Be My Guest: Kristy Cambron and *GIVEAWAY*

by Andrea Renee Cox

Hey, friends! Please welcome Kristy Cambron, author of The Butterfly and the Violin, as she talks about one of our favorite things: BOOKS! Stay tuned till the very end. There's a sweet surprise waiting for you.

When Books Have a Story to Tell

by Kristy Cambron

I remember the day my parents bought me my first art history book.

That was in fourth grade– many, many years ago. And today, it holds an important spot on the favorites bookshelf of this thirty-something wife, author, and momma of three.

I still have the very first copy of Pride and Prejudice (and Jane Austen book period) that I’d ever read. My high school Bible is tucked away – no longer in use because the spine is falling apart. It’s marked up, inscribed with dates and prayers in the margins, chronicling my first decade as a believer. And around my home office as I write this? You’ll find copies of Elie Wiesel’s Night stashed here and there. A stack of Dr. Seuss books occupies a toy basket in the corner. Art history books are shelved in a rainbow of spine colors. And eighteen copies of Jane Eyre are within arm’s reach of my desk.

What's On Your Summer Reading List?

by Andrea Renee Cox

What’s on your summer reading list?

There are so many good books releasing this summer. The only thing that saddens me about that is that my schedule is keeping me too busy to enjoy all of them. Here are a few that I’m really excited about. Be sure to let me know in the comment section which books have you eager to read during these hot months of the year.

New Year, Busy Schedule

by Andrea Renee Cox

Have you changed your calendars yet? Have you written the correct date today, or is that 5 sticking around?

As much as I would love to tell you that life will slow down in this new year, I am not seeing any proof of that in my schedule. My day job of tutoring begins again this afternoon, and as the state assessment tests are in spring, the work will be fast and furious this semester.

I'm continuing to study my memory verses, as the Siesta Scripture Memory Team (SSMT) conference is coming up this month. So excited for this bit of busyness! The Lord is working in interesting ways through my memory work, and I can hardly wait to see what He's got in store for that incredible conference weekend.

Copyediting jobs promise to keep my busy throughout 2016, for which I'm grateful. (Have you read any of Ashberry Lane's books yet? Check out ashberrylane.com for more information.) It's such a joy for me when I have the opportunity to work on other writers' manuscripts. The challenge to retain their voice while correcting typos, inconsistencies, and factual errors is one I meet gladly every day when I turn on my computer. They say writing is a lonely journey, but I beg to differ. There is such camaraderie and teamwork that take place through the process of publishing that there is a sense of support and encouragement even when you're facing the keyboard on your own. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

Favorite Quotes 2015

by Andrea Renee Cox

Hard to believe it’s been a year since my last “favorite quotes” article, but the Christmas season is now upon us. As we all prepare for the holidays, let me share with you a few of my favorite book quotes from novels I read during 2015.

Be My Guest: Kristy Cambron ***Giveaway***

by Andrea Renee Cox

Friends, it is my dear pleasure to host Kristy Cambron today. She and I have only recently become acquainted online (see her Facebook and blog links after the article), but we have already learned much about each other's hearts. I'm glad she's sharing a part of hers with us. As you will see, she has such an inner beauty that could only come from God. May her heart -- and God's -- bless you in your journey.

Kristy sent her article to me in italic print, and as I was reading it, I realized that it should remain that way. It lends itself well to the topic of "whisper moments." In fact, I found myself whispering the words instead of reading them aloud at a normal tone, as I do with all my guests' articles.

Whisper Moments with God

by Kristy Cambron

It was the second time in little more than a year that I’d walked into an ICU room to pray with someone who was nearing death.

Courtesy of Kristy Cambron via Dollar Photo Club

The first time? That was with my Dad. We lost him to leukemia thirteen days after he’d been admitted for a relapse of cancer. But this time was… different. It was a life experience curve ball that was completely unexpected. This trip to a quiet ICU room was for a friend whom I’d only met a few weeks before. She and I sat at the same Bible study table on Tuesday mornings. We shared struggles. Prayers. Moments of studying the Word of which I will never forget. And she was supposed to be at the next Bible study this fall. Instead, she was going to meet our Jesus for real.  

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron and *GIVEAWAY*

by Andrea Renee Cox

Has a book ever swept you down a river of emotion and elegance? Was there beautiful despair tossed in?

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron not only took me down that river but sent me into an ocean of awe. The poignancy of the tale captured my interest from the first chapter and built layer upon layer of various emotions until I couldn't help but weep as I read.