Sage Nestler's Blog, page 16

How to Use This ‘Emotion Chart’ to Pick Your Next Quarantine Read

Books have always been a safe haven for me.  Ever since I was young, I have found solace in and healing through reading.  My healing experience with reading has led me to become a huge advocate for Bibliotherapy (the use of books as therapeutic tools).  I am so excited to share this easily accessible form of therapy with you!  Now is an excellent time to practice using books as therapy if you are self-isolating, and reading is something that you can share with anyone (including little ones) in your home.

If you would like to practice Bibliotherapy with your loved ones, use the steps below in a group format to create meaningful connections and discussion!  Even if you are not in the space house, you can video chat, text, or talk on the phone to create that connection.  If you have young children, you can guide their reading by helping them identify their emotions and asking them questions about their book as you read together.

 

5 Steps for Practicing Bibliotherapy
1) Identify Your Emotions

The first step to practicing bibliotherapy is identifying your emotions.  When you identify the emotions you are experiencing, you can better understand what you are hoping to get out of reading books as a therapeutic process, while increasing your emotional intelligence.  (This is also a great practice to help little ones learn to communicate and identify their emotions)

For example, if you are feeling sad, maybe you want to feel uplifted and inspired through reading.  Or, maybe you want to sit with your feeling of sadness and read a book that will amplify this emotion.

Use this handy emotion wheel to better identify your feelings!

2) Determine what emotion(s) you would like to amplify

Now, choose any emotion(s) that you would like to increase.  For example, maybe you want to increase feelings of contentment and peace, or you want to explore anxiety or anger.  Knowing what emotions you desire will help guide your reading choices.

(You can use the emotion wheel for this step as well!)

Tip: Horror and thriller novels are excellent reading sources for amplifying and releasing anxiety

3) Choose a genre

Determining the genre you would like to explore is your next course of action.  Create a list of genres that you associate with the emotion(s) you would like to increase to narrow down your reading choices.

Here is a list of the most common book genres:

Fantasy
Adventure
Romance
Contemporary
Dystopian
Mystery
Horror
Thriller
Paranormal
Historical fiction
Science Fiction
Memoir
Cooking
Art
Self-help / Personal
Development
Motivational
Health
History
Travel
Guide / How-to
Families & Relationships
Humor
Children’s

4) Choose a book

Locate in your personal library any books that are in the genres you have chosen.  If you have a Kindle, you can also go to the Kindle store on Amazon.com and type in “Free (genre) Books” – inserting your desired genre into your search.  Numerous authors are offering their books for free right now, and this is a great way to find some new reads!

5) Begin reading and document your emotions throughout the process

As you read, keep a journal and write (or draw) about what the book is making you feel, and how your emotions might be changing or amplifying as you read, as well as any thoughts or insights you are having as you read.  If you have others at home with you, you can also discuss your experience with them in a group format.  Make this a fun process, and allow yourself to be completely absorbed into your book!  (If you are practicing this with little ones, you can use art or toys to express thoughts and emotions about what you are reading – you can even make it a show and tell process!)

Reading is such a great way to expand your imagination and increase your sense of connection and wellbeing.  In our world, we have become so busy that reading is often put on the back burner.  Use this time as a gift to dive into the beauty of the literary world and make meaningful connections with loved ones – and with yourself. I hope that these steps will help you to take full advantage of the healing power of books!

5 Steps for Using Books as Therapy During Self-Isolation

Books have always been a safe haven for me.  Ever since I was young, I have found solace in and healing through reading.  My healing experience with reading has led me to become a huge advocate for Bibliotherapy (the use of books as therapeutic tools).  I am so excited to share this easily accessible form of therapy with you!  Now is an excellent time to practice using books as therapy if you are self-isolating, and reading is something that you can share with anyone (including little ones) in your home.

If you would like to practice Bibliotherapy with your loved ones, use the steps below in a group format to create meaningful connections and discussion!  Even if you are not in the space house, you can video chat, text, or talk on the phone to create that connection.  If you have young children, you can guide their reading by helping them identify their emotions and asking them questions about their book as you read together.

 

5 Steps for Practicing Bibliotherapy
1) Identify Your Emotions

The first step to practicing bibliotherapy is identifying your emotions.  When you identify the emotions you are experiencing, you can better understand what you are hoping to get out of reading books as a therapeutic process, while increasing your emotional intelligence.  (This is also a great practice to help little ones learn to communicate and identify their emotions)

For example, if you are feeling sad, maybe you want to feel uplifted and inspired through reading.  Or, maybe you want to sit with your feeling of sadness and read a book that will amplify this emotion.

Use this handy emotion wheel to better identify your feelings!

2) Determine what emotion(s) you would like to amplify

Now, choose any emotion(s) that you would like to increase.  For example, maybe you want to increase feelings of contentment and peace, or you want to explore anxiety or anger.  Knowing what emotions you desire will help guide your reading choices.

(You can use the emotion wheel for this step as well!)

Tip: Horror and thriller novels are excellent reading sources for amplifying and releasing anxiety

3) Choose a genre

Determining the genre you would like to explore is your next course of action.  Create a list of genres that you associate with the emotion(s) you would like to increase to narrow down your reading choices.

Here is a list of the most common book genres:

Fantasy
Adventure
Romance
Contemporary
Dystopian
Mystery
Horror
Thriller
Paranormal
Historical fiction
Science Fiction
Memoir
Cooking
Art
Self-help / Personal
Development
Motivational
Health
History
Travel
Guide / How-to
Families & Relationships
Humor
Children’s

4) Choose a book

Locate in your personal library any books that are in the genres you have chosen.  If you have a Kindle, you can also go to the Kindle store on Amazon.com and type in “Free (genre) Books” – inserting your desired genre into your search.  Numerous authors are offering their books for free right now, and this is a great way to find some new reads!

