Scotland: A Writer's Journey

Happy September!

I was so happy to be on Bethany Willcock's blog, Vintage Volumes, with my article “Scotland: A Writer's Journey." Bethany Willcock is a beautifully talented author who is also part of Novelists in November, the anthology my story “Between Moor and Mountain" was published in last fall. Click the link to read about some of my adventures in Scotland and how they influenced my short story. And while you're there, do check out the rest of Bethany's website and explore her books!

Inveraray Castle ... there are more photos of Scotland in the article!

Guest Post by Andrea Renee Cox

I'm excited to have a guest author on the blog today! It's been far too long. Meet Andrea, one of my fellow Novelists in November anthology authors, as she shares about her story, "Melting-Pot Thanksgiving."

 

 11 Things I Love About Melting-Pot Thanksgiving

Novelists in November features stories by eleven different authors. My story is “Melting-Pot Thanksgiving” (MPT), which features an imperfect daughter tasked with creating the perfect Thanksgiving while balancing a tight writing deadline and helping her two foster kids deal with difficult life events.

These eleven elements are ones I especially love about MPT.

 

#1 The leading lady is a writer.

 

Writing about writers is something nearly every writer ends up doing at some point. I especially enjoyed writing Sarah Jones as a writer because I could easily slip in a few of my own quirks, such as shoving up my sweater sleeves so they don’t feel in the way and obsessively saving my work because of lost pages in the past.

 

#2 Teen and preteen angst is featured.

 

DJ is fourteen and full of spunk, but he also struggles to hold on to his troubled past while staking a claim on a more peaceful future.

Eun-Ji (pronounced Un-Jee) is twelve and struggling to cope while her beloved halmae (pronounced hal-may, Korean for “grandmother”) is in the hospital.

It was a fun challenge to write the situations and complex emotions for these two characters.

 

#3 Food is key to the plot.

 

The entire story revolves around preparations for Thanksgiving, so featuring food was a must. There were traditional foods like sweet potato casserole and pies, but I also tossed in some cultural foods such as mandu (pronounced man-doo, South Korean dumplings) and seafood gumbo. There might even be strawberry cake at one point.

 

#4 Diversity is spotlighted in a fresh way.

 

Sarah was a single foster mom to Delonte Smith Jr. and Kim Eun-Ji. I loved this family because it embraced a variety of cultures in the same household. No one felt pushed out or different, and everyone felt welcome. It was such a lovely thing to embrace the tapestry that God creates in making each individual person unique and special in their own right.

 

#5 Walking confidently in one’s dreams doesn’t mean other people have to understand.

 

Sarah always dreamed of being a foster mom and a writer. Her dreams are coming true despite her mother not understanding why Sarah chased these dreams in the first place. The cool thing is, we don’t need other people’s approval to pursue the dreams God installs in our hearts. We just need to trust and obey Him and see what He does with those incredible dreams.

 

#6 Adult siblings sometimes don’t get along well… and sometimes do!

 

Brian and Sarah were a blast to write. Their relationship was complex because sometimes they were at odds and sometimes they worked well together. I especially loved writing the scene when Brian came over to check up on Sarah’s progress toward the Thanksgiving meal. That scene held all kinds of spunk and bluster. Definitely a favorite!

 

#7 Mother-daughter relationships are highlighted.

 

There were three different mother-daughter relationships in this story.

1)      Sarah and Felicity (most often called Mama) had a dysfunctional relationship. They struggled to see eye to eye on things, yet they loved and needed one another.

2)      Sarah and foster daughter Eun-Ji had a budding relationship. They haven’t been together long (the length is never specified, but Eun-Ji is an emergency foster care placement for Sarah), but they’re building up solid ground between them.

3)      Eun-Ji and her halmae Min (pronounced Meen) are really granddaughter and grandmother, but Halmae Min is Eun-Ji’s only living relative and legal guardian (Sarah is also a temporary legal guardian via the foster care system). Eun-Ji admires and honors her grandmother, and Min cherishes and tries to look out for her granddaughter’s future.

