#SaturdaySpotlight is on The Visionary

Good Morning,

My scheduled guest was not able to be here today so, since I spoke with my narrator yesterday and went over some of those Cajun names she'll need to know to record The Visionary for audio book, I thought I'd do a spotlight on the novel.

Will the ugly secret haunting the twins keep them from finding true love?

While most visionaries see into the future, Taylor sees the past. but only as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disturbingly prevalent in today’s society. 

Can the love of God and the awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives?

Fans of Redeeming Love will appreciate this contemporary story of the awesome power of God to heal the most wounded of souls.

Excerpt: Pam giggled. “And how are things with you and Alex?” she asked her eyebrow arched with interest.

Taylor chuckled. “He’s very sweet and very good with kids.”

“And sexy?”

Taylor flushed. “Not exactly the tall, dark, and handsome type is he? When you consider he’s not more than five foot eight or nine inches tall and a little generous around the middle.”

“Maybe not,” Pam remarked. “But there’s a lot to be said for short and sexy.”

Taylor smiled at the analogy. Her mind returned to the man in question. He wasn’t really overweight or sloppy, but neither did he sport washboard abs. Probably due to his profession and the fact he preferred rice and gravy to lettuce and tomatoes, she thought with another smile.

“There is something about him,” she ventured. “Those bright hazel eyes that laugh and mock and never miss a thing. Have you noticed they alternate between golden brown or light green?”

Pam shook her head. “Not really. What else have you noticed about him?”

Taylor flushed with a tiny laugh. “Everything. The trim, neat mustache; the curve of lips that smile easily and often; that meticulously groomed, sandy-colored hair makes my fingers itch to run through it. He possesses oodles and oodles of charm and charisma by the case. And his voice, soft and husky and...” She shivered at the thought of the throaty lilt. “He always sounds as though he’s just rolled out of bed.”

Pam laughed. “Yeah, but he always seems so together. Even yesterday, when everyone else dressed in baggy sweats, ragged jeans, and tattered T’s, his casual slacks were well pressed, and his shoes polished to a spit shine.”

Taylor sighed, her lips curved. “I know. I’m not sure exactly what it is about him that’s so attractive, but when I figure it out, I’ll let you know. 

The Visionary can be purchased in Ebook and Print from your favorite online retailer HERE and will be available in Audio late October/early November.

Hope you enjoyed this excerpt and that you'll check back each week for Wednesday Words with Friends and another Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes @CarolynMAuthor Carolyn Miller!

Good Morning Again, Friends!

Today's guest is not new to our blog but always a pleasure to have, so please welcome Carolyn Miller back as she shares her heart with us.

When I first started seeing my books published back in 2017, I was told that whatever I first published would become what I’m ‘known for,’ and I’d need to put the other books I’d written on the back burner. I did this for four years, establishing myself as a Regency author, but then, as the Winter Olympics drew near, and knowing I had a contemporary winter Olympics story ready to go, wondered about venturing into the contemporary fiction market too. After a few knockbacks and a LOT of hard work, I saw that Winter Olympics book, Love on Ice, release as part of a contemporary romance series, just in time for the Winter Olympics earlier this year.

It can be easy to limit ourselves, to think we need to fit inside the box of other people’s expectations, or what our own experience says can be done. I touched on this in my recent historical release, Midnight’s Budding Morrow, where a marriage of convenience elevates a humble woman from a perceived servant role to ‘lady of the manor’, leaving certain people shocked at Sarah’s audacity, before coming to realize just how effective and honorable she was in her new role. 

I think this can prove true as an author, too, when we’re told to write only a ‘certain’ type of book, or write for a certain audience, or in a certain way. I’ve now got over 20 books published, a mix of historical and contemporary, and I’m so glad I didn’t just stick with what some people thought I should. It’s fantastic to see God touching hearts through my hockey books as well as my historicals, that these stories God puts on my heart don’t need to be for me alone but can be shared with a wider audience (all the way to Germany and beyond!).

I like giving characters opportunities to push past the perceived limitations, to surprise others with the way they handle new and daring situations, just like Sarah has to in Midnight’s Budding Morrow. Her husband is another who confounds the critics, with his new faith a far cry from his rakish past. I love a good redemption story, and many readers have testified about how good it was to see realistic, authentic characters they could connect with, that it wasn’t just the easy, ‘check-the-boxes’ kind of story. 

Our world is full of people who deliberately chose to do things differently, to not accept the status quo, or be limited by their past. Imagine if Joan of Arc listened to the naysayers and settled for hemming handkerchiefs. Imagine if Florence Nightingale hadn’t revolutionized nursing. As I get older, I’m learning more and more it’s not about what others do, think or say that I should be comparing myself to. 

So what is it that’s holding you back from the ‘more’?

When we look at a gravestone, there’s only a short dash between our birth and death. That’s way too short an amount of time to spend our life worrying about what others say we should or shouldn’t be doing. As a Christian, I believe the only one we should really be heeding is Jesus. What would Jesus have us do?

Perhaps that’s writing the story of your heart. Perhaps that’s putting your hand up for a different ministry, in – or outside – of church. Perhaps it’s loving your neighbor. Whatever it is, live free from the shackles of other’s opinions, so we can enter the life God offers us, that is ‘exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3.20). 

I’m so glad I stepped out of what I was told I ‘should’ write. I get messages from readers all the time about how they’re glad I pushed through and wrote other things too. 

So what is it that God might be leading you to do too?

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English teacher. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and LM Montgomery, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her contemporary romance series includes the Original Six hockey romance series, and the Independence Islands series, and her historical series include the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series.

Connect with her:  website |newsletter| facebook | pinterest | twitter | instagram | amazon | bookbub 

Buy Midnight’s Budding Morrow on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Apple

See Carolyn's previous visits HERE.

How true, Carolyn! Thank You SO much for sharing this wisdom with us today. Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings in your writing career.

Hope Carolyn's post has given you something to think about friends and that you'll come back often for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Stacey Weeks @WriterSWeeks & The Sycamore Standoff!

Good Morning Friends,

It's a beautiful day here in SW Louisiana. We've been getting rain pretty much every day so things are lush and green. Please pray for our neighbors in TX, they're in desperate need of some. THANKS!

Today's guest has visited several times before, so please welcome Stacey Weeks back with a peek into her brand new novel, The Sycamore Standoff....

She wants independence. He wants her affections. They’ll have to face her past for any chance of a future.

