Category Archives: FindingOneself

How Books and Bookstores Have Changed My Life

Posted on May 28, 2014 | Leave a comment

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/recommend-it-starts-with-food-discover-the-whole30-and-change-your-life-in-unexpected-ways-by-melissa-hartwig-and-dallas-hartwig/
This book changed my life – I had tried so many diets even working with a Health Fitness place but this guide will bring home how the body works and what you need to do to get your weight under control and so much more. Take the time to read it (and its a quick read if all you want to do is get started on the lifestyle that will set you free).
I’m also thankful for Preferred One insurance and Fairview Health Service and Can Do New Thinking, Better Choices program – its helped me find the keys to long term solutions from food, to finances, to interpersonal relationships and finding peace within yourself.
I’m thankful that I found this book at Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe at the July 13th 2013 book signing with Nora Roberts I’ve lost 60 pounds since then and continue to lose until my muscle, bone and fat ratio is within norms. This is an achievable goal, this is my life and my journey and I control what food I eat, how much I move, and listening to what my body is telling me. See information about my journey to date and my continuing journal at my blogs:

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/weekly-photo-challenge-work-of-art/
http://lifeafter50m.blogspot.com/Your spirit and soul are ready to be heard – tune in and listen. Keep on believing in the possibilities of what YOU CAN DO:)

On this blog click on the Weight link on the left to read about the beginning of my journey.  I’m keeping my ongoing journey in Journal form on http://lifeafter50m.blogspot.com/

I have to share and celebrate how books change my life and bookstores with heart carry just the books you need.  So glad I traveled to Boonsboro last July, hope all that are able attend this year as well.  Find out more about the 2014 book signing and brunch with Nora on her blog at this link:  http://fallintothestory.com/eventssignings/

Comments are welcome.

Sincerely,

Melissa Blanchard

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Posted in Believe, BookReviews, Books, Decisions, Facebook, FindingOneself, Health, Hope, Inspire, Nora, Nora Roberts, NoraRoberts, Nutrition, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe, Weight, Wellness, You Make a Difference

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“Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts

Posted on May 11, 2014 | Leave a comment

Shadow Spell Front CoverShadow Spell Inside Front CoverShadow Spell Signature PageShadow Spell Back Cover2Shadow Spell Back FlapShadow Spell Back Jacket

Why do I recommend, “Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts?

First, “Shadow Spell” is a mystery that spans the centuries.  Nora does an excellent job connecting the Autumn of 1268 with the Autumn of 2013.  Eamon and Connor are kindred spirits finding common ground in the spiritual world.

Second, I find “Shadow Spell an intriguing study of old and new Ireland from the landscape to the customs.  Especially how each family unit made their income then and now.  Nora’s description of the tourism of modern Ireland makes me want to visit there and see for myself.

Finally, “Shadow Spell” speaks to the heart.  The importance of family in the good and bad times.  Learning how to work through disagreements within the family both those of the blood and those created through love and understanding.  Nora let me see how love grows through sharing and caring.

I hope you find the story of “Shadow Spell” as inspiring and enlightening as I have.  I’m looking forward to reading “Blood Magick” by Nora Roberts, hopefully to be released in October of 2014.  I’m hoping Cabhan gets what he deserves in this final installment.  I feel it will take spiritual strength and heart that extends back to the year 1268.

I purchased the novel “Shadow Spell” by Nora Roberts online via Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe at this link http://ttpbooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=TTPB&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=COD2

Requesting signed books is still possible. Please follow the instructions on the website carefully to be sure to get the book signed as you request, see this link for further information https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/facebook-posting-from-turn-the-page-bookstore/

The site is safe and secure – I’ve been using it since August 2013 with great success. I visited Boonsboro, MD last July and am also able to say the staff and store are both friendly and helpful in customer service and layout.

Audio is also available via ttpbooks.com but I didn’t realize until after I purchased the audiobook on iTunes via Brilliance Audio see this link:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/shadow-spell-book-two-cousins/id824435002

The narrator, Allan Smyth, has a lovely accent which adds to the feel of traveling to Ireland.  Nora’s excellent descriptive writing does the rest.  I enjoyed listening as I did my daily walks and working on preparing my meals.  Allan’s ability to bring emotions to life with his tone of voice brought depth to the battle scenes.

Thank you Nora Roberts, for giving us this story of family that spans the centuries in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy with Book 1, “The Dark Witch” reviewed at this link:  https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/dark-witch-book-one-of-the-cousins-odwyer-trilogy-by-nora-roberts/ and Book 2, “The Shadow Spell” and Fall release of “Blood Magick”.

You deliver with every book and I appreciate all you share from the romance, to the family love that is of blood and spirit.  I appreciate the signature as well.  I did “Imagine” and found acceptance and love.  Peace.

 

 

 

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Posted in Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, FindingOneself, hawks, horses, Inspire, Magick, Mystery, Nora, Nora Roberts, NoraRoberts, NRBookReviews, Professional Woman, Roberts, Romantic Suspense, Shadow Spell, Tourism, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe, Witch

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#LetsMove Update – Lost 4 more pounds

Posted on April 16, 2014 | Leave a comment

Here’s the link to my #LetsMove video for today:  http://youtu.be/AcZR-vZ0tBM

See my whole video blog  journey on You Tube #LetsMove for exercise daily since February 24th, 2014.  Keep moving everyone.

Exercise and eating right, and watching portion sizes works.  3 oz protein and not more than 11 oz total for each of my 3  daily meals works for me.

How to make the most out of your food choices?  See my book review link below for

“It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways,” by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig

– that book works.

https://melissablanchard62.wordpress.com/?s=It+starts+with+food

Believe you can make a difference in your life and you will.

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Posted in Believe, Blogs, BookReviews, FindingOneself, Health, Hope, Inspire, Lifestyle Change, Tips, Weight, Wellness

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“Dark Witch,” Book One of the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Posted on March 24, 2014 | 2 comments

IMG_0228.JPG (2) IMG_0235.JPG (2)IMG_0229.JPG (2)Dark Witch Back Cover

I love this book and recommend to all who enjoy well written mystery romance with a little Magick thrown in.

The following quote from Dark Witch, gives us the keys to solve the mystery in Book One, Two and Three.

“Sorcha shook her head as Brannaugh started toward her.  ‘Not yet.  Magick is work.  It gives, and it takes.  It must be finished.’  She reached in the cauldron, drew out three copper amulets.  ‘To Brannaugh the hound, to Eamon the hawk, to Teagan the horse.’  She slipped an amulet over each child’s head.  ‘These are your signs and your shields. ….’” (Dark Witch, copyright 2013 Nora Roberts, written by Nora Roberts pages 14 and 15 published by The Berkley Publishing Group).

The modern story begins with Iona Sheehan.  She’s from Baltimore, Maryland but never felt a part of that place and time.  All of her life she’s heard stories about Ireland from her maternal Grandmother, Nan, and longed to go to County Mayo to live and work.

Iona sells all that she has to fund the trip that will begin her new life in Ireland.  She’s in search of her destiny.  Relying on a map from her Nan, her first stop is to find the Dark Witch, Branna, her cousin.  Branna gives her a place to live and knows of a stable where Iona may be able to find work.

Iona meets Alaster, the wild stallion, at the stable where she gets a job as stable hand.  Alaster is destined to be Iona’s protector.  He is a magnificent animal beautiful in how he yields to Iona’s will.

Boyle McGrath, her new boss, is a force to be reckoned with, big and tough, will he be Iona’s destiny as well?

Dark Witch is a mystery full of adventure, intrigue and the bonds of family both those formed by birth or by will.   The descriptive scenery, witty dialog and well written story bring Iona and her quest to life.  The plot is steadily building throughout the book and comes to fruition at the end.  The story doesn’t end there though, for the next cousin must fight the evil that is even now restoring itself to full strength.  The saga to follow your destiny to overcome evil continues with Shadow Spell Book Two of the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy, by Nora Roberts, due for release on March 25th, 2014, I’ve got my signed copy coming in the mail soon.

I bought my autographed copy of Dark Witch and Shadow Spell from Turn The Page Bookstore TTPBooks.com 

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Posted in BookReviews, Books, BookSignings, Bookstores, Destiny, EasternUnitedStates, FindingOneself, Hope, Magick, Mystery, NoraRoberts, Turn The Page Bookstore Cafe

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