Blog Archives
Divorce Is Not A Destination: A.A.C.T. In Joy!
In Divorce Is Not a Destination, Dr. Lisa Summerour presents a heartfelt exploration of divorce, drawing from her experiences and extensive work as a breakup and divorce coach. The book aims to transform the perception of divorce from a tragic end to a pivotal point of growth and self-discovery. Through personal anecdotes, practical exercises, and insightful reflections, Summerour encourages readers to embrace accountability, align their values, communicate effectively, and trust themselves as they navigate post-divorce life.
Dr. Summerour’s writing is both engaging and deeply personal. Her ability to share her vulnerabilities and triumphs makes the book relatable and inspiring. For example, her story of moving at the age of four due to her parents’ separation sets a poignant tone that many readers can empathize with. She doesn’t shy away from discussing the complexities of her multiple marriages and divorces, which adds a layer of authenticity to her guidance. The way she reframes these experiences, particularly through the concept of accountability, is empowering and refreshing.
One fantastic aspect of the book is the practical advice interwoven with personal stories. The chapters on creating alignment and clear communication were particularly impactful for me. Summerour’s emphasis on aligning one’s actions with personal values and her candid discussion on the importance of self-trust provide concrete steps for readers to follow.
The inclusion of cultural perspectives on marriage and divorce, such as the Mosuo’s walking marriage and Mauritanian divorce celebrations, offers a broader context that challenges traditional Western views. This enriches the reader’s understanding and fosters a more inclusive dialogue on what it means to be in a relationship and what it means to end one.
Divorce Is Not a Destination is a compelling read for anyone navigating the aftermath of a breakup or divorce. Dr. Summerour’s blend of personal narrative, cultural insights, and practical advice makes it a valuable resource. This book is particularly beneficial for those who feel stigmatized by their divorce or are struggling to rebuild their self-confidence.
Pages: 193 | ASIN : B0D226H11P
Little Ships: A Novel
Little Ships, by Sandra J. Scofield, offers a poignant exploration of grief, loss, and the delicate process of rediscovering joy in life. This novel is artfully composed, treating its characters with a tender yet determined touch that echoes Lynne Bryant’s The Mother Gene. Set in Oregon, the narrative centers on the Beckers and the Sunderssons, two families linked by the marriage of Nick Becker and Karin Sundersson. Nick, Karin, and their daughters, Juni and Tilde, form a close-knit unit. However, Karin’s sudden death uproots them to the Becker household—home to Nick’s parents, Eleanor and Walter, his sister Alison, and her daughter Fiona.
The story unfolds through their adjustments and accommodations, from reallocating space in the house to managing personal keepsakes like Karin’s jewelry and planning the girls’ weekends with their grandmother Helve. Eleanor, at 59, anticipates retirement but instead finds herself at the center of her family’s needs, embodying a quiet determination to nurture her granddaughters and support her son. Her efforts to reconcile with past resentments and cope with emerging family secrets add depth to her character and the family dynamics. Scofield’s narrative style combines clarity with evocative brevity, effectively painting vivid scenes and emotions without overwrought descriptions. The early chapters, laden with pathos, gradually transition to reveal the complex relationships within the family, offering insights into how everyday life can both challenge and heal those in mourning.
Little Ships stands out for its balanced portrayal of tragedy and the essential role of a supportive family network in fostering hope and resilience. This novel skillfully captures the myriad ways life’s everyday flow can both erode and soothe the sharp edges of grief.
Pages: 339 | ASIN : B0CT47B3K1
The Victorious Vagina – How To Beat A Player At His Game & Win At Self Love
Katie Slade’s The Victorious Vagina takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of modern relationships. Framed as a series of poems preceded by narrative segments, this memoir delves into the emotional rollercoaster experienced by a woman navigating the complexities of love and intimacy in today’s dating landscape. Through her book, Slade underscores the importance of self-love and caution in romantic engagements, offering a candid exploration of her own vulnerabilities and triumphs.
Slade’s writing style is both raw and evocative, adeptly capturing the fervor and despair of her relationships. While the directness of Slade’s language and the rich detail of her personal anecdotes are vivid and engaging, they create an immersive reading experience that vividly brings her emotional journey to life, allowing readers to feel a deep connection with her. The integration of narrative with poetry enriched the text and allowed me to deeply connect with the emotional context behind each poem. The themes are universal, but the execution feels distinctly personal, sometimes bordering on a diary-like confessional.
The Victorious Vagina presents intriguing ideas about gender dynamics, emotional labor, and the societal pressures shaping romantic interactions. I think Slade challenges the reader to reconsider what it means to engage in modern love, pushing against the commodification of intimacy.
Katie Slade’s memoir is a passionate call for self-empowerment in the realm of dating and relationships. I recommend it to readers who appreciate a straightforward and heartfelt exploration of personal growth and resilience. Those who enjoy poetic narratives that are deeply personal and anyone navigating the intricate world of modern relationships will find this book particularly resonant.
Pages: 128 | ASIN : B0BQ1JXPVD
Do Not Settle
The Virtuous Vagina – How To Leave Lust In The Dust & Find Clarity Through Chastity shares with readers the importance of focusing on self-love and self-worth over finding the perfect partner in life by sharing your personal exsperances and your journey to self-empowerment. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This was an important book for me to write because I see so many women desperate to find a meaningful relationship and settling for the wrong guys.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It’s so vital that we take good care of ourselves spiritually, mentally & physically. I want to remind women to prioritize these aspects of living. As women we often put everyone & everything before ourselves.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
At a young age, I made a decision that almost cost me my life. The poem that I wrote explains all that I went through, and because it is so personal, I wasn’t sure about including it in the book. In the end, I thought it was too perfect of an ending not to include it. None of my reviewers have commented on it, and I’ve been wondering if the message is getting through; I hope so.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
I want women to see the necessity of building oneself. Tapping into our creative abilities, our intellect & our spirituality can build an incredible personal foundation of happiness. Society has taught us to believe that we will meet a knight in shining armor, but even if we do, a princess still has to bring something to the table. So why not set a beautiful table and enjoy the bounty whether the prince shows up or not!
Beginning in the summer and ending by New Year’s, join Katie season after season as she navigates life as a New York entrepreuneur, full time employeee and a woman vetting the advances of these men. Grounded in her spirituality, Katie provides detailed insight to the significance of not letting our egos guide our decision making, but instead paying keen attention to the reasons why someone may not be the right partner. She gives her readers real life experiences in New York City, the need to take the high road when working with dysfunctional colleagues, and pointing out the need to truly understand and pour into ourselves as women to achieve what we desire out of life. This memoir encourages women not to wait for Mr. Right to fullfill our dreams, but to be Miss Right whether he shows up or not!
The Virtuous Vagina – How To Leave Lust In The Dust & Find Clarity Through Chastity
In Katie Slade’s candid memoir The Virtuous Vagina, Slade shares her transformative journey from being dismissed from a 15-year career to bravely venturing into entrepreneurship. The story delves into the intricacies of her transition from a stable 9-to-5 job to the unpredictable realm of building her own business, notably through the development of a mobile app. Throughout the book, readers are privy to Slade’s personal evolution, marked by various encounters that shape her perspective on life, love, and self-worth.
The narrative touches on contemporary social dynamics, particularly regarding attitudes towards sex and relationships. The author contrasts the present-day openness around sexuality with past conservatism, highlighting a shift towards more liberal attitudes. Slade’s story becomes a conduit for discussing the challenges women face in modern dating landscapes, including navigating toxic relationships and societal pressures.
Slade shares her struggles with men who range from a detrimental ex-boyfriend to those with purely physical intentions, emphasizing the importance of self-respect and caution in romantic pursuits. A central theme of the book is the encouragement of chastity and self-empowerment for women. The author’s experiences serve as a mirror to the often tumultuous and demanding nature of contemporary dating, where encounters with narcissistic or manipulative partners are not uncommon. The narrative advocates for women to recognize their worth, resist being objectified, and cultivate strong personal and spiritual foundations. Slade emphasizes the significance of pursuing personal and professional success and seeking partners aligned with one’s values and beliefs. I found myself drawn to the story of an ambitious woman navigating these complex societal norms. Slade’s journey is not only about her entrepreneurial aspirations but also her stance against the diminishing regard for values like chastity and fidelity in today’s society.
The Virtuous Vagina – How To Leave Lust In The Dust & Find Clarity Through Chastity balances serious themes with moments of romance and humor, creating a multifaceted reading experience. Discovering that this book is part of a series was a pleasant surprise, and I am eager to continue following Katie Slade’s journey in subsequent installments. The narrative offers a thought-provoking reflection on modern social mores, corporate culture, and the pursuit of personal authenticity.
Pages: 206 | ASIN : B0CQTJLZFZ
“Sunshine of Life”
TIP’S Magical Journey: The Ride of Discovery and Inspiration follows a young boy traveling on a train who meets people from all over the world and learns about their homelands. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for the story was from my father. He was a pharmacist in Center City Philadelphia in the 50s. On the weekends, I would get into bed with my parents, and he would tell me about Little Audrey – a girl without a home he engaged on the train.
I loved the Little Audrey stories and was actually jealous that she engaged with my Dad more than me. It was a true bonding with a working father. When I became a grandmother and had my first grandson, I switched Little Audrey to a boy. Years and years went by, and my grandson kept telling me he remembered those stories on a train, and I should write a book. My father was my first inspiration and grandson David was my second. I took my business, The Inspiration Project, and used the first letters of each word to form TIP.
Nine years ago, I started the not-for-profit, The Inspiration Project, where now 260,000 read my inspirations and over 110,000 follow me each day. I am the founder of this amazing company where I sent over 15,000 frames embedded with my inspirations to 12 charities – and I had at least 10 volunteers help me. The pandemic happened, and I was forced to switch gears. I have not taken any salary, and none of my volunteers did. I was privileged to be written up in the Philadelphia Inquirer and in the Jewish Exponent as a senior making a difference in Pennsylvania.
The artwork really stands out and allows the reader to immersed in the storyline, providing opportunities to enhance discussions with children. What was the collaboration process like with illustrator Jason Shiver?
The collaboration between Jason Shiver and me was wonderful. While my editor told me about Jason, I knew he would surround my dialogue with great pictures. And he delivered! We had a give-and-take with what Tip would look like; it was a joyful collaboration that I will cherish. I had an ongoing conversation with Jason with the pictures every couple of weeks – and I was blown away with his professionalism and his artistic skills. I hope Jason will agree to do my future books. He is a gem.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The educational aspects were many. First, I wanted a “clean” look to the book – no distractions – simple dialogue and equally simple pictures, but it had to be equally “friendly” to children who could not read yet. I was hoping the pictures would be important until a parent could read to the child and then the child could read the book themselves. It was important for me to talk about countries that people came from and get a sense of their mores and customs. It was important to talk about the food – which most children would recognize very freely as most go to restaurants. I researched a lot of the geographic aspects as I wanted children who may not travel to get a sense of other countries. I truly wanted the “sunshine of life” to tell children what other people are like, that to open our world to diversity and love would not make it scary and more friendly. I hoped that children reading this book would hold it close to them forever – and perhaps they could discover a world more open to them.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, it will be a series. The next book is going to my editor soon – It is Tip’s Birthday Bash, A Celebration of Friendship.
Tip is now 10 years old – his parents throw him his first party. His friends from the neighborhood are invited – it is a diverse neighborhood. The friends each bring a gift that is important to Tip as it is all about them as individuals. There is a dog mascot and at the end of the book, I tell what each of these children, through inspiration, become in their lifetime. However, a final aspect of the book is that Tip and his friends decide on a summer volunteer project which they all partake. There are the kids we hope are growing up now in our society – they bring love, friendship, and diversity to the lives of many. Many are foreigners where their parents are on visas and they live in Tip’s community. They will provide children to be open with others, provide a community volunteer program and continue on with inspiration for children’s lives.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | The Inspiration Project
The main character is Thaddeus Isaac Pendleton, but because that is a mouthful, he is called Tip. Tip, an 8 1/2 year old boy, rides a commuter train each day. He meets up with immigrants, travelers and learns much about them. Some are carrying tote bags with their homeland delicacies. The book celebrates the diversity, customs, and morals of those he meets. Just what America needs now. Tip’s journey is filled with youthful buoyancy and innocence. It has thoughtful lessons. There are 23 special illustrations in the 60-page book. The book also gives the reader the chance to find some of the many objects on the train. The story speaks of the importance of learning about the world you and paying attention to detail.
