Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER:

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

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

#WednesdayWordswithFriends More Smoky Mountain Christmas!

Good Morning Friends!

Still in Monroe for the Dixie League World Series. So far our team is undefeated! Today is the last day so Saturday I'll post our standing.

Meanwhile, please welcome two more guests in the Smoky Mountain Christmas collection and blog tour, Jeanie Smith Cash and Rose Allen McCauley!

Sights and Sounds in Gatlinburg, TN, the Christmas city of the South

I hope you have read some of our other posts this month about why Jeanie Smith Cash invited me and Tiff (Amber) Stockton and Delia Latham to join her in setting our Christmas stories there.  I first went to Gatlinburg back in the 60s for our high school senior trip, then my husband and I used to travel there once a year for a board meeting he was on about our college, so I have been there numerous times. When Jeanie asked me to join them, I hadn’t been there for several years, so decided to look up some of the older places to make sure they were still there, and to add some of the newer places, too, so here are some of the place and activities I found.

It is a busy place year-around, but since our stories were set between November and January, that was where I concentrated my search. Below are a few of the things I found, but I hope you will search for yourself and your family and see what interests you all.

Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales along the parkway on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas

Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show where our girls in our stories made and sold and shopped for Christmas presents for their families.

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade like a miniature Macy’s Parade down the center of town! First Saturday in December.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show again, a miniature Times’ Square ball drop and fireworks.

And don’t forget the FOOD! It is scrumptious. I know people who drive there at least once a year just for some good down home family style cooking! And shopping! Hope you can spend a weekend or longer in Gatlinburg soon!

Rose Allen McCauley is a Christian author and speaker. Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, MOPS mentor and Moppet worker, scrapbooker, wife, Mom and Mimi give Rose a wide field of ministry to women. Her tagline is Small towns~Huge hearts. Find out more by visiting and/or connecting with her at the following locations: Website, Amazon Author Page, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.


Jeanie Smith Cash is blessed to live in the country in Southwest Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks with her husband Andy, her children, grandchildren and family, and she adores them all. She is a member of ACFW and has sixteen books published. Jeanie gives her Lord and Savior the credit for her writing career and her loving family. She loves chocolate, collecting dolls, crocheting, watching the St Louis Cardinals play baseball, spoiling her grandchildren, spending time with her family, traveling and going to Bluegrass Festivals with her husband. Jeanie loves to read and write Christian romance and believes a salvation message inside of a good story, could possibly touch someone who wouldn't be reached in any other way. She loves to hear from her readers at, jeaniesmithcash@yahoo.com, she is also on
Twitter, https://twitter.com/jeaniesmithcash 
Facebook, https://.facebook.com/jeaniesmithcash
and Amazon,  amazon.com/author/jeaniesmithcash

Smoky Mountain Christmas can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

Saturday, July 27, 2019

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Zaida Alfaro & The Last Note a Miami Music Mystery

Good Morning from Monroe, Louisiana!

Yep, on another short vacation but this time staying close to home. My gentleman friend's grandson is playing in the Dixie League World Series. They live in SC so it is rare to have them in LA and we're looking forward to a fun-filled week.

Our guest today is new to me and the blog so please welcome Zaida Alfaro with her cozy mystery, The Last Note: A Miami Music Mystery....


Killer songs and a killer voice, but a killer at her gig?  Vy has always found herself at the center of attention as the lead singer for one of Miami's top cover bands, but when she finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, while performing at the Steel Horse Bar, that changes the tune of the night. Someone believes that Vy knows the truth behind the murder of the bar owner Ricky, and now that person is after her. Vy better figure out quickly who wanted Ricky dead, who is threatening her with her favorite band’s song lyrics, and why she’s falling for the handsome Detective Houston, before she too sings her last note. With a mixture of mystery, mayhem and comedy, you will find yourself immersed in Vy's musical and murderous world.


Excerpt: The bar was alive tonight. Vy was feeding off the positive energy that was generated throughout each table, each person. That energy replenished her soul. The crowd sang along with Vy to “Sweet Child of Mine.” Carlos went into the song’s notorious, edgy guitar solo.

The women stood in front of him going ballistic. Vy belted out the chorus while she was on her knees in front of Carlos’ guitar.

“Yeah! Give it up for Carlos!” Vy shouted into the microphone.

The song ended, and it was time for Vy to take a break. Rob was going to take over, and sing a few more songs. As she walked down the steps, Vy noticed that her martini had disappeared. Shawn walked up to her, “Vy, that was awesome!” Shawn turned her into mush.

“Thanks. You know, if you want to play a song, I’m sure that Carlos will let you use his guitar.” His smile was vibrant, but it was soon cut off when Ricky approached them. Ricky had the tendency to ruin Shawn’s every amazing smile.

“I know, get back to work,” Shawn said mimicking him.

“Good boy,” Ricky responded. Vy could tell Ricky had been drinking already, just by the tone of his voice. “I tell you, if he keeps slacking, he’s gone.”

“He was just telling me how great we sounded, relax.” Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. His eyes dilated, and his lips were about to say something to Vy, but Tina emerged next to her like an angel.

“Hi, Ricky,” she said. “You’re not giving my best girl here a hard time, are you?”

“Hi, Tina.” His entire demeanor changed. She had him salivating.

“Um, no. I was just going to offer you ladies a drink on the house. By the way, Vy, I drank that martini you left by the monitor. You shouldn’t leave your drink unattended, could be dangerous. You’re lucky that I drank it.” Ricky laughed. “Anyway, you want another one?”

Sure, you jerk, was what she thought, but what Vy said was, “Sure, thanks.”

“How about you, beautiful? You want to have a shot with me?” Ricky asked Tina.

“I will have a shot, but I already promised Vy I’d have it with her. Next time, sweetie,” Tina grinned. Ricky didn’t even realize that Tina was belittling him.

He caught himself staring at Tina and quickly snapped out of it. “Kendra! Get these ladies what they want!” Ricky stormed off to the office without saying another word.

“Jerk,” Tina muttered as they walked back to the table. “How do you deal with that crap?”

“I usually don’t. He usually isn’t here when we play. But thanks for saving me.”

“Honey, I saw that look you give when you’re ready to kick someone in the gut. I wanted to save that man from excruciating pain.”

“Was it that obvious?” Vy asked.

“Big time.”

Kendra came over with two martinis and two shots. “Here you go, girls.”

“Sorry that he gave you attitude,” Vy said.

“Oh, sweetie, that’s normal around here.” Kendra smiled. “Let me know if you need anything else. Enjoy.”

“Now, let’s drink to friendship,” Tina said.

“Here’s to friendship.” As they raised their glasses, they heard a loud scream, over Rob’s Led Zeppelin song. Cassandra hysterically came out of the office, and ran over to Kyle yelling, “He’s dead, Kyle. He’s dead!”

Oh wow, Zaida! What an excerpt and your cover is lovely. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it. Please tell us a little about yourself....

The Last Note’s main backdrop, the amazing city of Miami, Florida, is beloved and well-known to me. I was born and raised in Miami, and like the novel’s main character Vy, I am a singer/songwriter, as well as the lead singer to a self-proclaimed cover band. All things relating to music or literature are my passion. I keep a journal, and I am constantly writing poems, stories, and any thought that comes to mind. I have a fascination for black and white films, that have the element of mystery. As I have been told by many, I have a very creative imagination.

Many years ago, I became an avid reader of cozy mysteries. The story lines were intriguing, engaging, and funny at the same time. I was so inspired by the authors, that I then decided to take my musical experiences, and put it on paper. I began writing this first novel in 2009. In between my full-time job, my weekend gigs, and my personal life, I finally completed the novel. The phobia's, the dream sequences, and the quirkiness of the main characters, are all based on facts. I hope that I was able to bring the love I have for Miami, the Cuban culture, my family, and music, to the readers of my novel, and to the series to come.

Find out more by visiting, following and liking me on these Social Media sites....

FaceBook:  zaidaauthor www.facebook.com/zaidaauthor
Instagram: zaidamusic  
Twitter: zaidamusic www.twitter.com/zaidamusic

The Last Note, my music and other items can be purchased at Amazon, my website and my Cafe Press store.

Sounds great, Zaida. Thank you for joining us today.

Hope you enjoyed the spotlight friends and that you'll check back each week for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

#WednesdayWordswithFriends guest Chris Fabry

Good Morning!

Last January (2018) we featured Tyndale author Chris Fabry in our Tuesday Treasures spot. Today, Chris is providing us with an interview and talking about his newest release, so please welcome him back.....

You visited the set of Overcomer when it was being filmed. What did you take away from that experience?
A: I was amazed at the complexity of all the moving parts. I was also struck by the commitment the Kendricks and their team have to tell the story they’re given and not deviate. Their commitment to prayer on set was heartening and rich.
·       Can you tell us a little bit about the story line, without giving too much away?
A: The film focuses on a fifteen-year-old girl, Hannah Scott. She’s been through a lot of loss in her life and struggles with her identity, which is universal. As you watch her grapple with what life throws at her, you will be encouraged to run your own race. Her coach also has a big part in the film and novel because he’s struggling with some of the same questions.
·         This story suggests that we often let others, our culture, or the roles we play define us. What do you hope this story does inside readers?
A: First, I hope it captivates readers as simply a good story. I want you to turn the pages to see what will happen next. I was able to develop some of the story lines a little further and show a little more than the film can show in two hours. So my desire is for a satisfying read that takes you deeper into your own heart. Then, when you see the film, I hope you’ll be amazed at how the two versions of the story come together.
·         Is discovering our identity in Christ something you can do “mentally”? How do you get the knowledge to transform the way you live?
A: There is a sense that you can “know” this and not experience it. In other words, there are plenty of Christians who get this in the head but not the heart. It’s our hope that this story will bridge the gap between head and heart. Transformation doesn’t come with knowing facts. It comes when you participate with God in the change he is making on the inside. That’s always a painful process but a good one.
·         This book suggests that surrendering our lives to God is the only way to discover the life we were meant to live. Comment on that principle.
A: I once knew an old missionary to India who told me, “Your greatest mission in life is submission.” The best thing we can do with our lives is to fully surrender to God’s work. For those of us who like to control things (me being chief controller), this is a scary, vulnerable thing to do. But we find real, abundant life when we get to the point where we’re willing to allow God to do whatever he wants to do in and through us.
·         What do we risk when we surrender control and place our future in God’s hands? What do we gain?
A: Surrender is a huge risk because we lose control. We lose the ability to write our own story. But when you take that step of faith—and another and another—you begin the journey of entering the Bigger Story, the Larger Story of what God is doing in you and in the world. Look at the disciples before they fully entered that story and after they entered it. You’ll never reach your full potential until you submit to God’s working in your life.
·         This is your second novelization of a Kendrick brothers’ movie. What is your process for writing a movie novelization?
A: I love the fact that the Kendricks have drawn the boundary lines and have made all the hard choices. I call it the fence line—they’ve put up the barbed wire and I get to play in the pasture. I read the script, I watch the rough cut of the film about a thousand times, I ask questions about what’s on Hannah’s wall, for example. Why does she choose those images to put above her bed? Why does she wear that shirt on her first day of school? So I get to do things with words and answer questions that you can’t do in a film because of the limitations on-screen.
·         Are there similarities between this story and War Room?
A: Yes. I could almost feel Miss Clara praying for this little girl. And there’s a sense of an unseen hand at work behind the scenes. Things come together in a way that can’t be explained other than the work of God in hearts and lives.
·         What do you enjoy about this process?
A: I love the sense of exploring characters and their hearts. To me, these are real people. I like to put myself in the place of a coach who has defined himself by wins and losses. I like to run with Hannah and hear the struggle she has with asthma. And I enjoyed getting to know Hannah’s grandmother, Barbara. She’s a difficult character in the film, but in the book you learn some of the backstory of why she acts the way she acts. I just love that process.
·         What is challenging about this process?
A: The most challenging thing about writing someone else’s idea is that I have to stay consistent with something someone else invented. It’s easy for me to go in some direction or add some motivation that isn’t necessarily on target with the vision of the Kendricks. So I lean on Alex mostly to rein me in and keep me in the pasture.
·         What character will we learn more about in the book than we see in the movie?
A: Hannah’s grandmother, Barbara, has a tough, crusty exterior. And in the film you see a lot of her fear and how that motivates her life. Of course, you want to see her change by the end of the story, but we know that doesn’t always happen. So I found it challenging to tell more about what’s going on inside Barbara in the novel.
·         Who is your favorite character in this story and why?
A: How do you not answer with Hannah? She’s just so relatable and real to me. But I have to say that Thomas captured my heart. When you see the depth of his struggle, the guilt he has lived with, the way God has taken hold of him—but that he is still growing in grace when we meet him—his face, his heart all comes through so strongly.
·         How did you relate to this story personally?
A: I aspire to have my identity come from what God has done for me in Christ. In reality, I struggle with the same thing these characters are struggling with. Do I gauge my worth by my performance? Do I gauge my acceptability with God by some external thing, or do I really believe God accepts me as I am and that he sees the righteousness of Christ in me? Do I strive or rest? Those are questions that are huge in my life and I think will make a difference for anyone who reads or sees this story.
·         What goes on behind the scenes regarding the film and novelization process that you’d like people to know?
A: I wish you could see the e-mails that go back and forth. We get into such minute detail in some cases. Alex has the freedom to say, “I didn’t like this chapter.” And then I probe and find out how I missed the mark. It’s such a collaborative effort, but at the same time I feel a freedom to go certain directions that we might not eventually use. I have freedom to fail, which is important in any creative endeavor.
Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris’s novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and The Promise of Jesse Woods, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. He was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2018. His eightieth published book, Under a Cloudless Sky, is a novel set in the coalfields of his home state of West Virginia. His books include movie novelizations, like the bestseller War Room; nonfiction; and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. Visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com.

Overcomer by Chris Fabry can be purchased from Tyndale by clicking on the link and at Amazon in Print and for Kindle also in Audio, Hardcover and on CD

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT

Saturday, July 20, 2019

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Erin Lorence and Dove Strong!

Good Morning!

It always my pleasure to bring to your attention a new author, especially a fellow Pelican Book Group author so please welcome Erin Lorence with her book, Dove Strong (#1 in the Dove Strong trilogy) to our spotlight!

Erin Lorence lives in Bonney Lake, Washington with her husband, Brian, and their two daughters, Brooke and Savannah. Her lifelong love of reading, her gratitude to God, and her enjoyment of hiking in Central Oregon all inspired her to write the Dove Strong Trilogy.

Find out more by visiting Erin's Website and Blog or connecting with her on Facebook.


Dove Strong loves God. She loves standing chin up, fists clenched when facing Satan’s attacks. But there’s one thing she doesn’t love—other people. So when this spiritually-gifted, antisocial teenager is chosen to join other believers in a trek across Satan’s territory, rattlesnakes and evil-intentioned Heathen aren’t her biggest challenges. But failure isn’t an option. In a month, the Christian Councils will decide the Reclaim, a vote on whether there’ll be a war between Christ’s and Satan’s followers to take back America. It is up to Dove, God’s messenger for peace, to reach her Council in time. Because if she doesn’t, things could get bloody.

Excerpt:

My eyes lit on a few things I recognized. Things I knew from the junk piles back home—a chair with small wheels. Bunches of cardboard boxes on a table, one bright yellow with a picture of food on it. Things with snaky wires. Pictures. But so many I couldn’t name. What were their purposes?

I rubbed at the rush of goose bumps beneath my sleeves. December air. I glanced at Melody for her reaction to this unnatural, cluttered home.

Her dark orbs lost focus, her skin bloodless under its sunburn. Before I could move, she hit the fuzzy ground in what sounded like a painful flop.

“Oh no.” Jezebel rounded on her brother with a smack to his middle. “You killed her.”

Smack. Smack. Her hands rained against his skin. He dodged the next set and knelt next to Melody’s body.

I got in his way. “Don’t touch her.”

His outstretched hands whipped back. “What...I didn’t...”

“Get water.”

“Right.” He leaped to his feet. Then swung around. “To drink? Or dump on her?”

His sister flew to a nearby wall the color of tree sap and threw open a door. “In the shower! Put her in the shower!”

She disappeared into the space beyond, and a blast of light sprang from its rectangular opening. “I’ve seen this before on TV. Trust me. This is what you do.”

The sound of rain pounded down from inside the house. Indoor rain showers? Suspicious. But what was I supposed to do with this Brae girl if she died on me?

I dragged her dead weight forward...and almost dropped her.

What was this place?

A humongous, solid basin dominated the floor. Water drops poured into it from high up in the wall. Vapor clouds rose from the basin.

I shuddered. Everything in this room radiated the whiteness of new baby teeth. Creepy.
“Here.” Wolfe held out a clear jar of water.

I couldn’t hold Melody while pouring water into her mouth, so I lowered her to the floor. Her head lolled against the white wall.

Most of the liquid ran down her chin and neck, but a little must’ve made it into her mouth. She choked. Then coughed. Swallowed. And cracked open her eyes.

I shoved the empty jar at Wolfe.

“Rain?” Melody tried to focus on me.

“See? She wants to go in the shower.”

I shook my head at Jezebel.

“It’s raining.” Melody fingered the wet fur of her collar.

“No way.” I stayed firm. “You don’t want the indoor shower.”

I watched her mouth tug up at the corners.

“Yes. Please? No danger.”

~~
Wow, what an excellent excerpt! Thanks for sharing Erin. If you enjoyed the spotlight friends, get your copy of Dove Strong at Amazon (Kindle) and watch for book 2, Fanatic Surviving to be featured in our spotlight next month!

Until I see you again, take care and God Bless.
PamT

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

#WednesdayWordswithFriends

Good Morning Friends!

Well, my guest today was unable to participate so you get to hear from me again. Since nothing much has happened in a week, I thought I'd share with you an article I wrote years ago for The Wordsmith Journal (now TWJ Mag) in my Pamela's Ponderings column....



The Quest

I’ve been on a spiritual journey since the day I recommitted my life to Christ in 1989. Back then I attended the Catholic Church. Although I love and respect the heart of the Mass, I always felt there is so much more to God and Christ than what can be found in doctrine and the traditions of organized religion. 

Scriptures that said “the same Spirit that raised Christ is in you” and “let the mind of Christ dwell richly in you” and “that you may know the fullness Christ” backed by Jesus’s claim that the works He did I should do also and more, sparked a burning desire to know Him more fully, more intimately and that the fullness of Christ be evident in my life.

Thus began my quest.

I listen to Christian music, watch and listen to various teachers of the Word on radio and television--absorbing their messages, and I read voraciously books by ministers and spiritual leaders of all denominations as well as some who profess no religious beliefs – only the true nature of God (of Love).

Sometimes I feel as if I’ve grown in the past thirty years, and yet, at other times I feel like a babe in the woods.

Alas, spiritual growth and maturity is a continual thing, an ongoing journey to my highest vision of God and the grandest version of who I am in Him.

Over the next few months (or years as God deems) I’d like to share with you some truths I’ve discovered about who God is to me and how those truths have illumined my mind, opened my heart and changed my life.

Some may be articles I’ve written for other publications, others may seem like random thoughts. Many of the things I share will resonate with you, others will seem whacky or far out or like ‘new age spiritualism’ or worse, heretical. But I assure you, at the heart of all these lessons and every question is to know Him, to be like Him and to reflect His teachings and His truths in my every thought, word and deed.

Hopefully these ponderings will make you think, question and search for your own truth about what God means to you, who He is in your life, and how you can become more like Him….more like Christ and more like the great spiritual leaders of all time whose message is, was and remains….God is love and he who dwells in Love, dwells in God.

Well, friends, I hope you enjoyed this post and that

Although I haven't contributed in quite a while, the column is still up at TWJ Magazine. I hope you'll check it out and that you'll join me later when I share more Pamela's Ponderings. And of course return weekly for Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT

Saturday, July 13, 2019

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Stanley P Brown & Veiled Memory!

Good Morning and Welcome!

I pray that everyone in the path of TS Barry stay safe. We're just entering Hurricane season and hopefully this will be the worst we get. You never know, though so let's stay aware, be alert and pray for our friends and family who live in those most vulnerable areas.

THANKS!

Now let's get on to our spotlight.

Today's guest has visited us in May and June with two other novels, so let's turn the spotlight on him and another great book....

Thirty-eight year old Dr. Madeline Alleyn is a successful professor of Celtic History in upstate New York, but she is haunted by her past and the decision she made years ago to abandon her husband after learning of his strange heritage. When she discovers that she’s pregnant with triplets, she makes the decision to run to protect her children and, inexplicably, her husband also. Now, after nearly eighteen years of vigilance, the destiny from which Madeline has tried to escape catches up with her. As her daughters begin to develop psychokinetic powers, an attempt to murder them is made to negate an ancient prophecy. Escaping the murder attempt in the night, the triplets suspect their fate is tied to some ancient stones and their mysterious grandmother. But as they seek answers, they have to run for their lives. People are after them, some to finish the failed murderous act and others to protect them. Along the way, they seek to solve the riddle of the Stones of Sumer, a mystery with startling implications for humanity.


Excerpt

The technician made it to the observatory on Mount Fowlkes as the last vestiges of sunlight slipped past the western horizon. In the clear skies of southwest Texas, the usual starlit blackness could be so deep that earthbound objects seemed to fade into silhouettes, unchained, like wraiths.

Those were the times he liked best, but tonight was different. An unnatural haze suffused the region, blurring the usually bright stars. Confused, Ben gazed into the sky, scratching his head as though the answer to some cosmic mystery could be coaxed from his tangled mass of hair. “If that’s not the darnedest thing,” he whispered, still perplexed by a nagging feeling that something was off.

Twin white domes of neighboring Mount Locke sat like mute sentinels propped against a black sky that should have been full of star-speckled brilliance. Otherwise, nothing seemed out of place. A slight wind rustled the boughs of Emory and Western Gray Oak sprouting from the stony soil.

Still focused on the stars, Ben jumped when the giant telescope he stood next to creaked and groaned as it began rotating.

“You say something, son?”

Turning, he found his boss standing behind him. “Just wondering who’s manning the instruments?”

“A visiting professor. He could use some help calibrating.”

“Can’t. There’s a call up from New York. A student needs lunar ranging data. Routine stuff.”

The boss nodded and walked back inside. Ben craned his neck again. Pollution couldn’t have caused this haze, not in this unspoiled environment, but the puzzle would have to wait. He walked across the parking lot of the McDonald Observatory complex to a square metal building standing next to the laser station and called Joe Prather, an astrophysics graduate student at Columbia University

Nothing fascinates me like writing, creating stories, or sub-creating as JRR Tolkien referred to it. And, of course, to write and write well, one must read widely. It started early in my life and continues to this day. But, long before I began writing stories, I was working long hours as a college professor, squeezing in time whenever I could find the time to work my hobby—which I began in earnest almost 20 years ago.

Readers can find me at the following locations....

Twitter @StanleyPBrown, WebsiteAmazon Black Opal Books and
FaceBook


Veiled Memory can be found at B&NKobo and Smashwords and watch for The Ruby Ring, sequel to Veiled Memory coming this fall from Black Opal Books!

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and always, Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

#WednesdayWordswithFriends

Good Morning!

As I mentioned in my last post, I am hoping to be more consistent in sharing my thoughts with you.

Wednesday Words with Friends came about as a result of being too busy and too many authors unable to fulfill the Tuesday Treasures and/or Thursday Thoughts posts. I found that my time was stretched thinner than taffy. Narrowing my time posting and promoting my blog has helped tremendously.

I've actually been focusing on my writing career more consistently too.

I finished my manuscript My Heart Weeps and it is currently with a freelance editor. Excited and anxious to see what changes, comments and suggestion she makes. Also, which agents and/or publishers she recommends. I've entered The Visionary in Readers Favorite Annual Book Award Contest and just yesterday wrote and submitted a story to Woman's World magazine. Thoughts and Prayers Appreciated!

I've also found I have a knack and passion for personal interest stories. Last year I started writing for Lagniappe - a local publication. This opportunity actually came about when I sent them my story, Derby Dreams in which I recapped my experience visiting Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.
 

Since I've written several articles for them, but what I love most are those that involve interviewing people and telling their story! 

Like this one on a retired Mosquito Control Pilot and one on my son, a Choreographer and Coach.

I ended Dance of Dreams with.....The point of this story is not to brag on my son (although I am proud!) but to encourage others, especially the young people in our community that passion and ambition combined with opportunity can create miracles where dreams do come true. So, no matter what your dream ¬¬--whether it’s to be a dancer, artist, writer, salesman, chef, landscape artist¬¬, whatever! -- dance with it, live it, and never give up. Make it happen and…Never. Stop. Dancing.

Last night I sent in an article on my boss whose passion is the Civil War and today I'm interviewing the Rodeo Coach at our local university.

I love writing and although I'm not making enough money off of  my writing/editing/publishing endeavors to do that full time (yet), I guess I'm really following my own advice because this IS my dream!

I hope this post encourages you to follow your own dreams and whether or not that brings you national acclaim or tons of money, never stop dancing with it!

Until next time take care and God bless.
PamT

Saturday, July 6, 2019

#SaturdaySpotlight is on the band, Chicago

Yep, I went to see them in concert last night at The Golden Nugget casino and talk about a fantastic show!

My guest couldn't be here today so I thought I'd just post a couple of pictures from the show.


















Such a wonderful time listening to all those old songs.... Color my World, You're the Inspiration, Saturday in the Park...so many memories.

Other than being overcrowded (Nugget is bad for that! chairs so close together you can hardly breathe much less move) had a great time at a great show with a GREAT band!

Hope you have a wonderful (I was going to say great but figured I'd worn it out LOL!) rest of your weekend

PamT

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Smoky Mountain Christmas Blog Tour

Good Morning!

I pray your week has been and continues to be BLESSED.

This week we're doing a little something different on our Wednesday Words with Friends post. We're eavesdropping on a conversation with Melody and Lari from Smokey Mountain Christmas, a collection of four Christian Christmas stories centered around Granddaddy Buchanan's 80th birthday celebration!

We'll listen to what these two cousins have to chat about and find out about the women who created them.

Welcome ladies.....


Granddaddy Buchanan’s 80th birthday party is about to get started. The whole Buchanan family is gathered in the barn, which has been transformed into a winter/Christmas wonderland. Laramie (Lari) Buchanan arrives, along with her family and her fiancé, Evan. She skirts the crowd gathered around her cousin Gabbi who, someone hurries to inform them, has just said yes to Joseph Garrison’s proposal. Another cousin, Grace, waves from across the room, but doesn’t look likely to move far from the man at her side. Everyone is excited. So is Lari, but she wants some of Granny’s special-recipe Christmas punch before she starts mingling.
At the table, she finds her cousin Melody filling two cups with the delicious beverage.

Lari (grinning): “Hey, Mellie! Honey, I could have found you in the dark. You’re absolutely glowing. I take it you and Drew finally got together—and about time too. This should have happened years ago. Congratulations!”

Mellie (offering a sheepish smile): “Thank you! When I left home, I thought a life like this was destined to be stuck in my dreams. Drew hadn’t proposed, and life with the symphony was calling.” (Glancing across the room at her best friend and fiancé) “Guess I needed to leave so Drew could find his own path. I’m still surprised at how well he kept the secret of his career from me.” (Focuses her attention back on Lari. Shakes her head.) “But you know all about secrets, don’t you? Who would’ve thought Evan’s innocent little surprise for you would have backfired to such a horrible degree?”

Lari: “You know, honey, I guess it is a shame we lost the past three years, but God has His reasons. We both had things to learn, and I think we have. (Soft laughter) One of them is that sometimes the things we think we see… (Shaking her head) “…aren’t the real picture at all.”

Mellie: “Ain’t that the truth!” (Sipping punch) “I returned here pretty proud of myself for having found the success I always wanted, and the man of my dreams. I had to come back home to realize everything I ever wanted or needed was right here all along. My life in Colorado was a fairytale. This—” (Breaks off, her gaze dancing here and there around the barn) “This is the real deal!”

Lari (takes Mellie’s hand, gives it a squeeze): “Getting together for Granddaddy’s birthday made this year a turning point in all four of our lives. Granny and Granddaddy are pleased as this awesome punch.” (A mischievous grin. Wrinkles her nose.) “You think maybe next year Granny’ll give us her secret recipe?”

Mellie: “Never! Knowing Granny, she’ll find a way to make us prove we’re worthy of it.” (Lari giggles. Mellie shakes her head. Smiles.) “I’m so glad we all made it back home. You’re right, cousin—it’s been a definite turning point for us all. Now, come on…let’s get on with enjoying the celebration that brought us here.” (Laughing) “If Granny catches us hanging out around the punch bowl ‘like a couple o’ gossipin’ ol’ crows,’ she’ll eat that punch recipe, just to make sure it never gets in our hands!” (Links arms with Lari. The two young women leave the punch bowl behind and join their friends and family.)

(From Delia and Tiffany): To learn more about Lari and Mellie’s stories, pick up a copy of the collection or leave a comment below for a chance at a FREE copy of your own. Thanks for taking the time to join us on Pam’s Wild Rose Blog today! The other stops along the tour should be listed below. We hope to see you at each one. Remember, each blog you visit and comment on is another chance to win!

Do You See What I See? 
Delia Latham

Laramie Buchanan’s fiancé betrayed her on what should have been their wedding day. Evan Lassiter was jilted at the altar three years ago. Yesterday's heartbreak blinds them both to a surprising truth that could heal their hurting hearts. Will they see it in time to save their love?

Delia’s bio:
Delia Latham lives in East Texas with her husband and a spoiled Pomeranian named Kona. She writes inspirational romance and devotions. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in this author’s tales of sweet romance.
A former newspaper Staff Writer, Delia is now blessed to have twenty-seven published novels/novellas/novelettes, as well as short works in a number of devotional anthologies. She designs cover art and marketing materials, and offers freelance editing/proofreading services. Contact her about speaking at your upcoming event.

Hometown Melodies
Amber Stockton

Melody May Buchanan left Gatlinburg to pursue a life in the symphony. When a letter arrives asking her to return home for her granddaddy’s 80th birthday, she goes, but upon her arrival, she’s faced with everything she loved while growing up there…even her best friend, Drew. When her fiancé arrives, her two worlds collide, and she has a choice to make...but which option is the best?

Amber’s bio:
Tiffany Amber Stockton has been embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children and three dogs in Colorado. She has sold twenty (21) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

Christmas in July blog tour schedule:

July 2 - All Betts Are Off (Delia Latham)

July 3 - Pam's Wild Rose Blog (joint post with Delia Latham & Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 4 - Whispers in Purple (Delia Latham)

July 8 - All Betts Are Off (Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 10 - Whispers in Purple (Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 11 - Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud (Delia Latham)

July 12 - The World Can Wait (Delia Latham)

July 18 - The World Can Wait (Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 22 - All Betts Are Off (Jeanie Smith Cash)

July 31 - Pam's Wild Rose Blog (joint post with Jeanie Smith Cash & Rose Allen McCauley)

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and another Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.
PamT