There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart. ~ Jane Austen
Jun
29
By: cindy | Discussion (2)

Well, this sweet little book has only been available for less than a month and I already have some stellar reviews.

Fallen Angel Reviews (5 Angels)
Meeting Mr. Right OnLine is a great read. I thought Lucy was a delight. She is like the typical sibling who shows a bit of the green-eyed monster when she hears about her sister’s news. I like the plot with Lucy and Julian communicating by chat and how they develop feelings for the other without even meeting. She shows her human side when deep down she wants to meet Julian, but another side of her wonders is she really ready. I could feel her enthusiasm at times and wanted to jump up and down with her. Cindy K. Green fashions a read with wit, elegance and a touch of romance. The cast of well-rounded characters blend well in the making of this tantalizing story. Ms. Green always crafts an entertaining read.

The Romance Studio (4 Hearts):
Author Green has written her clever tale in the first person, giving the reader a leading lady with charm, humor, and a healthy dash of klutziness. It’s a sweet story with an endearing cast. And the reader can decide if truth is stranger than fiction, or if fiction is just tweaking the truth. A fun read.

Manic Readers (4 Hearts):
This is a first for me reading one of Cindy K. Green books and won’t be the last. The way she brought these two together was unique and in a fun way. One minute you feel Lucinda’s doubts about Julian. Then Julian has little in the story when he comes out but he makes it up in a big way. Meeting Mr. Right Online is a sweet romance that shows that sometimes fate works in both ways.

Coffee Time Romance:
I really enjoyed this fast read. Lucy is a great character, very real, not too sweet or too jaded…This story is very well written and I do like a happy ending.

Remember Meeting Mr. Right in now available as an e-book for $1.49, in Kindle format for $1.19 or paperback for $5.95.



Jun
25
By: cindy | Discussion (25)

I’m very excited today to introduce my guest, Faith Bicknell-Brown. She is a successful author, editor, and the one to bring us the How to Avoid Writer’s Hell books. Without further ado, here is my interview with Faith. Please leave questions. I’m sure she’ll pop in to answer them later.

 This Interview has been moved to the Interview section. Thanks!

Author Bio:

Faith Bicknell-Brown’s work has appeared in a wide range of genres such as: Would That It Were, Touch Magazine, GC Magazine, Ohio Writer Magazine (non-fiction), Waxing and Waning (Canada), and The Istanbul Literature Review (Turkey) just to name a few. She was a regular contributor to Gent under her pseudonym, Molly Diamond. She has also had fiction published in Hustler’s Busty Beauties, Penthouse Variations, Twenty 1 Lashes, and has become a regular contributor to Ruthie’s Club. In addition, Faith has several e-books and some print titles published under Zinnia Hope and J. Emberglass.

For two years, Faith served as the co-editor of The Tenacity Times. In October 2001, she took the position of romance and horror editor for Wild Child Publishing and has served as the managing editor for WCP as well as its sister division, Freya’s Bower, going on three years.

She is represented by TriadaUS Literary Agency.



Jun
25
By: cindy | Discussion (0)

My full-length inspirational, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding, is listed on Amazon. And as I have joined Amazon Connect, I can now blog on my books there. So, I collected the most recent review snippets for A Funny Thing… and posted them to Amazon. I thought I may as well post them here too. It’s always a thrill to read how well this book has been received.

Fallen Angel Reviews (5 Angels):
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding by Cindy K. Green is one of those stories that you read, but never forget. I know it will come back to me at odd moments, when I least expect it to.

Long and Short Romance Reviews:
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Your Wedding is a soul searching look at what makes the characters happy and how to serve God while doing so. Faith plays an integral part of the story whose ending will bring tears along with laughter to the reader. A must read for any fan on inspirational romance.

Two Lips Reviews (4.5/5)
Cindy Green has surely nailed a winner, in my humble opinion, with an inspirational novel that I could not put down. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding is a tremendous book of faith, despair, fear and regret that I thoroughly enjoyed and it is a testament to what all believers should strive for in this world that is so corrupt by greed…I heartily recommend reading this book.

The Romance Studio (5 Hearts):
Ms. Green’s characters are solid and embraceable; there are many and they are diverse. Conversely, they drew me into the story and did not let go. It is easy to imagine myself in a setting, such as a church, where I could function within this marvelous group of people! Ms. Green has presented a story with enough Gospel woven into it that anyone could believe; this is done, however, in a non-offensive manner. I highly recommend this work to anyone! Congratulations to you, Ms. Green, for this winner!

Manic Reviews (4 stars):
Cindy K Green envelopes you in this sweet inspirational romance. The characters are well written and the inner turmoil within Kari is gracefully done. This religiously based book is a very nice Sunday afternoon read. Green scores with this heart-felt tale.

Coffee Time Romance (4 cups)
Ms. Cindy K. Green has written a sweet, modern, romance with good old fashioned values and morals being the important ingredient. The hero and heroine show all of the anxiety that comes with relationships of the heart. The premise of this story is believable and very well written, making the emotions of the characters realistic. The underlying causes of some of the characters actions make the storyline all that more credible. I would recommend this story to any reader who wants a sweet likable romance.

Huntress Reviews (4 Stars):

This is a fun, refreshing, non-preachy read. Faith is simply part of the main characters’ lives. The people come across as being real and imperfect, but still individuals who are decidedly Christian. If you find it a challenge to find wholesome romances that are not sappy, the problem is now solved. Cindy Green is proving that nice does not mean wimpy.



Jun
23
By: cindy | Discussion (0)

My interview with Billie Williams posted to the Manic Readers site. Here’s the link if you’d like to take a peek.  She asked me about my move to North Carolina, my history degree, homschooling my kids and a host of other things including my Works in Progress and my latest release, Meeting Mr. Right. It was a fun interview. Thanks Billie.



Jun
18
By: cindy | Discussion (1)

I’m very happy to host my next guest blogger, Sandy Wickersham-McWhorter, a fellow Wild Rose Press author. Today she has posted an excerpt for her book, Cottonwood Place (available now!). She will back next month to tell us a little more about herself and her work.

Megan sighed loudly to keep them awake. What do you want, Orion and Cassie MacCloud? What will it take for you to give us the keys?”

A ringing cell phone broke the silence. “Thank you Lord God that they can’t turn off ringers!” Ian said. “Meg, keep grilling them,” he pointed to the girls then ran to the sound’s source. He rummaged through the sand until he found the phone. “Hello?”

It was Rose, wondering where they were because she’d had a feeling they were in trouble. Ian told her what the girls had done. Rose said she’d have Merle call the other phone and let it ring.

Ian heard ringing in the tamarisk and got several painful cuts before he found it. “I found it, Rose.”

“Do you want us to come after you?”

“No way. The girls hid they keys, and until we find them, they’ll suffer out here in the heat with us!”

Rose laughed heartily. “Good luck. You are right, those two have a good reason for everything they do that they aren’t told to do. They’ve also learned practical joking from the best, so be careful.”

Back with Megan, he said, “That was your mom checking up on us. She knew we were in trouble.” He pointed to the two sleepy pets. “She said they don’t do anything without a good reason. We have to find out what their reason is for stranding us before they’ll cooperate.”

“We should settle down away from rocks but by the car. Scorpions and other dangerous animals hang around them.”

Megan talked to her pets all the way to the car, trying to cajole them into revealing the keys’ location. She failed as miserably as Ian had.

Megan spread out the blanket and she and Ian used clothes for pillows. She put Cassie and Orion between her and Ian to keep them out of trouble.

As they relaxed, Ian said, “Grandma had said after you were kidnapped that I’d have to face my worst fear to find you. She was right, but she meant to find you as my love, not physically find you after you were kidnapped. I didn’t know it was my worst fear until just now. I hated God for ruining my life, so I think I was also afraid He wouldn’t take me back because I’d sinned too much.”

