Unconditional Love for Holiday Giving

Give an inspiring story of unconditional love to your wife, mother, sister or girlfriend for the holidays.

How do you tell the good guys from the bad guys?

I awakened one night laughing out loud. It seemed such a silly dream. I was going around asking everyone a riddle that I made up:

“How do you tell the good guys from the bad guys?”

“The good guys have a badge.”

How many governors of Illinois are in prison?

How lucky was Scooter Libby to be pardoned?

How many prison guards, policemen, public offi­cers, judges, politicians, school teachers, coaches and others of esteemed position have been prosecuted and imprisoned?

How do you tell the good guys from the bad?

Is anyone all good or all bad? What about all the good accomplishments those public offi­cials, teachers and coaches were responsible for? Were they negated by their criminal behavior? Did it turn them from highly respected servants to scumbags?

How many upstanding citizens have cheated “just a little” on their income tax or failed to disclose a pur­chase on a Customs form?

Thanksgiving Remembered 2007

I sat in the last row of the plane in the window seat. A female passenger was standing next to the row.
“I can’t decide where to sit,” she said to me. “I left my luggage up there and have a seat there but I was thinking of sitting here instead.”
I smiled but didn’t respond.
She wandered back up to the middle of the plane, looked at that seat, wandered back to the last row and ultimately sat down in the aisle seat in my row.
“I’ve finally made my decision,” she said. I smiled.
“My name is Doretha,” she said to me.
I smiled more broadly. “My name is Doretha,” I said.
“I knew there was a reason I was drawn to this seat.”
I learned that she is the first lady of her church in the Hood.
She learned my husband’s story.
“May I pray with you?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She placed her hands over mine and we bowed our heads. She spoke beautiful words about our marriage and asked God to grant the hopeful wishes in my heart.
Silent warm tears streamed down my face.
From her lips to God’s Ears.

Next Review Scheduled

Mark the date:  December 6.  That's when Jill Elizabeth will publish her review of The Fugitive's Doctor on

www.Jill-Elizabeth.com

Hope it's so good you'll all buy the book!

The Chicago Outfit

The Outfit in Chicago had a strong presence and influence throughout most of the 20^th century. Many legends and books describe the well-known members and activities.

Between 1919 and 2005, it has been estimated there have been at least 1100 Outfit slayings and only 14 convictions. In some cases, the hit men were whacked before they could be arrested. In other cases, the bodies were never found. The Outfit was adept at taking care of business.

 In 2005, the FBI launched Operation: Family Secrets with indictments for 18 gangland murders that occurred in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. They indicted 14 Outfit members.

Family Secrets: The Case That Crippled the Chicago Mob (Chicago Review Press) covers the Spilotro murders and much more in a revealing look at organized crime. The book, written by Chicago Tribune reporter Jeff Coen, covers the trial of the Outfit bosses in 2007.

For factual information, that book is highly recommended.

Fascinating Research

Have a compelling idea for the next novel, tentatively titled

                              Leave Nothing Behind

Just ordered "Family Secrets: The Case That Crippled the Chicago Mob (True Crime)" by Jeff Coen to help with the background research.

Finalist, USA Best Books 2011

Dear Deirdre-Elizabeth:

Congratulations!

The epic results are in for the USA "Best Books 2011" Awards!

Your book has been honored as a "Finalist" in the "Fiction: Romance" category.