Isolation Junction: a harrowing tale of abuse and survival

I normally blog about kids books and family activities, but domestic abuse is a topic that I feel I need to cover as it’s sadly part of the family reality for too many people. The author, Jennifer Gilmour, is very active in campaigning against domestic abuse. If you’ve been affected or would like to get involved, you can find her through the hashtag #isolationjunction.

Although fictionalised, Isolation Junction is a very personal story and the first edition was full of raw emotion. This is the only time I’ve ever sought out a second edition of a book to read, but the topic is so important I wanted to see what had changed. This updated edition has been smoothed out and polished but, despite having read it before, it hasn’t lost its power and still made me cry.

The main changes are that it’s now chronological and all in third person, so it’s much easier to follow. It also fills in several gaps and is a stronger narrative as a result. It should be compulsory reading.

Well done to both the author and editor (the fabulous Emma Mitchell from Creating Perfection, who also edited Eternal Seas for me). I gave the first edition a 5* rating so this has to be a 6*.

Synopsis:

Rose is the mother of two young children, and finds herself living a robotic life with an abusive and controlling husband. While she struggles to maintain a calm front for the sake of her children, inside Rose is dying and trapped in ‘Isolation Junction’.

She runs an online business from home, because Darren won’t let her work outside the house. But through this, she meets other mums and finds courage to attend networking events, while Darren is at work, to promote her business.

It’s at one of these events that Rose meets Tim, a sympathetic, dark-haired stranger who unwittingly becomes an important part of her survival.

After years of emotional abuse, of doubting her future and losing all self-confidence, Rose takes a stand. Finding herself distraught, alone and helpless, Rose wonders how she’ll ever escape with her sanity and her children. With 100 reasons to leave and 1,000 reasons she can’t will she be able to do it? Will Tim help her? And will Rose find peace and the happiness she deserves? Can Rose break free from this spiralling life she so desperately wants to change?

Based on true events.

About the author:

Born in the North East, Jennifer is a young, married mum with three children. In addition to being an author, she is an entrepreneur, running a family business from her home-base. Her blog posts have a large readership of other young mums in business.

From an early age, Jennifer has had a passion for writing and started gathering ideas and plot lines from her teenage years. A passionate advocate for women in abusive relationships, she has drawn on her personal experiences to write this first novel. It details the journey of a young woman from the despair of an emotionally abusive and unhappy marriage to develop the confidence to challenge and change her life and to love again.

Links:

Website; www.jennifergilmour.com

Facebook; www.facebook.com/isolationjunctionbook

Twitter; www.twitter.com/JenLGilmour

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/authorjennifergilmour/

A festive must-read for 2018

Is it allowed to post a Christmas read before you do a Halloween post? I love a festive read and, although I’m still in full-on Spooky mode, the blurb for No One Cancels Christmas by Zara Stoneley was irresistible. I simply couldn’t miss out on the blog tour. So if you’ll forgive me, here we go …

Firstly, the “magical Christmas” wasn’t too saccharine with the intriguing “what went wrong that Christmas when Sarah was a child” and the bah-humbug holiday resort. In a way, it was tinged with an awareness of what can be a difficult time for many people/ families, although I’m not sure this was a conscious decision from the author or just a result of the plot.

The characters are warm and engaging. I haven’t read any other books by the author so although I gather some of them are in other books, it certainly doesn’t impact on this as a stand-alone book.

It made me laugh out loud (during my son’s music lesson, much to his embarrassment). And the guy from The Mentalist (even if we all have to google his name) … well … yes!

It’s a quick read, partly because it’s light, but mostly because I couldn’t put it down. Yup, this is a 1am-prop-your-eyes-open-with-matchsticks book.

Enjoy!

BLURB: No One Cancels Christmas

It’s the most magical time of the year, and for travel agent Sarah it’s also the busiest! But this year one man threatens to ruin Christmas for Sarah’s customers – Mr Grinch, Will Armstrong.

The Shooting Star Mountain resort is a magical place, and Sarah has fond memories of Christmas here as a little girl – visits to Father Christmas, husky rides in the snow and hot chocolate by a roaring fire. But as the resorts new owner, Will refuses to play snowball or to deck the halls with anything remotely resembling tinsel!

With customers complaining their Christmas is ruined, Sarah decides it’s up to her to convince Scroogey Will just how magical Christmas can be….

But getting Will into the Christmas spirit is hopeless – he is Bah Humbug personified! But as Sarah gets to know him better, she realises that underneath all the gloom is a man struggling with a pain of his own.

With the big day approaching, Sarah realises that the magic and sparkle can wait. This year, she’s going to spend Christmas day with someone special her very own Mr Scrooge…

About the Author

Born in a small village in Staffordshire, I wanted to be a female James Herriot, a spy, or an author when I grew up. After many years, and many different jobs, my dream of writing a bestseller came true.

I write about friendship, dreams, love, and happy ever afters, and hope that my tales make you cry a little, laugh a lot, and occasionally say ‘ahhh’.

I now live in a Cheshire village with my family, a lively cockapoo called Harry, and a very bossy (and slightly evil) cat called Saffron.

Where you can find her-

Website: http://www.zarastoneley.com
Twitter: @ZaraStoneley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZaraStoneley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zarastoneley/

Purchase Links

Amazon UK– https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-One-Cancels-Christmas-romantic-ebook/dp/B07CWTVJGD

Amazon US– https://www.amazon.com/no-one-cancels-christmas-romantic-ebook/dp/B07CWTVJGD

As for my Halloween post … you’ll have to wait.

Seven Best Dog Breeds for Families and a COMPETITION

I’ve got sooooo much for you today! Firstly, I have a guest post from the dog-crazy Gina at PawLife, then a Giveaway PLUS some FREE sheets on dog care, and a book review … I don’t know where to start 🙂 You’ll just have to keep scrolling down!

Guest post by Gina from PawLife.com.au

Dog’s make great companions for adults, but when it comes to children you want to ensure that your future dog is a tolerant breed. There are some dog breeds for families that will blend in nicely. Your dog will become your child’s best friend and playmate.

When choosing a dog breed that will be suited to your family, there are a few factors that you should consider.

Size: When it comes to choosing a dog, size does matter. Bigger dogs tend to have a more placid temperament while smaller dogs can be slightly aggressive and territorial.

Temperament: The general nature of dog breeds will give you a broader understanding of their temperament and personality trait.

A few questions to ask yourself and your family before making any decisions of adding a dog to your family;

* What is the breeds personality trait?

* Are you adopting a dog?

* Do you know the history of the dog?

* Will the dog get along with all family members?

* Will the dog get along will other animals in the family?

A few questions to ask yourself concerning your children;

* Will your children accept a dog into the family?

* Do your children know how to treat a dog?

* Are your children responsible?

* Are your children ready for a dog?

Seven Best Dog Breeds for Families

1. Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are smart and can be easily trained. They are a highly active dog and enjoy the outdoors. This breed is perfect for busy families that enjoy going to the beach, running and parks.

2. Pug

When owning a pug, you need to ensure your children do not overfeed this breed. They are prone to becoming overweight from being given snacks and too many treats. This breed loves to sleep and eat. Not overly active, they do enjoy a little daily walk. Perfect for snuggling up on the couch and watching a family movie.

3. Mixed Breed (Mut)

You don’t need to get a purebred breed. Mixed breeds are also great for families. Mixed breeds generally are very loyal as they have traits from both sides of breeds. Larger mixed breeds are recommended for families with small children.

4. Border Collie

We all know that collie is regarded as one of the most intelligent dog breeds around and also very loyal. They require a lot of attention and yard space as they are very active and also need mental stimulation. This breed loves children and is perfect for the outdoor family.

5. Boxer

Boxers are a popular breed as they are fun-loving yet very loyal and have a protective demeanour. This breed is very energetic and can get overly excited so if you have small children you will need to ensure your boxer is calm and trained as they may unintentionally bowl over your kids.

6. Newfoundland

This is breed is a gentle giant, their size can be overwhelming but are great with children. They build strong bonds and are great for families that are in snowy climates.

7. Beagle

The Beagle is one of the most common breeds in America. They have been around for thousands of years and if you have a pure breed they are known for the white tip tail. The Beagle breed is a very vocal and social breed. Loyal to the bone and great for families.

Training is extremely important that you put in the time to train your dog if they are to be around children all of the time. Also, your children must to taught how to care, treat and understand the dog’s body language. With these tips, you will have an awesome family dog.

Having records at hand in case of emergency means one less thing to worry about when your dog is sick. You can download your FREE Dog Bundle Pack from PawLife.com.au

* A printable Dog-friendly human foods list

* A printable 6-page Pet Record and Information Pack that includes:

o Pet Record sheet

o Pet Sitter Information Sheet

o Medication sheet

o Vaccination Records Sheet

o Flea, Tick & Worm Treatment Schedule

o Contacts Sheet

These sheets have been created to be easily printed so you can stick on the fridge, give to pet sitters, family members, friends and your vet.

Thanks Gina. It’s me again now. Did you know that Meghan Markle has a rescue beagle? I just love this story.

Meghan Markle’s beagle called Guy

*** NEW BOOK ALERT ***

So, if you are taking the plunge, Gina has published a book called The PawLife Guide: Dog Care at Home

DOG CARE AT HOME gives you the information you need to have a happy and healthy dog no matter what your dog’s current stage in life, in just 10 minutes a day. Over 200 hours of research including interviews with veterinarians and fellow dog owners around the world, Dog Care at Home is the all-in-one book to have at home, with six veterinarians that have contributed to this ultimate guide, rest assured you are in reliable hands. Inside you will discover: – Choosing the right breed – The basic steps of raising a puppy – What vaccinations are for and why your dog needs them – Travelling with your dog – How to perform CPR on your dog – Health and hygiene including dental care – Choosing the right veterinarian – When it’s time to say goodbye – And much more! PawLife’s Dog Care at Home is the answer for all your dog parenting needs in one comprehensive guide that ensures your dog lives a long, healthy and happy life.

Purchase from Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dog-Care-Home-Ultimate-Healthy-ebook/dp/B07HGR9ZNF

*** COMPETITION TIME! ***

We couldn’t share all this without a Giveaway – Win a 12 Piece Dog Toy Starter Box from Zenify (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494139/

Author Bio

Gina is an enthusiastic dog lover, so much so that she founded her own dog blog business called PawLife, which has been awarded top 10 Australian Dog Blog. This wouldn’t be possible without her best friend Harley, who is a toy poodle mix. They are continually going on new adventures, testing out new squeaky toys.

Gina recently discovered her writing passion and wanted to create the ultimate guidebook that would support, educate and inspire pet parents and yet to be pet parents around the world. Gina and Harley are originally from Australia, where the weather is always beautiful. This is Gina’s first book and looks forward to writing many more to help fellow pet-parents; with her fur-baby Harley by her side.

Social Media Links

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pawlifeau/

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com.au/PawLifeAU/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/pawlifeau/ Website- http://pawlife.com.au/

How to make every day an exciting STEM adventure

I was lucky to go to a senior school which focussed heavily on the sciences with more science than arts classes at A level, so I’m thrilled that the importance of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) is getting more profile generally, particularly for girls. Thanks to our school, many of my female school friends are very successful doctors.

So I’m thrilled to have the amazing Suzie Olsen on my blog today. Suzie is a systems engineer in Phoenix, Arizona. She currently works on the search and rescue system for the US Coast Guard. She is also the author of Annie Aardvark, Mathematician and creator of the blog STEM Spark. Suzie’s spark is to encourage students, especially girls and minorities, to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). She lives with her husband and child, performing STEM experiment after STEM experiment with her own kid. Please do check out her website – it’s fantastic.

I asked Suzie to pull together three easy STEM activities we can all try with our kids. Enjoy!

STEM Adventures are Everywhere

In my book, Annie Aardvark, Mathematician, the main character Annie loves math so much that she decides she’s going to have a math adventure while she forages! She finds different things to count as she hunts for her daily meal, ending with ten ants. Annie exclaims, “What a fun math adventure! I can’t wait until my next one!” And just like Annie, you and your children can have a fun STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) adventure anywhere you go! Below are a couple of different ideas for your STEM adventure.

Engineering Adventure

Whether in the city or nature, there’s a couple of different ways to have an engineering adventure. The first is look for a problem to solve: is there an area in your neighborhood that needs improving or fixing? Is there an animal having an issue with collecting food? Is there human or animal congestion where you are at? Is trash gathering in one place on the ground? Try engaging your kids in an impromptu brainstorm on different ideas on how to fix the problem, and then decide which idea is the best one for fixing the issue. Give it a twist by qualifying during the brainstorm how the best idea will be judged (such as “What’s the most fun way to fix this problem?”) If possible, try building the solution, put it in the problem area and test it. Did it work? Did it reduce or eliminate the problem? (This process is called the engineering design process.) Another fun engineering adventure is to collect different materials from where you and your kids are, like trash, sticks, stones, forks, plates, and so on and try building a mini-house out of these materials. Can you get the house to stand alone? And if so, how long does the house stand?

Science Collection Adventure

A flower or leaf collection is a fun way to have a science adventure when you and your children are out and about. Your child could carry around a reusable bag and every time they see a leaf or flower they don’t have, they can gather it up and put it in their bag. Then once home, you and your child can dry the leaf and flower and glue it into a scrapbook. You can research online together the name of the flower or tree that the leaf came from and then label it in the scrapbook. Of course, be wary of poison leaves (like Poison Ivy) or flowers (like Oleanders) and make sure you have permission before plucking a flower or leaf off a tree (anything found on the ground is probably okay).

Math Counting Adventure

Whether taking a walk around your neighborhood or hiking a trail in the mountains, children can count the objects they come across, just like Annie did in her first math adventure. If it’s a familiar or frequent route, try creating a pre-made checklist going from 1 specific item up to 10 specific items they must count (or just impromptu count whatever they see). Items you can have your kids count while they’re on their walk include rocks, flowers, weeds, birds, lizards, other types of animals, insects, leaves, clouds, people, airplanes/vehicles, buildings, trees, and so on. There’s no limit of what kind of item they count, so as long as they’re having fun hunting for that item and counting it!

Wherever you and your children may be, I hope you have a fun time on your STEM adventure! Happy STEM’ing!

I had the privilege of featuring on Jess’s blog, https://jessbookishlife.wordpress.com where I talked about writing and illustrating Eternal Seas, plus looked ahead at the sequel. Do check it out!

Guest Post: Successful Planner, by Lexi Rees

Lexi Rees, author

books for adventurous children

Tag Archives: Books

Isolation Junction: a harrowing tale of abuse and survival

A festive must-read for 2018

Seven Best Dog Breeds for Families and a COMPETITION

How to make every day an exciting STEM adventure

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: