THE SECRET IS OUT - Blog tour

Back to our regularly scheduled tour.

To celebrate the release of my first novel, I'm touring the world (including South Africa, France, Canada, and all over the U.S.A.) via the internet. I'll be visiting a variety of blogs to be interviewed, to share a guest article, or to be part of drawings for The Secret Life of Becky Miller.

You're invited to enjoy THE SECRET IS OUT Blog Tour. Travel with me from site to site and meet some great new people! If you have a website or blog and would like me to visit your site, I still have a few days open for the tour. Let me know!

Here's where I'll be each day in June:

June 1. Becky Miller
June 2. Tiff Amber Miller
June 3. Valery Sykes
June 4. Janet W. Butler
June 5. Camy Tang
June 6. Mary Griffith
June 7. Sharon Hinck
June 8. Lisa Harris
June 9. Julie Carobini
June 10. Tricia Goyer
June 12. Violet Nesdoly
June 13. Jamie Driggers
June 14-15. Ruth Anderson
June 15-30 Amy Wallace
June 16. Melanie Dobson
June 17. Donna Fleisher
June 20. Mary DeMuth
June 22. Karen Hancock
June. 26 April Choate
August 30 Maryann Diorio

A Day at Home

Wow! It's been a fun first week of my whirlwind blog tour. I've bared my soul and answered some tough questions, I've giggled with old friends, and met some great new people.

When I planned the blog tour, I decided to schedule a pit stop back home since it's my birthday and anniversary week.

The last months have been so interesting and full of change, that I'm feeling very grateful, and not quite as wistful as I sometimes do this time of year. Still, I always indulge in a little existential angst during the days around my birthday. Am I making the most of my life? Do I bring a smile of pleasure to my Heavenly Father? Am I available? Authentic?

I received a great email this week from someone asking those same sorts of questions about her parenting skills. She said something very wise. "I used to ask God to fill in the gaps in my parenting. Now I realize He does it ALL, and I'm blessed to get to be a part of how He works."

I'm feeling that way about my life. I used to ask God to bless my plans and dreams and goals. I asked Him to fill in the spaces I might miss. Now I ask Him each day what His plan and dream and goal is for the day where He might want me.

Shall we do that together? Join me, if you like.

Dear Lord,
I stop. I hold still. I wait for your Word to me. I'm here in the vineyard, ready for another day. What would you like me to do today? Thank you for your love that is as constant as the air I breathe. Thank you for your amazing creativity at bringing glory from ashes . . . especially the ashes of my failures. Help me walk with a light tread today, listening for your change of course at any time. Whether you ask me to prune, to weed, or to harvest. Whether you call me to a crowded row of laborers or to a solitary corner of the vineyard. I am here to serve you with joy in my heart . . . and gratitude for the gift of another day of life. Amen.

THE SECRET IS OUT - Blog Tour

To celebrate the release of my first novel, I'm touring the world (including South Africa, Canada, and all over the U.S.A.) via the internet. I'll be visiting a variety of blogs to be interviewed, to share a guest article, or to be part of drawings for The Secret Life of Becky Miller.

You're invited to enjoy THE SECRET IS OUT Blog Tour. Travel with me from site to site and meet some great new people! If you have a website or blog and would like me to visit your site, I still have a few days open for the tour. Let me know!

Here's where I'll be each day in June:

June 1. Becky Miller
June 2. Tiff Amber Miller
June 3. Valery Sykes
June 4. Janet W. Butler
June 5. Camy Tang
June 6. Mary Griffith
June 7 Sharon Hinck’s Home Blog
June 8. Lisa Harris
June 9. Julie Carobini
June 10. Tricia Goyer
June 12. Violet Nesdoly
June 13. Jamie Driggers
June 14-15. Ruth Anderson
June 16. Melanie Dobson
June 17. Donna Fleisher
June 20. Mary DeMuth
June 22. Karen Hancock
June 25. Lena Nelson Dooley
June. 26 April Choate

Learning the Lessons of Becky Miller

Lately, I've found myself feeling overwhelmed with a zillion details relating to my writing life. I've grown frustrated with myself because I don't have enough energy, skill, or hours in the day for everything I could/should be doing as an author, wife, mom, church member, friend, neighbor, daughter.

This morning as I prayed and whined to God again about how little He has to work with in me (and why not make me smarter, faster, stronger--bionic?), I realized it was time for me to face some facts.

I AM a flawed, human, broken, limited person.

Ignoring that fact leads me to run faster and harder and spin my wheels in a frenzy of efforts that make me less available to love those around me.

That's when it hit me. That was very much the struggle Becky Miller faced in The Secret Life of Becky Miller. She felt that as a Christian (with God's strength at her beck and call) she should be able to perform at a superhuman level. She demanded it of herself.

Yet when God calls us to rely on His strength, He's not inviting us to take His place. To try to BE God. He's promising the resources we need as His little children doing our humble, clumsy best for Him. Big difference!

It's a little embarrassing that I can write a whole book about a character trying to be Supermom (developed from my own warped overachieving of the past) and still continue to be clueless today about ways I'm slipping into that. I want to wear a "Superwriter" cape. But the truth is, the only SUPER One is God.

Lord, today we take off the mantle of "savior of the world and manager of the universe" and offer it back to you with repentent hearts. We are your children and that is enough. Guide us in each small way of service today, and let that service come from a heart of love. When we stumble and even when we fail, let us rejoice that your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Amen!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Fantasy Novels by Christian Authors

This week, several fans of Christian fantasy are highlighting the genre on our blogs.
I've added a link to Tim Frankovich's "Focus on Fantasy" page. He has reviewed several of the major CBA novels to come out in recent years.

My love affair with fantasy began in my early reading years. In high school I stumbled across Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength, all by C.S. Lewis. The power and beauty of these sci-fi novels showed me that Christian writers can use a variety of genres to tell stories that reflect the passion of their spiritual journey. Perelandra remains one of my favorite novels of all time, and did more to help me understand the issues of temptation, free will, the fall, and redemption that some of my college theology classes.

Because I read Stephen Donaldson, Anne McCaffrey, and other prolific fantasy authors, I was delighted to discover Stephen Lawhead. And of course, in college I immersed in Lord of the Rings (appropriately right before a rigorous back-packing trip...gave me true appreciation for all the hiking and slogging the poor fellowship endured).


Recently, Karen Hancock's Legends of the Guardian King series has made me sigh with joy with the sheer pleasure of getting lost in a different world and following epic journeys that inspire me when my own life feels overwhelming.

Ted Dekker's Black, Red, and White series has described another fantasy world that helps inform our understanding of the battle between good and evil.

If fiction is sometimes better able to convey truth than non-fiction (which I believe is true)...then fantasy fiction is especially powerful in conveying underlying truths--especially in themes of courage, quest, temptation, sacrifice, and hope against all odds.

Take a peek at Tim's site, and the Edenstar website this week. If you've never dipped into a fantasy before, I encourage you to try it. Fantasy is not just for geeky high school boys. I'm a soccer mom. Not the typical demographic. But my life and faith have been enriched by fantasy novels.

BLESSINGS!
Sharon Hinck

Playing "Let's Pretend"

Jo in Little Women, Anne of Green Gables fame, Nellie Bly. In childhood, when I read about characters who were writers, my heart beat with a sense of recognition. Telling stories, searching for the perfect word, noticing life from unusual angles--it's all part of the writing journey that fits me like an old tweed jacket with elbow patches.



But doing my first book signing for The Secret Life of Becky Miller challenged my brain. Part of me still feels like I'm playing "Let's Pretend to be a Writer." So I dressed up, arrived, and saw the huge sign with my picture and book cover in Barnes and Noble.

How did it feel?

Surreal! When would the store manager call security to chase the imposter away from the author table? When would a customer crack open a book and say, "Ah, ha! The pages are blank!"?

Once I realized that wasn't happening, I had a blast. I loved chatting, handing out little freebies, and thanking people in person for taking a chance on purchasing a book from a new author. I felt incredible gratitude for this opportunity. There are MANY gifted writers who haven't yet found a publisher. I know. I've read manuscripts far better than my books. I recognize that having a book in print is a rare and precious gift. So I appreciated every moment. These photos show me with author Allison Bottke who was also signing her debut novel, and my friend Becky McClain who gracious dressed up as BECKY MILLER to add some fun to the event.

Even better were emails I received the next day. "I started reading your book and couldn't put it down. You describe feelings I didn't know how to put into words."

