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

January 27, 2010

 

Have you seen…?

The wonderful book trailer B&H had made for my upcoming book, Once in a Blue Moon?

Check it out on the front page of my website: www.leannaellis.com

 

Have you seen…?

The wonderful book trailer B&H had made for my upcoming book, Once in a Blue Moon?

Check it out on the front page of my website: www.leannaellis.com

January 26, 2010

 

Sopaipilla Cheese Cake

This is wonderfully delicious! Just out of the oven or cold…either way it is good! Warning: it is addictive.

Sopaipilla Cheese Cake

Blend: 3 8 oz. cream cheese
1 ½ cups of sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Layer in a 9x13 pan
1 can of crescent rolls
Cream cheese mixture
1 can of crescent rolls

Melt
1 stick of butter. Pour over layers.

Sprinkle
½ cup of sugar mixed with
2 tsps. of cinnamon over top

Bake for 30 to 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

January 25, 2010

 

Sweet By and By

BLURB:
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she's thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson's love.
But then Jade's hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade's wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love's rejection.
Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they'll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.

Review blurbs:

"...heartwarming collaborative debut." - Publishers Weekly


"This Southern mother-daughter story is refreshingly well written and will easily engross readers of women's fiction." - Library Journal

Bio:
Multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans has garnered such honors as ACM's Female Vocalist of the Year, CMA's Video of the Year, named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," and she was the first country star to compete in ABC's Dancing with the Stars. This is her first novel. Sara has said that the redemptive message always attracts her to a given story. It's the story she's cares about most in the songs she records and sings; it's the story of her life; it's the story she looks for in the faces of those she meets.
"I've been a Believer since I was 21. My faith has been everything to me in my life since then. In my marriage, my motherhood, my career, and just dealing with everyday life, God is my constant companion and friend. I find myself praying constantly prayers of gratitude and guidance. As a mom and a career woman, my life is filled daily with choices and decisions to make that will affect lots of people. So I rely on God to guide me!"

Best selling, award winning author Rachel Hauck is known for well-written stories that paint real-life characters facing real-life challenges. She writes with depth and humor. As an author, worship and prayer leader, it's Rachel's heart to spread the love and fragrance of God to those she meets. In person or on the page. His plans for each individual are vast and good. "I have one goal in life. To seek His face. Everything has come together for me because of seeking Him. Even in my weakness, He is strong. I'd like others to know the same success."

Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband, a teacher and pastor, and their ornery pets.


Amazon link: http://www.amazon. com/Sweet- Sara-Evans/ dp/1595544895

Rachel's web site: www.rachelhauck. com
Sara's: www.saraevans. com

Q: How did this collaboration come about?

RH: Really? God. Thomas Nelson approached Sara about a fiction project, then approached me about writing with/for her. My career was in a place of make-it or break-it, and I'd just prayed one of my "surrender prayers" to the Lord and was ready to go anywhere, do anything. Not having children, I am pretty much 100% available to pick up and go whenever and wherever. Knowing the Lord would take my husband and current writing and worship commitments into account, I was ready to go! It was very freeing to say, "God, I have nothing. What do you want to do? I'm 100% available. You're so good, whatever it is You want for me, I'll love it."

I've loved this journey writing with Sara. I struggled in some of my weaknesses from time to time, but this was one of the easiest books I've ever written even though I'd never written women's fiction. Never written flashbacks. Never written a continuing character series.

Q: What was Sara's part of the process?

RH: She cast the vision. We sat down and talked about what she wanted in the book, what kind of story she wanted to tell, and hashed out an overview. I went home and added the details and did the writing. If I was unsure about something, I'd email her and ask for her input. For example, we ended up dealing with a controversial social issue in this book and I wanted to know she was ready to assign her name to it.

Q. What do you want readers to take away from this story?

RH: God is good. There is always hope and redemption. While our past can impact our present, we don't have to carry the burden of pain and sin into the future. God truly does work all things together for our good.

Q. What's next for you and Sara?

RH: The second book, Softly and Tenderly, is written and releases January 2011. We are collaborating on two more books to be released January 2012 and 2013. They will be a continuation of the series. Book two is really exciting. Hit's the ground running.

Q. As an author, how did this book impact you and your work?

RH: I learned a lot about myself. Going back to the original prayer of surrender, I had to see that when God brought something to me to do it might not center around me! Maybe He wanted me to use my gifts and talents for others. At the same time, what amazing grace and peace He gave me.

My writing had to take on a different flavor and tone. I learned to write about two women instead of a romance with a hero and heroine. I had to develop back story that worked on stage instead of through dialog. This project forced me to work on a much deeper emotional level. I was exhausted when it was done. But I loved the process.

Q. Who is your favorite character?

RH: Well, Jade, the protagonist, of course. But her sister Willow really captured me. We had to back her up a bit or she'd steal the show! I also really had an affection for the character Dustin.

Q. What's next for you? Any solo projects.

RH: Yes! I have a late 2010 release from Thomas Nelson, Dining With Joy, about a cooking show host who can't cook.

January 22, 2010

 

Once in a Blue Moon excerpt!

Check out chapter one of my upcoming novel. Once in a Blue Moon releases March 1, 2010. You can pre-order on Amazon.com now.

http://leannaellis.com/onceinabluemoon.html

January 21, 2010

 

Auntie's Fudge Cake

After three weeks on my New Year's diet, I am ready for something sweet. How about you? I can't think of anything better than this delicious fudge cake from my family's recipe book.My great aunt loved to make this. We called her Auntie. My grandmother called her Sister. But her real name was Lenora. I hope you enjoy!

Fudge Cake

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup flour
4 eggs
5 level Tbsp. cocoa
3 cup pecans
Vanilla

Cream butter and sugar; mix cocoa with flour, then add flour to butter and sugar alternating with eggs, one at a time. Add pecans last and vanilla if desired. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
Fudge Icing

2 cups sugar
3 tsp. cocoa
¼ cup white corn syrup
½ cup milk
½ cup butter
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients, except vanilla, together and stir until mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Boil 2 minutes (time it!). Add vanilla and beat until thick enough to spread. May be cooled before beating if desired.

January 15, 2010

 

Haitian Orphanage in Need

A friend of mine adopted one of her children from this orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Amazingly, the orphanage is still standing and the children safe. Read a letter from them below and see how you can help. Blessings, Leanna




A New Arrival, Inc
PO Box 445 204 South Main Street Twin Bridges, MT 59754
Phone: (406) 684-5312 Fax: (406) 684-5315
E-mail: lori@anewarrival.com patty@anewarrival.com julie@anewarrival.com
Website: www.anewarrival.com
Dear Families:

Many have called A New Arrival to ask what can be done to offer assistance to the Children’s Center during this devastating crisis in Haiti. Having gone through a similar situation during the last presidential coup we are aware that supplies of food and water will be running out soon or are all ready not accessible due to the collapse of the stores in Petion-ville.

A New Arrival is gathering information to contract with AmeriJet to fly supplies from Miami to Port Au Prince Haiti. These supplies will go directly to the orphanage.

To be brutally honest we will need a large amount of cash donations to buy supplies and have them shipped to Haiti within the next few days. At this time there is no way for us to wire the funds to Haiti for the orphanage due to the collapse of the infrastructure in Haiti and the fact that there is nowhere for the staff to buy the needed supplies at this time. A New Arrival is equipped to accept credit cards (Visa, American Express or Master Card) please contact via phone or email. The donations can also be wired directly into the Haiti banking account at:

Haiti Trust Account # 111392
Routing #092904185
Ruby Valley Bank
406-684-5678
107 South Main St.
Twin Bridges, Montana 59754

100% transparency will be available for all donors and no funds will held back for administrative purposes. A complete accounting will be kept providing information for all donations received for this crisis. As always your contributions are tax deductable as we are a 501 C 3 Non Profit agency.

A New Arrival also plans to assist sister orphanages to include, but not limited to, BRESMA which is where many of our first children were adopted from seven years ago. A New Arrival will also assist children in temporary need of food and shelter. Any funds left over will used at the discretion of the orphanage staff for needs at the orphanage.

Our first goal is to make sure the children’s basic needs are being met. How this will effect are current families adoptions will be a secondary goal at this time of the emergency.

This earthquake has been a catastrophe of major proportions for Haiti but we thank God that our children are in such a safe and strong building. Please help us to get much needed supplies from Miami to Haiti. No donation is too small. We thank everyone who can help in this time of need.

Sincerely,
Lori Jones, CEO
Staff
Rock Cayo, Orphanage Director
Patty Hayes
Julie Hardyman

January 14, 2010

 

Got fear?

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Do you ever feel afraid? I do. But I've learned over the years that fear doesn't come from the Lord. Time and again in the bible, God says, "Fear not…" But the enemy loves to conjure up fear in us. He knows what we're afraid of. And he uses fear to turn us around and not follow the path God has set before us. So when I feel fear, I know I'm going in the right direction.

January 13, 2010

 

We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

I'm blogging today over at CAN! about high concept and setting. I hope you'll check it out.

http://canblog.typepad.com/

January 12, 2010

 

Butter Cake

Just the name of this cake tells me it is definitely not on my diet! I made this about three weeks ago and it was delicious. I'll have to just imagine it today and have a yummy, imaginary non-caloric piece for my dear friend, Dorothy Love, to celebrate her birthday today! Happy birthday, Dorothy!

Butter Cake

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
5 eggs
1 cup water
1 tsp. baking powder in 3 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend sugar and butter; add eggs and mix well. Add sifted dry ingredients. Bake in Bundt pan. Delicious iced or not.

Banana icing:

1 banana, mashed
¾ stick butter, melted
1 ½ to 2 cup powdered sugar
Juice of ½ lemon, strained

Blend banana, butter and lemon juice. Whip in enough sifted sugar for consistency to spread.

January 11, 2010

 

Blessings

May the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you. Numbers 6:25

January 8, 2010

 

Another Frequently Asked Question

Are your books autobiographical?

I definitely write fiction. These are made up characters, made up stories. But I think things in my life stir emotions, help me connect to characters. So there are bits and pieces of me in my novels. How could there not be?

For example in Ruby's Slippers, my heroine has followed in her mother's footsteps by running the family farm but it's not her dream. Trouble is, she doesn't know what her dream is because she's so suppressed it. It's the beginning of her journey when the farm is destroyed, a journey of self-discovery. I never ran a farm, but I did follow after my mother by teaching. Way back in high school and early college years, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I had taught dance during high school which helped pay for my dance classes; I'd also helped in Vacation Bible School. But I didn't really enjoy it. But my mother said, "You're a good teacher. You should teach." For one semester I tried business but it was boring. Was I just going to have a desk job the rest of my life? So I went the education route. But I didn't love teaching. I loved the creative part of it, the coming up with games and activities to enrich a lesson. I loved Children's Literature. So then I ended up teaching for five years until I had figured out I wanted to write. So I could relate to Dottie on this journey of hers down the yellow brick road into self-discovery. And I try to find a core element to be able to relate to a character, even if that character isn't the main one.

In Lookin' Back, Texas, the mother of my main character, Betty Lynne is something else. She's a perfectionist on steroids. Now I've had a few perfectionist tendencies in my life. I've also known a lot of perfectionists. And so I could empathize with her and the situation she gets herself into in the story.

So back to the original question, are my stories autobiographical, the short answer is no. But there are elements from my own struggles in the pages of my books.

 

Fear?

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Do you ever feel afraid? I do. But I've learned over the years that fear doesn't come from the Lord. Time and again in the bible, God says, "Fear not…" But the enemy loves to conjure up fear in us. He knows what we're afraid of. And he uses fear to turn us around and not follow the path God has set before us. So when I feel fear, I know I'm going in the right direction.

January 7, 2010

 

On the radio...

In the Missouri area? Check out my radio interview Thursday, Jan. 7th (that's TODAY!) at 11am on KNEO Radio, FM 91.7.

January 6, 2010

 

Anxiety

"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." George Mueller

Have you ever felt anxious about something. Maybe it's not a specific something, maybe it's the unknown…a mystery…a beginning or a muddled middle or an obscure end you just can't quite see around the bend. It's so easy to allow anxiety to overtake us and paralyze us. I have certainly been in those situations in my life, and I will be again. We all face them. We're going along and things seem to be going well then…whoops, out of no where comes something that startles us or trips us up. Anxiety can be a huge roadblock in our lives. I have climbed over it many times. But God doesn't want us to live that way. He wants us to trust Him. He is bigger than all of our problems. 2 Chronicles 14:11 says, "…Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty." I love that! It is so true. And God loves to rescue us. He is the best hero, better than any we could find in a book or movie. And He's never late. Streams in the Desert says, "Believe that He is between you and your difficulty, and what troubles you will flee before Him, as clouds in the wind."

Believe. "Cast all your cares before Him." "Be anxious for nothing." Nothing.

January 5, 2010

 

Apple Cake

This is one of my favorite desserts. If you have a few apples that might be past their prime or fresh apples, then chop them up for this recipe.

Apple Cake

2 cup sugar (1 brown, 1 white)
1 ½ cup oil
3 eggs
3 cup flour
1 ½ tsp. soda
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. cloves
1 tsp vanilla
3 cup finely sliced, raw, peeled apples

Mix sugar, oil, and eggs. Add dry ingredients, then add vanilla and fold in apples. Bake in a greased and floured Bundt pan at 350 degrees about 1 ½ hours or until golden brown on top.

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
Juice of 1 lemon, strained
Pour over warm cake.

January 4, 2010

 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, y'all! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a great start to the new year. I took a couple of weeks off to spend time with my husband and kids and just enjoy the holidays. I hope you had some relaxing time as well. May your year be filled with light...

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matt. 5:14-16

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