What's New Author Gail Gaymer Martin November 2011 #michlit

What's New?  From Author  Gail  Gaymer Martin  November 2011 October seemed to fly. The main event was my annual Writers Retreat, and this year we decided to go on a five-day cruise from Miami to Jamaica and Grand Cayman and then back to Miami where we flew home. The photograph was taken on the Grand Foyer staircase. You can find me in the second row from the bottom on the left. We spent our days at sea discussing topics such as: researching, using social media, and other related writing issues, but much of our time was spent in prayer, worship and fellowship. When we were in port, my husband and I visited the port town but returned to the ship happy to enjoy the sun, restaurants and our lovely suite. We'd been to both ports in the past and so chose to pass on the local excursions. My last trip took me to Phoenix, Arizona where I taught writing fiction at the American Christian Writers conference. I always enjoy meeting new writers and visiting with old writing friends. The weather there was much warmer than home, too. The ACFW Writers group in Phoenix invited Agent Chip MacGregor and I to join them for dinner, and we had a wonderful time meeting some of the members and talking about the publishing industry and life in general.  The Detroit Lutheran Singers fall concerts are complete, and DLS is now working on Christmas music for our four-concert Christmas series held at various venues in the Detroit area. One concert will be held at my church so I'm excited about that. My church handbells rehearsals and praise music rehearsals continue as well so my evenings are taken up with music. What is better than singing or ringing for the Lord? I am still waiting to hear on my proposal for the next book. The novel won't be released until 2013. At present the title is Waiting For You. In 2012, you will read the last book in the Dreams Come True Series, A Dream Of His Own. If you haven't picked up a copy of Christmas Gifts, you will want to before they're gone. You can read more about the book on my blog at www.gailmartin.blogspot.com  If you click on the Amazon link at the end of the blog, you can read a First Chapter excerpt online. Don't forget two of my older novels have been re-released and you can now purchase them from the publisher either online (see links below) or by calling their Customer Service at 1-800-873-8635. To see the new covers and to read an excerpt, click the links below. With Christmas In His Heart ISBN: 9780373786961 Order    Upon A Midnight Clear  ISBN: 9780373786909 Order     Christmas Gifts  a duet novel from Love Inspired including Gail's novel,  A Small Town Christmas November 2011 Click to order Dreams Come True    Book 1 A Dad Of His Own  Love Inspired March 2011   Order Here       Book 2 A Family Of Their Own Love Inspired September 2011 Order Here   Book 3 A Dream Of His Own  Love Inspired Coming in June 2012 STILL AVAILABLE    Dad In Training           Click here to purchase  Groom In Training      Click here to purchase Bride In Training         Click here to purchase Monterey Memories    Click here to purchase    2011 APPEARANCES, TRAVEL AND EVENTS Sunday, November 13, Writers on the River, Monroe County Library System, 3700 S. Custer, Monroe, MI from noon to 3 PM. Meet over 40 authors, book signings, and gift basket raffle. Sunday, December 4, Detroit Lutheran Singers. Performances at 3:00 PM, Historic Trinity Lutheran Church at 1345 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI  7:30 PM at Hope Lutheran Church at 3640 Madison Street in Dearborn, MI. Friday, December 9, Detroit Lutheran Singers. Performance at 7:30 PM, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church at 14175 Farmington Road, Livonia MI Saturday, December 10, Detroit Lutheran Singers.  Performance at 7:30 PM, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 814 Campbell Road, Royal Oak, MI  RECIPE This is a simple recipe that's perfect for this time of year. Most everyone looks forward to pumpkin pies, and this is a treat that's much less fattening and more versatile than pie. Use it with plain cookies or pieces of fruit and enjoy. A Thanksgiving or Christmas treat. Enjoy. Low Fat Pumpkin Dip 8 oz. low fat cream cheese 1/4 C. brown sugar 1 can pumpkin - 15 oz (not pie filling) 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice Mix cream cheese with brown sugar. Add pumpkin, vanilla and spices to the mix. Chill. Serve with sliced apples or with ginger snaps or vanilla wafers. GAIL'S FREE BOOK CONTEST DRAWING The winner of the November free autographed book and small gifts is Patti Jo Moore from Georgia. The free book drawings are held six times a year: January, March, May, July, September, and November, offering you six opportunities to win, but you must sign the guestbook for each drawing. The next drawing will be in January, so please drop by www.gailmartin.com and look in the boxed area for the Read and Sign My Guestbook. I love to hear from you. SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER If you have friends or family who love to read, please share this newsletter, and invite your friends to subscribe for all the monthly news. DO YOU HAVE A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS? When you change email addresses, please don't forget to re-subscribe to this newsletter with your new email address. You can delete the old or you can let it stay and it will be deleted automatically by Ezine Director who manages my newsletter account. FAITH THOUGHT "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7 We know Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday, but we also know it was founded as a celebration and praise to God by pilgrims who came to this country for religious freedom and a new life. This verse however reminds us that just as plants have roots and grow, so we too must root ourselves in His word and in His love. When we are rooted in Christ, our praise and thanksgiving will be an extension of His love through us back to Him. Wishing you a joyful Thanksgiving and blessings from our God.                                     Gail   Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."