The Ultimate Leadership Field Manual for Uncertain Times: ‘Citizen Servant Leader’

📖Book Spotlight: Citizen Servant Leader

A Doctrine For Leadership When Control, Authority, and Permission Are No Longer Guaranteed

By Steven Kuhn/Ron Lynch

The Synopsis

Citizen Servant Leader is a doctrine-based field manual for leadership when authority, control, and permission are no longer guaranteed. (Amazon, 2026)

Rather than teaching influence, motivation, or personal branding, this book focuses entirely on the behaviors that stabilize systems under pressure. It is built on one uncompromising principle: responsibility always comes before authority.

Responsibility Precedes Credibility.
Credibility Precedes Authority.

Drawing from combat experience, high-stakes international business, and decades of organizational leadership across ten countries, the authors show how leadership forms naturally when individuals are willing to carry burden early, speak truth when it costs something, and create space when control is gone.

What’s Inside?

Each chapter combines real-world stories with clear standards, recognizable failure patterns, and practical field applications designed to be practiced, not admired. The book examines:

How silence and passivity quietly erode trust.
Why truth functions as a structural requirement rather than a moral preference.
How small, disciplined actions prevent collapse at personal, organizational, and civic levels.

This is not a motivational book. It is a practical guide for becoming reliable when others hesitate, and for leading with clarity, restraint, and integrity when systems fail.

Who is this book for?

It is written for people who already feel the weight of responsibility: leaders without titles, citizens navigating uncertainty, business operators, veterans, parents, and community builders who are done waiting for permission to act.

Exploring the Citizen Servant Leader Series

This book is the foundation of the Citizen Servant Leader series, a values-first leadership doctrine designed for individuals who choose responsibility before authority.

Volume	Title	Focus
1	Citizen Servant Leader	The foundation. Who you are, what you owe, and what it means to lead with integrity.
2	Financial Freedom	Build wealth, break dependence, and use resources to serve.
3	Health, Wellness and Resilience	The physical infrastructure the mission requires.
4	Information Warfare	The defensive manual.
5	Incorruptible	The capstone. The standard every Citizen Servant Leader is building toward.

About the Author: Steven Kuhn

Steven Kuhn is a decorated U.S. Military combat veteran who has been hand-picked to consult with some of the most influential people in the world (including rock stars, actors, business leaders, and politicians) on how to expand their brand, build loyalty, and develop strategies for increasing beneficial relationships.

Steven served in the U.S. Army in combat and was awarded the Bronze Star. After his military service, he spent over 30 years living and working internationally, advising business leaders, organizations, and public-sector decision-makers across Europe and the Middle East.

His grassroots movement, Take America Back, grew from these experiences after observing similar patterns across multiple countries: centralized power, declining accountability, and citizens disengaged from responsibility.

‘I Know a Place’ by Nat Cassidy Book Review: The Best New Atmospheric Horror

Book Review: I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours

By: Nat Cassidy

Featuring an Introduction by: Stephen King

The first collection from author Nat Cassidy features his unique blend of gleefully terrifying short fiction, including the hit novella Rest Stop.

“These stories are f*cking great. They rule. So read them.” — Stephen King, from his introduction

Synopsis

There are locations in this world where the light doesn’t seem to reach. Where, no matter how illuminated the place might be, shadows creep in too strongly to fight back.

These locations and more are your destination, and bestselling author Nat Cassidy will be your guide. Featuring the Bram Stoker Award-nominated, critically acclaimed novella Rest Stop (one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2024), along with a number of other original short stories—some of which have never been published before—I Know A Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a travelogue down twisting side streets and through alleyways where the darkness has eyes and teeth.

Let’s hope you make it home in one piece.

The Table of Contents (Stories):

Rest Stop
Meet-Cute #1: The Unluckiest Girl
Generation
Nice
The Art of What You Want
The Lunar Eclipse
Laughlines
Run for Your Life
Jubilee
Juncture
Come Into the Life of Things
Meet-Cute #2: The Scariest Thing
A Fruiting Body

My Review: Creeping Dread in Everyday Places

Nat Cassidy is a Stephen King fan, and his influence absolutely shows. King has a keen gift for turning ordinary situations into absolute nightmares, and this collection proves that Cassidy has that exact same superpower.

I Know a Place: Rest Stop and Other Dark Detours is a chilling collection that proves horror doesn’t need haunted castles or isolated mansions to unsettle readers. Instead, Cassidy transforms the mundane—a lonely highway rest stop, a doctor’s office, a cramped apartment, even a modern kitchen—into landscapes of creeping dread where something always feels just a little wrong.

Anchored by Rest Stop, which absolutely lives up to its award-nominated reputation, the book delivers relentless tension and a growing sense of unease. Throughout the collection, Cassidy expertly blends psychological horror, supernatural terror, and deep human emotion. His characters feel completely authentic, making their encounters with the bizarre all the more impactful.

Standout Highlights

Rest Stop – Abe is in a band that has a gig coming up, but for now, he’s on the road in the middle of the night to visit his grandmother in the hospital. He has a complicated relationship with her, but she’s the only grandparent he has ever known. When he sees a sign for a gas station, he takes the next exit for a much-needed break. What could possibly go wrong? Next time you stop at an isolated gas station in the middle of the night, try not to think about this story.
Nice – Mitchell is a six-year-old boy obsessed with Santa, much to his parents’ chagrin. When Twinklebottom the Elf visits him in the middle of the night to ask for his help in easing the elves’ workload by not being too nice, he’s unprepared for how far Mitchell will go.
The Lunar Eclipse – A woman waiting for an eclipse looks back at her life and the man she met when they were six years old. They eventually became romantically involved but have since moved on. He has passed away, but she can’t help but remember the promise they made 50 years ago while witnessing another eclipse: no matter what happened, they’d be together for the next one. No matter what…

The Verdict

Each story explores different shades of fear, from grief and guilt to obsession and isolation, while maintaining a distinctive voice that is equal parts unsettling and compassionate. Cassidy’s vivid prose creates immersive settings where darkness seems to seep through every crack.

“This parking lot has gotten too dark and it feels like that van, with its impenetrable windows, is swelling in size, blotting out what little light there is.”

He takes places we all instinctively distrust, like an empty midnight gas station littered with googly eyes, and injects them with a creeping, visceral malice. The atmosphere throughout the anthology is thick and heavy; no matter how well-lit these venues claim to be, the shadows always fight back with teeth.

Cassidy’s writing is remarkably adaptable. He bounces effortlessly between psychological unease and sharp, bloody terror, ensuring that each detour feels uniquely dangerous. It’s a sharp, terrifying read that reminds us exactly why we look over our shoulders in empty rooms.

For those brave enough to step off the main highway, I Know a Place is a brilliant, dark journey that’s well worth taking. Just be prepared for the nightmares that may follow. Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and unsettling short fiction, this exceptional collection showcases Nat Cassidy’s remarkable imagination and storytelling skill.

“It was a joke, more or less. He had to have known that.”

Get your copy today!

According to Deadline, Gary Dauberman’s Coin Operated has secured the rights to Rest Stop for a future feature film. Cassidy will adapt the screenplay with Dauberman and Mia Maniscalco as producers.

** Thank you to Eve Bailey and Flo Communications for my gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Mo Rousso’s AI for Small Businesses: The Ultimate Leadership Roadmap

📚Book Spotlight: How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind (AI for Small Businesses Book 2)

By Mo Rousso

AI is already changing how decisions are made inside your business, often without your explicit consent.

Teams are using artificial intelligence to draft plans, analyze data, shape customer communication, and move faster than ever. While productivity might be up, accountability is becoming less clear. Many leaders feel pressure, noise, and a creeping loss of control, even when results look fine on the surface.

This book explains why.

How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind is a practical leadership guide for executives, founders, and managers navigating artificial intelligence in real organizations. This is not a technical manual; it’s a leadership and management book focused on decision rights, accountability, trust, and organizational discipline.

In this fully revised Second Edition, Mo Rousso shows leaders how to use AI as a business tool without surrendering judgment or culture.

What You’ll Learn

Each chapter includes real-world business case examples that show how AI adoption succeeds—or fails—in everyday companies, from operations and sales to leadership teams and customer service. By reading this guide, you will learn how to:

Define clear decision-making authority between humans and AI
Prevent artificial intelligence from quietly eroding accountability
Build guardrails that scale across teams and departments
Improve operational throughput instead of creating more noise
Protect customer trust while increasing speed and efficiency
Lead calmly and decisively in an AI-driven business environment

This Book Is Ideal For:

Business leaders and executives looking for strategic direction
Founders and entrepreneurs scaling their companies
Managers responsible for AI adoption and implementation
Organizations integrating AI into daily operations
Anyone interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, leadership, and management

AI will continue to accelerate. Tools will keep changing. Leadership responsibility does not disappear. This book helps you stay in control when AI is everywhere.

Get your copy today!

About the Author: Mo Rousso

Mo Rousso’s clients know him as the catalyst for change, transforming potential into measurable growth. During his journey as a founder and CEO, he’s faced the same scaling challenges you’re grappling with. He doesn’t just talk about overcoming obstacles, he helps you break through them using proven business frameworks and a relentless commitment to building exceptional teams and cultures.

Having built and scaled multiple companies, Mo understands the roadblocks and frustrations firsthand. He’s leveraged frameworks like Scaling Up and Metronomics to create a business acceleration system that delivers exponential growth and lasting transformation. His journey is proof that when leadership, teamwork, and culture are aligned, businesses not only overcome obstacles, they thrive.

His business books will give you the clarity, confidence, and strategy to embrace AI without fear or confusion. He strips away the tech jargon and delivers real-world insights through engaging storytelling and practical, step-by-step guidance. Whether you’re a skeptical traditionalist or a forward-thinking entrepreneur, Mo shows you how AI can streamline operations, boost efficiency, and drive growth, all without losing the personal touch that makes your business unique.

If you want to stay competitive, work smarter, and future-proof your company, this series is your ultimate roadmap to success.

Also in the AI for Small Businesses Series:

Let AI Do It
How to Build an AI-Powered Business Without Losing Control, Trust, or Your Mind
Freedom Machine
Zero to AI Hero

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ Review: Rue Blackwood Steals the Show in This Dark Romantasy Sequel

‘Reaping of Hellfire’ is Book 2 in the Guardians of Death series by Aurora Ramsden. Photo: Amazon

Book Review: Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden

Synopsis

Reaping of Hellfire is the scorching second installment in the Guardians of Death series, continuing the paranormal chaos through the eyes of the wildest Blackwood sister, Rue. Rather than a standalone, this novel serves as a crucial chapter in a planned four-book dark romantasy saga.

The Blackwood sisters—Nyx, Opal, and Rue—are triplet hellhounds who were abandoned as babies and adopted by a kind, loving couple.

The Backstory

The novel kicks off with a prologue set 104 years in the past. On his 12th birthday, an orphan named Xander Drakonis undergoes the ceremony where a scythe chooses its master. Desperate to escape his boys’ home, Xander is transformed into a reaper and granted twin scythes: Terra and Shade.

The Present Day

In the modern timeline, Rue, Nyx, and Opal are celebrating their 25th birthday with their adoptive parents. It’s an important day for Ryker Calix (Nyx’s mate), who is meeting the parents for the very first time.

But the cozy family time doesn’t last long. The sisters are gearing up for their second year at Death University in the Soulmere Realm. They’re hoping for an easier year—fewer near-death experiences, more advanced courses, and plenty of naps.

They are in for a rude awakening.

Welcome to the Abomination Games

Upon returning to campus, they are immediately summoned for the Bone Rite. Headmaster Calix delivers the grim news: they have been selected to compete in the deadly Abomination Games. The order comes directly from Grand Deity Zeraphina, a volatile, five-year-old, glitter-happy deity. Saying “no” to her is the fastest way to get smote into cosmic confetti.

Between grueling coursework and a lethal competition, Rue also has to manage her growing obsession with Xander, a man who is fast becoming impossible to ignore. This year is shaping up to be one hell of a ride, and Rue plans to enjoy every sinful, sparkly second of it.

Review: Hellfire, Humor, and Unapologetic Spice

Reaping of Hellfire turns up the heat, delivering a wildly entertaining blend of dark fantasy, sharp humor, romance, and nonstop chaos. The story wastes no time throwing readers directly into the deadly Abomination Games, where survival is anything but guaranteed.

Character Dynamics & Perspectives

Told through a dual first-person narrative shifting between Xander and Rue, Ramsden gives us an intimate look at two incredibly compelling leads:

Rue Blackwood: An irresistible heroine whose sarcastic wit, reckless decision-making, and unapologetic personality make every chapter a joy to read. Her inner monologue is packed with laugh-out-loud moments that perfectly balance the book’s darker elements. Beneath her chaotic exterior lies a deeply resilient competitor.
Xander: The romantic tension simmers beautifully throughout the novel. The men in Rue’s life provide an intoxicating mix of sinful temptation and explosive chemistry, driving an irresistible dynamic that expertly balances suspense with playful “smut-book” tropes.

World-Building and Prose

Ramsden brilliantly expands her imaginative world this time around, introducing dangerous new creatures and unpredictable magic. The pacing is relentless; as alliances shift and secrets unfold, you can’t help but stay hooked.

What elevates this book above standard romantasy is Ramsden’s beautifully poetic prose. She seamlessly transitions from laugh-out-loud comedy to striking, visceral imagery:

“I scream without air—a sound ripped from somewhere deeper than lungs, deeper than ribs, deeper than bone.”

Core Themes

Agency vs. Divine Control: The characters must constantly navigate the reality of being mere pawns for unreliable, fickle deities.
Found Family and Survival: The fierce bond between the sisters anchors the story, contrasting the grim, dark magic of the university with glittering humor.

The Verdict

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (An absolute must-read for dark romantasy fans!)

Reaping of Hellfire by Aurora Ramsden is a thrilling, addictive ride that perfectly captures the joy of embracing the chaos. If you love morally gray characters, supernatural competitions, and high-stakes romance, you will devour this book.

This sequel leaves readers desperate for the next adventure in the series—which will feature Opal taking center stage!

“A pack is what a hellhound treasures most. Family-whether by blood or bond. Pack can be defined through love, loyalty, or friendship.”

Pick up your copy today!

Content Warning

Intended for mature readers (18+). It contains graphic and potentially triggering material such as:

Strong language and frequent profanity
Explicit sexual content and dominant/submissive dynamics
Graphic violence, blood, gore, and dismemberment
Supernatural, horror, and demonic elements
On-page and ritualistic killing

** Thank you to Aurora Ramsden for my gifted ARC for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

The Neuroscience of Mental Toughness: A Look Inside ‘Wiring Intelligence’

In ‘Wiring Intelligence,’ Dr. Bobby Low explains why high performers fail under pressure and how to address it. Photo: Amazon

Book Spotlight: Wiring Intelligence

From Reactive to Proactive: 8 Mindsets to Control Performance Under Pressure

By Dr. Bobby Low

Most people don’t fail under pressure because they lack talent, discipline, or desire. They fail because their mind gets hijacked and activates thinking patterns they never chose. (Amazon, 2026)

They weren’t mentally tough.

When it’s time to perform, your brain defaults to whatever thinking patterns have been wired through repetition. For many people, those patterns are reactive, driven by fear, doubt, and avoidance. And when they take over, performance breaks down in the moments that matter most.

In Wiring Intelligence, Dr. Bobby Low explains why this happens and, more importantly, how to change it.

The Science of Peak Performance

Grounded in neuroscience, sport psychology, and years of applied work with elite athletes and high performers, this book reveals how thinking patterns are formed, why pressure activates them, and how they can be retrained. You’ll learn how to shift from reactive thinking to proactive control, so you reach your peak performance under pressure.

At the core of the book are eight essential performance mindsets—a practical framework for:

Building self-awareness
Regulating emotion
Sharpening focus
Using your words to train the mind

Through research, real-world examples, and proven tools, Dr. Low shows how high performers wire intelligence into their thinking, not through hype or positive thinking, but through deliberate mental training.

This is how you become mentally tough. This is how you unlock your peak performance. This is how you control your mental game. This is how you perform under pressure.

Wiring Intelligence is a practical guide for athletes, coaches, parents, and high achievers who want to stop letting their mind get hijacked and start performing when it matters most.

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Dr. Bobby Low is a Mental Performance Doctor who trains athletes, teams, and high performers to build the mental patterns required to perform under pressure.

As a former NCAA All-American and professional pole vaulter, he learned firsthand a powerful truth: performance doesn’t break down because athletes lack talent, it breaks down because the mind gets in the way and interferes with execution when it matters most.

After retiring from track and field, Dr. Bobby earned his PhD in Sport & Performance Psychology and spent years studying how elite performers think, respond, and execute under pressure. Through his research and work with athletes, he discovered that the best performers don’t rely on positive thinking alone, they train their minds to respond differently.

Today, Dr. Bobby works with athletes at BYU and supports elite performers across professional sports, helping them train the mental patterns required to perform under pressure. But what drives him most is helping younger, developing athletes gain access to the same training and systems that are typically reserved for the highest levels of sport.

His Mission: To make world-class mental performance training accessible to every athlete, team, and family. Through the MOTYV8 platform, athletes train directly inside his system, building confidence, focus, resilience, and emotional control through daily repetition.

‘Voyagers’ Book Review: Emotional Sci-Fi Meets Childhood Trauma

‘Voyagers’ is Meg Charlton’s debut novel. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Book Review: Voyagers by Meg Charlton

The Story

Years ago, when Alex and Ana were six years old, they vanished for thirty-six hours during a sleepover while on vacation near Palm Springs. When they returned, dazed but unharmed, their account had all the traits of an alien abduction. The media frenzy that followed made them famous, and the long months of child stardom—of talk shows and sitcom cameos—created a seemingly unbreakable bond between them, until the mystery behind their disappearance began to tear them apart.

In the present, “the Signal,” a mysterious transmission pulsing from the edge of the solar system, arrives, changing the world overnight. Planes are grounded, satellites fail, and speculation abounds. While humanity holds its breath for first contact, the Signal feels deeply personal to Alex, now a thirtysomething lawyer who has spent years distancing himself from the unexplainable. It is the opening of an old wound.

With the world on edge and the Signal growing stronger, Alex is drawn back to the one person who might have answers. Ana, now a professional advocate for experiencers of extraterrestrial contact, is leading a retreat near Palm Springs, close to the site of their childhood disappearance. As the former best friends tentatively reunite, what starts as a quest to confront the reality of their original experience becomes a larger reckoning with friendship, faith, family, and truth itself.

Review

Voyagers by Meg Charlton reframes a popular sci-fi premise—a world-altering cosmic transmission—into a profoundly intimate character study. While humanity holds its breath over potential first contact, Alex is forced to confront a childhood trauma he spent decades burying.

Charlton beautifully balances global intrigue with deep character development. The mystery surrounding Alex and Ana’s disappearance keeps the pages turning, while their complicated reunion adds emotional weight to the unfolding narrative. As the tension of the global phenomenon grows, it perfectly mirrors the internal reckoning between the two protagonists. Rather than relying solely on extraterrestrial speculation, the novel uses the themes of memory, belief, and the stories people construct to make sense of their lives.

The pacing is steady, with suspense building naturally as the Signal grows stronger and long-buried questions demand answers. The writing is thoughtful and atmospheric, creating a sense of wonder without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Written in a non-linear narrative, the story unfolds beautifully through Alex’s first-person perspective:

“I saw all my younger selves stretched out like skeins of geese across the sky, crisscrossing in the air, the six-year-old Alex still flying away from California, the adult flying back toward it.”

Key Themes & Concepts

Most Intriguing Concept: Is Allen just Alex and Ana’s imaginary friend, or is he a real memory?
Core Themes: Family, Friendship, and Identity.
Genre: Blend of literary fiction and science fiction.

Final Thoughts

Voyagers is thought-provoking and beautifully written. A suspenseful exploration of friendship and family dynamics, it’s rich with science fiction, mystery, and emotional drama. It uses an extraterrestrial backdrop to dissect the fragility of human memory and poses the question: is discovering the truth always worth the cost? Most importantly, it explores the psychological aftermath of early stardom, public scrutiny, and shared childhood trauma.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intelligent speculative fiction with strong, character-driven arcs.

“It is very painful to be called out for believing something that isn’t so. The instinct is not to cut one’s losses and confess to being wrong but to double down, to stay committed to your foolishness for so long that it takes on a kind of power.”

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Meg Charlton was born and raised in New York City. She holds an MFA in fiction from Brooklyn College, and Voyagers is her brilliant debut novel.

** Thank you to Sarah Jean Grimm and Broadside PR for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

From Book to Screen: Harlan Coben’s New Netflix Series ‘I Will Find You’

Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You.’ Photo: Barnes & Noble

From Page to Screen: Harlan Coben’s ‘I Will Find You’ Comes to Netflix

Few authors have mastered the art of suspense like Harlan Coben. His novels captivate readers with intricate plots, unexpected twists, and relatable characters whose ordinary lives are suddenly turned upside down. Each story keeps readers guessing until the final pages, making his books nearly impossible to put down.

That same storytelling brilliance has translated seamlessly to the screen, with numerous Netflix adaptations becoming massive international hits. Series like Fool Me Once, Stay Close, and The Stranger have introduced Coben’s gripping mysteries to an even wider audience. Whether on the page or on the screen, Harlan Coben consistently delivers edge-of-your-seat entertainment.

The latest adaptation to join this thriller lineup is I Will Find You, an eight-episode limited series that premiered on Netflix on June 18, 2026.

📺 The Series: ‘I Will Find You’

Based on Coben’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel, I Will Find You follows David Burroughs, an innocent father serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the murder of his own son, Matthew.

Five years into his sentence, David receives shocking word from his sister-in-law, Rachel, that Matthew may actually be alive. To uncover the truth, he must embark on a high-stakes mission that leads him out of prison and into a dangerous world of deceit and despair.

🎭 Meet the Cast

Actor	Role
Sam Worthington	David Burroughs
Britt Lower	Rachel Mills
Milo Ventimiglia	Hayden Payne
Logan Browning	Sarah Greer
Chi McBride	Max Williams
Madeleine Stowe	Gertrude Payne

📖 The Book Synopsis

For those who want to dive into the source material, here is the official setup for this breathtaking thriller:

David Burroughs was once a devoted father to his three-year-old son, Matthew, living a dream life just a short drive away from the working-class suburb where he and his wife, Cheryl, first fell in love. Until one fateful night, David woke to discover Matthew had been murdered while David was asleep just down the hall. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

Half a decade later, David’s been wrongly accused and convicted of the crime. Grieving and wracked with guilt, he didn’t have the will to fight the system, leaving the world to move on without him.

Then, Cheryl’s younger sister, Rachel, makes a surprise appearance during visiting hours. She brings a strange photograph, and in the background—just barely in frame—is a boy bearing an eerie resemblance to David’s son. David knows it instantly: Matthew is still alive.

Determined to achieve the impossible, David plans a harrowing prison escape to save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened. But with his life on the line and the FBI following his every move, can he evade capture long enough to reveal the shocking truth?

✍️ About the Author

Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in 46 languages and have topped bestseller lists in more than a dozen countries. His celebrated Myron Bolitar series has earned him the prestigious Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards.

Coben is also the creator and executive producer of numerous television shows. Beyond Netflix hits like Missing You, Fool Me Once, The Innocent, and The Woods, he is the creative force behind Amazon Prime’s Shelter and Lazarus. With Run Away and I Will Find You anchoring his latest screen adaptations, Coben has plenty more thrilling projects in the works.

Have you started watching I Will Find You on Netflix yet, or are you planning to read the book first? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

‘The Focused AI Captain’: A Leader’s Guide to Successful AI Transformation

‘The Focused AI Captain’ by FocusFirst founder René Esteban. Photo: Amazon

Book Spotlight: The Focused AI Captain

How to Navigate the Storm, Empower Your Crew, and Deliver Real Value

By René Esteban

Master the Art of Leading AI Transformations for Lasting Business Success

Only 5% of enterprise AI initiatives succeed. Are you ready to be among the elite few who truly transform their organizations?

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses face a common enemy—AI initiatives that fail to deliver real impact. Millions are spent on pilots that never scale. But the true obstacle isn’t the technology itself; it’s how organizations are structured, aligned, and led. (Amazon, 2026)

In The Focused AI Captain, René Esteban, CEO of FocusFirst, reveals why most AI transformations stall and what leaders must do differently to succeed. Grounded in real-world enterprise experience, this book provides a clear, practical roadmap to turn AI ambition into measurable business results.

What You Will Learn

Inside, you will discover how to:

Master the 10-20-70 Rule: Allocate resources effectively and maximize AI ROI.
Apply the 3D Framework: Learn to Diagnose challenges, set Direction, and Deliver results.
Bridge the Trust Gap: Turn employee skepticism into active AI adoption.
Move Beyond Pilots: Confidently scale your AI initiatives across the entire organization.

Who is this book for? This book is written for CEOs, executives, and decision-makers who refuse to let their organizations fall behind in the AI revolution. Whether you’re leading a large-scale transformation or preparing your team for the next wave of AI adoption, you’ll gain practical frameworks, leadership insights, and execution tools you can apply immediately.

Get your copy now and start leading your organization to AI-driven success.

About the Author

René Esteban brings unwavering passion to making big goals tangible and inspiring people to achieve them.

As the Founder and CEO of FocusFirst, a Keynote Speaker, and a Senior Advisor to top executives, he has made it his mission to accelerate transformations in organizations. He firmly believes that complex change succeeds best through a clear focus on a single goal, excellent communication, and the active involvement of all stakeholders.

René began his career at Merck, where in his mid-20s he led the global build-out of the e-commerce division, today a billion-dollar business. This experience taught him that successful transformations depend not only on the right strategies, but critically on early and open communication with key stakeholders. His insights led to the development of the award-winning PEAK Method, through which FocusFirst has already guided more than 250 transformations.

René is a passionate entrepreneur with several companies alongside FocusFirst. He cherishes inspiring moments of exchange over Italian wine and loves traveling the world with his family – especially to Italy.

‘Tinker’ by Jennifer M. Lane: A Compelling Whiskey Rebellion Historical Romance

Tinker is a story of love and rebellion on the early American frontier. Photo: Paste Creative Book Tours, used with permission.

Book Review: Tinker by Jennifer M. Lane

Part of Paste Creative Book Tours

Adult Alternate Historical Fiction / Romance A propulsive Whiskey Rebellion tale of defiance, rebellion, love, and divided loyalties on the early American frontier.

The people of western Pennsylvania suffer under a hefty tax on whiskey. When the local militia takes up arms against the hated tax collector, his estranged daughter finds herself caught in the crossfire.

The Story

Set in 1794 Pennsylvania, Caroline Neville is on her way to Pittsburgh to buy more ink when she encounters the burning remains of her father’s effigy along the road, alongside several “liberty poles” bearing Liberty and No Excise signs protesting the whiskey tax.

She arrives at Mr. Jeffrie’s small shop to pick up an ordered book and the ink she needs to write an article for the Gazette. Her ultimate hope? To convince the public that her father, the local tax collector, is not the evil man they make him out to be. The locals are angry at him, and any member of his family, and they are out for blood.

While at the shop, she meets Tench Coyle, a reporter for the Gazette and a member of the militia opposing the tax. Tench has no idea that she is Mr. Neville’s daughter.

Becoming “Tom the Tinker”

When open conflict erupts between the local militia and the government, Caroline takes matters into her own hands. She tries to get her father to present the farmers’ case to the President, but he refuses, stating that he’s only doing his job and doesn’t make the laws.

Desperate to turn the tide before her family gets hurt, Caroline adopts the pseudonym “Tom the Tinker” and pens peaceful pleas for tax repeal in the local Gazette, calling for a peaceful gathering.

Not knowing that she’s Tom the Tinker, or even a Neville, Tench gets the Gazette to print the letters. But as the two fall deeply in love, the harder it becomes for Caroline to tell him her true identity. Soon, her efforts at peace take a dangerous turn toward rebellion, and she faces losing everything she loves. Against all odds, she needs to fix it all before she’s charged with treason.

Review

Tinker is a compelling blend of historical fiction, political intrigue, and romance set against the turbulent backdrop of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. Rich in historical detail, the novel brings to life a little-known chapter of early American history while exploring themes of loyalty, justice, and personal courage.

Set against the rugged backdrop of Pittsburgh, Caroline Neville is a memorable heroine, intelligent, determined, and willing to risk everything to prevent violence and protect those she loves. Her double life creates constant tension, especially when she falls for Tench.

As their passionate, high-stakes romance develops, the tension thickens. Their chemistry feels genuine, while the escalating unrest surrounding the whiskey tax keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace. Lane expertly balances a propulsive plot of divided loyalties with a tender, slow-burn love story where secrets threaten everything.

Vivid Prose & Perspective

The narrative is told through Caroline’s first-person point of view, featuring vivid and highly descriptive prose:

“He pulled his hand back and smoothed his shirt, the fine lines around his eyes softening as the shock of being confronted by a woman overtook his decorum.”

Lane deftly captures the gritty defiance of the early American frontier while delivering a deeply emotional character study.

The Verdict

Overall, Tinker by Jennifer M. Lane is a thought-provoking and emotionally satisfying historical novel that offers readers an inspiring story of one woman’s determination to make a difference during a pivotal moment in American history. Fans of historical fiction with strong female protagonists and a touch of romance will find much to enjoy.

“If he ever looked up from the tasks he performed in honor of George Washington hundreds of miles away, he would see how his disloyalty to his family had cost him a daughter.”

Get your copy of Tinker today!

About the Author

Jennifer M. Lane is a Maryland native and Pennsylvanian at heart, currently living in the Philadelphia suburbs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a minor in communications from Barton College and a master’s in liberal arts with a focus on museum studies from the University of Delaware, where she wrote her thesis on the material culture of roadside memorials.

She is an active member of the Authors Guild, the Historical Novel Society, and the Independent Book Publishers Association. Her first book, Of Metal and Earth, won the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel and was a Finalist in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards (Literary / General Fiction).

When she isn’t writing, she sits on her township’s historical commission, serves as co-chair of the MontCo (PA) Book Fest, and co-organizes several book festivals each year.

**Thank you to Stephanie Caruso, Paste Creative Book Tours, and Jennifer M. Lane for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

‘CRAFT Thinking’: The Practical Playbook for Everyday AI Work

Book Spotlight: CRAFT Thinking: A Playbook for Clear Thinking and Better Decisions with AI

By Philip Topham

Get clearer thinking and better decisions with AI without becoming a prompt engineer.

CRAFT Thinking gives you a simple, five-step method that sharpens how you think, improves the questions you ask, and helps you get consistently better results from any artificial intelligence tool. It’s practical, repeatable, and built for everyday work, not technical experts. (Barnes & Noble, 2026)

The CRAFT Chain Reaction:

When your thinking improves, your prompts improve.
When your prompts improve, your decisions improve.

Whether you lead a company, manage a team, or simply want to do better work with AI, this playbook gives you the structure to turn uncertainty into clarity and AI conversations into meaningful insight.

The Bottom Line: > AI won’t make your work smarter. Clear thinking will, and CRAFT shows you how.

Get your copy today!

About the Author

Philip Topham

Strategic AI Advisor, Speaker, & Creator of the CRAFT Thinking™ Method

Philip Topham is a strategic AI advisor, speaker, and creator of the CRAFT Thinking™ method, a framework designed to bring clarity, intentionality, and better decision-making into the AI era.

With a career spanning corporate leadership, startup ventures, and board advisory, Philip combines the rigor of an engineer with the insight of a relationship-focused strategist. He’s earned two U.S. patents, contributed to peer-reviewed research, and worked across industries from health tech to clean tech to biotech. What sets him apart is not just his technical depth, it’s his shift toward human-centered leadership.

After stepping away to be a stay-at-home dad, Philip returned with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with care and purpose. He brings that mindset into his work today, helping leaders think with AI, not just use it, so their organizations can grow wisely, inclusively, and sustainably.

Philip serves as co-chair of the National AI Special Interest Group for the Private Directors Association, and publishes regularly at SavionAI: The Shift.

“AI should serve all of humanity—not just the elite. And it’s our shared responsibility to build companies and institutions worthy of that promise.”

SA Examiner

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‘CRAFT Thinking’: The Practical Playbook for Everyday AI Work

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