Showing posts with label authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authors. Show all posts

Friday, March 11, 2016

Guest Post for Author Dale Mayer

 Introducing the first three books in the exciting Seals of Honor series by Dale Mayer.


About Dale Mayer

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her
Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It’s a Dog’s Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).
She honors the stories that come to her – and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author.



Google play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=pzS4CwAAQBAJ

itunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/swede/id1076806821?mt=11&uo=4&at=1019m9

B&N - http://origin-mnr.barnesandnoble.com/w/seals-of-honor-dale-mayer/1123509980?ean=2940158028632

Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/seals-of-honor-swede

Amazon - http://amzn.to/24WSTtD



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Mason
Kill or be killed. 

Part of an elite SEAL team, Mason takes on the dangerous jobs no one else wants to do – or can do. When he’s on a mission, he’s focused and dedicated. When he’s not, he plays as hard as he fights. 
Until he meets a woman he can’t have but can’t forget. 

Software developer, Tesla lost her brother in combat and has no intention of getting close to someone else in the military. Determined to save other US soldiers from a similar fate, she’s created a program that could save lives. But other countries know about the program, and they won’t stop until they get it – and get her. 

Time is running out... For her... For him... For them... 

Nook 
Kobo 

Excerpt:

How could her rescuer see anything? The sky was overcast and even the moon was covered. She could barely see him. And he stood in front of her. She definitely couldn't see anything around them. Her clothes were black, but she knew her face had to glow in the dark – especially shining with sweat like it was.
Not a good day to shine.
Her droll humor helped her regain her sense of balance. She knew she could be off and running any second and needed to be ready. Unfortunately her body wanted to slide to the ground and collapse.
"Rest. We have two minutes then we're off again."
She didn't waste the energy nodding. Two minutes wasn't enough time to catch her breath and respond.
She focused on her mental state instead. If that was strong the rest would follow. She hoped.
At the two-minute mark, she was hauled to her feet and dragged on another marathon through the bush. Why? If he'd been able to rescue her, why wasn't he able to get her picked up and shipped out to safety?
When he shoved her down behind a log, she knew she wasn't getting up again.
Not willingly. She closed her eyes and willed back the tears of exhaustion.
Damn.
"You okay?" That low deep note of concern had her opening her eyes and lying.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
His smile of appreciation warmed the coldness inside. When his grin widened, flashing his white teeth, and he whispered, "Good, let's go again," she groaned.
"Once more," he promised, helping her over the log they'd been hiding behind.
She didn't believe him but forced her legs to move. But instead of a run they stumbled. Instead of landing softly they came down hard, stilted. He reached out a hand. She put hers in it, loving the way his hand, fingers closed over hers as if he could impart some of his strength, his endurance to her.
Maybe she was gaining strength from him as her feet seemed to cooperate better, and she could pick up the pace. When they stopped the next time, she slid in a weak heap to the ground. She huddled up into a ball and closed her eyes.
When had she last hurt like this? Had she ever hurt so badly? She didn't think so.
Her rescuer crouched beside her and said, "We're waiting for a pick up. Should be in ten minutes." His voiced deepened. “We’re in Mexico and need to get across the border fast.”
She lifted her face to his and wanted to cry. Mexico? Oh no. She wanted to be home. Away from this nightmare. Were they driving out? Flying out? By donkey? Maybe she didn’t want to know. But whatever method she wanted to go now.
His finger stroked down the side of her cheek. "You're doing just fine."
"Doesn't feel like it. Feels like you ripped my ribs out and made me walk on them," she muttered.
His grin widened. "You got spunk. I like that."

Hawk
Finding a dead man is a hell of a way to start a holiday. 

Growing up, Hawk was always a bit of a wild card. Once he became a SEAL, he found his niche in the world. But the wild man was still there, under wraps …and waiting for a match. Back home for a few days, he realizes a new, darker element has moved in. 

And it appears to involve the freckle-faced redhead he never forgot. 

Mia remembers her best friend’s brother. After all, what woman could forget him? He was like fireworks lighting up her life. Taking her breath away and making her heart beat faster. But the version that came home was harder, more dangerous ... and sexy as hell. 

Good thing he's on their side as the town explodes in violence with Mia caught in the middle.

Nook 

Excerpt:
She turned away and saw her father awake. Bursting into tears, she raced to give him a big hug.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said through her sobs.
“I’m so very glad you and Hawk were both there to help.”
“You mean Hawk. He rescued both of us,” she admitted.
“Good. Glad he did.” Her father reached up and rubbed his temple. “My head is pounding. It’s going to be days before I feel up to opening the store.”
“Are you still going to?” she asked quietly.
He raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, your brother was shot in the store, it was ransacked, the guns were stolen and your cache at home was also stolen.”
He shrugged. “It was all insured.”
She nodded but inside it bothered her. “I’m not sure I like the idea of you selling guns anymore.”
“You never did.” He pursed his lips and studied her. “Nervous now? That’s not like you.”
“Watching those men…” She shuddered. “It did make me think.”
He shook his head. “It’s not the guns. It’s the people–”
“People who use them.” She groaned. “Yeah, I know.”
“Lucky you, you’re free to leave,” he said. “What are you going to do now?”
“As you’re fine and safe here, I’m going home. I got a pass from the doctor as long as I rest.” She stood up and reached over to hug him. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, Mia.” He smiled up at her. “This will be a bad memory soon.”
“I hope so.”
With a small wave, she turned and walked out. Her energy was flagging. She needed to grab a cab. Outside she realized it was late. How was it she hadn’t understood that? Just staring out at the dark night she realized she probably should have stayed for the night. But that was fear talking.
Better to go home and face it. Now, should she go to her place or to her father’s house? No, she wasn’t going back there for a while. She needed time so she wouldn’t see her father’s body lying crumpled on the ground every time she was there.
Outside the hospital, she stood at the front doors and stared across the parking lot. There were cabs waiting on the front curb. She walked over to one, but it drove away as she approached.
A truck drove between her and the next taxi. She tried to walk around it but a man hopped out. She shifted out of his way.
The man called out to her. “Excuse me.”
She spun and looked at him, “Yes.”
“I think this is for you.” He held out a package.
She frowned. “From who?”
“A guy in a black Jeep.”
Her face lit up. Hawk. “Oh,” she said hopefully and reached out to take it. “Thank you so much for delivering–”
She never saw the blow, never felt the air cut off from her lungs. Nor did the pain hit her awareness quickly. Instead it was like a slow motion movie as she watched her body fall into his waiting arms. She knew something was wrong but couldn’t seem to connect the weird grip on her neck with the numbness of her legs.
His voice, concerned and helpful, called to her. “Oh dear. Are you all right? Here, let me help you up.”
She was boosted into the back seat of the truck where she toppled forward into the foot well. Her head hit the seat cushion and bounced off to slide to the floor. She lay there, her eyes open, her brain aware, her mind no longer functioning.

Dane
He's one of the smartest, the best ... and the baddest. 

Since Dane achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a Navy Seal, his life has been packed with action ... but now he wants more. Especially after seeing several of his friends find something – someone – special. 

On a mission hunting a chemical weapons terrorist, Dane runs into a captivating woman, and everything about her touches his deepest needs. But the circumstances are suspicious, and he can’t determine whose side she’s on. 

Marielle came to Germany for a short busman’s holiday, only to end up running away from the very man she came to see, and into the arms of a man she knows she’ll never be able to keep. 

As their situation slides from bad to worse to desperate, their lives are on the line. And so are their hearts. 
Excerpt:
She glanced back at her work then out to the hallway. “I don’t know what I can do. I can’t destroy the information as it is kept on servers I can’t access. They have backup files everywhere.”
“Right. So maybe give it to the source that might be able to help.”
She sent him a wry glance. “You mean the government.”
He shrugged. “I know they have a bad rap in many ways but they aren’t all bad, and they are trying to save lives. Our soldiers’ lives.”
“I’m not sure what I’m allowed to do,” she said quietly. “I’ll need to talk to my Ph.D. committee and see what their understanding is with Tenesco.” She rubbed her temple.
“I can’t see Tenesco liking any government interference.” Then his voice changed as he added, “Unless it’s a government contract as their money is good and the contracts lucrative.”
She blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“But we’d have to make sure the company isn’t behind the deaths or the espionage.”
“Lord, I hope not. I’ve really enjoyed working here. Thought they were honorable. But there are always a few people who are much less so. But maybe the old owners were and after the takeover, not so much.”
“Or the reverse. Nothing can be determined right now. In fact, I think we’ve been here long enough.” He stopped and cocked his head. “Is there a back way out of the building?”
“Actually there is,” she said in surprise. “I used to use it to avoid a coworker.”
He stilled. “What coworker?”
“Dave. He had a thing for me and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Why haven’t we heard about Dave before?” He tried to tone down the harsh tone, but it was damn hard when he was only just now getting this information. Cell phone in hand, he was already texting his team. “What was Dave’s last name, when did he work here, what was his relationship with the rest of the company?”
Startled, she gave a half laugh. “It was nothing, honest. I have no idea what his relationship was here, but he was gone months and months ago.”
“Before the day is over, we’ll know,” he said. “Let’s grab what you need and leave. We’re late.”
“Late for what,” she asked in bewilderment. “Where are we going?”
“Out. We’ve been here too long.” And instinct was screaming at him to run. Now. He peered into the hallway while she packed up her laptop.
“We need to go,” he snapped, turning back to find out what was taking her so long.
She was back at her desk and clicking buttons. Then she pulled out drawers to collect her belongings. She grabbed up the pages she’d collected off the floor and stuffed them into her bag.
“Hurry.”
“I’m almost done,” she cried softly. “It needs another minute.” She stared up at him, her eyes huge orbs. “What’s wrong and why the panic now?”
“Instinct,” he said in a clipped voice. “And we’re going, now.” He grabbed her arm and led her out the door still protesting. “Which way to the back exit?”
Finally, as if understanding the urgency driving him, she turned to the right, the opposite direction Candice had gone and said, “This way.”

Coming Soon!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

In Darkness Must Abide Blog Tour





Episodes 1-5
Vanora is just a little girl when her older brother inadvertently unleashes a terrible evil from the family crypt that changes their lives forever. As she grows up in a world where beautiful deadly beings hunt by night, one captures her eye and her heart. There is a powerful entity plotting to claim her when she reaches adulthood in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Can she escape?









Episodes 6-10
 Vanora is haunted by the night her faith in those she loved was shattered.
When her world starts to fall apart and Armando comes back into her life to warn her that her brother is in danger, Vanora realizes that she can't escape her destiny. As she seeks to uncover the truth, Vanora starts to realize that the man she loves most may be her greatest enemy.


 Episodes 11-15
 The Socoli Mansion is in ruins. Roman’s vampires have been butchered and their havens burned in Aeron the White and Terrible’s ghastly purge. Separated from her sister, Armando, and her friends, Vanora’s only hope is wrapped in a magic ritual that will not only reveal the supernatural conspiracy formed by a millennia of magic, but also unlock her secret powers.


Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/nmbmbnpre
Also on iTunes




 Guest Post


In Darkness We Must Abide

A Supernatural Serial is Born


At the end of 2012, I stumbled across an old manuscript lurking in the badlands of my hard drive. I was shocked to unearth the story, having forgotten I had it converted to Word years ago from my old word processing format. For years I had considered it trunked and lost somewhere in the storage in the garage. Opening the file, I rediscovered a story I had sank most of my heart and soul into a very long time ago when I was just starting to write horror novels.

In Darkness We Must Abide was my first full-length original work. I spent hours at my old typewriter creating the first draft of the manuscript. Later, I bought a word processor and retyped the entire manuscript, saving it onto floppy discs. Yes, this was a long time ago!

As I read over my old work, I realized several things. One, I still absolutely loved the two primary leads, Armando and Vanora; and two, the story was solid, but needed some revision. I was very young when I wrote the story, inexperienced in life, love, and long lasting relationships, and this clearly showed. Also, I was under immense pressure from people in my life to write something “nice and normal,” so I struggled quite a bit with certain themes in the story. Reading over the manuscript, I saw exactly the changes I needed to implement to make it a stronger, vibrant read. I set it aside, considering reworking it into a trilogy.

