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| Pamela S. Thibodeaux |
Pamela
S. Thibodeaux, welcome to Overcoming With God.
We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming
with our readers. It's been nice getting to know you over at Pelican Book Group!
Thank you so much for having me visit today! I
absolutely love sharing my testimonies (yes, God has blessed me
so abundantly I have more than one).
Would
you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to
overcome, with God’s help? Answer:
When I look back over my life and all of the things
I’ve overcome…insecurity, shyness, abuse, low self esteem, financial hardship…the
most difficult thing I’ve had to deal with and overcome is grief over the death
of my husband. We all lose things we love (people, pets, jobs, homes, etc.) and
I’m no different. But his death was the hardest thing I’ve endured to date.
I’ve often said it is a pain I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Alas, God is
faithful and although I’ll miss my husband and carry him with me forever, I am
now looking forward to the future with a new love.
What
passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?
For a long time after my husband passed away I
couldn’t even pray. So I created a mantra: I don’t understand, Lord, but I
trust you. This got me through the worst part, then, Jeremiah 29:11 was brought
to my remembrance and has since become my favorite Scripture… “For
I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Disability
friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have
any other works available on audio? Do
your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?
No books in audio but all are available for E-reader
which enable the reader to increase the font size. My Tempered series, The
Visionary, Circles of Fate, and Love is a Rose, is printed in trade paperback
with 12 pt. font which is larger print than most mass market books.
In
this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or
therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?
Not in my latest work, Circles of Fate. However
my novel Tempered Dreams deals with
domestic violence and the healing process the heroine must undergo and The Visionary deals with healing of
adult survivors of child abuse. I also have a devotional titled, Love is a Rose that parallels God’s love
and the Christian life to The Rose song lyrics.
Question
you’d like to ask readers:
What does it take for you to try a new or previously
unheard of author? Is it the cover or back blurb on the book, content,
reviews….What?
Title: Circles of Fate
Blurb: Set at the tail end of
the Vietnam War era, Circles of Fate takes the
reader from Fort Benning, Georgia to Thibodaux, Louisiana. A romantic saga, this gripping
novel covers nearly twenty years in the lives of Shaunna Chatman and
Todd Jameson. Constantly thrown together and torn apart by fate, the two are
repeatedly forced to choose between love and duty, right and wrong, standing on
faith or succumbing to the world’s viewpoint on life, love, marriage and
fidelity. With intriguing twists and turns, fate brings together a cast of
characters whose lives will forever be entwined. Through it all is the hand of
God as He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are
called according to His purpose.
Purchase Links:
Kindle: http://amzn.to/13b6qCG
Print: http://amzn.to/1zfEzNH
Create
Space: http://bit.ly/1qRN3cb
Nook: http://bit.ly/1ySeQqJ
B&N
Print: http://bit.ly/1wA6DsH
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/136qK7n
Title: Love is a Rose (NF Devotional)
Blurb: Music is the magical entry into the spirit world; the
golden gate into the Kingdom of God. But we mustn’t be of the mindset that God
only uses Christian music to reach out and touch our mind, heart and spirit.
God uses any and every means available to speak to His
children.
Our job is to be open and
receptive.
In this devotional, Pamela S
Thibodeaux shares how God opened her spirit to a deeper understanding of the
abundance of His grace and mercy through the words of the song, The Rose sung by Country & Western
artist Conway Twitty.
Pamela offers Seeds to Ponder and a prayer as she
parallels the love of God and the Christian life to each verse of the song
Purchase Links:
Print @
Amazon http://amzn.to/1naYIRr
Kindle http://amzn.to/1vI1v43
Print @ B&N http://bit.ly/1dIShux
Deeper
Shopping http://bit.ly/1cxivVf
Title: Tempered Dreams (book 2 in Tempered series)
Blurb: Dr. Scott Hensley
(introduced in Tempered Hearts) has built a wall around his heart since the
death of his wife and parents. Katrina
Simmons is recovering from scars inflicted on her as a battered wife. Can dreams be renewed and faith
strengthened? Can they find joy and
peace in God’s love and in love for one another?
Purchase Links:
Kindle http://amzn.to/1vJEqjk
Amazon
Print: http://amzn.to/1q4Q8hV
B&N
Print: http://bit.ly/13l0LK4
Smashwords http://bit.ly/173ypSN
Title: The Visionary
Blurb: A visionary is
someone who sees into the future Taylor Forrestier sees into the past but only
as it pertains to her work. Hailed by her peers as “a visionary with an
instinct for beauty and an eye for the unique” Taylor is undoubtedly a
brilliant architect and gifted designer. But she and twin brother Trevor, share
more than a successful business. The two share a childhood wrought with lies
and deceit and the kind of abuse that’s disturbingly prevalent in today’s
society. Can the love of God and the
awesome healing power of His grace and mercy free the twins from their past and
open their hearts to the good plan and the future He has for their lives?
Purchase Links:
Amazon
Print: http://amzn.to/1uROE2o
Kindle http://amzn.to/1s23QYv
Smashwords http://bit.ly/167J9So
Author bio: Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”
Links:
Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com
Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux
Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib
PAMELA, we so appreciate you sharing your testimony with us on OWG. Thank you for being with us! In April, my husband and I will be married 42 years. Since we married when we were very young we basically grew up together. I just can't imagine losing him, and it's something I can't stand to think about. I'm very sorry for your loss and what you had to endure, but God is faithful! Even when, as you mentioned, we can't seem to pray. We still have to trust Him.
ReplyDeleteHi Diana!
DeleteWow 42 years...that's wonderful! Embrace every moment...even the not so good ones. Of course you probably know that after being together this long. Yes, trusting God is what got me through that loss and the others in my life. In fact, my mom and mother in law passed away 4 days apart in November. But God is good and He has put love and blessing in my life too numerous to count. Thanks for stopping by!
Pleased to meet you here today Pamela. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to meet you too, Mary. I am so grateful to Carrie for having me and to all of you who have taken time out of your Sunday to visit and comment!
DeletePamT
The cover of a book always grabs me. I am always thrilled to find a new author. Pamela, I cannot imagine suffering a loss like you have but I do know that God is with us every step of the way. Thank you for what you do.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Yeah, covers catch me too Melanie! Thank YOU for stopping by and leaving a comment.
DeletePamT
Hi, Pamela!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your touching, interesting testimony/interview and learning more about you, personally and your books - thank you for sharing with us here at OWG!!
In answer to your question - while I absolutely love beautiful book covers, I employ a number of different avenues in deciding whether to read books written by a new, to me, author. While I absolutely love beautiful book covers- the important thing to me is what is between the pages. I read jacket blurbs, book reviews, author interviews, testimonies, bios, blogs and other online sources; get recommendations from friends - my decision also depends on whether the book subject and genre are ones in which I have an interest. I feel author bios, interviews and testimonies are helpful as an author puts so much of his/herself - past and present - in the books they write.
I enjoy books with subjects dealing with the real-life situations we all face - your books have some interesting plots/subjects, Pamela!!
I am curious as to whether there is a connection between your last name and the town of Thibodaux mentioned in your book "Circles of Fate"??
Blessings!!
Shared post!!
Hi Bonnie,
DeleteWow lot's of thought goes into reading for you. Me, I pick books to read the same way I write...by the seat of my pants LOL! No connection to Thibodaux, Louisiana and my last name that I'm aware of. My novel, The Visionary however is set in my hometown area, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on a piece of property that once belonged in my family. A business sits there now but I remember the old homestead and the research my heroine does, I actually did, and found out a LOT about my family history! As for my subjects/plots, I try to write real characters in true to life situations and show the awesome power of God's love to change hearts and impact lives.
Thanks for your comments.
PamT
Thank you ALL for your generous support.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in winning Circles of Fate!
PamT
Welcome to OWG, Pamela, and thank you so much for sharing your testimony of overcoming! As Diana said above, it's incredibly difficult to think about our husbands leaving us... We have only just celebrated our 31st anniversary. And so I tell my husband, that I am to go first. ;) I so understand about how hard it was for you to pray during that time... Grief can certainly do that. It was good to read how you developed that mantra to the Lord to help you through the darkest days. And I'm so happy for you that your future is filled with love again.
ReplyDeleteRe your question - I'm drawn firstly by the cover, then the content. I'll read reviews and take in both the positive and negative and then make my decision. Mostly I choose historical romance, but I do read the odd contemporary. I have to say, I do like the sound of Tempered Dreams! :)
God bless you!!
Like your name, Noela.... different. Pretty. Thanks for commenting. I love to read historical but not as often as contemporary and might try my hand at writing one someday. I think reading outside our preferred genre can broaden us and add to our ability to craft a good story. I certainly hope if you choose to read Tempered Dreams or any of my books, you are blessed!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
PamT
Pamela is a gifted writer. I've read at least three of her books and they get better and better. I'm honored to call her "Friend."
ReplyDeleteAwww.... Thank You, Laurean! The feeling is mutual I assure you. :)
DeleteThank you for opening your heart, Pamela. What an upbeat story of faith through loss! I look forward to reading one (or more!) of your books.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen
DeleteNot sure how I missed your comment earlier but I'm glad I caught it today! I have said more than once I have no idea how people get through the losses in their lives without faith.....I know I couldn't. Thanks for commenting!
PamT
Hello Pamela. Nice review Carrie, Sounds like some good books. I am first attracted by the cover but then have to read the back unless I have already read a good review. I read several genres. As to death that is the hardest to go through with. There have been so many in our family but it never gets easier. I lost my Parents, 5 siblings and will be another soon. My baby brother is on his way. He has cancer in his jaw and the pain of eating or talking is unbearable. He has already had 3 cancers on his face and front of head. Not sure they are cured. They wanted to do Radiation but said they couldn't get it all. He couldn't do the radiation after 3 treatments so is having the feeding tube removed and going into A V A Nursing Home for hospice care. Doctors say 2 to 6 weeks. It is heart breaking for is to far for me to go tell him Good-bye. I can't make that long trip to NY. Besides this I lost my husband, two sons-in-law, brothers-in-law, and two babies,niece and nephew and a missed abortion when I was 42. Only GOD can see you through all of this. It has been a little over 2 years since I have seen this brother. Then there will only be two of us. My oldest brother , a WW ll veteran, will be 90 on June 6th and I will be 80 on April 7th. BUT, GOD has been good to us with many Miracles. I thank GOD we were all christians. I love these OWG ladies. GOD bless you all.
ReplyDeleteMaxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Thank you so much Maxie for sharing your story and faith. 80 years young...wow! A dear sweet friend of mine will be 99 in May and is such a treasure to everyone who meets her. I'm sure you are too. May God bless you abundantly in all areas of your life.
DeletePamT
Love you Maxie and praying for you. SO SORRY about yourbrother.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the OWG blog, Pam! We're glad to have you visit with us. Nice getting to know you better through the Pelican Book Group's social media. Blessings on you and your work!
ReplyDeleteThank you So Much Carrie for the invite to visit your lovely blog! May God bless you 100 fold!
DeletePam, great to see you here. I think of you often and always with thankfulness our paths have crossed. I love the word overcome and link it to 1 John 5:4.
ReplyDeleteThanks LoRee, I too think of you and all of my PBG friends often and with thanksgiving and prayers for ALL.
DeletePamT