#SaturdaySpotlight is on Desaree Armand & Sealed in Silence

Good Morning and Welcome to the last edition of Saturday Spotlight for September 2025! 

Today's guest is brand new to our blog. Not sure exactly when I met Desaree, but I'm sure glad I did. She is a gifted author in the Lake Charles area and we see each other regularly at author events around town.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Desaree! Tell us about your latest book.

So happy to be here, Pam! 

The idea for my story came about when I was 19 years old. I had just been dumped by my best guy friend whom, at the time, I had wanted to be with as more than just friends. He had dumped me to make his girlfriend happy, whom he eventually moved to Texas to be with and married. As far as I know, they are actually still married today, 21 years later.

Anyway, I was severely depressed at that time because of what had happened. I was in my second semester in college, living in a dorm with no real friends and feeling completely isolated. I remember one day I was driving through the city. I don’t remember where I was going, I just remember that I was listening to a CD. Evanescence to be exact. It was a popular album at the time, and it expressed how I was feeling in a way that made me feel normalized in my pain.

This song starts playing, My Last Breath, and when she sang these particular lyrics... 

“Look for me in the white forest

Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)

I know you hear me

I can taste it in your tears”

I was suddenly visualizing being like in a dead place actually hidden in a hollow tree and making the guy who’d hurt me feel sorry and guilty for having broken off our friendship the way he had. I suddenly felt like I needed to write a story that reflected that in some way, but I didn’t want to write the story as if the main character would actually do that because first of all, I knew I wouldn’t, I just felt it, and second of all, I felt that no one else would want to read a story about someone who would actually do something like that. So, I took my visualization and tweaked the details to where it ultimately ended up having a completely different storyline but with the same type of other world idea.

But even then, I spent almost 20 years trying to write the story and never getting far. Over that time, as I grew older and more mentally mature, gaining adult life experiences, the characters went from teenagers to college age and finally to their mid-twenties. I was only able to eventually write the book when I was working at a job that allowed me a lot of downtime with nothing else to do. I was working as a phone operator for a small hospital and only getting about 10 calls an hour to transfer. In between those calls, I started writing the story for real and was finally able to finish it.

Oh my goodness! Isn't it amazing how we get our ideas and how long it sometimes takes for a certain idea to come to fruition? Thanks for sharing this! Share your blurb and exerpt please...

Of course, here is the Blurb...

Emily Bartlett is a young woman who feels that her life is all figured out. From her career to her home, Emily is the master of her universe. She is fiercely independent, but at what cost? Alex Coleman is one of Emily's best friends and they've been close from a young age. All of that changes when Alex reveals a secret to Emily that he's been keeping to himself for more than a decade. One night, after the disastrous results of Alex's revelation, a series of events leads Emily to wind up trapped and alone in an altered state of being. Can Emily, with the help of Alex, her younger sister Allie, and her best girlfriend Samantha, confront the memories and past choices that are keeping her trapped? Can Emily find her way out before time runs out? It's a story of will they or won't they and a race against time with a little science-fiction and magic mixed in.

And an Exerpt...

My head was pounding, and my entire body hurt. I struggled to open my eyes and once I had, everything was a little blurry. As my vision started to clear, I realized that I was staring up at the sky, which was orange as if it were evening, but it was a solid orange. There were no streaks of pink or purple, and no clouds to be seen. I couldn’t see the sun or moon at all either. Where was I?

I pulled myself up slowly and realized that I had been lying on a wooden bench. As I slid my legs to the ground, I realized that I was on the bench in front of the school. The school that I had attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in and had been a teacher at for a few years now. But something was wrong.

There was no street or sidewalk in front of the bench like there should be. In fact, there was nothing in front of the bench. No grass, no trees, no houses, and no people. There wasn’t even any wind. The air was warm and completely still. Stretching out in front of me, all the way to the horizon was nothing but sand. As if I were in the middle of a desert.

I stood up slowly and turned around to take a better look at the school. It was the same school alright. Only now, it looked dark and abandoned. All of the windows looked black and blown out and the building itself was an ashen shade of grey instead of its normal dark red brick. Once again, there was nothing around the building. Only sand. A shudder ran through me at the sight of the tall, dark, imposing building.

I looked away from it. In that instant, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked back at the building, but it seemed that whatever I thought I’d seen was gone. As I looked around, it hit me that I was completely alone in this strange place. What had happened, and where was I?

There didn’t seem to be anywhere else for me to go except this strange, extremely creepy version of the school. Although, I was afraid, I was even more afraid that wherever I was, I might be stuck unless I found answers. So, I started walking towards the school. I took a deep breath, pulled open the door, and took a step inside.

The inside of the building was no less creepy than the outside. There didn’t seem to be any electricity. The lockers that lined the hallways looked rusted out as if they hadn’t been touched in years. Some of them were missing their doors, creating small dark caverns along the wall. There were random pieces of paper strewn up and down the hall. I picked one up, but there was nothing on it. I picked up a few more, but they were all blank.

As I continued walking, I passed a few classrooms. Every door that I opened sported dark empty rooms filled with old wooden desks, more blank paper strewn all over, and graffiti sprayed all over the walls. What was going on? I came to the staircase that led to the second floor. As I looked up at the landing, once again I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. It had come from further back on the first floor. I looked towards the classroom door where I had seen it, but once again, there was nothing there.

I walked slowly towards that room instead of going up to the second floor and looked in. This one looked the same as all the rest, but with one major difference. Sitting there, behind the teacher’s desk, was a dark hooded figure. It looked over at me as I stood in the doorway. All I saw where a face should be inside the hood, was nothing. Just a dark empty hole. The figure stood up silently and started slowly coming towards me. It seemed to be gliding instead of walking. It was then that I screamed.

Wonderful, Desaree! Where can Sealed in Silence be found?

Glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Pam. Sealed in Silence is available at Amazon for Kindle and in Print and through Ingram Spark. 

If you're in, around or about the SWLA or SETEX area, you can pick up a copy of Sealed in Silence at Krews, Books & Brews, Bux Kajun Korner and eff. Oct. 1st, The Charmed Page bookstore. 

Perfect! Now tell us more about yourself and where we can connect with you.

Sure! 

As you indicated in the introduction, I live in SW Louisiana with my husband Merrick and our Dachshund, Floyd. I work full-time as a counselor by trade. In my free time, I read contemporary fiction and follow other creative and artistic pursuits. I start my mornings with a good cup of coffee and soothing coffee-shop sounds while reading. You can connect with me on Facebook.

OK. Again, THANKS for visiting and sharing your book with us, Desaree. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Friends, if you're a fan of YA Paranormal Romance books, grab a copy of Sealed in Silence today. Also, don't forget to check out our Featured Author and the Featured books in our sidebar. If you love audiobooks, take advantage of Audible's FREE Trial Membership.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and happy Fall, Y'all!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Canyon of Deceit!

Good Morning,

Can you believe September is half over already?!

I can't. Been crazy, busy this month as usual LOL!

Today's guest has been here numerous times but it always my pleasure to welcome my friend, DiAnn Mills to share her latest book with us. Welcome back, DiAnn, tell us what makes Canyon of Deceit so special...

Thanks for having me back, Pam!

Story ideas have a way of wiggling into my heart and taking root. Canyon of Deceit hit the curiosity bullseye, especially the concept of living off-grid. Imagine totally roughing it—no food, water, electricity, cell phone connection, yet plenty of snakes! 

Here’s the scoop on my new release:

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.

My adventuresome spirit propelled me to hike those mountains and find out all I could about where my hero and heroine attempted to rescue precious Alina. Dear reader, I love to visit the setting of my stories. I want to experience the area in every way possible. So my husband and I drove from our home in Houston into southeast New Mexico—because a person can’t drive to there except from New Mexico.

My husband and I drove into Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s Dog Canyon. The rocky cliffs, barren countryside, and desolate mountain beauty captivated me. In route, horses and cattle ran free-range, so we had to stop a few times before reaching our destination. Park rangers offered tremendous help with their knowledge of the area. Some of the information I’d never have known without their insight.

Arriving at the trailhead of Dog Canyon stole my breath, from the wildlife to the desert growth, I snapped pics like a crazy woman. My sanity in pursuing research might be in question, but that’s the life of a writer. Some of those pics are on a Pinterest board devoted to Canyon of Deceit.

Writing romantic suspense challenges me to reflect on the daily changes in our world. I always learn about careers, settings, behavior, the power of motivation, and so much more. Are you tempted to learn more about this story? Check out the book info page and a special tab for book clubs. 

Let me hear from you! You, dear reader, are why I write suspense, romance, and adventure.

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful adventure you had, DiAnn. I love traveling too and Dog Canyon sounds like an interesting place to visit. Can you give us a little more info on the book?

Sure, here's the blurb...

 A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot―no matter the risk to their own lives.

You can Read an Excerpt on HERE.

THANKS, DiAnn! Now give us the scoop on you ...

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.

A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions: Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn, or her website: diannmills.com.

Canyon of Deceit is available through your favorite bookstore or online retailer as well as Amazon in Paperback, for Kindle and in Audio. In fact it's FREE on Audible with a membership trial!

Thank You, DiAnn. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release.

Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for more great authors and their books as well as Featured Authors/Artists and Featured Books in the sidebar.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Randy Overbeck & Red Shadows at Saugatuck

Good Morning and Welcome!

You may remember seiing this fellow's Featured Author page last month and this book in the sidebar, well today we're getting a peek into why Randy wrote Red Shadows at Saugatuck...

Take it away Randy!

As an author, I enjoy all the aspects of writing—the research to get the

details right, the inventing of the tale, the crafting of the narrative, the editing and the thrill of completing another piece readers might find interesting. My series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, have received such a tremendous response from critics and readers alike that I’ve been amazed and thrilled. The novels have earned ten national awards including Best Book Award (Chanticleer Books and Reviews), Gold Award (LiteraryTitan) and Mystery of the Year (ReaderViews) and

achieved a #1 and #2 bestseller status on Amazon and B & N.

Readers have responded so well to the first three books in the Haunted

Shores Mysteries series—which chronicle the path of Darrell and Erin from meeting to falling in love, to getting married—I thought the narrative was ready for the next chapter. So in this entry, Darrell and Erin have a precocious little five-year-old, who’s inherited his father’s ability to see ghosts. Darrell returns home to Michigan, which gave me a chance to feature his interesting extended family. In this novel, readers will find another great whodunit set in another stunning resort

town, this time Saugatuck, Michigan. And I’ve wrapped the haunted aura of Native American spiritualty around the mystery of the murder. In the words of anearly reviewer, readers will find a tale that is “socially relevant and strangelybeautiful  in its grief, haunting in every sense of the word.” (litandcoffee reviews)

Wow...OK, now can we get a peek into the book?

Sure, here is the Blurb...

Darrell Henshaw hoped he was past it all. After all, no ghosts had visited him for years. Instead, he learns his five-year-old-son, Leo has inherited his “gift.” 

Now, they both can see ghosts.

This time, Darrell drives his young family 800 miles to celebrate his Aunt Gertrude’s 80th birthday. But, once in the resort  town of Saugatuck, Michigan, their participation gets derailed by the spirit of a Native teen who went missing weeks earlier. When he and Leo inquire about the girl, the locals dismiss their concerns—"Those girls run away all the time.”  Still, as questions pile up and threats grow, Darrell senses they may have stumbled onto something far worse and even more evil than one missing teen. 

Can Darrell continue to pursue justice for the girl if it places his wife and five-year-old son in danger?

And an Excerpt...

Darrell chanced another look in the rearview and saw the SUV accelerating, closing the distance. Darrell stared, fixated on the wide silver grill growing larger in his mirror. Alternating glances from the road ahead to the car behind, he watched it move closer, now less than a car length. He stared at the shield, could make out its colors of silver, gold, black and red. He checked out the road ahead then shot another look at the Cadillac emblem. In the center of the shield, he saw a small nick, like a stone from the road had chipped it. His gaze returned to the asphalt ahead of him.

He punched the accelerator and felt his Taurus respond. When the distance between the cars opened up a bit, he checked the speedometer. The needle moved past eighty. The scenery flew by. He didn’t think he could keep this up for long. At least, the road was straight…for now.

He sensed more than saw movement behind him and yanked his gaze back to the rearview mirror. The SUV accelerated even more and drew still closer, the black frame and tinted windshield filling his mirror. Darrell’s knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. The car came so close, the grill with the shield disappeared from his view. The darkened windshield was all Darrell could see through his mirror. 

God, he must be within a foot. He’s going to ram me.

He floored the gas pedal and the engine whined in protest. The needle passed eighty-five. He wanted to turn his head and look back through the rear window but couldn’t chance it. Not at this speed. He had to stay focused on the road ahead. His Taurus raced along the blacktop. 

Then it started. First, a few thunks on the roof and, within seconds, the sky opened up, the rain cascading in sheets. He flipped the wipers on high and stared through the windshield at the rain-slicked asphalt. Damn, what else can go wrong? Driving like this in the rain was major-league stupid.

He needed to slow down in the downpour but couldn’t. He feared if he slowed, even a little, the larger SUV would slam into him and probably run him off the road. He chanced another glance in the rearview and saw…nothing. All he could see looking back was the torrential rain slicing down onto the blacktop. 

Where had the Cadillac gone? Could he have turned off when the rain hit and Darrell hadn’t noticed? He didn’t think so but where was the car? He stared ahead and then shot another glance in the mirror. Nothing.

Then, he caught some movement in his peripheral vision. The Cadillac SUV had slid over into the oncoming lane. He was passing the Taurus on the left. He must’ve disappeared into Darrell’s blind spot before pulling even with the Taurus. Darrell stared from the SUV beside him to the road ahead. As far as he could tell, both lanes seemed empty of traffic, but the rain reduced how far he could see.

He shot a glance to his side. The Cadillac had pulled up, almost even with his car. He peered across but could make out nothing but the damn dark tinted glass. He jerked his gaze back to the road. What was this idiot going to do? Pass him and make him skid on the wet road? He risked a glance in the rearview to see if there was a second car, to block him in. Nothing.

The SUV inched forward, both cars hurtling at almost ninety! This was crazy. No, this was suicide. He should brake and slow down, let the Cadillac whiz by him. But he feared what might happen in the rain. He could hydroplane, lose traction and skid. 

He had no time to consider any options. 

Right then, the SUV surged forward and steered hard to the right, angling in front of him, cutting off the Taurus. Darrell had no choice. He stepped on his brake so as not to hit the Cadillac. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the SUV whiz into his lane right in front of him. He yanked the wheel to the right, swerving to avoid hitting the other car. His tires slipped on the rain-slicked asphalt. He tried to control the steering wheel but felt the car skid onto the narrow shoulder. He slammed on the brakes as hard as he could and watched the car go over the edge of the shoulder. His heart raced. He practically stood on the brake. The car bumped over the shoulder. It bounced down into a ditch and partway up. The Taurus jerked to a stop, slamming his head into the steering wheel. 

Everything went dark.

Oh My Goodness! Excellent, edge-of-your-seat excerpt. Tell us where we can find Red Shadows at Saugatuck and give us the lowdown on you...

Thanks, Pam. Red Shadows at Saugatuck can be found at Amazon and other Online Retailers. Below is my "official" bio.

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author, speaker and podcaster. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades and has mined that experience to create captivating fiction, authoring two series, the bestselling series, “The Haunted Shores Mysteries,” and the award-winning series, “Lessons in Peril.” His novels have won critical acclaim and garnered national awards including Mystery of the Year (ReaderViews) Best Book Award (Chanticleer Books and Reviews) and the Gold Award (Literary Titan) and amassed hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. 

Dr. Overbeck also hosts the popular podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual and sometimes strange backstories of famous authors, directors and poets and can be heard wherever listeners get their podcasts. He is a speaker in considerable demand, sharing his popular presentations about ghosts and the world of book publishing with hundreds of audiences all over the U.S. 

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop.

When he’s not researching, writing, speaking or podcasting, Randy enjoys traveling with his wife Cathy and visiting both his far-flung family and the scenic locations around this country, often in search of inspiration for his next great story.

More info about his novels, programs and podcast can be found at his website. Contact him at: randyoverbeck@authorrandyoverbeck.com and connect with him on Facebook, X, Amazon, Instagram, BookBub and GoodReads.

Thank You, so much, Randy for sharing your book with us today. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your work.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight, friends and that you'll check back weekly for another Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care, God bless and remember to show a little kindness today.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Jaylon Martin & I Talk to Horses!

I met this young man a decade or more ago when he walked into a Bayou Writers meeting already a published author at 16 years of age and have been impressed with him ever since. Welcome, Jaylon! Tell us about why you wrote, I Talk to Horses... 

Thanks for having me, Ms. Pam! I wrote the poetry collection “I Talk To Horses” to inform my readers on the impact equine therapy has had on me. I started visiting Almosta Ranch, located in Sulphur, LA, in April 2024. That is where I bonded with my horse best friend Beau. I started equine therapy in order to heal from a painful past that was intertwined with addiction and mental abuse that I experienced in my final year of college. Since then, I actively inform others about equine therapy and the positive impact it can make. I consider I Talk To Horses my favorite book I ever written, coming from someone who’s written five books. The reason is because of the healing headspace I was in.

Love this, Jaylon! As you know, I too experienced the healing presence of horses and ranch life after my husband passed away. So excited for you and this book. Give us more please...

Sure, here is the Blurb...

Although I began living a life that embraced sobriety, there were still a lot of past traumas I needed to unpack.

Growing up, the sight of horses always excited me—I admired them deeply. I never knew there was a kind of therapy that incorporated them. This is called equine therapy, a therapeutic process that involves the presence of horses. After a year of loss and rediscovering who I truly am, I felt this was exactly what I needed.

Almosta Ranch was where my equine therapy journey began. It was there that I met many loving horses—especially Beau, who became one of my best friends. My bond with these horses encouraged me to view my past through a new lens: one of forgiveness—for myself and others—and of self-love.

The 22 poems in this book are about more than healing—they are about experiencing transformation, showing love from a distance, and truly letting go of the things that have weighed me down.

“Many wonder about the change in me, and I never reveal what my source is. Happily, in this book, I reveal...

I Talk to Horses.”

Folks can read an excerpt and purchase the book on Amazon.

The album, I Talk to Horses is also available on all music streaming platforms! All 22 poems! This is a blend of spoken word accompanied by country music instrumentally performed by Taylor Fillion.

How Wonderful, Jaylon!

How about a little information on yourself and where readers can find out more about your body of work...

Sure... My name is Jaylon J. Martin, and I was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA. I started writing books at age 13 and began to publish them at age 16. Sci-fi, poetry-self-help, and fantasy are my holy trinity of genres I enjoy to write. Whether if I’m labeled as a writer or author, I prefer to be titled as a storyteller, which has been a dream of mine ever since I was three years old. My motive is to give my readers an enjoyable time through the pages and touch their souls and hearts with my words. It’s always a gift to write and as a storyteller, I never expect anything in return. All of my books can be found on Amazon. Readers can find out more about me by visiting my Website where they can sign up to receive my newsletter, and Amazon Author Page as well as Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn. 

Thank You, So Much Jaylon, for sharing I Talk to Horses with us today! You are certainly an ispiration to everyone who meets you and we wish you the Best of luck and God's blessings on this, and all of your projects. 

Hope you enjoyed Jaylon's spotlight friends and that you'll check out his work. Stop by every week for another edition of Saturday Spotlight and be sure to check out our Featured Author and Featured books in the sidebar as well as our collaborative promotion of Autumn Reads with Keuka Roots.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Jodie Bailey & Tracing Killer Evidence

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Saturday Spotlight of August, 2025!

Can you believe we're heading into the last few months of the year already? 

Me either, but let me tell you it's been an amazing ride so far. 😊

When I started putting this week's guest information up, I wondered... 

"I've known Jodie for years! Why hasn't she been here before?! 

"Je ne sais pas," as the French would say. "I don't know," in English, but I'm sure glad she's here now.

Welcome, Jodie! Please tell us a little about yourself...

Thanks, Pam, I often wondered myself why I never got around to visiting your blog. Thank YOU for having me now!

I am a New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly Best-selling author who writes “soul-stirring suspense” filled with love, faith and intrigue. My novel, Crossfire, was an RT Reviewers' Choice Award winner that was commended for addressing "the stigma associated with mental health services and the military." 

Besides (and above) all that, I am -first and foremost- a mom and Army wife who believes dark chocolate cures all ills. I live in North Carolina with my husband and a lab-husky mix. 😊

Love it! Now tell us about your book, Tracing Killer Evidence and why you wrote it...

Tracing Killer Evidence was such a blessing to write, because it was part of a continuity with other Love Inspired authors. It's always fun to work together, to get to know one another's characters, and to work them into my own story. It's a challenge to look back at prior books in the series and forward to the books after mine in order to wave in the right threads and make sure that we don't wind up with inconsistencies or plot holes. (And yay for the editors at LIS, who are rock stars at keeping everything together and making sure it all flows!) 

This book is about forgiveness, which is something I think we all struggle with. I wanted to look at how God calls us to forgive and to show it at work in a very broken relationship. I always learn so much when I'm writing a "God story," and He is definitely still working on me on that one!

Isn't HE always working on all of us on that?! LOL! Can you give us a sneak peek into the book and where we can find it?

Sure... Here is the blurb...

A string of unsolved kidnappings…A K-9 team out for justice…

Forensic artist Isabella Whitmore narrowly escapes an abduction attempt in the Dakota Badlands, only to find herself targeted by a mysterious assailant. With the help of FBI special agent Liam Barringer and his K-9, Guthrie, Isabella must uncover the identity of her would-be murderer. Is the culprit the elusive kidnapper turned serial killer who’s targeting Isabella because she matches his victim profile? Or has her secret past finally caught up with her? As the attacks escalate, Isabella and Liam must find the truth and stop the danger before it’s too late.

And an excerpt...

A dark sedan had slammed on its brakes in front of them. It had no license plate and no bumper stickers or identifying marks. Other than the make and model, there was nothing distinct about it.

The car didn’t move as Liam backed farther away then slammed on the brakes again a safe distance up the highway.

Isabella slammed against the headrest. She swallowed hard and gulped air, begging God for mercy for her swirling stomach and her spinning head. Begging Him for safety from this relentless assault.

After long moments where the only sound in the vehicle was the three of them breathing, the sedan suddenly gunned the engine and roared away with tires spinning. When it had gone about a tenth of a mile, the headlights and taillights vanished.

“He shut them off.” Liam smacked the steering wheel, then eased the SUV to the side of the road.

“You’re not going to follow him?” Her motion sickness forgotten in her ire, Isabella disentangled her hand from Guthrie’s collar as she threw her right hand toward the fleeing vehicle. “He’s going to get away. We can catch him. We can—”

“And do what?” Liam snapped. “I have no backup. Say he slams on the brakes and opens fire. Say he has an accomplice and lures us into a trap before help gets here. As much as I want to put an end to this, I’m not going to charge into the unknown when I have you in the vehicle with me. You’ve been through enough, and we’ve had too many close calls. This guy is escalating, and I don’t like it. Clearly, he’s fixated on you, and this is more dangerous than we thought.”

Everything in her deflated as a chill wrapped around her. Her body, her mind, her heart…they all went numb.

Liam called Cheyenne and repeated their location and everything that had happened.

Ahead of them, in the opposite lane, several emergency vehicles appeared, lights flashing in the distance, racing closer.

She no longer cared. She no longer felt anything. All she wanted to do was sleep.

The same overwhelming emptiness had engulfed her on the night before her planned wedding, when she’d closed the door behind her father and brother and sank against it, sliding to the floor. That night, they’d demanded she convert her “FBI fiance’” into a patsy for their criminal organization. Refusal meant death for Liam. They couldn’t risk her being married to a federal agent if he wasn’t working for them as well. 

So to protect Liam, she’d left him behind. Where she should have been overwhelmed by anger and grief at her family’s vile demand, she’d felt nothing. The gulf that had opened in her heart was too expansive, and it seemed to swallow her whole.

It was the same now.

It had taken years for her to heal the last time, and part of her still felt like it lived in that abyss. The last thing she’d ever wanted was to feel so dead again, but she was overwhelmed and broken.

She’d lost herself, and the idea that this emptiness could be permanent terrified her more than any killer ever could.

You can find Tracing Killer Evidence at Amazon , at Harlequin.com, and of course your local book retailer that carries Love Inspired titles.

Wonderful, Jodie! Thank you for joining us today. We certainly wish you the BEST of luck and God's blessings for continued success with your writing and life in general. 

Hope you enjoyed Jodie's spotlight friends and that you'll come by weekly to find more great authors and their books. Check out her other titles HERE and find out more about her by visiting her Website.

Until next time, take care and keep reading.

PamT

PS: One of Jodie's backlisted titles is a Keuka Roots' Autumn Reads book! 

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Heidi Glick and Gazing into Darkness!

Well, August is winding down quickly. School has started. Football season is underway and Fall is on it's way. You may have seen Heidi Glick's new book featured in our sidebar, but today we're going to get a sneak peek into the book itself and why Heidi wrote it.

Welcome Heidi! Give us the scoop...

Thanks for having me, Pam. Gazing into Darkness is the first book in a three-book romantic suspense series, Queen City Heroes, set in Cincinnati, Ohio. For several years, I worked for a government contractor onsite at the Cincinnati EPA. Later, I learned about EPA CID agents and decided to write a story about them. The book released on August 12, 2025, from Scrivenings Press and will be available on Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited.

Sounds amazing, Heidi! Isn't it wonderful where our ideas come from? Give us more please...

It sure is! Here you go...

Blurb: Instead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation.

On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Stacey senses a closeness between them but has vowed not to get involved with men in law enforcement and especially not someone who doesn’t share her faith.

The anniversary of the case is creeping closer. Time is running out. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late?

Excerpt: A bullet zinged through the front office window but didn’t hit anyone.

“We got to hold them off longer.” Stacey was perched halfway out the window. “I can’t leave you behind. I’ll stay.”

“Could be shooters outside. Just get them to safety. Go for help. We need to contact local law enforcement.”

“Chance ...” Her eyes met his. Long, intense glances passed between them. His pulse raced, and not just from the intense situation.

“Go!” He pushed her out the window, then sighed.

* * * 

Oh my, what an hook! Now give us the scoop on Heidi and where we can find Gazing into Darkness 😊

Thanks LOL! Here is my bio and where readers can connect with me...

Heidi Glick writes romantic suspense and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers. She has an eye for detail and includes law enforcement particulars in her stories, grounding the reader in scenes. She’s attended Writers’ Police Academy and the Hancock County (Ohio) Sheriff Citizen’s Academy to ensure accuracy of story details. Though she grew up in Southern California, Heidi now considers rural Northwest Ohio her home. Readers can learn more about Heidi on her Website and connect with her on Facebook, TwitterX and Sluths and Suspects blog.

Gazing into Darkenss can be found at Amazon and directly through the publisher, Scrivenings Press.

Thank You, SO Much, Heidi!

Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new book.

Hope you enjoyed Heidi's visit friends and that you'll stop by each week for Saturday Spotlight and check out our Featured Author, Featured Books in the Sidebar and previously featured Authors, Artist and books on our Archived page.

Until next time take care and give yourself permission to escape into the world of make believe by opening that book you've put off reading, or writing!

Speaking of Writing - A Novel Lunch ™ Beginning Writer's Workshop will kick off again on September 9th! Get the details HERE.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on M. Jean Pike and Superheroes!

Good Morning and Welcome,

It has been a L-O-N-G while since M. Jean Pike visited with us and I'm looking forward to hearing what makes her new book, Superheroes, so special. Will you tell us?

Thanks for having me back Pam!

Superheroes is a story about ordinary people who, empowered by extraordinary love, become capable of things they wouldn’t have thought possible. It is a story about a young man with special needs who dreams of becoming a superhero, about a man whose love for his brother comes at a price he wasn’t prepared to pay, and about the woman whose heart refuses to give up on love, even at the cost of her own dreams. It’s about sacrificial love. Transformational love. Jesus love. The kind of love that steps in when disaster strikes, when faith is pushed to its limit, and courage is the only choice left. It is a story about the kind of love that can turn flawed and broken people into superheroes.  

How Interesting! Give us more Please...

Sure. Here's the Blurb...

At twenty-one, Abby Callahan leaves her parent’s home for a rented motel room in Redford’s Crossing. She has no friends, let alone a boyfriend, so why did she tell her controlling sister she’s bringing a date to a family party? With only one week and no prospects, she needs a miracle.

Rory St. George needs a cashier for the store he manages, and Abby is the perfect choice. When he invites her out, hoping to propose a job offer, she agrees to go---if he will accompany her to a family party. Rory’s plans don’t include a relationship, but he’s drawn to Abby in a way he didn’t anticipate.

A series of misfortunes threaten to end their relationship before it begins. With the odds stacked against them, can their newfound love survive? She’s new in town. He’s from the wrong side of town.

When disaster strikes, can love turn ordinary people into Superheroes?

And an Excerpt...

Rory stuffed his change in his pocket.  A man stepped into line behind him. Two more people came through the door. His window of opportunity was closing fast. He stood aside while Abby sold the man six scratch-off lottery tickets and a case of soda. If he didn’t leave now, he’d be late getting back to work. Go away, Tommy. 

As if on cue there was a crash in the back of the store, followed by a child’s mournful cries. 

“Now what did I say?” a woman bellowed. “Didn’t I tell you not to touch stuff? Look at what you did!” 

Tommy muttered under his breath and went to the back of the store to investigate. Thank you, Lord.

Knowing Tommy would likely be back within minutes, Rory pushed the words out. “Hey, did you hear about the light show at the college next Saturday?” 

“Yeah, I saw a poster about it on campus. It sounds amazing.”  

“So, I ended up with an extra ticket. It’s not the same as an actual meteor shower, but it might be a close second. Think you can get the night off?”

Instead of the smile he’d hoped for, her mouth dipped in a slight frown. “I already requested next Saturday off. But I’m having dinner with my parents at Hannibal House.”

Blooming heck.

He composed his face to hide his disappointment. “Fancy.” 

“It’s their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary,” she explained.

“Ahh.”

“Shoot. I’d love to take you up on the laser show ticket, but I can’t.”

“I get it. No worries.” Now he’d have to think of something else.

“Unless … would you want to go with me? Dinner is at six, and the show isn’t until eight.”

“Oh…”

“Never mind.” She flapped her hands at him. “It would be awkward for you. My whole family will be there.”

Tommy was replacing the mop in the utility closet and Rory was beyond late for work.

“No, it’s cool. We can have dinner with your family first. If you’re sure it’s OK that I tag along.”

“I’m sure,” she said quickly. “Are you sure?”

He shrugged. “Why not?”

She bit down on her bottom lip. Then her face changed, as if something monumental had just occurred to her and she grinned at him. “Great.”

He’d tried to be low key about it, frame it as just a couple of friends hanging out together for the evening. He hoped she hadn’t misunderstood. But why else would she have that thunderstruck expression on her face? Why was she looking at him like he was some kind of superhero? Like he was one of the seven wonders of the world? Like some kind of miracle had just occurred. 

What a Beautiful Excerpt! Now give us the low-down on you and tell us where we can find Superheros...

Sure, Pam, here's my "official" bio and links:

Changing seasons. Unexpected blessings. Love that lasts forever. These are a few of M. Jean Pike's favorite things. With a writing career that has spanned two decades, Jean combines an insatiable curiosity about humans and why they do what they do with her faith in God to bring readers unforgettable tales of life, love, and the inner workings of the human heart. Her short works have been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul and the Lutheran Digest. Superheroes is her twelfth novel. 

Find out more by visiting her Web/Blogsite.

Superheroes can be found at Amazon, PBG, B&N, GooglePlay, Kobo and Apple books.

Perfect. Twelve novels is an amazing accomplishment! Thank You, SO much for sharing your book with us today. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessing on all of your work.

Hope you'll check out M. Jean's book, Friends, and that you'll come back each week for another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Be sure to check out the books in our sidebar as well as our Featured Author and Teaser Tuesday pages and be on the lookout for Autum Reads in collaboration with KeukaRoots.com!

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Amber Daulton & Lost in His Spiderwebs ~ Lozano Cartel: Book 2

Good Morning!

Back in April, Amber Daulton introduced us to book 1 of  her Lozano Cartel series. Today she shares with us a peek into book 2, Lost in His Spiderwebs. Thanks for coming by, Amber. Tell us why you wrote Lost in His Spiderwebs or what makes it special...

Thanks for having me back, Pam! 

Lost in His Spiderwebs is the second book in the Lozano Cartel series, which follows Rubén Lozano and Drina Cabrera in a second chance dark romance neither of them expected.

Rubén is not a man to trifle with. He’s a ruthless, secretive cartel kingpin who will spill blood to further his end goals. Drina is a widowed mom who lives her life around her job and raising her daughter. These two people have nothing in common, or so it seems. After Drina’s life turns upside down and she finds herself at the mercy of a violent cartel, fate sends the one man she wants nothing to do with right into her path. Yet, Rubén is the only person who can help her.

Readers will first meet Rubén and Drina as supporting characters in Dark Hearts Aflame, book one in the series. Right away, I knew I wanted to explore and develop Rubén’s character and give him his own book, but I wasn’t sure who his heroine would be. After coming up with and discarding a couple of ideas, inspiration finally struck. Drina! She would be perfect for him. I love the opposites attract trope, so I plotted out the story with Drina as his love interest. But something didn’t feel right. At this point in my brainstorming process, Rubén and Drina were strangers when they meet in Chapter One. I didn’t like that. There wasn’t enough emotion or connection between them to satisfy me, let alone the reader.

What was I to do? I stressed over this for weeks, trying to figure out a way to add some pizzazz. Then it clicked. A second chance romance, another favorite trope. What if Rubén and Drina were lovers years earlier? What if he was the father of her daughter, and he doesn’t know it? Those questions whipped through my mind like lightning; I knew exactly what I had to do.

Once I got the beginning of the book figured out, the rest of it fell quickly into place. I had so many ideas, though some of them were cut for better pacing and word count. The final product is an edgy, angsty, erotic story befitting the dark romance genre, and I’m thrilled to share it with you.

Lost in His Spiderwebs is now on preorder and will be live on October 14, 2025. The next book, Corrupting His Wife, is in the draft stage. The Lozano Cartel series will span several standalone novels, so please subscribe to my newsletter or follow my social media to keep tabs on when these books will be out. Until then, add Lost in His Spiderwebs to your reading list. You won’t be disappointed.

WOW, I love it when a story falls into place like that! Please give us a peek into this upcoming release...

Sure! Lost in His Spiderwebs has a heat rating of 5 but here is the blurb and a PG13 excerpt...

The cartel king has finally found his queen.

Kidnapped by the enemy. Bought by the jefe. Will his smoldering touch thaw her frozen heart?

Rubén Lozano, the new leader of the Lozano Cartel, craves peace amidst a legacy of bloodshed and death. He never expected to find his ex-lover, Drina Cabrera, in the clutches of his vicious rivals. Her haunted eyes compel him to rescue her, but freeing her is another matter.

After five months of captivity, Drina trades one captor for another. Though she succumbs to Rubén’s masterful touch, the bittersweet memory of her daughter and the life she was stolen from is a constant wedge between them.

When Rubén’s darkest secret comes out, he will have to wash his hands in crimson. Will Drina let her king face the danger alone, or stand at his side as his cartel queen?

Excerpt: “Smile,” Rubén told her. “It’s showtime.”

She nodded and lifted her chin, wincing a little in the flashing camera lights.

As three hand-picked paparazzi snapped pictures of him and Drina from all angles, Rubén counted to thirty before he steered Drina past them to the music room.

“Wow,” Drina murmured as they passed the piano for the ballroom.

A massive chandelier gleamed from the lofty ceiling, its decorative crystals reflecting the soft white light and dancing spots across the ivory walls and the chattering, laughing guests. The live band played instrumental music at the far end of the rectangular room, where Esme’s team had set up fancy tables and chairs for the speech and dinner portion of the evening.

“Why do you keep this room locked up? It’s magnificent.”

He shrugged. “It’s a bitch to clean.”

His blunt answer steepled Drina’s eyebrows. “My, what consideration. I’m sure the housekeeping staff appreciates it,” she teased and pulled him onto the dance floor alongside several other couples. “Let’s dance.”

As her arms slid around his shoulders, he rested his hands on her waist. Her body heat and strawberry aroma enveloped him. Groaning, he gripped the thick fabric of her dress so hard that it bunched and the band of his rings bit into his skin. She rested her head against his chest, and her hair teased his nose. They swayed, lost in each other as though they were the only people around. A foolish notion, one he shouldn’t revel in. If he did, he would ravage her on the floor.

“You have a good turnout,” she murmured while he twirled her about. She spun back into his embrace. “Are any of these people your friends?”

“Hardly.” This was his world. Glamour, power, prestige. The public mask he wore to hide his sinister nature. “You’re swimming in dangerous waters. The sooner you realize I can buy and discard all these sharks and guppies with a flick of my wrist, the better off you’ll be.”

“I’m well aware you’re king of the sharks.”

He snorted, holding her closer. “You’re a barracuda. Lithe grace and sharp teeth.”

“Ooh, I like that.” She nipped at his chin. “I’ll never be a guppy.”

Damn right. As the song ended, he guided her off the dance floor. Duty called.

Lost in His Spiderwebs can be found on Bookbub, and preordered through Amazon and Other Online Retailers HERE.

Beautiful, Amber! Now how about giving us the scoop on you.

THANKS, here you go...

Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.

Find and Follow Amber on social media via Linktree. Check out her Website: Daulton Publishing and sign up to receive her Newsletter ~ New subscribers get a free eBook!

Wonderful to have you back, Amber!

Good luck and God's blessings on your new release and the entire series.

Hope you enjoyed Amber's post, friends and that you'll come back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next week, take care, God bless and be sure to check out our Featured Author Page and the Featured Book in our Sidebar.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on LoRee Peery & Shelter in the Night ~ Worship through Verse Vol. 1

Good Morning and Welcome,

Today's guest has been a regular since I started this feature and I am SO please to bring her back! Thank you, LoRee for dropping by with your new book today. Tell us about it...

Thanks, Pam. Writing any kind of poetry was never on my creative agenda.

Rather than dealing with the pandemic lockdown in 2020, I dealt with months of shoulder pain. I had a reverse replacement in June of 2020. The surgeon also did repair on a broken acromion (the flat bone connected to the clavicle) that forms the top curve. I found out later the pins were just “floating.:” So that part of the operation hadn’t worked, and I needed surgery again three months later.

I often awoke in the wee hours around three a.m. with my Bible turned to the Psalms. Psalm 91:1 says He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

He definitely proved to be my Shelter in the Night, thus the name for the first of four journals that I filled during those months.

Those months weren’t the first that I’ve called various waiting places over the years. The conclusion I’ve reached is that what touches my life is according to God’s time, and I’m not meant to ask why. For whatever reason, to build character, patience, or perseverance, that waiting period happened in 2020.

Due to the pain that woke me, I spent those wee hours of many sleepless nights reading my Bible and followed God’s Word by pouring out my frustration and praise through what I called LoRee’s modern-day psalms. Lamentations turned to praise, all with adoration for the Lord God who calls me His daughter, and I filled four journals.

The other titles in the series are Looking Beyond Self, Gratitude for All Moments, and Finding Peace and Strength.

Wow, LoRee, isn't it amazing how beauty comes from ashes? Tell us more please...

Yeah, God's purpose and plan never ceases to amaze me! Read on...

Blurb: Do you ever awaken in the middle of the night, beset by thought of the worries of the day? Do you ever awaken with the feeling that God wants you to pray for someone or some thing? Do you pray, flounder in your prayer or immediately fall back to sleep?

Through the verses of Shelter in the Night, volume 1 in the Worship through Verse devotionals, the author pours out sorrows and joys much like the Old Testament psalmists. Whether you need shelter or reassurance, this collection can bring peace, hope, and solace.

Excerpt

Psalm 127:3

Children are a heritage from the LORD,

offspring a reward from him.

The Master Healer

Where is my faith?

I’m shaking inside, Lord

Sick to my stomach

“All” I can do is pray

You’ve blessed me

With fourteen grandchildren

One was injured today

On the football field

You knew beforehand

He belongs to You

Be with my son and his wife

Be their comfort and strength

May we all turn to You

And receive calm and peace

You are the only Source

Of ease and healing

You’ve settled me down

Reach my family with Your Spirit.

Beautiful, LoRee! Tell us more about yourself and how we can find you...

Sure, here is my "official" bio and links to connect with me!

Nebraska author LoRee Peery is a country woman who writes fiction that hopefully appeals to adult readers who enjoy stories written from a Christian perspective. These include novels and novellas for women and men in the Contemporary, Romance, Time Travel, and Mystery/Suspense categories. 

She writes of redeeming grace with a sense of place. The book of her heart, Touches of Time based on her father’s unsolved homicide, resulted in personal relief. She is who she is by the grace of God, and has expressed that wonder in four volumes of devotional poetry.

LoRee has been blessed to live in the country most of her life and sometimes agrees with.

Connect with her through her Website, or on Facebook. Find all of her books on Amazon or at Pelican Book Group.

You can also find LoRee's previous visits to our blog HERE, friends!

Meanwhile, be sure to check out our Featured Author Page and Featured Books (in the sidebar).

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Susan Lyttek & Three Impossible Tasks

Good Morning!

July is winding down and Summer is in full swing here in SW Louisiana. Today's guest is brand new to our blog so please give Susan Lyttek a huge, warm, W-E-L-C-O-M-E!

Thanks for visiting with us today Susan, please give us some insight into your book, Three Impossible Tasks.

So nice to be here, Pam! Every series needs an “Empire-Strikes-Back” moment. For the Portal Watchers, Three Impossible Tasks is that book. I planned it as a story to make everything go wrong that could possibly go wrong. It is the story when evil appears to be winning and the good guys fight against despair. To be honest, it was the most fun to write because I could throw whatever at my characters and then figure out how they would deal with it. 

In the dedication to the book, you get an idea of my mental state while I wrote it. Yes, it was fun, but it was intense, too. And it’s my prayer that its intensity reveals to teens and other readers just how strong they are and how much adversity they can survive.

Dedication excerpt: To the two at home who endured my obsessed state while I was writing this: my hubby, Gary, and my son, Karl. I thank Gary for last minute runs for food when I forgot to cook and just being amazing. I love you, honey. I thank my son Karl for helping me come up with horrific scenarios for my characters as well as picking up emergency bubble teas to keep me fortified. You two are wonderful and have no idea how grateful I am.

* * *

Oh how interesting! Give us more please...

Thanks. Here's the blurb and a short excerpt...

With the new ability to create portals, Subja's scientists unleash vicious and ravenous beasts on the population of Telba. Bern, Garth, Ne-tel are each given separate tasks to complete on their own.

Bern must convince Telantia to emerge from the safety of the city and fight for the citizens of Telba.

Garth must take technology from Subja's fortress.

Ne-tel must travel to the Gold Coast to raise an army.

All three must succeed if Telba is to have hope for a future, but even Prophet Nevv says these tasks are impossible.

Excerpt:

Something was seriously wrong. 

Half stumbling, he made it to a narrow portion of the creek. Collapsing next to it, he hurriedly rolled up his pant leg, took off his shoe, and plunged the leg into the cold water. 

The shimmer of water over his leg revealed an eight-legged creature fastened to his leg. He ran his hand over the large white spider and felt nothing. It was as if the spider did not exist. 

And yet. 

He splashed water vigorously over the apparition to remove it. Two red eyes turned to look at him. 

Garth didn’t care if a Vil found him. He prayed that someone could help him. And to vent his fear and his need, he screamed.

* * *

Three Impossible Tasks sounds like a wonderful read, Susan. Now tell us more about yourself and how we can connect with you and where they can find your book.

Thanks, Pam. I hope YA readers enjoy the world I've built for The Portal Watchers series as much as I enjoyed writing it. 

Readers can connect with me through my Website/Blog, Facebook Author Page and Personal Page, GoodReads and on X. 

Three Impossible Tasks can be found at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and through my publisher, Pelican Book Group.

My bio is as follows...

Author of the Portal Watchers YA fantasy adventures, Susan Lyttek loves to encourage readers and writers on her blog at sajlyttek.com. Some of her favorite things include going to the gym with her hubby, cruising open highways in her 5-speed manual Subaru, and trying new recipes out on unsuspecting guests.

* * *

Wow, THANK You, Susan for sharing with us today! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings.

Thank You friends for supporting Susan today. Be sure and check out the books featured in our sidebar and watch for our upcoming Featured Author page.

Until next week, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Delia Latham and Jaimie Engle & Crossing Cheyenne

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

One of our guests, has been here before, (you can see Delia's previous posts HERE). Jaimie Engle is brand new to our blog and these two ladies have coauthored Crossing Cheyenne. Before we get into the whys and wherefores of the book, please share with us a blurb and short excerpt.

Thanks Pam! Here you go....

When a fiercely independent woman and a charming adventurer are double-booked at a remote cabin, their clashing personalities—and beloved pets—lead to unexpected sparks. As they both seek closure from their pasts, a journey of healing and love unfolds, culminating in a powerful reunion with long-lost family and a chance at a new beginning.

Excerpt: “So…lemme get this straight.” The young man smiled, but Cheyenne’s sour attitude saw only the blinding glare of his braces. “You two don’t know each other?”

“Nope.” Cowboy Billy spoke first. Of course.

The guy’s lack of manners did not coincide well with the boots and Stetson he wore like a pro. Weren’t cowboys supposed to be gentlemen and live by a secret code of conduct? So much for looks. She hated to acknowledge his, but she’d be lying if she pretended not to notice.

“Not at all.” Being forced to agree with him upped her frustration to the nth degree.

“And neither of you knew you’d be sharing the cabin with a stranger?”

“You got it, pardner.”

Cheyenne rolled her eyes. “Do I look like I would have let that happen?”

The kid turned almost purple, but did not respond to her sarcastic and admittedly catty question. Blossom must be rubbing off on her more than she realized.

“Well, it’s not supposed to happen.” He frowned, no doubt wishing himself anywhere but at work on this particular day, at this exact time.

“That we can agree on.” Cheyenne tried to shake the frustration that made her less than Pooh-worthy. She pulled out a smile that almost always worked miracles. “I’m sure you can see there’s been a mistake. And you’re going to fix it for me, aren’t you?”

“You betcha.” The poor kid turned his gaze on his computer monitor as if the very essence of life lay therein. Within moments, a grin lit his face. “Aha. That’s it.” He raised a bright green gaze to Cheyenne. “You were supposed to be a party o’ two.”

“That’s correct. But my friend got sick.”

“That’s it,” the clerk said again. “That’s the problem.”

Cheyenne blinked. “My friend getting sick is the problem?”

“Naw, ’course not. But when you called to change the set-up ’cause yer friend bailed on ya—”

“My friend did not bail on me.” Cheyenne surprised even herself with the heated retort. “She got sick.”

“Yeah, okay. Well, whoever changed the reservation for ya assident’ly canceled it.”

“But I didn’t ask to cancel. I just changed my reservation to take advantage of the single-occupancy rate.”

“Same thing, ma’am. Clearly stated on the website.”

“Not clearly enough. That’s pretty obvious, don’t you think?”

The kid continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “So, what happened is, when Mr. Goddard here reached out to book a spot, we showed an opening.” He grinned as if he’d just solved the riddle of the Sphinx, and shrugged one skinny shoulder. “Just a glitch in our system. That’s how come you folks got double-booked.”

Cheyenne couldn’t bring herself to return the kid’s delighted grin.

“Glitch or not, this is not going to work for me. I booked my reservation months ago.”

“Look, my dad and I stayed in this very resort when I was a little boy,” Cowboy Billy interjected. “I booked here for a specific reason. Something personal, and…well, important. Guess I was lucky your friend bailed.”

“She did not bail!” Cheyenne glared. “And you’re just going to have to…” She huffed a sigh and fluttered one hand. “Unbook.”’

With that, the two of them went at it, arguing loudly and without restraint. Guests gathered in clusters, openly staring, and Cheyenne did not care. Apparently, neither did Billy Butt-in, who didn’t come across like a gentleman cowboy in the least.

The clerk managed to make himself heard over their little word-war. “Look, folks, I’d love to solve your problem on account’a y’all don’t seem to be gettin’ on too well, but there’s just one thing.”

“What?” Cheyenne and her cowboy nemesis snapped the word in unison, with greater volume than necessary.

The kid shrugged. “We don’t got no more rooms.”

Don’t got wha—? “Great, Cheyenne muttered.

“And when might you have something?” The cowboy clearly sought to bring about some sort of diplomacy. Wonderful. She was up against a non-gentleman-cowboy politician.

The clerk scrolled through a couple of screens. “Friday is our first opening.”

“Friday is when I check out,” Cheyenne informed him.

“Oh, yeah, you’re right. You are the Friday opening.”

And so it went. A manager showed up to try and help, but the long and short of the situation was that no other openings existed—neither here, nor at their sister resort, nearby. For that matter, not a single hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast for miles around had a room to offer.

I wonder if this is how Mary and Joseph felt when they couldn’t find a place to stay the night Jesus was born. The thought came and was gone like a flash of lightning. She couldn’t think about such things at the moment.

Cheyenne continued to appeal to the sympathies of the clerk and manager, but since they weren’t able to manufacture another cabin out of thin air, they could offer no solution. At last, the manager threw up his hands in frustration.

“I’m truly sorry, folks, but I’m afraid your paths have crossed for one reason or another.”

Cheyenne froze.

“Some paths are destined to cross.” A familiar voice—maybe too familiar—whispered the line right into her ear.

***

Wow! I'm hooked. Now please tell us why you wrote the book and a little more about yourselves.

JAIMIE'S WHY:

In 2020, my family vacationed in North Carolina, staying in a charming two-story cabin. I had my dog with me, but an unexpected case of COVID kept me indoors, giving me time to reflect and dream up a new romcom idea. Inspired by the cabin’s cozy setting, I imagined two strangers double-booked in the same space—one with a dog, the other with a cat. At first, it felt like a quirky meet-cute, but I quickly realized their paths weren’t just crossed by accident—something deeper was at play. What if they were both heartbroken, and their time together became a healing journey orchestrated by God?

Brandon, the dog lover, is mourning the loss of his estranged father, whose ashes he’s tasked with spreading in the breathtaking landscapes of Wyoming. Cheyenne, desperate to find the mother she never knew, sets out on a search that leads her to the Midwest. Two souls, each longing for closure, unknowingly find the missing pieces in one another—through laughter, companionship, and unexpected love.

This premise sparked Crossing Cheyenne, and after completing the script, I teamed up with the incredibly talented Delia Latham to bring the novel to life. With her wisdom and insight, she deepened the characters and enriched the story in ways I hadn’t imagined. I can’t wait for readers to experience the journey, and for audiences to see the film streaming in the years to come!

JAIMIE'S BIO:

Jaimie Engle is a multiple award-winning writer of stories with a magic touch. With over a dozen published books, she is an expert in all things storytelling, teaching at national conferences, state libraries, and local schools on writing, publishing, and marketing books. Jaimie’s YA novel “Metal Mouth” was a quarterfinalist in the Book to Film Award, a Kirkus Editor’s Choice book, and received the Publisher’s Book Life Prize in fiction. She was also a semifinalist in the Publisher’s Book Life Prize in non-fiction, a recipient of the Writers of the Future Award, and her screenplays have been semifinalists for Austin Film Festival and Screencraft, to name a few.

She has worked with hundreds of writers to tell their stories, write their books, and adapt their work for film and television development. Jaimie optioned her first feature film “Just Jake” with distribution deal through UPTV Faith & Family Network (2023) and has several of her award-winning tv shows and movies in development with major studios and networks. When not telling stories, Jaimie spends time with her family in Florida, and her two dogs, Ahsoka and Moofart. Fun fact? Jaimie danced at the halftime show of the Aloha Bowl! www.JaimieEngle.com

The Creation of Crossing Cheyenne

Crossing Cheyenne was my first experience writing a story based on an already-completed movie script. Still partially romance—that’s my genre—and still clean, but not faith-based, and not my original brainchild. Instead, I was turning a script, written by the talented and amazing Jaimie Engle, into a novel. 

How in the world did I find myself doing such a thing? (I think I heard someone ask that question…didn’t I? It was you, right?)

Well, funny you should ask, because I love sharing the “why” of this particular story. Here goes—because you asked, of course…

When I “met” Jaimie Engle, I was editing for Vinspire Publishing (no longer in business, but an excellent small publishing house in its day). The owner/editor-in-chief asked if I’d be interested in editing a book for one of her new authors. “It should be an easy edit,” she said. “The author is experienced and talented, with quite a few published books.” But the kicker was that I’d be editing a novel written around the script for a movie that was already released and available for viewing. (If you’re curious, the book and movie are both titled Just Jake.)

Yes, we all knew things were moving a bit in reverse, but what the heck—sure, I’d give it a go. And that’s how I first came in contact with Jaimie. I edited her beautifully written book, we enjoyed working with each other, and then the job was done. Bye, Jaimie, nice meeting you, have a blessed life.

But she contacted me a few months later, asking if I’d write a novel based on a script she’d already written and was in the process of marketing to the appropriate people in the film industry. This time, she hoped to get the book written and released before the movie. Would I do it? (Interesting fact: Jaimie had never read a single one of my 30+ novels/novellas. She asked me to write the book based solely on my editing style.)

Well, the rest is history. Of course I did it, and of course I loved the opportunity to work with Jaimie again. I tremendously enjoyed fleshing out the characters and creating “more” for the story—more scenes, more details, more background…just more. I also loved the humor that came so naturally to Cheyenne and Brandon’s story. Jaimie and I laughingly agreed that what we ended up with is a romcomdram…or something like that. It’s a romantic comedy with enough romance to curl your toes now and then, and that little touch of humor that provides the occasional laugh-out-loud moment. The thread of drama running throughout the book was a joy to write! 

The result, with the combination of our individual strengths, is an honestly strong story that readers will love. I love it too, and will be forever grateful that Jaimie trusted me enough to invite me on board. 

Hey, Jaimie…thank you…thank you very much!

I’d love to hear your take on our unconventionally created story. Grab a copy at Amazon or Other Online Retailers, give it a read, and then share your thoughts on your favorite bookseller and/or review website. I’ll just say thank you now, because trust me, it will be appreciated.

Happy reading!

Delia’s Bio:

A world of romance with a whisper of angels’ wings. You can count on a touch of the divine in DELIA LATHAM’S sweet, inspirational novels and novellas.

An award-winning, best-selling author, Delia has over thirty published novels/novellas and short stories to her credit. She offers editing/proofreading services, as well as book cover and marketing material design. 

Having moved from California to Texas over a decade ago, and there the old CaliTexan couple will live happily ever after.

Connect with Delia: 

Email:  delia@delialatham.com 

Website:  www.delialatham.com

Amazon Author Page:  www.amazon.com/author/delialatham

Facebook Readers’ Room: www.facebook.com/delialatham 

Thank You, Both so much ladies for sharing your story and Crossing Cheyenne with us! Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with this and all of your projects!

Hope you enjoyed today's guests, friends and that you'll check back weekly for Saturday Spotlight and be sure to check out the books in our sidebar!

Until next time, ditto what Delia said, "Happy Reading!

PamT