Stock Your Cupboards First

Have you ever developed mad cravings—while reading a novel?

A few months ago, I plopped down in my trusty rocker, grabbed a book, and pored over the pages. As I read along, the character suddenly smelled bacon frying. The author described the tiny pieces of pork in vivid detail, the precious little lamb chop.

My stomach rumbled as I flipped to the next page. Bacon. Hmm.

I eyed the clock: 2:00 a.m. It was too late to go out, unless I wanted someone to mug me, which I didn’t, so I pushed myself onward, trying to stay focused on the story.

Then the salivating began. A BLT doesn't sound bad right now.

Ahem. I wonder where that thought came from?

I set the book aside, tiptoed to the kitchen, and discovered I didn’t have any bacon, let alone the rest of the ingredients to make a BLT. (It was probably a good thing. I mean, who really wants to cook in the middle of the night? Although I've done it before, it doesn't make my husband too happy, let me tell you.)

Anyway, this has happened to me more times than I can count. I think authors should put food disclaimers on their novels. 

Since there’s no such thing, though, I decided to compile a short list to prevent other readers from going through what I did.

• For an Amish novel, stockpile lots of sweets. Those gals do some serious baking.
• If you’re reading a mystery/suspense/thriller, as well as supernatural suspense, have something crunchy on hand to get you through those edge-of-your-seat moments. Chips, nachos, or pretzels should do. 
• For a romance, well, let’s be honest. Food’s the last thing y’all are thinking about.
• Oh, and for historical novels, I suggest bacon, potatoes, and other hearty morsels of food. Those women knew how to put out quite the spread. 

These are just a few of the genres/foods which come to mind. If you really want to get serious about this, you can check out this new e-book:
Novel Morsels: Your Favorite Authors Bringing Recipes to Life (These authors definitely had us readers in mind, God bless their hearts.)

Just think, you can write down what you need for the recipes in the book, go to the store, and stock your cupboards first. When one of those cravings hits you, you'll be all set.

Mind Over Madi Rocks!

Well, I finally made it. I’ve officially joined the ranks of my fellow bloggers. I’m happy to announce that my first post won’t be about me. Can you believe that?

Okay, y’all can stop clapping now.

Ahem.

Anyway, I'd like to start this new venture by promoting a fellow writer. Her name is Lynda Lee Schab. After you read her debut novel, Mind Over Madi, which releases on November 15, you’ll understand why. The woman has talent, I tell you!

Madi Lee McCall, age 38, has some issues. Actually, she’s had them for thirty years, thanks to her mother, Maxine, who has told Madi a gazillion times that all men cheat. As far as Maxine is concerned, all men are pigs. Can you imagine?

As a result, Madi’s only sure of three things.

1.      Princes only exist in fairy tales.

2.      Being a princess is way over-rated.

3.      Food (especially pizza) provides excellent first aid for broken hearts.

After Madi finds lipstick on her husband, Richard’s, collar, though, in a shade of blazing brown to be exact, she knows what her mother told her was right. 

All men do cheat. 

Pigs.

To make matters worse, Madi knows whose luscious lips left the smudge on Richard's collar—the provocative Fawn Witchburn. Couldn't her husband have chosen someone a little more...classy?

The nerve.

Madi tells Richard to move out of the house. Now all she has to do is break the news to her three kids: Max, Christina, and Emily.

Maybe she should eat some Edy’s Dibs first.

As if things aren’t bad enough, Christina gets in trouble at school for popping Paige Hardaway in the nose. Madi worries about Paige’s mother suing her.

Then there’s Sam, a girl with pitch-black hair (tinted with pink streaks), not to mention a gold ring that protrudes from her bottom lip. Sam is “hot” for Max.

Oh, little Emily, the youngest of the three, wants to know one thing. Why won’t Madi tell Daddy to come back home?

And Vino’s can’t deliver a pizza on time.

Could things get any worse?

Actually, yes. According to Madi's best friend, Sylvie Williams, Madi Lee McCall has lost herself. Her risk-taking spirit has now turned into a wimpy one.

At least Sarah Price, Madi’s psychologist, has some encouraging news. “What you need to realize, Madi, is that you are a princess. Whether you feel like one or not, God sees you as royalty.”

The problem? Madi doesn’t see herself the same way Sarah does. What’s a woman to do?

There are numerous twists, not to mention a cast of wonderful characters, which kept me turning the pages of this book all the way to the end.

Mind Over Madi will make you laugh, cry, and see how available God's grace is to all of us—no matter what storms in life might come our way.  

Meet the author:

LYNDA LEE SCHAB got her writing start in greeting cards (Blue Mountain Arts, Dayspring) and from there went on to write articles and short stories (Mature Living, Christian Home & School) and in many places online (including www.Examiner.com and www.wow-womenonwriting.com), but her passion has always been fiction. 

Mind Over Madi, her debut novel, is near and dear to her heart. Lynda admits she has a lot in common with the character of Madi. Not only are they both addicted to ice cream, chocolate, and computer games, they struggle with the same types of insecurities and continually require a hefty dose of God’s grace.

Lynda works behind the scenes at FaithWriters.com and is a member of ACFW. She is a regular book reviewer for FaithfulReader.com and is the Grand Rapids Christian Fiction Examiner and the National Writing Examiner for Examiner.com. Mind Over Madi received Runner-up in the 2007 FaithWriters Page Turner contest, was a finalist in the 2007 RWA Get your Stiletto in the Door contest, and won second place in the 2008 ACFW Genesis contest, Chick Lit Category. Lynda lives with her husband, Rob, and two teenagers in Michigan.

Lynda's Website: www.lyndaschab.com.

Lynda's Blog: on-the-write-track.blogspot.com. 

Connect with Lynda on Facebook and Twitter: Facebook and Twitter.