Book Review for: 'A Trail of Broken Promises' by Jess Davon Joslin

‘A Trail of Broken Promises’ by Jess Davon Joslin is a beautifully written, heart wrenching story of a young Cherokee woman that losses everything she has, but gains an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. Jess Davon Joslin does an amazing job of bringing the story alive. Elsie Feather is a young Cherokee woman married to the family shaman. She has her world ripped away from her in a moment, not knowing where her family is or if they are even still alive. She is forced from her home with nothing but the clothes she has on…The devastation takes its toll on many of the Cherokee as they are forced into holding camps until their time to march to their ‘new land’ arrives. Finding what little hope she can during the ensuing months, Elsie must find inner strength as she loses more than most can bear.
This is a story of strength, courage, heartbreak and the power of love for family and God…
Reviewed by Ursula Gorman-author of ‘Old Acquaintances’ a mystery/romance to be released Dec 10/Jan 11

Review: Tomato Turtle by Thomas Strock

‘Tomato Turtle’ by Thomas Strock – Cute. Adorable. Endearing. These are just a few of the words that describe ‘Tomato Turtle’. The illustrations pull you into the light hearted story and bring Tomato alive in the minds of young children.
Tomato is a happy turtle with a great turtle life, but one day he sees children playing in the park and wants to play like them. The reader follows along with Tomato as he enjoys new experiences. Tomato finds that there are many other joys than those he has always known. While he finds that new experiences are wonderful, he realizes he misses his turtle life.
Children will love the adorable illustrations and enjoy following along with Tomato and his ‘Trip to the Park’. ‘Tomato Turtle’ is a perfect gift for small children with the colorful images and the easy to follow story.
Reviewed by: Ursula Gorman author of ‘Old Acquaintances’- a mystery/romance release date Dec 2010/Jan 2011

Book Review- C through Marriage by Jim Hughes

‘C through Marriage’ by Jim Hughes is a positive and uplifting book backed by scripture. It is a book that is perfect to be given to newly engaged/married couples and to couples that have been together for years. For the newly engaged/married couples, it gives a good look into what marriage is truly like. Not the glossed over, romanticized version some adults have grown up believing marriage is. As for the married couples that have been together for years, it is an ideal book to revisit what your marriage is now as opposed to what you expected it to be and what is still can become.
‘C trough Marriage’ is written in short chapters, each starting with a possible real life scenario and going into what God intended marriage to be and how to go about reaching a Godly marriage. Bible verses are given throughout each chapter, so you’ll want to have your bible handy.
While I feel that I have a great marriage, this book made me realize that it could be even better. I caught myself wanting to stop reading so I could start working on making my marriage more of what God intended, but I’m glad I didn’t stop…because with each chapter, I learned so much more.
I found this book to be right on the mark. I encourage every married couple, whether you feel your marriage needs help or not, to read this book. This is also the perfect book to have on hand to be given as an engagement gift. If it encourages communication to start before the vows are taken, so many negative issues can be avoided after the vows.
Ursula Gorman- author of ‘Old Acquaintances’ a mystery/romance to be released Dec. 10/Jan. 11

Cover Design

I've been in contact with my cover design artist. Her name is Lauran and she is great, at least so far! lol She was very open to my idea of what I had in mind for my book cover. She said I would get 3 to 5 cover options at the end of the month. I'll have 2 to 5 days to decide on which one I want to go with. So by the end of the month, I should have a cover for my book. Very exciting.
Old Acquaintances is a mystery/romance, but the romance is more of the secondary story. So which would draw you to pick up the book? A mysterious, intriguing cover or a more romantic cover? I tend to lean toward mysteries, so that is what would draw 'me' to the book...but this isn't about me, it's about the readers. The inside, was all me...but the outside has to pull you in to want to see what the inside is all about.
Some people go for more plain, straight to the point covers that don't appeal to me at all. Then there are those that seem to portray a serious subject, then there's mystery, sci fi, romance, etc. etc. etc...
I've always been attracted to the mysterious...how about you?

It's been awhile!

It's been a little while since I've posted...It's been crazy! I'm covering for a co-worker while she's on maternity leave, doing a portion of her job while still keeping up with my own work. I have to cover for another co-worker while she takes three days off...plus I'm having more stuff added to my regular duties...I'm tired just thinking about it! :)
My son just had his tonsils out earlier this week. I did manage to get a day off to be with him. He is doing amazing. His tonsils were so bad that even with surgery, he seems to be doing better then before having it. His voice sounds funny and he can't play or eat what he wants, but he is eating and getting plenty of fluids so all is well!
I've received my final round of edits. It's good news. She liked what I did so much in the first round that she said she didn't have any notes for me. I just have to look for typos, paragraph indentions and double spacing between words. but for the most part, it's all good.
I've read over it once since getting it back and found some paragraphs that needed indentions, but didn't find any typos or double spaces. I do have a friend looking it over since she hasn't read it yet. A fresh pair of eyes and all...never can hurt.
I have also been contacted by the design department for my cover art. I should be getting a call first of the week to discuss what I want and let her get a feel for the book. I'm excited for that...more later!

Photo Contest Ended

There was a really good turn out for votes for the photo contest to help me choose the picture I'll use for the Author Bio Picture. The new picture on my blog was the winner. I will eventually replace the picture with my books cover art, but why not start using the winning photo now?
I was thrilled at the response to the contest. Erice Wayne Wilcox won the drawing for a copy of a signed 'Old Acquaintances' when I get my advanced copies. Erice's wife Mary wrote 'First Rose'. It's a fantastic book and I encourage all of you that have ever wondered what life in heaven would be like to pick up the book. You won't regret it, I didn't!
Eleven more days and I get my next round of edits...Yeah! Things are moving right along. It seemed to take forever for anyone to even start working on my book and now, I'm happy to say, I don't have long to wait between projects. That helps the anxiety level.
Today is my daughter's birthday and it's time to have cake and ice cream. So I part with Happy Birthday wishes for my beautiful daughter and a God bless to all of you.

Photo Contest on Facebook

Well, the time has finally arrived. 'Old Acquaintances' is having its first ever contest...but you have to be on facebook! If you are already on fb, join 'Old Acquaintances' fan page and vote! You, the fans, get to decide on which picture will be used for the author's photo on the back of the book and on marketing/promotional items.
All you have to do is vote for your favorite picture and you are entered into the drawing to win a pre-release signed copy of 'Old Acquaintances' when I get my authors copies.
Follow the link to the fb page, join and vote...it's that easy. Tell your friends that enjoy mystery/romance books to check it out too! Good luck!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=388526903624&v=photos#!/group.php?gid=388526903624