I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Humanity’s survivors must find a way of surviving not only endless undead walkers but the threat of starvation in author Jason Kristopher’s “Interval”, the second book in The Dying of the Light series.
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Return to the award-winning zombie series called “the best since World War Z!”
Becoming a zombie was much more painful than he had expected.
In a world devoured by chaos, survival hangs by a thread. Amidst the relentless onslaught of the undead, hope flickers dim. But beyond the horrors of the walkers lies an even graver threat. Massive bunkers crumble under unyielding assault, plunging into darkness.
Across icy wastelands, stranded scientists fight starvation’s cold grip. Can David Blake and the remnants of AEGIS rescue the salvation-bearing scientist from the frigid grip of Antarctica, or will humanity succumb to the merciless jaws of extinction?
Fans of The Walking Dead and Maberry’s The Dead of Night will love this action-packed, globe-trotting sequel. Don’t wait – grab your copy now!
The Review
This is a fantastic follow-up to the first book in this series, END, and capitalizes on the brutality and horror of the first book’s events by delving into the freezing depths of the Antarctic and the lengths humanity must go to survive. The balance the author finds in utilizing military protocol and language with the personal storytelling of the characters and their lives was as astounding as it was in book one, and the way the author explored how different militaries around the world responded to their own bases in the Arctic and how things advanced as the years wore on was so engaging from a reader’s perspective.
The world-building and action are so visceral and alive on the page, and the imagery is so compelling. The exploration of the effects the virus, aka the prion, has on the dead, mainly the reasons some become “runners” rather than “walkers,” is so enthralling. The way the author writes allows the pacing to feel punctuated and engaged in a fast-paced action thriller, keeping the reader invested throughout the entire novel.
The Verdict
Memorable, action-packed, and thrilling, author Jason Kristopher’s “Interval” is a must-read action horror thriller and a grand entry in the Dying of the Light series. The story is entertaining, the characters are relatable, intense, and emotionally driven, and the heartfelt, open-ended ending allows the reader to become fully immersed in this world and eager for the next entry in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Jason Kristopher is the award-winning author terrifying readers with zombies in THE DYING OF THE LIGHT, thrilling them with 1940s noir in LOCO MOCO, and harrowing them with boy-meets-gryphon-meets-robot adventure in WHEN IRON WAKES. With the love of his life and the dog that rescued him by his side, he plots his next traumatizing stories from Florida beaches.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Candace MacPhie returns to her Back in a Year series to find herself as she travels the world in the book “Hello, I Am Here.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
I have an around-the-world airline ticket and plans to conquer the Middle East. So why am I hanging around Prague, waiting for a guy who told me to my face that he doesn’t love me? Because I can’t escape kryptonite, that’s why. The two of us travel through the Czech Republic and Germany, eating way too many peanut butter sandwiches and dancing around our feelings—until we don’t.
Once I do get my butt on a plane and reunite with my Australian friends, each step through the blistering heat in the Middle East spins up a slew of new challenges. My trials traveling around Europe have nothing on this place.
We haggle and dodge bedbugs and camel spit from Amman to Cairo. The girls and I take turns in the front seat of the taxi. Bus drivers rearrange passengers so we sit apart from locals. And an unexpected hairy nemesis barges in on my long-awaited felucca trip down the Nile.
But maybe, just maybe, out here in the sweaty, dusty chaos, I’ll find what I’ve been missing. And it’s not a peanut butter sandwich. It’s me.
_____________________________________
Grab your backpack and get ready for an adventure in the ’90s when the Internet was scarce but laughs weren’t. Hello, I Am Here is book three in the five-part Back in a Year series, a true story of a young woman traveling around the world. Each book can be read independently, but it’s more fun to take the full trip.
Content Warning:
Profanity, consensual sexual content, sexual assault, sexual harassment, parental grief, alcohol, religious situations, smoking, and drug use.
The Review
As with the other entries in this series, I loved this book. The author writes with such passion and zeal for life, and moves beyond the typical travelogue format into much more personal territory. The blend of romantic adventures, new experiences, and new cultures being experienced, and the transformative nature long-term travel can have on a person was so perfectly illustrated in the author’s work, and conveys a sense of both adventure and bravery for both the author and the reader who becomes inspired by the author’s stories.
The heart of this story is in the author’s personal exploration. From the return of an old flame that is fiery yet not without its troubles, to a new journey into the Middle East that is so adventurous and nostalgic for those who yearn for those 90s era travel stories, and so much more, this story holds a lot of heart that will resonate with readers powerfully. Beyond the issues with lodgings, meeting new friends, and initiating dialogue despite a significant language barrier, the book delves more deeply into that inner journey, confronting grief and loss head-on and, in the process, the emotional struggle to find oneself and love all at once.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Candace MacPhie’s “Hello, I Am Here” is a must-read travel-based nonfiction work that reads like a memoir. The perfect entry in this series and a thoughtful approach to travel nonfiction, the author expertly navigates the emotional inner conflict within herself during a time of great turmoil, writing with great humor, charm, wit, and heart to create a narrative readers will instantly connect with. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Born in Montreal, Quebec, I spent years backpacking and working around the world. I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree, an MBA, and worked for twenty years on four different continents and now call Calgary, Alberta home.
I got married, had kids, and things got busy. Time was moving by quickly, and my kids were growing up fast. I shifted gears and quit my job to spend time at home. During the COVID lockdown, I had time on my hands, decided to try writing, and started writing the Back in a Year series.
When I’m not at my computer yelling, “Just a few more pages, then I’ll make dinner,” I love hiking in the Rocky Mountains, hot yoga, reading romance novels, and making up new cake recipes. I especially like to laugh and spend time with my husband, the self-proclaimed grumpy motherf*%ker, and my three awesome kids.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Eric Fisher examines how to tackle life’s struggles using his father’s near-fatal accident years ago in the book “Buried Alive.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
In the book, Buried Alive, the author tells of the near-death experience of his father, who almost dies during an expedition to dig up Native American artifacts. The perspectives from all three men involved in the event are examined. Four self-help strategies are linked in practical ways to the scary event that happened on February 12th, 2000, in a rural area of Tennessee.
Through the immersive and daunting story of the near-fatal accident, the author shows how challenging circumstances can shed light on strategies for dealing with life’s challenges. Through an intense story about survival and recovery, you’ll gain practical suggestions that will help you find increased awareness, fortitude, and direction.
The sections discussed in the book are as follows:
1. How to find balance in particular areas, which includes perfectionism, spirituality, toxicity, vulnerability, expectations, self-care, emotions, planning, open-mindedness, comparisons, and trauma.
2. The CIA acronym for personal growth: curiosity, introspection, and agency. The four principles of agency and entropy are described and explained. The importance of understanding how entropy applies to self-development.
3. Learning the different ways of connecting with yourself, others, and a local community. The blocks to connection are explored.
4. The power of the “W” word when it comes to life fulfillment, direction, and taking action.
Each chapter applies the self-help content to the true story being told in a documentary fashion. For each self-help component, practical strategies and techniques are given to the reader. The concluding chapter integrates all the content with practical, real-life scenarios.
The Review
What a compelling and engaging story and guide. The author did a remarkable job of finding the perfect balance between telling his father’s story and relating it to the lessons life has to offer. The author’s writing style is so unique, moving between honest conversation and insightful dialogue that address issues that can lead to detrimental problems in a person’s life, from toxicity to the impact media has on a person’s mindset, and so much more.
I loved how the author laid out his father’s and the other two people’s personal experiences of the incident slowly throughout the book. This style allowed the reader to not only consume the story in an almost episodic format but also see how each part of the story applied to the lessons the author imparted, from self-care and confronting trauma to even getting the wife’s perspective, discussing how his mother dealt with the accident, and so much more.
The Verdict
Insightful, engaging, and memorable, author Eric Fisher’s “Buried Alive” is a must-read inspirational nonfiction read. The way the author writes in a way that feels almost therapeutic, allowing him to express the feelings and emotions that came from a powerful incident for so many people while also giving readers a guide that gives them the tools to examine their own situations, made this book feel so important and valuable that readers will turn to it time and time again in their lives. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Eric Fisher is a certified counsellor based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has over 13 years of experience working in outpatient and inpatient treatment settings in the US and Canada. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. Eric’s private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families locally and remotely. He also works as an associate for local clinics in the surrounding area. In the past, Eric has supervised master’s-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. Additionally, Eric has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. Eric enjoys hiking and riding his bike outdoors, trying new foods, travelling near and far, and meeting people.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Betty Jane Hegerat shares a collection of short stories that explore the regrets and lessons people learn in life in the book “Elephants in the Room.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Fourteen jewel-like stories unveil the tender chaos of lives unlived and loves unspoken
In Elephants in the Room, Betty Jane Hegerat masterfully uncovers the quiet fractures of ordinary lives—the unspoken regrets, the buried griefs, and the fragile threads of connection that bind families across generations.
From a devoted son’s frantic dash to help his mother glimpse the Queen to a reluctant father’s stunned reunion with the daughter he never knew, from a woman dressing her mother-in-law for an eternal rest to a boy’s guilty reckoning with a bully’s untimely death, these unforgettable stories illuminate the elephants in our lives we ignore at our peril.
With tender wit and unflinching insight, Hegerat explores the weight of what we leave unsaid: the ache of lost chances, the solace of small mercies, and the stubborn grit that carries us through. As poignant as a stolen glance, as resonant as a half-forgotten lullaby, the stories in Elephants in the Room whisper the unvarnished secrets of family ties—where regrets loom large, and small acts of grace light the way home.
The Review
These stories have such a significant impact on the reader. The relatability and depth of emotion each story brings to life are fantastic, and the vivid imagery it uses really brings the settings and characters to life on the page. The versatility of the characters and the way each felt unique and different from those in previous stories made the narrative’s pacing feel fast-paced and the atmosphere enveloping.
The heart of the story was the introspective journey each story took readers on. The story Jawbreaker stood out, as the reader is presented with a tense parental situation that a great-grandmother witnesses. The story not only highlighted the tension and wrongs both parties were part of, but also the feeling of helplessness in a situation with no winners and a child caught in the middle. This story reflected the open-ended nature of many of these stories, as if catching snapshots of people’s lives in a moment in time.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, engaging, and memorable, author Betty Jane Hegerat’s “Elephants in the Room” is a must-read anthology of unforgettable genre fiction stories. The creativity and the relatability of these characters and their stories will resonate with so many readers and keep them engaged until the final story’s end. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Calgary author Betty Jane Hegerat was a social worker in a long-ago life. The stories she has written since she left that career behind reflect an ongoing need to make sense of conflict and chaos in relationships, and to find moments of laughter and even glimmers of redemption. That seriousness aside, she loves the Calgary writing community. She has taught at the Alexandra Writers’ Centre, Fernie Writers’ Conference, for Continuing Education at the U of C, and was Writer in Residence for the Calgary Public Library. In 2015 she was honoured to receive the Writers Guild of Alberta Golden Pen Award for lifetime achievement in writing. Betty Jane’s stories have been published in anthologies and magazines. She has five previous books: a novel, Running Toward Home (Newest Press), collection of stories, A Crack in the Wall (Oolichan Books), another novel, Delivery (Oolican Books), and two YA novels, Odd One Out (Oolichan Books) and The Boy (Oolichan Books). The Boy is a French braid of investigative journalism, fiction, memoir, and meta-fiction. The book was shortlisted for the Calgary Book Prize, High Plains Book Awards, and Alberta Writers Guild Wilfrid Eggleston Non-Fiction award.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Patrick Sangimino shares the experiences of a lifetime as a sports reporter as he faces a seemingly latest end as the newspaper industry crumbles in the book “Dogs Chase Cars.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
“Dogs Chase Cars” details the downturn in the newspaper industry through the eyes of a longtime Kansas City sports columnist, who is driving to work on a November Friday, expecting to be the latest casualty in a business that has shed far too much blood in recent years. It takes place over a single day, but flashes back to those seminal moments – from covering a World Series game in 1989 that was halted by a 7.1 earthquake to accidently breaking the story of a Hall of Fame quarterback’s rumored trade while doing his business at a urinal – that stand out in a storied career. It’s a tale of changing times, changing technology and the ignorance and arrogance of the industry’s decision makers, who assumed the profits of the past would never wane.
The Review
A truly insightful and engaging story, the author does a marvelous job of finding the perfect balance between personal life stories and experiences within the newspaper industry. The honesty and passion for the sports and newspaper industries came through perfectly in the author’s writing, with an almost conversational tone that made readers feel immersed in the author’s life.
The heart of the stories told in this book is the themes the author explores and the memorable moments from both a sports and a newspaper perspective. From the baseball game that was halted by a shocking earthquake, to an interview with legend Hal McRae that shocked readers and so much more, the author’s anecdotes were perfectly paired with the author’s experiences and lessons, from the first time he was enthralled with another person’s story to the lessons he learned from his father’s journey to starting over in a new city having a significant impact on his career and so much more.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, compelling, and engaging, author Patrick Sangimnio’s “Dogs Chase Cars” is a must-read nonfiction book about the newspaper industry. The imagery in the author’s writing allows readers to experience vivid moments the author lived through, coming together to create a clear image of the author’s life for readers to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Patrick Sangimino worked as a journalist for over forty years, writing for large newspapers throughout California and the Midwest. He worked during the print journalism golden age and saw it slowly shift into the digital age. From beat reporter to award-winning columnist, Patrick wrote about some of the biggest sporting stories of all time, including eight seasons of the National Football League, World Series games, and local legends who made athletic history.
A self-described “ink-in-the-veins” writer, Patrick was not merely a journalist, he was a weaver of tales. His craft was motivated by a native curiosity, relentless doggedness in pursuit of fact, and the deeply human understanding that accompanied membership in the communities he served. His columns were read devotionally, acclaimed for their humor, pathos, and biting acuity.
Having retired in 2024, Patrick devoted himself to fiction. But whereas his columns were anchored firmly in the real world, so too is his fiction. Dogs Chase Cars is his first novel, but it feels like the accumulation of a lifetime of experience unvarnished, perceptive, sometimes self-aware, always uncompromisingly truthful.
Sangimino now spends his retirement doing what he’s always done best writing. Whether looking back or making up stories for the future, his pen still pursues meaning, memory, and perhaps a little bit of mischief.
Please enjoy this special guest post from author Sherri L. Dodd
Advertisements
When I began writing the Murder, Tea, and Crystals Trilogy, I wanted the story to be authentic, and realized that I would need to reach beyond my own insufficient knowledge of modern-day paganism. Luckily, I had met a couple of witches at my local crystal shop and had recently hosted a Halloween party where the tarot reader informed me that she, too, was a witch. Three to share, and the latter gave me a taste of the lifestyle. Not wanting to go alone, I invited her to attend a Samhain event with me. Her response was, “Oh no. I don’t go to those things because everyone is always trying to out-witch each other.”
So, I found with today’s witchcraft movement. Like the Christian denomination, to be a witch is a very general term. When you say someone is Christian, you know they believe in one God, and Jesus as the son of God sacrificed himself for mankind. Voila—neatly wrapped in a nutshell. But fine-tuning leads to disputes, such as Catholics believe that Mary was a virgin, 7th Day Adventists hold Saturday as the Sabbath, and the Christian Scientist enforces healing through prayer, alone. Look at the holy wars which have shown everyone thinks it’s their way or the highway. If you think that is chaotic, try putting Neo-Paganism into a tidy catchall box.
First, there are many core belief systems—Celtic, Greek, Norse, and Roman Pantheons, to name a few. A witch can worship anyone from Hekate to Brigid to Saturn to your favorite Marvel character; he, that carries a big thick hammer. Further, sometimes you worship more than just one God or Goddess. You can worship two, three, or ten. Occasionally the many different deities are from the same source—in Hindu’s case, Brahman. That means, one witch may worship Kali, yet, the witch worshiping Ganesh is tapping into the same Hindu divine power. Finally, the priests of the Salem Trials probably roll in their tombs knowing that some Christians consider themselves witches through their ability to heal or manifest. This, I know, because my mother has shared that when she was a teen, my devout Baptist grandmother proclaimed herself “a witch for Christ.”
To me, this is all quite fascinating. I have studied different religions and philosophies since my early twenties, so witchcraft falls aptly into the subject. BUT, for some reason—feminist witches blame the oppressive patriarchy—witchcraft remains taboo. Even today, if you put a book entitled Green Witchcraft II on your coffee table or a copy of Modern Witchcraft on your nightstand, your housecleaner may start rumors that you worship the devil or are a nutcase who believes in magick. Either way, I have found that to be a misrepresentation of the today’s modern witchcraft.
Another challenge when writing about witchcraft is the reverence factor. While I respectfully pursue this venture, I believe, as with all measures of spirituality, I can only graze another person’s truth when writing about core belief systems. No matter what is written, some will agree, and some will want to write their congressman about the spread of false information. Luckily, being a redhead since long before it was cute, I have learned to ignore what others think of me or what I write, and this includes my thorough study of witchcraft. I laugh off the derision. Actually, now, I cackle.
Book Summary
At the age of eight, Arista Kelly was frantically swept up by her parents and whisked off to an isolated town in the California redwoods. Two days later, her parents were gone.
Now at the age of twenty-three, she has settled quite nicely into an eclectic lifestyle, much like her great aunt, and guardian since childhood, Bethie. She enjoys the use of herbs and crystals to help her commune with the energy and nature around her and finds pleasure in the company of her beloved pet, Royal. Usually quite satisfied with her mundane life high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, life becomes unsettling when a new recurring vision of an ominous tattoo as well as increased activity from the ghostly presence within her own cottage invade her once-harmonious existence.
But life in this mountain sanctuary takes an even darker turn when the body of Arista’s former classmate is found in the nearby river. As other young young women fall prey to a suspected serial killer, Arista realizes that the terror is coming to her.
The Review
This was such a compelling, gripping murder-mystery-meets-witchy-supernatural-horror YA thriller. The natural fusion of genres was so well done in this novel, and the visceral imagery between the gorgeous Santa Cruz mountains and the chilling murders that drive this narrative forward, all come together to create a stunning blend of romance/fantasy meets YA supernatural occult horror read that is intense and inviting all at once.
The heart of the narrative is really the character dynamics. Arista is a compelling protagonist, taking the reader on a personal journey of growth as she goes from a studious, harmonious witch connected to the natural world around her to a strong, powerful young woman who is thrust into a shocking mystery and uncovers new abilities and secrets she never thought possible. The small-town setting becomes a character in itself, adding depth to the unfolding mystery and significantly elevating the tension and atmosphere with each chapter.
The Verdict
Thrilling, compelling, and entertaining, author Sherri L. Dodd’s “Murder Under Redwood Moon” is a must-read novel. The twists and turns this story takes, the slew of suspects that keep the reader engaged as the plot unravels, and the monster at the end of the book are all revealed. The compelling character dynamics will keep readers on the edge of their seats and eager for the next entry in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Sherri was raised in southeast Texas. Walking barefoot most days and catching crawdads as they swam the creek beds, she had a love for all things free and natural. Her childhood ran rampant with talk of ghosts, demons, and backcountry folklore. This inspired her first short story for sale about a poisonous flower that shot toxins onto children as they smelled it. Her classmate bought it for all the change in his pocket. It was not long after that her mother packed the two of them up and headed to the central coast of California. She has ping-ponged throughout the area ever since.
Her first real step into writing was the non-fiction fitness book, Mom Looks Great – The Fitness Program for Moms published in 2005, and maintaining its accompanying blog. Now, transmuting the grief of her father’s passing, she has branched into Fiction, specifically the genre of Paranormal Thriller with generous dashes of Magick Realism! Her Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy released book one – Murder Under Redwood Moon – in March 2024. Book two – Moonset on Desert Sands – released in March 2025, and the final book in the series – Hummingbird Moonrise – became #1 New Release in Occult Supernatural on Amazon in October 2025!
Join us as we celebrate the launch of the the first book in Sherri Dodd’s Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy: Murder Under the Redwood Moon. Read an interview with the author and enter to win the whole trilogy. Two winners!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Nicole Fronek shares a tested-and-true guide to shaping one’s career path and moving forward in the book “Corporate Coach Approach.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
In the modern corporate environment, career advancement does not typically occur by chance, but rather through intentional action. Corporate Coach Approach – A Systematic Guide to Career Development was created to help individuals shape their career path while navigating the complexities of the workplace.
Recent graduates and seasoned professionals alike benefit from real-world experience accompanied by narratives to exemplify the subject at hand. Inclusion of relevant case studies provides readers with insight to the development of the tried-and-tested methods found throughout this book. Topics include areas such as establishing a personal brand, stakeholder engagement, and taking action to drive productivity.
Content presented in a consolidated format is aimed at identifying possibilities to heighten visibility, thereby showcasing capabilities. Each point covered integrates an evaluation of actual scenarios encountered and concludes with a summary reinforcing key concepts. This structure offers a quick yet informative view into the ‘best of the best practices’ and practical strategies for situations frequently found in the work environment.
Whether the aim is to increase confidence, maximize advancement opportunities, or retool an established career, Corporate Coach Approach – A Systematic Guide to Career Development, serves as an ‘all-purpose’ manual for a range of industries and skill levels. Although a cover-to- cover reading is encouraged, each chapter is designed to stand on its own, providing guidance when it matters most – the moment it’s needed.
The Review
Immediately, I was struck by how organized and detailed the book was. The author’s writing style is clear and pointed, giving readers immediate access to valuable insights that are geared towards career advancement. The fast pacing of the book and what I like to call the re-readability factor of this book, which showcases the knowledge that allows readers to go back time and time again to learn and adapt to new situations using tried strategies, was on full display in the author’s writing and kept readers fully engaged throughout the book.
The balance the author found in thorough guidance through each chapter and the steps found within, with the detailed evidence and tests the author provided to prove how these strategies work, was remarkable. Lessons such as engaging a unique personal brand that allows businesses to perceive you a certain way, to being able to convey specific ideas and knowledge through professional presentations in the workspace and so much more had a significant impact on the reader as the book progressed, and even touching upon how AI can be a helpful tool but is not in any way an answer or solution to a problem added depth to the author’s lessons overall.
The Verdict
Compelling, engaging, and thought-provoking, author Nicole Fronek’s “Corporate Coach Approach” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and career management. A fast-paced yet detailed and profound read, the author does a remarkable job of providing a grounded, deep guide to career growth and excellence that will inspire and educate readers equally. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Known as “The Coach”, Nicole has supported Fortune 100 firms inclusive of CBRE, Chevron, HP, Citigroup, and Marriott International. With two decades of experience in project management and client services, she has built her career on a foundation of helping others achieve their goals.
.
Nicole holds a BA in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, and an MSc in Project Management from The University of Liverpool. Publications include Corporate Coach Approach – A Systematic Guide to Career Development.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A hard-working bee must stop to smell the flowers in author Kalee Boisvert’s “Bernice, the Busiest of Bees.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Meet Bernice-the busiest bee in the entire meadow. With her tiny bucket hat, neatly packed pollen pouch, and a to-do list longer than a dragonfly’s tail, Bernice is always buzzing from one task to the next.
While the other bees take breaks and enjoy the sunshine, Bernice prides herself on never wasting a wingbeat. That is, until the Queen Bee steps in with an unexpected royal decree:
Mandatory vacation-three whole days!
At first, Bernice doesn’t know what to do without her checklist. But as the meadow slows her down, she begins to notice the world she’s been flying past-the dancing daisies, the giggling children, the joy of simply being a bee.
Through playful language and heartwarming humor, Bernice, the Busiest of Bees reminds readers of all ages that even the hardest workers need time to rest, breathe, and rediscover the wonder around them.
Perfect for children who love nature-and grown-ups who forget to use their vacation days.
The Review
This was such a cute little story for children that had both an important message and fun characters. The warmth of the illustrations is instantly eye-catching, and the amount of story the author can fit into such a short amount of time will delight children and parents alike as they get wrapped up in Bernice’s adventures.
The core of this story, of course, is its heartfelt message. Hard work is an admirable trait in a person, and yet working 24/7 and neglecting to have a life outside of work is a fast track to burnout. The lessons Bernice has to learn to stop and enjoy the little things in life and to find their own joy outside of work are commendable, and speak to the balance young people need to see in their own lives as they grow and move forward.
The Verdict
Fun, heartfelt, and entertaining, author Kalee Boisvert’s “Bernice, the Busiest of Bees” is a must-read children’s illustrated story. The inviting and engaging story, the volume of world-building the author accomplishes in this book, and the delightful illustrations that help hone in on the heart of this story’s theme will keep young readers and parents alike returning to this story time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
Kalee Boisvert has spent over fifteen years in the financial industry, driven by a desire to rewrite the money story she grew up with. Raised in a single-parent household, she became passionate early on about financial empowerment and helping others create freedom and confidence through money.
But her path didn’t stop there.
Over time, Kalee’s work expanded into something deeper: a soul-level invitation for women to remember who they are. Today, she writes both financial and spiritual books—offering practical tools, tender truth, and gentle reminders that you are already enough.
She is the author of MoneyWise Mabel’s Bursting Bank, a children’s book on financial empowerment, Make Money Your Thing, a guide to owning your wealth journey, and The Remembered Woman, a soul conversation for the one who’s waking up to herself.
Kalee lives in Canada with her daughter Ivy and son Jax, who continually remind her of the magic in presence, play, and wonder.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Duane Deason shares the practical use of a cost management center to make a company leaner and more profitable in the book “Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance.”
Advertisements
The Synopsis
Operationally Svelte Unleashes Growth, Innovation, and Profit
An “operationally svelte” organization means it is lean, flexible, and efficient.
Organizational bloat creeps into companies as they grow. It dulls cutting-edge innovation, slows responses to changing economic conditions, whittles down profitability, and hinders growth. You will not curtail it by doing what you have always done. Companies need a new strategy.
In Operationally Svelte, author Duane Deason presents a refreshing approach to making an organization lean and unleashing its potential: create a Cost Management Center. Think of it this way—while your Sales team focuses on revenue, your Cost Management Center team focuses on managing and controlling costs throughout the organization.
Get step-by-step guidance to establish a Cost Management Center and eliminate the common culprits of waste and inefficiency. Then dive into strategies to maximize its effectiveness and transform your company for optimal performance, enhanced growth, superior innovation, and increased profit.
The Review
This was such a powerful and insightful read for those in leadership roles within a business. The author found a great strategy that greatly balances the need to manage a business’s daily costs while also allowing staff to innovate and grow as a company. The author’s writing style is very detailed and practical, speaking to innovators and business leaders who have a firm grasp of the technical details but can connect with the author’s messaging and outline for the cost management center.
The concept of a svelte organization is a powerful one: running a lean, mean operation that improves sales and growth. Yet oftentimes, overreaching to cut costs inefficiently can stifle that growth. The author’s deep dive into the ways a cost management center would help create the necessary oversight over the expenses incurred by your business was remarkable to get into, from understanding the differences in costs per items/tasks, to tackling the use of technology and emerging AI, to creating a cost management center by finding key team members and outlining the responsibilities of the center going forward. The author also covers many areas in this realm, from those that incur higher costs to those on the horizon, giving readers a wealth of details to engage with.
The Verdict
Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable, author Duane Deason’s “Operationally Svelte” is a must-read nonfiction business read. The depth of information and the clear, precise way the author writes and conveys it through solid, insightful frameworks that business leaders can follow thoroughly. This is one book readers and leaders can return to time and time again for guidance. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
Advertisements
About the Author
I am the author of Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance. I wrote the book to take cost management out of the shadows, to explore why current strategies are failing, and to provide a more optimal solution. Companies owe their employees, customers, and shareholders an organization that is lean and best prepared to fend off competition, weather economic downturns, and adapt to organizational change. Svelte companies are not only more profitable but also experience a higher level of performance and innovation when compared to their peers.
I spend much of my time advocating, speaking, and educating on the topic of cost management. To pay the bills, I serve as President of The Efficacy Group, where I provide cost management advisory and consulting services. My early career was with PwC followed by starting my first business that provided financial support for companies undergoing transactions. After selling the business, I assumed the role of CFO at one of my former clients that was doing the typical titanic after the dot-com bust in the early 2000s. It was during that time as CFO when I fell in love with cost management. The feeling of saving a company from certain bankruptcy felt more rewarding than the prior acquisitions and initial public offerings that I had supported.
The last 25 years of my career have been dedicated to cost management in one form or another. I’ve had the privilege of working with many companies of varying sizes and industries. Through that, I observed patterns that resulted in success and others that led to deterioration. Among these patterns was the realization that companies that failed to prioritize cost management would eventually fail. Just like life, companies can’t outgrow their problems. Hence, I decided to dedicate my career to helping companies lower costs and operate more efficiently without hindering growth or innovation.
I am a Certified Public Accountant and have an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.
