A Christian CHRISTmas Poem by Pat Simmons

‘Twas the night, or day, before Christ came and all through the land,
Not one mischief deed was brewing, all had clean hands,
The bridesmaids were waiting with oil in their lamps,
In hopes that Jesus would soon appear in their camps,
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of King Jesus on a horse danced in their heads,
After Mama had prayed and I had fasted, we closed our eyes, because nothing was the matter.

When suddenly, a shout from above summoned us awake,
before I could blink, our bodies did quake,

I shed my earthly shell and floated away like an angel.

Not only me, but many who had died in Christ thousands of years earlier.

God shouted, and call’d us by name: “Come on, Pat, Moses, Abraham, and Eve! Cain too.

On Paul, Peter, Mary and Joseph too,
I was born and died for all of you not to lose…”
To the heavens above to the hell below, King Jesus will reign forever, and this must know.

As a child, I had memorized Clement Clarke Moore’s 1900s original version. As an adult, CHRISTmas lives within me year round.

All six of my Christmas titles are filled with inspiration to remind readers the reason for the season. I hope you will download one today.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

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Pat Simmons has celebrated ten years as a published author with more than thirty titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels.

She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked in various media positions for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions.

She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country and converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur.

Readers may learn more about Pat and her books by connecting with her on social media, www.patsimmons.net, or by contacting her at authorpatsimmons@gmail.com.

#Black Friday by Pat Simmons

Today's is a bargain hunter's paradise. Doorbuster specials, one of a kind treasures, and a long shopping list. As an author, I have some bargains of my own, including a new release, PRAYERS ANSWERED BY CHRISTMAS--$1.00 off until midnight on Cyber Monday. It's Book 2 in the Gifts from God series. COUPLE BY CHRISTMAS was Book 1.

I hope you will download one today.

However, I would be remiss, as a Christian author, if I didn't take a commercial break and share this snapshot that a relative posted on Facebook. What a great reminder of the reason for this season.

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Pat Simmons has celebrated ten years as a published author with more than thirty titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels.

She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked in various media positions for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions.

She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country and converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur.

Readers may learn more about Pat and her books by connecting with her on social media, www.patsimmons.net, or by contacting her at authorpatsimmons@gmail.com

The End of a Series by Melanie D. Snitker

When I published the first book in my Love's Compass series in January 2015, it was difficult to imagine what it would be like to close out the series. At the time, I thought I'd write three or four books, and I had no idea where these characters and their stories would take me.

This week, I'll be editing the sixth and final chapter in the series. Finding Grace was a lot of fun to write. It was neat to see Tyler and Beth's story come together, to visit with all the characters in previous books, and tie up some loose ends. But it was also a little sad, too. I've thought about these characters and the next step in their lives for nearly three years now. 

I'm officially releasing Finding Grace on January 3rd - three years to the day after the first book in the series was released. I thought that was fitting. 

It is my hope that readers will love this final chapter in the lives of the Chandler and Davenport families. 

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Single dad Tyler Martin can't be more grateful to the woman who finds his missing daughter. Even though he feels a spark between them, falling in love is a risk he shouldn't take. Too bad chance encounters and his stubborn heart keep trying to convince him otherwise.

After escaping a nightmarish relationship, Beth Davenport is content with her safe and blessedly normal life. Yet something about Tyler and his adorable daughter makes her wish for more. With the walls around her heart finally starting to crumble, she's afraid of a future she can't predict.

Can they let go of their fear and trust God to lead them to the love they desperately need?

Look for Finding Grace January 3rd!

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Sale!

Finding Peace is only $0.99

The book that started it all, Finding Peace, is now on sale for only $0.99. If you haven't had a chance to read this inspirational romance series focused on love, faith, and family, now's your chance. I hope you'll pick up your copy and get to know the Chandler and Davenport families today!

Police Officer Tuck Chandler is good at his job. He’s also good at holding women at arm’s length. Jilted by his fiancée for his dedication to his job, he’s not about to open himself up to hurt like that again.

Laurie Blake is a struggling photographer. After growing up in a wealthy family, she’s determined to make it on her own, even if it means doing it the hard way. 

