#SaturdaySpotlight is on Barbara Britton @BarbaraMBritton & Jerusalem Rising!

Good Morning,

Well graduation ceremonies are over (for me) and my birthday has passed. I don't feel old enough to have a granddaughter and great-niece graduating high-school but the numbers don't lie...born in 61 & 61 yrs young. 😁 

'Nuf about me, let's welcome Barbara Britton back with her book, Jerusalem Rising! Take it away Barbara....

Thank you for having me back on the blog, Pam.

Recently, I taught chapel to elementary students at a Christian school. I spoke on the Bible building contractor Nehemiah. When I asked the students what Nehemiah was famous for, they knew he rebuilt Jerusalem’s wall. What they didn’t know is that Nehemiah had been on his knees praying long before he made the journey to Jerusalem to restore the glorious city.

Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes and lived in the palace at Susa, far from his hometown of Jerusalem. When Nehemiah’s brother brought the report about Jerusalem’s wall being in disrepair and the gates burned, Nehemiah became sad. The Bible tells us he fasted and prayed. (Nehemiah 1:4)

Nehemiah was so sad about the news; his face was downcast in front of the king. A big no-no that could get you killed. Artaxerxes inquired about Nehemiah’s sadness and when Nehemiah replied, the king asked, “What is it you want?”

Nehemiah shot an arrow prayer to God for guidance. (Nehemiah 2:4)

Eventually, Nehemiah heads to Jerusalem to rebuild the city with the king’s blessing. The king also bestowed wood from the royal forest, letters of passage, and a cavalry for protection. Not bad for the cupbearer turned construction manager. Nehemiah’s troubles aren’t over because lots of bad guys show up. A writer’s dream! With all this drama, I couldn’t resist writing a book based on Nehemiah, chapters 1-8.

“Jerusalem Rising” follows the daughters of Shallum as they help restore the wall around Jerusalem. The reference to these women wall builders can be found in Nehemiah 3:12.

Nehemiah needs all the help he can get!

Book blurb:

When Adah bat Shallum finds the governor of Judah weeping over the crumbling wall of Jerusalem, she learns the reason for Nehemiah's unexpected visit—God has called him to rebuild the wall around the City of David.

Nehemiah challenges the people of God to labor on the wall and in return, the names of their fathers will be written in the annals for future generations to cherish. But Adah has one sister and no brothers. Will her father, who rules a half-district of Jerusalem, be forgotten forever?

Adah bravely vows to rebuild her city's wall, though she soon discovers that Jerusalem not only has enemies outside the city, but also within. Can Adah, her sister, and the men they love, honor God's call? Or will their mission be crushed by the same stones they hope to construct?

Excerpt:

“So that is why you came?” Adah shifted her lamp. “Not to collect taxes but to set up an office here and bring in workers to rebuild the wall?”

He nodded. “You found me inspecting the wall tonight. The City of David will be a stronghold again.” The shadows dancing on his face could not soften his stare, which bore into her gaze like a hammered tent peg. “This wall will rise and these gates will be secured. God has made it clear to me what we must do.”

She trusted God. Or at least she had before her mother’s eyesight darkened. A year ago, she had prayed for a miracle from God for her mother. No healing came. And where was the rain? She had prayed for showers for the fields. Othniel had prayed. Her father had prayed. The soil remained parched. People went hungry. But if Nehemiah had truly heard God’s voice, perhaps Adonai was showing His favor to His people once again. “When will the stone masons arrive?” She didn’t know much about resurrecting a wall, but the king had renowned craftsmen.

“King Artaxerxes gave me letters for safe passage and a leave from the palace. I have access to the forests in the south. But as for workers, those already living here will secure this city.”

Her shoulders sagged. “We have no army. The drought has left families without food and coin—

“Adah.” His address held a tone of chastisement. “Do you believe in God’s provision? In answered prayer?”

“Uh, yes.” Her answer was not resounding, yet it was true. Once. She rolled back her shoulders and stood soldier straight. Gershom’s insult of her family would not stand. “Whatever you need from the household of Shallum, we will provide it for you.”

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. She also authored a WWI Historical set in Alaska. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barb’s books on her website, barbarambritton.com, or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

You can purchase Jerusalem Rising on Amazon, B&N, or wherever books are sold and check out Barbara's previous posts HERE. 

Great story, Barbara, thanks for sharing! Wishing you ALL the best of luck and God's blessings.

Until next time, friends, take care and be Blessed.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Valerie Massey Goree

Good Morning from Bandera, TX!

I drove up Sunday (8/29) to visit the home of my heart and friends for a few days. Will head back to LA tomorrow morning but today,  please welcome Valerie Massey Goree back to our blog to share some insight to her new book, Justice at Dawn.

Thank you for hosting me, Pam. I decided to do something a bit different to promote my new release, Justice at Dawn. Instead of focusing on the characters and their present, here is a snapshot of their past. What brought them to this place in the story of their lives? How will their experiences influence their actions or decisions? 

Cooper Callahan:

I just returned to San Diego after a successful assignment to return a missing teenager to his anxious parents in Florida. Those outcomes are always gratifying, but I’ve had my share of failures, too. You see, I’ve been an agent with the International Retrieval Organization for fifteen years. We don’t always locate the missing person, or free the hostage, or keep the witness safe, but we always give one hundred percent to every case.

Over the years, I’ve fulfilled many roles in the organization. For the past five years I’ve been the chief training officer for recruits. Many rookies these days enter the program thinking they’re going to be the top dog in no time. It’s my job to teach them what an agent needs to know, but I also gauge whether or not they’ll make the cut. Being an effective agent is more than completing course work. Agents must have the inner strength to forge ahead with the assignment no matter what is happening around them or to them. They must be intuitive, trust their partners, and trust their instincts. I can’t teach them that. 

I’m sitting at my desk in the office, reading the application form from the newest recruit, a woman named Kitty Claire Briggs who has an appointment with me in fifteen minutes. She seems to have all the necessary prerequisites. The boss had slapped a sticky note on her application. Hold on to your cap. This rookie will surprise you. I wonder what he meant. Oh, well. I’ll soon find out.

I open my desk drawer and remove a file where I keep a list of all the agents I’ve trained thus far. During the time I’ve been in charge of the program, I’ve updated the coursework and hands on training assignments. I’m proud of the improvements I implemented. I rock in my chair and think back to my rookie period. As a former small town sheriff with a college degree in criminal justice, I thought I was going to sail through the course and impress the shirts off those in charge. Not quite. I did have it easier than some, but I had a lot to learn too. 

Those early years were hard but fun. Until the accident. Since then, I’ve had to remind myself numerous times why I left the sheriff’s department to become an agent. Unique cases. Extensive resources. Superior technology.

I shift in my chair and check my watch. The recruit will be here any minute. Compose yourself, Cooper. If you’re going to ask her why she wants to work for IRO, remember your reasons for applying. 

After taking in a deep breath, I open her folder. A knock on my door. I stand and call, “Come in.”

KC:

Whew. I can’t believe I’m this nervous. Applying to be an agent with IRO was a risk for me. Sure, I want to help people in traumatic situations, but what if the bigwigs discover the real reason I applied? I’ll have to be extra careful during my training and later, if I make it. Who are you kidding, girl? Of course you’ll make it. Top of your class in any physical course you took. You hit the target every time you fire a gun. You’ve overcome so much in your short life. You’ll be an agent before you know it.

I’m parked outside the office building, and although I have an alarm set on my phone, I keep an eye on the dashboard clock. I sip my iced tea then set the bottle in the cup holder and check the vanity mirror. Why, I’m not sure. Habit I suppose. I don’t wear lipstick and my hair is, well, I’m bald. Shave my head every morning. My parents often ask me why I continue although I’m cancer free, and I have no ready answer except maybe in rebellion. Not toward them. Never. I love them as if they were my birthparents. I might be a rebel at heart, though. As a kid, I always wanted to do everything contrary to what was expected. Learn to cook. Nope. I chose to fix our bicycles with my brothers. Help Mother with her scrapbooks. Not when the boys were building a tree fort.

A bus rumbles by the parking lot. I look in the mirror again. Maybe I should dab on some lipstick. Or blush. My honey-toned skin is flawless, for which I’m grateful, but I need more color. I pinch my cheeks. Better. I wipe at a smudge of mascara under one eye. Gray eyes. Unusual for sure. Did my birthmother have gray eyes? I knew she was Caucasian, but that’s all. 

The feeling of abandonment is never far from my soul. I clutch the jacket over my heart and blow out a breath. If I become an agent, I will find out what happened to her.

The alarm beeps. Time to go. I climb out of my car and smooth my skirt. Shoulders back, I stride toward the office door. Watch out world, here comes the next IRO agent. 

Blurb:

Cooper Callahan has been an International Retrieval Organization operative for fifteen years. In all that time he has never worked with a trainee like Kitty Claire Briggs. Overflowing with energy, KC isn’t quiet long enough for him to think. But when the boss assigns them a training mission to follow Sadie, his wife, KC’s serious side emerges.

Sure, former stunt double, KC, wants to be an agent, but she also has an ulterior motive to be accepted by IRO—she wants access to their superior technology. Can she locate her quarry without Cooper finding out?

As Cooper shares the finer points of surveillance with KC, his waning faith is strengthened by her enthusiasm for the Lord and for the job. When the training exercise turns into a real abduction, will KC’s naiveté lead to death or to a successful conclusion to the case?   

American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.

After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Glenn and Valerie moved to Texas. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs. Now retired in Washington, Valerie spends her time writing, and spoiling her grandchildren. 

Valerie writes romantic suspense novels, and her tag line is: Stories of Passion and Intrigue. Her novels include: Deceive Me Once; Colors of Deceit; The Stolen Lives Trilogy, Weep in the Night; Day of Reckoning; and Justice at Dawn. Set in Australia, Forever Under Blue Skies, is now available from Amazon.

Valerie loves to hear from her readers so connect with her at her Website or on Facebook! Get your copy of Justice at Dawn from Amazon or Pelican Book Group. Check out Valerie's past visits HERE.

Wow, Valerie, looks like KC and Cooper have some serious decisions to make! I'm sure they made the right one. Good luck and God's blessings with your book.

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

Until next time take, please keep praying for my SE LA neighbors as well as neighboring states affected by Hurricane Ida.

THANKS & God Bless!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Carol Raj & The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith!

Good Morning Friends,

Today's guest is not new to our blog but it's been a while since Carol visited so please welcome her back with her book, The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith....

One unlocked car door, one glance to the left, and suddenly impoverished retiree Muriel Smith is hurtling down the road at an alarming thirty miles per hour!

Will the teenage carjacker really shoot to kill? Muriel can't die yet. Not until she's accomplished something to make her daughter proud. Not until she's seen her great-grandchild, the unborn baby her granddaughter isn't sure she wants to keep.

It seems Muriel is running out of time. Especially if her survival depends on her driving skills!

Muriel and her carjacker find themselves on a wild adventure that has them both falling "victim" to Muriel's curious prayer life.

EXCERPT: “Clarence Hall? Mother, you’re dating Clarence Hall. The Clarence Hall?” Natalie opened another packet of sugar substitute, dumped it into her coffee mug, and stirred vigorously. Too vigorously.

Oh, my. Muriel took a sip of her coffee and leaned back in the booth. She hadn’t seen Natalie so agitated since they’d left the lawyer’s office. “Not exactly dating, Natalie. We just go out for a movie sometimes. Or coffee. Like this. He seems like a nice enough guy.”

Ax murderer. Recently released from jail. That’s what he must be. No wonder his wife died years ago. If Muriel could afford newspaper delivery, she’d know all about him. Sure it must have been on the TV news. But sometimes she went into the kitchen or the bathroom. If you missed a minute or two, you missed a whole story. Did Kevin’s parents know about Clarence’s criminal past? They seemed like such nice people. Maybe they felt he deserved a second chance. Well, it was a good thing Natalie was telling her now, because she was really starting to like him. She felt her hand shaking and put her mug down on the table so Natalie wouldn’t notice.

“Mother, honestly. You don’t know who Clarence Hall is?”

Carol Raj has been writing stories for children for many years, but her first published novel, The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith, a woman’s contemporary, wasn’t published until 2019. Her second novel, a Young Adult entitled Charlotte Masterson Gets a Life, came out in 2020. After forty years in New Hampshire, Carol and her husband moved to Georgia to be near one of their three children and two of their six grandchildren. Connect with Carol through her Website, on Twitter @CarolRaj4 and on Facebook. Get a copy of The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith on Amazon, B&N and Kobo!

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

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Carol Raj & Charlotte Masterson Gets A Life!

Good Morning October!

I'm home! For the first time in over a month I've slept in my own bed and am sitting at my own desk. Electricity, water and cable have been restored and I am home. Guess Dorothy was right when she told ToTo.... There's no place like home. 😄 

Today's guest has visited once before with the first of her YA books. Today we get a peek into her latest so please welcome Carol Raj back with Charlotte Masterson Gets A Life!

High school sophomore Charlotte Masterson isn't smart enough to be a nerd, musical enough to be a band geek, or pretty enough to be popular. But when the handsome quarterback unexpectedly asks her out, she becomes part of the in crowd. It's every girl's dream come true.

Too bad she still has to depend on good old Rodney, teachers' pet, for rides. Too bad her mother is so unreasonably strict. A ten PM curfew? Just because she lied? It's not fair.

But maybe there's more to other people than Charlotte realizes. And maybe she doesn't even know everything about herself. When Charlotte Masterson gets a life, life gets interesting.

Excerpt: 

“It’s your own fault, Charlotte.” Mom’s digging wet clothes out of the washing machine.

My fault? How can she possibly think that?

Mom continues. “We had simple rules, and you didn’t follow them. You not only didn’t follow them; you lied to us. That’s what I hate most of all. The lying. How can I ever trust you again?”

“But Mom…”

“There’s no but Mom.” She throws the clothes into the dryer like she’s pitching fastballs.

I understand that lying’s wrong. I didn’t like that Rodney lied to me about band practice. But when it comes to my mother, lying is the easiest way to avoid conflict.

“But Mom, Saturday night there’s a party for the football team. It doesn’t even start until eight. How can I be home by ten?”

“You should have thought of that before you broke the rules.” She slams the dryer door shut.

“But all the football players will be there. All the cheerleaders. All the cool kids.”

“So you’re a cool kid now?” Mom stares at me.

As long as I’m dating Tony, I’m in the cool crowd. I shrug.

“Will there be beer at this party?” Mom pushes the dryer’s start button.

The clothes start going round and round just like my thoughts. How can I answer that question? If I say yes, I’ll be grounded. If I say no, I’ll be lying. I’m almost certain there’ll be beer. “If there is, I won’t drink any. I promise.”

“So there might be beer? Is that what you’re telling me? There might be beer at a party for underage teens?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. Nobody discussed the eating and drinking arrangements with me.”

I should not have said that. Not in that tone of voice. But it’s too late to take it back.

Carol has been writing for many years. Mostly articles and short stories for children. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and lives with her husband of more than 40 years in beautiful New England. Find out more about Carol by visiting her website and connecting with her on Face Book and Good Reads.

Charlotte Masterson Gets a Life can be found at Amazon and B&N

Thanks for sharing your new book with us Carol! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

There's been so much going on friends, I haven't picked a gift card winner for September yet, but that will be announced on Wednesday so be sure and stop by.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Carol Raj & The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith

Good Morning!

It is always a pleasure to introduce to you brand new to me authors, especially a fellow Pelican Book Group author, so please welcome Carol Raj to our spotlight with her book, The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith.

One unlocked car door, one glance to the left, and suddenly seventy-one year old Muriel Smith is hurtling down the road at an alarming thirty miles per hour.

Will the teenage boy who carjacked her really shoot to kill?

Muriel can’t die yet. Not till she’s accomplished something on earth. Not till she’s seen her great grandchild.

But if Muriel Smith’s survival depends on her driving skills, she may not live much longer. 

How could God have gotten everything so wrong?

Excerpt: "The ramp’s coming up, Mrs. B. Put your turn

signal on. What’s the matter with you?"

     The ramp was only feet away. Muriel took a deep
breath and stepped hard on the gas pedal. She zoomed
past the entrance to the highway.

     "What? You didn’t even try to turn!" Kevin’s head swiveled as the entrance ramp disappeared.

     "I did try to turn, Kevin. Honest. I tried really hard. I just couldn’t do it. I told you. I don’t merge. It scares me."
     Kevin’s voice went up half an octave. "Merging scares you more than my gun? Are you crazy? Didn’t I tell you I’d shoot? You can’t just say you don’t merge.You have to do what I say. That’s how it’s supposed to work."

~~~

Uh, oh, sounds like a thrilling ride! Thanks for sharing Carol. 

Carol has been writing for many years. Mostly articles and short stories for children. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and lives with her husband of more than 40 years in beautiful New England. She is new to the publishing world so her website isn't up yet but will be soon. Meanwhile, find out more about her by connecting with her on Face Book and Good Reads.

The Curious Prayer Life of Muriel Smith can be purchased at Amazon, B&N, and Kobo.

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

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Victora Buck & Wake the Dead

Good Morning,

Welcome to the first Saturday Spotlight of 2015! Today I am pleased to welcome fellow PBG author Victoria Buck with her debut novel, Wake the Dead!

Victoria lives in Central Florida, where she runs a small business with her husband. From her home office, she walks customers through the process of drilling for water in the southern sand while simultaneously penning the next scene in whatever story currently demands her imagination. For now, transhuman Chase Sterling is anxiously waiting, center stage, for what comes next. The topic of transhumanism worked into Victoria’s inventive process when she wondered what would happen if the prizes on the ultimate game show got really outrageous. And who better to demonstrate the wonders of the technologically enhanced human being that the host of the show himself? Some readers of Wake the Dead have told Victoria that Chase is not a very likeable protagonist in the beginning. But they all come to know and like him. Some of them love him. He has that effect. For Victoria, he’s just one of the made-up people making themselves comfortable in her mind. But he’s definitely—at least until this story is done—her favorite.

Find out more by visiting Victoria's website, blog and/or connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google + and/or Linked In.

What if the first man reborn of an evolutionary leap doesn”t like his new life? Is escape even possible? 

The time is right for introducing the world to the marvels of techno-medical advancements. An influential man” one loved and adored” is needed for the job” and who better than celebrity Chase Sterling? After suffering injuries no one could survive Chase is rebuilt like no one has ever seen before. 

In the not-too-distant future a man-–if he can still be called a man–-breaks away from the forces taking over his life and finds new purpose in the secret world of hiding believers. 

Excerpt: Chase’s first encounter with God.

A dream or something…

He awoke in a quiet place. Definitely not on stage. Wherever he was, it was dark. Beyond dark. A bed held him at an elevation so that he was almost sitting upright. Shaking his head, he blinked. Nothing. He was blind. But in his mind he could still see the light coming for him, and Larin standing beside him.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

“Tell me your name?”

“Chase Sterling. Where am I?”

“I mean your real name. The name your parents gave you.”

Why would he ask him that? Nobody knew Chase Sterling wasn’t his real name. Well, his mother knew, of course. And Kerstin knew. “Charles Redding, but I don’t go by that. Nobody even knows my name was changed when I got my assignment.”

“Named after your father. He used to call you Charlie. It was your mother who first called you Chase, and the nickname stuck.”

“How do you know that? Who are you?”

He didn’t answer.

Chase rubbed his eyes. He still couldn’t see a thing. His hands were wet, but it didn’t feel like water. He touched my fingers to his nose. Blood.

“Excuse me, I think I’m bleeding. Could I get some help?”

“You’ll be all right. Reach beside you—there’s a bowl of water and a towel.”

He felt in the darkness until his hand was submerged in cool water. He put his other hand in and rubbed away the bloody mess. He dried his hands on the towel and used it to wipe his face. There was no pain, but something seemed very wrong.

“What happened to me? There was some sort of flash. Was I shot? I was on stage when a light came at me. Am I dead?”

“Do you feel dead?”

“I’d really like to know who I’m talking to. I don’t recognize your voice. Are you a director?”

“Something like that.”

