Is where we introduce listeners to people who have found their way out of the dark shadows of life and back to light and those who lead others on their journey from darkness to light.
STEP INTO THE LIGHT
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Patti’s Blogs; Patti’s Porch & The Over Fifty Writer; Podcast Step Into the Light
Meet seasoned authors, learn about new books and find inspiration to help you along your journey. No matter how far you’ve come or where you are going, I’d be honored to travel with you. If you like what you see, please subscribe to avoid missing updates.
2020-01-07
Episode #104 - Featuring Harrison (Mac) McCune
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IS DEATH KNOCKING AT MY DOOR? by Marie W. Watts 2/22/2020 12:35:00 AM BY Patti Shene
FEATURED BOOK: The Cause Lives: Warriors for Equal Rights
AUTHOR: Marie W. Watts
PUBLISHER: Las Tortugas Press
GENRE: Upmarket fiction, mystery/crime
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: First book of trilogy: Warriors for Equal Rights
TARGET AGE: Adult
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR MARIE WATTS TO PATTI’S PORCH. MARIE SHARES A HUMOROUS LOOK AT THE INEVITABLE OUTCOME OF GROWING OLD.
MARIE IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF THE CAUSE LIVES: WARRIORS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.
IS DEATH KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?
by
Marie Watts
Yes, I realize I am getting older. My aching knee reminds me daily. The idea of an imminent demise did not cross my mind until we began to be bombarded with fliers inviting us to a free meal to discuss our final disposal.
Offers of a complimentary dinner from brokers wanting to invest our money were a common occurrence. We’ve turned a sinister corner, however, and we’re no longer invited to invest but to plan our funerals. Companies are fortunately scheduling the get-togethers during the day as apparently we elderly rarely go out at night.
One set is pushing cremation while the other is enticing us with the lure of a specialized celebration of life. No canned programs here; you can pre-plan a blowout party for friends and family to wish you goodbye.
What kind of party would you hold? For me, the choice would be difficult. My life has been full of beautiful adventures. The out-of-doors has always been my true love. I could hold the gathering at a campground or throw a barbecue at my central Texas ranch. But only chicken would be served, which would upset my husband no end because that is his least favorite meat. Better still would be a trip to France, a country that holds many memories. Of course, Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine would be served.
Since writing is also my passion, perhaps I could give each guest a boxed set of my life’s work. Hmm. I wonder how quickly that treasure would find its way to the second-hand shop?
Then it occurred to me; I’ll be a no-show at the celebration of my dreams. Instead, I’ll be peacefully reunited with my maker. Since death is apparently around the corner, my commitment is to participate in meaningful experiences with my loved ones while I am able. And, because I’m a bit of a cheapskate, I’ll state my wish to be cremated and let my family decide how to honor me. After all, memorials are truly for the living.
Blurb for The Cause Lives: Warriors for Equal Rights
All Alice wants is to retire.Until the call for justice gets in the way.
Alice Arden can’t wait to retire in eighteen months, but her boss at the federal discrimination and harassment agency she works at has other ideas. She assigns Alice to head a newly created task force responsible for catching more lawbreakers, and Alice can’t refuse.
Already burned out and suffering from a worsening disability that might put her in a wheelchair, Alice finds more than she had bargained for in her new team with racism, a sociophobe, and hidden agendas at play. Threats on their lives because of a case they’re working on drive Alice to the bottle until she discovers an unnerving secret.
Forget retirement. Alice is about to embark on delivering justice in the sexual harassment case of her career, and if she goes down, it’ll be with guns blazing.
Second book, Only A Pawn, to be published in late spring, 2020
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF THE CAUSE LIVES: WARRIORS FOR EQUAL RIGHT BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
Marie W. Watts is a former employment discrimination investigator and human resource consultant. Coauthor of Human Relations, 4th ed., her work has also been published in the Texas Bar Journal and the Houston Business Journal, as well as featured on Issues Today. Marie and her husband live on a ranch in central Texas. In her spare time, she supports a historic house and hangs out with her grandsons. Connect with Marie:
SHINE YOUR LIGHT by Susan Miura 2/19/2020 1:20:00 PM BY Patti Shene
FEATURED BOOK: Shards of Light(Book 2 in the Healer series)
AUTHOR: Susan Miura
PUBLISHER: Vinspire Publushing
GENRE: Young Adult
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Series (can be read as a stand alone)
TARGET AGE: 13 – Adult
I AM PLEASED TO WELCOME AUTHOR SUSAN MIURA TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. SUSAN SHARES THE IMPORTANCE OF APPROACHING EDITORS/AGENTS IN A MANNER THAT MAKES US SHINE.
SUSAN IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR WINNER’S CHOICE OF A PRINT OR EBOOK COPY OF EITHER HEALER OR SHARDS OF LIGHT.
SHINE YOUR LIGHT
by
Susan Miura
Several years ago, I was drinking coffee during a break at the Write to Publish Conference when I witnessed a scene that became a defining moment in my writing and speaking career, as well as my overall human experience. A popular literary agent stood nearby, also enjoying a coffee, when a conference attendeee ran up to him. Nervous and breathy, with rapid-fire words, she said “I promised myself I’d meet you and I’m so nervous but I’m doing it and I hope it’s okay because I really wanted to meet you.” Yikes. She was trembling, about to implode, I think, but the agent was gracious and kind, giving the woman her moment and letting her know there was no reason to be flustered. Even so, my heart hurt for her. As someone who started out as a reporter, then switched gears to public relations and public speaking, I’ve always felt comfortable talking with agents and editors. But through the years, I saw the scene above repeated in various ways while waiting for appointments. New or unpublished authors would wait their turns, trembling, forgetting their well-practiced pitches, and sometimes even fighting back tears.
The Spirit nudged me. I did nothing. Another nudge, and another, until I found myself wanting to encourage and empower fellow writers. In my young adult novels and during author visits, I had focused on the theme of encouragement and explained that some of my characters embody the verse “Love one another as I have loved you” by supporting and encouraging each other through life’s challenges. I had often used author visits to remind people that we may not have the powerful gift of healing like my main character, but we each have our own God-given gifts and the ability to encourage.
Eventually I found a way to act on the Spirit’s nudges by creating a new writing workshop: “Nail that Pitch - how to talk to agents and editors.” With fun and informative slides, and a few Snoopy memes, participants learn how to prepare for, conduct and follow up on agent/editor appointments. I also tell them what to expect, and remind them that these appointments are nothing more than conversations with fellow Christians. Hopefully, with that in mind and their newfound information, they can walk away with the confidence they need to talk to an agent or editor without imploding.
I’m grateful God blessed me with the ability and opportunities to be an author and speaker, and hope I can use those blessings to encourage and help others shine. But encouragement doesn’t have to be a presentation or anything big and complicated. That’s the divine beauty of it – sometimes it’s just the right word in the right moment. And anyone can do that.
Book Cover Blurb for Shards of Light (Healer, Book 2)
Ice crystalizes around Shilo’s heart, threatening to plunge her into darkness as she’s gripped by evil. And it is only Week Two of her summer-long exile to Sicily. But Shilo will face the evil, and the torment of missing Kenji, because the reason she crossed an ocean is worth that, and more. Nonna Marie, her great-grandmother. The one who set their family tree on fire. Years ago, she received The Gift – a miraculous, divine power to heal. The same power bestowed upon Shilo just before her seventeenth birthday. Becoming a Healer has already led to danger and heartache, but it is nothing compared to what lies ahead. High on Mt. Etna, in a centuries-old convent, Shilo will discover the horrors of human trafficking, heroic feats propelled by courage and faith, and the unbearable pain of another loss.
On a ballet stage halfway around the world, Melody grand jetés into a life-changing moment. But after years of strenuous preparation, something goes terribly wrong. When she regains consciousness, her ballet dreams lie shattered, piercing Melody with shards of hopelessness. What is life without ballet? And how will she survive this ordeal without Shilo? As Melody struggles to piece together the fragments of her broken life, she reflects on the Nigerian-Russian parents she never knew, and a pair of hauntingly familiar ebony eyes.
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A PRINT OR EBOOK COPY OF WINNER’S CHOICE OF HEALER OR SHARDS OF LIGHT BETWEEN NOW AND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29TH AT MIDNIGHT MST. (Clarification: One print book and one ebook will be given away).
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
Susan Miura is an author, public relations professional and photographer. Additionally, she teaches writing workshops and gives travel presentations at venues throughout the Chicago suburbs. Susan works for the Schaumburg Library, serves as president for the ACFW Chicago chapter, and is a member of SCBWI and Willow Creek Community Church. Her young adult novels, Healer and Shards of Light (Vinspire Publishing) have won first place awards in YA fiction. Her next book, Signs in the Dark, will release in October 2020. Connect with Susan:
Why I LOVE A READING CHALLENGE by Karin Beery 2/15/2020 12:05:00 AM BY Patti Shene
FEATURED BOOK:Practically Married
AUTHOR: Karin Beery
PUBLISHER: Guiding Light Women's Fiction, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
GENRE: Women's Fiction
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: Stand alone
TARGET AGE: 8-45 years old
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR KARIN BEERY TO PATTI’S PORCH. KARIN SHARES THE ADVANTAGES OF ACCEPTING A READING CHALLENGE.
KARIN IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF PRACTICALLY MARRIED.
Why I LOVE A READING CHALLENGE
by
Karin Beery
Last year I joined my first reading challenge—I wanted to read more diversely, but I didn’t know where to start. The challenge was perfect! Someone else picked the categories, made a list, then sent it out to anyone who wanted to participate.
I loved it for two main reasons:
It forced me to read throughout the year.
It helped me figure out how to find books outside my normal genre.
That second one was the hardest for me. There are so many books available that I never know where to start reading, so I often re-read my favorite books or only pick up the newest book by my favorite authors.
The challenge categories wouldn’t let me stick with my favorites. Categories like a blue cover, that has at least 500 pages, and written by an author with the same initials as you stretched me. There were a few that were harder to find than others (with north, south, east, or west in the title or with a protagonist with the same occupation as me), but I managed to find a book for each.
Not only did it give me a sense of accomplishment, it also helped me find some new favorite authors. And I learned something about my reading tastes—I tend to prefer male authors (though their first-kiss scenes usually fall short).
This year I created my own challenge by combining a few different challenges I found online. I like the variety and have already read nine books for it. I can’t wait to read the rest!
Have you ever participated in a reading challenge? If not, now’s your chance! Print off the list below and see what fun new books and authors you’ll discover this year!
2020 Reading Challenge
Read a book in each of the following categories:
Featuring orphans
Featuring an amateur investigator
Featuring best friends
Featuring a tenacious female character
Featuring a father
A dual timeline
Paranormal/Sci-fi/Fantasy twist
A new/unfamiliar genre
Set during the Civil War
A book you loved as a kid
A short story
Set at the beach
Set somewhere you want to visit
Set in a cold climate
Set in a different country
A book you own but haven’t read
A summer romance
A sports romance
By multiple authors
An author with the same first name
A color in the title
Title with 6+ words
A character whose job you want
A book featuring your hobby
100 pages or less
A debut book
A library book
A $0.99 book
Published in your birth month
Published in your birth year
A book that’s older than you
A book covered in flowers
A book cover you adore
A red cover
Blurb for Practically Married
Ashley moves to a new town to marry her fiancé. Instead, she buries him.
Ashley Johnson moves to northern Michigan to finally meet her fiancé face-to-face, but she arrives in time to go to his funeral. With no home back in Ohio, she decides to stay in what would have been their house, except his cousin Russ lives there too, and Russ has never heard of Ashley. To complicate matters, her fiancé accidentally willed her the family farmhouse. Eager to please everyone and desperate to disappoint no one, she proposes a marriage of convenience that could solve her and Russ’s problems, if they can get past her aunt, his sisters, and an ex-girlfriend.
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF PRACTICALLY MARRIED BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH AT MIDIGHT MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
Karin Beery grew up in a rural Michigan town, where she wrote her first novel in high school. Today, she writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s reading, editing, or teaching it. In her free time, she enjoys watching University of Michigan football and action-adventure movies with her husband and fur babies. Conect with Karin:
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FEATURED BOOK: The Cause Lives: Warriors for Equal Rights
AUTHOR: Marie W. Watts
PUBLISHER: Las Tortugas Press
GENRE: Upmarket fiction, mystery/crime
SERIES OR STAND ALONE: First book of trilogy: Warriors for Equal Rights
TARGET AGE: Adult
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR MARIE WATTS TO PATTI’S PORCH. MARIE SHARES A HUMOROUS LOOK AT THE INEVITABLE OUTCOME OF GROWING OLD.
MARIE IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR AN EBOOK COPY OF THE CAUSE LIVES: WARRIORS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.
IS DEATH KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?
by
Marie Watts
Yes, I realize I am getting older. My aching knee reminds me daily. The idea of an imminent demise did not cross my mind until we began to be bombarded with fliers inviting us to a free meal to discuss our final disposal.
Offers of a complimentary dinner from brokers wanting to invest our money were a common occurrence. We’ve turned a sinister corner, however, and we’re no longer invited to invest but to plan our funerals. Companies are fortunately scheduling the get-togethers during the day as apparently we elderly rarely go out at night.
One set is pushing cremation while the other is enticing us with the lure of a specialized celebration of life. No canned programs here; you can pre-plan a blowout party for friends and family to wish you goodbye.
What kind of party would you hold? For me, the choice would be difficult. My life has been full of beautiful adventures. The out-of-doors has always been my true love. I could hold the gathering at a campground or throw a barbecue at my central Texas ranch. But only chicken would be served, which would upset my husband no end because that is his least favorite meat. Better still would be a trip to France, a country that holds many memories. Of course, Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine would be served.
Since writing is also my passion, perhaps I could give each guest a boxed set of my life’s work. Hmm. I wonder how quickly that treasure would find its way to the second-hand shop?
Then it occurred to me; I’ll be a no-show at the celebration of my dreams. Instead, I’ll be peacefully reunited with my maker. Since death is apparently around the corner, my commitment is to participate in meaningful experiences with my loved ones while I am able. And, because I’m a bit of a cheapskate, I’ll state my wish to be cremated and let my family decide how to honor me. After all, memorials are truly for the living.
Blurb for The Cause Lives: Warriors for Equal Rights
All Alice wants is to retire. Until the call for justice gets in the way.
Alice Arden can’t wait to retire in eighteen months, but her boss at the federal discrimination and harassment agency she works at has other ideas. She assigns Alice to head a newly created task force responsible for catching more lawbreakers, and Alice can’t refuse.
Already burned out and suffering from a worsening disability that might put her in a wheelchair, Alice finds more than she had bargained for in her new team with racism, a sociophobe, and hidden agendas at play. Threats on their lives because of a case they’re working on drive Alice to the bottle until she discovers an unnerving secret.
Forget retirement. Alice is about to embark on delivering justice in the sexual harassment case of her career, and if she goes down, it’ll be with guns blazing.
Second book, Only A Pawn, to be published in late spring, 2020
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN AN EBOOK COPY OF THE CAUSE LIVES: WARRIORS FOR EQUAL RIGHT BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD MST.
BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.
Marie W. Watts is a former employment discrimination investigator and human resource consultant. Coauthor of Human Relations, 4th ed., her work has also been published in the Texas Bar Journal and the Houston Business Journal, as well as featured on Issues Today. Marie and her husband live on a ranch in central Texas. In her spare time, she supports a historic house and hangs out with her grandsons. Connect with Marie:
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