Tag: nonfiction

Interior Design 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Your Home by Barbara Moreau 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. 

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Author Barbara Moreau takes readers on a journey to discover the best methods and techniques for learning how to become an interior decorator in the book “Interior Design 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Your Home”.

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The Synopsis

Interior Design 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Your Home” is the ultimate companion for anyone venturing into the world of interior design. This comprehensive book takes you on a journey, starting from the fundamentals and leading you to create stunning spaces that reflect your personal style. From understanding color schemes, furniture arrangement, and lighting techniques to exploring different design styles and budget-friendly tips, this book covers it all. Packed with practical advice, inspiring examples, and step-by-step instructions, “Interior Design 101” empowers you to transform your home into a harmonious and inviting sanctuary, no matter your skill level or budget. Unlock your creativity and unleash the designer within with this essential guide.

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The Review

This was a well-written and detailed guide for anyone looking to get into the world of interior decorating. The author’s writing style was a healthy mix of personable and educational, and the fast pace of the narrative allowed the reader to get a clear sense of what they were learning, and to come back to this guidebook time and time again.

To me, what really set this guide and book apart was the fact that the author wrote this for a multitude of different readers. The book will appeal to anyone looking to become an interior designer, but even those who may not see a career for themselves in this field will be drawn to this, getting the knowledge and skill to make these changes for themselves in their own homes. Learning everything from assessing one’s space to plan the layout of the design, to choosing the right lighting and furniture for the interior was great to see come to life on the page.

The Verdict

Insightful, captivating, and engaging, author Barbara Moreau’s “Interior Design 101” is a must-read nonfiction book and guide to anyone interested in learning about interior design. The depth of detail and the impactful work the author put into this guide will have readers referencing and learning from it for years to come. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Today, I Choose Gratitude: Spiritual Gratitude Journal With Verses from The Holy Qur’an by Sajdah R. Nubee 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 Sajdah R. Nubee gives readers a beautiful and heartfelt journal to reflect on life’s journey and uses inspirational quotes and scripture from the Islamic Faith to help journal writers everywhere in the book “Today, I Choose Gratitude: Spiritual Gratitude Journal With Verses from The Holy Qur’an”.

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The Synopsis

Created especially for Muslim brothers and sisters, Today, I Choose Gratitude gives Muslims of all ages a beautiful space to reflect on Allah’s words and develop deep gratefulness.

Given the fast pace of day-to-day life, it’s often difficult to take a moment to reflect and find the beauty in everyday moments. Author Sajdah R. Nubee’s striking journal poses gratefulness-inspired quotes from the Qur’an and other Islamic scripture as prompts for readers to reflect with. Included in the journal, you’ll find prompts about:

● Success.

● Faith and Mercy.

● Trusting Allah.

● Safety and security.

● …and more!

Today, I Choose Gratitude is lined and undated with 100 prompts, allowing for reflective writing that fits into your routine seamlessly. Readers can build a daily habit with the book, or take advantage of it when they recognize they need a moment to relax, reflect, and recenter. Each prompt differs slightly to help you focus on shifting pieces of life and the world-and how to be grateful for each.

Readers of this book will notice a difference in their heart after several days of journaling, and may even start daily gratefulness reflections once they start a routine.

While the journal is perfect for Muslims of all ages and genders, Today, I Choose Gratitude makes a wonderful gift for anyone interested in religious or spiritual motivation.

The Review

This was a simple yet powerful journal. The author was able to find the right balance of giving journal writers enough space to take account of their own lives and daily experiences while also infusing the author’s spirituality and faith into the prompts and inspirational quotes found within the book. The insight that readers gain from those quotes will stay with them as time goes on.

This was a fast-paced yet interactive and heartfelt journal to take hold of. The lovely artwork and design that the book utilizes and the emphasis the journal puts on guiding writers to find the gratitude for everyday life that we sometimes lack due to forces both within and outside of our control made this a truly memorable journaling experience. 

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The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Sajdah R. Nubee’s “Today, I Choose Gratitude: Spiritual Gratitude Journal With Verses from The Holy Qur’an” is a must-read and must-write-in journal for both Islamic faith writers and those seeking to find the gratitude in life. The passion and insight the author provides in the pages of this journal will become both memorable and heartening to the readers as they push further and further into their journaling. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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The First Punch: Scrufty’s Guide to Life by Greg Vrecenak Review

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

Author Greg Vrecenak shares with readers the lessons he learned from his own father as he passes them down to his own child in the book “The First Punch: Scrufty’s Guide to Life”.

