Christopher Reeve's book, Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life, started me thinking about our perceptions of heroism and the true meaning of bravery. We were raised to admire the "super heroes" in the fictional worlds we visit. Batman, Spider-Man and most certainly Superman will always be there to save the day. Of course they are bestowed with special super powers that make "leaping tall buildings in a single bound" part of a normal day's work. Policemen, Fireman, physicians and the like are not born with super powers, but they often face daunting tasks with the will to make our world a better place.
My sister, Judy, believes that a person who fights through his/her fears and accomplishes tasks that are terrifying to him/her is the true hero. If you believe this, and I do, then there is a bit of the hero in us all. Think about the last scary thing you did and the bravery it took to forge ahead instead of crawling back into bed. For some people the very act of going to work each day leaves them anxiety ridden. An airplane trip can cause some people to get into the fetal position. Pushing through a crowd, speaking in public, getting into an elevator...simple tasks for many become Herculean feats for others. Christopher Reeve played a hero on the big screen, but that was nothing compared to the hero he became when an accident robbed him of the ability to live a normal life. This man became a true hero and role model when he decided to find as much good as he could find in a world that still offered plenty to anyone who pushed past the fear and found the happiness.
Speaking of pushing past fears, I need some of you to push past your Scriptophobia (the fear of writing in public) and start sending in some reviews and comments. There are some of you who send in great reviews, and we love reading and publishing them. We have many visitors to this site, and I know you are all avid readers. If you share with us, this "interactive" site will truly belong to everyone. Also, after my blog and each review there is a comment area for you to join. Just push the word "comment", add your thoughts and send them our way. As an incentive, everyone who sends in a review and/or comment between now and January 28 will be entered in a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.
Those of you looking for a good legal thriller are in for a treat. Scott Pratt's protagonist, Joe Dillard, makes a seventh appearance in A Crime of Passion. Joe is as engaging as ever and takes on another interesting case filled with the usual conflicts and a group of interesting characters. Read my review and then see for yourself.
Lastly, I have been thinking of starting a writing group at madderlyreview.com, and would love your input. Would you submit short, short stories or work on group stories if that option is offered?
Happy Reading,
Beverly