OUTSHINE An Ovarian Cancer Memoir by KAREN INGALLS

“The beauty of the soul, the real me and the
real you, outshines the effects of cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation.”

When Karen Ingalls was diagnosed with Stage II Ovarian Cancer, she realized how little she knew about what was once called “the silent killer.” As Ingalls began to educate herself she felt overwhelmed by the prevalent negativity of cancer. Lost in the information about drugs, side effects, and statistics, Ingalls redirected her energy to focus on the equally overwhelming blessings of life, learning to rejoice in each day and find peace in spirituality. In this memoir, Karen is a calming presence and positive companion, offering a refreshing perspective of hope with the knowledge that “the beauty of the soul, the real me and the real you, outshines the effects of cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation.” Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is a story of survival, and reminds readers that disease is not an absolute, but a challenge to recover.

**Proceeds from each sale will be donated directly to ovarian cancer research.

***MINNESOTA BOOK AWARDS FINALIST 2012***

 

About The Author

A finalist in the 2012 Midwest Book Awards for two categories: health and self-help.
Karen Ingalls is a retired RN and has a master’s degree in human development. She faced the challenge of ovarian cancer with the same tools when she dealt with abuse, alcoholic parents, divorce, and untimely deaths. Her mission is to do everything she can to provide information about this lesser known disease, and offer inspiration to women and their families. Proceeds go to ovarian cancer research.
She volunteers for Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida.
Weekly blog on relationships, health, facing life's challenges, and spirituality: www.outshineovariancancer.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/KarenIngalls1
Facebook Author Page at: www.facebook.com/Outshine-An-Ovarian-Cancer-Memoir
www.amazon.com/Karen-Ingalls/e/B009KT5QWY
www.linkedin.com/pub/karen-ingalls/37/509/ba8
www.goodreads.com/user/show/14007412-karen-ingalls

Book Reviews “Karen’s experience with complementary therapies may help women find ways to deal with the stresses and anxieties of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.” —Dr. Mary Gallenberg, American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and American-certified in internal medicine and oncology “This is a story of illness, faith, and courage. You will get tears in your eyes when you learn Ingalls has cancer. You will root for her during treatment and aftercare. You will cheer when you learn she is cancer-free. Engagingly written, this book isn’t just for those who have cancer. . . . it is for all who face life’s challenges, quell their fears, and learn to live each day to the fullest.” —Harriet Hodgson, author of The Spiritual Woman: Quotes to Refresh and Sustain Your Soul and 101 Affirmations to Ease Your Grief Journey: Words of Comfort, Words of Hope "An open, honest and emotional account of courage and cognition shared by a woman looking into the face of her own mortality. Karen shares her gifts of endurance and positive mental attitude, demonstrating how to delight in Gods everyday presence. There is much to be learned; it is a true story that leaves you warmed. It's a Love story. Karen, with her husband Jim, blend their fears and tears, their generous spirits, success and happiness. The challenges faced each day are powerful reminders how this could be anyone's personal journey. The tears, smiles, some chuckles and situations that warmed our hearts." —Stan & Jayne Hamerski - Victoria, MN

Blood of Ancient Kings by V.J.O. Gardner

 

Blood of Ancient Kings; a medieval story of love, honor, and courage.

 

As a young prince grows up and advances through the military ranks, with his true identity unknown to his friends, he meets a young girl and they become friends. As the years pass their friendship blossoms into true love, knowing that she already has an arranged marriage and he being royalty most certainly has one as well, they still continue with their relationship. As their friendship progresses he must be courageous as he goes through many trials, testing his love for her, his loyalty to the kingdom, and in doing what’s right as an officer and a gentleman. The story spans multiple generations, their families deal with many problems, going from the pain of death, to the joy of birth as they feel the blood of the ancient kings running through their veins.

The book was written with young adults in mind, however with no foul language, graphic sex or violence they are appropriate for reader’s as young as ten. The author allows the reader’s imagination to fill in between the lines with their own experience, so even parents and grandparents will enjoy them.

The story begins with King Burkhart, who is an evil tyrant of a king, holding his beloved wife and queen as she is dying from giving birth to his first born. Suddenly the door is kicked open! Colonel Langward from his own army, now fighting to take the kingdom from him, is standing there with his bloody sword in hand. As King Burkhart kneels at his conqueror’s feet hoping for death so he can join his beloved wife, his only true love, he hears the cry of his new born child!

The new king has compassion and instead of killing him, allows him to live to raise his daughter but he must live among the very people he abused as king. He is given only what he can carry with him and taken to a small village. On his first night there he wakes to find the tiny house on fire. He grabs his infant and the bag with their few belongings only to find the door will not open, it’s blocked! He breaks through the door to find the enraged villagers that are burning the house, he runs trying to find a place to hide as he is pelted with rocks. He runs to a bridge over a brook and crawls under it, into to the mud to protect his infant knowing he must survive, if only for her. For the first time in his life he is truly afraid of death, but not for himself, for his daughter.

http://www.ancient-kings.com/
 

V.J.O. Gardner was a voracious reader as a child and in college took Fantasy Lit and writing classes. After years of writing as a creative outlet, she began publishing her medieval fantasy novels beginning with Blood of Ancient Kings. She enjoys doing book signings at renaissance fairs in costume and even at local book stores in Utah. For more information on her novels and contact information visit www.vjogardner.com