Tag: motivational

The Campfire Effect by Matthew Kaufman 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 Matthew Kaufman shares the science and tools of building communities in the book “The Campfire Effect.”

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The Synopsis

What if the secret to building stronger teams, closer families, and more connected classrooms has been hiding in plain sight for over a century?

For more than thirty years as a summer camp professional, Matt Kaufman has watched thousands of children transform from anxious strangers into lifelong friends in a matter of weeks. Along the way, he noticed something remarkable: camp wasn’t just creating memories. It was engineering belonging through a neurochemical process that most organizations stumble into by accident.

The Campfire Effect reveals the five-chemical framework behind that transformation: oxytocin for trust, dopamine for motivation, cortisol for resilience, serotonin for dignity, and endorphins for joy. Together, they form a flywheel that any leader, parent, or teacher can set in motion.

Most communities are accidental. Yours should be intentional.

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Why your workplace may be functioning as what psychologists call a “wire mother,” and what to do about it

• The surprising reason your best employees are leaving (it’s not the money)

• How a single three-word check-in can transform the culture of a team, a classroom, or a family dinner

• Why stress plus support equals growth, but stress alone equals damage

• What Google’s Project Aristotle and a cabin full of eleven-year-olds have in common

Each of the seventeen chapters ends with a Monday Morning Blueprint, giving you concrete tools for parents, managers, and teachers. The appendices include ready-to-use agreement templates, fifty questions to spark connection, a troubleshooting guide, and a one-page cheat sheet you can pin to your wall.

Whether you lead a team of five or a school of five hundred, The Campfire Effect gives you the science, the stories, and the step-by-step tools to build communities where people actually belong.

The Review

This felt like such a relatable, fun, and engaging read. The reality of many books on leadership, business, and life itself can feel too technical and data driven at times, and the experiences and stories the author brings to this book changes the formula greatly. The amount of research the author put into creating this book by including well-founded research and study on human brain chemistry and the impact of social interaction overall was astounding to see on the pages of this book. 

The heart of the book was not in the science itself, but in the impact that science had on highlighting the importance of community as a whole. The emotional connection people make when they find their community, and the bonds that form between individuals in that community help motivate and inspire others in their everyday life, and the way the author is able to apply that through these composite figures they create to represent the people they’ve met over the years was inspired and highly creative. Insights into how quiet leadership can accomplish a great deal of things or how even technology like Zoom calls can become the modern-day equivalent of gathering around the campfire and exchanging stories is a testament to the way forming bonds can push people forward in life.

The Verdict

Insightful, compelling, and enthralling, author Matthew Kaufman’s “The Campfire Effect” is a must-read nonfiction book on leadership development, relationships, and the science of community. The depth of knowledge is well-balanced by the personal stories and experiences the author is able to relate that knowledge to, and will keep readers eager to use this book as a great reference book long after they have finished reading it. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Matt Kaufman trained as an engineer. He has spent over thirty years applying that discipline to the most complex system imaginable: human belonging. His laboratory is summer camp.

What began as a summer job became a lifelong study of what makes groups of strangers become families. As a camp director, Matt has watched thousands of children cross the threshold from fear to courage, from isolation to belonging. He has decoded the invisible architecture that made these transformations possible.

In The Campfire Effect, Matt translates the principles of camp into practical tools for leaders, educators, and families. He shows how to bring the warmth of the campfire into the cold of the conference room and the quiet of the kitchen table.

Matt continues to believe that every organization, every classroom, and every home can become an intentional community.

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The Hands That Built This by K.A. Pierce

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

Author K.A. Pierce shares the reason why more people should choose trade work as their first choice of a career in the book “The Hands That Built This.”

The Synopsis 

America is running out of people who know how to build what it needs.

The Hands That Built This is a compact, urgent memoir-manifesto by K.A. Pierce—14 years as a carpenter and ironworker and nearly two decades as a construction-safety professional—that argues trades must be first-choice careers, not Plan B.

Through vivid job site scenes, program case studies, and practical policy steps, Pierce demonstrates how apprenticeships, earn-while-you-learn models, mentorship for women, and safety-first training can address labor shortages, mitigate costly failures, and provide stable, debt-free lives.

Concise, actionable, and voice-driven, this book provides parents, educators, contractors, and policymakers with a clear roadmap to rebuild the skilled trades and the communities they sustain.

The Review 

This was such an insightful and engaging read from the get-go. The author writes with passion in an insight into trade work that is inspiring, and will resonate with readers greatly. The fast pacing of the book will allow readers to not only connect with the message of the book, but we’ll give it that re–readability factor that is perfect for books like this that are a constant source of both inspiration and resourcefulness.

The author balances a personal writing style that feels very conversational to the reader with both expertise and familial experience that will allow readers to feel the importance of trade work in our world. The author does a great job highlighting the shame aspect a trade work that has for too long, taken young people away from this line of work and instead of showcases, the heart, the nobility and the honor that could be found in this line of work. The book is also a great source of alternate learning for those who never felt called to higher education, but have a passion for creative yet stable work and also highlights the historical accomplishments trade work has been responsible for.

The Verdict 

Well balanced, engaging, and heartfelt, Author K.A. Pierce’s “The Hands That Built This” is a must read non-fiction memoir meets inspirational guide for any young person who seek a direction in life involving trade work. The amount of knowledge and insight the author is able to fit into such a short read is astounding and readers will feel connected to the author’s story while also allowing them to see themselves in a position to pursue a career and trade work. If you haven’t yet, please grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

I have several books published under various pen names across diverse genres: self-help for personal growth, historical fiction weaving tales of the past, fantasy worlds of imagination, and practical guides to growing orchids. 

Each project reflects my curiosity and commitment to sharing knowledge that empowers and inspires.

However, construction is a passion of mine and has treated me well over the years.  With over 34 years in the construction trade, with 14 years as a carpenter and ironworker, I transitioned into Safety in 2008.  I led zero-incident sites and coached more construction workers than I can count in order to protect the crews and foster leadership.  My book “The Hands That Built This: Restoring Respect and Rebuilding the Future of the Trades”reflects that passion.

Born and raised in rural Minnesota, where hardworking values shaped my early years, I’ve always been drawn to hands-on pursuits. My Dad was a carpenter, and he could build or fix anything.  Life took me on a journey through Texas and then Indiana before landing in sunny Florida, each place adding layers to my story.  I have worked all over the US – including Alaska and Puerto Rico- and in some interesting places as well, like Antarctica’s South Pole Station. That’s another story!

Whether building structures or stories, I believe in restoring respect for skilled hands—those that craft our world. This site is a hub for my work, insights, and connections. Explore, connect, and let’s build something meaningful together.

Cheers! Kim

https://pierceauthor.com/books/the-hands-that-built-this-restoring-respect-and-rebuilding-the-future-of-the-trades-k-a-pierce/9798994628836
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PRESS RELEASE: WINNING THE WAR OVER WHAT-IFS BY BILLIE CORLEY RELEASES

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn book news, Book Promotion, Creative Edge Publicity Press Releases, PRESS RELEASESLeave a comment
WINNING THE WAR OVER WHAT-ifs A Practical Guide to Living Empowered   A stunning debut of faith by writer, speaker, and bible teacher Billie Corley  Released in e-book and paperback format by Dressed In Love Press 

  

Gaining victory over the what-ifs demands fully surrendering to God’s ways, total dependence upon His guidance, sensitivity to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, unlimited trust, and giving more than you realized you had to offer. You won’t find the phrase What-if Moment in a dictionary. Inspiration to write this book came from two reasons. One came while reading biblical stories and imagining choices, actions, and reactions. For instance, consider Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the three Hebrew children, who were forced to choose between bowing to the king’s image or being thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3).  https://bit.ly/winningthewarwhatif  “Practical, relevant, encouraging, and filled with solid truth. I enjoyed “Winning the War Over Whatifs” so much and found so many helpful truths the author pulled from Scripture. I found her writing refreshing and her teaching powerful. You can read this from cover-to-cover all at once and be blessed, or you may choose to enjoy it one chapter per day. It’s not exactly a devotional, but it could easily provide a daily thought to carry throughout your day. I highly recommend this book for your personal enjoyment or for your small group study” _ Tim Riordan Amazon Book Reviewer  
About Billie Corley 
 

Billie Corley is a writer, speaker, bible teacher and founder of Billie Corley Ministries and has been in Women’s Ministry for over twenty-one years. Her heart’s desire can be summed up in her ministry’s slogan “Seeking to Teach, Inspire and Encourage Women Everywhere for Jesus Christ.” Billie’s life drastically changed when she surrendered her heart to Jesus Christ in her late twenties. Immediately, she had a burden for ladies’ ministry and after a thirty-one-year career in Corporate America, entered full-time Christian service. Billie shares her love for God’s word through her speaking and writing. When she’s not writing, Billie spends time hosting and preparing for her annual women’s retreat and monthly bible studies. Billie is a published author of several articles both online and in print through Lighthouse Bible Studies and Dressed in Love Press. Billie serves with spiritual vigor, joy, and enthusiasm, and welcomes the opportunity to share at your ladies’ events. Billie is a wife, stepmom, grandmommie, and great grandmommie and lives in south Georgia with her soulmate, Ben, and cat named Blue. You can follow Billie on FB @ Billie Sue Strawder Corley or on her ministry page, Billie Corley Ministries. She can be found on Instagram billiesuecorley or visit www.billiecorley.com.  To request additional review copies or an interview with Billie Corley, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925   We look forward to the coverage!   

Buried Alive by Eric Fisher 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 Eric Fisher examines how to tackle life’s struggles using his father’s near-fatal accident years ago in the book “Buried Alive.”

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The Synopsis

In the book, Buried Alive, the author tells of the near-death experience of his father, who almost dies during an expedition to dig up Native American artifacts. The perspectives from all three men involved in the event are examined. Four self-help strategies are linked in practical ways to the scary event that happened on February 12th, 2000, in a rural area of Tennessee.

Through the immersive and daunting story of the near-fatal accident, the author shows how challenging circumstances can shed light on strategies for dealing with life’s challenges. Through an intense story about survival and recovery, you’ll gain practical suggestions that will help you find increased awareness, fortitude, and direction.

The sections discussed in the book are as follows:

1. How to find balance in particular areas, which includes perfectionism, spirituality, toxicity, vulnerability, expectations, self-care, emotions, planning, open-mindedness, comparisons, and trauma.

2. The CIA acronym for personal growth: curiosity, introspection, and agency. The four principles of agency and entropy are described and explained. The importance of understanding how entropy applies to self-development.

3. Learning the different ways of connecting with yourself, others, and a local community. The blocks to connection are explored.

4. The power of the “W” word when it comes to life fulfillment, direction, and taking action.

Each chapter applies the self-help content to the true story being told in a documentary fashion. For each self-help component, practical strategies and techniques are given to the reader. The concluding chapter integrates all the content with practical, real-life scenarios.

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The Review

What a compelling and engaging story and guide. The author did a remarkable job of finding the perfect balance between telling his father’s story and relating it to the lessons life has to offer. The author’s writing style is so unique, moving between honest conversation and insightful dialogue that address issues that can lead to detrimental problems in a person’s life, from toxicity to the impact media has on a person’s mindset, and so much more. 

I loved how the author laid out his father’s and the other two people’s personal experiences of the incident slowly throughout the book. This style allowed the reader to not only consume the story in an almost episodic format but also see how each part of the story applied to the lessons the author imparted, from self-care and confronting trauma to even getting the wife’s perspective, discussing how his mother dealt with the accident, and so much more.

The Verdict

Insightful, engaging, and memorable, author Eric Fisher’s “Buried Alive” is a must-read inspirational nonfiction read. The way the author writes in a way that feels almost therapeutic, allowing him to express the feelings and emotions that came from a powerful incident for so many people while also giving readers a guide that gives them the tools to examine their own situations, made this book feel so important and valuable that readers will turn to it time and time again in their lives. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Eric Fisher is a certified counsellor based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has over 13 years of experience working in outpatient and inpatient treatment settings in the US and Canada. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. Eric’s private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families locally and remotely. He also works as an associate for local clinics in the surrounding area. In the past, Eric has supervised master’s-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. Additionally, Eric has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. Eric enjoys hiking and riding his bike outdoors, trying new foods, travelling near and far, and meeting people.

https://www.instagram.com/ericfisherwriter/

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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.

AudiobooksNow

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.

Home

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Calm Within Chaos by Paul DeRenzo 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 Paul DeRenzo shares a guide for teenagers and parents alike to help cope with anxiety and empower teens to build lasting relationships in the book “Calm Within Chaos.”

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The Synopsis

Teens growing up in the 21st century are living in a world where social media, new technologies, and rapid spreading of information make them feel more connected than ever before. With this connectedness also comes new social, academic, and personal pressures nobody could have imagined decades ago. It is not surprising that over 70% of teens report feeling stressed on a daily basis, according to a 2024 research report by the American Psychological Association.

Are you a teen caught in the whirlwind of anxiety, stress, or anger, and not knowing what you can do to get out of it? Or are you a parent/caregiver searching for ways to better understand and support your teen through these emotional struggles? In either case, Calm Within Chaos is designed to help you navigate these situations.

This book was inspired by countless conversations with teens – conversations that started with confusion, frustration, and feelings of being misunderstood but ended with clarity and hope. While emotional struggles are an unavoidable part of growing up, having the right tools to manage them makes all the difference. This is more than just an anxiety workbook for teens—it’s a powerful guide to emotional strength and personal growth.

This book isn’t just about learning to control your emotions—it empowers you to live more fully, make better decisions, and build lasting, meaningful relationships. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve your mood, or understand your teen’s emotional world, Calm Within Chaos provides the tools you need to create lasting change. It’s ideal for those seeking stress management for teenagers, tools for anxiety relief for teenagers, and even stress relief for high school students facing academic and social pressure.

What you will find in this book.?

  • Science-backed explanations of how we develop and experience emotions, based on insights found in books like The Wisdom of Anxiety and Redefining Anxiety
  • Techniques to address emotional triggers and develop healthy responses, perfect for anyone looking for social anxiety help or seeking a teen anxiety solution
  • Exercises to build skills in identifying emotions, managing stress, and building resilience—similar to a practical anxiety journal for teens
  • 10 interactive challenges, quizzes, and reflections to reinforce your understanding—ideal for parents, caregivers, or therapists looking for a teen stress relief book or health anxiety book that delivers real results


This book is meant to help teens immediately! Each chapter ends with a 7-day long Teen Inner Peace Challenge that will tell teens exactly how to apply the lessons from that chapter in their actual life. This will help them navigate complex relationships with friends and classmates, family members, and even their social media relationships. It’s a valuable resource whether you’re working with emotionally resilient tweens and teens or supporting kids anxiety book readers moving into adolescence.

Parents/caregivers can use these challenges as a guide to help them ask the right questions to their teen and play a part in helping their teen gain healthy control of their emotions. Whether you’re looking for a social anxiety book, a teen anxiety guide, or something akin to a mindfulness for teens with anxiety toolset, this book offers it all.

Don’t let another day pass in emotional turmoil. Grab Calm Within Chaos today, and take the first step toward emotional mastery, resilience, and a calmer, more confident life. Perfect for anyone searching for a teens guide to anxiety, a social anxiety book for adults trying to relate to their teen, or support in helping young adults with anxiety.

The Review

This straightforward and compelling book is a valuable resource for teens and parents alike. The author does an incredible job of speaking directly to the reader, not only by recognizing the emotions teens experience but also by providing tools that empower them to take charge of their own emotional care. The balance the author found in not only identifying the causes of these stresses or anxieties and the steps needed to face them, but also in speaking directly to teens and to the parents or caregivers who need the proper tools to interact with and help teens going through these emotional moments. 

At the heart of this book was a focus on relationships as a whole and an exploration of the pressures and challenges teenagers face in the modern world. As someone who grew up in an age that had only just begun to acknowledge mental health and still grew up around mentalities of just “toughening it out”, it was refreshing to see the honest and compassionate yet interactive way the author dove into the challenges facing teens today, from social media and academic pressure to the sadly uncertain future teens face due to the growing political and social divides that impact everything form relationships to economics and so much more. The way the book encourages teens and parents alike to find common ground and create an atmosphere that fosters emotional growth together was a bonus.

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The Verdict

Memorable, honest, and engaging, author Paul DeRenzo’s “Calm Within Chaos” is a must-read nonfiction self-help and emotional guide for teens, parents, and everyone in between. The detail and straightforward writing style, along with actual tools and practices teens can use to tackle these emotions head-on, will be perfect for readers 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

Your Mindful Moments, PLLC is the driving force behind this

book, dedicated to helping you take control of your emotional well

being. The goal is simple: equip you with practical tools for

managing stress, building resilience, and creating stronger rela

tionships.

Paul DeRenzo, the founder and licensed therapist behind Your

Mindful Moments, PLLC, has over 10 years of experience helping

teens and adults navigate emotional challenges. His approach

blends mindfulness techniques with cognitive-behavioral strategies

to help you develop emotional resilience, manage stress, and thrive

in everyday life.

Through his work, Paul empowers clients to embrace emotional

regulation as a lifelong skill. For more resources, articles, and

personalized consultations, visit yourmindfulmoments.com. Join

the Your Mindful Moments community to continue building

emotional strength and well-being.

Socials

https://www.instagram.com/your.mindful.moments/

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@ur.mindful.moments

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Shoes That Fit Her Soul Workbook by Shamayne Olivia 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 Shamayne Olivia offers a guide for women to discover personal transformation using a unique system in the book “Shoes That Fit Her Soul Workbook.”

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The Synopsis

Reclaim your sense of self and create a life filled with purpose with the Shoes That Fit Her Soul Workbook by Shamayne Olivia Kotfas. This empowering guide, designed for women seeking personal transformation, uses a unique eight-step “Shoe Model” to navigate self-discovery. From reconnecting with your core values (Sole/Soul) to healing past patterns (Heel/Heal) and crafting your life’s legacy (Stitching/Journey), each step offers reflective exercises, journaling prompts, and practical tools to align your actions with your authentic self. Learn to trust your intuition, set healthy boundaries, foster meaningful relationships, and embrace resilience through mindfulness and self-compassion. With bonus journaling pages for deeper reflection, this workbook is perfect for women ready to break free from limiting beliefs and live with intention. Whether you’re starting your journey or seeking to redefine your path, this workbook provides the roadmap to a more meaningful, authentic life. Start your transformation today!

  • Ideal for: Women pursuing self-discovery, personal growth, and emotional healing.
  • Features: Interactive exercises, goal-setting frameworks, and mindfulness practices.

The Review

One of the most challenging experiences a person can face in life is the feeling of not being seen or heard. Far too often in life, a person can reach a point where they feel their voice isn’t being listened to and their actions or words are ignored entirely. The contributions this makes to self-esteem and a person’s confidence are detrimental, and being able to find that voice again and make yourself known is so crucial to developing as a person. This is a problem encountered far too often by women, whether in the workplace or in society as a whole, and the authors’ workbook is the perfect guide that helps restore women’s confidence.

The author’s writing style is poignant, detailed, and to the point, and yet speaks in a voice that can relate to women on a personal level. The exploration of a person’s future through these eight steps (or shoes) and utilizing techniques that leverage positive affirmations, journal prompts, and even methods of meditation or self-reflection allows readers to feel a sense of accomplishment and engagement, with the book enabling them to put these steps into use actively. Another aspect of this workbook is the way the reader can return to it time and again, enhancing its readability and serving as a constant guide that can help readers whenever they feel this way.

Grafton Mini Pen

The Verdict

Inspiring, highly creative, and motivating, author Shamayne Olivia’s “Shoes That Fit Her Soul Workbook” is a must-read self-help and improvement guide for women and readers everywhere. The book is the perfect jumping-off point for anyone looking to change the direction they are heading in or start anew. The fast-paced narrative and easy-to-follow steps are both insightful and introspective as readers begin their work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Shamayne Olivia’s transformative and entrepreneurial journey started with a simple question: “Who am I?” Her decades-long quest to reclaim her identity led to profound insights and realizations that are the foundation of her company, Shoes That Fit Her Soul, LLC. Based on her personal experiences with generational trauma, Shamayne’s authentic message guides women towards personal and professional growth and living more meaningful lives filled with passion, purpose, and renewed confidence. Her workshop has empowered countless women with the essential tools to get unstuck and move beyond the behaviors and patterns preventing them from realizing their full potential. Her first book explores these intricacies, removing the layers to uncover the fundamental steps needed to recover one’s identity. Shamayne lives in the Texas Hill Country, near Austin, with her husband and their two cats, Wrigley & Ivy. Living nearby are two of her adult children and three grandchildren, fulfilling her love of spending time with family. In her spare time, she enjoys live music, visiting Major League ballparks, and traveling to the western states to experience nature, especially in the mountains, rivers, and national parks. It is there that she reconnects with her soul and discovers new ways to inspire her clients to become their authentic selves.

Reclaim your sense of self, discover your voice, and step into your light.

https://amzn.to/490k6Ei

15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness by Kim Lengling 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 Kim Lengling shares the inspiring ways pets shape our lives in the book “15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness.”

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The Synopsis

What if your greatest teacher of kindness was sleeping at your feet?

In this uplifting mini-eBook, author Kim Lengling, a veteran, pet lover, and creator of Nuggets of Hope, shares 15 beautiful reflections on how pets gently remind us to slow down, forgive more, love deeper, and be kind to ourselves and those around us.

From tail wags to purring snuggles, our pets offer unconditional love, patience, and a powerful presence that can shift even the hardest days. Each short chapter is paired with a simple kindness prompt to help you carry their lessons into your own life, one paw print at a time.

Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or simply seeking a little hope and inspiration, this cozy companion will leave you smiling, reflecting, and maybe reaching for your furry friend.

20% off your first order with code FAMILY20

The Review

This was such a heartfelt and compelling read. While a short book, the author’s words and message pack an emotional punch that any pet parents or animal advocates will instantly understand. The poignant, often introspective yet heartfelt messages of hope that these passages bring to life on the page for readers are both reflective of life as a whole and strike a resonating chord for those of us who have both lost and loved pets throughout our lives.

The themes and messages this story plays with are memorable, from taking the time to live in the moment and utilizing our dog’s ability to stay grounded to remember that, to taking the time to pause what we are doing and take in our surroundings, much like our dogs do when they stare out a window or go on a walk. The author’s ability to offer daily prompts to help promote these ideas, combined with the reflective nature of these passages, will keep readers engaged throughout the book.

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The Verdict

Emotional, heartfelt, and compelling, author Kim Lengling’s “15 Ways Pets Teach Us Kindness” is a must-read nonfiction book of thoughts and motivational inspiration that will keep readers grounded. The important lessons, love for pets and animals in general, and overall connectivity of the book’s themes are perfectly elevated by the book’s ability to draw readers back in 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

As a multi-published author, Kim shares her love of nature, animals, living with PTSD, and her mission of tossing Nuggets of Hope into the world through writing and her podcast, Let Fear Bounce.

She is the lead author and coordinator of a collaborative 3-book series titled When Grace Found Me and two stand-alone anthologies, When Hope Found Me (released November 2022) and Paw Prints on the Couch (released August 2023.)

In addition to writing, she hosts the podcast Let Fear Bounce, spotlighting people who make a positive difference in the world, whether by writing, film production, philanthropy, teaching, founding non-profits, and more.

You can regularly find Kim drinking copious amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog.

https://www.kimlenglingauthor.com/

PREORDER HERE: https://amzn.to/4mNXKte

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

Contribution Link: Click here to donate

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