Good Company Giveaway!

As you may know, I've just returned from a long weekend in Indianapolis--well, actually it's been 6 days and I'm still playing "catch-up." And blaming jet lag for as much as I can. Yet despite the yawns, jam-packed e-mail inbox, and bottomless laundry basket, I'm still smiling. Big time. Because even though I didn't fly home with a Carol Award tucked into my suitcase, the 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers' conference was such a winning experience. Beyond the valuable writing workshops, great hotel, good food, soul-filling group worship, the best part of the weekend was the opportunity to be in such good company. Like:

1) Meeting with my agent Natasha Kern, Tyndale House Acquiring Editor Jan Stob and Fiction Editor Sarah Mason. It's always wonderful to meet with Natasha, and this was my first face-to-face meeting with the talented editors, though we'd worked closely together and chatted on the phone several times. It was such a neat sense of "team" to be able to sit down with these three publishing professionals and talk not only about the Mercy Hospital series, but to also brainstorm ideas for new, upcoming projects. Good company indeed!

Natasha Kern, Candace, Jan Stob, Sarah Mason

2) Hanging out (laughing, staying up way too late!) with dear friend, critique partner and fellow writer (watch for her fabulous historical romance) Nan Herriman. She's in Ohio, I'm in California, and though we connect daily via keyboard and monitor, hadn't had any "face time" for 3 years. You can bet we did some talkin'! You know that kind of friendship: conversation picks up right where you left off. Such a blessing. Good, good, company.

Candace, historical romance writer Nan Herriman at awards banquet

3) Re-connecting at the book signing with Rosie, a reader and aspiring writer I'd first met in 2009 at bookstore signing in Texas. How great to see her now as a member of ACFW, following her dream toward publication! The opportunity to meet and encourage fellow writers is one of the biggest blessings of this conference, for sure.

Rosie and Candace

Speaking of reconnecting: Last year I met Dr. Richard Mabry at the conference--while down on our knees offering aid to another writer. We learned afterward that we were fellow authors as well as medical professionals--and that we were both writing inspirational medical fiction! (Smile) Had to be part of a bigger plan. Since then, we've each hosted the other on our blogs and kept in touch regarding our book releases. It was good to meet again this year, share a friendly hug, and then learn that: Our books were packaged together in the conference bookstore for a special sale. His debut medical suspense, Code Blue, and my first medical romance, Critical Care. Tied together with a yellow ribbon and offered as a "Bargain Bundle." We couldn't have been more pleased!

It's great to share a readership with this good doctor--folks "scrubbing in" for our medical dramas in "double shifts." Plus, I just plain like the look of our books together, like this photo snapped by reader/writer/blogger Carol Moncado. See what her UPS man delivered all in the same day:

To celebrate a great conference and such good company, we thought we'd "bundle up" again.

Offer two sets of books at the biggest bargain price there is: a Free Giveaway!

Bundle One: Code Blue and (your choice) Disaster Status or Critical Care.

Bundle Two: Medical Error and Code Triage.

I'll pick two winning names (via random selector) on Monday, October 4th at 9:00 AM Pacific time. *No need to choose a specific book bundle*

Simply leave a comment here saying why you'd like to win these books, and your name will be entered.

Good luck, my friends, and please know that you are always "good company" to me!

Meet you in Indianapolis

Today I pulled suitcases down from the cupboards in our new garage--packing again, but not with strapping tape and cardboards boxes as we have done twice in recent months. This time it's for the annual ACFW conference being held in Indianapolis. And instead of wrapping dishes in paper, cramming office supplies into sacks, and lugging hubby's purple bowling ball, I'll be packing clothes suitable for workshops, my book-signing materials. And the recently purchased evening gown, of course. Still pinching myself that my debut medical drama, Critical Care, has been nominated for a Carol Award that honors "the highest achievement for published authors of Christian fiction." Goose-bumps on goosebumps here.

But the annual conference is about so much more than awards. It's an opportunity for writers (published authors, aspiring authors, beginning writers) to gather together, learn, network--socialize, support each other. Writing is for the most part a solitary (and lonely) endeavor, butt in the chair, fingers on the keyboard--with the occasional foray into Twitter or Facebook when the walls close in. For the 4 or 5 days at conference, we do a 180 turn--non-stop talking, laughs, hugs, reunions, new friendships, brainstorming. Dizzying, exciting, inspiring--exhausting, but wonderful. I remember(way back when) at my first writers' conference feeling like I'd finally landed on a planet where everyone spoke my language! And being completely hoarse on the last day. As I am every time since.

So what sort of planned activities will be going on at the Hyatt? Great stuff like:

Keynote Addresses by best-selling author of the "Bug Man" series, Tim Downs.

