Book Review Cafe'

How Psychic Are You?

2012-02-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

How Psychic Are You?: 76 Techniques to Boost Your Innate Power by Julie Soskin is a fun, colorful, and challenging book to help boost your psychic powers. Filled with gorgeous colorful pages and photos, this book offers psychic tests of all kinds to see exactly what type of psychic, medium, and intuitive powers you have. Do you have a sixth sense? Identify your skills and find out if you are an empath, channeler, medium or shaman; you may be all of the above.

Soskin offers an amazing amount of information including angelic meditation, astrology, chakras, candle-gazing, channelers, meditation, medium, crystal healing, tarot card reading, pendulum use, tea leaf reading and much, much more.

The exercises in the book is fun and challenging. You will want to master these techniques and work on your born given talents in no time. If you are ready to harness your intuition and enhance your life then this book is for you!

Check out my test results!

Positive Energy

2012-02-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

Positive Energy - 10 Extraordinary Prescriptions For Transforming Fatigue, Stress, & Fear Into Vibrance, Strength & Love by Judith Orloff should be the Bible for all Empaths and HSP. If I had this book at my fingertips early on, I would have saved myself a lot of grief and despair. At the young age of 40-something, this book has helped me to confirm that I am an empath.

Dr. Judith Orloff, an Energy Psychiatrist shares 10 Prescriptions on how to recognize and shield yourself from energy vampires. From the very beginning she states, "What good does it do to tell someone to get more sleep if you haven't shown them how to relax? This is why traditional advice about energy doesn't work. It's not your fault if you follow doctor's orders and still feel drained. You just need a more complete prescription."

Has your mother or father ever said that you were too sensitive? Do family and friends tell you to get thick skin and have some back bone? If so, you may want to read this book. Orloff states in the book, "Instead of seeing you as an intuitively gifted person who needs proper coping skills, you were labeled 'hysterical,' a 'hypochondriac,' or a 'complainer.' Because no one knew what to make of your low energy, you suffered."

Orloff offers a choc-ful of exercises to help you work on your empath sensitivity. She incorporates breathing and meditation techniques as a way to ground and center yourself. She is a big believer in utilizing both traditional and alternative medicine. She states, "You can choose an Energy Medicine Practitioner who'll work along with your traditional health care team."

In Positive Energy, the Prescriptions include Awaken Intuition, Find a Nurturing Spiritual Path, Inspiration and Creativity, as well as Attracting Positive People and Situations. If you are someone who gets sucked into Energy Vampires and their drama, then this book is for you.

You don't have to be an Empath to be a victim of these energy sucking creatures. This book is for anyone who feels they are always dealing with Drama Queens, Victims, Blamers, and Narcissistic Personality Disorders.

Read Intuitive Healing to learn how to tap into your intuition.

Lessons in Meditation

2012-01-31T08:53:00.000-08:00

Lessons in Meditation by Jyotish Novak is a wonderful book to learn first hand about meditation. Based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lessons in Meditation teaches you how to learn to relax, focus the mind through visualization, prayer and chanting, and learn exercises before and after meditation.

Novak states in the book, "We simply need to still the mental restlessness which, like static on a radio, prevents us from hearing clearly our own natural 'program'." Deep meditation comes spontaneously when our whole being is internalized and focused at the point between the eyebrows. Focusing on the Third Chakra is the utmost importance when meditating.

In 1946 Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda brought the teachings of meditation, Kriya yoga, and Self-realization to millions of spiritual seekers worldwide. If you are interested in learning the indepth teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, visit Crystal Clarity Publishers for more information.

Fast Living

2012-01-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

Scott Todd's book Fast Living: How the Church Will End Extreme Poverty is riveting. The book starts out with the popular Starfish Story where a boy's mission was to save all the starfish. Dr. Scott Todd provides an action plan on how to come together and make a difference.

He points out the low expectation we have with ending poverty and having this opinoin he feels that poverty will always stay with us. Scott believes that poverty doesn't have to exist. He believes that the best way to end poverty is through the Government, business and church/nonprofit. He points out how this can work with these three major outlets within their own chapters.

If you are interested in learning about how to contribute to help end poverty, this is a great book to get started. Very motivational with heartwarming stories and very well written.

**Book Review by Request

The Joy of Books

2012-01-09T20:00:00.001-08:00

Organizing The Bookcase

2012-01-09T19:59:00.001-08:00

A Lamb and a Llama

2011-12-29T14:20:00.000-08:00

A Lamb and a Llama by Ashley Bustamante is an adorable children's story about a Llama named Picasso. Picasso works hard to keep the farm animals safe from danger, but Picasso is challenged when a young lamb named Nola is born.

This gorgeous book is designed beautiful with amazing artwork. It offers activities and fun facts about Llamas and sheep. A great learning tool as well for your child. If you are interested in learning more about this book simply visit Maple Tree Publishing.

*Book Review by Request*

Merry Christmas Book Lovers

2011-12-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

I want to Wish all Book Lovers a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year! I have been SO busy with the Restaurant and working over 40+ hours that I have been behind in my Book Reviews. I want to apologize and promise that ALL books will be reviewed and all reviews will be up and published by the end of January if not before!

May all your dreams and goals come true in 2012! Happy Reading!

Intuition for Starters

2011-10-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

If you are ready to tap into your intuition and learn to know and trust your Inner Guidance then Intuition for Starters by J. Donald Walters is for you. Walters breaks down the differences between Subconscious, Consciousness, and Superconsciousness level.

He offers amazing meditative exercises to help reach your Superconscious level and how to tune into intuitive guidance. This small book is filled with valuable information such as The Trap of Superstition, How to Recognize False Guidance, and The Art of Following Your Intuition.

If you are interested in furthering your intuitive abilities, this is a great place to start! Walters also offers amazing music that include Music To Awaken Superconsciousness.

Always True

2011-06-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

In the book Always True: God's 5 promises When Life is Hard by James MacDonald, Mac Donald shares many scriptures and messages reminding us of God's promises.

This book is a spiritual and relaxing book that soothes your soul. It is filled with God's words and promises and MacDonald's writing encourages the reader to move forward within their lives in a positive way, to have faith, and believe in oneself as well as God's word.

On the flip side, life is hard. Life is truly challenging as many face such major issues and struggles, reading God's word alone is questioned by many as to whether it is enough to get through the hard times.

I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for some positive words and quotes to read.

**Book Review by Request

Faking It

2011-03-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a summer read, Faking It by Elise Lorello is the book to read! Andi Cutrone, a writing professor meets a good-looking male escort that is interesting in bartering each other's services; she teaches him how to write and he teaches her how to get intouch with her sexuality.

Through this business proposal, many secrets unfold and each client finds themselves and what it is they are truly looking for in life and love.

Many women will find themselves relating to Andi and her insecurities. We all want to feel sexy and we want others to be sexually attracted to us. Faking It is a great book to read if you are interested in a semi-summer romance!

**Book Review By Request

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

2011-01-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

It is not always easy being different and having to be bullied because you choose to do the things you like, wear the things you like, and trying to be who you really are truly is not fair. In the book Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy, Dismondy addresses children facing bullying and using the Act of Kindness to overcome their fears.

The one message we always look towards when dealing with other people is: "Treat others as you want to be treated." No matter how much we are bullied or treated badly, the one thing that stands clear as Dismondy points out in the book, always be true to yourself.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun is a wonderful children's book that teaches kids how to face bullying, how to be true to who you are, and the courage to know the difference.

The book was illustrated by Kimberly Shaw-Peterson and designed so beautiful with deep colors and child-like coloring. If you have a child or know a child who faces bullying in school, on the playground, or faces sadness due to being different, this book is for them.

**Book Review Request

Free Give Aways - Pass It On!

2011-01-15T06:12:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love getting things for FREE? Having so many book review requests, I have been stumped on how to utilize these wonderful books and what better way but to Pass Them On! Not only will these books receive *Free* reviews online, but they will gain full exposure by sharing them with others.

Rules and Regulations:

1. Contest and Giveaway recipients must provide their email address and their blog URL. Without these two, I cannot contact you if you win.

2. With each book, an essay is to be written that will coincide with what the book is about. A small synopsis as well as a link to the review will be provided. Essays can be anywhere from 100 - 500 words in length and must be emailed to Tery.

3. If I do not hear from the winner within 7 days, I will pick a new winner.

4. Each winner will receive the book postal mail, so an address is required upon winning.

**Receiving books for review is such a wonderful gift and one I treasure most. This *Free Give-Away Pass It On* is a wonderful way to help authors receive more exposure for their books. For no reason are these books for SALE or used as PROFIT. I want to thank the Publishers and Agents for these wonderful books and their generosity!

Reiki For Life

2011-01-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

Reiki for Life by Penelope Quest is an amazing handbook for those who are interested in learning what Reiki is about and how to apply it to oneself. She offers an amazing amount of information pertaining to its history, all three levels, self-healing, cleansing, spiritual growth, and how to start your own business as a practitioner.

Quest expresses her thoughts about healing and positive thoughts and actions. When applying Reiki and looking towards a holistic and metaphysical view of healing, she states, "What you resist, persists and you get out what you put in." She then states, "If you are constantly thinking and talking negatively about something you do not want or do not like, you will constantly be re-creating it because you are still putting your conscious energy into it (that is, resisting it) so of course it will not go away. Nothing will change until you - 'change your mind.'"

This is an amazing book for those who are interested in becoming a Reiki Master/Teacher. However, this book or any book for that matter will not make you a Master, but this is a great tool to use while learning and becoming a practitioner.

Note: Linkage is not working at this time. To see the book at Amazon please click on the title abover *Reiki for Life* and it will direct you to amazon.com.

Edward Bach Physician

2010-12-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

In the book The Medical Discoveries of Edward Bach Physician by Nora Weeks, Weeks shares Bach's childhood hopes and dreams, discovery, and studies of Flower Essence. Bach found a connection between chronic disease and negative mental attitudes.

Weeks states, "Thus early in his search he had gained the knowledge that the personality of the individual was of even more importance than the body in the treatment of his disease."

Treat the patient and not his disease was the principle of the new system of medicine. And in turn, Bach discovered *Flower Essences.*

The first two plants he discovered were Imaptiens and Mimulus. The third was Clematis. Today, there are over 1,500 Flower Essences with Bach Flower Essences Rememdies being 38, 39th used for acute and emergency situations.

This small book is filled with Bach's history and journey towards dicovering Flower Essence also known as Vibrational Medicine.

Flower Essence: "Flower essences are liquid preparations, containing only minute traces of actual flowers, which convey the vibrational pattern and essence of specific flowers. Because of this, their action is subtle and extends beyond the physiological. Their action is not biochemical, but is vibrational. These gentle essences enjoy a reputation of being very safe. They have no side-effects and are non-toxic. Some people state they don't 'feel' any change or effect from using flower essences. However, many people find the flowers provide an essential factor in their healing process. Each person responds to flower essences according to their inner rhythm and needs.

Research in the modern field of psychoneuroimmunology shows a clear interrelationship between physical illness, stress and emotional/mental outlook. Flower essences help address issues which often underlay stress and health problems, helping to 'untie' or release these mental/emotional energetic knots. Flower essences can help transform emotions, attitudes or patterns of behavior to enhance one's development, growth and awareness. Flower essences expand our understanding of health care, recognizing the interweaving of spiritual, mental, emotional and physical aspects of wellness." Information taken from Henriette's Herbal Home Page

You Already Know How To Be Great

2010-11-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

If you are ready to start a business and master your best work then You Already Know How to Be Great by Alan Fine is for you! Fine breaks down barriers to help the reader unlock their greatest potential by using the knowledge you already have.

He breaks down the model of performance:

Faith: about belief
Focus: direct attention
Fire: is about energy and passion

He calls this the K3f (model of human performance). He states, "If you look at this model as a wheel, Knowledge represents the rim. Faith, Fire, and Focus are like spokes supporting the wheel. The rim without the spokes or the spokes without the rim would render the wheel useless-as would a weakness of any of the four basic parts. Therefore, all four parts are vital to performance success."

He then talks about interFEARence by releasing Fear in order to move forward. He explains how Interference blocked his faith, extinguished his fire, and consumed his focus.

This book offers a lot of choc-ful of illustrations, acronym words like GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward) as well as S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Agreed Upon, Realistic, Time). *You Already Know How to Be Great* is well written and easily broken down for smooth reading and comprehension.

Visit Alan Fine's blog.

**Book Review Request**

Intuitive Healing

2010-11-02T06:54:00.001-07:00

If you are ready to look deep inside your soul and get in touch with your true intuition then you must read Intuitive Healing: 5 Steps to Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Wellness by Dr. Judith Orloff.

This book is a powerful tool that offers a step-by step guide to help you tap into your intuition that you already have. Many of us ignore our intuition, we are afraid to face what we truly know therefore ignore it. We all have an inner voice and it comes to a point in our lives when we need to start listening to it.

She offers steps to take within every healing challenge:

*Notice your beliefs.
*Be in your body.
*Sense your body's subtle energy.
*Ask for inner guidance.
*Listen to your dreams.

Capture the power within, grab your insights, take hold of your intution. One area I agree with Orloff is about how we, as humans tend to look outside ourselves as she states, "When something goes wrong frequently our first impulse is to look outside ourselves for someone to "fix" us. We get sick; we rush to the doctor. We become depressed; we call a therapist. We're in pain; we take a pill. It's fine to seek expertise-but we have it backwards. We need to look inside first. Really, it's not a big blank in there. Then act on what our wisdom tells you."

Orloff brings intuition into the healing arts as she talks about energy healing and spirituality. She is a firm believer in bringing spirituality into the healing process both naturally and traditionally with medical doctors.

The mind is a powerful thing - we must pay attention and trust our own instincts and intuition.

Unstuck

2010-10-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

In the book Unstuck, James S. Gordon, MD describes depression as an unfolding process of self-awareness and not a disease. Through out my studies and research within the Art of Healing, reading books on philosophy, psychology, and other areas of well-being as well as battling with depression myself, I agree with him to a degree.

He states, "Depression is not a disease, the end point of a pathological process. It is a sign that our lives are out of balance, that we're stuck."

Unstuck offers a Seven-Stage Journey out of Depression including healthy eating, meditation, finding the right psychiatrist and counselor, visualization amongst other areas within healthy choices and well-being.

As I was reading the book I thought to myself, I know this already: Positive actions, Positive thoughts, Positive choices leads to Positive well-being.

We all have battled with depression, we all have battled with the blues, but this book provides hands on techniques and tools to help you become Unstuck as many find themselves *Stuck* in the same state of mind. You have to believe it to practice it into your daily life.

Broken Open

2010-10-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Lesser is cofounder and senior advisor of Omega Institute. Her ground breaking book Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow provides an array of stories of those who battled with difficulties in their lives and how it helped them to heal emotionally and spiritually.

In life, we will be broken down and challenged. We will suffer through our darkest times, but this book shows how we can be Broken Open. To take what is thrown at us and use our experiences as a way to grow.

She offers a workshop called The Phoenix Process. Elizabeth states in her website, "The ancient myth of the Phoenix contains useful wisdom for our lives today. The Phoenix bird sensed that his life had reached an impasse. So he built a pyre, sat in the flames, and burned to death. Then he rose from the ashes a new being, yet ever more authentic, vibrant, and at peace with himself and the world.

Each one of us is the Phoenix. Our lives ask us to die and to be reborn every time we feel stuck or resist change, whether that change is a dramatic life-quake, or merely the daily questions of being human: Is my job, my town, my relationship fulfilling my real purpose? How do I embrace loss, or aging, or death, and use them for awakening and even joy? How do I transform myself instead of expecting the world around me to change?"

Many believe that things happen for a reason. This book will allow you to take the reason and transform your life and your spirit the way it should be. It will help you grow and take your life challenges as a lesson to be learned, to share your stories with others and help others by the experiences you've endured.

If you are looking for a book to read this Fall, then Broken Open is a great place to start.

Todos Santos

2010-09-01T08:27:00.000-07:00

Another book about self-discovery. How dare a woman be so self-indulgent. That seems to be going around a lot these days. As I read Todos Santos a little of Eat, Pray, Love came to mind, but this books is far different. Catherine is far from self-indulgent or self-centered.

After her husbands infidelities, Catherine Barnes goes on a journey to Guatemala. An artist and writer who is on a self-discovery journey working on a picture book in one of the most exotic and political turmoil country!

While battling with her husband's constant affairs and trying to focus on her work, her son, Isaac flunks eighth grade and finds himself in the care of his Aunt Zelda. Isaac gets into trouble which leads to an accident and his kidnapping.

As horrifying as this story can be, it is nice to read a book about a mother and son as both individuals are going through their own journey towards self-discovery and growth.

**Book Review Request**

Quivering Daughters

2010-07-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hillary McFarland showed courage and bravery writing a book that focuses on christian patriarchy abuse and scripture abuse. Quivering Daughters is a compelling, heart breaking book about christian patriarchy home-school families that uses God and scripture as the only form of discipline and raising a family.

Within *some* patriarchy families, scripture is used to manipulate and women are taught and believed that they are to be ruled and controlled by men. God is used as a weapon and a way to make a child feel bad about themselves and the choices they make.

McFarland educates her readers by explaining the differences between Shame and Guilt. "Shame - Makes us want to run away from God: 'I am wicked and God cannot look upon sin. I am a filthy rag, a worm, a wretch. I wish I were never born.'" *Guilt - Makes us want to run to God, and His kindness leads us to repentance. 'Forgive me Father for I have sinned. Create in me a clean heart.'" (pg. 78).

She does bring up Domestic Violence as she states, " Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person." (pg. 102).

And yes, Domestic Violence can be that of Domestic Spiritual Abuse. As a Domestic Violence Survivor, abuse is abuse period.

This is a wonderful book for those who live within Quivering families, who are sheltered from the outside world due to conservative families trying to do what they think is right through the eyes of God. This book is a great book for girls (daughters) who live within patriarchy and have families that uses God as a form of discipline, a form of abuse, and a form of the way life *should* be.

The only disappointed I had was that there were too much scripture in the book. Farland's mission with the scripture she provided in the book, in my opinion, was to correct what each scripture truly meant..however, I would have been more pleased to read a book that was filled with more true stories. For some reason, I felt that Farland seemed to be taken back a little with her writing..she shared her true stories, but seemed to back off a little with how she shared and expressed it.

**Book Review Request**

Flower Remedies

2010-06-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in learning about Flower Essences, this book is for you! In the New Encyclopedia of Flower Remedies, Clare G. Harvey shares with us the history of healing flowers and provides an encyclopedia (Ailment Chart) of flowers from all over the world and their correspondences (symbolic meaning and what each flower is used for).

Harvey educates her readers about the *energy system* and how it affects our personal blue-print or *body map.* She states, "This energetic pattern holds within its characteristics that endow us with the potential to be as perfect - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - as we can possibly be."

This book provides indepth information about how the energy system can corupt our blue-print through shattering the balance, traumatic shock, long, slow shock, chemical pollutants, and social poisons. It has been stated that our *Cells* hold memory to everything we've experienced both good and bad - and what we put into our bodies like alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and caffeine.

Flower Essences are known to be a Vibrational Medicine. As Clare states, "Flower Essences are unique in their ability to restore and enhance a sense of total wellbeing in mind, body, and spirit. Unlike most other remedies, flower essences act as catalysts to rebalance the body's vital energy."

If you are interested in learning more about Flower Essences, this book is a good place to start.

Anatomy of the Spirit

2010-06-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

In the book Anatomy of the Spirit, medical intuitive and specialist in Energy medicine, Caroline Myss educates her readers to recognize body, mind, and spirit as one. She explains in detail how the Hindu chakras, Christian sacraments, and Kaballah's tree of life are similar.

Myss is a firm believer that what our body experiences due to illness or pain is the result of the energy we absorb in our bodies. This can be a debate for many, but when reading this book I got it! I understood it. Yes, I agree with Myss to a degree. How we handle stress can lead to anxiety. How we deal with our life issues can lead to panic disorders. How we deal with everday tribulations, work stress, family problems, marriage downfalls certainly can lead to heart attacks, anxiety attacks and nervous breakdowns.

However, the biggest debate is cancer and other life altering illnesses. Can negative energy bring forth cancer?

One thing I do agree with is *Personal Power.* How we handle things, the way we think and the more positive reinforcement we bring into our lives can certainly make us healthier in body, mind, and spirit!

Spiritual growth and emotional healing is and always will be a struggle for many. I am a firm believer that the more we grow spiritually, the more we bring forth positive energy into our lives, the more we understand how body, mind, and spirit are truly one - the better off we will be spiritually and medically.

Revolve: The Complete New Testament

2010-03-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

The wonderful Biblezine Revolve: The Complete New Testament is a chic magazine with a christian twist! The magazine offers a lot of scriptures as well as fun quizzes and tips that young girls are interested in.

They offer Make-up tips., home remedies, quotes from musicians and celebrities as well as information about faith and christianity.

Personally, I don't know how many teens would be interested in this kind of magazine, but it certainly is a positive read and one I would share with other teenage girls.

Magazine provided by Thomas Nelson Publishing Book Review

I Wish You Enough

2010-02-01T08:49:00.000-08:00

In the book I Wish You Enough by Bob Perks, Perks brings forth some invaluable lessons about seeing the good in things that tend to seem bad. Each moment in life there is a lesson to be learned, a message to unfold, and a wish to tender.

Perks compiles a life time of lessons of his own as well as some wonderful insight of what invaluable moments is all about. At times, reading this book was heavy, but inspirational in the same breath.

I Wish You Enough is a wonderful coffee table book and a precious gift for someone special in your life.

*This book was provided by Thomas Nelson's Book Sneeze. Book Review

The Sweet By and By

2010-01-11T06:20:00.000-08:00

The book The Sweet By and By by Sara Evans is a beautiful story about love and forgiveness. Sara Evans captures the characters feelings, hearts, and souls that allow readers to believe that these characters are real.

This book is a page turner that is filled with love, anger, hurt, dissapointment, secrets, and joy all wrapped into one. Jade, a vintage shop owner who is on a journey in search for love, but faces many challenges in her life that include the relationship with her hippie mother and the need for her father's love.

A must read for those who are in need of forgiveness and redemption. A family story that will have you coming back for more.

**Book Review** Thomas Nelson Publishing

Where There's A Witch

2009-12-30T18:51:00.000-08:00

*Where There's A Witch* by Madelyn Alt was a Bewitching Mystery. This book wasn't what I thought it would be. There wasn't too much bewitching and I was disappointed in the book and the lack of credibilty.

It all happened in Stony Mills and Maggie O'neal, an employee of Enchantments Metaphysical store where her boss Felicity Dow was the town witch, took a break and visited a local carnival. Something happens at the carnival and take a guess where this carnival took place?

I felt that the storyline was somewhat typical and not original. The author spent a lot of her writing time on introducing and explaining characters. For a small, yet quaint book, there were way too many characters and no one truly had a solid ground for this book except Maggie, her co-workers, and the local cop.

Ouija boards and seance was the only thing in the book that was even close to bewitching as the book was more about paranormal/supernatural spirits. But not enough information or intrigue to keep you wanting to read.

I pushed myself to read this book. I would still read her other books out of curiosity, but not something I would rant and rave about.

What Child is This?

2009-12-12T06:38:00.000-08:00

In the book What Child is This? A Christmas Story by Caroline B. Cooney shares the true meaning of Christmas. It's a time for season of miracles, joy, and hope as Cooney brings forth different families and their outlook of what Christmas is all about.

This book was an easy read, yet slow and geared towards the ages of 5 - 13 years-old. I found the book to be a bit choppy and scattered as there were no chapters. However, the message in the story leaves you realizing what life and happiness is really all about.

*Finished Reading: 12/12/09

Just Who Will You Be?

2009-12-09T07:32:00.000-08:00

The book Just Who Will You Be? by Maria Shriver was a fascinating book about questioning who will you be. At first, I wasn't sure about reading this book as there are so many books out there like this, but I have to say that it was a really good book.

Maria points out how important it is to find your authentic self - not the self that wants a career or is fascinated with fame, but the self that is from within. It's about not losing yourself and standing tall about what you believe in.

Through a self-discovery journey, Maria shares with us and reveals intimate feelings she has had about her own family and life. Shriver, a journalist who once worked for NBC, also had an identity of being a Kennedy, a Governor's wife, Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife, a wife of a movie star, an anchor woman, an author, a stay-at-home mom, and a "mom."

She had all these "labels," but who was Maria Shriver? This was the path she explored and in a little blue book she shares with the world her unraveling truth about who she really is. Did she know? Did she give us an answer?

The Way of the Hedgewitch

2009-12-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

The book, The Way of The Hedge Witch by Arin Murphy Hiscock is about home-based spirituality. A fascinating book filled with wonderful ways and ideas on how to make the home more sacred and spiritual.

Hearthcraft is the home-based portion of the spirituality associated with the hedge witch's practice. It is not the same as the kitchen witch, but can be affiliated with the *Hearth* of the home that is usually the kitchen. A place to entertain, cook, feed, and an area in a home that produces much love and magick for those who enter someone's home.

Hiscock offers an array of hearth-based arts and crafts, recipes, spells and ritual protection for the *home.* As many know, the home is a sacred place and a space to be nourished and nurtured.

If you are interested in a home-based spirituality and consider yourself a *homebody*, this book is for you.

The Magic Teaspoon

2009-12-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

The The Magic Teaspoon by Victoria Zak is simply amazing! I love this book. If you are interested in natural healing through herbs and spices this is for you! Zak offers a run down of all the herbs and spices and their magic. She states, "At home in a coastal Mediterranean cottage, a young mother keeps her child's fever at bay with a simple spoonful of thyme."

She offers over 100 recipes for health-boosting meals and snacks, the sugar lover's survival guide, the top-notch teas for healing, *The All-Naturals* chart revealing the best herbs and spices to choose for specific health issues and much more.

Did you know that Basil is the King of the Herbs. It helps antibodies to fight infections and disease. It helps to increase oxygen to the brain and strengthens the nervous system to fight headaches and depression. Cinnamon is an Earthy Treasure, it helps fight bacterial infections, fungal, viral, and yeast infections and it helps reduce high blood pressure.

With all herbs and spices at our fingertips, we can make Magic in our kitchens. As she states, *Some Enchanted Evening in Your Kitchen,* " Take a minute to feel the texture of a fresh or dried herb or spice in your fingers. Inhale its fragrance, taste a bit on your tongue, and think of the journey the herb or spice has taken to come to your table. Each herb or spice represents the bounty of nature in lands far and near, the care it took to grow and harvest them in season, and the global cooperation it takes to bring each special taste, color, and fragrance to your table-to make a little magic in your kitchen."

Green Tea Sunrise

This recipe helps fight off cancer, anti-aging and heart smart.

4 bags green tea
1 teaspoon dried coriander
2 teaspoons dried fennel
Juice of 1/2 orange
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or 2 drops of stevia

Boil 3 cups of water in a small saucepan. When it reaches a boil, turn off heat, add green tea bags, and let them steep for 5-8 minutes. Add coriander and fennel, and let the tea sit for another minute. Transfer to a tall pitcher (About 2 quarts), add orange and lemon juice, fill the pitcher with water and ice, and chill.

What a fabulous book and one I will cherish and use daily.

Shame Lifter

2009-12-05T11:47:00.000-08:00

When dealing with abuse, victims (survivors) face many obstacles including depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, addictions, amongst other side effects. In the book, Shame Lifter: Relplacing Your Fears and Tears with Forgiveness, Truth, and Hope Marilyn Hontz brings forth a symptom of abuse that isn't often discussed, "Shame."

Hontz takes us through a journey of her own shame as she unravels her experience with abuse. This inspiring book helps us to realize that we have choices in our lives; to be a shame lifter or a shame receiver.Reading this book, I found a sense of myself. Being in an abusive relationship at one time, I remember the shame I endured. Never did I think of myself as a shame receiver.

Hontz continues her journey by learning forgiveness. When one is abused, do we hold a bitter grudge or do we forgive those who abused us and become a shame lifter. She questions her readers as she explains what the definitions are between a shame lifter and a shame receiver.In fact, she notes that the abusers are, in fact, shame givers.

At the end of each chapter, the book provides an array of questions for the reader to ask themselves. It is an eye opener as the questions and answers pour out of ones soul. I did ask myself some questions and find in everyday life, I seem to somewhat be a shame receiver.

Hontz candidly talks about "Shame Language." Shame brings lies as we are embarassed by what we've been through and who we think we are. I agree with this. Having been diagnosed wtih Bipolar Disorder, to some point, I have held shame. With this, I have lied to my friends as I cover up my whereabouts, why I don't do certain things and saying, "I'm busy" seems to be getting old.

If you are in or have been in an abusive relationship or hold shame to something that you are going through, this book is for you! This book has really opened my eyes to realize that living in shame is not the way to live. Being a shame lifter is a cleansing experience for our souls.

**Book Review Request**

If I Knew Then...

2009-12-05T11:44:00.001-08:00

It all happened on May 19, 1992, when a sixteen-year-old girl named Amy Fisher, also known as "the Long Island Lolita," shot her thirty-six-year-old boyfriend's wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco. This domestic event rocked Long Island, New York and the media had a field day with this horrific, near fatal act of violence. We all heard Joey's lies and we watched how Joey was getting away with statutory rape, prostitution, amongst other criminal acts and involvement.

In September 2004, Amy Fisher has finally spoke out. She wrote a book called, If I Knew Then... an autobiography about her life with Joey and her experiences in prison. If I Knew Then... brings the reader back to the 90s, as Amy Fisher rehashes the story in her own words. She shares with the readers her most intimate thoughts and feelings. She confesses to being a troubled teenager and that what she did was humanely wrong. She hopes that her story will help others to avoid a bad situation.

For those of you who are not familiar with this story, it all began when a fifteen-year-old girl named Amy Fisher met a thirty-six-year-old man named Joey Buttafuoco. Joey did auto repair work for Amy's dad, and she would go to the shop with her father as any child would. Amy had several car problems and knowing that Joey was her dad's mechanic, Amy took her car to someone her father knew and obviously trusted. Joey was nice to Amy and she thought that he was a nice person.

One day Amy had to leave her car at the shop and Joey offered to give her a ride home. Amy agreed and like any teenager - you trust those who help you and your family. Joey asked to see her room and being a trusting, naive teenager, Amy showed him her room. Joey raped Amy on her bed. Did her car really needed to be left at the shop that day? As time went on, Amy believed that they were boyfriend/girlfriend as they had "sex," but being the young, immature teen that she was, Amy didn't realize that what Joey had done was considered statutory rape.

Reading, If I Knew Then..., I could see and hear the message that Amy is trying so hard to give. A message to teenage girls and their parents about the dangers that lies ahead when a young girl puts her trust in another human being, especially an older man. Does this mean that I think that Amy is innocent of the crime that she committed? No, of course not, but I do understand how a young girl can easily be manipulated and charmed by an older man.

Joey Buttafuoco took an innocent sixteen-year-old girl and played on her innocence. He talked to Amy about shooting his wife, he manipulated her into prostitution, and he raped her. What did Joey get for doing all this? He served four months in jail for statutory rape. In March 2004, Joey got arrested for insurance fraud. He is serving one year in prison for fraud and served only four months for statutory rape. What is wrong with this picture? He continues to break the law, while Amy is trying so hard to be a better person and working on helping her community.

Will people listen? Will people take her story seriously? Or will they read her story out of curiosity, like I did? The book, If I Knew Then..., provides true stories about life in prison, child abuse, and warning signs for parents about troubled teenagers.

I have to say as the mother of three teenage daughers, once being a teenage mom, and abused in a ten year marriage, I have to admit that Amy did make some valid points in her book.

Find Your Way Home

2009-12-05T11:42:00.001-08:00

Find Your Way Home is a short book filled with a collection of short stories by women of abuse. These women have come together and compiled an inspirational book about their lives battling with abuse. They bring forth the power of love as a way to heal. They are "The Women of Magdalene."

Magdalene and Thistle Farms is a two-year residential community founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1997 for women who have survived lives of prostitution, violence and abuse. In the book it states, "Our rule is a simple guide for living in the community. Consisting of twenty-four principles - it describes practical ways we can love one another without prejudice or judgement."

These principles include coming together, find your place in the circle, forgive and feel freedom, and live in gratitude just to name a few. I found it very inspiring as these women came together through their love for one another to write such a powerful book.

I, personally, like the rule, "Forgive and Feel Freedom." I believe that this is a major factor in a person's life who has experienced abuse..forgiving is truly the key to our freedom.

The most inspirational moment for me is when I read that Thistle Farms products are hand-made by the women of Magdalene. You can buy hand lotion, soaps, and candles within their website. All the proceeds go back into Thistle Farms and the residential program, Magdalene.

For more information and stories you can visit Thistle Farms Blog.

**Book Review Request**

The Art of Happiness

2009-12-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

The Art of Happiness by His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D. is actually written by Howard C. Cutler and provides excerpts from his private meetings with the Dalai Lama. My impression was that His Holiness himself helped write the book, but instead it was a western psychologist who wrote the book and provided answers that were from questions asked to and given from The Dalai Lama.

In the beginning of the book the Dalai Lama states, "I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we all are seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness..."

The book went back and forth with The Dalai Lama's words of wisdom and challenging questions and debate from Cutler. I have to honestly say that I agree with a lot of what The Dalai Lama had to say. I knew and believed this wisdom, but didn't know where to put my thoughts and beliefs.

According to The Dalai Lama, true happiness stems from internal means as external happiness is short-lived. I agree with this. How long will your new car make you happy? For how long will the big house make you smile? Does a relationship truly bring you happiness? The purpose of our exsistence is to seek happiness, but at what cost?

The Dalai Lama believes that human beings are compassionate. He believes that this is the predominant feature of human nature. Anger, violence, agression, hate, according to His Holiness is more of a secondary or more superficial level as they arise when we are frustrated when facing to achieve love and acceptance. I agree with this!

We are all a product of our environment; how we are treated, how we are raised and many people face obstacles of abuse. But deep down, we are all compassionate, loving creatures! This is nothing more than conflicts standing in our way of who we really are. With this, we have to realize that we are all truly on the same boat; the boat of sufferers.

We are all suffering in some way, dealing with many issues and frustrations. We have to realize that we are not different from each other and it's compassion that lacks between people, and that in the end we are all the same; we are simply one.

This book is about having a positive mind. To seek a positive attitude and try to look at things at a different angle even when you are faced with bad situations. It is about human behavior and how we can add to our own pain and suffering by how we react to things.

Cutler gave a good example about adding to our pain and suffering. He mentions how he and a colleague of his went out to eat in a restaurant. The service was slow and his colleague's complaints escalated throughout the evening. Even after the server explained what had happened and what was going on, the colleague was fed up, continued to complain and said he is never coming here again. Even after receiving a legit explanation the colleague still showed frustration. In the end, the only outcome was a ruined meal which brought on an hour of aggravation. But where did the aggravation truly come from? The restaurant or from the Colleague's state of mind?

If you have always wanted to learn about buddhism or would like to gain more knowledge, then this book is for you. It is filled with an array of wisdom quotes from His Holiness and this book will change your way of thinking. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you already feel a certain way about some things already.

I agree with a lot of what The Dalai Lama had said and I do live by some of the Dalai Lama's wisdom. Our true happiness comes from within..we are the only ones in control of our lives. Our past, misfortunes, and troubled life obstacles are nothing more than an excuse for not moving forward. We have to stop blaming others and how we were treated by parents, teachers, spouses, lovers, and peers because in the end we have more power and control over our own lives and only we can make a difference.

People of The Lie

2009-12-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

In the book, People of the Lie, Dr. Peck taps into human evil. He presents case studies of his own and shares with us in depth of their evil, depression, madness, and narcissism. In the case of Bobby, a depressed fifteen-year-old boy, he had a brother who committed suicide with a rifle. His parents gave him his brother's suicide weapon as a Christmas present: this was an act of evil. Bobby was a victim of his parent's evil.

According to Dr. Peck, people who attack others instead of facing their fears and failures are, in fact, evil. People who abuse others through the act of child abuse, rape, spousal abuse, emotional and verbal abuse, mental abuse, and physical abuse amongst other human abuse - the abusers are, according to Dr. Peck, evil. They are emotionally weak and unable to face their own misery, weaknesses, and imperfections, and in turn, they make others suffer. They are indulged in their own selfishness, self-deluding denial that causes harm to others. Their immoral and destructive behavior rots away at the core of every person who walks in their path.

As Peck reminds us, "Evil was defined as the use of power to destroy the spiritual growth of others for the purpose of defending and preserving the integrity of our own sick selves." As he states, "It is scapegoating." Evil people are vicious because they are trying to destroy evil, but end up damaging others. Instead of destroying others they should be destroying the sickness that lies within themselves (paraphrased).

The title of this book is People of the Lie. Dr. Peck believes that lying is evil. At first, I was skeptical about this, but once I finished the book, I now understand his reasoning. Dr. Peck believes that wherever there is evil, there's a lie around. He states in his book, "The words 'image,' 'appearance,' and 'outwardly,' are crucial to understanding the morality of evil. While they seem to lack any motivation to be good, they intensely desire to appear good. Their 'goodness' is all on a level of pretense. It is, in effect, a lie. This is why they are the 'people of the lie.'

One area in the book that I am debatable about is that Peck mentions that the healing of evil can be accomplished by the love of individuals. This may be true between a parent and a child, but the one thing that I learned in life is that we cannot change others. If we are in abusive relationships, the abuser drains us both spiritually and emotionally. I truly believe, in my opinion that it is not our job to change others, but it is their job to change themselves.

However, on the other hand, Peck contradicts himself by saying that we need to avoid people of such nature that drags others into their vicious games. How then can we heal evil through love if we are suppose to avoid them?

The one thing that Dr. Peck points out is that we have the freedom of choice. To choose how we want to be treated, how we want to live our lives, and how we want to treat others. We have the freedom to heal and we have the freedom to become a better person. We have the freedom to face our fears and get the help we need. With all the fears, insecurities, hate, misery, and failures one might endure, one thing stands clear, "The truth shall set you free."

She's Come Undone

2009-12-05T11:21:00.001-08:00

As I read the book, She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, I had to look back to see his picture. I cannot believe how well a male writer wrote in a female voice. This book is a story about Dolores Price who had faced many faces of abuse in her life: starting with her father, mother, and then her rapist.

Wally Lamb took us through Dolores' life from the time she was 4-40 years old. She faced many obstacles in her life, and all of them were negative and abusive. At first, I had to rationalize that it was "only" a book, that in real life I cannot imagine anyone going through all that she went through in one lifetime. It seemed that whatever road Dolores took in her life, she was doomed.

Although, we all go through things in life good and bad, I have to honestly admit that towards the end of the book, I no longer felt sorry for Dolores. She had gone through years of therapy, she lost all her weight, and she seemed to be somewhat heading down the right road for once in her life.

When she met up with a "certain" person in her life, I felt that she was just as dishonest, non-trustworthy, a liar, and a cheat just like the ones who had hurt her in her life. She knew what she was doing was wrong...she admitted that.

I personally feel that no matter what life throws at us, when we become adults, we have to stop blaming others, stop acting like a victim, and take charge of our lives! This was a wonderful book and one that I could not stop thinking about once I finished the book. Dolores Price is one character I will never forget.

Note To Self

2009-12-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

At my local library, I found a book called, Note To Self by Samara O'Shea. When I picked up the book I quickly opened it and read the inside cover. Samara states, "Keeping a journal is easy. Keeping a life-altering, soul-enlightening journal, however, is not." That was all I had to read and I took the book home.

At first, I enjoyed the book as she alternates between her memoirs and shares tips on how to keep a journal. In the beginning of the book, she visualizes how we "see" those who journal - a person with a cup of tea or scotch on the rocks, sitting in a comfortable chair and writing in a black leather hardcover journal with an expensive pen as they relax within their own peace and joy.

Throughout the entire book, her journal entries that she so candidly shared with her readers was nothing more than talk about boys and sex. The entire book was about boys, dating, boys, sex, boys, drugs, boys, and boys.

She didn't share anything valuable that she went through. Never heard of her until this book. She is an author of For the Love of Letters: A 21st-Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing. She was a Model and she writes for The Huffington Post.

I was disappointed with this book as the beginning of the book stated, "Soul-enlightening Journal." I took this to heart. I really thought I was going to read something life altering, something that she went through within health issues, abuse, a bad divorce, getting over drugs, alcoholism, or whatever. I never expected to read about her boyfriends throughout her life.

I, personally don't care about her sex life with a partner or without a partner. Now, if it was Marilyn Monroe, well I would keep reading.

However, I did come up with an idea of my own. I am considering sharing my journal and blog entries in a book that will inspire others, help others, and hopefully help others feel that they are not alone.

Read the book, "Note To Self" as we all know that many of us have different opinions. In fact, you might like it. When you read it, tell me what you think.

Review Policy

2009-12-05T11:14:00.000-08:00

Get Your Book Reviewed Here!

The best and most cost effective way to market your book/writing is through book reviews. A FREE service that will allow readers, viewers, and the internet to tap into your novel and receive a sneak peek of what is in store for them.

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Book Review Cafe requires you to send a non-returnable book for review. I will share my honest opinion about the book without giving away its story and outcome. Due to honesty, reviews will be based solely on my opinion both positive and negative if need be.

I am open to review all genres that include psychology, spirituality, philosophy, self-help, new age, cookbooks, fiction, non-fiction, children and young adults, domestic violence, romance and other areas within writing.

Children's books may be read by my son as well to get a child's point of view, so your children's book will be viewed by both an adult and child!

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