Author Spotlight: Kaye Schmitz

Hi friends! Today I have the pleasure of spotlighting author Kaye Schmitz. Everyone, say hello to Kaye! Without further ado, let's get to know Kaye and her new book On Deadly Grounds.

Author Bio:
Kaye Schmitz is the author of the award-winning novel, THE CONSORT CONSPIRACY, A Covington Family Mystery. Active in the writing community, she is a member of the Florida Writers’ Association, Sisters in Crime (national and local), and International Thriller Writers. She is also an active speaker and teaches a writers’ workshop titled, “We All Have a Story to Tell.” Ms. Schmitz makes her home in St. Augustine, FL where she lives with her husband, Michael.

Blurb:
My newest book is ON DEADLY GROUNDS and was released on May 8 by Lamplighter Suspense, an Imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a division of Iron Stream Media. I have LOVED working with them. One of my favorite early readers was Steve Berry, International Bestselling author of nineteen novels, who even gave me a blurb for the cover. Here’s the book’s back cover copy to give readers a look at the story.

On the eve of an international G7 Summit, event coordinator Mattie Maguire discovers that the venue, a century-old estate close to Asheville, NC, is more than simply a picturesque setting. It is also the center of political conspiracies involving a ruthless Russian spy ring that will stop at nothing to steal the massive fortune they believe to be hidden there. The search intensifies and a rogue Russian agent attacks Mattie’s grandmother, still living on the estate. She hovers in a coma, barely clinging to life.

As Mattie struggles to protect her family and ensure a safe event for the most important leaders in the world, her discovery of a fraudulent heir to the estate puts her own life in danger as well. But when her eighty-five-year-old grandfather is kidnapped and held at gunpoint, her path becomes clear. Despite her fear, she must locate the only person who has the information the Russians seek—the estate’s rightful heir, hidden away for decades after the murder of his father. But will the true owner’s return to his childhood home put his life in danger, too?

Inspiration for ON DEADLY GROUNDS:
So far, my stories have been inspired by real life events in history and this one is no different. My inspiration was the 1929 Beverly Hills murder of Ned Doheny, supposedly by his male secretary, who then turned the gun on himself. Forensics at the crime scene didn’t match up with the story told by those in the house at the time, so to this day, there is still speculation about who did the actual shooting…or if a third person was involved who shot both of them. My husband and I visited the mansion grounds several years ago and the story intrigued me so much, I had to write about it.

Interestingly, when I visited Asheville again in December 2019, I learned that the architect for Biltmore, Henry Morris Hunt, the person I had put in my book as also designing and building Clairmont Place (the century-old mansion where a lot of the action takes place) died in 1895, prior to the actual opening of Biltmore. I got in touch with my editor immediately and let her know that I needed to change that section of my book to say he designed it only, since he had died before it was built. I have no idea how I missed that critical fact during my research. Fortunately, I was able to fix my story before the book was released.

A few tidbits about me:
• I have a lighted 75-house Christmas village that I assemble every October and take down every February.
• I am a former first place winner in a ballroom dance competition in, of all places, Asheville!! (That’s close to where ON DEADLY GROUNDS takes place).
• Prior to theaters closing, I had a standing Monday-night movie date with my husband.


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Kaye Schmitz and her book On Deadly Grounds.

Other books:
My first book was THE CONSORT CONSPIRACY, a dual timeline that takes place two hundred years apart, where modern day Kate Covington solves not only a two-hundred-year-old murder, but also discovers who killed her own mother. And I recently finished my third book, THE ROAD REMEMBERED, which takes place mostly during World War II. I describe it as BAND OF BROTHERS meets THE NIGHTINGALE.

Currently working on:
The sequel to ON DEADLY GROUNDS, with a working title of FROM DEADLY TIES, in which Mattie and Daniel Scott, who has become important in her life, are featured.


Below are links to connect with Kaye and buy her book On Deadly Grounds:

Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084CSYGNK/
Website: https://www.kayedschmitzauthor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayedschmitz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayeschmitzauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayedschmitz


If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Grab a copy of Kaye's book and enjoy your day!

Author Spotlight: Laurie Wood

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Laurie Wood. Everyone, say hello to Laurie! Without further ado, let's get to know Laurie and her book Northern Hearts.

Author Bio:
Laurie Wood is a military wife who’s lived across Canada and visited six of its ten provinces. She and her husband have raised two wonderful children with Down Syndrome to adulthood, and their son and daughter are a wonderful blessing to their lives. Over the years, Laurie’s books have finaled in prestigious contests such as the Daphne du Maurier (twice), the TARA, the Jasmine, and the Genesis. Her family lives in central Canada with a menagerie of rescue dogs and cats. If the house were bigger, no doubt they’d have more.

Northern Hearts
Last July, my husband and I flew up to Churchill, Manitoba so I could research my second main book in my Heroes of the Tundra series. I wanted to see what the town and surrounding area were like in the summertime, as well as interview the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police, because book 2’s hero is an RCMP officer.

Churchill is a small town of 900 people and sits on the shores of Hudson Bay, that cut-out of water in the centre of Canada leading to the Arctic ocean. It’s out best deep-water port to the arctic and during the wintertime and polar bear season, it swells to thousands of tourists.

I wrote the Christmas novella, Northern Hearts, as a “fill-in” story between Book 1 and Book 2. Northern Deception, Book 1, ends in November with an Epilogue the following March. Northern Hearts is set during that Christmas immediately following the November ending of Northern Deception.

Its tone is more Hallmark than edgy suspense, but it still has a mystery and a lot of romance. It’s going to be FREE to download from July 17 to 20, 2020 on Amazon.com at https://amzn.to/2V2Tpsl

Book Blurb Northern Hearts

Wealthy socialite Kali McIntyre dreams of opening her own dessert bar, Sassy Sweets, in downtown Winnipeg—until her father crushes that dream when he cuts her off financially. He’s determined to get her to use her law degree to join the family’s high-powered law firm. She’s determined to do anything but that. And when an unknown-to-her aunt dies in Churchill, Manitoba, leaving her an unbelievable inheritance, Kali’s on the next flight up north to make her dreams a reality.

Chef Jake Miller has lived in Churchill for the past ten years, working hard to keep The Great Northern Lodge afloat through some tough times. But then his business partner dies unexpectedly, without telling him that she’d changed her will or that she had a niece who is set to inherit everything. Now, Jake and Kali have thirty days to work together and decide–who will stay and who will go–before Christmas rolls around. Secrets, attempted murder, and a new menu all add up to a Christmas unlike any other.


Here is a quick excerpt from Chapter 1 of Northern Hearts:

Wild and dangerous and the town has nothing of significance…

With that ringing in her ears, she grabbed her soft-sided hot pink suitcase and hauled it upright beside her. The clock read 9:45 a.m., so she was right on time. Her ride should be here any minute. Gazing around the tiny, one-room airport, she noticed a twelve-foot high polar bear skin hung spread out in a wooden display case. The sheer height and width of it gave her pause.

“It’s nothing but snow, ice, and polar bears,” her dad had said. She rolled her luggage over to the huge case and checked out the five-inch claws on the paws of the polar bear skin. Its teeth were three inches, at least, bared permanently in a snarl. The entire fur from side to side had to be four feet wide.

She drew in a breath to calm her nerves and turned to read the huge blue and white sign on the wall.
“Welcome to Churchill, Manitoba–Polar Bear Country,” it read.
“NEVER–
Go beyond a polar bear alert warning sign Approach or feed a bear for any reason
Walk at night after 10 p.m.

“Always be alert and aware of your surroundings,” said a deep voice from behind her left shoulder.

Adrenaline rippled through her veins. Kali gasped and jumped. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry.” The man who’d spoken loomed over her. His fur-lined green parka hood, which he shoved back out of the way, framed his brown hair and beard scruff. His brown, almost black, eyes didn’t look the least bit sorry. His thick, longish hair poked up in an unruly fashion and curled around his ears. He grinned, showing white, even teeth she couldn’t help but stare at for a second. Handsome. Unbelievably handsome.

“Sorry, that’s the next line on the sign—you are reading the sign, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I mean, I was… I just…” Kali stopped. Get a hold of yourself! You’re babbling.

“The most important thing to remember is that bears can be in town at any time of day or night,” he quoted from the sign. “I’m assuming you’re Miss Kali McIntyre?”

She drew herself up to her entire 5’ 1” height. “You can drop the Miss. And yes, I’m Kali McIntyre.” If this guy was her ride, she’d just hit the lottery.

He drew off his enormous fur-trimmed gauntlet and thrust his right-hand forwards to shake her hand. “Excellent. I’m Jake Miller, from The Great Northern Lodge.”
©Laurie Wood 2019

Get your FREE e-book copy here from July 17 to 20, 2020: https://amzn.to/2V2Tpsl



Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Laurie Wood!


Below are links to connect with Laurie:
Website: https://www.lauriewoodauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriewoodreadersgroup
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaurieJeanWood

Thank you so much for joining us, Laurie!

If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Rhonda Starnes

Hi friends! Today I have the pleasure of spotlighting author Rhonda Starnes. Everyone, say hello to Rhonda! She is a great friend of mine. She writes for Harlequin Love Inspired. Without further ado, let's get to know Rhonda and her new book Rocky Mountain Revenge.

Author Bio:
Rhonda Starnes is a middle school language arts teacher who has dreamed of being a published author since she was in seventh grade. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Rhonda writes romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines.

Blurb:
To survive her deadly homecoming, she’ll need to trust a man from her past…
Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?

Excerpt:
A truck came speeding up behind them. He couldn’t be sure because they were out in the country and there weren’t any streetlights, but it looked a lot like the truck that had tried to push them into the oncoming train the night Chloe had been attacked. Evan sped up. He had to lose them before they reached the turnoff to the cabin.

Grace twisted in her seat to look out the rear window, but didn’t say a word.

Evan’s phone rang. He hit the answer button on the steering wheel. “Chief Bradshaw here.”

“We lost Avery Hebert.” Agent Ingalls’s voice sounded over the speaker.

Evan glanced at Grace, her eyes still focused on the vehicle tailing them. “I think we found him.”

“Where are you?” Ingalls asked.

“County Road 11. About fifteen miles north of the Flying V Ranch.”

Grace screamed, “He’s going to hit us!” She twisted around in her seat, facing the front as the truck rammed into the back of Evan’s vehicle. Metal crunched against metal, and his tires skidded on the wet pavement.

“Bradshaw, what’s happening?” Ingalls asked urgently.

“He’s trying to make us crash.” Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, Evan spared a brief glance at Grace. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. But how are we going to stop him?” She looked over her shoulder and then back to him again. “Can I hold the steering wheel, and you shoot his tires or something?”

“Don’t do anything reckless,” Ingalls yelled across the speakers. “We’ve notified the sheriff’s office, and I’m on my way.” The call went silent.

Evan sped up, putting a little distance between him and the truck, but the other driver soon closed the gap, ramming into them again. This time the impact shattered the back window, but Evan had been able to hold the Jeep steady without skidding.

Evan raced away again, driving dangerously fast on the wet road. His headlights flashed on a bright yellow diamond-shaped road sign, and an eerie, sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. A quick glance in the rearview mirror showed the truck was still barreling down on them—and they were fast approaching the Hangman’s Noose curve.



I asked Rhonda to provide an interesting tidbit about Rocky Mountain Revenge. Here's what Rhonda had to say:

My husband, who I lovingly refer to as Mountain Man, and I lived in Colorado for two months when we were first married. Rocky Mountain Revenge is the first book I’ve ever written that was set in Colorado. I think it’s extra special that Rocky Mountain Revenge released just days after we celebrate our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary.

Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Rhonda Starnes and her book Rocky Mountain Revenge.

