I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A new path to overcoming anxiety takes center stage in author J. Traveler Pelton’s book, “Calm Instead of Clamor: How to Control the Natural Gift of Fear”.
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The Synopsis
In today’s world, people are frightened, anxiety is at an all-time high and lowering the stress of daily life can seem impossible. J. Traveler Pelton LISW-S, wrote Calm Instead of Clamor in order to try and stem the anxiety that seems endemic in our society. Today’s fear is rooted in many things, the present pandemic, the climate, the economy, family problems, past trauma, or spiritual despair. This book will show you a path, clear and simple, to get your anxiety under control. Using time-proven and clinically correct exercises, Traveler leads you step-by-step to a quieter, more fulfilling life. Your new life will feature less stress, more serenity, and joy instead of panic, clamor, and fear. Isn’t it time you did something to help yourself find quiet in your soul and mind? You are so worth it! Claim your calm!
The Review
The author does a good job here of striking a balance between psychology and Christian Science and beliefs. While many of you know I myself am not religious, I found the author’s candor and approach to be memorable and attainable from various angles and belief systems. While many Christians will feel a special connection to the author’s words, the nature of fear and how it impacts us all is felt in every chapter, and the author does a great job of exploring this from more than just her religious background.
This book did a wonderful job of implementing these calming techniques while tying it all into the real-world effect that COVID-19 has had on us all. The pandemic’s isolation and fear have amplified so many of our own personal fears that anxiety has never been more prevalent in our world. The author does a great job of not only acknowledging this but showcasing both personal, religious-based thinking with practical and helpful techniques that will help many dealing with their own anxieties.
A heartfelt, unique, and calming self-help style book that delves into the root of our fears and finds the means to calm ourselves, author J. Traveler Pelton’s “Calm Instead of Clamor: How to Control the Natural Gift of Fear” is a must-read. The author has a way of connecting with readers on a personal level and offers a wide variety of calming exercises that readers from all backgrounds will be able to implement. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
J. Traveler Pelton was born in West Virginia in the last century. She is active in her home church and was the Nation’s Mother for her tribe for several years. She is still wife to Dan after 47 years (He is so long-suffering!), mother of six adults, a grandmother of nine, a Clinically Licensed Independent Social worker in private practice, a retired adjunct professor of social work at her local university, and an avid reader. She lives on a mini-farm with her husband, seven alpaca, a flock of spoiled chickens, five Siamese cats, four Pomeranians, a talkative Amazon parrot named Gizmo, and her aviary of canaries. Traveler enjoys the intersection of fantasy, possibility, creativity, and speculation. Join her on the other side of the imagination tree. She’ll be sitting there waiting for your visit.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Authors Noelle Ihli and Jeanne Allen take readers on a journey to turn their dreams of being an Etsy shop owner and become a full-fledged business in their book, “The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy”.
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The Synopsis
Hey, Etsy sellers! SKIP the “secrets” and “tricks.”
“The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy” teaches you proven, easy-to-follow strategies to get more sales on Etsy and turn your side-hustle hobby into a sustainable business.
So many Etsy sellers with incredible products and potential are completely buried by the competition with weak or low-converting keywords, counterproductive titles, the wrong listing structure, etc. That’s the bad news. The good news is that these problems aren’t hard to fix—if you know what you’re doing!
“The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy,” fully updated for 2021, is your one-stop resource for all things Etsy. And no, you won’t get a fire-hydrant of business lingo and milquetoast advice. “The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy” is a down-to-earth, no-BS, complete guide to help real Etsy sellers–written by REAL top-1% Etsy sellers. Learn simple ways to dramatically improve your Etsy shop ranking, your five-star reviews, your conversion rate, your shop views and traffic. And most importantly, learn how to stop getting buried by your competitors—and start making sales and real income.
