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New Media to Buy for Yourself and Give Away: 4 Books and 2 Songs by My Talented Author Friends

New Media to Buy for Yourself and Give Away: 4 Books and 2 Songs by My Talented Author Friends

The following is a short list of friends who put in the hard work and did what it took to launch their words into the world. 

Besides ordering these treats for yourself, they make great gifts for Mother’s Day, graduation, Father’s Day, birthdays, etc. 

Each image below is a link. In alphabetical order, so no one gets their feelers hurt….

Nicole O’Meara

When Morning Dawns: The Hope of God’s Presence in Your Storm

Nicole’s life changed the day her lungs started bleeding and she could barely breathe. If you or anyone you know battles chronic illness, this is a fantastic resource poised to encourage young and old alike. 

Nicole and I have been family friends since the 80s, and I can tell you, she’s the real deal. Her love for the Lord shines bright, and her grit through her pain is inspirational.

Her book is a Kindle edition so you only pay $2.99!

Kristin Saatzer

Hear the Savior: Readings for Lent and Easter Based on the Words of Jesus

Kristin is in my writer’s group, so I got to witness firsthand the unfolding of this book over the past year. From batting around title ideas to editing individual devotions, it felt exciting to be a part of her project and watch it take shape.

She even asked me for an endorsement (my first one!), which I was of course surprised and giddy to give. Happy Easter!

Marci Seither 

Lakeside Retreat: Life-Giving Devotions from a Restful Shore

I’ve been at multiple writer’s conferences with this woman and let me tell you… she has energy (and jokes) to spare. Creative and funny, Marci’s book description ropes me in:

“Let this collection of vacation-themed devotions, recipes, and DIY projects transport you to a quiet place of rest, renewal, and connection with God.”

Mike Sollom

Grief Exposed: Giving a Voice to the Unspeakable

Mike has done what most parents would rather not face: writing about the raw and real details of watching your child die. His honesty is brutal in the most beautiful way because he doesn’t sugar-coat anything. It is truly a page-turner for all the most horrible reasons. 

I met Mike and his wife LuAnn in the early 80s and babysat all four of their kids for years. Losing Jim will forever be etched in my mind and heart as a horrific experience. I had the honor of walking with their family through the ins and outs of that pain, and was pregnant with our second son when Jim passed on. 

Five months later, from the delivery room, we all cried through the phone while telling Mike and LuAnn we gave our son the middle name “James.” 

Years ago Mike let me read one of his early rough draft versions of this book. As a fellow writer, I am in awe of how honest he describes his pain. He lets the reader into parts of his journey I’ve never seen an author do before. 

If you or someone you know has lost a child, you have to get this book. Mike brings a fresh salve to the horribly lonely “I thought it was just me” pain and suffering. 

Andy Squyres

“Cherry Blossoms” and “Before You God”

Andy (and his now wife) and I went to the same high school in Northern California. We didn’t know each other well, but we shared a basketball court in our old wood gym with that stale sweat stench I can still smell. A mere 30 years later we reconnected and now I’m hooked on his music. 

Based in North Carolina, Andy is a singer-songwriter, penning the most thought-provoking and surprising lyrics I’ve heard in a lonnng time. He travels, sings, fishes, writes and posts some dang good words on the socials. 

So far the two titles above are my favorites, and part of what I love is the way he turns a phrase.

Check out these lyrics:

Before you God, I am opening my heart 

I know You did not expect me, I’m a thief in the night

Before You God, I would leave the ninety-nine 

To find You in the darkness, I will not leave You behind

Brilliant. Find his music on Spotify, videos on YouTube, and bound essays on his website: andysquyres.com

Have you read anything noteworthy lately? Any new authors or books you want to recommend? Tell me in the comments!

Chronic Disappointment: 5 Ways Our Family Has Dealt with a Year of Long Covid Pain

Chronic Disappointment: 5 Ways Our Family Has Dealt with a Year of Long Covid Pain

This week marked one year.  Also known as Long Haulers, this title is for people who still experience symptoms more than 4-12 weeks after being diagnosed with Covid-19. If we’d known our teenage son would go this far past three months of being sick, I’m pretty sure we would’ve bought stock in heat packs, ice… Continue Reading

Heart Attack vs. Acid Reflux: How Our Trip to the ER Taught Us the Difference and How To Be Prepared

Heart Attack vs. Acid Reflux: How Our Trip to the ER Taught Us the Difference and How To Be Prepared

After an hour and a half of sleep last Tuesday, I awoke to a gnarly feeling across my whole chest that grabbed both shoulders, clenched my ticker and wouldn’t let go.  If that’s too manly of a description for ya, here’s a more feminine version: I felt a smidge of pressure around my décolleté with… Continue Reading

My 4-Day Frustrating Forced Phone Fast: What I Learned in the Silence of Being Unplugged

My 4-Day Frustrating Forced Phone Fast: What I Learned in the Silence of Being Unplugged

Day: Saturday morning Location: Apple store Issue: Stripes on screen I stood on the curb at the quaint mall, 20 minutes before they opened, fifth in line. I hid my irritation around the nearby strangers, but inside I felt my nerves starting to get on each other. It’s fine. I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s… Continue Reading

Leaves Turning 80: New Season, Old Skin, and an Organized Dental Office

Leaves Turning 80: New Season, Old Skin, and an Organized Dental Office

My before-and-after title works better if you’re a Wheel of Fortune fan, I know. Lucky for me, my dad is a lifer.  I grew up with the sound of an audience clapping and the tick, tick, ticking wheel coming from my parents’ room… Every. Single. Week night. The memory sits permanently nestled in my hippocampus… Continue Reading

Baby Steps, Bob: How to Replace the Overwhelming Thing with the Next Thing

Baby Steps, Bob: How to Replace the Overwhelming Thing with the Next Thing

If you’ve seen one of my favorite movies, What About Bob, you know taking baby steps (literally) is what got Bob Wiley out of his own head.  Repeating the words “baby steps” also got him on a bus, through a sliding door, and on a boat… all things that previously terrified him. Similarly, if you’ve… Continue Reading

September Fire, Welcome Rain: The Disaster in SoCal This Week and How Your Family Can Help

September Fire, Welcome Rain: The Disaster in SoCal This Week and How Your Family Can Help

If you hadn’t heard of the town of Hemet before the 5th of September, you’re not alone. Nestled inland from the Temecula Valley and Riverside, it’s not exactly a vacation destination. It’s the town we go through to get to Palm Springs, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. If you’ve never been there, here’s some context:… Continue Reading

Spring Decluttering with an Organizing Pro: 20 Items You Can Quickly Donate or Toss This Weekend

Spring Decluttering with an Organizing Pro: 20 Items You Can Quickly Donate or Toss This Weekend

It’s no secret—I looove me some organized spaces. That doesn’t mean every square inch of my house is organized, but I’m working on it.  Disaster areas usually elevate stress and organized spaces usually usher in peace. But sometimes getting started is so overwhelming some people don’t even know where to begin.  Been there? After decluttering… Continue Reading

A Unique Mother’s Day Gift Guide for all the Young Moms, Busy Ladies, and Older Women

A Unique Mother’s Day Gift Guide for all the Young Moms, Busy Ladies, and Older Women

Let’s be clear from the beginning—not many women want cooking or cleaning gifts for Mother’s Day. Nothing says, “Now you have a better tool to clean up after us!” like an upright dirt sucker. Bleh. Unless of course she’s been drooling over the latest Dyson…. Between wanting to be sensitive and thoughtful, gifts can get… Continue Reading