A Bigger Life

Joel Carpenter did not plan for his life to turn out like this. He never meant to be a single dad, working at a hair salon in Eden Plain, Texas. But after making a careless choice four years ago, his marriage was permanently shattered.

Now at twenty-seven, he finds himself juggling custody of his preschool son with Kari, the ex-wife he still loves, and sharing Sunday dinners with a group of other single dads. Joel regrets the choices that brought him to this place, but it's not until the worst happens that he learns how much he still has to give. In the midst of deep tragedy, he learns that forgiveness is way more important than freedom. Hopefully it's not too late!

A BIGGER LIFE is a story of love in the midst of heartache, and friendship in the midst of real, everyday life.

In 1997, Annette Smith, the author of A Bigger Life, was working as a home health nurse. She traveled the back roads from house to house, caring for ill and injured, homebound people. Because of her unique position in the lives of relative strangers, she often found herself bearing solitary witness to intimate behind-the-scenes situations full of grace and meaning. The desire to honor both a particular patient and a poignant scene involving the woman and her husband prompted Annette to write a fictionalized story, The Anniversary.

That first story appeared as a column in the Houston Chronicle newspaper and as an essay in Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Later it became a chapter in Annette’s first and best-selling book of short stories, The Whispers of Angels, that has sold more than 100,000 copies. Since then, Annette has penned four more books of stories, two volumes on parenting, and the Coming Home to Ruby Prairie trilogy.

Annette and her husband Randy, a high school teacher and coach, make their home on a wooded lot in Quitman, Texas. They are the parents of two young adult children, Russell and Rachel, both out on their own. Wally, a grateful, rescued mutt provides warmth and entertainment and keeps the Smith’s empty nest from feeling too lonely.

In addition to writing, Annette continues to serve part-time as a registered nurse. She finds the people she works with and the patients she cares for provide great inspiration for her fiction.

Major Mark-Up!

"Lemon Marilyn," a 1962 painting by famous American artist Andy Warhol may go for 60,000 times its purchase price at an auction this May. Quite the return on a modest investment!

Over four decades ago, a U.S. collector bought the painting for $250 at Warhol's first one-man exhibition at Eleanor Ward's Stable Gallery in New York. Next month, the private collector could well get $15 million for it in a New York auction sponsored by Christie's of London.

Obsessed with the tragic celebrity, Warhol painted thirteen portraits of Marilyn shortly after her suicide, each in a different predominant color. Eight of them were offered for sale at Warhol's debut exhibition. In 2006, "Orange Marilyn" went for $16.3 million, so the $15 prediction may be conservative.

Hmm. What budding artists do I know that will one day reach Warhol stature? I may want to snap up a work or two before I have to pay millions for the privilege of hanging one on the wall!

When Characters Become Friends

My guest blogger today is award-winning author DiAnn Mills. Lighting and Lace, the third book in her Texas Legacy series, recently released, and she shares with us the feelings that come to an author with saying goodbye to beloved characters. Readers, too, can experience a wrench of emotional separation when one of their favorite series comes to an end. Let's hear from DiAnn!

- - - - - -

A mixture of emotions swept over me last week when my third and final book in the Texas Legacy Series stepped into the marketplace. I’ve grown to love these characters – everything about them. I love their stubborn moments, their victories, their defeats, the way they love, and even the way they hate. They fight for what they believe in, and God is always right.

For the past two years, I’ve wakened to the sound of their voices ringing in my head and to their problems. I watched the women slip into their dresses and bonnets, and the men tug on their boots. Actually, the women sometimes wiggled into a pair of boots and pants too. I rode the gentle mares and the wild broncos and held my breath. I lifted my Winchester, tensed my body for the kickback and sent bullets flying into targets, some of which were human. I celebrated with them, and I cried with them. I cheered when they triumphed and wanted to shake them when they made poor decisions.

In short, my characters have become my friends, and it’s hard to let them go. Unfortunately, I experience this grieving period every time I finish a book or series. I feel abandoned and lost, since too often I’m thinking about them just after I say my prayers and before I drift off to sleep. Dare I say that I worry about my characters? Hope they are not quarreling with their spouses or their children? That life hasn’t given them another dose of bitter herbs?

This bizarre and sometimes eccentric habit of mine is not much different from the habits of many of my other writer friends. How else can a writer create a character unless he/she first understands their motivation? And while these characters are on a journey called life, I realize the many reasons why I enjoy them.

I also realize their problems and issues. The storms of life that beat against our doors today have been happening since time began.

I consider Leather and Lace. Casey O’Hare didn’t start out life wanting to be an outlaw. Quite the contrary, she had hopes and dreams like every little girl until life slapped her in the face, and she chose to survive in the only way she knew. Many women today have made poor choices when faced with the dredges of life. We all have. I wrote that book for those women.

Jenny in Lanterns and Lace desperately wanted someone to love her. Is that such a bad thing, since we were created with a deep desire to be loved? The problem is, where do we go for love? Jenny thought unconditional love was a myth until the great Lover showed her differently.

Bonnie abhorred the disease that ravaged her beloved husband and left her a widow in Lightning and Lace. But she is determined, and alcohol is not the answer. Substance abuse is not native to today’s world. Wherever there is pain and suffering, people will look for a way to manage their sorrow.

Oh my, I do hope my darlings will be fine. They will be back next fall in a Christmas Legacy book, and then that is truly the end.

So today, I’m creating new friends. Already I know they won’t behave in every instance, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m on my way to a new adventure. And, by the way, this is a contemporary.

Introducing NICK!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
(of which I am a member) is introducing
RECLAIMING NICK
( Tyndale Fiction, 2007)
by
Susan May Warren

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award winning author SUSAN MAY WARREN recently returned home to her native Minnesota after serving for eight years with her husband and four children as missionaries with SEND International in Far East Russia. She now writes full time from Minnesota's north woods. Visit her Web site at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

RECLAIMING NICK is the first of The Noble Legacy series. Book Two, Taming Rafe, will be available January 2008.

A Modern Day Prodigal Comes Home...
NICK NOBLE HADN'T PLANNED ON BEING THE PRODIGAL SON.
But when his father dies and leaves half of Silver Buckle--the Noble family ranch--to Nick’s former best friend, he must return home to face his mistakes, and guarantee that the Silver Buckle stays in the Noble family.

Award-winning journalist Piper Sullivan believes Nick framed her brother for murder, and she’s determined to find justice. But following Nick to the Silver Buckle and posing as a ranch cook proves more challenging than she thinks. So does resisting his charming smile.

As Nick seeks to overturn his father’s will--and Piper digs for answers--family secrets surface that send Nick’s life into a tailspin. But there’s someone who’s out to take the Silver Buckle from the Noble family, and he’ll stop at nothing--even murder--to make it happen.

Endorsement:
“Susan May Warren once again delivers that perfect combination of heart-pumping suspense and heart-warming romance.”--Tracey Bateman, author of the Claire Everett series

If you would like to hear more about Nick, he has his own blog. And you can read a chapter.

I totally endorse Reclaiming Nick. The delectable combination of romance, suspense, family issues, and absolutely gorgeous setting rivets the reader to the story. Warren's story-telling abilities never fail to delight. I can hardly wait for the next installment of the Noble Legacy. The cover designers are going to have to pull off some "deep magic" to come up with a showstopper like that dimple on the Nick cover!

Email Susan at susan@susanmaywarren.com. She loves to hear from readers.

To grab your copy of Reclaiming Nick, click here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/141431017X

From time to time on this blog, I will be posting further reviews of excellent faith-based fiction, so stay tuned!

Breaking News! - "Schoolroom" Found!!

I'm so jazzed, I can hardly stand it!

Over on my author web site (http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/), I recently revamped my Stealth and Wealth contest. I think it's been up for only a little over a week. The contest features various stolen paintings with a matching game to their artist. Norman Rockwell's "Russian Schoolroom," one of the featured stolen paintings has JUST been found! You'll never guess who had the Rockwell that's been missing since 1973--the famous movie director, Steven Spielberg!!!

