Word Praize

Bebe Moore Campbell dies at 56

Novelist Bebe Moore Campbell, author of 72 Hour Hold, Brothers and Sisters and several other works of fiction and nonfiction is dead of complications from brain cancer. She was 56 years old. Our prayers go out to her family and friends as well as the thousands of readers whose lives were enriched by her words. Read more here.

Meet Me At the Altar

Meet Me at the Altar
(Leading Ladies Publishers)

October 2006

Tamika Johnson

Where do you go when you discover your husband is on the down low? When your husband wants to come back after he abandoned you and your child? When you no longer want to prostitute yourself? When you've fallen for a woman who's soul is broken? You meet Me at the altar...

CHAPTER ONE

Prologue

Shana

...I could tell you that my husband loves me and treats me, right...but you read enough fiction. My husband rarely comes home anymore and when he does he sleeps on the couch or complains that I am not the woman he married. He had the nerve to say that marrying me was an experience he would not want to repeat.

No one gets married thinking that one day they are going to fall out of love with their spouse and get a divorce, and no one, I mean no one ever thinks that the man that falls to his knees and plants an engagement ring on your finger, then stands before a room full of people and pronounces his undying love for you will ever sum up your life together as an experience. Judge Mablean where are you when we need you, girlfriend?

Now I know that you are wondering why I on't talk to someone like my pastor or the First Lady of my church...been there and done that so many times.

"Sister, Shana, if you would just submit things would get better." Pastor Hughes said that to me. Told me I have a problem with authority.

"A man likes to know that his wife is going to be home waiting up for him when he gets there , no matter what time he comes in the house." The First Lady told me that.

What I'd like to know is why I have to be the one waiting up until three and four o'clock for him when I am the one working three jobs to pay our bills? Can you answer that, Pastor and First Lady?

© 2006 Tamika Johnson

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This blog tour is sponsored by

The Gospel Fiction Blog Alliance

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OTA: Web of Lies

Read the prologue of
Web of Lies
CLICK HERE

ISBN: 0-310-25106-0

If you are a newbie writer or an established writer, who wants to hone her craft, you must subscribe to Brandilyn Collins' Forensics and Faith Blog. She is quite gracious in providing not only writing tips, but writer's calls, this industry's behind the scenes sneak peaks, and one-on-one help with your WIP. And she does all this while writing bestselling thrillers. I call her a She-thriller. She writes stories with strong, but very feminine and faithful women lead characters and she speaks on things that horrify we, women: teenage girls' safety for one.

Web of Lies releases at an appropriate time since this past year teen dissappearances have made media buzz. 

Below are articles that discuss teenage girl safety and tips for parents:

 
• How Young   Women Can Stay Safe on Spring Break
 
• Safety Tips   on Preventing Teen Abduction
 
• Top   6 Teen Driving Facts to Fear
 
• Safe Blogging tips for Teens
 
• Team Amber Alert

Web of Lies  in a Nutshell

After witnessing a shooting at a convenience store, forensic artist Annie Kingston must draw a composite of the suspect. But before she can begin, she hears that Chelsea Adams wants to meet with her-now. Chelsea Adams-the woman who made national headlines with her visions of murder. And this vision is by far the most chilling.

Chelsea and Annie soon find themselves snared in a terrifying battle against time, greed, and a deadly opponent. If they tell the police, will their story be believed? With the web of lies thickening . . . and lives at stake, who will know enough to save them?

This book is fast-paced and is a good Friday night read with your man at your side and your bible at the other. :)

Today is an Open Track Back Day.

For an explanation of a trackback, Go here. Leave a trackback of your best post for others to read. If you know of any other safety tips for teens leave a comment. And if you're a Brandilyn Collins Fan, let us know about it.

OTA:  From Woman Honor Thyself...

Many of us find it disturbing to hear the sympathetic apologists defend the ACLU’s work to protect pedophiles over our children.

Don't forget to see Akeelah and the Bee this weekend.

 

 

Spring Reads Nominations Open

I'm at The Master's Artist Today praying about my Mind and Soul.

Over at Gospel Fiction I'm seeking books to nominate for great Spring and Summer reads. If you have a book that you think deserves to be on this list, hit me up here or at either Gospel Fiction or Christian Fiction Blog.

 

I added Kate Mosse's Labyrinth to the list. She also has a fantaberific site. They you can learn more about over at Gospel Fiction. Note: this book is not a CBA title or what you would call Christian Fiction. Be advised.

 

Check out my book review for Jacquelin Thomas' Defining Moments and Kendra Norman-Bellamy's More than Grace in Romantic Times Magazine's April edition, which are on major magazine stands and your local public library.

 

And I have two more slots open for Dee's Storyteller's Workshop. Contact me for details.

 

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Sista Should Do Contest

Congrats to NAKIDA JOHNSON and GAIL HAYES winners of a copy of Tiffany Warren's WHAT A SISTA SHOULD DO. Read Tiffany's interview here.

Writer's Digest Contest

The WD Popular Fiction Awards

It's a new short story competition from Writer's Digest! We want your
best writing in five categories: Romance, Mystery/Crime, Sci-Fi/Fantasy,
Thriller/Suspense and Horror. You can compete and win in every category--
just make sure your entries are 4,000 words or fewer and we receive them
by the November 1, 2005 deadline.

Enter the contest and your fantastic fiction could bring home these
big prizes:

GRAND PRIZE:$2,500 cash, $100 worth of Writer's Digest Books, plus a
manuscript critique and marketing advice from a Writer's Digest editor
or advisory board member.

FIRST PRIZE: The First-Place Winner in each category receives $500 cash,
$100 worth of Writer's Digest Books, plus a manuscript critique and
marketing advice from a Writer's Digest editor or advisory board member.

HONORABLE MENTION: All Honorable Mentions will receive promotion in
Writer's Digest and the 2006 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market.

Click here for more information.

Ain't No Valley/Get Lifted Scholarships

The Ripe Harvest Foundation and Bethany House Publishers announce the Ain’t No Valley/Get Lifted Essay Contest. Contestants should read the newly published novel Ain’t No Valley by award-winning author Sharon Ewell Foster, released by Bethany House, August 1, 2005.

Ain’t No Valley is a funky, soulful, and inspiring novel about new beginnings and learning to rise above adversity to glean the best of life. Sprinkled with Sharon Ewell Foster’s signature style of humor, this stand-alone contemporary novel will appeal across age, gender, and cultural distinctives. To celebrate Ain’t No Valley’s release, The Ripe Harvest and Bethany House will award four $1,000 scholarships and one $1,500 award. Scholarships will be awarded in two age groups, 16-21 years and over 21 years of age. Entrants should submit an essay (maximum 1,000 words) after reading Ain’t No Valley.

Essays must answer the following question: Describe the character you most identified with and how that character sought and found a new beginning in life. Now, describe your personal situation and the plan you have for a new beginning. Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and should include the entrant’s address, telephone number, email address, name and age. Completed essays must be postmarked by midnight January 7, 2006 and mailed to: Ripe Harvest Foundation, Inc. Ain’t No Valley/Get Lifted PO Box 10402 Baltimore, MD 21209 Winners will be announced in March 2006. For additional information about the contest and the book, please visit www.bethanyhouse.com/aintnovalley or phone The Ripe Harvest Foundation at 410-542-5144.

Win a Copy of WHAT A SISTA SHOULD DO

Looking to squeeze in one more great summer read? Let Word Praize help you out with that! Answer the question below and send your responses to: wordpraize@gmail.com with Sista Should Do Contest in the subject. The winners will be chosen from the correct responses.

1. What are names of the three main characters in WHAT A SISTA SHOULD DO?

Christy Award Speech

Andy Crouch gave an interesting speech at the Christy Awards for Christian Fiction last week. Read it here.

International Christian Retail Show

For More Information, contact:
Nancy Guthrie, Show Media Relations Office: (303) 228-8225

International Christian Retail Show Debuts in Denver
All New Show Replaces 55-Year-Old CBA International Convention

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO  (July 8, 2005) - A new tradeshow designed to meet the needs of today's Christian retailer will debut at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver July 10 - 14. Up to 11,000 people representing all segments of the Christian retail industry are expected to attend the international networking and buying event. Representatives from all 50 states and 55 countries will converge for the largest annual gathering of Christian retailers and product suppliers in the world. The show is not open to the general public.