Early bird session by stellar author, James Scott Bell: "6 Critical Success Factors in Fiction."

Editor and Agent panels--and opportunities for writers to "pitch" their current work in progress to these industry professionals!

Mentoring of writers by published authors.

Workshops on subjects like: "Creating a Believable Fantasy Storyworld," "It's Not a Dirty Word--Theme," "This Ain't Sweet Valley High--writing Young Adult Fiction," "Turning Rejection into Redirection," "Amish 101," "Feeding the Muse". . . and many more.

A bookstore, with scheduled signings by authors--OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. I'll be signing copies of all three Mercy Hospital books at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday morning, September 18th from 8:45 to 9:15 AM. Come on by!

The ACFW Awards Banquet (hence the evening gown) on Sunday night--a glitzy and glamorous dinner event run much like the Oscars. I'll be sitting with my agent Natasha Kern, and our wonderful "family" of clients, NINE of whom have been nominated for Carol Awards in various categories!

This year, there will be a LIVE BLOG FEED from the awards ceremony--tune in and catch the excitement!

One of my very favorite parts of this conference is something that sets it apart from so many other writing conferences: opportunities for worship as a group. Individual devotions offered by attendees, a member choir that leads songs of praise. Reminders that, as Christian fiction writers (and other industry professionals) we are all "on the same page" when it comes to our work. Awesome indeed. That, and the opportunity to encourage new writers, make this event the best of the best.

So . . . back to packing. Decisions to be made: Pearls or glitter with the evening gown? Bring the Kinko's poster of Code Triage in case the hot-off-the-press books don't arrive? Wear the red scrubs for the signing?

And what about the bookmarks? Last year I got patted down by airport security after the box went through the scanner . . .

I leave on Friday and I'm excited! If you're going to conference, I'll see you there (if we haven't met, please don't be shy. Introduce yourself; I'd love the chance to get to know you).

If you're not going this year, I promise to post pictures when I return. Hoarse, tired--and inspired.

Whoo hoo, Indy bound!

Interview & Book Giveaway: Sandra Robbins

Today it's my delight to welcome Sandra Robbins. She's a former elementary school principal turned mystery author--her tag line says it beautifully: "Mystery and Romance--A Deadly Combination." Sandra's work, both exciting and faith-affirming, has been honored with a Holt Merit Award, a Daphne DuMaurier final, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence final, and a Romantic Times 4-Star review. Most recently, her novel Final Warning was named as a finalist in American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award.

Sandra will share insights into the writing life, tips for aspiring authors, and a tantalizing peek at her newest work. Plus, she's graciously offered a signed book to one lucky reader--details to follow. But first I must share the amazing story of how we met.

It was nearly a year ago, at the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers' conference in Denver, Colorado--elevation 5,280 feet. I mention that dizzying height because it was the catalyst for our introduction. Which actually happened . . . on the floor. You see, Sandra was unexpectedly overcome by a bout of altitude sickness at our conference breakfast. And I (always an ER nurse) and several other writers sprinted to her aid. I accompanied Sandra to the hospital and we had an opportunity to get to know each other. We discovered we shared (among other things) a literary agent--Sandra had just signed with Natasha Kern. We were already "family!" In the end, Sandra recovered nicely . . . and we'd each made a new friend. I couldn't be more delighted. And now, let's chat . . .

CC: Welcome, Sandra! I love discovering an author’s non-writing passions. Your college major was in piano and that passion for music has continued throughout your life—even as conductor of an adult handbell choir! Music and writing, artistic endeavors that are both disciplined and expressive. May I challenge you, then, to find some similarities between playing a challenging piano piece and writing a novel?

SR: There are two similarities that pop into my mind right away.

I began taking piano lessons when I was six years old. One of the things I learned at that young age was that if you wanted to play the piano well you had to practice. I have often wondered how many hours I’ve spent in my lifetime sitting on a piano bench and practicing. The same is true of writing. To write a book, you have to plant yourself in a chair and spend hours writing and rewriting. My first three books didn’t sell, so I considered them my practice time as I learned the craft of writing. However, you never get through practicing. I realize that every time my agent tells me what I need to do to improve a story I’ve written.

Another similarity I see has to do with emotion. Musical compositions have words, phrases, symbols, etc. to mark how the piece is to be played. The performer responds to these instructions in order to produce the emotion the composer envisioned in the piece, and the audience in turn responds to the performer’s interpretation. A writer wants the same response from her reader. Her means of doing that is by choosing words, settings, descriptions, characters with conflict and goals, and dialogue that paint vivid pictures and produce the reader’s reaction to the world the writer has created.

