Sheri L. Swift's Blog, page 7

The Smile of a Child

It's that time of year again and my family and I have just stuffed a shoe box and sent it to Operation Christmas Child. 

There is nothing quite like seeing the smile of a child when they open up a Christmas gift.

The shoe boxes are sent all over the world spreading the spirit of love and Christmas.

If you haven't already given a gift to someone who might not otherwise enjoy one for Christmas, then I hope you might consider it.

Hope you're all enjoying this joyous season of giving and hope!  ;)

The Harvest Moon ~ a poem

The Harvest Moon The Harvest moon shines brightHung in a black canvas skyAdorned with stars strewn aboutA pleasing portrait to the eyeIt beams over mountains and valleysShines upon orchards and fieldsIt beams upon rooftops of housesAnd peeks through window sealsIt casts it's light upon flowing streamsWild rivers or a raging Ocean  Upon seeming bottomless lakesAnd shallow ponds with no motionMy favorite thing about the Harvest moonIt unveils the darkest night When it paints everything neon-blueFor me it's a wondrous sight
-Sheri L. Swift

LEGEND OF THE MER III

Some of you are asking when my latest book in the series will be coming out; I had planned to publish this fall.
One of my favorite sayings is:  If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
I had several obstacles thrown in my path to publication this past year and I wasn't able to keep up with my writing schedule.
I'm now hoping to publish this next summer 2015.  I'll be taking pre-orders prior to publication so you'll know when.
I've been enjoying spending time with the Prentis Family again as they travel together for one last trip to the South Pacific on the Bonnie Rose.
Micah and his extended family travel together with them on the Island Traveler.
This next books main focus is on Lizzy whose now 22 years old and recently graduated from college with a Masters in Elementary Education. 
The story also continues with Jedediah, Seturus and their son Jireh whose now four years old.
King Titus has enjoyed some five years of peace within his Mer Kingdom.  He and Queen Lana's son Prince Titan is now seven winters old.
The Mer family is alive and well with a few new characters added; some nice and some not so nice.
There's more adventure and fun to be had in this latest installment.
I guess I better get back to writing!  ;)

SAND, SUN, WATER & FUN

Although we weren't able to visit Ocracoke Island this vacation, Sweetheart represented!  Lol!
This was actually Claytor Lake where we took a day to enjoy sand, sun, water and fun.
I decided to stop fighting it and enjoyed the two weeks of vacation Sweetheart and I had together, which also included time to celebrate his birthday.
We even made an overnight trip to visit one of our daughters.
Summer was hot and muggy as usual.  It seems the rain came ending our outdoor fun just as the vacation was over.
Our local parks and lakes shut down after Labor Day, but the water becomes too cold to enjoy after that anyway.
Fall comes early here in the Blue Ridge Mountains and I am looking forward to it!  ;)

WISH by Leanna Sain

I've just finished reading WISH by Leanna Sain.  It was delightful with hints of Nancy Drew and Dickens all rolled up into one.

I could definitely see this on the Hallmark Channel one day as one of their Christmas movies.

I've always been a fan of Christmas in July; my children and I would turn our home into Christmas for at least one week during their summer break.  This book didn't disappoint in that regard.

It starts off with a seventeen year old girl Maddie McGuire who has been grieving the loss of her parents only to find out both of their deaths may not have been an accident.

Things happen when days before Christmas she makes a wish.  What follows is a week-long wild ride filled with dangerous twists and turns.

In the end will she face the same fate as her parents?

Leanna Sain lives in the mountains of North Carolina.  When she's not writing, she keeps busy as a free-lance portrait artist, co-owner of a retail store, and organic gardener.

Hope you add it to your reading list.  ;)

4th of July Memories ~ A poem

4th of July Memories Rising before the sunTo watch the home-town paradeSoda pop for everyoneLooking for the shade Firing up the grillChurning the icecreamSquirt gun fightsCheering on your teamNeighbors joining inTo taste the bounty laidSampling all the dishesAnd scrumptious desserts madeExcitement building withinAs we watch the setting sunBlankets laid on the groundThere's room for everyoneThe sound of cannonsNow fill the night skySprays of light rocketExploding so highFireworks from small onesTo the largest ever seenAn array of colorsRed, blue, gold and greenThe smiles on the little onesIs such a beautiful sightBut even older onesEnjoy this special nightWe remember our historyAnd those who paid dearlyWho fought for freedomBecause freedom isn't freeThe skies are silent nowThe only light comes from the MoonChildren are put to bedThis night is gone too soon
***

Wisteria Hill ~ a poem of Elven love

Source
In my latest book The Hart Of Telendaria An Elven Love Story, my main characters are Aidan of the Sidhean Forest an Elf and Alterra of Telendaria (formerly Glen Haven) part-Elf, Pixie and Mortal.  Through many hardships they meet and marry.
Their love is so powerful that when they kiss, their green gemstones within their crowns begin to glow and every plant cannot help but to celebrate the joy of their love with them; not to mention the insects and animals of An Domhan.
On one such occasion, Aidan purposefully brings seeds of the Wisteria and plants them with Alterra in hopes to make an arbor and haven for their love; the rest is history-
WISTERIA HILL  
Let all who pass and see this sight
Know the High Elven King and Queen here spent this night
For Aidan did love Alterra upon this hill
With an everlasting love which grows for her still
For her royal beauty is beyond compare
And her heart of mercy is a quality rare
Theirs is a love which cannot be restrained
For their joy overflows and cannot be contained
The Wisteria rejoiced in both blossom and limb
For it could not help but celebrate with them
An ageless love they have pledged to themselvesWhen Aidan loved Alterra in the land of Elves ***

Leaf & String Festival Authors On Grayson Street 2014

It's that time of year again!  The Leaf & String Festival and the Authors on Grayson Street is June 13th and 14th in Galax Virginia.
Chapters Book Shop provides this opportunity for us to showcase our books.  This picture was from last years Festival.
The hours are Friday 12:00-5:00 and Saturday 10:00-5:00.
I will not only be signing Legend of the Mer and Legend of the Mer II The New Guardian, but I will also be signing my newest book The Hart of Telendaria An Elven Love Story.
If you're in the area I hope you stop by!  ;)

Finding Joy in the Journey: Dedicated to my Father

Finding Joy in the Journey: Dedicated to my Father: This is a picture of my backyard prayer garden, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I often go here to thank my Heavenly father and to p...

An encounter with a Hummingbird

Source
The other night about twilight, I went out my back door to let my dog Talei in the house.
When I opened the door a large bright blue butterfly slowly drifted in the air towards me.
I'm not sure if it was my perfume or the cool air coming through the door, but the butterfly kept flying towards me at eye level.
It got so close, I thought it was going to land on my face, so I put up my hand between me and the butterfly.
It just hovered right in front of me only inches from me and I realized it wasn't a butterfly at all.
It was a hummingbird with a bright red breast and a beautiful bright blue head and wings.
He just seemed to need to connect with me for whatever reason.
I began to feel like my Elven character Queen Alterra.
I smiled brightly and then the hummingbird gracefully flew away.
How awesome, I thought.
I realized Talei had also been mesmerized and never even barked at the hummingbird.
I feel privileged to have had such an encounter.  ;)