Submitting....ahhhh...the horror!

So back in December I was told I could resubmit my book Malicious Intent if I made some changes. I put it off for a while because of other obligations, but I finally did the revisions mailed it off last month.

I'm telling you this so you can pray for me. Not just pray that the book will meet with the editor's approval, but for me to have a peace about letting this book go. About moving on from this project. I'm at a place where I want to be productive with my writing. I desire to grow and learn as a writer. I don't want to waste my time floundering around anymore. If this book isn't what they want, then my goal is that I can just put it away with no remorse. Then I need to finish the other two that I have started. I say started but one of them is halfway finished and I'm loving it. I think it has a voice that I'm happy with and feel it's the kind of book I see myself writing even years from now. It's been easier to write too. Maybe that means something.

So pray for me to be gracious and accepting no matter what the editor says. And that I can put this project away if the answer is no.

When are you going to get published???

“Oh, it’s fine. Now when are you going to get published?”

Most of my blog readers know that I’m a writer. I’ve written and published over 200 articles and reviews. I’m also working on my own Christian fiction books. I’ve been given the go ahead from Steeple Hill to rework a few parts of my book Malicious Intent and then send it back to them for consideration for their Love Inspired Suspense line. It’s a long shot, but at least I’m in the ball game again. :) They receive between 500-1000 submissions a year and only publish 48 of those. See what I mean. Long shot. LOL.

Most of my friends have dozens of rejections lining their office walls. One of my close friends, Cara, did have success pretty early on, but still... a lot of hard work went into that success. So it was with disappointment but also a degree of realism, that I accepted my first and only rejection two years ago. It was when I submitted Prescription for Murder to the LIS line. Since that rejection, I’ve taken some time off from both papers I was writing for and even slowed down on my book reviews. All in an attempt to focus my energy on the books I’d started.

During that same time, I took a job as a freelance reader for Harlequin/Steeple Hill. A job that I love. I thought that being a reader for one of the lines I was targeting would give me some insight into what they’re looking for. There is some truth to that, as I do believe I have gathered a better understanding of the line and what makes a book work or fail.

Here’s the funny part. I’ve read numerous manuscripts for Harlequin in the last couple years. Each time feeling pretty comfortable in my evaluation of those manuscripts. Why then, is it still so hard to evaluate my own book? Seriously. I’m at a loss. I kind of think it’s because I know the story so well I read between the lines as I’m reading. I know what my characters are thinking. What they’re seeing. Smelling. Unfortunately, Jane the reader can’t do that. So, while I love my job and hope to keep it for quite some time, sadly, I’m not sure how much it’s helped me in my own writing.

Fortunately, I have a friend who is also one of their readers and I’m looking forward to her opinion of my manuscript. If you don’t have the good fortune to know a first reader or even a published author, join a writing community (like ACFW) or critique group. If that’s not an option, find a friend who loves to read. A friend that will be brutally honest with you. Not someone who will pat your back and say the nice things you want to hear. Because that won’t help you at all. I remember a long time ago I asked my mom to read one of my books and she just said, “Oh, it’s fine. Now when are you going to get published?” So not helpful. :0/

On the other hand, I have a published author friend who is very tough on me. When she sees a problem, she’ll tell you. But when something is good, she’ll tell you that too. I need that. I can work with a critical eye. I can’t learn or work with “Oh, it’s fine. Now when are you going to get published?”

A McKaslin Homecoming by Jillian Hart

When contacted by her long-lost grandmother, Lauren McKaslin wanted to reconnect- with all the warmhearted Montana McKaslins. For too long, she'd relied solely on herself and her faith. But mistrustful lawman Caleb Stone stood in her way, and his questions about her were intimidating. Was his attention more than a protective instinct? Now that she believed in family again, perhaps this was also the time to believe in true love...

* * * * *

Sabrina here: This is actually my first Jillian Hart book and I can't imagine why. I'm loving the opportunity to read all these great authors for the first time. It makes me eagerly anticipate all those stories out there that I missed and that are to come.

In this book, Lauren McKaslin has lived with her mother all her life (at least for the life she can remember) Now after all these years she finds there's this whole family that has missed her. They've wanted her to be a part of their life. Not at all what she's been led to believe. She's nervous and timid and so afraid to hope for a future with the new family.

This story was so sweet and moving. Being a girl who has a family out there somewhere that I've never met, this story was particularly moving for me. I felt such compassion for Lauren as she watched the family interact together and struggled with feelings of being a stranger and not really having a place in the family.

Her new found sisters did a tremendous job of including her and added charm and laughter to the book.

The love interest, Caleb Stone, was a solid, steady, hunk of a man, that most women would love to meet. LOL. He was encouraging to her when she needed it and gave her a little push when she needed that too. I think if you have a chance to purchase this book, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back and read the McKaslin books I've missed. Overall great read. Click here to purchase.

