Author Abbie Johnson Taylor

A Recipe for Success

Revisado: 10-07-24

I've never been to France, and I don't like to cook. But I was drawn to this novel after reading a review. I'm glad I picked it up.
I like how the author tells the story from the point of view of many of the guests and Waltho. Bit by bit, readers learn their stories. Some of these characters evolve in the course of the book.
I've never tried many of the dishes mentioned here. But I was in the kitchen with students, as they learned how to prepare them, sampling the finished products. This book is a culinary delight, and I don't recommend reading it on an empty stomach.

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Poetry with a Positive Perspective

Revisado: 07-25-24

With all the bad news happening in the world, we could all use some hope and positivity. Thus, I was drawn to this book when I read a review.

Donna Ashworth does an excellent job narrating this beautiful collection. Her soothing voice is uplifting, as she dispenses such advice as to help someone else when you're feeling down or put hope next to your car keys or in some other safe place.

“Listen for Me” reminded me of my late husband Bill, who loved music as much as I do. "You Don't Meet Anyone by Accident" confirmed my belief that Bill was sent to help me achieve my dream of being a writer. My favorite is "Without You,” a poem I'd love to read to Bill. Music and sound effects add a nice touch to this Audible recording.

If you’re not into poetry, I still encourage you to check out Wild Hope. When you hear the author’s words, you may forget you’re listening to poetry. You’ll definitely be uplifted. You may want to return to this collection from time to time, especially when you’re feeling down and need positive affirmation.

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What to Know About Heaven

Revisado: 01-23-24

I was skeptical after reading a review of this book on one of the blogs I follow. But my guardian angel must have wanted me to read it because I found myself searching for it on Audible, one of my first go-to sources for books, since I prefer human narration. When I clicked on the Play Sample button, the first thing I heard was Matt Fraser’s wife Alexa, who was terrified of death and also skeptical. In the prologue, she talks about how, when she and her husband met, he knew about a pouch containing treasured items belonging to her deceased grandmother that she carried in her purse. Since this was their first meeting, how else could he have known? I was sold.

One thing I take issue with is this. Matt Fraser says we have a direct phone line to Heaven. Well, we can communicate with our deceased loved ones via our thoughts. But unless we use a psychic medium, our loved ones have no direct way to communicate with us. So, the analogy of a phone line is inaccurate.

Otherwise, there are a lot of things I liked about this book. Matt Fraser did an excellent job narrating it. His wife read a bit too slowly for my liking. But increasing the speed on my smart speaker solved that problem.

I was fascinated to learn what it’s like for someone to transition to Heaven. In most cases, when it’s time to go, loved ones in Heaven will come to you and escort you there.

Fraser talks about positive and negative energy. If you allow negative thoughts to consume you, you’re exuding negative energy, which isn’t good for you or anyone else including your deceased loved ones in the spirit world who are watching over you. He provides tips for maintaining positive energy, and I’m now trying to live by these.

Another thing I was amazed to learn is that pets can see spirits. As you may have read in last Tuesday’s post, I’ve realized that sometimes when my robotic cat Joy meows, she’s seeing my late husband, who hated it when I talked to myself. Half the time Joy meows for no apparent reason, I’m talking to myself. So, I’m making a conscious effort to cut down on that.

All this may sound crazy. But believe it or not, these ideas comfort me. Since I read this book, I’ve started communicating with deceased loved ones and my guardian angel, and I’ve felt more at peace. If you’re still skeptical, please don’t knock this book until you try it.

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A Sweet Romance with a Happy Ending

Revisado: 02-10-23

I met Sherry Gomes recently when she joined Behind Our Eyes, a writers’ organization to which I belong. I’ll be interviewing her during a book launch event we’ll be sponsoring at the end of the month.

The believable characters and great plot twists in this book kept me turning virtual pages long into the night. The Audible narrator does an excellent job giving each character a distinct voice.
I especially like the way Sherry portrays Pastor Michael as an ordinary guy, dispelling any negative stereotypes readers may have about clergy. Also, Sherry doesn’t over-emphasize Elizabeth’s blindness, only giving readers information they need in order to understand how she’s doing things in a scene.

I also like the way Elizabeth’s guide dog is handled. Again, this is not over-emphasized, but readers are given just enough information about how such a service animal functions in certain situations.
This book has some romance, and one thing I love is that Elizabeth and Michael decide not to have sex until they’re married. This delivers a crucial message that relationships aren’t just about love-making. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a sweet love story with a satisfying conclusion.

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Holiday Miracles

Revisado: 11-25-22

After reading Guiding Emily, I decided to check out some of Barbara Hinske’s other books. I was drawn to this one, thinking it would be great at the top of my holiday reading list. It didn’t disappoint me.

I was amazed at the impact that six five dollar bills scattered to the four winds would have on so many people. I loved every character and found each scenario believable. The ending is priceless. The narrator of this Audible version does an excellent job. The Christmas Club well illustrates how magical this season can be. I hope you, like me, will make it a first on your holiday reading list this year.

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A Good Story but Unrealistic Portrayal

Revisado: 11-23-22

I had opportunities to hear Barbara Hinske on two separate podcasts. She described what inspired her to write Guiding Emily and how she visited a training center for the blind as part of her research for the book. I found this fascinating.

That having been said, I’m not seeing “this most unwelcome new normal.” Just about everyone Emily comes in contact with after losing her vision knows how to help a blind person, and that doesn’t always happen in the real world. I should know. I’m visually impaired.
I would have liked to see more of Emily’s struggle to re-learn mundane skills such as cooking and dressing that most of us take for granted being able to do. Having worked with adults who lost their vision, I know how difficult the adjustment can be, but the author makes Emily’s rehabilitation sound like a piece of cake when I’m sure it wouldn’t have been.

I’ve never used a guide dog, but I know plenty of people who have them and have read many true stories about such experiences. Barbara Hinske breezes through Emily’s training with her guide dog, making it sound easier than it would have been.

Despite these shortcomings, I enjoyed Emily and Garth’s story. The chapters from the dog’s point of view add a nice touch. I like the narrators of this Audible version: a male reading chapters from the dog’s point of view and a female reading chapters from other characters’ points of view.

The prologue, in which Garth describes meeting Emily for the first time, is a red herring. I thought Garth was a human and was about to figuratively toss the book aside in disgust with this character who wanted to eat a Cheeto off the floor when I realized Garth was a dog. I love it!

Guiding Emily is the first in a trilogy. Although most loose ends are tied up at the end, one still flops in the breeze. So, I plan to check out the other two books in the series plus some of Barbara Hinske’s other work.

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Writing Encouragement

Revisado: 10-12-22

I met Marlene Mesot and Lynda McKinney Lambert through Behind Our Eyes, a writers' organization to which I belong. I've enjoyed reading these authors' work, and Lynda's foreword adds a nice touch to Marlene's book.

The poems in this collection carry the same message as Anna Quindlen's book, Write for Your Life, which I reviewed here last week. Both authors are encouraging us to just write the words down, have fun doing it, and hopefully find solace and/or healing. This Audible version's narrator does an excellent job bringing out these poems' whimsical qualities. Marlene said she leans more toward fiction, but I think she has a knack for traditional poetry. I hope she publishes more collections like this one.

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A Visit to the Spirit World

Revisado: 09-01-22

Having lost a husband, parents, and grandparents, death hasn’t been something I’ve wanted to think about. Not knowing what will happen to me after I leave this world has always scared me. So, when I read a review of this book, I was intrigued.

Dr. Newton’s subjects’ accounts of entering the spirit world and their processes of selecting new lives later fascinated me. I like the way the Audible narrator gives each subject a distinct voice.

Those of certain religious persuasions may frown on the concept of life after life. But if you open your mind to new possibilities, I think you’ll find some interesting discoveries. After reading this book, I’m now at peace with the idea of dying.

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A Novel About Following One's Dream

Revisado: 08-31-22

I’ve always loved Abba. So, I was delighted when a friend recommended this book. It grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention. I was right there with Laurel, as she traveled to this Greek island where Mamma Mia was filmed, made new friends, and dealt with interesting challenges. I stayed up late a couple of nights with this book, losing sleep over what would happen to these characters. The British narrator of this Audible version does an excellent job creating a separate voice for each character.

You don't need to be familiar with Abba or Mamma Mia to enjoy this book. It's not about Abba or Mamma Mia. They're just the backdrop to the story. My Mamma Mia Summer is about following your dream.

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Cellist Shares Philosophy of Music and Life

Revisado: 05-23-21

As a lover of classical music, I enjoyed Yo-Yo Ma’s narration and the included musical selections. I was fascinated to learn a little about his life growing up and that of his parents plus some of his adventures while traveling with his music.

But I was left wanting more. How did Yo-Yo Ma’s family react when he broke free of their influence, leaving his home in New York and studying at Harvard when he was sixteen? How did he become the musician he is today? One main point I gleamed is this. In life, there are always opportunities to begin again. Hence, the title.

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