You won’t find any “secrets” or snake-oil in this book. Just replicable strategies that we KNOW work because we used them ourselves to turn a brand-new shop with a single listing in 2013 into a top-1% ranking shop with 22k+ sales, a five-star rating, and 6-figure income.
In “The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy” we share the EXACT same strategies we used to grow our Etsy shop. So skip the guesswork, the “secrets,” and the snake oil. Whether you’re just starting out on Etsy or have been putting a lot of work into your Etsy shop without much success, don’t give up. Instead, get this book. Because our success on Etsy wasn’t an accident, or “good luck.” It was the result of meticulous testing, research, and doing more of what worked (and less of what didn’t!). It’s replicable. Which means that you can do it in your shop too.
Noelle and Jeanne (that’s us!) are passionate about helping other Etsy sellers succeed through our coaching. We love what we do, and we LOVE sending the elevator back down to help other women (and men) build and grow their small business on Etsy. The coaching arena for Etsy sellers is a wee bit crowded with mediocre advice from shop owners who rely on guesswork and outdated tactics. We’re here to change that. In “The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy” we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to succeed and grow on Etsy. We’ll share our mistakes (we made a number of them in the beginning), our success, and what WORKS. You’ll learn:
– How to properly set up your shop for success (and common pitfalls!)
– Down-to-earth, real advice and strategies for keywords that bring in sales
– Real-talk and strategies about Etsy’s algorithm and how it ranks your shop and listings
– How to price your products (most sellers get this one wrong)
– The best (and most cost-effective) opportunities for paid advertising
– Little-known opportunities for free advertising that actually work
– Etsy-specific customer service guide for earning 50% more 5-star reviews
– In-depth guide for how to market your shop within and beyond Etsy
– Practical guide to studio space, packaging, and shipping strategies that save you time and money.
– Advice for growing, scaling, hiring freelancers and virtual assistants
– Much, much more. When we say “The Ultimate Guide,” we mean it.
You can do this. And we’ll show you how. Etsy is an incredible platform with a LOT of potential. Now, get out there and ETSY!
The Review
A truly well-written, extensively researched, and memorable read, this book does a fantastic job of breaking down the setup and successes on Etsy. Online shops are growing rapidly, and have taken a life all their own over recent years. Etsy has quickly become one of the internet’s best sites to establish a business and pursue one’s dreams, but not everyone is able to grow their business into something full-time. The experience and knowledge the authors bring to this subject are incredible to read in this book.
The book itself covers a wide variety of topics, and the layout of the sections of this book is great. Starting with the basics of setting up your Etsy shop and determining what kind of shop you want to have, the book delves into everything from crafting a shop name that reflects your shop’s purpose in a succinct manner, to the proper photography tools and settings to get the best photos of your products and even marketing strategies.
A memorable, educational, and thought-provoking read, authors Noelle Ihli and Jeanne Allen’s “The Ultimate Guide to Selling on Etsy” is a must-read for all aspiring entrepreneurs and Etsy shop owners. The perfect blend of how-to and inspirational, this book covers a wide variety of topics and makes for a truly engaging book with readers hoping to improve or even begin their journey onto Etsy. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Etsy is an incredible platform. And if you know what works, you can be successful. We know because we did it. Our Etsy shop started with a single listing in 2013. We’re proud to say that it ranks in the top 1% and brings in 6 figures.
If you’re like us, you’re probably wondering if you have what it takes to be successful on Etsy. If your product is good enough. And even if you’ve seen some success, you may still think of your Etsy shop as your “little hobby.” And we want you to knock that off right now. We’ve found that the people who run Etsy shops are some of the most creative, tenacious people we know. And we have no doubt that you are one of them. You can do this. You DO have what it takes.
And that’s why we wrote this book. Because we’ve figured out what actually works, and we love helping other women (and the occasional awesome dude) take their fledgling Etsy shop, and make it into something that gives back to them what they’re putting into it.
