Blog Tour: Keri's Christmas Wish

by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Can Keri get past her angst over Christ’s birth and enjoy the Christmas season?

For as long as she can remember, Keri Jackson has despised the hype and commercialism around Christmas so much she seldom enjoys the holiday. Will she get her wish and be free of the angst to truly enjoy Christmas this year?

A devout Christian at heart, Jeremy Hinton, a Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Spiritual Mentor and Energy Medicine Practitioner has studied all of the world’s religions and homeopathic healing modalities. But when a rare bacterial infection threatens the life of the woman he loves, will all of his faith and training be for naught?

Find out in Keri’s Christmas Wish

About Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

Links:

Website address  

Blog

Facebook

Twitter @psthib

Pinterest

Amazon Author Page

BookBub

Excerpt

She awoke in another dimension. Keri had no idea if she was in Heaven, but neither did she fear Hell. Her surroundings were reminiscent of a dense forest at dusk. Shadows danced against a sunset where brilliant colors bled from the sky. A light shone in the distance but as she moved toward it, Keri felt as though she plowed through molasses. Unease pricked her skin. The sound of water drew her deeper into the woods until she stood at the base of a vast waterfall and rapids so swift she dared not attempt to cross the river.

The light grew stronger, brighter. Beckoning.

I need to get to the light.


Review

Disclaimer: NOT your typical Christmas novella. In Keri's Christmas Wish, the author weaves a tale of spiritual confusion, discovery, healing, and even adventure. The latter, while now and then a tad confusing due to special circumstances withing the story line, somehow manages to culminate into perfect sense and even a light, sweet romance. Keri's journey to understanding Christmas is guaranteed to be one you won't find in most holiday novellas. Thibodeaux takes modern psychology, holistic medicine, religious questions, and spirituality to a whole new level. While admittedly not my usual "cup of Christmas tea," I enjoyed this short walk outside the ordinary. If you're looking for something a little meatier than the typical silver bells and snow globes, with an exciting story within the story, Keri's Christmas Wish may be just what the Christian psychologist ordered.

Mini-interview

What inspired you to write your newest release Keri’s Christmas Wish?

Answer: When I look back on the beginning I can honestly say Keri’s Christmas Wish was totally inspired by God. I’d finished a short story and sent the collection off to my editor when a vision of a young woman scrolling through her newsfeed came to mind with the words: Bah Humbug…. The entire story evolved from that one image and I completed the manuscript within a very short time. Since this was the first, original fiction story I’ve written in its entirety since 2009 I’m very excited to see it come to fruition.

What is the message you hope to get across in this story?

That regardless of where you are in your faith journey God and His angels are always there to guide and guard and that He loves you in spite of your doubt and fears.

Question: What is your goal or mission as a writer?

A committed Christian, I firmly believe in God and His promises. God is very real to me. I believe that people today need and want to hear more of His truths wherever they can glean them and I do my best to encourage readers to develop a personal relationship with Him. The deepest desire of my heart is to glorify God and to get His message of faith, trust, and forgiveness to a hurting world. My hope is that all of my stories will touch the lives of everyone who reads them and - in some way - bring them a truer knowledge of God and urge them into a closer walk with Him.



Be sure to visit the other stops on the blog tour, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway. Pamela's gifting 5 E-copies & 5 Print copies of Keri’s Christmas Wish!

Dec 3^rd – Saturday Spotlight on Pamela’s personal blog

Dec 4^th – Patty Gordon/Patricia Kiyono Blog

Dec 5^th - Linda Rondeau Blog

Dec 6^th - Clare Revell Blog

Dec 7^th – Diana Rubino Blog

Dec 8^th – Tina Gayle Blog

Dec 9^th – Linda Carroll-Bradd Blog

Dec 10^th – Marilyn Leach Blog

Dec 11^th – Robin Bayne Blog

Dec 12^th – Raquel Byrne Blog

Dec 13^th – Cami Checketts Blog

Dec 14^th – Linda McLaughlin Blog

Dec 15^th – Diane Burton Blog

Dec 16^th – Maureen Bonatch Blog

Dec 17^th – Alicia Dean Blog

Dec 18^th – Jody Day Blog

Dec 19^th – Marian Merritt Blog

Dec 20^th – Kim Headlee Blog

Dec 21^st - Patricia Preston Blog

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you enjoy Keri’s Christmas Wish check out Pam’s other books, all of which are on sale through Jan 3rd @ Amazon; B&N; and Smashwords!

Big Roy, Old Southern Sayings, and Fathers

Guest post By Janet W. Ferguson

“Sounds like you’re busier than
a one-legged cat in a litter box.”

One of my favorite characters to write has been Big Roy Bosarge in Blown Together, book 4 of the Southern Hearts Series. Sure I love the hero, Sam, and the heroine, Elinor, but Elinor’s father, Big Roy, made an appearance in book 2, Going Up South, and right away, I knew he had to have a bigger part in a novel.

Roy’s a huge hulk of a man, but his heart is just as big. He makes the perfect father figure for Elinor and her sisters. He’s protective, but fair and loving. He has permanent smile lines that crinkle by his eyes, and his laugh is loud and hardy. One of the most enjoyable bits of research that came with his character was his manner of speech. He’s so Southern-country. I mean really country-talking.

I grew up and still live in the South. Granted, not all of us talk like Big Roy does anymore, but I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many a country storyteller in my lifetime. I don’t believe they’re all gone!

I’ve listed a few of my favorite phrases I found and used for Big Roy. (A lot of them seem to have to do with dogs and cats.)

•  “No sense you being as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a
   room full of rocking chairs.”
• “He’s taking my place and is handier than indoor plumbing.”
• “I think this partnership will make us both happier than a tick on a fat dog.”
• “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Elinor Elizabeth can be a little intense. Kinda like a cat in a dog pound.”
• “Sam-man is handier than a coat pocket to have around…”

As you can see, I really liked Big Roy, especially as a loving father figure. If you don’t have that kind of father, remember you have a heavenly Father who knows the number of hairs on your head and holds you lovingly in the palm of His hand. He won’t fail you! Big Roy might say, “He’ll love you like his long lost huntin’ dog.”

Blessing, and I hope you enjoy Blown Together!

About the Author:

Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served her church as a children’s minister and a youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a few cats that allow them to share the space.

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Connect with Janet

Janet's Website     Facebook     Twitter

About the Book:

When love storms in…

Wealth manager Sam Conrad is accustomed to his domineering father ordering him around, especially at the bank where they both work. But when his father demands that Sam manage the inheritance of his bossy ex-fiancée, Sam has finally had enough. He leaves in search of a new life, and attorney Big Roy Bosarge from Mobile, Alabama agrees to mentor Sam on his quest for direction. Sam didn’t expect to be thrown together with Big Roy’s eccentric and opinionated daughter.

Storm damage forces lonely romance writer Elinor Bosarge and her hairless cat, Mr. Darcy, out of her Fort Morgan Beach cottage. She plans to take refuge in the boathouse on her parents’ estate, but finds the place already occupied by one of her father’s “projects.” She’s shocked her father would allow another young man onto the property after his last mentee robbed her family and broke her heart. And from the moment she meets Sam Conrad, they disagree about everything from her cat to how to best renovate a local nursing home.

Between her mother’s health issues and the hurricane brewing in the Gulf, Elinor feels like her life is being ripped apart. It doesn’t help that she’s falling for the man she’s determined not to trust. Sam finds himself drawn to Elinor, wanting to help her and this new family he’s grown to love. But can he overcome the barrier she’s built to keep him out? When the storm rages and the two of them are blown together, can Elinor find the faith to open her heart again?

Buy Now:
Amazon     Barnes & Noble

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Blog Tour: Barbara M. Britton with Providence: Hannah's Journey

Leave a comment for a chance to win an e-copy of Providence!

Today we welcome debut author Barbara M. Britton. Barbara, welcome!

Thank you for hosting me on your blog today. I am happy to share my writing journey with you and the story behind “Providence: Hannah’s Journey.”

Are your characters based on real people?

In my Biblical fiction, my characters are based on people who appear in the Bible briefly, but we don’t know their full story. I also write about stories in the Bible that aren’t well known, and I pop some characters into the conflict. My other novels are based on real life situations that I have learned about, or experienced. I always enjoy hearing stories and wondering ‘what if’?

When did you decide to become an author?

This is tricky. I don’t know if I ever thought about being an author until I prayed for creativity. I had been teaching chapel to elementary students and was suffering from a bit of burnout at the end of the school year. I knew I had to craft new curriculum for the next school year, so I prayed, “Lord, hit me with some creativity.” I wrote my curriculum and then had a prompting to keep writing. So, I sat down with a pad of paper and a pen, and started a story. I knew nothing about the publishing business, or how to write a novel. My overnight success took nine years. I had a lot of learning to do.  Providence was my fourth book, but the first one to be published.

Do you have trouble saying goodbye to characters?

No. By the time I finish one book, I have new characters popping up in my head and talking to me about their story. I know this sounds a bit crazy, but as a writer, I wonder what I would do if I finished a story and no new characters showed up. I am happy to have another adventure to write.

What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?

This is a tough question because I love all the characters in my books. If I had to choose a favorite, I would say it is the second book I wrote. It’s a “Me Before You” story without euthanasia. All my books have to have a happily ever after. My second book also has been the toughest to edit. I have rewritten it about three times because when I was a newbie writer, I made newbie writer mistakes. Providence is at the top of my favorites because it was my first Biblical Romantic Adventure and my first book to be published. Yay, Hannah!

How did you come up with the title?

Hannah goes through several conflicts before she has her happy ending. The theme of her life, and the book, is God is in control even in the chaos of life. God has a plan for Hannah’s life and His providence brings it to completion. Usually, a publisher will change a title. I am fortunate that both my Tribes of Israel titles have held. I hope my next one holds as it is one of my favorites.

What did you edit out of this book?

I had to tone down some scenes in this book (she says blushing). My antagonist, Konath, was a meanie. I had to curtail his meanness a bit. I thought I would have to edit my second book in the series for sensuality, but I sailed through.

When you wrote this book, did you have an idea of how it would end at the beginning?

Absolutely not. I knew it would have a satisfying ending and Hannah and Gil would be together, but my last chapters were a blur. Many of my final scenes come to me when I’m cruising toward the end of the story. Trying to pull all the themes together is a tough task, and I guess the story needs to percolate while I write. I’ve heard at writing conferences that the ending of your first book will sell your second. Get it right, and readers want to read more of your stories. Get it wrong, and a reader will find another author to read. Endings have to rock and give the reader a satisfying conclusion to the story. I strive to do just that.

Want to learn more?

My website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

My real name is Barbara M. Britton. The journeys will continue in February with “Building Benjamin: Naomi’s Journey.”

Thanks to Barbara for stopping by today. Be sure to pick up her debut Biblical fiction, Providence: Hannah's Journey.

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