This afternoon the boxes of "Elk's Resolve" were on the deck when I came home from work. They arrived sooner than I expected and I am very happy about that. Complete your order with the paypal button or send me a message at elainel45@msn.com and let me know how many and how you want your books signed. Of course you can give those instructions on paypal too! It is very easy.
Thank you for walking with me through this process! Just think book #3 is ready to submit for consideration to the publisher. I just need to sell a bunch of these other books before I send it in to them. They need to know that there is a demand for books by Elaine Littau. (smile smile)
Please tell your friends about these books and blog about them...help me spread the word if you like them. I really appreciate it!
Nan's Heritage Series-Set in the 1800s- Book I, Nan's Journey-Book II, Elk's Resolve-Book III, Luke's Legacy- Book IV, The Eyes of a Stranger- Book V, Timothy's Home Rescued...A Series of Hope Book I, Some Happy Day - Book II, Capture the Wandering Heart- Book III, Walk Slowly Through the Dark Nashville Series set in 1974: Six Miles From Nashville
Author Book Marketing Services
▼
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Parker Planners Review
I have to tell you about a product that I ordered from a facebook ad! It was a Parker Planner. The Ad was interesting to me because I am on a perpetual search for the perfect appt book/planner. The last one I got was too big to carry everywhere and the dates run from July-June or something like that. The Parker Planner allows you to fill in the date so that you may begin at anytime.
Their website/webstore is simple to navigate and the pictures of the planner is true to life. It is smaller than I at first expected, but a nice difference. It fits nicely in a purse and you have options for the cover of your choice. I think I am really going to love it.
plannerlove@parkerplanners.com
Their website/webstore is simple to navigate and the pictures of the planner is true to life. It is smaller than I at first expected, but a nice difference. It fits nicely in a purse and you have options for the cover of your choice. I think I am really going to love it.
plannerlove@parkerplanners.com
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
Rachel’s Tears
Ten Years After Columbine Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On.
By Beth NImmo and Darrell Scott
One life can make a difference. One life did make a difference. One life is still making a difference. The message of Rachel Scott’s life and death is inspiring as well as tragic. The energetic, kind, and loving teen depicted within these pages was wise beyond her years. She learned early in her short life to depend on God for guidance. Preferring to not “fit in” to a particular clique or group in her high school, even the prayer group, she opened herself up to be able to reach anyone within her reach. There was no person who was beyond her sphere of influence.
This book is deeply personal. Many of her journal entries and drawings are published here give a close look into Rachel’s very soul. I was struck with the entries that spoke of how much she desired to impact the world. Through her life and death she has reached millions.
The message her parents bring through the pages of “Rachel’s Tears – 10 Years After Columbine, Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On” is foremost that forgiveness is key in going forward after such life-altering events. “Forgiveness is not pardon…” was one statement that stood out to me. I appreciate the dedication Rachel’s parents and siblings have to minister to the teenagers of our world with the message of making a difference. This was a great book!
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Ten Years After Columbine Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On.
By Beth NImmo and Darrell Scott
One life can make a difference. One life did make a difference. One life is still making a difference. The message of Rachel Scott’s life and death is inspiring as well as tragic. The energetic, kind, and loving teen depicted within these pages was wise beyond her years. She learned early in her short life to depend on God for guidance. Preferring to not “fit in” to a particular clique or group in her high school, even the prayer group, she opened herself up to be able to reach anyone within her reach. There was no person who was beyond her sphere of influence.
This book is deeply personal. Many of her journal entries and drawings are published here give a close look into Rachel’s very soul. I was struck with the entries that spoke of how much she desired to impact the world. Through her life and death she has reached millions.
The message her parents bring through the pages of “Rachel’s Tears – 10 Years After Columbine, Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On” is foremost that forgiveness is key in going forward after such life-altering events. “Forgiveness is not pardon…” was one statement that stood out to me. I appreciate the dedication Rachel’s parents and siblings have to minister to the teenagers of our world with the message of making a difference. This was a great book!
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"Elk's Resolve" will be in my hands the end of April!
"Elk's Resolve" will be in my hands the end of April!
I will get my copies for sale here and on the Tate Publishing website at the end of April. Order here at the Paypal button to get a signed copy and I will send you a signed and numbered copy of "Elk's Resolve" and "Nan's Journey" if you haven't read it."Elk's Resolve" will be released worldwide in June/July of 2009 to bookstores and amazon.com, target.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com...etc.When you read your copy, do me a great favor and write a review on your blog, facebook page, myspace page, and amazon.com. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to get the word out for books. Also, if you have an event coming up that is in need of a speaker...I'M YOUR GIRL! (or old lady depending on who you are...hee hee) Contact me here to set things up.
I will get my copies for sale here and on the Tate Publishing website at the end of April. Order here at the Paypal button to get a signed copy and I will send you a signed and numbered copy of "Elk's Resolve" and "Nan's Journey" if you haven't read it."Elk's Resolve" will be released worldwide in June/July of 2009 to bookstores and amazon.com, target.com, barnesandnoble.com, borders.com...etc.When you read your copy, do me a great favor and write a review on your blog, facebook page, myspace page, and amazon.com. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to get the word out for books. Also, if you have an event coming up that is in need of a speaker...I'M YOUR GIRL! (or old lady depending on who you are...hee hee) Contact me here to set things up.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Encourage
There are certain words that I have heard all of my life and never really mulled them over to let them speak to my soul. One of those words was "encourage". I heard someone say that the word meant "to give courage". I thought that was too simple for a definition and got out my trusty dictionary. This is what I found under the word "encourage" - "To give courage". When I read that it was like a light went off inside me. Of course it means to give courage. If you don't feel strong about doing something or fearful about something, someone comes along and says the thing that puts muscle in your blood and helps you do the thing that needs to be done. David encouraged himself in the Lord. He talked to himself and rehearsed the things that God had done through him. That is a great thing to do just in case you don't run into an encourager very often in the passing of your day. If there is no one there to encourage you, encourage yourself!
This also spoke to me of the importance to be the one that helps people find their strengths, remember their past victories, and go forward. Too often, when a friend declares that they are tired or don't know how they will make it through the day, I find myself turning the conversation to myself by saying, "I know how you feel! In fact just now I was thinking..." The better thing would be to say something like: "I know you must feel tired now (discouraged now, or whatever), but I know you and I know that you have come through a lot of things and seen the other side. When you have stuck it out you are so happy that you did." or something along that line. It is important to keep the subject about them and rehearse their victories in order to be the encourager you want to be. I have found that when I encourage someone, I am encouraged in my own things.
Encourage- to give courage. How about that!
This also spoke to me of the importance to be the one that helps people find their strengths, remember their past victories, and go forward. Too often, when a friend declares that they are tired or don't know how they will make it through the day, I find myself turning the conversation to myself by saying, "I know how you feel! In fact just now I was thinking..." The better thing would be to say something like: "I know you must feel tired now (discouraged now, or whatever), but I know you and I know that you have come through a lot of things and seen the other side. When you have stuck it out you are so happy that you did." or something along that line. It is important to keep the subject about them and rehearse their victories in order to be the encourager you want to be. I have found that when I encourage someone, I am encouraged in my own things.
Encourage- to give courage. How about that!
Friday, March 20, 2009
"The Mystery of the Alpha & Omega" by John H. Shumaker
One of the things that has always been a wish of mine when I have read books of biblical studies is that the Scriptures referred to would be written out in the text of the book. John Shumaker does this within the pages of "The Mystery of the Alpha & Omega". This was a pleasant surprise. Many selections of books of this genre are difficult and plodding. I found John's insights into the Scripture refreshing and acute as well as easily understood. The chapters are broken down into managable portions for reflection of the study. I appreciate that. The message of Jesus Christ's finger prints throughout the Scriptures, Old and New Testament is well documented as well as explained. Mr. Shumaker is indeed a good Bible teacher and it is reflected in "The Mystery of the Alpha & Omega".
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
It Takes a Village to Move a Mom
Every since Terry's 92 year old mother purchased a home in a small Oklahoma panhandle town, we have been in high gear. We are happy that she is healthy enough to still live on her own and able to make the move and stay independent. (Terry's sister lives a few blocks away.) The town has a population of a few hundred and has a country feel to it. With that said, it is still a big adjustment for Viola. We were sitting on the porch and she said, "I wonder if I will hear the people next door talking to each other when they are home." She lives on the corner and the closest house is probably 100 feet away. I don't think there will be a problem.
She hired painters and carpet & flooring installers to come in and work over the house. Terry and his brother from Oregon have spent 10 days working on the plumbing and installing new cabinets and such. New drapes, furniture, and appliances have been purchased also. It will be a nice cozy home for her.
After we picked up the appliances from a Lowes store in Enid, OK, we had them tied and fastened in the back of our pickup and flat-bed trailer. We were about 5 minutes out of the parking lot and on the freeway when the new boxed refrigerator became a flying missile! It launched from the middle of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, and gas stove! We watched in the rear view mirror as it flew across 2 lanes of traffic on the interstate and bumped every corner of the box, broke open, and smashed the doors until they flew off into a contorted heap!!! Terry's brother and mother were following us in a car about 20 feet away. Viola screamed! (I would have too!) Miraculously, even though there was a lot of traffic, not one car came close to the incident until it was in the median grassy area. Others stopped to check on us to be sure no one was hurt.
The only thing salvageable was the ice-maker. We stood in stunned amazement as we surveyed the damage. I honestly could not believe my eyes. We got back into the pickup and decided that we were truly blessed. Blessed because no one had the misery of having a big refrigerator land on their windshield causing a terrible wreck. We decided that money comes and goes, but damage to a human body sometimes lasts a lifetime even if it doesn't result in death.
(Yes, Terry and I went to Amarillo on Monday and picked up another frig at the Lowes there. Viola is set!)
She hired painters and carpet & flooring installers to come in and work over the house. Terry and his brother from Oregon have spent 10 days working on the plumbing and installing new cabinets and such. New drapes, furniture, and appliances have been purchased also. It will be a nice cozy home for her.
After we picked up the appliances from a Lowes store in Enid, OK, we had them tied and fastened in the back of our pickup and flat-bed trailer. We were about 5 minutes out of the parking lot and on the freeway when the new boxed refrigerator became a flying missile! It launched from the middle of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, and gas stove! We watched in the rear view mirror as it flew across 2 lanes of traffic on the interstate and bumped every corner of the box, broke open, and smashed the doors until they flew off into a contorted heap!!! Terry's brother and mother were following us in a car about 20 feet away. Viola screamed! (I would have too!) Miraculously, even though there was a lot of traffic, not one car came close to the incident until it was in the median grassy area. Others stopped to check on us to be sure no one was hurt.
The only thing salvageable was the ice-maker. We stood in stunned amazement as we surveyed the damage. I honestly could not believe my eyes. We got back into the pickup and decided that we were truly blessed. Blessed because no one had the misery of having a big refrigerator land on their windshield causing a terrible wreck. We decided that money comes and goes, but damage to a human body sometimes lasts a lifetime even if it doesn't result in death.
(Yes, Terry and I went to Amarillo on Monday and picked up another frig at the Lowes there. Viola is set!)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Making a Dollar Stretch
Yesterday I was sitting on the porch with my 92 year old mother-in-law. She began telling me about her life and the challenges of feeding her large family. She had six children and of course her husband and herself to feed everyday. These were the days before take out and drive through happy meals.
She said that one of the things that saved them from hunger was that every year she bought a box of chicks. In the box were 100 baby chickens that she raised. The box cost her $25. From that $25. investment, she had eggs and nice chicken dinners for her family after they grew up. She also had some cows and sold cream each day. She said that she made $7 from the cream. It wasn't clear if that was per day or week, or what, but she did say that she was so very happy to have the money. "You know, Post Toasties only cost $.15 a box in those days!" She said.
I have had many conversations with my 70 something year old sister and she told me, "People just don't know how to get along if they are poor these days." She explained that when she was a child our mother cooked beans everyday and some of those days they had cornbread with those beans. They weren't hungry, but they didn't get all the kinds of things they actually wanted to eat. Our mother always put in a large garden and canned from it all summer.
What can we do today to save money when we don't have a place for a garden or a place for cows and chickens? Who has the time for those things? ...or the knowledge of how to butcher a chicken or use the canning equipment from yesteryear?
I have done some canning, but time is an issue for me...what does the person of today do to save money on food in lean times? Give me your ideas and I will post them here.
Some of my ideas:
shop sales
coupons
cook from scratch (If you don't know how to do that...in other words, use a cookbook with simple recipes)
chicken and noodles or dumplings is a very cheap meal.
beans, beans, beans,
rice
cook just enough for each meal so you don't throw out good food. (cook more if you don't mind leftovers.)
now tell me your stuff...
She said that one of the things that saved them from hunger was that every year she bought a box of chicks. In the box were 100 baby chickens that she raised. The box cost her $25. From that $25. investment, she had eggs and nice chicken dinners for her family after they grew up. She also had some cows and sold cream each day. She said that she made $7 from the cream. It wasn't clear if that was per day or week, or what, but she did say that she was so very happy to have the money. "You know, Post Toasties only cost $.15 a box in those days!" She said.
I have had many conversations with my 70 something year old sister and she told me, "People just don't know how to get along if they are poor these days." She explained that when she was a child our mother cooked beans everyday and some of those days they had cornbread with those beans. They weren't hungry, but they didn't get all the kinds of things they actually wanted to eat. Our mother always put in a large garden and canned from it all summer.
What can we do today to save money when we don't have a place for a garden or a place for cows and chickens? Who has the time for those things? ...or the knowledge of how to butcher a chicken or use the canning equipment from yesteryear?
I have done some canning, but time is an issue for me...what does the person of today do to save money on food in lean times? Give me your ideas and I will post them here.
Some of my ideas:
shop sales
coupons
cook from scratch (If you don't know how to do that...in other words, use a cookbook with simple recipes)
chicken and noodles or dumplings is a very cheap meal.
beans, beans, beans,
rice
cook just enough for each meal so you don't throw out good food. (cook more if you don't mind leftovers.)
now tell me your stuff...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Time Changes Things
One of the things my dad always said was, "Time don't wait for anybody." That is true. My mother-in-law is the last of our parents. She is 92 years old and is still very independent. Just this month she purchased a house in a small town 25 miles from her farm place. She is keeping the farm but it is time for her to be closer to other people.
Terry and I were discussing the fact of her buying a house. We feel blessed that she is healthy and mobile enough to live on her own. Most people that age are in the process of selling out and moving into a home. (whether it be with relatives or a nursing home) She is not a healthy eater. She never has been. I never knew of anyone eating so much junk until I met her, but even though I don't fry stuff in lard and eat processed desserts everyday, she has me beat in the healthy department!!! Headaches are rare with her and Terry. I wonder if it is in those German genes!
I can hardly believe that Terry and I have been married for 34 years. It hardly seems possible. I still feel like that kid sometimes and still act like that too. Terry's favorite thing to say to me is, "We're going to have fun growing up." I'll let you know how it goes after we do grow up.
Terry and I were discussing the fact of her buying a house. We feel blessed that she is healthy and mobile enough to live on her own. Most people that age are in the process of selling out and moving into a home. (whether it be with relatives or a nursing home) She is not a healthy eater. She never has been. I never knew of anyone eating so much junk until I met her, but even though I don't fry stuff in lard and eat processed desserts everyday, she has me beat in the healthy department!!! Headaches are rare with her and Terry. I wonder if it is in those German genes!
I can hardly believe that Terry and I have been married for 34 years. It hardly seems possible. I still feel like that kid sometimes and still act like that too. Terry's favorite thing to say to me is, "We're going to have fun growing up." I'll let you know how it goes after we do grow up.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tate Audio Sent Me a Sample of "Elk's Resolve" audio version!
The Audio department of Tate Publishing and Enterprises sent me a sample of a portion of the first chapter of "Elk's Resolve" on Friday. I believe that everyone who takes advantage of the free download with the purchase of the paper version will really appreciate the work involved in voicing the book.With the sample the man doing the voice for the book asked for any corrections or input from me for the audio version. He kindly accepted my instructions and we are to speak on the phone soon to be certain that certain words are pronounced correctly. (Would you believe that people have trouble figuring out how to pronounce 'Littau'? Hint: it rhymes with Utah...smile)Things are moving along... I hope you are getting ready to get your hands on a copy of "Elk's Resolve".
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"Nan's Journey" is now on the Christian Book Video website!
Friday I felt so blessed and grateful to see my first book trailer, "Nan's Journey" listed among the titles on the Christian book video site I posted about a couple of weeks ago. It is amazing to see it there with the work of the other authors. Take a look at the site. The books look like some I am going to have to read...