New book and Contest giveaway!!!

  

 

I'm so excited to announce that I have a new co-written book with Kimberley Woodhouse.  Kim is the author of 3 other books - WELCOME HOME, and with daughter Kayla:  NO SAFE HAVEN and RACE AGAINST TIME.  People often ask me why I co-write from time to time and the initial reason is always the same - to introduce a new or new-to-you author and let you know that this is a great opportunity to connect.  Kind of an "If you like me and my books - you'll love her and her books" kind of thing.

Kim and I have been longtime friends and so a project together just seemed to fit us nicely.  Combine that friendship with Alaska and history and you have ALL THINGS HIDDEN.

The story is set in 1930's Alaska during the Great Depression.  During this time FDR sent 200 families north to Alaska (hum the song if you remember it) to resettle and start over.  The government funded the trip and the living.  They sent families from Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin because the powers that be figured those folks would know how to deal with the cold.

It was tent living at first and very difficult.  No matter the help of the government, there was still a lot of physical labor for each man, woman and child.  The Matanuska Valley (the one where they grow all of those giant vegetables) was the chosen site.

ALL THINGS HIDDEN has romance, intrigue, mystery and cultural history.  Kim and I did a great deal of research - visiting the location, reading up on it and even speaking with folks who could answer our long list of pesky questions.

The Extension Service at the University of Alaska even furnished us with wonderful handouts about sourdough making for our upcoming book tour in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. (That's starting in February on the 7th - check the website events for information).

Here's link to the website where you can get your own copy of the sourdough pamphlet.

http://www.uaf.edu/files/ces/publications-db/catalog/hec/FNH-00061.pdf

It's awesome.  I have to say I'd not made sourdough bread before, but now have experienced it and the family agreed it needs to happen on a regular basis. :)

Now for the exciting news.  Kim and I are having a contest to give away 4 special Alaska baskets.  Each basket will contain books from Kim and myself as well as our new combined story ALL THINGS HIDDEN, a nifty Alaska ornament, a book on sourdough and some other goodies. 

To enter - all you have to do is respond to this blog with your name and email so we can contact you if you're a winner.  You can comment and register until January 17, 2014. A drawing will be held on January 20th and we will immediately announce the winners.

Hope you enjoy the new book and please do us a favor and spread the word!
Happy New Year!

Empty Chairs

 

Christmas is such a wonderful time for friends and family.  It’s an amazing time of reflection and inspiration.  Not to make you sad, but it’s also a time when the suicide rates are highest.  Isn’t that sad?  The very holiday that we celebrate the birth of our Savior is a time when so many people give up.

Often the reason is due to empty chairs.

Chairs can be empty for a lot of reasons.  Family and friends are too busy to visit or come by.  In this day and age so much of our social life is done here – online.  It keeps us up to date on each other.  Keeps us connected mentally, but not physically.

Sometimes the weather is too bad, the distance too far, or the finances too limited and empty chairs are the result.  Those who can—come together, but little pieces of their heart dwell elsewhere with their missing loved ones.

 

 

 

 

Severed relationships can be another cause of empty chairs.  Maybe misunderstanding has taken place in your family or with your friends. Maybe friendships were ended because of hard feelings that couldn’t be resolved. Maybe you offended family members and in turn they put up walls.  A lot of folks tend to bear grudges, but no matter, the loss is there. 

Those empty chairs are truly daunting and painful.

And of course sickness often keeps our loved ones from coming together.  It’s hard to travel with a chemo IV in your arm or the need for dialysis. Sometimes it’s something as seemingly insignificant as an auto-immune disorder or migraines.  Which of course aren’t insignificant at all.

Lastly, we sadly endure empty chairs because of death.  Love ones have gone on to be with the Lord. For one reason or another – sickness, wars, accident, crimes, or even the above mentioned suicides . Those dear ones are beyond our reach-physically, but emotionally – mentally – spiritually their empty chair is devastating and we find ourselves mourning all over again.

Now lest you think I brought these reflections to make you sad or grief-stricken this holiday season – bear with me.  I have only mentioned these empty chairs because I know they exist in each and every house and someone – someone is hurting and feeling that they must surely be the only one in the world to feel such pain.  I want you to know – you aren’t alone.

We each have empty chairs and unspoken sorrows.  But what I found here among my sister authors and readers is the support and love that helps those chairs not seem quite so daunting – or empty – or hopeless.

So I write this blog with the desire that you know you aren’t alone and that you would be mindful of those empty chairs that others are enduring.  Reach out in love to each other and open your hearts and homes to those who may have nothing, but empty chairs.

And remember – there is coming a day when we will no longer have to worry about who will be at the table.  As that old hymn says, “When we all get to heaven – what a day of rejoicing that will be!”  Those who have given Jesus the place of honor in their hearts will be there, and since the Bible says there will be no sorrow or tears in heaven – we know that we will not grieve the empty chairs – because there are no empty chairs in heaven.

This Christmas remember why Jesus came. Give the gift of love—of encouragement by sharing  the Gospel, listening to a lonely soul, giving cookies to the needy.  Whatever you do, do it unto the Lord as the Bible says.  Help fill those place-settings and remember; He came as a babe in a manager to fill the empty chair in our heart. Celebrate His Birth.  Celebrate His love.

Merry Christmas

Blog to visit and NEW BOOK!!!

Recently I was invited to share at Carrie Fancett Pagels blogsite.

Be sure and visit at:

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/2013/12/carrie-fancett-pagels-interviews-tracie.html#.Uq4EiqVgy8U"


Thanks, Carrie for the chance to share!

ALSO - I'm so excited to let everyone know about my latest book with Kimberley Woodhouse.

 

ALL THINGS HIDDEN is now available!

 

I'm so excited to see this book finally available.  Publisher's Weekly gave it a starred review and Romantic Times gave  us 4 1/2 stars and a TOP PICK!

 

I hope you get a chance to read it!

 

God Bless You!