“READERS & REVIEWS of MEMOIRS ~ An Editorial 5-Star Awarded Book Review and More ‘High Praise’ on Amazon New Reviews” . . .
Secrets of a Nun: My Own Story
by Elizabeth Upton Non-Fiction – Memoir 241 Pages Reviewed on 09/06/2024 By K.C. Sanders
“Before I left high school, most of my teachers were nuns, not to mention a source of fascination. What did they wear to bed at night? Are they bald under those black veils? What do they confess if they don’t even sin?
As a young teacher, I worked with and learned a lot more about nuns, but only after I read Secrets of a Nun: My Own Story by Elizabeth Upton, could I conclusively say that nuns are, indeed, very human!
Upton’s journey from becoming a nun to leaving took 21 years, beginning when she was only 16. In an utterly honest voice that shares every emotion, and the more hidden, natural urges a young teen feels, Upton opens up to readers in her memoir. We feel every battle with herself and her superiors that resulted from her choice to dedicate her life to God.
Becoming a nun is far from easy. Personal interaction between nuns is discouraged. Nuns in superior positions take their religious fervor and powerful roles to extremes, and the degree of dedication required would try anyone’s strength and patience.
Then, of course, there’s the difficulty younger nuns experience denying their attraction to the opposite sex, as celibacy is not just demanded of Catholic priests! I loved the honesty with which Elizabeth Upton shares such emotional and physical details. That takes courage. Readers need to bring an open mind to Secrets of a Nun.
Those who see normal urges as sinful might be offended by Upton’s frankness. The rest of us will applaud Upton’s decision to write a tell-all about her life as a Catholic nun. It is a memoir I recommend to any young woman contemplating donning the veil.
“Read this memoir long before you take those final vows.“ ~K. C. Sanders Book Reviewer~
ABOUT THE BOOK
Great on Kindle~ Great Experience. ~ Great Value. Enjoy a great reading experience when you borrow the Kindle edition of this book with your Kindle Unlimited membership. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories. Print is available on sale, too!
Secrets of a Nun is a revealing, uncompromisingly honest, and deeply moving look into one woman’s soul.
At fifteen, Elizabeth, a talented athlete, gives up her dreams of competing in the Olympics to become a nun. Separating from her mother and twin sister, she leaves her friends and familiar world behind to pursue a saintly life. But she finds herself unprepared for what lies ahead. While her cloistered life commences as a profound spiritual and emotional journey, personal disenchantment takes root and slowly grows over the next twenty years.
Elizabeth recoils against the restrictive atmosphere of convent life. She struggles with conflicting emotions until a forbidden love affair forces her to come to grips with her needs as a woman. Over the course of striving to find her authentic self, she ultimately feels compelled to leave the Order.
A true story inspires this fascinating account of courage and passion. It will shock you and bring a smile to your face as you follow the course of a young woman’s obsession to become a spiritual seeker—an obsession that, over time, transforms into a deeply felt desire for personal liberation.
“A fascinating book into oppression and control and finding a way out without losing convictions and passion for Christ’s Love. I learned a lot.”
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5.0 out of 5 stars Best One Ever Verified Purchase Reviewed in the UK on 08/10/2024 “I’ve read 40 books about nuns. This is the best one ever. It was so enjoyable I hated for it to end.”
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More Non-Fiction Books She has Written Can By Found On Her Amazon Author Page! >> Elizabeth Upton <<(Author) The Holiday Gift Giving Season is Just Around The Corner & Books Make Great Gifts!
In “The Broken Circle, Beyond Cedar Cove,” Cynthia Ulmer tells a moving story about hope, resilience, and the bonds that unite a community in times of crisis.
In this second part of the series, we find the tranquil town of Cedar Cove on the brink of chaos; the local Baptist Church, a cornerstone of the community, is thrown into turmoil when its pastor, Joe Marley, crashes his car into the Jansans’ feed store. James Jansan, the respectable head deacon, must find a substitute preacher to take over while the community grapples with various issues that threaten to unravel its tight-knit fabric.
Meg Kerwood, known for her abusive and neglectful behavior toward her six-year-old daughter, wants to have a baby boy. She believes that unwavering faith and divine intervention will answer her prayers. But her journey toward motherhood takes an unexpected turn, leading her down a path of heartache and turmoil. Adding to the chaos, someone from Grandma Cal’s past resurfaces, bringing secrets and complications that test the town’s unity.
As the truth comes to light, Meg’s life takes a frightening turn, leaving her shattered and on the brink of disaster. Will Cedar Cove find the strength to overcome the challenges that threaten to tear them apart, or will they succumb to the weight of their secrets?
In this captivating novel, join us on a breathtaking journey filled with compassion, redemption, and the power of faith.
Underneath the Honeysuckle Vine Beyond Cedar Cove (Book 1)
It began underneath the honeysuckle vine. Meg Evans came from a privileged background. She thought she was better than most around her. She had beauty, money, and prestige. She lived in a fantasy world, ignoring the mistakes she made. When it all crashed and crumbled, she blamed her illegitimate daughter Carin for her misfortune.
What will happen as she lies, cheats, and steals to return to the life she believes she deserves? Will her daughter Carin survive the abuse? Will Meg change? Will a return visit to the honeysuckle vine help?
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ABOUT THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
Award medal recipient and acclaimed writer Cynthia Ulmer was born in Newport News, Virginia, and raised in Leland, North Carolina. Her wholesome ‘Southern Family Fictional’ book series, The Cedar Cove Chronicles, is an award-winning series of books.
It is a Christian-themed realistic drama series that follows the Jansan family and their friends and neighbors in the fictional community of Cedar Cove, North Carolina, during the 1940s and 1950s. Books one and four of “The Cedar Cove Chronicles” have won medals from the ‘Wishing Shelf Indie Book Awards’ and several have received several 5-star book reviews from Readers Favorite.
Now ready to bring readers to the present, she has released a new book series called Beyond Cedar Cove. Book one, Underneath The Honeysuckle Vine, was released in 2021, and book two, Broken Circle, is set to release soon. Her titles are available on Amazon, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and many other online bookstores and literary publications.
Cynthia shares, “Some people grapple with their life’s purpose, while others are born knowing it. At an early age, I knew I would be a writer–as the narratives were always alive in my mind.” The author’s characters are so rich and relatable that readers will feel an intimate connection with them and eagerly anticipate the next chapter in their lives. The author hopes her books resonate with readers, stirring their hearts and inspiring them to foster deeper faith-filled connections with the Lord.
When Cynthia isn’t writing, she finds joy in cooking, crocheting, immersing herself in music, and delving into the works of her favorite authors, Catherine Hyde Ryan, Lucinda Berry, and Wiley Cash. Above all, she treasures the time spent with her extensive family, particularly her grandchildren. Cynthia and her husband continue to call North Carolina home.
It was undeniable the two widows had decades of wisdom over Quita’s tender age of twenty-two, but she had something just as valuable to offer— something they’d never survive without. Street smarts and a young, tech savvy mind.
Together, the three made a valuable team, and they took advantage of every opportunity. Quita had quickly learned that nobody, not even a seasoned crook, would suspect two old women in a four-door sedan of being undercover.
Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Reader Views (03/2024)
Kim Carter Raven South Publishing (2024) ISBN: 978-1947140134 Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Reader Views (03/2024)
“The Root of All Evil: A Clara and Iris Mystery” is the third Book in the award-winning Kim Carter mystery series, which takes murder investigation to a whole new level. Book three finds the Atlanta Police Department approaching widowed private investigators Clara and Iris with a different kind of case. They are excited to have put their first year of investigating behind them and now find themselves with a case that has been solved once.
It would have stayed solved and closed if not for the victims’ family members objecting to the jury’s findings. This challenging case is perfect for Clara and Iris and their team, as they are determined to prove that the two men behind bars for the crime were wrongly convicted of the double murder. The two women go undercover to dig into the gruesome crime, finding mystery and illusion at every turn. Worse, their lives are now in jeopardy because of the investigation.
For many reasons, Carter’s third book in the mystery series is a standout drama. One is that the plot is unpredictable. You can’t guess what’s happening, but you want to know and find your investigative instincts kicking in as you read along. I love the unique characters of Iris and Clara, two widows completely different from many PIs you may have encountered in murder mysteries. I like their tenacity and sharp wit. They just won’t let go once they sink their teeth into a case.
Carter’s style rings with authenticity, grit, and a healthy dose of humor, which holds you in suspense until the end. The fun part is that the novelist based these two lead characters after her mother and her mother’s best friend. Likewise, Carter’s life experiences inform her work, which I think adds so much to the story and characters, giving you an insider’s feel to the story. The dialogue is dynamic, and the pace is fluid.
This brief excerpt gives you an idea of the author’s succinct yet descriptive style and provides a little insight into the characters:
It was undeniable the two widows had decades of wisdom over Quita’s tender age of twenty-two, but she had something just as valuable to offer— something they’d never survive without. Street smarts and a young, techsavvy mind.
Together, the three made a valuable team, and they took advantage of every opportunity. Quita had quickly learned that nobody, not even a seasoned crook, would suspect two old women in a four-door sedan of being undercover.
If you like thoroughly entertaining, character-driven mystery novels, you will become an instant fan of the compelling “The Root of All Evil: A Clara and Iris Mystery” and its author, Kim Carter.
Novelist Kim Carter is a multi-award-winning author and critically acclaimed writer of gripping suspense, chilling thrillers, and haunting historical mysteries.
Ms. Carter is widely known for her vibrant characters in her Clara and Iris Mystery series, a couple of overly curious widows who turn into private investigators. These funny women were inspired by Kim’s mother and her mom’s best friend. Book one of this series, Murder Among The Tombstones, was chosen as a Finalist for the 2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award and a recipient of the 2017 TCK Publishers’ Readers’ Choice Award.
Ms. Carter’s Mysteries and literary works include Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle, When Dawn Never Comes, Deadly Odds (chosen Editor’s Pick in Books Shelf Magazine in 2022), No Second Chances, ‘And The Forecast Called For Rain,’ and ‘Dark Secrets of the Bayou, and her new ‘A Clara and Iris Mystery titled ‘The Root Of All Evil in Feb. 2024.
“Dark Secrets of The Bayou” has been awarded a Reader’s Favorite Editorial 5-Star Review. It was also chosen the #1 Finalist for Best Historical Mystery from Reader’s Favorite 2021 book awards and a 2021 Killer Nashville Finalist for The Silver Falchion Awards. In 2022, “Bayou” was chosen by The Author Shout book awards as a Recommended Reads. All of Kim’s novels can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BAM, and Indie Bound.
Kim’s writing career started after she suffered an illness that made her housebound for a couple of years. An avid reader of mystery novels herself, she embarked on writing to fill her time. Kim’s health struggles and successes have been chronicled on Lifetime Television in early 2000, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Women’s Day Magazine, and Guidepost. Now, with eight acclaimed mystery titles to her credit, Kim worked in many different capacities in county government.
Still, her job as a correctional officer ultimately offered her opportunities to talk and interact with a diverse group of people. Her experiences run the gamut from inspiring success stories to tragic endings as she writes within her mysteries. Kim began networking and connected with numerous homicide detectives, medical examiners, and prison officials. Her research has taken her to many places, including morgues, death row, and the occasional midnight visit to cemeteries to gain material for all eight of her novels.
Ms. Carter is a Saint Leo University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. When she is not writing, she enjoys gardening and is an avid reader. Ms. Carter is a proud mother of four beautiful grown children. The author resides and shares her time in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Atlanta, Georgia.
~ EDITORIAL BOOK REVIEW #2 ~ “The Root Of All Evil ~ Reviewed by Terri Stepek for Reader Views (03/2024)
Author Kim Carter wows fans yet again with another great Clara and Iris Mystery, “The Root of All Evil.” If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Clara Samples and Iris Hadley, here’s a little primer.
Both are widows in their “golden years” and have enjoyed a close friendship for over 50 years. Both are intelligent in their own ways but streetwise and tech-savvy. Clara is steady, calm, reliable, and the ever-present voice of reason. Iris is… not. She’s more reactionary, hot-headed, and has no working filter for her brain-to-mouth interface. Together, they’re unstoppable. They’ve opened their own business in their twilight years and are happy with their newfound careers as private investigators.
Their case this time is already solved. Or so the Atlanta PD says, having incarcerated two men for the theft and double homicide of a wealthy Atlanta couple seven years ago. Their friend from APD, Pritchard Pitts, has asked that they look further into the former case because not everyone believes the men serving time for the crime are the guilty parties.
As they investigate the facts, this case becomes more intriguing. There are a host of fun new characters and several old favorites. Two spectacular standouts among the new faces are from a crusty old diner—what many would have called a “greasy spoon” in the day.
As Iris says it:
“This place needs more than moppin’,” she commented, rubbing her fingers across the greasy pleather of one of the booths. “It needs Jesus.”
The owner/cook, Reno, is an enigmatic character with a gruff, anti-social demeanor. How he keeps his wreck of a restaurant, the Starlight, open is a head-scratcher of a mystery. His one and only waitress, Marigold, is verbally abused by her boss and friendly, but she’s a seriously dim bulb. Her well-meaning teachers repeatedly passed her to the next grade level so she could eventually leave school and start her inevitable minimum-wage career. Feeling sorry for Marigold when we meet her at the diner is easy.
“The Root of All Evil” is packed with mystery, intrigue, lies, and misfortune. It’s also a fun and entertaining read with stellar characters, uniquely crafted and full of warmth, charm, and wit. While Clara’s steady demeanor is wonderful and wise, it’s ‘Iris’ who steals the spotlight nearly every time. She’s what I aspire to be: the crazy old lady who can get away with doing and saying whatever she wants.
Oh, to be so free… If you think this is one of those cutesy, cozy mysteries that old ladies like to read, let me disabuse you of that notion. With “Iris” surly comments, I don’t think it could qualify as such. While it shares certain traits with such novels, it aligns more with a PI/amateur sleuth story.
Fans who enjoy sussing out the facts and attempting to solve the case will enjoy this read, as will fans of mysteries with well-honed characters. If you enjoy solid mysteries that include wit, grit, and southern charm with a touch of “bless her heart…” then this is the read for you.
Fans of author Kim Carter and the Clara and Iris Mystery series eagerly await the next installment of murder, madness, and mayhem!
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CAT Invites Readers To Connect With The Author On Social Media! Her books are available from Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and now audiobook formats, as well as within the Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Audible Membership programs.
“Cat’s Book Library 4 Readers,” and owner of “Lyon Literary Book Marketing, PR 4 Authors,” is excited to share this Glowing Editorial Book Review News for our amazing author Liz (Elizabeth) Upton! And Cat’s Book Library is now on BLOGLOVIN’! Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Ms. Upton, a seasoned writer of thrilling romantic mystery and suspense, she also writes inspiring and motivating words of wisdom within award-winning non-fiction reads. I hope you will visit this new post of hers and her beautiful website and read the review. Liz pours her heart and soul to uplift women everywhere and of any age. . . 📚🎉😇😻 *CAT*
"CAT'S BOOK LIBRARY 4 READERS" 