Sandra Healing Steiner's Blog, page 95
August 8, 2014
Sandra Steiner, Author
WELCOME SANDRA STEINER AUTHOR OF
LIVE FOR TODAY AND CHERISH THE PAST
The trilogy portrays three incredibly strong women who are faced with difficult circumstances in their lives and the journey they went through to overcome them. Spring Island is a fictional place in which they all find comfort and hope in one way or another.
Cherish the Past-Spring Island Trilogy Book One is a story of loss, love and sacrifice. Reflecting on her life, Angie realizes that her past has helped make her a stronger woman, preparing her for a brighter future.
Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two is a story of discovery, memories, love, and moving on. Lily has been running from her past as long as she can remember, but she does not know why. She knows she was adopted, and feels she must find her birth family to reclaim her memories and move on. Just realeased in August.
Dream for Tomorrow-Book Three is to be released in the Fall of 2014.
The novels can be read alone or in the order written, the characters and the setting are what tie them all together.
What motivated you to write?
Since I was a very young child I have always wanted to write a book, and the time seemed right. I wanted to give my readers hope and inspire them to believe in themselves. My entire life I have helped others to recover and
move forward through tragedy and loss. I have listened to many personal
heart wrenching stories that have provided me with a basis for writing these inspirational books. Those that I have listened to over the years encouraged me to write.
After the greatest loss of all, my daughter in 2004, I went through a period of deep sadness. I realized that the inspiration and support I had given to
people over the years was very important and because I was only one person, I decided to write about it to help as many as I could. The accident in 2004 affected my whole family. It drastically changed the dynamics as she was the oldest child. There is not a moment that goes by that she is not in our thoughts. The accident made us all aware how quickly life can change. It also made me realize that life is short and we need to live each day as positively and fully as possible because tomorrow is not guaranteed. In one of the hardest ways possible I personally experienced the way that loss affects us, and I now understood what kind of support and inspiration was needed.
I believe we are in a place and time for a reason. My reason for being here is to help others through difficult times and create a happier more fulfilling life.
Where is Spring Island and what makes it special?
Spring Island is a small tourist driven island with only a few people that live there full time, it is completely fictional, the novels are based in the village of Seaside. The name Spring Island speaks to renewal, hope and promise of a new start. In 2010 I came out to Vancouver Island for New Years and was so completely at home. I realized that part of the charm was that the people that were living here were from all over the place. There was a huge variety of people from all different walks of life, drawn to the island for its atmosphere and feeling of pure bliss. It was paradise for me and I wanted to incorporate that feeling into my writing.
Are the story lines based on your life?
There is a glimmer of my own life in all the books. Angie’s story in Cherish the Past-Spring Island Trilogy Book One has many similarities to my life. Her life is full of sacrifice, loses a child, and chooses to go on in life in a positive way. In Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two Lily is exploring her past trying to figure out what happened when she was a child, before she was adopted by the Gordon’s that has caused her to be fearful as an adult.
Do you have any quirks or special environments you need to write?
There are a couple of things that are quirky about my writing! I always have one of my miniature Yorkies on my lap, if not both! I have all kinds of inspirational books and quotes around me and I also have to have noise. Often times I listen to inspirational audio books while I am writing, in fact as I write these responses I am listening to T.D. Jakes audio book Instinct.
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you as an author?
The first time I was approached at the local bookstore by a complete stranger and asked if I was an author was a complete shock; the reader had purchased my book online and loved it! I was dumbfounded that someone would recognize me, and touched that she said I had inspired her to reconnect with her children.
Where can we buy your books?
CHERISH THE PAST-SPRING ISLAND TRILOGY BOOK ONE
http://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Past-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00LCRF28U
LIVE FOR TODAY-SPRING ISLAND TRILOGY BOOK TWO
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Today-Spring-Island-Trilogy/dp/1490739874
How else can we find you?
Blog – http://www.STEINER-STYLE.COM
Facebook – http://www.FACEBOOK.COM/STEINERWRITE
Facebook – www.facebook.com;sandrasteiner.21
Facebook – http://www.FACEBOOK.COM/SANDRASTEINER.22
Twitter – @Healing_love
August 7, 2014
You are simply the best!