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The Synopsis

In “The First Punch,” delve deep into the essence of fatherhood, legacy, and the invaluable teachings life offers. Drawing inspiration from the timeless principles of Stoicism and personal anecdotes from childhood, the narrative transcends generations. It reflects on the lessons passed down from a father and how they have shaped a life, laying the groundwork for the wisdom to be passed on to the next generation.

Journey through the complexities of parenthood, identity, and the pursuit of Stoic ideals in the contemporary world. Each chapter unveils a lesson, a memory, and a stepping stone towards understanding life’s true essence. As a new generation beckons and lessons crystallize, this narrative provides readers a profound insight into life’s continual ebb and flow of teaching and learning.

Whether you’re a parent seeking to impart wisdom to your children, an individual on a journey of self-discovery, or someone keen to understand the Stoic way of life, “The First Punch” serves as a beacon, illuminating the path of purposeful living.

The Review

This was a moving and insightful read. The author found the right balance between personal stories from the author’s life learning from his own father and the engaging lessons themselves, touching upon deep philosophical ideas about life and how to live it. The compassion and understanding that the author’s writing style evokes made this book feel compelling to get lost in.

The thing that really stood out to me was the way the author wrote this equally as an ode to their father and a guide for their own child, as well as the amazing sports themes and references to help illustrate these lessons. One chapter that really helped marry these two ideas together was the story of getting out in front of the ball, showcasing the idea of a sport like baseball illustrating something as complex as facing life’s challenges head-on, and the honest and fast-paced of the author’s personal story blends well into this book.

The Verdict

Gripping, thoughtful, and insightful, author Greg Vrecenak’s “The First Punch” is a must-read nonfiction book of advice, parenting, and ethics that will speak to the reader deeply. Whether it is the sports references that help illustrate the author’s lessons or the thought-provoking lessons themselves that bring some incredible and heartfelt life lessons to the reader’s attention, this is one book that readers will fall in love with and come back 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

Greg Vrecenak is an English teacher who began his educational career in 2003. His journey commenced at Sheepshead Bay High School in Brooklyn before leading him overseas to the culturally vibrant city of Abu Dhabi. With a passion for pedagogy and a profound love for language, Greg has dedicated himself to enlightening young minds with the beauty of English literature. 

Away from the classroom, Greg finds joy and fulfillment in his personal life. He resides in Abu Dhabi with his loving wife, Zeina, and their playful cats, Marcella and Moon. Greg’s family recently welcomed a new addition, their son William, who has added a new chapter to their exciting journey abroad. 

As a teacher, a father, and an author, Greg is constantly learning and seeking out the narratives that shape our world, carrying the invaluable lessons from his past into his present life and sharing them with future generations. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-travis-vrecenak/

What Matters: Lessons Learned from Life by Phil Rainwater 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 Phil Rainwater shares a collection of quotes and lessons that will help younger generations connect with older generations greatly in the book “What Matters: Lessons Learned from Life”. 

The Synopsis

What Matters is a book about the lessons learned from life, and experiences we all share. But it’s more than just a book. It represents the connectedness that we seek. It reflects our desire to share parts of our lives with those we love. What Matters allows us to look within ourselves in quiet, self-reflection… inspiring us to be the best we can. To evolve, to share, to learn, to love, and to parent are all ingredients in What Matters.

What Matters starts the conversation between parents and kids, grandparents and grandkids, and everyone in between. The experiences reflected in the book touch on many topics and stages of personal growth. They are a personal journey about situations, behavior, and decisions that really mattered along the way. These experiences are written as a series of quotes with each quote illustrated with a child s work of art. What better way to underscore the lessons we learn from life, than with artwork from one of our greatest teachers; namely children. It s their innocent, unexpected, and wide-eyed visions of all things possible that add to What Matters.

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The Review

This was a fast-paced yet insightful read. The author does a remarkable job of conveying heartfelt and thoughtful messages and quotes that readers can learn to live by and write in such as way that readers from all walks of life can relate to. The honesty and inspirational theme of this book really will stick with readers both young and older as the book progresses.

A couple of things that really made this book’s message more impactful were the inclusion of children’s illustrations and artwork to complement each page, and the book’s proceeds benefiting cancer research. The need to combat this horrific illness made this book feel even more important than it already was, and the use of this artwork allowed the reader to feel that bridge or connection that the author was drawing between different generations, whether that is between parents and children, or grandparents and grandchildren.

The Verdict

Insightful, memorable, and engaging, author Phil Rainwater’s “What Matters: Lessons Learned From Life” is a must-read nonfiction book on parenting and self-help guidance. The heart and passion for which the author wrote reflect the importance and power of these passages and will stick with readers long after the book has been put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Phil Rainwater was inspired to create a roadmap for his children to realize and benefit from the experiences and lessons they would learn throughout their lives. Throughout his life, Phil accumulated valuable lessons and wrote them down in the form of simple quotes. As his children came of age, Phil shared these quotes with them inspiring the book What Matters.

But Phil knew that there was more to What Matters than just a book. Knowing that serving others is part of his journey, Phil arranged for students in the Reston, VA school system to create the illustrations to support these quotes. In return, Phil has pledged to donate 10% of book sales to The Reston Arts Center and the PTA of Buzz Aldrin Elementary School. The other 50 % of book sales are being donated to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) to help eradicate Pancreatic Cancer.

Phil lives with his wife and sons in Arizona. You can read more about What Matters by visiting his website at WhatMattersBooks.com

Elite Nuggets: Your Handbook to Greatness by Dawud Ellayan 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 Dawud Ellayan shares the knowledge he has gained to help people achieve personal and professional success in the book “Elite Nuggets: Your Handbook to Greatness”.

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The Synopsis

Elite Nuggets exists to help you obtain your greatest professional and personal success without all the clutter of fluffy language, droning passages, or boastful and exaggerated claims of greatness and riches from the author. Instead, it condenses hundreds of hours of research into small “nuggets” to provide you with the most important takeaways from hundreds of resources on personal and professional success. In these pages, you will learn to improve upon:

• Time Management Skills

• Leadership Skills

• Mentorship Opportunities

• Productivity

• Forming Good Habits

• Anti-procrastination Strategies

• Creativity and Problem Solving

• Learning and Memory Skills

• Communication Skills

• And more!

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The Review

This was a quick-paced and straightforward read. The detailed and thoughtful way the author was able to present the material to the reader gave both an educational and inspiring tone to the book’s writing style. The balance the author struck between the success that can be found in both the reader’s personal life with the business side of their life was great to see explored in this book.

The author covers a great deal of different aspects of success, from something as simple as time management to something subtle yet complexly related to each reader like creativity and memory. The use of both personal and professional stories to illustrate how each of these topics contributed to a person’s success really drove the heart and inspiration of this book’s message home perfectly.

The Verdict

Inspiring, memorable, and engaging, author Dawud Ellayan’s “Elite Nuggets” is a must-read nonfiction book on personal and professional success. The quick pace of the book and the way the author chose to focus on the personal experiences and tidbits of information that bring the heart of the lessons to life rather than a complex, detailed analysis of these lessons made this a compelling read that readers can reference and turn back 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

Meet Dawud Ellayan, a compassionate author with a passion for helping others reach their life goals and provide them with the tools needed in their journey for the pursuit of happiness.

I Don’t Know What I’m Doing: How a Programmer Became a Successful Startup CEO by David Thielen 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 and CEO David Thielen shares the knowledge and experiences he has gained to help newcomers to the role of CEO become a success in the book “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing: How a Programmer Became a Successful Startup CEO”.

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The Synopsis

  • Feeling lost as the CEO not sure what to do and what’s coming next? This is the life raft you need.
  • What exactly is the person in the corner office thinking about? This will take you inside their world.
  • Want to learn how to be a great CEO? There is no way to train for that job. But this book helps
  • Occasionally a startup grows to great success with no funding. Occasionally. Read how this one pulled it off.

If you are a CEO, read this tonight. It’s that valuable. If you’re going to be a CEO, read it before you start. If you report to a CEO, read it to understand the world your boss sees, providing you an understanding that will help you manage up.

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The Review

More and more these days, people are having a difficult time finding steady work, and so many take the initiative to start their own businesses. The people who are able to make a successful run at building an actual company find themselves the CEO of their own business, and that can be a stressful experience. The author does an amazing job of capturing the path to becoming a CEO and how to bring that all together. 

The straightforward and unapologetic way the author tackles the issues that will arise for newcomers to the role of CEO was fantastic to see in this book. The detailed and knowledgeable way the author presents this information touches the reader’s mind and heart, as you can feel the mental and emotional experiences the author had going forward in their line of work.

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, masterfully written, and engaging, author David Thielen’s “I Don’t Know What I’m Doing” is a must-read nonfiction book on business and entrepreneurship that is not to be missed. The perfect guide and educational experience to help developing CEOs learn the tools of the trade and gain the confidence they need to move forward with their careers. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

I’m a transformational Chief Executive Officer with over 20 years of experience in devising and delivering comprehensive strategies in growth-oriented environments that drive business development, streamline daily operations, and promote company value.

At Windward Studios I established and built a software company from the ground up, growing it into one of the largest document generator applications prior to acquisition. We developed and launched an innovative product that provided clients with a modern and custom program to design complex document templates in a simplified manner.

Windward was created and grown with no funding. That is incredibly rare.

My recent book, I Don’t Know What I’m Doing! is my effort to pay it forward. Learning to be an effective CEO is brutally hard. I hope this book makes it a bit easier.

I am writing more on this topic at my blog – https://ceobook.substack.com

The OTC Handbook by Aaron Hermann 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 Aaron Hermann’s “The OTC Handbook” shares with readers a glimpse at the ultimate handbook and reference guide to some of the most common questions patients have for their pharmacist.

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The Synopsis

As patients and consumers, we often have OTC questions for our doctors and pharmacists. But what if there was a way to get answers from a pharmacist at your own convenience? Enter Aaron Hermann. As a retail pharmacist, Hermann has fielded countless queries from customers over the years, and over time, he found that most patients were just looking for a quick reply to the same basic questions related to OTC medications and ailments. In The OTC Handbook, Hermann delivers a time-saving reference tool that offers answers to the most common questions he hears while at work, from cough and cold remedies to GI problems to skin conditions. It is a compendium of knowledge and insight, providing timely information to patients while freeing up time for busy pharmacy personnel. A first-of-its-kind guidebook, The OTC Handbook has the answers to all your over-the-counter healthcare questions.

The Review

We’ve all been there before. The quick trip to the local pharmacy, where either someone in our family or ourselves is feeling ill, and we need some quick medicinal relief. In those moments, we turn to our pharmacist. The author perfectly captures the knowledge and information that he garnered over the years, exploring the experiences he has had in the pharmacy field, as well as mimicking the social experiences with the patients who come to him with their questions. 

The way the author divides this book or guide up by symptoms was amazing, as it allowed the reader to quickly hone in on the problems they are facing. The fast pace of the questions being asked and the explanations for why these OTC medications work for the symptoms that are being described were really detailed and straightforward, allowing the reader to feel seen and heard. 

The Verdict

Informative, engaging, and thoughtful, author Aaron Hermann’s “The OTC Handbook” is a must-read nonfiction medical guide. The thing that makes this book stand out, as with any good medical guide, is the ability for a reader to go back to it time and time again, making it a great reference for anyone who wishes to understand why the OTC medications being prescribed work as well as they do. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Author Aaron Hermann was born in Alexandria, VA. He has been a retail pharmacist for over seven years, managing 2.5. He enjoys making life easier for his patients and pharmacy staff by paying attention to individual needs and providing quality care with empathy and kindness. As a retail pharmacist, Hermann has fielded countless customer queries over the years. Over time, he found that most patients were just looking for a quick reply to the same basic questions related to OTC medications and ailments.

In The OTC Handbook, Hermann delivers a time-saving reference tool that offers answers to the most common questions he hears while at work, from cough and cold remedies to GI problems to skin conditions. It is a compendium of knowledge and insight, providing timely information to patients while freeing up time for busy pharmacy personnel.

A first-of-its-kind guidebook, The OTC Handbook has the answers to all your over-the-counter healthcare questions. No other book on the market offers quick, simple answers to patients without being bogged down by medical jargon. Patients no longer need to make stressful trips to the local pharmacy. They can now go in confidently, knowing what drugs they purchase at the beginning of their trip and saving lots of money by avoiding unnecessary medications. This handbook covers a variety of common ailments, including cough, cold, allergies, pain, fever, topical ailments, eyes, ears, stomach and other GI issues, and much more. An easy-to-use index in the back of the book allows patients to quickly find the exact page with their questions.

He lives in Blue Springs, MO, with his wife and four children.

https://authoraaronhermann.com/

My Second Life by Simon Yeats Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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

A father must fight to see his son after he is taken to another country in author Simon Yeats’s “My Second Life”.

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The Synopsis

We all have two lives. We only get to experience living in the second after we realize we only have just one.

I have my first real scare in life when I get attacked by a kangaroo when I am seven. My first brush with the cliff-face edge of death comes when I am 12. My dad drives the family down the dangerous Skipper’s Canyon dirt road in New Zealand in a rented minivan.

Including the occasion I am almost involved in two different flight crashes, in the same night, there have been at least a half dozen more occasions when I have been within a moment’s inattention of being killed.

However, none of those frightening incidents compare to what I experienced after my son was abducted.

This memoir is the story of how I used the traumatic experiences of my life to give me strength to forge on during a 13-year fight to be a father to my son.

What did it take for me to get to my second life?

It took me to truly understand what fear is.

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The Review

This was a heartbreaking and emotional read. The book itself is incredibly powerful and well written, as it balances the author’s life journey perfectly, showcasing his own upbringing and experiences with life with his battle to save his son and the years of legal actions he has had to wage. The tension and crippling heartache that the author is able to capture in his writing really convey the urgency and overwhelming nature of the life the author has led to this point.

The heart of the narrative was the relationship between a father and his son. As the author relayed the bond he held with his own father, the emotional importance of his own desire to have that relationship with his own son really balanced out the detailed look into the justice system in other countries around the world, and the horrifying realities of fighting for custody and child support in a system rigged in one direction. 

The Verdict

Heartbreaking, informative, and engaging, author Simon Yeats’s “My Second Life” is a must-read nonfiction book on parenting and the struggles of a father desperate to see his son. The twists and turns in this author’s journey, as well as the shocking moments that will haunt the reader’s minds, made this a compelling narrative you won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Simon Yeats started writing as a way to manage his grief and pain. He may be an ordinary writer but his grief and pain are extraordinary.

To contact the author please email mysecondlifeyeats@gmail.com

Only Great Dads Get Promoted to Grandpa: A Grandfather’s Story by Mark N. Levine 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 Mark N. Levine shares the powerful story of his granddaughter and the impossible odds she overcame in her young life in the book “Only Great Dads Get Promoted to Grandpa: A Grandfather’s Story”.

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The Synopsis

Only Great Dads Get Promoted to Grandpa: A Grandfather’s Story is the heart-warming account of stretching the bounds of uncharted neonatal medicine, heartbreak, compassion, love, prayer, strength and the battle for life.

It is the story of Maggie Grace, the world’s 23rd smallest female micro-preemie to survive. She was born along with twin brother Noah. She weighed 11 ounces—less than a can of soda—and measured 9 inches. Noah weighed only 8 ounces. Both babies were given zero chance of survival. Although Noah passed away, Maggie fooled them all.

Within this book you’ll experience the resiliency of a fighter who refused to surrender to the impossible odds. You’ll experience the moments of tragedy, strength, strong family love and commitment.

You’ll laugh at life’s perspective through the eyes of sister Katie Elizabeth and her hilarious life observations

Most importantly you’ll see first-hand that sometimes miracles do happen.

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The Review

This was an engaging and emotional book. The author did an incredible job of balancing the storytelling aspect of his grandchildren and daughter’s experiences with the heartfelt connection he shares with them all. The fast-pace of the narrative blends with the themes of family and faith in a natural way, allowing the reader to feel engrossed in the author’s life experiences.

The imagery the author had in his writing kept the reader invested in the story, placing themselves in the author’s shoes perfectly to witness the highs and lows of this emotional story. The inspiration that Katie’s story brought into the reader’s life was so heartfelt, and the strength and wonderment that she brought into the author’s book allowed the reader to feel the emotional connection the author felt with their granddaughter.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, engaging, and brilliantly written, author Mark N. Levine’s “Only Great Dads Get Promoted to Grandpa: A Grandfather’s Journey” is a must-read nonfiction story of family, resilience, and finding a way to overcome the odds. The heart and compassion for which the author writes and the pace for which the author wrote this book will keep readers coming back for rereads of this book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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