Below are links to connect with Rhonda and where you can buy Rocky Mountain Revenge:

Links to buy:
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/2Zgb4h7
TARGET: https://bit.ly/3eGFTSH
WALMART: https://bit.ly/3dK9skW
BARNES & NOBLE: https://bit.ly/3eLAyti


Social media links:
https://rhondastarnes.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RhondaStarnesAuthor/
https://www.instagram.com/rhonda_starnes/
https://twitter.com/Rhonda_Starnes



If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Grab a copy of Rhonda's book and enjoy your day!

Book Review: Writing Monsters by Philip Athans

I bought this book to help me write the story I am working on. My current story is an inspirational syfy romantic suspense about genetically altered spiders endangering a small, rural town. In order to make them an integral part of the story, I wanted to read a craft book about writing monsters to see what I could learn.

I learned so much from this book! I used a highlighter to mark major points in the book so I could go back and reread those sections. Needless to say, there are many highlighted passages. Some of the passages that will help me include:
-only showing a part of the monster at a time
-waiting for the big reveal
-showing the monster through other characters' dialogue and reactions

This book includes many books and movies as examples. Philip Athans goes into detail about how the monsters in these examples were made to be scary, endearing, misunderstood, etc. Jaws and Alien were two movies Philip used to talk about how the monsters were depicted and brought to life.

This book would be great for anyone wanting to write a monster and make it realistic, or even for someone just wanting to read how monsters are given personalities, attributes, etc. so the reader or movie watcher can learn more about the monster in question.

https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Monsters-Believably-Terrifying-Creatures/dp/1599638088/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=writing+monsters&qid=1594004455&sr=8-1

Thank you so much for being here today!


Be sure to leave a comment. Follow my blog so you don't miss a post. I also post author spotlights on Tuesdays. Wednesdays are devotional posts or posts related to writing or another topic. If you'd like to submit a book review or an author spotlight, content must be for inspirational or clean stories, fiction or nonfiction. You can contact me through my website listed below. I also post the first Thursday of the month at https://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com/

Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Author Spotlight: Toni Shiloh

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Toni Shiloh. Everyone, say hello to Toni! She is a member of ACFW and the Virginia chapter with me. Let's get to know Toni and her new book The Truth About Fame. Toni has also graciously offered to give away an ebook copy of The Truth About Fame to one commentor. Winner will be chosen from all comments between now and Sunday night. Just leave your email address with your comment so you can be contacted. Thanks, Toni!

Author Bio:
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist and Risking Love is a 2020 Selah Award finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.

Back cover blurb:
My life has always been in the spotlight. Born to two famous parents and then quickly rising to "super" status in the modeling world ensured that I, Astoria "Tori" Bell, would always have my image plastered across newsstands. Unfortunately, adoring fans weren't always magnanimous and now I have a stalker on my hands.

Oddly enough, the tall, dark, and all-too handsome bodyguard hired to protect me seems more harmful than the threatening notes from the stalker. As well as his plan to flush out the danger by proposing a fake engagement.

The lines between pretend and reality blur and I have to shore up my resolves. Baggage from my past means I can't let myself be vulnerable. But the way Marcel Fox treats me has me thinking otherwise.
With a new rock on my finger and the man who put it there by my side, happily ever after seems like a possibility or is that as fake as my public persona?

The Truth About Fame is the second book in the Christian Chick Lit series: Faith & Fortune.

Below is an excerpt from Chapter One of The Truth About Fame:

I folded my arms. “What do you have to say?”

“I can offer you a place of refuge.”

“Say what now?” The irritation that chafed me every time he was around gave way to surprise.

“You’ve got flight written all over your face, Princess. Don’t act like you’re not planning to run away.”

Okay, maybe I was too quick to let go of my annoyance. Fox had a way of getting to me, making me feel like a porcupine poised for a fight. I tried to hold my face expressionless as I responded. “You do not know me.”

“Whatever, Princess.” He matched my stance. “Do you want a place to stay or not?”

Just because he was behaving like a Neanderthal, didn’t mean I had to respond in kind.

I took a breath. “Depends,” I said cautiously. "How far away is this place?” Like, did I need to grab my passport?

“Queens.”

My eyes started an arc, and I had to freeze them to keep them from rolling all the way. “That’s too close. I thought you were going to suggest the other side of the country or even out of the country.”

“I’m not a millionaire like some people I know.” He gave me a pointed look.

Fair enough. “What makes you think I’d be safe?”

“Do you really think someone would go looking for you in Queens?”

Okay, he had a point. “Is it a safe house?”

“In a sense.”

"Fox, you’re killing me with the cryptic talk.” I rolled my hand in a continue motion. “Break it down and just spit it out.”

“My grandmother lives in a two-bedroom apartment.”

I blanched. “You’d put your grandma in danger? You can stay with her.”

His jaw pulsed. “Do you seriously think she doesn’t already have a top-notch security system? I own a security company, for goodness’ sake.”

I sighed and flopped into a chair, rubbing the tension pounding the middle of my forehead. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

A rustle of movement caught my attention, and I watched as Fox grimaced, lowering himself into the chair opposite from me. He looked really uncomfortable, as if he were afraid he’d break the antique. If my head weren’t hurting so much, I’d find the situation amusing.

“Look, Princess. I can take better care of you at my grandmother’s. No one will think to look for you there. And I have a feeling you won’t be telling Ms. Brown or Ms. Ricci. It’ll help us know if the incident involving Ms. Brown and your brother was a fluke or…”

“Or all my fault.” I gulped, remembering how horrified I’d been to find out Emmett had been shot. He’d been at the concert to watch Holiday sing with her father at Madison Square Garden. Law enforcement thought Holiday was the intended target, but still I wondered, especially when Emmett—being Emmett—took a bullet for her.

Did he get hurt because of me?

“Are you sure your grandmother won’t mind?”

"She loves company. She’ll be delighted.”

I stared into his inky black eyes. “And you? You’ll continue to guard me?” Which hadn’t been my original idea, but I couldn’t help admitting the thought made me breathe a little easier.

“That’s what I agreed to do and what your father’s paying me for. This’ll make my job a lot easier.” He held up a hand. “But don’t let that make you stay here. No need to be difficult.”


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Toni Shiloh and The Truth about Fame. And don't forget to comment and include your email address for your chance to win an ebook copy of The Truth About Fame.

Below are links to connect with Toni and where you can buy her book:

Social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authortonishiloh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonishilohwrite
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ToniShiloh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonishiloh/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13656663.Toni_Shiloh
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-shiloh
My BookCave: https://mybookcave.com/profile/toni-shiloh/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gcMfqT
Blogs I’m part of: https://www.inspyromance.com/, http://diversitybetweenthepages.wordpress.com


Links to buy :
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086H83FFJ
Shortlink: https://amzn.to/2JlCdaX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52749966-the-truth-about-fame


Thank you so much for joining us, Toni!

If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Grab a copy of Toni's books and enjoy your day!

How to Grow Rhino Skin-Guest post by Josee Telfter

Hi friends! Today we have Josee Telfer sharing a writing craft post with us.

How do you deal with rejection? Does it just run off your back like water off a duck? Or do you curl up in the corner, never to write another word? Josee has a great post for us today on how to deal with rejection and how much control to let it have over our lives. Here's Josee!

How to Grow Rhino Skin

Every writer knows rejection is a given. At best, it’s a quick pinprick, without lasting pain. But a particular rejection at the wrong time, from an unexpected source can knock you down so hard, you seriously consider walking away from your writing for good.

In my native language of French, we have a proverb that states, “Tout nouveau, tout beau.” There’s no English equivalent but it means that whatever is new is beautiful. It can pertain to an object, a relationship, a job, anything really. After the newness wears off, we become disenchanted by the cracks and imperfections we see, maybe for the first time.

