Jacqueline Hopper

FREE EBOOK From the Heart: Love Stories and Letters from the Civil War

2013-05-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

From the Heart: Love Stories and Letters from the Civil War

By Jessica James
Rating:
(5.00 based on 1 review)

Published: Jan. 31, 2011
Words: 5,091 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780979600074

Eloquently written letters were part of Victorian era courtship, and the practice of letter writing did not end upon a couple’s marriage.

Today, no form of communication is more important, more romantic—and more in danger of being lost—than the written word. Award-winning historical fiction author Jessica James has gathered some of the most poignant love letters from the Civil War and put them in this short e-book for all to see. Read the heartfelt words of some of the Civil War's most renowned warriors including JEB Stuart, Stonewall Jackson and George Pickett.

"...Pray for a realization of all our beautiful dreams, sitting beside our own hearthstone in our own home — you and I, you my goddess of devotion, and I your devoted slave. May God in his mercy spare my life and make it worthy of you!…
Your soldier

(Written by Stonewall Jackson a few months before his mortal wounding by friendly fire).

Review by: A. F. Stewart on Feb. 13, 2011 :
From the Heart: Love Stories and Letters from the Civil War by Jessica James is a fascinating glimpse behind history, into the lives of individuals that lived and died during the American Civil War.

The non-fiction book is a collection of love letters written during this era, by people famous and not so famous, with explanatory tidbits by the author regarding these people and their circumstances. It is a short read, but a captivating one.

There are several sets of letters featured, including ones from Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B. Stuart, and not only do you get insight into the writers of these letters, but also into the time in which they lived. They paint a vivid picture of a culture and values far different than what we know today. The book also brings an intimacy and a poignant touch to a war that many know only through harsh facts and statistics. These letters tell the story of the human beings involved, what they sacrificed and sometimes lost.

It is a gem of a book for a history buff, and a great read for all.

GET YOUR FREE COPY HERE: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/40008

Jessica James is an award-winning historical fiction author who resides in Gettysburg, Pa.

SEEKING PATIENCE excerpt

2013-05-24T09:30:00.000-04:00

Excerpt

England, 1813

Luca Boldor had made a mistake—a big mistake.

“May God strike you all,” he whispered under his breath at the murderous band of rival Roma tribesmen gaining on him, ready to attack. He’d merely been looking for food for his tribe.

He pulled his ragged overcoat around his shoulders and made his getaway through the snow. Snowflakes fell thick and heavy, twice as fast as earlier that evening. Wind carried the drifts in wayward, wispy circles and thankfully concealed his tracks.

He could escape unseen. He’d become good at that.

Slipping on a patch of ice, he stumbled and hit the ground face first.

His voice broke in agony. A scream he stifled, because a man never screamed. Certainly not a Roma man.

Relying on sheer muscle to raise the lower half of his body, he dug his elbows into the gritty, wet snow and crawled forward. Aye, a man did not crawl, either.

But sometimes a man made exceptions to his own rules.

Advancing shadows split the stretches of dull white snow. Desperately, he searched his surroundings, knowing he was too easy to find. His body shimmered with the pain of a cruel beating. His breath, so cold a moment ago, burned in his chest.

Give up.

But the thought was inconceivable and Luca pushed it from his mind.

Instead, he envisioned the elders of his tribe foraging for food. They would starve without his hunting skills and perish in a sennight. Long ago, he’d taught himself not to think of anything except their desperation, to protect the tribe no matter the danger. If he could only get them through another winter, he could improve their lot by moving them to the coast. Food was more plentiful by the sea, and they wouldn’t need to steal to survive.

Heavy footsteps crunched through the snow and Luca risked a swift glance over his shoulder. Marko, the leader of the rival tribe, and his men drew closer. Blind panic rushed through Luca’s limbs.

Past a swell of blackthorn trees, he spotted a ravine. He dropped to his knees and burrowed into the snow. Faster. Deeper. His nerves pinched in short, silent spasms.

Curse the frost for numbing his fingers. Curse his senses for deserting him.

Snapping off brittle tree limbs, he lowered himself into the hole and threw the branches on top. Then he peered through the branches and waited.

The bleary figures of Marko and his tribesmen approached. A glimmer of moonlight lit the darkness and threatened to expose Luca’s meager covering.

A persistent voice whispered in his mind. Run. There is time. They will not see you.

Run. He grimaced. His restless body shifted. His battered leg stiffened, a reminder of his helplessness.

“Luca shall not escape me.” Marko’s rough tone severed the cold night air. “He claims he disappears like a spirit, but he is just a man.”

A few men spoke uneasily and Luca recognized their voices. Killing was a sport for them.

Despite the numbness consuming him, tiny hairs on his nape stood on end. He was obviously their intended sport this harsh January night.

Marko’s booted toes stopped within a few feet of Luca’s makeshift hole. The stench of his unwashed body filled Luca’s nostrils. He held his breath until he thought his lungs would burst. His eyes watered from the cold, but he kept his gaze on Marko.

“Luca wants everything of mine, but I had her first. Nadya learned her lesson and so shall Luca.” Marko didn’t speak, he growled. He wiped his sweaty face with dirty gloves, then kicked the blackthorn trees, rustling the branches of Luca’s covering.

In silent rage, Luca squeezed his eyes shut to blot the unsettling images racing through his mind. Marko’s cold-blooded beating had crushed Nadya’s body. The woman he had once thought he loved.

Although she betrayed him by luring him into a trap by promising food for his tribe, he had tried to protect her. She didn’t deserve to be beaten so harshly by Marko. But Luca’s strength was no match for a tribe of enraged, jealous Roma.

He tightened his fists, defying the impulse to shake off the burdensome branches and pummel the rival lord’s head into the snow. He would not allow Marko to escape punishment for senselessly abusing a woman.

Nay. Not now. He swallowed to quell the pain feeding his anger.

He was a half-breed—half-English, half-Romany. But when his strength returned, he would seek justice the Romany way—swift and sure.

At thirty years old, he chose his way of life. A leader. A legend to fear.

It suited him.

“Nanosh,” Marko shouted to one of his men, “I will rejoin you at sunrise. Keep searching.” Marko’s footsteps receded. His men obeyed without complaint.

Luca waited an interminable minute before he pushed the branches off his snowy covering. He heaved his body out of the hole and sucked in a sharp groan at the needle-like pain piercing his leg. Then he crawled away from Marko’s men like a helpless, despicable cripple.

If he did not find shelter soon, he might lose his leg. Then he would no longer command the respect of his tribe. Then he’d sink deeper in his English father’s eyes—if such a thing were possible.

Every few feet, Luca stopped to catch his ragged breath and control the shivers wracking his limbs. He tried to flex his fingers but they had no feeling, stiff and frozen sticks that hardly moved. Wryly, he thought about the leather hawking gloves, an unexpected treasure he had found on a dirt road months before. The English dandy who dropped the gloves in a busy London marketplace never missed a step, never bent to search for them. Just kept walking, probably to Bond Street where he could spend more coin, whilst his rich, ruby cloak billowed behind him.

Those precious gloves. All smooth black leather and cream silk lining.

Luca had left the gloves back at his camp for an elderly tribesman to wear. He’d assured the tribesman he would not need them. But foresight had never been his forte.

Throughout the night, he pondered the ironic joke the fates had played on him as he blew on his cold hands, though it had stopped amusing him many hours ago.

He crawled, then limped through the snow, grabbing a tree branch to steady his gait. Beyond, a large, ungated manor house loomed. He focused on the flicker of oil lamps in the windows, the tall chimneys standing as sentinels on either side of the house.

Ipswich.

Other Inspired titles you may enjoy:

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A Memorial Day message from Kim McMahill

2013-05-24T09:15:00.004-04:00

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Posted on May 24, 2013 by prismauthorkim

"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a U.S. federal holiday occurring each year on the last Monday of May..."

To read the rest of this beautiful Memorial Day message, GO HERE: http://prismbookgroup.com/blog/

Jutzie says: "...betrayal, hatred and struggles of being honor bound to one side or the other. I really enjoyed this book."

2013-05-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Seeking Patience [Kindle Edition]

Josie Riviera (Author)

(27 customer reviews)

Digital List Price:	$2.94 What's this?
Print List Price:	$10.99
Kindle Price:	$2.94 includes free international wireless delivery via *Amazon Whispernet*
You Save:	$8.05 (73%)

Do people prove their self-worth by strength, or by character?

A Romany leader confronts the English heritage he has denied when he lands, beaten and powerless, in the path of a high-spirited young widow. Will the prim countess agree to hide the charismatic rogue in her home and jeopardize her safety while her stepson accuses her of murdering her elderly husband?

Patience Blakwell is not beautiful. As a dutiful young countess in Regency England, she endures her husband’s cruelty. She struggles with her faith, trying to understand why God is not following the plan she had for her life—to be loved and cherished by her husband. After her husband’s unexpected death, her grown stepson charges her with her late husband’s murder.

Luca Boldor, more Gypsy than English, is determined to prove that he is strong and capable and doesn’t need anyone. But once he is forced to depend on Lady Patience Blakwell, a woman who represents all he loathes, he must decide whether he should turn away when she needs him, or risk his most vulnerable, forgiving self to keep her safe. By denying his English heritage, has he denied a part of himself?

“It is a light read and one that I enjoyed greatly!!! ”Paula Beyer | 9 reviewers made a similar statement

“I love her voice, her characters, and her unusual plots. ”Reader Forever | 7 reviewers made a similar statement

“I got into it and had a hard time stopping! ”Mary R | 5 reviewers made a similar statement
GET YOUR $2.94 COPY HERE: http://www.amazon.com/Seeking-Patience-ebook/dp/B00A6Z5CQ6/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1369354629&sr=8-1

Word of the Day amalgamate

2013-05-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

Word of the Day

amalgamate
\uh-MAL-guh-mayt\

DEFINITION

verb

: to unite in or as if in a mixture of elements; especially : to merge into a single body

EXAMPLES

On her latest album, the artist has amalgamated several different styles of music.

"Sure enough, in 1999, Congress dutifully went along with Weill's push for repeal, and Wall Street promptly rushed toamalgamate more Citigroups, thus creating the 'too-big-to-fail' system that—only eight years later—did indeed fail." — From an article by Jim Hightower in the Illinois Times (Springfield, Illinois), August 9, 2012

DID YOU KNOW?

The noun "amalgam" derives by way of Middle French from Medieval Latin "amalgama." It was first used in the 15th century with the meaning "a mixture of mercury and another metal." (Today, you are likely to encounter this sense in the field of dentistry; amalgams can be used for filling holes in teeth.) Over time, use of "amalgam" broadened to include any mixture of elements.and by the 18th century the word was also being applied figuratively, as in "an amalgam of citizens." The verb "amalgamate" has been in use since at least 1617. It too can be used either technically, implying the creation of an alloy of mercury, or more generally for the formation of any compound or combined entity.

10. Shared and Separate Possession

2013-05-24T08:10:00.000-04:00

10. Shared and Separate Possession
When two closely related nouns refer to as a single entity, as in a statement about a comedy team’s best-known routine (“She’s never heard Abbott and Costello’s ‘Who’s on First’ bit”), only the second item is assigned a possessive form. But when the component entities are discussed as separate things, both items should have the possessive form, as in “Abbott’s and Costello’s off-screen personalities were consistent with their on-screen personas.”

TIPS FROM: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/10-points-about-possessives/

9. Possessive Preceded by Of

2013-05-24T08:09:00.000-04:00

9. Possessive Preceded by Of
When a phrase describing a relationship includes the preposition of, as in “a neighbor of Dad’s” or “that statement of Smith’s,” note that the presence of the preposition does not preclude the need for the genitive apostrophe. (A construction omitting the apostrophe doesn’t necessarily look wrong, but consider the example “the book of John”; this phrase suggests a book about John, not one belong to or written by John.)

However, consider simplifying the phrase to, for example, “Dad’s neighbor” or “Smith’s statement” when doing so does not change the meaning. (“A neighbor of Dad’s,” for example, implies one of two or more neighbors more strongly than “Dad’s neighbor” does, and “that statement of Smith’s,” for example, more clearly specifies a particular statement than “Smith’s statement” does.)

8. Possessive of Inanimate Objects

2013-05-24T08:08:00.000-04:00

8. Possessive of Inanimate Objects
Generally, constructions such as “The jar’s lid is cracked” is more efficient than, for example, “The lid of the jar is cracked,” but avoid rendering such set phrases as “the head of the class” unidiomatic. (“Go to the class’s head” fumbles the idiom.)

7. Possessive Forms vs. Attributive Forms

2013-05-24T08:07:00.000-04:00

7. Possessive Forms vs. Attributive Forms
Organizations, businesses, and government agencies often refer to themselves attributively, meaning that one noun modifies another — for example, respectively, note the names of the California Teachers Association, the Diners Club, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The key noun in each name takes the plural s but not the genitive apostrophe, because the entities are intended for the referenced groups rather than established by them. However, similarly constructed generic terms such as “farmers’ market” and “girls’ soccer team” are genitive phrases and should feature an apostrophe after the plural s.

Similarly, a name used as an adjective is attributive, not possessive: Write “the Jones Mansion,” not “the Jones’s Mansion,” as, for example, a designation for a historical landmark (though “the Jones’s mansion” is correct for a simple description of, for example, a neighbor’s house), or “the Vikings game” (but “the Vikings’ win-loss record”).

6. Possessive with Gerund

2013-05-24T08:06:00.000-04:00

6. Possessive with Gerund
In a sentence in which a gerund (a verb functioning as a noun), not the proper noun or the pronoun preceding it, is understood to be the subject of the sentence — as in “Jane’s yelling had put us all in a bad mood” — the proper noun or pronoun (a modifying part of speech known as a determiner) should be in the possessive form. The sentence is expressing that the yelling caused the bad moods, and the genitive form Jane’s identifies the yeller.

In “Jane yelling had put us all in a bad mood,” by contrast, Jane is the subject and yelling is a verb; the implied subject is “The act of Jane.” This construction, however, is awkward; either use the construction with the gerund, or relax the sentence to something like, “When Jane yelled, it put us all in a bad mood.”

5. Possessives Attached to Italicized Terms

2013-05-24T08:05:00.000-04:00

5. Possessives Attached to Italicized Terms
An apostrophe and an s following an italicized term should not be italicized — for example, “Did you read the Washington Post’s editorial today?” If the style calls for quotation marks instead of italics, avoid constructions like “Did you read the ‘Washington Post’’s editorial today?” Instead, revise the sentence, for example, to “Did you read the editorial in today’s ‘Washington Post’?”

4. Phrasal Possessives

2013-05-24T08:04:00.000-04:00

4. Phrasal Possessives
The spontaneity of speech often results in statements such as “The family down the street’s RV was hit by a car,” but because writing enables more thoughtful composition, writers should avoid such awkward constructions; instead, write, “The RV belonging to the family down the street was hit by a car.”

3. Genitive Possessives

2013-05-24T08:03:00.000-04:00

3. Genitive Possessives
The genitive form, also known as the possessive form — although most phrases formed this way refer to relationship, not to possession — is most often problematic when the apostrophe implies of, as in “a hundred dollars’ worth” or “three months’ time.” (See this post for a discussion of the various types of genitive.)

2. Compound Possessives

2013-05-24T08:02:00.000-04:00

2. Compound Possessives
The possessive form in compound nouns and in noun phrases is generally expressed only in the final element — for example, “The student teachers’ experiences varied”; “Her brothers-in-law’s attitudes differed dramatically.” (It might be better to relax the syntax: “The experiences of the student teachers varied”; “The attitudes of her brothers-in-law differed dramatically.”)

10 Points About Possessives

2013-05-24T08:01:00.000-04:00

10 Points About Possessives

by Mark Nichol

Writers are often challenged by the details of producing singular and possessive forms, but dealing with less common possessive variations can be downright vexing. Here are guidelines about additional possessive constructions.

1. Absolute Possessives
His, hers, its, theirs, ours, mine, and yours, which are termed absolute possessives because, unlike their simple possessive versions (for example, their and my), they require no subsequent noun, should never be followed by an apostrophe. (Note that his and its, which can precede a noun or noun phrase or can stand alone, do not change form depending on whether they are simple or absolute possessives.)

LOW CARB AMY'S SKILLET PIZZA

2013-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

RECIPE FOUND HERE: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/skillet_pizza.html

AMY'S SKILLET PIZZA
2 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (see my comments below)
Garlic powder
Italian seasonings
10 slices pepperoni, about 1/2 ounce
Other toppings of your choice such as sausage, mushrooms, peppers, etc. *

In a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, spread the cheese to cover the entire bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with your seasonings. When the cheese starts bubbling all over, add the toppings. Amy says not to overload the pizza or you'll have trouble later. Once the edges of the cheese start to brown, start gradually prying them up with a spatula. Once the edges are completely browned, and you can get your spatula under the whole thing, slide the pizza out of the pan and onto a plate. Let it stand a minute to allow the cheese to cool slightly and firm up. Cut with a pizza cutter or kitchen scissors into quarters. You should be able to pick this up with your hands to eat it.

Makes 1 serving
Do not freeze

* You will need to pre-cook your mushrooms and peppers before adding them to the pizza

Per Serving with pepperoni: 230 Calories; 16g Fat; 18g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; 0g Dietary Fiber; 2g Net Carbs

This is from Amy's St. Louis Low-Carb Examiner column. Considering how simple this is to make, it's fantastic. I had to guess at how much cheese to use and 2 ounces turned out to be about right. I'm sure it would be even better, and a little thicker, with 3 or more ounces but I don't think I could justify eating that much cheese in one sitting. I think that Amy's looks a little more appetizing than mine and I think the difference is probably because I used pre-shredded cheese. Because of the dry coating on my cheese, the pizza "crust" got a little dark rather than a nice golden color like Amy's. I think that whole milk mozzarella would make a nicer crust than what I used but I'm not complaining at all. This was a delicious snack and really tasted like pizza. The cheese got crusty and brown on the bottom but was melty on the top just like on a real pizza. Even more cheese would give you more of the soft, melty cheese on top but would be overdoing it for one serving. You may be wondering why there is no sauce on this pizza. I think that adding sauce would make this a little too hard to pick up and eat and might keep the cheese from firming up. I really didn't miss the sauce at all. Also, I found that a good way to eat this was to fold each slice in half "New York style". Since this is so thin, folding it gave me a little more to hold onto.

FREE EBOOK How Deep the Father's Love

2013-05-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

How Deep the Father's Love

By Matthew Nicol
Rating: Not yet rated.
Published: May 22, 2013
Words: 1,444 (approximate)
Language: English

Chris is a troubled man. A crook, a criminal, a killer. And now headed for death row. but in the midst of a trial which is certain to go one way, something unexpected happens, which changes Chris' fate in this life and the next. Divinely inspired, an illustration of the true, greatest love.

GET YOUR FREE COPY: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/318741

Three Gifts excerpt

2013-05-23T09:30:00.000-04:00

Excerpt

Jack Stewart threw his suit jacket onto the passenger’s seat of his pickup truck and kicked the door shut. How many more job interviews would it take? Sure, he was a good candidate. Of course, they’d love to hire him if they could, but there were other experienced applicants willing to relocate to corporate headquarters, or work on distant sites.

He clenched his fists at his sides. Was he wrong to stay close to home? Abandoning his family didn’t seem like the right thing.

Jack loosened his tie as he slid into the driver’s seat, and let out a breath full of anxiety and disappointment. Rejection never got easier. How many job interviews had he had since graduation? Ten? Twelve? Maybe he should just give up.

A familiar queasiness lodged in his gut. Whenever he was about to make a bad decision, his body signaled its displeasure. It was sort of like having a guardian angel give him a swift elbow in the ribs.

“Okay, okay,” he muttered to the empty truck. “I’ll keep trying to find a job. But if there’s something I’m overlooking, I’d sure appreciate a shove in the right direction.”