I’m old enough to have had many life experiences and met many people over the years and to be honest, Other than my best friend, and husband, I prefer the company of my dogs. No offence intended to everyone else!
They are amazing company and are thrilled with something as small as a ride in the car. They don’t require me to buy them things, or talk to them, they are just happy to go along. No matter what time I wake up in the night a little click of my tongue and try are at my side to soothe and comfort me.
They will contort their little bodies to make sure they are close enough to touch me and get petted. Even going so far as to sit for hours on my lap while I write. They listen to all my troubles and complaints without talking back, and when they know I’m sad they cuddle even closer.
Best of all…..they don’t gossip and cause drama!
My links:
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
Www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
@healing_love
Finding Forever by L.L. Collins
Synopsis
Lacey Russell has had enough heartbreak and loss for one lifetime. Turning tragedy into motivation, she becomes a veterinarian to honor her mother’s memory. She knows the path her life is on and she decided long ago that falling in love is not part of that plan. She’s seen firsthand that all it does is cause sorrow and pain.
Brantley Tucker is the heir to Tucker Ranch, the most well-known ranch in all of Nashville. Much to the dismay of his parents, he doesn’t want it. It’s always been his dream to model, and he’s worked hard to achieve success. All he wants is to be supported and loved, but he wonders if that will ever happen for him
After many chance encounters throw Lacey and Brant together, it feels like something bigger than them is at work. When Lacey gets news that shatters her entire world, can she accept the support and love that Brant offers, or will the fear of the unknown make her turn down the chance at finding her forever?
Buy Now
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/V2xoHM
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1vcr1SQ
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1pXPEue
Amazon AUS: http://tinyurl.com/kcxch2b
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/findi...
KOBO:http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
~ SERIES ORDER ~
#1 LIVING AGAIN
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1vcshWb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1vcsoAV
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1pbTWSB
Amazon AUS: http://tinyurl.com/qcn9z8a
#2 REACHING RACHEL
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/UYsyeI
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/UYsED9
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/X2DrxS
Amazon AUS: http://tinyurl.com/qe38qwt
#3 GUARDING HEARTS
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1uoeZ4O
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1vcssAN
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/TzNrwT
Amazon AUS: http://tinyurl.com/kfn5qop
Facebook Giveaway
www.facebook.com/llcollinsauthor
About the Author
LL Collins is a teacher who loves spending her days in the Florida sun with her husband and boys, reading, and writing. Her love of writing has found a home in the self-publishing world. She’s the author of the Living Again Series: Living Again, Reaching Rachel, Guarding Hearts, and Finding Forever. LL has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, she finally decided to let the characters out and start writing and try to make her lifelong dreams of becoming an author come true. Visit LL on her website, www.authorllcollins.com, on Facebook, and Twitter.
August 6, 2014
Deceptive Beauty by Dawn White
Guess What!?!?! Deceptive Beauty is out, and it’s climbing the best sellers list! #booksgoneviral #SOA #BestSeller #RomanticSuspense If you Like Sons of Anarchy you’re going to love this series!
************************New Release******************
Book 1 and 2 In the Deceptive Series.
Rebecca is a beautiful ATF agent, sent undercover to bring down an outlaw biker gang. Unfortunately for her, Gavin makes it almost impossible to think about anything but his dreamy body. Rebecca solves the case, and accidentally falls in love with the Outlaw biker president, and goes on another scary adventure. Will Rebecca survive the new mission, or will this be her last?
Kindle US -http://amzn.to/1kl5Hpz
Kindle UK -http://amzn.to/1srBB43
ITunes -http://bit.ly/1srBDZu
Smashwords -http://bit.ly/1srBDZy
I aspire to inspire….
Days like to today are amazing, and I am so grateful that they come to me so often these days. As I sit at my desk in front of my laptop writing this blog post, I know I am blessed.
My husband has the day off today, because he had to fill in at the Mayfair salon for someone yesterday. He woke me up to go for a drive. We jumped in the car to go and get our Timmies and he drove us all to the beach. The smell of the ocean is intoxicating and so soothing. There are always birds squawking overhead, and today there was a cruise ship just leaving. He knows it is one of my favourite places to go, and the dogs love to run at the off leash park. We let the dogs out of the car and slowly hand in hand meandered around the park. Time with my husband is so incredible, it is like nothing I have ever experienced before.
Now, Max and Misty are curled up on my lap snoring gently, my husband is fine tuning one of his original songs behind me alternating between the keyboards and one of the guitars. His music is so soothing I can’t wait to share it with everyone. He has written and recorded about a dozen songs that will be released as a CD this fall. He has even managed to incorporate his brother playing lead guitar in Ontario into the songs. I heard the first song that Gavin recorded yesterday, after the tracks were added, and although I am biased, it is amazing! These two men are both so musically talented. Links will follow when Cory is ready.
Those who have been following my blog may remember that my step son is moving to Toronto in early September. He is 21 and an amazing young man. Jace will be going to live at my husbands sisters’ home while he figures out where he wants to be and we are very grateful for their generosity! He has alternated between his parents homes for years and it will be hard for both of them to see him go. But, I know they wish him all life has to offer and more. When he announced his decision a few months ago to move out East I wanted to do something memorable for my husband and his son. The other day I found a pendant that I loved, and I knew they would like. The back of the pendants are engraved with “amazing father” and “amazing son”. It was the perfect gift, and I could tell by their reactions that they loved them. These two men have supported each others dreams and created a father/son relationship that I have only read about in books before. The many memories that they share will forever rest in their hearts, but the pendant will give them something tangible to touch and remember that the other is wearing it close to their heart as well.
This week I was blessed to find a blog called Everything Marie that is willing to host a blog tour for both of my books! I was ecstatic! Tiffany has worked with many new authors, and she is also a new author herself, writing under the name Madison Street! I read her debut novel a few months ago when it came out and all I can say is WOW! Little Things by Madison Street is a must read! Go check out her blog http://everythingmarie.com! If you are on Facebook please go give her author page a like www.facebook.com/madisonstreetauthor. I hope you will all enjoy the amazing things she has come up with for the tours! Cherish the Past will be toured in early September, and Live for Today in October!
Next up for today is working on my latest novel. I have a couple more in the works and love having the time to write. There are lots of draws going on right now for free copies (e-book and signed paperbacks) both on goodreads and on my Facebook! This is my way of giving back to those that have been there for me! Please take a moment to enter the draws!
MY LINKS:
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SANDRASTEINER.21
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SANDRASTEINER.22
@HEALING_LOVE
August 4, 2014
Back to school??
Omgoodness I used to love those words, yes I was THAT kid! Back to school shopping, off to learn new things, teachers and recess!
I remember my first day of grade one, quite vividly actually. It was 1971 and we were living in Red Deer Alberta. My teacher was Ms Clark and when I walked into her classroom I remember seeing Winnie the Pooh and all his friends everywhere. The class readers were Pooh themed, we wrote spelling words from the stories, had honey and dressed up. Oh so much fun. Fast forward to 1991 and I was taking my daughter to kindergarten. Her eyes sparkled, long brown hair in a pony tail and in the reading corner was a giant Winnie the Pooh! When I was in university to become a teacher I reflected back on that classroom often.
I have the traditional photos of my children taken each year at the front of the house. The memory of school clothes and supply shopping, ahhhhh treasured memories! But I also have a real box of treasure! In 1990 I was told about an amazing idea for my kids school memories and I decided I would do it! All it was was a simple file box. Each time my kids brought home or created something that I loved I put it in the box. The box filled over the years and now I have my box of tangible treasures.
I have been in school for about 35/47 years of my life in some form. Evening craft classes, teaching, accounting, online, in class; all kinds! That grade one experience gave me a love of learning that carries into my new endeavour as an author today! Remember this as you send your children off to school and SMILE.
Link up with me and check out my new release Live for Today at your favourite online bookstore.
Www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
@healing_love
August 3, 2014
Blog tour sign ups!
Good evening!
I have booked a blog tour for my debut novel Cherish the Past and I am just sharing the sign up information to the bloggers on my friend list and likes.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GwXI...
I have also booked a blog tour for my second novel Live for Today!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RJh9...
I hope that you will take time to participate in one or both of the tours! As always if we are not already friends, please friend me!
Also, I have several giveaways ongoing on Facebook and goodreads right now! Please make sure you enter!
My links
Www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
Www.facebook,com/sandrasteiner.22
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
@healing_love
July 31, 2014
Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two
About the book
Lily looked over her shoulder and, seeing no one, began to relax. It was just her imagination. It had to be, didn’t it? She could not remember a time when she did not feel as though someone was watching her.
Sitting on the beach and watching the calm water always seemed to help ease the panic. The waves were gently lapping against the driftwood on the beach. The sound of the seagulls was soothing. The smell of the salty ocean air was comforting. So why couldn’t she just relax? Today, it did not seem to be working.
Last night the dreams had kept her awake through most of the night. If only she knew what they meant. She was so tired of them. They had plagued her for her entire life—or for as long as she could remember anyhow. Today was a day filled with questions, and she just wanted answers. All her life she had worked at blocking memories. Maybe it was time for her to lay her past to rest. The idea of it terrified her, and she really wasn’t sure why. She wanted to move forward in her life. It was time.
In the past few months, she had begun to see a counsellor on the mainland, trying to recover memories that may never return. It was exhausting, but it seemed that she was making headway, having a few glimmers of recurring events in the dreams. Lily had been a great patient and had listened to everything the counsellor had to say. She had practised the techniques and was always willing to try something new. Perhaps that was why she was making such good progress.
She had been working on a dream journal for a while. There were things that were now noticeable recurrences in the dreams. The counsellor felt that these probably pointed to true memories, but of course, there were no guarantees.
Nights like last night where she was running scared and full of terror were one of the most common themes. Miles away and many years ago, she had started running and started a new life. Since then, moments of serenity had been hers, but many moments of terror had overshadowed the peace. She had started over in new places a few times but always seemed to come back to the same position—scared, alone.
Thinking back to try to remember her childhood was hard. It made her feel anxious, afraid, and she did not like it—mostly because she did not know why. Her earliest clear memories were after her ninth birthday. She had a few vague memories of earlier, but nothing solid.
Lily made the decision to seek some help to recover the lost memories and lay them to rest and to deal with her past so she could enjoy her life in peace. She had been working really hard with her therapist for months now. They had used a variety of techniques to help Lily remember. She now had enough information to try to discover what her mind had forgotten. It was time to go back to Rollingway, the town in her dreams.
It did not take long for her to spot a little motel along the edge of the highway that had vacant rooms for the night. She checked into the motel room, turned on the TV for noise, and went for a short walk to pick up something to eat. The front-desk manager at the motel had suggested the pizza place just next door. It was late enough that there was not much else open. Gathering her pizza and diet cola, she headed back to her room so Lucy wouldn’t be alone. She stopped quickly at the convenience store for a bottle of water and a snack for later. The pizza smelled heavenly, and she ate heartily, sharing a small bit of crust with Lucy.
As she crawled into bed, she said a silent prayer for a quiet night. Nightmares. Lily was so tired of them. A few hours later, she woke up crying—this time, in a strange motel. Lucy was there, wagging her little tail, looking at her in the dark. After turning the light on and a quick cuddle, she grabbed her dream journal to write about the dream before she could forget.
Running. Running. Running. Breathing hard. Screams of terror from something unknown. People are following her.
She must run faster. There were people chasing her. The forest is all around, and Lily found a hollowed out log to hide in. She could hear people running past. There was so much banging and noise. Her heart was wildly beating; she must not breathe a sound.
Writing on the dream journal had become easier as time went on. There were many logged in now. Lily just had to figure out what they all meant. Her counselor had been right. Once she started examining her dreams, she realized they had common events in them. Now she just had to figure out what they meant or whether they were in fact memories or just dreams.
About the Author
Sandra Steiner completed a Bachelor of Education degree after high school and has been working for the last twenty years in the Accounting field. Becoming a published author has always been a dream. She is a proud mother and grandmother. Sandra lives with her husband on Vancouver Island in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
Since the death of her teenage daughter in 2004 she has inspired many to think positively and to live life for the moment. Over the years she has motivated many individuals to believe in themselves, and they have encouraged her to write and share her experiences. She is a strong woman who believes anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
The trilogy I have written portrays three incredibly strong women who are faced with difficult circumstances in their lives and the journey they went through to overcome them. Spring Island is a fictional place in which they all find comfort and hope in one way or another.
