Tonight is the first event for the new book, and I've spent most of the afternoon at home with curlers in my hair and cucumber circles on the eyes...
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I must begin by saying that I wasn’t sure that I would be the best person to review a book with this title…after all I have been happily married for almost 9 years and this book seemed to be geared to the single woman. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Ms. Ford has done something that not many people are capable of doing. She has written a book about looking within to find love and happiness, yet has kept it upbeat and realistic, something I don’t believe most "self-help" books do. She makes you feel as if you are chatting with your best friend over a good cup of coffee and are discussing what it takes to be happy and confident without being dependent on others.
In today’s society, even after all these years, there still seems to be a social stigma attached to marriage. I married at a young age but I have friends who are still single and in their early 30s. Many of them feel as if they are running out of time, either to have children or get married. The "fear" of being looked at as a spinster is childish in my mind, but I suppose after years of women being mothers and wives it is something that may still take years for some people to overcome.
Thankfully this book is the stepping stone many of us need to get on the right track. I applaud Ms. Ford for writing a well thought out, easy to read book to help kick start the confidence and independence we are all capable of. This is truly a must read for single and married women everywhere!
About the Author:
Amanda Ford is a writer, artist, and inspirational speaker with a knack for encouraging people to move their lives from ordinary to extraordinary. She is fiercely optimistic and can make a Pollyanna of even the staunchest gloomy Gus. Amanda is the author of four books and is a lifestyle reporter for the popular travel website, GirlsGuideToCityLife.com. She writes regularly about fashion, food, finances, and other fabulous life topics for publications such as The Seattle Times and Redbook. Amanda has been featured in Real Simple, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, and The Chicago Tribune. She teaches workshops on creativity and instructs a super fun indoor cycling class every Tuesday in her hometown of Seattle.
Amanda is an avid runner, mountain biker, roller skater, and Lindy Hopper. She owns a collection of gourmet cookbooks and fancies herself a kitchen goddess.
To contact Amanda Ford, find out about upcoming events, or learn more about her work, visit www.oholive.com.
To learn more, go to kissmebook.com
This review is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book where Amanda Ford’s book, KISS ME, I’M SINGLE is on tour this month.
A copy of this review is going to be raffled off on Saturday. To enter, please visit www.amateurdelivre.com and check under Current Reviews for details:)
Jessie Ferguson is what some people might consider a lost soul - to fill the void in her life she has turned to drugs, alcohol, and sex but nothing seems to ease the aching she feels deep within her soul. After all she has put her parents through, they feel the only alternative they have is to start over in a new town. Maybe a fresh start will be enough to help Jessie to shed the negativity that seems to surround her and give her a chance to lead a more normal life.
To Jessie, nothing sounds worse than leaving sunny California to go live in dreary, foggy Oregon. Who would want to live in a town where everything seems to move so slow and everything seems about 10 years behind the times? Even though her parents and brother seem excited at the prospect of running a Victorian B & B, she has a hard time feeling anything but angry and depressed - who moves their daughter when she is about to start her Senior year in high school, no matter what she may have done in the past?
Jessie's life is about to turn around in a major way, all thanks to the town "crazy" Madam Ceara. At first, Jessie isn't sure what to make of her, especially after it seems as if she truly is the psychic she proclaims to be. But after seeing a door that mysteriously vanishes and reappears in her house, she turns to the one person who may be able to help make sense of some of this. What Madam Ceara tells her is shocking, and would make most people shake their heads in disbelief. But Jessie has faith that not only is Madam Ceara right about the "magic" of the door, but also right when she tells Jessie that following the advice she gives will drastically change her life, even if it endangers it at the same time.
I must say this is one of the more fascinating books I have read. I don't like to delve into the plot too much as I want each individual to experience the story in their own way. I related to this book on a very deep level - one of my favorite passages was this:
"Dreams are powerful. No matter what the people think in your time, you must believe in their power. You must know without any doubt that this is a special place where souls meet and reflect on the wisdom of the ages."
Dreams and their meaning have been discussed for many years. Some people thing that they are just the minds way of "rambling", while others, like myself, feel that they convey a lot of information that could be helpful in leading a more productive and peaceful existence. It takes time and patience to study your dreams, but it really may be worth the effort, especially if you are struggling with problems in your life (and which one of us isn't).
The other passage that struck a chord with me was this:
" We believe that our anam cara always sees our light, our beauty, our very best traits. Our anam cara accepts us for who we truly are. The anam cara love awakens the fullness and mystery of life."
What is an anam cara? According to Celtic spiritual tradition, the soul shines all round the body like a luminous cloud. When you are very open - appreciative and trusting - with another person, your two souls flow together. This deeply felt bond with another person means you have found your anam cara, or "Soul Friend." Your anam cara always beholds your light and beauty, and accepts you for who you truly are. In Celtic spirituality, the anam cara friendship awakens the fullness and mystery of your life. You are joined in an ancient and eternal union with humanity that cuts across all barriers of time, convention, philosophy, and definition. When you are blessed with an anam cara, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place.
What a beautiful thought!
Linda Kay Silva has written a thought provoking story, that leads you down a path not traveled often. Open your mind and heart, and pick up this fantastic read that will be sure to evoke thoughts and emotions that may have been buried deep within you.
It has taken me many years to come to appreciate antiques. Many people in my family collect them, including my mother, but growing up I just never cared for them, preferring new items. But, I have come to love antiques and really believe that each has a story to tell, a "history" if you will. Ringgoround focuses on and ring - new to one woman and an antique to another, and the ties that bind them to each other.
Marlene grew up in a time where arranged marriages were very common. She is married off by her parents to a man who looked to be decent and loving, much better than the "ancient" suitor that was also vying for her hand. But, after getting married her life becomes a living hell, with brutality and abuse ,along with alienation from the outside world, being her daily ordeal. Thankfully she is strong enough to escape her husband and take her two children to live in the country in a manor owned by their family. Here she develops a relationship with Baron Carlotti that is what every woman wishes for - warmth, love, friendship, devotion, the perfect package. She still has her husband to deal with but is willing to fight for the happiness and stability she knows she deserves.
Marieke is a strongwilled modern woman who is in a relationship that she feels is love but soon realizes is merely just comfortable, thanks to her encounter with Clemens and the finding of a spectacular ring, a ring that calls to her. After purchasing this ring and being invited to Clemens family home she feels as if the home is actually speaking to her - she is drawn to the history of the home and can't understand what it is that makes her feel so welcome here. The story unfolds and you come to understand the ties that bind these two women's lives together.
This story is cleverly written, winding these two stories in and out with expertise. You get teased numerous times and want to jump ahead to read the rest of the story of each woman, but feel compelled to read in order as the stories flow so well with each other. I ran the gammut of emotions on this one, from happiness, to anger, from shock, to surprise - this one is a winner.
Questions for the author:
Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
I am working on two books at once. The first, almost finished, is a modern mystery. The second is a novel set in current times, mostly in Montana/Wyoming. I also write articles about travel, writing and adventure. Then there are my short stories that come to me suddenly and have to be written down a soon as possible.
Was it difficult to keep the characters straight?
Not for me. When I was writing about Marlene, she told her story loud and clear. When Marieke entered, she filled me with the mysticism she lived. I didn't separate them at first by series of five chapters as the book ended up, but rather by happenings or being in the same places. Then one of my editors thought it to be confusing to the reader. I agreed and separated the women, giving each the five chapters to tell her story. Only at the end, bringing them together.
What was your influence?
I actually bought the ring, which is described in the novel, at an antique shop in Amsterdam. One can follow the directions in the book and go right to it today. They told me the ring would have been made in the late 1800's. As I was admiring it while riding the train out of Amsterdam, I thought, "I wonder who wore this long ago and why it was designed that way." No one could answer; so I had to write it. I felt drawn to the ring the minute I saw it. In fact, as I wrote the book, I found without the ring on, I couldn't write the story! The house in Amsterdam and the manor were places that I had visited on my many trips to Amsterdam and Holland.
Do you have any hobbies, besides writing?
I travel at least a third of the year. I play tennis three to five times a week when home. I have a dog that is called "The Reading Dog". Scottie and I go an elementary school nearby three times a week. First graders, having trouble reading, come read to him alone while he puts his head in their lap or on the book. No one else around (except me). It seems to take away their stress, and in a few months, they improve and want to read, even out loud in class. The other thing I do is to give talks to groups about travel and writing. This past Monday I gave an hour and a half talk on my trek in Nepal.
We all have been through the teenage years, and some of us are even living through them currently with our own children. The ups and downs can be very trying, and I think we all remember trying to "identify" ourselves in some way. Summer has tried many different activities but usually after a short time she gives up saying they just aren't for her. So when she
decides to take up horse riding her parents think this will be just another "fad" and she will soon to be on to something else.
8 months later, Summer is more in love with horses and her riding lessons than ever! She has been pestering her parents about getting her own horse
and spends every available second at "the barn" where her lessons take place. When her trainor tells her there are 2 horses for sale at a nearby ranch, Summer jumps at the opportunity to take a look at them.
When Summer lays eyes on Shamu (later to be named Peanut) it is love at first site. It is evident that he has been mistreated by his current owner, but is nothing but gentle and calm with Summer, it is like they
were made for each other. With a little convincing her parents decide to let her get him, and their new life together begins.
They are almost effortless together in every aspect, from riding bareback to doing jumps. They do so well that Summer is encouraged to enter into competitions, in which she does extremely well, placing in every event she enters. Her and Peanut seem to be made for each other, and besides Tiffany, he is her best friend. She enjoys nothing more than spending
time with him and her friends at the barn. Summer's world is about to come crashing down around her when a tragedy pushes her to the limits of her emotions, and makes her wonder if she will ever get past not saying
goodbye.
Having never been on a horse, I really enjoyed how the author made you feel like you were there and explained things in layman's terms. It really made me understand more about these amazing animals and gave me a
new insight into the equestrian world.
Questions for the author:
Do you have any projects in the works?
Yes, I am currently working on the sequel to Summer Dreams, which will be entitled A Mystery for Summer. This book picks up where Summer Dreams leaves off. A Mystery for Summer is just that - a mystery the whole way though. One may wonder how the same characters could be the subjects of this book since Summer Dreams ended the way it did. Well, that is one of the mysteries that will unfold early on in the book. Summer, Tiffany, Frizbee and, yes, even Peanut continue their adventures together the way they never thought possible. When the girls come across a gift for Summer, they have no idea the magical powers it holds or the unbelievable adventures they are about to embark on.
What made you decide to write a book about teens?
Summer Dreams is based on actual events that occurred in my life as a tween. I decided to write this book and share my story because of the impact these events had on my life. I know that all tweens face difficult situations in their lives, some more than others, but certainly all are faced with some sort of disappointment or sorrow at one time or another. My hope was that Summer Dreams would show that while there are wonderful things that happen in life, there are also things that we don’t necessarily like to face or experience, but we do, and that’s all part of living. I learned that it’s not only important to have good friends, but also how important is it to be a good friend to others and to be thankful for the things that we are blessed with including our family. I also wanted to convey that it is important to work for the things we have in life rather than expect to have everything given to us…we tend to appreciate things more when we actually put forth an effort to achieve them. I think it is so important to have good, wholesome reading material for our tweens who are faced with so many difficult decisions and stress these days…a nice little get away is what I wanted to create for them.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
A favorite book of mine is Same Kind of Different As Me." For me, this book taught me that things aren’t always as they seem from the outside and that people come from all different situations in life. It made me really think about how important it is to treat all people with respect and to never give up on anyone. You never know when the most unlikely person could turn out to be that one person you need most in life…or maybe you are the person they need in theirs. It’s nice to have the opportunity to be able to make a difference in someone’s life or to lift them up through a trying time or just to be there to share in their accomplishments and triumphs. We all need people in our lives and you just never know where or when you will find the most important ones.
Favorite author and/or book?
I still love horseback riding and enjoy just about any outdoor activity. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family no matter what we are doing. One of my favorite things to do is read to my daughter. I don’t know if you could call it a hobby or not, but watching and helping my daughter find her way through childhood is one of the things I enjoy most in life.
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Kiss Me I'm Single: An Ode to the Solo Life by Amanda Ford
tracee, March 17, 2008
I must begin by saying that I wasn’t sure that I would be the best person to review a book with this title…after all I have been happily married for almost 9 years and this book seemed to be geared to the single woman. I couldn’t have been more wrong.Ms. Ford has done something that not many people are capable of doing. She has written a book about looking within to find love and happiness, yet has kept it upbeat and realistic, something I don’t believe most "self-help" books do. She makes you feel as if you are chatting with your best friend over a good cup of coffee and are discussing what it takes to be happy and confident without being dependent on others.
In today’s society, even after all these years, there still seems to be a social stigma attached to marriage. I married at a young age but I have friends who are still single and in their early 30s. Many of them feel as if they are running out of time, either to have children or get married. The "fear" of being looked at as a spinster is childish in my mind, but I suppose after years of women being mothers and wives it is something that may still take years for some people to overcome.
Thankfully this book is the stepping stone many of us need to get on the right track. I applaud Ms. Ford for writing a well thought out, easy to read book to help kick start the confidence and independence we are all capable of. This is truly a must read for single and married women everywhere!
About the Author:
Amanda Ford is a writer, artist, and inspirational speaker with a knack for encouraging people to move their lives from ordinary to extraordinary. She is fiercely optimistic and can make a Pollyanna of even the staunchest gloomy Gus. Amanda is the author of four books and is a lifestyle reporter for the popular travel website, GirlsGuideToCityLife.com. She writes regularly about fashion, food, finances, and other fabulous life topics for publications such as The Seattle Times and Redbook. Amanda has been featured in Real Simple, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, and The Chicago Tribune. She teaches workshops on creativity and instructs a super fun indoor cycling class every Tuesday in her hometown of Seattle.
Amanda is an avid runner, mountain biker, roller skater, and Lindy Hopper. She owns a collection of gourmet cookbooks and fancies herself a kitchen goddess.
To contact Amanda Ford, find out about upcoming events, or learn more about her work, visit www.oholive.com.
To learn more, go to kissmebook.com
This review is brought to you by Pump Up Your Book where Amanda Ford’s book, KISS ME, I’M SINGLE is on tour this month.
A copy of this review is going to be raffled off on Saturday. To enter, please visit www.amateurdelivre.com and check under Current Reviews for details:)
Across Time by Linda Kay Silva
tracee, March 12, 2008
Jessie Ferguson is what some people might consider a lost soul - to fill the void in her life she has turned to drugs, alcohol, and sex but nothing seems to ease the aching she feels deep within her soul. After all she has put her parents through, they feel the only alternative they have is to start over in a new town. Maybe a fresh start will be enough to help Jessie to shed the negativity that seems to surround her and give her a chance to lead a more normal life.To Jessie, nothing sounds worse than leaving sunny California to go live in dreary, foggy Oregon. Who would want to live in a town where everything seems to move so slow and everything seems about 10 years behind the times? Even though her parents and brother seem excited at the prospect of running a Victorian B & B, she has a hard time feeling anything but angry and depressed - who moves their daughter when she is about to start her Senior year in high school, no matter what she may have done in the past?
Jessie's life is about to turn around in a major way, all thanks to the town "crazy" Madam Ceara. At first, Jessie isn't sure what to make of her, especially after it seems as if she truly is the psychic she proclaims to be. But after seeing a door that mysteriously vanishes and reappears in her house, she turns to the one person who may be able to help make sense of some of this. What Madam Ceara tells her is shocking, and would make most people shake their heads in disbelief. But Jessie has faith that not only is Madam Ceara right about the "magic" of the door, but also right when she tells Jessie that following the advice she gives will drastically change her life, even if it endangers it at the same time.
I must say this is one of the more fascinating books I have read. I don't like to delve into the plot too much as I want each individual to experience the story in their own way. I related to this book on a very deep level - one of my favorite passages was this:
"Dreams are powerful. No matter what the people think in your time, you must believe in their power. You must know without any doubt that this is a special place where souls meet and reflect on the wisdom of the ages."
Dreams and their meaning have been discussed for many years. Some people thing that they are just the minds way of "rambling", while others, like myself, feel that they convey a lot of information that could be helpful in leading a more productive and peaceful existence. It takes time and patience to study your dreams, but it really may be worth the effort, especially if you are struggling with problems in your life (and which one of us isn't).
The other passage that struck a chord with me was this:
" We believe that our anam cara always sees our light, our beauty, our very best traits. Our anam cara accepts us for who we truly are. The anam cara love awakens the fullness and mystery of life."
What is an anam cara? According to Celtic spiritual tradition, the soul shines all round the body like a luminous cloud. When you are very open - appreciative and trusting - with another person, your two souls flow together. This deeply felt bond with another person means you have found your anam cara, or "Soul Friend." Your anam cara always beholds your light and beauty, and accepts you for who you truly are. In Celtic spirituality, the anam cara friendship awakens the fullness and mystery of your life. You are joined in an ancient and eternal union with humanity that cuts across all barriers of time, convention, philosophy, and definition. When you are blessed with an anam cara, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place.
What a beautiful thought!
Linda Kay Silva has written a thought provoking story, that leads you down a path not traveled often. Open your mind and heart, and pick up this fantastic read that will be sure to evoke thoughts and emotions that may have been buried deep within you.
Ringgoround
tracee, February 5, 2008
It has taken me many years to come to appreciate antiques. Many people in my family collect them, including my mother, but growing up I just never cared for them, preferring new items. But, I have come to love antiques and really believe that each has a story to tell, a "history" if you will. Ringgoround focuses on and ring - new to one woman and an antique to another, and the ties that bind them to each other.Marlene grew up in a time where arranged marriages were very common. She is married off by her parents to a man who looked to be decent and loving, much better than the "ancient" suitor that was also vying for her hand. But, after getting married her life becomes a living hell, with brutality and abuse ,along with alienation from the outside world, being her daily ordeal. Thankfully she is strong enough to escape her husband and take her two children to live in the country in a manor owned by their family. Here she develops a relationship with Baron Carlotti that is what every woman wishes for - warmth, love, friendship, devotion, the perfect package. She still has her husband to deal with but is willing to fight for the happiness and stability she knows she deserves.
Marieke is a strongwilled modern woman who is in a relationship that she feels is love but soon realizes is merely just comfortable, thanks to her encounter with Clemens and the finding of a spectacular ring, a ring that calls to her. After purchasing this ring and being invited to Clemens family home she feels as if the home is actually speaking to her - she is drawn to the history of the home and can't understand what it is that makes her feel so welcome here. The story unfolds and you come to understand the ties that bind these two women's lives together.
This story is cleverly written, winding these two stories in and out with expertise. You get teased numerous times and want to jump ahead to read the rest of the story of each woman, but feel compelled to read in order as the stories flow so well with each other. I ran the gammut of emotions on this one, from happiness, to anger, from shock, to surprise - this one is a winner.
Questions for the author:
Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
I am working on two books at once. The first, almost finished, is a modern mystery. The second is a novel set in current times, mostly in Montana/Wyoming. I also write articles about travel, writing and adventure. Then there are my short stories that come to me suddenly and have to be written down a soon as possible.
Was it difficult to keep the characters straight?
Not for me. When I was writing about Marlene, she told her story loud and clear. When Marieke entered, she filled me with the mysticism she lived. I didn't separate them at first by series of five chapters as the book ended up, but rather by happenings or being in the same places. Then one of my editors thought it to be confusing to the reader. I agreed and separated the women, giving each the five chapters to tell her story. Only at the end, bringing them together.
What was your influence?
I actually bought the ring, which is described in the novel, at an antique shop in Amsterdam. One can follow the directions in the book and go right to it today. They told me the ring would have been made in the late 1800's. As I was admiring it while riding the train out of Amsterdam, I thought, "I wonder who wore this long ago and why it was designed that way." No one could answer; so I had to write it. I felt drawn to the ring the minute I saw it. In fact, as I wrote the book, I found without the ring on, I couldn't write the story! The house in Amsterdam and the manor were places that I had visited on my many trips to Amsterdam and Holland.
Do you have any hobbies, besides writing?
I travel at least a third of the year. I play tennis three to five times a week when home. I have a dog that is called "The Reading Dog". Scottie and I go an elementary school nearby three times a week. First graders, having trouble reading, come read to him alone while he puts his head in their lap or on the book. No one else around (except me). It seems to take away their stress, and in a few months, they improve and want to read, even out loud in class. The other thing I do is to give talks to groups about travel and writing. This past Monday I gave an hour and a half talk on my trek in Nepal.
Summer Dreams
tracee, February 3, 2008
We all have been through the teenage years, and some of us are even living through them currently with our own children. The ups and downs can be very trying, and I think we all remember trying to "identify" ourselves in some way. Summer has tried many different activities but usually after a short time she gives up saying they just aren't for her. So when shedecides to take up horse riding her parents think this will be just another "fad" and she will soon to be on to something else.
8 months later, Summer is more in love with horses and her riding lessons than ever! She has been pestering her parents about getting her own horse
and spends every available second at "the barn" where her lessons take place. When her trainor tells her there are 2 horses for sale at a nearby ranch, Summer jumps at the opportunity to take a look at them.
When Summer lays eyes on Shamu (later to be named Peanut) it is love at first site. It is evident that he has been mistreated by his current owner, but is nothing but gentle and calm with Summer, it is like they
were made for each other. With a little convincing her parents decide to let her get him, and their new life together begins.
They are almost effortless together in every aspect, from riding bareback to doing jumps. They do so well that Summer is encouraged to enter into competitions, in which she does extremely well, placing in every event she enters. Her and Peanut seem to be made for each other, and besides Tiffany, he is her best friend. She enjoys nothing more than spending
time with him and her friends at the barn. Summer's world is about to come crashing down around her when a tragedy pushes her to the limits of her emotions, and makes her wonder if she will ever get past not saying
goodbye.
Having never been on a horse, I really enjoyed how the author made you feel like you were there and explained things in layman's terms. It really made me understand more about these amazing animals and gave me a
new insight into the equestrian world.
Questions for the author:
Do you have any projects in the works?
Yes, I am currently working on the sequel to Summer Dreams, which will be entitled A Mystery for Summer. This book picks up where Summer Dreams leaves off. A Mystery for Summer is just that - a mystery the whole way though. One may wonder how the same characters could be the subjects of this book since Summer Dreams ended the way it did. Well, that is one of the mysteries that will unfold early on in the book. Summer, Tiffany, Frizbee and, yes, even Peanut continue their adventures together the way they never thought possible. When the girls come across a gift for Summer, they have no idea the magical powers it holds or the unbelievable adventures they are about to embark on.
What made you decide to write a book about teens?
Summer Dreams is based on actual events that occurred in my life as a tween. I decided to write this book and share my story because of the impact these events had on my life. I know that all tweens face difficult situations in their lives, some more than others, but certainly all are faced with some sort of disappointment or sorrow at one time or another. My hope was that Summer Dreams would show that while there are wonderful things that happen in life, there are also things that we don’t necessarily like to face or experience, but we do, and that’s all part of living. I learned that it’s not only important to have good friends, but also how important is it to be a good friend to others and to be thankful for the things that we are blessed with including our family. I also wanted to convey that it is important to work for the things we have in life rather than expect to have everything given to us…we tend to appreciate things more when we actually put forth an effort to achieve them. I think it is so important to have good, wholesome reading material for our tweens who are faced with so many difficult decisions and stress these days…a nice little get away is what I wanted to create for them.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
A favorite book of mine is Same Kind of Different As Me." For me, this book taught me that things aren’t always as they seem from the outside and that people come from all different situations in life. It made me really think about how important it is to treat all people with respect and to never give up on anyone. You never know when the most unlikely person could turn out to be that one person you need most in life…or maybe you are the person they need in theirs. It’s nice to have the opportunity to be able to make a difference in someone’s life or to lift them up through a trying time or just to be there to share in their accomplishments and triumphs. We all need people in our lives and you just never know where or when you will find the most important ones.
Favorite author and/or book?
I still love horseback riding and enjoy just about any outdoor activity. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family no matter what we are doing. One of my favorite things to do is read to my daughter. I don’t know if you could call it a hobby or not, but watching and helping my daughter find her way through childhood is one of the things I enjoy most in life.