Our Man in Munich written by A.M Sadar

well written book

My review

While reading Our Man in Munich written by A.M Sadar I noted some points

of the book:

Strengths:

A well-developed and complex protagonist - good characters

A suspenseful and engrossing plot

Insightful exploration of the themes of war, trauma, and resilience

Weaknesses:

The novel's historical setting may not be familiar to all readers

The novel's ending may be a bit abrupt for some readers

I really enjoyed the historical story and the characters so, I give a 

4.5 à 5 star rating. 

The Book

The Kindle edition of Our Man in Munich was published on 
15 January 2022. It is available on Amazon.

Booktasters

As always I want to thank Booktasters and the author A.M Sadar

as well for receiving a free copy in return for my honest review, 
which I did. 

The Twin: Who Are They? And Who Are We?

 A book that makes you think!

My review

This certainly is a book that makes you think! Are the things the way they
really are? 

I liked the layout very much and the story as well, although I missed the
depth of the characters. Perhaps they could be more explained?

However I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read 
a good science fiction story.

Anyway I give a 4 star rating for " The Twin: Who Are They?
And Who Are We?"

The book

Format:     124 pages, Paperback

Published:     September 14, 2020 by Minds Unfettered

ISBN:     9781735277905 (ISBN10: 1735277908)

Language:     English

Author: Karel Jan Kosman

Available: Amazon

Booktasters

I want to thank Booktasters for providing me a free copy in return of
my honest review, which I did. Thank you! 

Why We Are Coming

"Very informative"

My review

I received a free copy of  'Why We Are Coming' on October 27th. via Booktasters
and the author Yasin Kakande as well, in return of my honest review.

However it took a while for me, reading this complete masterwork it was really
interesting. The author also did a fantastic research as well. The theme: mass
migration is very actual too. 

As I said before, it took a while for reading, due to the facts, the figures and it
made me thinking. 

So if you are interested in history, Africa, slavery (now and in history),
colonialism, international politics, please do certainly read this fantastic book! 

Without any doubt I give 5 stars for this wonderful work! 

The author

👉 The author has a interesting website too, check this link. I certainly
will follow his website and his publications very well. 👀

Reading in Winter

The winter is by far most of my favourite season for reading. When the days 
become shorter and the darkness wins it over from the light, it is very easy to
withdraw myself at home with a good book. Besides that, at work it is less
busier in winter than in summer months, especially September was very
heavy. 

So, I hope to catch up with reading lovely books with inter alia Booktasters
and the We love Memoirs group. 

It's so nice to see all the different styles of books and authors as well. They
make the dark months to come, more colourfull.  

Soon, you'll find here new reviews, I read inter alia Bits, Bytes, and Barrels:
The Digital Transformation of Oil and Gas via Booktasters and Beneath a 
Copper sky of Val Poore. 

Some pictures of the Balloon Festival in my hometown Sint-Niklaas, Belgium.
September 2022.

Enjoy reading!

Fearghus Academy: October Jewels

What a fantastic summer read!

Review

Fearghus Academy: October Jewels was a very interesting book to read. I
enjoyed the characters (the family) as well as the tensions and the plots.

There are even time switches and the characters are coming from over the
world. 

It was a fantastic summer read and I recommend it to people who like to
read Fantasy adventures books (ages between 6 to 12).

The book was released on 26 May 2020 and it contains 356 pages. 

I give of course a 5* rating because I enjoyed it very much. 

The author

I.O. Scheffer (2000 -) is the proud father of a one-eyed dog named Mr. Rogers.
He is attending Miami University as a Creative Writing major, and spends
his free time making music and/or crafting worlds and writing them out
on his PC.

Booktasters

I want to thank Booktasters and the author for providing me a free copy in
return of my honest review, which I did. 

Author in the picture: D.W. Whitlock

One of the first books I ever reviewed via Booktasters was Crucible of Fear,
written by D.W. Whitlock. I was very honoured to read and review another
wonderful book from the author: Cult of Darkness . That's why I was keen
to invite this excellent writer for the author in the picture blog post. So here
are the questions.

Can you tell us a bit more about D.W. Whitlock?

 I've worked a lot of jobs over the years from lake dock worker to electrician
to animation for television and games. I've met so many amazing people
from all walks of life and those experiences have been invaluable for
shaping characters and stories. 

Could you tell us something more about the Cult of Darkness?

 I've always been fascinated by ancient cultures, specifically the Maya,
and I've always wanted to tell a story that captures their rich history with
as much respect as possible. One of the themes of Cult of Darkness is
cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation, and I have characters
in the story on opposing sides of this theme. The most important thing for
me was no aliens. The Maya culture is rich with history and incredible stories
and trying to explain their advanced stone masonry skills and writing
system by extra terrestrial intervention is insulting, I believe. They were
bloody yet brilliant. That should be enough!

