KUDOS to Nicole at Miller Media Solutions and Ashberry Lane Publishing for this stunning book cover for my upcoming novel! I think it is the perfect blend of of Hollywood glamour, nostalgic mood, intrigue, and romance, don't you?
The Memoir of Johnny Devine is a “classic” love story set
in 1953 at a time when post-war America seeks security in prosperity and conformity. Hollywood’s Golden Age is coming to an end, McCarthy's “Red Scare” reaches new heights
of paranoia, and unrest over civil rights continues to grow. It’s a story for those who enjoy a character-driven, inspirational drama, a strong but chaste
romance, and a touch of intrigue.
This novel was a blast to write and research. In fact, the idea for it came to me in a dream one night at a time when I was in the middle of writing another book. I was so moved by the dream that I set the other book aside and began plotting. Soon, Johnny "Devilishly" Devine was born. (He may possess a few attributes similar to Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Gregory Peck. Their best ones, of course. :) )
Love can’t rewrite the pages of one’s past,
but it can cover a multitude of sins
---one page at a time.
Rumor had it that Johnny could seduce anything in a skirt quicker than he could hail a cab. But now, the notorious womanizer claims he's born again. Trouble is, everyone knows who he is and what he's done, and they'll never forget---the tabloids have made sure of that.
1953: Eliza Saunderson is a young war widow appalled by societal injustice and inequality. She also resents the notion that modern women are expected to look fashionable, keep house, and play bridge. What if a woman has other aspirations, other skills, other dreams? And then there was the expectation of marriage. Her's hadn't turned out to be the fairy tale her sister promised. Instead, marriage had taught her a painful lesson: Love wasn't worth the constant work of earning and fear of losing it. If what she had could be called love.
Desperation forces Eliza to take a job writing the memoir of the ex-Hollywood heartthrob, Johnny Devine. But to her surprise, she finds herself falling for the humble, grace-filled man John has become. Meanwhile, her passionate articles on racial injustice land her on McCarthy’s hit list and she must clear
her name while trying not to fall in love with a man whose scandalous past keeps him too busy to notice her.
...Or does it?
The Memoir of Johnny Devineis the dramatic story within a story of a bad boy reformed and
a good girl in need of reform. It’s a powerful tale of love, redemption, intrigue,
and the miracle of God’s deliberate grace.
Johnny releases in print and eBook in December, but the eBook isnow available for pre-orderat a Special Price of 3.99 ($1 off) thru release day.
My husband, friends, and I had to drive an hour away to the one theater in our area that was showing Captive. Which is not surprising. Even though this film was distributed by Paramount Pictures, films labeled faith-based or inspirational usually don't make it to many screens. Perhaps the reason is the thinking that faith films are not compelling enough to fill more theaters.
My posture while viewing this film? Captive—literally.
Held taut for 136 intense minutes and forgetting to exhale.
"Captive" is based on the true story of Ashley Smith, a single mother struggling with drug addiction, taken hostage in her apartment by a man on the run after breaking out of jail and murdering the judge assigned to his case. We are first introduced to Ashley (Kate
Mara) in an addiction recovery group. Ashley pulls no punches about what drugs
have cost her. She has a daughter she adores, but drug use has taken away what
is most precious to her. No, next to
most precious: she admits she can’t stop using because she likes it too much. We
study her transparent expression as her resigned words replay in our ears, and
we decide in that moment to applaud her honesty and sympathize.
When help is offered in the form of a book, The Purpose Driven Life, she tosses it in the trash.
She is ruining her life and can’t stop. Won’t stop. What good can a book do? She
is honest, she is helpless, and she is hopeless.
Soon, through a violent chain of events, escaped killer
Brian Nichols (David Oyelowo), takes Ashley hostage in her apartment. Desperate
and hunted, he also pulls no punches about what he is capable of. He killed a
judge who wanted to enslave him, and “it felt good.” Ashley’s already hopeless
life takes a sudden and unexpected turn for the worse.
Two lives intersect and the course of each changes in a most
unusual and unnatural way. It’s that unnatural
element that often piques my interest. The book Ashley tossed into the trash
ends up on her kitchen table and becomes a catalyst of hope.
As a novelist, I create fictional characters, places, and events,
yet work hard to weave in elements of truth, of universal realities that people
experience. Real flaws, mistakes, and wounds, basic human hopes and fears bring stories to life, make them tangible, meaningful. And
most importantly (to me), my stories include a real God who touches real lives in a very real and
often “unnatural” way. It is the supernatural,
subtly portrayed in this film, which adds that spark, that tangible hope to Ashley’s
story. It is done carefully and organically, not forced, not tidy.
Like life.
The story is well-written, touching on universal elements of
human experience people feel and even crave, like hope, second chances, and spiritual
truths that empower and liberate. The acting is superb. Mara and Oyelowo are spell-binding
as they portray realistic, complex characters who grip us from beginning
credits to end. "Captive" is a high quality, thought provoking, “captivating”
film that lingers long after you leave the theater. I highly recommend this
film and plan to buy it and watch it again when it releases on DVD.
Director: Jerry Jameson, Writers: Brian Bird (screenplay), Ashley Smith (book), Cast: Kate Mara, David Oyelowo
Today is release day (US) of the film, Captive, based on the true story of Ashley Smith in Atlanta 10 years ago. It's a powerful, faith-inspiring story, written for screen and produced by Screenwriter/Producer Brian Bird. I plan to see it tonight with a truckload - ok a minivan full - of friends.
Do you plan to see Captive? If you do, I would love to hear your feedback on the film. I will post my review here soon, stay tuned!
This novel is coming in December! The Memoir of Johnny Devine is the story-within-a-story of a bad boy reformed and a good girl in need of reform. This “classic” romance is set in 1953 at a time when post-war America seeks security in prosperity, Hollywood’s Golden Age is coming to an end, the “Red Scare” reaches new heights of paranoia, and unrest over civil rights continues to grow. It’s geared toward those who enjoy a character-driven, inspirational drama, a strong but chaste romance, and a touch of intrigue.
Will be available in print, ebook, and audiobook.
Visit www.camilleeide.com for release news or sign up for publishing news from Ashberry Lane.
“It’s easy to talk about being a great dad . . . but when
the rubber meets the road it’s not always so easy . . . If we didn’t have those
qualities modeled for us by a father, it makes it even more difficult. Interestingly
enough though, the qualities that make a great dad are easily learned and
mastered by all men. Most men want to be a better dad, even a great dad, but
just don’t know how . . .” From 10 Things Great Dads Do: Strategies For RaisingGreat Kids - by Rick Johnson, releasing September 15, 2015
My review: Fatherhood can be
challenging, but it can also be fun, rewarding, and fulfilling. 10 Things Great Dads Do is
packed full of things that fathers (as well as moms and grandparents) can begin
doing today to improve the challenging but doable task of raising confident,
healthy, great kids. This book is an easy read (YES!) and an excellent tool for
providing some very doable things to develop the kinds of characteristics in you, dads, that will positively impact your kids lives as well as yours.
This book is a godsend that fills in the gaps of what may be missing in our “toolbox” of parenting.
My kids are adults now and beginning families of their own. My
husband did (and still does) a tremendous job as a father, but even so, I wish
we’d had this book when our kids were young. Even after raising three great kids
into great adults, this book is full of eye-opening information about what kids need that I wish I’d
known. As someone who didn’t have the blessing of a great dad until I was an
adult myself, I found myself nodding (tearfully) in agreement with everything Mr.
Johnson said about what children need from their dad.
As grandparents, we are looking forward to putting some of
these wonderful strategies into practice. I highly recommend this book to dads
as well as to moms who want to partner with the father of their children to
give them the best chance in life they can have.
The Author: Rick
Johnson is a bestselling author of That's My Son, That's My
Teenage Son, That's My Girl, and Better
Dads, Stronger Sons, as well as Becoming Your Spouse's Better Half and Romancing
Your Better Half. He is the founder
of Better Dads and is a sought-after speaker at many large parenting and
marriage conferences across the United States and Canada. Rick, his wife
Suzanne, and their grown children live in Oregon. To
find out more about Rick Johnson, visit www.betterdads.net
“All of us have loved ones or friends who have hurts, habits, or hang ups they need help with.” ~Brian Bird
CAPTIVE (2015 Paramount Pictures) is the compelling true
story (in 2005) of a single mom taken hostage by a man on the run for murder,
and the events that turned a deadly situation into lives forever changed. Captive
stars Kate Mara (Fantastic Four), David Oyelowo (Selma, The Butler), and Michael
Kenneth Williams. Directed by Jerry Jameson, screenplay by Brian Bird. This film
releases September 18, 2015.
“CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the
attention of the entire nation, is a thrilling drama about the spiritual
collision of two broken lives. When Brian Nichols - on the run as the subject
of a city wide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son -
takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment, she
turns for guidance to Rick Warren’s best-selling inspirational book, The
Purpose Driven Life. While reading aloud, Ashley and her would-be killer each
face crossroads where despair and death intersect hope.” (from the official movie website)
Photo Credit: Copyright 2014 Paramount Pictures
The film's screenplay was written by producer/writer Brian
Bird, 30 year Hollywood film and TV veteran. Bird is co-founder and partner
with Michael Landon, Jr. of Believe Pictures, specializing in
life-and-faith-affirming films and television.
I became acquainted with Brian Bird through the television
series “When Calls The Heart” (Hallmark Channel), which he and Landon co-created
and produced. Fans numbering in the tens of thousands (and growing) appreciate the work that these
men are doing and the vision they have for bringing faith-affirming, family
values back to TV and film.
When I saw this trailer for Captive, I was both hooked and disappointed
that I’d have to wait until September 18 (!!!) to see the film. In the meantime, I
asked Brian if he would talk about this remarkable true story and share what he
hopes its telling will accomplish.
CE: Brian, what first
drew you to this story?
BB: I’ve been a member of Saddleback Church for the last 20
years, so I was very familiar with Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life and I even had an opportunity with 20th
Century Fox to try to get some version of a movie made using the principals in Pastor
Rick’s book. But it was only after the Ashley Smith story happened that Rick
emailed me and suggested that we try to make Ashley’s story into a movie
instead of trying to cook something up that was purely fictional. He was
totally right. After that, it took about seven more years to finally get this
movie made, but God’s timing could not have been more perfect and I am so
grateful. I really believe this is a movie that could have a transformative
effect on the culture, and perhaps even save some lives.
CE: I appreciate that
the real, positive impact on lives, more than entertainment, fame, and fortune,
is at the heart of your work, your goal. One of the taglines from the film is
“When you have God, you have nothing to fear.” At what point in the creation process
did it become apparent that this was a key truth in this story?
BB: That principle could not be any more true, not only in
Ashley’s Smith story, but also in my own. When I started working on the
screenplay for “Captive” I was at a particularly vulnerable point in my life. I
was questioning my career, my future in the Hollywood industry, and my calling
as a writer. Rick Warren called me one day and challenged my doubts. He told me
that there is no such thing as being “uncalled.” There is no such thing as
“un-ringing” that bell. I guess you could say it was a bit of a “come to Jesus”
phone call, and a great encouragement to me to keep pushing forward. The fact
that we have nothing to fear when we’re walking with God is absolutely an
essential truth for all of us. And I am praying that “Captive” will help a lot
of people around the world conquer their fears.
CE: It’s a powerful
story, and yet, even though it’s based on true events, I believe a good storyteller
draws on some kind of personal, core connection to make any story—real or
fiction—come “alive” for others. Was there something in particular about the
story that resonated with you personally?
Photo Credit: Copyright 2014 Paramount Pictures
BB: You’re right, when we are telling or adapting true
stories into books or films, we are not making documentaries. We are making
entertainments. That means we can’t let the truth get in the way of good
storytelling. But in the case of the Ashley Smith and Brian Nichols story, I
did not have to fill in too many gaps. We just chose to be as authentic with
the story as possible. One of the big lessons in the true story, which became
magnified in our film, is that we all need second chances in life. We’re not
all murderers or meth addicts, but we have all made mistakes that we need to be
forgiven for, and for which a second chance in life means everything. Some of
the biggest sinners in history are recorded in the Bible. Moses was a murderer.
David was an adulterer and a murderer. Yet God remembers them as powerful
forces for good in the world. Imagine what the world would be like if there
were no second chances.
CE: We would have no
hope! I thank God every day for second chances. What were some of the
challenges involved in bringing Captive to the screen? What kept you going?
BB: “Captive” is a “widow’s mite” kind of film. When my
colleagues and I first embarked on putting this film together, we had very few
resources to work with. There was no big bank account full of investment money
to fund creation of the script or the plan for this film. We had to step out in
faith with a sense of destiny that we could make this plan come together. But I
think it’s more satisfying that way, because that’s what faith is always about.
Faith is about stepping into the darkness, not knowing what the future holds,
but doing it anyway. Our job is to be obedient. God does the amazing part. Just
like when the children of Israel were trying to cross the Jordan River into the
promised land. They had to wade out into the river at flood stage. The water
didn’t start receding until they were in the middle of the river. That’s the
way God works in our lives sometimes. We do obedience, and he does amazing.
CE: Amen! I found the
storytelling and the acting/writing quality in just the trailer alone to be very
impressive for a faith-based film. Do you anticipate a growing trend in high
quality, faith-affirming TV and film? What can viewers do to help grow this
trend?
BB: Any of us working in storytelling, whether it be writing
novels or making movies, should be absolutely committed to excellence in our
craft. We do the world, God, and ourselves no favors by playing small. When it
comes to our creativity, there should be no such thing as the “good enough
principle.” We were all made the image of the Author of the Universe. We all
have a tiny strand of that author’s DNA in us. That means that every aspect of
creativity that comes out of us should strive for excellence. Our goal should
be to become the Michelangelo of our own gifts and talents, not for our own
glory, but to point to the glory of the One who made us. That’s not to say we
will be perfect in our creative endeavors, but I believe it’s a sin not to
attempt to be the most excellent image-bearers we can be. I will let others
judge whether we accomplish that aspiration with “Captive,” but I sure pray
it’s so. And if they do see the film and believe it worthy of their
recommendation, I pray they will tell everybody and their brother about it very
quickly. The first week’s box office numbers are crucial to determining how
many people will be able to see this film (and Lord-willing, have their lives
changed). If people wait, thinking they will see it in weeks 2 or 3, there may
not be a week 2 or 3. But if week 1 is big, we may be around for weeks 7 and 8!
CE: Thank you for
making that clear. What do you hope viewers will gain from seeing this film?
BB: My hope and prayer for “Captive” is that millions of
people will be exposed to this important story of Second Chances. All of us
have loved ones or friends who have hurts, habits, or hang ups they need help
with. I would like nothing more then to see thousands of our loved ones get
into get into recovery or rehabilitation with ministries like Celebrate
Recovery, the Salvation Army, and Alcoholics Anonymous. It took a killer to
save Ashley Smith’s life because she was a meth addict who was on the brink of
losing everything in life, including her
life. The night Brian Nichols took her hostage a decade ago was the night she
got a clean and sober, and she has been clean and sober ever since. Imagine if
God was able to use this movie to do that same miracle in the lives of tens of thousands
of people. That would be the biggest and most important accomplishment of my
life.
CE: Thank you, Brian, for giving us a glimpse into the story
behind the film, and for sharing your heart in bringing it to screen. I hope
everyone will:
1. GO see this film OPENING DAY
2. SHARE the word with others
3. PRAY for lives to be touched by God in a powerful way
Share on Twitter: MUST SEE: CAPTIVE the MOVIE 9.18.15 starring @KateMara
#DavidOyelowo @Captive #FollowYourPurpose CaptiveTheMovie.com (CLICK TO TWEET)
RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME: I've published five novels and 2 novellas (more about those on my website.) I've been writing all my life, but decided in 2007 to get serious about being published.
I love action movies and Jane Austen. (she’s dead, I know. I found that out when I tried to get her to endorse my novel)
They let me playBass guitar and sing in a worship band.
I can produce 4 dozen homemade cinnamon rolls in a flash for a crowd of drooling young adults. Or publishing house editors.
I used to have a Harley. Now we have seven grandkiddos. Decent trade, really.
I am a proud Grammy. Don't even think about taking candy from my babies.
I hate shopping (Yes, I'm aware that I'm a girl)
MY ROOTS: I've lived in Oregon all my life, spent time in Eugene (Go DUCKS!), Springfield, Reedsport, and Smith River. Which is not really a town, but a river, about 70 miles long, a tributary of the Umpqua River in southwest Oregon.
Although it's not a town, it is a community with a strong sense of pioneer history. It's cool to say you've lived there, especially if you lived there during the days when you had to take a boat to school. No joke! The old farmhouse my grandfather and my mother grew up in still stands, nestled into a narrow, pasture carpeted valley, complete with a swimmin' hole and its own 'crick'. It may turn up in one of my novels.
There's a rumor that my ancestors had a connection with the Mafia back in Sicily. I used to fantasize as a kid about a big black limo with tinted windows pulling up and whisking me away from school. Ahhh. So THAT'S why I'm having so much trouble conjugating my dangling participles now.
NOT RANDOM:I am challenged by the truth and amazed by the grace of God. And it's either in spite of or because of that grace that I hold a PhD in Learning Stuff the Hard Way.
