A to Z: 26 True Heroes in One Place

Wow. Was that an amazing challenge or what? I had such a blast visiting everyone's blogs and learning so many amazing things. It was also a wonderful experience sharing my true life heroes with everyone--finding inspiration, encouragement, and something to aspire for. Thank you to everyone who shared your heroes with me.

If you missed it, you can read about it all here:

A: Strength under fire with Abraham Lincoln

B: Visionary Facing Extermination, Brigham Young

C: Chivalry isn't Dead, Collier, Matt

D: Dare to Dream with Disney, Walt

E: It's Okay to be Strange with Einstein, Albert

F: Founding Father of Fabulousness, Franklin, Benjamin

G: King of America, George Washington

H: It's the Little Things that Matter with Hicken, Steve

I: Courage, Torture, and Awe with Irene Sendler

J: Johnson, Sofe and the Gift of Music

K: Tough as Nails Kasper, Patricia

L: Lowe, Alva and Forever Forgiveness

M: Serving the One with Monson, Thomas

N: Nicola Tesla's Amazing Brain

O: Osm (sound that out) Olsons, AKA Angels

P: Fighting the Good Fight with Paul

Q: Teen made of Awesomeness, Quin Collier

R: CHEESE courtesy of Randy Hicken

S: Smith, Joseph, the Determined and the Young

T: Truth is Worth Fighting for with Tyndale, William

U: Uhuru Gonja Houston and the American Dream

V: Vivaldi, Antonio and His Orchestra of Orphans 

W: Wadell, Jodi, True Friends, and HIJACKING with Wife

X: X-Factor AKA Leonardo Da Vinci

Y: Yousafzia, Malala and Taking a Stand

Z: Zang, Lili, Would You Sacrifice Your Legs?

I've been thinking about compiling these into an inspirational book. What do you say? Yes, no? 

Did you follow along for the challenge? Did you have a favorite hero post? 

A to Z: Z and Writerly Wednesday (Including free stuff)

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

hang, Lili. I'm always inspired by someone who would put the welfare of others before themselves. In May, 2012, this woman risked her life by shoving her students out of the way of an oncoming bus, but in the process, she couldn't save herself. Her legs ended up under the wheels of the bus.

Zhang Lili was already greatly loved by students and staff alike at the school where she taught, but on this occasion she showed her true character. The accident resulted in losing both her legs and being in a coma for a time. After several months of rehabilitation, she was able to go home, and now faces life without use of those limbs.

We talk about being willing to give our lives for others, but would you be willing to give your legs? I don't think those thoughts flashed through her mind when Lili saw those kids in danger's way. She simply acted, and revealed her true character.

I would hope, in a similar circumstance, I'd be just as quick to act, and just as selfless. I can't imagine how this woman faces each day and challenge, but I imagine she never looks down and wishes she hadn't acted.

Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, the lovely Ashley Nixon shared CUTLASS with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her awesome new book.

Ashley's game:

1. Ashley memorized all the lines to The Two Towers after watching the movie for about 30 days straight.

2. She has a really weird scar on her neck that looks like she was stabbed by a fork...or bitten by a vampire.

3. When she was little, she had an imaginary friend monster named Petie.

And the lie is: 

#3. Ashley's FRIEND had the imaginary monster affectionately named Petie. 

This one was tricky and in fact, only 3 people guessed it right. Way to guess Jennifer Chandler, Liz Blocker and Chrys Fey! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Chrys Fey!

Congrats Chrys! And to the rest of you, YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN VIA RAFFLECOPTER!!!

And now to today's defying feature:

The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness--has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage.

But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope--a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.

After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.

But the question still haunts her… Can she outrun The Beast?

Pick up your copy HERE.

Let me introduce you to the amazing author: 

Heather Letto—mom of two strapping young men and the wife of a brilliant computer programmer—is a follower of Christ and worker in the kingdom. She’s active in her home church, The Chapel, a non-denominational, multi-site Christ centered church which spans several counties in the Chicago suburban area, and has a long history of freelance writing projects beginning in the early 1990’s. Her first published articles appeared when she worked as a Stringer for the Daily Herald, a daily newspaper covering the Chicago-suburban area. Since then, she’s penned articles for The Fit Christian, WHOAwoman Magazine, Devotion Magazine as well as Tween Girls and God. As well she writes curriculum for the Swagga4Christ ministry.

When asked her favorite cheese, she responded: Burnt. I'll pick off (and snack on) freshly burnt cheese from just about any clean surface. :D

Yes! I was given the opportunity to review this wonderful book, and you can read my thoughts HERE.

Heather gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for a chance to win a signed ARC of IMPERVIOUS. You have until Tuesday, May 6, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on May 7.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Heather has abnormally large feet and is afraid to get pedicures because women will laugh at her in their native tongue.
2. As a preschooler, she was the self-appointed guard of their front yard. She yelled at the mailman to, "Get off my property!" He told on her. A lot. She got spanked. A lot.

3. Her cat's name is Charlie... 'cuz he bit her finger.

Which is the lie? Have you ever seen an act of true valor? Do you have any scars you live with as the result of a good decision? What would you be willing to sacrifice for another person?

Bella's Taliban Crashes into Supernatural: Aka A to Z Challenge for Y

QUICKLY: My amazing Pal, Elizabeth Seckman is unveiling her newest book cover. Check out this beauty!

Did you know? Bella is given a Cherokee rose in the story. The pretty little white flower grows wild in North Carolina. Legend has it that the tears from Cherokee moms who lost their children while on the forced march from their home to a reservation in the west, The Trail of Tears. 

Isabella Troy Stanley is a divorced, slave freeing pariah surviving in the shattered post Civil War south the only way a fallen debutante knows how. 

She heads to a Yankee prison and buys herself a husband. 

Jack Byron is the former Troy plantation stable boy and object of young Bella's affection. He rejected her then, and he's still not sold on the idea of marrying her now.  

 It’s complicated.

 Though to Bella, it’s simple: make Jack love her, marry her, and live happily ever after. The plan seems to work...at least until her secret is revealed.

Elizabeth is a wife, a mom, and a writer. She has four wonderful boys, one dusty house, and three published books to her credit. Feel free to check them out and buy them HERE! Erm, the books, not the kids or the house...though all things in life are negotiable ;)

You can find her here - Blog // Facebook // Twitter

Cover art by Sprinkles on Top Studios.

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

ousafzia, Malala: Pakastani woman and hero. Malala has always been outspoken, especially on the topic of women's rights, and specifically in relation to education. Because of this, she was shot in the head at close range by a member of the Taliban.

She wrote an anonymous blog about living and seeking an education under the threat of the Taliban. This threat was very real, and as the militant group banned music, television, women from shopping and placed limits on women's education, the tension grew. People who disobeyed were killed.

Malala knew she was being targeted because of her outspokenness, but she didn't stop. Things came to a head when she was identified as the writer of the blog and interviewed in New York. Afterwards a masked man entered her school and threatened to hurt everyone unless they identified her. She was shot in the head.

Everyone thought she would die. She was in critical condition and transferred to a hospital in the UK. Miraculously, she survived.

Her survival led to petitions and change in education and forward leaps for women's rights. Malala continues to be a voice and symbol for the continued campaign.

Malala inspires me to hold my ground and moral issues the world or society may call trivial or old fashioned. She's an inspiration and proof that one voice really can make a difference.

Two more days to get MOONLESS at $1.99.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural

How would you like to meet another hero? Although he's a bit tight lipped, meet Kiren. (Interview originally hosted on Mary Waibel's blog.): 

Ginger hair frames Kiren’s clean-shaven face, straight nose and piercing blue eyes as he takes a seat. A jagged white scar cuts from below one eye down his cheek. 

Where do you live?
*shifty eyes* Primarily on the road.

How long have you been living without a proper home?
I never said I lack a proper home, only that I rarely occupy one.

Why?
*jaw clenches as he leans forward* Do you know what happens on moonless nights?

No. What happens on moonless nights?
*shakes his head* If you’re ignorant, you are safer. 

That sounds slightly freaky.
*nods* 

That scar on your cheek, where did it come from?
The person who taught me what really matters in life.

And who was that?
*crosses his arms and stares*

What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever received?
*slides a hand over his chest, revealing the outline of a chain through the material* The best and worst gift is the weight my father placed around my neck. 

What do you miss most about being a kid?
My family. 

What happened to them?
*eyes close*

Are they gone?
*looks away*

How old were you when you lost them?
Six.

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?
No. But I dare believe they would be pleased with what I’ve become. 

Do you have any living heroes? Have you ever taken a stand for something you truly believe? What do you think of Elizabeth's book cover? Does Kiren's tight-lip-edness make you curious, or is it frustrating?

True Heroes A to Z: X Factor

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

-factor: this is my eXtra cheaty post, because let's face it, no one's name starts with X. (Okay, maybe there are a few people, but admirable ones?) So, as long as I'm cheating, I'm going to rant about Leonardo Da Vinci.

Everyone knows this guy for his art: The Mona Lisa, etc. I've heard it said that if his images could be restored in full detail, we'd be blown away by the colors and detail, and I believe it.

He was so much more than a painter: an inventor, a mathematician, a sculptor, a musician, engineer, botanist, writer, teacher and more... He was a creative factory of awesomeness. An innovator.

He imagined up flying machines, a tank, solar power, an adding machine, and even theorized about plate tectonics. He had something, a raw creativity that I admire in anyone, and he pursued it. It's that kind of creativity I hope to cultivate in my own children through allowing them to pursue their interests educationally, a huge reason we home school.

Two more days to get MOONLESS at $1.99.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural

So while we're talking about the X factor, let me introduce a character who has it (originally interviewed by Kerri Cuevas HERE): 

Bellezza takes a seat, honeydew ringlets spilling loosely over thin shoulders. No more than thirteen, she glares through chocolate eyes that bear as much gravity as a black-hole.

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

*blinks in horror* Die. Maybe I’d have to start plotting my own death from boredom.

What are you most proud of about your life?

No man or cage can hold me. I am free. Like the wind.

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?

My parents had no expectations, weak things that they were.

You’re saying they’re dead?

Killed old pappy myself.

Can I ask why?

*grin fades* Depends. Do you like horror stories? *brows lower* Keep on this line of questioning and your life will be one.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone?

*cocks her head grinning* I sent a woman as strong as myself to the Soulless. And may she suffer for eternity.

Why did you do that?

*grimaces* She stabbed me with gold. Do you know what that feels like? Imagine acid—liquid acid beneath your skin. Now times that by one hundred.

What are you most afraid of?

If you tell anyone this, I will dangle your innards from the nearest flagpole. Understood? *squints, pointing with a threatening finger* I am irredeemable. In the end I will be alone. But I must continue in my mission, for myself, for those who have suffered. I am a product of my circumstances, a tool no loving or respectable person can be. I am needed. 

Who is your favorite inventor? Who is your favorite artist? Do you allow your creativity to come out to play? Met any characters who really have the X factor?

True Heroes A to Z: W stands for Friends

Quick heads up! Kristine was kind enough to review Moonless, and here's what she said!

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

addell, Jodi. Every so often you meet someone who opens your eyes about what really matters in life. I met Jodi on church assignment. As part of that assignment, I would meet with her once a month (or more) and just talk, or I'd spend time running errands she couldn't because of health complications.

Jodi was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 7. When I met her, we were both in our twenties. She had married, but realized she would never have the opportunity to bring a child into the world, too many health complications. That didn't stop her from making gifts for my son, or many other people's. Her health kept her from doing things most of us enjoy--hiking, biking, running, sports, etc, and she often laughed off the doctor's strict advice about not cleaning under her own bed or shopping. Sometimes when I went to visit she was restricted to the couch with oxygen--at age 27.

The last time I saw Jodi was when we helped her and her husband clean up and load a moving van for the transition to their new house--the first one they'd purchased. We kept in touch, but when I moved to the east coast, I lost track of her. Thanks to facebook I was able to reconnect a few years ago, and last July, Jodi finally passed out of this world.

Story after story, she left a legacy of love. I look back at those visits with fondness and miss Jodi, but I'll never forget the time together. She was my friend.

What was it that really got me about Jodi? Her smile. Her laugh. She was always positive, even in when feeling her worst. Every visit was a joy, every opportunity to help, a blessing. 

Four more days to get MOONLESS at $1.99.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural

An excerpt (about best friends): 

“Lexy!” Sarah leapt down the stairs four at a time, sliding to a halt before her near-sister and straightening up formally. She cleared her throat. “Welcome to my home.”

“You are older.” Alexia didn’t mean to be blunt.

“I am older? Look at you!” She scowled, nose crinkling. “You are not my baby sister. I cannot go to court with you for fear of being outshone!”

Some things about Sarah would never change. Alexia stuck out her tongue. Sarah mimicked her. They burst into laughter and embraced.

“Oh, Lexy, you have become a woman and I a widow. Is it not a strange world we live in?”

Alexia let her go. “Father sends his regards. He will arrive shortly.”

Sarah’s face straightened matter-of-factly. “So long as he does not miss his brother-in-law’s funeral, good riddance!”

Where had this sardonic Sarah come from?

“But you must be weary! We shall have so much time for reacquainting that I shan’t keep you from your bed. Come, enjoy all the hospitality my home may offer.” She hugged her near-sister again, shivering with delight. “No, I changed my mind. Come eat, talk to me—tell me everything! We will sleep tomorrow.”

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We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog reading to bring you a message from your local hacker…well technically it’s not hacking, because Crystal and I share just about everything including passwords and every so often a nasty flu bug.

I am doing this because I do not have a blog. Mostly because unlike my sweet wife, I am not a very good writer, unless you count writing code. But I’m sure that is not something you would find fascinating to read.

So I need to hijack her blog to share my True Hero.

is for, you guessed it Wife. Or at least my Wife!

You have to understand Crystal is probably the best, coolest, most beautiful (inside and out),amazing, perfect person I know. Her only questionable quality is her judgment, still not sure why she decided to marry me…but hey I’m not complaining.

I won’t bother you with all of her amazing attributes and things she does from music to writing to schooling my kids. I’m sure if you have read her blog at all you have gleaned most of that stuff anyway.

I will however tell you about one thing. Her ability to make me a better person. Honestly I do not know where I would be without her.  Just being around her makes me want to try harder, love more, and just generally do what is right. Something I am eternally grateful for.

So here is a shout out to you Crystal my love. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More than you may ever know.

Okay I am done with my interruption. But Crystal’s Mom wanted me to post this below as well.

From Crystal’s Mom: 

"Ok. Here’s a hero of mine. Her name is Crystal Hicken Collier.  She is my daughter. From what she wrote on Day H and Day K of her True Heros A-Z, clearly she is someone who honors her mother and father. Crystal has always been a delight to me and her father as well as to her 7 brothers and sisters. She is the 5^th child and the first girl so her name was chosen and saved until she came to the family. She is, as her name implies, a gem of rare find, a crystal. Because of her special gifts and talents, she has always added to our family an extra dimension which is needed. We, as a whole, are better because of her.

Crystal is very social and always has friends. On camping trips when she was young, we would be somewhere overnight and she would have a hard time leaving in the morning because she didn’t want to leave her new friends. 

It was fun to be the mother as Crystal grew up. She was involved in many activities. She is very creative and liked organizing parties. In addition to the parties she helped her siblings organized for the family, we hosted many high school club parties at our house. She performed in plays and choral groups. She has a very beautiful voice. I love to hear her sing but my favorite is when she sings to her 3 children as she puts them to bed. When she was in elementary school, she discovered that she really like to write stories. She is now the newly published author of “Moonless”.

Crystal is the queen of multitasking – homeschooling her 3 children, pursuing her writing career, maintaining her house and home, balanced with serving well in her church in a very responsible position, and is a supportive wife at the same time. She adores her husband and he adores her.  She is content to live on a dime which is something that many women cannot do. And, she is the best guide to Disney and surrounding theme parks in Florida. 

I have learned many great lessons from Crystal. One was when she was in high school. She had so many things going. She would have an assignment to sing. There was just no time to ask someone to accompany her. I would be worrying that she would run out of time and there would be no one in place. She was always calm about it and assured me that it would all work out. And it always did. That taught me to trust a little more. Another – She is a fierce defender of truth and right. In this day and age, that quality is much needed in our society. Yet another – she (as well as each of her brothers and sisters) has a very tender feeling toward people with special needs. This, because of her brother, Randy. In her adult life, she has found joy in serving other children with special needs. 

Someone recently told me she wished she had known while she was raising her children, that they would become her best friends. This is how it is for this mother. My Crystal is one of my very best friends. I love you Crystal. You are the best!

Love,

Mom”

I know it was a bit long, thank you for reading. Now if you have not done it go buy Crystals book. Do it, do it now!!!

We now resume your regularly scheduled blog reading…

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Have you known anyone with health complications that inspired you? What would you most miss if you were limited physically by your health? Have you had a friend you lost track of and were able to reconnect with? 

True Heroes: V for Violins and...

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

ivalidi, Antonio Lucio. Perhaps you've heard me talk a little about my love affair with orchestral music composition. Yeah.

So we all have those who inspire us, right? --Those people whose work is so incredible, it lights or fuels our own fire? Antonio Vivialdi was that for me.

He was a child musician who suffered from asthma. At fifteen he decided he was going to be a priest and obtained that aspiration at 25. But, his true calling was music, and he spent the next thirty years, while working at an orphanage, composing vocal and orchestral works for the children he taught.

I suppose part of what inspires me about him is that his works were written to help orphans whose chances of survival were minimal outside the orphanage unless they could find employment based on their skills.

Vivaldi did eventually rise in popularity with royalty and nobility, but at the end of his life he was buried a pauper. I suppose this is a sign of how fleeting the fame can be.

The first time I heard Vivaldi's four seasons, I couldn't get it out of my head. I was in love. I'd always adored violins, but this cemented my love. I knew I'd never be that talented in composing for strings, but he made me want to try.

Five more days to get MOONLESS at $1.99.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural

An excerpt: 

The study door stood closed. Alexia neared, shaking. Pressing cautiously against it, she expected the mahogany to burn her.

Father’s voice boomed through the wood. “No! And that is final!”

The barrier lurched. She leapt back as it swung open.

He halted before her. Boots, not stylish, but entirely practical and worn; breeches, a sturdy gray, modestly hugging a trim form; waist coat concealed by a subtly weathered coat; shirt, fitted and simple . . . 

Her jaw fell.

Ginger locks framed his clean-shaven face with a straight nose, high cheekbones, expressive brows and enigmatic blue eyes. He was a perfect paramour of twenty years, except for a jagged white scar cutting from below one eye down his cheek. A sheen of beauty hung over his whole being. He verily glowed.

Like Bellezza. Like herself!

She gasped. Sweet pollen and rustic oak tickled her nose, transporting her to a grove of wooded mystery so deep mankind would never comprehend the fullness. Those consuming eyes met hers and flickers of heat burst in her cheeks, spreading across the back of her neck. His pupils widened, nearly eclipsing the night sky. She wanted to reach out and touch him, to fall into the blackness of his gaze.

A grunt from the den brought her back to the hall.

He bowed, movements excruciatingly slow, eyes never leaving her face. His lips parted as if he might speak, but with a dark glance toward the room he’d abandoned, his mouth sealed in a grim line. The corners of his eyes crinkled, pain glinting in his hypnotic stare. He nodded and stepped around her.

A breath of fresh-cut tinder and summer blooms pulled her eyelids closed, like the farewell kiss of a faerie nightmare.

Is there any composer or music that really motivates you creatively? Who is your favorite composer/artist? What's you favorite instrument? Do you play?