Sarah Butland's Blog, page 27

Vision & Visualization: How to Visualize and Imagine to Change our Life and Creates the Results that we Want

Stephen Ecker has a way with words and makes it known through all of his motivational books. Vision & Visualization: How to Visualize and Imagine to Change our Life and Creates the Results that we Want impressed me once again with it’s easy to read and simple to understand concept of positive thinking and understanding.

For Best Impact and Long Term Effect

Though there were a few typo’s throughout, these were easy to over look to enjoy the full effect of the storyline. Ecker  offered great examples of ways to imagine your own success to ensure your life is everything you expect, either negative or positive. When in a slump or if you just need a reminder of how you can shift your focus, this book can be read quickly and repeatedly for best impact and long term effect.

Don’t Take Your Thoughts for Granted

Ecker details how important it is for your long term well-being to understand the importance of your thoughts and what you can do to change them.

With the law of attraction increasing in popularity, as it should, this book covers a niche that can change the way we do everything.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One, Blood Day: The Short Story and Arm Farm

 

Dream House: A Short Story by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

This is an outstanding short story that still creeps me out.

A mother eager to start her life again in her dream home with her twin 6 year old boys and loving husband. She is impressed when they move into the house offering her more than she could imagine which fulfilled such simple requests as room for two in the kitchen and a fixer-upper to make her own.

Until things start getting weird…

A hole in the wall behind a picture no one else dared to move. A home furnished and decorated, everything left behind by all the previous owners who weren’t as brave or inspired as Christine was. When she sees an eyeball staring back at her through the wall she begins her research and learns who once lived in the house.

Curses and Mysteries

Who is Christine to trust when she wakes to her son’s screams and sees an image in the corner of their room? Her husband doesn’t believe her, her co-workers from the library warn her and she needs to begin the repairs.

Sending her sons with her sister, away from harm, she thinks she has it all figured out until her husband comes home.

Enjoy the Journey but Beware…

I read this story over a week ago and it still gives me chills. Tardif is the Canadian master of suspense for me.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One, Blood Day: The Short Story and Arm Farm

Prince of Fire by Zara Steen

I’ll give any Canadian author a chance, especially one from the Maritimes so when I discovered this paranormal I hesitated only slightly. As paranormal is typically not my genre of choice it was a challenge for me to choose this over many other books but I’m sure glad I did.

Prince of Fire (The Arzulian Kingdoms) Captured Me

And wouldn’t let go… Though a long book I found it to be a fast paced read and it left me wanting it longer. Imagine yourself in Halifax, Nova Scotia one minute, leading a boring life and juggling relationships with an on and off boyfriend and your older sister to next be in a strange land and sold as a slave.

Each character, starting with Sammie (Samira) and her sister Salha, was well developed and memorable. I found myself easily liking these sisters and hating those who made them suffer and wouldn’t allow their return to the world they knew. And yet, maybe the return wasn’t what they wanted, at least for Salha who was finding the adventure and men she wanted to love in this new world.

Developed Characters and Capturing Plot

Prince of Fire (The Arzulian Kingdoms) not only had magnificent characters and descriptions but this novel was complete with a fast paced plot that kept me riveted.

With some racy content that made me blush while reading in the same room as my inlaws, Zara Steen certainly mastered the art of subtle flirtation through x-rated action and everything in between. Though I wouldn’t recommend this book for the faint of heart, these scenes added an element that will intrigue and entice the romance some paranormal readers crave.

A must read for anyone able to enjoy a little written sex and be left wanting more.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One, Blood Day: The Short Story and Arm Farm

Aunt Phil’s Trunk Volume One

Bringing Alaska’s History Alive!

Laurel Downing Bill did an amazing job at keeping my attention with her stories regarding the history of Alaska. Before reading her book I knew very little of this northern state of America beyond the basics and now I feel as if I lived there once.

From discovering new communities and mining new gold, these stories took me from when Russians discovered and claimed ownership through the transfer to the USA. Included within the stories of Alaskan’s Native people were pictures that impressed me just as much as the adventures of each tale.

Through the prices of meals, the desperate measures and determination of its settlers, Downing Bill introduces her readers to the colourful past of this ever developing state. Hospitals built with money raised in raffles still house the sick today while many communities burned to the ground as the ever-ready firemen couldn’t get to the locations fast enough.

Thought over 300 pages long, this novel contains so many interesting and intriguing facts it kept me challenged and learning about the state. Before I read this I basically knew Alaska was cold, Anchorage was a place there and Jewel was raised there. (Ok, I knew a little bit more but not much)

Aunt Phil’s Trunk Volume One should be in all the schools in the USA as it was easy and fun to read and contained a lot more than the usual dry facts and dates I remember reading in history class.

Enjoy reading history and learning about the world with Lauren Downing Bill and Aunt Phil’s Trunks.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

 

A Canada Day Salute to Some of Canada’s Finest Chocolate Makers

On this Canada Day, enjoy this guest post by Doreen Pendgracs about Chocolate, Books and Canada – three of my favourite things!

Thanks for taking over, Doreen! Readers, as a thank you please head on over to Doreen’s Amazon page and give it a lick… er.. like!

I’ve spent the past five years researching chocolate around the world as research for my series of books, Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate. And, wow! I’ve certainly found some amazing chocolate along the way. But that’s not to say that we don’t have some excellent chocolate being made right here in Canada.

So … to celebrate Canada Day, I thought I’d share a few of my Canadian favourites with you.

Beginning in Eastern Canada where Sarah lives, I’d like to salute the following:

Choco Cocagne of New Brunswick: This artisanal chocolatier is located in Cocagne, New Brunswick (near Fredericton.) Ginette Ahier produces some of the finest handcrafted chocolate you’ll ever have the pleasure of enjoying and they’re all pure and additive free. Find her at http://www.choco-cocagne.com/.

Sugah! Of Halifax, Nova Scotia: I love this chocolatier for the super creative flavour blends offered in their chocolate bars. I’ve never been a fan of white chocolate, but the Apricocious is superb! Find it and other delectable flavours at http://www.theuncommongroup.com/v/sugah_about.asp.

Moving further west, let’s head over to La Belle Province. Quebec has several great chocolatiers, but one of my favourites is Mathilde Fays of Oka, Quebec, who makes a tremendous array of chocolate bonbons. You’ll find Mathilde Fays Chocolaterie at http://www.chocolateriemf.com/.

Ontario is a big province and has many excellent chocolatiers (people who work with prepared chocolate to create their own unique specialties.) Ontario also has two excellent chocolate makers who source their own cocoa beans from which they make chocolate. SOMA chocolate maker is one of the finest in Canada, with two shops in Toronto. You’ll find SOMA at http://www.somachocolate.com/.

My home province of Manitoba is proud to have Chocolatier Constance Popp in Winnipeg to keep us chocolate lovers happy with new and unique flavours. Her Manitoba beet truffle is one of the most unique flavour experiences you will find in a handcrafted chocolate. Find Constance Popp at http://www.artisanchocolates.ca/.

British Columbia probably has the largest number of fantastic chocolatiers in the country. Needless to say, there are many that will satisfy your cravings—each with his of her distinct style. For variety of products, including a wide range of bars, chocolate truffles and bonbons, barks, and pastries, my top pick goes to Thomas Haas of Vancouver. You’ll find Thomas Haas at https://www.thomashaas.com/.

There are many other noteworthy men and women making artisanal chocolate in Canada. They will be profiled in volume II of my book, which I am currently researching. But you’ll find a large number listed in the A-Z Guide for Chocolate Lovers contained in Volume I of Chocolatour.

And to celebrate Canada Day and the fine chocolate being produced here I’d like to offer you 20% off the price of a printed or e-book if you buy the book direct from my site at http://chocolatour.net/book. Just enter the special code VBT20 on checkout and you’ll get the reduced price today (July 1st) only!

If you’re interested in joining me on some of my chocolate travels, please subscribe to my chocolate travel blog at http://diversionswithdoreen.com where you’ll find profiles of some of the companies listed here in addition to many others around the world. Happy Canada Day!

And from me, Sarah Butland, Happy Canada Day as well as Fourth of July to my American Readers.

Thanks for reading and enjoying chocolate!

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

Blog Hopping Again :)

I was tagged by author Laurel Bill, author of the Aunt Phil’s Trunk series about the history of Alaska, to hop through another blog by answering 4 questions about myself. Then I’ll tag three other authors so you can discover new to you authors and keep reading!

1 What I am working on

Currently my focus is finishing a non-fiction gratitude book all can enjoy. Though non-fiction is somewhat new to me, I’ve been listening to a lot of audio books and feel there is a gap in what can be enjoyed.

After that it’s back to Blood Day, the novel this time, as after receiving such grand reviews of the introduction I feel drawn to figuring out what’s next.

2 How does my work differ from others of the same genre?

My work differs in that it’s fresh and something that a lot of readers can fall in love with. As I hear from my readers I’m growing and learning, more than I’d ever get from a writing course, and adapting that new knowledge into a new work of art. Sending You Sammy was my biggest feat in this as I found their to be a gap in reading material for boys with the main character being a superhero who didn’t use violence to conquer.

3 Why do I write what I do?

Why does any writer write? That question is almost like asking a human why they bleed when cut. I have stories inside me I need to share and learn from. Though I’ve tried, I cannot commit to one genre or topic of writing and have fallen in love with as many story ideas as authors and topics I read.

4 How does your writing process work?

Have time will write. I write like I read – from beginning to end and never knowing for sure what will happen next. The mystery of conflict, character and conclusion keeps me interested in my own tales so I literally sit down when I can and write in sequence, page by page and chapter by chapter.

Elementary school teachers tried to get me to brainstorm but were always oblivious to the fact that I wrote first and wrote the web second.

Thanks for  reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

I’m tagging Nova Scotian author Steve Vernon,

 

The Experiment of Dreams by Brendon Zenner

This book captured me with its fast-paced plot and realistic characters. Reminding me of recent novels by Stephen King, the mystery and masterful use of suspense kept me entertained.

Meet Ben, the main character and immediately feel heart broken. A man making his living through testing and sleep experiments, Ben feels every needle prick and remembers the pain of losing his wife. Supplementing his income through the occasional gig as a bartender, he remembers just recently being on top of the world. Married, bar owner and in love with both he was devastated when his wife and bar were taken from him too soon.

Ben’s only friend was his doctor conducting the tests and when he advised Ben their time together was done his world changed for the stranger. Being referred to another doctor for more in depth testing, Ben soon found himself not needing the occasional shift at the bar and exploring the world one grande museum at a time, all expenses paid.

But what goes up must come down and for Ben, it came crashing down hard. No longer sure if he was moving on from Emily or protecting himself from the pain, not knowing if life was reality or a continuation of the dream he was having and with almost constant migraines he was in trouble.

Enjoy this fast paced adventure of dreamland mixed with heartbreaking reality to know how Ben escapes this nightmare.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm

Building a Business With My Book

When I found the opportunity to learn more marketing I jumped at the chance. Through Build a Business With Your Book I was able to connect with like-minded authors and very successful ones to learn from and look up to.

Most marketing experiences I’d had that were book specific did focus on non-fiction and although I did learn a lot to prepare for my  current WIP, a non-fiction piece, I was impressed with the coverage of fictional information as well.

D’vorah and Her Experts

I think I was most impressed with the vast array of experts who took part in this through blogs and webcasts who made even the repetitive information seem interesting. Each added their own element of motivation and story of success which inspires me to just keep writing and connecting.

There’s so much involved with ensuring your book finds readers, both before and after publication, as well as reviewers that it was beneficial to have so much available in this one course. Though each expert had their own course, book or program for sale I was most intrigued by How To Get Honest Reviews: 7 Proven Ways to Connect With Readers and Reviewers (Book Marketing Survival Guide Series) written by Shelley Hitz and Heather Hart and immediately bought it.

Though I have great reviews for my previously published books I do find it a major struggle once past the initial 5-7 in getting more.

What Surprised Me the Most

I’ve considered using IndieGoGo and such sites to help raise the funds to continue my children’s book series, Adventures of Sammy, but hesitated, believing if I couldn’t connect with enough readers with the first book why would they want more.

Now I’m not so afraid as I feel this is a great marketing concept which allows emerging authors to support their passion and connect with new readers. Instead of going with IndieGoGo, however, I have just signed up for an account with PubSlush instead, and plan to launch the campaign through them very soon.

Marketing, to me, is not all about the sales and instead is all about connections and I hope to stay in touch with many students of this program for years.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One, Arm Farm and Blood Day: The Short Story

 

Be Safe and Live

Life is such a precious thing that can be taken from us at any moment. Something most of us take for granted as we go to work, come home, kiss our loved ones goodnight and maybe watch a little tv to wind down after a “hard” day.

Our own safety should be our main priority but living in a bubble just isn’t feasible, we need to get out and live our dream. Not our jobs, not to pay bills but to enjoy the blessing of life and live.

Our Hard Day is Nothing

Recently it became very apparent how valuable having the RCMP or any law enforcement there is in your community. Their bad days pale drastically in comparison to a nasty paper cut or an unexpected expense.

In Moncton, New Brunswick recently, a seemingly otherwise nice day ended in a young dad being taken away from his growing family. Father’s Day will have an sad meaning every year for this family but it shouldn’t be entirely sad. His actions helped capture someone who needed to be pulled out of the community, who needed a rescuing of sorts, and to put the communities mind at ease.

One sick man’s actions made all of us come together and thank an officer.  To put our own issues aside and hug someone a lot tighter, and put our own lives into perspective.

Freedom Is Desired

Being able to get out of our house, to go to a park with the kids and feel like we will return to our house is something we almost all expect to happen in Canada or in our community. June 4th put a microscope on our daily lives and I trust will teach us more about ourselves then we ever realized before.

It was a terrible situation, everyone knows that, but our of everything comes light. This ordeal should also put a microscope on what is your light so you can reflect your positivity through others and create a tidal effect of goodness and an overwhelming respect for our freedom and ability to go to a park and come home.

Make a shift in your own priorities today

Take a deeper breath, hug a lot tighter and more often and appreciate the constant energy of your little ones. Get your head away from the bills, your income and what you don’t have and always, every day, appreciate life’s circumstances and what you have to offer.

And Live!

Thanks for reading and being a part of a community you help make safe,

Sarah Butland

Art of Murder

*I won this audio book through a giveaway the author hosted without any obligation to write a positive review.

New to audio books I hesitated listening to The Art of Murder but am glad I finally did take the plunge. With such limited time available to read, listening to a book in entirety over just a few hours is refreshing and makes it easy to stay connected.

The Art of Murder, One Act Play (Shortn’Small series of One Act Plays) is very plot driven but I still grew fond of Monty and the victim who dies an unfortunate death very early in the story. Chapter One and the introduction of many characters caught me interest and had me listening closely, trying to solve the “whodunit” mystery. Through twists and turns, awkward moments that felt real and clues left hidden in plain view, Sugarek’s audio book intrigued me.

What I also enjoyed was the narrator who changed his inflection and clear vocals as he took me on a journey.

I will definitely put this author on my to-read list as I feel I might have a different appreciation for the writing with taking it slow and reading the story.

Thanks for reading and sometimes listening,

Sarah Butland

author of Sending You Sammy, Brain Tales – Volume One and Arm Farm