Pamela S. Thibodeaux's Blog, page 46
November 10, 2018
#SaturdaySpotlight is on Michael D Smith and Comm Wealth
Good Morning!
Today's guest is new to our blog so please welcome Michael D Smith with a peek into his book, Comm Wealth.
The CommWealth system, has created a society in which there is no legal claim to any kind of private property. Any object from your house to the clothes you’re wearing can be demanded by anyone, to be enjoyed for thirty days before someone else can request it. As actors in the Forensic Squad theatrical troupe attempt to adapt to this chaos, their breaking of the Four Rules sustaining the system, as several members navigate betrayals, double agents, and murder to find themselves leading a suicidal revolution.
Excerpt:
Rule One - You are free to enjoy the chosen object for thirty days. During this period no other person may request it.
Rule Two - The requestor is untouchable for thirty days by the person asked. Attempts at retaliation, such as demanding unusually large quantities from the original requestor after the thirty-day period, carry stiff penalties.
Rule Three - Once you ask somebody for something, you can never ask him or her for anything else again.
Rule Four - You can never ask for the same thing back from the person who got it from you, not even after his or her thirty days of enjoyment.
“You know... everything’s free...” Allan blurted.
“Well, of course everything’s free, Allan,” Jill said. “You really don’t have to give me anything for the refill, you know.”
“Well, if everything’s free, why don’t people go after what they want?”
“Well... they do,” Richard said. “Like, people were a little shy through about October, but after that... hell, you know how everyone’s getting whatever they want. I mean, it’ll be
a miracle if Steve gets back here with both the Volvo and the lumber.”
“Well, he’ll have the lumber,” Lisa said, “because he has thirty days to enjoy that. But he might be dragging it back on foot, that’s for sure.”
“No, he’s resourceful. He’ll get that truck!” Jill laughed, hand going to her magnificent breast.
“No, you know that’s not what I’m talking about,” Allan said. “I’m talking about what people really, deep down, want.”
“Well... I guess...” Jill said. “I mean, of course, at that level it’s not material things... that you want...”
“That’s... right...” Richard said, probing for her eyes.
They finally clicked on his for half a second.
“Right! Obviously!” Allan said. “So why don’t we have the guts to go after what we really do want?”
“Well... sometimes I guess we do... screw up the courage...” Jill whispered.
“Lisa, what do you think?” Allan demanded.
Lisa looked at the floor. “Well... sometimes... there are good reasons... for not... for not...”
“See... deep down,” Allan gulped, “I want Lisa!”
Everyone looked at the floor. Lisa turned to the front windows, chin high, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
“If everything’s free, why not Lisa?”
“What?” Lisa gasped.
“Why don’t I go after what I really want? It’s all so simple! And, look, I have two witnesses, Richard and Jill!”
“What?” Richard and Jill cried together.
“It’s simple! Lisa, I hereby ask—for you!” Allan grinned. “It’s really so simple! She has to be mine!”
Lisa whirled off her stool. “I can’t believe this! Allan, you’re crazy!”
“No, you have to give yourself to me! Isn’t that right, Jill? Richard?”
“Well... well, no, Allan... you’re joking!” Richard said.
“I’m not joking! Lisa, you’re mine, that’s all there is to it!”
Lisa’s eyes were wide with fear and disgust.
“Lisa, he’s—just joking,” Jill said.
“I’m leaving. Goodbye,” Lisa said. Allan stood and caught her wrist.
“Dammit, Allan, this is stupid!” Richard said, coming off his own stool.
“Look, I don’t care what anyone thinks!” Allan said. “I’ve made up my mind! It’s Lisa I want! And she’s mine! She’s mine!”
“Let me go!” Lisa moaned, jerking free.
hhmmm...definitely sounds different and intriguing. Thanks for sharing Michael!
Michael D. Smith was raised in the Northeast and the Chicago area, before moving to Texas to attend Rice University, where he began developing as a writer and visual artist. In addition to exhibiting and selling paintings and drawings, he’s completed fifteen novels.
Smith’s writing in both mainstream and science fiction genres uses humor to investigate psychological themes. On his blog, he explores art and writing processes, and his website contains further examples of his writing and art. He is currently Technology Librarian for McKinney Public Library in McKinney, Texas.
CommWealth is his first novel published by Class Act Books.
Find out more about Michael at:
Website: , www.sortmind.comBlog: www. http://blog.sortmind.com/wordpress/
CommWealth is available at:
Publisher’s website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
SmashWords
AND
Amazon.uk
Hope you enjoyed the spotlight and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time good luck and God's blessings! PamT
Today's guest is new to our blog so please welcome Michael D Smith with a peek into his book, Comm Wealth.
The CommWealth system, has created a society in which there is no legal claim to any kind of private property. Any object from your house to the clothes you’re wearing can be demanded by anyone, to be enjoyed for thirty days before someone else can request it. As actors in the Forensic Squad theatrical troupe attempt to adapt to this chaos, their breaking of the Four Rules sustaining the system, as several members navigate betrayals, double agents, and murder to find themselves leading a suicidal revolution.Excerpt:
Rule One - You are free to enjoy the chosen object for thirty days. During this period no other person may request it.
Rule Two - The requestor is untouchable for thirty days by the person asked. Attempts at retaliation, such as demanding unusually large quantities from the original requestor after the thirty-day period, carry stiff penalties.
Rule Three - Once you ask somebody for something, you can never ask him or her for anything else again.
Rule Four - You can never ask for the same thing back from the person who got it from you, not even after his or her thirty days of enjoyment.
“You know... everything’s free...” Allan blurted.
“Well, of course everything’s free, Allan,” Jill said. “You really don’t have to give me anything for the refill, you know.”
“Well, if everything’s free, why don’t people go after what they want?”
“Well... they do,” Richard said. “Like, people were a little shy through about October, but after that... hell, you know how everyone’s getting whatever they want. I mean, it’ll be
a miracle if Steve gets back here with both the Volvo and the lumber.”
“Well, he’ll have the lumber,” Lisa said, “because he has thirty days to enjoy that. But he might be dragging it back on foot, that’s for sure.”
“No, he’s resourceful. He’ll get that truck!” Jill laughed, hand going to her magnificent breast.
“No, you know that’s not what I’m talking about,” Allan said. “I’m talking about what people really, deep down, want.”
“Well... I guess...” Jill said. “I mean, of course, at that level it’s not material things... that you want...”
“That’s... right...” Richard said, probing for her eyes.
They finally clicked on his for half a second.
“Right! Obviously!” Allan said. “So why don’t we have the guts to go after what we really do want?”
“Well... sometimes I guess we do... screw up the courage...” Jill whispered.
“Lisa, what do you think?” Allan demanded.
Lisa looked at the floor. “Well... sometimes... there are good reasons... for not... for not...”
“See... deep down,” Allan gulped, “I want Lisa!”
Everyone looked at the floor. Lisa turned to the front windows, chin high, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
“If everything’s free, why not Lisa?”
“What?” Lisa gasped.
“Why don’t I go after what I really want? It’s all so simple! And, look, I have two witnesses, Richard and Jill!”
“What?” Richard and Jill cried together.
“It’s simple! Lisa, I hereby ask—for you!” Allan grinned. “It’s really so simple! She has to be mine!”
Lisa whirled off her stool. “I can’t believe this! Allan, you’re crazy!”
“No, you have to give yourself to me! Isn’t that right, Jill? Richard?”
“Well... well, no, Allan... you’re joking!” Richard said.
“I’m not joking! Lisa, you’re mine, that’s all there is to it!”
Lisa’s eyes were wide with fear and disgust.
“Lisa, he’s—just joking,” Jill said.
“I’m leaving. Goodbye,” Lisa said. Allan stood and caught her wrist.
“Dammit, Allan, this is stupid!” Richard said, coming off his own stool.
“Look, I don’t care what anyone thinks!” Allan said. “I’ve made up my mind! It’s Lisa I want! And she’s mine! She’s mine!”
“Let me go!” Lisa moaned, jerking free.
hhmmm...definitely sounds different and intriguing. Thanks for sharing Michael!
Michael D. Smith was raised in the Northeast and the Chicago area, before moving to Texas to attend Rice University, where he began developing as a writer and visual artist. In addition to exhibiting and selling paintings and drawings, he’s completed fifteen novels. Smith’s writing in both mainstream and science fiction genres uses humor to investigate psychological themes. On his blog, he explores art and writing processes, and his website contains further examples of his writing and art. He is currently Technology Librarian for McKinney Public Library in McKinney, Texas.
CommWealth is his first novel published by Class Act Books.
Find out more about Michael at:
Website: , www.sortmind.comBlog: www. http://blog.sortmind.com/wordpress/
CommWealth is available at:
Publisher’s website
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
SmashWords
AND
Amazon.uk
Hope you enjoyed the spotlight and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time good luck and God's blessings! PamT
November 8, 2018
#ThursdayThoughts with DiAnn Mills!
Good Morning Friends,
Please welcome DiAnn back to our blog to share some thoughts with us....
How to Rock Your Character’s World
I’ve always wanted to rock climb, and when I studied the skill, I realized rock climbing and scaling heights with my hero had a lot in common. Both require a struggle against odds, guts, stamina, techniques, and training. So I compared the two arts, and this is what I discovered.
Training: Your hero is constantly in training. How else can he change and grow into a better person? But don’t have him climb any higher than he needs to. He also doesn’t climb to the top the first time out. Every skill is done in steps. Through each scene, he becomes wiser and moves ahead so that by the time he reaches the climax (peak), he’s ready for the task.
Remember your hero is human (unless you’re writing fantasy or sci-fi). In rock climbing, the person is either bouldering, which means he’s experienced and doesn’t use a harness, or he’s belaying, which means he uses a harness. Whatever the skill level of your character, give him the training to complete the task.
Learn from an experienced climber: Your hero learns from experience, wisdom, and other people. Show his motivation from who and what has influenced his life’s decisions. Delve into his backstory and make him focused and determined to reach his goal or solve his problem. Don’t have him be too proud to ask for help, unless that is his weakness. Rock climbers want to pick the minds of those who’ve gone before them.
Invest in the right equipment: Your hero needs tools to equip him up the climb. If he doesn’t find a way to attain them, his struggle up the mountain won’t happen. He’ll fail. A climber makes sure he has climbing shoes (motivation), a rope (to bind courage with skills), a helmet to protect his head (good stuff in and bad stuff out), and chalk to mark his progress (to chart where he is on the climb to achieve his goal).
Prepare for the fall: A hero plans ahead. He has to look the part. That means he wears the clothes, thinks like a hero, and acts like a hero. He anticipates what could go wrong in the worst scenario and prepares and practices the possibilities. Challenges speed up his adrenaline, and he has a backpack with exactly what he needs to cushion or prevent the fall. A climber aims his fall away from rocks that can injure him.
Take time to rest: Your hero uses his wits and his body. Taking a break to rest, stretch, and evaluate his progress are good habits for heroes and rock climbers to strive for excellence and reach the top.
Rock climbers and heroes. Both have accepted the task of completing what others claim is impossible. What about your hero or heroine? Can you rock your character’s world?
Thanks so much DiAnn for sharing these thoughts about rocking our character's world!
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com
DiAnn's latest book, Burden of Proof can be purchased HERE.
Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's post as much as I do friends, and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
Please welcome DiAnn back to our blog to share some thoughts with us....
How to Rock Your Character’s World
I’ve always wanted to rock climb, and when I studied the skill, I realized rock climbing and scaling heights with my hero had a lot in common. Both require a struggle against odds, guts, stamina, techniques, and training. So I compared the two arts, and this is what I discovered.
Training: Your hero is constantly in training. How else can he change and grow into a better person? But don’t have him climb any higher than he needs to. He also doesn’t climb to the top the first time out. Every skill is done in steps. Through each scene, he becomes wiser and moves ahead so that by the time he reaches the climax (peak), he’s ready for the task.
Remember your hero is human (unless you’re writing fantasy or sci-fi). In rock climbing, the person is either bouldering, which means he’s experienced and doesn’t use a harness, or he’s belaying, which means he uses a harness. Whatever the skill level of your character, give him the training to complete the task.
Learn from an experienced climber: Your hero learns from experience, wisdom, and other people. Show his motivation from who and what has influenced his life’s decisions. Delve into his backstory and make him focused and determined to reach his goal or solve his problem. Don’t have him be too proud to ask for help, unless that is his weakness. Rock climbers want to pick the minds of those who’ve gone before them.
Invest in the right equipment: Your hero needs tools to equip him up the climb. If he doesn’t find a way to attain them, his struggle up the mountain won’t happen. He’ll fail. A climber makes sure he has climbing shoes (motivation), a rope (to bind courage with skills), a helmet to protect his head (good stuff in and bad stuff out), and chalk to mark his progress (to chart where he is on the climb to achieve his goal).
Prepare for the fall: A hero plans ahead. He has to look the part. That means he wears the clothes, thinks like a hero, and acts like a hero. He anticipates what could go wrong in the worst scenario and prepares and practices the possibilities. Challenges speed up his adrenaline, and he has a backpack with exactly what he needs to cushion or prevent the fall. A climber aims his fall away from rocks that can injure him.
Take time to rest: Your hero uses his wits and his body. Taking a break to rest, stretch, and evaluate his progress are good habits for heroes and rock climbers to strive for excellence and reach the top.
