Pamela S. Thibodeaux's Blog, page 105
January 10, 2015
#SaturdaySpotlight: Maris Soule & The Crows
Good Morning and Welcome!
Well it's nice and C-O-L-D here...UGH (I am definitely NOT a winter person)..but never fear, if you're looking to curl up in front of the fire, on the couch or in the bed with a good book, I've got one for you in this week's Saturday Spotlight!
A relaxing afternoon walk in the woods with her Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy turns into a harrowing experience for accountant P.J. Benson; one that ends with a man dying in her dining room. P.J. has a stack of taxes to finish before April 15th; she doesn't have time to deal with people being murdered, her house being broken into, a biogenetic experiment that doesn't seem to exist, or an attractive homicide detective. Forced to question her sanity, she fears she's developing the same debilitating schizophrenia that claimed her mother's mind...that or someone really is trying to kill her.Excerpt from THE CROWS“You say the body’s in the dining room? Where’s this door lead?”“My kitchen.”He nodded. “I think we can let you inside where it’s warmer, but you’ll have to stay where I tell you. This is now a crime scene.”“No, it’s a where-he-died scene. That’s where the crime occurred.” I pointed toward the woods.He looked that direction, and that’s when I noticed his eye lashes. Why is it men always get the beautiful blue eyes and the long, thick lashes? It’s just not fair. I did notice a few crow’s-feet at the edges of his eyes, but they only added a rugged quality to his features.His gaze came back to the door. “Did you go in this way when you found the body?”“Yes, but I was careful. I only touched the end of the handle, below the blood.”“Good.” He pulled a latex glove out of his jacket pocket and slipped it on. I noticed he wore no rings. Neither hand. Not that it meant he wasn’t married or had a significant other . . . or that I should care.
The Crows can be purchased at Amazon (Kindle); B&N (Nook); and Smashwords
Maris Soule has had 2 mysteries, 25 category romances, and 2 short stories published. 2 more mystery/suspense novels will be released in 2015. She is a two time RITA finalist, and has won and placed in many other contests. Born and raised in California, Soule now lives in Michigan in the summer and Florida in the winter.Web site: http://marissoule.com
Blog. http://marissoule.com/blog/
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/marissouleauthor
Twitter @marisSouthHaven,
Also on: Google+, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and Pinterest
Hope you enjoyed this Saturday Spotlight! Stay tuned next week for new Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and another Saturday Spotlight.
Until later...stay warm, take care & God Bless! PamT
Well it's nice and C-O-L-D here...UGH (I am definitely NOT a winter person)..but never fear, if you're looking to curl up in front of the fire, on the couch or in the bed with a good book, I've got one for you in this week's Saturday Spotlight!
A relaxing afternoon walk in the woods with her Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy turns into a harrowing experience for accountant P.J. Benson; one that ends with a man dying in her dining room. P.J. has a stack of taxes to finish before April 15th; she doesn't have time to deal with people being murdered, her house being broken into, a biogenetic experiment that doesn't seem to exist, or an attractive homicide detective. Forced to question her sanity, she fears she's developing the same debilitating schizophrenia that claimed her mother's mind...that or someone really is trying to kill her.Excerpt from THE CROWS“You say the body’s in the dining room? Where’s this door lead?”“My kitchen.”He nodded. “I think we can let you inside where it’s warmer, but you’ll have to stay where I tell you. This is now a crime scene.”“No, it’s a where-he-died scene. That’s where the crime occurred.” I pointed toward the woods.He looked that direction, and that’s when I noticed his eye lashes. Why is it men always get the beautiful blue eyes and the long, thick lashes? It’s just not fair. I did notice a few crow’s-feet at the edges of his eyes, but they only added a rugged quality to his features.His gaze came back to the door. “Did you go in this way when you found the body?”“Yes, but I was careful. I only touched the end of the handle, below the blood.”“Good.” He pulled a latex glove out of his jacket pocket and slipped it on. I noticed he wore no rings. Neither hand. Not that it meant he wasn’t married or had a significant other . . . or that I should care.The Crows can be purchased at Amazon (Kindle); B&N (Nook); and Smashwords
Maris Soule has had 2 mysteries, 25 category romances, and 2 short stories published. 2 more mystery/suspense novels will be released in 2015. She is a two time RITA finalist, and has won and placed in many other contests. Born and raised in California, Soule now lives in Michigan in the summer and Florida in the winter.Web site: http://marissoule.comBlog. http://marissoule.com/blog/
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/marissouleauthor
Twitter @marisSouthHaven,
Also on: Google+, Goodreads, LinkedIn, and Pinterest
Hope you enjoyed this Saturday Spotlight! Stay tuned next week for new Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and another Saturday Spotlight.
Until later...stay warm, take care & God Bless! PamT
January 8, 2015
#ThursdayThoughts: Guest Post by Alicia Dean
Hello Again and Welcome!
Today we welcome Alicia Dean to Thursday Thoughts as she talks about Living in the Fifties....
Born in 1961, I barely missed out on living in the 50’s. I’ve always been fascinated by that decade, and while I can’t say I would want to be even older than I am now, I would have loved to be a teen back then. I know it wasn’t quite as picture perfect as shows like Leave it to Beaver and Make Room for Daddy would lead us to believe, but still, in this hectic, hustle bustle, violent, hate-filled, crazy world we’re living in today, wouldn’t you like to get a little taste of the peace and simplicity of life back then?
Yes, there were some imperfections sixty years ago, some things that needed to be fixed. The civil rights movement was necessary and came none too soon. And women were not treated as equals, and most were expected to stay home and raise kids and run the household, but the women who wanted to did have careers. Granted, they did not have the same opportunities as men. Cause yeah, not everything was perfect. However, if you’ve watched very many Leave it to Beaver episodes, you’ll see that June was often the final decision maker. She might have been a housewife, but she was a strong and intelligent woman, and Ward seemed to respect her a great deal.
In spite of its flaws, overall, the decade of the 50’s was much more desirable than the world we’re living in today. Sure, we’ve come a long way, but sometimes I think we’ve gone just a little too far. Pardon me if the idea of sock hops, poodle skirts, soda fountains, low crime rates, and respect for your country and your fellow man holds a certain nostalgic appeal.
For me, one of the main appeals of that time is that Elvis Presley burst onto the scene. I can’t imagine being around to actually see it happen. I’ve always wondered how I would have felt if I’d been a teen in 1954 when he started, or 1956 when he shot to fame. I assume I still would have been an avid EP fan. Would I have had a chance to see him in concert? What would have been my favorite song, if I had heard his unique brand of rock and roll before I’d been exposed to other kinds of music? Short of discovering some kind of time machine, I suppose I’ll never know. But it is fun to think about. J
Because of my fascination with the era, and my love for Elvis, I wrote a Vintage Romance set in 1957. Even in my story, things aren’t exactly perfect. If they were, it wouldn’t be a very interesting story, would it? I’m pleased that The Wild Rose Press released my story today, January 8, on what would have been Elvis’ 80th birthday. As you probably figured out, I took the title from a line in Heartbreak Hotel, which was Elvis’ first million selling record.
Check out End of Lonely Street and enter to win GREAT prizes…
A Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY: - Entries accepted from January 8, 2015 through noon on January 22, 2015
Three prizes –
Elvis Gift Basket including DVD, CD, plus more$25 Amazon Gift Card$10 Amazon Gift Card
First place winner has first choice, second place winner has second choice, third place winner receives remaining prize.
Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future?
All Toby Lawson wanted was to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and the painful memories of finding her and the guy Toby loved kissing. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away, helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.
Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, and even though she knows her mother initiated the kiss, and that he didn’t kiss her back, she can‘t seem to get past what happened. He soon realizes that the true problem lies in Toby’s belief that she’s not good enough for him and in her fear that she will be just like her mother.
What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Excerpt:
Chapter OneMapleton, Tennessee, November, 1957
Toby Lawson closed her eyes and shut out all sounds of the diner, except for Elvis Presley’s voice. He was crooning about how she was the only one for him…no matter where he went or what he did… he’d spend his whole life loving her…
Rough hands landed on her waist and shattered the fantasy. She caught a whiff of hair tonic and too much cologne, and she snapped her eyes open. Wes Markham’s hateful face replaced the image of Elvis’ beautiful, crooked smile and smoldering blue eyes.
“Let me go.” She gritted her teeth, keeping her voice low. If her boss, Mr. Winstead, knew there was trouble on account of her, he’d explode. He’d barely let her have the job in the first place. Everyone in Mapleton knew the Lawson women were trouble.
“Come on, honey. If you like that hip swivel, Presley ain’t the only one who’s got it. I got it too.” He released her with his left hand so he could run it over his slicked down hair and gave her a big-toothed, wolfish smile. “Only we’d be naked.” He shot a cocky grin over to his two companions—Chuck Stenson and Billy Garfield—who were leaning against the jukebox making kissing and whooping sounds.
Toby gripped his right wrist with one hand, tightening her hold on the utensils she held in the other. “I said let me go. Now!”
“Aw, be a sport, Green-Eyes.”
The bulge of his pelvis pressed into her abdomen, and she gasped in shock. Nausea tightened in her esophagus. “Wes Markham, I’m warning you…”
She shoved against him, but he didn’t budge.
He pulled her tighter. “Your momma’s a whole lot friendlier than you are. They say the apple don’t fall far from the tree, so how’s about you cut the pretense and we go someplace quiet? Winstead won’t miss you for a few minutes.”
Her cheeks heated. She didn’t dare look around. No doubt the customers were watching, listening. Elvis had stopped singing and everyone in the place could hear what he’d said about her mother. It wasn’t like they didn’t all know, though. Constance Lawson hadn’t exactly kept her escapades a secret.
Toby clenched her teeth and brandished the utensils. She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “Release me this instant, or I swear, you’ll be pulling this steak knife out of your eyeball.”
He held her gaze for a split second, then gave a laugh that was somewhere between nervous and furious. “Sure, sure. Okay.” He released her and stepped back. “I was just foolin’ around anyway. I got better things to do with my time than waste it on a used up chick like you.”
Muffled laughter rose around her. Oh God, she could crawl into a hole.
“How about you apologize to the lady, then beat it?”
Toby whirled at the male voice. Noah Rivers stood behind her, looking handsome and sharp in his police uniform—even with his dark hair in the military buzz cut. Her knees weakened, and tingles swept over her skin. She swallowed against the sudden dryness in her throat. She’d heard he was back, but hadn’t seen him until now. And what a time to have a reunion.
*** 10% of all of Alicia Dean’s net royalties for End of Lonely Street will go toThe Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation http://www.graceland.com/epcf/ ***
Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.
Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.
Find Alicia here:
Website: http://aliciadean.com/Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean
Well friends, hope you enjoyed this guest post too! Stay tuned each week for more Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlights and Tuesday Treasures!
Until next time....take care & God Bless! PamT
Today we welcome Alicia Dean to Thursday Thoughts as she talks about Living in the Fifties....
Born in 1961, I barely missed out on living in the 50’s. I’ve always been fascinated by that decade, and while I can’t say I would want to be even older than I am now, I would have loved to be a teen back then. I know it wasn’t quite as picture perfect as shows like Leave it to Beaver and Make Room for Daddy would lead us to believe, but still, in this hectic, hustle bustle, violent, hate-filled, crazy world we’re living in today, wouldn’t you like to get a little taste of the peace and simplicity of life back then?
Yes, there were some imperfections sixty years ago, some things that needed to be fixed. The civil rights movement was necessary and came none too soon. And women were not treated as equals, and most were expected to stay home and raise kids and run the household, but the women who wanted to did have careers. Granted, they did not have the same opportunities as men. Cause yeah, not everything was perfect. However, if you’ve watched very many Leave it to Beaver episodes, you’ll see that June was often the final decision maker. She might have been a housewife, but she was a strong and intelligent woman, and Ward seemed to respect her a great deal.
In spite of its flaws, overall, the decade of the 50’s was much more desirable than the world we’re living in today. Sure, we’ve come a long way, but sometimes I think we’ve gone just a little too far. Pardon me if the idea of sock hops, poodle skirts, soda fountains, low crime rates, and respect for your country and your fellow man holds a certain nostalgic appeal.
For me, one of the main appeals of that time is that Elvis Presley burst onto the scene. I can’t imagine being around to actually see it happen. I’ve always wondered how I would have felt if I’d been a teen in 1954 when he started, or 1956 when he shot to fame. I assume I still would have been an avid EP fan. Would I have had a chance to see him in concert? What would have been my favorite song, if I had heard his unique brand of rock and roll before I’d been exposed to other kinds of music? Short of discovering some kind of time machine, I suppose I’ll never know. But it is fun to think about. J
Because of my fascination with the era, and my love for Elvis, I wrote a Vintage Romance set in 1957. Even in my story, things aren’t exactly perfect. If they were, it wouldn’t be a very interesting story, would it? I’m pleased that The Wild Rose Press released my story today, January 8, on what would have been Elvis’ 80th birthday. As you probably figured out, I took the title from a line in Heartbreak Hotel, which was Elvis’ first million selling record.
Check out End of Lonely Street and enter to win GREAT prizes…
A Rafflecopter GIVEAWAY: - Entries accepted from January 8, 2015 through noon on January 22, 2015
Three prizes –
Elvis Gift Basket including DVD, CD, plus more$25 Amazon Gift Card$10 Amazon Gift Card
First place winner has first choice, second place winner has second choice, third place winner receives remaining prize.
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Can she let go of the past, before it destroys her future?All Toby Lawson wanted was to go to college to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and the painful memories of finding her and the guy Toby loved kissing. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away, helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.
Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, and even though she knows her mother initiated the kiss, and that he didn’t kiss her back, she can‘t seem to get past what happened. He soon realizes that the true problem lies in Toby’s belief that she’s not good enough for him and in her fear that she will be just like her mother.
What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Excerpt:
Chapter OneMapleton, Tennessee, November, 1957
Toby Lawson closed her eyes and shut out all sounds of the diner, except for Elvis Presley’s voice. He was crooning about how she was the only one for him…no matter where he went or what he did… he’d spend his whole life loving her…
Rough hands landed on her waist and shattered the fantasy. She caught a whiff of hair tonic and too much cologne, and she snapped her eyes open. Wes Markham’s hateful face replaced the image of Elvis’ beautiful, crooked smile and smoldering blue eyes.
“Let me go.” She gritted her teeth, keeping her voice low. If her boss, Mr. Winstead, knew there was trouble on account of her, he’d explode. He’d barely let her have the job in the first place. Everyone in Mapleton knew the Lawson women were trouble.
“Come on, honey. If you like that hip swivel, Presley ain’t the only one who’s got it. I got it too.” He released her with his left hand so he could run it over his slicked down hair and gave her a big-toothed, wolfish smile. “Only we’d be naked.” He shot a cocky grin over to his two companions—Chuck Stenson and Billy Garfield—who were leaning against the jukebox making kissing and whooping sounds.
Toby gripped his right wrist with one hand, tightening her hold on the utensils she held in the other. “I said let me go. Now!”
“Aw, be a sport, Green-Eyes.”
The bulge of his pelvis pressed into her abdomen, and she gasped in shock. Nausea tightened in her esophagus. “Wes Markham, I’m warning you…”
She shoved against him, but he didn’t budge.
He pulled her tighter. “Your momma’s a whole lot friendlier than you are. They say the apple don’t fall far from the tree, so how’s about you cut the pretense and we go someplace quiet? Winstead won’t miss you for a few minutes.”
Her cheeks heated. She didn’t dare look around. No doubt the customers were watching, listening. Elvis had stopped singing and everyone in the place could hear what he’d said about her mother. It wasn’t like they didn’t all know, though. Constance Lawson hadn’t exactly kept her escapades a secret.
Toby clenched her teeth and brandished the utensils. She spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “Release me this instant, or I swear, you’ll be pulling this steak knife out of your eyeball.”
He held her gaze for a split second, then gave a laugh that was somewhere between nervous and furious. “Sure, sure. Okay.” He released her and stepped back. “I was just foolin’ around anyway. I got better things to do with my time than waste it on a used up chick like you.”
Muffled laughter rose around her. Oh God, she could crawl into a hole.
“How about you apologize to the lady, then beat it?”
Toby whirled at the male voice. Noah Rivers stood behind her, looking handsome and sharp in his police uniform—even with his dark hair in the military buzz cut. Her knees weakened, and tingles swept over her skin. She swallowed against the sudden dryness in her throat. She’d heard he was back, but hadn’t seen him until now. And what a time to have a reunion.
*** 10% of all of Alicia Dean’s net royalties for End of Lonely Street will go toThe Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation http://www.graceland.com/epcf/ ***
Alicia Dean lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. She has three grown children and a huge network of supportive friends and family. She writes mostly contemporary suspense and paranormal, but has also written in other genres, including a few vintage historicals.Other than reading and writing, her passions are Elvis Presley, MLB, NFL (she usually works in a mention of one or all three into her stories) and watching her favorite televisions shows like Vampire Diaries, Justified, Sons of Anarchy, Haven, The Mindy Project, and Dexter (even though it has sadly ended, she will forever be a fan). Some of her favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, Sharon Sala, Jordan Dane, Ridley Pearson, Joseph Finder, and Jonathan Kellerman…to name a few.
Find Alicia here:
Website: http://aliciadean.com/Blog: http://aliciadean.com/alicias-blog/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008364070487Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alicia_Dean_Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/aliciamdean/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/468339.Alicia_Dean
Well friends, hope you enjoyed this guest post too! Stay tuned each week for more Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlights and Tuesday Treasures!
Until next time....take care & God Bless! PamT
January 6, 2015
#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Elisabeth Gifford
Good Morning,
We're starting off 2015 with a bang by welcoming our guest Elisabeth Gifford to our Tuesday Treasure spotlight as she speaks to us about a place she highly treasures....
One of the places I treasure most is the Scottish Hebrides. In the Hebrides there is a very old and strong tradition of Celtic Christian spirituality, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s said that when God made the world, he was left with a handful of jewels in his pocket, and as he scattered them into the sea, they made the Hebridean islands.
The landscape is beautiful and unbounded, jewel-like colours of turquoise, agate and green, and wild, wide-open spaces of sea and hillscapes. You feel all of the dusty and small-minded worries you brought with you being blown away as you walk along deserted beaches and listen to the calls of the sand curlews, the smooth lines of hills like the back of a sleeping presence.
When I’m home in London, I like to recall the walks through the hills, the crashing waves that roll in from the Atlantic, and find a space where my priorities are put into their true scale, a space where I can recall that same sense of peace and awe. Indeed, it can be hard to leave such pristine landscapes, and more than once I’ve felt near to tears at having to say goodbye at the end of the holidays. But as I get on with all the challenges and joys of following whatever the day’s calling is, those very special places remain like like a pocketful of jewels in the memory, a letter from their creator.
The pictures I have shared are from Harris, one of the places described in The Sea House.
Moving to the island of Harris to restore the Sea House, Ruth finds herself struggling to understand the truth about her past - and at the same time finds the house holds a shocking secret. She must uncover what really happened in the Sea House a century earlier if the house is ever to become the home she longs for.
The book trailer for The Sea House is available on YouTube and includes a song in Gaelic by Capercialle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOWvpwGqKVs
Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University and has published poems in Cinnamon Press and The Oxford Magazine. She’s also written articles for The Times and The Independent, along with a nonfiction book, The House of Hope (2011), a biography of Dr. Joyce Hill who opened a rescue center for abandoned babies in China. The Sea House has been shortlisted for the Historical Writer’s Association Crown debut award. Her second novel, Return to Fourwinds, will be released in the UK in September 2014.
To keep up with Elisabeth Gifford, visit www.elisabethgifford.com , become a fan on Facebook (ElisabethGiffordAuthor) or follow her on Pinterest ( LizGifford355 ).
Hope you enjoyed this week's Tuesday Treasure!
Come back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.
Until next time...take care & God Bless! PamT
We're starting off 2015 with a bang by welcoming our guest Elisabeth Gifford to our Tuesday Treasure spotlight as she speaks to us about a place she highly treasures....
.jpg)
.jpg)
One of the places I treasure most is the Scottish Hebrides. In the Hebrides there is a very old and strong tradition of Celtic Christian spirituality, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s said that when God made the world, he was left with a handful of jewels in his pocket, and as he scattered them into the sea, they made the Hebridean islands.
The landscape is beautiful and unbounded, jewel-like colours of turquoise, agate and green, and wild, wide-open spaces of sea and hillscapes. You feel all of the dusty and small-minded worries you brought with you being blown away as you walk along deserted beaches and listen to the calls of the sand curlews, the smooth lines of hills like the back of a sleeping presence.
.JPG)
.jpg)
When I’m home in London, I like to recall the walks through the hills, the crashing waves that roll in from the Atlantic, and find a space where my priorities are put into their true scale, a space where I can recall that same sense of peace and awe. Indeed, it can be hard to leave such pristine landscapes, and more than once I’ve felt near to tears at having to say goodbye at the end of the holidays. But as I get on with all the challenges and joys of following whatever the day’s calling is, those very special places remain like like a pocketful of jewels in the memory, a letter from their creator.The pictures I have shared are from Harris, one of the places described in The Sea House.
Moving to the island of Harris to restore the Sea House, Ruth finds herself struggling to understand the truth about her past - and at the same time finds the house holds a shocking secret. She must uncover what really happened in the Sea House a century earlier if the house is ever to become the home she longs for.
The book trailer for The Sea House is available on YouTube and includes a song in Gaelic by Capercialle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOWvpwGqKVs
Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University and has published poems in Cinnamon Press and The Oxford Magazine. She’s also written articles for The Times and The Independent, along with a nonfiction book, The House of Hope (2011), a biography of Dr. Joyce Hill who opened a rescue center for abandoned babies in China. The Sea House has been shortlisted for the Historical Writer’s Association Crown debut award. Her second novel, Return to Fourwinds, will be released in the UK in September 2014.
To keep up with Elisabeth Gifford, visit www.elisabethgifford.com , become a fan on Facebook (ElisabethGiffordAuthor) or follow her on Pinterest ( LizGifford355 ).
Hope you enjoyed this week's Tuesday Treasure!
Come back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.
Until next time...take care & God Bless! PamT
January 3, 2015
#SaturdaySpotlight: Victora Buck & Wake the Dead
Good Morning,
Welcome to the first Saturday Spotlight of 2015! Today I am pleased to welcome fellow PBG author Victoria Buck with her debut novel, Wake the Dead !
Victoria lives in Central Florida, where she runs a small business with her husband. From her home office, she walks customers through the process of drilling for water in the southern sand while simultaneously penning the next scene in whatever story currently demands her imagination. For now, transhuman Chase Sterling is anxiously waiting, center stage, for what comes next. The topic of transhumanism worked into Victoria’s inventive process when she wondered what would happen if the prizes on the ultimate game show got really outrageous. And who better to demonstrate the wonders of the technologically enhanced human being that the host of the show himself? Some readers of Wake the Dead have told Victoria that Chase is not a very likeable protagonist in the beginning. But they all come to know and like him. Some of them love him. He has that effect. For Victoria, he’s just one of the made-up people making themselves comfortable in her mind. But he’s definitely—at least until this story is done—her favorite.
Find out more by visiting Victoria's website, blog and/or connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and/or Linked In.
What if the first man reborn of an evolutionary leap doesn”t like his new life? Is escape even possible?
The time is right for introducing the world to the marvels of techno-medical advancements. An influential man” one loved and adored” is needed for the job” and who better than celebrity Chase Sterling? After suffering injuries no one could survive Chase is rebuilt like no one has ever seen before.
In the not-too-distant future a man-–if he can still be called a man–-breaks away from the forces taking over his life and finds new purpose in the secret world of hiding believers.
