Book Review: Splinters of Light By Rachael Herron

SPLINTERS OF LIGHT

By: Rachael Herron

Published: March 3, 2015

Publisher: Penguin Random House NAL

Fiction/Women's Fiction



Imagine you are a successful 44-year-old woman. You have overcome raising your daughter alone after your husband left you for a younger woman and started a new family.  Your newspaper columns have become syndicated and you have authored best-selling books. Your twin sister is finally becoming successful in her own right and your next door neighbor is a "friend with benefits". Life is grand until you realize things have started becoming fuzzy. You often find yourself "getting stuck" and can't figure out why. After numerous tests, the doctor reveals your diagnosis, EOAD or Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease.  This can't be happening to Nora. She is the Martha Stewart of organization. She is the one who handles everything. She has a 16-year-old daughter who needs her. Nora can't understand why this is happening to her. She can't trace it back to anyone in her family since she doesn't know her father and her mother died young. She can't imagine telling her twin sister, Mariana and her daughter, Ellie. What if they have it too? What will happen to her family, her career, and all of their futures?

EOAD is a horrible disease that wrecks the minds of people still in the prime of their life. As you follow Nora through her early stages of diagnosis, you realize this isn't going to be a happy story. We know there possibly can't be a happy ending. Even though there have been advances in medicine, there is not a cure for Alzheimer's.

I found myself moving slowly through the pages because I wasn't looking forward to the ending. I didn't want to read the debilitating changes in Nora's life; from yelling at her daughter, to getting lost downtown, to eventually losing her job. I didn't want to watch Nora lose control of her life.  So, I too became stuck, like Nora, in this book.  I didn't want to read further, but I didn't want to stop either.

Then, at some point in the story, I realized this story wasn't really just about the EOAD, but about the relationship between Nora and her twin sister, between Nora and her daughter, and the three of them as a family. I became overcome with emotion as I struggled with Mariana and Ellie accepting the loss of someone so dearly loved. As a mother, my heart broke for Ellie, who had to grow up much too fast.  As a professional, I suffered alongside Nora as she feared losing the ability to say or write the right words.   I loved the honest way Nora described the disease:

"I'm on a merry, go, round, and someone's pushing it and I can't jump off 

because I'll die if I do, but the problem is that it's speeding up, 

and in time it's going to throw me. 

I'm smart enough to know that, 

and not smart enough to figure out how to get off."  Page 205-206

"Nora was flaking apart, iron left to rust in acid rain."  Page 358

Even though this story is sad and difficult to read, Herron has found a way to leave "Splinters of Light" throughout the sadness and despair. She has found a way for happiness and joy to still be felt among the anger and illness. She has found a way to express the deep love between the three women in this story.  Ultimately, she has written this book so the reader can relate to the bond between the sisters, the devotion of a mother, and the horrible disease that has come between all of it. 

Rachael Herron - source

Rachael Herron is the internationally bestselling author of the novel PACK UP THE MOON, the five book Cypress Hollow romance series, and the memoir, A LIFE IN STITCHES. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, and when she's not busy writing, she's a 911 fire/medical dispatcher for a Bay Area fire department.  She lives with her wife, Lala, in Oakland, California, where they have more animals and instruments than are probably advisable. Rachael is struggling to learn the accordion and can probably play along with you on the ukulele. She's a New Zealander as well as an American. She's been known to knit.  For more on Rachael Herron, check out her website, http://www.yarnagogo.com/. You can also find her on Facebook, HERE and Twitter, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of SPLINTERS OF LIGHT, click the photo below:

Thanks to Penguin Group for sending a copy of this novel for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: The Settling Earth By Rebecca Burns

THE SETTLING EARTH
A Collection of Short Stories

By: Rebecca Burns

Published: December 16, 2014

Publisher: Odyssey Books

Fiction/Historical Fiction/Short Stories



Ten short stories are woven together through settings and characters around life in New Zealand. Each story is very character driven as we are given a peek into their lives and what brought them to this place. Many of the stories share sacrifices and mistakes made. A few will fill you with sadness. One story even uses a mythical creature to carryout the character's final moments. The final story is written by a guest writer, Shelly Davies. She brings in the Native American piece and builds upon one of the previous stories, tying them together.

Overall, I found it to be an enjoyable read.  Since I read this on my kindle, it wasn't as easy to flip back and forth and remind myself of certain characters. You may want to keep a list of characters from each story as you read, since many appear again.  Women are the main focus in each story, but there are strong male characters as well, although they will likely make you angry.  Burns writes in a way that you can feel the anger, despair, and solitude of the women's lives.

"She would brush the memories of today into a pile, not to be disturbed..."  

"She wanted to tell him everything, to wipe away his questions with her spit."

