The Authors’ Corner

Welcome to The Authors’ Corner. This week’s featured authors are Al B. Quarles II  and Lourraine Deluna.

 

What makes this book special is Al and Lourraine are a father-daughter team. It’s their desire to increase awareness of  bulling and to help put a stop to it. This is Lourraine’s first publication and Al’s third.

Book Synopsis

Bullying is a form of abuse. Bullies use their power to intentionally, repeatedly harm others that seem to be less powerful. However, you can help stop it. It is our hope that this book sparks conversations, inspires activities that teach about bullying, and gives students that are being bullied a voice. It does not have to be a formal program for bullying awareness to be effective. Whether you are an educator, parent, student, or member of the community, it takes all of us to help eliminate bullying. Please remember that bullying is a big deal, and it is not just kids being kids. Please let bullying prevention start with you!

For more information and to purchase,  Bullies Are Not Just Boys: http://amzn.to/2wyYCx1

To email Al and Lourraine: abquarles2@gmail.com

Please consider supporting them by purchasing their book and spreading the word. I was bullied as a child and teenager, and even in my adult years in my profession until I said, enough. I now speak up and speak out  for those being mistreated, whether children or adults. Bullying needs to be stopped once and for all. Together we can make it happen!

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

 

 

The Authors’ Corner

Welcome to The Authors’ Corner. This week’s featured author is Carla Youngblood.

Carla D. Youngblood is a life strategist, speaker, and author of three books. She is an expert at teaching women how to bring order and structure to their lives and build a life in preparation to meet life’s challenges. As a coach she works with women leaders in business and ministry, who need a place where they can share openly, without fear of retribution. As a preacher’s daughter she knows first-hand the necessity for leaders to honestly be able to share their stories. Carla believes that when women are able to care for themselves they are better able to care of others; it is a philosophy she practices daily.

 

 

Book Excerpt 

Emotions of the Mind
Fragile minds exist because we struggle with trying to tell the mind what it already knows. The renewed mind is one that is accepting of the finished work of Christ. The fragility of our minds is necessary to push us to easily embracing the truth of our minds. Part of my own journey to this place of renewal, was being able to keep the process free of struggle. The work was to not give in to my thoughts that were contrary to what was already true about me.
Every day I was tested with thoughts which tried to persuade me to think differently. It meant that when the contrary thoughts came I had to search for another thought to think instead. I spent a lot of time reading Philippians 4:8. I had to allow my thoughts to go to my divine nature’s way of thinking and being. The work was for me to decide to come to a place called rest. We will talk more about this in another chapter.
A wondering mind will think about anything, it is subject to those 60,000 thoughts. I believe we are all just one thought away from victory or defeat depending on what you choose to think. If you want to renew your mind, the thought process must become intentional. You cannot afford to allow the mind to drift into places unguarded. The mind is so powerful, it will create whatever it wants.

 

For more information on Carla Youngblood and her books and to stay in touch with her:

Website: http://www.designingwithcarla.com
Fb Public Official page https://www.facebook.com/carladspeaks
Women Leaders page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/leaderswhoarewomen

 

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

 

The Authors’ Corner

Welcome to The Authors’ Corner.

Take a look at my review for title Breathe Again.

Breathe Again by Adrienne Thompson shows us the power of forgiveness. The protagonist, Maria spends many years as a dutiful daughter until she is rescued. But even after finding love for herself, she can’t fully receive until she lets go of past hurts and forgives. I so enjoyed Breathe Again and found Maria’s character to be relatable. Adrienne provides life lessons in this book worth learning and relearning. I highly recommend, Breathe Again.

Breathe Again is available on Amazon at: http://amzn.to/2u0SuIg

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

and Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2uzskA0

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

 

The Authors’ Corner

Welcome to The Authors’ Corner. This weeks featured author is Chelle Ramsey.

 

Women’s fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life’s adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves. 

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter.
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.
She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at http://www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.

 

 

Book Synopsis

Ambiance – Loving her husband, building her brand, and being there for her girls are the only things that matter to her. But she’s quickly learning that her love is not enough to build a strong, stable marriage. Surrounded by family, friends and business constituents should be enough; yet, she’s all alone. When her love isn’t enough to suffice her husband’s needs, Ambiance considers stepping beyond the vows and taking matters into her own hands. The tragic results will have her running into the arms of the Lord.
Naomi – As a teen she made the decision to be a single mother. Choosing to build her life around her daughter has molded and shaped all the decisions she has made until now. Her relationship with her daughter is highly valued and nothing can shake it, not even her daughter’s attempts to grow up. But when her daughter’s so-called “deceased” father comes back, Naomi’s carefully constructed world may begin to crumble. Her efforts to protect her child may be the one thing that pushes her away, and she must decide if she will open herself up to love again.
Paige – running from her inner demons she struggles to build a life vastly different than her mother and aunt’s. With a mindset of use or be used, she takes the concept of “love ‘em and leave ‘em” to a new level, and her promiscuous lifestyle is a cause of concern for all those who love her. She doesn’t care whose heart she’s breaking or whose life she’s ruining, it’s all about her. Until it no longer is.
Three women are on a journey of self-discovery, as they deal with the fallout from choices made from emotion rather than self-awareness.

 

For more information on Chelle Ramsey see below.

Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon  bit.ly/AWD_A

For more information on Chelle and to stay in touch with her:
WEB: http://www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: Author Chelle Ramsey
TWITTER: @ChellesBooks
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: Chelleramseybooks

 

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

 

 

The Authors’ Corner

Welcome to The Authors’ Corner. This weeks featured author is Suzette D. Harrison.

 

Suzette D. Harrison, a native Californian and the middle of three daughters, grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Her literary “career” began in junior high school with the publishing of her poetry. While Mrs. Harrison pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. The award-winning author of Taffy is a wife and mother who holds a culinary degree in Pastry & Baking. Mrs. Harrison is busy cooking up her next novel…in between batches of cookies.

 

Book Synopsis 

Joy Matthews isn’t afraid of risks. She’s quit her Fortune 500 job and enrolled in culinary school, chasing her dream. Joy wants her own couture cake boutique. Pursuing her dream by day, Joy pays the bills working nights at The Hourglass—an exclusive gentlemen’s club catering to patrons who enjoy a little extra fine on a woman’s frame. Joy’s catching up to her dream when a chance encounter reconnects her with Quinton Daley, a childhood friend. Mutual attraction throws the proverbial wrench in Joy’s relationship-phobic, happily agnostic life. A goal-oriented woman who ‘doesn’t do men with Bible breath,’ Joy sees in Quinton a whole lot of what she likes but doesn’t need. Tall, chocolate-skinned, and born-again, Quinton’s Christianity poses a risk even the tenacious Joy isn’t willing to take. Quinton Daley isn’t fazed. He’s a man of faith who’ll willingly wait on Joy to come to God…and him. When love and lust heat up, Joy and Quinton face a predicament. Will they indulge? Or abstain? Join this wild mix of custom cakes, a saved, sanctified and sexy man, and an obsessed patron from The Hourglass who’s determined to make Joy’s life a sticky mess. It’s a recipe for a read that’s wickedly witty and delicious.

For more information on Suzette and to stay in touch with her:

WEBSITE: www.sdhbooks.com

FACEBOOK: SDH Books

                        Salon Suzette (private page; send request to join

INSTAGRAM: suzetteharrison2200

PINTEREST: Suzette D. Harrison Books

TWITTER: @Ariasu62

YOUTUBE: Suzette Harrison

To purchase My Joy and other books by Suzette:

PURCHASE LINK: http://amzn.to/2prWUXI

 

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

The Authors’ Corner

Welcome to The Authors’ Corner. This week’s featured author is Mary Ann Finley.

Mary Ann Finley is the founder and CEO of Mayrann Speaks Productions LLC. She’s the author of Corn Rowing Mama’s Hair on a Sunday, Somebody Say Grace, Thicker Than Blood (vols. and 2) and All Right At The Same Time. In 2013, Mary was nominated for Female Author of The Year by Oosa Book Club’s All Things Literary Awards. She is the owner and publisher of McCurtain Press, and recently began her autobiographical series, Clay Jar Chronicles, with This Is My Sony by Lanvester Jackson. All of her books are available on Amazon.

 

 

Book Synopsis for Thicker Than Blood (Vol.1)
Veteran police officer, Gerald Lamar Jr., is a man of strong moral conviction, who seems to have the perfect life: a gorgeous wife, two wonderful, intelligent, college age children and a seasoned career on the police force. His righteousness takes a hard blow and his American dream becomes a nightmare, however, when his brother, Ramon “Rah-Money” Lamar is brutally murdered. Gerald is forced to remove his rose colored glasses and gets sucker punched by a triple dose of betrayal.
Handsome playboy, Patrick “Tip” Collier, is known as a sharp dresser with a sharp tongue. He is the city’s most notorious private investigator, and also who Gerald considers his worst enemy. Tip gets information dropped in his lap that puts him smack dab in the middle of the investigation of Rah-Money’s murder.
When these two men team up, no stone is left unturned, and Gerald discovers that throughout his entire life, he has trusted people who were one thing to his face and another behind his back. His immediate family has kept him completely in the dark. Investigation into this crime leads him into the light.
As a truck load of past deceits are uncovered, Gerald and Tip unveil the darkest Lamar family secret of all. In the end they’re both faced with one crucial question: If blood is thicker than water, is true love thicker than blood?
Thicker Than Blood is a murder mystery novel that reveals how generations of lies and secret sin can cause a family devastating and irrevocable damage.

 

For more information on Mary and to contact her:

Mayrann1963@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/mayrannspeaksproductions/

To purchase Thicker Than Blood Vol. I:

http://amzn.to/2pQxnYp

While you’re checking out Thicker Than Blood Vol. I, look for Thicker Than Blood II

 

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

 

 

I Call It Divine Intervention

In preparation for work tonight, I decided to make myself a pizza. Lately, I’ve been cooking my favorites instead of eating out; it’s saves money and it’s healthier. Today I prepped my pizza, put it in the oven and sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee as it baked. About five minutes later I heard my front door open.

I looked at the clock and it was a little past three in the evening. I knew it was my son entering our home, but I didn’t know why he was at home instead of working. When I asked he said they didn’t need him until later. Now it was about 3:15 at this point and he was needed back at work at 3:45.

Just as he finished talking our smoke alarm sounded. As my son fanned the alarm to quiet it, I removed my pizza from the oven; I was sure it was burning.  As it turns out, I’d neglected to remove the cardboard backing from the dough before cooking. My son noticed as soon as I pulled the pizza from the oven.

After my son left for work, I thought about the series of events. Had he not come home even though he only had fifteen minutes, I wouldn’t have realized the cardboard was in the oven. I’m sure it would have eventually caught a fire and I would have panicked.

Some may call it coincidence, I call it Divine intervention. I believe God used this incident to show me He is faithful at all times. You see, I had just finished praying about a situation that seems unending. A situation I’ve been praying about for over thirty years. God spoke and let me know He is here with me in the midst of this trial.

I share this story because perhaps you need encouragement today. I want you to know, God see and He hears. It may seem as though He doesn’t hear but remember, sometimes He works in silence.

As always, I hope my thoughts encourage you.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

 

A Dream Deferred Part 2

The day I entered nursing school I was determined to give it my best. There were things I had to participate in as a part of class I ordinarily wouldn’t do, but I told myself, just take a deep breath and get through it. After completing the course work, I graduated and found a job.

My first job rotation was in adult nursing although it really wasn’t for me. I knew from the beginning, I wanted to work with children but our instructors felt all new nurses should work with adults. I lasted about six months. During this time, I still kept my music up as best I could, singing at church and doing concerts when asked. It wasn’t what I wanted but it was something.

I remember my mother and others telling me how talented I was. It made me wonder why I wasn’t singing professionally if I were so gifted. Granted, I’d chosen a different path when deciding on a college, but I never stopped trying to make a name for myself.

There was a period in my medical career when nursing seemed more of a chore than something I enjoyed. After the birth of my son, my ambivalence increased; in my mind and heart, I was trapped. I would often watch professional singers on TV with envy; that was supposed to be my life. What had happened to my dream? Was this a desire I was destined to be denied? And then, years later the unthinkable happened.

I was stricken with a virus that left the right side of my body weakened. I could no longer sing with the power I was used to possessing. I remember trying to explain to my family and friends after I recovered, the struggle that ensued when I tried to sing, but to no avail. They felt I was being lazy; that I didn’t want to sing any longer. And so, I felt alone.

As time passed my ability to sing decreased  even more, but something unexpected was about to take place. I had enrolled in college to get my degree in nursing and my english professor suggested I take up writing. I remember him telling me I had talent I should pursue a writing career and me thinking he’d lost his mind.

Five years would pass after the statement by my college professor before I put pen to paper. I received much opposition from some family and friends. I almost gave up until a cousin gave me some words of wisdom. I was telling her about comments being made that I was a singer and nothing more. She looked at me and said, “some people are multitalented.”

Since that time, I’ve written and independently published five titles. No, I’m not taking broadway by storm as I dreamed I would, but I’m creating and that’s what matters. I plan on taking voice lessons and acting lessons soon. The way I see it, perhaps my dream wasn’t deferred after all. Perhaps it was just redefined.

My mother use to tell me, a famous painter named Grandma Moses didn’t begin painting until she was in her eighties. I’m saying that to remind you and me, it’s never too late to start or start again. I intend to go after mine and I encourage you to do the same because not all dreams are deferred, some are just transformed.

As always, I hope my thoughts encourage you.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

A Dream Deferred Part 1

“What happens to a dream deferred?” This is opening line to Langston Hughes’ poem by the same title, which inspired Lorraine Hansberry’s  play A Raisin In The Sun by . It speaks about the outcome of an unfulfilled dream. The Bible also speaks of unfulfilled dreams.

In Proverbs 13:12 (NIV) it says, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. It would seem to me our dreams can have a great impact on us and I can personally attest to that fact.

I received a video today from a good friend. In the video, the young lady was speaking about not stopping our “hustle” once we realize our dreams. She talked about how many people once they achieve their dreams, back off moving forward as if not knowing what to do next. The author created the video because she had taken a job after her dream was fulfilled and at first felt a bit uncomfortable doing so.

As I watched the video, I couldn’t help but think of my own dream. From childhood until my young adult years my desire was to sing professionally. As a teenager, I wanted to take Broadway by storm. I was even accepted into Boston University with the plan to do an internship in New York my junior year. To my determent I chose another school; this would prove to be beginning of the end of my music career.

I attended the alternate college for one year and then transferred to The Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University but I was ill prepared for the challenge of conservatory. My best effort proved to be too little and so after two years of struggle, I left Peabody.

Once back at home, I knew I needed a job but more so, I began to realize my career as I’d envisioned it wasn’t coming to fruition. I still sang around town and even met with a few people recommended by family. These people were so called music producers and were going to help launch my career. Of course, we all know that was far from the truth.

The people introduced to me by others, took my name and number, gave me a list of songs to perform for auditions and disappeared. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. To make ends meet after leaving college, I worked in retail but that was no permanent career move for me. Following a bit of contemplation, I chose nursing.

For the sake of time, I’ll share the rest of my story in my next post. In the meantime, if you have a dream, I say go after it and go hard. It may seem a far off but I promise you, all the hard work will be worth it.

As always, I hope my thoughts encourage you.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g

Tincture of Time

“Tincture of time.” Those were the words spoken to me by a co-worker during a dark period in my life. I was struggling to get through a tough season and she wanted to encourage me. It seemed to me back then, time was more an enemy then a friend. I was hurting badly and I wanted the pain to cease.

As I look back, I realize, she was absolutely correct. I’d lost two pregnancies back to back and I didn’t think I’d survive. A couple days ago, I was cleaning out a drawer and I found two positive pregnancy tests I’d saved from that time. I was able to look at them and remember without pain. I was healed.

I desperately wanted more children and was unable to carry either pregnancy to term. I also found the picture of a young lady I wanted to adopt in that drawer. We had tried to adopt when we realized I couldn’t have children but for some reason, adopting didn’t work out either. I wondered where she was and how she was doing. I wondered if a loving family had adopted her.

It’s true, time did heal my wounds although as I said back then, I didn’t know how I would make it. Perhaps you have a pain in your heart that feels as though it will consume you at any moment. I wish for you, Tincture of Time. I wish God’s healing balm on your hurt.

I know time can seem more an enemy than friend and God’s timing can be perceived as incredibly slow. But I pray you too will one day look up and be pain free. And your heart though scared will be mended.

As always, I hope my thoughts encourage you.

Ciao!

Savannah J. providing a place of tranquility away from the stress of life.

http://www.thesavannahjpublications.com

Follow Savannah on Twitter http://bit.ly/1tBBC6o

on Google Plus http://bit.ly/1pnq9sP

and on Facebook http://on.fb.me/10p1o32

Savannah is the author of The Prey now available in eBook on Kindle http://amzn.to/1xg0pgM and on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1q5hncz

Also look for Raising Tristan on Google Play Books http://bit.ly/1pL4GqN and on Kindle http://amzn.to/1AlHl6g