Blue Like Elvis

I am SO excited to tell you about my newest book! As writers, we're always told to "write what you know." Well, that was certainly the case for me with Blue Like Elvis. How so? Check out the official blurb:
 

Do you remember where you were the day Elvis died?
I do. I know exactly where I was.
I was there.

In the summer of 1977, Shelby Colter moved back to Memphis, Tennessee hoping to make a fresh start after breaking off her engagement. Working as a patient representative hostess at Baptist Memorial Hospital—the world's largest private hospital—she’s thrilled with her new job, assisting patients with their non-medical needs. She gets a kick out of her colorful co-workers who constantly chat about Elvis-sightings. After all, Baptist Memorial was “Elvis's hospital.”

Shelby hits the ground running, taking care of her patients, getting to know her new friends, and bumping into . . . Dr. Tucker Thompson? Who knew that annoying kid who used to hang out with her big brother was now a resident at Baptist Memorial Hospital? Little Chubby Tucker—a compassionate, handsome doctor?

As the summer rolls along, three people Shelby loves face life-threatening situations, drawing her back to her faith. And then one night in a hospital prayer room, she pours out her heart to a most unexpected visitor . . .

 

For the record, I am NOT Shelby. But my first "real job" was that of a hostess/patient representative at that great hospital in Memphis in the late '70s. Like Shelby, I had some unforgettable patient encounters, much like Mr. Su-Ba-Ru and others. Like Shelby, I really loved "my girls" that I worked with day after day. Like Shelby, I had a feisty roommate from Puerto Rico named Sandra. Like Shelby, I was part of an amazing singles group at First Baptist Church, and yes - we went on some rather interesting campouts and cookouts. 

And like Shelby, I was there the day Elvis died.

  

I loved my years in Memphis when I was young and single (that's me above in my hostess days - oh to be that thin again!) And I've had so much fun revisiting those years of my life in that unique city on the banks of the Mississippi. For that reason, I've dedicated my book to Memphis - to my hospital, my co-workers, my church, my friends - thanks for the memories!

So go ahead. Tell me. Do you remember where YOU were the day Elvis died?

WHEW! What a Storm!

On Friday, our little town of Kingston Springs was hit by an EF1 tornado. The damage was extensive to much of our area, the worst of it literally just around the corner from us. But all things considered, it could have been so much worse. We were without power for about 25 hours, and once it came back on, I was anxious to reconnect via TV to see what all had happened throughout the path of those 100 tornadoes that hit on March 2, 2012. I only had to catch a glimpse of other counties in middle Tennessee and farther north in Indiana to realize we literally dodged a bullet this time. And what a big bullet it was.

We'd been hearing for more than a day that a "perfect storm" was on its way. Yes, we have a "safe place" designated, including a kit of emergency supplies for those just-in-case scenarios. We were watching the local weather on TV as they described the progress of the storm and quickly realized it was headed straight for us. The last thing we heard was "Kingston Springs, it will be on top of you in ten minutes - go to your safe place now."



Our house is built on a hill, on about a 45-degree downward slope. The top of our house is level with the street above us. Meaning, our downstairs is basically built partially below ground. So our safe place is in the down stairs bathroom. We'd stocked it with blankets and pillows to use as buffers once we jumped in the tub. For a girl who grew up in Oklahoma's Tornado Alley, this is the most scared I have EVER been. I was in a near-panic, which was obvious when I got in the tub and SAT on the pillows. "No! Those go over you!" my husband shouted, handing me our bewildered dog, Darby, as he grabbed the pillows. He quickly jumped in with me, we covered ourselves with all those layers, the power went out, and BAM! It hit!  

Our KS Library just after the storm. (Photo: WSMV)



I was quite sure a train would plow right through the wall at any second. I have never heard anything like it in all my life. Yes, it roared like a freight train, which must have been the wind, but the pounding of the hail is something I'll never forget. It sounded as if we were being bombarded by sub-machine gun fire. It was SO LOUD! Ken & I were both praying out loud, simultaneously shouting (to make sure the Lord could hear us over that noise!) Over and over and over, we prayed.

