Titles By Elaine Littau:

Nan's Heritage Series:


Book I, Nan's Journey

Book II, Elk's Resolve

Book III, Luke's Legacy

Book IV, The Eyes of a Stranger

Book V, Timothy's Home



From the next series - Rescued...A Series of Hope:



Book I, Some Happy Day

Book II, Capture the Wandering Heart

Book III, Walk Slowly Through the Dark



New Series- Nashville

Book I, Six Miles From Nashville

Book II, Christmas in Nashville (Coming soon)





go to http://elainelittau.com/ to order.







I have the first 3 chapters of "Some Happy Day" available to readers for free on my website, http://elainelittau.com/







Thursday, August 26, 2010

Choosing a Cover for Luke's Legacy





Yesterday I was sent selections for covers for Luke's Legacy. I thought I already had in mind exactly what I wanted. The designer came up with some very good ideas. I took a survey of which cover readers liked best. They surprised me by choosing one that I didn't think fit. The second place was very close to the first vote getter. See which ones grab you.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Barbara Taylor Blomiquist, author of Randy's Ride

"How Many Books Did You Read This Year?"
That was a question from a third grade boy that I saw when I spoke to the Wright Elementary School. Lucky for me I was able to say, "Last year I read over 52 books." The Third graders and some of the teachers were breathless. Let me ask you something simular. How many books were you planning to read this summer. Most of the summer is gone. You may need to make a trip to the library or amazon.com and get after it. Let me urge you to do something different. Give a new author a chance. Don't always go for the best seller department. Look for local people or even some of the people I have interviewed here. You may be surprised to find a new favorite author.
I want to introduce Barbara Taylor Blomquist, author of Randy's Ride, to you.

1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
I have two books published to date. Both are authored under my full name - Barbara Taylor Blomquist. The first is "Insight Into Adoption" (now in its second edition) and my second book, (my first novel) is "Randy's Ride".

2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
Some would consider me in 'the golden years'. The benefit of that, however, is as most senior citizens will attest to, we've had many valuable life experiences. I've learned so many lessons from others, mainly having worked for years with conflicted families.

3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I was excited when I was 8 years old and a palm reader told me I would one day be a writer. I don't believe in palm readers and I guess my track record shows it - I didn't write seriously for almost 60 more years! Should have started sooner.

4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
Because I like to learn something when I read, I like to write in the same vein. I like to close a book and say to myself, "I never thought of it that way or I never knew that." So, I try to give readers some informative thoughts, and then it's up to them to agree or disagree. I love to hear readers tell me - "I loved your book. It took me to a place I'd never been and I now understand and am empathetic to adoption issues." Then they add, "But you know, what you write about applies to everyone." When I hear that, I know I've done my job.

5. Are you a reader?
Yes, I love to read, to see how authors put words together to create thoughts and moods.

6. What are you reading right now?
I just finished a book about George Washington I picked up at a charity book fair. It's "George Washington, the Indispensable Man" by James Thomas Flexner. The author condensed four volumes into one.

7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
I'm in the editing phase of my next book, "Matt's Wife". It's the story of a young woman who grew up insecure with her identity, not that unusual for an adoptee. The only thing she wanted in life was to be someone's wife - so she wouldn't have to accomplish anything all by herself. After having three children, she found she wasn't satisfied with her life and still didn't know who she was. Through a series of events, she discovers she, and only she, is responsible for her identity. Although the main character is adopted, the question she needs an answer to applies to everyone.

Both my novels, "Randy's Ride" and "Matt's Wife" address the issue of personal identity, and the main characters are faced with the question, "Who am I?" By the end of both novels they have their answers.

8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
Lack of time. I announce to my family at least once a year that I'm setting aside the next 2 to 3 months to write and/or edit 4 to 8 hours a day. I recommend they call me only in the case of an emergency. They're very understanding.

9. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
"Insight Into Adoption" I wrote as an adoptive parent for other adoptive parents. It addresses issues adoption professionals don't tell you about. In many of my counseling sessions, adoptive parents urged me to put something in writing so they could refer to it when they had pressing issues. Adult adoptees have told me after they have read the book that they thought, "She's writing about me. I've never told anyone how I feel, but this book describes me perfectly." Many have shared it with their adoptive parents to help their parents understand how an adoptee feels as a child. The book explains the unique issues of both adoptees and adoptive parents.

"Randy's Ride" is a story of a teen aged adoptee who leaves a loving home because he feels he doesn't fit it. During 18 months on the road, events and people teach Randy many of life's lessons, including where "home" truly is. The book is about an adopted teenager, but the lesson he learns is a lesson everyone learns sooner or later - that we are responsible for our own lives and it's up to us to make our own individual way in the world.

10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
I can be contacted through email at baybar@juno.com. My website is- barbarablomquist.tatepulishing.net/

My books can be purchased online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble,and Borders or at any book store. In addition, "Randy's Ride" can be purchased through Tate Publishing and "Insight Into Adoption" can be purchased through Charles C. Thomas Publishers.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

August is Here

August is Here!



Many things go through my mind at this time of year. Have I savored the summer? Did I really take time to be aware of everything?

You know how it is. You drive to town and don't even notice the scenery, neighborhood, flowers, or people.

In fact, last June I was headed back to my house from town and finally realized that the wheat was ripe! I am not a farmer, but there are massive wheat fields between my house and town. I didn't see the yellow fields on my way into town.

Things like this bug me. I wonder if I live my life going through the paces. Do you ever find yourself doing that? Let's commit to being aware, savoring moments, living life with our eyes wide open. Lets become aware of the goodness of God all around us.

I want to introduce Mary Lee, an author friend of mine to you.

1.What is your name and the titl
of your book(s)?
My name is Mary Lee. The title of my children’s book is My “Air Force” Mom.

2. What is one thing your readers would like to know about you?
I am a retired Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force after 24 years of service.

3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
My husband and I were vacationing in Black Mountain, NC. Sitting on a swing in the yard of a B&B looking at the mountains, I thought of a poem. I wrote it down and my love for writing was ignited.

4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
My strong points are persistence and being confident enough to accept rejections and keep writing. My method is to write from 1 to 3 pages everyday, some days more but never less. I keep a small notebook of titles and ideas.

5. Are you a reader?
Yes!

6. What are you reading right now?
I just finished reading Deliver Us from Evil, by David Baldacci. Now, I am reading Reckless by Andrew Gross

7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn’t been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
Yes, I am working on another children’s book. I wrote it several years ago but have been tweaking it for some time. I found a book Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul to be so full of information and ideas that I went through her book, completing the exercises. I decided to rewrite my book from the child’s point of view instead of the grandmother’s point of view. My book is about Katie learning to handle bullies at her school using humor. Katie comes to her decision after hearing a story from her grandmother who had used humor to resolve and embarrassing moment in her life.

8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
I need a deadline. I love to start writing, but finishing is a different matter. I overcome this obstacle by submitting my manuscripts to writing contest. This gives me a finish date which is the motivator I need.

9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
A winner in the Children’s Fiction Category of the 73 Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition, My “Air Force” Mom is unique. This picture book explores customs and courtesies of military culture through a child’s eyes. Author Mary Lee takes your child along with her fictional character Susie on a journey of discovery. From military uniforms through a military child’s “rite of passage” full circle to Susie’s development of a sense of pride and patriotism in our country. My “Air Force” Mom shows children that the military offers careers to women as well as men. It gives military moms and dads a book to help their young children begin to understand military life. My “Air Force” Mom gives civilian parents a tool to explain mysteries of military life to their children. Answers to a child’s curiosity are found in My “Air Force” Mom.

10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
Readers may purchase my book at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, Amazon.com, Barnes&noble.com or at Waldenbooks at Sumter Mall in Sumter, SC, and the State Museum Gift Shop, Columbia, SC. My book is available on the Military Writers Society of America website.