I am so touched to have been nominated for this Sunshine Blogger Award by Becca of The Becca Files.

The Sunshine Blogger Award is a peer recognition for bloggers across all genres who inspire “positivity and joy.” While there is no formal evaluation or vetting process, and no tangible prize, it is so sweet to receive this award because it is special when it comes from fellow bloggers who view my blog as “inspiring positivity and joy.”

Sunshine Blogger Award rules:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

My answers to the 11 questions from Becca:

1. What is a favorite book from your childhood? This one is tricky because I loved so many books as a child. However, the one that I think most inspired my imagination has to be, Lily of the Forest by Brian McConnachie, illustrated by Jack Ziegler. I actually still have the copy from my childhood and it turns out that is a good thing because when I checked today, I discovered it is no longer in print. 🙁
2. If you could have lunch with any author who would it be? Well, that is a tough question! I have met so many wonderful authors while at the various writers conferences I have attended. I can’t imagine picking just one. So, if I take it a step further and add the “living or dead” clause, I would have to say that I would love to have lunch with Jane Austen. While I admittedly haven’t studied much on her biography, her writing makes me imagine sitting on the edge of a gathering somewhere, listening to her quietly make witty observations about the people around us. Not in a gossipy sort of way, but in the unique and humorous way she has of seeing beyond people’s social masks.
3. If you could travel to anywhere in the world where would you go? Another tough one. I’ve done quite a lot of travel, actually, but there are still many places I’d love to see. The three that spring to mind are Ireland, England, and Australia. Although, I’ve also always dreamed of seeing the setting for Anne of Green Gables. So Prince Edward Island would definitely be near the top of that list.
4. What is your favorite genre to read? Finally, an easy one:  Historical Christian Romance. I enjoy delving into what life may have been like for our ancestors–the nitty-gritty things like how they did their laundry–and I love reading about God working in people’s lives to bring joy from tragedy and trial.
5. Is there a genre you refuse to read? Erotica. Point blank.
6. What is your favorite part of blogging? Helping to connect readers and authors of wonderful books. I have always wanted to shout the news to the world whenever I have finished a particularly enjoyable book. As an author, I now appreciate the hard work and perseverance that goes into bringing those stories to the world. Blogging gives me a chance to reward their diligent efforts and to bless a fellow reader with another fascinating story. Because I review Christian romance, I also have the pleasure of knowing that God often uses these stories to bring His children closer to Him.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to new bloggers what would that be? Don’t over commit yourself. Don’t compare yourself to other bloggers. Do figure out what makes you different. Always keep close to mind the reason you are putting in this effort. Oops. I guess that’s four pieces of advice. 😉
8. What’s a real-life fact you learned in a fictional book? From Karen Barnett’s Where the Fire Falls, I learned that for nearly one hundred years, the workers at Yosemite National park would push hot embers over the edge of Glacier Point, creating the illusion of a “fire fall” for the spectators watching from Camp Curry. The spectacle was a nightly tradition which drew many visitors.
   

   See my review HERE.

9. What is your favorite book, character, or story in the Bible? I don’t think I could pick a favorite, but recently I’ve been studying the book of Matthew again and was struck by the story of the disciples and how they still questioned Jesus’s instructions after all the miracles He’d performed. In particular, I found it both amusing and reassuring that even after he feeds 5000 men PLUS women and children with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, leaving 12 baskets of leftovers, they still question him when he tells them to feed another crowd even though that crowd held fewer people (4000 men plus women and children) and the disciples had more food (seven loaves and a few small fish}. The disciples still ask, in essence, “How are we going to accomplish this seemingly impossible task you have asked us to do?” It makes me laugh because it sounds so foolish given what happened the last time, yet it also is far too familiar. There are so many times in my life when God has proven Himself capable of the impossible, yet every single time I am presented with another impossible task that I feel He has given me I ask the same thing, “But how?”
   

   See more of my bible journaling on Instagram.

10. Who is your favorite historical figure? Oh, come on! I only get one?! Well, fine. I’m going for the obvious:  Jesus. 😉 Not satisfied? I guess, my next favorite might be . . . well, they are all so complicated, just like the people of today. It’s difficult to call someone “my favorite” because there will always be some things I admire about them and other things I don’t. Two that come immediately to mind are Helen Keller–because of her incredible contributions to the deaf/blind community–and George Horatio Derby–because he is connected to local San Diego history and makes me laugh. He stands out as a man unlike many of his contemporaries, a true character. Which is, of course, why I gave him a cameo in my first novel.
11. If you were stuck on a deserted island and could have 1 personal item and 1 survival item what would you pick to have? The Bible. No contest. As for the survival item . . . Assuming there is a source of fresh water somewhere, I would pick a book of survival skills because there are very few things that can’t be made from found objects but you can’t find the objects or turn them into useful tools without the knowledge of how to do so. Since no one can memorize how to do or make everything, written instructions sound pretty good to me. My second choice would be a knife to make just about everything I needed to do easier.

My 11 nominees are:

Reading Is My Superpower

Bookworm Mama

Faithfully Bookish

Joy of Reading

The Christian Fiction Girl

Christian Shelf Esteem

The Engrafted Word

A Baker’s Perspective

Molly at Cover to Cover Cafe

C Jane Read

Just Commonly

 

The questions for my nominees:

1. What is one lesson you had to learn the hard way?
2. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
3. Why did you start blogging and is the reason you continue to blog different?
4. What are you reading right now and which book is next on your TBR?
5. What is your favorite comfort food?
6. When you aren’t reading or blogging, what are you most likely to be doing?
7. Who inspired your love of reading?
8. Of all the pieces of clothing you own, which is your favorite and why?
9. What is the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome as a blogger?
10. What is your favorite genre to read?
11. Of all the blog posts you’ve written, which is your favorite? Please post the link.