“You’re with the WR.” He was some government bigwig. This was it—Chase’s career was over. And judging by the blindness and blood on his hands, he wasn’t ready for any new assignment. “Can I talk to my assistant? Her name is Melody Reese.”

“I know her.”

“Can you get her for me?”

“We have some things to go over.”

“Like what? New job? New life? I really don’t want things to change.”

“Let’s review your life, Charles Redding. Let’s take a look at where you came from.”

He was mocking Chase—it sounded like a line from the show. Then a screen lit up. “Hey, I can see now. My vision is coming back.”

“Good. Watch this.”

Hmmm... sounds like a fascinating novel! But that's not unusual for Pelican Book Group. Right?!

Wake the Dead can be found at Pelican Book Group in Ebook & Print!

Hope you enjoyed this spotlight. Check back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time....take care, God Bless and remember....Whatever you're believing for~believe with FAITH & PASSION!

  

Pamela S Thibodeaux

"Inspirational with an Edge! ™

Saturday Spotlight: VB Tenery & Dead Ringer

Good Morning Friends!

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

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

In an instant, Mercy Hamilton finds her well-planned life shattered.

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

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

Excerpt:
Hamilton, Bermuda
Friday, May 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday Spotlight: Janalyn Voigt & Wayfarer

Good Morning Friends!

Today it is my pleasure to bring my fellow PBG author back with book 2 in her Tales of Faeraven series, WayFarer!

Janalyn Voigt's unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

Author Site for Janalyn Voigt: (author journals, travel journals, guest journals, and book news) 

Site for Writers: Live Write Breathe (teaching articles plus free How to Edit PDF)

Trouble stirs between nations and rebellion threatens Faeraven. 

When Kai returns with the supposed DawnKing, Lof Shraen Elcon cannot trust that the Elder youth truly is the prophesied deliverer. Driven to prove himself, Elcon banishes the boy and embarks on a peace-keeping campaign into the Elder lands, where he falls in love with an Elder princess betrothed to another. 

Sometimes the deliverance of a nation comes only through the humility of one. 

Declaring his love would shame the nations, but Elcon is torn. As war approaches, Elcon's choices lead him on a journey of discovery that will either settle the lands or leave them mired in conflict. Can his kingdom ever be united, or will the consequences of his decisions forever tear asunder the fabric of Faeraven?

WayFarer is available at Amazon in Print and for Kindle, at Barnes and Noble, at Pelican Book Group and ChristianBook.com!

Well Friends, I hope you enjoyed this spotlight. Stay tuned Tuesday for more Egg-cerpt Exchange fun, Thursday thoughts and of course another Saturday Spotlight!

Until later...take care and God Bless!

PamT

Saturday Spotlight: Betrayed by Lillian Duncan

Good Morning and a Cold one it is!

Welcome to this week's edition of Saturday Spotlight in which I am pleased to bring to you a fellow Pelican Book Group author with her latest release!

Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.

Lillian is a multi-published writer who writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net.  She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com  as well as her personal blog, Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com

Witness Protection Program claims they can keep anyone safe if only they follow the rules so Maria follows the rules--every rule. She's given up everything--her friends, her family, her past, even her name to ensure her daughter has a future.

Reborn as Veronica Minor in the sleepy little town of Sunberry, Ohio, she struggles to rebuild their life amid the beauty of her flower shop. A life where her daughter can have a happy normal childhood. A life where her daughter will never know that her father was a monster.

When a child disappears, Veronica prays it has nothing to do with her past, but what if she's wrong? Not knowing who to trust, she trusts no one...and that's her first mistake.

Excerpt: Prologue

No way off. No way to escape. No way to get to her daughter. Why had she ever thought a yacht was a good idea for a benefit? Maria Hammond pushed her way through the throng of partygoers towards the exit. She had to get off this yacht and get to Layla before Raymond did.

“Maria.”

She jerked around at her husband’s voice, not believing her eyes. Raymond’s arm was snaked around Patti’s neck. Even from that distance, Maria recognized the panic in Patti’s eyes.

Maria wanted to help, but there was nothing she could do. She had to get to her daughter. It was her only chance to keep Layla safe, to keep her away from her father. Otherwise, she would never see her child again.

Maria kept moving towards the exit ramp of the yacht.

Who was this stranger she’d slept with for so many years? She’d believed he loved her when they married, but she’d been so wrong. The events of the past month proved that—and more.

"Don’t do it, Maria."  Raymond’s voice was low and guttural, in spite of the noise from the crowd surrounding them. She turned back as he moved the gun to Patti’s head. His eyes turned black with rage. The face of evil. Why hadn’t Maria seen it before? How could she have married a monster and not even known? Her heart broken, she turned and pushed through the crowd.

No one noticed the drama happening in their midst.

Maybe, they needed to notice.

When Maria hazarded a glance back, Raymond trailed with one arm around Patti’s neck. The other hand still held a gun, now pressed against Patti’s temple.

Patti motioned with her hand. “Go, Maria. Just go. Don’t worry about me.”

Maria pointed. “Gun. He’s got a gun!” Maria screamed, and then pointed at Raymond.

Heads turned.

A buzz travelled through the growing crowd.

Maria kept yelling. She couldn’t do much, but she could draw attention to Raymond.

Murmuring grew louder—more partygoers panicked. People shoved and pushed as they tried to get away from the madman with the gun—her husband. Others stared and pointed.

Hatred glittered in Raymond’s eyes.

It was time to go. She’d managed to turn attention to Patti and Raymond. Surely, someone would intervene. Someone would help Patti.

Gunfire exploded.

Screams erupted.

More shots.

Then a burning stab of pain. Her back. She turned.

Raymond’s gaze met hers. He smiled.

Another hot burst of pain. This time in her stomach. 

Betrayed is available through Pelican Book Group in Softcover and Ebook.

CONTEST!

To celebrate the release of BETRAYED, Lillian is giving away a virtual gift basket at Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com. The virtual gift basket includes a copy of her books, SERENITY SPRINGS, OHIO; DARK ALLEYS; and GEESE MATE FOR LIFE.  

Along with the books, a $25 Amazon gift card is included plus a few books from some writer friends. 

To enter the contest, simply hop on over to Tiaras & Tennis Shoes at www.lillian-duncan.com, leave a comment on the post titled CELEBRATION! Winner will be chosen and announced on February 14.

Well Friends, I certainly hope you enjoyed this spotlight and entered that contest! Stay tuned for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time...take care, God Bless and remember....What we perceive as a disappointment may actually be a Divine Delay.

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

Tuesday Treasures: Guest Post by Jayne E Self!

Good Morning Friends,

It is with great pleasure I  bring you this Tuesday Treasure from my friend and fellow author, Jayne E Self...

I loved Jacque Cousteau’s TV Specials. As a kid growing up in central Canada the seemingly infinite mysteries of the ocean mesmerized me. I dreamed of becoming an oceanographer. I read, studied, memorized. And then I got on a boat. 

I quickly discovered a degree of motion sickness that trains, planes or automobiles cannot begin to engender.  

In His graciousness, however God has satisfied my passion for the sea with the seashore. I have summered by the ocean, even lived by the ocean, and its ever-changing nature still beckons me.  

I think that’s because, for me, the ocean is a metaphor of God. It is infinite, boundless, gentle, and frighteningly powerful—all at the same time.  

With each wave it shifts sandbars, tumbles rocks, and reshapes the land. It washes away and deposits anew. Shells, driftwood, seaglass—treasures lost become treasures found. 

The rhythm of the waves echo the prayers of my heart. And as I walk along the shore, no matter the weather or the season, I can always hear His voice. 

Jayne E. Self lives in Ontario, Canada. Her mysteries, Murder in Hum Harbour (2011) and Death of a Highland Heavyweight (2012) have both won Word Awards—Canada’s largest Christian writing awards. 

 

 Available Now in Ebook & Print!

                                                        Available Now in Ebook & Print!

You can find more about Jayne, her writing, and her blog at jayneself.com "where faith and mystery converge." 

Well Friends, hope you enjoyed this special guest post. Stay tuned for more great Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights!

Until next time...take care, God Bless and remember.....What you sow you reap, 30, 60 & 100-fold!

Something to Think About...

"Inspirational with an Edge!" ™