Tag: Books

Jacqueline Pirtle Talks Every Thing WOMAN from Pooping to Living in her latest book entitled “What it Mean to Be A Woman & Yes, Women Do POOP!”

Published on by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Disclosure: This book was gifted to me by Jacqueline Pirtle’s publishing company in exchange for my honest review. All views concerning this book are 100% my own.

I can always count on Jacqueline Pirtle‘s books to make me laugh, think differently, and get my energy aligned right. I have to say her latest book, “What It Means to Be A Woman,” made me laugh in the beginning. I was so glad that she put the Poop talk in the front because I had to hear her thoughts on this, even though I already knew somewhat about what she was referring too.

It took me back down memory lane to a relationship I was in at the time. While he was forgettable, the question he asked me was not. To this day I still think about what he said…

Do you ever pass gas? He asked questionably.

I’ve never heard you do it and just want to know if you ever do? The question came out of nowhere, seeing that his comfortability with our relationship garnered him to do it every moment he felt the need to release! Being the “good, understanding” woman, I was. It was okay, I said. “You can feel comfortable around me” words, in which I regret to this day that I gave him access to do.

Check out Jacqueline Pirtle’s First Book:

365 Day of Happiness – Because Happiness is a Piece of Cake

However, I didn’t know how to respond to his question. He really caught me off guard. “Yes, I do,” I stated somewhat embarrassingly. Oh, he said. I didn’t know you did things like that.

Uh, Yes! I do. It’s always when you’re not around or sleeping or those times when I sneak away to “go look at something” moments. Sorry ladies, if I gave away your secret. When I read what Jacqueline had to say about women POOPING. I was like YESSSSS!! Finally, someone is addressing the elephant in the room. Let’s get it out there, let’s talk about it! Poop is NOT a dirty word, although I understand why people would opt out of conversations discussing it. It’s funny because I asked a former best friend one day if she did it on a regular – Poop that is. I’m so happy Jacqueline decided to talk about this, which came by way of her overhearing some ladies discussing it and how men didn’t think women did it.


To the men out there that think we don’t ever do it? Trust me, if we didn’t. There would be some weird-looking women in the world, as a matter of fact, as Jacqueline states in her book, it’s quite a healthy thing to do. The smell is not fit for the nostrils, but trust me, your pipes are praising you every time you do it regularly! So, Yes – I’m happy to POOP!

I loved that point in the book, the other chapter I loved was “What is Your Purpose in this Physical Life.”

Everything that IS in your life, the good, the bad, the ugly. It is meant for you to allow as an expansion and receive like it is the grandest gift ever.

Jacqueline Pirtle, Author

I’m a HUGE fan of Purpose. While life can throw some pretty hard lemons, I firmly believe that we’re all here for a PURPOSE. The creator didn’t create you because he was bored and had nothing better else to do. NOOOO WAY! If you are here, breathing, living, and going about this life? You, my friend, are here ON Purpose to fulfill PURPOSE.

Our life is already predestined for us in a big pretty gift box. This box not only holds ALL the good in our lives, but it also has some not-so-good moments, failed attempts, and sad times. But it’s our gift, and no matter what it contains, it’s just like Kelly Clarkson sing, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” Our lives are only a testimony to help someone else who may be in the same boat.

Check out Jacqueline’s 2nd Book:

Parenting through the Eyes of Lollipops!

As Jacqueline states, each of our lives is unique and should be embraced by stating, “I love my life, I love myself, and I love what I’m doing. That last statement stands very accurately, especially on a job we dislike! I’ve said it a zillion times myself. However, I believe Jacqueline wants to convey that you’re a woman, one of the most powerful beings on the face of the planet. Own that, accept the challenges placed in front of US and RULE. After all, it’s in our being!

As always, Jacqueline doesn’t disappoint in this latest book. There are so many chapters in this book that will fit any and EVERY WOMAN. No matter your background, color, size, or status, you’re bound to find yourself somewhere amongst these beautiful chapters of love, energy, mindfulness, and yes, POOPING!

Jacqueline’s book “What it Means to Be A Woman & Yes, Women Do Poop! and all her other bestsellers are available everywhere books are sold.
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Guest Post: Having it all – An Inspirational Journey to Becoming a Superwoman by Ritu Sethi

Published on by Roshonda BLeave a comment

Featured Photo: Ritu Sethi

Every decision we make leads us down a different path – it is up to you to decide which one. 

You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can enact change within yourself if you are willing to accept personal responsibility and guidance.

Ritu Sethi – Author “Having it all – An Inspirational Journey to Becoming A Superwoman”

There is an age-old question that plagues so many young women today and it is not a new one. It is one that has been around for decades; ever since women in the workplace became a common sight. However, as increasing demands continue to beg on everyone’s time, this ever-evolving question proceeds to grow.

The question began from whether there was really such a notion as a happy work-life balance for women. This meant addressing the conversation that women often had to choose between their personal responsibilities vs going to work and being the financial provider for their family. 

In this current society, the spectrum of technological advancements accessible to us at our fingertips has meant that women are finding it increasingly hard to merely switch between each area of life unscathed. On top of this, Social Media apps do a great job of constantly reminding us of this presented requirement to have an enviable social life going spare to feel accepted, or to download the newest fitness apps as a pre-requisite for reaching a peak state of health, digital banking apps that must be mandatory if you want for a healthy bank account, or meditation as a spiritual reminder to encourage time out, self-care, and mental health awareness. Not to mention searching for added space and time dedicated to intimate relationships and family time too. No wonder so many women are exhausted all the time!

As a Lawyer, Entrepreneur, Mother, and Wife, I share my strategy for ‘having it all’. It is based on the idea of compartmentalizing all areas of your life into eight accessible sectors and understanding how to balance all these areas. My suggestions are a guide to self-improvement and I want the experience to be a personal journey for you and to encompass all there is in life, as a working woman.

‘Having It All Now’: An Inspirational Journey to Becoming Superwoman’ is my own interpretation of advisory and solution-orientated guidance for women. 

Click to Purchase Your Copy!

You will feel empowered and equipped  to take charge of each area of your life, including:

1} Self-development. Are you truly happy in yourself or should you step away for a moment and re-evaluate life objectively, just for you.

2} Finance and wealth. How much money do you need to reach financial security and increased financial freedom? How will you do this? One small saving every day (even skipping each morning’s coffee on the way to work) will help you save.

3} Have you experienced the power of intimacy and love? The passion that comes when you least expect it, one that consumes your senses? If you need a bit of guidance here, this book explores the reasons why you are good enough, the uniqueness and qualities within yourself and how to best bring them out and how to be seen. 

4} Stuck in your career? After all, how do you break through an invisible glass ceiling within your professional life? You have the ability to make a conscious decision to break with the imaginary boundaries that are products of years of false conditioning and then the rewards are yours to be had.  We guide you on how to exude the confidence to make it to the next promotion and reap those rewards.

5} You are your own definition of health and beauty.  There cannot be just one definition of beauty in a world so vast and different, but we do know that there is a plan to enjoying total peak health. That one does not just happen on its own.

6} Love is all that a child really wants from their parents, so take 5 minutes to hug them every day, to feel the heartbeat of your child puts the world back into perspective. That support and nurturing is also a steadfast way to encourage them to embrace the world. Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect parent, so why strive to be one?

7} Your social life can only be a reflection of the choices you make, on how you choose to spend your free time, and your ability to be a good friend. We explore how you can surround yourself with like-minded friends who will boost you in your search for balance and happiness.

8} Lastly, spirituality and creativity are your subjective choice, and once you have read through how to dispel many of the demons you may now face, there will be one important light and eye-opener that will be your guide. 

The results you will get is an insight into NOT putting off the  ‘luxuries’ that life has to offer you for another day, and instead to make today the day to stop and reflect on your life balance and Life choices resting in the realization that you can make the subtle changes you need so you too will begin the journey to ‘having it all now’. 

About the author

Ritu Sethi is the Founder and Senior Partner of The Sethi Partnership Solicitors, recently winning the Lifetime Achievement Award in Law 2019. She is also a public speaker, and her book ‘A Woman’s Guide to Having it All now’ was voted ‘Best Inspirational Book’ by IBBF. For further information and to order your copy; visit www.ritusethi.com   Or www.sethi.co.uk 

2020 & Lemon Meringue Pie – OH MY!!

Published on by Roshonda B6 Comments

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!!

I pray your holiday was a good one and that your new year got off to a good start, well it’s here. Another year, another goal, another decade! Wow…

Before I can move forward, I must take a step back for a moment.

The ending of my year turned out to be quite a scary one, the last post I wrote in December – you can check that out below just in case you got too busy and missed it. It was my last post of the year, it was also a week before my daughter was to go in and have a heart procedure done.

December’s Going Already? & Safety is KEYYYYYYYYY!!

I knew this day was coming, my daughter, I and the Cardiologist had, had the discussion for months and in August of 2018 we got a date as to when the surgery was going to happen. I wasn’t worried, I had prayed; however, as the months and days came closer. No lie, I was a little nervous. The doctors stated that the procedure was “non-life threatening” and the procedure had a 95% success rate. So that was nice to hear. My faith was strong…and I put her, it and them into God’s hands.

That was until I got some devastating news from the nurse

Surgery day came and we were all set, I had to be at the hospital by 7:30 a.m. meaning I had to get up at 4 am to be out of the house by 5:15 am as the hospital was about 2 hours away. Talking about tiredness…but we had things to do.

Once we got to the hospital and all the preliminaries were done, my daughter was whisked away to anesthesia. I wouldn’t see her again for 4 hours…

I sat in the waiting room for quite some time, I had my books, blanket, and phone so enough to keep me occupied. As a protocol for anyone going into surgery I received a phone call every hour letting me know what was going on when the surgery started and the process in between…when I didn’t get the last call but looked up to see the nurse coming towards me instead. I immediately thought, “Cool, they’re done” but little did I know that was far from what she came to say.

“We ran into a problem, she said”

Sitting on the edge of my seat, she had my undivided attention – with eyes glued securely on her and every word that was now coming out of her mouth, I held my breath a little…

“While the doctor was completing the surgery, your daughter’s heart began to bleed out; blood surrounded her heart, which contracted the heart muscle. We don’t know what happened; we’re trying to stop the bleeding. “We had to perform CPR on her”

My heart stopped and for a brief moment, I stared at her in a daze — as if what she was telling me was something she was reading out of a book of grim fairytales. Before I knew it, I broke down…

My daughter, if she had not been at the hospital she was at, with special doctors that know how to handle cases of this matter in a matter of seconds – my daughter would’ve died a week before Christmas. Just the thought of that makes me cringe with fear, my baby girl. BUTTTTT and a BIG BUT, God is SOOOO AWESOMELY GOOD! She had to stay in ICU for a couple of days after that before she got moved to a regular floor but as of right now, she’s doing better and can resume her regular activities according to the cardio on Monday. I give God praise.  

While the year ended with a little turbulence, 2020 came in as sweet as pie, literally!

Over the holidays, I looked forward to spending time with my sister, brother-in-law and my nieces. Our children are around the same age, so my kids always look forward to being with their cousins.

The weather was favorable and I got a GOOD dose of Christmas movies, I even got a chance to catch up on Season 4 of Greenleaf (If you haven’t seen this show, what in the world have you been doing??? Please check out Netflix and catch up!!) I promise, it’s one of my favorite shows, so I binged.

I also read a book series by Lexcee Reel – Lexcee is a self-published author on the RISE!

She has a fourth book entitled “Undying Past”- The book series detail the story of Caroline Peatree Gibbs a confused, mean and downright sassy woman who finds herself caught in a love triangle with her dying husband, a flame from college and a new business suitor that has an eye for her. Lexcee’s four-books entitled, The Caroline Peatree Gibbs Series were full of action, suspense and chock full of drama and revenge!. I read ALL four books and can’t wait for BOOK 5 (In which I would like to do a FULL review!). Once I finished one book, I was trying my best not to read the next one –but I foiled, that’s just how good they were, I couldn’t put them down and you won’t either. If you’re looking for a FEW good reads, check her out. You won’t be disappointed!

During this much needed time of rest and relaxation, my sister bought me a piece of lemon meringue pie from the hospital in which my brother in law works. This hospital has the best lemon meringue pie ever!! Now, there’s a back story to this pie. When my mom was in the hospital back in 2016 –outside of seeing her beautiful face, I always looked forward to going to the cafeteria and getting me a piece of lemon meringue pie. It was a sweet indulgence I looked forward too. It somehow took my mind off of seeing my mother in pain and hearing all the negative doctor reports we received daily in regards to her declining health.

When my mother passed away that year, so did that lemon meringue pie. They stopped serving it. So, when my sister stated that she was stopping by there on New Year’s Day to visit her husband and asked if I wanted anything, I quickly said no.

When my sister got home, I was lazily slouched within the cushions of her couch with covers over me, she came in excited and said “Guess what, you’ll NEVER guess what I got” – her Styrofoam container smelled of some good hot fish, so I didn’t even attempt to guess. As she sat down swiftly on the coach, she began unraveling the bags and what she brought out next made me sit ALL THE WAY UP!

She looked at me and said, remember this?

Lemon Meringue Pie!!! –To be honest, I almost cried and I know that sounds super silly over a piece of pie but it had been 3 years since I had a piece and for some odd reason, when I saw that pie? A really good and positive feeling fell over me as if to indicate, this was going to be an EPIC 2020 Year! I just looked up and gave my mom a little wink…

So, no resolutions – no wishes for 2020, just a lot of God and a little lemony, sweet and tart meringue pie leading the way and guess what ——— I’m all game…

Cheers and Best Wishes to a Fantastic Year Ahead!

Did you have an epiphany or a little something that spurred your 2020? Share in the comments

Book Review: 100 Years Lead Author Mark Baynard on A Journey to Free Himself & Generations to Come

Published on by Roshonda B2 Comments

Do you know what a generational curse is?

You, like myself I’m sure have either heard the word before or if you’ve done research on your own family history, I’m sure you’ve actually “seen” it in action. While I couldn’t find the word “generational curse” in the dictionary as I figured I wouldn’t. I have my own definition of what this word truly means and that’s this:

A generational curse is an era, period, range, class or lifetime of something being carried down from one generation to another generation.

In other words, if your family has always been known to be alcoholics, maybe that started with your great, great, great, great grandpa or grandma and now, you’ve noticed that everyone in your family can’t seem to “break the spirit of alcoholism.” A generational curse is something your family has always done, what your family is consistently known to do and unfortunately what even your kids will continue to do unless someone stands up and says “enough is enough!”

Believe it or not, while alcoholism is just an example of what some families may struggle with, for others it could be infidelity, lying, cheating, gambling or even prison. Which was the case for author Mark Baynard.

Image Credit: Mark Baynard

Oftentimes I’ve heard about generational curses and wondered what in the heck was it and why were people so interested in discussing the topic. Needless to say, I got my first glimpse of what a generational curse was through T.D. Jakes who once preached a sermon entitled “The Spellbreaker.”

Within that series I got an understanding of what a generational curse was all about, In this series, he began to talk about marriage and looking into the lineage of your spouse, what their like and overall what their family history details, because all those things would end up being passed down to your children. DNA is something else however when it comes to generational curses, it’s something that very few people really do research about to find the real reason why we act and/or do or think the way we do. These actions all stem from the root of someone or something. I believe in order to successfully break a generational curse over your life, you seriously have to do some research on your family history and that is exactly what Mark Baynard did. While a journey of this nature isn’t easy, Mark Baynard shows in his book ‘100 years: A journey to end a vicious cycle’ that it’s totally CAPABLE!

You see, Mark’s family had a generational curse attached to them as well and that was the Prison system. Unfortunately, due to quite a few bad choices, Mark found himself adding to that generational curse lineage, but one thought was about to change it all. Mark Baynard had an epiphany after leaving his probation officer one day. According to Mark, it was something about that visit that made him think about his life-choices as well as his future. A successful future that many of his male family members weren’t experiencing because they were behind bars.

Birth is when our opportunities to value “life” begin, but we have until our lives stop to make and maintain positive changes.”

Mark Baynard – Author “100 Years: A Journey to End A Vicious Cycle”

Mark didn’t know why all of a sudden he became so hungry to know why the male members of this family kept failing; but he had an insatiable urge to find out and what he found out, was like a lightbulb that turned on brighter than it ever had before. This newfound discovery became the changing point in Mark Baynard’s life.

Mark came from a good family, he met his real mother at the age of 5 and began living with her and his other siblings. Mark had lived with his dad and step-mother for quite some time so while this was an adjustment, his mom and dad were very good role models and raised him well, along with his grandmother whom Mark attributes much of his wisdom lessons from.

So, one might say – Well, if family life was so great then what really happened? How can someone from a good family still end up in prison? And Mark has an answer for that, its called “The Crossroads of Life” – A former pastor of mine used to say “The choices you make will determine the life you choose” and unfortunately for Mark as well as the men in his family, these “choices” ultimately landed them all behind bars. The discovery Mark came to realize is that when he wrote down each of his family members that had been to prison, including himself and those currently serving time behind bars – it totaled to ONE HUNDRED YEARS!

While this devasted Mark to his core, he knew that as Sam Cooke once song so beautifully “A Change Is Gonna Come” and that change he determined was going to be through HIMSELF FIRST! and for future generations to come.

“The problem lies not in standing at these crossroads, but in each individual’s response”

Mark Baynard, Author “100 Years: A Journey to End A Vicious Cycle”

This book was so good, I found myself relating to Mark’s story in wanting to be a change agent in regards to my own family history. This includes putting a big stop sign on behavioral choices, old patterns and approaching things differently let’s say than my grandmother, her mother or even my own mother had done for the sake of my own two children.

In Mark’s book, he’ll take you on his very personal journey of ups and downs in his fight to close the gap to the “generational behavioral mindset” his family had come so used too. Mark’s journey to improve himself as well as make a difference in his community is met with lots of heartache and pain but shows Mark’s determination to break barriers and make the necessary changes his family desperately needed.

This book will have you crying, guessing and cheering all at the same time. I honestly couldn’t put it down and you won’t either! Now you know how I do, I can’t give you ALL the details of the book as I want you to read it for yourself. This would be a great book club read and the perfect Christmas gift for yourself, a family member or a friend. “100 Years: A Journey to End A Vicious Cycle” will motivate you to finally put an end to whatever generational family cycle you’re in and show you how to live your best life despite the odds set up against you.

Your past will never dictate your future unless you want it too, your future TRULY CAN change for the better and Mark Baynard is a true; living, breathing, inspirational testimony of that!

You can get both of Mark’s books “100 Years: A Journey to End A Vicious Cycle and 100 Years Part II: Truth Be Told” on >>>>>> Amazon!

You can follow Mark Baynard on his Amazon Author’s Page >>>>> HERE

ISSA Giveaway: How About A Book & Some Lollipops!!

Published on by Roshonda B3 Comments

Featured Image Credit: Roshonda – B Creative

So, this post will be very short – don’t blink or you’ll miss it!!

Image Credit: Riverdale/Archie

Last week I did a book review for Jacqueline Pirtle‘s new book ‘Parenting Through the Eyes of Lollipops’ – Did you read it? Well, if not you might want too!

As the title states, I’m having a GIVEAWAY!! or I guess I should say Jacqueline, the author of ‘Parenting Through the Eyes of Lollipops’ is giving away a signed copy of her new book, the book that just came out last month, a book that is flying off the shelves, just as her first book ‘365 Days of Happiness’ did!

And guess what, you get to have your very own copy! Andddd, to make this deal even sweeter, Jacqueline is going to not only mail you the book but you’re going to get a bag of lollipops to go with it, HOW. COOL. IS. THAT!! (Those dots are me clapping, lol)

Too cool, right?? So, if you want a copy – this is what you have to do! You know there are rules and stipulations…he hehe…

Okay, here are the rules. First things first…
  1. You MUST like and leave a comment on last week’s post >>> Here You Go!!
  2. Follow Jacqueline on IG >> Here You Go!! and/or FB >> Here You Go!!
  3. Leave a comment under this >> > post – after your comment use the hashtag #lollipoplollipop @justsuminspiration2u

And THAT’S IT!! Easy Right?? – You must follow all the steps in order to win! If you follow Jacqueline on FB, please put #lollipoplollipop @roshondabcreates after your comment. I think FB will alert me to my name being used.

There will be “one” winner and names will be picked at random. The deadline to do this is October 22nd by noon!

Remember you have to use the hashtag #lollipoplollipop and @justsuminspiration2u for IG or @roshondabcreates for FB, in order for me to know you did it!

Oh and P.S. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, due to mailing procedures but hey, even if you’re not in the states, still show Jacqueline some love!

I can’t wait to pick a winner! – Will it be YOU???

Talk Soon! & Good Luck!!