Cherish the Past is Angie’s story. It is a story of loss, sacrifice and love. Although her life is difficult, Angie realizes she must Cherish the Past because it helped make her the woman she is.
Live for Today is Lily’s story. It is a story of incredible strength, searching for answers about her birth family Lily finds that sometimes it is more important to just Live for Today.
The first two books are available at your favourite online bookstore. Signed copies are available upon request.
In January of this year when I began writing the first book in the trilogy, Cherish the Past, the words just felt right. They flowed through my mind into the manuscript. Simultaneously I was working on a second writing project which has turned out to be book two of this trilogy Live for Today. Again, the words just flowed.
In April when I suggested to my husband that I wanted to publish them he was very supportive and said go ahead. I told my boys about them, and they were excited for me! None of them questioned my ability to write ….. But I did. I had dreamt of this off and on for years but it was just a dream. Reality was it was the 80′s I was a young mom of three, working full time and in college full time. I had enough to do without writing. I accepted that then, and just put the idea away.
Life has a way of moving along and now it’s 2014, I’m a grandma and my boys are grown. In November 2013 I found my hours seriously cut at work, and time on my hands so I started my blog, steiner-style. Then in January the books were started. Unfortunately in March I found my job was eliminated, and though I have been applying for work like crazy I still haven’t found anything. I now had even more time in my hands so I kept writing. My books were both completed in March, and they went to the publisher.
Author Links
Facebook:
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STEINERWRITE
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SANDRASTEINER.21
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SANDRASTEINER.22
Twitter: @HEALING_LOVE
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/sandrast...
Check out my facebook pages for a rafflecopter giveaway of a signed copy of my book! Goodreads also has an ongoing giveaway of signed copies!
July 26, 2014
I learn something new everyday!
Oh really? As I have said many times in the last six months the whole writing, publishing and marketing gig is new for me! I have learned so many new things and I’m loving it!
It seems like yesterday that I decided to write a book, that was January 2014, now I have two published and a few more in editing phase! Initially I self published through Trafford, they did my editing, book covers and got my first two books to the live phase, well Live for Today will be live next week. Would I go this route again, probably not. I paid a lot to get things going so I could make some connections and learn the process, I think I could do it on my own now. In the process I can take control of the books and generate more income for myself to put into the next book.
I have learned the value of reviews from readers and reviewers. I have been an avid reader my entire life but I only did my first customer review a couple months ago! I see how prospective buyers look at these reviews for guidance on buying, something I did not know before. I just learned yesterday from Amazon that reviews placed on Amazon.com for a book, are transferred to the other amazon sites (Canada, Australia, etc). But reviews placed on other sites are not transferred, so if you put the review on the Canadian site only .ca customers will see it!
I have become a chronic online book shopper! It’s not a bad thing, I just had no idea how much more affordable the e-books were! Also I won’t end up with the many boxes of books to move again! I used to love going to the bookstore and browsing, coming out with a bag of exciting reading material, now I can browse in the store and buy online. The best of both worlds!
The author community has for the most part been very accepting and have shared information unlike any other group I have ever associated with. I must say this has made the learning so much easier!
My links:
Facebook
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
Www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
Www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
Twitter
@healing_love
Amazon
July 22, 2014
Just a taste of Cherish the Past….
Just a taste of the debut novel by Sandra Steiner – CHERISH THE PAST…..
Today was the day Angie would remember for the rest of her life. It was a terrible dream, a nightmare—the overwhelming feeling that this could not actually be happening to them. That morning they had three beautiful children; that afternoon they had two.
An innocent trip to the doctors, a bit of snow on the roads, and Sarah was gone. Their angel had left them forever at sixteen. She had so much life left to live. Angie was still struggling to believe it. The police officer had to track Alex down to identify her body.
The hospital was overwhelming. Angie had broken and bruised bones that were painful, but not nearly as painful as losing her Sarah.
Anger. Complete disbelief. Uncertainty over what will come next. How would she carry on? One foot in front of the other. Smile on her face for all those around her. Quietly dying inside.
http://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Past-Sp...
