Tag Archive | life

Runing on All Fours

May9

Book Link

From Amazon:

Being raised in a dysfunctional family with a special needs sibling and an abusive dad either makes or breaks the human spirit – especially decades ago when there was no social intervention on behalf of minors or active support for the parents.Denise didn’t just endure these hardships – she prospered and became the advocate her special needs brother relied on to survive. Years later, she still runs beside him as his guardian. This gripping, emotional saga is based on a true story, and sure to tug on your heartstrings. It was written with the hope that some of the content will prove helpful to others in similar situations, or aid someone you, the reader, may know.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

This book will get you in the gut. Having a mentally challenged and mentally ill child is no easy feat. Having an abusive father and two exes that were abusive don’t help. I compared my experiences as a child on up to the present. My father was wonderful. My mother was an evil spawn of Satan. That said, I totally understood the issues of Sue growing up with a brother so challenged. My younger brother had Downs syndrome. I’ve worked decades as a registered nurse, and I’ve seen those in good group homes and those in state institutions. I worked in a hospital yet some came into the ER. Sue finally overcame all that was tossed her way, the second guessing on if the right thing was done with each placement facility, the guilt one can feel if their loved one wasn’t taken care of properly. There was a time in the early 80s when de-instatutionalization, was started for those with decreased mental capacity had to be moved from state institutions to nursing homes and such. But with Eddie having schizophrenia comes a fine line to get the right placement. Trust me, those state funds were what they all wanted. Bottom line. Finally, a good placement was found not far from home, and Eddie likes it there. Proof = Mommy is what he called Sue. Mommy. I guess I’m just rattling on but I get all that happened. Life comes full circle. Sue was able to finally let go of her abusive father, and exes. I applaud that!! Sue, Eddie, and the other two brothers have a much better and cohesive relationship now.


Not All Scars Can Be Seen

Apr28

Book Link

From Amazon:

“Happiness means different things to different individuals, and that’s certain! Nevertheless, it is possible to look at happiness in many different ways. It is all about perspectives. If you truly have a goal, you may find infinite ways to reach there. Do we ever define how much our happiness inclines to how we react to a given situation? Do we opt to achieve our goals, facing the odds in every turn, knowing the problems? Every one of us is here on this Earth for a reason – to serve the purpose of the Almighty, serve the purpose of humanity, and spread happiness around. For a long time, there has been a wrong belief circulating in our lives: “”To make a difference, you need to be special and perfect.”” I can’t entirely agree with this statement, as every individual is unique with their uniqueness and potential. We all are different and unique, and we can always learn and improvise! Learning where and how you know and understand your views on happiness can help you accept the adversity and try to change them. It can prepare you to focus on problems. With that, one can seek the answers to the questions like: Is that what you are looking for, to achieve ultimate happiness? Can you change what you want, how to get it in the right way, or how you feel about what you have and what you have lost? Is it worth looking back? While we seek happiness everywhere, we forget who taught us about happiness and how to stand again if we fall. We learn from parents, peers, teachers, mentors, spiritual gurus, friends, and even from the stories we read and hear, don’t we? So, here I bring a few riveting stories of people from different age groups who choose to smile, hiding the scars of their past with one goal: to be happy and move on! Not All Scars Can Be Seen is a compilation of various characters who never fought the odds and looked forward to facing life. There will be places where the readers will be uplifted with the ‘never give up attitude.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2026

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

This book is definitely inspiring and sad, too. Many women have abusive husbands or exes. Help is hard, and especially so in different countries. Loss of a dear love can blind us. Yet like no two snowflakes are alike, no two people are on the same journey in life, married or not. This book helps one believe in themselves again, to see the unseen beauty that surrounds us, the compassion we sometimes attain when older.

Twelve Red Roses In Verse

Feb10

Book Link

From Amazon:

The world isn’t always kind, but there is love awaiting to release its boundless gifts in every corner. One of those gifts is the beautiful aromatic rose. Derek R. King reaches into a treasure trove of emotions to bring you on a journey of love—one rose at a time.

From the first poem to the last, you will learn the meaning behind each rose and bouquet of roses given to the love of your life. Then, as you travel along with the love affair of the rose and its lovers, you’ll learn what it’s like to yearn, to need, to want; and finally to become entwined with your one true soulmate.

