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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Longing for Forever

Blog Days of Summer
Longing for Forever
KM Wilsher


At my age, more than ever, I find myself yearning for security. Desperate for long term stability. I guess when I was young, I thought by the time I hit this age, I’d be living some of my dreams, coasting along enjoying a life I constructed . . . I would have arrived.

From the perspective of my 20’s, I saw these years full of a brilliant career, a family gathering around, and realized dreams – writing, teaching, inspiring, creating, entertaining.

Now, before I depress you, some of these things listed above are true. I have a career, it may not be the one I saw myself in, but nonetheless, in this economy and these times, I have a pretty good job. As for family? I have the most loving, supportive, loyal family for which one could ask. And my dreams? I am writing, teaching, creating and hoping that I inspire and entertain. I am just missing things, you know, things I want or saw myself doing. A life closer to the one I dreamed of years ago. . .

Okay, the point: I’ve been thinking today that what is missing from my life right now may not be security or stability, but rather: Forever. Heaven. I think the dreams I had when younger, may have been of heaven not of earth. Eternal career, eternal family, Forever with the Father. Somehow, I long for Forever so deeply, I transfer that need to earthly ideas and goals, thinking that if I just find Mr. Right or publish my novel, learn the guitar or have more children in my life that I will be fulfilled somehow. . .maybe. Maybe not. Maybe I’m just longing for Forever.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

So today, as you ache over unrealized dreams -- the fact that you are not published, or haven’t exercised enough to get that killer body, or found your soul mate, or maybe just found happiness with your current mate – give some thought to forever. This life is fleeting, and He has set eternity in our hearts. Enjoy your life as it is, for forever is coming. He promised. I know that's what I will try to do.

James 4:14 Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.

What are your thoughts?

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Raise your hands ~ REFLECTIONS FROM HIKING

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010

SALT ~ Cinema Sound Off with Lynn Rush and KM Wilsher


Welcome to Cinema Sound Off. We love movies!
My good friend and extraordinary writer, Lynn Rush
--and me, KM Wilsher-- visit the movies and we'll be sharing our reviews with you every
second Tuesday of the month.


SALT


This plot is fragile. I don't want to give it away. So here is the trailer, rather than a synopsis:




KM's Review:

This film packed action, romance, love, super-spy, and unmatchable twists and turns into a two hour extravaganza. I loved this movie.

The vulnerbility of Evelynn Salt contrasted with her super-human spy training reminded me of a female Jason Bourne. Bravo!

I hate to give too much away, because you are never quite sure who is who in this movie (except if you are Lynn Rush, she guessed it in the 3rd scene!) But if you are an thriller-spy-action movie fan ---
--- don't "pass on the SALT."!

I don't think I've ever seen Angelina Jolie more believable. She was born to play this part. Bring on the sequel. Move over GI Jane, Natasha Romanoff, and Storm - Finally, a true female action hero.



KM's rating:



5 tickets A must see. Buy a ticket for everyone.



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Now come with me. Catch the Rush. . . Let's see what Lynn Rush had to say! Click here.
Stay tuned for the second Tuesday in September. Another hot movie to review!

Do you have a must see movie for the summer?
Have you seen SALT? Got any thoughts?

Friday, August 6, 2010

AMERICAN MIDNIGHT by BRANDON BARR and MIKE LYNCH

AMERICAN MIDNIGHT
by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch

The Review
BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER





It's a week of American Midnight! The latest release from the brilliant Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AMERICAN MIDNIGHT

CLICK HERE FOR MIND WRITERS THE MIKE LYNCH AND BRANDON BARR AUTHOR BLOG

CLICK HERE FOR BRANDON BARR'S WEBSITE

CLICK HERE FOR MIKE LYNCH'S WEBSITE


My Synopsis:

Pastor's daughter, Tania Peters, struggles through her last year at high school after the loss of her mom. Tension between her father and brothers runs hot as they all try to cope with the absence of their mother after her death. Feeling alone, and abandoned by God, Tania separates herself from those who love her.
Swept up in the fast track to the top of a new political party it looks as if she is doing fine by herself. Making her own decisions, shining in the limelight. But this political movement, the Unity Party, isn't all it seems on the surface. In fact, her father is imprisoned by them for his Faith in Jesus Christ, along with other Christians. Tania is forced to choose between those her love her and those who shower her with responsibility and praise. She has to choose what and who she believes in, and her choice just may cost Tania her life.


