D.G. Kaye's Blog, page 80

Earth Angels and Lightworkers – The Sisters of the Fey

  Earth Angels and Lightworkers   As some of you may know, I write a monthly contribution to The Sisters of the Fey blog, along with my other Fey sisters. This blog is a wonderful mixture of insights on all things spiritual, magical and mindful. Each of us holds our own special gifts. My articles are focused on angels, empaths and intuition. This article talks about Earth Angels and how to help you identify with what they do, and steps given to help determine if you too may be one.   We are all spiritual beings of light, but not everyone is deemed a Lightworker or an Earth Angel. Earth angels are born into the physical world to become beacons for humanity and the earth to help spread light, love and peace. Earth angels are known as evolved spiritual beings and highly evolved souls who’ve spent time in higher spiritual dimensions of love and light. They vibrate with light and were summoned to earth to serve as lightworkers. Angel studies tell us lightworkers originate from the 7th and 9th dimensions of angelics, incarnated into physical form with an appointed mission to awaken others with life lessons and by events to help share divine truth. Being an earth angel means to be called through the soul to help others by spreading messages of compassion and kindness to help make a difference on earth. You can also note that just because someone is an earth angel, doesn’t necessarily mean they are without faults of their own or that they grow actual angel wings. Earth angels still experience the same ups and downs in life as every other human. Earth angels are helpers in the living world with a past history of helping and healing in a previous life and their gifts are used to raise vibrations of humanity. Many earth angels who are aware of their gifts were chosen to spread goodness during this sweeping period of change and growth, and to help deflect negativity by sharing alternatives to hopelessness and indifference. Earth angels are here in this transitional time to assist the world of merging eras, and to help bring mother earth and humanity into a higher vibrational place of love and peace through loving energy. . . continue reading.   Source: Earth Angels and Lightworkers – The Sisters of the Fey    

Sunday Movie Review with D.G. Kaye – Ladies in Black

It’s Sunday Book Review time, and once again, I’m sneaking in a movie I recently watched – Ladies in Black, written by Madeline St. John. This movie is a story that takes place in the 1959, where women’s jobs consisted mostly of being a secretary or working in retail sales. The movie depicts the lives of 4 women who work in Goode’s Department store in Sydney, Australia at a time where European migration changes the landscape of Australia with cultural changes, a mixing of class structure, and the rise of Women’s Liberation. Lisa is a shy teen and aspiring writer who takes a part-time Christmas job at Goode’s, and befriends 3 women who open up a whole new world to her from her sheltered life at home. Once the movie began, I could totally understand the appropriate title chosen, but if you didn’t delve further than the title, one would have no idea what the movie is about.     Available on Amazon   Blurb: “The book I most often give as a gift to cheer people up.” —Hilary Mantel An irresistibly charming debut novel set in a department store in Sydney in the 1950s. The women in black, so named for the black frocks they wear while working at an upscale department store called Goode’s, are run off their feet selling ladies’ cocktail dresses during the busy season. But in Sydney in the 1950s, there’s always time to pursue other goals… Patty, in her mid-thirties, has been working at Goode’s for years. She’s married to Frank, who eats a steak for dinner every night, watches a few minutes of TV, and then turns in, leaving Patty to her own thoughts. She wants a baby, but Frank is always too tired for that kind of thing. Sweet Fay, wants to settle down with a nice man, but somehow nice men don’t see her as marriage material. The glamorous Magda runs the high-end gowns department. A Slovenian émigré who met her Hungarian husband in a refugee camp, Magda is clever and cultured. She finds the Australians to be unfashionable, and dreams of opening her own boutique one day. Lisa, a teenager awaiting the results of her final exams, takes a job at Goode’s for the holidays. She wants to go to university and secretly dreams of being a poet, but her father objects to both notions. Magda takes Lisa under her wing, and by the time the last marked-down dress has been sold, all of their lives will be forever changed. Perfect for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this delightful and uplifting novel portrays the roles of women in the 1950s and the timeless importance of female friendship.   My 5 Star Review: Sixteen year old Lisa takes a Christmas job in a fancy department store in Sydney, Australia, working with the ‘ladies in black’. The women wore black cocktail dresses as their work uniforms behind the counters of the women’s dress department. Lisa comes from a sheltered life background and holds aspirations to one day become a poet – or a an actress. Simple life experiences the ‘glam’ life. She befriends the two ladies she works with – Patty and Fay, who both have their own aspirations, and Lisa sometimes gets transferred to the ‘fancy, high fashion’ department where she is taken in under the wing of Magda, played by Julia Ormond, a Slovenian emigrant in charge of that department. Lisa learns world politics and culture from Magda and her Hungarian husband Stefan who both migrated to Australia after meeting in a prisoner camp when escaping the war in Europe. Lisa’s parents have a difficult time of letting their daughter grow up, and as LIsa awaits her acceptance  to university, her father disapproves. As we watch the relationship grow between Magda and Lisa, we learn that Magda’s strong affection for Lisa develops because Magda is preparing Lisa for the outside world that Magda says she missed out on. Meanwhile, Lisa’s new friends at the counter, Pat and Fay have struggles of their own, Pat feels as though she’s in a stagnant marriage and wants a baby, and Fay seems to meet the ‘wrong guy’ all the time – that’s until she’s introduced to Magda’s nephew, Rudy. I thought this was a most wonderful feel good movie involving the lives of these 4 women, a lovely mix of relationships, friendships. character growth, and underlying reference to politics of the times. The landscape footage is just exquisite and a treat for someone like me who has never been to Australia. This is definitely a movie that inspires me to read the book. Best quote: “Nobody understands men, and they don’t understand themselves.”    

Q and A with D.G. Kaye – Author Promotion Series, Featuring Marie Lavender

Welcome to this edition this month to my author series, Q and A with D.G. Kaye. I’m happy to introduce Romance and Multi-Genre Author, Marie Lavender here today to share a bit of herself, her writing and her books, and tell us a little about her book Directions of the Heart – A Romantic Drama Collection.     About the Author: Multi-genre author of Victorian maritime romance/family saga, Heiresses in Love Series, and 21 other books. Reached the Top 10 Authors list on AuthorsDB.com for the last 4 years. Featured interview in the January 2018 issue of Womelle Magazine. BLOOD INSTINCTS reached TOP 10 status in the Romance category. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART both reached the semi-finalist round in the 2018 AuthorsDB Book Cover Contest. Voted TOP BLOGGER for 2018 on the Romance Lives Forever Blog. TOP 20 Authors of 2018 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART was nominated and made it past the first round in the 2018 Author Academy Awards. UPON YOUR LOVE and THE MISSING PIECE placed in the TOP 10 on the 2017 P&E Readers Poll. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART was nominated for the 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards. The I Love Romance Blog became a finalist in Start Dating DK’s Romance Blog Awards of 2017. ILRB landed on Feedspot’s 2017 TOP 100 Novel Blogs and TOP 100 Romance Blogs. DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART placed in the TOP 10 Books of 2017 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. TOP 20 Authors of 2017 on Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews blog. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title – winner of the Broken Heart themed contest and the I Love You themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers Poll. Nominated in the TRR Reader’s Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013, 2014 and 2016. 2013 and 2014 Amazon Bestseller Ranking for UPON YOUR RETURN. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. She writes adult fiction, as well as occasional stories for children, and has recently started some young adult fiction. She has also contributed to several anthologies. Her current published series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series and The Blood at First Sight Series.   Let’s get to know more about Marie and her writing:   Do some of your own character traits or personal experiences spill into your book’s characters? A few of my own traits have spilled into some of my characters (for example, being a hopeless romantic), but mainly I let the characters guide me toward their own personalities. All of them are different. However, yes, my personal experiences have colored certain backgrounds for characters, or just events in stories. I believe there’s nothing more cathartic for a writer than pouring those deeply felt emotions about a certain experience onto the page. While I was going through a particularly rough time in my first romantic relationship, I found myself writing a historical romance novel. That became book one of the Heiresses in Love Series. DG – I can well imagine that it’s not hard for us as writers to incorporate a little bit of ourselves and our own experiences into our books.   Do you have a difficult time choosing titles for your books? How do you choose your titles? Titles are often challenging. My usual approach is to toss around a few ideas, and then start writing. I can worry about the official title later. As the story develops, and all the nuances come to light, I get a better picture of what might be the best title. Sometimes I know right away what that title will be – a catchphrase or a few words taken directly from a line of dialogue – but I often don’t know the exact title of a book until I’ve finished writing the manuscript. I ruminate on it for a while; let it stew in my subconscious. Then it cleverly falls into place. DG – I totally hear you. Titles for my own books come easily to me too in a similar way.   Did you have a passion to write as a child? Do you remember the first thing you wrote? I pretty much always knew I wanted to be an author. I often told my family how much I wanted to write for a living. Stories played out in mind even before I first put a pencil to the page. No, I don’t exactly remember the first story I wrote. What stands out in my mind, though, is one I had to write for a project in the fifth grade. We got our ‘books’ laminated, and I think I titled mine The Mystery of the Golden Chair. I only recall the barest of details about the plot, but I know the story was set in Italy. DG – Wow! Now that’s impressive – writing a story in 5th grade in a different cultural setting. Makes me wonder how you did the research for such a young little girl.

Savvy Online Shopping – What to Watch Out For – Just Sayin’

Today I’m back with some of my online shopping and shipping tips. It seem’s every so often there seems to be a kerfuffle when I place an online order. And because it seems I do a lot of online ordering, there’s bound to be mix-ups or snafus every once in awhile. I will add that thankfully, I’m not yet at the stage in life where I must have my groceries delivered, as I much prefer to choose my own produce and make sure I’m not getting any dented cans or ‘almost ready to expire’ products. My latest snag prompted me to write this post so I can share a few handy tips on what to look out for when placing an online order.   So what prompted this little informative rant? I was recently  on a hunt for my favorite lipstick, which I sadly discovered is soon being discontinued – once again, as many of my favs have disappeared through the years in Sephora. My first go to site was our big pharma site with a host of beauty products they sell online but not in all their stores as there are a multitude of product lines and only so many a store can carry. I prefer to check out sites in Canada first, as if I have to order from the U.S. I get hit with a multitude of duties on top of outside Canada shipping. When I get that desperate (as I have with other products gone astray), only then will I order from Ulta in the U.S. who, like Sephora, carry all cosmetic lines. My recent order through Shopper’s Drug Mart required a minimum of $50 spent to get free shipping. As I have currently stockpiled 5 of these lipsticks, I thought I’d order a few more for my collection and of course the order came to $49 and change – pennies short of free shipping, so I decided to add in a bronzing cream I love because my current one is almost empty, but could have waited a month or so for. So my order now was well over $50. A few days after I placed my order I received an email confirmation, “Your order has shipped”, only at the bottom of the email, there was a notice saying – sorry the lipsticks are out of stock. The email had a new total being charged to my card – now well under $50, but they had taken the liberty now to charge me an additional $8 for shipping! No way was I paying shipping on that order! Here’s the deal online companies, if items are out of stock which weren’t out of stock when I ordered, I think I deserve the courtesy of knowing before hand in a separate email, offering me a chance to add to the order or cancel. But they took the liberty of sending the bronzer cream without the rest of my order and slapping a shipping charge on. I promptly called their customer service number and told them exactly what I wrote here. ‘Please don’t take the liberty to ship half an original order without my consent and adding your shipping charge because YOU couldn’t fulfill the order.’ Yes, it was a bit time consuming, but I don’t appreciate companies taking my money without my consent. And of course, they reversed the shipping charge. When online shopping, it’s important to check our emailed receipts to make sure we haven’t been wrongly charged, and correct sizes and items are listed to make sure  receive exactly what we ordered – even with that, sometimes wrong things are sent in error, but checking receipts and Visa statements are a first line defense. I do usually order online from my specific favorite companies and am pretty familiar with their shipping practices. But when I order from an unfamiliar site, the first thing I do before ordering is click on their shipping policies to learn what I’m up against.   What to Look at When Ordering Online First, if you’re unfamiliar with shopping on a certain site, I recommend Googling them up to check out reviews and recommends for that site, which will undoubtedly give you an idea of their customer service, should you require contacting them. I’ve come across a few popular sites over time that majority of complaints from customers was the terrible customer service and policies when it came to returns. That’s enough info for me to send me looking somewhere else to do my business. We should also check for reviews on a product we’re interested in ordering, on the actual site. Reading product reviews gives us a better idea of the product once someone has actually received theirs. Now, this isn’t to say that all reviews are helpful, as many of us readers know, not all book reviews are useful and sometimes irrelevant to a book. Reviews are supposed to be helpful for others to aid in helping us make our decision to purchase. Sure, it’s okay to state how much you may love a product, but not adding any descriptions, such as sizing issues if it’s a garment or shoe, actual size of a product compared to what’s advertised, shipping issues, etc., isn’t helpful. Below, I’ve done a little comparison of what to include in a good product review as opposed to what isn’t helpful:   Helpful: Size comparisons, such as: “I’m usually a size 6 or small, and I needed to size up in this.” This shoe fit too tight – size up. This blender died after 2 months use – if I see a few of these comments, I’m on to a different brand. The color of the product isn’t the same as what’s displayed on product page. Book reviews that give some insight to fellow readers what the book is about, how they related to plot or characters, pacing, something the reader took from the book, and how the book left them feeling.   Not Helpful: I love it! So beautiful, glad I ordered it. Wished I ordered in more colors. Book reviews with no substance and nothing to entice a fellow reader.       I know as an online shopper, I rely a lot on other people’s reviews before I venture into making a purchase. Good reviews help others make an informed decision. Yes, it’s okay to share the love for a product we’re happy about, but without adding useful information, a review will serve no purpose other than to high-five the seller.   Remember this checklist before making your online purchase: Check reviews on the site you’re ordering from. Check shipping policies and ‘additional’ charges – especially if you are going to order from out of your country. Check reviews under products you’re interested in purchasing, and read both negative and positive comments to help aid your purchase decisions. Check Customer Service and ‘Contact Us’ on the site to make sure their return policy is fair and doesn’t require you to take a hit as penalty for returns, and that there is a contact phone number. MAKE sure when placing an order on a site that isn’t from your country that you click on the right currency for your country, because if you will be paying in foreign dollars, you are looking at an exchange rate plus an additional bank charge on your credit card for the conversion. This will help you decide if paying the additional exchange plus shipping and duties are really worth purchasing the item. Lastly, if you get surprisingly dinged for a shipping charge unjustly added, make sure to contact the company to have the charge removed.   Remember: It’s important to always check your receipts, emails, and credit card statements to make sure you haven’t been wrongly charged. If you would like to add a situation you may have encountered that could help others, please feel free to add to the conversation in comments.      

Sunday Book Review – New Reviews Are In For D.G. Kaye Books

Well, it’s the Sunday Book Review time again, and as has been lately, my life is a bit chaotic and of course, it has cut into my book reading time. So today I’m taking the liberty to share some beautiful reviews I haven’t shared yet. Since reviews are golden to an author and I make a point of reviewing and sharing every book I read, I thought it was okay to share a few for my own books.   I am so grateful for each review my books receive, but today’s reviews are a little extra special for me. Why? Because one of the reviewers read two of my books and mentioned she’d read one of them twice! Two writers each blogged their reviews first. Another dug deep into the book and didn’t hold back on how my story moved her, which of course had me reaching for Kleenex. The last paragraph from that review really got me:   “If I could reach through a book to hug someone, this would be the prime one for it to happen. I’ve felt these emotions tons of times before when an author creates a character who suffers… but when a real-life woman shares the truth and the pain she’s gone through, it’s a whole different ball game. If you have a high threshold for reading about someone’s emotional suffering, I suggest you take this book on… it might give you the perspective you need to help others.”     Available on Amazon   A blog and review from Kathy Lauren Miller Twenty Years After “I do”, Reflections on Love and Changes Through Aging.     Kathy’s Amazon Review for Twenty Years: After “I Do” Lauren Miller 5.0 out of 5 starsA Memoir On Love and Marriage: Love Without Limits August 20, 2019 Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase DG Kaye beautifully chronicles twenty years of her marriage and along the way encapsulates the heart of unconditional love amid life’s challenges. What I loved so much was her honest retelling of those years, both good and challenging. I found myself nodding again and again while I read as she honed into what the fundamental requirements were to maintain a healthy relationship. Respect, laughter, intimacy and patience are the cornerstones of a solid foundation that can withstand the trials of daily living. This is, or should be required reading for anyone in a relationship whether married or in a partnership. The author touched on so many issues that impact all relationships. This novel is a keeper and one I will return to over and over again. I extend a heartfelt thank you to the author for her candor and the gift to all of us for this remarkable book. Available on Amazon Conflicted Hearts by D.G. Kaye (Goodreads Author) Lucinda Clarke‘s review Sep 30, 2019 It was amazing It’s not often I get to read a book by someone who understands what it is to be tethered to a mother with NPD. So often we are asked, “why did you not just walk away?” This author did leave home at 18, but that did not prevent her mother from interfering in her life and when she eventually went no contact she was overcome with guilt. It didn’t matter that her two brothers and a sister also shared in the abuse, rarely physical, but mental – which believe me is far worse. I could resonate with the words on every page, and if you have a mother who just does not seem to love you, then this is a must-read. Available on Amazon P.S. I Forgive You by D.G. Kaye (Goodreads Author), Talia Leduc (Editor) Lucinda Clarke‘s review Sep 30, 2019 It was amazing Read 2 times. Last read September 30, 2019. Even after her mother died, D G Kaye could not bring herself to go and meet her in her last few hours on earth. She explains why and while some people may condemn her for this, there are many of us who will understand – readers who have also suffered from the lack of a mother’s love. That which so many take for granted was denied this author, her mother preferred to gamble, mix in high society, use her husband, her children and even her friends who were only there to serve her interests and needs. This book describes how the author came to terms with her own decisions, view her mother in a new light and found peace within herself as far as she could. Although a standalone book, this is best read after Conflicted Hearts the author’s first memoir.   A lovely surprise book shoutout from Adele Marie Park “D.G. Kaye is a writer which makes you sit up and think. A natural talent for writing which grips you through the gritty memoirs of her life with a narcissist mother. I have read Conflicted Hearts and P.S. I Forgive You and highly recommend them. Emotional yes, but also filled with the spirit of the writer herself who has survived and thrives in spite of.” Book Promotion-D.G.Kaye P.S. I Forgive You   L. Carmichael – P.S. I Forgive You 5.0 out of 5 starsPainful but Wonderful Memoir July 13, 2019 Format: Kindle Edition My month of memoirs continues with an autobiography by D. G. Kaye — ‘P.S. I Forgive You: A Broken Legacy.’ Although not quite a series, this is the second book by the author as she explores the impact of a narcissistic mother on her daily life. I read this before bed last night, and all I can say is that some people are dealt a very unfair hand in life. That said, it’s amazing to see how wonderful Kaye is handling all that she went through in the last ~50 years. What a great (but painful) read! Imagine growing up with a mother who seems to intentionally cause pain for her children. The oldest of four, Kaye spent years letting the woman treat her horribly. In this introspective and emotional autobiography, we learn how and why she tolerated it. The memoir kicks off by letting readers know that the author’s mother has passed away, and this is the story of how she handled the decision whether to be there when the woman crossed over. Sick for many years, touch and go at times, it seems like every possible painful opportunity was taken to cause trouble for this family. It was heartbreaking not just because of what they went through but because you really want this to turn out to be a positive story. In some ways, it does turn out that way… in death, you are often released from the troubles of the past. Not quickly. Not immediately. Not entirely. Kaye suffers to this day because of the trauma she went through. Emotional pain can be far worse and impacting that physical pain. Seeing how the author connects with her siblings and her aunt helps provide a sense of love and hope for her future. Kaye has a phenomenal way of sharing her past with readers… we feel as if we are there, but one thing is for sure — we were not. That… is fantastic writing. There is a cathartic honesty in her writing style as well as how she processes the events of her life. On the outskirts, it might seem simple: (A) She’s your mother, you should stay and respect her, or (B) She’s been evil and nasty, you need to run away and forget her. Nope… Kaye fully provides the wide spectrum of all the scenarios that ran through her head, some positive and some not-so-positive. How do you make such a decision? Only a strong person can thoroughly see through the minutia to determine what’s best for both the victim and the victimizer (I might’ve made that work up). If I could reach through a book to hug someone, this would be the prime one for it to happen. I’ve felt these emotions tons of times before when an author creates a character who suffers… but when a real-life woman shares the truth and the pain she’s gone through, it’s a whole different ball game. If you have a high threshold for reading about someone’s emotional suffering, I suggest you take this book on… it might give you the perspective you need to help others.   Thank you readers for making the grind all worth it!     

Writer’s Tips – Fantastic Ideas for Creating Videos, Booktrailers, Instagram Stories and More!

Welcome to another edition of my curated Writer’s Tips. In this edition, Natalie Ducey demonstrates how we can use Instagram stories to showcase our work, Nicholas Rossis is showing us how we can create free videos using Lumen, Diana Peach shares how to create a book trailer with Powerpoint, ad design tools from Bookbub, and how to re-purpose our blogs moving them to a podcasting platform, and Colleen Chesebro has an instructional for using Gutenberg editor.   Natalie Ducey has created another fabulous tutorial on how to create and use Instagram stories for our writing. How to use Instagram Stories to create engaging content, extend your reach, and build lasting connections!   Have you thought of converting blog posts to audio for Podcasting? 5 Easy Steps To Repurposing Your Blog Post Into An Audio Podcast Source: 5 Easy Steps To Repurposing Your Blog Post Into An Audio Podcast |   Colleen Chesebro has a great instructional series on using the Gutenberg editor The Basics of Using the Gutenberg Editor – Part One     Nicholas Rossis has a helpful post to help us create videos using Lumen. http://nicholasrossis.me/2019/09/09/l...     Helpful Design Tools to create great book ads 6 Book Ad Design Tools Authors Can Use     Diana Peach is sharing how easy it is to create book trailers using Power Point. Make a Book Trailer with PowerPoint     Chris Syme guesting at Anne R. Allen’s blog on how to avoid author crisis and management. Source: The Five Myths of Crisis Management for Authors by Chris Syme    

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary to D.G. Kaye – A Review of “Twenty Years: After ‘I Do:’ Reflections on Love and Changes Through Aging” – Colleen M. Chesebro

I was so humbled and heartened to find this most beautiful anniversary wish and review for my book Twenty Years: After “I Do” from Colleen Chesebro. Thank you so much my Lovely. Yes! It’s a big one, and when my husband proposed to me, before I undoubtedly said yes, I first replied: “You better promise me at least 20 years Mister!” He’s fulfilled his promise and has been the best husband a girl could ask for. I’d like to be greedy and hope for 20 more!   Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary to D.G. Kaye – A Review of “Twenty Years: After ‘I Do:’ Reflections on Love and Changes Through Aging”     When I heard today was D.G. Kaye’s, (aka Debby Gies) twentyth wedding anniversary, I knew the perfect way to celebrate. Below I’m sharing my review of her lovely memoir to commemorate her special day! Please stop by and congratulate her on this special occasion.   Available on Amazon   May/December Memoirs In this personal accounting, D.G. Kaye shares the insights and wisdom she has accrued through twenty years of keeping her marriage strong and thriving despite the everyday changes and challenges of aging. Kaye reveals how a little creative planning, acceptance, and unconditional love can create a bond no obstacle will break. Kaye’s stories are informative, inspiring, and a testament to love eclipsing all when two people understand, respect, and honor their vows. She adds that a daily sprinkling of laughter is a staple in nourishing a healthy marriage. Twenty years began with a promise. As Kaye recounts what transpired within that time, she shows that true love has no limits, even when one spouse ages ahead of the other. Amazon.com MY RECOMMENDATION Canadian author, D. G. Kaye has written a heartwarming memoir in “Twenty Years After I Do,” detailing the ups and downs of marriage to an older man. I was eager to read this book because I am married to a man who is older than me by a decade. I wasn’t sure what I’d find, but having read other books by this author, I knew I was in for a treat. Kaye shares how she met her husband, Gordon, chronicling how he swept her off her feet with his captivating personality, and how he made her laugh. With a sense of intimacy, the writing draws you in, as if you are listening to a good friend. Their connection, a true love story, (so rare these days) was a joy to experience through her words. This book is a memoir in the real sense of the word, where the author details her relationship with her husband based on her knowledge of his battle with prostate cancer. As time trudges along, and more health issues crop up, this couple finds themselves confronting their mortality head-on. Most people would crumble under the stress of these burdens, but not Kaye. Because of the love that she and Gordon share they discover that they can overcome whatever life throws at them. What I enjoyed was Kaye’s willingness to share the innermost details of her life experiences so others could learn from her example. There was no glossing over here, and she does tell it like it is. Ultimately, she leads the reader to the conclusion that love and humor conquer all. I’ve taken many of her insights and tucked them away for future reference. A quick read, “Twenty Years After I Do,” will touch you with warmth and sincerity, as the phrase “…till death do us part…” takes on new meaning.   MY RATING: Character Believability: 5 Flow and Pace: 5 Reader Engagement: 5 Reader Enrichment: 5 Reader Enjoyment: 5 Overall Rate: 5 out of 5 Fairies *I follow the Amazon Rating System* Thank you Colleen for making my day a lot brighter.

The Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists. | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

The October edition of my Travel Column at Sally Cronin’s Blog Magazine is live now. In this edition I chose to focus on the Bahamas as a vacation destination. Did you know Bahamas have over 700 islands? Ya, I didn’t know that either. In light of the recent devastation that occurred on some of those islands from Hurricane Dorian, I thought it was the perfect choice for this October edition.   Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists.   The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists. Welcome to this month’s edition of the Travel Column. For this month’s edition I wanted to write about the Bahamas, in light of one of the most devastating hurricanes that pretty much demolished Grand Obaca and Grand Bahama islands. Although support is pouring in from many countries and many selfless people are helping in their own way, the news stated that the best way people can help with their devastation is to visit some of the many islands that make up the Bahamas to help to contribute to their economy to help rebuild with tourism.     A Bit of History The Bahamas were inhabited by the Lucayans – a branch of the Taino people (original inhabitants of the Caribbean for centuries before the arrival of the European colonizers). Columbus made his first landfall there in 1492. Later, the natives were shipped to Hispaniola to serve as slaves, leaving the Bahama islands mostly deserted from 1513 till 1648 when British colonists began to settle there. In 1718, Bahamas became a British Crown Colony, clamping down on piracy. After the American Revolution, American Loyalists (those who stood loyal to the British Crown), settled in the Bahamas with their slaves and built plantations. The majority of the population from this time period on, saw African slaves and their descendants populate the islands. In 1807 the slave trade was abolished by the British, and finally abolished in the Bahamas in 1834. The Bahamas became the new safe haven for freed slaves. There was also an influx of North American slaves and Seminoles who migrated from Florida. Bahamas became an independent commonwealth in 1973 under the Queen. The Bahamas are the 3rd richest country in the world following the U.S. and Canada. Their wealth is based on tourism and offshore financing.   Climate The low elevation and gulf stream contribute to Bahamas winterless, tropical climate, producing sunny and dry days for approximately 340 days a year. Tropical storms and hurricanes have impacted the Bahamas in 1992 – Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and most recently, and the most devasting, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 tropical cyclone – the strongest on record, which decimated the islands of Grand Bahama and Great Abaco. Average temps year-round are 75 degrees to 85.     Beaches While Bahamas is comprised of over 700 different islands, there are over 2000 recommended beaches! Of course, some beaches are more well known than others, but some of these not-so-well-known gems may be just the place for you. From quiet beaches to those of full on activity to white or pink sands, there is something for every beach lover in the Bahamas. Most popular destinations in Bahamas are Paradise Island, Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Eleuthra, and Exuma Islands . . . please continue reading at Sally’s Smorgasbord     Source: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – The Travel Column with D.G. Kaye – The Bahamas – 14 Islands Up and Running and Waiting for Tourists. | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine    

Sunday Book Review – The Scandal by Nicola Marsh

My Sunday Book Review this week is for Nicola Marsh’s – The Scandal. An interesting read on secrets that become life-changing for three women who are best friends, all with different backgrounds in life. I’d classify this book as a cross over of genres – chick-lit, cozy mystery and women’s fiction all rolled into one.       Blurb: My life is like one of those cheap snow globes my twins collected when they were younger. Shiny and pretty on the outside, blurred beyond recognition when shaken. Ever since her twin girls left home, Marisa has felt there’s something missing from her life. Her sprawling mansion is no longer filled with laughter and chaos, and she’s desperate to feel needed… and to be distracted from the secret she’s been hiding from her husband for all these years. Coffee with her best friends might be the only thing holding Marisa together. But Claire and Elly have their own secrets. Like why Claire hasn’t been to work in weeks, or why Elly won’t tell anyone who’s buying her flowers. When Jodi, a pregnant young girl, turns up at Marisa’s doorstep, Marisa is quick to come to her aid. She sees herself in Jodi and she knows how devoting yourself to looking after others can take up all your time in the most marvellous way. But Jodi’s arrival quickly pushes everyone’s lies to the surface. The father of her unborn child is someone the women know very well, and Marisa starts to wonder if her obsession with helping Jodi might come at a devastating price… The Scandal has a twist that will take your breath away. An emotionally charged novel about secrets, affairs and perfect small towns from USA Today bestseller Nicola Marsh that will be devoured by fans of Kerry Fisher, Big Little Lies and The Other Woman. What readers are saying about The Scandal: “This book has it all!!!!!!!!!!! Scandal, secrets, lies, murder, mystery, love. You think you have figured out, but do you?… My first book by Nicola Marsh, won’t be my last.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “INCREDIBLE!… I was convinced multiple times that I had it figured out when I never actually did… It will stick with me for a while afterwards and I don’t think I’ve ever read a thriller quite like this one before.” Goodreads reviewer   My 4 Star Review: The story takes place in the Hampton’s where 3 very different women, Marisa, Elly, and Claire, who are best friends, find their lives all entwined when a pregnant woman, Jodi, comes to town looking for the father of her baby, and her arrival turns into a murder. A swarm of drama ensues as the story unfolds and we learn more about the three women’s pasts: Socialite Marisa and her unsatisfactory marriage to narcissistic Avery, Elly, divorced and her strange (off the wall) plan for revenge in efforts to teach married men who fool around on their wives harsh lessons after being duped herself in her previous marriage, and Claire the police woman, married to her loving partner Dane who are struggling to get pregnant. We also can’t forget about Ryan, Avery’s brother who always seems to have big brother Avery covering for him, and his strange marriage to Maggie. All of these women have been scorned and hold secrets from their pasts. It isn’t until pregnant Jodi comes to town in search of the man who date-raped her and got her pregnant that each of the three other women begin to have questions about their  own relationships with husbands and lovers as the investigation into Jodi’s death unleashes a possible trail to any one of those men as suspects. I found the first 30% a bit slow to keep me engaged, but once Jodi came to town I was fully engrossed. This also opened up the storylines of how these 3 friendships were weaved together. As each new circumstance evolves, we find ourselves guessing at who is the murderer – often changing our minds as evidence builds. Overall, I enjoyed the book and the author’s writing style, although I feel the 3 main characters could probably have used a little more development to make me feel more of a connection with them, and for a bit of a draggy start. Hence, I’m taking off one star. If you like small town cozy mystery murders and chick-lit you will enjoy this book.    

Q & A with D.G. Kaye – Interview with Featured Author Marian Beaman –

Welcome to my Q & A Interview Series and book Promotion. I am delighted to be interviewing writer, blogger, and newly published author, Marian Beaman. Marian has very recently published her debut book – Mennonite Daughter, her memoir, which I highly recommend. Marian grew up as a Mennonite girl while all the while yearning to shed her plain Mennonite clothes for a more stylish and fancier wardrobe. Her book takes us through her strict upbringing to her eventual emancipation from the norms she grew up with while still keeping the faith.     About Marian: Marian Longenecker Beaman is a former professor at Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida. Her memoir records the charms and challenges of growing up in the strict culture of the Lancaster Mennonite Conference in the 1950s. Marian shares her story to preserve these memories and to leave a legacy for future generations. Find her weekly blog at https://marianbeaman.com. She lives with her husband Cliff in Florida, where her grown children and grandchildren also reside.       Blurb: What if the Mennonite life young Marian Longenecker chafed against offered the chance for a new beginning? What if her two Lancaster County homes with three generations of family were the perfect launch pad for a brighter future? Readers who long for a simpler life can smell the aroma of saffron-infused potpie in Grandma’s kitchen, hear the strains of four-part a capella music at church, and see the miracle of a divine healing. Follow the author in pigtails as a child and later with a prayer cap, bucking a heavy-handed father and challenging church rules. Feel the terror of being locked behind a cellar door. Observe the horror of feeling defenseless before a conclave of bishops, an event propelling her into a different world. Fans of coming-of-age stories will delight in one woman’s surprising path toward self-discovery, a self that lets her revel in shiny red shoes.   Time to get to know more about Marian:   1. Do events in your daily life inspire your writing ideas? Yes! When my sisters and I cleared out Aunt Ruthie’s house, I discovered her diaries. Entries in these pages from the 1930s have become fodder for blog ideas. Also, I write about events in my current life. Not long ago, I accidentally smashed two traffic cones meant to block a set of gas pumps at the WaWa Station. The aftermath of that embarrassing experience became a blog post with loads of comments. DG – Okay, you know I read your posts weekly, I seemed to have missed that one. Now I’m curious, be right over to check it out!   2. What prompted you to write in your chosen genre? For years, I wanted to leave a legacy of stories for posterity, my grandchildren especially. Memoir is the genre most suited for stories inspired by memory. Meeting scores of memoirists online gave me the courage to begin, and then to persevere. Writing of any sort, especially memoir, is not for sissies. DG – Ain’t that the truth Marian! Lol, I hear you loud and clear.   3. Do your books have messages in them? If so, what are the messages you feel are well received by your readers? I told the story of my Mennonite girlhood, recording both the charms of a sheltered life and the challenges I faced, challenges I did not sugarcoat. I had an adversarial relationship with my father, a theme traced from the first to the last chapter. The message of forgiveness emerged as I wrote, one told (I hope) without sounding didactic or resentful. DG – Yes, I got that in the book – the struggle for forgiveness. Like you, that was exactly when I learned forgiveness for my mother, while writing P.S. I Forgive You.   5-Star Review by Laurie Buchanan, author of Note Self: A Seven-Step Guide to Gratitude and Growth and The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace I expected to find kindness in Marian Longenecker Beaman’s memoir, MENNONITE DAUGHTER: THE STORY OF A PLAIN GIRL. And I did. The unexpected — abuse — came in gritty remembrances of a young girl’s search for identity, one that isn’t plain. In this captivating look at a patriarchal culture, Beaman’s writing imbues simple scenes with complex emotional undercurrents that kept me turning the pages right to the satisfying end. I highly recommend this book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...   My review for Marian’s book: DGKaye 5.0 out of 5 starsA most beautiful telling September 13, 2019 Format: Paperback Mennonite Daughter is a beautifully written story about the growing up life and aspirations of one feisty and longing-to-be fancy girl who although practicing her faith obediently, longs to be free from some of the conforms of the Mennonite lifestyle. Beaman, a girl, not unlike any other girlie girl, striving for her chance at a life free from head coverings and traditional clothing, as her desires since childhood grow to break free from tradition. We learn a lot about the Mennonite way of life, Beaman’s life, the close knit family and community life, and the antiquated punishments inflicted on her by her father, and about the mother who  never interjected on those punishments, all because she spoke out for her convictions. The whippings and being locked in a dark, scary basement were the weapons of choice as punishments and discipline for her non-compliance in a world of which we’d now consider as child abuse. One heart trembling sentence that stood out to me, “I always watched for signs that Daddy was about to explode, so I wonder why I didn’t stop before I ignite the fire.” We’ll learn once again, as many writers like myself have lived and wrote about, if we search for the ‘why’ in someone’s behavior, we’ll almost always find the root cause. The heartaches in this book are palpable through the pages for this straight A student who received no recognition or validation from her parents; and the welcomed tender mercies she did receive from her dear Aunt Ruthie and her paternal grandmother Longenecker. It seemed any moments the little girl felt excitement for were often quashed by disappointment. One example of this was in the chapter – ‘Tomato Girl gets a Bike’ – Young Mennonite Marian helped work the tomato farms tirelessly, both planting and reaping the fruits of labor. She received 10 cents a basket for her labor from her frugal father, and as reward for her upcoming birthday he promised he would buy her a bike. She held her excitement in anticipation until she felt as though she wasn’t worthy enough when her father eventually presented her with a well worn bike instead. The author takes us through her life with a giant glimpse into the Mennonite world, sharing the religion,  her beliefs, chores, and family gatherings – even photos and recipes are included, to demonstrate her world of godliness and her struggle to endure conformity, hoping that some day she will get to wear those red shoes! I loved this book! #Recommended.   Marian is sharing an Excerpt Chapter 25, Great Grandpa Sam: A Hoot and a Holler   “There’s no feller quite so yeller like my liver,” I repeated out loud one of Great Grandpa Sam’s silly sayings. What color should liver really be? I wondered. But a yellow liver must be funny because Grandpa laughed loud when he said it. Grandma Fanny Longenecker’s father, Samuel Brinser Martin, who moved from the farm in Hillsdale and lived with Grandma and Aunt Ruthie close to Rheems in his late eighties, figured large in my childhood as the Martin family patriarch. A still “snap” from Aunt Ruthie’s movies shows Grandpa in a blue denim jacket buttoned up to his neck and a denim hat with a long, wide farmer bill, which his daughter, Grandma, referred to as a “schnovel.” In movie footage when Aunt Ruthie, the eye behind the camera lens, must have prompted him to walk, he held his body erect, taking sure steps even though blind, his arms swinging like a pendulum. Then, swiveling on the ball of his foot, he turned to retrace his steps. Wiry Great Grandpa Samuel B. Martin, a jolly little man, had an Old MacDonald-type farm with chickens, a couple of cows, two horses, and maybe a pig, though, I never heard an oink-oink-oink either here or there. Grandma and Grandpa Martin’s was a Jack Sprat-type union, with his wife Mary as generous and open-hearted as she was ample. I heard this description so often as a child, it has since become fact in my mind. She loved to cook and eat in large portions. Great Grandma Mary died the year before I was born, so I never met the hospitable woman whom I’m told often invited strangers to the family table and made space for the homeless to sleep upstairs in a family bedroom. A portrait of the extended family “freindschaft” of at least thirty gathered in front of lilac bushes showed bunny-cheeked Great-Grandma Mary Horst Martin in the first row, with a crinkly smile, her laughing eyes in sharp contrast to her prayer-capped head and a long, dark dress topped with a cape shaped like a triangle, pointed to a “V” at her waist. Until he died at age ninety-four, my Grandma Longenecker’s dad, Great-Grandpa, lived with his daughter Fannie and granddaughter, my Aunt Ruthie. My sisters and I thought him curious and amusing. We usually found him sitting on his cushioned chair between the door and one section of the bay window in Grandma’s kitchen, turning the huge knobs of a blaring radio, loud, louder, and extra loud. Great-Grandpa had no teeth to speak of. What he had were rotted, drawing his mouth into an “O” like an old mountaineer’s. After meals, he shook some salt into his hand, threw his head way back, opened up and sucked in the salt. It made a loud pop!— his mouth an echo chamber. Long since retired from the rigors of farming, Great-Grandpa could afford the time to be a one-man comedy show for my sisters and me. . . .   You can find Marian on her blog and social media: Blog: https://marianbeaman.com   Amazon author page URL: https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Longene...   www.Facebook.com/marian.beaman www.Twitter.com/martabeaman www.Instagram.com/marianbeaman   It was a pleasure having Marian over today to showcase her beautiful book. If you love memoirs, family stories, and success stories, I highly recommend this book.