Monthly Archives: May 2019

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

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Another St, Martin Press book I got approved to review through Netgalley from St. Martin Press! Goodness! I didn’t think I would be sent a copy…I am so behind on reviews. Its been tough focusing on reading lately but I am determined to get back on track. I started reading this one last night and although for me it didn’t start off with a bang, I’m curious about the story so far… -Stephanie M. Hopkins 

The Long CallPub Date 03 Sep 2019  

Description

From Ann Cleeves—bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes the first in a gripping new series.

“Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers.”—Louise Penny

In North Devon, where two rivers converge and run into the sea, Detective Matthew Venn stands outside the church as his father’s funeral takes place. Once loved and cherished, the day Matthew left the strict evangelical community he grew up in, he lost his family too.

Now, as he turns and walks away again, he receives a call from one of his team. A body has been found on the beach nearby: a man with a tattoo of an albatross on his neck, stabbed to death.

The case calls Matthew back into the community he thought he had left behind, as deadly secrets hidden at its heart are revealed, and his past and present collide.

An astonishing new novel told with compassion and searing insight, The Long Call will captivate fans of Vera and Shetland, as well as new readers.

 

Update: Daring Greatly

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Me IIThe other day ago I posted a blog post about Daring Greatly by Dr. Brené Brown and I shared that most of my self-help studies and inspirational living comes from the Bible. I continued to write, “That doesn’t mean that I dismiss what others have to say about how we live, human conditions, shame, courage and understanding of oneself. What I like most about Browns work is she gives us all something to connect too.” The statement I made has weighed on my mind ever since in several ways. One being that I am a Christian and the Bible-especially in Galatians-warns us against human works. Though Brown isn’t preaching the Gospel in her message, I couldn’t help but pause after I posted my blog post. I feel I spoke unwisely and in a secular manner. I still believe she is a good motivator speaker and has studied human conditions in-depth. I do not know her religious or spiritual views so I can not judge her in that context-if you will. 


Dr. Brené Brown gives us a lot of great advice and she argues that “Vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection.” She would be right but I would like to take it a step further and say that as Christians, we should put our trust in God to help us in all ways, study His word daily and pray. God gives us the tools to better ourselves in our daily walk with Him.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Daring Greatly

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I discovered Dr. Brené Brown on Netflix. As much as I love to read, I was surprised I had not heard of her work or motivational speeches before. Though I must confess most of my self-help studies and inspirational living comes from the Bible but that doesn’t mean that I dismiss what others have to say about how we live, human conditions, shame, courage, understanding of oneself and the understanding of others. What I like most about Browns work is she gives us all something to connect too. I would be surprised to hear if there was anyone out there who could not relate to her message. I would like to encourage you all to read her book and watch her talk-The Call to Courage-on Netflix.

I’ve been studying Roosevelt’s life of late and was pleasantly surprised when she quoted him. Brown went up another notch in my good opinion of her.

-Stephanie M Hopkins

Daring GreatlyAbout Daring Greatly:

Researcher and thought leader Dr. Brené Brown offers a powerful new vision that encourages us to dare greatly: to embrace vulnerability and imperfection, to live wholeheartedly, and to courageously engage in our lives.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” —Theodore Roosevelt

Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable, or to dare greatly. Whether the arena is a new relationship, an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.

In Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown challenges everything we think we know about vulnerability. Based on twelve years of research, she argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection. The book that Dr. Brown’s many fans have been waiting for, Daring Greatly will spark a new spirit of truth—and trust—in our organizations, families, schools, and communities.