The Review:
American Midnight is a rapid read, zipping along in a crafty way. At first I wondered if American Midnight was too young adult for me, but truly, that didn't last long. Quickly the authors spun a web of complicated tales of manipulation, betrayal, and conflict that kept the pages turning.

This book is full of golden nuggets: History. Religion. Politics. Faith. Teenage conflicts. Suspense.

I was interested in the fact that each character, even the "bad guys", truly believed what they were doing was right and right for everyone. Some with a more humble spirit then others.

I really enjoyed the varying personalities belonging to those characters who believed in Jesus Christ. Some believed, but had lost hope. Some had turned their back on Him. Some believed to the point of fanaticism and terrorism. Some believed but had no idea how to act out their faith in love toward their families and friends. Though they could preach it, life's pain and suffering had left them closed, and isolated.

I haven't read a suspense novel in a while. American Midnight refreshed my appetite for them.

In the world of fiction, modern-day, Church persecution can come across cheesy and sometimes insulting to those who have really been there. American Midnight is far from it. The story was believable. It reverberated truth provoking thoughts of how real and close we could already be to the attempts to render the Christian Faith extinct, the persecution that can go with that, and having to fight to keep Christianity free -- in a free society where most every idea is accepted but that of the Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

I say, pick up this book! Especially if you are a suspense fan!
Click here to order AMERICAN MIDNIGHT

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

AMERICAN MIDNIGHT by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch

AMERICAN MIDNIGHT

by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch
BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER

It's a week of American Midnight! The latest release from the brilliant Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch.





CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AMERICAN MIDNIGHT
CLICK HERE FOR MIND WRITERS THE MIKE LYNCH AND BRANDON BARR AUTHOR BLOG
CLICK HERE FOR BRANDON BARR'S WEBSITE
CLICK HERE FOR MIKE LYNCH'S WEBSITE


Friday you will see my review of this action-packed, suspense novel. But first up, I asked some questions of the two authors. I tried to make the questions unique and the two authors gave outstanding, inspiring answers. . .see what you think: Here is my with Mike Lynch:
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Mike Lynch




KM: Hello, Mike, and thank you for coming by!
What books have most influenced your life most?





ML: First and foremost, I would say it would have to be the Bible. You have everything there--love, betrayal, redemption, and the triumph of God's love over mankind's rejection of Him and how He wooed us back through His Son, Jesus. In terms of your more traditional fare, the book that I have probably thought about more than any other after reading it would be Stephen King's, The Stand. I am especially drawn to those parts of the story where the followers of Randall Flagg know exactly who he is, and yet they still choose to follow him.



KM: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

ML: The writer that I most identify with is Rod Serling. He was an amazing story teller who wasn't afraid to tackle some tough issues in the early years of television when he produced his landmark series, The Twilight Zone. He often took a close look at the human condition to see how it would play itself out as the story unfolded. His characters were usually ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances. When it seemed that everything was going to work itself out, he would often turn the story on its head and shock the audience with a twist ending, the most famous of which was at the end of the movie he wrote the screenplay for, Planet of the Apes. Whether conscious or unconscious, I find that many of my stories follow a similar pattern of a person of common means who is forced into a situation that affects the lives of other people. There are often no clear cut answers, and so the hero must rely on his inner resolve and belief in himself to arrive at the correct solution.



KM: What book are you reading now?

