#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Carrie Turansky!

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Tuesday Treasure of 2014!

I hope you're as excited as I am about beginning a whole new year. Yes, my to do list is full (no surprise, right! LOL!) I'm sure yours is too.

Today we welcome a very special guest...Carrie Turansky is here to tell us about something she treasures.....

Treasured Memories of England

by Carrie Turansky, author of The Daughter of Highland Hall

Last May I was blessed to be able to travel to England on a research trip. My Edwardian Brides series is set there, and I was eager to see more of the country and visit the location I’d chosen for the setting. For months my friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, and I exchanged countless emails and phone calls as we planned our trip. Our excitement grew as we made reservations and purchased our tickets.

Finally on May first, we set off and flew overnight to Manchester. From there we took a train down to Bristol. The next morning we set off to explore Tyntesfield, the beautiful country estate I have in

mind as I write about Highland Hall. I’d seen several photos of Tyntesfield online and even watched a documentary about its history, but I was not prepared for how amazing it was to see it in person.

The day was bright and sunny. The gardens were in bloom. As we toured the house and grounds I was continually awestruck by the beautiful details in the woodwork, tile, furniture, paintings and sculptures. Cathy and I kept smiling and saying how beautiful it was as we snapped more photos.

I’d hoped to see the night nursery, since many of the scenes in The Governess of Highland Hall take place there, but we were told an antique mirror had fallen and broken on the floor, causing a mercury spill which was dangerous, so the room was closed. But when the staff learned I was an author who had set a novel at Tyntesfield, we were taken upstairs on a private tour of the day nursery and shown the governess’s bedroom. What a delight! It was just as I had pictured it.

I treasure the memories of that visit to Tyntesfield. And as I look back on the photos and read the notes in my journal, I’m thankful I could share the day with a good friend who understood how meaningful it was to me.

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas, including Surrendered Hearts, Snowflake Sweethearts, and Along Came Love. She has been the recipient of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award. Turansky’s first historical fiction novel, and the first in the Edwardian Brides series, The Governess of Highland Hall, is a 2014 Carol Award finalist. While Turansky has been writing articles, devotions and essays since 1999, writing fiction is her passion, and she’s thankful for the creative ideas God has put into her mind and heart.

When she’s not writing Turansky enjoys spending time with her family, working outside in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for family and friends, or walking around the lake near her home.

To keep up with Carrie Turansky, visit www.carrieturansky.com, become a fan on Facebook (AuthorCarrieTuransky) or follow her on Twitter (@CarrieTuransky) and Pinterest (CarrieTuransky).

Wow...oh, wow... what a wonderful thing!

Now a little about the book....

The Daughter of Highland Hall

EDWARDIAN BRIDES SERIES, BOOK 2

ISBN 10: 1601424981

ISBN 13: 978-1601424983

Published by WaterBrook Multnomah, Released October 7, 2014

Listen to this fourteen-minute interview about the story behind The Daughter of Highland Hall.

Next week we have another guest post but soon I'll be sharing some memories of my own...a trip to NYC with my son!

Until then...take care, God Bless and Happy New Year!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Saving Christmas by Clare Revell

Well Friends, the Christmas rush is over but since many continue their celebrations into the new year, I thought I'd share a much lighter Christmas story with you today....

Saving Christmas by friend and fellow Pelican Book Group author, Clare Revell.

Rather than do the expected thing, Christmas Daniels, pursued a high powered career in London, flying across the world, never being home long enough for anything. When her father is taken ill, she returns to Hollies Christmas Emporium, an all year round Christmas shop to run it in his absence.

Matt Pringle, store artist and accountant, doesn't make a good impression on his new boss when he accuses her of stealing his parking space. Wanting to make up for it, he tries to impress her, but ends up falling for her instead.

When the store is threatened with closure, Christmas, who insists on being called Chrissie sacrifices everything to try to save it. A committed Christian, Matt knows that Chrissie needs saving just as much. Will their growing attraction help Matt save Christmas before it’s too late?

Extract:

Taking a deep breath, he stuck out a hand. “Can we start over? My name’s Matt Pringle. It’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Daniels. How’s your father doing?”

Her hand was cool, yet her touch burned him. “It’s Chrissie, please. I called earlier and they said he had a good night. I can go in at two. Now this parking space of yours...”

“It’s yours. I can walk. It’s not that far and I have an umbrella. I’m sorry I was late.” He looked at her. “I’ll go and get started.”

