Book Review: Spirit Writer by Wendy Sheffield

Today’s review is something different to the usual fiction, Amber makes a beeline for. Spirit Writer by Wendy Sheffield drew her attention when it arrived on the bookshelf courtesy of Literally PR for this blog tour – thank you. While Amber believes in life after death, she’d never considered the idea communication could occur via writing. She needed to know more. The book was then passed to Willow allowing much discussion in the shop.

Scroll down to see their honest and unbiased opinions.

Spirit Writer by Wendy Sheffield

Title: Spirit Writer

Author: Wendy Sheffield

Publisher: Grosvenor House Publishing

Release date: 13th October 2022

Genre: Non-fiction, spirituality

Blurb:

Spirit Writer is a journey of self-discovery for the author – Wendy Sheffield – from when she first became aware that her grandmother was communicating with her, following an unusual dream that created awareness of her myriad spiritual gifts. These gifts include spirit or automatic writing, whereupon Wendy channels spirit messages to help people understand their higher self. It took a long time, however, before she realised that spirit was encouraging her to remember and understand her journey so that she could help others with theirs. On her quest for answers to her many questions, Wendy became desperate to understand her gifts, how spirit communicated with her, and what her spiritual journey was.  

Wendy considered the views of well-known people in the spiritual world including Eckhart Tolle and the Arthur Findlay College, to name a few, and recognised a definite sequence of events that appears to be happening around the world leading up to spiritual unfoldment. She also recognised that more people around the world are looking for answers, feeling dissatisfied with their religions and beliefs, desperate to overcome their fear of dying, and to discover whether the afterlife exists. To tackle this age-old question of ‘Is there an afterlife?’ the author examines various accounts of people (religious or otherwise) who have experienced near-death experiences to consider similarities between their accounts.  

In her quest to understand spirit and the spirit world, the author also discovered Leslie Flint, a well-recognised medium with a unique gift in that his spirit messages came through a voice box above his head. After studying several recorded spirit messages, the author was drawn to a detailed message from Harry Price, who is well known for his exposure of fraudulent mediums, who came through to talk on the subject of ghosts and spirits, as he believed they were not understood.  

The author hopes that Spirit Writer will help readers consider subjects that are not widely discussed so that they can come to their own conclusions. This book is as much about the author’s understanding of her own journey as it is about helping others to understand theirs. 

Thoughts from the Emporium:

Spirit Writer is a highly accessible, an enjoyable insight into Wendy’s spiritual journey to becoming a medium using writing to channel the spirit. It covers her life experiences as well as an overview of spiritualism, providing a simple foundation to build knowledge from. Written with confidence and passion, it led both Willow and Amber to want to know more.

Everyone in the Emporium believes in the spirit world, thanks to working in a haunted building, but neither witches practise mediumship in the conventional sense. Amber came into the book unaware of spirit writing or spiritualism while Willow had visited mediums and spiritualist church soon after her mum’s death. This resulted in her witnessing some fascinating readings, including a talented spirit artist so she could relate to some of Wendy’s experiences. Both found something in the book and the love and non-judgemental aspects of the church was explained well. Though spiritualism is a religion, its belief system can slot alongside other mainstream ones including the individual paths Willow and Amber follow.

Beyond Wendy’s journey, Spirit Writer gives a background and advice on spiritual matters, including a transcript from Harry Price, famed for his investigations into fraudulent hauntings. From the spirit world, he shared his views on ghosts and manifestations. This was a fascinating nice touch. Both witches proceeded to analyse the Emporium’s ghosts, Percy, Marleys and the unknown on the stairs, to see where they fitted in.

Author biography

Wendy Sheffield

Social Media

Website: https://spiritwriterspeaks.com

Twitter: @spiritwriteruk

Facebook: Spiritwriterspeaks

Instagram: Spiritwriteruk7965

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Book Review: Tree Glee by Cheryl Rickman

The witches of Whitby are thrilled to be on the blog tour for Tree Glee by Cheryl Rickman especially Amber. All witches have a connection with the natural world but Amber developed an affinity with trees at a young age and is always on the look out for more knowledge on them.

Scroll down to see her unbiased view. Thanks to Random Things Tours for a beautiful advanced copy to read.

Title: Tree Gless

Author: Cheyl Rickman

Publisher: Wellbeck

Genre: Well-being, Nature, Non-fiction

Release Date: 13th October 2022

Blurb:

Tree Glee fuses nature writing, psychology and self-help wellbeing guidance all backed up by the latest scientific research.

Trees and humans essentially want the same thing – to live good, happy, purposeful lives and to flourish. We are inextricably bound. Trees provide us with the necessities of life – they clean the air we breathe, fill us with awe as we walk through forests and provide timber for the houses we live in, yet there are deeper reasons for our arboreal admiration that go beyond utility and beauty.

‘This lovely book is an absolute gem’
Joanna Lumley, Tree Aid Patron

‘Trees are so important to our health and that of the planet. This inspirational book shows just how we can thrive together’ Alan Titchmarsh MBE

Written by Positive Psychology practitioner and long-time tree-lover Cheryl Rickman, Tree Glee explores how trees
can become an essential tool in our wellbeing toolkit, helping us to feel better in a variety of different and
fascinating ways.

Looking at the psychology behind our fascination with trees, and the science behind how they comfort, restore and
revitalise us, Tree Glee examines what we can learn from the wisdom of woodlands to improve our own wellness.
Alongside this, Cheryl explores the importance of trees in our leafy suburbs and urban landscapes, sharing magical
stories of remarkable ancient trees across the globe and invites readers to reflect on their own personal ‘treestory’.

Featuring captivating photos and chapters on forest bathing and nature therapy, woodland wellbeing and tree
mythology, creative activities and conservation initiatives, Tree Glee is part ode and love letter to trees, part
practical wellbeing guide and nature-connection manual and part call to action. The book explores how by
deepening our appreciation and connection to trees and by celebrating and protecting them, we can flourish
together.

Thoughts from the Emporium

What a wonderful book! Not only does it look good, thanks to the clear layout and inspirational photographs that make you want to step outside and experience nature for yourself, it is a joy to read. Amber has always felt calmer when surrounded by trees, and they are essential for her wellbeing but now she knows the reasons why and can tap into it further.

Unlike many books where she has got overwhelmed by science, Tree Glee is highly accessible without losing any depth. There is a wealth of information including biology, psychology and ecology which is perfectly blended with Cheryl’s own experiences, mythology, suggested activities to connect with nature and appreciate it. The storytelling section tapped into Amber’s creative side and is tempted to do the #100DaysOfTrees Challenge where you record the beauty of trees for 100 days. Cheryl Rickman’s can be found on her Instagram @treeglee

Tree Glee is a must read for fellow tree and nature lovers or those wanting to improve their mental health. It would make an ideal Christmas gift too. Amber’s copy will be well loved and have a treasured spot on her own forever shelf as well as on the Enchanted Emporium bookshelf.

Author Biography

Cheryl Rickman

Cheryl Rickman is a proud tree-hugger and advocate for the power of nature as a healer and energy-giver. She is also a Sunday Times best-selling author and a qualified positive psychology practitioner. Cheryl specializes in writing empowering, practical books to help people fret less and flourish more and is a wellbeing ambassador for the Network of Wellbeing. She owns a small parcel of ancient woodland in the Hampshire countryside with her partner.

Twitter @tree glee @writeruk
Instagram @treeglee @wellbeingauthor
Facebook facebook.com/groups/treeglee
Website www.TreeGlee.co.uk www.CherylRickman.co.uk

Other books on the tour

Book Review: The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz

Amber was thrilled by this book post courtesy of Random Things Tours. Amber has  secretly coveted Willow’s treasured and rather battered almanac since she saw it in the Emporium’s workshop. Some pages are stained from when they foraged for blackberries under the full moon for added potency, and others have added notes in Willow’s distinctive script. When opened, more often than not, pressed flowers and leaves fall out, each one holding a memory and connection to nature. 

Amber longed for an almanac of her own. An annual extension of her Book of Shadows. With a beautiful cover and the promise of extensive information in the blurb, she’s looking forward to giving her unbiased opinion on this edition.

The Almanac A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz

Title: The Almanac A Seasonal Guide to 2023

Author: Lia Leendertz Illustrated by Whooli Chen

Publisher: Octopus

Genre: Non-fiction, Nature

Release Date: 1^st September 2022

Blurb

The sixth instalment of the bestselling season guide is here! Reconnect with the seasons in Britain and Ireland with this month-by-month guide to the world around us – including key dates, tide tables and garden tasks; constellations and moon phases; sunrises, folk songs, seasonal recipes plus a ‘bun of the month’; and – because 2023 will be a good year for planet spotting – the solar system and the zodiac.

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 gives you all the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark, and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for walks, expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month’s unique nature, with this instalment following the swirling micro world of the garden pond through the year. You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.

 PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS ALMANACS

 ‘Indispensable’ – SIR BOB GELDOF

 ‘This book is your bible’ – THE INDEPENDENT

‘I love this gem of a book’ – CERYS MATTHEWS

‘Lia Leendertz’s classic almanac never fails to delight’ – THE HERALD

‘It’s a perfect Christmas present’ – ALLAN JENKINS, THE OBSERVER

 ‘The perfect companion to the seasons’ – INDIA KNIGHT

Thoughts from the Emporium

As you can see from the sample pages below, the beauty of the cover continued inside and gave the level of information hit the criteria Amber wanted.

Sample of the pages

As a keen amatuer gardener she enjoyed the reminder of jobs she needed to do and the recipes helped her connect the nature she loves to the kitchen she doesn’t. Most of all, she loved the easy to reach tide and celestial information without reaching for her phone.

Divided into month’s the information is accessible and diverse. With the clear layout, its it was easy to read and space to add her own notes in the margins.

This almanac is all she wanted. The compact size means it can be easily slipped inside a bag enabling it to be a constant companion for easy reference. It will be well loved over the year like Willow’s. Recommended for those who love nature, gardening or want to connect to the world around them. It will make a wondeful gift.

Author Biography

Lia Leendertz is an award winning garden and food writer based in Bristol. Her reinvention of the traditional rural almanac has become an annual must-have for readers eager to connect with the seasons, appreciate the outdoors and discover ways to mark and celebrate each month. Now established as the bestselling almanac on the market, this is the sixth instalment.

Social media

Website: Lialeendertz.com

Instagram: @lia_leendertz

Twitter: @lialeendertz