Have You Ever Sent Someone Off to War?

Have you ever sent a loved one off to war?

Memorial day in the States is Monday. What is Memorial Day? The day we celebrate soldiers, but especially fallen soldiers. It has become a day to honor the men and women who serve in the military. I think about this frequently--what it would be like to pray every day for a father/mother, a husband/wife, a son/daughter, a brother/sister who has gone to fight for the freedoms I cherish. The fear they will not return, the struggle to keep a relationship strong over long distance, the stress of being a single parent while a spouse is deployed... I am left in awe of those who sacrifice so graciously--not just those who leave, but those who let them go.

To all who have made that sacrifice, a HUGE, heartfelt thank you. You are a true hero.

Quick heads up: I'm sharing words of inspiration plus a personal turning point on Diane Wolf's blog. Check it out HERE.

This month I'm highlighting fellow authors from:

BUY NOW 

(Because waiting until later would just be silly.)

Last week we met the talented Cherie Reich and had an opportunity win her fantasy novel, REBORN. Everyone who guessed her Truth or Lie game correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.

The Game:

1. From a span of one August to another, Cherie performed in seven theatrical productions.

2. Cherie changed her major four times while in college.


3. Cherie has studied six languages. Unfortunately, she’s only proficient in one.

The lie: #2. Cherie only changed her major three times (general studies to vocal performance to classics). If she had a chance to do it all over again, she would have majored in something else. Maybe anthology (linguistics) or something to do with computers (graphic design or websites) or history.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Tiana Smith!

Congrats, Tiana!

And now meet a story from the author of RAINERS in the Parallels anthology: 

Some teens go to the Caribbean on spring break. Piper goes to save the world. 

Piper Dunn isn’t who you would call a normal teenager. For one thing, she doesn’t want anyone to know she was born with a blowhole. Even stranger, she has two love interests. Joel, a fellow dolphin-human hybrid, and Tyler, a human. 

It’s hard to choose when a mad scientist is hot on Piper’s trail. Worse, she’s trapped in the Bermuda Triangle. And . . . wait for it . . . Angel, her test-tube daughter, is apparently a real-deal reincarnation. It all adds up to an impossible situation, with happy endings all but lost at sea. Unless, of course, a voodoo high priestess casts a spell or two . . .

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Multi-published author Sandra Cox writes YA Fantasy, Romance, and Metaphysical Nonfiction. She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters and an occasional foster cat. Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her screened in porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee or a latte, and enjoying a good book. She's a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast.

You might run across Sandra munching on pepper-jack sticks.

Find her on Facebook (likes appreciated) or her Blog.

Sandra gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win LOVE, LATTES and MUTANTS in eBook. (The first book in the series.)

You have until Tuesday, May 31 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on June 1, 8 a.m EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I was the third generation in my family to be married on Christmas Eve.

2. My husband was born in IL, I was born in KY, my daughter was born in OH and my son in WI.

3. English is my second language.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Do you know any military families who deserve a salute? Ever heard of metaphysical nonfiction? Have you met Sandra?

In Memory

To anyone who has ever sent a family member to war, this is for you.

I can't say too much good about the wonderful men and women willing to lay down their lives to protect others. You are loved. And to the families who send your loved ones to serve the rest of us, thank you. 

Thicker than Blood

Has anyone ever fought a battle for you?

I have several older brothers, and despite the conflicts we had as children, we've always been fiercely loyal to one another. Voltaire nails it on the head. I knew if I ever had a problem with kids at school or in the neighborhood, I could call on my brothers to stand up for me.

Today is Memorial day, and as one who has lost a father and a brother, I look on this holiday quite differently. My father did not die fighting for my freedom, but he gladly would have. My brother was not a casualty of war, but he would have given his life gladly to defend those he loved. As I think about that, I picture the many families who's fathers, brothers, sisters or mothers have given their lives for the cause of freedom. My heart breaks for those who have sacrificed. It is buoyed up by the love of these men and women, for:

Here's a heart-felt thank you to all those who've sacrificed--be they soldiers who have passed on, or families who've made due without a vital part of their hearts. You are what makes a nation great. You are true heroes.