Book Review - The Lamp: Just Believe By Jim Stovall



The Lamp: A Novel by Jim Stovall with Tracy J Trost

Publisher:  Destiny Image

Date:   September 11, 2011

Guest Book Reviewer: Cindy Phelps Thomas



About The Author
Jim Stovall is the president of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network. He is the author of the bestselling book, The Ultimate Gift, which is now a major motion picture starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. He has authored 15 other books which have been translated into over 20 languages.

Just Believe

Stanley and Lisa Walters have had a rocky marriage for the past two years.  Two years ago they lost their only child, their son Eddy. Stanley has not been able to write a book since then, which in turn caused financial issues. He has been overcome with anger and grief.

 

Lisa works out of the house and briefly considers an affair, but she remembers that there used to be something great between she and Stanley. The local baseball team, which Eddy played for, is having a garage sale to raise funds for new uniforms. Lisa decides that it is time to give back and donates some of Eddy’s things. Lisa also inadvertently inherits an antique golden lamp. The lamp has “Just Believe” engraved on the side. This lamp has a special messenger that comes with it.

 

Charles Montgomery III is the messenger and he is sent to the Walters to bring hope back to their lives. He gives them three wishes but they must follow these rules;

1.) They cannot wish for something that they can do for themselves,

2.) They cannot wish to bring back the dead,

3.) They cannot interfere with another person’s free will.

 

Charles ensures them that life can become happy again and he will return in 30 days. When he returns they are to have decided on their three wishes. Within days the couple begin to feel a renewed sense of hope, they are “believing” that things in their lives can change, even with tragedy in their past. Stanley begins writing, slowly but surely, and he becomes involved with the local baseball team again. Lisa begins to feel like she is gaining control of her life again.

 

As Stanley and Lisa progress on their journey they become closer to each other and closer to their neighbors. What will the wishes grant for these two? Will they ever feel like a real family again?

 

My Thoughts

The Lamp is a quick and easy read. In the Foreword, the book discusses how so many young people start out life with high hopes and dreams and that most end up content with ordinary lives. It proceeds to state that this book could be the change that is needed if we are stuck in such a predicament.

 

This is a heartwarming story of a marriage that is in shambles and is able to find that spark of hope necessary to keep moving forward. “Just believe” becomes their motto, as in “all things are possible if you just believe”.  I like the message in the story although it is a bit predictable and the writing is simplified as if written for a younger audience.

 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

 

Cindy Phelps Thomas is a U.S. Navy Veteran (2001-2005). She earned her BS in Psychology/Criminal Justice from the University of Houston at Clear Lake. She received an elementary teaching certification and is a former kindergarten teacher in the La Porte, TX School District. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working on her MBA degree at the University of Houston.

 

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Book Review: Beyond The Myth

Would you like to have a more joyful, fulfilled and prosperous life? Beyond the Myth; How To Live The Life You Desire, by Maria Holmes, takes you beyond the myth and shows you how to live the life you desire by using the power of the Law of Attraction.
This book features beautiful imagery, inspiring quotations and insightful words of wisdom. Ms. Holmes delivers a powerful and life-changing message in this 60-page publication.

About The Author

A passionate advocate for the Law of Attraction, Maria Holmes began her journey twenty years ago with the works of Deepak Chopra and the Celestine Prophesy. After graduating from Indiana University with a Bachelor's Degree in Science, she studied with Anthony Robbins, Dr. Wayne Dyer and Bob Proctor.

The Law of Attraction states that your thoughts directly shape the events which occur in your life. If you want something to happen and are able to focus enough intellectual and emotional energy on it, you can make it come to pass. Whatever it is that you need, you will attract it. This is possible because the energy you give out is able to interact with the energy in the Universe to help you achieve whatever you desire.

Principles of the Law of Attraction

Ms. Holmes states that desire is the starting point of all achievement. Desire is the thought you have when you picture the outcome you want to accomplish. If you focus all your energy and resources on this desire, you will begin to attract everything you want into your life. The author acknowledges that this is a process and you should do something everyday that moves you closer to the disired results.

Once you have a desire firmly in your mind, you can begin applying the principle of visualization to it. This is a powerful tool that forces you to create a clear image of the end result that you are trying to achieve. You do this by forming a clear picture in your mind of exactly what you want to come into your life. As you picture your desire in your mind, you should strongly believe that you deserve it and that you will receive it.

Gratitude is an important component of the Law of Attraction. You must be able to see all the blessings that you have already been given and feel thankful for them.

Belief in yourself is vital in achieving your desire. You must also believe in your abilities and believe that the Law of Attraction will work for you. Your goal will come to pass only at the level that you believe.

Faith gives you the courage to believe when everyone else tells you it can't be done. You must be able to fall back on your faith to keep you going when things become difficult or challenging.

My Thoughts

I would like to share some history of the Law of Attraction and the New Thought Movement. The New Thought Movement should not be confused with New Age thought.  There were many authors and speakers in the early 1900s who taught and promoted the principles of the Law of Attraction. Some of these were William Walker Atkinson, Wallace D. Wattles,  Elizabeth Towne and Ernest Holmes.

The Law of Attraction regained popularity in 2006 with the production of The Secret movie and book by Rhonda Byrne.

Ms. Holmes has written a consice, succinct summary of the Law of Attraction. She shares some personal experiences that demonstrate how the Law of Attraction has worked in her own life.  The book includes many beautiful color photographs of nature that enhance and complement the text. The author has included quotations from well-known authors, philosophers, spiritual leaders, a physicist and the Bible.

This book is meant to inspire and motivate you to be the best that you can be. The principles are widely accepted and can be truly life changing.

This would be a good selection to keep on your bedside table or give as a gift. Good things will come into your life...if you believe!

Ms. Holmes is offering a $5.00 discount off the retail price of her book if you place your order through her web site and use PayPal as your payment method.

*Beyond The Myth ~ Video Book Trailer*

Disclosure: Maria Holmes sent me a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.