My Books For Your Reading Pleasure

My Books For Your Reading Pleasure
Proud Indie Author

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Sara, a Canadian Saga

 


Sara, a Canadian Saga was my very first novel published by Wynterblue 15 years ago. It's available in paperback, kindle, and audiobook formats. https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin Sara, a Canadian Saga - based on the harsh reality of life during the days of the Great Depression we follow one family. The story starts in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. The struggling economy is the deciding factor for Roy who makes the move to Toronto leaving Sara and their then two children behind in Prince Edward Island. Once he secures employment Sara and the children join him. More children follow and the Canadian Dream is more elusive than ever. Sara is available in Paperback, Kindle, and Audio Book format narrated by the talented Falon Echo.

Sara has received several ratings from 1 star to 5 stars. I guess this means it's a story that a reader will either love or hate. But if a book makes a reader feel any emotion, I am a happy author.
It's a story about family patterns repeating throughout very difficult depression years in Canada.


Saturday, April 29, 2023

How I Experienced Matthew McConaughey's 'The Art of Living'

 I spent 5 1/2 hours on Monday, April 24th participating in Matthew McConaughey's 'Art of Living' on-line presentation.   They were, I believe, 5 1/2 hours well-spent although, as much as I was enjoying it, and benefiting from it, I felt it was a very long time to be staring at my laptop's screen.

Much knowledge, information, and wisdom was shared in this free programme.  Matthew's guests included Dean Graziosi who said, "If I don't own my life, who will?"  

A good question, I thought.  He talked about embracing change, having courage and confidence.   He reminded all that to offer advice that was not asked for serves to take away the confidence of another.    He said he didn't want to use persuasion or influence; he simply wanted one to experience it.

I agreed with him that offering 'unasked for' advice is a violation of another's emotional boundaries.

Another guest was Marie Forleo who talked about living our best life.  She shared my views of emotional manifestation into the physical.   She advised looking in the mirror, coming clean and being authentic.

Trent Shelton focused on the importance of asking good questions; the wisdom of having more questions than answers.  I was reminded of a dear mentor who years ago taught me that 'the answer is in the question'.  A line I remember that I found very appealing was, "Biography is not destiny".

Tony Robbins arrived and  talked about facing our fears.  I was reminded that my independence could be my achilles heel.  My mother always told me I was too independent for my own good.    There was talk about peeling back the layers and I thought of the onion that my clients and I spend a lot of time peeling.

Considering the points of view of others was an important point in conversation.  I thought of some people I've known who are stuck in one way of thinking.  They will say, I do it this way.  I have always done it this way and I always will.   

As for me, I'm forever a student, open to learning and I learn much more from friends with different points of view than I do from those whose views match my own.  

Matthew McConaughey spoke emotionally about green lights and, of course, that reminded me of the gifts I've received when experiencing synchronicity.  His words also reminded me of the importance of those pieces of the puzzle of life and to always keep in mind 'God's odd look'.   

Gratitude - to feel and express gratitude for successes but also to feel gratitude for the failures because we often learn more from failure than we do from success, if we are open to learning and growing.

In the 5 1/2 hours there was a lot happening.  My memory is far from perfect. I may be mistaken about who said what.   There was much to remember.  But these things I have shared in this post are some of what I received from the experience.

Of all that was shared in this presentation, what has stayed with me more than anything else are a few words I have adopted for my own use.   The reminder was that if I say the words "I can't", my actions are controlled by someone other than me.   If, instead, I say the words "I don't", I am making a choice.   

Here is what I've learned to do if I am feeling anxious or fearful about anything.  For example, I've been feeling nervous about being guest speaker at Women Alive this coming week so I've learned to say aloud the words, "I don't do fear".   

I believe repeating this mantra is helpful.   I will discover Tuesday evening if it truly works.  

Gratitude is key.  I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to experience Matthew McConaughey's, "The Art of Living".   It felt good to  have some of my current thoughts agreed with and confirmed by others.   It felt good to have new doors opened offering me new thoughts from which to learn.  It matters to me that I keep an open heart and an open mind.   

As a psychospiritual practitioner I choose to work with and focus on emotional healing with the understanding and belief that our emotions manifest in the physical.  Emotional and spiritual healing is the goal of empowerment counseling.

These have been some of my thoughts about my experience.  Matthew McConaughey's recent book, GREENLIGHTS is one I plan to read.






Wednesday, April 26, 2023

First Reviews for "Shh! We Don't Talk About That!"

 

First Reviews for 'Shh! We Don't Talk About That!'

So far, Shh! We Don't Talk About That has received only two reviews, but they  are very good ones.

Your positive reviews on Amazon or Goodreads mean the world to me.  Thank you.

Top review from Canada

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
I almost passed this by because I thought it was about a different topic from what it is: 
An open and unvarnished account of some personal "paranormal" experiences. 
Thank you for this brave and honest book, Audrey Austin. .. I don't discount these 
things because I've spent more than fifty years understanding a simple but amazing 
experience of my own at age 15. .. I highly recommend this book. It will encourage 
readers to dust off their own clues about the rich breadth of life.
............................

 Mona A. Clark ..



    

Bought it on Kindle last night and binged the entire book. I was MESMERIZED. Highly recommended!

............................

From the author:

Shh! We Don't Talk About That! is a personal account of mystical, emotional, spiritual and, what some may call, paranormal, events that have been my experience during the past many years of my life.

The Biblical quotation, "Do not cast pearls before swine", has contributed to my virtual silence surrounding these experiences. It is with great care and caution that I have shared confidentially with a very few chosen people.

But now that I have reached the bragging age, I believe it is time for me to broaden my boundaries, enlarge my group of interested listeners, and share more freely those things I have primarily kept close to my heart.


“Let he who has ears, listen”.

This publication is not for everyone.
It is for you if you are blessed to be aware of your awareness.
It is for you if you are on an adventure of spiritual growth.
It is for you if you desire to know your authentic self.
It is for you if you have more questions than answers.

A dear friend and mentor once said to me,
“Beware the one who says he knows”.

I do not claim to know. I simply share some personal happenings that may be of interest to you.
Perhaps you have had similar experiences.

I hope the words I share in this publication will be helpful. Perhaps you thought you were alone. If so, I want you to know that I see you. I hear you, kindred spirit.






Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Books available at the Community Market April 22, 2023

 These are the books for sale I'll have with me this Saturday, April 22nd at the Community Market, Ren Centre, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, for anyone interested, I will be offering chakra readings for $5. Hope to see you there.

🙂 ❤ Books make wonderful Mother's Day gifts.


All my books are available in Kindle and Paperback formats exclusively on all Amazon sites. Check out my author's page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin




Friday, April 7, 2023

POartRY and PROSE

To create POartRY and PROSE, I began by posting the photos of some of the many paintings I have created. Then, beginning with the first painting, I simply looked at it and allowed words to flow.

With regard to the cover painting these were my feelings. As the river disappears behind the mountain, I feel the urge to follow it. I want to know what lies behind the mountain.

As I filled these pages with words, I had no idea what I would be thinking about, writing about, praying about. I had no agenda. I simply followed the river of photos of my paintings.

When the river flowed behind the mountain of another page, I hung onto the urge, and I followed it.
When I was faced with another painting, I was faced with a decision. What shall I write? Will I write a poem? Will I write prose?

This manuscript has been a writing adventure. I had no idea what I would write until I began writing.
And how does this creation of a manuscript differ from the way I live, and have lived, and will live my life?

I am open to life. I am prepared to meet whatever it may offer. I wish you, my readers, the same.




Wednesday, April 5, 2023

First Review of "Shh! We Don't Talk About That!"

 Shh! We Don't Talk About That!  has received it's first review.

Thank you, Stephen Calverley, for this review of Shh! We Don't Talk About that. 🙂
"An open and unvarnished account of some personal "paranormal" experiences. Thank you for this brave and honest book, Audrey Austin. .. I don't discount these things because I've spent more than fifty years understanding a simple but amazing experience of my own at age 15. .. I highly recommend this book. It will encourage readers to dust off their own clues about the rich breadth of life."

Monday, April 3, 2023

Shh! We Don't Talk About That!

 Look what arrived today! I'm as excited as I was when copy of my first novel, Sara, arrived fifteen years ago! I'll have a couple copies of this, my most recent publication, with me on Saturday, April 8th, at the Community Market, Ren Centre. "Shh! We Don't Talk About That!" is available in both paperback and kindle formats on all Amazon sites. https://www.amazon.ca/Shh.../dp/B0BZ2CSK9K/ref=sr_1_2...