ML: I'm currently reading two books. The first one is a non-fiction book entitled, The Brendan Voyage. It is a story about a man who recreates the voyage of Saint Brendan, who is said to have sailed from Ireland to North America in the 7th century. The other book I am reading is Maximal Reserve. It is an adventure story about a group of scientists who find the largest oil reserve ever recorded at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, and the race is on to see who be the first to lay claim to it.


KM: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

ML: I spend most of my time writing, working, or being with my family. I just don't have much of an opportunity to see what other writers are doing these days.



KM: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

ML: Having Brandon as a co-author goes beyond working with a writing partner. He and I have become good friends. Also, knowing that there is someone in my corner who is just as passionate about a story I am writing inspires me to do the best job possible. Even though it is not very pleasant hearing about areas of my writing that fall short, his comments and criticisms have brought me further along as a writer far more quickly than I would have on my own. It's always the story that matters, and his commitment to excellence has really helped me be the writer I am today. I owe him a lot.


KM: What inspired American Midnight?

ML: American Midnight is a cautionary tale about a fictional political party that claims to have the people's best interests in mind, but the leadership of this party has a wholly other agenda: power and control over people. Unfortunately, Brandon and I see things like that happening in society today, much of it aimed at the church. In time, he and I believe society's annoyance and dislike for the church will turn more hostile as it continues to pull away from God and His teachings. Jesus said those who follow Him become an enemy of the world. For the last 30-40 years, there has been a Cold War of sorts between the church and society, but we are beginning to see signs that this is changing, and not for the better. The persecution faced by the characters in American Midnight because of their faith is something that is a very real possibility for all of us in the not so distant future. Should that ever happen, wouldn't you want to be ready for it? It is our hope that the book will get people to start thinking about this.



KM: What was the hardest part of writing American Midnight?

ML:There is a difficult scene in the story when Tania Peters, the main character, is sent to a prison camp filled with a lot of despicable people. If she does not recant her faith in God, she could be killed. The person who holds her life in his hands takes great delight in her suffering. We considered toning down that particular scene, but Brandon and I agreed that if we wanted to convey to the reader there are very real consequences for believers facing persecution, then we couldn’t hold back. With that said, we do not portray anything graphic in the story, but the psychological weapons used by the antagonist could be considered unsettling by some. It wasn't fun writing that scene in the book, but it is needed to give the story credibility and weight.



KM: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

ML: I would like to thank those who have offered their words of support and encouragement to Brandon and me. Writing is often a lonely endeavor, and you try to create the best story possible. When someone tells you how much they like your work, it makes it all worthwhile. I especially appreciate the comments made by those who have already read American Midnight. It seems that they have really enjoyed what we wrote, which could not please me more.



KM: What is up next for Mike Lynch and Brandon Barr?

ML: Brandon and I have taken something of a break in terms of working on our collaborative effort. For some time he's been tinkering with a story entitled Mind Riders, but did not feel comfortable enough as a writer to do it on his own. Now that we've written three novels together, he feels like he can finally tackle that story. I was recently contacted by an author I know in the Lost Genre Guild who has written a book. He feels it is a good story, but it needed work, and he offered a co-authorship deal for anyone who agreed to edit the manuscript. After several phone conversations and some follow-up e-mails, I agreed to come on board, and have been doing what I can to get The Crystal Portal into publishable shape. The good news is that when Brandon and I are finished with our personal writing projects we plan on reforming our writing partnership and finishing the sequel to When the Sky Fell.


And I can't wait for these projects, Mike! Thanks for your beautiful answers! I am a big fan of you and Brandon.


Stay tuned. Friday I will post the review of AMERICAN MIDNIGHT by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch!

Monday, August 2, 2010

AMERICAN MIDNIGHT by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch

AMERICAN MIDNIGHT
by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch
BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER

It's a week of American Midnight! The latest release from the brilliant Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch.


Friday you will see my review of this action-packed, suspense novel. But first up, I asked some questions of the two authors. I tried to make the questions unique and the two authors gave outstanding, inspiring answers. . .see what you think: Here is my with Brandon Barr:
---

              Brandon Barr
KM: Hello Brandon and thank you for coming by!
So, first of all, what books have most influenced your life?


BB: Books that influenced my life are certainly different than books that have influenced my writing. Besides the Bible (which my entire life rests upon) here are some books that have had a exhorting effect on my life: God Smuggler by Brother Andrew, In God's Underground by Richard Wurmbrand, Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, The Cross and The Switchblade by David Wilkerson.


KM: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

BB: Above all, I'd have to say C.S. Lewis and Ray Bradbury, their fiction has influenced the way I write profoundly. But I also must add Bruce McAllister (who has worked face to face with me) and Lars Walker.


KM: What book are you reading now?

BB: Knowing God by J.I. Packer. And I'm currently leafing through my horde of unread books to find a good fiction to read.


KM: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

BB: There are some authors who are new to me, though they've been around for a while. The most incredible one being Lars Walker. I now own everything he's ever written. I read The Year of the Warrior and it blew me away. He's a master storyteller, and really an undiscovered gem. Every Christian who enjoys fantasy or historical fiction needs to read that book.


KM: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

BB: I like the word "entity". It reminds me of the Michael Crichton novel, Sphere. Well, I can name a few supporters outside family. In the beginning it was the Online Writing Workshop (http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/). The OWW is a critique group that gave me incredible feedback early on in my writing efforts. I learned so much, and I can't say enough good things about that forum. Where else can you have your manuscript critiqued by top authors? Also a huge support was a local Critique group in my hometown headed by Bruce McAllister. And lastly, I certainly feel that the blogging community has been a big encouragement for me. Friends like you, KM, help to keep me going.


KM: Wow! I agree with you, the blogosphere has been a great encouragement to me also - including those like you and Mike!
So what inspired American Midnight?

This is a two part answer. First, American Midnight sprang from my own experiences as a teenager growing up in our morally confused culture. As young Christians, we grow up surrounded by poison ideals fed to us through TV, movies, Internet, and every other media source. Morals are just your own personal tastes, and fame, popularity, image, money, and ones own immediate satisfaction are the goals of the world around us. In typical polar-opposite fashion, Jesus said to first love God, and then to love others as your own self. In American Midnight, our main character, Tania, is immersed in this self-absorbed culture, she's given up on God because she feels He's left her. Even still, she feels the emptiness of life without God.

Second, the novel explores the growing polarization between Christians who believe in absolute truth and unmovable standards set by God, and a world who wants nothing to do with "old fashioned systems of belief". And if you've read the novel, the story plays this out to its extreme ends. The Jewish people had their world turned upside down in Nazi Germany, one day, that could play out again in new ways, and with new sophistication.


KM: What was the hardest part of writing American Midnight?

It takes a lot of effort to create real, fleshed out characters who come alive. We went through dozens of drafts, refining dialogue and some of the more deep character POV moments.


KM: Do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your readers?

I hope we don't take for granted our own freedoms we currently have. Our world, our country, and our culture are changing quickly. Honestly I see a future where many young Christians are swallowed up by the world's view of life and reject their Christian faith (and they reject it for good reason, because they were set up to have shallow faith to begin with). I fear too often parents are teaching their children to have only an emotional, feelings based faith. Christians are more and more abandoning the intellectual side of Christianity. I see Christians scared of science, scared of philosophy, abandoning reason, and simply having faith in faith instead of having faith in Jesus who is Truth, who created science, and who the chief end of philosophy leads to. Jesus claimed to be the way, the TRUTH, and the life.


KM; What is up next for Mike Lynch and Brandon Barr?

There's an archaeological adventure story on the horizon. We're hoping it will be out sometime next year!

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And we are all hoping to see that next year! Thanks for your beautiful answers! I am a big fan of you and Mike.


Stay tuned. Wednesday I will post my interview with Mike Lynch!