It’s the start of another weekend and in the early hours of Saturday morning, my thoughts turn to current events. In a previous blog, I mentioned the light verus the dark side of life, and encouraged my readers to watch for the helpers of this world. These people go above and beyond, to serve others and make this world a brighter place.
Today, I have the prvilege of reviewing and introducing such a person. Though, I suspect, she needs no introduction to most. ๐ Meet Sally Cronin.

Here’s what Amazon says:
Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries: Sometimes Bitter, Sometimes Sweet is a collection of short stories with scattered poetry, reflecting the complexities of life, love and loss.
The stories in the collection dip into the lives of men and women who are faced with an โeventโ that is challenging and in some cases life changing.
Even something as straightforward as grocery shopping online can be frustrating, and a DNA test produces surprise results, the past reaches out to embrace the present, and a gardening assistant is an unlikely grief counsellor. Romance is not always for the faint-hearted and you are never too old for love. Random acts of kindness have far reaching consequences and some people discover they are on a lucky streak. There are those watching over us who wish us well, and those in our lives who wish us harm.
My Turn:
The full name of this book is actually, Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries: Sometimes Bitter, Sometimes Sweet. I had to shorten it, because when I put this on my website blog, it limits title lengths.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories, sprinkled with meaningful poetry, each pertaining to the pervious story.
Flipping the pages into each new chapter, was to be whisked into another era, another life, a 180 degree โabout faceโ into vastly different circumstances; some good, others, less than stellar.
What remained constant, was the quality of connection I had with every character. They were real people to cheer on, pity, dislike, and congratulate. Valuable life lessons were skillfully interwoven in the fabric of every tale.
I deal with certain faulty world views, due to past experiences. When I first began to read this book, and things were going right for the character, I honestly waited for the other shoe to drop.
I was pleasantly shocked and pleased when the footwear remained firmly affixed and tied! My thought, Is this all there is? The question was posed in a positive and grateful way. I was very pleased. Why shouldnโt life be like that? Such a refreshing change!
I finished this book with a feeling of happiness and peace. There is still good in this world.
Thank you, Sally, for the salve. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. This is what the world needs.
There is no question that this book deserves FIVE STARS!
Meet Sally Cronin:

I have enjoyed a nomadic existence living in eight countries including Sri Lanka, Malta, South Africa, USA and Spain, before settling back here in Ireland. My work, and a desire to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world in the last forty years, has taken me to many more incredible destinations around Europe and Canada, and across the oceans to New Zealand and Hawaii. All those experiences and the people that I have met, provide a rich source of inspiration for my stories.
After a career in customer facing roles in the hospitality, retail, advertising and telecommunications industry, I wrote and published my first book in 1999 called Size Matters, about my weight loss journey, losing 150lbs in 18 months. This was followed by 11 further fiction and non-fiction books, including a number of short story collections.
My first book release resulted in a radio interview in Spain that led to four years as a nutritional consultant for an English language station, and this was followed by four years with my own health show and Sunday morning show on local radio station in the UK and then as station director, newsreader and presenter for an online television station.
As a writer I know how important it is to have help in marketing books and from 2002 I have been working with authors on their book launches and publicity. At that time it was very much physical book launches and press coverage locally to stimulate national interest.. Today it is very different with a global market via the worldwide web.
As important as my own promotion is, I believe it is important to support others within our community. I offer a number of FREE promotional opportunities on my blog, linked to my social media. If you are an author who would like to be promoted to a new audience of dedicated readers, please contact me via my blog. All it will cost you is a few minutes of your time. Look forward to hearing from you.
Connect with Sally and purchase her books:
I am really curious to read Sallyโs book, Mark. I appreciate your description โ…the quality of connection I had with every character.โ And the life lessons. Also, being left with a feeling of happiness and peace. Thank you for a great review.
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I really think you’d enjoy it, Erica. Have a great weekend! ๐
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Such a wonderful post celebrating Sally and a fabulous review, too! Thanks for sharing the love, Mark. Cheers to you both! ๐
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Thank you, Natalie. It was a well deserved review. ๐
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Great review, Mark! I’ll check it out. ๐
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I would highly ecommend it, Yvette. ๐
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I agree Yvette a great review and I am thrilled with Mark’s thoughts.
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A beautiful review for an uplifting book, Mark, one I enjoyed very much too ๐
Congratulations to lovely Sally ๐
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Thanks, Pat. I’ll have to check out your review. ๐
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Thanks again Pat.. I am delighted by the response to the collection and obviously Mark’s review which was a lovely surprise this weekend. xx
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Thank you for the marvelous review of Sally’s book, Mark. I must not delay in reading it!
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I think you’d enjoy it, Miriam. ๐
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Thanks Miriam and I hope you enjoy when you have the time to read…โฅ
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Mark, a lovely uplifting review! Iโm a huge fan of Sallyโs books and this is one Iโve meant to pick up for a while. I love how she manages to leave the reader with โfeeling of happiness and peaceโ – cheers to that and just what is needed now and always! Off to buy the book!
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I know you’ll enjoy it, Annika, ๐ Thanks for popping by.
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Thanks Annika.. I hope that it doesn’t disappoint.. and that all is well with you…hugs โฅ
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Sally, I know Iโll love it! We are all thankfully well and coping okay. Hope you, David and your family are all well too. Hugs xx โค๏ธ
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We are fine thanks Annika.. staying out of the way..hugs โฅ
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Terrific review, Mark. I’ve heard so many great things about Sally’s book. It’s been patiently waiting on my Kindle. Thanks for sharing!
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They’re all true, Jill. ๐ Have a great evening.
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Thanks Jill and I am happy to wait until it has moved up the ladder on your TBR I am sure I am in good company.. xx
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Great post
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Thank you, ๐
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My pleasure โค
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I am certainly delighted as you can imagine.. enjoy the rest of the weekend.
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You to h a have a great weekendโคโค
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Excellent review, Mark. I enjoyed Sally’s book as well.
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Thanks, John
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Thanks again for your review John..and giving it another plug here..hugsxx
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Wonderful review, Mark. Like you, I loved the book. ๐
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It was a gem, wasn’t it! Thanks for stopping over, Gwen. I hope you have a great rest of the weekend. ๐
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Thanks Gwen… and for all your support โฅ
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Having also read this book, I enjoyed your review. It just goes to show that the proverbial other shoe doesn’t always have to drop
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So true. Something I have had to relearn. ๐ Thanks for your thoughtand for popping over, Abbie.
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Thanks Abbie and so pleased you enjoyed the book. Have a good weekend.
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What an insighful review, Mark! I loved this collection as well:)
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Thank you, Denise. It was a great book, wasn’t it. ๐
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It was!
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Thanks again Denise.. it is so motivating to have so much support.. xx
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Life definitely isn’t a bowl of cherries but through this book, Sally makes it a challenge worth facing, Loved these stories.
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And a bit of a fun one, too, I might add. ๐ Thanks, Jacqui.
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Thanks again Jacqui.. and for all your motivating reviews..hugs
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book of short stories, Mark. It is coming up soon on my TBR list!
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I highly recommend it, Jan. ๐
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A love review Jan and was a great start to the weekend.. I hope you enjoy when you have time to read..hugsx
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I really enjoyed this book too from Sally. She is a great story teller, and captures so much in the short story form. Excellent. ๐
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100% agreed, Marje. ๐
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Thanks again Marje.. it is always wonderful to hear that stories are being enjoyed..hugsx
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Indeed it is Sally. Happy Sunday to you. x
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A lovely review! I agree with you Mark, it’s the realism in Sally’s stories that keep us hooked, as connection with her characters can be felt within our heart. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Balroop. I really enjoyed this book. ๐
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Thanks very much for the lovely comment Balroop.. it means a great deal..hugsx
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๐๐๐๐๐คโจโจโจ
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Thank you!
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A lovely review of Sally’s book, Mark. I read it recently and wrote my review just yesterday. Her stories are very entertaining.
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Agreed Robbie. Thank you for stopping by. ๐
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I just read your review, Robbie. It’s well written and sums up the best points quite nicely. ๐
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Thank you, Mark. I like reading other people’s reviews of books I’ve read. I always pick up a different nuance and viewpoint from my own which I enjoy.
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Me too, Robbie. ๐
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Thanks again Robbie and I have certainly been royally spoilt this weekend…hugsx
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Thank you so much Mark this was an unexpected and most welcome start to the weekend and your thoughts are much appreciated. I guess I am an optimist at heart, and travel with hope despite life’s events as you mentioned. I do like a little payback too and have probably watched too many Equalizer movies! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and will proudly display on my books page on the blog and in the Cafe.. best wishes Sally
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Thank you Sally. I’m sorry, but it is doubtful that Amazon will accept my review. This has been an ongoing issue for awhile. I always get the same message about not being in accordance with their community standards. I’ve read them over, they are as ambiguos as a warranty statement. I’ve tried to contact them, but no answer. Jeff Bezos, is not returning my calls. ๐ If you, or anyone else can give me some advice to fix the problem, it would be greatly appreciated. You can be sure I’ll be reading more of your work.
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Thanks Mark and I have sent you an email..
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Thanks, Sally.
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