Peeking Between the Pages

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Memoirs

A Series of Catastrophes & Miracles by Mary Elizabeth Williams

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In 2010 Mary Elizabeth Williams, in her early 40’s, was diagnosed with Stage 2c melanoma which she had removed. Sadly a year later her cancer is back with a vengeance and she’s diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma. She was now dealing with a rapidly fatal form of skin cancer that left her wondering if she’d see her next birthday or get to watch her young girls grow up to be women.

If it’s possible though to be lucky in the whole realm of having cancer Mary Elizabeth was. She had an excellent medical team and treatment at one of the most prestigious cancer treatment centres in the world, Sloan Kettering. She also got lucky in being approved for an immunotherapy clinical trial and having the insurance to afford her all of this. The clinical trial outright saved her life leaving her cancer free surprising even her doctors and many others in the medical community. I found the immunotherapy route very fascinating and to leave someone cancer free when they have a fatal melanoma is just amazing.

Of course the journey through all of this wasn’t easy. Mary Elizabeth understandably didn’t feel the best a lot of the time, she has a permanent spot on her head that will never grow hair, her best friend had been dealing with cancer herself as was her father-in-law. What I really admired about Mary Elizabeth was her resilience though. She kept going but as she said what choice do you have. You keep going and you make it through or you don’t. One of the things she says in he book is ‘The answer to “Why?” is “Because,” and the answer to “Why me?” is “Why not me?” It’s so true too. When something happens to us we always do that – say why me but really why not. It’s so simplistic and yet it isn’t.

The overall tone of the memoir is witty and positive and very easy to read. For anyone dealing with cancer or their caregivers and friends this would be recommended reading. Mary Elizabeth is straight forward in what she dealt with and her emotions while offering up a host of information on cancer research, cancer drugs, insurance and clinical trials. It’s informative but also an emotional and touching look into Mary Elizabeth’s journey with cancer. It’s nice to read a cancer story with a very hopeful ending. I wish all the best to Mary Elizabeth and her family.

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Source: Digital review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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Book Review: Recipes For Life: My Memories by Linda Evans

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I have always liked Linda Evans.  From a young woman watching Dynasty to watching reruns of Big Valley I’ve always thought she was the total picture of class, not to mention incredibly beautiful.  When I was offered Recipes For Life: My Memories by Linda Evans for review I jumped at the chance to know a little more about her and see just what these recipes were that she valued so much.  As I read through her book I was surprised at the tone of it as it felt so easy and comfortable; just like talking and reminiscing with a friend.

Recipes For Life is full of Linda’s memories, wonderful photos, and great recipes.  She is very open about her life, her past, and shares with us her great passion for cooking and eating.  Her father had called her Bones when she was young because she could eat and eat and not gain an ounce and lucky for her she is still able to do that.  Linda loves to cook for others and see the joy that it gives them.  It’s interesting to note that Linda never had intended to become an actress.  Her dream was to marry, have kids, and make a home.  How very different her life turned out and yet she has no regrets.  Of course I don’t think I would either if I had gotten to meet kings, queens, presidents, and a variety of other famous people.  And along the way she has been collecting recipes…and lifelong friends.

The book is told in little stories and each is somehow related to the recipe shared. Linda tells of her life growing up, her life in Hollywood and even some intimate looks into her private life.  She shares recipes from many famous people like Barbara Stanwyck who became a very important part of her life and John Wayne himself.  Has her life just been all glitz and glamor? – no, especially in her relationships, but Linda has taken in everything in her life and handled it with a positive attitude and I can’t help but admire her for that.  The warmth of her personality really shines through every word she shares with us in this book.

Recipes For Life is part memoir and part cookbook and both are well worth reading.  There are about 50 recipes in the book and quite a few I can’t wait to try like Chicken, Shrimp, and Mushrooms, Leslie and Tony Curtis’s Lemon Souffle with Raspberry Sauce (oh my, I do love anything lemon), and last but not least because there are many others, Lose-Your-Figure Potatoes with Cheese and Garlic.  Wow, when I make those I’ll do a step by step for you all.  If you’re someone who loves a foodie book or memoirs, or, like me, has always liked Linda Evans, then I encourage you to read Recipes For Life.

Be sure to check out my giveaway for 3 copies of this wonderful book here!

My copy of Recipes of Life was received for review from the publisher.

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