Best Blog Post of the Week

March 12, 2016March 25, 2018 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

I subscribe to about twenty blogs, not that many when you consider the millions of possibilities out there. But with a day job and writing the Isabella Alden blog and all the tasks associated with it, my time always seems to disappear each day before I run out of things to do. Hence my short list of blogs I make a point of reading.

One blog I never miss is InspyRomance, published jointly by a group of contemporary Christian fiction writers. InspyRomance is where I get to know the people who write the books I most enjoy reading, and learn about their successes and new book releases.

Last month Staci Stallings began a series of posts titled, In the Temple. I always enjoy Staci’s clear, straight-forward writing style; and in these posts, she didn’t disappoint me. In fact, she couldn’t have been more clear and straight-forward!

Her Part II post last Monday about the meaning of “the Temple”—where Mary and Joseph found Jesus after the Passover feast—was a mini revelation to me.

Have you ever read a blog post that made the light bulb go off in your head? That’s how I felt after reading Staci’s Part II post. Her message was a beautiful little nugget of truth that left me wondering how I’ve lived so many years not “getting” the point of the the New Testament story of Jesus in the Temple.

If you missed them, you can read the posts here:

In the Temple, Part I

In the Temple, Part II

I’ve re-read the posts every day this week as part of my morning prayers and devotions. They’re beautiful reminders to me of Christ’s true and constant presence in my life (whether I recognize it or not).

I hope you’ll check out Staci’s posts and let me know if they have a ring of truth for you, too.

Some Love for My Home Town

March 2, 2016March 25, 2018 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

Every day I thank God that I live in Denver, Colorado. I love everything about the city, from its great year-round weather to its beautiful scenery. I even featured part of the downtown skyline on the cover of my novel, Ask Me Again (that’s the “cash register” building in the background on the left, as seen from Washington Park).

Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks Denver is downright awesome. Today U.S. News and World Report released their annual list of the best places to live, and Denver drew the Number 1 spot! You can read the article here.

I’ve always been a little partial to the place myself, and I love taking advantage of all the city has to offer. Just last weekend I was in my usual center seat at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts when they presented A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, the 2014 Tony winner for Best Musical. Here’s a performance of one of my favorite scenes from the play:

I had such a good time and laughed a lot! I hope you get a chance to see a production of this clever, music-filled romp about love, murder, and the British aristocracy.

And please come visit Denver and see for yourself how great a place it is to live. There’s always room for more!

More Gifts for Book Lovers

December 11, 2015March 25, 2018 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

I love getting catalogs in the mail, especially at Christmas time. Often, catalogs have items that I haven’t found anywhere else, or they spark a gift-giving idea I wouldn’t have been able to come up with on my own.

Since I’m a book lover, most of my friends and loved ones are, too (birds of a feather, you know), so I was glad to find these gifts that are perfect for writers and/or readers, and still fit my budget.

I found these nightshirts in a catalog from Catalog Favorites (you can click on any of the images to be taken to their website):

I found these socks at CatalogFavorites.com. I saw them on Amazon, too, where they have more color options:

And since we can never have too many tee shirts in our wardrobes, these book-themed shirts are on Amazon, too:

As I was putting this post together, I realized that I wouldn’t mind getting one of these book-themed gifts myself. Hopefully, whoever drew my name for Secret Santa is paying attention (hint!).

Happy shopping, everyone!

p.s. I should mention that I’m not an affiliate of Amazon or Catalog Favorites.

With Winter in Mind

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

Once the calendar turns to November, I get the urge to hibernate. As soon as I get the signal that cooler temps and the first snow fall are on their way, I switch to cabin-in-the-woods mode. It’s time to hunker down beside the fireplace with a cup of tea, my favorite throw across my legs, and a book.

Rather, books.

Lots and lots of books.

Stocking up on reading material is part of my ritual. I spend the month of October browsing bookstores (brick-and-mortar as well as on-line) and gather stacks of books like squirrels gather nuts. My To-Be-Read pile grows to an impressive height.

I collect new novels by authors I love. I choose books by authors I’ve not yet read, and I make a point of selecting books by fellow indie authors.

Today I engaged in my annual Kindle eenie-meenie-minee-mo ceremony and my finger landed on the book that will inaugurate my personal 2015 Winter Reading Fest:

A Man of Some Repute by Elizabeth Edmondson. I have high hopes for this book and I’m ready to dive in. It already ticks a couple of boxes for me:

It’s by an author I’ve never read before
It’s an Agatha Christie-ish mystery (somehow, mysteries just read better in cooler months)

Now that I have my pile of books (that will grow and ebb over the next five months), and I’ve selected my first read of the season, I’m officially ready for winter. My cabin in the woods is complete.

How about you? Are you ready to spend your winter reading?

Without My Lists I’d Be Listless

October 28, 2015October 28, 2015 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

Many years ago I read The Book of Lists by David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace, and Amy D. Wallace. It was a best-seller that captivated me and millions of other readers.

As the title suggests, it was a compilation of weird facts and fascinating trivia that was downright addictive (I also read the sequels, The Book of Lists 2 and The Book of Lists 3).

Something in those books clicked with me and I became a creator of lists. Many years later, I still use lists to organize my day, keep track of family members’ birthdays and anniversaries, and remind myself of seasonal tasks around the house.

I list books I want to read, books I have read, movies recorded on my DVR, and items to add to my next Amazon Prime order.

Why am I a lister? Because it’s immediately rewarding. There’s a certain amount of gratification I get when I cross an entry off my list. It’s empowering and no matter what else happens that day, I know I had at least one triumph. I accomplished something. I can point to my success. It’s there in black and white on the page: a bunch of letters symbolizing a need, want or requirement, with a big old black line running through it. I’m a winner.

But there can be a downside, too. If I reach the end of my day and have to carry a task over from one day to another, I feel a little bit of pressure. Did I not manage my time well? Was I over-confident in my abilities to get everything done? Was that hour I spent playing Candy Crush (which I justified with an “I deserve it because I’ve been working so hard”) a mistake?

The truth is, I don’t have to perform some deep analysis to know why I didn’t get through every task on my list; in my heart (and head) I already know I wasn’t as focused and efficient as I could have been. And If I’m really serious about achieving the goals I set for myself in all my many lists, I know I have to get on track and stay there. I know I have to make coffee in my own kitchen instead of jumping in the car and heading to Starbucks. I know I have to fight through those human urges to procrastinate and keep focused on what it is I’m trying to achieve.

In the end, my lists help me remember my dreams and how I’m going to achieve them. And since I never run out of dreams, it’s a sure bet that I’ll never run out of lists.

How about you? Are you a lister? What methods or tools do you use to stay on track every day with life’s big and little things?

Gifts for Writers

October 13, 2015October 28, 2015 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

It’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas. I saw this tablet cover on TheLiteraryGiftCompany.com, and I think I know the perfect person to give this to as a gift.

And since I love the retro design so much, I might just pick one up for myself, too!

Ask Me Again – A New Cover

September 29, 2015October 28, 2015 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

My book, Ask Me Again, has a new cover!

Roseanna White Designs did a marvelous job of capturing the setting (Denver), the time (fall), and the love story. I couldn’t be more pleased.

What drew me to Roseanna were her beautiful covers for Out of the Ashes by Sandi Rog, and A Fair to Remember by Suzie Johnson. You can see these and other covers on Roseanna’s website by clicking here.

I’m so happy that such a talented designer agreed to work with me. Thanks, Roseanna, for making my book beautiful!

It’s National Coffee Day

September 29, 2015October 28, 2015 ~ Writer Jenny Berlin ~ Leave a comment

It’s National Coffee Day and I’m enjoying my first cup of the day right now.

I like my coffee strong and scalding hot. And I need it to get my day going right. Given these criteria, it’s a good bet I’m a little addicted to the stuff.

I’m proud to say I brew it up every day in my own kitchen using my Mr. Coffee machine. No single K-cup servings for me. And no trips to the barrista. I take my first sip within minutes of getting out of bed in the morning.