Tag: mental health

Interview with Author Kimberly Yule

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1)         Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing? 

I am married and have three grown children, who are my greatest accomplishment, and I am quite proud of them, too. I’m a retired Nurse Practitioner and worked in mental health, OB/GYN, Hormones & Wellness, and owned my own Regenerative Aesthetics business before retiring in 2021. I’ve had a love for writing since my younger years, when I began journaling. Being retired afforded me lots of time to get back to doing things I love, like writing and traveling. I call California, Texas, and the Caribbean home. If I’m not in one of those places, I’m traveling the world and finding things that inspire me. My best writing is done at the beach.

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2)         What inspired you to write your book?

In many ways, this story is very personal to me. I had a family member who went through some very tough mental health issues, and by the grace of God, was able to reach out for help. What bothered me the most was that we never knew they were having problems. I wanted to write a book that brings mental health to the forefront and lets people know that there is help.

3)         What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope the reader finishes the book with a deeper understanding of how mental health affects people in many ways and that compassion or small gestures can be so powerful. Even if we don’t see it, people are carrying around grief, sadness, and quiet battles that they are fighting beneath the surface. Even in our darkest moments, connections and vulnerability with others can help to create unexpected pathways to healing. Let’s remove the taboo about mental health and make it a a subject that is comfortable to talk about.

4)         What drew you into this particular genre? 

Honestly, it was by accident. When the story came to me, I thought of my children, knowing how difficult life is for kids nowadays. I wanted to make an impact in the young adult age group that has a higher incidence of mental health issues. I felt like I could tell an important story from their viewpoint. The story is also a crossover to any age group that knows someone who suffers from mental health issues.

5)         5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why? 

It would be Briggs. The story only allows for a glimpse into his life and there is so much to learn from him. I would want to have an honest conversation with him about who he is and how his mental health affects him, which would allow for a better understanding of him as a unique person. I’d ask him to describe his pain and how it affects his thoughts. What do you wish you could admit without feeling judged? What’s one message you wish others who struggle could hear from you?

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6)         What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership? 

I would say Goodreads and Facebook

7)         What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there? 

The key is to believe in yourself and just start with writing down something. It took me a couple years to write my story. Maybe at first, I didn’t think I could do it. But the more I wrote, the easier it got, and slowly my story came together, as did the belief in myself that I could write.

8)         What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon? 

I plan to continue writing, as there are more stories of connection I want to tell. Travel is a huge source of inspiration for me. Every place I visit helps to spark new ideas, characters, and scenes. So yes, you will probably find me on a beach writing my next story.

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About the Author

Kimberly Fiese Yule believes life is better with sand between your toes, music in your ears, and a story that makes you feel seen. A mother of three, her greatest pride and joy, she is also a former women’s health nurse practitioner and a lifelong wanderer. Depending on the day, she calls Texas, California, or the Caribbean home, always finding inspiration in sunshine, connection, and the beauty of everyday moments.

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyyule

https://kimberlyfieseyule.com/

https://amzn.to/47L4hzk

Your Happier Life Toolbox: How a Data-Driven Dad Cracked the Code on Happiness (And How You Can Too) by Billy Marshall 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 Billy Marshall shares the tools his data-driven mind discovered for a happier mindset in the book “Your Happier Life Toolbox.”

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The Synopsis

What if happiness wasn’t a mystery—but a skill you could master?

At 2 a.m., Billy Marshall—data-driven dad, boat owner, and accidental philosopher—Googled four words that changed everything: how to be happy.

The search didn’t give him an answer. It gave him a project.

Armed with a spreadsheet, two decades of business analytics experience, and a stubborn streak, Billy devoured over 200 episodes of The Happiness Lab podcast, cross-referenced decades of research, and distilled it all into something you can actually use: a complete happiness toolbox.

Inside, you’ll find 42 proven tools to:

  • Rewire your mindset with gratitude, optimism, and resilience
  • Build energizing daily habits for body and mind
  • Create deep, lasting relationships and a stronger community
  • Bust 37 common happiness myths holding you back

Each tool comes with the science behind it, real-life stories (messy attempts included), and action steps you can start today—no guru-speak, no fluff.

Whether you read cover-to-cover or pick a tool that fits your mood, Your Happier Life Toolbox will help you:

  • Feel more in control of your thoughts and emotions
  • Design a life that actually works for you
  • Strengthen your connections with the people who matter most


Happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a daily practice. And with this book, you’ll have everything you need to get started.

If a spreadsheet-obsessed dad from Jersey can do it, so can you.

At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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The Review

What an insightful and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of writing a book that felt both practical and inspiring. The balance the author found between practical tools and the myths he proved false was outstanding to see. The author’s writing style was both honest and straightforward, speaking directly to the reader and conveying a sense of self that allows readers to put these tools into practice and guide their own happiness.

The scientific approach the author took in this self-help and improvement book was the hook that kept me invested in the guide. The way the author explores everything from reframing one’s mind and maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle to maintaining relationships through active listening and forgiveness, among other strategies, provides the reader with a distinct, straightforward path to follow and exposes ideas like the notion that material wealth makes a person happy. Even the role genetics plays in a person’s happiness made this book data-driven and insightful. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and memorable, author Billy Marshall’s “Your Happier Life Toolbox” is a must-read nonfiction book of self-improvement. The detailed, heavy research the author poured into this book, and the tried-and-true methods that came of it, allow the reader to cultivate a happier, calmer mindset in a time when anxiety and chaos run rampant across social media and our lives as a whole. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Billy Marshall is the “data-driven dad” who cracked the code on happiness—using science.

He spent decades designing technical frameworks and data tools to help business leaders make smart, analytical decisions. But when faced with the messier puzzle of his own well-being—stuck on a question his degrees and decades hadn’t answered despite a loving family and outward success—he realized he needed a new framework for the most important project of all: his own life.

Faced with a 2 a.m. crisis, Billy asked a specific question: What does the science actually say about how to be happy? He wasn’t looking for abstract philosophy, but for evidence-based rules he could count on. He launched an intensive quest, analyzing over 100 peer-reviewed scientific studies and expert interviews. His mission was to find the linchpin—the core principles proven to move the needle on well-being.

The result is Your Happier Life Toolbox, a collection of 42 practical tools derived directly from this extensive research. Billy’s “no-fluff,” evidence-based approach proves that you don’t need a Ph.D. to apply the science of happiness; you just need the right tools.

When he’s not optimizing spreadsheets for joy, Billy can be found cruising the Manasquan River on his pontoon boat, organizing neighborhood cornhole tournaments, or trying (and sometimes failing) at DIY projects. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Suzy, and their energetic golden retriever, Yeti, and is a proud father of five and grandfather of five.

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https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-happier-life-toolbox-billy-marshall/1148566080?ean=9798999786609

https://amzn.to/3XY7HKs

To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule 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 in grief begins a project to tackle mental health and help others in author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One.”

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The Synopsis

Find solidarity in loss, friendship, and the fight to bring light into the darkest moments.

“A brave and tender story that speaks to the heart of every teenager, and every parent who loves one.”

When Evy loses her boyfriend to suicide, her life unravels in grief and unanswered questions. With the help of her best friend Henry and her classmate Chloe, who carries her own hidden struggle, Evy channels her pain into The Happy Face Project, a senior film that dares to talk openly about mental health.

What begins as a school project becomes something bigger: a mission to break the silence, to offer hope, and to save at least one life before graduation. Along the way, Evy, Henry, and Chloe discover that healing is found in music, courage, and in standing together when it matters most.

For anyone searching for connection and for every parent or educator who wants to better understand what today’s youth are facing.

A story of heartbreak and resilience, it offers both a mirror for young adult readers and a conversation starter for families, schools, and communities.

The Review

This was such a powerful and moving read. The author did an incredible job of delving into a subject that is both sensitive and heartbreaking, and did so with a reverence and care that truly resonated with readers. The powerful imagery that sets up each chapter’s scenery and tone is compelling, and the depth of world-building the author puts into the story itself speaks to the themes of this story, telling a story that weaves into the fabric of all of our lives. 

Ultimately, this story served as a testament to thought-provoking themes and empathetic characters. The tragic circumstances of Briggs’s story and how his loss impacted so many people in the story were equally on par emotionally as protagonist Evy’s exploration of grief and loss, and the raw moments of her grief that pop up throughout the book are truly relatable to anyone who has ever felt grief like that before. The honest and sympathetic portrayal of mental health and those who suffer from this subject matter, including both those who have become victims of this mindset and those who have been left behind as a result, all have a voice in this story and bring the emotional resonance that makes this story so engaging. 

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The Verdict

A compelling, engaging, and heartfelt YA drama, author Kimberly Fiese Yule’s “To Save One” is a must-read novel. The book also touches upon other themes naturally, including overall health struggles and the impact of a support system, as well as creativity in times of grief and how music can connect people. The book can be haunting at times, and definitely heartbreaking, and yet it is with a strong and compassionate voice that the author brings this rich story to life. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kimberly Fiese Yule believes life is better with sand between your toes, music in your ears, and a story that makes you feel seen. A mother of three, her greatest pride and joy, she is also a former women’s health nurse practitioner and a lifelong wanderer. Depending on the day, she calls Texas, California, or the Caribbean home, always finding inspiration in sunshine, connection, and the beauty of everyday moments.

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyyule

https://kimberlyfieseyule.com/

https://amzn.to/47L4hzk

The WellBalance Way by Troy W. Norris 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 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/

https://amzn.to/46o58qb

Don’t Die Dad by Mark Woodley 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 father struggling with depression and separation must find himself in author Mark Woodley’s “Don’t Die Dad.”

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The Synopsis

Don’t Die Dad

A Separated Father’s Journey from Devastation to Peace and Acceptance

🔥 A raw, powerful memoir of fatherhood lost—and the relentless fight to rebuild a life worth living.

Ten years after separation tore his family apart and ripped him from daily life with his children, one father is drowning in silence—grieving, addicted, unmoored.

With nothing left but a pair of hiking boots and a sliver of hope, he sets off on a three-day solo trek through New Zealand’s Southern Alps. What begins as an escape becomes a reckoning—with his past, his pain, and the man he’s trying to become.

What you’ll find inside:

🛑 Addiction, anger, and the silent suffering of separated dads

👣 A decade-long transformation through nature, therapy, and soul-searching

💔 Honest reflections on love, loss, fatherhood, and identity

🌄 A mountain hike that mirrors the climb back to self

💡 Hard-won insights into peace, resilience, and letting go

For separated fathers.

For men told to “be strong” and “move on.”

For anyone who needs proof that healing is possible.

This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a lifeline.

If you’ve ever felt broken, forgotten, or lost in the dark—this book is for you.

The Review

Immediately, I was struck by the author’s honesty and the visceral depth of their dive into their most painful and personal moments. The book serves not as an educational or step-by-step guide for any father or parent facing separation or divorce for the first time, but instead serves as a beacon to those living that reality that, through that struggle, perseverance is possible. The raw emotions and experiences the author brought to life on the page were both relatable and heartbreaking to read. They allowed readers who have lived through similar experiences to have their hearts laid bare on the page.

The balance the author found between storytelling with their experiences both in the past and on that transformational hike, and the lessons and experiences that made that trip so vital to their future, made this a compelling read. The relatively steady pacing of the book’s narrative elements allowed readers the time to connect to the author’s message. What stood out was how the author didn’t spend time disparaging their ex-spouse. The author was able to explore the emotional highs and lows of this journey without vilifying the other parent in this equation, and the self-reflective nature of both of their actions made this feel truly balanced.

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The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotional, and captivating, author Mark Woodley’s “Don’t Die Dad” is a must-read nonfiction memoir. The honesty and the imagery the author infused into their writing allowed the reader to connect to the emotional elements of the author’s life, and yet still kept the reader engaged in the story of their life as well. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Mark Woodley – Father, Author, Entrepreneur, Advocate and Athlete

Mark Woodley is an Australian father, author, entrepreneur, GPS windsurfing competitor, and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of separated fathers. His memoir, Don’t Die Dad: A Separated Father’s Journey from Devastation to Peace and Acceptance, resonates deeply with men navigating the collapse of family, identity, and connection.

Mark’s story of fatherhood began like many—with joy and the dream of raising his children in a loving home. That dream shattered with a single text message, launching him into the chaos of legal conflict, emotional disconnection, and the grief of part-time parenting. Over the next ten years, he faced a collapse of self, a loss of purpose, and long stretches of silence from his children.

A self-employed professional in the health and nutrition industry and previous the cosmetic industry and advertising industry, Mark has spent over 30 years working with a variety of people and corporations. But business success couldn’t shield him from the emotional toll of separation. As his internal world crumbled, he returned to a teenage passion.

Windsurfing became his lifeline—restoring presence, physical resilience, and emotional strength. He went on to become a GPS Windsurfing Champion, proving his tenacity and reminding him that healing often begins with physical motion.

But the deepest transformation came through facing the shadows within: childhood trauma, addictions, emotional shutdown, and the ache of losing daily contact with his children. His journey through despair, recovery, and hard-earned clarity is captured in Don’t Die Dad, written over three symbolic days of hiking through New Zealand’s Southern Alps—a mirror to his decade of emotional reckoning.

Today, Mark is the founder of Separated Fathers Recovery, which hosts an online course: Always Dad: The Recovery Accelerator for Separated Fathers, a structured course grounded in lived experience, empathy, and growth.

Through his work, Mark champions legal reform, mental health support, and greater understanding of the father-child bond after separation. He looks to speak regularly on podcasts and panels about male vulnerability, rebuilding after crisis, and showing up with dignity—even when love is met with silence.

Mark lives in Perth, Western Australia and travels back to New Zealand regularly where Don’t Die Dad was written. He remains a present, committed father and a qualified voice for change—proof that from devastation, peace and acceptance is possible.

https://www.separatedfathersrecovery.com/

https://amzn.to/4pupuFA

The Shadow of Wealth: Mastering the Millionaire Mindset Through Shadow Work by Alex Brent 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 Alex Brent shares the psychological and emotional insights that lie hidden in a person’s mind, shaping their financial path in the book “The Shadow of Wealth.”

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The Synopsis

Some people have millions, while others live paycheck to paycheck, wondering what they’re doing wrong. It feels unfair, doesn’t it?

But lasting wealth isn’t just about working more. The most successful people have done something most never think to do — they’ve faced what’s hidden beneath the surface and taken control from the inside out.

What if the reason you’re not wealthy… lives in the shadow of your own mind?

There’s more than enough abundance to go around. And the untapped power to create the life you want is already within you — waiting to be unlocked.

This book is your key.


Mastering the Millionaire Mindset through Shadow Work leads you on a journey into the forgotten corners of your psyche — where beliefs, fears, and hidden emotional wounds quietly shape your financial destiny.

You’ll uncover the “shadow code” — the unconscious forces that block your success and drain your power. As you unravel them, you’ll begin to rewrite your story — not just with goals or affirmations, but with truth, courage, and radical inner transformation.

This isn’t just another “success manual.”


It’s an immersive, poetic initiation. A deeply personal journey where your shadow speaks — and for the first time, you listen.

As you meet the characters within and reveal buried truths, you’ll feel a shift. Not just in mindset, but in reality. This is where true wealth begins: from the inside out.

Most success books tell you what to do. This book shows you why you haven’t been able to do it — until now.


It’s not about more action. It’s about reclaiming your power.

You won’t just read this book — you’ll live it. And you’ll emerge different.

The shadow has waited long enough.

Click “Buy Now” and begin the journey. Your future self will thank you — in every currency.

The Review

What a truly insightful and engaging read. The author did an incredible job of laying out the inner struggles that a person faces, and that often prevent them from achieving the financial success they crave. The author takes a unique approach to discussing these problems; rather than using straightforward tactics and strategies, the author reveals how the deeper, more personal insecurities and self-sabotage that we often exhibit can be the cause of our own downfalls and struggles to achieve the financial freedom we crave.

What stood out to me was the way the author presented these ideas to the reader. Rather than merely coaching or preparing a strategy, the author lays out the lessons they learned from this shadow work by creating prompts and archetypes through characters that speak directly to the reader. From The Visionary and The Trickster to the Alchemist and the Shadow, these characters delve into the deepest parts of a person and their struggles, and then showcase the paths they take to achieve success directly. This creative and inventive narrative effectively conveys the lessons the author learned, keeping the reader engaged throughout.

The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and memorable, author Alex Brent’s “The Shadow of Wealth” is a must-read blend of nonfiction inspiration, business strategies, and fictional prose and poetry. The creativity and inspirational narratives found within drive home the lessons and empowering nature of finding success that entrepreneurs, creative individuals, and coaches can utilize in their careers and journey moving forward. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

My name is Alex.

By day, I work in IT, but beyond my job, I have a deep passion for Jungian psychology and writing. I love expressing my thoughts and sharing powerful insights – and nothing lights me up more than hearing how those ideas have helped others grow or shift something in their lives.

I’m especially interested in the topic of wealth. And I’ll be honest – I feel no shame about it. Wanting more, desiring abundance, and striving to live your best life is a good thing. (Even if many of us were taught to feel guilty about it.)

At one point in my journey, I realized I was on a meaningful path toward building real wealth. That’s when I felt I had something valuable to share—something honest and hard-earned about how wealth is actually created.

But just to be clear: it hasn’t come from any magic trick or overnight success. It’s been the old-fashioned way – through years of working, creating, investing, and selling. It’s taken over 15 years, and the journey is still unfolding.

And honestly?

I believe it could have happened much faster if I had met my Shadow earlier.

Once I experienced the power of shadow work firsthand, I couldn’t keep it to myself. My creative side wouldn’t let me. I felt this undeniable urge to share what I had learned—in my own way, in my own voice.

https://shadow-of-wealth.com/

Rise and Thrive Above Cancer by Achim Zinggrebe, M.D. 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 Achim Zinggrebe, M.D., shares the experiences and practices that shaped their journey through their cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatments in the book “Rise and Thrive Above Cancer.”

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The Synopsis

A cancer diagnosis changes life in an instant. There is the cancer itself, whose unpredictability triggers fear and feelings of powerlessness. And then there is the seemingly overwhelming medical system, which is often difficult to navigate.

It’s hard not to despair in such an existential situation. Achim Zinggrebe, M.D., a cancer survivor, knows this firsthand. He experienced firsthand how essential it is to take the reins when facing this challenge. Fighting his way out of profound hopelessness, he embraced new approaches and consciously shaped his path to recovery.

From these experiences, he developed a scientifically grounded, holistic, and customizable therapeutic concept. This approach combines alternative healing methods, conventional medical treatments, nutritional and exercise recommendations, and spiritual practices—because it’s not about choosing one or the other. It’s about creating a powerful synergy that addresses the body, mind, and soul as one.

This book is an energizing guide that redefines the meaning of health and the unique path each person can take toward it. A knowledgeable yet deeply compassionate companion for cancer patients and their loved ones, it offers support from the shock of diagnosis to the end of treatment—and far beyond.

The Review

Transformative and insightful, this book does a tremendous job of creating a guide and motivation for those struggling through the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other ailments. The author’s authenticity shines through on every page, with the book balancing the technical aspects of the author’s process of healing with the more personal and insightful experiences from their own life that helped create these guiding steps in the book. The research and detail that the author provided in this book were astounding, as the author’s journey and his revelation of the bleeding edge of cancer research and science were carefully backed up with medical studies, which helped balance out the more spiritual and holistic steps in the author’s process.

That is what made this book stand out from all the other books in this medical nonfiction, motivational style. The author’s interwoven process of both modern medical practices and holistic methods, as well as the role of mentality and spirituality in the entire healing process. The personal nature of this process, including the emotional component of struggling through the diagnosis and the various treatments, and how the author can help readers reclaim their sense of self and gain the strength needed to face this diagnosis, is so motivating and refreshing to see in a holistic, medically-driven book.

The Verdict

Insightful, compelling, and engaging, author Achim Zinggrebe’s “Rise and Thrive Above Cancer” is a must-read nonfiction book. The powerful mental and emotional therapeutic properties of an inspiring book such as this can have a profound impact on those struggling with a similar diagnosis, and the depth of research the author poured into this book gave readers a spark of hope and comfort in their journey of navigating this shocking experience. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Dr. Achim Zinggrebe, a medical doctor turned pharmaceutical professional, reassessed his approach to health after a cancer diagnosis in 2017. Once a staunch advocate of conventional medicine, he embraced a holistic view, integrating body, mind, and soul in healing. Through his Rise and Thrive Above Cancer Pathway, Achim supports cancer patients and their loved ones with scientifically backed methods that blend conventional and alternative medicine, nutrition, exercise, and spirituality. He provides guidance through books, online coaching, and resources to help individuals harness their self-healing potential. He lives with his family, dog, and cats near Weinsberg, Germany.

https://azinggrebemd.com/

Splenditude by Eileen T. Lynch 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.

Trigger Warning: Storylines of mental health, suicide, and self-harm are part of this novel. Reader’s Discretion is Advised.

A woman with dreams of being a writer, struggling with her own mental health, finds solace in helping children with similar struggles. However, her world is turned upside down by the reappearance of a long-lost acquaintance whose motivations may be darker than she realizes, as depicted in the novel “Splenditude” by Ellen T. Lynch. 

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The Synopsis

Version 1.0.0

A book bearing her name on the spine is Deirdre Collins’ driving passion. A book that a reader will remove from a library shelf to take home on a rainy afternoon. A book she can dedicate to her late father. Her dream is to join the Chicago school of writers led by Saul Bellow, Nelson Algren, and Stuart Dybek.

When she is unable to publish her first novel, depression lands her on suicide watch in an Albuquerque behavioral hospital. There she meets Max Fletcher, a handsome young man with drive and genius who is battling demons of his own.

After discharge, they move to different parts of the country and lose track of each other. Max becomes a successful entertainment producer for a late night talk show.

As her father’s health fails, Deirdre leaves the artistic community in New Mexico to lead a quiet life in a rural Illinois town. She writes and tends her great aunt’s garden. One morning she finds a teenager on her property with a gun. After reporting the incident to her local high school, she lands a job supervising a room for at-risk kids. A healthy life style and a commitment to her writing enables her to conquer mood swings that derailed her as a young woman. Working with kids who struggle with depression and anxiety, mood disorders, and other behavioral problems opens her mind and then her heart to the wide range of sorrow and joy on the human spectrum.

A call from Max Fletcher upends Deirdre’s peaceful existence. Max promises publishing connections which have eluded Deirdre. She is flattered by Max’s attention and his desire to help her achieve her dreams. Then she discovers his true intentions. A confrontation in New York reveals Max’s deteriorating health which he believes is untreatable by medication or therapy. When Deirdre discovers that Max has plagiarized her work, she must decide whether to take legal action against him.

The Review

This was a profoundly moving read. The author did an incredible job of creating a heartfelt drama that was character-driven in every aspect. The narrative was very introspective, allowing the reader to feel the inner workings of the protagonist’s mind and their struggles through a slow-burn style of storytelling. 

The heart of the story was in the theme and the authenticity the author brought to the story and characters. The importance of focusing on mental health and the artistic process, as well as the nuance that comes with discovering our passions and drives in life, was well-developed in the narrative. The balance of the dark moments the characters faced, combined with the hopeful notes the future brought to their lives, made this story so emotionally heartwarming in its delivery.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, engaging, and heartfelt, author Eileen T. Lynch’s “Splenditude” is a must-read genre fiction drama. The emotional and vulnerable themes the author explores, along with the wealth of character development and hopeful undertones, create a well-balanced narrative that readers can relate to and identify with. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Eileen Lynch is a writer, editor, and teacher who has lived in Chicago, IL and New Mexico. The city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs are a backdrop for her work.

Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer by Raphael E. Cuomo, Ph.D. 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.

Raphael E. Cuomo shares the impact that addiction can have on a person’s biology and its relation to cancer as a whole in the book “Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer.”

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The Synopsis

Crave reveals how everyday habits, from sugar and screens to overwork and alcohol, leave measurable biological traces that increase cancer risk. It reframes addiction as a central, modifiable factor in chronic disease, drawing on cutting-edge research in neuroscience, immunology, and public health.

The Review

What a powerful and engaging book! The author does a fantastic job of exploring both the biological and sociological aspects of addiction, showing how advertising, social media, and peer pressure, to name just a few, have contributed to people’s turning to addictive behavior and practice. This includes everything from sugar consumption to doom scrolling on social media and so much more. 

It is mind-blowing to examine how these behavioral habits affect the shape and impact of our biology and leave people more prone to cancerous cells over time. The fast pace of the book and the direct way the author writes allow readers to get an educational perspective on addiction and its various forms. 

The Verdict

Memorable, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Raphael E. Cuomo, Ph.D., is a must-read nonfiction health book on addiction and its relationship to cancer development. The detail and the mindfulness that the author poured into this book, and the new perspective that readers gain from learning about how habits can change a person biologically, make this a worthy book to turn to in educating oneself about one’s health. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today.

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Raphael E. Cuomo, PhD, is a professor and scientist at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. He is internationally recognized for his research at the intersection of cancer prevention, addiction, and public health. His work bridges molecular biology, epidemiology, and behavior to illuminate the deeper roots of chronic disease.

https://raphaelcuomo.com/crave