February 18, 2016
What Would You Do With A Fifteen Months Left to Live Diagnosis?
Life can be unpredictable at best. We have moments of routine, of everything going right and sometimes out of nowhere we are hit with a monumental diagnosis that changes the course of our lives. This is what happened to Heather Von St. James when at the age of 36 she was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
Heather’s Story
In 2005, at the age of 36, and only a mere three months after giving birth to her daughter Lily Rose, Heather was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. People who have been exposed to high levels of asbestos are more likely to be diagnosed with this kind of cancer. Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest wall. Upon learning this life-altering diagnosis, Heather and her husband embarked upon a search to find the best mesothelioma treatment care available. Their search eventually led them to Dr. David Sugarbaker, a renowned mesothelioma surgeon at the Boston-based Brigham and Women’s hospital.
Today, Heather is a remarkable ten-year mesothelioma cancer survivor and has made it her mission to help other mesothelioma victims around the globe. She works to share her personal story to help spread hope and awareness for others going through this, in hopes that one day no one else will have to.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a serious cancer and is mainly caused if you’ve been exposed to asbestos fibers. There is no safe amount of exposure. The smallest amount of asbestos can cause sever issues later on down the road as it did with Heather.
Causes of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is mostly attributed to exposure to asbestos, which can happen in the workplace, home or by chance. People can also become exposed through second hand exposure, like Heather, completely unknowingly.
Symptoms (from Mesothelioma)
- coughing up blood
- anemia
- trouble swallowing
- pleural effusion
- trouble breathing
- vomiting and nausea
- bowel obstruction
- blood clotting disorder
- chest pain
- weight loss
Treatment
Due to the rarity of the disease, finding treatment and research in this area is difficult, only 3,000 people a year are diagnosed in the US (Mesothelioma). Treatment does include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Heather Von St. James has just celebrated being 10 years cancer free! An amazing moment for her and her family – one I am sure they were never too sure would happen. If you are or know someone who is suffering with Mesothelioma, head over and connect with Heather. Do not feel like you are alone, Heather is here to help share her journey and be a part of yours.
February 18, 2016
Debt by Rachel Dunning
In Debt, it is expected you pay your debts that you owe.
About Debt
The Debt Collector:
I pay my debts and I expect others to as well.
I was raised in the slums of London, I knew nothing of privilege. My father was murdered when I was seventeen. Morty figured my father’s passing meant I would automatically take on dad’s debts. I refused.
And I paid for that refusal.
So did my sister.
So now I fight. All I know how to do is fight. The best cash is in the states, so that’s where I am now. A big fish called Vito came along offering me a “favor” when I arrived.
Another debt.
I paid for that one too.
I knew Kyla Hensley would be trouble when I met her. But I wanted her. I could see through the falsehood of her wannabe-slutty clothes and her sexy legs. So I chased her.
Besides, trouble is my middle name.
Kyla Hensley
I was brought up in privilege, but I lacked everything else. My father is a business tycoon who buys and sells and doesn’t care who gets rolled over in the process.
I never knew my mother, and all I have of her is a photo with a note scrawled on the back in French saying “I’m sorry.” The only Female Figure I had growing up is my dad’s wife who is a bleach blond with seven boob jobs. We never bonded.
I drink. I party. I meet guys.
But I wasn’t always like that.
I’ve had a string of lovers in the last few years, the worst and most recent of which was Vince Somerset. My best friend Vera was dating a guy called Rory Cansoom who is the opposite of Vince in so many ways, and yet so the same.
She and I hit the road for the summer, getting away from the two college psychos and just trying to have some fun.
But there’s a funny thing about trouble, the more you run from it, the more it finds you.
Which is when I met the Debt Collector.
It was only supposed to be sex. He made that clear. I made that clear.
That’s all it was supposed to be.
I never expected to fall in love. I never expected to fall so deeply, madly, uncomfortably in love with a man who is wrong, so wrong for me.
And yet…so unbelievably right.
About the Author
Rachel Dunning hit the scene in August 2013 and is the author of the highly praised Naive Mistakes Series, Truthful Lies Trilogy, Johnny Series and the paranormal romance series, Mind Games.
A prolific writer, she sticks to stories where Alpha Males aren’t pricks and where women have guts.
She’s lived on two different continents, speaks three different languages, and met the love of her life on the internet. In other words, romance is in her blood.
Where to Find Debt
You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Amazon Canada, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Goodreads.
Enjoy!
February 16, 2016
Emmy Nation, Undercover Suffragette Book Review
Being an independent woman in 1913 London is certainly empowering, but Emmy Nation is tired of the damp seeping through her worn shoes and the hopeless grumblings of her stomach. Will she give in and betray her sisterhood for warmth and food in her stomach?
About Emmy Nation, Undercover Suffragette
When she receives an offer from Scotland Yard to boost her typist income by spying on the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), Emmy jumps at the chance. But as she grows closer to the WSPU women the lines begin to blur, and when a painful part of her past resurfaces Emmy begins to question her choices.
How far are you willing to go to secure your equality?
My Thoughts
A stellar novel from start to finish, that should be a required reading for all young boy and girls in high school. Emmy Nation is an accurate presentation of life for women during this time period and how they struggled for freedom, struggled to have their voice heard and the challenges they faced.
My heart broke for Emmy when she had to choose between warm feet and collecting information on the Suffragette movement. No person should ever have to make a choice like this. Emmy grows in knowledge and strength throughout this novel. She starts off like many of the women in this time period, unsure of themselves, their independence and their rights. Many hold this inner desire for independence but are terrified of the repercussions. Women are physically hurt, emotionally and financially betrayed. My heart broke multiple times throughout this novel. All of the rights that I take for granted were fought for so hard by women and even though I know this, it sometimes takes a book like this to drive this imagery home.
Emmy Nation is an important, historical novel that portrays the Suffragette movement in an accurate and detailed manner that is appropriate for all age groups. It is an important novel for so many reasons but I feel that this should be a mandatory reading for high school students. It is written in a manner that they can understand, appreciate and assist them with relating to their own lives. Our rights and freedoms were fought for with the tears, physical pain and blood of women. This novel opened my eyes all over again, gave me a stronger respect and left me craving for more. I want to know what happens Emmy and the sisterhood. What does she do next?
You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon and Book Depository.
Rating: 5/5
Video Trailer
About the Author
L. Davis Munro holds a master’s degree with a focus on women’s suffrage theatre and works in theatre and dance. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with her husband and her dog. You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.
Author Interview
1. How did you do research for your book?
The research for this book actually started long before I began writing. I did a two-year Master’s degree in Theatre where I focused on the theatre of the women’s suffrage movement particularly in England. I really did the research for this book during that time. I studied a lot about the movement, the politics and the era in order to support the work I was doing in the theatre of the campaign, so that moved over to the book when I started writing. The second Emmy Nation book will feature much more of the theatre scene from London at the time.
2. What made you write a book about the suffragettes?
In many ways, Emmy Nation was created because of the research I was doing for my degree. I choose that period of history to study because I was fascinated by my own lack of knowledge on the suffrage movement. I had considered myself well versed in women’s history before my Master’s degree and was shocked by all that I didn’t know from the time. That is what started my academic research and Emmy Nation emerged from that.
3. Where do you write?
I have a hard time writing in public, so I generally write at home. I need silence and solitude for my most productive writing times. However, sometimes I need to shake that up so I will visit a cafe nearby to give myself the pressure to get something done instead of just awkwardly staring at the other patrons.
4. In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?
Yes, absolutely! I actually find moving to paper and pen often helps me through writer’s block. It feels less permanent than writing in the word processed manuscript document, so I feel less pressure when writing on paper.
5. If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?
Definitely a how to survive on a deserted island book. What plants are edible, how to build a shelter and start a fire, those types of things. I would also want some sort of choose your own adventure book, something that I can read over and over again and not get bored with. Lastly, I would want a notebook (is that cheating?) so I could record everything and create my own stories to entertain myself.
6. What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
This! Publishing this book took all the courage I had. For so long it was just me and Emmy doing our thing and no one else could look in and judge us. Letting go of that safe place and releasing Emmy Nation into the world for anyone to pick up, critique and question, is the scariest and hardest thing I have ever done.
The Giveaway!
Win 1 of 2 prizes! A copy of Emmy Nation + $15 Amazon gift card
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 12, 2016
Power Rangers Time Force
It is amazing how everything that was enjoyed when I was a kid, is now slowly coming back. Especially with television shows and movies! Power Rangers is one of those shows, not only did our eldest son love it when he was younger, our youngest can now spend hours watching the fearless group of Power Rangers morph and battle.
About Power Rangers: Time Force
On February 9, 2016, join the Power Rangers as they battle the evil Ransik when Shout! Factory releases Power Rangers Time Force: The Complete Series, a 5-DVD box set that contains all 40 episodes of the iconic show’s ninth season (woot woot!).
In the distant future, a team of Power Rangers known as the Power Rangers Time Force act as a time-traveling police force capturing and freezing criminal mutants. When the notorious criminal mastermind Ransik stages a daring escape, he fells the Red Time Force Ranger Alex and takes the entire cryogenic prison full of dangerous, incarcerated mutants back in time with him to the year 2001! There he seeks to unleash a new wave of crime against our modern world, who are helpless against his vastly superior technology. In pursuit of Ransik, Pink Ranger Jen (my personal fave) and grieving fiancée of Alex – leads a team of Time Force officers back in time to apprehend the escaped criminals. In modern times they ally themselves with Alex’s distant ancestor, Wes, whose shared DNA with his future descendant allows him to take up the powers of the Red Time Force Ranger.
Following its debut in 1993, Saban’s iconic live-action pop culture series, Power Rangers quickly became the most watched children’s television program in North America and still is. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, responsibility and helping others by following the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who “morphed” into superheroes, this long-running series has been seen in more than 60 countries, translated into numerous languages, and remains a mainstay in children’s programming blocks. For over 20 years, the highly entertaining saga and fan favorite characters from Power Rangers have captivated children and adults alike and are beloved by legions of fans worldwide.
My Thoughts
With over fourteen hours (yes you heard that right!) of episodes, this five disc DVD collection will have your child thrilled and ready to join in the Power Rangers action. Our youngest could not wait to open the DVD set and hit play. He was definitely not disappointed! A great plot line, fantastic team work lessons and a story true to the Power Ranger style. We all loved every moment of the episodes. It was perfect to watch a couple of episodes and then come back later to when we were ready to pick up. It is clear why the Power Rangers have been such a popular show for the last twenty years!
Trailer
The Giveaway!
My US and Canadian readers can now enter to win their own copy of Power Rangers Time Force via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 12, 2016
Come Empty Book Review
When a water vessel is filled with dirt and stones, it cannot be used to quench a thirst.
About Come Empty
When our vessel is emptied, there is an opportunity to fill it until it overflows with fresh, cool, life-giving water. Water that quenches, refreshes and soothes.
Our souls are the same: they can be filled with fear, doubt, and disappointment. Running over with unanswered prayers and lingering questions. When we empty the mess of our lives in the presence of God, we are offered an invitation to come. An invitation that allows us to come empty so that we can be filled until we overflow.
Come Empty: Pour Out Life’s Hurts and Receive God’s Healing Love guides you through fifty days of experiencing the fullness of God’s love and His ability to overcome life’s hurts. Each day, you will receive assurance of God’s presence in your difficult situations. Each devotion gives new vision and perspective when you’re hindered by emotional blind spots, and leads you to experience God’s peace and wholeness. When His invitation is accepted, He will set your captive mind and heart free to live fully by His grace. The question is not if you will get an invitation. The question is, will you come?
My Thoughts
Come Empty provides you with a daily five-minute readings and question work to help you understand the “empty” you are feeling at the current time and how to work through these feelings. There is actually eighty days of readings which is perfect for you to set out a time each day whether it be in the morning or evening, to reflect on your emotions and how you are feeling. She provides you with a scripture reading and helpful questions that really get to the root of your emotions. Each day is devoted to an emotion or feeling and I like how she organized the devotional. The beginning of the book starts with a great introduction to not only the subject matter but her personal life. We see how she struggled as a physician trying to be the support her patients needed but still feeling empty inside. It is a feeling so many of can relate to . I find even myself struggling at times and when I can work to empty my mind, thoughts and heart of these feelings and emotions, only than can I be at peace. Come Empty is an excellent daily read that you can start, pause and always come back to certain passages. It will become a book that you will need more some days then others but one you will always find yourself drawn back to.
You can more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board Certified internal medicine physician. She shares with audiences nationwide on the topics of eliminating limiting emotions, finding grace in difficult places, and experiencing personal renewal by drawing near to God. Dr. Dalton-Smith is a national and international media resource on the mind, body, spirit connection and has been featured in Women’s Day, Redbook, and First For Women magazine. She is the founder of I Choose My Best Life. Her other books include award-winning Set Free to Live Free: Breaking Through the 7 Lies Women Tell Themselves.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.