#MotivationMonday – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes14 Comments

As most of you know, I’ve been ill. I tested negative for COVID but I am convinced what I’ve been dealing with is some form of the nasty virus. At any rate, today’s post is all just for me and I hope you get some good out of it as well. I do want to tell you on Wednesday when I was first getting sick and had a fever, I took my pieces of Black Tourmaline and Shungite to the bed with me and I believe with all my heart, they helped pull out the fever during the night.

Now for a healing meditation.

I feel that the tarot reading is especially for me, but again, I hope it resonates with at least a few.

Photo by Jan Sikes

Thank goodness the Eight of Swords sits in the past position as it indicates a feeling of helplessness. I can relate to that as the virus attacked my body, it was a struggle to keep my mind positive and not feel like a helpless victim. While being limited by circumstances, it did not mean I had to succumb to negative thinking patterns. Remember, that’s always a choice.

Interesting that the Two of Cups in the present position carries the Cadeceus, the universal symbol for medicine. In this reading, to me, the card represents accepting help from someone else, or consulting an expert to aid in healing. It can also represent two lovers or a partnership. Two of Cups is a sign you are both on the same wavelength and share a similar vision for the venture you are creating together. You may not have the same skills as each other, but you create a beautiful synergy when you work together. A friend of mine introduced me to Chaga Mushrooms, bringing a packet and leaving it on my door. I believe it is aiding in my healing process.

The Six of Swords symbolizes a state of transition, leaving behind what was familiar and moving towards the unknown. This change may be your own doing or forced upon you, and you may feel sad to leave behind what is so familiar to you. It invites you to gaze ahead to your future and choose the way most in alignment with your Highest Good and long-term potential. You will need to make tough decisions and compromises along the way; see it as a rite of passage. One of the most significant aspects of this card is the fact that the woman and child in the boat are not alone and not having to work to reach their destination.

My takeaway: Circumstances in life are often going to place us in a position of feeling helpless or like a victim, but always remember your thoughts about the circumstance are your choice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in healing and remember you are never alone on this journey. There is an entire galactic team with us at all times and can only help when we ask.

Your thoughts? Make it a great week, no matter life’s circumstances.

This dragon card ignites the creativity inside each of us! Isn’t it gorgeous?

#NewRelease – A Rose By Any Other Name @AlexanderLyndi #Romance @WildRosePress

Published on by Jan Sikes36 Comments

I am happy to share a new book release from a fellow Wild Rose Press Author, Lyndi Alexander aka Alana Lorens! I’ll let her tell you about it.

PURCHASE LINK

Thank you, Jan, for allowing me to visit here and introduce my new book to your followers. I am most grateful.

When I wrote A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME, I was practicing as a divorce attorney. I represented both men and women on all sorts of terms. Although it wasn’t as true in the county where I practiced in Pennsylvania, in issues of custody, men often think they get the short end of the stick.

Now sometimes they do! Don’t get me wrong. But courts these days have mostly moved forward from the 1960s when mom got the house and the kids and dads got alimony and child support, Often the courts lean toward some sort of joint custody, Courts are urged by precedent to consider the needs of the individual families when making custody awards. Alimony is given much less frequently, and child support is most often calculated on a standard state formula, taking many things into consideration.

Single parenthood is certainly not something one sets out to do, but many, many people—myself included—have found ourselves there. It’s difficult, no matter what your particular configuration is. It’s tied to the emotions of the relationship, even years afterward. This is where our heroine and hero find themselves.

In A Rose By Any Other Name, Marisol’s husband ran out on her, leaving her as the single parent to a young son. She has survived on her own and is vocal about the challenges and joys of that situation on her blog, Mothering Without a Man. Russell thought he had it all, but his ex-wife’s wealth bought her sole custody of his sons, and he’s fighting every inch of the way to maintain his relationship with them.

If the book was a courtroom, maybe we could solve this conundrum permanently. But since it isn’t, we get to revisit the relationship between Marisol and Russell and see what a second chance might bring them.

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

BOOK BLURB:

Up-and-coming mommyblogger and single mom Marisol Herrera Slade returns to her old hometown in western Pennsylvania for her 20th high school reunion in 2005, reluctant and yet compelled to see her high school sweetheart, Russell Asher, who dumped her for the homecoming queen.

Russell’s marriage to the golden girl, however, ended in a nasty divorce, and he has been systematically excluded from his sons’ lives. In his Internet wanderings, he’s found a feminist blogger named Jerrika Jones, who glorifies single motherhood, essentially putting a stamp of approval on what’s happened to him. His group of single dad advocates has vowed to take this woman down.

What Russell doesn’t know, when he thinks to rekindle what he had with Marisol, is that Marisol and Jerrika are one and the same. When his group discovers the truth, will their drive for revenge derail any chance the couple has to reunite? Or will they find they have more in common than they ever expected?

Author Bio:

Author Alana Lorens

Alana Lorens has been a published writer for more than forty years, after working as a pizza maker, a floral designer, a journalist, and a family law attorney. Currently, a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, the aging hippie loves her time in the smoky blue mountains. She writes romance and suspense as Alana Lorens, and sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal mystery as Lyndi Alexander. One of her novellas, THAT GIRL’S THE ONE I LOVE, is set in the city of Asheville during the old Bele Chere festival. She lives with her daughter on the autism spectrum, who is the youngest of her seven children, and she is ruled by three crotchety old cats, and six kittens of various ages.

Website

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Goodreads  

Amazon Author Page 

Book trailer

Bookbub

Twitter 

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#WednesdayWonders – #Gemstones #Shungite

Published on by Jan Sikes42 Comments

Welcome to a Wednesday Wonder! I am going to reduce these posts to every other week, for some time management, but I will continue to share the amazing world of minerals that come from our Mother Earth.

Today, I’m sharing a fairly new piece I acquired — Shungite.

I wanted to get more than one view of the pyramid, but there is no gold on it at all, that was a light reflection through the window blinds. Pretty cool, though, I so left it.

The origin of Shungite is a mystery. Typically, materials made of carbon come from decayed organic substances like old forests. But the stone is thought to be at least 2 billion years old. This is before organic life existed on the planet.

Some theories of Shungite’s origins include:

  • a large meteorite collided into Earth and deposited shungite into the ground
  • shungite formed due to microorganisms in nearby water
  • the composition of organic matter in sedimentary rocks changed over time

Although scientists are unsure of how Shungite was formed or where it came from, they attribute the stone’s potential benefits to its fullerene content.

Fullerenes, which are found in Shungite, are a type of carbon nanostructure (CNS). CNSs are different physical forms of carbon.

According to a 2017 review of studiesTrusted Source, CNSs can destroy harmful pathogens. They reportedly work by damaging the cell walls of bacteria and viruses. Additionally, when CNSs interact with microbes, the microbes lose electrons and die.

However, it’s unclear what this means for human disease. More studies are needed to understand how the fullerenes in Shungite can specifically affect pathogens.

Since I feel like I am getting sick, you can be assured I’m taking this piece to my bedroom tonight along with the Black Tourmaline. I DO NOT have time to be sick!

Since ancient times, Shungite has been used to purify water. This is due to its alleged activity against bacteria and viruses.

In the above-mentioned 2017 animal study, Shungite was found to reduce inflammation. The researchers measured lower levels of inflammatory markers, including cytokines, or proteins involved in inflammation.

Users of Shungite say the stone has the ability to shield you from EMF emissions. According to anecdotal reports, Shungite is helpful for relieving stress. It’s believed to soak up negative energy and balance emotions.

So, as I said, you can bet I will be taking my Shungite Pyramid to bed with me tonight along with the Black Tourmaline and hope they can draw whatever is trying to attack my body out!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the post!

Blog Host Request – #BookLaunch – Jagged Feathers #NewRelease #RomanticSuspense

Published on by Jan Sikes43 Comments

Hello, fellow bloggers! I am excited and getting revved up, ready to launch Jagged Feathers on February 1st, and am looking for a few blog tour hosts.

I’ve listed all available dates below. If any of these would work for you to host me, I would be most grateful! I will provide all the blog content, and if you know me at all, you know I will interact with each comment on the blog, as well as share it everywhere.

**ALL THE DATES ARE NOW FILLED. I CAN GO OVER INTO MARCH A FEW DAYS IF NEEDED.** THANK YOU!!

  • Feb 8 Marcia Meara
  • Feb 11 Darlene Foster
  • Feb 15 Robbie Cheadle
  • Feb 17 Mary Morgan
  • Feb 18 Karen Ingalls
  • Feb 22 Aurora Jean Alexander
  • Feb 23 Jacquie Biggar
  • Feb 25 Pat Garcia
  • Feb 28 Erika Kind
  • March 1 Robert Fear

You can leave your date preference in the comments or contact me directly at rijan21@gmail.com.

For this tour, I’ve upgraded from the train and gypsy wagon. I needed something more streamlined and efficient, so I’ve commandeered this jet.

Created in Canva

I look forward to hearing from you!

Canva

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes31 Comments

Welcome to another Monday of inspiration. My sincere hope is that you take something positive away from this post.

Created in Canva

I wanted to start this week off with a mental clarity and found this beautiful meditation to help assist with that. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Great Meditation – YouTube

I love this week’s Tarot reading.

Photo by Jan Sikes 1/10/22

I get excited when I see The Fool come up in a reading. He is so carefree, on an adventure, and about to step blindly off the edge of a cliff. He is also the first card in the Major Arcana. It is a card of new beginnings, opportunities, and potential. The time is NOW! Take that leap of faith, even if you do not feel 100% ready or equipped for what is coming. This is a time of great potential and opportunity for you right now. The world is your oyster, and anything can happen. Use your creative mind with a dash of spontaneity to make the most of this magical time and bring forth your new ideas in powerful ways.

The Four of Pentacles reigns in The Fool just a little with a conservative approach and attitude toward money. It also comes with an admonition to steer clear of the “scarcity” thought pattern. The broader lesson with the Four of Pentacles is to honor and respect money and wealth but don’t become so attached that you lose sight of what’s most important to you: friends, family, happiness, and love.

The Lovers card is another energetic and exciting card. Most people look at it from the physical aspect of having or finding a new lover. But a deeper meaning is in regards to relationships in general and approaching them with open and honest communication. It can also indicate getting clear about your values and beliefs. You are figuring out what you stand for and your philosophy. At its heart, The Lovers is about choice. The choice about who you want to be in this lifetime, how you connect with others and on what level, and about what you will and won’t stand for.

MY TAKEAWAY: Beginning a new project with enthusiasm and oblivious energy is such an incredible feeling. For me, it applies on the writing level, as I am beginning a new series that is different from anything I’ve written. I’m taking that leap of faith and diving head-first off the cliff. Respecting and taking care of your money is a must in life, as is open and honest communication. So, I hope you will each take the energy of these three cards into your week and implement them in all of your actions.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

And for the Dragon Card, we have this gorgeous reminder about giving and receiving.

Photo by Jan Sikes 1/10/22

Jan’s Top Ten Books from 2021 @CaroFrostWrites @bsmithnovelist @97_taylormoore @m_morganauthor @DWallacePeach @OverbeckRandy @colleenhoover @maeclair1 @joanhallwrites @michaelsvoice_2 @McConaughey

Published on by Jan Sikes63 Comments

Choosing a Top Ten list was harder this year than ever before. I read 91 books in 2021, and believe me, choosing just ten took a while. The books listed here affected my life and they linger still. I hope you see something new that piques your interest!

The purchase links are on the images if you see one you want to grab.

And before I close out the year, I want to pay tribute to an author who passed away in 2021. Suzanne Burke was bold in her writing and delved deep into the psyche of twisted characters. But the book that changed me forever, was her memoir, EMPTY CHAIRS. The horrific abuse she suffered would destroy a lesser person, but not Sooz. She was a warrior.

May she rest in peace.