VANISHED BY MARGARET DALEY

Without a Trace
As a detective in Chicago, J.T. Logan had put away a lot of criminals--and had made a lot of enemies. However, the last thing the widowed father and current small-town sheriff expected was crime in his own backyard. Until his young daughter was kidnapped.

FBI agent Madison Spencer found herself working with J. T. again on a case painfully different from their previous one. She could only watch as he struggled to remain coldly professional while his heart was in anguish. And what of her own heart? Romance should be the furthest thing from their minds. All she could do was hope--and pray--for them all.

Sabrina Here: I recently "found" this book on my bookshelf. I had put it there and when I got another shipment of books for review I must have temporarily missed this one. This is a May 2007 book by Steeple Hill. It is still available to purchase here.

This book was actually a great read, but it was not a lighthearted fun read for a lot of reasons. First it dealt with a tough subject--the kidnapping of a child. Daley did a good job making us fear for the child. She also made it easy to relate with the father and his feelings of inadequacy. I hurt for J.T. and even felt myself almost praying along with him that his daughter would be returned safe and sound. Isn't that a great feeling when the book becomes real enough to you that you want to pray for the characters? ;)

Another thing I found a little hard was I wanted so much to know the backstory with these characters. Sometimes reading one book out of a series isn't a big deal, but with this book I could tell that I have to at some point read the other books in this series of Daley's. I felt like there was some "good" stuff that I apparently missed. That's not really a negative more that I cared enough about the characters to find out more about them. I was sad to leave their small town. The romance was believable and very well written. I loved Madison's character and could easily see her in J.T.'s life.

It was a great read and I'd highly recommend this book. I myself am eager to catch up on some of Margaret's other books. I'll let you know when I do.

In the next few days I'll be reviewing Nikki Arana's As I Have Loved You. It was a very interesting book. I may even give a copy away. ;)

LOVE INSPIRED WEDNESDAY... Valley of Shadows by Shirlee McCoy

Since I'm targeting the LI line of Steeple Hill I thought it would be a wise decision to read as much of their current line as possible to not only see what the published authors did right, but to get a feel for what the editors are obviously looking for. Therefore, I'm going to try and post a review of an LI book every Wednesday. If you've never read an LI book you're in for a treat. The books are small enough that you can read them in one sitting or come back to over a couple days time. There's always a good balance between the romance and spiritual thread and in the suspense line there is always a fast paced energetic plot to keep you interested.

This week I'm reviewing Valley of Shadows by Shirlee McCoy. I've long been a fan of Shirlee's not just because of her writing. She's a kind hearted woman who is willing to share her personal experience in the publishing world and offer advice when needed. I've made her blog one of my must read blogs just because she's always sharing stuff about the industry or the writing process.

I took Valley of Shadows with me on our vacation along with about 4 other books thinking I'd have all kinds of time to read. Ha Ha. Ever been on vacation with an 8 year old boy who doesn't understand the concept of relaxation? LOL. We were too busy to even sit and read around the pool. So on Sunday evening with my son and husband already asleep I sat up and read the entire book until about 2:00 a.m. I kept thinking, one more page, just one more page. LOL. It was that good.

Here's the back cover blurb:

UNMASKING THE TRUTH

Working deep undercover was dangerous. Mercenary turned DEA agent Hawke Morran found out just how dangerous when his cover was suddenly blown. His life hung in the balance--until a mysterious woman saved him from certain death.

Hawke was a lone wolf--used to bringing down the bad guys by himself. Without a partner. Yet now he and Miranda Shelton were running for their lives, desperate to uncover the identity of Hawke's betrayor. Journeying from the mountains of Lakeview, Virginia, to the valleys of Thailand, Hawke vowed to protect the lovely Christian woman in his care.

Sabrina here, the story starts out with Miranda grieving the loss of a loved one. As she's contemplating her life and how things will change, she's drawn into a murderous plot to kill a masked and bound man that she's never met. She doesn't even hesitate to help him without thought or worry for herself.

Once she helps him she finds herself unable to go home and lead the "normal" life she's lived. She's on the run and the only one she can trust is Hawke Morran.

Shirlee does well writing living breathing characters. I felt drawn to Miranda immediately. I could sympathize with her loss and even her questioning her purpose in life. I also liked Hawke quit a bit. (who wouldn't?) LOL. He came across as strong both physically and morally. I especially enjoyed the traveling to another country and could visualize the scenes as they played out. I won't give anymore away because it would spoil the story for you, but it was a well written book that kept me interested until the last page. Overall, I felt like I had been along for the journey.

Readers of McCoy will find this as enjoyable as all her other books. They'll also enjoy the cameo appearance of Noah Stone from Even in the Darkness. Overall, two thumbs up! ;) Pick up Valley of Shadows by Shirlee McCoy today.