#ThursdayThoughs with Theresa Lynn Hall!

Hello Again and Welcome!

Today's guest has been in our spotlight and shared treasures with us so please give a great big welcome back to Theresa Lynn Hall as she shares some thoughts with us....

Sometimes we never know how our work has touched someone’s life. We often think that what we do goes unnoticed by many, and maybe you even questions why you do what you do in the first place. I think this holds true for everyone—no matter their profession. As a teacher, mom, writer, wife, friend, aunt, co-worker, etc., I can honestly say that I’ve often felt unappreciated or unnoticed. To inspire me, I often think about what the Bible says regarding our works. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. —Jeremiah 29:11

This year, I struggled with my job as a second grade math and science teacher. I struggled with a co-worker, with my health, and with finding new and exciting ways to teach kids how to add and subtract by “regrouping” (borrowing and carrying back in the old days!). Basically, the school year was not exciting to me. I felt like I was in a rut. Like my work didn’t matter. For the first time in a long time, I just didn’t want to go to work.

As the end of the school year drew nearer, I began to get notes from my students and parents. Sweet notes telling me how much they love me. Notes thanking me for everything I’ve taught them. I began to get letters from parents telling me how much of an impact I had made on their children this year and how their child had a new love for coming to school. The notes and emails brought me to tears. The whole time I had been struggling, God had me exactly where he wanted me. I was making a difference to someone and I didn’t realize it. He never said it was going to be easy. He never promised me that I would receive accolades or even a thank you. He just put me where He wanted me to be. Looking back, it wasn’t about me. It was about how he was using me to impact someone else’s life. I was only needed to do the job I had been placed there to do.

I think we often miss the forest for the trees because it’s in our nature to try to figure out the direction of our life. But God’s plan for us is so HUGE that we often misinterpret it, too. His plan is awesome and great. It’s THE BEST plan we have and if we follow it, we are guaranteed to make a difference on someone else’s life.

As a writer, I have to apply this same lesson. I may never know if my stories touch anyone. All I know is that all things work for good through Him. He never promised me things would be easy. He simply called me to do a job and promised to carry me through it.  No matter what you do in life, give it your best and let God handle the rest. We all make a difference somehow.

      ”You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours." —Psalm 128:2

Oh Wow...how sweet and pretty, Theresa! Thanks for sharing these thoughts and another treasure

with us!

Theresa is an award-winning author of Christian Fiction. A native Texan, she loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching.

When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. Someday she plans to seek help for her chocolate addiction, but she’s just not ready yet. She loves to hear from readers and can be found at www.theresalynnhall.com

Find and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@theresalynnhall) and Pinterest!

Her new book, Ransom in Rio can be found at Pelican Book Group and at Amazon!

Thanks again Theresa! Good luck and God's blessings with your new release!

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll join me weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasures with Theresa Lynn Hall @theresalynnhall

Good Morning!

Well, we've made it to Port Angeles, WA and visiting Olympic National Park. Next stop will be Concrete & Cascade Ntl. Pk then on to Montana. I'll be sharing another west coast vacation post on Thursday, meanwhile, please welcome Theresa Lynn Hall back to our blog with something she treasures!

 A Special Treasure

I never thought much of time when I was younger. Twenty years away seemed like an abstract amount of time. I was living minute to minute. It felt like I had all the time in the world before twenty years would come to pass. Looking back, I’m grateful for my ignorance. If I had only known how quickly it would go by I would been sad.

My oldest son is now twenty-one and is a police officer. My youngest graduates next year and is planning a future in the military. My babies. My little boys. Had I known then what I know now I would have fretted over every single day that passed, knowing it was going to fly by and one day be only a memory. I guess it's a good thing our kids keep us so busy. We don't think about them growing up and moving on. Time has become precious to me now and I think I grow more sentimental the older I get. Not just about time or memories, but also about things.

I know all moms are sentimental about things their kids give them. I have a cedar chest full of school papers, pictures, baby clothes and who knows what else from the years when my boys were growing up. Each and every memento means the world to me, but there’s one special gift that my kids gave me when they were young that touched my heart—an engraved locket with the single word “MOM” on the front of it. They begged my mother to find this for them so they could give it to me. I’m not sure where they had seen it or how they knew exactly what they wanted, but my mother searched high and low for this particular locket until she finally found it. What an awesome grandma! Ironically, I hardly ever wear it because I’m so afraid of losing it! It means the world to me and I treasure it more than any other necklace I own.

Now that my boys are grown, I look at the little things like a locket, an “I love you, Mom” note in big chunky handwriting, a picture they drew me, and I wonder where the time went. How did they grow up so fast? How did twenty years pass in a blink? I just don’t know. Now that they’re grown, and taking on jobs of brave men in a dangerous world, I pray for their safety and God’s protection over them. They will probably never know how much I will always treasure the little “Mom” locket they gave me so many years ago, or know how much I love them until they have children of their own.

