I Feel So Unnecessary

In honor of grandparents' day Caring Across Generations is asking individuals to post granecdotes about their grandparents between August 22nd and September 8th. So, here's mine- it involves my grandmother and a certain type of institution. My grandmother  was a young psychiatric nurse trainee in Baltimore in the 1950s. In class one day certain types of institutions were being discussed. Having grown up in an isolated mountain community she was uniformed about certain goings on in the world beyond. Somehow prostitution came up in the course of the lesson. Goodness, she'd never heard of such an institution. Being curious, she posed this question to the instructor: " What's a Prostitution?"

Designed to Death (Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery #2) By: Christina Freeburn Genre: Cozy Mystery 288 pages Publisher: Henery Press Publication Date: September 2013 * I received a copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Faith Hunter planned the perfect event at her grandmother’s shop, Scrap This, featuring local scrapbooker and Life Artist Diva, Belinda Watson. But the extravaganza goes up in a cloud of glitter when Belinda and her cousin, Darlene, brawl over scraplifted designs. Faith attempts to break it up, but only makes things worse. Then when Belinda turns up dead behind the Scrap This store, Faith’s involvement goes viral. As accusations against her turn vicious, Faith sets out to prove her nemesis, Darlene, committed the crime, only to realize they are both innocent. Now they must team up or the murderer’s plan will come together seamlessly with the frenemies sharing a jail cell—or worse, a funeral. My Thoug

The Wizard of Oz Colors By: Jill Kalz Illustrator: Timothy Banks Format: Board Book Genre: Children's' Poetry and Drama ( Ages 4-7) 20 pages Publisher: Capstone Books Publication Date: September 2013 * I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: The Land of Oz is full of colors. Roads are yellow and monkeys are blue!  Let Dorothy, Toto, Tin Man, and Scarecrow explore all of the colors with you! My Thoughts: I found this to be an engaging book with funny and charming poetry and bright ,colorful illustrations. I think it would keep children interested and be a fun introduction into the Land of Oz. I know my 38 yr. old brain enjoyed all the shininess. So, I'm giving it:       About the Author: Jill Kalz is the author of more than 70 children's books. Her picture book Farmer Cap (Picture Window Books) was a finalist for a 2008 Minnesota Book Award and the winn

Seeking Philbert Woodbead ( A Madcap Regency Romance) The Fairweather Sisters Book 2 By Anya Wylde Genre: Romance 237 Pages Publication Date: August 2013 * I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   Miss Celine Fairweather’s life was bobbing along like a boat on a tranquil stream when all of a sudden a summons from her beloved sister Penelope Radclyff, the Duchess of Blackthorne, changed it all. Celine hurtles off to the London to help the duchess run the Blackthorne Mansion and to discover the whereabouts of her lost love Philbert Woodbead. Celine manages to keep things deathly dull and under control for a whole week until she enlists the help of the handsome Lord Elmer—a mischievous rogue, an ex-pirate, and an incorrigible flirt who is wanted dead by all of England’s husbands with attractive wives. They scurry from one giddy escapade to another seeking Philbert in musty inns and dusty streets, and through it all Celine t

The Last Lord of Paradise Generation Four: Isidore and Josette Generation Five: Conrad and Perrine Generation Six: Julie Genre: Historical Fiction  By: Vivian LeMay Publisher: Vivian LeMay Publishing Publication Dates: 2012  * I received copies from the author in exchange for an honest review. Generation Four Synopsis:   Their fields were fertile, their animals multiplied. With muskrat and fish from the Rivière Secrète, and wild grapes for wine, the habitants of Paradis lived oblivious to the world beyond the Marais Foncé. Marry, have babes, eat and drink well, and dance before a bonfire--These were the goals of Paradis. But every generation has a dream and Isidore Reno, fourth Seigneur of Paradis, dreamed of escaping Paradis.   Generation Five Synopsis:   He was surprised to see a last remaining farm on the outskirts of Paradis. Amid acres of corn bristling in the breeze, a mossy roof peaked above a screen of pines and willows. North of the farm, acr

Her Royal Spyness ( A Royal Spyness Mysteries #1) By: Rhys Bowen Genre: Cozy Mystery 336 pages Publisher: Penguin Group/ Berkeley Publication Date: July 2008 *  I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie ( say that three times fast), 34th in line for the throne, is flat broke. She's bolted Scotland, her greedy brother, and her fish-faced betrothed for London. The place where she'll experience freedom, learn life lessons aplenty, do a bit of spying for HRH oh, and find a dead Frenchman in her tub. Now her new job is to clear her long family name. My Thoughts: Even thought the mystery part got off to a slow start I wasn't annoyed because the story was so engaging and the Georgie's personality was so spunky. I enjoyed her interactions with the other characters, I liked the setting of 1930s England, and also how the author weaved in histo

Soul Recovery: 12 Keys to Healing Addiction By: Ester Nicholson Genre: Non-fiction/ Inspirational 192 pages Publisher: Agape Media International Publication Date: June 2013  Buy it: amazon   b&n   * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   Ester Nicholson’s foundational process that she’s termed Soul Recovery unlocks the code of dependence as it manifests in substance, relationship, and behavioral addictions, among others. As you’re guided through a 12-week process of study and practice, the author courageously shares her inspiring journey that has ultimately led to a new life of wholeness, fearlessness, and power. Using examples and daily practices, she reveals the 12 keys that saved her life and the spiritual technology that will bring you serenity and carry you to your dreams.      The Soul Recovery process works deeply with life paradigms and practices to create a soul-centered awareness that’s so profound that

Shine: How to Walk the Talk  By: Nancy Segovia Genre: Christian/ Non-fiction 112 pages Publisher: Faith and Reason Publishing Publication Date: May 2013 Synopsis: L et your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,  and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16 The Bible tells us we need to "shine before men," but what does this mean and how do we do it? In Shine: How to Walk the Talk, Nancy Segovia lays out a series of simple steps you can to take to walk the talk: to love God above all and your neighbor as yourself. Using parables, folk tales, and struggles from her own life, she provides uplifting insights into the Christian walk that can make your first steps easier. She examines scripture for clues on what it means to shine, how to reflect God’s love, and what to do when the muddy messes of life blot out God’s light in you. You will relate to her failings, those "Duh!" moments when spiritual understand

  Rules of Murder: A Drew Farthering Mystery By: Juliana Deering Genre: Cozy/Christian Mystery 336 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publication Date: August 1, 2013 * I received a copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.   Synopsis: From The Tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his stylish cheviot trousers, he's the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered. Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. With the help of beautiful and whip-smart Madeline Parker, a guest from America, Drew proposes to use the lessons he's learned reading his mysteries to solve the crime. Before long, he realizes this is no lark, and no one at Farthering Place is who he or she appears to be--not the butler nor blackmailer, the chauffeur nor embezzler. Trying hard to remain one step ah

Mom fixed fudge for a church to do. -It didn't set up right because of the humidity. She had me cut it and put it on a plate. Here's what occurred.  " Try to make it look pretty on the plate", she said. " Yeah, it's not working. It's too soft", I said. " Uh, that looks like poop. Let's not take that." " Good idea."

It's Super September! Woo Hoo! Novelist Amanda Flower and her alter ego Isabella Alan are releasing the novella Plainly Murder and the novels Andi Unexpected , Murder, Plain, and Simple , and A Plain Disappearance next month. So, to celebrate the releases she is holding a giveaway for an Amish quilt. The quilt is 28 1/2 inches by 27 1/4 inches. The quilt was purchased from Swiss Village Quilts in Sugar Creek, Ohio. It was hand-stitched by Amish living in Holmes County, Ohio. Contest details can be found here.  Find out more about Amanda/Isabella here: Amanda Flower Facebook Page     Twitter   Pinterest   Goodreads   Isabella Alan Facebook Page   So, what are you waiting for? Enter now for a chance to win the pretty, shiny quilt.  Good luck,

The Other Side of the River By: Robert  D. Halpert, MD Genre: Historical/ Christian Fiction 282 pages Publisher: WestBow Press Publication Date: February 2013 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com®  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  Purchase the book here: WestBow Press   Amazon   Barnes and Noble   Kobo   Synopsis: Bold and thought-provoking, this historical novel journeys into an era of great upheaval in U.S. history and into the mind of one of the era’s most unique characters, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The Other Side of the River draws a picture of his deep-rooted faith at war with himself within a parallel breathtaking background of a nation at war with itself. See Jackson’s military brilliance—as well as his spiritual life—in a

The Last Lord of Paradise: Generation Two- Jean Baptiste and Louise The Last Lord of Paradise: Generation Three- Zacharie and Pauline By: Vivian LeMay Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Vivian LeMay Publishing Publication Dates: December 2011  * I received copies from the author in exchange for an honest review. Purchase them here: Generation Two   Generation Three   Generation Two Synopsis:   Jean Baptiste smiled. "I'm a foundling, Thomas, penniless, landless, no family. I will always be grateful to Maman for taking me in as one of her own, but in Paradis, blood is everything."Thomas took a deep breath and tried to smile ... hoping to hide the look of guilt on his face, he turned back to his bellows. The great lie his mother had told Jean Baptiste was still a well kept secret of Paradis. His mother's power over the habitants was amazing. After all these years, they still feared her. Even Uncle Joseph went along with her great lie.