From a broken heart to... a BROKEN HEART and a giveaway

Do you remember when Angela Ackerman asked us to help her friend Martha Ramirez? She was going to have heart surgery for a birth defect. Angela asked us to send her cards or heart things, or just send her some words from your heart.

Because Angela is such an amazing caring woman, a large number of us responded to her request.

After Martha recovered from her surgery, she reached out to me (maybe more than just me) and we became friends.

I had the privilege of helping her working on her book, BROKEN HEART this past year. I think it is a wonderful book, for if you have a sibling or even a cousin in the hospital for any disease or illness. It has coloring pages at the end of the book, lots of links for information about heart diseases and disorders. It even has a spot for the child to write or draw about his or her special memories.

I'd love to see this book in pediatric and cardiologist waiting rooms. Such a helpful book.

I'm going to give away a copy of BROKEN HEART on January 30th. (PS: I'm in the acknowledgements! If you are looking for a freelance editor my site is: http://www.themanuscriptmaveneditor.com/)

Did you join in in Hearts for Martha? Did you connect with her afterwards? I feel so blessed to have her as a heart. Though she had a broken heart, she has a very tender caring, now fixed, heart.

If you would like to win a copy of BROKEN HEART please join my blog and please tell me of a time you had a broken heart...

If you don't win a copy and would still like one you can go here to purchase a copy.

Happy 2015! I hope all your dreams come true!

Random Act of Kindness BLITZ!

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community. 

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don't they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.

Kindness ROCKS!

To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ.  And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I'm participating too!

Choosing one person to celebrate today was hard.  So many people in blogland have done kind things for me.  I have more than two hands full of people who critique for me or come to the rescue when I have a question.  So I dug deep and thought about something more than what they did for me...  Do you remember a few months ago I did a post about my talented niece, Bethany? Well the person I am celebrating today, has done something wonderful for my niece.  She has given her a shot to illustrate a story for her magazine.  More than that she has helped my niece see what a gift she has given her confidence and a direction for the future.  With that being said I'd like to introduce you to Donna McDine.

Donna has been published in over 100 print and on line publications.  She has one award winning early reader book called THE GOLDEN PATHWAY and three more books under contract.  She is the Editor-in-Chief for Guardian Angels Kids Magazine.  Donna is an exceptional person and I hope you will hop over and check her out.  I sent Donna a little surprise in the mail and she should get it on Today.

Do you know someone special that you'd like to randomly acknowledge?

Don't be shy--come join us and celebrate! Send them an email, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round. :)

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act Of Kindness?  Let me know in the comments!

If you leave a comment you'll be entered in a contest for some random things....journals, puzzle books, and office supplies.  I'll announce the winners on Thursday.  :)

HUGS TO EVERYONE!