“Sure.” Chrissie flopped down at the desk. Matt looked at her. Her skirt was wet, her shoes ruined and she looked exhausted. Her blue eyes and black hair looking almost bedraggled, if eyes as lovely as hers could look bedraggled. She was the most amazing woman he’d ever seen.

Matt turned and left the office, almost colliding with Grace and a tray of tea and biscuits as he went down the corridor. “Sorry, Grace. Say, what do you know about her?”

“Chrissie? Known her for years. She hates her name with a passion. Her parents expected her to run this place when she graduated, but she chose a partnership in a large firm in London instead. Shame really, the job changed her, she doesn’t have time for anything anymore.” Grace smiled at him. “Trust me, not even you can work your magic on our Christmas Ivy Daniels.” She headed into the office, pushing the door shut behind her.

Matt pursed his lips. He couldn’t let that happen. There was something about her; something lost that drew him to her. She was lost and needed help, whether she knew it or not—and he was determined to give it to her.

Saving Christmas can be purchased directly from PBG along with other Christmas Extravaganza titles!

Clare lives in a small town in England with her husband, whom she married in 1992, and her three children. Writing from a early childhood and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories through fanfiction to using her own original characters and enjoys writing an eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children's stories. When she's not writing, reading, sewing, she's keeping house or doing the many piles of laundry her children manage to make. 

She has been a Christian for more than half her life. She goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of three registrars. Clare can be found at the following places:Website, Blog, Facebook, & on Twitter @clarerevell   

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight!

Stay tuned weekly for Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlight.

Until later...Take care, God Bless and remember: When the going gets tough the tough get on their knees.

Something to think about!

"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

ThursdayThoughts: Holiday Depression

Good Morning and Merry Christmas!

You might be one of the millions who are saying... "What's so good about it?" and/or "What's there to be merry about?"

Believe me I understand!

Statistics show one out of ten people will suffer depression at some point in their life. It can be as simple as a case of the blues or drastic enough to induce suicide, murder, or the attempt of either. For many, depression is a debilitating, degrading, disease; an evil spirit that roams about like a roaring lion seeking that which he may devour. It causes loss of appetite, loss of self-worth and loss of self-esteem added to feelings of anxiety and fear or just plain not giving a damn about anything or anyone in your life.

Is it any wonder the word depression begins with the same letter as death?

It is all too common to hear someone say "this situation" or "that person" is driving them crazy. Most of the time they haven’t a clue of what they’re talking about. Unless you experience depression which lasts more than a day or two, or even a week, you have no idea of what you’re saying.

I’ve experienced depression to the extreme twice before in my life. The first time resulted in the death of my marriage. The second ended with the termination of a seven-year career. Both were the direct consequence of another person imposing –forcing – their will upon mine until I couldn’t breathe or think or function. Many were the days when I’d look at a sink of dirty dishes or a load of laundry that needed washing and think, “what’s the point? Who the hell really cares anyway?”

All I wanted was for the world to stop and let me off.

Caused by a chemical imbalance, depression is a real illness, not a sign of weakness and has nothing to do with your faith! As told to me by a therapist; the brain doesn’t differentiate between physical and mental pain, it just knows you are hurting and the reaction of the body comes from the same area of the brain. There are different types and degrees of depression. It can be inherited or genetic, caused by physical stress, hormones, trauma, or "situation induced." 

Pelican Book Group/Harbourlight title Chasing Christmas deals with this debilitating illness, so I thought it appropriate to share it with you today.....

Steeped in depression, entrepreneur Teddy Whitaker hops aboard a freight train through the Ozark Mountains to escape his past and his problems.

Startled by a mysterious stranger who appears to him in a boxcar, Teddy discovers that in order to defeat the darkness and reclaim his life he must learn three lessons before Christmas morning.

If he succeeds, he will become a new man. If he fails, he will lose his life.

Yet, deep in the thick woods of Missouri stalks a certain evil; an evil determined for Teddy to fail. 

Read an excerpt of Chasing Christmas HERE.

Please remember....Many times the person who is depressed doesn’t even realize he/she is that bad off!

So, if someone you love is hurting and you don’t know what to do or are afraid of what they might do, get them to a doctor.

It is my prayer that the light of His love and the peace of Christ will forever guard your heart and mind against the powers and principalities of darkness.

Forever in His grace,

Pamela S. Thibodeaux

#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Janis Susan May Patterson

Good Morning from New York City!

Yes, this little Cajun is braving the weather to visit the Big Apple with my son. A short turn around trip that began Sunday and ends today. We'll be home late this evening and I'll post some pics and things next week but today I'd like to welcome back to the blog, Janis Susan May Patterson with a guest post about her book, The Jerusalem Connection.

So without much further ado, here's Janis....

When Pamela said I could blog about my recent release The Jerusalem Connection and what led to my writing it, I was so happy.  You see, this book is very close to my heart and parts of it are true. Sort of.

I’d better explain. A number of years ago, when I was single and fancy-free, I was part of a crew sent to Jerusalem to film a documentary on Israeli women. It was a real low-budget outfit, run by a screaming narcissist and though the film had an interesting premise, sadly it was never completed. There were only two or three of us from the States; whatever other talent we needed we picked up there. That trip was an education in itself. I had been to Europe a couple of times, and to Mexico many times, but this was my first visit to the Middle East. One of the things I learned quickly was that a fat blue-eyed blonde can do no wrong in a country with a large Arab population. I had never been very popular in the States, and for a small while (a few minutes at most) it was almost giddy to be surrounded with adoring, flattering males. Believe me, that wore off quickly. I bought hats and scarves to cover my hair and wore sunglasses until it was so dark that I tended to walk into walls.    

In The Jerusalem Connection Robin Sabine is a last minute substitute for a choir director who takes a mis-matched group of teens to a vocal competition in Jerusalem. She is not happy about the job, but does it because her boss expects it of her. At the opening party she is dismayed to see an old lover, a man who mistrusts her intensely. While her group is off on a city tour she runs to the Old City (a fascinating place – more later) to buy a souvenir for her boss’ wife. Then the fun begins! She is followed, her room searched and everyone seems to think she is a spy.

One of the things about Jerusalem is the sense of history. Even in the newer parts of town, as  modern as any American city and cleaner than most, you are so constantly aware of the past. Yes, there’s modern concrete beneath your feet, but below that is the dirt that man has walked for literally thousands of years. In the Old City, that feeling of time slip is breathtaking. You can touch stone walls which have stood for perhaps three thousand years – or more. You can tour a castle built by the Crusaders a thousand years ago. Remember how in the Bible you get the feeling that from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is a lengthy journey of many days? It’s a regular stop on the city bus system. Beneath the Old City are quarries reputed to have been dug by the order of King Solomon. Now they are electrified and have a smooth concrete path running through them, but… King Solomon! I live in a part of the States where anything over a hundred years old is regarded as venerated and ancient. Being in Jerusalem gives an entirely new perspective on time.

And some of the things that happened in the book really did happen (sort of) to me. The champagne on top of the Wall around the Old City is based on a date I really had. The restaurant with the ancient arches actually exists – as does the occasional power blackout. The restaurant in Jericho is also real, though I didn’t sing there. At least, they existed when I was last there, and there is no reason to believe that they don’t now.

The Old City is a rabbit warren of tiny, twisting lanes between two and three story ancient houses, most only a few feet wide. It is an area built for foot traffic, though occasionally you will see a loaded camel, handcart or a donkey-drawn wagon. Twice during my stay I saw motorized traffic – once a pickup, and once a flat-bed truck. Both times were alarming. Everyone in the narrow street had to either find a side street or a shop to duck into, as with alarming regularity the vehicle’s mirrors scraped the stone walls on either side. Outside the Old City, Jerusalem is much like any other country in the world, with four lane streets and some of the wildest drivers you will ever see.

I won’t mention the religious problems of that sad city, but they were there back then, too. A bus was bombed not two hundred yards away from me. Now it’s almost commonplace around the world, but then it was astonishing to see teenagers armed to the teeth with automatic rifles almost everywhere you went.

So obviously Jerusalem is a fascinating city, but what inspired me to write a book about it? We were going to do yet some more remodeling on our 60+ year old house and I was packing things away to clear the room. One of the things was the stack of photo albums from my months in Jerusalem – yes, albums. I shot over 100 rolls of 36 shot film on my trusty old Yashica 35mm. It took me months to afford getting them all developed after I got home. Feeling very travel-deprived, as we had been stuck at home for several years, I looked through the pictures one by one, experiencing memories I hadn’t thought of in years. I remembered the magic of drinking champagne on top of the Old City Wall. I remembered being lost in the maze of Old City streets at night – without, I hasten to add, any villains chasing me. (It was still scary, though.) I remembered the stark beauty of the Dead Sea and the desolate landscape. I packed the photos away carefully – so carefully that now I can’t find them!

One of the beauties of being a writer is that you can visit anywhere anytime you want to. Inspired by the pictures, I concocted a plot, gathered together a host of memories and incidents and wrote the book. It helped keep me sane in that last round of remodeling.

For those curious romantics out there, one of the men who courts the heroine really did exist. Obviously, our romance didn’t end like it did in the book, but it was fun while it lasted. And how many of the incidents which happened to the heroine really happened to me? I’ll never tell.

Author Bio: Janis Susan May is a seventh-generation Texan and a third-generation wordsmith who writes mysteries as Janis Patterson, romances and other things as Janis Susan May, children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson and non-fiction and scholarly works as J.S.M. Patterson.

            Formerly an actress and singer, a talent agent and Supervisor of Accessioning for a bio-genetic DNA testing lab, Janis has also been editor-in-chief of two multi-magazine publishing groups as well as many other things, including an enthusiastic amateur Egyptologist. She is a founder of RWA and currently serves on a regional MWA Board.

            Janis married for the first time when most of her contemporaries were becoming grandmothers. Her husband, also an Egyptophile, even proposed in a moonlit garden near the Pyramids of Giza. Janis and her husband live in Texas with an assortment of rescued furbabies.

Find out more by visiting her website. Find her other works at her booksite.

The Jerusalem Connection can be purchased at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Ibooks, & Create Space.

Well friends I certainly hope you enjoyed this week's Tuesday Treasure. Stay tuned for a great Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

I pray Each and Every One of YOU have a Blessed & Merry Christmas!!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: The Jerusalem Connection by Janis Susan May Patterson

Good Morning Friends,

Welcome to this week's edition of Saturday Spotlight. Today I'm leased to welcome a fellow Five Star author to the spotlight with her newest release!

Janis Patterson may be new to mysteries, but she is no stranger to writing, publishing romances as Janis Susan May and children’s books as Janis Susan Patterson..... Janis is very proud of being a seventh-generation Texan on one side of her family and a fourth generation one on the other. She and her husband share their Texas home with two neurotic cats and a hyperactive little dog (half terrier mix, half pure diva), all of which they rescued. (Read FULL bio here)

Find out more about Janis by visiting her personal website and/or book website.

When their original leader falls ill choir director Robin Sabine reluctantly agrees to accompany six teenagers to a musical competition in Jerusalem. The simple purchase of a souvenir for her boss’ wife plunges her into a nightmare of danger, kidnapping and almost certain death. The
unexpected appearance of a former boyfriend turned enemy unnerves her, and the attentions of a suave, sophisticated British diplomat turn her head
even as she wonders if she can trust him.

After her unscheduled shopping trip in the Old City Robin discovers that there are a number of people inordinately interested in her movements. Her room is searched. She has difficulties with the competition. Neither man in her life trusts the other and after being ruthlessly kidnapped, Robin realizes that a number of people – including her teenaged charges – believe  she is a spy.

Conflicting loyalties and the specter of international terrorism make her doubt everything she ever thought she knew. Worst of all, the teens who have been put in her care disappear even as Robin’s own life is threatened. If she is going to survive and rescue all entrusted to her, Robin will need all the wits and courage she can muster.

The Jerusalem Connection can be purchased at Amazon in Print and on Kindle & B&N in print and for Nook!

Hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Stay tuned next week for another as well as Tuesday Treasure and Thursday Thoughts!

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

#ThursdayThoughts: Holiday...Joy?

Good Morning Friends,

Today is one of those rambling thought kinda days.... You know, one where I really have no idea what to say.

One thing that's been on my mind lately is Holiday Joy.

Go figure, right.

For so many this time of year is less than joyful. We get caught up in the stress of shopping, wrapping, visiting and just plain rushing that we forget what the season is all about.

Then there's the financial stress always added to our pocketbooks during this time of 'giving.'

Or maybe, the missing of our loved ones who are away from home or who've passed away steals the joy right out of our hearts.

So what can we do to alleviate the emotional turmoil?

Here are a couple of ideas....

Pray. Yes this goes without saying but God is on your side and Jesus is the Prince of Peace so take time out to spend with Him.

Meditate. So many believe meditation takes twenty minutes to an hour to be effective but that's not true. Just as several 10 minute walks have the same health benefits as 2 or 3 longer workouts, daily 10 minute meditation breaks can do wonders for your peace of mind. Better than that, two or three deep breaths where you inhale peace and exhale stress helps!

Put on some joyful music and dance!  Think about it... a song is 2 or 3 minutes so taking a short dance break benefits you physically and emotionally.

These are simple but effective ways to help manage holiday stress so take time to take care of yourself and you and your family will be better off for it!

God Bless!
PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: Guest Post by Sarah Sundin

Well, here we are barreling down on Christmas week.

Today I'm happy to bring to you a special guest, Sarah Sundin with a Christmas treasure.....

Each year, the first Christmas item my family asks for is the Advent wreath. On each of the four Sundays in Advent (the four weeks before Christmas), our family gathers around the wreath. Not only is this cozy family time, but it focuses us with joyful anticipation on the birth of Jesus.

The Advent wreath became popular in Germany and Scandinavia, and worked its way to Britain and America. Traditionally it’s a flat evergreen wreath with four candles—three purple and one pink, or four red candles—with a white candle in the middle.

When I was a brand-new stay-at-home mom, our church held a craft night to make an Advent wreath. I attended, convinced a good mom needed to be crafty. Since the project only involved gluing a few ribbons and such on a wreath, I actually succeeded! It’s the only craft remaining from my very short “determined to prove myself as a mom by yielding a glue gun” phase that survives. I’m craft-impaired. Strangely enough, my children have turned out fine.

However, the wreath remains because we love the traditions that have grown around it. When the children were little, we’d line them up on the couch and feed them cookies and eggnog or hot chocolate. We’d light the candles and my husband would tell that week’s portion of the Christmas story. As the children grew, they read the Scriptures themselves, then we’d discuss them. And we’d end by singing Christmas carols that related to that week’s story.

Now my children are all taller than I am. One has a beard and a Real Job. They barely squeeze on the couch anymore. And still they beg for the Advent wreath. I like to think it’s about more than cookies and eggnog. Over the years, there was much bickering and giggling and poking and snuggling on that couch. Even the dog and cat seem to realize something special is happening and join us, usually getting into mischief to get attention.

But our favorite part is how our attention is ultimately centered on Christ. With all the busyness and commercialism leading up to Christmas, it’s nice to sit down with family each week and remember why we’re celebrating in the first place. A little baby in a manger, come to save the world.

Sarah Sundin is the author of six historical novels, including In Perfect Time (Revell, August 2014), plus a novella in Where Treetops Glisten (WaterBrook, September 2014). Her novel On Distant Shores was a double finalist for the 2014 Golden Scroll Awards. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Sarah lives in northern California with her husband and three children, and she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. You can find her at www.sarahsundin.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Where Tree Tops Glisten can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle and at B&N (Nook)!!

Well friends, I certainly hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure. Stay tuned as we wind down to Christmas for more Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlights and of course, Tuesday Treasures!

Until later...take care, God Bless and remember: When you expect miracles, miracles happen!

 

Something to think about!

"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

#SaturdaySpotlight: #Fairytale at Headly Cross by @ClareRevell

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

Today we welcome Pelican Book Group Author, Clare Revell with another of her many fascinating titles, Fairytale at Headly Cross a Christmas Extravaganza title that is on SALE for only $0.99!!

Christmas is a busy time in the church calendar, and Pastor Carson Armitage is still trying to find his feet in his first job as an ordained minister. When he decides to organize a nativity for Christmas Eve, he employs the help of Maggie Turner, Sunday school teacher extraordinaire. She’s dedicated, smart and beautiful and Carson finds himself falling for her. But when his past comes back to haunt him in a big way, Christmas may not be so merry.

Can the past be laid to rest? Or is happily ever after only a fairytale?

Extract:

Carson headed across the hall to the lady that Trudi had pointed out. Too late he realized he didn’t know if she were a Miss or a Mrs. And after last time, he wasn’t going to call anyone Ms. Well, whatever her title, she was a stunning woman. Perhaps she was a little on the willowy side, but with curves in all the right places.

She looked familiar. He’d seen her before. Well, obviously. In church on a Sunday he chided himself.

Carson sneaked a look at her left hand as she draped her coat over the back of a chair. “Miss Turner?”

She turned and looked at him. “Yes?”

He held out a hand, her voice familiar, but he was sure he hadn’t spoken to her before today. “I’m Carson Armitage. I understand you organize and teach the Sunday School classes for the children.”

Her eyes flickered for a moment. He could almost see her mind whirling as if trying to place him. Just like the way his mind was trying to work out where he’d seen and heard her before. And it wasn’t from church either. It was somewhere else.

“Yes, I do. It means missing the service each Sunday morning, but I try to make the evening ones.”

“That’s good to hear.” He paused. “This is going to sound really corny, but have we met?”

“You have a dog,” she said absently. “I’ve seen you in the park. You’re Mr. Border Collie.”

Of course. The blonde woman who was so upset earlier that afternoon. “Miss Sheltie. But it’s more than that. I’m sure I’ve heard your voice before. Have we spoken on the phone or something like that?”

His voice died in his throat. That was it.

Color flooded her face. Had she made the connection at the same instant he had? “Oh, no. Please tell me I didn’t ring you this afternoon by mistake.”

“I wish I could, but, yes, I’m afraid you rang the church office and I answered the phone.”

Fairytale at Headly Cross is available at Pelican Book Group and Amazon!

Find out more about Clare by visiting her website, facebook page, Amazon page and/or twitter!

Oh and if you love Christmas stories, check out PBG's 2014 Christmas Extravaganza titles and get them ALL for one low price!

Hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Check back weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and more Saturday Spotlights!

Until later...take care & God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts: Guest Post by Beth Wiseman @bethwiseman

Good Morning!

Today we welcome best selling author, Beth Wiseman to share some of her thoughts with us.

Each time that I start a new book, I wonder what the surprise will be.  I love surprises, and God always sends one my way after I’ve completed a story that I hope will glorify Him.  It’s always something special that I couldn’t have foreseen.  It took me a few books before I realized that this would be the norm—something between God and me that I could look forward to after pouring out my heart on the pages. 

It’s often said that God never wastes an hurt, but drawing on those experiences in an effort to entertain, educate, and provoke thought, can be exhausting—and sometimes painful.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.  The Promise is inspired by a true story.  Someone close to me traveled to Pakistan and ended up being held against her will there.  I had to work with the Embassy in Islamabad, the Consulate in Pakistan, and the U.S. State Department to get my friend (who we are calling Laurie) home.  Even though I pulled from actual events to create this fictional story, parts of it were so real that I’d find myself typing real names instead of the character names I had assigned to the players.  My editor set the bar high for this novel, and I ended up doing lots of rewrites, had to get a deadline extension for the first time, and for the life of me, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get my character on the plane to Pakistan.  I knew what would happen to her once she got there, and even though it had been over a year since the real-life story unfolded, it still felt like an open wound.

By the time I wrapped up final edits, I was able to identify God’s surprise, His gift to me.  Plenty of people had asked me, what do you think will define success for The Promise?  Most people in my circle knew this book was personal, intense, and unlike anything I’d written in the past.   At first all the standard answers about success came to mind, and I rattled off best-seller lists, dollar figures, and copies sold.  But when I slowed down, took a deep breath, and allowed myself some down time, I just smiled.  The book was a success before it ever hit the shelves, garnished a review, or slipped into the hands of a single reader. 

The success story of The Promise was in the writing itself, the research, the unfolding of truths that were revealed as Laurie and I worked together to tell her story.  My goal was to weave an entertaining tale of intrigue, danger, warning, hope, and survival amidst religious rivalries, conflicting cultures, and normal people finding themselves in surreal situations.  Throughout that process, I learned why Laurie did some of the things she did.  I don’t have to agree with her choices, but through many heartfelt conversations, I gained a better understanding about her motivations.  At the end of the day, we agreed to disagree about some things, but my gift shone brightly—and it was a renewed and better relationship with my friend.  And for me, that made the entire project a success. 

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series.  Wiseman has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. In her daring new novel, Wiseman jumps way outside the box. The Promise will take readers far away from Amish country and the small Texas towns of her previous releases to a dangerous place on the other side of the world.  Inspired by actual events, Wiseman believes this is the book she’s been working toward for a long time. 

Wiseman can be found at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers. Learn more about the author and her books at bethwiseman.com and on Twitter (@bethwiseman).

The Promise can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.

Hope you enjoyed the post! 

Until later...take care & God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: Peace

This weekly post is supposed to be about something I treasure and today the thing I not only treasure but crave during this holiday season (and every day) is PEACE.

You may wonder how to cultivate and maintain an attitude of peace in such a tumultuous world.

Here are a few ways....

Gratitude: Being grateful for the little things in life helps us to focus on the good instead of that which is less than we desire. Gratitude and Peace go hand in hand.

Love: Focusing on the love of God and the love in your life will produce a profound peace in your heart.

Focus on the Present Moment produces much peace. I've heard it said that stress comes from focusing on the "coulda/shoulda/woulda" situations in our life. Yes it's true we need to acknowledge where we are and where we've been, but ONLY in order to determine where we desire to be! Once we realize that, we can move toward it with hopeful expectation.

These are a few ways I strive to maintain peace in my life. I pray they help you.

Something to think about!

"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

#SaturdaySpotlight: Better Than Cake by Lisa Carlisle

Good Morning and Welcome!

Today I welcome Lisa Carlisle to Saturday Spotlight with her newest release, Better than Cake an erotic romance that is only $0.99!

After the worst fight of their relationship, the last place Stephanie wants to be is a wedding reception. She still can’t get over what happened. Could their five years of marriage be destroyed after a blast of heated words? Johnny suggested separating. Separating! Now with her marriage on the line, she has to put on a brave face and pretend love is grand.

Johnny doesn’t know why he’d freaked out the way he had and is left with one emotion. Regret. He doesn’t want to lose Stephanie. He must find her and make things right.

Stephanie enters the reception, fearing the end of her marriage. Johnny has something else in mind—a much more decadent proposal that will turn her friend’s wedding into an event they’ll never forget.

A short erotic romance for only  99 cents! Perfect for a beach or summer read.

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Excerpt

Who gets ditched at a wedding? Stephanie paused and took a deep breath before walking into her friend’s reception. Something like this could only happen to her.

Ditched wasn’t a strong enough description. “Maybe we should try separating.” Johnny’s words echoed in her mind, lashing her psyche raw with repetition.

Separating! She closed her eyes. Unthinkable.

It’s okay. You can do this. Stick it out for a couple of hours and then you can deal with the mess.

How would she explain her husband’s sudden absence? He was at the ceremony, but wouldn’t be at the reception. What would be a reasonable explanation? They were spending the weekend here in Cape Cod so it would be tough to feign a work or family excuse.

Illness. Yes, something about seafood. That would be plausible at a seaside resort. Food poisoning. She had an excuse—but it didn’t make her feel any better about the situation.

Beyond the Sea wafted out from the ballroom, appropriate for this Cape Cod seaside resort. She glanced up at the imposing exterior of the multi-level hotel. Her hand trembled so she clutched her silver purse tighter. She raised her chin to steel herself and entered the hotel.

Stephanie scanned the place settings to find hers. Mr. and Mrs. John Silvio. Table nineteen. She dropped her purse to her side, but her fingers still clenched it. The last place she wanted to be after a killer argument with her husband was a wedding. She forced herself to enter the reception area, squeezing through all those decked in suits and evening gowns. Searching the table numbers for nineteen, she followed them to the back of the room. She guessed she’d be furthest from the head table, since she was neither family nor close friend, but an old college roommate of the bride. She made her way to the back of the room, braved a smile, and introduced herself to the couples already seated.

“Hi. I’m Stephanie.”

“Elaine,” a heavyset woman with puffy blond hair said. “You’re alone?”

Great. Just fantastic. Starting right with the topic she wanted to avoid. “Yes. My husband couldn’t make it tonight. Something he ate earlier,” she babbled. “Probably the shellfish.” She shrugged.

The others introduced themselves as she sat down and peppered her with questions about where they bought the seafood. A few shared their stories of food poisoning.

It was going to be a long night. 

About the Author

Lisa loves stories with dark, brooding, isolated characters and tough, independent, caring heroines. Her reading tastes very widely and she’ll read almost anything—especially mysteries, romance, and non-fiction on any new topic of interest.

She is thrilled to be a multi-published author writing since she’s wanted to write since the sixth grade. Her travels and many jobs have provided her with inspiration for novels, such as serving in the Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan, backpacking alone around Europe, or working as a waitress in Paris. Her love of books inspired her to own a small independent book store for a couple of years.

Lisa lives in New England with her husband and their children. She spends her days writing for corporate clients and her evenings writing stories and novels.

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Lisacarlislebooks.com

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