I love a good book that really makes me think about life and what I want out of life. This book More to Life is one that will really have you thinking. This book is about a woman named Aja who had a terrible childhood. It was full of abuse and trauma. But one thing of her childhood that she loved doing was painting with her mother. Her high school counselor thought that she should be doing something else in college besides art. So she decided to become a social worker. She gets married to the most amazing man and has two children. Her life get’s so consumed with being a wife and a mother that it leaves her no time to paint. Her family thinks that her painting is a hobby or a way to relieve stress. Her husband plans a 45th birthday party with her three best friends. Nothing like a tropical getaway to realize that you’re unhappy in your life. She meets a woman while on vacation that speaks to her soul and sees her for who she really is. And instead of heading back home to her family after her vacation is over she stays an extra week. When she finally gets back home she knows what she needs to do. But things don’t work out well when she gets back home. This book is a must-read.

This book had my mind, heart, and emotions all over the place. This book is definitely a lover, lover’s book. If you believe in love and the endless possibilities of love, then this is your book. So the book is about Eva Mercy moving to DC with her mom. They moved around a lot depending on who Eva’s mom was dating at the time. Eva is in a new city, a new school, and has no friends. On the first day of school before the bell rings she meets this fine young man named Shane. And Eva and Shane’s life will never be the same again. Two people who completely understand each other’s dysfunction. But who needs each other to function? This beautifully woven story is about tragedy and love. Two kids who grow up to become authors of best-selling books based on one another. But it’s been 15 years since they have seen each other. What happens when they reconnect?

This story was about a woman who got kidnapped by her husband’s son. Yes, I said her husband’s son. It wasn’t uncommon for Countess Annie de Silva to go away from time to time and not tell anyone. But to leave after a mysterious phone call. And all she left was a cryptic note. Gone for three months and no one had a clue where she could be. Except for one person who has known her, her whole life. But should she go after her best friend or just wait it out? What will she find when she gets there? This book was definitely a page-turner for sure. I’ve read a few of Fern Michael’s books and I haven’t been disappointed yet.

As we are 17 days into the New Year the word growth has been kicking my butt. I never realized that growth could be so painful and also encouraging at the same time. I have been learning and relearning so many different things. I have grown in areas that I have taken for granted. I’m proud of how far that I have come but I know that this is just the beginning. I wish growth was an overnight process but what would be the learning point right? I’m committed to a better me in 2023. This growth is going to take me to places I never thought that I could go.

As we celebrate MLK day I have to stop and think about what he would think about today. Are we any closer to becoming a better society? Are we better as a people? Are we better as a race? I think that he would be disappointed, to be honest. Why are we still hung up on skin color? Why are we still trying to keep certain races down? Can’t we live in peace? Why as a race are we still battling one another? I know that we are supposed to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., but how can we do that we things are not changing? As I look at life I wonder why things have to be the way that they are. There is no joy in knowing that the color of my skin will always hold me back. It hurts that people can still use racial slurs and there is no action taken. It’s not okay that your skills don’t get you the job but knowing that they have to have several minorities is the only reason you got the job. When will things be equal? When will things really change? Again I ask will Martin Luther King Jr., be happy with how things are today? I would have to say sadly that he wouldn’t. As you celebrate today think about how you can make a difference even a change in society or your own life.