Never Give Up

There's Always a Solution

I said this to a friend the other day who was struggling with tech stuff. She was so grateful for the boost that she persevered for an entire week, but she did it! 

So let’s just expand on the notion here, that 'there's always a solution.'

Elora Canne - Memoir Writer

I'm delighted to share my conversation with you, from the Living Big Mindfully podcast where host, Kate Champion, and I discussed many later-in-life relationship topics. 

But I'm particularly interested in sharing with you, the notion that there is indeed always a solution. 

Not only in everyday life situations, as told above, but also in those deeper, more difficult to navigate situations as you'll discover on the podcast.

There is always a way around a hurdle, even if you can't jump over it.

To listen in on our conversation, insights and solutions, tap this link: Living Big Mindfully Podcast

Book News:

🫂 Allow me to focus, just for a minute, on those solutions around later-in-life relationships. You know, those deeper, more difficult to navigate situations alluded to above. 

A renowned book reviewer honoured me with her excellent review of my memoir, En Route, earlier this month. I'll let this segment of her review do the talking so you can see it for yourself:

A travelling memoir, a new life.

 

We follow the footsteps of the author and her family as they immigrate to Australia. A lot of travelling also is documented and many memories of adventures they had.
 
The main theme seemed to be 'Who does that?' as the author navigates around certain situations, as you do. 
 
Oh there were so many quotes I highlighted and it came at a good time that I needed them. I particularly took note of the South African food, …especially 'bobotie' and Elora is adamant it has to have Mrs Balls Chutney in it. [Find the 'bobotie' recipe here: Bobotie Recipe:]
 
All in all this is a memoir that is like a life tonic, you end up feeling on top of the world. This is definitely a 5 star rating/review and I suggest it would make an excellent choice as a bookclub pick, plenty to talk about.
 
Pauline Reid

Did you notice the yellow highlighted text? 

There is always a way around a sticky situation! 

Tap here for the Full review:

And here for the inclusion of Mrs Balls chutney review:

For more on Pauline Reid's book reviews, you can visit any of the following links:  

Pauline Reid Book Reviewer

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😍 Now, to change pace a bit with something just for fun, I'd love to hear your take on a poll I created. I only recently discovered the term 'seasoned love'. 

For a long time I referred to mature love as ‘midlife love’, but since chatting with Kate Champion on her podcast where she referred to that age group as later-in-life, I decided I rather liked that term instead. 

Then, along came 'seasoned love.' 

So, tap the link below and let me know which term you prefer for mature love:

Which term best suits ‘mature love?’

(The link is on my Facebook page, so if you’d prefer, just let me know in a comment here on the blog): mature love, midlife love, later-in-life love, or seasoned love.

I'll let you know the winning result next time!

🏃When we are striving to navigate the hurdles on our path, it helps to have a supportive community around us. It doesn't have to be close friends or family, so long as it is a genuine community with similar aspirations to yours. 

I found just such a community in the Indie Book Vault. 

There is a lot of jostling of proverbial shoulders in the writing industry and when a community disrupts the equilibrium it is always refreshing. 

The Indie Book Vault community aims to highlight up-and-coming indie authors and connect them with their ideal reader. I am so hopping happy to have my memoir, En Route, in their book stash at Indie Book Vault. (Tap the ‘Non-Fiction’ genre to find it 😉)

Whether you're an indie author or an avid reader, find your next read here: Indie Book Vault

Because, as the esteemed Pauline Reid {introduced above} mentioned in conversation with me, readers help authors, and...

You can't have one without the other!

Now for my Reader Hat: 👒

🫖 I was so fortunate to be an early reader of Sabina Ostrowska’s third book in her New Life in Andalusia series: Olive Leaf Tea: Time to settle

[Review extract] ‘It is an absolute delight with the author's sense of humour and quirky solutions to unexpected obstacles along the way to her and her husband’s dream life.’ 

Her husband, incidentally, hails from my very tiny hometown in South Africa (I’m not revealing anything secretive, it’s in the book). What’s more, I’m heading right there on the day that Olive Leaf Tea launches! How about that?

If you want to skip the queue, and receive the book on launch day, 1 September 2023, be sure to preorder now. Here’s the link for you: 

Olive Leaf Tea by Sabina Ostrowska

Here is the rest of my review:

Olive Leaf Tea: Time to settle, is a refreshing account of re-establishing a new life in a foreign country. 

The language barrier provides ample laugh-out-loud moments, along with a focus and determination to make their new life work. 

From interesting neighbours and friends, to unexpected weather events, Olive Leaf Tea provides the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of reading entertainment.

Highly recommended. 

🍝 Another fabulous read launching on 1 September 2023, is A Recipe from Rome by Laura Botten.

Again, I had the pleasure of reading an early copy, and I urge you to get yours at this preorder link to ensure a speedy delivery: A Recipe from Rome:

I'll let my review show you why you need to read the book:

April Appleby is a delight as she finds herself tangled in a confusion of pasta and promises of romance - from 3 different, yet equally charming, men.

She’s hoping her trip to Rome with her old friend, Simon, will help clear things up but things only get more tangled.

On a quest to find her mom’s secret pasta sauce, April ends up sightseeing on a Vespa, sampling the delights of Italy and discovering hidden culinary talents. But will she end up with the man of her dreams?

A Recipe from Rome is in equal parts endearing and laugh-out-loud funny! A must-read.

A Recipe from Rome ticked all the boxes for me; relationships, recipes, travel!

And be prepared to start cooking once finished! I did, and I regret nothing!

You'll find character snippets and stunning travel photography on the author's Instagram here:

Laura Botten

👻 I also have the great pleasure of currently reading an ARC of The Cook, the Ghost and her Sister by Ellen Read. It’s a fabulous tale of relationships with past and present friends and family and I’m loving the dual storyline immensely! 

Ellen has seamlessly blended past and present as the characters tell their story. With plenty of intrigue and mystery to keep you guessing, there’s also a hint of romance simmering in the background.

For your chance to preorder The Cook, the Ghost and her Sister, before launch day which is 10 September 2023, click this link:

The Cook, the Ghost and her Sister

[Talking of ancestry, I do love a good synchronicity and this book launches on the day of my late dad’s would-be birthday!]

(Review to follow).

It gives authors a huge jolt of joy to know you’ve enjoyed their work, so please do let any of the above authors (and podcasters), know if you’ve read and loved their books.

Until next time, stay strong, never give up, and remember, there’s always a solution.

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Find my memoir here: EN ROUTE: The Best is Yet To Be