Inglath Cooper's Blog, page 4
June 5, 2015
Having an Attitude of Gratitude
We have it so good.
We do, we really do.
On any given day it’s easy enough to find something to complain about. As human beings, it comes awfully easy to us. We don’t like it when things don’t go our way. When our seat gets bumped on the airplane, and we end up in the back right next to the bathroom door. When the electric bill slides into our email and shows an increase of 25% since last month’s bill. When it snows and our vacation gets delayed. When we have to sit in the waiting room at the doctor’s office for an extra hour because they’ve had a couple of emergencies.
Complaining comes naturally, and we’re all guilty of it. We like our conveniences, we like our comforts. We like our lives free of interruptions and unexpected curveballs.
I think about my grandparents and how utterly different their lives were from mine.
My Grandma Holland grew up in a family with ten children during the Great Depression years. Her mother died after childbirth when she was 13 years old, and I remember vividly the stories she used to tell me about all the things her papa did to make ends meet and put food on the table, how she and her sisters helped to raise the younger children and the infant baby born right before her mother’s death.
I remember my Grandma Johnson telling me about the schoolhouse a mile or two away from where she lived. She and her brothers and sisters would walk there every day and did so until the seventh grade, after which there was no more schooling available to them. After that, she began working, taking care of her aging parents and getting married when she was sixteen years old.
After she’d had four children of her own, she worked at the cafeteria in the local hospital. One night when she had worked late, her car had a flat tire on the way home. It had been snowing for a while and was very cold outside. The tires had chains on them to increase the traction on the snow and help the car not to slide off the road. Alone on that country road, with nothing so convenient as a cellphone for dialing 911 or calling a tow truck, she removed the chain from the tire, hauled the spare out of the trunk, jacked the car up and changed the tire herself.
My grandmother has always been a strong woman, but I would wilt at the prospect of doing what she did that night.
My Grandpa Johnson left her and four young children at home when he was called to serve in Germany during World War II. No Skype then, no phones for a quick call to say ‘I’m okay’.
For prolonged periods of time my Grandma didn’t know whether he was alive or not. He was captured by the Germans and held as a prisoner of war until the war ended. He watched one of his buddies wolf down so many of the donuts brought to them by the Red Cross upon their release, that he died because his body was used to eating almost nothing.
I’m thankful that my grandparents told me these things about their lives. I know for a fact that it has shaped my thinking about thankfulness, appreciation and gratitude for what I have and for the things I haven’t had to do in my own life.
Everyone has difficulties. There’s no such thing as a free ride in this life. That’s a given, but in comparison, well, there is no comparison to this point in my life or my children’s.
And so I think I’m obligated to pass down my grandparent’s stories about their lives and what they lived through. I think it makes me obligated to live my life with an attitude of gratitude. Working on that.
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Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
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May 21, 2015
Indy Book Fairy
Check out Indy Book Fairy’s post on Blue Wide Sky!
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Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
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May 17, 2015
Love Story: Blue Wide Sky
What is a love story?
As a reader, I would describe this kind of book as a story that features the relationship of two main characters who recognize in each other something they have long been looking for. Maybe they don’t know it until they meet. Maybe their life circumstances make their being together seem impossible. But in the other, they find a missing piece of their life puzzle.
A Love Story: Blue Wide Sky
How does a love story differ from romance novels?
A love story doesn’t always guarantee the tied up with a bow happy ending.
As a reader, I want a satisfying ending. But I know real life won’t always give us that. And so I find that in the books I read and the books I write, I want to give the reader an experience that reflects real life but still lets them believe that sometimes people are meant to find each other.
That’s the case for Gabby and Sam in Blue Wide Sky, two soul mates who met early in life and lost each other. When they meet again twenty-five years down the road, they both realize it may be too late for them.
Here’s what readers on Amazon.com have said about Blue Wide Sky.
Amazing Love Story! – “I have read several of Inglath Cooper’s books, and so far this is my favorite! It is what I call a feel good book. Romance has been my favorite type of book for about 45 years, and I have to say this one rates as one of my favorites! THANK you Inglath Cooper!” – RUFUS, amazon.com Reviewer
“Great read. This book had me hooked from the beginning. I have to say have the tissues ready. Also get ready to start this book and never put it down. Then be mad because you will have to wait for the next one.” – LX – amazon.com Reviewer
5 Emotionally Riveting Stars – “Holy Wow! Public service announcement: Before sitting o read this book be sure to have time to read it from front to back. And make sure to have a box of tissues. I laughed, cried and was mad. This is an amazing story with amazing characters. A must read. Can’t wait to read more of the series.” - Kindle Customer
“There are few novels that take you back to times in your life, where you made or someone else made decisions that effected your life that you remembered forever. Occasionally they even bit you in the posterior to the point you admitted that you had really screwed up. They stick with you and sometimes you have a chance to apologize for what good it will or won’t do. This author has written an exquisite book where you wish there was a grading system that went above what you have before you. I highly recommend this work, 5 Stars in my system are simply not enough. Kudo’s Ms. Cooper.” – amazon.com Reviewer
“Loved this book. It had everything. Romance, excitement, humor, choices, great characters to love, beautiful scenery, and a perfect ending.” – amazon.com Reviewer
“This was an incredible story! It was full of love, hope, compassion and faith in soul mates! I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed all the characters!” – Gabriella Garza, amazon.com reviewer
“This beautiful book was a heartwarming story of first love and second chances. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. You’ll feel so many emotions reading this story. I can’t wait until the next book.” – Cheryl W., amazon.com reviewer
“This book is so different than any other romance book. I finished it in one sitting. The interactions between the characters was so heartwarming. I would recommend this book to everone” – Pat E., amazon.com reviewer
“A good book series for anyone who loves a good love story!”
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“A love story – Blue Wide Sky – A Smith Mountain Lake Novel.”
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Never tried one of my books? If you like love stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
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I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
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May 15, 2015
Dragonfly Summer: Coming Soon!
Here’s an excerpt from my upcoming release in the Smith Mountain Lake series! Thank you so much to everyone who read Blue Wide Sky!
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Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
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I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
The post Dragonfly Summer: Coming Soon! appeared first on .
The Best Romance Novels Make You Feel Something
Blue Wide Sky: because the best romance novels make you feel something.
Read an excerpt from Blue Wide Sky. Here are some reviews from Amazon.com readers!
5 Stars! They stick with you and sometimes you have a chance to apologize for what good it will or won’t doBy Nanakulikaneon May 15, 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThere are few novels that take you back to times in your life, where you made or someone else made decisions that effected your life that you remembered forever. Occasionally they even bit you in the posterior to the point you admitted that you had really screwed up. They stick with you and sometimes you have a chance to apologize for what good it will or won’t do. This author has written an exquisite book where you wish there was a grading system that went above what you have before you. I highly recommend this work, 5 Stars in my system are simply not enough. Kudo’s Ms. Cooper._______________________________________________5 Stars AwesomeBy Kindle Customer on May 15, 2015Format: Kindle Edition Verified PurchaseLoved this book. It had everything. Romance, excitement, humor, choices, great characters to love, beautiful scenery, and a perfect ending._________________________________________________5 Fabulous!ByGabriela Garza on May 14, 2015Format: Kindle Edition Verified PurchaseThis was an incredible story! It was full of love, hope, compassion and faith in soul mates! I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed all the characters!*************
Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
**
I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
The post The Best Romance Novels Make You Feel Something appeared first on .
Do the Best Romance Novels Make You Feel Something?
An excerpt from Blue Wide Sky. Here are some reader comments!
5 Stars! They stick with you and sometimes you have a chance to apologize for what good it will or won’t do
By Nanakulikaneon May 15, 2015
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
There are few novels that take you back to times in your life, where you made or someone else made decisions that effected your life that you remembered forever. Occasionally they even bit you in the posterior to the point you admitted that you had really screwed up. They stick with you and sometimes you have a chance to apologize for what good it will or won’t do. This author has written an exquisite book where you wish there was a grading system that went above what you have before you. I highly recommend this work, 5 Stars in my system are simply not enough. Kudo’s Ms. Cooper.
_______________________________________________
5 Stars Awesome
By Kindle Customer on May 15, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Loved this book. It had everything. Romance, excitement, humor, choices, great characters to love, beautiful scenery, and a perfect ending.
_________________________________________________
5 Fabulous!
ByGabriela Garza on May 14, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This was an incredible story! It was full of love, hope, compassion and faith in soul mates! I laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed all the characters!
*************
Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
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Subscribe to Inglath Cooper’s mailing list
**
I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
The post Do the Best Romance Novels Make You Feel Something? appeared first on .
April 19, 2015
Audible and Audio Books for Your iPhone
You know how reading a great book can make you feel like you’ve snuck in a little something extra for yourself in the middle of an otherwise hectic day, hectic week?
Finding the time to sit down with a book on a regular day in this phase of my life isn’t something that often happens, short of vacations. Can’t read a book while I’m driving, running or grocery shopping. But I can listen to someone read the book to me. That’s where Audible comes in.
A while back I discovered Audible and started downloading books onto my iPhone which I always have with me. I began listening in the car on the way to pick up my girls from school or on runs, on bike rides, the elliptical, and yes, while grocery shopping.
The first was Kathryn Stockett’s The Help which I started on a drive to Nashville to do some writing and demos. The story was so riveting, the voices of the characters so real that I kept headphones around my neck for most of the trip just so I could snatch any free minute to sneak in a listen.
After that, I was hooked to the whole Audible experience, and pretty soon, I found I was back to devouring books the way I used to be able to, before children, before my life took on its present responsibility level.
And the great thing about it is it feels the same to me. That story fix. That wonderful feeling of getting to know characters and not being able to wait to find out what they’re going to do next or what their fate will be. At first, it was almost like getting away with something. I’m not supposed to have time to read. I have too many other things to do. But actually, I do have time. Nooks and crannies time – which add up to make me what I’ve always been: an avid reader.
This past week I listened to 5 audiobooks from Audible, all non-fiction, all taken in during time I would otherwise be bored, driving, grocery shopping, cleaning the kitchen in the mornings, juicing. It’s amazing how much you can learn just by developing an audiobook habit, downloading them to your phone and listening throughout your day.
Here’s what I listened to this week:
Born to Win: The Ultimate Solution by Zig Ziglar
The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur by Mike Michalowicz
The Dip
by Seth Godin
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
Do you like listening to audiobooks?
*************
Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
**
I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
The post Audible and Audio Books for Your iPhone appeared first on .
Audible and Audiobooks on iPhone
You know how reading a great book can make you feel like you’ve snuck in a little something extra for yourself in the middle of an otherwise hectic day, hectic week?
Finding the time to sit down with a book on a regular day in this phase of my life isn’t something that often happens, short of vacations. Can’t read a book while I’m driving, running or grocery shopping. But I can listen to someone read the book to me.
A while back I discovered audible.com and started downloading books onto my iPhone which I always have with me. I began listening in the car on the way to pick up my girls from school or on runs, on bike rides, the elliptical, and yes, while grocery shopping.
The first was Kathryn Stockett’s The Help which I started on a drive to Nashville to do some writing and demos. The story was so riveting, the voices of the characters so real that I kept headphones around my neck for most of the trip just so I could snatch any free minute to sneak in a listen.
After that, I was hooked to the whole audio experience, and pretty soon, I found I was back to devouring books the way I used to be able to, before children, before my life took on its present responsibility level.
And the great thing about it is it feels the same to me. That story fix. That wonderful feeling of getting to know characters and not being able to wait to find out what they’re going to do next or what their fate will be. At first, it was almost like getting away with something. I’m not supposed to have time to read. I have too many other things to do. But actually, I do have time. Nooks and crannies time – which add up to make me what I’ve always been: an avid reader.
This past week I listened to 5 audiobooks, all non-fiction, all taken in during time I would otherwise be bored, driving, grocery shopping, cleaning the kitchen in the mornings, juicing. It’s amazing how much you can learn just by developing an audiobook habit, downloading them to your phone and listening throughout your day.
Here’s what I listened to this week:
Born to Win: The Ultimate Solution by Zig Ziglar
The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur by Mike Michalowicz
The Dip by Seth Godin
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
Do you like listening to audiobooks?
*************
Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
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I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
Kindness: Where Have All the Good Guys Gone?
Maybe it’s just been a bad stretch. But, honestly, have you noticed how many news stories there are about people who just aren’t very nice?
Take this week, for example. I’m sure you’ve seen the video clip of ESPN reporter Britt McHenry laying into a towing company employee responsible for releasing her vehicle back to her. Who among us hasn’t had an experience like this that we did not enjoy? Being pulled over for speeding. Or getting a parking ticket we didn’t think we deserved. We’ve all been there in some version of this, and had our tempers challenged.
But. How do you let yourself demean another human being doing her job? What satisfaction is there to be gained by hurling soul-damaging insults at another person?
“Maybe if I was missing some teeth they would hire me, huh?”
That’s just mean. Downright. Mean.
What about kindness and the Golden Rule?
“One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.”
We all learned that in pre-school and kindergarten. And Luke 6:31:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
And also this week. The Texas veterinarian who posted a picture of a cat she shot through the head with a bow and arrow. Her post on Facebook: ”My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it’s head! Vet of the year award … Gladly accepted.”
Even if the cat had been feral – some are claiming it wasn’t, and was actually a lost cat whose owners had been looking for him – how is this something to publicly brag about?
I will never understand how anyone can take pleasure in the hurt, suffering or misery of another living being.
Is there more of this kind of thing today than ever? Or do we simply have the means to witness it more often because of social media and the fact that security cameras are everywhere?
It would be nice to think that is the reason, that our world isn’t actually being taken over by mean people.
Some days, it’s hard to know.
*************
Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
**
I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
The post Kindness: Where Have All the Good Guys Gone? appeared first on .
Where Have All the Good Guys Gone?
Maybe it’s just been a bad stretch. But, honestly, have you noticed how many news stories there are about people who just aren’t very nice?
Take this week, for example. I’m sure you’ve seen the video clip of ESPN reporter Britt McHenry laying into a towing company employee responsible for releasing her vehicle back to her. Who among us hasn’t had an experience like this that we did not enjoy? Being pulled over for speeding. Or getting a parking ticket we didn’t think we deserved. We’ve all been there in some version of this, and had our tempers challenged.
But. How do you let yourself demean another human being doing her job? What satisfaction is there to be gained by hurling soul-damaging insults at another person?
“Maybe if I was missing some teeth they would hire me, huh?”
That’s just mean. Downright. Mean.
What about the Golden Rule?
“One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.”
We all learned that in pre-school and kindergarten. And Luke 6:31:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
And also this week. The Texas veterinarian who posted a picture of a cat she shot through the head with a bow and arrow. Her post on Facebook: ”My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it’s head! Vet of the year award … Gladly accepted.”
Even if the cat had been feral – some are claiming it wasn’t, and was actually a lost cat whose owners had been looking for him – how is this something to publicly brag about?
I will never understand how anyone can take pleasure in the hurt, suffering or misery of another living being.
Is there more of this kind of thing today than ever? Or do we simply have the means to witness it more often because of social media and the fact that security cameras are everywhere?
It would be nice to think that is the reason, that our world isn’t actually being taken over by mean people.
Some days, it’s hard to know.
*************
Never tried one of my books? If you like stories that take you away for a bit, feature characters looking to live fulfilled lives with love and dogs and relationships that matter, I’d love to give you a FREE copy of Good Guys Love Dogs! Please just click here.
// ]]>
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Subscribe to Inglath Cooper’s mailing list
**
I sometimes include affiliate links in my posts if it is appropriate. I only include those links for products I truly love and am excited about sharing with my readers.
