Sunday, November 29, 2009

Twilight



It's true. I've read the books. I've even watched the movies--both of them. And though I've spent a rather significant chunk of my life (hours I can never get back!) immersed in Stephanie Meyer's monster-laden world, I'm still at odds with myself. Do I love the Twilight books? Hate them? Is it possible to be somewhere in between?

Even as I skimmed entire chapters, rolled my eyes at the one-dimensional characters, and looked over my shoulder obsessively to make sure that no one was taking note of my choice of literature (term loosely applied), I couldn't stop myself from reading. Getting caught up in the Twilight books was like watching a train wreck--I couldn't look away, even when I wanted to.

Mrs. Meyer knows how to string an audience along, that's for sure.

But the longer I read (and watched), the less I could ignore the slightly sour taste in my mouth... It was easy to dismiss my misgivings as natural disdain for the billowing plot, the gag-inducing love scenes, the tepid characters. And yet, those were the same things that kept me reading. The implausible twists and turns, love-you-forever moments, and bumblingly (is that a word?) endearing characters drew me in. It was something else that made me chew my fingernails as I experienced Meyer's fictional world.

It wasn't until I saw New Moon in the theater this past week that I finally put my finger on it. For two hours I watched Bella Swan abuse herself, risk her life, and alienate everyone around her when she sunk into an obviously destructive depression after the love of her life, Edward Cullen, left her. It was supposed to be romantic. I thought it was moronic. And it unraveled for me the root of my unease when it comes to the Twilight series: it's got love all wrong.

I could categorize all the things I think this series screws up when it comes to love and relationships, but I'm going to point you in the direction of a well-written and funny blog that already does just that. I encourage you to take a moment to check out 20 Unfortunate Things Girls Learn from Twilight. The writers highlight many of the frustrations I have with the Twilight books, from "it’s OK for a potential romantic interest to be dimwitted, violent and vengeful--as long as he has great abs," to "if a boy tells you to stay away from him because he is dangerous and may even kill you, he must be the love of your life. You should stay with him since he will keep you safe forever." Check it out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing this post to bash the Twilight books or Stephanie Meyer. I think it's pretty obvious that she's reached an enormous audience with her unusual love story. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the books. But I'm not ready for the young women of our world to swallow this tale whole. Bella might swoon when her vampire love tells her that he's been following her, watching her, and creeping uninvited into her bedroom at night. But, Honey, if your boyfriend tells you that, I suggest you skip the swoon and file for a restraining order. Just my two cents...
 
What do you think? Have you read the Twilight series? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject...

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Grapevine: Winner!



Thanks to http://www.random.org/, we have our winner. Laura was the 11th person who commented on Lisa's post... Congratulations! You've won My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay. Please email me with your snail mail address. And please do so soon! Lisa is off to Australia next week... Lucky girl.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hope it's filled with family, gratitude, and, of course, turkey.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Up to Speed

I'm going to take a little time today to clear up some odds and ends. It's been a while since I've blogged because our family... (wait for it)... finally got sick! I've been bragging that we're so healthy this year--and of course, no sooner are the words out of my mouth than my oldest spikes a fever. Poetic justice, I suppose. Anyway, I've hardly left the house much less spent time on the numerous projects I've got on the go. Including my blog. Sorry for the silence.

Anyway, I'm a bit bummed to see that only seven people have commented on Lisa's post! I don't think you realize how amazing this book (and this author) are. Come on, winning a free book would be like getting a Christmas present before December! Like treating yourself to a much needed mani-pedi! Like taking a bubble bath for hours on end replete with champagne and strawberries! Like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... I'm babbling. Just go back to the Lisa McKay post and leave a comment. I'll draw a winner tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon.



Also, I wanted to take a few minutes to revisit my musings on the contemplative life. It seems that this is a theme I keep coming back to--both in my blog and in my day-to-day life. I guess I really do long for simplicity. At any rate, I believe that these sorts of undertakings (like most anything in life) are better explored within the context of community. So you're my on-line community, and I'm going to share some of the changes I'm making with you.

After much prayer and contemplation, I've decided that there are some very specific things I can do to slow myself down. Here are a few that I'm committed to:

*I will spend no more than 45 minutes on the internet every day. This is a big thing for me--I tend to get sucked into the abyss that is the world wide web. Doing what? you ask. Here's the kicker: I have absolutely no idea. Reading blogs, checking my email, goofing around on Facebook. What a waste of time. My new mantra is: Do what you need to do as quickly as you can do it and get out! So far, it's been awesome. I spent an hour yesterday playing hockey with my boys instead of staring at my computer screen.

*I will shut off all electronics at 10:00pm. Computer, TV, iPod... you name it. The Baarts go unplugged at 10. That leaves me time to read, talk with my husband, take a long bath, or go to bed early.

*I will focus on meaningful face-to-face contact whenever I can. Our high tech society makes it so easy to hold our friends and family at arm's length. I commit to chosing the phone conversation over the quick email as much as possible, and I commit to making face-to-face interactions my top priority.

*I will stop being so hard on myself. I'm the queen of family meals--it means a lot to me that our family comes together at the end of every day and has a meal together. But I need to realize that it doesn't have to be gourmet every night. My son told his teacher a few days ago that so far this week we had eaten French, Korean, and Thai. She told me, "Wow! You're a busy mom!" It was a moment of epiphany for me. At least once a week I think the Baarts would survive with sandwiches and soup (from a can--gasp!). Of course, this is just one area where I need to lighten up, but you get the picture.

Okay, so there are a few things I'm working on. How about you? Do you have any tips, tricks, or ideas for a woman seeking a little simplicity? I'd love to hear what works for you.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Grapevine: Lisa McKay

It may be a few days late, but, believe me, this month's edition of The Grapevine was worth the wait! ;)



Today I'm introducing the beautiful, talented, and extremely witty Lisa McKay. Lisa was my very first author friend, and she remains my writing BFF. We met online, and then met in person a couple years ago at the Calvin College Festival of Faith and Writing. It was (for lack of a better word) serendipitous. We think alike, write alike, and are passionate about similar things. I can't say enough good things about her!

Lisa was born in Canada to Australian parents, but she grew up in Australia, Bangladesh, the States, and Zimbabwe. She has also been, quite literally, all over the world working for the Headington Institute (a non-profit organization that provides psychological and spiritual support to humanitarian aid workers). Lisa has trained in forensic psychology and has her masters in international peace studies. Are you intimidated yet? You shouldn't be... Though her intellect is astounding, so is her heart. Lisa is simply amazing.



Her debut novel My Hands Came Away Red is a work of art. From the back cover copy:

Thinking largely of escaping a complicated love-life and having fun on the beach, eighteen-year old Cori signs up for a ten-week trip to help build a church on a remote island in Indonesia.

Six weeks into the trip, a conflict that has been simmering for years flames to deadly life on the nearby island of Ambon. Before they can leave, Cori and her teammates find themselves caught up in the destructive wave of violence washing over the Christian and Muslim villages in the area. Within days the church they helped build is a smoldering pile of ashes, its pastor and many of the villagers dead, and the six teenagers are forced to flee into the hazardous refuge of the mountains with only the pastor's son to guide them.

As the team hikes through the jungle, Cori's search for spiritual answers and emotional stability proves just as difficult as the physical journey home.

I loved this book. Simply loved it. It's like nothing I've ever read before, and Lisa handled the unknown with grace and compassion. Though I've never been to Indonesia, I was with Cori in the jungle of Ambon. Not only is the story compelling, Lisa's prose is beautiful. There's a reason Publisher's Weekly called My Hands Came Away Red "one of the best Christian fiction books of the year."

Lisa has graciously agreed to give away a signed copy of her excellent to one of my readers! Leave a comment--you don't want to miss this one. And please takes some time to check out Lisa's fantastic website. Her essays are sometimes poignant, sometimes light-hearted, but always hilarious.

Happy reading!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Refreshed

Sigh. Retreats are wonderful...

I just got back from a couple of days at a cabin in Minnesota. Amazing company, great conversation, gourmet food, beautiful views, and restful nights all worked together to make me feel like a new person. It was awesome.

I'm so relaxed that I'm not going to worry about blogging right now. Instead, I'll leave you with a few photos and the promise that the November edition of the Grapevine will go up on Thursday. Thanks so much for your patience. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bubble bath waiting... ;)



This was just one of the gourmet entrees we enjoyed. It's Mary's special chicken in a white wine and garlic sauce. Sooo yummy. We also had Tosca's Korean ribs and potstickers, crab and asparagus quiche, crepes with Nutella and rasperries, crusty breads, rich soups, and fresh salads. In short, we feasted.



This is the view from an island where we went hiking. The weather was beautiful for November in Minnesota--sunny, still, and almost warm. Well, I thought it was warmish. Mary (a Texan transplant), not so much. :)





Tosca talked me and Mary into posing for a few promo shots. I was stiff as a board and miserable to photograph, but Mary was gorgeous in every way!



Here we are posing for the ten-second timer on my camera. I set it on a park bench, propped it with a stick, and voila! A digital masterpiece.

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Question for you: Where is YOUR favorite place to retreat? I'd love to hear what leaves you feeling refreshed.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Checking in...



Thanks so much for all your thoughtful responses to my post on the contemplative life. It seems I'm not the only one who struggles with balance! I want to respond to all of you more in-depth, and I'd like to share a few changes I've decided to make in my own life, but I'm afraid that dialogue will have to wait. Ironically enough, I'm too busy right now to blog about un-busying my life. He-he-he!

The truth of the matter is, I'm on my way to a cabin in Minnesota for a much-needed writer's retreat. Some good friends are joining me for a few days of conversation and fellowship, as well as a little shop talk and maybe even some work. Anyway, I had grand intentions of blogging before I left, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen. I'm going unplugged! There's no TV and no internet at the cabin, so I'm off-radar for a few days. Wow, that sounds good.

In addition to putting our conversation on hold, I'm going to have to postpone our monthly edition of The Grapevine. Don't worry--it's coming! It's just going to be a couple of days late. You're mid-month, book-giveaway, author introduction, and all-around pick-me-up blog post will be coming Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. Stop back then to meet another amazing author and her equally fabulous work (plus a chance to win a free book, of course)! And stay tuned for more on trying to unravel the contemplative life. I think we have much to offer each other... I read this passage once about iron sharpening iron...? ;)

Hugs!
Nicole

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Contemplative Life



I've known for a long time that I am operating at a pace that is undeniably unsustainable. I run hither and yon, usually well-dressed and put together in a car that I keep tidy and gassed up, with a neat list of To-Do items penciled in a planner that is both cute and practical. Affix smile to my face and voila! I am Superwoman, or at least, a small-town, Midwestern version of a modern day Everywoman.

When I'm not writing (which is only twice a week), I'm cleaning, doing laundry, getting groceries, cooking, baking, shuttling kids to and from activities, leading one Bible study, attending another, heading up the children's church ministry, blogging, walking the dog, potty training the three-year-old, working on One Body One Hope media (including capital campaign packets, blog, website, and mailings), assisting in the 501(c)3 process for tax-exempt status from the IRS, playing hockey with my boys, and trying to find time to cuddle with my equally busy husband. It's ridiculous.

And it's unnecessary.

Aaron's chapel message yesterday was called "Suffocation." It was exactly what I needed to hear... Almost all of us in today’s world feel the pressure of deadlines, the shrinking of free time in our schedules, and an all round busyness that exceeds sustainability. So why is it that amidst the most advanced time-saving devices ever created, we have less time than ever before? In fact, we often feel scheduled to the point of suffocation. Some call it burnout. Where does this need for busyness come from and what aspects of it are really within our own control?

I learned that there are two reasons for my overly scheduled, outrageously busy life. #1 - I am lazy. #2 - I am vain. Ouch. That's not exactly what I wanted to hear. But it was exactly what I needed to hear.

In Eugene Peterson's book The Contemplative Pastor, he outlines two reasons that we find ourselves stuck in the grind of a hyper-busy schedule. The first is that we're lazy--we don't have the discipline to put first things first in our lives. Instead of getting our priorities straight, we pick away at the little stuff because the big things (relationships, true worship, giving ourselves to our calling, etc.) are big and scary and sometimes seem insurmountable. So, instead of writing, I check email. Instead of spending time with my boys, I wipe the kitchen counters for the bazillionth time. I've decided I'm 40% lazy. But there's another part to the equation: Vanity. Vanity sneaks in when we want people to think that we're important, that our lives are worth something. That we are irreplacable. Thus the long list of duties that I vainly included at the beginning of this blog post. Though I don't like to admit it, that's my pride shining through. See what I do? See how busy, how important I am? I think I'm 60% vain.

