Tag: non fiction

Hello, I Am Here (Back in a Year Series Book 3) by Candace MacPhie 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 Candace MacPhie returns to her Back in a Year series to find herself as she travels the world in the book “Hello, I Am Here.”

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The Synopsis

I have an around-the-world airline ticket and plans to conquer the Middle East. So why am I hanging around Prague, waiting for a guy who told me to my face that he doesn’t love me? Because I can’t escape kryptonite, that’s why. The two of us travel through the Czech Republic and Germany, eating way too many peanut butter sandwiches and dancing around our feelings—until we don’t.

Once I do get my butt on a plane and reunite with my Australian friends, each step through the blistering heat in the Middle East spins up a slew of new challenges. My trials traveling around Europe have nothing on this place.

We haggle and dodge bedbugs and camel spit from Amman to Cairo. The girls and I take turns in the front seat of the taxi. Bus drivers rearrange passengers so we sit apart from locals. And an unexpected hairy nemesis barges in on my long-awaited felucca trip down the Nile.

But maybe, just maybe, out here in the sweaty, dusty chaos, I’ll find what I’ve been missing. And it’s not a peanut butter sandwich. It’s me.

_____________________________________

Grab your backpack and get ready for an adventure in the ’90s when the Internet was scarce but laughs weren’t. Hello, I Am Here is book three in the five-part Back in a Year series, a true story of a young woman traveling around the world. Each book can be read independently, but it’s more fun to take the full trip.

Content Warning:

Profanity, consensual sexual content, sexual assault, sexual harassment, parental grief, alcohol, religious situations, smoking, and drug use.

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The Review

As with the other entries in this series, I loved this book. The author writes with such passion and zeal for life, and moves beyond the typical travelogue format into much more personal territory. The blend of romantic adventures, new experiences, and new cultures being experienced, and the transformative nature long-term travel can have on a person was so perfectly illustrated in the author’s work, and conveys a sense of both adventure and bravery for both the author and the reader who becomes inspired by the author’s stories.

The heart of this story is in the author’s personal exploration. From the return of an old flame that is fiery yet not without its troubles, to a new journey into the Middle East that is so adventurous and nostalgic for those who yearn for those 90s era travel stories, and so much more, this story holds a lot of heart that will resonate with readers powerfully. Beyond the issues with lodgings, meeting new friends, and initiating dialogue despite a significant language barrier, the book delves more deeply into that inner journey, confronting grief and loss head-on and, in the process, the emotional struggle to find oneself and love all at once. 

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Candace MacPhie’s “Hello, I Am Here” is a must-read travel-based nonfiction work that reads like a memoir. The perfect entry in this series and a thoughtful approach to travel nonfiction, the author expertly navigates the emotional inner conflict within herself during a time of great turmoil, writing with great humor, charm, wit, and heart to create a narrative readers will instantly connect with. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Born in Montreal, Quebec, I spent years backpacking and working around the world. I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree, an MBA, and worked for twenty years on four different continents and now call Calgary, Alberta home.

I got married, had kids, and things got busy. Time was moving by quickly, and my kids were growing up fast. I shifted gears and quit my job to spend time at home. During the COVID lockdown, I had time on my hands, decided to try writing, and started writing the Back in a Year series.

When I’m not at my computer yelling, “Just a few more pages, then I’ll make dinner,” I love hiking in the Rocky Mountains, hot yoga, reading romance novels, and making up new cake recipes. I especially like to laugh and spend time with my husband, the self-proclaimed grumpy motherf*%ker, and my three awesome kids.

Follow me on Instagram: @candacemacphie

Or on TikTok: @candacemacphie

And visit my website for trip photos: www.candacemacphie.com

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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/

https://amzn.to/3KG7pFb

Dogs Chase Cars by Patrick Sangimino 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 Patrick Sangimino shares the experiences of a lifetime as a sports reporter as he faces a seemingly latest end as the newspaper industry crumbles in the book “Dogs Chase Cars.”

