Fascinating and engaging book reviews and encouragement you'll want to read.
Author:deanne01
I am an avid reader and reviewer. I am open for review requests please contact me at Cnnamongirl at aol dot com. I work with big name publishers and indie publishers alike. I am on launch and street teams and have MANY NetGalley and GoodReads reviews up. I love all animals and I am a vegetarian. Thank you for joining me here.
American Transplant Foundation’s Executive Director, Anastasia Darwish, is interviewed for this article produced by Yahoo Beauty.
Kiersten Miles and Baby Talia, who she saved. Yes, there are still incredibly giving people in the world.
A few weeks ago, a 22-year-old college student and nanny voluntarily donated part of her liver to the 16-month-old child she was hired to babysit.
The caretaker, Kiersten Miles, learned about the child’s health crisis three weeks after she began working for the Rosko family last year. Baby Talia was suffering from a chronic disease that could be fatal without a liver transplant — and Miles jumped at the opportunity to rescue the little girl.
Doctors explained the severity of the situation to the young nanny. “I can never donate again, so they had to tell me in the future if I have a child in a similar
situation or a different one and they need a liver, even if I’m a 100 percent match, I can’t donate,” she told Fox 29 News Philadelphia.
Regardless of the future risk, she was determined to donate a portion of her organ to the toddler. “It’s such a small sacrifice when you compare it to saving a life,” stated Miles. “Some of her doctors said she possibly wouldn’t have made it past 2 years old. All I had to do was be in the hospital for a week and a 5-inch scar. I don’t know, it just seemed like such a small sacrifice to me.”
In order to meet the qualifications for being a liver donor, Miles needed to undergo a battery of tests by various specialists.
“It’s a multistage evaluation process,” Peter L. Abt, MD, an associate professor of transplant surgery in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who was Miles’s surgeon, tells Yahoo Beauty. “We start with the patient’s history and make sure they’re healthy — that they’re not overweight and don’t have any systemic illness. We also do a variety of blood tests to make sure their liver is healthy, and then do some imaging to make sure the anatomy is appropriate to donate.”
Anastasia Darwish, executive director of the American Transplant Foundation, tells Yahoo Beauty that donors are typically under the age of 60. And while liver donors do not need to be blood relatives of liver recipients, they “must have a compatible blood type.”
Abt further explains that surgery can take anywhere from four to eight hours. “It depends on what portion of the liver you’re donating,” he says. “A donation to a child is a smaller piece of liver, but if you donate to an adult, it’s often a larger piece of liver.”
“It’s a multistage evaluation process,” Peter L. Abt, MD, an associate professor of transplant surgery in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, who was Miles’s surgeon, tells Yahoo Beauty. “We start with the patient’s history and make sure they’re healthy — that they’re not overweight and don’t have any systemic illness. We also do a variety of blood tests to make sure their liver is healthy, and then do some imaging to make sure the anatomy is appropriate to donate.”
Anastasia Darwish, executive director of the American Transplant Foundation, tells Yahoo Beauty that donors are typically under the age of 60. And while liver donors do not need to be blood relatives of liver recipients, they “must have a compatible blood type.”
Abt further explains that surgery can take anywhere from four to eight hours. “It depends on what portion of the liver you’re donating,” he says. “A donation to a child is a smaller piece of liver, but if you donate to an adult, it’s often a larger piece of liver.”
And in most cases, liver donors can resume their regular activities once they have fully recovered from surgery. “The goal is for the donor to return to the health they had prior to donation,” says Abt. “Rarely are there any long-term complications, and the only medication they may need to take for a couple of weeks is some pain medicine — if they need it at all.”
Darwish adds that living liver donation is “much riskier” than living kidney donation.
“There’s about a 25 percent complication rate for living liver donors versus less than 1 percent for living kidney donors,” she states. “Patients and families should only make a decision about living donor transplantation after being fully informed of the risks and benefits of this procedure. That said, this is a lifesaving procedure and a much-needed option for those patients who are on the liver waiting list.”
Fox 29 News Philadelphia has also reported that both Miles and baby Talia “are doing well.”
Thank you for stopping in. May your day be blessed.
399 pages Harper Muse publisher May 17,2022 publication date
About The Book
She has one last chance to prove she chose the right course for her life.
In 1908, young Dorothy Tuckerman chafes under the bland, beige traditions of her socialite circles. Only the aristocracy’s annual summer trips to The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia spark her imagination. In this naturally beautiful place, an unexpected romance with an Italian racecar driver gives Dorothy a taste of the passion and adventure she wants. But her family intervenes, sentencing Dorothy to the life she hopes to escape.
Thirty-eight years later, as World War II draws to a close, Dorothy has done everything a woman in the early twentieth century should not: she has divorced her husband—scandalous—and established America’s first interior design firm—shocking. Now, Dorothy returns to The Greenbrier with the assignment to restore it to something even greater than its original glory. With her beloved company’s future hanging in the balance and brimming with daring, unconventional ideas, Dorothy has one more chance to give her dreams wings or succumb to her what society tells her is her inescapable fate.
Based on the true story of famed designer Dorothy Draper, The Grand Design is a moving tale of one woman’s quest to transform the walls that hold her captive.
In 1908, rich young socialite, Dorothy Tuckerman, gets to experience the Greenbrier Resort yearly while vacationing there with her family. Dating an Italian racecar driver just ups her social status and makes her crave the passion and adventures that come with being with a wealthy man of status. Despite her yearning it is not to be as her family puts a stop to it, not uncommon for a young woman in those days. Never having forgotten the beauty and charm of the Greenbrier in West Virginia, Dorothy returns there thirty-eight years later as a divorced woman and her eye for beauty and style leads her to become CEO of America’s first interior design firm. She is tasked with restoring the Greenbrier to become more elegant than the original design. Her bold and brilliant prints are ahead of her time and one of a kind. Her unconventional methods of design lead some to give her designing suggestions but she won’t back down. Her whole life was the Greenbrier and she absolutely loved it there. “Based on the true story of famed designer Dorothy Draper, The Grand Design is a moving tale of one woman’s quest to transform the walls that hold her captive.”
Pub Date 17 May 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Some current pictures of the Greenbrier Resort
Have a most lovely day. Thank you for stopping in.
362 pages Feb 21,2023 publish date Bethany House publishers
About The Book
Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America’s most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the employ of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond irritating.
Walter Townsend is reluctantly in search of a wife for the sake of his unruly motherless children who cannot keep a governess for long. What he wasn’t expecting was Miss Brinley, an amateur matchmaker who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle. Constantly besieged by society ladies on a mission to win his affection, Walter must find a way to overcome their inundating attention–and his unexpected attraction toward Gwendolyn.
The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.
My Thoughts
If you read a Jen Turano book, you’ll be guaranteed of laughter. Her books are full of humor and always make me smile and put me in a good mood as I’m reading them. I really enjoy books set in places I’ve been to. This past Summer we vacationed in Newport and visited many of the opulent mansions of yesterday there. From doing this I could picture the descriptions the author offers in her writing, and it makes the book absolutely come alive.
I laughed out loud so many times imagining the hilarious scenarios being played out.
Gwendolyn is one of my favorite female characters Jen has written about. The children, now they just make the book so charming and amusing. The dialogue is humorous and witty.
I enjoyed reading how the assistant reluctant matchmaker does such a wonderful job with matchmaking but yet she becomes part of a perfectly matched pair herself.
If you’re looking for a historical romance full of humor and wit, may I recommend this one to you? I look forward to seeing what the author puts out next. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
Enjoy your day and give a smile to someone who needs it today.
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally, they’re books that have yet to be released.
A propulsive retelling inspired by the Greek myth of Medea
‘A beautiful and unique retelling of Medea. I loved it!’ Sunday Times bestselling author Sophie Irwin
A woman wronged will shake an empire
Calcutta, 1757.
Bengal is on the brink of war. The East India Company, led by the fearsome Sir Peter Chilcott, are advancing and nobody is safe. Meena, the Nawab’s neglected and abused daughter, finds herself falling under the spell of James Chilcott, nephew of Sir Peter, who claims he wants to betray the company . . . for a price.
Caught between friend and foe, Meena and James escape Calcutta, their hands stained in blood and pockets filled with gold. In Ceylon, they’re cleansed of their sins by Meena’s beloved aunt Kiran, before the young lovers set sail for the Dutch controlled Cape of Good Hope, with the promise of a new life.
Yet past resentments and present betrayals begin to pile up as they struggle to overcome their differences. And as Meena yet again finds herself in a foreign land without anyone to turn to, she is forced to find out what she is willing to sacrifice when love turns to hate.
The perfect read for fans of The Song of Achilles, Ariadne and Pandora
‘A powerful and entrancing debut… crafted with finesse and authenticity’ USA Today bestseller, Andie Newton
‘Man oh man, I cannot wait to throw this book at everyone I know’ Pyae Moe Thet War
What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?
I am excited to reveal to you today the cover for This Child is mine by, Emma-Claire with a release date of 3 August. 2023.
About The Book
This Child of Mine
When Stephanie is told she’s pregnant and that she is sick on the same day, she faces an impossible choice…
After trying for a baby for so long, finding out I was pregnant was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. But in the same breath as the news I had been waiting years to hear, the doctor told me I was seriously ill.
If I carry my baby to term, I will almost certainly die.
If I proceed with treatment, my baby will not live.
My husband – the father of this child – is telling me to save myself. But with all the secrets I know he is keeping from me, I can’t trust him anymore.
What would you do?
An emotional yet uplifting tear-jerker that will have you reaching for the tissues – perfect for fans of EMMA ROBINSON and JODI PICOULT
This book sounds so good. I’ll be grabbing a copy for myself soon.
About The Author
Born in Scotland, Emma-Claire travelled the world as the child of military parents. After almost 20 years in Spain, she returned to the UK with her husband, two daughters, and rescue dog, Pip. Emma-Claire worked as a journalist for English language magazines and newspapers in Spain and in 2015 launched The Glass House Online Magazine. When not writing emotional fiction, you can find her dreaming up new book ideas or wrapped in a blanket with a book in her hand.
Hosted at That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week’s topic is genre freebie, we are to build a theme around this. I’m going to list some general fiction books with the word Summer in the title as I’m ready for warmer weather and summer reads. Come join me.
All her life she’s been searching for the truth . . .
The three daughters of stunning but unstable movie star Jillian Croft and her famous acting-teacher husband, Daniel Braddock, grew up being treated as special, even after their mother’s tragic death. Years later, their world is overturned when they discover a medical document suggesting Jillian could never have given birth to them.
Whilst Olivia and Eve insist there’s some mistake, quirky, impulsive middle sister Rosalind can’t leave the matter alone. Rosalind has always felt separate from her poised, successful sisters. If she has a different birth mother, she wants to know.
Investigation leads her to Leila Allerton, an opera singer from New Jersey with a vibrant, close-knit family to whom Rosalind aches to belong. At first its members warmly welcome their new neighbour – but circumstances and personalities soon clash, leaving a bewildered Rosalind unsure how they’ll feel when they discover her true reason for seeking them out . . .
Rose Anderson is done with being known as “the nice one” in the small town in Northern California where she lives. She’s done with playing third, fifth, seventh wheel at loud gatherings on her family’s flower farm. And most of all, she is done with the pitying looks and well-meaning comments she gets about her single status from the way-too-interested townsfolk.
No one seems to care that she’s single by choice. That she actually enjoys going to bed early with a good book—love stories are always better in fiction anyway. Busy with her flower arranging business, Rose has no time for a man, thank you very much. So when news spreads that Hillsboro is being used to shoot an upcoming Hollywood movie, Rose gets an idea. One that will appease her family while keeping her heart safely intact…
Bestselling author Debbie Burns combines her love for rescue dogs with a compelling woman’s journey in her brand new series.
Making a new start in a new part of the country is particularly challenging for a single mom. Fate and good fortune lead 27-year-old Josie Waterhill to Galena, Illinois where she and her six-year-old daughter, Zoe, move into a historic mansion that operates as a tea house. When 34-year-old journalist Carter O’Brien comes to stay at the mansion while researching his next story, Josie isn’t sure what to think of this charming stranger and his 110-pound rescue dog.
Carter’s curiosity about Josie deepens and he inadvertently stirs up trouble when he learns things about Josie and her daughter that she would rather not have known. Ready or not, Josie has to let go of her painful past so she can create a glorious future.
A new start can come from the most unexpected places…
It’s been years since Lizzie Lockhart spoke to her parents. But she was safe in the knowledge she knew everything about them. Once upon a time, they were as close as could be. Until they weren’t.
After receiving the earth-shattering news of their passing, Lizzie decides it’s time to unearth some family secrets and find out just who her parents really were… starting with Streamside Cottage. A cottage Lizzie never knew existed, in a place she’s never heard of: the beautiful English village of Leafton.
Leaving behind London, and the tattoo parlour she called home, Lizzie finds herself moving to the countryside. Faced with a tight-lipped community, who have secrets of their own, Lizzie is at a loss for what to do, until her rather handsome neighbour, Ben, steps in to help.
Each year, the start of summer brings bustle and much-needed tourist dollars to the little town of Albany Beach, Delaware. For Natalie Sullivan, this season is proving more stressful than others. It’s make-or-break time for the Irish pub her husband, Conor, recently bought with his brothers. Their two children are thriving, but she’s experiencing pangs of loss at the end of her childbearing years.
When sixteen-year-old McKenzie starts gushing about Bella, the new coworker at her summer job, Natalie suddenly finds her past and present in conflict. Bella, two years older than McKenzie, looks so similar that a customer remarks that they could be sisters. And when Natalie learns that Bella was adopted, she is propelled back into a heartbreaking decision. As a college student, Natalie became pregnant and put her baby up for adoption. Now, the more McKenzie talks about Bella, the more Natalie wonders: could Bella be her daughter?
Conor insists it’s a mistake to pursue the matter. Natalie’s child belongs to another family now; that was the agreement in the closed adoption. Still, Natalie can’t resist spending time with Bella. As their bond deepens, McKenzie accuses her mother of caring more for a stranger than for her, and Natalie begins imagining what it would be like to have Bella as a second daughter. What will the impact be if Bella really is her biological child? And if she isn’t, can Natalie embrace the joy and potential in her own family, without always wondering about what could have been?
In the summer, everything feels possible… A heartwarming small-town romance about new beginnings, old secrets and how home is truly where the heart is. Fans of Susan Mallery, Pamela Kelley, and Mary Alice Monroe will fall head over heels for this romantic page-turner.
All that Meghan Gray has left of her beloved Pappy is his cottage on the edge of the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Longing to feel close to her grandfather, she returns to the golden sands of Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks for the summer, clutching the manilla envelope he gifted her tightly in her hand.
On her first night on the sun-drenched island, she meets brooding Toby Meyers, a local businessman. She might feel lost without Pappy, but looking into Toby’s sparkling blue eyes feels like coming home.
The beach house where she spent her childhood is just how she remembers: a shingled bungalow with two rocking chairs on the porch and shutters on the windows. As Meghan strolls along the sand with Toby, breathing in the salty air, she realizes she is making new memories…
When Meghan opens the envelope, she finds a black-and-white photograph of someone she doesn’t recognize. If she can find out its meaning, and why Pappy gave it to her, she’ll unlock a secret that has been hidden for decades. The truth has the power to change everything Meghan and Toby thought they knew about their lives—and it will either bring them together, or break their hearts…
In the summer of 1936, while the Nazis make secret plans for World War II, a courageous and daring young woman struggles to expose the lies behind the dazzling spectacle of the Berlin Olympics.
German power is rising again, threatening a war that will be even worse than the last one. The English aristocracy turns to an age-old institution to stave off war and strengthen political bonds—marriage. Debutantes flock to Germany, including Viviane Alden. On holiday with her sister during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Viviane’s true purpose is more clandestine. While many in England want to appease Hitler, others seek to prove Germany is rearming. But they need evidence, photographs to tell the tale, and Viviane is a genius with her trusty Leica. And who would suspect a pretty, young tourist taking holiday snaps of being a spy?
Viviane expects to find hatred and injustice, but during the Olympics, with the world watching, Germany is on its best behavior, graciously welcoming tourists to a festival of peace and goodwill. But first impressions can be deceiving, and it’s up to Viviane and the journalist she’s paired with—a daring man with a guarded heart—to reveal the truth.
But others have their own reasons for befriending Viviane, and her adventure takes a darker turn. Suddenly Viviane finds herself caught in a web of far more deadly games—and closer than she ever imagined to the brink of war.
All NEW from bestselling psychological thriller writer Keri BeevisMead House was once our childhood home. Despite my fears, I always knew we would have to return to face the demons of our past. Back to the place where it happened, to where, as carefree teenagers, we lost our elder sister in the most brutal of circumstances. As executors of our grandmother’s will, my twin brother, Ollie, and I needed to empty the house for resale. What I didn’t expect to discover was my sister’s secret journal that contained her most private thoughts and shocking dark secrets. Now I am questioning everything that I saw that night. Did I get it wrong, who I saw? Did my evidence send an innocent man, my then boyfriend’s brother, to jail for the last 17 years? I know I have no choice. If I want to find answers, I will have to go back to that fateful night my sister died. When she made her last visit to the summer house.
Welcome back to The Starfish Café for a glorious summer, but with a few dark clouds on the horizon…
A new beginning…
As her summer wedding to Jake approaches, Hollie is excited for their new beginning as a family. But when some unexpected news threatens the future she and Jake had hoped for, Hollie will need to find the strength to overcome heartache once more.
A fragile heart….
Single mum, Kerry, loves her job at The Starfish Café, but behind the brave smiles and laughter with customers there is a sadness deep within. So when someone from her past re-appears in her life, Kerry can either hide away or face her demons and try to finally move on from her heartbreak.
A summer to remember…
For Hollie and Kerry it promises to be an emotional rollercoaster of a summer, but the community at The Starfish Café will always be there to help them through – after all, with courage nothing is impossible…
Preorder the next book in the heartwarming and bestselling Love Heart Lane series
Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what
When Bea Fernsby discovers her fiancé’s eyes have been wandering, she calls off the wedding and hits the road. The village of Heartcross in the Scottish Highlands is about as far away from home as she can get, and when she stumbles into the ideal summer job at The Little Blue Boathouse and meets gorgeous vacationer Nolan Hemingway, things finally start looking up.
Now, as an old mystery surfaces and Bea and Nolan band together to find out what happened to his late grandfather’s one true love, fate throws Bea some unexpected curveballs…and promising opportunities.
Bea’s stay is only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but as the old saying goes: ‘Once you arrive in Heartcross, you never want to leave…’
I have lots of books with the word summer in the title. Some have released some have not. Would you read any from my selection?
Thank you for stopping in. Your visit is a blessing.
386 pages April 7,2021 publication date Bookouture Buy Link
About The Book
Corbello, Italy, 1947. A woman and a little boy stagger into the ruins of an old house deep in the forest, wild roses overwhelming the crumbling terracotta walls. Since the war, nowhere has been safe. But they both freeze in shock when a voice calls out from the shadows…
For young mother Fosca Sentino, accepting refuge from reluctant British war hero Richard – in Tuscany to escape his tragic past – is the only way to keep her little family safe. She once risked everything to spy on Nazi commanders and pass secret information to the resistenza. But after a heartbreaking betrayal, Fosca’s best friend Simonetta disappeared without trace. The whole community was torn apart, and now Fosca and her son are outcasts.
Wary of this handsome stranger at first, Fosca slowly starts to feel safe as she watches him play with her son in the overgrown orchard. But her fragile peace is shattered the moment a silver brooch is found in the garden, and she recognises it as Simonetta’s…
Fosca has always suspected that another member of the resistenza betrayed her. With Richard by her side, she must find out if Simonetta is still alive, and clear her own name. But how did the brooch end up at the house? And with a traitor hiding in the village, willing to do anything to keep this secret buried, has Fosca put herself and her young son in terrible danger?
An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking standalone historical read that explores the incredible courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, The Nightingale, and anyone longing to lose themselves in the mountain landscapes and olive groves of rural Tuscany.
My Thoughts
This is my first read by this author. I have always enjoyed reading historical fiction and this one was no exception. If you like a well-researched and very descriptive book, then this one is for you. The book goes back and forth between time periods explaining things happening now were caused by things happening in the past. The characters, you could really feel their emotions coming through strongly. The book is mesmerizing, emotional and uplifting as well. A compelling read you won’t soon forget about once you are done with it. Though this is my first read in this series I feel the need to go back to read more of this series.
Pub Date 07 Apr 2021 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Welcome to my author page – “benvenuti”!
I live in the beautiful Italian Apennines for several months each year. Such an inspiring location.
My love affair with Italy was born at the age of seven when I moved with my family to Rome where we lived for six years. My father worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and he made sure we learned Italian and visited many places during that time.
Later on I studied Italian at the University of Kent at Canterbury and afterwards worked in Sicily, where I met my husband. His Italian mother and British father met in Urbino in 1944 and married after a war-time romance.
I wanted to write “The Tuscan Secret” not only for my amazing mother-in-law, Giuseppina, but also to make people aware of the courage of the resistance fighters and the generous hospitality shown by the poorest of families, including relatives of our Italian neighbours in our corner of war-torn Tuscany.
This is my first novel and is a story about ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times. (Please note it is a revised version of “Never Forget” and “Tuscan Roots”). I was signed by wonderful BOOKOUTURE for a two-book deal and one of these was a slight re-write of “Tuscan Roots”. The new title is “The Tuscan Secret” and has more tension and intrigue to the story. I am so proud to be a part of this publishing “family”, as they describe themselves, who have patiently helped me to polish the original. It is available on Amazon and has reached the bestseller slots.
A sequel to this original book was self-published way back, at the end of April 2017. “Now and then in Tuscany” features the same family that appeared in “The Tuscan Secret”. The background is the transhumance, a practice that started in Etruscan times and continued right up until the 1950’s. STOP PRESS: This has a new title: A TUSCAN MEMORY, re-published by BOOKOUTURE SEPTEMBER 7TH 2020.
Watch out for another Tuscan, war novel. “The Tuscan Girl” was published on February 25th 2020, inspired by the many ruins I see on my walks in the Apennines. Each dilapidated house holds a story for me, whether true or invented. I’m delighted to announce that my publisher, Bookouture, has commissioned another two Italian novels from me for 2021 and 2022. Watch this space, as they say.
How many of you have read an Angela Petch book? What were your thoughts? I really have enjoyed my first read by her and have several more in my files of hers to read.
The Boy Adopted by the Police Officer Who Responded to His ‘Horrific’ Child Abuse Is Now a Straight-A Student
Jody Thompson knew he had to foster the boy from one of the worst calls he ever responded to, and when the parents had a baby in jail, he and his wife adopted her too. He shares the family’s updates in his own words
Poteau, Oklahoma police officer Jody Thompson lives in the house he was raised in with his wife of 22 years, high school sweetheart Jeannie. On April 28, 2015, he was off duty, but heard a child abuse call come over the police radio that he thought he may be able to assist thanks to his background in investigating child abuse cases for the district attorney’s office, prior to joining the police department.Unable to walk away from the terrible abuse he saw, he ended up adopting the boy, John, and his infant sister, Paizley, in 2017. This is his story, told in his own words to PEOPLE.
Jody and John Thompson. POTEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
Once I went into the house, I see this little boy, he was facing me, sitting on a couch, I’ll never forget. He was shivering, the kid he was shaking so bad, I guess probably shock and cold because he was soaking wet. He had a knot on his head the size of a tennis ball that that I’ll never forget.
He was obviously malnourished, you could see every rib in his body, and he was in bad shape. His hands were bound by belts, it was a pretty horrific scene. An ER doctor later testified that he couldn’t find a two-inch square on John’s body that didn’t have a cut, a bruise, an abrasion in some stage of healing.
I was with him for mere seconds when I scooped him up, got him in my car and put him in protective custody. I took him to the emergency room, and he weighed just 61 pounds. They went ahead and decided to put him in intensive care.
I stayed with him, never left his side. I had separated from the law enforcement side of it. I’d realized that I’d already gotten too involved in this to be objective. I’ve done some crazy cases in my career, but this was one of the craziest. It was bad.
Jody Thompson.
I learned that at his mom and dad’s they started water abuse with a shower head, spraying him in the face. When he got bigger, they’d put him in a small gray storage bin with anything out of the freezer, juice or cold peas or frozen vegetables, to make the punishment more severe.
And then we find out mom comes up with the idea to put a good sized trashcan inside the house and they’d raise the water up to about his nose level and put cold articles in it from the freezer.
But that day was different. They tied his hands together. He was held by his feet and put in headfirst until he quit fighting. They put the lid on the trashcan that day and put stuff on top of the lid. They told John they was going to the store to get ice.
As soon as he heard the truck leave, he just stood up, got out of the trashcan. He was locked in from the outside so he climbed out of a window and went to the neighbor’s house [who called the police].
The parents would each be charged with two crimes, child abuse by injury and neglect, and each were sentenced to 35 years.
Thompson family. JODY THOMPSON
After about two days John was released from the hospital and he went to a traditional foster home here in Poteau. And I couldn’t get him out of my head. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, if he was being treated right, if he was getting taken care of. There was no way that I’d ever be able to relax until I knew he was safe. And the only way I could guarantee him being safe was with me.
At the time, me and my wife, we had two sons of our own: Ryan was 16 and Charley was 8. I made some phone calls and filled out an application to become a foster parent and three days later they let me pick him up.
John and Paizley. JODY THOMPSON
Jeannie: And then two days later, we found out that we were pregnant with our third son.
When we brought John home, we’re trying to get as normal as we can get. John and my son Charley, they’re only six weeks apart in age. So they’re the same age, same grade, two second graders. They were best friends and all that. But it didn’t take long for the sibling rivalry to kick in!
Jody: On November 3, 2015, I was with John’s caseworker on a separate child welfare case, when she gets a phone call. She said, ‘I just got word that John’s mother had a baby in jail. What are we going to do?’ I said, ‘What do you mean what are we doing to do? I’m going to pick her up.’ The very next day, on the 4th, we picked her up from the hospital.
Jody Thompson.
Jeannie: And I was about six weeks out from having Zaven, he was born December 14th, 2015.
Jody: Early on, it was panic mode. I was one of six, and I always thought my parents were crazy having that many kids. So when John came along, I was comfortable that we were led by God in the right direction to do this, I wasn’t fearful then. But when Paizley came along, that was the first sign of panic. I thought, ‘We might have overdone this.’ But we just figured out a way.
My police department, this entire town of Poteau, Jeannie’s co-workers at the crisis center where she had been a domestic violence counselor, my family, my siblings, just everyone rallied around us and we’ve never had an issue.
Paizley and Zaven act like twins. They play like twins. They’re inseparable. They love each other. They worry about each other. I think that’s probably what they needed at the time. God knew that, they’re doing really well.
John and Paizley Thompson. JODY THOMPSON
We formally adopted John on August the 18th of 2016, and Paizley on February 16th of 2017. Paizley just turned six and she doesn’t have a clue what happened. That’s what we’re working on with counselors and with professionals.
Jeannie: When is the right time? Because we just want her to be mature enough to understand it.
Jody: We’re really working hard on John to let him know that this, it was a bad thing that happened, but it doesn’t define who he is.
Jeannie: John did go through some trauma therapy and did really well with that. We obviously had to deal with hoarding of food, with him being malnourished and not knowing when his next meal was going to come. He’s doing much better now with the food issue.
Jody: Jeannie and I both promised him, ‘You’ll never have to worry about food in this house. It will always be there.’ He’s a straight A student now and pretty active. He does marching band and drama and the thespian group and all of that. He is doing really well.
John: This happening has given me a lot of opportunities to do the things that probably I wouldn’t have gotten to do, find the things that I like and have the ability to pursue what I like. And my parents, they care.
Thank you for stopping in for my positive post for the day. There is Beauty in Every Day.
The Polish Girl: An utterly heartbreaking and gripping World War 2 historical novel (The Secret Resistance Series) by Gosia Nealon
Poland, 1944. “Please, officer, I beg you—”, I cry. But my father has already fallen. “Don’t leave me, Tata,” I whisper, rushing to desperately cradle him close. As the kind, loving man who raised me takes his last breath, I weep into my hands and promise to fight to end this terrible war, no matter the cost…
Although it won’t bring her beloved father back, twenty-three-year-old Wanda vows to honour his memory and all he stood for. Throwing herself into the Polish resistance, she risks her life on the dangerous mission of transporting ammunition for the underground network’s uprising against the Nazis.
Slipping through the night-time shadows of an empty park to meet an informant—one who could provide crucial supplies in the battle for what’s right—the sight of the man waiting turns Wanda’s blood to ice. Even in the dim light, she instantly recognises him as the soldier who killed her father.
The soldier claims he is a double agent, working for the resistance. Questioning everything, Wanda’s heart races as she is forced to make a split-second decision. Believe the man who she thought was the enemy? Or endanger the lives of her network—and their secret plans to fight the Germans?
Can Wanda trust the man she hates most in the world? Did her father die in vain? Or if she fights her every instinct, will she truly change the tide of the war?
Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will adore this utterly heartbreaking page-turner. You will not forget this unputdownable story of love, loss, and the courage it takes to hold on to hope in darkest times.
Previously published as The Last Sketch.
My Thoughts
This book is excellent. I could not put it down once I started it and read it past my bedtime, finishing it in one day. Twin brothers, identical twins, raised together by the same parents. Vastly different, one is gentle and compassionate taking after the mother. The other, like the father is a brutal killer, a German soldier. Wanda Odwaga feels safe in her home with her mother and her father, a retired surgeon. One evening her, Tata, (father) is killed before her eyes there. Looking into the eyes of this killer she vows she will get her revenge. As she then starts to see this murderer everywhere she goes, she is sickened and confused. He whispers to her, “I am not who you think I am.” An orphaned little boy is adopted into her family, and he is a wonderful addition to the story, he is so smart too. Poland, 1944, it was such a turbulent time, rationing was in full force, there was a curfew, the Germans had invaded. No one was safe on the streets, especially a woman alone. Some risked their lives to be in the Polish resistance using code words to pass messages. We see the characters going through such turmoil in this unputdownable book but yet they persevere and show such strength in the darkest of days because they know strength and courage brings the light. Heartwarming will not be soon forgotten.
Pub Date 24 Feb 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here.
Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, which won a gold medal in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY).
Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.
When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and two young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.
Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
We’ve all heard the great debate—which is better, coffee or tea? While we may never be able to put the debate to rest, we can take a look at a few tea and coffee statistics that lovers of these beverages can take with them into the new year. This will help you know where your favorite stands and whether you’re willing to give the other beverage a try due to how others feel about it. Read on below to learn all about tea drinker versus coffee drinker statistics.
The 30 Tea Drinkers vs. Coffee Drinkers Statistics
Tea is considered the second most popular drink of choice worldwide.
You’re welcome to use our images, but we require you link directly to this site for credit (ex. Image from Coffee Affection)
Tea is considered the second-most popular drink of choice worldwide.
(World Tea News)
While coffee is a preferred drink in many countries, when looking at worldwide beverage consumption statistics, tea is the second-most consumed beverage. The beverage making the top of the list is packaged water.
Image Credit: jsbaw7160, Pixabay
Black tea is the most consumed tea around the world.
(NCBI)
Black tea is considered the favored type of tea worldwide. In the United States alone, nearly 90% of all tea consumed is steeped from black tea leaves.
297 billion liters of tea were consumed worldwide in 2021.
(World Tea News)
The worldwide consumption of tea has been on the rise. In 2021, 297 billion liters of tea were consumed worldwide. This is an increase of 63 billion liters since 2013.
Image Credit: stux, Pixabay
In 2020, China dominated the tea market with 78.7 billion US dollars of revenue.
(Statista)
When it comes to the tea industry, China is predominately the leader in all areas. In 2020 alone, the country earned what translates into 78.7 billion US dollars in revenue from tea production. Brazil and India found themselves taking 2nd and 3rd place by earning 16 billion and 15.8 billion, respectively.
5.In 2018, bubble tea made a 3,000% jump in orders throughout the Southeast Asia region.
(The Asean Post)
The bubble tea in the Southeast Asia region made an incredible leap when it came to orders in 2018. With the popularity of this tea continuing to rise, this number is expected to continue growing, especially as bubble tea becomes a global trend.
Image Credit: RODNAE Productions, Pexels
Worldwide, the wholesale price of tea rose 50% in 2020 due to the pandemic.
(Forbes)
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect on the price of tea around the world. On average, consumers were paying up to 50% more for wholesale tea, bottled tea, and tea bags across the globe.
US Tea Statistics
7.75%–80% of tea drank in the United States is iced tea.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.)
Popularized in the Southern states, iced tea is quite popular in America. Many enjoy this type of tea throughout the year but it is a beloved staple during the warmer months, especially in those states with long, hot summers.
Image Credit: makafood, Pexels
Americans consumed 85 billion servings of tea throughout 2021.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.)
Throughout 2021, people in the United States consumed 85 billion servings of tea which equates to more than 3.9 billion gallons.
9.In 2019, 48% of tea consumed by Americans took place at food service locations.
(Euromonitor International)
Before the pandemic, most Americans enjoyed their tea while at restaurants or other locations that served food. This is where 48% of the country’s overall tea consumption took place.
Image Credit: Marta Dzedyshko, Pexels
Worldwide Coffee Statistics
10.Worldwide, more than 50 countries contribute to coffee production.
(National Coffee Association)
With the growing demand for coffee, more than 50 countries throughout the world are now producing coffee in some form for distribution.
11.In 2019, Brazil accounted for 44% of worldwide coffee exportation.
(International Coffee Organization)
Brazil, as expected, was the leader when it came to coffee exporting in 2019. They were followed by Indonesia, which reported roughly 8% of export sales.
Image Credit: Diego Catto, Unsplash
In 2020, worldwide coffee sales decreased by 3.8% in comparison to 2019’s reported numbers.
(International Coffee Organization)
The year 2019 was bigger in terms of worldwide coffee sales than 2020. In 2020, sales decreased by 3.8% and have bounced back yet.
Coffee Industry Statistics to Know
13.Coffee sales in 2023 are expected to reach over $100 million
(Global News Wire)
With more young people becoming fans of coffee, sales are expected to reach upwards of $100 million by 2023.
Image Credit: Pixabay, Pexels
The Netherlands was responsible for the highest coffee consumption in 2020, reaching 8.3 kilograms per capita.
(Espresso Coffee Time)
People in the Netherlands love coffee. In 2020, they were the world leader in coffee consumption.
15.In 2019, the world reported the lowest coffee prices per pound in more than a decade.
(National Coffee Association)
2019 was a great year for coffee drinkers. Prices were at the lowest per pound than they have been in over a decade, but pandemic impacts have bumped the prices back up and have yet to match 2019 levels.
Image Credit: Ri_Ya, Pixabay
US Coffee Statistics
16.The United States ranks 25th in the most coffee consumed per capita.
(World Atlas)
While people in the US may love coffee, when it comes to per capita consuming the country ranks 25th. This comes out to roughly 9.26 pounds per person.
17.In 2020, there were over 37,000 coffee shops or cafes in the United States.
(World Coffee Portal)
The US is well-known for coffee shops. In 2020, more than 37,000 coffee shops were active in the country. Imagine if we included all the places that simply served coffee but weren’t labeled cafes, the number would likely be 10 times as big.
Image Credit: Charlotte May, Pexels
On average, US coffee drinkers consume two to three cups of coffee each day.
(Statista)
The love of coffee in the United States is clear. However, on average, coffee drinkers in the US consume two to three cups of coffee each day, which is somewhat tame compared to some European countries.
19.59% of Americans consume coffee every day.
(National Coffee Association)
According to a 2019 study, more than half of Americans over 18 years of age drink at least 1 cup of coffee per day. This number is down from 2013, when 63% of Americans drank 1 cup of coffee per day.
Image Credit: Engin_Akyurt, Pixabay
Finland is the top coffee drinker in the world.
(World Atlas)
Finland is the top coffee drinker globally, with the average person drinking more than 26 pounds of coffee per year. Norway is the second biggest drinker, with the average person drinking a little more than 21 pounds per person. Many Americans think that they are big coffee drinkers, but the U.S. is actually in 25th place, behind France, Germany, Austria, and Canada.
21.Seniors drink more coffee than young adults.
(Statista)
The amount of coffee that we consume in the United States varies by age. For example, you might expect that young adults burdened with college and work would consume the most coffee, but it turns out that seniors are the biggest drinkers, with some studies showing a steady increase as we age. Currently, 70% of seniors consume coffee regularly, while slightly less than half of young adults do.
Young people are more likely to visit coffee shops.
(Statista)
Research shows that more than a 1/3 of Americans ages 18–29 recently purchased coffee from a coffee shop, while only a 1/4 of older people did. Older Americans also prefer to use traditional drip machines, while younger people are more open to experimenting with other forms, like the French press, AeroPress, and cold brew.
29% of people drink coffee to relax.
(Statista)
When asked why they drink coffee, 29% of people said that they like to consume it to relax, so they enjoy it in the afternoon or early evening instead of treating it as a pick-me-up during breakfast.
24.There are almost 20,000 people producing coffee in the United States.
(IBIS World)
19,849 people are working to produce coffee in the United States as of 2022. This number has increased steadily since 2019 and should continue to rise at a rate of 3% for the next several years.
25.Starbucks is currently the most popular coffee shop.
(World Coffee Portal)
Starbucks is currently the most popular coffee shop in the United States and is responsible for 40% of the market. Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) is in second place with 26%.
Image Credit: Adrianna Calvo, Pexels
Tea is one of the oldest beverages in the world.
(Food and Agriculture Organization)
Some experts say that humans started drinking tea somewhere around 2700 B.C., and there are more than 1,000 varieties available.
27.China and Japan drink more than 40% of the tea produced each year.
(Grand View Research)
China and Japan consume more than 40% of the tea made each year, which is the most in any region. Experts expect tea consumption to grow in other countries in the region, like Thailand, Indonesia, and India, which will enable them to control an even larger market share.
28. 33% of people in the United Kingdom drink four to five cups of tea per day during the week.
Statista)
While surveying tea drinkers in the United Kingdom in 2019, researchers learned that 33% drink more than 4 cups per day during the week. This number should increase in the coming years.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Researchers expect the tea market in the United States to grow by more than 5% each year.
(Statista)
Researchers expect the tea market in the United States to grow by more than 5% each year from 2022 through 2025. Currently, the average person spends around $30 per year on tea.
30.Seattle, Washington, consumes the most coffee in the United States.
(Caffeine Informer)
Seattle, Washington, has the highest rate of coffee consumption in the United States. Other cities that make the top 10 list include Portland, Oregon; San Jose, California; Denver, Colorado; and New York City, New York.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tea Drinkers vs Coffee Drinkers
Which has more caffeine, coffee or tea?
While tea leaves have more caffeine than coffee beans, it is the brewing process that makes all the difference. More coffee beans are used when making a cup of coffee, therefore brewed coffee has more caffeine content than seeped or brewed tea. (Healthline)
Who prefers sugar in their drink more? Tea drinkers or coffee drinkers?
According to a survey conducted by OnePoll, most coffee drinkers prefer their beverage black. When it comes to tea, however, most people want sugar added. (SWNS Digital)
Which drink do people prefer most in the mornings?
When it comes to waking up, coffee is the clear winner for those that need the caffeine jolt. Yes, people enjoy tea in the mornings, but most caffeine lovers consider coffee the stronger of the two and the most likely to supply the surge needed to get their day started.
Image Credit: Engin_Akyurt, Pixabay
Are Tea and Coffee Bad for You?
One thing every tea or coffee drinker wonders is whether their drink of choice is bad for them. Each beverage brings something different to the table so let’s take a look at each one below.
The Good and Bad of Tea
Whether you’re a fan of hot tea, iced tea, sweetened tea, or tea with honey the most important question is what will it do to your health. One of the biggest things to keep in mind when you’re drinking tea is the amount of caffeine it contains. Each type of tea is different. Black tea contains more caffeine than green tea. Plus, the caffeine level in tea changes according to how it’s brewed. However, tea also includes L-theanine, which helps metabolize the caffeine it contains. This is why most people who drink tea feel more sustained energy than coffee drinkers.
The Good and Bad of Coffee
While coffee contains a lot more caffeine than tea, that doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. Coffee is a great way to wake up in the mornings, but it also offers more antioxidants than tea. Antioxidants are good for the body and can help fight against several diseases and disorders. By consuming the proper amount of caffeine recommended daily, coffee drinkers can use the love of their favorite beverage to help improve their health in some ways.
Do More People Drink Tea or Coffee?
While tea is the most popular beverage worldwide, coffee is close, especially in Finland and other European countries. It’s not quite as old as tea, but it’s still much older than many modern beverages, and it’s becoming more popular with the invention of specialty products, like espresso. These beverages aren’t going anywhere, and experts expect sales to continue to grow until at least 2027.
Is the coffee and tea market growing?
Yes. Experts believe that the coffee and tea market will grow by at least 5% annually from 2022 to 2027. The anti-aging properties of tea and the increasing popularity of both beverages among the youth will help boost sales. In addition, a growing preference toward non-alcoholic beverages and an increase in consumption of ready-to-drink beverages will also help drive sales. (Digital Journal)
Why is tea the most popular drink in the world?
It’s hard to nail down a specific reason for the popularity of tea. That said, people have been brewing it for thousands of years, long before most modern beverages, and there are currently close to a thousand varieties available. Tea has anti-aging properties, and it can also improve brain function, protect against cancer, and reduce the risk of heart disease, among other health benefits that help make it popular. It’s also a traditional drink in China and Japan, two countries that not only have huge populations but are also responsible for growing much of the tea that we drink. (Healthline)
Image Credit: Pixabay
What kinds of tea are available?
There is a wide variety of teas available for consumption in the United States and abroad. Traditionally, the most popular type is black tea, but recently, green and oolong tea have become popular. Green tea is especially sought after due to its health benefits. You can also find white tea, yellow tea, and Pu-erh. All kinds of tea come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to China. The difference between them is a result of the harvesting and preparation process.
What kinds of coffees are available?
Unlike the different kinds of tea, which generally come from the same plant, there are several varieties of coffee trees, and each can affect the final flavor. Environmental concerns like rain and sunshine can also affect the finished product. However, most people purchase their coffee primarily by its roast. A light roast will have a gentle, earthy taste, while dark roasts have a burned flavor that many people enjoy. Dark roasts also tend to have more caffeine and pack more of a punch to help you get moving. The standard coffee from Dunkin is a medium roast, while Starbucks specializes in dark-roasted coffee.
Conclusion
As you can see, tea may be the better selling beverage, but the love for coffee is steadily growing. When it comes to money, coffee is clearly the bigger industry. Whether you’re a fan of a morning cup of joe or a nice cup of tea to unwind, one thing is constant, great taste. Each beverage has caffeine and can be sweetened to your liking so enjoy your coffee or tea and remember to be open-minded when someone offers you something different. You may end up becoming a fan of a drink you never imagined you’d like.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Joanna Kosinska, Unsplash
What country are you in and what is your beverage of choice and is that hot or cold?
I am in the US and my beverage choice is tea, hot or cold but I also enjoy iced coffee. I won’t touch hot coffee though.
Thanks for stopping in and enjoy that beverage of choice soon!
Vegan Book Blogger 