Meg Gilmore escapes an abusive relationship and rebuilds her life, but her victory is short-lived. Change threatens her new refuge, and she underestimates her adversary. But Meg is a fighter. She will do whatever it takes to protect what she loves. Her past catches up with her present and uproots everything she has built, including a fragile and growing friendship with a kind and generous man. The freedom and love Meg has always wanted is hers for the taking, but she’ll have to confront what truly terrifies her to claim it.

Excerpt: Something wasn’t right. Meg Gilmore stopped abruptly on the sidewalk in front of her cedar-sided historical home. As she squinted at the tiny one-bedroom bungalow, the hairs on the back of her neck lifted, and an unseasonal shiver rippled down her spine. Her backpack slipped off her shoulder and landed on the ground with a thud.

The Canadian flag mounted to the right of the front door rippled in the warm, late-afternoon breeze. The vintage mailbox remained closed. Tulips and daffodils waved a happy greeting from their sunny spot in the front garden. Nothing was trampled. Nothing appeared out of place. Everything looked just as she’d left it this morning. 

Yet it all felt wrong. The double-check-your-locks, peek-in-the-closet, and look-behind-the-shower-curtain kind of wrong. Meg’s legs quivered, and she settled a hand over her midsection. She couldn’t explain why. There was no reason for the chill filling her core. 

She instinctively shrank back. She hadn’t felt this kind of inexplicable apprehension since . . .  well, she really didn’t want to think about that. She forced her spine to straighten and picked up her bag. She wasn’t the same person she was back then. She sucked in a deep breath, marched to the front door, jabbed her key into the lock, and twisted. The lock clicked open as she would expect, and she gave the door a trepidatious shove. 

Her breath shot out of her. See. Everything is fine.

Finding a house that she loved in a historical neighborhood in Sycamore Hill had been one more rung on her ladder toward independence. Sure, she didn’t own it. And yes, it was the smallest house on the street. But she’d scraped together the first and last month’s rent to secure the place while studying as a full-time student at Grander University and working part-time at The Muffin Man. And she’d done so all by herself. 

Her keys clinked against the ceramic rim of the shallow, catch-all bowl she kept on the entry table. In less than a minute, she moved through the entire house, tidying a stack of books here and a throw blanket there. She snagged her journal from where she’d left it this morning on the round table in the breakfast nook. Everything was fine. Normal. Just as it should be. Just as it had always been since she arrived in Sycamore Hill. But if that were true, why did an invisible weight press on her chest, making it difficult to take in a full breath?

She hugged her journal. Journaling usually filled her soul with a cathartic calm—the kind of peace missing from her messed-up insides right now. Her counsellor-turned-friend, Kim—trustworthy from the days Meg lived in Sycamore Hill’s local shelter, Life House—would tell her to work it out on paper. But she’d graduated from their program nearly a year ago, and she didn’t want to write. She wanted to talk. 

Lord, You say to pray about everything, so here it is. Something feels off. Her eyelids fell closed, and she inhaled a focused, deep breath. Help me remember that You are with me always.

A sudden vibration in her back pocket made her yelp, and then she laughed. She rubbed her palm over her galloping heart as she tried to force her uncooperative gaze to focus on the text message from Eli. Meet me at Alfred in 10?

She gave it a thumbs up, and the reply went out with a quiet whoosh. She was being ridiculous. This was ridiculous. Meg tossed her knapsack onto her bed as she passed the open bedroom door. The smooth, undisturbed quilt sagged under the weight of her textbooks. The bedroom was the only separate space in the house, if you didn’t count the restroom. Having come full circle, Meg sat down on the small bench near the front door. She had no logical reason for her rising panic.

But it happened like that sometimes. Coming out of nowhere and gut-punching the breath from her lungs.

A burning sensation scorched the back of her throat. She tugged off the ballet flats she’d worn to school and pulled on a pair of socks and sneakers. Outside the paned glass back door, the sun remained high in the sky, having only partly begun its descent into evening. Hours of daylight remained—not that she needed hours. She lived only five minutes from every amenity Sycamore Hill offered its residents. Meg shut and locked the door behind her and headed toward the center of town. With every step that put distance between her and her house, the creepy feeling of being watched receded, and her labored breathing eased. 

By the time Meg rounded the corner onto Main Street, she almost felt normal again. Her boss from The Muffin Man bakery called out a cheery good afternoon as she passed. She smiled. Grabbing breakfast-to-go at the bakery that employed her had become part of Meg’s morning routine, her one treat on a tight budget.

Her steps hitched. All the articles she’d read advised women with a past like hers to avoid predictability in their schedule, but it had been so long since . . . Her chest constricted. Had she made herself too easy to find?

Her phone vibrated again. Running late.

Meg had hardly read the message before someone brushed past her, nearly sending her phone to the sidewalk. Her breath stalled in her throat as she fumbled to maintain a hold on the device.

“Sorry,” mumbled a woman, hurrying past her before turning toward the bank.

Meg sagged and sent Eli another thumbs up. Everything was fine. As she crested the gentle incline of Main Street, the magnificent sycamore she’d nicknamed Alfred came into view. The tips of its full crown waved hello, and the quivering in her belly settled. Its rich and familiar aroma soothed her erratic heartbeat. The shade beneath Alfred’s protective branches was her go-to place for solace. And today, she needed solace.

But then she spotted a chain-link fence imprisoning it. A padlock. A public notice.

As if a fist had reached into her chest and squeezed, her heart wrenched. 

Meg raced toward the tree, hitting the barricade with the power of a gale-force wind. She rattled the locked gate, shaking loose a poster pronouncing: The Future is Yours. Come Home to a New Horizon Property.

She picked it up. Condos? She tore her gaze from the poster to Alfred’s patchwork bark that exposed white, green, and cream-colored inner layers. Alfred mattered more than condos. The massive sycamore fig—the singular remnant of an ancient forest from another era—stood as the sole survivor of his community. He was a fighter. Like her.

Stacey writes faith-filled contemporary romance and romantic suspense with strong female leads and imperfect heroes. She is a multi-award-winning author, conference speaker, and Bible study teacher. She loves to read and will try almost any creative pursuit at least once. Stacey lives in Ontario with her husband of 25 years and three children. When she is not writing, she is probably jogging the trails, homeschooling her kids, or trying out a new recipe. Find out more about Stacey and her work by visiting her website or connecting with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/writerSWeeks 

Twitter: @writerSWeeks  and Instagram: @writerSWeeks   Sign up to receive here newsletter HERE and get a free short story.

Get your copy of The Sycamore Standoff HERE and check out Stacey's previous visits to our blog HERE.

Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new book, Stacey! 

Until next time friends, take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Amanda Wen @AmandaWenAuthor

Good Morning,

I'm sure I don't have to tell you how good for my soul that short trip to Bandera last week was for me. I even bought a T-Shirt that says Bandera is "Good for the Soul" LOL!

Back in June we got a peek into Amanda Wen's novel, The Songs That Could have Been and today we're being treated to the story behind the story. Take it away Amanda.....

Many readers who enjoyed my debut, Roots of Wood and Stone, fell head over heels in love with Grandma Rosie, the recently-widowed octogenarian who’s still sweet as ever despite her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. As I watched my contemporary hero, Garrett, and his sister, Lauren, butt heads over how to best care for their grandmother as her disease progressed—and what to do with her century-old farmhouse—I found myself wondering about Rosie’s past. Who was she as a younger woman? What inspired her love for listening to Garrett play piano? How did she come to live in the farmhouse? And what memories did she hold deep in her heart that even Alzheimer’s couldn’t strip away?

So, even without a contract for the first book in the Sedgwick County Chronicles series, I took a leap of faith and started writing the second one, which would come to be known as The Songs That Could Have Been. A confirmed pantser, I had no clue what Rosie’s past story might be, only that I wanted to write it so I could find out! And as I wrote, I discovered her secret:

Ephraim James. 

Witty, well-bred, and a bit of a flirt, Ephraim stole my heart as quickly as he did Rosie’s. He sprang onto the page fully formed, and writing him felt not like creating a character, but getting to know a real person. His likes, his dislikes, his hopes, his dreams, his fears. He quotes Shakespeare. He dreams of being a professional musician. 

He is also black. Rosie is white. And these two exist at a time—the 1950s—when the idea of more than friendship between the two races “just wasn’t done.” 

When I was young and first dipping my toes into the waters of boys and relationships and dating, my dad gave me a gem of advice that proved far more prescient than any of us could’ve guessed at the time: “I don’t care if he’s white or black or purple or if he has two heads, if he loves Jesus and he loves you, then he’s all right by me.” A decade or so later, when I fell madly in love with (and eventually married) a man of Chinese descent, both my family and his welcomed us with open arms. Nearly seventeen years later, our racial and cultural differences have proven not an impediment, but a rich tapestry upon which we raise our three children. 

Unfortunately, as we all likely know, mixed-race couples haven’t always been accepted. In fact, a member of my own family ran into this situation in her high school days; she and a young man of Mexican descent fell in love, but both families objected and the relationship eventually ended. Though the guy married and had a family, my relative never did, and I always wondered what might have happened had their families been more open to the idea. I suppose this was what inspired me to write Rosie and Ephraim’s story. Would love truly be able to overcome objections on the parts of both families and cultures? Would it even be wise for them to pursue a relationship in a time when the odds were significantly stacked against them? 

Writing an interracial relationship was definitely intimidating, and not something I’m inclined to try again anytime soon, but I’m grateful God called me to write Rosie and Ephraim’s story. My husband and I are both grateful to all the couples who came before us, who wrote their love stories when society was against them, and who raised brave biracial children in a world that wasn’t nearly as accepting of them as our world today is. My romance—and my children—might not be here today if it weren’t for them. 

Amanda Wen’s debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, released to both reader and critical acclaim. The book was named a 2021 Foreword INDIES Gold Award winner and was a finalist in both the Christy and Carol Awards. In addition to her writing, Amanda is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team, as well as serving as a choral accompanist. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Amanda currently lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat. She loves to connect with readers through her newsletter and share book recommendations on BookBub. Get your copy of The Songs That Could Have Been at Amazon, B&N, Christianbook(dot)com and Good Reads! Check out the Saturday Spotlight for Amada's debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone & get the story behind the story on Here.

Sounds like another amazing novel, Amanda! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

See you next time, Friends for Saturday Spotlight and Wednesday Words with Friends!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Jamie Saloff & Marvelous Messages from Your Faith!

Good Morning from Bandera, TX!

You know I always have a good time when I'm at my home away from home and where my soul feels at peace the most. I'll fill you all in on the trip later. Meanwhile, please welcome new-to-our-blog author, Jamie Saloff as she shares with us her book Marvelous Messages from Your Faith.

Marvelous Messages from Your Faith, a simple method to manifest your desires and receive answered prayers.

When faced with difficult life situations—especially when we are feeling helpless—prayer is often our go-to tool for guidance and hope. But if your requests frequently go unanswered, if you're not manifesting your needs, or if you sometimes wonder if anyone hears your prayers at all, this little book is for you.

Most of us have never been taught how to pray other than, perhaps, ancient, rote words to recite. We’ve never been shown how to frame a request that unties God's hands and frees the heavenly hosts to assist us.

A champion of prayer since childhood, Jamie Saloff shares her methods for creating simple requests that get answers. You’ll quickly build your faith and increase your success rate.

No matter how you imagine God (the Divine, Angels, Guides, an invisible force), this non-denominational, quick-to-read book will provide valuable insights into the power of prayer.

Excerpt: Nothing is Ever Lost ©2019-2022 All Rights Reserved. 

My favorite, everyday watch had been missing for months. I had looked everywhere but hadn’t found it. The watch had been gone for so long, most people would have given up. But I didn’t. I felt I would still find it. 

I had read somewhere that “nothing is ever lost” to God, that he always knows where everything is. So I began to pray that God would find my watch. 

The watch wasn’t very expensive. I could have easily bought a new one. I just always had liked it and wanted it back. 

One day while out golfing, I started digging in my golf bag for something. For some reason, I opened a pocket I rarely opened. 

Guess what was inside? 

My watch! The battery had died, but otherwise, it was in perfect condition. I didn’t even remember putting my watch in my golf bag. Finding my watch grew my faith, so I tried it on some other things. 

We had a sign hanging in front of our house, as many of the cottages in our lakeside neighborhood had names. One day it disappeared. We informed the police, but they did not offer us much hope of recovering it. 

My husband wanted to make a new one, but I kept telling him no. I knew our sign would somehow find its way home. God knew where to find the sign, so I left it up to him. 

A few months passed. 

We were sitting on our front deck when a car stopped out front. A man called from his car, “Did you used to have a sign hanging here?” He pointed to the lamp post and empty hangers. 

“Yes,” we replied. 

Soon we learned that some college kids had stolen many local signs as part of a fraternity stunt and left them in a rental house this man owned. He found all the signs behind the piano when the students moved out. He decided to return any he could. 

The sign now hangs in front of our home in its rightful place. 

If you have lost something, God knows where it is. 

This Supercharger has worked for me for a great many things. There are still some things I’m missing, but I am being patient.

My mother used to make dolls for the Christmas tree. She sold them all over the country and through stores like Marshall Fields and Frederick Nelson. Of course, the best set was hers because she had all the originals including the ones that never made it to market.

During every holiday season, we honor my mother by hanging the ornaments she created on the tree. Unfortunately, my tree is a little bare. My mother always promised to give me her set since I didn’t have one of my own. Sadly, due to complicated circumstances, they ended up with my stepfather’s third wife, and, unbeknown to us, she sold them in a yard sale. 

Some of my mother’s ornaments have found their way home including a special one made just for me. In the sixth grade, I wrote a report on Finland. My mother made me a traditional Finnish dress to wear and a doll to match. I surely was blessed to find the doll, along with other of her ornaments on eBay. 

Some are still out there, including her trademark piece, The Storyteller (an old man sitting in a rocking chair, slippered feet on a footstool, reading a book – see Iaulandas.com). God knows where to find The Storyteller and the other missing dolls. Someday, He will bring them home too.  

If you’ve lost something you loved, God knows where it is. Ask him to find it for you, to protect it, and to bring it home safely.

Author and Lily Dale trained intuitive, Jamie L. Saloff teaches new ways to listen to your body, tap into your internal guidance, and follow your heart. Using her Marvelous Messages™ process, discover the guidance all around and within you to clear life blocks, old baggage, and self-limiting beliefs. Discover the wondrous and joy-filled life awaiting you as you arise and answer your soul’s sacred calling. Find out more and connect with Jamie by visiting her Website, FaceBook, Twitter @JamieSaloff, Instagram, Amazon Author Page, GoodReads and LinkedIn. Sign up to receive Jamie's newsletter and get a free book!

Get your copy of Marvelous Messages from Your Faith Here.

I absolutely love your excerpt Jamie! One short prayer I learned a long time ago for things that are misplaced is, "Nothing is lost in the mind of God." Works every time! THANKS for sharing. Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings.

Hope you enjoyed a peek into Jamie's book as much as I did friends and that you'll check back each week for another edition of Saturday Spotlight and Wednesday Words with Friends.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

PS: NN Light's "Christmas in July Fete" ends tomorrow so if you haven't entered the rafflecopter giveaway do so now!

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes @crystalcaudillauthor Crystal Caudill!

Good Morning Friends,

Well I'm off for my annual visit to Bandera, TX! This time with 4 other ladies. Fun times ahead LOL!

Our guest today was in the spotlight on May 28th so please welcome Chrystal Caudill back as she talks with us about Embracing God’s Plan for Our Lives.

No story of becoming a published author is the same. That is because God has called each one of us to a unique path meant to draw us nearer to Him and meant to glorify His name. Even if it isn’t the way we envisioned. 

My story certainly isn’t, but I hope that it one that will encourage you to embrace whatever plans God has for your life, whether a writer or not. His ways are better than ours, even if it means walking through some really hard stuff we never wanted to. 

When I was in high school, I thought I knew what my life would look like. I’d be an elementary school teacher in the Appalachian Mountains and would probably get married around 28 after I’d had time to live and grow as an individual woman. But that isn’t not what God had planned for me. 

 

I married at 19, live just outside Cincinnati, OH—which is NOTHING like living in the Appalachian Mountains, and although I taught for five years, I’m now a stay-at-home mom, caregiver, and author.

It’s that last one that I never envisioned, even in my wildest dreams. 

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always written stories. It was how I escaped and processed the challenges of living in a broken world. But I never dreamed of being a published author. I didn’t even want it. My stories were just for me. 

Then God firmly closed the door on my teaching, calling me to be home where my family needed me. When I left teaching, I knew that this leaving wasn’t “just for a season” but a permanent end to what I thought had been my dreams. I was devastated. I wrestled for almost two years to learn to place my identity in Christ and not anything I did. 

It took time, but I finally embraced that I was called to be a stay-at-home mom and caregiver. I was content. Sometimes I wonder if God took that contentment as a challenge to see how He much He could shake my world up again.

Through God’s hand and my husband’s obedience, I attended my first writers conference in 2015—not to learn how to become a published author mind you. No, my only purpose was learning to become a better writer, solely for myself. I’m a teacher after all, and teachers tend to be life-long learners. 

Then God introduced me to a man who scared the daylights out of me by being extremely direct. “Are you looking to be published?” 

“Nope.”

“Why not?” 

“Because my stories are just for me.” 

“Didn’t God give you these stories?” 

“Well, yes, but . . .”

“Then why aren’t you seeking to be published.”

“I gotta go. It was nice to meet you.”

Boy, did I run. I absolutely planned on ignoring that conversation and avoiding that man the rest of the conference. Then God took all but one of the writing craft classes I wanted and canceled them due to the instructor becoming ill. 

The only classes remaining? Publishing classes. 

Seriously, God? To make a long story short, I attended the classes, had a tentative meeting to learn more from the guy that scared me, and then went home. 

And fought God’s direction for SIX MONTHS. 

When I finally embraced to God’s plan and begrudgingly did as He told, He used the journey of essentially seven years to grow me in my walk with Him, bring me friends I had prayed for 15 years to have, and to teach me His ways—though difficult to walk in—are far better than anything I could plan myself.

There have been many gifts of this writing journey, but one that brings me to tears every time I think about it is this one. 

My teaching certificate—the plan and dream I once had—expired this June (2022). My debut novel, Counterfeit Love, released in March. It has symbolically been the closing of one door and the opening of another. 

My encouragement for you is to embrace God’s plan for your life, even if it looks nothing like you dreamed or expected. It won’t be easy—it is STILL hard for me—but the way God will work on your heart and in your life is a reward that can’t be experienced until you do.

Feel free to reach out to me through my website, https://crystalcaudill.com/, join my newsletter (https://bitly.com/CaudillNews), or read Counterfeit Love to see glimpses of what embracing God’s plan for my life has and is teaching me.

What a lovely post, Crystal, Thank You for sharing!

Hope you enjoyed Crystal's post as much as I did, Friends and that you'll check back each week for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Robin W Pearson & Walking in Tall Weeds!

Good Morning!