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The Synopsis

“Dogs Chase Cars” details the downturn in the newspaper industry through the eyes of a longtime Kansas City sports columnist, who is driving to work on a November Friday, expecting to be the latest casualty in a business that has shed far too much blood in recent years. It takes place over a single day, but flashes back to those seminal moments – from covering a World Series game in 1989 that was halted by a 7.1 earthquake to accidently breaking the story of a Hall of Fame quarterback’s rumored trade while doing his business at a urinal – that stand out in a storied career. It’s a tale of changing times, changing technology and the ignorance and arrogance of the industry’s decision makers, who assumed the profits of the past would never wane.

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The Review

A truly insightful and engaging story, the author does a marvelous job of finding the perfect balance between personal life stories and experiences within the newspaper industry. The honesty and passion for the sports and newspaper industries came through perfectly in the author’s writing, with an almost conversational tone that made readers feel immersed in the author’s life.

The heart of the stories told in this book is the themes the author explores and the memorable moments from both a sports and a newspaper perspective. From the baseball game that was halted by a shocking earthquake, to an interview with legend Hal McRae that shocked readers and so much more, the author’s anecdotes were perfectly paired with the author’s experiences and lessons, from the first time he was enthralled with another person’s story to the lessons he learned from his father’s journey to starting over in a new city having a significant impact on his career and so much more. 

The Verdict

Heartfelt, compelling, and engaging, author Patrick Sangimnio’s “Dogs Chase Cars” is a must-read nonfiction book about the newspaper industry. The imagery in the author’s writing allows readers to experience vivid moments the author lived through, coming together to create a clear image of the author’s life for readers to get lost in. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Patrick Sangimino worked as a journalist for over forty years, writing for large newspapers throughout California and the Midwest. He worked during the print journalism golden age and saw it slowly shift into the digital age. From beat reporter to award-winning columnist, Patrick wrote about some of the biggest sporting stories of all time, including eight seasons of the National Football League, World Series games, and local legends who made athletic history.

A self-described “ink-in-the-veins” writer, Patrick was not merely a journalist, he was a weaver of tales. His craft was motivated by a native curiosity, relentless doggedness in pursuit of fact, and the deeply human understanding that accompanied membership in the communities he served. His columns were read devotionally, acclaimed for their humor, pathos, and biting acuity.

Having retired in 2024, Patrick devoted himself to fiction. But whereas his columns were anchored firmly in the real world, so too is his fiction. Dogs Chase Cars is his first novel, but it feels like the accumulation of a lifetime of experience unvarnished, perceptive, sometimes self-aware, always uncompromisingly truthful.

Sangimino now spends his retirement doing what he’s always done best writing. Whether looking back or making up stories for the future, his pen still pursues meaning, memory, and perhaps a little bit of mischief.

Home

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dogs-chase-cars-patrick-sangimino/1147678336?ean=2940181171589

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Corporate Coach Approach: A Systematic Guide to Career Development by Nicole Fronek 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 Nicole Fronek shares a tested-and-true guide to shaping one’s career path and moving forward in the book “Corporate Coach Approach.”

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The Synopsis

In the modern corporate environment, career advancement does not typically occur by chance, but rather through intentional action. Corporate Coach Approach – A Systematic Guide to Career Development was created to help individuals shape their career path while navigating the complexities of the workplace.

Recent graduates and seasoned professionals alike benefit from real-world experience accompanied by narratives to exemplify the subject at hand. Inclusion of relevant case studies provides readers with insight to the development of the tried-and-tested methods found throughout this book. Topics include areas such as establishing a personal brand, stakeholder engagement, and taking action to drive productivity.

Content presented in a consolidated format is aimed at identifying possibilities to heighten visibility, thereby showcasing capabilities. Each point covered integrates an evaluation of actual scenarios encountered and concludes with a summary reinforcing key concepts. This structure offers a quick yet informative view into the ‘best of the best practices’ and practical strategies for situations frequently found in the work environment.

Whether the aim is to increase confidence, maximize advancement opportunities, or retool an established career, Corporate Coach Approach – A Systematic Guide to Career Development, serves as an ‘all-purpose’ manual for a range of industries and skill levels. Although a cover-to- cover reading is encouraged, each chapter is designed to stand on its own, providing guidance when it matters most – the moment it’s needed.

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The Review

Immediately, I was struck by how organized and detailed the book was. The author’s writing style is clear and pointed, giving readers immediate access to valuable insights that are geared towards career advancement. The fast pacing of the book and what I like to call the re-readability factor of this book, which showcases the knowledge that allows readers to go back time and time again to learn and adapt to new situations using tried strategies, was on full display in the author’s writing and kept readers fully engaged throughout the book.

The balance the author found in thorough guidance through each chapter and the steps found within, with the detailed evidence and tests the author provided to prove how these strategies work, was remarkable. Lessons such as engaging a unique personal brand that allows businesses to perceive you a certain way, to being able to convey specific ideas and knowledge through professional presentations in the workspace and so much more had a significant impact on the reader as the book progressed, and even touching upon how AI can be a helpful tool but is not in any way an answer or solution to a problem added depth to the author’s lessons overall.

The Verdict

Compelling, engaging, and thought-provoking, author Nicole Fronek’s “Corporate Coach Approach” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and career management. A fast-paced yet detailed and profound read, the author does a remarkable job of providing a grounded, deep guide to career growth and excellence that will inspire and educate readers equally. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Known as “The Coach”, Nicole has supported Fortune 100 firms inclusive of CBRE, Chevron, HP, Citigroup, and Marriott International. With two decades of experience in project management and client services, she has built her career on a foundation of helping others achieve their goals.

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Nicole holds a BA in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, and an MSc in Project Management from The University of Liverpool. Publications include Corporate Coach Approach – A Systematic Guide to Career Development.

https://www.instagram.com/nicolefronek/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/corporate-coach-approach-nicole-fronek/1147592727?ean=9781952465574

https://amzn.to/3KURhzB

Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance by Duane Deason 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 Duane Deason shares the practical use of a cost management center to make a company leaner and more profitable in the book “Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance.”

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The Synopsis

Operationally Svelte Unleashes Growth, Innovation, and Profit

An “operationally svelte” organization means it is lean, flexible, and efficient.

Organizational bloat creeps into companies as they grow. It dulls cutting-edge innovation, slows responses to changing economic conditions, whittles down profitability, and hinders growth. You will not curtail it by doing what you have always done. Companies need a new strategy.

In Operationally Svelte, author Duane Deason presents a refreshing approach to making an organization lean and unleashing its potential: create a Cost Management Center. Think of it this way—while your Sales team focuses on revenue, your Cost Management Center team focuses on managing and controlling costs throughout the organization.

Get step-by-step guidance to establish a Cost Management Center and eliminate the common culprits of waste and inefficiency. Then dive into strategies to maximize its effectiveness and transform your company for optimal performance, enhanced growth, superior innovation, and increased profit.

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The Review

This was such a powerful and insightful read for those in leadership roles within a business. The author found a great strategy that greatly balances the need to manage a business’s daily costs while also allowing staff to innovate and grow as a company. The author’s writing style is very detailed and practical, speaking to innovators and business leaders who have a firm grasp of the technical details but can connect with the author’s messaging and outline for the cost management center.

The concept of a svelte organization is a powerful one: running a lean, mean operation that improves sales and growth. Yet oftentimes, overreaching to cut costs inefficiently can stifle that growth. The author’s deep dive into the ways a cost management center would help create the necessary oversight over the expenses incurred by your business was remarkable to get into, from understanding the differences in costs per items/tasks, to tackling the use of technology and emerging AI, to creating a cost management center by finding key team members and outlining the responsibilities of the center going forward. The author also covers many areas in this realm, from those that incur higher costs to those on the horizon, giving readers a wealth of details to engage with.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and memorable, author Duane Deason’s “Operationally Svelte” is a must-read nonfiction business read. The depth of information and the clear, precise way the author writes and conveys it through solid, insightful frameworks that business leaders can follow thoroughly. This is one book readers and leaders can return to time and time again for guidance. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I am the author of Operationally Svelte: Manage Costs to Increase Profit and Enhance Performance. I wrote the book to take cost management out of the shadows, to explore why current strategies are failing, and to provide a more optimal solution. Companies owe their employees, customers, and shareholders an organization that is lean and best prepared to fend off competition, weather economic downturns, and adapt to organizational change. Svelte companies are not only more profitable but also experience a higher level of performance and innovation when compared to their peers.

I spend much of my time advocating, speaking, and educating on the topic of cost management. To pay the bills, I serve as President of The Efficacy Group, where I provide cost management advisory and consulting services. My early career was with PwC followed by starting my first business that provided financial support for companies undergoing transactions. After selling the business, I assumed the role of CFO at one of my former clients that was doing the typical titanic after the dot-com bust in the early 2000s. It was during that time as CFO when I fell in love with cost management. The feeling of saving a company from certain bankruptcy felt more rewarding than the prior acquisitions and initial public offerings that I had supported.

The last 25 years of my career have been dedicated to cost management in one form or another. I’ve had the privilege of working with many companies of varying sizes and industries. Through that, I observed patterns that resulted in success and others that led to deterioration. Among these patterns was the realization that companies that failed to prioritize cost management would eventually fail. Just like life, companies can’t outgrow their problems. Hence, I decided to dedicate my career to helping companies lower costs and operate more efficiently without hindering growth or innovation.

I am a Certified Public Accountant and have an MBA from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business.

https://amzn.to/48w3a8h

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/operationally-svelte-duane-deason/1148299225?ean=9798998846700

Interview with Author Shamayne Olivia Kotfas 

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

I never expected to become a writer and oddly, it still sounds strange to my ears. Yet, here I am. I’ve written a teaching memoir, created an accompanying workbook that came from a dream and developed a digital workbook. The ball continues to roll as I have added a trademark and public speaker to my bio. My writing came out of necessity as I journaled my way through healing from a dysfunctional family system, childhood trauma and a tragic accident that none of us saw coming. 

In midlife, I experienced a period of unraveling that led to unexpected change through self-reflection, divorce, loss, and tragedy. Twenty years later, I am retired from corporate and focusing on my passion to help others reclaim more authentic and meaningful lives. I am happily remarried and living in the suburbs of Austin, TX with my husband, Craig and our two cats, Wrigley and Ivy. I have three adult children; Sydney and Nathan live nearby while Daniel is on the west coast. I’m also Maymie to three remarkable grandchildren, Emerson, Joaquin, and Jude. When I’m not writing, or planning a workshop, I love live music, theatre, and baseball.

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2) What inspired you to write your book? 

A vivid dream was the spark that gave me a purpose that eventually became my workshop. Women in my workshop often asked me when my book was coming out so they could read my story. I didn’t have one but I had journaled many stories during my self-discovery journey. I was inspired by their curiosity about my story to write a book based on my experiences. 

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

It’s never too late to reclaim their sense of self and identity. We were born to be seen and heard for who we truly are. I hope readers walk away knowing that their story is valuable and their experiences add value to the lives of others.

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4) What drew you into this particular genre? 

Part of my healing journey involved volunteering in women’s support groups. I was so inspired as I watched each one realize their true potential and develop the courage to embrace positive change. It was genuine guidance they had lacked in their lives that prevented them from moving forward and realizing their full potential. I recognized myself in their shoes and wanted to create a tool that supported a new beginning for those asking “Who am I?”

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

I am new to this side of developing readership. It feels so overwhelming at times. I have found Linked In to be very helpful, but I truly enjoy in-person networking. Having close connections with people is the most valuable tool for me. I have joined several groups and attended events that align with my genre of personal development.

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

Never give up and work at your own pace as you follow your dreams. My experience as a first-time non-fiction writer was harder than I expected, but extremely rewarding as I watched the process unfold. It was difficult to write about myself, but I learned so much about myself on a deeper level. Writing expanded my ability to accept people for who they are and to have compassion, not judgement, for their circumstances and what shaped them, including myself. I realized my potential and capabilities went far beyond anything I could have imagined. 

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About the Author

  • Austin, TX is my home
  • Started my career at Humana in July 2008; Retired January 2024
  • Executive Admin for Central Division Senior Products (6yrs)
  • Texas Region Provider Development and Engagement (9yrs)
  • Humana Well-being Champion representing the South Region – 2014 – 2023
  • Women’s Networking Resource Group (WNRG) Perspectives Steering Committee (2017 – ’24); Leadership Symposium Steering Committee (2017 – 2022); Associate Recognition Advisory Board (2018); Founding Member of the Mindfulness & Compassion Group (2020); Mindfulness Mentors Steering Committee for the (2021 – 2023)
  • Presenter – Many groups and departments in Humana invited me to share my story and shoe steps to their associates beginning in 2018
  • Featured on Hi! Page “Women with Vision” in March 2019
    (Humana’s Associate Intranet Website) 
  • Moderator WNRG Ted Talk WOWZA (Vulnerability) October 2019 
  • Keynote Speaker – Women’s Perspectives Event (“Building Self-Confidence”) September 2022
  • Keynote Presenter – Humana Regional Health Services Leadership Summit (Mental Health and Wellbeing) May 2023 (this included the medical directors of this region)
  • Developer and Facilitator – WNRG Post Event Discussions (I created the format and lead these discussion groups after each quarterly event we broadcast each quarter – each discussion group met once a week for 3-4 weeks) 2021-2023
  • Life Coach certification specializing in Identity and Emotional Wellness
  • Creator/Facilitator – Shoes for the Woman’s Soul©
    workshop for Mindfulness and Compassion Community 2020 – 2022 
  • Podcast Host for “Hear and Now” podcast through the Mindfulness and Compassion group. Podcast based on my shoe steps and emotional wellness – every Thursday during 2023 – this was on Humana Radio with a co-host – so I don’t have the recordings ☺
  • Founder/CEO SHOES THAT FIT HER SOUL, LLC 2022
  • Enjoy live music, baseball, traveling and family

Press Release: Author Versus AI by Alison McBain Releases

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Creative Edge Publicity Press Releases, PRESS RELEASESLeave a comment

Author Versus AI

A project of global proportions to change the book industry forever

Critically acclaimed author and editor Alison McBain took on the influence of AI in the book industry by meeting the technology head-on!!!

Artificial intelligence (AI), in its broadest sense, is a field of research in computer science that develops and studies methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment and use learning to maximize their chances of achieving defined goals. Currently, there are a number of programs using AI software to augment or replace human creativity.

**Alison McBain’s mission is to prove that writing can be done quickly, efficiently, and better with human instinct, emotion, and passion**

The New Empire – the newest book from Alison

Fire. Blood. His brother’s hand smashing his face to the ground. These are Jiangxi’s final memories of Beijing from 1751. In the alternate history novel The New Empire, a bloody coup imprisons the emperor’s youngest son in the bowels of a cargo ship, headed to a much different America than we’ve read about in history books. When Jiangxi arrives in the distant city of Wacharon, a trading hub for a powerful tribal confederacy, he is sold upon his arrival. As he begins to learn about the influential man who bought him, he’s caught between the two worlds of his past and present, forced to choose between following the law of the land or striking out on his own to find a new and bold path to freedom. But Jiangxi’s journey of self-discovery has a steep price. The choices he makes will change not only the course of his own life, but also the future of the two most powerful nations in the world.

Amazon.com: The New Empire eBook : McBain, Alison: Kindle Store

  

About Alison

Alison McBain’s human-created novels are the recipients of over 13 awards, including the Foreword INDIES. Her latest novella Dual took home 3rd place in the 3-Day Novel Contest. When not writing for herself, she’s a ghostwriter who has penned over two dozen books for clients, as well as an award-winning editor who has worked with both celebrity and NY Times-bestselling authors. In 2024, she pursued a project called “Author Versus AI,” where she wrote a book a week, using NO AI at all (34 books total). When not writing, Ms. McBain is the associate editor for the magazine ScribesMICRO and draws all over the walls of her house with the enthusiastic help of her kids. She lives in Alberta, Canada.

Avi Lanir – A Short Life Story: The Courage and Capture of an Israeli Fighter Pilot by Yael Yannay 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 Yael Yannay shares the story of higher pilot Avi Lanir, who never returned from Syrian capture during the Yom Kippur War in the book “Avi Lanir – A Short Life Story: The Courage and Capture of an Israeli Fighter Pilot.”

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The Synopsis

This is the story of the life and death of Lt. Col. Avi Lanir (1940-1974)—the most senior Israeli pilot to fall into Syrian captivity during the Yom Kippur War, and the only one who did not return alive.

Lanir died after brutal torture, without betraying the critical secret the Israeli Air Force had entrusted to his care. The body was defeated, yet the human spirit soared and triumphed. In these stormy and turbulent times, here is the story of a man whose brief spring touched the seasons of a nascent Israel.

Israeli author and editor Yael Yannay has woven a moving, inspiring biographical tapestry from the memories of family members, soul mates, and comrades-in-arms, and from the reflections of those who led Israel then—in body and in spirit. A profound, complex story: one of beauty and a vibrant life attuned to awareness— full of orders and briefings; question marks and family; love and yearning; wounds and hopes.

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    The Review

    What immediately struck me was how honest and heartfelt the author’s writing was. While a national hero who withstood some of the worst torture a person could endure during war before passing, the author could have easily written a biography that was pure hero worship. Still, instead the author delved into the complex humanity that was Avi Lanir’s life growing up and during his time as a fighter pilot, captured best in the author’s opening chapters that showcased the stress Avi was under during his last meeting with his wife, and his reaction to not seeing his child leading to a disagreement and later reflection on the words not said between them.

    The honesty was balanced well with the detail and immersive writing experience the author brought to this book. The way the author conveyed the historical events that Avi’s father and grandfather experienced and how these impacted Israel as a whole, while also balancing this with Avi’s personal struggles and experiences, was memorable. The sheer volume of courage that Avi displayed during his career and short life, especially in those pivotal moments withstanding torture to keep his country’s military secrets, exuded a bravery that is inspiring and infectious all at once.

    The Verdict

    Honest, compelling, and engaging, author Yael Yannay’s “Avi Lanir – A Short Life Story” is a must-read book. The biography holds nothing back, is well-researched, and brings so much insight to life in Israel and in the Israel Air Force, both historically and through the life of Avi Lanir. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

    Rating: 10/10

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    About the Author

    Yael Yannay, mother of four. Author, editor, lexicographer. Coaxes words into what they long to become: spring or autumn, iron or silk, minor or major.

    https://amzn.to/4q1ggjU

    How Not To Flip A House by Jackie Coffey 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 Jackie Coffey shares the lessons she learned to build a real estate empire by flipping houses in the book “How Not To Flip A House.”

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    The Synopsis

    Jackie has an incredible personal story. When she was 7, the FBI raided her house – her family had no idea her stepfather was a high-level heroin dealer. Her childhood was marked by financial instability, relocations, and survival.

    At 22, as a broke single mom with zero real estate experience, she decided to flip a house. No connections. No mentors. Just grit and a willingness to learn the hard way. One flip at a time, she went from living paycheck-to-paycheck to building a multi-million-dollar real estate empire.

    The book is:

    • Laugh-out-loud funny (even when things go horribly wrong)
    • Packed with red-flag checklists and practical “don’t do what I did” wisdom
    • Fast-paced and story-driven
    • Relatable for anyone who’s ever tried to build a business from the bottom
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    The Review

    What immediately struck me upon reading this book was the honesty and upfront way of writing (or talking, depending on how you read it). The author presented the lessons and experiences that she accrued over her time flipping houses. The writing feels both descriptive and real, as if the reader is in the midst of a full-on conversation with the author. This, combined with the book’s fast pacing, allows the reader to feel invested in the author’s lessons and messaging.

    The way the author presented each lesson through a personal experience really drove home the realities of real estate investing and flipping houses. That honest approach works so well in this context, allowing readers to see both the harsh realities and the rewarding aspects of this field. One chapter early on really stood out, speaking on the integrity she held onto in the face of a seemingly lucrative offer, only to find her moral stance paying off later on. The book hones in on the ethical and moral stances that arise in this business, as well as the physical and mental toll it takes, and the author expertly lays out the process with honesty and ease. 

    The Verdict

    A memorable, heartfelt, and engaging read, “How Not To Flip A House” by author Jackie Coffey is a must-read nonfiction book on real estate and investment. The authenticity and relatability of the author’s experiences and writing voice, as well as the in-depth detail the author provided for the lessons found in each chapter, will keep readers returning to this book time and time again to learn what not to do and what to do in this real estate field. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

    Rating: 10/10

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    About the Author

    Do you ever catch yourself dreaming of the type of life you want to live? Filled with the excitement of endless possibilities. The Magic of success, the Freedom of time, the freedom to live YOUR life on YOUR terms, and achieve the happily ever after you dream about and IGNITE your entrepreneurial spirit! 

    You close your eyes and let this thought resonate through you until you can feel the butterflies piling up inside of you and the excitement wrapping around you like a warm summer day. Then the moment you open your eyes, a harsh reality sets in. One full of fear and uncertainty. You begin tell yourself all of the reasons you can’t, should’nt, or don’t deserve that life. 

    If you feel this way, you are not alone.

    Jackie understands the personal struggle of self-limiting beliefs. Striving for a future she could picture and that she wanted so badly, but everyone telling her it wasn’t possible, feeling like she couldn’t, or even worse, telling herself she didn’t deserve it. 

    After seemingly constant insurmountable adversities, starving for her own success, and not being able to give her daughter the life she deserved, She reached her breaking point and decided she had to flip her mindset if she wanted to flip the narrative of her future. 

    She knew anything was possible with enough nerve, and it was time.  Time to IGNITE her inner entrepreneur! 

    She had enough of the self-limiting thoughts, enough of the excuses, enough of the fears. It was time to show up. She set out on an adventure to discover her value, and strength and test her courage to find out what she was made. It was time to face her fears, hold herself accountable, and come to terms with failing and trying again, and most importantly, it was time to learn her true value. 

    After two decades and flipping her narrative to achieve personal and professional success, Jackie’s mission is to Flip YOUR mindset so you can change the narrative. She believes in a life fueled by persistence, passion, and the courage to take risks. With Jackie’s framework, she will give you practical strategies so you can develop an optimistic mindset and learn to use accountability to gain control of adversities, Learn to Harness fear and use it in your favor as a means of motivation. You will find the freedom in failure and gain the understanding that you must fail to succeed and finally Learn the power and value of your worth all while igniting confidence, excitement, and empowerment within you. Through her insights, you’ll face adversities head-on, self limiting beliefs, and embrace success so you can live a life you want on YOUR terms. 

    If you are ready to IGNITE your inner entrepreneur and live the life you deserve on your terms, let Jackie show you how.