Rock climbers and heroes. Both have accepted the task of completing what others claim is impossible. What about your hero or heroine? Can you rock your character’s world?
Thanks so much DiAnn for sharing these thoughts about rocking our character's world!
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.Connect with DiAnn here: www.diannmills.com
DiAnn's latest book, Burden of Proof can be purchased HERE.
Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's post as much as I do friends, and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
November 6, 2018
#TuesdayTreasures with Gail Pallotta
Good Morning and Welcome!
Gail is not new to our blog, she shared the spotlight back in May so please welcome her back as she shares something she treasures with us......
I treasure many things, but I chose love. We hear and see so much about hate in the media. However, if I shut it off and open my eyes God’s love is all around me. I see it in smiles and acts of kindness. It fills the fellowship hall and sanctuary of my church. It’s preached in the sermons and shines in the members. It’s shared with family, friends and even strangers.
My family recently turned a stressful situation into a fun time. I chattered with my daughter, who visited from out of town, then glanced at my email. The final PDF copy of Hair Calamities and Hot Cash stared at me. My heart fell. How could I do the things I’d planned for her visit and proof the book? Finally, I mentioned the task, and my husband printed a copy. We divided up the pages of the book, each of us proofing a third as we sat around the kitchen table until the wee hours of the morning, laughing and sharing passages.
In addition to family, God’s given us the care and love of friends. Whether it’s getting together for fun or meeting in a time of crisis or frustration, friends make life better. Even some strangers have a way of showing love. I’ve noticed when I power walk at the mall, most folks smile, and many who are doing the same thing I am, wave and say, “Good morning,” “I like your shirt,” or offer some other greeting that seems to say, “We’re all in this together.”
A friend of mine stood in a fast-food restaurant one day waiting to order. An elderly couple in front of him counted their pennies, but didn’t have enough to buy two meals. They decided to split one, but my friend laid money on the counter and said, “Why don’t both of you get what you want.”
With so much love around me, I hope, like my friend, I’ll pass it on.
Award-winning author Gail Pallotta is a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former Grace Awards Finalist and a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s published five books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html. Visit her website at https://www.gailpallotta.com; Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore.
A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”—Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series.
What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop...on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos? Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his client’s cash...and hot on the trail of two of the F.B.I.’s most-wanted criminals! Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.
Purchase Hair Calamities and Hot Cash at Amazon (Kindle) and B&N
Wow Gail, what a sweet thing for your family to do! It's always wonderful when we get unexpected help. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!
Until next time....Good luck and God's blessings. PamT
Gail is not new to our blog, she shared the spotlight back in May so please welcome her back as she shares something she treasures with us......
I treasure many things, but I chose love. We hear and see so much about hate in the media. However, if I shut it off and open my eyes God’s love is all around me. I see it in smiles and acts of kindness. It fills the fellowship hall and sanctuary of my church. It’s preached in the sermons and shines in the members. It’s shared with family, friends and even strangers.My family recently turned a stressful situation into a fun time. I chattered with my daughter, who visited from out of town, then glanced at my email. The final PDF copy of Hair Calamities and Hot Cash stared at me. My heart fell. How could I do the things I’d planned for her visit and proof the book? Finally, I mentioned the task, and my husband printed a copy. We divided up the pages of the book, each of us proofing a third as we sat around the kitchen table until the wee hours of the morning, laughing and sharing passages.
In addition to family, God’s given us the care and love of friends. Whether it’s getting together for fun or meeting in a time of crisis or frustration, friends make life better. Even some strangers have a way of showing love. I’ve noticed when I power walk at the mall, most folks smile, and many who are doing the same thing I am, wave and say, “Good morning,” “I like your shirt,” or offer some other greeting that seems to say, “We’re all in this together.”
A friend of mine stood in a fast-food restaurant one day waiting to order. An elderly couple in front of him counted their pennies, but didn’t have enough to buy two meals. They decided to split one, but my friend laid money on the counter and said, “Why don’t both of you get what you want.”
With so much love around me, I hope, like my friend, I’ll pass it on.
Award-winning author Gail Pallotta is a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former Grace Awards Finalist and a Reader’s Favorite 2017 Book Award winner, she’s published five books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. She loves to connect with readers. Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.gailpallotta.com/mainphp.html. Visit her website at https://www.gailpallotta.com; Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore.
A comedic romp from small town to big city in search of missing money, hair catastrophes, and love. A truly fun read”—Cynthia Hickey, author of the Shady Acres Mystery series.What happens when a New York stockbroker crashes his car into Eve Castleberry’s North Carolina beauty shop...on the same day the young widow’s defective hair products are causing wild hairdos? Soon Eve finds herself helping the handsome stranger hunt the thieves who stole his client’s cash...and hot on the trail of two of the F.B.I.’s most-wanted criminals! Romance blossoms amid danger, suspense and Eve’s hair-brained plan to get back the money.
Purchase Hair Calamities and Hot Cash at Amazon (Kindle) and B&N
Wow Gail, what a sweet thing for your family to do! It's always wonderful when we get unexpected help. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!
Until next time....Good luck and God's blessings. PamT
November 3, 2018
#SaturdaySpotlight is on Rebecca J Wetzler & Bread Box for the Broken Soul
Good Morning!
My regularly scheduled guest could not be here today so I'm filling in with a very special project. Rebecca Wetzler has shared thoughts and treasures with us, but today we get a peek into her book, Bread Box for the Broken Soul ....
People don’t know me very long before they realize I have a strong faith in the Lord. It’s not from my witnessing per se, I’m not that bold, instead it’s just a part of my normal conversation. I will say things like ‘the Lord helped me with…’ or ‘I’m not sure how the Lord is going to work this out…,’ so I make statements about the Lord being at work in my life. I am also an avid reader, including dreams of someday writing my own books. Inspired by a Thanksgiving gift from my grandmother decades ago, a recipe box with 3 x 5 cards to record blessings upon, I decided instead to collect my favorite scriptures and write prayers based on each one. Eventually it dawned on me this could be my book, a daily devotional. Thus ‘Bread Box for the Broken’ was written over decades of finding scriptures that helped me with my life long struggles with loneliness, self-esteem, depression, and chronic pain from migraines and a permanently injured neck, and, recently added to the mix, unexplained heart failure. So I know it’s true the Word of God gives strength today to continue the race when we feel broken by life and it humbles us to give thanks for all the daily blessings along the way that often go unnoticed because we are overly distracted by trials and tribulations.