When Tuck is assigned to a puzzling burglary involving Laurie’s fledgling photography business, he goes into it with his usual perseverance. He wants to help her – if she’ll let him. As the case unfolds and the mystery deepens, another question arises. 

Will the past get in the way of their future?

Grab your copy

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“You Should be In Hollywood” by Pat Simmons

I’ve been told many times that I’ve missed my calling. Personally, I don’t see myself as a comedian with snappy one-liners, but according to friends and strangers, I’m entertaining. Really? Seriously? Nah.

I’ll admit I have a sense of humor, but doesn’t everybody? Sometimes, funny things just happen to me. For example, I don’t wear pants that much, and jeans even less.  A few days after I washed and folded clothes, I slipped on a pair of jeans. I noticed they were snugged and high-water (do people even use the phrase anymore). Did they shrink, or did I pick up the pounds I had recently lost? Confused and seeking flattery, I asked my husband if they were his jeans. He laughed and said yes.

“You must be a midget. They’re above my ankles,” I told him.

“No, you’re wearing them like you do all your pants, waist-high like Steve Urkel.”

Whatever.

Although I’ve never professed to be an opera singer, I do put on a show for birthdays—family and friends beware. I love singing happy birthday—all the renditions—loud and off key, even at restaurants.  Once the embarrassment wears off (from others), I’m happy to say I gave them a memorable occasion.

How many of you get a tune stuck in your head and begin to hum or sing it without thought? One time, when my son and daughter lived at home, I found myself singing a commercial jingle. When my daughter asked did I know what I was singing, I had to stop and think—the Viagra commercial. Yikes.

My children and husband hated to send me to the grocery store without a list. Not because I would forget, but come back with the right thing. They loved cherry pop tarts. I grabbed raspberry—still in the fruit family, right? They would ask for a certain brand of cereal. I blame any mix-up on the advertisers and the store clerks who put decoys next to the name brand, same colored box and similar images.  They get me every time.

I’m not entertaining enough to woo Hollywood producers, but maybe, just maybe, my characters’ colorful personalities will make it to the big screen. "Hollywood, here I come."

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Pat Simmons has celebrated ten years as a published author with more than thirty titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors and then casting them in starring roles in her novels.

She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as an amazing, unforgettable, life-altering experience.

Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked in various media positions for more than twenty years. Currently, she oversees the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions.

She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country and converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatic husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur.

Readers may learn more about Pat and her books by connecting with her on social media, www.patsimmons.net, or by contacting her at authorpatsimmons@gmail.

Check out her holiday series: Couple by Christmas (Book 1) and Prayers Answered by Christmas---coming the end of November. Join the WAIT LIST

The Down Side of an Author’s Life by Pat Simmons

Ten years ago, I made the transition from an avid reader to a published author. Yahoo, hooray, plus I broke out into a praise dance. I couldn’t thank Jesus enough. Then as the jubilation faded, my eyes were open. Being an author was a forty plus hour work week. When I’m not writing, I’m thinking about my next release. Many times, I’ve had to pray after I’m already in bed, asking God to shut down my characters, so I could get some sleep. Seriously.  It’s an exciting opportunity, but a demanding career.

But I miss reading!! Somehow, last month, I was able to escape the confines of my office. Playing hooky, I ceased writing, re-writing, and plotting my next outline. With a series of 1-Clicks, I downloaded eBooks. I consumed one book, then feasted on a second. What did I do that for? As my appetite grew, I devoured a third one without shame. Finally, my characters woke from their slumber and screamed, “Finish our story!”  Reluctantly, I surrendered and shut down my Kindle in the middle of a book!!!! Back in my office, I opened my laptop and let Portia and Marlon finish what they started.

Here’s what fed my addiction:

   

There are a couple more unread books on my Kindle, but I refuse to be tempted, not until my editor gets the draft for Prayers Answered by Christmas. So if you loved last year’s Couple by Christmas, then you’ll enjoy this sequel. Join the wait list.

 

Is my latest release, Late Summer Love, on your e-reader?

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