Literary Happenings? Readers Need To Know and Cat’s Reading Den Shares It!

September 12, 2018September 18, 2018 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer A Writer's Thoughts, Author News, Book Review, Featured Guest, New Book & Author Press Release, News Around The Web, Posts, Updates and More

Welcome Friends, Readers, and New Visitors!

There sure has been loads going on lately with all of ‘Cat’s Authors’ I enjoy sharing, work with, and some new authors too! Now above, my girl, Popular Author and Brazil’s Daughter Adriana Gravazzoni has been traveling everywhere with her award-winning release of “Behind The Door,” book one of her Sexy Romantic Psychological Thriller Series titled; Hidden Motives. But before we get to Adriana and some of her new book reviews?

Let me share first a new book release and blog tour coming in Oct 1st — 8th, 2018 and you can Pre-Order “Comes A Specter” (Ghostland Book 2) The Kindle Addition Now!

The blog tour is for the popular author and a fantastic fiction writer, Keta Diablo … Keta is a multi-published author in both erotic romance and gay fiction, historical fictions and paranormal westerns as well. She writes it all!

Here is more about the New Release:

Six months ago, Anya Fleming’s ten-year-old son, Willie-boy, found his father hanging in the barn. Traumatized over his father’s suicide, the boy hasn’t spoken a word since. Now, Willie-boy has come down with a grave, unknown illness and there’s only one man who can save him, Sutter Sky, a learned Blackfoot shaman known as Yellow Smoke—a shaman who was once deeply in love with Anya.

But Fate had other plans for Anya and Sutter—she was forced to marry Lewis Fleming, a cruel man who berated her night and day, and brokenhearted Sutter immersed himself in the mystical customs and beliefs of his People and became a shaman
.
As if Anya didn’t have enough to deal with after her husband’s death and son’s illness, an evil, sinister ghost is terrorizing their ranch. Anya is convinced the spirit is Lewis, who apparently isn’t done making her life miserable.

When she turns to Yellow Smoke for help, will he put aside his bitterness and save Willie-boy? And can the renowned shaman dispel the powerful ghost from their lives and send him back to Hades?

If you are book blogger or reviewer and would like to be part of Kets’s Book Tour or host her for an interview, spotlight, etc., Please sign up with The Fabulous Babs Book Bistro here on her Google Form Schedule! To learn all about this event about the author.

#######

Next up is our Author, Kim Carter, and her next appearance ~ The Harlem Branch Library! Branch Manager: Amanda Dove 145 N Louisville St
Harlem, GA 30814 — (706) 650-5009

Harlem Branch Library, Sept. 29, 2018, 10 a.m.-2p.m.

Fresh off being chosen as a “Finalist” for a Killer Nashville Falchion Award, Kim has many exciting events and appearances coming up like this one on September 20th, 2018 just outside Augusta, GA at – The Columbia County Library – Call Above For The Details!

She will be featuring her title; “Deadly Odds” and others. There will be several authors featured for this showing and is an amazing reader event for this area of Georgia!

LOCAL AUTHOR SHOWCASE

Harlem Branch Library, Sept. 29, 2018, 10 a.m.-2p.m.

Come out and meet several authors from the local area. For more information please visit our local authors’ page at http://gchrl.org

Next up is my girl Author, Adriana Gavazzoni! This summer she has been traveling around as her books have been releasing in other countries other than Brazil and being available online! This is a snapshot of her with Book One ~ “Behind The Door” releasing in Madrid, Spain, and several other places. And just announced? Her book two of “Lara’s Journal” was chosen as a “Top Shelf Finalist for The Indie Excellence Awards!” AND? On Television!!

Adriana Gavazzoni

September 7 at 12:07 PM ·

“O canal Tudo Curitiba acompanhou o lançamento de Atrás da Porta”

Translate Please!
“The channel everything Curitiba accompanied the launch Behind the Door”

YOUTUBE.COM

Lançamento do livro Atrás da Porta

Fomos acompanhar o lançamento do livro Atrás da Porta, da escritora Adriana Gavazzoni. A obra foi publicada nos Estados Unidos, recebeu diversos…
Adriana’s “Behind The Door” is now available in SPAIN! As she traveled and did a little book tour and signings in several countries where her ‘Hidden Motives’ series will now be in Book Stores. How fabulous is that?

