to, kind of never, make anyone believe that you are [nervous] is a huge part of performance. Try to make the 25% that was shaky part of the other 75%, which was really, really...