#SaturdaySpotlight is on Monique DeVere & Guarded by the Sheriff!

Good Morning from Santee, South Carolina!

We started our drive up on Tuesday and arrived Thursday afternoon to spend a long weekend with my Sweetheart's bonus children and grandchildren. Today we're watching his youngest granddaughter graduate high school. Although we don't visit these loved ones often, it is always a pleasure when we do.

Speaking of pleasures, it is my extreme pleasure to have Monique DeVere back on our blog, this time with her debut Love Inspired Romantic Suspense novel, Guarded by the Sheriff. Welcome back, Monique, please share with us the story behind this book and give us a sneak peek into it!

It's wonderful to be back, Pam, THANKS!

2024 and 2025 were huge years for me. I live my life by faith, so even during the hardest moments, I believed there was a reason for everything that was happening.

First, I was made redundant from my office manager job about two months before we discovered that my dad—who lived 165 miles away—was seriously ill. Because of the distance, he’d been able to hide just how sick he was during our regular phone calls. By the time we discovered the truth, he was already very unwell. It took another four months to finally convince him to come live with us. 

Looking back now, I truly believe my Heavenly Father had been preparing me for that season of my life.

Dad passed away in February 2025, and I took it very hard.

The following month, my critique partner sent me a link to the Harlequin Love Inspired Great Author Search 2025. While Dad had been living with us, every morning I’d sit in his room with my coffee and tell him the plans for the day. He always asked if I’d managed to get any writing done, and I had to admit I hadn’t. Caring for him had become my full-time focus between his needs and the constant stream of medical staff coming through the house.

So, when my critique partner mentioned the contest, I decided to enter it for Dad.

The problem was, I only had two weeks before the closing date. I’d spent years writing romantic comedy and category contemporary romance. I’d targeted several Harlequin lines over the years but never Love Inspired Suspense because everyone said it was one of the hardest lines to break into.

I came up with an idea titled Deadly Mother’s Day. I wrote the premise, first chapter, and synopsis, and submitted it just a few days before the deadline.

Honestly, I expected a rejection. After all, that had pretty much been my experience for the past thirty-odd years.

So, imagine my utter shock when Harlequin requested the full manuscript!

It honestly took me a while to process the fact that Harlequin…HARLEQUIN!...wanted to read my story. I wrote the full manuscript in two months and submitted it. One week later, my editor emailed asking when a good time for her to call me would be. It was a Friday, and she wanted to call on Monday if I was available.

If I was available? Of course I was available!

I ran around the house to find my husband and daughter to tell them that I thought I might finally be getting “The Call.” The call I’d dreamed about for years! I won’t lie; I hyperventilated.

And on that Monday, my editor offered me a contract.

Now I get to see my book in print with my name on the cover. Harlequin didn’t feel the original title suited the line, so they asked me to send more ideas. Thankfully, they liked Guarded by the Sheriff. I am so thrilled the book will be published in eBook, mass market paperback, large-print and…get this…audiobook! I’m so excited to hear these characters brought to life by a human narrator!

This has been an amazing journey, all thanks to Jesus, my Lord and Savior!

And that’s why this book will always be so special to me. No matter how many books I write for Harlequin in the future, this one will always hold a special place in my heart because I know Abba Father guided me every step of the way.

Now my dream of writing for Harlequin has finally come true—and with a line that is perfect for me. I get to share my faith through my stories while writing the kind of suspense I love. Looking back now, I can see God’s hand in every part of the journey.

Who knew life could come together so perfectly when you put your faith in Jesus?

A child in need of protection…

and a lawman keeping watch.

It’s a shock to Sheriff Ethan Callahan to see his ex-fiancée, Sienna Blake, again—especially with a child in tow…and a gunman on her heels. 

Witnessing a shooting has made Sienna a criminal’s next target. And when Ethan realizes that he’s the father of her son, he is determined to keep them both safe…no matter the cost. With trust hanging in the balance and their enemy closing in, Ethan and Sienna must stand together to survive. 

Except the hit man knows their every move…and trusting the wrong person could get them killed.

*Excerpt: “Sienna, don’t come any closer. It’s a bomb.”

She gasped, confusion knitting her expression. “A what?”

He knew she’d heard him, so he didn’t repeat himself. “Take Nathan and get as far away from the truck as you can.”

Without delay, she scooped Nathan into her arms and ran for the side of the house.

Ethan moved with them, positioning himself between them and the truck.

They had just reached the corner of the house when an explosion ripped through the truck behind them. They hit the ground hard, Ethan shielding Sienna and Nathan with his body.

Sienna screamed his name.

Nathan’s petrified sobs tore at his heart.

“Are you hurt?” Ethan asked.

Sierra shook her head, still wide-eyed. “We’re…” She ran a hand over Nathan, relief whooshing her breath from her lungs. “We’re okay.”

He got up, helping Sienna to her feet with Nathan clutched in her arms. “Take him inside. I’ll call this in.”

She nodded. Without hesitation, she turned and hurried with Nathan into the house.

Ethan reached for his phone, his gaze drifting back to the inferno blazing on the drive.

Something told him this was only the beginning…

Guarded by the Sheriff releases June 30th but is available for pre-order now at Amazon, Harlequin, B&N, Kobo, GooglePlay and Apple Books.

About Monique

Monique DeVere writes heart-pounding romantic suspense and funny, feel-good romances with heart, hope, and a dash of sass. Her stories are filled with faith, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters. Originally from Barbados, she lives in the UK with her real-life hero, their four children, five grandchildren, and an adorable Yorkshire Terrier. When she isn’t writing, Monique enjoys family time, shell collecting, boating, being near the sea, and learning something new.

Monique loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at monique@moniquedevere.com

Get a free suspense novella when you subscribe to her romantic suspense newsletter: https://shorturl.at/ZaUjC

Get a free story when you subscribe to her romance newsletter: https://shorturl.at/57c2Z

Monique’s Social Links: Harlequin, Website, X, Bsky, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, TikTok, Goodreads, Amazon Store.

* * * * *

Oh, My Goodness, Monique! So very sorry to hear about your dad but SO Happy this book was accepted. Maybe he had a hand in that. 😉

Either way, we wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this - and many more - Love Inspired books!

Hope you enjoyed Monique's visit as much as I did. I've read Guarded by the Sheriff and as soon as I'm able, I will be leaving a review. Check out some of Monique's other books in her previous Spotlight appearances HERE. I hope you take her story as incentive to never give up on your dreams because with faith and perserverance they just might come true in God's time.

Until later, happy reading!

PamT

*Excerpt is copyrighted material used with permission from Harlequin.

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Jana Richards & I'll be Seeing You!

Good Morning and Welcome to Another Episode of Saturday Spotlight!

It's graduation season and I was blessed to watch my great-nephew get his diploma last night. Next weekend I'll be in SC for my Sweetheart's granddaughter's ceremony. This time next year it'll be my youngest grandson. Between now and then, my granddaughter will graduate nursing school in December. WHERE does time go?!

Alas, this is what life is all about, but enough pondering, let's get on to our spotlight 😉

Today's guest is not brand new to our blog, but she has a brand new book for you to enjoy so...

Take it away, Jana...Please tell us about your book, why you wrote it OR what makes it special to you, where we can find it and all about yourself!

Thank You, Pam, for offering to help me launch my new book, I'll be Seeing You, a time travel, second chance romance set partially during World War Two. 

This is the third story I’ve written set around the events of the Second World War. I’ve always had an interest in stories about World War Two, and in particular, anything relating to the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. 

My father was WW2 veteran and participated in D-Day. In 1942 he signed up with the Regina Rifles in the Canadian Army. The nickname for members of the Regina Rifles was the Farmer Johns, because so many of them were farmers named John. My dad fit right in since his first name was John, and he was indeed a farmer.

He spent almost two years training, first in Canada, and then in Scotland, before being shipped to the south of England in anticipation of the invasion. On June 6, Canadian troops, including my dad, landed on Juno Beach in Normandy. By June 9, he was captured and spent the rest of the war as a POW.  

I’d known since childhood that he’d been a POW, but I didn’t realize until a few years ago when we requested my father’s army records that his family didn’t know for months whether he was alive or dead. His army records included copies of telegraphs sent to his father. The first one arrived June 23, 1944, informing my grandfather that his son was missing in action, with a promise to provide more information as it became available. The next telegraph didn’t arrive until November 10, 1944. This one stated that the army had learned through “indirect channels” that Dad was a prisoner of war. The third, and last, telegraph arrived May 2, 1945 to tell my grandparents that Dad was “now safe in United Kingdom twentyninth April 1945”. 

I find those three telegraphs so poignant. I can’t imagine what those months were like for his family, not knowing if he’d return. If my child, or brother, was missing I know I’d be devastated. And yet my grandmother never spoke of it when I was growing up. 

I can’t imagine what the experience was like for my father either. He didn’t talk much about his experiences during the war either, at least not to me. I wish I’d asked him more questions. I’m left to imagine.

And, so I write. 😊

Here's the Tagline and Blurb for I'll be Seeing You: When apprentice angel Gabriel takes Frank back in time for a second chance at love, they both learn lessons about trust.

Apprentice angel Gabriel Daniel’s first assignment in his quest to become a full-fledged angel is to give WW2 veteran, Frank Brennan, a second chance at love. With help from his mentor, senior angel Thomas, Gabriel takes Frank back to 1944 to Plymouth, England. There, Frank made his biggest mistake with love. He fell in love with Claire Cartwright, but when he found her kissing another man, he ended their relationship, despite Claire’s insistence that things weren’t as they appeared. This time around, Gabriel’s task is to convince Frank to trust in Claire’s love and fidelity, despite the evidence against her.

At the same time, Thomas takes Gabriel on a journey through his relationship with Sloane, the love of his mortal life. For the first time, Gabriel sees how his jealousy and distrust tainted their love.

Unless Gabriel persuades Frank to trust Claire, his goal of becoming a citizen of Heaven is doomed, along with his desire to watch over his mother and brother back on Earth. Frank has a complicated history that Gabriel must help him confront before either of them gets what they need.

And an Excerpt: “There you are, walking across the dance floor toward Claire.”

“We’re so young,” Frank whispered. “And she’s so beautiful.”

“Yes, she is,” Gabriel agreed. “You look very handsome in your uniform, too. See how all the young women stare at you as you walk across the dance floor? But you don’t seem to notice any of them. You only have eyes for Claire.”

Frank sagged against his pillow. “Yes.”

“Do you remember what you said to her that night?”

“No.”

“Listen.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Frank’s younger self asked as they danced.

Claire smiled up at him, her eyes shining with amusement. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“You do now,” young Frank said with a cocky grin.

Claire laughed. “You’ve decided that, have you? All on your own? Do I get any say in the matter?”

Frank gazed into Claire’s eyes. “No, none at all.”

“You dated a lot of girls before the war, didn’t you, Frank?” Visions of Frank with a succession of young women raced through Gabriel’s mind. “You were a good-looking kid and girls gravitated to you. But you’d never experienced anything like this before, did you? Like you’d die if you couldn’t hold her in your arms and kiss her. Like you’d cease to exist if she turned you away.”

On the screen, Claire shook her head. “What an arrogant Yank you are.” But she continued to dance with Frank, smiling up into his eyes.

“You fell in love with Claire that night on the dance floor, and your world changed forever.”

I'll be Seeing You can be found at Amazon.com (FREE in KU), Amazon.CA, Amazon.UK, GoodReads and BookBub.

As for a little about myself, here's my "official" bio LOL...

When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. 

When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf (which she plays very badly) or reading (which she does much better). 

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren and a senior calico cat named Layla. You can reach her through her Website, Blog, Facebook, X, Instagram, Amazon Author Page, Amazon UK Author Page, GoodReads, Bluesky, and BookBub. Stay in touch and receive updates by signing up to receive her Newsletter!

Wow, what a story about your dad! SO glad he made it home safely after all that and it's wonderful people can find you all over the place, Jana. 

You can check out Jana's previous visit to our blog HERE, Friends and be sure to check back next week for another great author and book on, Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Susan Howell & Buried Talents!

Good Morning,

Before I announce our guest today, I'd like to take a moment and THANK Each and Every One of YOU who visit regularly - Your love and support of me and my guests is appreciated more than words can express. Becuase of YOU, this blog had over 200K visits in April! I am SO VERY grateful...Thank YOU from the depths of my heart and soul!! 💓💓

Now, on to our spotlight.

Today's guest is brand new but I promise this won't be her only visit. Welcome, Susan! Please tell us about your book and yourself...

Thanks for having me on your blog, Pam. In the college gender studies course I taught for about 20 years, I showed how - without even realizing it - we tend to hold gendered stereotypes and expectations that harm us all – male and female. I knew I was succeeding when students would scurry to my office with the latest thing they’d heard in the dorm, at church, or around the dinner table with extended family. They were observing life through a new lens and surprised at the “aha” moments they were having because of it. They would never again look at the world the same way and were excited to live out their newfound knowledge. 

Much of what I taught those students I included in Buried Talents. My hope is that you the reader will try on those lenses for yourself, experience your own “aha” moments, and determine to make life more equitable for yourself, your children, and the world. 

Buried Talents uncovers the subtle and unintentional socialization that works against women – and men – reaching their potential.

Excerpt: When my husband and I were newlyweds, we lived in the city where he attended seminary. Although I looked forward to graduate training, I hadn’t yet determined where to go nor which program to pursue. It made sense, I told myself, for him to go first. He would study while I worked to support us and took time to choose a school and program for myself. 

I had several friends in the same situation and spoke with them occasionally about my plans to attend school when my husband finished. I assumed they would do the same. After all, we had spent our college days studying and planning for the careers we would pursue. Why not follow through? More than one of them told me we couldn’t make plans yet since we didn’t know where God would call our husbands. We would have to wait and see. 

My students will find it hard to imagine that, at first, I believed those words: I would have to wait and see. But it bothered me. I couldn’t let it go. I had studied hard and prayed for years about my professional plans. I read everything about psychology I could get my hands on. I pored over graduate school catalogs while I dreamed of the classes I would take, the skills I would hone, the clients I would treat. Was I supposed to wait and hope my husband would find a church close to a school with a graduate program in psychology?

While I believe God could work through that situation, that wasn’t at all the way we had approached my husband’s education. For his, we trusted that what he believed was a call was just that. We took that call seriously and moved to the place where he could get the education to live it out. We didn’t wait and hope I would find a job in a town with a graduate program for ministers. We didn’t wait to see what God had in store for me first. We didn’t even read a book that encouraged him to uncover buried talents. 

We did none of that. We simply trusted and took action.

I am happy to report that since I couldn’t let it go, I didn’t. One night I broached the topic with my husband. I told him that we had taken three years to invest in his life’s work and that before he took a church that would require a move, I wanted to get my master’s degree. I admit I felt a bit heretical. If he had asked me to defend my position, I’m not sure I could have. I just knew it felt right and needed to be said. 

Imagine my surprise when he said, “Sure.”

Of course I should pursue my calling. And what would he do while I studied? We didn’t know. Just do what I had done for him, we supposed. Work in a job, either in his area or not depending on what he could find and put off better options until we could both relocate. 

I was pleasantly surprised and, I admit, relieved. His commitment to my call equaled my commitment to his. 

AMAZING, Susan! Now please tell us more about you and where we can find Buried Talents.

Sure, I am an author, speaker, psychologist, and retired university professor. My husband, Dwayne, and I have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc. While Doc doesn’t understand a word I say, he fully supports my book and its message. 😀

Connect with me through my Website, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads and Bookbub. Sign up for my email list and monthly blog posts HERE.

Buried Talents can be found at Amazon and B&N.

Sounds like a fascinating read. Thank you for sharing!

Hope you enjoyed Susan's visit today folks, and that you'll check back each week for another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Carol J Post & Witness Safeguard Mission

Good Morning and Welcome from Bandera, TX!

Yep, I drove up to my soul's happy place / home away from home on Wednesday and let me tell you it is SO nice to be here. I've talked many times about the peace and serenity I feel in this place. If you ever need a quaint place to get away, you should visit. Anyway...

Today's guest is not brand new to us as she was our featured author for the month of April, but please give Carol a great big SWLA/SETX... H-E-L-L-O!

So, Carol, I know we're featuring Witness Safeguard Mission, book 4 in your Canine Defense Series. Share your heart for this book/series with us...

Thank you, Pam, for featuring me on your Saturday Spotlight. I’m so happy to be here. My stories feature characters who are pretty broken in some way. In Witness Safeguard Mission, Nicole is struggling with guilt over the fact that she never had the opportunity to reconcile with her impossible-to-please father, and Braydon has never been able to let himself off the hook for what he feels was his part in a buddy’s death. 

This theme is close to my heart, because I’ve heard so many people say that they have no problem forgiving others but can’t forgive themselves. At one point, Braydon tells Nicole, “Guilt will eat a hole right through your soul if you let it,” but then later has to admit that he is horrible at taking his own advice. When Nicole tells him that once he accepts God’s forgiveness, it might be easier to forgive himself, he questions whether some things are unforgivable. The answer, of course, is no. We can’t out-sin God’s grace. And if He has forgiven us, who are we to hold onto that guilt? That’s like saying Christ’s blood isn’t enough.

Blurb: A family in a killer’s crosshairs.

A K-9 determined to defend.

When Nicole Woodard and her young sister witness their father’s murder by an unknown assailant, Nicole knows they’re next on the killer’s hit list. Now they must rely on Officer Braydon Feldman and his K-9 partner, Caesar, for protection. The killer will stop at nothing to silence the sisters and keep the crime hidden. But what could their father have been involved in that got him killed? With attacks coming from all sides and dangerous family secrets being exposed, can Braydon and Nicole stay alive long enough to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

Excerpt:

Maddy began to sing softly, some silly, happy children’s song about a fat cat. Nicole envied that childish lightheartedness, the being blissfully unaware of adult-size problems. Their parents had probably sugarcoated the details about their mom’s cancer, keeping the worst of it from seven-year-old Maddy.

Nicole smiled down at her little sister. She wouldn’t do anything to destroy that innocence.

From somewhere ahead, a male voice drifted to them on the gentle breeze. It didn’t belong to her father, and it was too deep to be her uncle’s. Nicole stiffened, a wave of uneasiness sweeping through her. She drew to a sudden stop and shushed her little sister. The fat cat song died mid-phrase.

The bass voice came again, followed by her father’s. 

Her breath released in a rush, and she glanced at Maddy. “Come on, Dad’s back.”

They’d just started to move when her dad spoke again. This time his voice was raised, anger lacing his tone. She stood stock-still, every sense on high alert. Something was wrong. Her father was always in control. Even during the frequent scoldings she’d received when she’d failed to live up to his expectations, he’d never raised his voice. Someone had ticked him off.

The man he was with spoke again, his voice low and controlled. Her father’s response was immediate. “I won’t be any part of this!”

Suddenly someone was crashing through the woods toward them. Nicole slipped behind a tree and ducked into the undergrowth there, pulling Maddy down with her and praying they weren’t sharing their hiding place with anything that slithered.

“What’s going on?” Maddy’s voice was thin, filled with fear.

Nicole put a finger over her sister’s lips and leaned close. “Let’s play a game and see how quiet we can be.”

Maddy nodded, brown eyes wide.

Moments later, someone fell to the ground a short distance away. There were some rustles and grunts and then the thud of fists against flesh. Someone was being beaten up. If Nicole had to guess, it was her father.

She pressed a hand over her sister’s mouth and held a finger in front of her own lips. Once sure her sister would remain quiet, she lifted her head to peer through the top of the undergrowth.

A man was squatting with his back to her, her father lying on the ground in front of him. As she watched, he pulled something from his pocket and pressed a button. A blade extended from the end, glistening in a beam of sunlight that pierced the canopy overhead.

A soft gasp slipped between her lips. The man was going to hurt her father. She had to do something. She rose from her crouch as the stranger lifted his arm.

“I’ll make sure you keep your mouth shut.” His tone held a cold steeliness. The arm holding the knife swung in a downward arc, and her father released an agonized scream. Nicole pressed a hand over her mouth to keep her own from escaping.

She should have thought of her sister. Maddy screamed, loud and long, as the man plunged the knife into their father’s torso three more times.

Nicole grabbed her sister’s arm and broke into a full run. Her heart twisted as she left her father lying on the ground, bleeding. But trying to help him would get both her and Maddy killed. Soon heavy footsteps pounded behind them.

“Faster.” She hissed the word, even though her sister’s little legs were moving as fast as they could. Tears streamed down the child’s face, and her breath came in sobbing gasps. They would never be able to outrun the man pursuing them. God, help us!

Nicole glanced around them. The downed tree she’d coaxed Maddy from earlier lay ahead and to the left. Barely slowing her pace, she leaned toward her sister.

“There’s our secret fort. Get in as far as you can and don’t make a sound.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Go, and don’t come out till I say so.”

She slowed just enough to watch Maddy weave her way between the roots and then shot away at a full run, taking a sharp right. Her path was leading the man away from Maddy, but she needed more of a plan than that.

OH My Goodness, reading this excerpt brought back the entire book! Excellent. Now please tell us about yourself, how we can reach you and where we can find Witness Safeguard Misssion.

Sure. Here ya go...

Carol J. Post writes fun and fast-paced Christian romance and Christian romantic suspense stories. She is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author whose books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award. She is also a popular speaker, presenting workshops on a variety of craft topics. 

Carol especially enjoys research trips, which usually involve camping, with some hiking, kayaking and bonfires thrown in when possible. She also loves playing the piano and writing songs with her musical husband. Her two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all that nurturing into taking care of three sassy cats—Ziggy, Zorro and Ziva—who also love camping and are known to occasionally take over her blog with their “It’s Zaturday!” posts.

Find out more and connect with Carol via her Website, Facebook, Instagram or X. Be sure and sign up to receive her newsletter!

Witness Safeguard Mission can be found at Amazon, B&N, Christian Book Distributors, and Harlequin.

WONDERFUL! 

Thanks for visiting with us today, Carol. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on ALL of your books!

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight. You can read my review of Witness Safeguard Mission HERE.

Until next week, Read Happy!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Terri Wangard & Listen for the Chickadees

Good Morning and Welcome to our last Saturday Spotlight for April 2026. 

Spring has sprung here in SW Louisiana. As much of a "spring" as we get LOL! But this past week we've had cooler mornings and mild days and I've been able to open the windows in my house and let the fresh air and sunshine (and yes, humidity) flow through - which I LOVE.

Almost as much as I love sharing another brand-new-to-me-and-our-blog author as today's guest is.

Thanks for joining us, Terri, please tell us about your book, Listen for the Chickadees...

Thanks, Pam!

Listen For the Chickadees is Book 3 of Unsung Stories of World War II. My goal was to set these stories in unusual places. Most WWII novels are set in Europe. I looked elsewhere: Brazil, Iceland, and the Pacific. I originally planned on setting Chickadees in Australia, but that story fell apart before I even began to write. Since John is referred to as a fighter pilot in the Pacific in Books 1 and 2, his story developed out of Pearl Harbor and became a best friend’s cousin romance.

I wish I could have visited Pearl while writing this book. I was there twice many years ago before I knew I would one day write novels. Much has changed since then, including the battleship Missouri opening for visitors and a bridge to Ford Island. Instead of actually setting foot on the island again, I visited vicariously with John and Gloria.

Here's the blurb and an excerpt...

She’s loved him forever.

He’s never seen her as more than a memory from home.

Then Pearl Harbor changes everything.

December 7, 1941 shatters the illusion that anyone is safe.

Navy nurse Gloria Bloch wakes to the thunder of enemy planes over Pearl Harbor, certain of only one thing: John Walsh, the boy she has loved since childhood, is far from danger aboard an aircraft carrier. Or so she believes.

When panicked American gunfire brings John down over the harbor, their reunion is brief and breathtaking, forged in chaos neither can escape.

As the Second World War drives the United States into the Pacific conflict, Gloria and John are swept onto separate paths of duty. Gloria serves aboard the hospital ship USS Serenity, tending shattered bodies and wounded souls. John flies combat missions as a Navy fighter pilot and combat photographer, risking everything to document a war that refuses to leave him untouched.

Their paths cross again and again in fleeting moments between air raids and surgeries, courage and fear, longing and loss. With every meeting, the feelings they have buried deepen. But war demands more than love. It demands sacrifice, tests faith, and steals time without warning.

When separation stretches into silence, Gloria must face the terrifying possibility that hope itself has become another casualty of war.

Excerpt: Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii

Saturday, December 6, 1941

The music throbbed deep within Ensign Gloria Bloch. The USS Pennsylvania band was good. Really good. She tapped her toes, snapped her fingers, and swayed to the beat of “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.” 

She needed this after a long day of assisting in surgery at Pearl Harbor’s Naval Hospital.

A sailor stepped up and offered his hand. “Wanna dance?”

She agreed, and they swung around the dance floor, Gloria’s skirt twirling about her legs. Her partner proved to be the better dancer, and she found herself breathless trying to keep up. When the tempo slowed, she could finally speak without gasping. “This is my first attendance at one of these competitions. Do you think the Pennsylvania band will advance to the finals?”

The man tilted his head. “Yes, I suppose so. Too bad you missed the semifinal two weeks ago. That’s when we qualified.”

“We?”

He grew taller. “I’m in the Arizona band.” A grin creased his face. “We’re the band to beat. Tonight, we’re here to check out the competition. Don’t miss the final in two more weeks.”

When the song ended, Gloria joined the applauding crowd.

“Don’t clap too loud,” her partner joked. “The winner is determined by audience applause.”

The contest and dance ended before midnight. Gloria twirled out of the arena with the music still playing in her mind. She joined her friend Lucy at the launch queue. “Wasn’t that great?”

“It would have been perfect if I hadn’t worn new shoes. I think I broke at least three toes.”

Gloria took a deep breath. “Smell the pineapple on the breeze?”

Lucy sniffed the air. “I think you’re smelling your breath. You’ve been guzzling that pineapple juice. I saw you at the refreshment stand.”

“Killjoy.” The launch pulled up. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay on the Solace? Maybe I should go back to my quarters.”

“My bunkmate’s on Maui for the weekend. You can sleep in her berth. Come on. It’ll be fun.” Lucy tugged her along. “Pretend you’re on a cruise. Tomorrow we’ll enjoy a lazy Sunday and eat pineapple and mangoes on the deck.”

Gloria glanced around the harbor filled with warships. The hospital ship stood out in its bright white attire. “Do they allow overnight guests?”

“You have your nurse’s ID, right? They won’t know you work at the Naval Hospital instead of onboard the Solace. Come on. We have the day off tomorrow. It’ll be great.”

Gloria had been aboard the USS Solace before. While she enjoyed the freedom of dashing off to Honolulu’s stores or strolling on the beach, living on a ship whet her curiosity. The hospital ships offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience life at sea. She should request a transfer.

“Okay. Slumber party.” Gloria grinned as the launch pulled up to the Solace. “I haven’t done this in years.”

In Lucy’s room and clad in Lucy’s spare nightgown, Gloria hung her party dress on a hook beside the sink. “The Battle of Music was the perfect entertainment after the day I had in the operating room.”

“Bad, was it?” Lucy spared her a glance in the mirror as she pin-curled her hair.

“Two sailors took a jeep for a joyride. They careened around a curve and rolled, and the driver suffered massive internal injuries. He’s now minus thirty-six inches of intestines.”

Lucy winced. “And the other guy?”

“He was thrown out, landed face-first, and skidded across the pavement. He’ll never be the same again.”

Patty and Marcail, two nurses who shared Lucy’s room, entered. Patty stared at Gloria, then at her dress. “I watched you at the music competition. You almost won the jitterbug contest.”

“Emphasis on almost.” Gloria started tapping her toes as the music filled her mind.

Marcail spoke up. “I’m surprised you didn’t win. Charlie Snead’s a great dancer.”

“Snead? He never told me his last name. All I know is he’s in the Arizona band.”

The nurse stared into the distance. “I danced with him two weeks ago.” She wilted onto her bed with a deep sigh. “He didn’t appreciate me stepping on his feet. Like about five times.”

Gloria climbed into the top bunk and smiled in the dark. Charlie Snead. She couldn’t wait to meet him again at the final competition in two weeks, if not before. How long would the Arizona be in port? Would he be interested in her if they weren’t dancing? Would he like to walk along the shore, or share a pineapple, or even have Sunday brunch at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel?

Who was she kidding? He hadn’t even asked where she lived.

It wasn’t like she desired to go steady with him. Her heart belonged to another man, even if he didn’t want it.

OH My Goodness what an intriguing blurb and excerpt! Now, how about giving us the low down on you and where we can get a copy of Listen for the Chickadees.

Sure, LOL! Here is my "official" bio...

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. 

Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she is back in Wisconsin after several years in Michigan, Utah, and California. Her WWII research included going for a ride in a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. 

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as the Carol contest coordinator and is secretary of the Wisconsin Southeast ACFW chapter. 

Sign up to receive her Newsletter and follow her on Facebook.

Listen for the Chickadees can be purchased from Amazon (FREE in KU!) and in paperback.

Wonderful, Terri. Thank YOU So Much for visiting with us today. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this - and all - of your books.

Well friends that wraps up another edition (and month) of Saturday Spotlight. Until next time, take care, God Bless and Happy Reading!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda J. White & All My Bones Shook

Good Morning and Welcome!

Before I announce our guest today, I'd like to take a moment and THANK Each and Every One of YOU who visit regularly - Your love and support of me and my guests is appreciated more than words can express. TRULY! Thank YOU!! 💓💓

Now, please allow me the pleasure of introducing you to another brand-new-to-me-and-our-blog author, Linda J. White who is sharing her book, All My Bones Shook with us today. Take it away, Linda...

Thank You, Pam, it is SUCH a pleasure to visit your blog today. All My Bones Shook is the 8th in my K-9 Search and Rescue series and releases May 1st but is available for pre-order NOW. 

She might survive the river. First, she must survive them.

K-9 search and rescue handler and PI Jessica Cooper puts the dangerous days behind her, rebuilding her life on her Virginia farm with her FBI-agent husband Scott, their toddler son, and her beloved German shepherd, Luke. Then a lawyer asks for help with a custody case, and everything begins to unravel.

The job looks simple: Follow the ex-wife. Document neglect. Protect the children. But the ex-wife is not just unstable, she’s entangled with a trafficking ring in Northern Virginia. When Jess’s client, is found shot dead, what Jess knows makes her the most inconvenient loose end of all.

In broad daylight the gang rips Jess from her world. Soon she finds herself locked in a room with two terrified little girls who will be sold before sunrise if Jess cannot find a way out. She has no weapon, no phone, and no guarantee Scott will find her in time.

What she does have is a faith forged in fire—and family and friends who will never give up.

On a dark night on the Potomac River shore, hands bound, guns at her back, Jess will find out if the God she trusts in the daylight will be faithful in deep water.

All My Bones Shook, is a story of what it means to belong to God when the river is rising and the only way out is through. It’s the eighth book in my popular (and bestselling) K-9 search and rescue series. Like the other books, it can be read alone, but readers who begin at book one, All That I Dread, will find a richly layered world populated by characters who grow, grieve, fall apart, and find their way back to something true. 

Wonderful, Linda! Now Please tell us a little more about yourself and why you wrote this book...

I am the author of multiple award-winning mystery/suspense books including HOLT Medallion winners Seeds of Evidence and A Great and Terrible Darkness, and Selah finalist The Fear That Chases Me. 

Mylate husband was a video producer/director at the FBI Academy. I live in Yorktown, Virginia and my tagline/brand is "White-Knuckle Fiction."

Folks can connect with me through my website, Facebook, Instagram and X. 

When I started writing this K-9 series I thought I was writing one book about a subject I love—dogs. But no, the characters stuck with me and the storylines kept popping up in my head. Near the end of writing each time, I would pray, asking God to show me if he wanted me to keep going. So far, the doors keep opening and the stories keep coming. In All My Bones Shook, I wanted to explore faith in the “thin places,” when your life is on the line and heaven seems particularly near. Jessica Cooper is brought to the end of herself. Now the question is, will her faith hold fast?

Wow, I Love your tagline! Isn't it amazing how that happens? I remember my Tempered series was supposed to be 2 books and is now 6 with a companion novella LOL! 

THANKS for sharing your book with us today.

I hope you enjoyed Linda's visit as much as I did, Friends and that you'll check back every week for another episode of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, Read Happy!

PamT

PS: I mentioned last week that I went to Daytona Beach, FL for NDA National Dance competition and that I would post results on my travel blog, Bathroom-Blues - and I did! Check it out 😊

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Heidi Gray McGill and her Discerning God's Best series Book Bundle - Collection One

Good Morning from Daytona Beach, Florida! 

My daughter and I drove up Tuesday/Wednesday for NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance National Competition to watch my son's teams from Stephen F. Austin State University! I'll be sharing the results of the competition on my travel blog, Bathroom Blues next week. I hope you'll drop by there and see who won what.

Prayers appreciated for safe travels home to us and ALL the teams. - THANKS!

Now, on to our spotlight...

If you've followed me for long, you know that I LOVE hosting authors and their books in hopes that you, Dear Reader Friend, will find some new favs. Sharing a brand-new-to-me author is always the most exciting for me and today's guest is one!

Welcome Heidi, please tell us about your Discerning God's Best series and why you wrote it...

My heartfelt thanks, Pam for welcoming me to your blog and giving me the opportunity to introduce my stories to your readers!

It’s a joy to share the heart behind my Discerning God’s Best – Collection One bundle, and I’m grateful for spaces like this where faith and fiction meet to inspire and encourage.

When my world shifted—first through vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa, then through the sudden closing of the ESL program I founded and directed—I lost the platform I had used to share Christ. The ministry I loved was gone, my daily rhythms were upended, and I couldn’t see what God was doing next.

But God did.

In the quiet, He gave me stories. Stories of resilient women and steadfast men in the 1800s who, much like us today, faced detours they didn’t choose and seasons they didn’t understand. Each character wrestled with questions I knew well: Can I trust God’s timing? Does He truly see me? Is His plan still good when mine has fallen apart?

Those stories became my Discerning God’s Best series. And now, I’ve gathered the first works into one seamless collection so readers can experience them back-to-back, walking through the characters’ intertwined journeys without missing a beat.

In the collection, you’ll find Desire of My Heart, where a marriage of convenience forces two people to lean on God’s provision when their own resources fall short. 

With All My Heart is a story of forgiveness and second chances, where hearts once closed slowly begin to heal. 

In the tender Christmas novella Stitched on My Heart, a woman discovers resilience and love after loss in a land where both are hard won. 

And in the bonus short story Where Hearts Belong, a snowbound encounter changes the course of two lonely lives forever.

Read together, these stories offer more than individual adventures; they weave into a larger tapestry of hope, healing, and faith’s quiet triumph. You’ll step from one character’s world into another’s, experiencing a frontier community where lives touch, paths cross, and God’s fingerprints are everywhere.

This bundle is perfect for readers who love to binge-read without losing the thread of the journey. By the last page, my prayer is that you’ll feel as if you’ve lived alongside these characters—sharing their trials, rejoicing in their victories, and seeing your own faith strengthened.

If you’re ready for a reading experience that blends historical romance with timeless truth, I invite you to begin with the Discerning God’s Best – Collection One. Let’s walk this path together… and see where God’s best might be waiting for you.

The entire Discerning God’s Best – Collection One bundle is just $9.99—a savings of over $3.00 compared to purchasing the books individually, or you can enjoy it at no extra cost with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

Although I am spotlighting this Collection One Bundle, the Discerning God's Best series consists of 6 books with #7 on the way! So, if you decide you love the Collection One Bundle, be sure to check out, Matters of the Heart, Healing of the Heart, Written on My Heart and Keeper of My Heart.

  

Book 7, Vision of My Heart Releases September 15th but is available for Pre-Order now!

Heidi Gray McGill is an award-winning Christian fiction author who blends historical romance with timeless faith. Legally blind from retinitis pigmentosa, she writes stories that reflect God’s grace and the beauty of His perfect timing. Her Discerning God’s Best series invites readers into richly drawn 1800s settings where love and faith triumph over life’s challenges. 

Heidi lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband of over thirty years and treasures time with her grandsons, a well-cooked meal, and a competitive game night. Learn more and download her free prequel at HeidiGrayMcGill.com. 

 

THANK You, So Much, Heidi for sharing your wonderful books with us! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on all of your endeavors!

Hope you enjoyed meeting Heidi as much as I did, Friends, and that you'll check back each week for another episode of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and Read Happy!

PamT

Happy Easter!

I love this photo as, (for me), it depicts the beauty of the Resurrection beautifully.

I am taking this weekend off so there is no Saturday Spotlight but be sure to check back next week when Heidi Gray McGill shares her Discerning God's Best series!

I want to take a moment and THANK Each and Every one of YOU, Dear Friends, who visit on a regular basis and make this blog and our Saturday Spotlight so popular.

I APPRECIATE You more than words can express!

Until next time, be sure and check out our Featured Author, Carol J Post and all the great books she has to offer.

Oh one more thing...

Tempered Hearts is on sale through Kobo for the entire month of April!

In case you're new to the blog here are the deets...

An innocent veterinarian. A jaded cowboy. Will they get burned under a Texas sun or find the heat that leads to happily ever after?

Craig Harris has sworn off relationships. He’s been burned and betrayed too many times to count. But when he crosses paths with the hot-tempered veterinarian his grandfather hired for the summer will he let go of hurt and mistrust to find the true love he’s always longed for?

Tamera Collins is in no mood to put up with an arrogant jerk cowboy even if he is her boss. Grieving too-recent losses leaves her wary of the strong attraction between her and Craig. Can she overcome heartache and shattered faith and open up to their blossoming love?

Tempered Hearts is the first installment of a 6-part family saga where love crosses the lines of age and strengthens the bonds of friendship, and where faith is passed down through the generations proving the sovereignty of God.

How about an excerpt...

Tamera awoke in a mild state of panic and confusion. Glancing around, she realized where she was and who was beside her. A blush warmed her cheeks as she struggled to sit up. She released the filly and fumbled with the front of her gown. 

“I couldn’t sleep.” she explained, glancing into the steel gray eyes. His gaze, soft and warm like liquid metal, made her blush harder as he brushed strands of hay out of her hair with a gentleness that seemed out of character.

Craig knew he was treading on dangerous ground, that people were expecting them, but couldn’t seem to get past the moment at hand. “I guess a kiss is out of the question,” he queried, his voice tender, gaze unwavering.

Emotions, raw and unfamiliar, shivered through her. Tamera attempted to scoot away from him, emitted a shaky little laugh and tried to quench the feelings escalating to frightening proportions. “A kiss? Why would you want a kiss? I didn’t think you even liked me.” 

Craig wound his hand in her thick hair, stopping her movements. “Like has nothing to do with desire,” he moaned and crushed her to him as his mouth covered hers in a thorough kiss. “Absolutely nothing,” he assured as she clung to his shirt and trembled in his arms.

Tempered Hearts can be found at Amazon and other Online Retailers  at the normal price.

Guess that's all for now, Friends.

Until next week, take care, God Bless and enjoy a safe and Happy Easter!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Jenelle Hovde & No Stone Unturned!

Good Morning and Welcome to the last Saturday Spotlight for March 2026! 

My how time flies when you're having fun and 'fun' is what this blog is all about. After all, what can be more joyous than finding a brand new author/book?

Jenelle Hovde is just that! Brand-new-to-me and our blog and I'm delighted to introduce her to you! Thanks for visiting us, Jenelle, tell us about your book, No Stone Unturned, and why you wrote it...

Awww, Thanks Pam!

I wrote No Stone Unturned because I’ve always been drawn to the idea that the past still speaks—through broken tiles, buried stories, and the forgotten places that shape a community. When I learned about the real Roman mosaics discovered in the English countryside, I was captivated by what it would mean for a young woman like Bridget Littleton to uncover history in a world that rarely took her ambitions seriously. At the same time, Rafe’s journey grew out of my desire to write about a wounded hero determined to restore something—his home, his family legacy, and his own sense of worth. Placing these two strong-willed characters at odds over the same patch of earth let me explore themes of healing, courage, and calling. More than anything, it allowed me to write a fun enemies-to-lovers story within my Regency Bluestocking series—with The Light of Stars to follow.

Here's the Blurb: She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. In this Regency romance set in rolling hills of West Sussex, two opposing wills discover their fate may lie in the common ground.

Miss Bridget Littleton’s passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle.

Recovering from wounds of both body and spirit, Captain Rafe Hawthorn is intent on restoring his long-neglected ancestral home. His plans to rebuild the abbey’s once thriving orchards require a road that will pass straight through Bridget’s potential trove of artifacts. He will not―cannot―fail again, even if he is moved by Bridget and her passion.

Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten both their plans, along with the livelihood of the nearby villagers dependent on their success. With their dreams in the balance, Bridget and Rafe must work together to fend off an unexpected enemy that may prove more dangerous than either could have imagined.

And a couple of teasers...

No Stone Unturned can be purchased at Amazon for Kindle, in Paperback, Hardcover and Audio, at B&N and through Tyndale.

Wonderful! Now give us the lowdown on you...

😂 Here you go...

Jenelle Hovde writes regency romance, cozy mysteries, and Biblical era fiction. She especially loves antique stores and vintage books. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates homeschooling with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.

Stay updated with her latest works and musings by subscribing to her newsletter at jenellehovdeauthor.com.

THANKS, Jenelle! We certainly wish you the best of luch and God's blessings with your writing and life.

Hope you enjoyed meeting Jenelle as much as I did friends, and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight. 

Jenelle is giving away 1 paperback copy of No Stone Unturned to a lucky person so leave a comment to get your name in the drawing!

Until next time, take care, God bless and Happy Reading!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Lilies for Sandi; Part of A Hint of Holiday Romance

Good Morning Friends,

My scheduled guest is having computer issues and not able to make it today and we've rescheduled her. So, I thought I would share the blurb and an excerpt from my Easter story, Lilies for Sandi which is part of A Hint of Holiday Romance collection.

Can two hearts broken by unfulfilled dreams find healing, wholeness, and restoration? 

Sandi and Brett did everything backwards. They got pregnant before the wedding and had a baby instead of a honeymoon. Since, Brett has resented the fact that his dreams of a football career have been cut short and wonders how long it’ll take God to forgive him for his mistakes. 

Sandi has played second fiddle to Brett’s dreams and desires to the point of not knowing herself any longer and fears her marriage will never be a true one because of their failures

Excerpt: Without stopping to second-guess himself, he picked up the spray of Easter lilies he’d brought in case he got up the nerve to approach her and opened his car door while calling her name.

She turned, and an assortment of emotions flitted across her features. The door opened behind her, and Karla stepped out.

“Everything all right out here?”

“I’d like to talk to Sandi, if it’s OK with her.”

Sandi eyed the flowers in his hand then gave Karla the bags and murmured something to her. Karla acknowledged the words with a nod, took the packages, and went back inside.

Brett held the bouquet toward her. “I know these are your favorites. Hope you don’t mind that I picked them up.”

She buried her nose in the fragrant blooms then raised her gaze to his once more. “What are you doing here, Brett? I haven’t seen or heard from you in weeks.”

“I’d hoped we could go to church together Sunday.”

“I thought your games were Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

 “They normally are, just not on Easter Sunday. I know we haven’t gone to church much through the years of our marriage, but I’ve been attending a Bible study with the coach and some of the team members. I figured this was a good time to start going again. I’d like to take you and Candie with me then maybe out to lunch so we can talk. Karla is welcome to come along if you and she want it that way.”

“I’m sorry, Brett, but we’ve already made plans with our families to have lunch and an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. You’re welcome to join us though.”

Brett bit back his disappointment. The last thing he wanted was a family outing when he hadn’t been part of the familial unit for months. “How about an early breakfast, then church? I promise to get you back in plenty of time for the festivities you’ve planned. I’d really like to talk to you, Sandi, to apologize for the way I’ve treated you and to see if there’s a chance of you coming home.”

He reached for her, and she stiffened. Hope and despair collided on her face, churned into anger. Color exploded in her cheeks. She jerked away. “You think it’s that easy, Brett? Just bring a bunch of flowers and sweet talk your way back into our good graces after all this time? You’ve a lot of nerve thinking that.”

“I don’t think that at all, Sandi. Easter’s a time of resurrection, reconciliation, and restoration. I’d hoped we could at least start to work out our differences, most of which, I know are my fault. Have you hardened your heart so much that I don’t even stand a chance?”

A Hint of Holiday Romance can be found at Amazon for Kindle, in Paperback and at other online retailers HERE.

I hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back weekly for another episode of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and Happy Reading!

PamT

*Image by ALESSA ABRAMOFF from Pixabay

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Dana Gautreaux & Whispers in the Storm: A Journey Through Grief

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight. Today's guest has not been in the spotlight before but her book was featured in the sidebar back in November. Now, Dana is giving us a full look into Whispers in the Storm: A Journey Through Grief.

Thanks for joining us, Dana. Please tell us why you wrote this book and share with us the blurb and an excerpt...

Thank you, Pam. This book was written in purpose and calling—to do something real enough to touch the deepest pain a person can ever feel.

My goal was to be real, raw, and honest—to say what so many of us feel but are afraid to speak out loud. I didn’t write Whispers in the Storm to explain grief or to make sense of it, because some pain has no explanation. I wrote it to show that even when life breaks us apart, God still meets us there.

Every page was written from the middle of the storm, not from the other side of healing. It was obedience—a way to show that faith can tremble, hearts can shatter, and God can still be good.

This story is proof that He can take what nearly destroys us and use it to help someone else survive. Because hope doesn’t erase pain—it anchors us through it.

Here is the Blurb: Whispers in the Storm: A Journey Through Grief is my story of losing my son, Logan, and wrestling with God in the hollow ache that followed. There were days I could barely breathe and nights I begged for answers that never came—but even there, He met me. Not with explanations, but with presence.

As grief reshaped my world, God began weaving women into my life—souls who held space when I couldn’t stand on my own. He wove us together through heartbreak, and I walked beside them through their own storms.

This book is for anyone who has ever whispered, “Where are You, God?” and still found hope breathing softly through the brokenness.

And an Excerpt: This tribe didn’t just offer me comfort; it offered me communion and a divine sisterhood that whispered, “You are not forgotten. You are not walking alone.”

We prayed together, cried together, and sat in silence together. We bore witness to each other’s pain, but more than that, we carried each other’s hope when it felt too heavy to hold alone.

We didn’t try to fix each other, rush the pain, or silence the ache. Instead, we sat with it, held space for it, and honored the weight of what we carried without trying to make it smaller. Sometimes healing begins not with answers, but with someone simply saying, “Me too.”

These women taught me that healing isn’t a straight line; it’s a winding, sometimes stumbling path, covered in prayer, paved with tears, and lit by the flickering flame of hope.

Some days, that flame barely flickers, but it never goes out.

Sometimes, your storm is like a hurricane—violent, loud, and devastating. It knocks the wind out of you and leaves behind wreckage that takes years to rebuild.

Sometimes, it’s a violent thunderstorm—sharp, sudden, and cruel. The skies crack open, hail pounds down without warning, and it feels like everything around you is breaking. You’re soaked in grief before you even know what hit you.

Sometimes, the turmoil inside you is a firestorm—hot, consuming, and relentless. It scorches everything in its path, leaving only ashes behind. And when the flames die down, you’re left staring at a landscape you no longer recognize, wondering how anything can grow again.

Other times, that turmoil is more like a barren wasteland, like a sandstorm in the desert. It doesn’t roar; it whispers. It’s dry, quiet, and disorienting. You can’t see where you came from, and you’re blinded to the path ahead. It feels like the call of God has gone silent.

But even there—especially there—God meets you. Even in the wilderness, silence, and chaos, He’s there. And in His love, He sends others to walk beside you and to be the light when your world goes dim.

If we listen closely enough, there are always whispers in the storm—whispers of grace, mercy, and courage. These whispers are from God, gently reminding us, “I am still here.”

Love often shows up in the smallest of ways. Sometimes, a hand on your back when you can’t breathe, a card that arrives just when you’re unraveling, a friend who says, “You don’t have to be strong today.” This was the kind of love these women gave me. It wasn’t just support, but a fierce, tender compassion that wrapped around my grief like a holy covering.

How Beautiful, Dana! It is so important to have a support system in the middle of grief. I'm sure your book will bless many people. Please tell us where we can find it and how we can find out more about you!

Thanks again, Pam. Whispers in the Storm can be found at Amazon for Kindle, in Hardcover and in Paperback. 

You can find out more about me by visiting my Website or connecting with me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @danagautreauxauthor.

Wonderful! Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings in all things, Dana. Friends, if you know of someone who could benefit from Dana's book or from connecting with her, PLEASE get them a copy or have them contact her through her website.

Until next week, take care and God bless.

PamT