There are times when encouragement and inspiration can come in the simplest forms and have the greatest impact.
EVERY DAY A HOPE by Marci M. Matthews is a small book of inspiration and encouragement. Illustrated by the author, there are charming drawings throughout the book to empower readers. There are also pages where the reader is encouraged to respond to creative questions.
The author takes difficult emotional issues and asks readers to search their own feelings and sentiments related to them. The author draws readers in to help them find confidence and purpose pertaining to certain troubles.
With space for one’s own thoughts, feelings and hope, EVERY DAY A HOPE becomes an interaction-type book or journal of sorts.
The delightful illustrations enhance the book and add another layer for readers to explore.
This enchanting book can be read very quickly, but provides thought and motivation that will stay with the reader for quite some time. Aimed at survivors, this book can be beneficial to all audiences.
Every Day A Hope by Marci M. Matthews, Off to See Pub, @2015, ISBN: 978-0990821816, Paperback, 132 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you have a favorite inspiration book you’d like to tell us about? Do you find that writing in a journal helps when you’re troubled?
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Pets make a huge difference in our lives. For that reason, it’s a pleasure to welcome author Paul Magrs to Thoughts today to highlight his heartwarming book, THE STORY OF FESTER CAT.
This is a book that will have you laughing and crying. It’s about Fester, the extraordinary little cat whose gentle charm and trusting soul turned two young men into a family. In the vein of the huge New York Times bestseller A Streetcat Named Bob and Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, THE STORY OF FESTER CAT is a charming read in time for the holiday season.
From when he first ambled into Paul’s yard—skin and bones, covered in flea bites, and missing most of his teeth—Fester knew that he found his family. And so over the course of seven years, the feisty feline turned the Manchester house into a loving home. Through sheer force of will and spirit, Fester taught Paul and Jeremy how to listen, appreciate the joys of simply sitting and most importantly, how to find joy and contentment in life, especially when dealing with hardship.
THE STORY OF FESTER CAT is an inspirational memoir that reminds us that true family is created by those we choose, or in Paul and Jeremy’s case, those who choose us. Fester stole the hearts of many through Paul’s chronicle of adventures on his blog and Facebook, and his death on March 30, 2013 touched many fans. Now readers can read a firsthand account (from Fester himself!) of his mission to help Paul and Jeremy.
Paul is sharing an excerpt from the chapter titled ‘Tree’ in THE STORY OF FESTER CAT.
I peered cautiously at the next branch down. It seemed a very long way away. I loosened the grip of one paw and extended it, airily, downwards. Swipe. Swipe. Nope, it wouldn’t reach. I was going to have to jump to the next branch and just make sure I didn’t miss.
But I think I’ll stay here a few moments and gather my concentration and all my energy.
Oh. It’s spitting on to rain. And the wind is picking up. Great.
Ungow!
At least that daft Korky and Aunty Bessy aren’t here to see my ignoble failure. Oh, why did I go climbing?
When I was younger this kind of height and these sorts of jumps wouldn’t have bothered me. They’d be nothing. But it’s like something has slipped and changed. It isn’t that I’ve lost my nerve exactly. I’ve just got to be more careful with myself. I’m skinnier, less fit. This outdoor life has taken its toll.
There’s a noise then and I jerk my head round, making the branch sway violently. It’s the crack of a wooden back door, springing open.
It’s Paul. In a dressing gown, with wet hair and that foam on his face still. He’s hurrying down the steps, across the patio, and down the scrubby grass of their lawn.
What does he think he’s going to do? Climb up after me?
I can’t have this. I can’t have anyone watching me while I’m paralysed with fear. I have to stop being scared. I have to take proper action.
I paw the air again, sweeping my claws about, looking for something I can jump onto.
“It’s okay,” the human shouts from the ground. “Don’t panic! I’ll . . . er . . . Um.”
He’s got his mobile phone out, and I wonder if he’s going to phone the fire brigade. That happens, doesn’t it? I’ve seen that happening before. Old ladies call out the firemen when their cats get stuck up trees. In the past, me and my pals have gathered round at a safe distance, laughing our backs off at these kinds of dramas. Well, maybe this is karma. He isn’t phoning anyone. He’s taking a picture of me! Trapped up the bloomin’ tree! What does he want a picture for?
I grip on, furious. And it’s the mocking laughter of the squirrels that makes me take decisive action. I can’t hang about like this all day.
I lift up my front paws and leap out onto the air.
Ungow!
It’s a wonderfully free feeling for a moment. I’m flying like those squirrels seem to think they can, when they go leaping from branch to branch. Yeah, well, Fester Cat can do it too, squirrels. Even at the age of twelve.
It’s a miracle. I make it to the next branch down. I grip hard on to it and give an involuntary cry: “Ungow!” It sounds more like panic than triumph.
Paul takes a step closer. “Fester!”
And at that moment I don’t even wonder how he has guessed my name.
The next branch down is closer. It’s more substantial too. And it’s only a couple of feet higher than the back fence. I can do it. I’ve almost done it. The wind is crashing about more boisterously now, and I realise that I don’t have time to dither up here.
Paul is standing on top of their compost heap. “Jump, Fester!”
So I jump.
One more branch. An awkward twist. A little shriek from me. And a magnificent wriggle in midair. I lash out with my claws and seize hold of the fence at the bottom of the garden. Got it!
And I’m over. I launch myself along the fence, and away. I’m diving into the anonymity of the garden of the burned house beyond. I’m fleeing into that wilderness. I dash away, full of excitement and shame at the same time. My heart is thudding crazily like it hasn’t in a long time and what I really need to do is go and lie under a patch of leggy rhubarb I’ve been hiding out in recently. I’ll shelter from the hardening rain under its cool leaves and I’ll get my composure back.
But I did it! I survived!
And I proved that I’ve still got it!
It was nice of that fella to come out to see I was okay. Even if he was no use really.
**Reprinted from The Story of Fester Cat by Paul Magrs by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, Copyright © 2014 by Paul Magrs.
Now a bit about Paul.
Paul Magrs (with a silent 'g' and pronounced 'Mars'), a British writer, writes fiction for adults, YAs and children in a variety of genres. He writes the Brenda and Effie Mystery series, a comic Gothic mystery adventures set in the town of Whitby on the North Eastern coast of England. In addition, he writes the Iris Wildthyme series and the tie-in Doctor Who audio adventures.
For more on Paul and his writing, visit his blog and connect with him on Twitter.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope this excerpt has enticed you to check out this touching story of Fester.
SIDENOTE: A special thanks to the men and women of the armed forces who have served and are serving to keep us safe. HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY! Thank you for all you do!
*This post contains affiliate links.
The effects of war can be devastating for generations with the aftermath touching lives in ways never imagined.
Author S.R. Wilscher deals with these issues in his novel, THE COLLECTION OF HENG SOUK. The story deals with three families whose lives were touched and guided by the Vietnam War and the consequences the next generation had to deal with.
The author begins with two separate stories pulling them together for dramatic revelations that leads to a third connection. The story weaves both and forth in a smooth flow between the present and the past and back again.
Following the death of her father, Sun takes a package to her father’s estranged brother, Heng Souk. She discovers he is a frail, old man with his own demons. She learns he was an interrogator at The Citadel, a notorious Vietnamese prison. He still had a notebook written by one of the American POWs.
Meanwhile, Thomas Allen learns upon his father’s death that the man he had loved was not his biological father. His real father had gone to Vietnam and never returned. Needing answers, Allen’s search leads him to Sun and her uncle.
The prisoner writing the journal, Ephraim Luther, knew Allen’s father and was with him The Citadel. Through the journal and Sun’s help, Allen comes to know more about his father. After locating Luther, Allen learns his father’s fate.
This is an emotional story of lives altered by the war and its aftermath. The author addresses the choices made by many as part of their duty during the war.
THE COLLECTION OF HENG SOUK is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It deals with understanding and forgiveness. The author has created characters that are realistic and well-developed. Their sorrows and joys stay with you long after the story ends.
The Collection of Heng Souk by S.R. Wilscher, @2013, ASIN: B00CMFU3X0, Kindle, 423 KB, 244 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you’re having a relaxing day and enjoying a good book. What are you reading today?
*This post contains affiliate links.
I’m delighted to be participating author Seth Adam Smith’s virtual blog book tour for his recent release, MARRIAGE ISN’T FOR YOU: It’s For the One You Love.
As part of the tour I want to tell you a bit about the author and share my thoughts on this charming book.
Thanks to the lovely Michelle and the great folks at Shadow Mountain, they’re giving away five copies of MARRIAGE ISN’T FOR YOU. Please see the end of the post for details.
You may have already heard about this book or at least the blog post written by Seth Adam Smith that reached 30 million people. Here’s a bit more information about him.
SETH
ADAM SMITH was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Since 2004, he has produced
videos and articles for businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth
groups, artists, and political causes.
He is the editor-in-chief of ForwardWalking.com. He and his wife, Kim, live in Florida.
For more on Seth and his writing, visit his website and connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.
When you read the title of this book, you might think it’s all about why a person shouldn’t get married. In fact, it’s quite the opposite explaining reasons why a person should marry.
This charming book came to be through a conservation the author, Seth Adam Smith, had with his father when he was having doubts about whether or not to marry. He was concerned whether or not he was making the right decision and if his future bride was the right person for him.
The author’s father informed him that he was being selfish and explained that "Marriage isn't for you." He went on to clarify that marriage is for the one you love, it’s about making them happy and your future family.
From that conversation, the author began to re-examine his relationship and what he wanted out of it. He realized he was making the right decision and now for the right reasons. With that advice, Seth posted his thoughts online and they went viral.
Seth’s thoughts on the poignant advice, combined with beautiful color images, have transformed into a lovely hardcover book. The book is filled with delightful quotes and words of insight. The 48-page book is the perfect gift for anyone who hopes to be in love one day, someone just wanting to make their relationship stronger, a couple newly engaged, or someone celebrating an anniversary.
This inspirational book will have you pondering your own feelings and exploring your thoughts on want it really means to share your love. What isn’t for you can make you happy.
Marriage Isn’t For You: It’s For The One You Love by Seth Adam Smith, Shadow Mountain, @2014, ISBN: 978-1609079024, Hardback, 48 Pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
This giveaway is for five copies of MARRIAGE ISN’T FOR YOU. The giveaway will be open until May 30th. To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load, please be patient.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. What is the best advice you’ve ever received about love and/or marriage?
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
It’s always a please to participating in author Jessica Bell’s virtual blog tours. This time around it’s extra special because the author is also helping an amazing charity. Here’s Jessica to tell you more.
The day I realized I’d been obsessing over my sales figures way too much was the day I closed my eyes and tried to think about the real reason I am an indie author.
Is my primary goal to make money? No. So why do I keep obsessing over my sales stats? I realized it’s because more sales means more people reading my work. What I really, really want is to be read. I want to share the one thing in this world I would cut my fingers off for. I know. If I didn’t have any fingers, I wouldn’t be able to physically write, but you know what I mean.
My passion for writing comes with a perpetual replacement button, attached to my side seam, just in case it becomes unraveled, and falls off, after a day gallivanting through the publishing jungle. It can be tough in there, but in the end, being an indie author is OH SO WORTH IT.
This made me wonder … what’s everybody else’s story?
Then INDIESTRUCTIBLE was born.
Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish, or sign that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea? INDIESTRUCTIBLE: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of 29 indie authors—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you make the leap into indie publishing.
This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of the indie tradition of experienced authors paying forward what they’ve learned, giving you information to help you on your journey. The personal essays in this book will leave you itching to get your work into the hands of readers and experience, first-hand, all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.
Not only is this anthology packed full of interesting, unique, and genuinely helpful information, and totally worth the 99c (only 99c!!!), 100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.
Pretty amazing, huh?
What are you waiting for?
Buy INDIESTRUCTIBLE — support the indie author and an amazing charity — TODAY!
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE
eBook: $0.99 USD
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
ISBN 10: 0987593102
ISBN 13: 9780987593108
Language: English
Edited & Compiled: by Jessica Bell
Contributing authors:
Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn
About Jessica Bell:
The Australian-native contemporary fiction author, poet, and singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.
She is the co-publishing editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the director of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca.
Connect with Jessica online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter
Thanks Jessica for joining us today and telling us about this amazing book and charity.
