Let the Sun Shine In by Jackie Gilmore

This is my mom's book. It is now available for purchase through her publisher: http://tiogabooks.net/

I'll be doing a review and maybe even an interview soon!

An Interview With Ronica Stromberg

Ronica Stromberg is the author of four children's books and of stories in eighteen anthologies and numerous magazines and newspapers. Her first book, The Glass Inheritance, came out in 2001, followed by the picture book, The Time-for-Bed Angel, in 2008. Her latest two books, A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up to Live It Down, are inspirational books for tweens and teens. They're available from Royal Fireworks Press at www.rfwp.com

Here are a few questions that I came up with to ask Ronica about her books:

 

1. Did getting published take a long time?

 

After hearing about the path to publication other authors have taken, I'd say no. I quit working as an in-house editor at a small corporation in 1995 and wrote two books while caring for my firstborn. The first book took about a year to write but didn't sell. The second book, The Glass Inheritance, took a little over a year to write and almost three years to sell. The publication process took about a year and a half. So, my second book was published about six years after I started writing seriously. I've heard most authors write an average of five books before selling one, and finding a publisher and seeing a book into publication often take longer than the writing. I think six years is probably a short time to break into publication.

 

2. Did writing articles for magazines and newspapers help you to get published?

 

I had sold The Glass Inheritance before I broke into magazines, so I can't say my magazine credits helped with my first sale. I had written for newspapers and corporate newsletters, but not a significant amount and only nonfiction, so I don't think that helped much either. I have written many short stories for magazines since becoming a novelist and think that has improved my writing and given me a platform that may have improved my chances of getting published by later publishers.

3. Who encouraged/influenced you to become an author?

 

Books themselves. I love reading and have wanted to be an author since third grade.

4. How would you use A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up To Live It Down with classroom curriculum?

 

Many public schools have a multicultural curriculum in which they explore issues such as religion. My books trace the lives of young teens interacting with their own Christian faith in today's society. The books can be used to spur discussion about Christianity and how it affects our culture.

 

As the homeschool movement continues to grow and more children are schooled privately, these books are also a natural in a Christian environment for exploring issues. I'm posting questions on my Web site that teachers or leaders of reading/book groups may use for discussion.

5. Do all of your books have a spiritual/inspirational message?

The Glass Inheritance doesn't. It's a mystery surrounding the Depression glass a young girl inherits. As she's solving the mystery, she learns about the Great Depression, World War II, and the Holocaust. This book fits well with the fifth-grade curriculum in most schools.

My picture book, The Time-for-Bed Angel, can be considered inspirational because it has a guardian angel who watches over the accident-prone main character, but angels appear in noninspirational books as well. This book is a "crossover" book in that it's sold in the main market as well as the Christian market, crossing over from one to the other.

Even my latest books, A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up To Live It Down, are crossover books. They address faith directly but are published by a nonreligious publisher for both markets.

6. Are you planning on writing any books for older teens or adults?

I wrote an inspirational romance a couple of years ago and am looking for a home for that. I may write more in The Kirsten Hart Series, which A Shadow in the Dark and Living It Up to Live It Down are part of. The character ages in this series so, if I continue to write it, she may reach adulthood and appeal more to older teens and adults.

Thanks to Ronica Stromberg for allowing me to read and review 2 of her books. Those reviews follow this post.

Books can be ordered from Royal Fireworks Press at http://rfwp.com

A Shadow in the Dark by Ronica Stromberg

Kirsten Hart, her mother and her younger brother Eric have moved to the country following her parents’ divorce. While out walking the neighborhood to see if there are any girls her age, she comes to an old woman’s home. Before knocking she thinks that she sees someone looking out of one of the windows. As she leans closer to look the old woman opens the front door and catches her peeking in. The old woman is not happy. When Kirsten asks to meet the girl that she saw in the window the old woman denies that there is anyone else in the house. So starts Kirsten’s summer.

Kirsten’s mother remembers that some other neighbors are having their granddaughter stay with them for the summer. Kirsten goes to meet her. Gail and Kirsten spend the rest of their summer trying to find out whom the old woman is hiding in her home. After telling Kirsten’s mother, Gail’s grandparents and the police the girls realize that they are the only ones to “save” the girl being held captive.

One thing that Kirsten learns about Gail is that she is a Christian. Everything that Kirsten has heard about Christians is that they are weird. Gail surprises her with her faith. Throughout the story Gail’s steady faith in God impresses Kirsten. Pressures from old friends, guilt for enjoying her new friend, a dad that never follows through with his promises, and worry about the girl being held captive all eventually lead Kirsten to the one person that can give her peace and ultimate friendship…Jesus.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story has heart-pounding action as well as humor. Ronica Stromberg captures the inward struggles that a pre-teen girl can go through. Struggles of acceptance, relationships with family and friends and ultimately struggles with faith.

Books can be ordered from Royal Fireworks Press at http://rfwp.com

Living It Up To Live It Down by Ronica Stromberg

In Living It Up To Live It Down Kirsten Hart is starting Jr. High. Shaky in her newfound faith she prays that she will find a friend that shares her faith and can help her to grow in that faith.

On the first day of school Kirsten thinks that her prayers have been answered when she meets Sarah the daughter of a preacher. Surely Sarah will be as enthusiastic to learn about the Lord as Kirsten herself is.

It doesn’t take long for Kirsten to realize that Sarah is not living her life the way a Christian young lady should. Sarah is trying to shake the stigmatism of being a preacher’s daughter.

Will Kirsten’s newfound faith be shaken or will she be able to help Sarah to once again find happiness in the faith that she was raised in?

Once again Ronica Stromberg has captured what struggles Jr. High students face each day. Not just with social issues, but with faith issues as well. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment of Kirsten Hart’s life.

Books can be ordered from Royal Fireworks Press at http://rfwp.com

Pride and Prejudice Adapted by Nancy Butler & Hugo Petrus

This is the first graphic novel that I have ever read. I thought it was done pretty well. Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book. This adaptation captured the main points of the story. I of course like the original the best but for someone that has a hard time reading classic literature this would work perfect for.

By The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

What a depressing way to start the new year! Daelyn wants to commit suicide. She has tried a couple of times and failed. This time she is determined. She comes across a website for other people wanting to commit suicide. While deciding what will be the best and final way to end her life she meets Santana who is dying from Hodgkins Disease. Will Daelyn commit suicide or will she find a reason to live? The book kind of leaves that question up for your own interpretation.

Holiday Break Reading Activity #15

Holiday Break Reading Challenge Activity #15

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve.  The start of the new year brings the opportunity for reflection about what we've done during the past year and the goals for what we want to accomplish in the coming year.  Take today to answer the following questions on your blog.  If, for some reason, some of the questions to apply to you, just answer what you can.


REFLECTIONS
1.  What was your favorite aspect of your blog in 2009?
Starting a blog was my favorite aspect!

2.  Was there a particular featured/weekly post you participated in that you enjoyed and plan to continue in 2010?

I enjoyed the Holiday Break Reading Challenge and hope that it continues in some form or another during the year.


3.  Is there anything you don't like about your blog that you want to fix? (design, posts, followers, blog host, etc.)

I would love to have some followers or readers of my blog.


4.  Is there a blog you visit that you admire and aspire to emulate?  
Not visited too many blogs. Plus I kind of like to do my own thing.

GOALS (You fill in the blanks)
1. Visit blogs and see what is out there.


2. Have a bigger readership.


3. Be able to review books for authors.


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