Tag Archives: book reviews

Book Review: “Bliss Remembered” by Frank Deford

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“I think that when you’re falling in love you see everything brighter and clearer.  Everything is more vivid.  That’s what love does to the whole world around you.”  -Bliss Remembered, Frank Deford

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“Bliss, Remembered is the saga of Sydney Stringfellow’s life from 1934, when she was a lonely 16-year-old innocent growing up in the Depression in a small town on The Eastern Shore of Maryland, until 1942, when war with Germany has begun and she finds herself personally caught up in it in a way she could never have imagined.” (excerpt from Frank Deford’s website.)

If you’re looking for a great book to start off the year, here’s your next check-out or download!  I recently finished this gem of a novel that incorporates history, love, mystery and a whopping twist at the end to keep you turning the pages.

As Sydney reaches the end of her long, eventful life, she chooses to tell her son, Teddy, the secret of her trip to Berlin to swim in the Olympics.  Almost by accident, she discovers the incredible talent she possesses for swimming as a sixteen year old girl mourning the death of her beloved father. As she follows her bliss, she finds herself crossing the ocean and wrapped-up in a whirlwind romance with a handsome German. This is a turbulent time in world history, and the implications of this love affair shape the rest of her life…as well as history.

I know you will love this book as much as I did.  It’s a perfect book to while away a long January afternoon.  Don’t forget your blanket and tea!

“A natural.  Is there anything better anybody can tell you but that you’re a natural?  I don’t think so.”   -Sydney Stringfellow, Bliss Remembered

It’s Finally Here! Amy Powers’ Inspired Ideas: The Christmas Issue

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I am so excited to announce that the Christmas issue of Amy Powers’ Inspired Ideas has finally been published!  If you’ve never had a chance to experience her beautiful, inspiring online publication, it’s time to head on over to her website to take a peek!  Once you start looking at this issue, as well as back issues, you will become enamored and will want to read them all! This publication is a unique mixture of craft ideas and tutorials with a vintage feel that is strong on whimsy.   Christmas is right around the corner, and I know you will be heading to the craft store right away so you can whip-up an adorable vintage mesh stocking (just like the one you got as a kid!), some shiny tin ornaments for your tree or perhaps a miniature deer mount as a gift for the friend who has it all!  All of the directions, along with fantastic pictures, are provided to make it a piece-of-cake to create something delightful to get into the holiday spirit!

I was thrilled to contribute to this issue by reviewing some heart-warming holiday reads.  Furthermore, I served as the editor of this issue, and was able to lend a scrutinizing eye for typos and other small nit-picky details that perhaps only someone with an English degree would even bother to notice!

To experience some unique craft ideas and be introduced to some adorable new products — and of course, read my inspiring book reviews — hurry over and take a look! If you read (or have read) any of the book titles that I recommend in my article, I sincerely hope that you will stop back and leave me a comment with your thoughts.  It’s so much fun to talk books!

Happy Holidays, happy crafting, and happy reading!

My Adorable Distraction

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“My little dog, a heartbeat at my feet.”  – Edith Wharton

Meet Arlo.  So, I’ve been a little distracted from my creative pursuits, and this is the reason.  It’s all his fault!

As a result, reading books, writing book reviews, dreaming up creative book club ideas (and waiting for publishers to contact me about writing articles and book reviews for their publications) have been at the back of my mind.  Right now I’m a tad sleep-deprived, but covered with wet puppy kisses.  Bliss!

It’s Finally Here! Amy Powers’ Inspired Ideas: The Spring Issue

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“Spring has returned.  The earth is like a child that knows poems.”                          – Rainer Maria Rilke

I am so excited to announce that the spring issue of Amy Powers’ Inspired Ideas has finally been published!  If you’ve never had a chance to experience her beautiful, inspiring online publication, it’s time to head on over to her website to take a peek!  Once you start looking at this issue, as well as back issues, you will become enamored and will want to read them all! This publication is a unique mixture of handicraft ideas and tutorials with a vintage feel that is strong on whimsy. This latest issue is quite possibly her best yet!  Easter is right around the corner, and I know you will be heading to the craft store right away so you can whip-up an adorable Easter bow tie, some springy pencils or a whimsical little bird to tuck into an Easter basket. All of the directions, along with fantastic pictures, are provided to make it a piece-of-cake to create something delightful to usher in spring!

So why am I so excited to share this issue with you?  Well, I was lucky enough to meet Amy at The Creative Connection (by Jo Packham) last fall, and she was kind enough to ask me to contribute some book reviews for this issue.  I had so much fun writing the reviews, as well as editing many of the articles (a great way to use my English degree!) Amy is a class-act and one talented designer and artist!  I am honored to be a part of this issue.

To experience some inspiring springtime craft ideas, as well as introductions to some adorable new products — and of course, read my inspiring book reviews — hurry over and take a look! If you read (or have read) any of the book titles that I recommend in my article, I sincerely hope that you will stop back and leave me a comment with your thoughts.  It’s so much fun to talk books!

Happy spring, happy crafting, and happy reading!