CC: I love that emotional connection. Writing romantic suspense (or mystery) requires development of two plots, the “whodunit” and the love story. Your books also include a faith journey. How difficult is it to successfully interweave these three distinct elements? Any tips for beginning writers in that regard?

SR: The word “romantic” is very important for authors who want to write romantic suspense. In this genre, the romance and the suspense must share equally in the story. Sometimes the suspense will be pulling the story along, and at others the writer has to focus on the romance. In the inspirational market there also has to be that faith journey. In romantic suspense you have a hero and heroine who are in pursuit of a villain. Their romance happens naturally as they share the dangerous journey toward reaching their goal. To me it seems so natural to incorporate the faith element into the situation they face.

For beginning writers, I would advise them to read authors who write romantic suspense to see how it differs from a romance or a suspense novel. The goal is to combine the two into one work that will please readers of both genres.

CC: I know that when I was writing mysteries, my mind often wandered down strange paths: weapons, poisons and all manners of mayhem. I would occasionally ask my husband to assist in “choreographing” action scenes. How does your husband, Guy, handle being married to a “dangerous woman”?

SR: I suppose he’s gotten used to it by now. Our son is a policeman, and our conversations often leave my husband shaking his head. I run ideas by him and often read passages aloud to get his reaction. He is my greatest supporter, and I appreciate him so much.

CC: Nice to have that support--and a law enforcement resource in the family! Your grand children have a special place in your heart. And I loved the funny story on your website about how your mother got her special “grandma name.” What do your grandchildren call you? Any budding writers there?

SR: My grandchildren call me Sissy. It’s the name my younger brother gave me when we were children. It became my family name through the years, and now I’m Sissy to my grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and even friends of my children.

My daughter is a writer of screenplays, but she put it aside to concentrate on raising her children. Now that they are older she is getting back into it.

CC: (Smiling) Okay then, Sissy, I’m imagining myself as a dinner guest, sitting at your lovely table (and near your amazing china collections!). What are you serving?

SR: I love to cook, but I don’t entertain as much as I used to. I suppose it’s because I’m tied to a computer so much of the time. At this time of year, you’d get lots of fresh vegetables, like squash, okra, tomatoes, green beans, and corn. My family likes the poppy seed chicken I make. And of course, you can’t have a meal with fresh vegetables in the South unless you have cornbread and lots of iced tea.

When it comes to dessert, pies are my specialty. In fact my French coconut pie was the hit of a church dinner last week.

CC: French Coconut Pie? We'd better move on before I start to drool! I loved your current release, Mountain Peril. Will you please tell my readers about it?

SR: Mountain Peril released in April of this year. Here’s the back cover blurb:

According to an anonymous message, a young woman is going to be murdered in the North Carolina mountains. When a body is found, Danielle Tyler is shocked to learn it’s her student—the third person in her life to meet an untimely death. Is she next? From disturbing notes and roses left in her office to cold-blooded murder, someone means deadly business. Detective Jack Denton—the stalwart lawman who makes her pulse race—vows to find the deranged madman, but Danielle doesn’t dare let him too close. Especially when death seems to be the destiny of anyone she cares about. . .

CC: What’s next on the writing horizon?

SR: The Columns of Cottonwood, a historical romance, releases in Barbour’s Heartsong Presents Romance line in September, and it will be followed by two more in the series next year. These novels are set along the banks of the Alabama River just after the Civil War.

Yuletide Defender, a romantic suspense from Steeple Hill, releases in December. It is a story about a newspaper reporter and a police detective who try to stop a vigilante who is trying to spark a gang war in their city.

At present I am working on the first romantic suspense in a series set on Ocracoke Island, a barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. I vacationed there a few years ago and thought the setting perfect for a book. I’m excited about this series.

CC: You've been busy, my friend! Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

SR: Thank you for having me as a guest. I appreciate the opportunity to let your readers know more about me. I am so thankful that God has brought me to a place in my life that I can fulfill my life-long dream of writing. As I’ve said so often, my prayer is that the words of hope and love He gives me will scatter like seeds and be planted in the hearts of readers.

CC: Hope and love--I agree completely. Thank you SO much for stopping to chat with us, Sandra. I look forward to seeing you at the ACFW conference in September (Indianapolis, elevation 750 feet. That's more like it!)

For additional information, please visit Sandra Robbins' website and blog.

To have your name entered in my book giveaway drawing for a signed copy of Mountain Peril, please post a comment below.

I'll draw the winning name on Tuesday, August 10th.

