Ruth Ann Lingwall's Blog, page 2

November 3, 2020

Blog Tour with Giveaway: Desire of the Heart by Anne Perreault

Book: Desire of the Heart
Series: Yellowstone Series Book #1
Author: Anne Perreault
Genre: Christian Romance
Release Date: April 3, 2020

It all started with a hike…

Cady Jackson’s vacation plans were simple. Go to Yellowstone National Park, enjoy the scenery, take lots of pictures. She and her cousin, Ashley, have grown up in a strict, conservative Christian family in upstate New York. Cady has never been encouraged to spread her wings. This trip is an opportunity to do so. Only, she doesn’t know how much her life is about to change when she has an unfortunate encounter in the middle of nowhere.

Why would God take a personal interest in someone like her?

Grant McClintoch generally loves his job as a ranger in the oldest national park in the country. That it includes rescuing stranded visitors to the park is unfortunate. He has been trying to rebuild his life after it had nearly been destroyed. Grant doesn’t realize that God isn’t done with him yet when he stumbles onto an injured hiker.

My Review

I love Anne Perreault’s books! They really come alive with characters–like feelings and their temptations. If you really want a treat, try this book! It kept my interest throughout as I watched Cady’s attempts to reconcile her feelings for Ranger Grant with her beliefs in God’s way of conducting a godly relationship. She believes waiting for intimacy in a relationship until after marriage, and I do too, will bring the most joy!

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Funny things happen, in this adventurous novel, that I really dream of doing one day, but hope the most disastrous don’t fall place for me or my family. It was amusing to see the way Cady bantered with Ranger “McGrant” as they got to know each other.

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The dream sequence in this novel reminded me of the one in her historical romance, An Unusual Adventure! Seriously, it really gives me shivers in a good way!

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I’m personally looking forward to reading the second book in the series, For Better or For Worse! I highly recommend reading this sweet romance! I don’t think you will want to miss the fun!

I received a free copy of this book and bought my own copy after reading it to help the author since I loved this story so much! All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

Get a copy of Desire of the Heart:

* Alibris * Amazon

About the Author

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Anne Perreault was born and raised in Germany. By the time she was 14 years old, her family moved to Dubai, UAE. While living in this exotic place, she traveled extensively to various countries around the world.

After graduating from an American boarding school in Austria, she attended college in England, where she met her husband. She graduated from New England College with a degree in biology, and settled down in Connecticut. Anne became a horseback riding instructor as well as a certified therapeutic riding instructor. She and a group of friends started a therapeutic riding center in Bristol, CT.

During that time, Anne also received a masters degree in secondary education and began to homeschool her three children. While raising their three children, she began to write an inspirational story primarily for her daughter.

Anne, her husband, and two of their grown children now reside in Southern Vermont, where they are building their home. Besides writing, Anne enjoys reading, spending time with her husband, grown children, and grand-dogger.

You can follow Anne Perreault here:

* Website * Newsletter * YouTube * Goodreads * Facebook * LinkedIn * Twitter * Instagram * BookBub * Pinterest

October 27, 2020

Blog Tour: The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

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Book: The Price of Valor
Series: Global Search and Rescue #3
Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 6, 2020

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She’s ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series.

My Review

The Price of Valor starts out exciting and mysterious, which I loved, but also depressing because of the ruined marriage between Signe and Ham. It felt hard to continue reading past the first chapter until it got more upbeat in the second chapter with a marriage proposal. After that, I finished the book very quickly because of the intriguing plot and mysterious clues.

There are a lot of ups and downs with several relationships in this novel. It made it more interesting to see realistic fears and worries about each person’s romantic feelings.

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I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

Get a copy of The Price of Valor:

* Alibris * Amazon * Apple * Barnes & Noble * Publisher: Revell Books (Baker Book House) * Kobo * Walmart * Google Play

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Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists.

You can follow Susan May Warren here:

* Website * YouTube * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * BookBub * Pinterest

Content Blog Tour: The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren was first on Book of Ruth Ann.

View more on Ruth Ann Lingwall's website »

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Published on October 27, 2020 12:37

October 14, 2020

Interview with Megan

[image error]I wrote to Megan and asked her to talk with me about her experience with motherhood, being a massage therapist, and her gift of dream interpretation. I was surprised to learn that she was epileptic and how much that condition has been, not only a challenge, a blessing!

~*~

Ruth Ann: What does it feel like to have an epileptic seizure?

Megan: I hadn’t been understanding and the teacher was like a Charlie Brown syndrome–like ‘wa wawa wawa’. I thought, “Okay! I had been completely understanding everything just a second ago.” I’d been totally there. We were supposed to be getting our exercise bands. I had just taken my medicine and this thought came to me.

So I had sat all the way back in my chair and reached down, took my medicine, then I just wasn’t there. And I was just staring off! I don’t remember how long I was staring off into something. Then I was there the next second and the lady next to me said, “Get your rubber band, Megan. Get your rubberband.” Then I was gone again and I don’t know how long I was gone. All of a sudden I hear Elaine next to me say, “She’s having a seizure.” And I turned to Elaine and I thought I went, “What?” but I couldn’t speak. I heard Elaine say “It’s okay. I’ve got her. She’s okay.” I thought, “Okay, Elaine knows I’m having a seizure. I’m okay!”

I don’t know how long I was sitting there. The next thing I know I’m back. Elaine’s like, “You okay now?”

“Yah, I’m okay”, I thought but I still couldn’t speak and I still couldn’t do anything and I couldn’t move so I just sat there for a while.

I must’ve been out for five minutes I think. When I looked at the clock it was about 5 minutes. I looked almost high. Then I started understanding the teacher again. It was like the Charlie Brown teacher syndrome was just gone. I understood her again but there was no way I was going to pick up that rubberband and start excercizing with them or those weights again because I can just as easily go back into another seizure. After class I said “You just saw a complex partial seizure [also called a focal impaired awareness seizure].”

It was like I was gone because my face had colored and that is the reason I had reached down to take my medication because my face had colored. Later in the class, almost toward the end, my face colored again and I didn’t realize it until Elaine said “Megan, your face is going bright red again.” And when I looked my face had gone bright red again. So I reached down and took my emergency medicine because I was already full up on the other type of medicine so I took my emergency medicine. Within three minutes my face had gotten better again because it is a chewable and works a lot faster. “Here I come again and I’m totally fine” but it just took a minute. But my emergency medicine really does make me a bit high and you can get addicted to it.

