Reflection Unknown

Written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

So, I've been furiously working on one of my latest novels, Reflection Unknown. I just finished plotting the last half of the book, and am SO excited to write it!!!!

For those of you who like horror, this book is right up your ally, no doubt. It's extremely graphic and beyond creepy. It's so disturbing in some aspects that I actually had to take a break from writing and reconnect with God. (Not that I wasn't connected before. Just had to get closer with Him). But, the stuff in this book is really dark. It does have a good ending. Evil does not win. Evil will never win in any of my books, because God prevails over all evil.

Reflection Unknown is still in the making, so I don't have a publisher for it yet. I'm hoping to land an agent for this manuscript. I can tell my writing has gotten so much stronger since the first book I wrote, The Protected:The Unseen Realm, which is supposed to be released sometime in March or April 2014. (Not that my writing isn't strong in The Protected.) I've just been able to catch mistakes better than I used to before sending it to my editor, DeWanna Pace. She's awesome! She's been editing my manuscript, Reflection Unknown, and has shown me how to improve before sending it to agents or publishing companies. She's just fabulous.

My first novel, The Protected: The Unseen Realm, is geared for middle school through college age kids. It does have a couple of somewhat graphic scenes, and has no profanity. This is a book sold under the Christian Market. I believe I talked a little more about it on a seperate blog of mine recently. But, if you like angels and demons, good vs. evil, this is your book! And, if you like endings with a twist, this is also your book! Lol. If you are one that likes a good freaky, page turner, nail biting experience without the gore and profanity, you'll love this book. 

If you like gore, high tension, nail shredding, on the edge of your seat books, Reflection Unknown is most definitely for you. It does contain some "mild" profanity in it. Also, if you like twist endings, you'll love it! Reflection Unknown would not fly under the Christian Market due to its extreme graphic contents and occassional profane language. (Nothing like the F word or misuse of God's Name).

I have big hopes for these two novels. I love my God-given gift to write! I hope that when these two novels come out, you guys will read them and enjoy them, and also learn something through them.

I will update more on each of these novels later.

I'm supposed to be getting back my first edits on The Protected: The Unseen Realm any day now. Feels like forever when you're an excited writer! :]

Hope everyone has a blessed day and a wonderful rest of the week!

Must Read: Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl

I finished reading a very good book a few days ago called, Being More Than A Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

This book is one I highly recommend. Lysa is very transparent. She doesn't try to hide anything. She's also very straightforward, and doesn't sugar coat things. However, she is absolutely hilarious! I laughed several times while reading her book.

Being More Than A Good Bible Study Girl teaches us that we are not worthless. It teaches us that God is the only thing that can fill the void everyone is born with. Everyone's void is different, and everyone tries desperately to fill it with temporary things that bring us happiness. Eventually the happiness wears off and we try to fill it with more and more and more, and it never seems to work. We can never get enough. In her book, Lysa shows how we CAN get enough. After reading Being More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, I felt happier than I had in a long time. I read it within two days, and it was the best two days I'd had in a while.

I felt closer to God. Not only that, but I could relate, almost in every aspect, to Lysa! I would come across places where she'd messed up in life and I'd think, Whoa! You did that, too??

This book is geared for girls and women. Lysa really hits home for how a lot of women feel inside even though they cover their unhappiness with a smile.

I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. It's one I'm definitely keeping to reread.

If you feel like you're missing something, read this book. You won't regret it.

To read about Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl, or to purchase the book, please click the following link: http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-More-Than-Bible-Study/dp/0310293251

Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl is also located at your local Christian bookstore(s).

The Protected:The Unseen Realm

Written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery



Hello guys! Just an update about my book:

Tate Publishing is in the editing process of my novel. Within a week or so, I should hear back from them with my first edits for me to review.

I can't tell you how excited I am about the publication of The Protected:The Unseen Realm. It's been a dream of mine, ever since I could write, to publish a book. Now that it is actually happening, I can't believe it! It's so surreal. 

