tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358865895818813932024-03-19T03:41:53.669-04:00The Mystique of NaultagTammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-89268767860838798572017-11-15T06:30:00.000-05:002017-11-15T06:30:25.797-05:00The 25 Days of Christmas Devotional <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc-okKcOMC0miI5fehaJ15l_x4npjk7yhVx-5EqSh18sNGO_qsLXl64SXXOPOxx7FgulKCw0nOO-mvHBVU-ey6StErLFQeMCDG3P_h2Q0CrrrJv9vB6YZ919PVvsYoyN_loM3F1_s9iY/s1600/25+days+of+Christmas+devotional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="596" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc-okKcOMC0miI5fehaJ15l_x4npjk7yhVx-5EqSh18sNGO_qsLXl64SXXOPOxx7FgulKCw0nOO-mvHBVU-ey6StErLFQeMCDG3P_h2Q0CrrrJv9vB6YZ919PVvsYoyN_loM3F1_s9iY/s400/25+days+of+Christmas+devotional.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
What's so special about this season that it needs its own book of devotions? Many of us get caught up in the commercialization of
Christmas. One way to prevent that is to focus on the reason for the season.
Taking a few minutes each day with this different kind of devotional book will
help your family think of others. Each day focuses on one word and includes a
story from Daniel and Holly's family, a Scripture reading with the devotional,
the YouTube link to a Christmas Carol, and an activity that the entire family can
be involved in.<br />
<br />
Here's an excerpt, so you can "taste test" and see why this is such a great way for families to celebrate the season:<br />
<br />
<h3>
Advent</h3>
<h4>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Story</span></span></i></h4>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"I have a surprise for you
kids," Mom said as soon as Daniel and Holly walked in the door after
school.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"What?" They both wanted to
know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Follow me," Mom requested as
she walked toward the family room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Two-year-old Evie followed along
behind, clapping her hands and giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"She must know what the secret is,"
Daniel commented to Holly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Holly laughed when Evie shouted,
"Sec-et! Sec-et!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom smiled as well. "That's her
new word for the day."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then Mom held up a box that had a bunch
of what looked like little doors. Twenty-five of them to be exact. They each had
a number.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"What's that?" Daniel asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"It's an Advent calendar. Each day
we'll open one. Behind each door is a treat for each of you and a word we can
talk about to help us prepare for Christmas."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"Can we open one now?" Holly
wanted to know</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"You may." Mom pointed to the
first door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Advent," Holy read after she
took out three small candies and handed one to Daniel and Evie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Advent is all about the days
leading up to Christmas. We can talk about what Christmas really means and
prepare our hearts to worship Christ."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Why did Jesus have to come to earth
as a baby? Why couldn't He come as a grown-up?" Daniel wondered as he
picked up the baby Jesus from the Nativity set.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Well, Jesus needed time to
prepare, too. He needed to experience all the things we experience. He
experienced what it was like to grow up, have a family and friends, and be
tempted by sin just like the rest of us. No matter what problems we face in
life, Jesus truly understands."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"But I thought Jesu</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">s was perfect
and never sinned?" Holly questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom nodded her head. "He was
perfect. He didn't ever sin, but He still went through a lot of the same things
we do. Because He lived a perfect and sinless life, that's what made Him a
suitable sacrifice for our sins. Only a perfect Man could pay the price for
us."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daniel and Holly didn't say anything.
For a few moments, the only sound heard was Evie slurping her candy and quietly
repeating, "Sec-et."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom continued. "God had to prepare
the world for Salvation to come in the form of His Son, Jesus. It wouldn't
happen overnight. It would take Jesus' entire life time here on earth."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Daniel, always the one who wanted to
learn more, said, "I think this will be interesting."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"I think this will be fun,"
Holly gave her opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"I think it will help prepare us
all and help us to understand Christmas just a little bit better."</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Devotion</span></i></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Read Matthew 25:1-13<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been
revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had
seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:25b-26<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Advent is
a time of preparation. The Christmas Advent begins four Sundays before
Christmas. Many families, especially those with young children, have Advent
calendars. Each day the children get to open a door, receive a little gift, or
remove an object in the countdown for and in anticipation of Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Children,
for the most part, look forward to Christmas because of the gifts they will
receive. That’s not a bad thing, but we as adults, should have a much deeper
anticipation of Christmas. We take the time to buy and wrap gifts, prepare
food, clean the house for guests, buy new outfits, attend parties, etc. But how
much time do we put into meditating on the actual birth of Christ and
worshipping Him?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Many
years, at least in our household, we spend time putting up the tree and
decorating it, only to ignore it. We more often than not, sit in the room with
the TV. Unfortunately, that’s often the way we are with God as well. We accept
Him as Savior. We attend church on Sundays. Other than that, we pretty much
ignore Him, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This
Christmas, in anticipation of the celebration of His birth, let’s focus on Him
a little more throughout the month. Let’s prepare our hearts by reflecting on
why He came to earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Christmas
will be that much more special when we focus on the true Reason for the Season.
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Activity</span></i></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This activity will take some extra
planning. Get together as a family; you can even invite your extended family
members to take part in this one as well. Choose a family that is in need; try
to find a specific need if possible. Gather together money to give to that
family for the specific need that they have. If possible, try not to let them
know where their Christmas gift is coming from. That makes it all the more
exciting for both them and you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Song - The Twelve Days of Christmas (How I Want
to Sing)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmyxUHWQm0"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmyxUHWQm0</span></a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Buy the book! </span></h3>
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-extra-large" id="ebooksProductTitle" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"The 25 Days of Christmas Family Devotional: Making Christmas More Meaningful" </span></span></h1>
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3 !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility;">
<span class="a-size-extra-large" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.2 !important; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">can be purchased on Amazon <a href="http://amzn.to/2iUUI8m">http://amzn.to/2iUUI8m</a></span></span></h1>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>About the author:</b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruth O’Neil has been a freelance writer for 20-plus years.
She sees everything as a writing opportunity in disguise, whether it is an
interesting character, setting, or situation. You can find her book series
“What a Difference a Year Makes” on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or her website (<a href="http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/">http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/</a>). You can
also visit her on her blog at <a href="http://ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/">http://ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/</a>.
When she’s not writing or homeschooling her kids, Ruth spends her time
quilting, reading, scrapbooking, camping and hiking with her family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-92046830840514750952017-05-12T05:00:00.000-04:002017-05-12T08:55:00.696-04:00Friday Fiction Friends - and Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdxMVSw-Rm-XDqK64BW64MunjjOWW3QnuTXGAPh0WyII-fj2P9po-ijyCbJJexbyYDpUEl_R3AzYmFjO3iAXM1aDSUUxbgECN7pp5PaYyHcUYvpJMJDHNgh-urvqy5slYHKIqmlMD87w/s1600/DEBBIELYNNE%2527S+PIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdxMVSw-Rm-XDqK64BW64MunjjOWW3QnuTXGAPh0WyII-fj2P9po-ijyCbJJexbyYDpUEl_R3AzYmFjO3iAXM1aDSUUxbgECN7pp5PaYyHcUYvpJMJDHNgh-urvqy5slYHKIqmlMD87w/s320/DEBBIELYNNE%2527S+PIC.jpg" width="249" /></a><br />
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<br />
Today it is my pleasure to have Debbie Lynne Costello as a guest on my <br />
blog. Debbie Lynne has written several books but today we will be treated to an interview with the hero of her newest release, <a href="http://amzn.to/2q2FbIS" target="_blank">SWORD OF THE MATCHMAKER</a>. Debbie Lynne is offering a giveaway - leave a comment on this blog post, then follow along the blog tour to get more chances to win! (see below for dates and links) Don't forget to also enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of this post. Debbie Lynne is giving away a Kindle Fire (with SWORD OF THE MATCHMAKER), a $15 Amazon gift card, and much more!<br />
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Before we meet Thomas, here's a little blurb about the novel:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHDn371UVN760q1GLkC6shobJbrx1UDlpGi2Mhae676FAYZMWkM-zYEg3Vf7mEVCyHV_iec6BcYrjxylCgxFUJUDk4GOdQHf5fcB15gLUISU3bNvKaeRL2sEzTXS460A4HOWlFkd9PSg/s1600/SOFM+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHDn371UVN760q1GLkC6shobJbrx1UDlpGi2Mhae676FAYZMWkM-zYEg3Vf7mEVCyHV_iec6BcYrjxylCgxFUJUDk4GOdQHf5fcB15gLUISU3bNvKaeRL2sEzTXS460A4HOWlFkd9PSg/s320/SOFM+COVER.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">purchase on Amazon <a href="http://amzn.to/2q2FbIS">http://amzn.to/2q2FbIS</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Penelope Beatty made up her mind long ago she would live and die a Scottish warrior not a wife. But when nearly all her clan is killed and she is betrayed, she loathes doing the unthinkable, but must seek the help of an Englishman who owed her father’s his life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /> Thomas Godfrey never married, but when a Scottish warrior lass shows up needing his aid, he finds her both annoying and irresistible. But the last thing he wants is to marry a woman who fights alongside him. If he was going to marry—which he isn’t—it would be to a soft, submissive woman. But when the Lady Brithwin meets the Scottish lass, she’s sure she’s found the perfect match for Thomas and nothing is going to stop her from seeing a summer wedding.</span><br />
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<i>I confess, now that I've met Thomas through this interview, he seems like the perfect hero (albeit reluctant!). Read on and see for yourself.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknh6evxdv8taTMo0iqoKHWifixtrrc98H6KnoraK0iE14TwuIWVGXjGNRE9BWZocjtpEjE1NjHMs2Ao-19yjMvA4LClXUSexts8hN4wUMDYOiUkajdSWWZTQYGHpFg_ilzJiBs_n8spY/s1600/thomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknh6evxdv8taTMo0iqoKHWifixtrrc98H6KnoraK0iE14TwuIWVGXjGNRE9BWZocjtpEjE1NjHMs2Ao-19yjMvA4LClXUSexts8hN4wUMDYOiUkajdSWWZTQYGHpFg_ilzJiBs_n8spY/s200/thomas.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>
1) Thomas, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? How did you get to be Master-At-Arms?<br />
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Greetings, Lady Tammy. I thank you for having me here today. This is a very fine way to kick off a blog tour. Your time period is much different than mine. Why if I was to correspond with you in the late 14th century it might take months for you to hear back from me and then if a tragedy befell the letter carrier, you may never hear back. This email and blogging is very interesting. <br />
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To answer your question, I am the oldest son of Hamon Godfrey. I was born in the Cumberland area in England and have lived here most of my life. During my page years and squire years I was sent to a keep south of Hawkwood where I tended that lord of the keep’s needs. But shortly after knighthood I was asked to come back to Hawkwood. <br />
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I became Master-at-arms at a fairly young age. The old lord saw that I had the respect from the other knights. They trusted me with their lives. So when the previous Master-at-Arms died in battle on the border lands, I filled his shoes to keep the men focused on our goal. The lord saw that the men would do as I told them and chose me to fill the Master-of-Arms position. Although, I have my suspicions that he may have had some influence from within. Many saw that I looked after Lady Brithwin, protecting her from her father whenever I could. And though I’m nearly twenty years older than her, she was like a daughter to me and I loved her as thus. Indeed, I suspect there were whispers in the lord’s ear that the job should go to me. <br />
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2) I imagine you are accustomed to being in charge. What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? Does that change after they've known you awhile?<br />
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Being in charge is an easy thing to become accustomed to. Much like the centurion in the bible, I tell a man to do something and he does it. I cannot imagine anything else. I hope they see I am an honest, God fearing man. I try to be fair in my dealings with those under me but I will not brook foolishness or disobedience. And because of that the first impression may not be favorable. They may see me as a hard, uncaring person. But I would say that yes, once they get to know me they realize there is another side to me. <br />
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3) What is your impression of Penelope when you first meet? What is your opinion of Lady Brithwin's impression of Penelope?<br />
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<i>(Thomas grinned.)</i><br />
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My first impression of Penelope? Perhaps a bit of amusement. How else could I feel? Here<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFYpHhmUx9Okgm5hxPKR8fs69cHZOzdThj2PveIQzcy0aNyiW6_XUgYVIrorrtcrHX5q5laCet78FnY4GBLYCFh5p2sB-rywXf8PQ3onUSWryUg7qD9XD6SvmuAU8MyEfRnqtonAefCI/s1600/penelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFYpHhmUx9Okgm5hxPKR8fs69cHZOzdThj2PveIQzcy0aNyiW6_XUgYVIrorrtcrHX5q5laCet78FnY4GBLYCFh5p2sB-rywXf8PQ3onUSWryUg7qD9XD6SvmuAU8MyEfRnqtonAefCI/s200/penelope.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
was this beautiful woman standing before me in men’s garb, demanding I take her to see Hamon—which of course I did. She made me smile, even laugh, which only made her angry. I didn’t have to say much to get her hackles up. I truly found her amusing. But at the same time I dinna like the way it made me feel inside. I’d never had feelings like that for a woman. And I didn’t want them now. Now lady Brithwin looked past the male garb and saw a woman in need of a husband. She fell in love with Penelope the minute she met her. I could see it in my lady’s eyes and knew I was in trouble.<br />
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4) Why do you not want to marry? <br />
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I am 35 years old! I am too old to train a wife and I have no patience for a weepy woman. I am use to a woman like Brithwin who is strong. I dinna want to deal with the problems that come with a wife. Royce has his hands full. Though I love my lady, she is a stubborn woman. I am a man who has no time for a woman’s foolishness. <br />
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5) Is there something you'd really like to accomplish in your lifetime? <br />
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I achieved my goal of master-of-arms at a young age, so on a personal basis I am happy. However, I have dreams of building my own place and having a home to call my own. And before you say something about needing a woman to keep my home clean, let me assure you that I am quite capable of keeping my abode clean. <br />
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<i>(note from me: I would never say anything about needing a woman to keep a home clean! I might, however, suggest it isn't much of a home if there's no one to share it with.)</i><br />
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6) And just for fun, what's your favorite meal and what's your favorite food to have for that meal?<br />
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I enjoy the evening meal, though it’s not as large a meal as the dinner meal. My day is usually at end and I am able to sit and fellowship with my lord, knowing the day is behind me. Lady Brithwin always sees that a fine meal is prepared for the evening meal as well as the mid-day meal. My favorite thing to eat at the meal? Wardonys in Syrup. Nothing can finish off a meal better than sweet pears in syrup.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqworijdYVyNOKarXz1jTnOCuQ5cDxc-PHt7NDKcghl8ILguiNikUqEELBHEqwczS-vvdnbDL-VsIrY0TEiNIPTq49O7WSQnx0_NN9rSEjxY_W04kAtEYBB240VmXftmHrKDDbs5-h864/s1600/wardonys+pears+in+syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqworijdYVyNOKarXz1jTnOCuQ5cDxc-PHt7NDKcghl8ILguiNikUqEELBHEqwczS-vvdnbDL-VsIrY0TEiNIPTq49O7WSQnx0_NN9rSEjxY_W04kAtEYBB240VmXftmHrKDDbs5-h864/s200/wardonys+pears+in+syrup.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wardonys in Syrup, photo found on<br />
Give it Forth blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you, Thomas, for taking sometime to meet with my blog followers and Debbie Lynne's readers.<br />
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I thank you again, Lady Tammy. I will look forward to answering the questions of your followers. <br />
<br />
Be sure to stop by <a href="http://miraleeferrell.com/blog/" target="_blank">Miralee Ferelle’s blog</a> on May 19th for more ways to enter.<br />
To purchase a copy of SWORD OF THE MATCHMAKER, pop over to Amazon <a href="http://amzn.to/2r05uN4">http://amzn.to/2r05uN4</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0whBShuW4w6KJlNjV_VwnkSY3C8QIGdZTuF-ecF6Al-p63UV5csBkSo9JdsntdebTLe0jXy0CXKvpQky4g_Ro7rZzronCdPJom6Qk0MynGhupZ84LojgYrNr55QZZLUsATT-jCV5oowQ/s1600/debbie+lynne+costello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0whBShuW4w6KJlNjV_VwnkSY3C8QIGdZTuF-ecF6Al-p63UV5csBkSo9JdsntdebTLe0jXy0CXKvpQky4g_Ro7rZzronCdPJom6Qk0MynGhupZ84LojgYrNr55QZZLUsATT-jCV5oowQ/s200/debbie+lynne+costello.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she
was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career
of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband
have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many
capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne
has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys
litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in
camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Find Debbie Lynne on Facebook <o:p></o:p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello" style="text-indent: 0in;">https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello</a> Twitter </span><a href="https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello" style="font-size: small; text-indent: 0in;">https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/">https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/</a> G+ <o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DebbieLynneCostello"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DebbieLynneCostello</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and Goodreads <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9458076.Debbie_Lynne_Costello">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9458076.Debbie_Lynne_Costello</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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For more chances to win a Kindle Fire, Amazon gift card, and more, check out the rest of the blog tour: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM-TFcVTbzpYteu-WJM3Z1nxPSpIugY_zybuLHUnLHlWwsya5-kjKz_mqh1jREvoRGDyQ2n5OkpJsw0VTmBY7oOPUNGGJUdcdGMmf4uN_VR3hGw5JVMLO5t6UV3s0psw9HpV4xlC70xI/s1600/kindle-fire-hd-10-home-300x488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtM-TFcVTbzpYteu-WJM3Z1nxPSpIugY_zybuLHUnLHlWwsya5-kjKz_mqh1jREvoRGDyQ2n5OkpJsw0VTmBY7oOPUNGGJUdcdGMmf4uN_VR3hGw5JVMLO5t6UV3s0psw9HpV4xlC70xI/s200/kindle-fire-hd-10-home-300x488.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">May 19 May
29, 30, 31</span><br />
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<a href="http://miraleeferrell.com/blog/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">http://miraleeferrell.com/blog/</a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://singinglibrarianbooks.com/">http://singinglibrarianbooks.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 2 June 3</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.marylutyndall.com/">http://www.marylutyndall.com/</a> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: blue; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://www.jodiewolfe.com/blog" style="text-indent: 0in;" target="_blank">https://www.jodiewolfe.com/blog</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 4 June 5</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/">http://theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/</a> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 7 June 9</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.hhhistory.com/">http://www.hhhistory.com/</a> </span></span><a href="http://kathleenrouser.com/20151117hello-world" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://kathleenrouser.com/20151117hello-world</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 12 June 13</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.jocelyngreen.com/blog">http://www.jocelyngreen.com/blog</a> <o:p></o:p><a href="http://annepayne.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://annepayne.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 14 June 15</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/">http://seekerville.blogspot.com/</a> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://sunniereviews.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://sunniereviews.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 16 June 17</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://amybooksy.blogspot.com/%C2%A0" target="_blank">http://amybooksy.blogspot.com/<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" target="_blank">http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 19 June 20</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://miraleeferrell.com/blog/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://miraleeferrell.com/blog/</a> <a href="http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/" style="text-indent: 0in;">http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 21 June 22</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://kierstigiron.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://kierstigiron.com/blog/ </a> </span><a href="http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 25 June 27</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://buzzingaboutbooks.com/">https://buzzingaboutbooks.com/</a> <span style="text-indent: 0in;"><a href="http://todayswomanoffaith.blogspot.com/" style="text-indent: 0in;">http://todayswomanoffaith.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">June 28 June 30</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://cherylbbookblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">https://cherylbbookblog.wordpress.com/</a> </span><u><span style="color: blue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><a href="http://americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com/" style="text-indent: 0in;">http://americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com/</a></span></span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="0c1c490d3" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0c1c490d3/" id="rcwidget_9xqq7td9" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-84434546115476666952017-04-14T17:54:00.000-04:002017-04-14T17:54:49.919-04:00AND THE WINNER IS.... Liberty Dryden!!<br />
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Liberty will get her choice of one of my four books FREE. What a great Easter gift. No where near as fantastic as the gift our Lord gave when His son, Jesus Christ, died for us. We are saved from eternal damnation because of the incredible love of Jesus and our Father in Heaven.<br />
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Though Jesus' followers were most likely in abject depression when Jesus died on the cross, three days later they were able to rejoice. But even now, two thousand years later, it is difficult to fully grasp the amazing sacrifice and gift we were all given when Jesus died and later rose from the grave.<br />
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Happy Easter to all!<br />
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<br />Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-84526094418156115862017-04-10T04:30:00.000-04:002017-04-14T16:17:33.978-04:00SWWR Easter Egg Hunt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">(Contest is over - see post on 4/14/17 for winner - and thanks for visting!)</span><br />
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Nine Sweet Wild West Reads authors are participating in an Easter Egg Hunt where you can win FREE books!! Scroll to the bottom of this post to find out the details of how to enter and where to hunt for Easter Eggs.</div>
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Easter is the holiest of Christian holidays. Jesus Christ's death and resurrection are what define Christianity, in fact. But secular celebrations have taken over this holiday. Some Christians don't "do" Easter because it has become secularized. They celebrate the Resurrection, of course, but no Easter Bunny, decorated eggs, or baskets of gifts for them.<br />
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Our family celebrates with many of the secular traditions but we teach our children how things like Easter eggs and gifts can be symbolic of the true holiday. Here's my take on it:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrE9e2X1RRtuN6dcormFfdVgYQhM7a_dHytHAJoJpOR87lTbzHc55A_oioPyj_axI6R2rfNZjJ74r0ftuZLEMcoZL7IfZhWPozvqt3UnKGiuUFY030VJ7VC2aKRxrv9pHraLghO7ccXA/s1600/chocolate+easter+bunnies+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrE9e2X1RRtuN6dcormFfdVgYQhM7a_dHytHAJoJpOR87lTbzHc55A_oioPyj_axI6R2rfNZjJ74r0ftuZLEMcoZL7IfZhWPozvqt3UnKGiuUFY030VJ7VC2aKRxrv9pHraLghO7ccXA/s200/chocolate+easter+bunnies+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Easter Bunny: a mythical creature who we wait for expectantly. Much like the Jews of the Old Testament waited for the prophesied Messiah. Yet when Jesus did arrive, most (at first) did not recognize him as the Messiah. He came disguised as an ordinary man, son of a carpenter, from humble origins. For those who did accept and believe in Jesus, the early Christians, it must have felt a lot like believing in something as silly as a giant rabbit who lays eggs and/or brings gifts. Early follows of Christ were ridiculed and persecuted by the leaders of the Jewish faith. Those who clung to faith in the Messiah are rewarded, though!</div>
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basket for the kids. Just a few little, pleasurable gifts and maybe some candy (or flowers for my daughter, who doesn't really like candy). Seems like another excuse for commercial enterprises to suck money from our wallets. Yet, there is a correlation between Easter gifts and Jesus. Christ, after all, is the greatest gift ever given! We don't even deserve it. All we have to do to receive this wonderful gift is believe that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins. He promised this Messiah and He always keeps His promises. </div>
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Finally, Easter eggs and hunts: Eggs are symbolic of new life. They've been associated with pagan festivals since ancient times. Many will point out, in criticism of Christianity, that Christian holidays and traditions often reflect pagan rituals and celebrations. I don't find that to be such a bad thing - the early church wanted to reach out to the pagans and draw them into faith. What better way than to say, "Hey, you know how you celebrate Spring as the season of rebirth? Well, do you know who makes that rebirth possible each year?" Then follow it up with teaching about the ultimate rebirth: being born again when accepting Christ as our personal savior and turning away from a life of sin! So decorating eggs to help celebrate the season of rebirth and renewal can help us remember the wonderful gift of rebirth made possible by Jesus Christ.</div>
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Hunting for Easter eggs can also represent our life journeys once we have accepted Christ as our savior. Believing and having faith doesn't make life a rose garden with all beauty and no struggles. We still live in this world filled with millions and billions of others who don't believe. Each day, we need to focus and seek God's will for us. We search for that divine path the Lord wishes for us to follow and when we're successful, He rewards us! Like finding a prettily decorated boiled egg or perhaps (even better!), a plastic egg full of candy. <br />
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Jesus' life is a wonderful example of how we can live the life God intended for His children. Christ's death and resurrection are the proofs of God's love and show that He will always fulfill His promises.</div>
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While we celebrate the Resurrection, we also like to have some fun. Check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TammyDohertyAuthor/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">author Facebook page</span></a> (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TammyDohertyAuthor/" target="_blank">Tammy Doherty author</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TammyDohertyAuthor/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">https://www.facebook.com/TammyDohertyAuthor/</span></a>) and find the Easter Egg and you could win a copy of one of my books. To enter the drawing, find the Easter egg on my Facebook page then email me at <a href="mailto:mail_tammydoherty@charter.net">mail_tammydoherty@charter.net</a> (or message my author FB page) telling me what album the photo is in. You can get an extra entry in the drawing if you also leave a comment on this post, letting me know you found the Easter egg...but don't say where! <br />
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When you've found my Easter egg, pop over to these other Sweet Wild West Reads authors' sites for a chance to win more free books (click on the author's name or the link address and it will take you to that site). Just find the Easter egg (it looks like this one to the right of the author list), then fill out the contact form on that website stating where you found it (be sure to include your contact information, in case you win). Good luck and Happy Hunting!<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.barbaragossbooks.com/" target="_blank">Barb Goss</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.faithblum.com/" target="_blank">Faith Blum</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.authordanniroan.com/" target="_blank">Danni Roan</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.awordfromjosephineblake.com/" target="_blank">Josephine Blake</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.lynnwinchester.com/" target="_blank">Lynn Winchester</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://kaypdawson.com/" target="_blank">Kay P. Dawson</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.kathleenballromance.com/" target="_blank">Kathleen Ball</a> </span><br />
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-43816214741992802742017-04-07T16:01:00.000-04:002017-04-07T16:01:26.779-04:00Friday Fiction Friends - A TeaserI don't have anyone to spotlight today. What I do have is a teaser...Starting Monday, April 10th, several Sweet Wild West Reads authors will be participating in an Easter Egg Hunt. Stop by here on Monday to see a list of authors and their website/blog addresses. Then pop over to each one, search for the Easter Egg, fill out the form (one for each site) to be entered in a drawing for a free book from that author. Easy-peasy!<br />
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See you on Monday!<br />
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<br />Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-39410640274761089312017-03-31T11:57:00.000-04:002017-04-01T12:29:20.631-04:00Friday Fiction Friends - A Book ReviewI didn't have anyone lined for today, so I thought a book review would fill the spot nicely.<br />
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A BEE IN HER BONNET by Jennifer Beckstrand ~ A Review</div>
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I don't usually read Amish fiction. Just not my cup of tea. But someone asked me to read this book and I was in the mood for a romance.I'm am ever so happy I decided to read it!!<br />
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This is the second book in the series but I didn't feel at all lost by not having read the first (I will go back and read that one, though). The Honeybee Sisters are three young women living with their aunt in a Wisconsin Amish community. The girls were orphaned at a young age and their aunt stepped in to raise them. The family is a little unconventional by Amish standards, especially <i>Aendi</i> Bitsy, who lived outside the Amish community for a long time. She's a big part of what made <a href="http://amzn.to/2nDM9Rh">A BEE IN HER BONNET</a> so enjoyable.<br />
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In this novel, Poppy Christner is determined to catch the vandal who has been terrorizing their farm. Their beehives have been tipped over, laundry torn from the line, and graffiti painted on the side of the barn. All of that happened in the first book. This one opens with Poppy confronting two people parked in a car on the road in front of the farm - and getting her hand stuck in the driver's side window as they start to drive away. Luke Bontrager comes along just in time to stop the car and force them to roll down the window, freeing Poppy. She doesn't appreciate his interference (she's convinced she was about to see the faces of the vandals). Luke thinks Poppy takes unnecessary risks.<br />
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All of Poppy's life, she's believed that she is not marriage material. Her grandfather told her she'd never get a husband if she stayed so stubborn. In school, she confronted bullies and was generally a tomboy. Now along comes Luke, echoing the same sentiment - who would want to marry such a contrary girl. For her part, Poppy concedes (privately, of course) that Luke is handsome but he's much too bossy.<br />
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The two are thrown together through various circumstances, each slowly realizing how special and <i>wunderbar</i> the other is. Luke obstinately sticks to his belief that some things are "men's work" and some work is for women. Poppy stubbornly sticks to her feeling that she can do anything any boy can do. Their clashes are humorous and tug at heartstrings as the reason behind each one's emotions is revealed. How will they ever overcome these obstacles to reach the love God surely has planned for them?<br />
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Throughout it all, <i>Aendi</i> Bitsy fills the pages with humor and love. She admonishes the girls for giving Luke some cookies as a thank you for saving Poppy in the car incident. "Boys are like stray cats. Feed them once, and they'll keep coming around." Her gruffness doesn't scare Luke, which is good because Bitsy actually has a warm and loving heart and wants only the best for her nieces.<br />
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When I finished reading <a href="http://amzn.to/2nDM9Rh">A BEE IN HER BONNET</a> the only thing I wanted to do next was read book 3! This is a fun romance with plenty of humor and loads of warmth. I definitely recommend it!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All three of the <a href="http://amzn.to/2nreXfd">Honeybee Sisters</a> novels by <a href="http://amzn.to/2nDX8dD">Jennifer Beckstrand</a> are available on <a href="http://amzn.to/2nDX8dD">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Jennifer+Beckstrand?_requestid=434995">Barnes and Noble</a></span>Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-86232460337329360372017-03-24T07:39:00.000-04:002017-03-24T07:39:32.299-04:00Friday Fiction Friends - Lillian Duncan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJevZiWyqWMhJJVXVYvJi1PmKRogvuQhbrmTNdDKHmj_qKY7KfHdeYNWCi9mGaNPxfNPwEX2pltBq0DYXtBc9c5lhXXB2ze-G-KVtXDzu-wlQm77Qr6jw4tJMdGKpjM2nQ2KcHsIsxi3A/s1600/Lillian+Duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJevZiWyqWMhJJVXVYvJi1PmKRogvuQhbrmTNdDKHmj_qKY7KfHdeYNWCi9mGaNPxfNPwEX2pltBq0DYXtBc9c5lhXXB2ze-G-KVtXDzu-wlQm77Qr6jw4tJMdGKpjM2nQ2KcHsIsxi3A/s320/Lillian+Duncan.jpg" width="253" /></a>Today I am happy to welcome Lillian Duncan as my Friday Fiction Friends guest. Lillian is celebrating the release of her novel BROKEN TRUST with an Amazon gift card giveaway! Details on how you can be entered to win are at the bottom of the post.<br />
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Lillian Duncan…Stories of faith mingled… with murder & mayhem.<br /><br />Lillian is a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with her husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.<br /><br />Lillian writes the types of books she loves to read—fast-paced suspense with a touch of romance that demonstrates God’s love for all of us. To learn more about Lillian, you may visit her at <a href="http://www.lillianduncan.net/">www.lillianduncan.net</a> or <a href="http://www.lillian-duncan.com/">www.lillian-duncan.com</a>. She also has a devotional blog at <a href="http://www.powerupwithgod.com/">www.PowerUpWithGod.com</a>. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">available on <a href="http://amzn.to/2mY19aN">Amazon</a> </td></tr>
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Her new release is <a href="http://amzn.to/2mY19aN">BROKEN TRUST</a></div>
<i>Life is all about choices…and consequences. Chryssie Mason longs to soar like a butterfly, but a lifetime of bad choices has kept her in the caterpillar stage. After years of struggling, her dreams are finally within her grasp. Her only goal is to graduate from nursing school so she can have a better life—so she can morph into a butterfly. With her final exam only days away, she witnesses a murder. A butterfly would call the police, but she decides to take the easy way out…once again. Life has taught her to never trust anyone, especially herself. With her freedom and her very life at risk, it’s time to trust. And that choice changes everything.</i><div>
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<b>Tell us a little about you. </b><br /><br />My husband and I live in a small town in Ohio. I mean small—we only have 1 traffic light. But I love being back home. I grew up in the area, but moved to the big city of Cleveland for many years. Like Dorothy, I love being home again. <br /><b><br />When did you realize you wanted to become a writer? </b><br /><br />That’s an interesting story. I was turning 40 and like lots of other 40 year olds, something was missing in my life. I was watching some show (probably Oprah) and her guest recommended writing your own obituary but not to include anything you’ve done up to that point. They said write in outlandish things that you couldn’t imagine. <br /><br />One of the things I wrote was that I was an author. What? Up to that point, I’d never thought of writing a book in spite of how much I loved books. When I reread those words, something sparked. <br /><br />And a writer was born. <br /><br /><b>What is your 'how I got published' story? </b><br /><br />I only need two words to tell that—hard work…and perseverance. OK, technically that’s four words. It actually took me fifteen years to get a traditional contract. I can’t tell you how many times I quit writing but I always started back up which is why I always tell writers—DON’T QUIT! <br /><b><br />How did you develop your love of story? </b><br /><br />From my love of reading. From the moment I learned to read, I loved stories. From the time I learned to read, I rarely went anywhere without a book. To the grocery store, to my relatives’ houses, camping. And yes, I was one of those people that read under the covers and in a car. <br /><b><br />What is your favorite genre to read? To write? </b><br /><br />The answer to both is Christian mystery and suspense with a little horror thrown in from time to time. I guess writing is sort of like eating. You are what you read, and for me that means I’m a suspense/mystery writer. <br /><b><br />Most people don’t think of murder mysteries and suspense novels as Christian Fiction. What do you say to them? </b><br /><br />I can certainly understand their point of view. And for some readers my stories might be a bit too graphic or edgy and that’s okay, I would say my readers are those who like traditional suspense and mystery novels but are tired of all the explicit language and sex scenes that aren’t necessary to a good story. <br /><br />I don’t promote or glorify violence in my stories and show characters experiencing the natural consequences of their bad choices and bad actions. My characters are usually on a spiritual journey as well—but some are further along than others. <br /><b><br />Tell us about BROKEN TRUST. </b><br /><br />BROKEN TRUST is my latest book, releasing March 17. There’s lots of action but it will also make you go…aww. It explores the issues of trust (of course) but also choices and how one choice can change your life—for better or for worse. <br /><br />BROKEN TRUST is Chryssie’s story. Her complete name is Chrysalis which is another name for a cocoon. Chryssie wants to soar like a butterfly but she keeps making choices that keep her stuck in the caterpillar stage. <br /><br />She’s days away from graduating from nursing school when she witnesses a murder. Once again she takes the easy way out and once again she has to face the consequences of her choice—this time with life and death consequences. <br /><b><br />What’s the setting for BROKEN TRUST? </b><br /><br />Broken Trust is set in Cleveland, mostly in the Ohio City area and the Flats. <br /><b><br />What’s your day job? Tell us a little about it. </b><br /><br />I retired as an SLP from a large city school district in Ohio then spent several more years working part-time in smaller, rural districts near where I live. Between the two jobs, I don’t think there is any type of child I haven’t worked with at least once. <br /><br />I loved my job and miss it. Mostly I miss the children, not the paper work. If it weren’t for serious health issues, I would still be working. <br /><b><br />What sort of serious health issues? </b><br /><br />In 2012 I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and subsequently a genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis Type 2. A long name that basically means I can develop tumors at any time on my nerves but especially in the brain. <br /><br />It’s been a long, long journey but God is good. There’re a lot of things I can’t do these days, but I can still write! And for that I’m very thankful. <br /><b><br />What do you want readers to take away from BROKEN TRUST? </b><br /><br />We all make bad choices and then have to face the consequences of them but God is a God of second chances and third and fourth and… We do not have to let our past dictate our future. <br /><br /><b>What is your writing process? </b><br /><br />I never know what is going to happen in my story on any given writing day. It’s as if my mind is a movie screen and I watch that day’s events and then I write it. <br /><br />When I start a new story I usually have a clear picture of the main character in mind and what obstacle he/she will face, but anything goes after that. If I’m writing and start to feel bored—then I kill someone or blow something up. And that way it’s a surprise to me and to my readers. <br /><b><br />Do you know who the bad guy is when you begin your story? </b><br /><br />Not usually. Most of the time I have several characters who it might be and as the story comes to a conclusion, I’m surprised right along with my readers. <br /><br /><b>How does faith play a part in your writing? </b><br /><br />That’s changed a lot over the years. When I first started writing, I wrote mainstream (secular) mysteries and suspense. As I grew closer to God in my daily walk, my writing began to reflect that and so I started writing Christian mysteries and suspense. In 2012, I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and have had to learn to rely on God in a whole different way and so my writing reflects that now as well by having a deeper spiritual message than before. <br /><br />In fact, I have my first non-suspense novella scheduled to be released in October of this year. PUZZLE HOUSE is a complete departure from what I usually write. I would classify it as simply Christian Fiction, a story about a woman who is asked the question, ‘Do you want to be healed or to be a healer?” by a very important person. <br /><br /><b>What inspired you to write this series, or this novel in particular? </b><br /><br />I first “met” Chryssie in a short story I wrote but I wanted to learn more about her and her story so….BROKEN TRUST is the result. <br /><br /><b>Do you have personal experience with any of the events in Broken Trust, and if so, could you share about that? </b><br /><br />Only in that I worked and lived in Cleveland for many years as a school speech pathologist. <br /><br /><b>Paper or e-reader? There are certainly pros and cons to each. Which is your favorite? </b><br /><br />I prefer a “real” book with paper. Unfortunately, I don’t read them that way very often because of my eyesight. So, I use an e-reader almost exclusively these days. <br /><b><br />Do you have a favorite or “life” verse? Why is that one important to you? </b><br /><br />Romans 8: 28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. <br /><br />In 2012, I was diagnosed with brain tumors. The treatments and the side effects wreaked havoc on my health! I was very sick but I kept repeating this verse over and over. It kept me trusting God and it kept me in peace and joy in spite of how bad I felt at the time. <br /><b><br />How did your education or previous career impact your journey to publication and where you are now? </b><br />My day job was as a school speech pathologist, better known as a speech therapist. So for more than 30 years I listened…and listened…and listened some more. I think it helped me in a lot of areas but certainly with writing dialogue of my characters. <br /><b><br />If you could offer a word of encouragement to an aspiring author, what would you say? </b><br /><br />DON’T GIVE UP! It took me 15 years to get a traditional contract, and now I have almost 20 books published! If I can do it, so can you. But not if you give up. KEEP WRITING! <br /><br /><b>What are you working on now? </b><br /><br />I already mentioned my next release, PUZZLE HOUSE—the tagline is Life isn’t a box of candy, it’s a puzzle. At the moment, I’m working on a sequel for it called THE DAVID YEARS. I’m also in the middle of revising and editing another book, ENCOUNTERS, that explores several issues including how our encounters with others is like a spider web. They link us to each other in ways we don’t always understand. Plus I have a couple ideas for new suspense books swirling around in my brain as well. So many ideas—not enough time!<div>
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And now about that giveaway! To enter, just hop over to Lillian's blog, <a href="http://www.lillian-duncan.com/">Tiaras & Tennis Shoes</a> at www.lillian-duncan.com<a href="http://www.lillian-duncan.com/">www.lillian-duncan.com</a> and leave a comment under one of the Broken Trust posts and you’re entered. Easy Peasy! (remember, only comments on Lillian's blog will enter you in the drawing - but we'd love you leave a comment here to let us know you visited!) And get your copy of BROKEN TRUST on <a href="http://amzn.to/2mY19aN">Amazon</a> or <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/broken-trust-lillian-duncan/1124691691?ean=9781611169683">Barnes and Noble</a>.</div>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-52236111786647826592017-03-17T05:00:00.000-04:002017-03-17T05:00:21.081-04:00Friday Fiction Friends - Emily ReynoldsThis week Friday Fiction Friends spotlights Emily Reynolds' debut novel, <a href="http://amzn.to/2mO6Sl3">PICTURE PERFECT. </a><br />
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Seven years ago, I met Emily through an ACFW critique group. Together with Sally Bayless, we dubbed ourselves "The Three Musketeers" and determined to encourage each other to publication. Life happened and each of us has journeyed different roads to our dreams. Yet we are all three published!<br />
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Back then, Emily's WIP (work in progress) went by other names but her main characters were Lily and Micah. I fell in love with them from the start. Lily is spunky, determined, yet caring and full of compassion. She's pursuing her dream of opening a photography studio and has finally found the perfect location. Micah has a past he's not proud of - would love for no one to know about, in fact. A personal tragedy brought him to Christ and now he wants to open a martial arts dojo to teach jujitsu to teens at risk.<br />
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Micah just found the perfect location for his dojo. Uh-huh, you guessed it!<br />
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That's not what has sparks flying between Lily and Micah, though. Micah gets drafted to help Lily learn swing dancing for her cousin's wedding. Their time on the dance floor heats up their romance but their pasts are about to collide. Again.<br />
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Micah is such a wonderful hero. He wants to improve the lives of teens. He's strong yet not a brute. He can dance! He's considerate. And flawed. When he gets frustrated, he stops talking to Lily, which only makes matters worse. So true to life. Lily, for her part, doesn't always open up and share her thoughts and concerns. Which makes matters worse. More real life, right there. Lily sees the good in Micah but she can't quite let go of the past and trust him.<br />
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Added to the mix is Lily's best friend, Erica, and her boss, Ian, who owns/runs the local coffee hot spot. Then there's Jeff, the youth pastor. And Myrtle Boralis, a wealthy elderly lady in church who has rubbed a few people the wrong way. We all know someone like her - she means well but is abrasive anyway.<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2n4xTCT">PICTURE PERFECT</a> is a delightful read, full of real life and plenty of romance. Get your copy today, for <a href="http://amzn.to/2n4xTCT">Kindle</a> or in <a href="http://amzn.to/2nKvGd4">print.</a><br />
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #464760; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Emily Reynolds writes contemporary, faith-filled romance novels filled with laughs and small-town charm. She loves exploring the mystery of falling in love, God's redemptive grace, and laugh-out-loud humor. Visit her website to learn more: </span></em><span style="color: #464760; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.emilycreynolds.com/">http://www.emilycreynolds.com/ </a></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #464760; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>For more incredible contemporary romance novels, check out <a href="http://www.blingromance.com/">BLING! Romance</a>, a division of <a href="https://lpcbooks.com/">Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas</a></i></span><br />
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-17004324336848960592017-03-10T05:00:00.000-05:002017-03-10T05:00:30.504-05:00Friday Fiction Friends - Laura Hilton<br />
Today kicks off a new feature for my blog - Friday Fiction Friends. I'll be spotlighting my fellow Christian authors in the coming weeks and months. I hope you enjoy & maybe find a new author to enjoy!<br />
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A warm, Naultag welcome to Laura Hilton. Laura lives in rural Arkansas with her pastor-husband and their five children (and a hyper dog named Skye). She knows all about small town life, I'm sure. This month, Laura is celebrating the release of <a href="http://amzn.to/2lSgn0o">THE AMISH WANDERER</a>.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Adur8ptVQ5yCjBDWK1E4ICq2U-spOqZOqaq-ShsB6XkdUJf1jPsYJJH9V2WZmRsPxI6-rpK51MfvhB0a5Xp7B9hAfhvcQ3AeFMlTbrPqH_XMRo2caVEJX2r_HHuXH4KFdgaWhN6Hgnc/s1600/the+amish+wanderer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Adur8ptVQ5yCjBDWK1E4ICq2U-spOqZOqaq-ShsB6XkdUJf1jPsYJJH9V2WZmRsPxI6-rpK51MfvhB0a5Xp7B9hAfhvcQ3AeFMlTbrPqH_XMRo2caVEJX2r_HHuXH4KFdgaWhN6Hgnc/s320/the+amish+wanderer.jpg" style="text-align: justify;" title="" width="205" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Bethany Weiss has been fascinated
by Silas Beiler since he spent a couple of years in Jamesport, Missouri, before
he and his family moved to another Amish community. They hadn’t kept in touch,
but she hasn’t forgotten the friendly young man who brought her lemonade and
took her home once from a Singing years ago. When she finds a man sleeping in
her family’s barn, like Jesus sleeping in the hay, she is stunned to recognize
Silas. He’s left the Amish and is backpacking across the country. She talks him
into staying, at least until after Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Silas’ family has never been
happy living in one area for long, and their vagabond ways are wearing on him.
