Chelle Ramsey's Blog, page 71

MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT_NEGATIVES

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“Life is like photography. You need the negatives to develop.” -  Unknown    We often want to skip past the challenges and adversities life brings to get our fill of sunshine. I know that I do anyway. This is especially true if you find you have more negatives than positives. But as with everything else in life, it all depends on your perspective.  When challenges come into our lives, it does not mean that we should focus negative energy into these obstacles. Instead, we are to draw on our faith, belief in ourselves, and every positive atom we can drum up to move forward. These times come to build us stronger, and fortify our character. We are to view these times as learning opportunities and time to grow closer to God.  The negatives not only build our character, faith, and stamina...but they develop our personalities. That is when we learn what we are made of.  Regardless of what life tosses your way this week, know that you're built of the good stuff...something lives within you that is more than the challenge you are facing. Let the negative be a character builder and a fortifier. After all could we appreciate the good times, if we didn't have some of the negatives? What's your outlook on this? Please join me by clicking the follow or subscribe buttons on the right panel. If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon above or beneath. You may also see more of my works by visiting my website below. I thank you for visiting, and as always, please leave a comment. JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,By: C. Michelle Ramsey www.cmichelleramsey.com  

THIERRY_THE MEN OF: "IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER?"

http://blackactors.net/2012/01/terrence-colby-clemons-st-black-actors-say-video/And the fiesta continues...today the reveal of another male actor, who is my ideal visual of Thierry. Mr. Terrence Colby Clemons. If this book were a movie, I would select him to play the role of Thierry.

Thierry is stable, self-assured, and knows what he wants in life, as well as who he wants in life. His attraction to the character Rayne, has her running for cover from his attempts to build a committed relationship with her. However, the wall she has erected would have most men running for cover. He works carefully to remove that wall one brick at a time, but sometimes you just cannot help people...they have to be ready to help themselves. I will share with you another character from the book that was sent to my editor on Monday.

Ladies please give a warm welcome to Thierry...
Take a peek »

THROWBACK THURSDAY_SIMPLER TIMES

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/fashion.htmWhen I think of simpler times, I think of my childhood. I recall my parents telling me, 'you think you have problems now...just wait until you grow up, then you will really have problems.' Those were simpler times when my worries consisted of, what am I going to wear to school tomorrow; I don't have anyone to play with because no one is at home; or such-and-such is mad at me.Take a peek »

FICTION/NONFICTION BOOKS

My writing does not fit into one genre. The books that I write are typically about every day life struggles and challenges average people face. They are not romance books, but they have heat and spice tossed in for good measure, and primarily focus on how people persevere in times of turmoil. My purpose is to inspire my readers to know they can prevail no matter what they are facing. To inspire people to live their dreams. Yet, they are not Christian based books although I am. My stories deal with real life situations, they are fiction/nonfiction books...if that makes sense.
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BOOK SPOTLIGHT_A COLD DAY FOR MURDER

AMAZON OVERVIEW  Kate Shugak returns to her roots in the far Alaskan north, after leaving the Anchorage D.A.'s office. Her deductive powers are definitely needed when a ranger disappears. Looking for clues among the Aleutian pipeliners, she begins to realize the fine line between lies and loyalties--between justice served and cold murder.Show more Show less





I love, love, love mysteries, which is the reason that I selected Dana Stabenow's "A Cold Day for Murder." I love the twists and turns that challenges your mind in a good murder mystery, as well as the emotional roller coaster ride the stories take you on. But more than anything I love being kept in suspense.

A Cold Day for Murder is a story about a former investigator being called back to investigate the mysterious disappearance of not one, but two men in the northern part of Alaska.

When a young, park ranger goes missing, his father (a U. S. Congressman) pulls out all the stops to find his son...calling in the FBI. Once the FBI becomes involved, the Alaska D.A.'s office sends an investigator out into the brutal cold and snow that is the country's makeup. Yet, this investigator comes up missing as well, which has everyone on alert. The D.A.'s office pays a visit to former investigator, Kate Shugak to locate these two men. If Kate cannot find them no one can. But Kate has issues of her own to deal with. She is battling nightmares from the case that caused her to quit the D.A.'s office in the first place, and attempting to make a strong stand in family matters that threaten to engulf her.

I struggled with this book from the onset, because it was extremely slow moving. I had difficulty getting into the book, and expected it to be a fast read but it was anything but. The author did a wonderful job of setting the stage and describing places, so that you could almost visualize what the author saw. However, the story took a long time to unfold because it took more time providing descriptions of locations and the history behind each location and character.

When the story finally did unfold towards the end of the middle, it was an interesting story to tell. It did the one thing that I love in a good mystery, kept me in suspense as to who did it and why. It was not until the very end that I was able to determine who did it, but the why was not really worth it. The story concluded with a surprise ending that I did not see coming, but even that did not make sense.

I believe this could have been a great book if there was more time spent on the actual story itself, rather than the history of the place and the history behind the families. I would rate this story a 2.5. To see further commentary on my rating scale, please click the "Book Discussions" tab up top.

I would love to have you follow me if you're not already to get updated reviews on books, as well as new updates on my upcoming releases.

Please join me by clicking the follow or subscribe buttons on the right panel. If you enjoyed this review I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon above or beneath. You may also see more of my works by visiting my website below. Thank you.

JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,By: C. Michelle Ramseywww.cmichelleramsey.com

MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT_Don't Worry Be Happy

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” -Denis Waitley
I believe we often seek happiness in things: material wealth, the attainment of tangible items, and the relationships we pursue and conquer. Yet, when we still struggle to find happiness after accomplishing these things, we fail to understand what's the problem.

Why am I not happy, we ask ourselves. We look around at our environment and realize we've attained the things we said would make us happy, yet we still have not found that state. Some of us believe we are not happy because we have not yet attained those tangibles, material wealth, and relationships we seek. However, once we do attain those things we quickly find we still are unhappy. Why? Because happiness is found within.

We mumble, gripe, and groan about every situation in our lives; we play the blame game by pointing the finger at others, because we are not happy within ourselves. When we truly find happiness, nothing and no one can take it away. We will live as the above quote by Denis says, by living in a spirit of love, grace, and gratitude of every moment.

Today when you find yourselves discouraged, or unhappy don't look around, but stop and look within. Who are you really? What really matters to you? Think of all that you are blessed with, rather than focusing on what you do not have. Give thanks, show love, and display grace every moment. Someone out there truly is worse than you; and because you're not promised the next breath, appreciate the one you're taking right now.

JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,By: C. Michelle Ramseywww.cmichelleramsey.com

NATE_THE MEN OF: "IS THE GRASS REALLY GREENER?"

http://stars.wally.tv/?id=4157Yes ladies, he's gorgeous, tall, chocolate, and have those amazing eyes, and beautiful smile!

Today I would like to introduce the second leading man of "Is the Grass Really Greener?" Nathaniel "Nate" Van Buren. He's the husband of Courtney, whose character is struggling through his pain of losing a child.

If this book were a movie, I know the ideal actor to play the part of Nate. When I see the image of Nate in my head, and the pain and anger he struggles with, I envision Morris Chestnut. This very talented actor, has a gift for drawing viewers in, not to mention he's sexy, and very easy on the eye. I selected him as a visual portrayal of what Nate looks like, to give my readers an image of what I see in my head.

Shutting his wife out, and pushing the world away leads to a failing marriage. Men don't often express themselves, or communicate in a way that women can often understand, which leads to serious misunderstandings. Here is an excerpt from "Is the Grass Really Greener?" The scene is a phone call into a local radio station, where Nate disguises his identity:
Take a peek »

THANKFUL THURSDAY_JOKES

There is always a reason we should give thanks. Even on the most challenging of days, we must find a reason to be thankful. When life throws us a lot of fiery trials, we must learn to look past the self-pity and get strong within. Just being blessed with another day of life, health, and abundant strength is reason enough to be thankful.

Today I am thankful for the gift of laughter. Laughter can turn the most overwhelming situation around. We feel good on the inside and when we laugh around others, the laughter becomes contagious. I found this joke online that I would like to share with you.


Wrong email address:A couple was going on vacation but his wife was on a business trip so he went to the destination first and his wife would meet him the next day.
When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email.
Unfortunately, when typing her address, he mistyped a letter and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before.
When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.
At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:
Dearest Wife,
Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.
P.S. Sure is hot down here.

-Stephen http://academictips.org/blogs/funny-short-stories/


What are you thankful for? What are some things that makes you laugh?
Please join me by clicking the follow or subscribe buttons on the right panel. If you enjoyed this post, I encourage you to share it with others by clicking the social media icon above or beneath. You may also see more of my works by visiting my website below. I love you for visiting, and as always, please leave a comment. JUST WRITING MY DREAMS,By: C. Michelle Ramsey www.cmichelleramsey.com

BOOK SPOTLIGHT_ALWAYS YOU

AMAZON OVERVIEW:
Henry Lowell has sworn off serious relationships. After losing his wife days after their son was born, he vowed that he would never go through that kind of pain again.

Samantha Donovan has had it rough lately. First she loses her father to cancer, and now she's barely hanging on to her confectionary shop because the bills are piling up. On top of all that, there's one more major change going on in her life and she feels all alone.

When Henry runs into his younger sister's old best friend, Samantha, and sees that she has been down on her luck, he can't help but step in and help. But will he lose his heart in the process?
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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: TE` RUSS

 Show more Show less ALWAYS YOU: Henry Lowell has sworn off serious relationships. After losing his wife days after their son was born, he vowed that he would never go through that kind of pain again.  Samantha Donovan has had it rough lately. First she loses her father to cancer, and now she's barely hanging on to her confectionary shop because the bills are piling up. On top of all of that, there's one more major change going on in her life and she feels all alone.  When Henry runs into his younger sister's old best friend, Samantha, and sees that she has been down on her luck, he can't help but step in and help. But will he lose his heart in the process? June 20th saw the release of "Always You" by author Te` Russ. Today I have the privilege of interviewing Te` to learn more about her new novel, and the woman behind the romance novels. And now I present to you Mrs. Te` Russ:
Take a peek »