Sad, isn't it? I've been so proud of my busyness... Of my ability to balance everything and still have time to wash my hair. But it's not the way that I want to live. And I don't think I'm the only one who feels dissatisfied with a pace of life that only seems to get faster and faster.

So, what to do? Unbusy myself, of course. But how??? Any suggestions? Ideas? Is your life simple? Or do you fit somewhere on that Lazy-Vain spectrum? Care to share?

I feel like this dialogue is far from over--both in my personal life and beyond. I'm not sure what that means, but I do promise to pass on any great ideas that crop up, offer encouragement, and let you know about any changes that are working in my life. If you'd like to join the conversation, I'd love to hear from you. You can listen to Aaron's chapel here if you feel so inclined. Or you can point me in the direction of somewhere that you've gained wisdom and perspective. Goodness knows I need it. ;)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

National Adoption Month



November is National Adoption Month, and you had to know that I wouldn't let the month pass without writing about something so close to my heart!

Adoption has been a part of my personal landscape for as long as I can remember... I think God just puts a call on some people and you're stuck with a deep love for orphans from a very young age. Thankfully, Aaron's heart beats in tune with mine, and--small as our contributions may be--we work hard to do what we can.

I strongly believe that if you are anti-abortion then you have to be pro-adoption. And it doesn't work to say, "Well, adoption is not for me and my family..." because then you're in the murky water of choice. Isn't that sticky little word what got us in the pro and anti mess in the first place? I'm not necessarily saying that every God-fearing family should be an adoptive family (though I do think that sometimes). But I do believe that every God-fearing family has a calling (yes, you read that right) a calling to care for the orphans that death, disease, unplanned pregnancy, poverty, and brokenness have left behind. The Bible is pretty clear on it. Check out this excellent blog if you want to know what God specifically has to say about the plight of the orphan.

Anyway, I encourage you this month to spend some time discerning the call that God is placing on your heart concerning the 145 million orphans in the world. Did you catch that number? 145 million. It's staggering. Maybe he's asking you to prepare your heart and your home. (Adoption is awesome! Better than beaches, rollercoasters, kittens, Christmas, and ice cream all put together.) Maybe as Thanksgiving approaches you're being asked to examine all you've been given... And to contribute in some way to an orphan ministry. Maybe your future holds foster parenting, or a mission trip, or volunteer hours in a crisis pregnancy center. I believe with all my heart that the answer will never be: "No, I don't need you here." Of course he does.

I'll leave you with a few stats to chew on and some great links. I encourage you to spend some time checking out these websites and awesome ministries. It may not be as fun as checking Facebook for the hundredth time today, but it'll be a lot more meaningful.

Blessings to you.

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Total international adoptions to the United States: 17,438
Guatemala: 4,123
China: 3,909
Russia: 1,861
Ethiopia: 1,725
Thailand: 59
(Source: Intercountry Adoption, Office of Children's Issues, US Department of State)

  • The most recent estimate is that there are approximately 145 million orphans in the world (UNICEF 2008). For this number, an orphan is defined as a child who has lost one or both parents.  
  • More than 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS, over 11.6 million of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • In 2007 67.5 million Children in South Asia and East Asia had lost one or both parents due to all causes.
  • The UNICEF orphan numbers DON’T include abandonment (millions of children) as well as sold and/or trafficked children.
  • The UNICEF orphan numbers DON’T include many non-reporting nations (namely, Middle Eastern Islamic nations) where shame and divorce abandonment are rampant. 200,000 + orphans in Iraq, for instance, are not part of the count.
  • According to data released in 2003 as many as eight million boys and girls around the world live in institutional care. Some studies have found that violence in residential institutions is six times higher than violence in foster care, and that children in group care are almost four times more likely to experience sexual abuse than children in family based care.
  • As of 2002 in Europe and Central Asia, over one million children lived in residential institutions.
  • Worldwide an estimated 300 million children are subjected to violence, exploitation and abuse, including the worst forms of child labour in communities, schools and institutions, during armed conflict, and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage.
  • In the US there are approximately 500,000 children in foster care (Based on data submitted by states as of January 16, 2008)
  • 130,000 of those children in foster care are waiting and available for adoption. Children waiting to be adopted include children with a goal of adoption and/or whose parental rights have been terminated. Children whose parental rights have been terminated, who are 16 years old and older, and who have a goal of emancipation are excluded from the “waiting” population. An individual child is included in the count for each year that he or she has these characteristics on the last day of the year.
  • Approximately 51,000 children are adopted from the foster system each year.
  • That leaves 79,000 children annually in the US needing an adoptive family.
 (Source: ABBA Fund Blog)

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Links:
Katelyn's Fund - We received a grant from them to help fund our adoption.
ABBA Fund - An excellent adoption resource.
Lydia Fund -We also received a grant from this great organization.
Acacia Village - Our adoption agency founded this important project.
One Body One Hope - Our non-profit.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

News, Take II

I promised I'd post more news today, and though it may be late in the day I'm keeping my word! I know you've been waiting by the computer with bated breath. Ha. Hopefully, you've spent your Saturday like I spent mine: basking in the November sun. Yup, it was 70 degrees in my little corner of creation today. We had burgers for supper and I made wine spritzers in honor of our quasi-summer day. It was bea-stinkin'-utiful. Wow.

Anyway, you've already heard my personal news: the launch of our One Body One Hope capital campaign. Very exciting stuff. But now I'm dying to share my professional news...

I get emails on a weekly basis from readers who have enjoyed After the Leaves Fall and Summer Snow. It's so much fun to hear from people who connected with my Julia DeSmit. She's a honey. But at some point in the conversation or correspondence, I'm always asked the same question: Are you going to write a third book and finish the series? The answer, 18 months after the release of Summer Snow is...

YES!

I'm currently working on a third Julia book, due for publication in 2011. I know that sounds like it's far away, but Tyndale and I have lots of fun things planned in the meantime... You're just going to have to be patient until this spring. I'm eager to share more details with you, and I promise I will a bit at a time. The two things I can tell you right now are that Julia's story will finally find resolution and you will play a part in it. I'm soooo excited! :)

In the meantime, if you haven't read Leaves or Snow, now's the time! The third book is going to be full of suspense and surprises... I think you'll want to be a part of it. Maybe you can even help me title it. In light of the first two titles, what should I call the final installment of Julia's story? I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions!

Have a blessed Sunday.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

News, Take I



Well, I told you a while ago that I had some fun news. Things that were going on in my professional and my personal life. Instead of inundating you with everything at once, I'm going to break it up a bit. A little today, a little Saturday, and maybe a smidge more after that. We'll see. Sorry to be so cryptic! I don't mean to tease...

Anyway, we're going to get things started today with the official announcement of our One Body One Hope capital campaign! Woot-woot! For those of you who have been reading my blog for any amount of time, OBOH isn't new. But the growth and direction of this ministry is continuing to amaze us! It feels new every day. For those of you who haven't heard of OBOH, let me explain.

OBOH began nearly three years ago (almost to the day!) when Aaron and I were in Ethiopia bringing home our son. We stayed in a missionary guest house with a group of people from all over Africa who were in Addis Ababa to attend a Lifewater International conference. One of the gentlemen there was a man named Robert Bimba, a pastor from Monrovia, Liberia. Aaron and Robert became fast friends, and when we left Ethiopia we cemented our relationship with a promise to partner with Robert in any way we could. At first, we helped by starting our own one-on-one sponsorship program--basically Aaron and I sent aid directly to Robert for his family and his church. Then the dry season hit and Abide in the Vine (Robert's church) was full of people who were quite literally starving. Our first food drive happened in February of 2007. We raised $1500 to buy rice for the church and the community. In the summer, we sent another $1500 for rice. Soon, this developed into a quarterly food drive program. From there, things snowballed. People started to get excited about what we were doing, and they asked how they could help. When even more donors stepped forward, we contacted Robert and asked him where the greatest need was. Without pause, he told us about his brother, Immanuel, and the orphanage that he and his wife ran. We listened in horror as we learned about children who were found clinging to dead parents after the civil war that ravaged Liberia. We heard of child soldiers, guerrilla warfare, AIDS, and epidemics. We learned that they slept three to a bed, ate one, scant meal a day, and suffered from malaria and other unidentified illnesses without proper care or medication. It broke our hearts, and led to the creation of One Body One Hope.

