New Favorites - Zora and Nicky

I'll admit it. These days I have a hard time finding novels I truly love. Now that I've become a career author/editor, more often than not I read a few chapters and put a the book down never to pick it up again. But here are some of my favorite books that I reviewed during 2013 with links to the reviews. Each of these passed the surprisingly difficult task of actually holding my interest, and I highly recommend any of them.

Soul's Gate and Memory's Door by James Rubart (all time favorites!!!)
Paint Chips  by Susie Finkbeiner
Captured by Moonlight by Christine Lindsay
Prophet by R.J. Larson
The Unveiling  by Tamara Leigh

There was one more book I read and loved this year, but never got around to reviewing, Zora and Nicky by Claudia Mair Burney. This novel actually released in 2010. I heard great things about it from the beginning, and I had meant to read it for years. When I finally got around to it, it not only met my expectations, but surpassed them.

For a novel to really hold my interest, it needs to pass three tests. 1) It has to surprise me. 2) It has to make me think. 3) It has to delight me. Zora and Nicky: A Novel in Black and White passed all three with flying colors (pun intended).

The main theme of the book is racism. I'll admit, I didn't connect with this issue 100%, mostly because both the black and white character were more racist than I'm used to. I feel like my family of origin was another generation or even two removed from the racism represented in this book. But as this is a subject I care about, I enjoyed learning, seeing, and growing through their eyes. And although it's hard to think about it, I don't doubt for one minute that such racism still exists today.

However, in addition to their racial differences, Zora and Nicky were both pastors children, and they came from radically different denominations. This was the part of the book that really delighted me. I also was an assistant pastor's child for many of my growing up years, so I understand the pressures and expectations associated with that. Zora came from a black gospel, charismatic, "word faith" church. I also was raised charismatic and spent my teen years in the word of faith movement. I found Burney's assessment of this movement insightful and fair. She captured many of the pitfalls I saw in those types of churches. She also examined the patriarchal tendencies so common in evangelical churches in general. On Nicky's side, she showed the more legalistic Baptist mindset, which has also played a role in my life. Like both Zora and Nicky, I entered adulthood looking for a faith that was fresh, different, and most of all authentic.

I was also delighted by the many laugh out loud (actually roll around on the bed laughing hysterically so that your family comes to check on you) moments that the book offered. Finally, I was delighted by the intense romance between the main characters. I often find romance novels kind of vanilla and lack luster compared to the real life romance I have experienced. But this one really captured the highs, the lows, and all the nuances in between.

So that covers making me think and delighting me. As for surprising me, Nicky's story was shockingly raw. This is always a surprise in Christian fiction. And while of course I wasn't "delighted" by his temptations and struggles, I was in fact delighted that Burney approached them with such honesty and transparency. I also applaud David C. Cook for their willingness to take a chance and publish this book.

Zora and Nicky has it all. Drama, heart-stopping romance, amazing characters, hysterical humor, and thought-provoking themes. I just couldn't let the year end without taking a moment to praise this amazing book.

What were some of your favorite books this year??

To You and Yours...

Basking in Literature

This weekend I had a truly phenomenal experience. My eleven-year-old son just read Holes in his advanced English class. He told me that he really wanted to watch the movie together. Being the good Mommy that I am, I said, "Sure, honey." The truth was, I remembered this movie from when my older children were his age. At the time, it hadn't caught my interest. It seemed kind of depressing. A bunch of kids forced to dig holes in the hot desert with poison lizards. Not really my thing. So I was surprised when I studied for my Middle School English Praxis exam this summer to learn that Holes, published in 1998, is now recommended young adult literature for school English curriculum.

As it turned out, Holes is a complex, deep, and thought-provoking story. It actually has three separate but related plot lines set in three different times and places that all tie together gorgeously by the end. The writer used so much circularity and continuity to demonstrate the hand of destiny at work that I was completely blown away. And he tossed in delightful, well-crafted touches throughout.

