This Ordinary Stardust - Book Review

Title: This Ordinary Stardust; A Scientist's Path from Grief to Wonder

Author: Alan Townsend PhD

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: June 4, 2024

Length: 272 Pages

About the Author
Dr. Alan R. Townsend is a scientist, author, speaker, and Dean of the University of Montana’s W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation.

A Journey of Science, Love, and Grief
Dr. Alan Townsend and his wife Diana worked as environmental scientists. The author's life is turned upside down when both his wife and his four-year-old daughter are diagnosed with unrelated, life-threatening forms of brain cancer.

My Thoughts
Dr. Townsend writes poetic descriptions of the work that he and his wife did as environmental scientists. I especially enjoyed the trip they made to the author's home state of Hawaii. 

When Dr. Townsend's four-year-old Neva was diagnosed with brain cancer, the family was determined to get her the best medical care possible. She received brain surgery that slowed down the growth of the cancer. Later, she had another surgery that completely removed the cancerous tumor.

When Diana was diagnosed with an unrelated form of brain cancer, the family was again focused on finding the best doctors and treatments available. Unfortunately, Diana did not survive her illness. 

This book describes how science and spirituality combine to deal with grief and to celebrate a life well lived. The author has written a beautiful love story that describes the happy years he spent with his wife, the struggle to find cancer treatment for both his daughter and wife and his wife's eventual death. This is an amazing story of hope and resilience. 

Highly recommended!

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann

Title: This Impossible Brightness; A Novel

Author: Jessica Bryant Klagmann

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: February 1, 2024

Length: 308 Pages

Amazon Prime First Reads - January 2024

About the Author
Jessica Bryant Klagmann grew up in New England, studied writing in Fairbanks, Alaska, and now lives with her family in northern New Mexico. Her work has been published in environmental journals like Whitefish Review and Terrain.org.

An Amazing Adventure and Love Story
Alma Hughes moves to a remote island in the North Atlantic in hopes of dealing with the loss of her fiance. She also wants to tend to the needs of her ailing dog. Alma learns to communicate with "Echoes" and finds a purpose for her secluded life. 

My Thoughts
I have never read a book quite like this one. There were times when I was a bit confused by the different characters. I had to get used to the idea that Alma could see and communicate with people who were no longer living. Alma's dog was especially poignant and memorable. 

Alma was constantly dealing with the fact that the North Atlantic island was slowly being swallowed up by the sea. The harsh elements were a constant challenge. The issue of climate change was a strong part of this story.

This book was a combination of science fiction, adventure, and love story. I found the last couple of chapters especially engaging and all the questions that I had earlier were answered. The story ended with the strong message that love never ends. 

Alma was a courageous and resilient woman and I enjoyed getting to know her. This book took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a faraway place where hope and love endure.

MY RATING: 4 Stars OUt Of 5

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

 

Title: Dear Edward; A Novel

Author: Ann Napolitano

Publisher: Dial Press

Publication Date: January 6, 2020

Length: 353 Pages

Read With Jenna - January, 2020

About the Author
Ann Napolitano was the Associate Editor of One Story literary magazine for seven years and received an MFA from New York University. She has taught fiction writing for Brooklyn College's MFA program, New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and for Gotham Writers' Workshop.

Tragedy, Resilience, and Hope
This book is about an airplane crash that killed 190 people. There was one young survivor on the plane and his name was Edward Adler. Edward's mother, father, and brother were killed and he was seriously injured.
 The chapters alternate between scenes on the ill-fated airplane and Edward's journey after the wreck.

My Thoughts
In the past, I have not read very many adult fiction books. I tend to choose nonfiction and children's books. In 2024, I have resolved to read at least one adult fiction book each month. I finished reading this book on New Year's Day. I am so happy that I am starting the year with such a wonderful book. I love this book because Edward Adler showed us how to bounce back from an unimaginable tragedy.  He demonstrated courage, resilience, and the power of love. 

Edward developed a friendship with a neighbor girl named Shay. This friendship slowly developed into a lasting love. Edward and Shay discovered hidden bags of letters that were written to Edward by family members of people killed on the airplane. These letters motivated Edward to reach out to others and share his wealth with those in need.

This is my favorite quote in the book. Many years ago I was seriously injured in a head-on car wreck with a drunk driver. This quote speaks to me.

“There was no reason for what happened to you, Eddie. You could have died; you just didn’t. It was dumb luck. Nobody chose you for anything. Which means, truly, that you can do anything.”