I'm off to Eunice, LA today for LSU-E's first annual Cajun Prairie Authors Expo a FREE event for readers/authors in SW LA area, so I'm not going to take up too much of your time on myself. I'm just going to let our brand-new-to-me-our-blog author, Robin W Pearson tell us about her latest book, Walking in Tall Weeds from Tyndale House. Take it away, Robin....

From award-winning author Robin W. Pearson comes a new Southern family drama about one family who discovers their history is only skin-deep and that God’s love is the only family tie that binds.

Paulette and Fred Baldwin find themselves wading through a new season of life in Hickory Grove, North Carolina. Their only son, McKinley, now works hundreds of miles away, and the distance between the husband and wife feels even farther. When their son returns home, his visit dredges up even more conflict between Fred and Paulette.

McKinley makes it no secret that he doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps at George & Company Fine Furnishings or otherwise. Fred can’t quite bring himself to accept all his son’s choices, yet Paulette is determined McKinley will want for nothing, least of all a mother’s love and attention—which her own skin color cost her as a child. But all her striving leaves Fred on the outside looking in.

Paulette suspects McKinley and Fred are hiding something that could change the whole family. Soon, she’s facing a whirlwind she never saw coming, and the three of them must dig deep to confront the truth. Maybe then they’ll discover that their history is only skin-deep while their faith can take them right to the heart of things.

Excerpt: “I can see your mind churning like the wings on that hummingbird over there.” Fred inched back his wide white cuff to reveal his watch. The sun glinted off its crystal face. “But whatever thought you just picked up, set it down again and let it rest. We have a long drive ahead of us. You can elucidate your honey dos on the way.” He hooked an index finger under the strap of her green crocheted satchel and let the bag swing gently to and fro. “That’s all I was coming to do: collect my worker bee and get a move on.”

“Just layin’ out my steps, not makin’ work for you. I thought I’d plan some talkin’ points with McKinley so I don’t forget what I want to say.” She stuffed the notes into a leather book that still had a price tag on its cover. Then she lifted the bag from his finger and stowed everything inside.

Fred shook his head. “I wouldn’t resurrect your daddy’s list making, Etta.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m only followin’ what he said, not what he did. These are more like . . . ideas. Reminders. You know you and I don’t have the best track record for stayin’ out the weeds, Fred.”

There was no give in the lists of dos and don’ts Harold Burdell had raised his daughter by, just take. Her daddy’s timekeeping didn’t set riverbanks that kept Paulette’s life from overflowing with too much; his planning erected stultifying, narrow walls. There was always a right thing to do, which meant there was a wrong, too. Paulette had never been able to see the maybes or what-ifs that life offered every now and again because her daddy and his infernal lists blocked her view. Considering life’s possibilities hadn’t done him much good, and he’d tried to keep his only child from coming to the same tragic end.

Hence, her sticky notes and her new journal . . . and Fred. This was the closest she’d ever come to planning ahead. She’d do what was within her power not to mess up this time with her son.

*****

Sounds like an amazing story, Robin, now please tell us a little more about yourself....

Basically, I am Jesus centered, family focused. My Lord and Savior is why I “live and move and have [my] being.” (Acts 17:28) I know He has an eye and a purpose in each leaf that drifts to the ground, in every tear that courses my cheek, in all the twists and turns of our whirlwind adventure through life. And we have raised and taught our family based on His trusted Word.

Though we’ve lived up and down the East Coast, Hubby and I sprouted from Southern soil and will always be rooted in North Carolina. The South flavors our faith, our family, and my fiction—not to mention my food. Find out more by visiting my Website and connecting with me on FaceBook and Instagram.

Wonderful! Where can we get a copy of Walking in Tall Weeds?

Directly through Tyndale House, Amazon, ChristianBook(dot)com and wherever Christian fiction can be found.

Thank You, SO MUCH for visiting with us today, Robin. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release.

Until next week for Wednesday Words with Friends, take care and God Bless Y'ALL!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Penelope Marcez!

Good Morning!

Lot's of stuff going on this week. On Saturday I have an author event out of town then next Wednesday, I'm headed to Bandera for a few days! So without much further ado, please welcome Penelope Marcez back to talk about her new book, Angel of the L Train.

I grew up in a house across the bay from New York City. I now live a bit farther inland, but not by much. Many people in the area commute to New York City every day to go to work. I’ve enjoyed going to the museums in New York, seeing the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty (multiple times), the Coney Island Aquarium, and the World Trade Center many years ago. However, I never knew much about taking the subways until one of our daughters moved to Brooklyn. Then I learned about the G train, the E train, and the L train—among others.

On the subway trains, I was entertained by a wide variety of subway musicians, a few rats, a poetry writer, and the guy who beats plastic buckets. I learned it is far, far better to ride the trains at off-peak hours if you want to get a seat. The subways are usually extremely efficient at getting you where you want to go most of the time—except when they’re not. New York City is a very busy place.

I realized if I included this country’s largest city as a setting in a book, I needed to include the New York City subway. Angel of the L Train is a story about a young woman who grew up in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey but gets a job at a tabloid in Manhattan. But working for a media company that deals in gossip is a huge mistake for a young woman with a big secret.

Thea Ahern desperately needs a job, so when she lands a job at LetSlip, a New York City gossip magazine, she takes it even though it will mean hiding her heritage. When she helps a man who is attacked on the subway, she's hailed as the Angel of the L Train, and people notice her striking resemblance to a once famous actress. This sparks a renewed interest in Paris Hulette and her whereabouts. What happened to the award-winning actress after her husband shot her? And is Thea Ahern really the actress's daughter?

Thea's coworker, John, understands what it means to hide from your past, and so he shields Thea from the ensuing media frenzy. She falls for him, and he falls for her, but LetSlip's CEO orders John to investigate Thea. Now he has to choose between protecting Thea or losing his job.

When LetSlip's CEO is murdered while John is in the building, John is thrust into the public spotlight along with Thea, and his past is revealed. Can Thea ever trust him again? And can he ever be forgiven for what he's done?

Interested? Here’s an excerpt from the beginning of the book.

Thea Ahern twisted her hands in her lap as she sat in front of the huge polished desk of LetSlip’s CEO. The receptionist in the notorious gossip magazine’s human resources office took one look at Thea and sent her directly to this office, which seemed odd. Still, this interview was the first one she’d managed to get, and while LetSlip’s reputation might be unsavory, it was a job—and she needed money.

As the petite CEO studied Thea’s portfolio, Thea glanced at the huge, abstract painting covering the wall on her left. She clamped her jaw together in an effort to prevent displaying any trace of emotion. Her mother created that work of art ten years ago or so. Sorrow pierced Thea as she remembered her mother’s joy in splashing the canvas with the vivid colors. It spanned the entire wall, brightening up the otherwise drab office.

“I’m impressed with your work.” The woman stated from across the other side of the massive desk.

“Thank you, Ms. Capello.” Thea gave a tentative smile as a sense of relief flowed through her.

“Please, call me Salbatora. We use first names only at LetSlip. We’re all family here.” The woman shoved aside Thea’s portfolio. “You haven’t lived in Brooklyn for long. I can tell by your accent. Where did you grow up?”

“In south Jersey,” Thea answered.

“Down the shore?” The woman tapped her well- manicured fingers on the shiny desk.

“Sort of, actually in the Pine Barrens.”

“I’ve never been there.” The woman turned her head to stare at the painting on the wall.

A strange chill slid up Thea’s spine. 

Penelope Marzec grew up along the Jersey shore. She started reading romances at a young age and fell hopelessly in love with happy endings. Two of her inspirational romances won EPIC’s eBook Award and another was a finalist in that contest. Her paranormal, Irons in the Fire, was a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award. Her Christian historical, Patriot’s Courage, placed First in the Inspirational category of the 2021 National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest. 

Visit her website at penelopemarzec.com for more information. 

Angel of the L Train will be released on August 12, 2022. It is now available for pre-order at: Amazon.

Pelican Book Group  Apple  Nook  Kobo

Check out Penelope's previous visit to our blog HERE.

Oh my, Penelope, this sounds like a really intriguing book! Good luck and God's blessings with it!

Hope you enjoyed Penelope's post as much as I did, friends and that you'll come back each week for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Sandra Byrd & Heirlooms!

Good Morning!

Can you believe July is half over already?!

Me either.

Alas, time marches on and we're in the middle of "Christmas in July" so please be sure and visit NN Light's Book Heaven's "Christmas in July Fete" and enter the rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a $75.00 Amazon gift card!

I'm off to Bayou Writers Group meeting so let me introduce to you, brand new-to-me-our-blog guest Sandra Byrd. Please give her a huge W-E-L-C-O-M-E as she gives us sneak peek into her brand new book, Heirlooms!

Answering a woman’s desperate call for help, young Navy widow Helen Devries opens her Whidbey Island home as a refuge to Choi Eunhee. As they bond over common losses and a delicate, potentially devastating secret, their friendship spans the remainder of their lives.

After losing her mother, Cassidy Quinn spent her childhood summers with her gran, Helen, at her farmhouse. Nourished by her grandmother’s love and encouragement, Cassidy discovers a passion that she hopes will bloom into a career. But after Helen passes, Cassidy learns that her home and garden have fallen into serious disrepair. Worse, a looming tax debt threatens her inheritance. Facing the loss of her legacy and in need of allies and ideas, Cassidy reaches out to Nick, her former love, despite the complicated emotions brought by having him back in her life.

Cassidy inherits not only the family home but a task, spoken with her grandmother’s final breaths: ask Grace Kim—Eunhee’s granddaughter—to help sort through the contents of the locked hope chest in the attic. As she and Grace dig into the past, they unearth their grandmothers’ long-held secret and more. Each startling revelation reshapes their understanding of their grandmothers and ultimately inspires the courage to take risks and make changes to own their lives.

Set in both modern-day and midcentury Whidbey Island, Washington, this dual-narrative story of four women—grandmothers and granddaughters—intertwines across generations to explore the secrets we keep, the love we pass down, and the heirlooms we inherit from a well-lived life.

In Heirlooms, Sandra Byrd . . .

• Tells a dual-narrative story of four women—grandmothers and granddaughters— intertwining across generations and cultures to explore the secrets we keep, the love we pass down, and the heirlooms we inherit.

• Encourages us to change views and responses to neurodiverse people in a world built for the neurotypical.

• Explores the American dream, the costs for the first generation, and the challenges of the generations that follow.

• Acknowledges that making a life is more important than making a living.

• Inspires the courage to take risks and make changes in a world built upon not disappointing others. 

Excerpt:  Two long rings, three short.

Helen hesitantly moved toward the phone. It sat upon a small table next to the window overlooking the unused canning shed, set in a field sleepy with wet weeds splayed against the ground like closed eyelashes. Licorice rope phone lines stretched toward the farmhouse. Four birds convened on the line, silhouetted by the outdoor lights she’d had installed for safety.

Two long rings, three short.

One bird cocked his head and looked directly at her. Are you going to answer?

Helen reached for the receiver. “Hello?”

“Hello. Is this Mrs. Helen Devries?” a lady’s voice queried, her tone undergirded by strain and slightly nasal, as if spoken by someone who’d been crying. “The wife of Lieutenant Bob Devries?”

“Yes, this is Mrs. Helen Devries.”

“I am sorry to bother you at this hour. I am Choi Eunhee. Wife of Chief James Roy.”

Helen shuffled through her memories. “Hello, Mrs. Roy. Am I right to think that your husband served with my husband?”

“Yes. In South Korea, where I am from and where we married. My husband told me that he served many years with your husband and that if I were ever in trouble, I should contact him, as he would help me.”

Helen’s fatigue lifted and the sound of the news in the background faded. “Are you in trouble?”

“Yes.”

Helen steadied herself. “I’m honored that Chief Roy thinks so highly of my husband. But my husband can’t help you. He was killed two years ago.”

“My husband is also dead.” Silence bled into the white space of the moment, and then she continued, “They whisper that I helped kill him. That I might help kill them, too.”

Taken from Heirlooms by Sandra Byrd. Copyright © 2022. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries.  All rights reserved.

Sandra Byrd is the author of more than fifty published books, including the historical novels To Die For, Mist of Midnight, and her most recent, Lady of a Thousand Treasures. She has received many awards, nominations, and accolades for her work, including the Historical Novel Society’s Editor’s Choice award, two Christy Award nominations, Library Journal Best Book selections, and inclusion on Booklist’s Top Ten Inspirational Books of the Year list. Sandra lives in Seattle with her husband and with her grown children nearby.

Find out more by visiting Sandra's Website and following her on Social Media.

Heirlooms sounds like a lovely novel, Sandra. Thank you for sharing with us today. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings.

Until next week friends, take care and God Bless you Also!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes @JanyreTromp Janyre Tromp!

Good Morning Friends,

Today's guest was introduced to us last month when we spotlighted her book, Shadow's in the Mind's Eye, so please welcome Janyre back as she shares some words of wisdom. 

