To those suffering around the world

To those suffering around the world,

I write this letter with a heavy heart. I know that many of you won’t read this but I feel I must express my feelings on the small chance that you will. I know the focus is on the Paris attacks and call to action for payback. Unfortunately, media’s and many people’s attention span is short and moves on to the next tragedy. I hear the outcries of those who have suffered in the other devastating world events prior to the Paris attacks. I want the people in the world who experienced devastation to know, though it may sound hollow, that I feel great sadness.

From the village of Bento Rodrigues, Brazil where a dam broke on November 6^th, leaving the village buried under a wall of mud and one person dead and 22 missing. To the families of the two Americans killed in Jordan on November 9^th. To the families of the seven people killed in the attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on November 10^th. To the citizens of Beirut, Lebanon where more than 200 were killed in two suicide bombings on the 12th. And so many other struggles which may not have gotten the same world media attention. I know there is so much more that goes on in the world than what I don’t hear about from my news sources. So many names, so many lives and so many stories, you all deserve to have your lives honored and remembered.

Each events is horrifying and saddening. One event isn’t greater than the others. The loss of life is always a tragedy. It doesn’t matter if it’s one life or thousands. Each life deserves to be mourned and remembered. In my little corner of the world, I feel sadden by these events and the loss of lives. I can only imagine the fear, the hopelessness, and grief you feel right now. I can try to put myself in your shoes but I feel it won’t even come close, I cannot fully understand what it is like to live in the horrors that you must face every day. As an American, I am spoiled when it comes to my daily life. I can go about my business in my town without fear of being attacked or hurt in any way. My greatest fear is an earthquake or getting in a car accident. I don’t fear being shot or bombed. I should because if it can happen in the world, it can happen here. Just because I am in America doesn’t mean I am safe or immune.

When I hear of tragedies such as the ones from this past week, my heart feels numb because I am overwhelmed with shock and devastation. I feel powerless to help or prevent such adversity. I feel very small in a world of very big problems. I am one citizen in a world of billions. I cannot pick up arms and fight. I cannot be there to help shift through the rubble and help rebuild your lives. I don’t have the funds to offer an organization which is able to go out in the world and help. My inaction may seem like indifference but it’s not. Only by the grace of God is my life in relative safety. I see my problems as petty and insignificant in the world of terrible events. Right now, I can only offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers.

My words may not give you any solace or comfort but know they are from my heart.

With love and prayers from a small corner of the world,

Jennifer 

National Candy Day: A few of my favorites candies!!!!

Today is National Candy Day. A day that we celebrate everyone’s favorite candies. Candies and sweets have been consumed for thousands of years. Egyptians persevered nuts and fruits in honey. The Aztecs and Mayans ate chocolate during religious rituals as early as 300 AD. Everyone has a favorite candy or candies. Here are three of my favorites.

Since November is also National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month, I will first talk about my favorite peanut butter candy: the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. The Peanut Butter Cup was created by H.B. Reese in 1928, a former dairy farmer and shipping foreman for Milton S. Hershey. Reese was inspired by Hershey and started his own candy business. The Peanut Butter Cup was first most popular creation. When Reese died in 1956, his sons merged the company with the Hershey Chocolate Company. As of September 2012, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is the best-selling candy in the U.S. with sales in the billions and fourth selling globally. The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are now available in minis, miniatures and big cups as well as many different flavors including white chocolate.

Another favorite candy of mine is the Snickers bar. The Snickers bar was created in 1930 by the Mars Company and was named after the Mars family’s favorite horse. The candy bar consists of nougat, peanuts, caramel and covered in chocolate. The candy bar is available with almonds, peanut butter, miniatures, ice cream bars, dark chocolate and even energy bars. Snickers have had successful ad campaigns such as “Not Going Anywhere for A While?” and the now famous and popular campaign “You’re not Yourself when You are Hungry” which was featured as a Super Bowl Ad in 2010 with Betty White and Abe Vigoda playing football.

Lastly, Peanut M&Ms are my favorite. First introduced in 1954, the Peanut M&Ms were only in the tan colored shell. The multicolored shells didn’t appear until the 1960s when the Mars Company added the red, yellow and green. The Peanut M&Ms were also introduced at the same time as the famous M&M tagline “Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.” In March 2016, M&Ms is launching “Vote For Your Favorite Peanut” campaign, which will pitted the classic Peanut M&Ms against three new flavors: Chili Nut, Coffee Nut, and Honey Nut. Between March 1 and June 17, fans were be encouraged to buy and taste all four and then vote on their favorite. According to the company’s press release, the winner will be available in “open stock” by August 2016 and then in “mixed display cases” by September. I didn’t hear about this campaign until I researched the history of the Peanut M&Ms. Coffee Nut sounds promising but I think I’ll stick with the classic Peanut M&Ms. I’ll be on the lookout for the new flavors.

What are your favorite candies? Do you prefer sweet? Do you prefer chocolatey? Or do you like sour? With so many to choose from, it may be hard to pick just one. 

Bandwagon fans: love 'em or hate 'em

Bandwagon fans. The words leave an unpleasant taste in many a fan’s mouth. Bandwagoning is a particular activity or cause that has suddenly become fashionable or popular. A bandwagon fan is someone who follows that trend whether it is a sports team, fashion, music, movies or other entertainment, because it has been or is the popular choice. However, if or when the trend falls or is no longer the popular choice, he or she will gleefully jump to the next trend. There is a psychological theory which explains the bandwagon effect. The Bandwagon effect is when individuals will do something primarily because others are doing it, regardless of their own beliefs which will be ignored or overridden. This theory is applied in advertisements to influence consumer behavior. Bandwagoning is similar to herd or mob mentality. There are three types of bandwagoners which everyone is guilty of at some point in their lives and possibly without realizing it.

First, “The Follower.” the person who simply follows the crowd as what clothes to wear, what sport or team to follow, what music to listen to, what books to read, what television shows to watch and on and on based on what friends or celebrities are doing. When I was in junior high, it was popular to have a favorite Looney Tunes character. Everyone liked Taz or Tweety Bird, I chose Marvin the Martian. I think I chose him because no one else did. Even though I still like Marvin, I chose him on a whim because it was popular to like a character from the cartoon. Same thing happened in high school, when Winnie the Pooh was the popular cartoon to have a favorite character. Again, while everyone chose either Winnie the Pooh or Tigger, I chose Eeyore for the same reasons I chose Marvin.

Second, “The Hot and Cold Fan” is a fan who jumps on and off the trend depending on how well it is doing, specifically a sports team. When the team is winning and on a hot streak, this person will cheer, boast how the team is the best and “We’re #1!” But when the team takes a bad turn and starts losing, this person will take it very personally and start criticizing the team and say “They are the worst.” I see it with fans of certain teams. When the team is hot and winning, the fans are everywhere and in your face about how their team is winning and yours may not be. But when the team is losing or having a bad season, the fans are suddenly quiet. The flags on cars are gone and posts to social media stop. They usually disappear until the team gets on a winning streak again.

Third, “Lifelong Fan,” the bandwagon fan who becomes a lifelong fan. All fans start somewhere. Whether it’s a family tradition to follow a certain sport or team or they are introduced to new music by a friend, someone started somewhere. In many areas, I am a lifelong fan who began as a bandwagon fan. For instance, I haven’t always been a Kansas City Chiefs fan or really a football fan in general. In 2003, I met a friend who introduced me to football and the Chiefs. I, then, chose the team as the one I would follow. I remain a fan to this day even though that friendship has ended. The Chiefs have been a hot and cold team for many years but I remain a fan. I may not know the entire history of the team or know the stats of every player but I cheer them on win or lose.

On its face, bandwagoning should be avoided. However, we are social creatures who are influenced by those around us. Some influences are bad but some influences are good and can open your world to a different experiences. We long to a group with common interests. Some people follow what is popular simply to fit in and some discover they like an activity and become a part of the group.  I think most people dislike bandwagoners because some people come in and try to speak with knowledge and authority that they don’t have. If you are new to a trend, acknowledge that you are and that you are still learning the history of a team or the story of a movie franchise, and so on. The lifelong fans will appreciate the honesty and even help you learn the information you need. 

Monsterland: a theme park of monsters. What could possibly go wrong?

Monsterland by Michael Phillip Cash is a story about a theme park of monsters. Exhibits and rides featuring vampires, werewolves and zombies. What could possibly go wrong?

18-year-old Wyatt Baldwin lives with his mother, Claire, his younger, Josh and his stepfather, Carter White. A new theme park is set to open on the outskirts of town. Monsterland is marketed as a zoo of sorts for the various monsters in order to protect them from. Dr. Vincent Conrad is in charge and is able to entice Wyatt and his friends, Howard and Melvin, to attend the grand opening of the park, despite the reservations of his parents. With heighten security, the boys make their way into the park and get the VIP treatment as they explore Vampire Village and the other areas. Soon things began to go awry and chaos ensues. Can Wyatt and his friends get out of Monsterland alive?

While I am not a fan of vampires, werewolves or zombies, I enjoyed this book. It built the intrigued as you follow Wyatt on his visit to the park. He knows, you know, something is off and nothing seems right. The story has a slow build to the action but once it gets there, it’s a fast paced, heart beating fight of survival. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about these monsters. A story to enjoy on Halloween or any night you need a scary adventure with vampires, werewolves and zombies, oh my!

Monsterland is available

On Amazon

on the Kindle for $0.99

free with Kindle Unlimited

and

in paperback for $12.99

Two great new children's books about nature and new adventures

Today, I have two new great children’s books to review.

First, The Great Carp Escape by Irish Beth Maddock, illustrated by Lucent Ourano, is a story about taking care of all God’s creatures, even the ugly ones. Beth and Paul live by a lake. They often on the shore and swim. Paul likes to dig for clams while Beth likes to snorkel and lie so still that minnows swim up to her nose. One day, they discover that the carp have been trapped in a pond under a weeping willow. Together with their dad and neighbors, Beth and Paul dig a trench from the pond to the lake and guide the carp down the new creek. My daughter and I enjoyed reading this story as we followed Beth and Paul as they learn that even ugly fish like the carp need help. The illustrations are beautiful and vivid which helps add even more life to a beautiful story. I highly recommend this book for any school, library and family.

Second, A New Life Begins: The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba Book 1 Series 1 is the story of Zealy, a beautiful seal, who is newly born and lives with her mommy and daddy. She soon meets a baby orca whale named Whubba. Whubba watches over his new friend day and night. They become best of friends ready for new adventures together. When this book arrived, my daughter eagerly wanted to read it. It was beautifully illustrated and a wonderful and simple story that children will enjoy.

The Great Carp Escape

is available on Amazon

for Kindle $6.99

in paperback $12.99

And Barnes and Noble for $12.99

Also available for fundraising opportunities

For more information: info@irishbethmaddock.com

A New Life Begins:

The Adventures of Zealy and Whubba Book 1 Series 1

is available on Amazon

for Kindle $3.49, free with Kindle Unlimited

in hardcover for $19.95 and in paperback for $16.95

Also at Barnes and Noble

In hardcover $17.95

paperback $15.95

Nook $7.99

Vacationland: a story of sabotage and revenge

Vacationland by Nat Goodale is a story of a way of life and the changes which can threaten a town and an industry. Located on the coast of Maine, a small town is faced with influx on newcomers who want to change their town. Some see the benefits while others will fight tooth and nail to keep things as they are.

Donny Coombs is a lobsterman like generations of men before him. He lives simply but comfortably. That is until new neighbors build a house next to his property. Delano Nelson and his wife, Eliza are a well-to-do couple who want to make the area for rich vacationers. Donny and his neighbors immediately began to butt heads about state of his property. Donny soon meets the beautiful Shelly Peterson, the daughter of one of the people trying to change the town. They soon have a whirlwind romance as her father doesn’t approve and Shelly doesn’t care. Soon, Donny notices that someone is messing with his lobster traps, his dog gets poisoned and sugar in his gas tank. Who is trying to sabotage his livelihood and hurt him? Is it his new neighbors or it is someone else lurking in the background?

I enjoyed Vacationland and recommended it to all. Donny is a gruff, rough around edges guy who wants to trap his lobsters in peace. He doesn’t want to be bothered and won’t bother others. When the Nelsons try to pretty him up, he fights back and fights back hard. No one messes with Donny. I also enjoyed how the book shows the ugly side of when an area is changed to benefit the luxury of others rather than the livelihoods of the locals. There is one scene when Delano Nelson complains that the congestion at the docks, the town council has the foresight to remind him that the lobster boats have priority on the docks because the lobster they bring in funds the town. This book is filled with romance, mystery and suspense as Donny must discover who is trying to sabotage him.

Vacationland is available

On Amazon.com

On the Kindle for $4.99

And in paperback for $14.99

Lonesome Cowboy: a story of following your dreams against all odds

Lonesome Cowboy by Frank Lowe is a story about a young man who must reinvent himself in order to chase his dreams.

The story opens with Red, a singing cowboy, getting ready to sing in a town he swore he’d never return to. He only returned because his son, Kyle, urged him too. But Red has seen a very painful life, a life that his son knew very little of. Kyle will soon learn the painful secret his father has been hiding. Once Red, whose real name is David, confronts his past, it opens a world of opportunity for his son. Kyle soon meets Miranda Romero-Durante, a beautiful Mexican woman who works at her family’s restaurant. After a sudden tragedy, the family is forced to return to Mexico, leaving Kyle behind to figure out a way for his future with Miranda. He is faced with a great challenge as he is not Mexican and Miranda’s family will look to her to carry on the family name with a Mexican man. Will Kyle be able to find a way to build a life with Miranda?

I enjoyed this book. I thought it would be about a struggling singer who finally makes it big but it was better than that. I loved a line which David speaks to Kyle, “Never only means not yet,” meaning don’t give up. I also loved the final confrontation with Miranda’s scheming aunt. It was a great “HA! In your face!” moment. I highly recommend Lonesome Cowboy as a story of inspiration and following your dreams.

Lonesome Cowboy

is available on

Amazon