Old Baggage by Toni Kief

Old Baggage: It’s Never Too Late for aNew Beginning is an interesting contemporary fiction written by Toni Kief.

It seems like an ordinary day for the Donovans, with Brad being his usual abusive self and Elizabeth playing her usual submissive role. What makes this day different, however, is that Elizabeth finally, after forty nine miserable years of marriage, fights back.

Surprising even herself, Elizabeth pulls out her suitcase and walks out of the only life she has ever known. However, contrary to what Brad thinks that she is a helpless, dependent, and stupid old woman, Elizabeth has so many cards up her sleeve and she has the astonishing strength and courage to use them to start a new life. But first, Elizabeth has to deal with a painful secret in her past before she could settle wherever she chooses and live her life on her own terms.

This is a very enjoyable book with sixty two chapters and told in the first person perspective of an amazing and remarkable old woman. Though the plot seems familiar with the protagonist, a victim of domestic abuse, having enough of the shitty life she has, the preparations Elizabeth has made as she waited for ‘the day’ would pique the interest of the readers, especially the female readers. Moreover, how she faces her new life, taking one baby step at a time away from her old, will make the readers cheer her on as she finds her way very slowly but with unwavering resolve and childlike wonder for the things she could actually do that she never imagined she could.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book a lot. The plot is delightfully unpredictable and there are so many endearing characters. First of them, of course, is Elizabeth herself, the brave, kind, funny, and smart old woman who proves that age really doesn’t  matter and that every day is an opportunity to start a new life. And though I was expecting a different conclusion to the story, I still find the ending satisfyingly conclusive.     

However, though the paranormal part seems to make the story interesting, I, personally, believe that its exclusion wouldn’t make the book less so. Moreover, I noticed some errors within the entire book that detract from the overall reading experience.

Congratulations to Toni Kief (@tonikayk1) on such a great book! It is a depiction of woman empowerment at its best.

For more books by the author, click HERE.

Obsession Made Me Do It by Nychol Munroe

Obsession Made Me Do It is an intriguing urban fiction and the first in the three-book series of the same title created by Nychol Munroe.  

Founder of the Brix and Brix Realty, one of the most notable real estate brands in Miami, Iman Brix is the epitome of a successful entrepreneur. With a thriving business and an overprotective husband, Iman seems to have a wonderful life. That is until she discovers something about her husband. More than the betrayal itself is whom he is doing it with that breaks Iman’s heart into a million pieces.

Not someone to give up that easy, Iman is determined to fight for what is rightfully hers. She steps up and reaches out to someone who, she believes, wants the same thing she does. Iman is yet to find out what her actions would lead to.

An intriguing urban fiction that features African Americans, the book has fifteen chapters with a healthy amount of erotic scenes. By placing the conflict at the beginning of the story, the author makes the book a real-deal page-turner. Though the premise is seemingly common, the twists and turns make the plot excitingly unpredictable. The predominant use of the vernacular language among the characters makes the story sound realistic.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It is intriguing, exciting, and suspenseful. I find the characters easily relatable with their flaws, weaknesses, wrong decisions, and wrong choices in life.  

However, readers who prefer more conclusive endings may find the cliffhanger a bit off-putting, otherwise, they may move on to the second book in the series.

Congratulations to Nychol Munroe on such an exciting book! For more books by the author, click HERE.

Under the Sun by Andrew Gilmore

Underthe Sun: Discover Your Calling and Live a Meaningful Life is an inspiring and encouraging book written by Andrew Gilmore.

The book is written to help the readers discover their purpose in life. The author begins by defining life and leads the readers to life’s ultimate purpose. He, then, enumerates four reasons why we are not living our purpose, four steps to living an excellent life, four traits we must engender to live a purposeful life, and three steps to unearth what we are meant to do. He also presents three biblical case studies to emphasize his points, that of Joseph, Daniel, and Paul.

This is a great book. It is written in a consistently conversational tone making it an easy read. The humor and the sprinkle of sarcasm give the book a lighthearted feel to it that makes it even more likable and interesting. By sharing his personal experiences, the author makes the steps practicable and the goal of living a life of purpose easy to accomplish. Moreover, the inclusion of biblical characters makes the readers feel more accepting of their flaws and more forgiving of their own failures.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book a lot. I recommend it to readers who enjoy books about personal growth.

Congratulations to Andrew Gilmore (@TheAndyGilmore) on such a great book! To know more about the author, click HERE.  

Third Eye: 7 Techniques to Open Your Third Eye by Andrew Black

Third Eye: 7 Techniques to Open Your Third Eye Chakra,Fast and Simple Techniques to Increase Awareness and Consciousness is an informative book written by Andrew Black.

The book has thirteen relatively short chapters. It defines the Third Eye and describes its location, discusses the benefits of opening the Third Eye, offers techniques and exercises on how to open the Third Eye and sharpen psychic abilities, and introduces aura and various aura colors.

Among the various ways to open the Third Eye the author offers include chanting, mindfulness, and use of crystals. In addition, he also presents ways to take care of the chakras such as yoga, breathing exercises, and proper food. Moreover, he discusses the Eightfold Path to find happiness.            

Personally, I find this book very interesting. Basically, it is an easy read. Apparently, the author endeavors to make the explanation easily understood. By sharing his own experiences, he makes the book sound personal and makes the readers feel more at ease in reading such a mystical subject. He makes the topic sound common and non-magical. He is also very honest and straightforward regarding skeptics and non-believers as well as those overly expectant. The techniques are simple and doable and the exercises are described carefully and in detail.

Except for several noticeable errors, I enjoyed this book a lot.  

Congratulations to Andrew Black on such an interesting and informative book!

The Aura Reading Handbook by Loren G. Tindall

The Aura Reading Handbook is an informative and helpful self-help book written by Loren G. Tindall.

The book begins by describing ‘aura’ as the field of vital energy that surrounds all matter, or anything we would consider to be of this physical world. She, then, moves on and gives a brief background on aura including concepts and theories, frequency of auras, interaction of auras, and practicable exercises to increase rapport, protect aura from psychic vampires, and cleanse auras.

The author takes time to discuss chakras which are the centers of energy that receive, transform, and distribute the universal life force throughout the body. They are the sources of energy perceived as the colors of the aura. Among the important topics that the author includes in the book are the Classic Aura Color Scheme (red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Silver, gold, white, black, gray, and brown) how to sense auras, identifying the colors in your aura (by asking, dowsing, and calculating), programming aura for a better future, using aura to improve love life, using aura to improve heath, and using aura to attract prosperity.

This is a great book. It is written in conversational yet instructive tone which makes it easy to read and understand. The exercises are clearly explained making them quite practicable. The explanations are concise and straightforward. Quite possibly, the information presented in the book is strategically limited to avoid information overload but enough to pique the interest of the readers. If that is the objective, then, it works for me.

Congratulations to Loren G. Tindall on such an interesting book!    

Transcending the Maya Matrix by Omar M. Makram

Transcending the Maya Matrix: Using theSeven Simple Steps: Our Innate Guide to Co-Creation and Self-Realization is a helpful book about spirituality written by Omar M. Makram.

The book is divided into two parts. Part I is divided into two chapters and Part II is divided into seven chapters.   

It is written to teach the readers how to uncover their Innate Guide. According to the book, the Innate Guide is the force that guides the Universe. It is in everything. Therefore, it is inside us. We can tap into its knowledge and be guided by its wisdom.

The author offers seven principles to unveil the Innate Guide. He calls these principles ‘The Seven Simple Steps.’ The seven simple steps include intention, awareness, authentic expression, allowing, receiving guidance, inspired action, and realization.

This is a great book. It is helpful and enlightening. It is well-written, well-researched, and well-referenced. Terms are clearly defined, steps are carefully described, and examples are given for better understanding and application. Most importantly, it is respectful of readers’ beliefs and does not impose its concepts on anyone.

Needless to say, I enjoyed this book immensely. However, this is not an easy read. It requires focus, undivided attention, and a great deal of interest in the subject matter. Moreover, other readers may find some explanation a bit ambiguous, and though the author, apparently, endeavors to make this book as user-friendly as possible, some parts require rereading and careful consideration.

Congratulations to Omar M. Makram (@Intentbeings) on such a great book! It is helpful, encouraging, and life changing. To know more about the author, click HERE.  

Art of Essential Zen by James Henry

Art of Essential Zen is an informative and helpful book written by James Henry.

The book is for readers who want a life that is full of balance, happiness, and serenity. It has five relatively short chapters that give an overview of the Zen lifestyle, teaches Zen rituals that will help the readers, explains the Art of Awareness, and guides readers on how to find Mindfulness. At the end of the book the readers may expect to learn how to gain self-knowledge and reach self-awareness and to increase concentration and focus. They may also expect help in their personal relationships, emotional stability, and going through moments of intense anger.

This is a very helpful book. In this day and age of haste and clamor, when everything is fast-paced, half-done, and stressful, this book teaches the readers how to find and be in the state of silence through the Zen lifestyle. Zen lifestyle is living in a constant state of peace.

I love everything about this book. It is an easy read and, ultimately, reader-friendly for beginners like myself. Everything is explained in simple and understandable English devoid of technical terms and jargons. The rituals are practicable and easy to follow and the instructions are as simple as they sound in that, they can be easily performed.

Congratulations to James Henry on such a great self-help book! I love it and I intend to continue practicing the Zen lifestyle. I strongly believe that it will help me achieve my goals in life.     

Inspire by Sara Wellington

Inspire: Start the Journey towards YourHappiness, Dreams, and Desires is an informative, helpful and inspiring book written by Sara Wellington.

Divided into sixteen relatively short chapters, the book is about how to be inspired in order to achieve goals and find happiness in life. The author discusses the effect of inspirational words and enumerates sources of inspiration including aspiration, successful people, strong desire, and love.

Moreover, the author explains the ultimate effect of fear in a person’s life. She also brings up the most important question of all which needs to be answered in order to achieve success and happiness.  

Overall, this is an enjoyable book. Basically, it is an easy read. It is informative, helpful, and inspiring. It is also interactive, thereby engaging.

However, I find the subject somehow overused, and considering the shortness of the book, I didn’t find anything new or special that would make this book stand out from among thousands of books already written about this subject. Moreover, there are too many noticeable errors within the entire book that I recommend another round of editing.

Congratulations to Sara Wellington (@SaraWellington4) on such an enjoyable book. For more books by the author, click HERE.  

Reclamation by Brysen Mann

Reclamation is an exciting and suspenseful science fiction book and the second installment of The Xeno Manifesto Book Series created by Brysen Mann.

Deep beneath the peak of Mt. Rainer, Frank Smirnov is perplexed. He is overwhelmed by the magnitude of his discovery. Everything he knows about himself and the world is undermined by the enormity of the undeniable facts staring him in the face. As per practical advice from a friend now departed, he doesn’t trust anyone, not Zachariah Allmas whom he ended up with, and not even the mythical creatures who are keeping him safe, for now.

If he really is the one foretold to save mankind, he has no idea how exactly he is going to do it. Right now, he needs to find out more about the Committee which is hell-bent on terminating his existence, and the best way to start is with the man who knows the Committee better than he or anyone he knows, for that matter, does.    

Meanwhile, Felix Belette gathers all the Team Leaders. Their directive is to find the traitor at all cost and bring him to Belette alive, so that Belette could extract every shred of information from him in the slowest and most agonizing process. Little does Belette know what awaits him when Zach is finally found.

This is just as intriguing and as exciting as the first book, The Xeno Manifesto. Unlike in other book series that usually introduce subplots, this second installment stays consistent with the first book and simply moves the plot forward. It is unpredictable with exciting twists and turns that though not altogether shocking are surprising enough. Scenes and settings are thoroughly described including the special abilities of the mythical creatures. The book has a satisfactory ending and promises a more exciting third installment.

Admittedly, I enjoyed this book a lot. However, I find the pacing of the plot slower than that of the first book that very little is added to the story. Moreover, there are too many noticeable errors within the entire book that detract from the overall reading experience.

Congratulations to Brysen Mann (@brysen_mann) on another exciting book!   

EMP by JS Donovan

EMP:No Power is a suspenseful thriller and Book 0 of the Post-Apocalyptic Fiction Series created by J. S. Donovan.  

It seems like an ordinary day for Sergeant Harper Murphy. However, just when she is about to hang up the phone after an unpleasant call from her husband, everything goes off, phone, lights, air conditioner. Apparently, there is a momentary power outage.

A look outside the window, however, makes her assume the worst. It seems like the entire Washington, DC is eerily quiet, a sign of an EMP attack.   

As Harper goes about her duty to her country, she thinks about her teenage son, Eli who is somewhere out there in the middle of this chaos. As she rightly assumes, things will turn really bad, and Harper has to get to him before bad turns to worse.

This is a fast-paced and suspenseful post-apocalyptic thriller that features a woman torn between her duty to her country and duty to her family. It perfectly portrays the mayhem that would result from an electromagnetic pulse attack. Moreover, it depicts how familial love prevails and everything else comes second when a cataclysm occurs. Furthermore, it highlights the sacrifice a parent is willing to make for his or her offspring.

The author successfully creates a set of well-developed and relatable characters especially Sergeant Harper Murphy. Though the ending is a cliffhanger, with this book being part of a series, it has a kind of closure that makes the story satisfactory.

Admittedly, I enjoyed reading this book. However, though not totally cliché, the subject of EMP attack is not totally unique either, that some readers may consider this book just among the many. Moreover, there are several noticeable errors within the entire book that sadly detract from the overall reading experience.

Congratulations to J. S. Donovan on such a nice book!