 What are your other interests other than writing?

I'm a lifetime gamer and being able to play video games now with my son
is a true joy. One of my other passions is riding my Triumph Scrambler
motorcycle. For me, I've discovered the best therapy can be found on two wheels. 

What are you most afraid of?

Wouldn't you like to know! (It's tarantulas. I hate them!)

Do you have favorite book characters?

I do. My favorite book of all time is Swan Song by Robert McCammon and
I love all the characters in this book. Sister, Josh Hutchins, Swan,
Alvin Mangrim, Colonel Jimbo Macklin, Roland Croninger and the many
others in this incredible book. I love them all.

How do you choose your topics?

I retain a lot of useless information and facts about my interests: Film,
books, science, emerging technology, video games, interesting people, etc.
My mind tends to wander and mull over these subjects. That is usually
when my ideas come. This usually happens before I sleep or while I'm
not able to write ideas down. In the shower, taking a walk, driving. 

Do you have a special daily (writing) routine?

Usually just fire up the laptop and go over my outline to remind me where
I'm at in the story. My dog, Nikki, loves to snuggle up when I write so that helps :)

Can you recommend some places close to your hometown or country
for (thriller) authors?

Nothing particular comes to mind, but I do use Google Earth to virtually
visit locations that I research for my books. 

Have you any other writing plans?

Someday I'd like to branch out and possibly write horror novels, as well
as another action thriller series.

What is your wish for 2022 and for the near future?

I'd love to sell as many copies of Cult of Darkness and Crucible of Fear of
course and reach as many readers as I can. A book isn't truly complete until
it is read and enjoyed by someone. Or hated. As long as I invoke an emotional
response, I'm happy. 

Where do you find D.W. Whitlock on Social Media?

website: https://www.dwwhitlock.com/
Twitter: @ddubwhitlock
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-W-Whitlock/e/B08T1T6LNH?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1653321138&sr=8-1

Thank you very much for this 'interview' and I really hope all your wishes 
come true. Keep up the good writing work! 

Advantages of reading books

Recently, I discovered a very interesting article about the advantages
of reading books. 

For me the main reason of reading books (and reviewing) is to learn
new things, to get new insights and for making my English better,
because my native language is Dutch. Or doing some armchair travelling
with the memoirs. It just makes me happy 😊

It was a bit quiet on this blog, due to some other busy things but
hopefully I can pick up the thread again and talk nice blog posts/reviews/
author in the picture posts or about other things.

👉 Thank you very much for your support and if you have any - book related -
ideas, feel free to let me know.

Meanwhile, find the article on next link: 10 Great Advantages of Reading Boooks

Keep on reading!

The picture was taken by me in the Museum Plantin Moretus in 2021 in
Antwerpen, Belgium. 

Bookreview: The Way Back

A great historical fiction book

Summary

Churchill tasked the SOE to set Europe ablaze - but it was the RAF
who got them there.

It was the start of the Allies way back into Europe that led to D-Day. For one
burned out pilot who had been judged to be 'Lacking Moral Fibre' it was
his own way back...

My review

As usual I started reading the sequel instead of the first book. 😀
However I easily came into the story. The main character was deepened out
very well and it also has a realistic story.

So, I really enjoyed "The Way Back". I recommend this book to all who love
historical fiction.

With lots of pleasure I give a 5 star rating for "The Way Back".

Note to the author: Please do write other books soon! 

The author

Malcolm started writing fiction around 10 years ago, self-publishing
three novels through Amazon including a mountaineering thriller,
The Last Mountain, which has had more than 10,000 downloads. He
also has two books published by a small publisher, including a collection
of WW1 stories which topped the Amazon anthology best-sellers list
at Christmas 2014.

His short stories have done well in a number of competitions, including
runner-up placings for those run by Henshaw Press and the Mere Literary Festival.

Having written in several genres early in his career, Malcolm has now settled
into writing historical fiction.

This includes LMF, a WW2 novel set during the RAFs controversial night
bombing campaign, Leviathan, a novella about a young, frightened pilot hunting
Zeppelins in the night during WW1, The Neutral Zone, a collection of short stories,
and Eleven Days, a novel set around the events of 'Bloody April' 1917.

LATEST NEWS!

The long-awaited sequel to LMF, The Way Back, is published 15 March 2021.

Booktasters

Of course I really want to thank booktasters for this splendid reading chance.
It actually was my 40th. book review for Booktasters ☝

Bookreview : Our Italian Journey

A truly wonderful journey

Summary

Imagine living in Italy for one full year. This was always the dream and 
promise made to each other.

Ilene and Gary Modica sold almost everything they owned to spend a year
in the land of Gary’s Italian grandparents, to walk where they walked,
eat what they ate, and live in the shadow of history.

Few places evoke the stirring passions and romance of Italy, where the
simple act of sharing a glass of wine, a perfect pizza, and good conversation
is an art form. Be prepared to immerse yourself in this beautiful country
and live vicariously through the couple's authentic encounters.

You’ll also discover:
How their dream and desire for a genuine experience with a true Italian
family came unexpectedly true
How, through this journey, they eat and drink their year through Italy
visiting eight regions and forty-six cities, including Sicilia and their
new Italian birthplace.

Our Italian Journey is a travel memoir of an adventure that has forever
changed the lives of this Arizona couple. Through experiences and humor,
they invite you along their spellbinding journey, exploring quaint villages
steeped in tradition and local culture. Come take a glimpse of Italy through
the eyes of these new Italian citizens and experience firsthand the Italian
zest for living “La Dolce Vita,” in this compelling read.

My review

What a truly wonderful journey! The authors took us - readers - to Italy.
It was very nice reading and following their adventures and I hope another
book will follow soon! 

I certainly will recommend this book to people who like to read wonderful 
travel memoirs.

Without no doubt, I give Italian Journey a 5 star rating!

The authors

To read more about the authors Ilene and Gary Modica, check their website:

https://ouritalianjourney.com/

We Love Memoirs

I received a free copy (I'm sorry it took so long for this review) via the
loveliest group on Facebook: We Love Memoirs! 

Author in the picture: Madame Gilflurt, Catherine Curzon

Already from the beginning of my blog adventures in 2012
(sounds like history 😆) , I follow on Twitter a certain Catherine Curzon alias
Madame Gilflurt. She told very interesting stories about the Georgian area. 

Since she has written several books about this interesting time period, I thought
it was an excellent idea to invite her on the blog. 

So these are my questions and her answers. 

Questions & Answers

Can you tell me more about yourself? Who is Catherine Curzon? 

Who is Madame Gilflurt?

Catherine Curzon is a gal who lives up a steep hill in Yorkshire and
writes books about eighteenth century history. My shadow is a little dog named
Pippa, and we have a passion for history and classic Hollywood cinema, reflected
in my Master’s in Film. I’m also half of novelist Ellie Curzon, author of the
bestselling Under a Spitfire Sky, which was published by Orion, and its follow-up
The Codebreaker Girls.  Madame Gilflurt was the name I came up with nearly a
decade ago when I wanted to launch my online presence, and thought a smart
Georgian nickname would be a good way to do it. Gilflurt is a bit of Georgian
cant, meaning a minxish woman!

How did your interest in History started?

I’ve told this story a lot, but my love for history was nurtured by my grandad. 

He lived in a tiny cottage on the edge of Sherwood Forest and was a born
storyteller. By the time I was in primary school I thought Byron’s ghost haunted
the pub and Dick Turpin had a camp out in the woods! When I was five years old he
told me about Marie Antoinette losing her head and that was the clincher –
I was hooked!

How did you begin your blog/website? Do you have tips for new bloggers?

I thought my husband was getting a bit tired of my sharing historical titbits with him,
so I decided to share them with a wider audience instead. That was how the blog
came to be, and it’s since evolved into a place where I post my news and bits and bobs,
such as tour dates for Being Mr Wickham and the like. The main bit of advice I can give
is to keep at it, and make friends. The history community can be very welcoming,
and really nurturing too.

Why do you have such an interest in the Georgian era?

Essentially because of the bloody tales my grandad loved to tell. He really brought
the adventure of the era to life, and captured my young imagination. When he
told stories of the eighteenth century, it really did feel as though anything could
happen. It’s a very relatable time in many ways too, and its obsession with
celebrity and gossip is familiar to anyone who uses social media today, I think.

5/ How do you start researching for new books? 

How for example do you chose a topic?

I specialise in bitesize biographies of Georgian royalty, so there are plenty of
wonderful candidates to choose from. I don’t so much choose a topic as meet
a character in the course of my research who simply won’t sit down. A good
example of that was Sophia, Electress of Hanover. When I wrote
Kings of Georgian Britain and its follow-up about George I’s doomed marriage,
which ended in adultery and murder, Sophia was a major supporting character.
She was the mother of George I and had Stuart blood in her veins, so was a
fascinating character in her own right. As her part in George I’s story got
bigger and bigger, I knew that she had to have her own book.
That became Sophia: Mother of Kings. The same is true for
Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who has become familiar to
Bridgerton fans lately, but has been a major supporting player in my
non-fiction works from the very first, Life in the Georgian Court.
I’ve just finished her biography, which will be released by
Pen & Sword in 2022, and it’s been a real privilege to spend time with her.

