Indie Editing Chick Offer

I am so blessed. I get to read books as my day job. Okay, sometimes, when on a tight schedule, it can be really intense!

I've been running Indie Editing Chick for over a year now and have some amazing clients who send me some beautiful books. I feel so honoured to have played a part in several Amazon bestsellers.

I didn't even realise that I'd be good at editing because I find my own books need thorough editing before they go out there. But I think that's actually part of the reason I've become a successful editor - I know what it's like to be on the other end. I also know what it's like to have difficult editors who want to change your wording or voice, or those who don't bother to check your grammar and wording properly.

Editing other people's books has taught me so much about writing. It's taught me how to see a good story or a diamond in the rough. My favourite part is when I fix up a glaring inconsistency or character flaw in the story. I actually really like it when something needs a good fixing. 😊 It makes me feel useful. (I know, it's hard for the authors to sort out, but it's also a chance to make the book shine.)

Please pop around to my website to take a look at what services I provide at reasonable rates:

Indie Editing Chick

I'm offering a half-price proofread of a book of no more than 50K to one lucky person who comments on my blog or Facebook post.

Self-Love vs Self-Esteem

Growing up, we were often told the importance of self-esteem. Self-esteem is absolutely wonderful and we all need to learn more of it. We need to believe in ourselves and our strengths and abilities. But self-esteem isn't enough. There's more.

To be whole as human beings, we need to truly love and accept ourselves. Loving ourselves is one of the best ways to have a healthy mind and heart. As I've started to learn to love myself in a deep and transformative way, my life has blossomed. I've grown in happiness, peace, and confidence. I've become less judgmental of others as I've become more respectful and kind to myself.

So, I decided to write a book about it. My book Falling in Love with Me - 30 Days of Self-Love is now complete and has been sent to a publisher. It's a 30-day devotional for spiritual seekers. Thirty days of learning how to love yourself more. I'd love to give you a sneak peak from inside the unedited version:

Day 15 – Have Fun

I have this beautiful oracle card deck by Gabrielle Bernstein called “The Universe Has Your Back.” I read her book of the same title, and it touched me deeply, so I couldn’t resist getting the deck to remind me of the truths. Lately, I’ve been picking one of them frequently which states: The Universe Works Fast When I’m Having Fun.

That saying sounds like a lot of nonsense when you read it offhand. I mean, how do we get our dreams to manifest and save up for our future when we’re having fun? We need to work hard to make our dreams come true. Everything in life requires hard work.

Of course, hard work is important, but there’s a subtle truth in the saying which I’ve been pondering.

When we only think of our duty and all the things we need to do, when we forget to relax and enjoy our life, we become less and less effective. We lose touch with our intuitive, creative self. I don’t know about you, but the times I am least creative are when I’m overburdened and overly stressed. Creativity flourishes when we’re relaxed and having fun.

How do we have fun?

I know this sounds like a silly question, but honestly, as adults, it’s quite hard.

What do you enjoy?

When you’ve been ignoring your own needs for so long, this is a hard thing to know. Why don’t you go on a self-discovery journey to find out what you do enjoy? Take up some hobbies, try some creative projects—they don’t have to be elaborate. Join a group if you are energized by being around people. Do something in nature. The earth is very grounding and supportive and heals us emotionally.

I think the hardest thing for me was to lean into fun and relax. It takes time to find a rhythm. And hey, if you don’t have enough fun and you start to run yourself ragged, be easy on yourself. It’s a learning process. You’ll get there.

Try to emulate a child. Get in touch with your inner child—that innocent, free, uninhibited self. Children are fascinated with the world around them and they don’t feel guilty about enjoying simple things. Really, you don’t have to do anything huge and momentous to have fun. You could walk around the shops and check out purses or belts—buy a couple you like or even start a collection of snowglobes or postage stamps. You could watch a different series on Netflix. Or you could experiment with all the things you could do with a glue gun. Make origami with colorful papers or take the plunge at something radical like joining a dancing class or going parasailing.

It may take you months before you actually start to enjoy it. Hey, it may set you free straight away. Be patient with yourself. You just need to explore a part of The Universe you’ve ignored for so long in the name of being sensible and good and responsible. Like learning to ride a bicycle, you may not get it right straight away, but you’re getting out there (the proverbial there) and making an effort to get in sync with The Universe. You’re getting in sync with the way fun makes us change, makes us happy, and heals us. And teaches us to be stronger human beings.

Try to find things to do on your own too. If you have a partner, you may be tempted to only ever have fun when they’re around. As good and vital as this is for your relationship, it’s equally important, and in some ways, more important, to find that sweet spot alone. That thing you do for you and no one else.

We give a lot to those around us. It’s wonderful and beautiful.

Give to yourself too.

Find fun in everything you do—the mundane, the hard work, and the routine. Listen to your favorite podcast while doing chores or errands. Meditate while you do your workout at the gym. Listen to music.

Enjoy the journey of self-love too. Yes, it can be hard to face the lack of love we’ve had for ourselves for so many years, even our whole lives. Yes, it can mean a bit of shadow work, but it needs to be fun too. It needs to be exciting. It’s all part of the journey to getting there—to being in radical self-love mode. Falling in love with yourself is the dance of a beautiful, most perfect, life-altering romance. Maybe it’s not as outwardly noticeable to others as you don’t have a new beau on your arm, but that inward glow is bound to radiate somehow.

Daily Affirmation: I want to have more fun. I’m going to have more fun. I didn’t come to this planet just to learn hard lessons; I came to revel in the joy of being a human being. There is so much to explore. I learn best when I’m having fun, whether in work or play, whether in spiritual development or practical day-to-day. I was made for fun. I’m a master at discovering new ways to have fun.

The Patriarchy Poison of Fundamentalist Religion

Post below is 18+ only:

I am branching out on the non-fiction front and I plan to write more articles on my blog about real-life issues, especially along the lines of self-love and feminism, and possibly, environmentalism. These are things I'm passionate about, and I believe that I've been given a chance to speak my truth and to have a voice in the world. My opinions may be strong at times, but they are just opinions. Yes, they may change over time, but I believe they are part of my evolution and growth as a human being. I hope they can help some people to change their ideas and find healing.

I have deconstructed out of a religion that messed me up in so many ways. One of the ways was in my sexuality and womanhood. I respect those who have a spiritual practice and believe in the divine, and I don't want to discount their beliefs in any way, but I do want people to be careful of what they are taught in religious communities. They can be deeply harmful. The points that I want to address in this blog post refer to the effect that fundamentalist Christianity had on me as a woman (in the past).

We were taught several things as Christian women. I'm going to list the ideas below in bold and deconstruct them:

1. A woman leaves her father and mother and joins or becomes one with her husband.

We were taught that we were under the authority of our parents until we got married. When we married our Christian man, then he became our authority. He was our support, the one we were to look to for guidance and the one who was to ultimately make all the decisions in the home. We became one with him and were now under his spiritual leadership and umbrella. The basic idea was that our lives would now become complete once we married our good Christian man. He became our "lord", our everything.

As "romantic" as this may seem, it breeds codependency big time. Instead of teaching young women to become financially independent and to develop their own sense of self and autonomy, we're basically taught that we need our parents to tell us what to do and straight after that, we need a man to tell us what to do and make decisions for us. He becomes our "lord", our everything, instead of us learning to find ourselves as well-rounded and happy adults.

So, basically you become dependent on this man and when he leaves you, you're pretty much in deep trouble.

It also creates an imbalance in the marriage, where it's no longer a partnership of equal, adult, mature human beings, but an authoritarian hierarchy where the man is in charge and the woman must listen.

2. A woman is to submit to her husband and respect him. That's her wifely duty and Christian duty to God. Even if she doesn't agree with him, she must submit with gentleness and reverence.

As "beautiful" and "godly" as this may sound, it's also deeply flawed and dangerous. Sure, it's good to respect your partner, but when that respect is required of you, it's very different and scary. Respect is rather a mutual thing that both partners should enjoy from each other - something that comes from friendship and partnership, not subservience.

What happened in my marriage is that, in order to be this good Christian wife, I lost myself in the relationship. I gave up many of my needs and wants to make him happy. Or if I did put my needs first I felt so guilty about it. At first, I felt really good about my "goodness". Well, let's say I felt really good about my behaviour throughout most of the marriage. I felt good about being sacrificially kind toward him. But in the end, it didn't get me anywhere. He left me anyway. And, once I'd begun to heal from the divorce, I realized how much of my own power I'd given away to make him happy. How I'd bent over backwards for him oftentimes, at the expense of just saying no and taking time for myself. Yes, I fully blame myself. I gave my power away. But my actions were directly related to how I'd been taught in my religion to act as a woman.

What this idea also pushes is that women end up accepting abuse in the name of submission and "reverence". Then the woman can't get out of the relationship because she's supposed to be this good wife, who loves unconditionally forever, no matter what.

3. Masturbation or self-pleasure is wrong and is a doorway to lust.

So, we were told we shouldn't pleasure ourselves because it leads to fantasy about other men and therefore lust, which ultimately will lead to adultery.

This is total codswallop.

On so many levels.

Firstly, not getting to know my own body, away from the relationship and even before the marriage, made it harder for me to navigate the sexual side of our relationship because I didn't know my likes and dislikes, at all. I was taught to be ashamed of my needs. I was a stranger to my own body.

Secondly, self-pleasure does not lead to lust. It enhances self-love and self-discovery. In fact, it actually reduces lust because your sexual needs are met.

Thirdly, it puts a strain on another person to meet all your sexual needs, which leads to...

4. As partners in a marriage, we must never say no to sex, unless it's to fast from food. 

Yes, this is actually in the bible. The only time we were allowed to say no to our partners is if we were fasting from food or very ill. Or upon doctor's orders, like after having a baby.

And because we were told that men had higher sex drives than us and only felt loved by their wives if they were given sex, we basically felt that we couldn't say no - that it was the worst thing we could ever do to our husbands. (It also makes a man think that he must only get sex to find love, but I strongly believe men are much more well-rounded than that.)

I was told at a lady's group once that I'd better give my husband sex whenever he wanted it, else he would eventually have affairs and leave me for someone else.

So, you'd better give your husband sex. All the time. Whenever he wants. If you don't, it's your fault if he cheats on you. (I was even asked by some Christian ladies after my divorce if I'd made my husband happy in bed. They basically implied that it was my fault he cheated on me.)

This idea needs some serious deconstruction.

For one, no one else is responsible for our sexual fulfilment. We are the ones who are responsible for our own bodies and pleasure. It is just wrong to place this burden on another human being. If your partner is not meeting your sexual needs, yes, it would be wise to communicate this problem in a loving way, but if they can't oblige for some reason, a compromise needs to be reached. If your partner has a lower sex drive than you, then you should find your own way of meeting those needs without comprising the integrity of the relationship. Cue in the self-pleasure thing. (Yes, you won't die without sex. Many single people survive, or actually thrive for years without sex.)

Sex is supposed to be a gift. It's something we offer our partners because we love them. It's not something that they should demand or that we owe them. And women thrive on the pleasure just as much as men.

For two, not being able to say no puts a damper on the sex drive. It makes sex an obligation and a means to keep someone happy. That's not a great way to fuel passionate love. Sure, if the couple agree mutually to work on that side of their relationship, to improve frequency - wonderful. But as soon as it becomes one partner's duty to keep the relationship going by being some type of sex-slave, something is seriously out of balance.

Thirdly, this whole mindset is fear-based. It creates a dynamic of insecurity and possessiveness in the relationship which doesn't enhance love.

Importantly, it teaches us to put our partners needs above our own, constantly. This is very unhealthy for a person's well-being and a relationship. It will eventually lead to resentment or dis-empowerment.

I remember how I always felt like I couldn't go to sleep without my partner in case he wanted sex that night. When he used to stay up really late at one stage, it was exhausting. I could never just relax in bed at night. It was always my wifely duty to wait up for him, just in case. Eventually, it became too exhausting to live like this.

And lastly, it made us think that we had to go with whatever our partner wanted in bed. This is a scary thing and can lead to abusive situations where a woman accepts things that she doesn't enjoy. That doesn't enhance the relationship and leads to resentment. It also weakens the woman and makes her unable to express her needs and say no. It enables men to always dominate and encourages narcissism and abuse.

Patriarchy is often a subtle thing. Be careful if your religion teaches things that dis-empower women, wrapping it up in flowery spiritual language and self-sacrificial urgings which can appeal to people who have a yearning to be good and faithful to their faith. When women are dis-empowered, men suffer too. Relationships suffer and so do families and communities. Women and men are equal. Yes, we are different and we should embrace those differences, but in a relationship, we should be equal partners who love and respect each other - individuals who are entitled to say no and entitled to time out and space and being selfish sometimes.

One of the Main Reasons I Don't Write Erotic Romance Anymore & Was Never Really Good at It

18+ only. Please don't proceed further if you're under 18.

I want to share something that I deem very important for the well-being of the females on this planet. What I write below may not resonate with you, and that's fine. I write this to help people and in no way to judge anyone else and the path that works for them. Everyone is an individual and has their own story, and that's what's so beautiful about being on this big blue and green orb - we get to learn from each other and learn to be tolerant with each other.

Something happened after the sexual revolution of the 60s - women were liberated. And men. Women were suddenly allowed to enjoy sex. And explore their sexuality. What a wonderful thing!

Then pornography happened (or maybe it had always been there). I don't know exactly when pornography started up, but I suppose it grew more with the advent of the internet. Before it was just those magazines teen boys used to slot under their mattresses. Now it's full-on videos of the act. People got access to finding out about sex without having to read dry literature or ask their elders (blush, blush). Soon after e-books came out. Erotic romance was written and published, and read, long before Fifty Shades of Grey caught the world alight.

I'm not a fan of pornography and will give my reasons below. But with regards to erotic romance, there is much good in it. I find romance is pure feminism. It shows us ladies that we are meant to be loved, pampered, and pleasured. We are important and we don't just exist for the purpose of our husbands' sexual pleasure. We are to be honoured and pleasured too. Nor are we here just to propagate the human race. Erotic romance can put a woman in the mood and can show her what a good lover is all about. But...

I used to hate reading it sometimes because it made me feel like such a failure as a woman. I always struggled with multiple orgasms, and didn't really like a lot of the things that instantly worked for other women. It was made out to me by the books and my partner that there was something inherently wrong with me. When I took up writing erotic romance books (under a pseudonym), more to please him than myself, although I was curious about the genre, I tried to bring some realism into them. That backfired. My books didn't sell well at all. I struggled so much to write the genre. It was like wading through thick vegetable soup. I wasn't idealistic enough. And seeing it was a reflection of my real life, I wasn't sexy enough. I was just poop as a woman. Because our womanhood is totally based on how sexually acquiescent we are. (Sarcasm siren going off, big time.)

But when my relationship fell apart, a seed got planted in my psyche that maybe I wasn't the problem after all. That maybe it had to do with unrealistic expectations.

And since then I've read and heard of several things about the dangers of pornography. It's not like I've actively gone looking for this info, although at times I've tried. It's just popped up, as though my eyes have been opened and as though The Universe wants to assure me that I am wonderfully created and good enough just as I am.

Pornography is not based on real relationships and real sexuality; it's done according to a standard system, and the women are chosen according to a certain look (not just in their shape but also in their more intimate visuals). A lot of the time, these women hate their jobs and do it for the money and not for pleasure. It often objectifies women, revealing them as merely objects of pleasure and not human beings with moods and different tastes. (I'm sure it does the same for men but that's not what this article is about.) It shows seamless orgasms, without any issues, and need for patience and communication, and taking time to discover your partner. And MOST OF ALL, it doesn't represent the sexual tastes of the whole population.

And I'm afraid to admit that erotic romance sometimes does this too. Yes, it shows things from a woman's POV, how she gets pleasured. It helps us ladies know that we do deserve pleasure and a good man to give that to us. But it also often shows women who always have multiple orgasms, always orgasm (and in a violent, life-changing way every time), and always have every single need and desire met perfectly with every sexual encounter they have with their partners.

This sets up the stage for very unrealistic expectations.

But it's fantasy, you say.

Sure, it's fantasy, and if you can just see it that way and not let it influence your own relationship with your partner or with yourself as a human being, great, and good for you. But if it in any way makes you feel unworthy and inadequate as a woman, there is something intrinsically harmful about it for you. And if it makes your partner unhappy with you and messes up your relationship, because they have unrealistic expectations of you, then it's not healing womankind at all.

Today, I heard a podcast of an interview with feminist and sexuality educationalist, Melissa Fabello http://www.melissafabello.com/ https://summerinnanen.com/117/

The biggest thing I got out of the podcast was that not all women like multiple orgasms (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sexual_response_cycle) and not all of them have bigger-than-life experiences when they orgasm - for some it's just a simple feeling of satisfaction. Also, every one likes different things and it doesn't make you a bad or un-sexy person because you don't like certain things. It's not like your body is deliberately choosing to spite your partner. Sometimes, in erotic romance, the women seem to like everything. Every single thing. And the partners seem to instinctively know what they like without asking. I'm not criticizing the authors as you can't write a sex scene with stumbling and with a woman saying, "No, please don't do that. It's not nice." Because that wouldn't be very swoon-worthy to read. But hey, it would be really nice if someone could write a book like that one day - how a relationship actually wasn't perfect in the beginning, but the couple learned to communicate and work with mutual pleasure in a loving, patient, and understanding way. To me that would be the most romantic erotic romance ever!

That said, there are many amazing, beautiful, touching erotic romances that I read in my day job which I wouldn't want to change at all. I just want women to learn more about themselves and educate themselves so they are more able to love themselves and have healthy relationships with their partners. Melissa recommends this book, which I'm quite keen on reading. I can't vouch for it. https://www.amazon.com/Come-You-Are-Surprising-Transform

I'd love to hear your comments.

New Writing Direction

If anyone has been following my blog and Facebook posts, they'll know that I've struggled with writer's block for the last two years or so. My painful divorce only served to exacerbate it, especially my ability to write romance. I managed to write one romance - Cat Therapy - a story I adore, but for some reason I'm struggling to find a home for it. I know I will eventually, but it's been a struggle.

The biggest thing with writer's block, I think, is that you start to write from your head instead of your heart and the story no longer flows. That has been what's been happening, except for Cat Therapy and one short story I wrote.

Yet, a totally different genre has started to happen for me. I'm writing about something that is close to my heart and which I'm passionate about. Maybe it's just for a season, but this book is flowing. I'm letting it flow from my intuition and I'm just writing. I still suffer from self-doubt, but I'm just going with the flow and letting it happen.

Here is an except from my book, The 30-Day Self-Love Devotional for Spiritual Seekers.

It's not a religious book and will appeal to spiritual people and those of all faiths.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/stack-of-love-wooden-blocks-810036/

Day 1

Put Yourself First

Just this once. Try it.

I’m a busy mom. I’m a single, working, homeschooling mom. This is an almost impossibility, yet it’s about survival. But more than that—it’s radical thriving.

I’m not saying you must drop all your responsibilities and go on a twenty-day tour all over Europe, spending every last cent of your savings, forgetting about the attention your son needs with his schooling for the next few months.

No, I’m saying, think of your needs for a change.

Take time out to do something just for you.

Something you love.

But don’t stress about it having to be something perfect. It doesn’t have to make you euphoric. It may even frustrate you because you’re trying so hard to enjoy yourself.

Do it anyway.

Do it often. Spend a few moments every day doing something you love, whether it’s reading that latest Mills and Boon, chilling in front of Netflix with your favorite series, or cooking up that batch of double-choc biscuits that you want to imbibe several all in one go of with your favorite caffe latte. Use a gorgeous coffee mug and your favorite plate.

Or go outside on a warm summer’s night, set up a beach towel on the grass, and stare at the stars. Even if you’re in the city, you’ll still see a few from your window.

Pamper yourself.

I’m not saying splurging so that your finances cause you stress; I’m saying treat yourself to something so lovely and romantic—albeit small and simple—fulfil that longing that you have to be loved, adored, and cherished. Do it to yourself. Even if you have a fantastic partner, find the time to give yourself this gift today. Pleasure yourself. Revel in it. Find what you enjoy.

But by all means, splurge if you can. If you wish.

And the greatest gift you can give is to make it a habit from now on.

Sure, you’ll have some difficult days when you don’t get a chance. That’s not for you to feel guilty about. Accept it and plan to do it the next day. We all have very busy days at times or days that hit us hard with challenges and experiences that leave us dry and battered. It would be wonderful if you could pamper yourself on those days too, because it would restore you a bit, but if you can’t, no stress.

Be your own best friend.

Be your lover.

Daily Affirmation: I am wholly loved and adored by The Universe. I am worth receiving everything good. I am worthy to be cherished and pampered. I am a vessel of pure love to myself and the world.

Introducing Zaheera Walker and Her New Novel - Desecrated

Today, I want to welcome fellow South African writer, Zaheera Walker, who is spotlighting her new women's fiction novel, Desecrated. This book is packed with raw emotion! It also highlights the horrors of violence against woman. I had the privilege of being the editor for this amazing work. Note: it is 18+ and tread carefully if you are a sensitive reader.

Blurb:

Rosina Khan has scars on her heart – a secret from her past. Risking everything she makes a run for her life – fleeing Johannesburg for Durban. Welsh-born cardiologist Dylan Evans is in town for two reasons, to care for a patient and to heal his broken heart. Dinner is on his mind and he needs a date – nothing more. Just one fleeting moment under the moonlight is enough for Rosina to fall chin-first for his propriety and charm. Dylan can’t stop thinking about her once home in the UK and takes a chance at love again. They meet up for a getaway in Cape Town. Their flirtatious game of pretend comes to an end. This is real! They were destined to be together by the Fates but one thing stands in the path of their happiness – Tradition. The family Rosina ran from insists she marry her own kind. They desecrated her past and now they intend on destroying her future too. Rosina is in conflict - be a good daughter or stay true to her own heart. It took a heart whisperer to heal her heart from all the trauma; the choice should be easy. The problem with life is the path to happiness is rarely obstacle-free.

Short Excerpt:

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul, that

makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts

and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give

you forever.”

Then, I fold the paper and tuck it into my pocket.

This is it. The moment I waited for since forever.

“Rosina, meeting you was no mistake. You remind me of

an unexpected blossom in the cesspit of life, a tough yet

tender flower. I did not know what it was like to feel love

until I met you. You have made my eyes smile since that

evening under the moonlight. You have enchanted me,

you have challenged me without knowing it and you have

made me believe in love again. You have showed me that

the gentleness of a woman still exists. My heart skips a

beat whenever you are near. You are my forever friend,

my confidant and a big part of my life. You are the

woman to my man. My Cinderella. With every part of

me, I will love and cherish you. I will protect you and

with my flesh I will honour you. I will support and

encourage you to be all that you can and want to be. I am

so proud to take this journey of love with you.”

About the Author:

Zaheera Walker is a self-published South African author of contemporary romance. In addition, she is the author of DEADLINE, a romantic suspense set in her hometown Durban as well as Beautiful Chaos. Her goals in life are simple – to inspire people to turn their dreams into reality, to write stories that others are too afraid to talk about and to never be on a flight that loses its black box. Follow her blog www.daretobedifferentsite.wordpress.com or drop her an e-mail at zaheera.zn@gmail.com 

Buy Link:

Amazon

By the Way, Check This Out if You're in Joburg:

Desecration is being launched on Saturday, 24 February 2018 at the Palm Continental Hotel in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

Spotlight - Mission Trip, Genesis and Exodus

Today, I want to welcome fellow Clean Reads author, John Theo Jr. He is putting the spotlight on his Christian Dystopian Novel. The book releases on the 9 January!

Mission Trip, Genesis and Exodus

By
John Theo Jr.

Can an imprisoned son and a redeemed technocrat rescue humanity?

Blurb: 

Mission Trip, Genesis and Exodus is the sequel to Mission Trip. In 2077 Doctor Kyle Faison remains trapped on the west coast of New America with a group of villagers he came to help. His father, Landon, races from their hidden underwater city to rescue his son. When Kyle goes missing, Landon tracks him to the city of New Sacramento, where a charismatic leader holds him captive. Landon must find a way past an army of soldiers to reach Kyle before the onset of another nuclear war.

The origin of the underwater city known as the Atoll is revealed in a prequel flashback woven throughout the story. In 2040, technocrat Josiah Saunders has wealth and power and invests much of his resources into life extension technology. He ruins countless lives trying to reach this goal. The combination of a hostile takeover by his competitor, and a failed assassination attempt, send Josiah fleeing into the subway system of New York where he is attacked and left for dead. The narcissistic man soon realizes God has other plans for him, but first he must be broken and rebuilt as a new creature.

About the Author:

John Theo, Jr. has published numerous articles in New England based newspapers and magazines, and has taught screenwriting at the college level. Mission Trip, Genesis and Exodus is his fifth fiction novel and the sequel to 2016’s Mission Trip (Clean Reads Press). John holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, MA. For more information on John check out www.johntheo.com.

Social Media Links for John:

Website: www.johntheo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_tXTp-mEENYHe2Ex3LJeXg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=john%20theo&src=typd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=579062130


You can find the book trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1LBjsWLBbY

Excerpt:

The next morning, an explosion woke Josiah from his light sleep. The building moved slightly.

“Open daylight,” he said, throwing aside the silk sheets.

The tinted windows in the penthouse bedroom cleared, revealing the gray early morning skyline of New York. Nothing looked different. Had he dreamed of the explosion? A moment later, flaming debris flittered down outside the windows. Josiah’s stomach dropped, as if following the debris toward the street below.

The speaker on his data pad chirped. “Coming up to get you.” It was Ross. “We're under attack. This isn’t a drill.”

Josiah panicked for a moment before he remembered all the reinforcements and safety measures the building had. It would withstand multiple attacks from a varied assortment of artillery and biological warfare. But why hadn't the alarms kicked in? He threw on a pair of dress pants, shoes, and a sweater, and grabbed his tablet. He wasn’t going to wait for Ross. Before Josiah left the apartment, he glanced one last time out the living room window. There were two sparks of light a few miles in the distance. Trails of smoke followed the flashes through the early morning skyline.

The tablet in his hand spoke in a calm male voice. “Warning. Incoming rockets.”

Author Interview and Spotlight - Pravina Maharaj

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome fellow writer friend and Durbanite Pravina Maharaj to my blog. I had the privilege of being the editor for her debut full-length novel.

Do you enjoy murder mysteries? Well, Pravina has written an amazing, gripping murder mystery / romance. (I'm really impressed by her ability to intertwine a complex mystery plot with a well-developed romance at the same time. Not an easy feat, I'm sure.)

I'm putting the spotlight on her book, Angel of Ice, and I've also interviewed her. This is her debut full-length so she's very excited and nervous too, I'm sure. She's also one of the authors who took part in the anthology for charity - Second Chances.

Blurb:

A blond female was lying facedown, at the feet of an angel toward the rear of the stage, her arms and legs sprawled out. Laura glimpsed one half of the woman’s face. Her blue eyes were open and glazed, her frosted lips parted slightly. An ice pick was lodged in her left shoulder blade. Scarlet blood stained the white ice.

When PI, Nick Holt is hired by wealthy industrialist Reginald Baxter to find out who murdered his granddaughter Cindy Capwell, in the small town of Edenville, the last thing he needs is a meddling florist to distract him with her alluring beauty.

Laura Fenwick is determined to figure out who killed her friend and insists on aiding Nick in his investigation. In the pursuit of the killer, passion explodes between them, and Laura realizes a danger far greater than trapping a killer: it’s having her heart captured by a man who doesn’t believe in love.

Angel of Ice is a keep-you-on-your-toes suspense and romance. The romance is deep and hot, the plot complex and well-paced, and the characters will keep you glued to the pages. You’ll try to solve the puzzle along with PI Nick Holt and Laura Fenwick.

Buy Links:

Amazon
Kobo Books
Barnes and Noble
Ibooks

Author Bio and Interview:

Pravina Maharaj is a radio producer living in Durban, South Africa. When not scripting radio shows, she loves writing short fiction and passionate contemporary romance. Her debut romance novel is Angel Of Ice.

She loves hearing from listeners - connect with her online:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PravinaMaharajAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pravinamaharaj8

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pravinamaharaj/

Blog: https://chaptersofmyworld.wordpress.com

What is the best thing for you about being a writer?

That I get to create different worlds and characters. And I get to direct the events that will unfold in the lives of these characters. Although some characters tend to veer off in a different direction from what I planned. Things certainly get interesting when that happens!

What is the hardest thing for you about being a writer?

It is finding the time to write! I have a day job as a radio producer and it’s a challenge to juggle work, family and personal commitments with my writing. I find I have to carve out some time each day to devote to my writing or I will lag behind on my projects.

What genre/s do you write and what genre is your latest release?

I’ve always read more romance and occasionally mystery and thrillers. So I started out writing romance. Angel of Ice is a romantic suspense and I loved the challenge of blending romance with mystery. I had fun mixing up the genres.

What essential things have you learned about writing in the last year?

I had done a novel writing course a few years ago and whilst working on Angel of Ice, I found myself really getting to grips with the key elements that make up a novel and putting it all into practice. From plotting, to characterisation, to creating atmosphere, writing convincing dialogue and point of view which I found particularly tricky. And then there was creating conflict and also ensuring that the motivations of the primary characters was strong enough to carry the story through.

Who is your favourite heroine from your books and why?

I would have to say it is Laura Fenwick my heroine in Angel Of Ice. She is strong, independent, brave and she certainly knows how to take care of herself. She also is grounded in her feminine power and her creativity and passionate nature round her off perfectly.

What type of hero do you like? Super alpha, wounded or somewhere in between? Or even something totally different? You could give an example from a movie or well-known book.

I think definitely somewhere in between. I like a hero to be a bit arrogant, to have a commanding presence but also to have a vulnerable spot that just makes him more human or which can show off his tender and sensitive side. I think my ultimate alpha hero would be Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy from Pride & Prejudice.

Tell us about your journey in writing this book.

Angel of Ice actually started out as a short story for YOU magazine. As I wrote it, I suddenly realised that a short story couldn’t do justice to Nick and Laura’s romance. So it evolved into a full length novel. Along the way, I had to research forensic details and also speak to a medical professional regarding the autopsy scenes etc. I’m a huge fan of forensic TV shows such as CSI and Bones etc. So it was a good challenge to write about a murder mystery and add in all the little details to make it convincing. 

Tell us three quirky or interesting things about yourself.

1. I like talking to angels and I do angel card readings. My favourite angel is Archangel Michael who I call upon daily for protection and guidance

2.  I’m vegetarian

3.  I’m a huge animal lover. I have four dogs Ria, Leo, Snowy and Jasper and an African Grey Parrot named Sage. They basically rule my house!

What rituals do you use to help you focus or get the words down on the page e.g. music or a snack?

I practice a technique called Right Brain writing which was taught to me by Felicity Keats Morrison. And I listen to classical music – my favourite is Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

Mention something unique about your books and your writing style.

I try to write the kind of books I enjoy reading. Which is fast-paced, with engaging characters and an interesting plot with a couple of twists and turns along the way. My writing style is in the mode of contemporary romance novelists.

What book would you like to work on next?

I actually have a completed novel which I am going to be sending out to publishers in the new year. It’s part of a series featuring three Indian brothers living in America. While I await feedback from publishers about the first book, I’m going to start writing book two in the series.

Spotlight and Review of A Marchioness Below Stairs

Today, I want to welcome my writer friend, Alissa, to my blog. Her Regency romance is now out! I had the privilege of reading and reviewing it before it even came out on pre-order!

A MARCHIONESS BELOW STAIRS

A Regency Romance

About the Book

Escaping from Bath and the news that her former love is about to marry another, Isabel, the young widowed Marchioness of Axbridge, accepts an invitation to her cousin’s house party. Yet, instead of finding respite, she stumbles into a domestic crisis of majestic proportions: The kitchen servants have succumbed to the influenza.

If that weren’t bad enough, her former sweetheart arrives with his fiancée, seeking shelter from the increasingly hazardous snow storm. Trapped inside Chernock Hall with a volatile mix of house guests, including abolitionists and slave owners, Isabel wishes she could hide below stairs for the duration. But, alas, she cannot. While helping in the kitchen, Isabel is cornered by her cousin’s disreputable friend, Marcus Bateman, who challenges and provokes her at every turn.

At last, the storm subsides. However, the avalanche of repercussions cannot be undone. Caught in the grip of the terrible winter of 1813, will Isabel’s greatest threat come from the weather, her abolitionist views, or from falling in love again?

If you love traditional Regency romances, you'll adore A Marchioness Below Stairs.

About the Author

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance, The Dashing Debutante, during her long university holidays. After travelling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency romance, Lord Fenmore’s Wager, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England. Also the author of two contemporary romances, Send and Receive and The Blog Affair, Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons.

About the Publisher

Founded in 2007, Regency Reads specializes in Regency and Georgian era romances. In addition to publishing new titles, Regency Reads offers an extensive catalog of previously (paper) published fiction in the form of ebooks. We provide ebooks in ePub, PRC/Mobi, and PDF – all the formats you need to enjoy these classics on the device of your choice.

A Marchioness Below Stairs

By Alissa Baxter

On Sale: November 15, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-947812-00-0

Regency Reads | 181 pages | $5.00

Buy Links:

Amazon

My Review:

The story is about Isabel, a widow from a stifling arranged marriage, who wishes to remain single and maintain her independence. But she can't ignore the handsome reformed rake, Lord Bateman. Through a series of adventures and mishaps she finds herself in due to her fiery spirit, Isabel discovers Lord Bateman to be different from any man she's known.

I've never really enjoyed Regency stories, but I was keen to give this one a try as I enjoy Alissa's writing. I wasn't disappointed. I didn't feel bogged down by the language and manners in this book; instead I was quite fascinated by the lifestyle and ways portrayed in this lovely novel. It was written in an interesting and compelling way.

Although this was predominantly a romance, I felt it was more than that. The story spoke about a strong woman who stood up for her truth and freedom, and fought for justice and human rights. I thoroughly enjoyed the rich history in this book and how the heroine was a woman beyond her time. The book was infused with some tension and suspense too.

To top it off, the hero wasn't bad either.

He Completes Me

I hope Elric2012 doesn't mind me copying this from Deviant Art.
What a beautifully crafted Strength card - from his tarot deck that he's creating.
https://elric2012.deviantart.com/art/The-Strength-Card-REVISED-175917651

So, this guy befriends me on my author Facebook account. My privacy settings are much lower on that account, because I use it to promote my books, and I don't want to turn people away. I accepted his friend request. Then he starts messaging me and asking me personal questions. He lives in a country in Northern Africa. I ask him what he wants, stressing that I don't do long-distance relationships. Really, how can you get to know someone who you never see and when you do see them, it's just for a holiday? You don't get to see them in real life, how they respond to situations, and how they get on with friends and family. It freaks me out! That's why I don't do these things.

I've heard of so many people being scammed through a man who messages them on Facebook or a dating site. He romances them with flattery and romantic words, then asks for money so he can fly to their country and visit them. Some women actually send the men money and then find out it was a scam. I heard a story recently about a total jerk who managed to convince a woman to fly over to his country to meet him (they'd actually met previously but briefly) and then told her it was a joke - a bet he'd made with his friends that he could get a really ugly woman to do his bidding! She was devastated, as you can imagine.

Back to my situation: this online man gets upset with me and accuses me of being racist because I wasn't interested in chatting. I stressed again that I'm not interested and that it's nothing to do with race, but because it would never work and how can he want me so much if he knows nothing about me? He responds with a message, saying he really wants to come and visit me and build a life with me! Sigh... I just ignored him and I've unfriended him.

It makes me think of how desperate women can get for a man that they will get taken by these fellows. Ladies, we don't need a man. They enhance our lives (if they're good men); they don't complete us. Really, we need to find our happiness in ourselves first.

As a writer and editor of romantic fiction, I now have an aversion to books where the woman is now complete when she finds her "perfect" man. What utter crud! We are whole and complete on our own. Yes, having a partner to share our lives with is beautiful and wonderful, but if we tap into God's love and love ourselves enough, that big, gaping emotional hole won't be there. And then we won't feel desperate to fill it with the first guy that comes along. And then get used and abused along the way.

So, in the meantime, while I wait for that moment when I meet the right man, I'm working on filling up that hole and loving, respecting, and appreciating myself. Validating myself! Wahoo!

We're powerful creatures - women. We don't have to give away our power to anyone. Tame the beast like in the picture above!

Tiny Buddha is brimming over with wisdom, as always. I love this article:

https://tinybuddha.com/blog/why-loving-yourself-means-never-saying-you-complete-me/

Merlin

I don't know if you've ever watched a movie or series and it's deeply impacted you in some way. Well, I couldn't keep quiet about the BBC Merlin series any longer. Last night, we watched the final two episodes of the series. I was deeply emotional for hours afterwards. This series is seriously one of the best things I have ever watched. It comes on par with the Harry Potter books (because although watching the Harry Potter movies was great, I already knew what was going to happen). 

The series is about a young man, Merlin, who takes on the position as servant of Prince Arthur. He's a sorcerer and magic is forbidden in the land. Sorcerers are punished with the death sentence, so Merlin must keep his magical abilities, given to him from birth, a secret. But he certainly uses them constantly (and somehow secretly) to save Arthur's life because he believes Arthur will bring peace and prosperity to Camelot one day.

Please proceed with caution due to possible spoilers:

Firstly, there is a strong "gospel" message in the story. King Arthur epitomises the true and just king who wants to bring peace into the world. He often shows mercy to people who don't deserve it and he often chooses peace over war. His willingness to give his life for his people shows the true heart of God. I wouldn't say he always does it as he is human and flawed, but the contrast between him and his father Uther remind me of the fundamentalist view of God as opposed to the Christ-like view of a loving God who never sends people to eternal hell or kills whole nations, as some people interpret from the Bible. Merlin is also a lot like Jesus - the most powerful sorcerer (miracle-worker) who ever lived, but the one with the true servant's heart who never wants any credit for the many times he saves the lives of others. 

Secondly, they somehow got me so invested in the character and stories that I can't stop thinking about it and I became deeply attached to the characters. That is the mark of a true story - brilliantly crafted, where you are taken into their world and feel like you're a part of it. I have not seen anything like it on TV.

The inner character and metal of the main characters are great for young people to watch (and also adults) to show us what a true hero looks like. It's feel-good, moral, and yet real and funny at the same time.

I think they chose great actors for the series. I just love Merlin. I love Colin Morgan - the very Irish young man they chose for the part. What I like is he looks like a real everyday person and not a Hollywood cut-out doll. Oh, and those piercing blue eyes that look right into your soul!! Arthur is cute as a button, and Bradley James suits the part perfectly. I love the chemistry between Arthur and Merlin. I think the fact that the two actors were good friends helped bring that chemistry into the show. They really worked well together. I love that they chose a lady of colour for Guinevere. And Angel (yes, that's her name) is perfect for the role. And who doesn't love a cleverly thought-up villain (or should we say villainness?) Morgana had her reasons for turning bad and although not excusable, we see the pain that has brought her to that point.

I highly recommend you watch the series. It's long, but you won't regret it. If you're a fantasy nut like me and obsessed with dragons and magic (like me) you won't be disappointed. 😊

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/six-reasons-you-should-watch-bbcs-merlin

If you want to learn more about the series and see a few pics, this is a good article:

https://roboheartbeat.com/2013/01/23/why-merlin-is-one-of-my-favorite-fantasy-shows/

The Forest by Krista Wagner

Today I want to welcome fellow Clean Reads author, Krista Wagner, who is sharing about her new middle-grade / young adult fantasy release, The Forest. This book looks amazing.

Blurb:

The Forest is a middle-grade/young adult fantasy about a bullied high school boy who encounters a life-changing mystery inside of a magical forest. In the sequel to her middle-grade fantasy The Gold, Krista Wagner fast-forwards seven years to show us what has become of Shane Smith, the fifth-grade bully from The Gold. Tired of his dad's abuse and his teacher's mistreatment, Shane takes a walk inside of a forest. Little does he know that the forest contains mysteries that will forever change things for him. Will he be ready to face the sudden shift in his world?

When abused Shane escapes to the forest, he encounters a miraculous mystery.

Mini Excerpt: 

He didn't like not understanding things; it made him feel stupid, and it only confirmed his dad's verdict that he would never amount to anything worthwhile.  Huffing out of frustration, he moved forward until the edge of his shoe touched the brink of the forest. He was going to show his dad that he was somebody.

Reader Reviews:

The Forest is well crafted, and passionately told story about Shane, and the many issues he faces growing up. The attention to detail weaves a rich tapestry that embraces the reader, taking us from the harsh reality of abusive adults to the mystical, alluring forest with ease. The issues Shane faces will be familiar to many youth, and I'm sure they will connect with this well written story. It will be well-received by young adults across the globe.--Susan Day

In this YA Fantasy novel, The Forest, Krista Wagner entertains, informs, and encourages her readers once again! This story, a sequel to her previous work, The Gold, follows seventeen year old Shane Smith into a tumultuous life of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father. Shane’s authentic anxiety and hopelessness is immediately transferred to the reader, as well as the peace, joy, healing, and renewal that he finds in the forest. Wagner’s fearless ability to tackle extremely heavy subjects with skillful and open dialogue is a hallmark of her writing. This is a beautifully written book that will fill the reader with a confident hope. Turn the page. “The Forest” awaits!!--Karen Wiser

The Backstory:

In my MG fantasy The Gold, ten-year old Amanda Greene is constantly teased by her classmate. Shane the bully. I thought it would be interesting to see what becomes of him and if he ever learns from the choices he makes.

About the Author:                                                                                                  

Krista Wagner is a 70's product best known for her spiritual suspense and fictional realism. In addition to being a recipient of the Reader's Favorite 5-star seal, she has been praised by award-winning screenwriter Sean Paul Murphy for her writing skill and strong plotting. Wagner holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is an English associate instructor with an indispensable faith in Christ.

I'm also a 70's product. 😏 Congrats on your awards!!

Buy Link:

Amazon 

Social Media Links: https://www.facebook.com/kristawagnerofficial/

https://twitter.com/IntentBook04

https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Author Website:

http://kristawagner.wixsite.com/author

Book Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31XP-6C1jm0&list=UUIP3D2rpG2iy5zqU96vNtCA&index=13

Great News

I've been working hard to write a gift for my readers. It started off as a short Halloween story and ended up being close to novella size. It's a good thing as I've had writer's block for so long, but this story flowed! I loved the feeling.

Blurb:

Susanna's dreamed of visiting Tuscany, Italy her whole life, but she's not so enthusiastic when her travel agent boss sends her on a tour to the province at the last minute, just before Halloween. When Susanna joins Ghostly Tours, she can't ignore the handsome blue-eyed American, Shane. Nor can she resist engaging with the blue-eyed ghost who visits her and pampers her at night - a ghost who looks too much like the man she sees during the day. Soon she realizes that Shane is more than a stranger, but rather someone she's known for a long time, way longer than her current lifetime. The two share a history steeped in hurt; this very history keeps Shane from embracing his humanity and stops Susanna from finding her true purpose in life. Are they destined to destroy each other's destinies? Or does the love they share transcend the past?

You can download it here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/756209