Tuesday Special: Blinked by Zari Reede

Zari Reede

http://zarireede.com/

It’s 1975 in the Big Easy where Mardi Gras floats and strangely dressed people are in abundance. Mindy Nichols, an agent of the Inner Space Monitoring Alliance Team “ISMAT,” is about to set the Crescent City on its ear. This special government team protects Earth from the Blink phenomena that connect our world to the Realm of Ortharos. An energy portal indiscriminately exchanges beings between both worlds, Blinking insane Other Realm Beings (ORBs) in as Earthlings Blink out, causing worry and angst over missing loved ones who sometimes never reappear. ISMAT’s longstanding protocol, to exterminate all ORBs for the safety of mankind, is challenged one fateful night when Mindy wakes up to find her husband, Jim, missing; a huge, naked Cyclops in her bed; an OCD brownie cleaning her kitchen; and six purple imps swinging from a chandelier. The last time ORBs roamed the Earth unchecked, a great war ensued, and Mindy knows things are about to get ugly…


I didn’t have time to play nursemaid to every ORB who Blinked onto the planet, especially a high- maintenance fire goddess who was bound to get me canned…

Miffed, ’Punzel glared at me.

“Oh, don’t take it so personally. I admit we all wish at one time or another we could blow up the world. Unlike most of us, you can.” I had started toward the door when I saw Max’s helmet and motorcycle keys on the entry table. Bingo! I had taken a tutorial from Max on his Triumph Bonneville in the Schwegmann’s parking lot one afternoon at lunch. One down, five up, I reminded myself. It wasn’t terribly hard. I just had to point it north out of town.

Leaving through the door this time, we made our way to Max’s parking space. Doubting my sanity as ’Punzel saddled up behind me, I instructed her to hold on tight. She was begrudging being led along like a puppy, but I could tell by the few smiles she couldn’t smother that she was really enjoying her vacation from Ortharos. Maybe she wasn’t aware of the DOA status of most ORBs when they returned to her world. They say ignorance is bliss, so let her be happy and hope we make it to Harry’s all in one piece.

’Punzel tapped the helmet I wore. “Where is my fancy hat?”

“Can’t your hair protect your head?” I tried to remember how to get started and realized I should probably wheel it out of the tight corner it was wedged in first. Apparently, Max shared his parking place. More likely, some hot chick shared her space with Max.

“I want a hat like yours.” ’Punzel’s pout trumped Sammy’s, but I was a pro at resisting pouts.

“Hop off for moment and let me wheel this out.”

“You made me get on and now I have to get off. And I don’t have a hat!”

Her bottom lip stuck out so far that the freaking helmet could have fit on it.



“Fine! You can wear the helmet!” I knew I shouldn’t yell, but not being a biker, I shuddered at the thought of riding the thing. I hopped off the Triumph and scowled.

She studied the handlebars and glanced over the motorcycle.

“Doesn’t look so hard.” Rapunzel eyed the bike with glowing interest. A spark shot out of the ignition switch, she revved the Triumph and sped out of the lot toward the street. As I ran after the motorcycle, I saw her hair curl and shrink around her head until it resembled a helmet with pink flowers.

Dammit all! Now I had to catch the ORB before ISMAT spotted her and she doomed us all.


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KIRKUS REVIEW

A 1970s wife—secretly in a government project to fight supernatural invaders—must find a solution when a magical creature from a dangerous fantasy realm switches places with her husband.

Pseudonymous author Reede (Daisy Dukes ’n’ Cowboy Boots, 2017) conjures a semicomical urban fantasy focusing on the antics of Mindy Nichols, a young New Orleans wife and mom. Mindy is really an agent for the Inner Space Monitoring Alliance Team, a covert U.S. government task force that battles magical intruders from other realms. Readers are told that letting such entities go uncontrolled led to the two world wars. It’s 1975, and ISMAT’s new headache is the “Blink” phenomenon, wherein hostile fairy-tale beings—imps, cyclops, etc.—are teleporting into the U.S. apparently at random from a magical world called Ortharos. For each appearance, an earthling has to teleport to Ortharos in exchange, and outcomes are not good. During Mardi Gras masquerade time, Mindy discovers that her husband, Jim, is missing, having Blinked away. But replacing him is a house-elf–style “brownie”—the first Ortharian to be communicative and friendly. Mindy, to figure out what’s happening and save her family, disobeys standing orders to terminate such beings. Multiple story strands in short, addictive chapters, each in first-person narration by a different quirky character, follow Jim to Ortharos, where he meets a green-skinned witch and her enticing, imprisoned Rapunzel look-alike sister (named Rapunzel, in fact) and the cyclops queen. Meanwhile, Mindy contends with myriad crises and phantasmic fallouts back home. The best conceit is that mythic characters defy expectations of who’s good or evil. But with two sets of protagonists teleporting or dodging peril via hidden passageways, there are considerable storyline snarls involving who is doing what, where, and in which world before things intersect at the Bacchus Krewe parade in the French Quarter. Paranormal romance followers who take the bouncy ride should delight in the playful tweaking of all the ingredients, including the Carnival king cake.