5) Begin reading and document your emotions throughout the process

As you read, keep a journal and write (or draw) about what the book is making you feel, and how your emotions might be changing or amplifying as you read, as well as any thoughts or insights you are having as you read.  If you have others at home with you, you can also discuss your experience with them in a group format.  Make this a fun process, and allow yourself to be completely absorbed into your book!  (If you are practicing this with little ones, you can use art or toys to express thoughts and emotions about what you are reading – you can even make it a show and tell process!)

Reading is such a great way to expand your imagination and increase your sense of connection and wellbeing.  In our world, we have become so busy that reading is often put on the back burner.  Use this time as a gift to dive into the beauty of the literary world and make meaningful connections with loved ones – and with yourself. I hope that these steps will help you to take full advantage of the healing power of books!

FREE BOOK ALERT

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

I hope that you are staying healthy and taking care of yourself through this stressful time.

Yesterday, I shared with you my top 10 Books to Keep You Company in Self-Isolation, and today I am excited to share with you numerous books that are being offered for FREE on Kindle right now.  So many authors have banded together by offering their books for free to encourage you to dive into books if you are currently self-isolating.  Reading is a wonderful way to keep your mind busy and relieve stress, and there are so many lovely picks up for grabs.  (Hot tip: search “free books” under Kindle store on Amazon.com and you will be met with a plethora of free book titles in just about every genre.)

I hope that you enjoy any of the free books listed below, and I wish you happy reading!

Much love,

Ashley

Free Books for Kindle

An Amazon top 100 bestseller of 2019

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

Due to graphic scenes and mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+.

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Murders happen. But not with employees of the same company in Oil Camps in the high Arctic and Northern Canada. Two detectives, one from Alaska and one from Canada are given the case. They find the murders are connected. Now, they have to work together to find out why the victims were silenced. What secrets did their deaths conceal?

Frank Mueller, the Alaskan Detective is close to retirement. He’s been through three marriages and two stints in rehab. He is on probation with the force. He knows the Anchorage Police department has given him this case because they don’t want it investigated fully and there’s no booze in the Arctic oil camps.

Bernadette Callahan, the Canadian Detective, is in her mid thirties with a lot to prove on the force. She is Cree Indian and Irish, raised on a native reservation in Northern Canada. She’s been ingrained with the ways of the ‘people,’ by her grandmother that have given her instincts.  Her instincts tell her there is something more than four dead people—someone is settling a score. The real crime will happen soon.

The oil companies think the deaths are bad for publicity they want them solved quickly. The detectives are under pressure to come up with a verdict they know is wrong.

Callahan begins to unravel a series of unlikely suspects. A Chemistry Professor with a grudge against big oil, a Mexican low life gangster and Wall Street Executives. How are they connected?

Something is about to happen to oil supplies in the Arctic. The two Detectives can sense it. They know it’s real—can they convince others to act?

This novel is the first in Bernadette Callahan Detective Mystery/Thriller series. A female detective in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, where being a hardheaded woman who uses her instincts is not always welcome.

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#1 New York Times bestseller

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

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Living in the quaint farming village of Brittendell offered a simple life of home and family. When Aislynn, the daughter of a local farmer, and Rorin, the son of a wealthy horse trader, married, another charming love story enlivened the tranquil town. Aislynn and Rorin were profoundly connected, but their relationship came to a screeching halt when Rorin was killed in a tragic accident. Their bond sends Aislynn into a spiraling depression as she continues sensing Rorin’s presence. Soon, Aislynn finds herself thrust into a dangerous world of magic filled with hobgoblins, elves, and wizards. When Aislynn is captured by the future king of Venallis and forced to help him uncover a mysterious magical artifact she discovers that fate has far greater plans for her than she ever imagined. Perhaps death is not always the end.

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13 full length paranormal and urban fantasy novels featuring witches, vampires, werewolves, mermaids, psychics, Loki, time travel and more!

1.3 MILLION words! 3,500 PAGES!

Darkangel by Christine Pope

Twin Souls by K.A. Poe

The Girl by Lola St Vil

More Than a Feeling by Cate Dean

Drowning Mermaids by Nadia Scrieva

Wolves by C. Gockel

The Witch Hunter by Nicole R Taylor

Beyond the Fortuneteller’s Tent by Kristy Tate

Nolander by Becca Mills

The Medium by C.J. Archer

Dream Student by J.J. DiBendetto

Deception by Stacy Claflin

The Black Parade by Kyoko M.

The Thought Readers by Dima Zales

Each of these novels are FULL LENGTH BOOKS and are the first in each one’s respective series.

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Kira thought she knew everything about her best friend, Haylee. But when Haylee commits suicide immediately after her first date with her longtime crush, Bradley Johansen, Kira is left with nothing but questions, and a gaping hole in her life where Haylee used to be.

Kira is sure that the answers to her questions must be written in Haylee’s journal, but she’s not the only one searching for it. The more Kira learns about Haylee’s past, the more certain she is that other people grieving for Haylee are keeping secrets—especially Bradley, and Haylee’s attractive older cousin Nick. Kira is desperate to get to Haylee’s journal before anyone else finds it—to discover the truth about what happened to Haylee—

And to hide the things that Haylee wrote down about her.

From the author of Chasing the Skip comes Everything’s Fine, a new contemporary YA novel about secrets and loss, and the winner of the 2007 Utah Arts Council award for Best Young Adult Novel.

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Criminal profiler in training (and newlywed) Jessie Hunt, 29, discovers that dark secrets lurk in her new suburban town; when a body turns up dead, she finds herself caught in the crosshairs of her newfound friends, her husband’s secrets, her serial killer caseload—and the secrets of her own dark past.

In THE PERFECT WIFE (A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller—Book One), Criminal profiler-in-training Jessie Hunt is sure she’s finally put the darkness of her childhood behind her. She and her husband, Kyle, just moved from a cramped downtown Los Angeles apartment into a Westport Beach mansion. Kyle’s promotion has them swimming in money. And Jessie is on the verge of getting her Master’s degree in forensic psychology, the last step in her dream of becoming a criminal profiler.

But soon after their arrival, Jessie begins to notice a series of strange developments. The neighbors—and their au pairs—all seem to be hiding secrets. The mysterious yacht club Kyle is desperate to join is rife with cheating spouses, and with troubling rules of its own. And the notorious serial killer being held at the psychiatric hospital where Jessie is completing her degree seems to know more about her life than is normal—or safe.

As her world starts to unravel, Jessie begins to question everything around her—including her own sanity. Has she truly uncovered a disturbing conspiracy buried within a sunny, wealthy Southern California beach town? Does the mass murderer she’s studying really somehow know the origin of her private nightmares?

Or has her tortured past finally come back to claim her?

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Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

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Most days it’s manageable. No more than a quiet wondering around the edges of her mind.

What has become of the baby she left behind?

Smiling through the pain and suffering in silence, Leslie Laudon marches forward. Embracing the life skillfully designed by her husband Paul. Living right could be penance for an impossible choice made with an uneasy heart. Dutiful and anchoring, Leslie poured herself into her other children. Nurturing them through infancy, protecting them as toddlers, guiding them as teens. As her youngest child heads off to college with her suitcases and coordinating dorm room accessories, so goes Leslie’s identity. The chaotic life of a busy working mother threatens to become dangerously quiet. Quiet enough to hear the voices she’s tried to silence for decades.

Gwen Fox was adopted by two perfect people. Noel and Millie have always treated her the same as their two biological sons. Her parents love is strong and unwavering, yet a soul-deep ache still lingers. Plagued by an unnamed, hard to explain, longing Gwen could never shake.

Riddled with doubt and dragged down by the undertow of unanswered questions, Leslie and Gwen both find their lives suddenly upended. One seeks the truth about the day she was born. The other seeks herself, the woman she was before motherhood. Before she made a choice to leave a piece of her heart lying asleep in the hospital nursery.

In this complex journey for answers, blame is abundant. Guilt is thick enough to choke on. Marriages are brought to the brink of disaster. As the ripples of the past vibrate through their lives, Gwen and Leslie realize there is no turning back. What they have put into motion cannot be stopped. The road toward the truth will be littered with casualties.

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It’s time for the dragon marked to rise…

Jessa Lebron doesn’t have a lot to complain about. Her father is the alpha of their wolf pack, she lives in Stratford, a protected supernatural prison town, and her best friends, the Compass quads, are the strongest dudes of the four races: shifter, vampire, fey, and magic user.

Yep, life is pretty much exactly how she wants it. Until the fateful day, just after her twenty-second birthday, when the mother who abandoned her, returns to the pack bearing secrets that change everything.

The biggest secret of all: Jessa is dragon marked, a designation that places her in grave danger.

For a thousand years, every supernatural child born with the mark was eliminated to prevent the rise of the dragon king, a fearsome ancient warmonger. In a bid to learn more about her fate and how to avoid the hunters, Jessa finds herself locked in Vanguard, the notorious supernatural prison. Thankfully she’s not alone. Braxton Compass, the most feared of the dragon shifters, is right there with her. Together they’ll have to survive long enough to free themselves and the other dragon marked.

Before the king rises.

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10 Books to Keep You Company in Self-Isolation

Hello, Everyone!

I know that things are pretty scary in the world right now concerning the Coronavirus Pandemic, and many of us are being forced to self-isolate, which is why I wanted to write to you today.  Self-isolation is so trying for our mental health and overall wellbeing, but I have found that books are an excellent way to help us ease stress and work through these difficult times.

Therefore, I wanted to provide you with a list of 10 of my favorite books that have helped me when I needed a mental escape and books that I hope will help you as well!  All of these books provide fantastic imagery to help consume your imagination, and they are representative of various genres.  No matter what your preferred genre is, you should find at least one title that catches your fancy!

All of these books can be found on Kindle or Nook for instant access, or Amazon and Barnes and Noble for delivery, so you won’t have to worry about going out and purchasing them if you are unable to do so.

With all this being said, if you are struggling with anxiety, fear, or your mental/physical health due to the Coronavirus pandemic and you would like support, please feel free to comment below!  I am here for you, and I will do my best to help you with any concerns or companionship you may need.

Much love,

Ashley

My Top 10 Books to Keep You Company in Self-Isolation

1. The Inspirational Pick

Gmorning, Gnight!  Little Pep Talks for You and Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda

“When the world is bringing you down, Gmorning, Gnight! will remind you that you are awesome.”—Booklist

Good morning. Do NOT get stuck in the comments section of life today. Make, do, create the things. Let others tussle it out. Vamos!

Before he inspired the world with Hamilton and was catapulted to international fame, Lin-Manuel Miranda was inspiring his Twitter followers with words of encouragement at the beginning and end of each day. He wrote these original sayings, aphorisms, and poetry for himself as much as for others. But as Miranda’s audience grew, these messages took on a life on their own. Now Miranda has gathered the best of his daily greetings into a beautiful collection illustrated by acclaimed artist (and fellow Twitter favorite) Jonny Sun. Full of comfort and motivation, Gmorning, Gnight! is a touchstone for anyone who needs a quick lift.

Gmorning, Gnight!  Little Pep Talks for You and Me by Lin-Manuel Miranda

This book is an excellent companion if you are feeling alone!  Lin-Manuel Miranda (the creator and star of Hamilton) created this book with adorable illustrations and little notes to help you get through your day.  It is a super quick read, and each note is meant to uplift your soul.  I am a super fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda, so I may be a little biased, but I have found so much comfort in this book.

*.*.*

2. The History Buff’s Pick

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

Five devastating human stories and a dark and moving portrait of Victorian London—the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper

Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden, and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffeehouses, lived on country estates; they breathed ink dust from printing presses and escaped human traffickers.

What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women.

For more than a century, newspapers have been keen to tell us that “the Ripper” preyed on prostitutes. Not only is this untrue, as historian Hallie Rubenhold has discovered, but it has prevented the real stories of these fascinating women from being told. Now, in this devastating narrative of five lives, Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, revealing a world not just of Dickens and Queen Victoria, but of poverty, homelessness, and rampant misogyny. They died because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time—but their greatest misfortune was to be born women.

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

If you are a fan of history and true-crime, then you are going to love getting lost in this pick!  Historian Hallie Rubenhold put in so much love to dig up all of the information on the women who were killed by Jack the Ripper, and she writes their stories in such a way that it reads like an exhilarating novel.  This book isn’t about Jack the Ripper, but about the women that were silenced, and it is a beautiful ode to oppressed women in Victorian London.

*.*.*

 

 

3. The Heartwrenching, Life-Changing Pick

Room by Emma Donoghue

Held captive for years in a small shed, a woman and her precocious young son finally gain their freedom, and the boy experiences the outside world for the first time.

To five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world. . . . It’s where he was born, it’s where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma it’s the prison where she has been held for seven years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in this eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But with Jack’s curiosity building alongside her own desperation, she knows that Room cannot contain either much longer.

Room is a tale at once shocking, riveting, exhilarating — a story of unconquerable love in harrowing circumstances, and of the diamond-hard bond between a mother and her child.

Room by Emma Donoghue

If you are a lover of heartwrenching, realistic fiction, then look no further than Room by Emma Donoghue!  This book is one of my all-time favorites, and it makes me cry every time.  A movie was also made based on this book that stars Brie Larson (available on Netflix) and it is well worth a watch!

*.*.*

4. The Sci-Fi Lover’s Pick

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

The bestselling cult classic—now a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.

In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.

But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I absolutely fell in love with this book when I first read it!  It is the perfect blend of 80s nostalgia and all-engrossing sci-fi.  You can’t help but fall into this book when you read it!  If you need a book to help you escape reality for a while, then this is definitely the one to read.  I would suggest reading this book before seeing the movie, or even if you have seen the movie, read the book because they are quite different.

*.*.*

5. The Scare-Your-Pants-Off Pick

The Merciless by Danielle Vega

“The Merciless is chilling. Think Mean Girls meets The Exorcist.”—MTV.com

Danielle Vega delivers blood-curdling suspense and terror on every page of this thrilling debut novel. Fans of Asylum by Madeleine Roux and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will devour this terrifying series.

Brooklyn Stevens sits in a pool of her own blood, tied up and gagged. No one outside of these dank basement walls knows she’s here. No one can hear her scream.

Sofia Flores knows she shouldn’t have gotten involved. When she befriended Riley, Grace, and Alexis on her first day at school, she admired them, with their perfect hair and their good-girl ways. They said they wanted to save Brooklyn. They wanted to help her. Sofia didn’t realize they believed Brooklyn was possessed.

Now, Riley and the girls are performing an exorcism on Brooklyn—but their idea of an exorcism is closer to torture than salvation. All Sofia wants is to get out of this house. But there is no way out. Sofia can’t go against the other girls…unless she wants to be next.

By the shockingly twisted end, readers will be faced with the most haunting question of all: Is there evil in all of us?

“Pretty Little Liars fans, get a sneak peek at your new favorite book The Merciless…a nail biting thriller.”—Seventeen Magazine

The Merciless by Danielle Vega

I absolutely LOVE horror, because it always seems to give me an outlet for my anxiety.  I know that some people are sensitive when it comes to horror, but if you are looking for a book that will devour you whole then The Merciless is the way to go.

*.*.*

6. The Scare-Your-Pants-Off Part 2 Pick

The Haunted by Danielle Vega

ONE OF ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY‘S “BIGGEST AND BEST YA BOOKS OF THE SUMMER”

From Danielle Vega, YA’s answer to Stephen King, comes a new paranormal novel about dark family secrets, deep-seated vengeance, and the horrifying truth that evil often lurks in the unlikeliest of places.

Clean slate. That’s what Hendricks Becker-O’Malley’s parents said when they moved their family to the tiny town of Drearfield, New York. Hendricks wants to lay low and forget her dark, traumatic past. Forget him. But things don’t go as planned.

Hendricks learns from new friends at school that Steele House–the fixer upper her parents are so excited about–is notorious in town. Local legend says it’s haunted. But Hendricks isn’t sure if it’s the demons of her past haunting her …or of the present. Voices whisper in her ear as she lays in bed. Doors lock on their own. And, then, one night, things take a violent turn.

With help from the mysterious boy next door, Hendricks makes it her mission to take down the ghosts . . . if they don’t take her first.

The Haunted by Danielle Vega

Usually, I wouldn’t choose two books by the same author in a row, but with Danielle Vega, I couldn’t help myself!  All of her books have been super therapeutic for me because of how emotionally involved they are, and The Haunted is no exception.  If you are a fan of old-school, haunting-based horror, then you are going to swallow up this novel.  The sequel comes out this summer as well, so get reading!

*.*.*

7. The Swoon-Me-Over Pick

Lost Rider (The Coming Home Series Book 1) by Harper Sloan

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle?

Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over?

Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago?

Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!

Lost Rider (The Coming Home Series Book 1) by Harper Sloan

Okay, so I’m a bit of a sucker for cowboy romances, but Harper Sloan’s Coming Home Series takes the cake!  You don’t necessarily have to read the three books in the series in any specific order, but Lost Rider is the first book in the series.  Each book centers on a different Davis sibling and serves up a wholesome romance with plenty of hot and steamy scenes to boot.  Get ready for the ride of your life!

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8. The Sleuth-Status Pick

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

A journalist uncovers the dark secrets of an abandoned boarding school in this chilling suspense novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.



Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants—the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the ones too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall, and local legend says the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their friendship blossoming—until one of them mysteriously disappears….

Vermont, 2014. Twenty years ago, journalist Fiona Sheridan’s elder sister’s body was found in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And although her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of the murder, Fiona can’t stop revisiting the events, unable to shake the feeling that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during renovations links the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past—and a voice that won’t be silenced….

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

The Broken Girls is the perfect combination of “haunt” and “true crime”.  I love how it is a mystery that unfolds page after page and never ceases to keep you guessing!  If you are a fan of You by Caroline Kepnes, then you are sure to love The Broken Girls.

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9. The Young Adult Lover’s Pick

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

From the author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a heart-wrenching story about what it means to see someone—and love someone—for who they truly are.



Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.



Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.



Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.

“Niven is adept at creating characters. . . . [Libby’s] courage and body-positivity make for a joyful reading experience.” –The New York Times

“Holding Up the Universe . . . taps into the universal need to be understood. To be wanted. And that’s what makes it such a remarkable read.” —TeenVogue.com, “Why New Book Holding Up the Universe Is the Next The Fault in Our Stars”

“Want a love story that will give you all the feels? . . . You’ll seriously melt!” —Seventeen Magazine

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

This book, more than any other on this list, captured my heart and soul.  I grew up as the “fat” girl and experienced severe bullying because of my size.  I wish so badly that this book had been around when I was a teenager, but it spoke just as much to me as an adult woman.  It is a beautiful story about confidence and being true to oneself despite what anyone else might say.  If you have ever felt like an outcast, then you are going to love how relatable this book is.

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10. The Comedy Lover’s Pick

Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow

From the writer and director of Knocked Up and the producer of Freaks and Geeks comes a collection of intimate, hilarious conversations with the biggest names in comedy from the past thirty years—including Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Harold Ramis, Seth Rogen, Chris Rock, and Lena Dunham.

Before becoming one of the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood, Judd Apatow was the original comedy nerd. At fifteen, he took a job washing dishes in a local comedy club—just so he could watch endless stand-up for free. At sixteen, he was hosting a show for his local high school radio station in Syosset, Long Island—a show that consisted of Q&As with his comedy heroes, from Garry Shandling to Jerry Seinfeld. They talked about their careers, the science of a good joke, and their dreams of future glory (turns out, Shandling was interested in having his own TV show one day and Steve Allen had already invented everything).

Thirty years later, Apatow is still that same comedy nerd—and he’s still interviewing funny people about why they do what they do.



Sick in the Head gathers Apatow’s most memorable and revealing conversations into one hilarious, wide-ranging, and incredibly candid collection that spans not only his career but his entire adult life. Here are the comedy legends who inspired and shaped him, from Mel Brooks to Steve Martin. Here are the contemporaries he grew up with in Hollywood, from Spike Jonze to Sarah Silverman. And here, finally, are the brightest stars in comedy today, many of whom Apatow has been fortunate to work with, from Seth Rogen to Amy Schumer. And along the way, something kind of magical happens: What started as a lifetime’s worth of conversations about comedy becomes something else entirely. It becomes an exploration of creativity, ambition, neediness, generosity, spirituality, and the joy that comes from making people laugh.

Loaded with the kind of back-of-the-club stories that comics tell one another when no one else is watching, this fascinating, personal (and borderline-obsessive) book is Judd Apatow’s gift to comedy nerds everywhere.

Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow

If you are in the mood for a read to lighten your mood, then this pick is for you!  Judd Apatow is one of the biggest names in classic comedy, and his collection of interviews with comedians is a must-read.  The beauty of this book is that you can read it bit by bit since it is a collection of quick interviews.  I love reading this book when I need to pull myself out of my depression, and I think that it is the perfect read to get you through this pandemic.

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Let me know of any books that help you get through tough times below!  Let’s connect during this time of isolation.

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*This post contains affiliate links.  Affiliate links allow me to earn a small percentage of each sale made from my blog posts.  Thank you so much for allowing me to keep my blog running!

Subscription Review: The Body Love Box – March 2020

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

I am super excited to share with you a subscription box that I am just IN LOVE with!  This box is called The Body Love Box and it is all about body positivity and size inclusivity.  I am a huge advocate for body inclusivity and fighting weight stigma, so I found this box to be an extremely important step in the right direction.

I received the March 2020 box to review, so please enjoy reading about my experience below!

Much love,

Ashley

The Body Love Box is the friendly, fat-positive, body-positive, intersectional and LGBTQIAP+-affirming monthly subscription box that improves your body image and pays a living wage to marginalized artists who contribute their work to the box. Your monthly goodie and resource kit includes 5-7 full-size items each month like pins, zines, etc.


Improve your body image and learn more about body acceptance and liberation
Get exclusive Body Love Box-only artwork and products
Support a living wage for fat and marginalized artists with every box
Explore Health at Every Size and intuitive eating
5-7 full-size items each month

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The Body Love Box comes in a lovely eco-friendly box with a sticker of the logo on the top.  I don’t think that I can fully express how much I adore the logo!   I also really appreciate the eco-friendly nature of this subscription.  With all of the waste present in our world, every earth-friendly effort is needed.

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Upon opening the box, I was met with a card that featured this beautiful quote.  I thought that the quote set a great first impression, and it immediately filled me with happiness!

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On the opposite side of the card was this month’s theme along with a list of everything included in the box.  March’s theme was “Sleep is Self Care”, which I found to be a really beneficial topic.  I think that we are often told that we are lazy if we allow ourselves to “sleep too much”, but sleep IS such an important aspect of our self-care.

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After folding back the tissue paper, I was met with beautiful packaging and the first item in the box – a satin pillowcase!  I adore how luxurious this pillowcase is, and I have already slept with it on my pillow.  It definitely makes me feel like I’m spoiling myself!

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The next item was this unscented heating/cooling pad!  I love the handmade care that has gone into this item, and I have already used it.  It has helped so much with my menstrual cramps.

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Also included was this bookmark with a quote that I absolutely love.  I appreciate all of the body-positive quotes that are present throughout this box.

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This month’s featured artist was Shelby Bergen!  An art print of her work titled “Sleepy Fats” was included, as well as an exclusive interview.  I think that this art print is absolutely adorable, and I loved getting to know more about Shelby.

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This set of zen coloring pages and rainbow pencils was also included, and I loved how some of the coloring pages were stickers!  Coloring is one of my favorite activities and I thought that this coloring set went so well with a cozy, sleep themed box.

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Journaling is such an important part of self-care, and I love how an exclusive journal prompt is included in this box that relates back to self- and body-love.  This added to the self-care element of the box, and I appreciated the included activity about re-creating the Mona Lisa with yourself!  Lindley (the box’s owner) puts so much thought and care into her box, and the whole unboxing experience feels so intimate.

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Also included in the box was this card highlighting why obtaining a weight during any circumstance is so unimportant and potentially harmful.  This card really highlights the Health at Every Size approach, and I love how I can keep this in my wallet and show it to any medical professional that wants to check my weight.  Weight shaming in the medical system is absolutely awful, and I really appreciate having this as a resource!

 

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Lastly, I really appreciated how this box came with information on PCOS (a condition that I am actually currently being tested for!) and a sheet with things to ask yourself before giving up.  I struggle with depression, and I am currently struggling with a major depressive episode, so I found this sheet to be very helpful.  Connecting weight stigma and discrimination to physical and mental health is so important because they are all connected.  I applaud The Body Love Box for highlighting this connection!

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Overall, I can’t recommend The Body Love Box enough!  I adore how it helps support artists by providing them with a living wage, while also helping to increase body positivity and providing information on issues that affect plus-size women.  Lindley puts so much thought and care into her box, and it really shows.  I feel like this subscription is a true hug in a box, and it is a perfect addition to your self-care routine.

Use Code “FATISFINE” for 10% Off of your First Box!
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Book Review: Beat Your Heart Out by Cristina Isabel

30 Gruesome poems in a horror-filled collection.

Rating: 5/5

Format: Paperback

Quick Take

Cristina Isabel holds nothing back in Beat Your Heart Out – a gory, revolutionary horror poetry collection.  I found myself out of breath as I tore through each poem; and to me, that is the mark of an excellent work of literary horror.

Tell Me More

I am a horror fanatic and horror poet myself, so I was thrilled when Cristina Isabel approached me to review Beat Your Heart Out – her collection of gruesome, horror poetry.  I love finding new, female horror authors, so of course, I had to snatch up this opportunity quicker than you can say “I volunteer as tribute”.

Beat Your Heart Out is a small poetry collection of 30 poems; however, don’t let the short length of this collection fool you.  It took me many months to get through the collection due to the gruesome and harrowing nature of Isabel’s words.  Splatterpunk is a subgenre of horror that is characterized by graphic wording that holds nothing back, and I would absolutely consider Isabel’s poetry to be under the splatterpunk subgenre.  As I read each poem, I felt like a knife was being twisted into my chest in the best possible way.  So many of the poems took my breath away and forced me to put the book down for weeks at a time to recover.  Isabel’s imagination runs wild with each poem, and she manages to tap into fears that the reader never even knew they had.

What I loved most about Beat Your Heart Out, however, was how every poem was so different.  Each poem held within its words a separate universe that brought in the reader’s imagination as a player.  Isabel gives the reader just enough information to let their imagination run wild and bring their darkest nightmares to life.  I have never read a more impactful work of horror or poetry, and I can’t sing the praises of Cristina Isabel’s writing enough.

My favorite poem from the collection is From Tears to Knives, which is a brutal poem about a woman suffering from heartbreak who essentially gets revenge for all of the pain that she has suffered.  Here is a short excerpt:

You can only push someone so far before they break. 

Before they decide to defend themselves with madness.

You can only hurt someone so much before pain becomes their ally. 

And God is no longer watching.

For every tear that has fallen, your blood will drip.

If you are a horror fan and looking for a work of literary horror that holds nothing back, then please, for the love of God go and pick up Beat Your Heart Out right now!  But don’t expect to sleep soundly anytime soon.

 

 

*This post contains affiliate links, which allows me to keep my blog free by earning a small amount from each purchase made from these links.  Thank you for your support! 

Author Interview with Francis H Powell

Happy Friday, Bibliophiles!

I am excited to share with you today an interview that I had with Francis H. Powell, author of Adventures of Death, Reincarnation, and Annihilation.  Learn more about him and his writing below, and be sure to check out his book!  I hope that this post brings a lovely start to your weekend.

Much love,

Ashley

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Death is always a wild adventure, that can’t be ignored. With The Doomsday clock slowly but surely clicking away, our world getting ever more polluted, our weapons of destruction ever deadlier.

Read my book if you want to meet some quirky characters and unusual storylines, with a mix of horror, science fiction, but with elements of wit.

Set in a different time in a variety of settings and time periods, the past, the present, and the future, the book explores the inevitable unknown that lies before us all “death”. Death can arrive in a multitude of forms. Each part of the book explores different themes. There are characters who following their demises have to face up to their lurid pasts. There some who face annihilation and others who are in a crazy pursuit of world destruction. The book aims to contain some ironic twists. Even as young children we build up nightmare visions of what death involves. The reader is often left to distinguish between what is real and what is not, as stories reside within stories and the storytellers can never be fully trusted. Not all the book is doom and gloom, there are Elsa Grun’s bizarre encounters with men and Shellys’ hapless husband Arnie.

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Author Bio

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Born in 1961, in Reading, England Francis H Powell attended Art Schools, receiving a degree in painting and an MA in printmaking. In 1995, Powell moved to Austria, teaching English as a foreign language while pursuing his varied artistic interests adding music and writing. He currently lives in Brittany, teaching English and history while writing both prose and poetry. Powell has published short stories in the magazine, “Rat Mort” and other works on the internet site “Multi-dimensions.” His first was called “Flight of Destiny” while his most recent is called “Adventures of Death, Reincarnation and Annihilation.”

An Interview with Francis H. Powell

What are your favorite genres to write?

I suppose dark fiction, however, I can also write in other genres, children’s stories (which are also a bit dark) Comedy/Satire as well as Fantasy and Science Fiction. I am not sure romance would quite be my thing, but at a push, I could do it.

How many books have you published?

Two. However, I have work in some poetry anthologies and short stories in magazines.

What are you currently working on?

A children’s book, for my son.

Who is your favorite author?

Rupert Thompson

What is your favorite book?

Any book by the above author.

How long does it take you to write a book?

This is hard to say. Last year I was not very productive, this year (so far)  I am very productive.

Which of your characters was the most fun to write?

The Master in my latest book “Adventures of  Death, Reincarnation, and Annihilation. He is a character, who evolves and by the end of the book, we don’t know if he exists at all, or is just in somebody’s wild imagination.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I tried to write a novel, in Austria, while I was living there, it was a disaster, While living in Paris, I started to write short stories, and things began to develop.

Where do you get ideas for your books?

As my books are often stories within stories, it is hard to say. With my latest book, I  have always been fascinated by death. Reading newspapers that are always predicting the end of the world perhaps got to me. Films can spark the imagination. Strange everyday occurrences could present ideas.

What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

I look after my son, walk the dog, I like to see films. I can sometimes be found in the garden.

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Keep Up with Francis

https://francishpowellauthor.weebly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/francis.powell.90

Tweets by Dreamheadz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-powell-5b09a517/

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Treat Yourself with My Top 5 Subscription Boxes

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.  Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s Day) was this past week, and I personally love using this day to show myself some self-love and affection.  I strongly encourage you to do the same!  You, more than anyone, deserve your love and affection.

In the spirit of self-love, I wanted to share with you my Top 5 Subscription Boxes that are perfect for treating yourself.  Also, they are 25% TODAY ONLY!

Use the code BEMINE25 on any of these subscriptions to snag your discount

I hope that you enjoy learning about these subscription boxes as much as I enjoy sharing them with you!  Each of these boxes are designed to help you practice self-love while spoiling yourself just a little bit. I am sending lots of love your way!

Happy Shopping!

Ashley

My Top 5 Subscription Boxes

1) The Go Love Yourself Box

For the self-help loving, personal growth devoted woman on a mission to be the best damn version of herself she can be.

Receive a thoughtfully curated experience that helps you to reconnect with who you are and live life on purpose. Join our community, women’s circles, and receive a one-on-one coaching session each month! Made by womxn, for womxn.

 

Beautifully and thoughtfully created – makes the perfect gift!
(1) Smart personal growth book
(2) resources to help the strategies from the book stick, such as workbooks, journals, and webinars
(3-5) self-care items that bring the ideas to life, such as eye-masks to help you sleep, tea to help you relax and practice mindfulness,
access to our incredibly vulnerable online community with webinars, Women’s Circles, interviews, and a 30-minutes one-on-one coaching call with featured coaches each month to get you un-stuck.

This box is my personal favorite!  I love its emphasis on self-care and living life on purpose.  It is a complete experience in a box!

Use Code BEMINE25 for 25% Off

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2) Sweet Escape
Our Concept is Simple: Relax, Unwind & Experience

Sweet Escape is a monthly subscription of assorted spa products designed to help you experience a relaxing getaway for your mind and body.  Let us send you 5-6 handcrafted, full-size, lavish bath products, comforting teas, and a relaxing novel designed to take you away from day to day stress. It makes a perfect gift for anyone who loves to relax.


Mini Sweet Escape includes 2-3 handmade, full-size luxurious bath and skin care products
Deluxe Sweet Escape includes 5-6 handmade, full-size amazing bath and skin care products
Both boxes include a novel (you choose the genre during checkout), relaxing teas, and a recipe card to make a rejuvenating beverage to go along with your themed bath experience.
Our hand crafted products include an assortment of luxurious cold-processed soaps, rich body butters, emulsified sugar and salt scrubs, bath teas, luffa soaps, soothing lotions and balms, milk baths, large bath bombs, clay masks, aroma beads, candles and so much more. We continuously search for today’s exciting trends in bath care to create new products to make your bath time delightful.
We use natural oils in all of our soaps and skin care products

I personally love to read while I’m taking a bath, and this box gives you everything you need to unwind and chill with aromatherapy and a good book.  This box is the ultimate self-care box for bibliophiles!

Use Code BEMINE25 for 25% Off

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3) Salty & Lit
Story Boxes – The Next Chapter Awaits…

Introducing our monthly Story Box series! Each month, we will offer a new candle box that tells the next part of the story of some of your favorite fandoms Boxes will also include one or two extra little surprises each month! Choose between Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Outlander inspired boxes!


Limited Edition Candles in every box!
Only all-natural, plant-based waxes used in our candles
Collectible Story Box Cards help tell the next part of the story
One or two extra little goodies included every month!

This box is super fun because it provides you with unique candles that are designed to go with some of your favorite stories!  I love burning these candles when I read to add to the atmosphere.

Use Code BEMINE25 for 25% Off

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4) The Body Love Box
The body-positive monthly goodie box

The Body Love Box is the friendly, fat-positive, body-positive, intersectional and LGBTQIAP+-affirming monthly subscription box that improves your body image and pays a living wage to marginalized artists who contribute their work to the box. Your monthly goodie and resource kit includes 5-7 full-size items each month like pins, zines,


Improve your body image and learn more about body acceptance and liberation
Get exclusive Body Love Box-only artwork and products
Support a living wage for fat and marginalized artists with every box
Explore Health at Every Size and intuitive eating
5-7 full-size items each month

Can I just say how much I ADORE this box?!  It is all about loving yourself and your body while fighting weight stigma and supporting artists.  

Use Code BEMINE25 for 25% Off

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5) Smartass and Sass
Themed shirts and boxes with hilarious products.

Smartass & Sass is a gift and subscription service for snarky individuals and cynical a**holes. We hand-select products from artists and small businesses and work with manufacturers to produce brand-new items that are sure to make you giggle. Subscribers also help us decide on items and have access to a secret sale shop. Join our community today!


3 subscription options: shirt, box, or shirt & box
5-7 items per box
Items include: mugs, bags, notebooks, apparel, and more!
Shirts are soft-blend unisex and printed locally (size chart image above)
Ships internationally to Canada, Mexico, the UK, and Australia

Need some more sass in your life?  Then this is the perfect subscription for you!  It provides you with everyday products that have a sassy flair.  I love how outrageous their items are!

Use Code BEMINE25 for 25% Off

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Let me know in the comments if you are going to try any of these subscriptions or have tried them in the past!  I’d love to hear about your experience.

Writing Exercise: Antique Photos

Happy Monday, Everyone!

I hope you are having a lovely start to your week.  For the past several months I have been dealing with some mental health issues, but I am excited to finally be able to get back into my blog more consistently.  I have also started writing again, and am looking to re-release my novel “Behind Broken Glass Walls” soon as I have been working with an editor to fine-tune its story and fix some errors that passed through the first editing process.  I am also working on re-writing and releasing my novel “Into The Fog” with character art that I had commissioned.  I am expanding the novel and fine-tuning its fantasy world as it becomes a full-on, epic fantasy novel, and I am super excited to keep you updated on this process.  For so long I have dealt with mental health issues that kept me from being able to write, and it feels so freeing to be able to find myself again as a writer.

With that being said, I have decided to begin posting writing exercises on a weekly basis to help you get your creative juices flowing and expand your writing skills!  Having a weekly prompt is a great way to fight through writer’s block.  I hope that my writing exercises will help you to have some fun with yourself as a writer.  Whether you identify as a writer or not, I challenge you to take on these weekly writing exercises as a form of self-care through creativity.

Writing Exercise Week One

One of my favorite things to do is go to antique stores and find old photographs of people from various time periods.  Most of the characters in my novels I based off of antique photos that I found at antique stores.  Putting a name and personality to these portraits of real people is an excellent way for you to tap into your imagination and test your writing skills.  By creating a story from an old photograph, you can play with character and world-building while connecting to a beautiful history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My challenge is for you is to go to Google and type in “antique photos”. 
Click on the “images” tab and pick the first antique photo that calls out to you. 
Pull out a journal and write down what you observe in the photograph, and what you imagine the characteristics of the individuals in the photo to possess. 

After doing this, begin to write a story based on the characters you created from the photograph.

When you are done, share with me in the comments about how this exercise went for you!  I’d love to hear your feedback.

Happy writing!

Ashley

New Release: Daring Journey – A teenager’s guide to being unapologetically you by Jenna Lee

Happy Friday, Everyone!

I hope that you are having a lovely day and are looking forward to the weekend!  Today I am excited to share with you a book for young adults that has just been released.  Daring Journey is a passionate, empathetic collection of short stories that is designed to help readers struggling with the tumultuous events that are often present in our teenage years.  Check out more about the book below and be sure to pick up a copy for yourself, or someone you love!

Much love,

Ashley

 

Life as a teenager is difficult even under the best circumstances.

Academic stress, social anxiety, and peer pressure are tough enough, but sometimes those challenges can be so overwhelming that they lead to self-destructive behaviour that can snowball until it can be hard to see a way out of all this heartache. Daring Journey is a collection of short stories written specifically for this time in your life. Each story ends with a love letter to your teenage self from someone who’s endured similar difficulties.

Join Jenna Lee as she guides you down the path of self-discovery while offering tips and advice on how to overcome your challenges. And most of all, the understanding that you’re not alone. If you’re ready to embrace your unique self, Daring Journey will show you the way.

This book includes:

+ Short stories based around an issue that a teen is going through

+ Practical, fun worksheets, advice and actionable steps based around these issues

+ Inspiring quotes

+ ‘Love letters to my teenage self’ from contributors who have gone through similar struggles

This book is filled with real-life stories, practical learning, and prompted activities that let you discover who you are.

+ Daring Journey does cover some heavy topics that may cause trigger warnings if you are or have gone through something similar. It’s recommended for ages 16+

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