Take a trip to the Chicago World's Fair...in 1893 (Book review)

Against the backdrop of the Chicago World’s Fair, Rosalind’s task of unraveling the mystery of her missing sister is derailed by new enemies and unwanted romances. A young woman coming from the background of a simple farm in Wisconsin, she doesn’t stand much chance in the complexities of high society she is entering as a maid in the plush Sloane house. Disappearing maids and a pushy young Sloane has Rosalind constantly looking over her shoulder for danger. When she gives away her secret to a man she hardly knows, Rosalind wonders if she’s made her worst mistake ever. Or was it the best?

The Chicago World’s Fair history holds intrigue and mystery. I enjoyed traipsing around the fair and through the halls of the dark Sloane house with Rosalind, a young woman very much alone and out of place in the big city. She finds ways to be brave and face her fears despite chilling obstacles. Though the mystery wasn’t quite what I hoped as this book fell more into the romance category, I liked the historical details, and this trip to the World’s Fair.

BookLook Bloggers® provided my review copy of this book.

Someday, I'll forgive myself

The standards I set, I set them highReaching up to the glory of God How high can I go? The higher it is, the further I can fall The more it hurts when I land The more others are hurt on the way down Divine forgiveness awaits me there But where is the forgiveness in my heart for me?

Someday, I'll forgive myself

The standards are erected once again So far up I've lost sight of the goal I lean back, look up and pray The climb begins all over again Life rolls on, leaving me behind But it must go and I must take my time Must find the right way, God's way not mine

Someday, I'll forgive myself

When wrath wrecks my soul When temptations strike my weakened flank When the rewards of this world block my view of Him He still waits, carries, sustains When I can no longer look at the mess of me

Someday, I'll forgive myself

It's Him, oh it's Him Always before, always behind, always beside It's Him, oh it's Him Who gives the forgiveness for my soul Who makes my heart as white as snow It's Him, oh it's Him Who gives the forgiveness for myself Who knows, understands, loves

So today, I will forgive myself With the forgiveness He gives

Book Review: The Art of Storytelling by John Walsh

Haven’t we told stories since we could talk? Telling stories is easy, right? Yes and no. Just because you can spell doesn’t mean you’re a talented writer. Just because you can speak, doesn’t mean you’re a skilled storyteller capable of holding the attention of everyone from preschoolers to bored adults. And not only hold their attention, but impact their lives.  

In the The Art of Storytelling: Easy Steps to Presenting an Unforgettable Story, John Walsh goes beyond simple instruction, yet it is very simple and easy to follow along. He gives in depth techniques on crafting a memorable story yet sticks with the basic tools storytellers need. It’s philosophical yet practical. My kind of book all the way.

The bonus section at the end is definitely worth going through. His Bible Telling program sounds fascinating and I look forward to delving more into it.

Masters of a craft are who I seek to learn from. John Walsh is certainly one.

Brilliant Hopelessness

When I read classic secular literary fiction, I’m just as awed as anyone by the brilliant prose, the twist of sentences that paint such a realistic picture of life. What I’m not awed by often is the ending. It’s brilliant. And utterly hopeless. Something like, “Blow out your candle, sweet sister. There’s nothing left for you.” It took some years of eye rolling at art that’s so deep with emotions supposedly conveyed before I finally understood. When looked at it from the right angle, whether it’s prose, painting, or a very unique sculpture, their depressing work is stunning in the message it conveys. They may be showing such ugly truth in human nature, the average person overlooks it. Who wants to see the ugliness in themselves and the world? But it’s truth.

But it’s also hopeless. That’s why as these artist pursue their mission of showing people how wretched they are, how there’s nothing to live for in this life and we should all give it up, the artist themselves spiral deeper into the pit of despair they project everyone to be in. In their mind, it’s not them who are off base. It’s the observers. The observers are the pretenders, the ones who want to skip along through life as if there’s actual meaning and beauty to it.

I’m not speaking about artists in general (hey, I’m an literary artist). This is about the ones that you walk away from their work feeling dirty and depressed. You’ve seen something of yourself in their work, something you didn’t think anyone would ever see. And that’s what the artist wanted. They dug under your skin and exposed the raw truth of your human nature.

Brilliant hopelessness.

But there is hope!

My way of shouting this from the rooftops is the same as those who shout the opposite message. Through art. My tool is words, spoken and written. My message? When all pretentions of “living a good life” are stripped away, the only hope comes through Jesus Christ. Because without Him, I’d be one of those artists trying to convince the world there really wasn’t anything to this life. It would take some years, but I could see myself finally abandoning the mission to drugs, alcohol, and despair. So has been the fate of many brilliant artists. (Not saying I’m brilliant, of course)

Hope is a basic survival requirement. Humans can live an average of three months without hope.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

Where does your hope lie? Please share it with me in the comments.

Book Release: "Touch My Tears: Tales from the Trail of Tears"

In 2012, I was honored as one of four artists in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Artist Leadership Program for my literary work in preserving Choctaw Trail of Tears stories. As a Choctaw, this historic event has always been close to my heart. Every spring, my mom and I make a special trip to Oklahoma to join our tribe in a commemorative walk to honor our ancestors. Now we have a new way to honor them, and help other people of all cultures understand this piece of American history so few know of.

Touch My Tears: Tales from the Trail of Tears

Whether or not you enjoy history or reading fiction in general, I believe these stories will reach out from the pages and touch your heart. And maybe a tear or two of your own.

From the back cover of my new book, Touch My Tears:

“In 1830, a treaty was signed. In 1830, hearts broke. Tears fell on the long journey for twenty thousand. The Choctaw Nation was forced to leave their homelands to preserve their people. But they could not save them all.

“For this collection of short stories, Choctaw authors from five U.S. states come together to present a part of their ancestors’ journey, a way to honor those who walked the trail for their future. These stories not only capture a history and a culture, but the spirit, faith, and resilience of the Choctaw people.

“From a little girl who begins her journey in a wood box to a man willing to die for the sake of honor, these extraordinary tales of the Choctaw Removal from their homelands delve into raw emotions and come out with the glimmer of hope necessary for the human soul.

“Tears of sadness. Tears of joy. Touch and experience each one.”

Editorial Reviews:

“Touch My Tears is a significant and moving addition to the record of Choctaw heritage; accessible and entertaining. This fine collection of tales is invaluable for the insights it provides into the heart of a unique Native American culture.” —Brock Thoene, co-author of The Jerusalem Chronicles.

"Touch My Tears is a milestone of fictional and historical Choctaw storytelling that exemplifies the value of Native knowledge through literary arts. This deeply moving and significant collection will hopefully generate a paradigm shift in written expression of the Native American experience." —Keevin Lewis, Museum Programs Outreach Coordinator, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian

“This book reflects the joining of courage and endurance that defines a great nation. I cried in many places, sometimes it seemed more than they cried for themselves.” —Lisa Reed, editor of the Biskinik, the Official Publication of the Choctaw Nation.

Get your copy

You can purchase a copy online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble in print and ebook formats:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

You can also email me for details about receiving a signed copy of the book: me@sarahelisabethwrites.com or write to: Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer, P.O. Box 1103, Canton, TX 75103

Bloggers

If you're a blogger and are interested in featuring Touch My Tears, please email me or leave a comment.

Yakoke. Thank you.