Cozy Up with an Oklahoma Author

Curl up under a blanket and read a book written by a groovy Oklahoma author. All these Oklahoma authors’ books can be purchased on Amazon.

Author Nita Beshear from Arpelar, Oklahoma

When Nita became a widow, she floundered and tried many things to revive her interest in living and allow her to step back into life. Nothing seemed to grab her attention until she returned to writing. Her first foray into the writing world was two devotionals around quilting. As she talked to other widows and offered them her perspective and ideas, she knew that helping widows was what God wanted her to do. Her first book, “Beyond the Grief,” gives the new widow some actionable steps to help navigate their way through the minefield of widowhood and start living the life they deserve.

Her second book for widows, “Our Story,” has prompts to help the widow go down different paths in memory lane, paths she may not have entered in many years, to tell her love story. Currently, Nita is working on a book to help the reader develop a positive lifestyle. She can be reached by email at: adventuresofwidowhood@gmail.com or on Facebook at AdventuresinWidowhood.

Author Kristi Bridges from Tulsa, Oklahoma

God has a voice. In fact, your maker has been speaking to you since before birth. So why doesn’t God say, “Hey, let me tell you what the stock market’s going to do next week?”

The good news is we can learn to understand our loving Parent, and the book of Proverbs is a great place to start. It’s an operating manual for humans. In it, you can hear God speaking to your heart and guiding you into a regret-free, fulfilling life.

“Wisdom: Better than Wishing,” is a 31-day guide to the principles of Proverbs. The book has been described as “wonderfully light on pretention, dogma, and conceit and high on accessibility, enjoyment, and memorability…inviting us all into an accessible, welcoming relationship with God.”

Author Joe Harwell from Poteau, Oklahoma

Joe grew up in Poteau, OK, and married his high school sweetheart. Becky and Joe enjoyed thirty-six years together until her death in 2008. Writing his first novel the following year became grief therapy.

All his self-published novels and memoirs are set in Oklahoma and Arkansas. One book is a futuristic thriller. The rest are historical fiction involving vampires, paranormal adventures, criminal investigations, political corruption, and the media.

Joe is also the editor of his high school alumni newsletter, writes freelance articles for magazines and newspapers, and helps other writers publish their work. His website is joeharwellauthor.com.

Author Darren “D.C.”

Lyons from OKC, Oklahoma

In February 2017, Darren limped into an Oklahoma City emergency room with a wound on his left heel. Two days later, his left leg was amputated below his knee to save his life. “With Worn Out Tools: Navigating the Rituals of Midlife,” is the story of a middle-aged call center executive’s journey from traveling the world to becoming disabled.

Darren’s story looks at the ups and downs of midlife. Inspiring, motivational, and funny, he went from traveling the world to navigating a new world with challenges not designed for the physically impaired. His first book, “A Day in the Life in a Skilled Nursing Facility: Short Stories from A Young Man “Trapped” in a Nursing Home,” is a humorous look at his rehabilitation. They are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BAM.

Darren is a certified John Maxwell trainer, coach, and speaker with executive clientele in diverse industries. Darren and his wife Elaine founded Korrior, Inc. with the vision of creating rich, inspirational content. They are available for speaking engagements at dclyons@korrior.com.

Author Lisbeth

L. McCarty from Norman, Oklahoma

Lisbeth L. McCarty has a B.A. in Professional Writing and a J.D. in Law, both from the University of Oklahoma. In June of 2016, in recognition of the legal briefs she had written, McCarty received the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Thurgood Marshall Award for Outstanding Appellate Advocacy.

Lisbeth has also won numerous awards for her freelance writing, including novels, poetry (both unrhymed and rhymed), feature articles, and short stories. She has twice won the Norman Galaxy of Writers Bonnie Speers Crème de la Crème prize (drawn from the best of all the first-place contest entries). Her books are available on Amazon and Kindle. McCarty has also published books under the names Lindley O’Vannigan East, Kyle Boyd, and K.J. Katsuji. She has a free monthly newsletter at https:// lisbeth.substack.com/, and her website is www. lisbethmccarty.com.

Author Hollie Stuart from Edmond, Oklahoma

In her debut memoir, “I Can See for Miles,” Oklahoma author, marathoner, and adventurer Hollie Stuart relates a story of endurance, determination, and transformation. At thirteen, Hollie is a silly, free-spirited intellectual trying to find her identity. After a chain of traumatic events, she internalizes the pain and hides her secret. It sets her off on a path of depression and self-blame. Finding solace as an accomplished runner, she turns to self-achievement to soothe her suffering and find her worth. For years, Hollie has been stuck on a roller coaster of happiness and depression, feeling at times like a normal woman and others like she’ll never escape depression’s hold. Hollie’s life takes a turn when exhausted from letting the trauma consume her on the inside. She takes fate into her own hands. She educates herself on depression, trauma, and PTSD, determined to heal from the pain. And for the first time, Hollie lets go of the past and really lives, embracing a life of adventure. She realizes she is not her depression or traumas but who she decides to become.

Author vehoae-Shirl Yancey from Edmond, Oklahoma

An author, historian, and speaker, vehoae has a deep interest in non-revisionist history and primary documents. She was born and raised in Washington, D.C. After retiring from USDA, vehoae headed west, stopping, and staying in Oklahoma.

Her signature research, “Conscience: Breaching Social Amnesia,” was published by 4RV Publishing, followed by a historical novel, “Pahutchae’s Pouch;” vehoae’s work is now held by the University of Oklahoma in its Western History Collection. She continues with research, writing, speaking engagements, and many other activities, including music, volunteer work, and more.

Author Barbara Zimmerman from OKC, Oklahoma

Barbara retired from her elementary school teaching career but returned as a substitute because of her love for children. She enjoys writing and performing worship music and has authored three books. “Paw Prints in my Heart,” a devotional with scriptural lessons learned from her sheltie, Leo, released in 2008. Four years later, Barbara released the sequel, “Paw Prints in my Heart 2, with Mosie Lou.” It connects biblical truths to the delightful antics of her kitten, Mosie. Her third book is a children’s book entitled “Mosie Lou and the Teacher.” It tells how the starving stray kitten became the teacher’s beloved pet.

Movie Spotlight Groovy Films

It is hard to believe the stars of the movie “Ticket to Paradise” are senior citizens, just like us. George Clooney is still handsome and fit at sixty-one. Julia Roberts is beautiful, but she does need to update her look. She is still trying to look like she did in Pretty Woman. Julia is fifty-five. Come on, Julia, embrace your age. You are gorgeous.

The movie starts slow but picks up after about fifteen minutes of setting the storyline. The film is as predictable as a made-for-TV Hallmark movie, but when you want to relax and not think, that is good. Clooney and Roberts are divorced. They try to break up their daughter’s upcoming marriage, and you can guess the rest.

Most of the movie is in Bali. The scenery is stunning. During most of the film, Clooney and Roberts exchange sarcastic remarks, some that are funny and some with a twist of meaning.

There is a lesson in one conversation. George Clooney tells his daughter’s friend, “What happened in our relationship is the same thing that happens in every relationship. It starts out as unreal, and it becomes real.”

The conversation continues, and he explains they worked, were both tired, and quit having fun.

Enjoy the movie and put the fun back into your relationship.