Even better, though, was enjoying this literary marvel through my child's eyes. As we watched the movie, he often paused to give me back story or explain the the plot or tell me about the historical significance of things going on in the story. I could tell how excellent his English teacher is and that my son's mind had been completely engaged in comprehending and critiquing the book on many different levels. He understood the historical significance, the sociological significance, the literary structure, the symbols, and more. He grew through the relationships in the story and his own relationship with the characters. Most importantly, he learned to understand and appreciate literature to a degree he never had before. I sat there thrilled as I watched him basking in the literature. In the pure unadulterated power of story.

Maybe that's why I'm so excited about writing for teens. Teens don't just want fluffy, entertainment reading. They read to learn about the world, to discover new experiences, and to be challenged. They don't mind complex plots or complicated vocabulary. They are willing to engage a tough story and come away changed. For them, literature is one of the many means by which they mature and grow into an adult understanding of the world. They are excited about this, and I'm excited for them!

When is the last time you completely basked in literature? What sort of stories cause you true delight?

My Publishing Journey

(As seen on Novel Rocket)

Recently I read Michelle Griep's Novel Rocket post about her fairy tale publishing journey with David C. Cook's digital first line (A True Fairy Tale). A year ago I was living out a similar fairy tale. With one small press historical under my belt, I was encouraged to write a historical romance. Less than twelve months after I even had the idea for this book, Love in Three-Quarter Time released through a brand new digital first line with a very well-respected company.

But as so often happens in the publishing industry, my experience did not turn out to be a fairy tale. It turned into something more along the lines of a nightmare.

After releasing my lone little book, the new line shut down. I understood this, really I did. I took a risk along with them, and this time around, the risk didn't pay off. But the short version is that my lone little book for the most part fizzled along with the line.

At this point in my career, I turned to God with a lot of tears and anguish. What should I have done differently? Honestly, I couldn't think of a single thing. All that came to mind was an article Gina Holmes wrote in 2011 about God damming up our writing careers (Dam Isn't a Four-Letter Word). The basic idea was that sometimes, even though we are ready as writers, due to other issues in our personal or professional lives, the timing just isn't right.

Now here's the part of the story I didn't mention. Love in Three-Quarter Time was my second published novel, but it was actually the THIRD novel I'd written. In between my first historical and this one, God had laid on my heart the story of a contemporary Muslim woman living in America and her interactions with a blond ballerina wounded by church and a bi-racial hippie chick of the New Age persuasion. A story full of humor, drama, and romance, but much more issue-driven than my other novels. My husband is from the Middle East, and he works in ministry to Muslims, so this story was very special to me.

This is the book that caught my current agent's attention, even though she wasn't sure she could sell it. Evidently the publishers felt the same way, because it had a habit of sitting in committee for lengthy periods of time. Meanwhile, a part of me wasn't sure I even wanted it to sell. I didn't want to be branded as a contemporary “women's fiction” writer. Not to mention that my cross-cultural marriage seemed to be perpetually in crisis, and I wasn't sure if it would be a good career move to highlight that area of my life. Most importantly, though, I was concerned that I might draw negative attention from Muslim readers, and I just wasn't sure how safe that would be.

Around the same time that Love in Three-Quarter time released, due to my husband's involvement with Muslims, we received some threats against our family. At first we were panic-stricken, but before long we adjusted to this new reality. Consequently, my contemporary novel (which is in fact very respectful and loving towards Muslims) now seemed like the least of our problems.

Another thing changed over that year. Suddenly, “New Adult” fiction became the hot thing everyone was talking about. With my twenty something characters searching for meaning and identity, I no longer had to pigeonhole my book as women's fiction just to find a genre that fit.

So back to my publishing story. When spring of 2013 rolled around and I realized that I might not have a 2013 release, I decided to just go for it. I also work as an acquisitions editor for WhiteFire Publishing, so I asked the owners if they'd like to publish my contemporary novel, Dance from Deep Within. Since Roseanna White had been my critique partner on this project and loved it from the beginning, it was a no-brainer.

