Pamela S. Thibodeaux's Blog, page 106
December 18, 2014
#ThursdayThoughts: Holiday...Joy?
Good Morning Friends,
Today is one of those rambling thought kinda days.... You know, one where I really have no idea what to say.
One thing that's been on my mind lately is Holiday Joy.
Go figure, right.
For so many this time of year is less than joyful. We get caught up in the stress of shopping, wrapping, visiting and just plain rushing that we forget what the season is all about.
Then there's the financial stress always added to our pocketbooks during this time of 'giving.'
Or maybe, the missing of our loved ones who are away from home or who've passed away steals the joy right out of our hearts.
So what can we do to alleviate the emotional turmoil?
Here are a couple of ideas....
Pray. Yes this goes without saying but God is on your side and Jesus is the Prince of Peace so take time out to spend with Him.
Meditate. So many believe meditation takes twenty minutes to an hour to be effective but that's not true. Just as several 10 minute walks have the same health benefits as 2 or 3 longer workouts, daily 10 minute meditation breaks can do wonders for your peace of mind. Better than that, two or three deep breaths where you inhale peace and exhale stress helps!
Put on some joyful music and dance! Think about it... a song is 2 or 3 minutes so taking a short dance break benefits you physically and emotionally.
These are simple but effective ways to help manage holiday stress so take time to take care of yourself and you and your family will be better off for it!
God Bless!
PamT
Today is one of those rambling thought kinda days.... You know, one where I really have no idea what to say.
One thing that's been on my mind lately is Holiday Joy.
Go figure, right.For so many this time of year is less than joyful. We get caught up in the stress of shopping, wrapping, visiting and just plain rushing that we forget what the season is all about.
Then there's the financial stress always added to our pocketbooks during this time of 'giving.'
Or maybe, the missing of our loved ones who are away from home or who've passed away steals the joy right out of our hearts.
So what can we do to alleviate the emotional turmoil?
Here are a couple of ideas....
Pray. Yes this goes without saying but God is on your side and Jesus is the Prince of Peace so take time out to spend with Him.
Meditate. So many believe meditation takes twenty minutes to an hour to be effective but that's not true. Just as several 10 minute walks have the same health benefits as 2 or 3 longer workouts, daily 10 minute meditation breaks can do wonders for your peace of mind. Better than that, two or three deep breaths where you inhale peace and exhale stress helps!
Put on some joyful music and dance! Think about it... a song is 2 or 3 minutes so taking a short dance break benefits you physically and emotionally.
These are simple but effective ways to help manage holiday stress so take time to take care of yourself and you and your family will be better off for it!
God Bless!
PamT
December 16, 2014
#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Sarah Sundin
Well, here we are barreling down on Christmas week.
Today I'm happy to bring to you a special guest, Sarah Sundin with a Christmas treasure.....
Each year, the first Christmas item my family asks for is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the wreath. Not only is this cozy family time, but it focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.
The Advent wreath became popular in Germany and Scandinavia, and worked its way to Britain and America. Traditionally it’s a flat evergreen wreath with four candles—three purple and one pink, or four red candles—with a white candle in the middle.
When I was a brand-new stay-at-home mom, our church held a craft night to make an Advent wreath. I attended, convinced a good mom needed to be crafty. Since the project only involved gluing a few ribbons and such on a wreath, I actually succeeded! It’s the only craft remaining from my very short “determined to prove myself as a mom by yielding a glue gun” phase that survives. I’m craft-impaired. Strangely enough, my children have turned out fine.
However, the wreath remains because we love the traditions that have grown around it. When the children were little, we’d line them up on the couch and feed them cookies and eggnog or hot chocolate. We’d light the candles and my husband would tell that week’s portion of the Christmas story. As the children grew, they read the Scriptures themselves, then we’d discuss them. And we’d end by singing Christmas carols that related to that week’s story.
Now my children are all taller than I am. One has a beard and a Real Job. They barely squeeze on the couch anymore. And still they beg for the Advent wreath. I like to think it’s about more than cookies and eggnog. Over the years, there was much bickering and giggling and poking and snuggling on that couch. Even the dog and cat seem to realize something special is happening and join us, usually getting into mischief to get attention.
But our favorite part is how our attention is ultimately centered on Christ. With all the busyness and commercialism leading up to Christmas, it’s nice to sit down with family each week and remember why we’re celebrating in the first place. A little baby in a manger, come to save the world.
Sarah Sundinis the author of six historical novels, including In Perfect Time (Revell, August 2014), plus a novella in Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook, September 2014). Her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children, and she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. You can find her at www.sarahsundin.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
Where Tree Tops Glisten can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle and at B&N (Nook)!!
Well friends, I certainly hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure. Stay tuned as we wind down to Christmas for more Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlights and of course, Tuesday Treasures!
Until later...take care, God Bless and remember: When you expect miracles, miracles happen! Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
Today I'm happy to bring to you a special guest, Sarah Sundin with a Christmas treasure.....
Each year, the first Christmas item my family asks for is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the wreath. Not only is this cozy family time, but it focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.
The Advent wreath became popular in Germany and Scandinavia, and worked its way to Britain and America. Traditionally it’s a flat evergreen wreath with four candles—three purple and one pink, or four red candles—with a white candle in the middle.
When I was a brand-new stay-at-home mom, our church held a craft night to make an Advent wreath. I attended, convinced a good mom needed to be crafty. Since the project only involved gluing a few ribbons and such on a wreath, I actually succeeded! It’s the only craft remaining from my very short “determined to prove myself as a mom by yielding a glue gun” phase that survives. I’m craft-impaired. Strangely enough, my children have turned out fine.
However, the wreath remains because we love the traditions that have grown around it. When the children were little, we’d line them up on the couch and feed them cookies and eggnog or hot chocolate. We’d light the candles and my husband would tell that week’s portion of the Christmas story. As the children grew, they read the Scriptures themselves, then we’d discuss them. And we’d end by singing Christmas carols that related to that week’s story.
Now my children are all taller than I am. One has a beard and a Real Job. They barely squeeze on the couch anymore. And still they beg for the Advent wreath. I like to think it’s about more than cookies and eggnog. Over the years, there was much bickering and giggling and poking and snuggling on that couch. Even the dog and cat seem to realize something special is happening and join us, usually getting into mischief to get attention.But our favorite part is how our attention is ultimately centered on Christ. With all the busyness and commercialism leading up to Christmas, it’s nice to sit down with family each week and remember why we’re celebrating in the first place. A little baby in a manger, come to save the world.
Sarah Sundinis the author of six historical novels, including In Perfect Time (Revell, August 2014), plus a novella in Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook, September 2014). Her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children, and she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. You can find her at www.sarahsundin.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
Where Tree Tops Glisten can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle and at B&N (Nook)!!
Well friends, I certainly hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure. Stay tuned as we wind down to Christmas for more Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlights and of course, Tuesday Treasures!
Until later...take care, God Bless and remember: When you expect miracles, miracles happen! Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
December 13, 2014
#SaturdaySpotlight: #Fairytale at Headly Cross by @ClareRevell
Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!
Today we welcome Pelican Book Group Author, Clare Revell with another of her many fascinating titles, Fairytale at Headly Cross a Christmas Extravaganza title that is on SALE for only $0.99!!
Christmas is a busy time in the church calendar, and Pastor Carson Armitage is still trying to find his feet in his first job as an ordained minister. When he decides to organize a nativity for Christmas Eve, he employs the help of Maggie Turner, Sunday school teacher extraordinaire. She’s dedicated, smart and beautiful and Carson finds himself falling for her. But when his past comes back to haunt him in a big way, Christmas may not be so merry.
Can the past be laid to rest? Or is happily ever after only a fairytale?
Extract:Carson headed across the hall to the lady that Trudi had pointed out. Too late he realized he didn’t know if she were a Miss or a Mrs. And after last time, he wasn’t going to call anyone Ms. Well, whatever her title, she was a stunning woman. Perhaps she was a little on the willowy side, but with curves in all the right places.
She looked familiar. He’d seen her before. Well, obviously. In church on a Sunday he chided himself.
Carson sneaked a look at her left hand as she draped her coat over the back of a chair. “Miss Turner?”
She turned and looked at him. “Yes?”
He held out a hand, her voice familiar, but he was sure he hadn’t spoken to her before today. “I’m Carson Armitage. I understand you organize and teach the Sunday School classes for the children.”
Her eyes flickered for a moment. He could almost see her mind whirling as if trying to place him. Just like the way his mind was trying to work out where he’d seen and heard her before. And it wasn’t from church either. It was somewhere else.
“Yes, I do. It means missing the service each Sunday morning, but I try to make the evening ones.”
“That’s good to hear.” He paused. “This is going to sound really corny, but have we met?”
“You have a dog,” she said absently. “I’ve seen you in the park. You’re Mr. Border Collie.”
Of course. The blonde woman who was so upset earlier that afternoon. “Miss Sheltie. But it’s more than that. I’m sure I’ve heard your voice before. Have we spoken on the phone or something like that?”
His voice died in his throat. That was it.
Color flooded her face. Had she made the connection at the same instant he had? “Oh, no. Please tell me I didn’t ring you this afternoon by mistake.”
“I wish I could, but, yes, I’m afraid you rang the church office and I answered the phone.”
Fairytale at Headly Cross is available at Pelican Book Group and Amazon!
Find out more about Clare by visiting her website, facebook page, Amazon page and/or twitter!
Oh and if you love Christmas stories, check out PBG's 2014 Christmas Extravaganza titles and get them ALL for one low price!
Hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Check back weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and more Saturday Spotlights!
Until later...take care & God Bless. PamT
Today we welcome Pelican Book Group Author, Clare Revell with another of her many fascinating titles, Fairytale at Headly Cross a Christmas Extravaganza title that is on SALE for only $0.99!!
Christmas is a busy time in the church calendar, and Pastor Carson Armitage is still trying to find his feet in his first job as an ordained minister. When he decides to organize a nativity for Christmas Eve, he employs the help of Maggie Turner, Sunday school teacher extraordinaire. She’s dedicated, smart and beautiful and Carson finds himself falling for her. But when his past comes back to haunt him in a big way, Christmas may not be so merry. Can the past be laid to rest? Or is happily ever after only a fairytale?
Extract:Carson headed across the hall to the lady that Trudi had pointed out. Too late he realized he didn’t know if she were a Miss or a Mrs. And after last time, he wasn’t going to call anyone Ms. Well, whatever her title, she was a stunning woman. Perhaps she was a little on the willowy side, but with curves in all the right places.
She looked familiar. He’d seen her before. Well, obviously. In church on a Sunday he chided himself.
Carson sneaked a look at her left hand as she draped her coat over the back of a chair. “Miss Turner?”
She turned and looked at him. “Yes?”
He held out a hand, her voice familiar, but he was sure he hadn’t spoken to her before today. “I’m Carson Armitage. I understand you organize and teach the Sunday School classes for the children.”
Her eyes flickered for a moment. He could almost see her mind whirling as if trying to place him. Just like the way his mind was trying to work out where he’d seen and heard her before. And it wasn’t from church either. It was somewhere else.
“Yes, I do. It means missing the service each Sunday morning, but I try to make the evening ones.”
“That’s good to hear.” He paused. “This is going to sound really corny, but have we met?”
“You have a dog,” she said absently. “I’ve seen you in the park. You’re Mr. Border Collie.”
Of course. The blonde woman who was so upset earlier that afternoon. “Miss Sheltie. But it’s more than that. I’m sure I’ve heard your voice before. Have we spoken on the phone or something like that?”
His voice died in his throat. That was it.
Color flooded her face. Had she made the connection at the same instant he had? “Oh, no. Please tell me I didn’t ring you this afternoon by mistake.”
“I wish I could, but, yes, I’m afraid you rang the church office and I answered the phone.”
Fairytale at Headly Cross is available at Pelican Book Group and Amazon!
Find out more about Clare by visiting her website, facebook page, Amazon page and/or twitter!
Oh and if you love Christmas stories, check out PBG's 2014 Christmas Extravaganza titles and get them ALL for one low price!
Hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Check back weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and more Saturday Spotlights!
Until later...take care & God Bless. PamT
December 11, 2014
#ThursdayThoughts: Guest Post by Beth Wiseman @bethwiseman
Good Morning!
Today we welcome best selling author, Beth Wiseman to share some of her thoughts with us.
Each time that I start a new book, I wonder what the surprise will be. I love surprises, and God always sends one my way after I’ve completed a story that I hope will glorify Him. It’s always something special that I couldn’t have foreseen. It took me a few books before I realized that this would be the norm—something between God and me that I could look forward to after pouring out my heart on the pages.
It’s often said that God never wastes an hurt, but drawing on those experiences in an effort to entertain, educate, and provoke thought, can be exhausting—and sometimes painful.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. The Promise is inspired by a true story. Someone close to me traveled to Pakistan and ended up being held against her will there. I had to work with the Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate in Pakistan, and the U.S. State Department to get my friend (who we are calling Laurie) home. Even though I pulled from actual events to create this fictional story, parts of it were so real that I’d find myself typing real names instead of the character names I had assigned to the players. My editor set the bar high for this novel, and I ended up doing lots of rewrites, had to get a deadline extension for the first time, and for the life of me, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get my character on the plane to Pakistan. I knew what would happen to her once she got there, and even though it had been over a year since the real-life story unfolded, it still felt like an open wound.
By the time I wrapped up final edits, I was able to identify God’s surprise, His gift to me. Plenty of people had asked me, what do you think will define success for The Promise? Most people in my circle knew this book was personal, intense, and unlike anything I’d written in the past. At first all the standard answers about success came to mind, and I rattled off best-seller lists, dollar figures, and copies sold. But when I slowed down, took a deep breath, and allowed myself some down time, I just smiled. The book was a success before it ever hit the shelves, garnished a review, or slipped into the hands of a single reader.
The success story of The Promise was in the writing itself, the research, the unfolding of truths that were revealed as Laurie and I worked together to tell her story. My goal was to weave an entertaining tale of intrigue, danger, warning, hope, and survival amidst religious rivalries, conflicting cultures, and normal people finding themselves in surreal situations. Throughout that process, I learned why Laurie did some of the things she did. I don’t have to agree with her choices, but through many heartfelt conversations, I gained a better understanding about her motivations. At the end of the day, we agreed to disagree about some things, but my gift shone brightly—and it was a renewed and better relationship with my friend. And for me, that made the entire project a success.
Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Wiseman has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. In her daring new novel, Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and the small Texas towns of her previous releases to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by actual events, Wiseman believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time.
Wiseman can be found at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers. Learn more about the author and her books at bethwiseman.com and on Twitter ( @bethwiseman ).
The Promise can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.
Hope you enjoyed the post!
Until later...take care & God Bless. PamT
Today we welcome best selling author, Beth Wiseman to share some of her thoughts with us.
Each time that I start a new book, I wonder what the surprise will be. I love surprises, and God always sends one my way after I’ve completed a story that I hope will glorify Him. It’s always something special that I couldn’t have foreseen. It took me a few books before I realized that this would be the norm—something between God and me that I could look forward to after pouring out my heart on the pages. It’s often said that God never wastes an hurt, but drawing on those experiences in an effort to entertain, educate, and provoke thought, can be exhausting—and sometimes painful.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. The Promise is inspired by a true story. Someone close to me traveled to Pakistan and ended up being held against her will there. I had to work with the Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate in Pakistan, and the U.S. State Department to get my friend (who we are calling Laurie) home. Even though I pulled from actual events to create this fictional story, parts of it were so real that I’d find myself typing real names instead of the character names I had assigned to the players. My editor set the bar high for this novel, and I ended up doing lots of rewrites, had to get a deadline extension for the first time, and for the life of me, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get my character on the plane to Pakistan. I knew what would happen to her once she got there, and even though it had been over a year since the real-life story unfolded, it still felt like an open wound.
By the time I wrapped up final edits, I was able to identify God’s surprise, His gift to me. Plenty of people had asked me, what do you think will define success for The Promise? Most people in my circle knew this book was personal, intense, and unlike anything I’d written in the past. At first all the standard answers about success came to mind, and I rattled off best-seller lists, dollar figures, and copies sold. But when I slowed down, took a deep breath, and allowed myself some down time, I just smiled. The book was a success before it ever hit the shelves, garnished a review, or slipped into the hands of a single reader. The success story of The Promise was in the writing itself, the research, the unfolding of truths that were revealed as Laurie and I worked together to tell her story. My goal was to weave an entertaining tale of intrigue, danger, warning, hope, and survival amidst religious rivalries, conflicting cultures, and normal people finding themselves in surreal situations. Throughout that process, I learned why Laurie did some of the things she did. I don’t have to agree with her choices, but through many heartfelt conversations, I gained a better understanding about her motivations. At the end of the day, we agreed to disagree about some things, but my gift shone brightly—and it was a renewed and better relationship with my friend. And for me, that made the entire project a success.
Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Wiseman has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. In her daring new novel, Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and the small Texas towns of her previous releases to a dangerous place on the other side of the world. Inspired by actual events, Wiseman believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time.
Wiseman can be found at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers. Learn more about the author and her books at bethwiseman.com and on Twitter ( @bethwiseman ).
The Promise can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.
Hope you enjoyed the post!
Until later...take care & God Bless. PamT
December 9, 2014
#TuesdayTreasure: Peace
This weekly post is supposed to be about something I treasure and today the thing I not only treasure but crave during this holiday season (and every day) is PEACE.
You may wonder how to cultivate and maintain an attitude of peace in such a tumultuous world.
Here are a few ways....
Gratitude: Being grateful for the little things in life helps us to focus on the good instead of that which is less than we desire. Gratitude and Peace go hand in hand.
Love: Focusing on the love of God and the love in your life will produce a profound peace in your heart.
Focus on the Present Moment produces much peace. I've heard it said that stress comes from focusing on the "coulda/shoulda/woulda" situations in our life. Yes it's true we need to acknowledge where we are and where we've been, but ONLY in order to determine where we desire to be! Once we realize that, we can move toward it with hopeful expectation.
These are a few ways I strive to maintain peace in my life. I pray they help you.
Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
You may wonder how to cultivate and maintain an attitude of peace in such a tumultuous world.
Here are a few ways....
Gratitude: Being grateful for the little things in life helps us to focus on the good instead of that which is less than we desire. Gratitude and Peace go hand in hand.
Love: Focusing on the love of God and the love in your life will produce a profound peace in your heart.
Focus on the Present Moment produces much peace. I've heard it said that stress comes from focusing on the "coulda/shoulda/woulda" situations in our life. Yes it's true we need to acknowledge where we are and where we've been, but ONLY in order to determine where we desire to be! Once we realize that, we can move toward it with hopeful expectation.
These are a few ways I strive to maintain peace in my life. I pray they help you.
Something to think about! "Inspirational with an Edge! ™
December 6, 2014
#SaturdaySpotlight: Better Than Cake by Lisa Carlisle
Good Morning and Welcome!
Today I welcome Lisa Carlisle to Saturday Spotlight with her newest release, Better than Cake an erotic romance that is only $0.99!
After the worst fight of their relationship, the last place Stephanie wants to be is a wedding reception. She still can’t get over what happened. Could their five years of marriage be destroyed after a blast of heated words? Johnny suggested separating. Separating! Now with her marriage on the line, she has to put on a brave face and pretend love is grand.Johnny doesn’t know why he’d freaked out the way he had and is left with one emotion. Regret. He doesn’t want to lose Stephanie. He must find her and make things right.Stephanie enters the reception, fearing the end of her marriage. Johnny has something else in mind—a much more decadent proposal that will turn her friend’s wedding into an event they’ll never forget.
A short erotic romance for only 99 cents! Perfect for a beach or summer read.
Buy Now at:AmazonB&NKobo
ARE
Excerpt
Who gets ditched at a wedding? Stephanie paused and took a deep breath before walking into her friend’s reception. Something like this could only happen to her. Ditched wasn’t a strong enough description. “Maybe we should try separating.” Johnny’s words echoed in her mind, lashing her psyche raw with repetition. Separating! She closed her eyes. Unthinkable.It’s okay. You can do this. Stick it out for a couple of hours and then you can deal with the mess.How would she explain her husband’s sudden absence? He was at the ceremony, but wouldn’t be at the reception. What would be a reasonable explanation? They were spending the weekend here in Cape Cod so it would be tough to feign a work or family excuse.Illness. Yes, something about seafood. That would be plausible at a seaside resort. Food poisoning. She had an excuse—but it didn’t make her feel any better about the situation. Beyond the Sea wafted out from the ballroom, appropriate for this Cape Cod seaside resort. She glanced up at the imposing exterior of the multi-level hotel. Her hand trembled so she clutched her silver purse tighter. She raised her chin to steel herself and entered the hotel.
Stephanie scanned the place settings to find hers. Mr. and Mrs. John Silvio. Table nineteen. She dropped her purse to her side, but her fingers still clenched it. The last place she wanted to be after a killer argument with her husband was a wedding. She forced herself to enter the reception area, squeezing through all those decked in suits and evening gowns. Searching the table numbers for nineteen, she followed them to the back of the room. She guessed she’d be furthest from the head table, since she was neither family nor close friend, but an old college roommate of the bride. She made her way to the back of the room, braved a smile, and introduced herself to the couples already seated. “Hi. I’m Stephanie.”“Elaine,” a heavyset woman with puffy blond hair said. “You’re alone?”Great. Just fantastic. Starting right with the topic she wanted to avoid. “Yes. My husband couldn’t make it tonight. Something he ate earlier,” she babbled. “Probably the shellfish.” She shrugged.The others introduced themselves as she sat down and peppered her with questions about where they bought the seafood. A few shared their stories of food poisoning. It was going to be a long night.
She is thrilled to be a multi-published author writing since she’s wanted to write since the sixth grade. Her travels and many jobs have provided her with inspiration for novels, such as serving in the Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan, backpacking alone around Europe, or working as a waitress in Paris. Her love of books inspired her to own a small independent book store for a couple of years.
Lisa lives in New England with her husband and their children. She spends her days writing for corporate clients and her evenings writing stories and novels.
Visit her website for more on books, trailers, playlists, and more: Lisacarlislebooks.com
Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases, specials, and freebies:www.lisacarlislebooks.com/subscribe/
Lisa loves to connect with readers. You can find her on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoodreads
Amazon page
Today I welcome Lisa Carlisle to Saturday Spotlight with her newest release, Better than Cake an erotic romance that is only $0.99!
After the worst fight of their relationship, the last place Stephanie wants to be is a wedding reception. She still can’t get over what happened. Could their five years of marriage be destroyed after a blast of heated words? Johnny suggested separating. Separating! Now with her marriage on the line, she has to put on a brave face and pretend love is grand.Johnny doesn’t know why he’d freaked out the way he had and is left with one emotion. Regret. He doesn’t want to lose Stephanie. He must find her and make things right.Stephanie enters the reception, fearing the end of her marriage. Johnny has something else in mind—a much more decadent proposal that will turn her friend’s wedding into an event they’ll never forget.A short erotic romance for only 99 cents! Perfect for a beach or summer read.
Buy Now at:AmazonB&NKobo
ARE
Excerpt
Who gets ditched at a wedding? Stephanie paused and took a deep breath before walking into her friend’s reception. Something like this could only happen to her. Ditched wasn’t a strong enough description. “Maybe we should try separating.” Johnny’s words echoed in her mind, lashing her psyche raw with repetition. Separating! She closed her eyes. Unthinkable.It’s okay. You can do this. Stick it out for a couple of hours and then you can deal with the mess.How would she explain her husband’s sudden absence? He was at the ceremony, but wouldn’t be at the reception. What would be a reasonable explanation? They were spending the weekend here in Cape Cod so it would be tough to feign a work or family excuse.Illness. Yes, something about seafood. That would be plausible at a seaside resort. Food poisoning. She had an excuse—but it didn’t make her feel any better about the situation. Beyond the Sea wafted out from the ballroom, appropriate for this Cape Cod seaside resort. She glanced up at the imposing exterior of the multi-level hotel. Her hand trembled so she clutched her silver purse tighter. She raised her chin to steel herself and entered the hotel.
Stephanie scanned the place settings to find hers. Mr. and Mrs. John Silvio. Table nineteen. She dropped her purse to her side, but her fingers still clenched it. The last place she wanted to be after a killer argument with her husband was a wedding. She forced herself to enter the reception area, squeezing through all those decked in suits and evening gowns. Searching the table numbers for nineteen, she followed them to the back of the room. She guessed she’d be furthest from the head table, since she was neither family nor close friend, but an old college roommate of the bride. She made her way to the back of the room, braved a smile, and introduced herself to the couples already seated. “Hi. I’m Stephanie.”“Elaine,” a heavyset woman with puffy blond hair said. “You’re alone?”Great. Just fantastic. Starting right with the topic she wanted to avoid. “Yes. My husband couldn’t make it tonight. Something he ate earlier,” she babbled. “Probably the shellfish.” She shrugged.The others introduced themselves as she sat down and peppered her with questions about where they bought the seafood. A few shared their stories of food poisoning. It was going to be a long night.
She is thrilled to be a multi-published author writing since she’s wanted to write since the sixth grade. Her travels and many jobs have provided her with inspiration for novels, such as serving in the Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan, backpacking alone around Europe, or working as a waitress in Paris. Her love of books inspired her to own a small independent book store for a couple of years.
Lisa lives in New England with her husband and their children. She spends her days writing for corporate clients and her evenings writing stories and novels.
Visit her website for more on books, trailers, playlists, and more: Lisacarlislebooks.com
Sign up for her newsletter to hear about new releases, specials, and freebies:www.lisacarlislebooks.com/subscribe/
Lisa loves to connect with readers. You can find her on:
FacebookTwitterPinterestGoodreads
Amazon page
December 4, 2014
#ThursdayThoughts: The Soundtracks of Our Lives
Good Morning and Welcome to the first Thursday Thoughts of December.
Yeah, it goes without saying that this year has flown by and not always indicative of having fun.
Back in 2008 I wrote a post about the role music plays in our lives. Today I'd like to expound on that a little.
One question I'm often asked is if there is a particular song or songs that inspire me while I'm writing. Many songs influence me, but I don't listen when writing because I either get so engrossed in the music that I lose my train of thought or get irritated at the distraction and turn it off.
If you've followed me long you know about my devotional, Love is a Rose , which parallels the love of God and Christian life to the words of the song, The Rose, and how the words reached deep into my spirit.
Today I'd like to share with you another song that has touched my life in a very meaningful day.....Homesick by Mercy Me.
I discovered this song after my husband passed away in 2009, called it my "feel good cry." That remains true to this day. So much so, that I had it played at my mother's funeral just last month.
Some days I shed tears of joy because the words and the hope they contain are so powerful. Other times I weep with sadness and grief, longing to see my loved one's who've crossed over into the heavenly realm.
We all have special songs that become the soundtracks of our lives. I still remember the song my husband and I first danced to and the one I sang or hummed the day my granddaughter was born.
This song will always remain part of the soundtrack of my life.
I pray it touches you as deeply as it does me....
** Love is a Rose can be purchased at Amazon in Print and on Kindle, Barnes & Noble (Nook) and at Smashwords & Deeper Shopping.
Hope you enjoyed this week's Thursday Thoughts! Stay tuned for Saturday Spotlight & Tuesday Treasure.
Until later... take care, God Bless and remember... God uses any and every means to speak to His children, so listen up whenever a sign, song or something unusual makes your spirit stand up and dance.
Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™
Yeah, it goes without saying that this year has flown by and not always indicative of having fun.
Back in 2008 I wrote a post about the role music plays in our lives. Today I'd like to expound on that a little.
One question I'm often asked is if there is a particular song or songs that inspire me while I'm writing. Many songs influence me, but I don't listen when writing because I either get so engrossed in the music that I lose my train of thought or get irritated at the distraction and turn it off.
If you've followed me long you know about my devotional, Love is a Rose , which parallels the love of God and Christian life to the words of the song, The Rose, and how the words reached deep into my spirit.
Today I'd like to share with you another song that has touched my life in a very meaningful day.....Homesick by Mercy Me.
I discovered this song after my husband passed away in 2009, called it my "feel good cry." That remains true to this day. So much so, that I had it played at my mother's funeral just last month.
Some days I shed tears of joy because the words and the hope they contain are so powerful. Other times I weep with sadness and grief, longing to see my loved one's who've crossed over into the heavenly realm.
We all have special songs that become the soundtracks of our lives. I still remember the song my husband and I first danced to and the one I sang or hummed the day my granddaughter was born.
This song will always remain part of the soundtrack of my life.
I pray it touches you as deeply as it does me....
** Love is a Rose can be purchased at Amazon in Print and on Kindle, Barnes & Noble (Nook) and at Smashwords & Deeper Shopping.
Hope you enjoyed this week's Thursday Thoughts! Stay tuned for Saturday Spotlight & Tuesday Treasure.
Until later... take care, God Bless and remember... God uses any and every means to speak to His children, so listen up whenever a sign, song or something unusual makes your spirit stand up and dance.
Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! ™
December 2, 2014
#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by @PelicanBookGrp Author @ClareRevell
Good Morning and Welcome to the first Tuesday Treasure of December!
I pray your Thanksgiving holiday was blessed and happy.
Today we welcome back friend and fellow Pelican Book Group Author, Clare Revell with a moment in time she treasures....
Season for Miracles
– This one will always be special. It’s my first ever published book. Way back in 2010. Well that’s not really that long ago time wise, but book wise it seems forever. I originally wrote it from just the heroines POV and sent it off, fully expecting another rejection. But I got an email from the editor in chief saying she liked it BUT… (I hate the word but.)
She wanted it rewritten to include the hero’s POV. So I did. Added a lot more words to it. Improved the story. Sent it back… And got another email saying I want to publish it but the story needs a new title. I wasn’t going to argue over a title. Honestly it’s easier to write an 80k book than come up with a title sometimes. So All I want for Christmas, became Season for Miracles and the rest, as they say, is history.
A Killer lurks in Headley Cross…
…And Holly Carmichael is the only woman to survive his attack. Now she lives in fear, searching for normalcy and trying to put her life back together. When she meets Kyle Stevens, he turns her world upside-down. He’s as exasperating as he is appealing. How can Holly make sense of her awakening feelings when she’s so unsure of Kyle? His voice is familiar, he’s left-handed, and he wears the serial killer’s cologne. Who is he…really? As Holly struggles to restore her damaged faith, she must find the strength to trust once again—in Kyle and in God.
Kyle Stevens isn’t ready to live again. Racked by guilt, he’s afraid to feel. His sole focus is finding the Headley Cross serial killer—his girlfriend's murderer. That is, until he meets Holly Carmichael. He’s drawn to Holly, vows to protect her where he failed to protect his former love. But Holly makes him feel again, emotions quickly morphing into something much more dangerous to his hardened heart.
When the serial killer returns to finish what he started, only a miracle can save them…but then, it's the Season for Miracles.
Excerpt:
Kyle’s voice came from a long way off, and Holly had to concentrate to hear it. “I’m sorry, Holly. He’s normally pretty well behaved, but he’s never seen snow before and is a little over-excited. Plus he was on his own all day yesterday. Are you all right?”
Holly nodded. The headache upped a notch. That was a stupid thing to do.
“Can you stand?”
She moved her head a little as Kyle helped her to her feet. She brushed the snow from her coat and tried to focus on the man. His hat, pulled down over his ears, hid his hair. Her head pounded, stars danced in front of her eyes, and it was all she could do to stand upright.
I want to sit down. Please, let me sit down. The words echoed in her mind, but she wasn’t sure she’d said them aloud. He didn’t respond.
His deep voice reverberated as he pulled off his glove. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Holly nodded for a third time. She had a huge lump in her throat and she struggled to breathe. Her legs didn’t want to hold up, but she didn’t want a fuss. Fingers tingled inside her glove where he held her hand. His grip kept her upright.
Kyle’s other hand cradled the back of her head. Holly winced as he found and examined the lump. His touch increased the pain by a magnitude of five. Kyle checked his fingers and relief crossed his face at the lack of blood. “Holly? Please, say something. Otherwise I’ll have to assume Orion ate your tongue.”
Season for Miracles can be purchased from Pelican Book Group and Amazon.
I pray your Thanksgiving holiday was blessed and happy.
Today we welcome back friend and fellow Pelican Book Group Author, Clare Revell with a moment in time she treasures....
.jpg)
Season for Miracles
– This one will always be special. It’s my first ever published book. Way back in 2010. Well that’s not really that long ago time wise, but book wise it seems forever. I originally wrote it from just the heroines POV and sent it off, fully expecting another rejection. But I got an email from the editor in chief saying she liked it BUT… (I hate the word but.)She wanted it rewritten to include the hero’s POV. So I did. Added a lot more words to it. Improved the story. Sent it back… And got another email saying I want to publish it but the story needs a new title. I wasn’t going to argue over a title. Honestly it’s easier to write an 80k book than come up with a title sometimes. So All I want for Christmas, became Season for Miracles and the rest, as they say, is history.
A Killer lurks in Headley Cross……And Holly Carmichael is the only woman to survive his attack. Now she lives in fear, searching for normalcy and trying to put her life back together. When she meets Kyle Stevens, he turns her world upside-down. He’s as exasperating as he is appealing. How can Holly make sense of her awakening feelings when she’s so unsure of Kyle? His voice is familiar, he’s left-handed, and he wears the serial killer’s cologne. Who is he…really? As Holly struggles to restore her damaged faith, she must find the strength to trust once again—in Kyle and in God.
Kyle Stevens isn’t ready to live again. Racked by guilt, he’s afraid to feel. His sole focus is finding the Headley Cross serial killer—his girlfriend's murderer. That is, until he meets Holly Carmichael. He’s drawn to Holly, vows to protect her where he failed to protect his former love. But Holly makes him feel again, emotions quickly morphing into something much more dangerous to his hardened heart.
When the serial killer returns to finish what he started, only a miracle can save them…but then, it's the Season for Miracles.
Excerpt:
Kyle’s voice came from a long way off, and Holly had to concentrate to hear it. “I’m sorry, Holly. He’s normally pretty well behaved, but he’s never seen snow before and is a little over-excited. Plus he was on his own all day yesterday. Are you all right?”
Holly nodded. The headache upped a notch. That was a stupid thing to do.
“Can you stand?”
She moved her head a little as Kyle helped her to her feet. She brushed the snow from her coat and tried to focus on the man. His hat, pulled down over his ears, hid his hair. Her head pounded, stars danced in front of her eyes, and it was all she could do to stand upright.
I want to sit down. Please, let me sit down. The words echoed in her mind, but she wasn’t sure she’d said them aloud. He didn’t respond.
His deep voice reverberated as he pulled off his glove. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Holly nodded for a third time. She had a huge lump in her throat and she struggled to breathe. Her legs didn’t want to hold up, but she didn’t want a fuss. Fingers tingled inside her glove where he held her hand. His grip kept her upright.
Kyle’s other hand cradled the back of her head. Holly winced as he found and examined the lump. His touch increased the pain by a magnitude of five. Kyle checked his fingers and relief crossed his face at the lack of blood. “Holly? Please, say something. Otherwise I’ll have to assume Orion ate your tongue.”
Season for Miracles can be purchased from Pelican Book Group and Amazon.
November 29, 2014
#SaturdaySpotlight: Kate Flora
Good Morning from Rockport, TX,
Yep, I'm rounding out my visit to Bandera, Texas & the Silver Spur Guest Ranch by heading to the coast to visit another friend in Rockport. Tomorrow I'll be Louisiana bound but today I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Kate Flora, a fellow Five Star Author....
Award-winning mystery and true crime writer Kate Flora is the author of 14 books, including the true crime story Death Dealer and the novelAnd Grant You Peace, both forthcoming in the fall of 2014. Her book Finding Amy (true crime), co-written with a Portland, Maine deputy police chief, was a 2007 Edgar Award nominee. Kate’s other titles include the Thea Kozak mysteries and the starred-review Joe Burgess police series, the third of which, Redemption, won the 2013 Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction.
A former assistant attorney general in the areas of battered children and employment discrimination, Kate is a founding member the New England Crime Bake conference, a founder of Level Best Books where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years and has served as international president of Sisters in Crime. When she’s not riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs as research for her books, she can be found teaching writing at Grub Street in Boston.
Find out more about Kate and her work by visiting her website: www.kateflora.com
Something I've realized as I'm in libraries and bookstores this fall promoting two new books, is how the processes of writing fiction and nonfiction are intertwined. For writing the true story of a murder, looking over the investigator's shoulders in Death Dealer, I can use the skills I've developed over twenty years of writing crime fiction: how to make the storytelling dramatic and compelling, how to organize the material so the reader can see the investigation vividly, how to show the real characters in a way that the reader can visualize them and come to care to care about them, and how to incorporate research about police training and experience in a way that doesn't slow down the pacing of the book.
What I've learned from spending so many hours talking to detectives to write the nonfiction deeply informs the way I approach my fictional detective in my Joe Burgess police procedural series. From the way they've let me into their lives, I can give my fictional character a deeper and more complex personal life, including the challenges that police officers face in balancing the bad things they see and the bad people they deal with, and still remaining available to their families. I've also got a stable of experienced cops to go to when I need to write a scene involving guns and bad guys, that hopefully will make it more vivid and authentic to my readers. It has been a fascinating process, realizing how writing in the two different arenas challenges me and helps me to become a better writer in both.
Death Dealer
Death Dealer is the true story of a police investigation in Miramichi, New Brunswick, into a resident’s mysterious disappearance. It pulls readers directly into a tense and complex, real-life search as cops and cadaver dogs painstakingly make their way through scarce evidence and forbidding terrain to uncover the victim’s body and bring a killer to justice.
Death Dealer can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.
And Grant You Peace
This 4th book in the Joe Burgess mystery series finds Burgess pulled inadvertently into a case rife with religious tensions after finding a woman and a baby locked in a closet inside a burning mosque. His search for answers leads him to discover an abduction kit including body bags, handcuffs, rope and a shovel for his own family and to face the prospect that the “normal” life he’s begun to reestablish may be coming to an explosive end.
And Grant You Peace can also be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.
Well friends hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Check back weekly for new Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time....take care & God Bless!
PamT
Yep, I'm rounding out my visit to Bandera, Texas & the Silver Spur Guest Ranch by heading to the coast to visit another friend in Rockport. Tomorrow I'll be Louisiana bound but today I'd like to introduce you to Ms. Kate Flora, a fellow Five Star Author....
Award-winning mystery and true crime writer Kate Flora is the author of 14 books, including the true crime story Death Dealer and the novelAnd Grant You Peace, both forthcoming in the fall of 2014. Her book Finding Amy (true crime), co-written with a Portland, Maine deputy police chief, was a 2007 Edgar Award nominee. Kate’s other titles include the Thea Kozak mysteries and the starred-review Joe Burgess police series, the third of which, Redemption, won the 2013 Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. A former assistant attorney general in the areas of battered children and employment discrimination, Kate is a founding member the New England Crime Bake conference, a founder of Level Best Books where she worked as an editor and publisher for seven years and has served as international president of Sisters in Crime. When she’s not riding an ATV through the Canadian woods or hiding in a tick-infested field waiting to be found by search and rescue dogs as research for her books, she can be found teaching writing at Grub Street in Boston.
Find out more about Kate and her work by visiting her website: www.kateflora.com
Something I've realized as I'm in libraries and bookstores this fall promoting two new books, is how the processes of writing fiction and nonfiction are intertwined. For writing the true story of a murder, looking over the investigator's shoulders in Death Dealer, I can use the skills I've developed over twenty years of writing crime fiction: how to make the storytelling dramatic and compelling, how to organize the material so the reader can see the investigation vividly, how to show the real characters in a way that the reader can visualize them and come to care to care about them, and how to incorporate research about police training and experience in a way that doesn't slow down the pacing of the book.What I've learned from spending so many hours talking to detectives to write the nonfiction deeply informs the way I approach my fictional detective in my Joe Burgess police procedural series. From the way they've let me into their lives, I can give my fictional character a deeper and more complex personal life, including the challenges that police officers face in balancing the bad things they see and the bad people they deal with, and still remaining available to their families. I've also got a stable of experienced cops to go to when I need to write a scene involving guns and bad guys, that hopefully will make it more vivid and authentic to my readers. It has been a fascinating process, realizing how writing in the two different arenas challenges me and helps me to become a better writer in both.
Death Dealer
Death Dealer is the true story of a police investigation in Miramichi, New Brunswick, into a resident’s mysterious disappearance. It pulls readers directly into a tense and complex, real-life search as cops and cadaver dogs painstakingly make their way through scarce evidence and forbidding terrain to uncover the victim’s body and bring a killer to justice.
Death Dealer can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.
And Grant You Peace
This 4th book in the Joe Burgess mystery series finds Burgess pulled inadvertently into a case rife with religious tensions after finding a woman and a baby locked in a closet inside a burning mosque. His search for answers leads him to discover an abduction kit including body bags, handcuffs, rope and a shovel for his own family and to face the prospect that the “normal” life he’s begun to reestablish may be coming to an explosive end.
And Grant You Peace can also be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.
Well friends hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Check back weekly for new Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time....take care & God Bless!
PamT
November 27, 2014
#ThursdayThoughts: Thanksgiving & Gratitude
If you've followed me for long you know I do my best to be uplifting and positive. Well today is the one day set aside each year to give thanks but as you also know, I am a firm believer in having and expressing an attitude of gratitude.
So let me take a few moments to THANK You for being a faithful friend and follower (reader, fan).
.jpg)
May God bless you 100 fold each day!
PamT
