RANKED #60 in KINDLE from the Girl Who Couldn't Read!

--------------------------------- Ranked # 60 in KINDLE ---------------------------

Can't learn? I wrote this to encourage YOU! http://amzn.to/SQetiN

From ‘Why Johnny Can’t Read’ to “See Paula Write”

Being unable to learn until the third grade when it was discovered that she was very nearsighted, and at age 60 realizing that she was profoundly dyslexic, author Paula Rose Michelson shares her journey from fear of writing to the blessing of writing for God.

Since many have shared this article with those who need to overcome and seen individuals move from shame and hiding to a healthy understanding of life issues and the hidden blessings that can be found within, the author realized many more might benefit from reading about her deep, dark secret, which she only began to speak of when the release date for her first book was approaching.  

Were it not for all God had shown her, Paula, like many others faced with unseen handicaps, believes she would not have spoken of or written about her journey. She does so now with confidence that as Philippians 1:6 says, "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

How Did We Become Angry 1/2 OFF Biblical help 4 YOU!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~NOW 1/2 PRICE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

           YOU had no choice, now YOU can have a VOICE!  http://amzn.to/1gljn

Shelia Deeth’s amazing review says, “Anger as an emotion is neither good nor bad” says the author of How Did We Become Angry, but what we do with it can deprive us of power and freedom, health and hope. Seeds sown in childhood pain can keep us living in the past, instead of drawing strength to grow to the future. This short book offers a Biblical approach to that growth, with practical suggestions and a personal guide.

The author brings life experience, her training as a Life Coach, and her faith to this book. In so doing, she offers an answer to many people’s prayers. But the true answers are in God, as is clear from the rest of this book's name, Lamb Ministries—Life Affirming Messages from the Bible.

Interspersing teaching with personal experience, adding short words of encouragement and kindness ('stop, rest... you might need a break'), and carefully working wisdom into simple exercises, the author shows readers how, guided by God, we can silence that “Committee in your head” which so eagerly "warns" us before we feel threatened, leaving us endlessly angry and short-changed.

'Forgiveness is a personal self-defining choice,' the author says. But she’s writing first of forgiving ourselves, not others. A clear call to faith answers that question of how the unforgiven can forgive. The Bible underpins the whole of this book, not just in well-chosen verses to carry a message, but also with lessons on how to read and pray, how to hear God’s voice through His word, and how to respond. 'God is as close as the verses before you are,' and He’s waiting to heal. We are not slow, not worthless, not weak, and every word that condemns us has its scripture to raise us up. The fallen world may have made us angry and buried us. But now it’s time to be “become” something more, to grow, and to be. The author has learned and taught this lesson well, and this book offers powerful encouragement through faith, not in ourselves, but in the Messiah Christ."

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Teaching the reader biblically relevant concepts, Paula Rose Michelson shows us how to choose the right Scriptures to heal our personal wounds. She sets up a system of praying our personal Scriptures in a prescribed manner and time to purge out the dross, believing that each reader who does the work can overcome what was before and grab hold of God’s blessings in Messiah. In this first book of her seven Christian lay-counseling Lamb Ministries 7x7, Biblical Recovery for Women Suffering from Trauma & Abuse, the author walks us though a portion of her own healing journey, which the Lord orchestrated. Then she tells us how those experiences helped women in need as she worked with her LAMB Ladies.

CHOOSE Amazon’s Top 100 or Book Sales

For many the joy of being an author begins when they hold their first published book. At least that’s the way it was in the 20^th Century!

21^st Century authors, if published in E-book format only must be satisfied with seeing their words on a screen of some sort…whether Kindle, Nook, a Tablet, or a computer, there can be a feeling of letdown. So what’s an aspiring ‘wordsmith’ to do once they’ve made the leap into the publishing milieu?

While some published in digital format maybe happy to let things progress as they would, those Indie Authors, like me, were gifted through Amazon, Smashwords, and I assume other online E-book publishers the ability to see what was happening as far as their book sales were concerned.

It began simply enough this desire of mine to see what was going on…then seeing sales, I…well to state it plainly I wanted to learn what was necessary so others knew of my book(s). And this, I am certain, is what the online publishers intended.

Having been published, terminated my contract, and self-published, I was eager to dive in, and dive in I did. Along the way I discovered that I don’t know much and felt blessed when other Indie Authors befriended me and shared what they had learned.

So I’m writing this blog to pass along what I know as well as the reality that being in the Top 100 Book Category on Amazon or any other booksellers doesn’t mean anything if your books isn’t … I’m sure you can fill in the dots!

If you, like me, need help selecting the right meta-data words for your book. On Amazon you can find the key words that shoppers are entering in their search for book they want at: https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A200PDGPEIQX41

Then again there are those times when Amazon’s words don’t apply, so let’s do what the bookstores do and use those words that ‘The Book Industry Study Group’ has accumulated and use the tag words libraries do, which you’ll find here: http://bit.ly/1yYrk1b

Though both sites have what you’ll need neither of them is easy to work with. Furthermore, though the words you use may be best, that does not insure sales. Therefore, I suggest you look upon this as an experiment.

I say this because having finally gotten (I thought) all of my ducks in a row, I changed ‘No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles, Book One’ categories from Fiction, Christian, Romance since Naomi isn't a believer yet to the category of inspirational spirituality. Overnight the book was listed in the top 100 sellers in ‘Kindle > Religion > Spiritual Inspiration > Women’s Inspirational > Family > Fiction’ and the book didn’t sell! NOT AT ALL!

Where before, I had seen sales growing, now there were none! The good news for this Indie Author is that I could try again. So if you’re and Indie Author whose work isn’t selling, you can do the one thing an author with a contract cannot do and that is reboot by choosing different categories, or…

Do as I did and put your book back in the category you choose before, which is where I believe God wanted it to be. And if you’re as blessed as I fell now, you’ll know the journey was worthwhile for your book will be selling again.

I think it oddly affirming that my life work, both with founding LAMB Ministries and all this ongoing Christian Lay-Counseling Recovery Program for Women Suffering from Trauma and Abuse entails, and as an author who writes about ‘CHOICES’, how they affect us and what happens when we do or don’t take control, for here again I’ve written about that.

For Paula Rose Michelson’s Books visit: http://bitly.com/1dE3Y8b

More about Paula Rose Michelson at: www.PaulaRoseMichelson.com

BESTSELLER on Amazon Kindle's 'WOMEN & FAMILY INSPIRATIONAL FICTION' NOW 1/2 PRICE!

AMAZED that 'No Other Choice' on Amazon Kindle's 100 BESTSELLERS LIST since the book was published on OCTOBER 7, 2014! Do the math, and I'm sure you'll be surprised like I was to find Book One of THE NAOMI CHRONICLES made this list 43 days after its release when recognized in 'WOMEN and FAMILY INSPIRATIONAL FICTION' for being ranked in the TOP 100 in these areas!

To celebrate this unexpected blessing and in time for HOLIDAY GIFTING, this story of an illegal immigrant who becomes an heiress while hiding who she IS, is NOW 1/2 PRICE, so you might want to pick up a few for William Struse said in his 5 Star rave,

‘This is a soulful story in the tradition of some of the Bible's great heroines for duty, sacrifice, and faith are carried in the arms of love by a courageous young woman, who rises above her own flaws to help others. After reading this touching story, you will be asking yourself, is my life a blessing to others?’ http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

 About Paula Rose Michelson

As a Messianic Jew who wanted to write about life, love, and forgiveness, I researched what befell the Jews baptized into the Catholic faith to survive the Inquisition. I began writing and Naomi started talking to me. 

Though her story is unique, Naomi's issues of fear and hiding are universal. And having an extensive background in recovery, both as a Lifestyle Disorder Councilor, as well working with The Rubicon Center, I know that the issues one first sees in Naomi's character, are very much like the issues seen in anyone who is masking their real pain. That is why six inspirational romances were written, three of which have been published.

In 1988, I founded LAMB Ministries, and continue to mentor women like Naomi the way God mentored me. I published the first Christian Self-Help book stemming from this work, meant to help those suffering from trauma and abuse.

Having an issue ladened life until Christ freed me, I write books and articles to encourage and show God's mercy, love and forgiveness. 

"A Sweet Christian Romance at its Finest," said John Hale (Hamburger Fry) in his 5 Star Review!

'This is such an intriguing story! I couldn't help but want to find out what was going to happen next with Naomi, Chaz, and the others. There's so much I want to say about this story now that I have read the first book. In all honesty, I think everyone should read this story.

‘No Other Choice’ by, Paula Rose Michelson, is a touching story of faith, honor and love. Naomi, and the people that are part of her life, bring a sense of familiarity to the story. I also enjoy the interactions among the other characters.

This is not only a great story, but an ingenious lesson about life and how we can all be a blessing to one another! Naomi has a heart of gold but she carries such a heavy burden. Furthermore, what is the price of Naomi attaining her heart's desire? All the while, certain people plot against her. Can faith and love see her through the trials life has thrown at her?

This is a well written story that will have you cheering for, Naomi, and hopefully leave you with the understanding of, "Everyone deserves to feel valued."

In writing, ‘No Other Choice’, Paula Rose Michelson has created a masterpiece that is like the most resplendent flower fully blossomed.' http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

From the Author

Since John ended his amazing review by lauding it as a masterpiece, I wanted to share that I believe within each of us there are unexplored  caverns of greatness we can only see when we step around or walk through our perceived issues. I believe this for when I asked God to give me something to do for him never in my  wildest  imaginings would I have thought that this profoundly this dyslectic writer would become an author.  

For though I loved to write and have been a dabbler for years aware that I  neither  spelled nor punctuated well, when friends who listened to my stories or heard me talk and declared that I would be an author, I sidestepped that issue. Little did I know then that, and I do believe this to be true, that God gifted me this issue so I could be used of him and not go out on my own as a writer seeking fortune and fame. So when someone lauds you or something you do where you feel ill equipped, look up, wink at God and pray, "In you time, I will do what you ask." And then enjoy the moment! 

“A literary gem! Divinely inspired!” Raved T. Lindsay in her 5 Star Review

This was by far the most personal review I’ve ever gotten and having written a column for a local paper when I was 14, I can attest that never was I so touched, for the author started in a chatty way that from this lovely review a unique affirming friendship grew!

‘Paula Rose, I hope you go by both of your names, it just sounds right! Listen, I'm only on page 32, but I had to stop and tell you, the tender love that you have captured unfolding has brought tears to my eyes! I already find myself wanting to reach out and hold that love, so nothing harms or hurts it!

Writers can put a lot of words on a page, and call it finished, but true writers take those words and weave them in love and mystery, wring them out with pain and anguish, and pet and soothe them softly like a newborn babe, THAT is the kind of writer you are! You layer emotions like a fruit torte, they are delicious, but so beautiful it's a shame to cut them, but you do so knowing it will taste divine!

Not knowing the full story of how your characters met, and got to where they are now, intrigues me! You penned that little bit here, little more disclosure there, perfectly!”   http://amzn.to/1g4WSvF

My thanks to you too, for telling me that the characters were real enough to matter to you in such a profound way…I think this is every authors dream and few of us know when what we wish has happened!

'No Other Choice' Now an Amazon Top Ranked (Kindle)!

Numbers change still this book is in the top 100 in the categories mentioned below! 

Now an Amazon Top Ranked (Kindle) 'No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles, Book One’ in Women’s Inspiration #26, in Spirituality, Inspiration Family #31, and in Inspirational Fiction #38!

This snippet of Delores Ayotte’s 5 Star Review says,

‘In this captivating, intriguing, and heart wrenching novel, the reader quickly learns about the necessity to be so secretive when embracing these young women. However, there is an even great mystery that lies within the heart and soul of Naomi.’ http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

The Back Matter Says,

Naomi will be sent back! She left her family and all she held dear, traveled half way around the word while accompanying a blind, old grandmother because they promised to help her enter America and find her uncle. Instead they handed her over to immigration.

What she does now, she does because there is no other choice!

This is Naomi’s journey from adolescence to womanhood, from frightened isolation and captivity to the noble status of heiress. Trapped in a life where all who know her think her a saint, saddled with a mission and responsibility many would shirk from placed upon her shoulders, Naomi agrees to marry because that seems to be the easiest way to sidestep more issues.

As timely as the immigration debate of today is, author, William Struse’s 5 Star Review says,

“Duty, sacrifice, and faith are carried in the arms of love by a courageous young woman, who rises above her own flaws to help others.” http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

Barbara Shelton’s 5 Star Rave for ‘Choosing to Be’

"Full of shame, pain and deeply confused, Naomi fled. Now huddled underneath blankets in the backseat of her friend Alex's car not wanting to be seen by those who shunned her at what should have been a surprise celebration for her, her lifelong secret revealed, she …

As Alex sped her away from the Barrio, she showed no curiosity of where he was taking her. He explained he was taking her to a safe place at Wawayanda State Park in New Jersey, part of the Appalachian Trail. 

From here on Naomi was in strange territory with people like none she had never known. Her closest new friend was Ruth - can it be God's own humor that He would put another Ruth and Naomi together? Will you see the parallels in their lives? Will Naomi believe the truth that Ruth and even Marvin; a little child will tell her when she meets him on the Blessings Rock?

Now wealthy Chaz has left New York in his private jet to Texas where his parents tell him some bitter truthful secrets about his own heritage that agonize him further about Naomi's betrayal and adds deeper confusion to Chaz's self-image. 

Sent to Mexico to talk with his Uncle Hilario, Chaz hears what he never thought to. This gentle man who could hold a dove in his hand and stroke her underbelly so she would coo at him; and feed a morsel to a rabbit at the same time in his garden, this keeper of many truths and surprises, whom Chaz hold in reverence, is about to send Chaz on the journey of a lifetime where he will… 

This metamorphosis is a fabulous brilliant piece on our author's part. What an imagination God has given Paula Rose Michelson, strengthening her story which carries such burdens as this star-crossed couple have until it become joy in the Lord.

What will happen to Chaz during his desert experience? What will happen to Naomi in her mountain top experience? Will their paths cross again during their journey to truth? They both seek love, not realizing they are searching for more than one love. Are they both headed for redemption and salvation in the one true redeemer? Did Paula Rose Michelson have a purpose for writing these two incredible stories about Naomi and Chaz? My answer is definitely yes.

What will your answer be?   http://amzn.to/1zK3rPC                     

                        About Author, Paula Rose Michelson

By way of introduction, as a Messianic Jew who wanted to write about life, love, and forgiveness, I researched what befell the Jews baptized into the Catholic faith to survive the Inquisition. I began writing and Naomi started talking to me. 

Though her story is unique, Naomi's issues of fear and hiding are universal. And having an extensive background in recovery, both as a Lifestyle Disorder Councilor, as well working with The Rubicon Center, I know that the issues one first sees in Naomi's character, are very much like the issues seen in anyone who is masking their real pain. That is why six inspirational romances were written, three of which have been published.

In 1988, I founded LAMB Ministries, and continue to mentor women like Naomi the way God mentored me. I published the first Christian Self-Help book stemming from this work, meant to help those suffering from trauma and abuse.

Having an issue ladened life until Christ freed me, I continue to write both books and articles to encourage and show God's mercy, love and forgiveness. 

To read a tidbit of each book, visit: https://paularosemichelson.com/

Author Delores Ayotte says, “Fiction Laced with Truth!” in her 5 Star Review!

Sometimes you read a book merely for pleasure...other times, you read a book to gather information or increase your knowledge of a subject...and sometimes you find a wonderful book that offers both regardless of your choice for reading it. In "No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles, Book One", I must admit that I lucked out. I am very grateful to have discovered this captivating fictional novel filled with historical relevance which is sure to capture the interest of the most discerning readers. It certainly captured mine!

Naomi the protagonist, as a teenager secretly leaves her homeland to start a new life in America where she thinks she will have the freedom to live a full life without religious prejudice. Due to the untimely death of the elderly lady who has hired her as a travel companion and...upon her arrival at the Immigration Office on Ellis Island, without a sponsor, Naomi is about to be turned away. Fortunately, she is "adopted" by Tia Vida, as many before her, who have been swept up by her desire to help these young women in finding a support system in Spanish Harlem. Her every hope is to offer these "ninas" a better life and safe haven until they qualify to become American citizens. Tia Vida has sacrificed her life for this noble cause and has opened her heart and her home to these young girls. Little does Naomi know what Tia Vida has in mind for her future.

In this captivating, intriguing, and heart wrenching novel, the reader quickly learns about the necessity to be so secretive when embracing these young women. However, there is an even great mystery that lies within the heart and soul of Naomi. She fled her country for more than one reason. Not only is she an illegal immigrant, she is also a young Jewish girl who is in hiding because of her beliefs. As a result of the Spanish Inquisition, along with many other people of Jewish faith, she is forced to either become a Catholic convert or at least look like one and practice her faith in the privacy of her own home. Naomi chooses the latter....and so her double life commences as she takes over the Casa when Tia Vida bequeaths it to her upon her death and all the responsibilities that go with it. Naomi is a natural as she is so loving and kind. She quickly becomes a blessing to all in her community and is highly regarded and respected. She even manages to find the love of a life time and marries Chaz who pursues her with fervor and an ardent love that is unexpectedly matched by her own...but then along comes Lola, a new young immigrant teenager about to be turned away and life is never the same for dear trusting Naomi...

Gifted Author Paula Rose Michelson has done a magnificent job of creating a wonderful work of art. Fictional, though it may be, there are many truths that are revealed in "No Other Choice" that are difficult to digest. I would like to thank her for her research, her effort, and her desire to enlighten us. I eagerly look forward to Book 2 in this series...there is such a cliff-hanger at the end of this novel that left me wanting more. No author can ask for more than this nor can any reader!  http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

“What a Story!” Barbara Shelton exclaimed in her 5 Star Review

Paula Rose Michelson wrote with brilliance her story of Naomi, for this teenager is forced to live a lie by omission of who she really is. We meet the teen at the beginning a peculiar lonely life in a strange new world. Her former world in Spain created grievous conditions for all of Jewish heritage and faith as they had to join the Catholic Church or face persecution, possibly death was a historical fact unknown to me in my naiveté that I find despicable, however vital to Naomi's story all inclusive in Spanish Harlem.

Coming to the United States on a free passage with plans to companion the elderly lady she accompanied soon went awry when death takes the lady and Naomi is abandoned at Ellis Island. Facing deportment and trembling in terror at the unknown, God intercedes and sends old Tia, a compassionate woman that offers to give her residence in exchange for her services without wages. Seeing no other choice, Naomi accepts without the knowledge of now being an illegal immigrant, and it is here that Paula Rose Michelson beings to weave intriguing stories within stories about the residents of Spanish Harlem and their respectful adoration toward the mistress of the casa, Tia's friends and those employed by her to run businesses in the community knew little about Naomi. They believed her to be just another of Tia's ‘ninas’ sheltered from deportation. Little did they or Naomi know what Tia has in the offing for them all.

Eventually, mystery, suspense and intrigue grow intense when the old Tia (named Madre Vida) nears death and wills the casa and all its responsibilities to Naomi. Madre Vida whispered many secrets to Naomi, and tells her where to find the instructions she would need to run…Overwhelmed and frightened by all the turn of events, Naomi learns Tia had been planning Naomi as her replacement all along. With her fate sealed, Naomi considers this is the mission God equipped her for and stands strong, her fear of being discovered as a Jew in Spain still a haunting cloud. She determined with her inheritance of wealth and good reputation that no one would dare question her heritage. She began to feel freedom.

Alas, Padre Paul the Catholic priest and Madre Vida's attorney Ralph Martinez become skeptical over Tia's choice of Naomi as her successor and schemed to assure she would not be led astray…decided to marry Naomi off to the right man…They set about finding the right potential husband for Naomi. Thus begins the sweet love story between Chaz and Naomi. Not that this union was without complications.

However, evil lurks within the casa when Lola, a trampish teenager rescued by Naomi at the most inopportune time decides to seduce….

The depth of Paula Rose Michelson's imagination mingled with her knowledge of complicated truth in history made for one of the most interesting novels I've yet read. The conclusion of this story is one big hook of bait the size of an anchor - and you'll be hooked!! You need to get Book Two of this saga, “Choosing to be” to find out what happens, or hang around until May when I'll be reviewing Book Two! To Paula Rose Michelson, I say WHEW, What a story! Praise God for blessing you with compassion for such a situation. http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

To better understand the Spanish mind-set toward those of Jewish birth and faith, I recommend emphatically the reader go to the back of the book and read all that I did…or if you’re a stickler for knowing first things first, do that before you being this amazing read because the ‘Historical Notes, and ‘Sephardic Voices’ not only added to my enjoyment of the story but showed the intense research and study on Ms. Michelson's part that distinguish her talent and story above some others.

About Paula Rose Michelson

http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

A wonderful 5 Star Review for 'No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles, Book One'!

"If a book is engaging from the first page, it’s a sign of a very good writer. Paula Rose Michelson is an excellent writer, so she gets the readers interested in the fate of her main character from the very first line. As soon as I read, “Naomi knew she was in trouble the moment the immigration official had told her, he was taking her to Ellis Island,” I was hooked. I knew I was in for a treat. And then the story got even better. 

 For fifteen-year-old Naomi, Ellis Island truly becomes “the last hope,” but that hope comes at a price. The seemingly nice woman who agrees to sponsor Naomi’s application to stay in the US quickly becomes more of a hostage taker than a helper. At least that’s what Naomi thinks at first. Later, she realizes that she has just entered into a business arrangement that will shape her life in ways she has never expected. 

 Naomi’s story is heartfelt and heart-breaking. In her native Spain, she had to “live in the shadows” and pretend to be Catholic to avoid persecution for her Jewish faith. She comes to America in hopes of gaining more freedom, but at first it seems that she gets loneliness and an overwhelming sensation of guilt instead of that freedom. Naomi’s life journey involves loss, adaptation to the new world, a quick coming of age, marriage, and a sudden flood of opportunities that promise a brighter future, including the hope to get reacquainted with her faith and the Jewish way of life. 

 There’s so much to love and admire about this book. It is engaging from the first to the last page, it is beautifully written, and meticulously researched. The research section that details the plight of Jewish people in Spain has more research than one could ever expect in a novel, and that information is highly appreciated and needed. With authentic detail and a sincere narrator’s voice, Naomi’s story comes to life on the pages of Paula Rose Michelson’s wonderful book. Highly recommended." http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

Katie Mettner's ‘Sugar’s Faith’ is a 5 Star Amazing, Heart Pounding, Journey of Becoming!

My 5 Star Review of 'Sugar’s Faith'

When I read ‘Sugar’s Dance’, I understood why this woman watching the sunrise on the lake while sipping her cup of joe took no pleasure in anything. Then a miraculous turn of events and Tula, as her friends call her, discovered that completeness could be found in the arms of love. Since then I’ve eagerly awaited and devoured each book in this amazing saga, for that fledging love bloomed and as it did, Sugar became more than she had ever imagined.

Yet in ‘Sugar’s Faith’ both she and the man who showed this amputee that she was loved and whole discover that nothing is permanent, and blessings, like love left untended can die quickly when hurtful words are uttered and … as Tula’s adopted father tells her husband, Van, “Breaking a heart is like breaking a vase. You can put it back together, and it will still be beautiful, but you will always see the cracks.” Van understands this. But will Tula choose to protect herself and her unborn child from this man she fell in love with and married before he knew who he was? Or will she give Van another chance to be who she thought he was. Can Van do the most unselfish thing anyone can do, and set aside his need to know his heritage by putting his wife and their unborn child before his needs much as Christ did for us!

The Wonderful Sugar Saga Books

Sugar's Faith is an amazing  great conclusion to the Sugar Saga! 

I hope you treat yourself and get all of them. Then settle in for a fab read and enjoy! 

'Sugar's Dance': http://amzn.to/1xg8RO6

'Sugar's Song': http://amzn.to/1trXkWW  

'Sugar's Night':  http://amzn.to/10Kmg5f

To pre-order 'Sugar's Faith' visit: http://amzn.to/1uMwxv2

About Katie Mettner

Katie Mettner grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and moved to the Northwoods where she now resides with her husband and three children. Katie writes spicy Christian and inspirational romance and is the author of The Sugar Series, The Northern Lights Series, and A Snowberry Holiday Series. Her stories are a reflection of her love for family, intricately woven with life experiences. When the gales of November blow early you can find her at her computer with a cup of joe working on her next book.

To find out more about this amazing author visit her Amazon page at: http://amzn.to/1slsHSS

or her blog at: http://katiemettnerbooks.blogspot.com/

Katie on Birthing the Last Sugar Book

With the release of the fourth book in the Sugar Saga, I'll be honest; I had very little idea what it was going to be about. I went back and forth, back and forth for a long time about how to make it the story I wanted, and needed, it to be. In essence I had no faith. I decided maybe having the cover done would help me pin down what the book was going to be about. After all, I had already seen the cover in a dream one night. Sounds crazy, I know, I’ve been called worse, but that’s how things often come to me. A few years back when I was writing the third in the Sugar Saga, Sugar’s Night, I was very frustrated. I wanted to quit. I didn’t want to tell Sugar’s story anymore, but God didn’t give me that option. I had a dream one night and as I sat on a bench (so cliché I know) a person sat down next to me. I didn’t need anyone to tell me it was God. I was grumpy, upset that he was making me write another book when people weren’t reading the first two. He stood and very simply said, “Noah didn’t see the rain either.” I woke up quite startled by this dream and will never, for the rest of my life, forget that dream, the way it made me feel or the comfort and hope in the words He had said.

So what did I see on the cover of the new Sugar book, Sugar’s Faith? A guy holding a baby and three women picture, all over a faded out letter. Heck, that shouldn’t be too hard to find, right? (Eye roll) It was hard, and there were no such stock pictures, so I turned to my old family photos. The photo of the man holding the baby had to be over 30 years old, after all Van Walsh is a grown man. The Lord was showing me how to have faith because as I went through the photo albums I was sure I would find nothing, until the second to the last album. Then I found the perfect photo. I didn’t know who it was, so I flipped the picture over and swallowed hard. The writing on the back said, "David and Suzi, 2 mos." I never met my Uncle David; he passed away just a few months after the picture was taken. I stopped for a moment and the story of David and Goliath passed through my mind. David, such a small man, but he had faith he could defeat a giant with nothing more than his sling and his stick. I knew I was on the right track. I was trusting His guidance now, and having faith. Since I hadn't written the book yet I had all these crazy voices in my head trying to tell me their story, not able to decipher any of them yet. I picked up a small album, the final one, in the bottom of the bin and it said, "Our Son's Wedding". I opened it and went through the pictures of a family wedding. I was about to close it, knowing there wasn't anything in it for me to use, when a photo of three women in the sunshine, dressed in dresses from yesteryear stared back at me. I pulled the album to my face. Who were these women? Was the young woman my mother? Was it my godmother? I didn't know, but when I looked at the picture I heard the names Enya, Keavy, and Deirdre. Who are these women? No one in my family is named that. I'm officially going crazy. I had to know, so I showed it to my mom. She told me it was her, her great grandmother and her grandmother. She agreed to let me use it and with a little help from some friends I had my completed cover. I had the cover HE had shown me, if I had just had faith.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle & This Election

For generations the old adage, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world." Authored by poet William Ross Wallace and published in 1865 as, "What Rules the World" this poem seemed to define the state of motherhood as to be most sought after. 

For many generations the influence of mothers upon their children was preeminent, surpassing in some cases all other opinions. And many today might marvel that a mother could have such influence. And speaking of today, we are on the eve of what may, in retrospect, be looked upon as a watershed moment. Much like the moments that made up the Women's Lib reality we now live in, libbers continue to insist that they have been unfaired upon though women have and now hold high offices', so I find myself wondering if those who continue to focus on the top rung of the Women's Lib 'cause' need/want to live in an issue based existence to exist much like the fabled Don Quixote did.  

I ask this question now because we, I believe, are at a tipping point. And no matter what we do or whom we elect what seems perfectly clear to me, and hopeful to some of you, is that having allowed ourselves to become an issue driven society that tries to solves societal ills through legislation, we have already lost THE AMERICAN DREAM. 

I say this because our Founding Fathers fought against the very ternaries voters now elect officials to implement. Thus we have Obamacare which cares for no one the way we were told it would, costs more not less and is lauded by those who want each of us to agree to become part of the whole that conforms!

Tomorrow, if these elections aren't rigged, may be our last chance to regain control of our free society so VOTE your heart, not your pocketbook, VOTE your values not job security, VOTE your faith in CHRIST and breathe a sigh of relief knowing he will not let you down when you stand up for him!

Pinch ME...I Must Be Dreaming Because...

"Life could not better be," is a snippet of the song Danny Kaye sang in "The Court Jester". And just like that wonderful character of yesteryear, blessings have been compounding unexpectedly, so often upon me in the last few days, that I find myself singing this song. So in case you'd like to sing along with as much gusto as I feel, I'll tell you the why and wherefore of my joy... so you seeeeeeee...

It began when I learned to read. Now unlike those who learned when they should, since no one knew that I couldn't see, I was someone who couldn't, so ''Woe was me!' Though I didn't know what I was missing, I knew that no matter what I tried I couldn't...if you want all the facts with a little silly thrown in you can read all about my not...reading, learning that is, when you visit C.J. Peterson's website at http://cjpetersonwrites.com/Featured_Author.html after you're finished here, because I'm, odd as it might seem unless you know I'm an author of some repute, this November’s author of the month at C.J. Peterson's website where she’s hosting me!

 For someone who couldn't read to become an author is an amazing turn of events, and to be called by God to write for Him even more so. But that's just the beginning of why I need to be pinched because having begun life as an artist who painted to say what I could not write, now I write what I could have painted...all the while thanking God for gifting me...

But what's relevant for this post, is to tell you why I need to be pinched the most...and that has to do with the amazing three blessings I experienced in the last 24 hours, so I'll recount...

1. I discovered that my opinion matters to those I'm not married or otherwise related to. Thinking how this came about, I believe it's because they know I care about them and their work. And that's a very personal and subjective thing indeed. If I were to rate how this impacted me, I'd give it five smiles on my smile-o-meter and five smiles is the top...so you see, discovering that what I said was validated made this once upon a time non-reader feel that others know I care about them and their work. And as a Christian and an artist, since writing is an art, I must admit this felt grand because there are those who've told me stuff based upon their sniff-o-meter I didn’t care, and I'm sure if I  tried what they did on me, others would know it to. 

2. While I was busy reading a book to review, my book sales were multiplying and for a nanosecond or three yesterday one and then another of my books were in the top 100 in sales on Amazon. For one so dyslecticly challenged that at times I write my sentences backwards this amazing affirmation by people I don't know tells me that my books are worth the price...and beginning where I did that's a lot more than nice!

And thirdly, as in number 3. Author, C.J. Peterson chose me to guest for a full month! Not just any month, but the month where most are shopping for their gifts cause Christmas is around the corner, the month that's the prelude to Messiahs birth. 

Yes! "Life could not better be," because God called me to do the one thing I knew I couldn't do and when I said, 'Yes' he started blessing me not because I'm great but because I knew that with him at the helm there's nothing I could not do!

                            Paula Rose Michelson’s books are at: http://amzn.to/1ssbBWa

Two Books in the Top 100, Then...Oh my thank you, God!

“So yes Virginia there really is a Santa Clause,” the editor of The New York Sun answered young Virginia O'Hanlon who lived at 115 West Ninety Fifth Street, New York City, as he assured her that her friends were wrong and she was absolutely right!


 And today after once again getting upset with myself for telling a very talented published author friend that no one would know about his work if he didn’t get involved, I found what I said affirmed by no less than Amazon itself!


Having published the first book of The Naomi Chronicles: ‘No Other Choice’ on the 6th of October, late this afternoon I was amazed to see that it was ranked 47th on Kindle in Women’s Fiction, Christian Literature.


However since ranks fluctuate based on sales by the time I had posted, tweeted and told my husband about this mazing turn of events, the book was no longer in the top 100.


 Aware that I had experienced this a few weeks before when “How Did We Become Angry? LAMB Ministries Biblical Recovery for Women' was ranked 79th, I took it all in stride, until thinking to just see if ‘No Other Choice’ had once more made the cut, I looked at ‘How Did We Become Angry?’ and discovered that it was once again in the top 100 for Kindle’s in the category of abuse.


So all I can surmise is that God was showing me that my comments about unknown authors needing to connect with those in Social Networking so they could help each other was well-founded. And all I can say in response to this is, “Yes, Paula there is a God and his son, the Messiah (Christ) is the reason for this and every other season!”

Paula Rose Michelson’s books are at: http://amzn.to/1ssbBWa