Jamieson Wolf's Blog, page 74

The Top Ten Books of 2014

It’s been a FANTASTIC year for books. There were so many great reads this year that my bookshelves and my Kindle couldn’t keep up.

It’s been hard to narrow it down to just ten books that I felt stood out from the rest. I haven’t read as much as I wanted to this year, but I did manage to read just over 60 books, so more than a book a week.

These were the books that stood out from the crowd for me. To make it on the list, the book had to be published in 2014.

All set? Here we go!

10- The Table of Less Valued Knights by Marie Philips

This is a delightful read from start to finish. It reminds me a lot of The Princess Bride mixed with healthy doses of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Part camp, part quest and all part hilarious, this novel surprised and delighted me from start to finish. It also had me laughing out loud in quite a few places.

I was curious to see how Philips would follow up her first novel Gods Behaving Badly. I love that book a lot and have read it multiple times.

I’m happy to say that I loved The Table of Less Valued Knights even more and can’t wait to re-read it!

9- Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

I won’t lie: this book frightened me.

The fact that the protagonist knows as little as the reader, but that she’s so emotionally invested in the story had me on the edge of my seat. I loved the urgency of the novel, the creepy intimacy. I also loved how we never found out the characters names.

Blending science fiction with elements of suspense and fantasy. it’s also ground breaking due to the fact that all three volumes of the trilogy were released this year. It was a thrill ride, every moment, and not a word wasted.

 

8- Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood

This is Atwoods most wonderful book yet.

It follows on the heels of MaddAddam and is almost quiet by comparison, but no less amazing. The first three tales make up almost a novella and there’s where the collection really shines. The three tales, each focusing on a different character.

The rest of the stories are filled with different kinds of people and make us examine what we would do if in their shoes and encompasses many different emotions. The collection is filled with some of Atwood’s best writing; it’s elegant, thought provoking and haunting. I can’t wait to read it again.

7- Robin’s Hoods by Darren Craske

You’ve never read the story of Robin Hood like this.

A mix of dystopia, science fiction and fantasy, this is the retelling of Robin Hood you’ve always wanted to read. Craske takes a simple “what if?” and twists it on its ear, giving us what is arguabley one of his best novels yet.

Though he’s written several wonderful adult novels, he really shines when he’s taking on the young adult genre. What I loved most about this novel was that, at its heart, it was about bravery and that when push comes to shove, anything is possible.

6- Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

I waited with anticipation for this book.

After Miss Pergerine’s Home For Peculiar Children, I was left spellbound. Riggs tells a tale of a house full of pecurliar children in another time mixed with real found photos that give the story a creepy feel.

To say that my expectations for Hollow City were high would be an understatement. However, Riggs blew them out of the water and went beyond what I had thought possible.

I’m now highly anticipating the third book! I love when that happens.

5- Revival by Stephen King

This is arguably Stephen King’s most accomplished novel to date.

Yes, Mr. Mercedes was wonderful, but Revival was electric. It dealt with loss, aging, drug abuse, death and what lays beyond. It’s not a light read by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s a great one.

If I have one complaint about the novel it’s how they marketed it as dark horror. It’s a very dark book indeed but not horror really until the last 40 pages.

Should that take away from your enjoyment? Nope. Read it and prepare to be riveted.

4- Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

I love Sarah Addison Allen’s books.

She writes such wonderful magical realism that you can’t help but be pulled into the story and begin to believe that magic is real.

In Lost Lake you have a woman who is desperate to find herself again. Eby hopes to reclaim a part of herself by visiting a place from her childhood. What she doesn’t expect is to find a piece of her future.

Beautiful in every way.

3- The Silworm by Robert Galbraith

How does J. K. Rowling do it?

Not only did she create the world of Harry Potter, but she’s created Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacot are the most thrilling detectives to grace the printed page in years.

When a novelist disappears and is found, killed like one of the victims in his novel, Strike knows that he is in a race against time against a killer who knows no bounds.

What I love about Rowling’s Galbraith novels is that I can’t figure them out. I’m as surprised by anyone at the ending. Marvelous brain candy!

2- Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

This novel surprised the heck out of me.

I love Picoult’s writing, but was blown away by this one. It is told in alternating chapters of present and past with a roving narrative told in the voices of Jenna, Alice, Serenity and Virgil.

Jenna wants to find her mother, Alice, who disappeared thirteen years ago. Virgil is the police detective that worked on her case and Serenity is a disgraced physic. When Virgil, Serenity and Jenna get together, anything can, and does, happen.

Intertwined is Alice’s story of her past, giving us glimpses into what happened. To say any more abou this novel would be to take away from the sense of discovery.

Trust me, you’ll want to read this book. I already want to read it again.

1- The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown

It was hard to decide on just one of Alexandra Brown’s two books this year. I loved both of them, but the one I’ve already read twice is The Great Christmas Knit Off. It was just such a great, feel good book.

It was great to see Brown try something different but still give us characters that we can fall in love with. Sybil, Lawrence, Hettie and more. She always creates characters that feel like friends rather than people on the page.

You can read my review of The Great Christmas Knit Off here: http://jamiesonwolfauthor.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/the-great-christmas-knit-off-by-alexandra-brown-a-book-review/

 

Whew! That’s it for 2014! Bring on 2015!

Happy reading!

2015 – The Year of Awesome

It’s that time of year again.

As the New Year approaches, we all make New Year’s Resolutions. You know how it goes: They’re difficult to stick to, almost impossible to do and we always abandon them less than a month later. At least our intentions are good.

My New Year’s Resolution for last year was a simple one: to live 2014 to its fullest. I’ve certainly done that. I’ve done more this year than the last five combined. I’ve grown more mentally, spiritually and physically than ever before.

For 2015, my NYR was going to be the same as 2014…but then I started thinking (don’t you hate when that happens?). While I’ve done a lot and accomplished much this past year, there are a few things I need to work on in 2015.

So my New Year’s Resolutions for 2015 are (in no particular order) as follows:

1 – Keep on living as much as I can. Every day is a gift.

2- To quiet my internal critic and finish Boy Friends in early 2015. It really is the best book I’ve written, now I just have to work on finishing it.

3 – To study more and develop my Tarot skills further. This includes learning everything I can about astrology, the zodiac and different kinds of spreads.

4 – To not be so darn hard on myself. This includes feeling horrible when I have to tell friends I can’t get together due to brain fog, fatigue, etc. but is not limited to lack of faith in my ability as a writer and my dream of writing full time.

5 – To educate people when needed on the side effects and symptoms of MS or CP. To not stay quiet when someone makes a snap judgement based on what my body is doing that day. If I don’t speak up, how will people learn?

I think that’s a pretty hefty list. The thing is, they’re all doable, achievable and manageable. That’s key to my doing NYR’s. Keep them simple, right?

I hope that whatever 2015 brings all of you that it’s full of everything awesome and wonderful. Oh, and full of sparkles.

You gotta have sparkle.

Happy New Year!

Dear 2014: You Rock!

Dear 2014.

You freaking rock! I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. It certainly went a lot faster than 2013!

My New Year’s resolution for 2014 was to live, as much as possible. I’m happy to say that, after looking back over this past year, that I’ve done that tenfold and then some. I just went back and read my letter from last year and I’m in such a different place and mind set now and that’s fabulous.

I have so much to be grateful for and this year is proof of that. I thought I’d do things a little differently this year and give a rundown of what happened this year by highlighting what I’ve done month to month.

Ready? Here we go:

January

After living in a basement apartment for close to six years, I finally made the decision to move out. It just wasn’t liveable for me anymore and I deserved a place where I could thrive and live, not wallow and hide as I had been doing.

I made the decision to give my notice on January 1st and haven’t looked back. I think my decision to have an amazing year and beyond began that day, when I first decided I deserved happiness and joy.

February

I published Talking to the Sky, my first book of poetry and went on a blog tour to promote the book. It’s been my only published book for 2014 but that’s okay. Less is more, right? The book went on to become a Number One Best Seller on Amazon.ca less than a week after it was released! How awesome is that?

It’s the book I’m most proud of because it took the most effort to write and has been the most rewarding.

March

I finally moved into my new apartment on March 1st! It’s still home to me, almost a year later. Instead of a dark basement, this was and is an apartment of light. Rather than just a place to stay and lay my head, it’s a home.

I also started honoring my spirit as well as my body. I took my second level Reiki and took many other workshops to further my balance of the spirit, mind and body.

I also saw Potted Potter with Karine and Meaghan and that was fabulous!

April

April was an incredible month for me for a few reasons. In the beginning of the month (on the 4th to be exact) I met Michael.

To think, all these months later, that I wasn’t going to go on the coffee date where we first met. However, my mother gave me a push (“How do you expect to find love if you’re not open to it?”) and the rest is history in the making.

He’s taught me what love really is, what it means to be in a real honest to goodness relationship. He really is my Prince that I found after kissing a lot of frogs. :)

Later in April, I did something I thought I could not do. I walked the 3KM MS Walk and I ended up doing the 3KM in under an hour! I had a great team of family and friends with me (we were called The Wolf Pack) and I could not have done the walk without them.

What’s more, it proved that I was capable of anything I put my mind to and that I was stronger than I thought I was. So that’s just awesome.

May

In May, I appeared on television to promote Talking to the Sky. I was really nervous about the appearance as it was taped live! I was terrified of saying something stupid or swearing live on the air, but the appearance went beautifully.

Check out the video of my appearance!

June

In June, I took further steps to gaining balance with my body. My Wonder Mom gave me the gift of an exercise program. My doctors had been saying how important it was for me to do exercise. So she signed me up for some sessions with Sarah Zahib, a Kinesiologist and Fitness Professional.

She designed a workout of five simple exercises that I could do with my balance and body issues and I’ve continued to grow stronger because of them. It was difficult at first, but the exercises have shown that I’m able to push my body beyond what I thought possible.

And that’s always awesome.

July

July was a quiet month for me but it was remarkable for two reasons. One, I got to spend a beautiful weekend at a cottage that belongs to one of Michael’s friends. It was gorgeous and peaceful. It really taught me what beauty is about.

Second, I posted the first picture of me shirtless…ever! In fact, it’s the first time I went out in public and took my shirt off. It was normally something I didn’t do. It’s remarkable because it showed how much more comfortable I was with my body and marked a change in myself.

I love when that happens.

August

In August, I turned 36. While that is awesome enough, Michael took me to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for my birthday!!!!

He had told me earlier in June that he was going to take me somewhere and that all I would need was a passport. Then on August 16th, I found out where I was going!

It truly was a dream come true! We flew out on my birthday and flew back after four days. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was everything I could have hoped for and then some. It was a Potterhead’s dream come true in every sense. The park was beautiful, the rides fantastic. I got to eat in the Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron and had Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice!

I was and still am in awe that I went and I want to go again! LOL

September

September was wonderful.

I had an article on my weight loss of 140 pounds published in The Huffington Post! How cool is that? It’s the first time a piece of my non-fiction was published in such a widespread publication. More than that, I’m thrilled with how it’s inspired other people!

You can read the article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/09/09/weight-lost_n_5790924.html

Michael also took me to see Jann Arden in concert! It was a lovely, amazing and wonderful concert. I even got to meet the opening act, Jill and Kate! Still in awe over how incredible the concert was!

October

October was another awesome month!

I saw Loreena McKennitt perform and she was absolutely amazing in every way. Her voice hasn’t changed, it’s only gotten better and more vibrant.

Michael and I also went to Pittsburgh with his friend Donald. I’ve never seen such a beautiful city, full of mountains and hills, trees and nature. Michael and I went to The Andy Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory of modern art.

I also got to read Tarot cards at the Haunted Carnival! I had a brilliant time and it was grand to help all kind of others find the answers they were looking for.

November

In November, I started reading Tarot cards at Planet Botanix!

It’s been my dream to help others use Tarot for their personal growth. It was also the first time I’ve seen my name on a sign, but it won’t be the last!

Here’s a promo video that was shot in November!

December

This month has been a flurry of activity to get ready for the Holidays! That didn’t stop me from going to see Matt Dusk at the NAC for his Christmas concert!

I went with my good friends Julie and Alexandra and am finally feeling in the Christmas Spirit!

Whew! What a year!

Never before have I been so thankful and so grateful for everything and everyone in my life.

When I made the decision to live rather than hide back in 2013, I had no idea how much living I would do in 2014.

I don’t recognize myself at all. This year has been one of growth: physically, mentally and spiritually. It’s also been one that highlights how blessed and lucky I am.

I can only hope that 2015 is just as awesome, if not more so, than 2014 has been!

Thanks 2014, you’ve been awesome!

Growing Invisible Light – A Poem

“What’s wrong with you today?”

I looked up.

A friend was

looking at me

with worried concern.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you just don’t seem to be here today. Like you’re lost in your head.”

“I haven’t had coffee yet.”

She shrugged and

made a face.

“It’s more than that. It’s like you’re not really here.”

I shrugged and

went on with

my day. At

first, I didn’t

pay her words

any attention. However,

when my fingers

began to slide

into the keyboard

instead of hitting

the keys, I

wondered. Looking at

my fingers, I

noticed that they

had grown dim,

there, but not.

I could see

the outline of

them, I could

feel them, but

they weren’t visible.

She came over

to me again

and looked closely

at me with

growing concern. Reaching

out, she touched

my face with

soft, careful fingers.

“What’s wrong your skin? It’s clear.”

“Clear how?”

“Like, it’s like your face is made of glass.”

I ran to

the washroom and

looked in the

mirror. I saw

that she was

telling the truth.

The skin of

my face had

gone dim, indeed

clear as glass.

I wondered if,

somehow, I was

growing invisible. I

finished my day,

wondering if more

of me would

cease to exist

by the days

end. There was

a heat growing

in my stomach.

It pulsed inside

of me and

I could feel

it snaking its

way further inside

my body with

each pulse. I

left the building

and stumbled outside.

The skies were

grey and the

air cold. Snow

was falling down

like fairy dust.

The heat growing

in me pulsed

again and despite

myself, I cried

out loud, heedless

of people looking.

“What’s happening to me?”

An older woman

stopped and looked

at me. She

smiled kindly at

me and came

closer. She held

out her hand

and touched my

face. I was

astounded to see

wetness on her

fingers and wondered

when I had

started crying. She

gave me another

kind, beautiful smile.

“Don’t you know? This is your first time isn’t it?”

I shook my

head. I didn’t

know what she

was talking about.

“The first time?”

“You’re letting your light shine. I can see it there inside you.”

“You can?”

“Yes. It’s so bright, I can hardly look at you, but I want to.”

“I don’t understand.”

She smiled again.

“Well, look around you. Only grey, cold skies. People need light. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that you were a light bringer?”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“That pulse inside you? Let it out, set it free.”

“But my body…”

“Will go back to the way it was afterwards. Here, I’ll shine with you.”

She took my

hand and I

watched as the

opaqueness of her

skin faded and

she too was

as there and

not there as

I was. She

smiled at me.

“Come on now, let it out. Shine bright, little sun.”

I watched as

her own light

began to shine,

first a growing

sliver of sunlight,

then a blinding

flash of brightness.

My own light

responded in kind

and the pulse

thickened, intensified, grew.

The light shone

from me as

if it was

always meant to

do so, filling

the skies, once

grey and dreary,

with bright and

beautiful sunlight. It

streamed from me,

from the woman

beside me, and

I could hear

music, as if

a choir was

singing around us.

As quickly as

it had come,

the light faded.

I stood there,

holding the woman’s

hand. I could

see my fingers

again, could see

hers. The smile

I wore on

my face was

like its own

kind of light.

“Thank you.”

I said. She

smiled once more.

“No thanks needed. I just gave you the push you needed. There’s so much light in you. You have to share if every once in a while.”

As she started

to walk away,

the snow began

to fall in

heavier, thicker flakes.

I called after her.

“Will I see you again?”

She turned back

and smiled again.

“Just let your light shine. I’ll see it where ever I am.”

She turned again

and walked away

and was soon

lost in the

falling snow. I

stood there, the

pulse still moving

through me. I

was happier than

I had been

in a long

time. I looked

to where her

silhouette was still

walking farther away.

“Shine bright.”

I said.

Doorways and Starlight – A Poem

I woke in

darkness. I got

out of bed

and walked toward

a rectangle of

light that shone

in the distance.

I knew that

if I opened

the door, there

would be brightness

to chase away

the dark. I

opened the door

and stepped through

the doorway. I

found myself in

a place I

used to know.

I had called

it home, though

towards the end,

it did not

fill me with

a feeling of

peace as homes

are supposed to

The walls

of places we

have known retain

voices of the

past, vibrations of

sound lost in

concrete and plaster.

I put my

hand on one

of the walls

and felt the

sadness there, the

turmoil. I took

my hand away

and looked at

my palm. It

was red, as

if it had

been burned. I

ran towards another

doorway and stepped

through it. I

found myself in

another place I

had called home

but it had

just been another

way station. The

walls here looked

as if they

were crying, thick

tears like wax

were seeping out

of the walls.

If the previous

place had held

sound, this one

held emotion. I

had tried to

find myself here

but to no

avail. I had

only found heartache.

I went to

the doorway to

the sun-room and

could see the

sky shining through

the cracks. I

opened the door

and stepped through

it. I was

inside my dark

basement apartment. I

had known despair

here, heartache and

disaster. However, oddly

enough, I had

found myself here,

had realized what

I was truly

capable of inside

these walls. In

the darkest part

of my life,

I had found

myself. I stepped

forward and placed

my hand on

the rough walls.

Instead of emotion

or sound, I

saw myself as

I had been.

I lay in

my bed, the

stories I longed

to tell brought

to life above

me as if

they were dreams

given life. I

could see characters

I had created

living out their

destinies and I

lay there, powerless

to stop the

story from going

forward. I watched

as I found

the strength to

learn to walk

once more, the

will to move

forward, the courage

to continue. It

was here that,

instead of giving

up, as I

had been tempted

to do, I

chose to live

instead. If the

previous places had

held sound and

emotion, this one

housed my strength

until I was

strong enough to

accept it. I could

hear music, a

soft kaleidoscope of

notes coming from

another doorway. I

stepped through it

eager to leave

the darkness behind.

I opened the

door into the

hallway and stepped

through into light.

I was in

my current place,

the first one

that felt like

home instead of

just a place

to exist. However,

the music wasn’t

coming from here.

These walls were

bathed in light,

but the music

came from somewhere

further on. I

felt as if

I was standing

on a precipice

as I stood

front of the doorway

of my apartment.

This place held

light within its

walls. I wondered

what would come

next? I reached

out a hand

and opened the

door. I heard

the kaleidoscope of

music, louder this

time, but could

see only stars.

I stood at

the doorway wondering

what to do,

when I heard

his lovely voice.

“You’re perfect for me. You complete me. I love you.”

The music around

me swelled to

a loud crescendo

and I stepped

through the doorway

and into starlight,

waiting to feel

his arms around

me. As I

fell through the

stars, I marveled

at the fact

that it had

taken finding myself

to find the

other half of

my heart.

We Are Our Passions – A Poem

“How’s your writing going?”

I told him

that I was

half way through

my current novel,

that I had

written a bunch

of poems and

short stories. He

nodded, looking serious.

“I don’t see how you can write so much. You’re always going out.”

He was a

person that lived

in my building,

but he was

also a photographer.

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Well, I have to go to work. It pays the bills.”

He looked smug

for a second

before he said:

“So you’re not a writer.”

“I’m sorry?”

I was confused.

“What do you mean?”

His look of

smugness intensified and

he actually laughed.

“Well, anyone that doesn’t support themselves with their writing is not a writer. It’s merely a hobby.”

I was stunned

at his rudeness.

“Do you support yourself with your photography?”

If possible, he

looked even more

smug. His smile

was like a

streak of oil

across his face.

“I do actually.”

“And how’s that working out for you?”

His smile faltered

a little bit.

“I do well enough.”

He said, but

there was a

bluster to his

statement. I looked

him right in

the eye, not

backing down from

his smug stare.

“Let me make something perfectly clear. Whether or not I support myself with my writing doesn’t make me any less of a writer. The same goes for all artists, musicians and even photographers.”

“Yes, but-“

I cut him

off. I didn’t

want to hear

anything else he

had to say.

“Writing is what I’m most passionate about. It’s how I live, how I breathe, how I survive. That is why I’m a writer, though and through. And you know what? It’s only a matter of time before I am doing what I love for a living.”

I watched him

deflate a little

bit, a stooping

of the shoulders.

I walked away

from him and

went back into

my apartment to

do what I

love most and

with every word

I put down

on paper, I

found more of

myself waiting there

to bleed through

the page.

Miracle Skin Care – A Review of OZ Naturals

Recently, I was sent four new OZ Naturals products free for a review on Amazon.

Well, I wasn’t just going to use it once and write a review. So I gave myself a little under a month to try the four products every day and see if they made any difference in my skin.

I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’ve never had a full skin care regime; usually it’s wash the face and slap on moisturizer and that’s it. Now I have a cleanser, toner, facial mask and moisturizer, as well as serums.

I’ve reviewed the serums before, so here’s the rundown on the rest.

Super Youth Moisturizer

This is hands down the best moisturizer I’ve ever had the pleasure of using.

It goes on light on the skin and doesn’t feel like it’s clogging the pores at all. More than that, it doesn’t leave my face feeling greasy which is one of my absolute pet peeves.

Add to that, my face stays moisturized for the entire day. It’s moisture stays even if I forget to use it one day, my skin is still smooth and brighter.

I absolutely love it!

http://www.amazon.ca/Naturals-Moisturizer-Hyaluronic-Effective-Dramatically/dp/B00L2SWF7K/ref=cm_rdp_product

Amino Herbal Hydration Mask

I’ve used facial masks in the past.

Previously, they’ve always left my skin really dry and red and have not been what I considered to be really cleansing. Usually, I ended up breaking out in pimples or acne after using them.

The OZ Naturals Facial Mask is a completely different experience. I could actually feel the moisturizer sinking in to my skin while it was on. When I washed it off, there were no flaky bits of skin or red patches.

It felt as if I had given myself a mud treatment at a spa. What an absolutely lovely way to treat the body. I loved using this product!

http://www.amazon.ca/Naturals-Facial-Mask-Moisturizing-Hydration/dp/B00L4HJX7O/ref=cm_rdp_product

Ocean Mineral Tonic

I’ve never used a facial toner before.

I wondered at it’s purpose. I did a bit of research before using it. What could a facial toner provide that a mask, moisturizer or serum couldn’t provide?

After reading about it, I realized that a toner is a compliment to moisturizers and serums as it tightens the skin and cleans out the pores. What I loved about the OZ Naturals Facial Toner was that it was so gentle.

Indeed, it felt as if I was giving my skin a cool bath after the cleansing and it was the perfect complement to the serums and moisturizer. It refreshed my skin as opposed to making it feel as if it was just tightening it.

An absolutely lovely compliment to any skin care regime.

http://www.amazon.ca/Naturals-Facial-Toner-Organic-Considered/dp/B00L4EX7XS/ref=cm_rdp_product

Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser

I’ve used Facial cleansers before.

Normally, they only succeed in drying out the skin and leave my face with dry, red patches of skin. Sure, they clean it but they leave my face worse off then before.

Not so with the OZ Naturals Facial Cleanser. Not only is it soft on your skin, but it makes a good amount of lather; less is more with Oz Naturals.

It rinses off easily and leaves your skin practically humming with a clean feeling. It actually cleans your skin without drying it out, leaving it primed and ready for your serums, toner and moisturizer.

Absolutely awesome!

http://www.amazon.ca/OZ-Naturals-Facial-Cleanser-Refreshing/dp/B00KWP3SA2/ref=cm_rdp_product

I really feel as if OZ Naturals has somehow found the fountain of youth. My skin is smoother and more moisturized. What’s more, it’s brighter and seems to glow.

I also love the fact that the products are unscented and not filled with perfumes. So they’re perfect for anyone’s skin care, even if you have sensitive skin.

It may take a little bit more time in the morning, but I’m worth it and so are you. Give it a try and see the miracle for yourself.

When Words Aren’t Necessary – A Poem

There are times

when we don’t

even need to

speak, when words

aren’t necessary. Every

gesture is inductive

of words that

don’t need to

be spoken aloud.

When we’re going

down the stairs,

he gives me

his arm. With

that action, he

tells me silently:

“I’ll support you.”

When I lose

my balance and

he catches me,

he’s really whispering:

“I got you.”

When he holds

my hand in

public while we

walk down the

street, what he’s

really saying is:

“I’m proud to be with you.”

When he reads

something I’ve written

and sees me

inside the words,

what he’s really saying is

“I know you.”

And when he

holds me close,

his heart beating

so close to

mine, what he’s

really saying is:

“I love you.”

Though I don’t

have to tell

him, to utter

what he already

knows, I do.

“I love you, too.”

Love and Light – A Poem

We were in

a dark tunnel.

I knew that

I didn’t want

to be there,

that there was

no light within.

You took my

hand and said:

“Don’t worry. Watch what happens when I do this.”

You paused for

a moment and

then you said:

“I love you.”

A light flared

along the wall

of the tunnel,

showing us where

the exit lay.

We walked on

until the light

began to fade

and I clutched

your hand harder.

“You’re so beautiful.”

You said to

me and the

light flared again,

showing us the

way. We raced

onward until the

light began to

fade once more.

“Don’t be scared.”

You said softly.

“It’ll be okay as long as we’re together. I love you so much.”

The light flared

again and under

it’s blue pulse

I looked at

you, at your

beauty that shone

from the inside

out. I looked

into your eyes,

leaned in close

to kiss you.

“I love you, too.”

The light increased

until it was

nearly blinding, but

we could still

see each other,

could still feel

the light we’d

created inside ourselves.

The light didn’t

dim this time,

but stayed glorious,

changing from a

soft muted blue

allowing us to

see in the

dark into a

light so wonderful,

so pure, it

was like we

had created the

sun. You took

hold of my

hand and led

me out of

the tunnel and

towards the future.

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alexandra Brown – A Book Review

After being jilted at the altar when her husband to be failed to show for the ceremony, Sybil has been in a bit of a downward spiral. She has been messing up at work and is depressed and lonely, sure that her life as she knew it is over.

The only thing that has brought her any kind of joy is her knitting. There’s nothing more satisfying or comforting than the click clack of knitting, of being able to create something from nothing. She’s always been crazy about all kinds of knit craft. It brings her to a happy place when nothing else can.

When Sybil makes a disastrous mistake at work that could cost Sybil her job, she takes off to visit her best friend Cher. She’s just taken on the position of bar maid at the Duck and Puddle in the picturesque postcard town of Tinledale. It’s the perfect place to escape all of her problems.

What she doesn’t expect to find in such a small village is a shop that caters to all of her knitting desires! Except that Hettie’s House of Habberdahsery is in need of a spruce up! It’s run by Hettie who is having her own woes to deal with: she’s facing the possible closure of her beloved store. Customers have dropped off and sales are almost non-existent!

When the two of them meet, Hettie is inspired by Sybil’s wacky Christmas jumper to try something different. With a bit of yarn and some knitting needles, maybe a Christmas miracle is possible…

I am constantly wowed by Alexandra Brown’s books and this one is my favourite of her books to date. It’s a warm hearted novel full of characters you will grow to love as the book progresses. There’s Lawrence, the owner of the B and B, Cher and her boyfriend Sonny who run the pub, Hetie and Sybil and many more. What I love about Alexandra’s characters is that, by the end of the novel, they’re your friends.

Sybil is a winning protagonist who is on a journey of self-discovery and I cheered for her the whole novel through. It was a delight to watch her shed her insecurities and emerge as the woman she was always meant to be.

What I loved most about this book was the depth and heart that it was written with. It never comes across as saccharine and the characters are dealing with real issues and problems that others will recognize. There is no duex ex machina to save the day, but instead the miracle occurs within the characters themselves.

Also a delight is the fact that you don’t have to know anything about knitting to enjoy the novel, but Alexandra somehow makes the act of knitting exciting. So exciting in fact that I’ve pulled out the scarf I started years ago and have resumed knitting it. I feel like I’m taking part in the Knit and Natter at Hetties, so wonderful is the spell that Alexandra weaves with The Great Christmas Knit Off!

With The Great Christmas Knit Off, Alexandra has really out done herself. You instantly feel as if you’re reading a Christmas classic. It’s got everything you could want in a Christmas read: great characters, heartache turned to joy, a miracle or two plus enough knitted jumpers to make even the biggest Christmas grinch happy! It’s an absolute joy from start to finish and I can’t wait to read it again!

Do yourself a favour this Christmas and read The Great Christmas Knit Off! Knit one, pearl two….