He’s lived in Amish communities all over the nation, moving whenever his daed
became disgruntled with the leaders, and he’s looking for some sense of
stability. His intentions are to make it back to Pennsylvania and stay with his
Englisch onkle and his family—and pursue an education. Will Bethany be the one
to bring Silas in from the cold? Or will he continue on his way to his extended
family and become Englisch? </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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How did Amish Wanderer get started?</h4>
Romans 8:38-39. I had no idea what Amish Wanderer would be about. I knew a blurb. I knew the characters names. I knew they used to be “sweethearts” before he moved away. That is all I knew. God usually gives me the verses in the middle or end of a book and this time, He dumped it out on my lap. Romans 8:38-39. I looked it up. Read it. And I looked at it and said “What am I supposed to do with that?” So I was driving somewhere and my daughters were listening to a cd. I don’t remember what song we were listening to. But when we got home, I knew the opening line of the story. The sky is falling and I’m searching for somewhere to hide.<br />
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How do you see yourself in your character’s story, if at all? </h4>
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When I started writing Amish fiction, everyone said, you need to write your family’s story. And I said no. I would never write my family’s story. It is awful. Beyond awful. No. But while Amish Wanderer is not my family’s story, it is the closest I will ever come. Ever. It ripped my heart out writing this story. I imagined myself in my Grandmother’s eyes as she went through a similar nightmare. I know—or think I know—the horror she must’ve felt, living in fear of the person who was hurting her. That she eventually came to Christ is a miracle.</div>
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Will we know what happens to your character after the end of the book? </h4>
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Yes, if you know how to read between the lines. I don’t actually come out and say where they end up and do in this book, but it is very broadly hinted. And if you read my next book coming in the fall of 2017 (stand alone) there is a mention of Bethany and where she ended up. My books are all stand alone. But there might be some overlapping of characters, Just like in real life. </div>
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Both of your lead characters have “baggage” that keeps them from wanting to pursue a new relationship. Do you think sometimes we let our past get in the way of what God has planned for our futures?</h4>
Most definitely. The Amish book releasing in the fall of next year has a line the preacher in the book says – I don’t remember the exact words that I used - but something about what if the future God has for you is wrapped up in your worst nightmares, your biggest fears? Sometimes, you have to face the past in order to move past it to a brighter future. </div>
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Where do you like to write?</h4>
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Oh, I have dreams of writing at Starbucks like so many authors do. Alas, I live in rural Arkansas, there is no Starbucks within a 150 miles or more, and I am a stay at home mom with five children and I homeschool – two of them. Three are homeschool graduates. I write in the living room. With my children beside me so I can help with their school work – or explain it. </div>
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How do you handle distractions?</h4>
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Since it seems like I am trying to write at the busiest spot in “Grand Central Station” some days, I am envious of authors who say “I only got 5,000 words written today.” Only!? I’m happy if I get 500 words written a day. Over the moon ecstatic if I reach 1,000! </div>
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If someone else were sitting at your desk right now, what would they see?</h4>
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Ha ha. They would see my three daughters sitting on the couch, watching a DVD of an old movie. We don’t have TV. They would see my to-do-list and the ARC of my upcoming book on my right, and a manuscript that I need to endorse for another writer on my left. And some sore throat spray because my youngest daughter says she has a sore throat. The medicine tastes yucky. She wants me to throw it away and buy the good tasting throat drops. </div>
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When you’re working on a project, how do you keep the immensity of it from getting you down?</h4>
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If it is hard to write and depressing me, like Amish Wanderer was, I have to physically remove myself from it, read a happy book. Something that takes me away from it until I can focus on it. <br />
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Both of your lead characters have “baggage” that keeps them from wanting to pursue a new relationship. Do you think sometimes we let our past get in the way of what God has planned for our futures?</h4>
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Most definitely. The Amish book releasing in the fall of next year has a line the preacher in the book says – I don’t remember the exact words that I used - but something about what if the future God has for you is wrapped up in your worst nightmares, your biggest fears? Sometimes, you have to face the past in order to move past it to a brighter future. <br />
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<br />Do you think there’s any reason in particular some people have one reaction versus the other when something bad happens in their life?</h4>
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I am not going to attempt to play psychologist, but Bethany reacted by pulling away from God and having a stand-off until He does what she wants. Silas reacted by turning to the scriptures and trying to trust God knows what He’s doing even though he doesn’t like it. That God has a reason for putting him through the refiner’s fire. <br />
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Has there been a time in your own life where you could really sense God was putting you in a situation for a reason?</h4>
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Oh, so many. As most of my readers know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago. I went into it shaking, like most people do. I had a three year old, I didn’t have time for cancer. But someone sent me an i-pod shuffle loaded with praise and worship songs for me to listen to during chemo. I read, a lot, and God was drawing me deeper into His word. I prayed a lot. I’m not going to say that it was a walk in the park. And I am still suffering side effects from it. BUT I learned to listen to God. I grew as a Christian. I grew as a writer. And I believe God put me through it so I would become the writer that I wouldn’t have been if He hadn’t refined me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMyQ4q18tmt5WdHngezIoUJODQ8DksNDdmQCnuro72xIJzpiG5i4ofsph4PYtP8YDqW9RUMwy9WdJYTzUlL_w15YkM6qEqYJqFXdFH_VOcPGXzXfJv3nRkAgFjOCCq09z81I5EUZvvmo/s1600/Laura+Hilton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMyQ4q18tmt5WdHngezIoUJODQ8DksNDdmQCnuro72xIJzpiG5i4ofsph4PYtP8YDqW9RUMwy9WdJYTzUlL_w15YkM6qEqYJqFXdFH_VOcPGXzXfJv3nRkAgFjOCCq09z81I5EUZvvmo/s320/Laura+Hilton.jpg" width="320" /></a>Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, <a href="http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/">Lighthouse Academy</a> and <a href="http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/">Laura V. Hilton</a>, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New. <br />
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Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children. <br />
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When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas. <br />
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Visit Laura on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton">Twitter</a> and check out her <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/">Pinterest</a> page, too! <br />
Grab your copy of THE AMISH WANDERER on <a href="http://amzn.to/2mZjgOK">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=laura+hilton&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1">CBD</a>, or <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/laura-hilton?store=allproducts&keyword=laura+hilton">Barnes & Noble</a>Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-69764781153345211492017-02-23T18:47:00.000-05:002017-02-23T18:47:10.986-05:00Spaghetti NightTonight is Spaghetti Night. My son likes this to happen on Wednesdays, because he's grown up with us saying Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day. He's never even seen the commercial! This week, Spaghetti Night is happening on Thursday.<br />
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Sometimes, schedules change. The spaghetti is still good, though, as is the garlic toast and mozzarella sticks. It's all good.<br />
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Our dog, Sasha, also loves Spaghetti Night. We have meat sauce and she really loves that sauce. She gets to clean up whatever sauce is left on our plates plus we put some on top of her food. When it's a week that a fresh batch of sauce has been simmering on the stove all day, we spread some over her food and set the dish aside to cool off a bit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasha puts up with a lot while she waits</td></tr>
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Sasha is impatient. She does not want to wait for the sauce to cool off. She paces. She gives me puppy-dog eyes. And I say to her, "Be patient. You don't want to burn your mouth."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63Yhi6ijxhOAk58ciqtEZSqihOARA2aACwyuI9KipwB3Ei7Qlb4freibFN8XsWIgoRsHjDqbPvjCFz1GRbp8fjosrCKNDWDs8eRTz5B9P3VvGgPHMDjQql5l8l5QM8_YlcMoFylK_VZc/s1600/2015-07-06+075+old+hand+pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63Yhi6ijxhOAk58ciqtEZSqihOARA2aACwyuI9KipwB3Ei7Qlb4freibFN8XsWIgoRsHjDqbPvjCFz1GRbp8fjosrCKNDWDs8eRTz5B9P3VvGgPHMDjQql5l8l5QM8_YlcMoFylK_VZc/s200/2015-07-06+075+old+hand+pump.jpg" width="156" /></a>Before long - a lifetime in Sasha's mind, I'm sure - the food is a suitable temperature for her to chow down. She gobbles it up happily.<br />
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Tonight, as I repeat this ritual and speak the words of patience, it dawns on me. This could very well be the Lord speaking to me. I want it all and I want it now. But God says, "Patience, in good time." He knows when it is the right moment for me to receive the thing I've been waiting for. When all is right and I can revel in, gobble up, the happiness. It's hard being the one to wait, not fully understand why it's necessary. But how wonderful that my Father in Heaven knows what's best for me and he sticks to that. I won't get burned if I just wait for His timing.<br />
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I'm going to practice waiting. How about you?Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-31932733695742444942016-10-25T11:57:00.001-04:002016-10-25T11:57:47.344-04:00Critiquing - Critical PraiseThe subject of critiquing was the topic of discussion this morning in our house. Our daughter, a talented artist, told us of a friend who criticizes her work making her think he doesn't like her as an artist. After, I realized that while professors and teaches have students critique one another, the students aren't always taught HOW to critique. Many of them think that you only improve by knowing what doesn't work so you can focus on making that better next time. That's really only half the story!<div>
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Everyone loves praise. We want people to tell us we are amazing artists, photographers, writers, whatever. But we don't actually improve in any of these talents when given praise alone. We all need constructive criticism to grow. Remember, constructive not destructive! Most teachers/professors will instruct their students on the difference. What they fail to teach is that all the helpful, constructive criticism in the world will fall on deaf ears if that is all that is given. Lead with praise and the criticism will be soaked up like a dry sponge in a sink full of warm water.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meme courtesy of Kami Dempsey <a href="http://www.kamidempsey.com/1454-2/">http://www.kamidempsey.com/1454-2/</a></td></tr>
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I'll use one of my photographs as an example. It's not particularly award-winning in quality, kind of average in my opinion. Which makes it perfect for this exercise! If I were to critique this photo for someone else, I might start off with saying, "I love all the orange of these pumpkins. The range of colors in each one meld together to fairly shout out Halloween! or Fall!" </div>
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See, that's a nice compliment, isn't it? Especially since my goal in taking the photo was to project a sense of the season. But there are plenty of technical issues with this picture. Now is the time for the critique to point out those areas. First thing someone might comment on is the angle - it's not straight. Some may like that. It's also a little too bright - here's where the other important thing about critiquing comes in. Yes, point out the exposure inaccuracy but then the critiquer should make a suggestion to correct the issue. Depending on the level of expertise and the skill of the critiquer, the suggestion could be "make it darker next time" or "be sure to shoot with the sun behind you." A skilled photographer would suggest different film and/or shutter speeds. Someone good with editing might suggest how to correct the photograph itself, rather than how to avoid the problem going forward.</div>
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Although the criticism will vary by each individual, as will the suggestions for improvement, if each one starts off with a positive note, a word of praise, the one receiving the criticism will be more likely to see the comments as helpful and therefore put some of the suggestions into practice. </div>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-49044987524703649542015-11-21T17:30:00.000-05:002015-11-21T17:30:00.170-05:00God Isn't a Magician<span style="font-family: inherit;">God isn't a magician. But He is the Creator of All, capable of doing whatever He wants. Whether or not we think it's possible. And whether or not you think it's selfish to ask. God wants a personal relationship with each of us. He already knows what's on your mind - so just say it already!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just read a Facebook post in which a grandmother tells a story about her grandson saying Grace before eating at a restaurant. He includes a request for ice cream. Another diner whispers a loud criticism, saying kids these days don't know how to pray properly. The story ends with the grandson giving his ice cream to that nasty diner. It's a good story but I want to expand upon it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Child At Prayer, Eastman Johnson, circa 1873</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We're told that we should "give it all to God" and rely solely on the Lord for our needs. How do you do that? I know how I do but it's taken me a long time to get here and I've got a long ways to go yet. When we tell children not to say "selfish" prayers, what we're really saying is that God doesn't care what you want. We're teaching children to withhold the desires of their hearts. And that is NOT what the Lord wants!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Several years ago, our dog Sasha ran off at the tail-end of a very severe thunderstorm. The storm knocked out our power and we'd just found out it spawned a tornado that tore through the center of the state, from Springfield to Charlton, MA. Scary stuff, especially for a 5 year old who's beloved pet has now run off into the still stormy night. My husband and I drove around looking for Sasha but it was too dark and we were running out of gas. I went home and told my kids the best thing to do now was pray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Two hours later, Sasha returned. Unhurt but filthy, and she's never gone off that long ever since. I think perhaps she scared herself. When we had her back safely inside, my 5 year old son told me, "I prayed that God would bring Sasha home and He did!" I believe that is the moment that he truly accepted and believed that God cares, even about little boys and wandering dogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day I told a friend this story and the response was, "God isn't a magician, you know." I was very disappointed by this response. Here was someone who's faith I respect telling me, in essence, that it was wrong for my son to pray for God to save our dog. WHAT?? So why do we pray for sick people? Why do we pray when disaster strikes? I had a hard time holding back my anger, though I'm glad I did because friendship is important and sometimes even smart friends don't say things quite the way they meant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When children pray for things like "please let Nana buy us ice cream" or "please bring my dog home safe" what they are really doing is giving all their hearts' desires to the Lord. They are Giving it to God. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? When you were five, did you ever ask Santa for you to grow up to have a well-paid job and a nice house? No! You asked for toys. When you were in college, that's when you dreamed of the great job and nice house. Well, that's how faith and prayer works, too. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Praying Hands by Albrecht Dürer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You start off in the childhood stage, no matter what age you are when you first come to Christ. In the beginning, your prayers sound a bit selfish: "please let work go well today," "please help me not be nasty to that jerk in accounting," "please let me get a pay raise." You sprinkle in some good stuff, too, because they tell you that's how it's done: "please heal Mr. Smith," "please let the mission fund get lots of donations," "please be with the people who were in that natural disaster." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After a bit, maybe a few weeks maybe a few years, just depends on the individual, your prayers start to change. Your faith grows stronger. No, you don't get everything you prayed for in the past but you start to see how what you want isn't always what's best, for you or others. If you're a parent, you can compare raising a child to growing your faith. Your kids may beg and plead for more candy but you know too much isn't a good thing. God knows this kind of stuff about us, too. As your faith matures, you start asking things like, "Lord, please let me have a good day but most of all, please help me do what you want." We pray to be able to accept and follow the Lord's will. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That kind of faith doesn't come with accepting Jesus as your Savior. Faith, as is often stated, is like a seed. It gets planted and then needs to be nourished. John 15:2 states, "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Our prayers begin one way, our faith grows and the Lord prunes, and our prayers mature. But we'll always have more growing to do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">God is not a magician but sometimes prayer can work in ways our feeble little minds consider magical!</span><br />
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<br />Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-74490898273083705942015-10-16T10:07:00.000-04:002015-10-16T10:07:02.222-04:00Deleted Scenes...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Movies have bloopers. Sometimes they'll leak a scene that was cut. Well, novels have lots of deleted scenes. An author writes the first draft and then tweaks what works, slices what doesn't. But these manuscripts are like our babies - actually "deleting" what we wrote is painful. So the scenes tend to get tucked into a file and often never read again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Today, I'm offering up a deleted scene from SHE'S MINE. If you've read the book, you will find vague referencing to the Memorial Day parade. In the first drafts, there was actually a chapter with Sean and Caitlin interacting at the parade; Caitlin even rides in one of the fire trucks with Sean in the parade. It just didn't advance the plot enough and I was able to put the little bit of pertinent details in subsequent chapters (where they actually worked better). Still, I liked the scene. Here is a portion of it, for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Janelle has arranged for you
to ride in another truck so you can have a front seat view of the parade.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She looked over his shoulder,
realizing why Sean had joined the group. Sitting in the front would be more fun
than being squeezed between two rambunctious six-year-old boys. Janelle
grinned. Caitlin narrowed her eyes and tried to telepathically communicate <i>I know what you’re doing, </i>to her best
friend. Sliding her gaze back to Scott, she nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He opened the door and jumped
down. She faced the truck and climbed carefully. The feel of hands suddenly on
her hips surprised her. A quick glance showed Sean guiding her. He dropped his
hands as her feet hit the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Sorry, didn’t mean to get
touchy-feely there. Just didn’t want you to fall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“I have a pretty good sense of
balance.” Not wanting a repeat of the other day she added, “Thank you for being
considerate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He arched an eyebrow. “Thanks
for giving me the benefit of doubt. Truck’s over this way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Long, quick strides carried him
across the parking lot. She stared at his departing form. He moved with
confidence. The dark blue pants and white shirt of the fire department uniform
looked good on him. Wavy blond curls edged over his collar. Her mouth went dry.
