April Author Newsletter

4/7/2015

Happy Easter! (A bit late.)

Hello, blog family! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter this year, celebrating Jesus' sacrifice for us and his victory over death. I hope y'all got plenty of chocolate eggs, too. ;)

If this is your first newsletter, welcome! We are so glad that you've joined our group. Please make yourself at home and feel free to introduce yourself in the comments section. And be on the lookout for this month's giveaways! :)

Life Stuff:

Along with Easter last weekend, the Hubbins and I celebrated our 1-year anniversary. Neither of us can believe it's been a year already. We both agree that it feels simultaneously much longer and much shorter. (I guess it depends on when you ask us. LOL)

Seriously, though, it's been a great year all around. As well as our wedding anniversary, it's almost my blogging anniversary (coming up next month), so thank YOU for being here and being a part of this. I love all of y'all! :)

Writing Stuff:

Well, it's been a busy month already on the writing front.

#1 - A few months ago, I found a scholarship program available to military spouses (just google MyCAA Military Spouse Career Advancement, if interested.) After lots of research and consideration, I'm pursuing a Certificate in Fiction-Writing through University of California - Riverside Extension's online campus. I have just started my first writing class, so prayers are definitely appreciated! :)

#2 - I'm also participating in Harlequin's "From Blurb to Book" pitch. (Click here for more details.) So, I am tweaking one of my older manuscripts to fit Love Inspired Suspense guidelines in my spare time. Again, prayers are definitely appreciated! :D

Reading Stuff:

Here's a list of the books I read last month:

And I'm currently reading:

Prayer Request Stuff:

Here is the list from last month and I'll add new ones as they are sent in. Thank you for intervening for each other, prayer warriors! :) (If you have a request, just leave a comment or use the contact form and I will add it to the list.)

Jan H. - Her father and his many health problems. He's been moved to hospice now, praying for strength and wisdom for the family.

Chris - Prayer requested for David who is very ill in Vietnam with an unknown illness.

Kim - Chronic and unbearable pain in her sides and can't have any more tests until July. Prayers for relief for her.

Connie S. - Prayer requested for a young couple with spiritual and financial needs. Also, for an older gentleman with melanoma and now lung cancer.

Sharon P. - Her 42-year-old nephew, Brad was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It has metastasized in his lymph nodes. Please pray that the treatment plan will work and that the insurance company will pay for most of his monthly medications.

Debbie R. - Please pray for her daughter, who is trying to become pregnant. Also, please pray for a healthy baby if she does become pregnant.

Deanne P. - Prayers that she and her husband can find a reasonably priced vehicle.

Sharon T. - She's trying to find a job again after being in the ministry for 15 years. Prayers that she is successful and blessed.

Charity A. - Please pray for her health.

Debra L. - Requests prayer for her husband, who needs a hip replacement.

Cherie K. - Prayers for her grandchildren who are struggling with the loss of a young cousin.

My dad - Please pray that he can get his health under control so he can stop taking so many meds. Prayers for strength and patience for my mom as she takes care of him.

My friend, Heidi - fighting cancer, taking chemo treatments.

My friend, Cherie - dealing with family issues.

Maxie A. - Prayers for comfort for her and her family after the loss of her brother.

Sally D. - That her home in Arizona sells soon. Also requests prayer for her daughter and her daughter's husband to be reunited. They are separated now.

Sharon P. - Continued prayers for her daughter to become pregnant.

Deanne P. - Her husband had hernia surgery in March.

Last Month's Winners:

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall - Chris Granville*

The Crimson Cord - Brenda Murphree*

Hidden Agenda - Robin Bunting*

All winners have a month to reply to my emails or I will draw a new winner. * = winner has claimed her prize. Books will be mailed within the month. Be sure to check back soon for this month's giveaways and reviews.

62 Comments

Sally Davison

4/7/2015 09:32:07 am

Please pray for my daughter and her husband to be reunited. They are separated now.

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:21:20 am

I'll add them to the list, Sally. Prayers going up for that situation.

Tina Whitney

4/7/2015 09:44:18 am

Prayers for your daughter to be reunited with her husband. Sending prayers full of love.

Jan Hall

4/7/2015 10:58:13 am

Please pray for my dad. He is having a lot of health problems. Another colon blockage. Surgery went good. Plus Pnuemonia.They just released him from ICU but it looks like he may also have suffered a stroke.

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:22:59 am

I'm adding him to the list, Jan.

chris

4/7/2015 08:49:21 pm

Please pray for David who is very ill in Vietnam with an unknown illness, viral? stomach/intestine illness.

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:24:34 am

Adding David to the list, Chris. Prayers that he will be feeling better very soon.

Anne Rightler

4/9/2015 11:53:19 am

enjoying your newsletter and appreciate the opportunity to win good books!

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:25:19 am

I'm so glad, Anne! Thanks so much for following my newsletters. :)

Brandi

4/10/2015 05:59:18 am

Oh, I see The Homesteader's Brides on your reading list! Can't wait to read it! Mary Connealy is a definite fave! :)

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:37:42 am

Same here, Brandi! Love her! :D

Caryl Kane

4/11/2015 04:40:05 am

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! :)

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:41:28 am

Thank you, Caryl! :)

Charity Andrews link

4/12/2015 01:23:34 am

Hey, girl!! You know I love you!!! <3

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:42:04 am

Ditto, Charity! Thanks for stopping by!

Jan Hall

4/12/2015 11:18:25 am

My dad will be on Hospice and we are moving him to a nursing home Monday. Please pray that we will have the strength and wisdom to make his last days happy and comfortable.

Prayers going up, Jan.

4/14/2015 04:42:39 am

Kim Hampton

4/13/2015 04:53:19 am

Please keep me in your prayers. I've been having pain in my sides for over 2 years. The doctors can't figure out what is wrong with me, and because of limited insurance, I can't have any more tests done until July. It's almost to the point that it's unbearable.

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:44:43 am

Adding you to the list, Kim. So sorry that you're in pain. Prayers that it will be relieved and diagnosed very soon.

Trixi O.

4/14/2015 03:06:35 am

Such a cute picture of you & your hubby! Happy 1st anniversary to you both! I wonder if we share the same date as you? Ours is April 5th, though we celebrated our 18th year :-) Such a special time in our lives, don't you agree? May God bless you in many more years together!

Anna Weaver Hurtt

4/14/2015 04:45:46 am

Thank you, Trixi! Happy anniversary and wishing many more years to you as well! :)

Sydney Anderson

4/14/2015 05:08:14 am

Great site. Love the picture of you and your hubby! I have only been married just over a year myself. Kindred spirites. :)

tammy cordery

4/14/2015 10:26:55 am

I'm sorry I would love for you to pray for me and my family but it seems like prayers for me don't get to God. Oh well. I didn't know you where one of the Weaver family children. Wow, I watched your TV show. Are you going to go out on tour with your family? God bless. I am so happy that TV is getting better to watch because of shows like yours and of course your books. I can't wait to read. Sorry so long and God bless you and your Husband.

Sonja

4/14/2015 10:47:03 pm

Prayers for My dad.

Kim Hampton

4/15/2015 03:59:36 am

I have another prayer request. My cousin Linda has lost the sight in one eye almost overnight. She is at Mayo Clinic, and they are trying to decide on a treatment plan for her. Please pray that her sight will be restored and she won't lose sight in her other eye. Thanks.

Carol Smith

4/19/2015 04:05:19 am

Love your newsletter and look forward to your inspirational emails.
Thank you for helping me be a more thoughtful person.

Sharon Paavola link

4/21/2015 01:10:32 pm

I'm currently reading The Heretic by Henry Wyner-Brooks, Abandon by Tim Timberlake, and Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer. Yesterday I wrote and posted four book reviews. Trying to get caught up!

Anne Rightler

5/19/2015 11:09:53 am

Sharon, I read The Heretic and thought it was very good. Funny you mentioned the reviews, I am writing my 4th one in 2 days tonite!. Trying to get caught up :)

Tania Nelzy

4/22/2015 05:21:40 am

Thanks to you I'll soon be reading The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall. I'm so happy I subscribed to your newsletter, its so inspirational to see Christians in a community like this. Thank you and God bless.

Merry

4/22/2015 01:05:46 pm

Pray for my son Aaron, he is having 2 to 7 episodes a day of weakness, racing heart rate, elevated blood pressure, faintness, chest pain. He is was in ER last week and sees more doctors this week. He's lean, fit and otherwise healthy but this has been going on for 2 years and is getting worse. Thanks for your prayers.

Cherie Kasper

4/24/2015 06:11:40 am

Thank you for the prayers. The grandchildren are doing well. I have another request. A brother-in-law, had a knee replacement, got it infected, fixed that but now has strep in his blood. Has a long road ahead of daily IV''s.

Cherie Kasper

4/24/2015 06:17:15 am

I forgot to put down what I was reading, which I can't actually tell you the names of because it's for a National Reading awards program.

Melissa Oldaker

4/25/2015 02:29:05 am

Thanks so much for your blog and giveaways! I am currently reading Once upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck and am loving it!

Sydney Anderson link

5/8/2015 07:30:30 am

I am currently reading Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind by Heidi Ashworth and am loving it. Great regency romance novel. :)

Caryl Kane

5/19/2015 06:05:37 am

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS!

