YOU R INVITED!!!! Don't miss it! Helping Hands Press "Thirsty Thursday Party" 8/6

It is almost time for another “THIRSTY THURSDAY”

What is Helping Hands Press “THIRSTY” for:Your input! Your ideas! Your feedback!

The authors at Helping Hands Press will be ready to answer your questions, listen to your thoughts, and to help you have a great experience!

The Party starts @ 8PM EST, we hope that you can make it!

The HHP Facebook Page link is: https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsPress

or join the party on Twitter:https://twitter.com/HelpingHandsPre

The Party will be simulcast on blogtalk radio also, click the link and be part of the conversation:http://ow.ly/O7LxH

WHAT? Another One? - Marta Burden

It all began on my daughter’s 12th birthday. I watched her as she stood at her best friend’s car after school. She would attend a new school the following Monday. We’d recently moved into an apartment across town while waiting for our newly acquired house to be ready. With tears she walked towards my car carrying a small bundle along with her backpack.
“Mom,” she croaked. “This is my birthday and going away present.”

She peeled back the cloth to reveal…a tiny fluffy orange tabby kitten.

I sputtered. “You know how your dad feels about animals. He’s going to have a fit.”
A new round of shuttering tears erupted. “Bu…but it’s a gift from Megannnnnn.”
Dad very reluctantly agreed to keep him. It’s that daddy wrapped around the little finger thing, I’m sure. Bootsie became a member of the family.
Next came Coonie.

She showed up on our doorstep. By then, I was smitten with kittens. I was sure she was just on the chunky side. After all, she wasn’t a year old yet. My children, however, rolled their eyes at me.
“Mom, she’s pregnant!”

I denied it until I felt her belly and little creatures stirred within.
She gave us three balls of fluff, Mowgli, Bagheera and Spot.

We moved once again, lock, stock and barrel of cats. Our neighbor found a white kitty complete with collar wandering in his yard and assumed it was ours. Hubster protested loudly as I pleaded with him to house said offender while we found his owner. After all, he wore a cute little collar with puff paint fish. Surely someone missed him.
Signage, phone calls to the animal shelter, neighbor interviews… nada, nothing.
Angel was added to the menagerie. He’d lie on my chest and suck his paw.
When we babysat my mom’s cat, Kittybabe, we housed and fed 6 felines.

As with all living creatures, their clock eventually strikes midnight and they are gathered to their people. Mowgli left us first after only 5 years. Bootsie grew old and followed.
My mom passed and we adopted Kittybabe.

Somewhere in the story, Hubster worried that we’d become infested with cats. He knew the empty threat of, “if you bring one more cat into the house, I’m leaving you,” wouldn’t fly, so it became, “if you bring one more cat into the house, they allllll go.” That one was heartfelt and serious.
Dear Daughter is now 35. The cats, they came. The cats, they went.
We now have only one bag of fluff. Kleinah.

Kleinah needs serious therapy. We think she’s OCD. We hope it’s just a passing phase while the weather is hot.
She follows Hubster, our son, or yours truly into the bathroom, stands at the sink and waits for water to be dumped on her head and back. No matter how short a time between “showers”, she’s there waiting.
Cats. You either love them or hate them. But they provide hours of entertainment for the whole family.

Marta Burden devotes her time to her love of writing contemporary fiction, devotionals and short stories. Her motto is: “say what you need to say”.

Drawing from her many visits to Israel, Marta seeks to bridge the gap between the Christian and Jewish world.
Marta lives in Northern California with her husband and spoiled cat, Kleinah. She enjoys spending time with her two grown children and eight delightful (grandmothers can say this) grandchildren.


You can visit Marta at: verbalismbuffet.blogspot.com

Twitter: @MartaBurden

Patti J. Smith wants to know “Where would be your dream location for writing?”

As many of you know, I have had the privilege of interviewing some very talented authors on my blog (gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com). One of the questions I ask is, “Where would be your dream location for writing?”

Yesterday, while I was in the shower preparing for a family outing with my husband and dad, I do what I usually do…pray. The solitude and water flowing frees me from all distractions, unclutters the mind and allows me to focus on God. Following my conversations with Him has always been a time of inspiration for me. Unfortunately, by the time I dry off, get dressed and start the day, those inspirational thoughts that could be used in a current or future book slip away in the chaos of life.

With that in mind, a funny thought popped into my head … if only my laptop were waterproof.
I wouldn’t lose the inspiration … the words would flow as freely as the water.

Yep, that’s how my brain works. I even thought about designing something for shower use, until I realized that even if I could, I’d be rudely catapulted out of the inspirational mode as the water turned shockingly cold. Not only that, the water bill would skyrocket and with the drought in Southern California, I would probably be fined for overuse.

There’s always a bath……

Patti J. Smith is a best-selling author of devotionals, light romance and suspense. She was born into a military family in Wimpole Park, England and traveled extensively during her childhood.

Patti worked for the federal government as an auditor, served ten years in the U.S. Army Reserves and recently retired as a background investigator. She is a member of the Association of Christian Therapists, serves as Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Co-leads Rachel's Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats. Patti publicly shares her story of redemption in a variety of venues, has been a guest on Sacred Heart and Blogtalk Radio and appears in the newly-released documentary, "The Sidewalk Chronicles".

She lives in Vista, CA with her husband and has three beautiful granddaughters. She is a prolific blogger and reader, and proudly admit to being a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and Fantasy Football fanatic. Her travel adventures include Spain, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Fiji, South Korea and almost all states - including Hawaii and Alaska.

Follow her blog: http://www.gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7306825.Patti_J_Smith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gridirongranny5
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattiJSmithAuthorPage
Pinterest: http://wwwpinterest.com/gridirongranny

Please Say “Hello” to my new “companion”, "The Demons of Abadon" - Larry Peterson

Please Say “Hello” to my new “companion”, The Demons of Abadon. Yes sirree, my new novel is slowly being born and it is an anxious time waiting to see if, upon full arrival, he will be welcomed or not. If you are a writer or author you know from whence I come.

We expend a lot of mental sweat and endure sleepless nights; enhance our crows-feet because of ever squinting keyboard eyes and travel onward and forward oftentimes lost and unsure of which way to turn next. We finish our epic journey and then we dare to do what must be done. Expose ourselves through this creation to the world. Will it be acceptance or rejection?

I know that since I am just one of maybe millions who take fingers to keyboard (it used to be, ‘pen to paper’) I am simply jumping into the deep water with the hopes of staying afloat. I will be surrounded by Naysayer Sharks which have the primordial goal of gobbling me up along with so many others. If I can survive the Naysayers with their never ending appetite I know anything is possible. There is one worse fate: being totally ignored. UGH!!! That REALLY hurts.

Since this is being introduced in a ‘series’ (Volume) format, the complete book launch will take place over several months. The book is a sequel to my first novel, “The Priest and The Peaches”, which was based on a true story about five newly orphaned kids who, against all odds, are trying to stay together as a family. Their primary ally is their parish priest. The five kids are based on me and my siblings but the story has been fictionalized.

A melancholy sense of irony has popped into my world as I proceed with the book. Two of the primary characters in The Demons of Abadon, are based on my youngest brothers, Bobby and Johnny. Bobby passed away in 2007 and the ‘baby’ of the family, Johnny, passed away quite unexpectedly on July 13 (last week). The irony is, of course, that both of them are central to the novel and both of them now being gone is something I never expected. They are both in the first book but they will live on in the new book which, even if it never sells a kazillion copies, will be available for a long time to come.

So, my friends, if you do not mind, I ask you to take a look at this novel. It is about a fierce and relentless battle between Good & Evil and Life & Death. You might leave comments at some of the following places.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Priest-Peaches-Larry-Peterson-ebook/dp/B00J8TBYWC
http://www.slipperywillie.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/larrytpbx
http://twitter.com/slipperywillie
www.goodreads/LarryPeterson.com

WIN a signed copy of Patti J. Smith's "Grave Obsessions"!!!!!!

Three lucky winners will win a signed copy of Grave Obsessions.

The contest runs from 7/28/15 to 8/4/15

Enter here: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/432e6fd62/
or use the Rafflecopter right here on the HHP blog on the sidebar.

Good Luck to ALL!!!!!

Flora Reigada confesses to "GRAMMATICAL CRIMES I HAVE COMMITTED"

During the final, critical moments of a football game, I leaped to my feet with the cheering crowd when the quarterback hit a home run.
Not really—but that scenario illustrates something unbelievable about my writing career. For several years, I covered sports for a newspaper, even though I know absolutely nothing about sports.

I got by quoting those involved in and passionate about whatever sport I was featuring.

People were amazed by my "vast knowledge." Now the truth can be told.

It can also be told about mistakes I have made as a writer. I keep a log to remind myself how easy it is to trip up—sometimes in subtle ways. Errors were often caught by my husband and editor, Dan, whom I call Ol' Eagle Eye. He will spot a mistake and pounce on it.

Here are some examples:
In a query to a publisher, I wrote, "A 100 word blub follows, rather than a blurb.

In a devotional, I wrote about a lethargical dancer, rather than a liturgical dancer.

I addressed an envelope containing my manuscript to Strange Publications, instead of Strang Publications.
For a newspaper story about how a New Jersey transplant initially thought Florida was a new state with little history, I wrote, "A move to Titusville and the historic, LaGrange Cemetery would challenge that perception."
Dan asked me if she had moved to the cemetery.

I re-wrote the sentence as follows: "A move to Titusville and a visit to the historic, LaGrange Cemetery would challenge that perception."

In "Lovers and Secrets," book three of my "Castle in the Sun" romance series, I wrote, "Carlos returned to his room, immaculately cleaned by hotel workers."

Dan asked me if he had been scrubbed down with a big brush.

I re-wrote the sentence as follows: Carlos returned to his hotel room, finding it immaculately cleaned by hotel workers.
Somehow, at the conclusion of a Bible verse in a very serious devotion, an extraneous word became inserted. "But knowing these things and knowing His fate, Jesus still told his disciples, 'I have looked forward to this hour with deep longing, anxious to eat this Passover meal with you.'" Pocahontas
Dan asked me if Pocahontas attended the last supper.

This is but a sampling of my mistakes, many of which got past my spelling/grammar checker. Sharp human eyes always work best.

Stop by Flora's Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/FloraReigada/e/B00IQK4C5A/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Joseph Max Lewis reminds everyone to "Watch out for LYME Disease"!

Watch out for Lyme Disease

Last summer my rough haired collie began to limp. At first I thought nothing of it - he’s a big energetic male and will often step in holes, jump up after squirrels climbing trees, try to stop on a dime from an all out run and sprain a leg in the process. After a couple days of shorter walks and limping, it goes away.

Only it didn’t. Then I noticed he didn’t even want to put weight on his one leg. He licked his front paw constantly and had no desire to go on walks, normally the high point of his day.

I took him to the vet who almost immediately said, "we’ll do a blood test to be sure, but its Lyme Disease." The blood work confirmed his diagnosis and after a battery of antibiotics, Ruff made a full recovery, but only because we caught it and treated it right away.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria and spread by ticks. Really small ticks, so small you may not find them. Lyme is everywhere, but here in the states its most common in the northeastern US, along the Pacific coast, and in the Midwest. I can’t stress how important it is to catch Lyme early and treat it. Besides the pain your dog will suffer, untreated Lyme can cause kidney disease, at which time it doesn’t always respond to treatment, and leads to a painful death. Here are the most common signs of Lyme Disease and remember, these symptoms often come and go: fever, no appetite, swollen joints, dogs not wanting to move because of pain in the joints, going lame, limping, shift weight from one leg to another, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.

Certain things increase the odds of your dog getting Lyme, like living in the high risk areas and spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in the woods, bush, and tall grass. For some strange reason our collie loves climbing into shrubbery, rubbing his face into the branches, backing in and rubbing his rear end into them We’ve no idea why, but it obviously places him at high risk, so we try to keep him out of bushes and always check him for ticks after walks. We also use high quality tick and flea collars or treatment and keep them current.

We had Ruff vaccinated against Lyme even though some Vets question if you should. That’s an individual decision you should make with your Vet. I can tell you watching my dog suffer is not something I want to see again. When we heard Lyme Disease, we thought "oh no," but thank heaven it was treatable. Within a week Ruff was back to his old self and so will your dog - just keep an eye out.

Joseph Max Lewis josephmaxlewis.com author of The Diaries of Pontius Pilate, Separation of Church and State and Baghdad Burning.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joseph-Max-Lewis/390366621022306

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008ZHHUBW

Joseph Max Lewis served as a member of an Operational Detachment in the U.S. Army's Seventh Special Forces Group, the storied Green Berets. During his service Lewis received antiterrorist training and his detachment was tasked to "Special Projects." Afterward, he served as an instructor at the Special Forces Qualification Course. Lewis attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the University of Tel Aviv in Israel, and the University of Pittsburgh, receiving degrees in International Politics and Law while being certified in Middle East Studies.

After living and studying abroad, first in the Middle East and then Southeast Asia, Lewis returned home to practice law. He’s a columnist in the New Bethlehem Leader-Vindicator and author of The Diaries of Pontius Pilate, Separation of Church and State and Baghdad Burning. He currently lives, writes, and practices law in and around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"Christmas in July" STARTS NOW! Grab 30% OFF everything in the HHP Store!

"Merry Christmas" in July everybody!!!!!!

RIGHT NOW until July 31st grab 30% off of every ebook-audiobook-paperback in the Helping Hands Press Store!

Please use the coupon code ChristmasInJuly at checkout to receive the discount!


Here is the link to the HHP Store,just click and go-HAVE FUN-Merry Christmas in July! http://shop.myhelpinghandspress.com/

Writing While Walking - Sue Badeau

As a writer, many times I have a multitude of ideas percolating in my head, brewing, brewing, brewing until they are just right for pouring out onto paper, rich and full-bodied and ready to share with the world. But then there are those other times when the idea-well has gone dry and my brain feels parched and empty.

Where will I get inspired? How will I write something meaningful on days like that? For me, the best way to find the nuggets of inspiration that can be cultivated into stories, devotions or blog posts is to take a walk in my own neighborhood.

In the spring and summer, my neighborhood is vibrant with the explosion of big, bold flowering trees like azaleas that grab hold of your attention and don't let go so sometimes it is easy to miss the hidden gems in quiet places like tiny Lily's-of-the-Valley. Some days, when I talk my morning walk, I specifically seek out these miniscule pockets of beauty. It’s an exercise akin to listening to the still small voice of the Spirit within us - shhhhh - can you hear it? These walks provide peaceful and quiet moments of reflection, giving me the breath and space to tune in and listen to that still small voice - where do you go to tune in and listen?

God tells us, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) Sometimes when we are in familiar territory, we get into ruts and see only the same old, same old. When I begin my walk each day, I ask God to surprise me with something new. And just when I think I've seen everything there is to see on my walking route, He answers my prayer - something new captures my eye and surprises me. I see a new flower or color, a glittering rock, the play of light and shadow on a thicket of leaves. These surprises captivate me and challenge my thinking in ways that renew and refresh my idea-well and soon, I feel it percolating with new ideas. I almost can’t wait to get back home to begin writing. In that same passage in Revelation, God’s very next words are “Write this down.”

One day, I noticed an almost barren corner, a vacant lot next to the last house on the block. No color, even the dirt was so faded it barely had any brown left in it. Pebbles were dull, broken beer-bottle glass wasn’t reflecting any light from the sun. And then, I spotted a yellow flower all alone bringing beauty to its little corner of the world. I stopped and spent a quiet moment with this little flower, captivated by the richness of its yellow petals. It was small, and alone, but it stood tall and strong. This moment of beauty, this tiny surprise gave me the beginnings of a story, a story with this message: “never be afraid to be yourself even if you are totally different from everyone around you!”

What will surprise you today? Will you keep your eyes open and head up expecting to be delighted and surprised? I do my best creative thinking when I am willing to tune-in, listen and wait patiently for the surprise that is waiting around the next corner. And then, I write it down.

Love children (mom to 22, grand mom to 35, great grandmom to 7!) chocolate, camping, road-trips, writing, reading mysteries and more, standing up and speaking up for those without a voice. I have worked in children's services, policy and advocacy for 35 years. Married to my best friend, I divide my time between my home and kids in Philadelphia and traveling to speak and teach on the topics I am passionate about - healing and hope for children who have experienced trauma, foster care, adoption, permanent families for all kids, and more. My faith is my rock. After the 3rd of our 3 terminally ill children passed away in 2012 we decided the time had come to write our story and so we are proud and excited to share "Are We There Yet? The Ultimate Road Trip Adopting & Raising 22 Kids" with you all!

Drop by Sue's Amazon Author Page and find out more about her and her many titles:http://www.amazon.com/Sue-Badeau/e/B00EHZ95CS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1437072686&sr=8-1

Visit Best-Selling Author Anne Baxter Campbell @ the Valley Home Educator's Conference!

Valley Home Educator's Conference
Modesto Centre Plaza, 1150 9th Street, Modesto, CA
July 24 (10 am-8 pm) and July 25 (8:30 am -6 pm)
Anne Baxter Campbell will be giving a workshop on Friday called "Teaching Facts with Fiction," and she will also be autographing her books both days.

Anne Baxter Campbell is a writer with a deep love of God, family, and friends. She also has an overwhelming fascination with the Bible and biblical history. Add to that a basic romantic bent, and there you go.

Please drop by Anne’s Amazon Author Page to see all of her titles and much more…
http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Baxter-Campbell/e/B00G7RTTDO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1436999446&sr=1-1

A Full Understanding of Unconditional Love - Patti J. Smith

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)


Three years ago, my parents were advised to move closer to family due to their advanced age and my mother’s dementia. My husband and I offered them our home and they accepted, which thrilled but also humbled us immensely, knowing they trusted us with their care.

We were both working full-time but a year after they arrived, my mom’s dementia worsened and she was diagnosed with cancer. At that point, I left my job and became a full-time caregiver. While the cancer was eating away at her body, the dementia was doing the same to her mind … I called it “the light switch.” I never knew if I was going to be greeted with a smile or a torrent of critical and hateful comments. At first the tirades devastated me, even though I knew it was the dementia. It would have been so easy to lash back and walk away, but I couldn’t. She was my mom and I loved her. I would pray and wait for a while, and eventually my loving, kind mom would return.

Those episodes, although painful, were also a blessing. It was God’s way of showing how our roles had reversed. You see, I was raised in a loving, Christian home, but in my late teens I turned away from God and ventured into a life of promiscuity and alcoholism that lasted for over twenty-five years. Both of my parents suffered a great deal, having to deal with my antics and the cruel (albeit true) gossip of a small town, but I think it hit my mom hardest. For some reason, I directed all my vile and demeaning comments towards her. Through it all, not once did she close the door. She continued to pray while encouraging, advising and guiding me until I found my way home.

In February 2014, she slipped into a coma and started her journey to Heaven. I sat with her, held her hand and sometimes laid my head on her chest. I would whisper, “I love you,” over and over again and thank God for this woman who not only gave me life, but gave me something I will carry forever … a full understanding of unconditional love.

This was an article written by Patti J. Smith and published in the June 2015 edition of The Southern Cross – Official Newspaper of the Diocese of San Diego.

Patti J. Smith was baptized into the Catholic faith in 2006 and is a parishioner at St. Timothy’s in Escondido. She writes Christian devotionals, light romance, and suspense. One of her devotionals, “Moments with God”, is a collection of rosary meditations on forgiveness, caregiving, daily living and healing from abortion. Other devotionals focus on depression, addiction, and grief, using personalized scripture.

She is a member of the Association of Christian Therapists, serves as Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Co-leads Rachel's Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats in San Diego. She publicly shares her story of redemption at a variety of venues, has been a guest on Sacred Heart and Blogtalk Radio and appears in the newly-released documentary, “The Sidewalk Chronicles”.

She and her husband, Michael, live in Vista, CA with her father and uncle. Along with caregiving and writing books, she enjoys blogging, reading and proudly admits to being a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and Fantasy Football fanatic.

Want to know more about Patti and all of her titles? Stop by her Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Patti-J.-Smith/e/B00FGT9ODY/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1437001286&sr=1-2-ent

James J. Griffin thinks it's the "Perfect Time of YEAR to write or read" DO U AGREE?

It's mid-July, and the weather in most of the country, and even in our neighbor to the north, Canada, is hot, humid, and sweltering. It's the perfect time to write, or read. Nothing heavy, nothing that requires a lot of thinking, just some good escapism, an easy read to while away a couple of hours at the beach, in the mountains, alongside the lake or pool, or during the inevitable rainy day on your vacation.

Just about any genre will do, as long as the story takes the reader away from their present world and into the world of your story. Romance, westerns, fantasy, mystery science fiction... you name it, if it helps the reader enjoy a few hours of relaxation, it's the perfect summer book.

James J. Griffin, while a native New Englander, has been a student of the frontier West from a very young age. He has travelled extensively throughout the western United States, and has visited many of the famous Western frontier towns, such as Tombstone, Pecos, Deadwood, Cheyenne, and numerous others.
Jim has also been an avid horseman all of his life. He bought his first horse, a pinto, while he was a junior in college, and has owned several American Paint Horses, including his current mount, Yankee. He is a member of the Connecticut Horse Council Volunteer Horse Patrol, an organization which assists the state park rangers with patrolling the state parks and forests.
Jim's books are traditional Westerns in the best sense of the term, with strong heroes who have good moral values. Highly reminiscient of the pulp westerns of yesterday, the heroes and villians are clearly separated with few shades of gray. No anti-heroes to be found here.

Find out more about Best-Selling Author James J. Griffin by visiting his website: http://www.jamesjgriffin.net