Several years ago, I attended a regional writer’s conference where I met some of the most generous, warm-hearted people because writers are truly some of the kindest out there. I was a fresh-faced newbie writer floating along in the honeymoon phase where everything is exciting and even the hard bits are wonderful because they’re character builders.

In one of the conference workshops, a New York Times Bestselling author opened her session with a story about meeting with her editor in a crowded Manhattan restaurant for lunch to discuss her most recent novel. She’d poured her heart and soul into her book, as writers do, and it had been an especially difficult story to write. She was thrilled with the finished product and felt very proud of her accomplishment. But over lunch, her editor took a deep breath, leaned forward and in a hushed voice informed her there were serious problems with the novel. It needed a lot of work. The author, who by this point had penned more than a dozen best-sellers, burst into tears. Right there at the table, in the middle of the restaurant.

This story shocked me. I thought to myself, if a talented, successful writer like her could still have her precious work decimated, there’d be no hope for me. On my drive home that weekend, I made the decision that no matter how many rejections I received, no matter how awful the critique, I wouldn’t let them get me down. I was going to develop rhino skin.

And I did. I queried nearly two-dozen agents and got rejected over and over. I didn’t shed a single tear. I lost contests and didn’t bat an eye. After I signed with my agent, she subbed out my novel only to be met with one “no” after another. I refused to let it get me down. I’m not saying it didn’t sting. Rejection is never fun. Some hurt more than others. The ones you really want can be especially painful, but still, I dug my heels in and told myself it was all part of the business. Sometimes I gave myself a day to feel dejected. But never more than that. After all, I had work to do. And besides, J.K. Rowling got rejected seventy-three times. Or something like that.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Excited about my new project, I sent away the first few chapters for a critique. I know this person doesn’t hold back, but I’ve always appreciated that level of intensity. I trust her, implicitly.

I opened the comments and only made it halfway through before I fell apart. As I sank to the carpeted floor of my bedroom, my positive outlook collapsed, and a gush of tears poured forth for the better part of the day.

An exceptionally busy week compounded by financial stresses and personal matters had softened my rhino skin. Unbeknownst to my astute critiquer, her comments unraveled me in a way I never saw coming.

For the first time in my writing journey, I seriously considered walking away. I’d given it a go, I told myself, and tried with all my might, but I couldn’t do it anymore. I pleaded with God to either open a door or remove the desire to write from my heart.

A funny thing happened. Later that evening, I found myself thinking about my story and my characters. Ideas ran through my head about how to fix the issues. Puffy-eyed and exhausted, I took out my pen and notebook and scribbled notes.

The next morning, I woke up and cried again. That was a first. Then a friend reminded me in a simple text that I was going to get rhino-tough skin. That was enough to snap me out of my funk. Because look, in this business, you’re either going to tough it out or you’re not.

So, what can you do to develop Rhino Skin?

• Separate yourself from your work.

As creatives, we pour ourselves into our art. Rejection feels personal because to a degree it is. However, you are more than what you write or create. Remind yourself of that. Maybe your book isn’t the right fit for that agent or editor, or maybe it needs a lot of work. Either way, it’s about your novel, not you as a person.

• Remind yourself you’re in good company.

Every success story leaves behind a trail of rejection. Successful people don’t back down. They meet rejection in the face and up the ante. Talk to fellow authors about their struggles. Google “famous author rejections.” That should make you feel better.

• Become solution-oriented.

Rather than allow the critique or rejection to crush you, turn it around and ask yourself how you can use it to your advantage. Successful people come back from rejections with new proposals. Maybe you need to look at things differently. That might mean writing in a different genre or word count or stylistically changing things up. Try first-person narration if you’ve always written in third. Think of rejections as calling cards moving you into the path you’re supposed to be on.

• Set a time limit.

When rejections come your way, decide how long you’ll allow yourself to wallow. Is it a few hours? A day? I recommend nothing more than twenty-four hours, or the following morning when you wake up, whatever comes first. If you allow yourself a limited amount of time to grieve or be sad about the “lost” opportunity, you’ll be surprised how much quicker you move on.

