Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
The Season for Gratitude
"So while it's true that Thanksgiving only comes but
once a year, we should actually celebrate thanks each and every day.
It's just a matter of learning to live with a spirit of gratitude."
- Unknown
"Gratitude is a constant attitude of thankfulness and
appreciation for life as it unfolds. Living in the moment, we are open
to the abundance around us and within us. We express appreciation
freely. We contemplate the richness of our life. In life's trials, we
seek to understand, to accept, to learn.
Gratitude is a continual celebration of life."
- Unknown
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Monday, October 27, 2014
Comfort Reads
This past week I have been thinking about a friend and fellow author who passed away over a year ago. Arlette Gaffrey was an amazing woman and one of the sweetest and best people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, she was the very talented writer of two amazing historical romance novels set in New Orleans, and she was also a successful fashion model from the age of 18 up into her 50s.
I have loved Arlette's stories and just finished reading one of them again. Since I've been missing her, it brought me comfort, and the ending again left me with a sigh. If you are looking for a good comfort read, check out A World of His Own - In the Land of the Creoles.
About the Book
LAND OF THE CREOLES: An epic saga of love, marriage and betrayal.
Andre de Javon escaped the French Revolution as a child. Now as an adult, he arrives in New Orleans determined to make a new life for himself. In due time he becomes one of the wealthiest plantation owners in the Territory. He is helped by his mentor Jean-Claude Charlevoix, whose young daughter Julie falls in love with Andre, and hopes he will wait for her to grow up and marry her. But, Andre marries Gabrielle Ste. Claire who turns his life into a nightmare. Gabrielle dies leaving Andre with her illegitimate son. As Julie grows up Andre realizes how much he loves her, and wants to marry her. But will Julie still have him, a man who is eleven years her senior with an illegitimate child? The pirate Jean Lafitte and General Andrew Jackson are but some of the colorful characters woven throughout the story.
Available at Amazon
Arlette's second book, Behind the Columns is also available at Amazon
Both are standalone novels.
I have loved Arlette's stories and just finished reading one of them again. Since I've been missing her, it brought me comfort, and the ending again left me with a sigh. If you are looking for a good comfort read, check out A World of His Own - In the Land of the Creoles.
About the Book
LAND OF THE CREOLES: An epic saga of love, marriage and betrayal.
Andre de Javon escaped the French Revolution as a child. Now as an adult, he arrives in New Orleans determined to make a new life for himself. In due time he becomes one of the wealthiest plantation owners in the Territory. He is helped by his mentor Jean-Claude Charlevoix, whose young daughter Julie falls in love with Andre, and hopes he will wait for her to grow up and marry her. But, Andre marries Gabrielle Ste. Claire who turns his life into a nightmare. Gabrielle dies leaving Andre with her illegitimate son. As Julie grows up Andre realizes how much he loves her, and wants to marry her. But will Julie still have him, a man who is eleven years her senior with an illegitimate child? The pirate Jean Lafitte and General Andrew Jackson are but some of the colorful characters woven throughout the story.
Available at Amazon
Arlette's second book, Behind the Columns is also available at Amazon
Both are standalone novels.
Friday, September 19, 2014
New Book by Susan Dayley
Thought for Today
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Suggested Reading
Book: Hot Pursuit
Author Susan Dayley
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Suggested Reading
Book: Hot Pursuit
Author Susan Dayley
About the Book
Kennady thought she’d found the
perfect summer escape—working at a resort in Jackson Hole. But then
Atticus comes to town, an international conference threatens world
finances, and a Mexican cartel shows up to stop the conspirators.
When Kennady’s friend Chelo gets entangled with a handsome and
possibly dangerous man, her own life is threatened. From
eco-terrorism and kidnappings, to gunshots and an earthquake, Jackson
was not an escape after all.
BONUS: Hot Pursuit offers two
storylines with two different endings for each. Also includes links
to pictures, songs, music videos, info about story locations, and
other exciting details.
I had never heard of an interactive
book before and I was interested in seeing how the author would pull
this off. She did it beautifully. It was kind of cool reading both
storylines and being able to choose an ending. When I think about how
many times I've read a book and absolutely hated the ending and
wished I could rewrite it, I have to think that Susan Dayley's
concept was pretty genius.
Hot Pursuit has enough action,
intrigue, and the perfect amount of romance to keep you going. And
who would have thought there was so much going on in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming:-)
A great clean read.
Hot Pursuit and its prequel, Cold
Pursuit are available on Amazon.
Monday, September 1, 2014
New Book by Deirdra Eden
Thought for Today
Everyone’s
situation is different, and the details of each life are unique.
Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take
away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we
can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.
We can be grateful!
It
might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who
is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set
aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude
can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Suggested Reading
Book: Knight of Light - The Watchers Book One
Author: Deirdra Eden
About the Book
“The Watchers” are supernatural beings in human form, charged with
protecting mankind from the armies of darkness. Unfortunately, some of
these Watchers go bad.
In England, 1270 A.D., Auriella (pronounced yurr-ee-ella) flees her village after being accused of witchcraft. Pursued by nightmarish creatures, she struggles to accept the truth about her humanity.
Filled with fairies, dwarves, pixies, dragons, demons, and monsters, Knight of Light is an enthralling tale that will capture the imaginations of readers young and old.
In England, 1270 A.D., Auriella (pronounced yurr-ee-ella) flees her village after being accused of witchcraft. Pursued by nightmarish creatures, she struggles to accept the truth about her humanity.
Filled with fairies, dwarves, pixies, dragons, demons, and monsters, Knight of Light is an enthralling tale that will capture the imaginations of readers young and old.
From Back Cover
"All the training in heaven couldn't prepare me for the war on earth. Not for the love, loss, or loneliness that humans feel. There are things worse than death, and every last one of them is hunting people like us. Even though we all feel human at times, we must remember, we are not them, we are their Watchers."
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Deirdra has created a world and a people that are so original, yet they are so like us that I could relate and empathize with the characters. This is a great story for readers of any age. An amazing beginning to an awesome series. I look forward to the next one.
The Watchers Book One is available on Amazon
Monday, July 21, 2014
New Book by Liz Adair
Thought for Today
Suggested Reading
Book: Trouble At the Red Pueblo - A Spider Latham Mystery
About the Book
When Deputy Sheriff turned private investigator Spider Latham is sent to help the Red Pueblo Museum, he doesn’t suspect it will cause a rift between his wife, Laurie, and himself.
Museum Director Martin Taylor is desperate, and his son Matt is angry. Some unknown person is bent on destroying the museum financially and is about to succeed. Things turn violent. It ends with someone’s skull bashed in with an Anasazi ax, and everyone has motive for the murder.
Can Spider untangle the web of secrecy and lies surrounding the museum before the Taylors lose it all? And in the process, can he save his own marriage?
I have always been a fan of Liz Adair's stories, but I never read one of her Spider Latham Mysteries until now. I was still able to get into the story despite not reading the others. Trouble at the Red Pueblo - A Spider Latham Mystery Book 4 is a fun -and at times intense- cozy read set in Southern Utah. Spider is kept busy solving cases and working on his home life. I don't want to give anything away, but there is plenty going on to keep you glued to the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Trouble At the Red Pueblo is available on Amazon.com
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."
Suggested Reading
Book: Trouble At the Red Pueblo - A Spider Latham Mystery
About the Book
When Deputy Sheriff turned private investigator Spider Latham is sent to help the Red Pueblo Museum, he doesn’t suspect it will cause a rift between his wife, Laurie, and himself.
Museum Director Martin Taylor is desperate, and his son Matt is angry. Some unknown person is bent on destroying the museum financially and is about to succeed. Things turn violent. It ends with someone’s skull bashed in with an Anasazi ax, and everyone has motive for the murder.
Can Spider untangle the web of secrecy and lies surrounding the museum before the Taylors lose it all? And in the process, can he save his own marriage?
I have always been a fan of Liz Adair's stories, but I never read one of her Spider Latham Mysteries until now. I was still able to get into the story despite not reading the others. Trouble at the Red Pueblo - A Spider Latham Mystery Book 4 is a fun -and at times intense- cozy read set in Southern Utah. Spider is kept busy solving cases and working on his home life. I don't want to give anything away, but there is plenty going on to keep you glued to the story. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Trouble At the Red Pueblo is available on Amazon.com
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
The Value of a Heart
This past week, I went to the theater to see Belle. The movie is inspired by the true story of Dido
Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate mixed raced daughter of Royal Navy Admiral, Sir John Lindsey and African slave, Maria Belle. Dido's father placed her in the care of a great uncle and aunt who raised her as a free young woman, along with another great niece. Her uncle, Lord Mansfield, held the position of Lord Chief Justice and had a hand in ending slavery in England.
Because of her aristocratic blood, Dido lived a privileged life in the upperclass society, but the color of her skin kept her from being fully accepted into society, and she was unable to participate in the traditions of her social standing.
Dido eventually married a man who loved her unconditionally and they had three sons.
I've often pondered what life must have been like for Dido Belle, to be a member of a family, yet having to eat dinner separate from them to appease fellow aristocratic diners because of their discomfort over the color of her skin - what it must have been like to be brought up in elevated social standings, yet be unable to look forward to marriage because her African mother's blood flowed through her veins. Dido was a good and gentle woman with a kind heart and possessed all the social graces of her upperclass station, yet no one outside her family could look past the color of her skin.
Then she was blessed with the love of John Davinier, a man who truly saw her beauty because he looked into her heart.
How many times are we judged because of how we look, how much we weigh, how much money we have, how talented we are, or even our background? How often do we judge others in these same ways?
A person's worth is so much more than the shallow value we place on one another. Part of the problem is most of the time our eyes aren't truly opened enough to look past the outer shell and see deep into the heart. We are so blinded by things that hold no importance. Instead of just living in the world, we let the world transform us, we let it mold us, mold our minds and shape our thoughts until we no longer do our own thinking. We let the world think for us. It happens often, and most of the time we don't realize the power we allow the world to have over us.
I challenge all of us to open our minds and hearts and enable our vision to see beyond the outer shell, and glimpse inside the heart. Because that is where the true treasure lies. That is where we will see the real person and realize the true value that is placed on us all.
Suggested Reading
Book: Waterfall: A Novel (River of Time Series)
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
About the Book
Because of her aristocratic blood, Dido lived a privileged life in the upperclass society, but the color of her skin kept her from being fully accepted into society, and she was unable to participate in the traditions of her social standing.
Dido eventually married a man who loved her unconditionally and they had three sons.
I've often pondered what life must have been like for Dido Belle, to be a member of a family, yet having to eat dinner separate from them to appease fellow aristocratic diners because of their discomfort over the color of her skin - what it must have been like to be brought up in elevated social standings, yet be unable to look forward to marriage because her African mother's blood flowed through her veins. Dido was a good and gentle woman with a kind heart and possessed all the social graces of her upperclass station, yet no one outside her family could look past the color of her skin.
Then she was blessed with the love of John Davinier, a man who truly saw her beauty because he looked into her heart.
How many times are we judged because of how we look, how much we weigh, how much money we have, how talented we are, or even our background? How often do we judge others in these same ways?
A person's worth is so much more than the shallow value we place on one another. Part of the problem is most of the time our eyes aren't truly opened enough to look past the outer shell and see deep into the heart. We are so blinded by things that hold no importance. Instead of just living in the world, we let the world transform us, we let it mold us, mold our minds and shape our thoughts until we no longer do our own thinking. We let the world think for us. It happens often, and most of the time we don't realize the power we allow the world to have over us.
I challenge all of us to open our minds and hearts and enable our vision to see beyond the outer shell, and glimpse inside the heart. Because that is where the true treasure lies. That is where we will see the real person and realize the true value that is placed on us all.
Suggested Reading
Book: Waterfall: A Novel (River of Time Series)
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
About the Book
Most American teenagers want a vacation
in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their
lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic
hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck
among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another
hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … until Gabi places her hand
atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in
fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce
battle between knights of two opposing forces.
And
thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi,
who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in
ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?
I love, love this series. It has the perfect blend of action, romance, and plenty of Italian history:-)
Available on Amazon
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