This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Janice Beetle is a long-time writer and editor, and she owns Beetle Press, a PR and communications firm based in Easthampton, Mass.
Janice earned her bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Westfield State College in 1985. Early on in her career, she worked as a reporter for the then-Morning Union in Springfield, Mass., and was a reporter and, later, assistant Living editor at the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Mass.
Because she wanted to spend more time with her two daughters, who were young at the time, Janice left journalism and started Beetle Press in 1998. Her areas of expertise are healthcare, education and nonprofits, and she also specializes in helping clients gain visibility through the media. Janice excels at helping clients sort through details to find the story hiding within. Her writing builds loyalty, inspires motivation and shapes community.
Creatively, Janice has participated in and led writing workshops for over 20 years. She also led writing groups for children that included an art component. She has published in newspapers, magazines, including Nick Jr. magazine, and in literary journals.
She speaks around the Valley on topics from reaching the media to writing creative nonfiction.
Janice lives in Easthampton, Mass. Has two grown daughters and a grandson and loves to run, hike and boat on the Connecticut River.
Divine Renovations is her first book.
You can find her on Facebook, at Janice Beetle Author, and LinkedIn.
Reviewed by Katelyn Hensel for Readers' Favorite
Divine Renovations: A Carpenter, His Soul Mate and Their Story of Love and Loss by Janice Beetle is a heartfelt and deeply personal memoir about a couple who loved each other very much, and were separated on this earthly plain too soon. It is very clear that the author loved her husband very much and that she is still driven somewhat by the pain of his loss. The book has the definite vibe of catharsis, and would be potentially a very good fit for someone who has also experienced loss of a loved one through fatal illness or untimely death of any sort. Janice captures the essence of her relationship with Ed beautifully, from the first "meet-cute" when they met to the last few breaths that were ravaged by lungs full of cancerous cells. It's almost too much knowledge about a couple, too personal to witness, but all the more beautiful and sad because we are invited to share Janice and Ed's journey.
Divine Renovations is a deep look into a true-life love story. It's bittersweet and sad, yet oddly hopeful at the same time. My favorite quote from the book is simple...yet meaningful, and comes from the very prologue to the book. "Grief - of all kinds - takes us to some awful places. It is profoundly altering, and I want others to know...that they are not the first ones here." Janice Beetle paints the picture of her life for us, and reminds us that we are not alone. No matter what we are feeling, others have gone through it, too, and have survived.
