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#The New Happiness by Matthew McKay & Jeffrey Wood– 4 stars–#NetGalley

Feb2

The New Happiness.::.jpg 850.jpgA New Insightful Book on Happiness–Coming 3/1/19

 

The New Happiness is a captivating and well-researched nonfiction read. Although this book touches on many religions, it focuses on a psychological approach to spirituality. I agreed with most of what the authors presented in this book, except for when it came to their definition of grace. As a Christian, I had a difficult time getting past the authors’ thoughts on the subject.

The book begins with an exercise, to discover your core values, and life purpose. This I found to be advantageous, since those points, are major players in becoming and staying happy. I thoroughly enjoyed learning new meditations, intentions, and exercises. My favorites from this book were, Still Mind meditation, the two Compassion meditations, and the healing Soften-Soothe-Allow- technique.

Everyone is on their own spiritual path, and this book assists the reader in deepening their spiritual walk, especially through meditation. This is not a book to read through just once, but one to ponder, experience, and then read through again.

Thank you, New Harbinger Publications and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

~4 out of 5 stars~

 

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Confessions Of A Comedian by Kip Addotta

Jul18

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Kip Addotta’s Autobiography–Confessions Of A Comedian–Out Now

 

 

Confessions Of A Comedian is Kip Addotta’s autobiography; from his humble beginnings in Illinois to his successful status as a t.v. celebrity.  Although Kip’s childhood made for a captivating read, it’s sad. It’s a miracle that he didn’t end up as a gangster. His grandmother, although, she had strong connections to the mob, made sure that Kip was brought up right. 

It’s always fascinating to find out what makes people tick. Kip Addotta bravely lays bare for all to see his life story; his successes as well as his failures. Confessions Of A Comedian is a story worth reading.

Thank you, Kip Addotta and Beacon Publishing Group, for my complimentary copy of this book.  

~3.5 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

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#Trafficked by Sophie Hayes–Review-4 stars

Jun10

Trafficked...850.jpgA Disturbing and Unforgettable Memoir 

 

Trafficked is a disturbing memoir about a young, educated woman who was tricked into a life of prostitution. 

Sophie was brought up in an abusive home. Although, her mother was a loving parent, her father was a tyrant. His emotional and verbal abuse in the home was a constant. Sophie’s issues were mostly with men. It took years to trust Kas, even though, she considered him her best friend. When she finally agreed to join him in Italy for a week, he was ecstatic. So was Sophie. It was in Italy, however, where her relationship with Kas changed forever. Kas had become someone, Sophie didn’t even recognize. He was controlling, cruel, and violent. She was told in no uncertain terms that she’d be working the streets for him. Prostitution was to be her life now.

This book is emotionally raw and disturbing to read, but the message is clear. The need to raise awareness about human trafficking is paramount. Sophie was from a British middle-class home. She was educated, worked, had her own apartment and yet, unbeknownst to her; she was being groomed for a life of prostitution. Kas was her confidant and friend. She had shared information about her life and family with him. She later discovered that the intimate details that she revealed about herself were used to manipulate and control her. She thought Kas loved her. He didn’t. 

Although the book could have been written with less repetition, the story itself is unforgettable.

~4 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

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Bio (from author’s page on Amazon)

Sophie Hayes was in her early twenties when she was forced into prostitution in Italy. Following her horrifying ordeal, Sophie is rebuilding her life in London. She is working with the charity STOP THE TRAFFIK and the William Wilberforce Trust to raise awareness of trafficking and to help other women life herself. To date she has worked with Cherie Blair, the Metropolitan Police and the UN.The Sophie Hayes Foundation was set up and inspired by Sophie in January 2012. Since Sophie’s return to the UK she has been relentless in her work in order to make a difference and change perceptions. The mission of the Sophie Hayes Foundation is to raise awareness about, and support survivors of, human trafficking and modern day slavery.For more information please visit:www.sophiehayesfoundation.orgwww.facebook.com/SophieHayesFoundationwww.twitter.com/SophieHayesFndn

 

Practice Makes Purpose by C. Paul Schroeder–Review-5 stars

Apr12

life on purpose 850.jpgCheck out C. Paul Schroeder’s Newest Release, Practice Makes Purpose!

 

Practice Makes Purpose is a well-written, thought-provoking and insightful read. In this book, Paul Schroeder takes time-tested spiritual truths, and demonstrates, for the reader, practical ways to follow them. This is a book about loving, giving and living a more joyful and peaceful life. It’s a book that will challenge the reader to examine their heart. Although the book is easy to read, following the principles in it, takes determination.

Doesn’t living with more love, forgiveness, compassion, and peace, sound heavenly? Yes, of course, it does. Will following the practices outlined in this book be worth the effort? Absolutely! 

Thank you, Paul Schroeder, for my complimentary copy of Practice Makes Purpose.

~5 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

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Bio (from Author’s page on Amazon)

C. Paul Schroeder (M.Div.) is a social entrepreneur, author, and spiritual teacher who has spent over 20 years working at the intersection of spirituality and social change. He served for more than a decade as a Greek Orthodox priest. After a divorce and a period of personal and spiritual crisis, he left the priesthood and founded New City Initiative, a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to helping people who experience poverty and homelessness achieve their full human potential. During the seven years he directed New City, he and his coworkers trained individuals, nonprofits, and businesses to use the Six Spiritual Practices. He is the author of Practice Makes PURPOSE: Six Spiritual Practices That Will Change Your Life and Transform Your Community, and the translator of St. Basil the Great: On Social Justice. He currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find him online at http://www.sixpractices.com.

 

Check Out Today’s New Book Releases!

Mar27

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Released Today

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon–5 stars
The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel–5 stars
I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman–4 stars
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton–4.5 stars
The Other Mother by Carol Goodman–4 stars

 

In Case You Missed My Reviews on These Fab Books, Here Are The Links:

 

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon—5 stars
https://write-escape.com/2018/03/09/i-was-anastasia-by-ariel-lawhon-review-5-stars

The Room On Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel—5 stars
https://write-escape.com/2018/03/18/the-room-on-rue-amelie-by-kristin-harmel-review-5-shining-stars

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman—4.5 stars
https://write-escape.com/2018/03/14/i-have-lost-my-way-by-gayle-forman-review-4-5-stars

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton—4.5 stars
https://write-escape.com/2018/03/12/the-sun-does-shine-by-anthony-ray-hinton-review-4-5-stars

The Other Mother by Carol Goodman—4 stars
https://write-escape.com/2018/03/19/the-other-mother-by-carol-goodman-review-4-stars

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton–#Review–4.5 stars

Mar12

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Don’t Miss This Unforgettable Memoir–The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton–Coming 3/27/18!

The Sun Does Shine is an unforgettable, haunting story of a terrible injustice that was done to a black man from Alabama, Ray Hinton. In 1985 Anthony Ray Hinton was convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sentenced to die by execution. Ray spent nearly thirty years on death row before the state of Alabama admitted that they had made a mistake, and set him free. Although evidence and a polygraph test had proven Ray to be innocent of the crime, that he was accused of, he sat on death row for thirty years, anyway.

This memoir is heartbreaking and brought me to tears several times. When Ray Hinton decided to stop hating the people who put him on death row, his life and those around him began to change. Ray adopted his inmates as his new family and brought inspiration, laughter, and faith to everyone on his cell block. Even the guards couldn’t help but like Ray Hinton.

Although this story was difficult to read because of the terrible injustice, done to an innocent man, it’s a powerful novel; moving and unforgettable. This story will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.

~4.5 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover

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Bio (from Author’s page on Amazon)
Anthony Ray Hinton is a Community Educator for the Equal Justice Initiative, and was falsely accused of committing two murders outside of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1985. He was wrongly convicted and spent nearly 30 years on Alabama’s death row before he was exonerated and freed in April 2015. A deeply compelling speaker, he has become a powerful advocate against the death penalty and speaks nationally about the urgent need for criminal justice reform.