The Liebster Award - for the Love of Words

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Just a few days ago, I was awarded the Leibster Award. Well, that’s not quite true. I was offered it. By a young poet and friend from the UK! Hannah is a budding writer and blogger who delights in using her God-given gifts to encourage and inspire others. You can check out her blog, The Way of Delight here. Thanks, Hannah!

Since I had no other plans for this week’s post (I’m heading to the SoCal Christian Writer’s Conference tomorrow — can’t wait!) I decided to take her up on the offer. The award has been around for a number of years, morphing as it time went by. If you want the full story, you can read it at wordingwell.com I went online to find a few images for the award, which you see above.

So, why the award?

It’s main purpose is to share the the love of words via the blogs and bloggers you admire. The word, if I’m not mistaken, comes from “Liebe” — the word for love in German. Share the love, pass the love, follow the love of words — by introducing your readers to new blogs.

Here are are the rules (as Hannah was given them). BTW, remember the telephone game? You start with a comment whispered into the ear of the next person in line, and by the time it gets to the end, the message has morphed into something entirely different? Such it is with the Liebster Award rules.

Here are the latest RULES:
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1. Thank the blogger who nominated you. (done that!☺️)
2. Display your award. (I found them online — you can google it and pick your favorite!)
3. Answer the questions you were asked. (I will, below)
4. Nominate 5 other bloggers.
5. Ask 6 new questions.
6. Let our nominees know they were nominated and give them a link to your post.

These were the questions Hannah gave me, so I will answer them. . .

1. What’s the inspiration behind your blog’s name? It originally was (and still is) Making the Write Connections. I needed to make my name first and foremost, since my debut book, The Heart Changer, released April 26th with Ambassador International. I love to make connections in life, literature and travel that give you pause, inspire or instruct you. Or maybe even make you laugh! I should add back the title soon. . .
2. If you had to choose 1 color to represent your personality, what would it be and why? Hmmmm. If you would have asked me years ago, I’d always say “blue”. Now, being older, I love the color green with all its vibrant hues. It reminds me of life, freshness and a new beginning. My first name, Jarmila, means “lover of Spring” (I was born at the end of May), so green fits my name.
3. What is the best non-fiction book you’ve read in the last year? Ooooh. That’s a toughy. Hmmmmm. Let me check my Goodreads list. . . Ahhh, yes! We are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World by Malala Yousafzai. Since the main character of my novel, The Heart Changer was, in a way, not only a captive taken to Syria, but also displaced, I wanted to know what it was like for a young girl to be forced to leave the only home she knew, to face a new culture and language. Malala’s book reveals all!
4. What song have you have had on repeat recently? Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God by Kristyn Getty. Our worship team sang it this past Sunday, and it is my current favorite! I challenge you to take a listen — it can’t help but touch you in some way. I get teary-eyed when I hear it!
5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In a tiny house in South Carolina. 😉 I’m not sure my husband would agree, but I definitely want to downsize, and get rid of ‘stuff’, since I’m now a minimalist. It would be icing on the cake to live in the English or French countryside, but I think that’s stretching it a bit far. I would also be delighted to have published (or under contract), two more MG historical novels!
6. What fictional character are you most like? I always say, Jane Eyre. Her dedication to what’s right instead of what feels good or what she desires most is foreshadowed by her inner moral code. In the end, her dreams really do come true, but without sacrificing her beliefs.

Now it’s time to share the love and pay it forward. I’d like to nominate the following bloggers — if you feel overwhelmed and not able to contribute, no worries. Let me know in the comments below, and share a link to one of your favorite blogs:

Vivian Kirkfield — for her giving heart. She always seeks to encourage others on her blog or in person.

Edie Melson — for her helping heart — offering a variety of tips for writers. I look forward to her posts every day.

Betsy de Cruz — who has a heart for God’s Word. You will be mightily encouraged by her newsletters and latest book.

Rinda Beach — a new author friend to has a love for life and enthusiasm to spare!

Rachel Dodge — who has a heart for Jane Austen as I do, but knows much more about her since she’s done copious research on her life and novels.

Here are your questions ladies:

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1. Give us a link to your favorite post of all time (on your blog, of course).

2. Which book do YOU wish you had written?

3. If you could jump into any novel, and become a character, which one would it be?

4. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? And why? (This counts as one question.😆)

5. If you were on a stranded island, which food could you not live without?

6. If you were driven from your home, and had five minutes to pack, what would you take? (This is a question I asked at my book signing, since it relates to a scene at the beginning of my novel).

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I hope you’ve learned something of value in this blogpost (it’s the teacher in me — sorry.)

​By the way, The Heart Changer has 21 reviews right now on Amazon. Can you help me reach 25? If you have read my story, please give me an honest review on Amazon, (most important) Goodreads, Barnes and Noble and/or Bookbub. You can copy and paste the same review to all the online sites. Easy-peasy! I'd sure appreciate it!

And if you have purchased it, make sure you download The Heart Changer's theme song here.

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News flash: Amazon is featuring The Heart Changer e-book for 99¢ today. Check it out HERE!
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Do you have a favorite blog link you can share with us? List it below in the comments!