Review of “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Capman

I am again honoured to review a new book by Ronald Chapman as part of the WOW! Women of Writing blog tour. This one, “My Name is Wonder” is a tale of adventure that offers much truth.

Little Wonder, a young goat, is made fun of and feels shame. Yet as he learns under Oren and the MC, a wily crow, he comes to find his place in the Presence. His path takes him far away from his farm and he meets many interesting characters along the way. Many offer much to his growing wisdom.

Oren is his first teacher and through him, Wonder learns to be still and listen, to seek the answers inside himself.

“Let your inner voice be your one, true guide. Learn to trust it and it will never fail you.”

Wonder leaves on a journey to the mountains with MC the crow. He meets otters, rams and a bear that enlighten him further. At the top of the mountain, he realizes here is no end to his path.

Other adventures await him and although he is discouraged, he rises above that.  As MC tells him: “Now is now. Inside is truth. Breathe. Listen. Feel.”

He learns to be present, even in the darkness. That his path is always there and that they can only limit his body.”

I found so many wise words from the different teachers – from Oren, to MC to Espy. So many words to ponder and take into my own life. Ideas of being present in the moment, of listening deeply, of caring for others.I found Wonder’s acceptance near the end inspiring, as he states: “Since I am here, I might as well be present.” And he finds new ways to explore and grow.

Ron Chapman’s book is a powerful allegory, one that needs to be read and then read again to absorb its wisdom.

 

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Book Summary: My Name is Wonder is a tale of adventure that will have you thinking from the first page until well after you’ve closed the book. This beautifully written novel chronicles the transcendent adventures of a little goat with big dreams. Join Wonder and his wisecracking guide, the mysterious crow Mac Craack, on a journey through the scenic landscapes of the American Southwest and into the heart of a mindful presence. Along the way, you’ll meet an unforgettable cast of creatures, each with an important lesson to teach.

Paperback: 202 Pages
Genre: Fiction/Spirituality
Publisher: Terra Nova Books (September 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1938288785
ISBN-13: 978-1938288784

My Name is Wonder is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

 

About the Author:

Ronald Chapman is owner of an international speaking and consulting company, Magnetic North LLC. In addition to international accreditation as a speaker and national awards for radio commentary, he is the author of two novels, My Name is Wonder (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016) and A Killer’s Grace (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016 and 2012), two works of non-fiction, Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days(Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2008) and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes (Page Free Publishing, 2004) and the producer of three audio sets, Seeing True: The Way of Spirit (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2016, 2005), Breathing, Releasing and Breaking Through: Practices for Seeing True (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2015), and Seeing True – The Way of Success in Leadership (Magnetic North Audio, 2005). Ron provides a wide array of social media content atwww.SeeingTrue.com, content for people in substance abuse recovery at www.ProgressiveRecovery.org, and other content from his master site, www.RonaldChapman.com. He holds a Masters in Social Welfare from The University at Albany (New York.) Prior to his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ronald can also be found online at:

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1338592.Ronald_Chapman

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/seeingtrue/

 

———-Blog Tour Dates

Monday, September 26th @ The Muffin
Stop by for an interview and book giveaway!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Tuesday, September 27th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Madeline Sharples showcases “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman on her blog, Choices.
http://madelinesharples.com/

Wednesday, September 28th @ Selling Books with Cathy Stucker
Join Ronald Chapman as today’s guest author at Selling Books with Cathy Stucker. Find out more about Chapman’s topic: How wonder is not in the world, but in how we see, and thus the perspective we bring, and about his latest book “My Name is Wonder”
http://www.sellingbooks.com/

Thursday, September 29th @ Beverley A. Baird
Beverly A Baird reviews “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman. Find out what Beverley has to say about this moving tale.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

Friday, September 30th @ Linda Loves Chocolate
Linda Juul shares her thoughts after reading “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman. You won’t want to miss this insightful review.
http://lindaloveschocolate.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 3rd @ Book Santa Fe
Elizabeth Seratt reviews Ronald Chapman’s ” My Name is Wonder ”
http://www.booksantafe.info/blog

Wednesday, October 5th @ The Muffin
Crystal Otto from WOW! reviews “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman. Don’t miss this 5 star review of an intriguing and enlightening novel.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

Thursday, October 6th @ Renee’s Pages with Tange Dudt
Tange Dudt reviews “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman; find out what she had to say after reading this insightful and moving novel.
http://reneespages.blogspot.com/

Friday, October 7th @ Monika Josan
Ronald Chapman’s “My Name is Wonder” will be featured on Monika Josan | a life path today and readers can hear Monika’s thoughts as she reviews this delightful novel.
http://monikajosan.com/

Monday, October 10th @ Bring on Lemons with Alison Taylor
Educator and mom of four Alison Taylor reviews “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman. Alison offers her ideas and insight about this enlightening and beautifully written novel.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 11th @ Bring on Lemons with Penny Harrison
Wisconsin business woman and mompreneur Penny Harrison shares her thoughts and feelings after reading “My Name is Wonder” by Ronald Chapman – don’t miss this insightful blog stop.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com

 

“A Killer’s Grace” – WOW! Blog Tour

 

I have been honoured to read and review   A Killer’s Grace  by Ronald Chapman as part of the WOW! Women on Writing book tour.

Ronald Chapman’s book   A Killer’s Grace  will definitely make you ponder some very deep questions and leave you thinking about the book long after you finish it.

Through the investigation of journalist Kevin Pitcairn, we are taken on a journey as he explores the ideas of innocence, guilt, evil, loss, redemption, forgiveness, resiliency, compassion, grace.
Pitcairn has a very dark past and we learn early of his early addictions and of a murder he committed and escaped conviction for, for which he still has nightmares. A letter from Davidson, a convicted murderer on death row, leads him on an investigation and we follow him as he interviews the families of Davidson’s victims and priests, trying to unravel his own past and uncover truths that need to be unearthed.

Walking in the desert and journaling in his notebook are both powerful tools that restore him. Talking with his two AA sponsors and the priests also help him make sense of what he is learning about Davidson, his own nightmares, his past and the victims and their families.

It is a book full of loving descriptions of the beauty of the southwest and of the interesting characters that inhabit this book – from Pitcairn himself, to Maria Elena, his girlfriend, to Clint, his first sponsor.
There is also much wisdom offered:
– from Clint:
“Fix the insides and the outside will follow.”
“Every day really is a day in paradise. Treat it as such.”
From Father Tony:
“God only needs you to be available.”
“Every action matters. Beneath it is meaning that matters even more.”
From AA:
“Feel, deal and heal.”
“Usefulness is priceless.”

I recommend this book – for its wisdom, its cast of interesting characters and the uncomfortable journey Pitcairn takes us on. It is a book that grabs you and makes you think.

 

Book’s Synopsis:

A Killer’s Grace will stay with you long after you finish reading the final page. From the high desert of New Mexico comes a tale of mystery, murder and redemption. When journalist Kevin Pitcairn receives a disturbing letter from a serial killer, he is drawn into a compelling journey with profound psychological and spiritual implications, not just for the murderer, but for himself and society as a whole. As he tries to investigate and then tell the story, he finds himself battling his own inner demons and sordid history. Events conspire to propel an isolated matter to a national stage and audiences that are increasingly hostile. Forced to explore the roots of human psychology and sanity, Pitcairn must navigate moral and philosophical realms. What is the nature of evil? What powers of choice do humans actually possess? How may we be redeemed? And in the end, how do we reconcile with ourselves?

“…a work of fiction, it was inspired by a real letter from a serial killer…important and compelling… will stay with you long after the last page.”
—Kam Aures, reviewer for Rebecca’s Reads

“A Killer’s Grace delves deep into the human psyche… Those who have experienced abuse or violence in their own lives will not only relate to the story, but may find their own self-discovery journey unfolding alongside Kevin’s.”
—Paula Renaye, author, Living the Life You Love: The No-Nonsense Guide to Total Transformation

Paperback: 240 Pages
Genre:
Publisher: Terra Nova Books; 2 edition (September 1, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1938288750

A Killer’s Grace is available at Amazon

About the Author:

Ronald Chapman is owner of an international speaking and consulting company, Magnetic North LLC. In addition to international accreditation as a speaker and national awards for radio commentary, he is the author of two novels, My Name is Wonder (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016) and A Killer’s Grace (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016 and 2012), two works of non-fiction, Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2008) and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes (Page Free Publishing, 2004) and the producer of three audio sets, Seeing True: The Way of Spirit (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2016, 2005), Breathing, Releasing and Breaking Through: Practices for Seeing True (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2015), and Seeing True – The Way of Success in Leadership (Magnetic North Audio, 2005). Ron provides a wide array of social media content atwww.SeeingTrue.com, content for people in substance abuse recovery atwww.ProgressiveRecovery.org, and other content from his master site,www.RonaldChapman.com. He holds a Masters in Social Welfare from The University at Albany (New York.) Prior to his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ronald can be found online at:

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPXehqvLBqc

A Killer’s Grace Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Killers-Grace-Ronald-Chapman/dp/1938288750/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470245549&sr=1-2&keywords=a+killer%27s+grace+chapman/?tag=wowwomenonwri-20

A Killer’s Grace Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29449254-a-killer-s-grace

Ron Chapman Websites:

http://www.RonaldChapman.com/ for other information from the author.

http://www.SeeingTrue.com/ for ongoing social media content including blogs, v-logs, graphical materials, etc.

http://www.ProgressiveRecovery.com/ for materials relevant to those in recovery from substance abuse.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/seeingtrue/

Slice of Life Tuesday

Slice of Life Tuesday is a weekly writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers” – a chance to share a slice of what’s happening in your life.

 

As I sat at the dining room table enjoying my first cup of tea of the day, I could hear the voices of children heading to school.

This is the fourth “first day of school” I have missed since retiring – after 30 + first days as teacher and 18 as a student. I still miss it, although the ache is duller and I have other priorities.

I still remember the anticipation of that first day, the excitement (and worry) of a new start. Prepping the classroom, ensuring plans were ready and all supplies were on hand kept me busy in the weeks before school started. Name tags, seating plans, books to read, and art projects – all got checked off my master lists as they were completed.

Then the meeting of the new students and their parents before the bell. After so many years of teaching at the same school, it was like meeting old friends.

Yes, that first day and all the preparation to get ready for it, is past now. But the memories will stay with me – always.

All the best to teachers everywhere. May the 2016/17 school year be a tremendous one.