What an amazing example of God's grace. He can stir a dream, provide support and open doors, and create something that can be a blessing to others--all out of our very ordinary, flawed lives.

Because of Him, we don't have to play "Let's Pretend." We are truly loved, cherished, and called to a purpose.

Blessings,
Sharon Hinck

You're Invited!

Saturday, May 13th, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Burnsville, Minnesota, Barnes and Noble store, Allison Bottke and I will be signing our debut novels. If you live in the Twin Cities area, please stop in to say hello! I'm excited that a general market book store is willing to have two writers who deal with Christian themes in their books come in for a signing.

If you can't make it, call your local bookstore and ask if they've gotten their copies in yet. :-)
The Secret Life of Becky Miller should be arriving to your area soon.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

The Birth of a Book

Today I got a call from my dear editor. "Sharon, I'm holding your book in my hands. Do you want to come over and get a copy?"

Did I?

I raced the few miles over to Bethany House, hoping any police who might catch me speeding would understand that I was giving birth . . . to my first novel.

And there it was at the reception desk, waiting for me. Shiny, beautiful, REAL.

I fingered the raised letters, touched the glossy cover with awe, breathed in the sent of paper and ink . . .

And felt deep gratitude. It was only a few years ago that I was asking God WHY He had called me to write and IF anyone would ever read my stories besides a handful of family and friends. I would wander the book aisles in Target, Barnes and Noble, and our local Christian bookstore, and get weepy because of the longing God had planted in my heart--not a longing I had stirred up on my own . . . but one HE kindled--to one day see my book on those shelves.

Each step has been a miracle of God's patience, guidance, and provision. God says that He remembers we are dust. Well, I've felt very "dusty" during the past few years. I won't bore you with the details of just how frail, weary, and wobbly I often feel--or the weaknesses of mind and body and circumstance that have made this journey extra challenging. But I have to acknowledge them because it shows what a remarkable God we serve. The God who multiplies fishes and loaves, who celebrates a widow's mite, who uses spit and mud to bring sight can bring good things where they are not deserved and don't even seem possible.

Thank you, Lord, for loving us and designing myriad artistic ways to express that love. Thank you for the written word and for the gift of stories. Thank you that you planted a tale in my mind and helped me wrestle the sentences into order. I pray that my little story will give you pleasure and bring encouragement to others. Amen.

In Him,
Sharon Hinck

Having a Mary Heart . . .

...In a Martha World.

While I was at Mount Hermon Writer's Conference, I had the joy of meeting Joanna Weaver, author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.





My women's small group had just begun using this book for our weekly Bible study, and I recommend it to EVERYONE. In many ways, it shares the themes of The Secret Life of Becky Miller, but from a non-fiction direction.

I feel especially blessed to be studying Joanna's book at this time in my life. As I prepare for my first book to launch, and have three others in the pipeline, I've never been more tempted to be a "Martha" and become "worried and upset by many things." Anxiety threatens to steal my joy. Fear tempts me to doubt God's sufficiency.

As I prayed about how overwhelmed I'm feeling, I realized I'm like a child receiving a big, shiny, new bicycle. It's everything I've ever longed for. I'm thrilled. But it's bigger than I realized and doesn't have training wheels. How comforting that I can ask my Father to hold the bike for me as He teaches me how to ride.

Whatever new challenges you face this week, I pray you feel the secure hands of our God holding your handlebars and guiding you, and that you enjoy the excitement of wind in your face.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

Seeing a Book Being Published

Today I had the giddy pleasure of getting a tour of Bethany Press and WATCHING while my book's cover was printed. My Book Buddies will get the photo-tour (I took lots of pictures) so if you are interested, be sure to sign up to be a Book Buddy
But here are a few pictures. I'm standing by the place were 32-page bundles are assembled and glued to a cover. The second photo is of the cover proofsheet, with the various layers showing which part will be glossy and which will be matte, and which parts will be embossed. The final photo is one of a printer guy studying the colors on the test printing and the proof sheet for my cover. They were so kind to me, and gave me several test sheets to bring home. I told them all that they are doing a wonderful thing by creating books. I feel like I was in Santa's workshop for a day, or Keebler's cookie-tree. Clearly it's a place where magic happens. :-)
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

My First Review

Writing a novel was fun. Having a publishing house decide to publish it was fun. But the realization that people would soon be reading my book hit me like a John McEnroe serve between the eyes.

