2015 End of the Year Book Survey

Hosted by The Perpetual Page Turner. You can find the survey here.

Number Of Books You Read: 93
Number of Re-Reads: 14
Genre You Read The Most From: YA Fantasy

1. Best Book You Read In 2015?

(If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist)

I DO have to cheat. My top 3 were Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Winter by Marissa Meyer.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

 Ash and Bramble by Sarah Prineas, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck. They were all okay...

 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read?  

Seraphina. Most definitely GOOD.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?

 Tiger Lily!

 5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

 The Lunar Chronicles. Winter was a great series ender.

 6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

 Erin Morgenstern.

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

 Stargirl. I don't read much Middle Grade.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

 The Knight by Steven James.

 9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

 The Night Circus. I'm not much one for audiobooks but I think I'll have to give the audio version a try. It is narrated by Jim Dale.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?

 Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson. Amazing book, too.

11. Most memorable character of 2015?

 Carswell Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?

 The Night Circus.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

 How God Became King by N.T. Wright.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

 Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

   “Someone needs to tell those tales. When the battles are fought and won and lost, when the pirates find their treasures and the dragons eat their foes for breakfast with a nice cup of Lapsang souchong, someone needs to tell their bits of overlapping narrative. There's magic in that. It's in the listener, and for each and every ear it will be different, and it will affect them in ways they can never predict. From the mundane to the profound. You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows what they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift. Your sister may be able to see the future, but you yourself can shape it, boy. Do not forget that... there are many kinds of magic, after all.”  

From The Night Circus.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

 Paralyzed Dreams by C.B. Cook (shortest) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (longest).

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most.

Opening Moves by Steven James.

Um. Cannibalism.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Cress and Thorne from the Lunar Chronicles.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

 Patrick Bowers and his step-daughter Tessa from The Patrick Bowers files.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

 The Heir by Kiera Cass.  *shrugs* So I'm a sap.

21. Best Book You Read In 2015That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

 Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein. And I'm glad I did!

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

 Meh.

23. Best 2015 debut you read?

 I read maybe 2 or 3 total... :( But, I enjoyed Before Beauty by Brittany Fichter!

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

 The Night Circus. I tell you, I was IN that circus.

25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

 Enchanted by Alethea Kontis!

26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

 None. I am a cold and unfeeling brick. But I guess Tiger Lily came closest?

27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

 Rebels by Jill Williamson!

28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?

 Um, my soul is still very much intact and healthy, thank you, but I guess I could say TIGER LILY. In the best way.

29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor. Eesh.

30. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs *sigh* It had some redeeming qualities, but unfortunately I did not like it.

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

 Ohh, there are so many! But I started my blog at the end of last year so I can't really remember when I discovered all of my favorites: 2014 or 2015. So I'm just going to list some of my very favorites: Paper Fury, Sometimes I'm a Story, Bookish Serendipity, Summer Snowflakes, A Writer's Faith. But, seriously, I have so many that I should stop now! If you want more, you should check out this post!

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

Mini Reviews of The Scarlet Pimpernel, Tarzan of the Apes, and The Mark of Zorro.

And my review of The Heir by Kiera Cass.

3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

 7 Ways Book Bloggers Can Utilize Goodreads.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

 I didn't go to anything, but participating in readathons has been fun.

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?

JUST. ALL OF IT. :D

6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Making enough time. Since starting college in August it's been hard for me....

7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

 Most commented on: New Discoveries Tag (This is one of my favorite posts! It's great to share blogs I love!)

Most visited: Writer Struggles: When Your Story's Not as Good as You Thought it Was.

8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?

 Oh, I dunno...

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

I discovered a Hastings store close to where we live, so that's nice!

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I completed the Fairy Tale Challenge! But not the Goodreads challenge, unfortunately. Life got busy.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

 The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, and The Crown by Kiera Cass.

3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

 The Star-Touched Queen, Blackhearts, and The Girl from Everywhere all sound amazing!

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

The Mirror King and The Crown.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

 I hope to blog more consistently and comment on more people's blogs.

6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone: 

I haven't read one!

That's my year in review! Currently, I'm reading The Wrath and The Dawn. Maybe I'll finish it before this year ends!

Fairytale Challenge Completed!

The Fairytale Challenge is hosted by Mel at The Daily Prophecy. There were six different levels you could shoot for and I went for the Big Bad Wolf(10-15 books).

I completed the challenge by reading 15 fairytale retellings this year!

1. Fable by Chanda Hahn. (Not strictly a fairy tale retelling, but the whole series is about fairy tales and this one included Rumpelstiltskin.) Read Jan 3. My review.

2. Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. (Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince). Read Jan 17. My review.

3. Cinder by Marissa Meyer. (Cinderella). Read Feb. 7.

4. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. (Red Riding Hood). Read Feb. 9.

5. Cress  by Marissa Meyer. (Rapunzel). Read Feb. 21.

6. Before Beauty by Brittany Fichter. (Beauty and the Beast). Read Mar. 26. My review

7. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson. (Peter Pan). Read April 29. My review

8. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. (The Snow Child) Read June 16. My review

9. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. (Beauty and the Beast) Read June 28. My review

10. Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge. (Little Red Riding Hood and The Girl With No Hands) Read June 30. My review

11. Fairest by Marissa Meyer. (Sort of a prequel to Snow White) Read in May.

12. Enchanted by Alethea Kontis. (The Frog Prince + others). Read in July.

13. Beauty and the Beast by Jenni James (Beauty and the Beast). Read in July.

14. Winter by Marissa Meyer (Snow White). Read in November.

15. Ash and Bramble by Sarah Prineas. (Cinderella). Read in December.

Did you read any fairytale retellings this year? Share your favorites!

Confessions of a Book Drunkard

Hi. My name is Ally Randolph, and I am a book drunkard. I have some confessions to make....

I stay up way past my bedtime.

source

I dog-ear pages. (But the bookmarks! They mysteriously disappear!)

It's a problem.

I have maybe....physically harmed some books.

source

At times I've read a whole book in one day.

source

I color- coordinated my bookshelf.

Ah, it's so pretty!!

I didn't want to get my driver's license because it meant I couldn't read in the car anymore.

Sometimes, I've been a bit forceful when it comes to making book recommendations....

READ IT. (source)

I read over a HUNDRED BOOKS PER YEAR.

(source) I DID. Before college....

I CANNOT get into audiobooks. They're tooooo sloooowww.

The majority of my money goes towards books.

I never pay full price for a book.

(Books are treasures, don't get me wrong, but $17.99?! I'll just go to the used bookstore, thank you very much.)

(Merry, Christmas everybody! I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday week!)

Book Drunkards Get Book Hangovers

I was tagged by Sierra Faith over at 26 countless possibilities to share 5 books that gave me a book hangover in 2015!

1. 

2. 

3.

4.

5. 

These are the five that left me breathless and wanting more! What were your book hangovers of 2015?

Review of Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty by Angela Hunt

Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty by Angela Elwell Hunt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genres: Biblical Fiction

"After sending his army to besiege another king's capital, King David forces himself on Bathsheba, a loyal soldier's wife. When her resulting pregnancy forces the king to murder her husband and add her to his harem, Bathsheba struggles to protect her son while dealing with the effects of a dark prophecy and deadly curse on the king's household.

Combining historical facts with detailed fiction, Angela Hunt paints a realistic portrait of the beautiful woman who struggled to survive the dire results of divine judgment on a king with a divided heart."

The second book in a series about women in the Bible, Bathsheba's story was not a disappointment.

It's once again clear that the author has done her research -- I felt like I was transported back in time.

This story made Bathsheba's character more relatable, David seem more human (which I assure you, he was), and Uriah's tragic fate that much more tangible. Hunt did a fantastic job on making this real life events come alive for us today.

I highly recommend this series for lovers of Biblical Fiction! I'll be keeping my eye out for more from Angela Hunt.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

View all my reviews / Author site / Amazon

Book Review: The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis

The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genres: Fantasy; Classic; Children's/YA

                                                    

"When Digory and Polly are tricked by Digory's peculiar Uncle Andrew into becoming part of an experiment, they set off on the adventure of a lifetime. What happens to the children when they touch Uncle Andrew's magic rings is far beyond anything even the old magician could have imagined.

Hurtled into the Wood between the Worlds, the children soon find that they can enter many worlds through the mysterious pools there. In one world they encounter the evil Queen Jadis, who wreaks havoc in the streets of London when she is accidentally brought back with them. When they finally manage to pull her out of London, unintentionally taking along Uncle Andrew and a coachman with his horse, they find themselves in what will come to be known as the land of Narnia."

For some weird reason, it took me until now to start reading the Chronicles of Narnia.  I have seen all the movies, but because C.S. Lewis wrote a prequel that was never made into a movie, I only had snippets from friends conversations to help me know what to expect.  That of course, helped me none whatsoever in predicting what would happen, so I got to discover the story for myself, Which always makes me very excited.

  The beginning was alright, it wasn't my favorite entrance into a story though.  It almost felt off topic, but it all made sense toward the end.  After the entrance I was very into the story until it got to right in the middle, when I got a little bit bored.  There was a little bit too much happening in some chapters and not enough stuff of importance in a few others.  Because of this it took me a lot longer than I had planned to get through that part of the book.  I ended up putting it down for a while to read another story.  When I picked it back up a short while later, it turns out I was only a few pages from where things start to really pick up again.  When I picked it back up, I was enthralled with the story and where it was heading.  The way C.S. Lewis described how Narnia was made and how the Lamp post got there, why the animals can talk, and everything else special about Narnia it amazed me.  His describing skills really caught my attention.  The story wasn't over after Narnia was created though.  Digory and Polly, whom I  have grown to appreciate, are sent on a mission that starts to answer questions on how the other stories of Narnia would come to be.  Then C.S. Lewis wraps it up pretty quickly.  I actually missed hearing a bit more about the last little thing, which I won't spoil for those who haven't read it.  Over all, this prequel has done a really good job of making me want to propel into The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe. 

That's me.  Propelling into the series.  I'm  ready for a reading spree. 

I am blessed to have the entire series in one volume, so expect a review of at least one other book in the series.    My apologies for being gone so long!  Until next time!                                                                                                                                                         
“Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.” 

― C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew

Author/amazon

Interview with Author C.B. Cook

Hey, Everyone! Today I have a treat for you--an interview with the teenage author, C.B. Cook! Please read on and leave her some love in the comments!

Paralyzed Dreams by C.B. Cook

The Interview

1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Did you always love writing?

I’m not sure, exactly. I wrote my first “book” (a total of ten pages, max) in fourth or fifth grade for a school assignment. Sometime after that, I started writing horse books. Most of these were actually of a decent size, although I actually only finished one. Then I finally flipped it around and wrote a non-horse story, and that was my first “real” story that I actually finished! I’ve been writing pretty steadily ever since then.

2. Tell us a bit about your published work, Paralyzed Dreams.

Paralyzed Dreams is a story I wrote for my mom for Christmas. She used to be a volleyball player, and that was my initial inspiration for the story. Eventually, it morphed into a story about God’s love and grace, and learning to rely on him through whatever trials we have to go through.

3. Can you tell us a little about what you're working on now?

Right now, I’m working on a contemporary novel about a blind girl named Chloe and her friends and family. It’s more of a feels-y story than some of my other stuff, including Paralyzed Dreams, and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Chloe’s a great character, and I’ve enjoyed writing first person from her point of view. Lots of exciting stuff…

4. This is a tough one. :) What are you top five favorite books/series?

Assuming we’re talking about fiction here, My absolute favorite book/series ever is The Lord of the Rings. Honestly, ever since I read it, it’s made it so much easier to answer the favorite book question. Four more… Definitely The Lunar Chronicles – the characters and plot are just amazing. Cress is my favorite so far. Along with that is The Ilyon Chronicles, which also has amazing characters and plot, and fantastic worldbuilding. Then of course my longtime favorite, The Chronicles of Narnia. You can never outgrow Aslan! And finally, a single, The Auschwitz Escape. That book was just wonderful.

5. Do you have a favorite spot you like to read or write at?

Not necessarily. I usually read on my bed, with blankets on top of me in the winter, or in the car, when I’m not driving. But I can read pretty much anywhere.

6. What's a unique(strange?) fact about yourself?

The only problem with this question is… which one? I started Tae Kwon Do this summer, and I’ll be testing for my yellow belt this month. It’ll probably help any fight scenes I write be more realistic. And, yeah, it’s fun.

7. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Don’t be afraid to dream big, and to seek God’s plan in your life! Listen to his calling, don’t ignore it. And when faced with an opportunity, don’t let fear stop you. Go out there and change the world my minions!

Thank you, C.B.! Y'all make sure to check out her Author Website and her blog!

You can find her novella here.

Interview with Sarah M. Johnson, Author of "Life is Beautiful"

Sarah M. Johnson shares part of her own touching story with us today. Keep reading to hear more from Sarah and more about her book, Life is Beautiful!

Life is Beautiful by Sarah M. Johnson

Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God, by Sarah M. Johnson,　takes you on a full journey of trauma, loss, and finally resilience. While on a mission’s trip in Guatemala, a small Cessna Caravan’s engine blows while carrying fourteen passengers. Unfortunately, the Cessna crashes in a remote village, leaving eleven of the fourteen passengers dead. One passenger, Sarah, shares her story in Life is Beautiful, about the deaths of her father and brother; her mother’s extreme physical and emotional injuries, and Sarah’s self-discovery to accept this new life.

Life is Beautiful, however, is more than a story about an airplane crash.　Life is Beautiful　shares the personal struggles of Sarah’s father’s drug use, his recovery, and redemption to be a better person. He gives back by doing missions work in Africa, takes in Sarah’s aunt dying of uterine cancer, and eventually leads their family to the mountains of Guatemala. Sarah also discusses her struggles with alcohol use and depression; where she eventually hits rock bottom. It is not until she starts seeking God through prayer, books, and therapy, where she starts to turn her life around.

Life is Beautiful　is not only a unique story, but it shows the strength of God’s Will. When all hope is lost, she never gives up on God. This story is a true testimony of God’s love for His people, and when one seeks a spiritual journey and connection with God; He gives back in love, forgiveness, and happiness.

Life is Beautiful　will be released on August 25, 2015. It is available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author:

Sarah M. Johnson is currently a graduate student seeking her Marriage and Family Therapy degree. She will graduate in 2015. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. After graduating, she plans to open up a private practice office and guide those who are seeking their own self-discoveries of love and happiness.

Sarah believes that adversity is a gateway for change, and that through the difficult times of sorrow, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, disease, or other mental illness, we can use this adversity to self-explore and change for the better. We must not run away from the adversity, but face it, heal, and use this particular adversity as a learning lesson.

We all have the capacity to be happy and love ourselves; but we must utilize all necessary support systems, medical professionals, mental health professionals, Religious affiliations, (and many more that I am not mentioning) to help us find the Power Within. The Power Within helps us to accept our adversity and create necessary change for a life of love and happiness.

To learn more, go to http://lifeisbeautifulbook.com/ 

Connect with Sarah on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Chapter 1 – The Crash

I remember all of the emotions, the trees whipping by, everything happening so fast, dad yelling, Here we go, and mom screaming, Stop it. I remember my brother Zachary looking back at me, his eyes bright with fear as I prayed God please...


I remember the sense of something coming; you know it’s coming and wonder: will I live?

I remember the violence of the plane plowing into the ground as we attempted an emergency landing in a roughhewn field...Boom, boom, boom...and then nothing but an unnerving silence.

I don’t know if I blacked out or merely paused with my eyes closed in the stillness of those first few moments. Awareness comes slowly. Then in a rushed breath of shock and revelation, Thank God I’m alive.

My eyes open to an eerily lit silence where sunlight and shadow intermingle, making it difficult to see into the new geography of the plane’s interior. My head and body buzz. My mind trips on the dissonance of dangling upside down, held a few inches from the ceiling of the plane’s cabin by my seatbelt.

Taking stock of my body, I notice that I peed my pants and there is a small cut on my left arm. Looking up, I see that one foot is missing its shoe. My eyes squint into bright sunlight that passes through a relatively large doorway next to me that was torn open.

The only noise to break the silence is the erratic popping of electricity; the final groans of a dying airplane.

I move my arms first and then my legs, which causes small shards of glass to fall from where they’re lodged in my clothes and upturned seat. I tilt my head back toward the ceiling beneath me and it is covered in broken glass.

My hair dangles down away from my face, but the position of my body and the way sunlight cuts through the cabin makes it difficult to see much of the plane. In those few seconds I realize that I am okay and begin to think that maybe we are all okay; that the crash wasn’t so bad.

　

Interview with the Author

1. What is one of the main things you want readers to take away from your memoir?

I want readers to know we all go through difficult times in our lives. We go through these difficult times ever wondering if they will pass, we question "why me?" we even wonder if we have the strength within ourselves to get through it. But, I want people who read, Life is Beautiful: How a Lost Girl Became a True, Confident Child of God to know is that no matter what happens in our life, whether it be a particular trauma, loss, divorce, relationship conflict, job loss, illness, financial crisis, etc. that we all have the capacity to get through it. And once we get through this difficult time in our life, we have the ability to become stronger individuals because of it.

2. What was it like for you, writing out your story? Do you think the writing process contributed to the healing process?

Writing my story was not only healing, but it allowed me to go back in time and relive the trauma, hurt, and reality I experienced. Reliving the experience of the airplane crash was something I had done in therapy, but writing it out alone, I was able to heal a lingering wound. When I was writing, I was able to cry again and be "in the moment." Experiencing this pain again, alone, allowed me to grow and blossom personally as well as professionally.

Writing also allowed me to understand who I was at the time, as well as my father, mother, and brother. I was able to see my family as characters in life with love and compassion vs. being entangled with judgement and harsh criticism on the reality of my experience during the two years the book takes place. For me, looking at my life during the times of alcoholism, experiencing my father being caught for his drug use, and the real struggle my mother and I faced during all this of, it is easy to judge myself and my family for the choices we all made. But when we are all merely characters, it is easier for me to look at myself and my family with true compassion, love and acceptance.

3. What compelled you to publish your story, rather than keeping it to yourself?

I knew I was going to write a book and share my story with the world right after the crash occurred. Surviving an airplane crash, yet alone walking away with no physical injuries, is not very common. My story is unique, but it is also inspiring. I knew my story could personally touch others and I needed to share it with the world! Sharing my story of trauma, loss, and resiliency is my purpose on this planet. I look forward to this journey.

4. Your bio says that you believe "adversity is a gateway for change." Could you explain that further?

As mentioned before, we all go through difficult times in our lives. For me, I awakened to my reality and life only because I experienced death and trauma through a vigorous airplane crash. I was forced to start life over, at the age of 19, because half my family was killed (dad and my brother) and my mother was seriously injured. With the help of therapy and my Higher Power, I was able to look at my experience with acceptance and allow myself to be sad and allow all other feelings arise when necessary.

As time passed, I slowly was able to look at my life as a series as events. All the difficult times, or adversities as I like to say, challenged me and brought me pain. It was not until I faced the true pain of my experiences was I able to grow and develop compassion, empathy, and understanding of myself and others. I believe adversity is a gateway for change, because when we go through difficult times and use them as lessons in our life, we become better individuals.

Everybody on this planet goes through adversity in their life. For many of us, the adversity is out of our control. When we truly face the pain of our adversity, or do the "work" as I like to say, can we blossom into the people we are destined to be. This work involves accepting we want more or that we are hurt and want something different, and reaching out for help. This help may be with God, through a church group, a therapist, spiritual mentor, or a trusted family member or friend. We bond with others through our vulnerability and suffering; which brings about compassion and love for ourselves and others. If we have true compassion and love for others, because of our adversities, then we are one step closer to our purpose as human beings.

5. What part would you say God played in turning your life around?

God came into my life when I was 18 years old. As a young girl, I was always curious about God, but never really realized how much I yearned for this special relationship. It was not until I was speaking with a young man, who I dated at the time, where my curiosity spiked. One night, he asked me to take his hands, and I reluctantly did. As I did, however, I was sucked into the Light… a channel, a wormhole. In that very moment, I knew God was real, because I physically saw the Light. More about this experience is found in my book Life is Beautiful.

After this experience, God was definitely real to me. After I experienced the airplane crash, I used this experience as a foundation for my faith. A faith in knowing I survived for a reason. A faith in knowing I was supposed to use this tragedy to help and inspire others. A faith that God was going to use me… This faith has kept me moving. This faith has allowed me to follow my intuition personally and professionally. God uses all of us; however, this faith is what has turned my life around.

6. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

I just want your readers to know that we all struggle. Your readers right now are struggling with something in their life. I want them to know that I have struggled and currently struggle with everyday things. However, I have also made the choice to reach out for help when I needed it the most. I have accepted my pain and allowed it to flourish my life. We can’t run from our pain and expect to be happy. Instead, we must accept our pain, face it with love and compassion, and reach out. Only then, can we move forward with the next chapter in our lives.

If we don’t do the work, attempt to start life over, we may miss the opportunity to see that life is beautiful. More information about me and my book, Life is Beautiful, be found at www.lifeisbeautifulbook.com.

Peace and Love to All.

Thank you so much for being with us, Sarah!

Make sure you guys check out her website and her book to find out more about her story!