Mailbox Monday - Aug 27

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Happy Monday! My baby started high school today. Yikes! Where did the time go. It was a full weekend of back to school activities at Wilbraham & Monson Academy. We feel so blessed to be able to give her this opportunity. On Thursday, the Lil' Diva returns to our local high school for her final year. Gosh, I feel so old right now.

Not a lot of reading going on right now, but a couple of authors sent me their books. 

I look forward to cracking these open soon. 

What did your mailbox look like? Anything you want to share?

Mailbox Monday - Aug 13

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

The Outer Banks has been very much on my mind this week, so the beach mailbox is back. We're already planning next year's vacation. I would actually love to go down in December if we could do it cheaply enough. Since the Lil' Princess will have several weeks off around Christmas, it would be a perfect time for us to get away. Guess we will have to wait and see what the Lil' Diva's work schedule looks like.

Speaking of the Lil' Diva--she turned 17 this weekend. There are days I wish I could turn back time and make her 5 again. She's already looking forward to college next year.

Here is what my mail carrier dropped off to me this week.

I've read the other books in the series and loved them. This will be a new author to me, so I hope I'll enjoy this installment of The Daughters of the Mayflower as well.

This is a poetry collection that I'll be reviewing at The Book Connection next week. 

This is another poetry collection with beautiful artwork. I think I'm reviewing this one in September. 

I'll be in Devens for a strategic planning event today, so I might be late visiting your blogs. I hope you'll share your mailbox with us. Have a blessed week.

Book Review: How to Love the Empty Air by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz

How to Love the Empty Air by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz is a powerful and touching look into grief.

As Aptowicz grabs hold of the success she has worked so hard for, her world is rocked by the sudden death of her mother. In the year that follows, the author battles the overwhelming grief through her writing, sharing these intimate glimpses into her life with readers.

Having lost my mother when I was just a teenager, I was drawn to How to Love the Empty Air. While grief is a very personal thing, there is comfort in the understanding of someone else who has experienced the same tragedy. Apotowicz holds nothing back in this collection. She shares her joys, her sorrows, and her pain in all its rawness. You laugh. You cry. You want to hug her because she feels so close as she stumbles around searching for that new normal that may never feel normal at all. Then she reaches that major milestone--one year after the death of her mother. Not enough time has passed to eliminate the heaviness of the loss, but by the end we can see some joy, a glimmer of happiness and new beginnings.

This is definitely one of my favorite collections. It is the seventh by Aptowicz. I'll be searching out more. If you want deep, meaningful, poetry that tugs at your heartstrings, How to Love the Empty Air is a collection worth reading.

Paperback: 100 pages
Publisher: Write Bloody Publishing (March 20, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1938912802
ISBN-13: 978-1938912801


I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Mailbox Monday - March 19

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Here it is Monday again. I have meetings all morning into the afternoon, so I might be late getting to read your blogs.

Last week I signed up another new buyer and went house hunting with her. I didn't get as much accomplished as I wanted to, but I got through the important stuff.

In my mailbox I found, How to Love the Empty Air  by Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz. I'm reviewing it for her virtual book tour next month.

Vulnerable, beautiful and ultimately life-affirming, Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz’s work reaches new heights in her revelatory seventh collection of poetry. Continuing in her tradition of engaging autobiographical work, How to Love the Empty Air explores what happens when the impossible becomes real―for better and for worse. Aptowicz’s journey to find happiness and home in her ever-shifting world sees her struggling in cities throughout America. When her luck changes―in love and in life―she can’t help but “tell the sun / tell the fields / tell the huge Texas sky…. / tell myself again and again until I believe it.” However, the upward trajectory of this new life is rocked by the sudden death of the poet’s mother. In the year that follows, Aptowicz battles the silencing power of grief with intimate poems burnished by loss and a hard-won humor, capturing the dance that all newly grieving must do between everyday living and the desire “to elope with this grief, / who is not your enemy, / this grief who maybe now is your best friend. / This grief, who is your husband, / the thing you curl into every night, / falling asleep in its arms…” As in her award-winning The Year of No Mistakes, Aptowicz counts her losses and her blessings, knowing how despite it all, life “ripples boundless, like electricity, like joy / like... laughter, irresistible and bright, / an impossible thing to contain.”

HOW TO LOVE THE EMPTY AIR brilliantly illuminates why we read poetry, and why poetry is needed. We read it to see another person’s unique experience, but also to help us clarify our own. And we read it to reassure ourselves that what we experience and feel it part of a larger human drama that we all share. Cristin reminds readers how huge, life-shifting events are totally unique and personal—and yet, they are also universal.

What did your mailbox hold for you last week? I hope you enjoy the days ahead.

Book Review: Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar

Poetry and Ponderings by Diamante Lavendar might just be the most powerful collection you'll ever read. Journaling her way through abuse and eventual healing, Lavendar holds back nothing: pain, anger, hate, sadness, acceptance, revelation, peace, healing...

Meant to encourage and inspire other victims of abuse, this captivating collection of Christian poetry and prose will make you cry, will make you think, and will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. You will want to hold onto this one and read it again.


Paperback: 138 pages
Publisher: Written Dreams Publishing (April 26, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0998167398
ISBN-13: 978-0998167398

Purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BAM, Indiebound

Diamante Lavendar has been in love with reading since she was a child. Diamante believes that everyone should try to leave their own positive mark on the world, and to make it a better place for all. Writing is her way of leaving her mark—one story at a time. She began writing in college and has published poetry in anthologies over the years. Most of her writing is very personal and stems from her own experiences, and those of her family and friends. She writes to encourage hope and possibility to those who read her stories. To learn more about Diamante Lavendar and her books, please visit her website at: www.diamantelavendar.com.

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Mailbox Monday - Aug 28

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

I wouldn't want you to think I am busy or anything, but the last Mailbox Monday I posted was on....July 31! As I mentioned in my recent post, life is hectic around here. I just signed up a new seller and three new buyers. I am also committed to holding open houses every Wednesday at a new subdivision in town and an open house there every other Sunday. If everything works out the way it should, September will bring with it five closings.

School is starting on Wednesday, so we've been doing a bit of back to school shopping. Now that the Lil' Diva is able to drive, I've been trying to give her the chance to do it as much as she can so she'll be ready for Driver's Ed. And get this...she just got her first job! How in the heck is she old enough to be working and driving? Pretty soon we will be touring colleges. Yikes!

The Lil' Princess had her first soccer practice last week and we are hoping she has a wonderful season. She has missed playing and a good season would prepare her for high school next year. She gave up the violin, but might pick up piano. We will see how that goes.

On to book matters....

I've lost track of how many books have arrived since my last Mailbox Monday, but here is what is visible from my desk.

A Simple Wish

Kin Types

Winter Warning

This Book is Full of Monsters

Benji and The 24 Pound Banana Squash

When Will Fall Arrive?

You Know What?

Santa, Please Bring Me a Gnome

What was in your mailbox last week? Hope it was great. Wishing you a blessed week.

Mailbox Monday - June 26

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

If you're here, welcome. As I mentioned last week I merged The Busy Mom's Daily and Cheryl's Christian Book Connection into this blog, which I think will work out much better. Last week was a bit hectic with appointments and end of school year stuff. Dance recital was Saturday and I worked all day Sunday. Someone I still managed to get some cleaning done around here and some farming for real estate.

My mailbox made me happy last week as I received a book from one of my favorite southern fiction authors I ordered and then a book of poetry I am reviewing for a book tour arrived.

Chattahoochee, Florida, a town with a state mental institution on its main drag, seldom slips from its usual relaxed pace. Detached from the tourist havens farther south, everyone here knows everybody else. Senior citizen Elvina Houston, head of the little-ole-lady hotline, keeps her nose wedged in the middle. October typically brings three well-attended festivals and a break from the oppressive summer. But this year, the relentless heat and humidity continue and a parade of horribles cranks up for Jake Witherspoon, his best friend Hattie Davis Lewis, and her older brother Bobby, one that will affect their intertwined families, friends, and the entire town. The incidents Jake perceives as a replay of his horrible assault are every bit as real as the twisted man who inches into Hattie's family. How this group of small town folk handles the clash with hate and crime is a tribute to resiliency, friendship, and hope.

In this rare collection of nonfiction Christian poetry and prose based on real life experiences, Diamante Lavendar, a victim of abuse, shows the reader the raw emotions of pain, hate, and denial that occur before a victim of abuse can find a way to heal from the pains of assault. Knowing herself the very difficult journey of being a victim, Diamante was abused as a child, and turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain. Many years later, she started to heal under God's watchful eyes and was able to find love in her life again. She shares these truly inspiring, religious poems in the hopes that it may help other victims heal their hurts, as she did while writing the poetry collection.

Hope you'll share what was in your mailbox too. Enjoy your week!

Book Spotlight: While There is Still Time by Terrence Dunnum

God always sends messengers to warn his people before a special event. He sent Noah before the flood. He sent angels before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He send John the Baptist before the arrival of Jesus Christ.

In the same way God spoke to Noah and John the Baptist, he has spoken to Terrell Dunnum. Terrell had released the Lord’s messages into a book of poetry that will bring hope and healing to all who read it.

While There is Still Time is filled with poetry that is enjoyable both for its messages and its unique rhythms and rhymes. The poetry in While There is Still Time will touch all people, whether saved or unsaved. The lost will be drawn back to God, the weak in faith will be strengthened, and all readers will find encouragement and inspiration.


Read the Excerpt!


Yearning for You
Like a whistle from a kettle as steam is set free
Is my yearning for you
Like a hand that rocks the cradle
With a soft, gentle touch
Is my yearning for you
My fragrance is sweet, so why don’t you sit, relax
Let it warm your feet
I am warmer than milk and sweeter than honey
With words of love as gentle as a little baby bunny
So come into my presence, my dear, my sweet
I have all the bread and wine and so much more to eat
For I will satisfy your longing no man can fill
With my words full of comfort
I’ll carry you to this great and awesome hill
So be still and know that I am
You are my bride
Prepare yourself

Available from the publisher or in a Kindle edition.



Read the reviews!

"For individuals of faith WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME is a book of hope that tells us exactly what is needed to make sure we are living the life destined for us. Poignant without being preachy, it is a poetic message that will resonate with individuals of all walks of life."

--C.A. Webb, Conversations Book Club

"You will be touched by the message and the thoughtfulness that Mr. Dunnum puts into his work."

--Katherine Boyer

Terrell Dunnum is the founder of Total Freedom Ministries, Inc., an organization that provides mentoring and biblical counseling to youth and families in crisis. He holds a master’s degree in Christian counseling from American Bible College and Seminary. While There is Still Time is Mr. Dunnum’s first poetry book.



At the age of 12 he began to teach Sunday school and help his mother prepare for her missionary license. Terrell’s unique message is one that has inspired, educated, and challenged individuals of all ages in making life changing choices.


At the age of 18, Terrell Dunnum’s mother died from an aneurism and a year later his father died from a coronary heart failure. Finding it difficult to continue with life and questioning God about the traumatic events left Terrell in a confused and depressed state. Terrell graduated from High School and continue through college receiving a bachelors degree in education through the help and encouragement of his older sibling.


Terrell says,” it was not easy, but I had to let go of the past, and learn to trust God in ways that my intellectual mind could not understand.” Through prayer and fasting, Terrell began to witness the miraculous effects of forgiveness and faith. Terrell later received his master’s degree in Christian Counseling from the American Bible College and Seminary.


Terrell Dunnum now encourages others as a motivational speaker. He has a gift to touch the hearts and minds of individuals struggling with identity crisis and relational barriers. He has helped thousands of young men and women find true meaning and purpose in life.

Visit the author online at http://whilethereisstilltime.com/.

My Heart and Soul by Marilyn Randall Giveaway at The Book Connection

Stop by The Book Connection and enter to win a copy of My Heart and Soul by Marilyn Randall.

Here is a blurb from our review:

"This emotion-filled collection includes poetry of courage and hope, of love and joy, and prayers for strength."



Marilyn Randall has always had an artistic ability, which she has used both professionally and personally over her lifetime. She began her professional career as a graphic artist in 1976 when she was hired by Gandee Printing, a printing company in Medford, Oregon. She learned her craft quickly and thoroughly and within two years she became the Graphic Art Director and then the Graphic Production director for Moore Publications in Belleview, Washington after spending a year as a graphic artist for Seattle Menu Specialists in Seattle, Washington. Later she moved to North Idaho where she again became the Art Director for a printing company in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Upon moving back to the Seattle area in 1985, she continued to work for printing companies as both art director and graphic production director until in 1990 when she opened her own graphic design business called Personal Touch Designs by Marilyn.

Her writings reflect her life story as she uses her craft to express her thoughts and feelings about not only her life events, but also about social issues in today’s world. She is a recovering alcoholic with 19+ years of sobriety, which she attributes completely to the success and many achievements she has accomplished. Her children’s books especially reflect a strong morale attitude with positive answers to today’s life situations, which are faced daily by today’s youth.

Marilyn’s latest book is My Heart and Soul, a poetry and prose collection. You can visit her website at www.marilynrandall.com.

This giveaway is open to residents in the United States and Canada. Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM on April 30th.

Click here to read the review and for details on how to enter.

The Depth of My Soul by Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda

The Depth of My Soul is a book of poetry focusing on injustices such as wars, corruption, war crimes, religious fundamentalism, child abuse, other types of abuse, torture, dictatorship, relationship problems etc. When the author wrote this book, he was inspired by the news on CNN and other media. The goal of this book is to share his approach with readers about the problems the world faces.

Balthazar would love to hear from you. You can visit his website at www.ganymedeweb.com.

After reading this synopsis, it seemed interesting that a poet would use CNN and other media as a basis for his work. This is the topic I asked Balthazar to discuss in his guest article today.

Balthazar's Turn:

News as Inspiration
by Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda

News is relevant because it provides me with information to research about different themes, which are the desires of my heart. I watch news everyday on CNN, BBC, TV5 Monde every single day, 365 days a year. When I get news on my fingertips, I keep myself up to date about several events, which are taking place around the world. I use the news as the inspiration because I want to share my approach about these events.

Very often I get inspiration from CNN anchors, such as Christiane Amanpour for her programs about the 3 monotheist religions and the war crimes our politicians ignore because of certain interests. I watch coverage about wars, genocides, religious conflicts, political problems, immigration, dictatorship, xenophobia, financial crisis, natural disasters etc.

It’s not just about being inspired, but the idea of using this inspiration in an effective way to reach out to my readers when I write a book. I must admit that I am not interested in everything I hear on the news. I choose themes that are an inspiration to me. Besides watching the news, I go on the internet and research different themes that I want to use for my books. Sometimes, I am frustrated about the events that I watch on the news i.e. politicians in our part of the world talk about freedom and justice, but work with dictators for their interests. I find it very sick, and it makes so angry that I have trillions of questions in my mind about them. I usually grumble about their approach to dictators who torture their people, who ignore their citizens living in poverty dying of different kinds of diseases and illnesses. It got me nowhere, and I was the one who was suffering. That’s why I decided to approach these problems by expressing myself through the most powerful too, which sometimes makes no sense. That’s poetry. Writing books about the problems we face in our societies, is an opportunity for me to share my views with my readers and learn from them as well.

THE DEPTH OF MY SOUL VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '09

The Depth of my Soul is a book of poetry that focuses on injustices such as wars, corruption, war crimes, religious fundamentalism, child abuse, other types of abuse, torture, dictatorship, relationship problems etc. Inspired by the news he watched on CNN and other media, the author has learned many things. The goal of this book is to share his approach with his readers about the problems we face in this world and also to hear from them.

AUTHOR'S BIO:


Balthazar Rodrigue Nzomono-Balenda, known as Rodrigue or Balthazar, is a French-born Danish author and originally from the Republic of the Congo. Balthazar was born in Oullins, which is a suburb in Lyon, in France and his parents were diplomats in South Africa before his family moved to Denmark. His parents, André & Rose Nzomono-Balenda were diplomats under the mandate of the former Congolese president, Pascal Lissouba. In 1997,there was civil war in the Congo As presidential elections scheduled for July 1997 approached, tensions between the Lissouba and Sassou camps mounted. On June 5, President Lissouba's government forces surrounded Sassou's compound in Brazzaville and Sassou ordered members of his private militia (known as "Cobras") to resist. Thus began a four-month conflict that destroyed or damaged much of Brazzaville and caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths.

Balthazar has written 2 books, The Depth of My Soul & The Struggle of Power & The Fight for Survival. He is a multimedia designer and a student at the Nordic Multimedia Academy (NOMA). Balthazar identifies himself as a French – born Congolese because he is more connected with the Congo and France than Denmark. He speaks French, English, Lingala, Norwegian, Danish, partially German, Dutch and Afrikaans. Balthazar learns Chinese and Japanese in his spare time, he writes poems, he paints, he goes out and enjoys himself. Balthazar is also a member of the International Society of Poets, which runs poetry.com and he sometimes publishes poems at their site.

You can visit his website at www.ganymedeweb.com.

TO SEE WHERE BALTHAZAR STOPS NEXT, VISIT http://virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/