Becalmed and Cooking Up Love -- Two Great Reads from Two Great Author Friends!

I am so excited to share news two of my favorite author friends have had their books come out this month. And I've had the privilege of reading both.

Becalmed by Normandie Fischer

 I already gave a strong pitch for this book on my Facebook Page this morning. I cannot say enough about this story. I took it to bed with me every night to read before lights out. I've not had time to read much during the day this summer, but knowing I had the book with its delicious characters waiting for me at bedtime, kept me looking forward to turning in.

If you love sailing, you will enjoy this book. But you don't need to know anything about the sport. Just enjoy the ride as you sail out to sea with Tadie (it rhymes wih Sadie) the heroine. But Tadie's sail hits some rough seas when she encounters Will, the hero. He's a widower with the cutest little redheaded daughter named Jilly. She's a bit precocious, but not obnoxiously so.

It's easy to see Tadie and Will are made for each other, but they're both too blinded by life to notice. How in the world will they ever get together?

I'm not going to tell you, but I will say reading this book is like enjoying a lazy hazy trip to the Carolinas and settling back with a glass of sweet tea and one of Tadie's cookies.

I was sure sorry when I read the last page. Not because of a dissatisfying ending, but because I had to say good-bye to the characters I'd come to love so much.

Watch out for Normandie Fischer. She's a new fiction author we haven't seen the last of. I'm already chomping at the bit for her next book. You can get it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, both on line, and at many of your favorite bookstores.

Cooking Up Love by Cynthia Hickey

 I first read Cynthia's new book when she submitted it to our critique group. I read the first three chapters, and then couldn't wait for her to send more. It's a fun romance that also teaches the reader about the Harvey Girls. I'd heard of Fred Harvey restaurants that used to be scattered around the U.S. before all the fast food restaurants took over. People knew that when you ate at a Fred Harvey you would get good food at a great price.

What I didn't know was that for many years Fred Harvey fed multitudes of train passengers as they rode the rails, crisscrossing the U.S. The trains would stop to refuel and while they were doing that, the passengers would file into a clean comfortable restaurant to dine on food they'd already selected from a menu earlier during the train ride. Everything had to be done precisely and quickly as the train had a schedule to keep.

Harvey Girls were held to strict rules which included no fraternizing with fellow employees of the opposite sex.  Tabitha McClelland knows this, but wouldn't you know that on her train ride to begin training as a Harvey Girl she meets handsome Fred Harvey chef, Adam Foster. Well, she doesn't have any intention of getting involved with a man, so no loss. She wants to travel and live an exciting life.

Adam is falling hard for Tabby and isn't going to take no for an answer. Other girls are angling for Adam's attention when the head waitress, Miss O'Connor (whom I picured looking a bit like O'Brian, the maid on Downton Abby) while all Adam wants is Tabby.

Adam has a plan to settle down in California. Can he convince Tabby that his plan won't be perfect unless she joins him as his wife?

I've loved all of Cynthia's historicals, but she's hit a winner with this series. A short fun, romantic read. Great to take along to the beach or pool...or just lazing in a hammock on a summer's afternoon. You can find Cooking Up Love on Amazon, iTunes, Christianbook.com, as well as other sites.

A Morning Walk Blessing

Since I attended my church's Saturday evening service last night, I stayed home this morning and savored a long special time with God. Since the day was heating up fast, as soon as I finished my Quiet Time I hustled out to walk before I could talk myself out of it because it was too hot.

My condo complex is adjacent to a small strip mall with a rather eclectic mix of businesses. There's an Italian restaurant, a dentist, a nail salon, a magic shop, a tanning spa, and a bakery, followed by a veterinarian's office and a hair salon. And bringing up the rear is a dry cleaners.

I always love going by the dry cleaners because the owner is often there, sitting  in the early morning light, reading his Bible. The first time I noticed him, I stuck my head in the door and let him know I'm also a Christ-follower and we rejoiced in the way Christians often do when first meeting like that. Since then, whenever I see him there I wave.

Today I walked by, knowing he wouldn't be there because, after all, it's Sunday. He wasn't, but this Bible was--open and ready to enrich, bless, and teach. I couldn't help it. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture!

As the camera clicked, a black SUV pulled up and the dry cleaner man climbed out.

Caught red-handed.

He  must think I'm casing his shop or something. I laughed and told him I loved how he left his Bible open and ready for him to dive in, and I wanted a picture of it. He laughed with me (whew!) and said he just worked out and had stopped by to read the Bible and then clean up for church.

I didn't look at the picture I took until a little while ago and I still smile. I wish I could flip through the pages, see his notes or what has been underlined. But I probably wouldn't understand much anyway. It's likely written in Korean. And that warms my heart even more. Many language groups all following the same Jesus and He hears all our prayers no matter what language.

It was an awesome way to begin my Sunday.

Let's Remember Old Glory on this Special Day!

On this Fourth of July Morning during my walk I passed a house that had about three or four dozen small American flags lining both sides of its circular driveway, and another large flag waved over their backyard swimming pool. I wanted to stop and tell the owners, "Thank you."

Too many times anymore I see the American flag disrespected. People wear it like clothing, and in one recent case a website suggested using it as a tablecloth for your Fourth of July celebration. Even worse, some have stomped on it or burned it.

Our forefathers fought for this country and many gave their lives to give us the land they called the land of the free and the home of the brave.

How many people today can't even say the Pledge of Allegiance or know the words of the Star Spangled Banner? Read the words of the Pledge of Allegiance think about them for a moment.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

On this day I think of my ancestor John Bancroft who fought in the Revolutionary War. I remember the day my cousin Mary and I found his grave site in a small cemetery in Springfield OH and we both were struck with how he fought for the country we've both been blessed to be raised in and enjoy the benefits of what he fought for. And what our military fights for today.

I'm not against picnics, parades and firework shows on the Fourth of July at all, but let's not forget the true reason for this day and pray that God would continue bless this country as he has in the past.



Happy July Fourth everyone!!!!

My Website Address Is Now Under Construction!

If you are reading this on my blog site you already know this because you got here using the www.pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com address.  That is now the direct access to my blog.

The www.pamelasmeyers.com domain address is currently undergoing an extreme makeover.

Slow Moon Rising -- Another Great Read from Eva Marie Everson

I have been reading Eva Marie Everson's Cedar Key series of novels since she began writing them, and have loved each one. A good author friend of mine told me about Cedar Key, Florida many years ago and made it sound so delightful I was ready to jump on the next plane and plant myself there to do nothing but write. But, so far I've not yet made the trip. At least by reading this series, I've been able to vicariously enjoy the setting through Eva Marie's wonderful characters.

I jumped at the chance to review her latest -- Slow Moon Rising. But when it arrived I was in the middle of a number of writing projects and other things and had to put the book on my to-be-read pile. When I realized a few days ago that the blog tour was this week, I made myself take time to start reading and I'm better than halfway through it. I only wish I could just sit for a whole day and do nothing but read. It's that good!

The only complaint I have is that the first couple chapters were a little too slow-paced for my taste. But having read many of Everson's books, I had faith that the pacing would pick up, and it did. If you find this small nit-picky point to be the case with you, hang in there because the best is yet to be!

The back-cover blurb gives a tantalizing description of what's inside.

The beautiful Claybourne home on Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release. Each member of the family has turned there in times of confusion, loss, and hurt, only to feel their spirits renewed and their hearts restored.

But Cedar Key might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within.

Join the five Claybourne women--Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami--as they search the past and confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and the precious renewal of love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is--family.

You can purchase the book at Amazon or any other online store, as well as your favorite bookstore.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born and reared just outside of Savannah, Georgia. Yeah, I have a southern accent. It gets a little more southern every time I cross the Florida/Georgia state line.

If I had all the time in the world, I'd probably lie on the sofa all day and watch old movies. I usually have to get sick for something even close to that happening.

I can quote entirely too many lines from Pretty Woman (You do? You think I've got potential?). In fact, I quote lines from movies and songs so often that most people are unaware of what I'm doing. I may or may not have offended some folks. If I have...I'm sorry.

I'm an ex-nurse and a seminary graduate. I hated nursing but love God with a passion and can hardly get through a conversation without talking about our relationship! I think the Old Testament is totally FUN to read (I mean, HOW much stuff can one clan of people get in to?) and the New Testament draws me closer to Heaven. Yeah!

I'm married even though my hubby had to have his wedding band cut off due to an infected spider bite. The nurse said either that or the finger would fall off. I was going for the second option, but was alone in that. :) Now he wears it on his right hand. I can live with that. We have kids and grandkids and two absolutely adorable dogs, Hope and Poodar.

I'm rarely still and I sleep very little.

Life is good.  

Note: I received a complementary copy of Slow Moon Rising from the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.