FREE copy of Tetterbaum's Truth!

Prior to the release of the seventh book in the Just Call Me Angel suspense series, we are releasing several hundred free copies of the first book (Tetterbaum's Truth) and asking those who receive free copies if they would please leave an honest review of the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

So, be one of the first 200 people to use the coupon code below and receive a FREE book of Tetterbaum's Truth!  Can you handle the truth?

HOW TO RETRIEVE YOUR FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD

1. Go to www.Smashwords.com

2. In the Search bar, type: TETTERBAUM’S TRUTH by S.R.Claridge

3. Select the book from the list

4. Click on BUY

5. Enter VF83E in the Coupon Code box

6. Click on CHECKOUT

7. At this point the price will drop to $0.00 and you will be able to select in which format you would like to receive your download.

Thank you...thank you...thank you to all of my readers and new readers and for all of fans of the Just Call Me Angel series.  I am excited about the upcoming release of book seven and will share details with you in the next few months.

#TetterbaumsTruth #JustCallMeAngel #GPG #SRClaridge

Make Spring Break Suspenseful

The Candy Shop has been selling like crazy and I'm very excited!  Thank you to all of my readers and please remember to write a review and post it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords or wherever you ordered your copy.

If you haven't read it yet, pick it up or download it today.  It's a great way to add a little suspense to your Spring Break!  :)

"One decision can change everything."

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

SMASHWORDS

Christmas Eve Giveaway

It’s Christmas Eve!  My home and heart are dancing with excitement!  I think about how Mary must have felt thousands of years ago, as she rode on the back of a donkey, on the verge of labor.  Can you imagine riding on a donkey while nine months pregnant?!  And then, to top it off, giving birth in a barn, in the cold, with no drugs and no doctors.  I can’t even fathom it, and not just from Mary’s perspective, but from Joseph’s as well.  Here lay your wife, birthing a child that isn’t even yours, and you are powerless to provide her with warmth or security.  I imagine he paced back and forth and back and forth, gnawing on his nails and praying for their wellbeing.  On top of it being a miraculous and historic eve, it was most certainly a stressful time.

Isn’t that true of the holiday season?  As wonderful as it is, it comes with a lot of stress.  Shopping, wrapping, baking, social events….all thrilling, yet exhausting. 

So, to celebrate Christmas Eve, I’m giving away TWO copies of my new release:  The Candy Shop

To recap, in case you missed the original post, I’m hosting a Twelve Days before Christmas Giveaway (sponsored by Global Publishing Group) wherein I will be giving away free copies of my books plus some of the other GPG author’s books. 

Here's how it works... I'll post the giveaway and the first TWO people to email me, get the free item of the day!  Each blog will go live at 8:00am MST (that's 7:00am for you West Coasters, 9:00am for you Mid-Westerners and 10:00am for my East Coast friends.)  It’s too easy not to play!

Email me with the subject line:  Day Two

Email me by clicking HERE

 

Here we go!

Sing with me....though I'm going to have to change up the lyrics a bit...

On the twelfth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A free copy of Petals of Blood!

On the eleventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

An S.R.Claridge Ebook of my choice for free!

On the tenth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A Tetterbaum’s Truth ebook copy! 

On the ninth day before Christmas an author gave to me

An erotic spanking story!

(The first book in the Elise Dugar Episodes by Author Susan Sanchez)

On the eighth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A Traitor’s Among Us copy!

On the seventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

The truth in House of Lies!

 

On the sixth day before Christmas an author gave to me

The second book in the erotic romance series.

(Anticipation by Susan Sanchez)

On the fifth day before Christmas an author gave to me

The third book in the Just Call Me Angel series!

(Russian Uprising) 

On the fourth day before Christmas an author gave to me

The Spouse in my House ebook free!

On the third day before Christmas an author gave to me

Another Sanchez Erotic story for free!

(Belting Love) 

On the second day before Christmas an author gave to me

The Candy Shop for free!

 

 

Six Days Before Christmas Giveaway

Six days before Christmas!  Are you ready?

Let’s spice things up a bit and heat up your holiday! 

To recap, in case you missed the original post, I’m hosting a Twelve Days before Christmas Giveaway (sponsored by Global Publishing Group) wherein I will be giving away free copies of my books plus some of the other GPG author’s books. 

Here's how it works... I'll post the giveaway and the first person to email me, gets the free item of the day!  Each blog will go live at 8:00am MST (that's 7:00am for you West Coasters, 9:00am for you Mid-Westerners and 10:00am for my East Coast friends.)  It’s too easy not to play!

Email me with the subject line:  Day Six

Email me by clicking HERE

Here we go!

Sing with me....though I'm going to have to change up the lyrics a bit...

On the twelfth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A free copy of Petals of Blood!

On the eleventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

An S.R.Claridge Ebook of my choice for free!

On the tenth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

A Tetterbaum’s Truth ebook copy!

On the ninth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

An erotic spanking story!

(The first book in the Elise Dugar Episodes by Author Susan Sanchez)

On the eighth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A Traitor’s Among Us copy! 

On the seventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

The truth in House of Lies!

On the sixth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

The second book in the erotic romance series.

(Anticipation by Susan Sanchez)

 

 

Seven Days Before Christmas Giveaway

Seven days until Christmas morning!  Our house is aglow.  The lights are twinkling, the gifts beneath the tree are tempting, and I’m threatening my children not to peek.  I love this time of year!

So far, I’ve had the privilege of giving away five books and I’m looking forward to giving away even more!  

To recap, in case you missed the original post, I’m hosting a Twelve Days before Christmas Giveaway (sponsored by Global Publishing Group) wherein I will be giving away free copies of my books plus some of the other GPG author’s books. 

Here's how it works... I'll post the giveaway and the first person to email me, gets the free item of the day!  Each blog will go live at 8:00am MST (that's 7:00am for you West Coasters, 9:00am for you Mid-Westerners and 10:00am for my East Coast friends.)  It’s too easy not to play!

Email me with the subject line:  Day Seven 

Email me by clicking HERE

Here we go!

Sing with me....though I'm going to have to change up the lyrics a bit...

 

On the twelfth day before Christmas an author gave to me

A free copy of Petals of Blood! 

On the eleventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

An S.R.Claridge Ebook of my choice for free!

On the tenth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

A Tetterbaum’s Truth ebook copy! 

On the ninth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

An erotic spanking story!

(The first book in the Elise Dugar Episodes by Author Susan Sanchez) 

On the eighth day before Christmas an author gave to me 

A Traitor’s Among Us copy!

On the seventh day before Christmas an author gave to me

The truth in House of Lies!

 

 

 

 

Playing Dead

DEATH TRAP _{by S.R.Claridge}

Fourth book in the Just Call Me Angel series

 

When Giovanni’s private jet explodes with Angel presumably on board, the family is thrust into a state of crisis and mourning.  When they learn the explosion was not due to a malfunction but a well-planned attack, Angel’s men set out on a course for revenge; while Giovanni must face the hard reality of assigning a new Boss to the family.  Unknown to anyone Angel is alive, but is forced into hiding from the terrorist group enacting revenge on her grandfather, Salvatore.  She watches in horror as her men are lured one-by-one into a trap of death, with their only chance for survival falling on the shoulders of a stranger with an unstable past.  Tempers flare and bullets fly as the lines of family loyalty blur into a melting pot of Mafia destruction, thickening when Angel’s men discover that the stranger behind the attack isn’t a stranger at all.  Emotions run high as Angel must face the suffocating reality that her only hope for staying alive is to play dead.

The Just Call Me Angel series has received rave reviews...

 

So, don't delay...start reading the series today!

The Thrill-Ride Continues

Traitors Among Us is the second book in the Just Call Me Angel series and has been hailed by reviewers as one of the most exciting books in the series, being called a "thrill-ride" and "an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller." 

Traitors Among Us _{by S.R.Claridge}

With Tetterbaum’s Truth revealed and her identity exposed, Angel Martin tries to adjust to her radically new role as head of the Chicago Maratinzano family.  Unfortunately, Mafia life offers little down time.

The sudden kidnapping of her mother and Aunt Olga leads Angel on a path to a past she’s never known and an adversary she is unable to find.  When an FBI mob bust against her family is fueled by administration level information, Angel turns to the other Chicago Bosses for answers; but every trail dead ends and every person is not who they seem.

Racing to save the people she loves most, Angel must learn to trust her instincts, even when she comes face-to-face with the scariest truth yet… there are Traitors Among Us.

You can watch a video trailer HERE.

 

Start Your Summer With a BANG!

With the release of the fifth book in the Just Call Me Angel series, I wanted to take this opportunity to give a brief overview of each novel and encourage readers to start their summer off with as BaNG!  Book one:  Tetterbaum’s Truth

 

Tetterbaum’s Truth _{by S.R.Claridge}

Angel Martin plans to marry Tony and live happily ever after… until Tony disappears.  Nursing a broken heart, she takes a job at Tetterbaum’s Pub, unaware it is the most prestigious Mafia hangout in Chicago. Through an unlikely turn of events, Angel finds herself in the middle of a revengeful scheme from a past she’s never known and a Mafia blackmail scandal that’s already left several dead. 

Racing to find answers, she discovers her entire life has been one carefully orchestrated lie.  No one is who they say they are and everyone has an agenda of their own. 

The closer she gets to uncovering hidden evidence the more the crime families want her out of the way. 

With her true identity now exposed, learning who she can trust becomes a matter of life and death and unraveling the past becomes her only hope for staying alive.

 

You can also watch the video trailer by clicking HERE

 

"Chelle"-ing Out Great Novels

During Valentine’s week, I am giving a shout out to some of my favorite VHP authors whom I feel privileged to have met and grown to love.  They don’t know I’m doing this…it’s my secret surprise Valentine to each of them.  I’ve already introduced Smoky Trudeau Zeidel, Charmaine Gordon and Melinda Clayton and now I would like you to meet Chelle Cordero.

Chelle’s first novel was published in 2008 and since that time she has solidified her standing as a Romantic Suspense writer, having released seven romantic suspense novels and one mystery novel to date.  She has also written countless short stories which are available in the Vanilla Heart Anthologies. 

 

 

She is currently working on her next murder mystery.  Final Sin is one of my favorites by Chelle Cordero and I can’t wait until I have the time to read more of her work.  If you haven't yet read her books, get one today... you won't be disappointed!

I’m not her only fan, as her novels have been nominated for and received numerous awards.  Bartlett's Rule was named one of Carolyn Howard-Johnson's Top Ten Reads for 2009; Final Sin was a 2009 Pushcart Nominee; and Hostage Heart, Final Sin and A Chaunce of Riches were nominated in the 2009 Preditors’ and Readers’ poll and had top-ten finishes. Chelle Cordero was recently featured as one of the authors in "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" published by The Author’s Show in 2010.

Chelle lives in the suburbs of Rockland County, NY with her husband, Mark, of 35-years and family. They have two adult offspring and three mischievous and spoiled cats, one of whom has taken up permanent residence on Chelle’s desk. Chelle is a full-time freelance journalist for multiple publications, her articles appear regularly throughout North America, and she writes a monthly column on NYS Emergency Medical Services issues (she is also a volunteer EMT and the current President of her local ambulance corps).

Chelle Cordero belongs to the VHP Authors Group and the Arts Alliance of Haverstraw Rockland Author’s Series. Along with fellow VHP authors Charmaine Gordon and Janet Lane Walters, Chelle is part of TLC: Three Local Characters With Stories To Tell, an author book discussion and workshop seminar program.

She maintains an author’s blog at http://chellecordero.blogspot.com/
 

Happy Valentine’s Day, Chelle!  J

 

 

What Will Santa Bring YOU?

Looking for something suspenseful this Christmas... Want to add some mystery to your life?  What does Santa have in his bag for you?

 

 

 

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Smashwords

"S.R.Claridge novels are a non-stop ride of action and adventure."  BookWatchMagazine

 

 

"S.R.Claridge writes bona fide suspense thrillers." Apex Reviews

 

 



Mystery We Write Tour: Rionna Morgan

*** Giveaway Alert***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Joining us today is Rionna Morgan. Growing up out West, Rionna Morgan followed her love of horses to the rodeo arena and her love of English to the classroom and to writing. She has been looking forward to sharing her stories with you her whole life. Rionna is a founding member of Montana Romance Writers; she reads as much as she can possibly hold, and she loves most of all combining the chilling edge of a knife with the sweet surrender of romance. Rionna shares her home in Missoula, Montana with her husband, her four children and the mountains outside her window.

Let’s get to know Rionna Morgan a bit better!

When you were a child, what did you want to "be" when you grew up?

Rionna: I wanted to be a writer. I scribbled continually in notebooks and made up the best stories ever. I often feel sorry for my mother, as she was the one who was continually stuck trying to decipher my tales.

Name three things on your bucket list.

Rionna: I want to go to Ireland. I want to be a grandmother. I want to visit the Library of Congress and pull my book from the shelf.

In what genre do you write? If you were to choose another genre, what would it be and why?

Rionna: Romantic Suspense. If I were to choose another genre, I would chose paranormal. I love it. It is such a fun, spooky genre!

If you were going to be stranded on an island all alone for a year, and you could only take three books with you...which three would you choose? Why?

Rionna: The collected works of Edgar Allan Poe and William Shakespeare. With those two gentlemen, I can be entertained for years! The other book would be a huge blank journal, because I need to write. …assuming that I get to take pencils. ☺ Thank you Rionna.  And for a bit about Rionna's just released novel:

Look for Love’s Justice anywhere online books are sold!

Buy on Amazon

Sarah Johnson is a profiler in Portland, Oregon. She thinks she has successfully moved beyond the pain of her mother’s death 15 years ago. Her mother, a Pulitzer Prize winning writer, died in an Alabama women’s prison while on an undercover assignment. However, when Justin Breslow shows up at her office claiming to be an investigative reporter from Dallas wanting to do a feature on her mother, Sarah realizes the pain has just been dormant. She agrees to work with Justin; she’s always wanted to retrace her mother’s final days, but she has no intention of sharing family secrets with a perfect stranger. Sarah and Justin unravel a plot more complex and sinister than they expected. They pursue a trail of  deceit and corruption to a women’s prison in Alabama, a centuries old hotel in Georgia and a family ranch in Texas. Nothing is simple or as it seems. Along the way, Sarah tries not to fall for Justin’s Southern charm, and Justin fights to resist Sarah’s beauty and sharp intellect. This unlikely duo will find more than they ever hoped to—in the prison, in their own backyards, and in each other’s arms. Whether they survive to enjoy their discoveries is the final mystery. Excerpt from Love's Justice “What if I didn’t go as a snoopy reporter?” Justin closed the small space, successfully trapping Sarah between the refrigerator and the counter. “And just went as a man?” With a smooth shift of his body, he slid into an amazing fit against her. Sarah drew in a quick breath. The air-cooled kitchen suddenly became a furnace. His hands gripped the counter on either side of her. His face was so close she could see her reflection in his eyes. “That is exactly what I don’t need.” “Don’t need, but maybe want?” Justin moved closer. Their lips were just a breath apart. “Don’t,” Sarah breathed. Her heart rapped hard in her chest. Justin smiled, enjoying watching her eyes cloud to darkness. This was going to be easy. “Don’t what.” His lips brushed hers. “Tell me. Don’t what?” Sarah fisted her hands in his shirt. To pull him closer or push him away, she wasn’t exactly sure. Panic and need and she didn’t know what all, tumbled around in her stomach. Instead of taking the time to decipher what to do, she just acted and tugged him to her. He caught her bottom lip, soft and warm, between his teeth. He felt her body give against his. He savored the taste of her, the warmth. “I’m going with you,” he whispered against her lips. She nodded her head, but his words never registered. My plan is working perfectly, he thought as he pulled her deeper into the kiss. Below are ways to catch up with Rionna. Drop on by…she loves the company!

Please be invited to visit my blog to Enter to Win a Piece of Montana! Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads What is on your bucket list??

Boomerang of Shame

Here is an excerpt from a letter I received after I posted yesterday’s blog, entitled “Don’t Quit: Re-new It!”  

“You claim to be a Christian but you write books about murder and on your blog you’ve condoned spanking, which is a form of abuse, and abortion which is killing.  The fact that you refer to yourself as a follower of Christ is apprehensible.” 

There was a time when receiving an email of this nature would have reduced me to tears.  Thankfully, those days are gone.  I have reached a point in my life where I am confident in who I am and in my relationship with God.  He loves me…everyone else doesn’t have to.  So, it is with a comical grin that I respond to this email.  

First, let me point out that I believe the word she meant to use was "reprehensible" and not "apprehensible." 

In regards to my books, the Just Call Me Angel series is a suspense series centered on the Mafia.  It would be virtually impossible to write a story about the mob that didn’t involve killing.  These books are fiction and in no way voice a personal conviction that murder is acceptable.  They are simply written to entertain readers.

Likewise, my debut novel, No Easy Way, and my short story, Petals of Blood, are also murder mystery/suspense novels.  I don’t want to point out the obvious, but when writing a murder mystery one sort of has to include an actual murder into the plotline.

Just because I am a Christian does not mean I should write books that fall into the Christian genre.  It’s neither my desire nor my calling.

As for the picture of spanking that was included in yesterday’s blog, I placed it there because I was talking about the Fifty Shades series, wherein spanking is an integral part of the story; not because I was in any way condoning physical abuse.  That being said, I do believe there are those that include spanking in their bedroom activities and I do not condemn them for doing so.  To each their own.  Live and let live. 

On the topic of abortion, you may read my blog, “Out-Of-The-Closet Confessions” if you’d like to better understand my thoughts.  

This email is a prime example of judgmental, holier-than-thou people, with whom (Christian or not) I disassociate myself.  It is this exact type of condemnation that drove me away from the church for twelve years of my adult life.  It is this attitude that I find UN-Christ-like, and I don’t want people to think ALL Christians are similar to the elitist few among us.

All Christians are not radical bigots.  All Christians don’t cast judgment and point fingers. 

Reading murder mysteries or writing murder mysteries doesn’t make me less of a Christian.  The fact that there may be whips and chains in someone’s bedroom, doesn’t make their heart less committed to Christ.  BUT… the fact that you judge others based solely on what you think you see or how you think things should be, tells me YOU are the one that should refer to your Bible and look up the passages about not judging others. 

So, if you’re without blemish, cast that stone; but, first, let me give you a piece of advice.  If I were you I’d duck, because I think your stone is a boomerang of shame...and it's headed right back-atcha! ~

 

 

 

Death Trap - Excerpt Contest

Guess correctly in the comment section below or via email to authorsrclaridge@gmail.com and win a free copy of my 2013 Pushcart Prize nominated short story, Petals of Blood.  Be the very first to provide the correct answer and you can win a free downloadable copy of Death Trap.  Good luck!  :)

The excerpt below is from the fourth book in the Just Call Me Angel series, entitled Death Trap.  Who is Angel with in this scene? 



_____________________________________

Before she had a chance to ask him what this was all about, he pressed her against the side of the wall and kissed her; deeply and passionately.  He kissed her in a way he hadn’t done in a long, long time and Angel felt her body melt beneath his touch.  His fingers wrapped around the back of her neck and weaved through her hair, as he pulled her close, using his other hand to guide her hips against his.  She felt his wanting and wished for a moment she could make the world and all of time stand still so they could openly express the ignited desire trapped between them.  His fingertips brushing gently over her breasts confirmed something she knew all along; her body ached for him.  Other men had come and gone but he knew her like no one else.  There was no awkward fumbling, no questions and no fear of embarrassment; he knew exactly what she liked.  The truth was, despite her mixed emotions, she had missed him.  They’re relationship had ended so abruptly that her heart never truly learned to let him go.

“I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.

            “Say you feel what I feel between us,” he urged.

            “I do.  You know I do.”

            He grunted frustration and then pulled Angel into another deep kiss.  “I want you.” He smiled and his brown eyes sparkled with desire.  “I want you so bad I can’t concentrate.”

            Angel knew the feeling.   There was a part of her that wanted to push him into one of the patio chairs and climb on.  The thought sent shivers of delight up her back and she wondered if he knew what she was imagining.

            Leaning his hands against the wall on each side of Angel, he whispered in her ear.  “Someday I’m gonna bring you out here, when the night is clear and you can see a million stars stretched across the sky; and I’m gonna make-love to you.”

            Angel couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face.

            “I’m gonna touch you in ways no man has ever touched you,” he whispered and she could feel the warmth of his breath against her ear.  “I’m gonna bring you more pleasure than you ever dreamed possible,” he said and then ran his tongue up her neck and fondled her ear lobe.  Angel’s body flushed with desire.  “I know how to take you there,” he said and Angel knew he wasn’t bluffing.  She remembered his magic fingers.  “I’m going to make you tremble and shake in my arms,” he whispered and Angel felt like she was going to explode from the longing that was filling her entire being.  He brought his lips close to hers.  “Do you want that as much as I do?”  He asked.

            Yes!  Omigod, yes, yes, yes!  She didn’t say it aloud, but gave a simple nod of her head.  While she was hanging in the anticipation of another passionate kiss, he pulled back. 

            “I gotta go,” he grinned, “but I’ll be back to finish what we started.”

 

"You Will Not Budge Me"

When a person says, “You’ll never budge me,” what they are really saying is that your opinion, what matters to you, and how you feel are of unimportance to them.  Can there be anything more painful than knowing your heart doesn’t matter?

I look back at many of the situations in my life, when I made poor choices and hurt people with wreck-less behavior or selfish actions.  If I could go back in time I’d certainly do things differently.  Despite my many flaws, and there are many, I can honestly say I have never ignored someone who came to me out of concern for my well-being.  I never arrogantly said, “You will not budge me.”  I never egotistically turned a blind-eye and uttered, “We’ll just agree to disagree.”  I think that’s because, deep down in my heart, I always respected the people who cared about me.  Even if I was angry at them, I still held a certain respect for the fact that they loved me and that they wanted only the best for me.  In my most rebellious moments, their words were not ignored; but sank deep into my heart and tenderized the places I had become hardened.

Years ago, when I moved to Los Angeles and became involved in a New Age cult-type movement, my mother and my husband confronted me with their concerns.  In fact, it was the fact that they took the time to study the movement and continued to talk with me about it, that eventually led to me opening my eyes and realizing how dangerously false it was.  Even when I thought I was right and they were wrong, I listened and I never said, “You will not budge me.”  Deep down, I knew their words came from love and I respected them enough to know that they wouldn’t come to me with lies; but only with the truth.

In looking back, I realize that God strategically placed people in my life to help steer me away from danger.  Had I arrogantly blown them off, I shudder to think where I would be today…or if I would even be alive today.  Egotism often blocks our ability to see the truth, even when it lies right in front of us.

 

In the Just Call Me Angel series, Angel often struggles with a desire to rebel against the rules of the Mafia world. But she realizes that the people around her, her family, want the best for her and help provide balance in what can often be a violent, dangerous place. She learns quickly that arrogance can get a person killed and she must trust those who love her with her life; knowing they care enough to protect her. Even when Giovanni’s words are not what she wants to hear, she respects the fact that he will not mis-lead her; and despite their many disagreements, she never says, “You will not budge me.” Deep down she knows that her God-given family will never let her down.

 

Most of us don't live in the Mafia world, but I think it is important to realize the danger of arrogance in the real world.  I think it is crucial to understand that the human ego can be used as a weapon and can hurt the people that love you.  It might not get you killed like in the Just Call Me Angel series, but arrogance can certainly kill relationships.

 

Proudly uttering the words, "You will not budge me," might come back to haunt you, because one day, you might want to budge and you will have pushed everyone who truly loves you, out of your life. ~

 

 

 

For more information on the Just Call Me Angel series, please visit www.AuthorSRClaridge.com

 

 

Subscribe to Win!

Subscribe To - OR - Follow my blog and you will be entered to win a FREE copy of one of my books... any book you choose.  So spread the word, there's nothing to lose!  :)

Winner will be announced on Monday, October 1st.

 

No Easy Way to End a Stalemate

Have you ever been involved in a relationship that was at an impasse?  Let’s face it, over time every relationship encounters some degree of conflict; but more times than not, people are able to resolve the conflict or agree to disagree and let the matter die. 

In reality, there are only three options toward conflict resolution:

1.  Agree to disagree and never discuss the matter again.  (Ignore it)
2.  Continue to argue over it and let it bring an end to the relationship.  (Avoid it)
3.  Open-mindedly discuss the root of the issue and work together toward resolution.  (Fix it)

But, what happens when one person refuses to discuss the root of the conflict?  How, then, does the stalemate end?

Even more difficult is when one person, in trying to avoid the topic of conflict, pretends that the root of the problem is something entirely different.  This blame-shift, in essence, opens up a can of worms that didn’t need to be opened, causing nothing but more hurt and turmoil. 

For example, in my novel, No Easy Way, Kate and Tom’s relationship is at an impasse because neither of them can bring themselves to face the root of the problem.  Tom dives into work and avoids the conflict and Kate pretends his work IS the problem; when it isn’t.  Their marriage doesn’t become fixable until everything blows up and they are forced to face the real issue beneath it all.

Just like in the book, there is no easy way, through life’s conflicts; and sometimes it takes everything blowing up around you to make you realize what’s really important.  Sometimes you have to let people go and give up the fight until they are ready to discuss the root of the problem.

But…giving up the fight doesn’t mean you’ve given up the hope of one day ending the stalemate.  The challenge is... there's just no easy way.

 

 

Angel and Andrew's "Prayer" Time

In book one (Tetterbaum's Truth) of the Just Call Me Angel series, Angel meets Andrew and in book two (Traitor's Among Us) the attraction between them grows beyond friendship.


In the scene below Andrew and Angel give new meaning to what it means to "pray together."

________________________________________________________________

The meeting with the Bosses was to take place at Tetterbaum’s Pub at 7:00pm,  which gave Angel a couple of hours to sleep before she had to get ready and rehearse the speech she and Andrew had prepared.  She lay her head against the arm of the couch and closed her eyes, thinking of Olga and her mother.  She quietly prayed, dozing off with every word.   “Our father, who art in Heaven…” her voice tapered off.

“Il nostro padre, che è nel cielo,” he whispered.

 “Hallowed be Thy name…” she mumbled.

“Hallowed è nome di thine,” came his voice again. 

Angel opened her eyes, certain she was half in and out of sleep, but aware she had heard something.   “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven,” she finished the sentence.

His voice came from behind her.  “Il tuo regno prossimo, tuo sarà fatto su terra come è nel cielo.”  She rolled onto her back and gazed up at Andrew, who was freshly showered and standing near the end of the couch.  “Give us this day,” he prompted.

“Give us this day our daily bread…”

“Diaci questo giorno il nostro pane quotidiano,” he came closer.

 “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” she spoke softly.

            “E perdonici le nostre trasgressioni mentre perdoniamo coloro che trasgredice a contro di noi.”  He lowered himself onto the couch.

“Lead us not into temptation…”

 “Conducali non nella tentazione…” he inched closer.

“But deliver us from evil,” her voice quivered.

“Ma trasportili dalla malvagità,” he lay down on top of her.

 “Amen,” they whispered in unison and his lips enclosed on hers.

Andrew made good on his promise to show her what an Italian lover could do, and Angel melted beneath his touch.  He wasn’t the first Italian lover she’d had.  Tony was her first.  Grayson, her second.  The third was definitely the charm.  When the euphoric glow of passion gave way to exhaustion, Angel drifted to sleep with her head on Andrew’s chest and the sound of his heart beating in her ear.

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The Just Call Me Angel series can be purchased in ebook or paperbook at Amazon, Barnes&Noble and Smashwords.