Sedona Hutton's Blog, page 5
August 27, 2019
New Age Parenting: Use this technique to restore calm with your kids!
In my contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, Ella and AJ unexpectedly join forces to co-foster three children and quickly learn they’re out of their league. They attend a New Age Parenting class, and one of the topics covered is the Law of Attraction.
Below is an excerpt:
“The first concept we’ll cover is energy vibration.” Adrian moved to the flip chart and wrote: Like Attracts Like. “Now, let’s talk about what this means.”
He walked through the basic concept of the Law of Attraction. According to Adrian, the earth was a spinning ball of vibration, and the thoughts and emotions you put out are what you receive back.
AJ scrunched his face in disbelief. It sounded like a bunch of what his granddad had called Class A Hooey. He stole a glance at Ella and was surprised to find her sitting on the edge of her seat and jotting notes in her phone.
Well, damn.
He returned his attention to Adrian and attempted to open his mind.
“For those of you who think this is a bunch of bunk,” Adrian said, making AJ squirm, “there’s scientific evidence to back up what gurus have known for centuries. I’m not going to get into the quantum physics this evening, but if you’re interested, Google it.”
AJ made a mental note to do just that.
Adrian moved back to the flipchart and tapped on the words Like Attracts Like. “Why is this important?”
“Most children learn based on the limitations that society teaches. But children who learn to direct their thoughts in a positive manner dream bigger and learn how to manifest their desires.” He made eye contact with each of the participants. “When you teach your kids about energy, you’re empowering them. When they understand energy and how to effectively use it, there’s less drama and fewer behavior issues because they’re able to self-direct.”
Less drama and fewer behavior issues. Now he was talking. If that was true, AJ was willing to give it a try.
“I’m going to call the Law of Attraction ‘LOA’ going forward.” Adrian flashed a grin as he spelled out the letters with his hands. “It’s impossible to talk about the LOA without also talking about the power of positive thinking.” He circled around the front of the classroom. “Everyone wants to be happy, right?”
Participants in the room nodded and a few people shouted, “Yes!”
“Those who are happy are putting out positive vibrations and getting positivity in return. Those who are sad, mad, frustrated, and so on are putting out those vibrations and getting similar vibrations in return. You can’t put out negative vibrations and expect to receive positive vibrations back.” Adrian leaned against the whiteboard in the front of the class. “So how do you stop the negative cycle?”
“Think positively,” Ella offered.
“That’s right.” Adrian smiled at Ella. “If the kids aren’t there, call a timeout.” He rocked back on his heels. “Not a sit-in-the-corner timeout, but something fun. Come up with a family word. Once it’s said, everyone takes a minute—or whatever time you agree on—to re-group, re-center, and check your energy vibrations.”
A young blonde—Sandi, maybe?—raised her hand. “I get the idea of the timeout, but then what? I can’t see my boys going from mad to happy just because we took a minute of silence.”
AJ was glad she’d asked the question because he’d been wondering the same thing.
“Great question, Sandi.” Adrian moved to the whiteboard and wrote, Energy Check and Gratitude. “The timeout isn’t a fix-all. It simply offers a pause so everyone can ground themselves. Afterward, you’ll need to provide a lesson or deploy another technique, like gratitude, which we’ll talk about in a few minutes. But,”—he drew out the word but as if to build anticipation—“after your family members become experts in energy, you may find that the timeout moment is all it takes because your children have learned how to redirect their own energy.”
Ella, AJ, and the kids chose the word ‘mistletoe’ for their timeout. The process worked just like Adrian described, and they all had fun with it, too!
“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” — Colin Powell
Why not try this process with your kids, grands, and nieces and nephews? The key is to stop negative energy before it boils over. Once negative energy reaches the boiling point, it takes a long time to resume calm. It’s like water…if you put the kettle on to make tea, when the temperature reaches 212 degrees, your water will boil. To avoid the boiling point with your kids, give this timeout technique a try!
“You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.”—Deepak Chopra
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, you’ll adore this racing romance novel. To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Law of Attraction by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/31LO3lJ
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel: https://amzn.to/2KF9Iqi
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
Below is an excerpt:
“The first concept we’ll cover is energy vibration.” Adrian moved to the flip chart and wrote: Like Attracts Like. “Now, let’s talk about what this means.”
He walked through the basic concept of the Law of Attraction. According to Adrian, the earth was a spinning ball of vibration, and the thoughts and emotions you put out are what you receive back.
AJ scrunched his face in disbelief. It sounded like a bunch of what his granddad had called Class A Hooey. He stole a glance at Ella and was surprised to find her sitting on the edge of her seat and jotting notes in her phone.
Well, damn.
He returned his attention to Adrian and attempted to open his mind.
“For those of you who think this is a bunch of bunk,” Adrian said, making AJ squirm, “there’s scientific evidence to back up what gurus have known for centuries. I’m not going to get into the quantum physics this evening, but if you’re interested, Google it.”
AJ made a mental note to do just that.
Adrian moved back to the flipchart and tapped on the words Like Attracts Like. “Why is this important?”
“Most children learn based on the limitations that society teaches. But children who learn to direct their thoughts in a positive manner dream bigger and learn how to manifest their desires.” He made eye contact with each of the participants. “When you teach your kids about energy, you’re empowering them. When they understand energy and how to effectively use it, there’s less drama and fewer behavior issues because they’re able to self-direct.”
Less drama and fewer behavior issues. Now he was talking. If that was true, AJ was willing to give it a try.
“I’m going to call the Law of Attraction ‘LOA’ going forward.” Adrian flashed a grin as he spelled out the letters with his hands. “It’s impossible to talk about the LOA without also talking about the power of positive thinking.” He circled around the front of the classroom. “Everyone wants to be happy, right?”
Participants in the room nodded and a few people shouted, “Yes!”
“Those who are happy are putting out positive vibrations and getting positivity in return. Those who are sad, mad, frustrated, and so on are putting out those vibrations and getting similar vibrations in return. You can’t put out negative vibrations and expect to receive positive vibrations back.” Adrian leaned against the whiteboard in the front of the class. “So how do you stop the negative cycle?”
“Think positively,” Ella offered.
“That’s right.” Adrian smiled at Ella. “If the kids aren’t there, call a timeout.” He rocked back on his heels. “Not a sit-in-the-corner timeout, but something fun. Come up with a family word. Once it’s said, everyone takes a minute—or whatever time you agree on—to re-group, re-center, and check your energy vibrations.”
A young blonde—Sandi, maybe?—raised her hand. “I get the idea of the timeout, but then what? I can’t see my boys going from mad to happy just because we took a minute of silence.”
AJ was glad she’d asked the question because he’d been wondering the same thing.
“Great question, Sandi.” Adrian moved to the whiteboard and wrote, Energy Check and Gratitude. “The timeout isn’t a fix-all. It simply offers a pause so everyone can ground themselves. Afterward, you’ll need to provide a lesson or deploy another technique, like gratitude, which we’ll talk about in a few minutes. But,”—he drew out the word but as if to build anticipation—“after your family members become experts in energy, you may find that the timeout moment is all it takes because your children have learned how to redirect their own energy.”
Ella, AJ, and the kids chose the word ‘mistletoe’ for their timeout. The process worked just like Adrian described, and they all had fun with it, too!
“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” — Colin Powell
Why not try this process with your kids, grands, and nieces and nephews? The key is to stop negative energy before it boils over. Once negative energy reaches the boiling point, it takes a long time to resume calm. It’s like water…if you put the kettle on to make tea, when the temperature reaches 212 degrees, your water will boil. To avoid the boiling point with your kids, give this timeout technique a try!
“You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.”—Deepak Chopra
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, you’ll adore this racing romance novel. To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Law of Attraction by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/31LO3lJ
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel: https://amzn.to/2KF9Iqi
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
August 26, 2019
New Age Parenting: Use this technique to restore calm with your kids!
In my contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, Ella and AJ unexpectedly join forces to co-foster three children and quickly learn they’re out of their league. They attend a New Age Parenting class, and one of the topics covered is the Law of Attraction.
Below is an excerpt:“The first concept we’ll cover is energy vibration.” Adrian moved to the flip chart and wrote: Like Attracts Like. “Now, let’s talk about what this means.”He walked through the basic concept of the Law of Attraction. According to Adrian, the earth was a spinning ball of vibration, and the thoughts and emotions you put out are what you receive back.AJ scrunched his face in disbelief. It sounded like a bunch of what his granddad had called Class A Hooey. He stole a glance at Ella and was surprised to find her sitting on the edge of her seat and jotting notes in her phone.Well, damn.He returned his attention to Adrian and attempted to open his mind.“For those of you who think this is a bunch of bunk,” Adrian said, making AJ squirm, “there’s scientific evidence to back up what gurus have known for centuries. I’m not going to get into the quantum physics this evening, but if you’re interested, Google it.”AJ made a mental note to do just that.Adrian moved back to the flipchart and tapped on the words Like Attracts Like. “Why is this important?”“Most children learn based on the limitations that society teaches. But children who learn to direct their thoughts in a positive manner dream bigger and learn how to manifest their desires.” He made eye contact with each of the participants. “When you teach your kids about energy, you’re empowering them. When they understand energy and how to effectively use it, there’s less drama and fewer behavior issues because they’re able to self-direct.”Less drama and fewer behavior issues. Now he was talking. If that was true, AJ was willing to give it a try.“I’m going to call the Law of Attraction ‘LOA’ going forward.” Adrian flashed a grin as he spelled out the letters with his hands. “It’s impossible to talk about the LOA without also talking about the power of positive thinking.” He circled around the front of the classroom. “Everyone wants to be happy, right?”Participants in the room nodded and a few people shouted, “Yes!”“Those who are happy are putting out positive vibrations and getting positivity in return. Those who are sad, mad, frustrated, and so on are putting out those vibrations and getting similar vibrations in return. You can’t put out negative vibrations and expect to receive positive vibrations back.” Adrian leaned against the whiteboard in the front of the class. “So how do you stop the negative cycle?”“Think positively,” Ella offered.“That’s right.” Adrian smiled at Ella. “If the kids aren’t there, call a timeout.” He rocked back on his heels. “Not a sit-in-the-corner timeout, but something fun. Come up with a family word. Once it’s said, everyone takes a minute—or whatever time you agree on—to re-group, re-center, and check your energy vibrations.”A young blonde—Sandi, maybe?—raised her hand. “I get the idea of the timeout, but then what? I can’t see my boys going from mad to happy just because we took a minute of silence.”AJ was glad she’d asked the question because he’d been wondering the same thing.“Great question, Sandi.” Adrian moved to the whiteboard and wrote, Energy Check and Gratitude. “The timeout isn’t a fix-all. It simply offers a pause so everyone can ground themselves. Afterward, you’ll need to provide a lesson or deploy another technique, like gratitude, which we’ll talk about in a few minutes. But,”—he drew out the word but as if to build anticipation—“after your family members become experts in energy, you may find that the timeout moment is all it takes because your children have learned how to redirect their own energy.”
Ella, AJ, and the kids chose the word ‘mistletoe’ for their timeout. The process worked just like Adrian described, and they all had fun with it, too!
“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” — Colin Powell Why not try this process with your kids, grands, and nieces and nephews? The key is to stop negative energy before it boils over. Once negative energy reaches the boiling point, it takes a long time to resume calm. It’s like water…if you put the kettle on to make tea, when the temperature reaches 212 degrees, your water willboil. To avoid the boiling point with your kids, give this timeout technique a try!
“You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.”—Deepak Chopra
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality. The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, you’ll adore this racing romance novel. To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading :
The Law of Attraction by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/31LO3lJ
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel: https://amzn.to/2KF9Iqi
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
July 28, 2019
Writing Tip: Deep Characterization Enables Deep POV
When I first started writing, I found a character worksheet on the Internet and filled it out. Heroine: Age: 24. Red hair, green eyes, lots of curves. Hero: Age: 26. Midnight hair, cobalt eyes, plenty of hard muscle. A few more details and I was ready to write my masterpiece!
I quickly learned that without significant character detail, my manuscript was plagued with inconsistencies and required continuous rework. Even worse, my characters didn’t feel real because I didn’t know them well enough to get inside their heads.
Through research, courses, and good old-fashioned trial and error, I learned the art of deep characterization.
So what is deep characterization? Deep characterization entails developing your characters inside and out. It’s getting to know your main characters as well as you know your best friend.
Deep characterization is not just a physical description nor is it answering a few easy questions. It’s a detailed assessment of your character’s personality, strengths, flaws, and wounds. It’s a comprehensive understanding of his/her childhood, family, friends, pets, phobias, memories, and so on. It’s how he/she relates to the world, how they react to stress and other emotions. It’s even about their favorite food, color, TV show, movie, and book because each of these can offer invaluable nuggets of information about your characters…that is, if you dig deep enough.
There are many ways to create deep characterization. I use deep characterization worksheets, character interviews, and the 5-Why Process. I learned most of these techniques through OIRWA courses taught by Laurie Sanders. For more information, please visit Laurie at: https://lauriesplace.net/.
5-Why Process
This easy process can be used to generate a deep understanding of your character.
Instructions: Take one aspect of your character and ask 5 questions. Sometimes you may find that you need to ask 5 more and then 5 more!
Example
Character: AJ Ryan, the hero in my contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap. What is AJ’s favorite drink? A shot of Jack Daniels.Why is this his favorite drink? It brings back warm memories of his granddad who enjoyed an occasional shot of Jack Daniels. AJ moved in with his grandfather when he was 12. Why did AJ move in with his grandfather? Because his mother couldn’t handle him.Why couldn’t AJ’s mother handle him? Because AJ got into a lot of trouble, including smoking, getting bad grades, skipping school, taking a joy ride in his neighbor’s car, etc.Why did AJ get in trouble? It was the only way he could get attention from his mother. Otherwise, she primarily focused on his younger half-brother, Sam.
You can see how this 5-Why exercise helped me dig into AJ’s background. After completing many of these, I gained a deeper understanding of AJ and what makes him tick.
Completing deep characterization before you start writing allows your story to flow from your characters. It also enables writing in a deep point of view. When I start a new story, I complete deep characterization first—even before I develop themes, plots, and outlines. When I start with deep characterization, the rest of it flows with effortless ease.
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists. The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
July 11, 2019
Gratitude in THE PERFECT LAP: You can't be stressed when you're feeling blessed!
“You can’t be stressed when you’re feeling blessed!” This quote is from The Perfect Lap, my recently released contemporary romance novel. In The Perfect Lap, Ella and AJ unexpectedly join forces to co-foster three children, and quickly learn they’re out of their league. They attend a New Age Parenting class, and one of the topics covered is gratitude.
Sometimes kids and adults make poor choices that lead to negative energy. How we respond makes all the difference. In The Perfect Lap, Ella, AJ, and the kids come up with a time-out word that any of them can call out. Once the word is said, they all take a few minutes of silence. During that time, they reflect on where they are mood-wise (energy-wise) and consider if that’s where they want to be. Often, after this pause, they each share a few gratitudes.
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder
Ella and AJ experienced positive results when practicing gratitude with the kids. Negativity disappeared, bad moods faded, and spirits were lifted. I've found the same results in my own life. Not surprising since it’s backed by science! Studies have shown when you’re feeling genuinely grateful, it’s impossible to at the same time feel angry, anxious, or any other negative emotion.
When we’re stressed, our minds and bodies are pummeled with strain. Blood flow redirects to muscles needed to fight or flee and brain functions are minimized. Physically, ongoing stress can cause a long list of health issues.
On the other hand, when we’re focused on our blessings, our minds and bodies are relaxed and we experience positive emotions like love, joy, and hope. Gratitude helps us fully experience happy moments in life, build strong relationships, improve health, and deal with hardships.
How can you bring more gratitude into your life? Let me count the ways…You can write your gratitudes in a journal, say them out loud, or recount them silently. You can share your gratitudes in a group setting like Ella and AJ did with the kids. The method doesn’t matter as much as the exercise. Practicing gratitude in any form connects you with the present moment, creates positive energy, and generates feelings of love and compassion.
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age spirituality. The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
June 25, 2019
Looking for a romance novel or a spiritual book—why not try a blend of both?
I love reading spiritual books that offer personal inspiration and transformation. The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra, The Ten Commitments by David Simon, and Ask And It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks are among my favorites.
While I enjoy these books, it takes me a while to finish reading them because I need to process the outlined ideas and ponder how I might integrate what I learned in my own life. Years ago, while contemplating this, an inspiration formed. I could write fictional stories about real characters with real issues and embed spiritual concepts to show how they might work in real-life situations.
These days, I'm doing just that! I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. In a recent guest blog post, Laurie Sander’s described my blended genre as follows:
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the inspirational romance category. Some of you probably read it and maybe even write it. I enjoy inspirational romance and count authors like Karen Witemeyer and Autumn Macarthur among my favorites. And have I blogged about Karen’s book The Short Straw Bride over here.
But what Sedona Hutton is doing is different from the inspirational romance that we know and love. Sedona is blazing new trails by blending traditional romance with new age spirituality. What’s emerging is a unique blend of romance and spirituality with themes like The Law of Attraction – being present – being in the now – that I’m really enjoying. The books are spiritually uplifting with fully developed romance plots and enough heat between the sheets to keep you turning the pages.
You can find the full post at: https://lauriesplace.net/2019/01/28/s....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
Ask And It is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/2IwrlbP
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
While I enjoy these books, it takes me a while to finish reading them because I need to process the outlined ideas and ponder how I might integrate what I learned in my own life. Years ago, while contemplating this, an inspiration formed. I could write fictional stories about real characters with real issues and embed spiritual concepts to show how they might work in real-life situations.
These days, I'm doing just that! I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. In a recent guest blog post, Laurie Sander’s described my blended genre as follows:
I’m sure you’re all familiar with the inspirational romance category. Some of you probably read it and maybe even write it. I enjoy inspirational romance and count authors like Karen Witemeyer and Autumn Macarthur among my favorites. And have I blogged about Karen’s book The Short Straw Bride over here.
But what Sedona Hutton is doing is different from the inspirational romance that we know and love. Sedona is blazing new trails by blending traditional romance with new age spirituality. What’s emerging is a unique blend of romance and spirituality with themes like The Law of Attraction – being present – being in the now – that I’m really enjoying. The books are spiritually uplifting with fully developed romance plots and enough heat between the sheets to keep you turning the pages.
You can find the full post at: https://lauriesplace.net/2019/01/28/s....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
Ask And It is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/2IwrlbP
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
Looking for a romance novel or a spiritual book—why not try a blend of both?
I love reading spiritual books that offer personal inspiration and transformation. The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra, The Ten Commitments by David Simon, and Ask And It is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks are among my favorites.
While I enjoy these books, it takes me a while to finish reading them because I need to process the outlined ideas and ponder how I might integrate what I learned in my own life. Years ago, while contemplating this, an inspiration formed. I could write fictional stories about real characters with real issues and embed spiritual concepts to show how they might work in real-life situations.
These days, I'm doing just that! I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality.
In a recent guest blog post, Laurie Sander’s described my blended genre as follows: I’m sure you’re all familiar with the inspirational romance category. Some of you probably read it and maybe even write it. I enjoy inspirational romance and count authors like Karen Witemeyer and Autumn Macarthur among my favorites. And have I blogged about Karen’s book The Short Straw Bride over here.
You can find the full post at: https://lauriesplace.net/2019/01/28/sedona-hutton-visits-book-giveaway/.
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists. The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ Recommended Reading :
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
Ask And It is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks: https://amzn.to/2IwrlbP
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
June 6, 2019
8 Spiritual Themes in The Perfect Lap
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author it’s my desire to write stories that entertain and inspire. To this end, I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. My novels include plenty of romance, conflict, and family drama, along with new age concepts like the Law of Attraction and Focusing on the Now.
There are many thought-provoking themes in my newly released contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, including:
- Non-judgment
- Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are
- Giving from a place of love
- Prioritizing joy
- Living in the now
- The difference of one
- Gratitude
- No such thing as perfection
Below I’ve included select questions from The Perfect Lap’s Reading Group Guide related to these themes to prompt further contemplation.
1. Non-judgment: Ella has a preconceived notion about the Piper kids’ mother before she meets Clare. After she gets to know Clare, she finds someone entirely different than what she had envisioned. Have you ever experienced this? What did you learn?
2. Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are: AJ’s grandfather taught him this concept. What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree with this philosophy, and what supports your position?
3. Giving from a place of love: Cruz tells AJ that he needs to give from a place of love. Do you think the reason for giving makes a difference, or is it just the gift that matters? Please explain your position.
4. Prioritizing joy: AJ suggests that Ella make an important job decision based on what makes her happy. What do you think about this advice and why?
5. Living in the now: AJ’s granddad used to tell him to “stop fretting and live his life.” What do you think he meant by this?
6. The difference of one: Ella’s aunt taught her that one person can make a difference. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. Gratitude: In the New Age Parenting class that Ella and AJ attend, they learn that giving gratitude shifts your energy from negative to positive. Do you believe this? If so, how does this work?
8. No such thing as Perfection:
a. AJ’s grandfather taught him that there’s no such thing as perfection; in racing this translated to no such thing as a perfect lap. What are your thoughts on perfection?
b. AJ taught Ella and the kids that you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to consistently do your best. Do you agree? Why or why not?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of The Perfect Lap and on my website at: https://sedonahutton.com/the-perfect-....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38.
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author it’s my desire to write stories that entertain and inspire. To this end, I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. My novels include plenty of romance, conflict, and family drama, along with new age concepts like the Law of Attraction and Focusing on the Now.
There are many thought-provoking themes in my newly released contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, including:
- Non-judgment
- Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are
- Giving from a place of love
- Prioritizing joy
- Living in the now
- The difference of one
- Gratitude
- No such thing as perfection
Below I’ve included select questions from The Perfect Lap’s Reading Group Guide related to these themes to prompt further contemplation.
1. Non-judgment: Ella has a preconceived notion about the Piper kids’ mother before she meets Clare. After she gets to know Clare, she finds someone entirely different than what she had envisioned. Have you ever experienced this? What did you learn?
2. Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are: AJ’s grandfather taught him this concept. What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree with this philosophy, and what supports your position?
3. Giving from a place of love: Cruz tells AJ that he needs to give from a place of love. Do you think the reason for giving makes a difference, or is it just the gift that matters? Please explain your position.
4. Prioritizing joy: AJ suggests that Ella make an important job decision based on what makes her happy. What do you think about this advice and why?
5. Living in the now: AJ’s granddad used to tell him to “stop fretting and live his life.” What do you think he meant by this?
6. The difference of one: Ella’s aunt taught her that one person can make a difference. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. Gratitude: In the New Age Parenting class that Ella and AJ attend, they learn that giving gratitude shifts your energy from negative to positive. Do you believe this? If so, how does this work?
8. No such thing as Perfection:
a. AJ’s grandfather taught him that there’s no such thing as perfection; in racing this translated to no such thing as a perfect lap. What are your thoughts on perfection?
b. AJ taught Ella and the kids that you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to consistently do your best. Do you agree? Why or why not?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of The Perfect Lap and on my website at: https://sedonahutton.com/the-perfect-....
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38.
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.
8 Spiritual Themes in The Perfect Lap
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
As an author it’s my desire to write stories that entertain and inspire. To this end, I’m blending traditional romance and women’s fiction with new age spirituality. My novels include plenty of romance, conflict, and family drama, along with new age concepts like the Law of Attraction and Focusing on the Now.
There are many thought-provoking themes in my newly released contemporary romance, The Perfect Lap, including:© Non-judgment © Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are© Giving from a place of love© Prioritizing joy© Living in the now© The difference of one© Gratitude© No such thing as perfection Below I’ve included select questions from The Perfect Lap’s Reading Group Guide related to these themes to prompt further contemplation.
1. Non-judgment: Ella has a preconceived notion about the Piper kids’ mother before she meets Clare. After she gets to know Clare, she finds someone entirely different than what she had envisioned. Have you ever experienced this? What did you learn?
2. Everyone is doing the best they can from where they are: AJ’s grandfather taught him this concept. What do you think this means? Do you agree or disagree with this philosophy, and what supports your position?
3. Giving from a place of love: Cruz tells AJ that he needs to give from a place of love. Do you think the reason for giving makes a difference, or is it just the gift that matters? Please explain your position.
4. Prioritizing joy: AJ suggests that Ella make an important job decision based on what makes her happy. What do you think about this advice and why?
5. Living in the now: AJ’s granddad used to tell him to “stop fretting and live his life.” What do you think he meant by this?
6. The difference of one: Ella’s aunt taught her that one person can make a difference. Do you agree? Why or why not?
7. Gratitude: In the New Age Parenting class that Ella and AJ attend, they learn that giving gratitude shifts your energy from negative to positive. Do you believe this? If so, how does this work?
8. No such thing as Perfectiona. AJ’s grandfather taught him that there’s no such thing as perfection; in racing this translated to no such thing as a perfect lap. What are your thoughts on perfection?b. AJ taught Ella and the kids that you don’t need to be perfect to be successful, you need to consistently do your best. Do you agree? Why or why not?
A full list of Reading Group Guide questions can be found at the end of The Perfect Lap and on my website at: https://sedonahutton.com/the-perfect-lap-rgg.
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists. The Perfect Lap—His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv.
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38.
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.
May 28, 2019
Everyone’s Doing The Best They Can
“Everyone’s doing their best at every moment based upon their current state of consciousness,” Dr. David Simon, The Ten Commitments
I was introduced to this concept while studying for my meditation certification at The Chopra Center. It resonated with me so deeply that I included the idea in one of my novels, The Perfect Lap.
In The Perfect Lap, AJ Ryan’s granddad teaches him that “everyone’s doing the best they can from where they are.” AJ listens, but he doesn’t understand what it means until he meets Clare, the mother of the children he’s co-fostering.
So what does this statement mean?
We’re all on our own unique paths in life. We got where we are through a series of experiences, beliefs, and choices. Because we’ve all had different life experiences, we’re all in different places along our path.
We evaluate situations through our lens of experiences, and it’s natural to judge others through this lens as well. The old adage, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” is fitting. We all too often make judgments based on what we perceive on the surface. Another piece of wisdom I learned from Dr. Simon is that “everyone has a story.” Without knowing a person’s background, experiences and choices…without “walking a mile in their shoes,” it’s impossible to truly understand their story.
“The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.”—Jiddu Krishnamurti
In The Perfect Lap, Clare appears to be a bad mother. She smokes, drinks, and leaves her young children home alone for days on end. Like everyone, Clare has a story. After AJ and Ella get to know her and learn her story, they realize she’s made the best choices she could based on the options available to her.
I won’t give away a spoiler, however, I will note that…compassion arises from understanding a person’s story.
“Everyone may not be good, but there’s always something good in everyone. Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” —Oscar Wilde
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://amzn.to/2Lp3b5p
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
I was introduced to this concept while studying for my meditation certification at The Chopra Center. It resonated with me so deeply that I included the idea in one of my novels, The Perfect Lap.
In The Perfect Lap, AJ Ryan’s granddad teaches him that “everyone’s doing the best they can from where they are.” AJ listens, but he doesn’t understand what it means until he meets Clare, the mother of the children he’s co-fostering.
So what does this statement mean?
We’re all on our own unique paths in life. We got where we are through a series of experiences, beliefs, and choices. Because we’ve all had different life experiences, we’re all in different places along our path.
We evaluate situations through our lens of experiences, and it’s natural to judge others through this lens as well. The old adage, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” is fitting. We all too often make judgments based on what we perceive on the surface. Another piece of wisdom I learned from Dr. Simon is that “everyone has a story.” Without knowing a person’s background, experiences and choices…without “walking a mile in their shoes,” it’s impossible to truly understand their story.
“The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.”—Jiddu Krishnamurti
In The Perfect Lap, Clare appears to be a bad mother. She smokes, drinks, and leaves her young children home alone for days on end. Like everyone, Clare has a story. After AJ and Ella get to know her and learn her story, they realize she’s made the best choices she could based on the options available to her.
I won’t give away a spoiler, however, I will note that…compassion arises from understanding a person’s story.
“Everyone may not be good, but there’s always something good in everyone. Never judge anyone shortly because every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.” —Oscar Wilde
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists.
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://amzn.to/2Lp3b5p
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
Recommended Reading:
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
May 5, 2019
New Release: The Perfect Lap
I’m thrilled to announce the release of The Perfect Lap, a contemporary romance and the second standalone novel in my Racing Hearts in Serenity series.
The Perfect Lap is AJ Ryan’s story. One of my Nora’s Promise readers called AJ a “hoot,” which is a perfect description of him. AJ is laid back, fun-loving, and full of southern charm…he’s also a magnet for trouble!
A brief description and an excerpt of The Perfect Lap follows.
Description :AJ Ryan is a publicity nightmare. After a questionable photo surfaces and his biggest sponsor threatens to pull out, the NASCAR champion admits it might be time to hit the brakes. Thankfully, his new no-nonsense image consultant knows just where to start… too bad she revs his engine so loudly he can barely think straight.Ella Fisher’s career is a welcome distraction from her poor taste in men. Fresh off another easily avoidable heartbreak, rehabbing AJ’s career is just the diversion she needs. But when the pulse-pounding client actually listens to her advice, Ella wonders if there’s more to the man behind the hot mess.When Ella is granted guardianship of three boisterous children under the misconception that she and AJ are a couple, AJ surprises her by going along with the charade. Before long they find themselves in a make-shift family that feels more real than pretend.As their professional relationship takes a hard turn for the personal, a single overheard conversation could make it all go up in flames. Will Ella and AJ’s romance hit the wall, or will love take the checkered flag? Excerpt :“You’re too hard on yourself, darlin’,” he said. “You’re the most focused, persistent woman I’ve ever met.” He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. His eyes were a deep, soulful blue and as he intimately held her gaze, it reminded her of their first meeting and their instant, almost spiritual connection. “You’re kind, compassionate, caring.” His voice was so low that it was more like a whisper fluttering against her cheek. “The kids need that.”She’d barely processed his sweet words when he leaned in.He was going to kiss her! Holding her breath, she told herself to step back. It wasn’t appropriate—they were working together, he wasn’t her type, she was on a man-ban. The reasons to stop him were endless.But as he continued to move toward her, she couldn’t. He grazed his lips overs hers in a tortoise-like motion as if testing the waters. His lips were warm and moist and her body pulsed and sparked as they generated heat hotter than hell and half of Georgia.He drew back and held her gaze, presumably giving her one last chance to move away.But she couldn’t. His consoling words had comforted her, his embraced had warmed her, and his kiss had left her wanting so much more.As she acquiesced, the world around them transformed into a magical wonderland. The moon’s light softened and the stars appeared so close that she could reach out and touch them. Light glittered across the dark water like pixie dust and her belly fluttered as if it had been brushed by fairy wings. In The Perfect Lap you’ll find romance, conflict, and family drama. You’ll also find new age spiritual topics including gratitude, positive energy, and the idea that everyone is doing the best they can from where they are.
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age, spiritual twists. The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, click here: https://amzn.to/2Lp3b5p
To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/
