Meet Mavis Duke Hinton, author of The Dachshund Escapades

In her 21-year career as an English teacher, Mavis Duke Hinton now teaches English online to students across the USA and several foreign countries. She grew up in a military family and lived abroad in Europe during her childhood. She has also been an editor for Christian and secular organizations, including Liberty University, as well as a police officer. She has taught Bible studies to all ages, from preschool children to adult women, and has spoken in educational conferences as well as women’s groups from time to time. Married for forty-one years with two married daughters and three grandchildren, she has written two Christian fiction novels in THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES series, I AM SARGE and I AM DACHSHUND, both published by OakTara.




I AM SARGE, Book 1 of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES
By Mavis Duke Hinton

Sometimes a dachshund’s “lowdown from the ground”
perspective is just what human beings need.

“I was only eight weeks old when I was adopted into my new human family who knew immediately I was a super dog. They proudly gave me the name Sarge—after my Papa Duke, who was a sergeant in the Army. Quite a fitting name for a good-looking dachshund too, I might add. I just know someday I’ll do great and mighty things, befitting a super dog.

“But in the meanwhile, I’ll just steal your heart and make you laugh out loud with the antics of this 'chow hound.' And maybe, if you come over, Papa and I—two food lovers—might just share a snack or two with you, too.”

Fall in love with Sarge, the quintessential dachshund,
and laugh along with his foibles and humorous escapades.

Connect with Mave and her wonderful dachshund books at the following locations:

www.MavisDukeHinton.com
www.blog.MavisDukeHinton.com
Twitter: writer4dawg

http://www.amazon.com/Am-Sarge-Mavis-Duke-Hinton/dp/1602903158/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330455777&sr=1-1

Thanks, Mave, for joining us today on The Write Stuff!

Daytime Blue Ridge WSLS TV 10 interview

Thanks to those of you who prayed for me during my Second Chance interview today. Continue to pray the the Lord will use the book to touch lives with His love and forgiveness, and purpose.

Thanks, Readers!

Thanks, Readers, for helping me launch Second Chance! Will you join me in praying that the Lord will use this novel to touch hearts with His love and redemption?

In the words of my editor, Ramona Tucker: "Thank you, Eileen, for writing this book--a lovely story filled with the passion of two people reaching for their place in the world and finding God's surprises! May readers be inspired and convicted to make a difference!"

Want to know another way you can help? After you've read Second Chance, leave a short review on www.amazon.com.

More reviews mean more presence for the book.

Coming soon! A KINDLE BLITZ!

Today's the Day! Amazon BOOK BLITZ for Second Chance!

Today's the day, readers! Will you help me launch my new release, Second Chance?



Amazon BOOK BLITZ!

The more folks who purchase a copy today, the higher Second Chance will rise in the sales rank, which means more people will come in contact with the book. Which means more potential readers of my message.

Book blurb: An empty nest mom wants the life back in her marriage. A teen from the projects just wants a life. Could they be the answer to each other's dream?

Bonus features:
The 21 Day Romance Challenge for married couples
Song of Solomon Bible study for women's groups

You get two books in one!

Themes addressed in Second Chance:

Love between a husband and wife
Love between Christ and the believer
Forgiveness (especially between father and child)
Empty nest
Depression
Purpose in the second half of life
Volunteer work
Unplanned pregnancy

A portion of proceeds goes to support Straight Street, a Christian inner city teen ministry that reaches out to lost and hurting teens with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

www.straightstreet.org

Reader feedback:

“Gently unfolds the truth that sometimes, the best is yet to come, from unexpected people, and places, and hearts.”
—Sandra Byrd, author of To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn

“Transcends race and reaches the extremes—from suburbia to the ghetto, from guilt over a loved one’s murder to a marriage gone dull. With a dash of humor for balance, Second Chance will speak to your heart, no matter your station in life.”
—April W. Gardner, author of the Creek Country Saga; Sr. Editor of the literary site, Clash of the Titles

“Refreshing and thought-provoking.”
—Jennifer Slattery of Novel Reviews and Clash of the Titles

“Transports readers into the worlds of two very diverse characters. With laughter, tears, and sighs, you’ll enjoy every turn of the page.”
—Fay Lamb, author of Because of Me, Treble Heart Books

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to visit www.amazon.com and help me launch Second Chance!


Another way you can help: Spread the word on your FB pages! Thanks so much!

Welcome author, Janice Davis!

Tell my readers about yourself, Janice.

I am a Christian, wife, mother, and teacher. Each day I enjoy time with 100 sixth-graders, teaching them more about writing and communication. My favorite activities, though, are time with my husband and daughter - games, chatting, walking, or just hanging out together. Those are precious times.





Why did you write, Finding My Smile?

My grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's when she was 74 years old. I watched her suffer for 10 years; I watched my family suffer as she lost all recognition of who we were or what she knew. Then, one day years after she passed away, I met a dear woman who adopted a beautiful girl afflicted with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). As I learned more about the struggles that young woman faced each day because of her birth-mother's neglect, my heart broke. One morning, God began working in my heart. He had already given me a passion for writing. That morning, He gave me a story - Finding My Smile - a beautiful message tying two diseases that can paralyze families or bind them together, depending on how HE is allowed in the process. God began speaking to me; I began typing. This amazing story is the result of His complete inspiration.

What do you want readers to take-away from this novel?

As I wrote this story, and as it now enters the market, it is my constant prayer that every person who reads it will be touched by God's amazing message of unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace. We are never so far beyond God's grace that He can't reach us. It is only in our walking away from Him that a distance occurs.

How did writing Finding My Smile impact your life?

Each moment I wrote was an indescribable moment in Shekinah - the presence of God's glory. I cannot begin to put adequate words down to describe the blessing of having God tell you a story like this one - even if much of it is based on my own life. He masterfully wove it together into a message that has touched my life intensely. I pray every reader will find that same intensity and blessing as they read His message as well.

Do you have any particular influences/people who have inspired you in your life journey thus far?

My husband has been a tremendous influence in my life. He's the one that convinced me to pursue a dream of teaching. Then, one day when I wanted to spend more time with our daughter, he agreed that working part-time would be a reality we could endure. It was through those moments that I began searching my passion for writing more and more. Our daughter is my other inspiration. She begged me to tell stories, often encouraging me to write them down. Then, one day, as I began to write this one she graciously gave me time to work. Later, she would listen as I shared ideas, offer her own brilliant suggestions, and then read the passages to give me insight from a teenager perspective. But, most of all, God is my ultimate influence and favorite author of all time. Without His inspiration and previous book (BIBLE), this story would not be in print today.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with my readers?

If you or someone you love is afflicted with Alzheimer's or FAS, don't hesitate to reach out to God for his amazing grace and courage! He will never let you down. If this book inspires you as well, please let me know.

You can email Janice at:

boxofrocks@sbcglobal.net.

Janice's blog at The Christian Post:

http://blogs.christianpost.com/bindings/2012/02/alzheimers-finding-peace-in-the-midst-of-the-agony-02/

Thanks for joining us today, Janice, to share more about Finding My Smile!

For more information on FAS, check out the following website:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.html

For more information on Alzheimer's, check out this link:

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alzheimers_disease.asp

Welcome author, Suzanne Hartman!

Suzanne Hartmann is a homeschool mom of three and lives in the St. Louis area. When not homeschooling or writing, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and Bible study. Four of her short stories appeared in a Millikin reading workbook, but PERIL: Fast Track Thriller Bk. #1 is her debut novel.

On the editorial side, Suzanne is a contributing editor with Port Yonder Press and operates the Write This Way Critique Service. She has also written an e-book on the craft of writing entitled Write This Way: Take Your Writing to a New Level.

Readers can find Suzanne online at the following locations:

FastTrackThrillers (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com)

Write This Way (http://Suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Suzanne-Hartmann-Author/45955180933

http://twitter.com/#!/SuzInIL





Back cover blurb


Lady Anne, a top operative of the OJL, the American government’s most clandestine intelligence organization, is paid to be paranoid, and she’s good at her job. So good, in fact, that she singlehandedly stops an assassination attempt at the White House. When newspapers splash her photo over the front page for saving King Ahmad—a Muslim recently converted to the Christian faith—not only is her cover in jeopardy, but the secrets of her enhanced strength and the entire agency. Then she’s given another assignment—to escort King Ahmad to a NASCAR track….

Stuart Jackson, age 33 and at the peak of his career as the reigning Cup Champion of NASCAR, has everything anyone could want—fame, fortune, success. But after he’s nearly blown up by a bomb at the White House, his achievements lose their allure. Nor can he forget the mysterious Lady Anne.



Thanks for sharing your debut novel, Fast Track Thriller, with my readers, Suzanne. God's best to you in this venture!

Welcome author, Fay Lamb!

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel will be released on February 3, 2012, by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing.

Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010.

In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board.
Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren.


The inspiration behind BECAUSE OF ME




I met Michael Hayes one cool autumn day while sitting on my porch. I’d been staring vacantly out at the cedar trees lining the backyard trying to plot a story.

Michael, unshaven, his hair a little scraggly, and his young face filled with tension, began to tell me his story. “There’s a young boy, Cole. I’m not his father, but he’s definitely on this earth because of me. I allowed something horrible to happen to his mother, but I still love her. I despise the kid, though. I’ve forgiven another for so much more, and Cole’s only fault is that his father is the man who took everything from me. How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?”

And as easily as Michael entered my imagination, he turned and walked away.
Michael’s revelation brought forth layer after layer of plot, and my novel, Because of Me was born.

Michael didn’t have to introduce me to the love of his life, Isabel “Issie” Putnam. I knew she had spunk. She’d gone on with her life, living it the best she could in the shadow of condemnation. Michael had been sent to prison for a crime he had not committed, but those who should have loved her best, thought her as guilty as they believed Michael had been. Despite the rumors and accusations, Issie raised her son, a child born of the most unspeakable act—one Michael was forced to watch.

And Issie expects Michael to deal with it. She loves him, but she isn’t about to let a man love her if he cannot love her son.

Michael’s question, “How can I learn to love this child and protect his mother from the man who can again take her from me?” plagued me.

Michael’s journey is one that leads him and Issie to a full understanding of Christ-like forgiveness and the knowledge that God can use our mistakes and bring about the most wondrous of gifts. After all, God is in every detail of our lives.

Because of Me is available at www.faylamb.com, www.trebleheartbooks.com/MVLamb, and at Amazon.com.

Thanks for sharing with my readers today, Fay! May the Lord use Because of Me to open readers' eyes to the wonder and beauty of His forgiveness.