Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER:

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

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: Annabelle Blythe & Beloved: In Another Time, Another Place

Good Morning Friends!

I absolutely love spotlighting authors and their books but in case you haven't noticed, I especially love it when I can bring you someone new and an author I've had the pleasure of knowing on a personal level, been privileged to watch grow and develop and the honor of helping through the process of getting published.

Annabelle Blythe and her book, Beloved: In Another Time, Another Place is one of those! 


Ms. Blythe lives in the old homestead in east Texas. She has three children and six grandchildren in southwest Louisiana, close enough to reach the same day.  She has six grandchildren in Tennessee, also-- way too far off in her opinion. She also has three tremendous siblings and a great brother-in-law!


Annabelle spent her early years working in retail, cosmetology and nursing. She has been free-lance writing and working on novels for the past ten years.


Fifty-percent of the profits from her books goes towards establishing Hope Rose Home for Unwed Mothers in her area.  Her burden is to train the mothers, and the young men connected, in careers and community service.  

About the book: Sophya Blackwell almost lets her destructive marriage cripple her emotionally.  Her wish comes true when she and her sister, Anya, are sent back in time to witness life during the Civil War.  What they happen upon-- the ugly side of slavery-- amazes them.  

Anya meets love face to face.

Sophya gets a view of the bravery of General Richard Taylor, her hero.

Taylor led the state of Louisiana, against all odds, to one of the few Southern victories against the North, almost turning around the outcome of the war.

In this process Sophya gets more than she bargains for, too:  The courage to allow real love to heal her own heart, from an unlikely Source.

This courage thrusts them forwards in time.  It teaches Sophya to suppress her impatient nature, forget the mistakes of her past, and to wait on God to take care of her future.


Beloved: In Another Time, Another Place is available on Kindle & Nook!

Well, friends, I hope you enjoyed this spotlight as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you!

Until later....take care, God Bless and Remember..... With God all things are possible!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Thursday Thoughts: Happiness

Well after the past several days it's a wonder I can even begin to think about happiness. That alone makes me think....

I know, I'm crazy as a loon LOL!

But seriously. How many times do we allow the circumstances in our lives and/or the actions of others dictate OUR joy?

Here's the thing... we have a CHOICE. I've said this before to so many people and believed it myself. That didn't stop me from experiencing anger to a degree I've never felt before due to someone else's actions and attitudes these past several days.

However, the shift from that to pure happiness happened when I chose to not allow that situation to control me.
So, no matter what is going on and with whom, choose happiness, peace and joy. Choose not to let the actions and attitudes of others control your emotions. Choose to be happy and to trust that God is in control and will show Himself strong on your behalf. 

The power of choice is yours....

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! 


Speaking of Choices....my short story is still available!

Best-selling novelist and songwriter, Camie Rogers has penned numerous accounts of the secret love she holds in her heart. Country-Music Superstar Kip Allen has changed from the shy, humble boy, to the epitome of “star.” Can the two rediscover each other after one night of his Home is where the Heart is Tour?

Excerpt: Too soon, the concert was over, and security officers rushed her backstage. Waiting in the shadows apart from the throng of frenzied fans vying for autographs and pictures, she watched with concern as Kip raked his fingers through his hair. He heaved a tired sigh, insisted on no more autographs, and then headed for his dressing room.
Camie stepped forward, "Just one more autograph?" Kip turned at her soft request. His eyes lit with recognition, and he gave her an unreserved smile.
"Camie!" He enfolded her in a big hug. "What are you doing back here?"
A flush warmed her skin at the velvety-roughness of his voice. "I won the prize package from the radio station. You know: Front row seat, backstage pass, autographed C.D., etcetera, etcetera, etcetera." Her heart raced at his nearness, her body trembled in his strong embrace. Feeling way too comfortable in his arms, she disentangled herself and took a step back. 
 He grinned. "Great. You look good."
Her heart skipped a beat. "So do you." Electricity sizzled between them.
Always had.
Even in high school.
Theirs had been a subtle romance, underscored by sensual currents that hummed whenever their eyes met or they ventured into a conversation, both too shy to take the relationship further.
"What ever happened to us?"  She wondered aloud, finding it difficult to speak past her heart hammering in her throat. "I still get all tongue-tied when you're near." He smiled, that lazy, heart-stopping grin that drove females from age five to fifty into a frenzy.
 "You do?" he queried, pulling her closer once more.
The husky softness of his voice sent delicious shivers down her spine, and she choked on a yes.
"Me too." He stroked her cheek.
Her senses swirled at the tender touch. She placed her hand over his and gazed into his sea-green eyes. Whether a moment, an eternity, or the simple span of a heartbeat passed, she wasn’t sure, but she relished the encounter. He dropped his hand from her face and broke eye contact.
"I don't know what happened. I wanted to roam, you wanted a home." He chuckled at the corny rhyme.  "Sounds like the makings of a hit."

Purchase Links:
Pelican Book Group http://pelink.us/13N5j5g

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tuesday Treasure: Respect

Yeah this might be a topic I normally would post on Thursday Thoughts, but I can't wait on this one!

I know I'm far from perfect but I try to live my life in a manner befitting my King, my Lord & Savior..a life of integrity, honesty and respect.

When I deal with others, naturally I expect they are doing the same.



It saddens and upsets me to find people so easily lie and cheat and steal and destroy what does not belong to them and then act like the victim. And when when their actions force me to do things I would rather NOT do and feel emotions I don't like feeling....well guess it's par for the course...


I've said before life is too short for pettiness, bullshit and drama. Well let me tell you, life is way too long when it is lived without basic Honesty, Integrity and Respect!

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! 

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: Carla Rossi & Unexpected Wedding

Good Morning Friends,

It is always my pleasure to bring to Saturday Spotlight a fellow author, and most particularly a fellow Pelican Book Group author!

Today's guest, Carla Rossi was here in March talking about her book, The Living End of Cancer, but this week she's talking about her PBG release, Unexpected Wedding!

Rocky Lionakis has been a wheelchair user since a fall in college. He plays bass guitar in Cornerstone Fellowship’s worship band and shares his testimony every week with the campers at Towering Pines summer church camp. At peace with his chair, he has settled into a boring but successful career in technology...but then stunning camp counselor, Gia Rinaldi, enters his life and turns it upside down. 

Lifelong preacher’s kid and occasional wild child, Giavanna Rinaldi, has always learned things the hard way. With a trail of bad choices in her wake, she has finally grown up and found her niche as a student of Christian child psychology. She returns to Camp Towering Pines where she’s worked since high school, but unsettling dreams and an unexplained illness lead her to a harrowing discovery. 

Will Rocky and Gia’s budding romance survive her trauma? And is their bold decision an answer from God, or a serious step outside of His perfect will?


Excerpt: Rocky Lionakis didn’t know what hit him. Last he remembered, he’d tucked his Bible beside him in his wheelchair and turned to leave the platform. Now he was flat on his back on the wooden ramp, gazing at the blue east Texas sky through a canopy of tall pines. It would have been a beautiful summer afternoon sight if he’d meant to be looking at it.

He lifted his head and then decided it felt better to stay down. Voices grew softer, and bubbly chatter faded as camp staff herded the junior and senior high audience for his last talk away from the outdoor stage and down the path toward the dining hall.

Somewhere the wheel of his chair spun with a rhythmic swish and put him in mind of an old bicycle he had as a child. It slowed, and he closed his eyes.

Normally a tumble from his chair ended with a quick recovery. Propelled by sheer embarrassment, he could usually steady the lightweight titanium contraption and be upright in seconds. This time his scattered thoughts and developing headache told him he’d fallen harder than he realized. For all he knew, his chair had landed in another zip code because it sure wasn’t beside him on the ramp.

He felt for his Bible and discovered it under his left hip. Everything was quiet except for the coo of a mourning dove somewhere high above him and the scrape of a squirrel’s feet as it scampered up a tree.
As he started to relax, all pain dissipated.

Maybe the fall had killed him...

The scent of something earthy and sweet reached his nose. He sniffed the air. Heaven smelled like strawberries.

He opened his eyes and looked up into a warm chocolate-brown gaze. An angel stood over him. Strands of long dark hair slid off her shoulders and hung almost to his face as she bent over him.

She smiled and knelt beside him. “Fall off your horse there, cowboy?”

He blinked. If this was Heaven, God had sent him one sassy angel to welcome him home. Nice......


Sounds like another great story! Now here's a little more about the author....


Carla Rossi is a multi-published, award-winning author as well as a cancer survivor, life-long music minister, and speaker. She has been writing inspirational romance for Pelican Book Group since 2007. Carla lives north of Houston with her husband. She has three grown children and two grandchildren. 

Connect with Carla:
@carlarossiwrite

You can get Unexpected Wedding at the following places....

Pelican Book Group:  http://tinyurl.com/ktb9a76

Well Friends, I'm sure you enjoyed this week's Saturday Spotlight. Stay tuned next for more Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and of course, another Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time....Take care & Be Blessed!
PamT

Friday, May 23, 2014

Thursday Thoughts: Word of Mouth

I know, I know, it's Friday but better late than never right?! LOL!

Today I'd like to discuss a topic that is a two-edged sword: Word of Mouth.



In the world of sales and marketing, Word of Mouth is one of the BEST forms of advertising. On the other hand, it can also be detrimental if what is said is negative.

But that is not what I'm talking about today. 

I'm talking about GOSSIP.

I've been in various jobs in different levels of employment and I must tell you, no matter what level of integrity the organization, gossip is prevalent.

And even though I despise gossip, I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in someone's bitching and complaining or talking about this one or the other.

I'm not the only one who would rather NOT hear people talk about one another. God is very adamant on the subject. Just check out these Scriptures....
  1. Leviticus 19:16
You shall not go up and down as a dispenser of gossip and scandal among your people, nor shall you [secure yourself by false testimony or by silence and] endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the Lord.
  1. Psalm 41:6
And when one comes to see me, he speaks falsehood and empty words, while his heart gathers mischievous gossip [against me]; when he goes away, he tells it abroad.
  1. Psalm 69:26
For they pursue and persecute him whom You have smitten, and they gossip about those whom You have wounded, [adding] to their grief and pain.
  1. Proverbs 31:27
She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
  1. Ezekiel 36:3
Therefore prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord God: Because, yes, because they made you a desolation, and they snapped after and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and you became the talk and evil gossip of the people,
  1. 2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am fearful that somehow or other I may come and find you not as I desire to find you, and that you may find me too not as you want to find me—that perhaps there may be factions (quarreling), jealousy, temper (wrath, intrigues, rivalry, divided loyalties), selfishness, whispering, gossip, arrogance (self-assertion), and disorder among you.


And last but not least, one of the things mentioned as an "abomination" to the Lord is "he who sows discord among his brothers" (Prov. 16:18-20)

There is an old adage.... If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone adhered to that advice?

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Tuesday Treasure: Enchanted Rock

Good Morning!

I've always enjoyed walking but since coming to Bandera, hiking has become a treasured pastime. A couple of weeks ago my friend Patti Herrera, a doTerra Essential Oils Representative and I decided to visit Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Fredericksburg.



The drive was amazing and the park absolutely beautiful! But what really impressed us was the serenity and beauty found in this spiritual place.

Yep this is me at the top!

We even went through a cave!








The park has camping spots, guided tours (we shared our day with folks from HEB in Austin and students from a nearby school!)


We even found Big Foot!



If you're ever in the area and want to do a little hiking or more advanced rock climbing, visit Enchanted Rock and make memories you're sure to treasure.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: Susan Oleksiw & The Wrath of Shiva

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

Today Susan Oleksiw is returning with another great "Anita Ray" Mystery, The Wrath of Shiva. So without much further ado, here's Susan.....

 Every writer has a weakness in her work. For some the weakness is dialogue. The dialogue sounds wooden, every character sounds alike, the language is awkward. Other writers zero in on plot. They can’t get a story moving, or create suspense to hold the reader, or create a murder plot that doesn’t give away the ending. And for others, the weakness may be creating compelling characters.

I could go on identifying aspects of writing that are difficult or challenging, but that’s unnecessary. The point is we all have an area where we are weak. My weakness is not one I’ve mentioned above, though I may be weak in one of those areas too.

When I first started to write fiction I had trouble creating a fictional environment that seemed real. I had no sense of how long it took to cross my fictional city, or how the roads were laid out in my fictional town. When a reader asked me once, just how large is this park, I knew I was in trouble. If I want my setting to feel authentic, I need a real place to describe. I may alter the location or setting in specific ways, but I must first begin with a real place so I can judge correctly how my characters behave in the setting.

The Wrath of Shiva grew out of a trip I took through Central Kerala. I booked a room at a traditional home that was turned into a homestay, as bed and breakfasts are called in India. The homestay offered six rooms, with beds for up to eighteen individuals. The property was slowly being crowded by new homes built on land family members had sold off, but enough of the original estate was left to offer the tourist a rare, almost unique experience of the world of old Kerala.

The estate consisted of several acres, probably up to fifteen, and three buildings, or wings, in the form of the letter L. Two buildings were perpendicular to each other, linked by a gateway. The third was an independent structure with three rooms opening onto a veranda. This structure served as an unconnected extension of the longer leg of the L. Between the two structures was a small pond where the laundry was done and water was drawn for the gardens.


The three wings and their rooms were built along traditional lines. The third wing, where I stayed, was a concrete plinth on which was set a wooden frame with walls and a roof. I stepped over a foot-high sill to enter the room. The upper part of the walls were latticed. The wooden superstructure could have been lifted off the plinth and carried away if the family wanted to do so.

The estate sat along the river, and part of the land included a kavu. The kavu is unique to Kerala. This is sacred land that cannot be entered. It is dedicated to the family deity, whose image is set up at the mouth of the kavu and given offerings certain times of the year. The kavu is really one of the earliest known efforts to preserve land in its pristine state, and is important for protecting rare plants and animal life.




I walked around the property during the afternoon I arrived and again in the morning, but I was unsure about the distance from the edge of the kavu to the river. I had to rework part of the novel involving the kavu because, of course, I couldn’t enter that piece of land. In the story a villain enters the kavu, and I had no idea how long it would take that person to crawl through the jungle to reach the edge. I couldn’t be sure how long it would take someone to climb through the jungle to the river and how much the river curved, either expanding or reducing the size of the kavu. In the end I had to graft onto the real estate part of another one I passed on my way to a boat ride on the river. I used the distances from the second kavu for the story, but I sorely wished I could get inside the first one and be sure.

To be certain that I get distances and time spent traveling correct I use a map of the town or area I’m writing about. I record who lives where, what business or other buildings are where, names of streets and private residences, and anything else that is permanent. But when it comes to walking a path through the woods, or crossing a city by foot, I need to do it myself to be sure.

To learn more about the Anita Ray mysteries, go to www.susanoleksiw.com and click on any book cover.

Susan Oleksiw writes the Anita Ray series featuring an Indian American photographer living at her aunt's tourist hotel in South India (Under the Eye of Kali, 2010, The Wrath of Shiva, 2012, and For the Love of Parvati, 2014). She also writes the Mellingham series featuring Chief of Police Joe Silva (introduced in Murder in Mellingham, 1993). 

Susan is well known for her articles on crime fiction; her first publication in this area was A Reader's Guide to the Classic British Mystery. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and numerous anthologies. Susan lives and writes outside Boston, MA.


Well friends, hope you enjoyed this spotlight! Check back next week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights!

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

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Thursday Thoughts: Consequences



We've all been taught that our words and actions have consequences.

I've had the opportunity to witness two difference scenarios on this just within the last couple of days.

One, the person in question was reprimanded fairly for her actions and the other was not.

In the first instance the end result was pretty well justified. The second, after efforts were made to get to the bottom of the situation, the initial results were overturned and again, justice prevailed.

Why am I bringing this to your attention?

Because in both instances I had the opportunity to get involved with the drama and jump to conclusions or not.

Since peace is the ultimate goal of my soul, I chose to offer the best advice possible to both based on what I was told.

Then when the truth came out, I realized with eternal gratitude, that I hadn't jumped right smack dab in the middle of someone else's drama.

Moral of the story.... When you are approached by someone and your initial reaction is to respond to the unfairness of it all with anger or something on their behalf, DON'T... get the facts first and save yourself a boat load of embarrassment and possible repercussions.

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! 

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Tuesday Treasure: She Thought She Could VBT from Promo101 Promotions!

Good Morning!

Today's treasure is another book brought to you by Nikki Leigh & Promo 101 Promotional Services.


SHE THOUGHT SHE COULD SHE DID A Miraculous Journey of Healing is a natural outpouring of Judy Marie Trimbur’s life and business. More than a memoir, it covers stages of her growth as a person and a healer as well as giving some practical applications for the reader. The book includes stories of the divine path opening up through pain, which presents opportunities for healing.   There are twelve chapters, each chapter providing an exercise and lesson at the end meant to serve as a catalyst for the reader on their own path of healing.
The book dives right into Judy Marie’s first physical healings through herbs and other methods, and the beginnings of her emotional healing.  From health challenges to relationship problems, financial difficulties, and a search for answers through religions, into finally following her own path to health, happiness, and wholeness. The first four chapters are:
  • The Voice
  • Are You Crazy
  • There is Always a Reason
  • Remembering Me
This includes the author’s powerful resolve that has kept her moving forward despite some overwhelming difficulties—to never give up, choosing health and life over pain and premature death.
The memoir also contains stories about Judy Marie healing others, such as her adopted Hopi mother and her three children, and details the author’s development as a healer—how she discovered her healing gifts, how herbs play an important role, which teachers have enlightened her, what methods she has learned, and why everyone has the potential to heal. These chapter titles are:
  • My First Healer
  • Starving to Death/Starving to Heal
  • Teachers
  • The Greatest Something You Can Ever Do
The author’s work philosophy is that whether she is blessing the herbs or writing this book, each action equals the other. They all have the same aim—to serve self, humanity, and the universe.
The story not only delves deeper into Judy’s beliefs about her purpose as a healer but the purpose of each person who seeks healing. Judy uses personal stories to expound on caring for herself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She also provides the reader with self-care lists and suggestions.  This can be seen in the following chapters:
  • If There’s A Will There’s a Way
  • Listening to Spirit, Following the Heart
  • Peeling Potatoes
  • A Divine Healing
The book also echoes a belief held by many in these end times that those who seek personal healing for themselves and others—both body and soul—are actually helping to heal Mother Earth.

Judy Marie Trimbur is the president and co-founder of Judy Marie’s Miracles of Health, Inc. (www.miraclesofhealth.com), a dietary supplement company based in Loveland, Colorado.  Her passion to provide the highest quality herbal products and teach principles of health and healing began almost thirty years ago when she herself suffered from many conditions for which she found no relief in the medical community.
On her journey as a holistic health practitioner, she studied under several teachers and earned many certificates, including ones in Iridology and Herbology from Dr. Bernard Jensen, and Aromatherapy, Massage, and Healthcare from the Chopra Center for Wellbeing. She also trained in therapeutic massage, reflexology, kinesiology, and Shamanistic and Native American teachings.
Along with healing the body, Judy Marie strongly believes in healing the mind—that the two are intrinsically intertwined—having experienced this connection personally on several occasions, the last time with what she calls her breast cancer incident. Her clients and customers as far away as India and Australia benefit greatly from her company’s all-natural formulas and her nutritional and spiritual counseling through consultations, seminars, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and her commitment to giving back to the world what she herself has received.

I absolutely LOVE these kinds of books! 
Get your copy of She Thought She Could from Amazon in Print and on Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: VB Tenery & Dead Ringer

Good Morning Friends!

It is my pleasure to bring to you a brand new PBG author, VB Tenery, with her debut PBG title, Dead Ringer!

V. B. Tenery lives in East Texas with her family and a St. Bernard named Bella. When not writing she enjoys reading, hiking, and floating down lazy rivers in the Hill Country. Before leaving to write full time, she had a rewarding career as Director of Service for a national wholesale optical company. 
Website: http://vbtenery.com 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/teneryherrin 
FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/vbtenery 
Blog: www.agatharemembered.blogspot.com 



In an instant, Mercy Hamilton finds her well-planned life shattered.
Bermuda airport facial recognition software has identified her as missing runway star, Traci Wallace. Despite Mercy’s protests, Traci’s husband, ex-CIA agent Thomas Wallace, is convinced Mercy is the mother of their ill six-year-old son. With only his son’s welfare in mind, he abducts Mercy and takes her to a private island to care for the boy.

But Mercy soon discovers there are men much more dangerous than a father desperate to save his son. Her doppelganger has made deadly enemies—a relentless team of killers who want her dead. When Thomas is lured into a covert mission to rescue a CIA asset and uncover a government mole, Mercy is left isolated and alone—and Thomas finds himself stranded on foreign soil with a compromised mission and a wounded agent. Fighting against a rogue nation’s timetable for launching a nuclear strike, he has to escape alive to rescue Mercy and his son before assassins finish the job they started.


Excerpt:
Hamilton, Bermuda
Friday, May 5

Mercy Lawrence wouldn’t have noticed the large man standing by the silver Mercedes, except for the way he was dressed. Unlike the tourists on the sidewalk, he wore a light gray business suit and tie. Sunglasses hid the upper portion of his face, and the grim set of his mouth detracted from his otherwise handsome appearance. He stood beside the car’s open back door, arms crossed as if waiting for someone.

Not wanting to stare, she tore her gaze away. In jeans, T-shirt, and sandals, she blended easily into the vacationers along the boulevard. She’d spent the last five months in this wonderful country, recuperating from a head injury. Most of her memory remained intact after the accident, but dark recesses still refused to reveal their mystery.

But tomorrow, like a good soldier, she would return to Houston and report to her new job at Sabine Oil, the fulfillment of a goal she’d worked towards for the past six years.

The city’s main drag ran four lanes wide with a palm-tree-lined median, the sea on one side, shops and hotels on the other. A soft wind filled the air with the scent of sea kelp and brine, mixed with a light floral fragrance from the purple bougainvilleas hanging on the walls along the walkway. Seagulls swept low over the water, looking for lunch out past the rolling surf.

She shook her hair loose from the confines of its ponytail clip and turned her face to the balmy sunshine—mainlining vitamin D. Her path took her within four feet of the parked car.

The man moved onto the sidewalk and grabbed her arm. “Having fun, are we?” He spoke with a slight Scottish burr, the strange question more an accusation than a greeting.

She tried to jerk her arm away. “Let go of my arm.”

His grip tightened. “I’ll just bet you’ve been living it up.” His voice was harsh, his jaw tight.

No one intervened. Casual observers would think she knew him.

One hand locked on her arm, he shoved her into the backseat, slid in beside her, and slammed the door. His movements were so quick, so smooth, she had no time to struggle, no time to scream or put up a fight.
She swallowed the lump in her throat choking off oxygen. Women disappeared all too often on foreign soil, never seen or heard from again. “Who are you? What do you think you’re doing? Let me out. Now!”

He ignored her protests and leaned forward in the seat. “Airport, Fergus.”

Blood pounded a persistent rhythm in her ears. He couldn’t be police. They had to tell you the charges before making an arrest. Besides, she’d done nothing wrong.

Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to run but it was too late for that. Pivoting towards him, she drew back her arm and aimed the heel of her hand for an upward thrust under his nose. The move from a seated position lacked the needed momentum. He blocked the blow, slamming her back against the seat with a forearm of steel across her chest. “You dropped off the map six months ago. To do what, find yourself?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She squeezed her eyes shut. This couldn’t be happening. “This is kidnapping. My name is Mercy Lawrence and people are expecting me back at my bungalow.” She struggled against the vise-like grip, slapping at his hand.

“Stop it, and cut the crap, Traci, or I’ll slap you back. Taking a wife, a mother, home to the son she abandoned is not kidnapping. Besides, you’re not a kid.”

Wow, wow, wow! Sounds like a great suspenseful read! Dead Ringer released yesterday and is available now in Ebook & Print!

Hope you enjoy this spotlight. Check back next week for another Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and of course Saturday Spotlight!

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

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Thursday Thoughts: Courage

Good morning Friends!

So much is going through my mind I can hardly put it all into words...well intelligible words LOL!

Today I'm thinking about courage.

What is courage?

How do we define this admirable trait?

Is it facing & defeating an opponent, illness, death, loss of a loved one? Fighting for your country or simply fighting for what you believe in?

Is it 'sucking it up and moving on'?

We all know the Serenity prayer...Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference...and yet, we still have so many definitions of the word and ideas on what courage really means.

Well I found this photo on FB today and it gave me yet another definition of courage....

(Photo borrowed from The Mankind Project on FB!)

What can you let go of today?  How about a bad habit or nasty attitude? What about anger, pain and frustration about something in your past? Oh and let's not forget that broken dream or lost opportunity?

Because it is only when you let go of something that your hands, heart and mind are open to receive what God has for you next!

Something to think about!
"Inspirational with an Edge! 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Tuesday Treasure: The Ecstasy of Surrender

Well Friends, you know when I find / read a great book I like to share it with you so today I'd like to bring you The Ecstasy of Surrender by Judith Orloff, MD.


Blurb: Are you longing for your life to be easier and more fun? Would you like to stop pushing, micromanaging, and forcing things so you can relax? What if you could enjoy what you have instead of always lusting for “more”? What if you could live in “the zone,” propelled by powerful currents toward the right people and opportunities? What if you could stop worrying about money and live with more emotional ease in the moment? If you answer “yes” to all these questions and desire lasting positive change, then prepare to experience the ecstasy of surrender. 
     The art of letting go, Dr. Judith Orloff explains, is the secret key to manifesting power and success in all areas of  life, including work, relationships, sexuality, radiant aging, and health and healing. In our superconnected world where emails and text messages constantly interrupt us, it’s easier to let go than you think. Once embraced, surrendering removes roadblocks and the exhaustion that comes from “trying too hard”—and it helps you achieve goals more effortlessly and brings ongoing happiness. 
     With her stunning gift for storytelling coupled with her unique, results-oriented approach to physical, emotional, and spiritual health—marrying neuroscience, psychiatry, intuitive medicine, energy techniques, and more—Judith provides a powerful, practical, and accessible map for anyone who is longing to be happier but who feels stuck, burned-out, tense, worried, or afraid to let go.



This book was sent to me by Nikki Leigh of Promo 101 Promotional Services for an honest review. From the moment I opened the book and read the author's "Initiation into Surrender" I was hooked!

Dr. Orloff looks at every area of our lives and gives examples, meditations and exercises to aide us in surrendering our thoughts and desires in each, to God (although she does not use the term exclusively) for the highest good of everyone concerned. 

I absolutely loved this book!

My official review: 

Surrender.... the word normally does not bring about warm, fuzzy feelings. We tend to think of this emotional, physical or spiritual "letting go" in the most negative connotations..... weakness, cowardice, defeat.

Filled with examples, exercises and meditations to aide us,Dr. Orloff shows us the absolute peace and power in surrender.

This is not a book to be read by the faint of heart or those who are not serious about changing their lives. Nor is it one to read and put away, but one to savor over and over, again and again.

Definitely a keeper!


The Ecstasy of Surrender can be found on Amazon (Kindle) & Barnes and Noble (Nook).

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Saturday Spotlight: Winter Madness

Well my Saturday Spotlight guest was a no show so I thought I'd share one of my own books, Winter Madness.....

Enjoy!



Sienna has survived what most succumb to - the death of a spouse and child and has maintained her faith despite her troubles. William has never met anyone who actually lived out what they say they believe. Is it true love between the faithful optimist and broody pessimist or simply winter madness? 

Excerpt: 
The tiny wooden bridge they traversed crossed over a creek and swayed under their feet. Sienna stopped midway to their destination. “Listen,” she urged. 

He cocked his head. “What?” 

“What do you hear?” He turned in the direction she looked, stood still, and tried to hear what she heard. A smile tugged at his lips when he turned to her. Her eyes were alight with joy. “You hear it too, don’t you?” 

“Tell me what you hear, Sienna.” 

“Children laughing, the sounds of joy, of love, two things that make this world go around are love and joy. A child’s laughter encapsulates both.”

His heart melted another degree.

Winter Madness can be purchased from Pelican Book Group or Amazon!

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Thursday Thoughts: The Healing of Nature

Good Morning Friends!

Just a quick thought for today on the healing power of Nature.

Have you ever been stressed to the max and decided to just go for a walk then come back calm and restored?

Nature is one of the most healing places in the world, especially when it comes to calming our heart, mind and soul.

I believe this is one of the many things we take for granted or feel as though we just don't have time.

Well let me encourage you to take the time!

Doesn't have to be a big production either.... walk barefoot in your back yard, find a park near your home or work and visit on your lunch hour. Park beside a lake, river, creek or bayou and just listen to the stillness. When your mind starts to chatter, tell it, "ok, we'll think about that later but for now I just need you to be quiet."

It's OK you're not crazy for doing this LOL! I do it all the time.... All right I heard those snickers J

Even sitting and gazing at a picture of a nature scene can induce those calming hormones and chemicals in your brain!

Here is one for you to gaze upon (wouldn't hurt to say the prayer either) and see if you don't have a more peaceful and productive day!




And here are a few more for you to enjoy.....




  




Something to think about...
"Inspirational with an Edge!