The Greatest Secret | February Book Club

THE GREATEST SECRET

This February I’m encouraging all of my friends and listeners to take a deep breath, do some self-assessment, and before throwing every ounce of energy they have into something or someone, spend a little on yourself.

Author Rhonda Byrne

Women especially are proficient at taking care of the needs of others before taking care of themselves. Diet, exercise, and our spiritual health often fall by the wayside as we are looking after our family, friends, and work or societal responsibilities.

We need constant reminders to take time to pause, reflect, and fill our own cups so there is something left for everyone else. This is one.

My February Book Club pick, The Greatest Secret, by Rhonda Byrne may be just the volume you could use in your life right now:

“From Rhonda Byre, the author of the worldwide phenomenon, The Secret, comes the New York Times bestselling book, The Greatest Secret.

The Greatest Secret reveals the most profound discovery a human being can make. It IS possible to live a life of pure bliss and joy, totally free of negative feelings, and The Greatest Secret can show you how. This life-changing book is filled with accessible practices and profound revelations that take you on an incomparable journey. What discovery can possible be so life-changing?”

Find The Greatest Secret wherever books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold!

Let this month be the beautiful beginning of loving yourself enough to live your life happily and healthfully, by spending quality time with YOU, and let The Greatest Secret help you with that goal.

ORDER YOUR COPY

The 'Making It' Guide to Crafting | January Book Club

ORDER The ‘Making It’ Guide to Crafting

It looks like we're all going to be stuck at home for a while longer. Whether that's with or without extended family or with or without children, we need Something.To.Do.

Which is why I've chosen The ‘Making It’ Guide to Crafting for January’s Book Club read; with comedic duo, Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, as hosts.

The book is a complementary volume to the NBC show, Making It. Think,The Great British Baking Show, except with makers and doers. Contestants move through challenge after challenge until it comes down to the final competition, and only one goes away with the Maker's crown.

"With the all-star duo of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman leading the way with puns, advice, and good vibes, Making It became the competition series we didn’t know we needed, stealing our hearts and encouraging our most creative ideas.Tapping into that success, this well-rounded crafting guide will offer in-depth looks at some of the best DIY crafts that were featured on the show and inspired by the Makers themselves.

Introductions to woodworking, fiber arts, paper crafts, and more will enable readers to experiment and customize their own creations at home. And the projects are accessible to all skill levels, so you can get just as crafty as the Makers did. Drawing on the show’s hilarity, creativity, and overall positivity, this crafting guide will inspire and energize you to DIY whatever you put your mind to."

I'm hoping to inspire you to try something new, to get your hands and your hearts busy making, and craft your way into a healthy and happy new year!

Get your copy of The ‘Making It ‘ Guide to Crafting

Miracle Creek Christmas | December Book Club

BUY Miracle Creek Christmas

Every time I crack the cover on a new book, it’s like giving myself a gift. I love to pass that gift on to you, my book club readers, and this December, this magical season, I have a delightful story to share, Miracle Creek Christmas, by Krista Jensen.

I was immediately drawn to the title, thinking how appropriate it would be for this time of year, but even more delightful was discovering the story is set in the Wenatchee Valley of Washington State! That’s a day trip from my home outside of Seattle, and there is no more picturesque place or better setting for a winter romance as far as I’m concerned.

The theatrical little Bavarian town of Leavenworth is exactly as described in the book; simply a sight to behold, and a place I love to take my family and friends visiting from far away places! The author does a fabulous job of describing the area, and I felt myself grinning every time a little burg, like Cashmere, was mentioned. If you’ve never been to these places, you’ll feel like you have after you’ve read about them here.

But setting aside, it’s the characters that will pull you in. Riley Madigan is a twenty-something city girl trying to outrun heartache. She leaves the city life behind to become a high school art teacher in the remote little town of Miracle Creek. Expecting to find solitude in such a place, she’s not prepared when she meets Mark Rivers on the ‘off-the-beaten path.’ Mark is working to rebuild his life after the devastation of losing his best friend and fire-fighting partner in a wildfire a year earlier, in which he suffered severe burns himself. He’s trying to come to terms with his altered appearance and his altered life.

Each carry heartache and injury, guarding themselves against any additional sorrows. So “just friends” it will have to be, despite those inconvenient feelings they keep trying to deny (themselves as well as others.) Well-meaning family members, and not-so-well-meaning community characters, had me fearful these two might not ever come to their senses, but - spoiler alert - they finally do!

Love blossoms in the middle of winter at Miracle Creek, and I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, perhaps curled up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate, memories of when you last made a snow-angel in the back of your mind, while the lights on the tree twinkle in the corner…

ORDER "Miracle Creek Christmas”
(for you and all those who love a good romance)

Live Life Deliciously | November Book Club

Buy Live Life Deliciously

It’s fall, the tastiest time of year, and I’ve got a treat for all you foodies, holiday meal providers, and everyone who finds themselves in the position of putting dinner on the table every night!

Live Life Deliciously by Tara Teaspoon, is a large, sturdy, hardback cookbook that will stand up to the demands of new idea seekers, and the realities of a kitchen scene full of ingredients that often stray from their tidy confinements.

Subtitled,, “Recipes For Busy Weekdays & Leisurely Weekends”, I’d add to that “and great ideas for the holidays!”

It lets you in on some kitchen secrets for success, like an updated list of pantry staples, as well as kitchen essentials from pots & pans to parchment paper, and the convenience of mise en place. Novel appetizers and starters will have your family - and in ensuing years, your party guests - eagerly awaiting what’s next to come.

Pork Tenderloin with Adobo Lime Glaze

Some pages that are of keen interest to me, and I can’t wait to give a whirl, are the Roasted Cauliflower and Smoky Romesco veggie side, the Pork Tenderloin with Adobo Lime Glaze (Mmmmm), and the simplistic beauty of the Milling-Spice Christmas Tree Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Salads, dressings, and breakfast goodies are included too!