 

#8 Best friends are the best supporters.

 

Sarah’s best friend, Kayla Prescott, came through for her at a couple different points in the story. Their friendship might have taken a back seat to the main plot, but it was one of those things that if it weren’t there, the story would feel incomplete.

 

#9 These besties owned a duplex together.

 

The duplex was a great hub for the action in this story. We only technically got to see Sarah’s half of it, but it was neat that the two ladies co-owned this duplex so they’d have each other very close by when either was in need of support or a chat.

 

#10 Sports are vaguely mentioned.

 

I’m a big sports fan, so any time I can sneak in a nod to that, I likely will capitalize on it. The mentions are subtle in this book. Brian is a coach (and teacher), following in the steps of his father, who is retired. That’s about all we learn about the sports angle this time around, but I’m looking forward to exploring it a bit more whenever I write Brian’s story (yes, there are more stories eventually coming in the MPT universe!).

 

#11 DJ’s mom doesn’t have page time, but she still makes an impact on the story.

 

DJ’s mom, who never gave me her name, is in prison for the duration of MPT. Still, she felt present as DJ longed to show her his grades in school and had a pretty significant phone conversation with her near the end of the story. That moment will always make me weep, it’s so emotionally impactful for him.

 

Which aspect of MPT intrigues you the most?
Are you a fan of best-friends relationships in stories? Why or why not?

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

 

 

About the Book

 

Novelists in November

a Wild Blue Wonder Press anthology

 

Novelists in November is a Christian short story collection featuring eleven emotional tales of authors finding their calling in Christ and pursuing hope, joy, and inspiration. This anthology contains touching stories from contemporary and historical fiction authors with a mix of romance, women’s fiction, and mystery!

 

Andrea Renee Cox: “Melting-Pot Thanksgiving”

Bethany Willcock: “And As She Talked”

Hannah E. Gridley: “Reasons to Be Thankful”

Katja H. Labonté: “Act in the Living Present”

Faith D. Cox: “My Heart Still Sings”

Kellyn Roth: “Tollemache House”

Katie Zeliger: “Finding Beauty in the Suffering”

Shira J. Rodriguez: “The Lost History of Lavender Lockbourne”

Heather Flynn: “Pages of Grace”

Avrie Swan: “The Sound of Healing”

Kelsey Bryant: “Between Moor and Mountain”

 

About Melting-Pot Thanksgiving

 

Melting-Pot Thanksgiving by Andrea Renee Cox

Can she create the Imperfect Perfect Thanksgiving?

Sarah Jones has many responsibilities on her plate, but Thanksgiving wasn’t supposed to be one of them. When asked to host the holiday, she can’t push aside the task, even if it means dealing with her mother’s interference. As Sarah juggles meal preparations, a tight writing deadline, and guiding her two foster children through difficult life events, she must also find the courage to buck high expectations and family traditions. 

Will the trials of strained communication, disappointment, heartache, and altered plans strengthen Sarah’s God-given novelist dreams? Will this imperfect yet dutiful daughter find a way to craft the perfect Thanksgiving dinner?

 

Book Links

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7KX58NB

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/novelists-in-november-a-wild-blue-wonder-press-anthology-by-kellyn-roth-and-katie-zeliger

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215022493-novelists-in-november

Hardcover App: https://hardcover.app/books/novelists-in-november

Wild Blue Wonder Press Shop: https://wildbluewonderpress.com/product/novelists-in-november/

 

About Andrea Renee Cox

 

Texan author Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s working on historical, contemporary, women’s fiction, romance, or romantic tragedy, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as guidance from God—to produce the best story of her ability every time. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog and subscribe to her newsletter for the latest updates in her journey. 

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/andreareneecox
Blog: https://andreareneecox.com/blog/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/andrea-renee-cox
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/andreacox
Hardcover: https://hardcover.app/@andreareneecox
Newsletter: https://andreareneecox.com/newsletter/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/andreareneecoxauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/screenwriter87
Website: https://andreareneecox.com

My Guest Post About "Between Moor and Mountain"

Hi, friends! I'm just popping in to share the link for a guest post I wrote for Andrea Renee Cox's blog. It's about my inspiration behind my story for Novelists in November, "Between Moor and Mountain." Stay tuned for tomorrow as well, as I will be hosting Andrea on this blog. 

