#SaturdaySpotlight is on Shane Cloonan

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Saturday Spotlight of July 2016!

Today I am so pleased to introduce you to a new-to-me, young, author brought to our attention by Prime Star Publicity.....

Shane is a very talented young man of 14 years old. Writing his first children's book, "Journey to the Cross", is one of his many accomplishments. This well written book takes you on the journey of the birth of Jesus to his crucifixion, told through the eyes of the beloved donkey that was with him through it all. The book also incorporates the legend of how the donkey came to have the cross permanently embedded in his coat. The book is an excellent read for all ages, with beautiful illustrations, and a fresh view of our Lord's journey.

Shane not only has received world recognition, and awards for his beautiful carvings of animals, he continues his love of nature by volunteering his time at McGraw Wildlife Foundation as a Junior Camp Counselor.

Currently his community service involves his book, "Journey to the Cross" by recruiting businesses to donate books to Soldiers Angels for Christmas. These books are shipped to the active duty servicemen and their families.

Shane has always been a kind, and driven old soul - a great role model for children, and someone the world needs to know.

Wow...fourteen! Congratulations Shane.... Find out more by visiting Shane's Website.

Now let's find out more about his book....

This is the story of the Jesus donkey, a fictional tale that takes readers on a journey from our Lord's birth to his ultimate crucifixion. Though written and illustrated for young readers, this book is perfect for people of all ages who want a fresh, youthful perspective on the life of Jesus. The book's message is imbued in the strength and simplicity of hearts that are linked to other hearts by Jesus. Journey to the Cross follows the light of hope that first appeared on that special night in Bethlehem.

A timeless story!

Like all great stories, mine will be remembered forever. Let me start by telling you that I’m a donkey. I’m also going to tell you about the most important event in my life . . . the most important event in history. One morning I was inside the barn, eating an ordinary breakfast in my ordinary stall.

But there was something about this morning that made it seem very fateful, although I knew that whatever was coming was nothing to be afraid of.

At the time, I did not know what was coming, or where it was coming from. But I could sense the presence of something much more powerful, and a lot bigger than you or me. But I just kept my focus on the hay that the barn keeper fed me each and every morning.

Get a copy of Journey to the Cross at Amazon.

Well...I certainly hope you enjoyed today's spotlight as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you and I hope you'll drop by next week for another edition of Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time...take care and God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Guest Post by Teri Smith

Good Morning Friends,

If you know me at all you know I love to feature new-to-me authors and today's guest is just one of those!

Brought to our attention from Prime Star Publicity, Teri Smith is a visionary, life coach, speaker, and popular author. Her career started in the mental health field with aspects of wellness and nutrition. A graduate of New York University and Hunter College, she has inspired and transformed many lives through her coaching, speaking, training, and media appearances. An avid believer in the mind, body, and spirit connection, she has dedicated her life’s purpose to ridding the world of Survival Mode Syndrome. It was during the winter of 2008 after several spiritual quests, including a trip to Medjugorge, that Teri experienced an epiphany. She described it as if listening to a radio broadcast but happening in her own head, and she couldn’t turn it off. Teri felt it was triggered by a passionate interest since childhood in the mysteries of the cosmos and a desire to find out why some people are so strongly opposed to any concept of a power greater than them. She felt she had unknowingly knocked, and a door to the unseen had opened in her mind. The broadcast continued for several years, and she was thrust into situations in order to experience every painful symptom of a phrase she coined, Survival Mode Syndrome.

Teri had many challenges convincing others of the epiphany. After years of writing and counseling about it, she realized she needed a format that people could embrace. Once again, she knocked and a door, this time taking the form of a dream, opened leaving her with two simple words “children and parody.” After much arguing with God about not knowing what the words meant, she sat at the computer where her hands began to move as if on their own and the rest is history. Teri, following in the steps of Jesus Christ, walked away from the comforts of life and family to discover her true self. She considers herself a work in progress.

Wow...what a life! Now lets see what thoughts Teri has to share with us....

Why Do Great Civilizations Get Destroyed?

