Month: September 2017

All Good Deeds by Stacy Green

Posted on by Frances

This book is a thriller you won’t want to miss out on! The author did an amazing job, and I would definitely recommend. Let me share more with you…

Serial killer or avenging angel?

Lucy tracks down killers to deliver vigilante justice. But a missing child will pull her into a case that’s darker and more complicated than anything she’s ever faced.
Lucy quickly discovers the link to a predator she’s faced before–a man the state of Pennsylvania decided to turn loose on the streets. Determined to find the little girl and put a criminal behind bars for good, Lucy forces her way onto the case.
As the search pulls Lucy into a web of evil beyond her darkest imagination, she’ll have to face her own dark truths to save the little girl–and herself.

Not only did the premise of the story sound good, but boy did the author deliver big time. From page one until the very end, Stacy Green kept me on my toes, trying to figure out who is the culprit behind the missing child case. Just when I thought I knew who it was, I was quickly proven wrong. It’s not until the final chapter that the real answer is given. I love it when a story can do that!

There are a lot of positives to this book. First being that it’s FREE! Other positives include that it’s well-written, characters are well-developed, there’s never a dull moment, it’s hard to put down, and the fact that Stacy Green incorporated all the characters so well that anyone (and I mean anyone!) could be the ‘bad guy’. All of this together means that I gave it 5 stars!! I highly recommend!

Two things to note, however. It’s not a clean novel due to occasional language. Also, it does deal with a tough subject so it’s not for the faint of heart. If these things don’t bother you then please get your copy now! You can do so here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MUZMDYY

One more thing before I go. This novel brought up an interesting question for me. I’d like to know what you think. If someone kills the ‘bad guys’, do you think that makes them good? Or are they evil themselves because they’re killing?

Doing Our Best

Posted on by Frances

September is kind of a crazy month for us Hoelsemas. We have a couple of birthdays, a week-long summer vacation, and I usually start school with the kiddos at some point in the month. This year I happened to realize something that got my mind spinning in many directions.

Back in 2007 (well, technically very end of 2006), my husband and I found out we were pregnant with our first child. We were delighted as we really didn’t know if it would happen for us. (I’ve shared parts of my story here, as well as on Facebook. I’ve even written a book on infertility because we faced that disease head on. You can find it HERE!)

Unfortunately, however, that child wasn’t meant to be. God called that angel home in February 2007. My due date was in September 2007, though. Another reason September is just a tad *crazier* around here.

So this is what I realized this year. If my husband and I had never miscarried that child, we would have a 10 year old!! That makes my jaw drop, people! I mean, it’s already hard enough that my oldest is going to be seven in November, and my baby is already four, but a 10 year old!!?!?!? I’m not that old, am I? It’s just really hard to believe.

Time really does fly the older you get. I feel like every time I blink my children are just that much older. So then I got to thinking about parenting. I pray almost every day that my children will grow up making wise choices, having the right people surrounding them, and turning out to be successful, smart, hard-working, honest, loving, et cetera.

I believe heavily that Proverbs 22:6 holds true. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Thus, I try to train my boys in the way of the Lord. I don’t always do what’s right, but I hope I’m doing good enough. I hope I’m a good mom.

Then I came across something that spoke volumes to me. The following post is from 21st Century SAHM on Facebook. You can see their page HERE!

Girlfriends, I got to get something off my chest.

My house is never clean. Like ever. I have friends (with kids) whose houses are spotless. Are they better moth…ers than me? Nope. Am I a better mother than them? Nope.

I work out every day. I have mom friends who don’t exercise. (I mean other than running around like crazy people after their kids). Does that make either of us a better mom? Nope.

I have a friend who gave birth in a pool in her living room. I pushed mine out in a hospital bed after receiving a gift from the epidural fairy. Both of us are good moms.

I drink a beer or glass of wine (sometimes in front of my kids!) on occasion. I’m a good mom. My neighbor and good friend doesn’t drink. Also a good mom.

I’m a yeller. I have a good friend who is quiet and extremely patient. I envy her. But we are both good moms.

I have friends who are super organic, chemical free, and dye free. My kids sometimes eat popsicles for breakfast. The cheap kind that are 50 for $2.00. Are either of us better than the other? Nope.

I swear, but not in front of my kids. Are you a bad mom if you do? Hell no.

I’m involved with my kids’ school but I don’t volunteer and live there every day. Are the moms who volunteer daily any better than those who never do? No. Am I incredibly grateful for the moms who volunteer every day and help the teachers? YES.

Are stay-at-home moms better than working moms? NO.

Are working moms better than stay-at-home moms? NO.

Are married moms better than single moms? NO.

Are you a better mom if you take your kids on exotic vacations? NO.

Can you be a good mom if you the closest thing you get to a vacation is the park? YES.

Can you be a good mom and have a super scheduled summer with lots of planned activities? Yep.

What about if your summer is lazy with no plans? Yep.

Do good moms let their kids watch TV? Yes.

Play video games? Yes.

What about if you say no? Also fine. Your choice. You’re the mom. And a good one.

I’m a Christian. My friend and neighbor is Muslim. Another friend practices no religion at all. WE ARE ALL GOOD MOTHERS.

My other friend is gay. Her kids have TWO mothers. They are both good moms.

I breastfed. My kids barely had any formula. Am I better than moms who give their kids formula? NO.

So how about this? Can we all climb down off judgmental mountain for a second? And just support one another? And just say, Hey, motherhood is hard. You’re doing a good job. Raising kids can knock the wind out of a person. You got this.

How awesome would that be? Just a thought.

There is a lot of judgment going around, and I know at times it seems easy to think we’re doing better than or worse than other parents just based on situations, appearances, provisions, et cetera. But really I think we’re all just doing the best we can.

So in a day and age where there are a lot of paths to take (vaccines, schooling, foods, technology, chemicals, and the list goes on), the best we can do is research and decide what’s best for our family and/or just choose what fits our budget, morals, conscience, lifestyle, et cetera.

And then pray. Pray it all goes well. Pray our children grow up right. Just pray. Let God take care of the rest.

And, finally, don’t worry about what others think (yes, easier said then done). Just rest in the knowledge that you’re doing the best you can do, and that no one will love your kids better than you do.

So this September, I will take all these words to heart, and continue to be the best mom I can to these two precious boys (and one angel in heaven).

Blackwater Lake

Posted on by Frances

I bring to you a FREE psychological suspense novella! Introducing…

 

 

For those who may not know, novella means short novel. In other words, this is not a full-length novel. That doesn’t mean it won’t pack a good punch, though! With around 26,000 words, this makes the perfect book to read for those short on time. And with a lot of storyline and plot twists, it’s perfect for those still wanting depth. Plus, you can’t beat FREE!

Before going into my review, let me share with you the book’s blurb:

Matthew Stanyer fears the worst when he reports his parents missing.  His father, Joseph Stanyer, has been struggling to cope with his wife Evie, whose dementia is rapidly worsening. When their bodies are found close to Blackwater Lake, a local beauty spot, the inquest rules the deaths as a murder-suicide. A conclusion that’s supported by the note Joseph leaves for his son.

Grief-stricken, Matthew begins to clear his parents’ house of decades of compulsive hoarding, only to discover the dark enigmas hidden within its walls. Ones that lead Matthew to ask: why did his father choose Blackwater Lake to end his life? What other secrets do its waters conceal?

A short (26,000 words) novella, Blackwater Lake examines one man’s determination to uncover his family’s troubled past.

In my opinion, this was a very intriguing psychological suspense. It held my attention from the first page through to the end. The characters and scenes were well-written, and the storyline was amazing! What I think I loved most about this short book is that there were a few twists and turns that I didn’t expect! And on top of that, the author did a fabulous job piecing all loose ends together towards the end without giving away too much information throughout the middle.

There were two things that I didn’t like. The first thing was that one of the twists the author wove into this novella was not something I appreciated. It was an interesting take on what the author was trying to get across, but it wasn’t something I enjoyed. I will not share what it is because I don’t want to spoil anything for potential readers, but let’s just say it’s an iffy topic. The book as a whole isn’t clean, either, so tread lightly.

The second thing was that some of the scenes were not needed. They don’t throw you off, it’s just they really didn’t need to be added. And some of those moments were a tiny confusing so I had to reread some parts just to be sure I knew what was being said.

Overall, I really liked the novella. I like psychological storylines, and this one fit the mold quite well. Because of the couple issues, I am only rating this one four stars!

If you’d like to read this for FREE yourself, check it out here:

 

www.amazon.com/dp/B015WYIQ4K

 

Unfortunate Events

Posted on by Frances

Introducing my newest release…

 

 

I am so excited to share this with you! In this collection of short stories, you’ll get a mixture of just about every genre out there. Plus, it’s a clean read! I like to think of this as our worst fears realized or perhaps even worst case scenarios because each story has a little bit of creepiness to it. This is NOT horror, though! Just entertaining 🙂

Let me share with you the book’s blurb…

Life is often unpredictable. Many times, bad things happen that no one would ever see coming, not even ourselves. And such is the case for the people in each of these stories. Some will be attacked by vicious animals, while others navigate through wild weather. The rest will find themselves in freak accidents, coming face to face with the supernatural, being a part of something out of this world, and many other situations that can only be described as unfortunate.

With traces of romance, adventure, humor, thrill, and mystery woven in, there is a story for anyone looking for an entertaining read while being short on time. And with just the right blend of horror and tragedy, this collection will leave you dreading the possible.

Unfortunate Events: 31 Short Stories is available in paperback and eBook format. Paperback can be found on Amazon or CreateSpace for just $9.99. The eBook can be found on Amazon for just $1.99 by clicking HERE! It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited for FREE!

Great news, though!! To celebrate this release, it will be FREE for ALL for two days next week! Can’t beat FREE, right!?!? All you have to do is click HERE between Monday, September 11, and Tuesday, September 12!

Enjoy! Now on to my next novel….

September eBook Extravaganza!!

Posted on by Frances

Today is #ReadABookDay and I can think of no other way to celebrate than to get a bunch of free reads! I have something that can do just that. It’s an event called September eBook Extravaganza!

What is this event about? Well, I’m glad you asked! This event is going on from September 1 through September 20. It is where you can download 50 FREE reads, learn more about the authors who wrote these reads, and enter to win a $50 gift card!

One thing that makes this event even sweeter is that each book/author that is participating is rated so that you know what you can expect. If it’s something you wouldn’t want to read, you can pass. With 50 FREE options, there’s definitely something for everyone, though!

A sample of my third novel, Long Lost Neighbors, is included! So what are you waiting for!?!?! All you have to do is click on this link! All the details and books are found here. You can also enter to win at this link! Have fun!

 

https://mybookcave.com/g/c2c78e59/

Fireworks

Posted on by Frances

Fireworks. Some people love them. Others hate them (and for valid reasons). A few have a love/hate relationship with them. Regardless of where you stand on the issue of fireworks, there really isn’t a whole lot we can do about them. They’ll be let off no matter what.

So let’s talk about fireworks! LOL! I happen to be one of the people that love to go and watch fireworks. Not just any fireworks, though. I like the ones that are set off by the professionals. You know, the type of fireworks displayed during 4th of July or other festivals. The ones that go higher in the air, get bigger, and sound louder than anything we could buy at the store (if your state allows for that).

As for the ones you get from the store, they’re okay. But they provide a little bit of anxiety for me. I like to see them, but get a little nervous when just your ordinary joe fires them. Why? Because many accidents happen, and my mind immediately fears the worst. (Something I know I need to work on).

The thing is, though, since Michigan made fireworks legal a couple/few years ago, some people do some pretty scary stuff. Not scary when you’re expecting it. But scary when it comes out of nowhere! Just this past 4th of July, my family and I were walking down the sidewalk to the park to find a place to sit and wait for the fireworks to start. As we were walking, minding our own business, BOOM! From nowhere, this bright flash of light and bomb-blasting sound about made us fall backward. I kid you not. In the city, where houses are really close, this took place. Scared us silly!

In Michigan this can happen. We are allowed to buy and light fireworks the day before, day of, and day after the holidays. We can do them until 1:00 a.m. in the morning. Many people don’t abide by this rule, but it is what it is. I think the 1:00 a.m. rule is a bit late. I mean, the kids need to sleep (as do I). Thankfully since we’ve moved, the new location doesn’t keep them going all night long, but we’ve been in places where they have. And it’s just ridiculous.

Though I’ve complained a lot now (sorry), I really do like fireworks. I especially like the ones that Grand Haven throws during 4th of July and the Coast Guard festival, which took place just one month ago. They really put on a good show!

My favorite fireworks are the ones that are big and colorful and/or sparkly. I do not like the loud ones. I see no purpose in the loud flashes of light that only serve to deafen you. I want color and beauty. Some of the best that we have seen are the smiley faces, tulips, and rings around a gorgeous center. I also love the big golden ones that fall over like a weeping willow because they remind me of show business. And a cool thing is that sometimes there is a slight pause between the show and the grand finale. It reminds me of concerts where the musicians pretend to be done, but then come back for one more hit song. They really know how to leave us wanting more!

Anyway, bottom line is that I think in the right hands at the right time and the right place, fireworks are beautiful. You never know what you’re going to see next, which I find thrilling. Any chance I get to see a show, I do.

How do you feel about them? Do you like the loud ones? Bright ones? Colorful ones? Do they even light fireworks where you live? Can you buy them all year around like you can in Michigan? What was your favorite show? Or firework? Maybe in the comments you can show a picture of your favorite!

 

*Firework picture curtesy of pixabay.com