Free Book Promotion

Four Seasons

To celebrate Fall, on September 20-24, 2018, I am offering a free copy of my book, Four Seasons.

You will come to know and love the new neighbors, the Maxums and the Castors. Some of the children go to St. Mary's and some are homeschooled. There are pranks and vacations in Montana as well as an incredible winter barn wedding.

Embrace the inevitable weather changes. Curl up on the couch with a comforter and settle in as you experience the fun of growing up in Saginaw, Michigan.

Love

In my book, New Beginnings, Tony gets a job at Bertie's Bakery Heaven Scent. This video shows the love and joy between mothers and their children.

      This is the Tony that inspired my character.
      He was always welcome to sing in the choir.

         Yesterday was this special guy's birthday,
                Happy 60th Birthday, Alphonse.

Mackinac Bridge

Trip to the Mackinac (pronounced Mack in naw) Bridge with Corey, Beth and Rebecca on their estate sale trip through Michigan in the book, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart).

Estate Sale Trip Through Michigan

I love estate sales, thankfully my husband does too. I use Estatesales.net every week to see where sales are. I did screenshots from several estates to include in the book.

Rebecca, Beth and Corey go on a buying trip through Michigan in "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart."

Corey created a road trip using these sites:

Estatesales.net

Click the blue box below to find an estate sale near you!

Some of their finds

Another Yes!

A dear friend, Kirstin, has agreed to be a part of, Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart.

She learned how to reupholster furniture and now sells her pieces at a Archive Antiques and Repurposed Goods, 959 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I love Kirstin's style and of course Beth will just have to purchase one of these pieces for her apartment.

Corey, Beth and Rebecca will "discover" her on their buying trip at an Estate Sale.

Dream Girl

Here is a rough draft of the cover for the new book.  

My friend, Clarence Lum, is the artist 

(I used another of his paintings on the New Beginnings cover.)

His painting, "Dream Girl" is the picture I used.

To see more of his paintings CLICK HERE.

1 Year and a couple weeks

This is an amazing journey. Pat supports me 110%. He loves everything I cook. He suggested yesterday that we switch back to Berry Cloud Pancakes for breakfast because I've lost so little the past two weeks.

This picture shows that even though he has never counted a point he has lost right along with me.

So... I'm including Weight Watchers® in my book, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart." However, everything I am writing is my own opinion. I will not include anything about how to follow the Weight Watchers® program.

In no way should you think that these references are the views of Weight Watchers. I do want you to know this program has changed our lives. If I can do it, so can you.

I am forever going to follow the Weight Watchers ® lifestyle. I am most grateful to the company for thinking first about its members.

Rebecca finds my great aunt's cookbook!

Looking through my Great Aunt Rosie's cookbook I was inspired to have Rebecca find it at the thrift shop in, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart" the book I am working on.

I love the classic red and white checked cover on the cookbook that could be found in most kitchens when I was growing up.

On each chapter divider I found handwritten recipes of family and friends. Rosie's sister, Mary, was my Grandma and her Hot Cross Buns was on one and the family Lasatna (sp) was on another. I especially loved the recipe was for 15 people.

They spoke Italian at home growing up so English was their second language. Many words were spelled phonetically. It took me a bit to figure out Mutarel (sp).

dawn of a new day

We stopped to see our friend Dawn at her coffee shop, dawn of a new day.  I asked her if I could use her coffee shop in my new book she graciously gave permission to do so.

Here are a few pictures of the chic coffee shop in downtown Saginaw. This building originally was the office of Lumber Barron, Arthur Hill.

Click here to go to the coffee shop Facebook page.

Beginning a New Book

When I joined Weight Watchers in May of last year, I decided to spend the year reading and responding to the Weight Watcher social media, Connect.  It really helped me to stay motivated by helping others by answering posts. Well, my first year is done -85 pounds and I am ready to begin my new book.  And the words are just tumbling out of my heart.  Say a prayer for me that the words weave a wonderful story.

I don't have a name for the book yet, but here is the first draft of the prologue:

PROGLOGUE

The child hid behind the putrid trash can. Crouching even lower, she silently put one foot behind the other inching farther back towards the cold brick wall. She shivered with fear, as much as from the cold and when her tummy rumbled loudly, she was terrified it could be heard.  She hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday morning. This afternoon her mother had ordered her to stay hidden in the dark alley until she returned with food, but that was a long time ago.