So I'm HUGELY relieved and very grateful to have passed the milestone of my first review.

I've had authors who are also friends write kind things about my book, but this is someone I've never met who recieved my Advanced Reader Copy that goes out to reviewers. So I'm counting this as my first OFFICIAL review. :-)

You can read the post at

NOVEL REVIEW

I don't want to give away too much,
but here's a clue.

I'm Snoopy-dancing around my office.

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House Publishing, 2006)

A Bald Eagle

There are times I feel a hunger deep in my gut. Not for pizza or a salad, but for better words. For the ability to string those words together with more power.

This week my daughter and I saw something on the ice-covered pond behind our house. We live in the city, but are blessed to back up against some wetlands, so we often enjoy spotting critters. Bunnies galore, muskrats, Canadian geese, mallards, turtles, an occasional heron that takes my breath away, and snowy egrets. They all inspire me as a writer - to invent metaphors for their beauty, or their unique ways of moving, or their noisiness.

But this time we saw a Bald Eagle tearing up his dinner out on the ice.

In Alaska I once saw a dozen Bald Eagles circling overhead. But this was my own, fairly urban backyard!

My chest ached with the knowledge that my use of words wasn't skilled enough to describe the experience.

I'm humbled to realize how far I still have to go in my writing skills. I often flounder to string together sentences that are adequate to share an insight, a moment, a tiny truth or experience. I'm also excited, because I know that for the rest of my life, I'll have fun trying.

Blessings,

Sharon

--Sharon's debut novel, The Secret Life of Becky Miller, is available to order now, and will hit stores the end of May.

End Cap Musings

Today's photo shows a book store end cap display.
It's a cardboard shelf unit that a bookstore has the option to buy. It sits at the end of an aisle and showcases special books.

The idea of an end cap has triggered some interesting emotions for me.

First of all, I'm thrilled. Thrilled that the publishing house cares enough about my book to include me with three other terrific authors. Grateful that they are making this investment . . . along with all the rest of the financial risk they are taking by publishing a brand new author.

Second, I'm scared. Will my book do what it's supposed to? Will Bethany House Publishing House's trust in me be justified?

Third, I feel oddly like a can of soup. You know those displays at the end of grocery store aisles? When I wasn't a published novelist, I could think of writing as pure art. But as an author being paid for her work, the book becomes a commodity. That's not an evil thing. If the publishing house doesn't make money, they can't afford their building, their staff, all the myriad expenses of creating books. But it's still taking some getting used to. Especially on days like today when I'm not sure I'll be able to crank out the next batch of soup.

I'm living in the place of tension between art and commerce. A book is a tangible item that can be sold - NEEDS to be sold in order to fulfill its purpose. But the creation of characters and stories is more ephemeral. More personal. More spiritual.

Maybe it's okay to be a can of soup. Soup can be comforting, nourishing, spicy, fragrant. I hope when people grab my book from the end cap this summer and read it, they'll think it's "Mmmm, Mmmm, Good."

By the way, if you didn't see it yet, Novel Journey interviewed me yesterday, and I shared openly about my writing neuroses. Feel free to check it out!

Blessings!
Sharon Hinck

My Zigzags at U-turns

This week, I'm guest-blogging at God Allows U-turns.
Please pop on over to visit!
I'll be sharing thoughts about how God can use the U-turns in our lives, and how He led me on the zigzag path toward becoming an novelist.
Hope to see you there!
You can post comments and questions here.
Blessings!
Sharon

Minnesota Spring

Greetings!
Just wanted to share the view from my front porch on this fine spring morning.
Looks like a great day for cocoa and some writing time.
Here's a big snow angel to you!
Love, Sharon

Ministry in the Midst of Motherhood

Today, I invite you to pop on over to the Faith Chicks blog to see my post about Untamed Words. While you're there, be sure to check out the great informal thoughts from a group of warm, wonderful, witty authors.

http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/faithchick/

Tomorrow, I'll be speaking to a Christian Mom's Fellowship on the topic, "Not so Desperate Housewives: Finding Ministry in the Midst of Motherhood." Preparing the talk has been a great reminder for me of Galatians 1:10. We serve not to win the approval of man, but of God.

Calvin Miller wrote that "We are trustees of our glorious individuality." (in his book, INTO THE DEPTHS OF GOD). I love both the challenge and the bliss of those words.

Frederick Buechner said, "Vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's deepest need."

One of my favorite Bible verses is John 15:16, which promises that our lives and service can bear fruit...fruit that will last. My brain can't wrap around the concept of eternity, yet that is the "long view" that God takes. And He invites us to be part of that work. Because of Him, the little ways that we serve can have eternal fruit.

Even in the midst of Mommy Exhaustion (a very specific form of the "Tyranny of the Urgent") God invites us to join Him in finding ways to minister to the world with the gifts He's given us.

In my debut novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER, Becky wants to do Something Big for God, but misses the point that her small choices can make a difference in God's kingdom. Ministry isn't about running from service to spouse and children, or running in circles, or running ourselves ragged...but about being open to opportunities during all seasons of our life.

Lord, open our eyes to specific needs you call us to meet today - both inside and outside the home.

Collecting Shells

Last weekend I had the privilege of walking on a long, sunny beach. For this Minnesota girl, feeling sand between my toes in February was nothing short of miraculous. The sand was covered with thousands of shells and I couldn’t wait to start collecting—hunting for treasures and dodging foaming waves.

As I watched an endless progression of waves sweep in to deposit scallops and conchs, I realized that every day I walked on this beach there would be new possibilities. New colors or shapes or designs to discover. If I trudged with my head down determined to find one particular kind of shell, I could spend a wasted day and return feeling I’d failed. But if I waited to see what new blessings scattered onto the shore, something new and special would find me.

Lord, each day you bring me new treasures in all shapes and sizes. Give me patience to let the waves carry those blessings in. Give me openness to see the variety before me. Give me gratitude for your creativity and abounding goodness. Each day, let me collect your gifts of unexpected encounters, precious relationships, challenges to face, beauty to enjoy. And on those days where the beach of my life looks empty, let me enjoy the feeling of sand between my toes while I wait for the next wave. Amen.

Christian Fiction in the News

Last week, I had a great chat with Molly Millett from the St. Paul Pioneer Press about the growth and diversity of Christian fiction. Her article appeared in the Sunday paper, and you can read it at

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/13777287.htm

There’s a brief description of THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER, and a great quote from my editor, Charlene Patterson. Molly interviewed Carol Johnson (V.P. at Bethany House Publishing) and other Christian authors—particularly those writing chick-lit or mom-lit.

There is also a sidebar of recommended books, including BECKY MILLER, that you can view at

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/13805769.htm

Molly included this quote of mine from our interview: “So many women I know attend church and pray; faith is a normal, integral part of their lives. But in general fiction, it is often ignored or washed out of the story.”

I believe that within all good stories, there is an element of a faith journey. A character grows, changes, confronts challenges, and evaluates what really matters. In my books, I’m open with the ways that the God of the Bible intersects my characters’ lives. My hope is that this aspect of the story will not be didactic and preachy, but will convey the truthful struggles many of us face.

Want to hear more from the variety of Christians writing “lit”? Visit the Faithchicks Blog at

http://www.faithchick.com/

I post there on the first Tuesday of each month. But I enjoy reading the other posts even more. Be sure to look through the archives. Great thoughts from great ladies of faith.

Confessions of a self-absorbed writer

I want to be humble. Self-effacing. Casual about the fact that I have a novel coming out in June.

Instead, I find ways to work it into every conversation.

"That'll be $7.65 for the chips and pop, Ma'am."

"Here you go. And speaking of snacks, I need to snack a lot because I'm working on a new novel. I have a book coming out. . . "

Not only that, I've begun to obsessively check my standing on amazon.com. As soon as the book was posted I delighted in googling the title over and over.

Then I discovered the scary fact that I could see my book's ranking among all the books on amazon.com.

Mind you, the book is not available. It comes out in June, 2006. So there are no sales yet.

But I can't help it. I keep checking in on my ranking. I've crashed below one million other books by now.

You'd think the fact that there ARE a million other books listed on amazon would be enough to humble me. Instead I dream of when the book releases and people order it on amazon and I rocket up to 700,000 from the top.

Is there a "Top 700,000 List" for book sales?

Sometimes I just have to laugh at myself.

But self-absorption is no laughing matter. Self-importance is an ugly sin. It's my twisted tool to convince myself I'm valuable. . . instead of taking my value from the true place--from being a dearly loved child of God.

Lord, change my heart. Let me be absorbed in Your beauty and majesty and forget myself. Let me have Your love for others that values them above myself. Let me have the confidence that comes from knowing that I belong to You, so I don't have to measure my worth by my "To Do" list. Oh, and Lord . . . have I mentioned I have a book coming out? . . .

INTERVIEW: Mary DeMuth

Sharon: Today I have the privilege of welcoming prolific and skilled author, Mary DeMuth to my blog. I know you’ll enjoy getting to know her as much as I have!

Hi, Mary!

Thanks so much for dropping by my blog for a visit.

Your new book, Building the Christian Family You Never Had, addresses the challenges of setting a new course in parenting when there are issues you don’t want to emulate from your family of origin. You share poignantly about your own childhood. Neglect and abuse are tragic experiences to heal from. As you speak with other Christian parents, what are some of the other past childhood experiences that make it difficult to create the family they desire in the present?

Mary: Indifference is probably one of the hardest things to recover from. At least with raging parents, you know there is emotion, but with indifferent parents, a child has a hard time navigating that. Does my dad love me? Want me? Does my mom think I was a mistake? And then what usually flows out of that is a hyper sense of self-reliance. If I am going to make it through life, I will have to take care of myself. That’s a hard pattern to break because to parent differently, we need Jesus. We need His strength in our weakness, but if we’ve spent our entire lives being strong (in ourselves) it’s harder to rely on Jesus for our healing.


Sharon: Since you are living in France, you have a unique opportunity to experience a different cultural view of family. How do key values of parenting differ in France, or how are they similar to the U.S.?

Mary: They are very different. At my children’s school, I’ve been asked what I do. When I say I’ve written parenting books, a puzzled expression comes over them, and then I am asked, “Oh, so you must be a child psychologist.” When I told my dentist who was fluent in English about my parenting books, he said, “Parenting? I don’t know that word.” I’ve found there really isn’t an equivalent. The French don’t think that way. They raise their kids the best they know how, but would be reluctant to grab a book off the shelf about raising children.

Sharon: Completely off the parenting topic, I read in your book that you loved the song “One Tin Soldier” when you were young. So did I! I still burst into late 60s, early 70s songs at the slightest provocation. What are some of your other favorites? I sang “Blowin’ in the Wind” for hours alone in my room with my guitar. I also loved a song my 6th grade teacher taught me that started, “Tell me why you’re cryin’ my son…” and the chorus was “If you take my hand my son, all will be well when the day is done.” (Ah, we’re back to parenting) ☺

Mary: Well, I still have an old Young Life songbook in my possession. I hope I didn’t steal it! And in there is the famous “Cats in the Cradle” song, which does relate to parenting! So, there, I brought it back around!

Sharon: I particularly related to Chapter 14, “A Funny Thing Happened While Raising My Kids.” I also tend to be too serious, hyper-responsible, and have difficulty initiating and entering into FUN with the kids. What are some activities you’ve done with your children recently that have raised the fun level in your home?

Mary: We’ve been doing a more hands-on church with them in this transitional period. (We are church planters in France and our church is not yet up and running. We have our first preview service on Palm Sunday). So, we’ve been doing a more artistic approach. We’ve used www.soulpersuit.com where there are incredibly well-written bible studies that have an artistic element. So, we’ll study lament psalms, for instance, and then write our own lament and then create an art project around that. Right now we’re studying Esther, so we made Esther paper dolls. (You can see our creations on the soulpersuit site). It’s been incredibly fun. We’re also trying to keep a Sabbath on Sunday, so we do life-giving things together like take walks or create little art projects together or play games.

Sharon: Thanks for writing this tremendous book. It’s the book I wish I’d had years ago before I wore myself out with formula books and efforts to be a perfect parent!

Hey, everyone, you can find the book in your local stores, or at amazon.com. This is one you’ll want on your “books to keep forever” shelf.

Mary: Thanks so much for having me, Sharon! I’m so glad the book blessed you!