MaryAnn Diorio Books
"Heart-Mending Fiction"
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Women's Fiction / Romance / Romantic Suspense /
Fiction for Children
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The Year of Grace 2022
AUGUST 2022 Newsletter
www.maryanndiorio.com
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The Official Newsletter of Author MaryAnn Diorio
https://www.maryanndiorio.com
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FULL DISCLOSURE: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from the sale of my books and other qualifying purchases.
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MaryAnn Diorio writes women’s fiction from a small, quaint, Victorian town in southern New Jersey where neighbors still stop to chat while walking their dogs, houses still sport wide, wrap-around front porches, and the charming downtown still finds kids licking lollipops and old married folks holding hands. A true Jersey girl, MaryAnn is a big fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore.
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IN THIS ISSUE . . .
__A Word in Due Season
__On the Homefront
__New Newsletter Features
___The Inside Story
___My Happy Places
___Your Turn
__August Giveaway
__The Inside Story
__Website Update
__Award Announcement
__My Happy Places
__My New Product Line
__Join the Diorio Champions
__Your Turn
__Recipe Rack
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A WORD IN DUE SEASON
by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD
Dear ,
At my daughter Gina's recent wedding, her pastor gave a very inspiring message on the three C's of a good marriage: Companionship, Commitment, and Covenant. As I thought about the pastor's message, I realized that the three C's apply to our relationship with Jesus as well. How? Let's take a brief look at the three C's, plus a fourth one I have added: Communication.
COVENANT
When we accept Christ, He places Himself in covenant with us and we with Him. This means that we form a relationship that involves the keeping of promises on both sides.
The marvelous thing about our covenant with Christ is that He never fails to keep His side of the covenant, while we often fail to keep ours. This is one reason His mercy and grace are so amazing!
COMMITMENT
When we accept Christ, He commits to us by forgiving us and by sanctifying us through His Holy Spirit. At the same time, we commit to Him by yielding to the Holy Spirit's sanctification process in us.
COMMUNICATION
When we accept Christ, we establish a line of communication through Him to our Heavenly Father. This line of communication is called prayer and is one of the greatest privileges of being a Christ-Follower.
COMPANIONSHIP
When we accept Christ, He becomes our Forever Friend. He promises never to leave us nor forsake us.
As Christ-Followers, we are His Bride. Soon we will be in a marriage relationship with Him in Heaven. And in that marvelous place, Covenant, Commitment, Communication, and Companionship will prevail in the perfection of His love for us.
Maranatha! Come soon, Lord Jesus!
Love and Blessings,
MaryAnn
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The highlight event of July for the Diorio Family was the marriage of our daughter Gina to Colonel Tito Pope. The wedding took place at the Duportail House in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania.
Here are some photos from the happy event. These photos were taken by Gina's wonderful childhood friend, Dr. Megan Hart. Thank you, Megan! :)
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NEW NEWSLETTER FEATURES
My newly added features last month generated some good positive feedback. Thank you! I'm glad you liked them. If you missed the announcement, here is what I've added to our newsletter:
1) THE INSIDE STORY: In this section, I will give you a glimpse each month of my personal life as a writer. I will share the ups and downs of the writing life--and, yes, there are downs, as there are in everyone's life.
2) MY HAPPY PLACES: This is a new fun feature where I will share with you places in my environment that make me especially happy.
3. YOUR TURN: This section is for YOU! This is your place to share ideas and suggestions for improving my newsletter and our Diorio Champion Facebook Group. It is also the place to share your ideas for story ideas and themes you'd like me to write about, character names, settings, etc.
I hope you enjoy these new features as much as I've enjoyed planning them. :)
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AUGUST GIVEAWAY . . .
"The Antique Clock"
A Short Story by MaryAnn Diorio
I trust that you will enjoy this month's freebie. Please click on the link below to get your copy.
FREE Copy of "The Antique Clock"
I've had some suggestions from readers to expand this story into a novel. Please let me what you think. Thanks. :)
The cover photo is that of a clock my husband and I purchased at a flea market in California many years ago. We still have the clock. I am so thankful for it. It has brought me delight for many years now. :)
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DON'T MISS THIS GREAT SERIES!
Betrayal, Suspense, Intrigue, Passion, and Love . . .
The Italian Chronicles Trilogy
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What are readers saying . . .
"Intense. Gripping. Emotive. Heartrending. And hauntingly beautiful describes 'The Madonna of Pisano' in a nutshell. Not my usual read, I found myself totally intrigued by the beautiful Italian setting and characters in the village of Pisano, Sicily. Inspired by a true story, this novel is a new twist on 'The Scarlet Letter'—guaranteed to break the reader's heart and put it back together again with the glue of forgiveness." ~ Amazon Reviewer
"Awesome story! I couldn't put it down!" ~ Daniela M., Avid Reader
"Excellent characters, dramatic plot. Beautifully written, giving wonderful feeling for the setting in place and time. Emotionally intense situations, satisfying resolution. Among the two or three best novels I have read this year. Highly recommended." ~ Dr. Donn Taylor, Novelist and Former Professor of English
The Madonna of Pisano (Print)
The Madonna of Pisano (Ebook)
A Sicilian Farewell (Print)
A Sicilian Farewell (Ebook)
Return to Bella Terra (Print)
Return to Bella Terra (Ebook)
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THE INSIDE STORY . . .
This month I'd like to share with you some of the struggles I've gone through as a writer. And yes! Like you, I go through many trials in order to become like Jesus and to fulfill God's purpose for my life.
Here are a few of the many trials:
1. Computer problems. I can't tell you how many times I have had computer problems while writing. A few times, my computer has completely crashed. Although I back up my work in several places, one time I lost my nearly finished manuscript of about 60,000 words during a crash. I nearly panicked. By the grace of God, I was able to retrieve it.
2. Health challenges. I struggle with the trial of dry eyes that become gritty and make it difficult for me to write. Some of the other health challenges I've faced since God called me to write have been breast cancer almost 28 years ago, and back issues. Each time the enemy attacks, I resist him with the Word of God.
Satan wants nothing more than to keep all of us from fulfilling the purpose for which God created us. Trials will come. But we must respond to those trials by rejoicing and worshipping God in the midst of them. We must submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee in terror.
3. Disruptions and Distractions. Hardly a day goes by that I do not experience some kind of major distraction or interruption. It could be a call from my bank about a fraud attempt on my credit card. (This past year alone, my bank has had to issue me a new credit card three times because of fraud)! This year we've also had car problems, home repair problems, including a broken washing machine, and family problems. Not much different from you. :)
Since I'm not one to dwell on the negative, I'll stop here. But I think you get the point. All of us undergo trials and hardships. But here are some wonderful truths to encourage us:
Psalm 34: 19 - "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all."
Isaiah 54: 17 - "No weapon formed against you shall prosper."
1 John 4: 4 - "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."
If you liked my new Inside Story feature, be sure to let me know. I don't want to bore you with news in which you are not interested, but if you are, it would help to give me a heads-up. You can reach me at maryann@maryanndiorio.com. Thanks! :)
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WEBSITE UPDATE
Please stop by to check out my updated website and to catch up on new fun, faith, and fellowship--and books! :)
Just CLICK HERE to check out the updated site. Here is my new website banner:
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Announcing Reader's Choice Award for Miracle in Milan!
I want to praise God for allowing Miracle in Milan to place as a Finalist in the Romantic Suspense Catetory of the 2022 Reader's Choice Award, a contest sponsored by Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers.
You can purchase a copy of Miracle in Milan at one of the affiliate links below:
PRINT
EBOOK
AUDIOBOOK
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MY HAPPY PLACES . . .
Happy Places are places in my home or in my travels that make me happy. Here are two for this month:
Left to Right:
__Farmlands in Lancaster County, PA
__The Delaware Bay at sunset in Villas, NJ
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Learn how to write a story . . .
If you ever wanted to learn how to write a story, now is your big opportunity!
As a student at The MaryAnn Diorio School of Fiction Writing, you can choose from three courses to put you on the road to creating compelling stories that touch the heart.
__5-Week Fiction Writing Mini-Course
__Writing Fiction for Children
__Writing Fiction in Deep POV
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MY NEW PRODUCT LINE . . .
Check out my new line of notebooks with covers featuring my art and photography.
You will find lined notebooks and blank sketchbooks. Just go to the link below:
MaryAnn's Original Notebook Designs
You will find a wide variety of notebooks from which to choose.
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JOIN THE DIORIO CHAMPIONS!
If you subscribe to this newsletter, then you are eligible to join my private Facebook Group called THE DIORIO CHAMPIONS! It is a place of fun, fellowship, and faith where you are loved and accepted for who you are and encouraged to grow in love for Him and for one another.
If you would like to join the Diorio Champions, write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com.
I look forward to welcoming you as a new Champion! :)
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YOUR TURN . . .
A writer is nothing without a reader. As a writer, I need your input. Please share with me any ideas you have to improve this newsletter. What new sections would you like to see? What sections are of no interest to you? What are your favorite sections?
Please don't be shy! I am teachable, and I welcome your comments. As Scripture says, "Iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27: 17).
Please send your comments and suggestions to me at maryann@maryanndiorio.com. I will review every single one in a timely manner and get back to you.
Thanks and Blessings!
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MaryAnn's Summer Macaroni Salad
(From the Kitchen of MaryAnn Diorio)
INGREDIENTS:
__1 lb. Elbow Macaroni
__6 Hard-Boiled Eggs
__1 stalk Celery, diced
__1 Carrot, diced
__1.5 - 2 cups Mayonnaise
__1 teaspoon Paprika
__Salt & Pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
__Cook macaroni until done.
__Place macaroni in large bowl.
__Slice 5 hard-boiled eggs and add to macaroni.
__Add diced celery and carrots to macaroni.
__Add mayonnaise and mix well.
__Sprinkle with paprika.
__Add salt and pepper to taste.
__Top with remaining, sliced hard-boiled egg.
Enjoy! :)
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Let's stay in touch . . .
I love to stay in touch with my readers. You can follow me on one or more of the venues listed below. Just click on the icon.
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Copyright 2000-2022 by MaryAnn Diorio.
All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You."
__Isaiah 26: 3 NKJV
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