Circle of Time (Book) - 5/21/2018 10:44:16 AM
Wonderful Story
As a lover history and of time travel stories, I found Circle Of Time to be especially unique.
Bridget Littleton’s trip back in time is not only unique in its setting of the Court of King Henry VIII, but of how her life intertwines with those whose lives she had only read about in the future and the lives of her own ancestors.
The historical detail and research is evident and the characters are strong. The reader is also drawn into the story by the uniqueness in the writing style, which adds a special quality to the way the story enfolds.
It’s a very enjoyable story and I highly recommend it!
Circle of Time (Book) - 1/26/2018 2:49:58 PM
Too Good a Read to Miss
The story starts with the book’s main character, almost 22 y.o. Bridget, at sea on her father’s yacht sailing off the tip of Florida into the Bermuda Triangle. This legendary location, where ships, people, and things are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, Bridget is sucked into the sea, and before she disappears into a time warp, she sees a face…and then everything goes black. She awakens in England, 1532 a.d.
Author Shiveley Welch intertwines historical themes from the time of Henry the VIII to modern day, exquisitely weaving fiction, historical accuracy, time travel, ancestral lineage, and various fascinating characters into an exhilarating story that reads like both a cliff hanger and an absorbing love story.
As Bridget does her best to survive the perilous time she is thrust into, landing in the court of England’s most notorious king, she contemplates, “How many people actually got to know even their great-grandmothers, let alone their seventeen-times great grandmothers?
Bridget befriends Anne Boleyn, England’s future queen. “Lady Anne, I know things that are going to happen.” At Anne’s start of disbelief, Bridge interjected, “Now, wait a minute. You have met Leonardo DaVinci, right?” Bridge asked, referring to the brilliant artist and inventor whom Anne met when serving in the French court as Lady in Waiting to Queen Margaret, wife of King Francis I.”
“Yes…I do remember him.”
“He could predict some future events – future inventions.”
“Go on.”
“So can I. Only a few, but I do know some things that are going to happen.
I will tell you one now, and when it transpires, you will know that I speak the
truth. I am here to make sure that you become queen.
Bridget’s real job, as she intuits it, is to protect Anne’s child, Elizabeth, so that history can unfold as it is supposed to after Anne is beheaded.
An aspect of Shiveley Welch’s story is that Bridget meets the face she saw before being pulled into the time tunnel taking her back in time. When she meets John, the man to whom she becomes betrothed, she sees “…her own eyes looking back at her. His shoulders were broad, his eyes kind, and on his marvelous face there stood the same shock as she was sure was on her own. He is my heart!”
This is a book too good to miss. As you read Circle of Time, you will not only be immersed in this beautiful story, but you will learn little known accurate historical facts and you may even fall in love with the characters as well as become besotted by this magnificent saga of a story.
Circle of Time (Book) - 10/10/2017 4:10:45 AM
I enjoyed reading all the details of Tudor life. What struck me particularly was the emotional involvement with the leading players on the political stage of the time. A very good idea for a story : I hope to read more by Debra Shiveley Welch.
Circle of Time (Book) - 6/12/2017 2:45:31 AM
enjoyed reading the excerpt, holds reader interest
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Son of My Soul -- The Adoption of Christopher (Book) - 2/15/2009 10:25:54 AM
TITLE: Son Of My Soul
AUTHOR: Debra Shiveley Welch
COPYRIGHT: 2007 by Debra Shiveley Welch
PUBLISHER: Saga Books <http://www.sagabooks.net>
GENRE: Autobiography
FORMAT: Paperback
ISBN: 9781894936934
PAGES: 140
PRICE: $13.95
FAMILY PHOTOS: by Debra Shiveley Welch
Can you imagine growing up with poverty, neglect, drunkenness and molestation? Author Debra Shiveley Welch can. In this poignant autobiography the author recounts how she overcomes these things and more. She relates her story in poems, essays and narration.
The author is a born storyteller. She takes you by the hand and leads you through her sad childhood. You experience with her the days when both of her parents are gone for days at a time, leaving the small Debra to care for her younger half brother and half sister. She cares for the children with no electricity, water or heat in the house. Through these heartbreaking years it is only her faith that gets her through.
You count the years, months and days until her graduation when she is seventeen-years-old. It is then that she can move out of the house. It is then that her life starts to improve and she lands her first job and friends. You rejoice with her when she finally meets ‘the one’. You cry tears of happiness with her when her adopted son, Christopher, arrives at the age of seven days old.
In this inspirational autobiography, the reader worries with her, cries with her and prays with her through all of Christopher’s many surgeries.
To find out more about Debra Shiveley Welch just visit her website at: http://www.debrashiveleywelch.net.
You can find ‘Son of My Soul’ for sale from the publisher at: http://www.SagaBooks.net.
By
Deborah Hockenberry
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Son of My Soul -- The Adoption of Christopher (Book) - 11/27/2007 6:53:52 PM
I, for one, would absolutely LOVE to read this book; it sounds like a winner! Congratulations on both your son's adoption and on the book! How marvelous! More parents should be like you, adopt a child who is truly in need and those who can overlook disabilities and see hope in that child (or children)! BRAVA!
(((Hugs))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
A Very Special Child (Book) - 11/26/2007 2:34:35 PM
Wonderful; will have to read this one. I read a lot about special needs adoption; write a lot about the subject too. Am not adopted, but know people who have adopted children; they truly have blessed me, touched my heart.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
A Very Special Child (Book) - 9/6/2007 11:06:57 AM
Enjoyed your sneak peak...will have to read this one!
Pam
Your First Easter (Short Story) - 7/29/2008 10:43:19 AM
Wow! A very insprational and motivational poem. It spells out what Easter Sunday is suppose to be - A Christ Has Reisen - celebration.
Hold the bunny and easter eggs please!
Christ be with you always!
John Michael
Mama Kisses (Short Story) - 7/9/2008 9:11:12 PM
Dear Debra,
You have been blessed with a talent to describe your love for Chris in a special poetic form.
Blessings,
John Michael
Going Home (Short Story) - 7/2/2008 8:38:08 PM
Very well written. I truly enjoyed this story. lindalaw
My Cathedral (Short Story) - 3/5/2008 7:03:53 PM
God's creations are all around us... a temple of sorts... I hadn't thought of it that way before. Thanks for helping me to open my eyes in this way.
Cryssa
Mama Kisses (Short Story) - 3/5/2008 7:02:29 PM
I, too, have a child whom others told me would never be able to do anything... We were told she would be an invalid by two adoption caseworkers, and told that since we were happy we obviously hadn't yet come to grips with reality! 10+ years later we still laugh about those two narrow minded women who were so incredibly blind to one of the most amazing children ever. (at least in my humble opinion) (And... on the vindictive side, I always enjoyed having her meet these case workers when my daughter really started showing her true glory...their mouths would always kind of drop... hee, hee....)
Cryssa
Mama Kisses (Short Story) - 2/21/2008 8:41:48 PM
Debra,
This is so touching and beautiful. What a wonderful loving gift to present your son with. I have been reading more and more this evening from book reviews and here about your wonderful relationship with Christopher. I have been touched and I have been greatly impressed with the life you live and the love that you give.
Your Friend,
Marilyn Rice
Today I Want to Write About the Courage of the Human Spirit (Short Story) - 2/1/2008 9:34:01 PM
Debra,
I was so touched by your story. And I was surprised when the soul ended up being a rabbit. Your son is a real hero in my book. When I was a little girl my uncle brought home a flying squirrel (Actually it was more of a glider than a flyer) which we were blessed to have as a pet for a very short while. He also met his demiss in a drowning accident. Who would have ever guessed he'd fly right into the toilet one day. Poor little thing.
Today You Are Sixteen (Article) - 5/1/2008 9:48:06 AM
My children all hold my heart the same way...adopted or not...
Cryssa
Should I Have a Child? (Article) - 3/5/2008 6:57:03 PM
Perfectly stated! We once had some friends who told us they weren't ready to have children because they couldn't yet afford for them to have dancing, music, and acting lessons yet... I remember laughing then, at the thought of those things being the most important things... They couldn't believe that children could be raised without those essentials. I guess someone should tell my children they are deprived, even if they are loved. hee, hee...
Cryssa :~)
Should I Tell My Child He's Adopted? (Article) - 2/19/2008 10:23:31 AM
Debra,
This was so good to hear, especially these words, "Show them the pride you have in choosing them out of all of the other children in the world." While I was not adopted, I was raised by my mother and my daddy, who is not my biological father. I have always known this and when I was little I thought the term, Step Father was a wonderful and special term. In my mind I could see my daddy picking, not only my mother out of all the other women in the world, but picking me along with my four brothers and sisters to be his child. To me he had married all of us. I felt very special. Sadly to say, I learned that not all of my friends thought that a Step Father was like your "Real" real father, that he was the one who loved you and picked you out from everyone else and he was like the best dad in the world. Once when a friend of mine told me she could never love a step father as much as her real father, I asked this question. "Do you mean to tell me if you found out today that your father was not your "Real" father that you'd just stop loveing him the way you do now? I was only about twelve years old and I don't even remember the girls name. But I hope she never forgot what I said. I think I should call my dad and let him know that he is still my night in shinning armor. *Smile*
Thanks again for sharing,
Marilyn
Monsieur Squirrel (Article) - 2/19/2008 10:12:27 AM
Debra,
I just loved hearing about Monsieur Squirrel. I wish he could meet my neighbor, Bob Tail Squirrel, who I just saw again this morning after returning from the grocery store. He shimmied half way up the tree and froze into place. I suppose he thought I'd buy his branch impersonation. *Laughing*. By the way, how does one tell the difference between a male and female? Just curious.
Thanks again for the write.
Marilyn
National Adoption Month (Article) - 11/26/2007 2:33:10 PM
Beautiful article; God bless you and your son! What a wonderful thing adoption is!
I write a lot about the subject myself, particularly special needs adoption! :) Check out some of my stories! :)
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
Monsieur Squirrel (Article) - 8/26/2007 8:09:28 AM
Debra, Squirrels are my favorite mammals to rehab. (Babies are quite wonderful, adults not so cooperative) I currently have a few fallen and mismatched infants to foster in my triage until release time. Thanks for noticing Monsieur Squirrel and taking the time to write about him. Enjoyed.
Linda Bergman-Althouse
author of "Save Them All"
Wearin' The Green (Poetry) - 12/26/2019 6:47:24 PM
This awesome tribute, brought tears to my heart and eyes.
Such a gift to be able to capture this signature moment, when last words are golden.
Glad I read this one. Bless you, Debra.
an Irishman, David Clure
The Resurrection (Poetry) - 4/23/2010 8:19:45 AM
Excellent write! I belong to The Lord and this poem takes me back to that day!
~Zach
Alone (Poetry) - 2/27/2010 7:15:08 PM
I have this same kind of alonelness and it isn't pleasant to try to live with it thinkig everything is o.k. Loneliness gets to you very much at times.
Wearin' The Green (Poetry) - 12/16/2009 4:21:10 AM
Fine tribute, Debra
Kyle (Poetry) - 6/1/2009 1:45:25 PM
Heartwrenching write, Debra. Suffering the loss of a loved one is pain personified. Good job and a lovely tribute.
Anna
Wearin' The Green (Poetry) - 6/1/2009 1:43:26 PM
Wonderful tribute to your Dad, Debra. My Mother was Irish, and I can hear her voice in your words. Really enjoyed this piece.
Anna
The Resurrection (Poetry) - 7/13/2008 10:23:05 AM
a beautiful prayer cloud, watering the earth.
The Resurrection (Poetry) - 7/9/2008 9:06:57 PM
A "Wonderful" prayer poem to JESUS about the power of His Resurrection.
AMEN
Please visit my website because it's all about Him.
Wearin' The Green (Poetry) - 3/17/2008 10:40:06 AM
Don't let them hold ye down... wise words of wisdom for anyone...
thanks for sharing them.
Cryssa
Kyle (Poetry) - 3/17/2008 9:16:57 AM
heart touching poetry that bleeds of loss and sorrow...
Those that depart are never far from our hearts...
Cryssa
Wearin' The Green (Poetry) - 3/10/2008 10:17:35 AM
Oh! I love this. An' wise word they be from your Da. What a beautiful way to say Goodbye...
Micke Jinks
The Haunted House (Poetry) - 3/9/2008 7:41:43 PM
Debra,
Oh my gosh, that was scerrrrryyyyyy!... *LOL*... and very well written. *Shivering with goosebumps*
Kyle (Poetry) - 3/9/2008 11:33:19 AM
Debra,
This brought tears to my eyes. My heart goes out to your friend and her loss. I helped raise my sisters three children, before I got married and even after then they would all come and spend as much time during the summer and Christmas holidays as they could. Then after they were all grown with children of their own, I started receaving visits from their children. One of the most precious things my niephew, Chuckey, ever said to me was said to his fiance before they married. She didn't understand why he wanted to go spend his vacation out of state with this aunt of his that she didn't know. He said, "But you don't understand, Marilyn is not just my aunt. She is like a mom, a sister and a best friend all rolled up into one" This is one of my heart treasures.
Once Upon a Morning Dreary (Poetry) - 3/6/2008 1:09:10 AM
Debra,
I just about died laughing as I read. I think my face turned red as I thought about my own writing and how I get so wrapped up in it and the wonderful story that I'm sure is pounding right out of my finger tips, til I go back and read... what.."Did I write all those words?"
and... "Where in the world I go to school and who taught me how to spell and who was that fake of a english grammar teacher anyway? Thanks for sharing. It was very intertaining.
The Resurrection (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 7:25:30 PM
This brings a tear to my heart and chills to my skin... superbly written!
(I think you have one typo though... Your first "All is quiet" is written as "All is quite") :~)
Cryssa
Mirroring (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:50:55 PM
I know this feeling well... Through the eyes of my husband and the eyes of my children, both adopted and home-born. Isn't it amazing how easy it is to forget a child is adopted?
Cryssa :~)
The Jingle Dancer (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:48:15 PM
The imagery in this poem is superb! I loved the line "Her body as supple as a new-born branch." You take the reader through the dance with your words... leaving us breathless and wanting more.
I absolutely love watching Native Americans dance... there is nothing quite like watching a story that they tell come alive through their movements.
Cryssa
The Haunted House (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:47:32 PM
Wha! I haven't been to a haunted house in years, but now I can say I have tonight! Thanks to "The Haunted House". Gave me goosebumps!
-Zach
Alone (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:45:36 PM
This is simple, yet complex in its expression of emotion.
I have walked this path... wondering why others don't seem to notice that my world has changed-- fallen apart... Only those who have walked the same path can truly understand. From your poem I know that you have walked those streets too... Well done!
Cryssa
Once Upon a Morning Dreary (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:43:15 PM
(LOL!) "D
This poem tickled me! I do not believe I've ever read this kind of poem and I loved it. (Read Poe) Like the way you included the editor.
Thanks for inviting me via your poem to join you as you tap tap tap!
-Love, in Christ,
Zach
Once Upon a Morning Dreary (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:42:04 PM
Hilarious! I had a good laugh at this one...
Cryssa
The Jingle Dancer (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:36:29 PM
Wow! A movie made of words. I watched and enjoyed. If you listen closely, you will hear me saying "more! more!!"
I like the way you show me things I've never seen before. The verbs you chose are so specific that I could 'see' this dancer poised, on her toes,tinkling, gliding, pivoting, swaying and finally bowing.
Great job! -Zach
Spring (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:26:16 PM
Wonderful personification of such a sweet season.
Good work. The Lord is great.
-zach
Springtime (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:23:41 PM
Oh this poem makes me yearn for Spring! I can smell the daffodils.
Hear the robins...You've given me a ray of Springtime in the midst of northern New York's blustery snow. For that I'm grateful to you.
-zach
Mirroring (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:18:26 PM
When I read your poem "Alone" I just had to read more. And I was well rewarded Debra. I just love the way you express feelings in such concrete ways. I am going to have to buy your book "Son of My Soul".
zach
Alone (Poetry) - 3/5/2008 6:13:15 PM
Debra, when I read this it made me think of times I've felt alone, and what you have writen haunts me. The imagery is so fresh.
You've incarnated the feeling of alone, and that is quite an achievement in my opinion. Wow!
Please continue to write poetry. You have a way with words!
-Zach
The Haunted House (Poetry) - 10/7/2007 5:32:25 AM
enjoyed this tale ... good rhyme & meter to this poem ...
The Haunted House (Poetry) - 10/6/2007 7:55:34 PM
Fantastic! Just Fantastic! A wonderful tale of horror, intrigue and much suspense....
Be safe,
Karen
I Enjoy Being a 'Tiel (Poetry) - 9/6/2007 11:05:43 AM
What a an unusual and interesting poem! Really loved it.
Pam