Now there was someone with a flashlight at the end of the alley searching for something. As he pulled boxes away from the building the beam of light jerked back and forth on the wall creating monster shadows. She squeezed her eyes shut hoping if she couldn't see him then maybe he wouldn't see her. 

When the trash can in front of her was pulled away she screamed and tried to push past the man. She stumbled over his feet as the laser flashlight momentarily blinded her. She felt his huge hands grab the back of her jacket lifting her off the ground. Just as her Mom had taught her she kicked her feet and swatted the air with her hands and tried to bite the stranger when she heard him say, "It's okay your mom sent me to find you."

She dropped her hands and made her body go limp in his arms. Constantly warned not to trust strangers, especially strangers saying she had sent them, the child tried this last maneuver her mom had taught her to use in a bad situation. The man assumed the little girl was going to give up and set her on her feet as he pressed the radio button attached to his coat announcing, "This is 134. Found her, heading back to the station."

Now that she could see again she shuddered as her worst nightmare unfolded in the dark alley. It was a Policeman!  When he let go of her hand to put the flashlight back in his belt she bolted. The police officer shouted with terrifying authority, "Get back here, now!" 

She ran as fast as her little legs could carry her, but it wasn't fast enough. This time when he lifted her off the ground he carried her under his arm to the police car, deposited her in the backseat and shut the door. When he walked around the car to get in the driver side she reached to open the door to run again. She screamed in frustration when she realized there was no handle on the inside of the door; no way out. Tears ran down her cheeks faster than her filthy hands could brush them away leaving streaks of dirt on her face. The officer got in the car and looked in the review mirror at the little girl.  He knew without a doubt this would be a night he would never forget.

The Saginaw Series

Click the picture of the books below to go to the eBooks

New Beginnings Free Book Promotion

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day - and to thank my sweet husband for buying the beautiful portrait for me from Clarence Lum - I am giving away my eBook, "New Beginnings." When I originally saw the painting, Prada Girl, at Clarence's home I was instantly inspired to write the book.  I wondered why the girl was leaving the apartment? Why did she not look back?  Where was she going? Why was she alone? What emotions were on her face, sad, happy, relieved?  I couldn't stop thinking of her when I went home. The words flew out of my heart. When the book was finished I was so happy Clarence agreed to let me use Prada Girl on my cover.  New Beginnings is one of my favorite books.  March 15 - 19, 2018, the book will be free.  Go to Amazon by clicking on the book above to get your copy today.

Schirmer Drugstore

This drugstore was on the corner of Hoyt and Sheridan, kitty corner from Bertie's Bakery. It was on the same block as St. Mary Cathedral. I walked past it until we moved when I was in 7th grade.

My friend Sue says that Hazel was a storeclerk who gave her free candy. I didn't go in.

Sam Bashans posted this on Facebook. Lots of Saginaw history posted by Sam.

Bonus Pictures

Ray Barcalow posted these great pictures of Andersen Pool on Facebook. He graciously granted permission to post them here. We all have such good memories of fun times there.  If you never went there these pictures will help you imagine the setting of one of my favorite books. Enjoy.

Tawas Point Lighthouse

Did you ever dream of being a volunteer lighthouse keeper? Click on the picture above of the lighthouse to apply.

In my eBook, A Light Shines Forth, life changing events begin at the Tawas Point Lighthouse during a volunteer week for two families. A prank goes bad causing broken bones as well as broken relationships.

To read my book click on it below.

A Facebook friend, Ricardo De La Garza, posted this photo. It brings back such good memories of Tony's on Weadock. Thanks for letting me post it, Ricardo.

Martha Street Market is Available

The friends are back in Book Five of the Saginaw Series.  Questions abound. Will Katy reconcile with Jen and Colleen, restoring their remarkable friendship through their senior year? Will Sarah and Joseph's hope to adopt a baby be fulfilled after a devastating change of heart ended their first attempt? A book with strong faith-filled characters to share with your daughter, mother, aunt and friends.

Click on the Book

Exciting News

Brenda Wiegand has agreed to paint a picture for the cover of the Martha Street Market book.

You can see her work on Facebook in the public group:

Designs by Brenda @ the right path

When my brother-in-law could not do the artwork for this book I called my best friend and editor, Kay and said I didn't know what to do. She immediately thought of Brenda.

I have admired Brenda's work for a long time.  I was so excited to send her a message. She said YES!

So... it's getting closer...

Woohoo - One Step Closer

Second edit done!  Kay came over with her edits and they made such a difference in the book. Martha Street Market is evolving into a great last book of the Saginaw Series.  I cannot wait for my sister, Jane to get here next week so I can give her a printout for the last edit.  Then as soon as I get the cover art I will be able to publish on Amazon.

I know every single time - and this is the 12th time - that I publish a book, I realize how blessed I am with great editors. Mary Lynn, Kathy, Jane and Kay - these books get so much better after your read them and tell me where I need to explain more, change my commas, ask questions about parts you don't understand and even make sure I have named the right character in the right spot!

The artists I have chosen each time have been superior.  D.A. Clifford - my brother-in-law Dan was the first artist I asked to sketch a cover for my first book series and now he is finishing up with one more cover for the Saginaw Series.  Hope Sweigart a wonderful photographer helped choose her cover photos for the Holiday Series and Four Season Friends.  A Light Shines Forth was inspired by Mike Sonnenberg, the cover artist with his picture of the Tawas Light House. And the book, New Beginnings, was inspired by artwork by Clarence Lum - his painting Prada Girl made the words just tumble out of my heart when I saw it.

So excited...

Inspiration

This morning I read something so inspiring I had to include it in Martha Street Market, the 5th book in the Saginaw Series. The inspiration was a post my friend, Jimmy E. Greene put on Facebook.  I asked him for permission to use it in my book and he kindly said yes.  This is in the dedication of the book:

This book is also dedicated to a very good friend.  I have only seen him a handful of times, but on Facebook... I read his wonderful posts and pray for him to continue the good work he does every single day.  Even though he is working nonstop - always at one airport or another - what makes him so remarkable is that I see him first as a wonderful husband and father. 

I don't miss trips

I've never made or

places I've never been.

I don't miss jobs

I never had or

people that I've never met.

I've found remarkable peace that every place

I'm at is where

I was supposed

to be and everyone in

my life is who

I needed when

I needed them most

                 - Jimmy E. Greene

                    May 30, 2017

                    Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Big Day for Martha Street Market!

I am so excited - today is a big day - My sister, and my cousin, Mary Lynn are on their way here to edit Martha Street Market.  AND, my husband, Pat is on his way to his brother, Dan's, to drop off some pictures and description of what I would like for the cover of the book.

I can't wait to get started on this next phase of the book.  After we finish the first edit my friend, Kay, will do the next edit.  Then it goes to my sister, Jane.

I am blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people in my life.  I'll take a picture and post it when we are editing.

Hoyt Library

Sam Bashans posted this picture in Saginaw's BEST Past, Present, and Future group on Facebook. He said I could repost it here. If you are interested in Saginaw history that is a great group to join. The pictures are so interesting.

I love the Hoyt Library. I spent many hours there while growing up. My new book, Martha Street Market, has the opening chapter set in this library. I finished the rough draft yesterday. Now the long process of editing. I love how this book ends the Saginaw Series.

Free eBooks for your students

I would like to offer my Saginaw Series eBooks free for your classes. They are geared towards middle school students; however every age enjoys the stories. There are questions at the end of each book to use in discussions.

I would love to see high school students mentor middle school students by reading the books to each other on a one-to-one basis.  To read a teacher review of using Webber House in a class situation click here.

All four books of the Saginaw Series will be available for free. Click on the books to go to my author page for more information on the books.

I would have to schedule a giveaway day for you to get the books free. Just give me a couple days to schedule the giveaway.

Contact me by email for more information or to set up a giveaway:

mesclifford@charter.net

For your convenience:

Whispercast makes delivering the eBooks easy. To see more about Whispercast click the picture:

Unrivaled selection. Easy discovery.

• Access a large library of free and pay-for eBooks, eTextbooks, and Apps
• Search by grade, subject, and age. Filter by user ratings and Lexile score
• Publish your own content and share it with your students and classes

Inspiration

I prayed for inspiration last night. This morning I saw this and knew just where it belongs in the 5th book of the Saginaw Series, Martha Street Market. Thank you for prayers answered.