Sara B. Gauldin's Blog, page 3
December 12, 2015
My Review of Revenge of the Sea by Jesse Giles Christiansen
Revenge of the Sea is book three in the seafaring series that began with the haunting story of Pelican Bay. This novel finds the main character, Ethan, older and wiser as the result of his past experiences with the unforgettable Captain Shelby, a character of unworldly abilities that was closely tied the nautical world. Captain Shelby is relegated to the memories of Ethan as is his failed romance. Ethan is left with his faithful Aunt Sidney, who is aged, yet refreshingly full of wonder.
This edition begins with an odd discovery; the beach is covered with the remains of countless dead starfish. When Ethan finds the starfish, he also sees a shadowy figure on the beach; one who seems to be tied to the peculiar starfish deaths.
The new situation forces Ethan to seek the help of his ex, Morgan. This drudges up long buried emotions, but she does not give him any immediate help. Ethan seeks the help of an attractive new character, but returns home to find the mysterious stranger confronting Sidney. As the inexplicable sea plague continues to affect more ocean creatures the crisis takes on a haunting tone that supersedes science and makes Ethan suspect that Captain Shelby’s haunting tie to the ocean may be involved.
Who is this ghostly stranger? Is the wave of dead sea creatures caused by science or something more supernatural? Can Ethan get past the haunting of his past to find love and free himself of the nautical world that holds him almost as completely as it did the sea captain who started it all? I recommend that you read to find out!
December 8, 2015
Reflections on Trump’s Recommendations Regarding Muslims
Today I have witnessed a flurry of opinions regarding Donald Trump’s recommendations that Americans and visitors to our country be required to identify their religious beliefs and his intention to advocate that all Muslims be rejected from admission into America.
Photo Credit: ewn.co.za
These narrow and cruel recommendations represent a reaction to fear. Not only is this reaction giving the actual terrorists exactly what they want, but grouping fellow human beings into categories to be treated as sub-human has never worked out historically. Looking back, most of the most heinous atrocities of our country and in our recorded history have been because of one groups innate fear of another causing them to react badly. The genocide of the American Indians, the institution of slavery, and the POW camps that Japaneses Americans were forced to relocate to during WW2 are a few examples of discrimination that has stained American soil.
Photo Credit :www.lib.utah.edu
Photo Credit:blogs.telegraph.co.uk www.ocf.berkeley.edu
We as a country cannot afford to let fear take us down this dangerous road that is in direct contradiction with the Constitution that we frame our system of government and justice around. We cannot say we believe in religious freedom, and that is is an unalienable right while we deny that right to those that practice non Christian religions. We, as a nation of immigrants cannot not slam shut the door of our nation to the world when we are part of a global economy that is interlaced in an intricate web. We cannot turn away the downtrodden masses who seek safety from the terrorists we also fear because of fear of the few who want to use that compassion to do harm to others.
We as American’s are quick to defend our own rights to religious freedom. But we must recognize that those rights are universal, not exclusive to one faith. We must show respect and equality to our fellow man, even when it is not easy.
A special kudos to author, JK Rowling for her honest Tweet today:
I would like to share with you the thoughts of an old friend of mine: David Cook. He posted his thoughts to Facebook today, standing in opposition to many of his peers. I am sharing his thoughts here:
Ok Facebook, you and I need to talk. So if you can read this, please do me a favor and read very closely.
First off, I want to say from the start, I am both a Christian and a Patriot. I love both God and Country, and will from now till the day I pass from this world to the next, and if you hand me some bullshit about how I was indoctrinated as a boy because I said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning I will (and have in fact before) tell you EXACTLY what you can do. But the things I am seeing in my beloved homeland are scaring the crap out of me these days.
Donald Trump is talking about forcing people to wear identification clearly labeling them by their religion. Talking about refusing people entry into our country based on their religion. That includes by the way, current American Citizens. This is not what scares me. Trump has always been a loon. What scares me is how many people are tossing up messages of support for the man. Ladies and gentlemen the things he is speaking of CANNOT COME TO PASS.
I do understand. We are at war. People are scared. There are extremist fanatics doing all manner of horrible things all over the world. (And not all of them are Muslim fyi). But we cannot allow fear to drive us away from who we are. By our own Constitution, the very paper we wave, the very piece of writing which defines our country and what (we believe) makes us the leader of the free world, by the First and Fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States people are guaranteed the right to worship as they see fit. Without persecution. I have checked this document. I have found no mention of the word “Muslim’s Excluded” in it. If we are unwilling to follow our own constitution then America has already lost the war on terror.
Second point of talk. I have not been approached by an ISIS recruiter, but I can imagine what the sales pitch would be to some young, passionate Muslim man (or woman, or child) who loves his country and religion. I would imagine it would be filled with stories about how their people are persecuted. Beaten. Locked away and tortured. How their holy texts are burned and banned. Think about that. Think about the rage you feel when you see an American flag burned. That should give you some idea how that might make a young passionate Muslim feel on hearing these stories. Which are as yet, mostly untrue. But if these things come to pass, these things Trump speaks of, they do the worst thing in the history of terrorism. They actually make the terrorists sales pitch correct. That’s right boys and girls. It would make ISIS RIGHT. There are somewhere in the ballpark of 1.6 to 2.1 BILLION Muslims in the world. ISIS and their ilk make up something like 0.01% of them. Their people start being persecuted in the western world and I would do nothing but expect that percentage to rise.
Last point I want to make. Guys this sort of thing is the type of thing The Nazi’s did to the Jews. What is the plan here? Do we want to be the founders of the next Auschwitz? Birkenau? Bergen-Belson? This type of thing is what we have been trying very hard to rid the world of. Have we fought the monsters for so long that now we have become the very thing we so despise? That thought makes me sick to my stomach.
Guys I understand fear. I understand the need for security, and that we all want to feel safe. But what are we willing to sacrifice for that? Think long and hard on that question, otherwise someday you might be pledging you allegiance to this:
In conclusion, I would like to encourage all readers to be the example of love and acceptance that the world needs. Hate will not cure hate and fear will not cure terror. Let American continue to be the beacon of human rights and freedom that it should be. Let our American flag stand for the values outlined in our constitution so that our country can continue to be a great nation.
August 18, 2015
My Review of The Mayor’s Mission by Piper Huguley
I am genuinely excited about this book. The novel is historical fiction that is supremely well done and thought out. The book contains drama, romance, sorrow and joy and many other elements which are artfully arranged on a historical back drop!
The book centers around the married life of an African American couple who are living in the post-civil war south. The husband, Virgil is a strong leader in his community. He has taken on the role of small business owner, black smith, mayor and regional political representative of his tiny closed community. Having been born a slave in the south, he lacks the formal education that is his wife, Amanda has attained growing up in the north. The two of them carefully navigate the tender alliance between the reality of their tiny community that is making steps towards education and civic duty, and the world around them that is not understanding or accepting of the changes regarding race and civil rights. This uncomfortable attempt at progress puts the couple and their loved ones in a dangerous situation because of those who are not open to change or to allowing African Americans to enjoy any of the rights that had formerly been reserved for white citizens.
My Review of Murder at the High School Reunion by Steve Demaree
I picked up this book because I was in the mood for a mystery. This clean read kept me reading to see who the killer was to the very end. I have to admit that I usually can pick out the killer but in this case I was wrong! (Don’t worry, I won’t spoil that part of the book, check it out for yourself!)
This book strongly represents traditional values and Christianity. The two main characters, the lead detectives, were well rounded out and approachable. While the “age and stage” of the characters did not apply to me personally, the basic human elements of their every day lives and friendship with one another makes them endearing and relevant. Their late-in-life appreciation for computer and video game technology and love of reading mystery novels keeps them entertaining on and off the case.
The book can be read as a stand alone although it is a part of a series.
June 15, 2015
Special Announcement! For a Limited Time Alive the Corporeal Pull is Free!
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Enter the dimension of the Tweens, a realm between Heaven and Earth. Here souls are prepared by guiding spirits to encounter the challenges of the mortal world. Terra has existed here as a guide for mortal bound souls for centuries. She has been frozen in her purpose and her habits for her entire existence. But when Terra meets Liam her telescopic view of love, human nature and the mortal world is irrevocably altered. She must send him to his mortal life to face unspeakable suffering and loss. Terra must act to save Liam if there is any hope for him to avoid being sacrificed to slow the spread of an unseen evil that is contaminating Earth.
This epic tale of good versus evil examines the age-old question of “why me” that all earth-bound travelers must ask. Alive: The Corporeal Pull is a story of love that transcends both time and the mortal plane. This action-packed love adventure will invite you in and leave you breathless
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May 17, 2015
My Review of Zoe Undead by J.R. Knoll
When I realized that this book featured a main character who had autism I was instantly intrigued. The concept of a zombie invasion is a hot topic today, but in this book Knoll took the dystopian theme in an intriguing new direction.
The question is posed: if becoming a zombie fundamentally affects the human brain, essentially rewriting the way genetics originally laid out the inner workings, then what would happen if an individual who’s brain was already functioning in a different way was infected. This fascinating premise opens the door for a change-of-life adventure that unfolds in the life (and undead existence) of young Zoe. Her journey is one of heart ache and personal growth in a world that will leave nothing unaltered.
I would recommend this book to fans of YA fiction and those who are intrigued by a zombie slaying action packed plot. The book held my attention and was realistic in a fantastic situation. I have noticed that there is now a second installment in this series, I look forward to checking out book two, Zoe, Undead: Zombie Princess!
May 16, 2015
The Collar & The Cavvarach by Annie Douglass Lima
sword isolated on white background; Shutterstock ID 109466807
About the Story:
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is desperate to see his little sister freed. But only victory in the Krillonian Empire’s most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie’s escape. Dangerous people are closing in on her, however, and Bensin is running out of time. With his one hope fading quickly away, how can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse?
What is the Collar for, and What is a Cavvarach?
The story is set in a world very much like our own, with just a few major differences. One is that slavery is legal there. Slaves must wear metal collars that lock around their neck, making their enslaved status obvious to everyone. Any slave attempting to escape faces the dilemma of how and where to illegally get their collar removed (a crime punishable by enslavement for the remover).
Another difference is the popularity of a martial art called cavvara shil. It is fought with a cavvarach (rhymes with “have a rack”), an unsharpened weapon similar to a sword but with a steel hook protruding from partway down its top edge. Competitors can strike at each other with their feet as well as with the blades. You win in one of two ways: disarming your opponent (hooking or knocking their cavvarach out of their hands) or pinning their shoulders to the mat for five seconds.
Want to Find out a Little More?
Click here to read a description of the setting and what life is like for slaves and others in that world.
Click here to read chapter 1 for free!
Click here to download The Collar and the Cavvarach from Amazon.
Click here to download The Collar and the Cavvarach from Smashwords (for Nook or in other digital formats).
About the Author:
Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published ten books (one YA action and adventure novel, four fantasies, a puppet script, and four anthologies of her students’ poetry). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.
Connect with the Author Online:
Email: AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com
Love’s Compass: Book Two Finding Hope by Melanie D. Snitker
Love’s Compass: Book Two
Finding Hope
by Melanie D. Snitker
Melanie D. Snitker, author of Calming the Storm and Finding Peace, is excited to reveal the cover of her newest novel. Finding Hope is an inspirational romance and the second title in her Love’s Compass series. Look for it on Kindle and in paperback July 2015.
About the Book:
Cancer
That one word has rocked Lexi Chandler’s life to the core. Her focus has always been to help others. She loves being a nurse and enjoys spending time with her family. Things had been going according to plan. Now she’s struggling to pick up the pieces and make sense of the changes in her life.
Lance Davenport has cared for Lexi since they were kids. He’s turned burying his feelings into an art. Now, watching Lexi battle with cancer has made him realize just how much he’s missed. He doesn’t know what their future holds, but he’s determined to not waste another minute.
The people closest to Lexi pull together as she tries to navigate her way down a path none of them ever dreamed she’d have to follow.
About the Author:
Melanie D. Snitker has enjoyed writing fiction for as long as she can remember. She started out writing episodes of cartoon shows that she wanted to see as a child and her love of writing grew from there.
She and her husband live in Texas with their two children, who keep their lives full of adventure, and two dogs, who add a dash of mischief to the family dynamics.
In her spare time, Melanie enjoys photography, reading, crochet, baking, archery, camping and hanging out with family and friends.
Follow Melanie for more about Finding Hope, including
character interviews, book excerpts, and more.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Racism is a Cancer that is Destroying Our Collective Culture as Americans
Recently, each time I am exposed to media in any form I made terribly aware of the racial tension that is permeating our society. I suppose that it has been there, lying in wait for most of my adult life but I naively believed that it was an improving situation. Based on the tedious balance of police in their interactions with members of the African American community, the riots in our nation, and the growing unrest I have to believe that the situation is far from ending.
Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune
I grew up in the south, surrounded by racism but for the most part sheltered from it. My family moved to the region because of my uncle’s affiliation with law enforcement. He was located in the area to work towards bringing the KKK in the region under control. I would not know about this until much later. I was raised by free thinking anthropology majors who taught me to embrace and learn about others from all walks of life, not to judge them but to appreciate who they were. I can remember hearing racist statements from others in the community, and not really understanding what people were talking about.
A Civil Rights Demonstration in my home town of Danville, VA around the mid 1950’s
Photo Credit: www.encyclopediavirginia.org
Racism is learned, not innate. As a teacher I watch very young children of all races, backgrounds and ability levels interact on a daily basis. For the most part the children accept one another for who they are as individuals. They play together freely. They choose friends because they enjoy one anothers’ company, not because they feel pressured to self-segregate. Unfortunately, at the tender age of seven the children are already learning to repeat some of the negativity they are exposed to, but for the most part their personal understanding of the meaning of those disparaging remarks is limited. Children learn by imitation. They are not born to discriminate. The longer they are exposed to the presence of discrimination, be it towards, race, religion or ability, the more that way of thinking becomes ingrained and automatic. Over time, children learn to fear their peers: fear, not hate; hate is personal. Hate is directed to a specific person or event. Fear is universal.
Photo Credit: http://www.wikispaces.com
Last week CNN reported the story of a business owner who posted a notice announcing white appreciation day.
You can view this news story here:
photo credit: CNN
While I am not AT ALL comfortable with supporting this practice I see that this business owner opened to the door to a discussion that is not easy or comfortable. For years our nation has attempted to correct centuries of horrendous acts of racism and crimes against humanity by supporting various minority groups efforts to celebrate historical contributions. This “re-branding” of minorities was meant to level the field of racial inequality. This effort has led to February becoming black history month and March being women’s history month. Personally I believe that accomplishments that have made lasting and significant positive changes in the history and way of life of our society should be celebrated. I do not seek to lessen any groups’ historical significance.
That being said I am concerned about this new sense of shame I am asked to carry. While it is appropriate and acceptable to celebrate a variety of races it immediately becomes inappropriate to celebrate white appreciation. While I do not desire “white” appreciation, it worries me that it is acceptable to celebrate minorities but not totally inappropriate and racist to change that sign to white. I do not in any way support white supremacists. I only worry about the culture of accepting others. It is considered racism for a Caucasian citizen to reject any celebration or advancement of another race; and it IS racism. But somehow it is acceptable to turn the table. This is only exacerbating the tension that creeps into our communities like a cancer, eroding the good will and comradery that should be advancing out society rather that eroding it with its slow and insidious spread.
It seems that the policies that were meant to defuse the racial divide now serve as a way to highlight the rift. For instance, all children should be given access to a quality education. That is BEYOND DISPUTE. However, when schools are awarded accreditation based on high stakes testing, specific “GAP” groups are considered with more weight. The test results of a Caucasian child without poverty or a disability counts for or against the school one time. The test results of an African American or Hispanic child without poverty or disability counts for or against the school two times. If any of these children are living in poverty their results count again for or against the school again. If any of these students have a disability their results count for or against the school another time. Essentially a minority child with a disability who lives in poverty counts for or against the accreditation of a school four times in four sub-categories. The purpose of this is to ensure that these “at risk” sub categories are not overlooked or left behind in the educational system. This is a noble intent. No child should be left to idle or not be pushed towards success. But the silent question in all of this remains: is fair for one child’s effort to count more than any other? Is this not part of perpetuating the divide and focusing on separating rather than individualizing the treatment of students in the classroom environment? Just as it is unacceptable for any child to be neglected or left behind, how is it acceptable for any child’s success to matter less than another? In my heart as a teacher I want every child to live up to his or her utmost potential as an INDIVIDUAL. But I recognized that as individuals some will be better at reading, some at math, and some at science or social studies. Some students may have the gift of kindness and some may be hard workers. I want to handle the challenges of each student based on individual needs and not be regimented into valuing the growth of any subgroup of students over others.
Photo Credit: agracy.weebly.com
As a parent I try to shelter my children from exposure to racist comments and ideas. I do not want my sons to grow up with fear that leads them to prejudice. I want my sons to learn to accept people as individuals. I want them to gravitate toward the positive people in their lives. I want them to avoid negative or criminal influences regardless of race or religion. I want them to accept other cultures and ethnicities with an open mind. I also want my children to be afforded the same acceptance. I do not want them to be labeled as racist because of their race. I do not want them to have to feel ashamed or guilty for things that are out of their control.
I am certain that despite my lack of racist tendencies my need to put my thoughts into words will only incite others to search for some racist motivation in my words. I hope that instead those that read this humble post will try to stop responding to those that are different from themselves with fear and to look at people as individuals and as fellow human beings who experience hopes, and dreams and disappointments just as they do, but perhaps from a different perspective that is no less valid.
March 26, 2015
My Review of Ben the Dragonborn by Diane Astle
I love a fantasy read and Ben the Dragonborn delivers!�� The novel takes you into the life of Ben: a young man who lives in high stakes private boarding school that has many more opportunities to experience�� than the typical school.�� Ben starts out as a normal young man who is an average student and an sub-par swimmer.�� His gym class shortcomings are only the beginnings of the troubles he must ultimately face.�� Ben is asked to face challenges he has never even imagined.�� As he discovers alternative realities he learns more about himself and his family.
This compelling book is a light and action packed read that is perfect for the young or the young at heart!