Give yourself the gift of Live Life Deliciously, and pick up copies for all your friends and family members who enjoy making new dishes or those who come home and stare into a fridge despairingly in the evenings.

It’s the season of abundance and Live Life Deliciously is FULL of all the good stuff needed to feed your family and your spirit. It’s been a long time since I’ve come across a cookbook I wanted to rave about, and this is it!

Order Live Life Deliciously

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown | October Book Club

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History is a funny thing. I often find that what's left out of the lesson plan can be even more powerful than what's left in. At least it's often more interesting. Perhaps the motivation for omitting such chapters is because the topic is just too uncomfortable to be spoken of, until times and attitudes change enough to learn, accept, and grow…

My book club pick for October, The Paper Daughters of Chinatown, is a powerful historical novel based on actual events, and is such a topic; covering the dark period and practice of trafficking young Chinese women in America in the late 1800's. 

Fake documents provided a means for illegal entry into the United States, and in this example, into San Fransisco's Chinatown, where the moniker "paper daughter" originated.  Once here, the woman had no legal identity and no means of escape. 

Thankfully, even true stories have heroes as well as villains, and it's the heroes that make this book a worthy and exciting read! Like those at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls, a bright spot in a landscape of bleakness...

"Told in alternating chapters, this rich narrative follows the stories of young Donaldina Cameron who works in the home, and Mei Lien, a “paper daughter” who thinks she is coming to America for an arranged marriage but instead is sold into a life of shame and despair.

Donaldina, a real-life pioneering advocate for social justice, bravely stands up to corrupt officials and violent gangs, helping to win freedom for thousands of Chinese women. Mei Lien endures heartbreak and betrayal in her search for hope, belonging, and love. Their stories merge in this gripping account of the courage and determination that helped shape a new course of women’s history in America."

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown, is a terrific historical read, timely, and a good reminder of how valiantly women have had to fight for their freedoms and equality, especially those in already marginalized populations.

It also reinforces a message I share from my heart often; bad things happen, yes, but the good is always near, waiting to spring forth from the shadows and triumph!

Get your copy HERE

Plan A Happy Life | September Book Club

ORDER - Plan A Happy LIfe

Some of us are natural planners and organizers. Some of us are not. I generally fall into the later category. But one thing I DO plan to be, despite the uncertainty of life, is happy! “Plan A Happy Life”, my book club pick for September is a beautiful guided journal that helps us to focus on joy.

The coronavirus pandemic brought panic and bedlam to us in March. All systems stop. No “new normal.” No normal at all, was our experience in the weeks and months to come. But here we are in September, and whatever obstacles are in our way, stuff still must get done, and our attitude about 2020 can filter into every part of our lives.

Doctor and dentist appointments must be made and kept; business meetings must be scheduled; for families with children, school (in whatever form it takes) must happen; and so on and so forth. Because the systems that had become ‘routine’ are no longer in place, planning is going to be an essential part of maintaining not only our happiness, but our sanity as well! 

While we can’t control a virus, politics, weather, or a million other things that affect our lives, one thing we CAN control is our mindset; and I’m going to plan to be happy!

With cheerful illustrations, colorful photography, and all the good stuff you need to know about maximizing your hours, Plan a Happy Life™ is a jumpstart to tackle an overloaded schedule and plan a happy and satisfying life.

Everyday life is busy, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming! The creators of the Happy Planner® know that a life bursting at the seams with meaning, fun, and work worth doing doesn't just happen: you have to plan for it.

Plan a Happy Life includes strategies, systems, and methods for permanently getting organized, prioritizing what's most important to you, and living intentionally. Here you'll find great ideas for:

• Celebrating the ordinary (dance party in the kitchen, anyone?)

• Discovering new ways to serve others (that will fit into a busy schedule)

• Finding your happy even on the tougher days

• Making the most effective lists (hint: it involves stickers)

• Filling your life with gratitude

• Controlling your calendar so you can live each day fully--and colorfully! (a step-by-step guide)

• And much more happy planning (seriously, you have to plan fun in your life!)

Make the most of your most valuable resource--time--and have a blast doing it with Plan a Happy Life.

Get planning with Plan A Happy Life!

Pioneering The Vote | August Book Club

We often hear tales of “How the West was won”, but my August book club pick is going to reverse that motto and tell you “How the East was won” (by a group of women from the West.) I’m talking about the suffrage movement and extending the right of voting to women in the United States.

Pioneering The Vote, the untold story of suffragists in Utah and the West, by Neylan McBain, is a little piece of history, timely revisited, as the 19th Amendment, passed by Congress June 4, 1919, was ratified on August 18, 1920 - 100 years ago this very month!

Guaranteeing women the right to vote was not an idea easily embraced, nor granted without much resistance, controversy, and derision. It took decades - nearly a century in fact - of work before the 1920 victory.

“Pioneering the Vote tells the remarkable, largely unknown story of the early suffrage victories that happened in states and territories in the American West, when the East was still decades away from the 19th Amendment. With the encouragement of the Eastern leaders, women from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho came together in a unique moment of friendship and unified purpose to secure the vote for women in America.”

Visit with Emmeline B. Wells, and friends Susan B. Anthony and Reverend Anna Howard Shaw at their gathering of more than 8,000 people from around the nation at the Rocky Mountain Suffrage Convention by picking up your copy of Pioneering The Vote - great for gift giving too!

Order your copy HERE
Also available on Audio Book

Laughing Through the Ugly Cry | July Book Club

To live, means to experience all things life brings to us. The gifts, the grief, the loves and losses. Making sense of it all, staying focused on the good, while accepting the bad… is a continuous balancing act and it’s no wonder that we get a little lost sometimes.

My July book club pick, Laughing Through The Ugly Cry and finding unstoppable JOY, by Dawn Barton, is a book that can help you find your way back to happy moments if you’ve been wandering in a forest of sadness.

