The Lemonade Award

Hey, someone really likes my blog! My friend Lynda Schab nominated The Melody Within for THE LEMONADE AWARD.
I am honored and touched...thank you, Lynda!

Lynda is a very busy stay-at-home writer Mom who also keeps her hand in a hundred-and-one other projects to help with the family budget, as well as several writer-related activities she does on a volunteer basis. Hop on over to her blog, On the Write Track, and find out more about this talented, amazing woman.

Here's how the "When Life Gives You Lemons, make Lemonade" Award (The Lemonade Award) works:

1) Link back to the person you received the award from.

2) Nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award!

Now it's my turn to award worthy blog owners. Let me tell you, these were not easy decisions to make! I don't "follow" a lot of blogs, so finding ten I considered deserving of this honor became an impossibility if I'm going to keep it honest. I finally chose my SIX favorites. They are listed below, in no particular order of preference. Be sure to check 'em out - and congratulate them on winning The Lemonade Award.

1. Bonnie Winters at the Ink It Blog.

2. DeLyn Fisher at Daily Dose of DeLyn.

3. Teresa Slack at Joy in the Journey.

4. Lisa Buffaloe at Lisa Buffaloe's Blog.

5. Sharlene MacLaren at Sharlene MacLaren.

6. Georgiana Daniels at Georgiana Daniels/At the Crossroads of Faith and Funny.

Crooked Halos & Clay Feet

I love books that feed me spiritually while still serving as good entertainment: i.e., well-written, with a timely and true message, but also full of humor and humanity.

That said, I absolutely must recommend Crooked Halos & Clay Feet. I’m not even finished with it yet, but I’m so impressed that I had to pop in here and share with all of you.

LaJoyce Martin's bio states "she has written wholesome Christian literature for over thirty-five years." (Said literature includes close to 50 novels, in addition to many short stories for United Pentecostal Sunday School literature, as well as devotions and “slice-of-life” vignettes such as you will find in Crooked Halos & Clay Feet.) "Numerous speaking engagements, activities in the church her husband pastors, and spoiling her four grandchildren keep LaJoyce’s schedule filled. However, she always makes time to write one more chapter…and to find one more friend.”

Having met this amazing woman, I can vouch for her integrity and spiritual commitment. LaJoyce Martin walks the walk and talks the talk. She’s an incredible example of Christianity, and living proof that one can live righteously without being self-righteous.

Here's the back cover text:

Crooked Halos and Clay Feet is a mix of modern anecdotes, Bible vignettes uniquely presented, and human interest items. We can see ourselves in the mirror wearing Mother Eve’s hand-me-down genes, visit Jonah in the whale’s oval office to learn a whale of a lesson, see how seven ducks helped Captain Naaman, and much, much more.

Readers will find their human counterparts in the refreshingly different presentation of Bible characters and be inspired by the sometimes funny, sometimes poignant chapter concluders. Even those with tarnished reputations and bent halos have a chapter to give them relevancy and hope. This book has something or someone, surprisingly contemporaneous, to minister to everyone.

Be forewarned: You will not find this book in your local bookstore. It’s self-published, and available only directly from the author. Cost: $10.00 + shipping (you'll have to ask Ms. Martin about shipping costs), which will be refunded over and again in enjoyment and spiritual enrichment. If you like to laugh while you learn, and can take seeing yourself in the mirror of someone else's words; if you enjoy the lessons from God's Word served up in bite-sized pieces you can mull over and absorb before tasting the next bite...you want this book.

Order through snail mail:

LaJoyce Martin

7010 Fox Run Road

Henryetta OK 74437

Or call the author to place your order:

(918) 650-0560

After you read it, be sure to come back here and let us all know what you think.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Today is my hubby's 56th birthday. We've been together almost 35 of those years - and he still likes me, most of the time! He's my earthly rock, my in-home "doctor," my cook (Yeah, ladies - eat your heart out! lol), and so much more.




Happy Birthday, Honey! I wouldn't be whole without you - you really are my best half. Hope your day is absolutely PERFECT!

I Love You Forever and a Day,

Delia

You're on the Jury!

That's right, you've been selected for jury duty - but it's a fascinating case!

Beginning today (January 12), readers have an opportunity to determine the verdict in Randy Singer's upcoming legal thriller, The Justice Game (Tyndale House, July 2009), which features a court case centered on the gun debate. The verdict voted on by the readers will be written into the story and kept under wraps until the book’s release. This is the first time in recent memory that an author has taken reader involvement and feedback to this level.

“I wanted to do something different and get my readers really involved in the story,” said Singer. “This gives them an opportunity to hear both sides of the national gun debate and gets them thinking. Plus, it adds an element of fun to the book.”

Singer has produced a short, online video that mimics a cable news report. Featuring real-life talk show host Lorri Allen as the lead news anchor, the video shares the latest updates on the trial at the center of the book interspersed with segments of the closing arguments direct from the courtroom. At the end of the video, viewers are directed to a special section on Singer’s Web site to render their verdict.

Access the video at: www.randysinger.net.

A practicing veteran trial attorney as well as a teaching pastor in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Randy Singer has written seven critically-acclaimed legal thrillers. Publishers Weekly rates him “as enjoyable as John Grisham,” and his work has received several noteworthy reviews. His latest book, By Reason of Insanity (Tyndale), debuted in hardcover last summer and releases this month in softcover.

January Bookshelf

It's live! Come on over and check it out.

This month's newsletter is well worth the read, with input from Cynthia Hickey, Shirley Kiger Connolly, Chris Miller - and me, of course. You're guaranteed to find something that floats your boat.

New Day, New Year, New Determination

2009 has arrived in all its glory. Are you as amazed as I am? Doesn't it seem like only yesterday we were bringing in 2008?

Looking back on the past year, I'm terribly disappointed in myself. It seems to me that I have failed to reach every goal I set. I have not yet finished the novel I started - even though I feel in my heart of hearts that it's a good one, one that will rival Goldeneyes. I did not finish Nanowrimo - I was sick, but I don't want to make excuses: The fact is, I didn't complete what I started.

On the bright side, I sold a children's book, but I can't even take the credit for writing it in '08 - it's one I've had sitting on the sidelines for a very long time. I also got my editor interested in a book of devotions, and I'm very excited about that. I've spent quite a bit of time developing that project, which is one of the reasons my novel remains on the back burner.

I think I need a better weekly schedule. On this day and this day, I will write devotions. On this day and this day, I will work on my novel. On this day I will research, write articles, and work my internet presence.

What do you think, peeps? Any advice? Any bright ideas to light a fire under my lazy behind?

What I did accomplish last year was to pack up and move from California to Oklahoma. It was a nerve-wracking decision, and carrying it out was time consuming. We do love our new place, although I must confess we miss our kids and grandkids sooooo much. God's been good though, and we've been blessed with a number of visitors from Bakersfield. They kept us from going insane in those first few lonely months of wondering, "What on earth have we done????" We also

(If you're interested in seeing our humble little "mansion," visit us here.)

Now...on to 2009! In the spirit of getting my "rear in gear," I have determined to start attending the local ACFW chapter meetings, starting in February. Author Margaret Daley made me aware of them soon after we moved here; it simply hasn't "worked out" for me to attend. However, I've decided if it's going to work out, it'll be because I work it out! So...help me pray, will you? I need to stay healthy, get focused, and WRITE. Hey, God is able to accomplish that even with a subject this unfit! He's done it before, and He'll do it again.

Here's to all of you, my faithful readers! Thank you for continuing to visit my mostly stagnant blog. It is my intention to liven it up for you this year, and make your efforts in returning here worthwhile.