Later, I began toying with the idea of doing a serial. My most popular trilogy, As The World Dies, was originally written as an online serial, and I’d missed the immediate feedback that came with the release of each new part. I had an idea for a whole new fresh work, but was intimidating by having to fit it into my already overloaded writing schedule. Then I saw an article about taking an old manuscript and converting it into a serial. Instantaneously, I knew that In Darkness We Must Abide was the perfect story to be converted into a serial. It was already divided into three distinct parts and it was huge! In fact, one of the reasons I couldn’t sell the book in its old form was that it was one massive book that far exceeded the word count limits of most publishers.

I instantly divided the first third of the story into the five episodes that make up season one. Extremely nervous, I started the revision process with the intention of each part reading like a television show in the reader’s mind. I was shocked at how easily the story fell into an episodic format, but was thrilled at the same time. Also, the voices of the characters readily reawakened in my mind, much to my relief.

In my youth, I had made several big mistakes. When a test reader had an adverse reaction to my lead character being an albino, I altered her appearance. I even changed her name to something I thought sounded fancier. When I started revising, the first thing I did was give Vanora her name back and restore her albinism. I had robbed my lead character of an important part of not only her physical appearance, but her life experience as an albino. I also embraced all the themes I had skirted around in the earlier drafts, out of fear of criticism.

Side note: Humorously, I spent a lot of time trying to avoid overt sexual themes out of fear of offending my mother. This is the same woman who would later call me up to tell me how much she loved the sex scenes in Pretty When She Dies because they were “hot.”

When I finally sent the first episode off to my beta readers, I was terrified. How would they react to a gothic horror novel I had conceived so long ago? When the rave reviews started flowing in, I was so relieved. My story had officially risen from the grave.

As a writer, it was a challenge to give the readers something they can enjoy in small increments, but also instills in them the desire to read the next episode. I did significant rewriting of the original work and the third season is completely new. The immediate feedback was also a great way for me to gage what was working, and what’s not. Because of the mad love for Armando, I expanded his role significantly in the first season.

Now that it’s finished, I can say I enjoyed my serial experience. It was definitely worthwhile digging up In Darkness We Must Abide and sharing it with my readership.



Author Interview
In Darkness We Must Abide
Q & A


Q: In Darkness We Must Abide is a supernatural serial. What exactly does that mean? What is a serial?

A: In Darkness We Must Abide is sort of like a television show I’m writing for your brain. A serial used to be a very popular form of literature. It was an ongoing episodic form of storytelling much like popular television shows today. Each part builds on the one before it, creating a very rich story for the readers to enjoy. Serials followed pretty regular schedules for their installments (weekly, biweekly, monthly).

I spent the last two years writing this serial and not that it’s over, I feel very accomplished.

Q: So what genre is In Darkness We Must Abide?

A: In Darkness We Must Abide is gothic horror set in modern times. It has all the classic gothic horror trappings like a big, gloomy mansion, the deep dark secrets, the tormented lovers, and terrifying monsters. It’s an epic tale about a young woman who is caught up in the supernatural world of vampires, werewolves, witches, vengeful goddesses, and ancient prophecies.

Q: This story is a bit different from most of your books though, right?

A: Though it’s still a character-driven tale of horror, and has some truly scary moments, at its heart it is a very tragic sort of love affair between two people who are drawn to each other even though their worlds are tearing them apart. Upon reflection, I can definitely see how my love of Jane Eyre and other gothic romances influenced the central relationship. Armando and Vanora are wounded people that you want desperately to somehow be together, but you’re just not sure if/when/how it might happen.

Q: We only see bits of Armando in the prologues of the first two episodes in the first season before he appears as a central figure in episode three. He instantly became very popular. Why do you think that is?

A: Well, he’s delicious! LOL. Armando is not only very handsome and charming, he’s very complicated. He’s a man of many secrets and conflicting emotions. Though he’s an older vampire (400 years old), he’s eternally 22 years old and has a youthful spark to him. He’s a bit sarcastic, naughty, and playful despite the fact that he’s not all that he seems to be. Armando doesn’t come across as cruel, so I think that adds to his appeal. Yet at the same time, he’s dangerous in that he can totally break Vanora’s heart and possibly betray her to his Master.

Q: Tell us a bit about Vanora, the heroine of the story.

A: Well, we start our journey with her when she’s ten years old and her life is altered forever when her brother has his ancestors from Romania transferred to the mausoleum on their estate in Houston, Texas. Immediately, a chain of events starts that sends her plunging into a very dark world. That being said, not all is bleak, because she has a much older brother and sister who take care of her and love her. They’re a very strong family unit. As season one continues, we see Vanora grow up to be a charming seventeen-year-old on the verge of her adulthood. Of course, that’s about the time when things between her and Armando start to significantly change.

Q: Vanora is an albino. How does that affect her life?

A: Vanora’s albinism affects her life quite a bit. She can’t be out in direct sunlight, she’s legally blind (though her sixth sense powers allow her to “see”), her appearance draws unwanted comments and negative attention, and isolates her a bit from others as she’s growing up. That being said, the difficulties she has to overcome make her a formidable person. She doesn’t feel sorry for herself, though she may not be entirely confident at times. We see her confidence evolve over the course of the serial.

Q: Tartarus, the Elysian Fields, the Fates, and other allusions to Greek mythology are popping up more and more. Is this significant?

A: I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology. I absolutely love it. There are some Greek supernatural characters in the story, so they’re going to address certain paranormal realms or beings according to their belief structure. Also, I liked the idea of maybe all those myths had roots in truth, but over time it was corrupted and changed.

Leto, the She-Wolf, is part of Greek mythology, but who she really is in the story of In Darkness We Must Abide is one of the bigger mysteries.

Q: We finally got a good look at the villain at the end the first season finale. He’s an albino, too, and quite imposing. Does he take on a much bigger role in Season 2 & 3?

A: Aeron takes on a much bigger role in Vanora’s life and we learn about his past and why Vanora is so important to him. It’s not just because he believes she’s a part of his destiny. There is something much more going on beneath the surface that reaches back eons.

Q: So, is there a love triangle?

A: I wouldn’t call it a love triangle. I am always intrigued by the concept of fate. What if fate laid out a future for you that you didn’t want? Could you fight it? Could you change it somehow? The concept of fate is definitely a lynchpin of the story, but so is the idea of defying it.

That being said, Aeron is a brutal man of his time, but there is more to him that meets the eye. I’ll leave it up to the reader to discern if there is a love triangle or not.

Q: Who is your favorite character?

A: I love Vanora, but Armando is my favorite male character of all those I’ve ever written. That say something!


Author

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels.
Her latest releases are In Darkness We Must Abide (self-published) The Mesmerized (Permuted Pres), and Dead Spots (Tor).
She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a pets).  She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.  


You can find her online at:

Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail.com




Friday, April 17, 2015

A Future for Tomorrow Blog Tour

A Future for Tomorrow is an extraordinary non-fiction account of the author’s battle against Anorexia Nervosa, as well as a spiritual triumph against evil.
Not only will you be brought into the anorexic mind, but you will be spiritually edified as you journey with her between life and death to an eternal world where angels confirm Christ’s gospel truths.
You will be touched by a mother’s sacrifice to save her daughter, be riveted by insights into the psychological world, and witness miracles along the way.
"Beautiful! I was left breathless” --Kelly Hill, Utah Mother
“Haley Freeman has provided a uniquely personal and revealing account of how destructive eating disorders can be as well as how they can be overcome. Her story offers insight and hope to families impacted by this illness.” --Shawn C. Edgington, PH.D. Psychologist
“I came away filled with the knowledge that for all those who suffer with debilitating eating disorders, there is hope. There is promise. They can be made whole again and look to their futures with joy and happiness as Haley did, leaning on her relationship with Jesus Christ and coming to a deeper understanding of her true place as a daughter of God." --Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author and Media Reviewer
“It’s as tense and dramatic as a thriller novel."—Tamara Heiner, Author of Perilous
“A Future for Tomorrow saved my life! I could not put it down. It gave me hope that I could overcome my own eating disorder and regain my life.” -- Cindy Vanderveen, Canada, Recovering Eating Disorder Patient.
 
 
 


Author Bio:

Haley Hatch Freeman is the author of A Future for Tomorrow which tells her remarkable true story of enduring and overcoming anorexia and detailed miracles along the way which including a unique near death experience.

Because of her incredible story she has been interviewed on radio shows both in the US and Canada. She’s been on TV including appearances on the Good Things Utah show. Her story has been featured in newspapers, national publications, and her book is available worldwide. Entire retreat programs have been developed because of Haley’s book and she mentors women all over the world.

(Haley’s recent TV appearance talking about From Head to Tummy and giving parenting tips about how to deal with body image with our kids.

http://www.good4utah.com/gtu/story/d/story/talking-to-your-kids-about-body-image/18421/xLiJLHN0wk-w6lIQQghtuQ )

Haley not only studied Eating Behaviors in college, but since she defeated anorexia she provides valuable insight on both professional and personal levels. She has been professional trained in public speaking and is a member of the Mountain West National Speaking Association. She is a keynote speaker presenting at women’s conferences, schools, church groups, and more. To schedule her for your event contact her at haleyshearttoheart@gmail.com

Haley founded the company Haley’s Heart to Heart in 2012. Haley’s Heart to Heart is a resource of truth for women and children about eating disorders, media messages, and social pressures. Haley’s Heart to Heart encourages others to creating a healthy relationship with food, develop self-acceptance, and internalizing their divine-worth.

After seeing a great need of children in these areas Haley wrote her next book From Head to Tummy: The Simple Truth about Food, Media Messages, Self-worth, and True Beauty.

Haley delights in raising her three children in Utah with her eternal companion, best friend, and true soul mate: Brandon.




Top Ten List

I made my Top Ten List about Top Ten Important Information I would like to share.

10. Warning Sign that your teen is depressed: Loss of interest in sports or activities they used to enjoy, withdrawal from friends and family. Spending excess time alone.

9. Favorite Quote: “As daughters of God, you cannot imagine the divine potential within each of you, Being a daughter of God means that if you seek it, you can find your true identity. You will know who you are. This will make you free—not free from restraints, but free from doubts, anxieties, or peer pressure. You will not need to worry, “Do I look all right?” “Do I sound OK?” “What do people think of me?” A conviction that you are a daughter of God gives you a feeling of comfort in your self-worth. It means that you can find strength in the balm of Christ. It will help you meet the heartaches and challenges with faith and serenity.” - James. E. Faust

8. Eating Disorder Myth: Eating disorders are about food and weight. Obviously this is how eating disorders present themselves, but they are actually about deeply rooted issues such as: need for control, coping mechanism for dealing with a traumatic experience, low self-esteem, perfectionism, depression etc. Usually eating disorders are caused by a mixture of several of these issues which is why getting professional treatment is so important.

7. Resources for help:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

http://centerforchange.com/

Also, most schools and colleges provide counseling and free services and support groups for their students.

6. Favorite Quote: “Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair, and nails are perfect? Do you think your value to Him changes based on how many followers you have on Instagram or Pinterest? Do you think He wants you to worry or get depressed if some un-friend or un-follow you on Facebook or Twitter? Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size, or popularity make the slightest difference in your worth to the One who created the universe? He loves you not only for who you are this very day, but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become.” – President Uchtdorf

5. Warning signs of an eating disorder:

* Changes in eating habits, such as avoiding eating with the family.

* Defensiveness when asked about their eating behavior or weight loss.

* A tendency toward being a perfectionist or not being satisfied with themselves.

* Panic when they can’t exercise as planned.

* Comments about how they feel fat or are not good enough.

* An obsession with food, excessive exercising, calorie-counting, and reading about dieting.

4. Self-worth tip: Words are powerful. Create four to five descriptive words you want to be and say this statement several times a day: “I am ___(fill in with your adjectives)___”

Example: “I am energetic, kind, beautiful, smart, and thoughtful.”
3. Favorite Quote: “Looking in the mirror, do you sometimes wish for a different reflection? Some of you may feel that you are not as attractive and beautiful and glamorous as you would like to be. Rise above any such feelings, cultivate the light you have within you, and it will shine through as a radiant expression that will be seen by others” -- Gordon B. Hinckley

 2. This is my number one tip for mothers: Never put yourself down in front of your daughter. Daughters not only model your behavior, but their own self-talk leads her to believe that if Mom—who is perfect in her eyes—thinks she’s fat, ugly, and not good enough, how much worse must she be? Or she might look physically similar to you and when you put down a trait she also possesses, she will feel you are saying it about her as well.

Never let her hear you speak negatively about yourself, but go a step further. Stop and change any of your own damaging inner dialogue.

 
1. I always end my presentations with asking the audience to take a pledge with me. It is to stop negative self-talk. It is to end what is sometimes called “fat talk.” Fat Talk describes all of the statements made in everyday conversation that reinforce the thin ideal and contribute to women’s dissatisfaction with their bodies.
Examples of fat talk include: “I’m so fat,” “Do I look fat in this?” “I need to lose 10 pounds” “I hate my thighs” and “She’s too fat to be wearing that swimsuit.”
Statements that are considered fat talk don’t necessarily have to be negative; they can seem positive yet reinforce the need to be thin. “You look great! Have you lost weight?”

So I challenge you today to take the pledge to stop the “fat talk” and all other negative inner dialog. You can make a difference!! 
 
 
Sound Track for A Future for Tomorrow
Theme song for book, dedicated to author’s mom: Celion Dion, Because You Loved Me
Chapter 2 (page 15-16) Faith Hill, Can’t Lose Me
Chapter 7 (page 50-51) Hillary Weeks, He’ll Carry You
Chapter 14 (page 94) George Fox, Here’s Hoping There’ll Always be a Cowboy
Chapter 28 (page 195-196) Yanni, One Man’s Dream
Chapter 28 (page 196-197) Tim McGraw, My Little GIrl
Chapter 29 (page 203, Mom’s Letter) Janice Kapp Perry, The Test
Chapter 29 (page 205) Families Can Be Together Forever
Chapter 39 (page 253) Janice Kapp Perry, Song of Testimony

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Blog Tour At First Sight



Based on past relationships, Shane Nicholls is convinced that all women are trouble. He avoids drama at all costs, but somehow it seems to find him around every corner.

Can Annie and Shane break through all the obstacles, twists and turns of the dating world and find themselves in one another’s arms or will stubborn pride tear them apart? Annie and Shane find that love at first sight really can happen if you truly believe. 
Annie Morgan, a romantic at heart, is holding out for the singular idea of love at first sight. Making a deal with her best friend, Annie reluctantly agrees to go on exactly five online dates out of seventy-six potential suitors.

Buy At First Sight







EXCERPT

Johnny’s was packed. Standing on line to place her order, Annie took in her surroundings. Just as the owner, Johnny, was coming over to take her order, something caught Annie’s eye. The guy near the window, he seemed familiar somehow. Where had she seen him before? He was eating dinner with a pretty brunette. He lifted his head to look at Annie as their eyes locked. On no! It was the guy from the mall, the one she bumped into. She quickly spun around, knocking right into the waitress who was carrying a tray of soft drinks.

Soda soaked her shirt and dripped onto the floor. The waitress was clearly annoyed and appeared like she would have loved to tell Annie off. Instead she rolled her eyes and ran to get a towel. If Annie thought she was embarrassed before, it was nothing compared to how she felt now. Every eye in the place was on her, including the guy from the mall. Helpless to do anything else, she grabbed some napkins and bent down to sop up some of the mess.

“It seems you have a knack for causing a scene everywhere you go.” It was his voice. The voice that filled her head with inappropriate thoughts, with longing. What was she thinking? Did she dare look up? His gaze was a magnet, forcing her to meet his eyes.

His eyes were a warmer brown than she had remembered, drawing her in.

“I...uh...”

“I’m joking. Here, let me help you with that.” He grabbed the napkins from her hand. The heat between them jolted her back. She moved quickly, surprised he could evoke such a reaction from her. Nobody had ever made her feel so exposed before. What was going on here? Annie felt foolish.

“I’m Shane. Shane Nicholls.” He extended his hand to her. They must have appeared to be quite the sight, bending over to clean up the mess while shaking hands.

“Annie.” Annie remembered her new rules of safety in the dating world. One of them was she would not reveal her last name or any other personal information until she was sure the guy wasn’t a stalker or anything.

“Annie. It suits you, I like it.” Annie had almost forgot about the woman waiting for Shane at the table near the window. She glanced over and took in a tight-lipped woman. It hit Annie that this woman was not the same stunning woman from the mall. Hmm, she had met his type before. This guy had “player” written all over him. She quickly brushed herself off and excused herself.“Hey, Annie. Wait.” He reached for her hand. Annie forgot all about placing her order and made a beeline for the door. She didn’t look back. Well, Annie figured, it looked like it would be Chinese food tonight.





Author bio
Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of two boxers, named Destiny and Dolce, and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.

Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. She spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on.  She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel and has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Costa Rica. She is currently working on her sixth novel.




Monday, March 23, 2015

Blog Tour Devon's Choice





Back Cover Blurb:

Life holds no surprises for Devon Murphy. Her life consists of keeping tabs on her aging Irish father, working part time at a coffee shop, and building her online graphics design business. Devon’s only tricky situation is a shallow relationship with the pampered and affluent Michael Turner, who sees her as just another woman to conquer.

Following his father’s death, Brandon’s only goal is to expand the family business and live life on his own terms. That is, until he walks into the coffee shop one snowy evening and meets the enchanting, red-haired barista behind the counter. But can Devon and Brandon’s attraction for each other be strong enough to help erase their deepest disappointments and renew their faith in God?

Author Bio:

Catherine grew up in Ohio where she currently lives with her husband and two rescue Labradors. Some of her favorite things include reading, shopping, pepperoni pizza, Hershey bars and hanging out with her two grown sons.

Growing up an only child, Catherine loved to read which fueled her desire to write. It was many years later that her dream of becoming a published author came true.
 



EXCERPT:



Once they got to the park, Devon unhooked his leash. The dog ran in the snow and stopping abruptly, he turned, tongue out and ears perked. Brandon reached down and patted snow into a ball and threw it far beyond Bubby, who took off after it. After a few more throws, they left the dog to himself and walked along the brick path to a bench. Brandon brushed the snow off with his gloved hand and they sat down. Bubby played some more, then lay with his head up and ears alert.

“I’m curious,” Brandon said, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “I may be out of line to ask you, but what kind of relationship do you have with this Michael guy?” He looked sideways to see her worrying her bottom lip and hoped he was going to get a truthful statement.

“It’s pretty shallow, really. We’ve never discussed being an exclusive couple. He travels a lot with his company and I figure he probably goes out with other women, and not just for business if you know what I mean. Once he practically admitted to it.”

“What kind of job does he have?”

Devon, who’d been watching the dog, turned to look at him. “He’s the Executive Vice President for Turner Construction. His father owns the company.”

Brandon drew himself back. “Turner Construction! That’s the largest construction company in the Midwest.”

“So, you’ve heard of it?”

“Yes, my dad had some experience with them.”

“So was it a good experience?”

Brandon shrugged. “I really couldn’t say.” Then, hoping to refocus her attention, he asked, “How’d you ever meet him anyway?”

“He hit my car in a parking lot. Not very romantic.”

Brandon looked over at her neutral expression. Whatever kind of relationship she had with Michael Turner didn’t seem to be making her happy. At that moment, all he wanted to do was to make her forget all about the jerk.

As if sensing him watching her, Devon turned her head enough to make eye contact with him. The faint, milky glow from the streetlight showed enough of her features for him to see a soft blush warm her cheeks. Under her dark lashes, he watched her sea green eyes glint invitingly as her soft lips turned up at the corners. In that moment, his resolve to keep the date on a friendly level came crashing down.




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