Life - Stranger Than Fiction! by Paula Rose Michelson

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Today as I sat down to write I knew that I needed to do the one thing I had promised a stranger, that’s now an acquaintance that I would do first thing on Monday morning. Since many of you know me, I’m certain my sounding reticent seems slightly off kilter. And I must admit that this is exactly how I felt…Of Kilter! For you see, many Jews don’t believe that a person can be Jewish and believe in Messiah! And doing this one thing meant contacting Jews that might think me a renegade or worse! Yet I had pledged that I would so I did!!

I called the Jewish Community Center closest to me and spoke about my novel. The person I spoke with took my name and number. Feeling a lot better, and very aware that what I had written was a blessing for me and would be considered a blessing by them, I dialed the phone several more times! Instead of feeling trepidation, I felt elation! Then I received a call back from one of the locations. The lady had spoken with the rabbi who asked me to send him information. Gladness and trepidation mingled together as I wrote what I’ve posted below. Then I glanced at the title for today’s blog and knew that Gods timing was, as it always is, perfect. And so dear friends as you read this missive please pray that the path is cleared for me to bring this blessing to others who, like Naomi, fear that being who they are will cause others to reject them or worse.


The Letter

Dear Rabbi,

Thank you for taking the time to review what I’ve sent. I look forward to your response. 

As a Jew I have always been interested in learning more about our history and people. I wrote the historical fiction, Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing based upon my research of the Spanish and later the Mexican Inquisitions and its effect upon our people. During that time, I met some Jews that only later in life discovered or realized that they were Jewish. You will find their interviews as well as a brief history of the Spanish Inquisition at the beginning of the novel.

I have posted the link to Amazon (below) so you can read a bit of the text. Should you decided to do that, I hope you enjoy your journey into the heart of a teenager who leaves home without a why or goodbye, and companions a blind old women to gain entry into America to search for an uncle she has never met. She finds her plans thwarted when she is handed over immigration. However, she is rescued and taken to Spanish Harlem, where she sees a large Catholic church and believes that though she is in America she has never really left Spain. 

Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Casa-Naomi-House-Blessing-Blessings/dp/1613461380/ref=lp_B007ECYI32_1_1_title_0_main?ie=UTF8&qid=1334800009&sr=1-


Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing

Fifteen-year-old Naomi wants to practice her faith in public, find her uncle, and help him raise enough money to bring their family to America. To accomplish this she agrees to companion a blind, old woman whose family plans to tour Europe and settle in the United States. Her plans are thwarted when the woman passes away aboard ship, and Naomi is handed over to immigration. While she awaits her interview, an old Tía comes to Naomi’s rescue and offers to take her in. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Naomi agrees and unwittingly enters the country illegally.

This is Naomi’s journey from adolescence to womanhood, from frightened isolation and captivity to the noble status of heiress with a mission and responsibility many would shirk placed upon her shoulders. Along the way, she contends with piercing memories, hurtful loss, jealous opponents, a devious lawyer, and a curious priest. Through each step of this journey, she guards two secrets she dare not share with anyone, not even Chaz, the man she has married. Will she keep his love when he discovers who she really is? Find out in the first book of Paula Rose Michelson’s saga, The House of Blessing.

Paula Rose Michelson is the founder of LAMB Ministries, which helps women recover from trauma and abuse through the effective use of scripture, and prayer. She leads a monthly writers group at Congregation Ben David in Orange, California, and serves with her husband, Ron, with Chosen People Ministries. The mother of two married daughters, and grandmother of seven, when not writing, speaking, or teaching the effective use of scripture, you will find Paula researching her next book or meeting with friends.

Though this novel was written about a Sephardic girl and how she matures while hiding who she is, her struggles, though more poignant than most, are the same ones each person faces. Her grief of not knowing the fullness of all her faith is stands as a reminder to those of us that do for we need to cherish what we have been given.

Yours in Messiah,
Paula Rose Michelson – Author – The Casa Saga
Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing _ Book One
God said, “…all people on earth will be blessed through you.”

Visit Paula at http://www.PaulaWordsmith.com
E-mail her at CasadeNaomi@PaulaWordsmith.com
Join her Casa Reflections Blog at http://CasadeNaomi.Blogspot.com
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An Amazing Announcement!

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I'm thrilled to announce that my Laguna Beach Chapter of Pen Women just opened a page on Facebook! Don’t know about Pen Women? This group of professional authors, composers, and artisans was founded by President Taft’s daughter. Among our luminaries are such noteworthy women as Pearl Buck, Condalisa Rice, and Hillary Clinton. So if you’re looking for a group of creative women to visit our page https://www.facebook.com/NLAPWLagunaBeachCA then email Paula@PaulaWordsmith.com


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South Shores Church’s Gal’s Group Made My Day! by Paula Rose Michelson

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For many writer's the height of their creative endeavor is being published. For some, like me, that’s just the beginning of the creative experience because unlike our counterpart we seek an audience not so much because we want to grow our number of friends, which we do, but because the reason we’ve written is more important than staying out of sight or earshot of disapproving snubs. For one must be made of sterner stuff than most, or be blessed as I was when a lady who listened to my Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing Presentation at a prerelease party, bought, read, and fell in love with the story set up an event for me!

To say that this particular event was auspicious does not fully convey all it meant to me. For having done similar events for 16 months, give or take, accepting this booking was nothing new – although the number of those attending (50 to 60) did give me pause. Aware that my new friend Margaret had spoken with many of her friends about my book and the event, I was a tad intimidated.

However, all that almost angst vanished once I began preparing, which was as it needed to be, for unbeknownst to me, I was about to be friended on Face Book by “OneVoice OneMic” and asked to appear on that radio show. As I agreed peace settled around me like an old friend. I had no trepidation whatsoever until I chanced upon their postings on YouTube! All of a sudden it hit me that dumpy old lady –me had agreed to be filmed and posted! There was no time to diet, besides if I’m not into changing for my health I doubted that I could survive another, “You don’t want that!” attitude fighting within me!

No! I knew just what I needed! I prayed! That’s right I prayed to Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus Christ) and you know what? He answered me. He didn’t fix me because I didn’t need to be fixed. He calmed me. Reminding me that he’d already prepared me for the YouTube taping of “One Voice OneMic” by giving me a group of gals that were eagerly awaiting my visit.

So as I prepared, last Thursday when Margaret picked me up, and throughout my presentation at South Shores Church, I felt the Lord at my right hand. And as I heard the words tumbling out of my mouth I knew they weren’t mine, but his. Yes, I’d done the practicing that all speakers must. Prior to that I’d done the writing that all whose books are published must, and before that I’d done the research that validated what the characters in Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing were telling me. However, it wasn’t until the moment I heard a woman ask, “Could you use the mic?” and I did that I fully realized that this novel and the rest in the Casa Saga are God’s work. I’m just along for the ride. I know that because I wrote a story I never intended to about people I never meet.

I relied upon God to show me what his good and perfect will was for me, and waited until he did. Now that I’ve gotten my marching orders I’m as thrilled as can I be, so doing that one thing that most authors can’t after all I’ve done that I shouldn’t have been able to do was just icing on the proverbial cake.

Want at bite? Ok! Today I’m nibbling on Romans 8:37 which says, ... in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Having trouble believing that these words were written for you? As you walk the property at South Shores Church 32712 Crown Valley Parkway Dana Point, CA 92629 think about the faith of those who bought that land when all they could see was PCH. Then feel the serenity and experience the beauty of the place as you stop and gaze out upon what has been built since the foundation of this church was laid all those years ago. Then let God speak to your heart as only he can. 
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Heaven on Earth - Powell’s Sweet Shoppe, by Paula Rose Michelson

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Since I have a sweet tooth I make it a point to seldom go where sweets are the bill-of-fare. And if you share the dilemma of hips that seem to widen whenever you’re around any sugary food, I know that you understand all I mean without my having to belabor the point, so ‘enough said.’ At least I’ve said enough, until tongue-in-cheek, I share that I asked my publisher to book a signing for me at Powell’s Sweet Shoppe. That’s right, I did! And I almost left without sampling anything, which I believe shows how amazing my Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing book signing was thanks to the help that treated me as one would a very special guest, and those popping in for last minute Easter treats, a birthday party that outdid any I’ve been to or made, or to watch parents as their kids shopped or they themselves eyed and bought sweets to varied and delectable to mention here. Although now that I’m salivating I must rave about their cherry gelato with pieces of cherry that brought the sweet smooth treat to a level hereto not experienced by this confection lover. And of course I’d be remiss if I did not tell you about the handmade candy confections that were larger than I’d ever seen before! But again I must remind myself that this blog is not about the sweets though you must drop by Powel’s Sweet Shoppe in Laguna Niguel, 27000 Alicia Pkwy # E CA 92677! You owe it to yourself to have the very best, and that’s all that Powel’s serves!

Yet as delightful as the confections both sugar-free and not where it’s the help and those that popped in that made this book event stellar! And stellar it was from the perfect weather which allowed me to sit outside and talk with those passing by, to the gentleman who while waiting for the birthday party his daughter was attending inside to end went inside and reappeared with a cold Diet Coke for me to drink. Since I remembered that while visiting the place before my booking to speak with Melissa who managers the location, I had thought of it as WILLIE WONKA ON STERIODS, I was amazed that this man could go in and come out in a matter of moments! For I believed that no one could do that! Perhaps it was the small theater area where the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory runs nonstop. Perhaps the fact that from floor to ceiling every detail of the place says ‘Yummy in the Tummy,’ or as I am wont to believe, perhaps it was because this confectioners and sweet lovers dream is what we all wish life could be like… Yummy with a capital YUM and fun!

Think I’m overstating? Hardly! Where else can one literally have their cake and eat it to? My answer, Powel’s Sweet Shoppe where being sweet is not an affectation, not pure conjugation, not done by the staff because it’s what’s expected, but really, truly experienced by one and all because the setting, help, and every delectable treat was selected by those who know that individuals, a party of any size, as well as a really good treat is best enjoyed when experienced by those that love it while surrounded by those that care!


On Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 11-3, Powel’s Sweet Shoppe Host’s Children’s Authors


Donna Bevin’s
Barbara Ashley
Marlayne Grion


Powel’s Sweet Shoppe, 27000 Alicia Pkwy # E, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677!
For information visit: http://www.powellsss.com/go/
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Today Dorothy Adamek hosts Paula Rose Michelson on Her Blog!

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Today Dorothy Adamek hosts me on her Ink Dots Blog http://dorothyadamek.blogspot.com Please drop by, leave a message, and you might win the drawing for a free copy of Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing, which is the first novel in the Casa Saga.
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The Book Corral - Casa de Naomi Book Signing, by Paula Rose Michelson

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I believe that their first book signing is every new authors dream. Given this tenuous market where many booksellers have closed their doors and others are struggling to keep theirs open, I discovered that my forgone conclusion of having such signings might not be the norm. When Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing released, my publisher suggested I look at niche markets, which I did. The amazing experiences that followed were as varied as the colors of the rainbow and as lovely. Yet I longed, as I believe all authors do, for that illusive bookstore that would host me and rejoiced when my wish came true.

Upon receiving notification that The Book Corral would host a signing and seeing that they were local, I hopped into my car, drove to the location, and meet Chris who manages the place. Our impromptu meeting left no doubt as to his standing as a bibliophile for he was both well read and knowledgeable about the books within the Corral’s walls. When I discovered that he was a writer, I knew that as we spoke of the event, his heart and mine were in sync. By the time I left I knew that The Book Corral was the right place for me to have my first bookstore signing. I must admit that I looked forward to the event so much that I dropped by once more and meet David, who like Chris is an avid reader, extremely knowledgeable and helpful to all that cross the bookstores threshold, and also a writer.

When Saturday dawned gray and rainy, I hoped inclement weather would not dampen the event. My fears were not realized. For as I watched many entered the establishment looking for this or that book and the staff, which I soon discovered were all related to “Book Mom - Tina” as Chris called her, greeted and offered to assist each person. Having, once upon a time, worked in a bookstore I found their manner gracious, caring and most important of all, not clinging. Many who came commented on the new location (they had moved a few doors down so they could bring in more books) and the new ownership. To welcome those that stopped by they had a fresh pot of coffee, cookies, and sweets as well as punch for the younger crowed.

Since my table was situated towards the back, I set up while speaking with Tina’s teenage daughter, Madison, a young lady who's already thinking about preparing for a career, with a winsome smile that sets all  who might be off-put by such as youngsters focus on the future at ease. Then I took some bookmarks and walked around. I greeted people, gave them a bookmark, mentioned why I was there, and invited them to drop by my table once they were done with their browsing. A few did, and when one person bought a book, I was in author heaven! Then the unthinkable happened! I heard Chris greet, and offer to help two women as they came in. Each held up the half sheet flier The Book Corral had sent, and insisted, “We’re here to see Paula Rose Michelson!” Having heard their comments, I stood and walked forward to greet the ladies who were eager to hear about my writing journey. After they each purchased a copy of my novel there was a lull. When two other women came in looking for me, I knew I was living every authors dream! Those at The Book Corral must have felt the same way because I’m scheduled to return on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 1-3 for another book signing. I look forward to seeing you there.


The Book Corral is located at: 25571 Jeronimo Rd., Ste 4, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing is available on Amazon. Now offering a free download chapter one onto you Kindle.

An illegal immigrant
Bound by secrets
Trapped by choices
An arranged marriage
A forbidden love

The Casa de Naomi: The House of Blessing Book Trailer is Posted on YouTube
To Watch enter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uckLDfMaM into the URL Field
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