Book Reviews | Julie Saffrin

Forgotten Past interview with author Mary Alford

June 4, 2014 • Julie Saffrin • 4 Comments

One of my intents at Saffrin & Company is to make connections with people who are amazing inspirers. Mary Alford is one such person. Her first published suspense book, Forgotten Past, just released this first week of June 2014. She has graciously offered to give away a book through a random drawing to someone who leaves a comment or question for Mary at juliesaffrin.com. Mary and I have a mutual interest in suspense writers. Prolific and early women suspense writers such as Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt served as Mary’s inspiration to keep working to make her publishing dreams become real. Today…

Book Review of Joy DeKok’s novel, Between the Lies

April 26, 2014 • Julie Saffrin • 4 Comments

Between the Lies book cover | https://juliesaffrin.com

Today’s guest is Joy DeKok, author of Between the Lies, her newest and first suspense novel. Joy is the author of nine books, including non-fiction, fiction and children’s books. April 26 and 27, the e-book of this novel will be on sale for $2.99. On her Amazon author page she tells why she loves to write, “. . . over time . . . the words meshed with an equally important component: writing FOR others – to entertain and encourage; to touch and maybe even teach. It’s the writing FOR that gets me past all the excuses, fears, and distractions. The love of…

Raise a glass to “Savor” and the Fredrickson Winery series

October 10, 2013 • Julie Saffrin • 1 Comment

fredricksonwinery | https://juliesaffrin.com

I’ve known a few people with mirthful eyes. Their “windows to the soul” express joie de vivre as do the merry wrinkles that surround them. Though those with happy eyes have circumstances too, they choose to live with a bounce in every step. Being in their presence is to experience a mood-altering drug of joy. Their clever turns-of-phrase and jokes bring them as much pleasure in the telling as in the sharing. Author Barbara Ellen Brink has mirthful eyes, and, lucky for her readers, that mirth is poured into the Fredrickson Winery series. Reading this three-book series made me smile.…

People Need a Place to Share and Remember

July 9, 2013 • Julie Saffrin • 26 Comments

Today’s guest post is written by Alice J. Wisler, author and grief workshop facilitator. Her book, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, a grief and loss devotional is a top seller on Kindle. Today her post is about her current release, Memories Around the Table, a cookbook Alice compiled of recipes and stories based on contributors’ memories of loved ones who have passed. The cookbook is getting rave reviews! After reading this post, please leave a comment about your favorite recipe handed down to you from a favorite person who has passed away. Alice will randomly draw a name from the…

Making Connections and Kevin Bacon’s 7 degrees of separation

November 3, 2012 • Julie Saffrin • 1 Comment

I met Gaye Lindfors at The Refine Conference in September 2012. What a fun person! We had our vendor tables situated next to one another there so we had a great opportunity to connect. I also had the privilege to hear her breakout session on The Good, The Bad and The You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! which was fabulous and gave me wonderful insights. I particularly liked her idea to step back when I’m feeling hurt, anxious or tired and “put a frame around the situation.” I loved her humor, honesty and integrity and simple ideas. If your church or event or retreat needs a speaker, you…

Brainstorming Ways to Say Thanks

October 23, 2012 • Julie Saffrin • 28 Comments

Today Michelle Lim, author of the new non-fiction book, Idea Sparking: How to Brainstorm Conflict in Your Novel, is guest-posting on the BlessBack blog. She is also a romantic suspense author whose manuscripts have earned recognition in The Rattler Contest 2012, the Genesis Contest 2011, and the Frasier Contest in 2010. Michelle is the Brainstorm/Huddle Coach at My Book Therapy, an online book-coaching business. I reconnected with Michelle in July 2012 at a writing conference in Duluth where she facilitated our time together. I found her twists and schemes inspiring. Her depth of knowledge of how the brain works makes me think…

A surprise book review from PsyWeb.com

August 28, 2012 • Julie Saffrin • Leave a Comment

Every once in awhile a surprise comes along that knocks your socks off. This week I learned that Wendy Burnett, a freelance writer I do not know, got ahold of BlessBack and reviewed it for PsyWeb.com, an online depression and mental health resource. PsyWeb.com states it is one of “the world’s largest sites dedicated to depression and mental health. Our goal is to bring people together around the issues of addictions by providing concise, up-to-date information and a meeting place for patients, their friends and families, and professionals who offer pathways to recovery.” The book review is one of those that comes along…

“My Scripture Journal: Gratitude” – enter to win a free Kindle copy, leave a comment to win a print autographed copy.

August 24, 2012 • Julie Saffrin • Leave a Comment

I met Heather Bixler in an online writer’s group. She’s written a short Bible study. Today only you can download a FREE Kindle copy of her book, My Scripture Journal: Gratitude. Click here to download your free copy. Leave a comment about something you’ve learned about gratitude and you’ll be entered in to a drawing to win a print authographed copy. I wrote a review in July 2012 of Heather’s book. Here it is: For my summer devotional read, I am using My Scripture Journal: Gratitude by Heather Bixler and enjoying it. My Scripture Journal: Gratitude’s format is so simple that…

Shelley Hitz’s “21 Days of Gratitude Challenge”: Gift This Book to You and Others

August 23, 2012 • Julie Saffrin • Leave a Comment

Book Review 21 Days of Gratitude Challenge: Finding Freedom from Self-Pity and a Negative Attitude by Shelley Hitz “ . . .take simple steps of intentional gratitude . . .and watch and see what God does.” Shelley Hitz, from 21 Days of Gratitude Challenge Shelley Hitz’s new book, 21 Days of Gratitude Challenge: Finding Freedom from Self-Pity and a Negative Attitude uses the idea that if people practice a habit for 21 days, they can create a new pattern of thinking and living. Hitz chose to implement this strategy in her own life after a season of loss and…

Week of Gratitude Giveaways: FREE download August 22 only

August 22, 2012 • Julie Saffrin • Leave a Comment

I met Shelley Hitz through an online writer’s group. Shelley is the author of 11 books, including the newly released 21 Days of Gratitude Challenge: Finding Freedom from Self-Pity and a Negative Attitude. Book Description (Written by Shelley Hitz): During a season of transition in my life, I found myself overwhelmed with negative emotions like self-pity and a complaining spirit. It was as if a dark cloud had descended over me. I prayed and asked God for wisdom on how to overcome these negative emotions. And I sensed Him leading me to do this 21 days of gratitude challenge. Over…