Pages & Paws

Writing, Reading, and Rural Life With a Border Collie


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The Little Candle…

My long-time friend, fellow author and pastor Cheryl Kincaid has a new book out, The Little Candle That Was Frightened of the Dark. I’m giving Cheryl and her book some visibility here because I think you’d either enjoy it yourself or know someone who would.  Maybe both.  Here’s the scoop:

The Little Candle is a family Advent Devotion that is prefaced by a children’s story about a baptismal candle who sits in shadowy place by a great Advent wreath in a church sanctuary. The candle trembles in the dark until he hears the Advent story told by each of the candles around the wreath. Each of the Advent candles represent the lessons of Advent and tries to comfort the baptismal candle by re-telling these lessons in the Nativity. 

The story culminates with an Advent family devotion which walks family members through the lessons of Advent. The Little Candle is written for children between the ages of three and six, but can be enjoyed by all ages.

Oh, and if you haven’t had a chance to grab a copy of my Thanksgiving-themed micro-memoir, Isabella’s Torch, download it FREE today!

Available in paperback and on Kindle.


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To Thank You…

How did it get to be November already?  Weren’t we ringing in the New Year just last week?

The older I get, the faster time flies.  That’s one reason I decided to write  Isabella’s Torch: A Thanksgiving Memoir

We set aside a time for thanks and reflection in just a few days.  In between the feasting, football and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, may I make a suggestion?  Sit down with your family.  Hold hands.  Count your blessings.  Hug your kids.  Thank the One who’s the Source of every good and perfect gift.

The fourth Thursday in November is a time for thanks.  To thank you, my loyal reader, I’m offering a FREE download of my latest ebook, Isabella’s Torch: A Thanksgiving Memoir.   It’s brief and centers around family, hearth and home.  You can read it during halftime.

Oh, and do me a favor?  If you enjoy Isabella’s Torch, how ’bout taking a minute or two to post a review at Smashwords?  I’d be thankful!

Just click for a free download.  Happy Thanksgiving and God bless!


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Holiday Story Showcase

Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol?  George Bailey and It’s a Wonderful Life?  The Grinch down in Whoville? What are the holidays without great stories?!

Welcome to the second annual Holiday Story Showcase for Roads Diverged!  I’m opening up the blog for an informal showcase of your great holiday stories.  Submissions open on October 15 and close on December 15.

You must be the author of any story you submit and hold the copyright for any submission.  You retain all rights.  I just ask for the right to post your story.  Here are the basic rules:

– Each submission must be your original work.  Please include at the top of your submission (email only): 1) Your name; 2) A word count; 3) “Holiday Story Showcase” in the subject line, followed by your title.

– Length: between 300 and 1,500 words

– Any genre. Stories may be inspirational, fiction, non-fiction, or humorous.  Just make sure they’re G-rated.  (I reserve the right to reject any submission, for any reason.)

– I’m looking for clean, uplifting, family-friendly stories that have been thoroughly proof-read.

– First-person narratives are preferred, but not mandatory.

– Stories can be on any winter holiday.

– You may submit more than one story.

– Posting is up to the sole discretion of the blog owner (yours truly), and there is no monetary remuneration for any submission.  This is simply an opportunity to share your gifts and stories with the rest of our loyal readers!

– No anonymous submissions.  Please include your name.

So, pour yourself a steaming mug of hot apple cider, plop in a cinnamon stick or two and let your creative juices go to work!  Spread the word about our Holiday Story Showcase.  The more stories, the merrier!

Please send submissions in the body of an email (NOT as an attachment) to: kikero@juno.com


2 Comments

Like ‘Ole Bing

I’ve been watching White Christmas every Christmas season for like, uh… fifty years?  So much so that I have most of the dialogue down word-for word.  Can’t help it.  Sure, the movie is a bit thin on plot and somewhat sappy in places, but it just isn’t Christmas without Bob Wallace, Phil Davis, and Betty and Judy Haynes in a snowless Vermont.  Besides, nobody sings the title tune like ‘ole Bing.  Remember this?