Father Figure – Book Review

Jay’s first book, Watching Glass Shatter gave me an unproductive next day because he kept me up all night!  Knowing how the first one went, I was smart and started this one on a weekend!

While I didn’t know what to expect, I really liked this book.  I liked the way we moved back and forth between time periods, but in a logical way.  You know how some books weave a story, but you get lost?  Not with this one!  But you’ll get the opportunity to figure out the puzzling bond that the characters share.

As male author, I thought it was interesting how he was writing from the younger female points of view which I found amazing that he’s so versatile.  Full of family drama/saga,  suspense and an intricate plot, it’s a great read.

You can find Jay here on his blog – this is the link to his first book!  Jay’s got book reviews, travel stories, his dog stories (RIP Ryder and welcome Baxter!) along with his 365 Challenge and all sorts of fun stuff!  Take a moment to blog hop!  He’s such a sweet guy with lots of friends.  You won’t be disappointed!

Shine On!

xo

The Shack

Last night, I curled up on the couch after eating a warm bowl of homemade chicken soup that I had made for my family yesterday while the temperatures dropped into the single digits outside.  Cuddled under a big, fluffy, warm blanket, almost falling asleep, instead I turned on the movie The Shack.  Years ago, I remember reading the book which I found confusing.  So as the movie began, there were parts that I remembered from the book and much that I had forgotten.

I’ve told you about a few movies which I’ve found to be keepers – ones which touched me spiritually and this one, I need to add to that list for you and for me to watch again.  You see, after I finished watching it and dried my tears, I knew I would have to sleep on all that I’d just experienced along with the lead character in order to absorb what I could.  I also know that I will need to watch it again to absorb more, but that I will know when to watch it again – when my mind and body are receptive.

Click here or on the photo of the book to check it out on Amazon.

Have you ever read the book The Shack or seen the movie version?  The book came out in 2007 and the movie in March of 2017.  I would love to hear from you if you’ve already read the book or seen the movie.  I admit that it can be confusing at times and one needs to keep an open mind.

It’s the reminder of God’s presence in all of our lives healing us in a storytelling way.  The theme of love and letting go of the past are such strong universal truths that those are the additional reasons why I recommend reading and watching The Shack. 

Forgiveness is part of letting go of the past and as the end of 2017 is upon us, perhaps it’s time to let go of 2017 in order to begin again, our next year, with a clean slate and love in our hearts, minds and souls for all.

Shine your heartlights dear friends.

The time is now to heal our wounds and to be at peace.

Shine On!

xo

 

Watching Glass Shatter

By James J. Cudney

Recently, I connected with a newly published author who’s also an incredible blogger.  Jay, as he’s known to friends, is a great connector as you’ll find on his blog This Is My Truth Now.

Jay writes about so much that it’s impossible for me to put him in a neatly boxed description so you’ll just have to trust me on this one and go over to visit him.  You won’t be disappointed.  He has a plethora of subjects from his favorite dog Ryder who debuts on Mondays (for all you dog lovers) to his numerous book reviews which I can’t imagine how he reads so much, but he does!  Then, there’s his delightful sense of humor and banter with his blogging pals.  It’s almost like dancing, when you ‘talk’ with him.  You know, that give and take as you move through the blogosphere?   As those who fish say, he’s a keeper and I’m glad to share his blog and book with you today!

Let me start by telling you that Watching Glass Shatter reviews can be found here for Good Reads.  You can also find them here on Amazon! Oh, and here’s the link to buy it here!  For old school readers, the paperback book itself is now available too on the same link!

When I recount that it’s Jay’s fault that I had a sleepless night and an unproductive next day, I mean it.  I usually read a little on my kindle before bedtime, so I started his book as I usually do, thinking I’d read a chapter or two.  Honestly, I picked it up because he’s a fellow blogger and I’m loyal like that – and the subject of family interests me.  I was smitten by reading the description of the book so I thought, what the heck!  What I didn’t expect was the depth to which his characters touched me, each with their own individualized perceptions and feelings to round out the formation of a family in every sense of the word.  If you’re a part of a family, you know there are nuances between members, subtle and yet sometimes stark reminders of a shared past.  Delve into the family unit long enough and you’ll find all sorts of relationships, beliefs and hidden secrets.

Jay’s book makes no exception as he invites us into the Glass family with open arms.  Beautifully written, detailed and believable, we journey with them through the death of their patriarch father Ben and experience the aftermath of Glass shattering.

This is why I couldn’t put his book down until I finished it.  Pulling my heartstrings with each character, Jay kept me reading until the very wee hours of the morning.  When I was finished, I fell asleep sated with the love and connections of a family I just met.

Please join me in welcoming  James J. Cudney to the realm of newly published author.  This is a book you won’t want to miss!  Be sure to pop over to his blog too and tell him Misifusa sent you!

Here’s the tour schedule if you want to follow it!  Join the community of bloggers who are supporting Jay and his book tour!

And if you feel inclined, please stop by GoodReads or Amazon to write a book review for him after you’ve read it.  Thank you!  I always love to support other bloggers and I know you do too!

Shine On!

xo

 

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Help for Middle-Schoolers

I’ve mentioned many times over the last few days that there is help at school for parents and for students.  A friend of mine wrote a book that I want to share since I unexpectedly began a series on the beginning of school for teachers, parents and students.

Because I always want to help, here’s my tip for you!  This book is a keeper and I’m not just saying that!  If you have Middle-schoolers, this is a great book for you!

From tears and fears to cheers—the adult guide for middle-schoolers… Twenty of the most common issues that drive emotional middle-school students to the school counselor’s door are told in story form based on real-life confidential meetings, phone calls, and interventions. Stories include practical life lessons and inspiring solutions for such problems as anger management, eating disorders, peer pressure, bullying, divorcing parents, failure spirals, broken friendships, gossip, sexual harassment, and test and performance anxiety. The stories also provide insight for challenges with parents, teachers, or siblings, and they help students deal with being new at school, death and major change in the family, and friends who are desperate or hurting themselves. Each of the chapters details the process of taking these educationally disruptive issues from emergence to resolution in a format perfect for use by school counselors, teachers, and parents. Additionally, each chapter offers discussion and reflection questions at the end to help promote insight through discussions with individuals, groups, or in classrooms. This full range of school counselor programs, professional resources, and responsibilities is the perfect read for the school counselor wanting new tools and strategies, or for the graduate student wanting an understanding and guide for the career they have chosen. And for the parent or teacher, this book will help them support the social and emotional growth of their middle-school children with an understanding of their emotional needs.

Click here to see the video of her book!

Click here to buy a copy for yourself!

Join Behind the Counselor’s Door on Facebook!

Shine On!

xo