Tag Archives: book reviews

Review of “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay

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It’s hard to fathom a book selling over 50 million copies and being on the New York Times Best Seller list twice, the first time for 14 weeks and achieving that honor again 22 years later. Books that hang around like that obviously contain something that resonates. This is truly a landmark book. I suspect it may have been one of, if not the first self-help book.

I’m amazed that I just discovered it after hearing it mentioned on a podcast. Much of its content was familiar since I’ve read various other books on the subject of how our emotions affect our health. The first one I read was “Feelings Buried Alive Never Die” by Karol Kuhn Truman. Now I’m sure it was derived from Louise Hay’s book.

If you’re not 100% happy with your life and you’re not already one of the 50+ million who has read this book, I urge you to do so. It can truly be life-changing. Even being familiar with the principles, it never hurts to have a refresher of such important information.

Think about feelings for a moment. They’re called that because you literally feel them. Considering your body’s physiology, they are caused by chemicals emitted when you’re experiencing a certain emotion. While some feelings are positive, like love and joy, others aren’t–hate, anger, anxiety, fear, frustration. These negative emotions emit chemicals that are toxic and tend to target and weaken certain organs with dis-ease.

Needless to say, nutrition is important and can cause problems as well. Changing our established eating habits and patterns isn’t easy and neither is letting go of old baggage and changing your thoughts. However, if you’re ready to make some changes, reading this book is a good place to start. Clearly it has helped millions of others.

You can get your copy on Amazon.

Review of “Always Just Beyond” by Inger Margaret Foster

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There’s no better time for a ghost story than October and this sweet paranormal cozy mystery/romance is perfect. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story with its unique plot and engaging characters. I read it in a single sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

Jo and Philip Briton fall in love with this old house on the waterfront in Connecticut because it just feels like home. They walk out to the water to check the wonderful view and both see an apparition, a beautiful young woman gazing out across the sea. Then she vanishes.

They buy the house anyway and a friendly but somewhat odd neighbor gives them clues relative to its history, including who the ghostly woman was. An old steamer truck in the attic contains more information about the house’s history as well as a small book written a century before that includes more of the story.

The twists and turns are great as the story unfolds, one of which gave me goosebumps. Surprises right up to the very end, which then makes so much sense. I loved the characters, all unique and well-developed. By the end of the story I had one question unanswered that would be a spoiler to include. Perhaps it could be covered by a possible sequel, which would be great.

I’m sure at some point I will reread this touching story, knowing all its little secrets. I loved it and highly recommend it as a wonderful break into another dimension that is closer than we think. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author. I connected with the story even more since some of my ancestors lived in that very part of the country. It was interesting to learn more of the history of the area as well as the mention of familiar places.

You can pick up a copy on Amazon here.

Review of “The Resurrection Project” by Tanya Sparks Belvin

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[NOTE:–I tried to post the following review to Amazon and it was rejected. I’m not entirely sure why, but I suspect the first paragraph was verboten, which figures, right? I edited it down significantly and they posted it, but here are my original comments.]

This story stands out as a chilling cautionary tale. While it’s set in 2034, don’t think it’s not already happening. Our reverence for life is seriously compromised as demonstrated by the ongoing abortion issue. At what point does human life begin? Conception? Or with that first breath at birth? What about those laws that have legitimized infanticide? Promote euthanasia? Where is society headed? We are being dehumanized, starting with the most vulnerable members.

It’s difficult to write a review of this story without spoilers. If you’re really paying attention through the first few chapters, it’s possible to figure out what’s going on as people disappear. The story slowly and methodically reveals the horrific truth through the viewpoints of the three main characters.

The premise reminds me of medical thrillers I read years ago by Robin Cook. Suspense author Mary Higgins Clark was another one who worked with such themes. This book lacked that kind of nail-biting suspense. It was written in a very journalistic style that failed to render emotional reactions in the reader. At least that was the case for me. I could tell where it was going, especially after the blatant revelation provided by the android, Daisy, in the middle of the story. If you haven’t figured it out by then, there it is.

This thought-provoking book deserves a lot of attention for its potential to wake people up, if nothing else. Being directed at Christians is somewhat ironic since they aren’t the ones who need to be jolted awake to the evils in the world around them. It would definitely be in the “medical thriller” category if the emotional impact and suspense were ramped up a bit.

Actually, if written to its full emotional potential, this book would be in the horror genre. Since this is the author’s debut novel, I assume she has not yet acquired the writing skills to render an emotional reaction in her readers. (This is normal except for incredibly gifted writers. I didn’t figure it out until around the time I was writing my 6th novel.) This is not a criticism since in this case, it’s a good thing. As it’s written, more people will choose to read it and make it through the book. Rest assured that it does have what can be considered a happy ending, plus incentive to read the sequel.

For what it’s worth, if a book makes me cry and laugh, I’m more impressed. There are a lot of good premises and stories out there that fall short on their emotional impact, which is the element that tends to hook readers and convince me the author knows how to write.

On the editorial side, I think the scriptural quotes were a bit overdone. Not that I don’t agree with them and I understand the underlying Christian message. However, I don’t think their inclusion will convert anyone to Christianity, while conversely, such excessive use could feel “preachy” and be a turnoff for the very people who need to read it. The fellow Christians I’ve been around usually don’t quote the book, chapter and verse, just the content.

The book is beautifully formatted and the cover is great. The editing is well-done regarding misspellings, grammar, typos, etc. Only one thing jumped out that her editor missed: Near the bottom of page 249 of the paperback it says, “There’s no way I’m not going to let that happen.”

Huh?

The way I read it, the double negative conflicted with the statement’s intent. There were a few other things but I may be the only person in a thousand who would notice, so I won’t even mention them all, but if I’d been a beta reader I definitely would have. I guess the biggest one I wondered about as a science fiction author is that I suspect by the year 2034 we won’t be using much paper, but who knows?

I gave this book 4-stars. For a debut novel, she did a pretty good job. It’s worth a read for its very important message of where we might be heading. Heaven help us if it turns out to be prophetic.

You can get a copy on Amazon here.

Cosmic Wisdom–Literally!

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Review of “The Great Awakening: Our prophesized Transformation and the Attainment of Embodied Enlightenment” compiled by Mike Dooley.

This fascinating book comprises six messages received from cosmic sources. These were channeled by individuals who have published similar information in the past, i.e. Darryl Anka, Lyssa Royal Holt, Matt Kahn, Salvatore Rachelle, Sara Landon, and Daniel Scranton.

Not your typical book.

If you’re familiar with Mike Dooley and his “Thoughts become things: Choose the good ones” mantra, then this is what is best described as the “graduate level” course. If you’re new to the concept of manifesting your desires, then this is likely to be over your head. So much so, it will read like fantasy.

One of my favorites comes from the section channeled by Sara Landon: “Reality moves through you, and as you raise your consciousness and vibration your destiny comes to you. That which is in your highest good, that which is your highest purpose, that which is your highest potential, and that which is your highest joy will present itself to  you, because you are no longer imposing an experience of separation on your reality.”

While I’ve read similar material before, this one stood out for its timeliness as the world is clearly undergoing change. How to maintain stability when there appears to be nothing but dissention and chaos is a theme many struggle with.

What struck me in a new way was the concept of different dimensions. We determine which one we’re in by our own thoughts and actions. In spite of appearances, we do not all live in the same world. Think about that for a moment and its implications.

One observation I made years ago was that no matter how bad things appeared to be on this planet, some people were thriving. Some were exploiting the chaos in a despicable way, while others were simply living their life and doing well.

Like they say, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” In other words, we attract other people into our lives through our thoughts and actions. This applies to our circumstances, too. In effect, we can be living in a different vibrational frequency than those who have not yet figured out why they are on this planet and what they’re intended to learn and achieve.

Heavy stuff, indeed.

And to clarify, not to be found in your typical organized religion.

You can be “religious” without being spiritual. In astrology, religion resides in the 9th house along with other belief systems, including politics. Somehow, that doesn’t bring spirituality to mind, which lies in the 12th house along with enlightenment, dreams, and visions. A few negative things hang out there as well like hidden enemies, self-defeating behaviors, and delusions. As with every other part of life, opposing possibilities that yield to free will are everywhere.

What amazed me the most as I read, however, was the similarity between diverse belief systems that reflect the messages in this book. Whether New Age, quantum theory, or indigenous practices, there is significant overlap.

Coincidence?

Not likely.

There is no such thing as coincidence, especially when it relates to spirit.

Where are you on the path to enlightenment? It’s no longer confined to Buddhist monks, you know. This planet is changing and you can either keep pace or be lost in the chaos. If this is something new, I suggest you start with something simple, like Dooley,’s “A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe: Uncommon Ideas for Living an Unusually Happy Life.”

That will give you a foundation to build upon. Otherwise it could be like stepping into a graduate level physics class without having the math background to follow the theory.  (Been there, done that.)

Expect me to be comparing those belief systems soon from New Age to what indigenous people have believed for millennia on the blog associated with Dead-Horse-Canyon.com.

Til then, Namaste.

More Action and Laughs in Twinkle, Texas Await!

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Review of The Pact (Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas  Cozy Mystery Series, Book 4)

by Dawn Greenfield Ireland

If you’re looking for a book to chill out with when everything else about this insane planet is just too much, I highly recommend this latest book in the Katz’s Cat Twinkle Texas Cozy Mystery Series. It doesn’t take long to get hooked on these charming characters and feel as if you live in the little town of Twinkle.

Actually, I live outside a town that’s even smaller than Twinkle, one that is so small that it doesn’t even have a traffic light, so I can relate to this small fictitious setting away from everything other than the full range of human behavior. As a pet lover, of course I enjoy the animals and their special talents, which include not only intelligence, but the ability to communicate using technology.

The series is now on book 4 where the folks in Twinkle, Texas are at it again. I love how the author has developed this setting with its own common expressions, such as referring to the grocery store as “the foo” since the sign is broken, and various other touches that make it seem real and that you’re a part of it. In this episode,  Mrs. Potts’ boarding house burns down! Thus, Jimmy, Brian, Mrs. Potts, and of course, Maddie and Guppy, move in with Betty in the mansion. Of necessity, the folks who know about the animals’ special talents expands, especially as various threats manifest.

There are a few pretty serious parts as well as plenty of good information about having a plan to secure your property in case of a catastrophe. Other useful information includes the steps in building a house from the ground up and a few other things to think about, such as how much stuff you own and what a chore it would be to replace it.

There were plenty of scenes where I laughed out loud, some of the characters’ names alone worth a good chuckle. Turns out Guppy is showing some psychic abilities, which are likely to be developed further in future escapades. As with most series, it’s advisable to start with the first book since characters and situations from previous stories tend to show up. It’s easy to feel as if you’re a resident of this tiny Texas town as the host of characters come to life and interact, leaving you wondering what will happen next and longing for the next book in the series!

You can pick up a copy on Amazon here and read more about the author on a previous blog here.

Dawn Greenfield Ireland

Texmexzona: Book 2 of The Last Dog story by Dawn Greenfield Ireland

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While this book works as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the award-winning first book, “The Last Dog,” to gain the full context of this wonderful story. It’s a lot more meaningful when you understand what the characters have been through as well as the details related to its 2087 setting. You can find my review of “The Last Dog” here. Consider that was written in 2018 and how much has transpired since.

Texmexzona is a geographical area that comprises, as the name implies, Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, and Arizona. This is supposedly a “no man’s land” as far as what’s left of the U.S. is concerned, but in reality where people fled from the compromised United States since it was taken over by the World Guild.

Sound eerily familiar?

There are so many elements of this story that parallel what the U.S. is experiencing today it’s actually kind of creepy. There’s a strong prophetic ring of possibility to it, though the story’s focus in on the characters, which include numerous humans as well as their “dog children.” Due to the fact that fertility has been seriously compromised, families cherish their pets at the same level as if they were biological children.

The plot is further enhanced by the fact that the main character, Bill Maxwell, invented “the dot” that gives animals the cognizance of humans as well as the ability to speak. In addition, there are robotic dogs with similar intelligence traits as well as enhanced abilities bordering on superpowers.

However, the Dot, originally for people to manage their finances and keep track of things like medical records, has been hijacked by the government that uses it in nefarious ways. In other words, privacy, freedom of speech, and thought are gone and enforced by the Tranquility Force.

Hmmmm. Where have we heard that before?

Anyway, if you’re an animal lover, especially a dog person, you’ll love the dogs, who are fully integrated into the story with a multitude of diverse personalities.

This book is the perfect sequel to an amazing story that began in the first book. It answers various questions left unanswered and brings “the rest of the story” forward to a satisfying conclusion.

Dawn Greenfield Ireland is a gifted storyteller with an incredible imagination that she shares with her readers through strong writing skills. You truly feel as if you know the characters and miss them when you finish the story. Highly recommended along with her other books/series. You can find more about her and her multitude of books on her website. If you’re a writer looking for services like editing or formatting, she does that, too.

You can pick up a copy of Texmexzona on Amazon here.

Are you Listening?

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Fate is a web we are forever creating

If there’s one thing most of us need it’s an occasional sign that we’re heading in the right direction. One thing indigenous people have that most others don’t is a deep connection with nature, which talks to them on a regular basis.

Yes, I’m talking about spirit animals and receiving messages from them.

This morning when I went outside to feed my feral cats this beautiful spider web caught my eye. The fact it was on my deck furniture was slightly less than enchanting, but the perfection of the spider’s handiwork got my attention, especially the way it glistened in the rising sun.

In many cases, if you’re paying attention, you can figure out such a message yourself by considering the animal and its characteristics. At other times, it might be more subtle. In that case, you need a reference of some description to help you figure out what the world is trying to tell you.

Fortunately, I have such a reference, the book “Animal Messengers: An A – Z Guide to Signs and Omens in the Natural World.”

Here’s an excerpt from what it says about spiders: “The spider symbolizes infinite possibilities. With its eight legs it is anchored in every direction, and it weaves together the powers of the elements and their expression into a unified whole. The spider weaves webs of fate, in which we can get caught, and it encourages us to keep searching for new possibilities and explore the endless steps of our journey of learning. If your attention is drawn to a spider it wants to remind you that you are constantly building new webs with your own thoughts, feelings, actions, and visions that contain tasks you must solve and subjects you must deal with.”

As is always the case with such an encounter, this had a very personal meaning to me.

If you’re not listening to what nature is telling you, you’re missing out. If you need a little help discerning what an animal is trying to say, I highly recommend this book by Regula Meyer. Note that it does not contain exotic animals you might see in a zoo, but concentrates on those you’re likely to see in the wild including mammals, birds, invertebrates, and insects, for a total of 145 different animals. It was originally written in German, so some birds common to the United States such as cardinals are not included, either, but overall it’s very insightful.

You can pick up a copy on Amazon using this affiliate link.

Review of Nancy Red Star’s “Star Ancestors: Extraterrestrial Contact in the Native American Tradition”

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This book is a masterful work of art in addition to containing a collection of personal experiences from members of several different tribes. These include Navajo, Mi’kmaq, Abenaki, Seneca, Cherokee, Tarahumara, Maya, Olmec, Yaqui, Creek, and Choctaw.

Though testimonials about UFO encounters are included, the majority of the book is on a more spiritual level, dealing with other types of connections with the Star People. These include the importance of ceremony, previous lost civilizations from millennia ago, high technology in the distant past, the origin of indigenous people, and prophecies of the future, which is upon us now.

The book has been around a while, the original copyright in 2000, then renewed in 2012. In today’s world that’s a long time and many things prophesied that may not yet have occurred by either of those dates have by now.

I think my favorite section was “We Wander This World with a Purpose” by Mali Keating. She spoke of the Hopi, where they came from, and their numerous prophecies. Here’s an excerpt of one section that explained so much about our modern world.

“The Anasazi were a people left over from the migration. The people were told they must never stop and build cities, but of course some did…. Cities make people crazy, as we all know. People become greedy and lose the ability to work together.”

Here’s another, that may not have been as apparent when this book was first released as it is now:

“The Hopi said that they would know that the end is coming when roads crisscrossed this continent like the web of a spider–those are the vapor trails of airplanes. You can see vapor trails like the webs of spiders in the sky.”

Actually, roads on which we drive crisscross the continent, too. Those trails in the sky,  however, are not vapor trails, they are called chemtrails. Vapor trails are condensation from normal airplanes whereas chemtrails are chemicals such as barium and aluminum being deliberately sprayed in the atmosphere to supposedly combat climate change. This, like so much else out there today, is a lie. If anything, they are causing the climate to go crazy by facilitating weather manipulation.

There are numerous photos of indigenous art and the layout of the book itself is genius, between Nancy Red Star’s commentaries before each entry to her free verse poetry at the conclusion. Reading these stories is not just informative, it’s an experience of another realm beyond what meets the eyes.

A realm that Native Americans and all indigenous people understand.

May we all learn from their ancient wisdom before it’s too late.

5-stars, Highly Recommended

Available from Amazon and InnerTraditions

Review of “The Overstory” by Richard Powers

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This book won a Pulitzer Prize and I can understand why. It was a massive work of over 600 pages that literally took me months to read. The research is amazing and so is the theme. Most themes involve man versus something: man vs. man; man vs. himself; man vs. nature, etc. In this case it’s man siding with nature and trying to save the environment from exploitation.

I heard years ago that a moral dilemma always makes a gripping story. If nothing else, they’re thought provoking. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? Is there really a difference? Or are both wrong in some way?

This story features a handful of unique individuals from diverse backgrounds whose experiences drive them to try and save the trees. Not just any trees, but primarily those massive giants like the redwoods which have stood their ground longer than civilization itself. Science has learned that trees, even those in the typical forest, communicate with each other. Some of us talk to our plants. I have five live oaks in my yard that I named. I had a bald cypress when I lived in Houston that I also named. I wrote a science fiction story about a telepathic walking plant, so I guess I fall out on the side of the people in the book. Of course their protests were directed toward big lumber companies and the like. To date, I have not gone that far.

Another character in the book was an individual who’d become crippled when he fell from a tree. His response was to become an IT guru creating gaming software that ultimately covered the earth, kind of like the old game SimCity on steroids. In other words, creating worlds while ignoring the one they live in.

The dilemma lies in the question how can our supposed civilization expand and prosper without exploiting the environment? Indigenous people are the only ones who “get it.” They understand that they’re an integral part of nature and honor it, giving thanks for those things they need to survive. Their attitude is more like being partners with the Earth as opposed to its conquerors.

More irony lies in the concept of using “renewable” resources. A tree that is a thousand years old is not exactly “renewable,” at least in our lifetime. They are no more “renewable” than fossil fuel and actually provide far more benefits, such as cleansing the air and providing oxygen. Have you ever seen one of these giants, or even a mighty oak, and wondered what it might say if it could talk?

This book is worth reading as it takes you into a world you have most likely never seen before. Sometimes it gets off in that realm where your unconscious probably understands it while your conscious mind doesn’t. It would have been helpful to me if the author had included a dramatis personae, since there were so many characters. There were only about three I could keep straight, while the other ones tended to blend together, especially the way the author skipped around. The ending almost felt as if Powers simply quit without really tying it all together. Yet that was probably deliberate to let each reader draw their own conclusions. I suppose I should issue a spoiler alert when I state the conclusion wasn’t in the “happily ever after” category. Frankly, if I were the story’s editor, there’s quite a bit I would have cut out.

All that aside, it’s an amazing work that will allow you to see the world around you through different eyes. You’ll probably appreciate nature a lot more, maybe even start talking to your plants. But it’s unlikely you’ll have any answers, either.

You can pick up your copy on Amazon from this affiliate link.

5-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite for “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon: Cheyenne Spirits”

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Authors are always sensitive to both praise and criticism. When I received an email this morning from Readers’ Favorite I braced myselft. I realize that it’s next to impossible for EVERYONE to like your book. Everyone doesn’t even like the Bible, for heaven sake (pun intended.) But when you give it your all, then someone rips it to shreds, its pretty devastating.

To use a Texas term, this is not my first book rodeo. I look back at some of my earlier work and cringe. But this is published novel number six and I like to think at this point I know what I’m doing.

This review validated that for me and felt really, really good. It made me cry. Here is what it said:

Reviewed By Susan Sewell for Readers’ Favorite

Conspiracy and murder have taken place in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the chilling thriller, The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon (Cheyenne Spirits) by Marcha Fox and Pete Risingsun. Both of them dying at the scene of a car wreck, Sara Reynolds watches her husband Bryan go into the light just before returning to her body. Before he moves into the light, Bryan requests that Sara expose those who murdered him. However, when Sara awakens in the hospital, she has no memories relating to the day their pickup plummeted down the side of the mountain. As her health improves, the feeling that the wreck wasn’t an accident persists. When she is once again the victim of another near-fatal accident, Sara realizes someone wants her dead. Why is Sara being targeted? Had Bryan’s computer hacking skills unearthed a deadly secret that someone thinks Sara knows?

Brimming with drama and suspense, The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon (Cheyenne Spirits) by Marcha Fox and Pete Risingsun is the first book in an exciting new series. Opening with a heart-rending scene, the story captured my interest from the outset. Infused with a sense of danger, the intricate plot and dramatic storyline create a breathtaking and intense story. Containing a fascinating combination of Cheyenne and Dine spiritual practices seasoned with astrology, the novel is educational as well as entertaining. The Cheyenne fasting vigil, spirit animals, and the medicine wheel combined with astrology readings are intriguing aspects of the story that are genuine and authentic. It is an exceptional novel complete with conspiracy, intrigue, and murder that will enthrall everyone who has an affinity for suspenseful thrillers with just a smidgen of the paranormal.

This review was especially sweet because a few months ago I paid big money for a Kirkus Review. It sucked. It was apparent from the poorly written choppy paragraph that the person had not even read the book. It was slapped together like a 7th grade book report written at midnight the night before it was due. I would bet dollars to donuts that this supposed “professional reviewer” was some down and out semi-literate individual trying to make a few bucks with no sense of honor or integrity. Furthermore, Kirkus PROTECTS these people by allowing them to be anonymous, PLUS you cannot complain–they make you sign a release upon submitting your work. They pile a boatload of requirements on you while not maintaining professional standards themselves.

I complained, nonetheless, and wrote them a scathing letter to which, as expected, they did not respond.

Authors, please take note: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON A KIRKUS REVIEW! If you are an indie author who is relatively unknown, they will throw your book to some unqualified cretin who probably won’t even read it, much less give it an honest assessment. They are just another one of those fraudulent services preying on indie authors. I am not the only one who has had this experience with them. Besides putting a huge hole in your wallet (which would be better spent on classes or promotion), they do NOT give you a fair shake.

Please spread the word. It’s too bad we can’t find all their victims and go after them with a class action suit, except we’re too busy writing. Attention, those of you who write murder mysteries! Try this for a premise: Author goes psycho over bad review and tries to find, then stalk the anonymous reviewer.

Revenge is sweet, n’est-ce pas?

I was not only insulted, but upset for all the reasons stated above. Some little demon in the back of my head kept telling me that the book was no good. Now I’ve been vindicated and it feels mighty good.

Take that, Kirkus! May your dirty deeds be exposed along with all the other corrupt, blood-sucking services targeting me and my kind!