Photo from daughter, Amanda Jesson

Smorgasbord Bookshelf – New Book on the Shelves -#Preorder – #Military #Romance – Jagged Feathers (The White Rune Series Book 2) by Jan Sikes

Published on by Jan Sikes

Sally Cronin is featuring my upcoming release, Jagged Feathers, on her blog today! Please head over and share!

It is available for Pre-Order HERE.

And if you want to enter to win a copy, click HERE!

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Delighted to share the news of the latest release by Jan Sikes, a military romance, Jagged Feathers (The White Rune Series Book 2) On Pre-Order for January 31st 2022

About the book

Vann Noble did his duty. He served his country and returned a shell of a man, wounded inside and out. With a missing limb and battling PTSD, he seeks healing in an isolated cabin outside a small Texas town with a stray dog that sees beyond his master’s scars. If only the white rune’s magic can bring a happily ever after to a man as broken as Vann.

On the run from hired killers and struggling to make sense of her unexplained deadly mission, Nakina Bird seeks refuge in Vann’s cabin. She has secrets. Secrets that can get them all killed.

A ticking clock and long odds of living or dying, create jarring risks.
Will these two…

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Two Big #Giveaways! Ghostly Interference AND Jagged Feathers @BookSweeps @goodreads

Published on by Jan Sikes36 Comments

Wednesday is my normal day to feature a new gemstone, but today I need to tell you about two huge giveaways going on this month.

The first is with BookSweeps. All you have to do to enter this giveaway is follow me on BookBub. Not hard at all!

Not only do you get a chance to win books, but they are also giving away an eReader!

Here’s a glimpse at all the books included in the giveaway!

Here’s the LINK to the contest!

I am super excited about the second giveaway with Goodreads, as it gives readers a chance to win 1 of 100 copies of Jagged Feathers, which releases on January 31st!

Click HERE to enter the GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!

JAGGED FEATHERS is Book 2 in The White Rune Series and is a romantic suspense novel.

BLURB:

Vann Noble did his duty. He served his country and returned a shell of a man, wounded inside and out. With a missing limb and battling PTSD, he seeks healing in an isolated cabin outside a small Texas town with a stray dog that sees beyond his master’s scars. If only the white rune’s magic can bring a happily ever after to a man as broken as Vann.

On the run from hired killers and struggling to make sense of her unexplained deadly mission, Nakina Bird seeks refuge in Vann’s cabin. She has secrets. Secrets that can get them all killed.

A ticking clock and long odds of living or dying, create jarring risks.
Will these two not only survive but find unexpected love along the way? Or, will evil forces win and destroy them both?

Early reviews are making my heart very happy!

From Sparkling Reviews: “The author had me from page one and didn’t let me go until the end. She starts off hard and fast, then things kind of work out and the book goes into a “safe” lull, which is where most romantic suspense stories would end. But no. She doesn’t let you rest as the danger ramps up again before our hero and heroine are really safe and have a satisfying ending that leaves you happy for them.”

From a Reader’s Favorite Reviewer: “Jan Sikes has created an intense and engaging story that invites her readers to experience the dangers and love of her characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who lives a spicey action novel.”

So head over to Goodreads and enter to win a copy of JAGGED FEATHERS!!

#MondayMotivation – #Meditation – #TarotReading – #DragonCard

Published on by Jan Sikes45 Comments

I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful beginning to a new year that is filled with opportunities for prosperity and abundance. We are under the influence of a new moon, the perfect time to set intentions and goals. To start a new year under this auspice is powerful. Let’s make it count!

Here’s a meditation to get the year started off on the right foot.

As I have stated before, the cards I draw are random. I shuffle the cards from front to back until one pops up. These cards could not be more clearly scripted for the beginning of a new year and I am overwhelmed with the synchronicity!

Photo by Jan Sikes 01-22

Swords represent the mind or intellect. The number seven is the number of creation. On the Seven of Swords, we see a man moving forward with five swords in hand, while looking backward at two left behind. Many believe this card represents betrayal or deceit, but to me, it is the inability to move into the future without looking back at the past. Mental baggage often can weigh us down, preventing us to make constructive progress. At times the Seven of Swords suggests that you may need to put yourself first to get what you want, even if it means letting others down or putting others off-side.

The Three of Wands signals the many chances available to you to broaden your horizons through study, travel, business enterprise, and learning. You are becoming more aware of the opportunities that exist for you right now – and there are still more to come. To take advantage of this potential, you must stay committed to your path and be prepared to stretch beyond your comfort zone, knowing your best hopes lie outside of your current environment. It is time to think BIG. Consider what you can to open doors to more development and self-exploration. This card encourages you to dream bigger than your limitations. Accept your vision and be confident you will achieve it. The Three of Wands also brings your attention to the changes and challenges that lie ahead. 

Temperance is the card for bringing balance, patience, and moderation into your life. You are being invited to stabilize your energy and to allow the life force to flow through you without force or resistance. It’s time to recover your flow and get your life back into order and balance.

This card calls on you to remain calm, even when life feels stressful or frantic. Maintain an even temperament and manage your emotions. You have learned to keep composed in stressful situations. Little things don’t get to you, thanks to your seemingly abundant source of patience. Your respect for balance and tranquillity is what will help you achieve and experience fulfillment in your life.

My takeaway: It is time to look forward to the future, learning from the past, but not holding on to it. Broaden your horizons, be open to opportunities, and with all things, have a healthy balance and maintain a sense of calm through the storms of life.

What a beautiful Dragon Card to help us begin a new year!

New Year’s Reflection

Published on by Jan Sikes

2021 has been quite a year. I never make New Year’s resolutions, but each year, I ask Spirit for a word that serves as the theme for the upcoming year. Expansion was my word for 2021.

Looking back, I can see the expansion that occurred not only in my spiritual life but my physical and writing life as well.

Ghostly Interference, my debut fiction novel, was released in December of 2020 and I spent a good part of the year promoting it. I am so proud that it won two awards and has now garnered 36 reviews!

I finished the third novel in The White Rune Series. It will be published sometime in late 2022. So far, the publisher hasn’t changed the title, so SADDLED HEARTS it is.

I self-pubbed a short story, MOUNTAIN LAUREL CHRISTMAS, which has been well-received. My heart overflows with gratitude for everyone who read and reviewed this story.

I read and reviewed 91 books in 2021. Coming up with a Top Ten list is going to be harder than ever as I devoured so many great stories! I’m working on it.

I joined Story Empire and have truly found my tribe! If you are not following the blog there, you are missing out on some great writing and marketing tips. I launched a book marketing series and am learning so much I didn’t know before. I enjoy sharing what I learn.

I reached a milestone on my blog with my 1,000th post. I am eternally grateful to my followers who inspire me to keep putting up content!

I expanded my blog to include two days per week that focus on spiritual growth. I feel we are fortunate to live in a day and age when so many tools are at our fingertips. YouTube can provide any type of meditation you might want to experience. We have essential oils, diffusers that put those oils into our living environment which raises the vibrations. We have gemstones from the core of Mother Earth that assist in our spiritual and physical journey. I have enjoyed delving deeper into the Tarot cards and the Runes and sharing weekly readings. Astrological forecasts can be enlightening. With the internet and Google, we have it all. How we use it is up to us.

Speaking of meditation, I found this short one that helps launch the new year.

What’s ahead?

My word for 2022 is BELIEVE.

When I start searching for my word for the year, it simply comes. It shows up everywhere I look. This year, it began when I went with my daughters and grandchildren to Palestine, Texas to ride the Polar Express. Then I started seeing it everywhere.

Photo by Crystal Klein 12-22-21

I believe in myself. I believe in you. I believe in the powers of the Universe to shift in the direction my thoughts go. I believe in my ability to craft compelling stories and get them out to the world!

The second book in The White Rune Series, JAGGED FEATHERS, is currently available for pre-order and releases January 31, 2022! I’ll be searching for blog hosts soon. 🙂

So, as I close the door on 2021 and open the portal to 2022, I wish each of you a prosperous and peaceful New Year!

I have closed comments as I am going offline until after the holiday. My best friend of over 40 years is on her way to spend the weekend with me!

See you in 2022!