Go HERE to read my article. 

Worthless Treasures by Mary L. Hamilton: A Review

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I've been on this blog, but of course I haven't stopped reading or writing. Today I have news to share from an author friend of mine, Mary L. Hamilton. Her latest novel, Worthless Treasures, is up for preorder! I had the privilege of reading an advance copy and loved it. Read on for my review at the end of this post.

 

Preorder link: Amazon 

Find on Other Retailers

 

About the Book

Professional organizer Diamond Lange helps clients declutter their homes and let go of what no longer serves them. But when her mother, Eva, suddenly passes away, Diamond is left with a house overflowing with junk and a promise she regrets making.

Although Diamond considers everything in her mother's house trash, Eva left behind a very specific list of five seemingly worthless objects—a piano, a rag doll, a ceramic vase, a vintage necklace, and a star painting. Eva requested these items be passed on to others who will cherish them as much as she did.

At a time when Diamond questions her own self-worth, she sees little value in the items on the list. Who in the world would accept—much less appreciate—a piano that will always be out of tune, a doll that’s lost half its hair, or any of the other worthless items on Eva’s list? But to assuage her guilt, and Eva's perceived disappointment in her, Diamond determines to honor her mother’s last wishes, commencing an emotional journey through dusty memories and buried regrets.

The unexpected arrival of an old flame, the threat of her childhood home being demolished, and a child’s urgent health problem force Diamond to consider what truly matters. Worth isn’t always calculated in dollars and cents. Sometimes it's measured with the heart.

Worthless Treasures will resonate with readers who love stories of self-discovery and the beauty of finding meaning in the unexpected. The included Discussion Guide makes this poignant, heartfelt novel about family, memories, and the value we place on the things we leave behind a must for book clubs. 

About the Author

Mary L. Hamilton began her novel-writing career with a series of novels for young teens and tweens. The Rustic Knoll Bible Camp series is set at a Christian youth camp, much like the camp where she grew up in southern Wisconsin. More recently, she has turned to writing adult mystery/suspense. She released her first mystery, Pendant, under the name M L Hamilton, but has since gone back to using her full name.

Mary initially wrote inspirational articles and a few devotional pieces. She also published a Christmas play titled, "Homespun Angel," before turning to novels.

When not writing, Mary enjoys knitting, spending time with her family, and a little amateur photography. You can see some of her work on Instagram where her handle is @maryhamiltonbooks.

She and her husband make their home in Texas.

You can find more about Mary at www.maryhamiltonbooks.com. Her facebook author page can be located here: www.facebook.com/maryhamiltonbooks.

 

 

 

 

My Review

 

It's amazing how the subject of clutter and hoarding can become a heartfelt novel about family and true worth that tugs at your emotions and absorbs you in a page-turning story. It's very relatable; most of us have dealt with either our own clutter or family members' clutter. No matter how we relate to it, sifting through possessions is something many of us have done. This novel explores the emotions attached to that process, but in a deep way that never loses sight of characters or plot.

I liked all of the characters; they were realistic and sympathetic. Di, the protagonist, has to confront past hurts as she cleans out her mother's house. Eva, her artistic, eccentric mother is living only at the beginning but still permeates the whole book, like our loved ones who have passed on but remain alive in our memories. Lyndee Rae, who unexpectedly becomes a life-changing friend to Di, is raising a daughter in need of a heart transplant. Many other characters, each unique, bring their own contributions to the story.

The story packed a lot in a short amount of space—I found it hard to put down. Oh, and a bonus: it was set in Waco, my old stomping grounds. :) In conclusion, I love a good, clean story that tugs at your heart but leaves you with warmth and hope. Worthless Treasures fits that to a T!

(I received an advance copy of this book from the author. I was under no obligation to post a positive review.)