"The International Christian Retail Show is the place where the industry comes together to work out the solutions, solve the problems, and identify the opportunities ahead," said Bill Anderson, President and CEO of CBA. "It is the event that drives the business of Christian retail." The exhibit floor will officially open Monday, July 11 at 10 a.m. when the ribbon is cut, which will feature Christian books, music, and gifts from over 410 different companies in 1,202 booth spaces, including 89 first-time exhibitors. Representatives from Christian retail stores from around the country and around the world will place orders, research new product and marketing trends, and glean ideas for merchandising techniques and store promotions. Throughout the week, attendees will hear from best-selling authors such as Max Lucado, Stormie Omartian, and Jerry Jenkins, and recording artists such as Michael W. Smith, Bart Millard, and Casting Crowns.

Numerous New Features Warrant New Name for Show
According to Anderson, the International Christian Retail Show was created by and for the retailer with extensive input from retailers via surveys and interviews. "It's all about developing the aspiring Christian retailer, and how we can help them succeed in a rapidly changing market." Anderson says that each word in the name of the new show was carefully chosen: "International" because of the world-wide scope and impact of the show, "Christian Retail" because that is what is center stage, and "Show" because it is designed to be a memorable experience in which retailers have the opportunity to see, touch, and feel what is new.

While some have questioned why CBA has taken the organization's name out of the name of the industry's largest and most important event, Anderson says the move illustrates that this event is not about an organization but is about and for the Christian retailer. "The reality is that the strong 'CBA' brand has carried over into multiple uses and become varied in its meaning," explained Anderson. "It is often used to talk about not only the trade association based in Colorado Springs, but as the name of the biggest annual event central in the industry's calendar, and to describe the entire Christian products marketplace."

In regard to the show's theme, "Success in Store," Anderson said that helping retailers succeed is what CBA as an organization and this new show is all about. "The International Christian Retail Show is where aspiring Christian retailers find ideas and inspiration that can be translated into very real success in their stores," said Anderson. "This is where big ideas are presented; the big picture is reinforced, where retailers are exposed to the next wave of retail trends and concepts that are going to shape our industry. There will be a lot of practical emphasis on what success looks like for Christian retailing in 2005 and beyond."

From the first time attendees step onto the exhibit floor, which follows a new, easy-to-navigate hub-and-spoke design radiating from an all-new Show Central, it will be obvious that much has changed. Show Central will provide a full-service convention meeting point that will include an information desk, cyber café and a CBA Members-Only Club with special author and artist guests scheduled throughout the week.

The educational menu offered at the show is focused on addressing the five critical issues facing the Christian retail channel (trust, traffic, efficiencies & systems, passion for excellence, and profitability & capitalization) as well as the top problems member stores tell CBA they face every day. Much of the training will be available outside of exhibit floor hours so that retailers will be better able to take advantage of the learning and refining opportunities without missing out on opportunities to find new products. "Retailers in this competitive environment can never afford to stop learning and need to constantly improve their store's performance in the basics such as financial management, merchandising, and customer service, as well as acquire new and innovative approaches to retailing. We're addressing the fundamentals with a new twist at the show so that retailers can keep up with the ever-changing expectations of consumers and ever-growing challenges from the competition."

Super Sessions Bring Entire Industry Together to Address Big Ideas
The exhibit floor will be closed on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. so that everyone-retailers, suppliers, vendors, authors, and artists-can come together at the Super Sessions. Monday's session will address the critical issue of passion for excellence in business and ministry by focusing on the challenges and opportunities Christian retail has to make a difference in the culture and the world. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, will help attendees to see the significance of the work they do that is bigger than individual stores and individual people.  Thursday's Super Session will address the critical issue of increasing traffic and sales, which is the number one critical issue as rated by CBA retail members. Following a brief presentation on Christian retail benchmarks and forecasts based on the CBA Operating Statement Survey, a panel of industry leaders (Chuck Wallington of Christian Supply, Tom Betts of Zondervan's Office of the Consumer, Senior Pastor Al Pittman of Calvary Worship Center, and Kurt Bruner of Focus on the Family)  and outside experts (including consumer researcher Britt Beemer and retail expert Jim Dion) will discuss how the habits and attitudes of Christian consumers have changed, and how Christian retailers can draw today's committed Christians into the Christian retail store.

