Steven L. Denlinger (Author of How To Tie A Tie)

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May 22, 2026 01:21PM · like
Steven L. rated a book it was amazing Meet Me in Marco by Anita Calleri (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The Joys of Found Family If you love Hallmark movies, if you watched Michael J. Fox's “Doc Hollywood” with delight, if you grew up in a small town and miss knowing everyone, then “Meet Me in Marco” should be your next read. “We made our way past the co ...more
Jan 24, 2026 06:20PM · like · see review
Steven L. is now following Anita Calleri Author of Meet Me in Marco
Jan 24, 2026 06:20PM · like
Steven L. rated a book really liked it Walking Confidently Forward: Growing up Amish Mennonite, Going to Harvard, and Life Beyond by Kathleen M Wagler	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Paul Wagler's autobiography "Walking Confidently Forward: Growing up Amish Mennonite, Going to Harvard, and Life Beyond" is a remarkable portrait of a man who refused to let either religious fundamentalism or physical disability define the boundaries ...more
Dec 31, 2025 06:00AM · like · see review
Steven L. made a comment on June’s status in The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet " An astonishingly well written book. Such a beautiful lines. Such insightful comments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sorry to see it come to a ...more "
Oct 27, 2025 02:28PM
Steven L. rated a book it was amazing The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Oct 27, 2025 02:28PM · like
Steven L. made a comment on Kimberley Melin’s review of How To Tie A Tie: A Coming of Age Memoir about the Religious Trauma of Leaving a Fundamentalist Mennonite Community " So grateful for review, old friend. Thank you. "
Oct 21, 2025 06:24PM · see review
Steven L. liked Kimberley Melin's review of How To Tie A Tie: A Coming of Age Memoir about the Religious Trauma of Leaving a Fundamentalist Mennonite Community: "When one has trauma in their life, a few things happen afterwards. Once you get past the horror of the event, or events, specific emotions fill your body. Anger, fear, guilt and shame fill the void that has been left. These emotions continue to flood" Read more of this review »
Oct 21, 2025 06:23PM · see review
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Oct 19, 2025 04:46AM

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Steven L. rated a book it was amazing

Meet Me in Marco
by Anita Calleri (Goodreads Author)

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The Joys of Found Family

If you love Hallmark movies, if you watched Michael J. Fox's “Doc Hollywood” with delight, if you grew up in a small town and miss knowing everyone, then “Meet Me in Marco” should be your next read.

“We made our way past the co The Joys of Found Family

If you love Hallmark movies, if you watched Michael J. Fox's “Doc Hollywood” with delight, if you grew up in a small town and miss knowing everyone, then “Meet Me in Marco” should be your next read.

“We made our way past the cornhole boards, and the Lakeside Grill glowed under a canopy of string lights, nestled right up against the edge of Lake Hattrick. The scent of pine trees drifted in on the breeze, blended with the grill's signature fried pickles and the famous Lakeside BBQ Chicken Sandwich. It was a perfect fall evening—cool, clear—and the whole town was buzzing with excitement.”

Maggie is a woman at the midpoint of her life who has lost her reason for being, thanks to the tragic death of her one true love, but she has turned into a powerful community leader and empathetic human -- who just happens to be gorgeous. Kevin is someone who has been numbed to love thanks to a horrific divorce -- but he hasn't lost his hotness.

You might think you've read this tale before... but Calleri puts her own spin on a familiar story.

Since this is an HEA romance, I knew before I started that the story would end well—that the evil ex-wife would be sent scurrying away, that her gal-pack of hockey moms would help her fight off the casino developers threatening their small town, and that the new (hot) man in town would win the love of the good-hearted (and beautiful) central character who has a hole in her heart just the size of his own.

But you can get that story in any HEA romance on Amazon. That's not the reason you read this book. Neither should you read it because the author is my loyal friend.

No, the reason you should read the book is because it has an engaging plot (it pulled me along at warp speed), an entrancing world, and well-built characters. You’ll enjoy the people you meet. Calleri presents characters you've known and met if you've ever tried to re-enter the dating scene: the way-too-old guy who misrepresents himself in an attempt to capture the heart of a much younger heroine; the caring, polite hero who takes the time to help those around him as he recovers from an abusive marriage; and the gal-pack ready to kill to defend Maggie—all of them happily married except for her, due to the tragedy of having lost her mate.

As I read the book, I recognized in her portrayal of Lake Hattrick the spirit of every wonderful small community in which I've lived, especially the town of North Canton, where I was Calleri’s teaching colleague for seven years. As I swallowed the book whole—because it's a quick and delightful read—I slowly began to recognize its truthful capture of the beauty of small towns and the unique individuals who populate them. The island of Marco only shows up briefly at the end, but it’s a nice culmination to the story.

In other words, if you love a well-constructed, well-written novel with a clean, cozy romance at the center, you'll love this book.

Here’s the link to purchase the book: https://a.co/d/5rXQZFP ...more

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Anita Calleri

Author of Meet Me in Marco

Steven L. rated a book really liked it

Walking Confidently Forward by Kathleen M Wagler

Walking Confidently Forward: Growing up Amish Mennonite, Going to Harvard, and Life Beyond
by Kathleen M Wagler

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Paul Wagler's autobiography "Walking Confidently Forward: Growing up Amish Mennonite, Going to Harvard, and Life Beyond" is a remarkable portrait of a man who refused to let either religious fundamentalism or physical disability define the boundaries Paul Wagler's autobiography "Walking Confidently Forward: Growing up Amish Mennonite, Going to Harvard, and Life Beyond" is a remarkable portrait of a man who refused to let either religious fundamentalism or physical disability define the boundaries of his life.
I share a distinct connection to Paul. He grew up within my Conservative Mennonite community a generation before me, knew my parents well, and used to play chess with my father. Years later, when I began writing about my own journey away from fundamentalism for HuffPost, Paul reached out to affirm what I was doing. Our friendship grew through frequent phone calls, and in 2016, my wife and I visited him at his stunning home on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast—a scenic stretch of mainland accessible only by ferry, boat, or plane.
The book is structured as an autobiography rather than a traditional memoir, with Paul's wife Kathleen providing the straightforward narrative framework while Paul interpolates memoir-style reflections on specific moments. This structure works beautifully, allowing readers to experience both the arc of Paul's life and the depth of his philosophical insights.
What strikes me most about Paul's story is his gratitude. Despite childhood polio that left him walking with a cane and eventually confined to a wheelchair, Paul embodies the same optimism and determination as FDR—there's no sense of victimhood here. His lifelong belief that "a positive self-image and high-minded goals are a great asset through life and the best path to continuing happiness" shines through every page. His detailed account of his struggle with polio is both moving and instructive.
Paul's reflections on his family are equally positive. He clearly respects his parents, especially admiring his mother's thoughtful mind, her decision to return to school for a teaching degree to support the family, and the autobiography she wrote documenting their family history.
The opportunity to attend Harvard came through his brother Mark's savvy advice: apply to Harvard, Princeton, and Yale because if they accept you, they'll provide the financial aid. Mark was right. Paul's Harvard years read like a who's who of American power: he was taught by Henry Kissinger, interviewed and challenged Robert McNamara, and ran for Student Council President against Al Gore—losing by a single vote.
Paul's determination translated into financial success. Hired by Chase Manhattan, he was trained in finance and enjoyed an affluent career working and traveling in Europe before spending the bulk of his career in Vancouver. He eventually settled into a happily married life with Kathleen, raising five children who have expanded into a large family of grandchildren. They built the spacious estate my wife and I visited in 2016—a testament to what Paul accomplished.
Throughout the book, Paul's well-developed spirituality emerges from his analytical instincts and wide reading in art, history, and philosophy—passions he shares with Kathleen. His reflections are insightful and reveal a man of strong faith and hope.
The book would benefit from additional editing, but the story is so engaging that I found myself immersed in Paul's world, finishing it within three days.
"Walking Confidently Forward" is more than a personal success story. It's a testament to what's possible when you refuse to be limited by your community's boundaries or your body's constraints. For anyone navigating the journey away from fundamentalism, or simply seeking inspiration from a life well-lived, Paul Wagler's story offers both wisdom and hope.
Highly recommended. ...more

Steven L. made a comment on June’s status in The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet

" An astonishingly well written book. Such a beautiful lines. Such insightful comments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sorry to see it come to a ...more "

Steven L. rated a book it was amazing

The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
by John Green (Goodreads Author)

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Steven L. made a comment on Kimberley Melin’s review of How To Tie A Tie: A Coming of Age Memoir about the Religious Trauma of Leaving a Fundamentalist Mennonite Community

" So grateful for review, old friend. Thank you. "

Steven L. liked Kimberley Melin's review of How To Tie A Tie: A Coming of Age Memoir about the Religious Trauma of Leaving a Fundamentalist Mennonite Community:

"When one has trauma in their life, a few things happen afterwards. Once you get past the horror of the event, or events, specific emotions fill your body. Anger, fear, guilt and shame fill the void that has been left. These emotions continue to flood" Read more of this review »

Steven L. is now following Cindy Schlabach and Thane Gill

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