The Protected:The Unseen Realm is a spiritual warfare/suspense/thriller. It's guaranteed to give you a nail biting experience! If you are one that loves good vs. evil, this book is for you!

I wish I had more to share with y'all about it, like the cover design and whatnot, but that doesn't come until later in the process. As soon as I find out more regarding the novel's progress, I'll let you know! 

As of now, while I'm waiting patiently (er, or trying to), I'm writing another book. I'm on chapter 16 of it, and am progressing quite rapidly. I haven't yet decided if I want to make The Protected a series or not, but if I did, this book I'm working on could be the second book of the series. 

It also could stand on its own because readers would not have to read the first book to understand what's going on in the second. 

Maybe when The Protected:The Unseen Realm comes out, y'all can give me some input? Should be sometime in March 2014 when it is due for distribution, give or take. That's if we don't get off schedule or there aren't any delays. 

Thank you guys for reading my blogs. I hope they bless you!

Have a wonderful week!

~Brooke-Lauren Montgomery 

Forever Friday-A Must Read!

I just finished an incredible novel last night called, Forever Friday, by Timothy Lewis. Everything about the book is fabulous, down to the cover design.

It's a wonderful love story that keeps you turning the pages. The characters are so realistic, it feels like you really know them, in a sense. It's a captivating story line that I've never seen in a Romance novel. Better yet, it is based upon Tim's relatives, which makes it that much more compelling! Forever Friday is a heart warming story that teaches not to give up in a marriage even though it is filled with ups and downs. It shows the power of love and how love can be a strong enough bond to keep two people together. What I also loved about this novel is that is was a Romance, but it was not a risque, erotic read. The hints of making love were done beautifully through the book. It wasn't in any way inappropriate.

I got the pleasure of receiving Tim's ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in the mail after attending WTWA (West Texas Writer's Academy) at West Texas A&M University where Tim taught one of the classes offered. Tim has a beautiful way with words, and I know he will succeed!

When Jodi Thomas (New York Times best selling Romance author), told the large class that we were looking at the next Nicholas Sparks, she wasn't kidding. I'm hoping that Forever Friday will be turned into a film. When it does, I will be first in line!

I rate this book five out of five stars! Loved it. Putting it on my shelf to read again in the future!

I highly encourage you to go check this book out and read the description! Then order the book! :) Here is a link to pre-order Forever Friday: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307732215 

The Conjuring Review

Written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery



Well, guys, I went to see The Conjuring last night with my sister, her boyfriend, and my cousin. I'm a suspense/scary movie fan, so, I was excited about seeing it. However, I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about it. I'm not one to get nervous about seeing a scary movie, but I was on this one. I kept hearing different things, such as, "Oh, there was one theatre that had a priest come and bless people and offer prayer if they needed it!" That freaked me out a bit, because, I'm thinking, it's THAT bad??

First off, to me, it wasn't too bad. Was it scary? Dang straight! If you are into paranormal movies, this one is the best one made, in my opinion. The graphics/makeup was amazing, and the acting was terrific and compelling. Those two combined, it made the movie thrilling. I didn't need a priest, thank God, after walking out of the theatre, and neither did my sister, her bf, and cousin.

Second, if you do not like paranormal stuff (obviously, which goes without saying), or maybe you do, but as long as it isn't "over the top", DON'T go see the movie.

Third, I found it very interesting that the writers of the script are two brothers who are Christians. To read about it click the link:  http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/07/16/is-the-new-hollywood-movie-the-conjuring-about-a-demonic-possession-really-based-on-true-events-the-surprising-answer/ 
It's a great article!

Fourth, I loved the ending. I loved it, because, being a Christian, I enjoy movies that end with Good prevailing and evil losing. And in The Conjuring, evil loses. So, I still got the scare while watching the film, but didn't leave the theatre feeling down hearted. God prevailed!

