Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Love Is In The Air Blog Tour


The Whispering House
Science Fiction Romance/Horror/Paranormal

Blurb:
After her mother’s death, Eleanor Radcliffe retires from her job in San Jose and escapes to a small place outside of Fresno to heal.
But her new home hides a secret. A secret that could claim her life. When strange, frightening things start to happen, she turns to her mysterious neighbor Michael Stevens and the handsome sheriff Rodney Tyler for help.
As the incidents grow more bizarre and violent, she is forced to flee. Her world is turned upside down. Long-suppressed supernatural powers resurface, and she struggles to deal with everything that is happening.
With her world spinning out of control, Eleanor will have to face her deepest fears and learn to use her powers if she’s going to survive...
The whispering house.
Excerpt:

The house was quiet when she returned. Nothing out of place. No windows or doors stood open. She could almost believe last night had never happened.

The doorbell rang, sending her pulse racing faster than a greyhound. Could it be Michael? She drew in a deep breath and walked briskly to the door, almost throwing it open. Disappointment filled her at the sight of a chest clad in tan and sporting a sheriff’s badge instead of soft flannel and leather.

She had to tip her head back to see his face. The somber expression on the handsome face gave nothing away.

“Miss Radcliffe? I’m Officer Rodney Tyler.” Intense brown eyes studied her.

Eleanor shook his hand. Memories of her fear from the day before came rushing back.

“May I come in?”

“Uh, sure.” She stepped back to give him room to enter. Cold air wrapped its arms around her. A shiver shimmied down her back, and she quickly shut the door. The fog’s embrace had lost its allure.

He scanned the sparsely furnished living room, stopping on her dinosaur of a television. He didn’t even raise an eyebrow. “You reported a break in? Was anything taken?”

“No. I…” Embarrassment heated her cheeks. How could she explain what had happened without sounding psycho? She licked her lips, looked down at her feet, and grimaced. Mud covered her sturdy hiking boots. She’d obviously just been out walking. Would he question her story more because of it?

A warm hand rested briefly on her shoulder. She jumped, startled. Their gazes met. For the second time that day, she read interest in a man’s eyes. She, who barely made a ripple when she walked through a room, had two very good-looking men interested. The sensation was heady. Blushing, she moved to the couch and sat down. When she faced him again, she felt more in control.

“I don’t know how to explain this without sounding like a crackpot, but yesterday I was sitting at my kitchen table when I saw a figure standing out in the fog…” She told him what happened.

He remained silent through the whole recitation, making her nerves jump. Did he believe her or was he merely humoring her?

“Does anyone else have a key?” Officer Tyler asked.

“Not that I’m aware of. I bought this house over a month ago, but only moved in last week. When I moved in, it was vacant.”

“Are you certain you didn’t open the window?”

“In the middle of winter?”

“I have to ask to rule out all of the possibilities,” he replied. He once again scanned the living room. “Do you mind if I take a look around? Maybe you missed something.” He closed his notebook and strode toward the front door.

“Do you want to see the bedroom window?” Heat flooded her cheeks. That hadn’t come out the way she meant it. Would he think it was an invitation? His lack of response told her it was only in her mind. She sighed in relief and continued. “I didn’t see anything that would suggest someone had forced it, but I don’t have much experience with this kind of thing.”

He shook his head. “Let me look around outside first. I’ll check inside later.”

She followed him to the door and watched him through her window. He pulled his radio out and started to talk to someone the second he stepped out of earshot. She sensed that he didn’t believe her. Heck! She had a hard time believing it and she’d lived through it.

“He’s a fool,” a voice whispered.

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her heart pounding an uneven tattoo, she turned to look behind her, afraid of what she may, or may not, see. The room was empty, but she heard the kitchen door slam. Pulling open the front door, she ran outside to the officer.

“It happened again.” Her breath came in short gasps. “Someone was in my house. They went out the back.”

“Stay here,” he ordered and rushed into the house.

She looked around and scuttled after him. Nothing could induce her to stand outside in the cold, with the fog hanging in the distance, alone. He moved quickly through the house with Eleanor on his heels. He stopped so abruptly in the kitchen that she bumped into his back. The look he gave her made her insides churn, but fear of the unknown kept her glued to his side.

Peeking around his shoulder, she saw two small muddy footprints on the floor about the size of an eight- or nine-year-old child. He crossed to the backdoor and looked out the window. She knew he wouldn’t see anything.

“I called the station,” he began, but stopped. Concern filled his eyes.

“I know. I saw you on your radio. I figured you were calling in about the crazy lady.”

He shook his head and appeared hesitant to continue. “What do you know about this house?”

“Only that I love it. Why?” A very bad feeling stole over her, similar to how she felt right before her mother told her she had cancer.

“Apparently, your house is a favorite place for neighborhood kids to pull pranks. At least, that is the best we can figure.” He took in the cozy kitchen before he turned back to her. “You’ve been here a week?”

She nodded, wondering how the sheriff’s department could call this a neighborhood kid’s prank, especially after seeing the small bare footprints. What child would run around in the middle of winter without shoes? What mother would let them? And how could there be neighborhood kids without a neighborhood? “Yesterday was exactly a week.”

“It fits the pattern. That’s when the pranks begin. Most of the pranks are harmless.”

“Most?” she interrupted.

“Yes. On occasion, things are destroyed. In any case, we’ve been unable to catch them. The best I can do is write down another report and advise you to get to know your neighbors.”

“That’s it?” she asked. This was all he was going to do?

“Miss Radcliffe, I wish I could do more for you. Unfortunately, beyond setting up camp, which I am not allowed to do, it’s the best I can do. However,” he pulled out a card, quickly jotted something down on the back, and handed it to her, “when…uh, if this happens again, call me directly. Or just call me if you feel the need…for anything.” His radio squawked. “Officer Tyler here,” he answered. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” He strode across the yard to his parked patrol car, climbed in, and started the engine.

Stunned by his abrupt exit, she stared after him. She finally found her voice as she watched his car pull out of the driveway. “What about my bedroom?” she asked to the air. With his card in her hand, she wanted to cry then throw something and cry some more. Useless. Absolutely useless. She had expected to feel safer after talking to a sheriff. Instead, she felt even more vulnerable. She looked at the back of the card. 555-0892 – home. Officer Rodney Tyler.

Where was Michael when she needed him? And how did she know he could help her?

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Monday, February 13, 2017

Love Is In The Air Blog Tour

Cover    (Attached)

Title       Poetic Praise: For Seasons of Singleness

Genre   Inspirational Poetry
Blurb     During the intermediate years of my singleness journey I discovered the humanity of the Psalms. One study states that over 40% of the recorded Psalms are laments (songs expressing sorrow or regret). David, King of Israel, wrote 73 of the 150 Psalms. One of my favorite is the 13th Psalm. It sums up my seasons of singleness in six little verses.
In the first two verses, David asks God “How long?” four times. He follows with a request in verse three and a worry in verse four.  What surprised me was how honest he was with God about his fears and his impatience. But more than that, I was encouraged by how he ended the Psalm. The last two verses, like many of the lamenting Psalms, ended with praise. In spite of David’s inner turmoil, he sealed his Psalm with praise.  
Poetic Praise is a collection of 35 poems I wrote in various seasons of my singleness. Some poems will make you laugh. A few will make you shed a tear. Several will give you a selah moment - a moment of quiet introspection. But like the Psalms of David, most of these poems the will lead you into praise.
Excerpt 
               


LOVE LIFTED ME

Love had done many things to me,
Some too terrible to tell,
Love almost made me take my life,
Love almost put me in hell.

Love would send me to the highest heights,
Only to bring me crashing to the ground,
Love would be there every day,
Then suddenly love was nowhere to be found.

Love told me I would be beautiful,
If only I would change,
If only I would stop or start,
If only I would rearrange.

I’d finally take two steps forward,
Then love would cause me to fall,
But I didn’t know that what I thought was love,
Wasn’t really love at all.

One day LOVE gently touched me,
With a little nudge here and there,
Before I knew what was happening,
The sadness began to clear.

LOVE lifted my eyes heavenward,
Until I was finally able to see,

Beyond the pain and heartache,
LOVE was shining back at me.

LOVE lifted the burdens from my shoulders,
LOVE softly tilted my chin,
LOVE gave me the strength I needed,
To stand back up again.

God is LOVE. 1 John 4:8



VICTORY

Yes, I may be hurting,
But the victory is mine.
I've learned to be obedient,
And I've learned to sacrifice.

Sure, I'm disappointed,
But I still have the victory.
I've traded in what I want,
For what God wants for me.

Yes, I may be crying,
But the victory is won.
Mingled with tears of what could have been
Are tears of joy for what's to come.
I GIVE YOU PRAISE

My heart is full of fears
But my words are full of thanks
I’m fighting back my tears
And I’m offering up my praise

Thank You Lord for it could have been
Much worse than it is now
Though I’m hurting I will make it
Even though I don’t know how

Thank You Lord for a heart to heal
Though it seems that I can’t cope
I know as sure as there’s a God
For me that means there’s hope

So yes, my heart is full of fears
But my words are full of thanks
And yes, I’m fighting back these tears
But still I offer up my praise




Because praise will lead me closer to You
And away from all this pain
Praise will bring me closer to You
And to all You have ordained

So I’ll thank You and I’ll praise You
For the rest of all my days
I’ll thank You and I’ll praise You
For the blessings and the pain

Thank You for Your forgiveness
When from Your will I strayed
And thank You for Your faithfulness
When broken to You I came

And for everything in my future
That You have already ordained
I give you praise
I give you praise
I give you praise





KEEP MY LOVE 

Living deep inside of me,
Is a love so pure and true,
Waiting until the day that I,
Will finally say I do.

Sometimes this love bubbles over,
When I think I’ve met the one,
That I have been fashioned for,
By Jesus Christ God’s Son.

Only to realize it’s another case,
Of mistaken identity,
I thought he was one for me,
But instead I was deceived.

The last time as I walked away,
And checked my love supply,
I silently said this prayer,
And as I began to cry:








“Lord I need a favor,
Would You please do this for me?
Keep my love safe and sure,
Under heaven’s lock and key.

“And don’t allow me access,
Until the one ordained by You,
Comes into my life and declares,
’My heart’s desire is You’.

“But until then, Lord, keep my love,
Believe me I have tried,
But one thing I am sure of:
You’re much better at it than I”.












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Sunday, February 12, 2017

Love Is In The Air Blog Post



Title                       Metamorphosis by Felicia Middleton


Genre                   Poetry – Inspirational and Spiritual

Blurb                     During many times in our lives we undergo change. A metamorphosis is “a change of physical form, structure or substance, especially by supernatural means; a striking alteration in character or circumstance.” Often beautiful in appearance, metamorphic rocks, such as crystal or quartz, are created by the application of heat and pressure from the earth. Change is inevitable. Embrace it. Take charge of it. The results can be exciting.

Excerpt                 ANOTHER LOVE

Have you ever been in love before?
How many people have you truly adored?

Your heart beats fast and you’re always excited.
You feel on fire, your heart is ignited.

It’s a special feeling you just can’t ignore;
A feeling you want to have more and more.

As time passes by you can lose control.
You need them around to make you feel whole.

To unconditionally love and share;
Care for you always, forever be there.

Sometimes it won’t work and sometimes it will;
But when it doesn’t, your heart just stands still.

My friend, there is something that I need to tell
About this feeling that I know so well.

If you fall hard and end up bruised,
If you end up lonely and confused;

There is another love that you need to know;
Somewhere you can always go.

A love that is precious, generous and free;
A love that was meant for you and me.

The love that I tell of is so very rare;
It is the kind of love that cannot be shared

Between friends or lovers because it is divine.
This love is so special, I am glad it’s all mine.

His love will ease your hurt and calm your fears,
Console your heart and dry your tears;

And then when you let Him take full control,
He’ll wash your sins and save your soul.

He’s a lover who will never leave,
He only wants you to trust and believe.

So although you’ve loved and didn’t win,
You can fall in love again.




THINKING THOUGHTS

Whatsoever things are true,
That's what my mind is tuned to.

Whatsoever things are honest,
When I think on them it is best.

Whatsoever things are just,
Thinking on these things is a must.

Whatsoever things are pure,
I'll think on those things for sure.

If it is or expresses love,
That's what I want to think of.

Keeping my mind continually on the Lord,
Producing thoughts that are of good report.

This is what I need to do
To have thoughts that are of virtue.

I pray that for the rest of my days,
I will have thoughts that produce praise.



Author Links

Blog                Literalleeme
Facebook         FMUAGreenie
Instagram         iamliterallee
Email               literaleeme@gmail.com






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Saturday, February 11, 2017

Love Is In The Air Blog Tour





A Love Gift

A Poetical Compilation



Blurb

A collection of poems about love in various forms.



Excerpt


My love for you is as a bud ready to bloom in

fullness of our radiant friendship.

Never have I known such beauty as that

which we now possess.

Tell me that our love will burst open to

the sunshine in our hearts.

Tell me how to reach out to you in softness

to touch your tender skin.

Even raindrops will not drench my

affection for you.

No…it will fall off and I shall

remain unhurt forever.

Only you can allow this strong bond

between us to grow into perfection.

Why can’t we realize this for eternity?

Why should our love be like a flower

and shrivel and die without nourishment?

Let this not be our love, my sweet.

Let ours be as a rose that lasts in our

hearts unaltered, unbroken, my love.



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