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The Joy of Second Chances

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What is your favorite Christmas memory? Christmas? You can't be thinking about this holiday already it only nearly Halloween for goodness sake! Still, did you know that Christmas is a little less than 75 days away? So, back to the memory question? Have you ever taken a sleigh ride? I am talking about real one - in the snow drawn by horses with sleigh bells and all? Cindy Woodsmall 's new book " The Sound of Sleigh Bells " makes me feel nostalgic for just such a Christmas. Although, living in Southern California I am more than likely not going to have that type of Christmas it is still a beautiful picture to conjure in relation to this wonderful time of year. Enough about the season and on to the book. A touching novel that brings about a great deal of "letting go and letting God". At some point in our lives we have all experienced loss or regret and perhaps held on to those feelings of pain. The idea of second chances and starting over are sometimes thi...

"Not in your Best Interest"

--> There have been numerous times where I have heard friends, family, coworkers, and others make the comment, “ I would not do it if I did not want to .” In fact, in my recent post where I debated about starting to read a new book for review I fought this same battle. I didn’t buy the book; do “I” really want to read it? Are we truly a society that has become so self centered that we will not step outside of ourselves to do things that are in the best interests of others instead of ourselves? This question hit me smack in the face, like a bucket of cold water, while I read the new book that I am sharing with you today. The reference to cold water is important because it literally woke me up from this complaining, feeling sorry for myself, imitation of a ‘care for others’ life that I tend to believe that I lead. What do I really know about those charities that I safely send money too? Who is the last person that I visited at a hospital or respite home? Do I do things tha...

Happy by Friday!

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"Kids spell love: T-I-M-E (Leman, 2013)." The most profound statement I have read in a long time. Kids do not really want things - they want time. Let's face it time is the one item we do not have in abundance today. Instead we have jobs or careers, school, recreation activities, sports teams, lunch dates, social dates, dinner dates, birthday parties (oh the birthday parties!).  We are "hamsters running on wheels (Leman, 2013)." But time? Who has time? After reading Kevin Leman's (2013) new book: Have a Happy Family by Friday , I learned that I have time. In fact, I have all it takes to have a happy family by today! Leman will help you too. His steps are simple, heart-felt and trust me - you can do this. One word of warning, his book hits the heart and you will both laugh and cry. However, read this book this holiday season. Put down the novel or the latest biography and give the best gift of all to your family: Time!

Mind over Medicine

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Great new book: Mind over Medicine! After a year long passionate, overwhelming diabolical with health, illness, food, Doctors and you name it I stumbled on Lissa's Ted Talk ! WOW.  I had to read Mind over Medicine. I had to learn this theory. Instead! I learned a whole lot about myself, happiness, loneliness, vulnerability, success, the spirit, and creativity. The whole health Carin just makes complete sense in my mind. In fact, as I listen to family and friends talk, I hear stories that relate to the Carin nearly daily. Understanding the Health Carin perspective is immensely valuable to generating the parasympathetic system's healing power. I have recommended Lissa's book to so many! When you find a great read you just have to share it . Everyone deserves to be Healthy! As you get ready for some great holiday time for extra reading, here is a great read to keep in mind: Mind over Medicine .  Enjoy!

At the top of my "to read later" pile...

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I am not currently reviewing a book/author or even reading Christian fiction at the moment. It is an interesting break from the normal and I am enjoying selecting the titles right now. Since I rarely read in the secular market it is often difficult for me to find authors that are enjoyable or to my tastes. In May or perhaps early of this year I was lent a copy of Twilight by Stephanie Meyers . Wait! Hold on! If you are completely rolling your eyes at this point and believe that I have joined the teen band wagon let me get just a few words in edgewise here. Thank you. As I was saying, I was lent a copy of Twilight a while back. I had no real desire to read it because, as you, I had no desire to join the throng of teens and even pre-teens obsessing over this book/saga. The copy I had received was at the top of my "to read later" pile, so I picked it up and turned to page one. Please understand that I am not a fan of Vampires or even that sort of thriller market. I enjoy ...

Scared?

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Are you ready? No, seriously are you ready? Because the book that I am about to recommend to you is a bone tingling, blood curling thriller and usually not my type. Yes, I like a good mystery. I like a nice level of intense suspense. But ouch when it comes to horrific gore - well that is not usually my thing.  Then I was casually strolling the shelves of the bookstore and noticed the front cover looked interesting. Never read this author: Steven James. Hmm, sounds enticing. Bought it, opened page one, and two days later ready to buy book #2. Warning: If you are of a timid nature this is no book for you. Trust me, the first night I didn't sleep too well and I am still locking my doors and peering around corners.

It is finished!

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Sadly book three has come and gone and I am in a certain state of missing both Katniss and Peeta. Gale, hmmm. Something about Gale left me wondering if his story would surface someday? If you have no clue what I am talking about I recommend you run out and purchase all three books! Do it now before the movie. Don't let Hollywood create your first impressions of this storyline. The details in the books are too vast and the story too painful. Trust me! You will miss so much. Don't forget to come back and let me know what you think - Will Gale rise up to tell his side? Part of me hopes so!