The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt

My interest was immediately piqued by the back cover copy of this novel. “With ten marriages between them, three Southern sisters wonder if they’ve inherited they’re grandmother’s tendency for serial marriage.” Although this book is at the heart a sisterhood-style relationship novel, Hunt’s vibrant imagination brings it to life and engages the reader right from the start.

Within the first few chapters we discover that sister Rosemary is planning her own suicide while Penny is about to embark on an affair with a handsome doctor. How’s that to get a relationship novel about love and commitment started with a bang? Trouble also seems to be brewing in the twenty-seven year marriage of the relatable, Christian sister Ginger.

Roesmary’s appointment with suicide is postponed when their deceased grandmother’s beach house is finally sold, and the three women plan to meet there to pack and clean. Their weekend together will reveal a lifetime of secrets and force them to see the world through new eyes. While Hunt takes ample time to develop the intricacies of sisterhood and delve into the past, the present moment crises in each of their lives keeps the story moving at strong pace.

No matter which character you relate to, responsible, duty-bound Ginger, flighty, defensive Penny, or wounded, heartsick Rosemay, this book will leave you in someway changed. Personally, as I approach the second half of my life I find I am more interested in books about how to maintain a marriage and raise a godly family than in books about fairytale romance. This one certainly fit the bill, providing a compelling read while presenting valuable truths. I found myself identifying with each of the women on differing levels and truly enjoyed this journey through the terrain of relationships.

With only one nominally Christian character, the spiritual content of this book is presented in a subtle and very realistic manner. However, by the end the reader is left with a clear Biblical worldview on the subjects of love, marriage, commitment, and forgiveness.

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference

In a few short weeks I'll be heading out to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference where I will be on staff, representing WhiteFire Publishing as an acquisitions editor. This conference holds a special place in my heart, and so I wanted to take a few moments to share with you about it.

We pause for a commercial break....just kidding.

Blue Ridge is special to me for a number of reasons. Two years ago at this time I had never been to a writers conference. The idea scared the heck out of me, but I had been told repeatedly it was something I had to do if I wanted a writing career. Of all the conferences advertised online, Blue Ridge looked the most appealing with its relaxed mountain setting. In March of 2009, I had met a random Christian writer from Roanoke at a book festival, and so Allison and I decided we would bite the bullet together and attend Blue Ridge. Surely even for a die-hard introvert such as myself the conference couldn't be a complete nightmare with a roommate in tow.

Along the drive I followed the tips I had been given about attending conferences. I listened to worship music and prayed that God would direct my paths during the week. When I arrived hours before my security blanket Allison, the mountain scenery was every bit as gorgeous and relaxing as I had hoped. I braved a tour all on my own with business cards in hand, and within the first hour had already made a handful of friends. Allison joined me. We attended dinner and the opening meeting, and by bed time I realized--I had come home.

This conference was my mother ship!!!

After 38 years of walking the planet as a virtual alien, I had found my people. I wasn't shy in this setting. I could talk to anyone. I had more in common with that strange 65-year-old guy at the dinner table than with most of the women at my church. What fun! And the week just got better from there. I found my first agent. I figured out what was still wrong with my novel--enabling me to fix it before sending to said agent and therefore wow her. I was inspired by the speakers. I spent amazing time hiking and chilling in the prayer gardens next to the cool, gurgling mountain stream (okay, I admit it, sometimes in the cool, gurgling mountain stream ;) God even opened unexpected doors for me to minister to others.

By the time I came home I was brimming with energy and my career was at a whole new place. My husband said it was the best $500 he ever spent (oh, did I forget to mention this is one of the most affordable conferences around?)

So if you are a writer in any genre in need of encouragement, instruction, networking opportunities, spiritual refreshment, or even just a lot of fun, I recommend that you check out Blue Ridge this year.

What are you waiting for? I mean now...http://www.brmcwc.com/