A Look at Holy Week with Author Suzie Johnson

In a world that preaches tolerance but doesn’t always demonstrate it, the Inkies – with our various differences– are a great example of understanding and acceptance. We don’t attend the same church building, we don’t all belong to the same denomination (or non-denomination), nor do our churches all celebrate the holy time leading up to Easter Sunday in the same way.

Our observations throughout Holy Week depend on different things; mainly what we learned growing up, and how the churches we attend mark the week leading up to God’s most precious gift to us – the indescribably wonderful miracle of his son, Jesus Christ.

Lent

Lent commemorates the forty days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and facing temptation. It is commonly spent in fasting and penitence, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on different days of the Holy Week – depending on the way one’s denomination calculates the days.

Ash Wednesday

I always knew Ash Wednesday as the day when my Catholic co-workers would leave for a short period of time and come back with a gray cross smudged in the center of their foreheads. Ashes were, of course, a part of mourning in Biblical days. They are symbolic now of shame and sadness over our own sin, and sorrow over the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. Though it’s not something I grew up with and have never personally experienced, the smudging of ashes has always tugged deeply at my heart.  

Passover

When Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Pharaoh grants and then recants their freedom several times. God’s people are told to mark their doors with lamb’s blood to protect them when an angel passes over to claim the life of every firstborn in the land. Passover commemorates God’s promise to free his people from slavery.

Palm Sunday

Jesus rode in to Jerusalem on a donkey and the people celebrated by singing and laying palm fronds along his path, fulfilling one of the many Old Testament prophesies about his coming. The church I grew up in always began the Palm Sunday worship service with the pastor carrying palm fronds to the front of the altar before taking his place at the pulpit. When he retired, the pastor who took his place would occasionally gift us with tiny wooden crosses from Israel. There are times in my adult life when I long to see palm fronds on Palm Sunday. I’d also be thrilled to come across one of those small crosses, and wish I’d taken better care to keep them safe so I’d always have them.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday sometimes known as Holy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. I grew up in a denominational church and have attended a non-denominational church for more than half my life. And still, this day means as much to me as it did the very first time I heard the story of Jesus. That’s a story in itself, but I still can’t read or hear the story without tears welling up in my soul.

Easter

Here of course, is our blessed miracle, the greatest of all God’s gifts – the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Some songs to consider in preparing your heart for next week:

In Christ Alone – a beautiful contemporary worship song written by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty, and made popular by the Newsboys and Phillips, Craig and Dean.

TenThousand Angels – a great hymn by Roy Overholt that I love but don’t hear very often. The lyrics are powerful. (There aren't a lot of videos of this hymn. This one is sung by an elderly man and his guitar, and that makes it even more special to me.)

FollowYou – one of my favorite songs of service and sacrifice by Leeland and Brandon Heath has an awesome message. (You may have to watch a commercial first, but you get the official version of the song.)

Whatever your denomination (or non), however you celebrate Holy Week, may you grow in your faith and be incredibly blessed. I would love to know what any one of these days mean to you, and I’d also love to know of any other special days you celebrate.

 

Reposted from 2007 because the message doesn't change.

Suzie Johnson

You can visit her at the following places:

http://www.susandianejohnson.com

http://inkwellinspirations.com

http://www.facebook.com/suziejohnsonauthor

http://www.pinterest.com/suziejohnson1

Release Party - Austen in Austin (Volume 2)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good looks must be in want of an Inkwell release party to host.

Howdy, y’all! Here at Inkwell, we’re celebrating the release of Austen in Austin, Volume 2 today. In case you missed Volume 1 (available here), the idea behind A-in-A is to take the plots and characters of Jane Austen’s novels and transfer them to Old West-era Texas. 

Austin, Texas, of course.

So, pull on your boots and mount your horse. We’re heading back to the Hill Country to throw a Texas-sized release party.

Let's look at the blurb of this delightful 4-in-1 collection of Austen-inspired stories:

Simply Lila by Suzie Johnson, based on Lady Susan
Yearning to find a real-life hero, a wallflower must learn to live outside the pages of an Austen novel. 

Fully Persuaded by Niki Turner, based on Persuasion
A brokenhearted artist struggles with the shame of her family's bankruptcy and the return of her first love whose proposal she'd spurned because he was poor. 

Mansford Ranch by Dina L. Sleiman, based on Mansfield Park
An aspiring novelist with a keen eye for character must determine who is worthy of playing her own leading man. 

Sense and Nonsense by Lisa Karon Richardson, based on Sense and Sensibility
A would-be missionary is determined to make it to Ceylon, but when her funds disappear, she has to accept help from the man she most wants to avoid.

Hmm. Is it just my imagination, or do those blurbs tell us a lot about the heroines, but not much about the handsome swains who capture their hearts? Well, we can fix that--in the interest of fairness, of course. Gentlemen, let the party begin!

Ah, up first, Mr. Kirby Ross, come to take our order.

For some strange reason, Texas suddenly feels even warmer than usual. Perhaps Mr. Ross will start us off with a nice, refreshing beverage.

Bless your heart, Mr. Ross. This is perfect. Ah, I mean the lemonade, of course. 

Doesn't he make a fine waiter for a man who trained to be an engineer? Mr. Ross is here in Austin to oversee the installation of the "moonlight towers."

No, no. Not that tower, although it looks lovely in moonlight, and I understand Mr. Ross has a fascination with the French language. Or is it just the local French teacher that has captured his interest?

Ah, here comes that opposite-of-cold Mr. Ford Winters...

... with a tasty little snack for everyone.

How...delicious. It's so nice to have Mr. Ford back in Texas. I hear guacamole isn't the only green stuff he carries with him these days, if you know what I mean.

He's done quite well for himself, courtesy of a Colorado silver mine. Much better than that think-they're-better-than-the-rest-of-us Ellis family and their too-compliant daughter Annie. So glad they finally got their comeuppance! 

But back to more amusing matters. No party in Austin would be complete without some prime Texas beef.

Whoops! That's not the beef. That's hunky cowboy Eddie Mansford bringing us a platter of grilled-to-perfection steaks from the Mansford Ranch. Mr. Mansford knows a bit about perfection--he's helping his longtime friend determine if she has found the perfect suitor...or if she'll need to lasso someone closer to home.

Goodness, things are sizzling now! In fact, I feel downright hot. Almost as if--

Gracious! The hotel is on fire! Luckily Mr. James Ferris is on hand to rescue us...

with something cool.

Oh, that Mr. Ferris is such a peach. Undoubtedly, however, he will need all the sweetness he can summon to assist a certain woman from his past.

Congrats Suzie, Niki, Dina, and Lisa for whipping up some delicious treats even yummier than chocolate!

(I meant the books. You knew that, right???)

Ebook version only $3.99. Click here.

Print version $14.99. Click here. 

Jessie Talbox Beals, Photojournalist at the 1904 World's Fair

When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by cameras – especially the Polaroid. Perhaps that’s the reason I interviewed a photographer for an elementary school project. I think I was ten years old. We had to “interview” a professional and write a report. I decided to call the local photographer and ask if I could interview him.  He was so gracious, and tolerated all of my questions. The funny thing is, more than forty years later, I don’t remember the questions but I remember his kindness and my fascination with his antique camera collection.

I didn’t grow up to be a professional photographer, though I do love taking pictures.

I didn’t grow to be an interviewer, though I do love asking questions.

But I did grow up to be a writer and it was fun to create Clara, a photographer, and have her star as the heroine in A Fair To Remember.

That book was set in 1901, Buffalo, New York. Just a little too soon to mention a young female photographer who moved to Buffalo in that same year and later went on to be a photojournalist when she was hired by a newspaper, The Buffalo Courier, in 1902.

Being a fan of learning about women in history, I’ve decided to feature that photojournalist, Jessie Tarbox Beals, in the second book in my World’s Fair series – The Fair of Her Heart. That book is set in Saint Louis, in 1904, the fair where Jessie made a name for herself by climbing ladders and lugging pounds of equipment around so she could take as many photographs as possible. Her diligence earned her the title of official Fair Photographer for several newspapers both in New York, and Saint Louis.

Source: Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University

After reading about Jessie I decided she was the perfect addition to The Fair of Her Heart, and she has a special role in the book.

Jessie Tarbox Beals’s photographs can be found all over the internet, but for quick access to a nice collection, you can click this link to find the collection all in one place: http://petapixel.com/2015/02/22/americas-first-female-photojournalist-jessie-tarbox-beals-with-her-cameras/

And here’s a fabulous Library of Congress article about her which includes some inspiring details about her life before she obtained her first job as a photojournalist: http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/womphotoj/bealsessay.html

After reading about the woman who’s said to be America’s first photojournalist, you may enjoy reading about the woman stated to be the United Kingdom’s first photojournalist, Christina Broom: http://www.poynter.org/2014/uks-first-female-photojournalist-honored/246645/

Suzie Johnson's latest novel, A Fair to Remember, is set in 1901 during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York and is the first in her World's Fair series published by WhiteFire Publishing. You can visit her website at: www.susandianejohnson.com

"Play Ball!"

Spring training is almost upon us. I can almost see you rolling your eyes. But it's no surprise to those who know me that I love baseball. I also love history, and reading and writing about strong women in history.

Reading and writing about historical women and the things they've accomplished inspires me as a writer, so I'm always on the lookout for articles about interesting women in history. 

Today I'm giving you a mash-up of baseball and a strong woman in history. When these two elements collide we get Amanda Clement, baseball's first female umpire.

Differing accounts have Amanda at sixteen or seventeen when her career began. Whichever the case, she was young. Stories also differ on where she got her start. Was it at the baseball field near her house? Or at a game she traveled to with her mother to watch her brother play? 

It was also either 1904 or 1905. Nevertheless, the regular umpire didn't show up and there wasn't another umpire available. Amanda, who sometimes was allowed to play baseball with her brother, was asked to fill in. This would suggest she had quite a bit of knowledge about baseball.

Amanda umpired for semi-professional baseball for six years, where she earned a reputation as an eagle eyed umpire who seldom made mistakes and reportedly inspired players to behave like gentlemen. She also earned enough money to put herself through college where she played baseball, tennis, participated in track events, and possibly even gymnastics. 

Not only did Amanda work her way through college by umpiring, she is rumored to have turned down over sixty marriage proposals from baseball players.

Oh, and by the way, she never umpired on Sundays.

She went on to become a teacher, a coach, and a social worker. 

And an article in Sports Illustrated says she taught ballet to the University of Wyoming football team during World War I.  

I'm not sure which part of that last statement intrigues me more. The image of Amanda, the young woman who turned down dozens of marriage proposals and inspired rough and rowdy men to play baseball like gentleman, teaching ballet to college football players. Or the image of college football players learning ballet. 

Either way, Amanda Clement was a unique and interesting character. And isn't that what we writers most look for in our characters?

Sources:
South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame
History by Zim
No One Yelled Kill the Umpire by Sharon L. Roan

Suzie Johnson's latest novel, A Fair to Remember, is set in 1901 during the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York and is the first in her World's Fair series published by WhiteFire Publishing. You can visit her website at: www.susandianejohnson.com

Release Party (and Give Away)! A Fair to Remember

Welcome! We are celebrating the release of Suzie Johnson’s A Fair to Remember (available in both print and digital formats). Suzie will be giving away a copy of A Fair to Remember to one lucky reader. 

Doesn’t that title just make you think of Cary Grant? As a matter of fact, Suzie’s hero James Brinton is a bit Grant-like, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a turn-your-innards-to-Jello smile. Speaking of which, I could use a little something to munch on. 

Ah, here come our servers, treating us to some delicacies.

No, no. Those aren’t the delicacies. That’s just the wait staff. Isn’t it amazing how they all look like Cary Grant doppelgangers? It’s almost like I made that the job requirement. I mean, a job requirement. I mean— Oh, never mind. Here is our fair-inspired fare.

Since A Fair to Remember is set in Buffalo, what else should we start with but wings???

 Caramel apples are a favorite fair-time treat.

Oh, yes. Don't forget the funnel cake.

And after those sweets, I could use something salty.

And a drink. Oh, waiter! I'd like a...what is that stuff Clara Lambert likes so much? Oh, yes. Coca Cola. I'd like to try one of those, please.

Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Suzie’s book. A Fair to Remember starts with a bang. No, really. The book opens with photographer Clara Lambert taking pictures—or snapshots, as her boss George Eastman calls them—at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY. 

Here is a little footage of the Expo, created with Mr. Edison's new camera that takes moving pictures.

Oh, dear. What's that I hear? The band is playing...no, no. It can't be! 

Welcome, Mr. President! I really shouldn't be surprised to see you at Suzie's release party.

You see, Clara is the only female on the list of photographers invited to capture President William McKinley’s reception at the expo's Temple of Music. Isn't it a beautiful building?

Photo by C.D. Arnold, 1901

She even gets a photograph (on the sly) of a handsome Buffalo police officer who was there providing security.

No, this isn't the picture from the expo. He's out of uniform here.

But then things go terribly wrong when one of the guests pulls out a pistol and shoots the president! Clara takes several pictures of the ensuing melee. But what is on her film that someone with nefarious intent so badly wants her camera?

Fortunately, Officer James Brinton, one of Buffalo's finest (and handsomest), is ready to serve and protect. Lucky Clara -- that is, if she and James can convince his boss she isn't part of a conspiracy to assassinate the president. Will he be able to keep Clara out of jail?

A Fair to Remember is full of intrigue, romance, and fabulous Tiffany glass.

Here is the "official" blurb:

A fair that will never be forgotten… 

Clara Lambert attended the Pan-American Exposition as a Kodak girl, never dreaming that she would end up photographing the attempted assassination of President McKinley. 

James Brinton, a disgraced police officer now working security at the Expo, wants only to redeem his good name…and perhaps earn a new position with the president’s security. 

When Clara is accused of being involved in the assassination attempt, James has to put aside his own ambitions to try to prove the innocence of the young woman who has captured his heart as surely as her camera captures the world before its lens. 

But in the face of investigations, arrests, and mounting danger, they must do the hardest thing that could be asked: forgive 


Doesn't that sound just as yummy as a deep-fat fried candy bar on a stick?

Congratulations, Suzie! We're looking forward to more stories in the World's Fair Series.

And if you want to get in on the giveaway, be sure to leave a comment by 11:59 Saturday with your email address (disguised from spammers in a your_name (at) service_provider (dot) com/net format).

Q&A with Author Sandra D. Bricker

Welcome to a Q and A session with one of my long-time favorite authors, Sandra Bricker. If you've not yet picked up one of her books, I  hope this will inspire you. ~~ Suzie 

Q: YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING GOING ON. TELL US ABOUT YOUR WRITER LIFE THESE DAYS.

A: Thanks! It’s good timing because I actually have a lot to talk about. This month, in particular. I was fortunate enough to sell a series close to my heart last year to Abingdon Press, so I’ve been able to spend a great deal of time with a new cast of characters that I’ve come to love. The Jessie Stanton novels started with On a Ring and a Prayer this past spring. I had no idea how readers would receive it because it was my first novel after transitioning from “Laugh-Out-Loud” romantic comedy to “Live-Out-Loud” romantic fiction.

Q: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, EXACTLY?

A: Well, I was branded early on in my fiction career as someone who wrote fun, entertaining books that were kind of quick, fluffy reads. I’m not complaining, of course, because I loved those books and characters. So did my readers. But I started feeling like I had something more to say. After all, my own personal life has been pretty dramatic … so I pitched a story with a thread of drama to it.

Q: TELL US ABOUT IT.

A: Each of the three books revolves around Jessie Stanton. Jessie grew up in Slidell, Louisiana, and spent most of her adolescence dreaming of escape. When she does, she lands in Malibu, California, and finds everything she always thought she wanted.

Q: THAT’S A FAMILIAR STORY FOR YOU, ISN’T IT?

A: Extremely. I was a Cincinnati kid who also lived in Slidell, and eventually ran away to L.A. For Jessie’s story, we meet her after 12 years of marriage, living in 4,000 square feet of dream house with a BMW in the garage, jewels in the safe, and a dreamy Neil Lane rock on her finger. Jessie couldn’t really ask for more. Until one fateful afternoon anyway when everything crumbles to nothing. That’s when Jessie sets out on her three-book odyssey.

Q: SO THE FIRST BOOK CAME OUT IN THE SPRING. WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TWO?

A: Book 2 is called Be My Valentino, and it comes out in about … (checking watch) … a few days! In the first book Jessie sold her Neil Lane ring, packed up all her designer labels, and opened a store called Adornments where customers can rent out her slightly used duds. She also became entwined with the mega-cute surfer dude who was the only private investigator she could afford. Well, by the time Valentino opens, Adornments has become the place to be for D-List stylists and wannabe celebs who can’t afford their own designer labels. Jessie’s relationship with Danny takes a dramatic turn, but Jessie really struggles with the concept of putting her faith (and heart) into another relationship after what she’s been through already.

Q: AND BOOK 3? TELL READERS ABOUT THAT ONE.

A: Book 3 will come out next spring. It’s called From Bags to Riches, and it brings Jessie’s renegade husband back onto the landscape. He brings confusion, deception, and charm to the table. Jessie and Danny have to make some decisions and untangle some knots in order to see if they can even think about their happy ending.

Q: WE CAN ALREADY SEE THE MORE DRAMATIC TURNS YOU MENTIONED. WHAT ELSE ARE YOU WORKING ON?

A: Maybe two of my most exciting projects are coming up in the near future. At the end of September, the novel I consider “the book of my heart” will be released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Moments of Truth is about five very unique women, each of them with their own relationship challenges. They started out as a monthly book club and evolved into a weekly get-together over food, wine and girl talk … with the book talk eventually falling by the wayside. I’ve always been a big beliver in Girl Power, so this was a really fun book for me to write because of that … but also because it reaches beyond my traditional spot in the CBA market. Out of the five women in Moments of Truth, only one comes from the Christian perspective. I did that on purpose. Perhaps because I came to the Lord later in life, I’m keenly aware of how someone’s Biblical values can color outside the lines and touch almost every life around them. I was able to use one of my characters to demonstrate that.

Q: YOU HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOUR READERS RELATED TO MOMENTS OF TRUTH, DON’T YOU?

A: I do! I’m a longtime believer in the magic that happens when women join forces. Because of that, I have a special website set up for the book, and I’m inviting readers to submit stories and pictures of themselves with their BFFs. Each month, I’ll choose one to be featured on the site in honor of Girl Power!

Q: YOU SAID THAT WAS ONE OF TWO MORE PROJECTS YOU’RE WORKING ON. WHAT’S THE OTHER?

A: The second is a labor of love for my readers. I’m taking the characters from my Another Emma Rae Creation series and writing something that picks up with Emma and Jackson still living in Paris after their wedding. What will be different about Always the Baker: The Love Story Continues is that it will be released in ebook form only and in three separate novella-length sections. This will give readers the opportunity to vote after the first and second parts on which direction the plot will go, and I’ll write it just for them. They’ve always been so profoundly invested in Emma’s story that I thought they might really have fun with something like this.

Q: WHY RELEASE IN EBOOK FORMAT ONLY?

A: Well, because I need that format to allow readers to vote in between releases. After all three parts have been released, I’ll probably go back and publish the whole thing in both ebook and print, but for now I’m just looking at the first one coming out in November and giving readers a chance to have a hand in Emma’s future.

Q: AS ALWAYS, THERE’S A LOT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SHARING YOUR NEWS WITH OUR READERS.

A: I’m so happy to do it. Thank you for having me!

READERS CAN CONNECT WITH AUTHOR SANDRA D. BRICKER ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER (@SandieBricker), AND VIA HER WEBSITE.

BIO: SANDRA D. BRICKER was an entertainment publicist in Los Angeles for 15+ years where she attended school to learn screenwriting and eventually taught the craft for several semesters. When she put Hollywood in the rearview mirror and headed across the country to take care of her mom until she passed away, she traded her scripts for books, and a best-selling, award-winning author of LIVE-OUT-LOUD fiction for the inspirational market was born. Sandie is best known for her Another Emma Rae Creation series for Abingdon Press. As an ovarian cancer survivor, she gears time and effort toward raising awareness and funds for research, diagnostics and a cure.

Say Amen!

One of my favorite songs, this one always gets in my head sticks there all day. I especially love the graphics on this version of it. I hope it makes you as happy as it makes me.

Happy Friday!

(PS, you can skip the ad in two seconds)

A Little Baby Sasquatch

Sweet Mountain Music

by Suzie Johnson

The year is 1896, in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Ben is a scientist on an expedition he's dreamed of ever since his father sent him a newspaper clipping that ignited not only his imagination, but also his standing in the scientific community.

Though Sweet Mountain Music is fiction novel, the newspaper clipping mentioned in the book was really published in a British Columbia newspaper. But was the article fact, or fiction? You be the judge.

What is It? That was the headline of the July 4, 1884 edition of the The Daily British Colonist.

The article proceeds to tell the story of a young Sasquatch, originally referred to as a British Columbian Gorilla, captured after he was spotted sleeping next to the railroad near a tunnel above Yale, British Columbia. When the engineer blew the whistle and brought the train to a stop, the half-man half-beast stood straight up and scaled the side of the bluff. The rail crew gave chase and the 4' 7", 127 pound creature, later nicknamed Jacko, was captured.

Jacko had long black hair and was said to resemble a human being, although his body was covered with short silky hair. He was also said to have super-human strength. This strength was supposedly exhibited when he broke sticks and branches by twisting them.

And then there was his manner of communication. Jacko didn't speak, but would occasionally emit a growl-bark combination.

Sadly, Jacko was transported across Canada by rail, in a cage, in order to be put on display. It is said he died in transit.

Just as has continued to happen since the first reported sighting of a bigfoot-like creature in 1784 in Canada, speculation abounded as to Jacko's true species, and even whether or not there was actually a creature captured by the rail crew.

There was even a young Sasquatch sighted and featured on a recent Survivorman special on the Discovery Channel.

If you happened to see the Survivorman Bigfoot Special, what did you think of the baby Sasquatch peering out from the bushes?

True or false, we can all have a little fun with the legend.

I will be giving away one copy of Sweet Mountain Music, to one person who leaves a comment either on this, or my May 19, 2014 post, by midnight, Friday, May 23, 2014.

SuzieJohnson’s third novel and first historical, Sweet Mountain Music, is now available from WhiteFire Publishing. Suzie is also the author of two contemporary inspirational novels, True North, and No Substitute. Both books are written under the name Susan Diane Johnson and published by The Pelican Book Group. Suzie and her husband are the parents of a wonderful son, and they live on an island in the Pacific Northwest with their naughty little cat. Suzie believes her island is the perfect spot for writing romantic fiction. You can visit her website at: www.susandianejohnson.com.

Chloe Williston will make a name for herself... no matter what beast she must track to achieve it.

Chloe Williston has two goals in life: to make her father proud, and to do it by making a name for herself as a journalist. It seems she has been waiting for years for the perfect opportunity...and when it arrives in her Washington State town in the form of a handsome naturalist in search of the legendary Great North American Ape, she isn’t about to let him go off on an adventure without her.

Ben Kearny has to admit he’s intrigued by the undauntable Miss Chloe Williston...until he learns she’s a journalist. The last thing he needs is a reporter sticking her nose however pretty it may be in his expedition. He has to find the Sasquatch. It’s his only chance at restoring his reputation, and he can’t let anything, even Chloe, get in his way.

But as the expedition sets off with Chloe and her brother in tow, Ben finds the obstacles stacked against him. He not only has to find the illusive beast, he also has to keep Chloe out of the trouble she seems determined to find...all while protecting his heart.

Sweet Mountain Music available now from WhiteFire Publishing.