I can't really say that I had a favorite of the stories, but I found "Dottie" to be one that I am still thinking about. In "Dottie" a lonely widow becomes a place for unwed mothers to leave their babies, hoping to return with they can get back on their feet. Unfortunately, there are no babies when they return. "Dottie" tells the story of a woman who tells herself she is doing a good thing, a baby fighting back against her destiny, and a community who can't believe the kind of woman she was.

If you like short stories or historical fiction then I would expect you to enjoy this collection. It is a quick read, but you could also read each story at your leisure, especially if you keep a list of characters.  The stories are a bit depressing, but you will be able to find a slivers of hope.

About the author:
Rebecca Burns is an award-winning writer of short stories, over thirty of which have been published online or in print. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2011, winner of the Fowey Festival of Words and Music Short Story Competition in 2013 (and runner-up in 2014), and has been profiled as part of the University of Leicester’s “Grassroutes Project”—a project that showcases the 50 best transcultural writers in the county. In November 2014 she won the Black Pear Press short story competition with her story, "Seaglass".

Rebecca's debut collection of short stories, "Catching the Barramundi", was published by Odyssey Books in November 2012. In March 2013 it was longlisted for the Edge Hill Short Story Award.
The Settling Earth is Rebecca's second collection of short stories. For more on Rebecca Burns, check out her website, http://www.rebecca-burns.co.uk/.

If you would like to purchase a copy of THE SETTLING EARTH, click the photo below:

Thanks to the author for sending a copy of this book for review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having a pay a cent more for your purchase. Thank you for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Recipe: Overnight Coffee Cake - Perfect for Easter Morning

I was looking for a special breakfast to have after my daughter's sleepover birthday party. I wanted to do something different besides waffles, pancakes or cinnamon rolls. That week I spied a recipe for coffee cake. Our daughter loves coffee cake so I decided to give this a try.  Her brothers also had friends over that night and let me tell you, there wasn't a single piece left of this cake. My husband didn't even get a piece! Which reminds me, I need to make this again for him!

This definitely is not a quick morning breakfast, but would make for a great Easter morning treat alongside some eggs, bacon and fruit!

Be sure to plan ahead by making it the night before and then be sure you have at least an hour before eating it the next day.  But, trust me, this coffee cake is WORTH THE WAIT!

Be sure to let me know if you make this and how your family likes it!

For a Printable Link to the recipe, Click HERE. 

  

OVERNIGHT COFFEE CAKE

Cake:
3/4 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Crumble Topping:
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
6 Tbs Flour
3 Tbs Butter, melted
1 tsp Cinnamon

Glaze:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1-2 Tbs Milk

Beat butter at medium speed with mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium blow. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in vanilla.

Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 pan. Cover tightly and chill 8-24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Let cake stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Stir together all cinnamon crumble ingredients and sprinkle over top of cake. Bake 32-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Combine powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency and drizzle over warm cake. 

Notes:  You can add chopped pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds to the crumble topping if you like.
You can also add more glaze depending on your likes. I felt like 1 cup was enough, but you may like more glaze, so feel free to double it to 2 cups and 2-3 tablespoons of milk.

Review: Grace of Gratitude Journal By Deborah Purdue

 GRACE OF GRATITUDE JOURNAL

By: Deborah Purdue

Illustrated By: Tara Thelen

Published: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Applegate Valley Publishing




Several years ago I started keeping a Gratitude Journal, but like most new habits, it was easily pushed aside once life got busy.  I tried to write down 5-10 things I was grateful for every evening. The journal is still in my night stand drawer. But, late nights and early mornings have made it easy to put off writing down those blessings from the day.

Many people have reported that writing in a journal is healing and helps you recognize the blessings (big and small) in your life. Marking the simple gratitudes like a kind gesture from a stranger, a giggle from your child, a rainbow on your drive home, or a gorgeous sunset to end your day remind you to find the joy in life.  The big moments like your son's concert, getting an "A" on a test, good health, and a date night with your husband can help you see you are on the right track.  All those moments, big and small, can be forgotten in our busy lives. By writing them down you can focus and remember all those moments that make a life. Then when a bad day comes along, looking through your journal can help remind you that whatever it is that is going on really isn't so bad.

In Purdue's journal, she offers forty pages of space to write.  You can date it and as you can see below in the photo, there is plenty of space for writing.

Photo from the Grace of Gratitude Journal by Deborah Purdue

The opposite page either has a quote or a gorgeous water color painting.

Photo from the Grace of Gratitude Journal by Deborah Purdue

Photo from the Grace of Gratitude Journal by Deborah Purdue

Photo from the Grace of Gratitude Journal by Deborah Purdue

Depending on how many things you write, you could use a page for each day or even each week. I like that it is open ended. There aren't numbers that make you feel like you have to write a certain amount. I also like that it is spiral bound for opening and laying flat while writing or opening it completely to that specific page.

This journal is perfect for the beginner or someone who has been journaling for years. It is a beautiful addition to your journal library.

Deborah Purdue

Deborah Perdue has been a licensed practitioner for the Center for Spiritual Living in Medford, Oregon since 2006. She practices gratitude as an integral part of her spiritual path, and attributes it to being the primary key to transforming her own life. In 1994, she received two Bachelor Degrees (Cum Laude) from Sonora State University, in English (emphasis: creative writing) and Studio Art (emphasis: photography) Deborah Perdue is the owner of Illumination Graphics where she works full time as an accomplished graphic designer with over 20 years experience. Deborah specializes in designing spiritual book covers.

Tara Thelen is an American artist living near Amsterdam. The inspiration for her work is emotion in all its various forms. As an artist, Tara’s drive is to create art that elicits strong, positive emotions – art that leaves an impression and truly touches those who view it. She teaches art lessons to children and teens at Museum Kranenburgh in the beautiful village of Bergen, near the North Sea, where she lives with her husband Paul and their two teenage boys. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries throughout the US, Europe, and the Pacific. For the past six years, Tara has been working closely with Deborah Perdue on various projects, mostly book covers, as well as CD cover designs, posters, and other promotional works. Her artwork in the Journal is integral to the beauty of it!

For more on the journal or on Deborah Purdue, check out the website, http://www.graceofgratitude.com/.

To purchase a copy of GRACE OF GRATITUDE JOURNAL, click the photo below:

Thanks to Pump Up Your Book for a copy of this journal for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this review through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Sunday Snippets 3.8.15

It's been six weeks since my last Sunday Snippets post.  February was a blur. We were busy nearly every evening with basketball games and practices and every weekend include an event or two as well.  Since it was so miserably cold here, I'm glad it went by fast.  I'm so thankful that our weather seems to be turning a corner just in time for Spring's arrival.  We are supposed to have some really warm days ahead this week and I can't wait to go for a walk around town and soak up some sun! I even mentioned getting our porch furniture out, but my husband thought I was thinking a little too far ahead.  So then I suggested maybe just one chair! We'll see!

I hope you enjoy some of the many snippets from our last few weeks!

Patrick and

Bennett working the basketball court.

Our first big snow fall came in February. 

Even though it was really cold, 

we had to go out and snap a few photos of Reagan in the snow!

Show Choir Season has begun. Both boys are performers. 

Bennett performs with the Middle School group, Illusions.

Patrick performs with our prep division, Jubilation, Inc.

Patrick has a duet as well.

Our nephew, Zach, also performs in show choir at his school.

Their school is doing a version of Peter Pan for their show.

Zach is Peter Pan and I love this shot I got of him...in a bit of trouble!

Patrick is the drummer for our varsity show choir, Celebration Company.

It's hard to get a photo of him because the performers are usually in front of him.

Bennett attended Iowa State University for the 

Middle School Science Bowl along with his teammates.

Even though they didn't win, they had a great time and worked hard.

Parent's night at our last home basketball game. 

Hard to believe only 3 seasons left with Patrick!

My great-niece was baptized last weekend.

I will never tire of cuddling a baby!

Finally, my cousin, Melanie is a web designer among many other talents.

She created this advertisement for the Walker General Store.

The ad features Bennett and her son, Jensen from several years ago on the lake.

I love the photo and it reminds me of such a wonderful vacation with them.

I know I probably went overboard in my snippets, but a lot has happened in the last six weeks. We have one more show choir competition and then we charge right into soccer for both boys. I am hoping the warm weather stays around for those soccer games ahead!

Please make sure you find time to enjoy the snippets from your last week or month! 

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Books That Came My Way in February

According to my Goodreads stats, I've read 12 books so far this year which has me a little behind on my goal of reading 80 books this year.  But, like I say every month, life is busy and blogging is not always my priority.  I wish I could spend my days reading on the couch under a blanket, but reality is that there is laundry to do, chores to get done, kids to feed, and activities to go to. I'm also subbing quite a few days and that takes a bunch of my reading time.

Because of my busy schedule I am taking less books.  I really only accept books that I am almost certain I will love.  So, this month's mailbox was a little slow and I am certainly okay with that.

I am currently reading two books and I'm almost done with both of them. I will have a few great reviews to share with you in the next week or two. As always, if I am choosing to read a book, then be sure that I truly think it is worthy of my time. Of course, some books just find their way to my mailbox without my previous knowledge. I am only going to spend time reading and reviewing books that I enjoy. If I'm not feeling it, I'm going to put it aside. I can't get to all these great books that come my way, but at least I can tell you about them here and I hope to review them just as soon as I can! 

If you would like to purchase any of these books, 

clicking on the photo of the book will take you directly to Amazon.  

If you choose to purchase, I will receive a small commission 

without you having to pay any more for your purchase.  

I appreciate your support of SincerelyStacie.com reviews.

I will be linking up with other bloggers sharing our stack of books for the month. 

Click HERE to see all the great Stacks of Books. 

BOOKS FOR REVIEW

SPLINTERS OF LIGHT

By: Rachael Herron

Published: March 3, 2015

Publisher: NAL Trade

I'm currently reading this and am loving the relationship between the sisters in the story as well as the mother and daughter.  This book will definitely make you think about your life and what is truly important.

Ten years ago, Nora Glass started writing essays about being a single mother of a six-year-old daughter. Her weekly column made her a household name, and over the years, her fans have watched Ellie grow from a toddler to a teenager.

But now Nora is facing a problem that can’t be overcome. Diagnosed with a devastating disease that will eventually take away who she is, she is scared for herself, but even more frightened about what this will mean for her sixteen-year-old daughter.

Now Nora has no choice but to let go of her hard-won image as a competent, self-assured woman, and turn to the one person who has always relied on her: her twin sister, Mariana. Nora and Mariana couldn’t be more different from one another, and they’ve always had a complicated relationship. But now the two sisters will have to summon the strength to help them all get through a future none of them could have ever imagined, while uncovering the joy and beauty that was always underneath.

GRACE OF GRATITUDE JOURNAL

By: Deborah Purdue

Published: October 1, 2012

Publisher: Applegate Valley Publishing

I'm excited to share this journal with you. I'll be reviewing it next week.

Grace of Gratitude is an exquisite journal that has lined pages for the reader to express their own thoughts of gratitude. Inspiring examples of gratitude by the author Deborah Perdue, and beautiful illustrations by Tara Thelen are interspersed throughout. Gratitude is a valuable spiritual practice, and through this journal, one can reap the benefits of appreciation of life to feel more joy and more peace on a sustained level. This journal is not only for the novice, but also for anyone who is already experienced at the spiritual practice of feeling gratitude in his or her life.

FRIBBET THE FROG AND THE TADPOLES

A Captain No Beard Story

By: Carole P Roman

Published: January 5, 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

All of Carole Roman's children's stories are great and I'm looking forward to sharing this one with you. I also have two copies, so I'll be giving one away!

Fribbet's gone missing! The crew searches for the excitable frog and finally find him troubled and crying in the stern. Fribbet is very upset, and it's up to Captain No Beard and the crew to find out what's wrong. Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is another great voyage into problem solving and friendship, as well as an adventurous trip into the imagination. Join the Captain No Beard and his friends as they learn the value of sharing our troubles with others and that help is always there when we need it.

BOOKS I PURCHASED

WE ARE CALLED TO RISE

A Novel

By: Laura McBride 

Published: June 3, 2014

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

This was a Kindle Daily Deal and the synopsis made me decide to snag it. I'm sure I'll love it.

Three lives are bound together by a split-second mistake, and a child’s fate hangs in the balance. What happens next will test—and restore—your faith in humanity.

Far from the neon lights of the Vegas strip, three lives are about to collide. A middle aged woman attempting to revive her marriage. A returning soldier waking up in a hospital with no memory of how he got there. A very brave eight-year-old immigrant boy.

This is a story about families—the ones we have and the ones we make. It’s a story about America today, where so many cultures and points of view collide and coexist. We Are Called to Rise challenges us to think about our responsibilities to each other and reminds us that no matter how cruel life can be in a given moment, it is ultimately beautiful to live, and live fully.

That's all for this month.  I hope you find some time this month to read a book you enjoy. If you do, be sure to let me know!  

Wintertime

Even though I am sick of cold, snow and winter, this quote and photo brought a smile to my face. I took this photo after one of our snow storms this winter.

Winter is full of some of my favorite comfort foods: chili, potato soup, and lasagna.

Winter is a time for extra snuggles on the couch and getting cozy under a blanket with a book and a cup of coffee.

Winter is family movie night by the fire place.

Winter is snow days where everyone gets to stay home and sleep in.

Winter can seem like it lasts forever. Winter can cause us to wish for beaches and summer days, but it can also remind me of home.

I have always lived in Iowa (except for 6 months in Wisconsin) and I know that if I lived somewhere that didn't have a true winter, it probably wouldn't feel like home.

So, as much as I am tired of WINTER, I am reminding myself of the small joys and beautiful moments of WINTER while waiting for SPRING to arrive.


If you are feeling like you can't handle one more snow storm or ice storm or cold day, find hope in the fact that WINTER is almost over and look for something to make you smile today.