Back Spin was amazing once again.

The dedication, the thank you to all of Harlan Coben’s connections who taught him about golf discouraged me as I am not a golf fan. I’d never read a book about golf, never golfed, would and could never watch the sport on television or otherwise. I was a caddy once, well, half a time I guess, and enjoyed the club house much more. But I decided to keep reading, to give the book a chance and I’m so happy I did.

How Does Harlan Coben Do It?

Harlan knows how to spin a mystery so that you think you know whodunit but never quite figure out the how or why and then he has a way to turn it around so it’s the person you least think it could be.

I’ve done that, I think, with my first novel which is still under review; the complications are arising while getting it edited simply because I cannot find a reliable one. I realize now that Harlan Coben has a much more extensive budget than I do and editors most likely seek him out if he doesn’t want to continue working with the same one I just wonder how writer’s get their first novel out or to the point where they can work on a second.

Back to Back Spin

Myron Bolitor is a repeat character, an investigator of sorts, who takes on many more jobs than his sports agent professional entails. When Myron meets award winning golfer Linda, wife of Jack who is the height of th U.S. Open, not only does she hire him to aide in the search for her kidnapped son but admits to being related to Win.

If you haven’t met Win you probably know just as much about him as his best friend, Myron Bolitar. Normally secretive, sneaky and quiet Win aides in Myron’s adventures but as he no longer talks to what family he has left he bows out graciously. This leaves Myron in a bind he’s never been in which leads to life or death circumstances he needs to learn how to escape – on his own.

When you read this book, not if, please tell me what you think and if you are able to connect with Win more easily discovering why he left is mother behind and her gifts unopened.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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Kelly Moran, an American author, is currently fine-tuning her novel titled Summer’s Road. In my opinion, there’s not much to fine-tune as this story is brilliant.

A fan of Kelly Moran‘s immediately after reading An Insomniac’s Dream, a collection of poetry and short stories, I was honoured to read her children’s book The Tiny Caterpillar and the Great Big Tree next. This was another enjoyable story by Kelly as well was Idle Thursday, the first novella I read by the author.

Summer’s Road Coming Soon

In its final stages, Summer’s story of loss and found is compelling and a must read. I connected with Summer Quinn’s sorrow immediately and never let it go. While I refuse to give anything away, Kelly Moran describes Summer’s loss of her mother and father with heartbreaking realism. No child nor adult should go through the emotional trauma of losing both parents they way Summer did.

But even though her family was lost Summer is taught time and again that family is more than blood relatives. And although she’s taught this lesson many times it takes some major events to have her learn them.

“I think only when you are truly alone can you see you never were.”

Four friends from school days come together to conquer what we all hope to someday. Through stormy weather, torrential downpour and beautiful sunsets, an artist emerges and blossoms like orchid’s and lily’s.

A painting, a garden, a life threatening to be lived is the story of Summer Quinn as she finds herself in friends Ian Memmer, Rick and Dee. Not everyone can be as unlucky while being lucky enough to have such a long-lasting friendship as 28 year old Summer but it takes her a long time to realize they may be all she really needs.

A Romantic and Inspirational Novel

Summer’s Road is mixed with romance, heartbreak, friendship and a road not commonly travelled but in the end it taught me to cherish what I have and not dwell on what I don’t.

While travelling a road you can stop to smell the orchid’s, take in the sights but you need to keep moving as you never know what beauty is waiting just ahead.

Remember what made you who you are but be that person and grow.

Thanks again to Kelly Moran for sharing this novel with me. It’s like we’re Summer and Dee even though we haven’t met yet.

And thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland

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Patterson has done it for me again. Discouraged to pick up yet another book in the Alex Cross series I decided it needed to be done and am ever so grateful I did.

Cross answered a lot of questions I had throughout the series and only wish I actually read this series in the order it was intended. Learning about the circumstances behind Maria’s murder was just what I needed and to follow Cross as he made a new life for himself and his family was refreshing.

Patterson has developed his characters so thoroughly that I can see them and feel their pain. Instead of seeing them as characters I often find myself questioning why Cross did that or “Sampson” said that instead of why Patterson had them do it. This is true brilliance when it comes to writing a compelling novel.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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The other day I went to a used bookstore to drop off some books and pick up some new reads for my son. Of course I couldn’t pass up looking for books for me too so I wandered as my husband carried my son through the aisles. I’m so glad he did as he stumbled upon THE MAGIC OF BELIEVING by Claude M Bristol – a book published about the Law Of Attraction before the Rhonda Byrne’s book The Secret hit the airwaves.

I’m only on page 71* and already have been seeing the effects of mental preparation and the power of knowing you can be successful. Last night I joined a Facebook group (Get Your Blog Followers) encouraging people to follow other bloggers but realized there currently wasn’t a way to follow my site so I set out to change that.

Being very computer literate but programming, HTML, WordPress maintenance illiterate, I usually depend on my husband to make my site changes. Last night he was busy, this morning he’s at work so I took it upon myself to make the changes myself and lo and behold you can now follow my site! (Top right, I’d love for you to be my first follower, or second or one of many ).

THE MAGIC OF BELIEVING is a must read for anyone who desires success and, when you read it, it will change your life, I assure you.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

PS: If you want more followers for your blog I recommend joining Get Your Blog Followers and mentioning that I sent you!

My Final Thoughts

This book came to me through the power of believing and I didn’t even realize it. That’s because I’m so used to verbally asking for what I need instead of sending it out subconsciously and realize that’s what I’ve been doing wrong.

I believe in myself so much, I believe in my family and my husband and where we will be and I told people. I told family, friends and strangers so that they could help me get to where I wanted to be. THE MAGIC OF BELIEVINGopened my eyes to the most effective method of using this and that’s to simply believe. I think I’ve been telling people so I could have a public example of this really working and every time I’ve attempted that it’s backfired.

THE MAGIC OF BELIEVINGby Claude M Bristolis life changing to say the least. It has taught me that my success is all the proof needed that this power exists but the hardest lesson for me to learn what that I only need to prove it to myself – scientists are working on proving it to everyone else.

The Law of Attraction is amazing in that it works whether you know it’s effective or not. If you believe you’ll receive and whenever I put out a plan I would have an abundance of negativity thrown at me and get down on myself. If I keep the positivity inside, keep my determination in check and dream big I know there will be nothing in my way and everything backing me up.

You do have to depend solely on yourself no matter how many loved ones are in your life. This is key to your own achievements and you’ll be even more proud of yourself for not asking for the help of others.

I wanted to share a few quotes from this book with you but the books entirety is relevant and so important to read. Just go get it and read it again and again – it’ll change your life.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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I have a mission, a goal and a strong determination to get to where I want to be before November 8, 2010. I have a novel near completion but needing to be edited. I found an editor who I am eager to work with and have her opinion of my novel. She needs to be paid.

I have a children’s book series I plan to continue before November. A series making it’s readers choose healthier foods and play so they can remain or get in good health. I have two more stories written but the artist wants to get paid.

Investing in yourself is something people rarely do. They find stocks and bonds and toys and gadgets but too few people save their money to bank on their own idea or mission. I am asking the universe to let me join those who have been successful by investing in themselves and believing it will happen, some way and some day soon.

Then I will be able to give back more than I ever imagined possible – because I believed in myself enough to put money on me.

Thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland

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Delighted to be given the chance to read an excerpt of A. F. Stewart’s poetry collection in Shadows of Poetry
I took advantage and read it immediately.

Wow! What a glimpse into a heartbreaking yet uplifting world of wonder and nature. Natural Ruins, the first section I read, held the poem I liked the best which was Within The Moonlight. The imagery is remarkable and held such sorrow that I felt compelled to give the author a warm hug.

I’ll be adding this book to my “Must Read” list as I would love to be able to let you know what the rest of it is like.

Thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland

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Like flurries on Christmas morning this book offered a light beauty in a murder mystery. This compelling tale of a serial killer offered random large flakes in delightful relationships between mother and daughter, co-workers, mother and son and best friends.

While I did find it a quick read and not overly engrossing Christine Husom made up for it by providing her perspective of the mind of a serial killer. It’s impossible to know what goes on in the mind of a psychopath but it’s interesting as a writer to try and even more interesting to read another author’s attempt.

Definitely a recommended read for a mystery lover as it’s filled with fun characters and makes for an enjoyable beach read or any time you need a time to relax your mind.

I can’t wait to read more of Husom’s works! I am, in particular, left wondering if the main character, Corky, discovers where her heart lies.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland

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Never a fan of history I had a difficult time comparing this book to “Stephen King” as critics did. Slade’s story of long ago wars, artifacts and ancestors just didn’t appeal to me and then I got to a story about a single mother losing her husband to a horrific death. This captured my attention and I read on.

Feeling this book would simplify and remain in the present more than going back to days long ago it was unfortunate for me that it didn’t. With complications, four story lines and having no interest in the basis of this tale I really found this book a waste of time for me.

I have passed this along with the warning that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would but everyone enjoys something different and I’m trying not to persuade anyone to avoid a book on the basis of my discontent with it.

Let me know what you think, I’d be interested to hear how else it’s received.

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Thank you for reading,

Sarah Butland

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