I have to say, I was honestly expecting to hear a loud CRACK any second as the house would surely lift off its foundation. That's how loud it was, that's how scared we were. Darby kept trying to pull out of my arms, but thankfully I had enough brain power left to rub the inside of her ears which always turns her to putty in my hands. How did I think to do that at such a time?



City Hall. Photo taken by Bill Clark
(http://www.billsclicksandpix.lifepics.com/)

And then it was over. I would say it lasted no longer than a minute or minute and a half, tops. We waited a couple minutes more then emerged from Fort Bathtub. What a relief to find the house still standing! We had some hail damage to our roof and the paint on the house definitely got whacked, but overall, we faired pretty well. Neighbors lost windows and a tree next door was uprooted, but again - it could have been so much worse.


We lit an oil lamp and all the candles in the house and made it through the night. Watched a movie on my laptop and later read a book by flashlight.

Then Saturday morning, we had breakfast at our favorite Kingston Springs eatery, the Red Tree right on Main Street. They were open - and crazy busy, as you'd expect since so few of us had power. But oh my - our little Main Street got hit but good. Our library is a log cabin (above) lost part of its roof. Primarily those shops facing west took it the worst. The hail literally obliterated the paint of most buildings.



I realize my little tornado tale here may seem miniscule in comparison to what happened to so many others. Still, after seeing the photographs and feeling the rumble and hearing the roar of that storm right on top of us, I am amazed the damage wasn't worse. I will NEVER take another storm warning for granted. I just hope this was the closest we ever come to one of these beasts.

And with that said, we continue to pray for the unimaginable loss of so many in the Midwest who've been hit this week, and especially those who lost friends and loved ones.

Stay safe,
Diane

p.s. I have a question and I'm not sure who to ask. With hundreds of years of storms like these across America, will someone please tell me why every town on the map DOESN'T have some sort of siren or warning system? Do NOT tell me it's a money issue. With so many absurd things government willingly pays for, why wouldn't they pay for that? If this storm had come in the middle of the night? I don't even want to think of what could have happened.

Photos below by Bill Clark:
http://www.billsclicksandpix.lifepics.com/

A Random Post on a Faux-Winter's Day

Are those crickets I hear? . . . please pardon me while I brush away the cobwebs on this blog . . . heavens! It's been a while! In fact, I came awfully close to shutting down the ol' girl here. Time doesn't just get away, it runs at wharp speed. And I have trouble justifying spending a lot of time writing on my little podium here. Then there's the fact that everyone on the planet blogs, and let's be honest - who has time to read all of them?

To blog or not to blog, that is the question. Then I decided, who cares!? I browsed back through some of my previous posts and had myself a nice stroll down memory lane. So if no one else ever reads the words I write here, at least I'll have a cozy journal of sorts to come back to again and again.

And so begins my first post of 2012. Random post. Lots of thoughts. Not much connection between them, so consider yourself warned.

Goodness! It's already February 18th. Not that you'd know it by the weather (thus, the "faux-winter" reference). I'm so bummed that we haven't had more than a dusting of snow yet this year. I must have one serious snow or I can't face spring! Just one good one. Asking too much? The picture on the left is from last year. It's currently the wallpaper on my desktop reminding me of what snow looks like . . .

Tomorrow is Ben's 25th birthday. I. Cannot. Believe. It. MY son? Already 25? That's him on the left at Universal Studios in Orlando long, long ago. Ben is so full of life and I'm so proud of him. He has a job he loves (golf anyone?) and oh my, you should hear him play guitar. Basically self-taught but he is SO ridiculously talented - and no, I'm not just biased on that! And a song-writer to boot. He no longer lives with us and I miss the snot out of him, but I'm glad he's still in the Nashville area. Happy Birthday, Ben!  

 I recently discovered Downton Abbey and I'm shamelessly smitten. Can't get enough of it. After so many years of nothing but garbage on TV, what a relief to find something of such extreme quality - from the acting to the music and stunning English scenery, to the amazing costumes, it is top notch. But it is the writing that keeps me coming back. Non-stop drama set in such a fascinating time of history, both "upstairs and downstairs." I just love it - though I'm probably driving Ken crazy since I seem to have acquired a British accent of late, but he's not complaining. LOVE this show.

Just finished helping my friend Dennis Pethers publish his book, The Rooftop: A Crisis of Opportunity. There's an interesting story, how God crossed our paths last September, then laid it on my heart to help him get his book published. Dennis has a fascinating story to share and a message of tremendous importance. I truly believe it's a life-changing book. You can find it HERE.

Busily trying to finish up Book #2 of the Moody Blue Trilogy. Blue Like Elvis has been such a trip to write. I hope my readers like it! Hoping to have it available by the end of March, Lord willing! Then I'm anxious to start research on a book about the Chowhound Mission at the end of WWII. My dad was so honored to be a part of the life-saving food drop for the Dutch, and I can't wait to tell the story.

Our "OBT Bookz" company continues to knock our socks off! Our book sales have continued to do well and we give ALL the credit to God for that. Ken is currently at work on the sequel to Ordained Irreverence and I'm excited to see what other kind of mischief Elmo can get into there!

Well, that's enough for now. I could make endless promises to post more, write less, blah blah blah, but it will be what it will be. And yes, you can quote me on that.

Happy February.

Just in Time for Christmas!

I am SO thrilled to share my newest book release with you!! There's quite a history behind this book, and the fact that I'm about to see it in print has just about snapped my garters! (Weird, since I don't wear them, isn't it?) Here's the official blurb, but don't miss "the story behind the story" following!

Working late on Christmas Eve, college senior Hannah Brooks is in the midst of a full-blown pity party. When a last-minute customer invites her to a candlelight service and a late-night family dinner, Hannah reluctantly accepts. She has no idea this kindhearted woman is the mother of Jason McKenzie—leader singer of Out of the Blue, the hottest band in the country—and Hannah's childhood idol. The evening ends with an innocent kiss (sans mistletoe) as Hannah is swept away by Jason's unpretentious manner. Over the holidays Hannah and Jason’s relationship grows, but when turmoil and tragedy strike at the very heart of his famous band, their newfound love is put to the test in the glare of the paparazzi spotlight.



Yours truly with Hannah, 2003

Now for "the rest of the story." When our daughter Hannah was a teenager, she was absolutely obsessed by a band whose music topped the charts and won them Grammys by the armful. It reminded me of my own teen years (my bedroom walls were covered with pictures of The Monkees - blushing here . . .) so I understood. As a gift for her that Christmas, I wrote a short story about a college-aged girl named Hannah who quite inadvertently meets her teen heart-throb. I didn't know it then, but it would later be labeled "fan fiction." Who knew such a genre existed?  I printed it off, tied it up with a red ribbon and slipped it beneath her bedroom door. She loved it!

She also shared it with her friends. They loved it and begged me to write more. (No sweeter words to an author's ears!) And so I did. Hannah & I would pile up on the sofa after she got home from school and talk about plot twists and story lines. I loved every minute of those days. This was back in 1999, when the internet was just taking off. Eventually our story ended up on one of the official websites for that band and struck gold! Eventually we would have over 80,000 hits on our page and well over 1000 individual emails from fans - including those who wrote to ask questions about that thread of faith we wove through the story. Those were my favorites.

The whole experience was such a blast. The best part was the bond it gave Hannah and me. Not long after, she won front row seats to see her "boys in the band" from a local radio contest and invited me as her front row guest. How sweet was that?! Precious memories, that night.

But it was also a turning point for me as an author. All those comments and emails helped me realize my love of writing just might have a future. Maybe this passion God placed in my heart had a purpose after all. So in a way, God used this little love story to send me a message. One I'll never forget.

And so you see, this is a special story for me. The characters have all been changed, the band is ficticious, but the story is the same. And it's one of my all-time favorites. To this day it still plays like a movie in my mind, the music and scenes as real as anything I've ever seen on the big screen. And that final scene in Chapter 27? Oh baby!

Over the years as I've told friends about the story, no matter what their age, I've discovered they too had pictures plastered on their walls. Whether it was the Beatles, Herman's Hermits, the Beach Boys, the Who, NSync or New Kids on the Block, it seems we've all had a thing for the boys in the band.

My Hannah is all grown up now, and last I checked, there were no rock star posters on her walls. I couldn't be more proud of her. And I'm so pleased to finally be able to dedicate this book to her. Love you, Nanner!

I can't wait for you to read my new baby! If you have a Kindle or e-reader, it's just 99 cents on Amazon. The paperback will be available in a couple of weeks for a little more, but who doesn't love the feel of a new book in their hands? And what a great Christmas gift for you or someone you know who once loved those boys in the band . . .

My Husband is Published!

I am so stinkin' proud right now, I can hardly stand it! Ken's very first book released today and you have GOT to read it! Not because you know me or him or even because I asked you to . . . you need to read it because it's SO funny! I've read it three times now (you may call me Madame Editor) and I laughed out loud every time. Let me tell you how this came about.

First, most of you know Ken served in church ministry a few years ago. Shortly after we married (as in 6 months) we packed up our belongings and our cat Moses and moved to Fort Worth where Ken studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated two years later with a Masters in Religious Education and served on staff at two different churches over the next 15 years.

As you can imagine, you meet lots of wonderful, interesting, and sometimes weird people in the ministry and find yourself in all kinds of most unusual circumstances. With Ken's wacky sense of humor, it only made sense that many of these people and situations would resurface in a book at some point. He began writing the story of Elmo, a seminary student in his last semester who does his internship at a downtown mega-church. Though "the names and places have been changed to protect the innocent," many of these "situations" actually happened and many of the characters Elmo encounters are based on real people (wouldn't YOU like to know which is which!)

But Elmo starts this internship with a heavy dose of cynicism and uncertainty. He's not exactly sure how God's going to use him, but jumps in with both feet. In the official "blurb" the author tells us, "It's Ferris Bueller meets Holden Caulfield as he learns how to baptize and bury, visit and marry the faithful flock. Take a peek as Elmo pulls back the sacred curtain for an irreverent inside look at the inner workings of a mega-church." Don't be surprised if you recognize a few of the characters as well. If you've spent much time in church (or not) you'll enjoy this light-hearted read . . . written by someone who's pretty much been there, done that. Just sayin' . . .

Just for fun, you'll find some Special Features in the back of the book - kinda like the stuff you'd find on a movie DVD. A complete list of the cast of characters, some deleted scenes, and even an up close & personal interview with the author.

It's a whopping 99 cents on Kindle - and let's face it, that won't even buy you a cup of plain old coffee at Starbucks OR McDonald's! Splurge a little and treat yourself to some laughs. And if you don't have a Kindle or Nook, did you know you can download Kindle for PC for free and read it on your computer or iPad?

Oh, and in case you're wondering, my beloved is writing under a pen name, McMillian Moody. And the author's picture in the back of the book? Well, I'm thankful to say he's shaved since then! Goodbye, my dear Leon Russell . . .

Michele's Migraines

Okay, I'm gonna just step right in it. First, you need to know I'm not endorsing Michele Bachmann. I have no idea who I'm going to vote for at this point. Yes, I think it's time we have a female Commander in Chief. But I do NOT think that gender - or race or age or religious affiliation or any of those other asterisks we like to use - should ever be the sole reason  we vote for someone.

But I'm STILL fuming about this whole media spectacle over Michele's possible "flaw" in the form of migraines, which as they've tried to convince us ad nauseam, MIGHT be debilitating at times, thus making her unfit for the job.

WHAT THE-------?!

Most of you know I suffer from migraines. I have for almost as long as I can remember. And they're soooo much worse now than they've ever been. Over the years, we've spent THOUSANDS of dollars on medical tests, neurological evaluations, and doctor visits , and I'm still in pain. I've lost track of all the names of the different presciptions I've been on. I shudder to think how much money we've spent on all those meds.

And yes, like Michele, I've had to be hospitalized occasionally when the pain was more excruciating than usual. But that's been rare. Usually I just push through the pain - as I'm sure she's done a bazillion times - and never have I come close to losing a job over the issue.

Which makes me wonder why all the fuss about this? Is it really about her headaches? Hmmm?

For the record, let's not forget that many, many of our former MALE presidents have had serious health issues while in the White House. Nobody questioned whether or not John Kennedy would be "unfit" for the job based on his debilitating back pain from a serious war injury. The man was on heavy, heavy medication every single day he was in office. (Isn't it interesting that nobody questioned his ability to do the job because of his back pain - yet there was all that stigma against him because he was Catholic? How far we've come . . . *cough*)

But Kennedy was just one of many. History books are filled with the serious medical conditions of presidents throughout the decades. So I'm still wondering - why all this hysteria about Bachmann's headaches? Could it be it's actually something else altogether? Maybe I'm just cynical, but I have to wonder if it's more than just her conservative politics . . . and all about that darn scary fact that she's -- a WOMAN!

What next? Medical records of her monthly cycles and any serious incidences of PMS? God forbid she might wake up cranky before a press conference. I mean, they excused JFK when he needed a back brace and a special rocking chair in the Oval Office. But I doubt seriously they'd allow her to curl up on the presidential sofa with a case of cramps. No, no. We mustn't let that happen. Or wait - is Bachmann menopausal? We ALL know that alone should disqualify her! I mean, seriously - what if she had a hot flash when a visiting head of state popped in for a visit?  Or she has a brainfreeze and momentarily forgets how to spell potato . . . Oh dear no. Mustn't go THERE.

I don't know, it's  all made me very suspicious of where this "concern" came from. My husband wonders if they're trying to "Palin" her. Meaning, the opposition gets reeeeal nervous when anyone on the other side gets this much traction this early in the process. So they paint a big ol' target on that candidate's back. Especially if that target is painted on a dress . . .

Granted - that's just the nature of politics. I gave up a long, long time ago waiting for our elected representatives to grow up and just do the job their constituents elected them to do. Ain't gonna happen. Must be something in the water inside that Beltway.

So why am I blabbing on so much about this? Well, if you must know, I was awakened at 3:15 this morning with another killer migraine - my third this week. And when I watched the morning news and heard the talking heads still bloviating over poor Michele's migraines, well . . . IT JUST TICKED ME OFF!!!

God help us get through these next 16 months until November 2012. (Oh wait, I forgot, we're not supposed to mention "God" in connection with our government. My bad.)

Apologies for the whinefest. Anyone seen my Imitrex???

My New Baby!

Shameless promotion alert: my newest book is now available on Kindle! Actually, it's a novella. Meaning it's a quick read and perfect for summer. And if you don't have a Kindle, not to worry. You can download Kindle for PC for free on your computer or laptop, iPad, or iPhone. If none of those are an option, a paperback copy of the entire collection of these novellas will be available sometime next year. But enough about the logistics. Let me tell you all about my new baby!

Tea with Emma is the first in a series called "The Teacup Novellas." Lucy Alexander has a serious case of writers' block. That is, until her UPS guy delivers a box of vintage teacups - a gift from the estate of her late Aunt Lucille, her namesake. The teacups immediately take her back to memories of those many summers she spent with her beloved aunt and the special tea parties they'd share when Aunt Lucille would tell her all those wonderful stories. Suddenly the stories rush through Lucy's mind like so many movie scenes all vying for her attention. And as those stories bombard her, she realizes her writers' block has disappeared. A series of novellas begin to unfold in her mind. The first, a modern-day take of Jane Austen's Emma . . .

Fresh from a Jane Austen tour in England, Maddie Cooper returns home to Texas, determined to bring a touch of “Austen to Austin.” She dreams of opening an authentic English tea room and, like Austen’s Emma, put into practice her self-proclaimed gift as a matchmaker. But an airport mishap with a cranky Englishman gets her off on the wrong foot (quite literally), especially when he moves into the university guest house across the street. Can Maddie find a love for her unapproachable new neighbor, or has she finally met her match?

I've had so much fun working on these stories, plus Lucy's story line which continues in the prologues and epilogues of the following novellas. Each is a stand-alone story which includes a sub-plot about a vintage teacup. 

Teacups? Why teacups? Well, you see, I once inherited a collection of vintage teacups from one of my favorite aunts. Just sayin' . . .

You'll be happy to know Tea with Emma is available for only 99 cents at Amazon. C'mon, you can't even buy a cup of coffee for 99 cents anymore! And did you know you can send an e-book as a gift via email? Treat yourself and your friends to a fun read, then drop me a line and let me know how you like it.

Happy reading!