Teacher Appreciation

by Cynthia T. Toney

6 DATES TO DISASTER is only 99¢ this week!

Teacher Appreciation Week in May got me thinking about the vast differences in ways that teachers are portrayed in some of today’s teen and YA novels, compared to others.

And the ways that students treat teachers in fiction and in real life.

Just as teenagers don’t always show appreciation or respect for their parents, they likewise don’t always show the same for their teachers.

To anyone who has parented or taught teens, their seeming neglect in expressing gratitude or fondness for their teachers might be chalked up to teens’ inability or discomfort in expressing their emotions. In some families, children are taught— directly or indirectly—not to express their feelings. Fear of ridicule or rejection keeps their emotions bottled up, tender or not. And I’ve known families where no one says “Thank you,” not even to non-family members who perform a favor for them.

But what do teens reveal about their feelings in a survey? Well, that’s another matter.

The website StageofLife.com “has spent years working with tens of thousands of teens to pull exclusive statistics” about them. A 2015 survey of high school and college students was conducted to determine whether or not teachers had affected their lives.

The survey found that 98.6% felt a teacher had positively impacted them. Although 64.5% said a teacher had negatively impacted their lives, apparently most survey takers had at least one of the type of teacher we wish for all students. Surprisingly, 81% reported giving their teachers recognition or showing gratitude for positively impacting them. Such affirmation might range from a simple thank you to a gift to a nomination for Teacher of the Year. It’s hard to know for certain but reassuring that even when teens don’t learn to express gratitude or fondness at home, they still might open their hearts to a teacher.  

For some teenagers, an unfortunate reality is that a teacher may be the only recognizable positive adult influence in a teen’s life. Thank goodness for teachers who can provide guidance when a child’s parent is absent in one form or another.

But for those of us who do our best in parenting our child, we still might try to get to know his or her teachers. (In spite of my busy life, I wish I had made more of an effort when my daughter was in school.) The result would be beneficial in multiple ways. The parent would set an example for the child by demonstrating regard for the teacher as a fellow human being with his or her own physical and emotional well-being and limitations.  The parent would learn first-hand if the teacher reflects the parent’s values and beliefs and could then monitor the student’s work for that teacher if the parent has any concern. Parent and child could have deeper discussions beyond “How was school today?” With the establishment of a real parent-teacher relationship, at first sign of a teen’s academic or behavioral trouble, or complaint about a teacher’s behavior, the parent has a starting place grounded in mutual respect—or at least knowledge of each other.

In the third novel of the Bird Face series, 6 Dates to Disaster, the main character relies on a favorite teacher for guidance in helping a classmate. All of the series books show teachers in a positive light. I wish more teen novels did so. Not that bad teachers don’t exist. But if all the books that teens read portray teachers as selfish, lazy, ignorant, sex-crazed, or mean, how will that affect their respect for good teachers?

Perhaps a teen you know and care about has benefited from the guidance of a caring teacher. It doesn’t have to be a teen in your family but perhaps one in your community who has had no other adult to guide him. That teen young man or young woman might need your suggestions in showing appropriate appreciation for his or her teacher.

I wish I’d shown more appreciation toward my own teachers when I had them.

James 3:1 ESV

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

A Berry Sweet Life

By Cynthia T. Toney

Strawberry farming. 

It gets into your blood, as it did me, a city child who visited her paternal grandparents’ strawberry farm during springs and summers of the 1960s. I loved nature and the miracle of life growing in its many forms. I felt closer to God among newborn chicks and young strawberry plants struggling against a late frost.

That Louisiana farm and others like it in the area inspired the physical setting for my first historical novel, The Other Side of Freedom. I chose a period of American history, the 1920s, because of my interest in Italian immigration and organized crime, as well as other significant changes and events in the U.S., many of which Americans more often associate with big cities.

So what was Louisiana strawberry farming like in the 1920s?

Before tractors became commonplace, small family farms of the decade used mule-drawn plows and produced surprisingly large crops of strawberries that way. Farmers transported their berries by car, pickup truck, and horse-drawn wagons to collection points in the small towns nearby.

Word of delicious strawberries from Louisiana rivaling those produced in California made its way to northern cities like Chicago. The Illinois Central Railroad routed them there, and strawberry towns began to flourish.  A box manufacturing company in Independence made specialty crates for the growing industry.

The Louisiana Strawberry Cooperative Association began to use auctions for selling strawberry crops to get farmers the best prices possible. Auction houses sprang up in towns such as Ponchatoula and Hammond. Beautiful and now collectible labels for strawberry crates, flats, and pints were designed and printed for prominent strawberry producers.

Strawberry pickers and packers came from families’ own children, local day laborers, laborers from out of state, and descendants of former slaves from large plantations.

The larger story of strawberry farming in Louisiana is intertwined with the history of the post-Civil War South, Italian and other immigration, developments in commercial art and architecture, and new trends in business practices and shipping. Other states have their own stories as well.

Strawberry farming wasn’t an easy life for anyone, especially in the early days. But by the time I experienced my family’s farm in the 1960s, it was sweet, from a child's perspective. The family farm during strawberry season remains one of the sweetest memories I have.

When my father graduated from high school, my grandfather told him that he could attend college or stay and help work the farm. My father chose to go to college, but guess what he majored in.

Horticulture.

About the Author

Award-winning author Cynthia T. Toney might be new to penning historical fiction, but she isn't new to writing. Her young adult novels, 8 Notes to a Nobody, 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status, and 6 Dates to Disaster continue to thrive awaiting their final book in the Bird Face Series. Learn more about Cynthia at her author page on the Write Integrity Press site or at CynthiaTToney.com.

CAPTURE THE MOMENT: Riveting YA Novel

Called "the Judy Blume of this generation," Cynthia Toney broaches delicate issues in this her second of the Bird Face series. With 4.7 Stars, this book is a steal at only 99¢ - TODAY ONLY!

Get 10 STEPS TO GIRLFRIEND STATUS!

"Without knowing or caring where I'd wind up, I sneaked out of the house and took off running." 

Wendy Robichaud is on schedule to have everything she wants in high school: two loyal best friends, a complete and happy family, and a hunky boyfriend she's had a crush on since eighth grade--until she and Mrs. Villaturo look at old photo albums together. That's when Mrs. V sees her dead husband and hints at a 1960s scandal down in Cajun country. Faster than you can say "crawdad," Wendy digs into the scandal and into trouble. She risks losing boyfriend David by befriending Mrs. V's cute hearing-impaired grandson, alienates stepsister Alice by having a boyfriend in the first place, and upsets her friend Gayle without knowing why. 

Will Wendy be able to prevent Mrs. V from being taken thousands of miles away? And will she lose all the friends she's fought so hard to gain?

This story addresses first innocent romance, a blended family, friendship with an Alzheimer's victim, and an ancestral interracial relationship.

Here's what readers have said about 10 STEPS TO GIRLFRIEND STATUS:

A Judy Blume for this generation. With refreshing candidness, the author lets us see through Wendy's eyes as she navigates her first crush, her first heartbreak, her first dealings with mortality, and the difficulties in blending a family and learning about dark family secrets.


This is another winner for Cynthia Toney. I loved Bird Face, the first in the series. However, 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status can be read without reading Bird Face as it is a stand alone novel, but I highly recommend you don't miss out on either one. These are great coming of age stories for young people. So insightful. I wish I had been able to read these books when I was growing up. Do yourself a favor and read these two novels, and then give them as a gift to some young people you know, because they have something to offer everyone.


Cynthia Toney's attention to detail makes this book outstanding. And Wendy's unique voice is still spot on. Cynthia has a knack for active use of verbs, no passive writing from this author. Cynthia kept my attention through the whole book, especially when Wendy set out to discover what happened to a relative of the past. I found the relationship between Wendy and her boyfriend sweet, and very clean. Nice going!


If only I had read a book like this when I was in junior high! Wendy is so much like I was, but I didn't figure out the 10th step until way past high school.
Cynthia Toney brings back to my mind all those horrible insecurities of the teen years, and weaves a story of wise advice against the background of our nation's history in race relations.

This book won't be on sale again this year, so don't miss your opportunity to get it at 75% off!

And while you're in the mood to get a good deal on a great book, pre-order THE SECRET HEART by Marie Wells Coutu (the 3rd stand-alone story in her Mended Vessels series) for only $2.99 - a 40% discount! AND get a free book - THE DIVIDED HEART - a prequel to her third story. (Send your Amazon confirmation to freebookforpreorder@gmail.com.)

5 Ways to Turn a Christian Adult Novel into a YA

By Cynthia T. Toney

Is your novel YA—or is it actually a clean adult novel with a teen protagonist?

This question often comes up in writers groups I belong to. And there’s nothing wrong with writing a good, clean or Christian adult novel that can also be read by teenagers. But before you think that having a young protagonist between the ages of 14 and 18 will allow your novel to fly as YA (Young Adult), consider the following differences.  This short list is the result of reading hundreds of novels for teens, writing a few, and hearing what other YA authors and editors have to say on the subject. If your adult novel has some of these characteristics, maybe it could be—or should be—YA.

1. Voice.  Not only should the voice in a YA novel not sound adult, but it also must sound like the age of the protagonist, and that differs greatly between ages 14 and 18. It can be the difference between the voice of a beginning high school freshman and a graduating senior. In any instance, sentences tend to be shorter than in an adult novel and often incomplete or phrases, just as a teenager speaks. Note: In spite of trends in secular YA, Christian YA does not usually contain profanity.

2. POV.  Most good YA novels are told from a single point of view. Teens typically want to place themselves inside the head of the protagonist and stay there.  Rarely do I see POV in a teen novel switch to a parent or other adult, even an antagonist, and then it often detracts from the story. If there is a second POV, it’s usually that of a love interest or a teen antagonist.

3. Not as much religion.  I’ve read many good Christian YA novels, but morals and life lessons are most often conveyed to the reader through the teen characters’ words and actions, especially how they deal with their struggles and overcome their mistakes. Unless a priest or preacher character is important to the plot, teen readers will likely view a scripture reading, sermon, or religious discussion coming from a religious leader—or any adult—as an intrusion. In YA, teen characters are supposed to find their own way and solve their own problems as much as possible. Good examples demonstrated by adult characters, along with a small amount of verbal guidance when necessary, go a long way. Christian teen characters pray, read their bibles, attend church, etc. but young readers want to learn the teens’ perspectives on religious or moral matters, not those of fictional church leaders.

4. More narrative, lots of angst.  Most teens worry about everything in spite of their faith. They sometimes forget to rely on faith until the going gets really rough. They must think through a lot of choices that adult experience has eliminated for the rest of us, although sometimes teens forget to think when we want them to. Dialogue shouldn’t outweigh the narrative containing their thoughts, which can include non-vocal communication with the Lord. Note: Let your teen protagonist express his emotions, even inappropriately, and more inappropriately than an angry Christian adult would.

5. Focus on specifically teenage problems.  Many more such problems exist than when I was a teen, and YA authors must pick and choose those to address in fiction. For example, I don’t want to write about self-mutilation such as cutting. It happens, and some teens want to read about it, but my personal feeling is that if I knew of a teen engaged in cutting, I’d notify her parents immediately, if not call an ambulance. And that would kill the story. So far, I haven’t encountered any YA Christian novel that addresses confusion over gender identity, although the rate that topic appears in secular YA seems greater than the rate it appears in society. The topic of teen sex and pregnancy, if handled well in Christian YA fiction, can benefit readers. Fortunately, YA authors can still write entertaining stories about timeless subjects of first love, innocent dating, cliques, school problems, planning for college, and understanding oneself.

A book that taught me early on some of the characteristics of YA is Wild Ink by Victoria Hanley. Other such guides exist that can help.

If your story is too mature for YA, look into New Adult (NA) to see if it would be a better fit. Living independently, forging a career, and getting engaged or thinking about marriage are topics in NA, a relatively new category in fiction with possibilities for all the genres we enjoy. Protagonists are in their early twenties.

