Reporting LIVE.....

From San Jose, California.....


Hey all. I've been MIA due to traveling. I'm currently at the home of Camy Tang and her husband (aka Captain Caffiene) who are being so hospitable.

Sunday, after going to their awesome church and getting to hear them lead worship together (See picture) they took me to their favorite Chinese restaurant. And...I learned how to use chop sticks!!! (See pictures)

How kewl is that?

Later today we're driving to Sonoma to a meeting with our agency.

Hope you're having a great Monday!

Cheryl

In Seekerville today

I'm blogging in Seekerville today about the importance of research accuracy in novels.

Would love you to come share your thoughts on the matter.

Zip on over and join in the fun.

Thanks all!

Cheryl Wyatt

Marcher Lord Press Launches!

And so does Free Book Fridays here on my blog.

Did you know I have a secret love for speculative fiction? Okay well I guess it's not so secret anymore, is it? LOL!

I've often contemplated whether one could write a paranormal Inspirational. Hmmm....

Just kidding.

Anyway...I have been waiting for October to get here and am excited to announce the launch of something I've been looking forward to....Marcher Lord Press.

This is an online Christian speculative fiction house founded by editor Jeff Gerke. He also writes as Jefferson Scott whose books I have loved and read for years.

DO check out this site if you, or anyone you know, likes Christian speculative fiction which includes sci-fi, fantasy, time travel and other such genres.


Marcher Lord Press Official Web site

If you're an author--even an aspiring one, I HIGHLY recommend you sign up for the newsletter on Marcher Lord's sister site
Where the Map Ends.

And since I promised to launch Free Book Fridays on my blog in October, I'm GIVING AWAY one copy each of Marcher Lord's three fiction launch books. Free Book Fridays means that on one Friday of each month, I will give away at least one FREE BOOK. Since I am gone a lot, the Friday will vary. When I come out from under contract, I may be able to do more than one Free book Friday a month. My goal is to eventually give free books away EVERY Friday.

If you'd like a chance to win a free copy of:

Hero, Second Class by Mitchell Bonds

The Personifid Invasion by R.E. Bartlett
or

Summa Elvetica by Theodore Beale....

leave a comment in the comment section of this post by midnight next Thursday, October 23, letting me know WHICH BOOK you'd like a chance to win. Winners names will be drawn Friday morning (Oct 24) and mailed when I return from Sonoma.

Next month, on one random Friday, I will continue Free Book Fridays by giving away a free Steeple Hill book.

Cheers,

Cheryl Wyatt

Jeff Foxworthy on Illinois

Since Illinois is currently home to me and where my Wings of Refuge Series is set, I found this Forward to be hilarious...and oh-so-true!


Jeff Foxworthy on Illinois :
- If your local Dairy Queen is closed from
- November through March, you might live in Illinois
- If someone in a store offers you assistance & they don't work there, you might live in Illinois .
- If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Illinois
- If you have ever worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Illinois .
- If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might live in Illinois .
- If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Illinois
YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE Illinoisan WHEN:
1. Vacation means going north or south on I-57 for the weekend.
2. You measure distance in hours.
3. You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
4. You often switch from heat to AC in the same day and back again.
5. You drive 65 mph through a raging blizzard, with out flinching.
6. You see people wearing camouflage at social events (including weddings).
7. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
8. You carry jumper cables in your car and know how to use them.
9. You design your kids Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
10. Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
11. You know all 5 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, road construction, and it's Hot.
12. Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to a blue spruce.
13. 'Down south ' means Missouri .
14. A brat is something you eat.
15. Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new pole shed.
16. You go out to a tailgate party every Friday.
17. You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
18. You find 0 degrees a 'little chilly.'
19. You know the difference between corn and soy beans at a glance.
20. You do not consider Chicago to be a part of Illinois
21. A 'hill' is any landmass higher than 20 feet above sea level
22. You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Illinois friends. What's not to understand?

Another funny for you---Kids on Surgery

Something else that came to me via e-mail. It'll tickle your funny bone.

Cheryl



Kids on Surgery


Two little kids are in a hospital, lying on stretchers next to each other outside the operating room the first surgeries of the day.

The first kid leans over and asks, 'What are you in here for?'

The second kid says, 'I'm in here to get my tonsils out and I'm a little nervous.
The first kid says, 'You've got nothing to worry about. I had that done when I was four. They put you to sleep, and when you wake up they give you lots of Jell-O and ice cream. It's a breeze.'

The second kid then asks, 'What are you here for?'

The first kid says, 'A circumcision.'

'WHOA!' the second kid replies. 'Good luck buddy. I had that one when I was born. Couldn't walk for a year.

This is "wet your pants" funny!

I found this in my e-mail box from a friend who not only described it as "funny" but "wet your pants" funny.

I thoroughly agree. ESPECIALLY if you are a pet owner.

Enjoy!




Excerpts from a Dog's Diary...





8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!



10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!




5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!




Excerpts from a Cat's Diary.





Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Jerks.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage..

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.


The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.........

CONGRATS Renee Holland Davidson-September Prompt Winner

Hey bloggies....

Please join me in congratulating Renee in the comment section of this post. Her (very funny) entry won September's Prompt contest on my blog.

She will receive a free Steeple Hill book as her prize.

October's prompt is up and entries are down which means more of a shot at winning.

So hurry and get those in!

Warmly,

Cheryl

2008 Christian Fiction Releases

This list brought to you by Jill Eileen Smith:

1. A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell from Bethany House Publishers. In Queen Elizabeth’s court…beauty is a curse, friendship is bought and sold, and true love is the unpardonable sin.

2. A Little Bit of Faith, The Precious Girl's Club Book One by Cindy Kenney from Precious Moments Inc. Girls will discover how having a little bit of faith can help them overcome big challenges in this first book of a new series that encourages girls to celebrate the unique ways God made each one of them special and "precious in His sight."

3. A Taste of Murder, The Classical Trio Series Book 1 by Virginia Smith from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. When a young woman attends a small town's Bar-B-Q Festival, she stumbles across the path of a ruthless killer who's had a taste of murder... and is hungry for more.

4. Buffalo Gal, South Dakota Weddings series Book 1 by Mary Connealy from Heartsong Presents. A vegetarian and a cattle rancher go to war and fall in love.

5. Engaging Father Christmas (a novella) Sequel to Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn from FaithWords. Miranda Carson returns to England to spend Christmas with Ian, now her boyfriend and her recently located family; unforeseen circumstances stand in the way of a happy Christmas.

6. Longings of the Heart Sydney Cover Series Book 2 by Bonnie Leon from Revell Publishing. John and Hannah Bradshaw survived betrayal and imprisonment. Now as they reach for a new beginning one evil heart lies waiting to tear their lives apart.

7. Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas, Launch book for Love Finds You series by Sandra D. Bricker from Summerside Press. Full-on, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for the inspirational romance market.

8. My Sister Dilly by Maureen Lang from Tyndale House. Two sisters; one committed the unthinkable, one will never forgive herself.

9. On A Whim, The Katie Weldon Series Book 3 by Robin Jones Gunn from Zondervan. Katie and Rick are ready to move their relationship forward but as they make that step Katie’s life comes unglued leading her to rely on God’s plans for her.

10. Out of Her Hands, Sequel to Searching for Spice by Megan DiMaria from Tyndale House Publishers. Her children are making questionable choices, her father-in-law’s is coping with loss, and her best friend’s moving away. How can Linda manage when it’s really all out of her hands?

11. Snowbound Colorado Christmas by Susan Page Davis, Tamela Hancock Murray, Darlene Franklin, and Lena Nelson Dooley from Barbour. Love snowballs in four couples’ lives during the Blizzard of 1913. If they live through the storm, will love be there to greet each young woman on Christmas morn?

12. The Case of the Bouncing Grandma, Bouncing Grandma Mysteries Book 1 by A.K. Arenz from Sheaf House. Has Glory hit her head one too many times or was there really a foot dangling from the back of that carpet?

13. The Christmas Kite by Gail Gaymer Martin from Steeple Hill. An eight year old disabled boy provides the catalyst for his mother's and a reclusive kite builder's healing, as he opens their eyes to God's promises and love beyond understanding.