• Be grateful for the rejection.

“If it doesn’t open, it’s not your door.” I have that quote on my home screen. When rejections come, Thank God that he kept you from something that wasn’t meant for you, or wasn’t in your best interest. Rather than focus on what you’ve missed out on, tell yourself it’s only narrowing the field and bringing your target into sharper focus.

• Set small goals.

Nothing can deter action faster than a stinging rejection. Set small goals that you know you can tackle in a short amount of time. That sense of accomplishment will propel you forward and help get you out of the funk. Then stick with it. Consistency is key.

Lastly, press on. The most successful individuals aren’t necessarily the most talented, or the brightest, or the most educated. They’re the ones who persisted.



Author Bio:
BIO: Josee Telfer writes Contemporary Romantic Women’s Fiction. In addition, she is a free-lance editor and ghost writer whose work has appeared nationally. In her free time, she likes to challenge herself in the kitchen by cooking international foods from around the world. Currently, she’s on a Korean food kick which was likely triggered by her love of K-Dramas. Originally from Québec, Canada, she lives in Vermont with her husband and their three children. A 2018 Golden Heart Finalist, Josee is represented by Ann Rose of Prospect Agency.
Visit Josee’s website at https://www.joseetelfer.com/


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed Josee's post! I've learned so much. Now, let's get to writing and submitting!

Thank you so much for joining us here today, Josee!

If you'd like to submit a devotion or a writing related post, just let me know.
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Author Spotlight: Sharee Stover

Hi friends! Today, our author spotlight is on Sharee Stover. Everyone, say hello to Sharee! She is a close friend of mine and has written several Love Inspired Suspense books. Without further ado, let's get to know Sharee and her new book Untraceable Evidence.

Back cover blurb:

Someone’s after a deadly weapon…

and only she can stop them.

It’s undercover ATF agent Randee Jareau’s job to make sure the government’s 3-D printed “ghost gun” doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. So when someone goes after scientist Ace Steele, she must protect him…before she loses the undetectable weapon and its creator. But with a mole inside Ace’s company and everyone a suspect, this assignment could become Randee’s last.


Author Bio:
Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at https://shareestover.com/.



I asked Sharee to provide an interesting tidbit about Untraceable Evidence. Here's what Sharee had to say:

Research is a large part of any book I write and in preparation for Untraceable Evidence, I started doing research a year prior. For me that might include everything from watching true crime shows like Forensic Files to reading true crime non-fiction books. I also spend time searching for just the right pictures to use for my characters and often base them on one or more actor, model, or singer. I like to visualize the character as I’m writing them but their personalities often emerge and evolve as the story deepens. Untraceable Evidence is a conglomeration of all those things. It’s funny how pieces from different sources come together to create a fictional world. I once heard it said, you could give five authors the same premise for a book and they’d create five totally unique and different stories. I believe that to be true.
When I first researched Ghost guns, 3D printer guns, and frangible ammunition, I was amazed at what I found. Creativity isn’t limited to fictional stories. I made Ghost, the gun in Untraceable Evidence, a weapon that would be completely untraceable with disintegrating bullets. That’s one of the reasons the prototype is so dangerous. And the reason the criminal militia leader will do anything to find it.


Friends, I sure hope you enjoyed getting to know Sharee Stover and Untraceable Evidence.

Below are links to connect with Sharee and where you can buy her books:

Social media links:
Website: https://shareestover.com/
Email: authorshareestover@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shareestover
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c99ej9
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover


Links to buy Silent Night Suspect and Untraceable Evidence:
Buy link for Silent Night Suspect: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335232532
Buy link for Untraceable Evidence: https://amzn.to/2SrYfhn
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/shareestover

Thank you so much for joining us here today, Sharee!

If you're an author and you'd like to be showcased here, just let me know. Must be inspirational or clean, can be fiction or nonfiction.
Check out my website, connect with me, and sign up for my newsletter. https://sallyshupe.weebly.com/

Grab a copy of Sharee's books and enjoy your day!