Dear Friends,
So many of you have asked, "When will your next book come out?"
The short answer is fall of 2014. The long answer is I had to take more than a year off. Nearly 2 years ago I was diagnosed with an incurable neurological condition called dystonia. The doctor explained it this way: "Your neurotransmitters don't work correctly and tell two opposing muscles to work at the same time." He also told me that there is no cure and I would have to have shots in my neck (or wherever the muscles were fighting each other) every three months for the rest of my life. At the time of my diagnosis the condition was in my neck and I was unable to sit at the computer for longer than five minutes. The pain was excruciating and I couldn't even walk to the end of our driveway for the mail.
I changed my diet: adding more brain healthy foods and supplements and deleting inflammation causers like sugar and gluten (well, not totally deleting but I bake gluten-free now except for biscuits. My husband has told me I’m not allowed to touch that recipe!) I went on a 31-day fast in January and continued to pray that God would take the pain away. It has been a long journey but each and every day I feel stronger and am grateful to say that in September I sat at the computer to write again. I can also report that I have never gone back for another round of shots in my neck after that first doctor visit. I am convinced more than ever that food does contribute to our healing.
This year, St. Martin's Press has released Christmas Keepsakes, a compilation of The Christmas Shoes and The Christmas Blessing in one book. It is a perfect gift for someone who has never read a Donna VanLiere book before (click here to order).
I hope you will also consider giving The Good Dream to someone you love this Christmas. I cannot tell you how much I love this book!
We have received word that The Christmas Secret movie will go into production in early 2014, which means it will air on TV sometime next winter!
My kids continue to count down the days until Christmas and I hope that during that countdown you will feel the blessings and joy of Christmas!
Thank you for being my friend and for any prayers you may remember for my continued health in 2014.
Merry Christmas,
Donna