Peering Through Life's Window

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY        It all started in the Third Century when Roman Emperor Claudius demanded young men not marry because it distracted them from their duties as Roman soldiers. A priest, Saint Valentine, secretly married soldiers to their young brides. Then the Emperor demanded Christians deny their religion and worship pagan gods, but Saint Valentine refused, was arrested and condemned to die. While he waited for his execution, his jailer asked him to pray for his blind daughter. After she  miraculously regained her sight, the jailer and many others were converted to Christianity and were baptized. Before Saint Valentine was executed on February 14, 269 AD, he wrote a note to the jailer’s daughter and signed it “from your Valentine.” * Mercifully, priests and ministers don’t have to pay such a price today for marrying those in love, or praying for those in need, nor do we have to pay for loving or showing kindness to someone. Today’s a good day to spre...

  A Warm Welcome to Kathleen Neely Kathleen will give away either an e-Book or a print copy (U.S. Residents only) of Though the Mountains be Shaken , winner's choice. To enter to win see the Rafflecopter contest below. The Missing Piece  Shel Silverstein is an icon in the world of children’s poetry. Where the Sidewalk Ends. The Giving Tree. Falling Up. I could go on and on. His simplistic illustrations, often in black and white, have become synonymous with his name.  He authored a book titled The Missing Piece . Here’s the quick premise. It looks like a cheese wheel with a wedge removed, or perhaps an open-mouthed Pac-man. It knows that something is missing, so proceeds to hunt for it.  Every solution turns out wrong. It squeezes misshapen objects in an attempt to fill the emptiness. Too large. Too small. An incorrect form.  Many lessons await us in this simple, yet complex children’s book. I’ve found myself trying to fill the emptiness with possessions, work, ...

A Warm Welcome to Carlene Havel Congratulations on your wonderful new book, Song of the Shepherd Woman Carlene will give away an eBook. The winner may choose from any of her romance or historical books. Make a selection from Carlene's Amazon Page  then enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below.  Just click on Choose Your Own Option and leave an email address. Favorites Carlene Shares her favorite Bible verse and a favorite recipe Carlene’s favorite Bible verse (today) is John 3:17: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Carlene admits her favorite verse seems to change fairly often, but usually comes either from John or Romans. December is Carlene’s month to invade her husband’s domain, the kitchen.  She loves to make Christmas treats both to serve and to give away.  She loves quick, easy recipes that yield something cute as well as tasty.  One of her favorites is this ...

A Warm Welcome to Gay N. Lewis Congratulations on your new release! To enter to win  the e-book leave a comment and an email address below About Mattie's Choice It's 1925 in rural Oklahoma. A naïve seventeen-year-old Mattie chooses to elope with Jesse, leaving behind an ideal life with her wealthy and loving family. With hope for a happy future, she vows to stay with her husband through good times or bad, but the wonderful life Mattie dreams of is shattered by Jesse's abusive nature and his refusal to allow her to see her family. When Jesse’s brother, Joe, brings home his new wife--the vivacious Ella--Mattie believes Ella is living the life Mattie prays to have with Jesse. As the years grow harder and Jesse and Mattie’s growing family struggles to survive The Great Depression, The Dust Bowl and illness, Jesse’s abuse worsens.  Life also unravels for Ella and Joe as he begins to abuse his wife. Ella makes the choice that Mattie has never considere...

A Warm Welcome to Elaine Stock Elaine will give away an e-Book of Always With You . To enter to win leave a comment and an e-mail address below. Hi Elaine, first, tell us a little about yourself. Born and raised until I was fifteen in Brooklyn, NY, I’ve been living the majority of my life in upstate NY. First my family moved to the northern suburbs of the city, then I met my future husband at Albany State, further upstate, and we’ve been in the Capital District ever since. I grew up in the pre-historic era before computers or cell phones, enjoyed a black and white TV, and played outdoors with the neighbor kids. I believe all this fostered my imagination to create stories. Writing, truthfully, was also my way of coping with a very troubled family life. Lots of writers loved to read as children. Did you? If so, what did you read? As emotionally unstable as my mother was, she devoured novels and always had a book in her hand. She made a delightful fuss over me upon gettin...