Book Review: The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn

Lisa was conservatively raised in a Catholic family in no-where middle America, where excitement is scarce and dreams are for sleeping. Little did she know, at age thirteen, she would suddenly find herself on a totally different path. Through an unlikely chance meeting of a fellow classmate, she's surprisingly mesmerized, almost consumed, to befriend a girl who is obviously from the other side of the tracks...the cool side. Lisa does whatever she has to just to be accepted into this small club of coolness. Little did she realize, she was signing up for a lot more than social status. The two best friends find themselves innocently taking their relationship to a foreign level neither had experienced or saw coming. A rollercoaster ride littered with choices and challenges Lisa never fathomed facing, especially in no-where middle America. She will find out what she is made of as she faces the consequences and struggles that come along with going against the grain. Throughout their six year relationship, you will witness a touching story of human nature at it's best...and at it's worst. Showing just how far the human spirit can be challenged and pushed to a point where your “fight or flight” instincts naturally kick in. Struggling just to survive in a world where you are not like everyone else, but at the same time you really are. The daily struggles- both internal and external- are exhausting, yet necessary in their quest for one simple human need....love. Finally breaking through all constraints that hold them back, reaching levels of one-ness that few actually obtain in a lifetime with their partner...only to find once they've reached that special place, it's not quite the right fit...for one of them, at least. This contemporary story will lead the reader through highs and lows, giving insight to the every day challenges of the socially unaccepted, which will no doubt leave them rooting for the underdog. Appealing to a wide variety of audiences, both homosexual and heterosexual, as the true message is not sexually based. A true story of human resilience and the power of love...plain and simple.

I really didn't know what to make of this book.  After I was finished reading it, I had to step back for a few weeks and ruminate on it.  It's kind of like letting spaghetti sauce simmer all day so the flavors can all blend together.  I've decided I liked it!

I didn't have trouble reading about homosexual love so much as I did that it started so young.  Thirteen is such a tender age to be engaged in any kind of sexual relationship that my brain has a hard time dealing with it.  But, this is Lisa's story, and that's how it went - for better or for worse.

Lisa Vaughn's writing style is free and easy, making it quite enjoyable to read.  She's brutally honest about every aspect of her life, from her family, to her friends, to her love.  She has a self-deprecating humor that drew me to her.  I felt like she would be a great friend to have.

The Gifted Ones is one woman's story, from childhood to adult.  The ending is probably not what you would expect, but fully satisfying for the reader and the writer.  It all comes down to love, in all its forms.  And as for loving books, I think you will this one.

*Disclaimer:  I was given this book free to review from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Paperback:  282 pages

Publisher:  CreateSpace (April 19, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1456506234

ISBN-13:  978-1456506230

Ebook:  489 kb

Publisher:  Lisa Vaughn (April 19, 2011)

Sold by:  Amazon Digital Services

ASIN:  B0056I5V78

Book Review: Bright Light: Spiritual Lessons from a Life in Acting by Dee Wallace

 Like you, Dee Wallace came in as a bright shiny light, and she knew from the beginning that her soul quest was to keep that light shining and share it with others. This was a challenge growing up poor in Kansas amidst all the conflicting religious and social messages of her upbringing. But she stuck to this strong intent and followed her knowingness in a meteoric rise as an actress, becoming an acting icon after only five years with the success of E.T., and then faltering and losing her way only to reclaim the power of that knowingness later in life. Bright Light works as an autobiographical tale of an actor's life and craft, and how that journey applies to everyone's spiritual journey. It is the story of Everyman: the reclaiming of Self. Each chapter of Dee Wallace's story is characterized by a concept like intention, in which the narrative becomes an allegorical exploration of its qualities. Dee Wallace has rediscovered the wisdom that we all know but forget: that true success comes from following the heart's lead, and that the mind only creates form for spirit's creative manifestation. Our consciousness is our intelligence. 

In Bright Light, Dee Wallace writes an autobiography with life lessons to help the readers.  She tells us of her early life in Kansas, going to New York, then to L.A. to become an actress.  She tells us about her successes and her failures.  As she looks back on these times in her life, she realizes why she was successful and why she failed. 

Dee explains how powerful thoughts are and intentions in how you create and receive what you want in your life.  She uses real life examples, such as knowing she would have a daughter and asking the Universe for it.  Against all the odds, she gave birth to her daughter.

It's a very uplifting and touching story.  This book can help you learn to deal with your own life issues and how to live the life you deserve!

I give this book 4 Bookworms.





Paperback:  218 pages

Publisher:  O Books, John Hunt (April 26, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1846945984

ISBN-13:  978-1846945984