The Associated Press reports that Spielberg bought the painting in 1989 from a legitimate dealer. But last week one of his staff spotted the painting listed on the FBI's "most wanted" art page. The Hollywood director was notified, and he ordered the authorities to be called. An FBI agent and an art expert examined the painting and found it to be authentic.

The no-longer-missing Rockwell as valued at $700,000. Wow! That's a sizeable chunk of change, but the report says that Spielberg and his staff didn't flinch a second at reporting what they had. Big thumbs up for Mr. Spielberg.

There are oodles of more details about the theft, sightings and disappearances since it was taken over three decades ago, and now the recovery. I find the information fascinating. If you do, too, you can go to this web address and read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17430445/?GT1=9145

Hearing about stuff like this is pretty cool in itself, but to me it feels like a validation of the art theft aspects of my stories. FBI agents and civilian experts really do work together, and art really is recovered in the oddest ways.

Okay, I need to quit hyperventilating and go watch a tivoed episode of Criminal Minds.

Trade Active in Stolen Native American Art

A huge amount of heart is involved in the crafting of art, and that includes not just painting, or sculpting, or weaving, but writing, singing, or film-making. When the expressions of a person's soul are stolen, plagiarized, copied, or pirated, it hurts not just the artist, who loses livelihood and a chunk of themselves. Society pays a price in the loss of integrity, beauty, and money. In Reluctant Runaway, FBI Agent Tony Lucano's pirated property case illustrates the point.

In the case of Native American Art, there is an organization that assists law enforcement in tracking down stolen goods and hopefully catching some thieves. The Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA) keeps a detailed data base of stolen U.S. Native American Art. The Cerno Acoma Seed Jar above was taken from an Arizona home in December 0f 2006, along with a variety of other pottery and native rugs. None of the items have been recovered to date.

For more details and pics: http://www.atada.org/theft.html#Eagar

Trade in these items thrives on collectors willing to purchase them, no questions asked. These under the table resales are the most difficult to track down.

Or the thieves wait until the trail cools and try to sell them to legitimate dealers a distance from the original theft. A rug stolen from a museum was recently recovered due to the fast action of a trader in Gallup, NM, who recognized the rug from the ATADA data base.

For more details and pics: http://www.atada.org/theft.html#Toadlena

Thieves more desperate for quick cash may offer the items at pawn shops, thinking that pawn dealers don't care where their merchandise comes from. Wrongo! There are definitely honest pawn brokers out there, as one thief discovered.

Here's a quote from the happy owner of recovered goods: "Last week, a young woman showed up at a pawn shop in Albuquerque offering three of our stolen textiles for sale. The pawn shop called a dealer who alerted us. She subsequently sold 17 Navajo rings that were stolen from Coulter Brooks Art & Antiques to another dealer. " Sorry, missy, bet you're cooling your heels behind bars now.

Oh, and here's another wrinkle on the illicit trade in Native American artifacts--chemically treat the works of contemporary Native American artists to make them appear old.

Here's what ATADA has to say: "It has come to our attention that some Mission baskets have appeared in the market. These are very high quality Mission baskets by contemporary basketmakers of good repute that have been treated by a third party to look old. These baskets have fooled some experienced basket dealer (including some ATADA members) and have been sold at auction and in the antique Indian and Tribal Art marketplace at very high prices. We alert collectors and dealers to be alert so as not to be taken by this scam. "

I'll bet the artisans are sick at heart at what was done to their work. Not only did someone deliberately alter their hard work and livelihood, but the con artists removed all mention of their names associated with the pieces and made big bucks doing it! I'm no weaver or potter, but I'm steamed anyway. What is your gut reaction?

After Nearly Thirty Years, Cezanne Goes Home

It’s amazing to me just how long stolen pieces of art can remain hidden. Good grief, people are still uncovering art lost or stolen during World War II. The particular piece I’m talking about today is a 29.3 million dollar still life by Paul Cezanne that was taken in 1978, along with six other paintings.

Evidently the owner of the painting, Michael Backwin, feels the same amazement. In a press release, he stated, “People seem to get away with all kinds of stuff when it comes to art robbery.”

What’s so convoluted about this recovery is that the guy arrested with the painting at Boston’s Logan Airport on Tuesday, February 13, isn’t the original thief. He’s the thief’s lawyer!

The burglar who took the paintings was killed over a gambling debt just a year after the heist. (Rather a character-revealing way to go, eh?) And his shyster lawyer’s been wiggling around trying to find a way to fence the goods ever since. His latest brainstorm was to broker a deal with the owner, Backwin, using a Panamanian corporation as a front. Well, Mr. Clever Barrrister, got the handcuffs instead.

Greed is greed, is greed, is greed!

There’s a bunch more to the tale, and the Art Loss Register played a key role in the recovery. If you’re into art (as you probably are if you’re reading this blog), you might want to check out the ALR site. They’ve got some pretty cool information over there. http://www.artloss.com/

Encouragement for Writers from a Non-Writer

The following is a message for writers from my husband, Doug. The picture is of him and Liz Curtis Higgs at the book signing, where he shared these thoughts with her.

In September, I was both honored and privileged to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas with my wife Jill. She wasn't sure I'd like hanging out with a bunch of wild and crazy writers, and she thought I might get bored when she had to be at sessions.

The conference was an eye-opener. The excitement! The terminology! The only "pitching" I knew about before was in baseball, softball or horseshoes. Through all the feverish tension, I was overwhelmed at the love and encouragement people had for each other. And I thoroughly enjoyed the praise and worship, followed by devotions.

One morning after devotions, I went back to our room and spent time with the Lord, reading in the Amplified Bible. He took me to Romans 10 where I read, "But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed (in whom they have no faith, on whom they have no reliance)? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?" Then I looked at Mark 16, where Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach and PUBLISH openly the good news (gospel) to every creature (of the whole human race) . . . And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied it."

I had never noticed the word "published" before in the Amplified version, and it jumped out at me, considering all the writers everywhere I went. At a keynote speaking session, the scriptures I had read were confirmed by testimonies shared by Liz Curtis Higgs.

People's lives are changed because of books. I believe God has called and commissioned Christian fiction writers to reach lost and hurting people who couldn't be reached any other way. If you're a writer and feeling tempted to give up. Don't! You will be surprised when you get to heaven at all the lives your stories have touched and how great your reward will be for obeying the call.

P.S. At the next conference, I suggest they have sessions for the spouses of the writers who don't understand and for the writers who don't understand their spouses not understanding. Make sense?

Wha-hoo! And Whew!

My first ever book promotion event went better than I expected. Since Reluctant Burglar is still a few weeks away from release, my afternoon at the Madison Library couldn’t be called a book signing, so I had to dub it a pre-release event. But the interest was phenomenal!

I gave away 200 bookmarks in the first hour and sent many promotional fliers home with people from all over the country. My prayer is that they will all keep their commitment to post the fliers at their local bookstores or libraries.

Our small, rural community hosted 1,000 extra people over the weekend of July 1 and 2 for an All School Reunion. Several hundred of them came to the library for an ice cream social, and I chatted up countless people with roots in Madison, MN. Most of them belonged in one of two camps—Could-Care-Less or Fascinated-That-There’s-A-Real-Writer-in-My-Hometown.

Of course, I had better response talking to the latter, but I understand the former. Not everyone
is a reader. I wish they were (they don’t know what they’re missing), but they’re not, and I’m comfortable with that.

In fact, I discovered that I might be more comfortable with disinterest than over-interest. Maybe it’s my conservative Minnesota upbringing, but excessive attention makes me squirm. I think it’s the fear of seeming prideful if I welcome the kudos. I’d make a terrible movie star! (Not that I have any acting ability anyway.)

Regional heritage issues aside, I had a blast, and I’m ready to do it again—this time with actual books to sign. Sharon Hinck, author of The Secret Life of Becky Miller, and I are scheduled for a signing at the library in Willmar, Minnesota, on September 8. Keep checking on my web site Appearances page to see where I’ll be popping up next.

Photo courtesy of Dale Hatfield, Madison Library Board Member

More Adventures in Albuquerque

"I knew I should have taken that left turn in Albuquerque!" - Bugs Bunny

"Wait! I did that around the middle of May! - Jill Nelson

As promised, this week we visit the FBI building in Albuquerque. But let's back up a little and start with the conversation I had with the cabby on the way over.

The morning of my Big Day in the Southwestern city with the outlandish name, the hotel van took me to the New Mexico Museum of Anthropology on the university campus. After I finished touring the museum, I called a cab and gave the driver the address. He shot me a puzzled stare, studied a city map, and leveled another stare. Finally, I fessed up and told him it was the FBI headquarters. The light came on in his face.

"Are you with the FBI?" His grin was eager.

Yeah, right. Moi? I should have told him I was a criminal profiler on the trail of a serial killer and step on it. But my innate honesty kicked in before I could think of something that entertaining.

"No," I said. "I'm too plump and laid back for that job."

At least he thought my answer rated a chuckle. And not shy one bit, he wanted to know why I was going to the FBI building. So I got to tell him about my books and give him my card. His reading tastes indicated a nonChristian, but someone interested in spiritual things. Good deal. Hope he reads my series and gains new light. The cabbie (and others who wondered what I was doing all alone in Albuquerque) was fascinated to hear I was writing a novel set in their city.

Back to the events at hand: We arrived at the FBI headquarters without incident--well, okay, he made a wrong turn once, but who's counting? Just goes to show the place isn't along the beaten path.

I'm a little nervous, of course. Here I am about to waltz into an office where they deal with national security issues as a way of life. For little old me from deep rural Minnesota, a speeding ticket is a big deal. Here, they want "a brief message or a detailed confession." I had no confession they cared to hear, so I was left with the brief message option.

We got to the building and immediately manifested ourselves as clueless civilians by driving up to the guardhouse. The nice uniformed gentleman with the burly muscles patiently directed us to park in the visitor lot. I was to leave my camera and cell phone in the cab, then step up to his window on foot. Once I proved myself a genuine Jane Citizen with proper photo ID that matched my matcheless mug, he'd let me in.

All well and good, but about now I'm wondering if they'll let me back out again. That soaring structure is one intimidating stone fortress, and they wouldn't let me take a picture, so you'll have to use your imagination.

Obviously, I did get out again, and they didn't even interrogate me. Nuts! But I got my share of assessing looks. First of all from the uniformed guard that stood up from his desk as soon as I walked through those darkened glass doors. He was the first thing I noticed, and then the full body metal detector similar to those at the airport.

The vestibule was completely walled in and very small. If I wanted to venture further inside, I would need to get past the guard and the metal detector. Cool! But rats! Since I'd taken care of my business with the agent on the phone the day before, I didn't have any excuse to press onward and upward. But one of these days, I'll get that opportunity. I'm awaiting the engraved invitation . . . any day now . . .

I left my card with a brief note of thanks to the media liason with the receptionist behind the bullet-proof glass. She, too, gave me an assessing look. I imagine I was a true oddity in their world. Ah, well, maybe I gave them something different to talk about. Maybe not, but I can dream.

Adventures in Albuquerque

"I knew I should've taken that left turn in Albuquerque!"- Bugs Bunny

"Wait, I did that around the middle of May!"- Jill Nelson

And a fun time was had by me, myself, and I on the research trail for Reluctant Runaway, the second in the To Catch a Thief Series. With Runaway set in Albuquerque, I realized when I signed up for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference near Estes Park, Colorado, that I was only a bunny-hop away from that New Mexico city with the outlandish name. So I decided to take the fateful left turn.

My most fascinating stop was at the FBI office building, a modern stone fortress towering behind a tall iron fence. And only one dinky entrance enclosed behind darkened glass. Gack! Do they let you out if by some miracle they let you in?