Summer is creeping, tiptoeing across the Mitten State. 

As the days stretch, one hundred thousand leaves unfurl from the tip of a single tree. A hundred trees in my backyard. Ten million leaves to cup the drops of rain. Ten million leaves to filter the sunlight, broken across the water into prismatic color arched across the sky.

I curl into my chair reminded of the promise of the creator to never flood the entire world again. But there is something I know as fact. In this life, we will have trouble. 

Trouble has sifted through each of our lives and the things we have discovered—that my daughter can become so ill that she should have died, that power corrupts and breaks wars open, and that I don’t understand the plan.

Above the colored bow in the sky, the creator sees, he knows. He holds the future, the past, our very present-tense selves in capable, all-knowing hands. 

And so we tell stories of finding, of seeing hope in the darkness. We use stories to explore the hard things. Won’t you choose with me to celebrate beauty even when it isn’t pretty. 

Janyre Tromp is a historical novelist whose loves spinning tales that, at their core, hunt for beauty, even when it isn’t pretty. 

Her most recent book, Shadows in the Mind’s Eye, explores PTSD just after WWII—a time we often think of idyllic and simple. In 1946, a soldier returns from the Pacific Theatre to his young family and no one knows if he's actually seeing criminals in the Arkansas hills or if, in a Hitchcockian twist, his battle scarred mind has made him the true danger.

You can purchase Shadows in the Mind’s Eye wherever books are sold. Baker | Schuler Books | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Amazon

FREE Book Club kit HERE.

FREE Sample Chapters HERE.

Janyre is also the coauthor of O Little Town (releasing Fall 2022) and It’s a Wonderful Christmas. She’s also a book editor, published children’s book author, and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family, two crazy cats, and a slightly eccentric Shetland Sheepdog. 

You can download a free copy of her novella Wide Open from her website (http://JanyreTromp.com) or join her on social media:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JanyreTromp

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JanyreTromp 

Instagram: www.instagram/JanyreTromp

BookBub: Janyre Tromp Books - BookBub

What wonderful sentiments, Janyre. Thank you for sharing!

Until next time friends, Good luck and God's blessings.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Liz Crowe & Win. Place. Show!

Good Morning Friends,

If you know me at all, you know how much I LOVE horses and the Triple Crown races. You also know I visited Churchill Downs back in 2018 while on my East Coast Vacation, so when I heard about Liz Crowe's steamy romance novel, Win. Place. Show. which takes place around the Derby I just had to get her here! Since this is Liz's first visit, I'm just going to let her take the reins and tell us all about her book. Take it away, Liz....

Win Place Show: All bets are on!

Start with a perfect spring weekend full of pretty dresses, high heels, fancy hats, horse races, and bourbon. 

Combine with a friends-from-childhood couple whose ongoing misunderstandings have led Lucy Granger to swear she’ll never move back home. 

Mix in a splash of combined family pressure for Lucy and Nate Hawthorne to be The Golden Couple.

Pour over crushed ice and garnish with plenty of hot, secret hookups.

Win. Place. Show.

A funny sort of romance chock full of dressing up, mint juleps, an axe-throwing bar, and a huge winning bet at the big race.

Excerpt: 

Lucy dropped the phone to her side, wishing she could sleep another three hours to skip the whole still-a-tad-drunk part of the hangover. She had, indeed, made some poor choices the night before. Beginning with thinking she could slide back into easy, sexy time with Nate. She’d already more or less decided against it before he’d gotten there. But, of course, he’d shown up looking so flipping edible in a pair of dark jeans and a form-fitting purple polo with the Trifecta logo stitched where the little polo guy usually sat. Damn the man. He had no right to go around being so...hot. 

He’d always been vain about his hair, something he’d discovered was a featured benefit about the same time he decided she no longer deserved his friendship. It was a wavy strawberry blond, cut just short enough so he didn’t have to use any products while it was full and tempting to female fingers. His eyes were so green, people accused him of wearing contacts to make them that way. Someone had obviously told him the trick about green eyes, that wearing purple made them even more striking. 

“Some woman, I’m sure,” she said, lying flat on her back a few more seconds before hauling herself up and limping toward the shower. 

Maintaining her anger at Nate was easy. She’d been ready to outright reject him. But when he’d shown up looking like some kind of a male model, turning every damn female head in the place, she’d stumbled. He was such a good dancer, not to mention a top notch kisser. So she’d gone with it, fueled by too much booze, ready to leap back into bed with him as if no time had passed since they last hooked up. 

Thankfully, he’d given her an out by going all talkative. That was the last thing she wanted from him. So she’d walked away. And subsequently had a lot more to drink, hence her current condition, ergo she planned to lay blame for her pounding head and queasy stomach at his feet, too. 

So there, Mr. Perfect. 

The shower transformed her from being a woman with a hangover into a clean woman with a hangover and many regrets. She glared at her bloodshot eyes in the foggy mirror, hating herself for being here, in her stupid bathroom where she’d spent so many hours as a little girl and later a teenager, second guessing herself and her relationship with Nate. 

She slapped on some rudimentary makeup, dried and styled her hair enough to pass her mother’s scrutiny, then stood in front of the dresses hanging in her closet. A line of matching shoes were on the floor beneath them. Several hatboxes stacked on the shelves to one side. The floral-patterned one made her headache worse, so she chose a light blue option, with a halter neckline, tight-fitting bodice and skirt. It was a beautiful choice, as they all were. One thing she could never accuse her mother of was shopping poorly. 

She slid her feet into a pair of cream-colored high heels, then pondered the hats with a sigh. When they were little, she and Mimi loved this weekend more than any other. The opportunity to put on a pretty new dress, hat, and shoes had been the highlight of their year. The hours spent at the track over the course of Derby weekends were some of her best memories.

Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville living in South Carolina. She's spent her time as a three-continent expat trailing spouse, mom of three, real estate agent, brewery owner and bar manager, and is currently a digital marketing and fundraising consultant, in addition to being an award-winning author. With stories set in breweries, on the soccer pitch, inside fictional television stations and successful real estate offices, and even in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are compelling and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.

Follow along with Liz online:

TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/LizCroweAuthor

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/lizcroweauthor

FACEBOOK CHAT ROOM: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lizcrowefans

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lizcroweauthor/

TIKTOK: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeQoUHjD/

BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/liz-crowe

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/Liz-Crowe/e/B00573TC7M

GOODREADS PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4350864.Liz_Crowe

WEBSITE: http://www.lizcrowe.com

SIGN UP FOR THE LIZ NEWSLETTER & GET A FREE BOOK: 

https://www.subscribepage.com/houserulestwo

EMAIL LIZ: lizcroweauthor@gmail.com

Get your copy of Win. Place. Show. at Amazon, GoodReads, BookBub, and other Online Retailers.

Watch the trailer HERE.

Sounds like a thrilling ride, Liz! Thanks for sharing with us. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings.

Hope you enjoyed the spotlight, Friends and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

PS: More on my 2018 East Coast Vacation can be found HERE.

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Nancy AKA: NN Light's!

Good Morning Friends,

If you've followed me for long, you've heard me mention NN Light's Book Heaven. Well today it is my pleasure to introduce you to Nancy or Mrs. N from NN Lights! 

A lot of people ask me to describe myself. I tend to avoid questions like that because, hey, I’m just me. I’m also shy which is why I’m a writer. Here it goes. My name is Nancy, but I am well-known in the book world as Mrs. N aka N. N. Light. Without further ado, here are twenty-six fun facts about me, alphabetical, for your enjoyment.

A- Art lover and one time, I got lost in the Louvre and had to ask a guard for directions.

B- Baking is a secret obsession of mine. I love to bake and I love trying new recipes. I tend to share my creations on Instagram and Facebook.

C- Chocolate is my favorite food and, in my opinion, it should be a food group.

D- Dreamt of marrying a chef and getting published ever since I was eighteen. 2/2 is pretty good!

E- Exercise saved my life and I walk over 20 miles a week, no matter the weather.

F- Favorite foods include: anything Italian, Greek, Mexican, pizza, steak, burgers, lobster, etc.

G- Great writers I admire: Ernest Hemingway, Jane Austen, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Harlan Coben, Sophie Kinsella, J. K. Rowling, Stephen King and Agatha Christie.

H- Happiness is curled up reading a book or watching a movie with Mr. N.

I- Inspiration is all around me and I get inspired by the smallest thing. 

J- Jovial is a way to describe me. There is nothing more I love to do than laugh, even if it is at myself. 

K- Kindness to everyone is one of my mantras for living.

L- Love Actually is one of my favorite movie and I watch it at least twice times a year.

M- MLB is one of my favorite sports to watch and my favorite team is the Minnesota Twins.

N- Natural beauty is my lifestyle and appearance. I don’t overdo on make-up, perfume or jewelry. Short red hair tousled, light eye shadow complimenting my hazel eyes and a big smile are all the accessories I need to make an outfit complete. 

O- Only child growing up left me free to explore my world using my imagination and books.

P- Perseverance throughout life is what has made me into the woman I am today.

Q- Questions tumbled out of my mouth as a child and some of my teachers found it annoying.  I was curious about everything and wanted to know how stuff worked. 

R- Romance is not something couples do once or twice a year; it’s every day and that’s how my marriage with Mr. N continues to feel like we’re still newlyweds. This summer we’ll be celebrating our eighteenth wedding anniversary.

S- School was troublesome for me due to bullying but I survived and I try to inspire others to stand up to bullies.

T- Twitter is my favorite social media site although I am discovering how addictive Facebook can be.

U- Understanding is one my strongest personality attributes.  I can empathize with anyone and when needed, I give out hugs.

V- Vino in a glass is one of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day.  My tastes vary but my go-to variety is Cabernet Sauvignon.

W- Winnie the Pooh is my favorite cartoon character growing up and I still love it.  I relate to all the friends from Hundred Acre Wood: Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Owl and Christopher Robin.

X- Xtra shy in front of a camera has been something I have had to deal with since I was ten.  I would much rather meet in person or talk on the phone. I’m still a work in progress.

Y- Yoda is my favorite Star Wars character and I try to emulate him. Wise, he is.

Z- Zen or prayer is something I incorporate in my everyday life.  It’s a constant conversation and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My spiritual life is a living thing and one I cherish.

That’s a little bit about me, Nancy.  I hope you enjoyed learning more about me. Now here's a little bit more about the inspirational thought book I wrote with Mr. N a few years ago.

"Spread the Light and inspire others to do the same." -- N. N. Light

In 2013, we wrote a mission statement and started a blog. We wanted to test a theory. Could one person (or in our case, one couple) use uplifting words to create change?

The answer is a resounding yes! People from all over the world responded to our short inspirational thoughts of the day, and our following grew. What started out as a few people promoting kindness and goodwill turned into a movement. In every city, there are Light-Bearers making a difference and we want you to join us.

Everyone needs inspiration. It doesn’t matter what spiritual belief you hold dear, you have the Light inside you. Kindness, compassion, empathy, encouragement are all attributes of the Light. In this book, you’ll find a ninety second inspirational thought for each day of the year. You’ll be inspiring people to spread the Light daily with our collection of inspirational thoughts. From giving of yourself to simply smiling, these are easy concepts for anyone to apply!

Excerpt:

The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. Don't give up!

Do you need a little encouragement?

This week has been a series of missteps and falters for me. I'm totally exhausted and in need of a rest. I've been working my tail off and yesterday was feeling a little low. Without me saying a word, I had three friends, two clients and MR N all tell me the same thing:

You're doing amazing work and I'm so proud of you.

Those ten words uplifted and encouraged me. It was the boost I needed.

Each of us is dealing with one struggle or another. We're trying to make it through the day. Some days are harder than others. The truth is, we need to go through these struggles to deal with what comes tomorrow.

N. N. Light is the award-winning husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N.

Mrs. N. has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.

They’re blissfully happy and loves all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports, trains, history, cooking and baking. Their mantra is to spread the Light.

In addition to being authors, they’re also book promoters/reviewers, social media marketers/influencers and the owners of N. N. Light Author Promotions. They both love books, have ever since they were young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives them great pleasure.

Find and Follow NN Light's at....

Website  Goodreads   Facebook  Twitter  Bookbub  Instagram  

LinkedIn  Amazon Author Page

Get your copy of NN Light's Daily Book of Inspiration at the following locations....

Amazon US   Amazon CA   Amazon UK 

Walmart   Goodreads  

Other Ebook Retailers

It has been a real treat getting to know more about you, Nancy. I agree chocolate should be a food group LOL! We certainly wish you and Mr. N the best of luck and God's blessings!

Hope you enjoyed today's guest as much as I have, Friends. Check out NN Light's "Christmas in July Fete" and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card!

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT