Book Review: Before you Say I Do Again

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Jamie

Before I get started on the actual book review.  I want to give a little bit of a background on me.  I have been married before, and divorced.  I’m currently engaged, and about to start my second marriage.

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Benjamin Berkley’s book “Before You Say I Do Again” is the book that spoke to me.  For all those thinking about going into a second marriage.

This book goes through all the issues that may arise when you start thinking about that second marriage, and prepares you what to think about.

Although this book dug up memories of the past I felt it also was there to prepare me for the future, and I am indeed ready for my second marriage.

It talks about why a lot of second marriages do fail, preparing you emotionally for that second marriage, and even having you take a look at yourself to ask those deep questions we usually don’t like asking, “What don’t you like about yourself?”

Of all the books I’ve read over the years, this book was one of the most valuable for me because it talked about the one issue I am facing in life.  “Am I truly read for a second marriage?”

And it allowed me to answer those questions I’d already been asking myself for the past 3 years.

About Benjamin Berkley:

Benjamin Berkley is the author of four self-help books:  “My Wishes, Your Plan for Organizing Your Family’s Needs” (Sourcebooks, June, 2006)   “The Complete Executor’s Guide” (Sourcebooks, June 2007)   “Winning Your Social Security Disability Case” (Sourcebooks, February, 2008) and “Before You Say I Do Again, A Buyer’s Beware Guide to Remarriage.” (Frederick Fell Publishers, September, 2009). “Against My Will” is Benjamin Berkley’s fifth book and debut novel. 

 And though writing is his passion, for over 34 years he has conducted a busy law practice in which he has seen many interesting clients come through his door.  One in particular, an older woman with white hair, the kindest smile, and an amazing story became the inspiration for one of his characters for “Against My Will.”   Berkley lives in southern California with his wife Phyllis and their cat Riley.   He has two grown children and is always bragging about his most beautiful grandson and granddaughter.

Find more information on his website.

Disclosure: I was given a review copy of “Before I Say I Do Again.”


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How FAR is toooo FAR with the Media?

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Jamie

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I wrote a post on Mental Illness and Gun Control shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.  It talked about how people with mental illness can be capable of owning a gun, etc.

You can find the post here.

By writing that post I learned a valuable lesson.  One is that my little blog can and will be searched.  And 2) you just may never know who’s on the other side of reading the posts you put out.

It can be exciting, but at the same time, when may it become too intrusive?

A few weeks ago a news media agency approached me with interest in interviewing me and my significant other about the post I wrote.  I was excited about what they wanted to hear, their ideas on a story, and about getting our story out there.

However I was also very skeptical about the news media, and how the story may be portrayed, and what angle they would take on it.

After asking for advice, I decided to go ahead with the phone interview.  So, we talked the next day, and the conversation was going great.  I shared my thoughts, but then the questions got harder and harder.

a) What were my thoughts on people who are involuntarily put into a mental institution on owning guns.

b) Do you think ALL people with mental illness are capable of owning guns, etc.

And then the questions at the end:

a) would you be okay if we came into your home.

b) would he be okay with showing us his guns.

Right then and there I knew this was not the angle I wanted to go with the story.  Those guns are protected.  And the last thing we’d ever want to do is put them out to the world, “hey, guess what we own, and guess what we have.”  Talk about putting a target on our back, right?

But, the other part was the entering the home part.  We live in a small space, and that’s when the line got too intrusive.

Needless to say, the story didn’t go any further, and there is a huge sigh of relief that went with it.

But then it got me thinking.  How FAR is too FAR when it comes to the media?  I understand the need for stories, and the need for news, and they want the numbers, they want to bring the people in.

But at what point does it all become too much?

Have you ever had a close encounter with the news media? Was it a good experience, a bad experience?  Share in the comments.

 


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Book Review: Deep Connections by Rebecca Graf

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Jamie

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“Just as love appears, so does the darkness.  With her heart reaching out for one man.  Brenna finds herself the target of an unknown stalker.  Who is he?  What does he want? How far will he go for her?  Death is an option.  Brenna discovers more than she bargained for and learns that the stalker will kill for her.  It all comes down to decisions, and no matter what she chooses it will demand sacrifice and someone’s blood.”

This is the story of Brenna.  A girl who has found herself in a new town, and holds the attention of two very prominent men in this town.  One being a local police officer, the other being apart of a native tribe.

But, things get creepy when she’s dropped off at home one evening to find her door was open, and this begins a series of scary things that begin to happen all around her.

The question is how far will the stalker go?  And who will she choose in the end?

This is also a love story.  As the love between two develops throughout the story you’re left wondering “what will she do, will she finally choose him?”  And of course, you’re wanting the two of them together in the end.

The story takes a “supernatural” turn about halfway through the book.  Is it enough for you to keep going to find out more, or will it be too much?  Just remember, in the end, packs always stick together.

It was a nice read, but one I wouldn’t want to read alone in the middle of the night.

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About the Author: Rebecca Graf

Rebecca Graf is a wife and mother of three when she is not writing. From writing online for various companies to book reviews to her own novels, Rebecca spends most of her days reading and writing.

 She worked as an accountant for 20 years before taking a chance and trying to make it as a writer. She has been published on sites such as BellaOnline.com, HubPages, and Natural Family Today. She also freelances where she writes for several different companies.

 She is an avid reader and has found a love of writing all types of genres. She self-published her first children’s book, A Gift for a Mouse two years ago. Since then, she has started her own publishing company with a friend. Deep Connections is their first publication.

Disclosure: I was provided a book of “Deep Connections” for review purposes.


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