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SAIL Above the Clouds - How to SIMPLIFY Your Life: A Sailor's Lessons for Uncovering Inner Strength, Conquering Chronic Disease, and Finding Meaningful Purpose
**WINNER of the International Impact Book Award in the Book Series Category.* (July 2024)***
*FINALIST for BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 by Book Talk Radio Club Award*— AS SEEN IN the MIAMI HERALD!
GET ONBOARD AND GET INSPIRED!
Unafraid to ‘rock the boat,’ this sailor-turned-author drops her truth bombs—like an anchor. Here’s your chance to live vicariously through one woman's journey of finding her voice, taking control of her health, and discovering her passions, strength and capacity for love and forgiveness.
Join Carole as she moves onto a boat, adapts to a new lifestyle, learns hard ‘beginner’ lessons, sails the breathtaking ocean, survives gale storms, and navigates life for 20 years in a meager 41 feet of living space with an unconventional husband and, of course, a dog.
S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds weaves big emotions, humorous impasses, and motivating results through topics such as overcoming major health concerns and chronic disease, tackling mental health, surviving the doldrums of a 30-year marriage, discovering life’s purpose, and learning when you’re the crab’s dinner, or receiving a naked spank from Mother Nature.
How to SIMPLIFY Your Life is the first of a four-book series where each book represents a unique aspect from the author’s signature program S.A.I.L: Simplify, Align, Integrate, Let Go. Readers will benefit from tips and insights on how to simplify all aspects of their life while exploring different healing modalities, writing prompts, and exercises following each chapter.
It is packed with stories that will make readers laugh, cry, or cringe—all weaved into an interactive set of tools that invites you to dive deep into a journey of self-discovery and come out of it energized, enlightened, and inspired!
Raise your sails and set course on an exciting and purpose-driven adventure!
*FINALIST for BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 by Book Talk Radio Club Award*— AS SEEN IN the MIAMI HERALD!
GET ONBOARD AND GET INSPIRED!
Unafraid to ‘rock the boat,’ this sailor-turned-author drops her truth bombs—like an anchor. Here’s your chance to live vicariously through one woman's journey of finding her voice, taking control of her health, and discovering her passions, strength and capacity for love and forgiveness.
Join Carole as she moves onto a boat, adapts to a new lifestyle, learns hard ‘beginner’ lessons, sails the breathtaking ocean, survives gale storms, and navigates life for 20 years in a meager 41 feet of living space with an unconventional husband and, of course, a dog.
S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds weaves big emotions, humorous impasses, and motivating results through topics such as overcoming major health concerns and chronic disease, tackling mental health, surviving the doldrums of a 30-year marriage, discovering life’s purpose, and learning when you’re the crab’s dinner, or receiving a naked spank from Mother Nature.
How to SIMPLIFY Your Life is the first of a four-book series where each book represents a unique aspect from the author’s signature program S.A.I.L: Simplify, Align, Integrate, Let Go. Readers will benefit from tips and insights on how to simplify all aspects of their life while exploring different healing modalities, writing prompts, and exercises following each chapter.
It is packed with stories that will make readers laugh, cry, or cringe—all weaved into an interactive set of tools that invites you to dive deep into a journey of self-discovery and come out of it energized, enlightened, and inspired!
Raise your sails and set course on an exciting and purpose-driven adventure!
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2020
13 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Carole D. Fontaine
5 books42 followersKnown to some as, “The Sailing Yogi,” Carole Fontaine teaches by sharing stories of her 20 years of living aboard a sailboat. With 20,000 nautical miles under her belt, she has triumphantly embraced the art of navigating the currents of life with ease and grace. A successful graphic designer, she left the busy world of design after her health failed and sent her on a 10-year journey to search for answers on how to heal her body and soul. She studied holistic and yogic philosophies and trained in many different meditation techniques.
Fontaine is a certified Life Coach specializing in Mindfulness and Empowerment, NAMI Mental Health First Aider graduate, Meditative Writing, Shakti Dance® Yoga, and Reiki Master Teacher.
Author of the S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds Series which won the BEST BOOKS IN A SERIES Award from International Impact Book Award (July 2024), her first book, S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds—How to Simplify your Life, was a #1 BESTSELLER on Amazon for weeks, Finalist for BOOK of THE YEAR from Book Talk Radio Club, and sold copies on 5 continents. SAIL Above the Clouds 2—How to Align your Life launched to #1 on Amazon for 12 days. Her series offers readers salty tales, harrowing adventures, insights, inspiring tips, writing prompts, and exercises following each chapter.
She speaks and teaches self-improvement and empowerment workshops on mindset and stress management. She was the publisher of Real Sailors Magazine, featured speaker at the Toronto International Boat Show 2022-2024, contributing writer for Journey Magazine (Maine), and contributing author in bestselling “Meditation, Intimate Experience with the Divine” published by acclaimed spiritual leader, radio, and TV personality, Sister Dr. Jenna, and collaborated on “Women of Spirit, Transforming Lives.”
Fontaine was featured in various publications across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, including the Miami Herald, and will guest on season 2 of Maine Women Authors on Maine’s Empowered Women TV. She was awarded an Inspirational Leadership Scholarship by Female About Business (FAB), a division of the Florida Deland Chamber of Commerce.
Originally from Québec, she spent 25 years in Florida and cruised the Bahamas before sailing to Maine where she currently lives with her husband of 33 years. She is working on Book #3 in the series.
Fontaine is a certified Life Coach specializing in Mindfulness and Empowerment, NAMI Mental Health First Aider graduate, Meditative Writing, Shakti Dance® Yoga, and Reiki Master Teacher.
Author of the S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds Series which won the BEST BOOKS IN A SERIES Award from International Impact Book Award (July 2024), her first book, S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds—How to Simplify your Life, was a #1 BESTSELLER on Amazon for weeks, Finalist for BOOK of THE YEAR from Book Talk Radio Club, and sold copies on 5 continents. SAIL Above the Clouds 2—How to Align your Life launched to #1 on Amazon for 12 days. Her series offers readers salty tales, harrowing adventures, insights, inspiring tips, writing prompts, and exercises following each chapter.
She speaks and teaches self-improvement and empowerment workshops on mindset and stress management. She was the publisher of Real Sailors Magazine, featured speaker at the Toronto International Boat Show 2022-2024, contributing writer for Journey Magazine (Maine), and contributing author in bestselling “Meditation, Intimate Experience with the Divine” published by acclaimed spiritual leader, radio, and TV personality, Sister Dr. Jenna, and collaborated on “Women of Spirit, Transforming Lives.”
Fontaine was featured in various publications across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean, including the Miami Herald, and will guest on season 2 of Maine Women Authors on Maine’s Empowered Women TV. She was awarded an Inspirational Leadership Scholarship by Female About Business (FAB), a division of the Florida Deland Chamber of Commerce.
Originally from Québec, she spent 25 years in Florida and cruised the Bahamas before sailing to Maine where she currently lives with her husband of 33 years. She is working on Book #3 in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 7, 2022
This is a book that will stay with you for a long time. The author is such inspiration and it was exciting, nerve wracking and emotional sometimes reading about her adventure living on a boat. I highly recommend buying a journal and following the lessons at the end of each chapter. my mindset has definitely changed after reading this book.
February 13, 2021
It is very inspirational, easy and fun to read. I quickly read the book, couldn't put it down. I am planning on reading it a second time and doing the exercises at the end of every chapter. I look forward to more books by this author.
July 30, 2022
I'm an avid reader and try to read outside my "comfort genre" for personal growth and doing so with this book really kicked things up a notch for me! I loved the layout of the book.. quick, inviting chapters. Carole's use of thought-provoking prompts and action items ties in every chapter to the reader's personal life. I found this interesting story (I mean, living aboard a sailboat for years is exciting, to say the least!) captivating, heroic and relatable even living with both legs firmly on the ground. I look forward to reading it again soon and seeing what correlations I find this time around. Definitely a must-read! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
March 8, 2021
Great book, well written, the author is a great storyteller.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Read
June 19, 2021Carole Fontaine's S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds is a riveting must read. Adventure, humor and real-life stories makes this a compelling read. The brilliant tips she shares on how to navigate your way through life and be abundant in body, mind and spirit makes her book priceless.
Carole shares her high-spirited twenty years of living-aboard experience with her husband Eric on their sailboat "Windsong". Carole gives the reader the "Keys" to simplify life and a step by step process on how to create the Life of your Dreams. I give Carole's S.A.I.L. a 5-star review and can't wait for her next book.
Patricia Alton
DeLand, Florida
Carole shares her high-spirited twenty years of living-aboard experience with her husband Eric on their sailboat "Windsong". Carole gives the reader the "Keys" to simplify life and a step by step process on how to create the Life of your Dreams. I give Carole's S.A.I.L. a 5-star review and can't wait for her next book.
Patricia Alton
DeLand, Florida
August 25, 2021
A Wise Woman Sailor Speaks
Carole Fontaine’s debut book is delightful and inspiring. As a personal development junkie, over the past 25 years, I have been exposed to brilliant ideas and concepts that have transformed me and my life. However, what makes this book unique is the authentic voice of the author. Ms. Fontaine’s years living exclusively on a sailboat have made her perspective and insights poignant and truly memorable. This book is a rare gem and is chock full of practical and valuable wisdom from a winning female sailor. I am anticipating the release of this author’s next book.
Carole Fontaine’s debut book is delightful and inspiring. As a personal development junkie, over the past 25 years, I have been exposed to brilliant ideas and concepts that have transformed me and my life. However, what makes this book unique is the authentic voice of the author. Ms. Fontaine’s years living exclusively on a sailboat have made her perspective and insights poignant and truly memorable. This book is a rare gem and is chock full of practical and valuable wisdom from a winning female sailor. I am anticipating the release of this author’s next book.
August 11, 2022
I’m not into sailing or boating but was very happy while following the authors travels living on a boat. Learned a couple things about myself and enjoyed a good book.
January 17, 2021
Carole writes purely from the heart, she’s funny and real. Carole speaks truth and life into each page. These inspirational words will cause you to look deep inside yourself and rise up and sail above the clouds!
July 30, 2022
We are reading this for a bookclub that im in. I don't typically read self help books but this one is great book and easy read. Doing these exercises really gets you thinking about how you can simplify and better your own life. Her stories are fun and exciting and she tells them well. I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and though her stories are about the adventures of living on a boat, she finds a way to relate the point of the story to the average every day life. I didn't know that I needed this book until I started reading it. If you do read this, get a journal, you will need it.
October 24, 2021
I was intrigued by this book because sailing has been my therapist since I was 30 and it has pulled me through some extraordinarily challenging life events. However, I thought I was too old for self help. I was proved wrong the exercises helped reaffirm my life decisions giving me a renewed feeling of self worth and confidence to face the challenges of later life.
September 24, 2021
Sail Above the Clouds is truthful, engaging, and funny! Woven throughout life aboard Windsong, Carole imparts her wisdom and prompts the reader to search within to find their own truth. Looking forward to more gems from this wonderful author.
August 13, 2024
Sail Above the Clouds by Carole Fontaine (Book 1, How to Simplify Your Life)
This inspirational novel is written by an author who spent 20 years of her life onboard a sailing vessel, along with her husband and their dog. It’s a self-healing journey written by someone who, during her time living on the ocean, discovered that she was suffering from a chronic illness.
Right away the author did something that I enjoyed, she suggested that the reader keep a journal. As a writer, in each of my speaking events, I suggest to everyone that they keep a diary. In my honest opinion, and as an author of a memoir myself, I suggest that each person has a story to tell that they should document, even if it’s only for themselves.
In the author’s book we learn that she found herself (and her spouse) living a self-destructive lifestyle on the edge, along with the many other challenges that we all have to endure each and every day. For many of us who find ourselves in these situations we choose a path and a journey to help us heal, and for this author and her husband, it was the ocean. With each chapter the author provides us with an adventure, a lesson to be learned, a question to ask ourselves, and a simple action that the reader can take to better their life.
We discover that the author (and spouse) were rookies at sailing, or even at owning a sailing vessel. They didn’t know the bow from the stern, nor the port from starboard sides. In reading the first part of the book, it enjoyingly seemed as if I were watching a remake of the movie Captain Ron (one of my favorite comedic ‘sailing’ movies). You come to find out that ‘greenhorns’, recognizing that they needed to make drastic life changes, spent their life savings along with money that they didn’t have, and sailed away. At times straight into foul weather, learning their first lessons about reading the skies and realizing that it wasn’t just going to be a party on the deck all of the time.
The author details the challenges of living life on the seas, along with the decisions of where the best places could be found to park their sailboat along their Florida-Bahama route. At times to avoid the turbulent storms, and other times in effort to simply avoid other wannabe boaters and drunken partiers. Not to mention how they themselves matured and evolved from the latter to become serious and safe co-captains of their boat, and experts at navigating the ocean.
I especially enjoyed the chapter that was written during, and while experiencing, a category 3 hurricane. The author was descriptive and surprisingly calm as she wrote, “This isn’t our first rodeo,” detailing other storms they’d weathered. In the very next chapter, the author provided a new definition of a case of bad crabs.
I was very impressed with the chapter(s) in which the author poignantly describes her battles with various illnesses, how she dealt with them, and eventually overcame them. And the non-conventional means she chose in which to heal herself. I also enjoyed how she was able to compare her conditions and treatments with what it takes to operate a sailboat, and life on the ocean in general.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was one of those that I just couldn’t put down. Being that the author is from Maine, my home state, made it that much more fun to read. I’m looking forward to reading Carole Fontaine’s follow up books that continue the stories of their journey of life on the ocean. If you’re looking for a great memoir that’s filled with adventure, lessons, and hope, pick this one up. Find yourself a nice warm beach or the sunny bow of a sailboat, and read it!
This inspirational novel is written by an author who spent 20 years of her life onboard a sailing vessel, along with her husband and their dog. It’s a self-healing journey written by someone who, during her time living on the ocean, discovered that she was suffering from a chronic illness.
Right away the author did something that I enjoyed, she suggested that the reader keep a journal. As a writer, in each of my speaking events, I suggest to everyone that they keep a diary. In my honest opinion, and as an author of a memoir myself, I suggest that each person has a story to tell that they should document, even if it’s only for themselves.
In the author’s book we learn that she found herself (and her spouse) living a self-destructive lifestyle on the edge, along with the many other challenges that we all have to endure each and every day. For many of us who find ourselves in these situations we choose a path and a journey to help us heal, and for this author and her husband, it was the ocean. With each chapter the author provides us with an adventure, a lesson to be learned, a question to ask ourselves, and a simple action that the reader can take to better their life.
We discover that the author (and spouse) were rookies at sailing, or even at owning a sailing vessel. They didn’t know the bow from the stern, nor the port from starboard sides. In reading the first part of the book, it enjoyingly seemed as if I were watching a remake of the movie Captain Ron (one of my favorite comedic ‘sailing’ movies). You come to find out that ‘greenhorns’, recognizing that they needed to make drastic life changes, spent their life savings along with money that they didn’t have, and sailed away. At times straight into foul weather, learning their first lessons about reading the skies and realizing that it wasn’t just going to be a party on the deck all of the time.
The author details the challenges of living life on the seas, along with the decisions of where the best places could be found to park their sailboat along their Florida-Bahama route. At times to avoid the turbulent storms, and other times in effort to simply avoid other wannabe boaters and drunken partiers. Not to mention how they themselves matured and evolved from the latter to become serious and safe co-captains of their boat, and experts at navigating the ocean.
I especially enjoyed the chapter that was written during, and while experiencing, a category 3 hurricane. The author was descriptive and surprisingly calm as she wrote, “This isn’t our first rodeo,” detailing other storms they’d weathered. In the very next chapter, the author provided a new definition of a case of bad crabs.
I was very impressed with the chapter(s) in which the author poignantly describes her battles with various illnesses, how she dealt with them, and eventually overcame them. And the non-conventional means she chose in which to heal herself. I also enjoyed how she was able to compare her conditions and treatments with what it takes to operate a sailboat, and life on the ocean in general.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was one of those that I just couldn’t put down. Being that the author is from Maine, my home state, made it that much more fun to read. I’m looking forward to reading Carole Fontaine’s follow up books that continue the stories of their journey of life on the ocean. If you’re looking for a great memoir that’s filled with adventure, lessons, and hope, pick this one up. Find yourself a nice warm beach or the sunny bow of a sailboat, and read it!
March 14, 2024
5 out of 5 stars! Adventurous Life and Lessons Learned!
I just loved S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds!
Carol has found her calling as an author and storyteller... I found myself unable to put it down as she shared not only her fun boat-life journey, but the doubts of changing her life so drastically to live aboard a boat before she knew anything about sailing, her flawed health, beginning a new business, raw mother nature, and even her relationship path. She was vulnerable and real, including lessons on how she overcame obstacles, plus how I can put these same lessons to use in my own life... I'm amazed and currently reading S.A.I.L 2! ⛵️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
I just loved S.A.I.L. Above the Clouds!
Carol has found her calling as an author and storyteller... I found myself unable to put it down as she shared not only her fun boat-life journey, but the doubts of changing her life so drastically to live aboard a boat before she knew anything about sailing, her flawed health, beginning a new business, raw mother nature, and even her relationship path. She was vulnerable and real, including lessons on how she overcame obstacles, plus how I can put these same lessons to use in my own life... I'm amazed and currently reading S.A.I.L 2! ⛵️🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
April 21, 2024
S.A.I.L: Simplify, Align, Integrate, Let Go!
I wish I had this book ten years ago! Not only a truly engaging memoir of decluttering life and living on a boat, but also a great workbook to help readers unearth their own dreams and declutter their own lives - inside and out!
As I was caught up in stories of survival amid hurricanes and illness, I found myself thinking about the storms in my own life and answering the questions as I went through the book. In the midst of my own decluttering and re-evaluating life, this book is a real treasure that I will keep close at hand!
I wish I had this book ten years ago! Not only a truly engaging memoir of decluttering life and living on a boat, but also a great workbook to help readers unearth their own dreams and declutter their own lives - inside and out!
As I was caught up in stories of survival amid hurricanes and illness, I found myself thinking about the storms in my own life and answering the questions as I went through the book. In the midst of my own decluttering and re-evaluating life, this book is a real treasure that I will keep close at hand!
October 30, 2021
I hope this book inspires you as much as it inspired me to write it.
This is the most heartfelt thing I have ever done. If I can inspire, energize, and empower anyone to claim the life of their dreams, then my journey and all the heartache were worth it.
May it uplift, make you laugh, teach you ways to simplify and leave stress behind, may it leave you with a smile and a renewed sense of hope that you can do anything you want, even if you are faced with physical or mental challenges.
Raise your sails, you are in for a ride!
FREE SNEAK PEEK: https://bit.ly/3mdK0tm
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3q4bQdR
KOBO: https://bit.ly/37tBDo8
NOOK/ Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/3dvpqTu
Indigo: http://bit.ly/3azn6Je
This is the most heartfelt thing I have ever done. If I can inspire, energize, and empower anyone to claim the life of their dreams, then my journey and all the heartache were worth it.
May it uplift, make you laugh, teach you ways to simplify and leave stress behind, may it leave you with a smile and a renewed sense of hope that you can do anything you want, even if you are faced with physical or mental challenges.
Raise your sails, you are in for a ride!
FREE SNEAK PEEK: https://bit.ly/3mdK0tm
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3q4bQdR
KOBO: https://bit.ly/37tBDo8
NOOK/ Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/3dvpqTu
Indigo: http://bit.ly/3azn6Je
July 22, 2022
Discover yourself while reading this inspiring story!
I own this incredible book and it is a game changer!! if you want to simplify your life and do not know where to begin, get your hands on this book!! Carole has a beautiful way with words and it is helping me realize and appreciate what is important to me. I highly recommend this book!
I own this incredible book and it is a game changer!! if you want to simplify your life and do not know where to begin, get your hands on this book!! Carole has a beautiful way with words and it is helping me realize and appreciate what is important to me. I highly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews