Some days, serious questions demand answers. Now, I'm a gal who loves her coffee. Ever since I went to college, I have my coffee. Every day. Seriously, each morning I start with a gigantic cup. I'm talking one of those cups that looks like half a pot. And that's just the start. I love to sit in a coffee shop and write on my laptop. I frankly don't care if my coffee is hot or cold. Often, I'll sit down with a big cup of coffee and start writing, then I forget about the coffee and the next time I take a sip it's cold. But that's okay. I don't mind at all.

Now, most of my friends are either coffee people or tea folk. I'm not talking the sweet iced tea most southerners drink with their barbecue. Most folks don't usually fall on both sides of that proverbial fence. They like one or the other. Coffee or tea.

But the other day, I realized I am both. Is that weird?

When did my coffee devotion wane? I think maybe the first time, I started to stray was when I went to London and had high tea. When my kids were little, we started having tea parties in the afternoon, just little snacks and lemonade, even though we called it 'tea.' In the afternoons now, I prefer a spot of tea to coffee. Is that sacrilegious? Truly, there is not much better than tea with scones, muffins, and little finger sandwiches.


Then I realized the reason for my two loves. It makes perfect sense. Coffee accompanies my writer self. Together, the two go hand in hand. I need that jolt of caffeine in the morning to greet my manuscript and get to work. However, tea seems to be paired with reading. I love to sip tea and read. When my kids were little and we had tea together, we'd read poetry or a short story. Oh how I miss those days! Anyway, tea and books. Perfection.

So, what do you prefer? Coffee or tea? French roast or Earl Grey?

Labels: coffee, good books, reading, tea, tea parties, writing

Some new reviews have been coming in and have blown my socks off. Thankfully, it's summer! Here's one of the latest reviews of Plain Fear: Forgiven.


Inspirational fiction author Leanna Ellis was thinking a long way out of the box when she created the Plain Fear series. A paranormal series based on the simplistic lifestyle of the Amish, combined with the haunting elegance of vampires. Her vision resounded with both paranormal romance and inspirational readers with this ultimate tale of good vs. evil. The final book in the series, Plain Fear: Forgiven concludes this ground breaking series and blends the two genres so masterfully that it is hard to tell which one the book actually fits into. An amazing finale to a very charismatic and suspenseful series!

Leanna Ellis has long been a favorite of mine in the inspirational fiction genre. Being a fan of paranormal writing as well, I was extremely excited to see where Ellis would take this Amish/Vampire romance. I was certainly not disappointed. Plain Fear is a series that redefines what readers might consider inspirational. Even though some of the characters are "undead" these books still have the same underlying issues that any inspirational novel might have: good vs. evil, faith vs. unbelief, love vs. hate and even redemption vs. eternal loss. Ellis has done something many readers may not have thought possible. She has used characters and ideas that many in the inspirational community would consider taboo, to show the power of love and of God. Well done!

Plain Fear: Forgiven is the final book in the Plain Fear series. It wraps up the complete circle of the series, going from being utterly forsaken to being forgiven. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they watch the hero, Samuel struggle against the dark side of his nature, which would lead him down the same path his brother Jacob succumbed to. But they will also see his determination to live up to the tenets of his faith. This book not only has the elements of good and evil but it is also filled with suspense and romance, giving the reader a very complex story that will stick with them for a long time.

Ellis' portrayal of the Amish is done with a deft hand. She does not make the simple lifestyle of the Amish people into something evil by adding the vampire element. She still shows these people as people of faith and understanding. Who often stand in the gap between the materialistic world and the a world of simple pleasures and meaning that has fallen by the wayside. She shows the faith and love of this remarkable group of people with grace, while showing the dark, seductive side of life through the eyes of her vampire characters. The stark contrast is amazing to see brought out in the pages of this book and the others in the series.

I can honestly say that after reading this series I have reflected more about my own life and faith. Samuel shows that even those who believe they are on a righteous path have to make tough decisions and must live with the consequences of each decision they make. Even though this series may not be in the inspirational market, I think it holds true value in that arena as well as the paranormal market. If you haven't read this series... What are you waiting for?

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag! That's the highest praise I can give...

Deb's Bookbag

Labels: Amish/vampire, faith, good versus evil, inspiration, Plain Fear: Forgiven, redemption, taboo

Can you believe Elvis has been gone 36 years and folks still flock to Graceland every year to celebrate his life and music? It's true. They do. What's up with that?


Now please don't get me wrong. I love me some Rock-a-Hula music. And I've been to Graceland. For research.


Life has taught me that folks do all sorts of weird things that I'll never understand. Like bungee jumping. Or riding that teacup ride at Disney World. Or entering a contest to see how many hotdogs they could cram down their throats in a minute. Sorry. I will never get that! It's just not me.

But I'm sure there are things I do that other folks don't get either. Like writing books. Or homeschooling my kids. Or putting up with my crazy labradoodle, aka the Hilo Monster.

This is Hilo kissing my best friend, Dorothy Love. Thankfully, Dorothy understands my love for this crazy dog.

Anyway, we all do crazy things. And sometimes we recognize them as crazy and sometimes not. I was talking with my kids last week and the topic of Justin Beiber came up. Thankfully, my teen daughter never really got into that phase. She couldn't believe that kids were weeping at his concert. "Why?" she asked. "They were excited," I tried to explain. She didn't get it. (and I'm kind of glad!)

It all comes down to worship. We worship different things. Yes, some of us worship God. But some of us also worship food or hot cars or chicks or whatever floats our boat. Sometimes we realize what we're doing and other times we don't. It's simply what we're spending all of our time and focus on. Sometimes that's Elvis (or substitute any other singer here) singing "Hound Dog" over and over and over. Did you do that as a kid? Listen to the same song over and over over? Okay, maybe it was just me. Other times it's on fashion…or the best chocolate chip cookie recipe….or making my house as nice as my neighbor's…or even botoxing all the wrinkles out of our faces.

Trust me, I'm not pointing fingers, I have plenty of things in my own life that trip me up and get me off track. I am a God-worshipper. However, sometimes my focus gets skewed and I am not as focused on God as I should be. I want to be a David--who worshipped God with abandon. I want to be like the woman who poured perfume on Jesus--pouring out my life for Him. I want to be like Job--even in the hard times, the painful times praising God for who He is.

What about you? What are you worshipping these days?

By the way, this topic is what I wrote about in my book, Elvis Takes a Back Seat.

Labels: Elvis, Elvis Takes a Back Seat, Elvis Week, Graceland, idols, Justin Beiber, worship

A great giveaway going on for the entire Plain Fear series! And an interview of me. But who cares about that? Enter the giveaway!

Labels: Amish/vampire, enter to win, giveaway, paranormal, Plain Fear

An interesting day to say the least. First, I noticed that this is my 666th post. Kind of weird when you think about the release of my third book in the Plain Fear series is about the battle of good versus evil.

Then when I was having my quiet time, it was no coincidence that my reading for the day in Deuteronomy 15 was about the year for canceling debts, which is what God does in our lives when we give our hearts to Christ. He cancels our debts! And we have many, for who is not a sinner? And isn't that what Forgiveness truly is?

Which brings me back to my book. Happy release day to Plain Fear: FORGIVEN, the 3rd book in my Plain Fear series. Very excited and nervous about this book, but happy it's finally out. Also, kind of sad to say goodbye to this series. It was such a blessing to write it. Hope you enjoy!



Here's my best friend's blog today, mentioning Plain Fear: Forgiven. And another wonderful writer friend's blog talking about Plain Fear: Forgiven today.

Time to order that copy! Hope you will and hope it blesses you!

GIVEAWAY: If you mention Plain Fear: Forgiven on your Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, or blog, I will put your name into a drawing for a free book (US residents only!) of Plain Fear: Forgiven! (Be sure and let me know!)

Labels: Amish, Amish/vampire, book release, good versus evil, Plain Fear: Forgiven, vampire

I'm blogging today over at Fresh Fiction. Hope you'll stop by and participate! It's a lively discussion about heroes. Enter for a chance to win the Plain Fear series!

Labels: Amish/vampire, bad boys, giveaway, good guys, heroes, Plain Fear series