My Stroke of Insight

I read this book following my father's stroke and, though his stroke was of a different nature, I found this book immensely helpful in understanding what a stroke is, how it works, and how to care for a survivor afterward.

The fact that Dr. Taylor could recall her stroke with such clarity and defined herself as wounded rather than deficient helped me see how to interact with stroke survivors and grateful that some of the tactics she encourages came to me naturally.

This book is full of understandable information that you can apply immediately when you're face to face with stroke.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to gain insight to the workings of the brain even if you never think you'll need to apply it to stroke for yourself or a loved one.

AMAZON

The astonishing New York Times bestseller that chronicles how a brain scientist's own stroke led to enlightenment

On December 10, 1996, Jill Bolte Taylor, a thirty-seven- year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist experienced a massive stroke in the left hemisphere of her brain. As she observed her mind deteriorate to the point that she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life-all within four hours-Taylor alternated between the euphoria of the intuitive and kinesthetic right brain, in which she felt a sense of complete well-being and peace, and the logical, sequential left brain, which recognized she was having a stroke and enabled her to seek help before she was completely lost. It would take her eight years to fully recover.

For Taylor, her stroke was a blessing and a revelation. It taught her that by "stepping to the right" of our left brains, we can uncover feelings of well-being that are often sidelined by "brain chatter." Reaching wide audiences through her talk at the Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference and her appearance on Oprah's online Soul Series, Taylor provides a valuable recovery guide for those touched by brain injury and an inspiring testimony that inner peace is accessible to anyone.

A Year of Biblical Womanhood

I read this for book club, otherwise I don't think I would've ever picked it up.

However I'm glad I did. I liked the premise and the set up of the book - diving deep in to the Bible to determine who a biblical woman is and how does that look in the modern age.
Each month had a different theme with principals and tasks to understand and apply the Bible to everyday life.

I liked the Bible stories and the adventures the author had in her attempt to be a Biblical woman. Some of my favorites were Chip, the pie meltdown, the tent in the front yard, and the monastary. I also appreciated her husband's journal entries.

The idea brought up questions regarding my own spiritual progress in terms of the Bible. I liked that she changed over the course of the year.

Only one question remained:
What was the obsession with her hair?

AMAZON

New York Times Bestseller. With just the right mixture of humor and insight, compassion and incredulity, A Year of Biblical Womanhood is an exercise in scriptural exploration and spiritual contemplation. What does God truly expect of women, and is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Come along with Evans as she looks for answers in the rich heritage of biblical heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor.

What is “biblical womanhood” . . . really?

Strong-willed and independent, Rachel Held Evans couldn’t sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment—a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decides to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible for a year.

Pursuing a different virtue each month, Evans learns the hard way that her quest for biblical womanhood requires more than a “gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). It means growing out her hair, making her own clothes, covering her head, obeying her husband, rising before dawn, abstaining from gossip, remaining silent in church, and even camping out in the front yard during her period.

See what happens when a thoroughly modern woman starts referring to her husband as “master” and “praises him at the city gate” with a homemade sign. Learn the insights she receives from an ongoing correspondence with an Orthodox Jewish woman, and find out what she discovers from her exchanges with a polygamist wife.  Join her as she wrestles with difficult passages of scripture that portray misogyny and violence against women.

Belize!

Our 20th Anniversary Trip to Belize was awesome!

After two planes and two hours of driving across Belize, we arrived at Chaa Creek Resort in the rainforest/jungle. The resort is stunning and they upgraded us to a jacuzzi suite which we took full advantage of.

We spelunked in the ATM (Actun Tunichil Muknal). I don't have any pics because you aren't allowed to bring cameras after a person dropped their camera on one of the skulls in the sacred part of the cave. If you're interested in what I experienced you can check out National Geographic's epidode of the Crystal Maiden or check out this link: https://youtu.be/BJAwvSrzdRM or watch the video below.  It's a pretty good representation of what we did and the highlight of the trip for me. Though I did wonder how my husband was going to fit through some of the spaces.

At the resort they have over 70 Mayan sites, hiking trails, butterfly farm, and canoes. We did it all, including some relaxing.

We visited the Mayan ruins of Xunatunich and could see over the border to Guatemala. We got there when it opened and had the place to ourselved for 30 minutes before anyone else showed up so no photo bombers!

Then it was on to the Belize Zoo where they have 37 native animals. Here's the tapir their national animal.  

We took a 14 seater airplane to the caye and sat right behind the pilot!

And then we spent two days at Mahogany Bay chilling on their private island beach because all the scuba and snorkel dives we planned were cancelled due to strong currents. This was our only disappointment as Belize is said to have some of the best reefs in the world and part of the reason I picked the location for our anniversary. I hope we'll be able to go back and try again. Instead I got a massage. 

I'm super grateful for this handsome husband of mine. He makes our life beautiful and supports my artistic side. Happy 20th! 

Inevitable

YA paranormal romance is a little outside of my genre, but I found the hook intriguing. The smell of lemons means death, definitely grabbed my attention.

Jayne is a high school girl who wants a normal life, not to See people's deaths. Poor Jayne. She wants to do so much good and change her visions but doesn't understand how to. Add on top of her troubles a serial killer who's trying to make her his next victim. 

There are many relatable themes for teens and adults throughout the story. 

It's a clean read. No language. A few simple kisses. There is underage drinking. 

Ms. Heiner did a nice job of weaving together entangling elements to keep the reader captivated and wanting to know what happens next. 

AMAZON

The future is not ever in motion.

It's all a lie: the thought that the future can be changed. Jayne knows. She's been cursed to watch how the people around her will die, and no matter what she does, she can't change it. That includes Aaron, the handsome English boy who transferred to her school mid-semester and has eyes only for her.

But then a serial killer takes up residence in Jayne's town . . .

And she's on his list.

Finding a way to alter the future has never been more critical.

The first book in the Goddess of Fate series, Inevitable is a suspense novel with a hint of the paranormal. Fans of Bella Forrest will enjoy this new take on an unfamiliar mythology. Romance, magic, suspense - the perfect book to escape into!

Heart of Joy Giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of my Christmas short story Heart of Joy, which you can read in an hour or less, I'm giving away two signed-by-the-author copies of The Candy Cane Caper by Josi Kilpack!

GO HERE TO ENTER!

Here's my story. 

Amazon

Here's the book you can win. 

AMAZON

The Candy Cane Caper

Sadie is back on the case after a five year hiatus, and is as lovable as ever.

I loved seeing her back. And Sadie is never more on the hunt than when someone she loves has been wronged and is threatened.
I laughed at all the Christmas references to songs and movies.

As always, Sadie's hunt takes many twists and turns before the thief is revealed, not to mention several yummy recipes. Lots of humor mixed with tender moments. This sweet caper is sure to satisfy.


Amazon

The theft of a friend’s priceless, family-legacy Christmas ornaments brings amateur detective and culinary expert, Sadie Hoffmiller, back on the case in a new standalone cozy mystery.

In the latest chapter to the Culinary Mystery series, amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller continues combining her sleuthing with her cooking and baking to connect with people and gain information she might otherwise not have access to. Moreover, now that Sadie is married to Detective Pete Cunningham, she has a street-savvy husband to test out her crime-solving theories.

With Christmas approaching, Sadie is preparing for a large blended-family gathering—including many new grandchildren—in their home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Even with the festive chaos, Sadie drops everything when word gets out that her friend, Mary, is the victim of a holiday robbery.

At ninety-four years old, and nearly blind, Mary knows this is may be her last Christmas and the last year to enjoy her family heirloom Christmas tree ornaments. She wants just one more holiday to display her ornaments and following Christmas Eve Mass, she’ll pass them on to her great-granddaughter, Joy. Though priceless to the family, the collection has been valued at $40,000, and the Christmas tree in the care facility has never looked so good. But before the ornaments can be retrieved by Mary, eleven of the most expensive ornaments are stolen.

A holiday Christmas caper might be new to Sadie, but she’s ready to mix in her seasoned crime-solving skills with a pinch of new holiday recipes.

With the Magic

So magical. I thoroughly enjoyed the well crafted tale of Gareth coming to the modern world. He finds more than he imagined or bargained for, especially when it comes to Catherine.

It was wonderful to watch Gareth and Catherine try to understand each other and learn from one another.

Aunt Nellie is one of my favorite side characters.

As always, Ms. Weaver spins a beautiful tale.

Amazon

When Gareth Hildebrand travels from the year 1850 to a future time, he’s not expecting to fall in love.

As the eighth Earl of Kellworth, Gareth is accustomed to getting what he wants. Then he encounters a woman he suspects is from the future--a utopian future that he feels compelled to see. He intends to get what he wants, but it will involve dealing with fae magic. And that could lead to disaster--for his heart.

Dr. Catherine Ryan is drawn to the handsome guest at Twickenham Manor, with his odd combination of childish excitement and old eyes that have seen too much pain. She loses her heart to him before she discovers the truth of when he’s from. Now she faces the biggest decision of her life!