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5 

Grief and Renewal by Don Miguel Ruiz

Title: Grief and Renewal; Finding Beauty and Balance in Loss

Authors: Don Miguel Ruiz and Barbara Emrys

Publisher: Urano World

Publication Date: September 25, 2023

Length: 160 Pages

About the Authors
 Don Miguel Ruiz practiced as a surgeon until a near-death experience brought him closer to the traditions of the Toltecs, following in the footsteps of his Mexican ancestors. 
Barbara Emrys is a teacher of the ancient Toltec arts and has co-authored several books with Don Miguel Ruiz.

Dealing with Grief
The authors present a five-part course on the topic of death and loss in the human experience.

• Day 1 - The Reality
• Day 2 - The Reflection
• Day 3 - Grief
• Day 4 - Grace
• Day 5 - The Elegy

My Thoughts

I chose this book because I recently read "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. The four agreements are: Be impeccable with your word, Don't take anything personally, Don't make assumptions, and Always do your best.

This book challenges the reader to think about death, change, and grief in a new way.  Life is the constant process of creation and destruction. We know our lives will end, but we fight the reality of death. We must accept the fact that death does not discriminate; it touches everyone. Death is a natural part of life.

The authors encourage us to discover how our approach to death can inspire a more conscious approach to living. We can be aware of our own eternal and infinite nature. We can appreciate the nature of all living things and how each reflects life differently.

I will revisit this book often as I reflect on my life journey. This book on death and grief is actually about life and living. 

MY RATING - 5 STARS OUT OF FIVE

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an excellent reading experience.

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Book Review: Where the Water Meets the Sand by Tyra Manning

Title: Where the Water Meets the Sand

Author: Tyra Manning

Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press

Publication Date: May 10, 2016

Length: 264 Pages



About The Author
After retiring from a forty-year career in education, Dr. Tyra Manning has devoted her energies to comforting those suffering in silence, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and opening doors to resources for support and treatment.

A Woman With A Mission
Tyra Manning learned that her husband had been killed in the Vietnam War from her psychiatrist at the Menninger Clinic, where she had been hospitalized for clinical depression. After years of battling addiction and depression, Tyra's worst fear had come true. Larry had been shot down over the Laotian jungle while flying a top-secret mission, just two weeks before their daughter's second birthday.

The author recounts how she was able to persevere in the face of devastating loss. With courage, love, and determination, she overcame her grief and fulfilled promises she made to Larry before he left for Vietnam. She ultimately earned a doctorate of education from the University of Kansas and became one of the nation's top school superintendents.

When Tyra received a call from the Air Force in 2006, she was able to keep one last promise to Larry. His remains had finally been excavated after thirty-five years, and she was able to honor his wish to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

My Thoughts
This memoir is remarkable for many reasons. I started reading this book and couldn't put it down until I read the last page.

The author is a survivor. Tyra Manning is as much of a hero as her husband who lost his life in Vietnam. She would not give up, no matter how difficult her life circumstances were.

Here are some of the challenges that Dr. Manning overcame:

• The illness and death of her father at a young age.
• Depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
• Alcohol addiction.
• Becoming a young widow of an Air Force pilot killed in Vietnam.
• Single motherhood.
• Working as a school teacher and going to school at night and during summers.
• Severe injuries from a head-on collision with a drunk driver.
• Divorce.
• Dealing with military authorities for over 35 years to have her husband's remains returned and buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Trya and Larry were planning to meet in Hawaii, where the water meets the sand, during an upcoming R&R leave. This dream of walking on the beach with her husband inspired and comforted Tyra during her most difficult days.

Courage. Inspiration. Determination. Perseverance. Patriotism. Hope. Love.

These are just a few words that describe Dr. Manning's life journey. 

Highly recommended!

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.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

The video book trailer below provides some highlights from the book.

Children's Book Review: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Nest

Author: Esther Ehrlich

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Date: September 9, 2014

Length: 338 Pages



About the Author
Amy Ehrlich is the author of more than thirty books for young readers and is also a winner of The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award for her novel Joyride, which was also chosen Booklist Choice Best Book of the Decade. She lives on a farm in Northern Vermont with her husband and a great many domestic and agricultural animals.

A Coming Of Age Story
Eleven-year-old Naomi Orenstein is nicknamed “Chirp” because of her love of birds and bird-watching. Her sister Rachel and her father are close, and Chirp enjoys a special bond with her mother, a former dancer. The story is set in 1972 on Cape Cod.

