Pump Up your Book: "Four Seasons for Charlotte" by Rachel Reynolds Book Review

Join Rachel Reynolds, author of the pediatric illness/self-help book, Four Seasons for Charlotte, as she tours the blogosphere December 3 through February 15, 2013 on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

Rachel Reynolds shares a powerful journey in her memoir, Four Seasons for Charlotte. It is the story of an ordinary family bearing an extraordinary burden.

When Rachel’s three year old daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the world of the Reynolds family was changed forever. In Four Seasons for Charlotte, she recounts the events of the year of Charlotte’s diagnosis, treatment, and eventual death. Her chronicle of the family’s story is about more than the untimely death of a child. It is about harnessing the strength of a community, gaining perspective through tragedy, and finding light in a time of darkness.

Four Seasons for Charlotte by Rachel Reynolds

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This had to be one of the hardest books I have ever had to read.  Reading about cancer is hard enough, but when you combine cancer and a cute, little girl, it is time for some serious water works.  And it certainly was.  The book reads very easily, but it is extremely emotional.  The author shares her story with honesty and clarity.  She celebrates the story of her daughter's life, and in so doing, she shares tips with others to help during a time like this no matter what side you are on.

I was constantly moved as she shared about her sweet Charlotte, and the story tugged at my heartstrings.  I really began to lose it when I saw the pictures in the middle of the book.  Rachel Reynolds told how she did it, and she was careful to point out what you did not want to say or do.  Silence is best most of the time.  And she emphasized the place of faith, family, and friends.

I think this should be required reading for everyone.  No doubt all of us have been touched my cancer in some way.  It's hard enough when it attacks adults, but how do you comfort the parents going through this?  You will find her incredibly sound advice, and you can rest in the fact that she has come out the other side.  No, she is not "over" it by any means, and I appreciate the fact that she did not hold anything back.  What a fantastic tribute to her daughter's legacy!  Just know that reading this will probably bring more than one tear to your eye!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

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ABOUT RACHEL REYNOLDS

Rachel Reynolds is a special educator and freelance writer. She currently serves as the principal of the Dominion School, operated by Commonwealth Autism Service. You can find her writing at Richmond Mom,Hello Grief, Richmond Magazine, the webzine Insert Eyeroll, and her personal blog, See What You Meme. She is also the co-founder and executive director of CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF). In 2012, Rachel was awarded the Eagle Rare Life Award for Courage.

Rachel lives in Ashland, Virginia with her husband and two incredibly annoying (but completely adorable) cats. In her spare time, she obsesses over Don Draper, dark chocolate, and public radio personalities (not necessarily in that order). You can follow Rachel on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.

To find out more, please visit http://www.rachel-writes.com

Tribute Books: "Dianna's Way" by John Catenacci Book Review

Dianna is a young woman in her late 20’s when she meets John, a man in his late 40's. They fall in love and marry. A central feature of their life plan is to have one child to fulfill her fervent lifelong dream of being a mother.

Not to be.

Not long into their marriage, Dianna discovers she has an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Hand in hand, they begin a 17 year spiritual journey into the nature of love and healing. Along the way, she discovers and fulfills her life purpose and, in the process, takes John by the hand, gently helping him to reveal, then fulfill, his own.

In the beginning, John, being much older, thought he would be her teacher but gradually discovers in the most important dimensions of life quite the opposite is true. With Dianna’s guidance, he ultimately discovers we are all teachers, we are all students and we are all one.

Theirs is a story of courage, determination and a lightness of being, as they descend into the deepest valleys of crushing disappointment, pain and suffering only to rise again to ever higher peaks of appreciation, gratitude and love. Throughout it all, their journey is laced with light and laughter.

Even today, after her passing, they continue their relationship, piercing the Illusion that veils this reality, exploring its limits while continuing a spiritual journey without end.

Dianna's Way by John Catenacci

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It is so tough when I review books that have their ups and downs.  This is a memoir, and it celebrates the life of a remarkable young woman through the eyes of a man who loved her so unconditionally.  Her struggle against cancer--more than once, I might add--is absolutely inspiring.  I honestly don't think I could have ever done all that she did, but I can only hope that I would face cancer as she did.  She is a testament to the strength of womankind.

I was touched by her husband's care for her during this time.  He did what I believe very few men would have done, and it must mean a lot to get those words down on paper.  The book definitely read like a memoir and often has quite raw emotion.  I was not terribly offended by the profanity--it wasn't too bad.  And although the issue of sex was touched upon, I am so grateful we did not go into their bedroom for those kinds of scenes!

My reasons for marking the book down just slightly is twofold.  I will admit that I found my interest waning from time to time throughout the book.  I didn't find myself terribly immersed in the writing style of the author, but that is not his fault. It is only a personal preference of mine.

My biggest issue lies in the astrology, religion, and psychic references.  I know that pointing these things out should not affect my view of the book, but the author did make these an integral part of the story--in fact, these ideas dominate the last section of the book.  I didn't see the point of these sections, and I grew tired of the syncretist ideas put forth in the book. I know this is merely a personal preference of mine, but this did impede my enjoyment of the book.  If this section and these references had been left out, I do believe that I would have enjoyed the book more.  However, when it comes to a cancer story told with heart, this is definitely a book I can recommend.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

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John Catenacci's Bio: 

After spending his youth doing cement construction work while getting his education, John Catenacci earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He went on to work on the Apollo 11 Project as a member of the USAF in California, then  as an engineer for the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, MI, doing both process research as well as designing and building chemical plants.

Mid-career he became interested in group dynamics, leading to another 20-year career in team building that took him across the U.S., Canada, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

With a sprinkling of published short stories and articles in small magazines along the way, his abiding passion has always been writing, something now coming to fruition in this, his first book.

Price: $16.95
Format: paperback
Pages: 365
Publisher: Spiritdogtalking
Release: December 14, 2012

John Catenacci's Web Site:
http://www.diannasway.com/

John Catenacci's Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Catenacci/107719899384439

Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186

Dianna's Way blog tour site:
http://diannasway.blogspot.com/

ABG Reads: "A Good Kind of Knowing" by Kathy Lynn Harris Book Review

Read the excerpt and spotlight for the blog tour here

A Good Kind of Knowing by Kathy Lynn Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me say that whenever I read a book about the realities of cancer, I am rather intrigued. So often people want to smooth over cancer and not make it seem like a big deal, but it is. And I knew nothing about pancreatic cancer. I would say I know somewhat how horrific it is now. I connected with this story, and Sera's attitude truly inspired me. If I die of cancer, I hope I can face it with the same determination and strength.

I wasn't sure about this book when I started it, but it wasn't long before I found myself into the story. I enjoyed the fact that it was about music, and I have to say that the "holy rollers" bit did not even offend me. In fact, I found myself rolling my eyes. These are the people who kick others when they are down, and it reminded me of how ashamed I am of people like this who do things in the name of the Lord. It's no wonder people are turned off to religion.

I was honestly only offended by one thing in the book--the profanity. I grew very tired of unnecessary profanity in the book, and it did contribute to my not enjoying the book as well as I could have. I also would have liked to have understood some more of the back stories on some of the characters, but that is just a personal opinion.

I can definitely give this book a 4-4.5 star rating. I didn't find myself as emotionally involved in the story as I sometimes am. I didn't feel I got really close to any character, but it was a definite worthwhile read. The different ways that the characters responded to the cancer truly covered a variety of responses. This was a point that the author covered quite well. I can definitely recommend this book to most adults. It is a fantastic reminder of what is truly important in this world.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

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Pump Up Your Book Presents Twelve Months Virtual Book Tour 2012

ABOUT TWELVE MONTHS
Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family 
he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.
A glorious celebration of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds that we all share, Twelve Months is a stirring testament to the power of the human spirit.

Join Steven Manchester, author of the fiction novel, Twelve Months, as he tours the blogosphere August 13 – October 12, 2012 on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

Twelve Months by Steven Manchester

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Very rarely do I find a book that causes real tears to fall from my eyes, but this is indeed a book that accomplished this feat.  This is one of those books that I think has something for everyone, and the message is timeless.  It goes right in line with Tim McGraw's Song "Live Like You Were Dyin.'"  The difference is that Don has but 12 months to live.  And he has decided to live now that he is dying.

There were a few activities that did not interest me as much as others--for sure.  But that is what gives this book its distinctive air.  There is some minimal profanity, but there are no sex scenes.  I truly appreciated the first person voice throughout most of the novel, but I was unsure about which person's voice told the last few pages.  It would have been nice to have that clarified.  The view of God is somewhat skewed in the book but not too bad for a secular novel.  I also would like to know how they had so much money!  The recession certainly has not affected them!

I think this book resonates with humanity.  Most of us have been touched by cancer in some way.  My grandfather and great-grandmother both died of colon cancer, and this gave me a glimpse into some of what they must have suffered.  The section on Vietnam opened my eyes to that little-talked-about conflict.  And Don's outlook on life in spite of his suffering completely humbled me. I was again reminded about my priorities in life.

If you are looking for a book that will truly touch you, I would recommend this book.  I think that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss will find this book a welcome release.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews

ABOUT STEVEN MANCHESTER

Steven Manchester is the author of Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or his four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.

To learn more about Steven, visit his website at: www.stevenmanchester.com

Follow the entire tour here.