#SaturdaySpotlight is on Susan Coryell

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to the last Saturday Spotlight for October!

Yeah, I can't believe it either but you know what they say...."Time flies when you're having fun."

Maybe we should amend that to, "Time flies whether you're having fun or not." LOL!

Our guest today has visited before but it's been a while, so let's introduce her again.....

A career educator, Susan has taught students from 7th grade through college-level. She earned a BA degree in English from Carson-Newman College and a Masters from George Mason University. She is listed in several different volumes of Who’s Who in Education and Who’s Who in Teaching.  Susan belongs to Author’s Guild, Virginia Writers, and Lake Writers. She loves to talk with budding writers at schools, writers’ conferences and workshops. Her young adult anti-bully novel EAGLEBAIT is in its third edition for print and e-book, updated with cyber-bullying.

EAGLEBAIT won the NY Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age," and the International Reading Association's "Young Adult Choice."

A RED, RED ROSE, first in a cozy mystery/Southern Gothic series, was nominated for a literary award with the Library of Virginia. BENEATH THE STONES, the sequel, was released in April of 2015. NOBODY KNOWS, third novel in the Overhome Trilogy released October, 2016. All three novels were published by The Wild Rose Press in NY.

The author has long been interested in concerns about culture and society in the South, where hard-felt, long-held feelings battle with modern ideas.  The ghosts slipped in, to her surprise.

When not writing, Susan enjoys boating, kayaking, golf and yoga. She and her husband, Ned, love to travel, especially when any of their seven grandchildren are involved.

Please visit Susan Coryell’s website: www.susancoryellauthor.com and her blog: www.susancoryellauthor.blogspot.com or contact her on Facebook and Twitter: @SCoryellAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Susan-Coryell-Author-149075331807592/

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!

Why do ancient spirits hover at the crossroads between two worlds: the living and the dead?

With a successful writing career and blissful marriage, Ashby Overton is fulfilled and content at historic Overhome Estate in Southern Virginia until a stranger walks into her life. The arrival of Professor Ellis O. Grady coincides with a violent and bizarre turbulence emanating from the dark world of Overhome's ancient spirits.

As paranormal events build into chaos, Ashby must use her sixth sense to sort out the real from the imagined in both the visible and the invisible worlds as, stirred into fury, the souls of Civil War slaves engage in a dangerous battle destined to reveal long-held secrets of the past.

What is the connection between the enigmatic professor, a slave-built chapel and a restored overseer's cottage on Overhome Estate? Ashby struggles to find the answers before the spirits destroy her family's heritage, and the lives of those she loves.

EXCERPT:
     Walking over the weedy ground, I felt the desolate abandonment of those long-dead. A few tilting gravestones, so blurred with time that their epitaphs were illegible, listed toward the ground as if sheltering from a punishing wind. Scattered among the patchwork grasses were small, thin stone markers set in the dirt, little more than raw rocks, though several bore the faint outline of initials which had been chiseled into them so long ago. Ellis and I surveyed the bleak cemetery, each harboring our own thoughts.  I don’t know how long we stood there breathing in the silence. Then, I heard the voice.—so clear, so distinct, that I startled and almost fell back. Did my companion hear it, too? I darted a look at him. He stood with eyes closed, evidently completely lost in his own reverie. I held my breath and listened with all my senses on alert. The voice wavered this time, as though trailing away, but its repeated message was identical to the one I had first heard at the Overseer’s Cottage when the candlestick went missing. I had thought, then, that I heard “red apple,” which made no sense. Now I understood. “Jared Chapel,” the voice warned. Yes, its tone was severe. Demanding. “Jared Chapel.”

     I touched Ellis’s arm. “It’s here, Ellis. I know it is.” And when he blinked uncomprehendingly, I added, “You wondered if Jared Chapel offers anything in your search for your ancestry. It’s here—there’s something here. I feel it and I...I know it.”

     He blinked several times, a serious expression on his face. “You know because...”

     “Sometimes the past speaks to me. I can’t explain it, but I have to trust the voice that tells me things.”

     He rubbed his chin. “You know...this is odd. Really odd.”

     I raised my eyebrows in a silent question and he continued. “Because I thought I heard something. I definitely felt...a presence I can’t explain. Someone trying to get my attention. Someone very, very seriously trying to make me understand.” He shook his head. “Understand what? I confess, I’m baffled.”

     “It’s a sign,” I said. “Something I’ve learned over my years at Overhome. We ignore the signs at our own peril.”

****
Purchase Nobody Knows at Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll join me each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

#ThursdayThoughts Fall #RomanticTravel with Carmen Stefanescu

Good Morning Friends and Welcome!

Yesterday I received the proof copy of Keri's Christmas Wish....no matter how many titles I've had published, the thrill of receiving that first proof then the final copy never dims! The print book may be available early, but the Ebook will be released on Dec 3rd - my mom's birthday. You may remember she passed away in November 2014. Anyway, suffice it to say I'm excited about this new book.

Enough about me though!

Today's guest is new to me and therefore new to our blog, so please join me in welcoming Carmen Stefanescu with her book, Till Life do us Part and a Fall Romantic Travel idea.....

Carmen Stefanescu resides in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble - the psychiatric hospital if not to prison.

High school teacher of English and German in her native country, and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world that of the books.

Several of her poems were successfully published in a collection of Contemporary English Poems, Muse Whispers vol.1 and Muse Whispers vol.2 by Midnight Edition Publication, in 2001 and 2002.
 Her first novel, Shadows of the Past, was released in 2012 by Wild Child Publishing, USA.

Carmen joined the volunteer staff at Marketing For Romance Writers Author blog and is the coordinator of #Thursday13 posts.

You can connect with Carmen at the following places:
http://shadowspastmystery.blogspot.ro/
https://twitter.com/Carmen_Books
http://www.pinterest.com/carmens007/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carmen-Stefanescu-Books/499245716760283
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6624397.Carmen_Stefanescu
https://plus.google.com/117216040843648957646/posts
http://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Stefanescu/e/B00APVDGAA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30115839-till-life-do-us-part

 Now let's see Carmen's Fall Romantic Travel idea....

It’s true that Romania, my country,  is the homeland of Count Dracula, the infamous vampire, but when you visit the country in autumn you are not only going to enjoy its imagery of medieval castles but also spectacular views of autumn’s finest foliage.

 You can enjoy romantic walks in leafy parks dusted with crunchy auburn, red and gold leaves.

Or visit the rural areas for a rustic experience and fill your lungs with the strong, fresh air in the mountains. It’s also hard not to feel starry-eyed among the rolling hills and fragrant vines of wine regions.


And what place can be more suitable for rekindling the sparks of love than a visit at The Gate of the Kiss that features a kiss motif on the gate pillars?

Sounds absolutely lovely, Carmen! Thanks for sharing.

Let's find out more about Till Life do us Part.... what an interesting title....

Barbara Heyer can hear voices of dead people. They whisper of their deaths, seek comfort for those left behind, and occasionally even warn her about future events. But when Barbara’s brother, Colin, is accused of murder, it will take more than her gift to prove his innocence.

Becoming smitten with the handsome investigator, Detective Patrick Fischer, is a serious complication given his assignment to her brother’s case. Barbara senses there is something far deeper—and perhaps much older—than the surface attraction between them. Could that be why she’s visited by a mysterious woman named Emma in her dreams? Could past life regression tie all the seemingly unconnected events together?

Barbara and Patrick must overcome heartache to find the truth to save Colin, and perhaps themselves.

Excerpt 
Barbara drove home in a state of utter mental and physical exhaustion. So many things had piled up on her in only one day. Her head throbbed and her soul was heavy. What had the spirit, Kathleen, wanted to tell her? Why did she mention Colin’s name?

Coincidence nagged at the back of her mind. The time when the girl had regained consciousness, according to the doctor, seemed to fit the moment when the spirit stopped talking to her in the car.

The joy of having brought peace into the hearts and minds of Alfie’s family was shadowed by what the spirit implied. Colin has some explaining to do. I can’t believe he would kill someone, she thought. It’s impossible. He’s a good, quiet kid. It must have been a malicious spirit, pulling my leg. And, what about her own attacker? That despicable man. Could there be a connection? He mentioned the name Kathleen and made threats. She must keep her windows shut and locked from now on.
                                           /././././././././
“Detective, please, don’t  think I’m raving, but I have to ask. Do you know someone called Mabel?”
The man riveted Barbara with his dark blue eyes for a moment.

Barbara cringed inside. He’ll rebuke me.

The man passed a hand over his face and nodding, he answered, “Yes, I know a Mabel. My... my wife.”

“How long ago did she pass away?”

In a voice that was more than a little surprised he asked, “How on earth did you know she’s dead?”

“She’s here,” Barbara replied in a small voice.

His eyebrows shot up in disbelief. The steel in his voice was hard to miss. “What? What are you talking about?” He spun round and looked at the apparently empty space behind him.

Tell him I no longer suffer, Barbara heard Mabel’s voice.

Detective Fisher was still staring blankly around him.

“She wants me to tell you she no longer suffers. She hopes you’ve found in your heart the power to forgive her for committing suicide... for jumping off the bridge.”

The detective looked straight into Barbara’s eyes. The grief she saw in them was almost palpable.

Dear Cap'n, the weather here was most sinister. Thunder and lightning that frightened even most brave sailors. All the banshees of the seas broke lose.

******
Sounds like a great read! You can get a copy of Till Life do us Part at Amazon and B&N. While you're there, check out Carmen's other book, Shadows of the Past.

Well friends, I hope you enjoyed this weeks post and you'll join me each week for Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlight and Tuesday Treasures.

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Fall #RomanticTravel with Kathleen Rowland!

Good Morning Friends,

Well the Fall Romantic Travel blog exchange is coming to a close. I believe I have two more guests after today. Kathleen Rowland visited back in March for the Egg-cerpt Exchange so let's please welcome her back.....

How about romantic travel to Lake Arrowhead, California, where Deadly Alliance takes place?  Fall colors mix with evergreens around this pristine mountain lake. Bring a picnic basket and rent a pontoon!

Book Buyers Best finalist Kathleen Rowland is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes suspense with a sizzling love story sure to melt their hearts.   Lily’s Pad and the Intervenus Series: A Brand New Address and Betrayal at Crater’s Edge are sweet.  Deadly Alliance and her work-in-progress, Unholy Alliance, are contracted with Tirgearr Publishing and written for adults.

Kathleen used to write computer programs but now writes novels.   She grew up in Iowa where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and raced her sailboat on Lake Okoboji.  Now she wears flip-flops and sails with her husband, Gerry, on Newport Harbor but wishes there were lightning bugs in California.

Kathleen exists happily with her witty CPA husband, Gerry, in their 70’s poolside retreat in Southern California where she adores time spent with visiting grandchildren, dogs, one bunny, and noisy neighbors.  While proud of their five children who’ve flown the coop, she appreciates the luxury of time to write.  

If you’d enjoy news,  sign up for Kathleen’s newsletter at http://www.kathleenrowland.com/ 

Also be sure and connect with Kathleen at the following places:

Tirgearr Publishing - Leading The Pack

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/786656.Kathleen_Rowland

http://www.amazon.com/Kathleen-Rowland/e/B007RYMF7S

https://twitter.com/rowlandkathleen

https://kathleenrowland.wordpress.com/

http://www.kathleenrowland.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.rowland.50

Now let's find out more about  Kathleen's novel, Deadly Alliance...

Finbar Donahue, former Army Ranger, walked on the wild side in Iraq, but now he lives in the shadows. After his evasive partner, Les, was shot in a random drive-by, Finn discovers cash is siphoned monthly. He fights to keep his investment company afloat. When the late partner’s girlfriend, Amy Kintyre, applies for his bookkeeping job, Finn suspects she knows about his company drain and hires her.

Amy needs a nine-to-five with free evenings and weekends to get her fashion design business back on track. She unearths Les’ s secret bank account and alerts Finn. Freezing of the money laundering account sets off havoc within an Irish gang. Amy witnesses a gang fight between a brutal ISIS fundraising organization and the Irish. Desperate to escape a stalker’s crosshairs, she seeks refuge with Finn. As danger heats up, sparks fly hotter.

Chapter One from Deadly Alliance 

“You know I love your sportswear designs, right?”

“I’m glad you do.” Amy Kintyre sat opposite a buyer, none other than Kira Radner, at a coffee shop in Lake Arrowhead, California. This sudden opportunity to re-launch her sportswear designs gave rise to the jitters, and Amy clutched her hands under the table.

Kira pressed her face forward, Amy’s sketches drawn on figures in action poses. With the portfolio spread between them, she flipped it sideways to examine the fabric swatches stapled along the sidebar. Their earthy tones blended with the marred wooden table.

Amy stilled the chatty urge.

“You know your presentation is in two weeks.” Kira was giving her the green light with Recreational Sportswear, Incorporated.

“I appreciate this, Kira.” To get her business back on track, she needed blocks of time to sew mockups. Amy inhaled the spicy aroma of the raw cedar wood. The under-construction décor of wide, timber planks on the walls made her think of her new self.   Crazy how thirty felt like seventeen when embracing life and freeing her artistic side.

“Then I beg you,” Kira said, “please, please, please have your product samples ready. Deadline is the first Monday of November.”

“Got it.” Fear over the tight time frame tasted sour in her throat, but this break called like no other.

Kira leaned forward. “Impressive functionality with the shorts. Who would have thought this pocket holds a Swiss Army Knife!” The buyer’s fingertips traced the pick-stitch hem, made with thread matching the fabric, appearing invisible. “Nice detail.”

Amy’s only mock-up kept their face-to-face meeting running like the hum of the fluorescent lights above.

“Oooo,” Kira said and raised both her eyebrows. “Classic nostalgia with a twist. A pocket knife for hikers!”

“Useful, I think.” The bright light flickered over associates who’d worked together in the past, but Amy didn’t share the difficulty of making the deadline. Her breathing shortened, and panic carved a hole in her chest. 

“Gotta bounce,” Kira said. “Get to work.”

“I will.” She pulled out a notebook and jotted down a to-do list ending with the file with various size patterns. After a half-hour of regrouping and rethinking, she stopped tapping her pen. Kira Radner took a chance on her, but to turn this chance into a reality, she needed evenings and weekends to make the deadline.

Last Sunday while pouring over Craigslist classifieds, she’d zeroed in on Finbar Donahue’s bookkeeping ad. After her inquiry, his head accountant sent her a message. She still favored the toe she stubbed after her in-box pinged.

Thanks to what happened, the call from Kira, she needed Finn’s job. Her mind raced to her third interview for his nine-to-five. Tomorrow morning, if all went well, she’d land the regular-hours job, tailor made for her time frame. She ran a hand through her hair, picturing the arrogant know-it-all with a never-ending string of women hanging on his arm.

Handsome wasn’t the word to describe Finn, her late, ex-boyfriend’s partner. She’d been around Finbar Donahue enough to know he looked at his world as if he were the Almighty himself. The former Army Ranger made her way too nervous. She tensed up to such an extent, her voice broke.

Romance wasn’t part of this equation. Her dream to launch herself, stitch by stitch, came down to landing the job. On a mission, her goal was simple. She closed her eyes and prayed tomorrow she’d nail it. 

Take note readers: Deadly Alliance has been reviewed as EROTICA and can be purchased at Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed this edition of Fall Romantic Travel and that you'll join me each week here on the blog for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda Leonard and Avi

Good Morning Friends!

Is it fall yet? A cool front moved in a couple of days ago and it's mighty chilly....but warms up nicely. How about in your neck of the woods?

Today's guest is another Bayou Writers Group Member and has been on our spotlight before, so please welcome back Linda Leonard.....

Linda Leonard is a retired high school teacher/librarian. She is the mother of four, grandmother of six, and an educator who has taught in the public school system for 28 years as an English/Speech teacher (including 15 years as a Speech/Debate Coach and 14 years as a yearbook adviser.) She also served 2 1/2 years as a librarian, a total of 30 1/2 years in public education. She holds a B.A. in English and M.Ed. in Speech. 

Find out more about Linda by connecting with her on Facebook and checking out her interview on Bayou Writers Group website!


Now let's find out about Linda's new book...

After five marriages, Avi struggles to overcome the disappointments and mistakes of the past: the loss of her high school sweetheart and son, abuse, accusations of theft, embarrassment as people gossip, and the infidelity. She walks through life, a wounded soul, looking for someone she can trust.

Avi is a modern day story of the woman at the well.

Excerpt:  “No… No…”

Cole touched her arm. “Avi, wake up!”

Avi jerked and drew away from him, sweating and gasping for air.

“Avi, it’s me, Cole. What’s wrong?”

It took Avi a few seconds to recognize him in the dim light. “Oh, Cole, it was just a bad dream.”

“It was more like a nightmare. It sounds like the same one you had a couple of days ago. What’s going on?”

“Nothing, I’ve had nightmares since I was a small child. I’m sorry. It isn’t something I can control.”

“Well, it disrupts sleep. Do you need to see someone for your nightmares? I mean, isn’t there something someone could do or some medication to help you sleep?”

“No, Cole, you can’t control dreams or nightmares. They just happen.”

“Well, your dreams or nightmares really mess up my sleep.”

“If we want to talk about lack of sleep, why don’t we talk about your snoring? It’s 1:15 now. We went to bed at 10:00, and you started sawing logs and loading them on a freight train. The last time I looked at the clock it was 12:35, and I still wasn’t sleeping because the freight train rumbled through this bedroom non-stop. I don’t complain. If you want to talk about lack of sleep, why don’t we start with your snoring?”

 “Avi, I don’t want to pick a fight. We both seem to lose sleep when you have those episodes.”

Sounds like a good book, Linda! Good luck and God's blessings wit it.

Purchase Avi at Amazon and Smashwords.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll return weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and more Saturday Spotlights.

#ThursdayThoughts Random Ramblings on Addiction & Judgement

Good Morning Friends,

It's been a while since I shared thoughts with you but these two situations have come up in my life and in the lives of those I love so I thought I's speak with you about them.

Many times we are quick to judge someone's actions and/or addictions based on what we think their life should be. True, many addictions are unhealthy and lead to pain and destruction.

But what about those 'lesser' addictions?

Gossip, or shopping, or exercise, or any number of things we consider to be less devastating, even something a simple as negativity or exploring different aspects of spirituality. Granted some of these seemingly 'lesser' things can lead to, at the very least, worse behavior and at most, danger.

But not always.

Addiction like everything is a heart issue. A mindset.

I'll be the first to admit my addiction is Reading.

Some of you may laugh, many will relate, but in reality, anything that causes a person to forfeit sleep or food or camaraderie with the people with whom we have a relationship is unhealthy for all involved.

I, like many, feed my addiction in binges....I'll go for days or weeks without reading then something will spark in me and I'll read several novels in as many days, sometimes foregoing things like meals or exercise. Even sleep.

Wouldn't it be healthier for me to read daily?

Maybe.

I've always been an avid reader and no matter how long I go between binges, my love affair with the written word is real, sometimes consuming.

Now please don't think I'm making light of other, 'real' addictions.....Drugs, Alcohol, Obsessive Behavior.

And here's where the judgement part comes in. Unless we are REALLY hurting someone, we tend to think in boxes labeled Right, Wrong, Not so Bad, Insane....

We tend to judge on so many levels.... She can't be a Christian if she writes erotica.

She writes edgy...God can't be happy--after all that kind of writing doesn't really glorify Him.

They were friends the whole time each was married to someone else...now they're together...wonder how long that was going on?

He smokes, drinks, gambles....SIN...Judgement...

If you've known me long you know I don't write to condemn but to encourage and edify and that's all I'm trying to do here.

Jesus said to us, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

In what area(s) are you/we holding up the light of judgement when really we should be loving unconditionally and praying for those whom we judge? After all, the Bible does state, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

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

In my story, Review of Love Kylie Ericson and Jason Stockwell deal with the issue of judging......

Jason Stockwell has been commissioned to interview Kylie Erickson and to review her books. Only problem is, she won’t give the time of day much less an interview to someone whose type of writing she deems not worthy of respect. Can they suspend their judgmental attitudes and find true love? Find out in Review of Love....

Enjoy this short, FREE read from Pelican Book Group/White Rose Publishing then tell me what you think....

I hope you enjoyed today's random ramblings and that you'll return each week for  Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlight.

Another great book (which I finished reading this morning...yes during a binge...the 2nd novel I've completed since Monday night) is A Moment of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury and it is a great example of what I'm talking about here AND I haven't read Forgiveness by Marianne Evans yet but from what I understand, this book is a shining example of today's topics.  Check 'em out!

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Guest Post by Mark Wayne Allen

Good Morning Friends,

It is always a pleasure to bring to you a fellow Bayou Writers Group member and our guest today, Mark Wayne Allen is no stranger to our blog. He's shared treasures and thoughts with us before and we've spotlighted his book. With this in mind, I'll turn the blog over to him.

Welcome back Mark!

Life is not living

I'm an author, yes, but I've lived an unusual life.

Those that know me, well, also know what it is to live a life. You may think that is a redundant statement, but from my point of view, "live", and, "life", are not synonymous. Let's take the terms one at a time, shall we?

By the dictionary:

Life means the state or condition of anything having the capacity to grow, reproduce, functional ability, and continual change until death.

If we take this definition at face value, it seems to encompass everything an entity needs to merit cognitive existence, but now let's define the other term.

By the dictionary:

Live means to be alive.

 Now, those are congruent terms having no real substance. My friends, I've died many deaths, through heart stoppages and being what "The Experts" term as brain dead. Those experts said I would never survive even 12-hours. They've also said that if I did survive that I'd be a mental vegetable the rest of my life.

You don't realize what you have until it's ripped away. I'm telling, you I don't think it's humanly possible to fathom everything that's right about anyone's world until everything they know and think understand has been whisked away.

I was up walking and talking 4-months after my first accident. After the second, I would never walk again. I had to re-learn to breathe, eat, and drink. My definitions of "life", and "live", are drastically different from the norm. I have lived normal only in my youth, but I won't say that I've been through the worst, even with my life tragedies.

If you ever want to see the other side, tour any major rehabilitation center. Don't stop at the rooms. There are intensive care units all over the place. Lives are changes daily due to horrible tragedies. With all due respect to the dictionary, my definitions are below:

Life is when the heart is pumping blood and there is brain activity.

Living is the state when a person shows cognition and can have some positive emotional responses from activities with others.

Simply put, I treasure living.

Wow, Mark, you sure have a way with words. Treasuring life and living is something we all need to do!

Mark Wayne Allen was born in Merryvillle, Louisiana where he now resides, but has lived in many states. Due to life tragedies, he is a quadriplegic.

A love of books inspired him to write down his own stories, which, over the years, has evolved to include all categories. From poetry to short stories to novels, his knowledge of the craft grew over time, and so did his love for it.

He wrote two short stories and several poems that were published in a short-lived e-zine called Dementia. In 2013, he published the science fiction book Star Siege which was written during his years at Louisiana State University. Since then, he has placed in several contests since and even had a first place poem. He writes regularly for The Voice Of Southwest Louisiana Magazine.

Having lived in the North, South, East, and West has given him the opportunity to talk with a diverse group of people as well as an appreciation for different cultures. Currently, he lives with his wife of many years, Kelley, and is an active part of the community. You can keep up with Mark through his Website,Facebook and Twitter.

Mark's book, 3 Lifetimes in 1 is available through Amazon in Paperback, on Kindle and now on Audible!

I hope you enjoyed today's treasure as much as I did and I hope you'll stop by each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Lena Roach & Whispers of the Past

Good Morning!

I am so pleased to bring you today's guest, Lena Roach a long-time member of Bayou Writers Group. Lena has been working on her book and with her agent for a long time so it is with great pleasure we welcome her and Whispers of the Past to our spotlight!

On her last night at as owner and manager of her family’s antique business, a stranger arrives at Tessa’s doorstep with an impossible dream: find and replace a one-of-a-kind chair. Having lost more in his life than just a chair, Brian convinces Tessa to procure and restore the furnishing for his stately family home. With conflicting feelings of attraction for Brian and an embarrassment for her uncle’s dishonesty, Tessa tries to begin her life anew. But the main women in Brian’s life, his beautiful business partner Simone and his sister Darrie don’t want the complication that Tessa brings. They want the family home sold, not restored and will stop at nothing to get their way. Can Tessa do the impossible? Find and replace these antique pieces as well as show Brian that Christians really are good people and find a little love along the way?

Excerpt: 

Tonight was the night. 

Tomorrow it would all be gone.

Heartbeat racing under the lace collar of her emerald gown, Tessa Chandelle glanced at her guests around the refreshment tables that dotted the area she’d cleared in the elegant main showroom of Chandelle’s House of Antiques. So far, none of the irate creditors who had threatened to crash her farewell party disrupted the quiet buzz of conversation or the low music from the stereo. 

A “Thank God” on her lips, she flipped back her shoulder-length light auburn hair and turned to accept more good-bye hugs at what should have been a traditional springtime gala.

“Jasmine Hills won’t be the same without you!” the bittersweet goodbyes flowed around her.

Lifelong friends didn’t have to use words to express how they felt. She read their minds in the looks on their faces. Right under her nose, Uncle Lester, her trusted sales manager, had gambled away the family home and business in the two-story mansion that had served Chandelles for more than a century. How could she have let it happen? 

“You won’t forget to write, to call?” She saw furrowed brows and heard the remark, “Too bad your parents couldn’t be here tonight. If ever you needed them, it’s now.”

“Thank you, I’ll be fine.” She smiled at the well-meaning comments. “And some day with God’s help, Chandelle’s will be ours again.” 

She hadn’t seen her folks since her twenty-seventh birthday celebration a few months back. The happy wishes were tainted with grief. That week, Uncle Lester suffered a heart attack and died. 

“Leaving Jasmine Hills to conquer the Big Easy, huh, Tess?” Tall and matronly Mrs. Andrews, choir director at Little Grace Chapel, lifted her cup of lemonade in salute. “Soon you’ll be the most popular interior designer in New Orleans.”

“We’ll drink to that!” other guests cheered.

Tessa smiled and made a playful bow. Trust them to put a happy face on the occasion. 

Her side glance caught best friend Adrienne in palazzo pants, sun-bright color like her spiked hairdo. She pointed to her watch. The gesture said she’d get the patio crowd inside as planned for those who wanted to say early goodbyes. 

Tessa nodded, but then she picked up the faint chimes of the doorbell. A latecomer, or a creditor?

Determined to keep smiling, she changed courses and headed for the entry hall. As she approached the office set aside for Chandelle’s soon-to-be-owner, Magnolia House of Antiques, she overheard the low-key voices of employees who’d begun setting up for business but had promised to stay away tonight:

“Can you believe it? The daughter of missionaries, she gambled away the business right along with her uncle.” 

“Yeah, blamed it all on him. Even passed off fakes as antiques.”

“Now she’s applied for a job in New Orleans. Who would want a Chandelle employee on board?” 

“No wonder her fiancé broke off their engagement.”

Tessa’s feet froze, her smile gone. Inside her own store, the words stabbed, sharper than other false rumors she’d heard circulating around town, throughout surrounding parishes, and beyond. Once more, she must ignore them. But tonight, in earshot of anyone passing by? 

Sounds like a wonderful read! I have a copy of this book but have yet to carve out time to read it. Hopefully soon....

Purchase Whispers of the Past at Amazon.

Lena Vidrine Roach was born and raised in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana. At an early age, inspired by her schoolteachers, she developed a love for reading and writing. After earning a Master’s degree in English/Education, she became a high school English teacher. 

 Her first poem, “Success,” appeared in Young People’s Magazine published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Other poems appeared in Kansas City Poetry Magazine,   OASIS JOURNAL, and professional periodicals. She wrote a “Dear Teacher” column for several newspapers in Texas and Louisiana. Diverse articles appeared in New Orleans Times Picayune, Lake Charles American Press, Lagniappe Magazine, The Voice, and the national publication, OMG:THAT WOMAN. One of her short stories was published in GLAMOUR  Magazine, England. At present, she continues to live in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and is devoted to a writing career in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.  

Well Friends, I hope you enjoyed today's spotlight as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you!

Check back next week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts with Juanita Aydlette

Good Morning Friends!

Today's guest, Juanita Aydlette is new to me and therefore, new to our blog and is brought to us by Class Act Books.

Juanita Aydlette was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.  She presently resides in Garland, Texas with her husband and little dog. After many years of procrastinating, she decided to fulfill her life-long dream to become a published author.

It was after reading a series of novels that brought back memories of her childhood obsession with fairies, leprechauns, genies and unicorns, that she stepped out on faith and began her journey.

A year later, she has completed her present novel “IT’S IN THE BLOOD”, a love story full of mystery, intrigue and magic. The upcoming sequel “BLOOD TIES” continues the saga that plagues the lives of the Caiubi family. BLOOD TIES is targeted for release in 2017.

Find out more about Juanita at:

http://thesouloffiction.com/

https://www.facebook.com/juanita.aydlette

https://www.facebook.com/Class-Act-Books-279355422086332/?fref=ts

Twitter: @Juanita Aydlette

Nice to meet you, Juanita! Now let's see what thoughts Juanita has to share with us...

First of all, I'd like to say, thank you for having me.

Today, I would like to talk about how I go completely blank when I'm asked to talk about anything I want. I'm very good at answering specific questions, so a Q&A session works best for me. I think it's because, when I'm given the opportunity to talk about anything I want, it'll most likely be about my pets or dogs in general. I never had any kids and my dogs are great substitutes.

I have two small dogs—which is a bit unusual for me. I've always had big dogs in the past, but little dogs are so entertaining. Now, I have two females, a yorkie mix and a shih tzu. They are both rescues; one eight months ago and the other, one month ago. They love each other and they play around the clock.

I work for a vet, which has been my most fulfilling job. I get to play with a lot of different furry critters with different personalities. This keeps me from wanting to bring home every stray that happens to wind up at the clinic. I've had to witness some very sad moments also, when it comes to an owner having to make the ultimate decision when a pet is sick and suffering. I grieve for them, as if they were my own pets.

Being a pet owner has about as many challenges as being a parent, because you have this living, breathing life depending on you for its every need. Pets are very loyal family members, loving you unconditionally. They don't care how young or old you are, or the color of your skin.

I truly admire all the families who've taken on the challenge of fostering pets until they can find a fur-ever home.

How sweet! I'm sure many of our visitors can relate. I'm a pet lover too and have a German Shepherd :-) 

Juanita's book, It's in the Blood, a fantasy suspense novel can be purchased directly from Class Act Books, on Amazon and at Smashwords.

Hope you enjoyed today's post and I hope to see you again soon for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

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

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures Fall #RomanticTravel with Linda O'Connor

Good Morning!

It's that time again...time for sharing romantic travel ideas and Tuesday Treasures. Luckily we're combining the two today.

Linda O'Connor is new to me and therefore, new to our blog so without much further ado, let's get to know her....

Linda O’Connor started writing a few years ago when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at HomeSense. It turns out she loves writing romantic comedies and has a few more stories to tell. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic (well, even when she is writing she’s a physician, and it shows up in her stories). She hangs out at www.lindaoconnor.net and the following SM places....

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LindaOConnor98

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA Blog: http://www.lindaoconnor.net/news-muse-and-interviews/

Now let' see what Linda's Fall Romantic Travel idea is....

What happened in Pompeii, Italy is tragic, but the glimpse into life almost 2000 years ago is truly breathtaking. 

From illuminating their streets with embedded reflective stone to heating their homes with flowing hot water to their complex city-wide water system, the city is a fascinating look at engineering at its finest. 

Sharing the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site is my idyllic romantic travel destination. 

Wow Linda, Pompeii sounds lovely! Putting it on my wish list.

Now let's find out about Linda's book.....

Falling in love is Perfectly Unpredictable …  

Kalia Beck always dreamed of starting a family, living in a house with a white picket fence, and finding her soul mate. Just not in that order. Kalia is coping with an unplanned pregnancy when she learns the father has passed away. She soon finds out that single parenthood isn’t easy, especially when the only thing that soothes the baby is the guitar-playing of a reluctant and reclusive next-door neighbor.

Mack Challen, lead guitarist in a rock and roll band, knows it takes a village to raise a child. He just doesn't think there's a village big enough to help “gay momma” and her screaming baby.

Kalia and Mack aren't looking for love and aren't ready for each other, but when the future unfolds, it’s … Perfectly Unpredictable.


Perfectly unpredictable moments touch your heart the most.

EXCERPT:

Kalia pounded on her neighbor’s front door with her free hand. The other cradled a screaming Mani. In the last fifteen days, except for the past three, the neighbor had played his guitar from six until eight every night. And soothed Mani. It was the only thing that worked to calm the colic. No amount of rocking, walking, or singing worked to soothe the baby like fifteen minutes of guitar music. It was faintly amazing and fairly irritating that Kalia had to depend on the neighbor’s guitar playing.

He was home. She knew he was home. There was a new car in the driveway, and she could hear voices. So why wasn’t he answering the door? She pounded again.

The door swung open, and Kalia yelped at the suddenness of it. Mani screamed louder.

Mack frowned at them. “What?” he asked tersely.

Kalia groaned inwardly. It was the first time she had seen the neighbor close up. Six foot two, short dark hair with a sexy scruff, broad shoulders in a dark T-shirt, slim hips covered in worn sexy jeans, bare feet, and angry green eyes. Great. Just what she needed. A pissed-off lifeline. “Hi. I live next door. I need you to play guitar,” she said in a rush above Mani’s wailing.

“What?” His eyebrows winged up, and he put his hands on his hips.

“Why aren’t you playing guitar? You play guitar every night at this time.”

He shook his head. “I have company.”

“Well, you’re very good at guitar. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind listening to it for a few minutes.” Mani screamed louder. Desperate, Kalia strode in, noting that the layout to his home was the same as hers. Getting a fleeting impression of dark colors and sparse furniture, she moved past him into the living room. “Hello,” she said to the gorgeous brunette curled up on the dark leather sofa. “Would you mind very much if . . . he,” she gestured vaguely, realizing that she wasn’t sure of his name, “played guitar for a few minutes? Just a few minutes. It won’t take long.”

Mack followed her in. “Renee, this is my neighbor, half of the gay couple that lives next door, and her screaming baby,” he said wryly.

Kalia’s eyebrows shot up. “Yup, that’s me. The lesbian from next door,” she said with some chagrin. Is that what the neighborhood thought? She was living under a rock. “And we just need a little guitar music if you don’t mind.” She spied two guitars leaning on stands across the room and waved in their direction. “Whichever works.” Time’s a wastin’.

Purchase Perfectly Unpredictable at Amazon.

Hope you enjoyed today's treasure / romantic travel idea and that we'll see you weekly for Thursday Thoughts, Tuesday Treasures and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT