December 6, 2017
To Hear the Forest Sing: Some Musings on the Divine
To Hear the Forest Sing is an invitation to break free of any or all of your spiritual confinements and find your own path to kindness and mindful living.
About To Hear the Forest Sing
Mindfulness and conscious living as not cut and dry. Oneness with nature and the universe can be attained through patience, trust and prayer that is unique to you. Throughout this book, Dulaney demonstrates that a life of mindfulness and kindness can be achieved by any person. It offers a fresh outlook on traditional religious constraints. Dulaney shares memorable, touching and beautiful essays written from aspects of her childhood, family members and her love of nature and animals. Themes throughout the book are love, enlightenment and hope as we are all continuing to endlessly evolve.
To Hear the Forest Sing includes:
- Unfreezing the conventional notions of how the divine works
- Overcoming our obsession with negative news
- The undervalued value of restoration over punishment in society
- Concepts of more open ideas of faith and a no rules form of prayer
- The opportunity for advancement by unlearning certain dogma
- The compelling and profound aspects of nature and animals which make you pause, reflect and repeat
My Thoughts
I love reading books and essays that really make you pause and think. I am Catholic and I love my faith. I have always felt welcome and accepted in my parish (I have been a member of two parishes since birth). When I am sad, full of anxiety and despair and at my lowest points, I have always looked to my faith and felt a sense of peace. I also believe that you don’t have to fit into the pre-determined boxes that people make for people of a certain faith. I may be Catholic but I support marriage in all forms, I am pro-choice, I use birth control (in fact this was taught in Catholic school contrary to what many people believe are taught in Catholic school) and I don’t believe religion is there to make you feel guilty or bad about your choices and actions. I never did get the jokes about Church making you to feel guilty about your life choices – Church to me is about opening up to God, offering up your sorrows and allowing Him to shoulder some of your pain, worries and fears.
Faith (I prefer to use this word over religion) has evolved and I think so many people have overlapping ideology and beliefs that can grow together. I think we all believe in someone looking out for us, our loved ones who have passed on being present in moments, that we are all connected in some manner, we pray in a similar manner and we all harbour so many similar wishes and hopes. How could our faiths not all be connected in some manner?
I strongly believe that there is a God (and God can be whatever name you want God to go by) and we can view this God every day in our lives IF we are listening. One of these examples for me, was when I was suffering through a really bad period of depression and anxiety. It was one of the lowest times in my life and I was having a hard time forgiving myself. It was about three weeks into this period that I was in Church and it was getting near to Palm Sunday. After we took our seats, in the back of the pew in front of us where the missals are kept, was an olive branch. Our Church doesn’t usually hand out Olive branches and there were definitely none at that mass. My kids had yet to see or touch the branch. I picked it up and felt this moment of release. I was able to let go of so much of my self-hate, despair and forgave myself. To me this olive branch was God telling me that I was forgiven and I need to forgive myself to move forward. This was over five years ago and I still carry that branch in my car visor as a reminder that God is always there.
I felt like this book was exactly like that branch. A reminder of all the ways we are connected, how to listen and how to accept a more open view of faith and understanding. There is compassion, understanding, acceptance and common sense. So many things that I find lacking in the world today – every one is so busy and so on the go that we forget to stop and really see and listen to the presence around us. I bet if you stopped and really thought hard, you would find small moments of God (by whatever name you call God by) in your daily life.
This book shares so many intimate stories and reflections of the life of Margaret – she doesn’t hold back. Her life hasn’t been perfect but she finds the perfect moments to cherish, guide and assist her. She doesn’t put herself into a narrow box but instead opens her mind and heart to new ideas and concepts, which I think is so important! We should never become so narrow-minded that we can’t see nor hear what is around us. This is a truly beautiful story to one person’s faith, openness, love and hope. I felt truly blessed after having read it and it came to me in a moment that I really needed to hear these important reminders of faith and hope.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Margaret Dulaney wrote for the theater in New York City for years before she moved to rural Pennsylvania to pursue nonfiction. After many years, and a closet full of writings, she founded Listen Well, her spoken word website offering once-monthly recorded essays championing hope, and the ultimate, inescapable awakening of the individual soul.
She writes from an old stone home in Bucks County Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, musician/producer Matt Balitsaris and a revolving group of semi-domesticated animals. She records her essays at Maggie’s Farm Recording Studio, home for many years to Palmetto Records, and conveniently located in the majestic old bank barn in her backyard. The guitar music that introduces Listen Well’s monthly offerings is played and produced by Matt Balitsaris. Her essays are edited by Aina Barten, former editor for Orion Magazine.
Margaret’s essays, apart from those on Listen Well, can be found in various journals and Magazines including, Parabola, Spirituality and Health, Cezanne’s Carrot, Read the Spirit, Day 1, Big Muddy and Contemplative Journal.
Margaret’s plays include: The Hummingbird’s Tour, produced at the Bucks County Playhouse, and Off-Broadway at the Theater at St. Clements .The View From Here, produced Off-Broadway at the Lambs Theater, and published by Samuel French, Sightseeing, produced at the Quintero Theater, NYC, received a professional reading at the Bay Street Theater, and winner of the Berrilla Kerr Award, Il Corvo, Charlotte Rep. new play finalist. Spill of light, professional reading at the New Jersey Playwrights Theater and the The Meadow Lands, Professional reading People’s Light and Theater Company.
You can learn more about her own her website.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2017
Beyond Forever Book Review
In Beyond Forever, just as their plan is set in to motion and they settle in to their new normal, they have an earth shattering encounter. In that moment it is revealed that they have much more than just a spiritual relationship with the beyond.
About Beyond Forever
Just as their life is seemingly back on track, Finn McDaniel’s gets news that sends him into a tail-spin. He is faced with the prospect of losing Olivia Henry forever. He immediately turns to Dan, Olivia’s deceased best friend, who is her loyal and constant guardian angel from the beyond, imploring him for his help. In the midst of all of the chaos a special package is delivered that changes their lives forever.
While Finn is determined to grow his restaurant to new heights by chasing after the coveted Michelin Star, it is Olivia who finally sees her dream come to fruition in a way never thought possible. Finn is determined to support Olivia through her shocking breakthrough and even has a very special surprise up his sleeve that she never sees coming. Just as their plan is set in to motion and they settle in to their new normal, they have an earth shattering encounter. In that moment it is revealed that they have much more than just a spiritual relationship with the beyond.
My Thoughts
I am a HUGE fan of this series. These novels are well written, witty with amazing characters. Olivia is that best friend that you have to love. She has her quirks but she is so full of life, hopes and fears. She is just that girl next door that you can’t help but smile at and love with all of your heart, while trying to protect her. Finn is the man of her dreams (and many women would love to call him their hubby!) and he would do anything for her.
In this novel, Olivia gives birth to her baby. The birth was extremely traumatizing and Olivia almost loses her life delivering her baby girl. It is quite shocking for her whole family but especially Finn who lost his first wife to cancer. As Olivia was laying there between life and death, she had an out-of-body experience where she meets Dan who promises to look after her daughter. Dan and Finn’s wife who passed away become the spiritual godparents of their daughter. As the novel progresses, we see their spiritual touch as they protect her, play with her and love her. I actually found this to be quite touching as I think all of us like to believe our loved ones are here with us, looking out for us and connecting with us.
This book also finds our couple recognizing the need to have family near by. Both of them are offered amazing experiences further from the location they are currently living in but will also draw them closer to family.
This was an amazing novel that was a pleasure to read. This book and the entire series is a definite must read.
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
D.D. marx came barreling into this world with the “gift of gab”. Her parents quickly identified a pattern forming when each teacher conference contained the words “she’s a little too social”. d.d.’s biggest life concern was identifying which boy she’d be chasing at recess rather than mastering math problems. She parlayed this gift into creating play dates on the playground. If friendship were a business, she would be a millionaire. She prides her life on maintaining friends from every walk of life in every corner of the country. This is the fuel that fills her tank.
Graduating with a Communication degree from the University of Dayton, she attempted to break into the world of Public Relations but was instead side-tracked with a J.O.B. At the strong encouragement of her friends and family, who dubbed her a “funny story teller”, she stretched her comfort zone by entering the Second City program in Chicago where her itch for entertainment was finally scratched. Determined to share her story and create a legacy, she decided to combine these talents and become a writer. She returned to her alma-mater to immerse herself in a 3-day writing course where this dream finally came to life. Asked to imagine if she was a super-hero, her task was to dig-deep to describe her special powers. Based on the real-life tragedy of one of her best friends, that answer came without hesitation. All she’s ever wanted was the power to visit with him one last time. This is the inspiration that catapulted her into her debut project titled, the Beyond Series. She dove into a world imagining that he never left.
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 5, 2017
All Things Now Living Book Review
In All Things Now Living, her whole life Amy has been taught the people of New Lithisle deserve to die, but when she falls for Daniel, she determines to save him.
About All Things Now Living
Sixteen-year-old Amy doesn’t like anything to die, she won’t even eat the goats or chickens her mama has butchered every fall, but she can’t let herself pity the inhabitants of New Lithisle. In a few short months the dome they built to isolate themselves from the deadly pandemic is predicted to collapse, but her whole life Amy has been taught it’s God’s will they die. They traded their souls for immunity to the swine flu virus, brought God’s curse upon themselves by adding pig genes to their own.
Then, while on a scavenging trip with her father, Amy is accidentally trapped in New Lithisle. At first her only goal is to escape, but when she meets Daniel, a New Lithisle boy, she begins to question how less-than-human the people of New Lithisle are.
Amy’s feelings grow even more conflicted when she learns she didn’t end up in New Lithisle by mistake. Her father is secretly a sympathizer, and was trying to prevent the coming destruction.
Now time is running short and Amy has to decide if she will bring the computer program her father wrote to his contact or save herself. Installing the program could prevent the dome’s collapse, but if Amy doesn’t find her father’s contact in time, she’ll die, along with everyone else.
My Thoughts
This was an exciting young adult novel that I could not put down.
In this novel, we have two groups of people: the group that was banished outside the walls of New Lithisle and those who are inside. You would think that the group inside the walls would be those who were safe but they are not. They are a group of people with mutations that many of them willingly signed up. These mutations were supposed to protect them but instead it altered them physically – some were similar to rats, to coyotes, fish and pigs. What is even worse is that these people are doomed to die but they have no idea.
Amy was returning from a trip with her Father when she becomes accidentally trapped inside New Lithisle. She is quickly captured as the people realize her importance and the value of selling her could bring them. While on the inside, she discovers that her Father sympathizes with these people who makes her feel uncomfortable – her Father is a traitor and could be put away for these thoughts. He was trying to help these mutated people who God could never have created so they could have no souls (their thoughts) and she could just not understand this.
She meets Daniel, a boy from New Lithisle who has had his genes mutated to make him more attractive and intelligent. As their friendship evolves, she begins to question everything that she has ever believed. Can these individuals who appear less than human truly have the same feelings, thoughts and hopes? Could they really be soulless?
I loved how the story evolves especially within the context of the destruction of New Lithisle coming closer and closer. Amy realizes that there is so much more to a person than their physical features – that even though we are different, we are all the same on the inside. It is a fantastic story of hope, understanding, acceptance and faith. A great read for young adults and adults a like.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page and can purchase a copy here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Rondi Bauer Olson is a reader and writer from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she lives on a hobby farm with her husband, Kurt. She has four grown children, works as a nurse, and also owns a gift shop within view of beautiful Lake Superior.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 4, 2017
Throwing The Ultimate Family Music Night
Music is a powerful tool – it lifts up your spirits, brings people together and can inspire an individual. As a family we love listening to music and throwing impromptu music parties at home. It helps us to relax, unwind and bond – not to mention just giving us a chance to laugh and be silly together, which is something we are not always able to do with our busy work and sports schedules.
So how do you throw the ultimate fun family music night? Here are my top three tips!
MUSIC! Simple right but you need to make sure you have a great selection of fun, family friendly tunes that you can all dance and be silly to. For young kids, you need something that is exciting, educational, witty but age appropriate. We love listening to Will’s Jams – it is fun to dance to, easy to sing along to and great for all age groups.
Here is a clip from one of our favourite songs:
Snacks are also an important part of any family music night – hey you need to be hydrated and fuel up in order to have lots of energy, right? Make sure to have lots of healthy options for drinks and easy to eat snacks that won’t make a mess. We love popcorn, apples and juice, although the popcorn sometimes will end up all over the place. Having easy to eat, finger snacks makes set up and clean up that much easier.
Let go and be silly. Kids are amazing at just letting it all go, moving wildly and truly enjoy themselves. Parents need to learn to do this too!
Let go of embarrassment and show off all of your craziest dance moves – trust me your child will LOVE it! Our kids think our moves are the silliest (although we think they are the best moves ever) and it always leaves us all giggling and battling for the title of the Best Dancer of our Family Music Night. Make up the lyrics and dance moves as you go – try out your kids dance moves – anything goes on Family Music night!
It is so important for families to take time out of their busy schedules to focus on the most important thing in their lives – their relationships. Music is that amazing common ground that we all have that helps us to relax, get silly, have fun and bond over. Your child will love seeing this new side of you especially if you are not one to unwind as easily.
Looking for more family friendly music? Head over to Will’s Jams for more great music choices and make sure to connect on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with the newest music and more.
Disclosure: I am a Will’s Jams ambassador and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 4, 2017
The Rogue is Back in Town Book Review
In Book 3 of The Wayward Wallflower series, The Rogue is Back in Town, Lord Samuel Travis is back and let the games begin!
About The Rogue is Back in Town
Equal parts scoundrel and seducer, he’s returned to London determined to mend the rift with his older brother. All Sam must do is take possession of a tumbledown town house. A seemingly simple task, except the house is occupied―by an infuriating, whip-smart beauty who refuses to do his bidding.
Miss Juliette Lacey’s wallflower days are over. She has a plan to turn her eccentric family into the toast of the ton―but the devilishly handsome rake trying to oust them from their home thwarts her at every turn. How can one man be so vexing and make her simmer with desire?
As her attraction to Sam deepens, Julie’s problems grow―she may have, once upon a time, secretly shared a kiss with his honorable older brother. Suddenly, Julie’s caught between a rogue and a marquess, between passion and respectability. Torn between two brothers, what’s a girl to do?
My Thoughts
I have truly enjoyed the Wayward Wallflower series, these ladies are not your damsel in distress nor are they your typical proper London young lady. They are brave, bold, unique and not afraid to speak their minds. They know what they want and are determined in their convictions. They are also fully supported by their family and close friends in these convictions which is what makes them an outsider by society standards but amazing in any one else’s eyes.
In this story we have Juliette as our main character. She runs the home of her eccentric Uncle who took her and her sisters in when they were left alone in the world. While she is definitely young by any standards, she has given up on the thoughts of marriage especially after having her heart-broken by a man whom she thought was quite honourable.
Enter in Sam, who has one huge reputation with some of it earned and some of it not. His brother has given him one last task to redeem himself – evict the residents of a town home he has inherited. This home is Juliette’s Uncles, which they believe was gifted to them on their marriage. What he fails to tell Sam, is that he has an infatuation with Juliette and kissed her the season before and left no promises.
As the plot develops, we see a new side of Sam and realize that things are not always as they seem. Those who seem honourable are actually out for blood and are hiding dark secrets. They would do anything to ruin anyone that steps in their way. Juliette begins a race against time to find the deed to the town house and prevent her Uncle’s and her own life from crumbling apart. Sam has a huge decision to make – side with family or discover and honour the truth.
This was a well written and developed romance novel – the plot was very unique and fit the characters perfectly. This is one suspenseful romance you wont want to miss!
You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Anna Bennett started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided that books with balls, dukes, and gowns were the best. So, when she had the chance to spend a semester in London she packed her bags―and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance,but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart®. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children,who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. She is the author of My Brown-Eyed Earl.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.