Anne Rightler

5/19/2015 11:14:05 am

Better late than never...happy anniversary and wishes for many more to come. We will be 47 this year.
May you know the blessing of God in your life together.
Anne

Rebecca Maney

5/19/2015 11:31:37 pm

I am an avid reader and also review for multiple launch teams. I love romantic suspense; have just read "Secret Refuge" , "Falcon, and "Taken" in the past seven days!

Maxie

5/20/2015 10:26:32 am

Hi Anne. I am looking forward to my brother's 90th birthday and our family reunion on June 6th. Please all pray that GOD will help us both to well for the event. We hardly ever get to see lots of the family who plan to be here. Thanks for your prayers. GOD bless.
Maxie

Caryl Kane

5/23/2015 09:58:09 am

Hey Anna! Do you and hubby do something special on Memorial Day? Thank you and hubby for your service! May the Lord continue to bless you.

Brenda Knight

5/23/2015 06:06:22 pm

Prayers requested for our neighbors, the Sullivan family. Their patriarch passed away this past week unexpectedly. He leaves behind his wife, 3 grown daughters & families. They are a very close family and really need our prayers to get through this tragedy. Thank you.

Caryl Kane

5/24/2015 04:02:41 am

Anna, how is your writing class coming along? Do you plan to take courses during the summer?

Anne Rightler

5/26/2015 10:56:33 pm

Just finished reading Double Cross by DiAnn Mills.

DK Stevens

5/30/2015 11:35:36 am

I just finished reading Esther.. I really liked it!

Kim Hampton

6/2/2015 02:18:46 am

I just read "Goodbye, Magnolia" by Krista Noorman and it was FANTASTIC!

Bonnie Roof

6/2/2015 11:05:58 am

Glad to learn more about you and your writing, Anna!!

Anne Rightler

6/2/2015 11:54:03 am

Dealing with a parent with dementia is a very sad experience. Healthy in body for an 88 year old anyway, but so very lost in the mind. Thankful for a God who comforts and gives wisdom.

Hope Ellison

6/4/2015 07:20:05 am

Thank you for the giveaway Anna...I love reading your reviews on goodreads and look forward to reading Mesu Andrews' new book!

Caryl Kane

6/5/2015 11:03:55 pm

Anna, thank you for introducing me to Mesu. The cover of The Pharaoh's Daughter is beautiful.

Lori Payer

6/6/2015 03:16:10 pm

Love the cover! Thank you for sharing :)

kim amundsen

6/17/2015 11:37:36 pm

I am reading the amish nanny by patricia David's.

Deb Forbes link

6/18/2015 09:01:24 am

Prayer request for my grandson. We are waiting on test results to see if he has liver disease or not. Thank you

Cathy Lykens

6/19/2015 07:39:11 pm

I'd love to know more about your writing class.

Jody Rigle

6/23/2015 10:36:10 pm

I am reading An Amish Nanny by Patricia David's at this time.
I would like a prayer request that my daughter's legal battle with her ex comes to a peaceful end soon. Thank you

Alaina

6/28/2015 12:56:24 pm

pray for my job search

Alison G. Boss

6/29/2015 05:23:23 am

I am currently reading a Christian historical romance called The Aristocrat's Lady by Mary Moore. It is very good! She is an awesome author. Previously, I read her newest book, Accidental Fiancee, which got me hooked on her writings. She has another book called, Beauty in Disguise, which I will be reading next.

Anna Weaver Hurtt

6/30/2015 05:09:55 am

Those sound excellent, Alison! I haven't read any of her books yet, but I loved the cover of Accidental Fiancee. :)

Katie Edgar

7/5/2015 09:04:20 am

Prayers for healing for Lyme disease, mycoplasma, and other co-infections for myself would be appreciated! Thanks!

Deana Dick

7/16/2015 01:32:22 pm

Please pray for my friend. She has been going through many tests and has found out she will need a liver transplant along with other health problems she is facing.
Thanks
Deana

Alison Boss

7/18/2015 05:07:32 pm

I so appreciate your giveaways & the opportunity to get good books! Thank you!! I currently have been reading Mary Moore's books. I have finished "The Accidental Fiancee" & "The Aristocrat's Lady" & am almost done with "Beauty in Disguise". Her books are Christian historical romance set in the Regency era. They are awesome! :)

Caryl Kane

7/19/2015 10:58:29 pm

Anna, I love reading your blog! Thanks so much for your reviews and giveaways.

Caryl Kane

7/24/2015 09:59:27 pm

Hello Anna! Thank you so much for sharing about this book. We all struggle in our faith walk at times. This books would a great resource. Thanks for the giveaway.

Cherie Kasper

8/4/2015 02:18:31 pm

My prayer request would be for answers about moving out on our own. We live with our son and his wife, and they will be moving on, so do we stay or do we go? I'm reading an e-book and a paperback series of three both of which I received from Book Fun Club to read and review.