Chirp's mother is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (M.S.) and is severely depressed as a result of her illness. Chirp copes with her mother's illness by spending time alone with her beloved birds and befriending a neighbor boy named Joey.

This is a story about a family dealing with severe hardships. Chirp is a survivor and learns the true meaning of friendship and family.

My Thoughts
This was a very emotional book. It was written for middle school students and it deals with problems that many youngsters have probably been sheltered from. These issues included terminal illness of a parent, child abuse, running away from home and suicide.

I believe the author presented this story in a realistic and sensitive manner. This book will make readers understand and appreciate the meaning of the love and devotion of family and friends.

Chirp learned that bad things happen to good people but life goes on. The story illustrates the grieving process and the emotions that are felt by each of the family members. Love never dies.

Highly recommended for middle school students through adults.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.

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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Children's Book Review: Kayak Girl by Monica Devine

 Title: Kayak Girl


Author: Monica Devine
Illustrator: Mindy Dwyer

Publisher: University of Alaska Press

Date: September 15, 2012

 

About The Author

Monica Devine is the author of five children's books and a former nominee of the celebrated Golden Kite Award for her book, The Iditarod: The Greatest Win Ever (Cover-To-Cover Books).

Sorrow and Healing
Jana, a young Eskimo girl, is too tired to do the things that she did in the past. Since her mother died, Jana spends most of her time in her room looking out the cabin window.

One day, her grandfather comes from a village far up the river for a visit. He brings Jana a set of carving tools but she is not interested in carving. She watches while her grandfather carves a girl sitting in a boat from a piece of wood. He calls the girl "Kayak Girl" and tells Jana to take the girl down to the river and put her in the water. Jana doesn't want to walk to the river so Kayak Girl sits in a dusty corner and is forgotten.

When Jana's grandfather is ready to go home, he takes the carving and promises to put Kayak Girl in the river near his village. He asks Jana to walk down to the river each day and watch for Kayak Girl to return to her.

Over the next weeks and months, Jana walks down to the river each day and patiently waits for Kayak Girl. She deals with her feelings of fear, loneliness and grief as she stands by the river waiting for Kayak Girl to find her way home.

Eventually,  Kayak Girl finds her way back to Jana and she thanks the small wood carving for bringing back her spirit. She puts Kayak Girl back in the river and promises that she will not forget her.

Jana realizes that her mother still loves her and her spirit will always be with her.

My Thoughts
This is a beautiful children's story that deals with a very sensitive subject. Jana is dealing with the loss of her mother and can't work through her grief. She doesn't have the desire to leave her room or do any of the things she has done in the past. She appears to be depressed and has lost her desire to live a happy, productive life.

Jana learns to accept her mother's death by caring about the Kayak Girl and recalling happy memories of her mother. She learns that her mother's spirit is with her and she doesn't need to be sad.

The color illustrations are wonderful and do a very nice job spotlighting the Alaskan landscape. This book provides an outstanding example of the Alaskan culture and traditions. The story deals with feelings in a way that children will understand. I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from the publisher.

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Book Review: Mama Lives In My Hair

Four-year-old Celia Johnson is counting the days until her mother comes home from serving as an Army nurse in the Middle East. "Mama Lives in My Hair", by Merri Hiatt, is a 12-page short story that tells the poignant story of love and loss from a child's point-of-view.



About the Author
Merri Hiatt grew up in a small town near Shasta Valley in Northern California. Upon moving to the Pacific Northwest in Washington state, Merri fell in love with the mountains, ocean, rain and lush greenery.
Merri credits her high school creative writing teacher with giving her the nudge to pursue writing, and she's been writing ever since. She has written 11 books and they are all available in ebook format at Amazon.Com.

A Military Family
Lt. Mark Johnson is taking care of four-year-old Celia while his wife is serving as an Army nurse in the Middle East. The little girl marks a red X on the calendar for each day that brings her mother's homecoming a little closer.

Mark knew that his wife was in a dangerous area but he was looking forward to her return in less than two months. He was not prepared for the knock on his door and the presence of two Army officers with grim expressions on their faces. They told him that his wife had been killed and handed him a letter. The letter was from his wife and began, "If you're reading this letter, you know I am dead. Well, I'm not dead, my physical body is dead. You and I both know our spirit is what matters and my spirit is alive and well, whole and complete. I hope you can hold on to that fact."

Mark had the difficult task of telling Celia that her mother was dead and would not ever be coming home. He had been reading her the classic children's book "The Velveteen Rabbit" and Celia remembered the book said, "When you become real, you can't become unreal."

Celia knew that her Mommy was still real and with her. She realized that her mother's spirit was like the breeze and she lives in her hair. She knew that her mother's spirit would never leave her.

My Thoughts
This poignant short story is an excellent reminder of what military families have to deal with. The story brought tears to my eyes and is a very realistic account of the death and grieving experience. The author did a very good job writing about a difficult subject.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I ordered this ebook from Amazon.Com when it was offered as a free digital download. Please check the price before ordering.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: Reflections At Sunrise

Reflections at Sunrise, by Sandra Dorsett, is a short memoir about a widow's feelings of sadness, grief and hope. Ms. Dorsett writes a heart-wrenching story about her husband's battle with cancer. She shares her journey through grief and healing since his death. This book will take you about 20 minutes to read and will give you a new perspective on life, death and love.

This book is currently being offered as a FREE Kindle book on Amazon.

My Thoughts
Amazon has been offering quite a few FREE short stories, essays and articles.  I enjoy checking out some of these short stories when I have a limited amount time to read.
I have found that quite a few of these short stories are only mediocre. I don't like to write negative reviews, so I usually just read these stories and move on to the next book.
This short story is an exception to many of the others that I have read...it is a real gem. Ms. Dorsett writes from the heart and shares some of the most difficult things about taking care of a sick spouse and then dealing with his death.
Chuck Davis died of lung cancer on December 27. 2004. The author shares the details of her husband's last year of life. She also explains how very difficult it was for her to get through the grief and move forward with her life.
I would like to share the following paragraph from Ms. Dorsett's story;

"I wish we could've grown old together. I miss our date nights. I miss seeing him pull into our drive in his blue truck. I miss seeing him in his favorite red cowboy shirt and his tan boots. I miss seeing the love in his eyes. I miss him. I know that missing him may become a shadow in my heart, but it will never stop."

This story reminds us that we should never take our loved ones for granted.  A person really can't understand what it would be like to lose a spouse to death until they have experienced it. This story will provide comfort and hope to those who are mourning. It will help us all understand the grieving and healing process. "Reflections At Sunrise" is well worth the time it will take you to read it.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Reason - Help and Hope For Those Who Grieve

Sally Grablick tells the heart-wrenching story of her son's suicide in "The Reason; Help and Hope for Those Who Grieve". Ms. Grablick shares the feelings she experienced in the days, months and years following her son's death. This is a story of lessons learned, tools used and insights gained while navigating the way through grief to hope.


"When it comes to grief, the real 'expert' is the one who has experienced it firsthand, and then lived to tell the tale. In this case, that would be me. (Sally Grablick)


Each person must find their own path that leads from grief to acceptance. This book is a memoir of one mother's journey.



Experiencing A Tragedy
Ryan Wecker was 19-years-old when he shot himself...in his room, in his parent's home, with a rifle. Sally Grablick tells how she went from walking five miles, five days a weeks, to sitting on her deck smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. The experience of losing her son left Ms. Grablick paralyzed both physically and emotionally.

The author has done extensive research on the subject of overcoming grief and surviving the suicide of a close family member. She is very open and honest about her experiences. She wanted to know; "Where did he go, and is he alright?"
The author believes that one tool for dealing with grief is to cultivate an openness to the presence of their loved one's spirit. She has found closure and peace by recognizing signs that her son is near her and finding ways to communicate with him.

My Thoughts
This book is a very engaging and touching read. The author is very direct in describing the heartache and pain that comes with losing a child by suicide. Ms. Grablick makes it clear that the road to recovery is very long and very hard for the entire family.

I really liked the way the author shared the "tools" that she used to deal with this tragedy. She admitted that she took antidepressant medications, sought the help of an experienced therapist and depended on friends and family for emotional support. She also shared her experiences with getting readings from psychics and  fortunetellers.
I admire her determination to explore every available avenue to find closure. You might not agree with all of her methods, but you will rejoice with this mother as she finds acceptance and peace.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from the author's publicist.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood

If there is a special dog in your life, this is a book that you will treasure.

The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood, by Nadine Rosin, is a true story about the human-animal bond, healing cancer holistically, senior canine care, and an empowering new look at the grieving process when a beloved animal passes away.

This memoir tells how Buttons and Nadine lived, loved, laughed and cried together for 19 years. Nadine loved Buttons like an child, and Buttons was one lucky dog!

About The Author

Nadine M. Rosin has been a student of alternative healing for over thirty years and is a certified holistic pets/toxic-free living consultant, pet bereavement facilitator, and public speaker.

A Young Lady And Her Dog
In 1984, Nadine's cousin said, "You're going to be twenty-nine next month, you've got no kids, no husband, and no prospects. How 'bout I get you a dog for your birthday?"  That is how the journey began.

Nadine and her cousin traveled to Waggin' Tails, the only Cockapoo breeder listed in the Yellow pages. When Nadine walked into the kennel, a small mixed-breed female puppy almost leaped out of her cage and burrowed her entire front end up the sleeve of Nadine's coat. This little pup whined and cried the entire time that Nadine was looking at the other dogs. It was obvious that Buttons had chosen her new mother.

Nadine treated Buttons like a real daughter and they did everything together. Buttons seemed to understand Nadine's reluctance to commit to a loving relationship because of an abusive mother and a difficult childhood. Buttons was there to help Nadine when her long-time boyfriend left her broken-hearted and depressed. Buttons was there for Nadine when she was forced to move multiple times in search of employment.

When Buttons was eight years old, she was diagnosed with cancer. The vet gave her six weeks to live without amputation, chemotherapy and radiation. Nadine refused to accept this diagnosis. She launched a holistic regimen that included cleansing Button's body of all toxins and giving her body the nutritional support it needed to heal itself. Within a few months, Buttons was cancer-free and went on to live many more healthy years.

When Buttons was 18 years old, she suffered a stroke. Nadine nursed her with medication from the vet, natural foods and supplements. Nadine was planning a party to celebrate Button's 19th birthday. Buttons died one week before her birthday.
Nadine describes how she prepared herself for the inevitable death of her dear daughter and the emotions that she felt during the final days. She tells how she had the body cremated and later spread the ashes in some of their favorite places. Nadine tenderly tells how she communicated with Button's spirit after her death. She explains how she grieved and how she was able to eventually work through her grief.

My Thoughts
Disclosure: I am the mother of six beloved dog children. I usually don't like to read "sad dog stories", but this book was a celebration of life and living. Nadine and Buttons had a bond that does not end with death...Love never ends.
Nadine has a wonderful writing style that makes the reader feel like he/she is right in the story. There is never a dull moment in this book.
I seldom shed tears while reading a book, but I admit that I broke down when Buttons died. I felt like I had lost one of my own beloved pets. The joyful news is that Button's spirit still lives in Nadine's heart and always will.

Nadine Rosin has a very interesting web site/blog that offers readers more information about holistic pet care.
This is a book that every dog parent should read. It is an inspiring, moving and remarkable piece of work. The book is available in paperback at Amazon and in digital format on the web site.

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

Are you a dog parent? Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Book Review: The Best Worst Thing

The Best Worst Thing, by Kristen K. Brown, is the story of a 34-year-old widow, mother, author and entrepreneur, who has found a way to deal with tragedy and manage the stress that goes along with it.

Kristen K. Brown found herself a young widowed mother when her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 30. Kristen experienced feelings of grief,  regret, denial and anger as she struggled to survive the days following her husband's death.

This is a true story of love, loss, rebirth and self-discovery. This is an amazing journey through the grief process and into a new life of acceptance and happiness.

Love
In the opening chapters of this book, Kristen shares the story of her courtship and early marriage to Todd Brown. Kristen and Todd had attended the same high school but did not start dating until several years after they graduated. Kristen and Todd shared a strong bond from the beginning of their relationship and dated several years before getting married. I especially enjoyed the story of how Todd proposed and the details of their marriage.
Kristen was excited about being a mother and gave birth to Brooke on December 1, 2006.

Death
Todd Brown died suddenly in his sleep on September 9, 2007. The entire family was together to attend the wedding of Kristen's sister. An autopsy was later performed and the results showed that Todd had suffered a heart attack. He did not have any history of medical problems or heart issues. The death came as a complete shock to everyone involved.

Acceptance and Growth
Kristen learns to survive and eventually thrive in the weeks, months and years following Todd's death. This was not an easy journey but Kristen slowly builds a new life for herself. She quit a job that was making her miserable and launched a new business that she named Happy Hour Effect.

"After all that's happened, I like to say now that I may be money-poor but I'm happiness rich...and that's all that really matters, isn't it?"

 It was hard to put this book down. Kristen really opened her heart and exposed her inner-most feelings. Most of us can't imagine what it would be like to lose a spouse at such a young age. This book will teach you how to mend a broken heart.  Healing and acceptance is what this book is all about. A very good read.

