Hush, Little Baby, by Deborah M. Piccurelli: BookBites w/Giveaway

WHY I WROTE HUSH, LITTLE BABY

by DEBORAH M. PICCURELLI

As I began writing Hush, Little Baby, my romantic suspense novel woven around the illegal activity of fetal harvesting, and featuring little people as my main characters, there were the skeptics. Some wondered why I would choose such an icky subject. Others warned that readers would not be able to relate to my heroine (or hero). I knew they all made perfect sense, but I could not let go of this project. I understood I’d encounter a long, hard road to having this book published, but I’d spent so much time with these characters, and knew them as well as my own family members. Additionally, the message and awareness I yearned to bring about were too important to cast aside.

Around September of 1999, Good Morning America advertised an upcoming segment of 20/20 where a technician working in an abortion clinic reported to a pro-life organization the lucrative business abortionists and gifting companies established through fetal harvesting, because of loopholes in the law. 20/20 sent their own staff posing as potential investors to question the owners of the gifting companies on their policies and procedures. I thought that sounded like an interesting plot for a book, and scribbled a few lines on a small piece of paper, filed it in my notebook stuffed with story ideas, and promptly forgot about it.

Meanwhile, a few years later, TV talk shows often featured little people (dwarfs). I felt the way they were presented to viewers demeaned and exploited them. I vowed to someday write a novel with little people as my main characters, and show them living normal every day lives the same as anyone else. I began doing some research, found the organization, Little People of America, and contacted them. At that time, Matt Roloff was president, and personally answered the phone. In another call, I got to speak with and interview his wife, Amy. They both demonstrated kindness and grace.

By approximately 2006, I was ready to write about my little people, but didn’t have a plot. I turned to my trusty notebook of ideas, and didn’t find one storyline that fit my characters until I got to the last little piece of paper: The one on which I scribbled notes about fetal harvesting. I knew this was it. This was the story for my characters. There was really no connection to the characters, but somehow they fit together seamlessly.

I immediately started my research of fetal harvesting. What I found, however, both sickened and angered me. I also learned more about the abortion industry than I ever cared to know. Yes, I’d heard things before, but nothing quite so detailed and horrific. I’ve woven some of these elements into my novel, but did my best to handle them with taste and sensitivity. I haven’t heard a complaint yet, on that front.

For some reason, the Lord has seen fit to bestow upon me a heart for such issues. I am an advocate for sanctity of life, and especially for the unborn. That’s why I have pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds from Hush, Little Baby to the aforementioned organization, Life Dynamics. Someone needs to make a stand for the innocent souls who never have a chance at life, and Life Dynamics has done a terrific job, thus far. By having written this book, I’m joining the fight against abortion, and exposing some of the many evils attached to it. Perhaps after reading my novel, you will, too.

Deborah M. Piccurelli is an advocate for sanctity of life, and tackles such issues in her novels, weaving them into compelling stories. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, their two sons, and a Yorkie mix puppy.

To purchase Hush, Little Baby in any format, or to learn more, visit:

http://www.deborahmpiccurelli.com

Deborah is giving away one copy of Hush, Little Baby to one of my blog readers and followers. Entering is easy: simply leave a comment below with your name and email contact information. Confirmed followers of my blog get an extra entry. Giveaway ends one week from Today, Friday, March 2, 2012. Winner drawn on Saturday, March 3 and will be notified via email, so be sure you leave that info in your comment.

Many thanks to Deborah for sharing her book and the story behind it. I have to admit that I find this premise intriguing and Hush, Little Baby is next on my TBR list.

Heaven Can Wait

Got your attention, did it?

It’s been a strange week. We are into day four of “Operation Clean Sweep,” a free feral cat spay/neuter program to attempt to get the overpopulation of cats in our neighborhood under control.

It is a welcome opportunity for us, as our backyard has been a safe-house for all the unwanted and abandoned cats from homes where folks have either moved or been foreclosed and did not take their cats with them. Seems many folks think cats are disposable.

Our property is walled in with cinder-block on three sides and gated, so the cats gradually learned they were safe. Being the cat-lovers we are, we started feeding them. And, they multiplied. Twice a year.

We tried several times to contact the local animal shelters to come and get them, but it’s the usual story. They’re full. They can’t take any more in. BUT, we could come and pick up traps, catch the cats, and return them . . . to be euthanized. That was not an option.

Last week we were contacted by the above group “Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary” informing us that they were setting up a free TNR (trap, neuter, return) program in a certain area and would we agree to allow them to set up traps in our yard, since we seemed to have the most cat traffic they’d observed doing drive-around to see where to best target their efforts.

Long story short, on Monday afternoon, they arrived with traps, cat food (the bait) and we set the traps around the perimeter of the house and back yard. As of late last night, we’ve managed to capture 34 cats! They’ll be “fixed,” examined for disease, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and returned.

I’ve been getting up before 7 AM to meet the director as she picked up the trapped cats and set out new traps. After four days, as far as I can tell, there is just one elusive Siamese cat that seems to have gotten wise to the whole trapping thing. She’s (I think it’s a female) just been watching from the cactus in the corner of the yard. We can’t get to her, and she knows it. I’ve taken to calling her Cactus Sue (or maybe it’s Cactus Sam) – a very savvy cat, for sure. We have three traps out there right now, set in places I’ve seen her when she’s not hiding.

Weird thing . . . it really hurts me to see her out there all alone, her usual companions missing. But, we’ll get her, eventually, and her life will soon return to normal. And I actually miss the colony of cats! Even though they’re mostly wild and will never be pets.

Oh, one other thing. Once things settle back down, we can be “registered” as “Colony Managers” and will have rights to arbitration should neighbors decide to complain once these neutered cats are retuned. And access to more free services should more strays show up. All in all, it’s a win-win situation.

If you hear about a similar campaign in your area, I can’t urge you strongly enough to get involved. It’s the humane way to handle the overpopulation of cats. Euthanasia is not the answer.

Blessings

Blessed, Broken, and Given, BookBites w/giveaway

BLESSED, BROKEN AND GIVEN: THE MAKING OF A SERVANT OF GOD, With Give-Away

Holiness … Relationship … Surrender… Servanthood

There is more to being a Christian than serving on the usher board, singing in the choir, and/or attending worship services and Sunday school. This book is about the process that the Lord takes Christians through to make us His servants. The process differs for each of us, but God has a plan and a purpose for every Christian life. God’s destiny for many of our lives can be delayed or aborted because of “religion”. Many of us are not told that God wants to use us to follow His Son and to glorify the Father with our lives, through servanthood. It’s easy to “do” church, but not so easy to “be” the church. You are God’s house, you are His building. This book is a study on the process of becoming a servant of the Most High God.

This is Roxanne’s debut book. She is an avid reader and writer of Christian devotionals and Bible studies. She is an AACC Biblical counselor and Christian Life Coach. Roxanne’s book can be purchased as a paperback or eBook at Amazon, at Barnes and Noble. Roxanne also has several web and blogsites:

• Blessed, Broken and Given Blog
• Genesis Online Life Coaching
• NewLifeLessons Blog
• GospelScribe Blog

Roxanne is offering a give-away copy of her book to one person who is able to describe what “holiness” is and post it on the Whispers In Purple BookBite blog for my book. The answer can be found on the Blessed, Broken and Given blog.

This giveaway will end on Sunday, February 26 at Midnight, Pacific Time. A winner will be drawn through Random.org on Monday, February 27 and notified via email. So BE SURE to include your name and contact information to be eligible.

Thank you, Roxie, it’s been a pleasure to have you here on my blog’s BookBites feature. Best wishes to you and your book.

Exhilarated

Since it’s Monday, and there’s nothing else scheduled on the blog today, I’m going to SHOUT!

I spotted the following review of my new release TO SEE THE SUN on Amazon.com the other day. A 4-Star review from someone I didn’t even know. As you read, needless to say, I was completely blown away.

It is being posted here . . . and will be on my website, as well . . . with gracious permission. Read on and rejoice with me.

Erin Macintyre finds her life turned upside the day her husband, Justin, was killed. The baby she carries will be raised without his father. If that's not enough to deal with, now someone is after her, leaving notes and threatening phone calls but she doesn't know why. P.I. Clay Buchanan returns home after he gets an envelope from Justin with a note to call him. Only thing is, the envelope is four months late in arriving. The first place Clay goes when he arrives home is to Justin's gravesite and he runs into Erin. Clay and Justin were best friends and Clay vows to himself he'll do everything to protect Erin. She's not happy to see him but his feelings for her remain unchanged. Now he has to find a way to convince her that her life is in danger and that she needs to trust him. With few options available to her, Erin reluctantly trusts clay with her life but will she trust him with her heart?
Oh what a tangled web we weave! WOW! This is definitely a story that keeps you on your toes the whole time you're reading it. As I was reading I kept thinking this would make a great episode of "Murder She Wrote" or "Columbo". The tale was very tightly woven and keeps you turning pages to find out what's going to happen next. I must admit that I didn't care for Erin very much in the beginning, but slowly I warmed-up to her as I learned her story. I loved Clay and how he handled things. His quiet faith and steadfastness had an impact on Erin. There was a great cast of supporting characters whom I hope to see again. This author really allowed you to become completely entangled in the lives of these characters and I found myself trying to solve the puzzle right along with them. Slowly but surely the intensity builds as you gather each clue with a few red-herring along the way. Although this story has a climactic ending that is totally satisfying, the door stands open and ready for the next book. I'll be watching for that one! This is Peggy Blann Phifer's debut novel but it sure doesn't read that way. To See The Sun is book 1 in the Desert Faith Series and one I definitely recommend!

This review is reposted here with the gracious permission of Sherry Kuhn: http://love2readnovels.blogspot.com, and she posted it with  a 4-Star review on Amazon.com on February 6, 2012 at: http://amzn.to/yEymbt

While you’re there (at Amazon) take a look at the other reviews, two of which garnered 5-Stars!

If you have read To See the Sun, please consider posting a review at Amazon.com and/or Barnes & Noble.com. I would certainly appreciate it.

It was a truly blessed weekend.

No BookBites today

Obviously.

So, what is there to talk about?

Have you noticed the box on the sidebar “Today’s Scripture Promise?” For several years I’ve been a follower and supporter of World Challenge, Inc, a ministry founded by Rev. David Wilkerson, who’s tragic death last year rocked the Christian world.

Wilkerson may be best known as the author of a book titled The Cross and the Switchblade, a true accounting of his daring and dangerous foray into the gang-ridden streets and alleys of New York City.

Anyway, right around Christmas time, along with the usual newsletter and updates from the organization, I received a little pocket calendar, Standing on the Promises of God. Each month is headed with a main Scripture reference, and each day provides yet one more. Instead of keeping it in my pocket, or purse, I keep it in my Bible, currently a soft leather-bound NLT (New Living Translation) from Tyndale.

Flipping through it the day it arrived, I thought “Hey, why not share each day’s promise Scripture with my blog readers?” So, that I have done.  It’s a wonderful way to start the day, don’t you think? That, and my daily reading from Jesus Calling on my Android tablet, a Dell Streak 7.

So, this is Friday, the verse for today is up, taken from the NLT as I read it each day.

Speaking of The Cross and the Switchblade, I bought several copies last year, one to replace the one I lost a long time ago, and one to give away.

If you’re interested in this little paperback and it’s enthralling, unforgettable story, just leave your name and email and the title of the book for that extra copy I have. I’ll draw a name next Friday, February 24. Must be a resident of the 48 contiguous United States.

Thanks for following my blog. I have something else up my sleeve I’ll be announcing as soon as I get all the kinks smoothed out.