Part of his grandmother’s favorite Bible verse floated through his mind. The plans I have for you will give you a future and a hope.

Jack smiled at the memory of Nana reading her Bible every morning during breakfast. She had scripture etched on her heart. He leaned back in the seat and rolled down the truck windows, allowing the crisp November air to flow through the cab. It would be all right. At least, that’s what his grandmother always told him.

Jack glanced at the dashboard clock as he pulled out of the parking spot. Maybe Molly could have lunch with him today. Her job at the retirement home kept her busy, but his fiancée usually found time for a quick bite. And there was nothing like a little dose of Molly to chase away the blues.

* * *

Molly Hanson double-checked the medication cart and locked it. Afternoon meds were a vital responsibility. Although she was the youngest nurse working that day, she was the only R.N. and the other workers had eagerly turned over the duty.

Molly knocked on Mr. Lancaster’s door and waited for his response.

A gravelly voice answered, “Come on in, Molly.”

She pushed the cart through the wide door. “How’d you know it was me, Mr. Lancaster?”

The white-haired man rolled his wheelchair toward her. “You’re the only one who knocks.”

Molly had to admit it was true. Many of her coworkers didn’t bother to warn the residents before they barged into their rooms, but Molly tried to put herself in the patient’s place. She’d hate the loss of control a simple knock gave. “Some people can’t hear a knock.”

Mr. Lancaster ran a hand along his stubbled cheek. “Yes, but some of us can. You’re the only one who seems to remember that.”

Molly handed Mr. Lancaster a small plastic cup containing two pills. He tossed the medication into his mouth and washed it down with water. “Where’s that boyfriend of yours? Haven’t seen him around here lately.”

“Jack has another job interview today. I’ve got my fingers crossed on this one.”

Mr. Lancaster handed the empty cup to Molly. “Times are hard, no doubt about it. My grandson’s having the same problem. He can get a job, but not the kind that leads to a career. What about you? Did you talk to Dr. Wheaton at Westside Memorial Hospital?”

Molly made a notation on Mr. Lancaster’s medical chart. “As a matter of fact, I went yesterday. He remembered you well, but not even your recommendation could land me a position.”

The lines on Mr. Lancaster’s face deepened as he frowned. “Your dream is to help children, not old people who are too sick to care for themselves. Don’t let go of your dream, Molly. I settled for less. I married young, and then I had children to raise, and then I was too old. Don’t let that happen to you.”

Regret was a common theme among the residents of Poplar Bluff Retirement Home. Many people voiced their speculations about how their lives might have been different.

“Your grandchildren and I grew up together, Mr. Lancaster. I know firsthand how much your family loves you.”

The older man wagged a finger in the air. “I’m not saying I didn’t have a good life. My wife was a fine woman, and we had three healthy children. My family was everything. But I can’t help wondering how things would have been if I’d joined the military like I’d wanted.”

Perhaps reflecting on the paths not taken came with age. Molly tried to listen patiently to all the advice the residents eagerly shared, but their remorse and grief was sometimes too much to endure. At twenty-four, Molly was at the dreaming end of life. Someday, she and Jack would be married. They’d have good jobs, a home of their own, and children to make their family complete.

Someday.

“I’ll see you later, Mr. Lancaster,” Molly said as she wheeled the medication cart through the door.

“I’ll give Dr. Wheaton a call,” the older gentleman answered. “A young woman as dedicated as you would be an asset to his program.”

Molly smiled her thanks and closed the door. As the head of pediatrics at Westside Memorial Hospital, Dr. Wheaton was the most direct link to a job, but he’d given little hope for finding a position close to home.

For now, she’d do what she could for the people in her care. Molly looked down the hallway at the residents who ambled along the corridor. Some were cheerful, gentle souls who faced each day with interest. Others carried their sour attitudes into old age, tarnishing their golden years with rust. It was a lesson for the taking, Molly thought. She knew which one she wanted to be in sixty years.

Just as she was about to move to the next resident’s room, a familiar voice caused her heart to skip a beat. Jack stood at the nurses’ station, smiling like a star on a dark night. How could she not fall in love with such a handsome man? Even though she saw him every day, her heart still fluttered when he was near.

“Hey, you,” she said with a broad smile.

Jack turned at the sound of her voice and returned her smile. “How’s my best girl?”

“Busy. How’d it go this morning?”

Something flickered in Jack’s eyes, but he shrugged it away. “Same old story. Got time for lunch?”

Molly’s heart fell a few inches. How hard it must be for Jack to keep up his spirits after so many rejections. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and cuddle him close, but the hallway was becoming unusually crowded with geriatric spectators. “No lunch until I finish the meds. I thought you were meeting your grandmother at the building supply this afternoon.”

Jack moved to her side and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m not meeting Nana until two o’clock. Besides, I think better when my stomach isn’t growling.”

Molly smiled at the man she loved. She’d known him since junior high, but she’d never given him more than a passing thought. Jack Stewart had been a year older, active in every sport Poplar Bluff High School offered, and not in her circle of friends. But college had been a different story. There, she’d discovered a tenderhearted boy hiding behind Jack’s athletic swagger. “Go to the dining room and order a spinach salad for me. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”

Jack leaned down and placed his mouth close to Molly’s ear. “How about a kiss for your future husband?”

Molly grinned and stepped back. “Later,” she whispered. “When we’re not being watched.”

Jack straightened and scanned the area, his cheeks growing an adorable shade of peony pink as he realized every resident’s gaze was fixed on him. “Good idea,” he muttered as he turned and walked toward the dining room.

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Three Gifts [Kindle Edition]

Claire Sanders (Author)

(11 customer reviews)

Digital List Price:	$0.96 What's this?
Kindle Price:	$0.96 includes free international wireless delivery via *Amazon Whispernet*

GET YOUR 96-CENT-COPY HERE: http://www.amazon.com/Three-Gifts-ebook/dp/B00AAYGMDU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369275422&sr=8-1&keywords=three+gifts

Jenny says: "...a heartwarming love story and believable characterization..."

2013-05-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Three Gifts [Kindle Edition]

Claire Sanders (Author)

(11 customer reviews)

Digital List Price:	$0.96 What's this?
Kindle Price:	$0.96 includes free international wireless delivery via *Amazon Whispernet*

SHE’S MET THE ONE

Molly Hanson knows that the Lord has sent her a good, loving man and that marriage is the next step. But her fiancé won’t set a date until he’s landed a steady job, and that’s not easy in today’s economy.

HE’S MADE A PROMISE

Raised by his grandmother, Jack Stewart can’t imagine abandoning her. He not only loves his grandmother, he feels responsible for her care now that her health is failing. But if he doesn’t find a good-paying job soon, he may be forced to choose between life with Molly and life as a dutiful grandson.

THREE GIFTS

On Christmas morning, Jack receives three precious gifts of the heart, three gifts that open his eyes to the tender grace of true love.

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,394 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

#58 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Religious Fiction > Christian > Short Stories

“Claire Sanders writes a wonderfully romantic story where believable characters face some very real problems. ”Victoria Pitts Caine | 3 reviewers made a similar statement

“Through Molly's enduring love and faith, Jack discovers that his perceived failures of the past are all a part of what will lead to a beautiful future. ”Jenny | 3 reviewers made a similar statement

“Haven't read this plotline before, and I loved THREE GIFTS. ”Jayna Morrow | 1 reviewer made a similar statement

GET YOUR 96-CENT-COPY HERE: http://www.amazon.com/Three-Gifts-ebook/dp/B00AAYGMDU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369275422&sr=8-1&keywords=three+gifts

Word of the Day canker

2013-05-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

Word of the Day

canker
\KANK-er\

DEFINITION

verb

: to become infested with erosive or spreading sores

: to corrupt the spirit of

: to become corrupted

EXAMPLES

"I have never seen any children, only debased imitations of men and women, cankeredA Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains, 2005

"If you have dead or cankered branches on your trees, disinfect pruning tools between cuts to prevent chances of spreading fire blight bacteria from infected trees." — From an article in theArgus Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), March 13, 2013

DID YOU KNOW?

"Canker" is commonly known as the name for a type of spreading sore that eats into the tissue—a use that obviously furnished the verb with both its medical and figurative senses. The word ultimately traces back to Latin "cancer," which can refer to a crab or a malignant tumor. The Greeks have a similar word, "karkinos," and according to the Ancient Greek physician Galen the tumor got its name from the way the swollen veins surrounding the affected part resembled a crab's limbs. "Cancer" was adopted into Old English, becoming "canker" in Middle English and eventually shifting in meaning to become a general term for ulcerations. "Cancer" itself was reintroduced to English later, first as a zodiacal word and then as a medical term.

Read more at http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/#XFrRtLY3jq24IxlH.99

writing tip: Shift Syntax to Strengthen Sentences

2013-05-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/shift-syntax-to-strengthen-sentences/

Shift Syntax to Strengthen Sentences

by Mark Nichol

English syntax is flexible, enabling writers to shape a given sentence in various ways, and we should take advantage of this lack of rigidity to enhance the impact of our statements. Here are several sentences that benefit from rearrangement.

1. “Complex adaptive systems can respond more quickly the more complex they are.”
This sentence is clear and straightforward, but it would be stronger with a shift in emphasis. What’s the key point? Speed increases as complex adaptive systems become more complex. This revision begins with the key point, but it’s often more effective to withhold significant information until the end of a sentence: “The more complex that adaptive systems are, the more quickly they can respond.”

2. “It’s the world of impressions, in which we can do no wrong, not the world of action.”
In the previous example, the distinctions between the three variations of the statement were minimal, although the key point popped out more in the suggested revision. In this case, however, the statement begins vigorously, peaks in the middle, and limps to a close, and the key point is relegated to a parenthetical statement that separates two elements of a contrast. Reorganize the sentence by establishing the contrast and culminating with the conclusion: “It’s the world of impressions, not the world of action, in which we can do no wrong.”

3. “America should rely on the entrepreneurship and goodness of its citizens to be a great society, not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies.”
Again, the heart of a sentence is buried in its middle, and the juxtaposition of the two approaches is interrupted. This sentence makes an assertion about how the United States can be a great society, and that final phrase should punctuate, not be buried in the midst of, the statement.

Here are two variations that, as in the previous example, introduce a contrast and then ride the momentum of that tension to drive home the argument: “The United States should rely on the entrepreneurship and goodness of its citizens, not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies, to be a great society,” or “The United States should rely not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies but on the entrepreneurship and goodness of its citizens to be a great society.”

Note how one variant is internally punctuated and the other isn’t. In the first alternative, the counterpoint, the phrase beginning with not, is parenthetical — it could be omitted without affecting the coherence of the sentence. In the second revision, the two elements of the contrast are an integrated thought, and there is no parenthesis. If the second element of the contrast were omitted, the sentence would read, “The United States should rely not on the well-intentioned but ineffective policies of government agencies to be a great society” — an incomplete statement. Insertion or omission of punctuation can change meaning.

LOW CARB PETSALLOVER'S MIM SANDWICH BREAD

2013-05-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Recipe from: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/mim_sandwich_bread.html

PETSALLOVER'S MIM SANDWICH BREAD
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
2 tablespoons golden flax meal
2 tablespoons almond flour (1/2 ounce)
2 tablespoons coconut flour (1/2 ounce)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch salt

Put the butter in a small bowl and microwave about 30 seconds until melted. Beat in the eggs with a fork. Add the combined dry ingredients and mix well with the fork until you have a smooth batter. Spread the batter in a square container that's about 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches across and at least 1/2-inch deep. Microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes until set. Flip the bread over and microwave on HIGH another 15 seconds or so to dry out the bottom. Cool and then slice in half horizontally.

Makes 1-2 servings

Per Whole Batch: 558 Calories; 47g Fat; 21g Protein; 17g Carbohydrate; 10g Dietary Fiber; 7g Net Carbs
Per 1/2 Batch: 279 Calories; 24g Fat; 10g Protein; 8.5g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber; 3.5g Net Carbs

This recipe is posted at Low Carb Friends. She didn't say if the butter should be melted or just softened so I melted mine. Petsallover used a plastic Gladware type container to cook hers in but I used a Corningware dish that was the same size (see the photo below). The slice above was toasted, buttered and spread with some sugar free orange marmalade.

I'm not really a bread eater and this didn't appeal to me very much. It didn't get as crunchy when I toasted it as the Low Carb English Muffin Variation recipe. I also wasn't keen on the slight coconut flavor. The only reason I've been trying so many different low carb bread recipes lately is because my husband is back to low carbing. I'm trying to keep enough low carb options on hand for him as I can so that he won't be tempted to go off his diet.

Here is how the bread looked just after cooking:

And here is how it looked after slicing it in half:

A new release in Prism Book Group's Sarah series!

2013-05-22T21:46:00.002-04:00

A new release in our Sarah series!

What comedic mishaps and blunders await our sweet Sarah, Heaven’s Little Love Angel, this time around?

BLURB:

To protect Laney, the Commander of Heaven dispatches a second, more seasoned warrior angel, Tomas, to Earth with divine instructions to protect Laney. But will hit-or-miss Sarah get in his way? Can Sarah unite Cannon and Laney romantically together?

Oh merciful heavens! What will Sarah do this time?

Ebook only $2.99! Available at:

Amazon

Prism Book Group

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

All Romance Ebooks

Coffee Time Romance

Or purchase a print copy through www.prismbookgroup.com!

EXCERPT:

Sarah prepared for her descent from The Heavenlies. By Earth’s schedule, months had passed since her last visit. But in The Heavenlies, time did not exist. Eternity recognized no calendars, clocks, or time pieces, and had no beginning or end.

She had once served the Superiors in Houston, Texas, and now her orders were to return to that same city. But Houston was huge. How could a directionally challenged angel find the way? With no innate sense of direction—in Heaven or on Earth—she wished for one of those GPS devices the humans used, but angels weren’t supposed to need them.

Pointing her body toward earth, she zoomed like a bomb straight down to Texas. When skyscrapers came into view, she righted herself and drifted to the terrain’s surface. She landed in a parking lot surrounded by buildings. Good—safely back on this special planet called Earth.

Sarah had never been to the other galaxies in the universe, but many angels had. She hoped her missions were always for the earthlings. She liked these people.

Her stomach rumbled.

Why was she always hungry? Finding a place to fortify strength would be necessary before locating Laney. Once the assignment started, it might be hours before a chance to satisfy her appetite presented itself.

She glanced at the signage on the building. How fortunate—an eatery. Pop’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers. While invisible, she ducked behind the structure and glanced around to make sure no one would see her. Witnessing a woman materialize out of nowhere proved quite distressing for humans.

Now then—when people looked, they would see a young lady dressed in jeans and t-shirt. On the last trip to earth, she had discovered the hard way that stilettos weren’t her thing, so this time she opted for a pair of sneakers.

The day was hot. She had the ability to cool herself with her internal thermometer but decided to check inside first to see if any adjustment was necessary.

She strolled up to Pop’s lunch counter. A man with a white beard and baseball cap stood ready with a pencil in his hand. “What would you like to order, miss?”

“I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate malt.”

He handed her a number for her order. She summoned money from the handbag, paid the man, and chose a table. After a few minutes, he delivered the burger basket. “Would you like anything else?”

Sarah looked up at the kind man and smiled. “I could use some directions. I don’t know my way around Houston.”

The man smiled. “Me either. I don’t think I can be of much help to you.”

Sarah lifted her eyebrows. Had she found someone as directionally hopeless as herself? “How long have you lived here?”

“All my life, but I stay close to Dallas. Don’t get to Houston very often.”

Sarah frowned. “Aren’t I in Houston?”

“No, ma’am, you’re in Dallas.”

“Oh, merciful heavens!”

* * *

Tomas had no trouble finding Laney Taylor in Houston. Hovering nearby, he waited, eyes and ears fixed on Laney as the stranger approached. Intervention might become necessary.

“Hey! Get your hands off me!” Laney shrieked as fingers pawed her hair and tickled her neck. The house had been vacant when she entered. Caught up in work, she clearly hadn’t heard anyone enter the empty space. The unexpected stroke to her body proved a shocking notice that she was no longer alone.

She spun around and faced the tall, scraggly man standing only inches away. Laney backed into the wall as he advanced. “How did you get in here?”

Tomas heard the tremble in Laney’s voice. He tensed his back and prepared for action, but hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. If only the avenger would hurry up and arrive.

The wicked man towered over Tomas’ charge and framed the partition with enormous hands and bony arms, making it impossible for Laney to withdraw any further.

“I was hot, and the door was open. Didn’t expect to find me a beautiful woman waiting.” An ugly smile disfigured his lips. “Looks like I hit the jackpot.”

Tomas could see Laney evaluate her options. No help was in sight, and her face held a look of sheer panic. She had no idea an angel was there. He’d wait a few more seconds before stepping in.

Tomas saw her fingers clutch a key ring. A weapon! He picked up on her intent to plunge the keys into the stranger’s eyes, knee him in his groin, and run through the open door.

Tomas wasn’t the only one who read her objective. The unkempt man sneered and knocked the keys from her hand. Gripping her shoulders, he lowered his head to touch her sweet lips with his filthy ones. Screaming, Laney jostled her head from side to side and avoided the evil touch. Bringing her knee up, she struck his thigh, but that little thump was no deterrent to the fiendish man.

Visit www.prismbookgroup.com to view more of our great titles!

She has officially arrived...

2013-05-22T15:51:00.003-04:00

at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Laneys-Angel-Sarah-ebook/dp/B00CXVRO1C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369252123&sr=8-1&keywords=sarah%3A+laney%27s+angel

Laney's Angel (Sarah) [Kindle Edition]

Gay N. Lewis (Author)

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Digital List Price:	$2.99 What's this?
Kindle Price:	$2.99 includes free international wireless delivery via *Amazon Whispernet*

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Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Beautiful, talented, and stubborn, architect Laney Taylor battles her attraction to the handsome and wealthy—but mulish—homebuilder, Cannon Carlson. After all, he is her employer, and business and pleasure don’t mix, do they?

Sarah, a klutzy, perpetually direction-challenged angel who craves cheeseburgers and fancies red stilettos, is sent to Houston on assignment. She’s to bring these obstinate people together, but she faces major challenges, especially since Laney is threatened by a mysterious stalker who plans to kill her.

To protect Laney, the Commander of Heaven dispatches a second, more seasoned warrior angel, Tomas, to Earth with divine instructions to protect Laney. But will hit-or-miss Sarah get in his way? Can Sarah unite Cannon and Laney romantically together?

Oh merciful heavens! What will Sarah do this time?

FREE EBOOK Maid for Murder: Deadly Business

2013-05-22T14:41:00.001-04:00

Maid for Murder: Deadly Business (Trilogy Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

Susette Williams (Author)

(92 customer reviews)

Digital List Price:	$0.99 What's this?
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You Save:	$0.99 (100%)

Bailey inherits her grandfather’s business, Maid For You, but cleaning up dead body parts wasn’t part of the job description. Bailey hopes to wipe out crime with the help of Nate, her computer hacker assistant, despite protests of their involvement in the case from Detective Max Wellington.

When Bailey catches the culprits arranging to dispose of another body, she's out to help the two of them dig their own grave and if she’s lucky, Detective Max Wellington will keep them from arranging her funeral.

Maid for Murder is a trilogy that begins with Deadly Business. The story continues throughout the trilogy as Bailey uncovers deception, corruption and a few secrets that may forever change her life. As the threads of deceit unravel, the murders begin to break out like a case of Bubonic Plague.

Bailey is a Christian, struggling to keep on the path she knows is right, fighting the temptation of the hunky Detective Max Wellington who would like nothing more than to take her into protective custody, for more than just interfering in police business.

I hope that you will enjoy the inspirational, humorous trilogy as it continues with Deadly Confessions...someone has some secrets they want kept quiet; and Deadly Deception...who can you really trust?

GET YOUR COPY HERE: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A1U6WI8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00A1U6WI8&linkCode=as2&tag=susetwilli-20