Interview with Bernadette Botz and Giveaways!

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It is my honor and extreme pleasure to introduce you to Bernadette Botz. We first met when our kids were school age and played sports together. She lives in Montana (as do I) and is a sweetheart.

Bernadette has graciously offered to give away not one but two copies of her debut book, Liar. Be sure to read this post to the end to find out how to enter for your chance to win a copy.

 Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Bernadette.

BB: Thank you for the opportunity to be here.

RS: I know this is your debut novel. Can you tell us what your occupation was before writing?

BB: I homeschooled my five children. Read-aloud time was my favorite. I wrote Liar as a read-aloud specifically targeted to homeschooling families.

RS: I loved storytime with the kids.  I even read aloud to my study hall students. It seemed to help them work better. Did this time with your children influence your writing?

BB: Absolutely! I want to create quality fiction that will challenge and encourage the Body of Christ. I also want to create characters that stay in the mind and heart of the reader. We read a few books at home that my kids are still talking about. To see that happen for other families would be a dream come true for me.

RS: I think as authors, we all our dream of writing something that will stick with others in some way. I believe your novel Liar will do that. Can you tell us about your inspiration for this story?

BB: My kids were struggling with the messages of the world. I wrote it because I wanted to make them aware of the enemy’s voice. “Idiot. Worthless. Ugly. Stupid. Fat. Unliked. Unloved. Unwanted.” That and the suicide rate in Montana. I felt sick over the enemy’s work, and I wanted to expose him as much as I possibly could.

RS: The enemy’s voice can be so strong. You are right; the suicide rate here in Montana is high. Liar will definitely bring hope to the hopeless. I know the Bible brings you hope. Can you share with us your life verse and why you chose it?

BB: It’s always hard to choose one verse, but I always go to Zephaniah 3:17. This was the first verse I memorized as a new believer at the age of thirty.

“The Lord, your God, is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you with his love. He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

The Lord did a lot of housecleaning when I first became a Christian. This verse meant a lot to me because I read that He was with me, that He didn’t turn His back on me, even when I didn’t have my act together. I read that He is a mighty warrior. I needed someone to fight for me, and I knew I could trust Him to do that for me. That Jesus Christ takes delight in me with His love, that He no longer rebukes me (which I deserve) and especially that He rejoices over me with singing??? I couldn’t believe what I was reading! In this verse, my Savior expresses so much of His character from beginning to end, and it has helped me overcome a lot of my fear of man. It reminds me that I am known, protected, delighted in, loved, rejoiced over and amazingly… that I belong to a Savior who sings over me. I never, ever thought about the Lord singing, and it just blew my mind!

RS: I was thirteen when I became a Christian, but I will never forget the first time my daughter Sharla showed me the verse in Philippians 2:15, where it refers to us as shining like stars in the sky. That blew my mind. I couldn’t believe I’d missed God’s voice in this verse. 

Liar speaks a lot about voices and which one we are to seek. Your characters take quite a journey in this book.  Did you take a personal journey as well while writing? 

BB: This book sent me on the hardest journey for any Christian. It is voiced in my book when Yeshua asks, “WILL YOU TRUST YOUR KING?” 

Will I trust Him when everything is upside down? Will I trust Him when I feel alone and unseen? Will I trust Him to be enough for me when nobody knows what the work is costing me? Will I trust that He won’t let me put something worthless out into the world? Will I trust Him with critics? Will I trust Him with haters? Will I trust Him to help embrace that part of His design for me that is writer? Even though I’m terrified? Even though I feel completely inadequate.

I wrote this book for my kids. Jesus saw to it that I wrote it for myself.

RS: Powerful questions. How does it feel to see your book in print?

BB: When my book was delivered to my house, I just happened to be alone. I opened up the box and saw my name and the beautiful cover. (painted by my friend, Kathy Smith) I wanted so much to share my joy with someone – someone who would understand all that I had been through in birthing this story.

  Since I was alone, I sat on the hearth of our fireplace, imagining all my characters around me.  I read the entire book aloud to them!  It was a profound moment.  It was a way to honor them for all their help, and it was a way to say goodbye. As my original intent was that the book function as a read-aloud, it was a wonderful way to say, “The End.”  It was a holy moment shared only with the characters from my book and the Lord. They fully knew the cost.

RS: I have enjoyed our interview. I pray you have, as well. One last question before we talk about the giveaways. What do you hope to leave with the reader through your writing?

BB: I hope Liar leaves the reader with a renewed sense of hope in doing the right thing. For men, that means returning to protecting women, children, and culture. Men are called out of passivity in this story. For women, it means leaving fear and insecurity behind. It means allowing yourself to become vulnerable so that you can be free. It means that freedom first starts with Christ. I want my reader to leave the kingdom of Struggle having identified with the characters in a way that changes their life. I want the Body of Christ to return to the kingly qualities of truth, courage, honesty, and confession so that they can take their rightful position in the battle against the enemy. To arms! This book is a call to arms!

RS: After reading Liar, I believe you and GOD will accomplish much in the direction you speak. The story is poignant and thought-provoking, indeed.

BB: I’m so grateful to you!  Thank you for investing in me this way.

Let’s do two free book giveaways. One drawing for signing up for my newsletter. One drawing for signing up for writing practice. Please go to https://granberrybooks.com/category/news/, then come back here, drop a note in the comments letting us know which or both you have signed up under.

   

Life with Shannon McNear (Giveaway!)

Shannon McNear's on the Diamond Mine!

Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.

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💖 Featuring an AWESOME Giveaway! 💖

(details after the interview)

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Hello folks, it's another great week on the Diamond Mine! This week, I have the honor to introduce Shannon McNear. I love this lady and I'm sure you will too. Not only is she a talented author, she's an amazing woman. So, without further ado, let's get started with the interview.

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Get to Know Janet Thompson on the Diamond Mine!

I’m delighted to introduce my new friend and fellow author, JANET THOMPSON, to the Rough Diamond Writers, today. Janet was introduced to me through a mutual friend who sent a copy of her blog post this past week. And it was sister-ship on my end at first read.

Welcome Janet, and in one small question that takes a paragraph to answer, can you tell us when, why, and how you began writing?

In 1995 while managing an insurance agency and attending Fuller Theological Seminary, I heard a call from the Lord to "feed my sheep." Later He revealed the sheep were women and the feeding was mentoring. I took the steps to start a mentoring ministry at my church, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. The ministry turned out to be successful and other churches started calling to find out what we were doing. I couldn’t tell them in a phone call, so I sat down and wrote the Woman to Woman Mentoring Resources, available exclusively now at our website, where you can also read more of my story and testimony. Writing these resources also launched my speaking and writing ministry, About His Work Ministry.

And isn’t that a writer’s heart? You just sat down and wrote…love it! Our readers are always interested to know about the personal side of your life. Please tell us about your family, your church, and your favorite scripture passage.

My husband Dave and I are a blended family. Together we have four children and eleven sweet grandchildren living throughout the United States, but we’re blessed to have one family living within an hour from where we live. We were members at Saddleback Church for twenty-three years and served there before moving to the rural mountains of Idaho, where we attend a small community church and Dave is an elder. The theme of the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry is Titus 2:3-5, and mentoring is at the heart of everything I write and speak about: one generation sharing life's experiences and God's faithfulness with the next generation.

The rural mountains of Idaho? That seems like a dream come true…except in the winter. What fills your time when you’re not in front of the computer?

I must admit I do have calluses on my hands from hours writing and networking on the computer. In fact, I have two screens and one of my screens is actually a TV monitor. It’s so wonderful in today's world to reach so many people at one time without having to leave your home. That's how I met you! But I love spending time with my grandchildren, and as I said most are in different states, so we try to plan my speaking around trips to visit them and spend as much time as we can with those that live close to us. When weather permits, I take a three-mile mountain walk that gets the blood and ideas flowing. I'm a three-time breast cancer survivor. I feel the Lord spared my life for a specific purpose: to spread the Gospel, help Christians grow in faith to mentor new believers and seekers, and focus my time and energy on things that have kingdom value. My husband and I co-facilitate a Couples Small Group at our church, I'm doing a Bible study with my young granddaughters, and mentoring several young women long distance. I write a Monday Morning Blog and a Monthly Newsletter...so I guess being About His Work would be my pass time and hobby.

What is your heart’s desire for the reader to understand from your writing?

I have a passion for our generation to teach and train the next generation. That we would understand this is the job description for EVERY Christian, male and female. There are no qualifiers in passages like Titus 2:1-8 or Psalm 145:4 or so many others. They don't say if you feel like it, or have time, or it's your calling . . . they all say "One generation will..." I feel we are seeing the fall in our culture today because “One generation didn't . . .”

My latest book Forsaken God: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten is the most passionate book I've written to date on this topic, and it's written to both men and women. God gave me the idea for that book ten years ago, but I know now why He had it come out February 2016, because I wrote it for such a time as this when we’ve reached a point in our culture where God has been from the public square. But with the new administration, we have a chance to bring God back into our culture, but the church must lead this revival and it must start with individual Christians.

Will you share your WIP?

I have a book releasing this fall with Leafwood Publishers Mentoring for All Seasons: Women Sharing Life’s Experiences and God’s Faithfulness, which I’m very excited about as it will help women either mentor or be mentored in every season from tweens to death.

I’m currently writing Get Your Brave On and am soliciting stories from women who had a time in their life where God asked them to be brave. Maybe they didn’t see it as brave at the time, but they knew they couldn’t have done it without God, or others have told them their actions were brave even when they were just doing what comes naturally. They can contact me for more guidelines at ahw@sbcglobal.net

And finally do you have a word of encouragement or advice for new writers?

When anyone asks about writing, I always advise to attend a writer’s conference. I never aspired to be an author, ever. But after starting the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry, I attended Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference ten times, and that is where I learned to write. I made so many contacts and took all the workshops, and did finally get a proposal accepted by Howard Books/ Simon & Schuster for my book Dear God, They Say It’s Cancer: A Companion Guide For Women on the Breast Cancer Journey. That book came next after the Woman to Woman Mentoring resources, with many rejections in between in which I perfected my craft.

The other advice is never self-publish without paying for professional editing. You can’t edit your own work! And your family, friends, other authors…can’t do it either. If you think you have a project worth publishing, it’s worth doing it right.

And I just want to add a little blip. Go to: http://dianegates.wordpress.com/ to read Janet’s blog that introduced me to this fine author and sister-laborer-together in sharing the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Miner Tracey Lyons Talks It Up on the Diamond Mine

Hey everybody, guess what? This week we have our very own Tracey Lyons on the Diamond Mine. She gets to sit in the hot seat this time! Her new release, A Changed Agent is out and about and is quite the read so stay tuned at the end of the interview to find out how you can win a copy. But right now, let's get this show on the road!

Renee: Hi, Tracey! Welcome to the Diamond Mine. :) I love interviewing fellow Miners. It's fun to dig out the "nitty gritty" for the world to see. Just kidding... I won't do that to you. LOL I will explore a bit though, if you don't mind. How about we start with something easy? Well, sort of...writing stuff anyway...what's your biggest challenge as an author?

Tracey: Thanks for having me, Renee. My biggest challenge? Keeping my butt in the chair! I like to work on little house projects when I’m developing new plots! And keeping my writing fresh. My biggest fear is that I’m recycling past storylines. So I work hard to bring fresh characters and plots to my books.

Renee: I can relate to that. Distractions! Mine is my job. It takes a lot of my time. As for the writing, yeah, you can start repeating stuff and not even realize it. Not good! What about your setting? Is it unique and how did you select it?

Tracey: I think the setting for A Changed Agent is unique. The book is set in one of my favorite places to visit, the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. One of our family’s dreams has always been owning property in the park. Did you know the Adirondack Park is the largest national park in the country? Greater in size than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined and it’s only a few hours from my front door.

Renee: Wow, what a place. I'd love to visit. Not sure it will ever happen...that's a long way from Wyoming, but I love the mountains. I've been to Glacier, the Grand Canyon, the Canadian Rockies, the Smokies, the Ozarks, Big Bend so yeah, I'd love to see the Adirondacks. I think your setting sounds absolutely awesome. I know this sounds terrible, Tracey, but what would you do if you couldn't write anymore?

Tracey: If I couldn’t write anymore I would go back to full-time charity work. I worked as an outreach worker at Catholic Charities years ago and even though it was for a short eighteen months I still think about the clients who came to me for the food pantry and for help with rent and other living expenses. It was a tough job that had many, many rewards.

Renee: It does sound like a rewarding position. Most jobs like that are hard but very gratifying. You can't help everyone, but the lives you impact make it all worthwhile. Back to the books...do you have a favorite one you like to read and where is your reading retreat? Mine is usually the bathtub. LOL

Tracey: My favorite book is surprisingly non-fiction, but I love the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It is just a fabulous recounting of a famous murder case in Savannah, Georgia that reads like a work of fiction. And I love to read in bed. There is nothing more comforting than lying in bed with a stack of pillows under my head and good book in my hands.

Renee: We just moved into a new house and I really haven't found my "spot" yet, but I'm partial to a shady place beneath in our backyard where I can relax with our dogs. It's quiet and cool. My second favorite is my recliner. LOL Do you have favorite "spot"?

Tracey: We have a fabulous front porch. It’s the kind that wraps around the front of the house and has a white porch swing and rocking chairs. All winter long I look forward to spending time there. We even have a little dining area.  So basically we live out there in the warm spring and summer months. When the realtor showed me the house, almost nine years ago, I told him I was going to buy the house because I knew my family would love to hang out on that porch. And you know what? When they come to visit it’s the first place they head to! So many great family memories have already been made there, and I know there are so many more yet to come.

Renee: That does sound fabulous! I want one. I guess that would mean I would have to buy a house? We'll get there... It's been great having you here, Tracey on the receiving end of the questions this time. I have one more for you before I let you return to your writing and relaxing. Is there a special quote or saying which comes to your mind in times of adversity or need which you can share with us?

Tracey: Be not dismayed whate’re betide, God will take care of you,” from the hymn, Be not dismayed whate’er betide. I truly believe that no matter what comes my way, God will always be there for me.

Renee: Yes, He is and will. He promises never to leave or forsake us. Thank you for being here and and being a Miner! 


Tracey is offering one copy of her book, A Changed Agent in the giveaway below...winner's choice of print (US entrants only), digital, or audio format. Comment or ask a question about the interview and you're entered for the contest! Make sure you leave your email address to validate your entry.

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GIVEAWAY!

Comment on blog to enter contest.

Entries must leave current email address.

One winner shall be chosen from validated comments in one week from post-date of blog.

Prize shall be winner's choice of the following formats: print (US entrant only), digital, or audio of A Changed Agent by Tracey J. Lyons.

Five blog comments required to validate contest.

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About the Book:

When schoolteacher Elsie Mitchell meets rugged William Benton on a train platform in Albany, it appears they have nothing in common. He isn’t the sort of fellow a proper young woman of the 1890s would ever speak to, much less become involved with. But when she arrives at her small town in the Adirondack Mountains, Elsie is offered a job as caregiver for this mysterious out-of-towner’s niece and nephew, who’ve been tragically orphaned. Heartbroken for them, she accepts.
Unknown to her, William is an undercover Pinkerton agent posing as a lumber-company foreman. He’s never wanted family—his work is too dangerous. Yet as Elsie transforms his house into a home and he spends time with the children, he feels drawn to family life—and to Elsie.
As a good Christian, Elsie is troubled by William’s secrets…though she does find him intriguing. And when a sinister figure from her past arrives, Elsie and William will have to trust in faith and newfound love to protect their unlikely family from danger.


Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Changed-Agent-Tracey-J-Lyons-ebook/dp/B01AI1UUIM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1466437236&sr=8-1

About the Author:

An Amazon Top Ten bestselling historical romance author of the Women of Surprise series, Tracey sold her first book on 9/9/99! Her books have been translated into several languages and are available in print, digital and audio formats. Tracey lives with her husband in New York’s Hudson Valley region. She has appeared on the award winning Cox Cable Television show, Page One and on the stage of Lady Jane’s reading salon in New York City. She holds membership in Romance Writers of America, American Fiction Christian Writers and Novelists Inc. A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey believes you should write what you know. Her historical romances are all set in the New York State area. Tracey considers herself a small town gal who writes small town romances. You can learn more about Tracey and her books by visiting her website at www.traceylyons.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TraceyJLyonsAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TraceyJLyons

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/traceyjlyons/ 

Gail Pallotta Chats About Barely Above Water on the Diamond Mine

This week, we have Christian author, Gail Pallotta on the Diamond Mine. 

She’s chatting with our very own Renee Blare about her latest book, Barely Above Water, her writing life, fun, and fiction. She’s also giving away a fabulous prize to one winner so read on! Oh…don’t forget to check out how to enter the giveaway at the end of the post! Drawing’s in one week!

GAIL PALLOTTA

RB: Hello, Gail…welcome to the Diamond Mine. I’m so glad you could be here today. I hear you have a new book, Barely Above Water. Congratulations! What can you tell us about it?

GP: Thank you, Renee, yes I do. Where should I start? The main character has an illness the medical doctors can’t diagnose, so she’s told they can’t help. It appears hopeless, but by divine intervention she’s led to an alternative doctor. The story is fictitious, but it’s based on my struggle with Chronic Lyme Disease. The divine intervention, symptoms and treatments are real. However, the rest is made up. I only wish I were in my twenties.

The real doctors behind the story are David G. Lee, D.C., Ph.D., C.Ad., and Raphael d’Angelo, M.D., who’s also a holistic doctor.

Dr. Lee

David Lee, D.C., Ph.D., C.Ad., runs Wellness Revolution Clubs in Woodstock, Georgia, and Daytona Beach, Florida. To learn more about him visit http://www.pmadirectory.us/georgia/woodstock/health-practitioner/david-lee

Dr. d'Angelo

Raphael d’Angelo, M.D., and holistic doctor, runs ParaWellness Research Program in Aurora, Colorado. To learn more about him visit https://www.alliance-aromatherapists.org/tag/dr-dangelo/

RB: Lyme Disease? Whoa…I’m sorry to hear you’ve had to suffer with that. It does not sound fun at all, although your book sounds captivating. Speaking of your book, how do you keep your characters “three dimensional?”

GP: The characters become who they are by what they think, say and do. Their reactions often tell as much as their actions. Descriptions, chatter and thoughts about them from other characters help to round them out.

RB: I understand what you’re saying. So, when you’re writing and they are developing, do you have a particular “way” you write or do you just “wing” it?

GP: I start with a rough outline, an overview of the plot and brief character sketches. Then I write a rough draft of the book. While I’m doing this, the plot and characters grow and change, so I keep re-writing. Sometimes I let one of my characters journal a few pages through me. These entries don’t go in the book, but give me an idea of what that character might do in a particular situation.

RB: Cool! The journaling thing sounds pretty neat. I’ve never tried that before. I may just do that someday. By the way, why did you start writing novels? Is that all you write?

GP: I’ve written stories as long as I can remember and have always wanted to write novels. However, I’ve spent most of my life working as an editor or copywriter and an article writer. During the years I published articles, I was humbled and honored when someone nominated me for Who’s Who in Writers, Editors and Poets. I appeared in the book in 1988, and again in the 1992-93 edition. To this day, I don’t know who suggested me. In years past, I’ve written poetry on the side, sometimes getting up at night to jot down a poem, or writing one at work during down time. I recently self-published some of my poems in a book, Messages. Now that my husband’s semi-retired and my daughter’s grown, I have time to write books.  

RB: What an honor…to be acknowledged. Even if you may never know by whom. Many writers never see their dream of publishing much less recognition in such a book. If you could name your biggest challenge as an author, what would it be?

GP: Marketing, hands down. First of all, I’m computer inept, and that makes it challenging to participate in some social media. Blogging seems to have been all the rage, died down and is now making a comeback. Facebook parties appear to be waning right now and online chats don’t seem to work. I’ve tried a little paid advertising, and it seems to help some, but it’s difficult to know the right place to spend my pennies. I would love to have advice from those who market successfully.

EMERALD BEACH

RB: I’m right there with you, sister. I still blog and plug the social media outlets…true, not as handily as I used to (or as often). And my money is limited also so it goes to very few sources of paid advertising…very few. I personally would love to know what a “successful” marketing scheme is too! Anyway, back to your book, tells us about your setting. Is it unique and how did you select it?

GP: I chose Destin on Florida’s Emerald Coast because I love it and can’t think of anywhere more romantic. Emerald water so clear you can see through it surrounds white sand on three sides. The Gulf on one shore and the bay on the other meet near the harbor shoreline. Known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” it’s a small tourist town with pristine beaches and fun activities.

RB: I’ve never been there but it sounds like a place I may want to take a vacation! LOL Who knows, I’ll read your book and may just schedule a trip. Heeheee… Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do when you aren’t working?

GP: I swim three times a week. I treasure my church and occasions I spend with family and friends. I also enjoy making flower arrangements when I have extra time.

RB: Is there a special quote or verse which comes to your mind in times of need or adversity?

GP: Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  

Thanks for sharing with the Diamond Mine today, Gail. It’s been a lot of fun! It’s also been an honor getting to know a bit more about your new book, Barely Above Water. I know anyone who reads it, including me, is going to love it! I can’t wait to crack it open. J

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STOP!!! DON’T GO!

WE HAVE AN

AWESOME GIVEWAY!

Gail’s giving away an e-book of Barely Above Water

AND

8 oz. of Dark Truffle Rooibos tea from Camellia Estate Tea (tea U.S. residents).

Answer this question in the comments below to enter (leave your email please!):

As a reader, where do you go online most often to learn about books?

(One winner will be selected by random draw on 5/4/16 from comments with emails. Minimum of 5 comments required to validate contest.)

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About the Book:

An illness comes out of nowhere and strikes Suzie Morris. Her boyfriend dumps her. She has no living family, and her physician can’t diagnose the malady. Suzie relies on her Christian faith as she faces the uncertainty of the disease, and turns to a renowned alternative doctor in Destin, Florida. She takes a job coaching a county-sponsored summer swim team. She’s determined to turn the fun, sometimes comical, rag-tag bunch into winners. Her handsome boss renews her belief in love, but learns of her mysterious affliction and abruptly cuts romantic ties. Later he has regrets, but can he overcome his fear of losing a loved one and regain Suzie’s trust?

Buy Barely Above Water on Amazon at Amazon.com/dp/B01DN2UTTS

About the Author:

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, Mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. A former regional writer of the year for American Christian Writers Association, she won Clash of the Titles in 2010. A 2013 Grace Awards finalist, she’s been a best-selling author on All Romance eBooks. She’s published four books, poems, short stories, and several hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

Web site: http://www.gailpallotta.com

Blog: http://www.gailpallotta.blogspot.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorsandMore

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hopefulwords?lang=en