Here lies the anatomy of the first Heartbreak.
But, take my advice, you can grow, you can heal, you can learn, no matter what. Just pick yourself up and keep going. ~My Review ~
This was short and definitely not sweet, but very raw read about being consumed with another person so much that they undeniably become a part of us, and then the heartbreak comes where we are forced to evaluate who we are before, and who we are after. It had moments where you sense the poet's epiphany about letting go of and wrapping herself up in the beauty and strength that is her. Lovely. I enjoyed the illustrations that went with this collection.
I had several favorites (my grey sky, Home Calls) but this one I loved the most, simply because I feel this sums her up from what I have observed of her on social media: I planted wildflowers in the cracks of my own armor. - I don't need you anymore I am free About the Author
McKayla DeBonis was born February 23rd, 1998.
She is a bookworm of a soul and realized that her mind was spinning with the same creativity of her beloved writers, leading to her own poetry, prose, and other writings. Her Hogwarts house is Hufflepuff and you'll definitely find her with a cup of coffee in her hand and her nose in a book at all times. You can find her on any social media platform as, mckayladebonis She also reviews books at mckayladebonis.com
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"I had just been told I was going to have twins: I absolutely had to cry, and at the same time I could only imagine someone must be playing an elaborate prank on me."
While it was definitely not a prank when the author found out she was having twins, it would not be the last time she cried (or looked for the hidden cameras) in the weeks and months ahead. The Day Between: A Memoir of Miracles weaves together the story of an ordinary military family whose twin girls have a long fight to birth, including a harrowing emergency surgery at 20 weeks. Mixed in with the tears of loss and heartbreak are the light-hearted emotions of encouragement and hope as the author shares the lessons she gains during her journey. Faith is tested as she mourns the death of one daughter, and faith is ultimately proven true in the miraculous birth of the other. This story will bring hope and healing to those who have dealt with grief and disappointment and help others recognize the miracles in their own lives Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/Day-Between-Memoir-Miracles-ebook/dp/B075XSGYVL/ ~ My Review ~
Knowing this author's story, I hesitated to read mainly because I knew my tears would come. And this morning, as dreary as a Wednesday in November in Texas can be, I finally sat down and read. It took me just a few hours to read through in one sitting but I did give myself little breaks here and there when the words started to be blurry. I wept through this memoir. I wept for her loss and grief but mostly, for her words. Her testimony that God will provide, that God is sufficient, that God is in control and that our children, aren't ours but God's children. I wept reading her love of Christ. This is what faith looks like, sounds like, reads like. And to have known just a fragment of her story and finally reading this entirety, I couldn't be more humbled by the grace and strength Abigail has shown throughout that season of loss.
This book isn't just for mothers who have experienced grief, though it is a comforting and lovely read. This book is for anyone who has been feeling "blinded" by all the things we see on the news and wondering where God is in this chaos and when will He step in? This is a testimony of being consumed with worry and fear creeping into our heart, all the while praying our "please please please please God" lowest of lows prayer that WE'VE ALL been on, and only in hindsight do we get to see He was right there in our chaos and hasn't really left us. We've just been so focused on other things. We focus on what we know, not what our Father knows. So thank you for your story, Abigail. To God be the Glory and to you, my book nerd fam, who has had your day of being broken, beaten down; your day of loss, of mourning, I will pray for you in your wait. I will pray for your "day between." About the Author
Abigail Wilson is a Christian memoirist and blogger. She lives in San Antonio, Tx with her husband, three children and a healthy dose of humor and caffeine to keep her company.
She loves traveling, sleeping, sitting on beaches without getting in the water and writing about herself in the third person for biography purposes.
Blow after blow has tried to knock her down, but Gaia is determined to fight till the end. Now Queen of Ica, the tables have turned. The hunter becomes the hunted as the balance of justice is forced to shift. As her name and actions begin to spread across the kingdoms, she sets out to wage war against the corrupt, and be the voice of the oppressed. Is her will strong enough to withstand? Or will it break?
~ My Review ~
Okay, so the last book I was a bit frustrated about the way it ended. I mean, seriously, nooooo. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait too long (2 months) before picking up book 2. Much like the first, this was fast paced. I enjoyed switching between the different characters and seeing their point of view and how they fit into this puzzle. We get to be inside some pretty twisted minds but I like knowing their back story and the desperation they feel to push them to the point where they are where they are. Gaia has matured from her experiences and she's going to be one bad a$$ Queen. I loved seeing her growth and you get the sense that she's only going to get stronger for whatever lies ahead.
There were surprises and plenty of action and twists and turns that I started to worry how Jennifer Rayes was going to tie it all up towards the end. Sadly and spoiler alert, there will be a continuation (I hope) to this madness. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.***
To read my review of Book 1, click here.
About the Author
Jennifer Rayes is a freelance author who enjoys writing on the weekends and evenings. Born in Michigan, she spent the first several years of her life there before moving to Lebanon. After obtaining her Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton, Ohio, she lived in Florida, Italy, Houston, France, Canada, and now resides in Abu Dhabi, with her Great Pyrenees, Koby.
Connect with the Author: http://jenniferrayes.wixsite.com/intricatedeceptions https://www.facebook.com/intricateseries/
“Spit-in water.”
“De-petaled flower.” “Chewed piece of gum.” The youth of my generation know these phrases by heart. With them, our elders told us we were “dirty” for having a crush. They claimed we were “used goods” if we held hands with someone. They insisted our worth was measured by the extent to which we had “given our heart away.” They criminalized affection to keep us “undefiled.” What happens when an entire generation learns that their worth is found in their “purity?” Welcome to life growing up in Christian Purity Culture. Our well-intended homeschooling, conservative, and Christian communities wanted to keep us safe. They didn’t understand the toll inflicted by the heavy-handed and legalistic emphasis on sexual purity above and beyond anything else. They wanted to safeguard our sexuality. Instead, they broke it. They wanted us to be spotless before God. Instead, they drove us away from Him. The Scarlet Virgins takes a vulnerable look at the Christian Purity Culture movement through the eyes of someone who experienced it firsthand. It seeks to identify what went wrong, and bring peace to the hearts of those who were wounded so deeply, all by exposing the truth: It is Christ who makes us pure. ~ My Review ~
Since my conservative Asian parents wouldn't have spoken to me about sex anyway, you could say that being friends with people who grew up in the Purity Culture impacted me directly. I too was familiar with the side hugs, the only watch PG or G rated movies and up until a few years ago, I owned a copy of Joshua Harris' I Kissed Dating Goodbye. I never wore a purity ring but I wanted to keep myself pure until marriage.
Fast forward until I was 23 and living on my own with roommates, I had a few eye opening experiences, though thankfully, my experiences were all with my now-husband. But it was the after that always stuck with me. The feelings that I was used goods. That God doesn't love me. That I was too "dirty" to be loved. By anyone. I remember crying about it over my Bible and for a long time, I felt so unloved that I committed the "ultimate sin" (in my eyes), that my world spiraled out of control and I stopped going to church. I know I tended to be dramatic but my college thought was, 'guess I'm going to Hell, might as well do things that I never got to experience, including drinking alcohol or going to my first club. Things that your normal average college girl would do, yes, but you'd have to understand how much the "Culture" molded me. I also believed that I had to marry this guy now since I sinned with him and thankfully, I'm still very much in love with my husband, but can you imagine? I should have read this book 15 years ago. I should have been able to tell my 23 year old self that God loves you because you are His child. As a mother, I get it. But for someone who grew up with the Purity Culture -even indirectly- it would take YEARS, a lot of prayers to fully understand that in spite of everything, I will fall short, I will fail BUT GOD will continue to love me. Rebecca takes some of her personal experiences and those of her peers, and the things learned in the Purity Culture and lays out its flaws and the effects. She speaks with grace and understanding. I can't recommend this book enough, especially to MY peers who grew up in the Purity Culture and are now raising children in this current society. I was fortunate to have received this book for free, but I will be purchasing a hard copy that one day, I'll get to share with both my son and daughter. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the Author
Oklahoma native Rebecca Lemke grew up in a tiny conservative homeschooling community. She has learned firsthand that the manner in which we approach modesty and purity can be the difference between life and death, both spiritually and physically. As the result of her deep-seated belief in holistic living, which includes holistic spirituality and sexuality, she strongly advocates for Christ to be our ultimate focus.
Rebecca has written a book entitled The Scarlet Virgins about her experience with legalism, spiritual abuse, and Purity Culture. She also releases podcasts on the same subjects at scarletvirgins.com. Rebecca now lives with her husband and toddler, enjoying the simple things in life with them, like root beer and bacon. Just thirteen-years-old, Kusiima has no time for school, sports, or hanging out with the other boys in his African village. With no father or mother to take care of him, he works long hours to support his grandmother and sickly baby sister. Then one day, Kusiima s life suddenly changes when he travels into a nearby protected forest. In the forest, Kusiima is presented with many choices, all with uncertain outcomes. Should he go along with illegal logging? Help to save an endangered baby gorilla? Follow a donkey to who knows where? With each choice, Kusiima has to make yet another decision about what is right in front of him. As he does, he meets a mysterious doctor who holds the key to his past and his future. In the end, Kusiima is faced with the hardest choice of all. Can he forgive a great wrong and heal a broken relationship? Readers of all ages won t want to put down this exciting book that addresses current realities like AIDS, malnutrition, and environmental destruction, all set in a richly detailed African adventure story. Following along as Kusiima makes his decisions, readers will find themselves considering their own choices and growing in empathy for others. This action-packed tale of a boy, his sister, and an orphaned gorilla is also a clear call to give up bitterness and forgive deep hurts, restoring broken lives and relationships. A Forest, a Flood, and an Unlikely Star is the third book in the Rwendigo Tale Series and follows Book One, A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest, and Book Two, A Bird, a Girl, and a Rescue. ~ My Review ~This was a lovely story that instantly pulled me in. I cried over Kusiima's eagerness to hear his grandmother tell him about his mother and their past, only to be met with the honesty and realities of what their life was then, and what uncertainties their life has now. Although, like most adolescents, you feel his stubbornness and struggles and fears, you also sense the transition period of understanding and hope and willingness towards the end. This book had adventure and life lessons that I appreciated and enjoyed. I especially loved the little illustrations sprinkled throughout the book. This was a good story for the young and a great reminder for us adults. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the AuthorJ. A. Myhre serves as a doctor with Serge in East Africa where she has worked for over two decades. She is passionate about health care for the poor, training local doctors and nurses, promoting childhood nutrition and development, and being the hands of Jesus in the hardest places. She is married to her best friend and colleague Scott, and together they have raised four children for whom many of her stories were written as Christmas presents. Find out more about J.A. at http://paradoxuganda.blogspot.com. **For more about this tour with Litfuse Publicity or about the book, or author, please visit:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/JAMyhre How many times today have you been irritated? Frustrated? While you might not think about it often, if you look closely at any day most everyone can find anger in their actions and attitudes. Something spills or goes missing, we get stuck in traffic or someone cuts us off on the road, or we feel like the people we live and work with are only making our lives more difficult. And while no one wants to get angry, what happens when our irritations and frustrations rise yet again? Anger is so common-yet it also hurts. It not only leaves a mark on us, but it also leaves a marks on others. The wounds we inflict on ourselves and others because of anger-loss of intimacy, trust, security, and enjoyment in our closest relationships-give us compelling reasons to look closely at our anger and think carefully about how to grow in peace and patience. But if you, like many others, have just gotten irritated for the umpteenth time today, you might wonder if change is possible. Can anyone truly find peace? The answer is yes, but you will need a plan. Biblical counselor and psychologist Ed Welch invites readers to take a fifty-day journey that unpacks anger while encouraging and teaching readers to respond with patience to life's difficulties. Readers will also be introduced to Jesus, the key to any plan for change. Known as the Prince of Peace, he is the only one who can empower his people to grow in patience, peace, and wholeness. Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Book-about-Big-Problem-ebook/dp/B076DHKTZT/ http://stores.newgrowthpress.com/a-small-book-about-a-big-problem/ ~ My Review ~"To be human is to get angry." I'm the first to admit that I have anger issues. Over the years, whenever I feel it threatening to bubble up, I've learned to take deep breaths and count to five. Thankfully, it's never resulted in violence but words carry lasting impacts. Some days are better than others. So I was so excited to get my hands on this book to learn how to channel my emotions properly. This is a 50 day guide that lets the reader internalize the effects that anger has on themselves and others, and finding root causes of anger. While I read this in a few days and connected with his message, I'd like to go back and truly focus on each chapter/day for the full 50 days. I recommend this for anyone seeking to better their emotions but to let God in and let Him comfort and ease our frustrations. I connected with this statement, "The rule is this: wherever you start—anger, guilt, selfish desire, contrition, or a desire to reform yourself—end with God and his goodness." ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the AuthorEdward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He earned a Ph.D. in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over thirty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. Find out more about Edward at http://stores.newgrowthpress.com. **For more about this tour with Litfuse Publicity or about the book, or author, please visit:
http://litfusegroup.com/author/EWelch ~My Review~This actually came to me at a great time! I follow a poet online and one of the things that she likes to do is start her day journaling. Except in her journal, she writes "I am a success. I am going to do this...etc." This short book reads like affirmations and that idea that if you wrap yourself up with this goal that you are already there or basically telling yourself that you are a success, then your dreams will manifest itself. As a poet, I came to appreciate the encouraging words that sounded whimsical in pacing but gutted out in truths. This is a short read but it took me a few days to go through it, not because of the style or format but I wanted to fully grasp each "rule" and find out where I can and should apply them to my life. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the AuthorMatshona Dhliwayo is a Canadian based Philosopher, Entrepreneur, and author of books such as The Little Book of Inspiration, Creativity, The Book, 50 Lessons Every Wise Mother Teaches Her Son, 100 Lessons Every Great Man Wants You to Know, and Lalibela's Wise Man. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7978664.Matshona_Dhliwayo Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatshonaD?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matshona.dhliwayo The chapbook explores our diverse society, exploring taboo subjects, people and events which, in turn, repulse and intrigue us. 'THIS IS NOT A SPECTACLE' is the first anthology from Fly on the Wall Poetry. Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/THIS-NOT-SPECTACLE-Isabelle-Kenyon-ebook/dp/B075D86TBS (kindle) https://www.amazon.com/This-Spectacle-Isabelle-Charlotte-Kenyon/dp/1976074894/ www.amazon.com/This-Spectacle-Isabelle-Charlotte-Kenyon/dp/1976074894/(paperback) ~My Review~I love poetry in that it draws you in almost immediately. It uses emotions to spin an entire world for you and either lifts you up with encouragement or transport you to new places, new sounds, sights and smells. The visual in this chapbook was stunning. I saw it, "the corpse body of children with their ballooned stomachs," from the poem, Mumbai and "We are drink, we are music; we are pretending, we are stumbling, we are lost -" from Teenagers at a Bus Stop. Each poem felt like a snapshot that may have derived from the poet's own experiences. Perhaps, she felt a pull to some of these places and used that emotional tug to pen anger or a passerby's quick interpretation of a culture. Very well done. My complaint that I shared with the poet was that I wish it was longer. I'm excited to see that it's part of a volume and can't wait to read where she takes me to next. Great job, Isabelle Kenyon for creating something that made me feel like I was there as the person whose lens you used and being simultaneously drawn into this world with horrified fascination and knowing that "this is not a spectacle" for me to witness. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the AuthorIsabelle Kenyon is a Greater Manchester based poet and a graduate in Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance from the University of York.
Her poems have been published in many poetry anthologies, such as the Inkyneedles anthology, the Great British Write Off, the Wirral festival of Music, Speech and Drama, The Tiny Tales anthology and the Festival of Firsts, as well as achieving third place in the Langwith Scott Award for Art and Drama. Her microchapbook, published by Origami Poetry Press will be out soon! Social Media: https://inkyizzy4.wixsite.com/flyonthewallpoetry https://www.facebook.com/flyonthewallpoetry/ After his father passes away, Christian is denied his inheritance, disowned by his brothers, and thrown out of the family mansion. Life takes a terrible turn until he embarks on a life changing trip to Ethiopia to meet Lalibela’s wisest man. ~ My Review ~For such a short read, this was heavy with wisdom and littered with inspiration. Given today's culture, we should do well to take a step back and look at the bigger picture instead of being emotional at the moment. I understood the paradox as the monk softly challenged Christian. Some challenges were more physical than others, such as hunting for food, or carrying buckets of water. But others could be learned in the midst of children playing or as even as simple as eating a meal that we don't care for. This was a simple and beautiful read that surprised me at the end. We may not all have the circumstances or fortune to fly across the world to Ethiopia but Dhliwayo's words takes you there and for a brief while, lets you in on the secrets of Lalibela's Wise Man. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the AuthorMatshona Dhliwayo is a Canadian based Philosopher, Entrepreneur, and author of books such as The Little Book of Inspiration, Creativity, The Book, 50 Lessons Every Wise Mother Teaches Her Son, 100 Lessons Every Great Man Wants You to Know, and Lalibela's Wise Man. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7978664.Matshona_Dhliwayo Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatshonaD?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matshona.dhliwayo Ominous words from the stone-faced physician at the temporary hospital greet her: "Welcome to hell, Miss James." No description could be more accurate. Earthquake, tsunami, and fire have razed Messina, Sicily. In a single night in 1909, one hundred thousand people never wake up. Physician Lucille James is determined to help despite horrendous conditions, almost non-existent medical supplies, and the opposition of the medical community she worked so hard to join. Giovanni Castello, the man facing her now, stands as her biggest opponent. Surrounded by blood and death and pushed to the edge of exhaustion, Lucille relies on God as her only option. When God gives a gift, after all, a person must use it. Will she have the strength, courage, and faith to do so? Messina - Book 1 in the Casa Bella Chronicles Liz Galvano has been writing since she was a little girl. Her stories combine old style adventure and romance with a dash of humor. She loves family, food, animals, and all things Italian. Liz lives with her husband Jeff, two rambunctious dogs, two entitled cats, and a horse who thinks she's a princess. Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/Messina-Book-Casa-Bella-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B017DVVUEI/ https://www.amazon.com/Messina-Liz-Galvano/dp/1498453074/ ~My Review~Truly this is one of those "do not judge the book by its cover." The cover, for me at least, looks plain, a little lacking and something I would have passed over in a bookstore. But within these pages contains rich Italian languages and words that flowed so easily they were able to transport me to Italy in just a few short paragraphs. What a wonderful story of redemption, hope and faith amidst the destruction. Perhaps because of the recent devastation of Puerto Rico and seeing it in person after Hurricane Harvey, I could see the images so vividly. As a believer, all I could do during the storm was pray and my faith in God and His people continued to give me hope as I saw neighbors helping neighbors. God is there in the rubble. I was pulling for Giovanni and hoped that I would read his testimony.....and Liz didn't disappoint. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. I can't wait to read both Giovanni and Lucille's continuing story! This was more than just a slow budding romance, more than a look at societal norms in the early 20th century, more than just a tragedy......this was what hope and faith reads like in the devastation of Messina. ***I received this book in exchange for an honest review. However, these thoughts and opinions are my own. I'm not required to write a positive review.*** About the AuthorLiz Galvano has been writing since she was a little girl. Her stories combine old style adventure and romance with a dash of humor. She loves family, food, animals, and all things Italian. Liz lives with her husband Jeff, two rambunctious dogs, two entitled cats, and a horse who thinks she’s a princess. |
Book Pick:I use Goodread's rating scale1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK 3 stars – liked it 4 stars – really liked it 5 stars – it was so amazing, it's on my reread pile! Categories
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