About Us:
Noelle is a boy mom to Luke and Max, and a cat mom to Michelle. When she’s willing to wear pants (which is less often than she aspires to wear them), she can be found in mom jeans. Her husband Nate is the best person she knows. The two things she loves most (in addition to Etsy and the aforementioned children and husband) are murder and horses. (Separately, never together.)
Jeanne is also a mom—to Kaylee, Eileen, and Tober. (Yes, Tober. The short story is that she let Kaylee name her baby brother when she was five. She swears she would have stepped in if Kaylee had added too many Xs or Zs, but luckily, she hadn’t learned those letters yet). Her husband Bryan is, like Noelle’s Nate, pretty dang awesome and supportive. Especially when she decided to veer off a more standard career in technical editing and jumped headfirst into the world of Etsy selling.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
TRIGGER WARNING: BOOK DEALS WITH SUBJECTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ABUSE, AND THEMES RELATED TO THESE SUBJECTS. READER DISCRETION ADVISED.
Author Amanda Blackwood shares her harrowing story of survival after escaping human trafficking and striving to get her own brand of justice through sharing the truth in her memoir, “Custom Justice”.
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The Synopsis
It’s hard enough to escape human trafficking, but how does someone survive the aftermath of continually being hunted for years to come? I was young when the abuse started. It came from every angle. Struggling for many years, I wasn’t sure I’d ever have a chance at a normal life with real love and true happiness. At the age of 31 I figured I was too old for that sort of thing. I’d been abused in the past, but this time I was finally going to have a happy ending. I was moving to a foreign country to get married to a police officer I’d known for seven years. I would finally be happy. I had no idea that my entire life would change once more, and I’d be forced to either subject myself to abuse beyond anything I could ever imagine, or end my life unceremoniously, death by train. The man I thought I loved exploited me beyond comprehension. The damage he left behind will haunt me for the rest of my life. There is no way to seek court justice across international borders against a police officer in a corrupt system. Instead, I seek my custom justice simply by sharing the truth with the world. It’s been 10 years since I escaped, beating all odds. Most don’t survive. I know that now, I didn’t know that then.
The Review
This is a heartbreaking yet vital read for those who want to educate themselves about the perils of human trafficking, what constitutes human trafficking, and overcoming abuse as a whole. The vulnerability the author writes with when exploring her past and the moments that defined so much of her life really bring this subject to life vividly, exploring experiences far too many people have in general in the lives that they never knew could be considered abuse or a form of trafficking.
The balance of personal memories and emotions with the descriptive and haunting way the author delves into her experiences makes this book feel important and engaging with the reader. The way the author writes also showcases an underlying theme of overcoming the odds, finding hope again, and making a life outside of the one filled with trauma, which so many people can relate to.
A harrowing, emotional, and well-told story of survival and hope, author Amanda Blackwood’s “Custom Justice” is the must-read non-fiction memoir that any and all survivors of abuse and trafficking will not want to miss. Educational for those who have not experienced this before, the author’s story is important and memorable, and while often painful to read the more harrowing experiences the author shares from throughout her life, reading these experiences may well one day help others to feel connected and not alone, leading this book to be a must-own story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Amanda Blackwood is a survivor of human trafficking and an avid writer. A portion of every book sale goes to local organizations in the state of Colorado to help rescue other victims of human trafficking and offer them a better chance at life.
Check out more books by Amanda Blackwood on Amazon.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Julia A. Royston leads readers on a personal journey of self-reflection in order to showcase the way she has learned to be her best self in her short non-fiction and self-help style book, “Live Your Best Life”.
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The Synopsis
What does Live Your Best Life really mean? To me, it means being the best me that I can be for me and not anyone else. It means living in my truth and not the truth of someone else. It means living the life that I was meant to live and being okay with it deep down inside myself and not based on what others think, believe or approve. It means a lot to me. It’s not always fun and sometimes it’s downright scary but it’s me and I’m okay with it. Why? I only have one life to live on this earth and this is it. You ready? Let’s go!
The Review
This was a truly unique and succinct read. The author does a great job of incorporating their own beliefs and faith into their self-help system that has helped them not only in life but in their business life as well, while also giving readers enough room to feel they can incorporate the things in their lives that they believe in, even if it is not the same as the author. That is a rare thing in non-fiction reads, as books are often curtailed to specific things like a certain faith or belief system, but the author takes that and flips it on its head early on in the read, giving readers the chance to customize their experience with the author’s system for their own lifestyles.
The author does a great job of exploring the basic building blocks of success both in life and in business and connecting the two together to form a perfect balance. From establishing an important support system to weather the harshest storms we will face in our lives to discovering our true purpose in life through our passions, dreams, and talents, the author does a great job of connecting readers with not only her message but themselves in the process.
An informed, passionate, and engaging non-fiction read, author Julia Royston’s “Live Your Best Life” is a must-read story of hope, purpose, and the desire to live life according to what we want out of life, not what others desire for us. Whether it is a religion that makes the bedrock of your life’s foundation or some other passion or inspiration, living a life of purpose without sacrificing our passions has never felt more possible than in this wonderful read. If you haven’t yet, be sure you grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Julia Royston spends her days doing what she loves, writing, publishing, speaking and coaching others to tell, introduce and create businesses surrounding their messages to the world. That is her “Why.” Her companies, BK Royston Publishing LLC, Julia Royston Enterprises, Royal Media and Publishing and Royston Book Fairs are the conduits that support all of her client’s endeavors.
To date, Julia has written 60 books, recorded 3 music CDs and Coached more than 200 to write and publish books as well as establish their own businesses. She is the Host of the “Live Your Best Life” Broadcast heard each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. EST on http://www.envision-radio.com. She hosts the quarterly Book Business Boss Podcast heard at www.bookbusinessbosspodcast.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Bruce Olav Solheim takes readers on a unique journey into his experiences with an alien mystic he has been in contact with for years, and in the process explores the concept of UFO’s and the Paranormal being connected through high strangeness in the book “Anzar the Progenitor”.
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The Synopsis
Anzar is an ancient alien mystic whom I have known most of my life and have been in weekly direct contact with since 2018. Anzar the Progenitor documents my spirit communication with this ancient alien, including his prophecies, sage advice, and commentary on the world. The book has extensive endnotes and includes my research on the nature of this communication through mediumship and my theory of how the alien world, the spirit world, and the quantum world are the same—a quantum nexus. We can no longer wait for government disclosure about UFOs and aliens. The time has come for personal revelation through a leap of consciousness in a new Era of Reconversion. We are all related and we are the aliens.
What an illuminating and thought-provoking read. This book is right up my alley, delving into the high strangeness and paranormal goodness that I have come to know and love in my life. The author does an excellent job of blending the history and culture surrounding ufology, cryptozoology, and paranormal research with his own personal experiences and research, finding a harmonious back and forth that makes the book feel both personal and professionally researched.
The author’s ability to achieve such a rich and layered story that is both fantastic and out of this world and very much grounded in reality is amazing to see unfold. The way the author explores quantum physics and its impact on the paranormal, UFOs, and spiritualism is inspired and speaks to me on a personal level.
Many of you know from my review of the incredible Kristin Martin’s BEYOND THE STARS AND SHADOWS that I am a big believer in not only the paranormal, but high strangeness, metaphysics, and everything in-between. I’ve definitely talked about Hellier more times than I could count. The author’s work here is a great addition to this line of research and study, exploring the ever-changing nature of reality, and the conversations between him and this ancient alien visitor are incredible to read, expanding not only our own consciousness but our exploration of the universe overall.
The Verdict
A thoughtful, engaging, and brilliant book that explores the concept of reality and the paranormal, author Bruce Olav Solheim’s “Anzar the Progenitor” is a must-read story. After being introduced to the concept of synchronicities, I am a firm believer that books like this often come to us during times of high strangeness and when we don’t even realize we need it. The kind of book that readers will come back to and study time and time again, the author’s respectful approach to the topic, and the reader’s need to come into it with a skeptical yet open mind really speaks to the growing change in our world in regards to this topic. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
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About the Author
Bruce Olav Solheim was born on September 3, 1958, in Seattle, Washington, to hard-working Norwegian immigrant parents, Asbjørn and Olaug Solheim. Bruce was the first person in his family to go to college. He served for six years in the US Army as a jail guard and later as a helicopter pilot. He earned his PhD in history from Bowling Green State University in 1993.
Bruce is currently a distinguished professor of history at Citrus College in Glendora, California. He also served as a Fulbright professor in 2003 at the University of Tromsø in northern Norway.
Bruce founded the Veterans Program at Citrus College and cofounded, with Manuel Martinez and Ginger De Villa-Rose, the Boots to Books transition course—the first college course in the United States designed specifically for recently returned veterans. He has published five books and has written seven plays, two of which have been produced.
Bruce is married to Ginger, the girl of his dreams, who is a professional helicopter pilot and certified flight instructor. He has been blessed with four wonderful children: Bjørn, Byron, Caitlin, and Leif. He also has a precious grandson, Liam. Bruce, his brother, and his two nephews still own the family home in Åse, Norway, two hundred miles above the Arctic Circle.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A father speaks to his son on the experiences of his own childhood in an effort to connect those experiences to the anxiety and challenges of parenthood in author Eric L. Heard’s “Reflections of an Anxious African-American Dad”.
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The Synopsis
The purpose of this book is an awkward discussion of Eric Heard’s life to his son. He talks about his life in a candid way that tries to explain his anxiety as an African American dad. It is an open and honest account of his life through the life of a child that has been through a lot in his life. It is a reflection on his life that has been shaped by his childhood experiences.
The Review
This was such a brilliantly written and emotionally driven memoir. The personal nature of this particular memoir really helps readers to feel connected not only to the message this novel creates but to the author himself and his struggles both with his past and his anxiety to be the best parent to his son possible. Stemming from a fear that his son would go down a path of chaos and bad decisions, the author recognizes his behavior not only directly impacts his son and his perceptions of the world, but how his own past and the adults in his life have impacted his actions in the present.
This is not only a great examination of learned behavior and environment on the growth of a child, (examining the author’s life and childhood growing up in the American South during the ’70s, 80’s and beyond), but in particular, this is a much needed and thoughtful look at the experiences African-American children undergo and the added pressures that African-American parents have to help raise their child in a nation that still houses too much racism. Combine this with the personal stories the author shares of his relationship with his parents, his grandparents, and the relationship between his parents and his grandparents together, and the reader gets both an intimate look into the author’s life and a broader look into the life of an African-American parent in the United States today.
The Verdict
A meaningful, insightful, and thought-provoking memoir, author Eric L. Heard’s “Reflections of an Anxious African-American Dad” is a must-read nonfiction book of 2021. While a short read, the book has a major impact, speaking to parents and in particular African-American parents as the book takes an intimate look into the author’s personal stories and showcases how our childhood and the way adults interact with children do have an impact on their lives later on. A truly meaningful book that is not to be missed, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Eric L. Heard currently lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with his wife, Sonya, of 17 years and his son, McKinley. Eric is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Engineering. He also has a Master’s Business Administration from Indiana University and Master’s of Manufacturing Operations from Kettering University. He is an Army Brat who has lived in the Southeast United States, Germany, and Japan. Please contact me at ericlheard@hotmail.com, if you have any questions or need to contact me.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A humorous and heartfelt exploration of impending fatherhood and the process of pregnancy from a husband and father’s perspective is brought to brilliant life in author Tom Kreffer’s “Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be-First-Time Dad”.
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The Synopsis
Imagine discovering you’re about to become a parent, even though doctors told you the chances of making a baby were close to zero.
