#ThursdayThoughts with Katie Clark

Good Morning from Durant, OK!

I drove up on Tuesday to spend a few days with my friend, Nona and to attend a writing workshop this Saturday with Donald Maass. SO looking forward to it, but enough about me!

Katie Clark has shared our spotlight and some treasures with us so today let's see what thoughts she has to share.....

Have you ever felt God’s tug on your heart? His whisper in your ear? His gentle push to make a change?

Have you ever squared your shoulders, gritted your teeth, and stubbornly insisted you want it your way? I am always ashamed when I find myself in this very situation. As much as I want and intend to follow God’s leading in my life, sometimes it’s harder than other times to give my will over to God.

Often, I find the need to remind myself to “die daily”. I know, I know. That can be so much easier said than done! But we are blessed in that we have a merciful and patient Heavenly Father. What helps me get through these times of tug-of-war with God?

I find a few things helpful. First, I remind myself of why I’m on this earth. Is it to do this or that? To have this or that? No, it’s not. I’m here to bring glory to my Creator—He’s the one who gets to choose my path, because I’ve given Him that rein. Second, I pray. Sometimes a lot! I have to pray that God will give me His desires. That He will help me be who He wants me to be. (This isn’t always easy, especially when I don’t want what I feel Him pushing me towards!)

But when I actively work on changing my attitude in a situation, a mysterious thing always happens. I find myself changing my mind. I don’t want the things I thought I wanted, after all. And what’s more, I find I can live without those things I so desperately wanted just a short while ago.

Is it always so cut-and-dry? No, not always. Some problems are bigger than the average “thought” can deal with. Sometimes people are taken to Heaven before we’re ready. Sometimes people lose jobs, or find out they’re terminally ill. Blessedly, many problems aren’t this enormous—we only think they are for a little while.

And so, the next time I feel that tug on my heart, I pray I can be more receptive to the message attached to it!

Bio: KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! 

She writes inspirational romance for adults as well as young adult speculative fiction, including her YA supernatural novel, Shadowed Eden, and The Enslaved Series. 

You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

The Rejected Princess can be found at Amazon for Kindle and Paperback & at Pelican Book Group in Ebook and Print along with Katie's other titles!

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and as always, Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Katie Clark & The Rejected Princess!

Good Morning!

Yep, it's the last Saturday Spotlight in April....hope your weather is as lovely as ours is here in SWLA. I sent sunshine and flowers in my last newsletter email as well as a special gift so if you haven't signed up to receive it, do so HERE.

Last month, fellow Pelican Book Group author, Katie Clark shared something she treasures with us but today we're getting a peek into her latest release, The Rejected Princess. Take it away Katie....

When Princess Roanna Hamilton’s parents arrange a marriage with a prince of Dawson’s Edge—the mysterious and backwards kingdom to the south—Roanna reluctantly agrees, accepting that peace must be put ahead of her lifelong relationship with Prince Benjamin of Lox.

But when Roanna is introduced to Dawson’s royal family, strange mind-bending anomalies are awakened within her, and she discovers the Dawsonian royal family holds secrets of their own.

Roanna becomes locked in a battle between kingdoms. Rebels wish to eliminate people who possess powerful anomalies. With threats growing daily, Roanna comes to realize the danger she is in—not to mention how her own family, and Benjamin’s, would react if her anomaly was revealed.

Tensions rise when Lox is attacked. If Roanna is to save herself and her future, she must stall her marriage and squelch the growing rebellion—all while discovering how deeply her power runs. But will Prince Benjamin and her family accept her when the truth of her heritage is finally revealed?

Excerpt: Princess Roanna of Chester’s Wake had only been to the dungeon once in her life, but that one trip had scared her enough that she never wanted to return. Now, ten years later, Roanna worked in the palace libraries side by side with Prince Benjamin of Lox, her lifelong friend and cohort in crime all those years ago, as they sorted socks, coats, and blankets to take to the Rejected in the orphanages. 

“I just want to look around the dungeon for a little while.” Ben’s voice pulled her gaze toward him. 

Roanna hated the dark and dank dungeon, which reeked of bodily fluids. The place gave her chills.

Thunder boomed overhead, and Roanna gasped. Pressing her eyes closed, she took a deep breath to calm herself. Perhaps she was being silly.