14. The Face of Deceit, Jackson's Retreat Series Book 2 by Ramona Richards from Steeple Hill/Love Inspired Suspense. When Karen O'Neill's "face vases" spark murder, art crime investigator Mason DuBroc knows a long-hidden secret is appearing in her art . . . a secret someone will kill for.

15. The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner from WaterBrook Press. The 300-year-old diary of a victim of the Salem Witch Trials challenges a young English major's worldview.

16. Waiting for Daybreak by Kathryn Cushman from Bethany House. A young pharmacist must choose between exposing negligence or keeping the job that's paying her dying mother's medical bills.

17. Walk with Me, Contemporary Minnesota series Book 1 by Becky Melby and Cathy Wienke from Barbour Publishing. When the first parolee in the Sanctuary program run by Sydney Jennet’s church turns out to be a handsome blue-eyed believer, her small town, and her heart, are no longer safe.


There are many more releases this month, but these were the ones turn into Jill.

Hugs all,

Cheryl

TAGGED TRIPLE or QUADRUPLE TIME!

Okay,

I've been tagged TWICE this week by Debby Guisti and Robin Miller. Okay maybe three times because Camy Tang tagged me last week. And Margaret Daley tagged me before that.

I'm supposed to tell you five random and surprising things about myself so here goes:

1. I have a phobia of Popsicle Sticks. No, really. I do.

2. I LOVE NASCAR and dreamed of being both a race car driver and an author one day. At least one dream came true. LOL!

3. I am an organ donor recipient (bone).

4. I am nearly fluent in Spanish.

5. I am also nearly fluent in Spinach. Meaning I LOVE green veggies.

Okay...I'm tagging my critique group:

Danica Favorite McDonald
Pammer James
Michelle Rodgers
Cynthia Hawkins

Plus the two ladies I call The Shredder (whose editing services I use and love)

Camy Tang

Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll (the great critiquer not the cook although her cooking's not too shabby either). Or...wait..we ate at McDonalds while I was there. Never mind. You'd have to ask Case about that one...her hubby who can never meet mine since their minds are too deviously alike for Robin and I's comfort.

CONGRATS LEY! WINNER OF COURTING MISS ADELAIDE

Ley...

CONGRATS!!!!

You have won the drawing for Courting Miss Adelaide from Janet Dean.

WOO-HOO!

Thanks to everyone else who entered.

If you didn't win this WONDERFUL book, I hope you will jaunt out and purchase it. You won't be sorry. Janet has become one of my favorite historical authors.

Hugs,

Cheryl

BLOG POLL-READER, WRITER or BOTH

Hey bloggernuts,

I'm trying to learn to tailor my blog more toward my actual blog readership. Experts say that we should target either readers or writers with our blogs. I have a feeling I have an equal mix of both.

So if you read my blog on any kind of regular basis, even sporadically, please let me know in the comment section if you are a reader, a writer or both.


Speak up. Don't be shy! I know you're out there. LOL!

Cheryl Wyatt

October 2008 Prompt

October Prompt Contest

RULES:
• Write a 500 word scene using all ten Prompt Words.
• Begin each scene using one of three Scene Starter Sentences.
• Mail your scenes in the body of an e-mail to Cheryl @ CherylWyatt . com (close spaces before and after “@” and “.”) If the e-mail bounces back to you, please let me know in the comment of this post.
• Put “October Prompt Contest” in the subject line.
• Entry deadline is the last day of the month.
• Winners will be notified the first week of the next month.
• Winners will receive a free Steeple Hill book, mailed the month winners are notified.
• All monthly entrants (not just winners) will be entered into the annual contest for one of several chances to win a six month subscription to any Steeple Hill line of their choice.
• Entries will not be posted or published anywhere and entrants retain all rights to their work.
• New prompts will be posted on the first of the month.
• Most of all, have fun!

October Prompt Words
1. Pumpkin
2. Relay
3. Tractor
4. Hayride
5. Cider
6. Apple
7. Jacket
8. Set
9. Sit
10. Sat

October Scene Starter Sentences:
“Will you go with me?”
“I’m scared to ask him.”
“He could use a friend right now.”

Happy writing!

Cheryl Wyatt