Tuesday Treasure - Dreams & Miracles by Ann Spangler

Good Morning Friends!

I recently finished reading this book and just had to share it with you!

I received this as a gift many years ago but didn't recall ever reading it. Unusual because in most instances I can read a few pages and know whether or not I've already enjoyed (or not) a particular book.

Anyway, as one who has been on a spiritual quest for nearly half of my adult life, I am truly blessed to have this book on hand. I do believe in the power of dreams to guide, warn or reassure us.

The Bible talks about God speaking to us through dreams....

Job 33:14-15 says... “For God does speak, perhaps once, or even twice, though one perceive it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night (when deep sleep falls upon men) as they slumber in their beds.” 

Joel 2:28 says... "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."

This wonderful book by Ann Spangler tells stories of people whose lives have been changed by a dream and is accompanied by a "Dream Journal" in which one can write down a strange or reoccurring dream.

Although this particular edition of "Dreams & Miracles" is no longer available, a Kindle version is.

If you believe in dreams and their power or spiritual implications, do yourself a favor and read this book!

PS: Speaking of dreams and books...check out my novel Tempered Dreams (book 2 in my 4 part --maybe one day 5 part-- series!)

Dr. Scott Hensley (introduced in Tempered Hearts) has built a wall around his heart since the death of his wife and parents.  Katrina Simmons is recovering from scars inflicted on her as a battered wife.  Can dreams be renewed and faith strengthened?  Can they find joy and peace in God’s love and in love for one another? 

 Available on Kindle & Nook!

For more on my spiritual quest, check out my column Pamela's Ponderings in The Wordsmith Journal Magazine!

Saturday Spotlight - Willis Abshire & The Curse, the Diary and the Cross: Book One: The Curse Begins

Good Morning Friends!

In all of my Saturday Spotlights, I haven't featured many of my Bayou Writers Group friends so it is with GREAT pleasure I share this one with you!

Mr. Willis Abshire came to our group a couple of years ago and has been a welcome addition to the BWG family ever since! He is a retired Residential and Commercial Painting Contractor from a small rural community in south central Louisiana.  A former Pastor he enjoys his writings and spending time with his wife Vickie along with their seven children, eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren with another on the way.

The Curse, the Diary and the Cross: Book One: The Curse Begins, is his debut novel. 

Find out more about Mr. Abshire by visiting his website, blog or connecting with him on Twitter and Facebook!

In early spring of 1872, Donya Heidsheim stood on the banks of the Weser River looking out at the raging waters.  Her father brutally murdered, and her mother dead from a broken heart, left unanswered questions.  She would no longer pray to the God her parents taught her to love.  In anger she screamed out for revenge. 

       Someone heard her anger.  It appeared to her.  Something gave her peace and a chance for revenge.  Something gave her a chance to see her child again. But it all came with a high price tag.

       The peaceful village of Brunstoke, Germany, surrounded by the beautiful Harz Mountains, was invaded by an ancient sect.  A presence as old as the Garden uses the manipulation of lust and avarice to wrap its talons around Brunstoke’s nobility. 

       Sent from the throne of God, two unlikely companions join forces to work together to combat the curse placed on the Brunstoke family.  Shomer the warring angel for the righteous, and Leb, a mystery character fight the forces of the fallen ones who try to destroy God’s seed born of faith through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Excerpt: Early March, 1872

The chilly evening wind wrapped itself around the young woman as she looked out into the swift current of the Weser River.  Her thoughts went back to yesterday afternoon when she had stood at the graves of her parents, Greta and Achim Heidsheim.  The brutal death of her father and the witnessing of her mother (with no will to live, and a broken heart) succumb to pneumonia, left Donya Heidsheim confused and enraged. 

She turned to look at the little cottage that now belonged to her.  The secure home where once she had been surrounded by love—was now an empty shell containing only memories of the familiar voices that had once encouraged her. 

            She stared at the three Bibles in her hands—the one her parents gave her as a child and the two that her mother and father had given to each other.  Wrestling with her conscience the night before had left her exhausted, frustrated and angry.  She looked up at the heavens.  The clouds passed by her rapidly appearing to give the full moon movement. 

“I hate you,” she whispered as tears ran down her face and dripped onto the Bibles.  

The thoughts echoing in her mind taunted her.  You’re allowing hatred and deception to rule your heart.  Your parents taught you truth. 

“I hate you, I hate you,” screamed Donya as she looked out into the expanse of the Weser River.  Her vision was clouded by tears.  Then her mind’s eye saw him.  The old white haired man she had seen many times in her dreams.  

“Don’t give in to this anger.  Call out to God and he will give you the peace you need.” 

“Leave me alone.”  Her voice took on a low deliberate guttural tone.  She drew in a deep cold breath and stiffened.  “How many have put their trust in you and all they’ve gotten is misery?” 

She lifted the three Bibles and threw them into the Weser River.  The books opened as they fell and the wind jostled the pages as they hit the water.  Then they were swallowed up by the turbulent current.

            “Donya.”

