Monday, March 30, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Book Blast: Teardrops Know My Name by Dalia Florea
One winner will receive a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card.
Enter contest below
Book Title: Teardrops Know My Name
Author: Dalia Florea
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Romance
Recommended age group? 18 and up
Publisher: Dalia Florea (March 27, 2015)
ASIN: B00TWQJGQC
Dalia Florea is a novelist and native New Yorker. Her debut book “Mirrored” recently reached the top 100 Best Sellers list in Women’s Detective Fiction and rated favorably on both Amazon and Goodreads. When she isn’t crafting suspenseful romance, Dalia enjoys solving Sudoku and cryptogram quotes, attending jazz concerts and visiting wineries. Dalia currently lives in Northern Virginia and is hard at work on her next two novels.
Someone is stalking, fashion photographer, Linda McNair and turning her world upside down. She has no idea who it could be. Is it an old boyfriend? Someone in the industry? A complete stranger? The only thing Linda knows for sure is her stalker has to be stopped. Her life may depend on it.
When Linda meets Detective Sean Gregory, one of New York’s finest in more ways than one, stories unravel, revealing secrets, lies and betrayal that nearly destroy her, breaking her heart into a million tiny pieces.
Linda tries to resist Sean’s affection, but she can’t help wondering if he’s the right man who can put the shattered pieces of her heart back to together.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Motivational Monday
Don't be confined to the expectations and plans other have for your life. Follow your dreams while seeking your purpose from God. Happy Monday
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Poetic Expressions Excerpt: Grandma
Grandma I want you back sound and mind.
I wish there was a key I could find so that
I would be able to see you one last time.
My love for you will never die. I will hold
Your sparkle in my eye. I know that you
Are with the ones you
love who welcomed you
With open arms above. All
the hurt and you
Felt is forever gone. I will miss you as you
Dry ours eyes, watching and loving us from
Your home in the sky. The cool breeze on our
Face is like a touch of
lite rain reminding
Us that we will be together again, and that life
On earth is but one brief moment, and it is
Up to use to love, live and own it. Grandma we
Love and miss you and your memory
Will forever sing in our hearts.
Purchase your copy today on Amazon on Barnes & Noble
Friday, March 20, 2015
New Release: A Spring Affair with Te Russ
Though they've yet to meet face to face, Maya has had a secret
crush on Xavier, the man who owns a wine café
that the winery she works for distributes to. But being that Xavier is
involved, she'd never reveal her feelings.
Xavier's previous relationship has left him wrung out
emotionally. Needing to get away for awhile, he decides to drive to Napa and
visit the winery that produces one of the best selling wines at his café. And finally get the
opportunity to meet the woman with the sweet little voice.
One email and four little words stands to flip their love lives
on its head and when Maya and Xavier meet for the first time, both are
blindsided by the attraction they feel for one another.
Springtime and wine make a beautiful backdrop for two people on a
romantic journey to love...
Excerpt:
Maya stood there in the wine cave staring at Xavier.
"'We'," she said. "As in...you and me?"
She watched at the corner of his mouth quirked up slightly,
before he released a deep chuckle.
"Yeah," he said. "That's the idea, unless
there is some rule that says you can't drink right now?"
"My boss doesn't mind if we taste the wines along with
our tourist, as long as we use the spittoon. But it is after hours and everyone
has left for the day."
"So what do you say?" he asked with a smile.
"All these years we've talked on the phone and emailed each other, it
would be nice to sit down and finally get to know more about you."
She wanted to get to know him better as well.
Then why are you hesitating? her mind screamed.
She looked over her shoulder at the exit, then back at the
table.
"I'm sorry," he said when she still didn't
answer. He looked at his watch. "I suppose now I'm being presumptuous.
Here I am asking you to sit down and share this wine and food with me and
technically you're suppose to be off the clock already. I didn't think that
maybe you already had plans with your husband."
Maya grinned at Xavier's inquisitive tone.
It was more than a little obvious that he was fishing for
her relationship status. Grinning, she held up her hand to reveal her bare ring
finger. "I'm not married."
"Boyfriend?" he corrected.
She shook her head, and she felt her grin widen. "I'm
single."
"Then I'm not stealing you from anyone
important."
"It doesn't appear that way." Finally Maya smiled
and said, "Sure I would love to sit with you."
They moved over to the table and Xavier held a chair out
for Maya. As he pushed her chair in after she sat, she felt his finger
inadvertently brush against her shoulder. It amazed her that even the lightest
touch from this man made her body come alive.
She expected him to go around and sit on the other side of
the table, but was surprised when he pulled out the chair right next to hers
and sat down.
"So, what do we have here?" Xavier asked, rubbing
his hands together in anticipation.
Trying to ignore their knees touching under the table, Maya
pointed to a white wine.
"This is a chardonnay, much like the one you tasted
from the barrel. Of course this one is ready for consumption," she said
with a smile.
They both reached for the bottle at the same time and she
stopped as Xavier's large hand grabbed it first.
"Do you mind?" he asked.
"By all means." She held up her glass so he could
pour some, then he filled his own glass.
"I assume we're pairing this with the brie cheese over
there?" he guessed as he sat the bottle back down.
"You're absolutely right. It's actually from a local
cheesemonger not too far from here." She cut them both a small slice of
cheese. "You know your pairings."
"I would hope so, otherwise business would be terrible
at my café."
"What made you decide to open a wine café?" Maya asked. She had always
been curious. "Why not just open a wine shop?"
"Because there is a wine shop every few blocks. Not to
mention you can get wine from just about any store. With the wine café, people can also experience the joy
of learning about wines as well as different foods that pair well with
them."
She loved his
answer. And it was obvious that he was a true wine lover. As they went through
their flight of wines, tasting several varieties, she watched as he described
each one in great detail, as well as how each item of food was enhanced by the
wines.
As they finished up their tasting, Xavier wiped his mouth
and sat his napkin down on the plate in front of him.
"That was amazing. I can't thank you enough again for
doing all of this."
"Even though it was meant for you and someone
else?" she asked sheepishly.
Xavier turned and looked Maya directly in the eyes.
"If it was meant for me to be here with someone else, I would have been
here with someone else," he said with a self-assured tone.
There was something in his voice and the look in his eyes
that made Maya's heart race.
She broke their eye contact and stood, gathering up the
dishes. "I still feel terrible. Setting up this whole romantic scene must
have brought up some strange feelings considering–"
"Maya." Xavier stood, gently grabbing her arm, to
stop her from her task of cleaning. "The only thing I've felt tonight is
joy at spending time with you. In fact..." he removed his hand from her
arm and hooked his thumbs into the loops of his jeans. "...I was wondering
since the winery is closed tomorrow, do you have any plans tomorrow?"
"Uh, no. I don't have any plans tomorrow. You're not
going to visit anymore wineries?"
"I visited all of the ones on my list yesterday and
today. This was the final stop for me. I wanted to save the best for
last," he said, and she felt like he was referring to more than just the
winery.
"I know this may seem fast, and forward. And I'm kind
of out of practice with all of this, but...I've enjoyed our time together today
and I want to see you again. So I was wondering if you would have lunch with me
tomorrow, before I have to head back to Sacramento."
Oh. My. God.
After years of fantasizing about this man she'd never
before met, he was better than anything she could have imagined. And for all of
those years, there was a road block in her dreams by the name of Darby. Now
Darby was out of the picture and Xavier was showing interest in her. It was the
stuff romance novels were made of.
She remembered what her sister had said about jumping at
the opportunity if it presented itself with Xavier. Well...she'd been a little
more cruder, but still...her overall advice was on point. And Maya wasn't going
to let a chance she'd secretly been wishing for, for several years now, pass
her by.
"Lunch with you tomorrow would be great."
Bio:
Growing up an introvert, Té
Russ found solace in literary arts at
an early age. She found reading to be a vehicle to broader horizons and writing
a form of self-expression. She began writing love stories in her adolescent
years as a way to expel her youthful thoughts of love into words. Since then
she has gone from writing stories and thoughts of love in journals to attending
college for journalism and falling in love, which has allowed those youthful
words of love to blossom into a series of stories in her romance novels. Though
she has an immense appreciation for the sheer smell that books collectively
exert, she also has found balance to her introverted nature with adrenaline
inducing activities. So if she does not have her nose pressed deeply into a
book or her pen ticking through a pad, you may also find this mother of three
baking some tasty treats, jumping out of airplanes, cheering her husband on at
the top of her lungs at MMA fights, buzzing down the interstate on the back of
motorcycles, or kayaking.
Author Interview: Elsie Hillman-Gordon
LM Please tell us a little about yourself?
EG: Love Is
Everything is my first fiction novella. I was thrilled when it won the
Gold/1st Place Award for Best Short Story in The Feathered Quill
Book Awards Program.
Love Is
Everything is an inspirational romance about a woman struggling to find
joy in life and doubting her faith in God after losing her parents in a tragic
accident. But after reluctantly
accepting a blind date with a handsome widower with a strong faith, she
embraces anew her relationship with God and the power of love.
The original concept for my story had only a light theme of
grief, but I emphasized it more after my mother passed away. Feeling emotional,
I wrote a stronger storyline on grief to not only help me externalize my grief
but to help others understand their own emotions, after losing loved ones.
Several readers have told me that before reading my book, they had never heard
of the five stages of grief. So, for them, the story was both enlightening and
uplifting.
Many of my friends are asking for a sequel to Love Is Everything—they’re not ready to
let go of the characters. And honestly,
I’m not either. So, I’m mapping out ideas for a sequel, as well as a
non-fiction, inspirational book.
I welcome readers to my website to find out more about me:
elsiehillmangordon.com
LM: Do you feel like your background or upbringing
influences your writing style? If so, in
what way(s)?
EG: Yes, my background influenced my
writing of Love Is Everything. I’m a Christian and active in my church with
various ministries. My book is an inspirational romance with Christian
values.
LM: Describe your book, in 10 words or less
It’s an inspirational story of love,
loss, and new beginnings.
LM: When and why did you begin writing?
EG: I write for many
reasons. For example: just because, to share my thoughts with others, to leave
something behind in the world when I pass away, and the list goes on. My
love for writing started early. I can remember sitting at the kitchen table at
the age of nine, writing stories on notebook paper and sharing them with my
family, especially my father. He loved
books and encouraged us to explore the world through reading and writing. He
was an animated storyteller—often educating and entertaining my brothers and me
with his childhood stories.
LG: Is there a central message or theme in “Love Is
Everything” that you hope readers will come away from the reading experience
with?
EG: I want my writing to inspire and
encourage readers to have faith in God and to know that in one way or another,
everything’s going to be alright in the end—the love of God, family and friends
will see us through challenging times.
LM: What has been the toughest criticism you’ve
received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
EG: Honestly, I have not received any
tough criticism. Some readers have mentioned that they wish the story had not
ended when it did, but only because they were enjoying it and wanted it to go
on a bit longer. That’s a criticism that
I take as a compliment.
LM: What’s next for you? What can readers look forward
to from you?
EG: Many readers are asking for a sequel to Love Is Everything—they’re not ready to let go of the
characters. And honestly, I’m not
either. So, I’m mapping out ideas for a sequel, and also ideas for a
non-fictional inspirational book.
LM: If you had to go back and do it all over again, is
there any aspect of writing your novel or getting it published that you would
change?
EG: My story is a novella—it’s short and
sweet. If I could go back and do it all
over again, I would extend the story at least a couple of more chapters to
satisfy the appetite of readers who want more information about Vanessa’s and
Elliott’s future. But that can always be
handled by writing a sequel.
LM: What has been the most effective method of
marketing and/or publicizing your books so far? Why or how?
EG: For the most part, I have managed my
own marketing by directly reaching out to my networks: family, friends,
acquaintances, social circles, etc. I
read somewhere that the majority of people who will support you are people who
like you or trust you.
Book Blast: Love Is Everything by Elsie Hillman-Gordon
Book Title: Love Is Everything
Author: Elsie Hillman-Gordon
Genre: Fiction, Inspirational, Christian, Romance
Book Release Date: May 30, 2014
Paperback: 106 pages
ISBN-10: 1496112458
ISBN-13: 978-1496112453
Do you like to read inspirational fiction? Do you believe that people who have loved and lost can find true love again, that a hurting heart can heal, and that God’s love will see you through difficult times? If so, you’ll enjoy reading Love Is Everything.
It’s the story of thirty-five year old Vanessa Dennison—a woman struggling to find joy in life and doubting her faith in God after losing her parents in a tragic accident. But after reluctantly accepting a blind date with Elliott Reeves, a handsome widower with a strong faith and young daughter, she embraces anew her relationship with God and the power of love.
Sweet and emotional, this tale of rediscovering love, faith, and hope is sure to touch your heart. It’s a must read for anyone who’s ever loved and lost, especially those still reluctant to take a chance on love.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
A Praying Heart: Never Stop Praying
Ephesians 6:18: And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with
all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep
on praying for all the Lord’s people. One of the greatest challenges in life is
including prayer in your everyday life, not just when you are in distress. Hold
tight to your faith, because it will push you to pray more. Remind yourself
that even when things do not look like they are going to work out, you cannot
stop praying.
Prayer is like having a full-time job, and you must keep
going and praying until the job project is finished so that you can start the
next one. Know that God hears all of your prayers, and He has already supplied
the answer. He is just waiting for the right time to show you the results.
Prayer
Lord, I come to you with a thankful heart. I do not
understand how I am to keep smiling while my life is filled with so much hurt
and pain. I come to you today, asking and praying that you allow this pain to
be reversed and lead me to a closer relationship with you. In Jesus’ name,
amen.
Scripture Reading
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench
the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to
what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Connect with me
Website: www.latoyamurchison.com
Facebook: facebook.com/latoyamwrites
Twitter: LaToyaauthor
Goodreads: authorlatoyam
Instagram: authorlatoyam
Blogger: authorlatoyamurchison.blogspot.com
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/latoyamurchison
Friday, March 13, 2015
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Monday, March 9, 2015
Writing Goals for the Week
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This is going to be another busy week for me. I have been thinking what I want to accomplish for this week. I
have a few goals in mind, and I plan to work hard to reach them. Here they are:
- Complete the revision of my debut book: A Praying Heart
- Write two blogs
- Schedule my Twitter and Facebook post for the week
- Review poems for my next book: Poetic Expressions
- Read at least 3 books new books this week.
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Friday, March 6, 2015
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Love is Everything Book Blast
Author
is giving away FOUR prizes. Two winners
will received a signed copy of Love Is Everything and two winners will receive
an Amazon gift card ($10 value) ENTER CONTEST BELOW.
Book Title: Love Is
Everything
Author: Elsie
Hillman-Gordon
Genre: Fiction,
Inspirational, Christian, Romance
Book Release Date: May 30, 2014
Paperback: 106 pages
ISBN-10:
1496112458
ISBN-13:
978-1496112453
About
The Author
Award-winning author Elsie Hillman-Gordon published her
first fiction novella, Love Is Everything, in May 2014. Her book received the
Gold/1st Place award for *Best Short Story* in the 2015 Feathered Quill Book
Awards Program.
Elsie lives in Washington, DC with her husband. She
holds a BA in English and executive graduate certificates in editorial
practices and marketing. She has worked for several media organizations,
including NPR. In her free time, she stays busy supporting community outreach
projects sponsored through her sorority, church, and non-profit organizations.
Elsie’s passion is creative writing, but she also
enjoys live theater, movies, reading, and long walks on autumn days. She
believes in random acts of kindness and encouraging people to reach for their
dreams.
About
The Book
Do you like to read inspirational fiction? Do you
believe that people who have loved and lost can find true love again, that a
hurting heart can heal, and that God’s love will see you through difficult
times? If so, you’ll enjoy reading Love Is Everything.
It’s the story of thirty-five year old Vanessa
Dennison—a woman struggling to find joy in life and doubting her faith in God
after losing her parents in a tragic accident. But after reluctantly accepting
a blind date with Elliott Reeves, a handsome widower with a strong faith and
young daughter, she embraces anew her relationship with God and the power of
love.
Sweet and emotional, this tale of rediscovering love,
faith, and hope is sure to touch your heart. It’s a must read for anyone who’s
ever loved and lost, especially those still reluctant to take a chance on love.
Social
Links:
Website: http://elsiehillmangordon.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElsieRenae
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsie.hillmangordon
Buy
Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1LECK1i
Amazon: http://amzn.com/1496112458
Contest
Giveaway: Author is
giving away FOUR prizes. Two winners
will received a signed copy of Love Is Everything. Two winners will receive an
Amazon gift card ($10 value each)
Monday, March 2, 2015
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Sunday, March 1, 2015
A Praying Heart Excerpt: Prayer Closet
Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then you’re Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
A prayer closet is a designated space that you use to
communicate with God without interruptions. It can be in a quiet park, a garden,
a little corner in your house, or out on your balcony.
God does not care what space you choose; He is just looking
for you to spend some private time with Him. Even when you are not able to have
a physical space, it is important for you to become deaf to those things
happening around you as you pray.
If it is possible, close your eyes, and allow your
imagination to take you to your quiet place, and begin to pray to God in
silence. When you enter into your prayer closet, it is not a time for you to
relax, but a chance for you to give yourself to God completely.
There are a few things to have waiting for you when you
enter your prayer closet:
1.
Your favorite Bible.
2.
Prayer journal.
3.
Worship music.
4.
Lamp.
Prayer
Lord,
I come to you in my prayer closet, looking to spend some one-on-one time with you.
Not because something is wrong, but to build our relationship. I know that I
have not spent enough time with you, because things have been busy around me.
Help me to become one of your faithful servants. Lord, today I surrender myself
to you completely. I praise and thank you for your love, grace, and mercy that you
continue to show me every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A Praying Heart available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
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