Good Morning Everyone,
I want to tell you about a book I have just read. It took me all of about a day to read it. This is because I rarely put it down. I want everyone to know also that I am not the best reviewer, but what I say is heartfelt and true. I think I just get so excited when I read that I want all of you to experience that excitement as well. Get lost in a whole different world whether it be fiction or non-fiction. I just love books. So, please bear with me.
Let me give a little background on how I came to find out about this book. I was off work one day and decided to watch Ricki Lake Show. Love her by the way. The episode just so everyone know was “Surviving a Mountain Lion Attack”.
I Watched it without moving and it was amazing, because I got to meet this wonderful woman who was so inspiring to me. Maybe it was the reason I took the day off of work. Something higher must have said I needed it. I do believe there is a reason for our every move. Sorry, getting off the subject a little.
So, now there was this beautiful Blonde haired woman that was sitting on the couch next to Ricki Lake getting ready to tell her story. When you first look at her I seen nothing out of place or physically wrong. Then she started to tell a story of how she was attacked by a 130ish pound mountain lion. All the while I am taken aback by how amazing she looks for someone who was mauled by a cat. But as she continues her tell I get to see a woman that was strong, level headed and a survivor. After her story she had mentioned that she had written a book. So, me being a book reader had to go buy it right away. The title of her book is Skin Deep and you can buy it on Amazon.com.
Well, once Anne mentioned that she had this book on Amazon.com I took out my trusty little Kindle and purchased the eBook. Anne along with Damien Lewis and Greg Hardesty put together a wonderful book. I also got Anne’s permission to do this review before proceeding on with it.
Anne Hjelle tells a story of a rebellious teen girl and then a woman who was in the United States Marine Corps. When she was in the Marines she was a hydraulics mechanic on CH-53 helicopters. Wow, what a woman. When I read her job in the Marines, I was immediately impressed and in awe of her. She also loves to be outdoors on her mountain bike. This is how she came to be on the trail when she was attacked by the mountain lion. After her attack she has become an inspirational speaker. I tell you if she comes to Portland I will definitely go see her. She was not the only rider that was attacked on that trail that day. It seems that another rider by the name of Mark J Reynolds was not as lucky as Anne. He lost his life to this strong animal. At the end of this review I will insert some links if you would like to donate to this foundation as well as some others.
Ok, got off my thought train a minute, but it was worth it by mentioning the other rider.
So, I want to go back to The Ricki Lake Show day. Once the episode was over and I went and purchased to book from Anne, I felt like I should be doing something useful, helpful or just something to help someone. I think that anyone who does read this will get something out of it. It is emotionally charged and it made me want to meet this beautiful woman along with her friend, Debi. Thank you Debi for not letting go.
I am just going to give you a little excerpt from her book and I would suggest you go to Amazon.com and purchase it yourself.
~As my wheels vibrate and chatter on the rough, rocky surface of the Cactus Hill Trail, I feel my heart leap with joy. The sense of carefree freedom as we careen downhill is overwhelming. It’s a rush; a celebration of the pure, simple joy of being alive.
~There’s a lone bike resting against a scrub oak at the trailside. Funny, I think. Probably just some guy going to the bathroom in the bushes. Nest to it there’s a biker standing with his own bike.
~I round the bend and crest a small plateau. In a flash of movement, I catch a blur of reddish-brown fur over my right shoulder.
Ok, that is all the excerpts I am going to input. So, go buy the book. It really will be worth it. A very inspiration, easy reading and you just get lost in the tell.
So, I want to go back to The Ricki Lake Show day. Once the episode was over and I went and purchased to book from Anne, I felt like I should be doing something useful, helpful or just something to help someone. I am promoting this book to all the people I talk to, because I do believe the story is wonderful.
Thank you Anne for letting me do this review. I really appreciate you. You are such an inspiration to me and I am sure to many others. Stay Gold and smile that beautiful smile.
Here are a few links to look at. Thank you for reading my not so professional blog. There will be more to come.
https://therickilakeshow.com/episodes-clips/2013/5/Surviving-a-Mountain-Lion-Attack
Sulinda's Tidbits 