LeBlog--The Blog about life…writing, raising kids, chasing dogs, handling life and all its bit parts.

March 27, 2008

 

You are listening to ...

Just found out that my next book, Lookin' Back, Texas, will also be coming out in audio cd format. Very cool!

I've been watching on Amazon.com for Elvis Takes a Back Seat in audio cd. It shows that it's available in March, but still not yet shipping. Not sure what's up with that. But something to look for, especially if you're like me and have a hard time finding time to sit and read. I listen to a lot of books on cd and love it! I can listen in the car, at Starbucks on my iPod, walking on the treadmill, etc...

So how many of you listen to books on cd, tape or downloaded?

March 24, 2008

 

A New Cover!


I'm so excited! I finally have the new cover for Lookin' Back, Texas, my book that is coming out in September. What do you think?

Lookin' Back, Texas
A devoted wife and mother must return to her hometown of Luckenbach, Texas to help her mother plan her father's funeral. Trouble is - he isn't dead! And neither are the secrets she buried there years ago.

March 21, 2008

 

Hopping down the bunny trail ...

That's where I've been! I've also been burrowed into my little hovel trying to finish my book. Hope to do that today, then I have page proofs for Lookin' Back, Texas to get to. The cover will be up any day. It's really great! Can't wait for you to see it.

I just wanted to hop by and wish all of you a happy Easter. It's such a heavy spiritual weekend as I contemplate Christ dying on the cross for me and the glorious resurrection. But it's also mixed with a lot of fun with Easter egg hunts with my kiddoes.

My whole family will be gathering at my folks on Sunday. If you think of us, please say a prayer. My dad, who some of you know has prostate cancer gone to his bones, received some bad news this past week. His psa number has gone way high. They'll be doing a bone scan this next week. Not sure what they'll do or say after that. But we sure could use the prayers.

Thanks for hopping by!

March 16, 2008

 

New Review

My publishing house sent me this review last week.

Elvis Takes a Back Seat
Leanna Ellis
5 Stars

I don't give out five stars very often. A book has to have certain qualities to rate that kind of accolade. It has to get my attention right from the start. It has to keep my attention through each chapter. It can't be preachy or whiney, nor be overly repetitive. And it absolutely must not give itself away too soon. I have to admit, when I first saw the title I was a bit skeptical. What was this one going to require of me? Was an over-the-top fan going to chase down Elvis sightings and make me go along? Nope. Was an Elvis impersonator going to try to pass himself off as the original and prove he was alive and that he had not been abducted by aliens? Nope. Elvis Takes a Back Seat was not any of those things. Oh, Elvis was there, on nearly every page, but the author seemed to understand that her readers didn't want to go in those directions any more than she did, and so she chose an entirely different trip and she didn't let Elvis run away with her story.

I liked this book because the story is told in such polished style that readers will want to be in the back seat of that Rock 'n Roll red Cadillac, with the top down, cruising the road to Memphis. The plot twists aren't overly complicated, nor are they over-simplified. Ellis has managed to keep that element of "this story really could go either way here." Even the chapter titles have something to offer.

Have you been spending a bit too much time listening to children's programming during the week? Are there over-the-top happy tunes repeating in your head? Well, Elvis Takes a Back Seat is more down-to-earth and you'll find yourself remembering the songs from which the chapter titles were taken. By the end of it, you'll be calm and happy, humming them instead of the theme song to the Mickey Mouse Club. But, reader beware. The book has a dangerous side. It fosters procrastination.

I put off doing the dishes on Tuesday, for what was supposed to be a few minutes. Two hours later, when it was time to start lunch, I made myself put the book down and go wash them. I managed to get the laundry in the washer on Wednesday, then sat down to read until it was time to put the clothes in the dryer. You have to remember to actually turn the washer on in order to get them clean. Did I do it on purpose? We'll never know. And grocery shopping? Oh, please. I found myself rushing through the more domestic tasks so I could get back to the book. I even found myself carrying it along as I hurried out the door for appointments. Stop lights are never long enough, and why can't we have traffic jams in rural America?

I'm giving the book five stars because it earned it. It got my attention from the beginning. It kept me wanting to find out more in every chapter. It isn't preachy, or whiney, nor repetitive. I did figure out the ending a bit sooner than it was revealed, but that didn't take away from what came next, because even toward the end the author had a surprise or two up her sleeve. Elvis Takes a Back Seat is a warm and encouraging story about three generations of women who take a trip, not just to Memphis, but more importantly an inner journey into their own lives, their expectations, and their fears . . . and Elvis got to go along for the ride. This book is just simply a great trip all by itself.

By Susan Cronk

March 13, 2008

 

What the ...?

Interesting study out today by Nielson concerning PG rated movies. Apparently the PG movies with the least profanity did the best at the box office. Those conducting the study learned that parents are choosing very carefully what movies to take their little darlings to. Those with the least foul language did the best.

I have to admit, I was expecting the worst from this study. I expected the movies with the most profanity to do the best at the box office. How cynical I've become! I guess I've seen too many young children sitting through R rated movies. But I was delighted to see these results. Hopefully, it will make Hollywood sit up and take notice. That's one reason I so loved National Treasure. It was action packed, grabbing both parents' and kids' attention, but also had no foul language. So it's good to go out and support movies that promote good family values. Money does talk!

So how do you choose what movies to take your kids to? Do you read reviews first? Talk to other parents you trust? Wait for movies to come out on DVD? Go to any movie your kids want to see? Do you find it hard to say no to your kids?

March 12, 2008

 

New Interview

Hey, guys, another interview is up over at Carol Ann Erhardt's blog. You can check it out here: http://carolannerhardt.blogspot.com

Have a great day all!

March 11, 2008

 

Change

The time change really kicked me in the backside this week. It didn't help that Monday morning it was raining. A perfect day to stay in bed. This morning it was foggy. Another good day to pull the covers up over the head and snooze. But alas, being a mom, I can't do that.

I don't really like Daylight Savings Time. It always takes me a week or so to recover from the change. Which got me to thinking ... am I usually accepting of change or resistant? Hmmm... I came to the conclusion that it just depends. If it's a good change, then I'm all for it. If it's senseless change, then I usually balk. That should be a no-brainer, right? But sometimes change comes about that I might not necessarily see as a positive until I'm knee deep or even on the other side of it. Then I might realize it was good. Maybe that's why it seemed so muddy in the crossing. Maybe my attitude was dragging me down like thick, goopy mud.

What about you? Do you relish change or fight it every step of the way?

March 6, 2008

 

Candid Camera Tip #2 and #3

If you're going to be on television, especially live TV, then prepare to be flexible. When I arrived at the studio, I was shown to the 'green room.' The makeup gal checked my makeup and just dabbed me with a little extra powder. Basically, I had done my own, much heavier than I usually wear it. I was given a microphone and powerpack to hook onto my clothes. I met the hosts who would be interviewing me. They were very nice. But they were busy getting ready, so don't expect to stand around and chat too much. Then down the hall to the actual studio we went.

I was then told the studio was experiencing technical difficulties. All the headsets were down. Basically, the cameramen and producers couldn't communicate. Not good for a live show. It was getting closer and closer to 'kick off' time. Still, the equipment wasn't working. So they decided at the last minute to go with a previously taped show.

More waiting. I was told they would hopefully (if the equipment began to work) that we'd tape my segment and it would be played at a later date. But still, the equipment wasn't working. With me was a pastor from California who was supposed to be speaking about his book on church cells. We decided we needed prayer. So we prayed. Less than 5 minutes later, the equipment was in working order. So then it was decided we would do the complete show as if live. One of the hosts had already removed his makeup thinking there wouldn't be any filming that day. That's how close we were to it being a complete bust! The studio took care of the shuttle, letting them know to pick us up later. We had to make sure we were through in time to get back to the hotel to check out and in time to get to the airport for our flights. Thankfully, it all worked out.

When you're dealing with such highly technical equipment, don't be surprised when things go wrong. Just continue smiling and be flexible. Praying is also extremely helpful!

By the way, The Harvest Show put the wrong program up on their website. So my interview can't be seen yet. It will be broadcast again on Direct TV Saturday morning at 5am. Hopefully, I'll get it posted on my website soon. See! We can flex!

March 4, 2008

 

Candid Camera Tip #1

As many of you know, I was on The Harvest Show Monday, March 3rd. It was my first appearance on television, and of course I learned a lot. Here is my first big tip: read all labels carefully!

I should know this one! But in an effort to carry my luggage on the airplane (and not risk it getting lost as I changed planes at O'Hare), I bought a 3oz. bottle of hair spray to take. Well, I thought it was hair spray. I woke up nice and early on Monday morning so I wouldn't have to rush around and get all flustered and nervous. I wanted to stay nice and calm. I was just about ready and had 15 minutes before the shuttle would pick me up from the hotel and take me to the studio. I finished the last touches on my makeup and finished fixing my hair. It was ready for the final touch -- the hairspray! I spritzed and spritzed and spritzed, adding a few extra spritzes because it was raining in South Bend. I looked in the mirror. Something was definitely not right. I looked closer. Something was wrong. My hair looked wet. WET! I touched it and my fingers came away greasy. GREASY! Ick! Right before my eyes, my hair was falling and turning greasy. Yuck! What did I spray on it?

I raced to my bag where I keep my reading glasses (yes, I need them, obviously more than I realized) and read the very tiny writing on the very tiny bottle of what I thought was hair spray. It wasn't hair SPRAY. It was hair SHINE. I had to rewash my hair immediately.

Trouble was, I couldn't take off my shirt and risk getting that grease all over it. I couldn't wash off my makeup either. But I could not go on live television with greasy, flat hair! So I bent over the tub, a towel over my shirt to keep it from getting wet, and rewashed my hair as fast and as thoroughly as I could. Then a quick blow dry and I had to run meet the shuttle.

Thankfully, it all turned out well. So always be careful and read those labels before traveling with a new hair product!

If you want to see how the interview went for yourself, check out the video on The Harvest How. Click on the button to the right for Monday March 3rd. I'm about 20 minutes into the show. If my hair has a shine, it's natural. :)

 

Home again, home again ... jiggedy job!

Well, I'm home from a whirlwind trip to Indiana and I'm pooped! I left Sunday around noon and had a couple of flight delays but finally arrived around 8pm in South Bend, home of the fighting Irish! Lots to tell, but I'm playing catch up here today and keeping the kids on track with school. Thank you so much for all the prayers, they were definitely needed and helped a lot! Amazingly with all the crazy weather and flight delays in Chicago and snow here in Dallas, I arrived home safe and sound. So much to be grateful for. I'll tell more tomorrow when I've hopefully caught up on a few things (sleep included!).

Blessings,

Leanna

March 1, 2008

 

Do you believe in prayer?

I'm a big believer in prayer. So if you believe, please keep me in your prayers this weekend. I am leaving Sunday for South Bend, Indiana. I have to change planes in Chicago (kinda scary for me!). Monday morning, I'll be appearing on The Harvest Show. It's on Direct TV, so if you have access you should be able to get it. And snow is expected! Anyway, please pray for safety, for coherent words to come out of my mouth when the cameras are rolling, for my husband to manage fixing the kids lunches, getting them to school, picking them up on time and getting them to all of their activities, and for safe travel for me to get home Monday night.

Blessings,

Leanna

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