“So that once you came back to Him, he allowed us to love each other and find the real us. That’s what’s happened today when I called you honey.”

They settled down to sleep with rested minds.

Sometime later, Orion crawled with her belly on the ground until she came behind Megan, and began pushing her toward Ian. Orion even swished her bushy tail on Megan’s face to make her move in her sleep. Meanwhile, Cassie did the same thing to Ian, pushing him toward Megan. They woke up quickly.

“Orion what are you doing?!” Megan asked.

“Cassie, stop that!” Ian said.

The humans tried to move the animals back to the middle.

Dog looked at cat, and cat looked at dog. Orion latched onto Megan’s hand with her teeth as Cassie latched onto Ian’s hand. Orion pulled on Megan’s arm as Cassie pulled on Ian’s arm.

            “Ian, neither of them have ever acted this way. Don’t make any sudden moves. Maybe they’ll let go of us soon. Orion’s bite isn’t painful–yet.”

“Neither is Cassie’s, but it wouldn’t take much to puncture my skin. I think they’re trying to make us do something. Let them do it.”

Megan and Ian eventually felt their hands touch in the dark. When their people didn’t move further, the girls bit and pulled harder and began growling.

“Ian, take my hand in yours.”

The girls let go when he did, and they stopped growling. “Now, let go and back away.” she whispered. Cat and dog growls grew quickly into snarls and bared teeth.

Ian took her hand again and the snarls stopped. When he pulled Megan to him and kissed her, Cassie purred and Orion softly said, Uh roo roo, uh roo roo.” Both curled against their owners in satisfaction.

Megan had never felt so much love and safety from a man’s kiss before. Ian’s closeness in the dark made wild feelings run rampant through her. She’d never had those feelings with Dallas. She couldn’t wait to marry Ian. She held him tightly and whispered in his ear, “I love you.”

“I think they need to hear that. Separate again.”

The growling started again.

“They want us together and they won’t take no for an answer.”

“Neither will I for much longer. You said you love me. Can’t you trust me when I say I won’t drink anymore and trust God that he’s given you a good man?”

She looked in his eyes and murmured, “Yes, Ian, I can. Because I think my greatest fear was that God wouldn’t ever give me a good man. I decided you were that good man several days ago; and that I’d have to marry you. I don’t think we need to wait two years.”

“Did you tell anyone?”

“My mom and grandma, who probably told everyone else. Why?”

“There are two who don’t know.” He pointed to the girls who were watching their every move with hooded eyes.

“I didn’t think of them!” She pulled her pets close. “Orion, Cassie, Ian and I love each other and we’re getting married. He’s staying with us forever. Do you understand?” She kissed Ian then the girls. “I love Ian like I love you.”

Orion howled, “Uh roo roo.”

“Megan! She said I love you! She’s been saying it a long time! She wants us to say it each other.”

“I love you, Ian Hunter.”

As soon as he said ,“I love you, Megan MacCloud,” Cassie and Orion got up and started walking away from the car.

“Maybe they’ll show us where the keys are now.” Megan said hopefully.

 

*****

A Muncie, Indiana, native, Sandy’s lived in north-central Ohio since 1973 and has been an LPN since 1980. Her husband, two sons, a daughter-in-law, two granddaughters, two dogs, and an odd number of goldfish in her outdoor pond all live with her in an 1890s Victorian home that once was a general store\post office. Fortunately, only her dog has commandeered her writer’s cave. She began writing in third grade, when she started turning her dreams and nightmares into short stories (she still has that notebook). Science fiction and comic books were her reading mainstay; as an adult, she added romances in the ‘80s. The adult writing bug bit her in 1990. After realizing she needed cheap nursing CEUs, and the degree most writers seem to have, Ohio State University beckoned. While earning a bachelor’s in English, she sold an essay to Country, wrote for three newspapers and was a feature writer for Choice, a Christian magazine. While writing romance, science fiction, inspirational romance, women’s fiction and a mix of them, Sandy substitutes in local schools, teaches college English 101 in local prisons, gardens, and does many types of artwork. Her second book with The Wild Rose Press, The Winds of Fall, will be released in August.



Jun
13
By: cindy | Discussion (0)

For fun, I started a new blog on classic literature. I’ll be writing about classic books and authors (especially Jane Austen) and the adaptations that go along with them. If you have an interest, stop on by at http://classiclit.blogster.com/. Today I posted an article titled: ‘What is it about Jane Austen.’



Jun
10
By: cindy | Discussion (1)

Today I would like introduce to you fellow author and friend, Cami Checketts. She has some great advice on being a fit writer.

*****

Is it really possible to be a writer and stay fit? After sitting in a chair all day, the last thing any of us wants to do is bunny hop around an aerobics room, but I promise if you make time for exercise, you will reap the obvious benefits: lose weight, increase tone and strength, decrease the risk of contracting various illnesses, and you will also improve your writing career.

Improve your writing career?

Now you’re actually listening.

It’s true. Being healthy makes your mind work better. Exercise is also a great time to get the muse working. The increased blood flow while exercising helps your brain as well as your body. People who are fit have a higher income than those who are not. Also, you’ll increase your energy, live longer and spend less time in the doctor’s office. All great ways to log more productive time writing.

Here are a few ways to get started.

#1 – Find out what you love and do it. Join a tennis league, go on a walk, join a gym, run, bike, dance, crawl. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you get away from that computer and move.

#2 – Wear a pedometer. Make sure you’re doing more than 10,000 steps a day and you will reap the benefits.

#3 – Eat in moderation. The best diets include all the good things nature has to offer: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, etc. Throw in a little chocolate or Diet Coke for sanity’s sake and you’ve got yourself a winner.

#4 – Portion control. You can eat almost anything you want if you’ll eat small servings and keep track of what you eat during the day.

#5 – Turn off the television. Whenever clients tell me they can’t fit in exercise I ask them how much t.v. they watch a day. I’ve never had someone say zero. If you really must see American Idol, run the stairs during commercials and stash your hand weights next to the couch so you can reach for them during the show.

#6 – Lift weights. Many women are afraid of weights. Don’t be. Weight training is fun and easy to learn. Buy a book on weight-lifting, look online for advice, hire a personal trainer, find a friend who knows what she’s doing and trade a favor, or read my blog: www.fitmommas.blogster.com.

Lifting weights will increase your metabolism significantly, decrease your risk of osteoporosis, make you look and feel better, and is the best way to stay fit for life.

 #7 – Try to move as much as possible. Pace or do squats while you talk on the phone. Run down the stairs instead of hollering at your kids from the banister. Dance around the kitchen while you cook. Roll a tennis ball under your foot while you work – it’ll keep you moving and it’s a great foot massage. Replace your office chair with an exercise ball and squeeze your abs and glutes while you sit.

 #8 – Give yourself a free day. One day a week don’t write down what you eat, don’t exercise and let yourself eat dessert, nachos or whatever you desire. If I have that free day to look forward to I can handle depriving myself during the week. Also, it’s almost impossible to undo the good of six days in one bad day.

 #9 – Remember to take baby steps. Start by taking a short walk every night or buying some exercise bands and playing around with them while you watch t.v. Every year I try to change one bad habit. It’s a gradual process. If you take it slowly you won’t feel frustrated or deprived. The important thing is to keep improving and realize these are life-long changes, not a crash diet or quick fix.

 Improving your health will affect every aspect of your life, including your writing. Give it a try and see how much better you think and feel.

 *****

 Cami Checketts’ blog, http://fitmommas.blogster.com, offers daily fitness advice and strength training routines. Visit her website – www.camichecketts.com to read excerpts of her novels or print out healthy recipes and strength training guides.