New from Gail Pallotta: MESSAGES - Poems and Short Stories to Live By

   This week I am delighted to share new work from the wonderful writer, Gail Pallotta. Enjoy!

Messages

Poems and Short Stories to Live By

Just in time for Christmas, a collection of inspirational poems and short stories

About Messages
Find inspiration for our hectic times in these straight-forward poems for happy and sad days.
Find history, warmth and a touch of the paranormal in three stories.
Getting the Goat peeks into the early 1900's when mountain life was tough. Does Mama's advice hold true today?
In Stitches in Love Rose's deep love for her grandmother motivates others to share their gifts. Does Rose reap her reward?
Robert Horner is tempted in The Stranger, but does he succumb to the lure?
Print copies coming soon!
Excerpt from the Poems
"...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew: 22: 37 - 39

Refreshed

Sometimes life

uncovers a sharp, ugly snare

snarling, like a grizzly bear.

Reluctantly we confess

we’re in a forest of distress

where, hopes, like leaves

have fallen off the trees.

Winter icicles we see

hanging on a barren tree.

Life seems hard and cold,

and we feel very old.

How our life has past.

"Where did it go?" we ask.

Then like miracles untold,

new joys unfold.

Love brings blossoms of spring.

The forest begins to sing.

Empty branches

bear new leaves.

With promise, our heart dances,

and our soul no longer grieves.

Looking up, toward the sun,

we say, “My, my life’s just begun.”

Excerpt from Stitches in Love
"Hi. I'm home for the whole month of June. I'm coming to visit you every day."
Grandma Jackie lifted her head ever so slightly toward Rose, but she didn't utter a word, and no signs of life flickered in her eyes.
Rose stood and weakness swept over her like a hurricane coming ashore. She let herself out and locked the door with the key Grandma Jackie had given her seven years ago—the year Rose had turned sixteen. Sobs erupted from the depths of her soul as she slipped into her two-door coupe and drove to 143 Broadway.
Within minutes she walked toward the white-columned two-story home while she bent double holding her stomach. It was a hot, dry day in Springdale, Georgia. No breeze stirred, and the humidity as high as a kite. Air conditioning caressed Rose's face when she opened the front door. Clearing the foyer, she hurried up the oak staircase to her room. Tears flooding her eyes blurred the flowers on the pink and green comforter as she stepped to it and fell face-down on the bed.
Amy, Rose's mama, had called last week about Grandma Jackie's health. Rose could hear her distressed words now.
"Mama hasn't been the same since Dad died. She's been slipping away little by little. The doctors say nothing is wrong other than high blood pressure and cholesterol, but she's just not herself I've hired Miz Mary Clark, a local caretaker, to come during the day to make sure she takes her medicine and to tend to her personal needs."
That's why Rose had come home to see Grandma Jackie. It was worse than she had suspected. There must be something someone could do. She sat up and wiped her cheeks. What if she picked the peaches off the tree and told Grandma Jackie to make a pie? No. The last time Rose talked to Grandma Jackie on the phone she'd told Rose cooking at the homeless shelter wore her out.
Doing things for others pleased Grandma Jackie, but maybe she'd reached a time when she needed others to do something for her. What? She liked to read, but that wouldn't make her want to live. Sweat popped out on Rose's forehead. What did Grandma Jackie love enough to get up and do every day?
Excerpt from Getting the Goat
What was wrong with this animal? Why did Father think he could handle her? His heart pounded as he stood. He raced after the unruly creature, blood flowing from a cut on his leg. She ran in a circle, Norman behind her panting until she halted and let him clutch the leash hanging by her side.
He led her to the tree, secured her, and brushed off his hands. Anger at the goat for her meanness festered inside him, but ire in the boy who wanted to be a man boiled over because she'd gotten the better of him. He hurried to the house and charged inside.
"Mother, look what the goat did."
His mother's eyes filled with compassion. "Sit down." She guided him to a straight back chair at the wooden kitchen table, grabbed a cloth, cleaned his wound and applied iodine. "I'm sorry. Leave the chore for today and try again tomorrow after school."
Norman gasped. "You want me to go back?"
Eleanor hugged him. "If you don't graze the goat, she won't eat, and we won't have milk. We must all do our part while Father's sharing the Gospel."
Norman knew better than to argue. He gritted his teeth. Why did they have to suffer to hold body and soul together on the side of this...what had his grandmother called it? This desolate mountain so Father could save heathens in the hills?
Eleanor patted his shoulder. "You'll feel better tomorrow."
Excerpt from The Stranger
Stress shot through every muscle in Robert's body. "That's ridiculous, Mac. No one turns down money."
"I've been perfecting the design of these nails for years. I painted the tops to keep them separate from my regular supply." He picked up a nail and rolled it around in his hand. "I'm going to market these. Then you can have some for exactly what it costs to manufacture them."
Sweat popped out on Robert's forehead. "What's so unusual about them?"
Mac raised his dark, thick eyebrows. "I'll tell you and everyone else after my final test on Monday."
Robert tried to sound pitiful. "I need to put them in an old green table."
Mac laid down the nail and lifted a small box off the shelf. "Paint the tops of these nails." He handed them to Robert. "You can have them. The box is nearly empty."
"I'll give you a thousand dollars for the green-tipped nails."
Mac's mouth gaped. "I should make quite a bit of money if they stand up to my test, but I can't imagine why you'd want to pay so much."
"This is instant cash. Think it over, and I'll call later." Robert trudged through the sawdust on the floor and left, wringing his hands. His anger over Mac's refusal pounded in his temples. If Mac rejected his offer again when he called, he'd up his price to two thousand."
Fresh air whipped around him, cooling his ire, un-jumbling the thoughts popping around in his head like popcorn. "Hmm. Maybe there was something else he could do. Mac told him to take those other nails. He could paint them, but that creepy stranger probably would know the difference. He'd take the green-tipped nails. Yeah. He had a right to make a living.
On Amazon here
Bio:
Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. Her teen book, Stopped Cold, was a best-seller on All Romance eBooks, finished fourth in the Preditors and Editors readers’ poll, and was a finalist for the 2013 Grace Awards. She’s published short stories in “Splickety” magazine and Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler. Some of her published articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums. Coming soon: Barely above Water from Prism Book Group. Visit Gail’s web site at http://www.gailpallotta.com

Exotic, Exciting and Cozy: THE BALI MYSTERY by Linda Weaver Clarke

For my very first audible review, I was fortunate enough to receive""The Bali Mystery" by Linda Weaver Clarke. This is Book one in her Amelia Moore Mystery Series and after hearing this jewel of a novel, I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Linda Weaver Clarke weaves an interesting, exotic and exciting mystery within the framework of a clean Christian romance story. How refreshing. I am a fan of wholesome romance novels, that is just my taste. As an author, I appreciate that it is often more difficult to write a scene with restraint and leave details up to the imagination of the reader. Linda Weaver Clarke does this wonderfully. Another element I appreciate as a reader is that her mystery is cozy, not gruesome. Again, her technical restraint as an author is remarkable. 

Also she has done her research thoroughly and created scenes which are beautifully painted for the reader without turning the story into a travel guidebook. Her deft touch sweeps the reader away without overpowering the story. 

Amelia and Rick, the heroine and hero, are cleverly matched and I look forward to their next adventures. The narration by Diane Lehman was outstanding and listening to this while I was on the treadmill at the gym certainly made my workouts more enjoyable!

An outstanding read, with likable characters who are faced with a timely challenge in a gorgeous setting - what a winning combination. Thank you, Linda Weaver Clarke!

Welcome, Author Susan Roebuck!

Today I am thrilled to host author Susan Roebuck!

Thank you Regina for inviting me today onto your blog.

These last few weeks I’ve been part of a blog tour, along with Regina, that has culminated in the participants writing a short story of 250 words (oops, mine’s 270 – I can never follow rules) based on a picture. Here’s the picture kindly provided by Kayleigh Malcolm:

Blue Jay Way

Fog turns people into wisps of ghosts and the world becomes an almost silent place. I lick at the moisture droplets, tasting airy cleanliness, and watch the ripples on the pond, golden in the early evening lamplight.

I wait for him, my heartbeat quickening at the sound of scurrying footsteps. But they aren’t his.

I’m tempted to go into the bandstand to wait but he won’t like that, saying we’re too obvious there. One day, I swear, we’ll waltz to silent music in that bandstand and let the lamps illuminate us. “What a beautiful couple,” people will say. Until then we hide because I’m the third person in his marriage.

“But not for long,” he promises as we huddle under whatever cover we find. “One day…”

He’s never as late as this. I check my phone but there’s no message. “Don’t call me, ever,” he’s told me. “My wife will know.”

I wait as mist swirls ever thicker around me in a rhythm that turns to music in my head:

There’s a fog upon LA
And my friend has lost his way

George Harrison, I mentally tell the Beatle, this isn’t LA and fog won’t bother him. We both know our way here with our eyes closed after all this time. I swallow a ball of pain that’s risen to my throat as I contemplate what I’ve always suspected and dreaded would happen: he’s not coming.

I shiver in the cold and damp, my tears mingling with the fog droplets as I turn to go.

Please don’t be long the music continues. Don’t you be very long.

A footstep and, turning, I see a shadow appear through the fog. My heart sings.


*****

Susan Roebuck has a new book out. It’s a cosy suspense with a touch of romance and a hint of magic and is called Rising Tide.

I

Blurb of Rising Tide: Time, and most of Portugal, has almost forgotten Luminosa, a small fishing community on the Alentejo coast. A cluster of white and blue cottages huddle under the cliffs overshadowed by the great manor of Herdade Albatroz whose family has ruled the village since the days of Napoleon. Far off the tourist route, nobody visits Luminosa by chance.
When a ruthless American racketeer turns up, the peaceful village's way of life could be ruined forever. But will other visitors--Piper Pines, seeking news of her long dead Portuguese mother, and Leo Shine, bereft of a father and brother accused of terrible crimes--help or hinder his objective to drag Luminosa into the twenty-first century?

Buy Rising Tide: http://www.amazon.com/Rising-Tide-Susan-Roebuck/dp/1606598570/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437925728&sr=8-1&keywords=Rising+Tide+Susan+Roebuck&pebp=1437925732102&perid=1X567NVY54PC9TR7QV5K

Find Susan Roebuck here: Blog/website: www.susanroebuck.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuRoebuck
Twitter:https://twitter.com/suemonte

Follow the links below to read my fellow tourist’s stories. Remember, we all used the same picture and had to limit ourselves to 250 words.
Regina Andrews at http://kayleighmalcolm.blogspot.com/
Kayleigh Malcolm at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-Tracy-Marr/114711658247?ref=hl
 Ann Tracy Marr at http://susanroebuck.com

Welcome, Author Ann Tracy Marr!

This week it is a joy to welcome author Ann Tracy Marr to Gina's World of Good! We share a lot in common, not only are we both writers...we are both survivors. Read about Ann Tracy's courage here. Thank you for visiting, Ann Tracy!

Ann Tracy Marr, my guest blogger, has published three Regencies with an intriguing splash of magic, with a fourth on the way. Faced with cancer, she took a break from romance and turned her keyboard to non-fiction.

Welcome to my blog, Ann.  What is your newest book about?

Dear Cancer is about breast cancer and its treatment. In 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and my life changed; I became the average cancer patient. Then the diagnosis tightened. I had two triple negative tumors, a highly lethal type of breast cancer. Suddenly, I was the high risk patient. To cope, I acted like the typical writer: I began a diary. I also researched surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment was challenging; I slept, suffered, and wrote my way through half a year of pain.

Once I began to join the real world again, I realized my diary could benefit others, so I made plans to publish it. Dear Cancer will be born October 1^st.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book? Breast cancer treatment is gruesomely involved; it impacts the whole body, not just the breast. My compulsion to know, to understand, forced me to write things down. There are too many possible scenarios and too many solutions to those scenarios, to keep it all in your head. I ended up using my own writing as a reference book for procedures and when side effects attacked me.

Did you put real experiences from your research in this story? The diary is a blow by blow accounting of what happened to me. Mental anguish and physical stresses mingle. Mixed in is practical advice on different aspects of the disease. The reader will experience what happens in surgery, chemo rooms, and radiation labs, know what a biopsy feels like and what to expect from a chest port. She will be able to recognize side effects and have tips for dealing with them, know what Neulasta is and what it can do, and bone up on some of the latest research. Some of the information she can find easily herself, other things are difficult to discover. Instead of spending hours and days digging through various sources, with Dear Cancer, she can just read the book and know what is likely to happen.

What kind of research did you do for this book? I talked doctors and nurses into the ground. I read books, and I spent hours on top of hours on the Internet, going to medical websites, reading the results of clinical trials and research, and cruising chat rooms to learn what other patients experienced.

What intrigues you most about writing this story? It isn’t interest, but compulsion. Triple negative breast cancer is a killer; learning as much as you can in order to fight it in the most effective way is crucial. The patient has to react quickly to side effects and make intelligent decisions on how to care for her body. Knowledge is key, but gaining that knowledge is not always easy. I did the research for the next patient. Dear Cancer contains the information she needs to fight a killer.

That said, you, dear blog reader, may not care about breast cancer. Wander over to my website, www.atmarr.com to learn about my first love, the English Regency. But don’t settle down to read just another Jane Austen novel – romp through an award winning series where King Arthur once lived and Merlin’s magic spices life. There are three books published, with a fourth coming after the dust settles on Dear Cancer.

And for fun, take a look at my PInterest page: https://www.pinterest.com/anntracymarr/the-english-regency-inspired-house. I am building and furnishing my dream home Regency style.

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Thank you so much for sharing your story, Ann Tracy. You are an inspiration. I look forward to our week together and questions from visitors to my blog.

Welcome, Author Keyleigh Malcom!

Today I am thrilled that author Keyleigh Malcom is visiting and talking about inspiration.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration is one of the most curious aspects of writing. What exactly causes it? Why can't we find it when we really need it? Like when a deadline is looming. LOL

My 3xtasy Lake series was inspired by a hike through Algonquin Park and then finding that there is a lake in the south west corner called Wolf Lake. Like that wasn't divine intervention since I was brainstorming a shifter series. Suddenly I found myself in a the middle of a small town called Ecstasy Lake, which was a safe haven for all sorts of shifters and magical creatures

The Midnighter Seductions series was obvious inspired by the impending doom of December 21, 2012. The day the world was going to plunge into a series of cataclysmic disasters all because an ancient Aztec calendar ended. Inspiration is fuelled by "what if" and that series was a direct result of my looking for something less depressing than the end of the world as we knew it.

I've listened to music and stared at clouds. My life is cluttered with hundreds of little notepads tucked in everywhere. My car, purse, nightstand, knitting bag, work. I've written ideas on the sides of cardboard boxes, napkins and receipts.

Because, that's how important inspiration is.

It usually hits at completely inopportune moments. Like when you’re sitting in a car listening to music while your daughter is putting resumes in a bunch of stores. Yup, that happened to me. I'd been working on a book for the Black Hills Wolves series and I had two characters who were stating to develop in my head and I couldn’t' figure out how to get them together and make it realistic. (Well, as realistic as the perfect happily ever afters you can find in a romance novel.)

So I'm sitting in my car, jotting down physical attributes about each character in my notebook, brainstorming about what might happen in the story when it suddenly hits me. My heart skipped a beat and then pounded for a second while everything unfolded in my brain. I understood WHY these two souls were meant to be together and WHY no one else would match. That's the trick of Mates, it's not enough to have this magical connection, not enough for me anyways. I want more, there has to be a reason why this person is the Yin to their Yang or the Peanut Butter to their Jam. However you want to phrase it.