We tend to dismiss this question as ancient history but we are a great civilization like the Roman Empire. The Christian of the 21st century must open the Holy Bible and locate where our civilization is in Bible timeline. If we do this, we will see that we are fast approaching the great climax of the present age. What does this mean? It means the Infinite, God, is greater than the Limited, us. Nature will always correct. The Bible never departs from the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. The laws of causation are the same Laws which, in their wider scope embrace nations and make history.

As we bear witness to our fractured, perilous world of present age, we are on the brink of starting over for better or for worse. Bible prophecies are not isolated from the natural laws of the Universe, but rather are based upon them and are in fact the description of those laws operating in their widest field of action on the human plane. This is important in trying to figure things out, and though we may not be able to calculate the precise day or year, we may come to a close approximation of our present whereabouts in the chronological calendar, and there are many indications to show that we are very rapidly approaching that climax which the Bible calls the end of the age.  As we bear witness to the perilous state of our fractured world, it is time to reconsider the particular prophecy of "spirit of Antichrist".
I had a supernatural epiphany and wrote a book that tells why our world is fractured and gives us a chance to put things back together. It is a parody using children and is titled "God in My Jell-O" - this link is clickable.

The wisdom of one of the greatest 20^th century spiritual teachers, Thomas Troward, talks about the close connection existing between Bible teachings about forgiveness of sin, the spirituality of worship, the development of personality, and the actions of God. These are all part of one great whole and can't be separated. To separate them is to pull down the edifice of the Divine Temple; and to realize their unity is to build up that true Temple of God which is the Individuality of Man, made perfect by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In God in My Jell-O Jell-O, jell-O, a metaphor for personality development, helps us to understand this development of personality as referenced by Troward.

Our Lord comes!
Teri Smith-Pickens

Definitely something to think about Teri! 

Connect with Teri on her Website, Linked In and Facebook. Purchase Teri's book at Amazon.

Well friend, I hope you enjoyed today's Thursday Thoughts as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you. Stay tuned for Saturday Spotlight this week with Shane Cloonan, also a Prime Star Publicity client. 

Be sure to drop by weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights!

Until next time...take care and God bless.
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Flexibility

Good Morning Friends!

Today's topic can mean several different things but, in this instance, what flexibility means for me is the ability to do my job(s) from anywhere I decide to go.

Working from home is one of the things I treasure.

And, since I'm on the subject. Let me tell you about my newest adventure....

Along with Ad Sales Director/Marketing Associate for Pelican Ventures, I am currently embarking on a new career with Harvard Risk Management.

This company has been in the "risk reduction" business for over twenty years by offering products such as Legal Shield, Identity Theft Protection, Document Shredding and many other products and services to "help reduce risk and provide protection, security, and peace of mind to individuals and companies in North America."

As you may know I've been in sales before so this new opportunity is exciting because, even though I'm training as a Recruiter, I can also build my business from the sales perspective.

Harvard Risk Management is looking to bring several more recruiters on board, so if you're interested in working from home, watch this video then email me and I'll show you how to become one of us!

Hope you enjoyed today's treasure.

Visit weekly for Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlight and of course, Tuesday Treasures.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on @RohnFederbush & St. Joan's Architect

Good Morning Friends!

I've mentioned before how it thrills me to bring to you a never-before-featured author into our spotlight.

Rohn Federbush is multi-published with a dozen or more books, and today she shares her latest novel, St. Joan's Architect with us!

 A fledgling architect, Catherine Marksteiner's graduation trip to Mont- Saint-Michel includes a visit from St. Joan's ghost. Catherine is not sure who is rendering the intricate drawings but she's fallen in love with the island and wants to marry the artist who sketches her. He's already engaged, but his smitten cousin Romee is ready to offer his father's shipping fortune and Vatican connections as well as his hand in marriage.

Excerpt: Catherine’s Dream

Catherine looked closely at the gigantic pink diamond ring on her left hand. Inside its intricate facets she could see hanging gardens, festooned arches and blue butterflies floating within its boundaries. Catherine settled softly down with a few of the butterflies to the grassy floor of the dreamscape, where a young girl picked flowers for wreaths and garlands to hang on the branches of a sacred beech tree. Sweet orisons wafted through the air. Catherine recognized the gentle maid who became the champion of France.

           

“Joan of Arc,” she called.

*******

Sounds intriguing! St. Joan's Architect can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle and if you love a great mystery and/or books in series, check out ALL of Rohn's titles by visiting her Amazon Author Page!

Now let's find out more about Rohn....

Born on a farm in southern Illinois, Rohn Federbush finished her Masters of Arts in 1995 from Eastern Michigan University of Ypsilanti. She started writing full time after retiring as an administrator of the University of Michigan’s Applied Physics PhD. Program in 1999. Finishing fifteen novels without finding traditional publishers motivated Rohn to self-publish many of her award-winning books. St. Joan’s Architect was a finalist in the Heart of the West 2001 RWA Utah Contest. Presently she is editing her memoir-novel entitled Home from the Woods, which mentions her present husband, a mathematical physicist, two sons, one granddaughter and one grandson.

You can connect with Rohn on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Linked In, Good Reads and Pinterest

Well friends I hope you enjoyed meeting this new-to-us author and I pray you'll visit often and check out our Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless!

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Taking Things for Granted

Good Morning and a Blessed day it is!

In my years of prayer, meditation and study, I've found that thoughts and attitudes have the power to change our lives...for good or not so good.

The Bible teaches us that "as a man thinks in his heart, therefore he is."

How much clearer can that be?

Yet we all have a tendency to think and speak negatively and to take things for granted....the simple things in life we've seldom (if ever) have had to do without.

This morning I discovered a guided meditation by Louise Hay and in listening, I realized there are many things I take for granted. There are thoughts and attitudes within me that could use polishing, changing or downright eradicating.

Needless to say, this really resonated with me.

May it do the same for you.....



Have a Blessed day and I hope to see you for Saturday Spotlight, this week and each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and more Saturday Spotlights!

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Guest Post by Katherine Fleet!

Good Morning Friends,

You may recognize our guest, Katherine Fleet, today as she shared some thoughts with us on June 16th and we spotlighted her book on May 28th. This time Katherine is sharing something she treasures with us!

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be here today on Pam’s site. My debut YA, The Secret to Letting Go, from Entangled Teen, is about family and community and what it takes to really feel like you belong. So for Tuesday Treasures, I picked something that reminded me of my family and my roots – a computer memory stick I recently received from my dad. It may seem like an odd thing to treasure, but if there was a fire, it’s one of the first things I’d grab. Why?

Over the winter, my dad spent many, many hours scanning ALL of our old family pictures and slides, including the black and white pictures from when he was a boy. He scanned over five thousand images and labelled them all with dates and names of people in the photographs. This was a pretty impressive feat for a man in his late seventies with very limited computer skills!

When he finally finished, I shared them with my husband and kids for the very first time. It was an amazing experience to see these pictures again and even more special to provide my kids with this glimpse into my family. The photos reminded me of what a great childhood I had and, like a time machine, they brought back memories of days and trips I’d long forgotten about. Some of the images were grainy or scratched, but it didn’t diminish their impact or importance.

It also made me realize how nostalgic I’d become about my past. When I was a kid, I was always looking forward. Somewhere along the way, I’ve started to place more value on looking back.

In The Secret to Letting Go, the main character, Clover, loses all her pictures and personal belongings in a hurricane:

The thought of Mama’s typewriter and my books, pictures, and writing buried in mud, cut through me like an ax. A part of me, that part anchored to Mama and the only good memories I had, had been hacked away. It hurt so much to think of it even my teeth ached. I wrapped my arms around my belly and swallowed back the bitter taste. I knew I should be thankful. Caesar and I were safe, but hadn’t I already lost more than my share?

The hero, Daniel, tries to comfort her with the adage that belongings can always be replaced, but people can’t.

Yet, some belongings can’t be replaced – especially those with sentimental value, and I see that the older I become, the more value I place on sentiment. I know I should try to live fully in the present moment, but it’s hard to ignore the pull of the past…

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you the sentimental type? Are there things that remind you of your past, that you can’t imagine living without? Thanks again to Pam for hosting me and thanks for reading. 

You are SO right, Katherine, that is definitely something to treasure!

Originally from Newfoundland, Katherine Fleet gave up the cold winters of Eastern Canada for the year round warmth of the Caribbean. The slower pace of island life has given her time to pursue a long-time goal—becoming an author. When she’s not writing, she spends her time baking, chauffeuring her three amazing, talented kids around, and having sun-filled adventures with her husband and wonderful friends in Curaçao. 