Dawn and I have a lot in common (besides our fabulous hair!) Like me, Dawn is no stranger to strife and sorrow, and yet, she willfully, purposely, chooses joy. Her bright and colorful book reflects the very essence of Dawn and in it she lets you in on how you too can get through the unimaginable and find yourself in a place of peace and happiness.

Laughing Through The Ugly Cry, is full of Dawn’s honest and sometimes raw stories. It tell us how she was able to change her narrative to that of gratitude and find her way back to a God whom she’d loved her entire life, but had not worked on her relationship with in a purposeful way before; it’s a primer on how to choose Joy.

Bright and beautifully bound with a pink satin page marker, the book also includes some great conversation starters - which is why it makes a perfect book club pick! Get a copy for yourself, and give it as a gift!

Listen to a snippet of the audio version, HERE

and, Order a copy from Amazon, HERE

 

Promised | June Book Club

Buy Promised

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Or so thought Margaret after she gave her heart to someone only to have it broken. She vowed this would never happen again.

Promised, by Leah Garriott, my June Book Club pick, is another delightful period-piece romance, set in Warwickshire, England, in the year 1812. It’s in the same collection that gave us Lakeshire Park, in March, Proper Romance®.

Margaret Brinton believes she’s devised an effective plan; marry someone that would mollify those whom demand a match, but choose a suitor that does not incite any real feelings, and thus protect her heart from further injury. But the plan goes awry and Margaret finds that her father has already promised her to a man that does, in fact, rouse some strong emotion in her - loathing…

This is the kind of romance fans of Jane Austen will embrace. It has memorable characters, plenty of plot twists, and is rich with historical detail. I’m going to love putting Promised, and Margaret Brinton in the hands of my young teenaged girls, and then watch the emotions cross their faces with each twist and turn, as the story unfolds before them.

Order Your Copy of Promised

Her Mother’s Hope & Her Daughter’s Dream | May Book Club

For the month of May, I have a special treat for my book club readers, a hefty pair of books, well-researched and rich in history and content, tracing four generations of women; Her Mother’s Hope & Her Daughter’s Dream, by Francine Rivers.

Born in Switzerland at the turn of the century, matriarch Marta Schneider Waltert is strong, capable, and fiercely independent (perhaps to her detriment at times). Her story begins at the hearthside of her family of origin with a kind, but sickly and subservient mother, a handsome older brother, and a beautiful but incapable younger sister. The lion’s share of work—as well as the scorn and abuse of her domineering and drunken father—often falls to middle child, plain Marta.

You’ll want to come along on the journey that takes Marta first to Germany, then France, and on to London before an ocean voyage deposits her as a lone female emigrant on Canada’s shores just before the first World War. And as she, her husband, and three small children, travel to the farming epicenter of California’s Central Valley, where this band of outsiders build their forever lives. Her struggles help to shape her into a wise and resilient woman, but no one would describe her as a tender mother, least of all her own middle child, Hildemara (Hildie).

Her Mother’s Hope, the first of the two books, ends with Marta, older and widowed, recognizing that she has been unduly harsh on Hildie, which she’s justified because she believed a terrible fate might have befallen her frail daughter if tough love weren’t employed early and often.

Her Daughter’s Dream picks up where the first story leaves off. . . Hildie is married with two children of her own and unwittingly repeating some of the same parenting patterns that left her wondering if she was ever loved by her mother. Her daughter, Carolyn, suffers abuse by a neighbor when she’s a young girl, and fear and shame cause her to keep the dark secret. We feel the years pass, and the rifts between generations widen.

The Vietnam War exacts its toll on this family as they lose a son to the conflict and Carolyn to her inner demons. Returning home from the stupors of Haight-Ashbury and months of homelessness, her parents are first relieved, then pained anew when Carolyn realizes she’s pregnant. Her baby, May Flower Dawn, is a salvation, but Hildie and Carolyn are locked in a battle for the little girl’s affections from the beginning, each misunderstanding the other just as Hildemara and Marta had.

One might wonder if history is indeed doomed to repeat itself despite everyone’s best effort, until Dawn herself is poised to become a mother. Bringing her child into the world isn’t her only mission; she’s determined to open up the old wounds in her family so that this time they may heal properly.

Through it all, the years, the experiences, the hopes and hardships, it is faith to which these women tether their stars, and it is He who guides them to truth and understanding.

From the publisher: This is a story about the foundational and often-challenging relationships between mothers, daughters, and grandchildren, and the best gifts we hope to leave behind. It is a story that will resonate across generations of readers who will likely recognize a piece of themselves in one of the four women. Marta’s legacy is one of faith and love passed down by a woman who heard from her own mother about God’s good plans for her future. Her story—and one that also becomes her daughter’s, granddaughter’s, and great-granddaughter’s—is a legacy of resilience: of moving past physical and emotional abuse, of overcoming loss and achieving prosperity, and of surviving in the face of war and cultural upheaval. It is an encouragement to mothers and daughters to never give up on the effort to love each other. It is also about the tenacious love of family and the hope that God can be trusted with our lives in every generation.

Many of us have a little more time on our hands than usual these days, and I wasn’t exaggerating when I said these are hefty books. They are not a light or simple read, but hearty in prose and not lacking in meaningful details and descriptions so exquisite, it’s easy to close your eyes for a moment and be transported to the Swiss Alps, the Royal Kew Gardens, the boughs of an almond tree in full bloom . . .

Take a long and lovely journey without ever leaving your home in Her Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream; perfect Mother’s Day gifts as well!

Order Both Today!

Her Mother’s Hope Her Daughter’s Dream

DAWGS | April Book Club

by Diane Trull
with Meredith Wargo

Order your copy of DAWGS

We’ve all seen them, the cardboard boxes outside grocery stores and gas stations, filled with a litter of puppies… and we’ve all felt the tug. But most of us find a way to talk ourselves down from the impulse to arrive home from our errand with a new family pet (or pets!) Usually I do too - but not always - I‘m a sucker for a puppy or a matted stray in need of a loving home, and my family does little more than raise an eyebrow when another “Buddy” or “Lobo” or “Scaredy Cat” join the circus at the farm…

My book club pick for April was born of a scene just like the one I described above. You’ll get the history, and many touching vignettes, on the special animals and special people of DAWGS, by Diane Trull. It’s the story of how a 4th grade reading class, called to action by a newspaper photo of a box of puppies in need of homes, started an animal shelter in their town of Dalhart, Texas.

I’m not kidding, that’s exactly how it happened. Ms. Trull was working with one student on reading aloud skills, when she was repeatedly interrupted by a group of other students who had a LOT of questions about this picture. “Where did the puppies come from?” “Who’s going to take care of them?” (And the big one…) “What happens to them if they don’t find families???”

And that is how the Dalhart Animal Wellness Group and Sanctuary - DAWGS - was born! But I’m not going to tell you anymore, because Diana Trull already has! When you get your copy, you’ll hear all about that day at Allyn Finch Intermediate School, and the weeks, months, and challenges she and the students faced to make their mission of helping every animal find it’s way home.

If you have a heart for animals, you will absolutely LOVE this book! It is the perfect example of how a 4th grade teacher, her husband and family, and an amazing group of grade schoolers leveraged their passion, knowledge, skills and talents to change the world one heart at at time! And it provides so much inspiration for you to do the same!

Join this ambitious group of 2-legged care-givers and their 4-legged clients, such as Princess Mitzy - the Pekinese, Sweetpea - the miniature Pinscher, Stewie - the tiny Tuxedo cat, and many others on their journeys to forever homes and an ever-widening circle of love.

DAWGS is on sale now, just when we need some uplifting stories to help us through a difficult time!

Get your copy HERE

Lakeshire Park | March Book Club

Order Lakeshire Park

The month of March just came striding in, bringing with it the first tender shoots of a green spring. And nothing goes hand-in-hand with spring better than romance…

Lakeshire Park, by Megan Walker, is my book pick for this month. It’s a lovely little romance set in Brighton, England, in the year 1820.

Two sisters, Amelia and Clara Moore are about to find themselves without means or home… so what’s a girl to do back then but conjure a white knight - or at least a suitable bachelor - to sweep her off her feet and into stable circumstances?

If only it were that easy!

Join the sisters on their quest while rooting not only for them to find a roof over their head but, (dare we suggest it?) loving partners as well!

Here’s what the publishers have to say about the PROPER ROMANCE ® line:

These books don’t have sex, swearing or graphic violence. They are ‘books your grandma would read.’

Step into a world of clean, smart, and engaging romance stories with a strong, relatable heroine and a devastatingly handsome hero! Our series seeks to tell stories filled with intrigue, flirtation, and that much anticipated kiss that will never embarrass the reader. These stories feature wonderful characters, obstacles to overcome, and happy endings. 

I loved reading romance novels when I was young, and I’m glad my girls can pick up a book like Lakeshire Park, and enjoy the historical details, the interesting characters, and the “happily ever after’s” without being subjected to much of the graphic nonsense that’s floating around out there these days.

Just to make sure, I’ll give them a read myself, perhaps with a picnic, on a blanket spread under a tree full of cherry blossoms… Ah, romance!

Lakeshire Park, the 30th book in the Proper Romance line, is available now!

Get your copy HERE.

Lionheart | February Book Club

by David Francisco Platillero

Get Lionheart

About a year ago, I ran across one of the most touching videos on Facebook… it was a wedding proposal in the sweetest of settings, a wooded area with sparkling twinkly lights, and two of the most beautifully earnest people who were obviously over-the-moon in love. The man walked with the aid of forearm crutches, before getting to his knees, and from the second she realized what was unfolding, the woman was crying…

Watch the proposal video

Fast forward to an email I received a few weeks back telling me that the man kneeling in that video had written a book and recorded a music CD chronicling his journey - their journey - of “love, forgiveness, and the power of music.”

David Francisco Platillero is his name, and the first 24 years of his life read a bit like an American fairy tale; a happy, smart, and capable kid growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee with a loving, supportive family.

Involved in church, school, and music, and very very active, David went on to college and got a degree in electrical engineering, but soon decided that music, and music production, was where his heart and his passion lie. So in April of 2016, he packed up a few belongings and headed to Nashville where he’d enrolled in The Blackbird Academy (Owned by John and Martina McBride) to become the best music producer he could be.

23 days later the world David knew stopped. He was hit while riding his bicycle by a distracted driver, gravely injured, and told he would never walk again.

On February 14, 2020 his book, Lionheart, and the accompanying CD will be released. (I got an advanced copy!) Chapter by chapter, David recounts the days after the accident. Lionheart is an eloquent self-portrait of the talented musical artist that captures the pain, the progress the lessons, the love, and the miracles that define David’s new life.

By no coincidence, the chapters and song titles match, and David’s recommendation is that you read a chapter and then listen to the corresponding song for the story to be an experiential one for you, the reader, as well as for him, the writer. “Lionheart is a book. Lionheart is a CD. Lionheart is a movement that aims to empower people to find purpose.”

David and his bride, Kristi, joined me recently on LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah to record a podcast, which will drop a little later this month. Get the book and the music CD before that happens and then make sure to listen in! The story will amaze and inspire you and his music is so so good!!!!

Find it all at DavidFranciscoMusic.com!

Work in Progress | January Book Club

Work In Progress

Are you living your life by design or by default? That’s the question my January Book Club pick, Work In Progress, begs.

I’ve often told the story of how I was fired from one radio job after another before finally landing in the role I’ve had since 2002; Nationally syndicated radio personality and owner of my own production company. Oh, my friends, there is soooo much truth in the axiom, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” I’m a stronger, more confident, and much more successful person that I would have been had I stayed in one of those earlier, low-paying, single market jobs.

Work In Progress, is another story of failure leading to success, this one told by a sibling duo originally from suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now known as the king and queen of eclectic-design chic with their own HGTV show.

Leanne Ford and Steve Ford were born with creative spirits that manifest themselves in unique and unexpected ways. Their design aesthetics weren’t always embraced by mainstream, but by allowing their inner voices to guide them, and by never giving up, and never letting fear get in the way of a great idea, they too fell upon the perfect platform for their passions and abilities.

So what’s this book going to do for you? Well, Leanne and Steve want to know what makes you feel most ALIVE?! And once you’ve answered that question, they want you to take that passion and use it to see your dreams become your realities. They hope that by not only sharing their story, but also a few secrets, and some tried and true processes, they can help you navigate the many mine-fields that growth and success place in your path, and help you to realize the big-picture plan for your life.

As they see it, life is a creative process and at the end of each chapter, Leanne and Steve will ask questions to help you design an extraordinary life. Because, it's NEVER too late to pursue your next dream!

Pick up Work In Progress HERE

Nerves of Steel | December Book Club

NERVES OF STEEL

Like me, when hearing stories that involve amazing feats of incredible strength, character and composure, you probably ask yourself, “How were they able to DO that?!” and, “Would I have been able to do it?”

And, like me, you’ve probably heard the story of Southwest Airlines Flight #1380, when on April 17, 2018, a Boeing 737 experienced catastrophic engine failure causing an explosion that severed hydraulic and fuel lines, tore away sections of the plane, punctured a window, and took a woman’s life…

Were those your questions about Captain Tammie Jo Shults, and her first officer, Darren Ellisor, who were able to somehow stabilize the aircraft and safely land, saving 148 people aboard? They were certainly a few of mine!

Nerves of Steel, my December pick for the Delilah’s Book Club is going to provide the answers and so much more!

This is Tammie Jo’s story; the daughter of a humble rancher who became one of the Navy’s first female F/A-18 Hornet fighter pilots. The book will tell you how she became a flight instructor, and after leaving the Navy, a commercial airline pilot, and how she developed the skill set, along with the thick skin and the self assurance needed to persevere through the many obstacles and set-backs she faced before that fateful April day.

When you’ve had THOSE questions answered, you’ll know just what kind of person, and what kind of pilot she is, and you’ll have a much better idea of the internal power she was able to draw from to get that plane under control and back on the ground without any additional lives lost

At no point in her life or her career was Tammie Jo promised success. In fact, she faced opposition at every turn. But she only allowed that to fuel her desire to succeed. And so, 20 minutes into a routine domestic flight (that she wasn’t even originally scheduled be on, ) when everything went terribly terribly wrong, Tammi Jo Shults was the very thing necessary to set all to rights.

In her mind (and mine!) there is no doubt that God prepared her and placed her where she needed to be that day. Nerves of Steel is one of those books that seems to come along just when you need it; when you might be questioning yourself or your path. It’s the remarkably inspiring story of a remarkably inspiring woman, who reminds us that we all have a greater purpose than perhaps we are even aware of.

(It would be an inspiring read to find wrapped and under the tree come Christmas morning!)

Find your copy HERE

My 12 Stockings of Christmas 2019!

Sleigh bells in the air… Beauty everywhere… Yuletide by the fireside…
And joyful memories there… Christmas time is HERE!

And so is my 12 Stockings of Christmas Sweepstakes !!! Yes, it’s that time again, when I pull my 12 giant stockings out of storage, shake out the moth balls, and start stuffing them with incredible products and prizes I’ve gathered the year-through!

Remember how this works? From November 29th through December 19th, you should be listening to my evening radio program (go HERE to find out where to listen!) because on specific days, I’ll mention an item or product I’ve fallen in love with and want to share with you!

When you hear the on-air mention, you’ll either text the keyword to 48484 or you’ll go to my ENTRY PAGE and enter to win one of the 12 stuffed stocking’s up for grabs! There will be 12 days of entry opportunities and I’ll give away 12 packages!

Enter as often as you wish! Text 48484, or,
go to my 12 Stockings of Christmas ENTRY PAGE!

To make it super easy on you, I’m even giving you a comprehensive list of the items and the day each will be featured on my radio show, check out all these amazing items!

November 29th
BALSAM HILL - $100 Gift Voucher
Keyword: HILL or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

Balsam Hill has been the leading retailer of highly realistic artificial Christmas trees and my GO TO holiday décor for over a decade, and do I LOVE their products! They’re one of my favorite 12 Stockings participants and I’m bringing them back to the sweepstakes this year!

You will find their beautiful décor all over the Hallmark Channel sets, as well as all over my radio production studios; signature Christmas trees, elegant ornament sets, flickering flameless candles, fantastic fall displays, and a gorgeous spring floral line. My studio always looks amazing with Balsam Hill décor!

Balsam Hill have been consistent supporters of my foundation, Point Hope, and I’m so very grateful. For beautiful holiday décor and gifts, you owe it to yourself to visit Balsamhill.com. Shopping for the perfect Christmas and seasonal décor is just a click away! 

BALSAM HILL

December 2nd
LITTLE PASSPORTS - 12-MONTH MEMBERSHIP
Keyword: LITTLE or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

If you have an adventurous child with a curious mind, they'll love Little Passports; a fun, award-winning monthly subscription service for kids. I got one for Delilah Jr., and she loved it, so I decided to add it to my 12 Stockings of Christmas Sweepstakes.

Every month a new kit is delivered to your door, addressed to your child - they LOVE getting their own package in the mail! It’s filled with hands-on projects and souvenirs -- all designed to spark your child's curiosity in geography, natural sciences, different cultures, and the world around them. Solve a real-world mystery with DNA, build a 3D model of Big Ben, and explore many more fun and immersive activities! 

Little Passports is the perfect holiday gift for that curious kid on your list! Find special holiday offers and order today.

 LITTLE PASSPORTS

December 3rd
for KING & COUNTRY - Burn the Ships & Christmas | Live from Phoenix, CD’s
Keyword: KING or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

Maybe you’ve heard for KING & COUNTRY played on my radio program? You’ve told me how much you love their music and how breathtaking they are to experience in concert. Lucky you, because I’m adding autographed copies of their updated Christmas album, Christmas | Live from Phoenix, to my 12 Stockings of Christmas Sweepstakes.

for KING & COUNTRY have been on tour all year long to sold out arenas, and recently performed their cross-over hit, God Only Knows at the CMA’s with Ms. Dolly Parton! This live album is truly a wonderful Christmas gift.

Their music is both uplifting and spiritual, singing about the reason for the season. They have the MOST amazing version of The Little Drummer Boy and I am so excited to share them with you. This music will touch your heart and put joy into your holiday season. Check out their music and tour schedule at the link below.

for KING & COUNTRY

December 4th
PEACHSKINSHEETS - One Sheet Set
Keyword: PEACH or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

I discovered this soft-as-silk product last year and gifted them to just about everyone I know. Want the PERFECT holiday gift? Give them The Original PeachSkinSheets®. I wanted to share them with you and add them to my 12 Stocking of Christmas Sweepstakes. They are wonderful and keep you comfortable all night long. They won't change body chemistry of course, but they will help keep hot sleeper’s cooler, drier, and more comfortable during the night (Heaven sent for women in a certain stage of life!) They start as low as $65 for a complete sheet set, even king size!   

Made from a breathable, athletic grade, performance SMART fabric that wicks away moisture and dries super-fast. PeachskinSheets are ultra-soft, pill-resistant bed sheets that also have a luxurious 1,500 Thread Count level. I just love mine; they come in every color you can imagine. Purchase with confidence under the 30-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee! You don’t have to leave home and you just might even want to order a pair for yourself.  Put the give of luxury under the tree this Christmas.  

PEACHSKINSHEETS

December 6th
PENTATONIX - The Best of Pentatonix Christmas CD
Keyword: BESTOF or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

I’m welcoming back one of my all-time FAVORITE groups to my 12 Stockings of Christmas, the Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum selling Pentatonix. Their new holiday-themed best-of album, The Best Of Pentatonix Christmas features four new songs in addition to 15 of the quintet's biggest and best-selling hits from their amazing Christmas catalogue. It also includes a special version of Do You Hear What I Hear with the magic of Whitney Houston. Other guests include Jazmine Sullivan, Tori Kelly, Kelly Clarkson, Maren Morris and Jennifer Hudson. Alongside the album, Pentatonix also revealed the stunning music video for the Beach Boy’s standard, God Only Knows, a must watch!

This holiday season, Pentatonix will be on tour with 16 new dates, kicking off with two shows in New York City on November 30th, and December 1st. If they’re coming to your town, I promise it is a show not to be missed. For more information and to purchase tickets for any of Pentatonix shows go HERE.

You’ll want to get a few copies of The Best of Pentatonix Christmas to share with family and friends.

BEST OF PENTATONIX CHRISTMAS

December 9th
PEDIPOCKET - Plush throw with foot pocket
Keyword: PEDI, PETI, or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s not your average throw! I am talking about the PEDIPOCKET THROW. Finally, a throw blanket that does it all! PediPocket is a six foot length of plush fleece with a deep foot pocket that is conically shaped to mirror your body's natural form and keep your feet cozy all year round. It’s just the thing for cuddling on the couch or traveling (as a passenger!), and the perfect accessory for every dorm room.

Machine washable and dryer friendly, they’re super easy to care for and a wonderful, affordable Christmas gift for everyone on your list because they come in three different sizes! You’ll find all kinds of prints and colors on their web site. Keep your family warm and cozy this holiday season and all year round, and don’t forget to order one for yourself!

PEDIPOCKET THROW

December 10th
ALEX and ALI JEWLREY
Keyword: ALEX, ALIX or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

I’m welcoming a fun new sponsor to my 12 Stockings of Christmas Sweepstakes this year, Alex and Ani . If you’ve never been to their website, STOP everything you’re doing and click HERE to see all the wonderful gift ideas they have this holiday season. My daughters and I love their jewelry because they have something for everyone.

Alex and Ani are a jewelry company with a unique mission; founded in 2004, they’re a humanitarian company that designs meaningful, eco-conscious jewelry. Their vision is to connect the wearers to a greater purpose. In just six years, the company has donated more than $46 million to non-profits worldwide.

Their symbolic designs include charm bangle bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and an abundance of all things shiny and bright as well as deeply meaningful. Disney, The Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter are also represented in their collection, making Alex and Ani jewelry perfect for stuffing every stocking. Give someone a gift with special meaning this Christmas.

ALEX and ALI

December 11th
GRAVITY BLANKET - You personal Gravity Blanket
Keyword: BLANKET or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

Let me introduce you to something I’ve just discovered, the Gravity Blanket. Are you hosting relatives, cooking over-the-top meals, spending hours shopping for gifts, and feeling that holiday stress? You need a Gravity Blanket! It’s a weighted blanket that’s designed to help improve sleep and decrease stress and anxiety.

I gave one to my daughter, Shaylah - baby Rosalie’s mama - and she loves it. A Gravity Blanket is the best gift you can give someone who deserves some rest and relaxation this holiday season and all year through.

Buy yours today and use the promo code ‘DELILAH’ for 15% savings. 

GRAVITY BLANKETS

December 12th 
KACEY MUSGRAVE: A Very Kacey Christmas, autographed CD
Keyword: CHRISTMAS or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

I love welcoming new artists to my 12 Stockings, especially artists with as much style and uniqueness as Kacey Musgraves and her A Very Kacey Christmas CD! It’s a mixture of many musical styles including, jazz, blues, country and a bit of 40’s and 50’s nostalgia. Kacey says she was, ”inspired by the iconic Bing Crosby and the wonderful Andrews Sisters,” aren’t we lucky?!

The album features Kacey originals, including, Present Without a Bow, and some old Christmas favorites like the silly I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas, as well as the melodious Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Kacey brings her Grammy award winning versatile style to A Very Kacey Christmas filled with songs everyone on your Christmas list will LOVE.

Get an inside peek by watching the video of What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? . Everyone should have a little Kacey under the tree their Christmas this year!

A VERY KACEY CHRISTMAS

December 16th
SALONTECH SPINSTYLE
Keyword: PERFECT or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

I fell in love with the Spinstyle  a few years ago and it’s still my favorite styling tool! SalonTech’s patented Technology Curl Dial works like an extra set of hands to pick up, separate, and guide hair around the barrel, creating fast, easy, and tangle free curls with one hand. (Make sure the hair isn’t tangled before beginning!) Create tight bouncy curls to loose, voluptuous, beachy waves at the touch of a button, in half the time of a regular curling iron!

I do my hair in the morning and I am set until late in the evening! I have one for home and one for travel and all my daughters have one too.  It’s the perfect holiday gift for the stylista on your list.  My listeners will receive an exclusive, special offer when ordering; just be sure and use promo code PERFECT.   . 

SPINSTYLE

December 17th
MY BOOK: ONE HEART AT A TIME, autographed copy
Keyword: HEART or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

If you’ve tuned in to the show lately, you know I’ve written a book, One Heart At A Time. It was a true labor of love, and became even more so after the loss of my beloved son, Zachariah. The world is facing some trying times and many feel disconnected and lonelier than ever before. How do we change it? One. Heart. At. A. Time.

I’ve included an autographed copy in each of my 12 Stockings this year with the hope that you will enjoy it and it will inspire you to reach out and help me change the world. All we need is love and a heart that is willing to serve.

ONE HEART AT A TIME

December 19th
ALMOND ROCA
Keyword: ROCA, ROKA or STOCKING

12 Stockings Entry Page

My 12 Stockings of Christmas just aren’t complete until I’ve added my favorite candy, Almond ROCA. This delicious treat brings back the fondest childhood memories of Christmas’ past, and I love giving, and getting into, those pink tins all year long!

Brown and Haley make every batch of ROCA with rich creamy butter, California almonds, and the best quality chocolate! Choose from Almond, Cashew, Dark Chocolate, Sea Salt Caramel, Peppermint, and Mocha ROCA. SO YUMMY!! They have something for EVERYONE (Even nut-free options for those with allergies like my daughter!)

This holiday season, whether looking for gifts for your office party, your child’s favorite teacher, or sweet treat for yourself, remember, every stocking should be filled with Almond ROCA on Christmas morning. Visit them online or find them at local retailers. 

ALMOND ROCA

Good luck everyone!

A Snowy Little Christmas | November Book Club

The holidays are coming! The holidays are coming! And what better way to greet them than with a sweet collection of Christmas romances?!

Get A Snowy Little Christmas

My November Book Club choice, A Snowy Little Christmas, is a trio of short stories by beloved authors, Fern Michaels, Tara Sheets, and Kate Clayborn; each easy little read comes with more than a touch of romance, a dusting of snow, and a sprinkling of Christmas magic…

STARRY NIGHT by Fern Michaels

The first in the series, Starry Night, is the kind of delightful treat we’ve come to expect from Michaels (The main character seems vaguely familiar to me…) As the host of a radio program for the lovelorn, Jessie Richmond is surprisingly lonely, especially with the holidays approaching, so she decides to make a trek to her uncle’s bookstore in rural New York state and hold a speed dating event—only to find herself snowed in—with one very special single on her radar.

MISTLETOE AND MIMOSAS by Tara Sheets

And from Sheets, the story of a successful woman who has accomplished many goals and THINKS she’s got it all in Mistletoe and Mimosas… After years of hard work, real estate agent Layla Gentry has her dream home on Pine Cove Island and perfectly content to be on her own. Until her childhood nemesis, Sebastian, comes to town that is! When a snowstorm and a stranded kitten bring them together on Christmas Eve, Layla discovers he’s all grown up—and she may have one more dream left . . .

MISSING CHRISTMAS by Kate Clayborn

The finale, from Clayborn, Missing Christmas shows us that we often find love where we least expect it. It’s all work and no play for two longtime friends-turned-business-partners Kristen and Jasper—until an unexpected kiss all of a sudden makes things very personal. Will it mean the end of something, or the beginning? With a major contract in the balance, Christmas around the corner, and a lot of unspoken feelings, it may take an unpredictable blizzard in New England to seal the deal . . .

So find yourself a cozy reading nook, a cup of hot tea, and a little time to curl up and immerse yourself in some warm and fuzzy Christmas feel-good stories with A Snowy Little Christmas!

Buy A Snowy Little Christmas

Incredibull STELLA | October Book Club

Buy Incredibull STELLA

Unconditional love is life-changing and life-saving. My book club pick for October, Incredibull STELLA, by Marika Meeks and Elizabeth Ridley, is the story of just such a love between a woman struggling to find her way back to joy and a rescue pup that will show her the path.

Marika Meeks, a busy, active entrepreneur, wife and mom, was struggling after recovering from extensive treatments to battle Stage 3 breast cancer, which involved a long extended stay from her family; husband Brian, and her two teenaged girls.

Although the treatments had been deemed a “success” and Marika was now cancer free, she felt as though the experience had robbed her of her vital essence. Fatigued physically and mentally, and feeling an emotional strain between her husband and children, Marika wondered if she’d ever be whole again!

Marika and Stella, all smiles!

Years before, Marika had wanted a dog, but she’d had three less than positive experiences. The pups she’d adopted and tried to embrace as family members had behavioral issues that neither her or her first husband were able to correct or live with. When she agreed to marry her second husband, Brian, one of his conditions was that they would not have dogs… so why were her thoughts returning over and over again to having a canine companion?

Would she have to convince Brian? Would her request put added stress on a marriage that had already endured so much throughout her diagnosis and treatment? As it turns out, not so much. Brian was committed to Marika and seeing her enthused about something - even pet adoption - made him want to support her.

There were a few rocky starts to finding the perfect companion. Marika fell in love a few times only to find out the mutts that had won her heart were not available for adoption, but then in walked “Shirley” a pup that had been abandoned along a dessert road-side. Upon first meeting, this little girl rolled over on her back and begged for a belly-rub. It was pretty much love at first site for Marika, and it wasn’t long before Shirley had won over Brian and the girls.

Shirley, of course, became Stella, and over her happy countenance, puppy high-jinx, and overall lovable character, this family re-bonded, and Marika regained meaning and purpose in her life.

I’ve always loved dogs and especially my rescue mutts that make the farm a furry and friendly place. Many a sad moment have I clutched and cried into a beloved’s fur and received nothing but pure, nonjudgemental love in return. I’m so glad Marika was able to find her spirit once again through Stella’s love.

This is a fantastic book and I think that any reader will become a fan of Stella, Marika, and their family, but I think you’ll especially love it if you’re a dog-nut like me!

Pick up your copy of Incredibull STELLA HERE 

I also have a nice big stack of Incredibull STELLA books to give away! Want one? Just send me a note, I’ll mail a copy to the first emails to hit my in-box until they’re gone!

Boss Up! | September Book Club

BUY Boss Up!

It’s September, the kids are headed back to the classroom, and you… you have been wanting to do something more. You’ve got a business idea, a skill, a talent, a creative itch you’ve been wanting to scratch, but you’re overwhelmed, or apprehensive, or (ugh!) even a bit guilty for wanting to do more than endless loads of laundry and dirty dishes…

My September Book Club pick is for you! Boss Up! by stay-at-home mom turned multimillion-dollar-producing business owner Lindsay Teague Moreno is going to give you all the guidance you need to turn your dreams and passions into a fulfilling, flexible, profitable business!

Lindsay doesn’t just have a passion for entrepreneurship. She has a deep passion for helping women of all walks of life gain the confidence and skills to tap into their ambition and achieve success in their own business endeavors.

I hope one of the things you’ve picked up from listening to me over the years, is that I support you in whatever decisions you make about your life. I’ve know full-time stay-at-home parents that are extremely satisfied with their choices, and very fulfilled in their roles. If this is you, hooray! For those that don’t feel this way, or perhaps not as much so as they’d like, I 100% support your right to change things up a bit.

I have been blessed to have a career that I am so passionate about, it doesn’t really feel like work. I’d love everyone to be able to say that! Lindsay’s message is the same, that’s why she wrote Boss Up! to help you gain the confidence you need to lean into your dreams and desires and create the life you want for yourself.

She shares her tools for change with us, using the lessons she learned on her own path to success; real, solid business principles with ten distinct success philosophies that you will encounter on the journey to entrepreneurship, such as:

• Think Long Term
• Be Unapologetically Yourself
• Use the Un-sales Tactic
• Understand Your “Why”
• And many more

Ladies, (and gentlemen) you have the power within yourselves to be whatever it is that you want to be! Think of your children and the kind of life you want them to live, you don’t want them to be limited by someone else’s idea of what they “need” to do. Boss Up! is a fantastic guide to tell you how to get where you want to go, finding fulfillment in your life, being positive role model for your children, and providing your family with financial benefits. THAT’S why I chose it for my book club this month!

Give it a read and tell me what you think!

Pick up your copy of Boss Up! HERE

You can also listen to the Boss Up! Podcast!

Northern Lights | August Book Club

It’s almost football season - or so all the football displays in the big box stores tell me… I don’t usually follow the sport on a professional level, but I was right there in the bleachers all those Friday and Saturday nights in Junior High and High School, cheering on my home team!

Buy link: Northern Lights

My August book pick, Northern Lights, is more about that variety of football - the kind so many of us can relate to, and the really positive influence school athletics have on raising strong kids.

The author, Cathy Parker, is a life-long sports fan, who married a former professional football player, and went on to bring up four student athletes. She’s experienced both the highs and lows of sporting and knows the challenges that come with committing one’s self to a team - it doesn’t just affect the individual, but the entire family.

She’s so very passionate about promoting student athletics that she founded Athletes to Champions, their mission, as shared on their web site is to “Help kids build character, learn discipline and value respect through sports.”  But the story of Northern Lights, is about some very specific athletes, so far removed from Parker’s intimate sphere, that it’s rather amazing a connection was ever formed..

After watching a documentary about a high school football team who played on a gravel field (often the cause of injury) in a town called Barrow, Alaska, Parker spearheaded a fundraising campaign to bring the players to Jacksonville, Fla., her home town, so that they could train.

Afterward, she started campaigning for the creation of a more modern field in Barrow, which is located within the Arctic Circle! Layers of permafrost posed an almost unsurmountable obstacle, and Parker had her work cut out for her!

Her book talks about the many many logistical nightmares involved in this undertaking, and how she grew in character and faith throughout the process. There is a LOT of distance between Jacksonville, Florida and Barrow, Alaska… this story is about bridging that distance through friendships, alliances, and determination and full of touching moments that make you feel as though you’re a part of the effort.

Although this particular game is over, reading Northern Lights, is much like watching it on replay. Cheer Parker and her supporters on from the sidelines all the way to the final scoring touchdown!

I love Cathy’s story, and Cathy herself. One more person who followed the whisper in her heart and made a difference in our world.

Pick up your copy of Northern Lights right HERE.