Category: Memoir

Book Review | “Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction” by Candace Cameron Bure with Erin Davis

Posted Thursday, 12 October, 2017 by jorielov (with) Erin Davis, BH Publishing Group, Candace Cameron Bure, Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction 0 Comments

Acquired Book By: It’s an interesting story, as I crossed paths with B&H Publishing Marketing Director Jesse Wisnewski via Twitter wherein we had this conversation about Ms Bure. I coordinated with Brandon Taylor their Events Specialist on requesting a copy of “Dancing Through Life” Ms Bure’s latest memoir which picks up her life’s story after being featured on “Dancing with the Stars”; a chapter of her life I happily watched with other viewers as the episodes aired. I received a complimentary copy of the “Dancing Through Life” direct from the publisher B&H Publishing, in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

I, too, grew up watching Ms Bure on television:

Full House was one of the sitcoms I watched as a child of the 80s/90s who arrived in the latter half of the 70s – it was an honest and feel-good series becoming a part of my weekly line-up to watch. After the conclusion of the series, I kept my eye on Candace Cameron, as I appreciated the roles she took as she started to transition into her adult acting years. Including, a few realistic tv movies where she took on courageous roles showing a dramatic side rather than a comic one; in particular, it was her role in She Cried No opposite Mark Paul Gosselaar and Jenna von Oÿ which re-defined her acting style, as all three actors I grew up watching in different tv serials.

When she started to make appearances on the Hallmark Channel, I was smiling to myself as I knew it was a good place for her to sprout her wings into different Romantic comedies and possibly other roles where I knew she would shine; including the Christmas movies of which my family adores re-watching each holiday season! Especially as Hallmark Channel is one of the few channels who still offer wholesome and family oriented new films each Christmas season (Lifetime does too, but not as much as they did in previous years). I remember the night I watched Aurora Teagarden, realising how much I would miss seeing her regularly as at the time I didn’t have access to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries – it was a turn of change for me to realise Hallmark would not air their new mysteries on their main channel; as I have fond memories of prior mysteries series: Mystery Woman, McBride, and Jane Doe respectively. I hadn’t foreseen a Summer of lightning storms which would cripple my ability to blog and tweet would lead to a change in ISP providers which would lend an option to gain a few channels on cable I never had previously! Hence how two years ago in the Autumn, I was able to ‘catch-up’ on Aurora Teagarden and all the other lovelies I had missed!

I love when you could see her bubbly personality shining through the characters, and even if she was being more ‘serious’ in one role or another, you still have the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries which I think fits her quite well, as Aurora has a quiet innocence about her mixed with intelligent dexterity; just like Ms Bure.

However, I’m getting away from what I wanted to say — like most watchers of #DWTS (Dancing with the Stars) you develop a bit of a love/hate relationship with the show. It’s not the contestants fault, it’s the way in which the commentary reflects on behalf of the judges that taints the show for me, which is why I have skipped installments of the show and picked/chosen which episodes per cast I have watched. When Ms Bure took her journey, it was a season I opted to watch irregardless of my past feelings about the show as a whole. In part, due to the fact Ms Bure was on the show and partially due to the fact, at heart I love the show for pushing people to try something radically different and step into a confidence they never knew they could excel at showing to the public.

I love the challenge of #DWTS and I love the choreography of the professional dancers who teach the celebrities! They combine modern Top Forty favourites with classic choices of the musical past, combining artistry with movement in such beautiful displays of art and creativity that I’m left mesmerised by what I have witnessed on camera. Seeing Ms Bure’s journey evolve over the course of her time on the show, I saw a story emerging out of everything she was facing and achieving. Part of me wondered if I might one day learn the ‘hidden story’ behind the show itself and the truer impact of her time dancing live for the public eye she grew up on so very long ago.

Imagine my happy delight in realising Dancing Through Life is the story I knowingly knew existed but hadn’t yet knew was a published memoir! It was with great joy to find her publisher willing to send a copy to an inquisitive book blogger who wanted to read this installment of her life for review.

View a collage of Ms Bure and Mark Ballas via their DWTS photos uploaded to Twitter via this link, as it’s a lovely complied journalling of their journey seen through photographs of their time on the show. Since their season aired, there are more photos on this streamed search option but you can still find the pictures of their time on DWTS.

A beautiful photograph of the memoir shared via Twitter:

Thanks Lori!! RT @LoriLoughlin: Looking forward to reading @candacecbure new book. On sale now! 💕 http://t.co/PoFtA9RYgI

— Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) August 7, 2015

Dancing Through Life
Subtitle: Steps of Courage and Conviction
by Candace Cameron Bure
Source: Direct from Publisher

Candace Cameron Bure has grown up before our eyes and we've watched as she's balanced life in Hollywood with her Christian faith. But the spotlight became even brighter when she competed on Dancing with the Stars . It was a dream come true, and with that dream came the opportunity to display her personal convictions in front of millions of people on live television and to learn lessons crucial for everyone - on stage and off.

Join Candace as she reflects on the self-discovery that came through leaping out of her comfort zone. Go behind the scenes and experience the highs and lows, the roadblocks, and the personal victories. Hear straight from her heart on tough lessons she learned about grace, rejection, perfectionism, disappointment, accountability, dealing with criticism, and more. See how Candace stayed true to herself and publicly lived her faith in Christ all the way to the finale.

How do you stand with conviction in your world? Where does your courage come from when faced with difficulties? Your stage probably isn't in Hollywood or on live television, but they are no less challenging. Come along with Candace as she shares how she found the courage to stand with conviction on one of the largest platforms of her life.

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781433686948

Series: Bure Memoirs

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 224

Published By: B&H Publishing Group (@BHpub)

Available Formats: Trade Paperback, Ebook and Audiobook (Digital & CD)

Posted Thursday, 12 October, 2017 by jorielov in Balance of Faith whilst Living, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Brothers and Sisters, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Lessons from Scripture, Memoir, Mother-Daughter Relationships, Motherhood | Parenthood, Non-Fiction, Siblings, Vignettes of Real Life

#PubDay Non-Fiction Book Review | “Dennis and Greer: A Love Story” told through a young couple’s letters & correspondences edited by Greer’s daughter Molly Gould

Posted Tuesday, 3 October, 2017 by jorielov (Editor) Molly Gould, Belle Reve Press, Dennis & Greer: A Love Story 2 Comments

Acquired Book By: I crossed paths with Ms Gould in 2015 in the twitterverse wherein we had a convo about the book she was writing which contained a series of letters & correspondences which would knit together a real-life love story about ‘Dennis & Greer’. At the time, I hadn’t realised Greer was her mother and how incredible of a story this would turn out to be! In July 2017, Ms Gould re-contacted me to see if I was still interested in reading the book – to which I happily replied I am! I received a complimentary ARC copy of “Dennis & Greer: A Love Story” direct from the editor Molly Gould in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

On wanting to read ‘Dennis & Greer’:

In July of 2015, I had a conversation with the editor of this Epistolary Story: Molly Gould. She had found me on Twitter (where most of my readers find me as I am bookishly chatty!) whilst finding a post I had written about reading Epistolary stories – something which comes up every now and then as I blog my reading life here on Jorie Loves A Story. She was talking to me about how she was ‘writing about a love story in letters’ which truly captured me at the time, as I was still holding memories of ‘Letters from Skye’ within my heart.

She had mentioned to me ‘My book tells the story of 2 youth from the moment they lay eyes on each other until the boy is killed in the Vietnam War.’ To which I had replied ‘What an epic love story! quite sad too, but bet there is an uplifting twist because of the letters left behind, etc. *evoking!’

After this short exchange, we parted ways – her to finish editing the book itself and I left hoping to hear back from her once the book was drafted for publication. In July of this year, Ms Gould re-contacted me announcing her mother’s story was finalised and ready to be shared with the world: “Dennis and Greer: A Love Story” would be published this October. She asked me if I was still interested in reading their story and if she could send me an ARC; to which I happily agreed knowing the curiosity was going to stay with me until I finally did indeed read how Dennis & Greer connected before he died.

There is something to be said for ‘letters & correspondences’ – for all of us who have put our lives and heart into exchanging letters with those of whom live far away from where we are – we know the truth about how letters can transform our lives and enable us to make strong connections to those of whom we correspond. When you purport this outside of friendship directly, letters have a way of conveying an emotional bond far quicker than a traditional relationship because within letters you can share your innermost thoughts and soulful perspectives without the fear of misunderstandings. Letters operate on a different time scale than ordinary vocal conversations where a quickness is necessary to maintain the pacing – letters, of course, ebb and flow over time – where patience and thoughtfulness outweigh quantity of thought.

This is also my second book to read of this nature – as the first was “3,000 Miles to Eternity” which talks about the real-life love story of a modern couple who met through both traditional and non-conventional means to write their own story of love in the 21^st Century. If you appreciated reading my review of their story, you will enjoy reading my takeaways about Dennis & Greer – as although the two couples are separated through war and times of peace (approx. four decades to boot!) – they each share one major thing in common: they connected to each other through the words they wrote and exchanged – drawing them closer to each other with each bit of correspondence they received.

Dennis & Greer: A Love Story

A true story that encapsulates the horrors of war and the innocence of young love.

Buried in a trunk for fifty years, this long-forgotten tale, told through letters and journals from the war-torn Vietnam era, has been resurrected.

College students, Dennis and Greer, met and felt a spark just before moving to different states. Their witty correspondence through letters conjured a desire to meet again, but Dennis tried to keep his distance; duty is more important than love.

Dennis joined the Marines against Greer's wishes, but he tried to win her heart before going to war. As the two embarked on their journey into adulthood and navigated their relationship against the backdrop of war, they were writing a love story that will span the test of time.

This nonfiction that reads like fiction is perfect for lovers of memoir, historical romance, and historical fiction.

Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

Find on Book Browse

ISBN: 978-0692919910

Pages: 324

About (Editor) Molly Gould

Molly Gould lived in the wilderness for 28 days when she was 16 years old (she’s your go-to-girl in the zombie apocalypse). She now confines herself indoors, AC full-blast in sunny AZ. Occasionally, she’ll brave the scorching heat with her husband and four children.

Molly is an ASU graduate and the editor of Dennis and Greer: A Love Story.

When Molly inherited a treasure of vintage journals and letters from the Vietnam era, she was swept away by the love story and coming-of-age tale contained within those writings. She couldn’t keep the story of Dennis and Greer to herself, so she began transcribing and Dennis and Greer was born.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Posted Tuesday, 3 October, 2017 by jorielov in 20th Century, Balance of Faith whilst Living, Based on an Actual Event &/or Court Case, Biographical Fiction & Non-Fiction, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Epistolary Novel | Non-Fiction, Mormonism, Non-Fiction, Political Narrative & Modern Topics, Postal Mail | Letters & Correspondence, Story in Diary-Style Format, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, The Sixties, Vignettes of Real Life

Audiobook Review | “Looking for Betty MacDonald” written and narrated by Paula Becker

Posted Friday, 28 April, 2017 by jorielov (Narrator) Paula Becker, Betty MacDonald, Looking for Betty MacDonald, Paula Becker, Post Hypnotic Press 3 Comments

Acquired Digital Audiobook by: I am a new blog tour hostess with Audiobookworm Promotions wherein I have the opportunity to receive audiobooks for review or adoption (reviews outside of organised blog tours) and host guest features on behalf of authors and narrators alike. The Egg and I blog tour marks my second tour wherein I have become quite happily surprised how much I am now keen on listening to books in lieu of reading them in print. My journey into audiobooks was prompted by a return of my chronic migraines wherein I want to offset my readings with listening to the audio versions.

I received a complimentary audiobook copy of “Looking for Betty MacDonald” via the publicist at Audiobookworm Promotions (of whom was working directly with the narrator/author Paula Becker) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Why I wanted to listen to this biography of Betty MacDonald:

I suppose I wanted to give myself a capstone to my listening hours spent inside the world of Betty MacDonald; as the narratives were capturing of my attention for the past several months. I had a rough start with them before the close of 2016 (mostly due to personal circumstances which took me away from books in general) but by the time I entered The Plague and I; I had found my footing. I had a feeling it might be a good idea to listen to this biography if only to have closure on the journey and to listen to someone else trying to find Betty of whom I think has remained a bit shadowed in history. Her memoirs have remained in print but how much of the real Betty do any of us really and truly know!? I wondered if she might have kept a few things hidden; private and away from the eyes of the public.

I was originally supposed to host an interview attached to this review – somewhere along the way, I completely forgot about it. When I had three weeks of struggling through a bout of pollen allergies (late March/early April) all hope of sorting this interview out went out the window as I missed the deadline. I can only hope the author would understand if she sees this note now on my review. Just getting back to a place where I could pick up books again without fear of sneezing half a lung out of my chest was a joy in of itself! Pollen is such a horrid allergy but sometimes it provides a blunt entrance to Spring. Thankfully, I could find something else to appreciate about Spring this year and that was a renewal of balance and of finding my way with reading and blogging once again.

I am unsure what drew my interest into the MacDonald memoirs initially; it’s so long ago now since I first queued them into my schedule. One thing is for certain, I won’t soon forget my time listening to her quirkified memoirs and her resilience to get through everything which came across her path to overcome. There is strength in listening to someone’s story which grew bolder in adversity to recognise there are moments that will test our resolves but it’s how we rise to greet those obstacles and surpass them that gives us a proper sense of what we can humbling say was a period of growth and learning.

Looking for Betty MacDonald
Subtitle: The Egg, The Plague, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and I
by Paula Becker

Betty Bard MacDonald (1907-1958), the best-selling author of The Egg and I and the classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle children's books, burst onto the literary scene shortly after the end of World War II. Readers embraced her memoir of her years as a young bride operating a chicken ranch on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and The Egg and I sold its first million copies in less than a year. The public was drawn to MacDonald's vivacity, her offbeat humor, and her irreverent take on life.

In 1947, the book was made into a movie starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert, and spawned a series of films featuring MacDonald's Ma and Pa Kettle characters.

MacDonald followed up the success of The Egg and I with the creation of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, a magical woman who cures children of their bad habits, and with three additional memoirs: The Plague and I (chronicling her time in a tuberculosis sanitarium just outside Seattle),Anybody Can Do Anything (recounting her madcap attempts to find work during the Great Depression), and Onions in the Stew (about her life raising two teenage daughters on Vashon Island).

Author Paula Becker was granted full access to Betty MacDonald's archives, including materials never before seen by any researcher. Looking for Betty MacDonald, the first biography of this endearing Northwest storyteller, reveals the story behind the memoirs and the difference between the real Betty MacDonald and her literary persona.

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

ASIN: B01LW1RMM9

on 14th September, 2016

Length: 8 hours 10 minutes (unabridged)

Published By: Post Hypnotic Press (@Post_Hypnotic)

About Paula Becker

Paula Becker is a writer and historian living in Seattle, Washington. She is the author of the book Looking For Betty MacDonald: The Egg, The Plague, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and I (University of Washington Press), and co-author (with Alan J. Stein) of the books The Future Remembered: The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair And Its Legacy (Seattle Center Foundation, 2011) and Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition: Washington’s First World’s Fair (History Ink/HistoryLink in association with University of Washington Press, 2009).

More than 300 of Paula’s essays documenting all aspects of Washington’s history appear on HistoryLink.org, the online encyclopedia of Washington state history, where she is a staff historian.

Website

Posted Friday, 28 April, 2017 by jorielov in Audiobook Narrator Interview, Audiobookworm Promotions, Blog Tour Host, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Vignettes of Real Life

Double-showcase: Book Review & Author Q&A: “How to be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World” by Jordan Christy

Posted Tuesday, 4 April, 2017 by jorielov Center Street, Hachette Book Group Inc., How to be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World, Jordan Christy 0 Comments

Acquired Book By: I am a new reviewer for Hachette Books and their imprints, I started by reviewing two releases by FaithWords, their INSPY (Inspirational Fiction) imprint of releases focusing on uplifting and spiritual stories which are a delight to read whilst engaging your mind in life affirming and heart-centered stories. I found Hachette via Edelweiss at the conclusion of [2015] and have been blessed to start reviewing for them.

I received a complimentary copy of “How to be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World” direct from the publisher Center Street (an imprint of Hachette Book Group Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

A conversation with Jordan Christy

Whilst reviewing this new release, I had a few questions I wanted to run past the author giving me the opportunity to feature both my thoughts on the book itself and this lovely convo!

As the the back-story of your writing career is being a champion of those of us who are bullied, how did you infuse your own story into a cathartic release of philosophical insight to inspire young girls who are on the verge of understanding – your past isn’t vindictive of your future? Or to put another way: being bullied isn’t the sum of who you are but something that happens to you. You define who you are and you and only you can be the light that shines the truth of your soul.

Christy responds: I’ve always been of the mindset, ‘If it helps even one person, it would be worth it.’ I remember writing a “survival guide” of sorts when I was 14 and going through a really rough time at school. Even though those pithy chapters were probably silly and arbitrary, I really did have a heart to help other girls who might be going through something similar. My mom constantly encouraged me and said, “You’re still you. No matter what they say about you, you’re still this smart, fun, beautiful person and you have a wonderful purpose in life.” That really encouraged me to not let others’ opinions affect who I am and to just be myself.

Why do you think there has been a dynamic shift in perceptive reality rooted more in the superficial than the bolts of what is deeper than what is only seen on the surface? Why do you feel there are more ‘Kardashians than Hepburns’ in today’s society in other worlds? Why is everyone trying to keep up with everyone else and forgetting to just be themselves? *here I am not trying to contrast anything but personalities, as your book is more of a metaphor of life approaches and self-advocacy than critical analysis of ‘they vs us’. I was attempting to use the names to refer to the personality rather than the individual.

Christy responds: Superficial beauty is everywhere. Whether its filtered photos on Instagram or airbrushed ad campaigns, the illusion of perfection is hard to avoid these days. So, it’s easy to mistake “that” kind of beauty with real beauty. I love that verse in Proverbs 31 that says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting…” The chapter goes on to describe the traits we should be celebrating in each other: a woman who works hard, a woman who lives a life of honesty and integrity, a woman who loves and respects those around her…when I think of the people I admire the most, those are the kinds of characteristics that come to mind—not their dress size or hair color. So, while the sheer magnitude of superficial beauty suggests that clothes and body size are the most critical components to success in life, I would suggest that your intangible attributes (work ethic, sense of humor, faith, etc.) are much more important in the long run!

I love how you broke down your chapters as a ‘guide’ for a 21st Century girl (especially pre-teen or teen) to use as a resource guide of how to ‘react’ or rather, not react to what might distract her from seeing herself as worthy in the eyes of her peers. Bullies find ways to enter our lives by trying to pull apart our defences and finding ways to break down our emotional resolves. You’ve given girls a blueprint of how to ‘subtract’ negativity and share ‘something’ other than a retort, a hasty emotional reaction and have given true thought to show how ‘all actions’ have consequences; even those done in defense. How did you formulate how you wanted to layout the book and make the information relatable to today’s youth? How did you funnel your own learning curves (in other words) into the book?

Christy responds: Okay, confession: even though I was an English major, sometimes I prefer a magazine to a 1,000-page novel. I enjoy works that can be feasibly finished in two days at the beach, so the format of the book is most likely a result of my inability to stick with a huge, lengthy work of literature! As far as communicating the message of how to turn a negative experience into a positive one, my mom pretty much gets the credit for that one. She encouraged us to never wallow in self-pity and defeat; yes, bad things happen, but God has a plan and He can use that thing for good, if you let Him.

Chapter Four is one of my favourites – how language and word usage are nearly falling out of sight – everyone is in such a hurry to text, to tweet or to exchange a paltry few words with each other, they are losing their ability to communicate. You see it everywhere – from people texting over lattes to people walking blindly into traffic. Words used to be such cherished creatures – little discoveries of how to invert and reflect something we felt or wanted to express. Literature was founded on the joy of ‘words’ and ‘phrases’; of finding ways to paint worlds with ‘words’. Why do you think younger generations are losing tactile connection with literature and finding an absence from using ‘words’ which can inspire them?

Christy responds: Oooo, I love books and the written word so I’m particularly partial to this subject. Overall, I think our modern culture is very visual-centric—every phrase and emotion has a visual shortcut (think emojis). While it’s a convenient way of communicating, it’s probably not the most mentally stimulating. So, I think it’s a matter of challenging yourself—for some, that might mean picking up a book rather than reading an online article; for others it might be writing out a math equation instead of using the calculator on your phone. I love learning and personal growth, so I’m a little nerdy when it comes to this subject!

Having published two books with a similar title and premise, what has been your greatest takeaway by having a ‘second chance’ at publishing a book which you can fondly look back on and recognise as being a positive contribution to books for girls? What do you hope will inspire the girls who pick this book up and recognise hidden personal truths of their own? of their friends? of those in their circle?

Christy responds: These have been great questions! Thank you for a wonderful interview! My first book…oh my, I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to uphold this impossible standard of perfection. This second edition has been much more cathartic; in that, I’ve allowed myself to say, ‘I don’t have it all together, but I know The One who does…’ The second edition is the real me—flaws, quirks, imperfections and all.

I hope readers will be inspired to take the road less traveled…even if all your friends abandon you for your beliefs, even if your boyfriend breaks up with you because you don’t dress a certain way, even if you’re the only one who refuses to do something just because ‘everyone else is doing it’…don’t compromise. Stay on the road less traveled. Eventually you’ll meet up with someone else who feels the same.

How to be a Hepburn in a Kardashian World
Subtitle: The Art of Living with Style, Class and Grace

Though fashions may change, certain things never go out of style--like your favorite little black dress that can take you from a business meeting to a dinner party to a night on the town. But what makes it work is not the dress, it's how you present yourself while wearing it. A woman who is polite, well spoken, gracious, charming, and thoughtful is always welcome-though such women appear to be in short supply these days! Despite the headline-grabbing antics of certain flashy celebutantes, most of us would rather have respect--for ourselves and from our family, friends, and colleagues.

In this fully revised and updated edition, you will learn how to:

Appear polished without sacrificing your personal style,
Develop skills and discover interests to boost your self-confidence,
Find your true friendships and make them stronger,
Date Mr. Right instead of hooking up with Mr. Right Now,
Land the perfect internship and your first job,
Have a fun night without the risk of a social media faux pas.

With this insightful guide you'll be loving life with style, class, and grace in no time!

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

Find on Book Browse

ISBN: 9781455598663

on 4th April, 2017

Pages: 240

Published by: CenterStreet (@centerstreet)
an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc. (@HachetteBooks) via Hachette Nashville

Formats Available: Hardcover, Audiobook and Ebook

Previous release: How to be Hepburn in a Hilton World

Converse via: #INSPYbooks, #Hepburn + #Kardashian, #NonFiction, #SelfHelp

Book’s tag: #HowToBeAHepburn

About Jordan Christy

Jordan Christy has been featured everywhere from NBC's Today Show to the London Times. She has spoken to thousands of women across the nation and continues to write books, travel, and blog.

Photo Credit: Sarah Barlow

Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | LibraryThing

Posted Tuesday, 4 April, 2017 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, CenterStreet, Non-Fiction, Reader Submitted Q&A, Vignettes of Real Life

Audiobook Review | “Onions in the Stew” by Betty MacDonald, narrated by Heather Henderson

Posted Tuesday, 28 March, 2017 by jorielov (Narrator) Heather Henderson, Betty MacDonald, Onions in the Stew, Post Hypnotic Press 2 Comments

I received a complimentary audiobook copy of “Onions in the Stew” via the publicist at Audiobookworm Promotions (of whom was working directly with the narrator Heather Henderson and Post Hypnotic Press, Inc.) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Onions in the Stew
by Betty MacDonald

The bestselling author of the American humor classic The Egg and I continues the adventure with this collection of tales about life on the fringe of the Western wilderness.

Writing in the 1950s, Betty MacDonald, sophisticated and urbane, captivated readers with her observations about raising a family on an island in Puget Sound.

As usual, humorist MacDonald is her own favorite target. She manages to get herself into scrapes with washing machines set adrift in rowboats, used cars, and a $25 Turkey Squasher. And then there's the scariest aspect of island life -- teenaged children.

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Also by this author: The Plague And I, Anybody Can Do Anything

Length: 9 hours 40 minutes (unabridged)

Published By: Post Hypnotic Press (@Post_Hypnotic)

About Betty MacDonald

Betty Bard MacDonald (1907–1958), the best-selling author of The Egg and I and the classic Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle children’s books, burst onto the literary scene shortly after the end of World War II. Readers embraced her memoir of her years as a young bride operating a chicken ranch on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, and The Egg and I sold its first million copies in less than a year.

The public was drawn to MacDonald’s vivacity, her offbeat humor, and her irreverent take on life. In 1947, the book was made into a movie starring Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert, and spawned a series of films featuring MacDonald’s Ma and Pa Kettle characters.

MacDonald followed up the success of The Egg and I with the creation of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, a magical woman who cures children of their bad habits, and with three additional memoirs: The Plague and I (chronicling her time in a tuberculosis sanitarium just outside Seattle), Anybody Can Do Anything (recounting her madcap attempts to find work during the Great Depression), and Onions in the Stew (about her life raising two teenage daughters on Vashon Island).

Author Paula Becker was granted full access to Betty MacDonald’s archives, including materials never before seen by any researcher. Looking for Betty MacDonald, the first official biography of this endearing Northwest storyteller, reveals the story behind the memoirs and the difference between the real Betty MacDonald and her literary persona.

Wikipedia

Posted Tuesday, 28 March, 2017 by jorielov in Audiobook Narrator Interview, Audiobookworm Promotions, Blog Tour Host, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Vignettes of Real Life