I haven’t much to write home about just yet. I’m in the middle of reformatting Volumes 1-5 of the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series. I hadn’t intended on doing this as part of the writing challenge I set for myself this year, but needs must. I’m hoping to have that monumental task complete by the end of the month because I’m itching for a new plant study.
Book 5 of the series did pretty well during its book launch. It even made it to #1 during the free book offer. Yeah!
In July, I was also busy living the next chapter in book 2 of the La Yacata Revolution series. I met someone who read the first book here in my little town in Mexico. Considering the book is in English, I never expected anyone locally to read it, but well, this person did AND passed it around, so there are several people in town who are aware of my status as an author. Just wait until he gets a load of book 2, where he is featured in a chapter!
Electricity is slowly coming my way (our house is solar-powered now), and with it, the hope for a more stable internet service. That would be such a boon! But progress is never fast here and I must be patient a bit longer. I talk about living off-grid in several books, but the most complete is A to Z Reasons Why La Yacata is the Place to Be in Any Disaster.
We also had our first baby mule born on our homestead. Rosie is mighty cute! But will certainly provide more distractions with her Animal Antics South of the Border!
I picked up this book with high hopes, inspired by its intriguing title and a table of contents that promised to focus on time, courage, sacrifice, forgiveness, and hope. I expected a riveting self-help guide to unlocking my full potential. Unfortunately, the experience fell short.
This disappointment wasn’t because of the author’s life story—he’s clearly an amazing individual who’s overcome incredible challenges and achieved remarkable goals. The issue lay in the book’s tone and writing style. Instead of feeling motivated, I felt berated, even though I’ve faced and conquered significant obstacles myself.
The writing also felt repetitive. The book frequently referred back to the author’s first work, Unstoppable: Challenge Accepted. The same stories were repeated across multiple chapters rather than offering unique examples for each of the five key points. Given the author’s rich life experiences, more variety would have been expected.
Ultimately, I was left confused about the purpose of Be Unstoppable. It didn’t quite fit as a success memoir or a self-help book, as it focused heavily on the author’s achievements with only sporadic advice. There were no reflective questions for the reader nor clear guidance on achieving personal goals beyond the vague encouragement to be unstoppable.
Fans of the author’s first book might find value in this follow-up. However, new readers might share my sense of letdown. While there are some nuggets of wisdom, Be Unstoppable didn’t deliver the inspiring, actionable content I was hoping for.
Ready to uncover more of Mexico’s amazing botanical wonders? This volume dives into 28 unique plants, each with its own fascinating story and awesome medicinal benefits.
From the lesser-known Acuya to the versatile Zarzaparrilla, you’ll discover how these plants have been used for centuries and how they can boost your health and well-being today.
Whether you’re an herbalist or just curious about natural remedies, this book is packed with valuable insights and practical knowledge. Each plant is described in detail, with info on traditional uses, active compounds, and health benefits.
Don’t miss out on this chance to explore these botanical treasures and deepen your journey into herbal medicine. Volume 5 is a must-have and now’s the perfect time to grab it.
Having read numerous travel memoirs, I’ve encountered a variety of narratives. Some were marred by a sense of entitlement, others by self-absorption, and a few by a destination addiction. Delightfully, Kait Melendy’s Wanderlust Healing defied these all-too-common stereotypes found in this genre. It was a refreshing account of a thoughtful, albeit initially confused and searching, adult. This unique perspective made the book a compelling read.
This narrative is a testament to the transformative power of self-discovery. Kait’s journey, which begins and ends with an Ayahuasca ceremony, is a profound exploration of her inner self. Her path, spanning Central America, South America, and Europe, echoes the transformative journey of Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love.
I believe that more than would-be nomads will enjoy this book. Kait’s search for purpose, which began on a suburban porch and took her to Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, and several European countries, can be interpreted as a metaphor for each individual’s search for meaning. Perhaps we won’t need to travel so far in miles, as long as we keep an eye on the depths of our inner journey.
I loved witnessing Kait’s transformation as she moved from seeking external validation through her career, home ownership, certification courses, and even a psychic medium experience, to embracing the journey she was meant to travel. Despite the road not always making sense to her or others, she learned to trust in her journey.
Sometimes the author’s journey brought her in contact with others. For instance, she volunteered at an agency dedicated to helping the thousands of displaced men, women, and children, known as “los caminantes,” who were fleeing poverty, violence, and starvation. She also traveled with a buddy whenever their paths aligned and parted ways when they didn’t. Additionally, she altered her travel plans to spend more time with a love interest she met by chance.
Sometimes the author traveled alone, like during her Ayahuasca journey. Whether alone or with others, each experience contributed to her ultimate transformation into a woman not entirely sure of her destination, but confident in her path.
One aspect that troubled me was that either the author was incredibly lucky, or she downplayed many of the negative aspects of world travel. Despite the numerous potential challenges that travelers often face, such as health issues, financial constraints, and safety concerns, Kait managed to avoid them all. Sure, she was inconvenienced a time or two, but no lasting harm befell her, which certainly is not the case for every traveler.
So, in conclusion, if you love a good travel memoir, you’ll adore Wanderlust Healing: A Journey Back to Self by Kait Melendy. Each chapter offers a heartfelt glimpse into her encounters and experiences, highlighting her growth and self-discovery. Kait’s story is a testament to the power of embracing the unknown and finding one’s purpose.
I received an ARC from Reedsy Discovery for this review. You can find my review on Reedsy HERE. Want to get in on the reading fun? APPLY NOW to become a Reedsy Reviewer.
I finished the first draft of Herb Book 5 (title still pending)! I am working on the Appendix, Conclusion, and formatting this month. I hope to have it ready to launch by the end of the month, but we’ll see how that goes. I have a whole slew of Yacata well issues to contend with that cuts into my writing time. And it’s been so hot that I’ve taken to taking a dip in the pool every afternoon. Essential for my core body temperature, but not conducive to getting much writing done. That’s all I’m going to promise myself to get done this month–Herb Book 5. How’s your writing going?
Emma Jameson’s Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series invites readers into the captivating world of Anthony Hetheridge, the ninth Baron of Wellegrave, who juggles his aristocratic duties with the demanding role of Chief Superintendent at New Scotland Yard. Alongside him is DI Deepal “Paul” Bhar, flawed but with emotional depth and astute investigative skills. But it’s Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield who truly steals the show, bringing her own baggage of familial responsibilities to the table – custody of her 7-year-old nephew and mentally disabled older brother Ritchie.
Set against the backdrop of London, these novels weave unique and entertaining tales of crime-solving, showcasing the trio’s prowess in cracking London’s most baffling cases. What truly sets this series apart is its well-developed characters, each with intricate backstories that add layers of depth to the narratives. And, of course, there’s a smidge of romance sprinkled throughout, adding an extra dimension to the already rich tapestry.
The Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series is a must-read. Each book in the series delivers satisfying crime mysteries while maintaining a cohesive overarching storyline. From “Ice Blue” to “Untrue Blue,” readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations in this seven-book series.
So, if you’re a fan of crime fiction with well-rounded characters, engaging plots, and a touch of romance, look no further than the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series.
I’m pretty psyched with my accomplishments for April. I did some plant studies and have whittled it down to 3 more herbs to finish book 5 in the Exploring Traditional Herbal Remedies in Mexico series. I’m aiming for a June publishing date. That means in May I’ll need to do those last three chapters, write the introduction and conclusion, format the appendix, design a cover, write the blurb, proofread, edit, proofread some more, edit some more, check the formatting, pull it all together, and do some more proofreading. Yikes. Well, if I plan for the end of June, maybe I’ll get it all done.
I also managed a small section in the Women’s Traditional Remedies book in April, but I’m not expecting to get that done before the end of the year. AND I got a bit sidetracked on a juice book and want to work on a gardening book too. All of these will be part of The Mexican Apothecary series, which only has one book in it right now. Maybe if I could just settle down and work on ONE of them, I’d be further along. Maybe.
My fabulous illustrator, Claudia Guzes, said her schedule has freed up to begin book two in the Abuelita ¿Qué Vamos A Hacer Hoy? series. I need to check over my draft about la tamalada Lupita and her grandmother are planning and hand it over to the artist to start working on the illustrations in May as well.
I don’t believe I would have chosen this book on my own, but for over a year, I’ve been teaching the first two books of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” to Chinese middle schoolers. Recently, I decided it was time to finish the book myself.
Had I been Dickens’ editor, I might have chided him on the one-dimensional portrayal of the lovely Lucie Manette, the object of all men’s desires (or at least the ones in this novel). I would have also had him fix that chapter that changed from the omniscient narrator to a first-person point-of-view. But alas, Dickens’ works can’t be rewritten to suit my standards. So be it.
Despite these criticisms, I found great enjoyment in reading this classic. Particularly captivating was the pervasive sense of impending doom that permeated the period leading up to the French Revolution. Even characters who initially seemed secure in England found themselves swept away by the chaos of war. Among the characters, my favorites were Madame Defarge, driven by a relentless, if morally ambiguous, purpose, and Sydney Carton, who discovers redemption through self-sacrifice.
In conclusion, “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens remains a timeless classic. The novel’s exploration of themes like sacrifice, redemption, and the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution ensures its enduring relevance and appeal. Through vivid storytelling and memorable characters, Dickens masterfully captures the essence of a pivotal moment in history, leaving a lasting impression on readers long after they’ve turned the final page.
Well, March was a better month for writing than February. I wrote a bit of this and that, but I didn’t finish any of the outstanding WIPs. That’s okay. I’m feeling optimistic about April.
I’d like to take a minute to share ALL of the books that are currently available on Amazon in case you haven’t checked in a while. I’m proud of all my babies (books) and am eternally hopeful that each and every one will find the right readers.
C.E. Flores 