Emily Rachelle Writes

Guess what, my lovely readers! It's that time of year again! No, I'm not talking about Thanksgiving, Christmas, or snow - although all of those are marvelous. I'm talking about my annual December 12 - January 15 blog party. This will be year three! We all know good things come in threes, not to mention the third time's a charm. ;) Of course, there shall be giveaways. Guest posts. Interviews. The whole shebang! I still have quite a few slots open, especially considering there's going to be a post for EVERY SINGLE DAY for a month. Therefore, if you have a blog/are a published author (self- or traditionally-published) and would like to join the party, or have a favorite blogger/author you want to see hosted, please do let me know at emilyrachellewrites@gmail.com. Oh, and the giveaways! I need sponsors. If you have an online store or know of one that may be interested in sponsoring a giveaway (and a review, if they'd like), you can email me, too. ...

Standing Bear of the Ponca by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve Imagine having to argue in court that you are a person. Amazon Page GoodReads Page LibraryThing Page About the Author Amazon Summary: Imagine having to argue in court that you are a person. Yet this is just what Standing Bear, of the Ponca Indian tribe, did in Omaha in 1879. And because of this trial, the law finally said that an Indian was indeed a person, with rights just like any other American. Standing Bear of the Ponca tells the story of this historic leader, from his childhood education in the ways and traditions of his people to his trials and triumphs as chief of the Bear Clan of the Ponca tribe. Most harrowing is the winter trek on which Standing Bear led his displaced people, starving and sick with malaria, back to their homeland—only to be arrested by the U.S. government, which set the stage for his famous trial. Standing Bear’s story is also the story of a changing America, when the Ponca, like so many...

Ghost Boy by Martin Pistorius The miraculous escape of a misdiagnosed boy trapped inside his own body Amazon Page GoodReads Page LibraryThing Page Author Website Amazon Summary: They all thought he was gone. But he was alive and trapped inside his own body for ten years.  In January 1988 Martin Pistorius, aged twelve, fell inexplicably sick. First he lost his voice and stopped eating. Then he slept constantly and shunned human contact. Doctors were mystified. Within eighteen months he was mute and wheelchair-bound. Martin's parents were told an unknown degenerative disease left him with the mind of a baby and less than two years to live. Martin was moved to care centers for severely disabled children. The stress and heartache shook his parents’ marriage and their family to the core. Their boy was gone. Or so they thought.  Ghost Boy is the heart-wrenching story of one boy’s return to life through the power of love and faith. In these pages, readers see a pare...

Don't forget to read the story of Esther and my last post on supporting characters! Everyone who thinks of the Esther story probably comes away with the lesson of bravery, courage, standing up for others/what you believe in. That's a great lesson, one that is definitely found in these pages. However, it's not the only lesson. Far from it! I give you, in order of appearance, the other lessons I've found in Esther. From the king: Drinking is a bad idea. Choices made while you're drunk should not be acted on. Don't depend on your friends to make your decisions for you, and definitely don't trust their advice if they're infuriated or drunk. (Actually, in that case, find new friends!)

If you have not read the book of Esther, or are not familiar with the story, you may struggle to follow this post. However, don't despair - you can read it free online ! Good morning, my lovely readers! I told you once before about my latest Bible reading plan, and what I learned from Ruth. Right now I'm reading through Esther - one of my favorite Bible stories, but a book I've never actually read completely through before. I'm only partially done, but I wanted to share a few thoughts that have come across already. The entire book is about Esther, yes. It's titled after her, and she is undoubtedly the main character. But just like any good novel, in real life there are side characters - supporting roles, who are living their own individual lives with their own goals, dreams, back stories, and weaknesses. One reason I love the One Night with the King movie is because it portrays the story as a whole, complete with cultural and historical information and real, l...

The Kindling Muse by Chelsea Guy Addie just wants answers. Little does she know that she is about to receive them. Amazon Page GoodReads Page Author Website Amazon Summary: Sixteen-year-old Addie Flamma has normal goals for a sixteen-year-old: graduate from high school at the top of her class and attend the perfect college, despite growing up under less than ideal conditions. As a minor living in foster care, however, Addie wants more than that; she wants to find out who her parents are and why she has been cursed with serious health problems. During the middle of a presentation in chemistry class, Addie suffers a major seizure. In the hospital, she is given a rare African plant extract in her IV drip known to help adolescents with her type of medical conditions. Miraculously cured by the unique plant, only known as “ashes of life,” Addie returns to school and resumes her job at a shelter for the needy. But when she is drawn to a mysterious boy seeking a hot meal, he changes...

A quick note to my lovely readers before we commence with the review - after the finale of My Imaginary Boyfriend this past weekend, there will be no more Saturday posts for the time being. I'm cutting back to just Tuesday and Thursday regular posts. Stolen Woman by Kimberly Rae What would you risk? Amazon Page LibraryThing Page GoodReads Page Author Website Amazon Summary: Human Trafficking… Asha knew nothing about it before meeting sixteen-year-old Rani, stolen from her home and forced into prostitution in Kolkata, India. Asha must help this girl escape, but Mark, a third generation missionary, keeps warning her away from the red-light district and its workers. Will she ever discover why? And will they ever stop their intense arguments long enough to admit their even more intense feelings for one another? When Asha sneaks out one last time in a desperate attempt to rescue her friend, someone follows her through the night. Is freedom possible? Or will she, too, beco...

Previous episode:  http://emilyrachellewrites.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-imaginary-boyfriend-episode-ten.html My favorite singer is Taylor Swift. I don't have a favorite song, or a favorite album. But I associate each individual song or album of hers with something particular - maybe an emotion, or an event, or a person. Some are more obvious connections. I can't listen to "Best Day" without imagining myself singing to my mom for Mother's Day or at my wedding. "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" may have lyrics featuring romance, but ever since watching the music video, it makes me think of my best friend Mikaela. Generally I get this vague idea of taking a road trip with her. I did that once. It changed my life. None of Taylor's songs or albums affect me more than Red. I will never hear Red - the song or any of the others from the album - without thinking of Rykel. Electric eyes that look like coming home, like the clear blue sky over my...