Flora Reigada's Blog, page 28

FEAST AMONG THE PALMSIn a scene from "Love's Sweetest Rev...

FEAST AMONG THE PALMS

In a scene from "Love's Sweetest Revenge," available from "Helping Hands Press," friends Liz and Rosa find themselves in a luxurious oceanfront condominium, watching waves crash onto Florida's sundrenched sands.

Sipping wine from sparkling crystal, they smile toward the open kitchen where brothers Carlos and Jack Martín, are preparing Cuban cuisine for the foursome.
In their prime with good looks and rugged physiques, they smile back, while romantic, flamenco music plays in the background.
The fragrance of spice-saturated meat sizzling on the stove, blends with the sound of guitar and castanets.
Seated on the plush sofa, Liz eases her well-proportioned form into the comfort. Beside her, Rosa claps her hands to the music, its passion reflecting in her dark eyes.
It seemed almost pre-ordained that the attraction between Liz and Carlos would prove irresistible, as would the chemistry between Rosa and Jack.
Soon the table is set, candles are lit and mounds of food are served.
All that is missing is you.
http://myhelpinghandspress.blogspot.com/2016/04/feast-among-palms-flora-reigada.html#.Vwf1Knnmq70

THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE ME AWAY: MORE GRAMMATICAL CRIMES

As a writer, I am privileged to have hubby, Dan, as my editor and first line of defense against errors. He has earned his nickname. "Ol' Eagle Eye." Whether glaring or subtle, he will spot errors and pounce on them like an eagle on its prey.
Here are some examples:
From my devotional, "Where Your Heart Meets God's," Dan and I read, "while wandering up and down a city street, looking for the hospital where my mother was a patient, I walked into a building."
"Ouch!" Dan exclaimed. "Did you get a bloody nose when you walked into the building?"
To correct this, I changed walked into a building, to entered a building.
My romance/mystery, "Love's Sweetest Revenge," opens as Liz has a dangerous encounter with a bear. She escapes, but is left with a fear of the forest she once loved. Best friend, Rosa is about to venture in, and tells Liz, "I don't expect you to come with me, though I did bring my rifle after you told me about this latest bear.  It's in the car."
Dan was amazed. "How did she get the bear in her car? And does it have a key?"
We re-wrote as follows: "I don't expect you to come with me, though after you told me about this latest bear I brought my rifle.  It's in the car."
And watch out for those double entendres. You be the judge. Ol' Eagle Eye discovered this one and gave me a raised eyebrow.

In "Love's Sweetest Revenge," Carlos recalls the broken femur he suffered in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. "I saw my bone sticking out of my pantsleg," he said.
We re-wrote as follows: I saw the bone sticking out of my leg."   
 Before I emailed a story to a newspaper, Dan gave it a once-over.
"Who is Violent?" he asked me.
I could not believe that is what I had called someone named Violet.
Just one little "n" added with the slip of a finger, made quite a difference. It was also something my spell-checker did not flag.
Global changes of a name or word throughout a document can "spell" catastrophe.
While writing my inspirational thriller, "The Face Behind the Veil," I globally changed a character's name from Peter to Cedric. Imagine my surprise when I discovered reference to the biblical book of 1 Peter, changed to 1 Cedric.
Beware of the horrors of homonyms. These are words pronounced the same as another word but differs in meaning, and may differ in spelling.
For example, Ol' Eagle Eye found my reference to "The British Aisles," rather than the "British Isles."
 Well, that's awl eye half two say four now.
Flora's devotional, "Where Your Heart Meets God's," published by Helping Hands Press, explores the many expressions of God's voice. These can be as close as a Bible, nature's beauty, music, the words of a friend, even our dreams. Find out more: http://www.amazon.com/Where-Your-Heart-Meets-Gods/dp/1622085868
Flora's romance novel, "Love's Sweetest Revenge," published by Helping Hands Press, opens in New York State's dense forest, where Liz encounters a bear. Liz runs in panic with the bear in pursuit. Falling but surviving, Liz discovers an old locket with a mysterious love letter. Its clues bring her and friend, Rosa, to romance and adventure on Florida's sun-kissed shores. Find out more: http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweetest-...Flora's inspirational thriller, "The Face Behind the Veil," explores the secrets of the mysterious birth veil, what it meant to three generations of women and what it means to us today.
Find out more: http://florasbook.com

THE UGLY BABY

Ma'am, you have an ugly baby.
That's what a young editor at a writers' conference years ago, seemed to say after she gave my manuscript the harshest critique I had ever received.
None of my experiences with editors before or since can compare.
Fresh from college, she had landed a prestigious position as acquisitions editor at a major magazine. Now she was considering articles for publication—mine among them. Not only was it rejected, it bled red ink from criticisms and corrections.
As I watched her talking and laughing with her little circle of cronies, I could have smacked her smug face.
Unfortunate as this encounter was, it was not a total loss. It taught me the value of ground rules at the writers' critique group to which I belonged. Our members included an acquisitions editor, a line editor and several professional writers. But there were also beginners and we believed it our duty to build people up, not tear them down.
This involved:
Asking the writer what he or she expected from the meeting. Was it an edit, a listening ear for flow, help with a troublesome transition, maybe a scene or character development? It could be guidance as to what publishers might be interested. Find positive things to say about the writer's work. Respect the time and effort that went into it. Offer suggestions as to how a work might be improved. Remember we are just giving an opinion. Our words are not etched in stone and the ultimate decision remains with the author. Encourage the writer to persist. Most books and articles are not finished in their first draft. They undergo several re-writes and edits. If a work is rejected, encourage the writer to keep submitting. My devotional, "Where Your Heart Meets God's" and "Castle in the Sun" romance series were rejected ten times before being picked up by Helping Hands Press.
Those are just a few of our guidelines. Naturally, we encountered problems and challenges. But considering that our writers signed contracts with major publishing houses, I would say our guidelines worked well.
My current writers' group: Pen & Prayer Writing Ministry
Things also worked out for my article rejected by the editor from hell. My experience with her could simply have been a matter of preference and personality The next publisher who reviewed my work, gave a glowing report and the article was published in a magazine.Maybe my baby wasn't so ugly, after all.

Flora's devotional, "Where Your Heart Meets God's," published by Helping Hands Press, explores the many expressions of God's voice. These can be as close as a Bible, nature's beauty, music, the words of a friend, even our dreams.
Find out more: http://www.amazon.com/Where-Your-Heart-Meets-Gods/dp/1622085868
In "Love's Sweetest Revenge," the first book in Flora's "Castle in the Sun" romance/mystery series, Liz encounters a mother bear with cubs. How could this dangerous situation possibly lead to a mysterious locket, a dream Florida vacation--and romance? Series also published by Helping Hands Press.
Find out more: http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweetest-Revenge-Flora-Reigada/dp/1622085884

I WASNT READY FOR A FIGHT

The Jewel of God's Power(Sample devotion from "Where Your Heart Meets God's," available from Helping Hands Press.)
" God has rolled up his sleeves. All the nations can see his holy, muscled arm. Everyone, from one end of the earth to the other, sees him at work, doing his salvation work" (Isaiah 52:10, The Message).
I wasn't expecting a fight the morning I set out to visit my mother at her home in Queens, New York. I was busy pushing my daughter in a stroller, plus holding my sleeping infant son and an over-stuffed diaper bag.
Photo by David ReigadaOur trip involved riding the New York City subway and I was already exhausted as we stood on the platform, crowded with commuters on their way to work. At last, I heard the train thundering through the tunnel. When it screeched to a stop, the crowd pushed toward the door. Hemmed-in by towering adults, my daughter cried in fear and I found myself struggling.
A smartly dressed couple among the commuters was soon beside me.
"May I help you?" the man in a business suit asked.
"That would be great" I replied, moving the diaper bag his way.
"No!" he growled, shoving it away. "I'll take that little boy."
I felt large hands wrapping around my son and pulling. My arms tightened like a vise.
This all happened in a matter of seconds while the crowd was disappearing into the subway car. I knew its doors would soon close, leaving my children and me at the mercy of this couple who I knew would stop at nothing to accomplish their evil.
As the last few people filtered away, great strength came from somewhere outside myself and I yanked my son free. I dashed into the train with my children. We barely squeezed through the closing doors.
My heart pounding, I dropped onto the one empty seat, my daughter still wailing and my son still blissfully asleep—his face peaceful as a cherub. But the incident woke me up to the evil around us. Though not yet a Christian, I realized I must have had angelic assistance wrestling my baby from this larger, stronger man, likely stalking the city for babies to sell, or worse. Until that point, I had felt immune from such dangers.
Photo by David ReigadaYears later, I realize how much we are all subject to danger, but also to attack from demonic forces, which prowl the earth, ravenous for prey. In John 10:10, Satan is called a murder and a thief. If we are not prepared, he will steal what he can, even our treasure of communion with God through impressions, visions and dreams.
And this enemy doesn't come with horns and a pitchfork. Like the couple who tried to kidnap my son, the thief can come in a suit, with a smile and smooth words. He will try to instill doubt, as he did Eve, in the Garden of Eden. "Did God really say …?"I remember a pastor saying, "Don't let the devil steal your lunch." I would add, don't let him steal your dreams.
Pearl to Ponder: How do you interpret these words of Jesus? "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10, NIV).
Love Nugget: Hold on tight to your dreams, just as God is holding onto you.

Where Your Heart Meets God's devotional is available from Helping Hands Press:
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Your-Heart-Meets-Gods/dp/1622085868 
 How could a dangerous encounter with a bear possibly lead to a castle and romance? Find out in Flora's romance novel, "Love's Sweetest Revenge,"also available from Helping Hands Press.
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweetest-Revenge-Flora-Reigada/dp/1622085884/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

MYSTERIOUS WORDS IN A CASTLE

In St. Augustine Florida's Castillo de San Marcos, mysterious words are engraved on ancient walls. No one has been able to decipher their meaning. For hundreds of years they have been a story waiting to be told. There are many such stories in St. Augustine. They echo in her regal buildings, grand Victorian homes and the clip-clop of romantic horse-drawn carriages. This mystique inspired me to write "Love's Sweetest Revenge," recently published by Helping Hands Press. In the story, romance sown in New York State, blossoms in St. Augustine. Link follows. http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweetest-Revenge-Flora-Reigada/dp/1622085884



Liz and Carlos at the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida.  (Not actual cover)

JEWELS ALONG YOUR WAY

Imagine waking to find a velvet jewelry box on your nightstand. A gift tag bears your name. But this jewelry box is different. Maybe it is purple or red. You don't know what to make of it. Perhaps it is a joke or your eyes are playing tricks. You scratch your head and give a dubious look. Still, your curious hand reaches out and you open the box to discover dazzling jewels.
This can be compared to the many expressions of God's voice. They sometimes come in unexpected ways.
Just ask the Biblical Balaam, on his way to meet with King Balak of Moab about cursing the encroaching Israelites (see Numbers 22). Instead, God granted Balaam's donkey human speech and it brought about a change of heart. Balaam wound up blessing the Israelites.
God "speaks" to my friend, Nancy, through the songs of birds.
She explains. "It first happened during a difficult time, with no sign of progress or relief. Unable to sleep one night, I got up to read my Bible. After a while, a bird began to sing. Thinking that unusual for this hour, I prayed, Lord, birds don't normally sing at night. Could this mean something?"
His "still small voice"That hope echoed in Nancy's heart, until her situation was resolved.
For me, an important message came during a recent Sunday service, when I heard a schoolteacher's bell ring. No one else appeared to have heard, but it got my attention. So did my pastor's words.
"Are you the type of Christian who promotes another's freedom or restricts it? Thinking we know better is judging."
I suspect the divine teacher rang that bell in my heart, so I could ponder those words. I later realized they addressed a problem with a relative whom I believed was making poor decisions. Knowing these would impact her life, I repeatedly offered my advice, then stewed when it was ignored. The relational walls went up.
One day, my husband said something key. "By giving advice, you're saying you know better."
My pastor's words applied. I was judging and needed to promote my relative's freedom by respecting her right to make her own decisions. As I do this, the relational walls come down.
This teaches me anew, that having a willing spirit to hear God's voice in its many expressions, is a gift that changes our lives.
Pearl to Ponder: Have you heard God "speak" in an unconventional manner?
Love Nugget: There are purple and red "jewelry boxes" with your name. Believe and find treasure.


God's voice in its many expressions, such as the Bible, music, the words of a friend, even or dreams, is explored in Flora Reigada's devotional, "Where Your Heart Meets God's," published by Helping Hands Press.
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Your-Heart-Meets-Gods/dp/1622085868/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450646558&sr=1-25&keywords=helping+hands+press
Flora invites you to visit her blog: http://florareigada.blogspot.com/

ALL THE RIGHT PLACES

Liz has put on a few pounds since giving birth to twins and her husband, Steve, will not let her forget.
Before leaving with a plaything in her twenties, he rips Liz apart with his words.
"I wasted my youth on you. You've let yourself go. Look at you! I don't even want you anymore."
Although an accomplished artist, Liz feels stuck and wounded. Her creativity is stifled.
A year later she meets Carlos, a handsome and brilliant Presidential aide, who has flown aboard Air Force One.
He recognizes her artistic talent and compliments her appearance.
"Women are more attractive with shapely curves like yours. You've got it in all the right places."
Promotional photo: Not actual coverBut can Liz, with Steve's knife of betrayal still in her back, trust again?
And how does a mysterious locket and dream Florida vacation, help her find answers?
It all unfolds in "Love's Sweetest Revenge," a romance/mystery available from Helping Hands Press.

  https://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweetest-Revenge-Flora-Reigada-ebook/dp/B01BLKMLRC?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect

BEAR CHASE LEADS TO ROMANCE?

We never know when a minor change in our daily routine will alter the course of our lives. Thirty-something Liz Bertelli had other things on her mind that fateful day she ventured from her usual walking path into New York State's lush forest. Her husband had left for a plaything in her twenties and it had been far too long since the award-winning artist had picked up a paintbrush. Liz doesn't see the mother bear with cubs until it is too late. When the bear charges, she runs in blind panic, falling and striking her head against an old stone wall, knocking herself unconscious.
Bruised, but relieved to awaken in this world with the bear gone, Liz spots something glittering in the wall. She tugs at it, releasing an old silver locket and the saga of forbidden love it contains.
Uncovering the locket's secrets takes Liz and best friend Rosa Ramirez (a young widow) to a castle (the Castillo de San Marcos) in the romantic city of St. Augustine, Florida.
More clues bring the friends to handsome Latino brothers, Carlos and Jack Martín.
Sparks fly between Liz and Carlos, who has worked for the President and flown aboard Air Force One. Jack, a rugged Army hero, roars into Rosa's life on a gleaming Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But can Liz, embittered by her husband's betrayal, and Rosagrieving her husband's untimely passing, respond to love's overtures?
Answers come on a snowy Christmas day, when an arduous trek through the frigid forest, leads to yet another surprise.

In "Love's Sweetest Revenge," published by Helping Hands Press, Join Liz and Rosa on a journey of mystery and love in the Sunshine State
Liz and Carlos in love (not actual cover)
BOOK AVAILABLE IN E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK FORM.
http://www.amazon.com/Loves-Sweetest-Revenge-Flora-Reigada-ebook/dp/B01BLKMLRC

BEAR CHASE LEADS TO ROMANCE

We never know when a minor change in our daily routine will alter the course of our lives. Thirty-something Liz Bertelli had other things on her mind that fateful day she ventured from her usual walking path into New York State's lush forest. Her husband had left for a plaything in her twenties and it had been far too long since the award-winning artist had picked up a paintbrush. Liz doesn't see the mother bear with cubs until it is too late. When the bear charges, she runs in blind panic, falling and striking her head against an old stone wall, knocking herself unconscious.
Bruised, but relieved to awaken in this world with the bear gone, Liz spots something glittering in the wall. She tugs at it, releasing an old silver locket and the saga of forbidden love it contains.
Uncovering the locket's secrets takes Liz and best friend Rosa Ramirez (a young widow) to a castle (the Castillo de San Marcos) in the romantic city of St. Augustine, Florida.
More clues bring the friends to handsome Latino brothers, Carlos and Jack Martín.
Sparks fly between Liz and Carlos, who has worked for the President and flown aboard Air Force One. Jack, a rugged Army hero, roars into Rosa's life on a gleaming Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But can Liz, embittered by her husband's betrayal, and Rosagrieving her husband's untimely passing, respond to love's overtures?
Answers come on a snowy Christmas day, when an arduous trek through the frigid forest, leads to yet another surprise.

Join Liz and Rosa on a journey of mystery and love in the Sunshine State
Liz and Carlos in love (not actual cover)

THE SECRETS OF THE VEIL

THE FACE BEHIND THE VEIL
by
Flora Reigada
As the Great Depression looms, Naomi is born with a mysterious birth veil over her face. In those more superstitious times, some said this was the mark of a prophet. But what would "the veil" really mean to Naomi, then to her daughter and granddaughter--and what does it mean to us today? Join the women as one by one, they discover the secrets of "the veil."
Here, Naomi peeks at us through the curtain of time.






During World War II, two handsome warriors vie for Naomi's heart, but does one really have murder on his mind?Step inside for warmth, family, a tasty meal and a saga of generations.
The Face Behind the Veil is available from Author House and other distributors. Find out more http://florasbook.com or http://thefacebehindtheveil.com
 Flora invites you to visit her blog: http://florareigada.blogspot.com/