For the first time, the ECPA Gold Medallion Awards will be presented in conjunction with the CBA Retailer Impact Awards at a new awards event to be held on Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Convention Center Lecture Hall. Awards given out will include the Charles "Kip" Jordon Book of the Year and the Jim Carlson CBA Store of the Year Impact Awards. Authors will be on hand to accept their awards, and attendees will also hear from noted authors Charles Colson and Philip Yancey. On Wednesday evening, CBA, in partnership with W Publishing Group and Reunion Records will host "CBA Presents: Come Thirsty," a worship event led by Michael W. Smith and Max Lucado, designed as an evening of refreshment for the soul for the entire channel.

Standing on the Shoulders and Solution Centers New Floor Features
Down the main aisles of the exhibit floor, attendees will be able to take in the "Standing on the Shoulders" exhibit, which will feature nine men and women of the last century whose steadfastness for God set the stage for the ministry and mission the industry pursues today. "We are involved in an industry of not just products but communicators," said Anderson.  "The Standing on the Shoulders exhibit provides our industry with the opportunity to take a step back and look at people who have gone before us and see how their impact continues.  Looking at their lives and ministries challenges us in our own walk of service and faithfulness.  On display will be personal artifacts including manuscripts, first-edition books, and media presentations by and about Francis Schaeffer, C.S. Lewis, Andrew Murray, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Fanny Crosby, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, Bill Bright and Kenneth Taylor.

At each of the four corners of the exhibit floor, retailers will find Solution Centers which are interactive resources for addressing challenges stores face. The Solution Centers will offer innovative design solutions for transforming and refreshing the retail environment of a store, strategies for reaching the 18-34-year-old customer demographic, ideas for using scrapbooking to create in-store events and traffic, and previews of  upcoming movies and videos that will impact Christian retail product sales.

New CBA Size of the Industry Study Results Announced
Sales of Christian products grew to $4.34 billion in 2004, up from $4.2 billion in 2002, and $4 billion in 2000 according to the new Size of the Industry study conducted by CBA.  The Christian Retail Channel continued to distribute the majority market share (53%) of a still-expanding marketplace of Christian products, while the General Market channels sold 31% and Other channels sold 16%. The study assesses the total volume of Christian product sales by CBA member suppliers through all distribution channels including the Christian Retail Channel, General Market channels (including warehouse clubs, mass merchandisers, and "big box" bookstore channels), and Other channels (including direct-to-consumer, church, and non-profit ministry sales). 

The new study reveals that while dollar volume of sales through the General Market channels grew 22%, the market share decline in the Christian Retail Channel has slowed from a 5% drop between 2000 and 2002 to 3.5% between 2002 and 2004.

"This study mirrors the progress-and challenges-we are seeing in the industry," CBA President Bill Anderson noted.  "As overall sales of Christian products have increased through all distribution channels, the Christian Retail Channel alone still sells the lion's share of these products, nearly 23% more than the various General Market channels combined. We've stemmed the tide, but we still have to be more aggressive in competing for market share."

Anderson added, "The good news is that as demand for what we sell continues to grow, Christian retail stores are experiencing increasing success in their efforts to maintain their position of being the primary and preferred distribution channel for Christian products even in a very competitive marketplace. This reality encourages us to continue our efforts in leveraging channel-wide collaborations to grow a healthy and successful Christian retail channel by outperforming our competition to better serve the customer."

Colorado Springs-based CBA is the trade association for the Christian retail channel, serving the interests and meeting the needs of 2206 member Christian stores. These stores provide Bibles, Christian books, curriculum, apparel, music, videos, gifts, greeting cards, children's resources, and other materials. CBA and their member stores also work with 623 associate member book publishers, record companies, gift companies and other product suppliers.  Along with the Christian Trade Association International, CBA also serves the meeting and information needs of over 1,000 Christian stores and suppliers in over 50 countries around the world.