Do you have favourite characters/royals/persons/events in history?
Which ones?

This is a really difficult question for me, because there are just so many.
I’ll narrow it down to a favourite Georgian royal if I may, and choose
Electress Sophia, the founder of the dynasty in so many ways, and a woman
to be reckoned with. She missed out on being queen of the United Kingdom
by a matter of weeks, and I truly believe she is the finest queen we never had.
I also have a soft spot for George IV, but for all the wrong reasons. As a friend
or husband he would’ve been a nightmare, but as a figure who perfectly sums
up the most grotesquely opulent excesses of the era, he takes some beating.

Have you other hobbies or passions than history and writing?

I have a Master’s degree in film and a passion for Golden Age cinema. 

I spend so much time in front of screens that I need to keep my fresh air
topped up, and Pippa and I walk as much as we are able. We’re fortunate to
live among some beautiful countryside, and there’s never any shortage of
fresh air. I also love the theatre and my own play, Being Mr Wickham,
goes on tour in the autumn. I wrote the show with Adrian Lukis, who played
Wickham in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and returns to
the role in our play, to lift the lid on Wickham at 60. 

How does a typical (writing) day look like?

A typical writing day isn’t too exciting, but it is generally pretty productive, 

and that’s what matters. I get up early and walk Pippa after Mr C has gone to 

work, then we eat breakfast before I head upstairs to my office and knuckle down.
Essentially I try to keep office hours as much as I can, otherwise I’m the sort of
person who could easily find themselves still happily writing away at 4am!
I’ll usually work at home or in our gorgeous village café until Mr C finishes work,
then take Pippa for a walk to meet him. The three of us will then go for a cuppa or
a bit more of a stroll if the weather is fine, then spend the evening relaxing as
much as possible. Writing is my full-time job, and in the past I’ve been guilty
of not giving myself time off. I’ve learned to be much better at that now –
when you’re working for yourself, you have to remember to look after
yourself too!

Do you have other plans for new books?

The Wives of George IV, the true story of Maria Fitzherbert and
Queen Caroline, will be out before Christmas. Next year will see the
release of my Queen Charlotte biography and also a tie-in book for
fans of Bridgerton, which will pull back the sheets on some of the era’s
sauciest scandals. After that There’ll also be exciting things happening
for Ellie Curzon, and Being Mr Wickham too, as well as lots more history!

I always end with the same question. What do you wish for yourself and
for the world? 

A contented and smiling future.

Thank you very much for participating in your Author in the picture blogpost on 
MyCrazyLifeWithBooks Blog. 

I'm looking forward to read your books and to follow your stories on Twitter!

If you want to know more about Catherine Curzon and Madame Gilflurt here

are some interesting pages and links!

Links

www.catherinecurzon.com

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Mistresses-of-George-I-and-II-Hardback/p/19112

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Catherine-Curzon/a/2720

https://twitter.com/madamegilflurt

https://www.facebook.com/madamegilflurt

Author in the picture: Geri Walton

Already from the start of my other blog - the Allaboutroyalfamilies blog - and my big
debut on Twitter 😃, I 'met' Geri Walton, an author and historian fascinated by
the 18th. and the 19th. century. 

She also wrote several books inter alia Napoleon's downfall, which I read and reviewed
on this blog. 

I was very happy that Geri Walton was interested to participate in an Author in the picture
blogpost, so here we go. 

The Questions & Answers

Hello Geri, Could you tell me more about you? Who is Geri Walton?

I am a historian of the 18th and 19th century and host of my own blog that
I established in mid-October 2013. Because of all the fascinating subjects
and people from these eras, I learned a lot while writing my blog and have
written four books that have a connection to France. These books are
"Marie Antoinette's Confidante" (a tale about the Princesse de Lamballe
who was a friend and superintendent of the household to Marie Antoinette),
"Madame Tussaud" (a story about the famous wax figure sculptress
who established Madame Tussaud’s wax museum and provided
her version of the French Revolution), 
"Napoleon's Downfall" (an account about a French socialite,
Madame Juliette Récamier, who butted heads with the Emperor Napoleon),
and my latest book, "Jane Austen's Cousin" (a story about Eliza de Feuillide
who married a French count, survived the French Revolution, and then
married her cousin Henry Austen).

How did you get involved with history?

I have always been fascinated by people and history. During high school,
I constantly read books related to people and history so it was inevitable that
when I went to college I would major in history.

Do you have other interests than history and writing?

I have several outside interests. One is gardening. I have a raised bed where
I grow tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, radishes, tomatillos, onions,
hot peppers, and a dozen herbs. In addition, I like to cook and make everything
from chicken pot pies to braised ribs and luscious cookies and cakes.
I also began knitting when I was eight and find it a relaxing hobby.
I often knit while watching TV.

How do you start writing books? For ex. How do you choose your topics?

My interest is usually piqued by something I read while working on
my blog or reading tweets. Then, I start researching and decide whether
to write a book, which I do partly to learn more about the subject and
partly to satisfy my own curious nature.

Do you like to travel?

I love to travel and have visited Germany, France, Austria, and England.
Some of these trips were for pleasure and some of them were related to
the books I have written. For instance, when I wrote
“Marie Antoinette’s Confidante,” I travelled to the Chateau Rambouillet
in France to learn more about the chateau and estate because both the
Princesse de Lamballe and Marie Antoinette lived there. Then when
I wrote my book on Madame Tussaud, I visited London, England, as that
was the site of Madame Tussaud’s first wax museum. I have also travelled
throughout the U.S. and visited numerous historical sites on the east
and west coasts.

Which person(s) in history fascinate you the most?

There is no one person that I find fascinating. Rather I find the 1700 and 1800s
fascinating and like to learn about the lifestyle and insights of people from those
time periods. It is interesting to try and figure out how they saw the world, what
they worried about, and why they approached life the way they did.

Which events in history are special to you?

I like almost any event that happened in the 1700 or 1800s. For instance,
I have enjoyed learning about the revolutionary periods both in America and
France and have tried to understand what motivated people during those times.
I also like the Victorian Era because it was such a time of reform and
improvement, families were also a dominate feature, and religion and morality
became a battleground among agnostics, free thinkers, and theologians.
In addition, so many interesting people of the 1700 and 1800s
(such as Queen Victoria, George Washington, Napoleon Bonaparte,
Benjamin Franklin, or Louis XVI) changed the world. I find that
I am always learning something new whenever I study the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries.

Do you have a daily routine?

I have a loose routine where I schedule my Facebook posts and tweets
for Twitter each morning. Then I spend four to five hours writing. Sometimes
extra material from a book becomes a blog post and sometimes a blog post
I’ve already written ends up becoming part of a book.

I always end with the same question: what are your wishes
for yourself and the world?

I am extremely grateful that my immediate family and I survived the pandemic
despite my father-in-law succumbing to Covid. With everything returning to normal
in the U.S., and as more and more people around the world get Covid vaccinations
and as covid cases go down, I hope everyone will realize how blessed they are
to be alive. I know that I am taking more time to appreciate the many wonderful
blessings that I enjoy.

Thank you 

Thank you very much Geri Walton for this interview and your participation in 
your author in the picture blogpost. 

Good luck with the publication of your new book(s) and keep me updated!

Where to follow Geri Walton?

You can read more about Geri Walton on ther website:
https://www.geriwalton.com/ .

Bookreview: Health-Wealth

 Interesting read!

Summary

In Health-Wealth for You, Dr. Josh Luke teaches individuals and families a 
series of measurable money saving tactics that will reduce spending on 
healthcare. 

My Review

It was an interesting read about the American Health Care System. 

The book had suggestions about making the system better.

The book was written very well, well thought and structured, which
I like a lot. For me personally it was a bit less interesting because
it was written for the USA.

I would certainly recommend this book to my American friends who
are interested in the American Health Care System. It is also
interesting for businesses who work regularly with people from the
USA.

Anyway, I would like to give a 5* rating for this splendid book. 

The Author

Health-Wealth is written by two time Amazon #1 best-selling author, futurist
and faculty member at the University of Southern California, Dr. Josh Luke. 

Booktasters

I received a free copy by Booktasters and the author. Thank you so much for
this interesting read! 

Author in the picture blogpost: Susan J. Witt

Recently, I read and reviewed the book Energy of Love from Susan J Witt
 which I really liked (check my review on this link). 

I felt immediately that this was not just one of the self-help books. So, I became
curious to know the author Susan J. Witt better. That’s why I asked you if you
wanted to participate in a new Author in the picture blogpost. Luckily you said yes.
So, here are the questions.

The Questions

Who is Susan J Witt?

My story is not dramatic, and I did not have a near death experience that created a
great awakening for me, but instead my story is much like what others go through
as life happens to them.

At the age of 16 years old I became a Christian and proclaimed Jesus Christ as my
Lord and Saviour. I later married and devoted my life to raising two beautiful children.
We raised our children as Lutheran and for 16 years I was committed to being
the best mom possible.

It all started to fall apart when my youngest received his driver’s license.   
It happened over night that I was no longer needed as a mother. This took me
like a storm and left a big hole in my heart. I did not know who Susan was anymore
and after 16 years I had to find myself.

After a few years of wallowing in these thoughts my life took a drastic down-turn
of depression and self-hate. I started to believe I was a horrible person, and my
marriage was almost over. One day my husband introduced me to Finerminds
by Brian Johnson. 

This was a daily email subscription of self-empowered material and my first
exposure to the power of our thoughts. Finerminds introduced me to an array of
books on self-help and that’s when it turned into years of being consumed by
learning all areas of self-help and self-empowerment. During this 5-year
period I learned Yoga, Meditation, Law of Attraction, many areas of healing
energy, crystal energy, oracle card readings, and I became a Reiki Master.
All of this brought me out of depression and gave me self-empowerment
to make changes, but it did not make me a happy person. My life was
 so absorbed in learning that it took over my life completely.

One day in April 2014 everything changed. I was doing what I always did
at that time, which was reading more material on my computer, when suddenly
a very loud interruptive voice said to me, “SELF-LOVE”. With these simple
two words I was downloaded with a knowledge and knowing that Self-Love
was the true key to happiness. Suddenly I just knew that all the information
for years that I was consuming was truly meant for a greater purpose and
that God finally gave me the answer of Self-Love AND my life mission!

It was easy for me to know what I needed to do because I had years of
learning and experience in self-help. God made it easy for me to link all
of it to Self-Love. I was going to help millions of people realize this too
by writing an actual how-to program to self-empower and self-love.
But what others have NEVER done in all that I have read, I was going to
tell it quite differently. I was going to plant the seed of LOVE and show
people how Love is connected to all self-help, Law of Attraction,
Quantum theories, and most importantly how Love is who we
really are at the deepest spiritual level!

A year later I created a book called Energy of Love, A How-To Program
to Self-Empowerment and Self-Love. This was not just a program but a
complete learning experience from the ground up. Non-religious and extremely
easy to read and understand for all levels. The first half of Energy of Love is
the learning, and the 2^nd half is the how-to. The detail and flow of how
Energy of Love connects the dots to link God with Science is mastery.
I can say this because it was God that sat with me during every second
of writing this profound book. Energy of Love was changed a few times
as I added and edited it to make it even more complete and it was
published in March of 2018.

In 2020 another life changing event happened to me. I received the 2020
Next Generation Indie Book Award. This is proclaimed the largest international book
award program for indie writers and Energy of Love place as a finalist in
the Self-Help Category!

Today I have a large social media following on all platforms, and I use this to
continue daily to spread the message of Self-Love and my book Energy of Love. 
I have started another book that is presently unnamed. This book will be the
next level of human after Self-Love and that is learning to live in the energy
and consciousness of Unconditional Love. God speaks to me when I write,
and this book is not ready for humanity right now because there is so much
healing to be done first and especially cultivating Self-Love. I have no timeframe
for this new book but write as God gives me the messages and know it will be
ready when the human is ready.

Can you say something more about your book(s)?

Energy of Love is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble website.
It is offered in Paperback, Hardcover and E-book. It is important to point out
that Energy of Love is a life changing program that has many thought
provoking concepts and ideas in every chapter. This book is not meant to be
read in a weekend, but to be consumed slowly and let each piece sit with
your own beliefs. As I explain in the book the power of change can only
come from YOU. I give several website references throughout the
chapters so you can stop and do your own research. Energy of Love
plants seeds for you to research. I can give you several examples,
but it is your own research that gains the strength and empowerment
to make real life changes!

On your site is mentioned that you are a Reiki Master.
Can you tell us what Reiki is? And how it can help people?

Reiki is an immensely powerful healing modality that I channel from the
Divine Source of Love. I believe Reiki is one of the most powerful sources of
“hands-on” healing because it does not come from me, but from God.
The healing energy is channelled through my hands, to the person receiving
the healing. I can focus on a specific emotional or physical issue, or we can
simply ask for peace to be delivered in the session. Reiki is for everyone
and a beautiful peaceful healing energy. I have seen profound healing
in the years of administering Reiki!  Distance Reiki is a way you can channel
the healing to someone in another location, and I have found this to be just
as beneficial as if the person were in the same room!  For first-time clients
I always give a free 20-minute Distance Reiki session so they can
receive a taste of its power.

Do you do other things besides writing and Reiki?

I also do Oracle card readings. This is not like Tarot readings, but it is
messages coming in from your Angels or any kind of spiritual being.
Oracle readings help people to communicate with the heavenly beings
that are assigned to help us in this human life. The readings can be very
general, or you can ask for specific guidance on an issue. I want to make
it clear that my readings do not for-tell the future. The future changes
every second based on your thoughts and feelings, so the reading can help
you to see the direction you are going, and it is especially helpful
to have awareness of your own energy at the moment of the reading.

 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from an inner knowing when I get into a place of quiet and
peace. We all have gifts that surface when we can quiet the mind. My gift is Clair
cognizance, which is “the ability of a person to acquire psychic knowledge
without knowing how or why they knew it”.  I sometimes get revelations
or downloads of information when I write, read, (like the day in April 2014),
or even driving. Mostly when I start writing the words start flowing and the
knowledge and power come out of me.

I have a daily meditation practice that I am very faithful to and more
than likely addicted! I have often thought about teaching meditation
because it is so important to the mind, body, and soul.
I offer a free 32-minute meditation on my website so please check that out!

Another daily practice is staying away from ego-based thoughts (separation and fear).
I constantly monitor my thoughts through self-awareness so I can work on being in
the highest level of consciousness. My goals are to try and always stay in the energy of love.

On my social media I love sharing other peoples’ work and their spiritual guidance.
Much of what I share on social media are who I follow and get my spiritual
guidance and inspiration.

Do you plan things in life or is it more going with the flow?

I feel it is important to do both. By knowing and living in your authentic truth,
you can set the correct frequency and vibrational match to the future of
your dreams. Going with the flow is getting out of your own way and
allowing the Universe to bring you naturally what you desire.
I always say that even if you do not know what you desire just focus on
the energy of love, because then you cannot get it wrong!

What is your most important aim in life?

Helping millions to awaken to self-love and cultivate living a life of
being your authentic self. This mission will be with me until I leave this Earth!

Do you sport or do you follow a health routine?

Over the years I have been mindful about my body, and I practice a diet
that is healthy and works for me. From my spiritual perspective it is
important to eat and exercise according to your own physical needs.
This is very personal and specific for everyone, so I do not feel it is
right or important to give my routine. Your body speaks to you every second,
so listen to what it is telling you!

I like to listen to music all day. Do you prefer silence or music and which one?

I feel music can be so inspirational and it can take you into just about any
kind of mood. I listen to music daily, and I also do several guided meditations
throughout the day.  There are many times when I crave silence too!

I always end with the same question:
What are your wishes / dreams for you and the world?

Well, if I could answer that honestly most people would not understand
the language. To keep it simple, I dream of living in a higher dimensional
world where the consciousness level is LOVE or above. A world that has no
conditions on love, and we can just give love freely. We do not judge and
that our love comes without attachments and expectations.  
Ah, that is my next book….

Do you want to know more about this fab author?

Check her website: www.lovejustissjw.com

Thank you! 

Thank you very much for participating Susan! Wish you lots of success with your
coming book(s) and keep us updated! 

Bookreview: The Bliss of Ignorance

Part 1 of A New Haven Trilogy

written by Ray Filasky 

"A very fascinating read"

Summary

Aspirations choose our path, however our response to life's obstacles is mostly
forged from the slag of desperation. We see their specters building on the 
horizon, all too often, choosing to believe they don't exist. Tee and Emma Haskings
now know those obstacles are there, the question is, can they live with them.

The Bliss of Ignorance leaves the reader with the unsettled feeling one gets when
fiction skirts too close to reality and keeps them engaged as the characters struggle
through this improbable turn of events. Racial tensions, political intrigue, passion
loss, and the strength of personal character are all uniquely blended to connect
us to the story and its participants as Tee and Emma model the kind of love and
commitment many of us wish for. 

My Review

The Bliss of Ignorance is the first part of A New Haven Trilogy and I was

keen to read this thriller. I didn't let me down. 

It was fluently written and a very interesting read. I really enjoyed the
storyline with flashbacks and scenes from present day. 

The characters were well developed and I do love the story twists.
Although not everything was clear.

So, I want to give this book a 4 star rating on 5, but I hope to read the
other stories as well. Perhaps that will make things more clear. 

The Author

Sometimes an idea grabs hold of you and takes you on an unexpected journey
(in this instance it went frome one book to three). Such was the case with the
story of Tee and Emma Haskins. Through their struggles, we are given a 
glimpse at the implications of rash populist decisions. The impetuts for that
journey, however, was the deep sadness I felt as we witnessed the events in 
Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland. Coming of age in the sixties, I
had been naïve enough to think we had put the worst of racial tensions behind
us. 

Booktasters

I recieved a copy of The Bliss of Ignorance by Booktasters and Ray Filansky.
Thank you very much! 

Bookreview: Spain: A history

Spain: A History

Written by Malveena McKendrick

An excellent history book of Spain

Summary

Out of the division and strife of the Middle Ages, Spain emerged from behind the massive Pyrenees to straddle the stage of European politics like some new colossus. Discoverer of a New World, it became the greatest power on earth and created a Golden Age of culture quite breathtaking in the quality of its achievement. Within 150 years, Spain was in a state of decay and fast being left behind by more progressive European nations.

Here, from award-winning historian Malveena McKendrick, is the dramatic story of the rise and fall of the Spanish empire

Review

Every year, I like to travel to Spain. This country has lots of sunshine, food, drinks and history as well. Unfortunately in 2020, we will not travel to this wonderful country. So, I decided to read a book about the Spanish history. I was happy that I made this splendid decision. Reading books about beautiful destinations is almost as good as traveling in my mind.

The writing style is nice and clear. It also is written very chronological which I really like in history books. The facts and the most important events are told in a pleasant way. 

Even though I know already much about the history of Spain, I still learned many things from this book: "Spain: A History". 

The Author

Malveena McKendrick is an amazing author and historian as well. She also wrote a book about Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. 

Conclusion

If you want to read more about the history of Spain, don't hesitate to buy this book or to read it on Kobo as I did. I give it a 5 star rating! 

1st. Picture: Book Cover 

2nd. Picture: taken in 2018 in the hinterland of the Costa Blanca in Spain

Which are the most interesting book groups on Facebook?

Recently, perhaps a bit late, I downloaded the Kindle app from Amazon. With this special download I discovered the 'Free Kindle Books' group on Facebook. I didn't know that so much authors published their works for free! It's amazing and it offers hours of reading fun. 

Lello Bookstore in Porto Portugal taken in 2019

Besides the group 'Free Kindle Books' I also like the group 'We love Memoirs', which I learned to know through Twitter. 

My bookshelves at home

A third interesting group on Facebook is (in Dutch) 'Kobo plus lezers' for all the people who have a Kobo Plus reader and a subscription.  

I'm sure there are many more pages and groups on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well. But for me, it's just very nice that so many people like to read! It also is very interesting to learn all different types of stories. It's obvious that one story you like more than another, but that's life!

In this blog post about interesting book groups on Facebook, I posted pictures of a real shop and my bookshelves at home. It is my wish to discover more interesting book shops online and in real life (hopefully after the Covid-19 period). 

Wish you all a fantastic day and a great start of the Weekend (filled with books?) ! 

If there are much more interesting groups about books on Facebook and Twitter,
just let me know!! 

Under a skellig sky

 Under a skellig sky written by Brenda Joy

‘For those homesick and longing for home, Maeve Binchy was the answer. Now Breda Joy brings Irish life alive with her zany characters and Irishisms. A delicious peep behind the scenes of the Ireland of a Thousand Welcomes.’ GEMMA JACKSON

Nomadic Carol O’Connell’s return to Glenosheen, overlooking the Skellig islands, is turning into one more in a series of half-baked decisions that pass for her life.

She searches for peace to recover from a broken relationship but her sleepy valley homeplace has woken up to Star Wars fever and mass tourism.

An experiment with Airbnb in her mother’s old farm guesthouse on the ‘Wet Atlantic Way’, a calamitous reunion with an ex and the rescue of a troubled friend sets her tumbling through the year.

As she follows her dream to become a successful artist before she hits forty, one of the bright lights under the ever-changing Skellig sky is a mystery New Zealand guest called Oliver. But tensions rise with the arrival of an eccentric, bingo-loving B&B inspector.

Friendship and the promise of a new love sustain Carol when she unwittingly introduces danger to the valley.

The review

"Under a skellig sky" is a nice story about green Ireland, its landscapes and its people. 

The book is written as the people speak in Ireland.

However "Under a skellig sky" is a very easy reading book. It also is a enjoyable story
so, I want to read more from this author. 

I give "Under a skellig sky" a 4 star rating (on 5). 

The author

Breda Joy works as a journalist with Kerry’s Eye newspaper and, in her free time, writes fiction and poetry. She holds a M Phil in Creative Writing from Trinity College Dublin. 

BookSirens

I received an advanced copy for free by BookSirens , and I'm leaving this review voluntarily. So thank you for this great opportunity!