Tag: book review

The Girl Who Changed The World by Machiel Hoek Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Machiel Hoek’s ” The Girl Who Changed The World, ” a young girl’s journey to make small changes that change the world will inspire readers to learn the power of thoughts and small actions on the greater scale of the universe.

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The Synopsis

Dive into “The Girl Who Changed The World,” where Lisa’s journey of self-discovery unravels the mysteries of life, guided by her enigmatic grandfather and the secrets he holds.

Explore the balance of ancient wisdom and modern insights as Lisa navigates through the complexities of truth and reality, reshaping her understanding of herself and the world around her.

In this book, you will:

  • Discover the power of thoughts and actions to shape your reality.
  • Learn the importance of balance between doing and being in life.
  • Explore the transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
  • Uncover the secrets of fulfillment and personal growth.
  • Embrace a narrative that celebrates the influence of feminine energy in changing the world.

The Girl Who Changed The World weaves a tapestry of inspiration and allegory, appealing to readers of all ages with its message of empowerment and transformation. This book challenges perceptions and invites readers on a journey of self-reflection and empowerment.

Embark on a journey of discovery and empowerment and discover the power within you to shape your reality!

The Review

What a delightful, impactful read. The author does an incredible job of weaving together a heartfelt story of a young woman discovering her impact on the world and our power to shape reality as we see it. The emotional connection shared between Lisa and her grandfather and the philosophical and equally emotional conversations that spark this book’s journey will resonate with young readers and anyone looking for a more spiritual or intellectual journey through life.

The author’s creativity in developing a fictional story that can be used as a guide through a mental, spiritual, and emotional journey of self-made this a compelling narrative. The lessons taught throughout these characters’ stories were incredible, from each person having their own “reality” to learning to forgive yourself and others, following your dreams, and more, and the impact we can have on one another was remarkably demonstrated throughout this story.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and insightful author Machiel Hoek’s “The Girl Who Changed the World” is a deeply personal and inspiring read. The metaphysical YA novel melds ideas of philosophy and spirituality together eloquently. The twists and turns in the actual story and the relatability of the characters only serve to emphasize the events of this narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Live life forward in confidence, afterwards everything will fall into place. In other words, It all makes sense, everything is correct. I live and do business from this vision. I like to keep it simple, because it doesn’t have to be complicated. Improving the world is something I like to contribute to.

It’s the deeper layers in life that intrigue me. What drives us and why do we do things the way we do? Over the years I have received my answers to these questions and with this I help people, entrepreneurs, on their way to a life based on trust and relaxation.

Originally I come from the analytical financial world, the people around me always liked it if I could give them new insights when they got stuck on personal / business issues. As a partner at a real estate company and at my current company, I have always been able to use my connecting and coaching skills in conflicts or misunderstandings to bring parties closer together for good cooperation. From my vision that the world is a mirror of yourself, we always come to very enlightening insights and solutions.

It often turns out that private and business overlap, can strengthen each other, but can also weaken if there is an imbalance in one of the two.

From all the training I have done in the field of personal development, coaching and mediation, I have developed my own approach. From all this knowledge, wisdom and life experience, my book ‘The girl who changed the world’ also emerged.

At IT ALL MAKES SENSE, Jennet and I both look at how we can make your life lighter and more relaxing together with you.

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What’s Eating Our Kids? A Parent’s Guide to Food Allergy, Intolerance and Toxicity by Julie A. Wendt, MD Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Julie A Wendt, MD, shares the causes and solutions for severe food allergies and how they can impact you as a parent in the book “What’s Eating Our Kids? A Prent’s Guide to Food Allergy, Intolerance, and Toxicity”.

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The Synopsis

What’s Eating Our Kids? A parents’ guide to food allergy, intolerance, and toxicity

What is eating our kids? More and more of us parents are asking that question. There has been a steep increase in the number of allergic reactions and in the number of patients who can no longer tolerate food without absolute misery. Have you, as a loving parent, ever felt helpless in your struggles to figure out your child’s food allergies, reactions, and aversions? Do you wonder why this is happening? Most importantly, I hope you haven’t given up, because this book will help guide you or your child to the relief you’ve been waiting for.

You are not alone: I’m an allergy parent too. I have been through my son’s severe eczema as a baby, dealt with a multitude of his allergies as a boy and young man, and managed the lactose intolerance of my teenage daughter. Whether you’re a new or an experienced allergy parent, the emotional stresses and strains of managing your family’s allergies are really challenging.

What’s Eating Our Kids? contains information key to understanding the causes of your suffering: food allergy, intolerance, and toxicity. I break down the most common (and some not-so-common) food reactions and walk through the symptoms, specific medical conditions, and the diagnosis, testing, and treatment process.

I wrote this book to guide parents and allergic children to and through proven solutions that will ease their allergies, reactions, and the stress. You can live a normal life, even with severe allergies.

The Review

This was a thoughtfully curated and insightful read. The author did an incredible job of educating readers while writing in a way that allowed readers to understand the presented information. The details the author poured into this book cover the basics of food allergies, recognizing the symptoms surrounding food allergy reactions, and so much more.

The author hit on one particular allergy my family is accustomed to: Celiac disease. So often, gluten-free food is made the butt of a joke, as many people have used this particular food as a fad diet in social circles. Yet the truth is so many people with Celiac Disease have terrible allergies to gluten, and the most significant impact comes from the effect it has on the person’s gastrointestinal tract, making understanding this allergy so important. 

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The Verdict

Engaging, thoughtful, and insightful author Julie A. Wendt, MD’s “What’s Eating Your Children?” is a must-read nonfiction book. The information and re-readability that readers will find when returning to this guidebook time and time again will help readers understand the illnesses and allergies that can impact those closest to them, especially their children, and how to help those individuals when facing the complex problems that can arise from triggering that allergy. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. Wendt earned B.S. degrees with honors in biochemistry and biology from the University of Illinois, a degree in microbiology and immunology from Vanderbilt University, and her M.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. She completed her residency and fellowship at Rush University.

In private practice since 2005, Dr. Wendt has published a great deal of research. She has received the American Medical Association Physician’s Recognition Award, a Patient Choice Award, and is noted as one of America’s Top Physicians. Dr. Wendt is a former President of the Arizona Allergy and Asthma Society.

Mind Your Steps: A Thought Walk Meditation Practice by James Steed Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author James Teed explains in “Mind Your Steps: A Thought Walk Meditation Practice” how to shed negative unconscious thoughts and bring humor and happiness into one’s life.

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The Synopsis

Buddha said every movement begins with a thought. If so, then each step you take begins and ends with a thought, which means by walking you are going from one thought to another thought. What’s going on between the thoughts?

Buddhism has a mindfulness practice known as walking meditation. While walking and trying to remain mindful of each step (thought), you discover you have a dramatic soap opera of unhelpful extraneous internal messed-up conversations going on with yourself, with others, and with the universe. These intrude upon your peace of mind and derail your mindful attention to your steps (life).

Mind Your Steps shows you how to call them out of your unconscious mind and gives your the tools to neutralize them by labeling them while acknowledging their presence or self-administering CT and CBT approaches to challenge or correct them before replacing them back into your unconscious mind and walking on, thereby harnessing the power of your unconscious to improve your daily life. Mind Your Steps presents an easily applied self-help approach to anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental and emotional discomfort.

Regular 40-minute practice of this surprisingly simple manual stops self-sabotage and introduces humor and happiness into your life.

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The Review

This was a compelling nonfiction read on meditation and the power of walking. The average reader can ascertain the physical benefits of walking, but the depth and detail the author goes into regarding the mental and psychological benefits, as well as the spiritual benefits, that walking can have on a person’s mind was so enthralling that it was easy to get lost in it. 

The fast pace of the book and the educational aspect of the book melded with the author’s background and experiences perfectly. The techniques the author describes in this particular meditation, from learning the “I Know” method of confronting negative thoughts to retraining your unconscious thoughts to become more beneficial and less detrimental by utilizing the spaces between thoughts in much the same way thoughts are dealt with in between steps in a walk; the author gives readers a fresh new perspective on mental health and meditation as a whole.

The Verdict

An insightful, engaging, and memorable book, author James Steed’s “Mind Your Steps” is a must-read nonfiction book on mental health, meditation, and the balance between spirituality and psychology. The use and practice that the author gives readers to be able to learn these techniques will have readers returning to this guide time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

James Steed is an author, professor, editor of medical and scientific research, designer, and human potential consultant. He holds advanced degrees in Art Education, Chinese, and Language Education as well as multiple certificates in neurolinguistic programming, intuitive and Ericksonian hypnotherapy, and insight meditation. Having helped clients and students overcome their obstacles and reach their goals for more than 30 years, he is now semi-retired and devoted to helping the world by publishing books on various topics and uploading audio programs that benefit humankind on Insight Timer and other platforms as well as his pages: zen-x com tw and thesilentmutiny com. His hobbies include permaculture, food forest farming, and advocating for social, economic, and environmental justice.

The Lost Art of Magic: Tome I by Jonni Jordyn Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A teen girl unlocks and releases magic back into the world and faces the dark forces who will kill to have it all to themselves in author Jonni Jordyn’s “The Lost Art of Magic: Tome I”.

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The Synopsis

Magic has been lost for centuries, and when 16-year-old Destiny stumbles upon it, she accidentally unlocks it for all the descendants of the ancient clans, but some of them want it only for themselves and are willing to kill to keep it.

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The Review

What a powerful and unique magical novel. The narrative takes off immediately, showcasing a deadly war between witches and their ancient enemies. The protagonist, Destiny, makes a strong impression as she revels in releasing her magical gifts, a first in centuries, and yet stays true to herself, forging her path forward despite her ancestors’ and grandmother’s insistence on learning the ancient ways. The even pacing allows the world-building and mythology the author has established to take hold, enveloping the narrative with creativity and heart.

The imagery of the author’s writing style and the rich storytelling that the author brought to life on the page were superb. The action and chaos that erupt upon Destiny unlocking magic keep the adrenaline flowing, and the character development is so dynamic on the page, from Destiny’s strong protagonist role to her connection to characters like Blake or Marvalaine to the vile villain who will stop at nothing to claim her power. 

The Verdict

Heartfelt, compelling, and entertaining author Jonni Jordyn’s “The Lost Art of Magic: Tome I” is a must-read magical fantasy and supernatural adventure. The narrative’s twists and turns and powerful themes of good versus evil create a new and buzzworthy series that will keep fans on the edge of their seats for book two. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on September 13th, 2024 or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jonni Jordyn, born in Oakland, Ca, started out playing music at age two, and moved on to singing and acting in grade school. High School introduced writing and film making followed by drawing and photography in college. In other words, she had a VERY LIBERAL arts education.

Jonni published some poetry and some india ink drawings in literary magazines while in college, won critical acclaim for her acting in a cabaret theater, but was faced with a decision to pick out the arts she wanted to pursue.

Of all the available opportunities, music and song writing won the first round when she found herself performing with legendary stars of the sixties and seventies.

Round two began years later, after leaving California for Arizona. It all started with a blank piece of paper and the question, “how can I possibly write more than eleven thousand words for a single story?” A valid question which was followed up a year later with, “How did I ever write 160,000 words?”

Now, the writing comes much easier, but still there are questions like, “How will I ever get all these ideas written down?” followed closely by, “How many times can I edit the same book?”

Jonni currently lives in Colorado with her bird.

The Glass Lodge: 20th Anniversary Edition by John Brady McDonald Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author and poet John Brady McDonald presents the work that gave birth to a powerful poet in the book “The Glass Lodge: 20th Anniversary Edition”.

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The Synopsis

John Brady McDonald, MBSFA, a Nêhiyawak-Métis multidisciplinary artist and writer from Treaty Six Territory in Saskatchewan, Canada, is an award-winning author of multiple books who has presented at literary festivals around the world. Before all this, however, he was a young, urban Indigenous youth, struggling with addictions, the streets, and the pain and turmoil of intergenerational trauma as a residential school survivor and the child of residential school survivors.

These raw, lyrical poems are a glimpse of the birth of a poet, recklessly using language and words with abandon and without restraint. It is the poetry of an individual experimenting with the language, mixing the influences of Shakespeare and Jim Morrison with the teenage-Goth writing style of youth-the base metals from which a lifetime of words was forged.

Originally published by Kegedonce Press in 2004, The Glass Lodge was presented across Canada and the United States at esteemed festivals. Chosen for the First Nations Communities Read program, it was also nominated for the Anskohk Aboriginal Book of the Year in 2005.

Now, here is that seminal work in a brand-new edition, re-edited and restored, illustrated with images of many of the original, handwritten poems, and with author’s notes providing frank, fascinating insight into what gave rise to each of these verses: the outpouring of language that marked the birth of a remarkable writer.

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The Review

A masterful and compelling read, author John Brady McDonald does a fantastic job of conveying the emotional experiences and intense emotions that defined his young life at the time of the original publishing of this collection. The imagery and artistic nature of the writing kept the reader engaged with the experiences the author was writing about, sharing that emotional bond that good poetry forms between poet and reader. 

The powerful themes and the deep cuts accompanying each poem were the heart of this collection. The early poems deal with some of the toughest, darkest experiences in the author’s life, from bullying and addiction to so much more, while later poems speak of the lens through young writers’ view of love without the decades of experience that follow. The author wrote each poem with a new glimpse into the actions and experiences that they embodied and engaged with the reader in a whole new light.

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The Verdict

Thoughtfully curated, engaging, and an emotional collection, author John Brady McDonald’s “The Glass Lodge: 20th Century Edition” is a must-read poetry collection. The fast pacing and the personal themes the author explored with such honesty and creativity will keep readers coming back to this collection over and over again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

John Brady McDonald, MBFSA, is a Nehiyawak-Metis writer, artist, historian, musician, playwright, actor and activist born and raised in  Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He is from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the Mistawasis Nehiyawak.  The great-great-great grandson of Chief Mistawasis of the Plains Cree, as well as the grandson of famed Metis leader Jim Brady, John’s writings and artwork have been displayed in various publications, private and permanent collections and galleries around the world, including the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.  John is one of the founding members of the P.A. Lowbrow art movement, and served as Vice President of the Indigenous Peoples Artists Collective for nearly a decade. John also served a term as vice-chair of the Board of Directors for Spark Theatre, and as a Senator with the Indigenous Council Committee of CUPE Saskatchewan. 

John is the author of several books, and has had his written works published and presented around the globe.

John has studied at England’s prestigious University of Cambridge, where in July 2000 he made international headlines by symbolically ‘discovering’ and ‘claiming’ England for the First Peoples of the Americas. John is also an acclaimed public speaker, who has presented in venues across the globe, such as the Anskohk Aboriginal Literature Festival, the Black Hills Seminars on Reclaiming Youth, The Appalachian Mountain Seminars, the Edmonton and Fort McMurray Literary Festival, the Eden Mills Writers Festival and at the Ottawa International Writers Festival. John was also included in the Aboriginal Artists and Performers Inventory for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC. 

John’s artwork and writing have been nominated for several awards, and he is the winner of the 2024 Saskatchewan Book Awards Non-fiction Award and Indigenous People’s Writing Award.  He has been honoured with several grants from the Saskatchewan Arts Board.  

A noted polymath, John lives in Northern Saskatchewan.

https://artbyjohnmcdonald.weebly.com

Sufferance by Charles Palliser Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

One family must make difficult decisions while protecting a young girl during a hostile invasion of their country during WWII in author Charles Palliser’s “Sufferance”. 

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The Synopsis

From the author of the international bestseller The Quincunx

Set in Eastern Europe during the Second World War. When his nation is invaded and occupied by a brutal enemy, a well-intentioned man persuades his wife that they should give temporary shelter to a young girl who is at school with their daughter. He has no idea that the girl belongs to a community against whom the invader intends to commit genocide. Days stretch into weeks and then months while the enemy’s pitiless hatred of the girl’s community puts all of the family in danger. Nobody outside the family can be trusted with the dangerous secret and the threat from outside unlocks a darkness that threatens to derail them all. From the bestselling author of The Quincunx (over one million copies sold worldwide), comes a deeply unsettling psychological novel about the hideous decisions that people are forced to make when living under tyrannical regimes. 

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The Review

A genuinely haunting, compelling read, author Charles Palliser does an incredible job of capturing the tone and the atmosphere of a war-torn, occupied country. The honest yet chilling experiences and trauma that can come from living under such conditions and the lengths people are willing to go to survive were able to shine in this novel’s narrative. Yet, the psychological thriller aspects of this story, as one man faced the mind games and mental experiences of both a war survivor and a man, pushed to the edge, made this story one that couldn’t be put down.

The heart of the narrative lived through the strong themes that the author explored and the depth of these characters that were effortlessly brought to life. The exploration of the fruitless, seemingly worthless nature of heroism without reward speaks to the motivations that often serve mankind and holds a mirror to the darkest parts of ourselves in the process. This can be seen clearly in the narrator’s tale, showing the true motivations for helping this young girl and the mind games that develop from that point.

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The Verdict

Chilling, haunting, and enthralling, author Charles Palliser’s “Sufferance” is a must-read psychological thriller meets historical fiction novel. The thoughtful approach and contemplation of mankind’s motivations for acts of “heroism” and the downward spiral that can transpire when one’s motivations aren’t pure were perfectly illustrated throughout this novel, and the psychological aspect of this story will stay with readers as they return to this story time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Charles Palliser’s first novel, The Quincunx, became an international best-seller in 1990 and sold more than a million copies in ten languages. He has published five further novels: The Sensationist, Betrayals, The Unburied, Rustication, and, in 2024, Sufferance.

Charles Palliser has both US and Irish citizenship but has lived most of his life in the UK. After graduating from Oxford, he taught English Literature and Creative Writing at universities in England, Scotland, the US and France. He has taught workshops in creative writing for the Arvon Foundation as well as in France, Greece and Switzerland.

He became the first Deputy Editor of The Literary Review when it was founded in 1978. He has had one stage play produced and the BBC has broadcast two radio plays and a short film for television.

He lives in London.

The Quincunx was awarded the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction by the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters which is given for the best first novel published in North America. It was chosen by Waterstone’s as Book of the Month and it was short-listed for The Saltire New Author, the Yorkshire Post First Novel, and the Hawthornden Prize.

Divided (Book One in the Divided Series) by CC Robinson Review 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author CC Robinson’s ” Divided, ” the first in the series of the same name, a young man seeking freedom finds the opportunity in a rebellion building within a work camp under the iron rule of a dictator.

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The Synopsis

Impenetrable walls. Ethnic division. A ruthless dictator.

Escape. It’s all eighteen-year-old Marcos Sanchez can think about as he stares at the towering walls of Queenstown in the Federated Republic of America, the ruthless dictator Supreme Commander Martin’s stronghold. But with Marcos’s father controlling his life, freedom seems like an impossible dream. That is, until one daring move lands him in a secret labor camp, facing a future worse than death, and he encounters a secret rebel movement – The Underground.

But their rebellion won’t come without consequences. Martin and his toadies will stop at nothing to crush the Underground’s uprising, and the stakes are higher than ever. Will Marcos and his diverse group of friends’ determination and bravery be enough to free the camp, or will they too fall victim to Martin’s iron fist?

With thrilling action, unexpected betrayals, and a relentless quest for freedom, Divided is perfect for fans of YA dystopian fiction.

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The Review

What a compelling, gripping dystopian read. The author did an incredible job crafting a narrative that spoke to this world’s gritty reality. The mythos and world-building the story took on elevated the action and the drama that unfolded. The setting is unique in this story, as the story brings the reader into a divided land, with the imagery in the author’s writing capturing the nation’s divisiveness. 

The heart of this story resides in the character development and the themes that this story represents. The way the story mirrored our divisive world and the conflict in recent years spoke to the theme of oppression and overcoming the odds to find hope once more. The characters embodied this perfectly, and having multiple points of view allowed the reader to get a clearer picture of how the nation divided amongst itself.

The Verdict

A thrilling, compelling, and entertaining YA Dystopian read, author CC Robins’s “Divided” is a must-read novel. The twists and turns in the story and the emotional heart of this story as the characters band together and face overwhelming odds made this one story you wouldn’t want to put down and a great entry in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

CC Robinson is the debut author of the Divided series, a dystopian series set in a racially divided world. CC has more than two decades’ experience working in cross-cultural settings as both a medical doctor bringing healthcare to post-civil war nations around the globe and as an Associate Pastor at a multi-ethnic congregation led by an African-American man in Cincinnati, the setting for Divided. She wrote Divided out of concern for our nation’s divisiveness and racial hatred.

Divided is a dystopian series set in a racially divided world in which four teens meet in an underground rebel organization and must work together despite cultural differences to prevent the dictator’s nation-annihilating territory grab.

CC lives in Cincinnati with her husband, three Gen Z grown and flown kids, one cat who thinks he’s a dog and a real lap dog. When she’s not writing or working at her church, you can find CC in her garden, elbow deep in dirt. Follow her on socials or sign up for her monthly email newsletter on her website.

https://www.ccrobinsonauthor.com

Enrich Your Life: Top Hobbies for Men Over 50 by Q.T. Archer Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Q.T. Archer shares the passions and adventures that can enrich the lives of men over the age of 50 in the book “Enrich Your Life: Top Hobbies for Men Over 50”. 

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The Synopsis

“…will inspire readers to open new doors of their own—and renew their sense of purpose along the way.” – BookLife

Discover Your Next Great Adventure Beyond Fifty

Embrace a new chapter in life with Enrich Your Life, a comprehensive guide to redefining your passions and finding fulfillment after the age of fifty. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of outdoor exploration, the joy of creative expression, or the tranquility of inner peace, this book is your roadmap to a vibrant and enriching second act.

Unlock Adventure Hobbies

Embark on exhilarating journeys with chapters dedicated to adventure hobbies like hiking, fishing, motorcycling, and sailing. From scaling majestic peaks to navigating open waters, you’ll learn how to gear up, stay safe, and embark on unforgettable expeditions that invigorate the soul.

Ignite Creative Pursuits

Unleash your creativity with woodworking, photography, cooking, and writing. Whether crafting heirloom treasures, capturing timeless moments, mastering culinary delights, or penning your life’s story, you’ll find inspiration and guidance to express yourself in new and fulfilling ways.

Nourish Mind and Body Wellness

Nurture your well-being with practices like yoga, golfing, gardening, and dance. Cultivate flexibility, mental acuity, and inner peace as you engage in activities that promote physical health and emotional balance, ensuring your golden years are filled with vitality and vigor.

Stimulate Lifelong Learning

Fuel your curiosity with intellectual pursuits like chess, musical instruments, astronomy, and language learning. Sharpen your mind, explore new horizons, and connect with others through the joy of learning and discovery.

Embark on Your Next Great Adventure

With practical tips, inspiring stories, and resources for further exploration, Enrich Your Life is your guidebook to embracing the possibilities of life after fifty. Seize the opportunity to rediscover passion, purpose, and zest for life as you embark on a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment.

The Review

This was an excellent guide to life for those over 50 looking to embrace their life to the fullest. Hitting certain milestones in life can bring about different emotions and outlooks on their life’s direction and what the rest of the path forward looks like for them. The author does an incredible job of writing in a way that speaks and connects to the reader, demonstrating each activity and lesson in an easy-to-understand manner that feels very conversational.

The hobbies and activities in this book were spot-on with their demonstrations. From hiking and outdoor activities to photography, meditation, and golfing, each section spoke to a different person who would find it relatable and inspiring. As a writer, I significantly explored the writing section in this book, exploring everything from journaling to fiction writing.

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The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and engaging author Q.T. Archer’s “Enrich Your Life” is a must-read nonfiction book on living life to the fullest. The exploration of not only activity but knowledge and even building a legacy will resonate with so many readers. It shows that age isn’t a milestone to dread but a reminder to keep pursuing the things that matter most. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

The Mastery Guide of Tarot Reading: Practical Tips and Techniques for Channeling the Mystical Powers of the Cards by Aleena T. Grant Review + Guest Blog Post

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Aleena T. Grant shares the hidden meanings and ways of reading Tarot cards in the book “The Mastery Guide of Tarot Reading”.

The Synopsis

Unlock the power of the Tarot and transform your life with The Mastery Guide to Tarot Reading for beginners. Discover the hidden messages within each card and tap into your intuition to gain insight and enlightenment.

  • Gain practical tips and techniques for mastering the art of divination
  • Dive into the depths of the collective unconsciousness and experience the transformative power of the Tarot
  • Enhance your intuitive abilities and learn to read for yourself and others

In The Mastery Guide to Tarot Reading, you will discover:

  • Practical methods for interpreting card meanings
  • A detailed analysis of the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana
  • Techniques for mastering various spreads
  • Solutions for common issues encountered while reading
  • Ways to enhance your Tarot practice
  • How to read for others and offer guidance

Plus, a user-friendly manual in the back of the book provides a quick reference guide for all 78 tarot cards, including their corresponding meanings and interpretations for suits, court cards, numbers, symbolism, and colors, making your reading experience effortless and enjoyable.

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The Review

Aside from my passion for writing and reading, I am also a paranormal enthusiast, working as a paranormal investigator, podcaster, and researcher. I’ve always wanted to learn more about Tarot and how it can be applied to everyday life. This author does an incredible job of making Tarot accessible to mainstream audiences, delving into the history of Tarot in its various formats over the centuries and exploring what each card, both the Major and Minor arcana, means. An early passage even delved into Carl Jung’s exploration of collective unconsciousness and how past experiences and memories can be stored genetically from generation to generation. As a believer in high strangeness and synchronicity, Jung’s explanations ring true in this book.

The emphasis the author pays toward using one’s intuition when reading and interpreting the cards was great to read, as trusting one’s intuition in these situations and putting the meanings of these cards into that context helps in learning the meanings and power of each card. For instance, confronting the imagery of The Hanged Man card can demystify and take away the scary scenery people often feel and instead show the true meaning of embracing change and facing the fears that usually hold us back from change. The author also explores different ways of reading the cards, using different spreads, and even embracing the energy of different decks while also bringing scientific data to help with the card interpretations for those less inclined to the spiritual side of things.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, insightful, and engaging author Aleena T. Grant’s “The Mastery Guide of Tarot Reading” is a must-read nonfiction book on Tarot and spirituality. The knowledge and practical meaning behind these cards and how they can be applied to everyday life was enlightening, and the book serves as the perfect reference guide to return to time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Aleena T. Grant draws inspiration from the fields of spirituality, new age practices, mind-body connection, and divination. Through her first book, The Mastery Guide of Reading Tarot, Grant is carving out a position in the realm of spiritual literature.

With a combination of personal experiences, research, and self-education, Grant shares her knowledge and understanding of the art of tarot reading. Her background is unique, shaped by her life journey, which adds a deep sense of genuineness to her writings.

In addition to being an author, Aleena is also a devoted tarot reader. Her work is deeply personal and resonates with those seeking guidance and enlightenment. Through her writing, Aleena strives to empower individuals to access their inner intuition, connect with higher planes, and unravel the enigmas of the universe.

In a world filled with doubt and ambiguity, Aleena T. Grant’s work shines as a guiding light for those on a quest for spiritual understanding and personal growth.

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Best Practices for Cleansing and Charging Your Tarot Deck

By Aleena T. Gant

As a beginner, Tarot can be overwhelming. My debut book, The Mastery Guide of Tarot Reading, is a helpful guide to the process of Tarot reading. First, it’s essential to recognize that your Tarot deck is an influential instrument for divination and a reflection of your energy. To ensure honest and perceptive readings, it is necessary to cleanse and energize your deck consistently. Following this process, any lingering energies from previous readings are cleared out, and your cards are filled with new, positive vibrations.

There are various ways to purify and energize your Tarot deck, each with its own advantages. Some standard methods include:

Smudging with Sage

Ignite a bundle of sage and allow the smoke to envelop each card, concentrating on your intentions to purify and rid the deck of any negative energy, visualizing the negative energies dissipating. Sage is known for its effectual purifying abilities and can effectively eliminate harmful energies.

Moon Bathing

Set your deck on a windowsill or an outdoor surface on a night with a full moon, allowing the moonlight to work its magic. The moonlight will naturally cleanse and charge your cards with its ethereal energy. This technique is particularly effective for decks with a powerful connection to lunar cycles and intuition.

Crystal Charging

Choose a purifying crystal, such as clear quartz or selenite, and rest it on your deck for a few hours or overnight. These crystals possess the power to absorb any negative energies and imbue your cards with positive, magnifying vibrations.

Shuffling and Knocking

Hold your deck and shuffle the cards while focusing on your intention to cleanse and charge your cards. Finally, with a gentle knock on the deck three times, it quickly releases trapped energy between readings.

Breath Cleansing

Take a moment to inhale deeply with your deck held in your hands. As you release your breath, imagine a powerful beam of bright, white light surrounding your deck of cards, cleansing them of lingering negative energies. Repeat this process three times or until you feel the deck is thoroughly cleansed.

Now, to perform the cleansing and charging ritual. Follow these actionable steps:

  1. Find a quiet, peaceful space where you won’t be disturbed.
  2. Set your intention to cleanse and charge your deck, focusing on the purpose of this ritual.
  3. Choose your preferred cleansing method (smudging, moon bathing, crystal charging, shuffling and knocking, or breath cleansing).
  4. Once you’ve completed your chosen cleansing method, hold the deck in your hands and infuse it with your positive energy. Visualize your intentions for accurate, insightful readings flowing into the cards.
  5. Express gratitude for your deck and its role in your spiritual journey.
  6. Store your deck in a safe, sacred space, such as a silk pouch or wooden box, to maintain its cleansed and charged state.

Keep in mind that effective cleansing and charging rely on your intention and focus. While you use your deck, you will grow a stronger bond and knowledge of its distinct energy. Regularly cleansing and charging your Tarot deck will ensure your readings remain accurate, insightful, and free from unwanted energies.

For more helpful tips and techniques, buy my new book, The Mastery Guide of Tarot Reading, out now!