The Gifted Ones By Lisa Vaughn

Back Cover
Have you ever been so in love that your daily breath depended upon one another?

Have you ever been pushed to unfathomable limits just to defend your beliefs?

Have you ever been made to feel like the underbelly of society?

Have you ever been thirteen?

Well I have, and this is my story.

Inside Look
Lisa was raised to be a proper catholic girl within the confines of a small Indiana town. Lisa had a secret to keep, a secret she wanted to shout to the world, but she knew the consequences were not worth the risk. Everyday Lisa wrote of her feelings, of her love, in the pages of her diary, where she thought they would be safe. Until one day Lisa’s mother discovered her diary and her world crashed down around her.

Favorite Excerpts

Slowly she moved down the bridge of my nose, her lips touching me in small even increments. A lifetime seemed to have passed before I felt her lips touch mine. A dizziness swept over me as my world fell even more silent.

I sat there at the kitchen table stunned. Truly immobile, feeling like my insides had been sucked out my ass, leaving me vulnerable - unable to move. Paralyzed with fear...for myself, for us. My head spinning as I heard words being thrashed at me, like a leather strap to my raw skin, as my fresh wounds grew deeper and bloodier.

I was ugly, I was shameful, I was not welcomed. I remember exclaiming to them, “How could loving someone be wrong?” Their only response was to make bible references and scream lame absurdities, “Because two females don't fit together!” What the f*%# did that mean? Is that how they measured love? Based on your ability to make a baby or not? How insane were they? Had they truly lost their minds? Would they rather I'd been knocked up? Isn't THAT every parent's worst nightmare? Apparently not my parents. How did I end up with the homophobes? Just my luck, I guess.

Did I Love It?

I fell in love with Lisa’s story; it’s tender and innocent and will certainly pull at your heart strings. This book has touched me in so many ways. A myriad of emotions came flowing from my soul. Lisa’s story is beautiful, special and touching.

Lisa fought against the world and her parents for the right to love whom she chose. The person she loved just happened to be her best friend, Selina. This is not a propaganda story about same sex relationships, this is about love, loss and finding your way through life.

Lisa has a creative writing style. She knows how to weave a beautiful story, her words flowing like honey off the pages, whisking you deeper into her life. Lisa's book has some gut wrenching moments, but her story is intriguing and beautiful.

Lisa tells her story forthright, using creative descriptions to create a mental picture for her readers. The Gifted Ones is not told in a traditional format, it’s as if she is sitting next to you whispering her deepest secrets in your ear. This is a book not to be missed. Lisa's unique voice lends a fresh view on love.

Gracefully Yours,
Elle

Read what Lisa Vaughn has to say

Releasing Gillian's Wolves By Tara Wooply

Inside Look

"The moon drew a rippling arrow across the surface of the lake, exposing Edward and Sam making love on the dock. Rounding the point in my kayak, I stopped, mesmerized by the romance of the lake, the moon and two beautiful men wrapped in each other on an over-sized deck chair. Good, I thought, good for Edward. My marriage is such a wreck. I silently paddled toward the next dock and home."

Gillian Sach's husband, Jack, is a successful politician; she is the picture perfect political wife and mother. Jack has been cheating on Gillian for decades, but she has chosen to overlook his affairs, for the sake of her family. Gillian keeps her mind numb by painting, gardening and cooking for family and friends.

When she finds, yet another hotel key in his laundry, and discovers Jack’s newest conquest is a pretty young intern, she finally decides to leave him. Gillian realizes she needs to start making some difficult decisions about her life, her future.

Supported by family and friends who love and cherish her, Gillian takes a journey to Amsterdam. Her journey is one of self- discovery, of freedom.

Did I Love It?

I love the art on the cover of this book; a lake house nestled against the water in autumn. It is so beautiful and serene. I believe that the brightly colored leaves on the trees signify the change, the personal growth Gillian is about to experience.

Tara Woolpy has done a wonderful job of developing characters that seem real. They spring to life in the pages of the book. Gillian is a loving, caring woman and her friends have an enchanting charismatic demeanor.

We follow Gillian as she cooks her way through many of her issues, with recipes interspersed in several chapters. Everything she cooks sounds so delicious, and the recipes are a treat to read.

This is a story of life, love and friendship. Gilliam’s exploits keep you captivated, and the recipes are an added surprise. If you enjoy a good story of personal growth and love, you will enjoy this beautifully written novel.

Savor the taste and smell of Survive Anything Double Chocolate Brownies, from Releasing Gillian's Wolves. 

Survive Anything Double Chocolate Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Melt nine ounces of bittersweet chocolate and seven tablespoons unsalted butter (most of a stick). Chop and cut the chocolate and butter so they melt easily in a double boiler (if you’re like me and don’t want a big double boiler cluttering the kitchen, use a four cup Pyrex measuring cup placed in the middle of a pot half-filled with boiling water). Some people melt chocolate in microwaves. You could try that. Use a spatula to keep the mixture from gunking up the sides, stir continually and when it’s completely soupy set aside to cool.

Beat three eggs in a large bowl at medium-high speed until thick and pale, it takes a few minutes. Add two teaspoons vanilla extract, two tablespoons coffee (whatever’s left in the pot), a half-cup milk and a cup of sour cream (use real sour cream!). Beat until fully mixed (just seconds). Reduce speed to low, add chocolate mixture. Don’t lick the spatula yet.

Whisk one and a half cups all-purpose flour, a half-teaspoon baking powder and a half-teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl. Fold in the flour mixture. Add a bag or so of semisweet chocolate chips (this can vary depending on what you’re surviving. When we visit Evelyn, I use at least two bags).

Grease the sides of a ten by fourteen inch cake pan, using the lopped off end of the butter stick. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Cover with batter and smooth it out. Now you can lick the spatula. Bake until cooked through, about a half hour (test with a toothpick to make sure). Allow brownies to cool before cutting.

Eat, share and repeat until everything’s okay.

Gracefully Yours,
Elle