"Maggie Bright"

A Novel of Dunkirk

by Tracy Groot!

5 stars!

Description

England, 1940. Clare Childs knew life would change when she unexpectedly inherited the Maggie Bright—a noble fifty-two-foot yacht. In fact, she’s counting on it. But the boat harbors secrets. When a stranger arrives, searching for documents hidden onboard, Clare is pulled into a Scotland Yard investigation that could shed light on Hitler’s darkest schemes and prompt America to action.

Across the Channel, Hitler’s Blitzkrieg has the entire British army in retreat with little hope for rescue at the shallow beaches of Dunkirk. With time running out, Churchill recruits civilian watercraft to help. Hitler is attacking from land, air, and sea, and any boat that goes might not return. Yet Clare knowsMaggie Bright must answer the call—piloted by an American who has refused to join the war effort until now and a detective with a very personal motive for exposing the truth.

The fate of the war hinges on this rescue. While two men join the desperate fight, a nation prays for a miracle.

Purchase here:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

Biography

Tracy Groot is the critically acclaimed and Christy Award-winning author of several works of historical fiction. Her books have received starred Booklist and Publishers Weekly reviews and have been called "beautifully written" and "page-turning" by Publishers Weekly, and "gripping" with "exquisitely drawn" characters by Library Journal. 

Tracy and her husband have three sons, one daughter (in-law) and live in Hudsonville, Michigan.

Website: http://www.tracygroot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.groot?fref=ts

My Thoughts ~

Parallel stories are seamlessly interwoven throughout this gripping novel of the early years of WWII England and across the English Channel. Beautifully described with impeccable detail, history comes to life in this poignant story. The Maggie Bright holds secrets and her story runs deep. 

Numerous characters come to life in this gripping novel of danger and intrigue. These characters will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. This tale of war and suffering, and a future unknown is well researched and documented. Life is depicted with poignancy and compassion, yet raw and earthy details generate a depth of emotion.

Effortlessly developed, Maggie Bright is a sight to behold and a character all her own. This historic rendering of WWII England and those who fought to protect her freedom is riveting and masterfully written. I look forward to more novels by Tracy Groot!

Disclaimer: Thank you to Book Fun's For Readers Only program and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"For All Eternity"

Almond Tree Series #1

by June Foster

Description

When Joella Crawford meets handsome accountant, JD Neilson, he's the man of her dreams—polite and clean cut with strong moral values. He's the perfect Christian man. Or is he? 

JD Neilson falls in love with interior designer, Joella Crawford despite his father's command to marry a woman of his faith, the one true church, the Exalted Brethren. Yet despite his efforts to gain status in the afterlife, he can't attain the quiet peace he sees in Joella's life. Can he find the strength to forsake the teachings of his childhood to embrace The Truth? If he does, will Joella accept him or has he lost her forever? 

Purchase here:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Biography

An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. In 2013, June's book Give Us This Day was a finalist in EPIC's eBook awards and in 2014 a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards for best first book. Ryan's Father won The Clash of the Titles book of the month for 2014 and is one of three finalists in the published contemporary fiction category of the 2014 Oregon Christian Writers Cascade Writing Contest and Awards. June has written four novels for Desert Breeze Publishing. The Bellewood Series, Give Us This Day, As We Forgive, and Deliver Us, and Hometown Fourth of July. Ryan's Father is available from WhiteFire Publishing. Red and the Wolf, a modern day retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, is available from Amazon.com. June loves to write stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives.

Website: http://junefoster.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/june.foster.92?ref=br_rs

My Thoughts ~

Joella Crawford is an interior designer and devout Christian. JD Neilson is an accountant and member of the Exalted Brethren church, a cult devoid of biblical teaching and beliefs. Their lives literally collide on the walking/bike path on campus. Both share strong moral values and are devoted to their respective faith walks, and both hold deep secrets that could ruin any chance for a future relationship.

I had a difficult time getting started in this book, but just as I questioned whether I wanted to continue reading the story took hold and held my attention to the very end. June Foster paints a vivid picture of the Exalted Brethren and how the family unit is affected throughout a lifetime as a member of the cult. As strong Christian values and beliefs compare many lives are affected by the differences between those beliefs. 