A frothy paranormal comedy-adventure that offers a respite from the usual brooding over messy werewolf/vampire love affairs.  

Writers extraordinaire, domestic goddesses, lovers of all furry things…

Zari Reede is a writing team consisting of Zoe Tasia and Minette Lauren. Both have an addiction to collaborative writing that rivals Oreo Double Stuffed cookies with fine champagne. Writing solo for years, they decided to engage in a writing exercise to strengthen their skills and enlighten their creative minds. It turned out to be a great venture and is still going strong today. Zoe lives in Houston, has two cats, two boys, and a priceless husband, who supports all her rebel dreams. Minette Lauren also enjoys living in Texas, has five dogs, two god-dogs, three turtles and a wonderful husband that thinks all things she writes are golden… even if it is horse hockey. They are lucky in life, enjoying every day they can write and dream.

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Freedom is the oxygen of the soul. 

- Moshe Dayan

Elly Molina Introduces Annabelle and the Domino

The Write Way Cafe welcomes Elly Molina, who knows a thing or two about mind potential for children and all ages.

Tell us a little about Annabelle and the Domino.
Annabelle is a six year old girl attending a private school in a rural part of Washington State. Here she is introduced to the concept of Human Potential and Mind Power. The children learn about the remarkable mind powers inherent in all of us. Children are taught to focus, use mindfulness, and ultimately learn how to "see without their eyes" (remote viewing) and move objects with only their minds ( telekinesis).

Where did the idea for your story come from?
Annabelle and the Domino was inspired by a true account. I taught at a private school in Washington State. We focused on developing the children's, as well as our own, incredible mind powers. We worked on telepathy, remote viewing, telekineses, blindfolded archery, to mention just a few.

Why did you pick the setting you did?
If you've ever been to Washington State, Seattle is known as the Emerald City. Towns south of it are filled with evergreens, douglas fir, and when moisture forms onto the bushes it sparkles like tiny jewels. It's the perfect setting for real magic!

What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after?
The biggest surprise I encountered were agents and publishers saying there was no market for this book. I went ahead and self published. So far all I have received are accolades and for Annabelle and the Domino, 5 star reviews and parents and children asking for more Annabelle stories! Children and parents love her! They love the message.

If Annabelle and the Domino were made into a movie, who would play your main characters, and
why?
I would love to see Annabelle and the Domino made into a movie and any sweet, kind hearted young child would make a perfect lead character. Annabelle is real. She is emotionally mature and has mastered the skills of her own body in order to perform higher functions of telekinesis, which is true in the real world. The children we worked with learned that they had to master their bodies in a meditative pose and concentrate. You can not perform telepathy or telekinesis while scratching your head, jiggling around in your seat, or being impatient. These efforts require a person to "tuck away the needs of the body" and focus on the objective. Many adults are unable to do this for prolonged periods of time.

What would you like to tell us about this story that we haven’t asked?
The story is enchanting and it's real. Kids and adults are inspired. I wish more institutions would consider looking at the benefits of learning to use our unleashed mind potential. I have a lot of exercises and information on this in my other book, the Amazon best seller, Children Who Know How to Know, where I explain and teach how to use more of our minds and to use them in a different way.

What or who has been instrumental in or to your writing journey? 
Jack London inspired me as a young adult. Later as a young adult I took writing classes at the New School for Social Reserarch in NYC and later taught basic college writing. I am self taught. Books have taught me what I know about writing as well as being an avid reader and paying attention to other authors' styles.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve been given? What’s your best writing advice for others? 
Just write. Get out of your head and write. Go back later and rework your piece. First get the ideas out. Steven Pressfield's book, The War of Art has been instrumental in helping me conquer procrastination.

What is your favorite social media? Why? 
Instagram is awesome! I love the visuals and short inspiring texts and it's so easy to connect with people there. Everyone is friendly and open and willing to chat and share!

What’s up next for you? 
I'm currently working on completing a Young Adult Fiction set in the Pacific Northwest. It's an adventure piece. I also consult and introduce adults and children to their own remarkable mind powers through workshops and "salons". I've been giving workshops and book talks now on the West Coast and really enjoying it. I love doing remote viewing exercises with adults and seeing their excitement when they have "hit" their target and used a different part of their brain they never thought possible! I love when people surprise themselves by their own abilities!

Annabelle and the Domino is the compelling story of a young girl willing to explore the potential of her mind. Annabelle demonstrates what it takes to develop telekinetic abilities.Her commitment inspires us with the possibility that this skill is available to all humans when they put their heart and soul into something that truly matters to them. The story is inspired by the author's experiences while teaching in the Pacific Northwest.



     Elly Molina, mindpower consultant and the founder of www.psi-kids.com, where children and adults learn to develop, trust and utilize their mind powers and intuitive abilities.
     Elly has appeared on FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, and in the New York Times.
     Her book, an Amazon Best Seller, Children Who Know How to Know, Black Opal Books, was released in March 2017. Elly guides people to obtain audacious results in their lives.
     Her latest release, September 26, 2017 became an Amazon Best Seller and is a collaborative work titled Dancing in the Unknown.

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Tuesday Special: A Christmas Kind of Perfect by Christine Schimpf

Christine Schimpf 

https://www.christineschimpf.com/

Conrad Hamilton thought his life would be easy. A great job running his own construction business. Living in his hometown in Door County, Wisconsin with Lila Clark by his side. He'd planned to marry her as soon as she returned from her Chicago internship, but it never happened.

Lila never expected to become a successful writer nor did she plan to spend years in New York. But she did.

Can the magic of Christmas turn two hearts back to one another again, or is it too late to capture that special kind of perfect?  

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Christine Schimpf was born and raised in a small town in southeastern Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and is an award winning essayist. Her independently published work includes: “Nick, The Journey of a Lifetime”, “The Ticket”. “A Christmas Kind of Perfect” released November 2017 and “A Perfect Fit” later this year with Pelican Book Group.

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association and the Romance Writers of America and lives on five acres in the country with her husband and golden retriever. She is now fortunate to devote most of her time to writing and always has a work-in-progress. In her spare time, she enjoys golf, tennis, kayaking and simply being outdoors as that is her source of inspiration.

Her advice to those wanting to take the leap into writing is to join a writing/critique group, read as often as you can, and study the craft.

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Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play. 

– Henri Matisse

Meet Shelaine Strom

The Write Way Cafe welcomes Shelaine Strom, who embraced the process of writing as a valuable discipline for self-actualization.

When did you first have the thought you'd like to write a book?
     It had never occurred to me to write a book. That was what my husband did, not me. And then I found myself in a pain-induced time away from work, volunteer activities, and many social relationships. I knew that if I didn’t find something solitary to do at home, I would go stir crazy. I audited a creative non-fiction writing course and began capturing stories from my previous work as a career and life instructor and coach. This led to the publication of my first book, Changing Course: Stories to Navigate Career and Life Transitions. The completion and reception of that book motivated me to write But Pain Crept In, a personal memoir and very different book than the first.

What was your path to getting But Pain Crept In written and published?
      Throughout my life I have journaled as a means of processing life and the season of being off work intensified this activity. At the encouragement of those close to me, I combed through these writings and saw content I felt might encourage others going through times of pain, be it physical, emotional, relational. At the encouragement of my agent, I self-published my first book, and found that to be a positive experience so I opted to do the same for But Pain Crept In.
     Practically speaking, once the manuscript was completed, I asked about ten different people to critically read and edit, including a writing instructor, university professor, doctor, English teacher, grammar specialist and others. I wanted perspectives and input from a variety of individuals to see how the story resonated – or didn’t. The compilation of feedback and ensuing changes were arduous (and not my favorite!) but worth the effort.
     I hired a professional graphic designer to create the cover and do the interior layout. She also assisted in solidifying the title and subtitle of the book.

Where did the idea for your story come from?
     The story, being a memoir, came from my life experience and chronicles my pre-pain life as well as the circuitous journey to find answers and relief. The bones in my jaw were disintegrating from a childhood injury and resulting surgery, causing excruciating pain and rendering me unable to speak much, laugh freely, and engage in basic daily activities. I found comfort in stories of other people’s journey through suffering and hoped my story might encourage someone else.

Did you face any blocks while writing the book, and if so, how did you handle them?
     The most significant challenge came as I recognized I was choosing to make some of my most private wrestling completely public. I believed God was calling me to share authentically to remind others in painful circumstances that they are not alone. However, to do so meant exposing my inner world and involved – and honestly, still involves – intentionally choosing to focus on the value to readers rather than on my own feelings of vulnerability. It still catches me off guard at times when a stranger jumps into a discussion about a deeply emotional part of my story. And, it’s often those raw experiences that move and touch readers. That makes the vulnerability worthwhile.

What have been surprises you've encountered while writing the book and after?
     It surprises me how different aspects of the book are speaking powerfully to different readers. For example, one woman wrote to share how my humor resonates with her. Others have identified with emotional processing even though their pain has not been physical. And some comment on a particular story as being moving in a way I never dreamt would be.

What did you learn? For instance, what did you learn about yourself, your process, the writing world; about pain, hope, and purpose?
     The whole book is about pain, hope, and purpose so living the experience and writing the book are intimately intertwined. My story is one of living a full, active, engaged life and being jettisoned into an extended “set on the shelf” period. Identity and purpose had to be redefined. Coming to terms with being instead of doing characterized this time. Learning to trust that God is bigger than my circumstances, expectations, or desires grew, in part, through the writing process. Thoughts and feelings out of my head and onto the screen helped me navigate this unsettling period.

Tell us about your writing space and how or why it works for you.
     I have a writing table set up in our front living space that looks out a window into our back yard. We are empty nesters now so when my husband went off to work, the house was quiet. I found that working in my study felt too much like a mirror of my life of being tucked away from the world. Even though there was no one else home, writing by the window helped me feel connected beyond our walls. And, I love nature so seeing flowers and trees and squirrels inspired me.
     I continue to have the table in this location even though I am no longer house-bound. It’s just where I write.

What are some of your favorite books and why?
     Being Well When We’re Ill by Marva Dawn changed my life. She is a theologian who has endured intense physical suffering and has learned to change her questions. Her writing inspired me to see the dark pit asking “why” can lead to and begin asking God where He is the midst, and how I might view my situation differently. For example, instead of asking, “Why did those medical papers get lost?” I might consider, “God, are you protecting me from something I can’t see through this delay?”
     Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend would be a close second. This material has helped me understand how to take ownership of my own life, a particularly critical insight when dealing with chronic pain. I had to advocate for myself, including letting those close to me know what I needed. Growing in healthy boundaries freed me from blame and resentment and assisted me in accepting the circumstances of my life.
     I also appreciate the work of Brené Brown and have found several of her books meaningful.

What are you working on now?
     I am presently writing a weekly (well, almost weekly) blog. I do not have another book project in the works at the moment but believe there is at least one more book in me. I also do some writing in my job.

Would you like to try your hand at writing a different genre? Which one and why?
     My husband (who has also written two books) and I are talking about co-authoring a humorous book on relationships. It would also be in the non-fiction genre but feels like an exciting challenge to work together on a writing project.

If you were not a writer, what would your dream job be?
     Well, I have a dream job actually. I am the Manager of Education and Professional Development for Food for the Hungry Canada. I get to help Canadians increase their understanding of the root issues of poverty and what healthy poverty alleviation looks like. In addition to facilitating workshops, speaking publicly, and training others to do the same, I have opportunity to write curriculum and articles for FH. I am blessed to be in a position with variety, which I thrive on.

What aspect of writing gives you the most trouble?
     Honestly, it’s getting my butt into the chair. Once I sit down and enter into the writing zone, I love it. Since I’ve gone back to work I have largely lost my morning routine of breakfast and then getting right to writing. I find that without the consistency of that schedule - the time that is dedicated and protected for writing – other things crowd it out. I’ve also come to realize that writing is actually a spiritual discipline for me. It slows me down to a more contemplative pace and quiets my soul and active mind. Being unemployed allowed for five or six mornings a week of solitary creating. Now I’m satisfied if I can do so once or twice a week. I’m simply in a different season with competing priorities. Not bad, just different.

What or who has been instrumental in or to your writing journey?
     My husband, Bill, is my biggest fan and cheerleader. We spent many a Saturday morning sitting by the fire engaged in what we’ve come to call “mutual edit-fication” sessions, where the week’s writing met the red pen. He is a gracious, honest, and skilled editor who believed I could publish long before I embraced that goal. There would be no books by me were it not for him.

     Loranne Brown, the professor who taught the writing course I audited, was also instrumental in me owning an author identity. She challenged me to shift from spoken storytelling, which I grieved having to let go of, to written tales. She also encouraged me to attend the writing conference where I met my agent and more fully owned my writing skills.

We expect life to follow a patterned path with rises and dips along the way. Growing up, high school, starting on our own. Maybe we will meet someone, find meaningful work, raise a family, settle into comfortable community with close friends. We don’t expect career-ending pain. Identity-altering surgery. Faith testing disruption. In But Pain Crept In, Shelaine Strom shares her sojourn from vibrant vistas to deep valleys as jaw joints crumble and bones splinter. Where does one rest, breathe, revive when pain reigns? When does one quit, wait, try to go on? How does one lean on family, friends, even strangers to endure? And where is God in the midst? In her winsome and honest way, Shelaine tells of travelling between hurt and hope, from agony to plains of purpose renewed. Through tears and humor, her storytelling signals gratitude and grace, and no simple answers to the problem of pain.

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https://www.shelainestrom.com/but-pain-crept-in.html

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Shelaine Strom resides in Abbotsford, BC where she and her husband, Bill, raised their three sons. She works part time as Manager of Education for Food for the Hungry and writes weekly on her blog, In the Midst. 

Summer is on the Reading List

It's official! The summer solstice on June 21 marked the first day of summer in the U.S. Of course, the season of summer begins at other times for different parts of the world. It's interesting to learn all about it on EarthSky News. Regardless when summer arrives, it's time to bring on the sunshine, lemonade, carefree days, and summer reads!

Have you thought about your plans for summer reading? Books don't have be set in summer, but books with a summer theme are fun. You can find a whole list of them on Goodreads' Listopia. NPR's Nancy Pearl lists seven books she recommends reading this summer. Find her with blurbs here at NPR. And NY Magazine offers suggestions from nine editors.  Another source for books for summer is the large pool of books featured on this blog. Search this blog for "Tuesday Special" and find a wide variety of books worth checking out this summer.

HiDee is a happily voracious reader and has plans for her summer reading.

"I'm currently reading the Sullivan's Sons series set on Anna Maria Island by Ellie Arden, Kristina Knight and Katie Kenyhercz. After that, I've got a Kat Martin suspense book waiting!" she said.

I just finished reading my first summer read, and it left me sobbing. The book, titled The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth, was not a light-hearted read, but it was a very good read. In the book, three women's lives cross because one of them is diagnosed with cancer and her teenage daughter suffers from social anxiety to the max. She cannot die. She can't leave her daughter alone. It explores several issues relevant to women and the importance of supportive people in all of our lives.

Up next for me will be a book that is a breezier paranormal, Driven by Kelley Armstrong. Don't get me wrong, it's going to have plenty of action and tension of the scary, shifter kind. But it probably won't lead to tears. I know I'll thoroughly enjoy it.

When the heat gets really bad, like now in some places, take a cool break and please consider reading Captured by Christmas, an anthology authored by HiDee writing as Lainee Cole and me. Here's a blurb:

It’s Christmas, and the season of holly, Christmas trees, and goodwill is drifting on air in merry holiday wishes. Romantic suspense and paranormal author Lynn Crandall and contemporary author Lainee Cole present in their own way two stories of love in Captured by Christmas. However it finds you—under a Christmas tree or drifted in snow in a backwoods cabin—the spirit of the season will wrap you in love.

In Snowbound, Lynn Crandall lets readers check in on favorite Fierce Hearts series were-lynx characters Kennedy Mitchell and Asher Monroe as they uncover the identity of the creature scaring the humans in Octavia, a small rural community in northern Michigan. Plans for an intimate getaway and family-style holiday are crumbling as the snow piles higher and Kennedy and Asher find themselves snowbound with a killer outside their door.

In The Mistletoe Effect, Christmas is second-grade teacher Tess McCall’s least favorite holiday, but she’s doing her best not to let it show. Learning he’s a father to seven-year-old Holly makes Alex Randle anxious about the upcoming holidays. When Tess’s class starts reading to shelter dogs, Holly and the antics of shelter dog Mistletoe lead them all to rediscover the magic of Christmas.


You can find Captured by Christmas on Amazon and other retailers.

If you read a book you enjoy, consider writing a review. Authors really appreciate it.

What books are on your summer reading list?