"Living Brave," A Book We All Need

Living Brave

Life throws us many curve balls. Why some of us have to duck, dodge, and deal with far more than others is a mystery. How does one stay hopeful? Resilient? Happy, even?

Shannon Dingle, writer and disability advocate, helps us to understand in her new book, “Living Brave.”

She knows a thing or two about survival in times of trauma and upheaval, and has learned how to embrace the preciousness of life amid it all.

After surviving sexual abuse and trafficking as a child, Shannon was left with lasting disabilities. And yet she rose. She blossomed. She thrived. She married and became a mom - six times over. Life was good. And then it wasn’t. A rogue wave hit her husband while their family was on vacation tragically ending his life, leaving her a widowed mother of 6, deep in grief.

“The grief of the aftermath of losing her love and life partner sits at the heart of Living Brave, where Shannon’s searing, raw prose, illustrates what it looks like to take brave steps on the other side of unimaginable loss.

Through each challenge, she reveals the ways she learned to walk through them to the other side, and find courage even through the darkest moments. Living Brave gives women permission to wrestle with difficult topics, to use their voice, to take a stand for justice, to honor the wisdom of their bodies, and to enact change from a place of strong faith.”

This is a book anyone who has ever wondered “How do I get through this?” needs. Which means it’s a book we ALL need. To live, it is said, is to love. It is also to experience loss and pain. For some, like Shannon, there are other elements, abuse, trauma, and disability.

Image by Amy Paulson Photography

Let her invite you into her life and share her experiences with you, so that you might find some insight and inspiration on how to deal with whatever curve ball life has thrown at you and remain hopeful still.

Here’s where you can get your copy of LIVING BRAVE.

Sisters Of The Resistance & Island Queen | July Book Club

I don’t know if it stems from our “year of restrictions” or if there are just too many good new releases, but the last couple of months I’ve found it impossible to limit my book club selection to a single title!

“Sisters Of The Resistance,” by Christine Wells, and “Island Queen,” by Vanessa Riley, are the two I’ve chosen to share with you during the month of July!

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Sisters Of The Resistance

Here’s an incredible story, inspired by real-life people, places, and happenings. “Sisters of the Resistance” by Christine Wells, tells of the bravery of Catherine Dior, sister of the fashion designer, Christian Dior, whose label we all covet to this day, and her heroic movements near the end of WWII in occupied France.

“Paris, 1944: The war is nearly over, but for members of the Resistance in occupied France, it is more dangerous than ever before. Twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher loathes the Nazis, though as the concierge of 10 rue Royale, she does her best to avoid conflict—unlike her bolder sister Yvette, who finds trouble at every turn. 

Then they are both recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior and swept into a treacherous world of spies, fugitives, and intrigue. While Gabby risks everything for the man she is hiding from the Nazis, Yvette must decide whether to trust an enigmatic diplomat who seems to have guessed her secret. As the threat of betrayal draws ever-closer, one slip could mean the deaths of many, and both sisters must make choices they might regret. “

We hear so little of the remarkable women who helped to defeat Nazi forces during WWII, that I find stories such as these completely engrossing and absolutely jaw dropping.

"As dazzling as a Dior gown! With a gorgeous blend of fashion, heartbreak, heroism, and love this book will transport you to France...” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of “The Paris Secret.”

Immerse yourself in Catherine Dior’s Paris spy network by picking up
your own copy of SISTERS of the RESISTANCE.

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Island Queen

From what little I know of the colonial West Indies, a story about a woman of color who rose from slavery to become a wealthy and powerful landowner, would seem rather extraordinary. And that’s exactly what “Island Queen,” by Vanessa Riley is! Extraordinary.

In this stunning historical novel, Riley draws upon the true-life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas to weave a fascinating, page-turning adventure.

”Born into slavery on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll bought her freedom—and that of her sister and her mother—from her Irish planter father and built a legacy of wealth and power as an entrepreneur, merchant, hotelier, and planter that extended from the marketplaces and sugar plantations of Dominica and Barbados to a glittering luxury hotel in Demerara on the South American continent.

Island Queen is a sweeping epic of an adventurer and a survivor who answered to no one but herself as she rose to power and autonomy against all odds, defying rigid eighteenth-century morality and the oppression of women as well as people of color. It is an unforgettable portrait of a true larger-than-life woman who made her mark on history.”

I absolutely could NOT put this one down. It is rich in historical details, transporting me to a hot tropical climate in a time without air conditioning or any other modern convenience, and where survival for most was tied to incredible physical labor and discomfort. How anyone survived the circumstances baffles me, and how one woman could rise, and rise, and rise, is astonishingly inspirational!

“Richly detailed, vividly depicted, and sweeping in scope, “Island Queen” is historical fiction at its absolute finest. A stunning must-read!”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba.”

Here’s where you can get it: ISLAND QUEEN

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Before you head out to the lake, the beach, or the backyard, grab your sunhat, shades, a tall cool glass of iced tea, and these two great reads!

Enjoy!

The Immortals & In Times of Rain and War | June Book Club

You know how sometimes you’re out to dinner and at the end of a delicious meal, after you’ve eaten so much you think you might simply burst… they roll out that desert cart??? And once presented with all the delicious options, not only can you not indulge, but you can’t even limit your choice to just one of possibilities in front of you?  

Well, that’s what it was like when it came time to pick this month’s book club title…

So let me introduce to you not one, but TWO terrific reads for the month that summer, sunshine, and some long lazy weekends (perfect for lounging, picnicking, and reading) present themselves, “The Immortals” & “In Times of Rain and War.”

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BUY LINK

The first of the two, The Immortals, by Steven T. Collins, is an incredible work of non-fiction that tells the story of the four famous chaplains serving the SS Dorchester, and the previously unsung fifth hero who risked his life when the ship went down in World War II with over 900 men on board.

“In 1943, German U-boats lurked in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, anxious to bring down Allied ships. 

By the time the four chaplains aboard the Dorchester descended into the lower holds, the troops knew something was going on; an announcement had blared over the loudspeakers. It was vague. The ship was entering into troubled waters. Submarines were estimated in the vicinity. They were told to put on their life jackets and clothes just to be safe. Tensions were rising. 

For the first time in print, this gripping narrative features the largely untold story of a fifth hero, Charles Walter David Jr., a young Black petty officer aboard a Coast Guard cutter who risked his life over and over again, even with hypothermia setting in, to try and rescue the men from the torpedoed Dorchester. 

Page-turning and inspiring, The Immortals explores the power of both faith and sacrifice and powerfully narrates the lives of five heroic men who believed in something greater than themselves, giving their all for people of vastly different beliefs and backgrounds.”

More information, the buy link, and a lovely video book trailer
for The Immortals can all be found HERE.

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BUY LINK

The second volume in this Father’s Day pack is a phenomenal work of historical fiction, In Times of Rain and War, by Camron Wright, author of the best-selling novel, The Rent Collector.

“In September of 1940, during the Blitz in London, Audrey Stocking is blending in with other civilians who are trying to survive the nightly bombings, but she has a secret. She’s not British; she’s German. Her fake passport and nearly perfect English allow her to blend in as she works hard to help evacuate British children into the countryside. Audrey longs to reunite with her family in Germany, but her double life, the bombings, and the watchful British Military Intelligence have forced her to stay put. And then there are the paralyzing nightmares . . .

Lieutenant Wesley Bowers, an American soldier training with London’s Bomb Disposal Company 5, meets Audrey when an air raid leaves an unexploded bomb on the floor of her flat. She is attractive, intelligent, and compassionate, and there’s an immediate connection between them. As they get to know each other, Wesley realizes Audrey is the one bright spot amid the war’s unending bleakness and constant threat of death. But will he still feel the same if he discovers the secrets she is hiding? Secrets even Audrey is unaware of?"

In Times of Rain and War is a gripping and heartbreakingly beautiful story about the strength and resilience of the human heart and spirit, reminding us there is always hope in hard times.”

You can find additional information, the buy link, and a great video
book trailer for In Times of Rain and War HERE.

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Memorial Day having been so recently commemorated, my thoughts and emotions have been with all the brave men and women who have served our country so valiantly, some paying the ultimate price for our freedoms.

These two books, both from the World War II era, seem the perfect match to my mood and musings, and perhaps to yours as well. Each are steeped in rich historical narrative and resplendent with tantalizing characters.

Go ahead, immerse yourself in the decadent delight of The Immortals & In Times of Rain and War, I won’t judge you because you couldn’t choose just one!

DeVon Franklin | "Live Free: Exceed Your Highest Expectations"

I’ve been a big big fan of all things DeVon Franklin for a long while now. That’s why I can heartily recommend his new book, “LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations.”

As you may already know, DeVon Franklin is an award-winning film producer, NYT bestselling author, and motivational speaker. He was a guest on my podcast, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah, along with another one of my favorite people, Chrissy Metz, after directing the heartwarming, faith affirming, film, BREAKTHROUGH. And before that, I was fortunate to have a small, (ok tiny… ok, teeny tiny) speaking part in THE STAR the sweet animated film he also directed.

DeVon is committed to uplifting global communities through entertainment and has leveraged his 20-year Hollywood career and experiences to become a leading authority on inspirational personal and professional development with millions of followers worldwide. Perhaps this is why Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch,"

DeVon is also the author of multiple bestselling books including THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN, THE SUCCESS COMMANDMENTS, THE WAIT (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and PRODUCED BY FAITH.

His highly anticipated fifth book, LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations was just released this month!

He helps teach us how to live free from unnecessary stress and anxiety and lead happier lives by learning to set our own expectations rather than accepting those imposed upon us.

Everything DeVon touches is full of lessons and wonderful advise helping us live more joyful lives. This one will be on my night stand for a long time to come. I want you all to get a copy, and heed the advice he sets forth within! I can assure you that any advice DeVon has to offer is positive, powerful, and empowering, and nothing but good things will come of you following it.

Pick up your copy through DeVon’s own website: LIVE FREE

Raised In The Kitchen | May Book Club

I looooove cooking for my large crazy crew!

Seems like I’m always in the kitchen with kids underfoot, over foot, beside me, betwixt me, on stools, and perched on a counter. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cooking and eating is more than simple nourishment, it’s a time of togetherness; bonding, talking, laughing, and loving.

That’s what popular cooking blogger and author, Carrian Cheney, and I have in common! But the similarities end there, because I am anything BUT organized and thoughtful about my processes. She, however, is! And it’s our good luck that she has the ability to break things down into easily understandable steps, write it out, and share it with all of us. On her blog, and in her new book, Raised In The Kitchen, my May Book Club pick.

Carrian knows that cooking together as a family is the secret to not only raising children well prepared for adulthood but also to mixing ingredients beyond just the dough for cookies--love, unity, and combined hearts. She is well aware that family and memories are made one recipe at a time.

Raised In The Kitchen is a step-by-step guide that covers food prep to clean-up. It includes ingredient lists and easy-to-follow recipes as well as “dollops of heartwarming family stories, insights, and kid-friendly food activities to keep everyone from the tired and overwhelmed mom to the littlest of picky eaters focused on deliciousness in the kitchen.”

It’s got a whopping 75 recipes from basics (like fried eggs & baked potatoes) to beyond (like steak fajitas and chocolate cake,) with a natural progression as cooking skills are developed. Recipes include tips and tricks in the kitchen to build capabilities and confidence.

“Raised in the Kitchen is a cookbook for parents and kids about much more than learning to love to cook. It's about bringing families together and then one day sending those little hands off to their own kitchens, where they will teach their own children the recipes, laughter, and love that shaped their lives.”

Tips on Salt * Breads * Breakfast
Meat 101 * Side Dishes * Knife Safety 101
Main Dishes * Family Bakeoffs * Desserts

Raised In The Kitchen deserves a place in your cookbook library and will become thumb-worn with use as you and your children or grandchildren bond, and grow, and eat your way through every page!

Get Your Copy of Raised In The Kitchen!

Come, Sweet Day | April Book Club

We’ve been waiting, haven’t we, for our sweet day to come?

2020 dished out it’s fair share of disappointment and despair. The isolation many endured (and are still yet enduring,) made tough situations even less bearable. Pressures mounted, support systems collapsed, and our physical, emotional, and spiritual health was assaulted. Julianne Donaldson, bestselling romance author of Edenbrooke, knows the longing all too well. Come, Sweet Day, a collection of poems and essays, reminds us that we are not alone.

Donaldson went through a period of time when things were happening in her personal life that many of us like to believe only happen to others; conflicts, challenges, and upheavals led to depression and despondency. Come, Sweet Day, was written to let others know they are not alone, that there is a light in the darkness, and days will be bright again.

”Compiled from years of inspirational words of encouragement to herself on social media and even bits and pieces of random musings written on scrap paper, this is a unique writer's journey through a life passage marked by cancer, a bitter divorce, legal battles with her ex-husband, mental illness, and persistent feelings of rejection and abandonment which also rendered her unable to pick up her career as a writer to support herself and her family.

Overwhelmed by sadness and almost paralyzed into inaction by despair, she slowly finds her way back to her writer's toolbox, unpacking the pain and sharing her innermost feelings as if revealing a character's thoughts in a novel. In her writing she begins to find rays of understanding and acceptance and eventually finds strength from knowing that God's love and His grace and guidance give greater meaning to our suffering and light the way to hope.”

A slim little book, with a bright happy cover, Come, Sweet Day, is suited to all of us that have known troubling times and might have wondered if things would ever get better. They will!

It’s a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member that you sense could do with a bit of inspiration and absolutely perfect for Mother’s Day. Here’s where you can get a copy (or ten):

Buy Link: Come, Sweet Day

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Oliver | March Book Club

We love the furry members of our families! There is nothing quite like the absolutely unconditional love and devotion they provide, and in doing so, help to calm, to comfort, and complete us, making us better humans in the process.

Imagine, for just a second, if one of your fur babies were stolen… That’s what happened to Steven J. Carino, on Valentine’s Day 2019. Steven, a professional driver, had been in the car for many many hours that day. Oliver wasn’t normally with him on his trips, but it was Valentine’s after all, and Steven felt bad about leaving him at home on such a long work day. So he’d asked his client if she would mind his little doggo tagging (wagging) along. She didn’t.

His client safely transported to her destination and his day coming to a close, Steven made a stop before he got home. He let Oliver out to do his business, then put him back in the SUV and made a quick run into the store he’d parked in front of to make a quick purchase. When he came back out, Oliver was gone.

To say he was devastated to find Oliver missing wouldn’t begin to describe his emotions. But not to worry, this story has a happy ending. A wonderful ending. Actually, it has a beautiful “beginning” due to the unbelievable outpouring of concern and assistance in reuniting Steven with his Oliver.

“In a series of near-impossible coincidences, people from different walks of life crossed paths with Oliver and with Steven. Hard working immigrants, wealthy suburbanites, car mechanics, deli workers, old friends, close relatives, street cops, gang members, a TV news reporter, social media followers around the world, and one very gifted hairdresser all played a part in Steven’s desperate journey to find Oliver. “

You don’t have to be a dog-lover or animal nut like me to enjoy this book. But if you’re looking for something to restore or perhaps just reaffirm your faith in people, in the magic of kindness, in the power of community, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Oliver. Because, as Steven says, “This is more than just a dog story. This is an everybody story. This is a love story.”

I’m always game for a good story, and especially keen on love stories! I got my copy, and here’s where you can get yours:

BUY ‘OLIVER’

The Greatest Secret | February Book Club

THE GREATEST SECRET

This February I’m encouraging all of my friends and listeners to take a deep breath, do some self-assessment, and before throwing every ounce of energy they have into something or someone, spend a little on yourself.

Author Rhonda Byrne

Women especially are proficient at taking care of the needs of others before taking care of themselves. Diet, exercise, and our spiritual health often fall by the wayside as we are looking after our family, friends, and work or societal responsibilities.

We need constant reminders to take time to pause, reflect, and fill our own cups so there is something left for everyone else. This is one.

My February Book Club pick, The Greatest Secret, by Rhonda Byrne may be just the volume you could use in your life right now:

“From Rhonda Byre, the author of the worldwide phenomenon, The Secret, comes the New York Times bestselling book, The Greatest Secret.

The Greatest Secret reveals the most profound discovery a human being can make. It IS possible to live a life of pure bliss and joy, totally free of negative feelings, and The Greatest Secret can show you how. This life-changing book is filled with accessible practices and profound revelations that take you on an incomparable journey. What discovery can possible be so life-changing?”

Find The Greatest Secret wherever books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold!

Let this month be the beautiful beginning of loving yourself enough to live your life happily and healthfully, by spending quality time with YOU, and let The Greatest Secret help you with that goal.

ORDER YOUR COPY

The 'Making It' Guide to Crafting | January Book Club

ORDER The ‘Making It’ Guide to Crafting

It looks like we're all going to be stuck at home for a while longer. Whether that's with or without extended family or with or without children, we need Something.To.Do.

Which is why I've chosen The ‘Making It’ Guide to Crafting for January’s Book Club read; with comedic duo, Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, as hosts.

The book is a complementary volume to the NBC show, Making It. Think,The Great British Baking Show, except with makers and doers. Contestants move through challenge after challenge until it comes down to the final competition, and only one goes away with the Maker's crown.

"With the all-star duo of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman leading the way with puns, advice, and good vibes, Making It became the competition series we didn’t know we needed, stealing our hearts and encouraging our most creative ideas.Tapping into that success, this well-rounded crafting guide will offer in-depth looks at some of the best DIY crafts that were featured on the show and inspired by the Makers themselves.

Introductions to woodworking, fiber arts, paper crafts, and more will enable readers to experiment and customize their own creations at home. And the projects are accessible to all skill levels, so you can get just as crafty as the Makers did. Drawing on the show’s hilarity, creativity, and overall positivity, this crafting guide will inspire and energize you to DIY whatever you put your mind to."

I'm hoping to inspire you to try something new, to get your hands and your hearts busy making, and craft your way into a healthy and happy new year!

Get your copy of The ‘Making It ‘ Guide to Crafting

Miracle Creek Christmas | December Book Club

BUY Miracle Creek Christmas

Every time I crack the cover on a new book, it’s like giving myself a gift. I love to pass that gift on to you, my book club readers, and this December, this magical season, I have a delightful story to share, Miracle Creek Christmas, by Krista Jensen.

I was immediately drawn to the title, thinking how appropriate it would be for this time of year, but even more delightful was discovering the story is set in the Wenatchee Valley of Washington State! That’s a day trip from my home outside of Seattle, and there is no more picturesque place or better setting for a winter romance as far as I’m concerned.

The theatrical little Bavarian town of Leavenworth is exactly as described in the book; simply a sight to behold, and a place I love to take my family and friends visiting from far away places! The author does a fabulous job of describing the area, and I felt myself grinning every time a little burg, like Cashmere, was mentioned. If you’ve never been to these places, you’ll feel like you have after you’ve read about them here.

But setting aside, it’s the characters that will pull you in. Riley Madigan is a twenty-something city girl trying to outrun heartache. She leaves the city life behind to become a high school art teacher in the remote little town of Miracle Creek. Expecting to find solitude in such a place, she’s not prepared when she meets Mark Rivers on the ‘off-the-beaten path.’ Mark is working to rebuild his life after the devastation of losing his best friend and fire-fighting partner in a wildfire a year earlier, in which he suffered severe burns himself. He’s trying to come to terms with his altered appearance and his altered life.

Each carry heartache and injury, guarding themselves against any additional sorrows. So “just friends” it will have to be, despite those inconvenient feelings they keep trying to deny (themselves as well as others.) Well-meaning family members, and not-so-well-meaning community characters, had me fearful these two might not ever come to their senses, but - spoiler alert - they finally do!

Love blossoms in the middle of winter at Miracle Creek, and I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, perhaps curled up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate, memories of when you last made a snow-angel in the back of your mind, while the lights on the tree twinkle in the corner…

ORDER "Miracle Creek Christmas”
(for you and all those who love a good romance)

Live Life Deliciously | November Book Club

Buy Live Life Deliciously

It’s fall, the tastiest time of year, and I’ve got a treat for all you foodies, holiday meal providers, and everyone who finds themselves in the position of putting dinner on the table every night!

Live Life Deliciously by Tara Teaspoon, is a large, sturdy, hardback cookbook that will stand up to the demands of new idea seekers, and the realities of a kitchen scene full of ingredients that often stray from their tidy confinements.

Subtitled,, “Recipes For Busy Weekdays & Leisurely Weekends”, I’d add to that “and great ideas for the holidays!”

It lets you in on some kitchen secrets for success, like an updated list of pantry staples, as well as kitchen essentials from pots & pans to parchment paper, and the convenience of mise en place. Novel appetizers and starters will have your family - and in ensuing years, your party guests - eagerly awaiting what’s next to come.

Pork Tenderloin with Adobo Lime Glaze

Some pages that are of keen interest to me, and I can’t wait to give a whirl, are the Roasted Cauliflower and Smoky Romesco veggie side, the Pork Tenderloin with Adobo Lime Glaze (Mmmmm), and the simplistic beauty of the Milling-Spice Christmas Tree Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Salads, dressings, and breakfast goodies are included too!

Give yourself the gift of Live Life Deliciously, and pick up copies for all your friends and family members who enjoy making new dishes or those who come home and stare into a fridge despairingly in the evenings.

It’s the season of abundance and Live Life Deliciously is FULL of all the good stuff needed to feed your family and your spirit. It’s been a long time since I’ve come across a cookbook I wanted to rave about, and this is it!

Order Live Life Deliciously

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown | October Book Club

BUY NOW

History is a funny thing. I often find that what's left out of the lesson plan can be even more powerful than what's left in. At least it's often more interesting. Perhaps the motivation for omitting such chapters is because the topic is just too uncomfortable to be spoken of, until times and attitudes change enough to learn, accept, and grow…

My book club pick for October, The Paper Daughters of Chinatown, is a powerful historical novel based on actual events, and is such a topic; covering the dark period and practice of trafficking young Chinese women in America in the late 1800's. 

Fake documents provided a means for illegal entry into the United States, and in this example, into San Fransisco's Chinatown, where the moniker "paper daughter" originated.  Once here, the woman had no legal identity and no means of escape. 

Thankfully, even true stories have heroes as well as villains, and it's the heroes that make this book a worthy and exciting read! Like those at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls, a bright spot in a landscape of bleakness...

"Told in alternating chapters, this rich narrative follows the stories of young Donaldina Cameron who works in the home, and Mei Lien, a “paper daughter” who thinks she is coming to America for an arranged marriage but instead is sold into a life of shame and despair.

Donaldina, a real-life pioneering advocate for social justice, bravely stands up to corrupt officials and violent gangs, helping to win freedom for thousands of Chinese women. Mei Lien endures heartbreak and betrayal in her search for hope, belonging, and love. Their stories merge in this gripping account of the courage and determination that helped shape a new course of women’s history in America."

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown, is a terrific historical read, timely, and a good reminder of how valiantly women have had to fight for their freedoms and equality, especially those in already marginalized populations.

It also reinforces a message I share from my heart often; bad things happen, yes, but the good is always near, waiting to spring forth from the shadows and triumph!

Get your copy HERE

Plan A Happy Life | September Book Club

ORDER - Plan A Happy LIfe

Some of us are natural planners and organizers. Some of us are not. I generally fall into the later category. But one thing I DO plan to be, despite the uncertainty of life, is happy! “Plan A Happy Life”, my book club pick for September is a beautiful guided journal that helps us to focus on joy.

The coronavirus pandemic brought panic and bedlam to us in March. All systems stop. No “new normal.” No normal at all, was our experience in the weeks and months to come. But here we are in September, and whatever obstacles are in our way, stuff still must get done, and our attitude about 2020 can filter into every part of our lives.

Doctor and dentist appointments must be made and kept; business meetings must be scheduled; for families with children, school (in whatever form it takes) must happen; and so on and so forth. Because the systems that had become ‘routine’ are no longer in place, planning is going to be an essential part of maintaining not only our happiness, but our sanity as well! 

While we can’t control a virus, politics, weather, or a million other things that affect our lives, one thing we CAN control is our mindset; and I’m going to plan to be happy!

With cheerful illustrations, colorful photography, and all the good stuff you need to know about maximizing your hours, Plan a Happy Life™ is a jumpstart to tackle an overloaded schedule and plan a happy and satisfying life.

Everyday life is busy, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming! The creators of the Happy Planner® know that a life bursting at the seams with meaning, fun, and work worth doing doesn't just happen: you have to plan for it.

Plan a Happy Life includes strategies, systems, and methods for permanently getting organized, prioritizing what's most important to you, and living intentionally. Here you'll find great ideas for:

• Celebrating the ordinary (dance party in the kitchen, anyone?)

• Discovering new ways to serve others (that will fit into a busy schedule)

• Finding your happy even on the tougher days

• Making the most effective lists (hint: it involves stickers)

• Filling your life with gratitude

• Controlling your calendar so you can live each day fully--and colorfully! (a step-by-step guide)

• And much more happy planning (seriously, you have to plan fun in your life!)

Make the most of your most valuable resource--time--and have a blast doing it with Plan a Happy Life.

Get planning with Plan A Happy Life!

Pioneering The Vote | August Book Club

We often hear tales of “How the West was won”, but my August book club pick is going to reverse that motto and tell you “How the East was won” (by a group of women from the West.) I’m talking about the suffrage movement and extending the right of voting to women in the United States.

Pioneering The Vote, the untold story of suffragists in Utah and the West, by Neylan McBain, is a little piece of history, timely revisited, as the 19th Amendment, passed by Congress June 4, 1919, was ratified on August 18, 1920 - 100 years ago this very month!

Guaranteeing women the right to vote was not an idea easily embraced, nor granted without much resistance, controversy, and derision. It took decades - nearly a century in fact - of work before the 1920 victory.

“Pioneering the Vote tells the remarkable, largely unknown story of the early suffrage victories that happened in states and territories in the American West, when the East was still decades away from the 19th Amendment. With the encouragement of the Eastern leaders, women from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho came together in a unique moment of friendship and unified purpose to secure the vote for women in America.”

Visit with Emmeline B. Wells, and friends Susan B. Anthony and Reverend Anna Howard Shaw at their gathering of more than 8,000 people from around the nation at the Rocky Mountain Suffrage Convention by picking up your copy of Pioneering The Vote - great for gift giving too!

Order your copy HERE
Also available on Audio Book

Laughing Through the Ugly Cry | July Book Club

To live, means to experience all things life brings to us. The gifts, the grief, the loves and losses. Making sense of it all, staying focused on the good, while accepting the bad… is a continuous balancing act and it’s no wonder that we get a little lost sometimes.

My July book club pick, Laughing Through The Ugly Cry and finding unstoppable JOY, by Dawn Barton, is a book that can help you find your way back to happy moments if you’ve been wandering in a forest of sadness.

Dawn and I have a lot in common (besides our fabulous hair!) Like me, Dawn is no stranger to strife and sorrow, and yet, she willfully, purposely, chooses joy. Her bright and colorful book reflects the very essence of Dawn and in it she lets you in on how you too can get through the unimaginable and find yourself in a place of peace and happiness.

Laughing Through The Ugly Cry, is full of Dawn’s honest and sometimes raw stories. It tell us how she was able to change her narrative to that of gratitude and find her way back to a God whom she’d loved her entire life, but had not worked on her relationship with in a purposeful way before; it’s a primer on how to choose Joy.

Bright and beautifully bound with a pink satin page marker, the book also includes some great conversation starters - which is why it makes a perfect book club pick! Get a copy for yourself, and give it as a gift!

Listen to a snippet of the audio version, HERE

and, Order a copy from Amazon, HERE

 

Promised | June Book Club

Buy Promised

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Or so thought Margaret after she gave her heart to someone only to have it broken. She vowed this would never happen again.

Promised, by Leah Garriott, my June Book Club pick, is another delightful period-piece romance, set in Warwickshire, England, in the year 1812. It’s in the same collection that gave us Lakeshire Park, in March, Proper Romance®.

Margaret Brinton believes she’s devised an effective plan; marry someone that would mollify those whom demand a match, but choose a suitor that does not incite any real feelings, and thus protect her heart from further injury. But the plan goes awry and Margaret finds that her father has already promised her to a man that does, in fact, rouse some strong emotion in her - loathing…

This is the kind of romance fans of Jane Austen will embrace. It has memorable characters, plenty of plot twists, and is rich with historical detail. I’m going to love putting Promised, and Margaret Brinton in the hands of my young teenaged girls, and then watch the emotions cross their faces with each twist and turn, as the story unfolds before them.

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Her Mother’s Hope & Her Daughter’s Dream | May Book Club

For the month of May, I have a special treat for my book club readers, a hefty pair of books, well-researched and rich in history and content, tracing four generations of women; Her Mother’s Hope & Her Daughter’s Dream, by Francine Rivers.

Born in Switzerland at the turn of the century, matriarch Marta Schneider Waltert is strong, capable, and fiercely independent (perhaps to her detriment at times). Her story begins at the hearthside of her family of origin with a kind, but sickly and subservient mother, a handsome older brother, and a beautiful but incapable younger sister. The lion’s share of work—as well as the scorn and abuse of her domineering and drunken father—often falls to middle child, plain Marta.

You’ll want to come along on the journey that takes Marta first to Germany, then France, and on to London before an ocean voyage deposits her as a lone female emigrant on Canada’s shores just before the first World War. And as she, her husband, and three small children, travel to the farming epicenter of California’s Central Valley, where this band of outsiders build their forever lives. Her struggles help to shape her into a wise and resilient woman, but no one would describe her as a tender mother, least of all her own middle child, Hildemara (Hildie).

Her Mother’s Hope, the first of the two books, ends with Marta, older and widowed, recognizing that she has been unduly harsh on Hildie, which she’s justified because she believed a terrible fate might have befallen her frail daughter if tough love weren’t employed early and often.

Her Daughter’s Dream picks up where the first story leaves off. . . Hildie is married with two children of her own and unwittingly repeating some of the same parenting patterns that left her wondering if she was ever loved by her mother. Her daughter, Carolyn, suffers abuse by a neighbor when she’s a young girl, and fear and shame cause her to keep the dark secret. We feel the years pass, and the rifts between generations widen.

The Vietnam War exacts its toll on this family as they lose a son to the conflict and Carolyn to her inner demons. Returning home from the stupors of Haight-Ashbury and months of homelessness, her parents are first relieved, then pained anew when Carolyn realizes she’s pregnant. Her baby, May Flower Dawn, is a salvation, but Hildie and Carolyn are locked in a battle for the little girl’s affections from the beginning, each misunderstanding the other just as Hildemara and Marta had.

One might wonder if history is indeed doomed to repeat itself despite everyone’s best effort, until Dawn herself is poised to become a mother. Bringing her child into the world isn’t her only mission; she’s determined to open up the old wounds in her family so that this time they may heal properly.

Through it all, the years, the experiences, the hopes and hardships, it is faith to which these women tether their stars, and it is He who guides them to truth and understanding.

From the publisher: This is a story about the foundational and often-challenging relationships between mothers, daughters, and grandchildren, and the best gifts we hope to leave behind. It is a story that will resonate across generations of readers who will likely recognize a piece of themselves in one of the four women. Marta’s legacy is one of faith and love passed down by a woman who heard from her own mother about God’s good plans for her future. Her story—and one that also becomes her daughter’s, granddaughter’s, and great-granddaughter’s—is a legacy of resilience: of moving past physical and emotional abuse, of overcoming loss and achieving prosperity, and of surviving in the face of war and cultural upheaval. It is an encouragement to mothers and daughters to never give up on the effort to love each other. It is also about the tenacious love of family and the hope that God can be trusted with our lives in every generation.

Many of us have a little more time on our hands than usual these days, and I wasn’t exaggerating when I said these are hefty books. They are not a light or simple read, but hearty in prose and not lacking in meaningful details and descriptions so exquisite, it’s easy to close your eyes for a moment and be transported to the Swiss Alps, the Royal Kew Gardens, the boughs of an almond tree in full bloom . . .

Take a long and lovely journey without ever leaving your home in Her Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream; perfect Mother’s Day gifts as well!

Order Both Today!

Her Mother’s Hope Her Daughter’s Dream

DAWGS | April Book Club

by Diane Trull
with Meredith Wargo

Order your copy of DAWGS

We’ve all seen them, the cardboard boxes outside grocery stores and gas stations, filled with a litter of puppies… and we’ve all felt the tug. But most of us find a way to talk ourselves down from the impulse to arrive home from our errand with a new family pet (or pets!) Usually I do too - but not always - I‘m a sucker for a puppy or a matted stray in need of a loving home, and my family does little more than raise an eyebrow when another “Buddy” or “Lobo” or “Scaredy Cat” join the circus at the farm…

My book club pick for April was born of a scene just like the one I described above. You’ll get the history, and many touching vignettes, on the special animals and special people of DAWGS, by Diane Trull. It’s the story of how a 4th grade reading class, called to action by a newspaper photo of a box of puppies in need of homes, started an animal shelter in their town of Dalhart, Texas.

I’m not kidding, that’s exactly how it happened. Ms. Trull was working with one student on reading aloud skills, when she was repeatedly interrupted by a group of other students who had a LOT of questions about this picture. “Where did the puppies come from?” “Who’s going to take care of them?” (And the big one…) “What happens to them if they don’t find families???”

And that is how the Dalhart Animal Wellness Group and Sanctuary - DAWGS - was born! But I’m not going to tell you anymore, because Diana Trull already has! When you get your copy, you’ll hear all about that day at Allyn Finch Intermediate School, and the weeks, months, and challenges she and the students faced to make their mission of helping every animal find it’s way home.

If you have a heart for animals, you will absolutely LOVE this book! It is the perfect example of how a 4th grade teacher, her husband and family, and an amazing group of grade schoolers leveraged their passion, knowledge, skills and talents to change the world one heart at at time! And it provides so much inspiration for you to do the same!

Join this ambitious group of 2-legged care-givers and their 4-legged clients, such as Princess Mitzy - the Pekinese, Sweetpea - the miniature Pinscher, Stewie - the tiny Tuxedo cat, and many others on their journeys to forever homes and an ever-widening circle of love.

DAWGS is on sale now, just when we need some uplifting stories to help us through a difficult time!

Get your copy HERE

Lakeshire Park | March Book Club

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The month of March just came striding in, bringing with it the first tender shoots of a green spring. And nothing goes hand-in-hand with spring better than romance…

Lakeshire Park, by Megan Walker, is my book pick for this month. It’s a lovely little romance set in Brighton, England, in the year 1820.

Two sisters, Amelia and Clara Moore are about to find themselves without means or home… so what’s a girl to do back then but conjure a white knight - or at least a suitable bachelor - to sweep her off her feet and into stable circumstances?

If only it were that easy!

Join the sisters on their quest while rooting not only for them to find a roof over their head but, (dare we suggest it?) loving partners as well!

Here’s what the publishers have to say about the PROPER ROMANCE ® line:

These books don’t have sex, swearing or graphic violence. They are ‘books your grandma would read.’

Step into a world of clean, smart, and engaging romance stories with a strong, relatable heroine and a devastatingly handsome hero! Our series seeks to tell stories filled with intrigue, flirtation, and that much anticipated kiss that will never embarrass the reader. These stories feature wonderful characters, obstacles to overcome, and happy endings. 

I loved reading romance novels when I was young, and I’m glad my girls can pick up a book like Lakeshire Park, and enjoy the historical details, the interesting characters, and the “happily ever after’s” without being subjected to much of the graphic nonsense that’s floating around out there these days.

Just to make sure, I’ll give them a read myself, perhaps with a picnic, on a blanket spread under a tree full of cherry blossoms… Ah, romance!

Lakeshire Park, the 30th book in the Proper Romance line, is available now!

Get your copy HERE.

Lionheart | February Book Club

by David Francisco Platillero

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About a year ago, I ran across one of the most touching videos on Facebook… it was a wedding proposal in the sweetest of settings, a wooded area with sparkling twinkly lights, and two of the most beautifully earnest people who were obviously over-the-moon in love. The man walked with the aid of forearm crutches, before getting to his knees, and from the second she realized what was unfolding, the woman was crying…

Watch the proposal video

Fast forward to an email I received a few weeks back telling me that the man kneeling in that video had written a book and recorded a music CD chronicling his journey - their journey - of “love, forgiveness, and the power of music.”

David Francisco Platillero is his name, and the first 24 years of his life read a bit like an American fairy tale; a happy, smart, and capable kid growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee with a loving, supportive family.

Involved in church, school, and music, and very very active, David went on to college and got a degree in electrical engineering, but soon decided that music, and music production, was where his heart and his passion lie. So in April of 2016, he packed up a few belongings and headed to Nashville where he’d enrolled in The Blackbird Academy (Owned by John and Martina McBride) to become the best music producer he could be.

23 days later the world David knew stopped. He was hit while riding his bicycle by a distracted driver, gravely injured, and told he would never walk again.

On February 14, 2020 his book, Lionheart, and the accompanying CD will be released. (I got an advanced copy!) Chapter by chapter, David recounts the days after the accident. Lionheart is an eloquent self-portrait of the talented musical artist that captures the pain, the progress the lessons, the love, and the miracles that define David’s new life.

By no coincidence, the chapters and song titles match, and David’s recommendation is that you read a chapter and then listen to the corresponding song for the story to be an experiential one for you, the reader, as well as for him, the writer. “Lionheart is a book. Lionheart is a CD. Lionheart is a movement that aims to empower people to find purpose.”

David and his bride, Kristi, joined me recently on LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah to record a podcast, which will drop a little later this month. Get the book and the music CD before that happens and then make sure to listen in! The story will amaze and inspire you and his music is so so good!!!!

Find it all at DavidFranciscoMusic.com!