Hope After Suicide by Wendy Parmley

About the book:

We all have a story—hidden secrets buried in dark and rocky earth. Our task is to unearth—to release the pain and discover the good, discover the healing, discover the love. Uncovering the darkness makes space for the light. 

After her mother took her own life, Wendy Parmley learned firsthand the heartache, despair, and loneliness that accompanies losing a loved one to suicide. At one point she even contemplated taking her own life as well. In this uplifting true narrative, you too can discover how to 

Forgive yourself and others 
Open your heart 
Seek help when you need it 
Draw closer to the divine 

Embrace the light and learn how to heal your soul and overcome loss as you read this touching and tender account of a woman opening her heart years after her mother’s suicide.

EXCERPT:

The room was filled to overflowing with flowers gifted in Mom's memory--red roses, pink carnations, white daisies--all of Mom's favorites. They represented her life, cut short like blossoms cut from the bush. The rose heart wreath labeled Mom stood at the head of the casket as if to remind the world she was  my mom. And that she was no more.

..."Wendy, do you want to give her a kiss before they close the casket?" one man asked. I shuddered at the thought and shook my head no. I couldn't kiss her cold, dead flesh. But I couldn't stop staring. I bit  my lip as they opened the bottom half of the casket so we could see her whole body one last time. I went up and touched her hand again--still dead. I felt out of body too--as cold as Mom. Dead.

And then they closed the casket. I couldn't breathe. My head was whirling. The room was spinning. I couldn't see her. I couldn't touch  her. I wouldn't feel her ever again. She was gone forever. And I  couldn't keep back the tears.

No! I wanted to shout. God don't take her away from us!

I wanted to throw my body on top of Mom's and fight with all my power and might to prevent that door from closing. I wanted to save Mom from the darkness--to rescue her from death and keep her with me. She can't go, I cried from deep within myself. I still need her! No!

A piece of my soul left my body and followed Mom into the darkness--that deep abyss--and lay down next to Mom to be buried with her. The closed casket was suffocating, but try as I might, I couldn't claw my way out. I couldn't open the door. I  couldn't see the light. I was dead.

Reviews and readers comments: 

--"There is no question that suicide and suicidal thoughts have led people through some very dark and seemingly hopeless moments which are difficult to understand unless you have personally faced suicide. Regardless of your personal experiences, you will have your perceptions on this subject challenged and expanded. Wendy enables the reader to not only share her journey, but also her hope." --Chaplain Dean L. Jackson, Provo Police Department.

--"During the past 12 years of serving on the HOPE Task Force, I have seen the devastating impact suicide has on those left behind. Some lose their hope, faith and reason for living, and are unable to move forward and embrace living again. Others choose to approach life from a more loving, giving and understanding stance and vow to learn from their loved one's death. Everyone's journey in finding healing is different and the amount of time it takes to heal and move forward can vary.

Hope From Suicide is a beautifully written account of one woman's journey from devastation to hope and healing. The author's account of her healing journey through being a child who loses her mother to suicide, with all of the feelings of hopelessness, being alone, afraid and powerless, to a woman who finds forgiveness, happiness and hope is inspiring and empowering. The book encourages the reader to embrace life again after a loved one's suicide with love, forgiveness and a new sense of hope."
                                                                   --Lisa Bullock, Intuitive Coach

--"Beautifully written!!! Wendy takes us with her on her journey, which is not always an easy one, as she struggles to accept the darkness of her past, deal with it head on, and then emerge into the light. I appreciate the honest way in which she tells every detail, including things that must have been hard to share. Nothing is sugar-coated here, but still, the overwhelming theme is one of hope, unconditional acceptance, and love. This is a book about healing, not despair. Well-done!"

--"After decades of burying unimaginable pain, anger, fear, and shame, Wendy slowly embraces, and owns, her story of her mother's suicide and it's ramifications. She shows us how to love unconditionally and to have a deeper understanding of the depths of pain and suffering. It is incredibly brave and courageous to write with such honesty. She holds no grudges or blame, and learns to truly love and heal by writing her story for us all to read and learn from. I loved how she wove together the present and the past and shared her most intimate thoughts and feelings no matter how hard it must have been to write."

About the author:

  Prior to a disabling bicycle accident in 2011, Wendy spent nearly two years searching for answers related to her mother’s suicide death when Wendy was just twelve years old and the oldest of five children. She poured through her old journals, read her dad’s and grandmother’s memoirs, listened to funeral and family home evening tapes, and interviewed countless friends and family members including her former bishop, his wife, and the former police chief in order to discover truth.

Following her bicycle accident, Wendy’s injuries prohibited her return to work as a nurse manager at a local hospital. She left behind her 20 year nursing career and began organizing and writing from the information she had previously gathered.

Wendy has long advocated for suicide prevention and has participated on various professional and community based groups dedicated to that end. She also recognizes the need to unashamedly support those who must continue to live in the painful aftermath of a loved one’s suicide and passionately lends her voice to that cause.

Wendy earned her nursing degree from UVU in 1991 and her MBA from Brigham Young University in 2007. She has three sons and daughters-in-law, one daughter, and two beautiful grandchildren. She and her husband Mark live in Orem, Utah.

What is the best marriage advice you ever received?

                                                   

Seth met his wife in high school when they were fifteen years old.They were friends for ten years until they decided they no longer wanted to be just friends. The nearer they approached the decision to marry, the more Seth was filled with paralyzing fear.

     Was he ready? 
     Was he making the right choice? 
     Was Kim the right person to marry? 
     Would she make him happy?

Seth turned to his father for advice, the answer he gave more than surprised him then he realized it was full of wisdom and profound. He said, "Marriage isn't for you. It's about the person you marry."
Those few words completely changed the way Seth looked at the relationship with his wife. He realized an expression of love isn't about the person expressing it. Rather, it's about the person they choose to be with.

"Marriage Isn't For You" is a quick read packing a powerful punch. With full-color photographs paired with the message Seth shared on his blog which went viral, read by 30 million people worldwide, it's the prefect gift for newly married couples, or anyone wants to learn how to make their relationships stronger.

Seth Adam Smith was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Since 2004, he has produced videos and articles for businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth groups, artists, and political causes. He is the editor-in-chief of
ForwardWalking.com. He and his wife, Kim, live in Florida.

Book Review-Skinny-licious, Lite and Scrumptious Recipes by Shauna Evans, RN

Back Cover:

Going on a diet need not exile you to bland food. Shauna Evans, author of Sweet & Savory, has mouthwatering recipes and a risk-free diet for you! Savor Shauna's delicious and nutritious recipes, all while losing weight and feeling great. In addition to family friendly recipes, Skinny-licious takes you on Shauna's journey from fat to fit and explains her simple technique for losing 60 stubborn pounds in 7months--now you can emulate the secrets to her success.

My thoughts:

What woman hasn't struggled with their weight at some point or another in their lives, especially if their a mom? Shauna also has had her share of challenges in that area and she shares her story in the preface of her bright colorful cookbook. I loved her approach, and was inspired by how do-able it was! Check out her book and you'll find out why.

                             Chicken Tikka Masala--(one of my favorites)

2 Tb, of olive oil, divided                                                     1 tsp. turmeric
1 Tb. butter                                                                           1 medium onion, diced
1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast, cut into 2-inch cubes                    1 small green pepper, diced
dash of salt and fresh ground pepper                                    1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1 (15-oz.) can crushed tomatoes, undrained                         2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 c. chopped cilantro leaves                                               1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp. garam masala seasoning                                              4 cups cooked rice

In a saute' pan heat 1 Tb of oil and butter.
Add chicken, season with salt and pepper. Sear on each side on med-high heat, about 2 minutes. Turn heat to med-low. Add tomatoes,cilantro, masala and turmeric. Cover chicken and let simmer for 10 minutes. In another saute' pan, heat 1Tb. olive oil on medium heat. Add onion, green pepper, jalapeno pepper and garlic. Cook until vegetables are tender and then add to chicken mixture. Let simmer for another 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink when cut into largest piece. Add heavy cream. Heat through about 2 minutes. Serve over hot cooked rice.




Shauna Evans lives in Northern Utah beneath the Wasatch Mountains. In 1994,she graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of science, nursing degree. She married BYU quarterback, Joe Evans in 1992. They have five children. Shauna continues her nursing education with courses on nutrition, diet, and exercise and is a certified personal trainer.
Shauna has won over 10 recipe contests including two national awards. She is the author of four books, "What Goes With What-Baby Rooms Made Easy," "Sweet and Savory: Award Winning Recipes Made easy," "Skinny-licious: Scrumptious and Lite Recipes for a Slimmer You," and "30-Minute Meals for Families" (release date: June 2014).
Author Evans shares creative family ideas and delicious recipes on her blog: www.sweetandsavoryseven.com.

Book Review: Does This Insecurity Make Me Look Fat? By Michelle Wlison

  

I love the title of this book and hey, have you all  checked your self-talk lately? You know that almost constant internal dialogue we each have every day?So much of what happens to us and within us is reflected in that ongoing conversation. This book zoomed in for a close-up on how much our inner perspective affects who we are. Well-written with humor, insight, personal anecdotes, scriptures and wisdom from LDS church leaders, Michelle enlightens learning to see and choosing to be more confident and whole as we remember to view ourselves from God’s perspective-an eternal one!

--Definitely a "pick-me-up" read!

From the back cover:

Does this insecurity make me look fat?

…OR does this confidence make me look magnificent?

*Why do clothing stores hang fun-house mirrors in their dressing rooms?

*The laundry room doesn’t cry when it’s not folded so why should I?

* Can I be confident even if an elevator calls me fat?

Michelle Wilson’s humorous yet poignant insights help women examine the limitations we place on ourselves out of insecurity and self-doubt. We have faith in God, but do we know that He has faith in us?

When we see ourselves from God's eternal perspective, we can feel confident and whole--even in our imperfection. Just think what we might accomplish if we truly believe that we are more important than we know, stronger than we realize, and extraordinary in every way.

About the author:

Michelle Wilson is a native of California. Through serving a full-time mission, teaching seminary, Sunday School classes, speaking at various firesides and conferences, Michelle has developed a love of the power and simplicity of the gospel. She believes in the healing power of laughter and chocolate. She and her husband, Jerey, are the parents of three children and live in Washington State.

 Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book 

Book Review: Healing Creek by Jaclyn M. Hawkes

Were they opposites? Or soul mates?
Finding she had a perpetually unfaithful husband had been hard to cope with as a newly wed and newly certified marriage counselor. Still, that wasn’t as hard as finding her husband had a newborn daughter with a teenager—effectively ending both her marriage, and the career Monet McLaughlin had spent seven years building. That’ll leave a mark. 
It’s why she absolutely knows not to trust Nick, the hunky male model who shows up two years later at her therapy horse stable to do a photo shoot for romance novel covers. Certainly no one who looks like that, and makes a living being that intimate with that many women, has a shred of moral integrity—do they?
They both know they are far too opposite for even a casual relationship, so then what the heck is going on here? 
Cynics can heal—if they’re brave enough.

My thoughts:

This is the second book of Jaclyn's I've read and although it took me a little while to get involved it ended up being a book worth my time. Monet and Nick are more than two attractive people who meet and fall in love and despite Nick's "hot" appearance and Monet's troubled past, their story isn't just an escapist-romance. Healing Creek is a multi-faceted read with depth, refreshing integrity and a colorful splash of unexpectedness. 

About the Author:

Jaclyn M. Hawkes grew up with 6 sisters, 4 brothers and any number of pets. (It was never boring!) She got a bachelor’s degree, had a career and traveled extensively before settling down to her life’s work of being the mother of four magnificent and sometimes challenging children. She loves shellfish, the out of doors, the youth and hearing her children laugh. She and her fine husband, their family, and their sometimes very large pets, now live in a mountain valley in northern Utah, where it smells like heaven and kids still move sprinkler pipe. To learn more about Jaclyn, visit www.jaclynmhawkes.com.

Book Review, Peace be Still by David S. Baxter

 

“No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.”

(Hymns, “Master, the Tempest is Raging,” no. 105.)

 

Cover Excerpt:

Our modern world is full of fast-paced stress and jam-packed schedules. Both trials and blessings happen to us so quickly that there is rarely a moment of peace. It is easy to be overwhelmed and lost.
In Peace, Be Still, Elder David S. Baxter of the Seventy describes ways for us to find peace in our crazy world by turning to our Lord, Jesus Christ. He speaks of principles to learn, habits to gain, and places to go to find peace in our daily lives and at home. This inspiring book will help us through the tempests in our lives and lead us to a greater sense of personal peace by encouraging and instructing us to follow Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

My thoughts:

Who couldn't use a little more peace in their lives?

 I love inspiring nonfiction books, (which is why I've written two) and Elder Baxter has written one on a topic we all can learn from--peace. In the preface he shares his thoughts for us, the readers:

 "My own hope is that the contents of this book will enable every reader to identify, feel, and realize a greater sense of personal peace and find out how to obtain it, to a degree at least, some moments of personal pause from the debilitating, suffocating stress of life--to enjoy some serene stillness in the midst of cacophonous commotion."

This book, wrapped in a cover of a tranquil lakefront scene, with water smooth as glass reflecting a sky filled with warming rays of sun invites one to come, sit a while, read, reflect, and be refreshed.  The final chapter of ten, and my favorite, is fittingly entitled, The Prince of Peace.

In it Elder Baxter reminds us of the story in the  New Testament in the book of Mark..."And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that now it was full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on the pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4: 37-39)

He goes on to say: "In the midst of the tempest of our lives, we can be brought to "great calm" as we too call upon the Master. If He has the power to cause the wind to cease and the waves to subside from the deck of a ship, He can, from the sanctuary of heaven, certainly still our distress and bring the chill winds of trouble in our lives to a stop. It is not just Galilee that can be made a place of peace; it is also possible in our minds, our hearts, and our very souls."


Meet the Author:

David Baxter was born in Stirling, Scotland, and became a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2006. He previously worked in senior leadership roles in the telecommunications industry and on the boards of various UK government agencies and holds a bachelor of science in economics. In his Church service, he has been a bishop, a stake president, a member of a mission presidency, and an Area Seventy, and he is currently a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He has served in Church Area Presidencies in Europe and the Pacific. His early home life was traumatic and disrupted, and in 2009 he underwent surgery to remove two brain tumors. He and his wife, Dianne, are the parents of four children and the grandparents of nine grandchildren.

Peace Be Still

Book Review-Motive For Murder

Synopsis of Motive for Murder:

Meet Erica Coleman—a gifted and quirky private investigator with an OCD-like passion for neatness and symmetry, a penchant for cooking, (ten terrific recipes are included), and a weakness for chocolate.

Erica imagined that her trip to Florida would be a slice of heaven—a chance to get away from it all and catch up with her best friend, Wendy. But one day into her vacation, all hope of fun in the sun is dashed when she stumbles, literally, over a dead man on Wendy’s driveway. With police closing in on her friend as their main suspect, Erica must find the real killer before
Wendy ends up behind bars.

With Erica’s skill, solving the mystery should be a piece of cake but then a second homicide-attempt hits close to home and generates a whole new list of suspects. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, a murderer is on the prowl, and no one is above suspicion.

As the plot thickens, it appears Erica may have bitten off more than she can chew, but she forges on, sifting through mounting evidence until she hones in on the killer who has a surprising motive for murder. With a dash of romance and some surprising twists, this thrilling mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

My Review:

Motive for Murder grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I immediately liked Erica.
Once the unexpected murder is  discovered, she at the request of her dear friend Wendy begins  helping to unravel what happened. I loved her attention to detail, and her calm matter-of-fact approach which soon wins her the admiration of the local police on the case. As the plot unfolds surprises are plenty. I especially loved the recipes woven throughout the story and included at the back of the book. This is a good read you won't want to miss!

About the Author:

Marlene Bateman Sullivan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they are the parents of seven children.  Her hobbies are gardening, camping, and reading.  Marlene has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and has written a number of non-fiction books, including:  Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s From Beyond the Veil, By the Ministering of Angels, and Brigham’s Boys. Marlene also wrote the best-selling novel, Light on Fire Island. Her Motive for Murder, is the first in a mystery series featuring the quirky Erica Coleman. www.marlenebateman.info

Motive for Murder is available at all LDS bookstores and is also available on CD. Here are 3 links where Motive for Murder can be purchased online:  

 

Seagull Book

Amazon

Deseret Book

Book Review: Belonging to Heaven, by Gale Sears

• Motherhood Matters by Connie Sokol
• Innovera Yakov by Kia Garriques
• David’s Song by A.R. Talley
• January Black by Wendy Russo
• Literary Loom by Carolyn Frank
• Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan
• Alexander Drake by Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows
• Newstead Project by Melanie Schultz
• Family Ever After by Michelle Packard

 

 

 

 

Description:
Descended from the Hawaiian royal line, Jonathan Napela became one of the first—and most influential—converts to the Church in Hawaii. A man of intelligence, social status, and wealth, he used his considerable position to further the gospel in his native land. He developed a lifelong bond of brotherhood with Elder George Q. Cannon, helping to translate the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian and establish a gathering place for the Hawaiian saints in Laie, Oahu. But when his beloved wife, Kitty, was stricken with leprosy, Jonathan made the defining decision of his life. He would leave his life of privilege to become her caretaker and spend the rest of his life on Molokai, the island of lepers. To those who suffered similar heartbreak and banishment, Jonathan’s self-sacrifice became their lifeline. Based on true story, this is an extraordinary novel of a man who chose love in the face of death...

My Review:

Belonging to Heaven was a slow start for me, especially getting past the frequent excerpts in Hawaiian, but by chapter two I was involved in the story and ready for more. Soon I wasn’t only caught up emotionally with the relatable characters and their experiences, I was also intrigued by the rich detail and unfolding history of the beginnings of the LDS Church in the Sandwich Islands.

Early in the book, the focus is on George Q. Cannon, as a young missionary portraying how his deep religious faith and convictions sustained him through the barriers an unfamiliar language, culture, land and personal insecurities, imposed. His perseverance was humbling and inspiring.

When he and Jonathon Napela, the other central character in the book, finally meet, it is through divine intervention, a moving account, which begins a lifelong friendship and well-written journey of the growth of the church, despite hardship and sacrifice in the mid-1800’spanning roughly thirty years.

 Gale Sear’s, Belonging to Heaven, is a well-written, well-researched, feel-good kind of book--a richly woven legacy I highly recommend to anyone wanting to be uplifted and inspired.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author Gale Sears
Gale Sears is an award-winning author, known for her historical accuracy and intensive research. Gale received a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in theater arts from the University of Minnesota. She is the author of the bestselling The Silence of God and several other novels, including The Route, Christmas for a Dollar, Autumn Sky, Until the Dawn, and Upon the Mountains. She and her husband, George, are the parents of two children and reside in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Website

Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/5/13

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a0096872/"

 

The Kiss of A Stranger, by Sarah M. Eden

Okay,  so I have to tell you-I rarely read romance books. Why? Because I have so many things I want to do with my time and I feel--sorry ladies, romance novels are a bit frivolous,*cough-cough*. With that said, I have heard rave reviews about LDS author, Sarah M. Eden who writes regency romance novels full of wit and charm. And I succumbed....*shrugs shoulders*. Last week I read, The Kiss of A Stranger, Sarah's second novel. I found it delightfully entertaining with well-developed characters and was pleasantly surprised at the touch of suspense. I will be reading more of Sarah's books! 

From the back cover: When Crispin, Lord Cavratt, thoroughly and scandalously kisses a serving woman in the garden of a country inn, he assumes the encounter will be of no consequence. But he could be more mistaken--the maid is not only a lady of birth, she's the niece of a very large, exceptionally angry gentleman, who claims Crispin has compromised his niece beyond redemption. The dismayed young lord has no choice but to marry Miss Catherine Thorndale, who lacks both money and refinement and assumes all men are as vicious as her guardian uncle.
Trapped between an unwanted marriage and a hasty annulment, which would leave his reputation tainted and Catherine's utterly ruined, Crispin begins guiding his wife's transformation from a socially petrified country girl to a lady of society. Their unfolding relationship reveals encouraging surprises for both of them, and privately each of them wonders if theirs may become a true marriage of the heart. But their hopes are dashed when forces conspire to split asunder what fate has granted. As a battle of wits escalates into a life-threatening confrontation, will it be possible for Crispin and Catherine to live happily ever after?

New Book Review: Caribbean Crossroads by Connie Sokol

I first met Connie attending one of her classes at BYU Education Week in Provo, Utah. I immediately felt a connection, we have been friends ever since. She is a gifted motivational speaker as well as a talented author. She's written several books, including, Motherhood Matters, and Faithful, Fit & Fabulous. Both titles describe Connie herself. Her newest release, Caribbean Crossroads is simply a FUN read, perfect for summer:

New college grad, Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard.

Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson. Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can't deny the intense attraction between them.

Urged to find a wife and run the family lumber business, Bryant is torn bewtween his family's ecpectations for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn't looks so bad.

Just when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.

CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS is available on Amazon as an ebook and in paperback. To learn more about Connie, her other books and get inspired to become your best you, visit her website at 8basics.com/