Are you being called to write for a young adult audience? It’s an endeavor worth praying about and can be both satisfying and rewarding.

About the Author

Cynthia is a former advertising designer, marketing director, and interior decorator who holds a BA in art education with a minor in history. While employed by a large daily newspaper, she tried to rewrite some ad copy without permission and got into trouble for it. At that point, she knew she was destined to become an author.

Learn more about Cynthia at her author page at the Write Integrity Press website.

Cynthia Toney is CHOSEN!

Yesterday, Kirkus Review Magazine (www.KirkusReviews.com) chose  a review on 10 STEPS TO GIRLFRIEND STATUS, by Cynthia Toney, as one of it's top reviews for this month and included it in their magazine! So cool!

Here's her article. We're so excited for Cynthia! AND for the latest book in this series: 6 DATES TO DISASTER!

Special News Bulletin!

We interrupt this program for a special alert ... We realize that readers are poised for another Christmas memory article from one of our outstanding authors. They will resume tomorrow, although any comments left today will also go toward entry for our contest! So leave some love!

Today is the release day of

6 DATES TO DISASTER

Cynthia Toney's first two books of the Bird Face series have earned high praise such as:

… most emotionally moving … it's never easy to see someone you love lose their grip on life. Cynthia Toney does a lovely job handling this difficult topic [in 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status].”

 ~A.J. Cattapan, author of Angelhood and Seven Riddles to Nowhere

Cynthia T. Toney’s Bird Face series captures the young teenage years well. Toney weaves serious issues in with humor, mystery, and interesting storylines, making these books hard to put down. The challenges and surprises faced by the characters, especially Wendy Robichaud, help them grow and also bring to light issues relevant to today’s teens.

~Theresa Linden, author of Battle for His Soul, Life-Changing Love, and Roland West, Loner.

Book Three follows right along with the first two, giving insight into a teens life with both poignancy and humor. 

Here is the Amazon link.

Enjoy the first scene: 

People will hide just about anything inside a jewelry box—especially a secret.

As a kid, I tried saving a hard-boiled Easter egg in mine. But during a warm Louisiana spring, it doesn’t take long for that secret to get out.

Two hours on a Saturday afternoon at the biggest flea market in the parish, and I hadn’t found a single jewelry box.

My stepsister, Alice, and I hoofed from table to table, covering territory as quickly as possible. Wearing shorts … in February.

If it hadn’t been for the merchants’ canopies, we would’ve sunburned. A little more air between my body and the one standing next to me would’ve been nice, but the place was too crowded with shoppers.

“How adorable!” A lady at the next booth squealed over a wooden Easter bunny yard ornament that could be personalized with her child’s name.

I crossed my eyes. Even as a six-year-old, I wouldn’t have wanted anything in front of my house to read “Wendy.”

Enough distractions. Back to the day’s goal. Finding a jewelry box for Mom among thousands of items scattered across a hundred folding tables might be harder than I thought.

“There’s too much junk in this flea market.” I rolled my shoulders and sighed.

The booth owner stared daggers at me.

“Haven’t you spent enough time looking? Why don’t you just buy her a new one?” Alice flicked perspiration from above her lip with a fingertip. Her strawberry-blonde hair had begun to frizz, and she lifted it off her neck, fanning it behind her.

I shook my head, ponytail slapping my jaw. “Anyone can go to a store and do that. It’ll mean more to Mom if the jewelry box has history—or at least some character. I know the right one is here somewhere.”

Alice shrugged. “You should know. She’s been your mom longer than she’s been mine.” She picked up a dingy-white crocheted vest and held it against her front.

Mom and Papa D—short for Daniel—had been married almost six months. In the four months between the end of eighth grade and my first semester at LeMoyne High School, Alice had gone from being a classmate I hardly knew to being both my running buddy and my sister. We suffered through our share of quarrels, but living with each other had become easier since Christmas. And it was nice having a sister to go with me on errands. If only she would focus.

