A Book Shout and Stimulate Your Writing: My Newest Writing Project

I'm excited to share the news of my brother's new book, Our Savior Jesus Messiah. This is a major non-fiction work (the first of three volumes) that has taken him three decades to research and put together--and he's practically giving it away! You can have your own copy about the most important person who ever lived for the cheapest price Amazon will go. Great gift idea too. Click here to read a sample or get yours. Check it out!


Some days I switch writing projects that I'm working on, especially if I get stuck on one of them. A change of pace can be revitalizing to one's writing. Writing something as short as a letter or a blog post can get those creative juices flowing, get you in the writing mode, and before you know it, a task is accomplished. Check mark. 

Recently I was asked to write my own 2,000+ word life sketch for a family project. Ugh, one more thing. Sounded daunting at the start, but what fun to have old memories surface! If you need a break or some stimulation, try a small-scale personal history. There are online worksheets using fill-in-the-blank questions for the basics, and ideas for fleshing out more details. Or just write as the memories flow. Your family will love having these recorded. In fact, you may wish to do your own history or that of an elderly loved one to give as a holiday gift.

Suggestions to Stimulate Writing: 
   Do ten minutes of writing by hand. It stimulates the creative side of your brain. 
   Start with a writing exercise, letter, or blog post--anything to get writing. 
   Clean up your work space and get a comfortable chair/pillow. Put distractions out of sight.
   Set a timer for 15 uninterrupted minutes. Ignore the phone and, if possible, settle the kids into a do-it-yourself activity. 
   Get inspired by reading someone else's writing, a writer's conference, or your critique group. 
   Set a small goal or two that you can realistically achieve today. Be sure to write goals down so you can check them off later. (That part feels good.)
   Reread the last few paragraphs of what you wrote last so you can get into the story again. (I use this one all the time.)
   Adjust your attitude. Be excited that you get to write today! Even 100 words is more than you had yesterday.
What works for you?

Good Friends, Good Books

You might call this a support-your-writerly-friends post. That's what we do for each other. You get to find out about the debut of three great books and their authors. It's a win-win. I'm just sharing highlights here but you can follow links to read each summary. Great-looking covers for all. 


The first author holds a special place in my heart. She invited me into my first critique group experience and taught me much about editing. Meet Melissa J. Cunningham and her first published novel, Reluctant Guardian. I had the privilege of being one of her critiquers for this clean but mature YA paranormal romance. Melissa is currently writing the sequel. Learn more on her website or order here.

Next, meet Cindy Roland Anderson. She just released a fun and clean romance story between a divorcee and football celebrity called Fair Catch. Read more about or order this book here. 

Another clean romance inserted into a spy story can be found by author Jordan McCollum. What could be more fun to read than that? What I can tell you is that I loved her first spy book and gave it 5 stars. The book blast just ended but SPY FOR A SPY is out now this November. See more here.

Happy reading and writing this week!

Spy Advice, Book Review, and Contest

We're celebrating the launch of I, Spy! Read on to find out more about the book, get a cool spy tip for your daily life and download a free gift! Then find I, Spy on Amazon, Kobo, and JordanMcCollum.com!

About the Book

Canada is probably the last place you'd expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets—and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there’s one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too—until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn't the only thing suffering. Now to save her secrets and her country, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.


More about I, Spy | Add I, Spy to your Goodreads to-read list!

Advance praise

The edge-of-my-seat undercover operations kept me turning pages, and just when I thought the story would go one way, plot twists sent it down another path. Thrilling, adventurous, and romantic, this book has it all for an Alias fan.

— Jami Gold, award-winning author

Jordan McCollum’s debut novel is a delightful combination of mystery, action, and romance. Talia’s CIA training and almost OCD caution feed her quirky humor while exposing her very human fears and insecurities. Add in her boyfriend Danny, and it's enough to twist your heart.

— Donna K. Weaver, author of A Change of Plans

Clever, suspenseful, and charged with political intrigue and romance, I, Spy is the perfect combination for a fun and captivating read!

— Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of Monarch

About the author

An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don’t want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most—she’s a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

Jordan offered me some official spy novelist advice in connection with her new spy novel (review to follow). She didn't know that my question stems from my current work in progress, Perception, about a high school boy whose senior project evolves into danger with car thieves. Let's see what her spy savvy has to offer: 

Hone your spy skills

What do you do when a friend asks about the provenance of your car?


Further hone your spy skills by reading I, Spy!

The clue!

As part of the debut of I, Spy, Jordan is hosting a contest to figure out the song that inspired the story. Collect clues at each blog stop and use your spy skills to piece together the clues to win a $25 Amazon gift card! How to enter

The clue for this stop is:

The I, Spy song peaked at #8 on the Billboard charts.

The freebie!

Thanks for participating in this launch tour! As a free gift this week, Jordan is giving out free copies of Mr. Nice Spy, an I, Spy prequel novella. Simply to go http://JordanMcCollum.com/store/. You can also get 40% off I, Spy!

Now for my review:
I was pulled into I, Spy right away from the beautiful cover and intriguing first line into getting to know Talia. A saucy attitude and being good at her spy job mixes with Talia's compulsive obsessions. A fun, admirable, and flawed character combination that hits its mark. Throw in romance and great spy adventures to win readers' hearts. I liked the realism of using the Russian language and Canadianisms to bring the setting alive, teach me something, and add validity. A clean read for YA and up. I'm giving this book a rare five stars. My only issue was my being visual enough to notice and have to adjust to the use of parentheses for Talia's thoughts or explanations. If it had been an audio book this wouldn't have bothered me. I was over it before too long. The ending includes an unexpected life lesson learned. I look forward to Talia's next adventure.

New Books Shout

Two exciting new books are out this month. First, Michelle Jefferies' Emergence about a hit man with a conscience is here. Technical suspense, secret agents and bad boys gone good. I didn't receive my copy yet so I have yet to read this one. When I get it, I'll share my review. This is Jefferies' first novel in the series.
Here's the back cover blurb:
Hit man Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least, the corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think otherwise--until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, the assassin is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger from his employer delivers a death threat. In a matter of seconds, the hunter has become the hunted. While Antony scrambles to find a way out of his "till death do us part" contract, he's faced with the decision of a lifetime: kill another innocent man, or do what's right--even if it puts his family in jeopardy.

Next, Cheri Chesley's second historical romance  is just out. The Tyrant King is the second in this series of three. I enjoyed The Peasant Queen and look forward to getting my copy of this one too. Cheri has a 'spread the word' contest going on her blog through today. You'll also find a tab to read the first chapter. This is a great way to see if you like it first. But watch out--you just might become hooked. 
About this book:
Krystal’s peaceful life as queen of Fayterra is shattered when a stranger arrives with a connection to Jareth that threatens to change everything. Soon her loved ones are threatened, her people are under attack, and Krystal must face a devastating loss. As the future becomes bleaker and the mystery continues to unravel, Krystal’s enemies will learn just how far she will go to defend the people she loves.