Blog Archives
Blessed Beyond Measure
![Blessed Beyond Measure: Getting back to the Basic of what we were called to be by [K. Denise McQueen]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UJqmN0gXL.jpg)
There are many life lessons to be learned from the Holy Bible and messages readers and believers can apply to their most trying situations. From relationships to remaining faithful believers in Christianity, the Bible can sometimes be difficult to interpret, and some passages have as many interpretations as they have readers. Blessed Beyond Measure, by K. Denise McQueen, is one woman’s work based on scripture and life experience. From being virtuous to having a forgiving spirit, McQueen covers a vast array of life’s dilemmas head-on and with scripture in mind.
Blessed Beyond Measure, by K. Denise McQueen, is filled with quotes from the Bible as well as quotes from inspirational speakers like former President Barack Obama. In each of McQueen’s chapters, she tackles an ethical dilemma or an aspect of relationships based on scripture and adds her own opinions throughout. Though I don’t agree with some of her thoughts on making sure the man is the one making decisions in the household, she does make some valid points about self-worth and being humble.
I was expecting a book rooted in the Bible and focused on general life advice but found this to be more of a text designed to advise women in their relationships. Peppered throughout the book is valuable commentary on self-respect, how to treat others, and how to live a life with purpose. The bulk of the book is centered on the choices one must make in order to begin a romantic relationship and how to maintain a strong marriage.
With a few organizational and grammatical issues aside, I think that Blessed Beyond Measure has strong messages that come from the heart, each of them valuable in different ways and K. Denise McQueen’s passion for life and faith shines through every chapter. This is an inspirational book that motivates readers to live a God first life.
Pages: 90 | ASIN: B07C33V2Z4
I’ll Remember April
![I'll Remember April by [Jean Murray Munden]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gsDqQTUSL.jpg)
I’ll Remember April is an emotional novel of a love that cuts across seventy years and three generations. Louise Ferris, an old lady at present, dotes on her granddaughter who is distraught about her recent romantic dilemma. The situation with her granddaughter makes Louise remember her own romantic encounters and reflect on her life and all the things that she has gone through with her family. This epic family saga reaches as far back as World War I. I’ll Remember April is a passionate novel that shows the ups and downs of love, life and how family is at the intersection of both.
Jean Murray Munden’s novel addresses issues of real love in a real world, devoid of an fairy-tale ideals of romance. Most authors talk of lovers who meet, have one challenge, overcome it and live happily-ever-after, but not Jean Murray Munden. In this book, Jean explores love, lust and infidelity from the different perspectives of diverse and intricately developed characters. The Story of Lulu is a good example; she is in love with Bruce and they are engaged to be married but what happens when she meets another guy whom she likes and can’t stop thinking about? Will Lulu be able to remain loyal to Bruce? These characters and their problems create self contained mini dramas that are captivating all on their own.
The author also addresses the pain of losing a loved one and the everlasting trauma. When Louise Ferris and Harriet lost their partners, their lives are changed forever. The emotion is authentic and palpable. For instance, Harriet dived into work, church and charity events in order to escape the pain. This happens to the extent her own mother thinks she is boring and her niece thinks she will go into a retirement home before her mother. Through Louise Ferris’ point of view it is clear she has never gotten over her husbands’ death and she never will.
The author has used simple language to present a timeless story to readers. I’ll Remember April is a love song to families. it is a touching story that shows things as they are, not how they could have been. I enjoyed the well researched references to the past, but I was mostly wrapped up in the characters and their lives from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book.
Pages: 380 | ASIN: B07PHVV57N
Bully Friends – Trailer
Written by a woman who dealt with bullying and bully friendships during grade school, Bully Friends teaches everyone (even the bully!) about how dangerous bully friendships really are. This book covers everything from defining what a bully friend is to how to heal from a bully friend relationship. Along the way, Kay Kay shares personal stories of her heartbreaking experiences with bully friends and how she went on to find herself and form healthy relationships now and in the future.
Four Years of Despair
![Four Years of Despair by [Morrison, Jalesa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/416qedGDJ7L.jpg)
Four Years of Despair by Jalesa Morrison is a youth/teenage story that touches upon sensitive topics, such as mental health, bullying, and family issues. Jaunell Morris is a teenage girl that doesn’t fit in at school or at home, and has a lot of issues. She has trouble communicating with her family, her teachers and with making friends. Everyone around her is baffled by her outbursts and her violent episodes. Her school gives up on her and she is transferred to a different school, where things get even worse.
Jaunell is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and she is in and out of hospitals all the time. Her situation is made worse by her parents’ bad marriage, her poor relationship with her older sisters and the rejection she feels from her extended family. Her only ally is her grandmother, and one of the nurses from the hospital where she’s treated. Eventually, the nurse is the one that helps her secure a place at a much better mental health treatment facility. These are heavy emotional issues, but the book ends on a hopeful note.
This book has the courage to shed light on a lot of difficult issues: mental health in teenagers, dysfunctional families, poverty, lack of access to proper education, social services and healthcare. It’s an authentic and powerful radiography of our society and how its most vulnerable members (youth, minorities, poor people) have the cards stacked against them.
The devastation that mental health issues bring into a person’s life is depicted well inJaunell’s story. However, sometimes I felt that the insights into Jaunell’s motivations, actions and reactions are not detailed enough. The book would have benefited from a deeper incursion into the complexities of Jaunell’s mental issues. I would’ve also liked to have read more about Jaunell’s mother and her relationship with her grandmother. The details of their relationship could’ve provided more insight on the family dynamics and how it affected Jaunell.
As someone who has experienced living with a person who is bipolar I would definitely recommend reading Four Year of Despair by Jalesa Morrison as this book is a real eye opener as to what people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder go through in their day to day activities. This book would be a great influence to teens who are going through this but may be confused as to why they handle their emotions different than others.
Pages: 234 | ASIN: B07R5DKMMZ
Fulfilling Relationships
Krystal Kolnik Author Interview
Lessons from the Frogs I’ve Kissed is a heart-wrenching and personal story of love and loss. Why was this an important book for you to write?
“If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” –Toni Morrison
The writing and sharing of my story became a significant journey of healing for me. I felt the universe was fully supporting my writing as the memories were downloaded and I was able to recall the most intricate detail and communicate my feelings and memories in relatable words. I realised then that not only was this book meant to be written as part of my own healing process, but that it also needed to be shared with others, as there are plenty of people out there who could benefit from the lessons I had learned. This truly was the book I wish I had when I was going through any one of my painful break-ups at any given time. During the process I realised the more honest, raw and authentic I was with myself, the more relatable my story would be. So I threw myself under the bus a few times, in order to make sure this is not a one sided, man hating tale, as there were always two people in the equation. It has been written with cringe-worthy honesty and dashes of humour to keep a somewhat heavy subject matter light and enjoyable.
I appreciated your willingness to share difficult moments in your life. What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you?
One piece of advice that I wish someone had given me is that we tend to fall in love with our partners potential. We keep hoping and waiting for our situation to improve. What we don’t realise is that is just the kind of cake we bake with our partners, and that our relationships are unlikely to change into the fulfilling relationships we are hoping for. The dynamics between two people is set in the beginning. You will not magically be attracted to someone or earn their respect if it was not there from the onset.
You detail an abusive and destructive relationship, but I found the book to be ultimately uplifting. What do you hope readers take away from your story?
I really hope to give my readers perspective on their own relationships, whether they are good or bad ones, just something to compare them to. I also wish to give hope, hope that true love and happiness does exist. One of my big realisations was that in order to meet someone who could genuinely love me and I love them, I had to find self-love first, and I think this was one of my most valuable lessons.
One of my readers stopped me in the local shopping centre to let me know since reading my book she had the full realisation that she is married to a Pete, and she is now certain she needs to get out of her marriage, When I hear feedback like this I know my book is here for a reason.
What is the next book that you are writing and when will it be available?
I had to laugh when I was first asked this question. My book hadn’t been been out for three days after working on it for almost 5 years and people were already wanting to know when they could expect my next book. I had a rather sticky court case recently when I was sued for parental alienation. There is definitely a book there which I feel will help other women and men in similar situations. I guess I need to get my writing cap on soon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
![Lessons from the Frogs I've Kissed: I have made all the mistakes in the book so you wont have to by [Kolnik, Krystal]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/411gbkBqf6L.jpg)
I invite you to be a fly on the wall as I revisit all my significant adult relationships and share the invaluable life lessons I have learnt over the last 20 years. In my most desperate moments, whether dating or married, I searched for a book that could give me some much-needed perspective on my current circumstances. That book did not exist – until now.
Many of us have been in romantic relationships which feel incredible in the beginning but end up in trauma, regret and despair. How do we stop ourselves from becoming locked in cycles of abuse? What are the unconscious dating patterns that underlie our romantic interactions? How do we know what we are looking for in a partner ? And most importantly why do we need to learn to love ourselves first? Written with dashes of humour and cringe-worthy honesty, I am sure you will find Lessons From the Frogs I’ve Kissed to be an entertaining and powerful read, which should help you in your own personal journey in finding ever-lasting love and happiness.
Toxic Relationships
Diane Pomerantz Author Interview
Lost in the Reflecting Pool is a candid retelling of your life and the many trials you faced throughout. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was an important book for me to write Lost in the Reflecting Pool for several reasons. On a personal level, writing was a way for me to process some very difficult, and traumatic times in my life. The act of writing itself, allowed me to gain enough distance and perspective to gain understanding that I don’t think I would have otherwise gained.
Equally important, my book covers many issues that are of particular relevance to women and men in terms of toxic relationships, narcissism, trusting the red flags that one sees early on in relationships and I think that it is important that these are important issues for the general population to be aware of as they enter into relationships.
You wrote about a relationship with a man that you struggled to break free of; what is one piece of advice you wish you had at the beginning?
Trust what I saw – and to not ignore what I saw.
The book is a memoir about many difficult things in your life, but the story is ultimately uplifting. What do you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope that people will take away from my story that it is possible to change to course of one’s life even when things feel as if there is no way out – things can get better. Developing a support system is essential. When in a toxic relationship make sure that one does not allow oneself to become isolated from all other supports (friends and family).
What is the next book that you are writing and when will it be available?
I am currently working on a psychological thriller, Call Me Angel which should be available late 2020 and I am working on two children’s books.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Twitter
![Lost in the Reflecting Pool: A Memoir by [Pomerantz, Diane]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41nkLYogIsL.jpg)
When Diane, a psychologist, falls in love with Charles, a charming and brilliant psychiatrist, there is laughter and flowers—and also darkness. After moving through infertility treatments and the trials of the adoption process as a united front, the couple is ultimately successful in creating a family. As time goes on, however, Charles becomes increasingly critical and controlling, and Diane begins to feel barraged and battered. When she is diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, Charles is initially there for her, but his attentiveness quickly vanishes and is replaced by withdrawal, anger, and unfathomable sadism. What Diane previously thought were just Charles’ controlling ways are replaced by clear pathologic narcissism and emotional abuse that turns venomous at the very hour of her greatest need.
A memoir and a psychological love story that is at times tender and at times horrifying, Lost in the Reflecting Pool is a chronicle of one woman’s struggle to survive within—and ultimately break free of—a relationship with a man incapable of caring about anyone beyond himself.
Rock Hard: Chord Brothers
![Rock Hard: Chord Brothers, Book 1 by [Roberts, Mariah J., Roberts, M. J. ]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DM3%2BeZehL.jpg)
Ryder is the drummer in a popular band along with his best friend and his bestie’s hot sister, Lexi, and a few other colorful members. I love this great cast of characters. The dynamic among the group is unique yet believable. I’ve never been in a band but it seems like a realistic portrayal of life as a band on the road.
The action in the story starts when Ryder and Lexi break the number one rule of band membership… do not hook-up with anyone in the band. Ryder is doubly nervous because she is also his best friend’s sister!
This story starts with some excellent sexual tension that builds slowly and enticingly! The reader has to wait patiently for the first physical experience between the two. The author does a fantastic job with erotic descriptions. The sex scenes are lusty but not trashy. The strength of desire between the two is palpable. I do admire Ryder’s dedication to making sure Lexi was sufficiently satisfied! He even does research!
We also learn about deep pain and loss in our characters’ lives. The author weaves in nicely these back stories that then helps explain these characters’ drives and motivations.
This is a great book about relationships, love, loss and the power and importance of human connection. There is a good amount of erotic scenes however the author sets the tone as romantic and loving, never vulgar. I love the modern music and movie references. It gave it a very up-to-date and realistic feel. I Also loved the inside look at life on the road in a band.
The writing is fluid and easy to read without feeling juvenile. There are some great moments of humor but also real moments of pain and struggle. There were some points I wanted more action or was waiting for something to happen but overall I was engaged throughout.
This is a fun and sexy read for anyone looking for something quick and enjoyable with great characters and a romantic and interesting story line.
Pages: 399 | ASIN: B07MDHXT8C
“Mama Sou”: Metamorphosis of a Mother
MAMA SOU is the true story of a young mother who gets her son taken away. This book is pure love and emotion and nearly had me in tears several times. As the story unfolds, you see how much love Maria has for her son, and how she will do anything to get him back. She is strong, independent, and ready to fight for what is hers. Aside from the incredible story that is being told in these pages, the writing is superb and beautifully delivers a fully realized vision of the characters and the places they inhabit. It is incredible the lengths that people go to for their family, and the fact that this is someone’s real story is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Whether you are a parent or not, you will feel the love that went into writing this story, and the emotions between the people in the story. The author, the mother herself, pours her heart into every chapter. I’ve read some books like this one, where a young mother struggles to gain her family back, but there is something special about Maria’s story. Maybe it’s the year that it happened, which was some 40 years ago, when these types of things weren’t really talked about, or maybe it’s because it happened in Greece. Either way, it holds a special place in my heart, and I will not forget this story any time soon.
As someone who has suffered from depression most of my life, seeing how Maria handled her depression was inspirational. That fact that she was able to fight for what she so desperately needed, all while dealing with mental illness, was incredible. I fully enjoyed this book, I think that whether you have kids or not, you will find some special meaning within these pages. The story is sometimes harsh, sometimes sweet, but definitely full of lessons to learn for everyone that reads it. I only wish that we could learn more about Maria and her story, and more about her son.
Pages: 118 | ASIN: B0793VJFFG
LITERARY TITAN 