If Only Things Had Been Different

He sat in the back of the room.  There were people shuffling about around him but he sat in his seat quietly ignoring them.

If only things had been different.

He remembered being in a boat with his dad.  He sat quietly, his fishing rod in the water.

 I wish a fish would bite.  

The water lapped peacefully around the boat.  His father sat at the other end, a cap covering his head.

"You have to be quiet.  Otherwise you'll scare the fish away,"  his father had told him before they left.

So he stayed very quiet.  And his father didn't talk.  Not when they were fishing or any other time either.

He stared at the other boats dotted around the lake.

 I wonder if they sit in silence too.

Of the handful of times that he'd been fishing with his dad, he had only caught a small number of fish.

Does it really matter if you talk?  It doesn't seem to matter when I'm fishing.

His dad reeled in his line and re cast it out on the water.

Thirty minutes later, his dad looked at him and said,  "We're not having very good luck.  Do you want to stay here longer or should we go?"

"Let's stay a little longer,"  he said.

 Let's talk a while.

Another fisherman drove past in his boat.

"Having any luck?"  he yelled.

"No,"  his dad shook his head.

"Try the southern part of the lake.  I just caught a few over there,"  the fisherman said.

"Thanks.  I might,"  dad yelled back as the fisherman continued on his way.

"Do you want to go to the southern part of the lake?"  his dad asked him.

He shrugged.  "If you want to."

"Let's just come back another time.  I'm getting sun burnt."

He looked around the room.  People were talking in hushed tones.  Some were crying.  He stood up and walked to his father's coffin.

I wish things were different.  I wish we would've talked a while. 

A tear slipped down his cheek as he walked over to join his family.

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Review: Rarity from the Hollow by Robert Eggleton

 

Synopsis:  Lacy Dawn is a true daughter of Appalachia , and then some. She lives in a hollow with her worn-out mom, her Iraq War disabled dad, and her mutt Brownie, a dog who's very skilled at laying fiber optic cable. Lacy Dawn's android boyfriend has come to the hollow with a mission. His equipment includes infomercial videos of Earth's earliest proto-humans from millennia ago. He was sent by the Manager of the Mall on planet Shptiludrp (Shop 'till You Drop): he must recruit Lacy Dawn to save the Universe in exchange for the designation of Earth as a planet which is eligible for continued existence within a universal economic structure that exploits underdeveloped planets for their mineral content. Lacy Dawn’s magic enables her to save the universe, Earth, and, most importantly, her own family.

My Review:

Rarity from the Hollow dives into the trenches of the human condition and explores dark societal issues such as sexual abuse and psychological problems.

While not for the faint of heart, Rarity from the Hollow is peppered with satire to lighten the tone of the story. This story is intended for adult reading as it has frequent reference to sexual situations. However, the author of this book has written with a tone of sarcasm and wit that will appeal to those who have dealt with the “trenches” in society...those who can relate to the hardships of the human condition and accept them for their true nature.

Rarity from the Hollow is well written. The author has truly come to understand and reference many problems found in society. If one reads this book with a semi serious nature, one will come to understand the mindset of those who have suffered greatly from the addressed societal traumas in the storyline. Abuse in the life of those who have suffered almost becomes an accepted, every day way of living. Rarity from the Hollow expounds on this fact.

Rarity from the Hollow was written to help children who have been abused. I commend the author and wish him all the best in his endeavors. His book is interesting with its mix of science fiction, fantasy and satire.

Interview with Robert:

1. What prompted you to write your book? In the 8th grade, I won the school’s short story contest. “God Sent” was about a semi truck driver so consumed with theological debate that he caused a terrible accident. I began to dream of becoming a rich and famous author. As it often does, life got in the way. I worked and went to school, never finishing any more stories that I’d started, until recently when I incorporated some of those unfinished stories into Rarity from the Hollow.

I recently retired as a children’s psychotherapist for our local mental health center. It was an intensive day program Most of the kids in the program, like myself as a child, had been traumatized, some having experienced extreme sexual abuse. One day at work in 2006 it all clicked together and the Lacy Dawn Adventures project was born – an empowered female protagonist beating the evil forces that victimize and exploit others to get anything and everything that they want. Rarity from the Hollow is the first full-length adventure in a prospective series.

While my protagonist is a composite character based on real-life kids that I’ve met over the years while working in children’s services, one little girl was especially inspiring. Her name is Lacy Dawn. Rather than focusing on her victimization, she spoke of dreams – finding a loving family that respected her physically and spiritually. She inspired me to make my own dream come true -- to write fiction -- and I haven’t stopped writing since I first met her that day during a group therapy session. That little girl, unknowingly, prompted me to write Rarity from the Hollow.

2. What message do you hope to get across to the reader?

There are many messages in Rarity from the Hollow, everything that I have ever written and will write. That’s why I think of my writing as social science fiction – that’s what it’s all about. But that doesn’t mean the messages will be interpreted by one reader the same as interpreted by another. I don’t write or want to read anything that is “preachy.” Heck, I don’t even think that religious literature, like the pamphlets that one finds on the floors of public toilet stalls, should be so preachy. I wouldn’t want to touch such content, even if it would have been delivered under more sanitary conditions. I want to write about important issues that one person may think support a particular position but the next reader finds the opposite. I don’t have the answers to the most important questions and challenges that humans face.

