Here are a few more Indies I enjoyed over the past few months:
- Spirit of the Shell Man–recommended for those who love quirky and intriguing mysteries
- 5 Mystic Keys–a simple guide to taking charge of your life and fixing personal problems
Spirit of the Shell Man
by Chris Hall
Three events start Chris Hall’s sequel to Song of the Sea Goddess, Spirit of the Shell Man (2022): A yacht arrives unexpectedly. A caravan of construction vehicles trundle through the seaside town, their goal building something no one has any knowledge of. The local Professor anonymously receives a beautiful inlaid box he can’t open–most probably a puzzle box–and it contains something he feels he should reveal. These seem unrelated, but under the masterful storytelling of Chris Hall, all find their places in the fullness of this confusing and enticing story. As readers unravel these mysteries, we are soaked in the atmosphere of this rural South African village where everyone knows everyone, where technology doesn’t define how things are done, and neighbors are the most efficient method of accomplishing tasks.
Recommended for those who love quirky and intriguing mysteries and anyone who couldn’t get enough of Song of the Sea Goddess.
5 Mystic Keys
by Grace Allison Blair
I don’t often read self help books but I’m a fan of Grace Blair’s. She wrote an earlier one (Do You Have a Dream) which I enjoyed and then Einstein’s Compass which I fell in love with (fiction–nothing to do with solving personal problems). 5 Mystic Keys to Courage, Confidence, Creativity (2022) is a simple guide to taking charge of your life and fixing personal problems. Based on common sense and requiring a will to change, I found this to be a good approach with fresh ideas drawn from Grace’s own life experience. Despite difficult challenges that would defeat many, she refused to quit and turned these into an engine for achievement by focusing on faith and spiritual strength.
“When life gives me a plot twist, I have a map…”
She breaks 5 Mystic Keys into seven sections–
- If at first you don’t succeed, change the rules
- Do you need to be rescued
- Do you believe in God
- Emotions + Energy in Motion
- What are your boundaries
- What are priorities
- What is the value of prayer
Each includes insightful ideas like ‘Trust your intuition’, ‘Value your creativity’, and ‘Experience your soul’s dreams’. Once you absorb these, she shares the 5 Mystic Keys (you’ll have to buy the book for that reveal). Supporting these is her personal story and meaningful quotes from spiritual advisors:
“God is not the bellhop in the sky to deliver every whim or wish.”
“Every intention sets energy into motion. Whether you are conscious of it or not.” –Gary Zukav
It’s a fast read or a slow one, depending upon where you need help and unlike other fix-me books you may have read. Highly recommended to those who feel let down by the world and in need of a special touch.
#indieauthors
#amreading
Quirky can be so nice
Good post
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They can. I am definitely open to that trait.
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I don’t mind quirky stories 🙂
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Me either. They are well separated from the norm.
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Weekly – August 6th 2022 – #Interview Marcia Meara and D.G. Kaye, #Bookreviewing Robbie Cheadle, Jacqui Murray, Alison Williams, #Fear Cheryl Oreglia | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Thanks for these suggestions, I shall take a closer look. Much appreciated. x
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Thanks for visiting, Jane!
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Most welcome. I pop in now and again. Have a successful month. x
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I just read your last post. How fun to see the inspiration behind so many of your stories. That part about people watching and listening–I never did that before I embraced my writer side. Now, I love it!
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I love it too. it all gets filed away for possible use one day. Welcome to the nosey-parker club.
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Both sound very interesting thanks Jacqui.. will explore them further. xx
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Glad you liked them!
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Hi Jacqui, both of these books sound excellent. I have another of Chris’, written under her pen name, on my kindle first, and then I will read this one. I also have one of your books coming up. The self help book sounds very sensible. We are masters of our own destiny to a large extent. There is a saying “God helps those who help themselves.”
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You have some excellent reading coming up, I suspect–but don’t let me keep you. I will enjoy hearing your thoughts on my book!
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💕
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Love your reviews Jacqui. I’m def checking out Grace’s book! 🙂
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I like her focus on solving problems with a spiritual approach. Works for me.
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HI Debby, as soon as I read the review of Grace’s book, I knew you would like it. Hugs.
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Aw, thank you Robbie. That is so sweet of you. Hugs.
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Gracias por la reseña. Te mando un beso.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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These both sound fabulous, Jacqui! Thank you for sharing!
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They were both a great break from my traditional fare. Thanks, Jan.
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Excellent reviews, they both sound like great reads!
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Thanks, Jacquie. Both outside my usual reads which made them even more enjoyable.
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Hi Jacqui – I’m definitely interested in Chris’ book ‘The Spirit of the Shell Man’ – especially as it’s got South African connections … I’ll look into it – cheers Hilary
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It is definitely atmospheric, too. You’ll like that.
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Great reviews. Thanks for sharing these, Jacqui.
Have a great one.
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A little different from my norm!
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Great reviews! I may check out Spirit of the Shell Man!
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It’s different than my normal read but have read Chris Hall before and enjoyed her books. I’m glad I gave it a chance!
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Great reviews, Jacqui! The first book sounds good to me. I like “neighbors are the most efficient method of accomplishing tasks.” 🙂
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I like that, too. We should be comfortable relying on each other.
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Great insights for your review.
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These look great, Jacqui. Toni x
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Don’t they? Great finds.
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Just bought The Spirit of the Shell Man. 🙂
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You’re in for a good few days, Meeka.
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-grin- I have a book about dragons to finish first but it’ll be next cab off the rank. 😀 Looking forward to it.
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Spirit of the Shell Man appeals to me most out of these two books, as I do so love a a bit of quirkiness! 🌸
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Chris is so clever, not just in this book but earlier ones I’ve read.
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Great reviews, Jacqui:) Both sound like reads I’d enjoy. I have Song of the Sea Goddess on my TBR list already and look forward to it.
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I think you’ll like it when you get to it on your TBR pile. For me, it was some escapism because it’s so different from my usual life.
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The “Shell Game” had me thinking of a version of “The Gods Must Be Crazy” as outsiders have a way to intrude into peaceful but naive society. The first section of “Mystic Keys” sounds like the commander on Star Trek who was the first to get test right by re-writing the question (It’s been a long time, I don’t exactly remember how it went together)
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Clever connections, Jeff. I love anything that sounds like Star Trek. Well, maybe not so much the new shows.
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These are some wonderful reviews, Jacqui! 😀
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Thank you! The books are different in a great way from my norm.
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Chris Hall’s book sounds like a good one. And maybe it will catch the eye of someone who is interested in turning it into a movie or TV series.
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Her books are always unique and engaging. Nothing expected about them!
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Thanks, Jacqui, for reading and reviewing my spiritual self-help books, “5 Mystic Keys to Courage, Confidence and Creativity. I appreciate your precious time and the wonderful review. For people experiencing change it’s a must have. For people looking to make a change, the workbook will assist you in having what you want to have, do or be easier. http://www.modernmysticmedia.com
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Does this one have a workbook also? Missed that–sorry!
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The 5 Mystic Keys book you read is the workbook. I left out the word workbook on the cover.
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It reads like a workbook approach. Thank you for clarifying.
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I like the first bullet under the 5 Mystic Keys. It reminds me of my two rules: #1 – There are no rules, just principles; #2 – Don’t forget Rule #1! I’m going to check out Shell Man. Thanks, Jacqui!
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Shell Man is like no other. Be prepared for a fun read!
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I, too, greatly enjoyed Spirit of the Shell Man!
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Oooh, that’s good to hear. Thanks for sharing that.
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You’re welcome!
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Yay for two five-star reads! Thanks for sharing your reviews, Jacqui!
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They’re very different. I don’t do many self-help (really, nothing works anymore), but I enjoyed Grace’s spiritual approach.
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Interesting reviews. Thanks, Jacqui.
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My pleasure! I thought I’d give readers a break from Westerns.
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But not for long. 😂
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Hehee
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These look like two good reads. Congrats to the authors on these great reviews. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jacqui 💕🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. I always shake my head over Chris’ fiction plotting. How does she come up with this stuff????
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing, Michael!
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You are welcome, Jacqui! xx Michael
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You’d choosen great books. Thanks for the reviews. I just stuck in my grammar lessons. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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Thanks, Michael!
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Thanks as well, Jacqui! Have a good week! xx Michael
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Thanks for sharing, Jacqui!
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My pleasure. Thanks for dropping by.
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nice one.
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They are! You are so right.
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The Spirit of the Shell Man sounds good. Thanks for the suggestion!
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I read the first and was really happy she added to it. Kudos to Chris!
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