Excerpt: Chase’s first encounter with God.
A dream or something…
He awoke in a quiet place. Definitely not on stage. Wherever he was, it was dark. Beyond dark. A bed held him at an elevation so that he was almost sitting upright. Shaking his head, he blinked. Nothing. He was blind. But in his mind he could still see the light coming for him, and Larin standing beside him.“Hello? Is anyone there?”“Tell me your name?”“Chase Sterling. Where am I?” “I mean your real name. The name your parents gave you.”Why would he ask him that? Nobody knew Chase Sterling wasn’t his real name. Well, his mother knew, of course. And Kerstin knew. “Charles Redding, but I don’t go by that. Nobody even knows my name was changed when I got my assignment.”“Named after your father. He used to call you Charlie. It was your mother who first called you Chase, and the nickname stuck.”“How do you know that? Who are you?”He didn’t answer.Chase rubbed his eyes. He still couldn’t see a thing. His hands were wet, but it didn’t feel like water. He touched my fingers to his nose. Blood. “Excuse me, I think I’m bleeding. Could I get some help?”“You’ll be all right. Reach beside you—there’s a bowl of water and a towel.”He felt in the darkness until his hand was submerged in cool water. He put his other hand in and rubbed away the bloody mess. He dried his hands on the towel and used it to wipe his face. There was no pain, but something seemed very wrong.“What happened to me? There was some sort of flash. Was I shot? I was on stage when a light came at me. Am I dead?”“Do you feel dead?”“I’d really like to know who I’m talking to. I don’t recognize your voice. Are you a director?”“Something like that.”“You’re with the WR.” He was some government bigwig. This was it—Chase’s career was over. And judging by the blindness and blood on his hands, he wasn’t ready for any new assignment. “Can I talk to my assistant? Her name is Melody Reese.”“I know her.”“Can you get her for me?”“We have some things to go over.”“Like what? New job? New life? I really don’t want things to change.”“Let’s review your life, Charles Redding. Let’s take a look at where you came from.”He was mocking Chase—it sounded like a line from the show. Then a screen lit up. “Hey, I can see now. My vision is coming back.”“Good. Watch this.”
Hmmm... sounds like a fascinating novel! But that's not unusual for Pelican Book Group. Right?!
Wake the Dead can be found at Pelican Book Group in Ebook & Print!
Hope you enjoyed this spotlight. Check back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time....take care, God Bless and remember....Whatever you're believing for~believe with FAITH & PASSION! Pamela S Thibodeaux "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
Welcome to the first Saturday Spotlight of 2015! Today I am pleased to welcome fellow PBG author Victoria Buck with her debut novel, Wake the Dead !
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Victoria lives in Central Florida, where she runs a small business with her husband. From her home office, she walks customers through the process of drilling for water in the southern sand while simultaneously penning the next scene in whatever story currently demands her imagination. For now, transhuman Chase Sterling is anxiously waiting, center stage, for what comes next. The topic of transhumanism worked into Victoria’s inventive process when she wondered what would happen if the prizes on the ultimate game show got really outrageous. And who better to demonstrate the wonders of the technologically enhanced human being that the host of the show himself? Some readers of Wake the Dead have told Victoria that Chase is not a very likeable protagonist in the beginning. But they all come to know and like him. Some of them love him. He has that effect. For Victoria, he’s just one of the made-up people making themselves comfortable in her mind. But he’s definitely—at least until this story is done—her favorite.Find out more by visiting Victoria's website, blog and/or connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and/or Linked In.
What if the first man reborn of an evolutionary leap doesn”t like his new life? Is escape even possible?
The time is right for introducing the world to the marvels of techno-medical advancements. An influential man” one loved and adored” is needed for the job” and who better than celebrity Chase Sterling? After suffering injuries no one could survive Chase is rebuilt like no one has ever seen before.
In the not-too-distant future a man-–if he can still be called a man–-breaks away from the forces taking over his life and finds new purpose in the secret world of hiding believers.
Excerpt: Chase’s first encounter with God.
A dream or something…
He awoke in a quiet place. Definitely not on stage. Wherever he was, it was dark. Beyond dark. A bed held him at an elevation so that he was almost sitting upright. Shaking his head, he blinked. Nothing. He was blind. But in his mind he could still see the light coming for him, and Larin standing beside him.“Hello? Is anyone there?”“Tell me your name?”“Chase Sterling. Where am I?” “I mean your real name. The name your parents gave you.”Why would he ask him that? Nobody knew Chase Sterling wasn’t his real name. Well, his mother knew, of course. And Kerstin knew. “Charles Redding, but I don’t go by that. Nobody even knows my name was changed when I got my assignment.”“Named after your father. He used to call you Charlie. It was your mother who first called you Chase, and the nickname stuck.”“How do you know that? Who are you?”He didn’t answer.Chase rubbed his eyes. He still couldn’t see a thing. His hands were wet, but it didn’t feel like water. He touched my fingers to his nose. Blood. “Excuse me, I think I’m bleeding. Could I get some help?”“You’ll be all right. Reach beside you—there’s a bowl of water and a towel.”He felt in the darkness until his hand was submerged in cool water. He put his other hand in and rubbed away the bloody mess. He dried his hands on the towel and used it to wipe his face. There was no pain, but something seemed very wrong.“What happened to me? There was some sort of flash. Was I shot? I was on stage when a light came at me. Am I dead?”“Do you feel dead?”“I’d really like to know who I’m talking to. I don’t recognize your voice. Are you a director?”“Something like that.”“You’re with the WR.” He was some government bigwig. This was it—Chase’s career was over. And judging by the blindness and blood on his hands, he wasn’t ready for any new assignment. “Can I talk to my assistant? Her name is Melody Reese.”“I know her.”“Can you get her for me?”“We have some things to go over.”“Like what? New job? New life? I really don’t want things to change.”“Let’s review your life, Charles Redding. Let’s take a look at where you came from.”He was mocking Chase—it sounded like a line from the show. Then a screen lit up. “Hey, I can see now. My vision is coming back.”“Good. Watch this.”
Hmmm... sounds like a fascinating novel! But that's not unusual for Pelican Book Group. Right?!
Wake the Dead can be found at Pelican Book Group in Ebook & Print!
Hope you enjoyed this spotlight. Check back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time....take care, God Bless and remember....Whatever you're believing for~believe with FAITH & PASSION! Pamela S Thibodeaux "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
January 1, 2015
#ThursdayThoughts: New Year Resolutions
Well we've made it through another year and if you're like most folks, you're looking back at what you didn't do and forward to what you should do that you've missed out on all the present moment achievements, blessings, successes and lessons.
I know, I'm guilty of this too.
It's always good to look back but we should do so with the attitude of appreciation. I mean, even in the bad things there is something to be grateful for.
So for 2015 let's make a vow, a pact...yeah a promise to live in the present moment as much as possible and see how our lives change by doing so.
Does this mean I'm not going to set goals or work to improve those areas of my life I'm less than satisfied with?
Of course not.
It only means I'm going to give myself a break and do my best to appreciate every day, and (if possible) every moment of this precious gift of life I've been given.
I vow to laugh more, love more, forgive more, sing and dance more, meditate and pray and yes, hopefully even write more.
So instead of those dreaded resolutions that never seem to work out anyway, just do your best to live each moment of every day to its fullest with love, laughter, joy and gratitude.
Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
*comp image from fotolia*
December 30, 2014
#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Carrie Turansky!
Good Morning and Welcome to the last Tuesday Treasure of 2014!
I hope you're as excited as I am about beginning a whole new year. Yes, my to do list is full (no surprise, right! LOL!) I'm sure yours is too.
Today we welcome a very special guest...Carrie Turansky is here to tell us about something she treasures.....
Treasured Memories of Englandby Carrie Turansky, author of The Daughter of Highland Hall
Last May I was blessed to be able to travel to England on a research trip. My Edwardian Brides series is set there, and I was eager to see more of the country and visit the location I’d chosen for the setting. For months my friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, and I exchanged countless emails and phone calls as we planned our trip. Our excitement grew as we made reservations and purchased our tickets.
Finally on May first, we set off and flew overnight to Manchester. From there we took a train down to Bristol. The next morning we set off to explore Tyntesfield, the beautiful country estate I have in
mind as I write about Highland Hall. I’d seen several photos of Tyntesfield online and even watched a documentary about its history, but I was not prepared for how amazing it was to see it in person.
The day was bright and sunny. The gardens were in bloom. As we toured the house and grounds I was continually awestruck by the beautiful details in the woodwork, tile, furniture, paintings and sculptures. Cathy and I kept smiling and saying how beautiful it was as we snapped more photos.
I’d hoped to see the night nursery, since many of the scenes in The Governess of Highland Hall take place there, but we were told an antique mirror had fallen and broken on the floor, causing a mercury spill which was dangerous, so the room was closed. But when the staff learned I was an author who had set a novel at Tyntesfield, we were taken upstairs on a private tour of the day nursery and shown the governess’s bedroom. What a delight! It was just as I had pictured it.
I treasure the memories of that visit to Tyntesfield. And as I look back on the photos and read the notes in my journal, I’m thankful I could share the day with a good friend who understood how meaningful it was to me.
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas, including Surrendered Hearts, Snowflake Sweethearts, and Along Came Love. She has been the recipient of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award. Turansky’s first historical fiction novel, and the first in the Edwardian Brides series, The Governess of Highland Hall, is a 2014 Carol Award finalist. While Turansky has been writing articles, devotions and essays since 1999, writing fiction is her passion, and she’s thankful for the creative ideas God has put into her mind and heart.
When she’s not writing Turansky enjoys spending time with her family, working outside in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for family and friends, or walking around the lake near her home.
To keep up with Carrie Turansky, visit www.carrieturansky.com , become a fan on Facebook ( AuthorCarrieTuransky ) or follow her on Twitter (@ CarrieTuransky ) and Pinterest ( CarrieTuransky ).
Wow...oh, wow... what a wonderful thing!
Now a little about the book....
The Daughter of Highland HallEDWARDIAN BRIDES SERIES, BOOK 2ISBN 10: 1601424981ISBN 13: 978-1601424983Published by WaterBrook Multnomah, Released October 7, 2014Listen to this fourteen-minute interview about the story behind The Daughter of Highland Hall.
Next week we have another guest post but soon I'll be sharing some memories of my own...a trip to NYC with my son!
Until then...take care, God Bless and Happy New Year! PamT
I hope you're as excited as I am about beginning a whole new year. Yes, my to do list is full (no surprise, right! LOL!) I'm sure yours is too.
Today we welcome a very special guest...Carrie Turansky is here to tell us about something she treasures.....
Treasured Memories of Englandby Carrie Turansky, author of The Daughter of Highland Hall
Last May I was blessed to be able to travel to England on a research trip. My Edwardian Brides series is set there, and I was eager to see more of the country and visit the location I’d chosen for the setting. For months my friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, and I exchanged countless emails and phone calls as we planned our trip. Our excitement grew as we made reservations and purchased our tickets.
Finally on May first, we set off and flew overnight to Manchester. From there we took a train down to Bristol. The next morning we set off to explore Tyntesfield, the beautiful country estate I have in
mind as I write about Highland Hall. I’d seen several photos of Tyntesfield online and even watched a documentary about its history, but I was not prepared for how amazing it was to see it in person. The day was bright and sunny. The gardens were in bloom. As we toured the house and grounds I was continually awestruck by the beautiful details in the woodwork, tile, furniture, paintings and sculptures. Cathy and I kept smiling and saying how beautiful it was as we snapped more photos.
I’d hoped to see the night nursery, since many of the scenes in The Governess of Highland Hall take place there, but we were told an antique mirror had fallen and broken on the floor, causing a mercury spill which was dangerous, so the room was closed. But when the staff learned I was an author who had set a novel at Tyntesfield, we were taken upstairs on a private tour of the day nursery and shown the governess’s bedroom. What a delight! It was just as I had pictured it.
I treasure the memories of that visit to Tyntesfield. And as I look back on the photos and read the notes in my journal, I’m thankful I could share the day with a good friend who understood how meaningful it was to me.
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas, including Surrendered Hearts, Snowflake Sweethearts, and Along Came Love. She has been the recipient of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award. Turansky’s first historical fiction novel, and the first in the Edwardian Brides series, The Governess of Highland Hall, is a 2014 Carol Award finalist. While Turansky has been writing articles, devotions and essays since 1999, writing fiction is her passion, and she’s thankful for the creative ideas God has put into her mind and heart. When she’s not writing Turansky enjoys spending time with her family, working outside in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for family and friends, or walking around the lake near her home.
To keep up with Carrie Turansky, visit www.carrieturansky.com , become a fan on Facebook ( AuthorCarrieTuransky ) or follow her on Twitter (@ CarrieTuransky ) and Pinterest ( CarrieTuransky ).
Wow...oh, wow... what a wonderful thing!Now a little about the book....
The Daughter of Highland HallEDWARDIAN BRIDES SERIES, BOOK 2ISBN 10: 1601424981ISBN 13: 978-1601424983Published by WaterBrook Multnomah, Released October 7, 2014Listen to this fourteen-minute interview about the story behind The Daughter of Highland Hall.
Next week we have another guest post but soon I'll be sharing some memories of my own...a trip to NYC with my son!
Until then...take care, God Bless and Happy New Year! PamT
December 27, 2014
#SaturdaySpotlight: Saving Christmas by Clare Revell
Well Friends, the Christmas rush is over but since many continue their celebrations into the new year, I thought I'd share a much lighter Christmas story with you today....
Saving Christmas by friend and fellow Pelican Book Group author, Clare Revell.
Rather than do the expected thing, Christmas Daniels, pursued a high powered career in London, flying across the world, never being home long enough for anything. When her father is taken ill, she returns to Hollies Christmas Emporium, an all year round Christmas shop to run it in his absence.
Matt Pringle, store artist and accountant, doesn't make a good impression on his new boss when he accuses her of stealing his parking space. Wanting to make up for it, he tries to impress her, but ends up falling for her instead.
When the store is threatened with closure, Christmas, who insists on being called Chrissie sacrifices everything to try to save it. A committed Christian, Matt knows that Chrissie needs saving just as much. Will their growing attraction help Matt save Christmas before it’s too late?
Extract:Taking a deep breath, he stuck out a hand. “Can we start over? My name’s Matt Pringle. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Daniels. How’s your father doing?”
Her hand was cool, yet her touch burned him. “It’s Chrissie, please. I called earlier and they said he had a good night. I can go in at two. Now this parking space of yours...”
“It’s yours. I can walk. It’s not that far and I have an umbrella. I’m sorry I was late.” He looked at her. “I’ll go and get started.”
“Sure.” Chrissie flopped down at the desk. Matt looked at her. Her skirt was wet, her shoes ruined and she looked exhausted. Her blue eyes and black hair looking almost bedraggled, if eyes as lovely as hers could look bedraggled. She was the most amazing woman he’d ever seen.
Matt turned and left the office, almost colliding with Grace and a tray of tea and biscuits as he went down the corridor. “Sorry, Grace. Say, what do you know about her?”
“Chrissie? Known her for years. She hates her name with a passion. Her parents expected her to run this place when she graduated, but she chose a partnership in a large firm in London instead. Shame really, the job changed her, she doesn’t have time for anything anymore.” Grace smiled at him. “Trust me, not even you can work your magic on our Christmas Ivy Daniels.” She headed into the office, pushing the door shut behind her.
Matt pursed his lips. He couldn’t let that happen. There was something about her; something lost that drew him to her. She was lost and needed help, whether she knew it or not—and he was determined to give it to her.
Saving Christmas can be purchased directly from PBG along with other Christmas Extravaganza titles!
Clare lives in a small town in England with her husband, whom she married in 1992, and her three children. Writing from a early childhood and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories through fanfiction to using her own original characters and enjoys writing an eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children's stories. When she's not writing, reading, sewing, she's keeping house or doing the many piles of laundry her children manage to make.