The roses in this book symbolize the growth that people endure while seeking companionship throughout their lives. While one rose means one thing, ten roses mean another. In the end, what matters is how we show our love and the significance of the rose in the banquet of emotions as we become entwined, unconditionally, Forevermore.

My Review:

Fifty beautiful poems about love forevermore. Each poen has a Roman numeral of rose blossoms just above the title of each poetic piece. That alone makes this book a one of a kind. But the best is found within the words written about enduring love when missing one who is across the ocean and a forevermore love whether apart or in times of together. The essence of pure love and joy shines via the words in a brilliant manner that is swoon worthy. Never let Derek go, Julie! As if you could, entwined together evermore.

Forevermore (Red Roses Book 3)

Feb3

Book Link

From Amazon:

“Forevermore,” the third volume in King’s Red Roses Series, offers poetry expressing the true and profound love shared between the two that started in volume one, “Twelve Red Roses in Verse,” and beautifully develops further in volume two, “More Red Roses In Verse.” Now, in “Forevermore,” that relationship blooms fully and, as the book’s title suggests, reveals the forever-lasting, entwined love between these lovers. This collection warms the heart, satisfies the soul, and reminds each of us that the possibility of true love is real. This book is a treasure trove of eternal love.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Moved beyond measure

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025

Verified Purchase

This particular book of poetry by King moved me beyond measure. The words speak of a true love so rare and perfect moments in time while walking, viewing the night sky, sketching nearby each other, the twinkle of stars, the curve of lips, the yearning to be together as one, not an ocean apart. King is deeply in love with Julie, and the poetry from his soul speaks deeply. That love is returned by Julie to him, but this book focuses on his feelings for Julie and what he sees in a simple raindrop or the waves lapping the shoreline. Thank you for sharing how you feel with me. You are truly a forevermore man and woman.

Birth Right: Galak’s Rising 

Dec18

Book Link

From Amazon:

What do you do when the world’s greatest power has no conscience?

Two, not of blood, but joined in blood,
may conquer only as a selfless act of love.
-from The Prophecy of the Dancers of Silence

The illustrated dystopian science fiction epic fantasy BIRTH RIGHT TRILOGY depicts the first battles of a brutal war between humans, cyborgs, robots, and genetically enhanced beings. In the first book, BIRTH RIGHT: GALAK’S RISING, you are introduced to the Valki and Galak.

At the onset of a technological war that could destroy their race and the technology that made them superior, the genetically enhanced Valki traveled more than a century into the future.

In this new civilization, Galak, a cruel cyborg obsessed with creating his own race of superior beings, induces the remaining human feudal and native tribes to war against one another. To limit the Valki population, births are restricted to one per woman, unless they are twins. Galak demands that Valki teen twins compete for a Birthright, the right to have children—or be sterilized.

The courage of two young Valki women to resist Galak’s law pits princes, kings, and mighty warriors against a merciless and powerful foe.

To save humanity, the girls, named only 99 and 100, and their allies must resist an opponent who has the field and technological advantages. Only those willing to sacrifice everything can defeat their enemies.

The BIRTH RIGHT TRILOGY explores the ethical implications of technology with adventure, romance, humor, and terror.

My Review:

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mary Schmidt5.0 out of 5 stars Movie materialReviewed in the United States on December 16, 2024Verified Purchase Wow. The author has written a book that definitely is movie material. This dystopian story has everything. Set at different points in time, including the future and multiple beings of cybernetics and non, war and peace, perfection and imperfection, and as the battle rages, who will win? The fantasy settings are portrayed well. The strife and battles are brutal. What a mother does to save her child, a king and his princes, the rush of power, right or wrong, culminate to a finish that grabs your soul.

Blossoms of Hope

Dec6

Book Link

From Amazon:

A poetry collection of harmony and hope.

A poetry collection through a woman’s eyes, subtle reminders of your strength and of your importance in this world. We are all connected to this earth~as the world turns, time churns, the sun rises, rivers swell, tears well, the wind blows, happiness flows and the sun sets on the horizon. There is hope for me, for you and for us.

My Review:

Wow. What a powerful book Jami Kellett has written. She has bared her soul with the world. Freely given with no expectations whatsoever. Darkness happens, but light can be found. From the scent of a flower, the glow of moonlight, or the warmth of the sun, peacefulness is found in nature and in other humans created by God above. Everyone should have a copy of this book. The evocative words reach in deeply to one’s soul.