Guest Blogger, Cilla McCain

Today I’d like to introduce author Cilla McCain as the special guest blogger here at Thoughts in Progress.

Cilla is currently promoting her true crime military book, “Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One Of Their Own” during her first blog tour with Pump Up Your Book.

Here’s a brief blurb about the book:

Murder in Baker Company begins as a journey to uncover the truth about what happened to Army Specialist Richard Davis. By using court transcripts, personal interviews, and police records, Cilla McCain unfolds the events of the case and soon reveals a disturbing, eye-opening look into today’s military that goes beyond the Davis case and that affects all troops and their families.

Soldiers are handed antipsychotic drugs and sent into battle. Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder is stigmatized. Gang members carry their affiliation from the streets to the barracks. And many of our soldiers are forced to face down two separate enemies, one in the same uniform they wear. By the end of the book the reader will learn the devastating truth about the injustice and disrespect our military families are forced to endure when their soldier dies a non-combat death.

Cilla joins us today to talk about “touching a nerve” in writing her book.

I get asked a lot about the potential backlash I've experienced with the release of my book “Murder In Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One Of Their Own.” The truth is, that for the most part there has not been any. I did read about one blogger who suggested my book be burned. He also wrote that he had not read the book. Can you imagine that in this day and age there are still people who would actually suggest burning a book? And in America of all places?

I didn't let it get me down though. This is an important story, so I keep forging ahead. I also participated in the 2010 Savannah Book Festival. This was interesting. I love Savannah. But on this particular weekend it was rainy and cold. Nevertheless, I sat outside, bundled up in the exhibitors tent with the wind constantly blowing over my display, trying my best to smile and engage potential readers. Luckily, despite the dreary weather, thousands of people turned out for the event. Savannah loves its literature!

I quickly learned how to recognize the type of reader a person was by the expression on their face when they looked at the cover of Murder In Baker Company. Older veterans had a look of knowing on their faces. They would look at the book, nod a little, look back up at me and then walk on. It was obviously a familiar subject to them.

The mother's and grandmother's of soldiers currently serving, always approached the book with a fearful look on their faces. One sweet lady said “I want to, but I just can't.” She looked like she might cry.

Young soldiers walking by with their wives or girlfriends, sped up their pace to avoid looking. One poor young soldier had to drag his lady away. She kept saying “Don't you want to see this one honey?”

But they all had one thing in common: the topic touched a nerve. It's as if they all know these issues exist, but they can't believe that I had it sitting there for the whole world to see.

The festival turned out to be a positive experience. When I returned home from Savannah, my email inbox was flooded with people who had attended the festival and couldn't get the book out of their mind. They ended up ordering it from Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Like I said, this is an important story because it has or will in some way touch all of our lives. Keep this in mind: our soldier's defend our freedoms every single day. But they can't always defend their own, so that's our job. We people at home safe and sound, we are the ones, we have to educate ourselves about their struggles in order to help them in the ways that matter the most.

Please visit www.non-combat-death.org for more information.

Cilla, thank you for guest blogging here today. I know this is a topic of great interest and a difficult one at the same time.

 Here’s an excerpt from the book: 
 
“In November 2003, a letter typed on Fort Benning stationery and signed “Men of Baker Company” was mailed to members of the local media and legal communities of nearby Columbus, Georgia. In the letter, these unknown soldiers, just back from America’s march through Baghdad, pleaded for help. They complained of war atrocities committed by commanders, and of mental health problems that were being ignored by the U.S. Army.

Told by their superior officers to keep these matters quiet because a leak would be embarrassing, the soldiers had to be secretive in their attempts to let people know the hell they were enduring. Along with the letter, anonymous tips were phoned in to local newspaper reporters asking them to investigate these issues. In the letter, their desperation is obvious and heart-wrenching. These young men, who put their lives on the line in service of their country, were now begging total strangers to come to their aid.”

Guest Blogger, Stacia Kane

Join me in welcoming author Stacia Kane as the special guest blogger here at Thoughts in Progress today as she begins her blog tour.

Stacia’s latest release is entitled, “Demon Possessed.” This is the third book in her series featuring psychic psychologist Dr. Megan Chase.

Here’s a brief blurb about the book: “Six months after her defeat of the monstrous Ktana Leyak, Megan's life seems to have settled down. But when Megan and her steamy demon lover, Greyson Dante, book a week at a luxury hotel to attend a meeting of demon leaders, some unanticipated problems appear. Then, just when it seems as if things couldn't possibly get any worse, a secret comes to light that could jeopardize Megan and Greyson's future -- if Megan manages to live that long.

Stacia has stopped by for a quick interview about her latest book and her writing.

Could you give us a brief description of your Megan Chase series for those readers not familiar with it?  

Megan is a counseling psychologist who also happens to be a psychic, though nobody knows about the psychic part. She's also, after the first book, the human leader of the Yezer Ha-Ra, the tiny demons who sit on humanity's right shoulders and try to convince them to do evil. It's a pretty awkward situation for Megan to be in, but luckily she has her demon lover Greyson Dante, her best friend Tera Green who is a witch, and her three bodyguards, Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud.  

It's hopefully a lot of fun, with some scary/creepy mixed in.

What inspired you to write a series about a psychic psychologist?

Well, I really liked the idea of twisting that "personal demon" phrase and doing something funny with it, so I needed Megan to be in some sort of career where she would reasonably fight the Yezer without realizing it, and a career where she would suddenly achieve some sort of mild fame. Originally she wrote a book, but I decided I really didn't want her to be the sort of person who would use that awful "How can I slay your personal demons" line seriously, so it switched a bit. 

Is each book a stand alone or do they need to be read in order?

I think they're better read in order, yes. You could probably read DEMON INSIDE first if you wanted to, but probably not DEMON POSSESSED; and you'd probably enjoy both more if you started at the beginning. Sorry! 

Is there another Megan Chase book in the works or do you have something different planned?

Right now I'm waiting for my new series to start--the first book is called UNHOLY GHOSTS and will be out May 25 from Del Rey. It's a much darker story, one I'm hugely proud of. I'm also working on some new things. No, no other Megan Chase books are planned at this time.

How do you do research for your series?

It depends on what I'm researching! It doesn't really require a lot of research; I look up the demons mentioned in it--at least the bad guys--in an encyclopedia of demonology I have, but a lot of the demons are made up, too. (The only ones who are real are the bad guys; those have all been actual demons/creatures.)  

I had a friend who was a counselor, and she went over a bunch of stuff and gave me a bunch of notes while I wrote the first book, to make sure I portrayed all of Megan's work stuff accurately. Another friend who's an attorney went over the legal stuff in DEMON INSIDE. But aside from that, it's mostly just made up! :-) 

What made you decide to become a writer?

I've always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was a child. Over the years I didn't really try very hard, and long periods went by where I hardly thought of it at all, but after my first daughter was born I decided it was time to get started. I played for another few years, but in early 2005 I really got going, and I started selling shortly thereafter. 

Is there anything you'd like readers to know about your, your writing and/or your books that they might not already know?

Hmm. Just that I really, really hope they're happy with each book, because that's my goal. 

Stacia, thanks so much for stopping by and answering these questions. This gives us some great insight into the new book and the series, as well as your writing. Hope you have a great blog tour and much success with your book. 

Thank you!

What would you do if you had booked a week’s stay at a luxury hotel with your mate only to be faced with problems and secrets? Would you be up to the challenge?

Guest Blogger, Christa Allan

Today I’d like to welcome author Christa Allan as the special guest blogger here at Thoughts in Progress.

Christa is on her first blog tour through Pump Up Your Book promoting her debut novel, “Walking on Broken Glass.”

Here’s a brief summary of her book:

"Leah Thornton’s life, like her Southern Living home, has great curb appeal. But a paralyzing encounter with a can of frozen apple juice in the supermarket shatters the façade, forcing her to admit that all is not as it appears. When her best friend gets in Leah’s face about her refusal to deal with her life, Leah is forced to make an agonizing decision. Can she sacrifice what she wants to get what she needs? Joy, sadness, and pain converge, testing Leah’s commitment to her marriage, her motherhood, and her faith."

To find out more about the book, you can read the first chapter here.

Christa’s post today is in the form of a letter written from her to Leah entitled, “Soul Survivor.”

Dear Leah:

After living with you for over a year, I’ve experienced palpable separation anxiety since February 1 when you broke out on your own. Considering what you experienced because of me, perhaps that comes as a relief to you.

I hope this letter is your passport to real freedom.

A few chapters in, I almost changed your name. I’d chosen it because it was lyrical and soft without being prissy. Then, one morning reading my Bible, I came across the story of the manipulation of your father, Laban, in giving you to Jacob after he worked seven years to marry your sister. So, instead of the rivetingly beautiful in face and form Rachel, he found himself husband to her “dull-eyed” sister, Leah. And though Jacob accepted Leah as his wife, he worked another seven years for Laban to reward him with Rachel. 

I ached for Leah, for the seven years she spent birthing sons for a man whose sweat and labor daily brought her younger sister one day closer to his bed. And after Rachel became his wife, the contest between the two sisters played itself out in pregnancies. Leah gave Jacob six sons and a daughter, and never felt as if she had acquired his affections. Rachel died giving birth to her second son, and never felt as if she’d earned his affections. The sisters never understood that fertility or barrenness did not earn Jacob’s love.

I didn’t want you to be this Leah. This woman who seemed weak and insecure and cast off. But, I reasoned, I’m writing fiction. I can develop Leah into a character with resilience and confidence and charisma. And so I wrote.

The irony I discovered along the way both surprised and horrified me. You drank and pretended to be the Leah I wanted because you saw yourself as the Leah I didn’t want. The gauntlet was thrown, and the challenge was mine to accept or refuse. Could I turn you inside out to reveal what you had drowned with years of drinking? Could I love you enough to risk your hating me for the  wounds you’d experience that would heal themselves in your wholeness?

Maybe this doesn’t help now, but I want you to know you never suffered alone. I shadowed you with each step of hope that led to leaps of faith. I can hear God say to you, “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight. . .” (Matthew 12:18 NIV). The journey is yours now. 

Blessings,

Christa

Thank you Christa, for stopping by today. This is an interesting letter and gives us a look at the development of Leah.

A true Southern woman who knows that any cook worth her gumbo always starts with a roux and who never wears white after Labor Day, Christa weaves serious stories with threads of hope, humor, and heart. She contributes to Writer…Interrupted and Afictionado, the e-zine of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

Her essays have been published in Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Divorced Soul. Christa is the mother of five adult children, a grandmother of three, and a teacher of high school English. She and her husband Ken live in Abita Springs, Louisiana, where they and their three cats enjoy their time between dodging hurricanes. For more on Christa, visit her website at www.christaallan.com.

Guest Bloggers, Sansolo & Coupe

I would like to welcome Michael Sansolo as the special guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress.

Michael and his writing partner, Kevin Coupe, are currently on a blog tour for their latest book release, “The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies.”

Here’s a brief synopsis of the book: "Movies are magical. They can release us from the stress of everyday life. But movies also contain valuable lessons to improve the way we do business. 

In their entertaining new book, The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons From the Movies, authors Kevin Coupe and Michael Sansolo show how to use the stories in movies to solve problems in business. From The Godfather to Tootsie, from The Wedding Singer to Babe, the authors use more than sixty of their favorite movies to teach important lessons about branding, customer service, leadership, planning, ethics, and innovation. Readers learn how to use stories from the movies to communicate clearly with employees, clients, and customers.”

Michael is here today to tell us about the danger of never changing.

Whenever February 2nd comes around it’s hard to avoid some discussion of Groundhog Day and Groundhog Day. The latter, of course, is a movie and the reason Kevin Coupe and I wrote The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies, because we believe films can provide easy ways to explain complex situations and help us build a new story of success. And this very minor holiday provides a great lesson for today’s business via this Bill Murray comedy.

The basic plot of the movie is that Murray plays an obnoxious and vain Pittsburgh weatherman who gets stuck in Punxsutawney, PA, and daily relives the celebration of America’s best-known rodent. But the metaphor is more important. Murray’s character is stuck in his nasty habits and simply never progresses. It isn’t until he tries to change, to learn and to grow that he escapes Groundhog Day.

There’s another way of saying it much more bluntly: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different outcomes. In the best of times that’s an awful strategy. In days like these it’s beyond tolerable for any business.

 
Against that background, think about challenges facing your business. All
businesses face problems and find opportunities, but too often we move past both way too fast.

For instance, consider all the changes happening to today’s consumer. Diversity, lifestyles and certainly economic pressures are changing the needs and characteristics of today’s shoppers. The emerging generations, the growth of the Hispanic population and more are issues every business leader knows, but are we changing to serve it? Or are these challenges we simply move past as other issues pop up?

Consider how the economy is building customer attention on frugality. None of us know whether this trend is permanent or passing, but the power of the economic downturn guarantees some measure of change among shoppers. But are you changing with it, or like Murray’s character in Groundhog Day, are you ignoring? And if you chose the latter, what opportunities for growth are disappearing before your eyes?

But it goes further. I recently heard political strategist David Plouffe talk about how he built electoral success for a very famous client: President Obama. His point was very simple again: focus on your inner circle to build advocates for your candidate or your business.

Here too is a lesson that we’d think everyone would know. Engaged employees form the foundation for great sales. They become advocates with everyone they touch. Yet too often, especially in tough times, employees’ needs are downplayed, their enthusiasm wanes and problems ensue. And after them, there is no one more valuable than a loyal customer, yet how often are product deals and specials geared at new customers, ignoring and possibly insulting long-time loyalists? As Plouffe said, focus on the base and build from there. It works in politics and it can work for you.

The bottom line is you need to watch Groundhog Day. You need to ask yourself how often you are like Murray’s character, repeating the same day and the same mistakes over and over again and wondering what it takes to end this nightmare. Ask yourself how you could change and grow so that each day takes on great value, meaning and purpose. 

And whether or not you see your shadow, get out of that hole.

Michael, thank you for guest blogging today. Sometimes we don’t realize that we are in a runt and repeat the same mistakes over and over.

Now for a little background on Michael and Kevin:

Michael has traveled around the world one supermarket at a time, yet stopped to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Great Wall of China, and Pikes Peak. A native New Yorker, Michael is a consultant and frequent speaker for the food retail industry, and is a contributing editor and weekly columnist for MorningNewsBeat.com, a daily newsletter on the retail industry.

Michael was the senior vice president of the Food Marketing Institute and was editor-in-chief of Progressive Grocer magazine. His favorite book: The Big Picture (of course), and The Great Gatsby; favorite food: Sal’s Pizza; favorite team: the Mets; and favorite movies: read The Big Picture! Michael, his family, and his very annoying beagle live in the suburbs of Washington, DC.

Kevin has been a working writer all his professional life. For the past decade, he’s had his own website/blog—www.MorningNewsBeat.com—providing what he calls “business news in context, and analysis with attitude.”

In addition to speaking at hundreds of conferences in the U.S. and abroad and reporting from 45 states and six continents, Kevin has been a newspaper reporter, video producer, actor, bodyguard, clothing salesman, supervised a winery tasting room, ran two marathons (slowly), drove a race car (badly), took boxing lessons (painfully), and acted in a major (and obscure) motion picture. Kevin is married with three children and lives in Connecticut.

For more information on the book and its authors, visit http://www.brigantinemedia.com/author.php?id=coupe-sansolo You can also find Kevin online at www.MorningNewsBeat.com and Michael at www.michaelsansolo.com

Letter to My Daughter by George Bishop

If you have ever had an argument or disagreement with your mother, “Letter to My Daughter” is a book you can relate to on some level.

The book deals with the tumultuous relationship between a mother and daughter. It helps to show parents really were young once themselves.

The story begins when Elizabeth runs away from her family home on the eve of her 15th birthday following a heated agrument with her mother, Laura. In an attempt to keep calm until her daughter’s return, Laura decides to write “Liz” a letter telling her things she wishes they had already talked about. The letter is Laura’s way of telling her daughter “the truth about how a girl grows up.”

In the letter Laura tells of her own disagreements and strained relationship with her parents, especially her mother. The letter covers Laura’s life growing up in the early ‘70s.

Laura tells of meeting a boy named Tim that her parents disapproved of. She’s very candid about the events that lead her parents to enroll her in a strict Catholic boarding school.

Laura details the highs and extreme lows of her life at the school. She tells of her secret correspondence with Tim who enlists in the Army and is sent to Vietnam. Events of pain and guilt from her adolescences are shared in hopes Liz will see she (Laura) understands it’s tough being a teenager.

“Letter to My Daughter” is both touching and encouraging. It will have the reader considering their own relationship with their mother and/or daughter.

For readers who have a daughter, this book will inspire you to write your own letter just to set the record straight at some point in your daughter’s life. It’s also a handy book for teens to read to help them realize parents were once young and that they understand mistakes can be made.

From the first line of the letter until the salutation, the reader is transformed to a different era and a different way of thinking. The book reminds us times change, but the relationship between parent and child continues to be problematic.

The one thing that may surprise you the most about this book is that the author is a man. Author George Bishop gives a strong voice to Laura that never wavers in her material instinct to protect and love her child.
 

Letter to My Daughter * Ballantine Books * @2010 * ISBN: 978-0-345-51598-8 * Hardcover * 160 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Sunday Salon: A Review & Giveaway

Did you read comic books growing up?

I had a huge collection of Archie, Superman, and even Fantastic Four comics among many others. Somewhere along the way and over the years, graphic novels came into play.

I was under the impression that comic books and graphic novels were the same. I learned this week they really aren’t.

Even though I don’t have children, there are a number of young children in the family. Wanting to share my love of reading with them, I’ve decided to expand my reading preferences and check out books for youngsters.

This brings me to my current book review. “Disney Fairies Graphic Novel #1: Prilla’s Talent” by Stefan Pertrucha and is due to be released in April.

Papercutz has published a full-color graphic novel featuring Disney fairies. The first novel in the series is “Prilla’s Talent” highlighting Prilla, Beck, Tinker Bell, Rani, and Vidia. The stories take place in Pixie Hollow, the secret heart of Never Land.

The book contains four short stories. * “Prilla’s Talent” - Prilla, with the help of Tinker Bell, finds what her special fairy talent really is. * “Like the Wind” - Vidia, the fastest of all the fairies, is featured in this story. * “The Sound of Friendship” - Tinker Bell must repair a special bell in time for the annual Bluebell Festival. * “Best of Friends” - The friendship between Rani and Tinker Bell is tested.

The graphic novel is beautifully illustrated with bright, bold colors. The book’s 80 pages have a slick finish and a heavy paper cover.

Each story has a value meaning to them without being preachy. It’s a nice book to read to young children, older children will enjoy the drawings, and even older youngsters will enjoy reading the novel themselves. So the book can span a number of age groups. In addition, the book contains a preview of “Hansel and Gretel” from Classic Illustrated Deluxe #2 “Tales From the Brothers Grimm.”

Reading the book brought back memories of my old comic book collection and watching the “Wonderful World of Disney” on Sunday nights. “Prilla’s Talent” is a good read for youngsters, as well as the youngsters in all of us.

(I learned graphic novels are typically bound in longer and more durable formats than familiar comic magazines, using the same materials and methods as printed books, and are generally sold in bookstores and specialty comic book shops rather than at newsstands. They have also gained increasing acceptance as desirable materials for libraries.)

Prilla’s Talent * Papercutz * @2010 * ISBN: 978-1-59707-186-4 * Paperback * 80 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by AME (Author Marketing Experts) in hopes I would review it. However, receiving this complimentary copy did not influence my review.

Below you will find a sneak peak of “Prilla’s Talent.” Enjoy.


Prilla's Talent -

Now I have a new book giveaway and this one is completely different from any of the books I’ve featured here before. (I will get back to mysteries soon, I promise.)

“I Has a Hotdog, What Your Dog is Really Thinking,” by Professor Happycat. The paperback (ISBN: 9780446566384) has 192 pages and is listed as humor.

Thanks to Anna and the folks at Hachette Book Group I have three copies of this book to giveaway. To enter, send me an e-mail with “Win Hotdog” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name and address in the body of the e-mail. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and no post office boxes can be accepted. The deadline for the giveaway is April 5.

Here’s a brief blurb about the book:

I HAS A BWAIN!!1!

An you thawt we dint! Now Professor Happycat tells you what's in it and, from I HAS A HOTDOG.com and beyond, lets over 200 LOLdogs loose on the world, all barking the truth about kibble, toys, and bad kitties. This collection of favorites and never-before-seen photos will have you barking for more! For all you hoomins, a LOLdog is a kay-nine picture with a funny, misspelled caption.

A little background on the author: Professor Happycat is the illustrated cat featured on the popular I Can Has Cheezburger and I Has a Hot Dog websites. Ben Huh is the CEO of Pet Holdings, Inc, which owns and operates IHasAHotdog.com, ICanHasCheezburger.com, and other popular websites. Ben has been featured in the New York Times, TIME, the LA Times, and Wired magazine, among many publications in print and online.

Here’s an example of one of the photos in the book:

By the way, did you remember to re-set your clock? Remember the old saying, “Spring forward, Fall back.” Are you on time or an hour behind? Have a great Sunday.

Guest Blogger, Joy Dekok

Please join me in welcoming author Joy Dekok as the special guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress as part of her blog tour.
 
Joy’s book is a change for me. She writes children’s books and her latest release is “Raccoon Tales.” Joy’s father-in-law past away last week after suffering a stroke. She may not be able to drop back by today, but is here now to talk about “time will tell.”
 

A woman asked, “What’s it like holding the children’s books you’ve written in your hands?”
 

“It’s really something!” I said.

 
“It must have been like ‘child’s play’.”

 
“Not exactly,” I said.

 
“Well there aren’t that many words,” she said. 

 
“No.” 

 
I tried to change the subject, but she wasn’t going to let it go. 

 
“How hard can it be?” 

 
How could I tell her it took me ten years from start to finish with Raccoon Tales? Would she understand if I told her the word limit meant every word counted more and it was harder to write short than it is to write long? Fear and pride mingled in my heart. The book I had been so glad to share with her was now a bit of an embarrassment. 
 
I swallowed my pride and tried. 

 
Her eyebrows raised and she said, “You invested ten years of your life into this little story?”  

 
The way I might have once had with words vanished as I replied, “Um, yes.”
“Really! Was it worth it?”

 
“Only time will tell.” 

 
A rock in the bottom of my stomach rolled over. I wanted to defend my investment, but my energy had evaporated along with my enthusiasm. I left the conversation as politely as I could. 
 
Later, snuggled up in my favorite chair and sipping a hot cup of coffee I remembered my first writing dream. It came before I could read. I stared at the words on the page of one of my storybooks, fascinated by the letters. I traced them on paper and taped my pages together certain one day I’d see my own words in books. 

 
I had no idea how much work would be involved. 

 
Raccoon Tales is based on a true-life adventure. My husband rescued and later released a litter of baby raccoons. I wanted to save the story for the kids in our lives and printed off photos we’d taken and let the words flow onto the pages. 
 
We got a call that an uncle of mine was terminally ill and would like a visit from us. When he asked me what I was writing, I told him about the raccoon story. He said, “I’d sure like to read that one.” 
 
I knew his time was short so on the way home I told Jon, I’m going to write that story as fast as I can. 
 
I did and took my uncle that first raw copy. It was awful, but it brought him great joy. I wondered if others might enjoy it so I sent my niece a copy and she read it to her kids. They liked it too. My little story had potential. 
 
I worked those words over dozens of times and then sent it to a professional editor. She wasn’t very encouraging although she liked the story fine – she wasn’t sure there was a market for it. Discouraged, I put it away and worked on two other stories that were dear to my heart as well. I often wondered if the raccoon book would ever really happen – maybe it was just a gift to my uncle and a writing exercise for me. 
 
Unable to resist the story, I’d pull it out now and then to polish a word here and there. Polishing words can be like a light dusting or like cleaning silver with years’ worth of tarnish on it. This was far more of the latter. On days filled with writers doubt, I decided that even if no one else ever read it, I wanted their life story to be written with excellence. 
 
Eventually I found the courage to share it with my writers group. They liked it and so did their kids. In time, I sent it to my favorite illustrator (Leslie Helen Colwin) and she loved it. Together we worked harder yet. 
 
Not long ago, I had the privilege of talking about writing to a local group of 3rd graders. Their teacher invited me to read a portion of Raccoon Tales to the kids. They wanted to hear more, but our time together was over.
 

I left the room and kids were chattering as they got ready for lunch. “I want that book,” one little boy said. A little girl’s voice said, “I want to write a book like that.” 

 
In that moment I knew time had told me the truth. Ten years in the making and Raccoon Tales was worth every bit of it. 

What a wonderful story Joy and thanks for sharing it with us. It’s fun to learn what inspires an author to write. Let me say, I’m so sorry to hear of your father-in-law’s passing. Wishing you and your family peace and happy memories of your time with him.
 
A little background on Joy. She is an author, national speaker, and author coach. From the time she was a little girl, she wanted to write for children. She has three published children’s books, a novel, and a devotional. For more information on Joy, visit her website at: www.believe4kids.com
 
Have any of you written stories for family members? Have you ever considered writing children’s stories?

"SEALed with a Ring" by Mary Margret Daughtridge

The sensuous book cover caught my eye, the blurb on the back pulled me in and the intriguing story held my attention until the end.

Bewitching J.J. Caruthers is a smart, successful businesswoman who has it all and is about to lose everything.

Sexy Davy Graziano is a Navy SEAL medic who has a way with the ladies and lives in the moment until his world is turned upside down.

When these two collide at a wedding, one thing leads to another. After a night of mind-blowing sex, J.J. wakes realizing what she’s done and quickly leaves despite protest from Davy. She knows only his first name, but he knows nothing about her.

Back to facing reality, J.J. has one year to marry or lose what she holds most dear - Caruthers Car Dealership. She has no desire to marry, but is forced to pick one of the four husband candidates her grandfather has selected for her. Always the responsible one, she will do what she has to protect her business and her employees.

Meanwhile, Davy returns for another tour in Afghanistan and is seriously injured in a raid. His brain injury results in some memory loss. He comes home to recuperate, finds his mother has died and he is now responsible for his three siblings on top of trying to regain his memory and return to the career he loves.

Just as J.J.’s time is running out, fate brings her and Davy together again. She remembers him, but he has no memory of her. J.J. realizes marriage to a military man would solve her problems. Her new husband would be away on missions and not underfoot. She could meet her grandfather‘s requirement, save her business and still be on her own. She quickly proposes and Davy has his own reasons for accepting.

As their attraction grows, each begins to learn more about their own self as well. Trying to do the right thing, even for the wrong reasons, can sometimes take you in unexpected directions. The story also points out you don’t always know what you think you know.

This is a funny, romantic adventure with plenty of twists and turns. Author Mary Margret Daughtridge gives readers a delightful new look at a macho Navy SEAL and a sassy businesswoman.

The story flows fluently and draws the reader in. You feel J.J.’s loneliness and helplessness, while understanding Davy’s loyalty and frustration. This book is not just about romance, but compassion, caring, understanding, and commitment. From the first page to the last you will be cheering for these two tantalizing characters. "SEALed with a Ring" is a wonderful must-read book.

SEALed with a Ring * Sourcebooks * @2010 * ISBN: 978-1-4022-3698-3 * Paperback * 416 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

*****

(Kathy Cano-Murillo, author of "Waking Up in the Land of Glitter," was scheduled to guest blog here today, but was unable to. We will try to reschedule her post for a later date.)

Guest Blogger, Paul V, Stutzman

Join me in welcoming author Paul V. Stutzman as the guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress.

Paul is touring blogdom through April with his latest release, "Hiking Through." He's here today to tell us the story behind "Hiking Through."

Is God still relevant in our lives? Does God see the struggles and trials many families go through? Does God have a reason for allowing his children to walk through deep valleys of despair? These are all fair questions.

Does God even have a place in today’s world? The leaders of our country don’t seem too interested in seeking God’s guidance in leading this country. Our school systems have tried to remove God from our classrooms. Wait–these two entities don’t seem to be working too well right now. Perhaps we do need divine guidance after all.

As it is for many of you, my life was rolling merrily along. My wife Mary and I had been married 32 years, we had three wonderful children and I enjoyed my job. Sure, like many of you I had house payments, college payments, and the usual job-related stresses. My world was suddenly turned upside down when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although we did everything possible to fight the disease and believed that God could heal her, on September 7, 2006, she took her last breath and passed away. Either God had not heard our desperate cry for healing, or He had other plans for our lives.

 
I wanted to know why God put our family through this heartbreaking time, and my questioning led to a radical decision. For years I had dreamed about hiking the Appalachian Trail; and a little more than a year after Mary’s death, I decided to quit my job, shoulder a backpack, and hike close to 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. My plan was to write a book about this adventure with a message for men not to take their spouses and families for granted.

As I hiked north, I began talking with God as if he was my hiking partner. Repeatedly, I would ask God why he took my wife from me. On Sunday morning, July 6, 2008, while hiking towards Eph’s Lookout in Massachusetts, I had an encounter with God that left me face down, weeping on the trail. God revealed to me why he took my spouse from me.

You, my friend, were also included in that encounter. You wonder how that is possible?

God asked me to include the message of that encounter in my book. I admit, I argued with God. I was certain folks would think I was crazy and the book would not sell. God’s reply was, “I’ll get it into the hands of people who need to hear this message.”

That encounter with God completely changed my life and set me on a path to healing from my grief. I pray that the message of hope brings you peace in this troubled time we live in.

Thank you Paul for guest blogging here today and sharing this touching story with us. "Hiking Through: Finding Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail" is Paul's story. A former restaurant manager, he is now retired and planning his next big adventure: a cross-country bicycle trip. Paul currently lives in Berlin, Ohio. To see pictures of his hike or to find out more about him and his book, visit his website at www.hikingthrough.com.

Guest Blogger, Mary Margret Daughtridge

Join me today as I welcome author Mary Margret Daughtridge as the special guest blogger here at Thoughts in Progress.

Mary Margret’s latest release, “SEALed with a Ring,” is the third in her “SEALed series.” This story features a Navy SEAL medic and a smart and successful businesswoman.

Mary Margret and Danielle at Sourcebooks are graciously giving away copies of this March release to two lucky readers of this post. Just comment on Mary Margaret’s post between now and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, for a chance to win a copy.

Writing about a Navy SEAL as a romantic interest seems like it could be difficult so Mary Margret is here to explain.
 
Thanks for inviting me over today, Mason.

First of all, let me tell your readers, Mason asked me: How hard is it to create a tough “macho” hero, who also has a romantic side?

Truthfully? It’s not hard at all.

That might be because I’m not attempting to write romantic suspense—in which case I think it would be hard indeed. But it’s also because, for models of alpha male behavior, I’m using Navy SEALs. Of course, SEALs are real men and my characters are fictional; I never lose sight of that and wouldn’t want my readers to either. Still, several SEALs have been kind enough to help with my research, and so far, I don’t see any contradiction between being tough and romantic because they don’t see any.

SEALs naturally score high on a characteristic usually thought of as feminine: nurturance, a fact I used to craft the character of Davy, my hero of SEALed with a Ring.

It’s Davy’s nature to take care of people. He likes to feed them, to protect and encourage them, bind their wounds and, when appropriate, kiss their boo-boos. He goes all squishy for little girls. When I first met him in SEALed with a

Promise, I thought “What an arrogant, cocky jerk!” And I also thought, “Oh! What a sweetie! If only I could find the right woman for you.”

SEALs have so much self-assurance, so much self-respect, and their training and work have taken them so far beyond what most people dream is possible, they have no fear at all of the “softer” emotions. Nobody is going to call them a sissy if they admit they like pretty things, or they tear up over babies and kittens, or cry when they’re hurt.

Which is not to say they don’t tease me about writing “mush.” They tease me, and then they go on to answer my questions, which probably seem stupidly inconsequential to them, with perfect, gentle respect.

Having exploded out the top of manliness, SEALs have nothing to lose by taking on women’s work. And they understand teamwork—a concept that’s quite difficult for most testosterone-heavy men. They have actually trained to have a number of “feminine” characteristics. They can multi-task, listen to two conversations simultaneously, see a wide angle, and take in lots of detail in a glance. Can you imagine—a man who can see the dirty laundry and will tackle it just because someone needs to! I’m not saying it ever happens but—at least theoretically—it could.

If you want to know the truth, it’s harder to write a heroine who is a match for them. My readership is mainly female and that’s who I need to please. Women are hard on themselves. They’re not as tolerant of heroines as they are of heroes and are less likely to think their virtues compensate for their faults. I try to write the kind of woman I admire enough to have compassion for, even when I perceive she is wrong, and enjoy enough to want her for a friend. I’m happy to say I’ve found readers who agree with me.

What are your favorite types of heroes? Heroines? I’ll be by the blog today to check in and see what all your answers are!

Here’s a brief synopsis of “SEALed with a Ring:”

She’s got it all…except the one thing she needs most. Smart, successful businesswoman JJ Caruthers has a year to land a husband or lose the empire she’s worked so hard to build. With time running out, romance is not an option, and a military husband who is always on the road begins to look like the perfect solution…

He’s a wounded hero with an agenda of his own. Even with the scars of battle, Navy SEAL medic Davy Graziano is gorgeous enough to land any woman he wants, and he’s never wanted to be tied down. Now Davy has ulterior motives for accepting JJ’s outrageous proposal of marriage, but he only has so long to figure out what JJ doesn’t want him to know…

Thanks for showing us both sides of a SEAL - the touch macho that gets the job done and the romantic side that doesn’t mind exposing his “soft” side.

A little background on Mary Margret. She has been a grade school teacher, speech therapist, family educator, biofeedback therapist, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapist. She is a member of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Romancing the Military Soul, and is a sought-after judge in writing contests.

Mary Margret resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more information on her and her books, visit her website at http://marymargretdaughtridge.com/. She is also a contributing blogger at Casablanca Authors.

Remember to comment for a chance to win “SEALed with a Ring.”

Guest Blogger, L. Diane Wolfe

Please join me in welcoming author L. Diane Wolfe as the guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress as she kicks off her virtual blog tour.

Diane is touring blogdom during the coming weeks to announce the upcoming release of her latest book, “The Circle of Friends, Book V … Heather.”

Diane, thanks for stopping by and now I’ll turn it over to you.

Thanks for letting me visit today, Mason! Let me give your readers a little info about me and my next book.

 

Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” I’m a member of the National Speakers Association. “Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership & Goal-Setting”, ties all of my goal-setting and leadership seminar’s information together into one enthusiastic package. My YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories that appeal to both teens and concerned parents.

Ten years associating with a motivation training system and experience as a foster parent gave me the in-depth knowledge of relationships, personality traits, and success principles. I travel extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintain a dozen websites & blogs, manage an online writer’s group, and contribute to several other sites. Originally from Oregon, I now reside in North Carolina. “With a positive attitude, any goal can be achieved!” www.thecircleoffriends.net, www.spunkonastick.net www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com 

My March 16th release is the final book in my YA series. Described as “encouragement personified”, this five-book Southern-based series portrays love and friendship overcoming all obstacles. The Circle of Friends follows a group of friends from high school through college, and each book can be read on its own as well.

 

THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, BOOK V … HEATHER

BY L. DIANE WOLFE

 

When confidence turns to frustration…

A new beginning awaits Heather Jennings. The position at Clemson means she will finally realize her dream of coaching basketball. Heather is ready to focus on her duties, using sheer force if necessary to prove her independence.

Sadly, her triumph is hampered as her father and greatest advocate lies dying of cancer. Battling her grief, she must also deal with a sister who appears incapable of responsibility or achievement. And once basketball season begins, a talented but cocky player who resembles her in every manner challenges all that remains of Heather’s patience.

Heather’s life changes when she encounters a man capable of handling her bold and feisty attitude. Straightforward and smug, he entices her to date him, and despite his gruff nature shows a great capacity for compassion. However, the last thing Heather needs is a serious relationship with a man equally fixated on work and opposed to marriage…

 

Release date: March 16, 2010, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

$19.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 282 pages, Fiction/YA

ISBN 978-0-9816210-5-0 / 0-9816210-5-8

 

Heather’s my tough cookie. She’s dominating, assertive, and driven to perfection. Her choleric personality means she is tough on lesser souls who don’t measure up to her expectations. Basically, she’s a royal pain! Portraying her as a sympathetic character that readers would like was a challenge. However, this caused Heather to feel more real.

It received a 5-Star rating from Teens Read Too, and the reviewer stated she liked this book and character the most. I pondered how I’d accomplished this feat, too! I’d struggled with this story from day one. Heather is the complete opposite of me and it was difficult to identify with her motivations and behavior.

 

And therein lays the answer! Heather was so different. She was not my favorite character by any means. I’d adored my other characters, but Heather? There were days I didn’t even like her! Since I was not as wrapped up in this character, I was able to step back and view Heather and her story objectively. If that’s truly the secret, guess I need more ornery characters like Heather! If I don't strangle them first, of course.

 

I’ve spent so many years with these characters and it’s sad to see it end. But I’m proud of this final book and feel it will be a great sendoff for The Circle of Friends!

 

- Professional speaker & author, L. Diane Wolfe www.thecircleoffriends.net www.spunkonastick.net www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com

Links to purchase:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Friends-Book-V-Heather/dp/0981621058/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265066454&sr=1-12

 

Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Circle-of-Friends/L-Diane-Wolfe/e/9780981621050/?itm=12&usri=l++diane+wolfe

 

Dancing Lemur Press L.L.C. : http://www.dancinglemurpress.com/id18.html

 

Reviews:

“Heather deals with real life and real situations.” 5 Stars

- Teens Read Too

 

“Curl up onto your favorite reading spot and journey along with Heather as she seeks the balance of family and work relationships. Be prepared to be pulled into Heather’s world and you will find yourself cheering her on and wanting to scold her at the same time. L. Diane Wolfe has created amazing characters with believable attributes and flaws; making Book V in the Circle of Friends series a true gem.”

- Donna M. McDine, Write What Inspires You Book Reviews

 

“Even after reading the novel, I am haunted by these characters… These characters are real to me, living breathing people that I now feel like I’ve known for years. This is the power of Wolfe’s writing.”

- The Book Pedler 

Thanks Diane for stopping by and sharing this information with us. The Circle of Friends series sounds like a must read for adults of all ages (young and old alike). Wishing you much success on your blog tour and I appreciate you kicking it off here today.

 *****

Side note: Tetewa is the new winner in the giveaway for Judi Fennell's "Catch of a Lifetime." Please e-mail me with your name and address so we can get the book in the mail to you. Joanne of Whole Latte Life was an earlier winner, but had already purchased the book and asked that we select another winner.