Have you read the Endless Possibilities series?

The next book in the series will be coming out January 21, 2015.

A Promise of Possibilities ~ August 21, 2012 Jonathan Silverton and Elizabeth (Ellie) Thorn

In England, 1816, spinster Elizabeth Thorn has been more slave than servant as her father’s housekeeper. The courageous war stories shared by author Paul Silver inspire her to correspond with him. But after years of heartfelt letters, he stops replying...

Jonathan Silverton blames himself for the brutal death of his best friend. When he moves to the countryside and unexpectedly meets his correspondent, he chooses not to reveal his secrets. But he cannot deny his desire to marry her, while hoping she’ll never discover the truth. Shattered trust and faith may tear them apart...until they each learn a vital lesson.

Available in eformat wherever ebooks are sold and available in paperback at Amazon.

Saturday Link Share...

Hope for the Broken Hearted shared a lovely prayer, including a beautiful picture and one of my favorite songs:
https://hopeforthebrokenhearted.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/prayer-for-december-6th-2/

The Writer's Refuge shared three ways to connect emotionally with readers. I want to do this:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/how-to-feel-the-words-you-write/

I like Patricia Johns' take on this:
http://patriciajohnsromance.com/2014/12/08/being-woman-enough/

Beth Trissel shares a lovely posts on angels:
https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/12/08/the-angel-from-on-high/

Writers In The Storm shared a good post on Copyrights, specifically using songs and lyrics, recipes, and photos:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/the-copyright-naughty-list/ 

May you be blessed.

Wordless

Looking for a novella to read?

Something short and sweet and sassy?

Explore the Holiday, USA series.

If you subscribe to kindleunlimited, all four stories are available as a free read. If you prefer paperback, all the novellas published this year will be available in paperback, hopefully by the end of the year. It will be my first self-published paperback. I'll keep you posted.

Book 1:

Welcome to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Officer Tim Black moved to Holiday for a change of scene. He never anticipated wanting to change his single status at the same time, but the lady refuses to even date him.

Sandy Foster moved to Holiday to escape her dysfunctional family, changing everything about her life. Finding someone who wanted to share her life holds a never-ending spot on her uninspiring list of New Year's resolutions.

The tiniest misunderstanding and the willingness to set pride aside might make the difference between spending the New Year alone and a Happily Ever After...

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-New-Year-Holiday-Book-ebook/dp/B00HCQKGF4/ref=asap_B00J625XDM_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417904247&sr=1-1

Sharing Links...

Little Birdie Blessings shared the Celebration of Advent:
http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/2014/11/celebration-of-advent.html

Dyan Diamond is an inspirationalist, author, and Life Coach. I follow her blog for encouragement and perspective. Here's a link to one of her posts:
http://dyandiamond.net/2014/12/04/no-silver-lining/

 Handmade. Homegrown. Beautiful Life is another lovely blog that brightens my day:
http://handmadehomegrownbeautifullife.com/2014/11/28/pie-for-breakfast-christmas-cactus/

May you be blessed.

Sharing favorite quotes and...

...lines from some of my favorite Christmas stories, every day on my Facebook author page.

https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHawkes

Christ is the reason for the season.

...mas... Without Christ, there is no Christmas.

"Marley was dead: to begin with."

I'm looking for more ways to help me embrace the season. It can be tough for survivors.

I listen to Christmas music. I'm re-reading my favorite Christmas romance stories. I watch Christmas programs I enjoy. I'm adding a Christmas decoration every day. I'm working on Christmas gifts every day. I'm endeavoring to fill my mind and heart with the reason for the season.

May you be blessed.

Wordless

Inspirational Links to Share...

Little Birdie Blessings:
http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/2014/11/thankful-for-small-things.html

Inspired by the Nature of God:
http://inspiredbythenatureofgod.com/2014/11/15/broken-pieces/

Writers In The Storm shared a blog on overcoming fear:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/11/a-recipe-for-fear-and-its-antidote/

The Writer's Refuge share a lovely post:
http://thewritersrefuge.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/write-to-release-the-music-inside-you/

May you be blessed.

Day of Thanks...

May your day be blessed.

Holidays...

Joy or stress?

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

Sometimes it's anticipated and sometimes it's dreaded, depending on your experience. For those looking forward to it, I hope it's all you envision. For those dreading it, plan something special for you, including an exit strategy if necessary. 

Remember you are of worth and God loves you. He never promised to spare you difficulties in life, but He has promised to never abandon you. Granted, there are times when it's difficult to recognize He's near.

May you be blessed.

Wordless

7/7/7 Game on FB...

Gail R. Delaney started the game, and I decided to join in.

I'm playing the 7/7/7 game. Anyone who wants to play, can. I'm not tagging anyone.
Go to the 7th page of your current WIP, 7th line, and copy/paste 7 sentences...

From Faith's Labor, Holiday USA series, rough draft:
 

She nodded again. "They blame me. They're right. There's no one to blame but me. My choices, not theirs."

He leaned back and crossed his arms, glanced down, and uncrossed his arms. The self-conscious action tickled a place near her heart.

"I--" He opened his mouth again, but nothing came out.

She smiled, a mix of amusement and sorrow struggling for supremacy. "How much do you know?"

What I write...

I'm endeavoring to open up about who I am and what I write. It isn't easy. I've spent my life protecting myself. Letting down my guard does not come naturally. I want to be a better person. I need to change. This is one step.

I watched bits and pieces of a few movies this past weekend. They weren't worth watching. I caught the segments I did because I was channel surfing. Both movies, filmed decades apart, portrayed the men as jerks and after only one thing. The women were stupid and after only one thing. One was after the physical relationship and didn't care who gave it to them, and the other was after the emotional relationship and didn't care who gave it to them.

Neither portrayal is true. More importantly, neither portrayal is healthy.

Are there men and women like that? Of course. The reason stereotyping works is because it fits on the surface. Dip below the surface, and everything changes.

I don't write the typical romance novel. I don't enjoy reading the novels that portray men or women as stupid or jerks. For the record, it does provide conflict, but it isn't one I enjoy reading. There have been authors I loved in the beginning of their career and stopped reading as their work evolved. It's all right to not like books that others love.

For me, a huge factor is how emotionally/mentally healthy are the characters. As an abuse survivor, I do not want or need more examples of unhealthy relationships. I have those down pat, already. It's no fun to read a book where I keep thinking, "These characters need counseling, now."

I endeavor to write characters who are flawed but are also learning to be healthier.

Coming sales...

As you plan for your shopping in the coming weeks consider adding a conference to your wish list.

http://arizonadreaminevent.com/

In case you don't want to click on the link:

May 29-31, 2015 at the Embassy Suites in Paradise Valley/Scottsdale

(The link has a link to the hotel.)

There will be 27 authors of various genres of romance for you to speed-meet. You'll be given the opportunity to choose 8 author book clubs, with 9 other readers, for 30-minute sessions. You'll be able to have lunch with individual authors. On Saturday evening, you'll choose one author with whom to share dinner at the "Dress Like Your Favorite Character" costume.

Hmmm... I need to decide on my costume. Decisions. Decisions.

On Friday night, there's the Dreamin' Dollars auction and Live entertainment. Lots of laughs.

A bookstore is provided, offering the work of the authors participating.

The "Man of Our Dreams" cover model competition is fun.

Raffle baskets, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity.

Free Goody Bags and Arizona Dreamin' t-shirts for everyone. I'll be picking up my third.

If you've any questions, please feel free to email me (address in the left hand column) or contact me on FB.

You can buy the ticket and attend the conference without staying at the hotel, or stay at the hotel and participate as much or as little as you like. It's a lovely location.

Quote

Veterans Day

Remembrance Day for the neighbors to the north and across the pond, as well as down under.

Thank you to all who serve. Because you served, I'm allowed the freedoms promised in the symbol of our country. Thank you to the families who support and love them. God bless.

Sharing Links...

Diane Gaston has been sharing a bit of her adventure to England this fall...
http://www.riskyregencies.com/2014/10/27/horse-guards/

Writers In The Storm shared a post on Point of View, otherwise known as POV. My first manuscript required a major overhaul when a couple of judges in a contest pointed out my difficulty. I hadn't been able to see it myself. I still stumble a bit, but I'm improving.
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/10/diving-deep-into-deep-point-of-view/

WITS also shared some good ideas for decluttering your cyber life:
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/11/nesting-for-writers/

May you be blessed.

Distraction from editing...

Wings to Fly is on the table for editing, so here's Saturday morning's sunrise:

Last Saturday...

Over at the Historical Romance Network, they asked we share pictures of ourselves reading a favorite romance novel...

I attempted to choose one, but of course, one thing led to another. Elizabeth Mansfield introduced me to Historical Romance, more particularly to Regency. Then a friend gave me Diane Gaston's "The Mysterious Miss M." I bought all her books, and Amazon suggested Ann Gracie's Perfect series and Elizabeth Rolls... And one thing led to another. #FallBackinTime Me in front of my favorite eatery. My writer's block always disappears at Pcroissant.

A better picture of the books, with my aromatherapy dog. :-)

Wordless