Disclosure: Kristen Brown sent me a complimentary paperback copy of this book to read and review. Thank you!
I love to hear from my readers ~ Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Visions Trips And Crowded Rooms

I read Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die by David Kessler this week.  I read the book in digital format on my Kindle.   I borrowed this book from a fellow member of the Kindle Lending Club. 
David Kessler is a well-known expert and lecturer on grief and loss. He co-authored two bestsellers with the legendary Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss and Life Lessons: How Our Morality Can Teach Us About Life and Living. 
Mr Kessler shares the stories of doctors, nurses, hospice workers, social workers and family members who have reported the pre-death visions in loved ones during there final days of life.  The author has divided these pre-death experiences into three categories:
(1) Visions of deceased loved ones, angels or Jesus entering their room and communicating with them.  These images almost always occur in the upper corner of the room.  The visions are very real to the patients and usually leave them with a feeling of inner peace and contentment.
(2) Some people believe they are going on a trip when death is near.  The book gave examples of very ill patients wanting to pack their bags so that they could catch the bus or train. 
(3) Patients sometimes see a crowd of people gathering in their room.  Some of the people are unknown by the patient but some are recognized as people that were known in the past but are now deceased.  One story told of a woman who had been a school teacher for 40 years.  Many of the people gathered in her room were former students and co-workers.
This is the second book that I have reviewed this week on the subject of pre-death visions and experiences.  I read Into the Light: Real Life Stories About Angelic Visits, Visions of the Afterlife, and Other Pre-Death Experiences , by John Lerma, and wrote a book review on this blog earlier in the week.  Dr. Lerma's book was much more personal because he wrote about patients that he knew and cared for at the Hospice Center.  He went into much more detail about what the patient saw and how he was feeling.  Mr. Kessler provided more research on the history of pre-death visions in literature and the arts.  He provided many stories about specific pre-death experiences but did not go into the great detail that Dr. Lerma did. Mr. Kessler's book provided more useful facts and information on the terminally ill patient and the process of dying.
Mr. Kessler stated that the purpose of this book was to provide people with hope.  A hope that we will someday be reunited with loved ones who have gone before us.  This book provides hope and understanding. 

Book Review: Surprised By Suffering

I read the Kindle edition of Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in The Christian Life by R.C. Sproul.  Pastor Sproul is an American Calvinist theologian and pastor. He is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries and can be heard daily on the Renewing Your Mind radio broadcast in the United States and internationally.  He has written 60 books on Christian living. This book was first published in 1988.  This edition features a new chapter on God's sovereignty in relation to suffering (Chapter 4), as well as  new Scripture and subject indexes.

I think all people are surprised when faced with suffering and death.  We are never prepared to handle these unpleasant circumstances in life.  The author examines and discusses the following questions;

Why do good people suffer with sickness and disease?
Is there a heaven where we will live after death?
Will we see our loved ones again?

Pastor Sproul leads the reader in a detailed Bible study on these topics.  He examines both Old Testament and New Testament Scpritures to find the answers to these questions.  He uses the Scriptures to provide comfort to Christians who have lost loved ones.  He also shares his views on how to deal with family members who are terminally ill.
I was drawn to this book because my father recently had a heart attack.  He is very ill and I am having a hard time dealing with this.  Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in The Christian Life was like a gift straight from God.  Pastor Sproul helped me understand the process of death and grief. 
The index at the back of the book is a very helpful reference tool.  This book is well worth the time it will take you to read it. 

Book Review; A Promise To Remember

 A Promise to Remember, by Kathryn Cushman, is a story about how two very different families deal with grief.  I chose this book to read because I recently installed the Kindle for PC software on my laptop computer.  The publisher is offering this book as a FREE download for Kindle users.

Chad Phelps and Jeff Johnston are killed in a car wreck.  The Phelps family is wealthy and live in an exclusive area of Santa Barbara, California.  Melanie Johnston is a single mom and works in a grocery store to earn a living.  Chad Phelps had been drinking the night he collided with Jeff Johnston.

This book provides a look at how the families go through  denial, anger, depression and finally acceptance in dealing with the loss of their teenage sons. 

This is a Christian fiction book but it is not preachy.  Christian beliefs and values are used by both families to move forward and accept this tragedy.  The theme of the story is forgiveness. 

I could really relate to this book because I was in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in 1992.  I went through many of the same feelings that were portrayed in this book.  This is a very helpful book for anyone who has gone through a traumatic experience.  It will help you get things in the proper perspective.

Other books by Kathryn Cushman:
Waiting for Daybreak
Leaving Yesterday
Angel Song