Sandra Cox's Blog, page 296

Warrior Angels

With us today is Amy Lignor to tell us about her new release Until Next Time and what kind of training is necessary to become a warrior angel.

Just from the 'job title' comes the fact that a great deal of physical effort has to be given when an angel makes the final choice to become the protector of the team. Whereas their partner will spend a majority of their time garnering wisdom and learning as much as possible about the 'ins-and-outs' of the human mind and human emotions, both sides of the team have to ready themselves for a world they can't possibly understand until they're stuck directly in the middle of it.

Although the angel half of the equation may seem more difficult, Matt's job was just as hard in a very different way. You see, a warrior is not all about brute strength. Yes, the training with Gabe includes many weapons, which readers will see when Matt returns home to train with his teacher and beg for guidance. The room he spends time in with his mentor has walls lined with every type of weapon imaginable - from sword to scythe. The warrior must spend 50% of his time learning how to handle each and every one of these weapons, seeing as that he never knows where he will be sent. He needs to understand the weight, the force needed to wield the weapon, the cause and the effect of what will happen if he strikes his foe - every nuance of battle. He must be able to sustain his power and strength in order to fight a war that could last decades, not just a few rounds in the ring.

However, the object during training is not to win or even outdo his teacher; the object is to make sure his body and mind can work together to defend and protect - but only when he absolutely must. The intensity of the battle is increased when Matt must face his foes within the 'pit,' which is a place that's located in the floor of Gabe's classroom. The 'pit' is not supernatural, there are no demons or mechanical men to go after, the 'pit' simply intensifies the battle with heat that comes from the flames kept inside, as well as the temperature of the warrior's anger.

The 'pit' is a lesson to be learned; it teaches the warrior patience. If Matt's anger becomes as overheated as the 'pit,' he cannot do his job well. If he heats up to the breaking point down below, then he's letting his emotions run him, and the warrior can not afford to do that. If his emotions take hold he can make mistakes, fail, or injure an innocent. Battle, Matt must learn, is the last resort.

The other 50% of the warrior's time is spent with his angel. Warriors do not get a 'free pass' from learning. They must go into their lives with knowledge about the beings they will deal with, and what a human's feelings can accomplish…or destroy. Even though the angel can get involved with the humans and try to help them and guide them, the warrior must make sure to read every situation correctly. He needs to be able to sense the fact that an emotion is taking hold before it causes pain. But if he allows his feelings of love, jealousy, or anger to take over - then he has the power to make a frightening decision that can perhaps end someone's life.

In the end, a warrior's true power is in his mind. Mastering the weaponry and the fighting skills he needs is one thing, but mastering the heart is far more difficult. Matt is a great warrior; he excels at his job. But he's a 'fresh' warrior - a new soul - who has never run face-first into the dreams and nightmares that humans can create. Most of all, he was not expecting love to become the ultimate weapon.

Until Next Time, Everybody.

Amy

Until Next Time: The Angel Chronicles, Book 1 Summary

How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?

Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.

When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.

From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
Amy Lignor's Bio:
Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copy editing to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.

eBook
ISBN: 9780983741855
ISBN: 9781465992697
Pages: 295
Release: February 1, 2012

http://www.the-angel-chronicles.com
Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com

Funny Animals

For your viewing pleasure........

Options

Have you ever felt trapped in a situation you didn't really want to be in ? Taking care of a crotchety relative that wasn't exactly kind to you in your youth? A relationship? A job? Picked on by a school bully?
Sometimes, we just have to suck it up and deal with it, at least temporarily. Then again maybe we just need to take a long hard look at our options. And if we don't see other choices, do our best to create them.
Maybe Aunt Rebecca can be placed in assisted living.
Maybe, you'd be better walking away from a relationship that no longer brings you joy or get counseling on how to make it work.
With the economy, the job situation can be tricky. Do you stick it out or go in a different direction? Perhaps, freelance at something you're good at. Or several somethings. Or go to a community college and get retrained in a skill you enjoy.
Or if you're a young person who is being bullied, go to your counselor, your teacher or a parent.
There are always options, we just have to find them.

The Grey, The Contests, The Prizes

Went to see The Grey. If you're a hard hitting adventure lover, you'll probably enjoy this. For those of you who like happy ever after endings....probably not.

Today is the last CAB contest day at Ravencraft. Lots of great prizes including downloads, gift cards and a gift basket.

Also Keith Publications:www.keithpublications.com/blog
is running giveaways everyday this month.

Win Downloads At....

Ravencraft has some serious goodies including gift cards. If you have an opportunity pop in and leave a comment at: http://ravencraftrealm.blogspot.com/ . [image error] .

Bottom Feeder

As I've mentioned before when it comes to shopping, I'm a bottom feeder, err bargain hunter. Even if I were in a different income bracket, I'd still be a red dot shopper. The other day I picked up a $99 blouse for $15.
$99?!? Yes it was a name brand. Yes it was well made and fit well, but it was still a cotton blouse and it wasn't made in America.
Here's my question. Would you pay ninety-nine dollars for a blouse and if so under what circumstances?
A. A special occasion
B. You fell in love with it
C. Your friends urged you to buy it
D. Its well made and you'll get your money out of it
D. No way Jose
~*~
Blogs of interest
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Jennifer Shirk
Julia Barrett

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest

The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest is currently accepting submissions in the general and young adults categories and will continue to through February 5. The first round will be decided on 'pitches'. The round two applicants will be announced February 23rd.
If you're interested in entering, you can register at www.createspace/abna.
~*~
Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Jennifer Shirk
Julia Barrett

Feng Shui Horoscope

Can you believe its February?

I mentioned a couple of days ago, the daffodils were trying to bloom.Yesterday, I actually saw one blooming. I've never seen them pop open this early.

~*~

Just for fun.......

This is a Chinese Feng Shui horoscope.
Write your answers on paper.
Then to find your Feng Shui horoscope scroll down.

1. Which is your favorite color: Red, Black, Blue, Green or Yellow?
2. Your first initial?
3. Your month of birth?
4. Which color do you like more, Black or White?
5. The name of a person that is the same sex as you?
6. Your favorite number?
7. Do you like California or Florida more?
8. Do you like a Lake or the Ocean more?
9. Write down a Wish (a realistic one)

When you are done, scroll down.

Answers:

1. If you choose:
Red: You are alert and your life is full of love.
Black: You are conservative and aggressive.
Green: Your soul is relaxed and you are laid back.
Blue: You are spontaneous and love affection.
Yellow: You are a very happy person & give good advice to those who are down.

2. If your initial is between:
A-K: You have a lot of love and friendships in your life.
L-R: You try to live your life to the max & your love life is soon to bloom.
S-Z: You like to help others and your future looks very bright.

3. If you were born in:
Jan-Mar: The year will go very well for you and you will discover that you
fall in love with someone totally unexpected.
Apr-Jun: You will have a strong love relationship that will last forever.
Jul-Sep: You will have a great year and will experience a major
life changing experience for the good.
Oct-Dec: Your life will be great; you will find your soul mate.

4. If you choose:
Black: Your life is about to get better. You are more than ready for the
change.
White: You have a friend who completely confides in you and would do
anything for you, but you may not realize it.

5 This person should be your Best Friend.

6. This is how many close friends you will have in your life time.

7. If you choose:
California : You like adventure.
Florida : You are a laid back person.

8. If you choose:
Lake : You are loyal to your friends and your lover. You are very reserved.
Ocean: You are spontaneous and like to please people.

A World Apart Book Tour

[image error] Camelia Miron Skiba is on a virtual book tour to tell readers about her new book A World Apart. She's also giving away a download to one randomly drawn commenter. Today she's posting on Chasing Dreams.
Her tour link: http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/vbt-world-apart-by-camelia-miron-skiba.html.

I'm often asked when do I have time to write. I have a career outside of writing, a family to raise, relatives to visit, birthday parties to attend, laundry, cooking ... the everyday routine.

It's easy to get swamped and not work out / write / finish that book on your n

GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4864495.Camelia_Miron_Skiba

BLURB :

In a war that's not hers, she loses everything.

Everything she loses is because of him.

Forgiveness is not an option.

Or maybe...

Lieutenant Cassandra Toma, trauma surgeon in the Romanian National Army starts her deployment at a joint-unit air base on a wrong foot, clashing on her first day with her new commander, Major David Hunt. Her rebellious nature and sassiness rival her excellent performance in the operating room—the only reason why she's not reprimanded, or maybe not the only reason.

They meet. They clash. A forbidden passion consumes them with the intensity of an erupting volcano, leaving her heartbroken and him with tarnished honor and pride as an officer. The only way out for David is disappearing into the dangerous warzone in Iraq. Their flame was supposed to be over when destiny brings them back under the same roof, this time with a common goal—to find Cassandra's brother, Maj. Robert Toma, kidnapped by insurgents while on patrol.

To rescue Robert, Cassandra and David put aside their resentments, uniting forces against a common enemy. Trying to forget the painful past, Cassandra opens up to give David—and their love—another chance. What she doesn't realize is that her anguish is the result of David's impetuous action—one reckless choice he made for which she may never forgive him.

His mistake, his secret, could cost them both the love they've finally found.

EXCERPT #1 :

"You need to calm down," David inched closer to Cassandra, fixing her with such intensity her face caught fire.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down?" she snorted, jutting her chin up, hands on her hips.

"Yes. You need to calm down. What was that all about? Why are you so furious?"

"You want to know why I am so furious?" Cassandra grounded her feet apart and pushed her chin forward. "You really want to know? I'll tell you why. I'm so sick of your bigheaded attitude, of your 'I'm an American—I do whatever I want' arrogance!" She shoved a finger at David's chest, poking it and leaning forward. Her gaze locked on his, their faces close. "You act like some god on our grounds, like you're doing us a big favor, honoring us with your royal presence as if we are a bunch of idiots you cannot stand. Anything that comes your way that is Romanian, you dismiss with such vehemence one might think it's poisonous. Nothing we do or have is good enough for your nose.

"But let me tell you something, my friend. My people might not have everything so technical and so advanced, but they are good and hard-working people. They have good hearts and above all, they have dignity. When you live for generations under communism and are treated the way we were, maybe only then you can understand what it means to be so 'primitive'. To be given nothing and be expected to work wonders. Your standards and ours obviously don't match, but who are you to judge us? What do you know about us that gives you the right to treat us this way? Huh?

"And for your information, in case nobody had the courage to tell you, this is not our war." She made a large circle with her arms. "We haven't asked for it and we are doing you a favor allowing all of you to be on our soil. And not vice versa." Cassandra straightened her back, pushed away a curl that fell on her face and held her arms up. "Here you have it, I said it."

She walked around David, opened the door and before leaving, said without looking back, "And don't forget to write me up."

BUY LINKS:

Amazon (Kindle Edition): http://www.amazon.com/A-WORLD-APART-ebook/dp/B006NZWHF2

Amazon (Paperback): http://www.amazon.com/World-Apart-Camelia-Miron-Skiba/dp/1466226676

Barnes & Noble (Nook Book): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-world-apart-camelia-miron-skiba/1108016741

Smashwords (All Formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115952

ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

I WRITE. I LOVE. I DREAM. I WRITE.

I'm Chris' wife, Patrick's mom and Bella's owner. During the day, I'm the assistant to the Director at SESE at Arizona State University, and romance's slave at night.

I moved to the U.S eight years ago, following my heart and the man who stole it. I love comedies, historical dramas and happily-ever-after stories. English is not my native, not my second, but my third language.

Some fun facts about me:

Each year I participate in one big event that requires me to physically train. My biggest sportive accomplishment was the 3-day 60-mile Susan G. Komen Walk.

Annually I pick a color I decree my favorite (this year it's salmon).

I refused to text until 2010, always preferring to hear voices rather than sending emotionless messages. Politic bores me to death and I have no tolerance for arrogance.

"A World Apart" is my second book. My debut novel "Hidden Heart" came out March 2011.

Email: cami.skiba@gmail.com

Blog: http://cameliamironskiba.wordpress.com

Confusion

CONFUSION:Mother nature is as confused as I normally am. Its still January and the daffodils are trying to bloom.

FRIGHT: We watched the Ides of March last night. Even though its fiction if half the machinations represented in the movie are to be believed, the political beast is pretty darn scary.

~*~
Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Jennifer Shirk
Julia Barrett