Ruth Ann: Does the emergency medicine help prevent brain damage?

Megan: Yes. The more epileptic seizures I have the more prone to seizures I am and the more brain damage I get.

Ruth Ann: What does the emergency epilepsy medicine do?

Megan: The first one I took was an anti-epileptic drug. It stops the seizures from coming. But it takes a couple minutes to kick in. I prefer to take that one always. It does take a couple minutes but it works. I’m on that as a daily medicine. If it will work I would way prefer to take that. I’m on a full dose of three of those. The second one I take is Lorazepam. Lorazepam is an emergency medicine that I carry. They are opiate based. So they are emergency only. Usually only hospitals carry them but they allow for emergencies for epileptics to carry them and only in small doses.

Ruth Ann: How do you feel about having to take these medicines?

Megan: I was totally anti-medicine before I became epileptic. I can tell you all the natural medicines that will stop seizures. But once your epilepsy becomes so bad you start to take pharmaceutical medicines too. You will try anything that will help. I can tell you my feelings on all the natural ones and how they help. At bed time I take the natural ones included. You shouldn’t stop them. They can work together.

Ruth Ann: Do you feel conflicted about taking the medicines?

Megan: No. Not at all. I did at first but now I don’t now because I was having gran mal seizures with vomiting. But I do have brain damage. An MRI showed I had this. I was taking all natural herbs for my anxiety then. I found out all those natural herbs were keeping my epilepsy under control.

Ruth Ann: They were?

Megan: I have crippling anxiety. My anxiety was caused by my epilepsy which I did not know. Once I started on the epileptic medication my anxiety got under control.

Ruth Ann: Can you tell me how you found out that you had epilepsy? That was a couple of years ago out of the blue?

Megan: I was breaking my legs and my toes when I kept falling and I had bruises all over from walking into things. On top of it, my anxiety was crippling. I mean I had all the classic symptoms but it wasn’t until I started convulsing that they went, “It’s because you have epilepsy”.

Ruth Ann: Is that when your husband started working at home?

Megan: He was already working at home.

Ruth Ann: You were telling me about how your family has been so supportive. What did you and your family do differently after you learned about your epilepsy?

Megan: They have been great! I’ve known a lot of families that have not been great. So I have 3 sisters and a brother. My 3 sisters were all here when it all happened. My sisters realized that that was what I had been going through my entire life and they kind of rallied around me. My sisters realized that everything they’d teased me about my entire life that really it was the epilepsy that had been what was going on. We knew I had autoimmune diseases and they realized that this had been the culmination. For years they had been going, “Oh Megan is making it up!”

Finally there was a name for what I had been going through. While I was seizing they all stood around and held me. That was really amazing for me. I looked up and my sisters were all there with their hands on me. That was super, super amazing. They took turns with my kids for me so my kids didn’t have to see it at first while we figured it all out. My first big grand mal seizure I stopped breathing and ended up throwing up. It happened on my sister’s farm and in her front yard. My little sister I remember my little sister cleaning up the throw up. This really helped.

Ruth Ann: Earlier you told me that getting a daily physical therapy massage helps reduce the effects of the seizures?

Megan: Yah. Because it calms my brain.

Ruth Ann: Does your husband do that?

Megan: No, I am a massage therapist. So I usually do a trade or I just have time with a massage therapist friend.

Ruth Ann: Are you still able to see clients?

Megan: I am but I’ve lowered my price because I might need to cancel.

Ruth Ann: Is there anything else that helps you with managing epilepsy?

Megan: Besides medications and massage? Napping. The biggest thing with seizures is napping.

Ruth Ann: Napping?

Megan: Yesterday I took a four hour nap because I felt like I needed a four hour nap. I told you I had a seizure at my exercise workout. I then went home and slept four hours.

Ruth Ann: So you essentially are tuned into your body’s needs.

Megan: Yes, absolutely listening to my body. My husband laughs, “I’m kind of jealous”.

Ruth Ann: Do you meditate or do anything else to calm yourself down?

Megan: Yes, I meditate. I don’t listen to loud music anymore. When I do listen to music it is always soft and calming. I told you I took up painting. When I spend time with my kids it is calmer. I draw with my children and rub their backs and we go on slow drives on Sunday afternoons. We do calmer more happy moments together. My life is a lot more calm than it used to be. Rather than stressing about things I let a lot more go.

Ruth Ann: What has helped you to let go of stress?

Megan: I actually took a workshop that helped me with that. I do a lot of journaling. It’s hard to explain when you’ve been through one of these life changing things. When I stress I have seizures. Once, I was really mad at my son and I was yelling at him. My husband said, “You have to stop. You’re going to have a seizure.” It’s true. I can’t get upset. If I get upset I’m going to have a seizure.

When you have that reality that if you get upset you’re going to flop on the floor and you’re going to have to sleep for a couple days, you are like, “I could get upset or I could be happy and go smell some flowers. I could get upset or I could love everybody.” You really do choose the second one. That’s your immediate reality.

After about a month of calming myself down I saw the results of that. My family got happier and my marriage got happier. All of a sudden we weren’t having marital problems anymore. All of a sudden my relationships started to heal. My youngest child who was having all these problems started to get better. Everything started to heal. There’s consequences to each of our actions. It’s a very simple decision for me, “Do I want to be flopping on the ground causing brain damage or do I want to be at peace?” I saw really good consequences from deciding to be calm.

Ruth Ann: How do you see this affecting your children’s lives?

Megan: There is peace in my family. Huge amounts of peace. I grew up in a home where there was never peace. I grew up in a home where it was one of those PTSD type homes where everybody’s surviving, hiding underneath the beds so nobody finds you to beat you, and hope nobody knows you’re home. That was my reality.

My children have no idea what that reality is. My husband loves working from home. He stays with his current job even though he could probably get a better one just because he never wants to not work at home. We had to make the decision to send our kids to public school instead of schooling them at home because they weren’t meeting anyone, I couldn’t drive them anywhere, and my husband was working crazy hours. We went through a really bad time thinking, “Where’s our babies?” Our kids were really sad. They were feeling this too like, “We miss mommy and daddy!” They missed homeschool sports teams we had participated in. We were in the best homeschool swim program. It had been really fun on Thursdays for two hours. Best swim team ever!

Ruth Ann: I find this interesting what you said about needing to calm down to avoid the seizures! It reminds me of my experience last year in the summer. My ears sealed shut for several weeks! They were blocked so much I couldn’t hear hardly anything and included pain that radiated down into my jaw and up into my head. When I got stressed or angry, the pain would shoot through my head worse and I realized that I needed to calm down because it was hurting me literally. There seems to be a blessing sometimes in feeling pain.

Megan: Learning to control ourselves this yes. There are blessings from pain. I find all the time in my massage practice that you realize you are just learning about the emotional reasons that you have that physical pain. Pain is why we feel our huge blessings.

Ruth Ann: As a massage therapist who identifies the related emotions, you seem like a therapist or a counselor in a way.

Megan: Yes we do. We absolutely do.

Ruth Ann: So what helps you deal with all the changes in your life?

Megan: A lot of things. First I’m going back through my life and seeing all these changes are really big. My relationship with family and friends. Scriptures definitely help me deal with this change! Prayer absolutely! Modern prophets. Mostly my mother too. My mother had a stroke when she was a little older than I was. And she has healed from it. She has definitely helped me so much because she is the one who brings me to all my appointments and everything. I’ve got brain damage. My mom’s got brain damage. She brings me so much hope! Because I’ll go “Mom, I’ve … I’ve lost my words” It’s a part of the brain the stem that has words. “I’ve lost my words. I can’t balance today. I can’t walk today. Today I couldn’t walk to and from the bathroom. I had to call my husband every single time I wanted to go to the bathroom. I could barely get out of bed.” Then she’ll say “I understand”. And she does! How many people aged thirty-six who understand that? My mom isn’t my age anymore but when she was thirty-six she did. That’s a huge help. A really huge help. Then too it’s not just some stranger who understands but your mom who understands! I call my mom six times a day and she doesn’t get aggravated. Huge help!

And my husband’s willing to walk me to and from the bathroom. He’ll take a break from work. The more seizures I have the more I have to go to the bathroom. It makes me lose control of my bladder. Usually if I have to pee then I’m going to be having seizures on the toilet and my husband sits and holds me while I’m on the toilet. It’s hard! It’s really hard to have no privacy. I’m like a three-year old that has to be sat with while I pee. If I’m having a seizure day I can’t take a bath or a shower because then I’ll have seizures in the bath or shower. I always have to be watched while I have a bath or a shower. I’m more prone to seizures in the shower because of the shock of getting back and forth but I’m more prone to die in the bath. Sometimes taking a bath can calm my body because of the relaxation.

Ruth Ann : Is there any hope that your condition can improve?

Megan: There is no cure for epilepsy. It just gets worse until the person dies. 50,000 people in the U.S. die of epilepsy it’s called SUDEP, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. More people die from epilepsy than breast cancer in the United States.

Ruth Ann: How long do people who have epilepsy usually live?

Megan: About fifty years. You’re more likely to die during pregnancy or going to college. It’s because they tend to stop taking their medicines during college and pregnancy for epileptics is more dangerous.

Ruth Ann: Did you have any seizures during your pregnancies?

Megan: Oh yes! All during the first pregnancy. It was actually during my first pregnancy when my symptoms were worse. I lost all my words. I had extreme hyperemeses gravidara with my son which was my first pregnancy. We thought that I had a stroke during that pregnancy. We told my doctors, “I had to have had a stroke. I had to have!” They even did an MRI because we were insistent that I had a stroke. They were like “No, you did not have a stroke with your pregnancy.” We now know that it was seizures not a stroke.

Ruth Ann : And with the labor itself was that unusual?

Megan: My water broke and I didn’t have my son for 55 hours. With my daughter, I did’t have her for 8 days. So, yah, I struggled. Very much struggled. Caitlyn was born with sepsis, pneumonia, her lungs had collapsed, and she had a heart murmur. My body just would not go into labor and my kidneys shut down and I had an infection. I couldn’t get pregnant in between them. So, yah, I had a really epileptic struggle getting her here.

Ruth Ann: How have you been blessed in your life through this all?

Megan: One thing with temporal lobe epilepsy which I have…temporal lobe seizures are also known as focal seizures. A lot of people believe that a lot of prophets had temporal lobe epilepsy because temporal lobe epileptics are known to have dreams that come true and are known to experience visions. A lot of the temporal lobe is where you are supposed to be able to see God. There have been a lot of studies on temporal lobe epilepsy that people with temporal epilepsy are protected from being attracted to pornography. They hate pornography. They have a stronger sense of a relationship with God.

I happen to have the ability to touch people and feel their emotions. I am a healer and I do have dreams that come true and I have had this my entire life. I never knew any of this about temporal lobe epilepsy and I was diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy. I put it in to Google and put it into more importantly YouTube and boom, boom, boom all these studies with temporal lobe epilepsy pop up and it was like all these studies showed temporal lobe epilepsy in all these people! And all the people on the Facebook group for temporal epilepsy were like, “What are your spiritual gifts?” And all these people with these spiritual gifts had temporal epilepsy! I was like “I found my tribe!” It was really cool to see that all these people had all these lovely spiritual gifts! A lot of people with temporal epilepsy that are not having active seizures do not treat their temporal epilepsy (emphasis added) because when you do, especially if you take out your temporal lobe or if you take out the amygdala, they stop having their dreams, they stop having all their feelings, they stop having all their beautiful ability to talk to God!

Ruth Ann : Beautiful! In a way, does it open up your brain more spiritually?

Megan: It does! It’s a gift!

Ruth Ann: How have you seen the gift of dreams used in your life or in the last couple years?

Megan: The first time I saw it for sure was when I was five-years old I dreamed about something that actually happened later during my Young Women’s (a church class for teenage girls) in 8th grade. So I was like, “I’ve been here before.” So I knew! I knew exactly where I was supposed to go and what I was supposed to do from when I was five-years old. I was like, “I’ve been here before. I’m supposed to go there.” It helped me grow emotionally.

Ruth Ann: Did it give you more confidence?

Megan: Yes, I was more confident. I was so shy really. I was afraid of everything. I also felt it was like a protector and, most often, I’ve had it be a healer! It is a gift so I know what to do and protects me. Very interesting in that way. It was very interesting because I felt that it was my spiritual gift and then when I was 16 it was mentioned in my Patriarchal Blessing so that was also an assurance. I just kind of know what to do and follow. Now these days it shows up in symbols. I have to decipher the symbols.

Ruth Ann : What do you do to decipher the symbols?

Megan: It’s a good question. Deciphering symbols is individual to each person. I can usually help someone else by praying and wondering then asking God. It’s usually a prayer thing. I don’t use dream books or anything. I just use prayer directly on it and it’s individual for each dream. That’s hard to say. It’s usually a prayer and a ponder thing.

Ruth Ann : Do you see common threads with the symbolism in dreams that come to you or people you help?

Megan: Yes, and it’s usually found in the scriptures. That’s always my go to–the scriptures, prayer and never anything else.

Ruth Ann : Do you have any other suggestions besides prayer and scriptures for someone just starting out trying to understand and look for meaning in their dreams?

Megan: Go with everyday symbols that mean something to you. So sometimes a blade of grass is just a blade of grass. Walking usually means you’re going somewhere, this type of thing, or on a journey. Go with symbolism in that way. Keep it to your life. Don’t go with the books. The books usually mean crap. Don’t buy a dream dictionary. Don’t take it on anybody else’s experience. Use a dream interpreter who you trust. They’ll usually help you figure it out with your life. You don’t want somebody who’s doing it on ancient dreams you want someone who knows this day and age. Because if you’re thinking about oh … a little black box, that just might be a phone. And a phone would mean talking to someone, or it could mean communing with somebody, it could mean you are trying to get a hold of somebody, or it could just mean that’s your phone. You need somebody who’s going to help you figure it out. Sometimes it’s individual. You need somebody that realizes it’s individual to each person.

Ruth Ann : Has the gift of dreaming changed in the last 2 years since you actively started having seizures?

Megan: It absolutely has! It’s more potent. One of the things I have realized is that the more medication I take it actually calms down so I have to write down my dreams and take care of it in the morning when I’m on less medication. I usually have dreams in the morning. I’m not on as much medications in the morning. But I’m on tons at night. So if I take a nap in the afternoon when I’m on my most medication I won’t dream. But in the morning I have these amazing dreams! And if I don’t get them written down then they’re gone.

Ruth Ann: I’ve noticed that I need to write my dreams down too or I will forget them! How do you feel about your relationship now with God because of your dreams gift? Or because of your epilepsy?

Megan: Torn. At first I was angry, really angry, until I found that YouTube channel and then I bawled and I bawled and I bawled because I realized that there was a purpose for it and that it was actually a gift He had given me. That without this gift I wouldn’t have all my gifts. So then, I was like, “This is perfect.” It absolutely has a purpose. At the same time I can’t just not take the medicine and let it kill me because epilepsy is killing me. My brain damage is getting worse and worse and it’s killing me. So I think it is my responsibility to not let it kill me. And to live for my children. It’s a double-edged sword so I have to keep it under control because He’s given me these gifts [medicine] to keep it under control. It is very much a double-edged sword. I hate taking Lorazepam. Because I can’t dream or think on Lorazepam. It is very interesting, different medicines I can still dream while on but other medicines I can’t. That tells me that some medicines are not made correctly and not made of God.

Ruth Ann: How do you see yourself using your intuitive gifts in the future?

Megan: I hadn’t thought about it but I always use my gift freely. I don’t ever charge anybody for it and I don’t ever advertise. I can’t see myself advertising for it. Anybody who wants to have me interpret a dream sends me, “Hey I have a dream”, and if I have the energy and the ability to interpret because I always pray about it and if I get an answer I am happy to answer them. If I do not have the energy and I do not get any answers I don’t. Because I believe God gave me this gift and as I don’t put out any personal energy I won’t charge. For massage therapy I have to pay for school, I have to pay for sheets, I have to pay for…so I charge for that.

Ruth Ann : It makes me think of the gift of tongues. With the gift of tongues there’s always the gift of interpreting tongues. God gives the gift and the interpretation.

Megan: So if I don’t get an interpretation I don’t interpret the dream. Sometimes I can interpret part of a dream but I can’t interpret the other part. I have found though when I start interpreting a dream I’ll go “I’m not get anything but this” and I’ll put it away. Then later I’ll get another part and then all of a sudden it explodes into meaning.

Ruth Ann: I’ve noticed as I start to write down my dreams that new ideas come to me of what the dream means.

Megan: Yes.

Ruth Ann: How did you get into painting?

Megan: My sister and I took one of those paint courses and it was a really, really fun night. We were doing the painting and all of a sudden my sister got a message (she’s a midwife and we sometimes partner up) that said “Hey, I’m in labor”. We had time to finish painting this really, really fun Vincent Van Gogh ‘Starry Night’. So fun!

My painting was really, really good. I thought, “Ok! I think I can do this!” My sister was like, “I hate you! Your’s is so much better than mine!” I ended up painting a tardis on the front of mine. I don’t know if you like watching Doctor Who? She was like “What are you doing? This cannot have a tardis on this!” Her daughter loves Doctor Who and I ended up buying more canvas and teaching her daughter and 3 of my friends how to paint it. I was able to after just painting it once to teach five people how to paint that. I thought “Ok If I can teach five people how to do this, my niece chose a canvas bag, I think I can paint!”

We then ended up at an all night long delivery where she ended up catching the baby. We didn’t get home until 6 am in the morning.

There’s a little art shop at the end of our street called Artist’s Corner that they do a homeschool art class where I told my husband I should get my daughter and myself in the mommy and daughter class.

Ruth Ann: That sounds fun! Thank you so much! I think the thing I’ve loved the most about talking with you is hearing how close your family now is with your siblings, mom, husband, and children and the many things you’ve learned together. God brings the gifts in the middle of our challenges.

I took the picture of Megan three years ago when we got together to do this interview. I was planning to post the interview sooner but am very glad we didn’t!

It turned out Megan had an update for me on her health when I asked her to look over the interview before I posted it. Below is what she shared with me and asked that I include.

Megan: I am currently seizure free for 2 years, and have been off all medication except the lowest dosage of one seizure medication, with a microdose of a 20/1 cannabis blend. (This means I take mostly CBD.) All my emergency medication expired and I got rid of it. I had no need for it! My old dosage of seizure med was 800 mg. I now take 200 mg. My kidneys are so happy.

Ruth Ann: I wonder, do you know why you were able to reduce your seizure meds and have been seizure free?

Megan: I now take medical cannabis when I get seizure symptoms, or have a hard day. I changed medicine to a more natural one.

Content Interview with Megan was first on Book of Ruth Ann.

View more on Ruth Ann Lingwall's website »

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Published on October 14, 2020 19:42

October 12, 2020

Reviewer Tour and Audiobook Review: The Secret Sisters Club by Monique Bucheger

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ebook

audiobook

Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie and Tillie want to be sisters. Tillie’s divorced mom plus Ginnie’s widowered dad could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again.

Ginnie and Tillie come up with the perfect scheme to change his mind: Operation Secret Sisters

Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and her dad doesn’t talk about—if Dad doesn’t take them away.

Audiobook narrated by Hillary Straga

My Review

I wanted to love this because horses and young girls just go together, but didn’t find it very engaging at first! I would enjoy a little more imagery in the story! It was otherwise a fun story, as the plot progressed it drew me in!

I loved how well the author portrayed the girl’s feelings about the emotionally challenging situations they were in as girls who had lost a parent for different reasons. Yet it was a little disturbing to see how badly Ginnie behaved under stress and let her trust and good experiences fly out the window turning to extremely childish behavior when disappointed. I understand how hard this type of situation could be but want to see good behavior with clear consequences modeled in books my children read. I loved that it did show Ginnie coming around to a better understanding with her dad but I feel she was still justifying her’s and her brother’s one time defiance!

I asked my daughter who is almost the same age as Ginnie and Tillie what she thought about The Secret Sister’s Club. She told me she enjoyed the horse racing! Also, “When she [Ginnie] found those journals that was interesting. Her temper tantrums were somewhat interesting, but I’d prefer if she wouldn’t do them. She should learn self control and stop stomping away and kicking.”

I think my daughter was put off by Ginnie’s behavior in part because our family has been watching a video from Nicholeen Peck or Dr. Paul Jenkins (my toddler calls him the funny guy) each morning! These YouTube videos are helping us teach our children better ways to communicate, take responsibility for their emotions and actions, and to be responsible!

He nodded and then laughed. “That pretty much sums it up.”

Dad patted the swing seat and waited for her to scoot back. “You know Gin, as much as I’d like to be your friend, I need to be your dad first. Sometimes that means telling you ‘no’ and letting you be angry.”

If you have a child who needs to talk about difficult emotions, this would be a great book to use for starting a discussion. It also could be a fun way to discuss appropriate behavior with kids and young teens.

I love that the narrator of the audiobook uses different voices but would appreciate a little longer break when switching between narration and different characters. The grown ups seem to not have much range of emotions. The audio narration otherwise is okay for an audiobook and I feel most kids will enjoy it.

The Secret Sister’s Club was a sweet story about family relationships! I really enjoyed the small farm feel of this book. It reminded me of living for a short time on my grandparents ranch! I loved this part! I was intrigued by the mysteries introduced in the book. I plan to read several more novels in the Ginnie West Adventures series with my daughter to find out how these mysteries are resolved!

I received a free copy of this ebook from JustRead and a free copy of the audiobook from the author. All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

Get a copy of The Secret Sister’s Club:

* Alibris (paperback) * Amazon (link to ebook with paperback and audiobook also available) * Audiobooks (audiobook retailer) * Apple (audiobook) * Barnes & Noble (ebook) * Nook (audiobook) * Kobo (audiobook) * Walmart (audiobook) * Google Play (audiobook)

About the Author [image error]

When Monique isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her 12 children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events.

Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy the journey that is her life. She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children and 3 in-law kids, eleven granddarlings, 5 cats, and many real and imaginary friends.

She is the author of five published books (and several unpublished ones) and is in two anthologies. You can find more about Monique and her works at: www.moniquebucheger.blogspot.com

You can follow Monique Bucheger here:

* Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Content Reviewer Tour and Audiobook Review: The Secret Sisters Club by Monique Bucheger was first on Book of Ruth Ann.

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Published on October 12, 2020 16:08

September 28, 2020

Reviewer Tour: Molly by Sarah Monzon

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If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.

But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?

I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?

My Review

Molly Osbourne has to leave her job as a Montessori preschool teacher. As luck, or divine intervention, would have it, the father of one of her preschool students is looking for a nanny for his four-year old daughter! Ben and Molly are drawn to each other from the start! He hires her to take care of his daughter part time even though she is studying for her online college classes! But, his daughter, Chloe, isn’t the only one who needs some love! This nanny arrangement leads to some really funny scenes as Molly, Ben, and Chloe’s lives become bound together with the daily service she provides!

“Is that along the lines of saying chocolate comes from cocoa, which comes from a tree and is therefore a plant, and if it’s a plant then chocolate is a salad?”

I choked on an almond at the back of my throat and covered my mouth with the palm of my hand. Miss Osbourne grinned at me, and I found myself returning her smile. “Not exactly.”

She shrugged. “It was worth a shot.”

I really loved the funny way Molly elaborates in her mind the way I or anyone would about ridiculous situations! She really cannot sing! The sewing jokes told by Molly’s club were hilarious!

One of her most enduring traits is her honesty!

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Molly’s family consists of just her father and mother! They both served in the army!

The Book of Ruth Ann

It reminded me of when my own dad was in the army and we lived overseas in Germany! I especially remember Christmases there. Once I was old enough to realize Santa was not real, I asked my mom about why they told us there was a Santa Claus. She reminded me that they had never told us kids that there was a Santa and the Christmas presents only had our names on them–they never said from Santa. I remember feeling relieved that I could trust my parents to always tell me the truth! I try to carry on the same tradition!

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I don’t like how Molly’s mother questions her. It feels off like I want to defend Molly. It is a little strange that her mother seems so tender at one point when that seems out of character based on the description of her character previously and the uptight way she raised Molly. I loved this a lot that their relationship seemed to heal on both sides though!

Mortification, how cruel is your company.

Mom’s with little kids, or who once had little kids, will find Molly’s interactions with toddler Chloe in this book sound really familiar! These scenes really made me smile as I reminisced about fun times with my own toddlers! Get a copy and read this delightfully sweet romance!

I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

Get a copy of Molly:

* Amazon

About the Author [image error]

A Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.

Sarah loves connecting with readers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Okay, now that the formal introductions are out of the way I can really tell you about myself. Like most writers, I hear voices, a.k.a my characters, and can’t get those voices out of my head until I write down their story (which they tell to me…I have no control whatsoever). Think I’m a bit crazy? That’s okay. My husband thinks so too and he still loves me.

My family is my life and I am 100% devoted to them.

I’m socially awkward and canNOT small talk for the life of me. Which, one would think, authors should be good at since we sit and make up dialogue all day. Sigh. I wish that were the case. Thankfully my husband and kids can both talk up a storm so I normally just hide behind them and smile. (This was said in fair warning in case we meet in person)

And because I’ve admitted I can’t carry on a conversation, if there is anything else you want to know about me, just send me a message! Can’t wait to hear from you. =)

You can follow Sarah Monzon here:

* Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * BookBub * Pinterest

Content Reviewer Tour: Molly by Sarah Monzon was first on Book of Ruth Ann.

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Published on September 28, 2020 19:00

September 3, 2020

Book Review with Giveaway: The Doctor & the Midwife by Sarah Alva

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As a midwife running her own home birth practice, Audrey Novak deals with pressure like a superhuman. Until, that is, she meets her handsome and arrogant neighbor, Dr. Ammon Parker. Ammon, who believes only in modern medicine, is just as unprepared for the infuriating—and inconveniently beautiful—midwife. When the two are repeatedly called to the same labor and delivery unit, their clashing ideals and fiercely independent personalities threaten to derail both their professional goals and their pride.

Outside of work, Audrey is a passionate rock climber, tantalized by a secret route she’s heard about in an online forum. Her hunt for the climb’s location leads her to the intriguing BelayingonofHands, a man who claims to have set the route. Soon their anonymous virtual flirtation and witty exchanges deepen into a true connection. But when Audrey discovers the man from online is actually Ammon, she’s blindsided. It seems they have more in common than she could have imagined, but will their differences keep them from making the climb to true love together?

My Review

Even though the events in this book are fictional, some made me cry happy and sad tears. I loved the visual effect this author creates with her writing!

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I like to read books that make me empathize with the characters like in this book. These characters were people I would enjoy meeting.

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Reading this novel reminded me of all the possible myths there are surrounding home birth and midwives. I loved the first meeting between Audrey and Ammon. One thing I liked about Ammon as a doctor was that he prayed before surgery! This is the type of doctor I would want to work with.

Audrey and Ammon’s anonymous exchanges are hilarious! They had several Pride and Prejudice type moments.

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I hope there is a sequel featuring the roommates Ellie and Freddy! That would be sweet!

I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

Get a copy of The Doctor & the Midwife:

* Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book * Kobo * Seagull Book

About the Author [image error]

To learn more about how you can become an advocate for improving health outcomes for birthing women, visit Improving Birth at improvingbirth.org. Lastly, if you or a loved one has experienced a difficult or traumatic birth, know you are not alone and help is available. Improving Birth has a “Pathways to Healing” guide available for free on their website, along with many other resources.

~*~

I grew up in Tucson, AZ but have lived in Salt Lake City for almost ten years now. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a tween. The first X-Men movie, the one released circa 2000, inspired my first attempt at a book. I dabbled in lot of different ideas until I wrote my first “novel” when I was fourteen. I say “novel” because it was 70 single-spaced pages of dialogue. I thought “revision” meant going through and adding missing commas and periods. But it was a start. I wrote “novels” all through high school but stopped writing fiction when I got to college

I attended Pima Community College and the University of Arizona, majoring in Political Science. Somewhere during my junior year of college I realized I didn’t have the guts for politics. I also met my husband, Brandon, around this time who was working on his MFA in nonfiction. I caught the writing bug again and added a double major of Creative Writing. However, I soon realized an undergraduate fiction workshop was not the place for my “love stories.” I changed my emphasis to nonfiction and wrote essays about love (and being Mormon).

I returned to fiction after I graduated from college. In 2010 I participated in NaNoWriMo and rewrote the “novel” I had written when I was fourteen. This time my characters had arcs and more than one conflict. I spent far too many years revising it. In 2014 I compiled the essays I had written in college and added a few new ones to create a collection entitled Confessions of A Mormon Bride.The collection was published on wattpad.com and won a Watty Award for “Most Addictive Read.”

Now I’m living the dream. I’m a stay-at-home mom to two little boys. I spend a lot of time on Facebook, I eat a lot of carbs, and take a lot of naps. I like to grocery shop, listen to National Public Radio, and talk politics with my super smart husband.

You can follow Sarah Alva here:

* Website * Wattpad * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * BookBub

Giveaway

Win a copy of The Doctor and the Midwife by Sarah Alva!

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Published on September 03, 2020 08:24

August 28, 2020

Pandemic Perceptions from Around the World (Anthology) by Various Authors

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No rating this time because my piece is in this book too!

Your Perception Colors the World Around You

The way we see the world, what we choose to focus on, creates the reality we live in. In the midst of a global pandemic we look at how different perceptions are dependent on where we live and how we view the situation.

Join us on the journey into insights from around the world while we read the perceptions of twenty-one different authors from Hawaii to South Africa. These authors explore the ups and downs that this global crisis has brought upon them. Each one ends their stories with a thread of hope to keep us going.

We challenge you to open your mind, your heart, and your perceptions. Read Pandemic Perceptions from Around the World and find hope amidst chaos.

Our amazing contributing authors are: Amelia St. James, Laura Shiff, Lynnea Paxton-Honn, Ruth Ann Lingwall, Michele Brouder, Amel Tafsout, Dianne McCleery, Mary Faust Smith, Rochelle Changoo, Lyla Osmundsen, AV Singer, Michelle Geel, H. Ní Aódagaín, Ryutora Takano, Pete Bevan, Abhijit Chakraborty, DJ Cooper, A. R. Maloney, Laurayne Mae, Charmaine Tan, and DC Little

My Review

I do not agree with all the opinions in this book but was fascinated by their cultural experiences that resulted in these feelings. This is a beautiful opportunity to understand each other better!

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I was sad for the fears and worries expressed. This of course will not come as a surprise that these were felt but I loved seeing how they dealt with those fears. It was touching to read of different ways people found to connect with family.

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I especially enjoyed reading about how families with little children coped under different circumstances. Children are very resourceful yet need to be comforted that this will all end one day. Their fears are their reality. Our hope for a future return to a physically connected society helps shape their future.

We are coming together as a loving community, showing that we are more alike than different, and we all just want love and support and family and friends and health.

I think this quote really sums up what a lot of us have experienced. If we take time to slow down, we see what really matters in life is not just quality of life but the connections we experience! These stories really satisfied my own soul’s longing for hope.

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It was interesting to see how similar our thoughts, experiences, and emotions were despite the distance in where we live! The sorrows of my global brothers and sisters felt like my own. We need to remember that even though we react differently individually to this virus, we really all have valid thoughts and feelings. Experiencing each other’s sorrows and joys can turn this pandemic from a potential catastrophe into a blessing for human kind if we renew our feeling of humanity.

~*~

Get a copy of Pandemic Perceptions from Around the World:

* Amazon

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Published on August 28, 2020 15:10

August 24, 2020

50th Book Review with Giveaway: Not Again by Maria Henriksen

Writing

*This has rape (tasteful)

*Swearing
*Only a few stars means just some instances

Christina De Rosa holds a potentially deadly secret that threatens to get out. As an innocent young teenager, Christina survives a terrifying sexual assault that destroys her self-worth and trust. In her daily struggle, Christina searches for ways to keep her torment at bay, so she can function as a “normal” teenager.

Meanwhile, Christina’s spiritual journey leads her down a path causing conflict within, as she’s riddled with guilt and shame. A chance encounter with her longtime, hot crush, Avery Evans, sparks a fire in Christina that she can’t extinguish. As the sweet, loving, knight in shining armor he readily portrays, Avery offers the safety and security that Christina craves. In her quest for internal peace, Christina must make a decision.

Will she give her heart, body and soul to the super popular, Avery Evans? Will Christina’s nightmares become all-consuming or will her discoveries lead her to a renewed way of life?

Find out if true love triumphs in this edgy, faith-based young adult page-tuner, set in the 1980s.

*Not Again is NOT your typical Christian coming of age story. Fierce faith doesn’t come without a fight. Prepare for heartache, self-harm, traumatic events, real romance, and actual scripture in these pages.

My Review

Most of this book focused on the reality teenagers frequently face in their dating relationships. This book can help them to understand the types of situations that can tempt them to break their commitments to wait until marriage before having sex.

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I did not like the rape scene but it is a real part of helping women who have experienced this.

I found myself transported back to high school as I read Not Again. It was not an easy or happy time for me but reading this story gave me a chance to release some of these unpleasant remembrances and heal a little. I was impressed with how well the author portrayed the moods and attitudes I remember.

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I do not want to reveal too much of Not Again’s plot. There is a great podcast interview, I enjoyed listening to, which reveals more of the author’s writing story. It was fascinating. I look forward to reading her next book, Not Again, The Fallout!

I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

Get a copy of Not Again:

* Amazon

More about the Book:

* Trailer (song co-written by the author!) * Podcast interview with Maria

About the Author [image error]

Maria T. Henriksen is the author of Not Again, a young adult Christian romance novel. She is working on the sequel, Not Again, The Fallout, to be published in 2021.

She is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More, and a contributing author to Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).

Maria hosts her own blog, Maria’s Ministry, and she manages her own Facebook ministry group consisting of contributors from the writing and Christian communities called Maria’s Muses: Inspirational, Christian & Close-to-the-Heart Readers.

Maria graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s in Communications/Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. Maria has experience in graphic arts, finance, banking, health, fitness, and beauty. She currently works as a substitute teacher of all grades and disciplines.

As a wife for over two decades, Maria considers herself blessed. She and her husband are the proud parents of teenage boy/girl twins. In her spare time, Maria runs, creates graphics, and enjoys reading and family activities. Maria’s greatest desire is for lives to be transformed through her inspirational writings.

You can follow Maria Henriksen here:

* Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Facebook group * Twitter * Instagram * BookBub

Giveaway

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Why you need to enter this Giveaway!
Do it because you really…

Enjoyed Not Again’s review!

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Published on August 24, 2020 06:21

August 16, 2020

Educating by LaRee Westover

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This book is my memoir—a memoir that for several years now, I have known I would one day write. But let’s set the record straight right here. Part, but only part, of the impetus for writing my memoir at this time, is the publishing of our daughter’s [Tara Westover’s] book, Educated.

I want to tell the story of my life as I really lived it. I want my grandchildren to know who their grandmother is and was, and I want to be a force for good in their lives. Also, I feel a compelling desire to shine a light of accuracy on homeschooling, herbal medicine, and the living of a conservative and Christian way of life.

My Review

There are few books that underline the services of mothers as well as Educating by LaRee Westover. To evaluate anyone’s life decisions without knowing their story is a faulty act of foolishness, at best, or hate at the worst. Everyone wishes to be seen for their whole self in thoughts, feelings, and reflective experiences. I wish we could all see the beauty inherent in each heart. This memoir gives us that small glimpse into the life of a unique woman.

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Remember that no one is perfect! Of the many mothers who have ever lived, I doubt any have been perfect. I have thought about how my children will speak of and remember me one day. I hope it is with kindness remembering the times I really showed them love instead of my tired or troubled times.

I wish I had done a better job of teaching my own children to work. It can be tiring and children seem to intuitively know how to wear parents down with complaints or other behavior to get out of the maximum amount of work. But I keep on trying as I learn to parent better. I want my children to learn self-reliance so that they can be competent adults. LaRee and Val’s experiences teaching their children to work inspires me.

I like that she shows us teaching children is the responsibility of parents first, whether they are in the public school system, where LaRee was educated, or in a homeschool. Interestingly it was the possibilities for a different way to learn that inspired us to homeschool as well. Like LaRee and Val, my husband and I reflected on our education and felt we wanted to inspire our children to enjoy learning. The Westovers had more interesting and valid reasons for homeschooling that were moving. One thing they chose to do was encourage their children to always do their best and help make decisions about their education. This pursuit of excellence likely is the reason all of their children, except one, went to college and got several degrees.

I found her experience with children having different personalities from the rest very relatable. Tara’s resentment of being homeschooled is not common but does occur occasionally with some homeschooled children. I had a child who had always dreamed of riding the yellow school bus to school from watching The Magic School Bus. We had hoped his experience would be enjoyable when I put him in a local school for a year but it was very unpleasant. He chose to return to homeschool the next year.

Like most homeschooling families I know, it sounds like the Westovers had an overabundance of books. It was great to see I may not be the only one who hopes my children will choose to read because of the love of learning we try to instill in their hearts. But like any family, some children are harder to motivate to read or do school work than others. I’m sure all you mothers out there know what I’m talking about! The good thing is even the hardest children learn while the rest of the family discusses interesting topics or works on projects.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I was excited to read about LaRee’s introduction to herbalism and midwifery. She explains in this book religious and natural health terms simply as she tells her story so readers will be able to keep in touch with what is happening.

I know it must seem odd that I could read this book before it was published! I count it a miracle too! There was a health conference I attended last year where Laree Westover was a vendor. I had been a Butterfly Express customer for several years and so was excited for a chance to speak with LaRee. In our conversation, I found out she was planning on writing her memoir. I asked if I could review it on my blog.

I learned in Educating that LaRee’s introduction to herbs began after Val’s leg broke because they wanted to try the recent therapy used by football players. They were impressed by how quickly and completely the herbs combined with the therapy healed his leg. I think that is similar to how most of us who use herbs; after seeing the great results the first time, you fall in love and keep using them. Perhaps there are more possibilities in healing the body than most of us have realized. As I read, I could sympathize with their desire to not go to the hospital any more than needed. I was relieved to try herbs myself for a small cut after a traumatic experience at the emergency room.

For those readers who have not experienced herbs for themselves, these stories may seem incredible. To me, the thought of using essential oils and herbs was strange at first until I finally tried them and saw how quickly they can heal the body. I believe God created plants to benefit humans in multiple ways including healing from illnesses or wounds. You may have noticed the excitement in science over the possibility of undiscovered plants in the Amazon that could inspire new heath care drugs. Yes, these things are truly marvelous in my opinion!

This first time she had a baby born at the hospital was traumatic. The results were that she found a midwife to work with and eventually trained to become a midwife too. I loved the story of one birth in particular! Her midwifery resulted in her not only helping her family financially, it also inspired them to continue learning and believe that they could do hard things too!

Stories from LaRee’s growing up years helped give context to her children’s life experiences. Most were funny. A few were sad. I can do it myself is what nearly every child says at some point as they begin to learn. I had one child who learned to read, like LaRee did, from watching a sibling learning to read. Children aren’t limited to their own subject matter and on grade curriculum. They can learn from and be inspired by each other.

“There are significant differences between self-publishing a book and submitting a manuscript to a publisher. One important difference is that when an author signs with a publisher, the author may be relinquishing at least some control over the content of their book. Final editorial decisions often rest with the publisher, even if those decisions are contrary to the author’s wishes. The motivations of author and publisher may not always be aligned.”

This is true from all I’ve read about traditional publishing. It makes me wonder how much of her daughter’s book was changed by her editor and publishing team. It also makes sense why LaRee Westover chose to self-publish instead of seeking a publisher.

Reading about Tara’s experience with a therapist and her subsequent blame of her parents reminded me of someone I know. She also blamed her parents for her lack of opportunities, her memories of events differed from mine, and she split between family members. I felt sad for both women. Growing up and taking responsibility for one’s own emotions is hard sometimes. It takes a lot of courage to delve into self-reflection and forgive others for minor and major offenses. LaRee humbly admits she has more growing to do as most people have. I was impressed by the way she spoke of her daughter with kindness and love.

We may not be perfect but I believe all real mothers want their children to succeed. This mother, LaRee Westover, chose to follow the beat of her own drum just trying to do the best she could raising her children to be caring responsible adults. In doing so, she gave her children the gift of being able to truly follow their desired path whether in hobnobing with the elite at Cambridge and Harvard, serving in the voluntariness of their family business, or beyond.

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If you have read Educated by Tara Westover, I challenge you to receive the rest of the story and see the rest of the family’s perspective in LaRee’s book Educating. You may find yourself laughing and crying your way through as I did! The beautiful language makes it an excellent read with fascinating stories. It will have you believing in the reality of God’s modern day miracles! If you like inspirational memoirs, I also recommend reading The Memory Catcher: When Angels Speak, Who Will Listen? by Sarah Hinze!

I received a free copy of this book. All opinions are completely my own.

~*~

The Indiegogo campaign for Educating is now over

This link (below) is my Butterfly Express affiliate link. This is the first affiliate link ever on this blog! If you prefer, you can also search for the book from Butterfly Express and bypass the affiliate link! I will add links to retail store pages when I see it available in stores!

* Preorder on Butterfly Express

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Published on August 16, 2020 18:39

Forward to Book Review of Educating by LaRee Westover

I have never written a forward to a book review before!

LaRee Westover’s new book, Educating, is not a response to Tara’s book but is remotely the complete story. She doesn’t respond to any of Tara’s accusations except about her brother’s emotional and mental state.

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This is a touching tribute from LaRee Westover’s husband, Val Westover.

I have long been impressed by LaRee’s generosity in her business practices! She has freely shared her herbal recipes in her herb book, including the famous Miracle Salve recipe, and gives the most rewards points I’ve seen from a natural health company. The prices are great too!

We value being able to provide excellent products for the lowest possible price, as a product that is meant to improve one’s health is of no value if the price is so high they can’t afford to buy it.

When I saw LaRee Westover at a health conference recently, I was thrilled to speak with her. We spoke about writing our memoirs which she had felt inspired to do several years previously to her daughter’s, Tara Westover, book being published. I was looking for health books to review so asked her if I could review hers. I needed to read it quickly once I knew it was finished since they were ready for publication! This was easy since the stories were so interesting and the language was engaging!

“There are many themes in her narrative, but being different is okay stands out. “

This was not a paid review. I did receive a free reviewer’s copy of the book for review purposes! I will not lie to you that I think this book will be a bestseller! It could be if it had the same people backing it that Tara Westover’s book had. But even an indie published book can do well if it is well written! I hope that you will choose to share Educating with your friends!

See the full review in the next post!

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Published on August 16, 2020 18:13

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