She is also a very thankful breast cancer survivor. In 2007, she joined RWA and has enjoyed the support and camaraderie of the YARWA and OIRWA writing communities. She’s participated in NaNoWriMo since 2012 and is an active supporter of the associated Young Writers Program. 

Katherine writes Young/New Adult fiction. She is represented by super-agent Carrie Pestritto of Prospect Agency. The Secret to Letting Go is her debut novel. You can connect with her at her Website (be sure and sign up for her newsletter!). Also be sure to like/follow/etc Katherine on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Good Reads. 

Purchase The Secret to Letting go at Amazon, B&N, ITunes, Kobo, Amazon UK, Amazon CA and directly from the publisher.

I hope you enjoyed today's treasure as much as I did and I certainly hope to see you each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Trey Dunham

Good Morning and Welcome to another Saturday Spotlight!

As you know, I'm always excited to share authors and books with you, especially when it is someone I've never spotlighted before.

Today's guest is brought to us by Prime Star Publicity.

A writer, teacher, and church planter, Trey has been blogging on spiritual, family and personal topics since 2009.

He lives in Morgantown, WV.

Find out more by visiting his website, Facebook and/or blog.

Now let's find out a little about Trey's novel, The Beams of our House...

Sol 203119 hates Coupling—the forced dating and mating technique initiated across the United Cities as populations consolidated, gender tensions mounted, human reproduction plummeted, and marriage fell out of style—but he doesn’t know why. But when a fourth classmate at the Academy commits suicide, he follows the prompting of a mysterious voice and goes in search of a way out of the City for him and his classmates at the Academy.

Thousands of miles away, Lill, an orphan Wild, raised by strict and overprotective brothers, discovers she is part of an ancient prophecy that will bring to an end the longstanding battle between the Spirits of the City and Wilderness. Em, a mysterious, spiritual recluse, mentors Lill in her preparation: caring for refugees who have fled the City in search of a better life.

Able to escape the City, Sol slowly adapts to life in the difficult and dangerous Wilderness. He discovers a community of healthy, loving, committed families, but when a special ops team from the City nearly captures him, community leaders decide the time has come to unite and resurrect an ancient rite of the Spirit of the Wilderness: marriage.

Waiting anxiously for his return, a small contingent of Sol’s classmates from the Academy form an underground community in the heart of the City, which they call ‘the Banner.’ Meanwhile, Sol and Lill travel separately to witness the first wedding in centuries; the City counters with a deadly attack. In spite of massive casualties, a small remnant survives. And in a narrow underground cavern, the bruised and battered Sol and Lill meet for the first time.

Excerpt: 

Washington, DC: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) announced today recommendations made to federal and state legislatures to suspend all laws and regulations related to the issuing of marriage licenses, effectively ending a practice which had been in steep decline over the previous two decades. DHHR Executive Director David Berkeley said, “The psychological, economic, and legal weight of marriage places a significant burden upon the health and well-being of individuals and society as whole.

In light of these health concerns and declining participation by the general populace, the DHHR is recommending that federal and state lawmakers suspend all policies related to marriage. Additionally, we ask that any binding legal restrictions to those currently married, especially as pertains to divorce and separation, be waived.”

Lawmakers at the federal and state levels, which enter sessions next month, plan to review the measure. Several states already have resolutions on the docket in support of the DHHR recommendation.

**********

If you enjoy Sci-Fi this sounds like an intriguing book! Purchase your copy at Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and hope to see you next week for another Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time...take care and God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Guest Post by Ryan Clemons!

Good Morning Friends!

A few weeks ago I introduced you to Ms. Ryan Clemons, a brand new-to-me author who is taking the world by storm with her book, Victorious the Journey of a Single Mom and her Faith.

Today we welcome Ryan back to our blog to share special thoughts on her heart about Mother's Love....

Mother's Love, being a single mom is challenging, but I love it. I've gained patience and understanding. I'm still learning how to balance motherhood, ministry and my personal life. It's not easy, but it's manageable. I thank God for my support system: my parents and my sisters. 

