Tag: Book news

New children’s books by Nigel Martin

‘The Magical Adventures of Ana and Her Talking Cat’ is one of the new children’s books by Nigel Martin. Photo: Nigel Martin, used with permission.

There is never a shortage of children’s books out there and today I want to focus on two from author Nigel Martin. He is the author of “The Magical Adventures of Ana and Her Talking Cat” and “Snow Days Are the Best: A Story of Joy, Snowy Shenanigans and Friendship.” After reading the samples, I can tell that the stories are magical and entertaining. “Snow Days Are the Best: A Story of Joy, Snowy Shenanigans and Friendship” is told in poetic verse and contains beautiful and captivating illustrations. Both are easy to read and should keep the child in your life entertained. Read on for more information about these children’s books.

“The Magical Adventures of Ana and Her Talking Cat”
Do you love stories about magic, adventure, and friendship? If so, you will not want to miss this one. Follow Ana and her talking cat, Mini, as they embark on an exciting journey filled with enchanted forests, mischievous fairies, a land of giants, hidden treasures, and more. Ana and Mini face challenges along the way, but with courage, kindness, and a little bit of magic, they overcome every obstacle.

As you read ” The Magical Adventures of Ana and Her Talking Cat,” you will be transported to a world full of wonder and possibility. You will root for Ana and Mini as they make new friends, solve mysteries, and discover hidden treasures. You will feel their joy, fear, and excitement as they explore magical lands and encounter fantastic creatures. So why not join Ana and Mini on their adventure today? Get your copy of “The Magical Adventures of Ana and Her Talking Cat” and let the magic begin.

‘Snow Days Are the Best: A Story of Joy, Snowy Shenanigans and Friendship. Photo: Nigel Martin, used with permission.

“Snow Days Are the Best: A Story of Joy, Snowy Shenanigans and Friendship”
This is a heartwarming children’s rhythm story about the joys of winter and the fun that can be had on snow days. Ava and Luke, love playing in the snow and having fun with their friends. The story follows them as they sled down hills, build igloos, and make snowmen taller than trees.

As readers follow Ava and Luke’s adventures, they too will be filled with a desire to experience the joys of winter and snow days. The story instills a love for the winter season and the activities that come with it. Parents and guardians can read “Snow Days Are the Best: A Story of Joy, Snowy Shenanigans and Friendship” to their children and encourage them to play outside on snowy days, build snowmen, and have fun in the snow. This rhythm story serves as a great inspiration for children to explore the wonders of winter and make the most of snow days.

Sponsored Post

Book review: ‘The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence’ by Robert L. Dilenschneider

‘The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence’ is the new book by Robert L. Dilenschneider. Photo: Amazon

Robert L. Dilenschneider started in public relations in 1967 in New York, shortly after receiving an MA in journalism from Ohio State University, and a BA from the University of Notre Dame. He formed The Dilenschneider Group in October, 1991. The Firm provides strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies and leading families and individuals around the world, with experience in fields ranging from mergers and acquisitions and crisis communications to marketing, government affairs and international media. Dilenschneider was with that organization for nearly 25 years. He is the author of “The Public Relations Handbook,” “The Critical First Years of Your Professional Life,” “50 Plus!: Critical Career Decisions for the Rest of Your Life,” and numerous other books on career and professional development. In his new book “The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence: Everything You Need to Know,” he explains how technology and globalization have revolutionized the ways to both build and keep success—and tells readers that to accomplish your goals, you must not only gain power, but also apply it with proper wisdom. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence” arms you with intellectual, technical, and moral weapons—tools needed to get and stay ahead in the increasingly competitive and ever-evolving business world. Acquiring both power and influence is crucial to advancing not only your personal interests, but also a more prosperous society at large. Drawing from current-day lessons and the wisdom of hundreds of drivers of change in all fields of business, this is the author’s latest guide to harnessing the universal principles for success. It provides anecdotes and insights on a wide range of keys to success, including how to seize opportunity amid crisis, manage your network, communicate effectively, and take full advantage of social media to bolster your image. The book is divided into 15 chapters, including Networking: You Have to Do It, Protect Yourself and Your Reputation, and The Inevitable Crisis: Know How To Handle It and Benefit. It begins in the first chapter by asking readers to get to know themselves because to be an effective leader, you have to understand yourself and your needs first because “Self awareness….is one of the pillars of emotional intelligence (along with empathy, self-management, and social skills) and must come first.” The first part centers around building your power and influence while the second part shows you how to keep that hard earned influence during inevitable times of crisis. At the end, there are notes listed by chapter and an index that makes it easy to search by topic.

Change is the overall theme in “The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence.” The first two sentences in the Introduction immediately draw you in: “You have a choice. Keep doing what you did yesterday or adapt to a world that is changing everyday.” Indeed, the business world is constantly changing and we must adapt to keep up, especially in a post-COVID world. Robert Dilenschneider has the experience, knowledge, and authority to help readers acquire and amplify their power; from graduate students to corporate professionals. Despite the topic of business, the language is easy to understand and follow because it contains practical advice for career and personal life. He shares inspirational stories to highlight the point he is making because stories make more of an impact than facts and figures ever could. His books are helpful and relevant because he adjusts his message to reflect the changing times and everyone can benefit from his advice, and this one is no exception. Highlights include Chapter 2: Networking that stresses the importance of networking not only in your select filed of work, but also reaching out to contacts outside of your circle; and Chapter 7: The Right Way to Make Your Mistakes that teaches the right way to approach making mistakes: “With humility and perseverance, we move forward and improve” – lesson learned: the biggest mistake is failure to LEARN from our mistakes. “The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence” is an extremely useful guide that helps readers navigate the ever changing landscape of business as well as their professional and private lives. It is a must read for readers interested in business, economic, and ethics for personal and professional development.

“If there are absolutely no mistakes in a company, then no one is taking a risk, and innovation will atrophy.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair’ by T.K. Ambers

‘Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair’ is the new mystery thriller by T.K. Ambers. Photo: Amazon

T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of “Runway Dreams A Pricey Affair.” Her novel has been recognized in four different award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women’s Fiction category. She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin with her husband and two cats: Bellatrix and Kit. She would spend her perfect day lakeside, where she would swim, play games, and then wind down with a bonfire, s’mores, and stories told by family and friends. “Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair” is a dark and comedic thriller about family dynamics and what happens when the youngest sibling in a prestigious family of models falls for a con man with a dangerous past. Follow the author: Facebook Instagram (T.K Ambers, 2023)

“Runway Dreams” – As a model born into the modeling industry, Bernadette (Bernie) Price has everything an heiress could desire, except a romantic partner to share her dreams with. Which is why she turns to online dating where she meets Martin Day, a handsome and successful financial advisor who is moving to her town. Her sister Belinda (Bell) has reservations about online dating, but Bernie is determined to meet Martin in person after talking to him online and on the phone for six months. This is where the story begins, as Bernie is getting ready for her date with Martin. With an absent mother, Bell has taken up the role and is voicing her reservations about this date. By the time she meets Martin at her father’s jazz club, Bernie is hooked. The couple clicks, and their relationship is on the fast track to marital bliss and they become engaged after only a few months of meeting in person. Before the wedding, a stranger (Matthew) brings unsettling news of Martin’s past. The Price family finds themselves divided as they sort through who is telling the truth. When Bernie disappears, her siblings must put their frustrations aside and help their sister reclaim her life before Martin claims theirs.

Most often, the modeling world comes across as a luxurious and worry free lifestyle filled with glamour, photo shoots, and money. What many seldom see is the reality that even beautiful, rich, and famous people ignore their instincts and get into toxic relationships, often with tragic results. It is interesting to read what happens behind the scenes at fashion shows and how models deal with publicity and fame. The story is narrated in the third person point of view and the language is easy to understand and descriptive at times, especially when describing the characters: “His bronzed skin was like a light creamy chocolate, and she guessed it might taste just as sweet.” The first half is lighthearted with occasional funny moments but after Chapter 13, it turns dark as reality sinks in and Bernie is faced with an abusive husband and her family is in the crosshairs. It should be noted that there are brief scenes of domestic abuse, but they are not graphic and only serve to highlight the seriousness of the situation and in fact they make the characters more relatable. The pulse pounding action makes the story flow effortlessly until the dramatic climax. With a perfect balance of comedy and thrilling action that highlights the importance of family, “Runway Dreams” is a must read and recommended for fans of mysteries and dramatic domestic thrillers similar to the best of Nora Roberts.

“As they drove back toward town, there was no laughter. The tears fell silently, and the three siblings held hands. Bernie knew that in time, some of the worst days of their lives would be far behind them, but for now, it was okay to let the tears flow.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Sponsored Post

New book release: ‘Bag Girl’ by Tozanee Smith

‘Bag Girl’ is the upcoming new memoir from Tozanee Smith. Photo: Tozanee Smith, used with permission.

If you like biographies and memoirs of strong women who survived a tough childhood against all odds, this upcoming new release is just for you. “Bag Girl” by Tozanee Smith will be released on Kindle on September 22, but don’t worry, it’s available for pre-order through Amazon. Reserve your copy today! 

Tozanee Smith is a teacher, a mother, a nurse, and a cook (at heart). She loves spending time at home on the couch with a good romance book with the occasional glass of wine. From time to time, she likes to spend quality time with close personal friends. She lives in Martinsburg, WV and enjoys going to the movies and long road trips. Her new book “Bag Girl: Memoir: Home Is Where The Bag Is” is a memoir of strength, courage, survival, and resilience. It will be released on September 22, 2023. (Tozanee Smith, 2023)

“Bag Girl” – Trying to survive the chaotic world of being the eldest of my family comes with its own baggage. On top of being diagnosed with diabetes and PCOS at a young age, dealing with a bipolar sex crazed mother who cared more about men then her own children was a whole different fight. Having being taught to stay in a child’s place and that my feelings did not matter, nor did I have a say in anything, I knew I was brought into this world for one thing and one thing only. To mother, not be mothered. Battling my own personal demons along with my anxiety and depression was enough for my mother to keep me grounded, that alone came with its side of verbal abuse and humiliation.

Sponsored Post

1695397864

  days

  hours  minutes  seconds

until

‘Bag Girl’ release date

Book of the week: ‘Breathe: Healing Conversations’ by Karen Achille

‘Breathe: Healing Conversations’ is a contemporary poetry book by Karen Achille. Photo: Karen Achille, used with permission.

In today’s book news: if you love poetry as much as I do, Karen Achille’s “Breathe: Healing Conversations” should be on your radar. Take a journey into the full range of emotions that poetry can convey.

Karen Achille is a Georgia-based and Haiti-born poetess, teacher, and relationship coach whose lifelong vision is to help empathic souls heal through the power of poetic storytelling. In addition to the co-authored debut book “Jaded” and her second book “Breathe,” she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and two graduate degrees in English Education and Leadership. When she is not pouring her heart out on paper, you can find this altruistic soul dancing like nobody is watching, cooking a delicious meal, or simply relaxing in the present moment. She is also a pluviophile and nature lover. Above all else, Karen cherishes quality time spent with her loved ones, especially her love and muse, Gayle. “Breathe” is available on Amazon. More from the author: Writer’s Workshop: The Creative Huddle. (Karen Achille, 2023)

“Breathe” takes the reader on an emotive voyage of upheaval, heartache, healing, and ultimately, personal transformation. Through heartfelt poetic narration and evocative lines, poetess Karen Achille reveals a relatable story that reminds you that you are never truly alone on this journey called life. By the book’s end, each sense will be awakened, and your heart will be empowered. Most importantly, “Breathe” invites the reader to truly reside in the present, darkness and all.

Sponsored Post

New book release: ‘My Goodbye Girl’ by Anna Gomez

‘My Goodbye Girl’ is the new contemporary romance novel by Anna Gomez. Photo: Amazon

Anna Gomez was born in the city of Makati, Philippines and educated abroad. She is Global Chief Financial Officer for Mischief and No Fixed Address, a consolidated group of ad agencies. Gomez was recently selected for the 2020 HERoes Women Role Model Executives list, which celebrates 100 women who lead by example and drive change. Gomez has championed various ERGs for Black and API colleagues as well as resources to address challenges of ageism. She serves on several boards, including Breathe for Justice and The Jensen Project. Anna’s inspiration for her writing stems from the people she meets and the places that she has seen. Her stories are realistic and honest, thought-provoking and impactful. Her love for poetry is evident in her writing style. Writing under the pen name Christine Brae, six of her books have won literary awards and ranked as bestsellers upon release. In her new book “My Goodbye Girl,” in order to move forward, Tessa must let go of the past and determine once and for all if love is truly more powerful than the pain of goodbye. (Amazon, 2023)

 “My Goodbye Girl” – When Tessa Talman first meets Simon Fremont, not only is she attracted to him, she is intrigued by how different their lives are. He is a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded. She is a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they meet in places around the world, while continuing to live in different countries. Though their feelings for each other deepen, their priorities remain the same. Simon is in a hurry to be financially sound and settle down, but Tessa is enjoying her freedom and newfound success. Neither is willing to give in, but as each goodbye gets harder, Tessa begins to wonder whether fame is the path to happiness, or if she has everything she needs in Simon. Just as Tessa finds the courage to go after her own happily ever after, the unthinkable happens, separating them in ways she never imagined.

Book review: ‘Retribution’ by Robert McCaw

‘Retribution’ is the new novel by Robert McCaw and the fifth in the Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series. Photo: Amazon.

Robert McCaw grew up in a military family, traveling the world. He is a graduate of Georgetown University, served as a U.S. Army lieutenant, and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. Having lived on the Big Island of Hawaii, McCaw’ s writing is imbued by his more than 20-year love affair with this Pacific paradise. In his new novel “Retribution,” the fifth in his Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery Series, Chief Detective Koa Kāne wonders if he might be the real target as people around him come under attack. Other books in the series include “Death of a Messenger,” “Off the Grid,” “Fire and Vengeance,” and “Treachery Times Two.” (Amazon, 2023)

“Retribution” – the story begins as an unknown Muslim man climbs off a Philippine freighter unto a speed boat with one goal in mind: to avenge his brother’s killing. Meanwhile, in the back alley of a bar on the Hawaii Island, a young man is found stabbed to death. When Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne begins investigating the crime, the murder weapon is conveniently recovered only a few feet away from the body. Crime scene technicians find fingerprints on the knife and they are a perfect match for Kāne’s younger brother, Ikaika. Even though his brother has a history of getting in trouble with the law, he has turned his life around, so Kāne is certain he is being framed for this crime. He is warned to stay out of the investigation, but of course he is determined to clear his brother’s name. During the investigation, another crime sends shockwaves through the Hilo police force. A sniper tries to take out Makanui, Kāne’s closest colleague. As Kāne tries to figure out whether these crimes are connected, the sinister force continues the killing spree, threatening him and his loved ones at every turn. Could Kāne be the real target? If so, who is behind this trail of retribution? With his own secret criminal past, he confronts an all-out offensive against those closest to him and his police force to which he has devoted his life. As the bodies pile up, Kāne finds himself the ultimate target of a ruthless adversary and must risk it all to survive.

Someone out there is determined to get to Detective Koa Kāne and is killing everyone connected to him. Not only is he still haunted by a secret he has kept all these years, he is constantly worrying about the safety of those around him but determined to catch a killer who seems to be one step ahead of him. On top of it all, he also needs to clear his brother’s name, and that further increases the conflict he feels between his police responsibilities and family loyalty. Since there are a couple of storylines, it can become challenging to follow along from time to time. The action is non-stop but perfectly balanced by the beauty of the Hawaiian location, which ironically enough, sometimes makes the investigation harder because some of the locations are remote and hard to access. With deeply developed and relatable characters, the story is mostly dialogue driven and flows from page to page until the suspenseful climatic ending. The highlight is Chapter 59 where the killer’s identity is revealed. As with his previous books, the author uses relevant Hawaiian terms and language, and even though he explains them as he goes along, it occasionally slows down the pacing, but it is worth it and readers are rewarded with a thrilling murder mystery filled with one plot twist after another. “Retribution” is another remarkable murder mystery by Robert McCaw and is recommended for fans of Michael Connelly who enjoy action thrillers revolving around terrorists and terrorist organizations. The good thing about this excellent mystery series is that each novel stands on its own and can be read in any order.

“The cave exploded with the roar of the gunshot, and the sound reverberated off the cave walls. Makanui’s bullet hit its mark and exited through the back of Cruz’s skull, leaving a golf-ball-sized hole and splattering Cruz’s brains into the lava tube behind him. His gun and hard hat went flying, plunging the cave into blackness.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book review: ‘The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers: Book of Glads Volume 1′ by Todd S. Glider’

‘The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers’ is Book 1 in the Science Fiction saga The Book of Glads. Photo: Amazon.

Todd S. Glider is an author, musician, director, and producer. After 13 years of living in Europe, he, along with his wife Jeremie and their cat, Sophie, returned to the United States. The three of them currently reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his new book, “The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers,” follow the #4 Glad in Mega-City Philadelphia, HD Heathers, as she navigates celebrity, loneliness, and the creeping feeling that the world is not as utopian as she would have been led to believe. It is Book 1 in the Science Fiction saga The Book of Glads. It is available on Amazon and Book Selfie. Follow the author: Instagram. More about Book Selfie here. (Amazon, 2023)

“The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers” – Experience a world in which nation states have fallen by the wayside, giving way to The Mega-City System and The Alpha Upgrade Program. While The System acknowledges, and even caters to the shortcomings of all citizens, The Program gives everyone the opportunity to have the strength, dexterity or virility of a superhero, and the fame that comes with it. The one catch is that you must agree to participate in the most popular form of entertainment, Gladiatorial Combat—sometimes to the death. HD Heathers opted for a strength upgrade fresh out of high school. Now, 15 years later, she is the hero of millions, having gained wealth, prestige, and stardom. She is a genetically enhanced human with superhuman strength, commonly known as a Brawn. The story opens as she is taken by surprise and attacked by an unknown competitor in a FAB, a Floating Arena Battle. He turns out to be Billy O. Boyd, someone from her past, but the battle has no clear winner and that is not the last she will see of him. As she encounters one obstacle after another, the world she knows will make her question her decisions and the motivation of those who surround her.

Set in a futuristic Mega-City Philadelphia of 2370 where “content was king across the Mega-City System and ScrimCoating was the medium for viewing remote content,” technology has advanced to the point where almost every Citizen wears a ScrimCoated wristband at all times. Drones are a constant source of monitoring and recording, often in pictures, which is why HD Heathers constantly presents a ‘picture perfect’ posture to the world. This is one appeal of “The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers” because it makes the future similar to today’s world, with more sophisticated technology and modern day Gladiators, who have opted for upgrades like superhuman strength and agility. The only drawback is that they must constantly battle others like themselves and basically serve as entertainment for the masses. The characters are well developed (HD Heathers is a strong female character) and relatable and the language is descriptive and poetic “HD could not see much more than some ghostly tendrils crossing the brightest star, Sirius, and the anemic blade of a crescent moon.” The pacing of the story is constant and steady, leading up to the climatic final battle. With a futuristic setting and Gladiator style battle scenes, “The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers” is a highly entertaining science fiction novel; it serves as a social commentary on capitalism and what passes for entertainment in a world where content and popularity rankings are influential. It is recommended for readers who appreciate futuristic science fiction novels and superhero/fantasy science fiction.

* Disclaimer: contains explicit sex scenes.

“Many in the crowd averted their eyes. Some shook their heads. Others wept. There were blank faces, too. “WAS THAT NOT ENOUGH?” HD shouted. “CITIZENS! ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?” The silence held. HD shouted, “VERY WELL! I AM HERE TO ENTERTAIN YOU!”

Rating: 4 out of 5.
Group review of ‘The Alpha Upgrade of HD Heathers’

Children’s book: ‘Harrison Waits’ by Missy Hagen

‘Harrison Waits’ is a children’s book written and illustrated by Missy Hagen. Photo: Amazon

In today’s book news, the spotlight shines on a children’s book about a boy who is waiting for something big and how he passes the time. Missy Hagen’s “Harrison Waits” is an illustrated children’s book that is sure to entertain the little ones in your life.

Missy Hagen came to children’s book writing and illustrating after an eclectic career in fields that seemed to predict such destiny. She has a BA in Elementary Education from Cornell College, spent years in corporate technical writing, built a popular aerobic dance program in the eighties, and raised three children, all before returning to college for web and graphic design. She combined her teaching, technical, and design skills as Educational Technology Director for Rochester Community and Technical College for over 10 years. When her grandson Harrison was born, it sparked the idea for “Harrison Waits” based on his FOUR initials. A story focusing on the letters H and W and about how the rewards of being patient and keeping busy yield an outcome worth waiting for. Missy’s watercolor and ink artwork has often been exhibited and featured throughout southeast Minnesota where she resides with her husband.

“Harrison Waits” is a wonderful story about a young boy who is anxiously waiting for … what? See how Harrison patiently passes the time while he anticipates the arrival of something special he has been looking forward to for a long time. Will it be worth the wait? Can Harrison find enough to do to keep himself busy while waiting? The colorful artwork from Missy Hagen will captivate all ages while the clever play on the letters “H” and “W” will entertain readers and listeners alike. For extra fun, search for hidden “H” and “W” words illustrated on each page.

Sponsored Post

Book of the week: ‘I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey’ by Angie Swetland

‘I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey’ by Angie Swetland. Photo: Amazon

It is hard enough having to care for a loved one with dementia, but often, the resources and support system are hard to come by. This resource guide aims to answer readers questions about dementia and gives personal experience accounts and coping tips, all in easy to understand language.

Angie Swetland graduated from Luther College with a degree in Sociology and Religion. Her first job was as Activity Director in a small-town nursing home. Forty years later, she retired as Corporate Director of Customer Relations at Presbyterian Homes and Services (PHS), one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit providers of senior housing and services. During her time at PHS, Angie developed curricula for Dementia Care services and worked with care teams to ensure care protocols were in place. Angie also assisted in developing a Dementia Care Specialist certification program offered jointly by the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota and North Dakota and served on its faculty. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of Our Lady of Peace Hospice and Home. Angie facilitates a Dementia Caregiver Support Group at Easter Lutheran Church and enjoys public speaking to area churches and other organizations about Dementia Care. Her book “I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey” gives answers to some of their commonly asked questions about dementia as well as coping strategies for the future. (Angie Swetland, 2023)

“I Know You By Heart: Navigating the Dementia Journey” – In the U.S. today, over 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia. Each of these individuals has a story and each one has caregivers with stories of their own. You have questions – so many questions about what is happening now, and what is to come. How do I cope with this new manifestation of the disease? How do I prepare for an uncertain future? This is especially true when just navigating your way through each day can be overwhelming. In navigating this journey, it is important to remember two essential truths. The first is that the body may fail, and the mind may wander, but the spirit – the person inside – remains intact. The caregiver’s role is to maximize the remaining strengths of the person they care for. The second is that you are not alone. Caregiving is often an isolating experience. Stories from the lives of others let us know that our experiences are not unique. Be assured that many have gone before, and others are walking the same road today.

Sponsored Post