The gentle voice startled her.  She turned around noticing the silhouette of a man approaching her from the shadows of her home.  She couldn’t make out his features. 

“Don’t be afraid.  I mean you no harm.”  He continued walking forward allowing her to assess him.  Then he stood before her staring intently. 

The air around him was electrified with energy against his black clothes.  His appearance captured her.  He was tall and handsome, and his deep-set eyes penetrated her stare consuming her gaze.  His build was not overly muscular but lean and strong.  His teeth were white, his lips appealing. 

Instantly she felt drawn to him.  “Who are you?”

            “My name is Ganav.  I serve the true god Nachash and he has heard your anguish.  I am his prophet.  I’ve been sent to avenge your wounds. What has happened to your father will not go unheeded.  The Jesus God doesn’t want to hear you because he’s a god who doesn’t care.”  He reached out and held her gently in his arms as he stroked her face. 

She yielded to his advance.  He kissed her.  His breath entered her.  Inhaling, the prospect of revenge brought her a sense of peace. 

He pulled back and for a moment faced away.  When he turned back to face her, he held a young child.  “Donya, behold your son.” 

You can purchase The Curse, the Diary and the Cross: Book One: The Curse Begins from the Publisher, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and any other online distributor including Books A Million. Soft Cover copies can be purchased directly from Mr. Abshire!

Well Friends, hope you enjoyed this Saturday Spotlight as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you. Stay tuned for more great books & authors including BWG members!

Thursday Thoughts on Peace

Good Morning Friends!

Last Thursday I shared with you some thoughts on Love. Today I'd like to share with you some thoughts on Peace.

The Bible talks extensively about peace. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you."

St. Francis of Assisi prayed that he would be an "instrument of Thy (God's) peace."

When I researched the word "peace" on Biblegateway I found 17 pages and 420 scriptural references to peace, therefore I must consider that PEACE is imperative!

These things make me wonder if peace is directly related to spiritual power. 

I believe it does.

I mean, think about it. In the narratives about Jesus being tempted in the desert, or any other situation for that matter, we don't see HIM getting all bent out of shape, do we?

No, HE calmly speaks the Word and things happen!

I know this much, I am much more comfortable when in a peaceful state of mind. I get a lot more accomplished, find my joy is more complete, and am happier all around.

How do we maintain an attitude of peace in such a volatile world?

By centering our thoughts and heart on peace every chance we can and by offering peace to others. Another idea may be to send thoughts of peace and love into every situation and before answering every phone call.

I've often told my children, breathe in peace, breath out stress.

Try it and you'll be amazed at how much smoother your life will flow.

Something to think about!

Have a Peaceful Day!
PamT

Tuesday Treasures - Children's Books!

Hello Friends,

Today's Tuesday Treasures is special because I love to buy my grandchildren books and these two look like good ones to check out!  Enjoy....

Cindy Springsteen author of Waffles and Pancakes A Lesson in Bullying lives on Long Island with her husband and two children. She has had a passion for writing since she was in her teens, starting with poetry, which won her numerous awards and were published in various publications. She also spent many years researching and writing about parenting teenagers for various publications. She presently is a virtual assistant for a top author. She currently is working on a novel, which she hopes to finish and release within the next year. There are also other Waffles and Pancakes stories in the works for the near future.

Find out more about Cindy from her Website, Face Book page, Good Reads, follow her on Twitter or Email her!

Waffles and Pancakes are two hamsters who were bought from the pet store on the very same day. But their owners, Danny and Griffin, don't treat them the same way. Pancakes has a lovely new home to play around in with wheels and tunnels. Waffles only has a small box. But when Waffles and Pancakes meet up again, they realize that there are more important things than material possessions.

'This book is definitely a must read not just for young children but for older kids and adults too.'
Fran Lewis

Excerpt:

“I only have a tiny house,” replied Waffles.

“The size of your house doesn’t matter as long as you have people who love you,” said Pancakes. “Does Danny play with you every day?”

“Why, of course he does,” replied Waffles.

“Well Griffin has lots and lots of toys so he kind of forgets about me. I am so lonely. I have this beautiful house but no one to play with me. You may have a small home, but someone loves you and plays with you every day.”

Purchase Waffles & Pancakes Book 1 at Amazon & Barnes and Noble!

Waffles and Pancakes are two hamsters, from the same pet store, that went to their new homes on the same day. They also happen to be the best of friends. In their first adventure, their owners became best friends, too. Together the four learned the lesson of true friendship. Now Waffles and Pancakes, along with their owners, are about to learn another lesson, A Lesson in Bullying.

Join Waffles and Pancakes, along with Danny and Griffin, their owners, as they come face to face with a couple of bullies; Tom and his guinea pig, Oscar. Will Waffles, Pancakes, and their owners be able to become friends with Tom and Oscar? Find out when you read Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson In Bullying.

Excerpt:

While sitting in the lobby, Waffles and Pancakes were scared. They didn’t want to be at the doctor. No one likes the doctor, but everyone knows that they are good for you and can make you feel better. Could the vet help? How were they going to let the doctor know what was really wrong?
The problem had started a week earlier when the hamsters went for their check-ups. In the lobby, a guinea pig named Oscar started saying mean things to Waffles and Pancakes. Oscar told them they were ugly and fat.

Purchase at Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

Endorsements for Waffles and Pancakes!

“Middle School is TOO LATE! We need to teach our children while they are young. With Waffles and Pancakes: A Lesson In Bullying Cindy Springsteen gives us the words, with colorful illustrations and an endearing story of two hamsters and a guinea pig. It's a page turner for kids!” ~Lynne Kenney, Pediatric Psychologist, The Family Coach.

Saturday Spotlight ~ Susan May Warren & Duchess

Good Morning Friends,

Today's Spotlight is brought to you by Litfuse Publicity Group.... Enjoy!

Seattle: Best-selling Susan May Warren brings what she considers to be her most ambitious series yet to a dramatic close in her latest release, Duchess (Summerside Press / March 1, 2013 / ISBN 978-1-609367718/ $14.99). The Daughters of Fortune series is an epic generational series following the family of New York newspaper magnate August Price from the Gilded Age to end of World War II. Each generation of Price women must navigate love and ambition in a world of wealth, power and social expectation.

However, there’s more to the series than captivating tales of wealth and privilege in New York, Paris and Hollywood. “The series is named ‘Daughters of Fortune’ not only because of their circumstances, but because I hoped readers might see what a true fortune looks like. What a true inheritance is when a person puts their faith in the Lord,” says Warren.

In this final installment, Duchess, readers pick up the story of Rosie Worth, who has achieved her dream of becoming a starlet and is now known as Roxy Price. The golden age of Hollywood is in the business of creating stars, and Roxy has found everything she’s wanted in the glamour of the silver screen. With adoring fans and a studio-mogul husband, she’s finally silenced the voices—and grief—of the past. Her future shines bright, that is until the fated Black Friday when it all comes crashing down.

When Roxy loses everything, she finds herself disgraced and penniless. Her only hope is to join forces with Belgian duke Rolfe Van Horne, a longtime film investor. But Rolfe is not who he seems, and he has other plans for Roxy and her movies—plans to support a growing unrest in Europe, plans that could break her heart and endanger her life. When her country needs her, will she have the courage to surrender her glittering world and her one true love?

For those who may have missed the earlier releases in the series, all three books are now available for review.

The first release in The Daughters of Fortune series, Heiress, introduced readers to the beautiful and wealthy heiress daughters of August Price. Even though the Price sisters could have anything money could buy, it didn’t stop them from desiring something deeper.  And it certainly couldn’t buy them love! Set in New York City during the Gilded Age, and inspired by the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau, Warren writes the story of the Esme and Jinx’s journey to discovering what it means to be truly blessed. 

In book two, Baroness, the story picks up with Esme and Jinx’s daughters, Lilly and Rosie, who are coming of age in the roaring twenties. Both girls are expected to marry well and take the reins of the family empire in a world recovering from “the war to end all wars.” However, each desires more freedom than the life her parents have planned out for her will allow. Lilly longs to return to Montana, the childhood home she holds dear. On the other hand, Rosie dreams of the bright lights of the newly emerging silver screen. Will the pursuit of lives of their own cost them their happily ever afters?

“There is nothing better than diving into a story like this one, surrounding yourself with research and ideas, the culmination of a storyline you’ve been working on for two years,” Warren explains. “I loved penning this novel because I knew that after the hard beginning of Heiress, with so much pain and so many mistakes made by Jinx, and the bittersweet middle story, Baroness, where Rosie walks so far away from her inheritance, Rosie’s redemption would be rich and profound. I loved watching her discover she didn’t need the world’s applause she longed for—that she had it all inside, with the love of God.”

Leading up to the release of Duchess, from February 18-March 4, readers will be able to download Heiress for free from all major e-tailers. During that same period of time the digital version of Baroness will be $1.99.

Praise for the Daughters of Fortune series

“In-depth characterization and fascinating historical detail... an honest reflection of sin and the need for God’s redemption.”

~ TitleTrakk

“Strong entertaining, character-driven historical that will remind readers all that glitters on Wall St. is not gold... Riveting read of high society drama...highly recommended.”

~ Midwest Book Review

For Duchess:

“The golden era of Hollywood comes to life for readers in Warren’s third Daughters of Fortune novel. Warren writes from her heart, adding some intrigue, sins of the past and some twists and turns readers won’t see coming.”

            ~ Romantic Times Book Reviews

About the Author.....

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of more than forty novels with Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. A five-time Christy award finalist and three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award and the ACFW Carol award. A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: Discover, create and publish the novel in you!

Warren is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a writing craft and coaching community for novelists to help them get published—and stay published.

Susan and her husband of more than twenty years have four children. Former missionaries to Russia, they now live in a small Minnesota town on the shore of beautiful Lake Superior, where they are active in their local church.

A full listing of Warren’s titles, reviews and awards can be found at www.susanmaywarren.com. Readers can also keep up with her on Facebook (Susan May Warren Fiction) and Twitter (@SusanMayWarren).