Alice sniffed the vest under the armholes. She slid her hands through the openings and shrugged the vest onto her shoulders.

My gaze traveled two booths down toward a collection of antique-looking tabletop accessories. “I’ll be over there.” I pointed.

“I’m coming.” Alice slipped out of the garment and followed me.

Rusted and tarnished items cluttered the table. A pair of wrought-iron candlesticks towered above the rest of the display.

I gasped. Beneath the candlesticks sat a large mahogany box almost the same color as our hair—Mom’s and mine.

Hands shaking, I moved the candlesticks aside and lifted the box. It contained three drawers with brass pulls. The sides and hinged top showed only a few scratches. I set the box back down and opened one of the drawers.

“See?” I whispered as though in the presence of a holy relic. “This is what I’m talking about.” I glanced at Alice to make sure she was paying attention. “Made of solid wood with red velvet inside. You can even see impressions in the velvet where bangle bracelets were stored. This is all real.”

Alice rolled her blue eyes but grinned.

“It’s the right size, too—much bigger than her old one. It should hold all her jewelry and Grand-mère Robichaud’s antique pieces. She won’t need those cardboard boxes anymore. She’ll love it.”

“Then let’s get it.” Alice reached inside her pocket for some money, which she’d never lacked since I’d known her. As part of the Rend family, Mom and I were still getting used to having extra money for luxury items.

Alice and I split the cost fifty-fifty, and I bagged the box. I’d never spent that much on a gift before, but Mom was worth it.

Alice phoned Papa D that we’d meet him and my little stepbrother, Adam, at the car. They’d found gifts for Mom, too.

This was going to be her best birthday ever.

12 Books of Christmas: 

The first book in Cynthia's Bird Face series, 8 NOTES TO A NOBODY, is part of our 12 Books of Christmas contest. Leave a comment below with your email address (US residents only). Your email address will also be added to our monthly newsletter list. (Unsubscribe anytime.) While you're commenting, share your favorite book from your high school years.

12 Books of Christmas: THE MAN CAVE by Cynthia T. Toney

He’d always been a saver. Not of money but of things.

He’d saved broken fixtures, unrecognizable hardware, scraps of wood and plastic and fiberglass, every old nail, bolt, and fastener.

Now he had to save whatever scraps were left of his dignity. An unexpected layoff claimed his good-paying job with bonuses. Who was he without his career—heck, without even a minimum-wage job?

Everyone turned him down, even the home improvement centers where he’d spent much of his time—and money, back when he had some. They didn’t know what an expert in building and maintenance they rejected. “Overqualified,” they said. Sure, he had a good education, but he was more than his degree. He had once helped build a fine house with his own two hands. Not the framework, electrical or plumbing, but a good deal of the interior and exterior, using the finest materials.

Lately he searched the discard piles at those same centers for pieces of two-by-fours, fractions of plywood sheets, and sections of molding too short for most builders to bother with.

When friends heard what he was doing, they searched their garages and attics. Soon he had a door, a window, a ceiling fan. A garage sale turned up a scratched sink. A family member donated some used light fixtures.

He drew up some plans and framed up a small building, using an existing slab where a rusted metal prefab once stood.

The wife spotted a neighbor’s weathered fence boards piled at the street for trash pickup. Placed at a 45-degree angle, they became a contemporary façade for the front door and a hinged window over the counter top, which he tiled from mismatched surplus, politely requested from a local flooring supply.

“What do you need for your building?” was the question from mother, wife, and children when Christmas, birthday, and Father’s Day rolled around. That got him the things he couldn’t find for free or on the clearance tables.

Each weekday morning after his wife left for her workplace, he walked out the back door of their home and traveled the few yards to reach what was now his full-time job. He found peace in the routine. 

“I’m afraid you’ll get depressed,” his wife had said at first. “You aren’t used to having so many hours to fill during the day. I don’t like the idea of you feeling sad or lonely.”

“I don’t want you to think about me while you’re at work,” he’d replied. He pointed to his project. “When I’m busy in there, I’m safe and happy.”

