Tag Archives: books

No. 1

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I have long enjoyed the book series by Alexander McCall Smith about Mma Ramotswe and her No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.  I normally like a bit more intrigue and adventure in a book but the characters that Mr. Smith developed are irresistible.  They are so delightful that you could actually picture yourself knowing them or desiring to know them in real life.

My son contacted me about Mr. Smith’s upcoming talk at a Library near by. So, I signed myself and my husband up and invited us to eat dinner at my son’s house with the family.  I didn’t get nervous until we actually started to get in the car. I know, there is no need to be nervous at a talk and book signing. But I was.

I adorned myself in my map of Edinburgh scarf – since I knew he was connected to the University of Edinburgh and lived in that wonderful city – and imagined talking to him. I then decided just to buy the book and have him sign it and listen to his talk. Simple.

But, having our own trip to Scotland last year and very fresh in my head, when I handed him my newly purchased book I let out a speed talk that even marveled my mind. Something like this: “I’m wearing my Edinburgh scarf we were there for Christmas and New Years and even marched on Hogmanay and our son just got his Masters from the University-Edinburgh and blah, blah, blah”. He actually managed to follow my rambling and interjected comments. I was thrilled, especially to get to tell my son over there that Alexander McCall Smith congratulated him.

I got my breath back once I sat in my seat, thinking of how goofy that was and… he was wearing a kilt!

Anyway, what a delightfully funny and kind man. My husband and I laughed out loud totally taken into his stories. He is as delightful as the characters he created. Thank you, Alexander McCall Smith, cheers to you and your writings.

Here are some poorly taken photos (with my iphone and star-struck hands)…..

Alexander McCall Smith
the infamous scarf

Read his books and have a great day.

Cate B

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Writing Again, Writing Still

It’s been almost a year since I last posted on the topic of writing .  My goals, etc.  The book I started and started again and thought I finished……..almost.

Sigh.  I cannot compare myself to others.  That is unwise – even the bible tells us that.

But I do it anyway until I catch myself.  So many of my peers write on their blog often.  Sometimes several times a day.  Me? Oh, perhaps once a week or two.  Good grief.  I guess there are no tight rules on this but I may be forgotten if I don’t write something!

I decided to wrap up a booklet I wanted to  publish.  Good time to do it – now.  So I progressed rapidly this week.  Even asked two authors I know to write an endorsement for the front.  Sigh, again.  After I sent the “manuscript” out to a friend to read first, I realized that the requirements of the publisher was to have at least fifty pages.  WHAT?!?!?!  I have just over half that.

Time for fetal position.  I dread going back in and adding to what I thought was alright.  Ugh.  Double ugh.

I do believe I can write.  But why such dread?  Why do I feel defeated before I even start?  I don’t normally write such gut revealing words on here – but this is how I feel today.

I know me enough to know that I will pick myself up and dust myself off and face this project.  Sooner, I hope, rather than later.

I am open for advice and encouragement – but not criticism.  I do not believe that criticizing artistic abilities is a thing.  We are all individuals with individual tastes.

Thank you for letting me spill to you……

😀 Cate B

Refining Fire – A Book Review

I took on the task of reviewing a book with Bethany House Publishers.  I love to read and thought this would be a nice relaxing thing for me to do.  I chose fiction.

The book I chose is titled Refining Fire by Tracie Peterson.  I love fiction and of course a dash of romance is always good.  This story also has a touch of real history involved in it’s plot.  That was my deciding factor on this particular novel.

It started off slow for me.  It appeared to be your typical Christian romance novel until and the subject of human trafficking popped up.  This drew me into the plot.  I do recommend this book simply because the author has a wonderful way of entwining history, real spirituality and romance into one plot.

No spoilers here, I recommend you get a copy.  But, the climax in this book had me reading faster and heart rate went up a bit. So exciting!

Here is a blurb off the back cover about the author:  Tracie Peterson’s love for history and research fuels the bestselling stories she writes.  She is the author of over one hundred novels and the recipient of the 2011 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tracie and her family live in Montana.

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Enjoy!

cate b

Book Review

A fellow blogger that crossed my path a while ago has published a book.  It is full of truth and pain and her reality.  Her memoir.

I purchased this book through amazon.com for my kindle.  I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.  But I had to.  I tend to feel the pain as I read and needed short breaks.  That is a GOOD thing.  Why?  Because we all have come from dysfunctional backgrounds.  But some faced harder things than we may have.  Or perhaps I should say different things in our past.

I never went hungry or was physically abused.  I had more of the verbal attacks and great loss and left to myself to heal.

As I read through Mary’s book, Running in Heels, I thought of people I have met over the years who had to endure great pain.  Is it fair – no.  But the way our God had his hand on her (and you, dear readers) through all the pain is fantastic.

This book is a great read for anyone.  For your heart – yes.  And for others you know  and those you will meet, it will be of great help.  A must read.

We all need to know that someone else has gone through what we are facing or have faced.  We all need to know that God was with us and is and will see us through.  Life is not easy, for anyone.  But it can be redeemed and turned around.

Thank you Mary for writing your memoir.

http://maryaperez.com/running-in-heels-a-memoir-of-grit-and-grace-2/

Running in Heels

check out her blog here                                                    heelshbk13

cate b