Tag: books

Heir of Flame and Shadow (Rings and Chains Book 2) By Ahlam Faris 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 young woman must find new allies and heal a broken friendship as she faces her inner demons in author Ahlam Faris’s “Heir of Flame and Shadow”, the second book in the Rings and Chains series. 

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The Synopsis

The Chains are weakening—and what waits beneath was never meant to be freed.

After stealing the Royal family’s golden rings, Mina is pursued by the Royal guards. With no choice but to flee the kingdom, she finds herself stranded in the southern desert.

Mina has lost far more than her home—haunted by a death she caused, a shattered friendship, and her guardian spirit seeming to be weaker than ever. Now, she must confront her inner demon alone.

In Heir of Flame and Shadow, Mina discovers new allies, faces old enemies, and attempts to heal a broken friendship that could become something deeper. But sinister forces have been guiding her steps all along—are they allies or enemies in disguise?

The Review

The world-building and mythology were so incredible that I became wholly immersed in this world. The reader is truly thrust into this world, with the unforgiving and gritty tone that the beginning of this story brings, along with the cruel desert setting and the troubled way many treat the protagonist due to signs pointing to her association with Jinn, making this world feel both dangerous and heavy in lore and magic. The imagery that the author’s writing conjures is as powerful as the Jinn that are discovered early on in the narrative, and the expansion upon the mythology that speaks to both the main characters’ origins and the world that existed beyond the Veil was terrific to see come to life on the page.

What stood out to readers, though, was not just this mythos, but the heavy themes the author explores and the emotional connection readers will have with the protagonist and this cast of characters. Themes of identity, as the protagonist grapples with the duality of her power and her mysterious past, as well as themes of grief, loss, and regret, all play a beautiful symphony on the page, as readers become lost in the overwhelming nature of the protagonist’s struggles. The emotional rollercoaster readers go on with her, and the way it elevates the action and suspense of this story will keep readers invested as the story progresses.

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The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Ahlam Faris’s “Heir of Flame and Shadow” is a worthy addition to the Rings and Chains series and a must-read fantasy thriller. The twists and turns in the story, along with the shocking revelations about the protagonist’s origins and the villain she must soon face, will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager for the next installment 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

Ahlam Faris is an award-winning fantasy author known for crafting immersive worlds filled with magic, intrigue, and powerful characters. Her debut novel, Daughter of Light and Dark, received critical acclaim and won the 2024 Reviewers’ Choice Award from Book Nerdection.

https://ahlamfaris.com/

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First Light, Last Light by Glen Sorestad 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 and poet Glen Sorestad shares the reflections on life and the wildlife around us all that readers have come to expect from him in the book “First Light, Last Light.”

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The Synopsis

A new book of poetry from Glen Sorestad, one of Canada’s elder literary icons, is cause for celebration.

First Light, Last Light is the first book in six years by Sorestad, who was Saskatchewan’s first poet laureate, serving two terms. As might be expected from a poet now in his 80s, the work in this volume is a mix of reflections on family, memories of youth and friends, and the not-always-pleasant aging process, all viewed with compassion, wisdom and, often, humour.

Sorestad is also a keen observer of the wildlife around him, from the birds who come to the feeder outside his window – damn those bully crows! – to the foxes and other wildlife he and his wife sometimes encounter on their morning walks.

First Light, Last Light is a book to read again and again, and treasure.

The Review 

A stunning and compelling collection of poems, this book does a remarkable job of balancing the author’s memories and personal experiences with musings on life and the world around him, including the nature and animal life that make the Canadian region so revered. The straightforward, almost storytelling aspect of the author’s writing style stood out immediately, as if the reader were stepping into the author’s life with them and living through these moments together.

The imagery and themes of this collection are what stood out the most. The emotional themes of grief, memory, and connection are palpable in poems like “My Father’s Voice” and “Don’t Talk to Strangers.” In contrast, poems like “Mid-Winter” captured the cold, chilly, and stark beauty of winter in Canada, and each word felt almost tactile when delivered in the author’s unique voice. The author’s ability to convey these powerful themes through the portrayal of ordinary events, such as missing out on his father’s unique talent or going to the grocery store, highlights how emotion and heart can exist in the smallest of moments —a message that permeates this collection.

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The Verdict

Emotional, heartfelt, and memorable, author and poet Glen Sorestad’s “First Light, Last Light” is a must-read poetry collection. The fast-paced collection and the way readers can pick up, put down, and pick back up again showcase the power and depth of these poems, as well as the emotional weight they carry when readers delve into a collection that feels personal and introspective in its own right. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Glen Sorestad is a Canadian poet, born in Vancouver, but living most of his life in Saskatchewan. He has been a teacher of literature and writing, a literary publisher and a writer, best known for his many books of poetry. He has been a recipient of the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and is a Life Member of both The League of Canadian Poets and the Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 2010. Sorestad loves travel, fishing and is an ardent fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team.

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Taking Action for a Better Tomorrow by Jeremy P. Boggess 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 Jeremy P. Boggess shares the steps that can be taken to better ourselves and our world by examining the changes already occurring around us in the book “Taking Action for a Better Tomorrow.”

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The Synopsis

In our world today there are monumental and exponential changes occurring. These changes are happening not just in the local, international, or global arenas, but even within ourselves. Let us explore the necessary actions and responsibilities that will help guide us through these changes within ourselves and our world.

It is important to look beyond isolationism or globalization for the reasons of these changes. Politics, the different governments in the world, and our environment are significant contributing factors, but we must also look at the entire world around us. We must also look at the society where we live, our human behaviors, and all of humanity.

The purpose of this book is to have you ask a variety of engaging questions, both of yourself and about the world around you. I want to help you explore the deeper questions so you can, find answers that will ultimately help you survive these intense upheavals.

The Review

This was such an insightful and engaging read. The author does an incredible job of taking the time to thoughtfully and carefully examine the growing tension and chaos of our world from both a societal and an introspective look. The reader can sense the tension mounting as the author delves into the rapid increase in chaos. This phenomenon is evident in the news and in everyday interactions with people. It was fascinating to see the interconnected way that global, societal, and individual roles influence how people interact with one another come to life on the page.

What struck me as interesting from the outset was how the author addressed the need for flexibility and adaptability. From teaching resources and addressing the teacher-to-student ratio that has disrupted educational services, to exploring how inequality in any society can lead to instabilities within that society, the author emphasizes the need to change how society and individuals process and utilize information, rather than clinging to the ways things used to be. The author did a fantastic job of using an informative yet relatable tone in their writing style to engage readers and explore solutions that could bring a more hopeful future than the one the world is currently facing.

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The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and memorable, author Jeremy P. Boggess’s “Taking Action for a Better Tomorrow” is a must-read nonfiction and philosophical book. The knowledge and balance of fact with vision that the author provides for readers, along with the introspective mindset the reader is left with, which allows them to look inward and explore their own role in this future, will have readers returning time and again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Ever since I was a small child, I have felt that there would be a chain of events set in motion and my task would be to help us through these changes.

I was born in 1971 in the United States of America, where I was raised. I have been in Europe since 2016. In the 2000’s I had hoped in continuing to make contributions in the United States by running to Idaho State Senate several times as an independent. While running for office I self-published my first book of philosophical observations “Thoughts & Responsibilities” in 2008. I do have college and university degrees in business, but I have been since a very young age interested and studied philosophy and sociology.

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How It Falls Apart by Gary Colton 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 woman becomes caught in a battle between a rebellion and a brutal regime known as the Authority in author Gary Colton’s “How It Falls Apart.”

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The Synopsis

YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR WHAT IS COMING!

In a dystopian society, The Authority enforces control through constant surveillance, propaganda, and mandatory, party-approved affirmations. Liberty, a naive supermarket worker, dreams of escaping to the utopian Caldera Country. However, that dream turns into a nightmare when she unwittingly clicks on a mysterious message, triggering events that thrust her into the heart of a deadly rebellion.

Recruited by Rebels on the promise of a quicker path to Caldera Country, Liberty is exposed to the brutal reality of the city’s underbelly. She learns that her clean profile on The App makes her an ideal candidate for a mission to infiltrate Caldera Country and sabotage The Authority’s servers, an act that would cripple the regime.

Despite her spiralling fears and growing doubts, Liberty is constantly pressured into action, and is morally torn between whose message to believe. The Rebels will sacrifice everything for freedom. The Authority will stop at nothing to maintain control. As Liberty struggles to find her sense of self in the chaos of it all, one question remains…

AN UNFORGETTABLE CAUTIONARY TALE.

Fresh, Necessary, Urgent, Shattering!

After a successful launch on Kickstarter, readers are loving HOW IT FALLS APART.

The Review

This was such a gritty and compelling dystopian thriller. The anonymity of the cast of characters, referred to by titles and monikers rather than personal names, adds to the mystery and the dark tone of the story, delving into a healthy mix of dystopian drama and sci-fi level action. The author’s writing artfully portrays a stark contrast between the different parts of the city in which this story is set, and the intrigue of how the protagonist can be trusted will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

What makes this story truly stand out is the themes that it explores. From the dangers of unchecked and reckless development of AI without exploring the moral complications and harm to the environment, to the risks of a mindless society without individuality or the ability to question authority in any capacity, this novel not only feels socially and culturally relevant in this day and age, but serves as a call to action to prevent the events this novel takes readers through while also entertaining them at the same time.

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The Verdict

Compelling, thoughtfully written, and harrowing yet entertaining, author Gary Colton’s “How It Falls Apart” is a must-read dystopian thriller. The twists and turns in this story, the intrigue and mystery that lace every chapter, the incredible world-building that unfolds, and the shocking revelation that the ending brings will have readers invested and eager for more of the author’s work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Gary Colton’s path to writing has been anything but conventional. He dropped out of school when he was fifteen, mainly due to his struggles with dyslexia. But everything changed in 2010, while living in a hostel in Toronto, he stumbled across a tattered copy of The Great Gatsby. That book changed his life in so many ways, and ever since, he’s formed a deep-seated passion for reading, writing and storytelling.

Gary released his debut novel, Dark Finds, in 2024. He is the creator of the true crime Instagram page @dark.finds and hosts the Dark Finds Podcast where each week, he takes you deep into the world of those who’ve lived through, or created, something extraordinary. From fighters, musicians, and war veterans to cult survivors, ex-cons, psychologists, and entrepreneurs, he explores the lives of people who exist on the edge of the norm.

https://darkfindsmedia.com/

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Don’t Flush! By Dakarai Larriett 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 Dakarai Larriet showcases the struggle and activism his false arrest brought to life in the book “Don’t Flush.”

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The Synopsis

What would you do if you were arrested for a crime you didn’t commit—despite passing every test and proving your innocence?

In Don’t Flush!, activist and Senate candidate Dakarai Larriett recounts the harrowing night in April 2024 when he was wrongfully arrested in Michigan for suspected DUI. Despite testing negative and showing no signs of impairment, he was jailed, humiliated, and thrust into the unforgiving machinery of systemic injustice.

This gripping memoir not only exposes the cracks in our legal and policing systems but also shows the power of one voice refusing to stay silent. Larriett’s $10 million lawsuit against the Michigan State Police, his media campaign fueled by FOIA-released footage, and his push for legislative reform—including a Motorist Bill of Rights and the end of qualified immunity—paint a picture of a man turning trauma into action.

Don’t Flush! is more than a personal story—it’s a rallying cry. Whether you’re an ally, advocate, or just waking up to these injustices, this book demands you do more. Read it. Share it. Join the movement for true accountability.

The Review

This was such a compelling and thought-provoking read. The author expertly weaves a balance of personal storytelling and inspirational and motivational discussion, engaging readers to deliver a powerful look at social justice and the overhaul that the criminal justice system needs in the United States, as well as the many fears and hardships those who struggle with discrimination must face every day. 

The author’s writing was the most powerful aspect of this book. The tension, and almost atmospheric way the author delved into those tense moments of his false arrest, from the hyper awareness of his surroundings as he drove before he spotted the police, to the calm manner he forced himself to stay in when engaging the police, and how these moments connected to the similar struggles of discrimination his grandparents and so many others had made these events feel more elevated and essential, and yet the harsh realities that this book brings to light also serves a hopeful tone, as the author showcases how finding the light in that darkness proved that a path of change does exist, if people are willing to fight for it.

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The Verdict

Engaging, thoughtfully written, and memorable, author Dakarai Larriett’s “Don’t Flush” is a must-read nonfiction memoir that also serves as a valuable resource for social and criminal justice reform. The expertise with which the author crafts this book, slipping from the defining moments of his childhood and his struggles both as a Black man and a Gay man, to the horrors so many face when confronted by false arrests such as this, and the inspiring direction the author takes when making a bid for the US Senate will have readers enthralled with the author’s story and eager to fight for the changes this country sorely needs. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dakarai Larriett, a proud Alabama native and son of a U.S. Army veteran and public school teacher, is a successful entrepreneur and dedicated community volunteer whose run for the U.S. Senate is motivated by a false arrest in 2024 for which he has yet to receive justice. His upbringing, shaped by his father’s military service, saw him move across various states and even to Germany. After excelling as an honors student and earning a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, Dakarai’s passion for public service grew during his junior year as an exchange student at Howard University. He built a successful career as a corporate leader while managing a pet-care business he started in his garage, ultimately returning to Birmingham in 2021 where he became known for his servant leadership. Engaged in various volunteer activities, he also leads a board representing local families and businesses, expressing his love for Alabama’s culture and community. In his free time, Dakarai enjoys the shooting range and attends First United Methodist Church regularly.

Website: dakarailarriett.com

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Horny: Sex Without Scruples by Brad Deep 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 Brad Deep explores the way power and control, especially within the confines of sex, have shaped our world and our minds in the book “Horny: Sex Without Scruples.”

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The Synopsis

Brad Deep didn’t just peek into the male sexual psyche—he lived in it, banked it, and sold the tickets.

One day, a young Brad heard Francis Ford Coppola say in a documentary, “If an aspiring filmmaker wants to make a movie, he must do whatever it takes.”

Brad took that literally. He hired a few girls, opened an erotic massage parlor, and planned to use the profits to fund his movie.

What he didn’t plan for was front-row seats to the raw, unfiltered reality of male sexuality—the desires, the lies, the awkward kinks, and the desperate confessions men never make sober… or to their wives.

Horny: Sex Without Scruples is a savage, brutally honest, and laugh-out-loud demolition of dating myths, gender games, and the absurd mating dance we call relationships.

Written by a man who saw it all—the office bosses, the preachers, the boyfriends, the husbands—this isn’t therapy; it’s a strip search of the male libido… with sarcasm as the lube.

With stories you’d never tell your priest, real data that proves just how far the depravity runs, and chapter titles that slap harder than your ex’s mood swings, Horny is the book men pray women never read… and the one women can’t resist picking up.

If you’ve ever wanted to know what men are really like when nobody’s watching—this is your backstage pass.

Just don’t read it at church.

The Review

Honesty is the first word that comes to mind when delving into this book. The author honestly speaks to the raw, often savage, and at times haunting nature of sex and how it impacts men. As someone who has had to witness female family members deal with men through the dating scene over the years, the author does capture the male psyche and their attitudes towards sex and relationships with brutal honesty. The author’s writing style is both creative and savage in nature, characterized by crude, humorous, and visceral elements. It does an excellent job of conjuring powerful imagery as the reader is immersed in this philosophical and psychological exploration of the role sex plays in everyone’s lives.

Yet aside from those hilarious segways or savage take-downs, the author also does a remarkable job of delving into the social commentary aspect of this topic. With brutally honest stories from working a job in the sex industry, the author showcases the horrors and struggles many women, both in and out of the sex industry, must contend with. These stories lean into the author’s commentary on the importance of consent and how men and women are not only hardwired differently, but are taught at a young age far differently than they should be on how men should act and how women should be treated with respect. The need for boundaries and equality has never been more evident, and the author expertly weaves this theme into conversations around workplace behavior, relationships, and so much more.

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The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and compelling, author Brad Deep’s “Horny: Sex Without Scruples” is a must-read nonfiction satire and humor book on sex, relationships, and human connection. Readers will be taken aback by the author’s savage take-down of alpha male behavior, and what this reader appreciates is the author’s commitment to donate partial proceeds to organizations supporting survivors of sexual assault. This worthy cause needs more honest and open discussion to end this violence. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Brad Deep doesn’t write to make friends. He writes like he’s swinging a sledgehammer in a library—loud, unapologetic, and bound to piss someone off. His pages drip with the kind of truth most people choke on, served with enough filthy laughs to make a nun sweat.

He lives clean—no booze, no smokes, no drugs—running instead on cycling, weight training, and five-finger solos that would make a drummer jealous.

When it comes to women, he’s old school: natural beauty or nothing. No dye jobs, no Botox, no filler, no bolt-on boobs. Ask if he’d live with a woman again, and he’ll tell you yes—but only if she’s easy on the eyes, smart, and he’s lost his damn mind.

https://www.braddeep.com/

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Smoke on the Wind (Land Run Book Two) by Syvila Weatherford 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. 

A cowboy and his Native American bride seek freedom and community in the novel “Smoke on the Wind” by Syvila Weatherford.

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The Synopsis

“Smoke on the Wind” is a captivating tale that weaves the perils and dangers encountered on the Western frontier by Will Lawton, a young Black cowboy, after kidnapping then wedding his young Native American bride, Niabi. He plods a path packed with uncertainty that ultimately winds its way to an unthinkable opportunity – a race for free land.

Follow the characters of Smoke: the beautiful Louisa Ortega, who haunts the memory of the Chief’s son, Nashoba; Captain Horton, head of Fort Townsend, charged with keeping peace between settlers and tribes, and Dakota Sam, a rambunctious Civil War veteran attached to his military blues and backwoodsman ways.

This is the second book in an epic series, following the success of Weatherford’s first novel, “Blessings from the Four Winds.”

In this sequel, new characters are introduced: Liao Ming Chow, a Chinese immigrant, Sargent Thomas of the Buffalo Soldiers, and Mr. Todd Morgan the railroad tycoon. Niabi and Will raise two children and enjoy the protective company of their horses: Rodeo and FireTip. Their journey is marked by resilience, the spirit of community, and the ongoing struggle for safety and belonging.

Learn more about Syvila Weatherford on her website: www.syvilaweatherford.com

The Review

This was an engaging and unique blend of historical fiction, romance, and western drama. The realism and detail the author pours into this narrative were astounding, as the language used and the historical context of these merging stories felt lifted right out of the history books without sacrificing character development or engaging dialogue. Although I had not been introduced to this series or its first book, the author wrote in a way that allowed readers to enter this story fresh, without bogging them down in story elements that would leave them lost. Instead, the narrative was both detailed and fast-paced, keeping the tension finely tuned within the context of this story.

The authenticity and personal history that the author infused from her own family into the backstory and development of these characters was remarkable. The exploration of how the black community lived in post-Civil War America, let alone in a lawless land such as the American West, and their contributions to organizations like the Buffalo Soldiers and others, was fascinating to delve into. The themes of interracial marriages and romances in such a dynamic point in American history were engaging, and the rich world-building the author provided to make this feel cinematic and atmospheric on the page was incredible.

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The Verdict

Entertaining, thought-provoking, and thrilling, author Syvila Weatherford’s “Smoke on the Wind” is a must-read western historical fiction novel and a grand second entry in the Land Run series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the intensity of the relationships and community found in this book, and the personal and societal dangers faced by these characters at this time will stay with readers long after the book ends. If you haven’t already, preorder your copy today or pick it up on October 1st, 2025!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Syvila Weatherford embarks upon a third career as a novel writer. Prior to this, she worked for over twenty years as an Electrical Engineer/Computer Scientist followed by twelve more years as a Patent Attorney. She was born and continues to live in California, but has lived on the east coast and has traveled abroad for business and pleasure including London, Egypt and South Africa. She hails from humble beginnings but owes her progress to pearls of wisdom learned from her mother, nurturing family and friends, and a strong spiritual foundation.

For more information about her or the book please visit www.syvilaweatherford.com and register at the contact page for any notices about book signings and similar events, as well as to ask questions about this and future books by her.

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Working Fire in East Cleveland by Michael C. Ede Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

Author and firefighter Michael C. Ede shares the true stories and harrowing realities of life not only as a firefighter, but as a firefighter working in the struggling city of East Cleveland in the book “Working Fire in East Cleveland.”

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The Synopsis

A career firefighter with a personal commitment that: everyone gets home safe!

26-year firefighter, Michael C. Ede, a career firefighter with a personal commitment that “everyone gets home safe,” shares true stories of emergency calls, working relationships, and life inside and outside of the firehouse in the financially and morally crumbling city of East Cleveland, Ohio.

This book offers readers a unique opportunity to enjoy a completely transparent, start-to-finish 26-year career highlights of a firefighter in a busy urban department. Readers will benefit from an honest appraisal of what a firefighter experiences both, inside the engine house, and at the emergency scene throughout the span of an entire career. The transformation from young, inexperienced rookie, to old, seasoned veteran, is chronicled in a way that keeps readers anticipating each new phase.

There are three unique topics within the book that allow the readers to benefit from a very unusual and special work environment. The fact that the story takes place in a nearly all African-American impoverished city. A black-to-white employee ratio of 50/50 in the fire department, coupled with raw honest story telling, makes this story extremely eye-opening to most readers who have never experienced this type of work and racial makeup within the work force. The contrast of the firefighters is portrayed throughout the book, and the successes, as well as the failures, are brought to the forefront. The work environment is absolutely unique. It answers the questions in a reader’s mind pertaining to how well white and black firefighters work together. Suspenseful, gripping details reveal the answer, and show that when white and black firefighters work together, great things can, and often do, take place.

Reader be warned, there are no cover ups, embellishment, fluff, or exaggeration in this book. Action, hard–hitting humor, & raw honesty tell the story of inner-city career firefighter, Michael C. Ede.

The Review

This was an insightful and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of giving insight and knowledge surrounding life in service to the fire department and the inner workings of life in East Cleveland, OH. The balance the author found in conveying personal experience with the training and education, so few have surrounding fires in general and fighting fires with specific procedures, was engaging, and early stories, such as the one in which the author came close to a near-death experience with a 2-story fire, helped illustrate how firefighting departments learn from these experiences. 

The author not only discussed the educational and experiential factors involved in firefighting, but also the social aspects. The idea of brotherhood among firefighters is unique, and the author’s emphasis on the unique racial harmony found between both black and white firefighters in East Cleveland, which at the time boasted an even 50/50 ratio, was so interesting and well-received, speaking to how living together and facing untold dangers can shed many prejudices and bring people together. The camaraderie and heart that the author poured into these chapters, along with the personal writing style that brought them to life, made for a very engaging reading experience.

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The Verdict

Memorable, insightful, and compelling, author Michael C. Ede’s “Working Fire in East Cleveland” is a must-read nonfiction book on the subject of firefighting. The detail and relatability of the author’s writing style, along with the unique perspective this book offers, will give readers an engaging look into the lives of the unsung heroes who face these blistering fires daily. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Author of the book, Working Fire in East Cleveland, lives in AKron Ohio with his wife, and has two adult children… one of them is a firefighter.

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The WellBalance Way by Troy W. Norris 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 Troy W. Norris explains the grounded science and essential steps behind the WellBalance method of personal growth in the book “The WellBalance Way.”

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The Synopsis

Discover the foundations for a flourishing life.

This essential guide introduces the science, structure, and philosophy behind the WellBalance Model. In a world overwhelmed by noise and pressure, it provides a clear, accessible, evidence-based framework for personal growth and resilience, with your formula to flourish through the wellsprings of wellbeing. Grounded in scientific evidence, the WellBalance Way explores how core elements like purposeful contributions, emotional strength, and social connection support sustainable and resilient wellbeing. You’ll learn how small, intentional changes can lead to powerful transformations and how to apply these in your own life. Whether you’re navigating a major life transition, feeling like something’s missing, or simply searching for a more grounded way to grow, this book provides a clear path toward lasting fulfillment and flourishing, rooted in science and designed for real life.

The Review

One of the first things that stood out about this guide and self-improvement book was the way the author curated the book to be read as a process, rather than all at once, really emphasizing the journey rather than the destination. The development of the WellBalance Life Lotus was a great visual representation of the journey, and the author’s writing style really speaks to both the educational value of the information and the emotional development the book encourages in the reader.

The idea behind this book is a powerful one, as it speaks not only to surviving in this world but also to finding a way to flourish in it. The author lays this out specifically through the promotion of a strong mind, a healthy body, and the maintenance of social connections, and then expands upon this with key scientific and detailed explorations of the topic. I especially enjoyed the passages on savoring and reflection in the book, which effectively emphasized the importance of taking time to appreciate small moments in everyday life and ensuring that you don’t let essential moments pass you by. 

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The Verdict

Insightful, compelling, and engaging, author Troy W. Norris’s “The WellBalance Way” is a must-read nonfiction book on empowerment, personal growth, and mental wellness. The blend of scientific and grounded information to support each element of this process, combined with the emotional and heartfelt connection readers form with both the author and the author’s method, will keep readers returning to this book time and again to continue on the path of WellBalance. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Troy W. Norris is a Harvard-trained scientist, published researcher, and founder of the WellBalance Institute for Positive Wellbeing. A certified life, health and wellness coach, Troy created the WellBalance Model to bring science-backed wellbeing practices into people’s lives, relationships and workplaces. With a background in precision medicine and digital psychiatry treatments, he recognized the need for better digital tools to personalize wellbeing interventions to match each person’s unique life situation. Troy’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at leading scientific and industry conferences. Troy developed the WellBalance Method while navigating his own path from burnout and breakdown to fulfillment and flourishing.

https://www.troywnorris.com/

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