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Author life, Mouse's Christmas Gift

The Story Behind the Last Line

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The last line of my book, MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT, is the sentence “All was well.”  This line comes from a very vivid memory that I have of a Christmas Eve Service at our church one year not too long ago. The church was beautifully decorated with trees, glowing star lights, and candles.  All around me were friends and family– the scene was picture perfect.

But that particular year, all was NOT well.  A close friend of mine had cancer, and almost every other area of my life seemed messy and very uncertain.  My heart was heavy, and the burden of it all seemed more than I could bear.

What I remember the most about that night was the lyrics to one of the songs.   It was entitled, “All Is Well,” written by Michael W. Smith.  God used this song to speak a gentle, but powerful reminder into my heart.  Because of Jesus’ birth, all that is wrong will one day be made right.  This certainty brings peace and comfort to our present circumstances, and the ability to say–All Is Well.  We can praise him in the midst of our pain because He walks with us through it, and we know he holds our tomorrows.  And our eternal tomorrow will be wonderful–with joy unfathomable.

I pray that you will find the miraculous peace that comes from knowing Jesus as your Savior.  Let his peace flow into your heart as he walks with you through the pain of today, and look forward to the certain joy of heaven’s tomorrow.

  1. All Is Well
  2. Lyrics
    All is well all is well
    Angels and men rejoice
    For tonight darkness fell
    Into the dawn of love’s light
    Sing A-le
    Sing Alleluia
    All is well all is well
    Let there be peace on earth
    Christ is come go and tell
    That He is in the manger
    Sing A-le
    Sing Alleluia
    All is well all is well
    Lift up your voice and sing
    Born is now Emmanuel
    Born is our Lord and Savior
    Sing Alleluia
    Sing Alleluia
    All is well

    Here is a link if you would like to hear the song:

    http://youtu.be/thotoEXt42E

Mouse's Christmas Gift

Which quilt are you? (MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT personality test)

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In my book, MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT, some of the villagers decorate the tree outside the church with quilt squares, fabric scraps, and hair ribbons.  Which fabric square would you say best reflects your personality?  It is not a trick question, just choose the one you are drawn to, and I have written a little ditty about the personality I think matches that piece of fabric.  You can write and tell me if you agree or disagree.

 #1

#2

 #3

#4

#5

#6

#1. You are optimistic, cheerful, and happy.  You are systematic and logical.
#2. You are creative, zany, bold, and confident.  You are an energetic people-person.
#3.  You are self-assured and opinionated, but calm and reasonable.  You tend to be contemplative and quiet, but can demonstrate a flair for the dramatic.
#4.  You are creative and imaginative, playful and sweet, you see the best in people.
#5.  You are reflective and analytical, simple, to-the-point, a list-maker, and very organized.
#6.  You are gentle, caring, loving, practical, and polite.

Book Review and Author Interviews

My First Guest Blogger–Donna Martin

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Today I am highlighting author Donna Martin.  Her book The Storybook Catcher is being released on January 20 by the Adventures Imprint of Anaiah Press.  I am very thrilled for her.  Congratulations, Donna!

Title: The Story Catcher
Author: Donna L. Martin
Imprint: Adventures
Release Date: January 20, 2015

Addie comes from a long line of readers, or “story catchers,” as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own, though, the words play tricks on her. Addie tries everything she can think of to corral those wiggly letters, but it  will take a little faith to become the next STORY CATCHER.
BUY LINKS:Amazon Kindle
                        Amazon Paperback
                        Barnes & Noble
                        Smashwords
THE STORY CATCHER FAN CLUB: 
Fan club membership includes: 
Membership Certificate
Bi-monthly Newsletter full of mazes, puzzles, games, news and other goodies
Reading log for earning Story Catcher Award
Short story starring YOU! 

Link to Story Catcher Fan Club
Would you like to see a trailer?

Who is Donna Martin?

AUTHOR BIO:
By day, Donna L. Martin is a Fourth Degree TaeKwonDo Black Belt; by night, she is a self-proclaimed “ninja author” of picture books, middle grade chapter books, and young adult novels. Somewhere amidst all this excitement, she also created the Free Author Promotion event that takes place every May during the Children’s Festival of Reading. Donna loves laughter, snuggling with her cat, and reading good books. To get a sneak peak of what it was like growing up among the swamps of southern Louisiana, check out Tales from the Bayou on her blog at www.DonnaLMartin.com.
Special GIVEAWAY:
Anaiah Press will give away a $20 iTunes Gift Card to one lucky winner.
Donna L. Martin will give away a beautiful journal.

Uncategorized

Widow Barthomew’s Bread

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Can’t you smell it?  Mmm….freshly baked bread!  In MOUSE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT, Widow Barthomew bakes bread to share at the Christmas Eve Service.  I chose bread because it is a simple food that would be eaten in the time period, as well as one that would not be too expensive.  To me it is an image of a cozy, loving scene. It is also an image of a sustaining food.

The irony of it all:  My last name is Baker, but I don’t do a lot of baking.  I do have one recipe for a double chocolate banana bread that is delicious.  Here is a link:

Have you ever tried these rolls?  This is what I buy when I want the taste of homemade bread:
Look at these delicious breads below:
Here are my sources:  blissfulanddomestic.com
Ericasrecipes.com
Lovebakesgoodcakes.com
Easykitchenforall.blogspot.com
Deliacreates.com

Which of these breads do you think looks the yummiest?  Which do you think Widow Bartholomew brought to the Christmas Eve Service?  Feel free to share your delicious bread recipes!