Trove: A Woman's Search for Truth and Buried Treasure
Author: Sandra A. Miller
Publisher: Brown Paper Press
Publication Date: September 19, 2019
Length: 180 Pages
Genre: Memoir
About the Author
Sandra A. Miller's writing has appeared in over one-hundred publications. She teaches writing at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and lives in Arlington, MA with her husband and two children.
This is the story about how Ms. Miller used her life-long curiosity skills to collect clues and hunt for buried treasure in New York City. She joined an online armchair treasuring hunting club and searched for a buried chest that contained $10.000.00 worth of coins. She also collected clues about the relationships in her life and how her difficult childhood still haunted her in ways that were difficult to understand.
The author will not rest until she collects as many clues as possible and uses them to understand the meaning of her life (and hopefully find the buried treasure chest).
My Thoughts
I like to read memoirs/biographies because I truly believe that truth is more fascinating than fiction. I REALLY liked this book. I downloaded my copy in the afternoon of one day and read until I went to bed. I then started reading the next morning and didn't stop until I read the last page. I don't usually get hooked on a book like this, but I had to find out where that darn treasure was buried!!!
The story is much deeper than just hunting for a chest of buried treasure. The author is a superb writer and weaves her entire life story into this modern-day treasure hunt. She describes the difficult relationships with her parents, her husband, and her children. She deals with inner pain, insecurities, and fears that she has held inside for far too long.
The real treasure at the end of the story is the author finding peace, satisfaction, gratitude and her purpose in life.
You will have to read the book to find out what happened to the buried treasure chest in New York City. Yep...truth is stranger than fiction.
Highly recommended!
MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5
FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
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Title: Sober Stick Figure: A Memoir
Author: Amber Tozer
Publisher: Running Press
Publication Date: May 31, 2016
Length: 272 Pages
About The Author
Amber Tozer is a stand-up comedian and comedy writer.
One Day At a Time
This is a memoir of a young woman's struggle with addiction and recovery.
The book is illustrated with simple stick figures drawn by the author.
My Thoughts
This book begins with the following words;
"This is a dark and funny story about alcoholism. I hope it helps anyone who needs it."
I like this book. It informs, enlightens and entertains the reader.
Amber Tozer grew up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father and codependent mother. It is no surprise that she began drinking at a young age.
The problem was, she did not realize that her drinking was a problem until her life was spinning out of control and she was on the verge of despair.
After seven years of binge drinking and destructive relationships, Amber finally admitted that she was an alcoholic and needed help. This decision changed everything.
The stick figure illustrations really cracked me up. Ms. Tozer has the ability to keep the reader laughing even through the most heartbreaking and tragic situations.
I believe this book will be very beneficial to anyone wanting to learn about the devastation that alcohol (or any drug addiction) can have on an individual. This book contains profanity (including some F bombs), so I recommend it for adult readers.
MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5
FYI - I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
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Title: The Dress
Author: Kate Kerrigan
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Date of Publication: August 1, 2015
Length: 390 Pages
Kindle Copy - "The Party Dress"
This book review was written by guest blogger Cindy Phelps Thomas.
About The Author
Kate Kerrigan is the author of City of Hope, Ellis Island, and Land of Dreams.
Turning Back the Years
Lily Fitzpatrick is a well-known fashion blogger whose specialty is vintage. She spends her time rummaging through piles of vintage clothing looking for the perfect piece with its unknown history.
After her grandfather suddenly passes away, Lily wonders about his mysterious background and family. She has heard little of his heritage, and the need to know becomes an obsession. She learns that the woman wearing a beautiful dress in an old clipping she found may indeed be a relative of hers. Lily longs to know this woman’s story and the story behind “the dress”. The idea plays on Lily’s mind to recreate the dress in the clipping.
These three women: Lily Fitzpatrick, Joy Fitzpatrick, and Honor Conlon, are all so different, yet bound together for eternity by the dress.
- Lily Fitzpatrick is in the present-day attempting to recreate the dress, in a highly publicized dual of fashion designers.
- Joy Fitzpatrick is having this one-of-a-kind dress made to rekindle the romance with her husband.
- Honor Conlon is trying to make a name for herself in the world of fashion as an immigrant in New York 1950’s.
Each woman’s life is changed forever.
My Thoughts
"The Dress" was a wonderfully written book that allowed the reader to travel through time to learn about the history of the mysterious dress. The characters were so well developed that I felt a connection to them all. The descriptions of the vintage dresses were so wonderfully written, I could almost see them for myself. I have even taken an interest in vintage dresses myself since reading it. I highly recommend this book!
Rating: 5 Stars Of 5
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Leslie Haskin was on the thirty-sixth floor of the World Trade Center, Tower One, on September 11, 2001. Her drive for success and independence led her to New York in 1987, and later to Kemper Insurance Company in 2001, where she became the director of operations and one of only two African-Americans to hold an executive title within the corporation's eastern region.
"Escape From The World Trade Center" is her story about how she escaped the burning building and how it changed her life.
About The Author
Ms. Haskin has written four books and has become a favorite on national media such as CNN, The 700 Club and Moody Radio. She is the founder of a ministry designed to provide rehabilitation and healing to women and children who are homeless and victims of domestic violence.
A Day That Will Never Be Forgotten
Ms. Haskin begins this story by stating that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can come about after one has experienced or witnessed life-threatening events like war, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, or violent personal assaults.
The author provides a vivid and emotional account of her experiences after the plane hit Tower One at the World Trade Center. She explains that she was frozen with fear and could not understand what was happening. She was one of the last ones to leave her office area because she could not grasp the gravity of the situation.
She then entered the stairway and descended thirty-six floors. She describes how crowded it was as they went down the stairs. She was disoriented and was just pushed along as the crowd slowly made there way to the bottom floor.
She tells how more people were entering the stairway from each floor. On one floor, the door was opened and she could see a man who was decapitated. People were yelling, cussing and crying in desperation as they made their way to freedom. She tells of the putrid smoke that was burning her eyes and making breathing difficult. When she finally exited the building, she saw many people jumping from the upper floors.
The author sought guidance and strength from her Christian faith. The text contains Scripture that complements the text. She is truly convinced that the Lord was with her and led her to safety on that horrific day.
My Thoughts
Leslie Haskin has provided a very detailed description of her experiences on 9/11. She is very good at expressing her emotions and providing details that some authors might overlook. I think one of the most poignant moments of her experience was when she witnessed a man and woman holding hands and jumping from a window to their deaths.
Some people will object to the author's frequent references to the Bible. I think the verses that she chose to highlight her experiences were very appropriate. She is a woman of faith and she gladly gives all the glory to Jesus Christ.
This weekend our country will be remembering those who lost their lives on that terrible day. This book offers a message of hope and healing. It is available in digital format on Amazon.
I recently posted a review of "That Day In September" by Artie Van Why. This is another touching eye-witness account of the tragedy at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
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