Sandra Healing Steiner's Blog, page 89
September 29, 2014
A Fighting Chance by Annalisa Nicole
Troianne by Crystal Miles Gauthier
September 28, 2014
September 27, 2014
Just be yourself…
Just be yourself….sounds easy, but can be rather tricky! Many of us struggle on a daily basis to love ourselves, and it is this struggle that leads us to be drawn into the negatives in life which can cause a depressive episode. I believe if we focus on maintaining positive motivators around us, and take time to motivate and encourage ourselves in whatever way we need, we will be successful.
Take a look at those around you. How many times does the “negative nelly” get a “second” chance? Does their relationship to you give them the right to bring you down or discourage you time and again? Relationships are complicated and we are taught from a young age that family is very important. We allow individuals to be negative, to bully, and to take advantage of our good nature. I’m here to say we don’t have to.
My advice is to take note of those people and circumstances that seem to bring you down each time. Begin to distance yourself and remove them them from your life. I am not saying that we need to publicly shame them, harass them or act in any negative way. Just distance yourself. Its ok not to answer the phone, thats why there is voicemail Its ok to unfriend them on social media, or click the “unfollow” button so that you don’t see the dismal dramatic posts.
Over the years I have inspired many people, but I have also had to distance myself from many both family and friends. I have learned to watch my moods, to note the highs and lows, and adjust my surroundings accordingly. Its not easy, and sometimes I feel like I have given up to easy, but my experience is that if someone does not want to be inspired they won’t be. I cannot force someone to be happy, but I do have that control over myself.
What makes me happy? My kids, my husband and pups are the top of the list. The outdoors, reading and writing are important. The ocean and a good laugh can turn my day around. How about you?
Believe it or not every situation has positives. It may take some time to see them, but they will be there. I believe if you focus on the positives, you will be successful. If you focus on the negatives you will not reach your potential. Try it you will be surprised! Look around yourself, see the smiling people instead of the grouchy ones, see the challenges in the job rather than the grouchy co-worker. I wake up every morning trying to remember I am alive, I have so much to be grateful for. Rather than waking and focussing on my loss and health.
Everyone has their challenges, including me. What I choose to remember is that if I want something bad enough I have to remain positive and optimistic about it in order to reach the goal. Optimism can be difficult for us when we are truly down. But it is really important to remember each day is a new day. Just because yesterday went the way it did, does not mean that today will. Make a plan, know what makes you smile, and DO IT. You are in control of yourself, your future and your optimism will be contagious.
Share your smile. Enjoy the moment. What harm will come from listening to someone? I love hearing people’s stories, simply because I want to be the inspiration that helps them attain their dreams and along the way I know I will also make mine come true. There is a fine line that says if the person you are listening to is continually bringing you down, it is time to move on. Just remember, we cannot fix something that does not want to be fixed.
My links:
www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
@healing_love
Cherish the Past-Spring Island Trilogy Book One
http://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Past-Sp...
Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two
September 25, 2014
September 24, 2014
September 22, 2014
Cherish the Past -US Review of Books
Cherish The Past: Spring Island Trilogy Book One
by Sandra Steiner
Trafford Publishing
reviewed by Carol Davala
“Can you understand how listening to someone else can crush your dreams?”
In this first book from Sandra Steiner’s Spring Island Trilogy, we follow the life’s journey of fictional character Angie, a young woman who married her high school sweetheart with the hopes of a happily ever after ending. Early on, readers will realize this as a problematic relationship. In husband Alex, Steiner presents a man who drinks, has a temper, and handles conflict by walking out the door. As Angie deals with marriage, motherhood, and founded suspicions that arise as a result of Alex’s pattern of revolving door behavior, she soon realizes “… there were no guarantees in life.” Here, divorce seems imminent and intuition tells her to be prepared. While not a mystery in the traditional sense, perceptive readers will undoubtedly pick up on the clues placed within the narrative to connect with the revelation of Alex’s ultimate betrayal.
Thematically this is a story about love, loss, and newfound hope, More importantly the focus is on self-discovery. A self-help course proves just the ticket for Angie’s venture beyond the confines of her situation. Struggles with single parenthood, sudden tragedy, deceptive relationships, and uncovered family secrets understandably leave her cautious about the future. But it is here the author makes creative use of a charming, island setting, that clearly evolves into a character, in and of itself. As a symbolic separation from her past, here Angie finds comfort and solace. It is a place where she will rekindle family ties, open her heart, and start anew.
At less than 150 pages, this is a quick read. Yet even within this smaller framework, Steiner conveys a positive character who recognizes the strengths she’s gained from her past. The island undoubtedly represents hope and possibilities. The author is clearly invested in this story. As the back cover bio indicates, with Steiner’s own loss of a teenage daughter, perhaps the note is suggestive of a deeper connection to Angie and her own tragic sufferings. Above all, this is an inspiring little book, with great rewards.
http://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Cherish-Steiner.html#.VCEFbWK9KK0
My links:
www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
@healing_love
Cherish the Past-Spring Island Trilogy Book One
http://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Past-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00LCRF28U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408341839&sr=8-2&keywords=Sandra+Steiner
Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Today-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00MIHIICK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1408341897&sr=8-1
Live for Today -US Review of Books
Live For Today: Spring Island Trilogy Book Two
by Sandra Steiner
Trafford Publishing
reviewed by Carol Davala
“Don’t try to change history. Just move on and enjoy your lives. Live for today.”
In the second book of Sandra Steiner’s Spring Island Trilogy, we meet the central character Lily, a young woman who seems a lost soul. Throughout most of her life, Lily has been plagued by disturbing dreams and unable to remember the early years of her childhood. Now settled in the quaint island town of Seaside, she lives with her pet terrier Lucy, and owns the local Driftwood Diner. In a resolving effort to put the past behind her, Lily secures a two month caretaking position for a woman dealing with cancer. In Rollingway, the recurring town of her dreams, Lily will piece together her fragmented memories. With both literal and figurative newfound “Joy” (Steiner’s well-chosen name for Lily’s long lost sibling), readers will share in the uncovering of long hidden family secrets. Here the author infuses a fluid storyline with connections of love, family discord, adoption, kidnapping, and eventually self-discovery.
Steiner makes good use of classic mystery elements, as journals, diaries, hidden safes, and secret rooms prove useful in Lily’s unraveling of her familial history. Though the island takes on a less prominent role here, compared to Book One, it still provides an ideal respite, particularly for Olivia, the recovering cancer patient and serves as a place for family to reunite. Like the soothing cups of tea savored throughout the storyline, both offer solace and a moment for characters and readers to ponder new clues and information. There seems a minor overlapping timeframe between Books One and Two in this trilogy. Though ultimately as the plot plays out, the non-sequential order of events is resolved.
From her earlier book Cherish The Past, to this second installment, Steiner artfully blends a narrative that encompasses events of both the past and present. If these two works are any indication, the final segment of this trio should have readers looking forward to another engaging character journey, that moves towards a positive and rewarding future.
http://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Live-Steiner.html#.VCEEmmK9KK0
My links:
www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
@healing_love
Cherish the Past-Spring Island Trilogy Book One
http://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Past-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00LCRF28U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408341839&sr=8-2&keywords=Sandra+Steiner
Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Today-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00MIHIICK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1408341897&sr=8-1
September 19, 2014
Author to Author
Being a published author is new to me. Being a positive person who encourages respect for each other is part of who I have been for years.
Social media plays a huge part in the sale of books and promotion of authors. It can be used in a positive way, or it can destroy what has been built. A few ideas for you all.
1. Read your fellow authors work, and give them positive feedback.
2. If you can, post a review on amazon, goodreads and facebook.
3. Share links and help promote each other’s work.
4. Comment or like status’ positively of fellow authors when you can.
5. Do not share links that are self destructive to the industry, like pirating sites.
6. Private message concerns to each other rather than posting on your timeline and stirring up negativity.
7. Encourage each other. It’s amazing what a smile can do.
8. Post good news! There is way yo much bad news already.
9. Inform privately if you see other authors work or names being negatively promoted.
Think about what you say, before you say it, or write it. Judging others leads to so much drama, just let karma take care of it. Often false accusations lead to more drama than is necessary.
I have had authors post comments for me and it makes my day! A simple thank you, a smile, or a bit of gratitude go a long ways. Take a moment and give back, we are all headed in the same direction.
My links:
www.facebook.com/steinerwrite
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.21
www.facebook.com/sandrasteiner.22
@healing_love
Cherish the Past-Spring Island Trilogy Book One
http://www.amazon.com/Cherish-Past-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00LCRF28U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408341839&sr=8-2&keywords=Sandra+Steiner
Live for Today-Spring Island Trilogy Book Two
http://www.amazon.com/Live-Today-Spring-Island-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00MIHIICK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1408341897&sr=8-1
