It's another Fab Friday and you know what that means! Today's featured author is Ms. Trè  Bryant. She is an exceptional gift to the writing community with the support she provides through her work at Urban Image Magazine and her online radio show. Check out what she's sharing with us today.

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It's a wonderful #writerwednesday and today we're getting intimate with a forbidden love. Courtney has yearned for this man for so long. He's giving her a love that's been withheld, which has the power to erase the hurt and the pain her husband left her with.

Download your copy of Is The Grass Really Greener from Amazon today @: bit.ly/ITGRG_1

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"I trust people to be who they are." Marvin Ramsey, Sr.

My husband often says the above quote to and about people. Without complete understanding of the saying some may take it in an offensive nature. However, he explains that it prevents us from setting ourselves up for failure, setting high expectations of others, and experiencing great disappointment at the hands of others.

When you avoid placing expectations on others, you eliminate the pressure they may feel to live up to your expectations. If someone is aspiring to live up to your standards, they may fail you every time not to mention fail themselves. Instead, we should encourage others to be the best they can be, by not setting certain standards. If we choose instead to place expectations only on ourselves and compare ourselves to what the Almighty expects from us, then we keep our focus in the right place. By doing this we set an example for others to do the same. We must be responsible for the challenges we take upon ourselves, and not be quick to blame our failure on others.

Everyone has a different moral compass by which they live their lives. Some may be very similar to our own, while others can be vastly different causing us to become judgmental. When we strive to improve our own challenges and strengths, we have no time to worry about other people's attitudes and behaviors, avoiding judging them.

Everyone should have the freedom to be who they are, and whether you agree or not is up to you. If you don't like their choices and method of living, simply excuse yourself from their lives. But don't judge them, and don't pressure them to be someone you think they should be. But most of all, don't be disappointed when others fail to live up to your expectations. The heartache and disappointment can be avoided, by choosing to trust people to be who they are.

It's been another Motivational Monday Moment. I pray that you set the example by choosing to be the best that you can be this week, and inspire others for better living!

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Today's Fab Friday Featured author is a new author to The Beautifully Inspired Blog, but not new to many of the readers. Help me extend a warm welcome to Aja! Her excerpt will definitely pull you into a certain place, with an interesting twist. Shall I say more? Nope! You'll have to read for yourself...


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Excerpt from Breaking Her Rules:
 
If someone had told Savanah, she would be on her hands and knees, grunting on each exhale by mid-morning she’d tell them they were high on drugs. Her plans for the day had been to go and get her weekly manicure and pedicure followed up by a deep conditioning treatment by her new stylist, Tamera.

Her plans did not include her in this position with twigs and dirt and grass digging into her skin. But this is what happens when you can’t find your cat, Dorothy.

After sleeping in until nine, something she almost never did, taking a relaxing long shower, and then finishing up with her usual oatmeal with a side of pineapples, she realized Dorothy hadn’t woke her up. That was why she’d slept in until nine. And then she realized, she couldn’t remember the last time she saw Dorothy. That began the manhunt after she put on her orange maxi length dress and brown flip-flops after running her fingers through her loose kinky curls.

She looked around her new house that she was becoming more accustomed to. The sounds a house made, especially in the silence, were much different from the sounds made in the upscale condo she had lived in for two years on Chicago’s Miracle Mile.

No, this three bedroom, colonial with the wood paneled floors and crown molding around the ceilings, making creaky noises in the night that often made her think someone else was there with her. It wasn’t her preference in a home seeing that she moved around a lot and usually wouldn’t need the kind of space she had here being single with no children. But her company had offered it to her as part of her relocation package and she had the choice of purchasing it from them after a year as part of the contract, if she chose to.

At first, she thought she’d be out of here in no time. But because of its proximity to the parkway that took her straight into Pittsburgh’s downtown area from the Edgewood ramp, she was starting to see the advantages of staying here. Not to mention all of the quaint little things about her neighborhood that she didn’t think she’d ever appreciate after living in a high-rise in a major bustling city.

She stated, making her way around the house, inspecting all the nooks and crannies and even her creepy basement and still no sign of Dorothy, she realized she needed to start looking outside of her house. There was moment yesterday when she had removed some stinky trash to the back by the garage and shed and maybe just maybe, Ms. Dorothy made a run for it then.

How does one go about looking for a cat?

In her estimation, cats were born to run and be free. And even though she knew that, she wanted her Dorothy back at home with her. She grew to like her, especially since for maybe five minutes a day she wouldn’t think about the man she had no business thinking about because Dorothy, with her talkative self, kept her company.

Dorothy was a sign that she had a home and not just a place to sleep.

Her neighborhood was quant and pretty. The lawns of each property manicured perfectly and the sidewalks unmarred by any cracks or bumps, but what made it so nice were that all the houses were distinctive. Different colors, different details. Large, old trees lined the properties and sidewalks, providing a breeze that moved her hair around her face. After a while, she forgot she was actually looking for her cat and just enjoyed the walk in her neighborhood. The sounds from chirping birds and young children playing in their backyards while dads mowed lawns and mothers pushed babies around in their strollers.

All of this beauty and the quiet neighborhood made her, for just a moment, think about a family of her own one day. Not that she wanted it really and not that she even thought it could happen seeing that her career took up so much of her time and then there was the whole ‘you need a man to have all of this’ problem. But there was a deep yearning she was choosing to ignore.

Just as she had gotten ten blocks away from her house, she realized she hadn’t done any looking for Dorothy. There was absolutely no way to find a cat. But she started to call her name.

“Here, Dorothy, here.”

She sounded silly and apparently a few neighbors thought so based on their looks from their properties, but one was friendly and came over to her.

“Looking for your dog,” the complete stranger neighbor asked. He was maybe mid-forties, deep brown skin, baldhead, eyes that crinkled in the corners and married. Yes, she knew it without even checking out his hand which made his too-wide-of-a-smile a bit concerning.

”My cat, Dorothy.”

“Oh,” he said. “Not sure you can get a cat to come to you like that.”

“I don’t think so either, but I have no other choice.”

He looked like he was going to say more, but then his pretty but unpleased wife stepped out on the porch and took in the beautiful Savanah talking to her too-wide-of-a-smile husband, making him change his mind.

So he said, “Well, good luck.” And rushed back to his porch where he never should have left.
Shaking her head, she started to head back home. She waited to cross the street as a black Dodge Durango passed through the intersection. She started to cross the street when the Durango backed up. She started to run back to the corner for safety since she was afraid she might be hit, but when the window came down with her in the middle of the street, she saw the real reason she needed to run.

Joe Farrington’s fine ass.
 
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2cqUjJJ
Connect with me on Facebook: Aja The Writer and also follow me on my blog: ajathewriter.com

 
Aja is the writer of sensually erotic women's fiction. Her stories allow readers to experience realistic, inspiring and soulful interactions between her characters and intense passion between couples overcoming life's challenges.

Raised as an only child, using her imagination to create stories came naturally to her. Writing her first book in the first grade encouraged her doting and supportive mother to enter her into writing contests to help her hone her craft. Inspired by soulful music and sensual art, she crafts her stories on a whim, using the snatches of time her characters grace her with and stringing them together for completion. She loves prose but has been known to be poetic which can be found, if looking, in some of her published work.

Unexpected is her debut novella she authored with Roy Glenn. I Am Yours, her sophomore effort she admits to being her heart exposed in literature. Her novella, Breaking Her Rules is featured as part of the Hot Undercover Bosses boxset. She is working on several projects including Love's Required and Be With Me with Roy Glenn, a part of the Unexpected series.

When she's not writing, reading and most importantly, loving her family, she is looking for a beautiful beach to watch sunrises, sunsets and listen to the ebb and flow of the remarkable waves. For more information about Aja and her work you can reach out to her by email at ajathewriter@yahoo.com or on her blog ajathewriter.com or you can follow her on social media at facebook.com/aja.thewriter .

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It's been some time since our next guest has visited us, but this #writerwednesday she's dropping by to share the scoop and talk about some broken women.

CHELLE: Olivia, welcome back to The Beautifully Inspired Blog! It's been some time since we've heard from you. How've you been? 

OLIVIA: Thank you. Yes, it has been a while, but I have been blessed and very busy.

CHELLE: Good to hear. Tell the readers what you've been up to?

OLIVIA: (She smiles and shakes her head back and forth). I've been very busy with both shops and doing some hair shows. Tyrone and his constituents started the AACAA, which stands for the African-American Cosmetologist Awards Association. They host many awards events and are linked to many shows, and I've been invited to some of the showings as a hostess, guest, and a participant. Not to mention, I've been doing a lot of outreach work with the homeless and battered women shelters. Many of you know the story of my father and Nikki, so you know those two areas are near and dear to my heart.

CHELLE: Yes, we do. Speaking of, how are your father and Nikki? Any more drama on her front?

OLIVIA: Whew! (she blows out a breath). Well, my father is just fine and actually Nikki and the kids are, too. After all the drama with her, Wes, Carlos, and then Rory I just wasn't certain how it would turn out. After that was over, things settled down for a bit and I was thankful. But, as you know when it gets quiet the enemy is in the background brewing up trouble. But, I thank the Lord for His hedge of protection that He's placed around me and that He's given His angels charge over me and everything attached to me. Praise God!

CHELLE: Amen! He definitely does get busy and we have to stay grounded in our faith and find our strength in our Lord to overcome. How are Raymond and the kids? Everything's good at home?

OLIVIA: Welll...

CHELLE: Olivia?

OLIVIA: Well, Raymond and the kids experienced a very traumatic event that shook their world and rocked our marriage. I wasn't certain they would make it through for a while, but I guess they're going to be okay.

CHELLE: You guess? Don't you know? What about your marriage?

OLIVIA: The event they suffered through shook our foundation and some bones fell out of Raymond's closet. I learned he was not being completely honest with me about some things, and it hurt really bad. Honesty is everything to me, and to learn that I was married to someone who was not being truthful hurt me to my core. I began to question my decision to marry him and began to understand that maybe I stepped out of God's will. I wanted that man so bad that I don't think I was always hearing God. You know sometimes we think we hear the Lord's voice, and it's really our own voice we're hearing when we want something bad enough. So, I had some tough decisions to make.

CHELLE: Oliva! Please tell the readers you two are still together, aren't you?

OLIVIA: (Takes a sip from her coffee mug). I can neither affirm or deny that at this time.

CHELLE: Why not?

OLIVIA: As Ty often says, "You'll have to wait until the book comes out." Everything doesn't always end the way we want. And you know Chelle, you don't believe in fairy tales. You don't write them, so we don't live them.

CHELLE: (I nod my head). Truth.

CHELLE: I understand there is major drama jumping off in book four. Not the typical drama we see in my books. Tell us more about that.

OLIVIA: Well, someone is shot in the opening scene of the book and they will be in for the fight of their life. Ironically, the book ends in a similar fashion that it opens in. Someone will win and someone will lose. Unfortunately, many important characters are involved in this issue and it affects their lives in a shocking manner. The hearts of the women are broken, some will mend and some will never be the same. This book is about more than the hearts of the women, but it digs down deep into their souls, and we get to see the pain, the strength, and the sacrifice of our men standing strong.

CHELLE: In what way do you mean?

OLIVIA: The first shooting causes people to come together again and truths to be revealed that will be devastating. Some people will learn their lives and relationships have been built on a lie. And others will have to face the truth of what they have done. Regardless, lives are going to be changed forever and most of them won't be for the better.

CHELLE: I'm sorry to hear that. I understand some people are returning in book four. Tell us about that.

OLIVIA: Everyone returns to book four. And along with their return comes their drama, attitudes, and impact. Probably none more impactful than Kianna's of course. Drama and trouble follows that poor child wherever she goes. Kianna is one tormented soul and all we can do is pray for her.

CHELLE: What impact does that have on Angel?

OLIVIA: Her life is going to be changed in a major way as well, but once again I cannot say. I will say that you will see two sides of Kianna in this book. We'll see the old Kianna and we'll see a new Kianna. She never fails to disappoint, so hang around and see what she's bringing.

CHELLE: Olivia thanks for stopping by! We cannot wait until the release of book four. Since, you've been telling us everything else do you want to share the release date?

OLIVIA: No thank you, ma'am. I'll leave that for you. Thank you all for having me.

CHELLE: Any time! Readers, stay tuned for the reveal of the release date, the book cover, and more! In the meantime, catch up on any of the books you've missed in the series by clicking the links below to purchase your copy.

BEJEWELED: THE FLIGHT OF AN ANGEL

BEJEWELED: WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

BEJEWELED: A BEAUTIFUL BLEND

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"Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have 'essential' and 'long overdue' meetings on those days." J. K. Rowling

It is challenging at best to find undisturbed, productive, stimulating, serenely satisfying writing time. This is especially true for those of us who have families and other careers besides writing. In the effort to maintain work-life balance, it can become taxing to carve out time to work on our craft, producing a work of art that is a pleasurable experience to both reader and writer.

My new position is very demanding and often requires me to work from home in the evenings and weekends. While on one hand this can be rewarding in terms of accomplishing certain goals and achieving financial gains, I also find myself at times empty. Why? Because the primary relaxation tool and passion that drives me has been left unattended, while I chase a different goal that I set for myself some time ago.

Perhaps, the greatest lesson I have learned over the last month is that I must continue to pursue my primary dream. Writing. Whether it is an entire Saturday or one hour at night during the weeks, I must return to my first love.  It is the way I relax, express myself, find healing and peace, and the God-breathed dream and gift that has been placed within me. I must find time to nurture the gift, remain attentive to my readers, and allow the creativity to flow from within onto the screen in front of me.

My family has always been supportive of me finding time to write, and often encourage me to do so if I'm away from it for too long. The new beast, which is my job, is not as loving and caring as they are. Therefore, I must learn to tame the beast if by no other means than setting boundaries and disciplining myself to maintain a strict writing regimen on the weekends.

We are required to maintain a certain amount of responsibility in our lives when it comes to work. However, we were never meant to give up on our dreams, or place them on the back burner. Maybe, it is a trick of the enemy to attempt to derail us from our original purposes in life. Or, we simply are not disciplined enough to live our best lives ever. Whatever the reason, our dreams are the flames burning within. They are not given to us to extinguish them, but to fan the little flicker burning so brightly, which gives us hope, purpose, and determination.

How do you balance responsibility while pursuing your dreams?

Writers, what schedule do you implement to ensure you have time to write and time for work and life?

It's been another Motivational Monday Moment! Walk in purpose and inspired this week, and live your best life ever.

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Please join author Sheryl Lister as she tours the blogosphere with Write Now Literary Book Tours and her new release Places In My Heart, Pre Order Blitz and Contest on September 15, 2016.

CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS
In celebration of Sheryl’s upcoming release, Places In My Heart, she’s giving away (5) five prizes: (4) four mini-swag packs and (1) one Grand Prize of a Reader Lovers Basket, including a Kindle Fire and $25 Amazon gift card.

Pre-order your copy: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OSFA3h
B&N: http://bit.ly/2ae25BQ
iTunes: http://apple.co/2bcYF5q
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2aYeslG

Once you've ordered, enter here: http://sheryllister.com/contest

This contest is open for US only through September 30, 2016.

Publication Date:  Oct 1, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN-10: 0373864701
ISBN-13: 978-0373864706

About The Book
Omar Drummond is a pro football superstar with a body that’s a pure work of art. But Morgan Gray is forbidden to act on their chemistry, or repeat their impulsive kiss. Proving her worth as a sports agent means securing the notorious celebrity as a client, not a lover. Yet between flowers, sweet notes and heady hotel interludes, Omar is shamelessly seducing her...

Other agents—and exes—have tried using Omar as a meal ticket, and he’s closed himself off from emotional entanglements. With Morgan, it’s a whole new playbook. Smart and tough, she can negotiate a contract and turn him on all in one go, and he craves more. But in matters of trust, he’s just fumbled badly. To win her he has to show her the man he can be away from the field and the limelight, and hope that this time they’re both playing for keeps.

About The Author
Sheryl Lister has enjoyed reading and writing for as long as she can remember. She writes contemporary and inspirational romance and romantic suspense. She been nominated for an Emma Award and RT Reviewer’s Choice Award and named BRAB’s 2015 Best New Author. When she’s not reading, writing or playing chauffeur, Sheryl can be found on a date with her husband or in the kitchen creating appetizers and bite-sized desserts. Sheryl resides in California and is a wife, mother of three daughters and a son-in-love, and grandmother to two very special little boys.

Excerpt
Omar knew he had taken a risk showing up at Morgan’s office, but he was desperate. It had taken a lot to persuade Malcolm to share his sister’s information, especially since Omar had declined to say what had happened between them. He toyed with calling first, but changed his mind because he didn’t want to chance her refusing to see him. The woman seated outside Morgan’s office, whom he assumed was the assistant, greeted him with a wide smile and an exaggerated sway of her hips as she led him to the office. Omar ignored the not-so-subtle brush of her breasts against his arm when she turned to leave. In his peripheral vision, he noticed the slight rise in Morgan’s eyebrow and knew she’d seen it, too. He waited until the woman closed the door before turning to face Morgan.

Morgan folded her arms. “What are you doing here?”

“Hello to you, too,” he said.

An embarrassed expression crossed her face. “Sorry. Have a seat.”

Omar took the chair opposite her desk. “I apologize for stopping by without calling, but I figured you wouldn’t see me otherwise.”

“You were probably right. How do you know I won’t call security to throw you out now?”

“I don’t, but I’m counting on your love of football to work in my favor.” They engaged in a stare-down for several seconds until she looked away first.

“How did you know where I worked?”

“Malcolm.” She frowned and he added, “If it’s any consolation, he adamantly refused to divulge your home address.”

“Well, maybe I won’t kill him, after all.”
He chuckled.

“Since you went through all this trouble, I guess I can spare you five minutes.”

Omar knew the mention of football would rouse her curiosity. “I’d like to talk to you about a business proposition.”

“What does that have to do with football?”

“My contract is up for renewal in six weeks and—”

“Don’t you have an agent? If memory serves me correctly, you have one of the best agents
 around.”

“Things aren’t always as they seem.”

She sat up straight. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying it’s time for a change, and I’d like you to negotiate my upcoming contract. You’re an attorney and, according to your brother, you know football like you’ve played it all your life.”

Her eyes lit up and her mouth fell open. “Are you serious? Wait a minute.” She sat back again and angled her head. “What about your current agent? Did he dump you or something?”

Omar sighed. “No.” There was more to it, but he would only tell her if she agreed to represent him.

Morgan narrowed her eyes. “There are dozens of sports agents out there, and I’m certain any one of them would be happy to take you on, especially with your numbers from last year. Yet you’re in my office.”

He smiled. “You checked my stats? So, you’re admitting I’ve got game?”

A rush of color darkened her face. “Why me?” she asked, ignoring his questions.

“You want to be an agent, and I need one.” He leaned forward and whispered, “And I know you passed the sport’s agent certification test. It’s a win-win situation for both of us.”

“On second thought, I am going to kill Malcolm,” she muttered.

“I need your help, Morgan. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

“I have to think about this.” She turned slightly in her chair and stared out the window, and then back at him. “You realize I already have a job. And I’m working on a case.”

Omar nodded. “I understand, and I have no problems working around your schedule.”

“Even on weekends or late evenings.”

“Anytime.”

“I see.” She went back to staring out the window.

He could almost hear the wheels turning in her head. She bit down on her lip, drawing his attention and reminding him how much he enjoyed kissing her.

Finally she angled her head his direction. “I’ll agree on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You keep your hands and lips to yourself. No more kisses.”

Omar groaned inwardly. There was no way he could go without kissing her. In fact, it had been the first thing on his mind from the moment he saw her today. “Morgan—”

“No. More. Kisses,” she repeated.
 
Trailer: https://youtu.be/DqdxKL-YkMo

Connect Socially
Website: http://sheryllister.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheryllisterauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1Slynne
Goodread: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7855222.Sheryl_Lister
 
Tour hosted by WNL Book Tours

Follow Sheryl on Tour

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There are few things that give me greater pleasure than creating new works, and sharing them with you for your reading entertainment and pleasure. That's why I love #writerwednesdays. It gives me a chance to put my works in front of you.

Today I'm sharing a snippet from something I call "My Sister's Keeper." Read on...

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“You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.”
— Sam Keen

This is not always an easy lesson to learn. It took me quite a few years to learn that my husband loved me for who I am, not for who I wanted him to believe I was. Long before we were married, I tried to hide all of my flaws and imperfections, attempting to persuade him to believe I was someone I was not.

It was an eye-opening and experiential journey that empowered me to understand he could already see beyond the perception I was attempting to portray. He knew my weaknesses, my challenges, my faults, and he loved me anyway. Not once did he judge me because of my self-consciousness, insecurities, issues, or mistakes. Instead he chose to patiently love me, lovingly guide me, and inspiringly teach me to embrace my own flaws and imperfections. He stood by my side and taught me to love myself, accept myself, and be the best that I can be.

His love enabled me to see that while I would never be perfect and it's okay to be flawed, I must still work to be the best that I can be at all times. He has shown me how to laugh at myself and not take myself so seriously.

I often wish these hard lessons that it took me years to learn, had been learned and understood twenty years ago when we first met. I often wish that I had listened to him and embraced the teachings he brought to me on a daily basis. But then I must recall one of the most valuable lessons he has taught me.

"Don't live your life based on regrets. It's the mistakes that you have made that has made you who you are." - Marvin Ramsey, Sr.

I thank Almighty God every morning and every night for my husband, and quite a few other times in between. Even when I'm upset with him or upsetting him, I still thank and praise the Lord for him. By the grace of God and the love my husband has shown, I've been able to accomplish many great things in this life despite the adversity life brings.

But in the words of Jill Scott, "But it’s all because the love you give to me it made me who I are."

The best gift that you can give to your significant other is to learn to love yourself and embrace your flaws. Don't try to be what you're not, be the best you that you can possibly be. Perfectly flawed! And in return, love your significant other for who they are. Don't try to make them into someone they're not, instead strengthen their weak areas, and support their strengths. Love them 'as is.'

It's been another Motivational Monday Moment.

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Please join author D. C. Lassiter as she tours the blogosphere with Write Now Literary Book Tours and her new release Beyond The Face Of The Movies, from Sept 1-30, 2016.
Publication Date: July 7, 2016
Paperback & E-Book: 200 pages
Publisher: Pneuma Springs Publishing
ISBN-10: 1782284168
ISBN-13: 978-1782284161
Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Living
About the Author

D.C. Lassiter resides in the Pennsylvania area and is a student of God's word. After being called from a life of modeling and singing, she is now heading to Lancaster Bible College to complete her Bachelor's degree in Theology & Biblical Studies with a minor in Communications. D.C. Lassiter is single and worships at Blue Route Vineyard Community Church. She also writes on her blog as well as various online Christian magazines and counsels women struggling with separation or divorce. You can also find her engaging with her listeners, on the radio, every Sunday as she hosts Dovetales from 2:30-3:30 pm eastern time. Through guests willing to share what the Holy Spirit has done in and for their lives, D.C. Lassiter has an opportunity to encourage many towards a personal relationship with the Godhead which is for everyone: all nationalities, all races, all ages and all backgrounds.
 
About The Book

Have you ever wondered why after watching a movie you are left with a residue of emotions? Perhaps after the credits have rolled off of your screen, you've experienced a sense of peace, empowerment, exhilaration, fear or maybe a better understanding of how to deal with a personal issue you've struggled with.

Whether we are a believer in God or not, everyone will come to a place where the choices they've made will lead them to asking themselves, "How did I get here?" And as we run from co-worker's and then to friends and family pleading for an answer as to how it all went so wrong, we will still have to choose, in the end, which path we'll take. Don't be fooled, because once you decide it is you and only you who will ultimately have to live those choices out.
Beyond the Face of the Movies will show you at heart just how similar we all are and whether you see your life resembling a Hollywood movie or a real life biblical character you will discover, underneath all the glitz and the glam, that people are still the same when it comes to making mistakes.
Many times God challenges us to go deeper than the surface of the movie, in hope that we will discover principles that can be gleaned from beneath the excitement and buzz of the film.
By juxtaposing Hollywood movies and biblical characters, the author connects the dots for the reader so that they are guided through fundamental biblical truths in order to better understand and navigate through their own life challenges on a daily basis.
What does Bruce Almighty have in common with the biblical Samson? What is Prophet Jonah doing in the Wizard of Oz instead of going down to Nineveh? Find out in this fun and feisty easy-to-read book, and while you are at it - take the time to look beyond the surface of the movie and you will sense God speaking to you in encouraging, practical and at times convicting ways.
 
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/168888847
Connect Socially
Website: http://www.dclministries.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/DCLMinistries
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It's #writerwednesday and I'm excited to share a snippet of a story that I'm temporarily calling "Room 301."

This story is still in the making, but I've had so much fun crafting it and look forward to it coming to fruition. I hope you enjoy the little that I'm sharing with you today.

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She made it home in less than 15 minutes. That was record driving time for what would normally be a 35 minute drive. Rushing into the house, she slammed the door behind her. Candice threw her keys in the bowl on the side table and ran upstairs to the bathroom. Looking into the mirror, she begin sobbing uncontrollably as she grabbed a wash cloth, applied makeup remover and scrubbed her face. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and stripped down to her underwear. She turned around in circles inspecting her body. Satisfied that there were no bruises or any other peculiar marks, she removed her underwear and stared at them in confusion. She placed them at the bottom of the hamper, and jumped into the shower.
Candice stepped from the steaming shower and looked into the mirror again. Not seeing her reflection, she pulled a fresh tube of Roaming Red from her makeup drawer, underneath the sink, and begin drawing on the steamed mirror.
In big scrawling letters, Candice wrote the words “I HATE YOU, BITCH!” before putting the tube back into the drawer and shutting it closed tightly. She pulled a key from the medicine cabinet overhead and locked the drawer. Pulling the towel closer around her body, Candice walked back down the stairs to her office. Grabbing a piece of tape from the dispenser on her desk, she ran back up the steps, and crawled underneath her bed. Wiggling to the middle of the bed, she taped the key underneath the mattress.
Candice lay there for almost 10 minutes trying to calm her breathing and control her emotions. She knew that she was in over her head trying to handle things on her own. If her secret got out her life would be over as she knew it. And she couldn’t afford to allow that to happen for anything. Candice loved the life that she lived, she had worked hard for several years to construct it in the manner she’d grown accustomed to. She’d do whatever it took to preserve it…by any means possible was her motto.

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"Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and work to get better. It's hard to stay on top." Paul Coffey.

One of my major concerns with starting a new position was not finding the time to write and promote my books anymore. I knew that the weekends would still provide me time to get some writing in, but I struggle with the balance of writing, marketing, and spending time with my family. Of course, my family wins out every time.

Therefore, I cannot get frustrated if sales lag. I cannot get frustrated if I fail to rise to the top at work. If I fail to work hard, and harder, and harder I cannot become disappointed if I don't see growth and progression. If my attitude has become complacent and I have settled for just enough, why should I be disappointed?

It doesn't matter how good you do something, there's always someone out there better than you, or offering a variation of what you have to offer. If you don't continue to improve your processes, learn new methods to doing what you do, and up your A game, you're going to lag behind and that's just a fact of life.

You can never become complacent with where you are in your work if you want to continue to grow. Whether it's a dream you're pursuing (like me & my books), or if it's your career (me in HR) you must always find a way to improve your learning, understanding, talent, and skill sets to be competitive, to be better than good enough, and to simply be the best you can be.

Be prepared to sign up for workshops, attend seminars, participate in webinars, ask the questions, put in the work, and improve yourself.  Don't allow fear to stifle your growth and force you to become paralyzed. You can be great at whatever you do, because there is greatness within you. But you must be willing to put in the work!
It's another Motivational Monday Moment! While it is Labor Day, you can still put in the work. Work at being the best you that you can be.

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