The narrative of Rarity from the Hollow addressed social issues: poverty, domestic violence, child maltreatment, local and intergalactic economics, mental health concerns – including PTSD experienced by Veterans and the medicinal use of marijuana for treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Capitalism, and touched on the role of Jesus: “Jesus is everybody’s friend, not just humans.” These messages do not advocate for anything specific. In my opinion, it is critical that such messages be in every piece of literature, even comics and erotica, but each of us have to find truths within our own hearts and minds.

One of my personal truths is that enough is not being done to prevent child abuse / exploitation in the world. Author proceeds from the Lacy Dawn Adventures project, from sales of Rarity from the Hollow, have been donated to Children’s Home Society of West Virginia: http://www.childhswv.org/

3. What are your favorite things to do in your spare time?

Since I don’t have very much money in the personal budget for recreation, I’m so fortunate that my favorite things to do in my spare time are very cheap. I enjoy writing. I enjoy reading. I read and write in all genres, except extremely technical nonfiction. Every scene that I closed when writing Rarity from the Hollow was a thrill, and, all in all, that adds up to one heck of a lot of fun times that were shared with friends and family.

I enjoy video games, but I try to stay away from them because I’m easily addicted, and I hate that feeling – addiction. I enjoy vegetable gardening, but I never could get into flower gardening, probably because flowers don’t taste good – after all that work, they just wilt. I enjoy a good movie, but it has gotten so expensive that I get bummed out if the movie sucks. “Lacy Dawn Goes to the Movies” was the name of one of the chapters in Rarity from the Hollow. It was a documentary about her role during human evolution toward development of savior attributes, but she really wanted to go to the movies to see her first Harry Potter film, like the other kids at her school were talking about.

In a nutshell, and I could go on, I enjoy life and will be disappointed when mine runs out, unless there is something better on the other side.

4. Do you have any other works in progress?

I always have several works in progress at the same time. Since I’ve recently retired, the difference is that I’ve become productive. Instead of ideas, partially developed and then abandoned because life has always seemed so complicated, I’m reaching closure on a ton of older half-baked stories. A new short story just got rejected by a major science fiction magazine, so I’ve got some work to do on it, especially since I agree that it was prematurely submitted.

Ivy, my next novel, is almost ready for professional editing. I’m holding off, trying to build name recognition before I submit it to the publisher for consideration. My dream with respect to writing fiction is to get to the place where I no longer need to request book reviews, but instead book reviewers ask the publisher for a copy of my work to review. I’m hopeful that I’ll get to that place with Rarity from the Hollow and then have the release of Ivy perfectly timed so that I can concentrate on writing instead of promotions.

5. What would you like your readers to know about you?

The main thing that I want readers to know about me is that I’m giving this writing gig my best shot. I’ve worked very long hours, sometimes with little sleep, to tell people about the existence of Rarity from the Hollow. The actual writing part about being a Writer is a piece of cake. It’s the self-promotion that is a killer.

6. If you could give one piece of advice about life in general, what would it be?

My one piece of advice about life is general is to always do the right thing because in the end, one way or another, I believe that it will always turn out alright. Of course, each of us has to determine in our own hearts what the “right thing” means.

Where you can find Robert:

http://www.lacydawnadventures.com https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13603677-rarity-from-the-hollow https://www.facebook.com/robert.eggleton2 https://twitter.com/roberteggleton2

Where you can purchase Rarity from the Hollow:

http://www.amazon.com/Rarity-Hollow-Robert-Eggleton-ebook/dp/B007JDI508

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rarity-Hollow-Robert-Eggleton-ebook/dp/B007JDI508

http://www.doghornpublishing.com/wordpress/books/rarity-from-the-hollow 

It Ran Out In Front Of Me

I was driving home late one night.  There was a light mist across the road and I was lost in thought.  Suddenly, to my left, I saw a streak emerge in the mist and stop about fifty feet in front of my vehicle.  I slammed on my brakes, skidding to a half.  The animal, a deer, stood in the mist in front of me and stared into my headlights.  Then, spooked, it took off like a shot into the darkness on the right.

As the shock of what had happened enveloped me, I realized what had gone through my mind as the deer stopped in front of me.

I'm going to hit that thing.  It's going to smash up my car.  I hope I don't get hurt.

Then I remembered a story I had heard about a man who was riding with his fiancee in his car when he hit a deer and it went up over the hood of the car and through the windshield.  It decapitated the man on its way through the back window of the car.

Life is fleeting.  You never know when you'll take your last breath.

I'm sure that man had no idea he was about to die.  I'm sure his fiancee didn't know either.  It was just another drive toward home until the fatal crash turned both of their worlds upside down and inside out...and ended one life completely.

What do you think of when you have a "near miss"?  When something unexpected happens and has the potential to change your life permanently?  I know what I think of.  My loved ones.  And whether or not I'm achieving my destined life path.

Through heartache and pain, I've learned that those are the only things that really matter. When the subject of life comes down to the "nitty gritty", what else possibly can be more important than loved ones and accomplishing your destiny?

That's what I think of when I'm saved from an accident.  Or trauma.  Or the loss of someone dear.  The world goes on with its issues and demands, but most of all of that is pointless.  It is your dear ones and your destiny that will come to haunt you if you fail to really live.  So make a choice to really live, because that's all that really matters.

Spotlight: Opium Warfare by Justin Bienvenue

~Available September 25!~

Synopsis: It’s 1920. The city of Shanghai has been invaded by the drug trade. The drug trafficking and usage of opium have taken the city by storm. While the looks of the city seem calm, deep within there is a secret and nobody realizes that the small hidden drug world is about to get bigger..much bigger. The underground world that was once hush- hush is now slowly making it’s way to the surface to corrupt the public. However only a few are aware of it, for the rest it shall cause an uproar making some frantic and some in awe. Soon the drug is seen all around the city and it seems that getting one’s hands on it has become a problem so much so that it causes an all out epidemic. One that no one will see coming or seemingly be able to stop..

One of the few people aware of all this is Ryu Tsang, a local dock worker who grew up admiring the city for all it’s glamour. When strange things start happening Ryu takes notice. While at first he brushes off the first few encounters he can’t help but shake the fact that something bigger is unfolding. Shin Shaojin believes the city will be better off embracing such change. He has a vision of Shanghai’s future. One that involves his business to bloom and offer endless possibilities to all that are accepting. Will the city overcome the dark cloud that is the drug trade or will it be taken in and become the change that Shin Shaojin believes it can be?

Interview with Justin:

1. What prompted you to write your current novel? I had the title picked out and done before anything. For some reason the words Opium Warfare just sounded cool to me and I thought it would make a great title for a book. I would like to say something distinct prompted me to write it but to be honest it was rather random and spontaneous. I knew I wanted to write another novel and since I had a name a unique name so then the brainstorming and story ideas began soon after. 2. What is your favorite genre to write and why? Poetry and Horror. I enjoy writing Poetry because it really gives me a way to express myself and tell a story in a very different way. I can write my feelings and turn them into something or use my imagination and put it into a rhyme or more diverse way. I enjoy Horror because it’s one of the most popular genres so I know people will enjoy it. There are countless stories and movies of horror and people love to get scared and I enjoy the idea of giving people a reason to be scared. Also with poetry and horror there are so many inspirations that one can’t help but want to take a crack at writing within the genres. 3. What inspires you? I take inspiration from everything. I take in what I hear and see around me. My emotions and what I may be feeling at a particular time. Whether I’m outside on a walk or watching television I take things and they bring me inspiration. As I stated above when it comes to a more direct source, poets and authors like Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Rod Serling, those people among more have inspired me. Their works and classics have inspired me to try new genres and new ways of writing. 4. What are your favorites: food, color, activity, place? Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan Favorite Color: Green Favorite Activity: Video and Board Games(though soon to be watching Football) Favorite Place: Anywhere but cooped up in my house all day 5. What do you hope your readers will remember about you? My creativeness and wanting to be unique. I like to try and write about things or write in a way that most people don’t. Everyone wants to be themselves and be original but with me I want my writing to stand out and do that for me. For someone to say while he reminds me of so and so his work is truly unique and quite creative. 6. If you could give one piece of advice about life, what would it be? Live it as you wish to live it and live it to the fullest of your being. It seems days go by way too fast at times so make the most of what you can.

Where you can find Justin:

Website: http://jbienvenue.webs.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThePlasmaticWriter Twitter: @JustinBienvenue Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/justinbienvenue/opium-warfare/

Feeling Alone

I am convinced that feeling alone is one of the hardest things to deal with as a human being. We were created for love and fellowship. When we don't have those things in a genuine way, it tears at our inner beings. Isolation is a desperate feeling; hopelessness is even worse.

We constantly crave a companion; someone we can bear our heart and soul to who loves us unconditionally. We crave a hug that reaches our pain and takes it away. If we are left alone for too long we even begin to go crazy and imagine things.

I used to wonder why. What is so important about someone who is there and who believes what we say? Why is friendship and compassion so necessary to the human condition?

It's actually quite simple. Because we were made to need it as a necessity in life. We were created to bond in love and have a purpose for living. We were created to be one with God and His creation.

That is why nature is so soothing. It was created for us. That is why love is so healing. It too was created for us. It is an inherent need woven into the fabric of our hearts; a compelling drive and desire to be accepted.

It is really quite simple. Simply profound. With understanding and discernment, we can achieve our truest and highest calling, which always involves love. Never has hate achieved those purposes. Hate tears apart and brings pain and corruption. Love builds up and brings healing and wholeness...purity too.

Love makes the world a better place. It cares and it shares. It holds goodness and mercy. I wish that for everyone reading this blog. May you find the peace, joy, healing and mercy that only love can bring. Because it is essential to a life well lived.

Namaste!

Evanthia's Gift by Effie Kammenou

In the year 1956, Anastacia Fotopoulos finds herself pregnant and betrayed, fleeing from a bad marriage. With the love and support of her dear friends Stavros and Soula Papadakis, Ana is able to face the challenges of single motherhood. Left with emotional wounds, she resists her growing affection for Alexandros Giannakos, an old acquaintance. But his persistence and unconditional love for Ana and her child is eventually rewarded and his love is returned. In a misguided, but well-intentioned effort to protect the ones they love, both Ana and Alex keep secrets - ones that could threaten the delicate balance of their family.

The story continues in the 1970’s as Dean and Demi Papadakis, and Sophia Giannakos attempt to negotiate between two cultures. Now Greek-American teenagers, Sophia and Dean, who have shared a special connection since childhood, become lovers. Sophia is shattered when Dean rebels against the pressure his father places on him to uphold his Greek heritage and hides his feelings for her. When he pulls away from his family, culture and ultimately his love for her, Sophia is left with no choice but to find a life different from the one she’d hoped for.

EVANTHIA’S GIFT is a multigenerational love story spanning fifty years and crossing two continents, chronicling the lives that unify two families.

Interview with Effie:

1. What made you decide to become an author?

There is no simple answer o the question as to why I decided to become an author. Let me start by revealing that I am a very young fifty-eight year old woman. I attended Hofstra University and graduated with a Degree in Theater Arts. In many of my classes we analyzed plays line by line, or were assigned to write our own original dialogue. Years later, I wrote a few children’s plays for the church Christmas pageants, and another for my daughter’s elementary school class.

My day job over the last thirty-five years has not been in a creative field, but I’ve always found a way to fill that void. Either by working on the children’s plays, getting involved in some type of craft or by cooking and baking. Without realizing it, I ended up running a small side business, making decorative cookie favors for special occasions. I made them for my daughter’s class, and before I knew it, people were ordering them from me. I started writing a food blog a few years ago, sharing not only my recipes, but also the traditions behind the food. Most of the recipes were handed down from my grandmother to my mother and now to me.

When my mother got terminally ill with pancreatic cancer, the memories of growing up with the foods from our Greek heritage became even more important to preserve, as well as the recipes she now entrusted in my hands.

I’d always had a story in my head. I would sometimes daydream, and being the actress that I was, create scenes in my head, and develop characters. I thought that someday I might write it all down, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Then my mother passed away. I started to write in order to work through my grief. I came up with a character that was inspired by her. It was a way for me to honor her, and the heritage she cherished. I combined the story that I’d developed over the years with the one I created inspired by my mother. The result was a beautiful love story and family saga.

2. What is your favorite genre to write about and why?

My favorite genre to write about is women’s fiction/romance. Not the sappy fluff romance, but the genre where you really understand the characters. I like to learn something new when I read. A new culture, or religion. An industry I had no experience with. Maybe an understanding of a mental or physical affliction. Evanthia’s Gift is rooted in Greek heritage and history. To understand these characters, you must understand their customs and the struggle their people endured in their homeland. But ultimately, it’s what I love most – a love story.

3. Tell us what books you enjoy reading and why?

My tastes in books are very eclectic. I am just as likely to read East of Eden or any Jane Austen novel (I’ve read Pride and Prejudice many times), as I am to read Twilight or an erotic fiction. I love trilogies, mainly because I hate the idea of giving up my book friends. Nora Roberts and Jude Deveraux are masters at the love story trilogy. But I must say Sylvain Reynard has captured my attention to the point of obsession. His use of language, his knowledge of art and literature and his sense of romance are unsurpassed. The latest book I’ve read is darker, sadder, and in no way a love story. The Goldfinch took me on an unexpected journey.

4. What are your favorite foods, color, activities and places?

My favorite food is something most people will not be familiar with. It’s an aged and spiced, thinly sliced meat called bastruma. I mainly buy it at the holidays at the Greek grocery store. I am a cheesaholic. I always say, “Give me cheese and bastruma and I could live on those two things for the rest of my life.”

My favorite color depends on what I’m using the color for. I love to wear white. Several of my friends have made fun of me, commenting that my whole closet has nothing but white clothing for the summer. The walls in my home are mostly sage green. If I had a summer home I would decorate it in Caribbean blue and white.

I love to dance. I met my husband at a disco back in the 70’s. He asked me to dance. We still do the hustle on occasion. My children were competitive dancers in contemporary and jazz, and I loved watching them on stage. I miss that. They also played tennis in college. Our whole family plays. I try to play, that is. I cannot live up to the standard and skill of the rest of my family. But it is the only sport I watch and the only one I attempt to play. I also like to swim.

In the summer, I spend a good part of the time on the East End of Long Island. I live relatively close to the Hamptons, and I enjoy going to lunch and shopping there with my daughters. There are over fifty wineries on the East End, mostly on the North Fork, and each year I explore new ones. I write feature article and restaurant reviews for Boating Times Long Island Magazine, so I am always on the lookout for the next great place to dine. My other favorite place is, don’t laugh, Disneyworld. Our family visits Disney like other people travel to the next town. We have annual passes, and quite honestly, the plane ride takes the same amount of time as my husband’s commute into NYC. The EPCOT Food and wine Festival is one of our favorite events to attend.

5. What inspires you to write?

As I mentioned, my mother’s death inspired me to write Evanthia’s Gift. When you read it, you will understand whom she was. Although the book is not her biography, the essence of her shines through – her love, her strength and her determination.

My need to be creative inspires me to write. Whether I’m cooking, acting, or writing, I crave the creative process, and the ability to express myself.

6. What would you like your readers to remember about you?

I would like people to remember that I have a deep soul and that I feel emotions strongly. I want to be remembered as a kind person, who was always willing to help people as much as they have reached out and helped me. I want to be remembered as a good mother, daughter, sister and friend. And of course, I would like for them to think, she wrote that book that I can’t get out of my head.

7. If you could give me one piece of advice, what would it be?

Just one piece of advice? That’s a tough one. I’ve leaned so much in the last three years during this process. Let’s see…Maybe, when you get down on yourself and think all this work and nothing will come of it. That no one will like it, and what am I putting myself through this for….When you say that to yourself, remember that you are doing it for your satisfaction. That you finished it and gave it your full effort. You did something meaningful, something that enhanced and possibly transformed your life. And sometimes that’s all you need.

Visit Effie here:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/effiekammenou Twitter: https://twitter.com/EffieKammenou Effie's Food Blog: https://cheffieskitchen.wordpress.com/

You can buy Evanthia's Gift here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0692471839/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_CwX3vb1KS8FQ3

The Little Big Things

When she cleaned her house, she always decorated the table with flowers. Then she would go and put a single flower in a vase in the bathroom for added effect. Her house was her sanctuary and she was determined to make it a happy one.

Whenever the days were long, she would come home and sit and gaze at her flowers. They filled her with life and hope and determination. Sometimes she wondered how something so small could bring changes so large to a home or a heart. But then, she knew, the small things in life often did.

Like the time that her daughter burst in the house after school, excitedly running up to her. Her eyes glittering like diamonds, she held out a drawing that she had made in art class. "I did it for you, mommy! Just for you!" Her daughter smiled, wiggling expectantly back and forth, barely able to contain herself.

When she looked at the picture, what she beheld was more beautiful than anything Picasso himself could have conjured up. "I love it, sweetie! It's beautiful!"

The hugs and kisses that ensued were more "little" life pleasantries that swelled her heart to a gigantic size. Nothing could compare to the hugs and kisses of her child, the happiness engulfing them like a soft, fuzzy blanket.

She would then find a frame and hang the picture in a prevalent part of the house; a constant reminder of her child's love and creativity. Her house was filled with many of those very creations.

She also remembered when she was having a particularly bad day. She was at the store and was buying groceries. When it came time to pay for them, she rifled through her wallet looking nervously for the correct amount that was due. No matter how hard she tried, she kept coming up with the bleak realization that she didn't have enough.

A feeling of desperation filled her and eyes eyes began to tear up. "Why does this have to happen on the worst days?" she asked herself, tears stinging at the back of her eyes.

"I've got it," the man behind her said, a big smile consuming his face. "It's only ten dollars."

Feeling as though she had just won the lottery, she looked over at the man, feeling her tears begin to flow.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it," he smiled even more. "Really."

"Thank you so much! Thank you!" she exclaimed several times. She smiled back, trying to display her gratefulness. She wanted to run over and hug him but was too shy to do so. Instead he smiled even more.

"It's my pleasure! I can see you're having a bad day. I just want to brighten it for you! I'm glad I was able to!"

She sat back, gazing at the colorful flowers.  They filled her with hope.  And wasn't that what everyone needs?  A little hope?  She realized that the little things were the hope builders, the heart repairers.

And those were the things that meant the most. Those were the things that were remembered. Those were the little things that were really the big things. The little big things were the most important pieces in life's journey!

My Review Of 'The Bird With The Broken Wing' by DL Richardson

Guardian angel Rachael finds herself trapped in Purgatory with Ben Taylor, a young soldier with a secret that's driving him insane. Desperate to see him ascend into Heaven she breaks the rules about becoming involved and keeping her identity a secret. Her risky decision to stay in Purgatory to help Ben seems a good plan. Except they've been stuck for ten years already and Ben is no closer to ascending. The unexpected appearance of a feisty teenager, Jet Jones, throws Rachael's wings into a tailspin. The instant attraction between Jet and Ben means the angel's work is getting ignored. And without her help, Ben's soul will be trapped and she will have failed in her mission. But Jet's appearance also brings a chilling revelation. Maybe Ben's soul isn't the only one that needs saving.

We all love a good book. A good book takes us on a journey to another realm...and this is the case with DL Richardson's book The Bird With The Broken Wing.

Although the plot line of this book takes place in purgatory, DL Richardson makes the plot and characters easy to believe and credible. The reader finds themselves looking in on the main characters of the story as they reason out why they have been put in a strange place and where they happen to be. It is a story that will build up empathy about life and its meaning.

The Bird With The Broken Wing is an engaging story about the possibilities of the after life--about love and forgiveness and coming to terms with the things that happen within the fabric of life's journey.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading paranormal or spiritual material.

Interview with DL:

1.  How did you become interested in writing?

I used to be a singer/songwriter/musician so I've always loved music, art, reading, creative writing, all forms of art and literature really. I was playing in a band when I realized that while I loved music, it wasn't what I wanted to do forever. I sat down and thought about what it was I wanted to do forever and the idea to write novels came to me. I was reading Dean Koontz and Stephen King novels at the time and I was impressed with the number of books they had published and I decided that I wanted to write many, many,  many books. I've never given up on this idea so it must have been the right decision for me.

2.  What genre(s) do you write and what do you like about writing that genre(s)?

I write fantasy. I guess my influences, Dean Koontz, Stephen King and Anne Rice, have really impacted the genres I write. The strange thing is that I read a lot of contemporary fiction too, and that's why I like to blend the two styles, and not just write about paranormal creatures. My books feature true life characters in true life situations and I use fantasy settings to explore the issues of teen suicide, post traumatic stress disorder, teen pregnancy, organ donations, video game addiction etc.

3.  What is your favorite book and why?

I'd have to say The Outsiders by S E Hinton because I read it in school and it blew me away. As a teenager I thought (as most teenagers do) that I was alone in the world and nobody understood me. And then I read this book, which was written by a young writer who just said all the right things in a book. It kick started my love of reading which eventually turned to a love of writing as well, because I too wanted to write young adult fiction novels that connected with the reader and left them thinking they weren't alone in the world.

4.  Some more favorites:  colors, foods, places, activities?

COLOR - My favorite color is mid tone grey, don't ask me why!   I just love the harmony it represents when I see it. Perhaps because it sits in the middle.   Who knows?

FOODS - My favorite foods would be pastries. I can't walk into a bakery and NOT buy something yummy to eat.

PLACES - My favorite place to be, chill out,  is home!  Dorothy got it right when she said "There's no place like home!"  My favorite place to feel loved is with my family. My favorite place to sit and contemplate life is on a quiet beach or in an empty field. My favorite place to have a laugh is with friends in a restaurant or bar. My favorite place to get a good night's sleep is camping. My favorite place to connect with other people is at writer's events.

ACTIVITIES - I like to play my piano and guitar, walk the dog, go camping, write and read!  (Of course)!  I love to go skiing and I'm booked to ski in Canada next February so I'm super excited about that.

5.  What inspires you to write and why?

I don't know that anything inspires me, but I know I have this burning need to write and if it were banned I would find a way to write under a blanket with a flashlight and paper and notepad. It's just something I have to do. And I'll see this journey through until the end.

6.  What do you want your readers to remember about you?

That I told them a great and beautiful story and maybe I brightened their world and gave them the courage to keep going.

7.  If you could give me one piece of advice, what would it be?

The piece of advice I give to everyone who goes out there are chases dreams is, "Do it, but remember that nobody asked you to."  The reason I say this is people can get quite negative when they don't get the validation they expect when they do something. I see it on Facebook, I hear it in their voices. You should do it because you have a burning desire to do it, not to seek fame and glory. Be happy, be at peace, and everything will fall into place. And if nobody stands up and cheers you on, why should you expect them to?   You're doing what you want to do, not what they asked you to do.

Where you can find DL:

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Reviews/Posts

Watch for reviews and posts here.

Love Is All That Really Matters

His name was John. He was a quiet man.He cared not about living according to the precepts of humanity. He preferred life to be simple, For in simplicity he saw grandeur.

When he spoke, his voice was meek; Most times others ignored his unassuming nature. His peacefulness was seen as weakness, His generosity a flaw of the human condition.

Quietly he walked through life in the most ordinary way. The corridors he passed on his journeys were well populated Though he was hardly noticed; It was as if he hadn't walked them at all.

When he spoke his voice was but a whisper; A breeze passing by the others who were near. His words fell silently around them, And they scarcely took the time to even glance his way.

A select few did notice his passing; They stopped to smile and nod at his peaceful candor. After he had spoken, their hearts soared with new life, For they saw John's beautiful nature, and intelligence.

As humanity swarmed around him, Rushing and darting to keep pace with the craziness that society expects, John noticed the stars in the sky and the warm summer breeze. He felt the green grass beneath his feet and warmth of the sun on his face.

Children surrounded him and listened to him speak, Laughing and smiling at the stories that he skillfully told, Just as a spider spins a beautiful, glistening web, Were his observations of life and life's journeys.

He always stopped to feed the birds and to watch the butterflies Flit through the air like colorful, miniature kites; His day was complete when he had the opportunity To pet a neighbor's dog or feed a squirrel in the park.

John appeared to be elusive, but that was only because Everyone around him was too busy to stop for a moment; To meet as one heart to another, to find a place Of commonality or interests shared.

“He's different,” they would say. “Too quiet. A bit off.” He heard their comments but it didn't bother him. He knew what was truly important. “They must only learn,” he thought quietly in his head.

He remembered the gunshots in the war, His friends dying around him; his best friend Pleading as he bled to death in his arms, “Tell my son I love him.”

John knew life was brief. He valued the things That others took for granted; things like Peace; happiness; soft, puffy clouds in the sky, A quiet place to sleep at night. The hug of a child.

And he knew their indifference was not deliberate, It was just that they hadn't known what he had known: That life was a gift, it was not something to be taken for granted; And that its purpose was to give love to others;

Even if they didn't understand why it was being given, Or what they were supposed to do with it once they received it. Love's grand purpose would make itself known at just the right time, In just the right place with just the right people with absolute perfection.

And that, John knew, was all that really mattered.

Preconceived Notions

I think one of the biggest problems that we have in our society concerning happiness is the factor of preconceived notions. We think we need to conform to society's "norm" in order to find success, peace and happiness. We need that house in the suburbs, a nice car, at least two children, a good job and friends and family who support us. And yes, if we have all of these things it is wonderful but not a guarantee of happiness.

True happiness comes from inside of us. A car, a house and a job will not make us happy unless we are content in our hearts. How do you become content in your heart, you ask? Here is what I have found out about the subject in my own life.

First, you must accept yourself for who you are. You can't compete with the neighbors or your friends or relatives. Or the checker at the grocery store. Or the teller at the bank. We are each unique and we each have our own quirks and talents. It is impossible to compare yourself to another person because no two people are exactly the same. Television and magazines tell us we need to be the same but we don't. Be grateful for your differences. If we were all the same, what a boring world this would be!

Second, don't let greed or envy eat you alive. If you want something bad enough, strive to make it happen. Don't hate your neighbor or relative or friend for what they have. Many times we think we need something in particular when in fact we may not. Let go and let God. Trust that what you need will come to you as you aspire to find it. We all are here for unique situations and reasons. Don't force someone else's reasons upon yourself and think you have to comply. That will only guarantee unhappiness!

Thirdly, have an open mind and get rid of those preconceived notions! Seek to be better, happier, and everything will eventually fall into place. Don't think it has to be a certain way, because it doesn't. Sometimes the most unexpected surprises in life bring the most joy and purpose.

Fourth, forgive. Yourself and others. You don't have to be perfect. In fact, it's impossible to be perfect because only God is perfect. Do your best each day to be the best that you can be and walk in love to the best of your ability. When you send waves of kindness into the world they will find their way back to you. Don't fret and worry. Trust that your love and kindness will manifest in just the perfect way when it finds its way back to your heart. Life has a funny way of doing that when you let go of expectations.

Lastly, accept the shortcomings of others just as you would like them to accept your shortcomings. When you let go of high expectations, there is less to disillusion you and less of a chance for unhappiness. There is also more of a chance for peace because you aren't expecting certain situations and outcomes to occur.

Life isn't easy. But when you walk it in love and acceptance it does become a lot more fun and a lot less disappointing. Just imagine the possibilities and keep your dreams in the forefront of your mind; strive each day to make them happen. Some day you'll turn back and look behind you to find a beautiful path having been paved in your wake....what a beautiful legacy to leave for the upcoming generations!

Diamante's Delicious, Homemade Meatballs!

Every now and then I get a craving for a nice, hot, home cooked meal! These meatballs always hit the spot! Here is what you need: 1 pound ground turkey or chicken, thawed 1/2 medium onion, finely minced 1/4 c. bread crumbs 2 T. minced garlic 2 T. parmesan cheese 1 egg 3 t. salt dash of pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Form into balls about 1 inch around. Fry in a covered electric frying pan approximately 15 minutes and then turn and fry another 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy!! Mouthwatering and mmmm mmmm good!!  Your family will come back begging for more!!

Don't Give Up

When you've tried your best,Been challenged and tested, And you're still wading through the muck, Don't give up.

When your dreams aren't handed, To you on a silver platter, And you feel like nothing matters, Don't give up.

When others tell you How wonderful their lives are, Know that they too have scars. Don't give up.

When sorrow hangs around, Like a thorny crown, And everybody tells you to smile, Don't give up.

Life is a series of tests And tribulations With an occasional vacation, so Don't give up.

The sun always shines, After it's been gone a while, Know you'll make it through your trials. Don't give up.

For others are watching you, To see what you will do. And if they see you make it through, They might not give up.

The Dance Of Life

Life is a dance; it is a danceOf love, of compassion, Of nature, of wit, If you do it right.

A dance Of happiness, of holiness, Of peace, of helpfulness, If you follow your own enlightened path.

And when your last days come, You will know if you've succeeded By the people who have gathered around you And the people who hold you in their hearts.

For life is not a game of chance; It is a testament Of who you are as a person And who you have become,

Through the path You have chosen to walk While you found yourself Here on earth.

The Ease Of Transmitting Contempt

None of us likes contempt. We shy away from it for the most part. We don't want to live with it. We don't want others looking at us with it. But yet, at times, it is so easy to spread around. If we find ourselves in a bad mood, it spreads. If we become judgmental, it spreads. If we have misunderstandings, it spreads. The sad truth is, contempt is easily caught, much like a virus. And if we remain unaware as to its capabilities, we become its victim.

If someone hurts you, you will feel contempt toward them. And that is understandable. It takes great strength not to act on it if you find yourself in that position. It is truly a person of great character and wisdom who knows how to proceed in peace and not take up the hateful attitude that contempt brings. It is always easier to get mad than to forgive. Forgiving, however, creates a much more well rounded person in the end. And a much healthier, happier one. But it takes great effort to be that type of person.

Using scapegoats is a common practice. When a certain person harms you, you want to react in the same way to all people who remind you of the person that victimized you. That is a normal reaction as well. But think about practicing that type of mindset. You just may be victimizing someone innocent. And kind. You never know until you completely understand each person you are interacting with. It also re-victimizes you in the process by dredging up old pain and agony. Why do it? It's so much better to seek peace.

There is such a tendency to want to criticize others who are different. And the sad truth is you are different as well. Different to many people who don't understand or know you. So does that give others a right to tread on your humanity? No. We need to practice temperance toward each other because nobody is perfect. If you find yourself having a bad day, the best policy is to hold your tongue or seclude yourself until you get you mindset under control. There is enough hate in the world. What we need is love and peace.

The old adage of treating someone as you would like to be treated is very true. Even Jesus talked to sinners. In fact, He singled them out so that He could help them. And the sad truth is, that is all of us. None of us is perfect. So why don't we try to make the world a better place by being considerate and a little kinder....by practicing empathy rather than anger? Just think of how wonderful this world could be if we all tried a little harder to be just a little more understanding. I, myself, am extremely grateful for everyone who extends kindness to me. Because I'm not perfect. In reality, nobody is. When I'm having a bad day, just having someone smile at me and hold a door open can change my perspective, no matter who they happen to be. So how about being a gateway of love to others around us? Who knows? Maybe we could even find ourselves a little closer to heaven? I wouldn't mind that. Would you?

Interview With Joan, From Breaking The Silence

Interviewer: Hi, Joan. Thanks for agreeing to do an interview. Why don't you give me a background of your story?Joan: Breaking The Silence is my personal story. It is the story of my life and what happened to me. I agreed to have Diamante write Breaking The Silence in an attempt to help others who have gone through the same abuse and problems that I have.

Interviewer: How are you hoping that telling your story will help others? Joan: Well, people that have been molested and sexually abused usually feel alone, like no one else can understand their situation. I wanted my story to help them realize that they aren't alone. And to help them know that they can heal no matter how severe their abuse was.

Interviewer: Is it possible for someone to heal completely if they have been sexually abused? Joan: Yes, healing is possible. It is a long process. it definitely takes time. And it takes understanding. That is why people need to hear my story. To know someone understands and has felt the pain they are feeling. It will give them hope that they can and will get better.

Interviewer: Have you completely healed? Joan: When you say completely, do you mean to ask if I never think of what happened to me any more?

Interviewer: I mean have you been able to move on successfully without your past haunting you any more? Joan: What happened to me will always haunt me. I'll never forget it. But I have come to terms with it and I realize there are good days and bad days, but the bad days don't last forever. I have hope that better days will come again.

Interviewer: So people who have been sexually abused will never forget? What can you tell them that will give them hope? Joan: I can tell them that the pain will lessen year by year as they deal with their abuse and the issues it has caused in their lives. I can also tell them that the days will get better more frequently as time goes on....they will reach a point where they may not think of what happened to them for six months before they have a flashback. And then when they do, it won't last long at all. It is possible to be happy. I mean, nobody's life is perfect.

Interviewer: How have you healed over the years? Joan: By my belief in God, by going to counseling for years, by believing in myself more and by believing in the possibility of my dreams coming true.

Interviewer: In closing, what advice would you give to someone who has experienced sexual abuse? Joan: I would tell them to read my book, to get in touch with a good counselor and to find a group they could join to meet others who have been through what they've been through. It is critical to have hope and to know that others have made it through that type of trauma. And I would tell them they are never alone. And they aren't damaged. They can absolutely heal and have a wonderful life if they are willing to face their demons. As I call it, they can become mighty overcomers!

Interviewer: Thank you, Joan, for sharing your story and for being willing to help others. I wish you great luck with all of your endeavors and I hope your book helps many people to become 'mighty overcomers'!

Happy Mother's Day

"I love you, mom," she said;"I know you do," I answered.

My thoughts became stepping stones, Leading down a path in my mind.

I remembered her youth; Her first words, her first steps;

"Mama," she babbled, holding chubby arms wide, For me to pick her up.

Then she was leaving on the bus, For the first day of school;

I stood in the driveway, And watched the bus take my baby away.

"I think he likes me," she smiled as she Showed me his picture. "Isn't he cute?"

I unwrapped her first purchased gift in pink wrapping paper; A bottle of perfume for my birthday.

She smiled and waved as she got behind the wheel Of her first car, honking the horn as she left.

"I'm pregnant," her voice cracked On the other end of the phone.

I heard the cries of my first grandchild As I watched her being born;

I held my granddaughter, marveling at her Soft cheeks and perfect little fingers and toes.

I took the gift from my daughter. My grandchild looked up at me and smiled.

"I love you too," I said softly. "Happy Mother's Day."

A Tribute To Those Who Are Hurting

There are so many people in the world who are in pain of one sort or another. Mental pain, physical pain, the pain of being in a difficult situation. These people suffer day in and day out without much regard from others around them. Many of these people tell others that they are fine when in fact they are not.

There are such a myriad of reasons why people are hurting. Incest, rape, domestic violence, wars, prejudice, health problems and accidents are just a few reasons. These are the types of things that can change a person on the inside and the outside. They can change a person forever.

Life can be beautiful. It can also be horrible. Since I was little, I could relate with "horrible". And I always had a feeling inside of me that I wanted to help others who are stuck in "horrible". Maybe because I could relate. I always knew that "horrible" was truly "horrible". And the thing is, it is hard to be close to others when you're in that state. It seems that others are light years away even when they are only inches from you. It feels like there is a bubble around you and you are alone no matter how close you are to others. That is why I write inspirational stories. I want to pass some hope around.

The books I have published so far are about hope. And healing. My fantasy adventure is written in a much different format than my women's fiction novel, but they are both about new beginnings. They are both about picking yourself up by the bootstraps and starting fresh. That is a motto I live by every day. Each day is a new beginning to your new life. And if you look at it in that format, it is easier to make strides in the direction you want to head in.

It is all about perspective. And thought process. Always redirecting. Always putting one foot in front of the other to reach your desired outcome. Journey with me. We will be journeying together and reminding each other day by day. Because life is a journey and you never know just what you'll find if you let go of the old and embrace the new!

Please Do Not Weep

I wrote this poem to begin my novel entitled Breaking The Silence. This poem is a summation, in essence, of my book:  

Do not fret For your grievous loss;

Do not feel Like a wave that is tossed;

Do not weep By yourself, so alone;

For I am with you, Soon you will be Home.

The things of this world Are transient and brief;

I will be your comfort, Your ease and your peace;

Notice the good And perceive not the bad;

Observe what you've learned, The lessons you've had;

For everything you've been through Has come at a cost;

There is good in the bad, You have won and not lost.

I have set you here, love, And you shall I keep;

Do not lose hope, And please do not weep.

-Diamante Lavendar (from my novel, Breaking The Silence).

Interested In Writing?

This blog is geared toward those who feel the "writing bug" biting at them. Do you have a story you want to share? Some insight you want to talk about? One of the best ways to get your information out there is to write! There are many reasons why writing is a great way to portray your thoughts.

One is that writing is received by many different people. Word of mouth is great, but writing is a much better catch-all. Your written work is readily available to share via the internet, publishers and social media sites. More people will be able to read your work than you could possibly reach by word of mouth. And your work is available day and night to pour over again and again in the various places where you post it.

Another reason why writing is such a great way to share your information is that it is done in your own personal style. Nobody can write just like you! Each author has his or her own way of communicating. It is almost as distinctive as your fingerprints! No one else can imitate your voice!

Thirdly, writing gets your name out there! Writing is a great way to let people know who you are and what you believe in. It is a wonderful way to connect with others. And who knows? You may just make some new friends in the process which is always an added bonus!

So next time you feel the writing bug bite at you, take a chance and pull out your pen and paper! You might find writing to be a new passion in your life!