Now, a soon-to-be first-time father is charting a course through the perilous and choppy waters of living with a pregnant woman. He’s dodging hormonal right hooks, evading emotional explosions, saying all the wrong things (like ‘Are you okay?’) and trying to figure out how the hell you install a car seat.
Written as a journal to his unborn child, Dear Dory is the unfiltered, irreverently funny, honest and heartfelt account of one man’s journey to fatherhood as he contemplates his new identity as a Daddy and prepares for the responsibility of a lifetime.
WARNING: This book contains a truckload of profanity.
The Review
This is such a fantastic and honest read. The author brilliantly delves into the raw and honest emotions that run through an impending father’s mind throughout the course of a nine-month pregnancy. From the rush of nerves and fear of hoping when facing a pregnancy test to the changing health conditions of your pregnant wife, including her low iron levels, and the challenge of finding the right remedy to help their exhaustion, the author covers a wide range of both physical and mental (along with emotional) experiences throughout pregnancy both for his wife and himself.
The tone and the pacing of this book are what really stand out to me. The author’s truthful and humorous approach to the subject of fatherhood really makes this narrative relatable, and the fact the author promises that the book is not a must-follow guide on all things parenting, but instead an honest conversation on the author’s personal experiences throughout the pregnancy and looking ahead to fatherhood. Both parents and impending parents will be able to relate to the author’s story, as it is refreshing to see a father who not only seeks answers and hope for parenting but exudes a sense of optimism in his writing about fatherhood.
The Verdict
A heartwarming, engaging and eye-opening read for any father, parent or future parent, author Tom Kreffer’s “Dear Dory” is a must-read book on parenthood. The humor and wit the author infuses into his writing balances the honesty and hope that the author brings to the subject matter, and makes this a valuable as well as entertaining read that should not be missed. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Tom Kreffer has a degree in film and television and has worked in finance for over ten years. Dear Dory is his first book.
He lives in Northampton, England with his family, whom he intends to exploit for many more story opportunities in the years to come.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Mauro Poma takes readers on an exciting journey into the heart and history of the infamous Roman Colosseum in the book “Discovering the Colosseum”.
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The Synopsis
A fascinating journey into the world of the largest amphitheater in Roman history to explore its curiosities, stories, characters, animals, gladiators, and much more. . . The author will help you discover the tricks used by the Romans to build this giant of history, describe the atmosphere of the events, the animals employed, and their fate. Who was in the audience? How were death sentences executed? What happened in the hypogeum? With a compelling style the author will also describe the great and undisputed protagonists of the games: the gladiators. Where did they come from? Who were they? Why did they fight? Why did they keep their helmets on before being killed? Where did their blood go when they died? He will also take a look at some of the mistakes in the film “Gladiator”, starting with the famous gesture of thumbs down. . . Discover the Colosseum: a monument, once abandoned, that has given shelter to criminals and prostitutes. It has been transformed into a fortress and sacred place, a bomb shelter, and huge roundabout; it has also hosted millions of spectators in its time, along with visitors, tourists, pilgrims, and the many plants that grow within its unforgettable arches.
The Review
As a longtime history buff, I was instantly drawn to this book. One thing that has always fascinated me is the line that so often blurs between pop culture and entertainment and the facts of history, and the author does a great job of really delving into the real history and culture of the infamous Colosseum.
The author does a fantastic job of balancing the statistics and facts of the Colosseum and its history, from the hunts and how the Romans would bring in the powerful animals featured in the games, with the more personal and approachable writing style that allows the reader to feel like they are in a conversation with the author, rather than being lectured or talked to. The landmark’s history just comes to life right off the page, really allowing the reader to feel transported back to the Colosseum at the height of its power.
The Verdict
An informative, engaging, and thought-provoking history-driven book, author Mauro Poma’s “Discovering the Colosseum” is a must-read non-fiction book. The amount of history, culture, and facts the author provides to the reader complements the author’s natural and personable writing style and encourages the reader to want to visit this landmark for themselves. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Born and raised in Rome, scholar of the Eternal City, Mauro Poma is a qualified tour guide of Rome, a writer and a lecturer. He has got two degrees: one in History and Conservation of the Artistic and Archaeological Heritage and one in Political Sciences. He is the author of the book “Discovering the Colosseum”, that is the revised and enlarged English edition of “Alla scoperta del Colosseo”. He works as lecturer at Dante Alighieri association, the most prestigious Italian cultural association in the world.
Paranormal Investigator and star of the acclaimed paranormal documentary series Kindred Spirits, author Amy Bruni shares her experiences and lessons she learned in the paranormal field in an effort to dispel the hysteria and fear that is often associated with the paranormal in her book, “Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned About Ghosts”.
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The Synopsis
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
Star of Kindred Spirits and paranormal investigator Amy Bruni shares stories from her years of experiences with ghosts, organized around thirteen truths that guide her approach to the supernatural.
Amy Bruni, co-star of Kindred Spirits and one of the world’s leading paranormal investigators, has learned a lot about ghosts over her years of research and first-hand experience. Now, in Life with the Afterlife, she shares the insight she has gleaned and how it has shaped her unique approach to interacting with the spirits of the dead and those who encounter them.
From her earliest supernatural encounters as a child, through her years appearing on Ghost Hunters and the creation of her company Strange Escapes, which offers paranormal excursions to some of America’s most notoriously haunted destinations, and into her current work on The Travel Channel’s Kindred Spirits, this book is full of astonishing and deeply moving stories of Amy’s efforts to better understand the dead but not yet departed. With Amy’s bright humor and fierce compassion for both those who are haunted and those who are haunting, Life with the Afterlife is an eye-opening look at what connects us as people, in life and beyond.
The Review
As a longtime fan of the author’s work both in television work and in the field of paranormal investigation, I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to review this book. The author and investigator does an amazing job of balancing personal stories and her views on the paranormal with real-life lessons and techniques that aspiring investigators can take with them into the field, along with helping to shed the “horror” quality paranormal investigations often get from those who don’t fully understand the field.
The thing that really stood out to me in this book is how the author balances personal experience with infamous cases and beyond. For instance, the author can relay some incredible moments from seasons of Kindred Spirits in the personal homes of a mother and son, and then just as easily switch over to the infamous Conjuring House, and discuss each case in the same matter of fact and thought-provoking way. It allowed the book to maintain a balance of personal and emotional recollection with scientific and investigative reporting.
There were so many incredible stories and lessons to be learned in this book, but one that really resonated with me was the lesson that is revealed early on in the book. Everyone tends to treat every haunting as something fearful and terrifying, but that is rarely the case. Sometimes people are so desperate to be heard in the afterlife or confused about what’s happening that their attempts to communicate come across as frightening, when it really wasn’t meant to be. The notion that people are generally going to act and behave the same way they did in the afterlife as they did in their living life is such a profound thing to think about, and a lesson that can really help others understand the paranormal in a whole new light.
The Verdict
Hauntingly engaging, both humorous and emotionally driven, and an evenly-paced yet exciting read, author Amy Bruni’s “Life with the Afterlife” is a must-read book and one of my favorite non-fiction reads in the field of the paranormal. A perfect balance of personal stories from her work and her life with the lessons and techniques investigators and average readers alike can take when dealing with the paranormal, this book is the perfect blend of entertaining and educational in this field. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Amy Bruni started working professionally as a paranormal investigator in 2007, when she began appearing on Ghost Hunters, one of the longest-running and highest-rated paranormal television shows. Now, she’s the co-star and executive producer of The Travel Channel’s Kindred Spirits. In addition, Amy is the owner of Strange Escapes, a company offering paranormal excursions to some of America’s most notoriously haunted destinations.