The author built upon her characters' beliefs and expectations for their respective futures. Additionally, family members and friends were an integral part of this story, holding true to the values of their faith and beliefs. A story of conflict and an emotional roller coaster kept me questioning JD's motives and his deception where Joella was concerned. There were times that I was disgusted with JD and found him to be far from the man we meet in the beginning of this book. 

If you love Christian fiction, you'll thoroughly enjoy this book of faith and Christian convictions. It is well written and brings out the differences and strengths in the lives of Christians versus non-Christians. I was a bit distracted with a lack of some additional editing, but it didn't detract from the story. I rated this book 4 stars.

Disclaimer: Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"Protected"

(Jacobs Family Series #2)

by Vannetta Chapman

5 stars

Description

ERIN JACOBS doesn’t hesitate when she receives a desperate call in the middle of the night. As owner of the Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, it’s her job to rescue animals. But from the start, this case is different. 

The woman’s frantic plea. 
Directions to a deserted hunter’s cabin. 
Insistence that she come alone. 
Then she’s looking down into a washtub at an infant child. 

Erin’s life changes irrevocably when she becomes involved with a mother who has lost all hope, an orphaned child, millions of dollars and a father who might do anything to get his hands on the money. Social worker TRAVIS WILLIAMS is assigned to her case. Travis sees more in Erin than someone who rescues strays. She’s unconventional, strong-willed, and caring. It could be that she would make the perfect parent for Josh. 

Before he can work through his feelings and file his report, the situation takes another dangerous turn. Can Erin and Travis guarantee Josh’s safety? To do so, they’ll need to rely on one another, their families, and the faith of their childhood. 

Purchase here:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Biography

Vannetta Chapman writes fiction full of GRACE. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. 

For more information, visit her at 
web page -- www.VannettaChapman.com 
blog -- http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com
facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and 
pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman

My Thoughts ~

Erin Jacobs is a strong-willed, independent young woman who rescues endangered animals. A late-night call from a frantic woman begging Erin to an unknown rescue takes her to a cabin in the deep woods where she discovers an infant in an old wash tub. Over-worked and stressed, social worker Travis Williams is assigned as case worker for the orphaned infant. He and Erin necessitate working together to ensure the infant's safety and an appropriate foster home environment. Erin has already fallen in love with "Baby Joshua."

This story begins with instant suspense and intrigue! As lives are changed and challenges mount a spark of romance surfaces. Travis is falling all over himself attempting to be professional, but Erin's beauty and lonely circumstances spark a personal interest where there is no place for a relationship in either case. A precious child also captures Travis' heart and his professional distance is difficult to retain.

The characters in "Protected" are well portrayed and I grew to care for them immensely. Faith is a powerful component in this story of trials and misfortune, and Erin discovers the need for a support system as her demands escalate with newly found responsibilities. At the same time God has placed Travis at a crossroads. In the foster care system there is no place for relationships between case workers and clients. Can he distance himself from the feelings he is struggling with regarding Erin and little Joshua? Travis' friend assures him that God has a plan. Ms. Chapman relates deep feeling and emotions through her characters and their respective roles in this mystery. Background characters became integral and add strength and support to the story. 

I discovered at times I had to put the book down in order to slow my heart rate and catch my breath. I also found this to be true in the prequel to this book, "Hidden." Vannetta Chapman keeps her stories moving at a fast pace with no room for predicting what comes next! Poignant and emotional, I was captivated throughout "Protected" and look forward to the next in this suspense-filled series!

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Vannetta Chapman for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

"Once Upon A Summertime"

(A New York City Romance #1)

by Melody Carlson
GIVEAWAY!

Description

She’s looking for her big break. She never imagined it would depend on a blast from her past.

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it’s a safe choice for a young woman starting out her career.

Then, out of the blue, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to reinvent herself and reinvigorate her career by moving to New York City. She applies for a management position at the stylish new Rothsberg hotel. But the city is full of surprises—not the least of which is discovering that Sean O’Neil, a once-upon-a-time crush, has applied for the very same position.

This sweetly romantic tale of dreams come true takes you through the storied streets of New York City—and into the depths of the human heart.

Purchase here:

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.christianbook.com

http://www.deepershopping.com

Biography

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That's a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a "storyteller." Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She's won a number of awards (including Romantic Time's Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog. To find out more about Melody Carlson, visit her website at http://www.melodycarlson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/melodycarlsonauthor?fref=ts

My Thoughts ~

Anna Gordon is ready for a change. She spent two dead end years after receiving her degree managing the small-town Value Lodge, and sleeping on her grandmother's sofa. An opportunity to work for a high-end boutique hotel in New York City becomes available, and Anna is ready for the challenge. A childhood friend of sorts becomes her coworker, and the two are off to see the city and prepare to manage the best hotel in the Big Apple.

A sweet and ambitious tale of young people and new beginnings may appeal to the younger crowd, late teens, early 20s. I found it a bit overdone. Anna is an innocent character, and her counterpart, Sean O'Neil is rather imposing, yet in fictitious New York City anything is possible. Numerous characters are introduced into the story, but I was able to follow. 

The story was flowing along, and then suddenly dropped. Dead end. End of story. As I came closer to the end of the book I was concerned about which direction this story was going. In a word, nowhere. The book is descriptive, architectural detailing was well done, but the story just fell flat. This may be a good beach read for those who enjoy light reading, but be prepared for an abrupt ending. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Monday, June 22, 2015.

"The Lumberjacks' Ball"

(The Christy Lumber Camp Series #2)

by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Description

A decade after surviving a brutal attack, a mercantile owner’s daughter begins her life anew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A gifted craftsman wishes to leave the lumber camp and seeks employment at her new store. When his presence dredges up memories she wishes to suppress, the proprietress must learn to face her past and open her heart. When complications arise, will they overcome adversity in time for The Lumberjack's Ball?

Purchase Links:
The Lumberjacks' Ball (2015) on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.

About the author

Carrie Fancett Pagels, PhD, (www.carriefancettpagels.com) "Hearts Overcoming Through Time" is an Amazon Bestselling Christian historical romance author. Her novella, The Fruitcake Challenge, released as part of the Christmas Traditions series (and is Book One in The Christy Lumber Camp Series) and hit the #1 spot on Amazon's Christian Historical Romance list. The Lumberjacks' Ball, Book Two in The Christy Lumber Camp Series hit #1 on Hot New Releases in Christian Historical Romance in April 2015. 

Under contract with Pelican Book Group, Carrie's first full length novel will be published late in 2015. "Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter" is a European and Colonial American Christian romance.

In July, 2014, Carrie won in Historical Genre for Family Fiction's "The Story 2014" contest, with her short story, "The Quilting Contest." This story has now been published in Family Fiction's "The Story 2014 Anthology." Carrie received Honorable Mention in the Maggie Awards for Excellence for 2014.

Carrie's novella, "Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance", was an Amazon Civil War best seller for over six months and remained on the top-rated list for a year. Her short story "Snowed In" was published in Guidepost Books' "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" in 2013. Nonfiction chapter contribution to Selah Finalist, "God's Provision in Tough Times," by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy (Lighthouse of the Carolinas, 2013). 

Represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency. Founder of Colonial American Christian Writers group. Owner/administrator of the group blogs "Colonial Quills" and "Overcoming With God." 

Member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and FaithWriters. 

Dr. Pagels was a licensed psychologist for over twenty-five years. Has an adult daughter and a middle school aged son. Married the love of her life, Jeffrey D. Pagels, in 1987.

Carrie's Social Media
Facebook Author Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Fancett-Pagels/317053071710640?fref=ts
Facebook Personal Page http://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels
Twitter https://twitter.com/cfpagels
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/carriefpagels/
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5548131-carrie-pagels
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=131454255&trk=tab_pro

From the author

I've set this story in St. Ignace in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula with secondary settings outside Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island--all some of my favorite areas to visit. A former "Yooper" (from the Upper Peninsula) my grandfather and other family members really were lumberjacks. 

When I wrote the storyline, I'd planned for a sweet romance with a charming shop girl as the heroine. THEN I came across a lumberjack's song when I was researching The Fruitcake Challenge. The terrible song, about a lumberjack killing a childhood sweetheart, shocked me. It stuck with me. I ended up rewriting my story and had my heroine be a SURVIVOR of an attack. Since my tag line is Hearts Overcoming Though Time, the new storyline and characters fit more with what my writing is all about - people overcoming with God's help.

As a former psychologist (for over 25 years), I've worked with many people suffering from PTSD, like my heroine, Rebecca Jane.  She's built a wall around her heart and tried to "hide" behind a facade of dowdiness. Part of my "what if" for the story was what if we had that sweet shop girl but she'd survived that horrible attack? Such a thing changes you, but God can bring healing. I pray that those who read this book will be blessed by the story as I was to write it. 

My Thoughts ~

The second in The Lumber Camp Series, "The Lumberjacks' Ball is a charming tale of new beginnings. This sequel to "The Fruitcake Challenge" is a refreshing story of two young people looking for happiness in a new setting. St. Ignace is a growing community where the wealthy from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan come to spend summers. Mackinac Island is as close as a ferry boat crossing and the site of the world famous Mackinac Island Grand Hotel. 

In light of their faltering business in Lower Michigan Rebecca Hart's father has left her alone in St. Ignace to start up another mercantile in order to attract new business. Garrett Christy has moved to St. Ignace to distance himself from the lumber camp and personal tragedy, and to seek a career as a wood craftsman. As their paths cross recognition surfaces, and each reacts in a very different way. Rebecca wants to forget the past, but Garrett is interested in renewing his childhood friendship with her. Any hopes for a future together are sketchy.

I found this novella to be creative and refreshing, some sinister activities surfacing, adding an air of mystery. A story based on a lumber camp family who share strong bonds and love for one another crosses paths with a young woman who has literally been left to fend for herself. The characters throughout this story are likeable and have strong convictions, which adds flavor to their relationships with one another. Circumstances bring the characters in this story together for a mutual objective, and the blending of characters becomes very entertaining. 

A short book, this can easily be read in an evening. I found myself wanting more of the story, a deeper, longer version to fill in the gaps. Carrie Fancett Pagels has a passion and gift for creating a great story from the ground up. I would love to see her create a full-length novel of depth and substance as she has begun with her novellas. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story of family, faith and fortitude! I'm looking forward to the next in this series!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. 

"Second Chances: An Amish Retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion"

(The Amish Classics Series)

by Sarah Price

GIVEAWAY!

5 stars!

Description

At twenty-five years of age, Anna Eicher has never married. When she was seventeen, her parents convinced her to break off her courtship with Freman Whittmore, the youngest son in the Whittmore family and her best friend. Afterward, a distraught Freman moved away from Lancaster County.

Eight years later Freman has returned to visit his sister, who is renting the Eichers’ house for the winter. Now the owner of the largest dairy farm in his church district, Freman has neither married—nor forgiven Anna.

Although he begins courting someone else, Anna hopes to convince him that she has never stopped loving him. Will Freman be persuaded to forgive Anna and open his heart again?

Purchase here:

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.deepershopping.com/

Biography

Sarah Price self-published her first book, Fields of Corn, in 2009, a book she wrote thirty years earlier while studying anthropology and writing at Drew University (Madison, NJ). With her Anabaptist upbringing, she was drawn to the amazing culture of the Amish of Lancaster County where Ms. Price is heavily involved with numerous Amish communities where she is considered family by some and friend by most others. Fields of Corn became an Amazon bestseller and fans began asking her for more books. 

In 2013, she signed with Realms, a division of Charisma House, to publish the Amish Classics series. Initially focusing on the retelling of Jane Austen's timeless classics from within an Amish setting, her first traditionally published book, First Impressions, A Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, debuted on the ECPA bestseller list. She intends to continue retelling classics, including the Bronte sisters and Victor Hugo, as she enjoys "raising the bar" on her own intellectual stimulation as well as that of her expansive base of loyal readers. 

In 2014, she signed with Waterfall Press and published An Amish Buggy Ride which because the #1 bestseller in Religious Romance. 

In 2015, she also began writing Young Adult fiction with her first book, Diehard Fangirl launching on April 17, 2015. Her focus is on helping young teenagers with self-esteem issues as well as educating parents about the good and the bad impact of social media on their daughters

Follow her on social media: 
Blog:http://www.sarahpriceauthor.com. 
Facebook: http://facebook.com/fansofsarahprice.
Twitter: @SarahPriceAuthr
Instagram: @SarahPriceAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SarahPrice

My Thoughts ~

The story of Anna and Freman is filled with anguish and loss, but underlying hope lingers. Anna's controlling family has essentially stolen her freedom and any opportunity for happiness. Although 8 years has passed since she broke off her courtship with Freman at her family's insistence, heartbreak and melancholy remain her constant companions. 

Unexpectedly Freman returns to Ohio, and Anna is forced to face her feelings, and her hopes and dreams that a second chance with Freman may be possible. In keeping with Jane Austen's book, "Persuasion," Sarah Price has created an Amish version of this memorable story, and added her own flare. 

Anna's character reflects the Amish lifestyle of meeting the demands and responsibilities of her family, but has her lack of fortitude cost her a future of love and happiness? After her mother's death she allowed her father and Aunt Lydia to dictate her future, causing her to lose the love of her life. The author has developed Anna's character to reflect authenticity and a deeply emotional reflection. The story flows in tandem with Austen's "Persuasion," and is exquisite in detail! 

Anna continues to allow others to dictate how she lives her life, and unhappiness accompanies her days. This personality trait of feeling obligated to please others at her own expense is representative of how many of us go through life, denying our own needs and desires in order to help others achieve their goals. 

"Second Chances" is Sarah Price's finest! The detailing is impeccable and the story flows seamlessly. I was completely captivated by this book, from the very beginning to the end. I highly recommend this poignant and masterfully written Amish representation of Austen's "Persuasion." 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. 

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Monday, June 15, 2015!

A conversation & GIVEAWAY 

with Marci M. Matthews, 

author of "Every Day a Hope!"

Description

Through tiny stories and illustrations, Every Day a Hope encourages and empowers readers to examine emotionally difficult issues, while instilling confidence, introspection, and creativity. In each page, Marci M. Matthews addresses familiar concepts in a unique manner, designed to evoke thoughts, feelings, changes in perspective, and the ability to embrace the positive.

The concepts in Every Day a Hope are taken from Matthews’ work with survivors of sexual violence and PTSD, but the book is accessible to anyone who wants to find new ways to approach life with a positive outlook. Accompanying pages encourage readers to embark on their own explorations by asking questions and providing space to draw, write, keep lists, and create in whatever ways inspire them the most.

Release: May 19, 2015

Publisher: Off to See

ISBN: 978-0-9908218-1-6

Price: $18.99 hardback

Price: $14.99 paperback

Pages: 131

Special Editions Available Through Publisher

About the author

Marci M. Matthews is an author, artist, philanthropist, and Certified Advocate. A survivor of child abuse and sexual assault, she is the founder of the Grace Initiative Foundation Tree, a charitable organization dedicated to the healing and prevention of sexual violence. In 2013, Marci received the RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) HOPE Award for Fighting Sexual Violence and Helping Survivors.

http://www.marcimmatthews.com/books.html


Please welcome Marci Matthews!

Marci, thank you so much for visiting my blog and sharing information regarding your upcoming release of "Every Day A Hope," a spiritual workbook for adolescents and adults. I appreciate you taking the time to answer some questions that may interest visitors to my blog. 


Q) How would you describe Every Day a Hope? And how are you hoping people will use this unique journal?

I see Every Day a Hope as an empowerment tool and a source of reflection for readers. When I created the journal’s tiny stories and illustrations, I intentionally layered as many possibilities into each page. I wanted the book to look simple, but be meaningful on several levels. I want each reader to ruminate on a particular moment in a way that evokes personal reflection – a sort of mini epiphany from the reader’s own spirit, thoughts, history, mood and more. I want the reader to feel inspired, empowered, and expanded with a sense of her own thoughts and feelings. I want Every Day a Hope to be a safe place for people who need to heal and find hope. For me, Every Day a Hope started a conversation with myself. I hope this journal allows readers to better communicate and understand themselves as well.

Healing isn’t linear.  And life, love, and our spirit-growth don’t follow linear paths, either. I want the pages of Every Day a Hope to suggest possibilities, and I hope each reader will make the journal her own in whatever way that means. Draw. Make lists. Think great thoughts. Take the pages of Every Day a Hope and color them, share feelings, make lists and draw out your dreams. You’ll notice, too, that I often switch up the pronouns I use in the journal. I do this to be inclusive, but I also switch pronoun usage if I feel society needs to think about a concept differently. My only wish is that this book brings something more to the reader: hope, healing, reflection, a lost memory, or just a new possibility created from a moment. 

Some people like to keep their books as perfect as possible, not creasing the spine or bending a page. I must admit, I am the complete opposite. I devour, digest, display, and dismember books from enjoying them so much. I turn down corners, write in them, eat around them and make them part of my moment. 


Q) You’ve written several books, including the very popular Every Star a Wish. Where do you get your inspiration? 

Inspiration is everywhere; it is in every second. Inspiration can be found in a friend’s smile, an animal’s tail, a road sign, a light, a smell. I find inspiration in things people say and do and their connection to the world.

You know how we breathe constantly but rarely pay conscious attention to the act of breathing? For me, Inspiration works the same way: I will see a color or hear a word and it makes me feel a certain way or think a thought that becomes a concept for page in one of my books. A lot of times the end concept morphs into something completely contrary to whatever I initially saw or heard, which speaks to the layers of meaning all of us can find when journaling. 


Q) Do you do your own artwork? Why is there an angel on every page?

I do create all of the art. Some pages literally started out as sketches on napkins or on the backs of bills I paid. I also have a tablet I can draw on directly, which I love. I chose to work only with black and white illustrations for Every Day a Hope because I want the reader to discover for herself the many shades of color available to her own path of healing.

 The angel is representative of the spirit, and it is meant to be inclusive since I don’t want this book limited by one viewpoint. Sometimes the angel is a symbol of the reader, sometimes it is meant as an active character on the page - often both. The angel is an “everyman” symbol meant to enhance and and reflect the reader’s own spirit. 


Q) Do you keep a journal? Do you ever look back at your own entries and learn something new about yourself? Or do you choose always to look forward, rarely looking at old journal entries?

At times I’ve kept what might be referred to as a journal. That sounds evasive, but I find the term journaling holds some  intimidating connotations.  What I do have are many places where I keep what I term “scraps of life.” I draw or jot down things pretty much everywhere. Sometimes I scribble with my mascara on a mirror or tape a fortune from a cookie into my wallet. I have some notebooks where there are short stories, taped things I picked up during my day like a magazine page or twig, or just written characterizations of people or animals. My phone is absolutely a journal these days, and I really love it for that. I love looking back at things, especially after a great deal of time has passed. Often my reward for cleaning a shelf is when I stumble on an old notebook and flip it open to find cool and creative work I did. At this point I usually wonder why I was so cool and creative when I was younger and what happened to me? Just kidding, I was never cool. But I did write some amazing things. 


Q) You’ve worked as an award-winning crisis counselor for years. What place do you think journaling holds in the healing process?

Funny you should ask, because the conversations I’ve had regarding journaling led me with great purpose to make this book a reality. In my earlier books, I’ve presented stories because I believed they had significance and positivity, but with Every Day a Hope, I wanted to focus on healing, hope, and surviving specifically because of my hotline work. 

One way to heal is to write everything down but keep only the positive. For instance, if you are using scraps of paper, throw the good things you’ve written in a box or a drawer, but get rid of all the negative notes. Say you are so angry right now or sad, write down anything at all that comes to mind. Write the way you feel, even hold the pen or crayon angrily or sadly if you want, but when you are done, rip it up and get rid of it. If what you wrote is in a notebook, tear out the page. Weeks or months later, if you look in the box or the drawer, especially on a bad day, you will find only positive reinforcement. This exercise can be very rewarding and empowering. 

I believe the idea of a journal can be extremely beneficial for anyone, especially someone who has experienced trauma. The act of keeping lists or things one might put in a photo album or scrapbook all in one place can truly help the speed and quality of healing. “Journaling” can sound cool, but it can also sound intimidating, expensive, and like a lot of work to some people, including me. No one has to have an expensive journal or even a notebook, scraps of paper can serve a positive function. The important thing is to keep it positive and eliminate the negative. 

Here are some things you could keep in a notebook: safety notes, safety planning, support contacts, resources, things you did on a good day, things that you like or used to like, songs or movies that make you happy, places you’d like to visit, photos of anything or anyone you like, random positive thoughts or quotes, observations. Don’t pressure yourself  and don’t feel you must start on page one. Start anywhere you please. Write sideways or upside down. I used to experiment a lot with texture, size, and color. It can be really exhilarating to use a roll of paper and paintbrush or sidewalk chalk.


Q) What’s next for you? Is there another book in the works? 


There is another book! It is titled Every Cloud a Dream, and it will explore themes of diversity and acceptance. Because of the book’s focus on dreaming, I will include more abstract and imaginary art. Attainable or not, we should have crazy, beautiful, and awesome dreams in our hearts and our heads: We should be dreamers!  I think it is going to be a delightful challenge.

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