Here I have two men who have been living a life without feeling like they have a home. And I don't mean a physical one; I mean the one that you have in your heart. That is what Seth needed to learn is that Home is heartfelt not physically felt and Josh needed to feel like he had a place in the world with someone who wanted to be his home. Josh is a little needy but I adore him, he's a sweetheart.

That's the part of writing that keeps me coming back book after book. I'll never jump out of a plane or swim with sharks. This is my adrenaline rush. The excitement of a first date that's going better than you ever imagined and you start to think, maybe this is "the one". It's that fresh and new excitement that I strive for in my writing and I hope I manage to convey to the readers. I want them to experience that excited rush too.

Kayleigh Malcom (aka Corinne Davies) is a firm believer that all love is beautiful and everyone deserves a Happily Ever After....well except for those involved with cancelling Firefly. She's still holding a grudge over that one. 

Sticking with one genre is a talent she hasn't achieved yet and can be found creating worlds as normal as our own or as fantastic as her dreams. Her characters have to face real life challenges, as many of us do, but love always finds a way to conquer all. 

A social media junkie, she can be found haunting many different sites and loves to hear from her readers.  

Welcome, Author Linda Weaver Clarke!

What a joy it is to welcome the fabulous author Linda Weaver Clarke to 'Gina's World of Good' this week! Linda joins us this week to talk about her newest book, The Mysterious Doll: Amelia Moore Detective Series. 

Author Linda Weaver Clarke grew up in southern Idaho in the lush green countryside of Whitney and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She has six daughters, several grandchildren, fourteen novels and a children’s book. Plus a loving husband of 40 some odd years.

Welcome to my blog, Linda.  What is your newest book about?

In The Mysterious Doll: Amelia Moore Detective Series, Amelia Moore is the founder of the Moore Detective Agency and specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but she always solves the case. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the business is flourishing.

Pauline Jones is confused why her boyfriend took off without telling a soul where he was going. But that isn’t all. Sam Whitaker is accused of stealing a valuable porcelain doll from the museum. His disappearance makes him look guilty, but Pauline is convinced he is innocent. When Amelia finds Sam, she realizes they need to prove his innocence. Where is the antique doll and who has taken it?

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

I’m not really sure. I usually ask for ideas from my daughters and husband and then I go from there, creating something that sounds fun. A stolen object, a missing boy friend, and why is the object so valuable… all of this seemed like a fun subject to develop.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I had to research the Stanley Hotel at Estes Park and all the reports of it being haunted. That was fun. I learned quite a bit to add to my story.

Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?

Yes. I told about the hauntings of the Stanley Hotel and all the things that were reported. When Rick tells Amelia about it, she doesn’t believe it and scoffs at the idea. What fun!

What intrigues you most about writing these stories?

What intrigues me most is the idea of creating a mystery where no one is supposed to know the ending. It makes you think. It makes me think, too.

Here's the press release for The Mysterious Doll:

The Theft of an Antique Doll is Theme for New Cozy Mystery

It’s time to get cozy! The Mysterious Doll is the newest mystery in the Amelia Moore Detective Series. Linda Weaver Clarke blends a nice balance of mystery, romance, and humor. “I love the sparks of romance -- they spice things up and add much interest to the story.” – Susan Ortlieb, Suko’s Notebook

Most mysteries are a “who-done-it.” But in this cozy mystery series, Amelia Moore, who is the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in missing persons. Her cases have taken her to some very interesting places and put her in some dangerous situations, but with the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, she always solves the case.

“This was a fun read and I enjoyed it very much. I think you will enjoy the other books in this cozy mystery series, as well. Amelia and Rick seem to be getting closer as the series continue and some romance is definitely in the air.” – Sonja Nishimoto, Sunnie Reviews

In The Mysterious Doll, Pauline Jones is confused why her boyfriend took off without telling a soul where he was going. But that isn’t all. Sam Whitaker is accused of stealing a valuable porcelain doll from the museum. His disappearance makes him look guilty, but Pauline is convinced he is innocent. When Amelia finds Sam, she realizes they need to prove his innocence. Where is the antique doll and who has taken it?

“I am LOVING the Amelia Moore Detective Series!” wrote Shauna Wheelwright on her book review blog. “FUN! CLEAN! FUN! AMAZING! DID I MENTION FUN?! I recently reviewed The Bali Mystery and loved it so much that I quickly dove into this sequel.”

To read a Sample Chapter, visit http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/mysteriousdoll.html

About the Author

Linda Weaver Clarke travels throughout the United States, teaching people to write their family history and autobiography. She is the author of several historical sweet romances, a mystery/adventure series, a children’s book, and a cozy mystery series.

The Mysterious Doll (ISBN-13: 978-1502929143, Red Mountain Shadows Publishing, 2014) can be found at local libraries or online bookstores. For more information, visit www.lindaweaverclarke.com.

To learn more about this author, visit her website at www.lindaweaverclarke.com.  You’ll find all her books at this site. 

Linda, thank you so much for visiting this week! Best of luck with your new book!

Welcome, Author Larry Hammersley!

Today it is a real pleasure to welcome author Larry Hammersley to Gina's World of Good. Not only is Larry a wonderful writer, but he is also a terrific person and the ultimate gentleman! Larry, thank you so much for visiting.

Welcome to my blog, Larry.  What is your newest book about?  My newest book is a science fiction novel entitled Higher Mission.  Widower Joe Cramer is paired with Mona Watson for dangerous missions in the solar system.  His higher mission is to continue providing funds to care for his permanently ill daughter, Cindy, who is in a hospital on Mars.  Brad Whitherspoon, the solar system’s rich man, has his own higher mission and that is to mount a first ever trip to Sirius, a star 8.6 light years away.  Cramer refuses to go but is shanghaied.  At sub light speeds the trip will take years to complete.  Will he ever see his daughter again?  To complicate things he is falling in love with Mona who is also going on the voyage.

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel? I’ve always liked astronomy and read science fiction as a boy.  Also, I like romance especially when the hero and heroine have conflicting personalities such as Cramer and Mona.

What kind of research did you do for this book? I did a lot of reading about the planets, moons and outer space in general to make the scenes true to life for what we now know about the bodies in our solar system.

Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?  The only real experience is a painful one.  We had a daughter who was permanently ill and lived to be fourteen.  I’ve written two novels, the other one unpublished, with a daughter who is ill but she recovers in these novels.

What intrigues you most about writing these love stories?  As I mentioned above I like to pair a man and woman who have conflicting personalities and must overcome their barriers to get together.  It makes the union that much better. My romance is always of the sweet variety.

To learn more about this author, visit his  website at  http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/ All his stories are best found in links in  his email signature, lhammersley@comcast.net  You’ll find all his books at this site.

Here's a look at some of Larry's other novels. These are fantastic covers - and the stories are excellent, too!

Can Tess' motorcycle heal her wounded soul?  Click here for Motorcycle Woman at Red Rose Publishing.  Want to read sweet romance? See all my Wild Rose ebooks.

Check out my Smashwords story, Small is Beautiful.  Can Judy, standing only five-one catch the eye of Brad, a towering 6-5 basketball player?  Go here. Read my free short romance story Ice Rink Romanceby clicking here.  Can Dave Canton, small town boy, impress the lovely New York blond model, Miss Gena?  Go to Smashwords to check out my second story Photo Beauty by clicking here.  Can Ted, a 59 year old widower and runner, win the heart of the running redhead, Hillary, who is 28?  Go to Smashwords for my recent story entitled Runner's High by clicking here.  My first accepted novel, A Change of Heart is available from Wings ePress.  Go here to purchase, view blurb and excerpt.  My science fiction novel in ebook form entitled Higher Mission available from Champagne Books, Burst Books imprint can be purchased by clicking here.  My short story, Marcy's Struggle is in Victory Tales Press Summer Anthology.  The Smashwords version can be found here.  The anthology is also available on Amazon by clicking here

http://larryhammersley.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for visiting, Larry. Please come back again soon!