As my close friends will tell you; I'm a book-a-holic. I LOVE books. I love to read! I always have to have a good selection piled on my bed side table to pick from; and I ALWAYS have to read a few pages Chapters before going to sleep. So when I was contacted by Elisa from The Crazy Life of a Writing Mom and asked if I'd like to review her new book "The Golden Sky" that is releasing Nov 18th; I jumped at the chance; even though I really didn't know what the book was about; I just knew I LOVE BOOKS and here I get a chance to Review one! Little did I know God was handing me a special gift that I will cherish dearly!
Normally I don't like reading Autobiographies or Biographies very often. Every once in a while an incredible one will come along that grasps my attention and touches my heart; but it doesn't happen very often. I usually prefer Young Adult Fiction books–I try to stay young at heart. But I was able to immediately connect with The Golden Sky; not because I've lost a child (because I haven't) but because Elisa's writing can strike a chord with every Mother's heart.
Excerpt from the Book The Golden Sky by EC Stilson:
Entry # 28:
I Drove home from work last night and thought about how life is imperfect. I asked God why it has to be this way, and right in the middle of my thought, I hit a skunk. When i jumped from the car, the creature looked at me, and didn't have a chance…
I Sobbed…but then I stopped crying, because the skunk twitched and moved on its back while its butt faced me. I couldn't figure what it was doing, and thought maybe it wanted to be comfortable before it went. I waited, and then I prayed. "Oh, God. Please help this–" but that was as far as I got. My prayer ended because the skunk sprayed me. As it pumped me with its happy juice, I just stood there stunned…. The whole time it sprayed, I thought, Why? I just tried giving the damn thing a Christian Burial. This is like Zeke all over again. I tried to do the right thing, and now I feel like a murderer! A Stinky murderer!
So, instead of its funeral ending with a prayer, I said some pretty unholy things….When I got home, my smell must have preceded me, because it woke Cade up.
"What in the hell is–" he stopped talking when he saw me, because I cried and looked horrible. "Elisa! What happened to you?"
I told him the whole story, and although I didn't see anything amusing about it, he laughed and hardly controlled it. "That bad huh?" he asked.
I grabbed some tomato juice, walked into the bathroom, and slammed the door. Of all the nights for Cade to actually be home, why did he have to see me like that?
I dumped the tomato juice in the bath tub and bathed in the stuff, because I've always heard that's the only thing that will remove a skunk's smell. It didn't do a damn thing, though. I tried everything, and finally I got my skin to smell good, but my hair was another issue.
I washed it in baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and even vinegar before the smell went away. By the time I finished in that bathroom, I smelled better than Aphrodite, and my hair looked a bit lighter….I sloshed from the bathtub, put on a towel, and finished rubbing lotion on my legs, when I noticed Cade staring at me in the mirror.
"You're so beautiful," he said.
"I've had enough of your sarcasm" I turned away from him. "I can't believe you laughed at me!"
"I'm not being sarcastic," he said. "I've loved you since the first time I saw you, and I'll keep on loving you forever."
I blushed, the way he makes me. Before I knew it, he kissed me hard. I was up against the wall, and my towel lay on the floor. It had been so long since we'd been together, and I missed him. I feel really bad for kicking that skunk now, because it might have saved my marriage. Thank God for that Skunk! I hope Zeke can have him as a pet in Heaven.
My Experience:
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| EC Stilson |
The timing of this book coming into my life; I feel, is no coincidence–as we are nearing my Niece Rachel's birthday on Nov 25th. Rachel and her twin brother Sam were born prematurely, graciously survived and grew up cherished members of our family. Unknown to us Rachel had a birth defect and passed away last December at the age of 7. You can read more of Rachel's story at Roses for Rachel. As we are coming close to Rachel's birthday and the anniversary of her death; it has helped me manage my grief through reading The Golden Sky.
While reading The Golden Sky; Elisa and her family have become an extended family in my heart. I thank Elisa for allowing all of us to share in her joys, sorrows and strength; her quirky and infectious optimism and the chance to come to know and love Zeke and her family.
The Golden Sky is written in a journal style, as it IS her actual journal from her journey through the events of Zeke's life and death and her recovery. This makes reading such a difficult subject much easier and helps the story to flow smoothly and effortlessly. Elisa has a great gift with words, and though she was writing for her own relief and healing; it will be a blessing and a gift of healing for many others.
As I read The Golden Sky; I felt joy, sorrow, and anger. I was aghast at the ignorance and cruelty of some of the people in the book. I laughed, loved and boy did I cry! I couldn't put the book down; though I was forced to on many occasions as I could no longer see through my tears to read the words. Yet through it all Elisa showed great strength, perseverance and offered hope for those around her. She didn't feel like she was strong; but I can see it. She reminded me of my Sister when we lost Rachel; minus some of Elisa's more "shooting the bull" moments–capable, strong, and courageous.
I would recommend this book to any one who has had a child lost in their family, immediate or extended, as a way to help better understand the heartache, to know you aren't alone, to find comfort and strength and to know that you CAN heal. But I also recommend a good supply of Tissues to be handy.
I will gladly read and review any future books from Elisa and I'm excited to continue to read Elisa's life journal on her website www.ecwrites.com.
and on Facebook and Twitter.
Where to find The Golden SKY:
The Golden Sky will be released Nov. 18, 2011 on Zeke's 9th Birthday at the following websites:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
and Abebooks.com
WIN A COPY!
Elisa has graciously offered one of our readers their very own copy of The Golden Sky!
Mandatory Entries:
We conduct our Giveaways via Rafflecopter; which makes it easier for you to enter and easier for us to select unbiasedly a winner. Although there are many options to which you may enter for this Item; only the first ONE is mandatory to qualify to win– all other entries are optional.
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Open to US Residents only. Giveaway product provided by Now I Sleep-John Albert Thomas
Giveaway closes at 12am EST Dec 2, 2011
Giveaway is now closed. See the winner/s on our Winners Page.
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Disclaimer: I was not compensated for writing this review post. Sponsor provided product for review but my review and opinions are mine alone and were not influenced by outside sources. I make no claim that said product will perform the same for everyone; other individuals may have differing results/opinions.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am late on the review, but nicely done. Elisa's book is on my Christmas list.
MY best friend lost his brother to addiction and it has been a hard thing to watch him go through. I dont fully understand the pain people go through
jenzen69atyahoodotcom
This sounds like a book I need to read. It has been almost a year since we lost Rachel, and I am still just beginning my grieving process.
I hope that anyone who has lost someone close to them can find comfort! I have lost numerous family members to cancer and it is very hard.
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