Fifth, as far as the priest coming to the theatre, I don't know if that is true. I read about it, and I can't decide if it's a publicity/marketing tool used to promote the film, or what. I'll provide the link to that, and y'all can decide for yourselves: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/68210/chicago-screening-conjuring-comes-complete-priest-and-warning 

Sixth, I will admit that a couple of strange things happened to my sister, cousin, and I after we got home from the movie. In The Conjuring, the paranormal activity always began at 3:07 a.m. Well, when I woke up this morning, I saw a text from my sister that she sent at 3:10 a.m. that said, "I was about to go to sleep and im exhausted and I noticed it was almost 3:07 and I started to plug my fone in and my TV shut off. So I didn't panic and I sat back down on the bed and in a bit the TV turned back on and I looked at my phone and it said 3:08".
There are, however, possible "rational" explanations for those who believe demonic/paranormal stuff is a bunch of malarkey. But, I believe it wasn't coincidental.
Rational explanation:
Her tv shorted out like it has before. It just so happened to conveniently be at 3:07 a.m.

As for me, when I got into bed and was laying there, I heard a rustling noise beside my bed. I have some drafts of my manuscript down there and I assumed it was that. I peeked over the side of the bed, but I didn't see anything. Then, this morning when I went into the bathroom to get ready for work, the cabinet door squeaked open by itself. I can think of two rational explanations for mine:
The papers may have rattled due to the fan being on.
Still half asleep, I possibly could have bumped the cabinet with the bathroom door and didn't realize it. I just knew I didn't touch it.

As for my cousin, he texted me this: "Well, mine was this morning about 7:07 i woke up like when you fall off of something like all quick and jumpy. And heard a big bang. And so i listend for a couple more seconds and it got quiet so i laid down to try to calm down. And then you know the bars over here on the windows. It sounded like someone was trying to get in the bars like rattling them and trying to rip them off!"
Rational explanation: Could have been the wind. In the part of Texas I live in, we have high winds here.

I don't know one hundred percent if it was paranormal or not, but nonetheless, it was freaky to us. However, we're still alive and kicking.

One last thing. Demons and things are real. That's what makes this movie so scary. It could really happen. My friend has witnessed a girl who was her roommate take on demonic/possessed behavior. She doesn't want to say she was possessed, but from what happened and how she was acting, it looked that way.
Also, one time when our family was going through a difficult time, my dad who is a strong believer, hung a necklace with a cross in his bathroom from one of the light fixtures above the mirror. One evening, my mother, who also is an avid believer, came into my room asking me if I pulled Dad's necklace down in his bathroom. Of course I didn't. She asked my sister and she didn't. My mom didn't do it, and my dad didn't do it. The freaky part about it...there were smears on the mirror from where someone or something yanked down the necklace and swiped their hand across it. The necklace wasn't gently undone and laying on the counter. It had been ripped down and broken.
I have other personal stories of these kinds of true incidences but it would take forever to write.

Bottom line: The movie was a great movie. It was scary, on the edge of your seat thrilling. The outcome was good. I'd give it a five star out of five. BUT, I would advise praying before seeing it. To be honest, I don't think that Christians should see it. Yes, I know, I did, and I shouldn't have. But my seek for thrill and scare got me.

Also, the film wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be. I was expecting it to be way worse than it was.
However, I repeat, if you don't like extra freaky movies, this isn't for you.

If you've seen it, I'd love to hear your opinions and intakes!

Have a blessed day!

Born To Dream

written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

 

 

 

I have a dream, and it is mine,

I have a dream that I will find,
There it is, so big, so bright,

I wish I may, I wish I might

God has known before time,

This dream was born to be mine.

From my first cry, it was in me,

Till my final breath in me will it be.



Giver Of Life

written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

 

 

 

My heart and soul rejoice in You,

For You brought my beating heart to life.

You are The Light, and everything that's true,

My heart and soul rejoice in You.

Carry me through perilous storms, You do--

Before You gave me my first breath, You knew me, You knew my life.

My heart and soul rejoice in You,

For You brought my beating heart to Life.