Characters Who Are... Writers

This year, we're in for some fun reading challenges that will hopefully help us find some new favorites. Please post ideas in the comments, as other readers might need assistance in finding books that fit into the categories.

February's reading challenge is to read books in which characters are writers.

They may be lead characters or part of the supporting cast.

The type of writer may vary, from a novelist to a journalist to a diary or letter writer.

The books may be short, long, fiction, or nonfiction.

Who I Am With You + Giveaway!

Y'all, this book was amazing. I didn't think I'd like a book about infidelity, and I'm not a fan of lots of politics, but both those topics were handled with a gentle hand yet were treated realistically.

Stay tuned through the end, because there's an opportunity to win a copy!

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Read with Audra, NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

What an exquisite delivery of a delicate subject!

This is only my second Robin Lee Hatcher book, but she is quickly becoming a favorite. Her writing style is laid-back yet vulnerable. Her author voice is sweet and soothing. Yet it's the depth of this tale that struck my heart and has me wanting more. How long must I wait to return to Hope Springs in book two?!

Things I Miss While On Deadline

Note: There is some fun news at the end of this article, so stay tuned through the very end.

Have you ever wondered what sacrifices editors make in order to make sure the books you’re reading are as polished and accurate as possible?

This is not a comprehensive list at all, as I’m only speaking from my own personal experience.

Here are a few things I miss when I’m on an editing deadline.

1. FAVORITE CLOTHES

Laundry tends to pile up a bit more when I’m on deadline, because I like to stay in the editing zone instead of make the time to do a load or two of washing. So my favorite tees, jerseys, and comfiest comfy pants often end up in the bottom of a mountain of clothing to be laundered once I’m off deadline… and I end up wearing some of my least favorite things in that final week of work. Bonus! I’ve rediscovered some neat t-shirts I picked up on vacations over the years.

Code of Valor by Lynette Eason

Editing doesn't always allow extra time for pleasure reading, but there are some books that demand a person make the time for them. Code of Valor by Lynette Eason is one of those. Even though I had many hours of editing over the last three days, I still eked out enough minutes to inhale her latest Blue Justice story.

Here's my review as it appears on Goodreads, NetGalley, and Amazon.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Revell. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Yet another amazing suspense story by Lynette Eason, and, yes, it stole my sleep! The surprises and twists kept me flipping pages way too late into the night, and I was able to finish this one up in only three days. The plot was wonderful and involved many different players and settings and events. I like how mysterious things were; there was definitely a vibe of secrecy going on throughout that intrigued me.

January TBR Reducer Challenge

If this article makes little sense, that would be because it's past three a.m. as I'm writing it, and I just remembered that I hadn't so much as thought about my blog and it's already Monday morning. I was busy all day, celebrating my daddy's birthday and finishing up a couple of books for challenges on Goodreads and taking breaks to stretch and eat a little something. Yep, I'm pretty exhausted right now. But I'm turning off my alarm and sleeping in if I can. Fat chance if a train happens by...

Happy New Year! May 2019 be filled with joy, laughter, and most of all, faith in God. I hope we all will dig a little deeper in our walks with Him this year.

Our first challenge of the new year will be...

The Border Between - a Christmas short story

Merry Christmas, my dear readers!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. I'll be spending the holiday with my parents and sister. Before we get to the gift-exchange portion of the celebration, we'll be reading the Christmas story about Jesus coming to earth in order to save our souls. This is my favorite part of Christmas.

Here's a short story for you to enjoy. It was inspired by YOU, my sweet readers, who participated in this contest.

Note: This short story made the finals of a contest. Further details below the story.

Copyright 2018 by Andrea Renee Cox. All rights reserved.

The Border Between

by Andrea Renee Cox

inspired by Kellyn Roth (and her brother James)

The cityscape puttered by the window. Helene Jackson checked her diamond-studded watch and tapped a single knuckle on the glass partition between the cab driver and herself.

The dark-skinned man glanced over his shoulder and gave her a smile of crooked but gleaming-white teeth.

“Can you hurry up a bit? I’ve got somewhere to be.”

He cracked the partition open a couple of inches. “Do you need more air? The air condition is broke. I’m so sorry. I think the heater work.”

Helene picked a speck of dust from her slacks and looked down her nose at the driver. “I need you to find the gas pedal.” She adjusted her handbag from one thigh to the other. “Whoever thought to use the heater on a seventy-degree day, anyway?”

“Are you happy for Christmas?” He gave her another smile, this time accompanying it with a bobble head-style nod, before looking back at the city street before him.

“Not particularly.”

“My little girl, she is so happy this morning. She tells me, ‘Papa, you bring much happy to passenger today.’ I tell her I will try.” A chuckle bounced across the space between them.

“I didn’t ask for a commentary, only a ride.”

Delayed Justice by Cara Putman

One of my favorite books this autumn was Cara Putman's latest offering, Delayed Justice. This is book three of her Hidden Justice series, so check out the first two books first, to get the full picture on various characters that overlap from story to story (Beyond Justice is book one, and Imperfect Justice is book two).

Here's my review of Delayed Justice, as posted on Goodreads, with added graphics created just for you, dear readers.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Mrs. Putman must have a deep well of courage to have written this book. It isn’t an easy topic. Sexual abuse never is simple. Not only did she broach a difficult theme, but she handled it with a delicate and considerate yet reality-bearing hand. Her approach to the abuse felt masterful. It’s tough to balance the stark reality of sexual abuse and its victims and predators with the grace of salvation. Yet, that’s precisely what this author has done.

The two-perspective approach on the abuse—from a silent victim and one who has already found her voice—was brilliant, as it showed that both types of victims must pair courage with truth to see justice done here on earth. Living out the reality this book portrays takes guts and moxie, and I hope any man, woman, or child who finds themselves a victim will seek out help in order to obtain justice and complete healing.