Another year has past, and Dance from Deep Within released in November. I can't help but think this must have been God's plan all along. If my historical romance had been wildly successful, it would have been a bad career move for me to switch to contemporary so soon. And now I can even announce, my new contemporary novel is going to be a trilogy. I might not make tens of thousands of dollars on this project. And I still want to write historicals too. However, this was the book of my heart.

Now, like Gina, I look back and see that God “dammed up” my career for a purpose. And is it any good? I'll leave you with Novel Rocket's own James Rubart's thoughts on the subject:

“This is not my kind of book. So when I say it went deep into my heart, you’ll know it’s a story that will impact you no matter what genre you typically read. This novel will open your eyes. You’ll start seeing the people around you in a vastly different way than you do right now. And you can’t help but be changed by the three young women who Sleiman portrays with authenticity, penetrating insight, and well crafted prose.” 

~James L. Rubart Bestselling author of Soul’s Gate, and Memory’s Door.

Colonial Roots Cross Cultures

(As seen on Colonial Quills)

My newest novel, Dance from Deep Within, is not Colonial...or even Federalist. So you might wonder why I'm visiting Colonial Quills today. This contemporary style book takes a look at the lives of three young women today: a veiled Muslim, a bi-racial hippie chick of the post modern persuasion, and a blond ballerina. Not exactly the classic colonial subject matter.

But isn't that so typical of America. Even in colonial days we were a melting pot of religions and ethnicities. At some point each of our families began as strangers in a strange land. With Thanksgiving coming, we can't help but remember how the Pilgrims drew from the strengths of the Native Americans to survive in this strange new land.

Gina Welborn, Dina Sleiman, C.J. Chase, Deb Marvin, and Carrie Pagels in Williamsburg

Diversity is a hallmark of American culture. Yet when we think of Colonial Days it is easy to focus on the white, Anglo-Saxon side of the story. Last year when I visited Jamestown with my son's class, they presented a very different portrait. A picture that included American Indians and African slaves as very important parts of the Early-American tapestry. The Europeans never would have survived here on their own. If any of you read my last novel, Love in Three-Quarter Time, you got a glimpse at how these groups all worked together in 1817 Virginia.

But in my new novel, it is Layla Al-Rai, the Muslim-American character, who is still in many ways a stranger in a strange land. Although she was born in America and holds an American passport, she has spent most of her life in a little Muslim bubble in the area of Detroit. She is much more connected to her Lebanese roots and history than to her American roots. Yet she longs to discover the land of her birth and typical American culture.

Part of Layla's journey in the story is learning about the individuality and freedom that are as much a part of the American culture as diversity. Her love interest Mo, a recent convert to Christianity, whisks her away to visit Colonial Williamsburg. There she takes off her veil and lets the breeze flow free through her hair for the first time in many years. Walking its streets alongside horses, carriages, and workers in historical garb, she begins to truly contemplate her American roots. She recalls a novel she read as a child about a young girl, Constance Chambers (roughly inspired by the American Girl novel Felicity), who walked those same streets. She had admired Constance's spirit and her willingness to stand up for a mistreated slave. Suddenly Layla gets it. She wants that sort individuality in her own life. She wants her own relationship with God, not just the religion her parents have dictated. And she wants to stand up for women who are being oppressed by radical Islam.

She wants to experience freedom in the truest sense.

In that moment, a waving flag of red, white, and blue comes to represent everything she is searching for. And later in the story Layla gets to enjoy her first real Thanksgiving among a colorful cast of multi-ethnic characters. It really doesn't get any more American than that.

So if you'd like to explore your American roots through new eyes over this holiday season, check out Dance from Deep Within. And be sure to come back next week for the tea party when we will be celebrating this book at Williamsburg's Shield Tavern.