A Moving Experience

In the past several weeks my blogging time has been spent assembling cardboard boxes (book-size, crystal-cell, wardrobe tall) to the zzzippp-riiiip tune of strapping tape coming off of the roll. Accompanied by grunts, groans, and the inevitable muttering of, "Do you know where the (fill in the blank) is?" And the occasional pointed quip: "Mmm hmmm, purple bowling ball from the 70's. Sure, sweetie, I understand . . . "

We have moved. Again. Which makes twice in 4 months. Probably no big deal by military standards, but sure feels like a bunch o' work to me. From Texas to the northern California lease house. Then to the new home we purchased MUCH more quickly than we'd planned . . . but is just perfect for us. Perfect, meaning that it meets our combined criteria: Killer Kitchen for me. Three Car Garage for hubby. Though there are plenty of other bonuses, the coolest (in my opinion) is that all of the streets in this particular community are named after famous authors! As in, "Turn right at Michener, pass Stevenson, hang a left at Dr. Seuss . . . " I'm exaggerating, but you get the picture. It's delightful and a little like being surrounded by old friends. Speaking of surrounded:

The new house also has a wonderfully lush and private backyard. With a pond, waterfalls. And teeny little frogs that hop down from the trees. To sit on the edge of the hot tub and stare at us, their throats vibrating like eensy green-speckled balloons. I like to think they are warming up to say something warm and charming. Like, "Welcome back home, California girl."

On the other hand, they could be about to squeak, "Duck, dummy, my big brother's about to land on your head!"

It's been an adventure, for sure. And though we're pooped, there have already been SO many blessings associated with being back to "our roots" --like being there when our baby grand daughter took her first steps. And being close enough now that our children and other 5 grandchildren can visit by way of a drive or short flight. Wonderful!

In the short while we've been here, we've been able to host a first annual Easter Egg Hunt, attend several laugh-filled gatherings with old friends, a touching Celebration of Life service for a nurse friend who passed away unexpectedly, as well as "be there" for dear friends going through a very difficult time. I have no doubts that moving back West was in God's great plan for our lives.

We've moved. And this time we're staying put. Anybody need any packing boxes? Strapping tape? Purple bowling ball . . . oops.

So, question: I heard recently that more than 50% of people live within 5 miles of where they were born. I'm home again. How about YOU?

Congratulations Newsletter Winners!

In anticipation of summer, my June e-mail newsletter offered a challenge: share the name of your favorite suntan product and, if you like, a memory that evokes.

I started the ball rolling by offering SEA & SKI. The scent of that lotion transports me immediately back to my teen years at Lake Tahoe, California.

Your responses were great: Hawaiian Tropic, Sea & Ski, even baby oil (I remember those times before we knew the letters SPF). But by far, the most mentioned brand of suntan lotion was Coppertone. And, in fact, all three names drawn for my book giveaway mentioned Coppertone.

The winners of a signed copy of Disaster Status go to:

ALIZA A.

REBECCA B. (memories of Kerr Lake in Henderson, NC--boating and cookouts!)

LAURA G. (The scent of Coppertone Water Babies reminds her of being a 5-yr. old splashing in the water at Lake Erie).

Thank you all for sharing summer sun memories. And congratulations to our winners!

Stay tuned to my quarterly newsletter for updates on the summer release of Code Triage and for more chances at book giveaways.

We have a winner!

Congratulations to "kykitty" --you are my drawing winner. Please let me know which book you'd like, Critical Care or Disaster Status, and an e-mail address. :-)

Nurses' Week: A Salute & Book Giveaway

Nurses: The woman in the red scrubs is me . . . saluting YOU. Because, as you likely know . . .

National Nurses' Week begins May 6th and ends May 12--Florence Nightingale's birthday. In my opinion, appreciation for who you are, what you do (day in and day out, shift after double shift, through joy, tragedy and everything in between) should be celebrated 24/7 for 365 days a year. That you are there, that you care, is incredibly important. Ask your team mates and every patient and family member who has counted on your skill and compassion in a time of need. In my 30-plus years in the ER, I know what a blessing each and every one of you are.

So, to help celebrate your week, YOU, I'd like to offer a chance to take a break, put those tired feet up and escape: with a free, signed copy of one of two novels in the exciting new Mercy Hospital series. If your name is drawn in my book giveaway, you'll have your choice of CRITICAL CARE or DISASTER STATUS. You'll "scrub in" for pulse-quickening medical drama, suspense, humor and a heartwarming romance--with an encouraging prescription for hope.

The giveaway is open to all nurses. I'll draw names on May 12th, and notify the winner by e-mail. For a chance at a signed copy of Critical Care or Disaster Status, simply post a brief note below, telling me how long you've been a nurse and what type of nursing you do (or did, if retired).

I look forward to hearing from you. Meanwhile enjoy your week and your much deserved kudos. Here's to YOU. I'm raising my stethoscope in a salute to say: Thank you for for caring.