Disclaimer: I do not read every book/author I spotlight or book tour I host!
Readers, Please research and use wisdom before buying

Friday, January 20, 2012

Just Catching Up

A Blessed Morning to You!

It's been nearly a month since my last post so I thought I'd touch base and catch up with you on what's happening in my world. 

You may be wondering why I haven't posted in a while and the truth is, I'm taking a break from blogging in order to focus more on writing/editing/promoting my work as well as helping other authors with their books. I also have determined to spend more time on spiritual growth.

Therefore, you may not see regular posts for a while. Oh, I'll do an occasional blog tour and update, but for now, that'll be the extent of blogging for me right now.

Now....my life in a nutshell......

This new year has started with a bang!

I've re-built my website; uploaded another small Ebook to Amazon & Barnes and Noble; did a radio interview; built a website for a friend and updated yet another.

I've started sending queries/proposals for The Visionary to agents in hopes of selling the additional rights to the book (movie, electronic, audio, softcover, etc) and am steadily working toward my personal and writing goals I've set for this year ~ to write & speak more. I've joined up with DFW Christian Communicators; I'm attending a small writers retreat next weekend, hope to attend another in Feb and have already paid my deposit for one in March. 

All in all, I'm pleased with my progress so far.

And that, my friends is my life in a nutshell.

Stay tuned for additional updates!

IMW, take care, God Bless and remember.....Live fully~laugh often~love deeply~forgive freely & you will create magic wherever you go
 
Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)




Thursday, December 29, 2011

Reflections

Good Morning Friends!

Today I head out to my favorite place in the whole world.... Silver Spur Guest Ranch in Bandera, TX.

This is the time of year we reflect on goals & resolutions made and kept or forgotten ~ a time when we give special Thanks for the year past and set forth prayers, hopes & dreams for the year to come.

So I'd like to start by THANKING everyone who takes the time to read my work -- whether that is my blog, novels, short stories or articles -- May you be blessed and God glorified!

When I left the corporate world at the end of 2009 I figured if I put all of the passion, devotion and energy into my writing that I did into my marriage/family life, I could really move my career into that next level -- Little did I know I was emotionally incapable of doing so.

Oh, I stayed busy -- editing & promoting for others - even had a couple of new releases of my own (In His Sight 2010) and (The Visionary in 2011). I've partnered up with a couple of friends to implement The Wordsmith Journal, and wrote an online course on promotion.

I started several projects, finished & submitted one that was rejected (twice!). Both big accomplishments considering my mental & emotional state and the fact I still had a hard time focusing and feeling enough to write my best and to seek out speaking engagements.

Now we're on the cusp of a new year and, for the first time since my husband's death in August 2009 I TRULY feel inspired to write and to focus on my career!

My goal for 2012 is to accomplish what I set out to do in 2010 -- write more and better & to finish those WIP's, speak more often and God willing, minister to others through both.

Now...to get settled and organized LOL!

What did you accomplish in 2011? What are your goals for 2012? I'd love to hear from you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

May your celebrations be safe, your dreams fruitful & your days prosperous.
PamT

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

COTT's Christmas Cover Images Winner




*by COTT Sr. Editor, April W Gardner


Cover Images Clashes are becoming hugely popular at the literary contest site, Clash of the Titles. Voters have been turning out by the droves to give their opinion about which cover they find most eye-catching.


Their latest Clash featured three Christmas cover images, all of which would have been worthy winners. There’s just something about holiday décor that warms the heart! A book cover with Christmas dressings is no different.


Here’s what hostess Gail Pallotta had to say about the three covers. “The mountain scene in A Log Cabin Christmas took away my breath and sent a peaceful feeling over me.  The lovely smile on the young lady on the cover of Christmas Belles of Georgia brightened my day and spoke to me of Christmas joy. Christmas Pearl stood out and proclaimed this holy season.”


But the voters decided, and the winner of the 
Christmas Cover Images Clash is:






 A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH THE 
AUTHOR AND THE COVER ARTIST!


This is what voters said about Christmas Pearl:

*'Christmas Pearl' simply struck me as beautiful & I sank right in as I read the blurb.
*I think all three are charming, but 'Christmas Pearl' does it for me!
*"Christmas Pearl" is just plain lovely. I love the way the pearl imitates a tree ornament. Very well done cover and quite evocative of Christmas.


Well said!


COTT  is currently taking a Christmas break, but please visit  January 9 for a new clash that will – literally – take your breath away! If you're an author, don’t forget to check upcoming open clashes and submit.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Clash of the Titles!!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Good Morning Friends,

Since today is Christmas Eve I decided to take a break from the usual Saturday Spotlight and focus on the holiday, however I will let you know that Pelican Book Group's Holiday Extravaganza comes to a close with a FREE read - Kisses from Heaven by Clare Revell and for a limited time, you can still get the Holiday bundle which includes 13 stories for only $12!

On a personal note, the month long blog tour with The Visionary ended on Dec 17th ~ winners were announced here. Also, on Dec 21st I had an interview with Sudie Landry on Louisiana Heartbeats - Acadiana's Open Channel (Cox Cable channel 16) - you can watch it here. And that's my life in a nutshell LOL!

As we settle in for the excitement of the days ahead, let us stop and reflect on the greatest gift of all: Jesus - HE is more that the reason for this season - HE is the reason for every season!

Here's wishing each and everyone a Blessed & Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

PamT

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

Today is a special spotlight with friend and fellow author, Carol Ann Erhardt with her latest book, Trapped.


Inspirational romantic suspense writer, Carol Ann Erhardt, touches the hearts and emotions of her readers. Fans categorize her books as emotional, suspenseful and inspirational. Carol Ann spent her early writing years working at a corporate job and writing late at night. Her first novels, contemporary romantic suspense, sold well, but she didn’t feel fulfilled—in fact, felt as if she’d compromised on what her heart wanted to write. She began praying for God’s guidance in her writing. In the quiet solitude of prayer, God showed her the path He wanted her to take. Her third novel was an inspirational romantic suspense. Now she writes each and every day hoping to bring messages of hope, happiness, and inspiration to those who read her novels. She gives all the glory to God. Find out more about Carol Ann by visiting her website.



She’s a woman who doesn’t trust cops. He’s a cop. She’s determined to keep her past a secret. He’s determined to find out what she’s hiding.

High school bus driver, Summer Grant, flees from death threats and winds up trapped in Havens Creek, a small town not far enough away from danger. With a broken leg and no transportation, she is forced to accept the hospitality of strangers. Staying with the police chief’s sister and five-year-old daughter in an isolated mountain home might be the ideal place for her to hide until she can get back on her feet, but if the man she’s hiding from learns her whereabouts, no one will be safe.

Havens Creek Police Chief, Jake Taylor, always protects his own. He feels duty-bound to help Summer when she ends up in his small town claiming she has no family. He has a soft spot for strays, but this two-legged one is hiding something, and he’s determined to solve the mystery. An unwanted attraction draws them together. Evil threatens to rip them apart.

Trapped, Book One in Havens Creek Series can be purchased at Amazon.com.

Now....a word from Carol Ann.....


I’m often asked where I get ideas for my books or characters. Every author’s process is different. Some are great plotters who spend months outlining and character sketching prior to beginning the actual writing process.


There are places you can learn about various plotting and organizing tactics, programs which will do this for you as you fill in the basics…none of these work for me.


When writing TRAPPED, my first vision was of a woman who loved animals and spent her days caring for the ones others had abandoned. Slowly this idea turned into a man with these characters, a man who had another profession which required him to be strong and protective. Thus, Jake Taylor was born. Jake is the Chief of Police in Havens Creek, a small mountain community in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. He was once married and his wife died in a car accident after they had a bitter argument. Now he carries the burden of guilt even though he couldn’t have prevented what happened.


He has a sister and niece he loves and feels extremely protective of…sometimes too much. And he is a man who rescues abandoned animals and cares for them.


So I had a main character and some secondary characters. Now I needed a good plot and a heroine. In reading a newspaper article about a tragic school bus accident, the plot for TRAPPED was born. Summer Grant, a lonely woman with a lot of baggage, became the school bus driver. The accident was not her fault…the death of the high school football star was not her fault…but the angry father of the boy needed someone to blame.


Thus began the intricate weaving of plot to bring Summer and Jake together. Jake’s sister, Becca, was a big part of this story and as TRAPPED drew to a end, I knew I had to write another book and feature Becca to give her a happily ever after as well.


The second book in the Havens Creek series will be published in June 2012 and the third book in December 2012.


God has also laid on my heart to write a very difficult series on forgiveness around a tragedy that would destroy a “forever” kind of friendship. This three book series hopefully will be out in 2013. There is no great blessing than being an author who is employed by God!

Hope you enjoyed this spotlight!

Until later...take care & God Bless.
PamT