You can learn more about OBOH at our website (currently under construction!) or on our new blog. We are so excited about this ministry and where it is going that we've launched a $50,000 capital campaign in addition to the $1,500 a month we currently transfer to Liberia. I invite you to spend some time learning more. Head on over to the blog, click on Our History, Our Vision, and Our Invitation. Or peruse the selection of Christmas gifts that we're offering this year. Please join us in praying for these beautiful people and this amazing country, and become a follower of this blog so you can get regular updates and learn more.

Thanks so much for your time and interest! Blessings to you...


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Finally Fall



The sun is shining, the breeze is light, and the leaves are gorgeous in all their autumn glory. I love fall, and it's finally here...

I should be writing. I should be working on fundraising calendars for One Body, One Hope. I should be revamping the OBOH website. I should be cleaning or cooking or washing the last of my windows... But I can't. It's too lovely. So I'm going to take my puppy and my kids for a walk, kick my feet through the perfect crunch of fallen leaves, and love the fact that the sky is so blue it cannot be described. Sigh.

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are...




Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Review of TMB



Though it pains me to admit this, I don't think that The Moment Between is selling very well. It breaks my heart a little--not just because I want to sell books and keep writing, but because this is a book that I put my very soul into. And I believe with all my heart that The Moment Between deals with topics that are worthy of earnest discussion. I can't help feeling like I'm having a one-sided conversation. Boo-hoo for me, eh? ;)

Anyway, I never, NEVER do this, but just this once I'm going to wear my hope on my sleeve (or on my blog, as it were). If you've read TMB and liked it, would you consider posting a review? Or buying an extra copy for a friend? Or recommending it to a book club, your library, or strangers you pass on the street? Would you consider joining my Facebook page? And if you haven't read TMB, maybe you could slip it on your Christmas list in between a resort vacation and new undies... I'm just sayin'. Of course, you can always click on over to B&N, Amazon, or CBD and just buy it yourself.

Yargh. I did it. And I can't help feeling just the tiniest bit smarmy. But I love my job and I want to do it until I'm no longer capable of holding a pen. Only you can make that possible for me. In the words of He-Man: "You have the power!" He-he-he...

I'll leave you with a couple of reviews that I tuck close to my heart. They're lovely, and they're just enough encouragement to keep me striving to write better and better.

"All I have to say is "oh my goodness!" When I picked up the book at Borders yesterday, the first thing I noticed is that Francine Rivers gave it a fabulous review. Knowing Francine to be a beautiful authoress whose pen has blessed me with Truth warped in lyrical words, I decided to buy it. I was taken aback on the first page. I have never read a Christian novel so stunningly written! The lyricism of the words, the emotion welling up in me as I read of Abigail’s painful journey, the stark poetry of describing both joy and pain—wow! So many times people have a stereotype of Christian fiction being simple minded, poorly written, and idyllic. This novel, along with a few others, have broken that stereotype for me--forever. I can only hope our sister writes much more in the years to come." (David Alves, posted on CBD)

"Nicole Baart has dug a knife into the chilling fibers of habitual practices in humans. Stringing obsession, intent to kill, self-mutilation, and mental illness in the same line of thread, Baart crafted a story of redemption, discovering grace, and reconciling forgiveness amongst her heartbreaking tale of two broken sisters and a family unraveling with age. Her writing is lyrical, honest, and daring; her literary approach refreshing. She births characters so powerfully and animatedly, it's hard not to believe they are real, genuine people. Hailey Bennett was perhaps the most crafted and thought-provoking character. Baart welded a harrowing battle of spiritual pursuit within Hailey, that answered every "why" question concerning her motives and actions. Though, psychologically crooked and nonsensical, Hailey is marvelous in her faith and aggression. You'll root for her journey and she will ultimately break your heart, but she initiates a journey for her sister, Abigail, who will find an acceptance and peace that makes up for Hailey's sorrow." (Eleym Beigh, posted on B&N)


Sunday, November 1, 2009

Ongerijpt



So I had to share the awesome cover of the Dutch translation of The Moment Between. Isn't it beautiful? Haunting somehow. I just love it. And I love the translated title... I had a hard time tracking down the meaning of Ongerijpt, but I finally managed it. The Dutch title? Unripened. Cool, eh? If you've read The Moment Between, you know Unripened is extremely fitting. And if you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? It's only a click away... Come on, you know you want to. Save a struggling artist and all that jazz. ;)

BTW, stay tuned for a very exciting announcement this weekend!!! I'm dying to share, but must drag out the suspense a smidge longer. See you then!