She has also been receiving more amazing book reviews as well and here is one I thought hot the mark spot on…

BOOK REVIEW BY FERNANDA AVELLAR

Behind the Door | A. Gavazzoni

The book “Behind the Door” tells the story of Lara dying at the hands of her boyfriend Mark, a famous New York lawyer. Carl, Mark’s lawyer, to help with the client’s defense case that Lara’s death was accidental resolves to hire the psychiatrist Simone. The psychiatrist is a famous speaker and author of books on sexual behavior who accepts her work and begins reading Mark’s detailed printed texts about her passionate relationship with Lara. She studies every detail to form her final analysis of whether the girl’s boyfriend is innocent or not.

Simone attends psychiatric patients, with sexual disturbances and unusual fantasies, while researching sadomasochistic sexual behaviors for her next book and parallel to the office traces the profile of the lawyer and Lara as she reads the stories. She has a partner who is her best friend and research-partner. Edward helps police investigate a possible serial killer who tortures and kills women.

“Assassins follow standards that ultimately lead to them. Those of these were signs of torture, the victims’ travels, the violent deaths, the absence of rape and the sperm on the bodies. This was his trademark, his morbid signature ”

Gavazzoni has a unique, fluid writing, the scenes are of a veracity that comes to give shivers, excitement, curiosity, and desire to devour each page as if there were no tomorrow. The scenarios run between New York and Paris watered by the play of words, seduction, mystery and a mix of feelings that can only feel who read the work.

“Simone did not feel tired. The text he was reading was absorbing. If it was a novel, it would be a bestseller, one of those impossible to quit. While reading, he forgot about life, eating and resting “

The writer in writing the reports of Mark’s Diary, the psychiatric appointments with the strangest cases of sexual disturbance, the serial killer murders and all the complements of the work was of an excellent intelligence. Simply phenomenal!

It’s not just a psychological thriller, it’s a junction of categories. It is a complete work! What also surprises me is the fact that the writer is Brazilian, recognized and internationally awarded with her books in English and not so popular in our national scenario. The prejudice rooted by some who are only “good foreign authors” should fall to the ground before the writing of Adriana Gavazzoni.

Some awards received were: Behind The Door, won the 2017 Golden Book Award in the United States, Book Excellence Award 2017 in Canada, Honorable Mention at the Paris Book Festival 2017 and Reader’s Favorite Award 2017. I hope the author can soon be awarded nationally.

Finally, the work was the best book read by me in 2018 with a fantastic plot, unusual sex scenes, friendship, humor, romance, love, sadism, masochism, hilarious patients, mystery, secrets, pedophilia, suspense, psychopathy, family, life, and death. I await the translation into Portuguese of the book II- Lara’s diary. ~ FERNANDA AVELLAR

.
~ ~ All Books Above Are For Purchase on Amazon online! ~ ~ Happy Reading!!

Delighted and Had An Amazing Interview on “What’s Your Excuse” Show! With Host Max Ivy Jr. – The Blind Blogger.

August 29, 2018August 30, 2018 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer A Writer's Thoughts, Author News, Featured Guest, Marketing and More, New Book & Author Press Release, Posts, Updates and More Author, author interview, My Show, Podcaster, Radio Host, Speaker, The Blind Blogger Max Ivy Jr, What's Your Excuse Show, Writer

Yes, I will confess I am a media hound when it comes to sharing all I do with those who invite me to be a guest on their show! On the recovery side of things, I will speak and advocate at any chance I can get. On the book promoting side, I just enjoy sharing all that I do to help new and seasoned authors. Max did a great job pulling out some of my marketing secrets!

It was a delightful interview I know all authors and writers will enjoy listening to. So have a pencil and paper ready to take notes.

What’s Your Excuse Show With Author, Catherine Lyon

About Author and Show Host Maxwell Ivy Jr.

“While Max may not be able to see with his eyes, he opens the eyes of everyone around him. ” ~ ‘Super Joe Pardo Show”

Hello; My name is Maxwell Ivey, Max to my friends; and that is what I hope we will become.

I am a 49-year-old blind gentleman who grew up in a family of carnival owners. All I ever wanted to do was to continue in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and be part of the family business.

As you can tell by reading this, that isn’t where I ended up. I did help in the business over the years, but couldn’t sustain it after the early death of my father (who had lung cancer). I then turned to helping people sell their amusement equipment. I do that on my other site, The Midway Marketplace.

I started blogging to promote that site and met a lot of wonderful people in the blogosphere. They told me that I had an amazing story and many commented on how I inspired them. They finally convinced me that I had a bigger purpose in store for myself.

So, I started this second blog, and in it I share more of my personal journey, struggles, and triumphs. I also got noticed by a lot of people and have appeared as a guest, an interview subject, and a motivator on many different sites. My As Seen Online page lists these places.

I do my best to help others and do so mostly by encouraging them to take steps towards their ultimate goal or to continue on the path they have started. I am now offering coaching to help people who are stuck and frustrated with not being able to find their passion or follow their dreams once they have determined what they want in their lives.

I am also available to speak to groups. I believe that by sharing the story of my personal growth and transformation, it will motivate and inspire anyone who hears it. In addition to starting a new business, I have also lost over 250 pounds through a combination of gastric surgery, diet, exercise, positive attitude, meditation, and prayer.

I believe I can help you. If you have questions for me, just ask them via the contact form. If anything, I am known for being too forthcoming!

I want to get to know you and become friends. I want to hear about your dreams and aspirations as well as your fears and concerns. I want to help you to grow to be that person you were meant to be.

I look forward to speaking with you. Let’s talk soon. Thanks and take care out there.

Max …

Now on Amazon!

I Will See You and Help You

Because I listen with my heart, I will see all of you. I will see those hidden abilities, possibilities, and opportunities.

I will see the roadblocks you put up between you and success. I will show you the lies that you tell yourself. I will correct those lies that the world has told you.

Why Me?

Because I have already done this in my own life.

When my father’s death resulted in the closure of our family’s small traveling carnival, I had to figure out what to do next.

I started by doing the only thing I thought I knew how to do. I helped other people sell their surplus amusement equipment.

Every day brought a new challenge. I had to learn so much. The amazing thing was that every time I accomplished something new, it gave me the confidence to believe that I could do even bigger things.

Since then, I have come so far and still have much farther I want to go.

My Accomplishments

I went from a morbidly obese, failed carnival owner to respected amusement equipment broker in the best health of my life.

I went from a frightened radio show guest to being a prolific online media guest to hosting my own podcast called the What’s Your Excuse Show.

I went from writing my first book on a dare to competing for and winning the Amtrak prestigious Writers In Residence Award. I’m now working on my fourth self-help book.

Are You Ready?

If you are ready to finally accomplish those big goals and dreams, then what are you waiting for?

If you want someone who has been there and done that… and who will see through your bullshit, and challenge you, then who else could you get that would be better than me?

Take a chance on yourself and Visit My Website to schedule a call with me. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!
“Life Coaching With The Blind Blogger.”

Please do visit Max as he would make an exceptional dynamic motivational speaker for your next event or conference as he inspires everyone to be their best. Maxwell Ivy Jr. Speaking and Life Coaching.

How Do You Write? Are You a Spiritual or Straight Forward Writer? Either One Is Fine …

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer A Writer's Thoughts, Author News, Featured Guest, Featured Guest Writer, Posts Author, blogging, Delight in Disorder, Life, Tony Roberts, Tony Shares Writing, Who Encourages You, Why Do You Write, Writing

I wanted to share with you today a good friend and his amazing writing. His blog is one of my favorite sights. Even though I mostly guest share every now and then some of his posts on my recovery blog, this particular post is about how he writes and felt it was more appropriate to share here on my book blog because as writers write for many reasons. We also write for many different purposes like for a book, a publication, an article, or just to write a new blog post.

But whatever the reason or what motivates you as a writer, we can share the process behind it. Tony Roberts does this in a unique way. His site is amazing, interesting, and informative. I surely know once you visit, you will know you are in a special place.

He is like me, he to battles with mental health challenges, but it does not stop his creative writing process. Let’s read just how Tony gets prepared! … Catherine *Cat* :-)

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling

~ Courtesy & By Author, Tony Roberts ~

“Careless or Carefree Speech”

With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. (James 3.9)

Each time I sit down before a keyboard and stare at a blank screen, I say a quiet prayer that my words glorify God and encourage God’s people. There is so much hate speech in the world today. I count it my ministry to say something not only truthful but uplifting.

Speak the truth in love, as Paul writes in Ephesians. When we do, we make a tremendous impact on those who hear us, many of whom have been beaten down for years with messages that they are no good, that what they do is not worthy, that they will never measure up, that they are not loved.

I had a high school tennis coach who knew the power of encouraging speech. He knew next to nothing about tennis, but he knew how to inspire us. He taught us that we each had an integral role to play on the team. He made us want to improve to become as valuable as we were in his eyes. He brought in talented community players as his assistants to teach us the game.

He had nothing to pay them except his uplifting words that they were making a major difference in the lives of young men. And that was more than enough In just two years, we went from being the laughing stocks to perennial conference champs, the team to beat filled with confident young men who had someone who saw their value not just in sport. but in life.

Each of us has immeasurable value as ones created in the image of God. This image has been stained by sin, no doubt. But we don’t restore this goodness with damning speech. Too often, as James shows, we allow careless speech to slip through our lips. We beat people up with what we say and the way we say it.

Related image

.
Often this is with the best intentions. We say things we think will be helpful. We talk about people under a thin veil of concern, when in fact, we are just gossiping in such a way that we tear them down.

As one who has a severe mental illness, I have experienced first hand how debilitating speech can be. When I got out of the hospital after my first episode, I found there were many more talking about me than talking to me. By God’s grace, I did receive a great deal of encouragement from some who counterbalanced the ill effects of the gossip. But it still hurt. And left permanent scars.

Instead of careless speech that tears down, we are called to a sort of carefree speech that comes from a faithful heart. When genuine faith lives in the heart, it will be connected to the tongue and impact what is said. Love, peace, and joy will be seeds of hope sown to produce hope in the lives of the hurting.

““For the rest of his life, Oliver Twist remembers a single word of blessing spoken to him by another child because this word stood out so strikingly from the consistent discouragement around him.” ― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist.

Related image

Who will you encourage this week?

What will you say?

google9ff00515de03917f.html

Book Reviews Pouring In For ‘The Hidden Motives Series’ By Author, A. Gavazzoni and Book Three Now Released …’The Brilliant Game.’

July 29, 2018July 29, 2018 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer A Writer's Thoughts, Author News, Book Award News, Book Review, Featured Guest, New Book & Author Press Release, News Around The Web, Posts A. Gavazzoni, Amazing Trilogy, Amazon, Award Winner, Behid The Door, Courtesy of Redheaded Booklover, Featured Book Review, hidden motives, New Release, The Brilliant Game

Welcome Readers! …If you love a good Psychological Thriller Romance Light Erotica Suspense? Then, Author, Adriana Gavazzoni’s New Novel Trilogy is what you should be reading! She is an amazing business lawyer by day and a sizzling writer by night … I just finished Book Three of her trilogy “The Hidden Motives” series and it is a fantastic read! I’m not saying this because I work for her in promoting her books, oh no! Lol.

It’s from loving all three books after reading them in this series. She is a talented writer and creative with all the twists and turns packed into all three of her titles. Now I am not the best writer of reviews as I never like to spoil a good read. But here is an amazing new review and by the beautiful Read-Headed Booklover shares that tell readers this is a Highly Recommended book and why she is winning so many Book Awards. ENJOY!

The Brilliant Game, A. Gavazzoni ~ The Red-Headed Booklover …

Psychiatrist Simone Bennet feels like a pawn on a chessboard—as if some invisible, master chess player is toying with her life and the lives of the people she loves and cares for.
A series of horrific events—several murders and Simone being tortured at the hands of a serial killer—culminate in the kidnapping of her daughter and have turned Simone’s life upside down.

Struggling to stay afloat in the middle of a sea of chaos, Simone continues to receive her psychiatric patients and do more work for the New York attorney, Carl, while local police, the FBI, and Edward—Simone’s boyfriend, best friend, and business partner—are working hard to locate her child.

Simone is analyzing another set of Lara’s journals, and she becomes dragged into a vortex of sex addiction, suffering, and Lara’s struggle for some kind of balance in her life, while Simone battles an inner fight against her mixed feelings for the enigmatic lawyer.

Courtesy of “The ReadHeaded Book Lover!”

The Brilliant Game… where do I start book lovers? How about I start by writing that I am obsessed with this series and think that The Brilliant Game is the perfect conclusion to a series I have grown to love over the past few months. The Brilliant Game is the third book in the Hidden Motives series with the first book called Behind the Door and the sequel called Lara’s Journal. The first two books in the series floored me, honestly when I read them it was as if the exceptional author A. Gavazzoni had written my dream novel and that was because everything I love about literature was laced throughout these two books, so it is safe for me to write that I am obsessed with them! Now, when I finished book two, I admit that although I was excited to start book three a part of me was hesitant and this was because I loved the series and worried the conclusion would be a disappointment.

After all, I have read many series and the third book usually always fail so I was worried. However! When I started to read The Brilliant Game and take the plunge, I noticed straight away that A. Gavazzoni has done it again and has reunited me with her spellbinding literature that manages to terrify as well as thrill me from the start! That is why I am already going to recommend that you lovely readers read this book but once again if you need more convincing then continue to read to learn more book lovers!

The Brilliant Game once again reunites the reader with the much-beloved protagonist Simone Bennet, a psychiatrist who specializes in unusual and peculiar sex addictions. Over the course of the two previous books, Simone has endured a great deal, so much so that you worry for her and her mental health because she really has had a terrible time and sadly, in book three it gets even worse.

In book three Simone’s beloved daughter is kidnapped thanks to some previous unfinished ‘business’ I can’t spoil and this, of course, worries Simone greatly. Simone, however, realizes that she must continue to work, to treat her patients and to work with Carl, a New York attorney on a particular case they have been working on. All of this is happening why everybody else around her including law enforcement tries to find her daughter before it is too late. Will they be able to find her? Read the exceptional The Brilliant Game to find out!

The Brilliant Game is a haunting, terrifying and thrilling novel that bewitched as well as horrified me all at once. The Brilliant Game is the type of novel I love because I love any book that involves crime because I studied forensic psychology, so I love when psychological crimes are featured in a story. The Brilliant Game once again shocked me from the start because although I thought I knew where the book was going to go, it didn’t go that way and instead took a U-turn and wow it was shocking! The themes combined and laced throughout The Brilliant Game perfectly compliment the atmosphere of the book and story, the reader will experience mystery, action, terrifying and thrilling moments and many more exceptional themes.

As I read The Brilliant Game, I found myself racing through it, turning the pages with haste thanks to the addictive nature. What I loved the most about The Brilliant Game is that it was not a silly serial killer novel in which the author has to rely on gimmicks. Instead, the story is unique and has the perfect combination of crime, suspense, and mystery which are all perfectly weaved together by the exceptional author A. Gavazzoni who I must add book lovers is insanely talented!

A. Gavazzoni is an incredible author who has written a fantastic story and come up with a brilliant idea. Gavazzoni from the very start sets the tone of the novel, she lets her readers know that this is going to be a dark and atmospheric book thanks to her literature and wow was it!

Gavazzoni is an exceptional writer because she grabs her readers attention from the start very quickly and keeps them engrossed until the end. There are no long build-ups that drag in The Brilliant Game; instead, the reader will be thrown into the thick of the story quickly, and the result of this is exciting (and slightly terrifying!).

Overall The Brilliant Game is a superb novel that has everything a reader would want in a story, it has a thrilling narrative, magnificent plot development and excellent characterization that will thrill and excite its readers so of course, I have to award this impressive piece of literature five stars! Be sure to have a read of the preview below book lovers and also have a read of the preview two books, you do not want to miss out!

“I love discussing wonderful books with all of you so please comment below and let me know your thoughts on The Brilliant Game. Do you see yourself reading this book? Do you love the genre? Please let me know your brilliant thoughts below and I will be sure to comment back. Thank you so much again for reading!

P.S. Here is a preview of the book for all of you lovely readers to enjoy! Please have a read of the preview and if you find that you have loved what you have read then all you need to do is click the Buy on Amazon button and it will take you straight to the book on Amazon U.S.! If you are in the U.K. then below I have attached a link to the book for Amazon UK too!

Below I have attached some links about the author and this wonderful book so if you would like to learn more about the author and the book then please have a browse. Thank you so much again for reading book lovers, I can’t wait to read your thoughts on this book!

Now Available on – Amazon Books & Kindle Store – Amazon UK –
Connect with A. Gavazzoni: Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

My Friend Marsha Is Back of ‘News & Experts’ PR Firm. She Knows Mainstream Media!

July 20, 2018July 20, 2018 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer A Writer's Thoughts, Author News, Book Promotion Tips For Authors, Featured Guest, Marketing and More, News Around The Web, Posts Advice Mainstream Media, Authors, Marsha Friedman, Media Tips, Media Wisdom, PR Expert, Public Relations, Social Media, Writers, Writing For Publications

How Small Publications Can Play A Big Role In Your Publicity Efforts …

I don’t believe I’m going out on a limb (well, at least not too far out) when I say that nearly everyone recognizes the giants of journalism. Such venerated (and at times vilified) publications as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and USA Today are hard to ignore, even if you’re not a regular reader or subscriber.

But as wonderful as they are, these behemoths of the reporting world aren’t the only option for those who long to see their names in traditional and online print.

Small towns throughout the country also are blessed with daily or weekly newspapers that keep their communities informed about who’s engaged, who died, whose child made honor roll and what the city commission and school board are up to these days.

These more obscure practitioners of journalism still serve a significant role in our information age, but admittedly without the luster and renown that those top-tier publications enjoy.

That’s why if you’re seeking to promote your brand, you could be thinking that it’s OK to ignore these lesser lights of the print and online media world in your quest for publicity.

Stop right there!

Let me tell you why that would be a mistake. These smaller venues, whether they appear online or in old-fashioned ink on paper, can be more important than you realize as you build your reputation as an authority in your field.

How so?

People read those local publications. Weekly newspapers and small dailies still attract a loyal readership for one simple reason: They provide readers with articles that have a direct impact on their lives and keep them apprised of what’s happening with people they know. If you want to promote your brand, it never hurts to start with your hometown newspaper. It can be a stepping stone to bigger things, plus as a bonus, you get to hone your interview skills in preparation for that day when the New York Times calls!

Smaller publications can have a bigger reach than you think. What happens in lesser-known media venues doesn’t necessarily stay in lesser-known media venues. Story ideas that bubble up on the local level can get noticed at the national level. Many smaller newspapers also are owned by large newspaper chains, and the publications within that chain share articles with each other. That means your interview with a small weekly in Wisconsin could be printed in sister publications far and wide. The fact is that not everything that grabs widespread attention begins life on the front page of the New York Times.

The media follow the media. There is little doubt that your friends (and potential clients and customers) are going to be impressed if you’re quoted in the Wall Street Journal or USA Today. How could they not be? But many of the authoritative voices that journalists at large publications seek out didn’t take a direct route from anonymity to the media spotlight. Instead, they built a media presence at smaller publications, establishing a trackable online presence. If you offer yourself as a source to top-tier media, those reporters are almost certain to Google your name. If they that see that other publications – even smaller ones – quoted you, they are more likely to view you as a credible source..

One final point worth noting. A Pew Research Center study in 2017 showed that Americans place greater trust in local news media than they do in national news media. The study showed that 25 percent of those surveyed said they trust their hometown news organizations “a lot” and 60 percent said they trust the local media “some.” That compares to 20 percent who said they trust national news organizations a lot and 52 percent who said they trust national media some.

Perhaps some of that trust in local media can rub off on you! After all, if the local media trust you enough to seek your insight about your area of expertise, potential customers or clients will be more inclined to trust you as well!

Locally yours,

Marsha

P.S. If you’d like professional help getting coverage in the press, and being interviewed on radio and TV, give us a call. We’ve been providing this service to clients for 28 years. We also offer a comprehensive social media marketing program for select clients, where we do it all for you.

########

So friends, If you’re interested in Marsha’s help, please call here at 727-443-7115 Ext. 231, She’d love to hear from you! Let her know Catherine Lyon Sent YOU!

Special Guest Article and Blog Share Celebrating July 4th Weekend. By Tony Roberts Who Gives Us Something to Think About.

July 7, 2018 Catherine Lyon Author/Writer A Writer's Thoughts, Author News, Featured Guest, News Around The Web, Posts Advocate, Author, Author Tony Roberts, Blogger, Delight in Disorder, guest article, July 4th, Mental Illness, Pastor, Weekend Blog Pick, Writer

The Cost of Freedom ~ By Tony Roberts Blog ~ Delight in Disorder

I went to a fast food restaurant for dinner the other night. The guy ahead of me had just come home from Afghanistan. He was buying dinner for his son and himself. The total came to over $20.00. He didn’t have enough. They said they would give him a 10% military discount. Still not enough. He started deducting his order until he could afford it.

Sad.

Then I saw a man who had heard this haggling hand him $100 bill and say, “Thanks for your service.”

The soldier teared up and said, “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

The man smiled and said, “You don’t know how much what you do means to me.”
I posted this story on Facebook and it has gotten nearly 100 likes and 10 shares. It shows that people really want to care about those who wage war in defense of our nation’s freedom. I’ll confess, I was moved to tears watching this happening. There is still hope for human compassion in the face of so much hate.

The soldier could have been a Trump-supporter, the donor a devout Democrat. It didn’t matter at this moment. At this moment, it was one man giving back to another who had given so much to him, so much for all of us.

So what do we do with the hope this engenders?

First, go and do likewise.

There are over two million soldiers in the US. The average income for a front-line private is less than $2,000 a month. Personal gifts (monetary or material) to military men and women you know or can meet is a great place to start. Rather than post a scathing remark against high government wages or benefits of non-US citizens, put your money where your mouth is. Cultivate a culture of caring for those who give so much to us.

Second, watch out for wounded warriors.

Every day, another veteran dies by suicide.

Mental health experts both in the military and in the civilian society desperately scramble to learn more about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how to treat it. No solutions are at hand. We may think if the experts don’t even know what to do, how am I going to help? Well, it doesn’t take an expert to reach out and be a faithful friend. And that goes a long way toward healing.

Third, stop celebrating war.

Former 5-star General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower knew the cost of war, both on the soldiers who fight, the families left behind, and the society as a whole. He spoke passionately against the military-industrial establishment with these words:

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower knew better than perhaps anyone how to build a strong military. And he warned gravely that stockpiling weapons of mass destruction was no way to win a battle against enemy aggression. Building a strong military meant investing in the lives of our soldiers and our society as a whole.

There is a cost to freedom. What are you willing to give?

Image result for free images of tony roberts delight in disorder

About the Author: tonyroberts

I am a man with an unquiet mind who delights in the One who delights in me.

“I first sensed a calling to be a writer at the age of nine when I composed my first poem, “Ode to My Pet Rock.”

I was born and raised in the Hoosier heartland just south of Indianapolis. I grew up worshiping high school basketball and once had the honor of playing in a televised “game of the week.”

I went to Hanover College (alma mater of both Mike Pence and Woody Harrelson – (go figure). After many detours into sex, drugs, and more folk rock than roll, I wound up at a seminary and became a pastor. It was then that symptoms of depression and mania culminated in a psychotic episode that became pivotal in my life, for better and for worse.

After graduating from Hanover, I obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. While there, I did ministry assignments at a state hospital for persons with developmental disabilities, as well as at a women’s prison, and an inner-city hospital.

I served two decades as a solo pastor. I then shifted to writing, speaking, and leading small groups. In March of 2014, I published my spiritual memoir, Delight in Disorder: Ministry, Madness, Mission. Having served in pastoral ministry and gone mad, it’s now my mission to bridge the gap between faith communities and the mental health world.

I now live in Columbus, Indiana, with supportive family and faithful friends who keep me honest and encourage me to be who God created me to be. My greatest earthly delights are my four children and two grandchildren, with one more on the way. “The soul is healed by being with children.” (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)

Delight in Disorder: Ministry, Madness, Mission
.