God says that we are chosen by Him, his special treasure. I don’t see myself as a treasure. How could God treasure a sinner like myself? Still, He does. And I am so blessed to know He sees past all of my sins and has chosen me as His treasure.

Deuteronomy 7:6  For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

What a wonderful gift, Theresa and definitely something to treasure! Thanks for sharing with us.

Theresa is an award-winning author of Christian Fiction. A native Texan, she loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching.

When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. Someday she plans to seek help for her chocolate addiction, but she’s just not ready yet. She loves to hear from readers and can be found at www.theresalynnhall.com

Find and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@theresalynnhall) and Pinterest!

Her new book, Ransom in Rio can be found at Pelican Book Group and at Amazon!

Thanks again Theresa! Good luck and God's blessings with your new release!

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll join me weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Theresa Lynn Hall & Ransom in Rio!

Good Morning from Lake Texoma!

As I've mentioned many times before, I love promoting authors and their books, but having a fellow PBG author is just the bomb!

Today I am so very excited for my guest, Theresa Lynn Hall who is in our spotlight with her brand new release, Ransom in Rio a Passport to Romance title from Pelican Book Group!

Please give her a great big WELCOME!

Private Investigator, Braden McCoy wants nothing more than to finish out the week doing a little fishing from his boat. The ex-special ops vet enjoys his peaceful life and loves his new career. He’s learned to put his past behind him and enjoy his blessings. Until a mourning redhead walks into his office and changes his plans.

Lexi Ramos always knew her family was dysfunctional. Until the sudden death of her brother, she never knew exactly how much. Consumed with questions surrounding his accident, she seeks the help of a private investigator. What starts out as a murder investigation in Cozumel, quickly crosses borders and escalates into a race against time to save them both from Brazilian kidnappers, who somehow know more about her family secrets than she does. Lexi soon realizes that life comes with a price.

Excerpt: 
Her worst nightmare had come to life.

Now, the fear of what she would do if it ever happened was over, but the loss of her brother came with a burden she hadn't foreseen. It left her to deal with her family alone. To carry the legacy. To protect the empire. To convince everyone to believe the lies.

“He was always so careful,” she muttered to herself as she drove.

Snow had started falling as the last “Amen” was said at the cemetery. The heavy white powder made the pale yellow lines on the road fade in and out of sight. Lexi tugged her sweater tighter around her body with one hand and gripped the steering wheel with the other. The funeral had drained her of what little emotional strength she had left. It was crazy, but several times throughout the day she'd found herself picking up her phone to see if Jace had messaged her. He used to text or call every day. Silly stuff sometimes, like never walk the dog with no shoes on. Once he'd texted that he had the hiccups.

“I just can't believe he’s gone.” Lexi glanced at her friend. She didn’t expect Kristy to say anything. Nothing she could say would make the pain go away.

Jace had been the perfect big brother, Lexi’s best friend. From an early age, they learned that sticking together in a dysfunctional family was their only hope. One thing Lexi knew for certain was that Jace wouldn’t leave her here alone. He would not have put himself in danger for a stupid fishing trip. His chance to break free of their crazy family was finally around the corner. He'd just bought his girlfriend an engagement ring. They had plans to move to New York as soon as the wedding was over. Now he was gone. None of it made any sense. Why was she the only person who could see that something was wrong with ruling the cause of death as accidental?

Lexi brushed at her red hair with a careless hand and caught a glimpse of her swollen, blue eyes in the rear view mirror. She hardly resembled her brother at all—a fact that had always bothered her, but she’d never questioned it the way Jace had. He had always asked where he'd gotten his blonde hair.

“Lexi, why don’t you stay with me tonight?”

The sound of Kristy’s voice startled her. “I’m sorry. I’m really out of it.” She smiled and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “Thank you for everything. You’ve done more than enough for me over the past few days.”

“You know I’m always here.”

 “I know.” She swallowed hard. “Kristy…”

“What’s wrong?”

   

“I can’t stop thinking...I just don’t think this was an accident. It couldn’t be. Jace didn’t even like to fish. He wouldn't charter a boat to go fishing in Cozumel. He liked nice restaurants, museums, theaters. Not fishing. And then there’s the fact that he didn’t take Selena with him. He always had Selena with him. Why doesn’t anyone else seem to think this is odd?” 

Great excerpt, Theresa! Where can we get a copy?

Pelican Book Group of course LOL!

Wonderful....now let's find out a little more about you....

Theresa is an award-winning author of Christian Fiction. A native Texan, she loves to write suspenseful stories that happen in small Texas towns with old fashioned Southern values. She’s an elementary teacher and mom to two boys—the oldest being in law enforcement, which comes in handy when she’s researching.

When she’s not teaching kids or writing, she loves to cook, read a good suspense, and binge-watch episodes of Dateline. Someday she plans to seek help for her chocolate addiction, but she’s just not ready yet. She loves to hear from readers and can be found at www.theresalynnhall.com

Find and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@theresalynnhall) and Pinterest!

Thanks again Theresa! Good luck and God's blessings with your new release!

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll join me weekly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: Niki Turner & Santiago Sol

Good Morning!

I pray your Thanksgiving was blessed and happy and, you survived any shopping you did yesterday LOL!

Back in October I introduced you to a brand new (to PBG) author Niki Turner and a sneak peek into her book, Santiago Sol. We gave away a copy of the book then. Well, today you'll get even more of Santiago Sol and we're giving away another copy!

So....enjoy....

When a beloved elderly friend in hospice care makes one final request, Tansy Chastain can't refuse, even though returning an heirloom to the patriarch of a powerful Chilean family will take her halfway around the globe. When she's robbed at the airport, a handsome Santiago businessman comes to her rescue. Sebastian Sandoval decides escorting a lovely American for a few days is a perfect distraction from his grandfather's growing pressure to find a lost family treasure. But even as Tansy breathes new life into Sebastian’s jaded perspective, the secrets they are keeping put them in the path of a dangerous, and desperate enemy.  Revealing the truth to each other now will destroy their growing relationship, but if they don’t, those secrets may destroy their lives.

Excerpt:  

Sebastian’s mouth tightened. He’d seen her hands shake, noticed the way she tensed every time the plane shuddered or groaned or bumped through turbulence. It was part of the reason he’d engaged her in conversation. In his experience, distracting the poor souls he encountered who were afraid of flying was often the only way to ease their constant tension. Now he wondered if her trip would end in a greater disaster. For the most part, Chile was a safe nation in terms of violent crime, but he doubted this young woman would make it from the baggage carousel to a taxi with all her belongings intact.

“¿Hablas español?”

She faced him, and he acknowledged with surprise the sudden, low hum of attraction. He’d already appreciated the swing of her hair—a rich, buttery shade of caramel with golden highlights—and the delicate shape of her profile, but he hadn’t paid much attention otherwise. Sebastian had dated Brazilian models, Argentinian heiresses, and a few Mexican television stars, but he’d never been drawn to any American women, due, he surmised, to a lifetime of negative references to his American-born mother.

This woman was pretty in a quiet sort of way. Not the sultry beauty he was usually attracted to. The wide eyes she turned on him were a bright, quirky hazel, the kind that reflected everything from her feelings to her fashion choices. They were set in a pixie face with small features and smooth, pale skin. Her cheeks were flushed—because she was nervous, or too warm, he didn’t know—but the effect ratcheted the hum into a buzz at the base of his skull.

“I don’t,” she replied. “I took two years in high school, but it didn’t stick with me. I think you have to be around a language all the time to really become fluent in it.”

He had to blink twice to remember what he’d asked her.

“I’m sure it will be all right. America tends to be the only country where its populace speaks one language,” she continued.

The flight attendant returned, this time to present options for the main course.

Sebastian chose the beef, with a glass of Chilean Merlot. He’d been raised on a vineyard. Not having wine with dinner was tantamount to blasphemy.

She selected the beef entrée and a soda, and when the flight attendant moved down the aisle she faced him and grinned. “You’re a miracle worker! I think I’ve found my appetite. I hate to fly, and you distracted me. Thank you,” she said.

“De nada. You’ve made an otherwise boring flight more enjoyable.”

The flush on her cheeks deepened to a dark rose, and she fiddled with her napkin. “What about you? Are you headed home?”

Home. The word slammed into his gut like a cannonball. His quest had been an abject failure. Of his grandfather’s two qualifications for claiming his inheritance, Sebastian was stymied on both counts. The walking stick was still missing, and Sebastian was still unmarried. He’d hoped that finding the walking stick would make up for his lack of a wife. Now, he had neither.

When the main course arrived, the woman beside him prayed over her food, which prompted him to bow his own head. He thought of the conversation he needed to have with his grandfather and felt deflated. He glanced at the woman beside him. Perhaps it was time for an uncharted detour. If he could protect a naïve young woman from harm in the process, all the better.

“I’m at loose ends for a few days. Would you allow me the honor of introducing you to my country?”

Her eyes widened. “I... I don’t know. I mean, I don’t even know your name.

“Sebastian. Sebastian MacKenna.” The name was out of his mouth before he could reconsider.

“MacKenna? Is that a Scottish name?”

“Irish. My great-great-grandfather emigrated to Chile in the 1800s,” he replied. “You haven’t answered my question, or told me your name.”

She smiled. “Tansy Chastain.”

“Mucho gusto, Tansy Chastain. Pleased to meet you.” He lifted her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles in the European fashion.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, Sebastian,” she said, “But I’m not sure I feel comfortable keeping company with someone I just met.”

Sebastian leaned back. “No offense taken.” He raised his almost untouched glass of wine. “I hope you will find Chile a hospitable nation. But please take care.”

Santiago Sol can be purchased at Pelican Book Group and Amazon.

About the Author....

Niki Turner is a novelist, journalist, blogger, and the production manager for the Rio Blanco Herald Times weekly newspaper, one of the oldest continuously operating newspapers in Colorado. Her first completed manuscript earned second place in the Touched By Love 2009 contemporary category romance contest. She also blogs at www.nikiturner.net and is a co-blogger at www.inkwellinspirations.com.

Niki is a Colorado native who grew up in Glenwood Springs—home of the world’s largest hot springs pool. She married her high school sweetheart 25 years ago. They have four children, four grandchildren, and two West Highland White Terriers.

In 2014, she published “Sadie’s Gift” as one of the Christmas Traditions novella collection with eight other authors.  The Skiing Suitor, one of the Love’s Sporting Chance series published by Forget-Me-Not Romances, released in August 2015. 

Connect with Nikki on Facebook, Twitter: @NikiTurner716, Pinterest and Linked In.


Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight! Remember to leave a comment with your email address so you can be entered in the drawing for a copy of the book.

Come back often for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights!

PamT

#ThursdayThoughts: Special Guest post by Marion Ueckermann!

Good Morning Friends,

Today my fellow PBG author, Marion Ueckermann visits with some thoughts about life and loved ones.....

I SEE YOU

Mommy, this morning, like every morning, I tuck the pink teddy I gave you years ago when you had your shoulder operation, and the brown one I got with my own shoulder op, against my pillows. I fold up the cream and beige blanket and place it at the bottom of my bed—your birthday gift this year from me—and I remember how much you loved sleeping under its soft covering. My thoughts turn to Dad’s crocodile tail lamp we’ll be fetching this weekend—a hunting trophy that through the art of taxidermy he turned into a light source that’s been in our family home for decades. I think of the framed ribbon embroidery landscape that hangs on my lounge wall—a gift from Hanlie, and of the hours of needlework done by her late mother to create it. These things now grace my home, and fill my life, because you all don’t.

I’d forgotten about my scheduled blog today on Thursday’s Thoughts. Fortunately I had written this blog one morning about a month ago. I forgot because life, if I can call it that, has gotten in the way. You see, at the end of last year, my mother fell ill. Heart failure the doctor said. For months we watched her steadily decline. We prayed for God to strengthen her and, dared we even hope, heal? Until the night before her death when we earnestly prayed the hardest prayer—“Your will be done. Lord, heal her quick, or take her fast.”  In the presence of my sister and two nieces—and without a doubt from the wonder in my mother’s eyes, Jesus and a myriad of angels—our prayers were answered as my dearest Mom stepped out of our lives and into an eternity with her Savior. That was life up until July 17 this year.

We gave Mom the most beautiful funeral, filled with hope and praise for her life, and the life that she now lives.

Dad couldn’t remember you had gone, Mommy. Altzheimers does that. But we could see how much he missed you, how empty his life was without you at his side, although we tried to fill it with our love and attention. He’d been so sick with flu the week you landed in hospital. The day you passed away, I had him at the doctor. Bronchial pneumonia they said, but he didn’t need hospitalization, just nebulizing and physio.

We gave Daddy the best nursing we could, but 17 days after you died, we rushed him to emergency. He lay in ICU for nine long days, struggling to get well again. And he seemed to be. But a week after the ICU trips began, he took a turn and we watched him regress. Once again we had to pray—“Your will be done. Heal him quick, Lord, or take him fast.” The awful mask that pressed tight against his face, breathing for him…his hands that were tied to the bed so he couldn’t remove the mask or pull out the feeding tubes—they were all too much to bear. For him, and for us.

Still, the call from the hospital the next morning was unexpected. We tried so hard to get there in time, but were too late. By minutes. Thirty-three days of separation from you were all Daddy could bear. A week later we stared into your open grave again as we laid Daddy to rest at the place he’s been for nearly 66 years—beside you.

We have come to learn to thank God you didn’t have to do life without each other. But it’s still hard for each of us who are left behind.

Eight days after we buried Daddy, we waved goodbye to Lenny and Hanlie. They immigrated to Scotland. Yet another sad goodbye, but at least we have Skype and WhatsApp—we can still chat to our brother and sister-in-law on a daily basis if we like. And we can visit them, too. If only heaven had Skype. If only I could send you an instant message, and you could send one back. If only heaven wasn’t a one-way destination.

But I thank God that I still see you here in life. I see you and Dad in peanut brittles, Nic-Naks chips, Turkish delight, and beetroot salad (the sweet and sour one) standing on Pick ‘n Pay shelves. I see you each time I make a potato salad. I see you in garlic plants with their delicate mauve blooms (how you loved that color), and in the red Christ Thorn blooms. I see you in the list of all your favorite foods that decorate Ryan’s kitchen wall. I see you in the jersey keeping Hanlie warm in Scotland, the one that hung in your cupboard since I was a little girl. And I hear you…in a joke I suddenly remember you enjoyed telling, in the choruses at church you loved to sing. And I see you, I hear you, in the faith and love of our family.

As I stare into my tear-filled eyes, the same shade of brown as yours, mirrored as I do my makeup this morning, I see you…for I am, and always will be, a part of you. You and Dad live on through each and every one of your children and grandchildren in so many ways. Every day.

In the Old Testament God commanded people at various times to build altars of stone to remind them of what He had done for them. The pink and brown teddies that lie side by side on my bed each day are my pile of stones, for every morning they remind me of you, of your lives, and of how incredibly blessed I was to have had such a wonderful mom and dad for so many years.

Every day, I see you. Every day, I hear you. Every day, I miss you.

What a lovely tribute....

We've all lost loved one's, but it is especially difficult when you lose them close together. I know, since last year my Mother in Law and Mother passed away within days of each other. 

The holidays are extremely difficult to enjoy when missing those who've passed on, so take extra care of yourself, Marion and Each and Every one of YOU dear Friends!

Oh and if you're looking for something to read over the Thanksgiving Holiday, check out Marion's newest release, Oslo Overtures or her debut PBG title, Helsinki Sunrise, both Passport to Romance titles!

MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. She now lives in South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally. http://www.marionueckermann.com

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

PamT

Thursday Thoughts: Special Guest post by Nikki Turner!

Good Morning Friends,

It is always a pleasure to welcome authors with their thoughts or treasures, adds a little something extra that's not found on Saturday Spotlight. Today is no exception... Fellow Pelican Book Group Author, Nikki Turner shares some thoughts with us and then we'll get a glimpse of her brand new release and debut PBG title, Santiago Sol.

So without further ado...Here's Nikki!

Stripping Off the Labels

Think about all the labels you’re wearing right now…

Daughter.

Wife.

Mother.

Grandmother.

Christian.

Friend.

Sister.

Caregiver.

Fat.

Skinny.

Introvert.

Extravert.

Boss.

Employee.

Democrat.

Republican.

White.

Black.

Asian.

Hispanic.

American.

Old.

Young.

I could go on and on. By themselves, some of the labels we wear are innocuous, and some are a blessing. Some are difficult to carry and others hinder us from accomplishing our goals and fulfilling our purpose. Sometimes we get comfortable in a particular label, only to have the circumstances of life rip that label away, leaving us in an identity crisis.

Labels are one of the ways we promote strife and division, even while we try to find acceptance and belonging.

So what if all the labels were stripped away?

I came across the following verse in the Gospel of John last week in the Message version, describing Jesus:

“But whoever did want him,

who believed he was who he claimed

and would do what he said,

He made to be their true selves,

their child-of-God selves.

These are the God-begotten,

            not blood-begotten,

not flesh-begotten,

not sex-begotten.”

(John 1:12-13)

It gave me pause. Our true selves, our child-of-God selves, are free of labels, unaffected by family history, genealogy, economic status, physical appearance, political leanings, occupation, church affiliation, or any other natural label we could apply. That’s who Jesus is making us to be as we trust Him and believe in Him and want Him in our lives.

If we’ll let him.

I think that’s the key. As we look to Him for guidance, as we obey Him, He working in us to strip away all those manmade labels. Without them, we are free to be the spirit/soul/body beings he created us to be, loved unconditionally, accepted and adopted in Christ.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What labels do you wear that you’d like to let go of? Where did those labels come from?

When you picture your “true self,” your “child-of-God self,” who do you see in your mind’s eye? 

So True Nikki... Thanks!!

Niki Turner is a novelist, journalist, blogger, and the production manager for the Rio Blanco Herald Times weekly newspaper, one of the oldest continuously operating newspapers in Colorado. Her first completed manuscript earned second place in the Touched By Love 2009 contemporary category romance contest. She also blogs at www.nikiturner.net and is a co-blogger at www.inkwellinspirations.com.

Niki is a Colorado native who grew up in Glenwood Springs—home of the world’s largest hot springs pool. She married her high school sweetheart 25 years ago. They have four children, four grandchildren, and two West Highland White Terriers.

In 2014, she published “Sadie’s Gift” as one of the Christmas Traditions novella collection with eight other authors.  The Skiing Suitor, one of the Love’s Sporting Chance series published by Forget-Me-Not Romances, released in August 2015. 

Her latest project, Santiago Sol, is published by Pelican Book Group, as part of the Passport to Romance novella collection and can be purchased from the publisher or at Amazon. 

Connect with Nikki on Facebook, Twitter: @NikiTurner716, Pinterest and Linked In.

Hope you enjoyed Nikki's post...Leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Santiago Sol and come back on November 28th for Saturday Spotlight where we'll be giving away another copy of the book!

Until next time, take care & God Bless.

PamT

#TuesdayTreasure: Guest post by Jan Elder!

Good Morning Friends,

I am very happy to bring you a new Pelican Book Group author with something she treasures!

Jan Elder is a Christian romance writer with a zeal for telling stories other women can relate to. She strives to write the kind of book that will strengthen the reader's faith, while also providing an entertaining and engrossing love story. Pelican Book Group/White Rose is publishing her first novella, Manila Marriage App, one of many in their successful Passport to Romance series. Besides writing romance, she enjoys the occasional hazelnut cappuccino while watching Turner Classic Movies. Always an avid reader, she devours books voraciously, both Christian and secular. She was born a cat-lover and all future books will, no doubt, feature a feline in some way or another. Happily married for twelve years to loving (and supportive) husband, Steve, the two live in central Maryland along with Jamie (a tuxedo cat), and Shu-Shu (a tortoiseshell cat). On the weekends, Jan and Steve comb the nearby countryside in search of the perfect ice cream flavor. 

My mother, my friend

My 91-year-old mother has lived a good life. She grew up in a Christian home. She was born again at age 10. She worked until she was 29, married a wonderful man, and raised three children. And then she worked some more as a school secretary to help support our family.
She should be slowing down, right? Enjoying her “emeritus” years. Sitting in a rocking chair, baking the occasion sheet of chocolate chip cookies, allowing people to take care of her for a change. Except she’s not. At age 90, she wrote her memoirs, her fourth book. She still drives, teaches Sunday school, studies her Bible each and every day, and witnesses to her friends. In the fall, she plans to start another Bible study for the lost in her retirement community.

My mother has a life richer than anyone I know. God is using her and she still has more to do.

When I grow old, I want to be like my mother.


How beautiful! Having lost my mother in November, I can understand why Jan treasures hers.

Find out more about Jan by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook and Twitter!

Check out Jan's book, Manila Marriage App. a Passport to Romance novella from Pelican Book Group!

It all began as a lark. Shay Callahan’s life was just fine, thank you, but when the seemingly misogynistic missionary, Timothy Flynn, places an advertisement for a wife in a Christian magazine, she decides to give it a whirl and sends in the five-page application. Why not? After all, she’s not currently seeing anyone, and this man truly needs to be taught a lesson.

Finding out she’s Dr. Flynn’s pick of the litter, Shay hops on a plane and flies to The Philippines. The strategy is to jet in, enjoy an exciting two-week vacation, and jet out again, all at his expense. Instead, her plan backfires. The handsome missionary man is not what he seems, and the foreign land has far more to offer than she could imagine.

Embark on a tropical adventure with Shay that challenges everything she believes.

Excerpt from Manila Marriage App

Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I strolled into the room. Behind a massive teak desk sat the man I’d come to meet. The photo he’d emailed me didn’t do him justice. Not by a long shot. If I’d been the obvious sort, my jaw would have dropped to the floor. And drool. There’d be plenty of drool.

He stood as I entered the room, cool gray eyes raking over me. His bio had told me he was a tall man, but the head shot hadn’t captured the aura of authority he projected. Mister-too-important-to-pick-me-up didn’t say a word, although that intense stare roamed my face with apparent disbelief. Perhaps he was confused as to my shabby state, but he didn’t have to be rude.

We glared at each other. In fact, he examined me as if he were judging a heifer at the county fair. If he were testing my mettle, I was not going to be the first one to blink. With a heavy sigh, he shook his head, loosened his lips, and said the words I least expected. “Miss Callahan, you’re blonde.”

Words spilled out of my own mouth before I could filter them. “Whoa, nothing gets past you does it, Dr. Flynn?”

“In the picture you sent me, you were a brunette.”

Well, he had me there. Before last Tuesday, I had been a brunette. Light brown, but still brown. I straightened my spine. “Hey, I didn’t go platinum or anything. The appealing color you see before you is called Golden Latte. Two measly shades lighter.” Huffing, I pushed my long mane behind my ears hoping no remaining traces of peas were visible. “And what am I doing justifying my personal color preferences to you? It’s my hair.”

He kept staring at me. “Putting that issue aside, you’re also not…how shall I put this? You’re…you’re not what I expected. You’re way too…”

“I’m way too what?” My chin rose, as did my ire.

“Oh, never mind,” he mumbled. His head hung down and, I swear, his feet shuffled. That was unexpected. Was he arrogant or bashful?

Either way, still standing in the doorway, I’d had enough of this strange exchange. Since he didn’t seem to know how to greet me like a decent human being, I’d give him a demonstration. “Okay, let’s try this again. Dr. Flynn, I presume? I’m Shay Callahan. You know, the woman you ordered with a ‘keen mind, and a rational outlook on life’?”

Manila Marriage App can be purchased at Pelican Book Group or Amazon.

Well friends, hope you enjoyed today's Tuesday Treasures!

Stay tuned for Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight: #VegasVacation by @ClareRevell!

Today we round out Clare's vacation with us with her brand new release Vegas Vacation a Passport to Romance novella!

In case you don't know.... the Passport to Romance is a series of contemporary romances that are set in specific locales and feature a special set of objects. 

So here's Clare's Vegas Vacation!

Former protective services officer, Sgt. Martin Ames, is five weeks short of medical retirement from the Vegas PD when he lands one last case: spoiled English heiress, Lady Tamlyn Bradshaw, whose bodyguard is hospitalized with suspected food poisoning.

Tamlyn is on holiday, her first without her father and his ever present bodyguards. She wants to have fun, not spend the time stuck in a hotel room with a disabled cop, even if he is tall, dark and disturbingly handsome.

When food poisoning becomes murder, passions and tempers flare as Martin attempts to keep Tamlyn safe from the assailant who gains everything on her death.

Excerpt:

“Martin, you’re the only person in the department with the security clearances and the experience to do this.”

“I haven’t worked protective services for over three years and for good reason. I’m five weeks from early retirement, and I don’t want to spend them running around after a spoiled heiress.”

“Did I ask what you wanted? This woman’s father is royalty and I just got off the phone with him—”

Tamlyn cringed in her seat, her cheeks burning. This was a bad idea. She’d go back to the hotel and trust God to protect her. No one knew who she was; she was just one more tourist in a city of thousands.

The angry voice continued its tirade in the office. “Royalty? In that case, I’m sure she can afford a replacement bodyguard. Even better…ask the British Embassy to provide one. My days of babysitting people are over.”

“Unless you want to be fired five weeks before your retirement date, your assignment for the next three weeks is to be Lady Bradshaw’s bodyguard. There’s the door. She’s by your desk waiting for you.”

The door flung open, and Tamlyn glanced down. She focused her gaze on her fingernails. Maybe she could just pretend she hadn’t heard.

Heavy steps crossed the room as muted conversations started up again. They stopped by the desk. “Lady Bradshaw, I presume?”

She looked up into the most intense, glittering pair of blue eyes she’d ever seen. His hair was pulled back in a long black ponytail, and he leaned on a cane. They had to be kidding. A disabled cop? His navy blue shirt and tie at least gave an appearance of professionalism. Although the gun holster on his shoulder made her shiver.

She stood, grateful he couldn’t read her mind, because she was already regretting that first thought about his gorgeous eyes. She held out a hand. “I am. You must be Sgt. Ames.” 

Vegas Vacation is available now from Pelican Book Group, and Amazon for Kindle!

Well Friends, I don't know about you, but I sure enjoyed my visit with Clare Revell, my fellow Pelican Book Group author from across the pond.

Stay tuned next week for more great Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlights!

Until later....take care, God Bless and remember....Regardless of your mistakes~God LOVES You! Therefore walk tall, proud & in confidence that HE is on your side!

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

#SaturdaySpotlight: HELSINKI SUNRISE by Marion Ueckermann

Good Morning Friends!

It is with great pleasure I bring you this spotlight. Helsinki Sunrise is one of Pelican Book Group's "Passport to Romance" series where each story is set at exotic places around the globe! So without much further ado, let's get right into it!

STOP AND SMELL (OR TASTE) THE FINNISH FLOWERS

By Marion Ueckermann

Helsinki Sunrise, a Passport to Romance, blog tour follows on from yesterday’s double feature in Australia where we took a look at Finnish things: a travel blog on Finland with Narelle Atkins, and a Finnish wedding with Inspirational Romance hosted by Rita Galieh.

It seemed fitting, therefore, to take time today to stop and smell the Finnish flowers. We can taste some of them, too.

In a country that consists mainly of forests and water, you might be tempted to ask, “What Finnish flowers?”

Flowers like these beautiful pink and purple wild, perennial Lupines, or Lupiini in Finnish, that grow all over Finland along the roadsides in summer. What a delightful sight they were for me when we visited the country two years ago.

  

 

But bright, colored flowers don’t line only the Finnish roads. Like most European countries, the Finns also take pride in their window boxes. We spotted this pretty one in the fascinating town of Savonlinna, in the south-east of Finland.

I loved the forests in Finland so much, particularly the birch tree ones (which was most of them). Two different kinds of birch grow in Finland: the silver birch, which is Finland’s national tree,  and the downy birch. What a versatile tree—so many amazing things are made from the silver birch. The pale wood is used for furniture, skis, and kitchen utensils, amongst other things. Wooden footwear and roof shingles are made from slabs of the bark. Birch brushwood is used for besom brooms and racecourse jumps. In the spring, sap is tapped from the tree trunks and used like maple syrup, or drunk in a variety of ways, possibly out of a kuksa, a Finnish camping cup made of arctic birch burl. The tree is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments or conditions.

I experienced one of the fascinating uses for this tree whilst in Finland—the vihta, vasta or simply, the bath or sauna-whisk. An inseparable part of Finnish culture passed down from ancient days, the Finnish vihta is a small bouquet of soft birch branches used to gently hit oneself. This action aids in circulation and cleans as the birch leaves contain natural soap ingredients.

Inside those amazing forests lies a wonderland of berries and mushrooms. At the time we were there, blueberries were just coming into season. We couldn’t keep up with the free supply from the forest and ate blueberry pie, blueberry pancakes, and blueberries in our cereal daily. I really miss those days, especially when I have to pay a fortune in the grocery store for a tiny tub of this power fruit. We were fortunate enough to also find a few wild strawberries to pick. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time for cloudberries or lingonberries. In Finland, anyone can pick wild berries, mushrooms or flowers, provided they’re not protected species.

                         

Another forest activity I would’ve loved to have done, was mushroom picking—especially because my hero and heroine in Helsinki Sunrise, enjoyed this pastime together.With a total of two hundred species of edible and wild mushrooms, Finland is mushroom-pickers’ paradise. Boletes (porcini), brittlegills (russalas), and milkcaps are some of the best edible Finnish mushrooms; champignon, shiitake and oyster mushrooms the most commonly cultivated species. The rich yellow-colored chanterelle is one of Finland’s most highly valued mushrooms and can be found growing at the roots of birch trees. There are about fifty toxic species and at least five are deadly. With names like Destroying Angel, Fly Agaric, Deadly Webcap, Brown Roll-rim and Funeral Bell, I’d definitely want a mushroom expert with me if I went foraging in the forests.

          

Here’s a snippet from Helsinki Sunrise for you to enjoy:

Eveliina threw her head back and let out a delightful giggle. “Adam, you have so much to learn. We Finns have a longstanding love of hunting and foraging. In time, you’ll love it too, I’m sure.”

While out rowing on the lake beside my daughter-in-law’s parents’ home, my husband and I saw these beautiful water lilies, which I’ve subsequently discovered are called Ulpukka.

I also learned two other interesting things about Finnish flowers. Firstly, the exquisite small white bell-shaped Lily of the Valley (Kielo) is Finland’s national flower. What a beautiful and special flower to have representing one’s country.

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys ~ Song of Songs 2:1

The other thing I discovered is not actually a flower at all, although it resembles one. Frost flowers are truly fascinating and creative. It seems that, even in the snow-covered winter, there’ll be flowers in Finland.

And on that note of creativity, Finns love to put flowers on their postage stamps, as well as on their décor. It was during our time in Savonlinna that I was introduced to the vibrant, distinctive floral prints of Marimekko® with their Unikko (poppy flower). My Marimekko® tin was truly a special gift. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m quite exhausted after walking the roads, dashing into the forests and rowing on the lakes, smelling (and tasting) this amazing Finnish flora. So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to relax for a while on this Finnish swing. Why don’t you join me? You’ll be sure to find one in a Finnish garden near you.

 

He needed the island to himself. So did she.

Three weeks alone at a friend’s summer cottage on a Finnish lake to fast and pray. That was Adam Carter's plan. But sometimes plans go awry.

On an impromptu trip to her family's secluded summer cottage, the last thing Eveliina Mikkola expected to find was a missionary from the other side of the world—in her sauna.

Determined to stay, Eveliina will do whatever it takes—from shortcrust pastry to shorts—to send the man of God packing. This island’s too small for them both.

Adam Carter, however, is not about to leave.

Will he be able to resist her temptations?

Can she withstand his prayers?

Monday is the last stop on Marion Ueckermann’s worldwide blog tour of Helsinki Sunrise for a final author interview at The Vince Review.

There will be an eBook of Helsinki Sunrise up for grabs today. To be entered into the draw, please leave a comment with your email address before September 19th.

Numerous eBooks of Helsinki Sunrise will be given away on the blog tour, so take a journey to each of the stops and leave a comment. Don’t forget to include your email address.

Helsinki Sunrise is available to purchase from Pelican Book Group, Christianbook.com, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble

Watch the Helsinki Sunrise book trailer on YouTube.

Watch the Passport to Romance book trailer on YouTube.

Marion Ueckermann’s passion for writing was sparked in 2001 when she moved to Ireland with her husband and two sons. Since then she has published devotional articles and stories in Winners, The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter (Tyndale House Publishers), and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miraculous Messages from Heaven, and her debut novelette, Helsinki Sunrise (White Rose Publishing, a Pelican Book Group imprint, Passport to Romance series).

Marion blogs for International Christian Fiction Writers and Beauty for Ashes. She belongs to Christian Writers of South Africa and American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Pretoria East, South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.

Connect with Marion Ueckermann:

Website / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Blogs: A Pebble in my Pocket / Foreign Affaire

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Permission to use images obtained.

Wow Marion sure has had a blast with this book! I certainly hope you enjoyed this Saturday Spotlight as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you!

Until later.... take care & God Bless!

PamT