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Not Easily Broken

Beginning this week, I will be posting a review here every Monday in January. Please read the review and post a comment. At the end of the month, I will choose the best comment and award the winner an autographed Advance Reading Copy of my latest book, The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter. You may post a comment on each book review, increasing your chances to win. The first book I am reviewing is Not Easily Broken--October 2006, a fiction work by author and pastor, Bishop T.D. Jakes. Enjoy the review. Let me know what you think. And don't take my word for it. Read the book and decide for yourself. Remember, you must comment to enter the contest. Each person who enters will also have the opportunity to join my new readers' club. More about that later. Not Easily Broken--by T. D. Jakes Clarice Johnson is beautiful, ambitious, and driven. Fiercely independent, she has no patience for an adoring husband who seemingly has no desire to become more than he is right now. Clarice’s husband Dave is a down to earth blue collar kind of guy who runs a successful janitorial service and coaches a little league team of underprivileged youth. When the couple is involved in an automobile accident, Clarice becomes dependent on others for the first time in her life. She has been told by her mother since childhood that she must never put herself at the mercy of another--especially a man--because they will always let her down. An attraction develops between Dave and Clarice's physical therapist, Julie. As Clarice's depression mounts, Dave turns to Julie, who reminds him what it's like to be needed. Dialog is not Bishop Jakes's strong suit. There’s a lot of white space containing passages such as: “Hi, how are you?” “Fine, and you?” “Good, good.” before finally getting down to business. Other conversations are cut off and stilted, which might’ve provided greater character insight. For instance during a counseling session, just as the conversation gets meaty, the author sums up the session and the characters schedule another. The book sometimes reads like a carefully veiled sermon. Because of this and dialog that often bogs down the progression of the story, I am giving it 3 stars. I believe Not Easily Broken can and will minister to people who find themselves wondering if the grass is truly greener on the other side of the fence. Many marriages turn into a "What's in this for me?" situation that leads to pain and frustration. I think all couples question their choices at one time or another and get too wrapped up in themselves to consider the needs of the other person in the relationship. The author has obviously seen this too much in his years behind the pulpit and knows from where he's writing. Fortunately he does not wrap up the couple’s problems in the end in a neat little package. Life seldom happens that way. My main complaint about the book is that I was too aware of the author during the course of the story. All in all, a good story that will stay with the reader for a long time. Don't forget to post a comment. If you've already read this title, let us know what you think. I will be choosing the best comment at the end of the month and awarding an ARC copy of my latest romance, The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter. Go Bucks!!! Teresa Slack

Tsaba House Authors

Molly's Writing Plans for 2007 Sancturay, my long historical about the Huguenots, is the first of three long historicals in the Faith of Our Fathers series from Tsaba House. It will be published in September 2007. I am working on a short novel that I will be writing with Teresa Slack. It should be about 50,000 words and is titled Texas Tycoon. I like to have at least one book come out every year. So I am hoping Texas Tycoon will be published in 2008. After Tycoon has been completed, I will start on my second novel in the Faith of Our Fathers series. No title yet. Then I will be working on a non-fiction book under contract with Tsaba House. Wow! I'm exhausted already. Besides all that, I will be buying groceries and cooking for my husband -- who happens to be the father of our three grown sons. So have a happy and busy new year everybody. I plan to do just that. Molly www.mollynoblebull.com

Looking Ahead to '07

Okay folks, December is nearly over. Time to finish up the last of the cookies and the fudge (In Ohio we eat Buckeyes this time of year--not the ones off the trees. Does everyone know what those are?) take down the tree, turn off the Bowl games, and get back to work. We haven't heard a peep from many of the Tsaba House authors this month. I know you're all busy with your 'real' jobs and the thousands of chores that come with this glorious time of year, but it's time to hear from you again. I'll kick it off with that eternal question: What's in the works for 2007? No, I don't mean those plans to stop charging breakfast at McDonalds, quit smoking, get more exercise, drop ten pounds, and spend more time out of the office surrounded by family and loved ones. I'm talking writing related. So what have you got? I want everyone to chime in on this one. Am I not the hard nose this morning? I'll go first to get you inspired. I am just finishing up my work in progress today. Yes, today. I'll print it off and give to a reader whose opinion I truly value and distance myself from the project for a few weeks. During January I plan to outline and brainstorm for Book 4 in my Jenna's Creek Series...something that should have been done already, but you know how it is. The first half of 2007 will be dedicated to Book 4. Immediately upon finishing Book 4, I will get into Book 5, the final installment of the series. That should take care of 2007. Somewhere in there I need to write a short novel to be included in a book with Molly Noble Bull, with whom I am looking forward to working. It depends on the needs of my publisher and editor if the novella takes precedence over Book 5, but we'll work that out when the time comes. Evidence of Grace, Book 3 in the Jenna's Creek series is due out in June, '07. That will mean another marketing push--book tours, signings, lectures, and library events. Marketing has a nasty habit of throwing a wrench in a writer's writing schedule, but it is a necessary part of the game. It gives me a chance to get out from behind the computer and meet the readers I'm writing for. I can't wait. I have a busy year ahead of me and I'm sure you do as well. Enjoy the last three days of 2006 and let's get psyched about '07. Here's wishing all a safe and happy New Year. Teresa

Tsaba House Authors

Tsaba House Authors I haven't visited the Tsaba House authors blog in a long time. My computer crashed, and I lost a lot of addresses and info. It's great to be back. I saw the cover of my upcoming Tsaba House novel, Sanctuary, and it is stunning. The colors are lovely. Can't wait for everybody to see it. Set in France in 1740, Sanctuary will be published in September 2007 and is the first of three long historicals in the Faith of Our Fathers series about the Huguenots. May the Lord richly bless you and yours -- now and in the years to come. Molly Noble Bull

Where is Christmas?

The weather has been unseasonably warm here in Ohio with temps in the low 60's for the past two weeks. I'm not complaining...I love it. But it doesn't seem like Christmas when it's too warm to wear my festive sweaters to holiday parties. Besides the weather I am getting in the spirit of things. The cards are sent, the packages wrapped and under the tree. Christmas bonuses are received and spent and the table is set and ready for guests, figuratively speaking. The sermon in church this morning was Where is Your Christmas. It was about giving rather than receiving. Most of us in this country are incredibly blessed, we just don't realize it sometimes. Few--if any--of us went to bed hungry last night. Most of us will have at least one gift under our tree. If not, it is by choice. Somebody somewhere loves us enough to send a card or Christmas greeting. But it's easy to look inward at all the things we don't have and think we need and start feeling sorry for ourselves. I won't use this post to count my blessings or remind you of yours. This is a writing blog so I'll try to focus on that. The thing most of us lack the most is time. We have so much to do this month, it's hard to find time or inspiration to focus on something as illusive as writing. I'm not getting as much work done this month as I had hoped and I think the rest of you are in the same boat. I comfort myself in knowing I have invitations and engagements and requests for cookies and movies to see with my grandchildren. If the writing falls by the wayside for another month, I don't suppose it will matter. As long as I'm not blatantly lazy, I won't feel bad that other obligations have kept me from the computer. Life is short. Not to worry, dear reader...the book I am working on is definitely worth the wait. Wishing all a wonderful and blessed Christmas holiday. Teresa Slack

My Least Productive Month

Even though this picture has nothing to do with writing and it isn't a good idea to post pictures of children on the Internet, I couldn't resist sharing this one of my grandson enjoying his first birthday cake. To preserve his anonymity, I won't tell you his name or where he's from, but isn't he gorgeous!? Okay, enough proud Nana. Back to writer-mode and why December is my least productive month. I think it's safe to assume I'm not the only person in a creative field who finds it hard to focus on work during this busy time of year. Actually I begin to lose focus and concentration around Halloween. That's when I start making shopping lists and thinking about menus for Thanksgiving, especially on those years when it's my turn to hostess--this year's a double whammy with hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas. Besides shopping and baking and cleaning and Christmas cards and newsletters and planning entertainment for my guests, I find myself caught up in the spirit of things. I enjoy the weather and carols and friends and all those added activities of the season. Writing and writing related activities fall to the bottom of my to do list. I am determined this month will be different. But how to stay focused and actually accomplish something when all I want to do is go to parties, try new recipes, and watch old movies. I am currently in the editing stages of my latest WIP. If I want to see this book published in the first half of 2008, I need to get it in the hands of my editor and my publisher in January. That's the thing about writing that most non-writers don't realize. The publishing schedule is usually at least a year ahead, even in the big New York houses. I have a reader who constantly asks me when she can expect my next book. She never likes my answers. In this case, the next book will be out June '08. She told me she always thought a writer takes a few months to write a book, sends it in, and within a month or two, they have a book in their hands. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Consequently, my motivation for staying on course with this book throughout December is that I want to see it published in '08. A goal that seems far reaching to those outside the publishing field, but realistic for those who understand how the system works. Today is December 4th, 21 short days until Christmas Day. About eighteen days before I throw my hands in the air and forget about writing altogether and just relax and enjoy the holidays with my family. As of this moment, I am determined to work like a crazy woman until then. Who knows what tomorrow might bring...an invitation to another party, a Christmas card from someone I haven't heard from in a long time who requires a long reply, trouble on my website that requires my immediate attention and takes me farther from my book. Working for one's self is a blessing in many ways, but it can equally be a curse. I make my own schedule which leaves plenty of room for fooling around and wasting a day without even realizing it. So back to work. We'll see how things stand next week when I only have 14 days till Christmas and probably just as much work to do. Peace and Love to All. Teresa Slack

The Fruit of Thanks may be Giving

I am truly blessed to be associated with the authors represented on this blog. No matter how secretly peculiar I may feel. No matter how different I believe I am from others. No matter how unique my own set of flaws are ... I know all writers wrestle with their own minds to sit and write, to create, to organize the flow of ideas, to reconsider the details and the entire approach, and to sit down alone to crunch out a written product. How strange that others private pursuits makes me feel a little less alone. The Tsaba House authors, like many authors as expressed by Teresa, take inventory of their motives and investment of time. In reality, all humans are the authors of their lives and destinies. So to the ultra conscious the question becomes "Is my life the story I want it to be? Is it in compliance with God's call?" There are so many paths to take and this is particularly underscored by the revelation of the seemingly infinite number of paths of mere self-analysis to question without a choice of action. EeeeGads. After the curse, God shortened lives from 900 ultimately to about 70 or 80. It is as though we barely have enough time to just decide whether or not we want to do right or pursue self-indulgence. No doubt, the leaning of our character is clear to God. Will we abandon good? Will we deepen our commitment to right? Are we saying good things and not practicing them? Our walk trancends the grave in consequences. There is no need for anxiety although it seems unescapable. My son is visiting from Afghanistan for a week or two in early December and then he returns to Afghanistan. 5 Halloweens ago, we took him for traditional trick or treating in Big Creek, CA. This last Halloween he lost 3 army buddies, among them his best friend. I cannot imagine the despair of his friend's parents. I constantly avoid trying to imagine it. I see the newspapers with world peace threatened in more corners than I can itemize. Civil war, crime, needless killing, entire regions bent on vengeance ... I feel almost guilty for feeling so thankful that I am living safely removed from so much violence bearing down on so many good people who happen to live where they are. I suppose I can show my thankfulness to God with a life that dissolves the darkness around me. Can I do that? Ahh, the poetic aspirations of a writer whose character and flaws are as common as the rest of mankind. May our skyward aspirations to please God be launched by sincere integrity and practice. God bless all and Happyness while you give and give as an expression of deep felt thanks .