Tag Archives: #nonfiction

THE NINE LIVES OF TITO D’AMELIA by Ettore Farrattini Pojani- Book Blog Tour: Feature and Giveaway

THE NINE LIVES OF TITO D’AMELIA

by Ettore Farrattini Pojani

Italian Literature / Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bayou City Press

Pages: 326

Publication Date: October 11, 2024

SYNOPSIS

This is the first (and only) English-language version of the award-winning Italian novel, The Nine Lives of Tito d’Amelia. Nine Lives is a love story about a cat, a family, and an Italian town. Mixing fiction with fact, Nine Lives tells the story of the town of Amelia, Italy, throughout the 32 centuries of its history. In fact, Amelia is considered the first organized city of central Italy, being four centuries older than Rome. The author uses the multiple lives of a cat named Tito as the way to span the centuries.

Author Ettore Farrattini Pojani is the heir of the Farrattini dynasty, a centuries-old family in Umbria whose family palazzo is in Amelia, north of Rome. Tito’s first life occurs in pre-historic Umbria, and his ninth is in the future. Tito’s mission through all nine of his lives is to help the town and the family to succeed.

A changing cast of characters traces the Farrattini line through the centuries, with Tito joining up with a Farrattini in each generation. Using his feline wiles, Tito bends humans to his will, helping them through many challenges from drought to wars to lovelorn marriages to selfish politicization of joint crises.

In this highly imaginative novel, the author mixes fictional lives with non-fictional information about historical figures as well as the Farrattini family and the town of Amelia. Readers are left wondering about details, such as what is fiction and what is fact. The last chapter will evoke surprise, though a clue that the surprise is coming is contained in the very first chapter. Originally published in Italy in 2022, this first English-language translation is published by Bayou City Press in Houston, Texas, and includes additional drawings, maps, lists of characters, a listing of foreign words and special terms, and notes on sources.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ettore Farrattini Pojani is the heir of the noble Italian Farrattini dynasty, whose family palazzo is in Amelia, Italy, north of Rome. A music expert and critic, Ettore has published extensively on music topics and currently is a collaborator on the website Broadwayworld.com.

This, his second book, was published in Italy in 2022 and has won numerous awards. Prior to focusing on writing, Ettore studied art restoration and specialized in furniture restoration. For almost 20 years he had a workshop in Rome in which hundreds of valuable, unique pieces were brought back to their splendor thanks to his dedication and expertise. In 2001 he transformed the family palazzo into a hotel de charme, which he personally ran for 15 years until it was damaged by the 2016 earthquake.

A dedicated traveler, Ettore is fluent in French and English besides his native Italian.

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THIS FAMILIAR HEART by Babette Fraser Hale – Book Blog Tour: Review

THIS FAMILIAR HEART:
AN IMPROBABLE LOVE STORY
by
Babette Fraser Hale
Memoir / Relationships / Aging / Grief
Publisher: Winedale Publishing
Date of Publication: April 2, 2024
Number of Pages: 312 pages

In this intimate rendering of a relationship, we learn how deceptive surface impressions can be.

Leon Hale, author of Bonney’s Place, was sixty years old, a “country boy” who wrote about rural Texans with humor and sensitivity in his popular column for The Houston Post and, later the Houston Chronicle. Babette Fraser at thirty-six was a child of privilege, a city girl educated abroad, struggling in her career while raising a young son. No one thought it could work.

Even Hale himself held serious doubts. But it did endure. The interior congruencies they discovered through a long and turbulent courtship knit them tightly together for the rest of his life.

And when he died during the Pandemic isolation period, searing levels of grief and doubt threatened Babette’s understanding of the partnership and marriage that had sustained her for forty years. Had he really been the person she thought he was? Had he kept secrets that would forever change her view of him?

In candid, evocative prose, she explores the distorted perceptions that often follow the death of a cherished spouse, and the loving resolution that allows life to go on.

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Review_preview
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This Familiar Heart is such an affecting read, my review reads more like a sharing of my feelings rather than a formal literary critique.
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The act of writing is both a disclosure and a construct.”
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– I loved the present-tense narration because it places the reader right smack in the middle of the story as the events unfold. Surprisingly, I also liked the occasional interspersing of first-person memories/clarifications by Ms. Hale. I don’t usually appreciate such a device in fiction because it breaks up the flow of the story but it works for this memoir.
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… a sort of other-worldly vibe that makes his presence in the room feel like kind of a gift.”
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– Leon Hale’s POV feels authentic. His voice comes out strong. It’s as if he wrote the words himself. The depiction of him is realistic with many of his flaws and virtues equally revealed. This is excellent writing that could only come from someone who knows him deeply and who loves him greatly.
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Then there was that electricity–what I call his ‘shimmer’.”
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– I swooned at the romance, the instantaneous attraction, the palpable chemistry that leaps off the pages. Ms. Hale captured everything–the fears, confusion, and tears, the joys and thrills, the pushes and pulls–so vividly, it’s like a romance novel within a memoir. Except in this book the age gap, the disparity in economic backgrounds, and the emotional wounds are not mere tropes, they’re lived experiences.
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– I absolutely adore the letters. The bravery to lay oneself vulnerable in sharing something so personal amazes me. The fluidity and lyricism in the language are astounding and truly enviable. It’s a privilege to get a close glimpse into the lives of such remarkable people as Leon Hale and Babette Fraser Hale.
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You’ll hurt for a while, but you’ll be all right.”
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-The last part of this book was so hard to read. Tears clouded my vision for hours after I put the book down. But my difficulty for sure could not compare with the pain Ms. Hale had to go through in reliving those dark months. I have so much respect and admiration for her and gratitude for sharing her life and love with the world.
4 Four-half-stars
Babette Fraser Hale is the author of A Wall of Bright Dead Feathers, 2022 winner of the debut fiction award from the Texas Institute of Letters. Her stories have received notice from Best American Short Stories, 2015 and the Meyerson Award from Southwest Review. In addition to writing fiction, Babette has been a magazine feature writer, columnist, contributing editor, book editor, and publisher. She lives in Texas.

PAINT THE STARS BRIGHT by R.G. Gallardo – Featured New Release

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Paint the Stars Bright

R.G. GALLARDO

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PSB Cover 12 Stars RG Gallardo

Depressed, desperate, and divorced, Jansen Aquino moves back to California from Colorado to seek the company and wisdom of three men: his aloof father, his carefree brother, and an eccentric therapist.

When you fall down hard, how do you get up and reclaim your life and perhaps get another shot at happiness? Jansen, haunted by his misfortune and failures, is on a personal quest to find out.

***

Three Major Truths About Life:

  1. Life is full of adversities and opportunities.
  2. It is always good to move forward.
  3. It is always good to change for the better.

Paint the Stars Bright is an inspirational fiction and self-improvement book about facing crises with courage. Explore the pages and learn how to deal with adversities by turning them into opportunities.

Buy Links:

Universal          Amazon          Apple          Barnes & Noble          Google Play          Kobo

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RG GallardoR.G. Gallardo studied B.S. Psychology at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, Philippines. He dedicated eight years to social work and counseling in Southern California and South West Iowa in the US.

He splits his time between the US and the Philippines, exploring writing and photography and doing talks and consultations.

Social Media IDs:

Facebook: @Paint-the-Stars-Bright

Instagram: @paint_the_stars_bright; @meet.rg.gallardo

GOOD TALK … GOOD TALK by Ginny Andrews – Book Blog Tour: Author Interview and Giveaway

GOOD TALK . . . GOOD TALK
by
Ginny Andrews
Nonfiction / Humor / Comedy / Essays
Publisher: Ginny Andrews Comedy, LLC
Date of Publication: October 5, 2023
Number of Pages: 171 pages
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Raise your hand if you have ever run into a mannequin in a store and apologized. Continue to keep your hand raised if you want to pre-write thank you notes to those whom you anticipate attending your funeral because you suffer from chronic “way too nice” syndrome. Keep it up high if you have ever farted in church or yoga class. Man, my arm is getting tired!
Most people are awkward during the middle school years, grow out of it, and blossom into mature, well-functioning human beings…I’m still waiting for this to happen. Awkwardness is my hidden talent, although most who know me would tell you it isn’t hidden—it’s written on my forehead. My daily life is filled with epic failures. Sometimes I feel like I’m one big malfunction! As I have gotten older, I just try to embrace it.
After you read this collection of essays, hopefully you will be able to accept your imperfections too! Nope, probably not because I’m still not there! However, maybe my comedy will stick with you like that hemorrhoid you can’t seem to get rid of, like ever—Good Talk. . .Good Talk.

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PRAISE FOR GOOD TALK . . . GOOD TALK:

“Reading Ginny Andrews’s Good Talk. . .Good Talk is a lot like hanging out with that girlfriend that invariably makes you laugh until you cry.” —Lauren Cassel Brownell, author of Zen and the Art of Housekeeping and Dying to Donate

“Good Talk. . .Good Talk is a laugh out loud winner, filled with quirky stories reminiscent of Patrick McManus.” —J. Andersen, author of The Breeding Tree, The Gene Rift, and Legacy’s Impact

“Anyone with anxiety will totally relate to Ginny Andrews’ humorous tales of the struggle of day-to-day life in today’s world.” —John A.B., Amazon Reviewer

Ginny Andrews is a former high school teacher and coach, who is now an aspiring comedian, speaker, and writer. She would greatly appreciate it if you purchased her book! Door Dash, dog-sitting, used car sales, lawn mowing, and selling random items found in her house aren’t high-paying gigs!
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◆ YOUTUBE ◆ GOODREADS ◆ BOOKBUB ◆
AuthorInterview_preview

Interview with Ginny Andrews

How has being a Texan influenced your writing?

Growing up in West Texas absolutely shaped my writing. I have stories in my book about how you can’t apply lip balm and walk outside in West Texas on a dusty day!

Why did you choose to write in your field?

My life seems to be a walking comedy act, so it just seemed natural!

What kind(s) of writing do you do?

Comedy, essays, blogs, social media comedy posts. I just try to cheer people up each day because I know life can be stressful.

How does your book relate to your faith?

I am a Christian and a comedian, but I wouldn’t consider myself to be a Christian comedian. There are chapters in my book titled, “Church Camp,” and “Jesus Take the Wheel.” My faith is a big part of who I am—I try to take a comedic approach to it.

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Comedy is hard. There is a fine line between making people laugh and offending. It is hard to appeal to all ages, generations, and genders. What would make individuals in their 60s and 70s laugh might not appeal to the 20s-40s generation. What would appeal to the younger generation might offend the older. So, trying to find a comedy style that pleases all is hard. I did my best to achieve this goal with Good Talk…Good Talk and I hope to find this balance even more in my future books.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

The idea of bringing joy to people as they read. That is the goal of my comedy whether it is through books, standup, social media posts…I just want to be a bright spot in someone’s day!

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?  How does that affect your writing?

I teach high school during the day and write at night and on the weekends. My day job gives me plenty of material for my writing and comedy shows! 😊

What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

If I could have my own comedy show, or open for a big headliner, even if I only get 10-15 minutes on stage (that is golden for me), or get my books (I have three total to write) picked up by a big publishing house, or get to tour as a motivational speaker and sell my books…all of those things would be amazing. Or maybe make enough money through my writing to not have to work a second job while teaching and get a new car that isn’t ten years old with squeaky brakes!

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EVERY OUNCE OF COURAGE by Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino – FAHM Spotlight

Every Ounce of Courage paperback

EVERY OUNCE OF COURAGE

A Daughter’s Reflections On Her Mother’s Bravery

Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino

BLURB

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It began with an unexpected phone call and a startling statement: “You don’t know me, but your mother saved my life.”

The late-night conversation with an American World War II veteran revealed to Elizabeth Ann Besa Quirino the untold stories of her mother’s remarkable wartime heroism and sparked a twenty-year journey of discovery about her lifelong acts of bravery and compassion.

Lourdes “Lulu” Reyes Besa channeled the heartbreak of a childhood tragedy into a profound sense of compassion and service. She helped raise three brothers while still a child herself in the early years of the 20th century. Then, as a young socialite in the heydays of 1930s Manila, she focused on meaningful philanthropy and charity work. During the merciless Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Lulu embarked unflinchingly on dangerous missions to bring aid and comfort that meant the difference between life and death to countless Filipino and American prisoners of war. She continued to face personal grief and adversity in the later decades of her life but met each challenge as before – with every ounce of courage, fortitude, and grace.

Elizabeth Ann delved into a trove of old letters, photographs, and recipes in search of the source of her mother’s courageous spirit. In Lulu’s story, she found a complex life full of joy, sorrow, selflessness, and survival, and learned precious lessons about how the timeless bonds of family, the steadfast strength of faith, and the power of an indomitable will can provide solace and sense in a world of uncertainty. Every Ounce of Courage by Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino is Now Available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online bookstores.

ABOUT BETTY ANN

Betty AnnElizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino is a cookbook author, an award-winning journalist, a food writer, a correspondent, a previous college professor, and a former ad agency copywriter/creative director. She blogs and develops recipes about Filipino home cooking on her popular website The Quirino Kitchen (thequirinokitchen.com)

She is a multi-award winner of the Plaridel Writing Awards for excellence in journalism, given by the Philippine-American Press Club in San Francisco, California, and is the recipient of a Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award for her essay, “A HundredMangoes in A Bottle.” She was named one of the FWN Filipina Women’s Network 100 Most Influential Women of the World.

Follow her on:

Website – The Quirino Kitchen
Facebook – Asian In America Filipino Food
Twitter – @BettyAnnQuirino
Instagram – @bettyannquirino

REVIEW

When a book educates you, makes you cry, and provides you valuable resources you can apply to daily life, you have yourself one for the keeper shelf. Every Ounce of Courage is a one-of-a-kind book that defies genre definitions. Part memoir, part historical drama, and part cookbook, it’s a totally engaging read.

Lulu Reyes Besa was never mentioned in any Filipino history books I ever read when I was a student in the Philippines. It was a terrible injustice for her and thousands of women who were never recognized for their heroic deeds. I am immensely grateful to Betty Ann Quirino for bringing her mother’s story to light. This book should be in libraries and schools in the Philippines to introduce an inspiring historical figure to the youth, especially young women, and to stir their emotions about the ravages of war that no textbook could ever accomplish.

For me, the aspects of this book that touched me the most were the food memories. Reading Betty Ann’s reminiscing about her mom’s, sister’s, and godmother’s cooking made me remember my own experiences of watching my Nanay Maring and my dad and titos cook during fiestas and special occasions. Those chapters made me smile most often and cry the hardest.

With its celebration of history, food, and family, Every Ounce of Courage is the perfect read during Filipino American History Month and every month.

5 stars

MUMENTOUS by Amy J. Schultz – Pop-Up Blog-Hop: Playlist and Giveaway

MUMENTOUS:
Original Photos and Mostly-True Stories about Football,
Glue Guns, Moms, and a Supersized High School Tradition
That Was Born Deep in the Heart of Texas
by
Amy J. Schultz
Nonfiction / Photo-Driven Memoir / Women’s History / Pop Culture / Texana
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Page Count: 178 pages
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
Scroll down for a giveaway!
The closest you’ll ever get to seeing someone actually wear their heart on their sleeve is in Texas, every fall, at the local high school homecoming game.
They’re called homecoming mums. They are as bodacious as football, as irresistible as a juicy rumor, and as deep as a momma’s love. Over a hundred years ago when the custom began, mum was short for chrysanthemum, a typical corsage that boys gave to girls before taking them to the big football game. But through the decades, mum went from a simple abbreviation to a complicated shorthand for an eye-popping tradition that’s as ingrained in the culture as it is confounding to outsiders.
Through her original photography and collection of stories from across and beyond the Lone Star State, Amy J. Schultz takes us deep in the heart of mum country. You’ll meet kids who wear them, parents who buy them, and critics who decry them as just another example of consumerism gone wild. But mostly, you’ll discover that just like every ritual which stands the test of time, someone is keeping the tradition alive. Someone like Mom.
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Playlist

Amy Schultz’s playlist to Mumentous

Mumentous playlist

LISTEN HERE FOR FREE ON SPOTIFY!

(SPOTIFY ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO LISTEN OR REGISTER FOR FREE!)

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41 songs, 2 hours and 15 minutes for your listening pleasure

“Get Ready for This” by Champs United
“Get the Party Started” by P!nk
“Good Feeling” by Flo Rida
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams
“Cotton Eyed Joe” by Circus DJ’s
“We Are the Boys from Old Florida” by the Fightin’ Gator Marching Band
“The Victors” by The University of Michigan Marching Band
“Get Down Tonight” by Auburn University Marching Band
“Homecoming” by Hey Monday
“Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Glee Cast
“Shiny Happy People” by R.E.M.
“Girl” by Beck
“Homegrown” by Zac Brown Band
“Hey Baby, Will You Be My Girl” by Aaron Foret
“Cheerleader”-Felix Jaehn Remix Radio Edit by OMI
“Today Was a Fairytale (Taylor’s version)” by Taylor Swift
“Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
“Bust a Move” by Young MC
“Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL COOL J
“Starships” by Nicki Minaj
“Vogue” by Madonna
“GIRL LIKE ME” by Black Eyed Peas, Shakira
“This Is What You Came For” by Calving Harris, Rihanna
“Gloria” by Laura Branigan
“We Are the Champions” by Queen
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Walk This Way” by Aerosmith
“Pump Up the Jam” by Technotronic
“Harlem Shake” by Baauer
“We Are Family—1995 Remaster” by Sister Sledge
“The Horse” by Auburn University Bands
“Drum It Out” by Brett Engel
“Eye of the Tiger” by Auburn University Bands
“Victorious” by Panic! At the Disco
“Firework” by Katy Perry
“Can’t Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
“Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen
“Party Rock Anthem” by The Cheer Squad
“The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga

Amy J. Schultz is an author and award-winning photographer who explores unique aspects of modern culture that hide in plain sight. When she isn’t talking about homecoming mums, Amy is writing, taking photos, working on other creative projects, traveling, snort-laughing, or vacuuming up dog fur.

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First Prize: signed hardback copy + enamel pin;
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“SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS” by Dina Gachman – Pop-Up Blog Hop: Review and Giveaway

“SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS”
by Dina Gachman
Grief & Bereavement / Love & Loss / Parenting & Relationships
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Page Count: 240 pages
Publication Date: April 11, 2023
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A heartfelt exploration about what it means to process grief, by a bestselling author and journalist whose experience with two devastating losses inspired her to bring comfort and understanding to others.
Since losing her mother to cancer in 2018 and her sister to alcoholism less than three years later, author and journalist Dina Gachman has dedicated herself to understanding what it means to grieve, healing after loss, and the ways we stay connected to those we miss. Through a mix of personal storytelling, reporting, and insight from experts and even moments of humor, Gachman gives readers a fresh take on grief and bereavement—whether the loss is a family member, beloved pet, or a romantic relationship. No one wants to join the grief club, since membership comes with zero perks, but So Sorry for Your Loss will make that initiation just a little less painful.
In the spirit of Elizabeth Kubler Ross books like On Grief and Grieving, or C.S. Lewis’s A Grief Observed, So Sorry for Your Loss is the perfect gift for someone who is grieving. With her blend of personal experiences, expert advice, and just a little bit of humor, Gachman has provided a compassionate and compelling resource for anyone looking for grief books.


PRAISE FOR SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS:

“Gachman perceptively puts words to the uncomfortable realities of loss…and deconstructs its social myths, helping readers feel less alone. Those facing loss will find solace here.” —Publishers Weekly

“So Sorry for Your Loss is a monument to the work of remembering and a testament to the immutable love of family and the grief that forever changes us.” —Lauren Hough, New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing

“So Sorry for Your Loss is a meditation on loss that reminds us how to go on living.” —Deirdre Fagan, author of Find a Place for Me and The Grief Eaters

CLICK TO PURCHASE ON:

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This book wrecked me and affirmed me all at the same time. The first is self-explanatory and expected given the title and subject matter. The second is surprising and what made me appreciate “So Sorry For Your Loss” and Ms. Gachman’s writing of it even more.

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Grief does not discriminate.”

Going in, I knew I was going to be emotional reading this book. Many years ago, my dad died after a long illness. Three months later, my husband and I had to make the devastating decision to say goodbye to our beloved pet Baldr, a German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix we considered our first baby. To say I could relate to the author with her consecutive losses of loved ones is an extreme understatement. While our circumstances were vastly different, the common denominator of grief connecting us was enormous.

Between her sharing of her personal experiences and her extensive research on the subject, Ms. Gachman articulated eloquently what I was feeling at the time but haven’t been able to put into words. The pain that was actually physical, the holding on to objects to retain continuing bonds, the internal conflict between trying to keep it together and the temptation to fall apart, the need to talk, the search for a community that understands the same or similar loss — these were all defined and expounded on in this book. These for me were affirmations that my expression of grief, my prolonged mourning, was valid, perhaps even universal.

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Despite our best intentions and loftiest goals, there is one outcome that is 100 percent guaranteed in romance and in life. Each one of us will, at some point, take our last breath.”

The inevitability of my mom and my parents-in-law passing on is always at the back of my mind. In some ways, I’ll be prepared for the grief that is to come, having gone through it before with my dad. This book helps as well. It has been educational as much as it has been evocative. The sections about hospice care and stages of grief have been eye-opening for me. When the time comes, I will likely reread and look up my forty-three annotations, especially those welcome bursts of humor (Plutarch! Tinder! Dolly!) that balanced the heavy weight of the subject of grief.

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Huge thanks to the author’s publicity team for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss and to Lone Star Lit for allowing me to share my thoughts on this absolute gift of a book.

5 stars

Dina Gachman is a Pulitzer Center Grantee and a frequent contributor to the New York Times, Vox, Texas Monthly, and more. She’s a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and the author of Brokenomics: 50 Ways to Live the Dream on a Dime. She lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband and son. Photo credit Jessica Comiskey.
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So Sorry for Your Loss
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CREATRIX RISING by Stephanie Raffelock–Audiobook Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

CREATRIX RISING
AUDIOBOOK
Written & Narrated by
STEPHANIE RAFFELOCK
Nonfiction / Self Help Memoir / Aging & Longevity
Publisher: Narrating Sound
Length: 4 hours, 43 minutes
Publication Date: February 22, 2022
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label, in particular, rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability.
None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.
In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.
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Last year, Creatrix Rising was one of my Top 21 Reads of 2021. After this re-read, it’s one of my favorites of 2022 as well. With nearly 4,000 unread books in my TBR mountain, I don’t often re-read. I made an exception for this book because I know my time and attention will be rewarded with invaluable pearls of wisdom, uplifting affirmations, and unparalleled inspiration.

These writings are meant to inspire you to tell your own story about how you are claiming your voice as a mature woman, and to recognize how truly powerful, remarkable, and noble that is.”

Read by Ms. Raffelock herself in her pleasingly melodious voice, the Creatrix Rising audiobook takes on a conversational tone. It is more informal, more intimate, and more personal than the written version.  If the listener takes the time to respond to the guide questions in the For Reflection, Activity, and Journaling section as I did, the audiobook becomes even more interactive. In this version, Ms. Raffelock’s role as mentor, friend, and confidante is magnified.

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Creatrix – a woman who makes things.”

When I reviewed this book for the first time, I immediately claimed to identify with the new archetype. Why not? I was a 48-year-old writer who had already published eight books. But the truth was I was merely being aspirational. By the time of my posting, I hadn’t written a new story in more than six months. I was a woman who hadn’t made anything. I wasn’t a creatrix in the truest sense of the word.

Now, I am.

She knows who she is and what she stands for, and where she belongs. She lives life as an artist, creatively and with passion.”

For my third new story of the year, for the first time in my career, I am writing a heroine who is turning fifty, who is experiencing the early stages of menopause, and who is enjoying a romance with a man ten years her junior. I’m writing about a creatrix and I would like to give credit to Ms. Raffelock and her book for the inspiration.

You’ve been passed a torch. Now you hold that light to help not only yourself, but other women as well. It’s time to name and claim your power.”

Impactful. A book that deserves space in the Keeper Shelf. I will re-read and re-listen to this every year.

To Lone Star Lit, She Writes Press, and Stephanie Raffelock, I appreciate being included in this blog tour. Thank you.

5 stars

Stephanie Raffelock is an author, speaker, and voiceover artist. She is the editor of the anthology, Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis (2022). Stephanie is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women (2021) and she penned the award-winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging (2020). She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and a goofy Labrador Retriever named Mickey.
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Each receives an audiobook + a print copy of
CREATRIX RISING
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CREATRIX RISING by Stephanie Raffelock – Book Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

CREATRIX RISING: UNLOCKING THE POWER
OF MIDLIFE WOMEN
By Stephanie Raffelock
Categories: Nonfiction / Self Help Memoir
Publisher: She Writes Press
Pub Date: August 24, 2021
Pages:176 Pages
Scroll for the Giveaway!

From the author of the award-winning book A Delightful Little Book on Aging comes a new self-help memoir Creatrix Rising: Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women. In her new book, Stephanie Raffelock liberates mold-defying midlife women, tired of the oft-inaccurate characterization of the “old crone,” to amplify the resounding strength within.

Ever since Eve was banned from the garden, women have endured the oftentimes painful and inaccurate definitions foisted upon them by the patriarchy. Maiden, mother, and crone, representing the three stages assigned to a woman’s life cycle, have been the limiting categories of both ancient and modern (neo-pagan) mythology. And one label in particular rankles: crone. The word conjures a wizened hag—useless for the most part, marginalized by appearance and ability.

None of us has ever truly fit the old-crone image, and for today’s midlife women, a new archetype is being birthed: the Creatrix.

In Creatrix Rising, Raffelock lays out—through personal stories and essays—the highlights of the past fifty years, in which women have gone from a quiet strength to a resounding voice. She invites us along on her own transformational journey by providing probing questions for reflection so that we can flesh out and bring to life this new archetype within ourselves. If what the Dalai Lama has predicted—that women will save the world—proves true, then the Creatrix will for certain be out front, leading the pack.

PRAISE FOR CREATRIX RISING:

“The perfect topic at the perfect time, Stephanie Raffelock’s self-help memoir, Creatrix Rising, identifies a new archetype, the Creatrix, that transcends the old archetype of Crone. Her stories and insights about how far women have come is nothing short of inspirational. A must-read for any woman who wants to embrace the strength and creativity of midlife.” -Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason and Chicken Soup for the Women’s Soul

“Poetic and philosophical, Creatrix Rising will inspire readers to claim the courage and confidence that already lives inside of them. An intimate story of transformation, of journeying through life on your own terms without apology.”
–Richard Blanco, 2013 Presidential Inaugural Poet and author of How to Love a Country

“The new archetype Stephanie Raffelock assigns to midlife women underscores the assets and wisdom older women bring to our culture and to the greater good. Creatrix Rising is an affirmation and celebration of the feminine story taking place in leadership and creativity throughout our country.”
–Gabby Reese, volleyball legend, Nike’s first female spokeswoman, and New York Times best-selling author
Click To Purchase:
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Link To The Book Trailer On YouTube
Review_preview
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When you feel that a book is about you and written specially for you, it is impossible not to rave about it. Stephanie Raffelock’s beautifully-written, mindset-shifting Creatrix Rising is one such book and this is a glowing review of it. This early, I’m declaring it one of my Top 21 Reads of 2021.
I wholeheartedly embrace the move to redefine the archetype of midlife women from the dismal, joyless, and manmade Crone to the powerful, aspirational, and woman-made Creatrix. That’s not only my vanity talking but also my common sense. It’s obvious by their definitions which personification is preferable. At 49 with a pre-teen son, I still identify with the Mother archetype. It won’t be long though until middle age sets in and when that time comes, I’ll be ready to claim my title of Creatrix with the help of this book.
In laying out her own transformation, Ms. Raffelock shared deeply personal stories and meaningful relationships throughout her life. I found many of them incredibly affecting and inspiring, especially the ones about her grandmother Julia and her mother Cleo. She hinted at past pains but never delved too much in the mistakes and regrets. Rather, she celebrated the learnings she gleaned from them. While fiercely feminist and giving much of the spotlight on the incredible women who helped shape her, Stephanie was fair in acknowledging several men who have contributed in her journey of growth and self-awareness. I liked that. I also really liked the tone of positivity, of optimism in the book. Even when touching on divisive political topics, Ms. Raffelock kept her focus on opportunities and triumphs instead of dwelling on injustices and casting blames.
The sections on reflection, activity, and journaling are some of my favorite parts of the book. They’re interactive. They’re where the reader is invited to relate what they’d read to their own life, to think of people who made an impact, to remember experiences and interactions, and to tell their stories.
Creatrix Rising is easy to read. The language is profound but understandable, not clinical or highfalutin. Some parts are highly evocative, some are factual. Definitions are repeated for emphasis. The organization flows with purpose and intent. The book is immensely quotable. I am glad I have two copies because one (the eBook) is covered in highlighted passages. Some of my favorites are:
The way we envision older women needs to be altered to reflect the evolution of our continuing liberation and growing self-awareness, equality, and confidence.”
When I’m trying to uplevel my game, it helps to name what I hope to achieve and then claim that achievement. Name it and claim it.”
Women find a way. We all have a heroine who lives inside of us. We all have a story to tell. Telling our stories liberates us to love ourselves and command respect in the world.”
Embrace the beauty and grace of age and its gifts of wisdom. Make life on your own terms. You are never too old to dream, to participate, to engage. Uplift other women. Tell your story. You are at the front of the line now. Hold your light high, and be proud of who you are and who you are still becoming. Accept the mantle of Creatrix, and celebrate the goodness and grace that it holds.”
Huge thanks to Lone Star Lit, She Writes Press, and Stephanie Raffelock for including me in the blog tour and providing me with a copy to review.
5 stars

Stephanie Raffelock is the author of Creatrix Rising, Unlocking the Power of Midlife Women, (She Writes Press – August, 2021). She also penned the award winning book, A Delightful Little Book on Aging.

A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, Stephanie was a contributor to The Rogue Valley Messenger in Oregon. She has blogged for Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, as well as SixtyandMe.com.

A former i-Heart Radio host, she is now a popular guest on podcasts, where she inspires women to embrace the strength and passion of their personal story. Stephanie continues to build her speaker’s resume by giving presentations for groups like The Ashland Literary Arts Festival, Breaking the Glass, WINS at Charles Schwab and Southern Oregon University, Friends of the Hannon Library. Her commitment to uplift women extends to teaching personal development classes for incarcerated women and non-profits, including Dress for Success, Austin.

A recent transplant to Austin, Texas Stephanie enjoys an active life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Mickey Mantel Raffelock.

Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

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FOUR WINNERS!
Each receive signed copies of Creatrix Rising plus
a $25.00 Starbucks gift card.
(US Only; ends 9/11/21)

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9/1/21

Excerpt

Hall Ways Blog

9/1/21

Review

Missus Gonzo

9/2/21

Review

All the Ups and Downs

9/2/21

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LSBBT Blog

9/3/21

Review

The Plain-Spoken Pen

9/3/21

Review

Momma on the Rocks

9/4/21

Author Interview

The Clueless Gent

9/5/21

Author Interview

Book Bustle

9/6/21

Review

Reading by Moonlight

9/6/21

Video Guest Post

The Adventures of a Travelers Wife

9/7/21

Review

Chapter Break Book Blog

9/8/21

Review

StoreyBook Reviews

9/8/21

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The Page Unbound

9/9/21

Review

Jennie Reads

9/10/21

Review

Forgotten Winds

9/10/21

Review

Carpe Diem Chronicles
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A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING by Stephanie Raffelock – Book Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

ADLBOA Tour cover

A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING

by

Stephanie Raffelock

Genre: Inspirational / Spiritual / Essays / Self-Help
Publisher: She Writes Press
Publication Date: April 28, 2020
Number of Pages: 119 pages

Scroll down for the giveaway!

Synopsis

ADLBOA book coverAll around us, older women flourish in industry, entertainment, and politics. Do they know something that we don’t, or are we all just trying to figure it out? For so many of us, our hearts and minds still feel that we are twenty-something young women who can take on the world. But in our bodies, the flexibility and strength that were once taken for granted are far from how we remember them. Every day we have to rise above the creaky joints and achy knees to earn the opportunity of moving through the world with a modicum of grace.

Yet we do rise, because it’s a privilege to grow old, and every single day is a gift. Peter Pan’s mantra was, “Never grow up”; our collective mantra should be, “Never stop growing.” This collection of user-friendly stories, essays, and philosophies invites readers to celebrate whatever age they are with a sense of joy and purpose and with a spirit of gratitude.

 

PRAISE for A Delightful Little Book on Aging:

“Where are the elders? The wise women, the crones, the guardians of truth here to gently, lovingly, and playfully guide us towards the fulfillment of our collective destiny? It turns out that they are right here, in our midst, and Stephanie Raffelock is showcasing the reclamation of aging as a moment of becoming, no longer a dreaded withering into insignificance. A Delightful Little Book on Aging lays down new and beautiful tracks for the journey into our richest, deepest, and wildest years.” – Kelly Brogan, MD, author of the New York Times bestseller A Mind of Your Own

“A helpful, uplifting work for readers handling the challenges of growing older.” – Kirkus Reviews

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Live and love in great fulness

 

Review_preview
ADLBOA bookstagram 2Aptly titled, A Delightful Little Book on Aging lays out a joyful, thoughtful, easily applicable approach to handling the advancing years with dignity, grace, and gratitude. Ms. Raffelock wrote with so much wisdom, authority, and charm, I found myself highlighting numerous passages that resonated with me. By the time I finished reading, nearly the entire inside of the book was covered in light green color (I chose a highlighter that matched the cover) .

Arranged in four sections–Grief, Reclamation, Vision, and Laughter–the book is filled with personal anecdotes that illustrated the author’s message and lists of advice gleaned from experience and lessons learned through the years.  Of the anecdotes, my favorite was the one about the elderly couple who danced. “They showed us what wringing every last bit of life out of the cloth of our existence looks like.”

ADLBOA bookstagram 1Of all the advice, these stood out for me:

  • Keep moving – Walk, dance, exercise, do yoga. “You gotta keep moving to be relevant.”
  • Be authentic – Grieve, say no, accept failure, put yourself first, speak up. “Stand in the light of your truth.”
  • Have friends – Engage in community, volunteer, mentor, connect. “To care about someone beyond yourself is a fulfillment of our shared destiny.”
  • Practice gratitude – Breathe thanks, name the gifts and write them down, reflect. “Gratitude practice is a way of opening the heart to appreciation and hopeful possibility.”

I’m turning forty-eight this year. I have heart palpitations and arthritis. My hair has silver strands. Soon, I will have hot flashes. This is the perfect time for me to read this book. It reinforces what I already know and reminds me of things I’ve forgotten to include in my journey to the golden years. So, yes, I’m recommending this book. Join the giveaway AND buy the book. Buy as many copies as you can afford. It’s the perfect present to yourself, to friends and loved ones. Give it to them now. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Carpe diem. Seize the day.

5 stars

AboutTheAuthor

Stephanie RaffelockStephanie Raffelock is the author of A Delightful Little Book on Aging  (She Writes Press, April 2020). A graduate of Naropa University’s program in Writing and Poetics, she has penned articles for numerous publications, including the Aspen Times, the Rogue Valley Messenger, Nexus Magazine, Omaha Lifestyles, Care2.com, and SixtyandMe.com. Stephanie is part of the positive-aging movement, which encourages viewing age as a beautiful and noble passage, the fruition of years that birth wisdom and deep gratitude for all of life.  She’s a recent transplant to Austin, Texas, where she enjoys life with her husband, Dean, and their Labrador retriever, Jeter (yes, named after the great Yankee shortstop).

  Website ║ Facebook ║ Instagram ║ Amazon

——————————————————————

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

TWO WINNERS: Signed hardcover copy of A Delightful Little Book on Aging + a set of 50 pocket inspirations
ONE WINNER: A set of 50 pocket inspirations
JULY 7-19, 2020
(US ONLY)

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Wonder and delight for life, this is what wisdom is.

CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE 
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:

7/9/20 Notable Quotable That’s What She’s Reading
7/9/20 Review StoreyBook Reviews
7/10/20 Review Carpe Diem Chronicles
7/10/20 BONUS Post Hall Ways Blog
7/11/20 Author Video All the Ups and Downs
7/12/20 Guest Post Chapter Break Book Blog
7/13/20 Author Interview Texas Book Lover
7/13/20 Review Forgotten Winds
7/14/20 Review Momma on the Rocks
7/15/20 Podcast The Clueless Gent
7/15/20 Review Kelly Well Read
7/16/20 Review It’s Not All Gravy
7/17/20 Guest Post Missus Gonzo
7/17/20 Review Sydney Young, Stories
7/18/20 Review Books and Broomsticks
7/18/20 Review Reading by Moonlight

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