She Sizzles!

I had previously blogged about a fellow GPG (Global Publishing Group) author, Susan Sanchez.  She writes short stories in the genre of erotic romance, particularly those dealing with submission and dominance.  Being as how erotica and romance are the leading industry sellers, I am not ashamed to admit I am a bit envious of her ability.  I also happen to like her stories.  They aren't raunchy or overly graphic from a sexual standpoint. They represent a different relational perspective than the norm, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.  If you are "into" submission and dominance, or even silently curious about it all,  I believe her books will appeal to you.

So, why not check out Susan Sanchez and the Elise Dugar Episodes... she just might make your holiday season sizzle!

Buy Her Books HERE

  

Silenced but Un-Changed

The past month, my email inbox has been filled with letters from people asking me about my research on cult groups.  It has been impossible for me to respond to every inquiry, so I will give a blanket response here.  The most common question:  “Where did all of your blogs on IHOP and other cult groups go?”

I apologize, but I pulled those blogs down because it was causing turmoil within my family.  In short, I promised my family I would sit down and shut up in order to promote and maintain peace.  I know I have let some of you down in doing so, and for that I am deeply sorry.

I understand this makes me look weak and pointedly pathetic, not to mention hypocritical, as I encourage all people to stand up for what they believe is right and to fight for truth.  I’m still praying for truth, deep down, despite my forced silence.

If we don’t stand for something we will most assuredly fall for anything.  So, I encourage you to keep seeking knowledge and continue on your quest for truth, taking a stand against the demonic strongholds prevalent in these types of cult groups.  Back up every word with Biblical knowledge.  Beware of false prophesy.  It’s not okay.  It’s not acceptable. Beware of elitism and arrogance, as these are not traits of Jesus, but rather ones that cause relational division and destruction of families and friendships.  Demonic influence is strong in these prophetic-induced, cult-type movements. Study. Study. Study.  Avoid any group that incorporates brainwashing tactics into the core foundation of their methods. Beware of any group that becomes so "radical for the Lord" that they lose balance in daily life.  I cannot stress enough that ANYONE who tells you that false prophesy is justifiable, explainable, acceptable or excuses it as a mere learning curve in the spiritual journey is NOT operating with the Holy Spirit, but rather inducing demonic translation.  The Bible specifically warns us against false prophets.  Heed this warning.

Again, I apologize for letting you down.  I did not pull my blogs because my opinion, intuition or awareness has changed.  If anything, the repulsion against false prophetic movements has grown stronger within me.  I have done it because I have been accused of attempting to cause conflict in my own family and blamed for an intent I never possessed.  In standing up for my convictions and expressing my true beliefs,  I am deemed unacceptable.  I cannot express the lingering heartache.  

To all that have emailed, I am happy to send you my research notes on the cult-type groups I have studied.

May God open the eyes of the blind and one day rid the world of all false prophets and bring about the destruction of the false prophetic movement altogether.  ~

Sequel for Certain

I received several emails regarding my book, House of Lies, asking if there is going to be a sequel and when it will be released.

The answer:  A RESOUNDING YES

There is definitely going to be a sequel and it will be released in the fall of 2014. 

The book has yet to be titled, but I will keep you posted as the release date nears.  If you haven’t yet read House of Lies, I recommend reading it before the sequel.  You can get a copy in either print or Ebook from the following retailers:

BARNES & NOBLE

SMASHWORDS

AMAZON

 

 

 

 

 

As always, thank you for your letters and for your interest in my books.  It means the world to me.   ~

New Release COMING SOON!

 

I'm very excited to announce that my tenth book is going to be released this month.  Published by Global Publishing Group, it's a suspense thriller set in my hometown of St. Louis.

 

Check back for more details.  As soon as the book is released, I will be holding a drawing for one lucky winner to get a FREE download.

 

 

Submission

As most of you know, I left Vanilla Heart Publishing in August 2013 because they had breached my contract and stolen money from me.  It was a devastating time but blossomed into quite a journey.  All of my books are now published through Global Publishing Group, which has afforded me the opportunity to learn the publishing side of things.  It has truly been a fascinating, eye-opening experience…not to mention, my books are selling more than ever before! 

Global Publishing Group has recently opened their doors to submissions.  If you’re a writer interested in submitting your work, you can read their guidelines HERE.

Speaking of “submissions”….  

Part of my job with the publishing group is to seek out and support new authors coming aboard.  This is exciting because I get to meet new people who share similar interests in the writing world, but it also gives me the chance to meet those with very different perspectives on life, love and the pursuit of happiness.  It is with that in mind that I am happy to introduce the work of a new member of the Global Publishing team, Susan Sanchez.

Susan writes in a genre I have never been able to perfect:  Romance/Erotica

I’m a little ashamed to admit that I’ve tried to write erotica and failed miserably.  I just can’t seem to come up with enough descriptive terms for human body parts.

Though she is currently working on her first full-length novel, Global Publishing has released a series of her short stories entitled The Elise Dugar Episodes.  I will place book links and images below so you can take a look for yourself.  Having  read them all, I have to say, they are intriguing and definitely have the potential to get a person hot and bothered.  Not something I would recommend reading at the office, if you know what I mean.  (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

Similar in philosophy to Fifty Shades of Grey, Susan’s stories address dominance and submission but (I believe) from a softer or more palatable angle.  But… don’t take my word for it, see for yourself.

Her series is available in Ebook format from Amazon and has been selling like crazy right out of the gate.  There's obviously a market and Susan seems to have tapped into it.  Each short story is only $0.99 and I believe Amazon Prime members can even download for free.  So, check it out today!  Click on the pictures below for more information.

 

 

 

Oh... and I'm not an official "Reviewer" of books, but if I were I'd have to give these a lot of stars.  They appeal to both men and women and I found the presentation of the dominant/submissive relationship balanced.  Just my two cents.   ~

 

 

 

 

Tiny Treasures

A lot of people on Facebook post “thankful” statuses during the month of November.  I like to read them because their posts remind me of the many things for which I am thankful.  There are too many to list; but it got me thinking about the whole concept of thankfulness. 

To be thankful means to feel or show an appreciation for someone or something that has been bestowed upon us.  It’s indicative of receiving a blessing and expressing gratitude. 

There are people who actually feel they have nothing for which to be thankful, but I don’t believe this is the case.  If we look at each moment in our lives… I mean, really get close and look…we’ll find tiny treasures we have missed.  A smile.  Laughter.  A hug.  An act of kindness from a stranger that went seemingly unnoticed. 

I think we are often times so hurried and harried that we miss some of life’s simplest blessings.  There are mornings when I am flying around my kitchen trying to make breakfast, make lunches, fill water bottles, get backpacks ready and get the kids off to school, and it isn’t until they are gone that I realize I didn’t even make eye contact with them.  They talked and I nodded a hurried “uh-huh” or “okay,” but I didn’t really engage in the conversation or connect with them.  Their smiles light up my heart in a way nothing else can, and when I get too busy I miss out on that simple morning blessing.  It was there, but I didn’t see it.  I’m making a point to never miss out on that blessing again.

Nothing in this world matters more than the people God has placed in our lives.  Oh, sure, sometimes they can make us want to pull out our hair, but that’s just a part of love.  Sometimes we make them want to pull out their hair as well.  I believe God hand selects those that will cross our paths, for reasons we may or may not know; but important nonetheless.  Our job may be to influence them and their job may be to change us…either way, it is the act of journeying together that matters most. 

Each morning when I awake I thank God for another day and then I quickly give the day back to Him because if I hold onto it I’m bound to screw it up.  He has to hold it for me, in the safety of His hands and guided by His wisdom, not my lack of it.  Then, I thank Him for all of the people for whom He has brought into my life and blessed me.  I pray that I will not miss the tiny, treasurable moments of seeing their smiles, sharing their laughter and giving tight hugs.  These blessings are what fill me.  They are what make everything else in life bearable.  

During this month, I am striving to treasure every tender moment… to tuck it into my heart and let it sprout roots of joy.  ~

Unmasking the Mask

Every October my husband and I throw a Halloween costume party.  It’s become our annual tradition and I love it.  I love the work that goes into it and the stories that come out of it.  I’ve always liked parties, of any kind.  Dinner parties, birthday parties, surprise parties, graduation parties, Fourth of July parties, etc.  I fully believe life offers us legitimate reasons to throw a party and we ought to take every opportunity to celebrate goodness in our world.  

 

Despite my love for all parties, costume parties are my favorite because they allow me to see a different side of the people in my life.  Donning a costume takes time, interest and creativity.  People go through the trouble of preparing for a costume party because they really want to be at the party and to be a part of it.  To me, that sets things off on the right foot from the moment they arrive.  When your guests want to be there and want to show off their costumes, excitement abounds!

 

In addition, no matter who you are, when you are in costume the playing field levels.  There were doctors and lawyers in attendance at our party, but no one would have been able to pick them out of the crowd.  There were veterinarians, writers, waitresses, CEO’s, homemakers, engineers, salesman, realtors, principals, nurses, teachers and firemen… but no one wore these labels at the party.  Instead, they had become television characters, vampires, cats, witches, cowboys, zombies, pirates, priests, etc.  The opening line wasn’t, “What do you do for a living?”  It was, “Wow!  Where did you get that costume?”

 

Another thing I’ve noticed about costume parties is that people are always smiling.  There’s a silliness attached to dressing up and it causes everyone to relax a little bit more.  When we all look silly, silly then becomes the acceptable norm. 

 

Each year I get the chance to meet new people at this party.  Friends bring their friends, thus I make new friends.  Flowing fountains of poisonous potion help loosen inhibitions and lips move easily in conversation.  I love that.  I love that who people really are just sort of drips from them when they feel the safety of a costume. Conversations become honest.

 

It is often through these types of parties that I learn who my true friends are, and often they are not the ones I thought.  I have learned that sometimes those closest to you actually know you the least, and those whom you thought were mere acquaintances care deeply about you.  It’s as if the costume unmasks the mask and the heart is thusly shown.  ~