Sunday Scribble - Kindle Books and Reviews

Here I am on an absolutely gorgeous day, and stuck in bed because I am not feeling well. This is a total bummer! However, the good news is that I have had a chance to get caught up on a few things, like some book reviews!

As many of you know I am a voracious reader. Ever since my husband bought me my Kindle, I've been reading books like they are going out of style. Now mind you, I was really reluctant to get a Kindle for a very long time. Why, you might ask? Well, I was a little "old fashioned" when it came to reading. I liked to hold that book in my hand. It felt real to me. I was afraid that using a Kindle would diminish that for me.

After several months of watching my husband able to enjoy reading again by using his Kindle, I finally succumbed and asked for one myself. But, I was really specific about the one I wanted. It had to be the one with the keyboard, or I didn't want it. I had to be able to type and I did not want to rely on a touch screen as I have not had too much success with those.

Well, low and behold, after over a year with my Kindle, I am happy to say I am thrilled with it. I get to read hundreds of books and don't have to worry where I am going to store them. (I'm currently out of space in my tiny condo!) I also get to pick and choose where I get my books, so basically, I can use it like a hard drive and upload books from various sources besides Amazon. While I love shopping on Amazon, I want to be able to get books from other sites, and now that I know how to do that I am super happy.

So with all this in mind, my reading has stepped up because I am able to read more books from a variety of genres. But here's my problem, I am months ahead on the books I read for my book club (actually through the end of July at this point!) and I am desperate to get caught up on the reviews before I forget what I read! In any case, I'll be posting those reviews when they become due for the club. 

Wishing you moments of great reading!

 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Saturday Share: I Believe

Wishing you moments to believe!
 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

TWW's Book Review: Trust Me Twice by Alison Stanley

Interestingly enough, I was recently contacted by Alison Stanley as she found out I was going to be reviewing one of her other books, Second Chances in a few weeks. She asked if I could read one of her other books, Trust Me Twice, and publish my review for that one first. What's interesting about this request is:

1. This is the first time I have actually been contacted by an author to review a different book I already had scheduled. I am curious as to how she found out, but am really excited that she did because this means someone is reading my musings, so that is a good thing!

2. I had actually finished reading the first book and was just about to publish the review when Ms. Stanley contacted me. I am a voracious reader, so I am actually weeks ahead in my reading. Since I  have not had a chance to write any of my reviews yet, I figured what's one more book! So I readily accepted the invitation to read and I am so glad I did. 

Trust Me Twice is the story of two friends, Alana and Zac, born on the same day and actually grew up across the street from one another. Unfortunately, just as things were starting to develop, Zac and his family moved away. The good news though is that seven years later, he comes back with his family, a little bit older and a little bit different.

Hoping to restart that friendship again, she ends up helping Zac redecorate his room. While it takes weeks to complete this project, Alana realizes that both her and Zac have grown up a bit and perhaps apart. He doesn't believe in God anymore and thinks she's a kid. He tries to explain himself, but like typical teenage boys can do, he stucks his foot in his mouth and didn't think before he spoke. God and church are really important to Alana, and she takes this all wrong and that's when things get progressively worse.

Oh those teenage years! They were awful for me and I can so totally relate to the storyline so far. Clearly Alison remembers what it was like to be a teenager because the characters she crafted were entirely believable, right down to Alana's jealousy of the popular girls and the dialogue between Zac and the other teens on the school trip making fun of Alana. Such a huge betrayal of trust But that is where the relating stops. I never had a boyfriend while I was in school, so I didn't have to pine for one years and years later. But I know what it's like to be betrayed.

Ironically, I have been attending a Bible Study Fellowship program and one of the things that we talked about is the fact that even though things don't always make sense in our lives and prayers are not always answered the way we want them to be, God really does have a plan for each and every one of us. What we need to remember is that He is the one that is driver's seat and we need to follow the path he is setting out for us.

Trust Me Twice is a beautiful story that demonstrates how God doesn't always answer those prayers in the manner we want, but in the end, He does finally get us to the point we were asking for in the first place. While the journey He takes us on is not the most direct route, we eventually end up in the exact spot we asked to be in. 

I don't want to reveal too much more about the story, but I would like to say that it does have some interesting curves in the road. Trust Me Twice by Alison Stanley is so aptly named and reminds all of us that we need to not only need to trust in ourselves, but we need to trust in God as well. Rating:

Wishing you moments of  great reading!
 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Friday's Focus: You Are...

 

 That's right! You are all these things. So when you're feeling low, stop by here and remind yourself!

Wishing you moments to remember that you are everything and more!

 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

TWW Recommends: God In Your Morning by Ashley Ormon

I like to take a moment to introduce a new feature to my website. It's called "TWW Recommends". I'll be sharing with you the things that I love and would recommend. It's going to add a great dimension to what I have already been doing in terms of the book reviews that I post. So sit back, relax and let me recommend something for you to try.

To kick things off, I want to share with you a heartfelt and very personal recommendation. It is an online devotional entitled, God In Your Morning, by Ashley Ormon. I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley through one of my online writer's group when she sent out a request for assistance with editing a project she was working on. I was not really sure what I was getting myself into, but I just listened to the inner voice I've become attuned to, and offered my help.

After working with her a few weeks, it was clear that Ashley and I were destined to team up and finish this amazing project. I am very proud to have helped edit this uplifting and inspiring book that can be read each and every day to help get your day started simply by bringing God into your morning.

We spend practically every waking minute on the run wondering how we can get through the day. We forget, however, that there is someone that can help us. Pick up a copy of God In Your Morning by Ashley Ormon and find out how He can help you do just that.

Wishing you moments to stop and reflect on these great recommendations!

 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Happy Anniversary

I can't believe that it has been three years since I started this website and it doesn't show any signs of stopping. It has been a great pleasure to share my thoughts with you. Some of them have been great and some of them...well, let's say they were not so great. All in all though, it has been a real eye-opening journey. 

I have learned a lot along the way, about myself, my surroundings, about life. I've met some wonderful people and have reconnected with family. But most of all, I have slowly figured out what I want out of life.

As I move forward, I will continue to write on a variety of topics that would be of interest for Today's Working Woman. If any of you have something that you would like for me to write about, please let me know. I also will be accepting guest posts. 

Look for all of this and other fun stuff coming soon. In the meantime, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, raise it up and wish me a Happy Anniversary!

Cheers!
 



Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

TWW's Book Review: Heaven Preserve Us: A Home Crafting Mystery by Cricket McRae

For anyone that knows me, I'm not much for mysteries. However, I am trying to expand my horizons and branch out into other styles of writing. I saw this on a free booklist and decided to give it a whirl. I figured since it had somewhat to do with food, how bad could it be?

I was pleasantly surprised with the entire read. The characters were well developed, the story was easy to read, and frankly, not lame. In fact, I was quite taken by the whole thing and really enjoyed myself throughout the whole book. Even trying to solve the mystery before it was over. Ms. McRae did a great job keeping that tidbit to the end.

In Heaven Preserve Us: A Home Crafting Mystery we see Sophie May Reynolds trying to live her entrepreneurial life as soap maker and canning preserves during the and answering the helpline at a local crisis center at night. One night she takes a call from a mysterious suicidal guy who ends up stalking her via phone. 

Worse yet, the crisis center is in financial trouble, Sophie Mae's boss mysteriously dies of food poisoning and everyone becomes suspect, including the crisis center secretary! What a mess but oh what fun to watch Sophie sleuth her way through the maize of clues until she finds the culprit.

With the help of her roommates, friends in the preserve exchange and the townsfolk of Cadyville (including Sophie's boyfriend, Detective Ambrose) Sophie stumbles upon a few more things than she bargains for.

I must say that I really enjoyed Heaven Preserve Us: A Home Crafting Mystery by Cricket McRae. It was a fun, quick read and easy to follow. I actually thought this was the first book in the series, but just recently found out that it's the second. I am definitely going back to read the first one before continuing on.

What I liked the most was the recipes and other ideas that Ms. McRae shared with her readers. This one is definitely a keeper! Rating:

 

 

Wishing you moments of great reading!

 


Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

GBE 2: Longing

For times gone by

and dreams lost,

my heart doth cry

and concede great cost.

I search the earth

and cast my lot,

to find my worth

in muddled thought.

Into the air

blown by the wind,

the universe ensnare

my soul is pinned.

Longing to escape

the blackness unfolds,

but plans take shape

and destiny upholds.

For dreams are not gone

and time has taught lessons,

my hearts filled with song

not tied to possessions.

My spirit is set free

the cloud has lifted

I'm sure you'll agree

my talents were gifted.

Hope is not lost

for I tell you this day

when sorrow is tossed

and light gives way.

Wishing you moments of longing,
 

Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Goodbye Spammers!

Today has been an epic day. Not only did I receive spam email from someone who supposedly visited my website, I actually had a total of 12 spammers visit today. That must be a record for me. What's interesting about this is the fact that I now have been tracking the visits to my website on a daily basis, and not a single one of them are showing up on the tracking! This is just so amazing! How do you do it?!?!

For the longest time, I never got spammed. Then one day, I got a random email that I thought perhaps was someone from one of my writing groups, but alas, it was not. How did I know this? Because when I actually sat down for a moment and read what I had received in my email (the first time I read it on the fly because I had something like 200 emails to read), I realized what the person wrote wasn't even intelligent enough to allow as a comment to what I had wrote.

Then, over the course of time, the spam comments appeared a couple a times a week. For the last month or so, it's been once a day. Overall though, it's nothing that I couldn't deal with as they were mostly unintelligent and offered no point of reference to the post in which they were commenting. So I clicked the box and marked them as spam and said "Sayonara!" For the last week, something new has been happening. Not only does the spam has comments, they have a video attached to them. Hmmm...wonder if I should open the attachment?

HEEEELLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you really think I am that stupid?

Seriously though...today, really takes the cake! Twelve spammers, some were within mere minutes of each other...all the same thing - a poorly written and completely unrelatable comment to the posting, and a video attached to it. Surely, you must be joking!

You do realize that...and I say this with the most sincerity...I will never...ever...allow your spam comments to be posted to my website. NEVER...EVER!!!!

From this point forward, all emails from anyone named  "Anonymous" will be permanently reported as spam and I will never see them in my inbox. Now I realize that there is a small percentage of people who visit my website, make really great comments, but then choose to not use a real name. Please know that rest assured, if your comment is legit, I will post it. For the rest of you spammers, your days of filling my inbox are over!

So I leave you with this parting gift:

 


Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!