*Please forgive this CRAZY formatting! June 1, 2007 Volume 1: Part 2 Dear Friends, I just wanted to thank you all for your support over the past six months. As many of you know, January 27th my first novella By The Book was published through By Grace Publishing. It has been an interesting learning experience to say the least! After the release, many of my dear friends had pointed out typing and grammar mistakes. I am so sorry about these errors and it makes me cringe when I think about it. Unfortunately, I never received the galley copy (final draft to proof.) On the flip side, many exciting things have happened as well. My goal in writing this book was to encourage others in their faith and to share Jesus’ forgiveness with anyone who read By The Book. How many town library’s do you know, would buy a little dinky paperback to circulate? Ours did! I’m praying God will use that to reach the town folk who don’t have a personal relationship with the Savior. Another opportunity I had was to be able to share with and encourage a group of first graders. Mrs. Johnson asked me to tell her class how I became an author. I told them how I struggled with reading and writing when I was their age and how I’d never dreamed one day I’d love the whole process of writing. By God’s grace, I was able to encourage those young souls and minds that they are valuable little people, and even if things seem difficult now, to keep trying. Who knows what the future will bring? Needless to say, it was a huge blessing for me. Many of you have asked, how many books have you sold? As of April, 47 books. Here are a few tidbits I received from book reviewers: “Ms. Carter writes a wonderful, inspirational story that I enjoyed immensely.” Krista ~Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance “Here is a story that highlights the power of forgiveness… By The Book offers food for thought within the pages of a sweet blossoming romance.” Connie ~Review from Once Upon A Romance “This fast-paced read is wonderfully written and presents a dreamy love story! The actions and characters truly project a love of God; it also quotes enough scripture for the book to be life-changing! I loved, and recommend highly, this amazing book!” Reviewer: Brenda Talley- The Romance Studio So…what next? The Jonathan Moultroup interview will be printed in Breakaway Magazine for the August 2007 circulation. I recently signed a contract for Mr. Beckman’s Secretary that will be released sometime in 2008. (I’ll tell you more about that closer to the release date.) And, there’s a few more query letters out I’m still waiting to hear back on for other manuscripts. Currently, I’m working on a Inspirational Romance Mystery. It’s been a tremendous amount of fun and I’m putting all I learned this past year into practice. (I’ve taken a on-line writer’s workshop that was awesome.) Here’s the prologue to whet your appetite: SWEET REST Prologue       Mike’s pulse pounded in his ears as he squeezed his eyes tight and prayed. He was not sure what gagged him more, the stench rising from the pool of stagnant water at his feet, presently penetrating his worn leather shoes, or the foul rag tied securely around his mouth that reeked of grease and turpentine.      Perspiration dripped from Mike’s brow as the cold metal of the gun’s point rested against his forehead. His captor’s oppressive breath brushed his ear as he goaded, “You’re not wanted here, Dig Boy. Now it’s my turn to dig…your grave.” The voice coming from behind him sounded frosty, brutal, and all too clear.       Dig your grave, dig your grave. The words ricocheted in Mike’s mind while his heart banged like a war drum and his life suddenly flashed before his eyes. He would never get to say good-bye to his family, never get to tell them how much he loved them. Regrets like a threatening, dark thundercloud loomed over him.      They both heard it at the same time. Several raised voices drew near to the mouth of the murky, damp cave and Mike was shoved like a broken, unwanted toy into the dark corner. “I’ll be back,” The man harassed. “Count on it.”      Mike waited for the footsteps to fade before he pulled himself up to a sitting position. Like a light bulb illuminating a dark cellar, he thought of the cell phone in his jacket pocket. It gave him a ray of hope, perhaps his only hope. But what about the ropes that bound his wrist?      Suddenly, something struck him in the face. He squinted and tried to see what it was, but the blackness was so complete and heavy, he was unable.      There it was again.      Hobbs’ relentless meowing finally penetrated into Mike’s restless sleep and his eyelids flew open like a shade snapping up. Mike’s breath came in quick shallow gasps as he sat bolt upright in bed. The first thing he saw was his orange tiger cat Hobbs ready to swat his face again with a furry paw if he didn’t wake up. The second was the neon green numbers flashing 5:27 am on his alarm clock.      “Thanks, buddy.” Mike reached for Hobbs, fell back onto his pillow and scratched his trusty cat behind his ear. “That’s the third time I’ve had the same nightmare.” He stared up at the ceiling. “What does it mean?”  Blessings~ JoAnn