#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills !!

Good Morning!

It's a C-O-L-D 37 degrees here in SW Louisiana this morning. Seems we went from summer to winter in one fell swoop but I think it's supposed to warm back up next week. Let's hope anyway! 

Meanwhile, please welcome DiAnn Mills back as she shares some thoughts with us on authenticity. Take it away, DiAnn....

Authenticity—A Crack or a Patch in Our Character?

Are you authentic? Are you without a doubt genuine, reliable, trustworthy, and dependable? No cracks in your plaster? Known for your honesty? Faithful? Real? We’d all like to check the “yes” box for all those noble traits, but sometimes living up to authenticity isn’t easy. 

Through experience, we acquire the characteristics that earn us respect and admiration. Some of life’s happenings threaten to beat us into the ground; others fill us with confidence. We need both to keep us humble and should always strive to be better people.

Cracks in our plaster find healing in a desire and determination to change and patch the rough spots.

We can consciously work toward authenticity by practicing the following noble actions.

1. Reach out to God daily for direction. His ways are far above our agenda.

2. Add value to other people’s lives by putting their needs above our own. Selfishness solves nothing but alienates us from those who could use our help or expertise. On our own, we digest a worldview that life is only about us. 

3. Practice kindness with no thought of what we might receive in return. 

4. Listen before speaking. How many times have we heard that we have two ears but one mouth? 

5. Open our hearts to friendship with those who aren’t like us.

6. Value truth. Avoid gossip and self-serving declarations.

7. Read in every category: news, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, articles, and blog posts. Be aware of what is going on around us.

8. Love unconditionally without conditions or stipulations. This doesn’t mean we open the door to foolish decisions or abuse, but we choose love over hate.

9. Respect the world God has created for us.

10. Seek wisdom above all things.

Authenticity underscores a person’s contribution to the world. How do you practice being authentic?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

Connect with DiAnn on her various social media platforms here: www.diannmills.com

Beautiful guidance, DiAnn and definitely something to think about and strive for!

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll visit each week for more Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Meanwhile, check out DiAnn's latest book, Concrete Evidence available everywhere great Christian fiction is sold and DiAnn's previous posts HERE.

Until next week, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills @diannmills & Concrete Evidence!

Good Morning,

Well, Kyleigh's Cowboy is uploaded to and available for pre-order at almost all of my Ebook retail sites. Ten days from now you'll be able to read it in its entirety. The paperback version will be available then too. I've been sharing excerpts on several friends's blogs and newsletters. If you want to get these peeks into the story check'em out! Jacqueline Seewald, Clare Revell, Kara O'Neal, Stacey Weeks and Alicia Dean. 

Enough about me.

Today's guest is not new to our blog so please welcome, DiAnn Mills back with her new release, Concrete Evidence!

On the family’s Brazos River Ranch in Texas, Avery Elliott helps run her grandfather’s commercial construction business. Raised by Senator Elliott, Avery has never doubted her grandfather is the man of integrity and faith she’s always believed him to be …. until the day she finds him standing with a gun over the body of a dead man. To make matters worse, Avery’ just discovered a billing discrepancy for materials supposedly purchased for construction of the Lago de Cobre Dam.

 

Desperate for answers, Avery contacts FBI Special Agent Marc Wilkins for help. As Marc works to identify the dead man Avery saw, threats toward Avery create a fresh sense of urgency to pinpoint why someone wants to silence her. With a hurricane approaching the Texas coast and the structural integrity of the Lago de Cobre Dam called into question, time is running out to get to the bottom of a sinister plot that could be endangering the lives of not only Avery and her loved ones but the entire community.

Read an Excerpt HERE.

Get your copy of Concrete Evidence HERE or where all great Christian fiction is sold!

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion for helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

Connect with DiAnn on her various social media platforms here: www.diannmills.com

Check out DiAnn's previous visits and books HERE.

Oh, Wow, DiAnn! CONGRATS on your new release! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Hope you enjoyed our spotlight today, Friends and you'll check back next week for another edition of Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Chris Fabry & Lifemark!

Hello Again Friends,

Please help me welcome author, Chris Fabry back with a peek at his latest book, Lifemark.

For eighteen years, she tried to believe she had made the right decision—for him.

But if she never saw him again, how could she ever be sure?

Melissa had clung to the thin thread of hope given by the adoption agency that someday her newborn son might want to connect with her. When his eighteenth birthday arrived, she called the agency to simply update her contact information, not expecting a response.

Susan and Jimmy Colton had raised their boy with openness about his adoption. After the heartbreaking loss of two infant sons that marked their early years of marriage, they promised themselves they would try not to hold too tightly to David or hold back any information he wanted about his birth. And so they waited on him.

David was hesitant to talk about the questions and curiosities about his birth story that often haunted him. But as he neared adulthood, his need to know the full story of his life became something he couldn’t shake. Until the call came to the Coltons from the adoption agency, and the first tentative bits of communication and connection set in motion a story that would change all their lives forever.

From the team that brought you the movies Courageous and War Room comes Lifemark, the novelization of the new film inspired by a true story of adoption, redemption, and hope.

 In Lifemark, Chris Fabry explores:

Crafting the novelization of the new Kendrick brothers' movie Lifemark; inspired by a true story of adoption, redemption, and hope.

The storyline of a young man, adopted at birth, on a journey to find the birth parents he's never known.

The counter-cultural behaviors of unselfishness and loving well, as demonstrated by his characters in Lifemark.

How the decision to “choose life” presents opportunities for healing and reconciliation.

How adoptive parents must push through great loss and persevere in the adoption process.

Excerpt:

He looked at her, then back at the object in his hand. “You think you might be pregnant?”

“I’ve been sick to my stomach every morning for the past week.”

“What does it say?”

“Says you’re going to be a father.”

The air seemed to leave the room for both of them.

“Whoa.”

“Is that all you can think to say?”

He looked at her again. “I didn’t . . . I mean . . . I don’t know what to say. What do you want me to say?”

She saw him all blurry now, like in one of those hall-­of-­mirrors rooms at the county fair. She wiped her eyes and tried to stay in control, but her chin quivered and she couldn’t stop it, and she hated that. She’d sat in the bathroom for a half hour after the test turned positive while a wave of emotion and fear swept over her. What she hadn’t prepared for in all of that was the unexpected feeling that crept up on her. Something she couldn’t tell Brian.

“What are you going to do?” he said.

Melissa pulled her head back, then looked away. Her face felt hot all of a sudden and she clenched her fists. She’d had fights with Brian, but she’d never felt this way before. “What am I going to do? Is that your question?”

“Yeah, I mean, what do you want me to ask you?”

“How about, what are we going to do? You’re part of this, you know.”

“I know that.” His eyes got soft and he reached out to touch her shoulder, but she moved away. The couch cushions sagged. She grabbed the edge and pulled herself up, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

“We’re not ready, Melissa. I don’t have a job. I’m behind on the rent. There’s no food. I’m not going to my mom for help and I know you don’t want to go to your dad.”

He was right about all of that. And there were more reasons they weren’t ready and shouldn’t be having a baby. But Melissa couldn’t shake the feeling she’d had in the bathroom. Mixed in with all the fear and shame and feeling stupid for not being more careful and a hundred other bad thoughts was a single word that rose to the surface like a rainbow trout in her heart.

Mother.

She was going to be a mother. And there was something about that word, something about the concept, that made her feel alive. That tingle inside surprised her. On one hand, she felt like a million bricks had collapsed on top of her. She couldn’t breathe. And there was nobody she could tell because she knew what they’d think, what they’d say.

At the same ­time—­and it was the strangest thing to feel this ­way—­she sensed there was something good growing inside her. But every time she thought of that, another brick would fall and snap her back to reality.

“What do you think we should do, then?” Brian said.

“I don’t know.”

Adapted from Lifemark by Chris Fabry Copyright © 2022. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries.  All rights reserved.

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. In 2020, he was inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame. A native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris's novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and The Promise of Jesse Woods, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. He was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2018. His books include movie novelizations, such as War Room and Overcomer, and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. He encourages those who dream of writing with his website heyyoucanwrite.com. Find out more about his books at chrisfabry.com.

Get your copy of Lifemark at Amazon or ChristianBook(dot)com. Check out the movie and check out Chris's previous visits to our blog HERE.

 

Wow, wow, wow....what an excerpt! Thanks for sharing Chris, sounds like an amazing book. Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Until next time, friends, be sure to check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Take care and God Bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Me Catching up with YOU!

Good Morning Friends

Well, looks like we get two spots in a row on the blog to catch up. I spotlighted The Visionary on Saturday because my scheduled guest could not be here. Today I'm SO excited to tell you that I FINALLY finished Kyleigh's Cowboy!

The novella is off to 2 editors for final read-through. The cover is nearly perfected (I'll share it with you soon) and I'm in the process of putting it up for pre-order. I'll keep you apprised on that too!

Meanwhile, here is the blurb and a placeholder cover I created just for kicks....

She’s attempting to start a new life. He’s roamed for more than a decade. Can they let go of the past and grab hold of the future?

Seven years after the death of her husband, Kyleigh Winters turned their old vacation home into a brand new guest ranch. Not willing to join the ranks of lonely women trolling the bars or online in search of a man, Kyleigh is sure if God wishes her to have another husband, He’ll send the perfect someone in His own time. But will she be open to the possibility of new love when He does?

Searching for a place that calls to his soul, Lance Stevens has been a roaming cowboy for ten years since retiring from the Marines. He finds that sanctuary the moment he drives through the Silver Star’s gate and meeting the lovely owner speaks to more than his soul. Will he open to the healing power of love?

Get Pamela Thibodeaux's second chance romance novella today and see how love and faith conquers all.

Hope you enjoyed this peek at what very well may be my last book for a while.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#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 Carolyn Miller @CarolynMAuthor & Midnight’s Budding Morrow!

Good Morning from Nacogdoches, TX!

I mentioned on Wednesday that I was headed here to be with my Angel Girl for SFA Orientation. We'll be heading back home in a bit but I'm SO very grateful to you for stopping by and supporting today's guest. Carolyn Miller is not new to our blog so I'm shining the spotlight light on her and her new book and stepping away.....

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend’s rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family’s estate, he can’t be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father’s stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn’t until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

An EXCERPT was not available when Audra Jennings PR sent me the information for today's spotlight but you can get a peek into the novel HERE.

Get a copy of Midnight's Budding Morrow at Amazon or ChristianBook(dot)com.

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.

 

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 

 

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor).

Check out Carolyn's previous visits HERE. 

Thanks for sharing with us Carolyn! Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings!

Until next time, take care and God bless, Friends!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Kara O'Neal @KaraONealAuthor

Good Morning,

I'm off on another adventure today. My granddaughter has orientation at Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX and I'm going with her since both of her parents have to work. Retirement is SO great LOL!

Today's guest is not new so I'm just handing the blog over to Kara O'Neal to share her latest release with us. Take it away, Kara.....

I could hardly wait for the second book in my Gamblers and Gunslingers series – FELICITY’S FORTUNE – to release!

When we visited St. Joseph, Missouri, we had to stop at Jesse James’ house. While I was walking through those rooms, I wondered about his wife.

She’d set up a house, cooked meals, raised children…and her husband was an outlaw. She knew what he was, and that surprised me. Of course, who knew how she felt about his choices, and I’m sure it was hard to leave him since she loved him.

But I thought…what if she hadn’t known? What if a woman had married a man who was an outlaw, and she discovered it…

And turned him in.

So…FELICITY’S FORTUNE was born.

I had to give her a mighty hero, and so Butch Wilder grew in my mind’s eye. And he’s a good one. He had to be a little sinful, though, but he’s got a big, big, big heart!

I loved writing this story. Felicity’s daughters are the cutest little things.

I also enjoyed sending Felicity to Hell’s Half Acre, because God bless Texas, but that place was scary. It belonged in a book.

You know, that’s the best thing about being an author. You get to put cool places, events and people in your books.

I hope y’all enjoy Felicity and Butch’s story as much as I did! Happy reading!

Blurb: Felicity Capwell Archer had no idea she'd married a thief and a killer. And even though she's the one who turns him in, people still think she helped her former husband steal and is now hiding the money. To protect herself from the repercussions and attacks, she hires Butch Wilder. Gambler. Gunslinger. And a giant who hides a heart of gold.

Butch Wilder grew up on the streets of New Orleans, learning how to fight, how to gamble and how to use a Colt .45 with deadly precision. When Felicity begs him to protect her family, she's too damned pretty and too intriguing to turn down. Determined to avoid any emotional attachments and to keep it purely professional, Butch takes the job. But he finds himself sitting down to nice meals, walking her children to school and being part of a family for the first time.

Only by finding and returning the stolen loot can Felicity and her daughters ever truly be safe. Following clues she deciphers from her former husband’s letters, Felicity and Butch travel to the outlaw-infested Hell's Half Acre. It's madness, but Butch will do anything to protect Felicity. Even if it means his life.

Excerpt

When Butch reached Rickman’s office, he tried to see through the windows to the inside, but the grimy panes allowed for nothing. Cautious but unafraid, he walked in without hesitation.

But when he found who had come calling, he about swallowed his tongue. He stopped short, his hand on the knob, his mind devoid of all thought.

“Are you Mr. Wilder?”

Her honey voice poured through him, grabbing hold of his senses.

She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt your work, sir, but I’m looking for Mr. Butch Wilder. Are you he?”

Snap out of it, man! Butch blinked then cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah. Yes. I’m Butch Wilder.” He shut the door.

She looked him over.

He steeled himself against the fear he might see in her eyes due to his size, but when her gaze touched his face, what he found was desperation. Confused and a little nervous, he wrapped his thumbs around his suspenders.

“Do you know who I am?”

Would it upset her if he did? But he couldn’t lie to her. Somehow she’d know if he did. “Yes.”

She twitched her lips as if frustrated by her infamy. He couldn’t blame her.

After letting out a slow exhale, she said, “My home, and by that I really refer to my children, my housekeeper and myself, has been under attack since my former husband was arrested and tried.”

So…she had gotten divorced. Or was it an annulment? He stayed quiet, not knowing what she wanted or if he was allowed to respond.

“We need constant protection until this is settled.” She waved a hand in the air. “Until either the…the hanging or…” She paused, and her gaze went distant.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. What bothered her? The event she hadn’t mentioned or the hanging?

She shook her head. “I apologize. The last weeks have been rather harrowing.”

He could imagine. From the arrest, to the trial, to now…

A portion of what she’d said registered in his mind. “I’m sorry, ma’am. But why are you here? You mentioned…protection?” Hell. Was she going to ask him to…

“Yes. The sheriff’s office can’t provide anyone, so he suggested I hire you.”

Butch’s mind whirled with the implications.

“I will pay you well, plus meals, because I would prefer it if you moved into my home. People come at all times of the day and night. I’m fearful of what has occurred in my absence for the last few hours.” She pressed two fingers to her temple and rubbed. “Not that I can do anything about it,” she muttered. She let out a weary exhale.

While she struggled with exhaustion, he tried to make sense of what she was offering. It was ridiculous. Him? Butch Wilder? Protect her? And her family?

Hell. That was damned laughable.

Award-winning author, Kara O’Neal is a teacher and lives in Texas with her husband and three children She write stories with strong family ties, lots of romance and guaranteed happy endings! Please visit her at www.karaoneal.com.

Where to Find Kara

Website –  www.karaoneal.com

Bookbub –  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kara-o-neal

Amazon –  http://www.amazon.com/Kara-ONeal/e/B00FL19TH8/

Barnes and Noble –  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kara+o'neal?_requestid=845025

Facebook –  https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/

Twitter –  https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor

Pinterest –  https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/

Goodreads –  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal

Blog -- http://www.karaoneal.com/blog

Blog – The Story Continues -- http://www.karaoneal.com/the-story-continues

Get your copy of Felicity's Fortune HERE. Find out more about Kara and her books by checking out her previous blog posts HERE.

Well, looks like you've written another winner, Kara! Good luck and God's blessings with Felicity's Fortune and all of your books.

Thanks for stopping by to support Kara, Friends. Please be sure and visit Carolyn Miller on Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time.... Peace be with you. Grace and Favor go before you and may you be Blessed with a Rich Increase of God's Almighty Good!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes @LoreePeery LoRee Peery!

Good Morning Friends and Welcome!

It's been a crazy, full week for me and the running won't stop until after Memorial Day, therefore I'm only going to give you a brief rundown before letting LoRee take over the blog today.

Sunday I went to my great-niece's birthday/graduation party, Monday went to my granddaughter's awards ceremony, Tuesday granddaughter's graduation ceremony. This morning I'm attending my grandson's awards ceremony. Tomorrow I'm going to the Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service for Iowa PD to honor Terry then going to my great-niece's graduation that evening. Friday I get a day of rest. Saturday is Bayou Writer's group meeting and my granddaughter's graduation party then on Sunday or Monday I'm going to Sam Rayburn Lake for a few days, driving back on Thursday for grandson's birthday on Friday (27th) then back to the lake until Sunday (30th) after which I'll go to my daughter's house for a few days since they will be out of town. 

Yeah...I'm exhausted just thinking about it, but don't worry, Saturday Spotlight will still go on and this week's guest is Barbara Britton so even if I'm crazy busy, y'all stop by and browse.

Now, onto our guest.... Take it away LoRee....

Worship through Verse

Most of us hear the word worship and think of singing during a church service. Not particularly so. We don’t need a location to seek the Lord. Worship happens anywhere that involves spirit and truth.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks (John 4:23 NIV).

“In spirit,” means submission of the human spirit, according to verse 24, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” In order to worship the One True God, a person must have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, God’s Son. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Once we repent and acknowledge our need for a Savior, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we are able to worship in spirit and in truth.

As His children, God is with us in the Spirit no matter what time of day or night we call on Him. By worshiping Him through reading the truth of His Word, the Bible, He works through me. I can’t write a thing that honors Him unless I admit I need His help.

No “me, me, me”

  But Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

    He’s worthy of all …

All my love

  All my energy

    All my worship.

My last visit here on a Wednesday, I talked about a journal of modern-day verse that I penned, “Worship through Verse.” I cherish the pictures of my volume on coffee tables I’ve seen where loved ones worship in their living rooms or at their kitchen tables, using those verses as a devotional to supplement worship.

In other words, we can worship anywhere and at any time, as long as we worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Psalm 95:5-6

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Country Worship

God’s breath on the breeze

Kisses my soul, my spirit

Dirt beneath my feet

Reminds me God made Adam

The heavenly sky above me

Is where Jesus will appear

The songs of earth and sky

Made by God’s holy breath

My soul soars in praise

What an awesome God is He

I thank God I’m a country girl

Where I’m free to sing out loud

Heart and breath on the breeze

Heart and voice free to worship.

Psalm 100:2 reads: Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Nebraska country girl LoRee Peery writes fiction that hopefully appeals to adult readers who enjoy stories written from a Christian perspective, focusing on the romance. These include novels and novellas for women and men in the Contemporary, Romance, Historical, Time Travel, and Mystery/Suspense categories. She writes of redeeming grace with a sense of place. Her Frivolities Series launched her releases, and the book based on her father’s unsolved homicide, Touches of Time, was a personal relief. She is who she is by the grace of God: Christian, country girl, wife, mother, grandmother and great-, sister, friend, and author. Connect with LoRee: www.loreepeery.com 

https://www.facebook.com/LoReePeery 

Find her publications at Pelican Book Group http://tinyurl.com/kwz9enk 

And Amazon https://www.amazon.com/LoRee-Peery/e/B004UAGL2W/ref 

LoRee's novel, Touches of Time is based on her father's unsolved murder of April, 1975. LoRee fictionalized the story, and solved the cold case on paper. Get your copy HERE and check out LoRee's previous posts HERE.

Wow, what lovely verse you've shared with us, LoRee! We certainly thank you and wish you the best of luck and God's blessings as you continue penning words of praise and worship to our Lord!

Hope you enjoyed the post, friends. If you haven't signed up for my newsletter (which goes out tomorrow, do so because I'm doing something special for my subscribers.

Until next time take care a be blessed!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Carolyn Rae Williamson!

Good Morning from lovely Biloxi, MS!

One of my BFF's and I drove here Monday and we're staying at the beautiful Beau Rivage hotel/casino. We've had such a wonderful time enjoying each other's company. This friend lived at my house in 2010 while I bounced back and forth from Bandera and although we see each other regularly we haven't had a girl's trip in a long time so this was a wonderful opportunity. I'll share photos later but for now, please welcome Carolyn Rae Williamson back to our blog. Carolyn visited way back in 2018 so it'll be great to catch up with her again. Take it away, Carolyn.....

To Diet or Not....

My husband and I tried two types of advertised weight loss pills with no results. Others advertised probably don’t help much either. I have read six books about losing weight. Analyzing them is like what I found out in college, where professors in similar subjects had different slants on things. Today, one nutritionist may say something that contradicts another’s words. 

I earned a master’s degree in home economics and keep up with current nutrition knowledge. Reducing fat calories has sounded promising, because fats have nine calories per gram, while protein and carbohydrates only have four calories per gram. 

One study showed those in one group who ate less fat, but the same number of calories, lost more than the other group, who ate the same total of calories, but their meals had more fat. 

Authors of weight-loss plans differ on when to eat and how much exercise one needs. They all suggest some exercise, but the amount and timing recommended varies.  

Some say it’s better to eat three meals and several snacks. Another study showed a group of people who ate several smaller meals a day lost more than the other group eating the same number of calories served in three meals a day. 

According to the New York Times: “But now, a rigorous one-year study in which people followed a low-calorie diet between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or consumed the same number of calories anytime during the day has failed to find an effect.” 

Several authors want you to eat mostly chicken, turkey, and fish. Some authors recommend cutting carbohydrates to little or none, while others suggest limiting carbohydrates to complex ones that are slow to digest. Most suggest a variety of fruits and vegetables helps keep one healthy, while Atkins limits you in the early stages to low starch vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and greens such as spinach, with only apples and berries for fruits. It didn’t take long for me to get tired of those. 

Many diets emphasize including plenty of protein. Did you know that foods with some protein may not contain all the essential amino acids your body can’t make? Eggs, milk, cheese, fish, and meat provide complete protein. If you don’t eat meat, fish, and dairy, combine servings from two of the following groups in the same meal, so your body will receive all the essential amino acids. Those groups are 1: Grains, such as wheat, oats, barley, rice, 2. Nuts and Seeds, and 3. Beans, such as pinto beans, navy beans, black beans, kidney beans, etc. 

One author doesn’t allow coffee. Some authors forbid artificial sweetener. Another doesn’t allow red meat. One author includes mostly plant proteins instead of meat or dairy foods. Another wants you to stop eating at 7:00 p.m. and not eat again until 11:00 a.m. the next day.

Now, as I learned in college, you must decide what to believe. And there’s another factor. Certain programs work for some people, but not others. Each individual needs to find what works for his or her body, lifestyle, and preferences.

Since my co-author and I are developing a sequel to our cookbook, There IS Life After Lettuce, now out of print, we needed to choose which theme to follow with our new cookbook for heart patients and diabetics, who may also need to lose weight. Like most nutritionist authors, we believe it’s good to limit fat, salt, sugar, and calories as well as provide adequate, complete protein. That is the basis for our recipes. We will leave which plan you choose up to you. We aim to provide nutritious recipes for delicious foods you’ll enjoy eating. 

Our next cookbook will feature delicious main dishes with complete protein as well as recipes for fruit dishes, desserts, vegetables, soups, and snacks. 

If you are a heart patient, a diabetic, or just want to lose some weight, look for the next cookbook by Carolyn Williamson and Pepper Durcholz, who’s a diabetic with a sweet tooth.

We’d like your opinion of the following names: More Than Lettuce, Beyond Lettuce, When Lettuce Isn’t Enough, Lettuce Eat Well, or Lettuce Eat Healthy. Perhaps you can suggest another catchy title.

Carolyn Rae Williamson writes romantic suspense under the name, Carolyn Rae. Her latest book is Romancing the Doctor, about a brilliant CDC researcher and his ambitious reporter girlfriend, who search for the vicious spreader of a dangerous virus that causes sterility. (There’s also some sex involved.)

Check out Romancing the Doctor HERE. Find our more by visiting Carolyn's website and Facebook page and following her on Twitter @CarolynRaeW1

Great post, Carolyn, Thank You for sharing! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your upcoming cook book!

Well, friends that's about it for today. Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda McLaughlin AKA: Lyndi Lamont & Lady Elinor's Escape!

Good Morning Friends,

Linda has visited our blog before so please welcome her back with a peek into her Regency Romance novel, Lady Elinor's Escape. Take it away Linda....

Lady Elinor Ashworth always longed for adventure, but when she runs away from her abusive aunt, she finds more than she bargained for. Elinor fears her aunt who is irrational and dangerous, threatening Elinor and anyone she associates with. When she encounters an inquisitive gentleman, she accepts his help, but fearing for his safety, hides her identity by pretending to be a seamstress. She resists his every attempt to draw her out, all the while fighting her attraction to him.

There are too many women in barrister Stephen Chaplin's life, but he has never been able to turn his back on a damsel in distress. The younger son of a baronet is a rescuer of troubled females, an unusual vocation fueled guilt over his failure to save the woman he loved from her brutal husband. He cannot help falling in love with his secretive seamstress, but to his dismay, the truth of her background reveals Stephen as the ineligible party. 

Excerpt: (Note: Elinor has run away from her abusive aunt who hit her the day before. She meets Stephen Chaplin at a nearby inn.)

“Excuse me, madam, but I could not help overhearing you say that you must leave for London immediately. Allow me to introduce myself. Stephen Chaplin, Esquire, at your service.”

Elinor turned to face the gentleman who had suddenly appeared. She stared at him through a haze of black, taking advantage of her veil to get a closer look at this tall, dark-haired, seemingly well bred gentleman. He was above average height, with finely chiseled features, and while he could not, strictly speaking, be deemed handsome, there was something in the intense scrutiny of his light brown eyes that drew her to him. By the cut of his bottle green Superfine coat, which emphasized his broad shoulders, but was not so tight as to hamper movement, and his casually tied neckcloth, she surmised he was no society dandy.

“How do you do?” she said politely, extending one black-gloved hand.

“Fine, thank you.”

As he took her hand and bowed over it, Elinor savored the warmth of his touch for a moment. It had been a long time since someone had touched her out of kindness. Suddenly realizing she was clutching his hand, she withdrew hers. He studied her, his gaze seeming to penetrate the veil, and she could only stand like the veriest lump under his scrutiny.

“I beg your pardon, madam, but what did you say your name was?”

“Eli—” Elinor broke off and feigned a cough, panic bubbling up inside. Her name. Dear heavens, she needed a new name. If she told him who she was, he would never agree to take her to Mimi. She stared down at the gentleman’s yellow nankeen trousers and shiny brown boots. “Brown,” she stammered. “Ellie Brown.”

“Mrs. Brown, may I offer my assistance? I’m heading for London myself and would be pleased to convey you as far as Chippenham, where you may pick up another stage coach.”

Relief flooded through her at his offer, but could she trust him? No proper young lady rides in a closed carriage with a gentleman who is not related to her. The words of her governess rang in her ears. “I do not think—”

“Of course, you are cautious,” he interrupted smoothly. “Any genteel lady would hesitate to trust a strange gentleman.”

"But I am not a lady,” she blurted. If Aunt Sarah learned that a ‘lady’ had been here, she would know where to look for her. “I am merely a seamstress.”

"Really,” he drawled, doubt evident in his tone. 

“Yes, I have a position awaiting me in London.” She was surprised, and a bit uncomfortable, at how easily the lies flowed from her lips, but they were necessary. 

"Then you had best accept my offer, lest your position go to someone else. Miss Wainwright can vouch for me. We traveled here together from London. Nancy,” he called out. “Over here.” 

A young serving woman who was obviously in the family way approached them. “What can I do fer ye, Mr. Chaplin?” 

“I have offered to convey Mrs. Brown to London, but she is not sure I can be trusted.” 

Nancy giggled. “Oh, ma’am, ye’ve naught to fear. Mr. Chaplin’s the finest gentleman I’ve ever met. And we gets quite a few gents here at the Horse and Cart.” 

“Yes, I expect you do.” And not all of them honorable, Elinor thought with a glance at Miss Wainwright’s belly. 

Elinor pondered her choices. It was either Stephen Chaplin in a closed carriage or back to Aunt Sarah’s cottage where, at best, she would be locked in her bedroom after today’s escapade. And at worst... 

She remembered Aunt Sarah’s pistol and promptly made up her mind. Stephen Chaplin was undoubtedly the lesser of two evils. 

“Very well, sir, I accept your escort.” 

“Would you care for some breakfast first?” 

The inn was warm and she’d like nothing better than to settle near the fire and break her fast. Her stomach felt like it was stuck to her backbone, but she shook her head, afraid to stay a moment longer. 

Scant minutes later, Mr. Chaplin led her outside to a closed traveling carriage standing in the inn yard. He must be a gentleman of some means, she mused, to have his own carriage. He supervised the loading of their luggage then held out his hand to help her into the carriage. As she stepped up, the wind caught her veil and blew it upwards. For a second she had a clear glimpse of his startled face. 

He had seen the bruise.

Linda McLaughlin grew up with a love of history fostered by her paternal grandmother and an  incurable case of wanderlust inherited from her father. She has traveled extensively within the United States and has visited Mexico, Canada, Australia, Europe and Iceland. She now lives near the ocean in Orange County, California.

Linda writes historical and Regency romance under her real name and spicier romance under the pseudonym Lyndi Lamont. 

Catch up with Linda/Lyndi at the following Social Media Locations:

Website: https://www.lindalyndi.com

Blog: https://lindalyndi.com/reading-room-blog/ 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/lindamclaughlin

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-mclaughlin

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LindaMcLaughlinAuthor 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1216627.Linda_McLaughlin

Pinterest: http://www.facebook.com/LindaMcLaughlinAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LyndiLamont

Get your copy of Lady Elinor's Escape from Amazon, BookBub, or Goodreads

Thanks for sharing with us Linda! Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings on your writing/books!

Until next time friends, take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends with Me!

Good Morning Friends,

It's that time of the month where I catch up with you and share what's happening in my world. So much to talk about LOL!

I'll begin with my trip to Nacogdoches, TX earlier this month to watch my son's cheer and dance teams from Stephen F Austin State University show off their national routines before they headed off to Florida where they brought home several awards including a few National Championships!

While at his house, I took care of his ducks and dogs.... Cleaning brooders and gathering babies that hatched to add to the brooders. Lot's of work but the joy of sitting on the deck and enjoying nature is well worth the effort.

In my last post, I mentioned a special gift I gave my granddaughter for her 18th birthday. I started writing a journal when she was a few months old and stopped when her PawPaw died. I spent the better part of March filling in the blanks. I'm still a bit raw from the experience but here's a pic of the front, back and poem I wrote...

Click on the pic to enlarge and read the poem.

Now it's just getting through graduation and her moving to Nac with her uncle. 

That's about it for now, Friends. Hope you enjoyed catching up with me as much as I enjoy sharing with you. And, I hope you'll stop by each week for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and be BLESSED!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends I'm Catching up with You today!

Good Morning Friends and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Occasionally I host a contest or do something special for my newsletter subscribers. Last month I offered a special gift to one who responded to my "Motivational Moment" so before I get on to the rest of my post, I'd like to congratulate LINDA HAWKINS! 

My newsletter goes out on the 3rd Thursday of the month (tomorrow). I've devised a Scavenger Hunt for subscribers only this month I sometimes recap here what I share in my newsletter (like today) except for those contests, so if you're not one, you still have time to sign up using THIS LINK or clicking on the image in my sidebar.

