@LisaBelcastro19 on Conflict, Writing & Therapy #Romance #Christian #BookClub

Why Writing is a Form of Personal Therapy

Any good story has conflict, often many conflicts. Can you tell me of a life – real or fictional – that doesn’t have conflict? I’ve found that I can use the joys and triumphs in my life as well as the struggles and pain. When a character is caught in the midst of a challenge, I reflect on my own life, either something from the past or a present problem, and I pour out my emotions into my character’s point of view.

I’ve worked through trials with my children, a fight with my husband, the death of a friend, a girlfriend’s breast cancer, and much more. I can’t write away every source of pain, but I can work through it vicariously in a character. It’s great way to let go!

One of my dearest friends writes murder mysteries. If a landscaper does a job poorly, he might turn up dead in her next novel. A magazine editor, who refused to publish reviews on any of her books, suffered pain and humiliation as a character in one of her mysteries. As authors, we can write out our frustrations and often resolve issues, sometimes with a bit of chuckles and merriment.

The same is true of wonderful memories and experiences. I’ve inserted family vacations, day trips, and memories into my stories too. And I love re-living magical moments with my children, family and friends as my characters experience something similar in their fictional lives.

 

Could this all be a bad dream? How was she to know? Rebecca had far more questions than answers. Tisbury, Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard The last thing sixth-grade teacher Rebecca O’Neill wants to do during the final week of her summer break is chaperone twenty-five kids on a six-night, seven-day trip aboard the schooner Shenandoah. But after a desperate phone call from the school principal, she doesn’t have a choice.

Worse, the ship is rumored to be ‘haunted.’ Five years ago, during the Holmes Hole student cruise, teacher Melissa Smith complained about hearing voices and seeing visions, then disappeared without a trace-from the very same cabin where Rebecca will be staying. Everything seems normal on Sunday as Rebecca boards the impressive Shenandoah. But as she sits in Cabin 8, she hears hushed voices that don’t sound like they’re from this century.

Mike, a crewmember, insists he believes the crazy Island story that Melissa time-traveled to Colonial Boston. His eerie interest in constantly tracking Rebecca’s whereabouts rattles her nerves. Her first night onboard, Rebecca drifts off to sleep…and wakes the following morning with memories of a secretive conversation about a battle with Britain.

Monday night Rebecca crawls into her bunk after an adventurous day of sailing, swimming, and overseeing students. She’s startled awake when a man grabs her and yells, ‘Stowaway!’ Dragged in front of Captain Benjamin Reed, she looks up into the most gorgeous brown eyes she’s ever seen….

A Vineyard Romance. Romance, history, adventure. Get swept into the exciting Winds of Change series. Book 1, Winds of Change.

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Genre - Romance, Christian

Rating – G

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Connect with Lisa Belcastro through Facebook & Twitter

Website www.lisabelcastro.com

Lynn Murphy on What Inspired Her To Write Dream A Little Dream #Romance #Christian #TBR

People often wonder where authors get their stories. What inspire them to write one storyline versus another. I don’t always know the answer to that question, but with one of my newest releases, I do.

I recently released my tenth novel, Dream A Little Dream. It is a little different than my other novels in that one of the main characters is hearing impaired. When I wrote Moonlight In His Hand fifteen years ago, (I know, I promise it’s going to be formatted for kindle), I made the baby that Kimberly and John Lansing adopted deaf. When I wrote the book, I wasn’t thinking about the possibility that I would write about the children of the main characters. But now they have all grown up and have each been given their own stories. Seamus Lansing is one of the main characters in Dream A Little Dream.

I have always found the concept of how hearing impaired people interact with the hearing world interesting. I have a deaf cousin, and whenever we saw Brenda, I couldn’t help laughing at my grandmother who, God rest her soul, yelled and yelled verrrry slowly, as if Brenda could hear her, or worse yet, was too slow to understand what she was saying. Brenda was the first person who taught me a few words in sign language. In college I took a class in sign language, learning to speak fairly well and how to interpret songs in sign. I used it fairly regularly when I worked at special ed school, but haven’t used sign terribly often since then, and must admit I am no longer fluent, but can still read a little and sometimes still ‘see’ songs play out in sign in my head.

As I was doing research, I found Heather Whitestone’s story very inspiring and helpful. In case you don’t remember she was the first deaf Miss America. She lost her hearing as a toddler due to a high fever, In her autobiography Listening With My Heart, Heather explains what it is like to be deaf and communicate with the hearing world. She also discussed the opposition to speaking by some members of the deaf community which is an issue in Dream A Little Dream.

I enjoyed the opportunity to show a strong character who has  adapted well to his handicap, yet is challenged to think about his disability as an adult and wonder what he might have been missing due to not being able to hear.  Dream A Little Dream also explores a romantic relationship between Seamus and Madison Walker, who is hearing. It was an interesting novel to write and includes characters from previous book , Look To The Rainbow, Only For You and Just Thinking Of You.

Check out Dream A Little Dream and my other books at www,booksbylynnmurphy.com

Madison Walker never planned on falling for her boss when she accepted a teaching position at The Newport School For The Deaf. Seamus Lansing is handsome, wealthy, athletic, charming- and hearing impaired himself. As the only hearing person in her own family, Madison isn't sure she wants a long term relationship with someone who can't hear but she can't deny that she is attracted to Seamus. As their romance develops, Seamus will find himself questioning things he never considered about his disability.

Jim O'Brien has achieved worldwide acclaim for his musical ability. When unexpected circumstances threaten to take away his ability to play the piano how will it affect his recent marriage to Lady Berry Harrington?

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Genre - Romance, Christian

Rating – G

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Connect with Lynn Murphy through Pinterest

Obedience #Prayer by Nina Elaine Borum @TrinityGalBlog #Christian #Excerpt #AmReading

Father, this morning I lift up ____________________ to your throne. Ignite him for action in your kingdom and give him discipline in your ways. Make him sober-minded and set his hope fully on your grace. Make him obedient and give him the strength to turn away from the lusts that easily entangle men of God. Call him to be holy as you are holy. In obedience to your commands may he be holy in all he does and says this day. Give him a love for you that is shown in his obedience towards your commandments. Empower him to love others as you have commanded that he would receive his full reward from you. May he always remain in you and obey your teachings.

You didn't learn these prayers in Sunday school. Put your armor on, and get ready to see God move!

Do you ever get sick of praying? It's okay to admit. We all do. It is emotionally draining to beg God without ceasing. Christians often forget that under Christ's authority, we have the power to command God's promises to be released from heaven to earth and into our lives.

In Praying for Men of P.O.W.E.R., author Nina Elaine Borum challenges readers to stand confidently and command the promises of God for the men in your life. As someone who has struggled with prayer, Nina believes that God does not intend for his children to feel helpless in praying. His Word has instructed us in how to bring the kingdom of heaven to a world where Satan runs freely. We are all in the midst of a vicious spiritual battle, and Nina hopes this book will help you to fight on behalf of Christian men.

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Genre - Christian non-fiction

Rating – G

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Connect with Nina Elaine Borum on Facebook & Twitter