 Uncaged Wallflower is for those who feel trapped in the thoughts their minds produce, unable to express them with the rest of the world out of fear of critique or disagreement. For the people who need an extra dose of positivity in their day. This is not a poetry book for you to read and relate to in a sorrow filled way. It is for you to read and say yes, I can be better, and I will. ~ My Review ~It took me a few days to read this short collection but I feel like it needed to be that way. I wanted some of Jennae Cecelia's words to not just flow over through me, but to live inside my heart for a bit. Plus, I didn't want to rush into a collection that clearly needed to have moments of self reflection. I've become such a fan in her work and I'm probably (most likely) reading her collection of out of order. But I'm a firm believer that nothing in life is coincidence and this book of encouragement need to be in my hands. Most of us, at some point in life, look at the edge of this great beginning to something and hesitate. What if I fail? What if this is what my family and friends laugh at me or be upset with this leap? If some of my life experiences have taught me, it is this: you will fail. You will be laughed at, mocked and some people will be upset......but you know what? It's YOUR LIFE. Whose life are you living for right now? I am in awe that in her age, she understands this. She tells us this in multiple poems, in between lines, and phrases. I'm about to be 35 years old. In my early 20s, I was still living for my parents' goals and expectations of me. In my early 20s, I was "fine" being in the background. I was "fine" keeping the peace as I was shy but, it's funny that being a mama has changed me. You would think I appreciate fading in the back and letting my children bask in the light. But isn't parenting and to some extent, how your children behave, a reflection of you? I don't want them to stay silent and live in regret later in life. I want them to grow up knowing that yes, things are still possible; yes, things can be painful but those scars of words and hurt left behind tell our stories of where we were and serves as a reminder of who we are now. I want to tell them, yes, "speak your thoughts." It's also okay to be want to stay in the background just as long as you no one but you put yourself there. I've only learned to be an "uncaged wallflower" myself.....and now I've taken a leap and still learning to fly. *one of my favorite ones but there are just so many here: Caged I felt bad for the bird in its cage. Looking out at the blue sky and trees. Because I too felt like I was looking at something I wanted but couldn't have. Until you were the one the one to set me free. About the Author Jennae Cecelia is the self-published and best selling author
of the poetry books, Bright Minds Empty Souls and Uncaged Wallflower. She has developed a strong passion for writing uplifting poetry that encourages her readers to reach their full potential. I Am More Than a Daydream is the next book in the positive poetry series titled, JC Collection. To get in touch with the author: Website: jennaececelia.com Instagram: @Jennaececelia Twitter: @JennaeCecelia
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 Being a mother isn't easy. Sometimes it's hard to experience a personal connection with God and community when you are caught up in the chaos of just "doing family". Independent and self-sufficient, author Betsy Singleton Snyder lived a full and busy life as a pastor, missionary, and wife to a husband who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. She had her first child at age 44, then at 47, she found out she was carrying triplets. Suddenly finding herself overwhelmed is an understatement. Stepping on Cheerios is a collection of funny, warm, and charming tales from the frontlines of parenthood, written for women who are juggling to accomplish everyday feats of work, motherhood, marriage, church, and more. It's a comical story of one woman's realization that her crazy life is a gift and how she found the grace in it. Discover God's grace in the busyness of motherhood. ~ My Review ~I needed to read this book a year ago when I was knee deep in prayers and needed a way out of my life. I had postpartum depression when my son was born last year, which stemmed from the anxiety of having a first born who was in the NICU for six weeks of her life. I had preeclampsia with both and although he didn't spend nearly as much time in the NICU as his older sis, he still spent 11 days in there. I was a wreck, as you can imagine and reading some of Betsy Singleton Snyder's memories conjured up my own. I remember the pressure of pumping milk for both. I remember well-intentioned friends and family that would come in and out of our lives that were both lovely to have but internally, I was screaming. Motherhood is hard. Period. It's messy and only in looking back at our parenting mistakes do we learn to appreciate the messes and find God's comforting hands in the thick of it all. I found myself both entertained at Snyder's words and nodding along, as if I needed some validation that I'm okay. My children are okay. And our household will more than likely be messy for a long time but God's love, and grace keeps us together when we're seemingly the only ones in the planet to not have picture/social media style lives. I appreciated Snyder's candor and found her disorganized thought pattern matched my own haphazardness views of motherhood messes and truths and faith....... but then again, perhaps we've both been Stepping on (too many) Cheerios. *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 Betsy Singleton Snyder, author of Stepping on Cheerios, is a pastor, former missionary to the arts community, writer, and blogger. She and her husband, Dr. Vic Snyder, who formerly served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 14 years, live in Arkansas with their four sons, Penn (10) and triplets Wyatt, Sullivan, and Aubrey (8). Visit her online at WomenadeStand.com.  One grand prize winner will receive:
 Book 3 (2017) Korina goes to Aburkia to fight; she schemes and meddles in Uruk, causing the demise of the Kassarov’s rule. Princess Jana is still waiting for Alexis to notice her, while her sister Marika, on a whim steals his heart with a reckless kiss. The Calaisian armies are on the brink of total defeat when the ‘girl with hair the color of the sun’ joins up with the ‘death warrior,’ and together they bring the war to a favorable conclusion. Marika is deposed and thrown into an Urukian dungeon, forcing Alexis to mount a rescue attempt. Jana, spurned by Alexis, marries Daghbi, the new Sultan, and moves to Arabia. More on the Adventures of the Danube Sisters Book 1 (2016) Princess Jana finds the restraints placed upon her gender unacceptable. She enters a race that is for men only and wins it. Her success causes a ruckus, and she’s insulted. Alexis, a young man Jana has fallen in love with comes to her rescue and kills the Crown Prince of Astoria, starting a war. Marika is engaged to Alexis. Jana rebels against family authority, and leaves home in search of adventure. When Beatrice, their mother is kidnapped by Marcus the wizard, and locked in an Urukian tower, Marika joins an effort to free her, and faces the dragon guarding her mother. Samara kills a man in cold blood. Jana crosses the Dorrian desert and enters the forbidden zone.  Book 2 (2016) Queen Samara meets with Mistofeles, the cave devil and collects a set of riddles to do with impending doom. Jana and Alexis decide to conquer the territory of Aburkia, a wild and mystical land inhabited by ghouls, dragons, and Soira, a young sorceress who keeps a man she likes locked in a room. Marika plans to hunt one of Soira’s dragons, but the sorceress is tipped off, and she kidnaps her. The Arabs invade Calais, they defeat the forces under Alexis. He escapes to fight again, and rides towards Aburkia. When the war spills into her territory, she, Alexis, Jana, and Marika, together with an army of ghouls and dragons battle the sandmen. More books from the AuthorThe Adventures of Alex Perez
Book 1 (2009) The Misadventures of Alex Perez - This is the story of Alex Perez, a Panamanian immigrant from Texas who travels through Mexico and Guatemala with his fiancé' and his obstinate future mother-in-law. Along the way they encounter a slew of colorful characters, including two young Mexican kids on the lam, a lustful priest, a drunken boat captain and his blind first mate, and a police officer who owns several whorehouses. This is a satirical and humorous take on the clash of cultures between north and south of the U.S border. Book 2 (2012) The Amorous Antics of Alex Perez - The story of a Panamanian lothario who tries to find high ground. Throughout his surrealistic European journey, Alex is always in the company of men who chastise his immoral behavior, and women who encourage it. While recuperating in a Paris hospital from two gunshot wounds, God invades his dreams, and shows him what heaven and hell are going to be for him. Then he tells Alex that the Grim Reaper has his name. Knowing God is giving him a second chance, he decides to behave and walk the high moral road. Playing it safe, he leaves Paris and goes to Munich. Unable to escape temptation there, he flees to Switzerland. Then while on a train going to Zurich, he meets Helga, a lonely, innocent widow. Book 3 (2013) Alex Perez’ Mexican Adventures - A hilarious, bawdy, and politically incorrect novel about Alex, a destitute Panamanian scoundrel who tries to better himself by going into business taking American tourists into Mexico on a Mayan archeological tour. What happens to him, his crew, and his customers will make Murphy’s Law look tame. Book 4 (2016) Alex Perez Goes to Afghanistan - The story of Alex, an immigrant from Panama who is employed by a Texas newspaper. He is invited to interview Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader hiding in the Kondoz Mountains. As he travels to the rendezvous point, his group is taken over by an American army colonel who is obsessed with capturing the Mullah, and collecting the bounty on his head. About the Author Alberto Arcia is the Panamanian Humorist from Texas, and he is best known for penning the bawdy, funny, and politically incorrect series about Alex Perez, a man enamored with the female form. Alberto left his native Panama in 1964 and settled in Texas, where he still resides. Arte Publico Press, out of the University of Houston published his first Alex novel, Cut and Run, in 2009 - Arcia is new to the fantasy genre. You may be curious as to why a writer who prefers to write books for adults goes into fantasy for young and new adults. The answer is available in his website: www.albertoarcia.com, in Alberto’s Corner. The Adventures of the Danube Sisters is a series for Young and New Adults. It’s a cradle to grave story about two sisters who defy a male dominated world. To see Alberto’s books of short stories, please log into his website: www.albertoarcia.com
The Thousand Tiny Miracles of Living Twice
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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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May 2023
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