A few hours from now we'll be celebrating the arrival of the New Year, and I have a confession to make. Though I write military/political thrillers and follow the deployments of our carrier strike groups and track tensions across the Middle East, my heart resides with mystics. They often see the world more clearly than I might, but when they point to the truth, I know it to be so. I think we all do. Let's travel a bit...

Hidden away in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, at an elevation over 8,000 feet, is the small town of Snowmass. Some 2,000 people live there, along with a community of Trappist monks. Fr. Thomas Keating was a member of this community until his passing two years ago.

I've followed Keating's work for years. He was a prolific writer, beloved by many. He helped people learn the art of meditation and contemplation. Recently a friend introduced me to his Welcoming Prayer. I had not known of it until she read it to me. She proceeded slowly, pausing at each word, and as she did so, I felt my heart release. Because of this, I share it below. 

In two more days, we'll say our goodbyes to 2020. A few cities have canceled their fireworks displays, but others have chosen to celebrate. Within the United States, there are many extravaganzas that will be broadcasted. I just might stay up long enough to add my heartfelt cheers.  

If you're like me and will be staying home for the celebrations, maybe you'd like to consider one of these possibilities: Houston and Omaha promise memorable ceremonies, Las Vegas always lights up the sky, and New York City throws a grand party and is a personal favorite. Whatever your decision might be, I suspect we'll each remember this New Year's Eve for decades to come. 

With celebrations in mind, author Colleen Chesebro challenges writers to create a final poem for 2020 focused on HOPE. Maybe you'd like to offer a few lines and if so, just click on Colleen's name to travel to her blog site where she provides guidelines. Here's my simple contribution, a haiku of 5-7-5 syllables.  

It's hard to believe we'll finish the year in just three more days. I look back and wonder where the time went. What happened to the seasons? To spring, summer, fall, now winter. Did time forsake us, because we measure it through family events that never were? Is that why it's all a blur? 

The months passed slowly then quickly, punctuated by the little things of life - the robins feeding beneath the oak tree, the chipmunks hoarding their acorns, the lizards darting to and fro, and in the skies, the eagles soaring high. Yes, 2020 gifted us with the little things of life that we were often too busy to see.  

With all the challenges of the year, I wonder if maybe we were being drawn to our true home, to our beautiful planet - of mountains and streams, of deserts and forests, of wildlife and home-life of you and me. 

Just for fun, I'm going to do a countdown to New Year's Eve. After all, 2020 is definitely a year we won't forget, but I'm hoping we can we let it go. Maybe like a bottle thrown out to sea, we can toss it far from us and face the year - free. That sounds great to me. The year wasn't all bad, but there were the forgettable elements along with the memorable. Here's my take: 

​If you're like me, you've wondered about resolutions. I usually don't make any, but this year is different. Because of everything we've faced, because of medical challenges and isolation, because of not being able to be with family and friends, because of all this and more, we've found ourselves again. Now we listen more intently and love across the miles. In many ways, we've become more present in our absence.  

My resolution is to remember what 2020 taught me and consider every moment a precious gift. How about you? What are your resolutions?

Dear readers,

This year has been one of solitude and reflection. Much of the time, we worried on behalf of loved ones, our country, and ourselves. We listened, more than usual, to those who claimed to know or should have known about the virus, about threats, about injustice. Then many of us stopped listening. We retreated within ourselves and dug deep for truth. It was then that we discovered the others, the truth seekers. People like you and me.  

As Christmas approaches, I find myself immensely grateful for all who have reached out across the divides of COVID to say hello, to offer a hand. In particular, I'm grateful for the writers who have accompanied me this year. I may not have known you, were it not for the virus, for the solitude, for the desperate need to understand.

Through memoirs, like Kathleen Pooler's Just the Way He Walked, I realized that it's an illusion to think we walk alone with our sorrows. Her beautiful testimony opened doors within my heart. Jill Weatherholt's romance novel gave me hope in humanity, in innocent love. Sally Cronin's books made me feel as though I had a sister across the Atlantic Ocean. Marcia Meara introduced me to the angels' emissaries, and John Howell helped me see how they travel through time. Karen Ingalls took me through life's struggles and showed me the face of redemption. There are so many other authors I could mention, and I'm sure you could as well. 

This year I've read dozens of books, and without exception, each writer stretched my world wider. They helped me see the mysteries hidden behind smiles, the possibilities locked in hearts, the beauty in every person. I traveled with them to outer space, to countries never seen, to times long past or yet to be. 

To all the writers, Thank You. I'm immensely grateful for all that you've given me this year. Whether you sell volumes or not, whether your reviews are all 5-stars or not, you have made a difference in my life and so many others. May you and all have a very joy-full Christmas. 

Blessings,
Gwen
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I'm delighted to spotlight fellow author and friend, Jan Sikes. Her latest book, Ghostly Interference, now adorns the shelves of Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I have my copy and I'm  excited to read it. The cover caught my attention right away, but more importantly, I'm drawn to the book because of Jan's track record as a multiple award-winning writer. 

Let's grab a cup of coffee, put our feet up, and find out about this mystery book. It's all yours, Jan!  

​​I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Gwen, for loaning me your blog space to talk about my new book!
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It is built into our human nature to seek out perfection in life. To many, that means a good-paying job or career. To others, perfection is found in the solitude of nature while some seek perfection in music or relationships.

In Ghostly Interference, I wrote a scene where Jag Peters was having lunch with his best friend Tai. The direction of the conversation turned toward what Jag truly sought in life, and how he hoped that included Rena Jett. After all, he’d just quit his corporate job and was adrift and seeking. 

​Here's what Tai said to him:

​Tai paused as steaming plates were set in front of them. “You know, Eastern religions teach that we are born many times. Perhaps you and this girl have unfinished karma from other lifetimes.”

“I only know about this life and I want this girl in it,” Jag said. “I’d like for you to meet her.”

“How will she feel about your best friend being gay?”

Jag shrugged. “How should she feel? You’re a great person and Rena will know that.” Seeing the doubt in Tai’s eyes, he continued. “She’s not hung up about gays like her biker friends.”

“That’s good because I make no apologies for who I am and never hide how much I love Stefan. If gay marriages were legal in Texas, you’d be my best man at a wedding tomorrow.”

Jag grinned. “Yeah, I know. You two have a true partnership. That’s what I want with Rena.”

Tai sighed. “Nothing in life is ever perfect. There are simply perfect moments that you have to grab onto.”

“I’m not looking for perfection. But, I am grabbing at the moments.”

“That’s the key to it all.”

The waiter interrupted to refill their glasses.
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                                                                  * * *
Then later that same evening, Jag had the chance to say the words to Rena:

Rena leaned back and closed her eyes. “I guess there is no such thing as perfection in life.”

Jag replied, “Tai was talking about that very thing this morning. He said there are only perfect moments and that’s what we grab onto.”

“This is a perfect moment.”

“Almost.” Jag reached for her hands, pulled her up and waited for her to nestle beside him. “Getting closer to a perfect moment.”

She raised her face and he claimed her lips.

Between kisses, he whispered, “Now this is a perfect moment.” 

​BOOK BLURB
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Jag Peters has one goal in his quiet comfortable life—to keep his karma slate wiped clean. A near-miss crash with a candy apple red Harley threatens to upend his safe world. He tracks down the rider to apologize properly. Slipping into a seedy biker bar, he discovers the rider isn't a "he", it's a "she", a dark-haired beauty.

Rena Jett is a troubled soul, who lives in a rough world. She wants no part of Jag's apology, but even while she pushes him away, she is attracted to him. When he claims to see a ghost—her brother—can she trust him? And could her brother's final gift, a magical rune stone with the symbol for "happily ever after" have the power to heal her wounds and allow opposites to find common ground—perhaps even love?

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BOOK PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON: https://amzn.to/39PA7hP  
BARNES & NOBLE: https://bit.ly/37GqqzD  
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SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
http://www.jansikes.com
https://jansikesblog.com/
https://www.twitter.com/jansikes3
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK  (Author Page)

Author Suzanne Burke ends the year with a photo prompt of a rainbow. From her home in Australia, she sees in the heavens that which each of us sees across our beautiful planet. We are united through our hope as we are united in our sorrows. We are family. 

As family, we leave this year transformed by the storms of chaos and fear. We have all suffered. We have all despaired. And yet, rainbows appear. Some fill our skies, some reach us through a letter or another simple act of kindness. Always, rainbows tell us there is a reason for hope. Love alone can guide us, and guide us it must.

​My simple Haiku response to the prompt ...

Earlier this year, just as the virus reared its ugly head, I began writing The Culmination. The underlying theme of this story is family. Though a political/military thriller, the message is persistent. We have a choice, always, to become family - in our country, in our world. If anything, the threats of 2020 taught us this truth and it may be vital that we heed the message. 

I share below a few of the five-star reviews of The Culmination. Through this month, the Kindle version will remain at .99 cents. ​
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From author John W. Howell: "I describe The Culmination as a political thriller with a strong military influence. There are many challenging situations presented in the plot by the author Gwen M. Plano. These situations are designed with action in mind and are very intriguing. The worldwide stage on which these situations play out serves to keep the reader riveted to the end. This story is a continuation of The Contract Thriller series and does reflect the title. It almost feels as if this book has been the end goal of the other two. I have read all three and can say that a reader must not have read the other two to enjoy this one thoroughly.

The scope of the plot is vast. The reader moves from what appears to be simple situations of trouble to complex machinations that could lead to World War Three. The story involves multiple nations and heads of state. There are some surprising moments, as well as a tender love story.

If you like a book with plenty of action, compelling characters, political intrigue, military maneuverings, and a compelling love story, this one is for you."

From author Jill Weatherholt: "Written by award-winning author Gwen Plano, The Culmination is a must read for readers who enjoy political and military intrigue. This book is the third in the Contract series, but it can certainly be read as a stand-alone. That said, I recommend the other two books as well. The characters in this third installment are well-developed. They take you through action-packed situations, relevant to our current world. This captivating thriller, along with a thread of romance, will keep you turning the pages."

From author Billy Ray Chitwood: "If readers like their thrillers written by a celebrated and deft author's hand who can craft her scenes with intensity and give the readers a rushing itch to get to the following culminating pages, who can take you from a Northern California assassination attempt to edgy 'De-nuclearization ' meetings with murderous implications, who can transport you from California to the Middle East for an evil conspiracy and more 'cloak and dagger' excitement. The author to whom I refer is Gwen M. Plano... You will want to read this book." 

This week author Suzanne Burke shared a photo prompt of a Road Closed sign situated in the desert. This image brought me back to my youth. My dad would take my sibs and me for rides over the dunes. Sometimes we ventured into the bombing range, where there were signs similar to the prompt. Most said, "Do Not Enter." Dad was a very law-abiding man, but occasionally, he'd bend the rules for buggy riding. 

Perhaps you'd like to respond to the prompt. If so, please click on the link above and you'll be taken to Suzanne's blog site. I hope you enjoy my short dialogue. 

Author Colleen Chesebro is an accomplished writer and poet. Each week she invites readers to stretch a bit and respond to a prompt through a poetic form. This week the sky is the limit, because followers can use any syllabic form. 

Won't you join in this exercise? If interested, just click on Colleen's name, and you'll travel to her site where she offers much guidance. 

My contribution is a simple haiku poem (5-7-5 syllables), and the photo is one I took while walking in the early morning. My poem is entitled, Ozark Sunrise.