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He stopped beside a red F350
Super Duty. She hurried to catch up. When he turned to look at her, she was
struck by the contradictions in his face. Broad with angular planes, his
expression could be hard and a bit intimidating. Harbor blue eyes might’ve been
chilly. Instead he smiled and his face became round, cheerful, almost boyish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“This is the forestry truck.”
Sean spoke with pride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“It’s like your truck, only red.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“And a bit bigger.” He smiled.
“This one holds over two hundred gallons of water, plus she’s got a pump
that’ll send out five hundred gallons per minute. That is the hose reel.” He
pointed as he spoke. “There’s a generator onboard, four 15 amp outlets, two
telescoping lights and rear scene lights.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Caitlin stared at the truck,
awed by its implied capabilities. She pointed to the built out front bumper.
“Do I even want to know about that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“No.” His smiled dimmed, as if
recalling unpleasant memories. “That one is a Briggs and Stratton power unit.
The others are called Hurst tools. Ask Scott if you want to know more. I’d
rather not get into a discussion about car accidents.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Okay with me.” She let a smile
claim her lips. Sean was pleasant to talk to when she wasn’t being rude. “I’m
not much into blood and guts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“We’ll get along fine, then.”
Pronounced dimples appeared as his grin returned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Caitlin held her smile, trying
to hide her nervousness. In jeans and t-shirt at the farm, Sean had a
down-to-earth, regular guy kind of look. Today, in uniform, he looked like a
rough-edged gentleman. Both were attractive and that worried her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adam always behaved like a
perfect gentleman. Dressing smartly, his black hair cut short and combed
straight and neat. Yet Adam had played a role, luring her into a trap. And she hadn’t
known until it was too late. Then he’d revealed his true self: a manipulating,
conniving narcissist. What proof was there that Sean was who he seemed to be? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Caitlin?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He’d been talking and she
hadn’t heard a word. Now he held the door, gesturing for her to get into the
truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Sorry, got lost in thought for
a moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Having second thoughts about
riding with me?”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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If you haven't read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=UWHOKRS5LZSD3BVO">SHE'S MINE</a> yet, grab a copy for your <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=UWHOKRS5LZSD3BVO">Kindle</a> at <a href="http://amzn.to/1MHwhp1">http://amzn.to/1MHwhp1</a> It's only $4.99 - - or FREE with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=UWHOKRS5LZSD3BVO">Kindle Unlimited</a>! </div>
Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-90080944505935566442015-10-11T06:00:00.000-04:002015-10-11T06:00:05.463-04:00Meet Millie from CELTIC KNOT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZrV92rW6Vun0v8kE9ZvzilSQ_wrsA0k3BkoRtpyGW_FvcW4yq5NHzQ5JhP8d7Oc5FEqg32zWd3AGzdAIKh9_mtcInF7xr0oM89nDX95gRuJ3rI-qNaHscTwYSSsG0rD8o2xx5lc23co/s1600/celtic+knot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZrV92rW6Vun0v8kE9ZvzilSQ_wrsA0k3BkoRtpyGW_FvcW4yq5NHzQ5JhP8d7Oc5FEqg32zWd3AGzdAIKh9_mtcInF7xr0oM89nDX95gRuJ3rI-qNaHscTwYSSsG0rD8o2xx5lc23co/s320/celtic+knot.jpg" title="" width="216" /></a>(reposting an old interview - in celebration of CELTIC KNOT being on sale for just <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">99</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">¢)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I have the pleasure of chatting with Millie Finnigan. Millie's mother, Abby Finnigan, is the heroine of CELTIC KNOT. <br /><br />"Welcome, Millie. Have a cookie and tell us a little about yourself."<br /><br />Millie grabs a cookie but waits to eat it. "Hi, I'm excited to be here today. Let's see, I'm seven years old and I live with my mother in Prophecy, Colorado." <br /><br />She takes a bite of cookie, not talking again until she's finished chewing. "My real name is Millicent but Momma only calls me that when she's cross. I try not to make her angry 'cause she works real hard and hardly ever smiles. Momma has a pretty smile but sometimes her eyes seem to look far away and her face gets sad." <br /><br />"Why do you think she's sad?"<br /><br />"It's as if she's looking at a photograph in her memory." Millie fidgets with her dress, dropping her gaze a moment before continuing. "Remembering Daddy, I think. He died when I was four. That's when we moved back to Prophecy. Momma says that Daddy called me his little blessing. I don't hardly remember him. Sometimes that makes me sad."<br /><br />"What makes you happy?"<br /><br />A smile brightens Millie's countenance. "Playing with my best friend, Jennifer Stanton. Her pa is the town preacher an' her folks are real nice. They always treat me like family. Pastor and Mrs. Stanton worry about Momma an' me, 'cause we don't always have money for nice things. But Momma takes real good care of me."<br /><br />"Doesn't your grandfather own the largest ranch around Prophecy? In fact, he owns most of the town. Why doesn't your mother ask him for help?"<br /><br />Millie shrugs. "Momma's family isn't very nice. I've never even met my grandfather. Once, I heard someone say that Raymond Bigelow, that's Momma's father, is so mean and contrary he makes Satan look angelic. All's I know is my uncle Clayton is scary. He says things like teaching the whelp proper respect. That's what he calls me, the whelp." She shudders. "I don't like him."<br /><br />"I'm sure your mother stays away from Clayton, then."<br /><br />"We try but Momma works at the Silver Streak Saloon, as a maid. Uncle Clayton goes there a lot and he looks for Momma. He likes being mean, an' not just to her. I can't understand why Boone is friends with him."<br /><br />"Who is Boone?"<br /><br />"He's our sheriff. Boone's real nice. He always wants to buy me stuff but Momma won't let him. She says she don't want to be beholden to him." Millie scrunches her nose. "Not sure what that means. I do know Boone wants to marry Momma. He might be a nice daddy. Still, I want Momma to be happy. She never smiles for Boone, least ways, not the kind of smile she gets when Mr. Lachapelle is around."<br /><br />"Kyle Lachapelle? When did you meet him?"<br /><br />"He came into the mercantile one morning when Momma was buying supplies an' things." Millie leans forward to whisper, "He likes lemon candies just like me." She sits back in the chair, speaking in her normal voice once more. "An' he stood up to Boone, didn't let anyone push him around. Later, he walked with Momma and me and he was a real gentleman. I hope he comes around more, 'cept Momma told him she don't want to be his friend. I hope she changes her mind."<br /><br />"I sure hope so, too. Millie, it's been a joy having you here today. Do take one of those lemon candies from the jar for later. Yes, you may take one for Jennifer as well. Thank you for visiting."</span><div>
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Get CELTIC KNOT now for just <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">99</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">¢ - but hurry, sale ends 10/12/15</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Available for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AI2FWI0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AI2FWI0&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=KG4HBCNHPAKV46U5">Kindle</a> (</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1N0uEkG">http://amzn.to/1N0uEkG</a>) <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/tammy%20doherty/_/N-0">Noo</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/tammy%20doherty/_/N-0">k</a> (</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1vUxlhB">http://bit.ly/1vUxlhB</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">) <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/celtic-knot/id585956314?mt=11">iBook</a> (</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://apple.co/1FSh3sY">http://apple.co/1FSh3sY</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">) <a href="https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/celtic-knot">Kobo</a> (</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1OtA8Wu">http://bit.ly/1OtA8Wu</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">) or for any eReader at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Tammy+Doherty">Smashwords</a> (</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1uFLRdr">http://bit.ly/1uFLRdr</a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">)</span></div>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-55170292613103439362015-08-31T11:10:00.001-04:002015-09-01T12:04:51.562-04:00SHE'S MINE is On Sale!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=AF4ILZKM3FCU2KNE" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWUqotDVKB9OpU0cxDb6xZyDQVnHiwUgWZRiM_QIEeV0g-4o808K2wG6fX4RqxEKJTYLgLy9m39fFt9y4CG-7gukvuXotOca-_BdRwtSF086foUBolEJ1fTPCXIyz2Xe2RxooMxBYcfw/s400/back+to+school+sale+1.99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Great news - I'm running a Kindle Countdown sale for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=Y57RKBJ554WBFUBU">SHE'S MINE</a>! Starting August 31st, the price for the eBook is $1.99...until midnight (PST) on September 4th...which is 3:00am on 9/4 for those on the East coast. After that, the price will be $2.99 until 11:00pm (PST) on September 6th. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">click the picture or this link to go to the Amazon.com page: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1MXk5ja">http://amzn.to/1MXk5ja</a>)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=AF4ILZKM3FCU2KNE" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyxCCuie4TUtwXeNq9E2orEuO08XoPxdh8J8FWMcVD2q4M1ZIvF9cOtm-fkjsYs5BC5MMwr2rrw9n6zVRnsVyQR6M_ICAFYPQgVI2esCaub37k8SfZH80S9wzxQn0H1Jo4dmPSl2KNIk/s320/back+to+school+sale+2.99.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shes-Mine-Mystique-Naultag-novel-ebook/dp/B00PULUH2K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441123451&sr=8-2&keywords=Tammy+Doherty+kindle">Amazon.UK</a> customers, the sale begins September 2nd at 12:00am GMT with a price of £0.99 until 12:00pm GMT on September 5th. Then the price will be £1.99 until 12:00am GMT on September 9th. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please help me out and tell all your friends about this promotion. SHE'S MINE has a 4.6★ rating on Amazon, with comments like:</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=AF4ILZKM3FCU2KNE" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_8DvP9EHLep0uAZ3UAjWlvrwxqeOCRHY7FGWZphWv5Vi0etI7IUONKi-v8rUbaKja6JVsim2cbmFjpsNATK_G4mo-aeA4ogAKJ_CKnmccQP6dSGfGlD0tddjGGMprOCPdBsb9E4L7Uo/s400/She%2527s+Mine+with+award+badges.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">~ "Did
I want to stay up until 2 am reading? NO! But the book was too good to put down.
Highly recommend."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~ "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 12.8640003204346px;">I finished 'She's Mine' last night....You surprised me with the twis</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 12.8640003204346px;">ts..I didn't expect that...</span>"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">~ "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Masterful plot twists, action, some suspense & romance - loved this book! </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Good Christian values & scripture references given at appropriate times - we are not perfect, just forgiven! </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">Will now go back and read her others!</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">~ "<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;">I loved this book. Full of twists and turns and unexpected events. And a great ending.</span>"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">~ "<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;">I really liked this story. Lots of mystery along with a good romance. I didn't want to put the book down until I'd finished it."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;">Fantastic read. Poured through this book because I couldn't put it down! The storyline kept me guessing. There is a masterful plot twist, that I didn't see coming - and I loved it!!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 19px;">" ~ Lisa Belcastro, author of the Winds of Change series and Possible Dreams series.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Caitlin Harrington has a new job and a new life away from her menacing ex-boyfriend, Adam. Issues with her parents, losing her previous job and the death of her beloved grandmother leave her wondering if God has abandoned her. Two things she is sure of: she’s a lousy judge of character and men just can’t be trusted. Now a volunteer firefighter who has come to her rescue more than once is dangerously close to breaking through her defenses. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">And not everyone in sleepy Naultag, Massachusetts is welcoming. Someone is leaving ominous notes on her door. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Sean Taggart likes being a rescuer. But a failed engagement has taught him to be cautious with his heart and Caitlin is a threat. Women just can’t be trusted. Still, he’d like to save Caitlin from whatever demons have her so spooked. If only she’d let him. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Threatening notes. Scratching at the windows during the night. A shadowy figure lurking in her yard. Caitlin must tell the police about Adam, but everything he told her was a lie. Who is Adam? And if Caitlin trusts Sean to protect her, will his life be in danger? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Can Sean rescue Caitlin before the stalker becomes a killer? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">SHE'S MINE is available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=AF4ILZKM3FCU2KNE">Amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shes-Mine-Mystique-Naultag-novel-ebook/dp/B00PULUH2K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441033551&sr=8-2&keywords=Tammy+Doherty">Amazon.co.UK</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> this novel is also available in print format from many online retailers</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tammy-Doherty/e/B005GXWG6C/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1">Amazon Author Page</a> or pop over to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TammyDohertyAuthor">Facebook</a> to connect with me!</span></span>Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-84069401875101186212015-06-21T11:29:00.000-04:002015-06-21T11:29:20.984-04:00HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!Caitlin Harrington hasn't had a good relationship with her father, so Father's Day isn't something she celebrates. Wise words from Chaplain Oakes, which aren't even aimed at her personally, open her eyes. I'm sharing this excerpt from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=F4ZPHU5FXB6W3H6A" target="_blank">SHE'S MINE</a> for all those out there who maybe didn't have the greatest Dad. Or maybe you do have the perfect father - hopefully this passage will help you appreciate him even more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglTcRxIC3ct3fkE6Ba4Gm6whHHLllbt3W_hbxi48pLpeBdLRq6jWJxdcwQUwjTht74c0qPIkE7ULr2lsITgBqljkIXc8La1zJJH6MEuvb5LpuWwnrZw11P2CKYoDEEC5lrFhdl8DqaYI/s1600/She%2527s+Mine+with+award+badges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglTcRxIC3ct3fkE6Ba4Gm6whHHLllbt3W_hbxi48pLpeBdLRq6jWJxdcwQUwjTht74c0qPIkE7ULr2lsITgBqljkIXc8La1zJJH6MEuvb5LpuWwnrZw11P2CKYoDEEC5lrFhdl8DqaYI/s320/She%2527s+Mine+with+award+badges.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pastor
paused a moment, letting each parishioner gather thoughts of their parent. He
smiled. “My dad was a wonderful man. Of course, it wasn’t until I was a father
myself that I could fully understand how wonderful. Even so, he often had
occasion to lose patience with me as I have struggled to keep mine with my
children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A smattering
of laughter supported his sentiment. Caitlin smiled, too. Being a teacher had
given her a healthy respect for the difficulties of raising children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Now, as I
read these familiar passages I’d like you to think about your earthly father in
contrast to your Heavenly Father. We, as children of God, often give the Lord
good reason to be angered or lose his patience. Yet He sent us his Son, and we
are all saved by the sacrifice of Jesus. As you go about celebrating Father’s
Day today, think about how loving our Heavenly Father is”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chaplain
Oakes turned to his Bible, glancing at the congregation to be sure all were
ready for the reading. In those few seconds of waiting, Caitlin bowed her head.
</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord, I haven’t ever thought of my dad as
loving. Please forgive my selfish feelings. Even if those feelings are the
product of my parents’ bad marriage and their nasty behavior during the
divorce. I’m an adult now, please help me to let go of the bitterness.</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Father's Day to my Dad. I will always cherish memories of being Daddy's Girl. And I thank the Lord to have you in my life still. Happy Father's Day, too, to my father-in-law in heaven. You made me feel like a princess and my only wish is that you could've been here to spoil your grandkids.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Get to know Caitlin Harrington in SHE'S MINE, a contemporary romantic suspense set in a small town in central Massachusetts. Available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=F4ZPHU5FXB6W3H6A" target="_blank">Kindle</a> and in print at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shes-Mine-Mystique-Naultag-novel/dp/1505284465/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shes-mine-tammy-doherty/1120874047?ean=9781505284461&itm=1&usri=tammy+doherty" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Find out more about author Tammy Doherty at her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TammyDohertyAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook page</a></span></div>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-13587425610860147562015-05-15T07:48:00.000-04:002015-05-15T07:48:14.114-04:00Christian Fiction Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wanted to give you a little peek into <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=NNL6GXCHYXSTATO6" target="_blank">SHE'S MINE</a>, something you won't see with the Amazon preview...and possibly it's meant to be a bit of a teaser. After all, I do write romantic suspense! </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLiGXFU-3K9Ntzfris87c8cVnZkAffUqYitTrqsZ9khzFNl4hh9FWj0-TW-ohboDj5jOmTlzQyEkWCJuEu3OIu13Y3qVEH_Cmg_iHsyBaFI9tz5NicfyFWKldqewoJa3vhiQZsts0KlE/s1600/CoverFront+Final+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLiGXFU-3K9Ntzfris87c8cVnZkAffUqYitTrqsZ9khzFNl4hh9FWj0-TW-ohboDj5jOmTlzQyEkWCJuEu3OIu13Y3qVEH_Cmg_iHsyBaFI9tz5NicfyFWKldqewoJa3vhiQZsts0KlE/s400/CoverFront+Final+copy.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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“I’ve prepared an outstandingly spectacular welcome for lover boy,” he scoffed. “When he goes into that house to rescue you—BOOM!”<br /><br /> Caitlin flinched, glancing back as they left the house. Tears blurred her eyes. She stumbled.<br /><br /> “Oh don’t fret sweetheart. The explosion won’t kill him. In fact it’ll hardly be more than a little firecracker.” A breath escaped her. He laughed. “Yup, he’ll be fine after that initial explosion. Fine enough to go searching for you. By the time he realizes you aren’t in there, all those little charges will have started such a fire that he can’t possibly escape. I made sure, even added a back-up.”<br /><br /> Oh no, please Lord, no. “How…” she faltered. “How do you know he’ll come?”<br /><br /> “Because you’re going to call him.”<br /><br /> They were back at the truck. Absently he cuffed her to the side mirror as he pulled the phone out again. “I’m going to send these lovely pictures to lover boy. He’ll recognize the house right away. After all, he still owns it. I’m sure the Staties could see my truck on that last fly over, they’ll send a cruiser to check it out. By the time a car makes it down here, we’ll be gone. Well, I will be anyway.”<div>
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Now it’s your turn! Just link your Christian Fiction Friday! Here are the rules:</div>
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1. Christian Fiction Friday is a blog hop where authors post <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">short </span></strong>(<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">400-ish words or less</strong>) snippets from their current works in progress (I used my recently published novel, but here is a great way to showcase and preview what you have coming up for your readers).</div>
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2. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Keep it PG-13 or lower</strong>. No swearing, no sex scenes. If you have a particularly violent scene or deal with a heavy or controversial subject matter, please<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> include a disclaimer </strong>at the beginning of your post.</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">Suggestions:</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">1. Visit at least some of the other Christian Fiction Friday authors each week and </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">comment </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">on their blogs.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">2. </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">Don't offer critiques</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;"> unless the author specifically asks for it in his or her post.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">3. Please </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;">include this blurb</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.6000003814697px; text-align: justify;"> at the end of your weekly post</span></div>
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<span style="color: #515151; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/wippet" style="color: rgb(108, 184, 58) !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">Christian Fiction Friday</a> is a weekly blog hop where authors post short (400-word or less) snippets from their current works in progress. It is hosted by <a href="http://www.alanaterry.com/blog" style="color: rgb(108, 184, 58) !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">Alana Terry</a> and <a href="http://www.hallee.bridgemanfamily.com/" style="color: rgb(108, 184, 58) !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">Hallee Bridgeman</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;">- See more at: <a href="http://www.hallee.bridgemanfamily.com/#sthash.UMnxFNWR.dpuf">http://www.hallee.bridgemanfamily.com/#sthash.UMnxFNWR.dpuf</a></span></div>
Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-23276903952204499602015-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:002015-05-06T06:00:02.556-04:00SHE'S MINE is FREE!!For 5 days only, May 7th to May 11th, I'm offering my newest novel for the low, low price of FREEE!! Be sure to snag this 5 star Romantic Suspense while it is so reasonably priced (after May 11th, it's still pretty reasonable at only $4.99...but free trumps any dollar amount every day!!)<br />
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Click here to go to the <a href="http://amzn.to/1JmgW8S" target="_blank">Amazon</a> page: http://amzn.to/1JmgW8S<br />
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Or click on the book cover below. I'd love to have SHE'S MINE skyrocket into the top 10 for its category. You can help - the more people that download it while it's free, the better my sales ranking will be. And you can say you were pivotal in creating a Top 10 Bestseller!<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1JmgW8S" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0noS46zoeCg5g_PO_1dew9NgoDwG8NCDEEd_ki4fiWL0i-zebIJxchkFsWm3Tt6jvvPiygqn45BB2IDasf-vJWJyhv3TRwPgsDF1bHi1TZFl-wmNdOuk_JLWw2l7xt6MzVkfOKYIv9D8/s400/CoverFront+Final+copy.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<br />Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-19783799973167623792015-03-11T11:59:00.001-04:002015-03-11T11:59:26.262-04:00She's Mine is a Grace Awards Finalist!!!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, I'm !!!!!! kind of excited about this - The Grace Awards is in its 5th year but this is the first time I had a book eligible. And I'm a finalist!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D8L4AXTSXqlHOKHiFa19n_mocI-u4WWoMjsS8cNlJ0DHFI55yLev8Go5PrN6iHq-nRLcKTyU2BvAVLUksnWv2KqHbsdeOUtCUaGLvdu-dn7o3gPIMm8i-qF8Qt7ubUnXaLg3aEl6ycc/s1600/grace+award+icon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9D8L4AXTSXqlHOKHiFa19n_mocI-u4WWoMjsS8cNlJ0DHFI55yLev8Go5PrN6iHq-nRLcKTyU2BvAVLUksnWv2KqHbsdeOUtCUaGLvdu-dn7o3gPIMm8i-qF8Qt7ubUnXaLg3aEl6ycc/s1600/grace+award+icon.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Grace Awards celebrates excellence in faith-based fiction, seeking to expand its scope and readership and to showcase its value in the Christian community (and the world at large). The tag-line "Expanding the Tent Pegs of Christian Fiction" really sums up this award. Each year, from January 1 to February 28, readers vote for (nominate) novels published the previous year, in six categories. The voting requires readers to write a 40 (or more) word statement of why they like the book they are nominating. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0noS46zoeCg5g_PO_1dew9NgoDwG8NCDEEd_ki4fiWL0i-zebIJxchkFsWm3Tt6jvvPiygqn45BB2IDasf-vJWJyhv3TRwPgsDF1bHi1TZFl-wmNdOuk_JLWw2l7xt6MzVkfOKYIv9D8/s1600/CoverFront+Final+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0noS46zoeCg5g_PO_1dew9NgoDwG8NCDEEd_ki4fiWL0i-zebIJxchkFsWm3Tt6jvvPiygqn45BB2IDasf-vJWJyhv3TRwPgsDF1bHi1TZFl-wmNdOuk_JLWw2l7xt6MzVkfOKYIv9D8/s1600/CoverFront+Final+copy.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As SHE'S MINE was released on December 1, 2014, it was eligible for this award. But it had a short time in which to impress enough readers to garner enough votes to make the first-round pick. And it did! I'm so thrilled that you all like my book!!! Being nominated really is an honor. Whether or not my novel wins, I will always have this achievement to cherish.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K3Y7X4Y/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00K3Y7X4Y&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=Z6NQYOQPOGP3OYD6" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0aPjlnZvSIhuyIsKmBJnC161aw-lCOD2_YZOQNQt15mlq-9vZXsmsNPnssrYKWBQOIEuXoDJSiU91b9szTIaEhMkoAcWI88znAVq46cIQHcr8swLKI9CSKhinEg05vO9OuoXCZhQACY/s1600/Harmful+Intent.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, enough of tooting my own horn. Because I'm up against some stiff competition. One other finalist in the Mystery/Suspense category is none other than my critique partner Nike Chillemi. Her novel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K3Y7X4Y/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00K3Y7X4Y&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=NEMDEHXQIXCARBMS" target="_blank">HARMFUL INTENT</a> is a fast-paced police procedural type mystery with a hunky hero and a lovable yet sometimes snarky heroine. I absolutely LOVE this novel! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJ17EPK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JJ17EPK&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=MZWABL7REDGF3KFA" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMKiEjycJUnqTPTf7tLUkMSJ34G3EKUSCJzssMZAG0E_59RpUwudRDuSsDXB6Vd56j7uTAjJH977m4sYMkjLxpHG5EcMTmKL1M4T0zrPtv-x4s0je_oHlwIBjHY8lbL9SzLRUKXfC5bM/s1600/between+the+lies.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not familiar with the third finalist novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JJ17EPK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JJ17EPK&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=6CEUPS77JRGRUOZN" target="_blank">BETWEEN THE LIES</a> by Joy DeKok. It has 91, 5 star reviews so it must be a good story! The blurb on Amazon sounds very intriguing. I'll definitely be adding it to my TBR list :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In other categories, some of my favorites of 2014 are finalists as well as several of my fellow CIA members (that's Christian Indie Authors - not the "other" CIA!!). Here's a peak at the others:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congratulations to all the finalists! Be sure to check the <a href="https://graceawardsdotorg.wordpress.com/2015/03/10/andthe-grace-awards-2014-finalists-are/" target="_blank">Grace Awards blog</a> to read a short blurb about each novel. And check back in May to find out the winners! In the meantime, support Christian fiction by reading one or more of these wonderful novels and posting reviews online. Take it from this author - finding a new review posted is like Christmas morning!</span></div>
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<br />Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-78491999118446088032015-03-06T12:38:00.000-05:002015-03-06T12:42:14.267-05:00Sneak Peek at the next Mystique of Naultag novel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8zLeQH-CUPOLewtsBjxwFdVvJhp8RwlTCDfANkntEgTcO-cfkE3DsfeywUTRS1k8SAasUDHcikXSmL2wAuMnGjz5yQuwUtGWQV7WgQK48jRA5aVA0U3m_8t5e47PHdXGQGYmNhhPEbc/s1600/christian-fiction-friday-banner-e1423219106167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8zLeQH-CUPOLewtsBjxwFdVvJhp8RwlTCDfANkntEgTcO-cfkE3DsfeywUTRS1k8SAasUDHcikXSmL2wAuMnGjz5yQuwUtGWQV7WgQK48jRA5aVA0U3m_8t5e47PHdXGQGYmNhhPEbc/s1600/christian-fiction-friday-banner-e1423219106167.jpg" height="120" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to Christian Fiction Friday's - a chance for Christian Authors to post short snippets from their works in progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those who have read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=B4CDD5XQK5OGYOLX" target="_blank">SHE'S MINE</a>, you know I end with a teaser about Randy Henderson. No spoiler here - yes, Randy is the co-star of the next Mystique of Naultag novel. Unfortunately, this one has no title yet. I'm calling it "MON2" (Mystique of Naultag #2). Randy's leading lady is Giovana McKenzie. Here's how I picture them:</span><br />
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From MON2, chapter 1:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gio met Randy’s gaze. “Are you
ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He nodded. Deema blew a nervous
breath as Gio encouraged the mare to lower herself to the straw bedding.
Relieved when the horse accepted her interference, Gio knelt and went to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You’ll need to make sure she
stays down.” Glancing up, she saw Randy was already positioning himself to
restrain the mare. “Try to keep her as calm as possible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Labor contractions had wedged
the foal in the birth canal. Gio would fist need to repel the foal, pushing
back gently, then carefully extend the forelegs. After that, she had to bring
the head around to facing forward. Then, and only then, she’d help ease the
baby into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, please help me do this, guide my hands.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Easy does it now, girl. Dr.
MacKenzie’s gonna make it all better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Randy’s soft reassuring tone
grabbed Gio’s attention. He was down on the floor beside Deema’s head, left
elbow on the ground and forearm extending across the mare’s neck, ready to
apply pressure to prevent her from rising. His right hand caressed Deema’s face
and ears while he continued to croon words of comfort and encouragement. He
glanced at Gio and grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Repositioning the unseen foal
required full concentration. Gio adjusted the foal between contractions. The
comforting cadence and low timbre of Randy’s voice calmed her as well as the
horse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At last the foal’s forelegs
were straight. Gio found the little muzzle and was easing it around when
another contraction clamped uterine muscles. The foal slid toward the birth
canal. Frantically, Gio pushed against the movement with one hand, trying to
maintain her hold on the foal’s muzzle at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A low growl escaped her.
Randy’s sing-song faltered as he shot a quizzical glance her way. She managed a
weak smile before refocusing on the foal. Randy began softly singing
"Blackbird."</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjCDNogxMdQsXoECVJVKnGfZzAKRWmbZY1ZObBIabb5e-ynPU3tuY5L4UMtEWHEiBFGMKF56oO1gi1nI4z2CqH8smptpmOI0FX8_s0o5F6PvPOfGa16XaZBrCl4UvCj4lPFY6KyDp0f4/s1600/mare+and+newborn+foal_Photo+by+Carey+Williams,+Rutgers+University.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjCDNogxMdQsXoECVJVKnGfZzAKRWmbZY1ZObBIabb5e-ynPU3tuY5L4UMtEWHEiBFGMKF56oO1gi1nI4z2CqH8smptpmOI0FX8_s0o5F6PvPOfGa16XaZBrCl4UvCj4lPFY6KyDp0f4/s1600/mare+and+newborn+foal_Photo+by+Carey+Williams,+Rutgers+University.jpg" height="126" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f5f6; color: #212124; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by Carey Williams, Rutgers University</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.alanaterry.com/blog/christian-fiction-friday" target="_blank">Christian Fiction Friday</a> is a weekly blog hop where authors post snippets from their current Works In Progress. It is hosted by <a href="http://www.alanaterry.com/blog" target="_blank">Alana Terry</a> and <a href="http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee/" target="_blank">Hallee Bridgeman</a> - see more at </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee/christian-fiction-friday-march-6th/#sthash.O5jpyzw6.dpuf">http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee/christian-fiction-friday-march-6th/#sthash.O5jpyzw6.dpuf</a></span><br />
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-87485890997110613172015-02-12T08:45:00.001-05:002015-02-12T08:45:30.205-05:00I've Decided to call this season "Pre-Spring"<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It's almost Valentine's Day. You'd hardly know it with all the snow we have here. So far this winter, the city of Worcester, MA (which is just east of Naultag), has received 92" of snow. That's more than 7 feet of snow!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To combat the winter blahs, I've been focusing on how many more days until Spring. This morning I decided to start calling the remainder of this season "Pre-Spring." Sounds better than "winter" or even "late winter." In fact, my pastor's last name is Winters - I may start calling him Pastor Pre-Spring <wink></wink></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here are some photos of our snow so far this year:</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBG3qm-5uIVYJSdTQB72CFisvoisTLCiuDA0q28egB4kJ7I7ntffs4rCBgBCTCu_6mQvw75GqubTGujiYcEhB8ojNNY6QOLBqFKUivxF4QjVwqelv0ReoQgFrOV5enjmEsToY9SAU5sM/s1600/2015-01-27+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBG3qm-5uIVYJSdTQB72CFisvoisTLCiuDA0q28egB4kJ7I7ntffs4rCBgBCTCu_6mQvw75GqubTGujiYcEhB8ojNNY6QOLBqFKUivxF4QjVwqelv0ReoQgFrOV5enjmEsToY9SAU5sM/s1600/2015-01-27+003.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter storm Juno - a Nor'Easter Blizzard 1/27/15</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowtlSuQi4kpIvMKx2DsqbeKIvkO_xT4BmL7rer-0lOUt6UWkYtYdp33dcC99SH_AZKqLHRoPBiI1sKF0v7Q8QPs_KRyHkvTNfsWYTSlQ9HAjL92pGXkR1geBA5995tedq-Ax4uJxzYyA/s1600/2015-01-27+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowtlSuQi4kpIvMKx2DsqbeKIvkO_xT4BmL7rer-0lOUt6UWkYtYdp33dcC99SH_AZKqLHRoPBiI1sKF0v7Q8QPs_KRyHkvTNfsWYTSlQ9HAjL92pGXkR1geBA5995tedq-Ax4uJxzYyA/s1600/2015-01-27+019.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nor'Easter dropped 30"+ on us</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYVNjP6Sc4jsmE_A-sI1Dxrx93-wREV0KZ48l5yWlmQ4K54u-hzdLr1AkrOIusk99LxzhqmhC6PRQMcX1LvIYN1T1NXcjhYpRuYJZkuM1MZBlQ7dQ56DqFy_k_yfqoZoxRnkroNtzTaE/s1600/2015-02-10+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYVNjP6Sc4jsmE_A-sI1Dxrx93-wREV0KZ48l5yWlmQ4K54u-hzdLr1AkrOIusk99LxzhqmhC6PRQMcX1LvIYN1T1NXcjhYpRuYJZkuM1MZBlQ7dQ56DqFy_k_yfqoZoxRnkroNtzTaE/s1600/2015-02-10+022.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasha's Cave 2/10/15</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR39qfWkaFzZ_YuYzeLJTnuvEn7w7pYb1RB9BroUXc2vXLkAMLcajL095OJi9KtkZefh6TmFozBNJGtgEV-a4nS_1k2aUKJ7S-h16VNLMa5nRTjSQgWrXAD7ymDKNRiebkhaeEJZj6dJE/s1600/2015-01-27+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR39qfWkaFzZ_YuYzeLJTnuvEn7w7pYb1RB9BroUXc2vXLkAMLcajL095OJi9KtkZefh6TmFozBNJGtgEV-a4nS_1k2aUKJ7S-h16VNLMa5nRTjSQgWrXAD7ymDKNRiebkhaeEJZj6dJE/s1600/2015-01-27+022.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sasha's Cave 1/27/15</td></tr>
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Sasha, our Siberian Husky, has a spot in her kennel that we call her "cave." On the left, snow is forming a top and sides. On the right, taken 2/10/15, shows her cave is now an igloo!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvt6hLvvs-OvWGr4cXPwJr5znoumLxltaddAlBG-z4JXTBO7W3RI6aY5Vxr91uAj4FQOAGVtYCogcSSgnhE_zjDgzZvQnghKXQ2bGwIVkGGN4yqQhQfVuU2lm2_Tphjw1rZQLX5Q5kac/s1600/2015-02-08+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvt6hLvvs-OvWGr4cXPwJr5znoumLxltaddAlBG-z4JXTBO7W3RI6aY5Vxr91uAj4FQOAGVtYCogcSSgnhE_zjDgzZvQnghKXQ2bGwIVkGGN4yqQhQfVuU2lm2_Tphjw1rZQLX5Q5kac/s1600/2015-02-08+013.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pile is 19' wide by 30'+ long and 8'-9' tall!! 2/8/15</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRTFhq71McTDY2kfUyhJ7RLEeCZNVZ9Kx5dWFKsLXo0LEsLPe9FB9G8Z6rVpwyr5GCJpXpuIRZibgVxPNFzyIgq8ib4NPgABeEFNAWLw9kDa82JfjIBJylmBW0xN-Rt7NbGlIzC2CSa4/s1600/2015-02-10+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRTFhq71McTDY2kfUyhJ7RLEeCZNVZ9Kx5dWFKsLXo0LEsLPe9FB9G8Z6rVpwyr5GCJpXpuIRZibgVxPNFzyIgq8ib4NPgABeEFNAWLw9kDa82JfjIBJylmBW0xN-Rt7NbGlIzC2CSa4/s1600/2015-02-10+012.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fence is almost buried! 2/10/15 </td></tr>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-88943990460723267652015-01-23T05:30:00.000-05:002015-01-23T05:30:01.747-05:00CELEBRATION TIME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5sN2JbTU2XyWVmyXtFpvzPgT4qG2XmX-rOnfVOPULkaoJ0tPid9oTBhdTxJky_oLRjsl9x5WjhuU0qoj0Ez0AAH1NNYUXBby1LhtRY2ECkVKXqAjMzw_j9hFTVs9vC3-UyCOmMIMN8A/s1600/COTTbannernew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5sN2JbTU2XyWVmyXtFpvzPgT4qG2XmX-rOnfVOPULkaoJ0tPid9oTBhdTxJky_oLRjsl9x5WjhuU0qoj0Ez0AAH1NNYUXBby1LhtRY2ECkVKXqAjMzw_j9hFTVs9vC3-UyCOmMIMN8A/s1600/COTTbannernew.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a></div>
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This week, I had the honor of having my novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=4E5AFIMGKR4IBW25" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">SHE'S MINE</span></a>, chosen as winner of the January <a href="http://www.clashofthetitles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Clash of the Titles</span></a>!! It's so exciting because this is a competition where readers choose which book they'd most like to read based on the cover and a brief blurb. So not only did my blurb catch interest, but the beautiful cover designed by my talented artist daughter, Tiffany Doherty, is also a winner! <i>(you might be able to tell by all the exclamation points that I'm a little excited about this award!!!)</i><br />
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As I've mentioned before, Naultag - the fictional setting of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=4E5AFIMGKR4IBW25" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">SHE'S MINE</span></a> - is based on the area of Massachusetts where I live and grew up. At one point, Sean takes Caitlin to a restaurant called <i>Claudia's.</i> Here's an interest tidbit of trivia: a friend, and former childhood babysitter, used to own a restaurant in town. She's always been supportive of both my writing and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InishowenFarms" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">our family perennial nursery business</span></a>. So I named the diner in my book after her - Claudia. Here's what the real restaurant looks like:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iTTkV10gcr69Hwb3gWq379i_cnzVYaq8Sjf-bAwBCAuw1nhGgope7o5x4Tb75Jp2q0oHmYdYBFxHgEzJmx6VWnEIECAl_SOZC8TL2ALCuHnmz6nxcUDqocImStbN8OyDy0ZLpk8N6J8/s1600/Statz+with+no+name+showing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iTTkV10gcr69Hwb3gWq379i_cnzVYaq8Sjf-bAwBCAuw1nhGgope7o5x4Tb75Jp2q0oHmYdYBFxHgEzJmx6VWnEIECAl_SOZC8TL2ALCuHnmz6nxcUDqocImStbN8OyDy0ZLpk8N6J8/s1600/Statz+with+no+name+showing.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm excited to share more of my part of the world with readers. Look for more posts in the future with photos of the central MA region. And be sure to check out <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.clashofthetitles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Clash of the Titles</span></a> </span>blog for more clashes each month. You may find a new favorite author. If you haven't yet bought a copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=4E5AFIMGKR4IBW25" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">SHE'S MINE</span></a>, what are you waiting for?!! Hop over to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PULUH2K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00PULUH2K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=4E5AFIMGKR4IBW25" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Amazon</span></a> and get it for your Kindle or in print.Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-75348875433352248042015-01-05T12:00:00.000-05:002015-01-05T12:00:00.943-05:00Author Spotlight - Dana Pratola with a NEW RELEASE!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met Dana Pratola on Facebook. Though we've never met face-to-face, I consider her to be a friend. Two years ago, I had the joy of reading the first novel in Dana's <i>Descended</i> series, <i>Descended ~ Jett.</i> It is a fabulous novel! I absolutely <u style="font-style: italic;">must</u> read <i>Sebastian</i>, because the third in the series just released and I want to read them all! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RNAXLRO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00RNAXLRO&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=73LAXUJ4TEZ3K4KM" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbSaQOH_NI1TWkKVvf_bjixfA798ol5nhRtWAzgy7gX-djkKaSrbNU3miG0lePtB3BY98JEYCYVxAgoaPGX3bKUduj-bKdZQCwX4YcuJvNSBL1_u1scZHbfgSuFlRQwld99vPuHGzg0M/s1600/AARO+LARGE.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span id="goog_1452856897"></span><span id="goog_1452856898"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span style="color: yellow;"><span id="goog_1452856905"></span>Descended ~ Aaro </span><span id="goog_1452856906"></span></a>released on New Year's Day. It's the third book in the 4-part Descended series. Aaro Highlander, like his “brothers,” is a special breed—not quite angel, not quite human—with spectacular gifts, deep running passions and strength of character that makes him the ideal man for our heroine, Darcy. <br /><br />This part of the journey reveals prophetic secrets unknown to the other men (Jett & Sebastian) until now. While searching for a serial killer, they also await the discovery of the fourth of their kind to come together for a greater purpose. (oooh, can you feel the anticipation?!!)<br /><br />Here's an excerpt to wet your appetite:</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />George didn’t bother to conceal his irritation when Aaro approached. He crumpled his napkin and dropped it next to his plate. “You’re food isn’t ready yet?”<br />
<br />Oh, how Aaro loved arrogant blow-hards. He grinned, and pulled out an empty chair. “No. So I’ll just sit with you guys for a minute. You don’t mind, right?” he asked George, then turned to Darcy.<br />
<br />He caught the quick snicker she tried to mask with a delicate cough and a sip of iced tea. She was something. Reaching onto her plate, Aaro stole an olive. He didn’t like olives, but it served to move her eyes to his face where he could send her a not-so-subtle wink.<br />
<br />George made a show of tugging up the sleeve of his Armani shirt to look at his three thousand dollar watch, even though there was a wall clock mounted less than five feet away.<br />
<br />“You have to get back to work,” he said, signaling their waiter for the check.<br />
<br />Aaro took Darcy’s hand, rubbing her wrist with his thumb. Her breath caught, an action that was mimicked by her pulse under his touch. “Do you have to leave so soon?”<br />
<br />She nodded, dumbly, as the waiter set down the leather check folder, thanked them for coming, and strode away. George stood, pulled a money clip from his pocket and slapped down a wad of cash, without seeming to count it.<br />
<br />“In that case, let me say goodbye,” Aaro said.<br />
<br />He leaned from his chair to hers, sliding his hand beneath her sleek ponytail and behind her neck, gently pulling her toward his waiting mouth.<br />
<br />The touch of her warm, flavorful lips had him pressing closer, flexing his fingers against the smoothness of her neck, resisting the desire to slide his hand down her back or to open her mouth to his probing tongue.<br />
<br />He’d thought he knew what he was doing. He’d meant for it to be a sweet peck on the lips, just a harmless show—<br />
<br />No he hadn’t. He’d meant it to be hot and searing, meant it to put that pansy, George, in his place and let him know he would never kiss Darcy like this, never evoke the response she was giving now. Only he didn’t expect his own response to be quite so urgent. Didn’t expect it to induce visions of clearing the table off with one swipe and taking her there in a crowded restaurant.<br />
<br />And he certainly didn’t expect the absolute silence when he reined himself in enough to back slowly away, brushing his thumb over her flushed cheek. Darcy’s eyes shimmered with heat, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she reached for her drink.<br />
<br />But, George didn’t give her time to sip. Moving around Aaro’s still recovering form, he took Darcy by the hand and shuffled her outside.<br />
<br />Aaro sat there a few more seconds, working out in his own mind what just happened. He felt…possessive. What was that about? He swallowed, hard, and looked around. Every eye in the place was focused on him, including Kate’s, her cheeks deep pink as she fanned a white cloth in front of her face.<br />
<br />Embarrassed, he tried a half smile as he walked back to the counter. He’d never been out of control in public before.<br />
<br />“So, that steak done?”<br /><br />Kate chuckled. “Yes. And it’s on the house.”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IgIornxfHQG2VqBUc_7lOVGqINWdtvPQl2PIjfvcb18j0OjALTsuGGw6zv4GDButmTwOXqnWBb80HntaENQ4J322tfiKfQzYiHAdQBOTiGs6DkK2WtYSpClm-viItmEHZznKkcWSCjQ/s1600/Dana+Pratola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IgIornxfHQG2VqBUc_7lOVGqINWdtvPQl2PIjfvcb18j0OjALTsuGGw6zv4GDButmTwOXqnWBb80HntaENQ4J322tfiKfQzYiHAdQBOTiGs6DkK2WtYSpClm-viItmEHZznKkcWSCjQ/s1600/Dana+Pratola.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ready to buy it and read it all? Of course you are!! Pop over to Amazon, or click the book photo/name in this post <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RNAXLRO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00RNAXLRO&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=73LAXUJ4TEZ3K4KM" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Descended~Aaro</span></a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And be sure to visit Dana Pratola online to learn about her other novels, and keep up-to-date on future books. You can find Dana on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DanaPratolaAuthor" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Facebook</span></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/danapratola" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Twitter (@DanaPratola)</span></a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4770755.Dana_Pratola" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Goodreads</span></a>, or at her website, <a href="http://www.danapratola.webs.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Dana Pratola ~ Author</span></a>. </span><br />
<br /> </div>
Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-14855823450544523132014-12-15T12:46:00.001-05:002014-12-15T12:46:09.917-05:00Author Spotlight: Interview and Give Away<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UxImZDGGbyLmY0a_f7fX2G1hLmbP1tGRUEHqGv2230nleAjgyOGobWzMyaxSRhf3SCnPq662wnB7ORQH-kuTpuV4nKVuznnoPKO7vIRIMeSvQ7cz94vpSU7_2s0khueYrmVaZCqn0Ik/s1600/Ruth+O'Neil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UxImZDGGbyLmY0a_f7fX2G1hLmbP1tGRUEHqGv2230nleAjgyOGobWzMyaxSRhf3SCnPq662wnB7ORQH-kuTpuV4nKVuznnoPKO7vIRIMeSvQ7cz94vpSU7_2s0khueYrmVaZCqn0Ik/s1600/Ruth+O'Neil.jpg" height="200" width="166" /></a></div>
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Today I am honored to have Ruth O'Neil as a guest on my blog. Ruth has been writing for over 20 years and has published hundreds of articles. Ruth is offering a GIVE AWAY of one of her books to one lucky reader. Be sure to leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win the Ruth O'Neil book of your choice. </div>
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1) When did you start writing?
What was the first story you remember writing?<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was nine I wrote my first story called "The Hunchback Bug." My mom allowed me to use her typewriter. I felt proud as I sat at the dining room table pounding away at the keys. When I was done I asked if I should put my name, age, and date at the bottom. She thought it was a good idea.<br /> <br />Later on that story came up missing. I never knew what happened to it until my mom passed away. Dad gave all four of us kids our baby books that Mom had meticulously kept up with from the days we were born. Inside were treasures of all kinds: hair, reward certificates from school, honor roll certificates, report cards, and…my story. She had kept that story all those years, safely tucked away so it wouldn’t get lost or damaged.<br /> <br />I still have it today.<br />
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2) What is your favorite thing
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Helping other potential writers. I want to see others see
their writing dreams come true. I have witnessed more than one person cry when
they hold their book in their hands for the first time. There is nothing like
that feeling!<o:p></o:p></div>
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3) How many books do you
currently have available? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I started a series of novels, <i>What a Difference a Year Makes.</i> The novels are all stand-alone with
different characters. But over my life I’ve seen that so much can happen in a
year. I wanted to do a series, but I get frustrated when I buy a book and it’s
the second or third in a series and I haven’t read the previous ones. With my
series, order doesn’t matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/12W4JZ9" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGwMUIsEFkgjMS2Ugl53EOSQZ17QKTJZW125ZCOmkcdm5vePjzdfbScDjp5_WgicaOJm7ceo4W82LtH_knkqw4VDp4ylI6ptnVFhyd78Ws2O2CkGTU9kgx6rbN8I1iEsvdAlCMoPeVGI/s1600/Belonging+Cover+final.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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<i>Belonging<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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After the death of her father, painfully shy and introverted
Shelly finds her world turned upside down. She is forced to speak with people
and she may even have to move from her comfortable apartment. Sorting through
her father’s possessions at his house brings back many memories, including how
they would research her mom’s genealogy so that in a way, she could get to know
her mother’s family, who are all deceased. Shelly wonders why her dad never
researched his own family and she never remembers any family events. Why? She
begins a journey that takes her to places she never dreamed. Throughout the
entire story, God nudges Shelly to get out of her comfort zone. That’s easy for
some, but for Shelly it may almost be impossible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get your copy of <i><a href="http://amzn.to/12W4JZ9" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">BELONGING</span></a></i> on Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.to/12W4JZ9"><span style="color: yellow;">http://amzn.to/12W4JZ9</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Come Eat at My Table<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS9lEZEkoaMcsdMuw7b-ZW9qP6goerL8sS53wf4kh3dHx9C6vrQ1iUHKNEsBVOaneJgI7eUMbNWn2tCDcCMYNBeNGIu75-Vvp5Jk_zzlRSzTswaJ733sB7BSn3el_UdlMt2eXfl8MlrI/s1600/table+cover+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS9lEZEkoaMcsdMuw7b-ZW9qP6goerL8sS53wf4kh3dHx9C6vrQ1iUHKNEsBVOaneJgI7eUMbNWn2tCDcCMYNBeNGIu75-Vvp5Jk_zzlRSzTswaJ733sB7BSn3el_UdlMt2eXfl8MlrI/s1600/table+cover+image.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a>Karin Miller has a need to feed everyone. One of her twin
daughters always teases her about it, while<br />
the other daughter, Faith, realizes there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Faith’s suspicions are confirmed when she is assigned a project in school that
forces Karin to talk about her past. Most people have pleasant memories from
childhood, but not Karin. Instead, she has a lot of secrets that she has
managed to keep hidden for twenty years. These secrets have contributed to her
vulnerability and lack of self-esteem. Her husband tries to convince her to
talk to their girls about it and let it out. Would it be good for the girls to
learn more about their mom and why she is the person she is? Until Karin faces
her past, she and her family cannot face their future. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Everyone has things in their life that form who they are.
It’s Karin’s past that has formed who she is. This is a story about
perseverance, love, and especially forgiveness. We can all take the bad things<br />
that happen in our lives and turn them around to benefit those with whom we
come in contact.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Get your copy of <i><a href="http://amzn.to/136NHap" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">COME EAT AT MY TABLE</span></a> </i>on Amazon:<i> </i><a href="http://amzn.to/136NHap"><span style="color: yellow;">http://amzn.to/136NHap</span></a></div>
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4) Which book(s) inspire you
the most?<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s like asking which child is my favorite. I think
different books inspire me at different times – depending on what I’m going
through at the time. I think it’s great that different authors can have an
effect on me when I need it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Keep in touch with Ruth at her blog, <a href="http://ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;">Real Life is Better Than Fiction </span></a></div>
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And don't forget to leave a comment on this post, with your email address in a safe format (example: <i>username (at) internet server (dot) net</i>) to be entered for a FREE book. Deadline is Friday, 12/19/14 at midnight EST. </div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5h8dau7e5jQ%2FVI8byRD5hAI%2FAAAAAAAAB64%2Fy-0y6FVITm4%2Fs1600%2Ftable%252Bcover%252Bimage.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS9lEZEkoaMcsdMuw7b-ZW9qP6goerL8sS53wf4kh3dHx9C6vrQ1iUHKNEsBVOaneJgI7eUMbNWn2tCDcCMYNBeNGIu75-Vvp5Jk_zzlRSzTswaJ733sB7BSn3el_UdlMt2eXfl8MlrI/s1600/table+cover+image.jpg" -->Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-835886589581881393.post-37521449148240132772014-12-08T09:20:00.000-05:002014-12-08T09:20:11.620-05:00Author Spotlight - Suzanne Williams<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYnHU9eNGwOt4EqwnEqRVM-OMiTg3Y2CLnyw_0X5C92pXlIsXzqknOPfyWneV1wtR3Rn05g_HzWCQzckdOJ1Cq34lxJNOSsZxP1vIN2jqo7TZqZDsbYRTxB5jtzSQgaJuEP_DNJaR6c0/s1600/Suzanne+Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYnHU9eNGwOt4EqwnEqRVM-OMiTg3Y2CLnyw_0X5C92pXlIsXzqknOPfyWneV1wtR3Rn05g_HzWCQzckdOJ1Cq34lxJNOSsZxP1vIN2jqo7TZqZDsbYRTxB5jtzSQgaJuEP_DNJaR6c0/s1600/Suzanne+Williams.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm starting a new feature on my blog - on Mondays I will post an Author Spotlight or Book Review. This week, I'm happy to kick off with someone I met through Facebook. Suzanne D. Williams is a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction books. She's also a photographer and does graphic design for indie published authors. Suzanne and I share a love of photography as well as writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suzanne has a Christmas-themed novella with a title many of us up in the frozen North will be drawn to - and dreaming about! <i>Merry Christmas from Florida</i> is just the thing to warm you up and get you in the Christmas mood. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1502348659/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1502348659&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=5SY35KBIF3CT5DED" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGRec9xhOPAgh8VAX4Miw-a91VkvBxUwbR38e5b3Qd3fVBJFLey9mo68hibXZAasEPCOvcur_FZDtXST0rmeDn7LX7zGgjvYsK8qZaOpn3pcV2F6PH8Ctf60E95X0GLd4vHgg8OJ_NV0/s1600/MERRYCHRISTMASFROMFLORIDA-500.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Fashion model Whitney Hobart snuck off to Florida to solve her Christas blues. A bad, extremely public breakup combined with endless rounds of holiday cheer seem like simply too much to endure. She'll hide out at a small hotel on the coast, soak in the winter sunshine, and no one will be the wiser.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">But when her secret gets out, the problems she's tried to escape multiply, and what's supposed to be relaxing isn't anymore. The only good thing remaining is hotel manager, Fletcher Collins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">She finds in him a listening ear, a gentle hand, and maybe, just maybe, the greatest gift of all - love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suzanne, tell us a little about yourself. What do you do when you are not writing?</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I snickered a little at this question because when am I not
writing? I write practically all day every day. That said, I do stop to eat. I
like to try new recipes, especially desserts, and to cook with my daughter. I
also garden. I plant both flowers and vegetables. I love watching the birds and
bees enjoy what I've planted. I enjoy that even more with my camera lens.
Nature photography is like therapy for my soul. It helps me set aside all the
nonsense of the day and clears my head. When nothing else makes sense,
photography does.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXBAEvoVcGK6MvPqX_Z6IYfZ3vJxYdSeoo9UkOPXrfj65i6yrbJh6aTRKFHIz4Nni9c2kWGAK61MXO_wj2vGRG-MNinGdIdpoKMmFH0tozRZdz_SiCGvwcTTysHcYnhgEAVmTskwn284/s1600/Suzanne+flower+photo.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A sample of Suzanne's photography</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv5Hu-dxGeNtF2qcrQaaPBmQy1Co7Ohv0cg6Dnx2utK8m3PoRFjFkW3-LWsf_9S01p_hvUAxFADZYHa5vtrCqk-upqgwY2UIV9cwXqefNcNApFZQFFF_HsqM8crRRmJXIUYr6XeYww-c/s1600/Suzanne+lizard+photo.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A sample of Suzanne's photograpy</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When did you first consider
yourself a writer?</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was a graphic artist first, doing book covers,
newsletters, and the like. I went through a trying time in 2007 and decided to
write my personal testimony. This was my first effort at writing and, for me,
the hardest. Writing fiction, came after that. I had an idea for a story and a
friend encouraged me to go after it. Though I had no idea what I was doing at
first, I've never looked back. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many books have you
written? Which is your favorite?</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I write mostly novellas of
about 20,000 words. That said, I currently have 59 novels/novellas/short
stories released, 34 of which I released this year alone. My brain seems to be
an endless fountain of ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love all my stories, but have a fondness for <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJOLG36/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BJOLG36&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=CTA2HAT526LMMUN3" target="_blank">Love &Redemption (The Florida Irish)</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AYYJGXO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AYYJGXO&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=L5LPUHIO2DUQL5GF" target="_blank">Me & Timothy Cooper</a></i> for their place in
kickstarting my writing career. <i>Love & Redemption</i> has been not as popular
as some series, but it was the book I learned to write on - how to plot, how to
create meaningful characters. <i>Me & Timothy Cooper</i> set me to writing YA
romance. There's something about the innocence of youth that appeals to me and
keeps me coming back to that genre.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Are there certain characters
you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work
with?</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have all kinds of themes
slated for next year. I have a YA Rodeo series, a YA Surfing series. I have a
contemporary Celebrity series. I also have a historical fiction series to
finish as well as several individual contemporary novels. I do write a lot of
romantic suspense and have even written sci-fi. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-D-Williams/e/B004U5OIOA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0GsbMOE7sxt7_s-TXOw_XrMHHZ9lOfYEKdbplLOXnrUZQqjKRlH4WnVxq4wmcJ97LWz6I34HlZ_Y7xGmaSs14xRqAM9RNNHJJZg9wjSjrs2VxiI85-hCF0ey8tw0DlpNmO1UxVm5wq0/s1600/suzanne+williams+books.jpg" height="76" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I would list favorite characters, my swoon-worthy hero is Michael O'Fallen in
the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJOLG36/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BJOLG36&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=CTA2HAT526LMMUN3" target="_blank"><i>Love & Redemption</i> </a>series for that amazing singing voice. My favorite YA
hero is Aaron Loving in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GNLMYLI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00GNLMYLI&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=OBDZQXLCIDU6HH4Y" target="_blank">All About Romeo</a></i>. He's imperfect, but somehow, that
makes him so likeable. For personality I would choose Atlas Bellamy in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MMR928K/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00MMR928K&linkCode=as2&tag=tammdohe-20&linkId=JJP5ZDLUJIAIUOQJ" target="_blank">Atlas(Billionaire Boys Club) Book 1</a></i>. He's strong and confident, knows who he is and
doesn't turn aside for anyone but his wife, who he adores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get <i>Merry Christmas from Florida</i> on Kindle or in print at http://amzn.to/12hEj3A</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About the Suzanne D. Williams:<br />
Best-selling author, Suzanne D. Williams, is a native Floridian, wife, mother,
and photographer. She is the author of both nonfiction and fiction books. She
writes a monthly column for <a href="http://steves-digicams.com/">Steves-Digicams.com</a> on the subject of digital
photography, as well as devotionals and instructional articles for various
blogs. She also does graphic design for self-publishing authors. She is
co-founder of <a href="http://www.theedgebooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE EDGE</a>.</span>
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
To learn more about what she’s doing and check out her extensive catalog of
stories, visit <a href="http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/">http://suzanne-williams-photography.blogspot.com/</a>
or link with her on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor">http://www.facebook.com/suzannedwilliamsauthor</a></span></div>
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Tammy Dohertyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091474712383840821noreply@blogger.com0