In his little building, he focused his energy, contained his worry, and sheltered his ego. Through hundreds of rejections of his resume, he pursued his endeavor. Each evening, he presented to his wife the small accomplishments of every stage of completion. Together they celebrated them.

The building became the place to go, whether he wanted to relax in solitude or entertain his wife, family, or friends.  It was his own creation, the nonliving thing he was most proud of.

When almost two years had passed, he received a job offer in another state. Of all the changes he had to make to take it, including a permanent move, parting with his man cave was the most difficult.

At Christmas, I look back at that period in our lives and think of that building. It reminds me of Joseph doing the best he could with what he had for Mary and Jesus. And Joseph was a carpenter like my husband.

Joy fills my heart, because God used the man cave to show me the kind of person my husband really is.

About the Author: 

Cynthia is a former advertising designer, marketing director, and interior decorator who holds a BA in art education with a minor in history. While employed by a large daily newspaper, she tried to rewrite some ad copy without permission and got into trouble for it. At that point, she knew she was destined to become an author.

When she’s not cooking Cajun or Italian food, Cynthia writes historical and contemporary teen fiction containing elements of mystery and romance. For more about Cynthia and her books, check out her Author page on our Write Integrity Press website.

And before you go, Cynthia has left a special recipe from her Christmas to yours! Enjoy!

SALMON PATTIES/CAKES

A Recipe (sort of... I don't use measurements) for holiday parties or when you’re tired of turkey and ham.

One can 14-16 oz. Alaskan Pink Salmon,  Drained but not dry
2 Eggs
Milk
Italian Bread Crumbs
Slice of Wheat Bread or some Saltine Crackers (optional...can use less bread crumbs if using either of these)
Zatarain's Fish Fry (or other seasoned cornmeal-based fish fry—Louisiana Fish Fry, Tony Chachere’s, Cajun Injector, Bootsie’s, Cajun King)
Flour
Chopped Bell Pepper (one large)
Chopped Onion, or onion flakes
Garlic, or garlic powder
Celery (optional...would be nice if you have it, but I used celery salt)
NOTE: If you use any saltine crackers or celery salt, DO NOT ADD EXTRA SALT to the patties.)

Mix some flour with a little fish fry to give the flour a pale yellow color, and set aside.  You will use

Cynthia's first book from her Bird Face
series is part of our giveaway! Leave a
comment for your chance to win. And
come back tomorrow for another entry!

this to dredge the patties in.

Pour about a half inch depth of vegetable oil in a frying pan, and have some extra oil ready for adding later.

In a bowl, mix the eggs, salmon, bread crumbs, bread/saltines (optional), a LITTLE  fish fry (Zatarain's is very spicy), the bell pepper, onion, garlic, celery (or celery salt if you like). When all this is mixed well, add enough milk to moisten and allow you to form a meatball in your two hands with the mixture. Test cook a small glob of the mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds to see if you like the taste.

Heat the oil in the pan to medium. Form one meatball at a time and flatten it and coat it with the flour/fish fry mixture. (If you make the patties too big, they will crack.)
Place in pan and continue to form patties, dredge, and fry. Turn each one when bottom looks brown. Lower the heat so that the oil does not begin to burn.
Add more oil before beginning to fry your next batch. (This recipe will make 10 or 12 patties.)
Drain patties on paper towels on large plates or a long pan.

They freeze and reheat well. (and taste even better)
Good with ketchup or tartar sauce.

12 Books of Christmas: 

You can win a copy of Cynthia's YA book, 8 Notes to a Nobody, along with 11 other books (US residents only) by commenting below and leaving your email address for us to add to our monthly newsletter list. (Unsubscribe anytime.) Here's a question you can answer: Grieving losses at Christmas is normal, but have you had a change in your life is stirred up in happy memories, like Cynthia's?

Teens Tread the Muddy Waters of Honesty by YA Author Cynthia T. Toney

Remember the first time a child looked you in the eye and asked why someone lied? If you were that someone and you’re like me, the answer was tough to give.

Grandma and Grandpa didn’t know you smoked. You couldn’t tell Aunt Marie you threw out the casserole she made. You didn’t want to go to that birthday party, so you pretended you were sick.

Young children most often view situations and reactions to them as black or white, bad or good, wrong or right.

Discernment is more difficult for teens. Most think of themselves as honest and don’t want to lie, but sometimes they are confused. Teens see and hear lies being told all around them, probably every day. On television, in movies, and in real life. And when lies don’t seem to do any measurable harm, it’s easy for teens to enter a gray, muddy area. There they may not be able to determine when a lie or withholding of the truth is just plain wrong.

They may think lying is sometimes necessary. When is a lie necessary? Only to save a life—or simply to spare someone’s feelings?

Cynthia's newest book,
6 DATES TO DISASTER,
releases 12/6! 

You or I may have years of experience in avoiding a direct answer that would hurt someone’s feelings. We may answer with a compliment about something else in order to save a relationship. Teens may not have practiced this art. And it is an art of deception, if we’re honest with ourselves.

Of all things important to teens, relationships are way up high on the list. And that’s the point we can use to guide them regarding their honesty.

Just as brutal honesty can sometimes damage relationships, dishonesty is certain to ruin them. Dishonesty with parents, teachers, friends, employers, coworkers. Teens may not consider how a lie about the car, schoolwork, tardiness, keeping a date, or numerous other seemingly small lies can affect the trust they receive from others in the future. And the future of relationships they need, whether they recognize their importance now or not.

To start a conversation with your teen about honesty, something fun to do is to take an honesty quiz such as this

Christian Teen Honesty Quiz: How Truthful Are You?
http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/honestyquiz.htm

The introduction states that about 83% of teens believe that moral truth depends on a particular situation. As a family member of a teen, how do you feel about honesty and what do you expect from your teen? Now is the time to talk about it.

Interesting survey statistics about teens lying, cheating, and stealing can be found in
5 Things to Do When You Know Your Teen Is Lying on Crosswalk.com.
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/the-rising-tide-of-teen-dishonesty-11623353.html

Statistics particular to academic dishonesty can be found in Teen Dishonesty at TeenHelp.com.https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-issues/teen-dishonesty/

We can sometimes reach our teens through fiction that addresses issues of our concern. A novel can demonstrate how teens handle situations that are muddy regarding honesty.

The third book of my Bird Face series, 6 Dates to Disaster, tackles the subject of dishonesty in school and withholding truth from parents.

When the main character’s family faces financial hardship, she must find a way to earn money to fly to Alaska to see her surrogate grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Wendy has only a few months to acquire enough money for her fare. What seems like the perfect opportunity to achieve her goal presents itself, but she handles the situation badly and risks permanent damage to her relationships and her future.

Learn more about Cynthia and all of her books at her author page at WriteIntegrity.com

TV Interviews

This evening, October 7, 2015, I have the honor and privilege of being a guest on WATC-TV 57's Atlanta Live program, 7-8:30 PM (Eastern). The program is available by live stream here.

I would greatly appreciate your prayers - I tend to enjoy being a hermit, so being interviewed on TV is a huge step outside my comfort zone. But we're talking about books, about faith, about my walk with Jesus - and that THRILLS me. Just pray I don't make a fool of myself or embarrass my Lord.

I'm so proud of our other authors who've recently been interviewed on both TV and radio. You can view and listen to those at the links below:

TV Appearances:

(YouTube links)

Deborah Harper - WATC-TV 57 Atlanta

Elizabeth Noyes - WATC-TV 57 Atlanta

Joan Deneve - WATC-TV 57 Atlanta

Radio Interviews:

(SoundCloud links)

Betty Thomason Owens - The Dottie Coffman Show - Victory Radio

Cynthia Toney - The Dottie Coffman Show - Victory Radio

Elizabeth Noyes - The Dottie Coffman Show - Victory Radio

Fay Lamb - The Dottie Coffman Show - Victory Radio

I'll keep the PRESS page (see tab above) updated with new interviews as they're available, so stay tuned.