I will get my
one complaint out of the way because I want to focus on
what an incredible story this is. The formatting for the
Kindle was wonky. Now, it could have been an issue on my
end, but there were moments when there would be one word
of a sentence alone on a line, and then a gap, and then
the sentence would resume. It was a MINOR distraction,
but distracting nonetheless. A story this wonderful
should be distraction free and with the rise of the
eBook, formatting should be a priority. Not all readers
may show patience for such things. I refused to deduct a
star from the rating of this book based on those grounds
because this is all about the story. (note
from author: it has been fixed. Thank you, Mr.
Brown!)
Cedar Woman struck me very early on with the powerful
emotions a reader could feel from just the written word.
It grabs you so quickly that even events early on make
you feel WITH the characters, not FOR them. I know that
men may not be her target audience, but you GUYS will be
missing out on something extraordinary if you pass over
this book.
The inclusion of a plethora of Native American words and
phrases was done in such a seamless manner that the
reader stops seeing them as you become engrossed in this
story. A translation is provided in footnotes, but you
no longer find yourself looking after a while. You are
simply too engrossed in the story and it almost seems to
make itself understood when some of the Native Sioux
words appear in the dialog.
Throughout the story, I was struck by how similar yet
different cultures that live side-by-side can be. Having
a very good friend who is a member of one of the Pacific
Northwest tribes, I recalled early on our struggles to
communicate because our styles were so oddly different.
This story gives you a look at a love story from a
cultural perspective that you may not even realize
exists.
The one thought that came over and over as I read was
that this book is "The Notebook" for a Native American
audience. Having enjoyed some wonderful films that I
would have missed otherwise, I can attest to the
striking difference in films from and about the Native
Americans and our own. This story is ripe for a Native
film maker to scoop up. (See "Skins" to really
understand what I am trying to say here.)
Cedar Woman by Debra Shiveley Welch is a wonderful story
that will make you feel things with the characters as
you read. Ladies will love this, and guys...if you want
to score some huge points, make this the first book on
your "Couples" reading list and share in it together.
Cedar Woman,
by Debra Shiveley Welch, is the entertaining story of a young woman:
Lena Cedar Woman Young Bear, who is a daughter of the Lakota Sioux. We
first meet Lena as she performs a cleansing ceremony on her restaurant Cedar Woman the first high-end Native American restaurant in Central
Ohio.
"Facing the west, she extended the smoking bowl
and intoned: 'Grandfather of the West, this is Cedar Woman. I ask that
you keep my feet true and on the Good Red Road. I ask that you guide me
on this day, and all days, so that I may continue on this path. I ask
that you help in my daily life. Mitakuye oyasin, we are all related.'"
As a young child Lena sees a hummingbird caught
in a spider's web, and proceeds to let it free. This is no ordinary
child, the town agrees, as the bird then seems to follow her around.
Cedar Woman is the story of Lena's life as she journeys from her
home as a young girl to Columbus, where chance encounters lead her to
her life's true path - that of an extraordinary woman.
Fully researched, filled with plenty of facts
about Native American life and references to actual ceremonies and
Native American Prayers, Cedar Woman knows of which it speaks.
Written authoritatively in a poetic image-filled manner, this story
draws pictures for you of peoples' lives and interactions, masterfully
showing that, in the end, we are what we were in the beginning "Mitakuye
oyasin, we are all related."
As a delightful bonus, included with the book are
recipes of many of the foods mentioned in the story, including Fried
Deer Liver, Cowichcan Candy (salmon/maple syrup and brown sugar candy),
and Buffalo Stew featuring wild turnips.
To help in the use and translation of the Native
American language used in the book, Welch also includes a dictionary
with the meaning and phonetics. There are three dialects in the Lakota
language and there is no standardized spelling. Welch chose the spelling
and pronunciation of the words in keeping with the dialect of her
sister, Julie Spotted Eagle Horse Martineau, who is of the Lakota Plains
Native Americans.
Finally, it is worth noting that a percentage of
royalties are donated to "Operation Smile."
Fully entertaining,
Cedar Woman is a story that reaches far beyond the boundaries of
its pages.
Son of My Soul - The Adoption of Christopher
is the story of a woman's journey through loneliness, poverty and
neglect, her triumph over a turbulent past, and the joy of
mothering her adopted child.
Ms. Welch's autobiography begins with her uncle's prophecy of her birth,
and soon turns to a story of sorrow and abuse. A vow made at
fourteen-years-of-age to save a child through adoption gives her new
purpose, as she strives to survive a life of neglect and abandonment.
Breaking free from her past, she thinks of her childhood as "boot camp,"
and applies the lessons she learned as an example of how not to
mother her future child.
Her joy is finally manifested in the form of an infant boy born with
cleft lip and palate. She realizes that her vow has indeed come to
fruition, and that she has finally found "The Son of Her Soul." Read the
reviews here:
http://www.debrashiveleywelch.net/soms.htm
Son of My Soul - The Adoption of Christopher
Written by Debra Shiveley
Welch
A Review By Shirley
Johnson, Senior
Reviewer, MidWest
Book Review 2007
I believe it is true that God anoints the pen of some
writers to bring forth words from their heart to those
with a specific need. In my opinion, author Debra
Shiveley Welch, has the anointing of the Lord upon her
words in her newest work, Son of My Soul - The Adoption
of Christopher, as she tells the story of her adoption
of her beloved son, Christopher, and the foreshadowing
of her life's cycle that would bring her to that moment
in time. Within the pages of this book our author bares
her soul as she reveals her life story, one of
rejection, abuse and remorse, and takes us on her
journey to healing, redemption and fulfillment of a
promise made so long ago. Much of the tales of her youth
were heart wrenching, and the courage of this woman was
evident even at the most tender age. You will be amazed
and deeply moved. Undergoing rejection, not only from
mother, father, step-grandmother and other family
members, our author forged through two broken marriages,
and as you read, you hope upon hope that somewhere
happiness awaits this hurting soul. Strengthened by her
faith in God, slowly she is led towards the destiny He
has placed upon her life; and moves forward with trust
and belief that that destiny will be fulfilled.
Remarkable!
We travel along as Debra again marries, and she and her
loving husband are entrusted with a baby boy, shortly
before the chance may have been gone forever. A child
with problems that many would find too unbearable to
undertake, Mrs. Welch embraced immediately the child of
her heart. This couple of faith and love moved forward
into a future that they knew at best would be a
challenge, but they never let that dictate their
decision concerning making Christopher their own.
My heart broke time and time again as situations were
told of countless operations, near death experiences,
and learning problems encountered by their Christopher,
but I rejoiced at the determination, faith and fortitude
of this couple and the victorious outcome of this loving
family. We all have challenges in our lives and dreams
that we want to see fulfilled, but do we have the
courage to never let them go? In this read you will see
the courage of one woman who overcame deep hurts,
extended forgiveness, found her destiny child, and gave
freely and gladly to him unconditional love, and a
chance at a wonderful life. Her story and Christopher's
is one you will treasure and remember in your heart for
a long time to come...One that will bring a tear and a
smile. A story of horror, pain, and rejection that is
replaced with courage, hope, faith, love and victory.
This is a book every adoptive parent should read, and
every person who has a child of their heart, for in this
read you will find the true meaning of love. Well done
Mrs. Welch!
Son of My
Soul
The Adoption of
Christopher
Best Seller at Amazon
Son of My Soul - The
Adoption of Christopher has been awarded AllBooks Review's
Editor's Choice 2010, Books & Authors Best Non-Fiction Book of the
Year Award for 2007 and FairthWriter's Gold Seal of Approval -
Outstanding Read
In this warm and tender story, Debra Shiveley Welch
lovingly tells of the Lord giving attributes to a yet unborn child
while in the womb of a frightened, young girl. God takes some
sweetness from the Cherubs, sweet music from the birds, laughter from
the dolphins, and wraps them in love from the mother, placing it all
carefully into the spirit of the unborn babe. A beautiful gift of life
waiting to be unwrapped and cherished and placed in the arms of a loving
mother and father.
In this special keepsake edition, a collection of essays and poems
are also included.
I firmly believe that I have received the same
child I was meant to receive, whether I gave birth or adopted. The
same soul, the same entity, was meant to be mine, from the beginning of
time. Debra Shiveley Welch "A
Very Special Child"
In their novel Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, co-authors and cousins
Linda Lee Greene and Debra Shiveley Welch explore the dark
depths of the human soul in a thrilling murder mystery
mixing supernatural elements and intriguing suspense,
spiced with history, romance, and unpredictable twists and
turns.
Oma Mae Adams, an African American Televangelist whose
philanthropic works endear her to the world, is beloved by
many. Gunned down in front of the television station
where she tapes her popular religious program, her
shocking death leaves a bereft world with two questions:
who killed Oma Mae Adams ---and why?
This is a book of such vivid color and explosive
feelings that I'm tempted to call it a "Sense-Surround"
experience; I felt as if I were in a movie theater. This
book IS cinema. From the opening scene, the reader is
involved in you-are-there scenarios. The writing is
fully engaging. You will identify with some characters,
loathe others, and be intrigued by all. There is a lot
happening in each and every chapter but the characters
are all distinct, and they combine and entwine in
fascinating ways. It was a very satisfying read . . . no
need to speed through -- savor and let the story
unravel.
Well Done, Christopher!
There are times when a book will capture your
heart; it can happen in many ways, but each
time it is fresh and new. This is the case as
I read this delightful work by 13-year-old
Christopher Welch as scribed by his mother,
Debra Welch. Christopher has learning
differences but this has not quenched the fire
of life within this special young man, nor his
desire to share adventures of his life with
others. We begin this read with a poem, a
simple one, yet one whose words say volumes
because they shine forth with the love of one
young boy for his lake and the activity that
awaits him there. Shirley Johnson -
MidWest Book Review, Senior Reviewer
Read Christopher's Interview With the Ezine
"Flip Side to Music"
Paperback
Kindle
Paperback
Coming
soon to Kindle
Amazon United Kingdom
Amazon France
Paperback
Nook
Paperback -
Saga Books
Christopher Bullfrog Catcher
is a fun
way to teach your child how to write. The
reader is taught how to follow a simple formula in
order to create their own special story. Add
to that a guide on how to catch bullfrogs, and a
message regarding the care and respect of these
fascinating creatures, and you have a book that your
child will want to pass on to their own children.
Christopher Bullfrog Catcher
Christopher Shiveley Welch
Scribed by Debra Shivelely Welch
Saga Books
164 Erin Woods Drive SE, Calgary, T2B 2S, Alberta,
Canada
ISBN: 1894936469, $10.95, 20 pages
There are times when a book will capture your
heart; it can happen in many ways, but each time
it is fresh and new. This is the case as I read
this delightful work by 13 year old Christopher
Welch as scribed by his mother, Debra Welch.
Christopher has learning differences but this has
not quenched the fire of life within this special
young man, nor his desire to share adventures of
his life with others. We begin this read with a
poem, a simple one, yet one whose words say
volumes because they shine forth with the love of
one young boy for his lake and the activity that
awaits him there.
As we share in the adventure of Christopher, we
learn how to catch a Bullfrog and care for it,
even if it is injured; and he even shares the four
stages of a frog's growth with us. Along with the
story we are treated to some wonderful pictures of
Christopher, his frog hunting and his beloved
lake. I actually learned some things about frogs
that I never knew. Thank you Christopher.
I believe what makes this book is the passion that
is within this young man as he writes of his frog
hunting experience and his desire to share this
information with others. It truly is a joy of his
life and even for someone like me, who won't find
much pleasure in touching a frog, I had to smile
at Christopher's achievement in Bullfrog hunting.
I feel this book is for both young and old and all
those in-between. First we certainly see the
achievement of a young boy who has something to
share and despite difficulties does just that. We
have some top-notch information on Bullfrog
hunting and great pictures that help bring the
story to life; plus a work that is sure to bring a
smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.
Good job Christopher! Thank you for sharing!
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review
Paperback
Kindle
Paperback
Kindle
Amazon United Kingdom
Amazon France
Paperback
Nook
Paperback -
Saga Books
Born with cleft lip and
palate, Christopher waited for six days until an adoptive family
was found for him. Finally placed in the loving arms of his
joyous parents, he now faced a new challenged: multiple surgeries.
Read in his own words
his memories of growing up with a deformity, his fight to overcome
several learning differences, his delight in being adopted, and
his incredible love for the lake on which he was raised.
Just Chris is
more than just a book. It is a journey through a young man?s
memories of growing up and being simply, and beautifully...
Just Chris
All kids should
follow their dreams, and don?t let others tell you that you can?t do it,
even if you have learning differences. Focus, work hard, and say
to yourself ?There?s nothing you can do to stop me.?
Just
Chris
by: Christopher Shiveley Welch
ISBN#
1897512120
page count: 66
Publisher: Saga Books
It isn't often that I am
privileged to review a book written by a youth, and I was very honored
to be asked to review his latest book. Just Chris, is a
work that will capture your heart, and certainly give you more than
the title implies. In this book you will meet Christopher Shiveley
Welch, who is one remarkable young boy. Christopher came into this
world with physical problems, born to a mom who just was not able to
care for this new soul. However, there was a couple who had been
believing for the child of their heart, and as Christopher writes in
his book, God gave him to them.
Christopher takes us on his
journey from settling into his new home to his present time. He
opens his heart to the reader. He tells of the love that covered him,
the struggles he encountered in his schooling, the pain of his many
surgeries to make him acceptable in the eyes of our society, and life
in general. Chris speaks of friendships, mentors in his life,
emotional struggles and miraculous victories. His story is simple, but
complex. It is heart tugging and at times amusing, yet always laced
with innocence and truth. I liked that.
I believe after reading
his story there were several things impressed upon me. One,
Chris is a young boy who faced many insurmountable obstacles in life,
but through each one he found new hope, and determination to continue
on. If I was watching this unfold in a movie, there certainly would
have been times that I would have given him a standing ovation.
I also feel that he knows
how special he is. He understands that every person comes from the
heart of God and has their own purpose on this earth. No one is
a throw away person, and because of his wonderful upbringing, and what
he has already overcome, he sees the world and those in it as very
special. That in itself is a rare gift.
Just Chris, is more than
a boy telling of his life. It is a story that surely will bring
encouragement to many who face challenges, feel worthless due to some
physical handicap, or face rejection in any way. It is a story of
hope, courage and steadfast love. I believe Christopher has an
exciting life ahead of him, and he will fly to heights that even he
cannot imagine at this time. A great read, from a great young
man.
Sequal to Cedar Woman, follow
Nickie (Ista Numpa) as she searches for love and fulfillment.
Christopher's
Family Table - InheritingFamily Recipes & Traditions
From Adopted Kin & Clan
Adoption comes in
many forms. We marry and adopt our spouse's family and
they adopt us.
We make special
friends and adopt them into our lives. We adopt
through husband to wife, parent to child, and friend to
friend.
In Christopher's
Family Table - InheritingFamily Recipes & Traditions
From Adopted Kin & Clan
we celebrate the coming together
to celebrate and remember our heritage through a collection of
recipes of family and friends adopted through love.
Heads Are Gonna Roll
This compelling mystery combines
reincarnation, revenge and murder
Someone you love has suffered a brain injury. The doctors can
not yet make a prognosis. Every brain injury is unique and
unpredictable, they say. You have been told to hope for the best, but
prepare for the worst. What do you do now?
Successfully Surviving a Brain Injury is an easy-to-read
guidebook for families suddenly thrust into the painful and confusing
world of brain injury. It teaches readers the basics of brain trauma. It
guides them step-by-step through the recovery process. It provides the
practical information they need to handle the insurance, financial,
legal, emotional, family, and personal issues that accompany a brain
injury. It also describes the wide range of impairments caused by brain
trauma and the factors that influence how well someone recovers. This
book is not only a practical and essential roadmap to a successful
recovery, it also is an inspirational story of how one couple overcame
profound changes in their relationship and created a fulfilling new
life.
