A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries

by Martin Edwards

Pub Date 12 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 23 Oct 2021

Poisoned Pen Press

Mystery & Thrillers

4 Stars

A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries is a selection of classics of Anthologies or stories set around and during the Christmas holiday season. Elegant writings from many different authors showcasing the writing styles of Crime Classics and mysteries. Before each short or long stories Martin Edwards gives a short introduction of the author, including year of birth and death at times who they married; years that they were published along with the information about the short story. Recommended for readers who like to read mysteries and thrillers genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Advent in Plain Sight

A Devotion through Ten Objects

by Jill J. Duffield

Pub Date 14 Sep 2021 | Archive Date Not set

Westminster John Knox Press

Christian |  Religion & Spirituality

5 stars

 Advent in plain sight is well set out  daily devotional for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany recommended for anyone who wishes to reach out to God ot to learn or revisit and reflect the true story and meaning of Christmas. An ideal daily devotional for just one person, groups or family and friends who wish to be able to reflect and discuss their thoughts of reading of set scriptures, a theological viewpoint of what the scriptures are about, prayers along with reflection questions for reflection, meditation and discussion.

 #AdventinPlainSight #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Westminister John Knox Press via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Woke Emotions with Wise Foods

Eat For your Emotions .Get Robust Mental Health , Self Confidence & Self Esteem

by Reina Shukl

Pub Date 13 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 11 Dec 2021

BooksGoSocial

Health, Mind & Body |  Self-Help

4 Stars

An interesting book that talks about how food impacts our mental health and emotional state. The book goes into depth of the nutritional needs and food science that teaches us on how food reacts to our negative thoughts and emotions and how we can change and alter how food can correct the negativity.  This book is certainly one for the bookshelf or to recommend or give to someone who needs some help in how to nutritionally heal the body’s reaction to negative emotions. I did learn how to change my emotions and feelings with different types of food; but it was written similar to academic-medical report or review that I was unable to really absorb the information for a full understanding of the text. I was also unable to fully comprehend on what type of body I am as I have many different issues that cover all of them.

#WokeEmotionswithWiseFoods #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Essence

by Charles McCormack

Pub Date 18 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 04 Dec 2021

BooksGoSocial

Biographies & Memoirs |  Self-Help

4 stars

A big thank you to Charles McCormack LCSW-C for writing his biography Essence his own story of trauma from childhood to the person he is today as an adult. Charles revealed his personal story traumatic as it is obviously was able to heal and put it all behind him. Truthfully as much as I dearly wanted to know and learn on how he managed to deal, heal and move forward with his life; I was unable to read any further from the first chapter. As much as I dearly wanted to learn more I was enforced backwards to my own traumatic childhood memories. When I had first read the description about the book, I did want to learn and to be able to understand how he managed to heal and move towards a healthy life and relationships but I just couldn’t read any further as I could remember and could feel what he felt as he explained on the strappings from a belt. So I’d like readers who’ve experienced similar situations that the story is very descriptive and explains traumatic events and if you’re stressed or emotionally distressed from reading please seek help as I certainly will be seeking help and when I can manage to speed read through certain sections I will do so as I am very interested in knowing how the story ends.

 #Essence #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

The Twelve Wishes of Christmas

by Ruby Basu

Pub Date 13 Oct 2021 | Archive Date Not set

HQ, HQ Digital

General Fiction (Adult) |  Romance |  Women’s Fiction

5 Stars ++++

I certainly agree that The Twelve Wishes of Christmas is ideal to curl up and snuggle at anytime not just at Christmas. A book to keep on the bookshelf just for the times to need to read a heartwarming Christmas story. Sharmilla was given a very special gifted Christmas holiday that she’s always dreamt about. While in Pineford she learns that her dear Thomas had surprised her, that while in Pineford at Christmas time she must complete and perform a list of ten Christmas wishes. Thomas’s two nephews are staying there nearby to ensure that she doesn’t complete the tasks or activities so she won’t inherit anything. Sharmilla likes Lucas but seems to be falling for Zach to which Zach is also falling for her. The Christmas story is full of twists and turns yet witty with laugh aloud moments with negative and positive emotions and memories throughout. The story is also full of secrets, deceit and disgustful moments. At times I was traumatised by the lies, negative events and deceit and other times I felt that I wanted to jump into the story and slap and bang heads together of certain characters for their actions  The consequences of the negative actions had turned back onto the cousins as the town helped Sharmilla. Certainly a book to recommend to readers who love reading Christmas stories but to advise readers who are traumatised by the actions of the cousins who lie, trick and deceive that to remember that this is a fictional story not real life or a personal story and if it does bother you please seek help.

 #TheTwelveWishesofChristmas #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HQ, HQ Digital via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

The Impossible Truths of Love

by Hannah Beckerman

Pub Date 05 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 19 Oct 2021

Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing

General Fiction (Adult) |  Literary Fiction |  Women’s Fiction

The impossible truths of love is true to the title of an emotional story of love and friendships. I love the descriptive style of writing as I was able to visualise what the characters would approximately look like along with what the background looks like including the city. This description at times triggers the characters to recall memories just from looking at something that reminded them of their memory. Contains some medical jargon to which I feel so the readers obtain an understanding of what some of the characters are going through. This might trigger memories for the reader if they have someone close to them suffering from dementia, suffering from cancer, loss of a loved one. To readers who are left with an emotional upset over some sections of the story please know and understand that it’s just a fictional story and go seek help if required. There were times myself suffered some traumatic memories to which I firmly told myself that this is a fictional not a true story and the story is not yours. I recommend this heartwarming story about finding love, holding of deep and buried secrets and learning to let go of the secrets to readers who love reading fictional stories. The story shows the life of mother and daughter as the deep and buried secret twists and turns within their lives which unravels and becomes known to Nell. A great ending but leaves me feeling of wanting to know on what will happen next to Nell.

 #TheImpossibleTruthsofLove #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Heal the inner child to Heal the world

13 Sustainable Mindfulness Keys to Unlock Personal and Global Transformation

by kolee the practicalsaint

Pub Date 15 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 03 Dec 2021

BooksGoSocial

Health, Mind & Body |  Parenting & Families |  Self-Help

3 Stars

Heal the inner child by Kolee teaches parents or people who have been traumatised during childhood and not received their own empowerment skills from their parents. A guide on how to life a mindful lifestyle, becoming empowered and be transformed. An ideal book for those who require some information and guided through mindfulness techniques, meditation to help ease stress, anxiety  along with techniques to ease triggers of traumatic memories. Throughout the book Kolee states some time-tested practices and exercises, recommended websites, apps and books along with stories from her life as she utilised activities and exercise to overcome her own trauma. If you are in need of help with your own personal trauma it is a book for you. Everyone is different yet similar I personally found that I could empathise with Kolee with her trauma memories, I managed to keep my attention with her stories, thoughts and emotions but majority of the book I found myself not being able to follow along and I was constantly distracted and sped read through the book. At times I felt that it was slow going through the process, long winded and certainly felt like it was not straight to the point.

 #HealtheinnerchildtoHealtheworld #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Mistle Text: ‘Twas the Text Before Christmas …

(An Accidentally in Love Story Book 5)

by Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers

Pub Date 25 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 21 Oct 2021

Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers

Humor |  Romance

5 Stars

Mistle Text is a funny, past paced, hard to put down as you are walking alongside Holly, Archie, Faith, Toni and other characters while they are struggling with their relationships, friendships and the emotions that they are going through. The book demonstrates the struggles of looking for love, the feelings and emotions you feel when processing how you feel about the person or friends. Also demonstrates how people struggle with helping or discussing issues you see about your friends or partners. It’s a heartwarming and feel good story but could trigger some anxiety and emotions when reading the story. Finding ends hard to meet with a low paid jobs and mother of her five year old niece Faith.  Holly was hired as a Christmas Personal Shopper to a very handsome Scrooge banker Archie. With an unlimited budget Holly made sure his Christmas gift list people got something meaningful. Holly begins to text Archie asking about what gifts to get for certain people. Archie with a promotion in mind puts his career ahead of life and Holly becomes the fake girlfriend. Will they find a way around their differences of culture, standards, relationships and being poor-needy to being wealthy.

 #MistleTextTwastheTextBeforeChristmas #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Whitney Dinesen and Melanie Summers via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

When Harley Has Anxiety

A Fun CBT Skills Activity Book to Help Manage Worries and Fears (For Kids 5-9)

by Regine Galanti, PhD

Pub Date 24 Aug 2021 | Archive Date Not set

Zeitgeist, Z Kids

Children’s Nonfiction |  Self-Help

5 stars +

Such a fun and interactive book for children aged between 5 and 8 to learn with their parents on how to cope and handle their emotions and anxiety in their life. A hedgehog called Harley has anxiety and learnt on how to be brave and how to reduce anxiety to become more aware of emotions. Harley teaches the children with help from parents or carers about the emotions behind anxiety which can cause children to withdraw from social events and activities. Utilising CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy] with illustrations and activities to learn and practice certain strategies to overcome anxiety and manage and alter to being more positive thoughts, emotions, behaviour and physical reactions. Very similar to another book called Starving the Anxiety Gremlin By Kate Collins-Donnelly. Recommended for fans of Stefan G Hofmann PhD,  Cathy Creswell, Monika Parkinson,

Kerstin Thirlwall, Lucy Willetts. As I suffer from anxiety as does my boys I will be keeping the book handy so I can help and teach us how to overcome anxiety and to practice activities so we can keep our newly learnt skills up to date.

 #WhenHarleyHasAnxiety #NetGalley. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zeitgeist, Z Kids via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Healing Ourselves Whole

An Interactive Guide to Release Pain and Trauma by Utilizing the Wisdom of the Body

by Emily A. Francis

Pub Date 11 May 2021 | Archive Date Not set

HCI Books, Health Communications Inc

Health, Mind & Body |  Self-Help

5 Stars +

Emily A Francis a bodyworker whose clinically trained to help people with Complex Trauma and PTSD to heal whole. While we can suffer from headaches, digestion issues, anxiety , trauma, head chatter and any pain within the body; which could be our bodies way of informing us something is wrong. This very unique and different approach to healing directly works via the memory system of our body. Anyone suffering and desiring freedom from negative emotions, painful and traumatic events which our memories become buried deep inside our bodies. Emily herself suffered greatly and healed herself and wishes to teach and help others to self-heal. Within the book we will learn how to become aware of how the body ‘s wisdom to transform the traumatic memories so we can move forward from our emotions of trauma, shame, guilt and grief transforming the memories to become happy, joy connection and empowerment. During the process we can lure how to break the bonds with those who caused the harm to us in either physical or emotional situations. This is certainly a book for the bookshelf to help heal ourselves or given to a fellow suffer needing healing guidance through meditation and journal writing. I am a suffer of childhood complex trauma I am looking forward to taking a journey with Emily and other suffers to free ourselves from the bonds of trauma. To ensure this was something that I could self-heal myself so I can embrace myself to become the woman I was born to be.   #HealingOurselvesWhole #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HCI Books [Health Communications Inc via NetGalley for my honest review of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.