The Living Love Series, A Dad's Love, by Teresa Naidoo

A child left to their own devices will often choose the wrong devices. We see it time and time again, how children find their own answers, in their own ways – often to their own detriment. 

In a world of overworked parents, stressed out teachers, a straggling and struggling education system, an increasing cry for religion to be removed from mainstream schooling, technology advancing at such an amazing speed that children are overtaking their parents in their abilities to manoeuvre around the internet and social media. 

Easier access to the internet and social media mean that we can now reach people on the other side of the world in the blink of an eye. It also means that child traffickers and child predators can also reach a child in a blink of an eye.

Now, more than ever, children need solid, real, relevant and useful answers to the mountain of questions they have. A Dad’s Love is a simple, relatable story of both a child having an experience and a child observing an experience that they need guidance and support with. It stresses the open, trusting nature of a child, and the tendency of children to observe and model our behaviour. Children come to us pure. It is the world that contaminates them. We need to grow more hearts for children so that they have more models of how to live full, happy, safe, and healthy lives.

A Dad's Love: My best friend's Dad is always screaming and shouting at him and hitting him! I don't know what to do to help him! (The Living Love Series Book 1) is free on Amazon Kindle through Monday, April 16. To purchase or learn more, click on the title link above.

Website - https://teresamnaidoo.wixsite.com/simpletruths 

To Visit Amazon Author Page, click here

Teresa Naidoo has a deep and abiding love for God, children and writing. She hopes for a world where more and more children have a chance at a full, happy, safe and healthy life. And that she can help achieve this by combining the three things she loves - sharing the love and guidance she found in God with others through writing. 

Teresa believes strongly in the need of children for solid, real, relevant and useful answers to the mountain of questions they have and the need to provide them with guidance and support in this tenuous and precarious world. She's spent many years working in the secular world in IT and studied psychology with a special interest in child development before she finally turned her hand to get her words out into the world. She's South African, of Indian descent and lives a simple life focused on God, writing, family and good friends. 

New historical fiction from Carole Brown

A Flute in the Willows
Story and Logic Media Group
December 2017
Historical Christian Romance
eBook $2.99
Print $12.99

Buy the book on Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Australia
Amazon CA

About the Book:

Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must figure out how to keep the other's love...and keep the German enemy at bay.

She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she's scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman captured his heart?

Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous life...especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife's life is threatened, Jerry realizes he can't stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.

These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the only true way to love and happiness.

Lisa Lickel's brief interview with Carole:

Carole, what’s your biggest reward in writing?

I'd say it's two-fold:

·         Knowing I'm using the talent God gave me, and

·         Readers approval and enthusiasm over my books

What would you like readers to tell others when they’ve finished reading?

If a reader has read one of my books and enjoyed it, I'd love to have them sharing what they loved about the book. Perhaps how it affected them in whatever way. For example:

·       With my latest, released novel: A Flute in the Willows (Book 2 of the Spies of WWII series), some readers said they liked how I brought in PTSD in the book to bring awareness of the condition many soldiers and families deal with after the soldiers return from war.

·       They also enjoyed the relationship between the newly, but separated by war, married couple, how they grew into a deeper love relationship and their battle to overcome their troubles.

These are just two of the effects from this book.

Who’s been your biggest influence on your writing?

Perhaps my mother who read to my brothers and me as young children. Positive encouragements to me have been associations with other writer friends, words of advice (when I first began to seriously write novels) from those (like Lena Nelson Dooley and Gayle Roper) who had more authorly experience, and constant contact with fellow-critiquers who have helped me to grow.

What are you reading now?

I'm hoping to begin a book from a secular author and another from Author Jill Kremerer who spoke at a recent writer's meeting I attended.

What’s coming up for you?

·        I'm trying to finish up the 4^th book in my Appleton, WV Romantic series, called Toby's Troubles. It focuses on the brother of Caroline Gibson from book three: his mystery and romance. He has his own shop-ghost, directs the town of Appleton's theater, is a tiny bit OCD when it comes to Undiscovered Treasures (antique, collectible, junk shop), a huge tease and doesn't know love when it stares him in the face.

·        I also hope to finish the 3^rd book in the Denton and Alex Davies Mystery series, Daffy's Duck which features a special duck, a talented artist who has Down's Syndrome: Daffodil Meadows. She and her older brother co-own a ski resort in Colorado. Denton and Alex Davies, amateur traveling detectives, along with Taffy, their Jack Russell Terrier, are determined to find the person who is out to destroy the Meadows big time.

·         If time allows (a big “if”), I want to get a little more writing done on a historical stand alone book, Caleb's Destiny (a mystery from the past and romance), and then

·        work on the 3^rd book in my Spies of WWII series, Sing Until You Die. The third Rayner sister, Claire Rosella Rayner, is an up-and-coming professional singer, who puts her musical studies on hold to sing to the war troops. An overheard conversation sends her straight to the boy-grown-man she's always detested, an undercover spy. Is there any possible way her life can be spared, let alone a possibility for love to grow between the two of them?

Can you share your favorite marketing tool?

Right now I'm using Celebrate Lit with a book tour for my A Flute in the Willows.

About the Author:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Connect with Carole: 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=67381031

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

New Book, "The Man, The Woman, and Genesis, Making Your Relationship Work," Book Excerpt by Stephen Otalor

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

Every relationship is like driving, no one just jumps into a car and starts driving, you learn it, you acquire the skill to drive and you also learn about the cars and learn about special features of every car you drive and know how it operates from other cars and road signs. 

So what happens when you jump into a car without any knowledge of driving, you end up crashing the car and causing damage to it, hurting yourself and others. In some cases, you hurt others and damage the car and you walk away unhurt. This is why people are required to go through driving classes and have a license. 

Sometimes we get so hurt from a relationship that you wish people should get a license to date before asking anyone for a relationship. The sad reality is that everyday people jump into a relationship like jumping into a car and crash it and immediately get out and jump into another and crash it again. Every man must understand he needs to sharpen his mind and get the right knowledge to keep his relationship going. As a man, you must be honest with yourself, to admit to yourself when you feel and know you lack knowledge. That is where you start from in getting things right. Keeping a relationship is not like breathing when you can say it comes natural, you need the right knowledge and understand it.

Most relationships that collapse today is as a result of something hidden from the start, and you must understand that even the collapse of some relationships is not because of the enormity of what was hidden or how grievous what one was not transparent about. The major issue with not being transparent is the death of trust that comes when revelation is made. Distrust is like oil on the surface of a relationship, it makes it slippery and difficult to cleave to each other.

Whatever you fail to understand, you will abuse and whatever you abuse, you will eventually cause it to malfunction or fail to deliver the purpose it really exists for.

You can’t apply any instruction to life’s situations until it is backed up with understanding.

Your peace is at the mercy of your understanding, the more you understand, the more sustainable your peace will be.

You gain control and peace when you have an understanding concerning a product and you evidently avoid abusing that product, the same goes for our relationships.

Who you bring into your relationship as a friend matters, who you introduce to your partner as someone to be trusted matters, not everyone that ask deserves to know, not everyone that tells you their secret deserves to know your secret, there is no law or obligation that says you must share secrets with those who tell you their secrets.

To learn more about "The Man, The Woman, And Genesis," or to purchase, visit Amazon.com by clicking on this link.

You can connect with Stephen Atalor on Facebook by clicking here and on Twitter by clicking here.

Does God Exist? - The Artist's Page, by Debra Rufini, Enjoy this Beautiful Book Trailer

What would your response be to a group of small people, overlooking you to look at the masterpiece you'd lovingly made for them? How would you feel by their admiration for your magnificent creation as they ignore your wonderfully creative hands? Would you feel sad? Frustrated? Angry? 

Imagine your relief when they leave your invisible side. Picture your joy and your gratitude with their replacement - an appreciative group marveling at your masterpiece, undoubtedly produced by your love. Would you feel glad, grateful, relieved, believed, like the Artist in this story felt? This inspirational short story brought to life through expressive illustration, is ideal for those on a spiritual journey, spiritually seeking, or spiritually skeptical.

To purchase or learn more, visit Amazon by clicking here.

new inspirational romance from Robin Fuson

A Sparkle of Silver
Robin Fuson
Inspirational Contemporary Romance Novella
155 pp
Winged Publications
March 2018

$2.99 eBook
$6.74 Print
Buy on Amazon

About the Book:

Beautiful, creative Amber Warren and handsome, dependable Jesse Nelson have been best friends since grade school. Jesse’s strength and reliable spirit draws Amber, but can she trust a man with her heart after being jilted by her fiancé? A strong and self-reliant woman, Amber discovers she will need someone to help her after unexpected news from her parents upends her world. Will Jesse meet the demands of his work and still step up to be the rock she can lean on? An unlikely source will help Amber conquer the menacing and paralyzing fear gripping her heart. In the midst of a devastating disaster she pulls from deep within her being the courage to look fear in the eye to save the one she loves.

Lisa Lickel's Review:

This charming, sweet novella is a perfect addition to Fuson’s growing repertoire of both contemporary and historical tales set generally in her stomping grounds of the western US and Colorado. Amber’s fiancé wanted more of the world than he was willing to share and ditched her for the opportunity to work in Paris. I might have wondered why Amber wouldn’t jump at Paris until I realized Mr. Wrong didn’t bother to spend much time discussing it, and neither was Amber’s heartstrings too firmly attached to the cad. Better opportunities were right under her nose, and it took only a little persuading to open her eyes to the good thing waiting just for her. I loved it when she realized just how interwoven Jesse’s life was with hers when he knew his way around the family kitchen.

Conquering challenges and rising above the hurt others put on them show Amber and Jesse how strong they are together. Add in Miss Purrfect, the darling antique store cat, and we’ve got a very fun read. Highly recommended for those who like their clean romance in bite-size chunks.

A brief Interview with the Author:

In A Sparkle of Silver, Purrfect is the sweet store cat. The antique store where she reigns supreme is named Preowned Perfection. So, Purrfect got her name. She is a pure white cat with green eyes. For the most part she doesn’t interact with patrons but occasionally she can’t help herself. She might follow a customer through the store but not in a typical fashion. She loves to roam the mock or staged rooms along the top of the partial walls that are a whopping ten feet tall with a span of another six feet above that. The cat is a great mouser and yet doesn’t displace breakables off the shelves. Purrfect is a good judge of character which we find out in the pages of the story.

Tell us about your motivation to write the story, Robin. What do you love about it?

This book was fun to write for a variety of reasons. I love antique stores. Finding the right wedding ring set was tons of fun. Writing a story where Colorado is the backdrop is a delight because It’s my home. I identify with the character, Amber. She dresses nicely even to go to the grocery store which is what I typically do. She loves antiques and working with her hands. She is strong but doesn’t always give herself credit for being so. Amber has a deep fear that she has to work through. Don’t we all struggle at some point in our lives with fear? Her handsome sweetheart, Jesse, is a good fit for her. Attentive to her needs and strong both emotionally and physically he helps her through encouragement and lending a hand when she asks. He is purposeful and yet can be spontaneous.

Nice! I agree! Can you share a couple of things you learned while working on this book?

I spent hours delving into research on antiques that still pop up on the ads on my computer. For instance, Amber bids on and purchases an antique cuckoo clock. I pulled up a picture of the clock to make the description in the book. I’ve been to auctions in the area, so I could write that into my story through my experience. The store where she works is similar to ones I walked through on Broadway in Denver. I added a warehouse and attached a house for her to live. Something that I had not known before was, for a price, you can have a new piece of furniture or knickknack made that appears like the original antique.

I also learned that help to overcome fear can come from an unsuspecting place and love will be the necessary strength it will take to conquer that fear.

What’s next for you, Robin?

Right now, I’m writing a historical mystery novella, Gamble on Fate, set in Colorado Territory of 1886 in Colorado City near present day Colorado Springs with a Pinkerton investigator. Also, for a few years, I’ve been working on a contemporary cozy mystery novel, The Race of Her Heart, that is set in Durango, Colorado. In this story, a ski Olympian has an accident, dashing her hopes and dreams. The tumble down the mountain was caused by someone tampering with the bindings of her skis. The saboteur is not satisfied with only the limp caused from the fall and the threats keep coming.

Oh my goodness! I can’t wait to read them. Thank you, Robin. 

About Robin:
Robin lives in Rifle, Colorado with her husband Jimmy. Together, they celebrate with seventeen grandchildren. An award winner for romance and flash fiction, Robin is multi-published and writes stories on her blog for children. Robin is a member of ACFW, Vice President of ACFW Colorado Western Slope, and member of John316 Marketing Network. She enjoys leading a Bible study group and singing in two community choirs. Robin loves company and challenging her young guests to discover the many giraffes in the obvious and hidden nooks and crannies of their home.

5 Reasons to be a Flexible Outliner

Seat of the Pants writers (pantsers) tend to shudder at the idea of plotting a novel. Plotter writers (plotters) can’t imagine staring a blank sheet of paper to start a novel, short story, biography, self-help book, or even an article.

It doesn’t have to be an either/or approach. Honestly.

So, why plot?

Don’t! Don’t think of it as plotting. Think of it as strategy. Even pantsers have an inkling of story arc even if they sometimes refuse to admit it. You might have a character’s name in mind, maybe a title, probably even a very basic idea of story, even if you don’t know where you want to go. I have let my characters direct certain scenes, too. That’s why flexibility is key.

Just because you make notes, or even have an idea of how this story will work it, you don’t have to follow it exactly. And maybe that’s why it’s hard to think of spending time on developing ideas you won’t use. Hey—it’s a whole lot easier not using some scenes or dialog bits than unraveling a whole book when you realize one of the threads is implausible or you’re missing elements of a subplot or character traits, or a mixed up timeline screws the denouement, which you don’t see until you think you’ve completed the initial manuscript. Here are five points in favor of planning your book first. This concept applies to non-fiction and short articles or fiction as well.

       1. Efficiency

Secret—there are really only two reasons why planning a story first is helpful. Return on Investment. Artists can never charge billable hours like certain professionals. Yes, hand-sewn quilts or Navajo rug weaving is on par with brain surgery, but try selling your quilt for $100,000, let alone charge money for five years of your life invested in publishing your book. You only make that kind of cash after you’re dead, unless you chance into the golden opportunity of meeting the right person looking for your work at the right moment in time. Most advances even for major authors are much less, and they have to be earned out before you make any more money. That’s selling a lot of books at 8 percent net cost, out of which your agent gets a cut. So, how can you up the return (sale of finished book) on the investment (time writing and marketing)? By writing and publishing smart.

2. Rewriting is not the same as revision

Another riff on writing efficiently: sure, there are times when the story just changes; it just does and you toss what you’ve done. But let’s come up with a good plan to begin with, one that works but allows for some meandering of the character development or storyline. You write it once, then spend time on quality revision and editing, and then drop it in the mail instead of wasting time trying to follow and rewrite threads that went against the weave when you forgot that Christmas is in summer in South America, or that ocean currents don’t flow that direction, or you didn’t figure in leap year and thus your storyline is moot. Rewriting hardly ever involves “just that section,” but ends up cascading into a giant wreck.

3. Easily tweakable

Surprise! When you have something written on the page like an outline or a synopsis to look at, it is much easier to return to the scene of the kidnapped loop you didn’t see coming. It’s totally okay if your people zigged instead of zagged, but now you can see the effects and find the places to adjust to meet the storyline adaption. So, your protag or number one sidekick is pregnant? Wow, missed that one in the synopsis. That means that over the course of the pregnancy certain things happen that will probably affect the story, no matter where this little bump figures into the plot. Go back to your outline and plug it in, then find and adjust the areas that need to be tweaked.

4. Business vs Hobby

You probably don’t want to hear this, but if you’re a professional, maybe even file as a business or plan to, being an author is your JOB. It’s work. Yes, it’s work that involves a lot of daydreaming, but daydreaming with a purpose. You may not be able to go to work from 9:00 to 4:00 every day. Instead you have to give that talk, prepare for a workshop, or field trip research. You end up working at midnight or dawn. It’s still your job, and you do it whether you feel the muse or not. Do it well. Your boss is your audience and your bank account.

5.  Grasp of story elements

If you don’t believe in plot, then this point is not going to mean much to you. But if you’re a professional, you have studied why classics are classics, and the difference between the author who might have published 80 books, 30 of them on the New York Times bestseller list, but 90% of them are out of print—including the one that’s about to be made into a major motion picture. There are no new stories—only fresh new ways of telling them. Get over it.

Healer, by Susan Miura, New Book Trailer