It’s important to note that the book is organized in sections named Broken Pieces, Bread of Life, Believe in Blessings, and Bow before Him. I’ve been told by a couple of my readers that Broken Pieces, January through March, are pretty rough to get through. That I show too well the raw despair of a suffering soul crying out to God. That was by design, that’s why I called it ‘Broken Pieces’ – a fearful spirit striving for perseverance through the trials (read January 25th in Excerpts). The next section, ‘Bread of Life,’ stresses more of God’s provision and power to save – the nourishing spiritual bread bringing hope (read April 13th in Excerpts). ‘Believe in Blessings’ is filled with scriptures and prayers of faith, hope and trust (Read September 18th in Excerpts). Lastly, ‘Bow before Him’ features themes of thanksgiving and obedience for His sovereignty (Read October 4th in Excerpts). So it’s a progression from being broken, to being nourished, to feeling the blessings, and being thankful. I hope when you read it, you let me know if you feel the progression as the first readers did.
EXCERPTS
JANUARY 25
PSALM 69:1–3 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Dear Lord, I am sinking deep into the miry depths of depression—I cannot get a foothold to stop my descent. I am worn out calling for help—desperately looking about me for You to appear. Rescue me I pray, before I am engulfed completely by failure, by sorrow, by isolation. Pull me into Your protective, peaceful presence so I may rest amidst these storms that assail my soul. Restore me so I know my confidence is in You and not what goes on about me, nor my ability to deal with it. You are my strength, You are my portion; You feed and water my soul with Your Word, empowering me to follow the footholds of faith, until I am once again standing on solid ground with my Lord and Savior.
APRIL 13
PSALM 36:7–10 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Dear Lord, Your love is priceless, and free to both the high and low; those times when I feel high with needs and low in spirit. When the heat of battle is too much, I need Your soothing fountain of life to refresh me, Your continuous light to draw me forward along the path of righteousness. Thank you for guiding my heart in the direction of my eternal refuge as I seek to know You better and better each day.
SEPTEMBER 18
HEBREWS 11:1–3, 6 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Dear Lord, This truth is so simple, yet so profound. This definition of faith: sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see. I am so grateful to You that I have faith in You, in the Holy Trinity, in Your Words contained in the Holy Bible. It is simple—I believe You exist, by faith I understand You formed the Universe by Your command. You spoke and it came into being. I have faith in Your Son, my intercessor before Your throne for my eternal salvation. In today’s modern world, believing in the One True Deity is often considered narrow minded. Worse, men deify themselves, having their own version of spirituality that leads souls to being lost eternally. As for me, I earnestly seek You, growing in knowledge of You daily as You walk by my side.
OCTOBER 4
PSALM 34:1–6 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
Dear Lord, At all times, in all circumstances, I give You the highest praise. In my soul I boast that I know the One True God as my Lord and Savior. As I struggle through trials, tribulations, temptations, remind me others who are afflicted are watching me; I must be an example who encourages them to glorify You, seeking You for deliverance from all their fears, no matter what they may be. And having been cleansed from the affliction of sin, I may lift my chin without shame, knowing I am keeping my covenant with you, my promise to love you with all my heart, soul and mind.
My hope is by sharing my struggle with challenging the untruths of depression’s darkness that makes it hard if not impossible to see the blessings we all have in our lives, that it will reach others who are searching for strength and comfort. Read more excerpts from the book at http://rebeccawetzler.net. Connect with Rebecca at her other social media sites, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. You may purchase the book at www.AuthorMasterminds.com/rebecca-j-wetzler or, of course, Amazon.
Sounds like a wonderful book, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you enjoyed the spotlight friends and that you'll drop by often to see what we're up to.Until next time take care and God Bless. PamT
My regularly scheduled guest could not be here today so I'm filling in with a very special project. Rebecca Wetzler has shared thoughts and treasures with us, but today we get a peek into her book, Bread Box for the Broken Soul ....
People don’t know me very long before they realize I have a strong faith in the Lord. It’s not from my witnessing per se, I’m not that bold, instead it’s just a part of my normal conversation. I will say things like ‘the Lord helped me with…’ or ‘I’m not sure how the Lord is going to work this out…,’ so I make statements about the Lord being at work in my life. I am also an avid reader, including dreams of someday writing my own books. Inspired by a Thanksgiving gift from my grandmother decades ago, a recipe box with 3 x 5 cards to record blessings upon, I decided instead to collect my favorite scriptures and write prayers based on each one. Eventually it dawned on me this could be my book, a daily devotional. Thus ‘Bread Box for the Broken’ was written over decades of finding scriptures that helped me with my life long struggles with loneliness, self-esteem, depression, and chronic pain from migraines and a permanently injured neck, and, recently added to the mix, unexplained heart failure. So I know it’s true the Word of God gives strength today to continue the race when we feel broken by life and it humbles us to give thanks for all the daily blessings along the way that often go unnoticed because we are overly distracted by trials and tribulations. It’s important to note that the book is organized in sections named Broken Pieces, Bread of Life, Believe in Blessings, and Bow before Him. I’ve been told by a couple of my readers that Broken Pieces, January through March, are pretty rough to get through. That I show too well the raw despair of a suffering soul crying out to God. That was by design, that’s why I called it ‘Broken Pieces’ – a fearful spirit striving for perseverance through the trials (read January 25th in Excerpts). The next section, ‘Bread of Life,’ stresses more of God’s provision and power to save – the nourishing spiritual bread bringing hope (read April 13th in Excerpts). ‘Believe in Blessings’ is filled with scriptures and prayers of faith, hope and trust (Read September 18th in Excerpts). Lastly, ‘Bow before Him’ features themes of thanksgiving and obedience for His sovereignty (Read October 4th in Excerpts). So it’s a progression from being broken, to being nourished, to feeling the blessings, and being thankful. I hope when you read it, you let me know if you feel the progression as the first readers did.
EXCERPTS
JANUARY 25
PSALM 69:1–3 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Dear Lord, I am sinking deep into the miry depths of depression—I cannot get a foothold to stop my descent. I am worn out calling for help—desperately looking about me for You to appear. Rescue me I pray, before I am engulfed completely by failure, by sorrow, by isolation. Pull me into Your protective, peaceful presence so I may rest amidst these storms that assail my soul. Restore me so I know my confidence is in You and not what goes on about me, nor my ability to deal with it. You are my strength, You are my portion; You feed and water my soul with Your Word, empowering me to follow the footholds of faith, until I am once again standing on solid ground with my Lord and Savior.
APRIL 13
PSALM 36:7–10 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Dear Lord, Your love is priceless, and free to both the high and low; those times when I feel high with needs and low in spirit. When the heat of battle is too much, I need Your soothing fountain of life to refresh me, Your continuous light to draw me forward along the path of righteousness. Thank you for guiding my heart in the direction of my eternal refuge as I seek to know You better and better each day.
SEPTEMBER 18
HEBREWS 11:1–3, 6 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Dear Lord, This truth is so simple, yet so profound. This definition of faith: sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see. I am so grateful to You that I have faith in You, in the Holy Trinity, in Your Words contained in the Holy Bible. It is simple—I believe You exist, by faith I understand You formed the Universe by Your command. You spoke and it came into being. I have faith in Your Son, my intercessor before Your throne for my eternal salvation. In today’s modern world, believing in the One True Deity is often considered narrow minded. Worse, men deify themselves, having their own version of spirituality that leads souls to being lost eternally. As for me, I earnestly seek You, growing in knowledge of You daily as You walk by my side.
OCTOBER 4
PSALM 34:1–6 I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
Dear Lord, At all times, in all circumstances, I give You the highest praise. In my soul I boast that I know the One True God as my Lord and Savior. As I struggle through trials, tribulations, temptations, remind me others who are afflicted are watching me; I must be an example who encourages them to glorify You, seeking You for deliverance from all their fears, no matter what they may be. And having been cleansed from the affliction of sin, I may lift my chin without shame, knowing I am keeping my covenant with you, my promise to love you with all my heart, soul and mind.
My hope is by sharing my struggle with challenging the untruths of depression’s darkness that makes it hard if not impossible to see the blessings we all have in our lives, that it will reach others who are searching for strength and comfort. Read more excerpts from the book at http://rebeccawetzler.net. Connect with Rebecca at her other social media sites, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. You may purchase the book at www.AuthorMasterminds.com/rebecca-j-wetzler or, of course, Amazon.
Sounds like a wonderful book, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing.
Hope you enjoyed the spotlight friends and that you'll drop by often to see what we're up to.Until next time take care and God Bless. PamT
November 1, 2018
#ThursdayThoughts with Melisa Marzett
Happy All Saints Day!
Last month I introduced you to Melisa Marzett, a freelance writer hoping to gain a little more exposure for her writing when she shares something she treasures with us. Today Melisa returns to share some of her thoughts......
“Gone with the Wind” was the first book I took from my mom’s bookshelf…
I remember the time when I went to visit my parents’ house in Arizona. My mom used to have some cosy space in the living room of her own library, which was always full of different fiction and non-fiction books. I found this beautiful cover of “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell on the top of the shelf (guess it was mom’s favourite book collection), the Pulitzer Price award-winning novel describes the period of the Civil War events and the Reconstruction of America in the middle 30’s of the 20th century.
I was in my twenties when I first read this book. Very powerful, fundamental novel. A great classic book, which shows the perfect example of how to move through the challenges such as war, slavery and other difficulties a life can present. The plot closely intertwined with the important historical event of the 19th century, which instantly attracted my attention. (I am a huge fan of American history) From the very beginning until the last page, I was deeply impressed by the characters, their dignity, faith, strength and unconditional love for life. It is a story full of amazing descriptions that give depth to the heroes as well as to the plot of the novel where lies loyalty, betrayal, friendship, love and patriotism. We are not able to change the history of past events but to face the fact how far we have gone…
Let me know in the comments what do you think about this book. Do you love classic literature? What are you reading now?
Melisa Marzett is a professional writer and experienced freelance blogger. You can find her at Best Resume Perk Writing Services where she works for resume writing service.
Wow, thanks for sharing Melisa! Personally I never could get into GWtW but I may have to give it another try. Here's wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with your writing career.
Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back often for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
Last month I introduced you to Melisa Marzett, a freelance writer hoping to gain a little more exposure for her writing when she shares something she treasures with us. Today Melisa returns to share some of her thoughts......
“Gone with the Wind” was the first book I took from my mom’s bookshelf…I remember the time when I went to visit my parents’ house in Arizona. My mom used to have some cosy space in the living room of her own library, which was always full of different fiction and non-fiction books. I found this beautiful cover of “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell on the top of the shelf (guess it was mom’s favourite book collection), the Pulitzer Price award-winning novel describes the period of the Civil War events and the Reconstruction of America in the middle 30’s of the 20th century.
I was in my twenties when I first read this book. Very powerful, fundamental novel. A great classic book, which shows the perfect example of how to move through the challenges such as war, slavery and other difficulties a life can present. The plot closely intertwined with the important historical event of the 19th century, which instantly attracted my attention. (I am a huge fan of American history) From the very beginning until the last page, I was deeply impressed by the characters, their dignity, faith, strength and unconditional love for life. It is a story full of amazing descriptions that give depth to the heroes as well as to the plot of the novel where lies loyalty, betrayal, friendship, love and patriotism. We are not able to change the history of past events but to face the fact how far we have gone…
Let me know in the comments what do you think about this book. Do you love classic literature? What are you reading now?
Melisa Marzett is a professional writer and experienced freelance blogger. You can find her at Best Resume Perk Writing Services where she works for resume writing service.Wow, thanks for sharing Melisa! Personally I never could get into GWtW but I may have to give it another try. Here's wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with your writing career.
Hope you enjoyed the post friends and that you'll check back often for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT
October 27, 2018
#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda Nightingale and Four by Moonlight
Good Morning Friends,
Linda Nightingale is no stranger to our blog. She has shared treasures, thoughts and our spotlight before so please welcome her back!
Four by Moonlight
is a collection of four stories, each with an element of the paranormal. Only one of my books is ‘normal’ (without an otherworldly hero).
Gypsy Ribbons, the ghost story, was inspired by Alfred Noyes’ “The Highwayman”. This wonderful poem tells the love story of a highwayman and the innkeeper’s beautiful daughter. I read this piece as a young girl, and it has stuck with me since. It has been recorded in song more than once. My favorite is Loreena McKennitt’s version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI_PMcFnZZw
The vampire story, The Gatekeeper’s Cottage , was inspired by a movie called “Angels and Insects” which in turn was inspired by a novella (the name escapes me at the moment). If I tell you what “Angels and Insects” is about, it’s a plot spoiler for the story.
Star Angel has the most personal inspiration. At the time it was written, I was going through a divorce, and I suppose I was dreaming of my perfect man on paper.
Night Before Doomsday was inspired by the tale of the Grigori, those angels who descended to Earth to teach Man how to thrive. Of the host who descended, nine-tenths fell from Grace because they fell in love with and married human women. Their story is contained in the “Book of Enoch”, a part of the Apocrypha, very interesting reading. However, I first encountered their story in “Angels” by Malcolm Godwin.
Buy Links:
Publisher's website at http://www.classactbooks.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3Q9J8B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1
Linda Nightingale is a native-born South Carolinian who has lived in England and Canada, and now resides in Texas. Before turning to writing, she bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for thirteen years.
Four by Moonlight is her first novel for Class Act Books. Its cover, created by son, Simon, was voted one of the Top Ten best covers of 2016 by Preditors & Editors Readers Poll.
Find out more about Linda at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.nightingale.52?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Website: http://www.lindanightingale.com
Blog: https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/?etslf=10520&eq=LInda%20Nightingale
Twitter: @LNightingale
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back often for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.
Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT
Linda Nightingale is no stranger to our blog. She has shared treasures, thoughts and our spotlight before so please welcome her back!
Four by Moonlight
is a collection of four stories, each with an element of the paranormal. Only one of my books is ‘normal’ (without an otherworldly hero).Gypsy Ribbons, the ghost story, was inspired by Alfred Noyes’ “The Highwayman”. This wonderful poem tells the love story of a highwayman and the innkeeper’s beautiful daughter. I read this piece as a young girl, and it has stuck with me since. It has been recorded in song more than once. My favorite is Loreena McKennitt’s version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI_PMcFnZZw
The vampire story, The Gatekeeper’s Cottage , was inspired by a movie called “Angels and Insects” which in turn was inspired by a novella (the name escapes me at the moment). If I tell you what “Angels and Insects” is about, it’s a plot spoiler for the story.
Star Angel has the most personal inspiration. At the time it was written, I was going through a divorce, and I suppose I was dreaming of my perfect man on paper.
Night Before Doomsday was inspired by the tale of the Grigori, those angels who descended to Earth to teach Man how to thrive. Of the host who descended, nine-tenths fell from Grace because they fell in love with and married human women. Their story is contained in the “Book of Enoch”, a part of the Apocrypha, very interesting reading. However, I first encountered their story in “Angels” by Malcolm Godwin.
Buy Links:
Publisher's website at http://www.classactbooks.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3Q9J8B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1
Linda Nightingale is a native-born South Carolinian who has lived in England and Canada, and now resides in Texas. Before turning to writing, she bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for thirteen years.Four by Moonlight is her first novel for Class Act Books. Its cover, created by son, Simon, was voted one of the Top Ten best covers of 2016 by Preditors & Editors Readers Poll.
Find out more about Linda at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.nightingale.52?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
Website: http://www.lindanightingale.com
Blog: https://lindanightingale.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4839311.Linda_Nightingale
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lbnightingale1/?etslf=10520&eq=LInda%20Nightingale
Twitter: @LNightingale
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back often for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.
Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT
October 25, 2018
#ThursdayThoughts - Special Spotlight on Alicia Dean & A World of Gothic!
Good Morning!
It's always a pleasure to welcome Alicia Dean to my blog and today is no exception. Instead of a 'normal' Thursday Thoughts post, we're spotlighting A World of Gothic… Gothic Mystery Novellas ON SALE for ONLY 99 cents each through Halloween!
A group of authors from countries all over the world were drawn together by our love of the classic gothic mysteries by authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. While the stories are stand-alone, they each share a recurring thread of a Spinel stone, which can play a small or large part in the plot. We have stories set in Scotland, Greece, Oklahoma, Florida, France, Ireland, and more. We hope readers have as much fun reading these stories (we recommend you do so with the lights on) as we had writing them.
Dark Hunt ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Tamrie Foxtail https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hunt-Florida-World-Gothic-ebook/dp/B078MPBXVT/ Ghost in the Rain ~ A World of Gothic: Scotland by Marie Treanor https://amzn.com/B01ES21KZE House at the Edge ~ A World of Gothic: Greece by MM Jaye: https://amzn.com/B01G7B1FI6 Haunting at Spook Light Inn ~ A World of Gothic: Oklahoma by Alicia Dean https://amzn.com/B01GNGTU96 Haunting in the Pines ~ A World of Gothic: East Texas by Janis Susan May https://www.amazon.com/House-Pines-World-Gothic-Texas-ebook/dp/B01JSYOHFC/ Raven of Blackthorn Manor ~ A World of Gothic: Ireland by Gemma Juliana https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Blackthorn-Manor-Gothic-Ireland-ebook/dp/B01LRXCILW/ Blood-Stained Memories ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Kathy L Wheeler https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Stained-Memories-Gothic-United-ebook/dp/B01K82OKJG/ Sea of Darkness ~ A World of Gothic: France by Amanda McCabe https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Darkness-World-Gothic-France-ebook/dp/B01LWKXVO6/ Shadows and Lies ~ A World of Gothic: Louisiana by Raine English https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Lies-Gothic-United-States-ebook/dp/B01M9BY010/ Sinister Ceremony ~ A World of Gothic: Maine by Stacey Coverstone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRZ2KZ2/
If you love Halloween and Gothic stories, you can get your fill with these!
Hope you enjoyed the post and that you'll check back frequently for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT
It's always a pleasure to welcome Alicia Dean to my blog and today is no exception. Instead of a 'normal' Thursday Thoughts post, we're spotlighting A World of Gothic… Gothic Mystery Novellas ON SALE for ONLY 99 cents each through Halloween!
A group of authors from countries all over the world were drawn together by our love of the classic gothic mysteries by authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney. While the stories are stand-alone, they each share a recurring thread of a Spinel stone, which can play a small or large part in the plot. We have stories set in Scotland, Greece, Oklahoma, Florida, France, Ireland, and more. We hope readers have as much fun reading these stories (we recommend you do so with the lights on) as we had writing them.
Dark Hunt ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Tamrie Foxtail https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hunt-Florida-World-Gothic-ebook/dp/B078MPBXVT/ Ghost in the Rain ~ A World of Gothic: Scotland by Marie Treanor https://amzn.com/B01ES21KZE House at the Edge ~ A World of Gothic: Greece by MM Jaye: https://amzn.com/B01G7B1FI6 Haunting at Spook Light Inn ~ A World of Gothic: Oklahoma by Alicia Dean https://amzn.com/B01GNGTU96 Haunting in the Pines ~ A World of Gothic: East Texas by Janis Susan May https://www.amazon.com/House-Pines-World-Gothic-Texas-ebook/dp/B01JSYOHFC/ Raven of Blackthorn Manor ~ A World of Gothic: Ireland by Gemma Juliana https://www.amazon.com/Raven-Blackthorn-Manor-Gothic-Ireland-ebook/dp/B01LRXCILW/ Blood-Stained Memories ~ A World of Gothic: Florida by Kathy L Wheeler https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Stained-Memories-Gothic-United-ebook/dp/B01K82OKJG/ Sea of Darkness ~ A World of Gothic: France by Amanda McCabe https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Darkness-World-Gothic-France-ebook/dp/B01LWKXVO6/ Shadows and Lies ~ A World of Gothic: Louisiana by Raine English https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Lies-Gothic-United-States-ebook/dp/B01M9BY010/ Sinister Ceremony ~ A World of Gothic: Maine by Stacey Coverstone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRZ2KZ2/
If you love Halloween and Gothic stories, you can get your fill with these!
