Category: book review

December 11, 2019

Scottish Witchcraft: A Complete Guide to Authentic Folklore, Spells, and Magickal Tools

Take a journey through the magickal folk traditions of Scotland in this wonderful book.

About Scottish Witchcraft: A Complete Guide to Authentic Folklore, Spells, and Magickal Tools

Take a journey through the magickal folk traditions of Scotland. Barbara Meiklejohn-Free, a Scottish hereditary witch, shares her own spiritual awakening into the craft and shows you how to integrate these practices into your own life. Discover the secrets of divination, scrying, faery magick, and communication with ancestors. Explore herb and plant lore and specific rituals to address what you most desire. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, craft history, and step-by-step instructions, this book will help you begin a new chapter of spiritual discovery.

My Thoughts

I have always been fascinated by Scottish heritage. I love reading books about the Highlands, the history and their people. I find so much of the history fascinating but heartbreaking as well. This beautiful book honours not only Barbara’s craft but also her family history. She weaves their history throughout the story and encourages you to open your mind to a new method of thinking. I found the book moving in so many ways as it not only celebrates the beliefs and traditions but honours the Scottish people and acknowledges the hardships they faced – they were persecuted, sent away from their own lands and many times tried for their beliefs. My heart hurts for all that they lost but I admire how even in the face of that, so many are still working to preserve their heritage and beliefs and sharing it with others to ensure it is never lost.

This book covers several topics, including: thresholds and rituals, working with ancestors, seership and divination, staff, stone and earth, herbs and spells. I found with this book, I read the whole thing at once to get a good sense of what the book was about but then went back chapter by chapter taking my time and really diving into each topic (some days I spent more on one chapter to ensure I really understood it). I think it is important that you ensure you take your time, read each chapter and then read it again to ensure you understand her guidance and advice. I found I missed some parts the first time I read through a chapter, so this was important for me. Reading the book once and then a second and third time, really helped me to hone in on which areas interested me the most (I loved the section on herbs) and which areas I needed to learn more about.

I loved how Barbara introduces each topic with both a personal and historical account (her personal stories throughout the book are just wonderful and add a great touch to this book) along with practical applications and how we can approach this in real life while honouring those who came before us and our natural environment. I appreciated the part of thresholds and entering sacred spaces and touched me deeply. I remember to this day when I visited Rome and just walking the same path that so many have before me and entering historical sites and how this affected me emotionally and physically. During my visit, I felt like I was walking in another time and experiencing things for a second time. It left me feeling blessed and inspired.

This is a well written, thoughtful and incredible book that touches on a powerful subject area. This will make a great gift for those who want to be more in touch with themselves, the world around them, the Earth and those who have a strong interest in folklore, witchcraft and everything in between. There is something for everyone who wants to get in touch with their spiritual side in this book.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Barbara Meiklejohn-Free (United Kingdom) was born and raised in the Highlands of Scotland. She is an author, singer, drummer, flautist, and storyteller—all of which she employs in weaving together the ancient craft of the shaman, seer, and mystic. After the passing of her spiritual mentor, Barbara was bestowed the title of Highland Seer. She is also the cocreator of the Dark Goddess Oracle Cards, Witches’ Kitchen Oracle Cards, and Witches’ Wisdom Oracle Cards.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 3, 2019

Killer Resolutions Book Review

When a blizzard traps them with a murderer, who will be left to kiss at midnight?

About Killer Resolutions

In a remote lodge in northern Wisconsin, friends gather for a festive, New Year’s Eve weekend. When a blizzard traps them with a murderer, who will be left to kiss at midnight?

Five years ago, a tragedy shattered the friendship between Dani, her older brother, and their college pals. When her brother invites the old gang for a weekend of outdoor winter fun at a remote lodge, she sees it as a chance to reconnect and heal. But when her friends are murdered one-by-one, Dani must determine whom she can trust before she becomes the next victim.

Contains profanity, violence, and mild sexual content.

My Thoughts

The tragic death of one young woman comes back to haunt a group of friends and family in this fast paced novel.

The death of her older brother’s girlfriend has haunted Dani and their once close group of friends. A night of drinking got out of hand and instead of caring for their friend, Dani became side tracked by her brothers friend and Crystal choked and died on her own vomit.

Her death causes the group to draw away from each other and each individual deals with the death in their own way. That is why they were all shocked when they received an invitation to reunite at a remote lodge from Dani’s brother, Rob. The group has changed – some have gotten a bit wilder, some have grown apart and some have noticed their attraction to each other has only grown stronger! What they weren’t ready for was that Rob’s new girlfriend is identical to Crystal (although not as nice of a person!).

Things turn quickly sour, as one by one dead bodies start to appear. The remaining members of the group fear for their life but are not sure who to trust – is the murderer one of them? The weird owner? The group has to think quickly in order to stay alive – a hero emerges among them, an individual who has spent his last few years on quite the journey. I was definitely not expecting the ending and the discovery of the identity of the murder. This is a fast paced novel that is easy to follow and I enjoyed the suspense as the characters try to uncover the murder while staying alive.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Elizabeth McKenna’s love of books reaches back to her childhood, where her tastes ranged from Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King’s horror stories. She had never read a romance novel until one Christmas when her sister gave her the latest bestseller by Nora Roberts. She was hooked from page one (actually, she admits it was the first love scene). Her novels reflect her mercurial temperament and include historical romances, contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and dark mysteries. With some being “clean” and some being “naughty,” she has a book for your every mood. Elizabeth lives in Wisconsin with her understanding husband, two beautiful daughters, and a sassy Labrador. When she isn’t writing, working, or being a mom, she’s sleeping.

Connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 2, 2019

Snuggle Up and Cherish the Holiday Season with Raincoast Books

We have definitely had a few early blasts of winter weather as the holiday season quickly approaches. This is the perfect time to open up some holiday treasured books with your children and spend a little extra time reading each night. Or perhaps to even discover new family favourites leading up to the Christmas holidays?

Raincoast Books has a beautiful collection of books that will make great gifts leading up to the holidays or even as a special gift under the tree. Both my kids and their cousins, always receive at least one special book as a Christmas gift because I feel so strongly that these are something that they can treasure long after the holiday season is over.

Looking for three new books to add to your holiday reading routine? Look no further then these top three picks from Raincoast Books:

Christmas Is Coming! An Advent Book

Every day of December brings a new Christmas tradition in this keepsake Advent book. Each flap on the cover of the book reveals a clue to a festive activity that can be found inside the pages. It might be a recipe for a delicious homemade treat, instructions for a cozy craft, a game to play, a carol to sing, or a beautifully illustrated story to read with the whole family. This inviting twist on the traditional advent calendar is perfect for families who love to put their own spin on celebrating the holidays.

I fell in love with this special book the moment I laid my eyes on it. Advent is a very special time in our lives and sometimes we can forget what makes life so important; family and opening our homes and hearts for Christmas. There is more to Advent than just chocolate and presents!

I put this book under our Christmas tree and we waited patiently for December 1st to open it up. This was not the easiest task for any of us, as I really wanted to dive in and see what kind of activities were in the book but we also wanted it to be a special surprise that we uncovered day by day.

We had a snowstorm yesterday and decided that we would open the book after dinner. His first activity? Write a letter to Santa. The reading for December 1st was beautiful and my son was excited to write his letter (I couldn’t believe I had not done this yet with him!). We have decided as a family, that we would do each activity after dinner but before we wind down for bed. You can follow along on Instagram as we work our way through the book.

This is the perfect book for parents and grandparents that are looking for something different and meaningful during the Advent season.

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Don’t Shake the Present!

Go on a festive and fun-filled adventure with Larry in this hilarious holiday edition of the USA Today bestselling series, Don’t Push the Button!

Larry (the lovable monster) has received a present, and he is desperate to know what is inside, but he needs your help to figure it out. But whatever you do. . . DON’T SHAKE THE PRESENT!

This is an adorable book perfect for young readers just before the holiday season. We have two kids that love to touch and shake their presents (and even sometimes peel away the wrapping at the side so that they can see inside!). We had so much fun reading this out loud and I definitely did not see the ending coming but it was perfect and gave us all a great chuckle.

The book itself is small, hard covered and interactive, making it a great read for young children that have a harder time sitting still at reading time. It also is a book that children can relate to and helps parents explain the importance of patience during the holiday season.

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

How to Hide a Lion at Christmas

Iris and her lion go everywhere together. But when Christmas comes and the family is going away, Mom says her lion must stay behind. After all, you can’t take a lion on a train! Luckily the lion has other ideas. He sets off on a festive, snowy adventure to find Iris – and almost bumps into Santa Claus!

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book about the friendship between Iris and her lion in the context of Christmas. Iris is visiting family for the holidays and her lion is just too big to go on the train (or even to fit in her suitcase!), not to mention he may just scare her family. Her Mom makes the lion stay home, but lion has other plans – he follows them on the train! The only problem, he sleeps through their stop! He must find his way back to Iris (which he does) but encounters a unique method of finding her using Santa Claus’ method of climbing up and down chimneys. Can you imagine a lion coming down the chimney?

This was a great book to read out loud to our kids. It has such a great flow and full of great age appropriate humour. We had a few great conversations of all the animals we wished we could have at home (a gorilla was one). The illustrations are beautiful and fit the story perfectly. This will make for a great read before bedtime as we gear up into the holiday season.

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

What is your favourite holiday book?

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned books in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

December 2, 2019

Complete Massage Book Review

Want to really understand the health and wellness benefits of massage? Interested in practicing massage at home or considering taking a course? Let this be your guide on everything from effleurage to epineuria.

About Complete Massage

Annotated anatomy and physiology illustrations show you how different levels of pressure work the muscles, and the profound effect massage can have on the nervous system and on cardio and lymphatic health.

Learn how to prepare physically and mentally, and get the lowdown on oils and massage beds, diffusers and candles. And if you’re receiving a massage, find out why drinking water before and after is important and how focusing on breathing enhances muscle relaxation.

All the core strokes and massage techniques that form the foundation of massage practice are shown photographically with detailed annotations and integrated arrows showing the direction and application of pressure.

Familiarize yourself with the key disciplines, from Swedish to shiatsu, reflexology and hot stone therapy. Access over 30 bespoke massage sequences, tailored to treat specific complaints and special client groups, such as pregnant women, babies, and those recovering from surgery.

Become an expert in the simple but profoundly effective power of touch and share its miraculous health benefits.

My Thoughts

I love massages – I think they bring such an inner peace and relaxation on top of the physical benefits of pain relief. I love receiving massages but I also love giving massages too. If I could go back in time, I would have definitely completed a RMT program after my Kinesiology degree. It is just great practical application of the things that you learn in a very rewarding manner. How can you not love helping people feel better?!

This book is an excellent resource for the many, many different types of techniques, disciplines and even how to target specific areas during treatment. The book starts off with a basic introduction to the human body, including the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, lympathic system and circulatory system (all very important systems to understand at the basic level for the purpose of this book). The book then jumps into basic techniques during massage therapy, including strokes, vibration, pressure and passive movements. I recognized many of the techniques that have been used on me during treatment which I thought was pretty cool, this included the slide and glide strokes (so soothing!). What is extremely helpful is that the book also helps you put those techniques together because it is great to know each method but the how you apply it, is just as important. They help you put this all together in a section called, The Whole Body Massage.

The book also contains all the different specialties and I was amazed at how many there were. This included some familiar ones and some not so much such as, Biodynamic massage, manual lymphatic drainage, Ayurvedic massage, Chinese Tui Na and Shiatsu. My personal favourites were the facial rejuvenation massages, it was so relaxing.

My youngest frequently suffers from sore leg muscles (over use from soccer and running) and I loved that I could implement some of the techniques that I learned in the book in order to help him. I felt confident performing these minor massages to help decrease the pain he felt and improve his range of motion. It left me with that feel good feeling that I was able to help him with his pain and can be of help for future pains.

This is an excellent resource for those who want to learn more about massage therapy, perhaps those who are interested in a future career in this field or those who want to provide calming relief for their kids and partner at home.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Chapters.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

November 26, 2019

A Cowboy Like You Book Review

In the Heart of Texas, a heartthrob cowboy may get his second chance at love.

About A Cowboy Like You

Danny Oldman, the handsome Lone Star sheriff, is still single. He tells himself, and anyone who asks, that he is married to his job—and what matters most is keeping the people of his beloved Texas hometown safe. The truth? Danny still hasn’t gotten over his high school crush. She moved away after graduation and took Danny’s heart with her.

Skylar Long never thought she would have to flee Houston and return home—where it all began for her. But that’s what happened after the man of her dreams turned out to be an actual nightmare. Now, Skylar is desperate to escape her obsessive boyfriend. Nothing shocks her more than seeing Danny again and realizing that their long-ago attraction is more powerful than ever. But can she and Danny find a way to fight against Skylar’s wealthy, powerful ex who is dead set on tearing them apart?

My Thoughts

This drama filled novel focuses on Danny, a somewhat jaded small town sheriff and Skylar – the girl he admired from afar who is looking to escape an abusive relationship.

Danny has seen a lot in his role as a sheriff and it has definitely dragged him down both emotionally and mentally. In the opening of the novel, you can see his struggles and to be honest I can’t imagine how seeing the things you see in this position affect you and the nightmares that they may cause. He is married to his job – preferring solitude to a relationship.

By chance, he is there to witness a domestic abuse which he stops and the woman ends up being Skylar. Skylar was a young woman whom in high school, he had a huge crush on but never acted on. Strangely enough, she also admired him as well. It was almost as though fate brought them together in an interesting and sad way. Together they not only have to navigate a stalking ex, a domestic abuse charge but also their own attraction and feelings for each other.

The book is steamy, dramatic and full of suspense. It may be triggering for some readers due to the content (her ex stalks and abused her) but it also highlights how she chose to fight back. We watch as two individuals who have been dealt hard dealings in life, struggle to come to terms and move forward. It is a beautiful story of second chances and learning not to be afraid to move forward in life.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.