She has been a Christian for more than half her life. She goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of three registrars. Clare can be found at the following places:Website, Blog, Facebook, & on Twitter @clarerevell
Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight!
Stay tuned weekly for Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlight.
Until later...Take care, God Bless and remember: When the going gets tough the tough get on their knees.
Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
Saving Christmas by friend and fellow Pelican Book Group author, Clare Revell.
Rather than do the expected thing, Christmas Daniels, pursued a high powered career in London, flying across the world, never being home long enough for anything. When her father is taken ill, she returns to Hollies Christmas Emporium, an all year round Christmas shop to run it in his absence.Matt Pringle, store artist and accountant, doesn't make a good impression on his new boss when he accuses her of stealing his parking space. Wanting to make up for it, he tries to impress her, but ends up falling for her instead.
When the store is threatened with closure, Christmas, who insists on being called Chrissie sacrifices everything to try to save it. A committed Christian, Matt knows that Chrissie needs saving just as much. Will their growing attraction help Matt save Christmas before it’s too late?
Extract:Taking a deep breath, he stuck out a hand. “Can we start over? My name’s Matt Pringle. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Daniels. How’s your father doing?”
Her hand was cool, yet her touch burned him. “It’s Chrissie, please. I called earlier and they said he had a good night. I can go in at two. Now this parking space of yours...”
“It’s yours. I can walk. It’s not that far and I have an umbrella. I’m sorry I was late.” He looked at her. “I’ll go and get started.”
“Sure.” Chrissie flopped down at the desk. Matt looked at her. Her skirt was wet, her shoes ruined and she looked exhausted. Her blue eyes and black hair looking almost bedraggled, if eyes as lovely as hers could look bedraggled. She was the most amazing woman he’d ever seen.
Matt turned and left the office, almost colliding with Grace and a tray of tea and biscuits as he went down the corridor. “Sorry, Grace. Say, what do you know about her?”
“Chrissie? Known her for years. She hates her name with a passion. Her parents expected her to run this place when she graduated, but she chose a partnership in a large firm in London instead. Shame really, the job changed her, she doesn’t have time for anything anymore.” Grace smiled at him. “Trust me, not even you can work your magic on our Christmas Ivy Daniels.” She headed into the office, pushing the door shut behind her.
Matt pursed his lips. He couldn’t let that happen. There was something about her; something lost that drew him to her. She was lost and needed help, whether she knew it or not—and he was determined to give it to her.
Saving Christmas can be purchased directly from PBG along with other Christmas Extravaganza titles!
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Clare lives in a small town in England with her husband, whom she married in 1992, and her three children. Writing from a early childhood and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories through fanfiction to using her own original characters and enjoys writing an eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children's stories. When she's not writing, reading, sewing, she's keeping house or doing the many piles of laundry her children manage to make. She has been a Christian for more than half her life. She goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of three registrars. Clare can be found at the following places:Website, Blog, Facebook, & on Twitter @clarerevell
Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight!
Stay tuned weekly for Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlight.
Until later...Take care, God Bless and remember: When the going gets tough the tough get on their knees.
Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
December 25, 2014
ThursdayThoughts: Holiday Depression
Good Morning and Merry Christmas!
You might be one of the millions who are saying... "What's so good about it?" and/or "What's there to be merry about?"
Believe me I understand!
Statistics show one out of ten people will suffer depression at some point in their life. It can be as simple as a case of the blues or drastic enough to induce suicide, murder, or the attempt of either. For many, depression is a debilitating, degrading, disease; an evil spirit that roams about like a roaring lion seeking that which he may devour. It causes loss of appetite, loss of self-worth and loss of self-esteem added to feelings of anxiety and fear or just plain not giving a damn about anything or anyone in your life.
Is it any wonder the word depression begins with the same letter as death?
It is all too common to hear someone say "this situation" or "that person" is driving them crazy. Most of the time they haven’t a clue of what they’re talking about. Unless you experience depression which lasts more than a day or two, or even a week, you have no idea of what you’re saying.
I’ve experienced depression to the extreme twice before in my life. The first time resulted in the death of my marriage. The second ended with the termination of a seven-year career. Both were the direct consequence of another person imposing –forcing – their will upon mine until I couldn’t breathe or think or function. Many were the days when I’d look at a sink of dirty dishes or a load of laundry that needed washing and think, “what’s the point? Who the hell really cares anyway?”
All I wanted was for the world to stop and let me off.
Caused by a chemical imbalance, depression is a real illness, not a sign of weakness and has nothing to do with your faith! As told to me by a therapist; the brain doesn’t differentiate between physical and mental pain, it just knows you are hurting and the reaction of the body comes from the same area of the brain. There are different types and degrees of depression. It can be inherited or genetic, caused by physical stress, hormones, trauma, or "situation induced."
Pelican Book Group/Harbourlight title Chasing Christmas deals with this debilitating illness, so I thought it appropriate to share it with you today.....
Steeped in depression, entrepreneur Teddy Whitaker hops aboard a freight train through the Ozark Mountains to escape his past and his problems.
Startled by a mysterious stranger who appears to him in a boxcar, Teddy discovers that in order to defeat the darkness and reclaim his life he must learn three lessons before Christmas morning.
If he succeeds, he will become a new man. If he fails, he will lose his life.
Yet, deep in the thick woods of Missouri stalks a certain evil; an evil determined for Teddy to fail.
Read an excerpt of Chasing Christmas HERE.
Please remember....Many times the person who is depressed doesn’t even realize he/she is that bad off!
So, if someone you love is hurting and you don’t know what to do or are afraid of what they might do, get them to a doctor.
It is my prayer that the light of His love and the peace of Christ will forever guard your heart and mind against the powers and principalities of darkness.
Forever in His grace, Pamela S. Thibodeaux
You might be one of the millions who are saying... "What's so good about it?" and/or "What's there to be merry about?"
Believe me I understand!
Statistics show one out of ten people will suffer depression at some point in their life. It can be as simple as a case of the blues or drastic enough to induce suicide, murder, or the attempt of either. For many, depression is a debilitating, degrading, disease; an evil spirit that roams about like a roaring lion seeking that which he may devour. It causes loss of appetite, loss of self-worth and loss of self-esteem added to feelings of anxiety and fear or just plain not giving a damn about anything or anyone in your life.
Is it any wonder the word depression begins with the same letter as death?
It is all too common to hear someone say "this situation" or "that person" is driving them crazy. Most of the time they haven’t a clue of what they’re talking about. Unless you experience depression which lasts more than a day or two, or even a week, you have no idea of what you’re saying.
I’ve experienced depression to the extreme twice before in my life. The first time resulted in the death of my marriage. The second ended with the termination of a seven-year career. Both were the direct consequence of another person imposing –forcing – their will upon mine until I couldn’t breathe or think or function. Many were the days when I’d look at a sink of dirty dishes or a load of laundry that needed washing and think, “what’s the point? Who the hell really cares anyway?”
All I wanted was for the world to stop and let me off.
Caused by a chemical imbalance, depression is a real illness, not a sign of weakness and has nothing to do with your faith! As told to me by a therapist; the brain doesn’t differentiate between physical and mental pain, it just knows you are hurting and the reaction of the body comes from the same area of the brain. There are different types and degrees of depression. It can be inherited or genetic, caused by physical stress, hormones, trauma, or "situation induced."
Pelican Book Group/Harbourlight title Chasing Christmas deals with this debilitating illness, so I thought it appropriate to share it with you today.....
Steeped in depression, entrepreneur Teddy Whitaker hops aboard a freight train through the Ozark Mountains to escape his past and his problems.
Startled by a mysterious stranger who appears to him in a boxcar, Teddy discovers that in order to defeat the darkness and reclaim his life he must learn three lessons before Christmas morning.
If he succeeds, he will become a new man. If he fails, he will lose his life.
Yet, deep in the thick woods of Missouri stalks a certain evil; an evil determined for Teddy to fail.
Read an excerpt of Chasing Christmas HERE.
Please remember....Many times the person who is depressed doesn’t even realize he/she is that bad off!
So, if someone you love is hurting and you don’t know what to do or are afraid of what they might do, get them to a doctor.
It is my prayer that the light of His love and the peace of Christ will forever guard your heart and mind against the powers and principalities of darkness.
Forever in His grace, Pamela S. Thibodeaux
December 23, 2014
#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Janis Susan May Patterson
Good Morning from New York City!
Yes, this little Cajun is braving the weather to visit the Big Apple with my son. A short turn around trip that began Sunday and ends today. We'll be home late this evening and I'll post some pics and things next week but today I'd like to welcome back to the blog, Janis Susan May Patterson with a guest post about her book, The Jerusalem Connection.
So without much further ado, here's Janis....
When Pamela said I could blog about my recent release
The Jerusalem Connection
and what led to my writing it, I was so happy. You see, this book is very close to my heart and parts of it are true. Sort of.
I’d better explain. A number of years ago, when I was single and fancy-free, I was part of a crew sent to Jerusalem to film a documentary on Israeli women. It was a real low-budget outfit, run by a screaming narcissist and though the film had an interesting premise, sadly it was never completed. There were only two or three of us from the States; whatever other talent we needed we picked up there. That trip was an education in itself. I had been to Europe a couple of times, and to Mexico many times, but this was my first visit to the Middle East. One of the things I learned quickly was that a fat blue-eyed blonde can do no wrong in a country with a large Arab population. I had never been very popular in the States, and for a small while (a few minutes at most) it was almost giddy to be surrounded with adoring, flattering males. Believe me, that wore off quickly. I bought hats and scarves to cover my hair and wore sunglasses until it was so dark that I tended to walk into walls.
In The Jerusalem Connection Robin Sabine is a last minute substitute for a choir director who takes a mis-matched group of teens to a vocal competition in Jerusalem. She is not happy about the job, but does it because her boss expects it of her. At the opening party she is dismayed to see an old lover, a man who mistrusts her intensely. While her group is off on a city tour she runs to the Old City (a fascinating place – more later) to buy a souvenir for her boss’ wife. Then the fun begins! She is followed, her room searched and everyone seems to think she is a spy.
One of the things about Jerusalem is the sense of history. Even in the newer parts of town, as modern as any American city and cleaner than most, you are so constantly aware of the past. Yes, there’s modern concrete beneath your feet, but below that is the dirt that man has walked for literally thousands of years. In the Old City, that feeling of time slip is breathtaking. You can touch stone walls which have stood for perhaps three thousand years – or more. You can tour a castle built by the Crusaders a thousand years ago. Remember how in the Bible you get the feeling that from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is a lengthy journey of many days? It’s a regular stop on the city bus system. Beneath the Old City are quarries reputed to have been dug by the order of King Solomon. Now they are electrified and have a smooth concrete path running through them, but… King Solomon! I live in a part of the States where anything over a hundred years old is regarded as venerated and ancient. Being in Jerusalem gives an entirely new perspective on time.
And some of the things that happened in the book really did happen (sort of) to me. The champagne on top of the Wall around the Old City is based on a date I really had. The restaurant with the ancient arches actually exists – as does the occasional power blackout. The restaurant in Jericho is also real, though I didn’t sing there. At least, they existed when I was last there, and there is no reason to believe that they don’t now.
The Old City is a rabbit warren of tiny, twisting lanes between two and three story ancient houses, most only a few feet wide. It is an area built for foot traffic, though occasionally you will see a loaded camel, handcart or a donkey-drawn wagon. Twice during my stay I saw motorized traffic – once a pickup, and once a flat-bed truck. Both times were alarming. Everyone in the narrow street had to either find a side street or a shop to duck into, as with alarming regularity the vehicle’s mirrors scraped the stone walls on either side. Outside the Old City, Jerusalem is much like any other country in the world, with four lane streets and some of the wildest drivers you will ever see.
I won’t mention the religious problems of that sad city, but they were there back then, too. A bus was bombed not two hundred yards away from me. Now it’s almost commonplace around the world, but then it was astonishing to see teenagers armed to the teeth with automatic rifles almost everywhere you went.
So obviously Jerusalem is a fascinating city, but what inspired me to write a book about it? We were going to do yet some more remodeling on our 60+ year old house and I was packing things away to clear the room. One of the things was the stack of photo albums from my months in Jerusalem – yes, albums. I shot over 100 rolls of 36 shot film on my trusty old Yashica 35mm. It took me months to afford getting them all developed after I got home. Feeling very travel-deprived, as we had been stuck at home for several years, I looked through the pictures one by one, experiencing memories I hadn’t thought of in years. I remembered the magic of drinking champagne on top of the Old City Wall. I remembered being lost in the maze of Old City streets at night – without, I hasten to add, any villains chasing me. (It was still scary, though.) I remembered the stark beauty of the Dead Sea and the desolate landscape. I packed the photos away carefully – so carefully that now I can’t find them!
One of the beauties of being a writer is that you can visit anywhere anytime you want to. Inspired by the pictures, I concocted a plot, gathered together a host of memories and incidents and wrote the book. It helped keep me sane in that last round of remodeling.
For those curious romantics out there, one of the men who courts the heroine really did exist. Obviously, our romance didn’t end like it did in the book, but it was fun while it lasted. And how many of the incidents which happened to the heroine really happened to me? I’ll never tell.
Author Bio: Janis Susan May is a seventh-generation Texan and a third-generation wordsmith who writes mysteries as Janis Patterson, romances and other things as Janis Susan May, children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson and non-fiction and scholarly works as J.S.M. Patterson. Formerly an actress and singer, a talent agent and Supervisor of Accessioning for a bio-genetic DNA testing lab, Janis has also been editor-in-chief of two multi-magazine publishing groups as well as many other things, including an enthusiastic amateur Egyptologist. She is a founder of RWA and currently serves on a regional MWA Board.
Janis married for the first time when most of her contemporaries were becoming grandmothers. Her husband, also an Egyptophile, even proposed in a moonlit garden near the Pyramids of Giza. Janis and her husband live in Texas with an assortment of rescued furbabies.
Find out more by visiting her website. Find her other works at her booksite.
The Jerusalem Connection can be purchased at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Ibooks, & Create Space.
Well friends I certainly hope you enjoyed this week's Tuesday Treasure. Stay tuned for a great Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
I pray Each and Every One of YOU have a Blessed & Merry Christmas!! PamT
Yes, this little Cajun is braving the weather to visit the Big Apple with my son. A short turn around trip that began Sunday and ends today. We'll be home late this evening and I'll post some pics and things next week but today I'd like to welcome back to the blog, Janis Susan May Patterson with a guest post about her book, The Jerusalem Connection.
So without much further ado, here's Janis....
When Pamela said I could blog about my recent release
The Jerusalem Connection
and what led to my writing it, I was so happy. You see, this book is very close to my heart and parts of it are true. Sort of.I’d better explain. A number of years ago, when I was single and fancy-free, I was part of a crew sent to Jerusalem to film a documentary on Israeli women. It was a real low-budget outfit, run by a screaming narcissist and though the film had an interesting premise, sadly it was never completed. There were only two or three of us from the States; whatever other talent we needed we picked up there. That trip was an education in itself. I had been to Europe a couple of times, and to Mexico many times, but this was my first visit to the Middle East. One of the things I learned quickly was that a fat blue-eyed blonde can do no wrong in a country with a large Arab population. I had never been very popular in the States, and for a small while (a few minutes at most) it was almost giddy to be surrounded with adoring, flattering males. Believe me, that wore off quickly. I bought hats and scarves to cover my hair and wore sunglasses until it was so dark that I tended to walk into walls.
In The Jerusalem Connection Robin Sabine is a last minute substitute for a choir director who takes a mis-matched group of teens to a vocal competition in Jerusalem. She is not happy about the job, but does it because her boss expects it of her. At the opening party she is dismayed to see an old lover, a man who mistrusts her intensely. While her group is off on a city tour she runs to the Old City (a fascinating place – more later) to buy a souvenir for her boss’ wife. Then the fun begins! She is followed, her room searched and everyone seems to think she is a spy.
One of the things about Jerusalem is the sense of history. Even in the newer parts of town, as modern as any American city and cleaner than most, you are so constantly aware of the past. Yes, there’s modern concrete beneath your feet, but below that is the dirt that man has walked for literally thousands of years. In the Old City, that feeling of time slip is breathtaking. You can touch stone walls which have stood for perhaps three thousand years – or more. You can tour a castle built by the Crusaders a thousand years ago. Remember how in the Bible you get the feeling that from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is a lengthy journey of many days? It’s a regular stop on the city bus system. Beneath the Old City are quarries reputed to have been dug by the order of King Solomon. Now they are electrified and have a smooth concrete path running through them, but… King Solomon! I live in a part of the States where anything over a hundred years old is regarded as venerated and ancient. Being in Jerusalem gives an entirely new perspective on time.
And some of the things that happened in the book really did happen (sort of) to me. The champagne on top of the Wall around the Old City is based on a date I really had. The restaurant with the ancient arches actually exists – as does the occasional power blackout. The restaurant in Jericho is also real, though I didn’t sing there. At least, they existed when I was last there, and there is no reason to believe that they don’t now.
The Old City is a rabbit warren of tiny, twisting lanes between two and three story ancient houses, most only a few feet wide. It is an area built for foot traffic, though occasionally you will see a loaded camel, handcart or a donkey-drawn wagon. Twice during my stay I saw motorized traffic – once a pickup, and once a flat-bed truck. Both times were alarming. Everyone in the narrow street had to either find a side street or a shop to duck into, as with alarming regularity the vehicle’s mirrors scraped the stone walls on either side. Outside the Old City, Jerusalem is much like any other country in the world, with four lane streets and some of the wildest drivers you will ever see.
I won’t mention the religious problems of that sad city, but they were there back then, too. A bus was bombed not two hundred yards away from me. Now it’s almost commonplace around the world, but then it was astonishing to see teenagers armed to the teeth with automatic rifles almost everywhere you went.
So obviously Jerusalem is a fascinating city, but what inspired me to write a book about it? We were going to do yet some more remodeling on our 60+ year old house and I was packing things away to clear the room. One of the things was the stack of photo albums from my months in Jerusalem – yes, albums. I shot over 100 rolls of 36 shot film on my trusty old Yashica 35mm. It took me months to afford getting them all developed after I got home. Feeling very travel-deprived, as we had been stuck at home for several years, I looked through the pictures one by one, experiencing memories I hadn’t thought of in years. I remembered the magic of drinking champagne on top of the Old City Wall. I remembered being lost in the maze of Old City streets at night – without, I hasten to add, any villains chasing me. (It was still scary, though.) I remembered the stark beauty of the Dead Sea and the desolate landscape. I packed the photos away carefully – so carefully that now I can’t find them!
One of the beauties of being a writer is that you can visit anywhere anytime you want to. Inspired by the pictures, I concocted a plot, gathered together a host of memories and incidents and wrote the book. It helped keep me sane in that last round of remodeling.
For those curious romantics out there, one of the men who courts the heroine really did exist. Obviously, our romance didn’t end like it did in the book, but it was fun while it lasted. And how many of the incidents which happened to the heroine really happened to me? I’ll never tell.
Author Bio: Janis Susan May is a seventh-generation Texan and a third-generation wordsmith who writes mysteries as Janis Patterson, romances and other things as Janis Susan May, children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson and non-fiction and scholarly works as J.S.M. Patterson. Formerly an actress and singer, a talent agent and Supervisor of Accessioning for a bio-genetic DNA testing lab, Janis has also been editor-in-chief of two multi-magazine publishing groups as well as many other things, including an enthusiastic amateur Egyptologist. She is a founder of RWA and currently serves on a regional MWA Board.
Janis married for the first time when most of her contemporaries were becoming grandmothers. Her husband, also an Egyptophile, even proposed in a moonlit garden near the Pyramids of Giza. Janis and her husband live in Texas with an assortment of rescued furbabies.
Find out more by visiting her website. Find her other works at her booksite.
The Jerusalem Connection can be purchased at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Ibooks, & Create Space.
Well friends I certainly hope you enjoyed this week's Tuesday Treasure. Stay tuned for a great Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
I pray Each and Every One of YOU have a Blessed & Merry Christmas!! PamT
December 20, 2014
#SaturdaySpotlight: The Jerusalem Connection by Janis Susan May Patterson
Good Morning Friends,
Welcome to this week's edition of Saturday Spotlight. Today I'm leased to welcome a fellow Five Star author to the spotlight with her newest release!
Janis Patterson may be new to mysteries, but she is no stranger to writing, publishing romances as Janis Susan May and children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson..... Janis is very proud of being a seventh-generation Texan on one side of her family and a fourth generation one on the other. She and her husband share their Texas home with two neurotic cats and a hyperactive little dog (half terrier mix, half pure diva), all of which they rescued. (Read FULL bio here)
Find out more about Janis by visiting her personal website and/or book website.
When their original leader falls ill choir director Robin Sabine reluctantly agrees to accompany six teenagers to a musical competition in Jerusalem. The simple purchase of a souvenir for her boss’ wife plunges her into a nightmare of danger, kidnapping and almost certain death. The
unexpected appearance of a former boyfriend turned enemy unnerves her, and the attentions of a suave, sophisticated British diplomat turn her head
even as she wonders if she can trust him.
After her unscheduled shopping trip in the Old City Robin discovers that there are a number of people inordinately interested in her movements. Her room is searched. She has difficulties with the competition. Neither man in her life trusts the other and after being ruthlessly kidnapped, Robin realizes that a number of people – including her teenaged charges – believe she is a spy.
Conflicting loyalties and the specter of international terrorism make her doubt everything she ever thought she knew. Worst of all, the teens who have been put in her care disappear even as Robin’s own life is threatened. If she is going to survive and rescue all entrusted to her, Robin will need all the wits and courage she can muster.
The Jerusalem Connection can be purchased at Amazon in Print and on Kindle & B&N in print and for Nook!
Hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Stay tuned next week for another as well as Tuesday Treasure and Thursday Thoughts!
Until later....take care & God Bless!
PamT
Welcome to this week's edition of Saturday Spotlight. Today I'm leased to welcome a fellow Five Star author to the spotlight with her newest release!
Janis Patterson may be new to mysteries, but she is no stranger to writing, publishing romances as Janis Susan May and children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson..... Janis is very proud of being a seventh-generation Texan on one side of her family and a fourth generation one on the other. She and her husband share their Texas home with two neurotic cats and a hyperactive little dog (half terrier mix, half pure diva), all of which they rescued. (Read FULL bio here)Find out more about Janis by visiting her personal website and/or book website.
When their original leader falls ill choir director Robin Sabine reluctantly agrees to accompany six teenagers to a musical competition in Jerusalem. The simple purchase of a souvenir for her boss’ wife plunges her into a nightmare of danger, kidnapping and almost certain death. Theunexpected appearance of a former boyfriend turned enemy unnerves her, and the attentions of a suave, sophisticated British diplomat turn her head
even as she wonders if she can trust him.
After her unscheduled shopping trip in the Old City Robin discovers that there are a number of people inordinately interested in her movements. Her room is searched. She has difficulties with the competition. Neither man in her life trusts the other and after being ruthlessly kidnapped, Robin realizes that a number of people – including her teenaged charges – believe she is a spy.
Conflicting loyalties and the specter of international terrorism make her doubt everything she ever thought she knew. Worst of all, the teens who have been put in her care disappear even as Robin’s own life is threatened. If she is going to survive and rescue all entrusted to her, Robin will need all the wits and courage she can muster.
The Jerusalem Connection can be purchased at Amazon in Print and on Kindle & B&N in print and for Nook!
Hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Stay tuned next week for another as well as Tuesday Treasure and Thursday Thoughts!
Until later....take care & God Bless!
PamT