Ben quirked an eyebrow at her and grinned. He leaned against the library wall and turned to the windows as rain dumped loads of water into the western gardens of her family’s palace at Chester’s Wake. Ben was taller than her, and his dusty-blond hair was parted messily to the right side. He was handsome, as so many hopeful girls had told him before. Not that he seemed to care about that.

Roanna finished tying a ribbon on the package she’d put together. She set it to the side and grabbed more supplies. Ben had been with her that fateful day in the dungeon ten years ago—the new cook’s assistant had dragged them there after catching them stealing cookies from her platter. She’d said it was to teach them a lesson they’d not soon forget. The assistant was fired that very day, and Roanna swore off even the thought of a life of crime.

Now, the idea of returning to the scene of their punishment all those years ago did not appeal. Why would he want to explore the dungeons, anyway?

KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! 

She writes inspirational romance for adults as well as young adult speculative fiction, including her YA supernatural novel, Shadowed Eden, and The Enslaved Series. 

You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

The Rejected Princess can be found at Amazon for Kindle and Paperback & at Pelican Book Group in Ebook and Print along with Katie's other titles!

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and as always, Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Guest Post by Katie Clark

Good Morning!

March is marching right along (yeah, pun intended LOL!) anyway... St. Patrick's day is this Saturday. If you're wondering about the St. Patrick's Romance Giveaway - click on the graphic in my sidebar and get all the details...70 authors, 70 books, 70 gift cards, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire and much more! Check it out....

Today's guest has visited before, on 4 different Saturday's to spotlight her YA Distopian Enslaved series.

Katie returns to tell us about something she treasures.

Take it away Katie.....

Hi Pam! Thank you so much for having me. When I think about Treasures, there are so many things that come to mind. My family, my Bible, my church. It can be hard to narrow down and focus on a single treasure! However, often times it’s especially easy to focus on treasuring my children, so that’s where I’ve decided to go today.

We can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, and this causes us to take certain relationships for granted. It might be children or parents, your spouse, or your siblings. It could be any relationship at all! Sadly, it often isn’t until one of those people leaves us for Heaven, we realize how our hearts ache for more time to treasure them.

Frequently, I have to make an effort to show my children how I treasure them—because one never knows when we won’t have that relationship to nurture anymore. For me that means putting down the computer; turning off the internet; setting aside the cleaning for a little while. More reading storybooks, playing patty cake with the baby, and going outside for a game of catch.

There are so many things I treasure, but today I am happy for the treasures of my children.

Wow...what a lovely post, Katie and cute kiddos! Thanks for sharing.

KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes inspirational romance for adults as well as young adult speculative fiction, including her YA supernatural novel, Shadowed Eden, and The Enslaved Series. You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter. Her latest book, The Rejected Princess is available now at Amazon in Print and for Kindle and directly from Pelican Book Group!

Well Friends, I hope you enjoyed today's post and take a few extra moments today to treasure your loved ones...especially your children. And, I hope you join me each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Katie Clark & Shadowed Eden

Good Morning Friends,

Today we welcome Katie Clark back with her upcoming release, Shadowed Eden (book 1 in her new Beguiled series). Katie has visited us regularly the last few months with her YA Distopian "Enslaved" series, Vanquished, Deliverance and Redeemer, but before we shine the spotlight on Katie and her book, I ask that you all take a moment and say a prayer for Katie's family, especially her 9 yr old daughter who is facing some health issues...May God bring complete healing and restoration by Jesus' stripes and the authority of His word. Amen and so it is....

Thank you, Friends!

Now on to our spotlight....

Avery Miles is ready to spread her wings and prove her worth on a church mission trip to Iraq, but when their entourage gets blown off course in a desert dust storm, the group is lost in an inexplicable garden oasis. Along with the luscious fruits and crystal springs, Avery and her friends find poisonous snakes, deadly sink holes, and a group of natives that are almost unearthly—but that’s not their biggest problem. No matter which way they trek, they can’t seem to leave.

To keep the group safe, Avery steps up and takes charge, but it isn’t long before she realizes things aren’t as they seem. She isn’t the only one seeing the mysterious boy named Rae, and she’s pretty sure her father is sabotaging her rescue efforts. Gathering her courage, Avery must decide what’s most important to her—finally winning her father’s approval, or getting out of the jungle for good.

Watch the trailer for Shadowed Eden HERE

Find out what people are saying about this book HERE.

Shadowed Eden can be pre-ordered from Amazon in Print and for Kindle...HOWEVER, if you pre-order from Pelican Book Group, you'll get a FREE E-copy of Vanquished!

KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! 

She writes young adult speculative fiction, including her upcoming YA supernatural, Shadowed Eden. 

You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Well friends I certainly hope you enjoyed today's spotlight. Check back weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights.

Once again, Thank You for joining us in praying for Katie's daughter and family. I pray God blesses you 100 fold for your thoughtfulness.

Until later take care and remember... When the going gets tough, the tough go to God.

"Inspirational with an Edge!" ™

#SaturdaySpotlight: Katie Clark & Redeemer!

Good Morning Friends,

Within the last couple of months, fellow Pelican Book Group / Watershed author, Katie Clark has shared with us Vanquished and Deliverance the first two books in her YA Distopian Enslaved series. Well today, Katie brings us book 3 in the series, Redeemer.

In this final chapter of the Enslaved series, Hana is faced not only with a new life, but an entirely new way of thinking. Unexpected friends give insight into who the Greaters truly are. Deciding what to do with this information sends Hana on what may be her very last journey. Ever. 

Excerpt: I close my eyes and lean my head against the metal paneling of the transport truck. The constant vibrations rattle my teeth, and when we hit a pothole I bite my tongue. I swallow the salty blood.

Every inch of my body hurts, from the cuts running deep and wide along my skin—courtesy of the barbwire at the prison in Greater City—to the aching muscles from the tumbles over the fences. Escaping a prison riot isn’t easy, as I learned.

A single drop of sweat trickles down my left temple. Lesser City 4 is farther south than the other cities, and without any vents in this death wagon, I’ve never been hotter in my life.

I shift in my seat, but there’s no point in moving or trying to stop the vibrations. Enduring the ride isn’t a choice, and it’s even worse to endure it alone. There’s no one to talk to, no one to commiserate with. It’s only me. I’ve been demoted, and I’ll probably be alone for the rest of my lonely, miserable life. It wouldn’t surprise me if they marked it across my forehead: Hana Norfolk, demoted.

The truck rumbles down the poorly maintained roads for what seems like an eternity. The bounce, bounce, bounce lulls me into some kind of sleepy state. I let my eyelids slide shut and pretend I’m only travelling for an observation visit, the kind I used to go on when I was preparing a way to help the Lessers.


Before I knew there was no help for them.

Redeemer can be purchased at Amazon in paperback & for Kindle and at Pelican Book Group in print and ebook.

You can even get the entire Enslaved series E-bundle for less than buying them individually -- Makes a great gift for the readers on your lists!

* * * * * 

Katie began writing novels while still in high school, and she never let her dream die. Today she lives in North Alabama where she works with children, and advocates for childhood cancer charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Katie has sixteen books for children and teens published or under contract. She is a member of ACFW and has worked with children and teens for over ten years in the preschool, elementary, and high school setting, and she spends her free time writing and presenting at writer’s workshops. Vanquished is her first novel.

Find out more by visiting her Website, or connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter andGoodReads.

Well friends if you love YA Christian fiction be sure and check out Katie's Enslaved series. Stay tuned too, because we're going to feature each one of these books all the way through!

Hope you have a Blessed weekend!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Deliverance by Katie Clark!

Good Morning Friends,

Last month I introduced you to Katie Clark with her book, Vanquished (book 1 in her YA Dystopian "Enslaved" series). Well today Katie returns with book 2, Deliverance!

Hana is Greater. It’s a future she never envisioned for herself, but she’s not about to ignore the opportunity she’s been given--the opportunity to find answers about her Mom, Jamie, and Fischer. This could be an opportunity to tell others the truth about God and uncover the secrets the Great Supreme has been keeping from their small, struggling nation.

When Hana’s search brings her to the mysterious prison she’s only heard of in rumors, the desire to get inside drives her to dig deeper for answers, but what she uncovers may be bigger than them all.

Can she save herself and the others before the Great Supreme realizes what she's doing, or will she give up everyone she loves in her quest for the truth?

Excerpt: I take a shaky breath and step toward the bed and dressing closet. I only have one bag of clothes. It will never fill up the closet.

But when I open the door I gasp. Clothes line the inside, clothes similar to the ones Sindy wore. Torn pants, grungy tops, and unraveling scarves. Oddly enough, they don’t seem old. They have tags on them.

At least I won’t stand out at dinner, or anywhere else in the city.

My bag makes a thud when it hits the bottom of the closet. I only want one thing from it—Mom’s perfume. I don’t remember the last time she wore it, but I can remember her by its scent. I unscrew the lid and bring it to my nose. Memories pulse through me. A hospital room. Sunken cheeks. Weary eyes.

The nightstand has a drawer and I shove the perfume inside. Next time I will remember happy things.

The door to the bathroom is on the other side of the closet. It whooshes open when I step close and I peek inside.

It's huge! A tub big enough to lie in sits in one corner, and a mirror with lights around it hangs above the sink. The bathroom at home is barely big enough for two people to squeeze in side by side and the shower doesn’t have enough room to turn around in. This bathroom could fit four people or more.

I gaze at the tub, wondering what the hot water allowance is here. How would it feel to float in a tub of warm water?

Deliverance can be purchased at Pelican Book Group  Amazon   Barnes and Noble 

KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes young adult speculative fiction, including her upcoming YA supernatural, Shadowed Eden. 

You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Hope you enjoyed this week's spotlight, Friends!

Check back next week for another Tuesday Treasure, Thursday Thoughts and of course, Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time...take care & God Bless!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Katie Clark & Vanquished!

Good Morning and Welcome!

Today it is with great pleasure I bring to you another Pelican Book Group author, Katie Clark with her book Vanquised, the first in a YA Dystopian "Enslaved" series.

When Hana’s mom is diagnosed with the mutation, she confesses to Hana she doesn’t know what will happen if she dies.  Fischer, a medic at the hospital, implies there is Someone who can help–but religion’s been outlawed. 

Hana embarks on a dangerous journey, seeking the answers Fischer insists are available. But when the truth is uncovered, will Hana stick to what she's been taught?  Or will she join the rebellion and take a stand against an oppressive society?

Vanquished can be purchased at Amazon (Kindle) and at Pelican Book Group in Ebook & Print.

Watch the book trailer HERE!

Excerpt: The door to the stairs is beside the old elevator shafts. I reach out and feel the cool metal doors. They reflect my image back to me, but I don’t pay attention to that. I’ve seen enough of my short blond hair and not-so-tall stature, but I’ve never actually seen elevators before. I wish the doors would open, and I could peek inside. Riding up to the third floor would be even better, but no one has enough electricity allowance to run elevators, not even the hospital I guess.

I make the climb to the third floor without even getting winded, and more manufactured lighting greets me. Long bulbs line the ceiling. These lights are brighter than the lamps downstairs, and they make an odd buzzing noise. I stumbled into a beehive once, and the angry bees buzzed a lot like the lights.

There are so many rooms down the long hallway, I can’t imagine there would ever be enough sick people to fill them all, but then I remember what they tell us about the Early Days. There were a lot more people back then. Now there are so few people I think we could all fit in this hospital together. How would it feel to be around so many people, all the time? Would it feel crowded? I don’t think so. I think it would feel safe.

The hallway is empty, but a faint beeping comes from down the hall. I pass an old desk on my way toward the beeping. A dumpy computer sits on the desk. People still have those?

I pass one door, two doors, and then an irritated voice stops me in my tracks.

“We could give her chemo at the onset to slow things down a bit, and then start the natural healing. The least we can do is to give her a fighting chance. She’s a Middle, after all.” It’s a woman’s voice, coming from the room with the faint beeping. Her tone is hushed and angry.

I look at the piece of paper that’s been tacked to the wall outside the room.

Maya Norfolk.

~ ~ ~ ~ 

Katie began writing novels while still in high school, and she never let her dream die. Today she lives in North Alabama where she works with children, and advocates for childhood cancer charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Katie has sixteen books for children and teens published or under contract. She is a member of ACFW and has worked with children and teens for over ten years in the preschool, elementary, and high school setting, and she spends her free time writing and presenting at writer’s workshops. Vanquished is her first novel.

Find out more by visiting her Website, or connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter and GoodReads.

Well friends if you love YA Christian fiction be sure and check out Katie's Enslaved series. Stay tuned too, because we're going to feature each one of these books all the way through!

Hope you have a Blessed weekend!

PamT