Hope you enjoyed the post and that you'll check back frequently for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT
October 23, 2018
#TuesdayTreasures with Janice Cantore
Good Morning!
A couple of weeks ago, Janice Cantore returned to our blog to share thoughts with us. Today let's see what she treasures.....
When someone says treasure, I think dogs. My two dogs are my treasures. Tilly and Abbie are my companions, sometimes my inspiration, and always my special treasure. Abbie is the yellow Lab and Tilly is the chocolate Lab.
There’s something special about sitting with a sleeping dog’s head in your lap, gently stroking soft, floppy ears. Dogs are always a joy. No matter what is going on in the world, they wag happily when they see you, do goofy things when they play, and overall make life better. Yes, my dogs are my treasure.
I hear you, Janice! I treasured the dogs in my life. Now I treasure their memories. Thanks for sharing!
Janice Cantore is a police officer turned writer. She retired from the Long Beach (California) Police Department after twenty-two years—sixteen in uniform, six as a noncareer employee. She is currently writing romantic suspense for Tyndale House, and her upcoming release, Lethal Target, second in the Line of Duty series following Crisis Shot, is set in a small town in Oregon.
Lethal Target and Crisis Shot as well as Janice's other bookscan be purchased from Amazon in various formats!
Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll check back for more Thursday Thoughts, Tuesday Treasures and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT
A couple of weeks ago, Janice Cantore returned to our blog to share thoughts with us. Today let's see what she treasures.....
When someone says treasure, I think dogs. My two dogs are my treasures. Tilly and Abbie are my companions, sometimes my inspiration, and always my special treasure. Abbie is the yellow Lab and Tilly is the chocolate Lab.There’s something special about sitting with a sleeping dog’s head in your lap, gently stroking soft, floppy ears. Dogs are always a joy. No matter what is going on in the world, they wag happily when they see you, do goofy things when they play, and overall make life better. Yes, my dogs are my treasure.
I hear you, Janice! I treasured the dogs in my life. Now I treasure their memories. Thanks for sharing!
Janice Cantore is a police officer turned writer. She retired from the Long Beach (California) Police Department after twenty-two years—sixteen in uniform, six as a noncareer employee. She is currently writing romantic suspense for Tyndale House, and her upcoming release, Lethal Target, second in the Line of Duty series following Crisis Shot, is set in a small town in Oregon.Lethal Target and Crisis Shot as well as Janice's other bookscan be purchased from Amazon in various formats!
Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll check back for more Thursday Thoughts, Tuesday Treasures and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT
October 20, 2018
#SaturdaySpotlight is on Melanie Dobson & Hidden Among the Stars
Good Morning!
Last month Melanie shared some thoughts with us but today she shares a peek into her latest release, Hidden Among the Stars !
The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan—even their very lives—in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone.
Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika’s story . . . and maybe to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she’s built for a chance at answers, adventure, and maybe even new love.
Excerpt: Lake Hallstatt, Austria
March 1938
The blade of a shovel, cutting through frosted grass. That’s what she remembered most from the spring of 1938. In the year that followed, on the darkest of nights, she could almost hear the whisper of digging again. The sound of Max Dornbach calling her name.
“Annika?” His confident voice bled into the fluid sounds of that evening, but her heart took on a rhythm of its own, twirling like the feathery seeds of dandelion caught in an Alpine storm.
How did Max know she was hidden behind the pines?
When she peeked between the branches, he was looking straight at her. Reluctantly, or at least attempting to appear reluctant, she stepped out from her haven, into the cast of blue moonlight, Vati’s winter coat buttoned over her calico chemise.
Temperatures had dipped to near freezing again, but Max wore a linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Strength swelled under those sleeves, arms that had rowed a wooden fuhr boat around Lake Hallstatt nearly every summer of his seventeen years, carving his muscles like the fallen birch her father liked to shape into benches and chairs.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked, though she should have been the one questioning him. He’d awakened her when he snuck by the cottage she and her father shared in the woods.
Writing fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to explore abandoned houses, travel to unique places, and spend hours reading old books and journals. The award-winning author of almost twenty books, Melanie enjoys stitching together both time-slip and historical novels including Hidden Among the Stars, Chateau of Secrets, and Catching the Wind. More information about Melanie’s journey is available at www.melaniedobson.com
Hidden Among the Stars can be purchased at Tyndale, Amazon and wherever books are sold!
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT
Last month Melanie shared some thoughts with us but today she shares a peek into her latest release, Hidden Among the Stars !
The year is 1938, and as Hitler’s troops sweep into Vienna, Austrian Max Dornbach promises to help his Jewish friends hide their most valuable possessions from the Nazis, smuggling them to his family’s summer estate near the picturesque village of Hallstatt. He enlists the help of Annika Knopf, his childhood friend and the caretaker’s daughter, who is eager to help the man she’s loved her entire life. But when Max also brings Luzia Weiss, a young Jewish woman, to hide at the castle, it complicates Annika’s feelings and puts their entire plan—even their very lives—in jeopardy. Especially when the Nazis come to scour the estate and find both Luzia and the treasure gone.Eighty years later, Callie Randall is mostly content with her quiet life, running a bookstore with her sister and reaching out into the world through her blog. Then she finds a cryptic list in an old edition of Bambi that connects her to Annika’s story . . . and maybe to the long-buried story of a dear friend. As she digs into the past, Callie must risk venturing outside the safe world she’s built for a chance at answers, adventure, and maybe even new love.
Excerpt: Lake Hallstatt, Austria
March 1938
The blade of a shovel, cutting through frosted grass. That’s what she remembered most from the spring of 1938. In the year that followed, on the darkest of nights, she could almost hear the whisper of digging again. The sound of Max Dornbach calling her name.
“Annika?” His confident voice bled into the fluid sounds of that evening, but her heart took on a rhythm of its own, twirling like the feathery seeds of dandelion caught in an Alpine storm.
How did Max know she was hidden behind the pines?
When she peeked between the branches, he was looking straight at her. Reluctantly, or at least attempting to appear reluctant, she stepped out from her haven, into the cast of blue moonlight, Vati’s winter coat buttoned over her calico chemise.
Temperatures had dipped to near freezing again, but Max wore a linen shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Strength swelled under those sleeves, arms that had rowed a wooden fuhr boat around Lake Hallstatt nearly every summer of his seventeen years, carving his muscles like the fallen birch her father liked to shape into benches and chairs.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked, though she should have been the one questioning him. He’d awakened her when he snuck by the cottage she and her father shared in the woods.
Writing fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to explore abandoned houses, travel to unique places, and spend hours reading old books and journals. The award-winning author of almost twenty books, Melanie enjoys stitching together both time-slip and historical novels including Hidden Among the Stars, Chateau of Secrets, and Catching the Wind. More information about Melanie’s journey is available at www.melaniedobson.comHidden Among the Stars can be purchased at Tyndale, Amazon and wherever books are sold!
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT
October 18, 2018
#ThursdayThoughts with Laura DeNooyer
Good Morning!
Well it's Medicare AEP and I'm busier than most any other time of the year LOL but not to busy to welcome Laura back to our blog! Laura shared treasures with us last month and I'm excited to see what she's thinking about so....take it away Laura!
The elephant in the room.
In Tina Hamilton’s case, her father’s silent nine years.
That’s the cloud that overshadows her while growing up in Currie Hill, North Carolina, at the foot of the Smokies. The cloud hovers at home. At the bakery. At the ice cream parlor. At church. At family picnics.
Reflecting later, she says, “I always knew my father had a secret. I must have known it at least by the time I was old enough to recognize the embarrassed hush that fell over a room of grown-ups the moment I crossed the threshold. That’s back when folks still talked about it. . . .”
She catches snippets of conversation here and there--at family reunions, from Uncle Ross, Mom’s stories, and arguments between her dad and northern businessman Phil Kepler. Phil has recently moved to Currie Hill to help establish a theme park that her father is trying to derail.
Tina has other problems and isn’t too worried about the proposed park until the night of the Town Council Meeting that will determine the future of Currie Hill--and her family’s. Finally, to sway the tide of votes, the cloud of silence lifts, but nobody is ready for the truth.
EXCERPT--Family Reunion:
I looked at Dad, wondering why he was so quiet. He usually offered so much more. He seemed distant, his brow furrowed.
“There’s just as much bad in the country as in the city,” said Uncle Owen. “Bad’s in the heart of people, in idle hands and such.”
“It ain’t the city that’s bad,” said Grandpa. “It’s the attitudes in the city. Sidney talks about it all the time. Folks fighting for jobs, folks competing with each other, folks putting their jobs above their wives and families. I daresay that’s why Sid ain’t ever married. Folks driving themselves to distraction till they’re all tuckered out and ain’t no good for nobody, doing things a body weren’t meant to do. That’s why folks get took down sick and die in the city. It’s all those wrong choices, and not taking care of others who need help. It could happen anywhere, not just there, but it happens mostly there.”
“Well, I guess you’re right about that,” Grandma Hamilton snapped. “Because I got two sons that don’t go to church no more and one of them’s right here in this town.” She was referring to Uncle Ross. “But when you got another son what’s off in New York City for over fifteen years who ain’t been home for five, and another son who’s been to who-knows-where for eleven years of his life after the war and gets himself a wife but won’t never let on—” She looked at my dad and stopped short. No one spoke. It was rare when my father’s mysterious, silent years and his first wife were mentioned by anyone.
A hush of secrets is different from any other kind. It’s not like the thin silence after the wind combs and tickles the leaves of the sassafras tree, nor is it like the sweet quiet of the morning sky after it echoes and swallows the chatter of the purple martins. No, it’s more like the pregnant hush of thick storm air right before it inhales and gulps the countryside, and reluctantly lets it go again.
About Laura: Award-winning author Laura DeNooyer lives with her husband Tim near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have four adult children. On either end of child rearing, she taught middle school and high school English, creative writing, and/or art. She currently teaches writing to home schooled students, participates in writers conferences and critique groups, and hosts a blog that celebrates creativity: Journey to Imagination. Laura has a young adult fantasy series underway, as well as historical fiction for adults. Find out more and connect with Laura through her Blog, Facebook and Amazon.
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless. PamT
Well it's Medicare AEP and I'm busier than most any other time of the year LOL but not to busy to welcome Laura back to our blog! Laura shared treasures with us last month and I'm excited to see what she's thinking about so....take it away Laura!
The elephant in the room.
In Tina Hamilton’s case, her father’s silent nine years.
That’s the cloud that overshadows her while growing up in Currie Hill, North Carolina, at the foot of the Smokies. The cloud hovers at home. At the bakery. At the ice cream parlor. At church. At family picnics.
Reflecting later, she says, “I always knew my father had a secret. I must have known it at least by the time I was old enough to recognize the embarrassed hush that fell over a room of grown-ups the moment I crossed the threshold. That’s back when folks still talked about it. . . .”
She catches snippets of conversation here and there--at family reunions, from Uncle Ross, Mom’s stories, and arguments between her dad and northern businessman Phil Kepler. Phil has recently moved to Currie Hill to help establish a theme park that her father is trying to derail.
Tina has other problems and isn’t too worried about the proposed park until the night of the Town Council Meeting that will determine the future of Currie Hill--and her family’s. Finally, to sway the tide of votes, the cloud of silence lifts, but nobody is ready for the truth.
EXCERPT--Family Reunion:
I looked at Dad, wondering why he was so quiet. He usually offered so much more. He seemed distant, his brow furrowed.
“There’s just as much bad in the country as in the city,” said Uncle Owen. “Bad’s in the heart of people, in idle hands and such.”
“It ain’t the city that’s bad,” said Grandpa. “It’s the attitudes in the city. Sidney talks about it all the time. Folks fighting for jobs, folks competing with each other, folks putting their jobs above their wives and families. I daresay that’s why Sid ain’t ever married. Folks driving themselves to distraction till they’re all tuckered out and ain’t no good for nobody, doing things a body weren’t meant to do. That’s why folks get took down sick and die in the city. It’s all those wrong choices, and not taking care of others who need help. It could happen anywhere, not just there, but it happens mostly there.”
“Well, I guess you’re right about that,” Grandma Hamilton snapped. “Because I got two sons that don’t go to church no more and one of them’s right here in this town.” She was referring to Uncle Ross. “But when you got another son what’s off in New York City for over fifteen years who ain’t been home for five, and another son who’s been to who-knows-where for eleven years of his life after the war and gets himself a wife but won’t never let on—” She looked at my dad and stopped short. No one spoke. It was rare when my father’s mysterious, silent years and his first wife were mentioned by anyone.
A hush of secrets is different from any other kind. It’s not like the thin silence after the wind combs and tickles the leaves of the sassafras tree, nor is it like the sweet quiet of the morning sky after it echoes and swallows the chatter of the purple martins. No, it’s more like the pregnant hush of thick storm air right before it inhales and gulps the countryside, and reluctantly lets it go again.
About Laura: Award-winning author Laura DeNooyer lives with her husband Tim near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have four adult children. On either end of child rearing, she taught middle school and high school English, creative writing, and/or art. She currently teaches writing to home schooled students, participates in writers conferences and critique groups, and hosts a blog that celebrates creativity: Journey to Imagination. Laura has a young adult fantasy series underway, as well as historical fiction for adults. Find out more and connect with Laura through her Blog, Facebook and Amazon.
Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time, take care and God bless. PamT