Before we discover the answer, I need to backtrack to my telephone conversation the day before with the media liaison at the Albuquerque office. I phoned the receptionist to let her know this author person was going to stop by tomorrow, and if there were someone whose normal duties would encompass speaking to such an anomaly, I’d be grateful. The nice woman actually sounded interested. Very encouraging. She put me on hold, checked with someone, then put me through to the media liaison. I got his voice mail, which was pretty interesting, too. He invited me to leave "a brief message or a detailed confession." Now, who says the FBI has no sense of humor?

But I will say they’re a bit cagey. About five minutes after I left my message WITHOUT my call back number, I got a call back. And the caller ID in my cell phone screen was all zeros. Yikes! So they get my number, but I don’t get theirs? How fair is that? I suspect the man was in his office all along, but he checked my message to see what I wanted before he bothered with me. The fact that he did bother with me made up a little for the totally cool sneakiness. He then gave me some info that saved my bacon on a plot twist for Runaway. Major for me, minor for him as he went back to his regular duties.

If I had to characterize my interaction with the personnel, I’d say cordial but reserved. They’re not big on warm fuzzies and guarded about details of their jobs. Understandable. They’re pitted against gentlefolk with guns and bombs and other quaint methods of destruction. I do NOT want their job; I just want to write about it.

Questions occur to me about author/fed relations. (Is there such a thing?) Novels, TV shows,
and movies about the FBI abound. We’re fascinated with them. Do agents ever watch the shows or read the books? Do they laugh their heads off at the inaccuracies? Or are they glad we don’t know all their business? Would they like to prosecute the more bubble-brained writers and even throw away the key on the insulting ones? Agents are people, too, but what do they think about authors? Do they think about us at all? If anyone has insight I’m all ears.

Next week, I’ll return to the saga of my visit to the FBI building, plus more Adventures in Albuquerque.

Sotheby's Sells Picasso for a Pile!

Hello, Dear Reader:

Welcome to my blog. Every week I'll post fresh thoughts on art, art theft, antiquities preservation, or the art of writing fiction. If you've arrived at this blog, you probably got here via my web site (www.jillelizabethnelson.com), where you can find out more about my To Catch a Thief romantic suspense series. If you arrived some other way, perhaps you're an art afficianado or concerned with antiquities preservation. Kudos to you!

This new as of May 4: Picasso's Dora Maar au chat sold for $95 million dollars at Sotheby's auction house in New York, the second-highest auction price ever. At the same auction, Monet's Pres Monte Carlo, an impressionist landscape, went for about $5.1 million, and Renoir's Fleurs et Fruits sold for $2.8 million. All three paintings went to anonymous buyers! I don't think the anonymity was due to shyness--more like good common sense. Why would the buyers want prospective thieves to know they now own multi-million dollar paintings? (For more information and a pic of the picture, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dora_maar_au_chat.)

Art is big business--obviously!--and covetous hearts are drawn by mega-dollars. That's why law enforcement and security agents lead such challenging lives. As long as greed exists, they'll have jobs, which is something of a pitiful positive if you think about it.

Now just a dab about me:
This August I will have been married to the same man for twenty-five years--an accomplishment in this day and age. I have no pets, but have nearly finished raising four children. (Does one ever complete this project?) I'm an avid reader and enthusiastic writer. Other than reading and writing, my favorite pasttimes include camping with my family, taking walks with my husband, and interracting on-line with friends, fellow writers, and readers. I love seafood, Asian and Italian cuisines. When I'm not busy with other things, my favorite TV shows are Numbers, Criminal Minds, and CSI. (Guess I just have a whodunnit kind of mind.) Oh, and if I can find a Columbo rerun, forget anything else going on. Ah, just one more thing . . .

Stop back next week for more updates on art, writing, and moi. On Tuesday, May 16, I head for Albuquerque to do reasearch on the book I'm currently writing, Reluctant Runaway. I hope to glean some good thoughts to blog about. Then it's off to Estes State Park near Denver, Colorado, for a writers conference May 17 - 20.