Having children redefines your character because you instantly gain unconditional love for another person. Times will be hard balancing being a mom and working, but you also have to create memories with your children. Time is valuable, precious, and priceless; it's something you can't take back once it's missed. Always tell your children you love them and how great they are. Showing love and compassion to your child makes a huge impact on their lives. Encourage your child and speak blessings and positivity over their life. As a mother, it's our job responsibility to uplift our children.

There are four main things I've learned that children need:

*Love, without love, we have nothing. We can buy all the things in the world for our kids to show our love. However, if we don't form a relationship and bond with our children, they will only remember the "stuff" we bought them.

*Support, it's our job to support and guide our children in the right direction. If they have a special gift or talent, it's important to nourish whatever God has placed in their hearts. 

*Discipline, we must discipline our children now while they are young; otherwise, when they get older, they will have no respect for others.

*Communication, be accessible, I know your schedule can become chaotic, but sometimes you have to stop what you're doing and give your children your undivided attention.

Let's embrace and uplift our children. They are our future! 

*********

Ryan Clemons resides in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and a concentration in Public Relations from McNeese State University. Ryan had the opportunity to intern with University Image, a marketing firm at McNeese State University. She also had the privilege to work for three forms of media: Television: KPLC News: News Content Specialist, Print: The American Press, Account Executive Radio: KZWA 104.9, Radio Personality.

Ryan is currently president of 3RP Productions, a nonprofit organization committed to changing lives by touring different cities and hosting the "It's Over" Revival. She's also serves as the Executive Director of Pink Life, a non-profit organization that assists mothers who are in need of diapers and wipes free of charge. In her spare time, Ryan speaks at youth organizations, non-profit organizations, women's conferences and seminars about her journey. She is dedicated to changing this generation by encouraging and inspiring others.

Ryan's Links:

Email: ryaneclemons@gmail.com

Facebook: Ryan E Clemons

Facebook: Ryan E Clemons- Author

Periscope: Ryan Clemons 

Ryan's novel, Victorious: The Journey of a Single Mom and Her Faith,can be purchased at Amazon. 

Such lovely and honest thoughts, Ryan! Thank you for sharing.

I pray you enjoyed today's post and that you'll visit each week for more Thursday Thoughts, Tuesday Treasures and Saturday Spotlights.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Your Body

Good Morning Friends,

It's been so long since I shared something I treasure with you, I was unsure what to write about until I looked at a couple of pics from my recent trip to Bandera, TX.

How often do we think about our bodies with awe and appreciation?

I'd reckon not as often as we do with disgust or displeasure.

The Bible states that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God knit us together in our mother's womb. Therefore, the human body is a miraculous machine and I've come to appreciate mine more over the last few years than I ever did as a younger woman.

Especially when it enables me to hike and experience a view like this one from Lost Maples State Park in Vanderpool, TX....about 35 miles NW of Bandera and deeper into the Hill Country.

So the next time you're tempted to complain about your body, take a moment and think about all it does for you, then praise and bless it instead.

You'll be amazed at how much better it responds and you'll feel.

Something to think about....

"Inspirational with an Edge!" ™

PS: Hope you enjoyed today's treasure and that you'll visit weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time...take care and God Bless.
PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda Hebert Todd and Wild Justice!

Good Morning!

As I've mentioned before it is always a pleasure to introduce you to a brand new author, especially one from Bayou Writers Group which I co-founded in 2002 and today's guest is another great member! Linda has been with the group almost from it's inception and has worked steadily to hone her craft and write this novel.

I hope you'll give her a warm welcome and best wishes....

Linda Hebert Todd writes fiction and poetry, and since she enjoys reading mysteries, much of her fiction is about mayhem and murder. Nearly all her fiction is set in the bayou country of south Louisiana, where she came of age swimming in the river and listening to tales of LaFitte the Pirate and the loup-garou.

Linda has a short story in Journeys: Bayou Writers Group Anthology Volume 1 (Bayou Writers Group, 2014). Several of her short stories and poems have won prizes in various contests, and have appeared in the Jambalaya Writers’ Conference anthologies.

She has one novel completed—Wild Justice, a crime story with a revenge theme, and has started another one set in Labrador and Louisiana.

Linda is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime on the national level. She is a charter member of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and a member of Writer’s League of Texas based in Austin. She is past Secretary of Bayou Writers Group and is currently serving on the board as Member-at-Large.

Find out more about Linda by visiting her Website and/or Blog and connecting with her on Facebook

Now here's a sneak peek into Linda's novel, Wild Justice...

Keeley Chesson, a crime reporter for a city newspaper, is orphaned at age fourteen, courtesy of a sheriff’s deputy who killed her parents and got away with it. Now, fourteen years later, the deaths of her parents still a mystery and the deputy now her town’s police chief, tragedy again rocks her world when her aunt, the woman who took her in and finished rearing her, is murdered. Keeley is inside the house when her aunt and cousin are shot by two gunmen. She narrowly escapes detection, but is able to watch the men drive off. One of them she has known since elementary school—the good-for-nothing son of her town’s chief of police. As they drive away she sees someone else in the truck—the killer’s girlfriend who is also Keeley’s best friend. Wracked with grief over the deaths of her relatives and her friend’s betrayal, Keeley vows to get justice. She’s afraid to call law enforcement because the killer’s father has made sure his son never had to pay for anything he ever did. She feels she has to do it herself, and begins a quest for justice and revenge that puts her in danger of losing her own life.

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter One:

The screams stopped, quenched into silence when the roof of the vintage car disappeared under the cold waters of the Calcasieu River. Deputy Brad LaCaze stepped out of the shadows where he’d hidden his patrol car in a copse of trees. The sinking car, a fully restored 1955 Chevrolet BelAir, triggered a momentary twinge of regret. Then he remembered the treachery of Moira Adams Chesson and that son-of-a-bitch, Joe Chesson.

Here’s the last paragraph in the chapter:

One of the divers broke the surface and waved his arms, signaling discovery, and two fingers signifying two bodies. No one noticed the satisfied smile that for an instant flickered across Brad’s face. And no one, including Brad, saw the solitary figure across the water paddle the pirogue around the bend.

Wow, Linda sound intriguing! 

Wild Justice can be purchased at Amazon in Ebook and Paperback.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you! Come back each week for a new Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts Guest post by Gail Kittleson

Good Morning Friends,

It is my pleasure to introduce you this new-to-me author....

Gail Kittleson taught college expository writing and ESL. She now writes women’s fiction and facilitates writing workshops and women’s retreats. She and her husband enjoy family in northern Iowa, and the Arizona Ponderosa forest in winter.

WhiteFire Publishing released Gail’s memoir, Catching Up With Daylight, in 2013, and her debut women’s historical fiction, In This Together (Wild Rose Press/Vintage Imprint) released in 2015. She also contributed to the Little Cab Press 2015 Christmas Anthology,

The first novel of her World War II series released recently (In Times Like These), and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas will release the sequel in February, 2017. You can count on Gail’s heroines to make do with what life hands them, and to overcome great odds.

Find out more about Gail by visiting her Website, Facebook Page, Amazon Author Page and following her on Twitter!

Now let's see what's on Gail's mind....

 My tea bag this morning says, “Aspire to inspire before you expire.” 

Not bad advice, eh?

How do people become inspirational to others? Start! What we overcome makes us stronger, more aware of others’ struggles, and gives us perspective.

But if we’re in the midst of anguish, we certainly don’t want to hear this old line. What doesn’t kill you makes you strong . . . you’ll emerge from this period wiser, believe me . . .

Yada, yada, yada. At the time, we just want to get through this pain! Who cares about inspiring others? 

But when the worst has passed, the inspiring comes naturally—we don’t even know when it’s occurring.

 “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Saint Francis of Assisi

Perhaps the same might be said of doing the inspirational. Paying attention to inner and outer guidance, we work hard at our passions—necessary labor. We start with the possible, and as we toil away, the meaning of possible expands. Our vision enlarges, new ideas flow, and voila! We’re inspiring others.

I’ve found this with my writing. The first step, starting, challenged me. All kinds of arguments formed from voices I’ve listened to my whole life. But I had to move beyond what they said in order to follow my vocation’s rhythm. WRITE, WRITE, WRITE . . . for years, unsure of the outcome.

            

And now, readers tell me my work inspires them. This must be how it works, but doing the necessary and possible initiated the process. I’d love to hear how it’s worked for you. 

*********

You are so right, Gail....there is always a purpose to our pain.

Gail's latest book, In Times like These can be found at Amazon.

Thanks for joining us! I hope you enjoyed today's thoughts and that you'll come back weekly for more Thursday Thoughts, Tuesday Treasures and Saturday Spotlights.

Until next time...take care and God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures #NewRelease by Marissa Garner

Good Morning from Bandera, TX!

A couple of weeks ago I shared how important and thrilling a new release is to an author. As both reader and author, I know when my favorite author(s) have a book coming (or due) out, I'm as anxious as an expectant mother.

With that in mind, here's another new release to treasure...TARGETED (FBI Heat #2) by Marissa Garner....

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES…

FBI Special Agent Marissa Panuska faces the most explosive case of her career when she impersonates a female terrorist to infiltrate an al-Qaeda cell. Her dark hair, olive complexion, and Arabic fluency make her the perfect imposter, but each passing hour raises the risk of discovery. Can she stop the dirty-bomb plot—alone—when the Feds don't even know the target? And should she trust the mysterious man who bursts into her life when her cover is blown?

SO CLOSE TO REALITY…

Former Navy SEAL Ameen Ali has a very personal reason for hating the terrorists and vowing to stop them. But when a beautiful woman joins the sleeper cell spreading death-to-America propaganda at his mosque, he doesn't want to believe she shares their evil goals. Can he convince her to join forces before it's too late?

Excerpt:

Marissa slipped around the corner of the nearest building and held her breath. She inched backwards. When her foot came down on the paw of a dog sleeping against the wall, the mutt yelped and sprang to its feet. It growled and then barked ferociously.

“Hush. No bark. Quiet,” she scolded in Spanish to no avail.

She scooted back to the corner and peered down the road. As she had anticipated, the men were searching for her in the direction of the border crossing. But hearing the barking, they stopped, turned, and raced back in her direction. Marissa spun around, ran several steps, and stopped with a gasp.

The short alley was a dead end. And she couldn’t return to the road because Samir and Omar would see her.

Trapped.

With the dog biting at her heels, she tried to pry open the door of the building on the right side of the alley. The door refused to budge. Rushing across to the other building, she slammed both hands into the door. It shuddered open a crack. She rammed her shoulder into the wood and the door gave way. Ignoring the pain shooting through her arm, she swung inside the abandoned building, pushed the dog back outside with her foot, and shoved the door shut.

Minimal moonlight filtered in through the dirty, broken windows. She strained to see as she felt along the grimy walls until she found a doorway. Repeating the pattern, she worked her way back through six rooms. Where’s another exit? There can’t be only one.

The dog’s blood-curdling yelp stopped her in her tracks. Oh, God. Samir’s knife.

When the two terrorists shouted and barged into the building, Marissa slipped into another room and flattened herself against the wall beside the door. Her eyes desperately sought a way out. No more doors. Only two windows, four feet above the floor, shattered in the center. Could she dive through one without ripping herself open? Was there time?

Not bothering with stealth, the men cursed as they separated and searched, room by room. Closer and closer. When Omar stepped through the doorway, Marissa slammed the door into his face, her bulky clothes hampering her efforts.

She dashed toward the windows, but Omar recovered before she reached them. Grabbing her abaya from behind, he yelled to Samir. Viciously, he kicked the backs of her legs, buckling her knees.

She collapsed to the floor.

Samir charged through the doorway, brandishing the knife in front of him.

As she scrambled up onto her hands and knees, Omar yanked off the veil. He clutched handfuls of her long hair, exposing the back of her neck and dragging her forward. She cursed and clawed at her attackers, but both stayed just out of reach.

Samir grunted as he raised the massive knife high over her neck.

“Benja! Miláčku,” Marissa screamed.

Marissa Garner is a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, she cut pictures of people out of her mother’s magazines and turned them into characters in her simple stories. Now she writes edgy romantic thrillers, steamy contemporary romance, and sexy paranormal romantic suspense. Her stories will titillate your mind as well as your libido. She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband, but enjoys traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and many locations in between.

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Hope you enjoyed today's treasure!

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Until next time....

Take care and God Bless!

PamT