"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Monday, March 24, 2025

A Hint of Romance

Today, we are visited by award winning author Pamela S. Thibodeaux and reviewing her new release: a collection of short stories published under the title A Hint of Romance.

Whether married or looking for another chance at romance, love is always in the air for these couples…

Twin Flames: Twins, Raymond and Raelee MacFarland have spent a couple of years and a ton of money turning the property they inherited from their uncle into a small guest ranch, rebuilding their lives after her husband runs off with his wife. Will they succeed and perhaps, get a second chance at love?

Like a Rock: Macey finds herself at a crossroads when her and Jerry’s youngest child leaves for college. Will their love survive midlife crisis and empty nest syndrome? 

The Big Catch: Karla and, the love of her life, Jeff, have uncovered some uncommon ground: The Great Outdoors. For the life of her, she does not understand his love of fishing and how he can spend so much time doing so. Will she come to love the sport as much as he or will his passion for a rod and reel tangle up their relationship?

A Hero for Jessica: Anthony Paul Seville is known as the ‘most eligible bachelor’ in New Orleans, possibly even the entire state of Louisiana, but finds himself alone—completely and explicitly alone. Jessica Aucoin is a writer on her way to fame and fortune but is haunted by a man from her past. Will the “champion” lawyer and the author of romantic suspense find love written in their future?

In His Sight: Grade schoolteacher Carson Alexander has a gift—a gift that has driven a wedge between him and his family. Worse, it’s put him at odds with God. Feeling alone and misunderstood, Carson views God’s gift of prophecy as the worst kind of curse…that is until he meets Lorelei Conner, landscape artist extraordinaire, and perhaps the one person who may need Carson and his gift more than anyone ever has. Lorelei Connor is a mother on the run. Her abusive ex-husband has followed her all over the country trying to steal their daughter. Distrusting of men and needing to keep on the move, she’s surprised by her desire to remain close to Carson Alexander. Through her fear and hesitation, she must learn to rely on God to guide her—not an easy task when He’s prompting her to trust a man. Can their relationship withstand the tragedy lurking on the horizon?

Review of Love: Jason Stockwell has been commissioned to interview Kylie Erickson and to review her books. The only problem is, she won’t give the time of day much less an interview to someone whose type of writing she deems not worthy of respect. Can they suspend their judgmental attitudes and find true love?

Paper Roses: Widowed eleven years, Patti Howard has found herself enamored with her son’s football coach. Will a homecoming tradition give them a chance at romance?

Journey’s End: Ellie Thibaudeau’s travelling days ended when she bore a daughter who, in turn, left a granddaughter to be reared in the small town of Wellington, Florida. With retirement on the horizon will her dream of seeing the world come true with a new man or will she be resigned to staying put and live vicariously through her Angel Girl, Callyn?

Soul Mates Jolie LeBlanc has used her Masters in Archeology and Minor in Anthropology to study the paranormal all over the world and ends up on five acres of land supposedly haunted by the famed pirate, Jean Lafitte. Will she and her soul mate will reconnect once again or will she live another lifetime without him?

Why I Wrote These Stories: As a novel writer, short stories are a welcome diversion, but also a challenge. To tell a complete story in so few words can sometimes frustrate one who thrives on the detail and description found in a novel. Some of these were written with a particular women’s magazine in mind. Others were for the publisher I was with earlier in my career who listed them for free through the website or for 99cents at Amazon. ALL were written for fun and the experience. A friend of mine said I write excellent short stories. I hope I’ve done well enough in these to entice you to want to read my longer works.

Keyword/Tags: inspirational short stories, christian fiction, supernatural elements, paranormal elements, prophetic tendencies, prophecy, reincarnation, romantic suspense, later in life romance, after life, magic, leprachauns, Irishman, romance and fishing, outdoor romance, married romance, women's fiction

Bio: Pamela S Thibodeaux is a native of SWLA and is the Co-Founder of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles. She is an award-winning author, life coach and mentor. Her tagline, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ defines her life, writing, and coaching style.

Find Pam at the sites listed on LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/pamelasthibodeauxauthor Sign up to receive her newsletter and get access to a free short story!

If you enjoyed hearing about A Hint of Romance, get Pam's brand new collection, A Hint of Holiday Romance at the introductory price of $2.99 but hurry, the #sale ends March 25th!  https://amzn.to/4iiS4G2 

Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)
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Monday, March 17, 2025

Happy St. Patrick's Day

March 17 is the traditional day to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Some of the best-known celebrations in the United States include Walt Disney World's Raglan Road experienceChicago River Dyeing, and parades in New York.

If you're interested in participating in some St. Patrick's Day fun, but not quite sure how or where near you, check out this article I shared a couple of years ago: Irish Classics, Prompts, and Party Tips.

Feeling Lucky? Check out the post about where I and a few other writers get their inspiration: https://iwsganthologies.blogspot.com/2022/03/feeling-lucky.html

Some additional educational and fun holiday ideas include:

  • Streaming Irish jigs and songs.
  • Watching traditional Irish dance on YouTube or chrome cast to your TV.
  • Adding green food dye to your short bread cookie recipes.
  • Sewing or gluing crazy Green Irish hats, ties or belts using felt, ribbons, or fabrics.
  • Cooking Irish Stew, scones and clotted cream or butter from scratch or from cans. 
  • Telling Irish fables about leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold, or gnomes.
  • Reminding your children about the “kiss of the blarney” and the folkloric tradition known today as “the gift of the gab”.
  • Research the real St. Patrick.

How about you? Are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day? How are you spending this time?

Monday, March 10, 2025

2025 A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal

Don't forget to join the "A to Z" blog hop and post your theme reveal this week! 

I thought about joining again this year, but I've just taken on too many responsibilities at the moment and I'm not certain I'll be around to post each day, let alone have time to visit all of the blogs each day. I do plan to stop by and visit as possible. I just know it will be difficult to dedicate a lot of time over the next two months.

Best of luck to all who are participating. I look forward to visiting as possible.

To learn more about this challenge, or what you can expect to see this April, be sure to follow their website http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/ 

Theme reveal sign up: March 9 - 15
Master list opens: March 24
Master list closes: April 5
After-survey: May 1-8
Reflections: May 3-8
Road-trip: May 10


Have you ever participated in this challenge? Will you be taking part this year? What other hops or challenges do you enjoy?

Monday, March 3, 2025

IWSG: Anyone or Anything - Shakespeare, Lewis, or Christie

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

MARCH QUESTION If, for one day, you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

MY ANSWER - The first three that come to mind would be William Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, or Agatha Christie. I would choose Shakespeare or Lewis for the gender, cultural, literary, and even historical experience and Christie for similar reasons. However, beyond that would also be the group experience. These authors were a part of an artistic community that I don't believe we see on this scale except at conferences and conventions today. It would be amazing to have regular access to LIVE discussions among artists both of similar and varying backgrounds, genres, and views. While it's possible to achieve this online. Many of us rarely get to experience this type of immersive discussions frequently. I would love to do this more regularly.