If You Haven’t Read It – Read It!
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My Poetic Sin
Cinquain
It is my sin:
To take the easy way.
No rhyming and no meter strong.
Guilty!
But still
I plead my case.
It gives me more than joy.
It disciplines my use of words:
Aids skill.
So now,
My guilt assuaged,
I’m free to give myself
To writing even more cinquain.
Hooray!
I discovered recently that I have written so much cinquain over the past two years that I have enough to do a book of nothing but original cinquain.
So, I just might.
A Celebration Sale
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Hey, St. Ellen Press is offering a terrific sale of my Smoky Mountain Series e-books this month — in honor of the series coming to Amazon in paperback versions. Book # 1 in the Series – Set Free To Love – just went onto the Amazon market in paperback about a week ago, and Book # 2 – Cameron’s Rib – will be available there by the end of next week.
So —– to celebrate —- the e-book version of Set Free To Love goes on a wild sale for $0.99 for the next 7 days — beginning at 12:00 a.m. U. S. Pacific Time today, May 6.
And that’s not all: Beginning today, the three other books in the series will also be on sale for 2.99 for the rest of the Month of May. I’m excited. To read about each book and check out the reviews start at my Amazon Author’s page, where you’ll find links to all of them, as well as some other information.
Want a tiny hint about the stories?
Maddison Holt is a private detective who is so bound by grief, guilt, and self-incrimination that he feels unfit to love. Cameron McDaniels is a pastor who believes he has found the one woman who is the answer to his prayer for a helpmate, but she is still mourning the death of a past fiance and is afraid to love again. Lionel Butler has caused many a girl’s heart to flutter, but he never even notices because he’s convinced he’s destined to be a bad husband and father. His future looks bleak and hopeless. Professor Jonah McDaniels is a talented violinist and conductor. He’s intelligent, charming, and ‘knock-em-off-their-feet’ gorgeous. But he feels unworthy of being loved by the one woman he knows is the only woman he’ll ever give his heart to.
These 4 men’s lives intertwine as “The Smoky Mountain Series” carries the reader through the 4 novels. Read their stories and let God’s great plan for restoring their lives inspire and encourage your own heart.
P. S. Or maybe I should make that Pssssssst. I just had a thought. Mother’s Day is coming up, and if mom enjoys reading inspirational fiction, these would make a great gift. And Amazon offers a free app for any device, so she doesn’t even have to own a Kindle.
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Coffee Thursday 5/4/17 – For Those Iced Coffee Lovers Out There
Good morning, all you coffee lovers. Here we are at another “Coffee Thursday.” I do love these posts — mainly because I love coffee. Today I decided to focus on some interesting material I came across for iced coffee lovers. I’m inserting links to two other sites with information you’ll enjoy.
First is a site that focuses on coffee ice cubes. I have to be honest and say I never thought of that. I do drink iced coffee occasionally, but even when I drink it hot, sometimes when I first pour it from the pot it’s too hot to drink immediately, and I’ll grab a small ice cube to throw in and cool it off just a dab. But, of course, it does weaken it. If I made coffee ice cubes, that would be perfect. Also, I agree with what the author of this article says about the last couple inches of iced coffee left in a glass. It’s sooooo watery. Now, with coffee ice cubes — problem solved.
HERE’S THE LINK TO ‘COFFEE ICE CUBES.’
Now the other interesting treat I came across this week is coffee popsicles. Wow! Do they look good!!! Here’s the article that gives a great recipe. There are other recipes out there, of course — some made with cream and some not. (These are made with a little cream, by the way.) I think I’m definitely going to try these soon. Hope you enjoy reading about these 21st-century coffee adventures.
LINK TO ‘ICED COFFEE POPSICLES’
If you try either of these suggestions, let me know. And, as always feel free to share your own coffee post on your blog and hop over here with your link.
Enjoy your coffee today. Bottoms up!
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Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Sky
Daily Post Prompt: None
Wordless Wednesday 5/3/17
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An ‘Innocent’ Crime & Romance Story
My newest release is a Crime & Romance Novella — Book 1 of the Simon Stone Detective Series. The series is composed of ‘On Target, Quick-Read’ Novellas that should appeal to busy readers.
Book 1 is a story that I originally wrote right here on this blog: INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
Here’s a peek at what it’s about:
Deanna Forbes is a suspect in a murder investigation, but that fact doesn’t interfere with her desires. And, as a woman, she finds herself attracted to Detective Simon Stone, who conducts the two interviews with her before she is taken off the suspect list. She surprises Stone, and herself, when she invites him to have dinner with her so she can get to know him better.
Simon is a detective with a heart, and, so far, that heart has never been broken. So falling in love with a woman he suspects of murder doesn’t seem like a smart thing to do. But sometimes the heart has a mind of its own. He may be the sharpest detective on the force, but love is not a subject covered in the standard law enforcement manuals.
Paperback – $4.99 – from Amazon.
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May 1, 2017
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The Scent of You – Daily Post Prompt
The scent of you —
When first I wake to greet the day —
The warm, intoxicating pleasure of your fragrance touch:
It triggers tiny conflagrations deep inside of me
That spark a thousand more responses and then rush
To touch my mind. And then my senses come alive —
Each one: to taste, to hear, to touch, to see, to smell.
It is your smell that lingers, captivating all of me —
Throughout the day, constantly reminding me —
The sweet scent of the only one I’ll ever love so well.
♥ ♥ ♥
‘Smoky Mountain Series’ has come to Amazon in Paperback
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This week Book 1 of the Smoky Mountain Series took it’s place in the Paperback Inspirational Novel section of the Amazon book store. I’m really happy to report that this first book of the series —Set Free To Love — is now available at a new lower price — only $8.99.
It’s only a story — but when Private Detective Maddison Holt, Uncle Matt, Beth Hanover, and her young brother Lex get hold of your heart, you won’t feel like it’s just a story —– and you won’t want to miss picking up Book 2 of the series as soon as possible. The Smoky Mountain Series brings you stories where strong, loving, courageous characters meet the challenges of life with the power of God’s Word, and where true romance wins out over all.
Set Free To Love
As his vision suddenly blurred, Maddison realized he’d let it happen again. He swiped at his eyes with a thumb and forefinger, trying at the same time to pinch back more tears. He’d have to pull off the highway if he didn’t get better control of himself. The next moment, he could feel the anger boiling up from deep inside, needing an outlet. He’d swung back and forth like this relentlessly, between tears and anger for … how many weeks had it been now? Way too many … but then not really enough … not enough to dull the pain or answer any of the questions.
This first book in the Smoky Mountain Series follows private detective Maddison Holt’s journey from grief, guilt, and self-incrimination to a place where he is released from all of those burdens and able to freely give himself to loving and being loved. Order it here.
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Coffee Thursday 4/27/17
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A short Coffee post today. It’s a really busy time for me, but I do still love my coffee. Don’t forget: you’re invited to post about coffee on your site and paste your link into the “Comments” windows below — anytime this week.
Enjoy!
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I joined the queue outside the door,
Just after 6:00 a.m.
The morning sun had chased the fog,
But warmth was pretty thin.
My breath formed steam each time I spoke,
And pockets warmed my hands.
I yearned for coffee, hot and strong,
A large cup — maybe Grande.
We inched along with moderate speed,
And soon I stood inside.
The fresh aroma brought a smile;
It’s tantalizing tide
Mingled with the cozy sounds
Of orders glorified:
Venti Frappucino – Tall
Mocha Latte – Grande.
Americano, Cappucinno,
Really, there’s no end.
At last, I stood before the bar;
The young barista frowned.
He know I’d order coffee – plain.
No whip, no froth — just brown.
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Wordless Wednesday – 4/26/17
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Trip Report – Paris 2011
I thought I’d share this trip report of my sister’s very first visit to Paris. She loves the city and keeps going back, but her first visit was pretty eventful, and, in my estimation was a pretty brave thing to do all by herself. (She’s braver than I am.) I also think it will be encouraging for people who have never traveled internationally — especially alone — but who are getting ready to do so. Includes lots of great pictures.
Emirates Airlines
Day 1 – I traveled to Paris directly from Chennai, India and flew on Emirates Airlines. When I got on the plane, I was shocked. Very nice and spacious! Lots of head room once cubbies were closed. I had an aisle seat and no one beside me. Before the plane even got pushed out to the runway, the flight attendants were passing out hot towels and lime juice. Mind you, this is economy class. As soon as we were in the air, the breakfast menu came. There was such wonderful food and so much I could barely hold it. However, since it was a long double flight and I thought there was to be only one meal served, I ate everything on the plate.
I had a stopover at the Dubai airport on the way to Paris. I walked into the Dubai airport and noticed I wasn’t anywhere…
View original post 3,328 more words
Amazing Azaleas
Cee’s Flower of the Day post today caused me to dig out pictures of my azaleas. I’ve been very blessed with these gorgeous blooms for years. Last year I had to cut a couple of the bushes way back because they had taken over my sidewalk and my front porch. This year, they were a little sluggish in producing, but a friend of mine assures me that by next year, they will be going full-throttle again. Anyway, here are some shots from 2 or 3 different years.
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The Happy Wordcrafter 