Now, on to my news....

On the Home Front: My Angel Girl turns eighteen this month and y'all, I still can't believe she's so grown up! I'm creating a very special gift for her birthday. I'd share it with you now, but don't want her to get wind of it, so I'll do so next month. She's definitely going to college at Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX and she's already received a few scholarships. Please pray for us (especially her mom and dad) as we navigate her transition into adulthood. I am SO happy she'll be living with my son/her uncle. That's less for us to worry about.

My honey and I got in our first camping trip this month. Since it was our maiden voyage after repairs to the camper and with his new truck we stayed close to home but it was a lovely time away from everything. Next trip, I'll get a few pics to share with you. A very dear friend lost her mom, another lost her husband so that's been tough. Please pray for them and their families (I'm not mentioning names for privacy sake but God knows who they are) TIA!

Other than this, not much else going on. I lead a pretty simple (some might say boring) life. 😊

As for my writing....For those of you who live in SWLA, I've been contributing to Lagniappe pretty regularly these last few months so pick up a copy when you get a chance. I'd love to know what you think of my articles. Between the camping trip and funerals, writing and editing have slowed somewhat but I've resumed both this week and hope to have a release date and pre-order info on Kyleigh's story by next month.

For my Writing Friends, check out Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Formula and listen to his podcasts on YouTube. There's tons of information to help you with your career! 

LR Trovillion is my NL's featured guest this month and she graciously hosted me  on her blog today. I hope you'll drop by and see what I write, why and my favorite character and animal memory. She was in the Spotlight back in Jan. Check out her post!

Hope you enjoyed today's post and if you are already on my NL list, I hope you'll share the link with your family and friends and encourage them to sign up too!

Until next time, take care, God Bless and I'll leave you with this Motivational Moment....

Led by the Spirit or controlled by the Clock?

One of my standard prayers is for a closer walk with Jesus and that's never more uppermost in my mind than during Lent. The other day while seeking HIM, the Lord asked me this question and since, I've tried to be more led than controlled. HE knows the things I'm committed to do and if I allow HIS leading not only do I get everything done, I accomplish so much more and feel wonderful as a result. 

Something to think about...

PamT

PS: A couple of years ago I wrote an article for my column in TWJ Magazine titled Lent Free. I know we're in the middle of that season right now but you may still be inspired by the information. Check it out HERE.

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes... Me Again!

Good Morning,

I pray your Valentine's Day was blessed and happy and that your Mardi Gras celebrations are safe and fun-filled! Did you know the King Cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870 and the colors (Purple for Justice, Green for Faith and Gold for Power) were chosen to resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany? I thought that bit of trivia would interest you, especially since Mardi Gras is right around the corner.

Earlier this month I mentioned that I was cleaning and decluttering my room and creating space for a new bed and desk. Since that's all done now, I thought I'd share the results with you. You may (or may not) know I've been living in a tiny home (actually a 12x30 shed that was fashioned into a small efficiency house) since 2018. When I first moved in, the place was furnished with a double bed, and a huge dresser which I asked the landlord to remove so my desk would fit in its place. I also had 2 book cases all in an 8x12 bedroom. Talk about crowded, but I made it work. Here's a quick video of the house (forgive the darkness photography is not my strong point LOL!) ...

Well in the past few weeks, I've gotten a new (single) bed onto which my Honey built a bookcase headboard. I bought a smaller desk and rearranged the room and it looks and feels a whole lot bigger! It's funny how such a simple change can make a huge difference in the energy of a room and give renewed life to the entire place including its inhabitants. Take a look....

Here's a short video...

I appreciate all the feedback on Circles of Fate cover last month. I put the entire issue on the back burner for now because no matter how many times I looked at them or who said what, none really spoke to me on an intuitive level. I'll look at them again and let y'all know what/when I decide on changing that cover. 

Not much else happening in my personal life. As for the writing.... Love is a Rose audiobook is out and I have FREE codes for anyone who'd like to listen and review the book. 

Email me or leave a comment with your request and I'll send one right over to you. Don't forget, I still have codes for Lori's Redemption, Tempered Truth and Keri's Christmas Wish too! 

I'm still doing writing sprints and now have over 14K words on Women of the 9th Circle, and I've got my edits back on Kyleigh's story. I discovered a new publishing company, Magnolia Blossom and like what I've seen of their current releases so I may submit this book to them. Either way, I'll keep you informed as things move along with that book.

I’ve got a new short romantic story up on my website for newsletter subscribers so if you haven’t done so already, subscribe today!

That's about it for now, friends. Hope you enjoyed catching up as much as I did 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

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Cara North!

Good Morning!

It is always a pleasure to introduce to you a brand new-to-me author so please give Cara North a huge, SWLA W-E-L-C-O-M-E as she talks to us about Holiday Prep.....

It’s that time of the year when the Halloween decorations start to go on sale and all the bright lights and ornaments begin to appear. My decorating timeline is probably a bit earlier than most. I take Halloween down (mostly) and put Christmas up at the start of November. I’ve considered leaving the tree up year-round and just decorating it for the various holidays. I’m a bargain shopper. This means if you get a holiday card from me, it is from last year’s batch when they went on clearance. You see how my holiday planning is not as much before the holiday as it will be for after the holidays, all holidays. Right now, October 25th, I have my eye on a Zero decoration. I will be stalking the Halloween section at that store in hopes I will get it when it goes 50-75% off, whichever they do the day after. If I miss it, that is totally fine. I don’t NEED it. I just WANT it, which is why I will not pay full price for it. 

My personal planning is simple, I usually mail out cookies to the various households since most of my nieces and nephews are of an age they just want a gift card anyway and the ones who are younger are already going to get too many toys and such, so I tend to send a hat, glove, scarf combo for them. 

My author planning is far from simple. The first week in December, I send out my Patreon supporter 4th quarter mailings. Because it is the holiday season, it is what I call “the big mailing” because other authors send me goodies to ship out to them. My high tier patrons get a box, low tier get an envelop but they are both filled with a variety of stuff. In addition to the Patreon mailer, I send out cards every year and not just to my family. I have been mailing cards every year for a while, so I have about a hundred people I send cards to. I will continue to do that because I never know who isn’t getting anything for the holidays, especially in these crazy times. This is the link to sing up for my snail mail mailing list:  https://forms.gle/Vn729gAqTbYM7Xhc6

Essentially, for author holiday planning it looks like this:

1. August, put the call out to all authors I know if they would like to get their promo and books in front of my Patrons, to send that before the end of Nov. as I mail 1st week in Dec.

2. Keep an eye out ALL year long for great sales in low quantities. Journals, pens, adult coloring books, and more. Pick those up and save them for the 4th Q mailing.

3. Use Cricut to customize some things for them. (This can take 8-16 hours, so I space it out starting in November. 1 day cutting, 1 day weeding, 2 days ironing or transferring)

4. Add new addresses to the label list

5. About 15 November, begin batching cards for mailing: signing, adding stickers (holiday and my promo ones). Once all the cards are signed and sealed, I put the labels on them and then drop them in the mail either the last week in Nov or 1st week in Dec. 

Then I wait for the holidays to be over…and do it all again! 

Look for Cara North in the upcoming Limited Edition Box Set: Holly Jolly Rom Com this 2021 Christmas! Available at Amazon in Kindle Unlimited or only pick it up for only $2.99!

Find out more about Cara’s other books by visiting her Amazon Author Page 

All GREAT advice, Carol! THANKS for sharing.

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills @diannmills & Trace of Doubt!

Good Morning from Nacogdoches, TX!

I drove up yesterday to house/dog/duck sit for my son this weekend and then next week we'll finish up his tax return. The weather here is about the same as home....soggy with a 100% chance of humidity and more rain. Alas, it's starting to cool down which is a welcome relief from ninety-something-degrees. My prayer is that we have a drier Fall than Spring and Summer have been. SWLA is already more than 20" above average rainfall so we need dry and sunshine!

Today's guest is not new to our blog. Last month DiAnn compared writing to cooking. Very interesting information to say the least. Today we get a sneak peek into her latest novel, Trace of Doubt. But first, she has a question for all us writers. Take it away DiAnn....

What is a Professional Writing Attitude?

A writer longed to develop a professional attitude and build a brand. She contracted for a polished website and learned ways to discover her audience. She established a presence on social media where her audience hung out, asked open-ended questions to encourage interaction, and wrote a weekly blog post that showed her expertise and passion to help others. She followed the experts and generally prioritized readers by focusing on their needs. 

She believed as her platform grew, she’d reach more people and eventually her sales would increase. Relationships always came first.

This writer belonged to a writer’s group whose membership ranged from beginning writers to those with NYT bestseller status. At the close of a meeting, a new writer posed a question to all in attendance about how to begin the process of branding.

1. The NYT bestselling writer immediately left the meeting, walking past the new writer who had a question. The NYT writer clearly had things to do of more value than wasting time with a new writer. 

2. A published writer who often taught at writer conferences soon left the meeting and didn’t give the new writer a second glance. The published writer must have been on deadline.

3. Our hard-working writer, who was busy building her own platform, texted her husband and let him know she’d be later than expected. Her goal was to help the new writer as best she could. She understood the attitude of paying it forward. The writing and publishing business wasn’t all about her.

What about you? Do you look at other writers as rivals? Or are you filled with compassion for those who might struggle with what you already know? Is your writing attitude packed with paying it forward to the next generation of writers?

Fifteen years ago, Shelby Pearce confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and was sent to prison. Now she’s out on parole and looking for a fresh start in the small town of Valleysburg, Texas. But starting over won’t be easy for an ex-con.

FBI Special Agent Denton McClure was a rookie fresh out of Quantico when he was first assigned the Pearce case. He’s always believed Shelby embezzled five hundred thousand dollars from her brother-in-law’s account. So he’s going undercover to befriend Shelby, track down the missing money, and finally crack this case.

But as Denton gets closer to Shelby, he begins to have a trace of doubt about her guilt. Someone has Shelby in their crosshairs. It’s up to Denton to stop them before they silence Shelby—and the truth—forever.

Read an excerpt from Trace of Doubt HERE and get your copy where all great Christian fiction is sold! Find out where HERE.

That's really a GREAT question, DiAnn! I would hope that I never have too much to do before helping an aspiring writer or writers. Even if I can't get to his/her at that moment, I'd do my level best to set up a time that's convenient for both of us (or them) to answer his/her/their questions. THANKS for reminding us to do so!

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and Mountainside Retreats with social media specialist Edie Melson. DiAnn speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or diannmills.com

Read DiAnn's previous posts HERE.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends, and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and another edition of Saturday Spotlight. 

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT